Document Document Title
US08040791B2 Coordinated channel change in mesh networks
A coordinated channel change system. In particular implementations, a method includes receiving a prepare-to-change message, wherein the prepare-to-change message indicates instructions to prepare to change channels and includes a designated channel, and forwarding the prepare-to-change message to one or more child nodes. The method also includes receiving a ready-to-change message from the one or more child nodes, and transmitting a change-to-channel message to the one or more child nodes, wherein the change-to-channel message indicates instructions to switch to the designated channel. The method also includes receiving an acknowledgement message from the one or more child nodes, and changing to the designated channel.
US08040790B2 Low complexity bandwidth efficient carrier frequency offset estimation technique for OFDMA uplink transmissions
A system and a method for estimating low complexity bandwidth efficient carrier frequency offset for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and or single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) uplink transmissions in a communication network systems including a group of subscriber stations, a base station including carrier frequency offset unit. The method steps include transmitting a plurality of null subcarrier signals and data subcarrier signals from plurality of said subscriber stations (SS) to the base station; processing transmitted subcarrier signals at the base station by estimating carrier frequency offset (CFO) by carrier frequency offset unit; selecting the subcarrier signals based on carrier assignment scheme (CAS).
US08040784B2 Read/write tip, head and device, and use thereof, and method for manufacturing same
The invention concerns a reading/writing tip configured in the shape of a needle consisting of a core of refractory material covered with a coating of electrically conductive material, and having an outer microscope needle geometry by tunnel effect, to obtain an information concerning a surface through tunnel-effect microscopy The needle emits a charged particle from the layer of electrically conductive material, to form the surface. The tip comprises a reservoir capable of being liquefied to flow along the tip.
US08040783B2 Optical information recording and reproducing apparatus, and cartridge
An optical information recording and reproducing apparatus relating to the invention employs a two-beam interference method. In the optical information recording and reproducing apparatus, a moving device moves an information recording medium between a recording and reproducing position and a retracting position, and a mirror moves together with the information recording medium. When the information recording medium moves to the recording and reproducing position, the mirror moves to a position which is displaced from the at least one of the reference beam and the information beam. When the information recording medium moves to the retracting position, the mirror moves to a position where the mirror can reflect the at least one of the reference beam and the information beam toward a detector for detecting a deviation of the at least one of the reference beam and the information beam.
US08040779B2 Optical pickup device and optical disc device
An optical pickup device includes an astigmatism element which sets focal line positions to be defined by convergence of laser light away from each other, a diffraction element which diffracts four light fluxes obtained by a light flux of the laser light to disperse the four light fluxes from each other, and a photodetector having a first sensing section and a second sensing section which respectively receive m-th order diffraction light and n-th order diffraction light of the four light fluxes. In this arrangement, the first sensing section receives eight light fluxes obtained by dividing the four light fluxes of the m-th order diffraction light by two straight lines to output detection signals of the number less than eight.
US08040778B2 Diffraction element and optical head device equipped therewith
A grating portion has a plurality of convex portions provided on at least one principal plane of a transparent substrate having a first layer containing a first transparent material and a second layer containing a second transparent material, and extended in parallel to each other in a first direction as well as periodically arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A filling portion fills a third layer containing a third transparent material at least between the plurality of convex portions. Assuming that the change rate of the refractive index with the change of temperature of the first transparent material is αA, the change rate of the refractive index with the change of temperature of the second transparent material is αB, and the change rate of the refractive index with the change of temperature of the third transparent material is αC, the relationship αA<αC<0 and |αC|>|αB| is satisfied.
US08040774B2 Optical disk device and tilt correction method for optical disk device
An optical disk device has: a detector (11) that converts a reflected light from an optical disk (5) and a reflected light of an incident light from a light source (1) side of a solid immersion lens (4), into electric signals and outputs the signals; a subtracter (15) that computes the output signal of the detector (11) according to a predetermined rule and outputs the result as a tilt detection signal; a CPU (21), an amplifier/phase compensation circuit (16), a switch (17) and an actuator (13) that perform tilt control for controlling tilt of the solid immersion lens (4) with respect to the optical disk (5) using the tilt detection signal; and the CPU (21), a nut (24), a feed screw (25), a decelerator (26) and a stepping motor (27) that perform gap adjustment for changing the gap of the solid immersion lens (4) and optical disk (5), and in the process of adjustment of gap between the solid immersion lens (4) and optical disk (5), the CPU (21) enables tilt control by closing the switch (17) according to the tilt detection signal.
US08040772B2 Method and apparatus for inspecting a pattern shape
An apparatus for inspecting a pattern shape of a magnetic record medium or its stamper includes: a moving mechanism, on which an object to be inspected where a pattern is formed is placed and which moves the object to be inspected in a radial direction while rotating the object; an irradiating optical system that applies illuminating light of a wide band including far ultraviolet light to the object to be inspected moved in the radial direction while rotating the object by the moving mechanism in a polarized state suitable for the object to be inspected from an oblique direction; a detecting optical system that detects zero-order reflected light generated from the object to be inspected irradiated by the irradiating optical system; and a shape inspection unit that inspects a pattern shape formed on the object to be inspected based on a spectral reflectance waveform obtained by dispersing the detected zero-order reflected light, thereby inspecting the pattern shape at a high speed and with high sensitivity.
US08040771B2 Optical disc apparatus and method for controlling overwrite power
An optical disc apparatus capable of improving an overwrite performance for performing an overwrite operation on a re-writable type optical disc. The apparatus includes a calculating section which calculates out a recording power at the time of previously performing recording in a recording area of the optical disc, and a recording power determining section which determines a write power of the recording power calculated out by the calculating section as a write power of the currently recorded recording power, and at the same time, adjusts erase power, cooling power, and/or middle power of the recording power calculated out by the calculating section to finally determine the currently recorded recording power.
US08040767B2 Optical disc drive
It is provided an optical disc drive for playing data from a loaded optical disc medium. A controller of the optical disc drive judges whether the processing command has been received and whether a reset command has been received, measures a time between a reception of the processing command and a reception of the reset command in a case where the processing of the received processing command does not end until the reception of the processing command, determines a processing time limit shorter than the measured time, and in a case where the processing of the received processing command does not end until the decided processing time limit has elapsed after the reception of the processing command, stops the processing of the processing command and notifies that the processing of the processing command has been stopped to the host device.
US08040765B2 Initialization method for information recording medium, initialization apparatus for information recording medium, and information recording medium
According to the present invention, a recording film is partially initialized using a first light beam (A) having a wavelength for initialization, focus adjustment is performed using a second light beam (B) having a wavelength corresponding to a wavelength for recording and reproducing information on and from an information recording medium, and then the recording film is initialized using the first light beam (A), thereby it is possible to securely initialize recording films of all information layers of a multilayer information recording medium.
US08040762B2 Disk changer device and disk holding method
A disk changer device including a disk changer mechanism having a drive that can reproduce a disk, a holding mechanism including at least two holding sections, where each of the holding sections can hold the disk, and a picker configured to transfer a disk inserted into the drive to any of the holding sections, a memory configured to store information about the reproduced disk and information about the date and time when the disk is reproduced as reproduction history information when the disk existing in the drive is reproduced, and a control unit configured to determine the position of each of the holding sections where a plurality of the disks held in the holding mechanism is held based on the reproduction history information, and let the disks be held at the determined holding positions is provided.
US08040760B2 Polarization near-field transducer having optical conductive blades
In a particular embodiment, an optical transducer includes at least three optically conductive blades arranged symmetrically about a center gap. The optical transducer is adapted to receive polarized light from a light source and to focus the polarized light onto a recording medium while conserving polarization of the polarized light.
US08040759B2 Device that assists in maintaining the position of a date indicator disc for a timepiece
Device that assists in maintaining the position of a date indicator disc (2; 3) for a timepiece, the position of the date indicator disc (2; 3) being indexed by a jumper spring (50; 50′), said device being characterized in that it includes a locking member (52; 52′) which, outside the date indication correction phases, keeps the jumper spring (50; 50′) locked, said locking member (52; 52′) moving away in the date indication correction phase to release the jumper spring (50; 50′).
US08040755B2 Wired pipe depth measurement system
A method and apparatus for estimating a change in length of a wellbore conveyance device in a wellbore. A reference signal is sent along a first path and a wellbore signal having a phase relationship with the reference signal is sent along a wellbore path. A change in length of the wellbore conveyance device is estimated from a phase shift between the reference signal and the wellbore signal. The frequency of the wellbore signal may be changed downhole. The wellbore conveyance device may have at least one conductor under a maintained tension. A length of the wellbore conveyance device is estimated from the estimated change in the length. For a drill string composed of a plurality of wellbore tubulars, a phase shift of the drill sting is determined upon adding a wellbore tubular to the drill string.
US08040754B1 System and method for acquisition and processing of elastic wavefield seismic data
A system and method of acquiring and processing full elastic waveform data from a vertical-force source comprises providing seismic waves into the earth from the vertical-force source, sensing reflections of the seismic waves at multi-component geophones placed along the surface of the earth, and processing the reflections of the seismic waves to generate full elastic waveform data.
US08040751B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device has a command decoder responsive to a plurality of commands to set the semiconductor memory device to a normal mode, for generating control signals corresponding to the commands, respectively, and a row address prelatch circuit for holding a row address except for a bank address input together with a precharge command, and outputting the row address to a row address latch circuit, when the semiconductor memory device is in a test mode. The row address latch circuit holds the row address output from the row address prelatch circuit in synchronism with a control signal which is generated when an active command is input. The column address latch circuit holds the column address which has already been input when the active command is input, in synchronism with a control signal which is generated when either a read command or a write command is input.
US08040744B2 Spare block management of non-volatile memories
Techniques for the management of spare blocks in re-programmable non-volatile memory system, such as a flash EEPROM system, are presented. In one set of techniques, for a memory partitioned into two sections (for example a binary section and a multi-state section), where blocks of one section are more prone to error, spare blocks can be transferred from the more error prone partition to the less error prone partition. In another set of techniques for a memory partitioned into two sections, blocks which fail in the more error prone partition are transferred to serve as spare blocks in the other partition. In a complementary set of techniques, a 1-bit time stamp is maintained for free blocks to determine whether the block has been written recently. Other techniques allow for spare blocks to be managed by way of a logical to physical conversion table by assigning them logical addresses that exceed the logical address space of which a host is aware.
US08040737B2 Gain control for read operations in flash memory
A technique for performing read operations with reduced errors in a memory device such as flash memory. An automatic gain control approach is used in which cells which have experienced data retention loss are read by a fine M-level quantizer which uses M-1 read threshold voltage levels. In one approach, M-quantized threshold voltage values are multiplied by a gain to obtain gain-adjusted threshold voltage values, which are quantized by an L-level quantizer, where L
US08040735B2 Semiconductor memory device capable of detecting write completion at high speed
A memory cell array has a plurality of memory cells arrayed in row and column directions. A plurality of sense amplifier units includes a plurality of sense amplifiers detecting write completion of each of the memory cells selected for each row. A plurality of detection units is arranged correspondingly to the sense amplifier units, and forms a transfer path for transferring potential in accordance with a detection output signal of each sense amplifier unit. The detection units detect a sense amplifier unit corresponding to a portion where the transfer path breaks off, as a sense amplifier unit including write incompletion bit.
US08040731B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory of an aspect of the present invention comprises a voltage step-down circuit including a first and a second circuit to achieve a voltage drop and configured to decrease the first voltage to a second voltage less than the first voltage, a transfer transistor to transfer the second voltage to a word line, and a control circuit to generate the second voltage as a first write voltage in a first mode wherein the first write voltage less than or equal to a prescribed magnitude is applied to the word line, and to generate the second voltage as a second write voltage in a second mode wherein the second write voltage greater than the prescribed magnitude is applied to the word line, wherein the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is greater than or equal to the threshold voltage of the transfer transistor.
US08040729B2 Charge mapping memory array formed of materials with mutable electrical characteristics
A memory cell array including a data line; a capacitor; and a transistor coupled between the data line and the capacitor. At least one of the capacitor and the transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic.A memory cell array including a first transistor coupled between a first node, a second node, and a third node; and a second transistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node. The first transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic.
US08040728B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a non-volatile memory built into the semiconductor integrated circuit, the non-volatile memory electrically writing and erasing data and including a memory cell, the memory cell including: a selecting transistor controlled by a word line; an impurity diffused region formed inside a semiconductor substrate, the impurity diffused region being coupled to one of a source and a drain of the selecting transistor; a first electrode formed above the semiconductor substrate with an insulating film therebetween, the first electrode receiving a control signal and part of the first electrode having an opening; a second electrode formed above the first electrode so as to oppose the first electrode with an insulating film therebetween, the second electrode having a protrusion which opposes the impurity diffused region with a tunnel film therebetween and projects toward the semiconductor substrate through the opening of the first electrode, and storing information based on an applied voltage; and a sensing transistor operating based on charges accumulated in the second electrode, so as to sense the information stored in the memory cell.
US08040726B2 Flash memory device and layout method of the flash memory device
Provided is a flash memory device including a plurality of page buffer high voltage transistors. The plurality of high voltage transistors are operatively associated with a page buffer circuit, wherein each high voltage transistor includes; a gate pattern separating a first pattern from a second pattern. The first and second patterns extend in parallel and serve as respective source/drain regions, and the first pattern is floated and the second pattern receives an erase voltage during an erase operation. A first set of high voltage transistors is series connected in a columnar arrangement, such that column adjacent high voltage transistors are laid out with alternating source/drain symmetry in the columnar direction.
US08040723B2 Voltage compensation circuit, multi-level memory device with the same, and voltage compensation method for reading the multi-level memory device
A voltage compensation circuit, a multi-level memory device with the same, and a voltage compensation method for reading the multi-level memory device are provided. When a memory cell is read, a reference voltage applied to the memory device is adjusted according to variation of characteristics of a drift resistance of a reference cell. The increased value of the reference voltage (i.e. a voltage difference) corresponds to a resistance variation caused by a drift condition. The drift compensation mechanism is adaptive to a compensation circuit of a read driver of the memory device, which can compensate variation of the voltage level when data is read from the memory cell. When the resistance drift occurs, a drift amount is calculated and is added to the reference voltage, in order to avoid the error in judgement caused by the resistance drift when the stored data is read out.
US08040722B2 Charge mapping memory array formed of materials with mutable electrical characteristics
A memory cell array including a data line; a capacitor; and a transistor coupled between the data line and the capacitor. At least one of the capacitor and the transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic.A memory cell array including a first transistor coupled between a first node, a second node, and a third node; and a second transistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node. The first transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic.
US08040721B2 Creating short program pulses in asymmetric memory arrays
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for adjusting voltages of bit and word lines to create short programming pulses to program a memory cell. The invention may include setting a first line connected to a memory cell to a first voltage from a first line standby voltage, charging a second line connected to the memory cell to a predetermined voltage from a second line standby voltage, switching the first line from the first voltage to a second voltage, and switching the first line from the second voltage to the first voltage. The voltage difference between the first voltage and the predetermined voltage is such that a safe voltage results that does not program the memory cell. A voltage difference between the second voltage and the predetermined voltage is such that a programming voltage operative to program the memory cell results. The switching operations together may create a first pulse.
US08040720B2 Phase-change memory device including biasing circuit
A memory cell device is provided which includes a substrate, a plurality of unit memory cells connected between a word line and respective bit lines, where each memory cell including a resistance variable element, such a phase-change element, and a diode connected in series between the word line and the respective bit line, and a biasing circuit which applies a biasing voltage to the substrate to decrease a current flow in the word line.
US08040718B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell having a first resistance state and a second resistance state, a bit line connected to the memory cell, a reference cell fixed to the first resistance state, a reference bit line connected to the reference cell, and a generation circuit configured to generate a reading voltage and a reference voltage. The generation circuit includes a constant current source connected to a first node, a first replica cell connected between the first node and a second node and fixed to the first resistance state, a second replica cell connected between the second node and a third node and fixed to the second resistance state, a first resistance element connected between the first node and a fourth node, and a second resistance element connected between the fourth node and the third node.
US08040716B2 Controlling a variable resistive memory wordline switch
A method of controlling the voltage of a sub-wordline in a variable resistive memory device includes switchably passing a voltage from a main wordline to the sub-wordline, and substantially blocking forward current flow from the sub-wordline to a variable resistive memory cell of the device.
US08040708B2 Semiconductor device
The reliability of a semiconductor device is improved.A package of a semiconductor device internally includes a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip in which power MOS•FETs are formed and a third semiconductor chip in which a control circuit controlling the first and second semiconductor chips is formed. The first to third semiconductor chips are mounted on die pads respectively. Source electrode bonding pads of the first semiconductor chip on a high side are electrically connected with a first die pad of the die pads via a metal plate. On a top surface of the die pad 7D2, a plated layer formed in a region where the second semiconductor chip is mounted, and another plated layer formed in a region where the metal plate is joined are provided and the plated layers are separated each other with a region where no plated layer is formed in between.
US08040707B2 Power converter
A power converter includes a base plate having thereon a switching device, and positive and negative conductors respectively including main portions disposed parallel to the base plate. One of the main portions is placed over the other of the main portions. The main portions are disposed adjacent to and parallel to each other. The main portions are insulated from each other. The power converter includes a capacitor having positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the respective main portions of the positive and negative conductors. Each of the positive and negative conductors includes a side portion extending from the main portion toward the base plate, and a terminal portion extending from the side portion and joined to the base plate. The side portion is formed with a cutout extending from the end adjacent to the base plate to the opposite end connected to the main portion.
US08040706B2 Sine wave lamp controller with active switch commutation and anti-flicker correction
A pulse width modulated half bridge dimming controller for dimming a lighting ballast is described. The top half of the bridge is comprised of two switches, the top switch set, and the bottom half of the bridge is comprised of two switches, the bottom switch set. Each switch also has a diode in parallel with it. The drivers for the switches are configured so that each of the switches can be turned on and off independently of all of all the other switches. Preferably, the controller is capable of operating in all four quadrants. In one preferred embodiment the switches are IGBTs. The switches are controlled in a manner so that when one of the switch sets changes states, the second switch set has one switch on and one switch off, so that one of the diodes in the second switch set is disposed to block shoot through and provide a path to allow current to continue flowing in the inductive load.
US08040705B2 Circuit with isolation interface and remote on/off
A circuit with an isolation interface and a remote on/off function is disclosed. The circuit includes a controller included in a primary side of the circuit. The controller is coupled to receive a primary side feedback signal and the controller is configured to enter a shutdown mode when the primary side feedback signal exceeds a feedback signal threshold. The circuit also includes an isolation interface coupled to galvanically isolate the primary side from a secondary side of the circuit. The isolation interface translates a secondary side feedback signal from the secondary side into the primary side feedback signal on the primary side. The isolation interface is configured to adjust the primary side feedback signal to exceed the feedback signal threshold in response to an on/off signal.
US08040704B2 Integrated magnetics switching converter with zero inductor and output ripple currents and lossless switching
Switching Converter with a novel two-loop Integrated magnetic structure integrates transformer and two output inductors and eliminates large circulating current in the transformer secondary side resulting in ultra high efficiency and zero ripple output current as well as zero ripple currents in both output inductors simultaneously. The novel lossless switching method eliminates the primary side switching losses to result in switching converter with highest efficiency, compact size and additional performance advantages, such as ultra low output ripple voltage, low EMI noise and improved reliability with additional benefits when operated with a front-end Power Factor Converter for computer server applications.
US08040699B2 Secondary side constant voltage and constant current controller
A low-cost integrated circuit is used as a secondary side constant voltage and constant current controller. The integrated circuit has four terminals and two amplifier circuits. A first amplifier circuit is used to sense a voltage on a FB terminal and in response to cause a first current to flow through an OPTO terminal. A second amplifier circuit is used to sense a voltage between a SENSE terminal and a SOURCE terminal and in response to cause a second current to flow through the same OPTO terminal. The FB terminal is used for output voltage feedback and is also used to supply power onto the integrated circuit. The SOURCE terminal is used for output current feedback and is also used as power supply return for the integrated circuit. The cost of the integrated circuit is reduced by having only four terminals.
US08040696B2 Resonant converter system having synchronous control circuit and controlling method thereof
The configurations of a resonant converter system and a controlling method thereof are provided. The proposed resonant converter system includes a resonant converter receiving an input voltage for outputting an output voltage, a rectifying device having a first rectifying switch and a synchronous rectification control circuit coupled to the resonant converter and including a signal generation apparatus generating a weighted turn-off signal to turn off the first rectifying switch at a zero crossing point of a first current flowing through the first rectifying switch.
US08040690B2 Inner-connecting structure of lead frame and its connecting method
An inner-connecting structure of a lead frame. The lead frame includes a metal frame having a plurality of leads. The inner-connecting structure of the lead frame includes an insulation film arranged on some of those leads, covering a portion of a first surface of the lead; a plurality of holes formed on the insulation film to expose some of those leads, wherein the hole exposes a portion of the first surface of the lead; and a conductive element selectively connecting the exposed portion of those leads electrically. Besides, an inner-connecting method of the lead frame is also disclosed herein. The insulation film is utilized to separate the conductive element from the lead frame so that the leads can be easily interconnected with each other.
US08040689B2 Support tabs for protecting a circuit board from applied forces
The present invention can relate to an electronic device having one or more support tabs that protect a circuit board disposed inside the device from externally applied compressive forces. In particular, when a force is applied to a housing of the device, the support tabs can buttress the housing of the device, either directly or through other intervening components disposed within the device, to reduce the likelihood that the housing or intervening components will contact and damage the circuit board. The present invention also can relate to methods for manufacturing such an electronic device.
US08040688B2 Circuit board unit and electronic device
A circuit board unit includes: a circuit board; a connector mounted on and electrically connected to the circuit board via a cable; a support member which supports the connector on the circuit board; and an installation component mounted on the circuit board to support the support member. The circuit board has a pair of openings passing through front and rear surfaces of the circuit board on both sides of an area on which the connector is mounted. The support member has an upper plate adjoining an upper surface of the connector, a pair of side plates that are bent from the upper plate and extending along a pair of side surfaces of the connector and each have a leading edge inserted into each of the pair of openings, and a fixed section extending from the upper plate and fixed to the installation component.
US08040686B2 Power supply apparatus having DC-DC converter module mounted on individual printed circuit board
This invention provides a power supply comprising a mother board, a first socket, and a DC-DC converter module. The mother board comprises a transformer operative for transforming an input power into a first AC output power and a filter operative for receiving the first AC output power and filtering the first AC output power into a first DC output power. The first socket is mounted on the mother board and electrically coupled to a circuitry of the mother board by way of at least one conductor terminal operative for providing the first DC output power. The DC-DC converter module mounted on a printed circuit board electrically coupled to the mother board comprises a DC-DC converter operative for receiving the first DC output power and converting the first DC output power into a second DC output power and a third DC output power and a second socket operative for providing the second DC output power and the third DC output power by means of a conductive path of the printed circuit board. There are several advantages including the reduction of the use of the conductive wires, the improvement of the efficiency of the power supply, the simplicity of the circuitry of the power supply, and the easy replacement of the broken component because the DC-DC converter module is mounted on an individual printed circuit board different from the mother board.
US08040685B2 Stacked wiring board and method of manufacturing stacked wiring board
A wiring board and method of forming the wiring board. The wiring board includes a first substrate, and a second substrate having a smaller mounting area than a mounting area of the first substrate. A base substrate is laminated between the first substrate and the second substrate such that the first substrate extends beyond an edge of the second substrate, and at least one via formed in at least one of the first substrate or the second substrate. A thickness of a portion of the base substrate that is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate is greater than a thickness of a portion of the base substrate that is not sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08040681B2 Circuit arrangement
A circuit arrangement is provided that includes at least one semiconductor component, at least one filter arrangement, which has at least two discretely made coil elements, which are disposed adjacent to one another with parallel aligned magnetic field axes, and a contacting unit, which has electrical traces for an electrically conductive connection of the semiconductor component to the filter arrangement. A thickness of the semiconductor component is at least 20% of a thickness of the coil elements.
US08040680B2 Information processing apparatus and nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
An information processing apparatus including: a main unit; a cooling fan that suctions open air into the main unit to cool inside the main unit with an air flow; and a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device that is provided within the main unit to be used as an external storage device, the device including: a printed circuit board; a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that is mounted on the printed circuit board; a memory controller that is mounted on the printed circuit board and controls the nonvolatile semiconductor memory; and a temperature sensor that is mounted on the printed circuit board and detects temperature within the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, wherein the memory controller is disposed at an upstream side of the air flow and the temperature sensor is disposed at a downstream side of the air flow.
US08040678B2 Connecting box for a solar panel
A connecting box for connecting to a solar panel includes a housing and a terminal assembly. The housing has an opening for introducing an electrical connecting element of the solar panel. The terminal assembly is disposed in the housing, which includes a first terminal having a first contact portion for contacting and applying an elastic force to the electrical connecting element and a first releasing portion extending from the first contact portion. The first releasing portion is non-obstructedly arranged in the housing to be operable to release the elastic force without assistance of any tools when the solar panel is inserted into or extracted from the connecting box.
US08040676B2 Carrier body for components or circuits
A carrier body for electrical or electronic component elements or circuits, the carrier body being electrically nonconductive or virtually nonconductive. In order to simplify the carrier body while at the same time providing extremely improved heat dissipation, the invention process that the carrier body is provided integrally with heat-dissipating or heat-supplying cooling elements.
US08040672B2 Mobile terminal device equipped with display
An organic EL display formed by welding a lid body and a substrate is arranged in a recessed surface of a cabinet; and at least two cushions are arranged between a bottom surface of the recessed surface and the substrate, the cushions being spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the cabinet. A friction reducing layer, which friction with the substrate of the organic EL display is small, is formed on the cushion, and the substrate is slidable on the cushion.
US08040668B1 Record and play medicine bracelet
The invention is a record and play medicine bracelet that includes a pre-recorded audio file that is accessed via a coded key. The record and play medicine bracelet may be adapted for a single use or multiple uses wherein the pre-recorded audio file may be recorded over. The pre-recorded audio file is accessed via the insertion of a coded key into a key input slot that is located on the bracelet. The bracelet is also capable of maintaining a log of times and persons who have accessed said information, which can be retrieved by a port located on the bracelet that can connect to a computer.
US08040666B2 Door with a service interface on an edge
A door movably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The door has a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface is located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door. The standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the cabinet. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.
US08040660B2 High voltage niobium oxides and capacitors containing same
Nb1-xTaxO powder wherein x is 0.1 to 0.5 is described. Further, this powder, as well as niobium suboxide powders, can be doped with at least one dopant oxide. Pressed bodies of the powder, sintered bodies, capacitor anodes, and capacitors are also described.
US08040653B2 Surge protector
A surge protector includes a body having an outer surface, and a clamp snapped on the body. The clamp includes spring clips. The spring clips have at least two support areas that are in a substantially same plane. The surge protector may also include a center electrode and terminal electrodes on ends of the body.
US08040647B2 System and method for protection against loss of battery in reverse battery protected devices
A system and method for protecting a reverse battery protected device during loss of battery are disclosed. An embodiment method includes biasing a substrate of a substrate switch of the reverse battery protected device to a lowest potential selected between a battery voltage and ground when the battery voltage is less than a magnitude of a first substrate clamping voltage during reverse battery, clamping the substrate to the first substrate clamping voltage when the battery voltage is greater than the magnitude of the first substrate clamping voltage during reverse battery, and clamping the substrate to a second substrate clamping voltage during loss of battery, where a magnitude of the second substrate clamping voltage is less than the magnitude of the first substrate clamping voltage.
US08040645B2 System and method for excess voltage protection in a multi-die package
A protection system implemented on one die of a multi-die package provides a discharge path for excess voltages incurred on one or more other die of the package. Ground paths are provided for certain circuitry in the package that have high noise-sensitivity, and ground paths are provided for certain circuitry in the package that have low noise-sensitivity relative to the high noise-sensitivity circuitry. The grounds of high noise-sensitivity circuitry of multiple die are shorted together, resulting in a common high noise-sensitivity ground. The grounds of low noise-sensitivity circuitry of multiple die are shorted together, resulting in a common low noise-sensitivity ground. A pre-designated removable path is included on the package external to the die, which shorts the common high noise-sensitivity ground and the common low noise-sensitivity ground. The removable path may be removed during manufacturing, if noise present on the shorted grounds results in unacceptable performance degradation.
US08040644B2 Power distribution system and electrical switching apparatus employing a filter trap circuit to provide arc fault trip coordination
An electrical switching apparatus comprises: a first terminal; a second terminal; separable contacts electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and an arc fault trip circuit cooperating with the operating mechanism and structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to an arc fault condition. An inductor is electrically connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. A capacitor includes a first lead electrically connected between the inductor and the second terminal, and a second lead electrically connected to a ground or neutral conductor. The inductor and the capacitor are structured to cooperate with a power circuit impedance downstream of the second terminal to form a filter trap circuit.
US08040637B2 Drive with voice coil motor
A drive is provided executing high-speed oscillatory motion. A voice coil motor in a pixel shifter includes a coil of a rectangular shape producing thrust along an axis, a flap fixing the coil, and flat springs giving to the flap an urging force against the thrust. An oscillation axis of the flap is parallel to the axis and located between another axis that is parallel and opposite to the axis and still another axis that is parallel to the axis and passes over a centroid of the coil. This reduces the value of the inertia per unit torque.
US08040628B2 Synchronous writing with timing error detection in bit patterned media disk drives
A hard disk drive that includes a head that is coupled to a disk. The disk drive further includes a comparator circuit that is coupled to the head. The comparator circuit receives a synchronization signal and a write clock. The comparator generates a write error signal if a comparison of the synchronization and write clock signals exceeds a threshold. The write error signal can inhibit a write operation or cause a rewrite of data.
US08040624B1 Lens drive device
A lens drive device for use with at least one lens may include a movable body holding a lens, a fixed body movably holding the movable body, and a drive mechanism for driving the movable body in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may include a drive coil fixed to the movable body and a plurality of drive magnets which is fixed to the fixed body and magnetized so that magnetic poles are different from each other in the optical axis direction. The fixed body may include an outer peripheral side magnetic member and an end face side magnetic member and an inner peripheral face of the outer peripheral side magnetic member and a side face of the drive magnet are faced each other through a predetermined space. The drive coil is disposed between the drive magnet and the inner peripheral face of the outer peripheral side magnetic member.
US08040623B2 Compact auto focus lens module with piezoelectric actuator
A compact auto focus lens module includes a piezoelectric actuator, an elastic element, at least two guiding fixtures, and a lens barrel with an optical lens set therein. By elastic force of the elastic element, a friction is generated between the lens barrel and the piezoelectric actuator. While being applied with a voltage, the lens barrel driven by the movement of the piezoelectric actuator moves along the optical axis under the guidance of the guiding fixtures. Due to fewer elements, compact volume, and light weight, the design is applied to a miniature auto focus lens modules so as to achieve effects of fast movement, stable focusing and reduced tilting.
US08040622B1 Apparatus for compensating an imaging lens
An imaging system (400) includes an imaging lens (116) prone to temperature changes which leads to changes in the imaging focus position of the imaging lens. A temperature sensor (404) configured to monitor the temperature of the imaging lens. An imaging lens adjustment element (120) attached to the imaging lens configured to adjust the setting of the imaging lens. A controller (104) configured to process temperature readings and adjust the position of the imaging lens by activating the imaging lens adjustment element.
US08040620B2 Lens drive device
A lens drive device may include a movable body provided with a lens and a drive mechanism for driving the movable body in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may include a substantially triangular prism-shaped drive magnet part disposed in at least one of four corners of the lens drive device, and a drive coil wound around a substantially triangular tube shape and whose inner peripheral face is oppositely disposed to an outer peripheral face of the drive magnet part through a gap space. In at least another embodiment, a lens drive device may include a flat spring provided with a plurality of arm parts which connect a movable body fixed part with a fixed body fixed part. The arm part is formed with a low spring constant part whose spring constant is smaller than a spring constant of other portion of the arm part.
US08040611B2 Color separation optical system and image pickup apparatus
It is disclosed that a color separation optical system improves color reproducibility by obtaining a characteristic which approximates an ideal spectral characteristic in view of influence of polarization separation caused according to the magnitude of an incidence angle. In the color separation optical system, a curve representing a characteristic of a green-reflecting dichroic film DG has a shape along the characteristic curve representing an ideal spectral characteristic corresponding to green light. Further, the characteristic of the blue-reflecting dichroic film DB is associated with that of the green-reflecting dichroic film DG. A part, in which the transmittance of the blue-reflecting dichroic film DB changes from a low transmittance to a high transmittance, in the transmittance characteristic curve representing the characteristic of the blue-reflecting dichroic film DB is included in a predetermined wavelength region associated with the characteristic of the green-reflecting dichroic film DG.
US08040604B2 Imaging system and method for providing extended depth of focus, range extraction and super resolved imaging
An imaging system is presented for imaging objects within a field of view of the system. The imaging system comprises an imaging lens arrangement, a light detector unit at a certain distance from the imaging lens arrangement, and a control unit connectable to the output of the detection unit. The imaging lens arrangement comprises an imaging lens and an optical element located in the vicinity of the lens aperture, said optical element introducing aperture coding by an array of regions differently affecting a phase of light incident thereon which are randomly distributed within the lens aperture, thereby generating an axially-dependent randomized phase distribution in the Optical Transfer Function (OTF) of the imaging system resulting in an extended depth of focus of the imaging system. The control unit is configured to decode the sampled output of the detection unit by using the random aperture coding to thereby extract 3D information of the objects in the field of view of the light detector unit.
US08040602B1 Frame assembly for a projection screen system
A frame assembly is used to mount a screen. The frame assembly includes screen-perimeter members and frame-splice members. The splice members permit the perimeter members to be separated into segments.
US08040599B2 Microscope system
A microscope system is for sequential observation of different fluorescent dyes that are accumulated in a tissue in an object plane. An illumination system and an observation system have at least two operating states. In one operating state, illumination radiation has a spectrum that includes an excitation band of a first fluorescent dye and is partly free from an excitation band of another fluorescent dye. In one operating state of the observation system, observation radiation guided in the first observation optical path has a spectrum in sections of the first observation optical path, which includes a first fluorescence band of the first fluorescent dye, while in another operating state observation radiation has a spectrum in at least some sections which is partly free from the first fluorescence band. A controller is configured to selectively switch the illumination system and the observation system into the first and second operating states.
US08040596B2 Epi-illumination optical system for microscopes
The invention relates to an epi-illumination optical system for microscopes which relies upon a Köhler illumination system using a collective lens array, having simplified adjustment function capable of adjusting the image position of a light source to the back focal position of each microscope objective lens in operable association with microscope objective lens replacement. The invention provides an epi-illumination optical system for microscopes, with an objective lens serving as a condenser lens, which comprises a light source, a collimate lens, and a lens array. The epi-illumination optical system further comprises a projection optical system adapted to project an image of light source formed by collective lens array. The projection optical system comprises a partial optical system movable in an optical axis direction, so that the imaging position for the image array of light source is adjustable to the back focal position of the objective lens.
US08040592B2 Encapsulated dispersions comprising electrophoretically mobile organic colorants
The invention relates to an electrophoretic display, comprising electrodes and cells containing at least one kind of ionic, monochrome particles, a non-polar liquid and a dispersant, wherein the ionic, monochrome particles of at least one kind are essentially aggregates consisting of a carbon containing pigment and an anionic pigment or anionic pigment derivative, and the dispersant is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polyesters, polyurethanes and copolymers. In general, the whole quantity of the pigment and the main part, preferably at least 80%, most preferred from 95% to 100%, of the whole anionic pigment or anionic pigment derivative present within the cells is comprised in the aggregates, with essentially no pigment and only a minor part of the anionic pigment or anionic pigment derivative physically distinct from the aggregates.
US08040590B2 Interferometric modulation devices having triangular subpixels
At least some subpixels in an interferometric modulator display are formed in a triangular shape. Such triangular subpixels may be formed and/or addressed in a variety of manners. At least some individual triangular subpixels may be separately addressable. However, a plurality of triangular subpixels may be addressable as a group, e.g., as a group of 2, 3, 4 or more. A single pixel may include varying numbers of triangular subpixels. For example, a single pixel may include 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 or some other number of triangular subpixels. Alternatively, a single pixel may include 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, or some other number of triangular subpixels. A single pixel may include triangular subpixels that are configured to be separately addressable and/or triangular subpixels are configured to be addressable as a group.
US08040589B2 Devices and methods for enhancing brightness of displays using angle conversion layers
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to enhancing the brightness of displays that employ illumination systems. In some embodiments, the illumination systems include light guides, diffractive microstructure, and light-turning features. The diffractive microstructure may be configured to receive ambient light at a first angle and produce diffracted light at a second angle greater than the first angle and greater than the critical angle for of light guide. The light is thereby guided within the light guide. The light-turning features may be configured to turn the light guided within the light guide out of a light guide and onto, for example, a spatial light modulator at near normal incidence.
US08040588B2 System and method of illuminating interferometric modulators using backlighting
An interferometric modulator array device with backlighting is disclosed. The interferometric modulator array device comprises a plurality of interferometric modulator elements, wherein each of the interferometric modulator elements comprises an optical cavity. The interferometric modulator array includes an optical aperture region, and at least one reflecting element is positioned so as to receive light passing through the optical aperture region and reflect at least a portion of the received light to the cavities of the interferometric modulator elements. In some embodiments, the interferometric modulator elements may be separated from each other such that an optical aperture region is formed between adjacent interferometric modulator elements.
US08040585B2 Optical device and optical system
There is provided an optical device including a plurality of polarizers that are arranged along a propagation direction of incident light, where the plurality of polarizers have transmission axes of substantially the same direction, a phaser that is provided between the plurality of polarizers, where the phaser has a retarded-phase axis forming a predetermined angle with the transmission axes of the plurality of polarizers, and a phase modulator that is provided adjacent to the phaser along the propagation direction, where the phase modulator has a retarded-phase axis of substantially the same direction as the retarded-phase axis of the phaser. Here, a phase difference generated in the incident light by the phase modulator is temporally adjusted such that the optical device transmits light in different wavelength ranges at different timings.
US08040578B2 Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
There are provided: a document feeding section for conveying a document; a first reading section for reading at least one side of the document conveyed by the document feeding section; a second reading section for reading other side of the document conveyed by the document feeding section; and a blank determining portion for determining whether the other side of the document is blank in accordance with image data of the document read by the second reading section. In a case where the blank determining portion determines that the other side is blank, one side of the document is read by the first reading section, and thereafter the document feeding section discharges the document.
US08040573B2 Method, program product and apparatus for translating geometrical design rules into boundary conditions in the imaging space so as to define test patterns for use in optical model calibration
A method of determining calibration test patterns to be utilized to calibrate a model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system. The method includes the steps of defining design rules associated with a given imaging process; defining a model equation representing the imaging performance of the optical imaging system; determining a boundary of an imaging signal space based on the design rules; selecting calibration patterns based on the boundary of the imaging signal space such that the calibration patterns are on the boundary or within the boundary of the imaging signal space; and storing the selected calibration test patterns, where the calibration test patterns are utilized to calibrate the model for simulating the imaging performance of the optical imaging system.
US08040570B2 Systems and methods for print coating de-saturation
Systems and methods for print coating de-saturation. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and system for controlling the output of a printer. When content is transmitted to a printer to be printed on a surface with a location-encoding pattern, the pattern is generally printed in a material different from the content material. By way of example, the content is generally transmitted in the CMYK color spectrum. The Key or black value is translated into the CMY values resulting in the K or black value being zero. The system and method alter the C, M, and Y values of the content such that it is ensured that no conversion occurs which would cause the Key color to be used in printing the content. The adjusted output is then sent to the printer.
US08040562B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable encoding medium encoded with a computer program
An image processing apparatus, including a color conversion part configured to conduct a color conversion of image data. The color conversion part extends an information amount of an output value in the color conversion based on a first minimum information amount possible to depict a gradation in a lattice point interval of an input value in a look up table used for the color conversion.
US08040561B2 Method and system for predicting print colors
Inherent reflectances and scattering coefficients of color materials to be used in producing a print are calculated, and target printing base solid predicted reflectances are calculated using the calculated inherent reflectances and scattering coefficients, and the spectral reflectance of a target printing base, according to the Kubelka-Munk theory. Colorimetric values are calculated from the target printing base solid predicted reflectances. Differences are determined between calculated target printing base solid predicted colorimetric values and standard printing base solid calorimetric values obtained from a color chart, whereupon target printing base halftone differential predicted calorimetric values are calculated from the determined differences. The target printing base halftone differential predicted colorimetric values and standard printing base halftone colorimetric values of the color chart are added, and a print predicting profile is generated.
US08040560B2 Automated color adjustment
A method for determining (250) a change required in a selected base point in an input colorant space of a digital-image rendering system to obtain from the digital-image rendering system a desired reference output color to within a predetermined color tolerance comprises determining the required change based on a local approximation of the colorant/color relationship at the selected base point. Gradient points are automatically generated (210) that are proximate or coincident with the selected base point and that are different from any other base point than the selected base point. A linear approximation to the colorant/color relationship at the selected base point is computed (240) from the gradient points and the measured (230) output colors at the gradient points as rendered (220) by the digital-image rendering system and. The required change is determined from the local gradient of the colorant/color relationship at the selected base point.
US08040559B2 Print management system, method and computer-readable medium containing program for the same
Colors of printed materials are easily matched. Provided is a print management system used in a printing system including a plurality of printing presses and performing printing using plates respectively created for each printing press. The print management system includes a tone-curve storage unit for linking and storing identifying information of the printing presses and tone curves for the printing presses; a communication device for obtaining binary image data from a host system; a binary-image-data correction unit for creating binary image data for each of the printing presses by correcting the binary image data using the tone curves stored in the tone-curve storage unit; and CTPs for creating respective plates for each of the printing presses on the basis of the corrected binary image data.
US08040557B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a setting unit, a converting unit, and a transmitting unit. The setting unit sets a save-mode for image data to be output to reduce color of image data. When the save-mode is set for image data, the converting unit converts reduces color of the image data to convert the image data into save-mode image data. The transmitting unit transmits the save-mode image data to an external device.
US08040555B1 Method and apparatus for processing image data for an irregular output scan path
Methods, algorithms, software, apparatuses and systems for processing image data for imaging devices having irregular scan paths (e.g., scan paths that deviate from a conventional horizontal and/or straight line). The irregular scan paths generally correspond to actual locations of a line of output from an image output device (e.g., a printer). The method generally includes steps of selecting one or more of the input pixels, correlating a location of the selected pixel with a location on an irregular scan path, and producing an adjusted pixel based on a value of the selected pixel, the location on the irregular scan path, and/or values of one or more pixels near the selected pixel. The present invention advantageously allows for processing an input image for an output device with an irregular scan path using only enough working memory for a relatively small number of pixel rows even if the irregular scan path traverses a relatively large number of rows in the output image.
US08040551B2 Image album creating system, image album creating method and image album creating program
There is provided an image album creating system for creating an image album by receiving high image-quality images used for creating the image album after creating an image album sample by using low image-quality images, having a low image-quality image receiving section for receiving the low image-quality images of original images whose image quality has been lowered by an orderer of the image album from an image album orderer's apparatus, an image information receiving section for receiving image information concerning the original image that can be specified from the original image or in capturing the original image and cannot be specified from the low image-quality image by correlating with each one of the low image-quality images received by the low image-quality image receiving section, an image selecting section for selecting the low image-quality image to be allocated to the image album out of the low image-quality images received by the low image-quality image receiving section by analyzing the low image-quality image and the image information and a selected image notifying section for notifying the orderer of the image album of the low image-quality image selected by the image selecting section.
US08040549B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus, includes an image reading part configured to read an image of a document; and an image storage part configured to store image data read by the image reading part; wherein the image reading part includes a part configured to read a range of a part of the image of the document; the image processing apparatus further includes: a first calculating part configured to calculate image data of a one surface of the document based on a size of the image data of the range read by the image reading part; and a second calculating part configured to calculate the number of pages of image data of the document which can be stored by the image storage part based on the result of calculation by the first calculating part.
US08040547B2 Image forming apparatus, printing system, printing method and program
To print, by discriminating a second user, print data unprintable by first user's printing authority, a control method for an image forming apparatus, printing print data specified by user discrimination information, comprises: reading discrimination information; obtaining printing authority information corresponding to first user discrimination information for discriminating a first user specified by discrimination information of the first user; judging whether input print data can be printed based on the printing authority information corresponding to the obtained first user discrimination information; determining, if judged that the input print data is unprintable based on the printing authority information corresponding to the first user discrimination information, printable print data based on printing authority information corresponding to second user discrimination information for discriminating a second user specified by discrimination information of the second user; and printing the printable print data.
US08040538B2 Information processing apparatus that receives biometric data for controlling access
An information processing apparatus includes: a first input unit that allows a user to input a biometric data of the user; a storage that stores a setting data corresponding to the biometric data; a setting unit that sets the setting data corresponding to the biometric data as a setting condition when the biometric data is inputted by the first input unit; a processing unit that performs a processing in accordance with the setting condition; a transmission unit that transmits the biometric data to an external device.
US08040532B2 Thin films measurement method and system
A method and system are presented for use in controlling the processing of a structure. First measured data is provided being indicative of at least one of the following: a thickness (d2) of at least one layer (L2) of the structure W in at least selected sites of the structure prior to the processing of the structure, and a surface profile of the structure prior to processing. An optical measurement is applied to at least the selected sites of the structure after processing and second measured data is generated being indicative of at least one of the following: a thickness of the process structure (d′) and a surface profile of the processed structure. The second measured data is analyzed by interpreting it using the first measured data to thereby determine a thickness (d′1 or d′2) of at least one layer of the process structure. This determined thickness is thus indicative of the quality of the processing.
US08040530B2 Automatic geometric calibration using laser scanning reflectometry
Systems and methods for calibrating a solid-imaging system (10) are disclosed. A calibration plate (110) having a non-scattering surface (140) with a plurality (150) of light-scattering fiducial marks (156) in a periodic array is disposed in the solid-imaging system. The actinic laser beam (26) is scanned over the fiducial marks, and the scattered light (26S) is detected by a detector (130) residing above the calibration plate. A computer control system (30) is configured to control the steering of the light beam and to process the detector signals (SD) so as to measure actual center positions (xA, yA) of the fiducial marks and perform an interpolation that establishes a calibrated relationship between the angular positions of the mirrors and (x,y) locations at the build plane (23). The calibrated relationship is then used to steer the laser beam in forming a three-dimensional object (50).
US08040529B2 Displacement sensor
A focused image is taken around the focal point by a confocal displacement meter. In a measurement apparatus, a confocal displacement meter system OPT-A includes a laser diode 1, a collimator lens 4, an objective lens 6, a half mirror 3, a diaphragm plate 31, and a photodiode 2. An observation image imaging system OPT-B is a telecentric light receiving optical system, and the observation image imaging system OPT-B includes a white light source 94, an objective lens 6, a dichroic mirror 5, a diaphragm plate 81, an image formation lens 82, and an image sensor 9. The collimator lens 4 is swept by an oscillator 7 in a two-headed arrow direction. A diameter of a diaphragm hole of the diaphragm plate 81 is set such that a depth of field of the objective lens 6 is not lower than sweep amplitude of the collimator lens 4.
US08040526B2 Implanting optical cavity structures
An implantable product includes an optical cavity structure with first and second parts, each of which can operate as an optical cavity. The first part includes a container with at least one opening through which bodily fluid can transfer between the container's interior and exterior when the product is implanted in a body. The second part includes a container that is closed and contains a reference fluid. The implantable product can also include one or both of a light source component and a photosensing component. Photosensed quantities from the first part's output light can be adjusted based on photosensed quantities from the second part's output light. Both parts can have their light interface surfaces aligned so that they both receive input light from a light source component and both provide output light to a photosensing component.
US08040525B2 Laser tracker including a locator camera
A laser tracker includes a first optical system located on a structure and that launches a beam from the structure. The laser tracker also includes a locator camera having a second optical system that includes a lens having a center and a clear aperture through which light may pass. The clear aperture has a clear aperture diameter. The second optical system includes a light source that illuminates a retroreflector, receives light reflected back from the retroreflector and forms an image on a photosensitive array that is converted to a digital data set from which the angular direction of the targets can be determined.
US08040524B2 Optical tomography imaging system, contact area detecting method and image processing method using the same, and optical tomographic image obtaining method
The optical tomography imaging system includes a light source, a branching section which branches a light beam into a measuring light beam and a reference beam, an optical probe having an optical fiber, a measurement section which irradiates a measurement target with the measuring beam and picks up a reflected beam, and a sheath which encloses the optical fiber and the measurement section, a multiplexing section which combines the reflected beam with the reference beam to create an interference beam, an interference beam detecting section which detects the interference beam as interference signals, and a contact detecting section which detects a contact area in which the optical probe and the measurement target are in contact with each other. The contact detecting section calculates from the detected interference signals a distance between the optical probe and the measurement target, and uses the calculated distance to detect the contact area.
US08040517B1 Arc flash detection system and method
A sensor to simultaneously detect light and acoustic waves is presented. The sensor includes one or more optical fibers and a diaphragm disposed near one end of at least one of the one or more optical fibers. The diaphragm is configured to vibrate upon incidence of acoustic waves from an arc flash and reflect a light beam into at least the one of the one or more of the optical fibers. A semi-transparent region is disposed around the one or more optical fibers to diffuse light originating from the arc flash into at least one of the one or more optical fibers.
US08040512B2 Inspection device, inspection method, and program
An illuminating optical system of an inspection device selects an arbitrary wavelength region from the light source, and epi-illuminates the sample via the polarizer and the objective lens. A detecting optical system includes an analyzer having a polarization plane intersected with a polarization direction of the polarizer. Then, the detecting optical system detects light from the sample via the objective lens and the analyzer, and acquires a Fourier image of a sample surface based on this light. An imaging section images the Fourier image. An analyzing section performs computation for processing for determining a notable area to be affected by a state of the pattern more than other areas in the Fourier image.
US08040509B2 Light scattering detector
The invention concerns high sensitivity light scattering detection and its application to evaporative light scattering detection in liquid chromatography. The exemplary embodiment includes a detection cell to accept particles suspended in a gas stream and permit a polarized light beam to pass through a trajectory of the particles and gas stream. A sample light detector is disposed to detect light scattered in the detection cell. A light trap accepts the polarized beam after it passes through the detection cell. The light trap includes an elongated housing through which the polarized beam passes, and light absorptive material within the elongated housing. An absorptive filter is aligned such that the angle of incidence of the light beam upon the filter approximates Brewster's angle and the electric field vector of the beam is aligned with the plane of incidence between the beam and the filter. Other embodiments of the invention provide increased light collection. Embodiments of the invention include temperature-controlled entrance and exit ports that control particle trajectory. Embodiments of the invention include a reference cell disposed between a detection cell and a light trap, and the reference cell includes lensing and a spherical mirror to direct light toward a reference light detector. The reference light detector provides a reference signal that may be used with noise cancellation circuitry, operating in either voltage or current mode, to reduce light source noise in the sample signal.
US08040507B2 Spectrometer
In the spectrometer 1, a lens portion 3 having a spherical surface 35 on which a spectroscopic portion 4 is provided and a bottom plane 31 in which a light detecting element 5 is disposed, has a side plane 32 substantially perpendicular to the bottom plane 31 and a side plane 34 substantially perpendicular to the bottom plane 31 and the side plane 32. Then, a package 11 that houses a spectroscopy module 10 has side planes 16 and 18 respectively coming into planar-contact with the side planes 32 and 34, and contact portions 22 coming into contact with the spherical surface 35. Therefore, the side planes 32 and 34 of the lens portion 3 are respectively brought into planar-contact with the side planes 16 and 18 of the package 11 while bringing the spherical surface 35 of the lens portion 3 into contact with the contact portions 22 of the package 11, that positions the spectroscopic portion 4 and the light detecting element 5 with respect to a light incident window plate 25 of the package 11.
US08040506B2 Spectrometer sensor comprising moving optical means and corresponding spectrometer
A sensor for a spectrometer is provided, which includes at least one optical element onto which an excitation light source beam is directed and from which a target beam is emitted towards a sample to be analyzed. The at least one optical element can move, thereby enabling the direction of the target beam to be varied.
US08040503B2 Method of inspecting a semiconductor device and an apparatus thereof
A method and apparatus of inspecting a sample, in which the sample is inspected under a plurality of inspection conditions, and inspection data obtained by inspecting the sample under each of the plurality of inspection conditions and position information on the sample of the inspection date in correspondence with the respective inspection conditions, are stored. The inspection data for each of the plurality of inspection conditions is against each other by the use of the position information on the sample to determine a position to be inspected in detail, and an image of the sample at a position to be inspected in detail is obtained. The obtained image is classified, the inspection condition of the sample by the use of information of classification of the image is determined.
US08040494B2 Device and method for the detection of particles
The present invention relates to devices and methods for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of particles. In particular, the invention relates to devices for the detection of particles, comprising a reaction chamber formed within a chamber body between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is located opposite to the first surface, and one or more displacers, wherein the distance between the first surface and the second surface is variable via the one or more displacers at least in one or more parts of the surface area of the first surface and/or the second surface. The invention also relates to corresponding methods for the detection of particles, comprising positioning a sample supposed to comprise one or more species of particles to be detected in a reaction chamber, displacing at least a part of the sample within the reaction chamber via the one or more displacers; and detecting/determining a value indicative for the presence and/or number of one or more species of particles.
US08040492B2 Illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, methods and components are disclosed. The illumination system can include a polarization manipulator configured to variably adjust a change in the polarization state of light impinging thereon. The illumination system can also include a mirror arrangement having a plurality of mirror elements that are displaceable independently of each other to alter an angle distribution of the light reflected by the mirror arrangement. A change in the intensity distribution caused by the polarization manipulator in a plane of the projection exposure apparatus can be at least partially compensated by the mirror arrangement.
US08040489B2 Substrate processing method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device by immersing substrate in second liquid before immersion exposure through first liquid
A substrate processing method which includes an exposure step wherein an immersion area of a first liquid is formed on a substrate and the substrate is exposed by being irradiated with an exposure light through the first liquid, and an immersion step wherein the substrate is immersed in a second liquid before the exposure step. By this method, occurrences of problems caused by adhesion marks, which are always involved in immersion exposure, can be reduced.
US08040488B2 Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block. The processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing comprises a coating processing group for resist cover film and a removal processing group for resist cover film. The resist cover film is formed in the processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing before the exposure processing. The resist cover film is removed in the processing block for liquid immersion exposure processing after the exposure processing.
US08040486B2 Ink for forming liquid crystal spacer and liquid crystal display device using such ink
The object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal spacer-forming ink that can sufficiently reduce the dot diameter of liquid crystal spacers formed by ink jet printing, and specifically it provides a liquid crystal spacer-forming ink with a surface tension of at least 28 mN/m at 25° C. and a viscosity of no greater than 50 mPa·s at 25° C.
US08040483B2 Semiconductor device, display device and mobile device
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes an insulating substrate, a nonvolatile memory formed above the insulating substrate and having a memory holding portion, and at least one light-shielding body covering an upper side, an under side, or both sides of the memory holding portion, wherein at least one of the light-shielding bodies is installed in such a way that a protrusion degree of the light-shielding body, which is defined by (a length of the light-shielding body protruded from the memory holding portion)/(a distance between the light-shielding body and the memory holding portion), is 0.1 or more.
US08040482B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display comprises: a first substrate; a display area disposed on the first substrate; subpixels disposed in the display area; a scan driver for supplying a scan signal to scan lines connected to the subpixels; a data driver for supplying a data signal to data lines connected to the subpixels; first transistors disposed on the first substrate adjacent to one side of the display area and connected to the data lines; second transistors disposed on the first substrate adjacent to the other side of the display area and connected to the scan lines; and a test pad connected to the first transistors and second transistors.
US08040475B2 Reflective morphable display device and method of feature activation
Disclosed is reflective morphable display with multi-layered depth viewing, low power consumption and few components and a method of activating various features thereof. The disclosed display includes a bi-stable reflective cholesteric liquid display crystal (ChLCD) layered in combination with a display device such as an LCD and a quarter lambda (λ/4) retardation film layer. Linearly polarized light emerging from the front surface of a display device is circularly polarized by the λ/4 layer before entering the ChLCD layer. In its reflective state, the ChLCD layer receiving a portion of the ambient light having the same handedness of the ChLCD is reflected in a mirror-like manner. Also in its reflective state, when it receives light that is circularly polarized by the λ/4 retardation film layer, the ChLCD layer acts as a shutter. A display device with depth viewing is provided as the ChLCD layer pixelated so it is configured to display font and/or other indicia.
US08040469B2 Display device, method for manufacturing the same and apparatus for manufacturing the same
The present inventions provides a method for manufacturing a film-type display device efficiently, and a method for manufacturing a large-size film-type display device, and an apparatus for manufacturing the film-type display device. An apparatus for manufacturing a film-type display device includes: transferring means for transferring a substrate over which an integrated circuit constituting the display device is provided; first separating means for separating the integrated circuit from the substrate by adhering a first sheet material to one surface of the integrated circuit; second separating means for separating the integrated circuit from the first sheet material by adhering a second sheet material to the other surface of the integrated circuit; processing means for forming one or both of a conductive film and an insulating film on the integrated circuit; and sealing means for sealing the processed integrated circuit with the second sheet material and a third sheet material.
US08040464B2 Image display device
An image display device includes a display panel module, a middle frame which places the display panel module thereon, and an upper frame which is engaged with a side face of the middle frame in a state where the upper frame covers a periphery of the display panel module, wherein the engaging portion includes projecting portions on a side face of the middle frame, each projecting portion being smoothly raised in the direction opposite to the display panel module and forming a sharp stepped portion which follows a raised portion, and pawl portions which are formed on portions of the upper frame which face the projecting portions, the pawl portions being bent along side faces of the stepped portions of the projecting portions and, thereafter, being bent such that the pawl portions extend while having arcuate face which has a center thereof in the vicinity of bent portions.
US08040460B1 Electronic paper device and manufacturing method thereof
This present invention provides an electronic paper display device. The electronic paper display device includes a thin film transistor array substrate and a display panel disposed on one side of the thin film transistor array substrate. The thin film transistor array substrate comprises a first substrate, a first metal layer, a dielectric layer, a second metal layer, a channel layer, a pixel electrode layer, a protection layer, a first resin layer and a second resin layer. The display panel includes a second substrate, a transparent electrode layer disposed on the second substrate, and an electronic ink material layer between the transparent electrode layer and the thin film transistor array substrate.
US08040459B2 Illuminating device and liquid crystal display device
A backlight (illuminating device) of the present invention is a tandem type backlight including a plurality of light-emitting units (11) including at least one point light source (5) and a light guide plate (7) for causing light from the at least one point light source to be diffused and surface-emitted. In each of the light-emitting units (11), a length X of a light guide area (9) is set so that an area, on a boundary surface between a light-emitting area (10) and the light guide area (9), of a cross-section of a light beam that is emitted from the at least one point light source (5) and is diffused in the light guide plate (7) is equal to or larger than an area of the boundary surface (interface). Moreover, a length X, in a length direction D1, of the light guide area is smaller than a length Y, in the length direction D1, of the light-emitting area, the length direction being a direction pointing from the at least one point light source (5) toward the light-emitting area (10). With this, it is possible to realize an illuminating device in which light from a light source can be more uniformly emitted, and an increase in thickness of the illuminating device can be suppressed.
US08040457B2 Side mold, backlight assembly having the same, method thereof, and liquid crystal display having the backlight assembly
A backlight assembly having lamp sockets and a side mold is provided. The backlight assembly includes a lamp emitting light, a lamp socket into which the lamp is inserted, and a side mold having at least one portion of a bottom surface thereof opened and including a supporting portion, a side wall formed at one side of the supporting portion, a sloping portion inclined downwardly at a side opposite to the supporting portion, and at least one socket connection portion receiving the lamp socket.
US08040454B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a cover bottom and a cover shield. The liquid crystal display includes a nut coupled to a bracket through a fastening bolt. An upper portion and a lower portion of the nut have different diameters.
US08040453B2 Pixel module and display device utilizing the same
A pixel module comprising a first transistor, a second transistor, and a connection line is disclosed. The first transistor is coupled to a first gate line, a source line, and a first drain line. The second transistor is coupled to a second gate line, the source line, and a second drain line. The connection line overlaps and isolates the first and the second drain lines.
US08040448B2 Transflective liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a transistor formed in a pixel. A first insulating layer is formed over the transistor, a first electrode is formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer is formed on the first electrode, a second electrode is formed on the second insulating layer, and the first electrode has a plane shape and the second electrode has a line shape portion.
US08040445B2 Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line disposed along a first direction on the substrate, a data line disposed along a second direction and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, pixel electrodes disposed in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, common electrodes disposed in the pixel region and alternating with the pixel electrodes, a semiconductor layer underlying the data line and including a portion having a width greater than a width of the data line, and a first blocking pattern comprising an opaque material and disposed under the semiconductor layer.
US08040442B2 Light guide plate and liquid crystal display having the same
A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a liquid crystal display panel and a touch panel is disclosed. A first transparent electrode is disposed on an upper surface of the liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image. A second transparent electrode is disposed on a lower surface of a retardation member and the second transparent electrode is opposite to the first transparent electrode. Accordingly, the entire thickness of the liquid crystal display apparatus may be decreased, and the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display apparatus may be reduced.
US08040440B2 Projection device and projection method
A projection device comprises a light source, a color wheel which is inserted into an optical path of the light source and in which a plurality of color segments are formed along a peripheral direction of the color wheel. The color segments are configured to transmit a plurality of wavelength band components in the white light in a time division manner during a rotation of the color wheel. A light source driving unit alternating-current discharges the light source at a period shorter than a rotation period of the color wheel while reverses a polarity at a timing to switch the segment of the color wheel inserted into the optical path.
US08040434B2 Information storage medium containing subtitles and processing apparatus therefor
An information storage medium containing subtitles and a subtitle processing apparatus, where the information storage medium includes: audio-visual (AV) data; and subtitle data in which at least one subtitle text data and output style information designating an output form of the subtitle texts are stored with a text format. With this, output times of subtitle texts included in the text subtitle data can be overlapped, a subtitle file can be easily produced, and subtitles for an AV stream can be output with various forms.
US08040431B2 Terminal cover for camera apparatus
Disclosed is a camera apparatus including an enclosure configured to enclose an imaging unit, a terminal arrangement unit arranged adjacent to a curved surface of an edge portion of the enclosure, and a cover member for covering the terminal arrangement unit, configured to move to open in parallel and along a straight guide groove provided near the terminal arrangement unit, and to turn along the curved surface of the edge portion when the cover has moved to open a prescribed amount along the straight guide groove.
US08040430B2 Battery capacity display device and camera
A battery capacity display device for an electronic apparatus, includes: a nonvolatile storage unit that stores information related to a remaining capacity in a rechargeable battery output from a battery module having the rechargeable battery and an arithmetic operation unit that calculates the information related to the remaining capacity in the rechargeable battery based upon a value of an electrical current flowing to the rechargeable battery; a display unit that displays the remaining capacity in the rechargeable battery based upon the information related to the remaining capacity; and a display control unit that controls the display unit so as to display the remaining capacity based upon the information related to the remaining capacity stored at the storage unit at least until the information related to the remaining capacity is output from the battery module following a startup of the electronic apparatus.
US08040426B2 Automatic focusing mechanism
An automatic focusing mechanism comprises a plurality of lenses and an image sensor disposed along an optical axis, an electromagnetic driving device for generating an electromagnetic force to drive the image sensor to move along the optical axis, and a position-limited device for limiting the movement of the image sensor along the optical axis. The image sensor is driven by the electromagnetic force and moved along the optical axis, and the distance between the lenses and the image sensor is properly adjusted, thereby realizing automatic focusing.
US08040422B2 Viewfinder and image pickup apparatus
The present invention provides a viewfinder including: a rail removably attached to an image pickup apparatus; a seat coupled to the rail so as to be movable in an extending direction of the rail; a display panel formed in a rectangle having left and right sides and upper and lower sides to have a display surface on which an image picked up by the image pickup apparatus is displayed; and a pair of left and right arms supporting the display panel on the seat.
US08040417B2 Imaging element suitable for readout charges in plural times in a time dividing manner in one horizontal scanning period
An imaging clement that performs a processing with respect to a predetermined line of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in plural times in a time dividing manner in each horizontal scanning period, includes a photoelectric conversion unit; an address generating unit that generates an address indicating a position of the line of an object for each of a plurality of divided periods formed by time-dividing the each horizontal scanning period; an address decoding unit activating the photoelectric conversion elements on a line position corresponding to the address; a period determination signal generating unit that generates a period determination signal indicating one of validity and invalidity of the processing with respect to each of the divided periods; a control signal generating unit that generates a control signal for performing the processing in each of the plurality of divided periods; a processing performing unit performing the processing with respect to the line of the photoelectric conversion elements; and a supply control unit allowing the control signal to be supplied to the processing performing unit when a corresponding divided period is valid, and preventing the control signal from being supplied to the processing performing unit when the divided period is invalid.
US08040414B2 A/D converter-incorporated solid-state imaging device
The solid-state imaging device includes: a first node for receiving a first signal from outside the solid-state imaging device; a second node for receiving a second signal from outside the solid-state imaging device; a test signal selection circuit for outputting the first signal received at the first node and the second signal received at the second node as a test signal by switching between the first and second signals at desired timing; and a test signal input circuit for supplying the test signal from the test signal selection circuit to an input of the A/D converter.
US08040413B2 Solid-state image pickup device
In a pixel unit, W, R, G, and B pixels are arranged in rows and columns. The pixel unit output W, R, G, and B signals obtained by photoelectrically converting light incident on the W, R, G, and B pixels. An edge detection unit determines a specific area having a W pixel provided with a white filter as a central pixel in the pixel unit, divides the specific area into blocks including the central pixel, and detects edge information as to whether there is an edge of an image in each of the blocks. A block select unit selects a block with no edge from the edge information. A ratio calculating unit calculates the ratio coefficients of the R, G, and B signals from the selected block. An RGB signal generator generates new R, G, and B signals from the W signal of the central pixel using the ratio coefficients.
US08040412B2 Imaging apparatus and image data correcting method
An imaging apparatus includes an optical system, plural types of color filters, an imaging device including a plurality of pixels each receiving a light incident to the imaging apparatus through a predetermined type of color filter and being operable to generate image data with the plurality of pixels from the image formed by the optical system, a light information acquiring section operable to acquire information on the incident light, and a correction processing section operable to convert a position of a pixel of the image data formed by the pixels, according to at least type of the color filter provided for the pixel and the information on the incident light acquired by the light information acquiring section.
US08040410B2 Imaging apparatus
A camera capable of compensating for facial field of a person to a proper brightness, and maintaining the luminance scale of the background, comprising an imaging portion for generating the picture data of the person; a gamma compensator for performing gamma compensation for the picture data; a facial field detecting portion for detecting a facial field from the picture data; a photometric portion for exposure metering value of the facial field detected by the facial field detecting portion; an exposure controlling portion for calculating a target exposure amount in response to the output of the photometric portion and controlling exposure depending on the target exposure amount; and a gamma compensation controlling portion for determining a luminance scale characteristic in accordance with the target exposure amount, wherein the gamma compensating portion is controlled on the basis of the luminance scale characteristic determined by the gamma compensation controlling portion.
US08040408B2 Image signal processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, and image signal processing method
An image signal processing apparatus is disclosed. A peaking signal generation section extracts and amplifies high frequency components contained in an input image signal to generate a peaking signal. An operation section allows a target area for which contour correction is to be performed using the peaking signal to be accepted. A control section generates an area gate signal describing position information corresponding to the designated target area. A mask processing section performs a mask process of outputting an image signal to which the peaking signal has been added to the target area designated through the operation section based on the area gate signal supplied from the control section. A scaling processing section converts pixels of the image signal for which the mask process has been performed is converted at a predetermined scaling ratio.
US08040406B2 Method of processing images from an imaging device
A method of processing images from an imaging device corrects defective pixels in an image acquired with the imaging device. The method includes a step of acquiring position information about continuous defective pixels from the position information about the defective pixels, a first correcting step of correcting the defective pixels with at least one normal pixel adjacent at least one defective pixels based on the position information about the defective pixels and a second correcting step of correcting the continuous defective pixels with a plurality of normal pixels adjacent at least one continuous defective pixels based on the position information about the continuous defective pixels. The second correcting step relies upon a greater number of normal pixels than the first correcting step to correct the defective pixels in a higher precision than the first correcting step.
US08040399B2 System and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera
A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.
US08040398B2 Imaging apparatus and method for displaying zoom information
An imaging apparatus is provided, which includes an image capturing unit, an adjusting unit and a display unit. The adjusting unit adjusts a clipped area for an image captured by the image capturing unit on photographing mode. The display unit displays a first number of pixels of the clipped area adjusted by the adjusting unit.
US08040393B2 Image-pickup signal processor and method of detecting flicker
A plurality of flicker detection frames are formed by dividing an image into a plurality of frames. A flicker detection circuit performs detection of luminance data for each of the flicker detection frames. The differences between the luminance data of the preceding frame and the current frame, and between the luminance data of the current frame and the following frame with respect to each of the flicker detection frames are taken, a flicker component is extracted, and the flicker frequency is calculated, by a flicker frequency determination program in a microcomputer. Then, the space between the flicker detection frames in which a crest or trough of the extracted flicker component appears is measured, and the results are converted into the flicker frequency. The frame rate of the image pickup signals is controlled so as not to be synchronized with the flicker frequency.
US08040391B2 White balance adjustment device, image capture device, white balance adjustment method, storage medium, and integrated circuit
A natural white balance is achieved in images that are captured while emitting a flash. The white balance of an image is adjusted using a WB adjustment portion and a mixture ratio calculation portion estimating a mixture ratio of an external light component and a flashed light component that are present in an image captured with emitting a flash, from the image obtained that is captured while emitting a flash and an image signal that is obtained without emitting a flash. Further, an external light WB coefficient determination portion determines an WB coefficient for the external light, a flashed light WB coefficient setting portion sets a WB coefficient for the flashed light, and a WB processing portion continuously performs WB processing on the image captured while emitting a flash by using the mixture ratio as an interpolation ratio.
US08040390B2 Adjustment for output image of image data
When a memory card is inserted into a slot, the control circuit of a color printer obtains image output control information from a memory card and analyzes it. When auto light source is not set as the light source, the CPU references the reference values and coefficients for the characteristics parameters except for color balance and performs correction, and then adjusts the image data image quality to reflect the post-correction characteristics parameters. As a result, it is possible to automatically adjust the image quality of image data without losing the selectively set output conditions.
US08040389B2 Image processing method, image processing program and image processing apparatus for detecting object of an image
Chrominance image information is generated based upon input image information. A determination target area to undergo determination of a target object within a determination target image constituted with the chrominance image information is set. An average chrominance value for each of the determination target area and a plurality of peripheral areas set around the determination target area is calculated based upon the chrominance image information corresponding to each area. Color information expressed by the average chrominance value calculated for the determination target area is evaluated to determine whether or not the color information matches a characteristic color defined in advance in correspondence to the target object. A difference between the average chrominance value in the determination target area and the average chrominance values in the peripheral areas is evaluated to determine whether or not the determination target area is an image area separate from the peripheral areas. A decision is made as to whether or not the determination target area contains the target object based upon results of an evaluation indicating whether or not the average chrominance value in the determination target area matches the characteristic color and the result of an evaluation indicating whether or not the determination target area is an image area separate from the peripheral areas.
US08040388B2 Indicator method, system, and program for restoring annotated images
An indicator system includes: a controller that transmits an image captured by an image capturing unit and a zoomed image captured by a zoom image capturing unit to a terminal, the image capturing unit capturing an image of an object, the zoom image capturing unit zooming in the object and capturing an image of the zoomed-in object, the controller causing a projecting unit to project an annotation image onto the object, the annotation image indicating an annotation in accordance with an instruction based on the image and given in the terminal; and a storing unit that stores conditions for capturing the zoomed image and the instruction which is associated with the conditions, when the instruction with respect to the annotation image is issued for the zoomed image.
US08040387B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing program, image processing method, and electronic camera for correcting texture of image
An image processing apparatus includes a brightness fluctuation extraction section, a color difference fluctuation extraction section, a conversion section, and an addition section. The brightness extraction section extracts a local fluctuation component from brightness information (hereinafter, a brightness fluctuation) in the image data. The color difference fluctuation extraction section extracts a local fluctuation component from color difference information (hereinafter, a color difference fluctuation) in the image data. The conversion section weightedly adds the color difference fluctuation and the brightness fluctuation to generate a pseudo texture component. The addition section adds the generated texture component to the brightness information. In the above-described structure, the conversion section adjusts and changes a weighting ratio of the weighted addition so as to make ratios of noises of color components included in the texture component substantially equal.
US08040386B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus capable of automatically adjusting the enlargement ratio and the position of images and to display the noticed areas of all selected images is disclosed. When a two image display mode is selected, an image previously displayed (a first image) and an image to be displayed in the two image display mode (a second image) are loaded from a memory into a display controlling unit and a correction value calculating unit. The display controlling unit performs enlarging and moving operations with respect to the first image and the second image simultaneously. The correction value calculating unit searches for an area in the second image (a corrected area) most resembling an enlarged area in the first image so as to enlarge the corrected area in the second image. The images processed by the display controlling unit are transmitted to an image display memory.
US08040382B2 Method and apparatus for improving photo image quality
A method and apparatus for receiving motion data and determining acceleration vectors based on biomechanical data and the received motion data. The method further comprises creating an improved image based on the acceleration vectors.
US08040381B2 Image blur correction for a camera system and display of comparison of camera and lens blur correction specifications
There are provided a camera system which operates the proper image blur corrector when image blur correction devices are incorporated in a camera body and in an interchangeable lens, and a method for controlling this camera system. The camera system (1) includes the camera body (3) and the interchangeable lens (2), which is removably attachable to the camera body (3). The camera body (3) has an imaging unit (71), the body image blur corrector (75), and a body microprocessor (12) configured to control the operation of the imaging unit (71) and the body image blur corrector (75). The interchangeable lens (2) has the lens image blur corrector (82) and a lens microprocessor (20) configured to control the operation of the lens image blur corrector (82). The body microcomputer (12) selects either the body or lens image blur corrector (75 or 82), sets the selected image blur corrector to a correction enabled state, and sets the other image blur corrector to a correction disabled state.
US08040380B2 Image-taking apparatus
In response to a release button being pushed, a system control section informs a timing generation section of the number of images to be shot to carry out high-speed continuous shooting. A first image obtained by continuous shooting is stored in a frame memory of an imaging section. While a superimposed image based on continuously shot images is generated by a camera-shake correction section, the first image stored in the frame memory is output to a preprocessing section so that the preprocessing section generates a high-sensitivity image by increasing the gain of an amplifying circuit in the preprocessing section. A signal processing section reads the superimposed image generated by the camera-shake correction section and the high-sensitivity image generated by the preprocessing section and applies image processing to these two images. The system control section causes a recording/reproducing section to record the two images in a recording medium.
US08040377B2 Display apparatus, wireless transmitting and receiving system, display method, display control program, and recording medium
In cases where a video signal cannot be normally received, a display apparatus allows a display by which one can recognize whether or not a jamming electric wave in an operation frequency band used for wireless communication makes it impossible to normally receive a video signal. More specifically, the display apparatus is a display apparatus for receiving at least a video signal by wireless communication, the display apparatus, including a wireless receiving unit for receiving the video signal that is wirelessly transmitted; a jamming signal detecting unit for detecting, in an operating frequency band used for the wireless communication, a jamming signal other than the video signal; and a jamming signal information outputting unit for, in response to the detection of the jamming signal, outputting jamming signal information indicating presence of the jamming signal.
US08040376B2 Vehicle monitor apparatus
To provide a vehicle monitor apparatus capable of acquiring more information through effective utilization of an image taking region of a camera on the occasion of taking interior and exterior images of a vehicle with the camera.A vehicle monitor apparatus 1 is provided with a drive recorder 11 and a reflecting mirror 12. The drive recorder 11 is provided with a camera 14 and the camera 14 is arranged to take a forward image of the vehicle 2. In an image taking region of the camera 14, the reflecting mirror 12 is located in a range where a hood 23 should be imaged if the reflecting mirror 12 were excluded, and the camera 14 takes an image of an exterior situation outside the vehicle viewed through a windshield 22, and an image projected by the reflecting mirror 12.
US08040374B2 Head separated camera apparatus
According to one embodiment, a head-separated device has an imaging unit, a control unit configured to control the imaging unit and a connection unit configured to connect the imaging unit with the control unit, wherein the imaging unit comprises sensor configured to capture an image, and a transmitter configured to transmit a video signal, a sync signal (HD, VD) and a clock signal to restore or to reproduce the image captured by the sensor, and the control unit comprises a determining module configured to determine whether a waveform of the video signal has a level that the video processor is processable, and a setting module configured to set the transmitter to perform enhancement correction to the video signal, if the determining module determines that the waveform of the video signal does not have the level that the video processor is processable.
US08040372B2 Encapsulated endoscope
An encapsulated endoscope in which exposure amount is controlled at the light source side, and a MOS image sensor is not required to mount a vertical scanning circuit for electronic shutter which is to provide an exposure amount control function. Therefore, since a vertical scanning circuit for electronic shutter is not mounted, the sensor area can be made smaller so that size of the interior of the encapsulated endoscope can be reduced.
US08040367B2 Lightscribe optical disc drive
An optical disc drive for marking a label side of a lightscribe disc is provided. The optical disc drive includes a spoke detecting device, a traverse assembly frame, a spindle motor PCB and an insulating base. The spoke detecting device is used for detecting spoke patterns on the lightscribe disc. The spindle motor PCB is communicated with the spoke detecting device through a flexible cable. The insulating base is coupled with the frame for supporting the spoke detecting device such that the spoke detecting device is separated from the lightscribe disc by a specified gap.
US08040363B2 Organic light emitting display with user brightness control and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting display capable of controlling brightness responsive to a user request. The display includes a brightness controller for controlling the brightness of a display region. The brightness controller includes a first look up table for storing widths of emission control signals corresponding to the image data of one frame period and a second look up table for storing at least one outside input mode for changing the widths of the emission control signals responsive to the outside input modes. By forming virtual look up tables, it is possible to vary the outside input modes in response to a user request in order to change the brightness of the display region while saving memory. Controlling the brightness of the display region also allows reducing power consumption, preventing the eyes of a user from getting tired, and maintaining image contrast of the display region.
US08040361B2 Systems and methods for combining virtual and real-time physical environments
Systems, methods and structures for combining virtual reality and real-time environment by combining captured real-time video data and real-time 3D environment renderings to create a fused, that is, combined environment, including capturing video imagery in RGB or HSV/HSV color coordinate systems and processing it to determine which areas should be made transparent, or have other color modifications made, based on sensed cultural features, electromagnetic spectrum values, and/or sensor line-of-sight, wherein the sensed features can also include electromagnetic radiation characteristics such as color, infra-red, ultra-violet light values, cultural features can include patterns of these characteristics, such as object recognition using edge detection, and whereby the processed image is then overlaid on, and fused into a 3D environment to combine the two data sources into a single scene to thereby create an effect whereby a user can look through predesignated areas or “windows” in the video image to see into a 3D simulated world, and/or see other enhanced or reprocessed features of the captured image.
US08040360B2 Methods of manipulating a screen space of a display device
Methods to manipulate a screen space of a display device are disclosed. A plurality of application windows of a plurality of applications are displayed on a screen space. At least a first application and a second application are executing to display a plurality of windows. A user interface of system level applications may be displayed. A selection of a single application mode is received. In response to the receiving of the selection of the single application mode, all the windows are removed automatically from the screen space, except for a first application window. At least the first and second applications continue being executed. The user interface of the system level applications may continue to be displayed. Next, a request to display a second application window is received. The second application window is displayed while the first application window is removed from the screen space.
US08040359B2 System for emulating graphics operations
Disclosed is a system for producing images including emulation techniques using multiple processors. The system provides for emulation of graphics processing resources such that a central processing unit may provide graphics support. Disclosed embodiments include emulation of selected graphics calls as well as emulation of a programmable graphics processor for compatibility with systems having no compatible GPU.
US08040355B2 Three-dimensional location-based texture transfers
Textures are transferred between different object models using a point cloud. In a first phase, a point cloud in 3-D space is created to represent a texture map as applied to a first, or “source,” object model. In a second phase, a value for a target texel of a texture map associated with a second, or “target,” object model, is determined by identifying the 3-D location on a surface defined by the target object model that maps to the location of the target texel and assigning a value based on the nearest point (or points) to that location in the 3-D point cloud. To the extent that differences between the source and target object models are minor, the texture transfer can be accomplished without loss of information or manual cleanup.
US08040354B2 Image processing device, method and program
There is provided an image processing device for controlling a display device to display a plurality of unit images making up a moving image at predetermined intervals, the image processing device including: 4×N (N: an arbitrary integer) quadrant memories; a separation section; a memory output control section; an assignment section; and an output control section.
US08040353B2 System for emulating graphics operations
Disclosed is a system for producing images including emulation techniques using multiple processors. The system provides for emulation of graphics processing resources such that a central processing unit may provide graphics support. Disclosed embodiments include emulation of selected graphics calls as well as emulation of a programmable graphics processor for compatibility with systems having no compatible GPU. Embodiments also include optimization of graphics code for a particular kind of processor.
US08040351B1 Using a geometry shader to perform a hough transform
A system and method uses the capabilities of a geometry shader unit within the multi-threaded graphics processor to execute a geometry shader program and perform a Hough transform.
US08040350B2 Method and system for adaptive direct volume rendering
An adaptive image volume rendering system first fragments a 3-D dataset into multiple sub-volumes and constructs an octree structure, wherein each sub-volume is associated with one node on the octree. The system then establishes a 2-D image plane and selectively launches a plurality of rays towards the 3-D dataset, each ray adaptively interacting with a subset of the sub-volumes. The ray energy reflected by each sub-volume is estimated using a modified Phong illumination model, constituting a pixel value at the ray origin on the 2-D image plane. Finally, the system interpolates pixel values at a plurality of selected locations and generates a 2-D image of the 3-D dataset.
US08040349B1 System and method for structuring an A-buffer
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently creating and accessing an A-Buffer with a GPU. The A-Buffer is organized in arrays of uniformly-sized tiles. Each array represents a group of pixels, and each tile within an array includes the set of fragments at a specific depth complexity that are associated with the pixels in the pixel group represented by the array. The size of the tiles may be selected to be the minimum necessary for efficient memory access. The GPU determines the number of tiles in each array by calculating the maximum of the depth complexity associated with the pixels in the pixel group represented by the array and creates a corresponding prefix sum image to allow the GPU to efficiently locate the array associated with a given pixel group in the A-Buffer for addressing purposes. Advantageously, structuring the A-Buffer by both pixel proximity and depth complexity improves memory locality, thereby improving the overall rendering performance of the graphics pipeline.
US08040344B2 CAD system, control method and control program for same
The present invention reduces the number of diagrams and the workload of management and the like, by aggregating spools of a common format, in plant design technology using a three-dimensional CAD system. Format specific data which is stored separately according to spool format is obtained by aggregating the respective spools in the internal data, which is generated by a data acquisition means, into respective common formats by a spool aggregation means. In this process, a comparison and classification means compares the contents of the control point tables relating to the respective spools, between each and every pair of the spools, so as to confirm whether there exist control point tables which are the same, with taking all of the start points of each spool as a point of origin, thereby determines whether both spools of each pair are matching based on prescribed common characteristics, as the result of this determination, in cases where both spools are matching, then creates format specific data which is stored separately with respect to each spool format.
US08040339B2 Optimized rowoff voltage
Circuitry for controlling a display matrix formed of light-emitting diodes arranged in rows and columns, diodes in each row being connected to common row lines, and diodes in each column being connected to common column lines, each of the column lines being selectively connected to a current source for providing a current to each of the column lines when the column line is selected, a column voltage being present at a column node of each column line while the column line is selected, each of the row lines being selectively connected to a rowoff voltage for turning off the diodes in that row, the circuitry including circuitry for generating the rowoff voltage including: capture circuitry arranged to capture a maximum value of the column voltages present at the column nodes of a plurality of selected column lines; storage circuitry arranged to store the maximum column voltage; and output circuitry arranged to provide the rowoff voltage based on the maximum column voltage.
US08040338B2 Method of making passive circuits for de-multiplexing display inputs
A display array which can reduce the row connections between the display and the driver circuit and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device comprises an array of MEMS display elements and a plurality of voltage dividers coupled to the array and configured to provide row output voltages to drive the array, wherein each row is connected to at least two inputs joined by a voltage divider.
US08040332B2 Light scan device and image display device
A light scan device which forces a beam light depending on an image signal to scan, including: a light source part for supplying the beam light; and a scanning part for forcing the beam light from the light source part to scan an illumination-target region in a first direction and a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the scanning part is driven so that a frequency with which the beam light is forced to scan in the first direction is higher than a frequency with which the beam light is forced to scan in the second direction, and a spot formed on the illumination-target region by the beam light has a form with a shorter size in the first direction than in the second direction.
US08040331B2 Dual-mode rotatable input device
Embodiments related to dual mode rotatable input devices that permit both resistive and non-resistive rotation are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a stationary hub, a rotatable member rotatable around the stationary hub, and a resistive rotation mechanism forming an interface between the stationary hub and the rotatable member. The resistive rotation mechanism comprises a resistive surface and a movable interface member configured to selectively contact the resistive surface, wherein the resistive surface and the movable interface member move relative to one another with rotation of the rotatable member. The resistive mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism that urges the movable interface member into engagement with the resistive surface when a rotational velocity of the rotatable member is below a threshold velocity, and allows separation of the interface member and the resistive surface when the rotational velocity of the rotatable member is above the threshold velocity.
US08040328B2 Books, papers, and downloaded information to facilitate human interaction with computers
Disclosed are simple easy to understand TV camera based input and programming devices for computers, as well as local or remote means to assimilate data or commands. The invention in one preferred embodiment, uses printed matter imaged by one or more TV cameras, which results in enhanced ease of comprehension, distribution and touch command input of programs. The printed matter may be for example, newspaper clippings, children's books, chess boards, or board games. Certain aspects of the invention share some characteristics of a touch screen, in the sense of additionally determining the location of objects positioned by a user, or portions of a user, such as fingers or hands.
US08040324B2 Movement detection method for multiple objects on a capacitive touchpad
In a movement detection method for multiple objects on a capacitive touchpad, the waveform of sensed values on the touchpad is monitored for its variation to determine respective movements of the objects on the touchpad, and various operational gestures are further determined exactly.
US08040322B2 System and method for user interface generation
Systems and methods for use in displaying user interface components upon user interfaces of computing devices. A system and method could be configured to receive an image to be displayed upon a user interface of the device. One or more indicators can be used to specify how the image is to be divided into multiple regions. The regions of the divided image are displayed with a user interface component upon the user interface of the device.
US08040321B2 Touch-sensor with shared capacitive sensors
A method and apparatus to implement a touch-sensor device using shared capacitive sensors. The apparatus includes a first plurality of sensor elements coupled together, a second plurality of sensor elements coupled together independently of the first plurality of sensor elements, and a third plurality of sensor elements coupled together independently of the first and second pluralities of sensor elements. The sensor elements of the first, second, and third pluralities of sensor elements are interspersed and disposed in a repetitive sequence along a movement path of a conductive object.
US08040319B2 Modifying a value based on a user's directional motions independent of cursor position
A method for changing a value displayed on a screen is provided. In response to receiving a user input indicating motion in a particular direction, changing the value independent of where the position of a cursor is on the screen. The value being changed may comprise of a series of segments, and each segment value can be changed individually. In addition, a different user input device that does not indicate motion in a particular direction may be used to change segment values and to select other segment values. Methods for automatically formatting a segmented values and calculating a base time rate based on two different frame rates are also provided.
US08040316B2 Display element, display device, and camera
A display element includes a display substrate that comprises a liquid crystal; and a plurality of diffraction gratings having different diffraction modes, arranged in regions of the single display substrate that are different from one another.
US08040313B2 Shift register and display device using the same and driving method thereof
A shift register includes a plurality of first to n-numbered stages, where n is a positive integer. Each stage includes a node controller controlling respective voltages of a first node and a second node in accordance with an output signal from the (i−j1)-numbered stage and an output signal from the (i+j2)-numbered stage, wherein i is a positive integer from 1 to n, j1 is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and j2 is a positive integer equal to or different from j1; and an output unit outputting one of a plurality of clock signals in accordance with the respective voltages of the first and second nodes.
US08040307B2 2D/3D liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
A 2D/3D image display device including a display unit with a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixels, the plurality of gate lines crossing the plurality of data lines, and the plurality of pixels being coupled to the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines; and a controller for receiving an input signal and setting a first driving frequency or a second driving frequency according to the input signal. An image of one frame operating according to the second driving frequency receives and displays the same image data for each of a first period and a second period, a video signal transmitted to one of the plurality of pixels for the first period has first polarity, and a video signal transmitted to one of the plurality of pixels for the second period has second polarity.
US08040305B2 Constant-weight bit-slice PWM method and system for scrolling color display systems
A display system 100 includes a light source 110 and a color wheel 114. An optical section 112 is arranged to receive light from the light source 110 and to direct the light toward a color wheel 114. A digital micromirror device 122 is arranged to receive the light from the color wheel 114 and to direct image data toward a display. The image data includes an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns. The array of pixels is arranged as curved color bands during a first time period and rectangular color bands during a second time period. The second time period being concurrent with but of a shorter duration than the first time period.
US08040303B2 Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display, suitable for a high quality and high resolution display device, rapidly charges a data voltage using a voltage programming technique, after compensating for a deviations in the threshold voltage and mobility of a driving transistor using a current programming technique. The organic light emitting display includes: a data line supplying a data signal; a scan line supplying a scan signal; a first switching element, electrically coupling its control electrode to the scan line, transferring the data signal supplied from the data line; a driving transistor, electrically coupling its control electrode to the first switching element, controlling a driving current of a first voltage line; a first capacitive element electrically coupled between the first switching element and the control electrode of the driving transistor; an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), electrically coupled between the driving transistor and a second power voltage line, displaying an image by a current supplied from the driving transistor; and a fourth switching element compensating for deviations of characteristics of the driving transistor by supplying a current of the first current line to the driving transistor.
US08040302B2 Display with multiple pixels sharing a data line and driving method thereof
In an organic light emitting display, a first pixel and a second pixel share a data line, a select scan line, and a driving element, and a field is divided into first and second subfields. An organic light emitting element of the first pixel is driven by a first emission control signal transmitted to a first emit scan line, and an organic light emitting element of the first pixel is driven by a second emission control signal transmitted to a second emit scan line. The first emission control signal has a low-level pulse in the first subfield, the second emission control signal has a low-level pulse in the second subfield, and a select signal transmitted to the select scan line has a low-level pulse in each of the first and second subfields. In addition, a scan driver for driving the select signal line, the first emit scan line, and the second emit scan line is provided.
US08040297B2 Emission control driver and organic light emitting display having the same
An emission control driver that applies an emission control signal for controlling an emission operation of a pixel circuit is provided. The emission control driver includes an emission control circuit with a plurality of transistors and a capacitor placed between a positive power supply voltage and a negative power supply voltage. When the driver is fabricated in an organic light emitting display (OLED), the transistors send a high level or low level emission control signal to a pixel circuit in response to a scan signal, and can be the same type transistors as the pixel circuit transistors. Further, the emission control driver may include a transistor for interrupting the positive power supply voltage in response to an initializing signal to initialize a capacitor of the pixel circuit.
US08040296B2 Plasma display device and driving apparatus thereof
In one embodiment, a plasma display device includes: a plasma display panel having a plurality of electrodes; a power supply including first and second power sources for respectively supplying first and second voltages, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage; a driving circuit for driving the electrodes; and a controller for generating a first signal to control the driving circuit. The driving circuit includes: a first switch for supplying a third voltage to the electrodes, the third voltage decreasing over a period of time; a switching controller for controlling the first switch in accordance with the first signal and a second signal; and a feedback signal generator for comparing fourth and fifth voltages respectively proportional to the third and second voltages, adjusting a level of the second signal according to a result of comparing the fourth and fifth voltages, and supplying the second signal to the switching controller.
US08040295B2 Plasma display apparatus
In a PDP apparatus provided with a PDP having (X, Y, A) and various drivers, two adjacent Ys in a plurality of Ys are commonly connected by a wiring so as to form one set unit, in the vicinity of a connection portion of the PDP and the drivers. A two-stage reset and address operation control using a reset operation including an address disable operation is used for a control unit including a plurality of display lines (L) of the set units. In a plurality of Ls as objects of drive display, the reset and address operation of first Ls (Lo) corresponding to Ys on one side of set units and that of second Ls (Le) corresponding to Ys on the other side thereof are performed separately in former and latter periods, and then, sustain operations of the first and second Ls on both sides are performed simultaneously.
US08040294B2 Plasma display apparatus
A plasma display apparatus includes: an electrode of a discharge cell; a first transistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the second terminal being connected to the electrode; a first capacitor having a first terminal to receive a control signal having either a low level voltage or a high level voltage; a push-pull circuit including a first power terminal, a second power terminal connected to the first terminal of the first transistor, an input terminal connected to a second terminal of the first capacitor, and an output terminal connected to a gate of the first transistor, the push-pull circuit outputting either a voltage of the first power terminal or a voltage of the second power terminal to the output terminal; a floating power source having a positive terminal connected to the first power terminal and a negative terminal connected to the second power terminal; and a first diode connected between the first terminal of the first transistor and the second terminal of the first capacitor.
US08040290B2 Mounting bracket for satellite dish antenna and satellite disk antenna assembly using the same
An exemplary mounting bracket for a satellite dish antenna includes a mounting base, a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes a pivoting portion at one end thereof. The pivoting portion is pivoted to one side of the mounting base so that the pivoting portion is capable of rotating from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The second frame includes a pivoting portion at one end thereof. The pivoting portion is pivoted to another opposite side of the mounting base so that the pivoting portion being capable of rotating from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The mounting bracket can be changed from the extending state to the folding state. The mounting bracket in the extending state can be mounted on a plane. The mounting bracket in the folding state can be mounted on various objects by cooperating with various fixing devices.
US08040288B2 Dipole for hemispherical coverage antenna
Systems and methods for providing an antenna enabling hemispherical coverage are disclosed. The system includes a conductive enclosure having an open portion and a closed portion. The system further includes a pair of perpendicularly-disposed dipole antennas. Each antenna of the perpendicularly-disposed dipole antennas includes a pair of conductors extending to a pair of tips disposed outside of the open portion of the conductive enclosure. The system further includes a hybrid coupler having a pair of output terminals coupled to each pair of conductors of each antenna of the perpendicularly-disposed dipole antennas. The hybrid coupler is configured to apply signals of equal magnitude to the each antenna of the perpendicularly-disposed dipole antennas that differ in phase by ninety degrees.
US08040282B2 Card-type device
A card-type device that includes an antenna body disposed on a housing and movable along a turning shaft between an upright position and a flat position. An antenna turning member applies an urging force to the antenna body in a direction in which the antenna body turns to the upright position. A locking projection projecting and a corresponding locking portion which is fitted to the locking projection when the antenna body is in the flat position, stops the antenna body from turning. When the antenna body moves in a direction in which the antenna body is to be unlocked, the locking projection is released from the locking portion, and the antenna body automatically turns toward the upright position by the urging force of the antenna turning member.
US08040281B2 Radiofrequency device
The present invention relates to a radiofrequency device (1) comprising: at least one sheet (2) of a substrate, and at least one wire booster aerial (3), formed with an electrically insulated conductor wire, comprising at least one turn, and having two ends connected to each other electrically in a connection zone (10).
US08040275B2 Method and apparatus for geographic positioning
Aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning transmitting stations, such as cell towers. Further, aspects of the disclosure provide a database for storing information of the transmitting stations. In addition, aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning a moving object having a receiver based on the database of the transmitting stations and wireless signals transmitted by the transmitting stations. The methods increase in-transit location visibility of shipment while reducing GNSS usage, and thus reduce power consumption. The methods allow positioning receiving stations when GNSS signals may not be available, such as due to interference.
US08040270B2 Low-noise data acquisition system for medical imaging
According to embodiments of the present technique, a system and a method for obtaining low-noise measurements for a wide range of analog signal strengths is provided. According to aspects of the present technique, a low-gain measurement of an input pixel charge is performed, wherein the input pixel charge is distributed to two feedback capacitors, which together provide a relatively low integrator gain. After the low-gain measurement, a high-gain measurement is performed, wherein one of the capacitors is remove from the feedback loop and the charge is redistributed to the remaining capacitor.
US08040267B2 Decoder device and movement controller
A decoder device has a reference voltage generating section for outputting first and second threshold level signals, a first comparator for comparing a stair-stepped waveform input signal and the first threshold level signal to output a comparison result, a second comparator for comparing the input signal and the second threshold level signal to output a comparison result, and a logical operation section for performing a logical operation between output signals of the first and second comparators to output a signal decoded from the input signal. A threshold level represented by the first threshold level signal intersects a riser section of one stepped waveform out of two adjacent stepped waveforms in the input signal, and a threshold level represented by the second threshold level signal intersects a riser section of the other stepped waveform out of the two adjacent stepped waveforms of the stair-stepped waveform input signal.
US08040264B2 Pipeline analog to digital converter and a residue amplifier for a pipeline analog to digital converter
A pipeline analog to digital converter comprising: a first analog to digital converter for determining a first part of an analog to digital conversion result, and for forming a residue signal; an amplifier for amplifying the residue signal, the amplifier including at least one offset sampling capacitor for sampling an offset of the amplifier, wherein at least one resistance is associated with the at least one capacitor so as to form a filter, and the at least one resistor is variable such that an amplifier bandwidth can be switched between a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth less than the first bandwidth during sampling of the offset.
US08040263B2 Analog-to-digital converter with a calibration function
An analog-to-digital converter includes a reference voltage generator that outputs a reference voltage, a first comparator and a second comparator that compare the reference voltage and a voltage of an input signal and output a digital signal having a first logical value or a second logical value, and a calibrator that compares an output of the first comparator and an output of the second comparator and outputs a first offset control signal and a second offset control signal. The first comparator sets an offset value having a positive or negative polarity to an output inversion threshold level based on the first offset control signal, and the second comparator sets an offset value having a polarity opposite to the polarity set by the first comparator to an output inversion threshold level based on the second offset control signal.
US08040261B2 Handheld electronic device and method for disambiguation of compound text input employing different groupings of data sources to disambiguate different parts of input
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate compound text input. The device is able to assemble language objects in the memory to generate compound language solutions. The device is able to generate compound language solutions by employing different groupings of data sources to generate different portions of the compound language solutions.
US08040258B2 Enhanced situational awareness system and method
Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing the situational awareness of an operator. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) traffic data transmitted by a traffic entity are received. The ADS-B traffic data are processed to determine traffic entity position. The traffic entity position is mapped to corresponding image coordinates on an enhanced vision system (EVS) display. A region of interest around at least a portion of the corresponding image coordinates is selected. An actual image of the traffic entity is rendered on the EVS display, at the corresponding image coordinates, and with at least a portion of the region of interest being highlighted.
US08040257B2 Apparatus for interconnecting a pilot station to at least one other aircraft zone, cockpit and aircraft equipped with such an apparatus
An interconnecting apparatus for interconnecting a pilot station of an aircraft to at least one aircraft zone includes a device for communicating between the pilot station and the aircraft zone. The aircraft zone includes a device permitting a person present in the aircraft zone to identify themselves and a display device indicating a functional status of the aircraft. The pilot station includes a display device indicating a location of each person being identified in the aircraft zone.
US08040253B2 Lane-change assistant for motor vehicles
A lane-change assistant for motor vehicles, having a sensor system to locate vehicles on adjacent lanes in the rear space of the own vehicle, a decision module to decide whether a vehicle located in the rear space is on an immediately adjacent lane, and a driver interface to output the decision result, characterized in that a determination module is provided to determine the lane on which the own vehicle is traveling, and the decision module is designed to make the decision as a function of the result of the determination module.
US08040252B2 Apparatus, program and storage medium for notifying intersection information
A signal sequence of a traffic signal is notified for a driver of a vehicle that is heading for an intersection by using a signal sequence notification apparatus. If the apparatus determines, based on received signal sequence information, that the information indicates that the traffic signal is currently allowing an entrance into the intersection having the next signal sequence indicating that entrance is not allowed with no right turning permission, the driver receives warning about the entrance into the intersection. The warning thus decreases the possibility of the vehicle to be brought to a standstill in the intersection due to the traffic signal that has a signal sequence of no right/left turn by the right/left turn light after a signal change from GO to STOP regarding the straight traffic.
US08040249B2 Acoustic telemetry transceiver
One embodiment includes an apparatus that includes a piezoelectric transducer to generate an acoustic signal that is to modulate along a mandrel, wherein the piezoelectric transducer includes at least one piezoelectric element and at least one electrode that is without non-permanent joints.
US08040246B2 Systems and methods for facilitating a first response mission at an incident scene
Systems and methods for facilitating a first response mission at an incident scene, such as an accident site, a natural or human-made disaster site, or any other first response site. One system comprises a plurality of portable modules for the incident scene and configured to transmit wireless signals. The system also comprises a processing system, which comprises: at least one receiver to receive the wireless signals; an environmental data processing engine configured to process data derived from the wireless signals to derive data indicative of an environment at the incident scene; a situational context processing engine configured to process the data indicative of the environment to derive data indicative of a situation deemed to have occurred in relation to the first response mission; and a decision making engine configured to process the data indicative of the situation and institutional data relevant to the situation to determine an action to be performed with respect to the situation, such as transmission of a message to a first responder at the incident scene, establishment of communication between a first responder at the incident scene and a clinician remote from the incident scene, or transmission of a message to initiate preparation of resources at a healthcare facility remote from the incident scene for arrival of at least one patient transported from the incident scene.
US08040244B2 Closure with passive electronic sensor for tamper detection and related method
A closure includes a closing member for sealing an opening of a pressurized container. The closing member may include a passive electronic sensor coupled thereto that includes a status register that may be readable by, for example, a RFID reader. The status register is responsive to a pressure change in the pressurized container caused by an insertion of the closing member into the opening or an extraction of the closing member from the opening. The status value in the status register indicates whether the pressurized container has been tampered with. An identification register may include a pressurized container identification encrypted with the private key of the manufacturer, which can be decrypted for comparing to identification on the pressurized container to identify tampering.
US08040243B2 RFID-based corrosion and moisture detection
Structural health monitoring apparatuses and methods are disclosed. One or more structural health sensors may be used to disconnect and/or connect one or more RFID chips to an antenna such that wireless communication with the one or more RFID chips (or the absence of wireless communication) through the antenna indicates the structural health status. Example structural health sensors may be moisture detecting or fracture detecting. A remote reader may be used to establish the wireless communication with the one or more RFID chips to determine the structural health. The sensors and RFID chips may be passive and powered through the wireless communication from the remote reader. Such apparatuses and methods may be applied to any large structures requiring regular inspection, such as aircraft, ships, automobiles or buildings.
US08040241B2 Capacitance-based occupant detection system and occupant protection system
A capacitance-based occupant detection system accurately determines seat occupancy and a failure of an electrode and between electrodes and includes an impedance calculation section, a Re/Im part calculation section, and a determination section. A first impedance Z1 is calculated including a main-body impedance Za between a main electrode and a vehicle body. The Re/Im part calculation section calculates real and imaginary parts of the first impedance Z1 based on the first impedance Z1 calculated by the impedance calculation section. The determination section determines the presence or absence of destruction of the main electrode and a guard electrode based on an imaginary part of the first impedance Z1 calculated by the Re/Im part calculation section.
US08040236B2 Medication delivery device with reminder unit
The present invention relates to a medication delivery device comprising a reminder unit for reminding an individual having a medical diseases to take a medicament. The reminder unit comprises means for providing a reminder signal to the individual having the medical disease, the reminder signal being triggered by data associated with a previously occurred event, the associated data being stored in a storage means. Alternatively, the reminder signal may be triggered by a position signal generated by position determining means adapted to determine the position of the medication delivery device.
US08040235B2 Relay apparatus and electric appliance
A relay apparatus includes a plurality of connecting terminals, such as a modem connecting terminal, a power line connecting terminal, an electric appliance connecting terminal and an antenna line connecting terminal; a selector that selects at least one connecting terminal from among the plurality of connecting terminals to transmit and receive a communication signal; and a control circuit that controls the selector. The relay apparatus further includes a first communication filter that passes signals in a frequency band used for communication by a power line communication modem and that blocks signals in other frequency bands, and a second communication filter that passes signals in a frequency band used for communication by another electric appliance and that blocks signals in other frequency bands.
US08040233B2 Methods and systems for configuring mobile devices using sensors
Methods and systems enable selection of a theme for implementation on a computing device based on sensor data. The computing device can include a variety of sensors including sensors capable of sensing ambient temperature, light, and sound, as well as geographic position, for example. Data collected by a sensor is used to select a theme correlated to the sensed condition. Data from sensors can also be used to generate customized advertisements that can be displayed on the computing device.
US08040231B2 Method for processing alarm data to generate security reports
A system and method are provided that allow analysis of alarm data to generate security reports. A security report system may include a monitoring tool and a data analyzer. The monitoring tool may include an alarm data acquiring module and an alarm database for storing the alarm data acquired by the alarm data acquiring module. The data analyzer may include a data parsing module for parsing the alarm data into a plurality of data segments each indicating an attribute of the alarm data, a data categorizing module for categorizing the plurality of data segments into a plurality of data groups in accordance with the attributes of the data segments, and a data processing module for processing the data segments of at least one of the data groups to generate a security report.
US08040229B2 Method for alarming decrease in tire air-pressure using wheel speed, vehicle acceleration and wheel slip ratio
An object is to provide a method capable of reducing calculation number of times for obtaining a primary regression line of a slip ratio and acceleration, and detecting a decrease in internal pressure of tires with high accuracy even in the case where is no evenness in a road surface.The present invention is a method for alarming decrease in tire air-pressure including the steps of: detecting rotational information obtained from tires installed in a vehicle; respectively calculating a wheel velocity, a vehicle acceleration and a slip ratio of the front wheel and a slip ratio of the rear wheel from the rotational information of the respective tires; accumulating the vehicle acceleration and the slip ratio of the front wheel and the slip ratio of the rear wheel; obtaining a primary regression coefficient of the vehicle acceleration and the slip ratio of the front wheel and the slip ratio of the rear wheel; and judging whether or not the tires are decreased in the air pressure upon comparing the primary regression coefficient and a reference value of the primary regression coefficient preliminarily calculated in the above step when air pressure in the tires is the reference internal pressure.
US08040226B2 Vehicle surveillance and communication system
A vehicle surveillance system has a plurality of side-light units mounted on opposite sides of a truck, bus, train or a similar long vehicle. The side-light units form an RF communication network on the vehicle. Each side-light unit comprises a day-running light source, a sensor for defining a surveillance zone on the side of said vehicle, said the sensor being arranged to detect an object or a movement of an object within the surveillance zone, and an RF transmitter which is controlled by said sensor and arranged to transmit an RF detection signal from said side-light unit. Existing day-running side-light units of a vehicle may be replaced with the inventive vehicle day-running side-light units.
US08040225B2 Electronic authentication system for motorcycle
Aimed at providing an electronic authentication system for a motorcycle excellent in the handlability and operability, operations of turning an ignition knob, and of opening a accommodation lid and a fuel lid, disposed in the front portion of the vehicle, are permitted, when agreement of ID information was judged. The steering bar was made unlockable by operating the ignition knob after agreement of the ID information was judged, and the seat was made unlockable by further operating the ignition knob.
US08040223B2 Device and method for enhancing sensory perception of vibrational stimuli
A method and device for improving the detection of a vibrotactile stimulus. Such method may include the steps of temporarily altering the threshold of vibrational detection prior to the onset of a vibrotactile stimulus. This allows the vibrotactile system to achieve improved detection of the intended vibrotactile alert or communication stimulus without necessarily increasing the vibratory displacement amplitude of the stimulus. A corresponding enhanced vibrotactile transducer device is able to produce, over a wide frequency range, or at multiple frequencies, a vibrational stimulus against the body of a user.
US08040221B2 Mobile radio frequency identification reader
A mobile radio frequency identification (RFID) system is described that includes a wheeled cart, a RFID reader mounted to the wheeled cart, a computer mounted to the wheeled cart and communicatively coupled to the RFID reader, and a directional antenna capable of being communicatively coupled to the RFID reader and movably mounted to the wheeled cart. The system also includes at least one omni-directional antenna mounted to the wheeled cart and capable of being communicatively coupled to the RFID reader. The computer is configured to process data received from the RFID tags and further configured to allow a user to selectively couple one or both of the at least one omni-directional antenna and the directional antenna to the RFID reader.
US08040217B2 Barrier movement operator communications
A moveable barrier operator actuates an actuator thereby causing a message to be formed. The message indicates that the user at the moveable barrier operator requires assistance. A communication channel is established between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center. The message is transmitted to the assistance center over the communication channel. An assistance action is performed to provide assistance to the user at the moveable barrier operator.
US08040216B2 Virtual entry assistant using automated greeter
A virtual security guard or receptionist automatically allows entry to an area by determining a user's identity and comparing that to an access list. If the user is authorized, then the user is allowed entry to the area. The receptionist can be implemented by either a sign, or by using a virtual receptionist to shows a picture selected from a media server that has many different pictures. Computer intelligence can be used to allow the receptionist to carry out almost any operation that is carried out by a real receptionist.
US08040212B2 Low profile inductors for high density circuit boards
An inductor includes a core formed of a magnetic material and a foil winding wound at least partially around or through at least a portion of the core. A first end of the winding extends away from the core to form an extended output tongue configured and arranged to supplement or serve as a substitute for a printed circuit board foil trace. A second end of the winding forms a solder tab. At least a portion of the extended output tongue and the solder tab are formed at a same height relative to a bottom surface of the core. Another inductor includes a core formed of a magnetic material, a winding wound at least partially around or through at least a portion of the core, and a ground return conductor attached to the core. The core does not form a magnetic path loop around the ground return conductor.
US08040211B2 Coil unit of electromagnetic contactor and assembling method thereof
In a coil unit of an electromagnetic contactor in which a coil having a coil strand wound around a flanged bobbin is mounted on a leg of a stationary core of an operating electromagnet, into one flange of the bobbin are press fitted a pair of terminal metal pieces respectively corresponding to an initial side and final side lead wires of the coil, and each of the terminal metal pieces is formed with a press fitting base making the terminal metal piece press fitted into the one flange, a coil connecting arm around which the lead wire of corresponding side of the coil is wound and a tab terminal made to have a plug-in connection with a connector of an extension lead.
US08040208B2 Module and passive part
A passive part includes a filter unit having first resonance electrode to a third resonance electrode and an impedance matching circuit unit electrically connected to the third resonance electrode of the filter unit arranged on a dielectric substrate. The entire passive part has a configuration including a circuit unit equivalent to characteristic containing the second impedance matching circuit by an impedance component of the third resonance electrode. For example, by modifying the width of the third resonance electrode, it is possible to adjust the impedance in the same way as when a capacitance as the impedance matching circuit unit is connected, without connecting any capacitance.
US08040207B2 MEMS resonator devices with a plurality of mass elements formed thereon
The invention relates to MEMS devices. In one embodiment, a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device comprises a resonator element having a circumference, an anchor region, and a plurality of beam elements coupling the anchor region and the resonator element. Further embodiments comprise additional devices, systems and methods.
US08040200B2 Parallel differential transmission lines having an opposing grounding conductor separated into two parts by a slot therein
In a differential transmission line, a substrate has first and second surfaces parallel to each other, and a first grounding conductor is formed on the second surface of the substrate. A dielectric layer is formed on the first grounding conductor, and a second grounding conductor is formed on the dielectric layer. First and the second signal conductors are formed to be parallel to each other on the first surface of the substrate. The first signal conductor and the first and second grounding conductors constitute a first transmission line, and the second signal conductor and the first and second grounding conductors constitute a second transmission line. A slot is formed in the first grounding conductor to three-dimensionally intersect with the first and second signal conductors and to be orthogonal to a longitudinal direction thereof, and a connecting conductor is formed for connecting the first grounding conductor with the second grounding conductor.
US08040194B2 Frequency synthesizer using a phase-locked loop and single side band mixer
A frequency synthesizer is built using a phase locked loop incorporating a single side band mixer in the input. The single side band mixer is preferably realized with digital logic and FETs, and the resulting frequency synthesizer simultaneously improves control over the frequency resolution, noise floor and operating frequency range.
US08040193B2 Oscillation adjusting circuit and method
An oscillation tuning circuit is provided and includes a first circuit. The first circuit receives an input data stream with a known time interval, producing a first output signal having a first period, determines a first error signal representing a difference between the known time interval and a measured duration of the known time interval, determines a reference error signal according to a predetermined multiple of the first period, and adjusts the first period according to the first error signal and the reference error signal, wherein the known time interval is associated with a period between a first occurrence of and a second occurrence of a predetermined bit pattern in the input data stream.
US08040192B2 Power supply voltage output circuit
A power supply voltage output circuit includes: a power supply voltage generation unit generating a power supply voltage to be supplied into a ring oscillator; a reference clock oscillator oscillating a reference clock with respect to a clock oscillated by the ring oscillator; a phase difference detection unit detecting a phase difference between the clock from the ring oscillator and the reference clock from the reference clock oscillator; a filter unit smoothing an output of the phase difference detection unit; and a PWM signal generation unit generating a PWM signal based on an output of the filter unit such that the phase difference approaches zero.
US08040190B2 Phase-locked loop
A phase-locked loop includes: a variable oscillator connected to a first resonator, said oscillator being able to deliver an output signal at a first output frequency Fout1, a first frequency divider receiving the output signal and able to convert it into a divided frequency signal Fout1/n, a reference oscillator connected to a second so-called reference resonator, delivering a reference signal at a low reference frequency Fref, generating an electrical dissipation lower than a microampere, a phase comparator measuring the phase error between the divided frequency signal Fout1/n and the reference signal and being able to produce a test signal, a low-pass filter or an integrating circuit able to filter the test signal and able to generate a voltage or a control word designed to control the voltage-controlled or digitally controlled oscillator.
US08040189B2 Microwave system for driving a linear accelerator
A microwave system for driving a linear accelerator is provided. The inventive microwave system employs a plurality of magnetrons, at least one pulse generator to energize the magnetrons, means for synchronizing outputs from the magnetrons, and at least one waveguide for transmitting synchronized outputs or power from the magnetrons to a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator that is driven by the inventive microwave system demonstrates increased efficiency and dependability, higher energy and power outputs, as well as, different energy outputs that can take the form of successive pulses that alternate between at least two different energy levels.
US08040187B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device constituting an inverting amplifier employs a cascode current source as a current source. In the semiconductor integrated circuit device, a high-potential-side transistor of the cascode current source and a low-potential-side transistor constituting an amplification portion are shared. The configuration can not only make an output impedance of the cascode current source high and improve current source characteristics but also make a minimum potential at a minimum potential point of the amplification portion low and ensure a sufficient power supply voltage margin.
US08040186B2 Radio frequency amplifier circuit and mobile communication terminal using the same
A bias circuit 12 includes: a transistor Q5 operable to supply, to an amplifier 11, a bias current in accordance with a base current supplied thereto; a transistor Q3 operable to pass a current in accordance with a reference voltage Vref; a transistor Q2 operable to correct, in accordance with the current passed by the transistor Q3, the base current to be supplied to the transistor Q5, so as to compensate a temperature characteristic represented by the transistor Q5; and a bias changing section (of a transistor Q4, and resistances R5, R6, and R7), connected to a base of the transistor Q5, operable to change, in accordance with a control voltage VSW, an amount of the base current to be supplied to the transistor Q5. The amplifier 11 amplifies, by using the bias current supplied by the bias circuit 12, a radio frequency signal having been inputted thereto.
US08040184B2 Class-D amplifier
A class-D amplifier includes a differential integrator that integrates a difference between an input signal and a feedback signal to output an integration value signal, a pulse width modulation circuit that outputs a digital signal having a pulse width corresponding to a level of the integration value signal, an output buffer that drives a load based on the digital signal, a feedback section that feeds an output signal of the output buffer into the differential integrator as the feedback signal, a clamp section that performs a clamping of limiting the level of the integration value signal within a specified level range, an attenuation section that attenuates the level of the input signal to be input to the differential integrator in response to an attenuation command, and an attenuation control section that outputs the attenuation command to the attenuation section in response to the clamping performed by the clamp section.
US08040182B2 Predistorter
Provided is a predistorter which compensates for a memory effect occurring in an amplifier used in a communication device, especially an electric memory effect as well. The predistorter includes: a distortion compensation circuit (8) for compensating for a nonlinear distortion caused by an amplifier (3), in which the distortion compensation circuit outputs a predistortion signal to be input to the amplifier. The predistorter includes: first filter section (21) which is connected between the distortion compensation circuit and the amplifier, for compensating for a frequency characteristic appearing in a signal component occurring in an entire analog circuit including the amplifier; and second filter section (22) which is connected between the distortion compensation circuit and the first filter section or between the first filter section and the amplifier, for compensating for a frequency characteristic appearing in a distortion component occurring in the amplifier.
US08040177B2 Internal voltage generating circuit of semiconductor device
An internal voltage generating circuit of a semiconductor device includes a first voltage driver configured to pull up an internal voltage terminal during a period where a level of the internal voltage terminal is lower than a target level, and a second voltage driver configured to pull up the internal voltage terminal during a predefined time in each period corresponding to a frequency of an external clock.
US08040176B2 Internal voltage generating circuit
A temperature-compensated internal voltage having a desired compensation range is generated with a sufficient controllability and stability. A temperature characteristic adding circuit generates a standard voltage having temperature dependence from a reference voltage not having temperature dependence. The standard voltage is A/D-converted and then added with standard code information (TN_VREF <4:0>) which specifies the level of the internal voltage. The additional value (TN_VREF2 <4:0>) is D/A-converted to generate an offset voltage having temperature dependence. The internal voltage of a desired level is generated based on the offset voltage.
US08040171B2 Accelerator output stage that adjusts drive duration to loading
The accelerator output stage circuit includes: a high side output device coupled to an output node; a low side output device coupled to the output node; a first logic gate coupled to a control node of the first high side output device; a second logic gate coupled to a control node of the second high side output device; a high side one-shot device having an output coupled to a first input of the first logic gate; a low side one-shot device having an output coupled to a first input of the second logic gate; and a feedback device coupled between the output node and a second input of the first logic gate, and between the output node and a second input of the second logic gate, and between the output node and the input to the high side resistor bypass device, and between the output node and the input to the low side one-shot resistor bypass device.
US08040170B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
During a period of preparation for actual operation, a reference clock is supplied to both a comparison clock input portion and a feedback clock input portion of a phase comparator while a feedback loop of a PLL (phase-locked loop) is interrupted, and a delay of a reset signal within the phase comparator is adjusted so as to reduce a detection dead zone of phase differences in the phase comparator.
US08040169B2 Delay locked loop circuit
A delay locked loop circuit includes a delay locking unit configured to output a first internal clock and a second internal clock, a rising edge of which is synchronized with that of the first internal clock by delaying a compensated external clock for compensating a skew of a semiconductor memory device; a duty ratio compensation unit configured to generate the compensated external clock by compensating a duty ratio of an external clock of the semiconductor memory device and to compensate duty ratios of the first and second internal clocks; and a clock control unit configured to control an activation state of the second internal clock after the duty ratio compensation of the external clock.
US08040167B1 Method and apparatus for charge leakage compensation for charge pump
An apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a charge pump for receiving a phase signal representing a result of a phase detection and for outputting a current flowing between an internal node and an output node; a capacitive load shunt at the output node; a current source controlled by a bias voltage for outputting a compensation current to the internal node; a current sensor inserted between the internal node and the output node for sensing the current; and a feedback network for adjusting the bias voltage in accordance with an output of the current sensor.
US08040166B2 Frequency multiplier
In one aspect, the present invention provides a frequency multiplier. In some embodiments, the frequency multiplier includes: a first transistor and a second transistor, wherein a first terminal of the first transistor is connected to a third terminal of the second transistor through a first capacitor, and a first terminal of the second transistor is connected to a third terminal of the first transistor through a second capacitor. The frequency multiplier may also include a balun, wherein the third terminal of the first transistor is connected to a terminal of the balun, and the third terminal of the second transistor is connected to a different terminal of the balun.
US08040162B2 Switch matrix drive circuit for a power element
A drive circuit for an IGBT includes an H-bridge circuit using first to fourth switch elements. When a control unit receives a command for changing the IGBT from an on state to an off state, it switches states of the first to fourth switch elements from a first state in which the first and fourth switch elements are in an on state and the second and third switch elements are in an off state to a second state in which the first and fourth switch elements are in the off state and the second and third switch elements are in the on state. This structure of the drive circuit can apply a reverse bias to the IGBT from a single power supply.
US08040158B2 Frequency difference detection apparatus and method, frequency discrimination apparatus and method, and frequency synthesis apparatus and method
An apparatus having a complex sine wave generating circuit (3) that generates a complex sine wave, a multiplying circuit (4) that multiplies an input signal by the complex sine wave, a first integrating circuit (5) that integrates the product obtained by the multiplying circuit (4) in the time direction, a first squaring circuit (6) that takes the square of the absolute value of a complex signal output by the first integrating circuit (5), a second squaring circuit (7) that takes the square of the absolute value of the instantaneous amplitude of the input signal, a second integrating circuit (8) that integrates the results obtained by the second squaring circuit (7) in the time direction, and a frequency difference calculating circuit (9) that finds the difference between the frequency of the input signal and the oscillation frequency of the complex sine wave on the basis of the ratio between the output signal level of the first squaring circuit (6) and the output signal level of the second integrating circuit (8).
US08040154B2 Software programmable logic using spin transfer torque magnetoresistive devices
Systems, circuits and methods for software programmable logic using Spin Transfer Torque Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM) technology are disclosed. Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) storage elements can be formed into input planes and output planes. The input planes and output planes can be coupled together to form complex arrays that allow for the realization of logic functions.
US08040149B2 Frequency specific closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits
Systems and methods for frequency specific closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, a plurality of controllable inputs to an integrated circuit is adjusted to achieve a frequency specific predetermined value of a dynamic operating indicator of the integrated circuit at the desired specific operating frequency. The predetermined value is stored in a data structure within a computer usable media. The data structure comprises a plurality of frequency specific predetermined values for a variety of operating frequencies. An operating condition of an integrated circuit is controlled via closed loop feedback based on dynamic operating indicators of the measured behavior of the integrated circuit.
US08040148B2 System in package with built-in test-facilitating circuit
This invention relates to a system in package including a plurality of integrated circuit chips and a substrate on which the plurality of integrated circuit chips are mounted and characterized in that a testability circuit for facilitating a test on at least one of the integrated circuit chips is incorporated into the substrate. The testability circuit incorporated into the substrate is formed by embedding a so-called WLCSP integrated circuit chip into the substrate. Alternatively, the testability circuit is formed by using a transistor element formed by using a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate. By incorporating the testability circuit into the substrate as described above, it is possible to realize a system in package facilitated in test without increases in size and cost.
US08040147B2 Probe card cassette and probe card
A holding section (2) holds a probe card (1). Transport mechanisms (3a to 3d) have the function of transporting the probe card (1) from the holding section (2). A lock mechanism (4) is provided for the transport mechanism (3d). When the probe card cassette is placed in prober equipment, the lock mechanism (4) is released to allow the probe card (1) to be transported from the holding section (2) by the transport mechanisms (3a to 3d). When the probe card cassette is not placed in the prober equipment, the lock mechanism (4) operates to fix the probe card (1) in the holding section (2).
US08040146B2 Inspection apparatus having a heating mechanism for performing sample temperature regulation
There are provided an inspection apparatus and method that can locally perform sample temperature regulation, so that the sample drift can be suppressed. There are included a sample stage 109 that holds a semiconductor sample 118, multiple probes 106 used to measure electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device on the semiconductor sample 118, a power source that applies voltage and/or current to the probe 106, a detector that measures electrical characteristics of the semiconductor device on the sample with which the probe is brought into contact, and an electromagnetic wave irradiating mechanism that irradiates electromagnetic wave on a measurement section of the semiconductor sample 118.
US08040145B2 Miniature fluid-cooled heat sink with integral heater
A temperature control device that includes a miniature liquid-cooled heat sink with integral heater and sensing elements is used as part of a system to provide a controlled temperature surface to an electronic device, such as a semiconductor device, during the testing phase. The temperature control device includes an interface surface configured to provide a thermal path from the device to a device under test. One such device has a liquid-cooled heat sink comprising a first heat transfer portion in a first plane and a second heat transfer portion in a second plane. The first and second heat transfer portions establish a three-dimensional cross-flow of coolant within the heat sink structure. An alternate embodiment includes parallel fluid conduits, each having a three-dimensional microchannel structure that directs coolant flow in three dimensions within the fluid conduits. Coolant flows in opposite directions through adjacent fluid conduits, thus resulting in a three-dimensional cross-flow within the heat sink structure.
US08040142B1 Touch detection techniques for capacitive touch sense systems
A technique for recognizing and rejecting false activation events related to a capacitance sense interface includes measuring a capacitance value of a capacitance sensor within the capacitance sense interface to generate a measured capacitance value. The measured capacitance value is analyzed to determine a baseline capacitance value for the capacitance sensor. The baseline capacitance value may be updated based at least in part upon a weighted moving average of the measured capacitance value. The measured capacitance value may also be analyzed to determine whether the capacitance sensor was activated during a startup phase and to adjust the baseline capacitance value in response to determining that the capacitance sensor was activated during the startup phase.
US08040141B2 Orthogonal radio frequency voltage/current sensor with high dynamic range
A radio frequency (RF) sensor that measures RF current includes a substrate that has an inner perimeter that defines an aperture. A conductor extends through the aperture. Sensor pads are arranged on the aperture and are connected to form two sensor loops. The loops generate an electrical signal that represents RF current flow through the center conductor. Additionally, a plurality of circular conductive rings may be included in the RF sensor to generate a signal representing the voltage of the conductor.
US08040140B2 Method and apparatus for identifying broken pins in a test socket
A method includes scanning a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The scan data is compared to reference data. A presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket is identified based on the comparison. A test system includes a test socket, a scanner, and a control unit. The test socket is operable to receive devices under test. The scanner is operable to scan a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The control unit is operable to compare the scan data to reference data and identify a presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket based on the comparison.
US08040139B2 Fault detection method for detecting leakage paths between power sources and chassis
A method of detecting a ground fault condition between a direct current power system and the chassis ground of an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is provided. The method includes sequentially opening and closing a first switch connected between a positive node of the direct current power system and the chassis ground of the vehicle and a second switch connected between a negative node of direct current power system and the chassis ground. The sequential opening and closing of the first and second switches charges and discharges an inherent capacitance present between the metal components of the direct current power system and the chassis. First and second currents are created as the inherent capacitance is charged and discharged. Measurements of the created first and second currents are then used to determine whether a ground fault condition exists between the direct current power system and the vehicle chassis ground.
US08040136B2 NMR solenoidal coil for RF field homogeneity
An NMR signal acquisition device that can increase the magnetic field homogeneity in a high frequency magnetic field by one of the following. (a) Current paths each having a different inductance are provided to adjust the diversion ratio of the current, (b) A current path branch point is provided in an intermediate part of the winding of a solenoidal coil so that there are more current paths in the intermediate part of the winding than in the current paths connected to the feeding points at both ends, (c) The radiuses of current paths are adjusted, (d) Winding pitches in the axis direction are adjusted, (e) Current path widths are adjusted, and (f) The solenoidal coil has both positive direction current paths and negative direction current paths.
US08040135B1 Contrast and resolution enhancement with signal compensation
A method for enhancing resolution and contrast in an MRI image is provided. A transient signal acquisition is applied to acquire a plurality of samples of data, comprising reducing transient signal oscillations and acquiring a plurality of MRI samples of data. Transient signal compensation is applied to the plurality of samples of data to provide data with signal compensation. A noise reduction technique is applied to the data with signal compensation. Data resulting from the applying the noise reduction is used to generate an MRI image.
US08040132B2 Method for identifying a sample in a container, e.g. when conducting a traveler survey in the check-in area, by determining the resonance frequency and the quality of a dielectric resonator to which the container is arranged
A method and apparatus for identifying a sample in a container, provide for the container with the sample being disposed relative to a resonator, a high-frequency signal being coupled into the resonator for exciting a resonant mode of the resonator, the resonant electric field of the resonator penetrating part of the sample in the container, the resonance curve of at least one resonant mode being measured with and without the sample, and the sample being identified based on the determined change in the resonance frequency compared to a measurement without sample.
US08040131B2 Method for testing the acceptability of a magnetic read sensor
A method for testing a magnetic head to determine whether the magnetic head is unacceptably affected by temperature variations. The test includes testing the magnetic head at different temperatures and measuring either or both of a signal amplitude and a signal asymmetry of a signal from the magnetic head at the different temperatures. If signal amplitude or signal asymmetry vary excessively as a result of the temperature change then the head can be scrapped.
US08040130B2 Device for detecting the torque and the angle of rotation of a rotating shaft
A device for detecting torque features of an electric screwer comprises a clutch for coupling with the electric screwer and a clutch for applying a resisting torque. The two clutches (11, 13) are connected to one another by a shaft (14) on which there are arranged extensometers (15) for measuring the torque transmitted by the shaft. On the shaft there is splined a disc (18) that bears on at least one face circular tracks (19, 20, 21, 22) that are coaxial to the shaft and to which the extensometers are electrically connected. Sliding contacts (23, 24, 25, 26) rest elastically on said circular tracks in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft to pick up the electric signals from the extensometers. An encoder (17) is provided to detect shaft rotation.
US08040122B2 Duty feed forward method and apparatus for modulating a duty of a PWM signal and power converting method and power converter using the same
The duty of a PWM signal in a power converter is extracted to feed forward to modulate the slope of a linear oscillating ramp signal or the voltage level of an error signal, so as to modulate the duty of the PWM signal, by which the transient response of the power converter and the stability of the PWM loop both are improved.
US08040121B2 Switching regulator
A switching regulator is configured to generate an output voltage by stepping down an input voltage by switching control of a switching element. The switching regulator includes a first comparator configured to compare a feedback voltage of the output voltage and a target voltage; a second comparator configured to compare magnitude of a current flowing through the switching element and a predetermined value; an on-time timer configured to measure fixed on-time for on-control of the switching element; an off-time timer configured to measure fixed off-time for off-control of the switching element; and a control circuit configured to perform the on-control of the switching element with the fixed on-time in accordance with an output of the first comparator, and the off-control of the switching element with the fixed off-time in accordance with an output of the second comparator.
US08040119B2 Valley detecting circuit and method for a voltage across a switching device
A valley detecting circuit and method are provided for a voltage across a switching device, which detect a voltage across the switching device to produce a first voltage proportional to the voltage across the switching device, clamp the first voltage to produce a second voltage, level shift the second voltage to produce a third voltage, and compare the second voltage with the third voltage to determine a valley for the first voltage.
US08040118B2 Low-dropout voltage regulator with level limiter limiting level of output voltage when level of load current changes and method of operating the same
A low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator that includes an error amplifier which compares a reference voltage with a feedback voltage of an output voltage and outputs an error signal based on the result of the comparison, the error amplifier being biased by an input voltage; a first MOS transistor having a gate electrically connected to the error signal, a source electrically connected to the input voltage and a drain electrically connected to the output voltage; a voltage divider which transmits a predetermined part of the output voltage to the error amplifier as feedback voltage; and a level limiter which limits a level of the output voltage from changing beyond and below an offset voltage when a level of a load current changes. In accordance with embodiments, A predetermined number of comparators and MOS transistor type-switches are provided to enhance the slew ratio of the regulated output voltage and to reduce standby electricity consumption.
US08040117B2 Closed loop negative feedback system with low frequency modulated gain
A power supply apparatus and method of regulating is provided. A clock generator circuit is configured for generating a clock signal at a predetermined frequency. An amplifier circuit is coupled with the clock generator circuit. The amplifier circuit includes a gain circuit coupled with the clock generator circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to receive the clock signal at a switching element of the gain circuit. A controller circuit is configured for receiving a modulated error signal of the amplifier circuit and is configured for generating a pulse width modulated signal for controlling a duty cycle of the switching circuit. The switching circuit is configured for receiving the modulated error signal. The error signal is modulated using the clock signal to vary a gain value of the gain circuit according to the predetermined frequency. An output circuit is coupled with the switching circuit and is configured for generating a regulated voltage signal. The controller circuit uses the modulated error signal to substantially reduce harmonic distribution in a switching frequency of the switching circuit. Harmonic distribution in the switching circuit can be reduce by 10.0 db or greater.
US08040116B2 Automatically configurable dual regulator type circuits and methods
Automatically configurable dual regulator type circuits and methods are provided. On embodiment of the invention includes an automatically configurable dual regulator type circuit. The circuit comprises a high-side switching device (HS-SD) coupled to a low-side switching device (LS-SD) at an output node. The circuit further comprises a control logic device that turns on the HS-SD to provide an output current to a user selected circuit configuration through the output node, turns off the HS-SD after a voltage fed back from an output terminal of the user selected circuit configuration exceeds a first threshold and sets a regulator type configuration mode based on the presence or absence of a flyback period at the output node after the HS-SD has been turned off.
US08040103B2 Battery charging apparatus with planar inductive charging platform
A battery charging apparatus comprises an inductive charging platform including a charging surface on which an electrical device to be charged is to be placed, and a first winding for generating lines of magnetic flux generally perpendicular to the charging surface. To compensate for voltage sag caused by a reduction in the flux generated by the first winding, a second winding is located within an area defined by the first winding for generating an auxiliary magnetic flux generally perpendicular to the charging surface.
US08040096B2 Rotary electric system with star-connected multiphase stator windings
In a rotary electric system, a switch member includes at least one of a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is connected between a neutral point of multiphase stator windings and a high-side electrode of a direct current power source. The second switch is connected between the neutral point and a low-side electrode of the direct current power source. A controller works to turn the switch member off and on thereby switching control of the multiphase inverter between full-wave driving mode and half-wave driving mode. The full-wave driving mode allows the controller to drive all of the high-side and low-side switching elements per phase of the multiphase stator windings. The half-wave driving mode allows the controller to drive any one of the high-side switching element and the low-side switching element per phase of the multiphase stator windings.
US08040094B2 Voltage clamping and energy recovery circuits
A circuit for use with a stator winding of a rotating or linear electrical machine, the stator winding having a number of coils linked by the same number of points of common coupling, includes an electronic commutator circuit having the same number of switching stages, each connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second main dc lines. Each switching stage includes first and second reverse blocking semiconductor power devices. A voltage clamping circuit includes the same number of clamping stages, each connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second auxiliary dc lines. Each clamping stage includes first and second diodes and first and second capacitors common to the various clamping stages. A dc to dc converter selectively discharges the first and second capacitors to the first and second main dc lines.
US08040093B2 Motor controller
A motor controller for an axial-gap motor permits a reduced size of the entire system of including a drive circuit and a power source of the motor, reduced cost, and higher reliability to be achieved by controlling the energization mode of the motor. The motor controller has a torque command determiner which inputs a first DC voltage to a first inverter at least either when a rotor is at a halt or when the number of revolutions of the rotor is a predetermined number of revolutions or less, supplies a field axis current for changing the magnetic flux of a field of the rotor to a first stator from the first inverter such that the amount of energization is temporally changed, converts an induced voltage developed in a second stator by the supplied field axis current into a second DC voltage by a second inverter, and outputs the second DC voltage, thereby charging a second battery.
US08040092B2 Power supply topology for a multi-processor controller in an electric traction system
A multi-processor controller is provided. The multi-processor controller can be used to control the operation of an inverter in a vehicle-based electric traction system. The multi-processor controller includes a first processor device having a first supply voltage node, a second processor device having a second supply voltage node, a first voltage regulator, and a second voltage regulator. The first voltage regulator has a first output voltage node coupled to the first supply voltage node, and the first voltage regulator is configured to generate a first regulated supply voltage for the first processor device. The second voltage regulator has a second output voltage node coupled to the second supply voltage node, and the second voltage regulator is configured to generate a second regulated supply voltage for the second processor device.
US08040091B2 Method and apparatus for stall detection
Stall detection apparatus for an electric motor controller has an input for receiving a drive error flag indicating if the controller is unable to achieve the required motor velocity and an input for receiving a signal in order to measure, directly or indirectly, the actual motor velocity. The actual motor velocity is determined in order to indicate whether the motor is stationary and, only if so, a stall signal is outputted in order to indicate that said motor has stalled.
US08040078B1 LED dimming circuit
A LED dimming circuit is provided. The LED dimming circuit has an LED driver, an LED dimmer, and at least one LED light source. A resistor is connected between a dimming control output of the LED dimmer and dimming control input of the LED dimmer. The LED dimming circuit may optionally include a fluorescent slide dimmer. The fluorescent slide dimmer may have a first connection to the dimming control input of the LED dimmer and a second connection to a circuit common of the LED dimmer. A method of providing an LED dimming circuit for dimming at least one LED light source using a fluorescent dimmer is also provided.
US08040075B2 Illumination apparatus for adjusting color temperature and brightness and illumination system including the same
Disclosed are an illumination apparatus for adjusting a color temperature and brightness, which can determine duties of pulse width modulation (PWM) control pulses for driving two light sources having different color temperatures, and an illumination system including the same. The illumination apparatus includes first and second light source units emitting light of different color temperatures, first and second pulse width modulation (PWM) driving units respectively driving the first and second light source units by a PWM control method, and a duty control unit controlling respective duties of PWM control pulses of the first and second PWM driving units according to a color-temperature set value and a brightness set value input from the outside. The duty control unit controls the duties such that the color-temperature set value is reflected in the respective duties of the PWM control pulses of the first and second PWM driving units in a complementary relation.
US08040072B2 Power supply and plasma display including the same
A power supply including a transformer primary coil coupled to an input power source and a secondary coil coupled to an output terminal, a first switch coupled to the primary coil of the transformer, a duty cycle of the first switch controlling a voltage of the output terminal, first and second resistors coupled to the output terminal in series, a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to a node common to the output terminal and the first resistor, a second switch having a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the third resistor and having a second terminal coupled to a node common to the first and second resistors, the second switch controlled based on an accumulated driving time, and a switching controller configured to receive a feedback voltage varying according to an on/off of the second switch, and configured to control the duty cycle.
US08040064B2 Plasma display panel and method for manufacturing the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a plasma display panel with an improved panel structure for improving a discharge time-lag and, more particularly, to provide a plasma display panel with a new protective film structure, the plasma display panel having uniformed panel properties suitable for mass production with a high yield.A PDP of the present invention which provides a pair of substrate assemblies opposed to each other sandwiching discharge spaces formed to seal a discharge gas therein, wherein one of the pair of substrate assemblies comprises: display electrodes arranged on a substrate; a dielectric layer for covering the display electrodes; and a protective layer for covering the dielectric layer, the protective layer is configured so that a plurality of MgO single crystals are adhered to an MgO film in such a manner that crystal orientations of the plurality of MgO single crystals are aligned in one direction, and a value which is three times of a standard deviation of coverage factors of the MgO single crystals on the MgO film, divided by a mean value of the coverage factors is 20% or less.
US08040063B2 Blue phosphor, light-emitting device, and plasma display panel
The present invention provides a blue phosphor that exhibits high luminance and shows less luminance degradation during driving of a light-emitting device. The present invention is a blue phosphor represented by the general formula aBaO.bSrO.(1−a−b)EuO.cMgO.dAlO3/2.eWO3, where 0.70≦a≦0.95, 0≦b≦0.15, 0.95≦c≦1.15, 9.00≦d≦11.00, 0.001≦e≦0.100, and a+b≦0.97 are satisfied. In this blue phosphor, two peaks whose tops are located in a range of diffraction angle 2θ=13.0 to 13.6 degrees are present in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by measurement on the blue phosphor using an X-ray with a wavelength of 0.774 Å.
US08040061B2 Ceramic discharge vessel having an opaque zone and method of making same
An opaque zone in the polycrystalline (PCA) discharge vessel of a high intensity discharge lamp may be made by creating residual pores in predetermined regions of the final-sintered discharge vessel. The control over the placement of the opaque zone is achieved by forming a carbonaceous residue in a specific region of the discharge vessel prior to final sintering. During sintering, the carbonaceous material causes residual porosity in the sintered PCA. The higher emissivity of the opaque PCA provides localized cooling in order to provide more control over the condensate behavior in the discharge vessel.
US08040059B2 Display device comprising a conductive barrier body in direct contact with a sealing material
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device preventing the external invasion of water and/or oxygen and preventing the deterioration of a luminous element due to these invading substances and to provide a production method including simple production steps for producing the display device. The invention provides a display device having a sealing material on the rim of an exposed interlayer insulator for preventing the invasion of water and/or oxygen from the interlayer insulator. Further, the invention provides a display device having a barrier body on an exposed interlayer insulator for preventing the invasion of water and/or oxygen from the interlayer insulator. Furthermore, the application of droplet discharge technique in production steps for producing the display device can eliminate a photolithography step such as exposing and developing. Thus, a method of producing a display device having an improved yield is provided.
US08040058B2 Inkjet printing of microlenses for photonic applications
The preparation of microlenses on a substrate and light emitting devices employing microlenses on the surface from which light is emitted is described. The miscrolenses are formed on a surface that has been coated to have functionality that promotes a sufficiently large contact angle of the microlense on the surface and contains functionality for bonding the microlense to the coating. The microlenses are formed on the coating by deposition of a microlense precursor resin as a microdrop by inkjet printing and copolymerizing the resin with the bonding functionality in the coating. The coating can be formed from a mixture of silane coupling agents that contain functionality in some of the coupling agents that is copolymeriable with the resin such that the microlens can be formed and bonded to the surface by photopolymerization.
US08040055B2 Organic light emitting diode display device having organic layers of varying thickness
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device for displaying a white color using a first color and a second color that are complementary to each other. The OLED display device includes a substrate, a lower electrode on the substrate in a first direction, a first organic layer on a first region of the lower electrode and having a first EML for displaying a first color, a second organic layer on a second region of the lower electrode and having a second EML for displaying a second color that is complementary to the first color, and an upper electrode disposed on the first and second organic layers in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the first organic layer has a different thickness from the second organic layer. In addition, a thin film transistor (TFT) may disposed between the substrate and the lower electrode.
US08040053B2 Organic light emitting device architecture for reducing the number of organic materials
An organic light emitting device is provided. The device includes an anode and a cathode. A first emissive layer is disposed between the anode and the cathode. The first emissive layer includes a first non-emitting organic material, which is an organometallic material present in the first emissive layer in a concentration of at least 50 wt %. The first emissive layer also includes a first emitting organic material. A second emissive layer is disposed between the first emissive layer and the cathode, preferably, in direct contact with the first emissive layer. The second emissive material includes a second non-emitting organic material and a second emitting organic material. The first and second non-emitting materials, and the first and second emitting materials, are all different materials. A first non-emissive layer is disposed between the first emissive layer and the anode, and in direct contact with the first emissive layer. The first non- emissive layer comprises the first non-emissive organic material.
US08040052B2 Light-emitting device, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
A light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels constituting a screen, each of the plurality of pixels including four subpixels, which are a red subpixel, a green subpixel, a blue subpixel, and a white subpixel. The red subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of a red-light-emitting material that emits red light and extending along the screen, and a color filter provided above the light-emitting layer to transmit red light. The green subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of a white-light-emitting material that emits white light and extending along the screen, and a color filter provided above the light-emitting layer to transmit green light. The blue subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of a blue-light-emitting material that emits blue light and extending along the screen, and a color filter provided above the light-emitting layer to transmit blue light. The white subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of the white-light-emitting material and extending along the screen.
US08040048B2 Process for forming an organic electronic device including an organic device layer
A process of forming an electronic device is disclosed. An organic device layer is formed. The organic device layer includes a charge-selective material and a radiation sensitizer and has a first electrical conductivity and a first surface energy. First portions of the organic device layer are selectively exposed to radiation. The electrical conductivity and surface energy of the first portions of the organic device layer are modified.
US08040047B2 Light-emitting device
To provide a long lifetime light-emitting element, in particular, to provide a long lifetime white light-emitting element, and to provide a light-emitting element having high luminous efficiency, in particular, to provide a white light-emitting element having high luminous efficiency. In a light-emitting element having, between an anode and a cathode, a first light-emitting layer containing a first light-emitting substance and a second light-emitting layer containing a second light-emitting substance which is provided to be in contact with the first light-emitting layer, the first light-emitting layer is divided into a layer provided on the anode side and a layer provided on the cathode side. At this time, a host material having a hole-transporting property is used for the layer provided on the anode side, and a host material having an electron-transporting property is used for the layer provided on the cathode side.
US08040037B2 Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes a hermetic container and an image display member arranged in the hermetic container. The hermetic container is provided with a first substrate, a second substrate arranged to be opposed to the first substrate, and an outer frame arranged between both of the substrates. The first substrate includes an aperture through which an electric power supplying terminal penetrates to the image display member. The aperture is sealed by a sealing member guiding the electric power supplying terminal to an outside of the hermetic container. The sealing member is adhered on a back surface of the first substrate. The back surface is opposite to a surface of the first substrate, on, which the outer frame is arranged. An electroconductive member is arranged between the sealing member and the back surface. The electroconductive member is at predetermined electric potential.
US08040035B2 Method of producing a high voltage stable cathode for an X-ray tube
A method of producing a cathode for use in an x-ray tube assembly is provided including machining an emission aperture into a cup emission surface portion of a cup structure. The cup structure is comprised of a cup base portion opposite the cup emissions surface portion. Electro-discharge machining is used to form an electro-discharge machining slot into the cup structure to provide access to the interior of the cup structure. Electro-discharge machining is used to form a transverse coil chamber within the interior by way of the electro-discharge machining slot such that the transverse coil chamber is formed between the cup base portion and the cup emissions surface portion while retaining an essentially contiguous emissions surface perimeter surrounding the emission aperture.
US08040034B2 Electron source
An electron source producing an electron beam which is highly reliable and stable even when it is externally oscillated. The electron source comprises a cathode (1) having an electron emitting section which is so connected to be interposed between top ends of two filaments (3) which are respectively connected to two conductive pins (4) provided on an insulator member (5), an end of the cathode (1) which differs from the electron emitting section being fixed to the insulator member (5), wherein the two filaments (3) are being twofold symmetry with a center on a center axis of the cathode (1), and preferably, the end of the cathode (1) which differs from the electron emitting section is fixed to the insulator member (5) via a metallic member (6) brazed to the insulator member, and more preferably, a curved portion is provided to the filaments.
US08040032B2 Smooth action, spring loaded, twist locking, radial lugged safety connector for lamp
A safety lamp connector assembly for use with at least one of more lamps comprising: an end cap for the lamp and a smooth action, spring loaded, twist locking, socket for receiving the end cap.
US08040031B2 Lamp with outer tube and attaching member
A lamp with an outer bulb is provided. The outer bulb is attached to an attaching member of a base by simple and convenient fabrication, and reliably prevents detachment of the outer bulb from the attaching member. An outer peripheral surface of a supporting post formed to the attaching member of the base and an inner peripheral surface of the outer bulb define a gap therebetween that may receive a heat resistant adhesive or filler. Convex portions facing the gap may be formed to the outer peripheral surface of the supporting post and the inner peripheral surface of the outer bulb, respectively, and a joint body for joining the outer bulb and the supporting post is defined between the outer peripheral surface of the supporting post and the inner peripheral surface of the outer bulb by the adhesive or filler in the gap.
US08040027B2 Multi-primary color display and color filter
When the coordinates of multiple primaries are set within specific ranges in a chromaticity diagram (e.g. the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram), the proportion of the contrast ratio of one primary to the contrast ratio of the other primary should conform to some requirements to achieve the white balance of dark-state, so as to effectively display the natural color and mitigate the color shift of low-luminance images.
US08040026B2 Illumination lamp with inner light tube
An illumination lamp is provided. The illumination lamp includes a hollow pillar tube being light-transmissive, at least one inner light tube accommodated in the hollow pillar tube, and an electrode set disposed at one distal end of the hollow pillar tube and electrically connected to the inner light tube in the hollow pillar tube.
US08040024B2 Piezoceramic material, piezoelectric element and non-resonance knock sensor
A piezoceramic material according to an embodiment of the present invention has a composition represented by Pbm{Zr1-x-y-zTixSny(Sb1-nNbn)z}O3 where 1.000≦m≦1.075, 0.470≦x<0.490, 0.020≦y≦0.040, 0
US08040020B2 Encapsulated active transducer and method of fabricating the same
A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate defining an opening and an active transducer having multiple of active layers stacked over the opening of the substrate. The active transducer is completely encapsulated by multiple passivation layers.
US08040017B2 Piezoelectric actuator
A piezo actuator includes an adaptation element, which is configured to adapt the piezo actuator to a controller for inductive loads, particularly to a converter for actuating inductive loads. The adaptation element allows use of controllers or converters of numerical control systems, which normally are used for actuating servo motors. Therefore it is no longer necessary to provide specially designed hardware for the actuation of piezo actuators, but instead the above-mentioned controllers can be used. Furthermore, as a result of the adaptation element, the piezo actuators can be integrated in the bus of the numerical control system. This allows communication in real time via the NC bus.
US08040013B2 Electric submersible pump (ESP) having a motor with mechanically locked stator laminations
A submersible pumping system for use downhole, wherein the system includes a pump and a pump motor for driving the pump. The pump motor includes a housing with corresponding stator and rotor lamination stacks disposed within the housing. Also included with the pump motor is an anchoring system for axially securing the stator lamination stack within the motor housing.
US08040012B2 Electrical machinery incorporating double helix coil designs for superconducting and resistive windings
An alternating current machine which generates a magnetic field or induces a voltage. In one embodiment the machine includes a stator and a rotor positioned about an axis. The stator includes three sets of coils, each set including at least a first pair of coil rows wired in series, with first and second members of the first pair configured to generate axial fields in opposite directions. Coil rows in the first pair of each set of coils are each arranged a different distance from the axis. A first member of the pair of the second set of coil rows is positioned between the first and second members of the pair of the first set of coil rows. The distance between the axis and the first member of the second pair of coil rows is intermediate the distances between the members of the first pair of coil rows and the axis.
US08040011B2 Generator and magnetic flux conducting unit
The invention relates to a generator, to a magnetic flux conducting unit for a generator, and to a power generation machine comprising such a generator. In an embodiment of the invention, a generator is disclosed which comprises at least one coil assembly and at least one magnetic flux conducting unit. The magnetic flux conducting unit comprises at least one magnet, a pair of opposed magnetic flux conducting elements defining a space therebetween for receiving the coil assembly, and at least one connection portion extending between the opposed magnetic flux conducting elements. The at least is arranged relative to the opposed magnetic flux conducting elements such that the magnetic attraction forces between the elements are redacted through and balances with the connection portion.
US08040010B2 Permanent magnet type generator and hybrid vehicle using the same
The present invention comprises a stator, and a rotor which is disposed oppositely to the stator with a gap interposed. The stator comprises a stator core, and a distributed stator winding mounted to the stator core. The stator core comprises a ring-like yoke core, and a plurality of teeth cores which protrude from the yoke core in the radial direction. The rotor comprises a rotor core, and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded in the rotor core. A pair of non-magnetic portions is created inside the rotor core and on both sides of the circumferential width of a permanent magnet for one magnetic pole. In the rotor core located on the stator side of the pair of non-magnetic portions, a pair of magnetic paths is created as the result of the creation of the pair of non-magnetic portions. Furthermore, a groove or hole is created on the outer circumferential portion of the rotor core and between the adjacent magnetic poles.
US08040009B2 Filed element
The field magnet is formed of, for example, two permanent magnets, and a width of the field magnet increases from a center toward both ends thereof in a monotonically non-decreasing manner. The field magnet includes, at the both ends thereof, projecting portions projecting to a side opposite to a rotation axis. The field core includes a penetration hole through which the field magnet is caused to penetrate. The penetration hole includes penetration surfaces which cover magnetic pole surfaces of the field magnet, respectively. Specifically, the penetration surface includes concave portions with which the projecting portions are fitted. When the field magnet is inserted, the penetration surfaces serve as a guide which guides the field magnet, and accordingly the field magnet can be caused to penetrate through the penetration hole with ease.
US08040005B2 Plastic pole housing for an electric motor
A housing assembly for an electric motor includes a sealed plastic enclosure having a body portion having a nose and an open end opposite from the nose. The open end provides access to an interior region of the plastic enclosure. The housing assembly also includes a metal sleeve located within the interior region of the plastic enclosure, and a magnet structure located within an interior region of the metal sleeve.
US08040000B2 Stator cooling structure for superconducting rotating machine
Disclosed herein is a structure for cooling the stator of a superconducting rotating machine. The structure includes a stator coil. Slots are axially disposed at the stator coil to support the stator coil, and a space is defined between the slots to allow the stator coil to be partially exposed. A stator yoke is disposed on the slots such that a space is defined between the exposed portion of the stator coil, the slots and the stator yoke. A cooling tube is disposed in the space defined between the exposed portion of the stator coil, the slots and the stator yoke, thus simultaneously cooling both the stator coil and the stator yoke.
US08039988B2 Solar powered ventilation system for vehicle and method of operating the same
A solar powered ventilation system for regulating the interior temperature of a motorized vehicle and a method of controlling the same is provided. The vehicle includes a battery pack in electrical communication with at least one motor assembly that is selectively operable to propel the vehicle. The solar powered ventilation system includes a solar panel in electrical communication with a fan and the battery pack. The method includes: determining if sufficient solar load is available; if so, determining the current vehicle power mode; determining if the current battery pack temperature is greater than a threshold battery pack temperature if the vehicle is in “off” or “accessories on” mode; and commanding the solar powered ventilation system to modify the interior temperature of the vehicle to thereby decrease the temperature of the battery pack if the current battery pack temperature is greater than the threshold battery pack temperature.
US08039987B2 Power source device and vehicle with power source device
A power source device includes first and second rechargeable batteries, a load circuit, a first step-up converter converting voltage between a first node to which the first battery is connected and a second node to which the load circuit is connected, a second step-up converter converting voltage between a third node to which the second battery is connected and the second node, and a charge/discharge unit transmitting power received from an external power source. Preferably, the power source device further includes a first system main relay, a second system main relay, and a controller controlling the first and second system main relays and the first and second step-up converters.
US08039984B2 System for converting solar radiation into electricity
A system is provided for converting thermal energy derived from a solar field into electricity. The system is adapted to operate in accordance with at least two modes of operation, depending upon the thermal energy intake, and comprises: a first power generation sub-system comprising means to heat water into superheated steam by exchanging heat with a first heat transfer fluid being heated at the solar radiation collecting field, and a back pressure turbine for producing electricity; a second power generation sub-system comprising means to heat a second working fluid, and the second working fluid is used to operate a second turbine for producing electricity; and wherein the system is characterized in that when the thermal energy received at the first power generation sub-system exceeds a predetermined threshold of a selected criterion, both power generation sub-systems are operative to produce electricity and at least part of the heat required to heat the second working fluid is derived from exhaust steam being produced at the first power generation sub-system, whereas when the thermal energy received at the first power generation sub-system does not exceed that threshold, the thermal energy conveyed by the first heat transfer fluid is used essentially to heat the second working fluid and the electricity is generated only by the second power generation sub-system.
US08039983B2 Systems and methods for providing AC power from multiple turbine engine spools
Systems and methods for providing AC power from multiple turbine engine spools are disclosed. A system in a particular embodiment includes a turbofan engine having a compressor, a first turbine and a first shaft connected between the compressor and the first turbine, and a fan, a second turbine and a second shaft connected between the fan and the second turbine. The system can further include a state power bus and a first energy converter coupled between the first shaft and the power bus, with the first energy converter including a starter/generator, and being positioned to convert a first variable frequency energy transmitted by the first shaft to a first generally constant frequency energy. A second energy converter can be coupled between the second shaft and the power bus, with the second energy converter including a generator and being positioned to convert a second variable frequency energy transmitted by the second shaft to a second generally constant frequency energy, with the second generally constant frequency energy in phase with and at generally the same frequency as the first generally constant frequency energy. A controller can be operatively coupled to the starter/generator and the generator, e.g., to control the functions of these devices.
US08039978B2 Renewable energy power system
A renewable energy power system comprised of a controller that supervises wind turbines in either a building or vehicle. Vertical or horizontal turbine assemblies with clockwise and counter clockwise generator systems that produce AC & DC power. Batteries and battery charger that are used in conjunction with another controller to provide an emergency source of power.
US08039977B2 Drive train for an immersion energy production system
The invention relates to a power generation plant, driven by a water current, comprising a water turbine; an electric generator; a drive train between the water turbine and the electric generator. The invention is characterized in that the drive train comprises a controllable hydrodynamic coupling for exclusive transmission of power to the electric generator.
US08039976B2 Power supply control apparatus and method for hybrid vehicle
When the temperature of an engine and a main battery is low at the time of activating a vehicle system, an ECU starts the engine in advance and outputs a running permission signal after completion of engine startup. At this stage, the ECU suspends a defect diagnosis operation on a subsidiary load and feedback-controls the DC/DC converter by setting the voltage control value to a level lower than the output voltage from the subsidiary battery and at least the lower limit of the operating voltage of the ECU. The ECU feedback-controls the DC/DC converter by setting the voltage control value to a level of at least the output voltage of the subsidiary battery in response to completion of engine start-up. Then, the suspension of the defect diagnosis operation on the subsidiary load is canceled and a running permission signal is output.
US08039975B2 Device comprising a semiconductor component, and a manufacturing method
A device having at least one semiconductor component, which is covered by a protective material on its outer surface. The invention provides for the outer surface to be provided with a surface structure so as to enlarge the heat transfer area to the protective material. The invention furthermore relates to a manufacturing method.
US08039968B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device including a dummy via is disclosed. In the semiconductor integrated circuit device, problems such as reduction in the designability and increase in fabrication cost which result from the existence of a dummy wire connected to the dummy via are suppressed. The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a substrate and three or more wiring layers formed on the substrate. The dummy via connects between a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer. The dummy wire connected to the dummy via exists in the second wiring layer. A protrusion amount of the dummy wire is smaller than a protrusion amount of an intermediate wire included in a stacked via structure.
US08039967B2 Wiring substrate with a wire terminal
A wiring substrate includes a silicon substrate, a through hole formed to penetrate the silicon substrate in a thickness direction, an insulating layer formed on both surfaces and side surfaces of the silicon substrate and an inner surface of the through hole, a penetration electrode formed in the through hole, a wiring layer formed on at least one surface of the silicon substrate and connected to the penetration electrode, and a metal wire terminal connected to the wiring layer and formed to extend from one surface of the silicon substrate to a side surface thereof. The metal wire terminal on the side surface of the electronic device is connected to the mounting substrate such that a substrate direction of the electronic device in which an electronic component is mounted on the wiring substrate intersects orthogonally with a substrate direction of the mounting substrate.
US08039960B2 Solder bump with inner core pillar in semiconductor package
An electrical interconnect within a semiconductor device consists of a substrate with a plurality of active devices. A contact pad is formed on the substrate in electrical contact with the plurality of active devices. A passivation layer, first barrier layer, adhesion layer, and seed layer are formed over the substrate. An inner core pillar including a hollow interior is centered over and formed within a footprint of the contact pad. A second barrier layer and a wetting layer are formed over the single cylindrical inner core pillar and hollow interior. A spherical bump is formed around the second barrier layer, wetting layer, and single cylindrical inner core pillar. A footprint of the spherical bump encompasses the footprint of the contact pad. The spherical bump is electrically connected to the contact pad.
US08039958B2 Semiconductor device including a reduced stress configuration for metal pillars
In a metallization system of a sophisticated semiconductor device, metal pillars may be provided so as to exhibit an increased efficiency in distributing any mechanical stress exerted thereon. This may be accomplished by significantly increasing the surface area of the final passivation layer that is in tight mechanical contact with the metal pillar.
US08039957B2 System for improving flip chip performance
A system for improving flip chip performance is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an assembly configured to improve performance of a flip chip device, the assembly including a semiconductor die having an active surface and a back surface, the active surface including a plurality of conductive pads, an interposer substrate having a first surface in electrical contact with the active surface of the semiconductor die and a second surface, a space between the active surface of the semiconductor die and the first surface of the interposer substrate, where the space is essentially free of underfill material, and a carrier substrate having a top surface in electrical contact with the second surface of the interposer.
US08039948B2 Device mounting board and semiconductor apparatus using the same
A device mounting board for a device to be mounted on, comprising: a substrate; and a laminated film composed of a plurality of insulating layers formed on one side of the substrate. Here, any of the second and subsequent insulating layers from the substrate is a photosolder resist layer containing a cardo type polymer. The photosolder resist layer has a thickness smaller than that of the insulating resin film arranged between the photosolder resist layer and the substrate.
US08039947B2 Integrated circuit package system with different mold locking features
An integrated circuit package system is provided including forming a first inner lead having a first inner bottom side and a first outer lead, forming a first side lock of the first inner lead above the first inner bottom side, connecting an integrated circuit die with the first inner lead and the first outer lead, and encapsulating the integrated circuit die and the first side lock.
US08039946B2 Chip package structure and fabricating method thereof
A chip package structure including a chip, a lead frame, first bonding wires and second bonding wires is provided. The chip has an active surface and chip bonding pads disposed thereon. The lead frame is fixed on the chip and the lead frame includes inner leads, at least one bus bar, an insulating layer and transfer bonding pads. The bus bar is located between the chip bonding pads and the inner leads. The insulating layer is disposed on the bus bar and the transfer bonding pads are disposed thereon. The inner leads and the bus bar are located above the active surface. The chip and the insulating layer are located respectively on two opposite surfaces of the bus bar. The first bonding wires respectively connect the chip bonding pads and the transfer bonding pads. The second bonding wires respectively connect the transfer bonding pads and the inner leads.
US08039943B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
A semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor chip and a resin section that molds the semiconductor chip and has a first through-hole. A through electrode that is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip, extends through the resin section, and extends between a top edge and a bottom edge of an inner surface of the first through-hole. A cavity which extends between planes corresponding to an upper surface and a lower surface of the resin section is formed inside the first through-hole.
US08039942B2 Ball grid array package stacking system
A ball grid array package stacking system includes: providing a base substrate; coupling an integrated circuit to the base substrate; coupling a stacking substrate over the base substrate; mounting a heat spreader, having an access port, around the base substrate and the stacking substrate; and coupling a stacked integrated circuit to the stacking substrate through the access port.
US08039941B2 Circuit board, lead frame, semiconductor device, and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes: an element mounting member including a first electrode; a semiconductor element mounted on the element mounting member and including a second electrode; and an interposer element mounted on the element mounting member with a first side of the interposer element facing one of a side of the semiconductor element. The interposer element is one of a triangle and a trapezoid in plan view, and includes: a first interposer electrode electrically connected to the second electrode via a first wire; a second interposer electrode electrically connected to the first electrode; and an internal interconnection electrically connecting the first interposer electrode and the second interposer electrode to each other.
US08039940B2 Semiconductor storage device, semiconductor device, and manufacturing method therefor
According to the present invention, a gettering layer is deposited both on the side surfaces and the bottom surface of a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip is then mounted on the board of a package so that a Schottky barrier is formed on the bottom surface. With this structure, metal ions that pass through the board of the package can be captured by the defect layer deposited on the side surfaces and/or the bottom surface of the semiconductor chip, and by the Schottky barrier.
US08039939B2 Embedded wiring board, semiconductor package including the same and method of fabricating the same
Provided are an embedded wiring board and a method of manufacturing the same. The embedded wiring board includes: a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a concave portion; through electrodes penetrating the PCB; a semiconductor device group embedded in the concave portion of the PCB, the semiconductor device group including bonding pads exposed in a direction of the first surface of the PCB; bumps disposed on the bonding pads, exposed in the direction of the first surface of the PCB; and a film substrate including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including connection electrode patterns that are electrically connected to the bumps and the through electrodes, the film substrate having penetrated openings.
US08039935B2 Wafer level chip scale packaging structure and method of fabricating the same
A wafer level chip scale packaging structure and the method of fabricating the same are provided to form a sacrificial layer below the bump using a normal semiconductor process. The bump is used to connect the signals between the Si wafer and the PCB. The interface between the sacrificial layer and the adjacent layers is the weakest part in the whole structure. When the stress applied to the bump is overloaded, the interface between the sacrificial layer and the adjacent layers will crash to remove the stress generated by different thermal expansion coefficients of the Si wafer and the PCB. The sacrificial layer would help avoid the crash occurring to the bump to protect the electrical conduction between the Si wafer and the PCB.
US08039933B2 QFN semiconductor package
A QFN semiconductor package includes a die attach pad; a semiconductor die mounted on the die attach pad; an inner terminal lead disposed adjacent to the die attach pad; a first wire bonding the inner terminal lead to the semiconductor die; an extended, outer terminal lead disposed along periphery of the QFN semiconductor package, wherein the extended, outer terminal lead is disposed beyond a maximum wire length which is provided for a specific minimum pad opening size on the semiconductor die; an intermediary terminal disposed between the inner terminal lead and the extended, outer terminal lead; a second wire bonding the intermediary terminal to the semiconductor die; and a third wire bonding the intermediary terminal to the extended, outer terminal lead.
US08039930B2 Package structure for wireless communication module
A package structure for a wireless communication module is disclosed and includes: a substrate having an upper surface defining a supporting region, an annular ground pad surrounding the supporting region, and at least one auxiliary ground pad formed in the supporting region; at least one chip mounted on the supporting region and electrically connected to the substrate; and a shielding lid having a receiving space for receiving the chip, a ground end surface electrically connected to the annular ground pad of the substrate, and at least one auxiliary ground portion electrically connected to the auxiliary ground pad for forming at least one auxiliary ground pathway to adjust the characteristic of the enhanced peak generated by the cavity-resonance effect of the shielding lid. Thus, the enhanced peak can be shifted out of a regulated frequency range of the EMI shielding test, so that the yield thereof can be increased.
US08039928B2 Chip stack package
A chip stack package includes a plurality of chips that are stacked by using adhesive layers as intermediary media, and a through via electrode formed through the chips to electrically couple the chips. The through via electrode is classified as a power supply through via electrode, a ground through via electrode, or a signal transfer through via electrode. The power supply through via electrode and the ground through via electrode are formed of a first material such as copper, and the signal transfer through via electrode is formed of second material such as polycrystalline silicon doped with impurities. The signal transfer through via electrode may have a diametrically smaller cross section than that of each of the power supply through via electrode and the ground through via electrode regardless of their resistivities.
US08039927B2 Linear semiconductor substrate, and device, device array and module, using the same
The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention comprises at least one desired thin film 4 formed on a linear substrate 3 having a length ten or more times greater than a width, thickness, or diameter of the linear substrate itself. Adopting semiconductor as the thin film 4 forms a linear semiconductor thin film. The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention is produced by utilizing a fiber-drawing technique which is a fabricating technique of optical fibers.
US08039924B2 Semiconductor device including capacitor element provided above wiring layer that includes wiring with an upper surface having protruding portion
A semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer which is provided above a semiconductor substrate and includes a first insulating film and a wiring buried in the first insulating film, a second insulating film provided above the first wiring layer, a third insulating film provided on the second insulating film, and a capacitor element provided on the third insulating film. The wiring includes an upper surface having a protruding portion. The capacitor element includes a lower electrode provided on the third insulating film, a capacitor insulating film provided on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode provided on the capacitor insulating film.
US08039922B2 Variable capacitor employing MEMS technology
When a positive voltage of V1 is applied to a drive capacitor with a braking voltage V2 at 0V, a moveable electrode moves toward the drive electrode, and a capacitance C of a tunable capacitor becomes smaller. When the braking voltage V2 is applied a lower portion brake electrode of the brake capacitor moves in a horizontal direction, such that the inter electrode separation distance between an upper portion brake electrode and the lower portion brake electrode becomes 0 μm. The moveable electrode configured integrally formed with the lower portion brake electrode also moves in the horizontal direction, and the inter electrode separation distance between the moveable electrode and a fixed electrode becomes 0 μm. Since the two electrodes make contact with each other with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween, the position of the moveable electrode can be stably maintained by frictional force between the electrodes.
US08039921B2 Wiring structure, semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device with a high-strength porous modified layer having a pore size of 1 nm or less, which is formed, in a multilayer wiring forming process, by forming a via hole and a wiring trench in a via interlayer insulating film and a wiring interlayer insulting film and then irradiating an electron beam or an ultraviolet ray onto the opening side walls.
US08039917B2 Photodiode and photo IC using same
A photodiode includes a first silicon semiconductor layer formed over an insulating layer, a second silicon semiconductor layer formed over the insulating layer, having a thickness ranging from greater than or equal to 3 nm to less than or equal to 36 nm, a low-concentration diffusion layer which is formed in the second silicon semiconductor layer and in which an impurity of either one of a P type and an N type is diffused in a low concentration, a P-type high-concentration diffusion layer which is formed in the first silicon semiconductor layer and in which the P-type impurity is diffused in a high concentration, and an N-type high-concentration diffusion layer which is opposite to the P-type high-concentration diffusion layer with the low-concentration diffusion layer interposed therebetween and in which the N-type impurity is diffused in a high concentration.
US08039916B2 CMOS pixel sensor with depleted photocollectors and a depleted common node
An active pixel sensor in a p-type semiconductor body includes an n-type common node formed below a pinning region. A plurality of n-type blue detectors more lightly doped than the common node are disposed below pinning regions and are spaced apart from the common node forming channels below blue color-select gates. A buried green photocollector is coupled to the surface through a first deep contact spaced apart from the common node forming a channel below a green color-select gate. A red photocollector buried deeper than the green photocollector is coupled to the surface through a second deep contact spaced apart from the common node forming a channel below a red color-select gate. A reset-transistor has a source disposed over and in contact with the common node. A source-follower transistor has gate coupled to the common node, a drain coupled to a power-supply node, and a source forming a pixel-sensor output.
US08039910B2 Electro-acoustic sensing device
An electro-acoustic sensing device including a sensing chip, a carrier chip and a sealing element is provided. The sensing chip is for electro-acoustic transuding and thereby outputting an electrical signal. The carrier chip disposed below the sensing chip has at least one second connecting point, at least one electrical channel and at least one channel connecting point. The second connecting point is electrically contacted with the first connecting point. The second connecting point and the channel connecting point are located at different surfaces of the carrier chip. The electrical channel passes through the carrier chip and electrically connects the second connecting point and the channel connecting point. The electrical signal is transmitted to the channel connecting point via the first and the second connecting points and the electrical channel. The sealing element is disposed between the sensing chip and the carrier chip for air-tight coupling the two chips.
US08039909B2 Semiconductor nanowires charge sensor
A semiconductor nanowire is coated with a chemical coating layer that comprises a functional material which modulates the quantity of free charge carriers within the semiconductor nanowire. The outer surface of the chemical coating layer includes a chemical group that facilitates bonding with molecules to be detected through electrostatic forces. The bonding between the chemical coating layer and the molecules alters the electrical charge distribution in the chemical coating layer, which alters the amount of the free charge carriers and the conductivity in the semiconductor nanowire. The coated semiconductor nanowire may be employed as a chemical sensor for the type of chemicals that bonds with the functional material in the chemical coating layer. Detection of such chemicals may indicate pH of a solution, a vapor pressure of a reactive material in gas phase, and/or a concentration of a molecule in a solution.
US08039904B2 Apparatus of memory array using finfets
A memory cell includes a FinFET select device and a memory element. In some embodiments a memory cell has a contact element coupled between a surface of the fin and the memory element.
US08039900B2 Stacked semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same
The stacked semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a multi-layered insulation layer pattern having at least two insulation layer patterns and an opening, an active layer pattern formed on each of the insulation layer patterns, a first plug including single crystalline silicon-germanium, a second plug including single crystalline silicon, and a wiring electrically connected to the first plug and sufficiently filling up the opening. The insulation layer patterns are vertically stacked on the semiconductor substrate and the opening exposes an upper face of the semiconductor substrate. A side portion of the active layer pattern is exposed by the opening. The first plug is formed on the upper face of the semiconductor substrate to partially fill the opening. The second plug is partially formed on the first plug, and has substantially the same interface as that of the first plug.
US08039899B2 Electrostatic discharge protection device
An electrostatic discharge protection device includes a first well comprising a MOS transistor; a second well comprising a first impurity region to which a first voltage is applied, and a second impurity region connected to an input/output pad, the second well being disposed adjacent to the first well; and a third well comprising a third impurity region to which the first voltage is applied, the third well being disposed adjacent to the second well.
US08039898B2 Process for manufacturing a charge-balance power diode and an edge-termination structure for a charge-balance semiconductor power device
An embodiment of a process for manufacturing a semiconductor power device envisages the steps of: providing a body made of semiconductor material having a first top surface; forming an active region with a first type of conductivity in the proximity of the first top surface and inside an active portion of the body; and forming an edge-termination structure. The edge-termination structure is formed by: a ring region having the first type of conductivity and a first doping level, set within a peripheral edge portion of the body and electrically coupled to the active region; and a guard region, having the first type of conductivity and a second doping level, higher than the first doping level, set in the proximity of the first top surface and connecting the active region to the ring region. The process further envisages the steps of: forming a surface layer having the first type of conductivity on the first top surface, also at the peripheral edge portion, in contact with the guard region; and etching the surface layer in order to remove it above the edge portion in such a manner that the etch terminates inside the guard region.
US08039896B2 Semiconductor memory device with vertical channel formed on semiconductor pillars
In a semiconductor memory device having a vertical channel transistor a body of which is connected to a substrate and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate including a plurality of pillars arranged spaced apart from one another, and each of the pillars includes a body portion and a pair of pillar portions extending from the body portion and spaced apart from each other. A gate electrode is formed to surround each of the pillar portions. A bitline is disposed on the body portion to penetrate a region between a pair of the pillar portions of each of the first pillars arranged to extend in a first direction. A wordline is disposed over the bitline, arranged to extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to contact the side surface of the gate electrode. A first doped region is formed in the upper surface of each of the pillar portions of the pillar. A second doped region is formed on the body portion of the pillar and connected electrically to the bitline. Storage node electrodes are connected electrically to the first doped region and disposed on each of the pillar portions.
US08039895B2 Transistors having a channel region between channel-portion holes and methods of forming the same
According to some embodiments of the invention, transistors have channel regions between channel-portion holes. Methods of forming the same include at least two channel-portion holes disposed in a semiconductor substrate. Line patterns are formed in parallel to be spaced apart from each other on a main surface of the semiconductor substrate to fill the channel-portion holes. A channel region is disposed in the semiconductor substrate below the line patterns. At this time, the channel region is formed between the channel-portion holes and also covers lower portions of the channel-portion holes. Driving current capability and refresh characteristics of DRAMs utilizing the inventive transistors are improved.
US08039894B2 Trench transistor and method for fabricating a trench transistor with high-energy-implanted drain
A method is disclosed for fabricating a trench transistor, in which there are formed, within an epitaxial layer deposited above a substrate of a first conductivity type, a trench and, within the trench, a gate dielectric and a gate electrode and, in a body region of a second conductivity type adjoining the trench a source region of the first conductivity type, a drift region of the first conductivity type forming a drain zone being formed at the end of the junction between the substrate and the epitaxial layer by means of one or more high-energy implantations, the lower end of the trench projecting into said drift region, and to a trench transistor of this type formed as a low-voltage transistor.
US08039882B2 High gain, low noise photodiode for image sensors and method of formation
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pixel cell for an image sensor that includes a photodiode, which provides high gain, low noise, and low dark current. The pixel cell includes a photodiode comprising layers of a first material and at least a second material in contact with one another. The photodiode generates charge in response to light and also amplifies the charge. The layers may be configured to promote impact ionization by a first carrier type and suppress impact ionization by a second carrier type. The pixel cell also includes a gate of a transistor adjacent to the photodiode and may include readout circuitry for reading out the charge generated and amplified by the photodiode.
US08039880B2 High performance microwave switching devices and circuits
A switching circuit. The novel switching circuit includes an active device and a first circuit for providing a reactive inductive load in shunt with the active device. In an illustrative embodiment, the first circuit is implemented using a transmission line coupled between an output of the active device and ground, in parallel with the device, to minimize the parasitic effects of the device drain to source capacitance. In a preferred embodiment, the active device includes a silicon-germanium NFET optimized for operation at high frequencies (e.g. up to 20 GHz). The optimization process includes coupling a compact, low-parasitic polysilicon resistor to a gate of the NFET to provide gate RF isolation, and designing the gate manifold, drain manifold, and drain to source spacing of the NFET for optimal high frequency operation.
US08039879B2 Semiconductor device having a control circuit and method of its manufacture
A semiconductor has an IGBT active section and a control circuit section for detecting an IGBT abnormal state. A collector region is formed on the back surface side (i.e., on the IGBT collector side) in a selective manner, namely right under the IGBT active section.
US08039875B2 Structure for pixel sensor cell that collects electrons and holes
The present invention relates to a design structure for a pixel sensor cell. The pixel sensor cell approximately doubles the available signal for a given quanta of light. A design structure for a pixel sensor cell having reduced complexity includes an n-type collection well region formed beneath a surface of a substrate for collecting electrons generated by electromagnetic radiation impinging on the pixel sensor cell and a p-type collection well region formed beneath the surface of the substrate for collecting holes generated by the impinging photons. A circuit structure having a first input is coupled to the n-type collection well region and a second input is coupled to the p-type collection well region, wherein an output signal of the pixel sensor cell is the magnitude of the difference of a signal of the first input and a signal of the second input.
US08039868B2 Structure and method for an electrostatic discharge (ESD) silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) structure
A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes first and second silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) formed in a substrate. Further, the first and the second SCRs each include at least one component commonly shared between the first and the second SCRs.
US08039866B2 Mount for a semiconductor light emitting device
A mount for a semiconductor device includes a carrier, at least two metal leads disposed on a bottom surface of the carrier, and a cavity extending through a thickness of the carrier to expose a portion of the top surfaces of the metal leads. A semiconductor light emitting device is positioned in the cavity and is electrically and physically connected to the metal leads. The carrier may be, for example, silicon, and the leads may be multilayer structures, for example a thin gold layer connected to a thick copper layer.
US08039863B2 Light emitting device
Provided is a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a package body, a plurality of electrodes, a light emitting diode, and a lens. The package body comprises a trench. The plurality of electrodes is disposed on and/or in the package body. The light emitting diode is disposed on the package body and is electrically connected to the electrodes. The lens is disposed on an inner side of the trench.
US08039860B2 Light emitting device, light emitting device package and lighting system
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package having the same. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure layer including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer under the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer under the active layer; a conductive layer under the second conductive type semiconductor layer; an adhesive layer under the conductive layer; a support member under the adhesive layer; a contact electrode connected to the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a first lead electrode under the support member; a first electrode connecting the contact electrode to the first lead electrode on a first region of the support member; a second electrode connected to at least one of the conductive layer and the adhesive layer on a second region of the support member; a second lead electrode connected to the second electrode under the support member; and a first insulating layer between the contact electrode and the light emitting structure layer.
US08039850B2 White light emitting device
There is provided a white light emitting device that prevents a red phosphor from resorbing wavelength-converted light to improve white luminous efficiency. A white light emitting device according to an aspect of the invention includes a package body; at least two LED chips mounted to the package body and emitting excitation light; and a molding unit including phosphors, absorbing the excitation light and emitting wavelength-converted light, in regions of the molding unit divided according to the LED chips and molding the LED chips. According to the aspect of the invention, since the phosphor for converted red light can be prevented from resorbing light generated from other regions of the molding unit, the white light emitting device that can improve white luminous efficiency or control color rendering and color temperature by adjusting a mixing ratio of converted light for white light emission.
US08039849B2 LED module
An LED module to realize light source performance as desire is comprised of multiple LEDs, a light-emitting chip of each LED being disposed in a carrier on a substrate; conduction circuits with different polarities being provided perimeter to the carrier on the substrate; golden plate wire connecting the chip and circuits; carrier being filled with fluorescent material before encapsulation; a slope being formed on the inner wall of the carrier; and the light-emitting angles varying depending on inclination carrier or the encapsulating height.
US08039843B2 Semiconductor wafer, semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor substrate according to an embodiment includes: a first semiconductor wafer having a first crystal; and a second semiconductor wafer formed of a second crystal substantially same as the first crystal on the first semiconductor wafer, a crystal-axis direction of unit cell thereof being twisted at a predetermined angle around a direction vertical to a principal surface of the second semiconductor wafer from that of the first semiconductor wafer.
US08039838B2 Silicon thin film transistors, systems, and methods of making same
Systems and methods of fabricating silicon-based thin film transistors (TFTs) on flexible substrates. The systems and methods incorporate and combine deposition processes such as chemical vapor deposition and plasma-enhance vapor deposition, printing, coating, and other deposition processes, with laser annealing, etching techniques, and laser doping, all performed at low temperatures such that the precision, resolution, and registration is achieved to produce a high performing transistor. Such TFTs can be used in applications such as displays, packaging, labeling, and the like.
US08039836B2 Semiconductor device
In the present invention, a thin film transistor is formed on a plastic film substrate (1) having anisotropy of thermal shrinkage rate or coefficient of thermal expansion in in-plane directions of the substrate. A channel is formed such that the direction (7) in which the thermal shrinkage rate or the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate is largest is nonparallel to the direction (8) of a current flowing through the channel of the thin film transistor. Then, a thin film transistor having stable and uniform electrical characteristics, which is formed on the plastic film substrate, is provided.
US08039833B2 Polythiophenes and devices thereof
An electronic device containing a polythiophene wherein R represents a side chain, m represents the number of R substituents; A is a divalent linkage; x, y and z represent, respectively, the number of Rm substituted thienylenes, unsubstituted thienylenes, and divalent linkages A, respectively, in the monomer segment subject to z being 0 or 1, and n represents the number of repeating monomer segments in the polymer or the degree of polymerization.
US08039829B2 Contact structure, a semiconductor device employing the same, and methods of manufacturing the same
A contact structure that includes a first pattern formed on a substrate, wherein the first pattern has a recessed region in an upper surface thereof, a planarized buffer pattern formed on the first pattern, and a conductive pattern formed on the planarized buffer pattern.
US08039826B2 Inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press
A method of inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press comprises illuminating a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The method further comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate, and comparing the data representative of the printed substrate with stored reference data.
US08039821B2 Ion implantation systems
An ion implantation apparatus of high energy is disclosed in this invention. The new and improved system can have a wide range of ion beam energy at high beam transmission rates and flexible operation modes for different ion species. This high energy implantation system can be converted into a medium current by removing RF linear ion acceleration unit.
US08039819B2 Device and method for creating a spatial dose distribution in a medium volume
A device and a method for creating a spatial dose distribution in a medium volume (22) are described. A laser system produces laser pulses (12) with a pulse length shorter than 200 fs (femtoseconds) and is capable to be focused to peak intensities greater than 10^18 W/cm^2 (watts per centimeter squared). An electron source (18) is capable of releasing a high-energy electron pulse (20), in particular the electrons having an energy greater than 100 MeV, upon irradiation with said laser pulses (12) propagating into the medium volume (22). The light paths (52, 56,58) of at least some of the laser pulses (12) are adjustable in such a way that high-energy electron pulses (20) are emitted from the irradiated at least one electron source on different trajectories (20,28,60,62) through the medium volume (22) thereby depositing their dose in the medium volume (22) according to a provided pattern.
US08039818B2 Sub wavelength aperture
There is provided a method of detecting a presence of a luminophore in a detection volume comprising providing excitation radiation in said detection volume. A luminophore is provided in said detection volume being excitable by said excitation radiation. The luminescent radiation is detected to identify the presence of said luminophore in said detection volume. In one aspect of the invention, said luminophore is selected to emit luminescent radiation having a wavelength in said medium that is larger than twice said smallest dimension; and wherein said luminophore is selected to be excitable by excitation radiation having a wavelength in said medium that is smaller than twice said smallest dimension. Accordingly, luminescent radiation is blocked from entering the detector but for the portion present on an interface of the aperture.
US08039816B2 Fluorescence observation apparatus
To accurately obtain fluorescence intensity in a variable passband. Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including an excitation light source that emits excitation light; a Fabry-Perot resonator including a variable passband in which the wavelength of light that passes therethrough changes with changes in distance between the surfaces of optical members opposing each other with a distance therebetween, a fixed passband in which the wavelength of light that passes therethrough does not change irrespective of changes in the distance between the surfaces, and a transition band therebetween; an excitation-light cut filter that blocks passage of the excitation light; a band cut filter having a cut-off band including the transition band and not including the wavelength of the excitation light; and a photodetector that detects fluorescence that has passed through the Fabry-Perot resonator, the excitation-light cut filter, and the band cut filter.
US08039815B2 Fluorescent light microscope for measuring a sample using red-shifted stokes lines
A fluorescent light microscope for measuring a sample comprises a light source providing transfer light having a transfer wavelength for transferring a fluorescent dye in the sample from one state into another state, and a detector which measures fluorescent light from the sample with spatial resolution. The light source comprises a laser, an optical wave guide connected to the laser, and a wavelength-selective device connected to the optical wave guide. The laser emits pump light of a pump wavelength other than the transfer wavelength and injects the pump light into the optical wave guide. The pump light, due to Raman scattering being stimulated in the optical wave guide, generates a light spectrum emerging from the optical wave guide which has, besides the pump wavelength, at least one red-shifted Stokes line whose full width at half maximum is smaller than half of its distance to its next neighbor line on the blue side of the spectrum; and the wavelength-selective device singles out the transfer light by its transfer wavelength from the red-shifted Stokes lines of the light spectrum.
US08039811B1 CMOS time delay integration sensor for X-ray imaging applications
A CMOS TDI image sensor consists of M pixels where each pixel is formed by a column of N TDI stages. Each TDI stage contains a photodiode that collects photo-charge and a pre-amplifier that proportionally converts the photo-charge to a voltage. Each TDI stage also has a set of capacitors, amplifiers, and switches for storage of the integrated signal voltages, where Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) technique (true or pseudo) maintains both photo-signal and reset voltages simultaneously. The CDS signal voltages can be passed from one TDI stage to the next TDI stage along a column for summing. The CDS signal voltages of the last TDI stages of M pixels are read out with a differential amplifier. This CMOS TDI structure is especially advantageous for implementing X-ray scanning detector systems requiring large pixel sizes and signal processing circuitry that is physically separated from the photodiode array for X-ray shielding.
US08039810B2 Scintillation-based continuous monitor for beta-emitting radionuclides in a liquid medium
A scintillation-based detection device and method for continuous monitoring of flowing liquids for the presence of radionuclides. A side-stream pipe directs a portion of the monitored liquid from the main flow transfer pipe through and/or around the detector. Within the side-stream pipe is a scintillation detector assembly, having) either a nested-cylindrical or stacked-element shape. The real-time to near real-time detection capabilities are influenced by the total surface area of the detector assembly. The detectors are operated in anti-coincidence mode to distinguish pure beta-emitters from beta-gamma emitters and from pure gamma events. A gross beta count, gross gamma count, or some combination may also be determined.
US08039808B2 Performance solid state detectors
An imaging detector is formed from a conversion material and electrodes that are separated by trenches formed in the conversion material. The trenches increase the distance of the conductance path between electrodes or accommodate a grid of electrodes, thereby reducing current leakage between electrodes. In some embodiments, a passivation layer is used to provide improved adhesion of the electrodes to the conversion material or to shield the electrodes from grid electrode structures.
US08039807B2 Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
A part of exposure beam through a liquid (LQ) via a projection optical system (PL) enters a light-transmitting section (44), enters an optical member (41) without passing through gas, and is focused. The exposure apparatus receives the exposure light from the projection optical system to perform various measurements even if the numerical aperture of the projection optical system increases.
US08039805B2 Multi-short-scan technique in spect imaging
A SPECT system which scans over multiple separate scans and individually motion compensates the information obtained from each of these scans. The separate scans may be over different angular extents and may be for different purposes. One of the scans for example may be a scout scan, and the other scans may then be scans which concentrate on areas identified during the scout scan. Alternatively, the scans may all being exactly the same and stitched together after the individual motion compensation. Since each of the scans are shorter, the patient will presumably have moved less during each individual scan, and the amount of motion is hence presumably less.
US08039804B2 Method for evaluating an image dataset acquired by a radiation-based image acquisition device
The invention relates to a method for evaluating an image dataset obtained by a radiation-based image acquisition device. A scatter background dataset is determined as a function of the image data. The image dataset is corrected pixel by pixel by multiplying the image dataset with the inverse of a function dependent on the quotient of the scatter background data and the image data at a respective pixel. The function is a nonlinear, smooth function determined by a coefficient and having positive derivatives. The absolute value of the function is one for the value zero. The image acquisition parameter dependent coefficient is determined by an optimization process.
US08039799B2 Motion detection system and method
A system and method for detecting the presence of a moving object within a detection zone is provided. The system includes a first sensor responsive to light in a first range of wavelengths in the detection zone, a second sensor responsive to light in a second range of wavelengths in the detection zone, wherein the second range of wavelengths is different from the first range of wavelengths, and a processing component for generating a variable threshold value for the first sensor based upon at least maximum and minimum output signals from the second sensor within a predetermined period of time, and for comparing the first output signal with the variable threshold value. The processing component generates an activating signal if the first output signal exceeds the threshold value.
US08039798B2 Dual-wavelength thermal infrared sensor
A dual-wavelength thermal infrared sensor includes a first and a second type pixels that detect infrared in different wavelength ranges. The pixels of both types include a diaphragm supported by beams, an eave formed to spread outward from the diaphragm, and reflection film on the substrate. The diaphragm includes a thermoelectric conversion material thin film, an electrode, and protective films. The protective films and eaves are made of a material having larger absorption coefficient for infrared in the first wavelength range and a smaller absorption coefficient for infrared in second wavelength range. First-type pixels further have metal thin films formed on the top of the diaphragm and eaves. First-type pixels have sensitivity to infrared in a first wavelength range and in a second wavelength range defined by optical interference occurring between the metal thin films and the reflection film. Second-type pixels have sensitivity to first wavelength range infrared.
US08039797B2 Semiconductor for sensing infrared radiation and method thereof
A semiconductor device for sensing infrared radiation is provided. In an embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a sensor configuration which includes a light receiving portion for converting incident photons into heat and a sensing portion integrated with the light receiving portion and having a resistance varying according to the converted heat; and a sensing circuit which includes a common mode current providing portion and a current subtraction portion, wherein the common mode current providing portion outputs a common mode current related to a value of a current which is flowing in the sensing portion when there is no incident light and the current subtraction portion outputs subtraction currents for the common mode current and a sensing current related to a current output from the sensing portion.In another embodiment, the sensing configuration includes a heat removing portion which is disposed to form an empty space between the heat removing portion and the light receiving portion and the sensing portion, and removes accumulated heat from the light receiving portion and the sensing portion, and the sensing circuit includes an actuating voltage supplying portion which applies electric potential between the sensing portion and the heat removing portion to make the light receiving portion and the sensing portion elastically deflect into the empty space and consequently contact the heat removing portion to remove the heat.
US08039791B2 Downhole fluid spectroscopy
An example method for determining a partial density of a compound in a downhole fluid may comprise exposing the downhole fluid to an electromagnetic radiation, and measuring a spectrum of radiation absorption by the downhole fluid. An absorption peak of the compound may be identified in the measured spectrum. A first parameter indicative of radiation absorption by the downhole fluid may be determined in the identified absorption peak. Second and third parameters indicative of radiation absorptions by the downhole fluid may be determined essentially out of the identified absorption peak. A weighted combination of the second and third parameters may be computed, and the partial density of the compound may be determined from a difference between the weighted combination and the first parameter.
US08039789B2 Method and apparatus for self calibrating meter movement for ionization power supplies
A method of determining a relative condition of an ionizer in an ionization system includes placing the ionization system in a calibration mode, stepping the ionization system through one or more of a range of adjustments, collecting calibration data at each step and storing the calibration data in a memory, placing the ionization system in an operating mode, collecting real-time data regarding an output of the ionization system, comparing the real-time data to the calibration data and determining difference values therebetween, and using the difference values to determine the relative condition of the ionizer.
US08039779B2 Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, an operation area, at least one display, an input detector, a light source device, and a controller. The operation area is provided on an outer surface of the housing. The display is located in the operation area, and includes a first indicator and a second indicator made of a light transmissive material. The first indicator corresponds to a design that indicates operation content, while the second indicator is located in a position not covered by an operation tool with which operation is performed on the first indicator and indicates operation state. The input detector faces the operation area in the housing and detects electrostatic capacitance in the operation area. The light source device emits light to the display in the operation area. The controller controls the light source device based on a variation in electrostatic capacitance detected by the input detector to turn on or off at least the second indicator.
US08039776B2 Quantitative differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and photography based on wavefront sensors
A wavefront microscope or camera utilizes a wavefront sensor to measure the local intensity and phase gradient of the wavefront and output image maps based on the intensity and phase gradient. A wavefront sensor provides a metal film having patterned structured two dimensional (2D) apertures that convert a phase gradient of a wavefront into a measurable form onto a photodetector array. A computer is used to analyze the data by separating signals projected and recorded on the array from the different apertures, predict a center of each projection, and sum signals for each projection to display the intensity while determining a center position change/offset from the predicted center to display the phase gradient of the wavefront.
US08039775B2 Built-in oven with an improved cooling system
A built-in oven has a door, a control panel positioned above the door and a cooling system including a fan-motor assembly for drawing cooling air around the outside surface of the oven and an exhaust duct for discharging air to the ambient. The cooling system comprises a cooling air supply duct above the top side of the oven and with an intake opening below the control panel, and an exhaust duct positioned above the supply duct so that its exhaust opening is placed above the control panel, the fan-motor assembly being mounted between the supply duct and the exhaust duct.
US08039773B2 Method and apparatus for the repair of gas-turbine blisks
A method and an apparatus for repairing gas-turbine blisks uses an endoscope 15 provided with processing optics featuring a flexible light guide arrangement 16. A laser source 9 is connected to a flexible optical fiber arrangement 10, with a filler material feeder 7 for supplying welding flux via a flexible line 8, with a water supply 11 connected to a flexible line 12, and with an inert gas supply 13 connected to a flexible line 16 for supplying inert gas, with the flexible lines 8, 12, 14, the flexible light guide arrangement 16 and the flexible optical fiber arrangement 10 being combined to form a flexible long repair implement 17 at least at its distal end areas.
US08039771B2 Vacuum envelope including self-aligning end shield, vacuum interrupter, vacuum circuit interrupter and method including the same
A vacuum envelope is for a fixed contact mounted on a fixed electrode and a moveable contact mounted on a moveable electrode. The vacuum envelope includes a ceramic tube including a first open end and a second open end. A first end member is secured to the first open end. A second end member includes an inside surface and is secured to the second open end. A self-aligning end shield includes a first end having an opening therein, a second open end, an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the end shield second open end, and a flange portion disposed from the end shield second open end. The flange portion extends outwardly from the intermediate portion and generally back toward the first end. The flange portion includes an edge engaging the inside surface of the second end member, and is normally offset from the ceramic tube.
US08039770B2 Movable contact arm and crossbar assembly and electrical switching apparatus employing the same
A movable arm assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus including a stationary contact and an operating mechanism. The arm assembly includes a biasing member and an arm member having a first end, an opposite second end, a pivot point therebetween, and a portion having a longitudinal axis. A movable contact is disposed at or about the first end. The arm member engages a crossbar member at or about the pivot point such that the arm member can pivot from a first position to a second position. The biasing member engages the arm member at a point between the pivot point and the second end and includes a portion that engages and biases against a housings of the crossbar member. The longitudinal axis of the portion of the arm member is oriented generally parallel to the portion of the biasing member when the arm member is at the first position.
US08039768B2 Electrical switch with positive status indication
An electrical switch includes a rotary switch actuator device, and an actuator locking device. The actuator locking device inhibits the rotation of the rotary switch actuator device when the contacts of the switch are closed. Only when the operator tries to open the switch with an operating handle and the contacts do actually open, a lock release device will release the actuator locking device, and allow the operator to move the operator handle to the position corresponding to the open condition. When the contacts do not open, e.g., because they are welded, the actuator locking device will remain locked and the handle movement is blocked. This provides a robust and safe switch that never gives a false “OFF” indication.
US08039765B2 Leadthrough for an electrical high voltage through a wall surrounding a process area
In a leadthrough for an electrical high voltage conductor through a wall which separates a process area from an ambient area, comprising a body of a dielectric high voltage resistant material, two axially adjacent geometric base structures are provided, a cylinder and a truncated cone having a smaller diameter end adjacent the cylinder so that the cylinder has a radial annular surface area adjacent the truncated cone, and the cylinder includes axially extending gas supply bores arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the cylinder and having exit openings at the radial annular face of the cylinder such that gas supplied to the gas supply bores at the ambient area end of the cylinder is discharged from the gas supply bores onto the outer surface of the truncated cone to form a gas envelope around the truncated cone.
US08039763B1 EMI-shielding solutions for computer enclosures using combinations of two and three-dimensional shapes formed in sheet metal
The present invention provides a configuration of a computer-chassis containment or other electromagnetic device method for manufacture in which a “one-hit” solution may be implemented to provide adequate electromagnetic interference shielding (EMC shielding) and is configured such that shielding gaskets, “spoons” or other excessive structures may be reduced or eliminated completely. Patterned sinusoidal “patterns” that are stamped, molded, cut, or extruded into one or more sides of a “box” provide sufficient EMI shielding, such that the need for gaskets is reduced or eliminated.
US08039762B2 Printed circuit board having a buried solder bump and a circuit layer flush with an insulating layer
Disclosed is a printed circuit board having a buried solder bump, in which a circuit pattern and a solder bump formed on the circuit pattern are buried in an insulating layer, thus improving the degree of matching between the solder bump and the circuit pattern and obviating a need for an additional coining process of the solder bump. A manufacturing method thereof is also provided.
US08039754B2 Conductor carrier and arrangement comprising a conductor carrier
A conductor carrier includes a base insulating film, a contact insulating film, at least one first printed conductor and one second printed conductor. The contact insulating film includes at least one first recess and one second recess. The printed conductors are embedded between the two insulating films and each forms a first overlapping region with the first or second recess of the contact insulating film. The conductor carrier also includes an insulating region which separates the first printed conductor from the second printed conductor in an insulating manner due to the contact insulating film being less raised than outside the insulating region, and extends between the first and second recesses of the contact insulating film in a meandering manner. A configuration having the conductor carrier is also provided.
US08039752B2 Heat dissipation structure of a print circuit board
A heat dissipating structure of a print circuit board to improve heat-dissipation efficiency for mounted electronic components while retaining required soldering strength is disclosed.The heat dissipation structure of a print circuit board comprising a stack of multiple layers including a mounting surface layer on which electronic components including heat generating components are soldered. On both sides of the print circuit board, inner vias bore surface layers but inner layers are not bored. Core vias bore the inner layers in the print circuit board but the surface layers are not bored. The inner vias and the core vias are positioned at the predetermined distance over the layer surface. Heat from heat generating components is conducted through the inner vias on surface layers and the core vias inside the circuit board to the outside, high efficiency of the heat-dissipation is achieved.
US08039749B2 Differential transmission signal cable and composite cable containing the same
A differential transmission signal cable is provided. The differential transmission signal cable includes one pair of signal wires including a central conductor covered by an insulating layer, a drain wire arrayed along the signal wires, and an outer conductor for covering the signal wires and the drain wire. The drain wire is covered by a covering film made of a semi-conductive material having flexibility and containing an electrically conductive filler.
US08039740B2 Single P-N junction tandem photovoltaic device
A single P-N junction solar cell is provided having two depletion regions for charge separation while allowing the electrons and holes to recombine such that the voltages associated with both depletion regions of the solar cell will add together. The single p-n junction solar cell includes an alloy of either InGaN or InAlN formed on one side of the P-N junction with Si formed on the other side in order to produce characteristics of a two junction (2J) tandem solar cell through only a single P-N junction. A single P-N junction solar cell having tandem solar cell characteristics will achieve power conversion efficiencies exceeding 30%.
US08039739B1 Individually encapsulated solar cells and solar cell strings
Methods and devices are provided for improved environmental protection for photovoltaic devices and assemblies. In one embodiment, the device comprises of an individually encapsulated solar cell, wherein the encapsulated solar cell includes at least one protective layer coupled to at least one surface of the solar cell. The protective layer has a chemical composition that prevents moisture from entering the solar cell and wherein light passes through the protective layer to reach an absorber layer in the solar cell.
US08039736B2 Photovoltaic up conversion and down conversion using rare earths
The use of rare-earth (REO, N, P) based materials to covert long wavelength photons to shorter wavelength photons that can be absorbed in a photovoltaic device (up-conversion) and (REO, N, P) materials which can absorb a short wavelength photon and re-emit one (downshifting) or more longer wavelength photons is disclosed. The wide spectral range of sunlight overlaps with a multitude of energy transitions in rare-earth materials, thus offering multiple up-conversion pathways. The refractive index contrast of rare-earth materials with silicon enables a DBR with >90% peak reflectivity and a stop band greater than 150 nm.
US08039735B2 Laminated film for dye-sensitized solar cell and electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell, and process for their production
There is provided a laminated film for a dye-sensitized solar cell characterized by comprising a polyester film and a transparent conductive layer formed on one side thereof, the transparent conductive layer having a surface tension of 40 mN/m or greater, and an electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell with excellent adhesion between the transparent conductive layer and porous semiconductor layer and high photogenerating efficiency.
US08039729B2 Quick connect thermocouple mounting device and associated method of use
A thermocouple mounting assembly is provided. A plurality of retainers includes portions that are interengageable, some portions carried by a body and some portions carried by a thermocouple assembly to effect releasable mounting of a thermocouple assembly to a body. The retainers are constructed and shaped to provide for their formation by a molding process such as die-casting or investment casting, eliminating or substantially eliminating the need for machining of the retainer components. Preferably, there is an audible sound, e.g., click, present to signify when the retainers are interengaged.
US08039728B2 Glass-ceramic thermoelectric module
The invention is directed to a thermoelectric module that utilizes a glass-ceramic material in place of the alumina and aluminum nitride that are commonly used in such modules. The glass-ceramic has a coefficient of thermal expansion of <10×10−7/° C. The p- and n-type thermoelectric materials can be any type of such materials that can withstand an operating environment of up to 1000° C., and they should have a CTE comparable to that of the glass-ceramic. The module of the invention is used to convert the energy wasted in the exhaust heat of hydrocarbon fueled engines to electrical power.
US08039720B2 Stringed instrument having components made from glass and methods of manufacturing and assembling the same
A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, having components made from glass, and methods of manufacturing and assembling the same are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for manufacturing a glass fretboard, manufacturing glass frets, assembling the glass frets to the fretboard, and assembling the fretboard to the neck of the stringed instrument. In addition to the fretboard and frets, other components of the stringed instrument may also be made from glass. For example, the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing glass saddles and top nuts to allow the strings of the stringed instrument to substantially entirely contact glass. This produces a clean, crisp sound and overcomes the problem of generating an inferior sound that results from the imperfections found in natural wood components, for example.
US08039717B1 Maize variety hybrid 10119570
A novel maize variety designated 10119570 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10119570 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10119570 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10119570, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10119570. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10119570.
US08039706B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH393009
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH393009. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH393009, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH393009 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 CH393009.
US08039698B2 Cotton variety 779020G
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 779020G. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 779020G. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 779020G and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 779020G with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08039694B2 Soybean cultivar S080179
A soybean cultivar designated S080179 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080179, to the plants of soybean S080179, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080179 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080179 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S080179, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080179 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S080179 with another soybean cultivar.
US08039692B1 Soybean variety RJS18003
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated RJS18003. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety RJS18003, to the plants of soybean RJS18003 to plant parts of soybean variety RJS18003 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety RJS18003 with another soybean plant, using RJS18003 as either the male or the female parent.
US08039688B2 Geminivirus resistant transgenic plants
Transgenic plants with increased resistance to geminivirus infection, and nucleic acid constructs useful in producing such plants, are described. In addition, methods of making the transgenic plants of the present invention are included. The transgenic plants express a mutant AL1/C1 geminivirus protein, which increases resistance to infection by at least one geminivirus, compared to a non-transformed control plant.
US08039686B2 QTL “mapping as-you-go”
This invention provides methods for monitoring QTL effects and marker assisted selection (MAS) involving providing a recursively determined correlation between one or more markers and a phenotype of interest.
US08039684B2 Absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable material layer
An absorbent article includes at least one liquid-permeable layer material (105) and an absorbent structure (106), the absorbent structure (106) having the ability to expand on wetting, which entails that the absorbent structure (106) displays a first volume in dry condition and a second volume in completely expanded wet condition, the second volume being greater than the first volume. The liquid-permeable layer material (105) encloses the absorbent structure (106) so that the absorbent structure (106) is prevented from reaching complete expansion during wetting.
US08039683B2 Absorbent composites having improved fluid wicking and web integrity
An absorbent article includes an absorbent composite which comprises substantially water-insoluble, water-swellable, non-regenerated, carboxyalkyl cellulose fibers. The fibers have a surface having the appearance of the surface of a cellulose fiber and comprise a plurality of first intra-fiber multi-valent metal ion crosslinks and a plurality of second intra-fiber crosslinks selected from ether crosslinks or ester crosslinks. In addition, the absorbent composite has been subjected to a treatment to create interfiber bonding between the fibers of the composite either throughout the composite or only on the surface of the composite.
US08039681B2 Functionalized carbon materials
This invention relates to carbon materials, such as a fullerene molecule or a curved carbon nanostructure, that are functionalized by addition chemistry performed on surface C—C double bond.
US08039680B2 Process for producing 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl alcohol
A process for producing 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl alcohol including the following steps: (A): a step for fluorinating 2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthaloyl dichloride, (B): a step for reducing the product obtained in step (A), (C): a step for chlorinating the product obtained in step (B), and Step (D): a step for hydrogenating the product obtained in step (C).
US08039671B2 Transition metal complex, catalyst composition including the same and olefin polymer using catalyst composition
Provided are a novel transition metal complex where a monocyclopentadienyl ligand to which an amido group is introduced is coordinated, a catalyst composition including the same, and an olefin polymer using the catalyst composition. The transition metal complex has a pentagon ring structure having an amido group connected by a phenylene bridge in which a stable bond is formed in the vicinity of a metal site, and thus, a sterically hindered monomer can easily approach the transition metal complex. By using a catalyst composition including the transition metal complex, a linear low density polyolefin copolymer having a high molecular weight and a very low density polyolefin copolymer having a density of 0.910 g/cc or less can be produced in a polymerization of monomers having large steric hindrance. Further, the reactivity for the olefin monomer having large steric hindrance is excellent.
US08039664B2 Method for producing butanediol dimethacrylates
The present invention relates to a process for preparing butanediol dimethacrylates, which comprises the transesterification of butanediol with an ester of methacrylic acid in the presence of catalysts, wherein a combination comprising at least one lithium compound and at least one calcium compound is used as catalyst, at least one of the compounds of lithium and/or of calcium is an oxide, a hydroxide, an alkoxide having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a carboxylate having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and at least part of the reaction is carried out in the presence of an effective amount of water. The process of the invention makes a particularly inexpensive preparation of butanediol dimethacrylates having a very high purity possible.
US08039662B2 Process for the preparation of amino acid methyl esters
The present invention describes a process for the synthesis of an amino acid methyl ester comprising the following steps: (a) refluxing a reaction mixture comprising a free amino acid, methanol and a strong acid; (b) concentrating the mixture; (c) adding methanol; (d) repeating steps a-c one or more times.
US08039661B2 Thiophene-carboxamides useful as inhibitors of protein kinases
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compounds and compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also relates to processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08039659B2 Processes for preparing diaryl and/or alkylaryl carbonates from dialkyl carbonates
Processes comprising: reacting a dialkyl carbonate and an aromatic hydroxy compound in the presence of a transesterification catalyst in a first reaction column, the first reaction column comprising a top section, a bottom section, a rectifying section in an upper portion of the column and a reaction zone below the rectifying section; feeding a bottom product from the first reaction column to a further reaction column; the bottom product comprising a diaryl carbonate, an alkylaryl carbonate, or both, and residual unreacted dialkyl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound; the further reaction column comprising a top section, a rectifying section in an upper portion of the column and a reaction zone below the rectifying section; and reacting the residual unreacted dialkyl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound in the further reaction column; feeding a process stream to a distillation column, the process stream comprising a mixture of unreacted dialkyl carbonate and one or more reaction-product alcohols drawn from the first reaction column, the further reaction column, or both, such that the unreacted dialkyl carbonate is separated from the one or more reaction-product alcohols; and recycling the separated, unreacted dialkyl carbonate to the first reaction column; wherein the further reaction column comprises one or more condensers, and heat of condensation from the one or more condensers is fed back into the process.
US08039655B2 Production of isotactic and regiorandom polypropylene based polymer and block copolymers
One step ortho-alkylation of anilines with styrenes to give chiral anilines is obtained using a strong acid catalyst, e.g. CF3SO3H. Condensation of the product to give ligand and metallation gives complex which catalyzes polymerization of propylene to give isotactic propylene or regiorandom propylene of low PDI or blocks thereof, depending on polymerization temperature.
US08039649B2 Method of retaining the quality of 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal and process for producing the same
The present invention relates to [1] a method for keeping a quality of 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal useful as a perfume, which comprises incorporating from 50 to 3000 ppm of 1-acetyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene in the 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal; [2] a process for producing 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal having a content range from 50 to 3000 ppm of 1-acetyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene; and [3] 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal having a content range from 50 to 3000 ppm of 1-acetyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene.
US08039647B2 2-amino-bicyclo (3.1.0) hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic ester derivative
A drug effective for the treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and related ailments thereof, depression, bipolar disorder and epilepsy. The drug antagonizes the action of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors and shows high activity in oral administrationA 2-amino-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic ester derivative represented by formula [I] [wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; Y represents —OCHR3R4 or the like (wherein R3 and R4 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; and n represents integer 1 or 2)], a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof.
US08039645B2 Method for continuously producing 2,5-dihydrofuran
The method of the invention for continuously producing 2,5-dihydrofuran includes subjecting cis-2-butene-1,4-diol to liquid-phase dehydration-cyclization reaction in the presence of alumina, characterized in that the sum of the concentration of carbonyl compounds present in the reaction system and the concentration of acetal compounds present in the reaction system is controlled to fall within a range of 0.1 to 2 mol/L, provided that the concentration of the acetal compounds is calculated in terms of acetal groups, the concentrations being determined on the basis of the total amount of the reaction mixture. According to the method, 2,5-dihydrofuran, which is useful as a raw material or intermediate for producing pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, raw materials of polymers, etc., can be continuously produced. The method can prevent inactivation of γ-alumina and is advantageous for long-term production on an industrial scale.
US08039635B2 N-hydroxy-4-{5-[4-(5-isopropyl-2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl) phenoxy]pentoxy} benzamidine 2 ethansulfonic acid salt, process for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical composition comprising the same
N-hydroxy-4-{5-[4-(5-isopropyl-2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)phenoxy]pentoxy} benzamidine 2 ethansulfonic acid salt, a process for the preparation thereof, a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating osteoporosis, bone fractures or allergic inflammatory diseases, comprising the same, and an oral formulation for preventing and treating osteoporosis, bone fractures or allergic inflammatory diseases, comprising the same are described.
US08039634B2 Oxazole hydroxamic acid derivatives and use thereof
Provided are an oxazole hydroxamic acid derivatives and pharmaceutically useful salt thereof as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. The oxazole hydroxamic acid derivative and pharmaceutically useful salt thereof, prepared in accordance with the present invention, can treat and/or prevent various cancers and inflammatory diseases caused by histone deacetylase.
US08039633B2 Method for producing nicotinic acid derivative or salt thereof
To provide a method for producing a specific nicotinic acid derivative or a salt thereof. A method for producing a nicotinic acid derivative represented by the formula (I): wherein each of X1 and X2 which are independent of each other, is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a haloalkyl group or a haloalkoxy group; R is an alkyl group; and Hal is a chlorine atom or a bromine atom; or a salt thereof, is provided which comprises reacting a compound represented by the formula (II): is wherein X1, X2 and R are as defined above, or a salt thereof, with a halogenating agent.
US08039632B2 2-aminio-pyridine derivatives and their use as potassium channel modulators
This invention relates to novel 2-amino-pyridine derivative useful as modulators of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK channels). In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
US08039621B2 Process for preparing anhydrous Aripirazole type I
Type I anhydrous aripiprazole is prepared by dissolving aripiprazole (or an acid salt thereof) in an alcoholic solvent, optionally containing water, at elevated temperature, adding seed crystals of Type 1 anhydrous aripiprazole to the solution, cooling the mixture, and isolating crystals aripiprazole and drying the isolated crystals to obtain low moisture Type 1 anhydrous aripiprazole.
US08039619B2 Process for preparing (2R,3S/2S,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol
Voriconazole is prepared by a process comprising condensing 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)ethanone with 4-chloro-6-ethyl-5-fluoropyrimidine, in a ketone, ether, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, to give (2R,3S/2S,3R)-3-(4-chloro-5-fluoropyrimidin-6-yl)-2-(2,4-diflurophenyl)-1-(1H -1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)butan-2-ol.
US08039617B2 Method for producing alpha form crystals of sapropterin hydrochloride
A method for selectively producing stable alpha form crystals of sapropterin hydrochloride is provided. In this method, the alpha form crystal of sapropterin hydrochloride is produced by dissolving sapropterin hydrochloride with hydrochloric acid at a concentration of not less than 4 mol/L at not less than 70 degrees C.; adding heated ethanol to the solution; and cooling the solution at a cooling rate of not faster than 3 degrees C./min to a temperature of 40 to 55 degrees C. to precipitate the crystals.
US08039616B2 Benzodiazepine derivatives for treating hepatitis C infection
Use of a benzodiazepine of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating or preventing a hepatitis C infection, wherein: —R1 represents C1-6 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; —R2 represents hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl; —each R3 is the same or different and represents halogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkylthio, C1-6 haloalkyl, C1-6 haloalkoxy, amino, mono(C1-6 alkyl)amino, di(C1-6 alkyl)amino, nitro, cyano, —CO2R′, —CONR′R″, —NH—CO—R′, —S(O)R′, —S(O)2R′, —NH—S(O)2R′, —S(O)NR′R″ or —S(O)2NR′R″, wherein each R′ and R″ is the same or different and represents hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl; —n is from 0 to 3; —R4 represents hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl; —R5 represents C1-6alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, heteroaryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, carbocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, aryl-(C1-6 hydroxyalkyl)-, heteroaryl-(C1-6hydroxyalkyl)-, carbocyclyl-(C1-6 hydroxyalkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(C1-6hydroxyalkyl)-, aryl-C(O)—C(O)—, heteroaryl-C(O)—C(O)—, carbocyclyl-C(O)—C(O)—, heterocyclyl-C(O)—C(O)— or —XR6; —X represents —CO—, —S(O)— or —S(O)2—; and —R6 represents C1-6 alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkylthio, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, heteroaryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, carbocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, aryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-O—, heteroaryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-O—, carbocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)-O—, heterocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)-O— or —NR′R″ wherein each R′ and R″ is the same or different and represents hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, heteroaryl-(C1-6 alkyl)-, carbocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)- or heterocyclyl-(C1-6 alkyl)-.
US08039615B2 Process for producing difructose dianhydride III crystals
The invention provides a process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2′ and 2,3′ (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2′,2,3′-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. In accordance with the invention, DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.
US08039613B2 Methods of purifying a nucleic acid and formulation and kit for use in performing such methods
A formulation containing guanidine thiocyanate together with acetamide, one or more acetamide derivatives, or a combination of acetamide and one or more acetamide derivatives is used to purify one or more nucleic acids contained in a medium. In particular, a medium containing at least one nucleic acid is combined with a binding matrix and the formulation in order to cause the at least one nucleic acid to separate from its in vivo cellular environment and to bind to the binding matrix. The binding matrix with at least one nucleic acid bound thereto then is separated from substantially the rest of the combined medium and formulation, after which the at least one nucleic acid is eluted from the binding matrix to obtain the at least one nucleic acid in a substantially purified form. If different nucleic acids are to be selectively purified from a single medium, multiple binding matrices, each compatible with a different nucleic acid, can be used.
US08039612B2 Synthesis of oligonucleotides or phosphorothioate oligonucleotide with a capping agent of N-methylimidazole free of 1,3,5-trimethylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine
According to the present invention, there is provided a process for making an oligonucleotide or a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide. The process has the following steps: (a) providing an amount of a blocked nucleotide; (b) deblocking the blocked nucleotide to form an unblocked nucleotide; (c) activating the deblocked nucleotide; (d) coupling the deblocked nucleotide with a phosphoramidite to form a phosphite oligomer; (e) capping any uncoupled deblocked nucleotide via reaction with an amount of acetic anhydride and an amount of N-methylimidazole that is substantially free of 1,3,5-trimethylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine; (f) oxidizing the phosphite oligomer to form the oligonucleotide or sulfurizing the phosphite oligomer to form a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide; and (g) optionally repeating steps (b) through (f). There is also a process for capping a nucleotide.
US08039610B2 siRNA targeting superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for SOD1.
US08039603B2 Nucleic acid and corresponding protein entitled 121P1F1 useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene (designated 121P1F1) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 121P1F1 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 121P1F1 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 121P1F1 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 121P1F1 can be used in active or passive immunization.
US08039602B2 Isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the p15 region of chromosome 11
The invention is directed to isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the p15 arm of chromosome 11.
US08039598B2 Met fab and SCFV fragments
Antibody fragments (Fabs and scFvs) specific to the Met receptor are disclosed. Compositions and kits including these Fabs and scFvs, and drug and imaging conjugates of these Fabs and scFvs also are disclosed. The novel Fabs and scFvs can be internalized into the interior of a cell. Methods include using the novel Met Fabs and scFvs for diagnosing, prognosing, and treating cancer, and for evaluating chemotherapeutic response.
US08039589B1 B7-DC variants
Variant costimulatory polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids to enhance a T cell response are provided herein.
US08039586B1 Cerebral organic anion transporter and its gene
A cerebral organic anion transporter OAT3 which is useful as a protein regulating the uptake/excretion of organic anionic substances in the brain; a nucleic acid having a base sequence encoding the same; and an antibody against the same. The amino acid sequence and the base sequence of the above OAT3 are shown in Sequence Listing in the description.
US08039585B2 Therapeutic administration of the scrambled anti-angiogenic peptide C16Y
Unregulated angiogenesis is associated with a variety of pathological conditions. Tumor growth and metastasis is dependent on the development of new blood vessels. The development of new blood vessels in the eye, or ocular neovascularization, has been implicated in a variety of serious ocular diseases. For instance, choroidal neovascularization is linked to age-related macular degeneration, while retinal neovascularization is linked to diabetic retinopathy. The present invention is based on the discovery of a peptide sequence, C16Y, which inhibits ocular neovascularization and tumor growth in vivo. C16Y is a scrambled version of the C16 peptide sequence from the y1 chain of laminin-1. Unlike C16, which is an angiogenic stimulator, C16Y has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis. The present invention discloses methods of treating ocular neovascularization and cancer using both full-length and truncated versions of the C16Y.
US08039584B2 Carbon nanotube binding peptides
Peptides have been generated that have binding affinity to carbon nanostructures and particularly carbon nanotubes. Peptides of or the invention are generally about twelve amino acids in length. Methods for generating carbon nanotube binding peptides are also disclosed.
US08039576B2 Aromatic ether and alkynyl containing phthalonitriles
Compounds having the formulas below. R is an aromatic-containing group. Each M is an alkali metal. Each m is a positive integer. The value of n is a positive integer. The value p is 0 or 1. If p is 0 then n is 1. A thermoset made by curing a composition containing the below phthalonitrile monomers. A method of reacting a diphenyl acetylene compound with an excess of an aromatic diol in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate to form the above oligomer. A method of reacting a phenoxyphthalonitrile with an acetylene compound to form the phthalonitrile monomer below.
US08039573B2 Dual cured castable polyurethane system for use in golf balls
Compositions for golf balls that include polyurethane linkages and that are crosslinked in the soft segments of the polymer backbone. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurethane have improved crosslink density from the crosslinking between the soft, unsaturated segments of the polymer backbone. The curative blend includes at least one isocyanate-reactive component and a free radical initiator.
US08039570B2 Solvent-free silicone composition for release paper
A solvent-free silicone composition for release paper, comprising a mixture prepared by i) subjecting the organopolysiloxane (I) which is composed of R13SiO1/2 units, SiO4/2 units and (HO)SiO3/2 units, and has an OH group content of from 0.02 to 0.1 mol/100 g, to a partial condensation reaction in an organic solvent in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and the organopolysiloxane (II) represented by the following formula (2), and ii) removing the organic solvent, said mixture having an OH group content of less than 0.02 mol/100 g. The composition forms a tight-release layer stable with time.
US08039568B2 Anionic ethyl methacrylate copolymers and use thereof
The present invention relates to copolymers which comprise ethyl methacrylate, at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated amide group-containing compound and at least one monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid in copolymerized form, to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions which comprise at least one such copolymer, and to the use of these copolymers.
US08039564B2 Catalyst precursor particles, their preparation and use
A method for preparing a catalyst precursor for an olefin polymerization catalyst involves the use of aqueous or alcoholic solutions of a chromium salt and of boric acid and aluminum carboxylate for deposition onto an inorganic support material, such as a silica xerogel. The chromium salt, aluminum carboxylate and boric acid are sufficiently soluble for deposition from a single solution to be effective. The catalyst precursor can be activated by calcination to form a catalyst for homo- or co-polymerisation of α-olefins which has productivity and melt flow index for the resulting polymer or copolymer which is comparable to results obtained with catalysts prepared by prior art organometallic routes. The activation of the catalyst precursor gives reduced levels of toxic or noxious fumes during activation compared to use of organometallic sources of chromium or aluminum.
US08039557B2 Process for the preparation of vinylaromatic (co)polymers grafted on an elastomer in a controlled way
A process for the preparation of vinylaromatic (co)polymers grafted on an elastomer in a controlled way, comprising the dissolving of an elastomer, such as polibutadiene, in a mixture consisting of a monomer and of a solvent in the presence of a polymerization catalytic system, which comprises an initiator of free radicals and a stable initiator of free radicals. The mixture obtained in this way is heated to a temperature of about 100° C. to functionalize the rubber, then more monomer is added and the temperature is raised to start the polymerization reaction.
US08039556B2 HDPE resins for use in pressure pipe and related applications
The present invention provides bimodal polyethylene resins in which the high molecular weight ethylene copolymer component typically has a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, with short chain branching content being substantially constant across its molecular weight distribution. The resins of this invention are typically characterized by improved toughness and resistance to slow crack propagation properties making them useful for pressure pipe applications.
US08039551B2 Modified epoxy resins comprising the reaction product of rosin and a linking molecule and aqueous dispersions and coatings comprising such resins
Modified epoxy resins comprising the reaction product of rosin and a linking molecule, further reacted with an epoxy resin, are disclosed. Aqueous dispersions and coatings comprising these resins are also disclosed.
US08039550B2 Process for preparing a polymer dispersion and a polymer dispersion
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer dispersion comprising polymerising one or more water soluble anionic monomers (m1) and one or more non-ionic vinyl monomers (m2) present in a reaction mixture further comprising a polymeric stabiliser (B) and a polymeric co-stabiliser (C). It further relates to a polymer dispersion, the use of the polymer dispersion and a process for producing paper.
US08039549B2 Method for producing aqueous polymer dispersions containing at least one lipophilic active substance and the use thereof
A process for the preparation of aqueous polymer dispersions comprising at least one lipophilic active substance by emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an aqueous medium in the presence of at least one lipophilic active substance, wherein (i) at least one lipophilic active substance which has a water solubility of not more than 5 g/l (determined at 25° C. and 1013 mbar) and a melting point below 130° C. is emulsified in an aqueous solution which comprises at least one dispersion stabilizer with formation of an aqueous dispersion of the active substance having a mean particle size of not more than 1000 nm and (ii) a monomer composition which comprises at least 80% by weight of a neutral, monoethylenically unsaturated monomer emulsifiable in water is subjected to an emulsion polymerization in the aqueous dispersion of the active substance which is obtained according to (i), and use of the dispersions thus obtainable as sizes for paper, board and cardboard, for the treatment and for the stabilization of thermoplastic polymers, for material protection and for crop protection.
US08039548B2 Method for purifying hydroxycarboxylic acid, method for producing cyclic ester, and method for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acid
A process for purification of a hydroxycarboxylic acid by distillation, comprising: distilling a hydroxycarboxylic acid solution containing a high-boiling point hydroxy compound comprising at least one species selected from the group consisting of alcohols and phenols having a higher boiling point than the hydroxycarboxylic acid. As a result, a hydroxycarboxylic acid suitable as a starting material for production of a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid can be obtained. The purified hydroxycarboxylic acid is further polycondensed to provide a hydroxycarboxylic acid oligomer, which is de-polymerized to provide a cyclic ester comprising a dimer of the hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the cyclic ester is converted into a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid by ring-opening polymerization thereof.
US08039544B2 Coupling agent comprising a reaction product of an epoxy-substituted cycloolefin and an aromatic amine
A composition includes a first cylcoolefin substituted with at least one epoxy group and an aromatic amine. The composition is capable of bonding to a filler having a corresponding binding site. The composition is compatible with a metathesis catalyst capable of catalyzing a ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction when contacted with the first cycloolefin. An associated method is also provided.
US08039542B2 Pigment dispersion and ink composition using the same
Disclosed is a pigment dispersion containing a polymer compound having a partial structure represented by the following formula (1) at a terminal end of a main chain of the polymer compound, and a pigment. In formula (1), R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent; R1 and R2 may form a ring by bonding with each other; and * represents a position that is directly or indirectly bonded to the main chain structure of the compound.
US08039540B2 Polyolefin composition having a high balance of stiffness, impact strength and elongation at break and low thermal shrinkage
Polymer composition showing an improved balance of flexural modulus, IZOD impact strength and elongation at break comprising (percent by weight): A) a polymer blend comprising: A1) 50-70% of a crystalline propylene homopolymer or copolymer; and A2) 30-50% of one or more copolymer(s) of ethylene with one or more C4-C10 α-olefin(s) containing from 15 to 35% of said C4-C10 α-olefin(s); said polymer blend (A) having values of MFR equal to or higher than 10 g/10 min., a total content C4-C10 α-olefin(s) equal to or higher than 8% and an intrinsic viscosity value of the fraction soluble in xylene at room temperature of from 1.3 to 2 dl/g, the amounts of (A1) and (A2) being referred to the total weight of the polymer blend; and optionally B) 1-15% of an elastomeric polymer different from A2), having a hardness (Shore A, ASTM D-2240) value equal to or lower than 90 points; and/or C) 0.5-20% of a mineral filler; the amounts of optional components (B) and (C) being referred to the total weight of the composition.
US08039538B2 Rubber composition for a tire and tire having a tread using the same
A rubber composition for a tire having improved in low fuel efficiency, wet skid performance, abrasion resistance, and steering stability with favorable balance, and tire which has tread, using the same. A rubber composition for a tire, comprising 30 to 150 parts by weight of silica having a nitrogen adsorbing-specific surface area of 20 to 200 m2/g, and a pH of 7.0 to 12.0 when the silica is dispersed in water to be 5% aqueous solution, based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component, and a tire which has a tread, using the same.
US08039536B2 Interlayer film for laminated glass and laminated glass
The invention provides an interlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass, which are protected against a slump in TL value through attenuation of said coincidence effect and adapted to display an outstanding sound insulation performance over a broad temperature range. An interlayer film for a laminated glass comprising a plasticizer and a polyacetal resin, which is a blend of a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 1,000 to 3,000 and a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 3,000 to 5,000, and which has an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %. An interlayer film for a laminated glass which shows a temperature dependence of loss tangent in which the lowest-temperature side maximum of loss tangent appears at 30° C. or lower when examined for dynamic viscoelasticity.
US08039535B2 Flame retardant and impact modifier, method for preparing the same, and thermoplastic resin composition including the same
Disclosed herein is a flame retardant and impact modifier represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. The flame retardant and impact modifier may improve heat resistance and flowability as well as flame retardancy and impact strength of a thermoplastic resin composition. The present invention also provides a method of preparing the foregoing flame retardant and impact modifier and a thermoplastic resin composition including the flame retardant and impact modifier.
US08039527B2 Polymers containing hexagonal boron nitride particles coated with turbostratic carbon and process for preparing same
The present invention describes polymer compositions containing boron nitride particles that are encapsulated in layers of turbostratic carbon. The polymers so prepared exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity.
US08039524B2 Reagent and method for providing coatings on surfaces
A grafting reagent and related method of using the reagent to form a polymeric layer on a support surface, and particularly a porous support surface, in a manner that provides and/or preserves desired properties (such as porosity) of the surface. The reagent and method can be used to provide a thin, conformable, uniform, uncrosslinked coating having desired properties onto the surface of a preformed, and particularly a porous, polymeric substrate. The method includes the steps of a) providing a porous support surface, b) providing a nonpolymeric grafting reagent comprising a photoinitator group, c) providing one or more polymerizable monomers adapted to be contacted with the surface, in the presence of the grafting reagent, and to be polymerized upon activation of the photoinitiator; and d) applying the grafting reagent and monomer(s) to the surface in a manner, and under conditions, suitable to coat the surface with the grafting reagent and to cause the polymerization of monomers to the surface upon activation of the grafting reagent.
US08039521B2 Additive building material mixtures containing different-sized microparticles
The present invention relates to the use of different-sized polymeric microparticles in hydraulically setting building material mixtures for the purpose of enhancing their frost resistance and cyclical freeze/thaw durability.
US08039519B2 Process and plant for substitute natural gas
A process for producing substitute natural gas (SNG) comprising the steps of reacting a fresh syngas (11) into a methanation section (10) comprising adiabatic reactors (101-104) connected in series, with heat removal and reacted gas-recirculation, wherein the fresh syngas is fed in parallel to said adiabatic reactors. In a preferred embodiment the reacted gas is recirculated to the first reactor (101) and further dilution of the fresh gas at the inlet of the first and second reactor is achieved by steam addition.
US08039517B2 Colloidal particle sols and methods for preparing the same
A method of preparing an organic sol of particles is provided. Steps include: a) providing a suspension of particles in an aqueous medium; b) adding an organic liquid to form an admixture where the concentration of particles in the admixture is less than or equal to 40 percent by weight; c) maintaining the admixture at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to reduce the water content to less than 30 percent by weight while simultaneously adding a water-compatible organic liquid at a rate sufficient to maintain a concentration of particles in the admixture at less than or equal to 50 percent by weight; and d) adding at least one polymer while maintaining the admixture at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to provide an organic sol of particles comprising 1 percent by weight or less of water.
US08039515B2 Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine and macrolide antibiotics
Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine together with one or more macrolide antibiotics, e.g., clarithromycin, are disclosed. Such methods reduce the dangers commonly associated with such concomitant administration and provide additional benefits.
US08039514B2 Sulfonamide compounds and use thereof
The sulfoneamide compounds having the following Formula (1), which can be used as an effective component of a CaSR antagonizing agent useful for prophylaxis and/or treatment of bone disorders including osteoporosis and etc., are provided. The compounds have an excellent activity of promoting PTH secretion. In addition, the compounds are useful as an effective component of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis, bone fracture, hypoparathyroidism and the like.
US08039509B2 Composition comprising (−)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol
A composition comprising a tetrahydrocannabinol compound, a solvent and an acid, wherein the tetrahydrocannabinol compound may be Δ8 tetrahydrocannabinol, (−)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol or a side chain alkyl derivative of either compound, the solvent may be an oil or C1-C4 alcohol (e.g. sesame oil or ethanol), and the acid may be an organic acid or a mineral acid.
US08039505B2 Compounds for modulating T-cells
Disclosed are compounds and compositions that modulate T-cells. Such compounds can be used to treat T-cell mediated disease like T-ALL, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and graft-vs-host disease (GvHD), to name but a few. The compounds have a general structure as shown in Formula I. Ar1-L-Ar2  I wherein Ar1 and Ar2, are independent of one another, a substituted aryl, unsubstituted aryl, substituted heteroaryl, or unsubstituted heteroaryl; and L is a bond or a linker spanning two, three, four, or five atoms.
US08039501B2 Synephrine derivatives useful as anti-inflammatory agents
This invention provides compounds having the structural formula: wherein: R1 is an acyl or sulfonyl group, R2 is an acyl group selected from the group consisting of acyl groups derived from cycloaliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic monocarboxylic acids, imidazolylcarbonyl and triazolylcarbonyl, and R3 is hydrogen or an amino-protecting group, a stereoisomer thereof, a solvate thereof, or a salt thereof, being useful as anti-inflammatory agents and anti-cancer agents.
US08039499B2 Ester compound and its use
An ester compound represented by the formula (I): (wherein, R1 represents a C1-C3 alkyl group, a 2-propenyl group or a 2-propynyl group.) has excellent pest controlling activity and is useful as an active ingredient for a pest controlling agent.
US08039495B2 Biphenyl carboxylic acids and bioisosteres as glycogen synthase activators
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus.
US08039493B2 Biaryl sulfonamide derivatives
The invention is concerned with novel biaryl sulfonamide derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1 to R3 and Y are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds bind to LXR alpha and LXR beta and can be used as medicaments.
US08039487B2 Piperidine-amide derivatives
The invention is concerned with novel piperidine-amide derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, X and Y are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds inhibit L-CPT1 and may be used to treat diseases associated with L-CPT1.
US08039484B2 Antidiabetic bicyclic compounds
Diaryl ethers in which one of the aryl groups is a phenyl fused to a cycloalkyl or heterocyclic ring, to which is attached an acetic acid group, are agonists of G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) and are useful as therapeutic compounds, particularly in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and of conditions that often accompany this disease, including insulin resistance, obesity and lipid disorders.
US08039483B2 Quinuclidine carbonate salts and medicinal composition thereof
Quinuclidine carbonate derivatives act as muscarinic receptor antagonists and are effective for the prevention and/or treatment of a broncho-obstructive or inflammatory diseases.
US08039481B2 Tetrahydrofuran derivatives for use as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases
The present invention includes novel derivatives of bicyclic tetrahydrofuran imino acids of formula I, processes for their preparation, and uses thereof as medicaments. The compounds are suitable for use in the therapy and prophylaxis of diseases which are associated with an increased matrix metalloproteinase activity.
US08039479B2 Compounds and compositions as protein kinase inhibitors
The invention provides novel pyrimidine and pyridine derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for using such compounds. For example, the pyrimidine and pyridine derivatives of the invention may be used to treat, ameliorate or prevent a condition which responds to inhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) activity, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP-70), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1R), or a combination thereof.
US08039477B2 Substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one compounds as phosphodiesterase inhibitors
The invention relates to novel alkyl-substituted pyrazolopyrimidines, process for their preparation, and the use thereof for producing medicaments for improving perception, concentration, learning and/or memory with compounds of formula (I):
US08039476B2 Polymorph B of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide
The present invention relates to a novel polymorph of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide, processes for its preparation, its use as a medicament, its use in the manufacture of a medicament, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel polymorph.
US08039474B2 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole derivatives as CRTH2 receptor antagonists
The invention relates to novel tetrahydro-1H-carbazole derivatives and their use 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 methods of treatment comprising administration of said compounds to patients.
US08039469B2 Triazine compounds as PI3 kinase and mTOR inhibitors
Compounds of formula I wherein: R1 is and R2, R4, and R6-9 are defined herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds inhibit PI3 kinase and mTOR, and may be used to treat diseases mediated by PI3 kinase and mTOR, such as a variety of cancers. Methods for making and using the compounds of this invention are disclosed. Various compositions containing the compounds of this invention are also disclosed.
US08039468B2 Method of inhibition of respiratory depression using positive allosteric AMPA receptor modulators
The invention is directed to a method for alleviating respiratory depression in a subject as a result of disease of pharmacological agents such as opiates, opioids or barbiturates. The invention also discloses pharmaceutical compositions for use with the method, the composition containing in combination, an analgesic, anaesthetic, or a sedative and a positive allosteric AMPA receptor modulator in an amount sufficient to reduce or inhibit respiratory depression caused by the analgesic, anaesthetic, or sedative.
US08039459B2 Nicotinic receptor agonists for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
Nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof for treating inflammatory pulmonary diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions including nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof. Compounds of formula wherein R1, R2, Xa and Ya are as defined herein are also provided.
US08039457B2 Method of stimulating the motility of the gastrointestinal system using growth hormone secretagogues
The present invention relates to a method of stimulating the motility of the gastrointestinal system in a subject in need thereof, wherein the subject suffers from maladies (i.e., disorders or diseases) of the gastrointestinal system. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a growth hormone secretagogue compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof. The growth hormone secretagogue can be co-administered with a laxative, a H2 receptor antagonist, a serotonin 5-HT4 agonist, an antacid, an opioid antagonist, a proton pump inhibitor, a motilin receptor agonist, dopamine antagonist, a cholinergic agonist, a cholinesterase inhibitor, somatostatin, octreotide, or any combination thereof.
US08039452B2 Antifungal medicinal compositions
An object of the present invention is to provide a medicinal composition useful for external application in the treatment of a fungal infection reaching the lower part of a thick keratin layer. Provided is an antifungal medicinal composition, comprising: (1) a film-forming agent; (2) a water-soluble plasticizer in a form of a solid or a paste at 20° C. at 1 atm; and (3) an antifungal compound represented by a general formula (1) and/or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
US08039450B2 Boron-containing small molecules as anti-inflammatory agents
Compounds and methods of treating anti-inflammatory conditions are disclosed.
US08039443B2 Stabilized aptamers to platelet derived growth factor and their use as oncology therapeutics
Materials and methods are provided for producing and using aptamers useful as oncology therapeutics capable of binding to PDGF, PDGF isoforms, PDGF receptor, VEGF, and VEGF receptor or any combination thereof with great affinity and specificity. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in solid tumor therapy and can be used alone or in combination with known cytotoxic agents for the treatment of solid tumors. Also disclosed are aptamers having one or more CpG motifs embedded therein or appended thereto.
US08039442B2 Compounds and methods for treatment of sickle cell disease or complications associated therewith
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for treatment of sickle cell disease or a complication associated therewith, or graft versus host disease, in an individual. More specifically, the use of particular glycomimetics for the treatment is described.
US08039433B2 Osteogenic compositions containing a coloring agent
An osteogenic composition is provided for implantation at or near a target tissue site beneath the skin, the osteogenic composition comprising a growth factor and a coloring agent, wherein the coloring agent imparts color to the growth factor to allow the user to see the growth factor at or near the target tissue site. In some embodiments, a method is provided for accelerating bone repair, the method comprising mixing bone morphogenic protein-2 and a coloring agent to form a mixture; applying the mixture to a surface of a porous collagen matrix, wherein the coloring agent allows the user to see bone morphogenic protein-2 distribution on or in the porous collagen matrix; and implanting the porous collagen matrix at or near a target tissue site in need of bone repair.
US08039419B2 Heat sensitive recording material
The invention provides a heat sensitive recording material comprising heat sensitive recording layer provided on a support and having a hollow particle and a heat sensitive coloring component.
US08039411B2 Optical glass
The present invention has an object to provide an optical glass which has middle refractive index and low dispersibility, a low yield point (Ts) and a liquidus temperature (L.T.) and excellent weather resistance, and is suitable for mold press molding. The present invention relates to an optical glass comprising, in mass % on oxide basis, SiO2: 20 to 40%, B2O3: 10 to 30%, SrO: 10 to 30%, Al2O3: 5.5 to 15%, La2O3: 0.5 to 11%, Li2O: 3 to 12%, CaO: 0 to 10%, BaO: 0 to 9.5%, and ZnO: 0 to 10%.
US08039409B2 TiO2-containing silica glass for optical member for EUV lithography
The present invention provides a TiO2-containing silica glass from which a transparent extremely low thermal expansion glass having excellent transparency and having a temperature region in which the coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially zero can be obtained. The present invention relates to a TiO2-containing silica glass for optical member for EUV lithography, having a TiO2 concentration of from 3 to 14% by mass; an internal transmittance per 1-mm thickness in a wavelength region of from 400 to 700 nm, T400-700, of 97% or more; and an internal transmittance per 1-mm thickness in a wavelength region of from 400 to 3,000 nm, T400-3,000, of 70% or more.
US08039406B2 Method of gap-filling using amplitude modulation radiofrequency power and apparatus for the same
A method of filling a gap on a substrate comprises disposing the substrate, on which the gap is formed, on a susceptor in a chamber; applying a source power to the chamber to generate plasmas into the chamber; supplying a process gas into the chamber; filling a thin film into a gap by applying a first bias power to the susceptor, an amplitude of the first bias power being periodically modulated; stopping supply of the process gas and cutting off the first bias power; and extinguish the plasmas in the chamber.
US08039404B2 Production method for semiconductor device
A production method for a semiconductor device comprising the first step of supplying a first reaction material to a substrate housed in a processing chamber to subject to a ligand substitution reaction a ligand as a reaction site existing on the surface of the substrate and the ligand of the first reaction material, the second step of removing the excessive first reaction material from the processing chamber, the third step of supplying a second reaction material to the substrate to subject a ligand substituted by the first step to a ligand substitution reaction with respect to a reaction site, the fourth step of removing the excessive second reaction material from the processing chamber, and a fifth step of supplying a third reaction material excited by plasma to the substrate to subject a ligand, not subjected to a substitution reaction with respect to a reaction site in the third step, to a ligand substitution reaction with respect to a reaction site, wherein the steps 1-5 are repeated a specified number of times until a film of a desired thickness is formed on the substrate surface.
US08039399B2 Methods of forming patterns utilizing lithography and spacers
Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns. A first set of features is photolithographically formed over a substrate, and then a second set of features is photolithographically formed over the substrate. At least some of the features of said second set alternate with features of the first set. Spacer material is formed over and between the features of the first and second sets. The spacer material is anisotropically etched to form spacers along the features of the first and second sets. The features of the first and second sets are then removed to leave a pattern of the spacers over the substrate.
US08039398B2 Method of reducing non-uniformities during chemical mechanical polishing of excess metal in a metallization level of microstructure devices
Prior to performing a CMP process for planarizing a metallization level of an advanced semiconductor device, an appropriate cap layer may be formed in order to delay the exposure of metal areas of reduced height level to the highly chemically reactive slurry material. Consequently, metal of increased height level may be polished with a high removal rate due to the mechanical and the chemical action of the slurry material, while the chemical interaction with the slurry material may be substantially avoided in areas of reduced height level. Therefore, a high process uniformity may be achieved even for pronounced initial surface topographies and slurry materials having a component of high chemical reactivity.
US08039389B2 Semiconductor device having an organic anti-reflective coating (ARC) and method therefor
In a making a semiconductor device, a patterning stack above a conductive material that is to be etched has a patterned photoresist layer that is used to pattern an underlying a tetraethyl-ortho-silicate (TEOS) layer. The TEOS layer is deposited at a lower temperature than is conventional. The low temperature TEOS layer is over an organic anti-reflective coating (ARC) that is over the conductive layer. The low temperature TEOS layer provides adhesion between the organic ARC and the photoresist, has low defectivity, operates as a hard mask, and serves as a phase shift layer that helps, in combination with the organic ARC, to reduce undesired reflection.
US08039386B1 Method for forming a through silicon via (TSV)
A method of forming a through silicon via includes forming a via opening in a substrate using a hard mask, wherein a polymer is formed in the via opening. A first wet clean removes a first portion of the polymer and forms a first carbon containing oxide along portions of the sidewalls. A first ash process modifies the first carbon containing oxide and removes a second portion of the polymer. A first wet etch removes the modified first carbon containing oxide and a third portion of the polymer. A second ash process forms a second carbon containing oxide along at least a portion of the sidewalls. A second wet etch process removes the second carbon containing oxide and a fourth portions of the polymer. A third ash process forms a third carbon containing oxide along portions of the sidewalls and removes any remaining portions of the polymer.
US08039384B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming vertically offset bond on trace interconnects on different height traces
A semiconductor device has a vertically offset BOT interconnect structure. The vertical offset is achieved by forming different height first and second conductive layer above a substrate. A first patterned photoresist layer is formed over the substrate. A first conductive layer is formed in the first patterned photoresist layer. The first patterned photoresist layer is removed. A second patterned photoresist layer is formed over the substrate. A second conductive layer is formed in the second patterned photoresist layer. The height of the second conductive layer, for example 25 micrometers, is greater than the height of the first conductive layer which is 5 micrometers. The first and second conductive layers are interposed between each other close together to minimize pitch and increase I/O count while maintaining sufficient spacing to avoid electrical shorting after bump formation. An interconnect structure is formed over the first and second conductive layers.
US08039372B2 Methods of manufacturing variable resistance non-volatile memory devices including a uniformly narrow contact layer
A phase changeable memory device is manufactured by forming at least one insulating layer on a substrate. A preliminary first electrode is formed on the insulating layer. The preliminary first electrode is partially etched to form a first electrode electrically connected to the substrate. After the preliminary first electrode is formed, both sidewalls of the preliminary first electrode are partially etched isotropically to form a first electrode having a uniform width and height. A phase changeable material layer pattern and a second electrode are subsequently formed on the first electrode. Related devices also are described.
US08039368B2 Nanogaps: methods and devices containing same
Disclosed are methods of fabricating nanogaps and various devices composed of nanogaps. The nanogap devices disclosed herein can be used as in a number of electronic, photonic and quantum mechanical devices, including field-effect transistors and logic circuits.
US08039366B2 Method for providing rotationally symmetric alignment marks for an alignment system that requires asymmetric geometric layout
A method and apparatus includes an integrated circuit device, and at least one alignment mark on the integrated circuit device, the alignment mark comprises a first coded region, a second coded region adjacent the first coded region, and a third coded region adjacent the second coded region, the second coded region located between the first coded region and the third coded region, and markings on the first coded region and the third coded region being identical.
US08039362B2 Method for fabricating light emitting device
Provided is a method for fabricating a light emitting device. The method comprises forming a gallium oxide layer, forming a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the gallium oxide layer, forming a conductive substrate on the second conductive type semiconductor layer, separating the gallium oxide layer, and forming a first electrode on the first conductive type semiconductor layer.
US08039359B2 Method of forming low capacitance ESD device and structure therefor
In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.
US08039358B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device on which a plurality of types of transistors are mounted
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a trench on a semiconductor substrate to define a first and a second element regions; burying a first oxide film in the trench; forming a second oxide film on surfaces of the first and second element regions; performing a first ion doping using a first mask which is exposing a first region containing the first element region and a part of the first oxide; performing a second ion doping using a second mask which is exposing a second region containing the second element region and a part of the first oxide film; and removing the second oxide film formed in the first element region and the second element region by etching, and the first oxide film is selectively thinned using the first or second mask after performing the first or second ion doping.
US08039357B2 Integrated circuitry and methods of forming a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate
Some embodiments include methods of forming voids within semiconductor constructions. In some embodiments the voids may be utilized as microstructures for distributing coolant, for guiding electromagnetic radiation, or for separation and/or characterization of materials. Some embodiments include constructions having micro-structures therein which correspond to voids, conduits, insulative structures, semiconductor structures or conductive structures.
US08039352B2 Polarization-induced barriers for N-face nitride-based electronics
A method for fabricating a potential barrier for a nitrogen-face (N-face) nitride-based electronic device, comprising using a thickness and polarization induced electric field of a III-nitride interlayer, positioned between a first III-nitride layer and a second III-nitride layer, to shift, e.g., raise or lower, the first III-nitride layer's energy band with respect to the second III-nitride layer's energy band by a pre-determined amount. The first III-nitride layer and second III-nitride layer each have a higher or lower polarization coefficient than the III-nitride interlayer's polarization coefficient.
US08039351B2 Method of fabricating hetero-junction bipolar transistor (HBT)
A method of fabricating a hetero-junction bipolar transistor (HBT) is disclosed, where the HBT has a structure incorporating a hetero-junction bipolar structure disposed on a substrate including of silicon crystalline orientation <110>. The hetero-junction bipolar structure may include an emitter, a base and a collector. The substrate may include a shallow-trench-isolation (STI) region and a deep trench region on which the collector is disposed. The substrate may include of a region of silicon crystalline orientation <100> in addition to silicon crystalline orientation <110> to form a composite substrate by using hybrid orientation technology (HOT). The region of crystalline orientation <100> may be disposed on crystalline orientation <110>. Alternatively, the region of silicon crystalline orientation <110> may be disposed on crystalline orientation <100>.
US08039349B2 Methods for fabricating non-planar semiconductor devices having stress memory
Embodiments of a method are provided for fabricating a non-planar semiconductor device including a substrate having a plurality of raised crystalline structures formed thereon. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of amorphorizing a portion of each raised crystalline structure included within the plurality of raised crystalline structures, forming a sacrificial strain layer over the plurality of raised crystalline structures to apply stress to the amorphized portion of each raised crystalline structure, annealing the non-planar semiconductor device to recrystallize the amorphized portion of each raised crystalline structure in a stress-memorized state, and removing the sacrificial strain layer.
US08039348B2 Vertical gated access transistor
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming an apparatus comprises forming a plurality of deep trenches and a plurality of shallow trenches in a first region of a substrate. At least one of the shallow trenches is positioned between two deep trenches. The plurality of shallow trenches and the plurality of deep trenches are parallel to each other. The method further comprises depositing a layer of conductive material over the first region and a second region of the substrate. The method further comprises etching the layer of conductive material to define a plurality of lines separated by a plurality of gaps over the first region of the substrate, and a plurality of active device elements over the second region of the substrate. The method further comprises masking the second region of the substrate. The method further comprises removing the plurality of lines from the first region of the substrate, thereby creating a plurality of exposed areas from which the plurality of lines were removed. The method further comprises etching a plurality of elongate trenches in the plurality of exposed areas while the second region of the substrate is masked.
US08039347B2 Semiconductor device having vertically aligned pillar structures that have flat side surfaces and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device having vertically aligned transistors made from pillar structures that have flat side surfaces is presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, spacers, and gates. The semiconductor substrate has pillar structures that have flat side surfaces. The spacers are on sidewalls only on the upper portions of the pillar structures. The gates surround lower portions of the pillar structures.
US08039345B2 Methods of forming semiconductor devices
A method of forming a semiconductor device may include forming a first pattern on a substrate, and forming a first dielectric layer on the first pattern. The first pattern may be between portions of the first dielectric layer and the substrate. A second dielectric layer may be formed on the first dielectric layer, and the first dielectric layer may be between the first pattern and the second dielectric layer. A second pattern may be formed on the second dielectric layer. Portions of the second dielectric layer may be exposed by the second pattern, and the first and second dielectric layers may be between portions of the first and second patterns. The exposed portions of the second dielectric layer may be isotropically etched.
US08039343B2 Scratch protection for direct contact sensors
In capacitive sensor circuits where physical contact is required and excess pressure may be inadvertently applied to the sensor surface, aluminum is not sufficiently hard to provide “scratch” protection and may delaminate, causing circuit failure, even if passivation integrity remains intact. Because hard passivation layers alone provide insufficient scratch resistance, at least the capacitive electrodes and preferably all metallization levels within the sensor circuit in the region of the capacitive electrodes between the surface and the active regions of the substrate are formed of a conductive material having a hardness greater than that of aluminum. The selected conductive material preferably has a hardness which is at least as great as the lowest hardness for any interlevel dielectric or passivation material employed. The selected conductive material is employed for each metallization level between the surface and the active regions, including contacts and vias, landing pads, interconnects, capacitive electrodes, and electrostatic discharge protection lines. Tungsten is a suitable conductive material, for which existing processes may be substituted in place of aluminum metallization processes.
US08039341B2 Selective uniaxial stress modification for use with strained silicon on insulator integrated circuit
A semiconductor fabrication process includes masking a first region, e.g., an NMOS region, of a semiconductor wafer, e.g., a biaxial, tensile strained silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer and creating recesses in source/drain regions of a second wafer region, e.g., a PMOS region. The wafer is then annealed in an ambient that promotes migration of silicon. The source/drain recesses are filled with source/drain structures, e.g., by epitaxial growth. The anneal ambient may include a hydrogen bearing species, e.g., H2 or GeH2, maintained at a temperature in the range of approximately 800 to 1000° C. The second region may be silicon and the source/drain structures may be silicon germanium. Creating the recesses may include creating shallow recesses with a first etch process, performing an amorphizing implant to create an amorphous layer, performing an inert ambient anneal to recrystallize the amorphous layer, and deepening the shallow recesses with a second etch process.
US08039340B2 Methods of forming an array of memory cells, methods of forming a plurality of field effect transistors, methods of forming source/drain regions and isolation trenches, and methods of forming a series of spaced trenches into a substrate
A method of forming a series of spaced trenches into a substrate includes forming a plurality of spaced lines over a substrate. Anisotropically etched sidewall spacers are formed on opposing sides of the spaced lines. Individual of the lines have greater maximum width than minimum width of space between immediately adjacent of the spacers between immediately adjacent of the lines. The spaced lines are removed to form a series of alternating first and second mask openings between the spacers. The first mask openings are located where the spaced lines were located and are wider than the second mask openings. Alternating first and second trenches are simultaneously etched into the substrate through the alternating first and second mask openings, respectively, to form the first trenches to be wider and deeper within the substrate than are the second trenches. Other implementations and embodiments are disclosed.
US08039339B2 Separate layer formation in a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is formed. A first gate dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor layer. A first conductive layer is formed over the first gate dielectric. A first separation layer is formed over the first conductive layer. A trench is formed in the semiconductor layer to separate the first mesa and the second mesa. The trench is filled with an isolation material to a height above a top surface of the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is removed from the second mesa. A second conductive layer is formed over the first separation layer of the first mesa and over the second mesa. A planarizing etch removes the second conductive layer from over the first mesa. A first transistor of a first type is formed in the first mesa, and a second transistor of a second type is formed in the second mesa.
US08039334B2 Shared gate for conventional planar device and horizontal CNT
A semiconductor structure in which a planar semiconductor device and a horizontal carbon nanotube transistor have a shared gate and a method of fabricating the same are provided in the present application. The hybrid semiconductor structure includes at least one horizontal carbon nanotube transistor and at least one planar semiconductor device, in which the at least one horizontal carbon nanotube transistor and the at least one planar semiconductor device have a shared gate and the at least one horizontal carbon nanotube transistor is located above a gate of the at least one planar semiconductor device.
US08039332B2 Method of manufacturing a buried-gate semiconductor device and corresponding integrated circuit
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor channel region and a gate region, wherein the gate region includes at least one buried part extending under the channel region. The buried part of the gate region is formed from a cavity under the channel region. The cavity is filled with a first material. An opening is made to access the first material. In one implementation, aluminium is deposited in the opening in contact with the first material. An anneal is performed to cause the aluminium to be substituted for the first material in the cavity. In another implementation, a second material different from the first material is deposited in the opening. An anneal is performed to cause an alloy of the first and second materials to be formed in the cavity.
US08039331B2 Opto-thermal annealing methods for forming metal gate and fully silicided gate-field effect transistors
An opto-thermal annealing method for forming a field effect transistor uses a reflective metal gate so that electrical properties of the metal gate and also interface between the metal gate and a gate dielectric are not compromised when opto-thermal annealing a source/drain region adjacent the metal gate. Another opto-thermal annealing method may be used for simultaneously opto-thermally annealing: (1) a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicided gate; and (2) a source/drain region to form an annealed source/drain region. An additional opto-thermal annealing method may use a thermal insulator layer in conjunction with a thermal absorber layer to selectively opto-thermally anneal a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicide gate.
US08039322B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device 10 includes forming a plurality of second conductive second semiconductor regions at specific intervals on one main surface of a first conductive first semiconductor region, the plurality of second conductive second semiconductor regions being opposite to the first conductive first semiconductor region, forming a plurality of the first conductive third semiconductor regions on a main surface of the second semiconductor region, the plurality of the first conductive third regions being separated from each other, forming a plurality of holes at specific intervals on an another main surface which faces the one main surface of the first semiconductor region, the plurality of holes being separated from each other, forming a pair of adjacent second conductive fourth semiconductor regions which are alternately connected at a bottom part of the hole within the first semiconductor region, and burying an electrode within the hole.
US08039318B1 System and method for routing signals between side-by-side die in lead frame type system in a package (SIP) devices
An integrated circuit includes a first and a second die positioned on a lead frame of a package. The lead frame includes a plurality of bond fingers. The integrated circuit includes a first bond pad on the first die that is electrically interconnected to a corresponding second bond pad on the second die through first and second bond fingers of the lead frame. The package may be a QFP, DIP, PLCC, TSOP, or any other type of package including a lead frame.
US08039315B2 Thermally enhanced wafer level package
A method of forming a package structure includes providing a plurality of dies; attaching the plurality of dies onto a heat-dissipating plate; and sawing the heat-dissipating plate into a plurality of packages, each including one of the plurality of dies and a piece of the heat-dissipating plate.
US08039314B2 Metal adhesion by induced surface roughness
Back side metal (BSM) delamination induced by chip dicing of silicon wafers is avoided by roughening the polished silicon surface at chip edges by etching. The Thru-Silicon-Via (TSV) structures used in 3D chip integration is masked at the back side from roughening to maintain the polished surface at the TSV structures and, thus, reliable conductivity to the BSM layer.
US08039309B2 Systems and methods for post-circuitization assembly
A method of making integrated circuit packages using a conductive plate as a substrate includes forming a partial circuit pattern on one side of the conductive plate by stamping or selectively removing a portion of the conductive plate through part of its thickness, and then electrically coupling semiconductor dies to the formed patterns on the conductive plate. The method further includes encapsulating at least a portion of the dies and the conductive plate with an encapsulant and removing a portion of the conductive plate from the side opposite the patterned side to form conductive traces based on the formed pattern.
US08039307B2 Mounted body and method for manufacturing the same
A mounted body (100) of the present invention includes: a semiconductor element (10) having a surface (10a) on which element electrodes (12) are formed and a rear surface (10b) opposing the surface (10a); and a mounting board (30) on which wiring patterns (35) each having an electrode terminal (32) are formed. The rear surface (10b) of the semiconductor element (10) is in contact with the mounting board (30), and the element electrodes (12) of the semiconductor element (10) are connected electrically to the electrode terminals (32) of the wiring pattern (35) formed on the mounting board (30) via solder connectors (20) formed of solder particles assembled into a bridge shape. With this configuration, fine pitch connection between the element electrodes of the semiconductor element and the electrode terminals of the mounting board becomes possible.
US08039304B2 Semiconductor device and method of dual-molding die formed on opposite sides of build-up interconnect structures
A semiconductor device has dual-molded semiconductor die mounted to opposite sides of a build-up interconnect structure. A first semiconductor die is mounted to a temporary carrier. A first encapsulant is deposited over the first semiconductor die and temporary carrier. The temporary carrier is removed. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first surface of the first encapsulant and first semiconductor die. The first interconnect structure is electrically connected to first contact pads of the first semiconductor die. A plurality of conductive pillars is formed over the first interconnect structure. A second semiconductor die is mounted between the conductive pillars to the first interconnect structure. A second encapsulant is deposited over the second semiconductor die. A second interconnect structure is formed over the second encapsulant. The second interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive pillars and first and second semiconductor die.
US08039299B2 Method for fabricating an integrated circuit including resistivity changing material having a planarized surface
An integrated circuit is fabricated by providing a preprocessed wafer including a first electrode, depositing a dielectric material over the preprocessed wafer, etching an opening in the dielectric material to expose a portion of the first electrode and depositing a first resistivity changing material over exposed portions of the etched dielectric material and the first electrode. The first resistivity changing material is planarized to expose the etched dielectric material. A second resistivity changing material is deposited over the etched dielectric material and the first resistivity changing material, and an electrode material is deposited over the second resistivity changing material.
US08039296B2 Organic thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
An organic thin film transistor array panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate; a data line disposed on the substrate; an insulating layer disposed on the data line and having a contact hole exposing the data line; a first electrode disposed on the insulating layer and connected to the data line through the contact hole; a second electrode disposed on the insulating layer; an organic semiconductor disposed on the first and the second electrodes; a gate insulator disposed on the organic semiconductor; and a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulator.