| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08054682B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and page buffer circuit thereof
A non-volatile memory device includes a cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a page buffer block controlling bitlines of the plurality of memory cells to program the memory cells to a first target state or a second target state, and a control logic configured to skip a verify operation for the memory cells programmed to the first target state and perform a verify operation for the memory cells programmed to the second target state during a second program loop when the memory cells programmed to the first target state are determined to be in a pass condition during a first program loop. |
| US08054670B2 |
Reconfiguration controlling apparatus for optically reconfigurable gate array and method thereof
[PROBLEMS] To provide a reconfiguration controller of an optically reconfigurable gate array for correctly and reliably writing various types of logical operation circuits of an optically reconfigurable gate array and performing high-speed logical operation by quickly starting up the circuits. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A reconfiguration controller comprises a laser array (1) for producing a laser beam (1a) to serve as a reproducing beam and applying the laser beam (1a), a hologram memory (2) for outputting an optical pattern (2a) when receiving the laser beam (1a) according to pre-stored recording information and outputting a control signal light (2b) relating to optical reconfiguration by the optical pattern (2a), an optically reconfigurable gate array (3) for reconfiguring arrayed logical operation cells into various logical operation circuits according to the outputted optical pattern (2a), and outputting an optical control signal (S3) from the control signal light (2b), and a reproduction light application control means (4) for controlling the application of the laser beam (1a) emitted from the laser array (1) according to the optical control signal. Therefore, optical pattern application can be performed according to the optical control signal at a reconfiguration time adapted to any of various logical operation circuits sequentially reconfigured by the optically reconfigurable gate array. Consequently, correct and reliable write of any one of various types of logical operation circuits can be performed without any write error, and such various types of logical operation circuits can perform logical operation sequentially at high speed. |
| US08054665B2 |
Stacked memory device including a pre-decoder/pre-driver sandwiched between a plurality of inter-decoders/inter-drivers
A stacked memory device may include a substrate, a plurality of memory layers stacked on and above the substrate and divided into a plurality of groups, a plurality of inter-decoders electrically connected to and disposed between the plurality of memory layers in a corresponding one of the plurality of groups, and at least one pre-decoder electrically connected to the plurality of inter-decoders and disposed between the plurality of inter-decoders. A stacked memory device may include a substrate, a plurality of memory layers stacked on and above the substrate and divided into a plurality of groups, a plurality of inter-drivers electrically connected to and disposed between the plurality of memory layers in a corresponding one of the plurality of groups, and at least one pre-driver electrically connected to the plurality of inter-drivers, and disposed between the plurality of inter-drivers. |
| US08054655B2 |
Tail current control of isolated converter and apparatus thereof
An inventive isolated converter which exempts the auxiliary isolation devices with accurate voltage regulation is disclosed. The converter includes the primary side circuit with a primary controller controlling the on and off of the primary switch and a secondary side circuit with a secondary controller controlling the on and off of the secondary synchronous rectifier. The isolated converter uses the secondary controller to turn on the secondary synchronous rectifier after the secondary current decreases to zero to generate a negative tail current and turns off the secondary synchronous rectifier at a reference tail current peak value to generate a reflected negative current at the primary side circuit for turning on the primary switch. |
| US08054654B2 |
Electrically insulated switching element driver and method for controlling same
An electrically insulated switching element driver includes: a pulse transformer driving unit into which a switching element driving signal and a duty signal are input and which drives, in accordance with the duty signal, a first or second pulse transformer that is selected depending on a state of the switching element driving signal; a first edge detection unit that outputs an on-off signal according to an edge in a pre-rectification output of the first pulse transformer; a second edge detection unit that outputs an on-off signal according to an edge in a pre-rectification output of the second pulse transformer; and a control driving unit that drives a switching element to be driven, based on the output of the first and second edge detection units, wherein the first and second edge detection units and the control driving unit operate with power resulting from rectifying the output of the first and second pulse transformers. |
| US08054653B2 |
DC power supply for varying output voltage according to load current variation
A direct current (DC) power supply for varying an output voltage according to a load current variation is disclosed. The DC power supply includes an alternating current (AC)/DC conversion unit converting commercial AC power into DC power, a DC/DC conversion unit converting a voltage level of the DC power and outputting output power, and a control unit controlling conversion of the voltage level of the fed-back DC power according to a variation in a load current of the output power from the DC/DC conversion unit. |
| US08054652B2 |
Systems and methods for off-time control in a voltage converter
Various embodiments of the present invention provide voltage converters and methods for using such. As one example, a voltage converter is disclosed that includes a transformer with a first winding and a second winding. A voltage is applied to the first winding for a period that is followed by an OFF time. The voltage converter further includes an OFF time controller that is operable to adjust the OFF time based at least in part on a load current traversing the second winding. |
| US08054649B2 |
Adjustable housing frame with industrial rails for adjusting the depth of communication apparatus within a housing cabinet
An adjustable housing frame with industrial rails includes a fixed plate, two movable plates and at least two positioning pieces. A front side of the fixed plate is provided with a rail. Both ends of the fixed plate are provided with two opposite rails respectively. Each set if the two opposite rails is provided with at least one positioning hole. One of the two movable plates is provided in the two rails at one end of the fixed plate, and the other movable plate is provided in the two rails at the other end of the fixed plate. Edges of the two movable plates are provided with a plurality of positioning troughs. The two positioning pieces pass through the two positioning holes and extend into the positioning troughs respectively. The two positioning pieces are stopped on inner walls of the positioning trough. |
| US08054646B2 |
Circuit board connecting structure
The present invention provides a circuit board connecting structure enabled to obtain the reliable connection between circuit patterns by restricting the elongation of a flexible base material even when connecting portions are arranged in a face-to-face configuration and are press-contacted with each other. A circuit board connecting structure 10 includes a first circuit board 11, and a second circuit board 12. The circuit board connecting structure 10 is configured so that when a first connecting portion 13 and a second connecting portion 14 are sandwiched by a pair of pressing jigs 18, 19 and are press-contacted with each other, one 23 of first outer dummy terminals is accommodated between columns of ones 33, 33 of second outer dummy terminals, while the other first outer dummy terminal 24 is accommodated between columns of the other ones 34, 34 of the second outer dummy terminals. |
| US08054645B2 |
Plug-in unit-mounting structure and electronic apparatus
A plug-in unit-mounting structure which makes it possible to efficiently accommodate plug-in units without being dependent on the structure of a shelf. The plug-in unit-mounting structure comprises a shelf that has connectors disposed on a back wiring board, for being fitted to the plug-in units, and at least one mounting frame that is mounted in the shelf, for each accommodating an associated one of the plug-in units, and enabling the plug-in unit to be inserted in and removed from an associated one of the connectors, the mounting frame being provided with a guide rail which enables a position of disposition of the plug-in unit to be changed according to a size of the plug-in unit. This makes it possible to efficiently accommodate plug-in units without being dependent on the structure of a shelf. |
| US08054641B2 |
Electronic unit
An electronic unit includes a first circuit board having a power semiconductor device and an electrolytic capacitor and a second circuit board having an electronic component to control the power semiconductor device. The second circuit board is arranged perpendicular to the first circuit board and along the surface of the electrolytic capacitor. The electronic unit further includes a connecting member being jointed at one end thereof to the first circuit board and jointed at the other end thereof to the second circuit board for electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards. |
| US08054638B2 |
Latching apparatus for facilitating docking of an electronic component
A latching apparatus is coupled to a first electronic component for facilitating docking to a second electronic component. The apparatus includes a pivotable actuation handle, and slide and pivotable linkages. The slide linkage couples to the pivotable actuation handle and is slidable in directions which the first component docks to the second component. The pivotable linkage is also coupled to the slide linkage and includes a latching hook at its distal end. With the first component disposed for docking relative to the second component, pivotal actuation of the handle to open is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage to facilitate aligning the latching hook over a hook pocket of the second component, and pivotal actuation of the handle closed is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage to engage the hook pocket, and thereby draw the first component into docked relation with the second component. |
| US08054633B2 |
Power converter
A power converter which can attain a reliable electric connection with electrodes of a power module by facilitating positioning of conductors connected to the electrodes of the power module. The power converter includes the power module having the plurality of electrodes in the form of plate-shaped conductors within a casing having a lid, and also includes a plurality of plate-shaped conductors connected to the electrodes of the power module. Male screws are embedded in ones of the electrodes of the power module provided at least on the side of the lid to be projected therefrom, the plate-shaped conductors connected to the electrodes having the male screws are formed therein with holes at locations corresponding to the male screws, the male screws being inserted in the corresponding holes, and electrically connected with the electrodes with nuts fastened to the male screws. |
| US08054630B2 |
Electronic components on trenched substrates and method of forming same
A method of mounting an electronic component on a substrate includes forming at least one trench in a surface of the substrate. The trenches formed in the substrate reduce a stiffness of the substrate, which provides less resistance to shear. Accordingly, the trenches reduce the amount of strain on the joints, which mount the electronic component to the substrate, which enhances the life of the joints. |
| US08054628B2 |
Method for operating a sealed for life compact secondary substation
A method for operating a sealed for life compact secondary substation including a transformer, a high voltage side and a ring main unit arranged at the high voltage side and connected to a primary side of a the transformer, a secondary side of the transformer is connected a low voltage switch gear. An enclosure includes watertight material capable of withstanding corrosion at least for a life time of the compact secondary substation. The compact secondary substation is cooled with a cooling system that includes a heat exchanger. The compact secondary substation is protected with an extended arc eliminator. The compact secondary sub-station is connected to a remote control for surveillance and operation, which remote control is communicating with a fault protection equipment. |
| US08054627B2 |
System and method for determining air density based on temperature sensor data
A computer system and method for measuring air density in a computer chassis. The computer chassis includes a fan, an ambient air temperature sensor, and a heat-generating device with a heat sink, a heat sink temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller controls the fan speed and applies a known amount of thermal energy to the heat sink, then determines the air density from the difference in temperature between the ambient air and the heat sink. The controller may then use the air density determination to adjust the air flow rate through the computer chassis to provide a proper air flow rate for cooling. |
| US08054626B2 |
Display apparatus having a cooling device
A display apparatus having a front substrate that is a display panel, a rear substrate disposed at a predetermined distance apart from the front substrate and facing the front substrate, the rear substrate comprising a back light unit, and a cooling device to remove heat generated by the rear substrate. The cooling device includes an actuator disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate, the actuator to generate an ion wind using a voltage, a transparent electrode installed to face the actuator and which is grounded, a plurality of supports to support ends of the actuator, and a high-voltage power source to apply a voltage to the actuator. |
| US08054625B2 |
Cold row encapsulation for server farm cooling system
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow one or more fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves fanless servers installed on the server racks and introduces fan units to draw cooling air from the cold row encapsulation structure through the fanless servers on the racks. |
| US08054622B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer includes a main body casing including an upper plate and an opening formed on the upper plate; a cover pad which may be coupled to the upper plate and covers the opening, the cover pad having a plate surface and a rear surface; and a touch-pad coupled to the rear surface of the cover pad through the opening, thus protecting the touch-pad and enabling the touch-pad to sense a coordinate touched on the plate surface and generate a position data of a pointer. |
| US08054619B1 |
Partial-slot card guide installation tool
A partial-slot card guide installation tool comprises two opposing runners configured to register with grooves of a full-sized slot of a rack system, and two guides fixed relative to the two opposing runners. The two guides configured to receive a partial-slot card guide and position the partial-slot card guide within the full-sized slot to provide a partial-sized slot smaller than the full-sized slot within the full-sized slot. |
| US08054618B2 |
Lap top cover display
A display assembly attachable to a lap top computer cover, having a front face, longitudinally extending laterally spaced edges, and a laterally extending upper edge, comprising a jacket into which a cover is receivable, the jacket having edges adapted to extend externally adjacent corresponding of the cover edges, and means carried by the jacket for visually displaying an image or images, proximate the front face. |
| US08054616B2 |
Keyboard set having a micro projector
A keyboard set includes a keyboard unit, and a micro projector. The keyboard unit has a first housing, a video signal port and a first lock structure. The video signal port and the first lock structure are disposed in the first housing. The micro projector has a second housing, a signal line, and a second lock structure. The signal line is connected to the video signal port of the keyboard unit. The second lock structure is disposed on the second housing, and capable of combining with the first lock structure, for the micro projector to be fixed to the keyboard unit. |
| US08054609B2 |
System to control, protect and monitor the status of forced cooling motors for power transformers and similar
System to control, protect and monitor the status of forced cooling motors for power transformers and similar, is preferably applied to power transformers and auto-transformers, and this system turns conventional (1) cooling motors into “intelligent” motors, operating in a totally autonomous manner, whose electronic module (2) is installed on the actual motor cover, more specifically on the connection box (3) and is interconnected by a communication network to a digital system (4) without the need to use any external control, protection and monitoring elements or exaggerated panels for functioning thereof. |
| US08054597B2 |
Electrostatic discharge structures and methods of manufacture
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) structures having a connection to a through wafer via structure and methods of manufacture are provided. The structure includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) network electrically connected in series to a through wafer via. More specifically, the ESD circuit includes a bond pad and an ESD network located under the bond pad. The ESD circuit further includes a through wafer via structure electrically connected in series directly to the ESD network, and which is also electrically connected to VSS. |
| US08054595B2 |
Circuit interrupting device with reset lockout
Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lockout state before shipment are provided. |
| US08054592B2 |
Arc fault detection using fuzzy logic
An arc fault detector which includes a filter which receives an input signal and filters the input signal, an amplifier which amplifies a signal output from the filter, an analog-to-digital converter disposed to receive the amplified signal from the amplifier and convert the amplified signal into a digital signal, and a processing unit responsive to computer executable instructions when executed thereon that receives samples of data associated with the digital signal and performs an arc detection algorithm on the data using fuzzy logic. |
| US08054590B2 |
Ground-fault circuit interrupter with circuit condition detection function
A GFCI device with circuit condition detection function includes a leakage current detection circuit, a disconnect mechanism, a reset mechanism, a circuit condition detection and control circuit, and a selection switch. The disconnect mechanism includes a first SCR controlled by the leakage current detection circuit. The circuit condition detection and control circuit includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit. When the first control circuit is connected to an anode of the first SCR by the selection switch, it provides an intermittent simulated leakage current to the leakage current detection circuit, and the leakage current detection circuit provides a trigger signal for a control gate of the first SCR, so that the first control circuit generates an intermittent simulated leakage current. When the leakage current detection circuit is not operational to generate the trigger signal, the first control circuit generates a control signal to disable the GFCI device. |
| US08054586B2 |
Write head design and method for reducing adjacent track interference at very narrow track widths
A perpendicular write head having a wrap around trailing shield for reducing stray field writing and adjacent track interference. A method for constructing such a write head allows for excellent control of side shield gap thickness and trailing shield gap thickness, and allows the ratio of side gap to trailing gap thicknesses to be maintained at about two to one as desired. The method includes depositing forming a write pole by constructing a mask which may include a bi-layer hard mask, and then ion milling to form the write pole. Once the write pole has been formed, a layer of alumina or some other non-magnetic material can be conformally deposited. A reactive ion mill (RIM) can be performed to open up the top of the write pole (remove the horizontally disposed portions of the alumina layer). Then, a second layer of alumina or some other non-magnetic material can be deposited, and the write pole can be plated. The thickness of the side shield gaps is defined by the sum of the final thicknesses of the first and second alumina layers, while the thickness of the first magnetic layer defines the thickness of the trailing shield gap. |
| US08054580B2 |
Perpendicular recording magnetic head
Embodiments of the present invention provide a perpendicular recording magnetic head having a narrow track width, high recording magnetic field intensity, and a good recording magnetic field distribution. According to one embodiment, a perpendicular recording magnetic head includes a read section and a write section. The write section includes a main magnetic pole layer, a lower sub magnetic pole layer, an upper sub magnetic pole layer, a pedestal magnetic layer, and a coil conductor generating a magnetic flux in the main magnetic pole layer. The write section further includes lower and upper auxiliary magnetic pole layers disposed on a leading side and a trailing side, respectively, relative to a medium moving direction, adjacent to the main magnetic pole layer. The lower and upper auxiliary magnetic pole layers are retracted from an air bearing surface. The upper auxiliary magnetic pole layer is retracted from the air bearing surface less than the lower auxiliary magnetic pole layer. |
| US08054578B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording head that suppresses side fringing
A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole layer and a return yoke layer which are laminated with a magnetic gap layer interposed therebetween on a medium-opposing surface, and a pair of side shield layers positioned on both sides in the track width direction of the main magnetic pole layer while interposing a nonmagnetic material layer therebetween. The magnetic gap layer is constituted by a first gap layer formed in a partial area in the track width direction bridging the main magnetic pole layer and the pair of side shield layers, and a second gap layer thinner than the first gap layer and interposed between the return yoke layer and the pair of side shield layers in a remaining area where the first gap layer is absent. |
| US08054577B2 |
Tape roller guide with integral recording head
An integral recording head, for use in a linear tape drive system, includes a circumferentially grooved roller guide assembly and a recording head actuator assembly. The circumferential groove feature is incorporated on the surfaces of the roller guide assembly, and provides a substantial frictional contact force that acts to reduce the lateral motion, and further attenuates high frequency lateral disturbances of the magnetic tape. The reduced high frequency content of the lateral disturbances significantly improves the ability of the actuator to achieve a desired track following control. The grooved roller guide assembly is formed integrally of two solid cylindrical contact surfaces separated by a circumferential slot that accommodates the recording head actuator assembly. |
| US08054576B2 |
Skew actuator to servo track zero reference
A servo detection system for detecting servo tracks of a longitudinal tape. In a read/write head, two servo read heads are spaced laterally on a first head module, and a servo read head is on a second head module spaced longitudinally from the first module. A method comprises initially sensing a tape servo track with one servo read head of the first module and the servo read head of the second module to determine skew misalignment of the servo track. A zero reference value is stored representing the determined skew misalignment. The detection system switches from the one servo read head of each module, to the two servo read heads of the first module, and employs the stored value to position the read/write head in the zero skew position. The two servo read heads are then employed to read two servo tracks to identify the data band and to control skew. |
| US08054574B2 |
Method of measuring non-coherent runout for a disk drive
In a disk drive, a modified adaptive runout compensation algorithm is employed to measure non-coherent repeatable runout (RRO) of a track. The adaptive runout compensation algorithm is used to control the transducer head to follow the average RRO of adjacent tracks during the process of computing correction factors for non-coherent RRO for a given track. The adaptive runout compensation algorithm does not completely adapt to both the coherent and non-coherent RRO of a particular track because the transducer head is positioned over any one particular track for only a limited number of revolutions. |
| US08054569B2 |
Method and apparatus to identify a data band encoded between two servo bands in a sequential information storage medium
A method and apparatus is presented to determine a lateral position of a read/write head relative to a sequential information storage medium having a servo signal encoded therein and moving adjacent to the read/write head, where the servo signal comprises a plurality of pulses. The method includes detecting the servo signal using the read/write head and calculating a timing interval between each of the pulses using a clock rate of a clock signal. The clock rate is then adjusted based upon the velocity of the sequential information storage medium. |
| US08054559B2 |
Zoom lens, information device, and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power, being disposed in order from an object side, and an aperture stop disposed at an object side of the third lens group. When changing the magnification from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, an interval between the first and second lens groups increases, an interval between the second and third lens groups decreases, and an interval between the third and fourth lens groups changes. |
| US08054555B2 |
Sighting device
Providing a sighting device having a simple structure, being easy to manufacture and free from parallax. A sighting device comprises, in order from a target object side, a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the target object and a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the target object, wherein the surface of said positive meniscus lens that faces away from said target object or the surface of said negative meniscus lens that faces toward said target object is adapted to constitute a semi-transparent reflection surface or a wavelength selective reflection surface, and a point source is provided at a focal point of a catadioptric optical system constituted by said semi-transparent reflection surface or said wavelength selective reflection surface and a refracting surface of the negative meniscus lens having with the convex surface facing said target object, the refracting surface facing away from said target object side. |
| US08054553B2 |
Illumination angle control using dichroic filters
A method of controlling the illumination angle onto a target, including, illuminating onto the target with light from at least two light sources of pre-selected wavelengths; wherein each point on the target is illuminated by light from the light sources with a respective maximal illumination angle relative to a main illumination axis extending from substantially the center of the at least two light sources to the target, selecting a dichroic filter that transmits light from the at least two light sources as a function of the angle of incidence upon the filter, positioning the dichroic filter between the at least two light sources and the target to limit the transfer of light to light of the pre-selected wavelengths; and wherein the dichroic filter is selected to limit the maximal illumination angle illuminating each point on the target. |
| US08054552B2 |
Lens array element and method
According to one embodiment of the present invention a method for directing light onto a digital micromirror device is disclosed that includes the steps of directing light toward a DMD through a lens that includes a plurality of lens elements such that, absent correction, the directed light is distorted at the DMD; and compensating for the distortion of the directed light at the DMD by predistorting the directed light prior to reaching the DMD by the plurality of lens elements. |
| US08054550B2 |
Optical device, laminate and labeled article
A special visual effect is achieved. An optical device includes a light-reflecting interface provided with a first relief structure including first recesses or protrusions arranged two-dimensionally, the first relief structure emitting a first diffracted light when illuminated with a light, and a light-transmitting interface disposed in front of the light-reflecting interface and having a reflectance smaller than that of the first interface, the light-transmitting interface being provided with a second relief structure including second recesses or protrusions arranged two-dimensionally, and the second relief structure emitting a second diffracted light when illuminated with the light. |
| US08054548B2 |
Three-dimensional image display device, portable terminal device, display panel and fly eye lens
In a three-dimensional image display device for displaying color three-dimensional images, a fly eye lens, a display panel, and a light source are provided in this order from the observer side. A display panel has four pixels arrayed in a (2×2) matrix correlated with one lens element of the fly eye lens. In the event that j is a natural number, a pixel magnifying projection width e in a second direction is set in a range of the following expression according to mean interpupillary distance Y of the observers. e 3 ≠ Y 2 × j |
| US08054546B2 |
Glass façades as media screen
The invention relates to glass facades to be used as media screens 9, including slat reflectors 30, 31, 38, 39, 60, 61, 79, 90 arranged horizontally, one above the other, in front of, or behind, or between glass panes 80, 81 as receivers for artificial, projected, and natural light. The slat reflectors 27, 30, 31, 38, 39, 60, 61, 79, 90-92 receive and radiate sun 62 on their upper side 65, 100, 101. On their white lower side 30, 31, 82, 112, 123 they receive projected light 76, 105, 111 from an exterior light source, projecting from below upwards. The projection axis is aligned at an angle γ. The slat reflectors for projected light are orientated in an angle β1 and form a scale shaped media screen. At least between the projection receiving parts of the slats a distance D is created. |
| US08054544B2 |
Far-optical device
A far-optical device comprising a reversal system and an adjustable optical magnification means with more than fourfold magnification, wherein the far-optical device has an optical beam deflection means which at all magnifications ensures a subjective field of view of the far-optical device of at least 22° at least for light of a wavelength of about 550 nm. |
| US08054542B2 |
Scanning laser microscope
A scanning laser microscope includes a laser light source; an acousto-optic deflector having a crystal, being arranged in an optical path of a laser beam emitted from the laser light source and capable of changing a traveling direction of the laser beam when frequencies of acoustic waves applied to the crystal are changed; a frequency control unit configured to simultaneously apply acoustic waves having a plurality of frequencies to the crystal of the acousto-optic deflector; an objective lens configured to converge the laser beam emitted from the laser light source to form a beam spot on a specimen; and an optical scanning device configured to two-dimensionally scan the scanning spot by deflecting the laser beam in two directions perpendicular to each other. The acousto-optic deflector, the optical scanning device, and a pupil of the objective lens are arranged at positions optically conjugate with each other. |
| US08054538B2 |
Raman amplification apparatus and distributed raman amplification system as well as starting up method for distributed raman amplification system
A Raman amplification apparatus includes a pumping light supplying section, a main signal wavelength light level acquisition section, a monitoring signal wavelength light level acquisition section, a function information storage section for storing, as function information, information regarding functions for deriving a noise amount and a gain by Raman amplification with regard to a monitoring signal wavelength light with respect to pumping light power supplied from the pumping light supplying section, and a transmission characteristic derivation section for deriving a transmission characteristic on an optical transmission line based on information acquired by the main signal wavelength light level acquisition section and the monitoring signal wavelength light level acquisition section and the function information stored in the function information storage section, and Raman gain is derived with high accuracy in comparison with the conventional technique. |
| US08054537B2 |
Light source apparatus
The present invention relates to a light source apparatus that has a base structure capable of generating SC light and further having a structure that enables the shaping of the spectral waveform of the SC light, power adjustment of the SC light, or adjustment of the frequency of repetition of the pulse train that contains the SC light. For example, a light source apparatus that enables shaping of spectral waveforms comprises a seed light source that emits seed light which is a pulse train or continuous light; an optical fiber that generates SC light from the seed light, and spectrum shaping means for completely or partially changing the spectral waveform of the SC light. The shaping of the spectral waveform changes the maximum power of the seed light by changing the optical coupling efficiency of the seed light source and optical fiber, for example, thereby suitably deforms the spectrum of the SC light. |
| US08054533B2 |
Image record medium and image record apparatus
An image record apparatus for recording a visible image on each of image record media 14 has a light application section 30 for applying exposure light to the plurality of placed image record media 14, a voltage application section 20 for applying an image write voltage to each of the plurality of placed image record media 14, and a control section 40 for controlling the light application section 30 and the voltage application section 20 so that exposure light for representing a visible image is applied to the plurality of placed image record media and the image write voltage is applied to the image record medium 14 on which the same visible image as the image is to be recorded. |
| US08054531B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical systems and photonic interconnects employing the same
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to micro-electro-mechanical systems and photonic interconnects employing micro-electro-mechanical systems. One micro-electro-mechanical system embodiment of the present invention includes a lens structure and an actuator. The lens structure includes a substantially transparent membrane having a flexible, curved surface, and a reservoir holding fluid that is fluidly coupled to the membrane. The actuator system is operably coupled to the reservoir in order to exert pressure on the fluid to change the curvature of the membrane and the focal point of the lens structure. |
| US08054525B2 |
Wavelength converter
Provided is a wavelength converter having a simple and low-cost structure. The wavelength converter generates converted light having a wavelength different from that of input light. The wavelength converter includes (1) a pump light source that outputs pump light, (2) an optical multiplexer that combines and outputs input light and the pump light, (3) a first optical fiber that receives and guides the input light and the pump light that have been combined and output by the optical multiplexer and generates converted light using a nonlinear optical phenomenon that occurs while the first optical fiber guides the input light and the pump light, the first optical fiber being coiled, and (4) zero-dispersion wavelength adjusting means that adjusts a zero-dispersion wavelength of the first optical fiber. |
| US08054523B2 |
Optical reflection device
An optical reflection device includes a flexible substrate, an elastic portion connected with an end of the flexible substrate, an optical reflector coupled with the flexible substrate via the elastic portion, a first electrode layer provided on the flexible substrate, and a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode layer. The optical reflection device may have a small size. |
| US08054513B2 |
Image displaying method, image display apparatus and facsimile apparatus for displaying effective data on display screen
An image is displayed on a rectangular display screen of the display unit by the steps of obtaining minimum or maximum positions of black dot in the width direction and longitudinal direction in an image data stored in an image memory; deciding a position of one corner portion of a rectangular effective image data area in the image data from the minimum or maximum positions in the width and longitudinal directions; and controlling the display unit to display the rectangular effective image data area based on the position of the decided one corner portion in the image data on the display screen of the display unit starting from the one corner portion. |
| US08054512B2 |
System and method for maintaining paper and electronic calendars
The presently described embodiments solve the problem of getting electronic calendar entries back onto the paper calendar. To do so, in one form, according to the presently described embodiments, an inkjet label printer is mounted next to the paper calendar. Each time a daily entry gets updated online, the label printer prints out a new sticky label whose size and markings correspond to the revised paper calendar entry for that day. It is then a simple process for the user to peel off the label and affix it to the correct location on the paper calendar. |
| US08054511B2 |
Image reading device
An image reading device to read an image carried on a document, including: an image reading section to read an image carried on a document; a polygonal member, mounted to face the image reading section, and spaced from the image reading section at a predetermined distance, the polygonal member includes a document feeding flat surface which faces the image reading section when the document is fed thereon, a white flat surface, and a black flat surface; a light source to emit light rays onto the image carried on the document, and onto the polygonal member when the document is not fed; and a control section to control an amount of the light rays emitted from the light source; wherein the control section corrects an amount of light rays concerning the white color and the black color, based on the amount of the light rays read by the image reading section. |
| US08054508B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and computer program product that generates and encodes coupled information identifying image copying and processing devices
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit that acquires an original image data containing first data, and a data processing unit that edits the first data in the original image data thereby generating edited original image data, and outputs the edited original image data. |
| US08054507B2 |
Image data luminance compensating method and sheet-feeding scanning apparatus using such method
The present invention relates to an image data luminance compensating method and a sheet-feeding scanning apparatus using such an image data luminance compensating method. According to the reference luminance value change of the reference background strip before and after the current document passes through the scan operating region, the luminance gain associated with compensation of the image data of the next document is determined. |
| US08054506B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image quality enhancement method thereof
An image forming apparatus provides enhancement of image quality. The image forming apparatus includes a window generating unit to generate a main window of a predetermined size using a Lines Per Inch (LPI) and an angle of a dithering mask, and to generate a plurality of subwindows within the generated main window, a determining unit to determine the presence of an edge area by applying the plurality of generated subwindows to a binary image and according to pixel values of the binary image that correspond to the subwindows, and a control unit to determine a dot size of a central reference pixel at the center of the main window, according to the presence and absence of the edge area. Because image quality is enhanced adaptively according to edge and smooth areas, print quality improves. |
| US08054505B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for matching color gamuts of multiple image transfer devices
A method for adjusting the gamuts of a set of printers to match the gamuts across a population of printers using mass targets. The method involves printing color patches suitably positioned in the color gamut with CMYK separations and simultaneously actuating DMA targets to the level 2 controls of the printers using closed loop control algorithms. An extreme MIMO control algorithm is used to converge to the desired L*a*b* targets by adjusting mass targets to the printing system in an iterative fashion to maximize the common intersection gamut across the printers. |
| US08054504B2 |
Multicolorant separation system and method
A method separates a color vector into a colorant vector for a printing system that uses more than four colorants, for example cyan, magenta, yellow, black, orange and green colorants. According to the method, the separation process is split up into partial four colorant processes that contain opponent colors. For example, a first partial process is a cyan, magenta, yellow and black process; a second one is an orange, magenta, yellow and black process; and a third one is a cyan, green, yellow and black process. Continuity of magnitudes of the colorants is achieved across the boundaries of the color gamuts of the partial processes by imposing specific constraints on the combinations of colorants to render a given color. A computer implemented system and a print system are based on the method. |
| US08054500B2 |
Acquiring three-dimensional structure using two-dimensional scanner
One embodiment relates to a method of acquiring three-dimensional structure of an object using a flatbed scanner. The object is placed with a surface to be scanned facing down on a scanner platen. At least three images are obtained under differing lighting directions. The images are processed to generate the three-dimensional structure. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08054497B2 |
Direct composition printing method for rapid streaming
An effective and efficient means for composition printing of multi-page image data is disclosed. Multiple image files may be received and read into memory to be processed and printed as a single job. Pages may be reordered and/or a subset of pages may be selected for printing by changing the link order between image file directories (IFDs) in the image headers before sending the image data to a printing device. Once processed to select and reorder pages for printing, the image data is streamed directly to the output, with each offset entry in the IFD being modified on-the-fly to correspond to its relocated position. When an image is skipped, the data associated with the image is not written out to the printing device. When the end of one file is reached, the next file is merged into the existing output stream relative to the end of the previous file. |
| US08054494B2 |
Image forming system, method and program of controlling image forming system, and storage medium
In order to implement and manage an optimal system in the printing business and POD market, in an image forming system which comprises a plurality of devices including at least one of an image forming device which can print data in a storage unit that can store data of a plurality of jobs including data of a first job and data of a second job which is input after the data of the first job, and a sheet processing device which can execute a sheet process for a sheet printed by the image forming device, a schedule associated with a plurality of work flows including a first work flow that includes a plurality of process steps using a plurality of devices of the image forming system required to complete the first job, and a second work flow that includes a plurality of process steps using a plurality of devices of the image forming system required to complete the second job can be set. |
| US08054493B2 |
Optimizing raster operation functions during print job processing
Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include modifying a raster operation function to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Processing may also include executing the modified function and determining how many variables the function originally includes and whether such is one or more. Preferably, the modifying of the function includes determining whether a variable of the function has a black or white identity, such as a black or white ink or a black or white image, stencil or character. It may also include determining whether a destination variable remains unaltered in a to-be-painted area. Printers having stored computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same. |
| US08054490B2 |
Automatic job routing for wide format print distribution
A method for dispatching a job for printing an original document from an original document set to a printer. The method includes routing the job to a printer group based on the characteristics of the original document via a dispatcher. When exactly one printer group has all capabilities required by the job, the job is routed to the one printer group. When more than one printer group has all capabilities required by the job, the dispatcher routes the job to a printer group that requires the shortest estimated time to complete the job. When no printer group has all capabilities required by the job, the dispatcher notifies a user via the operating screen for manual treatment of the job. |
| US08054488B2 |
Image forming apparatus to supply a file transmission and reception list and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus to supply a file transmission and reception list, and a control method thereof. The image forming apparatus may include a storing part and a controlling part to store a list of transmission and reception for transmitted and received files using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The file transmission and reception list may include a user name, a date of file transmission and reception, a file name, a file size, an address of a file transmitter recipient, and a user ID or password to log in an FTP server transmitting and receiving the file through the image forming apparatus. |
| US08054487B2 |
Mechanism to create a reservation against a future scheduling object instantiation
A method in a data processing system for managing jobs. A change to a job receiving that is un-instantiated. A reservation for the job is created. Instantiated jobs for an instance of the job are monitored corresponding to the reservation, and applying the change to the instance of the job responsive to identifying the instantiated job. |
| US08054485B2 |
Method and arrangement for use of shared resources in a network
A method for, from a server, controlling transfers of jobs from clients to shared resources in the network comprises that a request for sending a job to a shared resource selected by a client is received from the client and it is checked continuously whether the resource is available and has capacity by the moment for reception of jobs. A go-ahead is sent immediately to the client that the client can send the job to the resource if the resource is available and has capacity by the moment. The request is placed in a queue for the resource if the resource is available, but for the moment lacks capacity, the queue is updated continuously and a go-ahead is sent to the client that the client can send the job to the resource when the request has advanced to the first position in the queue and the resource has capacity. The step of receiving a request is followed by assigning an identity to the job, which is sent to the client, and the identity is comprised in the go-ahead sent to the client so that the client from said identity can identify the job. A confirmation that the job has been completed successfully by the resource or an indication that the job has not been completed successfully by the resource is received from the client, after which the request is removed from the queue. |
| US08054481B2 |
Updating of resource data in a printing apparatus
This invention relates to a printing apparatus or information processing apparatus, which is connected to a peripheral device management apparatus and holds updatable resource data. The printing apparatus or information processing apparatus asynchronously receives an output job and resource data used upon processing the output job from the peripheral device management apparatus connected to it. Upon receiving the resource data, reception of a new output job after the reception of the resource data is stopped. When it is determined that the process of a print job, which has already been received and queued, is complete, the held resource data is updated by the resource data received by a reception unit. |
| US08054480B2 |
Image processing apparatus
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for allowing a user to easily understand a direction of setting a document intuitively, in which, when two single sided documents are printed on front and rear faces of a recording sheet, a display section is caused to display an image showing a direction of setting the documents and a message showing whether or not the setting direction of the documents is different between the first and second documents at the time of reading the two single sided documents, so that the user is able to understand the direction of setting the documents intuitively. |
| US08054478B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and method for changing number of lines in band buffer based on memory size to be required
Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus, including: a language analysis unit for analyzing print data and generating data having an intermediate format between the print data and bitmap data generated based on the print data; an image processing unit for rasterizing the generated data having the intermediate format for each band by using the predetermined number of lines and generating the bitmap data; a memory for holding the data for which rasterizing processing is being performed by the image processing unit; a printing unit for performing printing based on the generated bitmap data; and a number-of-line switching unit for switching the number of lines of the band in the rasterizing processing of the image processing unit according to whether the print data is data that can include transparency processing data or not. |
| US08054474B2 |
Image data producing apparatus, image forming apparatus and computer readable medium
An image data producing apparatus includes: a page dividing portion that divides data described in a page description language into a page unit; a plurality of image processors that form raster data from divided data; and a controlling portion that allocates pages on which the raster data is formed to each of the plurality of the image processors, and causes each of the plurality of the image processors to execute registration of a printing resource on respective pages with at least a change of the printing resource by controlling each of the plurality of the image processors irrespective of a page allocation. |
| US08054472B2 |
Pattern forming apparatus, mark detecting apparatus, exposure apparatus, pattern forming method, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
While a wafer stage linearly moves in a Y-axis direction, a multipoint AF system detects surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points that are set at a predetermined distance in an X-axis direction and also a plurality of alignment systems that are arrayed in a line along the X-axis direction detect each of marks at positions different from one another on the wafer. That is, detection of surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points and detection of the marks at positions different from one another on the wafer are finished, only by the wafer stage (wafer) linearly passing through the array of the plurality of detection points of the multipoint AF system and the plurality of alignment systems, and therefore, the throughput can be improved, compared with the case where a detection operation of the marks and a detection operation of the surface position information (focus information) are independently performed. |
| US08054470B2 |
Method and apparatus for spectroscopic characterization of samples using a laser-ultrasound system
A method of spectroscopic analysis of a material using a laser ultrasound system. The method includes measuring amplitude displacement of a target surface that has been excited with a generation laser. The amplitude displacements relate to the target's optical absorption properties. Amplitude displacements are generated over a range of laser wavelengths to obtain an optical absorption signature useful to identify the target material characteristics. |
| US08054464B2 |
Polarization switching lidar device and method
A polarization switching lidar device is arranged for remote detection and characterization of airborne aggregations of particulates. It includes a pulsed laser, a mirror, a polarizing beam splitter, an actively controlled retarder arranged to be controllably alternated between a zero retardation state and a quarter-wave retardation state such that the transmitted portion of the exiting laser light beam is linearly polarized in a predetermined direction when the actively controlled retarder is in the zero retardation state, while being circularly polarized in a predetermined rotational sense when the actively controlled retarder is in the quarter-wave retardation state. A directable telescoping assembly is arranged to collect photons backscattered by the airborne aggregations of particulates and to redirect the collected portion of depolarized backscattered photons onto the polarizing beam splitter. A photodetector is arranged to generate at least one electronic signal proportional to the collected portion of depolarized backscattered photons. |
| US08054463B2 |
Method and system for measuring sub-surface composition of a sample
In a method for measuring a composition of a sample, an illumination surface area of the sample is illuminated using a light source, and light from a plurality of emitting surface areas of the sample is received, each emitting surface area at a different location, the received light scattered by the sample. A cumulative area of the illumination surface area is greater than a cumulative area of two emitting surface areas of the plurality of emitting surface areas. For each emitting surface area, spectral content information associated with received light corresponding to that emitting surface area is determined, and composition information corresponding to a sub-surface region of the sample is determined based on the determined spectral content information. Different shapes of illumination surface areas as well as the plurality of emitting surface areas may advantageously be utilized for various specimen or sample geometries or illumination sources. |
| US08054458B2 |
Optical device for detecting live insect infestation
The disclosure relates to a detection device for detecting movement of a live insect located within a seed or grain. The device may include a light source with a masking arrangement to block stray light. It may also include a detection region sized to contain at least one seed. Finally, the device may include a detection instrument able to detect changes in light from the light source caused by movement of an insect within the seed. The disclosure also relates to a method of detecting an insect in a seed. First, one may pass light through the seed. Then one may detect light passed through the seed and, based on the light passed through the seed, determine whether or not an insect within the seed is moving. |
| US08054455B2 |
Optical amplifier provided with control function of pumping light, and optical transmission system using the same
In an optical transmission system according to one aspect of the present invention, for transmitting a WDM light from a transmission station to a reception station, utilizing a Raman amplifier, the Raman amplifier comprises: an optical amplification medium; a pumping light source generating a plurality of pumping lights having wavelengths different from each other; an optical device introducing the plurality of pumping lights to the optical amplification medium; and control means for controlling the pumping light source, the transmission station sends out a plurality of reference lights having wavelengths at which respective Raman gain obtained by the plurality of pumping lights reach peaks or wavelengths close to the above wavelengths, and the control means controls the plurality of pumping lights based on the optical powers of the plurality of reference lights. Thus, it becomes possible to accurately manage the optical power balance of the WDM light and the optical power of the entire WDM light. |
| US08054451B2 |
Method and system for designating a target and generating target-related action
A system that includes a laser designator configured to continuously designate a target with a pulsed laser spot. The system includes a sensor and associated processing system configured to receive a reflection of the laser spot, convert the received energy to plurality of signals, processing the signals for detecting true reflected signals and process the true reflected signals for generating target related action. The sensor and associated processor are configured to detect the true signals notwithstanding an inherent low Signal/Noise ratio of below 4 of the received signals from due to low pulse power of the laser designator and distance to target. |
| US08054449B2 |
Enhancing the image contrast of a high resolution exposure tool
A system and method are utilized to equalize intensity or energy in various diffraction order portions of a patterned beam. The patterned beam is formed using a diffractive patterning device. An attenuator is placed at a pupil of a projection system to attenuate respective diffraction order portions of the patterned beam. The projection device is also used to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate, after the respective attenuations. |
| US08054448B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing fluid for immersion lithography
An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing fluid for immersion lithography. Immersion fluid is injected into an inner cavity in a direction that is different than a direction in which the nozzle moves. The immersion fluid can also be injected at different rates into the inner cavity at different sides. A wafer substrate is then exposed by light through the immersion fluid. |
| US08054445B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic projection apparatus in which a liquid supply system and the geometry of the objects on the substrate table are arranged to avoid high velocity immersion liquid flowing over sensors. |
| US08054444B2 |
Lens cleaning module for immersion lithography apparatus
A lens cleaning module for a lithography system having an exposure apparatus including an objective lens is provided. The lens cleaning module includes a scanning stage for supporting a wafer beneath the objective lens. A cleaning module is provided adjacent to the scanning stage for cleaning the objective lens in a non-manual cleaning process. |
| US08054441B2 |
Laminated optical film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device
A laminated optical film including a first optical anisotropic layer, and a second optical anisotropic layer, wherein Relationship (1), −10 nm≦ΔRe1−ΔRe2≦10 nm, is satisfied when a slow phase axis of the first optical anisotropic layer is substantially perpendicular to a slow phase axis of the second optical anisotropic layer, wherein Relationship (2), −10 nm≦ΔRe1+ΔRe2≦10 nm, is satisfied when the slow phase axis of the first optical anisotropic layer is substantially parallel to the slow phase axis of the second optical anisotropic layer, wherein an in-plane retardation value Re of the film as a whole satisfies 30 nm≦Re≦500 nm, where ΔRe1 denotes a value calculated from “Re1 (at a temperature of 50° C.)−Re1 (at a temperature of 25° C.)” concerning the first optical anisotropic layer, and ΔRe2 denotes a value calculated from “Re2 (at a temperature of 50° C.)−Re2 (at a temperature of 25° C.)” concerning the second optical anisotropic layer. |
| US08054440B2 |
Liquid crystal display, manufacturing method thereof, and method for testing liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display device includes gate pads on a first side of an insulating substrate, gate pad parts, which contain a sub-group of the gate pads, a plurality of gate shorting bars within the gate pad parts, data pads on a second side of the insulating substrate, data pad parts, which contain a sub-group of the data pads, and a plurality of data shorting bars within the gate pad parts. |
| US08054439B2 |
Method for fabricating liquid crystal display panel
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The method includes the steps stated below. At first, providing an LCD panel including a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer therebetween. The liquid crystal layer includes several photo-sensitive monomers and several liquid crystal molecules. The LCD panel has at least a first pixel and a second pixel. Afterwards, correspondingly driving the first pixel and the second pixel by the first voltage and the second voltage. At last, applying a ultra-violet source onto the LCD panel to enable several photo-sensitive monomers to polymerize several alignment polymers on the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08054436B2 |
Substrate for display device and display device
A substrate for display device is provided. As a wiring structure of the substrate, the scan line layer and the signal line layer are not connected directly by arranging through-holes between the scan line layer and the signal line layer, but are connected through an ITO layer by arranging through-holes between the scan line layer and the ITO layer and arranging through-holes between the signal line layer and the ITO layer, with an object to reduce the value of the connection resistance between the scan line layer and the signal line layer. Through-holes connecting the scan line layer and the ITO layer and through-holes connecting the signal line layer and the ITO layer are configured in a comb shape respectively and engaged with each other. Thus the length of the ITO connecting the scan line layer and the signal line layer becomes shorter and the value of the connection resistance is reduced. |
| US08054434B2 |
Display substrate and display panel having the same
In a display substrate and a vertical alignment display panel having the same, the display panel includes an array substrate and an opposite substrate. A plurality of first slit portions are arranged through a pixel area of a common electrode on the array substrate, and the first slit portions extend in a slanted direction. A plurality of grooves and a plurality of protruding portions are alternately arranged at edges facing each other on the first slit portion, so that the first slit portions are patterned. A positive singular point is generated on a side surface of a protruding portion, and a negative singular point is generated between the positive singular points. |
| US08054430B2 |
Liquid crystal display having wide viewing angle
A tetragonal ring shape aperture is formed in the common electrode on one substrate and a cross shape aperture is formed at the position corresponding to the center of the tetragonal ring shape aperture in the pixel electrode on the other substrate. A liquid crystal layer between two electrodes are divided to four domains where the directors of the liquid crystal layer have different angles when a voltage is applied to the electrodes. The directors in adjacent domains make a right angle. The tetragonal ring shape aperture is broken at midpoint of each side of the tetragon, and the width of the aperture decreases as goes from the bent point to the edge. Wide viewing angle is obtained by four domains where the directors of the liquid crystal layer indicate different directions, disclination is removed and luminance increases. |
| US08054427B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device, which is configured to have a liquid crystal layer held between a pair of substrates, includes a display area including a red color pixel, a green color pixel and a blue color pixel, a pixel electrode which is disposed in each of the color pixels, a counter-electrode which is opposed to the pixel electrode via an interlayer insulation film, and an alignment film which is disposed in contact with the liquid crystal layer and is subjected to such rubbing treatment as to restrict alignment of liquid crystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer. The pixel electrode has a slit which is formed to be inclined with respect to a direction of rubbing of the alignment film, and the slit of the red pixel and the slit of the blue pixel are formed to be inclined in different directions. |
| US08054425B2 |
Alignment treatment of liquid crystal display device
An alignment-treating method including a first irradiation step of conducting an alignment-treating for realizing an alignment of liquid crystals in a predetermined azimuth direction on a alignment layer of a substrate by obliquely irradiating the substrate with ultraviolet rays, and a second irradiation step of conducting an alignment-treating for realizing an alignment of liquid crystals in an azimuth direction different from the predetermined azimuth direction by obliquely irradiating a region of the substrate where ultraviolet ray irradiation has not been conducted in the first irradiation step with ultraviolet rays in an azimuth direction 180° different from an azimuth direction of ultraviolet ray irradiation in the first irradiation step. In the first and second irradiation steps, the substrate is obliquely irradiated with ultraviolet rays, through a mask having stripe-shaped light shielding area and stripe-shaped opening, in an azimuth direction parallel to a longer direction of the stripe-shaped opening. |
| US08054424B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A transflective liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing each other, a gate line and a data line on the first substrate, the gate and data lines intersecting each other and defining a pixel region having a transmissive region and a reflective region, a thin film transistor at an intersection between the gate line and the data line, a pixel electrode in the pixel region connected to the thin film transistor, an organic insulating layer on the second substrate, the organic insulating layer including a through-hole in the transmissive region, a reflective electrode on the organic insulating layer in the reflective region, a black matrix on the second substrate, a color filter layer on the second substrate in the pixel region, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. |
| US08054423B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first polarizer provided on a surface of the first substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a second polarizer provided on a surface of the second substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a first phase compensation element provided between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal layer; and a second phase compensation element provided between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixel areas are provided for display. The first substrate includes at least one transmissive electrode, and the second substrate includes a reflective electrode region and a transmissive electrode region in correspondence with each of the plurality of pixel areas. |
| US08054420B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate having reflective and transmissive regions in a pixel region, wherein the array substrate includes a reflective electrode corresponding to the reflective region and a pixel electrode on a first substrate. A color filter substrate defines the reflective region and the transmissive region in the pixel region. The color filter substrate includes a color filter with first and second portions that correspond to the respective transmissive and reflective regions on a second substrate. The thickness of the second portion is less than a thickness of the first portion. The combined thickness of the scatter and the thickness of the second portion is greater than the thickness of the first portion; and a liquid crystal layer between the array and color filter substrates. |
| US08054418B2 |
LCD apparatus
An LCD apparatus includes LCD panels for modulating irradiated light based on picture signals, a projection lens for extendedly projecting the light modulated by the LCD panels, a light source for emitting light to irradiate the LCD panels, an inorganic polarizer having a relatively higher degree of polarization and disposed on a light-emission side of each of the LCD panels, and an absorptive polarizer having a lower degree of polarization than the inorganic polarizer and disposed on a light-emission side of the inorganic polarizer. The inorganic polarizer having the higher degree of polarization and the absorptive polarizer having the lower degree of polarization have respective light transmission axes coincident with each other. |
| US08054417B2 |
Mirror effect liquid crystal display device using reflection polarizer
An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) device includes a backlight unit, a lower polarizer positioned on the backlight unit, a liquid crystal layer positioned on the lower polarizer, and an upper reflection polarizer positioned on the liquid crystal layer. The upper reflection polarizer is configured such that a regularly arranged metallic line lattice is formed on a support. this LCD device may give a good mirror effect when power is intercepted, and also give a clear display with high brightness even at a bright place when power is supplied to operate the LCD device. |
| US08054415B2 |
LED LCD backlight with lens structure
In described embodiments, a thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) structure incorporates a white light emitting diode (LED) structure for backlighting. White LEDs are formed behind each TFT cell, allowing for display “black” as a function of a nematic layer, on the TFT substrate, while increasing intensity of the LED LCD backlight structure. A lens structure might be formed between the LEDs and the TFT substrate to reduce a number of LED sources for a given backlight intensity. |
| US08054412B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display system
A light source portion having laser light sources emitting red light, green light, and blue light and conventionally disposed integrally with the liquid crystal display panel is spatially separated from the liquid crystal display panel. Accordingly, the power supply, the optical system, and the heat source are incorporated into the light source portion and are thereby completely separated from the liquid crystal display panel. A laser beam emitted from the light source portion is guided to the liquid crystal display panel via a fiber. In this manner, it is possible to achieve a liquid crystal display device capable of significantly reducing the liquid crystal display panel in thickness and weight. |
| US08054411B2 |
Volume photo-aligned retarder
This invention relates to a birefringent layer, wherein the direction of the optical axis varies along the thickness direction of the layer, comprisingI) (i) a liquid crystal monomer or pre-polymer having polymerisable groups; and (ii) a monomer or oligomer or polymer having photo-orientable groups, and/or (iii) a liquid crystal monomer or pre-polymer, oligomer or polymer having photo-orientable and polymerisable groups, and (iv) and optionally further components, or II) (v) a liquid crystal monomer or pre-polymer, oligomer or polymer having photo-orientable and polymerisable groups, and (vi) and optionally further components, in addition, this invention relates to a method for the preparation of the birefringent layer, its uses and optical components thereof. |
| US08054410B2 |
Pixel structure having red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel and white sub-pixel
A pixel structure includes a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, a blue sub-pixel and a white sub-pixel. The red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel and the blue sub-pixel are suitable for providing a first white light, and a chroma coordinate of the first white light is (x1, y1). The white sub-pixel is suitable for providing a second white light, and a chroma coordinate of the second white light is (x2, y2). The chroma coordinate of the first white light is different from the chroma coordinate of the second white light, that is, (x1, y1)≠(x2, y2), while x2≧x1 and y2≦y1. |
| US08054404B2 |
Surface light source device
A dichroic filter column (4) is provided on an incident surface (11). At least one of two end parts of a light guide plate (1) in a thickness direction is divided into a plurality of light guide paths (6), in a width direction of the light guide plate (1) by a plurality of cutout grooves (5). Portions of the plurality of light guide paths (6) on an incident surface (11) side are aligned in accordance with positions of a plurality of dichroic filters (31), respectively. The plurality of dichroic filters (31) are elements of the dichroic filter column (4). |
| US08054401B2 |
Display device with elastic members having portions of different hardness or different widths
A display device includes a display panel having a front surface and a back surface, a first and second frame, a first elastic member arranged between the first frame and the front surface of the display panel, and a second elastic member arranged between the second frame and the back surface of the display panel, the second elastic member extending in parallel to the first elastic member. A hardness of the first elastic member varies along an elongated direction of the first elastic member so as to have a high-hardness portion, and wherein a hardness of a first portion of the second elastic member which corresponds in location to the high-hardness portion of the first elastic member has a low hardness, a hardness of a second portion of the second elastic member which corresponds in location to the low-harness portion of the first elastic member has a high hardness. |
| US08054399B2 |
Liquid crystal display
An object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal display of which a reduction in thickness can be realized without increasing the thickness of a frame member configuring a backlight. Also, another object is to provide a liquid crystal display which secures a sufficient property of insulation from electrode fittings and lamp cables.A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel, and a backlight disposed at the back of the liquid crystal display panel, wherein the backlight includes a frame member DFR which is of a rectangular box shape, a plurality of fluorescent lamps FL, disposed inside the frame member, each of which includes an electrode at either end, a first lamp cable CB1 for supplying lighting power to one of the electrodes of each fluorescent lamp, a second lamp cable CB2 for supplying lighting power to the other electrode of each fluorescent lamp, and a cable guide CG which, being disposed along an inside long-side edge of the frame member, holds the first and second lamp cables, wherein the cable guide includes a first opening through which the first and second lamp cables are led out, and wherein the frame member includes a second opening through which the first and second lamp cables led out from the cable guide are led out to the exterior of the frame member. |
| US08054398B2 |
Liquid crystal display and panel therefor
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display having excellent visibility. A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: gate lines formed on an insulating substrate; data lines insulated from the gate lines and intersecting the gate lines; first pixel electrodes disposed on pixel areas defined by intersections of the gate lines and the data lines; first thin film transistors, each having three terminals connected to one of the gate lines, one of the data lines, and one of the first pixel electrodes; second pixel electrodes disposed on the pixel areas and capacitively coupled to the first pixel electrodes; and second thin film transistors, each having three terminals connected to a previous gate line, a storage electrode line or one of the data lines, and one of the second pixel electrodes. |
| US08054397B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device that has a structure of an electrode where a residue of a transparent conductive film is not generated when a weak acid solution is used in etching, which is particularly appropriate for an electrode of a light-emitting element.A display device according to the present invention has an electrode that has a laminated structure of laminated transparent conductive films, and the electrode has a first transparent conductive film as the bottom layer, where no residue is generated when a weak acid solution is used in etching, and a second transparent conductive film as the top layer, which has a work function of 5.0 eV or more. |
| US08054390B2 |
Transparent coordinate input device having a ridge portion formed in transparent resistance film
A transparent composite material is able to promote visibility in a transparent coordinate input device due to the reflection of display light while the generation of an interference fringe at an input operating time is restrained. Many ridge portions extending in one direction are formed on the surface of a first transparent resistance film. Such ridge portions are projected stripes formed in a triangular shape in section, and are constructed by alternately forming one set of slanting faces on the surface of the first transparent resistance film. |
| US08054387B2 |
Electronic apparatus and projector
An electronic apparatus includes a remote control device that transmits a predetermined key code signal, excluding a unique key code (signal) for identifying the device itself, and an operation information signal of a user, a receiving unit that receives the signals to be transmitted by the remote control device, an arithmetic unit, and an ID number setting unit that sets an ID number peculiar to a main body. The arithmetic unit receives the operation information signal when information specified by a set of the key code received by the receiving unit and numerals is consistent with information specified by the ID number set by the ID number setting unit. |
| US08054379B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a housing including an opening defined in a peripheral side surface thereof, a camera module mounted in the housing, and a light-reflecting member rotatably mounted at the opening. The camera module is aligned with and faces toward the opening. The light-reflecting member mounted at the opening and is configured for reflecting light into the camera module. The portable electronic device is capable of employing high resolution camera module while retaining thin thickness. |
| US08054374B2 |
Image brightness correction method
An image brightness correction method is described. First, a pre-flash is fired and a pre-flash image is shot. After a main flash duration is estimated according to the pre-flash image and an automatic exposure time of a camera device, a main flash is fired and a raw image is shot. Then, a brightness gain of the raw image is compensated according to a preset gain threshold, and a digital brightness gain of the image is adjusted to enable the image shot each time to achieve the same brightness gain. |
| US08054373B2 |
Lens-interchangeable digital photographing apparatus and method for controlling the same
Provided are a lens-interchangeable digital photographing apparatus that can use a suitable lens according to a photographing circumstance, a method of controlling the lens-interchangeable digital photographing apparatus, and a recording medium having recorded therein a program for the method. The lens-interchangeable digital photographing apparatus includes a photographing circumstance analysis unit, a lens suitability determination unit for determining whether a lens installed in the digital photographing apparatus is suitable for a photographing circumstance, a lens search unit for searching for lenses suitable for a photographing circumstance, and a display unit. If the lens suitability determination unit determines that the installed lens is not suitable for the photographing circumstance, lenses suitable for the photographing circumstance analyzed by the photographing circumstance analysis unit from among lenses searched by the lens search unit are displayed on the display unit to be recommended. |
| US08054370B2 |
Wiring substrate, solid-state imaging apparatus using the same, and manufacturing method thereof
In one embodiment, a miniaturized solid-state imaging apparatus includes a body having a cavity for mounting a semiconductor chip therein. The body has an overhanging portion extending toward the cavity. Further, a lead is disposed within the body. The lead has one end exposed through a top surface of the body and the other end exposed through a bottom surface of the body for electrical connection thereof. |
| US08054369B2 |
Image capturing device
An image capturing device includes a base formed with a first receiving space defined by a bottom wall and a first surrounding wall, and a second receiving space defined by a top side of the first surrounding wall and a second surrounding wall. A lens module is mounted on the base for generating an optical image of an object. An auto-focusing module is disposed in the second receiving space for auto-focusing the optical image based on an external voltage. A sensing module is mounted in the first receiving space and on the bottom wall of the base, is disposed under the auto-focusing module, and is spaced apart from the lens module at a predetermined distance for sensing the optical image focused by the auto-focusing module so as to generate an electrical output corresponding to the optical image. |
| US08054366B2 |
Auto-focusing optical apparatus with focus detection area setting capability and focus detection area changing capability
An optical apparatus is disclosed, with which focus detection areas of different size and/or position can be stored. The optical apparatus includes a first operating member which is operated changing at least one of a size and a position of a focus detection area, a memory storing a plurality of focus detection areas which differ from each other in at least one of size and position, a second operating member which is operated for setting one of the plurality of stored focus detection areas as a to-be-used focus detection area for detection of the focus state of an image-taking optical system. The apparatus further includes a controller performing storage and setting processes of the focus detection areas and a focusing control of the image-taking optical system. |
| US08054353B2 |
Camera system for processing luminance and color signals using added pixel and adding sync signals
A method of controlling a camera system having a plurality of solid-state imaging devices is provided. The method includes supplying a horizontal addition control signal and a vertical addition control signal, phases of which are controlled, to the plurality of solid-state imaging devices; selecting pixel column(s) and row(s) of the plurality of solid-state imaging devices in accordance with the horizontal addition control signal and the vertical addition control signal; adding a plurality of pixel signals to each other, the plurality of pixel signals being adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction, or in both horizontal and vertical directions, of the selected pixel column(s) and row(s); and processing a luminance signal and a color signal using the added pixel signals and adding a sync signal to the luminance signal and the color signal so as to output a color image signal. |
| US08054351B2 |
Method and apparatus for imaging
According to one embodiment, a shading correction circuit, which corrects for the influence of ambient light quantity shading, for input image light from three CCD sensors of R, G and B, based on a distance from the center of a screen. A shading correction circuit does not make correction for a maximum correction area which is out of a circle with a distance a from the central part of a screen, and corrects for the influence of ambient light quantity shading for a minimum correction area with a distance b from the central part of a screen, after calculating a square L2 of an address distance of each pixel of a correction object obtained by using a vertical distance and a horizontal distance from an address of the central part of a screen. |
| US08054348B2 |
Noise reduction device and digital camera
The first array register stores neighboring pixels of the same color as the pixel of interest, which are sorted according to the size of the pixel value. The maximum signal comparison circuit compares the value obtained by adding the threshold ThB to the pixel value maxC, which is the (b1)th largest pixel value of the pixels in the first array register and the pixel value P22 of the pixel of interest. When the comparison shows that the pixel value of the pixel of interest P22 is larger, the pixel of interest P22 is determined to be noise, and the pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced by maxC. The limit signal comparison circuit compares the pixel value P22 of the pixel of interest and the signal upper limit LB. When the comparison shows that P22 is larger than LB and is equal to or larger than maxC, only the pixel of interest is determined to be totally overexposed, and the pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced by maxC. |
| US08054347B2 |
Image sensor systems having improved noise performance
A light-sensitive pixel array has an active area and an additional area of optically shielded pixels. A “noise figure” is derived as a measure of the prevalence of noise in the image signal without being affected by the presence of moving detail in the image. The noise figure is derived by measuring the difference in output between the pixels of at least one pair of pixels in the optically shielded area in one frame, repeating this measurement in a subsequent frame, and then subtracting one pixel pair difference from the other to give a difference of differences. In a preferred form, four pairs of pixels are used. The noise figure may be used to control digital signal processing of the image signal, such as be smoothing. |
| US08054343B2 |
Image capture method and apparatus
A method for generating an image sequence using an image capture device, the method comprising using image data generated using the device and representative of an existing image of a sequence to assist a user of the device to capture one or more subsequent images for the sequence in order that said existing and the or each subsequent image are captured at substantially the same location and device orientation, and an image capture device operable to assist a user in generating an image sequence. |
| US08054341B2 |
Photographing apparatus for supporting overriding mode and method of controlling same
A digital photographing apparatus including an imaging device configured to continuously output image data of a subject in units of frames according to a predetermined drive clock, during consecutive photographing; a buffer memory configured to store a plurality of image frames output by the imaging device; a memory checking unit configured to detect a data overflow of the buffer memory; a digital signal processor configured to perform an overriding operation of sacrificing previously stored frame data and storing image frames recently obtained after the data overflow occurs in the buffer memory in replacement of the sacrificed framed data; and a recording medium configured to store the image frames in the buffer memory in the form of files. |
| US08054339B2 |
Digital exposure circuit for an image sensor
Automatic exposure adjusting device considers the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Each pixel is characterized according to its most significant bits. After the pixels are characterized, the number of pixels in any particular group is counted. That counting is compared with thresholds which set whether the image is over exposed, under exposed, and can optionally also determine if the image is seriously over exposed or seriously under exposed. Adjustment of the exposure is carried out to bring the image to a more desired state. |
| US08054336B2 |
High definition pan tilt zoom camera with embedded microphones and thin cable for data and power
In various embodiments, a High Definition (HD) camera may be controlled by one or more motors in a base of the HD camera. Cables and other components may be used to manipulate the HD camera lens through the side arms of the HD camera. Putting the motors in the base may reduce the size of the outer case of the HD camera and add stability. In some embodiments, images from the HD camera may be converted into a serialized stream and transported over a cable from the HD camera. Other components may also be used to increase the functionality of the HD camera. |
| US08054332B2 |
Advanced input controller for multimedia processing
The system and method enables people to use their webcam as a virtual flashlight over their screen as a picture or video clip is playing. The position, tilt and rotation of the flashlight over the screen is recorded and smoothed to generate a compelling movie. Users move the webcam closer to the screen to focus on a specific area; users can rotate the webcam to generate compelling rotations, and users can pan the webcam to simulate looking at objects from a side. |
| US08054330B2 |
Apparatus and methods for establishing and managing a distributed, modular and extensible video surveillance system
Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing and managing distributed video surveillance systems. Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention provide a well-organized structure for describing and implementing distributed video surveillance systems and service protocols for managing the surveillance activities of clusters of video surveillance cameras. In particular, the service protocols provide a high degree of control over the surveillance activities of video surveillance cameras. In addition, the service protocols also provide a great deal of flexibility in selecting and managing a wide range of analytical and managerial tools for available for analyzing and organizing video track information. |
| US08054328B2 |
Video phone communication system and method therefor
A video phone communication system and method therefor are provided. The system includes a master phone device and at least one extension phone device. The master phone device is connected to the extension phone device through a wired or wireless communication way. The master phone device is used to conduct a voice/image communication with a communication partner, and transmit the voice/image signals of the communication partner to an extension phone device through the wired or wireless communication way. Thus, the image of the communication partner is displayed on a display of the extension phone device. Through the application of the video phone communication system and method of the application, the contents and range of the image displayed can be increased, thus fulfilling the requirements of mobility and multi-party communications in the phone communication. |
| US08054324B2 |
Optical head and image forming apparatus
An optical head includes a plurality of unit regions repeatedly arrayed in one direction. Each region is constituted by a light-emitting element which is driven by a current to emit light, a control transistor which is connected in parallel with the light-emitting element, and which receives gray-scale data that specifies a high gray-scale level for the light-emitting element so as to be turned off and which receives gray-scale data that specifies a low gray-scale level for the light-emitting element so as to be turned on, and a driving transistor which is connected in series with the light-emitting element to generate a current. In each of the plurality of unit regions, a thermal resistance between the light-emitting element formed in the unit region and the control transistor formed in the unit region is smaller than a thermal resistance between the light-emitting element and a control transistor formed in a unit region adjacent to the unit region. |
| US08054323B2 |
Reveal substrates and methods of using same
A reveal substrate includes a sensitive substrate having an opaque polymer sensitive to application of one of heat and pressure which upon one of being heated to a predetermined temperature and subjected to a predetermined pressure causes the opaque polymer to become transparent and a color material disposed in relation to the substrate in a manner to be obscured by the opaque polymer prior to one of the application of the predetermined heat and the predetermined pressure and is revealed subsequent thereto. A method of printing employing the reveal substrate is also provided. |
| US08054322B2 |
Computer system and control method thereof
A method of controlling a computer system having a computer to generate and to transmit a video signal, a display to display the video signal transmitted from the computer, and an interface through which the computer communicates with the display, the method including transmitting a control command to check a blank edge line from the computer to the display; receiving the control command and determining whether an edge line of an image display area of the display is blank according to the control command; transmitting blank checking data from the display to the computer; and adjusting resolution of the image signal and transmitting the image signal from the computer to the display based on the transmitted blank checking data. |
| US08054321B2 |
Display and driving method thereof
A display device includes a data modulator for analyzing a gray level of input data, modulating the input data in accordance with the analyzation result, and inserting one of black data and white data along with the modulated data, and a driver for supplying modulation data from the data modulator and the one of black data and white data to a display panel. |
| US08054316B2 |
Picture processing using a hybrid system configuration
A system and method for adjusting pictures minimizes the impact on graphics processing performance of a discrete processor. A hybrid system configuration includes the discrete processor and an integrated processor, where the discrete processor typically consumes more power and provides greater processing performance compared with the integrated processor. A picture is produced by a video or graphics engine of a discrete processor within a hybrid system. Each picture is then transferred to a back buffer in the host processing memory. The picture is analyzed to produce picture analysis results that are used to generate adjustment settings. The back buffer is swapped to become the front buffer and the adjustment settings are applied to the picture by an integrated processor to display an adjusted picture. The adjustment may be used in conjunction with power saving techniques to maintain the image quality when display backlighting is reduced. |
| US08054314B2 |
Applying non-homogeneous properties to multiple video processing units (VPUs)
A system and method for applying non-homogeneous properties to multiple video processing units (VPUs) in a multiple VPU system are described. Respective VPUs in the system cooperate to produce a frame to be displayed. In various embodiments, data output by different VPUs in the system is combined, or merged, or composited to produce a frame to be displayed. In load balancing modes, each VPU in the system performs different tasks as part of rendering a same frame, and therefore typically executes different commands. In various embodiments, efficiency of the system is enhanced by forming a single command buffer for execution by all of the VPUs in the system even though each VPU may have a different set of commands to execute in the command buffer. |
| US08054295B2 |
Remote control with concealed multi-directional controller
A remote control method and system employ remote controller (10) which is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display (222) as well as providing functions such as Internet access or other functions requiring a keyboard and/or a mouse. The remote controller includes a folding housing and may be operated in a closed or opened configuration. A first set of control inputs (12) are provided on the outer surface of the housing. The housing may be opened, thereby doubling the surface area of the remote controller, to expose a keyboard (56). One or more wireless transmitters are operable with the housing in either of two configurations oriented at 90 degrees to each other and controlled by the first set of control inputs and the keyboard. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user when in the folded or closed position and conveniently rested on the lap of the user or a support surface when in the opened position and used as a keyboard. |
| US08054293B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus disclosed facilitates the replacement of an input device. In the electronic apparatus equipped with the input device allowing various input operations, the input device including first signal generators is positioned by being placed in an opening of a housing from the outside. A cover can be detached from the housing and fixes the input device when installed in the opening of the housing. Second signal generators are provided inside the housing and function in combination with the respective first signal generators. Just mounting the cover to the housing fixes the input device. This facilitates the replacement of the input device, eliminating the need to open the housing and to remove a wiring board mounted with the second signal generators in replacement of the input device. |
| US08054290B2 |
Image contrast enhancement in depth sensor
Embodiments related to the enhancement of contrast in an image pattern in a structured light depth sensor are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides, in a structured light depth sensor system comprising a structured light depth sensor, a method comprising projecting a light pattern onto an object, detecting via an image sensor an image of the light pattern as reflected from the object, increasing a contrast of the light pattern relative to ambient light present in the image of the light pattern as reflected from the object to form a contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern as reflected from the object, and based upon a motion of the object as detected via the contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern, controlling an application that is providing output to a display. |
| US08054283B2 |
Liquid crystal display and backlight unit using light emitting diode driving circuit
An “LED” driving circuit comprises an “LED” driving voltage generator which generates an “LED” driving voltage, a pulse width modulation (“PWM”) control unit which outputs a “PWM” signal having a predetermined duty ratio, and a main switching unit which controls the driving voltage applied to the “LEDs” in accordance with the “PWM” signal. Further, the “PWM” control unit comprises a controller including an error amplifier which detects an error between a reference voltage and a driving voltage and amplifies the detected error, an oscillator which outputs a pulse signal having a predetermined oscillation frequency, and a comparator which compares the pulse signal output from the oscillator with an output voltage from the error amplifier to generate a “PWM” signal; and a high frequency damper connected to the main switching unit to prevent malfunction of the controller due to noise. A backlight unit and liquid crystal display incorporate the “LED” driving circuit. |
| US08054282B2 |
Field sequential color mode liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a temperature-sensing unit measuring at least one of a temperature of the liquid crystal display device and an ambient temperature of the liquid crystal display device, and outputting a frequency modulation signal corresponding to the measured temperature, a timing controller modulating a frequency of a clock signal based on the frequency modulation signal to generate a modulated clock signal, and treating a video data based on the modulated clock signal to generate a treated video data, and a display panel displaying an image based on the modulated clock signal and the treated video data, the display panel including a gate line, a data line crossing the gate line and a switching element connected to the gate line and the data line. |
| US08054280B2 |
Data driver with bias voltage control circuit and display apparatus having the same
A display apparatus including a display driver. The data driver includes a converter to receive and convert image data in digital form into data voltages in analog form, and to provide the data voltages to output buffers. The output buffers receive and buffer the data voltages based on bias voltages generated as part of a feedback path between a bias voltage control circuit and the output buffers. The data voltages are provided to a display part. Before the data voltages output from the output buffers are provided to the display part, the bias voltage control part receives data voltage from the output buffers to count a slew rate of the data voltage, and varies the voltage level of the bias voltage based on the counted result of the slew rate, thereby providing feedback to the output buffers. Accordingly, differences of the slew rate between the data voltages output from the output buffers may be decreased. |
| US08054279B2 |
Display device
To suppress fluctuation in the threshold voltage of a transistor, to reduce the number of connections of a display panel and a driver IC, to achieve reduction in power consumption of a display device, and to achieve increase in size and high definition of the display device. A gate electrode of a transistor which easily deteriorates is connected to a wiring to which a high potential is supplied through a first switching transistor and a wiring to which a low potential is supplied through a second switching transistor; a clock signal is input to a gate electrode of the first switching transistor; and an inverted clock signal is input to a gate electrode of the second switching transistor. Thus, the high potential and the low potential are alternately applied to the gate electrode of the transistor which easily deteriorates. |
| US08054275B2 |
Liquid crystal driving circuit and method with correction coefficients based on current and previous frame gradation ranges
In one embodiment of the present application, a memory stores a lookup table storing, in accordance with a combination of a value of a video signal of a current frame and a value of a video signal of a previous frame, each of correction values, the correction values in each of which a temporal change of a video signal is enhanced. A correcting circuit carries out, with respect to a correction value selected from the lookup table, a predetermined correcting operation in accordance with a polarity of a voltage to be applied to each of data signal lines S1 through Sm, with the use of a correction coefficient which is set based on properties of liquid crystal. Thus found is a corrected video signal in accordance with a positive or negative polarity. This makes it possible to find, with less memory capacity, an optimum corrected video signal in accordance with a polarity of a voltage to be applied to a data signal line. |
| US08054270B2 |
Driving circuit of a semiconductor display device and the semiconductor display device
There are provided a driving circuit of a semiconductor display device which can obtain an excellent picture without picture blur (display unevenness) and with high fineness/high resolution, and the semiconductor display device. A buffer circuit used in the driving circuit of the semiconductor display device is constituted by a plurality of TFTs each having a small channel width, and a plurality of such buffer circuits are connected in parallel with each other. |
| US08054267B2 |
Liquid crystal display with sub-pixel zones and method for driving same
An LCD includes parallel scan lines, and parallel data lines orthogonal to the scan lines, to define a plurality of pixel regions. Each of the pixel regions includes a red, a green, and a blue sub-pixel region. The red sub-pixel region includes a first and a second red sub-pixel zones received scanning voltages from a same scan line and data voltage signals from different data lines. The green sub-pixel region includes a first and a second green sub-pixel zones received scanning voltages from a same scan line and data voltage signals from different data lines. The blue sub-pixel region includes a first and a second blue sub-pixel zones received scanning voltages from a same scan line and data voltage signals from different data lines. All the first and second sub-pixel zones alternately display black images or images corresponding to pre-determined gray scales during two adjacent frames of the LCD. |
| US08054266B2 |
Display device, driving apparatus for display device, and driving method of display device
A driving apparatus for a display device includes a gray voltage generator that generates a plurality of gray voltage sets, each including a plurality of gray voltages having different levels, and a signal converter that includes a first selector for selecting one gray voltage set among the plurality of gray voltage sets on the basis of a first portion of an image signal and a second selector for selecting one or more gray voltages among the plurality of gray voltages belonging to the selected gray voltage set on the basis of a second portion of the image signal to output and select gray voltages with a smaller size digital-analog converter. |
| US08054263B2 |
Liquid crystal display having discharging circuit
An exemplary liquid crystal display (200) includes a liquid crystal panel, a gate driving circuit (210), and a data driving circuit (220). The liquid crystal panel includes a pixel array (230), a short-circuit test circuit (240), and a control circuit (290). The short-circuit test circuit and the control circuit cooperatively form a discharging circuit. When the liquid crystal display is powered off, electric charge stored in the liquid crystal panel is discharged through the discharging circuit. The gate driving circuit is configured for scanning the liquid crystal panel. The data driving circuit is configured for providing gray-scale voltages to the liquid crystal panel when the liquid crystal panel is scanned. |
| US08054260B2 |
Driving method of stacked light modulating device, and driving device of stacked light modulating device
A driving method of a stacked light modulating device for recording an image therein, which includes selective reflection layers each having a cholesteric liquid crystal, reflecting light with different wavelengths within a visible range, and being different in a lower threshold value of texture change from a planar to a focal conic texture with respect to an externally applied voltage and an upper threshold value of texture change from the focal conic to a homeotropic texture, and a pair of electrodes disposed outside, includes applying between the pair of electrodes voltages including a voltage V1 and have a same frequency, to select an area exceeding or not exceeding the upper threshold value in each of the selective reflection layers, and applying voltages including a voltage V2 and have a same frequency different from the voltage V1, to select an area exceeding or not exceeding the lower threshold value. |
| US08054257B2 |
Organic light emitting display and driving method of inspection circuit of organic light emitting display
An OLED display and a driving method of an inspection circuit are provided. The OLED display may include a data driver, a scan driver, a driving transistor, a switching transistor, an organic light emitting diode, and an inspection circuit. The data driver and scan driver may apply a data signal and a scan signal. The driving transistor may generate a current corresponding to a voltage supplied to a first electrode and a control electrode. The switching transistor may apply the data signal to the driving transistor. The organic light emitting diode may be electrically connected to the driving transistor. The inspection circuit may include a three-phase inverter circuit having an input and an output terminal. The input terminal may supply a first power voltage to the output terminal when the output terminal decides an output signal regardless of a signal input to the input terminal. |
| US08054256B2 |
Driving circuit and organic light emitting display using the same
Disclosed are a driving circuit and an organic light emitting display using the same, which realizes stable gray levels. The driving circuit includes a first selector that produces a first selection and sub selection signals, and a second selector that produces a second selection and sub selection signals. The driving circuit also includes a first voltage divider and a second voltage divider, each of which receives the selection signals. The first and the second voltage dividers can produce various voltage levels depending on the various combination of the selection signals. |
| US08054253B2 |
Organic light emitting diodes display and aging method thereof
An organic light emitting diode display and an aging method thereof are presented. The method provides the organic light emitting diode display with improved reliability as a progressive dark defect is removed, and the lifetime and the white balance of the organic light emitting diode display is secured by executing an aging treatment of high luminance using a pixel circuit including an aging circuit for supplying the organic light emitting diode with an aging pulse. |
| US08054252B2 |
Light-emitting display device, electronic apparatus, burn-in correction device, and program
A light-emitting display device is disclosed. The display includes: a display panel having a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on a substrate in a matrix; a deterioration amount difference calculation section; a correction amount calculation section; a deterioration amount difference correction section; a gamma conversion section; an actual deterioration amount calculation section; and an estimation error detection section. |
| US08054251B2 |
Method for driving flat panel display
A method for driving a flat panel display to improve an image quality and a lifetime of the flat panel display is disclosed. The method for driving the flat panel display includes the steps of: a) storing electric-charges contained in a parasitic capacitor of a data line and a pixel-storage capacitor (Cst) in each pixel via a pixel transistor connected to the data line, which enters a floating state during a predetermined time other than a light-emitting time caused by a data-current writing operation, until a current voltage reaches a threshold voltage of the pixel transistor; and b) performing the writing of a data current corresponding to a pixel to be driven by the data line via the pixel transistor, such that the flat panel display emits light. |
| US08054247B2 |
Driving method of a display
In a method for driving a display, one frame may be divided into more sub frames than a number of bits of data. A time period of the one frame may be divided into a number of periods corresponding to a number of scan lines multiplied by the number of sub frames. A start position of the sub frames may be set based on a bit weight of the data so that gradations are linearly expressed. Remainders of the sub frames may be obtained by dividing the start position of the sub frames by the number of sub frames. A line number of a scan line to which a scan signal is supplied may be obtained based on the time period of the one frame, the start position of the sub frames, and the number of the sub frames. |
| US08054241B2 |
Systems and methods for multiple display support in remote access software
A method of supporting multiple display configurations in a remote access environment, the remote access environment having a host computing device in communication with a viewer computing device comprises: receiving from a host computing device, by a viewer computing device having one or more viewer displays, a list of rectangles, each rectangle representing the boundaries of one of a plurality of host displays; presenting, by the viewer computing device to an end-user of the viewer computing device, a graphical user interface including means for selecting a configuration for displaying a window representing screen data of the plurality of host displays in the viewable area of the one or more displays of the viewer computing device; and displaying in the selected configuration, by the viewer computing device, the window representing the screen data of the one or more host displays. Corresponding systems are also described. |
| US08054239B2 |
Honeycomb-backed armored radome
According to one embodiment, a radome configured to extend over an opening of an antenna and includes a rigid layer overlying a ballistic-resistant layer. The rigid layer includes a honeycomb base material having a plurality of holes that extend transversely to the surface of the ballistic-resistant layer. |
| US08054237B2 |
Compact high definition digital television antenna
A compact digital television antenna having a pair of high band VHF triangular shaped dipoles with VHF signal outputs connected to a pair of terminals. A UHF reflector mounted to a bracket. Each VHF dipole having an outer linear portion connected to the bracket. The outer linear portions of the VHF dipoles forming opposing outer unitary type reflector elements in the UHF reflector. A V-shaped UHF antenna having its UHF signal outputs connected to the terminals. The pair of triangular shaped VHF dipoles forming a pyramidal support holding the UHF antenna at a fixed depth from the UHF reflector. |
| US08054234B2 |
Multiband satellite antenna
A multiband satellite antenna is provided. The multiband satellite antenna includes a plurality of first band wave receivers and a second band wave receiver. The first band wave receiver includes a first band wave guide, and the second band wave receiver has a first receiving unit and a second receiving unit. The first receiving unit and the second receiving unit are disposed on opposite sides of an alignment line of the first band wave receivers. Each of the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit has a second band wave guide. Output ends of the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit are coupled together to combine signals received from both units into a single signal, and then the single signal is outputted as a second frequency signal. Through this design, in a high satellite density environment, dual-frequency signals from several satellites at similar elevation angles can be received by the antenna of the invention. |
| US08054219B2 |
Systems and methods for determining position using a WLAN-PS estimated position as an initial position in a hybrid positioning system
This disclosure describes a method and system for determining position using a WLAN-PS estimated position as an initial position. In some embodiments, the method can include calculating a WLAN position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device and using the WLAN position estimate as an initial position in satellite position system to determine the location of the WLAN and satellite enabled device. |
| US08054213B2 |
Multiple beam directed energy system
A method and apparatus for transmitting beams of electromagnetic energy. A plurality of beams having a first number of frequencies and a number of beams having a second number of frequencies are transmitted. The plurality of beams and the number of beams overlap each other at an area with a pattern of intensities in the area. Difference frequency signals having a number of difference frequencies equal to a difference between the first number of frequencies and the second number of frequencies are monitored. The difference frequency signals are generated by an object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to receiving the plurality of beams and the number of beams. |
| US08054211B2 |
Apparatus and method to facilitate universal remote control
One embodiment of the present invention provides a universal remote control, which includes a display screen and a user input mechanism. The universal remote control also includes a processing unit that is configured to display information on the display screen and to accept selection data from the user input mechanism. The universal remote control additionally includes a wireless communication mechanism that is configured to provide communications between the processing unit and an appliance or computer program running on a computer system. The appliance provides information to be displayed on the display screen, and information entered through the user input mechanism is communicated to the appliance. Since the appliance provides the information to be displayed on the display screen and also interprets the entries on the input mechanism, the universal remote control needs no special knowledge about the appliance. |
| US08054209B2 |
Variable quantization ADC for image sensors
An A/D converter suitable for use in a system in which the signal power of noise increases with the signal power of the signal, such as an imaging system, utilizes a variable quantization system for converting analog signals into digital signals. The variable quantization is controlled so that at low signal levels the quantization is similar or identical to conventional A/D converters, while the quantization level is increased at higher signal levels. Thus, higher resolution is provided at low signal levels while lower resolution is produced at high signal levels. |
| US08054207B1 |
Enumerative DC-RLL constrained coding
Systems and methods are provided for encoding and decoding constrained codewords using an enumerative coding graph. The constrained codewords may contain run-length and DC level limits. The enumerative coding graph contains a series of states and each state has multiple branches that lead to other states. Each state in the enumerative coding graph is associated with at least two bits of an enumerative codeword. Configuring the structure of the graph and cardinalities associated with each state allows the encoder to generate a code that conforms to defined constraints. |
| US08054203B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining presence of objects in a vehicle
Vehicle including a first substructure and a second substructure arranged such that an interior space is defined by or between the first and second substructures, and an arrangement for determining whether an object is present in the interior space. The arrangement includes ultrasonic transducers arranged on the second substructure and to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the first substructure and receive any waves reflected by objects in the interior space and a processor coupled to the ultrasonic transducers and arranged to determine whether an object is present in the interior space based on reception of waves by the ultrasonic transducers. If the vehicle is an automobile and the interior space is the passenger compartment therein, the first substructure can be the passenger seat and the second substructure can be the A-pillar, in which case, the processor determines the presence or absence of a passenger in the passenger seat. |
| US08054202B1 |
Traffic preemption system and related methods
A traffic preemption system and related methods. Implementations may include a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle including an optical transmitter adapted to identify to an intersection preemption unit coupled with an intersection system controller the presence of the vehicle. The vehicle preemption unit may include a vehicle radio transceiver and the optical transmitter and the vehicle radio transceiver may be coupled with a vehicle controller. The intersection preemption unit may include an optical receiver and an intersection radio transceiver. The optical receiver and the intersection radio transceiver may each be coupled with an intersection controller. The intersection preemption unit may be adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted in response to an optical signal, a radio signal, or a combination of optical and radio signals from the vehicle preemption unit. |
| US08054195B2 |
Fallen conductor warning system
A system for notifying and/or warning of fallen or downed insulated conductor generally includes a distribution system for distributing a utility, such as power, and a sensor system for sensing whether the distribution system is properly operating. The warning system can include a support structure; an arm carried by the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom; a distribution system providing a utility via at least one wire, the wire held aloft from a below surface via the arm; a communication cable transmitting a signal; a disruption assembly carrying the communication cable and in communication with the support structure. The disruption assembly is loaded with the potential of disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable; and a sensor system is adapted to monitor the distribution system based on the signal transmitted by the communication cable. |
| US08054194B2 |
System and method for verifying a security status of a lockable container
Apparatus and methods for processing assets in a lockable container are disclosed. A decoupler receives information from the container or the asset in the container. The container may be associated with a security status, and the item may be associated with a processing status. The decoupler may move the container along a processing path in a sequence based on the security status of the container and/or the processing status of the asset. The decoupler may also lock or unlock the container while moving the container along the processing path. At least a portion of the processing path may be exposed to a magnetic field, which may lock or unlock the container and/o activate or deactivate a security tag associated with the container or the item. The decoupler may also write or read information to or from an RFID tag associated with the container and/or the asset. This information may be used in conjunction with benefit denial, audit, loss prevention, transaction management, and other similar systems. |
| US08054192B2 |
Activity pattern based battery charging alerts for mobile devices
A method for providing activity pattern based battery charging alerts for mobile devices, the method includes: monitoring usage patterns of a mobile device; determining periods of activity and inactivity for the mobile device's usage; creating an activity log detailing the determined periods of activity and inactivity; monitoring levels of available battery charge for the mobile device; correlating the levels of available battery charge with the activity log; and generating a charging advisory alert in response to at least one of: an available battery charge dropping below a threshold value prior to a period of device inactivity, or toward the end of a period of activity. |
| US08054190B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring of brushes, in particular slipring or commutator brushes, on electrical machines
An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring brushes, such as slipring or commutator brushes, on electrical machines. At least one electronic sensor is configured to be arranged in or on a brush apparatus of an electrical machine such that an electrical supply power can be locally drawn directly from an electromagnetic environment of the brush apparatus. The apparatus can transmit measurement data detected by it by electromagnetic radiation to an indication device. |
| US08054186B1 |
Animal repellent apparatus
The animal repellent apparatus provides a safety reflector with a solar powered ultrasonic signal audible to deer and other animals. The apparatus is used in place of currently existing reflectors and is of like shape and size. The ultrasonic signal is repulsive to such animals and thereby wards them away from roads that use the apparatus. The low profile, impact resistant apparatus has a reflector on each side for visibility to motorists in either direction of traffic flow. While differing little from typical reflectors in outward appearance, the apparatus is internally equipped with a rechargeable battery, protected solar panel, and a sound chip for emitting the ultrasonic signal. Since the apparatus requires no patterned deployment, installation is straightforward and requires no measured or other particular arrangement. The apparatus can be installed sequentially, or sporadically. |
| US08054185B2 |
Optimization of the field profile on a high field strength magnetic detacher
A magnetic detacher has a core magnet and a ring magnet. The core magnet has a body with a top and bottom surface, and produces a first magnetic field. The ring magnet defines a cavity. The ring magnet has a body with a top and bottom and produces a second magnetic field. The ring magnet is axially aligned with the core magnet such that the first magnetic field opposes the second magnetic field along the bodies and enhances it within the cavity. The top surface of the core magnet is separated from the bottom surface of the ring magnet by a predetermined distance thereby producing a resultant magnetic field having a first resultant field strength at a specific position greater than a second resultant field strength produced at the same position when the top surface of the core magnet abuts the bottom surface of the ring magnet. |
| US08054182B2 |
Remotely directed vehicle inspection method and apparatus
A method of inspecting a vehicle, comprising providing at an inspection site a hand-held inspection wand that transceives audio-visual information with a command/remote site a safe distance from the inspection site and that is staffed by law enforcement personnel, stopping the vehicle at the remote site, instructing an occupant of the vehicle to exit the vehicle and grasp the wand, transmitting instructions from the command site to the occupant via the wand, that direct the occupant to capture video of the vehicle at the remote site using the wand, capturing video of the vehicle using the wand, transmitting the captured video from the wand to the command site, and displaying the transmitted captured video at the command site. |
| US08054179B2 |
Automatic tracking motion control system for a stage set
Movable items on a stage have their position detected in three dimensions, and multiple different lights can be shined at the moving items even after they are moved. Shadowing can be detected and compensated. |
| US08054176B2 |
Performance monitor, transmission method and computer program product
A data transmission method for use in the transmission of a performance transmitter of a portable user-specific performance monitor by using wireless data transmission that is based on radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation, and the method comprises measuring with the performance monitor the movement and/or organ system state of a user. In the solution, the availability of wireless data transmission in the performance transmitter is determined. If wireless data transmission is not available, measuring data is stored into a memory of the performance transmitter, otherwise the measuring data is transmitted using wireless data transmission. |
| US08054170B1 |
Characterizing and representing images
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium for characterizing and representing images. A plurality of feature descriptors for a plurality of images are received, where each feature descriptor encodes a respective feature in an image, and where each feature descriptor is transformed into a plurality of sub-descriptors in accordance with a specified transformation scheme. The feature descriptors correspond to an image feature descriptor space for the plurality of images, and the sub-descriptors correspond to a plurality of subspaces of the image feature descriptor space, where the plurality of subspaces span the image feature descriptor space. Each subspace of the plurality of subspaces is quantized using cluster analysis applied to the sub-descriptors, thereby determining a respective one or more feature primitives for each subspace, where the feature primitives are useable to characterize image features. |
| US08054167B2 |
Onboard vehicle information notifying apparatus, information providing system, and information notifying method
An onboard vehicle information notifying apparatus is proved with a moving body position acquiring section, an information acquiring section, an information providing zone setting section and an information notifying section. The moving body position acquiring section acquires a moving body position for at least one moving body existing in a vicinity of a host vehicle. The information acquiring section acquires an advancement speed and an advancement direction of the host vehicle, and a prescribed movement speed of the moving body. The information providing zone setting section sets an information providing zone within which existence of the moving body should be reported, based on information acquired by the information acquiring section. The information notifying section reports the existence of the moving body when the position of the moving body acquired by the moving body position acquiring section exists within the information providing zone set by the information providing zone setting section. |
| US08054165B2 |
Mobile station messaging for channel activation in an unlicensed wireless communication system
A method is presented that establishes, at a telecommunication device that is at a particular service region of a first communication network, a Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection between the telecommunication device and a network controller that communicatively couples several service regions of the first communication network to a licensed wireless second communication network. The method receives a channel activation message from the network controller over the TCP/IP connection. The channel activation message initiates the telecommunication device to activate a channel for a communication session. The method sends communication session data through an activated channel to the network controller for routing to the licensed wireless second communication network. The method receives a release message from the network controller over the TCP/IP connection. The release message causes the telecommunication device to terminate the communication session by releasing the activated channel. |
| US08054164B2 |
Sending device to propagate information signals and method applied thereby
Transmitter for distributing data signals, characterised in that it is provided with receiving means for collecting one or several data signals, a control unit (5) and a transmitting unit (3) connected thereto for transmitting an above-mentioned data signal via a network to one or several addressable receivers (6) from a series of pre-selected users, after the above-mentioned control unit (5) has received a starting signal to this end. |
| US08054161B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmit leakage signal suppression in RFID reader
A method and apparatus for suppressing a transmit leakage signal of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided. The apparatus includes: a first power distributor distributing a transmission signal to output a first transmission signal and a second transmission signal; a second power distributor distributing the second transmission signal to output a third transmission signal and a fourth transmission signal; a first amplitude/phase converter converting an amplitude and a phase of the first transmission signal to generate a first converted signal; a second amplitude/phase converter converting an amplitude and a phase of the third transmission signal to generate a second converted signal; a first power combiner combining the first converted signal with a first leakage signal generated in association with the fourth transmission signal; and a second power combiner combining the second converted signal with a second leakage signal generated in association with the fourth transmission signal. |
| US08054160B2 |
RFID tag power conservation system and method
Active multi-modal RFID tags, illuminator/tag/reader systems, circuit architecture and opera-tional algorithms for battery power conservation that extends tag battery life from a typical 6 months to >5 years. The inventive system is particularly useful in asset and person tracking/inventory systems where power conservation is critical. The tag is configured with a micro-processor operational instruction set algorithm, modifiable on the fly via RF or IR, to synchro-nize a periodic tag awaken/sense envelope that overlaps the illuminator trigger pulse cycle and put the tag into deep, power conservation sleep for N periods of illuminator cycles. When the tag sees an illuminator signal with a different ID, or no illuminator signal at all, it transmits that anomaly via RF to a reader. This means the object or person with which the tag is associated has been moved out of the original illuminator field of view, permitting near real time investigation and tracking. |
| US08054153B2 |
Variable inductor
A variable inductor is provided, which includes a first lead having both ends to receive a pair of difference signals, a second lead having both ends to receive a pair of the difference signals, and a switch selectively supplying a pair of the difference signals to the second lead by turning on/off according to a control signal. Accordingly, a variable inductor can be implemented that is compact and maximizes the variation rate of inductance. |
| US08054152B2 |
Transformer
A transformer includes a covering member, a bobbin, a primary winding coil, plural secondary winding coils, and a magnetic core assembly. The covering member includes plural pins. The bobbin is combined with the covering member, and includes a bobbin body and a channel. A first winding section and plural single-trough second winding sections are defined on the bobbin body. The single-trough second winding sections are arranged at bilateral sides of the first winding section. The channel runs through the bobbin body. The primary winding coil is wound around the first winding section of the bobbin, and connected with the pins. The secondary winding coils are wound around respective single-trough second winding sections of the bobbin. The magnetic core assembly is partially embedded into the channel of the bobbin. |
| US08054151B2 |
Compact inductor and a method for manufacturing the same
A compact inductor comprises a coil, a coil-burying body, and a body for a closed magnetic circuit. The coil-burying body is a fired porous ceramic body having a first magnetic permeability, in which the coil is buried. In the coil-burying body, “a through-hole 12a passing through inside of the coil along an axis of the coil” is formed. The body for a closed magnetic circuit is a fired dense ceramic body having a second magnetic permeability greater than the first magnetic permeability. The body for a closed magnetic circuit is arranged closely/densely at an outer circumference portion of the coil-burying body and in the through-hole. A magnetic path is therefore formed mainly within the body for a closed magnetic circuit, and the magnetic flux density is reduced in an area close to the coil. Accordingly, an inductor having the excellent superimposed DC current characteristic is provided. |
| US08054150B2 |
Magnetic element
A magnetic element includes a conducting winding structure, first and second magnetic parts, and first and second side posts. The first and second magnetic parts have first and second central posts that are aligned with each other. The first side post is disposed on an edge of the first or second magnetic part. The second side post is disposed on another edge of the first or second magnetic part where no side post is disposed or the first side post is not aligned with. The conducting winding structure is sandwiched between the first and second magnetic parts. The first and second side posts are aligned with corresponding edges wherein no side post is disposed. Consequently, the overall height of the first and second central post is less than the height of the first or second side post and an air gap is defined between the first and second central post. |
| US08054144B2 |
Mode switching RC network
Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having a conductive contact configured to couple to a resistor-capacitor (RC) network, a device unit coupled to the conductive contact, and a mode switching unit to change a characteristic of a signal at the conductive contact based at least in part on an RC time constant of the RC network. The mode switching unit may switch the device unit between a first operating mode and a second operating mode based on a signal level of the signal. |
| US08054142B2 |
Plural rectangular waveguides having longer cross-sectional lengths based on shorter waveguide line lengths
Long-side length a1 to a5 of rectangular waveguide tubes in a long-side direction (magnetic field direction) become greater, the shorter a line length is (the closer a rectangular waveguide tube is to the center). ai and Li are set such that line lengths L1 to L5 of each rectangular waveguide tube is Li=mλgi (i=1 to 5, and m is a positive integer number), with guide wavelengths of each rectangular waveguide tube, determined by the length a1 to a5, as λg1 to λg5. Hence, the line length Li of each rectangular waveguide tube can be arbitrarily set, while maintaining a phase relationship between high frequency signals transmitted by each rectangular waveguide tube. When a difference in line lengths between rectangular waveguide tubes is set to be shorter, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the rectangular waveguide tubes can be improved while suppressing the degradation of propagation characteristics caused by temperature change. |
| US08054141B2 |
Method and circuit for cancelling out comparator-delay in the relaxation oscillator
A relaxation oscillator includes a capacitor connected to a comparator input, current sources switched to supply power to the capacitor based on an output of the comparator, and a duplicate integrator shifting a voltage on the capacitor to offset a propagation delay through the comparator. The duplicate integrator includes current sources and a capacitor matching and switched in tandem with those within the relaxation oscillator, plus an additional current source, and is selectively switched into connection with the comparator input. By canceling the comparator propagation delay, the oscillator output frequency can be stably controlled through selection of resistive and capacitive values, using cheaper technology and tolerating large temperature, voltage and process variations. |
| US08054140B2 |
Low voltage oscillator for medical devices
Low voltage oscillators that provide a stable output frequency with varying supply voltage are provided. The subject oscillators find use in a variety of different types of devices, e.g., medical devices, including both implantable and ex-vivo devices. |
| US08054137B2 |
Method and apparatus for integrating a FLL loop filter in polar transmitters
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for integrating the various circuit components controlling a voltage-controlled oscillator (“VCO”) on an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a first digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) for receiving and converting a digital representation of the frequency modulation for the VCO to an analog form. A filter removes any conversion error from the first analog signal. A second DAC receives and converts a digital representation of the center frequency for the VCO to a second analog signal. The first and second analog signals are combined at an adder and the resulting signal is used by a bridge circuit which controls the VCO. |
| US08054133B2 |
Device and method for eliminating feedback common mode signals
A device and a method for eliminating feedback common mode signals are provided, which belong to the electronic technology field. The device includes an operational amplifier circuit with two output ends. The two output ends are a first output end and a second output end. The device also includes a feedback unit. The feedback unit is configured to receive level signals of the first output end and the second output end of the operational amplifier circuit, and superpose feedback common mode signals to input ends of the operational amplifier circuit according to states of the level signals. The method includes: the feedback unit receives level signals of a first output end and a second output end of an operational amplifier circuit, and superposes feedback common mode signals to the input ends of the operational amplifier circuit according to the states of the level signals. Thus, the feedback common mode signals of the operational amplifier circuit are stabilized, the requirements for the operational amplifier circuit are lowered, and the performance of the operational amplifier circuit is improved. |
| US08054131B2 |
Transconductor circuit
A transconductor circuit, particularly according to the multi-tanh principle, having a first input node and a second input node, a first differential amplifier coupled to the first and second input nodes, and having a first offset voltage, and a second differential amplifier coupled to the first and second input nodes, and having a second offset voltage different from the first offset voltage. A first resistance circuit is coupled between the first differential amplifier and at least one current source, and a second resistance circuit is coupled between the second differential amplifier and the at least one current source. Varying of the current sources enables control of the transconductance without degrading linearity. |
| US08054127B2 |
Feedforward distortion compensation amplifier
A feedforward distortion compensation amplifier includes an adjusting unit for adjusting a gain and a phase of an input signal, a first amplifier for amplifying a signal outputted from the adjusting unit, a delay unit for delaying the input signal, and a coupler for coupling a signal outputted from the delay unit to a signal outputted from the first amplifier. The feedforward distortion compensation amplifier further includes a first controller which detects a distortion component of the first amplifier to control an operation of the adjusting unit based on the distortion component, and a second controller which determines one distortion level from distortion levels based on a magnitude of the input signal, and compares the determined distortion level with the detected distortion component of the first amplifier to control an amplification rate of the first amplifier based on comparison results. |
| US08054126B2 |
Dynamic bias supply devices
A dynamic bias supply device for multiple parallel power amplifiers, in which a plurality of parallel power amplifiers including a Doherty amplifier are connected in parallel, is provided. The dynamic bias supply device includes a plurality of switches respectively corresponding to each of the parallel power amplifiers. The dynamic bias supply device is used in a distributed manner as multiple distributed dynamic bias switching circuits for the multiple parallel power amplifiers. Accordingly, performance deterioration is not caused by an additional connection structure, and it is possible to achieve high efficiency and high linearity of the power amplifiers. |
| US08054124B2 |
Programmable electronics
An electronic device with polarity reversal protected connections and irreversibly interruptible programming connections, wherein the interruption is performed through safety elements provided in the programming paths, behind which safety elements diodes are disposed which block towards ground in normal operation, so that an overload current can be passed through the safety elements and through the diodes to ground through intentional polarity reversal of the respective connections, whereby the safety elements are destroyed and the programming conductors are irreversibly interrupted. |
| US08054123B2 |
Fast differential level shifter and boot strap driver including the same
A boot strap driver including a fast differential level shifter are disclosed. The fast differential level shifter may include a first differential amplifier differentially amplifying a pulse width modulation signal and an inverted pulse width modulation signal and outputting a first differential amplification voltage and a second differential amplification voltage based on the amplified result. The fast differential level shifter may also include a second differential amplifier differentially amplifying the first differential amplification voltage and the second differential amplification voltage, and shifting the differential amplification voltages to voltages having an output range between a first voltage and a second voltage based on the amplified result. |
| US08054122B2 |
Analog switch with a low flatness operating characteristic
An analog switch includes a transistor whose source connected to a signal input and whose drain is connected to a signal output. An output of a gate control circuit is connected to the transistor gate. A first input of the gate control circuit is connected to the source of the transistor. The gate control circuit responds to a logic transition of an enable signal received at a second input by pre-charging a substantially constant gate-to-source voltage across the transistor. This voltage is stored by a gate-to-source connected capacitor. In one steady-state logic condition of the enable signal, the gate control circuit operates to turn off the transistor. In another steady-state logic condition of the enable signal, the gate control circuit permits the signal received at the signal input to drive the gate of the transistor with a voltage offset by the substantially constant gate-to-source voltage stored on the capacitor. |
| US08054116B2 |
Threshold dithering for time-to-digital converters
Techniques for dithering quantization thresholds of time-to-digital converters (TDC's) in all-digital phase-locked loops (ADPLL's) are disclosed. In an embodiment, the delay introduced by an individual buffer in a TDC delay line may be dithered. In another embodiment, the delay associated with the TDC delay line may be extended by a fixed amount to accommodate dithering of the zero-delay threshold. |
| US08054114B2 |
Fractional-N phase-locked loop
A fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL) includes a phase detector, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), a frequency divider and a frequency multiplier with a multiplication factor of a mixed number. The phase detector compares phase difference between a reference frequency and a divided signal from the frequency divider. The voltage-controlled oscillator generates the output frequency according to the phase difference. The frequency multiplier performs frequency multiplication on the output frequency to generate a multiplied signal, and the frequency multiplier comprises a second phase-locked loop, to form a second loop. The frequency divider performs frequency division on the multiplied signal to generate the divided signal. The divided signal and the reference frequency are compared by the phase detector to determine the phase difference. |
| US08054112B2 |
Reset control method and apparatus in power management integrated circuit
A reset control apparatus may include a first reference generator adapted to output a first reference value in response to an enable signal from an external power source, a second reference generator adapted to receive the first reference value and to output a second reference value, and a set signal generator adapted to output a set signal when the second reference value exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US08054111B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic appliance using the same
A semiconductor device with less power consumption and an electronic appliance using the same. The semiconductor device of the invention is supplied with a first potential from a high potential power source and a second potential from a low potential power source. Upon input of a first signal to an input node, an output node outputs a second signal. With the semiconductor device of the invention, a potential difference of the second signal can be controlled to be smaller than a potential difference between the first potential and the second potential, thereby power consumption required for charging/discharging wires can be reduced. |
| US08054106B2 |
Load driving device
A load driving device according to an aspect of the invention may includes an output transistor connected between a power supply line and an output terminal, a load connected between the output terminal and a first ground line, a control circuit connected between a gate of the output transistor and a second ground line, the control circuit controlling turning on/off of the output transistor, and a compensation transistor that turns on when a potential of the second ground line assumes a predetermined value or higher, thereby maintaining an off state of the output transistor. |
| US08054105B2 |
Sample hold circuit and method for sampling and holding signal
A sample hold circuit and a method for sampling and holding a signal are provided. The sample hold circuit includes a sample unit, a direct current (DC) voltage elimination unit, and a hold unit. When the sample hold circuit is in a first state, the sample unit samples an input signal, and the DC voltage elimination unit lowers a predetermined percentage of the DC voltage in the input signal sampled by the sample unit. When the sample hold circuit is in a second state, the DC voltage elimination unit eliminates the residual percentage of the DC voltage, and the hold unit outputs the alternating current (AC) signal in the input signal sampled by the sample unit. |
| US08054103B1 |
Synchronous clock multiplexing and output-enable
A synchronous circuit for clock multiplexing and output-enable is implemented using a pair of logic gates and an output block. Select signals and enable signals with the corresponding logic sense are provided as inputs to the pair of logic gates, which generate respective logic outputs. The output block contains synchronizers clocked by respective input signals, and receives the logic outputs also as inputs. The output block provides a selected one of the input signals as an output, the provision of the selected input signal being accomplished in a synchronous fashion. Enabling and disabling of the output are also performed synchronously. |
| US08054102B2 |
Interface device and interface system
An interface device includes a differential signal transmitter, a differential signal receiver, a first coupling capacitor, a second coupling capacitor, a direct current (DC) signal transmitter, and a DC signal receiver. The differential signal transmitter transmits a differential signal to the differential signal receiver via a differential signal line including a first signal line and a second signal line. The first coupling capacitor is communicatively coupled to the first signal line and to the differential signal transmitter. The second coupling capacitor is communicatively coupled to the first signal line and to the differential signal receiver. The DC signal transmitter transmits a DC signal via the first signal line. The DC signal receiver receives the DC signal via the first signal line. |
| US08054098B2 |
Lightweight secure physically unclonable functions
Embodiments generally describe techniques for an integrated circuit having a physical unclonable function (PUF). Example integrated circuits may include an input circuit having an input network, a configurable delay circuit having one or more configurable delay chains, and an output circuit having one or more arbiters, serially coupled together. Each delay chain may include a number of serially coupled configurable switching-delay elements adapted to receive, configurably propagate, and output two delayed signals. Each delay chain may be configured using configuration signals responsively output by the input network in response to challenges provided to the input network. The output circuit may further include an output network to generate combined output signals based on the signals output by the arbiters. Each of the input and/or output networks may comprise combinatorial logic, sequential logic, or another PUF, which may be of the same design. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed. |
| US08054097B2 |
Method and system for automatically managing probe mark shifts
Disclosed is a method and a system for automatically managing probe mark shifts. A determination is made from test data as to whether a die on a wafer is defective. A probe mark check on the wafer is made to determine whether a probe mark is shifted. Necessary recovery action is performed in response to the probe mark being shifted. In the probe mark check, a plurality of probe mark positions are selected from the test data. A determination is then made as to whether at least one of the plurality of probe mark positions violates an engineering rule. |
| US08054095B2 |
Metalized elastomeric probe structure
A probe structure for an electronic device is provided. In one aspect, the probe structure includes an electrically insulating carrier having one or more contact structures traversing a plane thereof. Each contact structure includes an elastomeric material having an electrically conductive layer running along at least one surface thereof continuously through the plane of the carrier. The probe structure includes one or more other contact structures adapted for connection to a test apparatus. |
| US08054094B1 |
Image reconstruction based constrained maximization
A method of providing an image of an interior of a structure containing regions having different conductivities or admittivities. In one embodiment a series of electrical signal sets is applied to a series of electrodes, each signal set generating a rotating electric field. A measured set of electrical signals obtained from the electrodes are used to calculate a conductivity or admittivity distribution representative of the interior of the structure in a region about which the electrodes are positioned. The process of calculating the distribution includes defining a cost function, e.g., the energy function based on the distribution, and a forward model expressing the measured set of electrical signals as a function of the change in voltage values with respect to conductivity or admittivity and requiring that the partial derivative of the difference between the energy function and a function based on the forward model equal zero. |
| US08054091B2 |
Analysis of thin liquid films
A novel microfluidic device has been developed to measure stability of thin liquid films of water in oil emulsions using electrochemical perturbation of interfaces. This new device can be utilized in rapid classification of de-emulsifiers used in petroleum industries. Although water/crude oil emulsions have been the primary focus of this research, this measurement platform can be used in other industries such as food, cosmetics and bio-engineering (bilayer lipid membranes) as well as environmental remediation of oil spills. The compact design of the device and replacement of the mechanical measurements such as pressure with electrical signal measurements contributes in substantial size reduction of the experimental platform so that it can be employed for onsite measurements in remote areas. |
| US08054087B2 |
Low-power direct current detector
Provided is a low-power direct current detector. The low-power direct current detector includes a main current source circuit generating an ultra-low current, a limitation circuit limiting the current generated by the main current source circuit to lower than a preset current, and a voltage detection circuit biased by the ultra-low current generated by the main current source circuit to detect an input DC voltage. |
| US08054081B2 |
Residual gas analyzer
Provided is an excellent residual gas analyzer, which can perform measurements while being suitably arranged even in small areas, such as those in semiconductor equipments, and can perform measurements for display of measurement results without an external personal computer. The analyzer is provided with a sensor unit having a sensor section for detecting a residual gas; an operating section for receiving operation for controlling the sensor section; a residual gas analysis processing section for processing analysis of the residual gas based on the output from the sensor section; and an analysis processing result screen display section for displaying on a screen the analysis processing results obtained from the residual gas analysis processing section. The analyzer is also provided with a device main body which can be in a mounted status wherein the sensor unit is mounted or in a removed status wherein the sensor unit is removed. |
| US08054078B2 |
Parallel imaging method and MRI apparatus
An object of the present invention is to obtain a composite image by a small computation amount and short process time in parallel imaging using three or more reception coils. By performing a scan using three or more reception coils and with reduced phase encoding steps, data of the reception coils is collected, and an image is generated from each of the data. A combination of images used for unfolding operation is selected from combinations of the images, and a composite image is obtained by operation using the selected combination of images and a square matrix of sensitivity coefficients of the corresponding reception coils. |
| US08054076B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance system to generate a fat-reduced, spatially resolved magnetic resonance spectrum
In a method and apparatus for generating a fat-reduced, spatially resolved magnetic resonance spectrum of an examination subject, first measurement data are acquired to generate a spatially resolved spectroscopy measurement, second spatially resolved measurement data are generated that essentially have only fat signal contributions, and the second measurement data are subtracted from the first measurement data to generate the fat-reduced, spatially resolved magnetic resonance spectrum. |
| US08054071B2 |
Two-terminal linear sensor
A magnetic field sensor includes a linear magnetic field sensor to produce a voltage proportional to a sensed magnetic field and an interface having only two terminals for external connections. The two terminals of the interface include a power supply terminal and a ground terminal. The interface includes a voltage-controlled current generating device that is connected between the two terminals and is controlled by the voltage to provide a current signal that is proportional to the sensed magnetic field. |
| US08054070B1 |
Nanomagnet-based magnetic anomaly detector
A field distributed array of a plurality of underwater sensors are used to detect, preferably using a nanomagnet, slight changes in magnetic fields caused by passing metallic structures, such as submarines. Each sensor is preferably configured to communicate with, e.g., an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), which then passes raw or aggregated information to a user (person or computing device). In one possible embodiment, an aircraft deploys hundreds of sensors on the “battlefield” (i.e., in the ocean). Some of the sensors are controlled to sink and anchor to the bottom, while others are controlled to float at a predetermined depth, from which they transmit data about their magnetic environs, such that a map of the geomagnetic field in the area can be generated. This type of distributed sensor system is particularly effective for antisubmarine warfare (ASW) operations across a wide area of a zone of operations. |
| US08054068B2 |
Magnetic absolute position sensor
A magnetic absolute position sensor comprises: a read head, a horizontal magnetic scale, and an oblique magnetic scale. The read head is provided with a first position sensing unit and a second position sensing unit which are used produce signal with respect to the horizontal magnetic scale and the oblique magnetic scale, respectively. The distance between the first position sensing unit and the horizontal magnetic scale is constant, and the distance between the second position sensing unit and the oblique magnetic scale changes from narrow to wide. The absolute position identifying system is electrical connected to the first and second position sensing units, respectively, to obtain absolute position coordinates. |
| US08054063B2 |
Motorcycle wheel speed transmission mechanism for speedmeter
A motorcycle wheel speed transmission mechanism includes a gear housing affixed to the front fork of a motorcycle and having an outside receptacle and an outside sensor mount, a driven gear mounted inside the gear housing and rotatable with the front wheel of the motorcycle, an output gear mounted in the outside receptacle and meshed with the driven gear, an annular magnet holder mounted on the gear shaft of the output gear and defining therein a plurality of equiangularly spaced magnetic zones, and a speed sensor mounted in the sensor mount and electrically connected to an electronic speedometer of the motorcycle through a transmission line for detecting the revolving speed of the annular magnet holder and transmitting detected data to the electronic speedometer for display. |
| US08054059B2 |
DC/DC converter and current sense circuit thereof
A current sense circuit includes a power transistor, a first level shifter, an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), a second level shifter, and a dummy transistor. The power transistor has a first terminal and a power control terminal coupled to a control voltage. The first level shifter is coupled to the first terminal and pulls up a voltage of the first terminal to an operating voltage. The OTA is coupled to the first level shifter and converts the operating voltage into an operating current. The second level shifter is coupled to the OTA and pulls down the operating voltage to the voltage of the first terminal. The dummy transistor has a dummy control terminal with the control voltage, and a third terminal coupled to the second level shifter and having the same voltage as the voltage of the first terminal. |
| US08054057B2 |
Low dropout regulator testing system and device
A device for testing low dropout (LDO) regulator is disclosed. In one embodiment, a device for testing LDO regulators includes an absolute value measurement module for measuring absolute output voltages of the LDO regulators including a resistor scaling array for generating candidate voltages based on a first output voltage of the LDO regulators, a multiplexer for forwarding one of the candidate voltages selected by a binary search algorithm, and a comparator for generating a first test output by comparing the candidate voltage with an external reference voltage, and a DC load regulation measurement module for measuring corresponding DC regulation voltages of the LDO regulators including a switch for applying an internal test load to a second output voltage of the LDO regulators, and the comparator for generating a second test output by comparing a reference voltage with the second output voltage modified by the internal test load. |
| US08054052B2 |
Constant voltage circuit
A constant voltage circuit converts a voltage input to an input terminal and outputs a predetermined constant voltage from an output terminal. The constant voltage circuit includes an output transistor that outputs an electrical current corresponding to a control signal input thereto to the output terminal, a differential amplifier circuit that outputs the control signal according to a difference between a comparative voltage proportional to the output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, a current mirror circuit that serves as a load of a pair of input transistors included in the differential amplifier circuit, and a voltage comparator that compares a voltage at a control electrode of a transistor included in the current mirror circuit and a voltage of the control signal. The differential amplifier circuit controls a bias electrical current supplied to the pair of input transistors according to a comparison result of the voltage comparison. |
| US08054050B2 |
Circuit and method for reducing a voltage being developed across a field winding of a synchronous machine
In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system configurable in a starting mode for cranking the diesel fueled power unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, the synchronous machine having a field winding connected in a parallel relationship with a current conditioner, a method for reconfiguring a baseline circuit topology of the electrical power system for controlling a voltage being developed across the field winding including uncoupling the field winding from the parallel relationship with the current conditioner, and coupling the field winding in a series relationship with the current conditioner. |
| US08054046B2 |
Fast search algorithm for finding initial diffusion voltage in electro-chemical systems
A method for rapidly determining an initial diffusion voltage (Vdiff)initial as a starting point in calculating a diffusion voltage in an electro-chemical cell (e.g., a battery used in an automotive vehicle) includes obtaining a time difference toff between a time when the cell was last turned-OFF and a time when the cell was next turned-ON, selecting a starting diffusion voltage (Vdiff)start based on toff, determining a trial diffusion voltage Vdiff based on a diffusion circuit model and (Vdiff)start, calculating an error voltage Verror=(Vdiff)−|VOFF−VON| where VOFF and VON are cell voltages at turn-OFF and turn-ON respectively, repeating the foregoing determining and calculating steps using for each iteration (Vdiff)start=(Vdiff)previous+Verror until Verror is less than or equal to a first predetermined tolerance amount ε, storing in a memory a value of Vdiff corresponding to the condition Verror≦ε, and setting (Vdiff)initial equal to the just stored value of Vdiff. A further diffusion voltage Vdiff is then determined using the same diffusion circuit model and the just obtained (Vdiff)initial and is advantageously used by a controller in an electric propulsion vehicle to determine a state of charge of the propulsion battery. |
| US08054044B2 |
Apparatus and method for balancing of battery cell'S charge capacity
An apparatus for balancing charge capacity of battery cell includes a voltage sensing/discharging circuit having a battery with cell group, a switching unit for selectively connecting both terminals of each battery cell to conductive lines, capacitor connected to the conductive lines, a voltage amplifying unit connected to both terminals of capacitor via a first switch, and a discharge resistance connected to both terminals of capacitor via a second switch; and a voltage balancing unit for controlling the switching unit in ON state of first switch to connect both terminals of each battery cell to the conductive lines and then sense voltage of each battery cell through the voltage amplifying unit, and controlling the switching unit in OFF state of first switch to charge voltage of balancing-requiring cell to the capacitor and then turning on the second switch to discharge charged voltage of capacitor through the discharge resistance. |
| US08054042B2 |
Modular power supply
A modular power supply that can be adapted to receive and charge practically any type or number of portable electronic devices includes a power converter that receives an AC wall voltage and converts the wall voltage to DC bus voltage. Each charging module has a pair of conductive rails and magnets positioned around the exterior of the module. The power converter has a connector that is physically and electrically coupled to a charging module through a pair of magnets and conductive rails such that the DC bus voltage is applied to the conductive rails of the module. Each charging module has a dock that physically couples to a portable electronic device and supplies a charging voltage produced from the DC bus voltage to the device. Additional charging modules can be physically and electrically coupled together by simply placing the modules adjacent one another through the interaction of the module's conductive rails and magnets. Adapters can be inserted into the docks of the charging modules to reconfigure the docks stations to mate with different types of devices. An FM transmitter can be included in one of the modules to transmit audio from the charging device to a remote FM receiver. |
| US08054041B2 |
Battery module having an improved unit battery assembly coupling structure
A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a battery body having a plurality of unit cells arranged in series and having a respective barrier disposed between adjacent unit cells. End plates are disposed on opposite outermost sides of the battery body. A fixing unit fixes together the end plates and the battery body by enclosing an outer circumference of an assembly of the end plates and the battery body. |
| US08054036B2 |
Power transmission control device, power reception control device, non-contact power transmission system, power transmission device, power reception device, and electronic instrument
A power transmission device performs power-saving power transmission that transmits a small amount of power as compared with normal power transmission when the power transmission device has detected that a battery of a load has been fully charged so that the operation of a charge control device (charge control IC) of the load is maintained, thereby enabling recharging due to a charge management function of the charge control device. Since the load state of a power reception device increases when recharging has started, the power transmission device detects an increase in the load state and changes power transmission from power-saving power transmission to normal power transmission. When the power reception device has been removed during power-saving power transmission, the power transmission device detects that the power reception device has been removed, and stops continuous power transmission so that unnecessary power consumption does not occur. |
| US08054028B2 |
Servo motor control system
A table containing correspondence between “n” and “m” is set in a control circuit of a servo control system so that the current command data in the m-th (m=1, 2, 3 . . . ) current command register is assigned to the n-th (n=1, 2, 3 . . . ) servo amplifier. When data is specified in this table to satisfy “n=m”, the current command data in the n-th current command register is passed to the n-th servo amplifier. When “m=1” is set for “n=1” and “m=1” is set for “n=2” in this table, the current command data stored in the first current command register is passed to the first and second servo amplifiers. |
| US08054027B2 |
Robot operating range setting device
A robot control unit (30) comprises: a setting means (40) for setting operating ranges of each shaft and a working tool of the robot (20); a storage means (33) for storing an inertial running distance of the robot decided by at least one of the operating speed of the robot and the weight of the working tool; and an arriving range calculation means (36) for calculating an arriving range to which the robot arrives according to the operating range, which has been set by the setting means, and the inertial running distance stored by the storage means. Due to the foregoing, while consideration is being given to the inertial running distance of a robot, the arriving range of the robot is made. Further, a display means (41) for displaying the arriving range may be provided. In the case where each shaft of the robot and the working tool deviate from the operating range, a stopping means (34) for stopping the robot may be provided. |
| US08054024B2 |
Brushless motor
A brushless motor driven by a sensorless driving circuit includes a rotating body capable of being rotated about a center axis; a rotor magnet arranged coaxially with the rotating body; a stator disposed opposite the rotor magnet; and at least one coil wound around the stator. The brushless motor is driven according to a signal containing a third harmonic component relative to a fundamental wave component in an induced electromotive force. Further, an amplitude ratio of the third harmonic component to the fundamental wave component in the induced electromotive force generated in the coil preferably is about 1% or higher. |
| US08054022B1 |
Reduced acoustic noise during spin-up by driving a spindle motor open loop using sinusoidal signals
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head actuated over the disk, and a spindle motor for rotating the disk, wherein the spindle motor comprises a plurality of windings. During a spin-up operation of the disk, a sinusoidal driving signal is applied to each winding of the spindle motor for a spin-up interval, wherein during at least eighty percent of the spin-up interval the sinusoidal driving signals are applied to the windings of the spindle motor open loop. |
| US08054019B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a motor
The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for controlling a three-or-more-phase motor driven by a frequency converter. In the method, a change-over switch of the frequency converter is controlled to a continuously conducting state and at the same time the phase voltages or phase currents of the other phases are controlled by switching the change-over switches in those motor phases at a switching frequency substantially higher than the frequency of the fundamental wave of the phase voltage or phase current. The apparatus comprises in conjunction with the frequency converter a number of change-over switches, at least one change-over switch for each motor phase. The change-over switches comprise controllable change-over contacts. The apparatus further comprises in conjunction with the frequency converter means for determining the motor phase currents and means for controlling the change-over contacts. |
| US08054018B2 |
Multi-level programming of motor for a ventilation system
A method of constant airflow control for a ventilation system is disclosed. The method includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant I·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. This is because these controls use only intrinsic control variables which are electric current and rotational speed of the motor. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition. Also disclosed is an apparatus for conducting these control methods. |
| US08054011B2 |
Variable frequency transformer having multiple horizontal rotary transformers with common controls and voltage infrastructure and method
A variable frequency transformer including: a first parallel circuit including at least two of the rotary transformers arranged in parallel and having an isolating circuit breaker connected to a rotor winding of each of the rotary transformers, and a separate synchronizing circuit breaker connected to a stator winding in each of the rotary transformers in the first parallel circuit; a first main transformer having a first winding connectable to a first power grid and a secondary winding connectable to the isolating circuit breaker in the first parallel circuit; a second main transformer having a first winding connectable to a second power grid and a secondary winding connectable to each of the synchronizing circuit breakers in the first parallel circuit, and a control system operatively connected to each of the synchronizing circuit breakers, the isolating circuit breakers and the drive motors for each of the rotary transformers. |
| US08054010B2 |
Display device illuminating device and display device provided with the illuminating device
An illuminating device for a display device includes a tube lamp which can be driven in parallel by power supplied from a power supply device through a first power supply member and a second power supply member; the first power supply member; and the second power supply member. The illuminating device is provided with illuminating sections whose equivalent circuit is a serially connected body having capacitors connected to the both ends of a negative resistance. The illuminating sections are driven in parallel by separating them into two systems. A voltage to be applied to the left end of the illuminating sections which belong to the first system, and a voltage to be applied to the left end of the illuminating sections which belong to the second system are permitted to be in opposite phases, and a voltage to be applied to the right end of the illuminating sections which belong to the first system and a voltage to be applied to the right end of the illuminating sections which belong to the second system are permitted to be in opposite phases. Thus, display noise of the display device can be reduced. |
| US08054009B2 |
Lamp driving device and liquid crystal display device having the same
Embodiment relate to a lamp driving device and a liquid crystal display device having the same. The embodiments include a plurality of lamps having first and second electrodes, an inverter substrate supplying a high voltage alternating current to at least one of the first and second electrodes of the lamps, a plurality of capacitors connected to the first and second electrodes of the lamps, and a board capacitor connected to at least one of the capacitors. |
| US08054005B2 |
Driving circuit for display device, and test circuit and test method for driving circuits
A driving circuit, which drives a display panel in a voltage range between a high negative voltage and a high positive voltage, includes: an electric charge discharging circuit; and a test external terminal. The electric charge discharging circuit connects a first terminal supplied with the high negative voltage to a second terminal of a ground voltage in response to a drop of a power source voltage. The test external terminal is connected to the electric charge discharging circuit. The high negative voltage is supplied to the semiconductor substrate. The electric charge discharging circuit interrupts a connection between the first terminal and the second terminal based on a control signal from the test external terminal. |
| US08054003B2 |
Switch-off time regulation system for an inverter for driving a lamp
The present invention relates to an electronic ballast for operating a lamp (L) which has a Class E converter (T1, L1). When a lamp (L) is connected, the output current of the Class E converter (T1, L1) once a switching element (T1) of the Class E converter (T1, L1) has been switched off has a first and a second half-cycle of opposite polarity. The electronic ballast has a measurement apparatus for measuring the output current and a regulating apparatus for adjusting a switch-on time of the switching element. In this case, the measurement apparatus is designed to determine a first output current value of the first half-cycle and a second output current value of the second half-cycle, wherein the regulating apparatus for adjusting the switch-on time is fed a control variable based on the discrepancy between the two output current values. |
| US08054002B2 |
Light emitting device with light emitting cells arrayed
The present invention relates to a light emitting device. The light emitting device according to the present invention comprises a light emitting cell block having a plurality of light emitting cells; and a bridge rectifying circuit connected to input and output terminals of the light emitting cell block, wherein the bridge rectifying circuit includes a plurality of diodes between nodes. In manufacturing an AC light emitting device with a bridge rectifying circuit built therein, the present invention can provide a light emitting device capable of enhancing the reliability and luminance of the light emitting device by setting the size of diodes of the bridge rectifying circuit to be a certain size and controlling the number thereof. |
| US08054000B2 |
Flash lamp irradiation apparatus
A flash lamp irradiation apparatus comprises at least one flash lamp having a bulb made of translucent material, two or more trigger members disposed along a tube axis of the at least one flash lamp, wherein voltage is simultaneously impressed to the two or more trigger members at lighting in order to emit light from the at least one flash lamp. |
| US08053995B2 |
LED light string without additional resistors
An electrical circuit for use as a string of lights in one embodiment includes a rectifier for converting AC into DC; and a plurality of lamps connected in series, each lamp having an LED, and wherein at least one of the lamps each has a Zener diode connected in series with the LED, a positive terminal of the lamp proximate the rectifier is connected to a positive terminal of an output of the rectifier, and a negative terminal of the lamp distal the rectifier is connected to a negative terminal of the output of the rectifier. In another embodiment, the Zener diode is replaced with a resistor. Hence, no resistors are provided externally of the lamp. |
| US08053993B2 |
Lighting control console for controlling a lighting system and method for operating a lighting control console
A lighting control console for controlling a lighting system, wherein digital adjusting commands are generated in the lighting control console, which can be transferred to the lighting devices of the lighting system via data connections, and wherein the lighting control console comprises at least one digital processor and at least one digital memory for generating, managing and storing the adjusting commands, and wherein the lighting control console comprises a remote control, and wherein operator inputs can be input at the remote control and can thereafter be transferred to the lighting control console via a data interface, and wherein at least one motion sensor, by means of which motions of the remote control can be detected, is installed in the remote control, wherein the sensor signals of the motion sensor can be evaluated in an evaluation module and can be transformed into operator inputs for the lighting control console. |
| US08053986B2 |
Plasma display panel (PDP)
A Plasma Display Panel (PDP) enabling optimization of a process to apply phosphor paste in order to achieve mass production using a jet nozzle method includes dummy areas structured to determine whether application conditions such as an ejecting pressure or the like are stable by measuring a depth of the applied layer after applying phosphor paste at a portion thereof in advance. The PDP includes: a first substrate and a second substrate opposing each other; address electrodes arranged on the first substrate; display electrodes arranged on the second substrate along a direction perpendicular to the address electrodes; barrier ribs arranged in a space between the first substrate and the second substrate to define a plurality of discharge cells, and phosphor layers arranged in each of the discharge cells. |
| US08053977B2 |
Light device and method of manufacturing a light device
Light device comprising a substrate, at least one photo-organic layer, at least two electrode layers electrically separated by said at least one photo-organic layer, and at least one encapsulation layer, wherein said at least one photo-organic layer is positioned between said substrate and said at least one encapsulating layer, and wherein multiple openings are provided that extend through the light device to allow fluids and or heat to pass through, said openings being spaced apart from said at least one photo-organic layer. |
| US08053971B2 |
Organic light emitting device and method of fabricating the same
An organic light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a substrate, a first electrode positioned on the substrate, an insulating layer that is positioned on the first electrode and includes an opening exposing a portion of the first electrode, an organic emissive layer positioned inside the opening, a second electrode positioned on the organic emissive layer, and an auxiliary electrode that is positioned on or under the insulating layer and electrically connected to the second electrode. |
| US08053963B2 |
Display device and optical filter
A display device according to one embodiment of the invention includes a display panel for displaying an image and an optical filter attached to the display panel. The optical filter includes an external light anti-reflection layer, a color compensation layer, an external light shielding layer, and an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding layer. The external light shielding layer includes a barrier rib unit including black photoresist at a gap between the EMI shielding layer and the external light anti-reflection layer or the color compensation layer, for partitioning the gap. |
| US08053962B2 |
Fluorescent lamp with UV-blocking layer and protective sleeve
A fluorescent lamp having a protective polymeric sleeve to provide impact resistance and contain fragments if the lamp shatters. A UV-blocking layer is coated on the outside of the glass envelope of the lamp or on the inside of the sleeve to help protect the polymeric sleeve from UV degradation. The UV-blocking layer includes a UV-blocking component of Al2O3 or ZnO or SiO2 or TiO2 or mixtures thereof. |
| US08053961B2 |
Color-mixture display unit and image display apparatus using the same
The present invention is related to a color-mixture display unit and an image display apparatus using the same, wherein the image display apparatus includes at least one color-mixture pixel which is pre-disposed at plates of a light box so that a pattern is formed. Each of the color-mixture pixels is equipped with a red filter, a green filter and a blue filter, or equipped with a black filter or equipped with a transparent filter. At least one color-mixture LED is disposed within the light box and provides a backlight for the color-mixture pixel. In this regard, the color-mixture LEDs are controlled by an image controller and provide various color light beams with the color-mixture pixels. In addition, arrangement of each color filter within the color-mixture pixel is utilized so that color-mixture effect of dynamic image is shown. |
| US08053959B2 |
LED lamp device
A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp device includes at least one light-emitting module and a heat-dissipation module. The heat-dissipation module includes a plurality of cooling fins arranged in a radial pattern and connected annularly at intervals around the light-emitting module. Each of the cooling fins has an outer rim folded back a predetermined distance toward the light-emitting module to form a bent edge. The bent edges are formed with arcuate folded-back portions so that the cooling fins have rib-like outer perimeters after the bent edges are formed. Thus, the LED lamp device is allowed to be held safely by the folded-back portions while the cooling fins are structurally strengthened. |
| US08053957B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrating piece having arm ends with excitation electrodes of opposite polarity and piezoelectric vibrator, oscillatory, electronic apparatus and radio wave timepiece having same
To achieve small-sized formation by shortening a total length after ensuring a length of a base portion capable of sufficiently reducing vibration leakage, there is provided a piezoelectric vibrating piece 2 including a piezoelectric plate 10 including a pair of vibrating arm portions 11, 12 arranged in parallel with each other in a state of being extended in one direction from base ends to front ends, and a base portion 13 having connecting portions 13a respectively connected to the pair of vibrating arm portions at middle positions from the base ends to the front ends for integrally supporting the pair of vibrating arm portions by way of the connecting portions, exciting electrodes 20, 21 respectively formed on outer surfaces of the pair of vibrating arm portions for vibrating the pair of vibrating arm portions when a drive voltage is applied thereto, a pair of mount electrodes 22, 23 formed on an outer surface of the base portion and electrically connected respectively to the pair of exciting electrodes, in which at least a portion of the base portion is arranged to be interposed between the pair of vibrating arm portions. |
| US08053955B2 |
Piezoelectric device and method of production thereof
A piezoelectric device includes a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode laminated in this order on a support. An oxide film containing a material that forms a lower electrode is formed on a side surface of the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric device is produced such that an upper electrode and a piezoelectric film are patterned by dry-etching through a mask formed on a side of the upper electrode of the piezoelectric device member and thereafter a side surface of the patterned piezoelectric film (a film adhered to a side wall) is oxidized to form an oxide film. |
| US08053950B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor and method for the manufacture of an ultrasonic sensor
An ultrasonic sensor with a cylinder-shaped housing whose base forms a diaphragm of the ultrasonic sensor. The diaphragm is manufactured as an independent component and directly mounted in the cylinder-shaped housing. A method for manufacturing the ultrasonic sensor includes the steps of manufacturing the diaphragm and the cylinder-shaped housing separately from each other, and mounting the diaphragm directly in the cylinder-shaped housing. |
| US08053942B2 |
Axial gap motor
The present axial gap motor is provided with: a rotor that is rotatable around a rotation axis; and a pair of stators that are opposed to each other with the rotor interposed therebetween from both sides in a rotation axis direction which is parallel with the rotation axis of the rotor. The rotor includes: a plurality of main magnets arranged in a circumferential direction so that a flux direction is parallel with the rotation axis direction; a sub permanent magnet which is disposed in the vicinity of a circumferential end portion of the main magnet and is magnetized in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction and a radial direction; and a magnetic member which is provided on a surface of at least one of the one side and the other side in the rotation axis direction of the main magnet. A length of the magnetic member in the rotation axis direction is larger than a length of the sub permanent magnet in the rotation axis direction. |
| US08053941B2 |
Encapsulated outer stator isolated rotor stepper motor valve assembly
An electric motor assembly includes a rotor rotatable about an axis and a stator spaced radially away from the rotor. An isolation housing, configured to permit magnetic flux to flow therethrough between the rotor and the stator, is disposed between the rotor and the stator and defines an internal rotor chamber, in which the rotor is located. The isolation housing fluidly isolates the internal rotor chamber from the stator. An encapsulating cover is provided that radially and axially surrounds the stator. The cover is formed of a resin material and bonds the stator to the isolation housing to prevent relative movement therebetween. |
| US08053940B2 |
Magnetic motor generator having a floating flywheel
A magnetic motor generator that produces electric power by rotating a one piece magnetic floating flywheel assembly that is operated by a linear induction motor and repelled upward by a stationary natural magnet. The floating flywheel assembly magnetic axel rotates inside magnetic collar bearings, which have repelling stationary magnets to center the axel at speed. The floating flywheel assembly rotors move inside generator stators to generate electric power. The floating flywheel assembly has no physical contact with other components to prevent bearing losses at speed. A timing computer controls the operation of the linear induction motor, assesses the speed of the floating flywheel assembly and fires only when necessary to maintain rotation. The moving components are enclosed in a vacuum chamber to prevent wind resistance, or windage losses at speed. Surplus electric power can ether be stored/used by the system or used to supply a load. |
| US08053939B2 |
Brushless AC generator for vehicle
To provide a brushless AC generator for a vehicle, which is capable of improving a cooing performance for an excitation coil and increasing an output of electric power generation with a simple structure.An external fan 11 fixed to a shaft 10 outside the brackets 5 and 6 and an internal fan 34 fixed to a rotor assembled body 21 formed from a first rotor pole 22 and a second rotor pole 23 united into one body, the internal fan 34 having fan blade 34a provided in a valley part 22b between claw poles 22a of the first rotor pole 22, are provided. The external fan 11 and the internal fan 34 are used to generate an air flow for cooling a stator core 3, the rotor assembled body 21, an excitation core 31 and an excitation coil 33. |
| US08053935B2 |
Adapter retrofit by replacement component
An appliance having various mechanical components that can be replaced with a component that provides power or data to the appliance. The component being replaced includes handles, trim pieces, face plates, or the like. The source of power to the new mechanical component comes from an external source which can also provide data. |
| US08053929B2 |
Solar power array with maximized panel power extraction
A solar power array includes solar power panels, where each solar panel provides output current and voltage, separate DC-DC converters, where each solar panel is connected to a unique DC-DC converter, where each DC-DC converter is designed to maximize the power from each solar panel, and where each DC-DC converter produces a high voltage output, a high voltage DC bus coupled to the DC-DC converters that receives the high voltage output, and a DC-AC inverter that inverts the high voltage DC on the high voltage DC bus to an AC power signal for distribution to one or more AC loads. |
| US08053920B2 |
Compact terminal assembly for power converters
A terminal assembly for a power converter is provided. The terminal assembly includes first and second conductive components and a current sensor. The first conductive component has first and second releasable attachment formations. The second conductive component has first and second portions with respective first and second widths. The first width is less than the second width. The first portion is releasably attached to the first conductive component with the second releasable attachment formation. The current sensor has an opening therethrough and is positioned between the first conductive component and the second portion of the second conductive component such that the first portion of the first conductive component extends through the opening. The current sensor is responsive to current flowing through the first portion of the second conductive component. |
| US08053919B1 |
Wind turbine power generator
A wind turbine having a large circular rotor wheel formed of concentric inner and outer rings with adjustable elliptical blades extending therebetween. The inner and outer rings are rotatably supported in a vertical plane to rotate about a horizontal axis by circumferential arcuate bearing supports connected by support arms to yaw mechanisms on a support tower which pivot about a vertical axis, and the outer ring is partially supported on the top of a horizontal rotatable revolving track which revolves around the tower and drives power wheels that operate water pumps, air pumps, and/or or electrical generators. A load shedding mechanism allows the power wheels to be selectively engaged or disengaged from the pump or generator load depending upon the available wind power to maintain rotation of the circular rotor wheel and horizontal rotatable revolving track without the load. |
| US08053916B2 |
Wind and wave power generation
The present invention provides a wind and wave power generation system including a platform (12) and a wind turbine (16) rotatably mounted on a tower (32) and provided with an actuator (34) for changing the yaw angle of the turbine blade (38) relative to said tower (32). The system further includes a sensor (118) for detecting at least yaw motion of the platform and a controller (56) for causing actuation of the actuator (34) to cause movement of the rotor so as to at least partially correct detected yaw motion. |
| US08053913B2 |
Physical energy-converting rotor, rotating method of the same and generating set using the same
A physical energy-converting rotor has a rotor body and multiple weights. When the rotor body is rotated, an inner virtual orbit and an outer virtual orbit are formed and the weights are rotated. The weights are moved back and forth between the inner and outer virtual orbits to form non-balances to keep the rotor body rotating. The physical energy-converting rotor may operate alone, or may cooperate with non-pollution generators such as wind generators and water generators to enhance power-generating effect. |
| US08053903B2 |
Chip capacitive coupling
A method of creating a semiconductor chip having a substrate, a doped semiconductor material abutting the substrate and a device pad at an outer side of the doped semiconductor material involves creating a via through at least a portion of the substrate, the via having a periphery and a bottom at a location and depth sufficient to bring the via into proximity with the device pad but be physically spaced apart from the device pad, introducing an electrically conductive material into the via, and connecting the electrically conductive material to a signal source so the signal will deliberately be propagated from the electrically conductive material to the device pad without any direct electrical connection existing between the electrically conductive material and the device pad. |
| US08053897B2 |
Production of a carrier wafer contact in trench insulated integrated SOI circuits having high-voltage components
The invention relates to a method for producing structures which make it possible to form a trench insulation and to bring into contact SOI wafers provided with active thick layers and which are easily processable. For this purpose, a carrier wafer electric contact and the insulation trench are provided with components exhibiting high-blocking capability of insertion into an integrated circuit SOI wafer. A narrow trench for an insulating trench (8) and a large trench for a carrier wafer contact (9) are etched up to an insulating oxide layer (2) and are buried by a masking layer which is thicker than the buried oxide layer (2). In the large trench (9), a polysilicon spacer (12) remains on the sidewalls, respectively, in the form of a predeposited polysilicon layer (11) rest. The adjustment of the polysilicon etching makes it possible to obtain the spacer (12) provided with a desired height. At least buried oxide (2, 10) is removed by etching from the bottom of the large trench (9) in such a way that a residual oxide layer (13) remains on the surface. The deposition of a second electrically conductive filling layer (14) fills also a large insulating trench (19). |
| US08053895B2 |
Metal line of semiconductor device having a multilayer molybdenum diffusion barrier and method for forming the same
A metal line of a semiconductor device includes an insulation layer formed on a semiconductor substrate. The insulation layer has a metal line forming region. A diffusion barrier is formed on a surface of the metal line forming region of the insulation layer. The diffusion barrier includes a multi-layered structure that includes an MoB2 layer, an MoxByNz layer and an Mo layer. A metal layer is formed on the diffusion barrier to fill the metal line forming region of the insulation layer. |
| US08053894B2 |
Surface treatment of metal interconnect lines
Apparatus for forming a semiconductor structure comprising a first layer on top of a substrate wherein the first layer defines conductive regions such as copper interconnect lines and non-conductive regions such as dielectric materials. The conductive regions are covered by a second layer of a material different than the first layer such as for example nickel and then the structure is heat treated such that the interconnect lines and second metal, such as a copper interconnect line and a nickel second layer, interact with each other to form an alloy layer. The alloy layer has superior qualities for adhering to both the copper interconnect lines and a subsequently deposited dielectric material. |
| US08053888B2 |
System for clamping heat sink
A system for clamping a heat sink that prevents excessive clamping force is provided. The system may include a heat sink, a semiconductor device, a printed circuit board, and a cover. The semiconductor device may be mounted onto the circuit board and attached to the cover. The heat sink may be designed to interface with the semiconductor device to transfer heat away from the semiconductor device and dissipate the heat into the environment. Accordingly, the heat sink may be clamped into a tight mechanical connection with the semiconductor device to minimize thermal resistance between the semiconductor device and the heat sink. To prevent excessive clamping force from damaging the semiconductor device, loading columns may extend between the cover and the heat sink. |
| US08053884B2 |
Power semiconductor module with sealing device for sealing to a substrate carrier and method for manufacturing it
A power semiconductor module comprising a housing of a first plastic, at least one substrate carrier with a circuit constructed thereon and electric terminating elements extending therefrom. The housing includes attachment means for its permanent connection with the substrate carrier. The housing has a permanently elastic sealing device of a second plastic which is formed integrally with the housing and encircles and is directed towards a first inner main surface of the substrate carrier. A method for constructing such a module includes the steps of constructing a housing of a first mechanically stable plastic and a sealing device of a second permanently elastic plastic; disposing the at least one substrate carrier on the housing; and permanently connecting the housing to the substrate carrier. |
| US08053881B2 |
Semiconductor package and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor package includes a first package including at least one first semiconductor chip; a second package including an external connection terminal and at least one second semiconductor chip, the second package being stacked on the first package; and an interposer disposed between the first and second packages and connected to the external connection terminal to electrically connect the first and second packages to each other. The interposer comprises an intermediate connector having an exposed end portion to which the second package is electrically connected via the external connection terminal and a protruding end portion lower than the exposed end portion to which the first package is electrically connected. |
| US08053879B2 |
Stacked semiconductor package and method for fabricating the same
A stacked semiconductor package having a unit package, cover substrates, adhesive members and connection electrodes is presented. The unit package includes a substrate, a first circuit pattern and a second circuit pattern. The first circuit pattern is disposed over an upper face of the substrate. The second circuit pattern is disposed over a lower face of the substrate. The lower and upper faces of the substrate oppose each other. The first and second semiconductor chips are respectively electrically connected to the first and second circuit patterns. The cover substrates are opposed to the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip. The adhesive members are respectively interposed between the unit package and the cover substrates. The connection electrodes pass through the unit package, the cover substrates and the adhesive members and are electrically connected to the first and second circuit patterns. |
| US08053878B2 |
Substrate, semiconductor device using the same, method for inspecting semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A substrate including therein a plurality of conductor layers laminated via insulating layers, the substrate mounting at least one semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein the substrate includes a first electrode terminal connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit, a second electrode terminal connected to a terminal on an upper substrate arranged in a layer over the substrate, and on at least part of the perimeter of the first and second electrode terminals, a third electrode terminal located outside the outer edge of the upper substrate. |
| US08053877B2 |
Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a chip base material; a capacitor formed on the base material; and a cover formed over the base material to cover the capacitor, and having a side portion and an upper portion. The base material is provided with a bonding pattern connecting the base material and the cover to cover the capacitor. The bonding pattern includes a region A having a substantially uniform pattern width A, and at least one region B having a pattern width B which is larger than the width pattern width A. |
| US08053875B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
The quality of a non-leaded semiconductor device is to be improved. The semiconductor device comprises a sealing body for sealing a semiconductor chip with resin, a tab disposed in the interior of the sealing body, suspension leads for supporting the tab, plural leads having respective to-be-connected surfaces exposed to outer edge portions of a back surface of the sealing body, and plural wires for connecting pads formed on the semiconductor chip and the leads with each other. End portions of the suspending leads positioned in an outer periphery portion of the sealing body are not exposed to the back surface of the sealing body, but are covered with the sealing body. Therefore, stand-off portions of the suspending leads are not formed in resin molding. Accordingly, when cutting the suspending leads, corner portions of the back surface of the sealing body can be supported by a flat portion of a holder portion in a cutting die which flat portion has an area sufficiently wider than a cutting allowance of the suspending leads, whereby it is possible to prevent chipping of the resin and improve the quality of the semiconductor device (QFN). |
| US08053874B2 |
Semiconductor package having a bridge plate connection
A semiconductor package is disclosed. The package includes a leadframe having drain, source and gate leads, a semiconductor die coupled to the leadframe, the semiconductor die having a plurality of metalized source areas and a metalized gate area, a patterned source connection having a plurality of dimples formed thereon coupling the source lead to the semiconductor die metalized source areas, a patterned gate connection having a dimple formed thereon coupling the gate lead to the semiconductor die metalized gate area, a semiconductor die drain area coupled to the drain lead, and an encapsulant covering at least a portion of the semiconductor die and drain, source and gate leads. |
| US08053868B2 |
Wafer level chip scale package of image sensor and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a wafer level chip scale package of an image sensor and a manufacturing method thereof. The wafer level chip scale package includes: a wafer including an image sensor and a pad on the top surface thereof and inclined surfaces on both ends thereof; expansion pads formed on the inclined surfaces of the wafer, including the pad, such that the expansion pads are electrically connected to the pad, a bottom surface of the expansion pads being on a straight line with respect to that of the wafer; a support formed on the expansion pads to support both bottom surfaces of a glass, the support having a height to provide a space where an air cavity is formed; and a glass disposed on the support to provide the air cavity over the wafer. |
| US08053867B2 |
Phosphorous-comprising dopants and methods for forming phosphorous-doped regions in semiconductor substrates using phosphorous-comprising dopants
Phosphorous-comprising dopants, methods for forming phosphorous-doped regions in a semiconductor material, and methods for fabricating phosphorous-comprising dopants are provided. In one embodiment, a phosphorous-comprising dopant comprises a phosphorous source comprising a phosphorous-comprising salt, a phosphorous-comprising acid, phosphorous-comprising anions, or a combination thereof, an alkaline material, cations from an alkaline material, or a combination thereof, and a liquid medium. |
| US08053866B2 |
Varactor structures
An improved varactor diode (20, 50) having first (45) and second (44) terminals is obtained by providing a substrate (22, 52) having a first surface (21, 51) in which are formed isolation regions (28, 58) separating first (23, 53) and second (25, 55) parts of the diode (20, 50). A varactor junction (40, 70) is formed in the first part (23, 53) and having a first side (35, 66) coupled to the first terminal (45) and a second side (34, 54) coupled to the second terminal (44) via a sub-isolation buried layer (SIBL) region (26, 56) extending under the bottom (886) and partly up the sides (885) of the isolation regions (28, 58) to a further doped region (30, 32; 60, 62) ohmically connected to the second terminal (44). The first part (36, 66) does not extend to the SIBL region (26, 56). The varactor junction (40, 70) desirably comprises a hyper-abrupt doped region (34, 54). The combination provides improved tuning ratio, operating frequency and breakdown voltage of the varactor diode (20, 50) while still providing adequate Q. |
| US08053865B2 |
MOM capacitors integrated with air-gaps
An integrated circuit structure combining air-gaps and metal-oxide-metal (MOM) capacitors is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate; first metal features in the first metallization layer; a second metallization layer over the first metallization layer; second metal features in the second metallization layer, wherein the first and the second metal features are non-capacitor features; a MOM capacitor having an area in at least one of the first and the second metallization layers; and an air-gap in the first metallization layer and between the first metal features. |
| US08053864B2 |
Switching element, variable inductor, and electronic circuit device having circuit configuration incorporating the switching element and the variable inductor
An inexpensive variable inductor has inductance value continuously changeable without reducing a Q value. When a control voltage is applied to a control terminal of a MOS transistor from a power supply, a continuity region is formed in a channel, and a region between main terminals becomes conductive. When the control voltage is changed, length of the continuity region in the channel is changed. This changes length of a path area of an induced current, flowing in an induced current film. Thus, the amount of induced current is increased or decreased. Therefore, when the control voltage of the MOS transistor is changed, the inductance value of the coil is continuously changed. |
| US08053852B2 |
Light sensor receiving light from backside
The invention is directed to enhancement of performance of a back surface incident type semiconductor device having a light receiving element and a manufacturing method thereof without increasing a manufacturing cost. A supporting body is attached to a front surface of a semiconductor substrate formed with a light receiving element and its pad electrode. Then, the supporting body is etched to form a via hole penetrating the supporting body and exposing the pad electrode. Then, a wiring connected to the pad electrode and extending onto a front surface of the supporting body through the via hole is formed. Lastly, the semiconductor substrate is separated into a plurality of semiconductor dies by dicing. The semiconductor device is mounted so that the supporting body faces a circuit board. |
| US08053850B2 |
Minute structure, micromachine, organic transistor, electric appliance, and manufacturing method thereof
A micromachine is generally formed using a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon wafer. One of the objects of the present invention is to realize further reduction in cost by integrating a minute structure and a semiconductor element controlling the minute structure over one insulating surface in one step. A minute structure has a structure in which a first layer formed into a frame-shape are provided over an insulating surface, a space is formed inside the frame, and a second layer is formed to cross over the first layer. Such a minute structure and a thin film transistor can be integrated over one insulating surface in one step. |
| US08053849B2 |
Replacement metal gate transistors with reduced gate oxide leakage
Thin effective gate oxide thickness with reduced leakage for replacement metal gate transistors is achieved by forming a protective layer between the gate oxide layer and metal gate electrode, thereby reducing stress. Embodiments include forming a protective layer of amorphous carbon containing metal carbides decreasing in concentration from the metal gate electrode toward the gate oxide layer across the protective layer. Embodiments of methodology include removing the removable gate, depositing a layer of amorphous carbon on the gate oxide layer, forming the metal gate electrode and then heating at an elevated temperature to diffuse metal from the metal gate electrode into the amorphous carbon layer, thereby forming the metal carbides. Embodiments also include metal gate transistors with a gate oxide layer having a high dielectric constant and silicon concentrated at the interfaces with the metal gate electrode and substrate. |
| US08053848B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of transistors disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a device isolation layer disposed around the transistors, a guard ring disposed to surround the device isolation layer and the transistors, and a guard region disposed between adjacent transistors. |
| US08053840B2 |
Thin film transistor comprising novel conductor and dielectric compositions
The invention relates to thin film transistors comprising novel dielectric layers and novel electrodes comprising metal compositions that can be provided by a dry thermal transfer process. |
| US08053837B2 |
Semiconductor device
There is provided a method of removing trap levels and defects, which are caused by stress, from a single crystal silicon thin film formed by an SOI technique. First, a single crystal silicon film is formed by using a typical bonding SOI technique such as Smart-Cut or ELTRAN. Next, the single crystal silicon thin film is patterned to form an island-like silicon layer, and then, a thermal oxidation treatment is carried out in an oxidizing atmosphere containing a halogen element, so that an island-like silicon layer in which the trap levels and the defects are removed is obtained. |
| US08053836B2 |
Oxide semiconductor thin-film transistor
An oxide semiconductor thin-film transistor, comprising: a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on a substrate; a composite semiconductor active layer formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode; a gate dielectric layer formed on the source electrode, the composite semiconductor active layer and the drain electrode; and a gate electrode formed on the gate dielectric layer and corresponding to the composite semiconductor active layer; wherein the composite semiconductor active layer comprises a low carrier-concentration first oxide semiconductor layer and a high carrier-concentration second oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US08053835B1 |
Lateral semiconductor device comprising two layers of mutually opposite conductivity-type materials between source and drain
A semiconductor element includes an insulating outer layer that includes electric contact connections of a first conductive type. These connections are connected to contact areas located beneath the insulating surface layer, of which connections at least one is of a first conductive type. At least one of the contact areas and a further area that includes two layers of mutually different conductive types disposed between the contact areas, are covered by a layer of a second conductive type of material. This second layer is, in turn, covered with an insulating layer on at least that side which lies distal from the surface layer. |
| US08053833B2 |
Fin FET and method of fabricating same
A fin field effect transistor (fin FET) is formed using a bulk silicon substrate and sufficiently guarantees a top channel length formed under a gate, by forming a recess having a predetermined depth in a fin active region and then by forming the gate in an upper part of the recess. A device isolation film is formed to define a non-active region and a fin active region in a predetermined region of the substrate. In a portion of the device isolation film a first recess is formed, and in a portion of the fin active region a second recess having a depth shallower than the first recess is formed. A gate insulation layer is formed within the second recess, and a gate is formed in an upper part of the second recess. A source/drain region is formed in the fin active region of both sides of a gate electrode. |
| US08053826B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
The charge retention characteristics of a non-volatile memory, particularly, a MONOS-type non-volatile memory is improved. In a non-volatile memory cell including a tunnel silicon oxide film (107), a silicon nitride film (104) serving as a charge storage film, a silicon oxide film (105), and a gate electrode (108) which are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate, the tunnel silicon oxide film (107) has a stacked structure of a silicon oxynitride film (102) and a silicon oxide film (103). Herein, it is configured such that a density of nitrogen atoms contained in the silicon oxynitride film (102) decreases as a distance from an interface with the semiconductor substrate increases in a film-thickness direction of the silicon oxynitride film (102). |
| US08053824B2 |
Interdigitated mesh to provide distributed, high quality factor capacitive coupling
Apparatuses and methods for increasing well distributed, high quality-factor on-chip capacitance of integrated circuit devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an integrated circuit device structure includes a first metal line implemented on a metallization layer of a semiconductor substrate, the first metal line having a first set of metal fingers extending therefrom; and a second metal line electrically isolated from the first metal line, the second metal line having a second set of metal fingers extending therefrom, the first set of metal fingers and the second set of metal fingers capacitively coupled. The basic structure of metal lines with interlocking metal fingers may be repeated on multiple adjacent metallization layers, with the metal lines oriented either in parallel or perpendicular. |
| US08053823B2 |
Simplified buried plate structure and process for semiconductor-on-insulator chip
A structure is provided herein which includes an array of trench capacitors having at least portions disposed below a buried oxide layer of an SOI substrate. Each trench capacitor shares a common unitary buried capacitor plate which includes at least a portion of a first unitary semiconductor region disposed below the buried oxide layer. An upper boundary of the buried capacitor plate defines a plane parallel to a major surface of the substrate which extends laterally throughout the array of trench capacitors. In a particular embodiment, which starts from either an SOI or a bulk substrate, trenches of the array and a contact hole are formed simultaneously, such that the contact hole extends to substantially the same depth as the trenches. The contact hole preferably has substantially greater width than the trenches such that the conductive contact via can be formed simultaneously by processing used to form trench capacitors extending along walls of the trenches. |
| US08053821B2 |
Image sensor with high conversion efficiency
An image sensor includes a photoelectric converter, a reflector, and a charge carrier guiding region. The reflector is disposed under the photoelectric converter, and the charge carrier guiding region is disposed between the photoelectric converter and the reflector. The reflector reflects incident light passed by the photoelectric converter back through the photoelectric converter for increasing photoelectric conversion efficiency and reduced crosstalk. The charge carrier guiding region dissipates undesired charge carriers for further increasing photoelectric conversion efficiency. |
| US08053819B2 |
Three-dimensional cascaded power distribution in a semiconductor device
An IC structure having reduced power loss and/or noise includes two or more active semiconductor regions stacked in a substantially vertical dimension, each active semiconductor region including an active layer. The IC structure further includes two or more voltage supply planes, each of the voltage supply planes corresponding to a respective one of the active layers. |
| US08053818B2 |
Thin film field effect transistor with dual semiconductor layers
A thin film field effect transistor is disclosed which provides improved time-based channel stability. The field effect transistor includes first and second disordered semiconductor layers separated by an insulator. In an embodiment a carrier injection terminal is provided in a thin semiconductor layer closest to the gate terminal. An electric field is established in the thin semiconductor layer. At sufficient field strength, the electric field extends into the second semiconductor layer, which is in contact with the source and drain terminals. At sufficient field strength a channel is established in the second semiconductor layer, permitting current to flow between source and drain terminals. Above a certain gate voltage, there is sufficient free charge is induced in the first semiconductor layer so that the field does not extend into the second semiconductor, effectively shutting off current between source and drain. Single-device transition detection (as well as other applications) may be obtained. |
| US08053815B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device, method of manufacturing solid-state image pickup device, and image pickup device
Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device including, a plurality of light receiving units, a transfer channel, a first transfer electrode, a second transfer electrode, first wiring, and second wiring. |
| US08053814B2 |
On-chip embedded thermal antenna for chip cooling
An apparatus comprises a first layer within a semiconductor chip having active structures electrically connected to other active structures and having electrically isolated first inactive structures. A second layer within the semiconductor chip is physically connected to the first layer. The second layer comprises an insulator and has second inactive structures. The first inactive structures are physically aligned with the second inactive structures. |
| US08053813B2 |
Semiconductor device and layout method thereof
A semiconductor device includes first lines extending in a first direction and formed in a first wiring layer in a predetermined arrangement order, second lines formed in a second wiring layer different from the first wring layer in the predetermined arrangement order, and contacts electrically connecting between the first lines and the second lines so as to match the arrangement order. In the semiconductor device, at least adjacent two tracks are defined in a linear manner parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Then, each of the second lines includes a first line portion extending along one of the two tracks, a second line portion extending along another of the two tracks, and a connection portion connecting between the first and second line portions, while two or more of the contacts are formed at the connection portion. |
| US08053809B2 |
Device including high-K metal gate finfet and resistive structure and method of forming thereof
A device is provided that in one embodiment includes a substrate having a first region and a second region, in which a semiconductor device is present on a dielectric layer in the first region of the substrate and a resistive structure is present on the dielectric layer in the second region of the substrate. The semiconductor device may include a semiconductor body and a gate structure, in which the gate structure includes a gate dielectric material present on the semiconducting body and a metal gate material present on the gate dielectric material. The resistive structure may include semiconductor material having a lower surface is in direct contact with the dielectric layer in the second region of the substrate. The resistive structure may be a semiconductor containing fuse or a polysilicon resistor. A method of forming the aforementioned device is also provided. |
| US08053802B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating an LCD device includes forming a gate line, a gate electrode, a gate pad electrode at an end of the gate line, and a common line on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode; forming an active layer on the gate insulating layer; forming an etch stopper on the active layer; forming first and second ohmic contact layers spaced apart from each other on the active layer and an impurity-doped amorphous silicon pattern contacting the gate insulating layer therebelow, outer sides of the first and second ohmic contact layers being outside the active layer; forming a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a data pad electrode at an end of the data line, and source and drain electrodes on the first and second ohmic contact layers, respectively; forming a pixel electrode and a common electrode in the pixel region to induce an in-plane electric field; and forming a gate pad terminal electrode on the gate pad electrode. At least one of the data line, the pixel electrode and the common electrode contacts the impurity-doped amorphous silicon pattern therebelow. |
| US08053801B2 |
Monolithic photodetector
A photodetector including a photodiode formed in a semiconductor substrate and a waveguide element formed of a block of a high-index material extending above the photodiode in a thick layer of a dielectric superposed to the substrate, the thick layer being at least as a majority formed of silicon oxide and the block being formed of a polymer of the general formula R1R2R3SiOSiR1R2R3 where R1, R2, and R3 are any carbonaceous or metal substituents and where one of R1, R2, or R3 is a carbonaceous substituent having at least four carbon atoms and/or at least one oxygen atom. |
| US08053799B2 |
LED package
The present invention has an object to provide a LED package having a means capable of precisely limiting a region in which a resin containing a phosphor is dotted on a member on which an LED chip is supported. To this end, an LED package according to the present invention comprises a package body having an inner space with an LED chip mounted therein, the inner space being open toward a light emission direction; a chip support member mounted to the inner space of the package body to support the LED chip; a phosphor resin member formed by dotting resin containing a phosphor onto the LED chip; and a region limitation means provided on the chip support member and defining a region in which the phosphor resin member is formed. |
| US08053798B2 |
Light emitting device
The present invention provides a light emitting device which comprises a blue light emitting diode, and at least an orthosilicate based phosphor for emitting light ranging from a green to yellow regions and a nitride or oxynitride based phosphor for emitting light in a red region over the light emitting diode. Accordingly, since white light with a continuous spectrum ranging from green to red can be implemented, a light emitting device with improved color rendering can be provided, and the light emitting device can be used for a general illumination or a flash. Further, since the phosphors having stable chemical characteristics against their external environment such as moisture are employed, the stability in optical characteristics of the light emitting device can also be improved. |
| US08053796B2 |
Solid state light emitting device
A solid state light emitting device includes a laminated substrate structure (120), an LED chip (30), a transparent capsulation material (50) and an electric component (40). The laminated substrate structure includes a first substrate (10) and a second substrate (20) attached to each other by a sintering process. The first substrate has a mounting surface (100) and a receiving through hole (11) defined in the mounting surface thereof. The LED chip is mounted on the mounting surface of the first substrate. The transparent capsulation material envelops the LED chip therein. The electric component is received in the receiving hole and mounted on the second substrate. The electric component is located below the mounting surface of the first substrate. |
| US08053793B2 |
III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device
The present invention discloses a III-nitride compound semiconductor light emitting device including an active layer for generating light by recombination of an electron and a hole between an n-type nitride compound semiconductor layer and a p-type nitride compound semiconductor layer. The active layer is disposed over the n-type nitride compound semiconductor layer. The III-nitride compound semiconductor light emitting device includes a masking film made of MgN and grown on the p-type nitride compound semiconductor layer, and at least one nitride compound semiconductor layer grown after the growth of the masking film made of MgN. |
| US08053790B2 |
Optical device having light sensor employing horizontal electrical field
The optical device includes a waveguide and a light sensor on a base. The light sensor includes a light-absorbing medium configured to receive a light signal from the waveguide. The light sensor also includes field sources for generating an electrical field in the light-absorbing medium. The field sources are configured so the electrical field is substantially parallel to the base. |
| US08053787B2 |
Lamp seat for a light emitting diode and capable of heat dissipation, and method of manufacturing the same
A lamp seat includes a metal substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, first and second conductive patterns formed on the first surface, and third and fourth conductive patterns formed on the second surface and connected respectively and integrally to the first and second conductive patterns. A heat-conductive first insulating layer is disposed between the metal substrate and each of the first, second, third and fourth conductive patterns. A heat-conductive second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer such that corresponding parts of the first and second conductive patterns are exposed outwardly of the second insulating layer for electrical connection with positive and negative electrodes of a light emitting diode, respectively. |
| US08053781B2 |
Semiconductor device having thin film transistor
The present invention has an object to provide an active-matrix liquid crystal display device that realizes the improvement in productivity as well as in yield. In the present invention, a laminate film comprising the conductive film comprising metallic material and the second amorphous semiconductor film containing an impurity element of one conductivity type and the amorphous semiconductor film is selectively etched with the same etching gas to form a side edge of the first amorphous semiconductor film 1001 into a taper shape. Thereby, a coverage problem of a pixel electrode 1003 can be solved and an inverse stagger type TFT can be completed with three photomask. Selected figure is FIG. 15. |
| US08053780B2 |
Semiconductor element, method for manufacturing the same, liquid crystal display device, and method for manufacturing the same
In case that a conventional TFT is formed to have an inversely staggered type, a resist mask is required to be formed by an exposing, developing, and droplet discharging in forming an island-like semiconductor region. It resulted in the increase in the number of processes and the number of materials. According to the present invention, a process can be simplified since after forming a source region and a drain region, a portion serving as a channel region is covered by an insulating film serving as a channel protecting film to form an island-like semiconductor film, and so a semiconductor element can be manufactured by using only metal mask without using a resist mask. |
| US08053779B2 |
Thin film transistor panel, method of fabricating the same, and organic light emitting display device including the same
Provided are a thin film transistor (TFT) panel, a method of fabricating the same, and an organic light emitting display device (OLED) including the same. The TFT panel has a TFT region and a capacitor region. A TFT is formed in the TFT region and a capacitor is formed in the capacitor region. The TFT includes an active layer that includes a source and a drain regions. A gate insulation layer is formed on the active layer, and a gate electrode is formed on the gate insulation layer over the active layer. A source and a drain electrodes are formed over the active layer, and connected to the source and drain regions, respectively. In the TFT region, an interlayer insulation layer is formed between the gate electrode and the source/drain electrodes. In the capacitor region, an interlayer insulation layer is formed between a capacitor lower electrode and a capacitor upper electrode to form a capacitor. The interlayer insulation layers of the TFT region and the capacitor region have different layer structures and have different dielectric constants. Therefore, the capacitor region can have higher capacitance while the TFT region can have lower capacitance to reduce parasitic capacitance. |
| US08053778B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor of the present invention has an active layer including at least source, drain and channel regions formed on an insulating surface. A high resistivity region is formed between the channel region and each of the source and drain regions. A film capable of trapping positive charges therein is provided on at least the high resistivity region so that N-type conductivity is induced in the high resistivity region. Accordingly, the reliability of N-channel type TFT against hot electrons can be improved. |
| US08053776B2 |
Vertical diode and method for manufacturing same and semiconductor memory device
In a vertical diode, an N+-type layer, an N−-type layer, and a P+-type layer are stacked in this order on a lower electrode film, and an upper electrode film is provided thereon. The effective impurity concentration of the N−-type layer is lower than the effective impurity concentrations of the N+-type layer and the P+-type layer. At least one of the N+-type layer, the N−-type layer, and the P+-type layer is formed from a small grain size polycrystalline semiconductor whose each crystal grain does not penetrate each layer through its thickness. |
| US08053775B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The liquid crystal display device of this invention includes a plurality of picture element regions each defined by a first electrode provided on a face of a first substrate facing a liquid crystal layer and a second electrode provided on a second substrate so as to oppose the first electrode via the liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. In each of the picture element regions, the first electrode has a plurality of openings and a solid portion, the liquid crystal layer is in a vertical orientation state when no voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, a plurality of liquid crystal domains each in a radially-inclined orientation state are respectively formed in the plurality of openings and the solid portion by inclined electrode fields generated at respective edge portions of the openings of the first electrode. |
| US08053769B2 |
Organic transistor inverter
A transistor includes a first semiconductor layer associated with a first electrode; a second semiconductor layer associated with a second electrode; and a discontinuous layer between the first and second semiconductor layer. The discontinuous layer has a plurality of openings being formed on a non-uniform organic surface. Applications of the transistor include an inverter that operates at low supply voltage and high frequency. |
| US08053766B2 |
Semiconductor element, and display pixel and display panel using the same
In a semiconductor element, and a display pixel and a display panel using the same, the semiconductor element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an organic light-emitting layer and a third electrode. The second electrode and the first electrode are disposed separately. The organic light-emitting layer is electrically connected with the first electrode and the second electrode. The third electrode is disposed above the organic light-emitting layer. |
| US08053765B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element, display device and lighting device
Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent element containing organic layers sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, wherein the organic layers incorporates an emission layer A containing a host compound A and at least two types of emission dopants, and an emission layer B containing a host compound B and at least one type of emission dopant, provided that at least one of the emission dopants contained in the emission layer A is a phosphorescence-emitting material. |
| US08053758B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device for correcting an input signal and outputting a corrected signal are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, a plurality of first conductors formed on one of faces of the semiconductor layer and serving as input terminals to which a signal is input, second conductors of the number larger than that of the first conductors at density higher than that of the first conductors, formed on the other face of the semiconductor layer, a high impurity concentration region provided on the semiconductor layer side of an interface between the second conductor and the semiconductor layer, an insulating layer formed on the other face, and a plurality of third conductors formed on the insulating layer and serving as output terminals for outputting the processed signal. |
| US08053756B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting element
Provided is a nitride semiconductor light emitting element having an improved carrier injection efficiency from a p-type nitride semiconductor layer to an active layer by simple means from a viewpoint utterly different from the prior art. A buffer layer 2, an undoped GaN layer 3, an n-type GaN contact layer 4, an InGaN/GaN superlattice layer 5, an active layer 6, a first undoped InGaN layer 7, a second undoped InGaN layer 8, and a p-type Gan-based contact layer 9 are stacked on a sapphire substrate 1. A p-electrode 10 is formed on the p-type Gan-based contact layer 9. An n-electrode 11 is formed on a surface where the n-type GaN contact layer 4 is exposed as a result of mesa-etching. The first undoped InGaN layer 7 is formed to contact a well layer closest to a p-side in the active layer having a quantum well structure, and subsequently the second undoped InGaN layer 8 is formed thereon. The carrier injection efficiency into the active layer 6 can be improved by making the total film thickness of the first and second undoped InGaN layers 20 nm or less. |
| US08053752B2 |
Four-terminal reconfigurable devices
Reconfigurable devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a reconfigurable device is provided. The reconfigurable device comprises a substrate; a first dielectric layer on the substrate; a conductive layer recessed into at least a portion of a side of the first dielectric layer opposite the substrate; at least one second dielectric layer over the side of the first dielectric layer opposite the substrate, so as to cover the conductive layer; a heater within the second dielectric layer; at least one programmable via extending through the second dielectric layer, extending through and surrounded by the heater and in contact with the conductive layer, the programmable via comprising at least one phase change material; a capping layer over the programmable via; a first conductive via and a second conductive via, each extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the heater; and a third conductive via extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive layer. |
| US08053748B2 |
Integrated circuits with phase change devices
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems with integrated circuits having phase change devices. One embodiment includes an integrated circuit die and a phase change die having a phase change material that changes phases when a temperature at the integrated circuit die exceeds a threshold for a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08053747B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and cleaning method of the same
A method for cleaning a substrate processing apparatus in which a first ion beam generator and a second ion beam generator are arranged opposite to each other to sandwich a plane on which a substrate is to be placed, and which processes two surfaces of the substrate, comprises steps of retreating the substrate from a position between the first ion beam generator and the second ion beam generator, and cleaning the second ion beam generator by emitting an ion beam from the first ion beam generator to the second ion beam generator. |
| US08053744B2 |
Location analysis using nucleic acid-labeled tags
A method for using information encrypted with a nucleic acid molecule to backtrack an item's path or identify a point of origin. Unique nucleic acid-containing tags are seeded at one or more geographic locations. Using sequence analysis techniques, the person or object of interest is examined for the presence of one or more of the seeded nucleic acids. The geographic location associated with each detected nucleic acid is used to backtrack the item's path or extrapolate a probable point of origin. |
| US08053743B2 |
Superresolution in devices with single wavelength illumination
In apparatus for superresolution microscopy or microlithography, wherein a spot in the specimen to be examined or in the microlithographic medium is raised to an excited state by a first pulse of light, and a second pulse of light reduces the excitation in the peripheral parts of the spot to increase the resolution of the instrument, a method whereby the wavelength of the second pulse in the specimen or medium is the same as the wavelength of the first pulse, thereby allowing the cost and complexity of the apparatus to be lowered. |
| US08053740B2 |
Method and apparatus for radiation effects detection
An implantable medical apparatus comprises a solid state electronic circuit, an ionizing radiation exposure sensor, an ionizing radiation dose rate sensor, and a controller circuit. The ionizing radiation exposure sensor is configured to detect an exposure of the solid state electronic circuit to ionizing radiation, and generate an indication of a non-single-event-upset (non-SEU) effect to the solid state electronic circuit from the exposure to ionizing radiation, wherein the sensor comprises an accumulated ionizing radiation exposure sensor. The controller circuit is configured to blank the indication from the accumulated ionizing radiation exposure sensor when the radiation dose rate sensor indicates that flux ionizing radiation exceeds a flux ionizing radiation threshold. |
| US08053738B2 |
Radiographic image detection device and radiographic image detection system
A radiographic image detection device includes a radiation detector and a handle portion. The radiation detector detects radiation that has passed through a subject and has been irradiated thereon, and outputs image information expressing a radiographic image corresponding to a detected radiation amount. The handle portion is provided at a side surface of the radiation detector and configured to be grasped, and has a notification section that gives notice of an operating state of the radiation detector. |
| US08053737B2 |
Radiographic image detection device and radiographic image detection system
Even when there are plural radiographic image detection devices and external devices between which communication takes place, a link with a designated external device may be established easily and reliably. An electronic cassette used in imaging or an electronic cassette that stores generated image data in an image memory is attached to a handle that stores a console ID, which indicates a console that is to be specified as a target of communication. When the attachment of the electronic cassette with the handle is detected by an attachment detection section, a connection request signal is sent to the console indicated by the console ID stored in the handle. When a connection permission signal is received from the console, a link between the electronic cassette and the console is established. |
| US08053736B2 |
Detector response modeling
A detector response correction arrangement and method is proposed for online determination of correction factors for arbitrary positions from arbitrary incident fluence distributions. As modern radiotherapy utilizes more of the available degrees of freedom of radiation machines, dosimetry has to be able to present reliable measurements for all these degrees of freedom. To determine correction factors online during measurement, Monte Carlo technique is used to precalculate fluence pencil kernels from a monodirectional beam to fully describe the particle fluence in an irradiated medium. Assuming that the particle fluence is not significantly altered by the introduction of a small detector volume, the fluence pencil kernels (212) can be integrated (214), and correction factors (216) determined, e.g. by Cavity Theory, in different positions for the detector material. |
| US08053735B2 |
Optimized case specific SPECT sampling
A method for improving single photon emission computed tomography by controlling acquisition parameters specific to the imaging goals and specific to the individual case under study. Data acquisition is modulated by scanning to adapt to the particular signal to noise characteristics of each object. A preliminary acquisition quickly scans the object of interest. The preliminary data is analyzed to optimize the secondary scan. The secondary scan is then acquired with optimized sampling of the object based on its own particular image characteristics. The system is able to learn, incorporating site specific data into a triaging set. |
| US08053733B2 |
Electromagnetic wave measuring apparatus
A desired spatial resolution upon a measurement can be attained by making an electromagnetic wave including a terahertz wave (frequency thereof is equal to or more than 0.01 [THz], and equal to or less than 100 [THz]) incident to a device under test. An electromagnetic wave measurement device includes an incident lens which makes an electromagnetic wave to be measured having a frequency equal to or more than 0.01 [THz] and equal to or less than 100 [THz] incident to a device under a test while decreasing a beam diameter of the electromagnetic wave to be measured, a scanning stage which rotates, about a line orthogonal to an optical axis of the incident lens as a rotational axis, the device under the test or the optical axis, and an electromagnetic wave detector which detects the electromagnetic wave to be measured which has transmitted through the device under the test, where a coordinate on the optical axis of a position which gives the minimum value d of the beam diameter is different from a coordinate on the optical axis of the rotational axis. |
| US08053730B2 |
Infrared sensor and method of fabricating the same
An infrared sensor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The sensor includes a substrate including a reflection layer and a plurality of pad electrodes, an interdigitated sensing electrode connected to the pad electrode and formed to be spaced apart from the reflection layer by a predetermined distance and a sensing layer formed on the sensing electrode and having an opening exposing a portion in which an interdigitated region of the sensing electrode connected to one pad region is separated from the sensing electrode connected to the other pad electrode. Therefore, the sensor has an electrode in a very simple constitution, and a sensing layer divided into rectangular blocks, so that current that non-uniformly flows into the electrode can be removed. Accordingly, the sensor in which current of the sensing layer can be uniformly flown, and noise is lowered can be implemented. |
| US08053727B2 |
Radiation conversion device and radiation image capturing system using the same
A radiation conversion device is driven by an on-board battery, detects radiation that has passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into image information. A charging cradle to which the radiation conversion device is connected carries out a charging process on the battery. The radiation conversion device includes a signal transmitting unit for transmitting image information by wireless communications to an external apparatus, a transmission suspension unit for monitoring a transmission state of the image information by the signal transmitting unit and suspending transmission of the image information when a transmission error is generated, and a suspension release unit for releasing suspension of transmission of the image information when the radiation conversion device is connected to the charging cradle. The signal transmitting unit transmits the image information to the external apparatus when suspension of transmission of the image information has been released. |
| US08053726B2 |
Inspection system by charged particle beam and method of manufacturing devices using the system
An inspection apparatus by an electron beam comprises: an electron-optical device 70 having an electron-optical system for irradiating the object with a primary electron beam from an electron beam source, and a detector for detecting the secondary electron image projected by the electron-optical system; a stage system 50 for holding and moving the object relative to the electron-optical system; a mini-environment chamber 20 for supplying a clean gas to the object to prevent dust from contacting to the object; a working chamber 31 for accommodating the stage device, the working chamber being controllable so as to have a vacuum atmosphere; at least two loading chambers 41, 42 disposed between the mini-environment chamber and the working chamber, adapted to be independently controllable so as to have a vacuum atmosphere; and a loader 60 for transferring the object to the stage system through the loading chambers. |
| US08053724B2 |
Real-time S-parameter imager
An instrumentation setup is provided to process electronic signals in a positron imager functioning in two different modes of operations for scanning both bulk and thin film materials. According to one part of an implementation, an instrumentation setup comprises an XY-rastering stepper motor apparatus coupled with LVDTs (Linear Variable Differential Transformers), and nuclear signal processing and high speed data acquisition sections. Imaging of bulk material samples may be enabled by scanning a positron point source across a surface of samples. In another part of the irnplenientation, the instrumentation setup may comprise an electromagnetic deflection control arrangement in conjunction with a guided monoenergetic positron beam together with nuclear signal processing and data acquisition arrangements. This part of the implementation may scan and produce images for thin film samples. The instrumentation setup is capable of producing high quality real-time S-parameter images. |
| US08053723B2 |
Intrascan data dependency
A mass spectrometer data dependent method and apparatus is introduced to alter scanning parameters based upon data acquired during that scan. Such a method an apparatus may include the identification of ion species of interest meeting user specified criteria so that a determination can be made as to whether or not the present scan is to be continued, terminated, or alternatively paused while such a decision is being made. Such a method of operation saves overall cycle time and allows examination of, for example, marker ion ratios for additional peptides that might otherwise be missed. |
| US08053721B2 |
Pump set and pump with electromagnetic radiation operated interlock
A medical pump including an electromagnetic emitter and detector is provided. The emitter emits electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength. A pump set that is compatible with the medical pump modifies the emitted electromagnetic radiation when properly installed in the pump. The detector receives electromagnetic radiation, and a filter circuit excludes electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength other than the predetermined wavelength. The pump monitors the filtered signal to determine whether the received electromagnetic radiation corresponds to the emitted electromagnetic radiation as modified by a properly loaded, compatible pump set and determines whether a compatible pump set is properly loaded in the pump as a function thereof. |
| US08053717B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device having a reference voltage generation circuit with a resistor and a second diode element and electronic device having the same
The photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion circuit for outputting photocurrent generated in a photoelectric conversion element as output voltage subjected to logarithmic compression by a first diode element, a reference voltage generation circuit for outputting reference voltage subjected to logarithmic compression by a second diode element in accordance with the amount of current flowing to a resistor, an arithmetic circuit for outputting an output signal obtained by amplifying a difference between the output voltage output from the photoelectric conversion circuit and the reference voltage output from the reference voltage generation circuit, and an output circuit for outputting current corresponding to the logarithmically-compressed output voltage output from the photoelectric conversion circuit by the output signal. |
| US08053715B2 |
Method and system for creating an image using the quantum properties of sound or quantum particles
A preferred embodiment comprises a method and system for generating an image of a subject or area comprising a processor; at least one incoherent light source which illuminates the subject or area; a first receiver for receiving light reflected from the subject or area operatively connected to the processor; a second receiver for receiving light from at least one incoherent light source operatively connected to the processor; the first receiver collecting the amount of light reflected from the subject and transmit a value at specific intervals of time; the second receiver comprising a second detector which detects and transmits spatial information regarding the incoherent light source independent of any data concerning the subject at specific intervals of time; wherein the processor correlates the value transmitted by the first receiver with the spatial information derived from the second receiver at correlating intervals of time to create an image of the subject or area. Alternatively, sound or quantum particles may replace the incoherent light source. |
| US08053713B2 |
Light source device and light amount correcting method to perform light amount corection corresponding to a change in a light source characteristic
A light source device includes: a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits, according to an input value, light having first wavelength; a wavelength converting element that converts, with a nonlinear optical effect, the light having the first wavelength emitted by the semiconductor light-emitting element into light having second wavelength; a light-amount measuring unit that measures a light amount of the light having the second wavelength emitted from the wavelength converting element; an equivalent-light-amount calculating unit that calculates, on the basis of the measured light amount measured by the light-amount measuring unit, an equivalent light amount equivalent to a light amount of the light having the first wavelength; and a light-amount correcting unit that corrects an emitted light amount of the semiconductor light-emitting element using the input value and the equivalent light amount. |
| US08053712B2 |
Use of a photoelectric converted signal to inspect an objective lens driving device
An inspecting method for an object lens driving device including a base, an objective lens, a holder for holding the objective lens on the base, and a drive mechanism for driving the holder so as to move the objective lens in the focus direction, the method comprising the steps of: emitting a laser beam through the objective lens; allowing the laser beam emitted through the objective lens to pass through an aperture having a predetermined diameter; applying to the drive mechanism a drive voltage for moving the holder between a first position closest to a surface of the base and a second position farther than the first position from the surface of the base; performing photoelectric conversion of the laser beam having passed through the aperture; and inspecting the objective lens driving device based on a signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion. |
| US08053707B2 |
Barbecue grill
A barbecue grill for cooking an object. The barbecue grill includes a first resistive element subassembly energizable for generating heat to cook the object, and a second resistive element subassembly energizable for generating heat to cook the object. |
| US08053705B2 |
Laser assisted machining process with distributed lasers
Laser assisted machining process and machine utilizing multiple distributed laser units that are strategically distributed around the workpiece being machined to simultaneously heat the workpiece, creating a desired temperature distribution for laser assisted machining. Sequential incremental heating from different directions and positions are used, resulting in longer tool life and shorter machining time. |
| US08053702B2 |
Method of connecting pipe members for endoscope
A method for connecting pipe members for an endoscope includes the steps of arranging two pipe members each made of a corrosion-resistant alloy material by fitting one in another so that a passage is defined through the two pipe members, jetting inert gas toward an exterior of an area at which the two pipe members are to be connected, injecting inert gas through the passage defined through the two pipe members, and connecting the two pipes by laser welding such that a laser beam is irradiated toward the exterior of the area at which the two pipe members are to be connected with jetting the inert gas toward the exterior of the area at which the two pipe members are to be connected and injecting the inert gas through the passage defined by through the two pipe members. |
| US08053697B2 |
Keyboard, linkage assembly set, and method of assembling a keyboard
A keyboard includes a keyboard base, a membrane circuit substrate, and a press key set having a plurality of press keys. Each of the press keys includes: a keycap, a linkage assembly including intersecting first and second link levers, and a first pivot mechanism to interconnect pivotally the first and second link levers, and an elastic element. The first pivot mechanism includes: a female element having a first opening formed in one of upper and lower surfaces of the first link lever; and a flexible male element outwardly protruding from a lateral surface of the second link lever. The male and female elements are configured such that after the male element is elastically deformed to be pressed into the female element via the first opening, the male element is restored to its original form to be limited in the female element. |
| US08053696B1 |
Electric connector switch
An electric connector switch for connecting lighting fixtures to a power cable is disclosed to include an electrically insulative housing, a connector body mounted inside the housing to hold a grounding unit and a conducting unit, and a switching member for controlling on/off status between the conducting unit and the power cable. The conducting unit has two fixed electrodes respectively connected to the positive and negative poles of the power cable, and a movable electrode, which has one end constantly kept in contact with one fixed electrode and the other end movable by the switching member between the on position to contact the other fixed electrode and the off position to be disconnected from the other fixed electrode. |
| US08053693B2 |
Switch contact with a weight-reduced contact spring
In an electrical switch, in particular an electrical microswitch, has at least one electrical contact designed as a hollow-shape section of a component of an electrically conducting material. In this electrical switch, the occurrence of vibrations with the introduction onto an opposing contact is prevented. |
| US08053688B2 |
Method and apparatus for masking keystroke sounds from computer keyboards
Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base. |
| US08053677B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method of manufacturing the same, and wiring substrate and method of manufacturing the same
An electronic apparatus includes a multilayer wiring structure having insulating layers and wiring layers which are stacked and having a surface on which an electronic component is mounted, a dipole antenna formed on a surface 13A of the multilayer wiring structure, a radiating plate disposed on the surface together with the dipole antenna, and a radiating path formed in the multilayer wiring structure and serving to transfer a heat generated in the electronic component to the radiating plate. |
| US08053665B2 |
Truncated pyramid structures for see-through solar cells
The present disclosure presents a partially-transparent (see-through) three-dimensional thin film solar cell (3-D TFSC) substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell structure has the shape of a truncated pyramid, and its parameters may be varied to allow a desired portion of sunlight to pass through. |
| US08053661B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element and imaging device
A photoelectric conversion element is provided and includes: an electrically conductive thin layer; an organic photoelectric conversion layer containing a compound having a partial structure represented by the following formula (I) and a fullerene or a fullerene derivative; and a transparent electrically conductive thin layer. X represents O, S or N—R10, R10 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, Rx and Ry represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, with at least one representing an electron-withdrawing group, Rx and Ry may combine to form a ring, R represents a bond (—), a hydrogen atom or a substituent, with at least one being the bond, nr represents an integer of 1 to 4, R's may be the same or different when nr is 2 or more, and R's at the 2- and 3-positions or R's at the 5- and 6-positions may combine with each other to form a ring. |
| US08053657B2 |
System and methodology for image and overlaid annotation display, management and communication
An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. In a preferred embodiment, the librarian logic, the performance logic and the communications management logic are defined by program data stored in the data storage apparatus, and the processor is responsive to the program data for managing data formatting, displaying music, and management of communications of data with the external apparatus. In one embodiment, two Performer subsystems are operable alternatively as one of a single appliance as a linked set a linked mode and as two independent appliances a stand-alone mode, wherein in the linked mode each of the two Performer subsystems operate cooperatively with each other as a linked set to provide a two page display on the video presentation, and wherein in the stand alone mode each of the two Performer subsystems operates independently. The method is comprised of defining a page of music image data from the music database; defining ordered logical sections; storing the mapping in a memory for selective retrieval; and providing for the video display of the music responsive to the mapping and the storing. |
| US08053655B2 |
Carrier assembly for percussion instruments
Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid light material such as plastic or a light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The carrier has a vest or belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar and the shoulder supports are removable and/or adjustable. The supporting elements are of rod or tubular construction. Special padding may be included on the shoulder supports, belly plate portion and other parts where cushioning is needed. The hardware may be universally adjustable. |
| US08053646B1 |
Maize variety PHTEF
A novel maize variety designated PHTEF and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHTEF with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHTEF through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHTEF or a trait conversion of PHTEF with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHTEF, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHTEF and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods. |
| US08053644B1 |
Maize variety PHV4M
A novel maize variety designated PHV4M and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHV4M with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHV4M through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHV4M or a trait conversion of PHV4M with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHV4M, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHV4M and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods. |
| US08053643B2 |
Garden bean cultivar H26107
A novel garden bean cultivar, designated H26107, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of garden bean cultivar H26107, to the plants of garden bean line H26107 and to methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the cultivar H26107 with itself or another bean line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a bean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other garden bean lines derived from the cultivar H26107. |
| US08053642B2 |
Soybean variety XB12U09
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB12U09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB12U09, to the plants of soybean XB12U09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB12U09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB12U09 with another soybean plant, using XB12U09 as either the male or the female parent. |
| US08053635B2 |
Transformed plant expressing a dextransucrase and synthesizing a modified starch
The present invention relates to plant cells and plants, which are genetically modified, wherein the genetic modification leads to the expression in plastids of such plant cells and plants of an enzyme having the activity of a dextransucrase. Furthermore, the present invention relates to means and methods for the manufacture of such plant cells and plants. Plant cells and plants of this type synthesis a modified starch. The present invention therefore also relates to the starch synthesized by the plant cells and plants according to the invention as well as to methods for the manufacture of the starch and to the manufacture of starch derivatives of this modified starch. |
| US08053634B2 |
Stabilization and blueing of anthocyanin pigments using gene encoding aromatic acyltransferase capable of transferring an aromatic acyl group to the 3′-position of anthocyanin
A method of acylating the 3′ position of anthocyanin using an enzyme that transfers an aromatic acyl group to a sugar at the 3′ position of anthocyanin or a gene encoding the enzyme. |
| US08053633B1 |
Fungal desaturases and related methods
The presently-disclosed subject matter provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding mushroom desaturase polypeptides that are active with both palmitic and stearic acid, as well as vectors and transgenic plant cells comprising nucleic acids of the presently-disclosed subject matter. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of producing monounsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid (16:1), and monounsaturated fatty acids prepared by the methods disclosed herein. |
| US08053629B2 |
Plants with improved morphogenesis and method of constructing the same
The invention relates to plants and their progeny with improved morphogenesis in a variety of organs; to a method for producing the plants; and to a method for producing calli. |
| US08053625B2 |
Absorbent articles including a body fluid signaling device
Wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition early on. These devices produce either a visual or an audible signal. Many of these devices rely on electronics, which may increase the expense of the absorbent article. Further, electronic devices rely on electrical sources and may be prone to failure if not utilized for an extended period of time. |
| US08053621B2 |
Solvent treatment methods and polymerization processes employing the treatment methods
A method for treating a hydrocarbon solvent, the method comprising continuously introducing a hydrocarbon solvent to a liquid medium containing hydrogen ions; allowing the hydrocarbon solvent to be in contact with the liquid medium for at least 1 minute; continuously removing hydrocarbon solvent from the liquid medium to provide a treated hydrocarbon solvent stream. |
| US08053620B2 |
Guard bed for removing contaminants from feedstock to a normal paraffin extraction unit
Processes and systems for removing contaminants from a paraffin containing feedstock are provided that include: providing a paraffin containing feedstock, passing the paraffin containing feedstock to an inlet of a guard bed that includes an adsorbent material, and contacting the paraffin containing feedstock with the adsorbent material in the guard bed to produce a treated paraffin containing feedstock. The processes and systems can also include removing the treated paraffin containing feedstock from an outlet of the guard bed, and passing the treated paraffin containing feedstock to a paraffin separation zone that separates normal paraffins from the treated paraffin containing feedstock. |
| US08053614B2 |
Base oil
The invention relates to a new base stock material. Specifically the invention relates to a saturated hydrocarbon composition and particularly to a composition based on biological raw materials, to be used as a high-quality base oil or to be used as a component in the production of a base oil having a high viscosity index and good low temperature properties. The composition contains saturated hydrocarbons and has a narrow carbon number range. |
| US08053613B2 |
Processes for producing 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene and precursors thereof
A process is disclosed for making CH2ClCF2CClF2. The process involves reacting CH2ClF with CClF═CF2 in an addition reaction zone in the presence of an aluminum halide composition having a bulk formula of AlClxBryF3-x-y wherein the average value of x is 0 to 3, the average value of y is 0 to 3−x, provided that the average values of x and y are not both 0. Also disclosed is a process for making CH2FCF2CF3 that involves reacting the CH2ClCF2CClF2 with HF in a fluorination reaction zone in the presence of a fluorination catalyst. Also disclosed is a process for making CHF═CFCF3 that involves dehydrofluorinating the CH2FCF2CF3. |
| US08053610B2 |
Method for purifying fermentation alcohol
The present invention relates to a method for purifying an aqueous solution of fermentation alcohol to give anhydrous alcohol, wherein a mash column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor distilled from a mash column is less than 50% by weight and a reflux amount of a condensate to a distillation column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor that is distilled from the distillation column is 55 to 85% by weight. According to the present method, the purification for obtaining an anhydrous alcohol from an aqueous solution of a fermentation alcohol with the use of a mash column, a pressurized distillation column and a membrane separator can be more conveniently carried out with an extremely high energy efficiency as the whole process. |
| US08053607B2 |
Method for producing polyether-polyol having narrow molecular weight distribution
A method for producing a polyether-polyol having a narrow molecular weight distribution, which comprises carrying out selective fractional extraction of the low-molecular weight component from a polyether-polyol (A) having an average molecular weight of from 500 to 4500 represented by formula (1): HO—[(CH2)4O]n—[(CR1R2)pO]q—H (1) wherein R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; n indicates a positive integer; p indicates an integer of from 1 to 8; and q indicates 0 or a positive integer, by the use of an aqueous solution (C) containing from 15 to 70 wt % sulfuric acid at a room temperature to 100° C., to thereby suitably determine the amount of the aqueous sulfuric acid solution to the overall organic layer and the sulfuric acid concentration in accordance with the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the intended polyether-polyol to be fractionally extracted. |
| US08053606B2 |
Alkoxylation of fluorinated alcohols
A fluorinated alkylalkoxylate, and a process for its preparation in which at least one fluorinated alcohol is contacted with at least one alkylene epoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an alkali metal borohydride, and an organic quaternary salt. |
| US08053605B2 |
Phosphorus-containing catalyst composition and hydroformylation process using the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst composition that includes a triphenylphosphine ligand, a monodentate phosphine ligand, a monodentate phosphine oxide ligand, and a transition metal catalyst, and a hydroformylation process using the same. In the hydroformylation process using the catalyst composition according to the present invention, the high catalytic activity can be obtained, and the selectivity (N/I selectivity) in respects to normal- or iso-aldehyde can be desirably controlled. |
| US08053604B2 |
Process for preparation of diphosphine compounds and intermediates for the process
A production method of a compound represented by the formula wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, R2a, R2b, R2c, R2d, R2e and R2f are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like, and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like, or a salt thereof, which comprises reacting a compound represented by the formula wherein X is a leaving group and other symbols are as defined above, or a salt thereof, with a phosphine-borane complex represented by the formula wherein the symbols are as defined above, or a salt thereof, in a solvent in the presence of an amine and a nickel catalyst, is provided. |
| US08053603B2 |
Tetralone-based monoamine reuptake inhibitors
The invention relates to novel tetralone based amines and their use in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson's disease. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and compositions of the invention as well as methods of inhibiting reuptake of one or more monoamine, such as such as dopamine and norepinephrine, from the synaptic cleft, and methods of modulating one or more monoamine transporter. |
| US08053602B2 |
Production of propionic acid
Propionic acid is produced via the catalytic dehydration of glycerol in the presence of at least one transition metal catalyst. |
| US08053592B2 |
Method for producing optically active α-ionone
Provided that a method for inexpensively producing optically active α-ionone with a high yield and a high asymmetric yield and with good workability in a short process, and a perfume composition comprising the optically active α-ionone obtained by the aforementioned method. A method for producing optically active α-ionone, comprising allowing α-ionone as a mixture of optical isomers to react with an esterification agent, and hydrolyzing the obtained α-ionone enol ester; a method for producing optically active α-ionone comprising subjecting α-ionone as a mixture of optical isomers to an asymmetric reduction, allowing the obtained optically active α-ionol to react with an esterification agent to give an optically active α-ionol ester, hydrolyzing the obtained optically active α-ionol ester after purification as necessary, and then oxidizing the obtained optically active α-ionol; and a perfume composition comprising thus obtained optically active α-ionone. |
| US08053589B1 |
Imines and methods of preparing electron deficient olefins using such novel imines
This invention relates to novel imines, some of which are in the form of ionic liquids, and a process for producing electron deficient olefins, such as 2-cyanoacrylates, using an imine, for instance such novel imines, many of which are in the form of an ionic liquid. |
| US08053586B2 |
Alkylene oxide recovery systems
Systems and processes for recovering alkylene oxide, including an alkylene oxide recovery column including a stripping section located in the column to convert a portion of a feed stream to a gas phase including alkylene oxide; a reabsorption section in the column above the stripping section including a water stream to reabsorb the alkylene oxide in the gas phase portion and to produce an aqueous solution, a first stripping gas to strip carbon dioxide and oxygen from the aqueous solution by converting a portion of the aqueous solution to a gaseous portion, producing an alkylene oxide stream, and a side take-off located at a bottom portion of the reabsorption section for removal of the alkylene oxide stream; a condenser to partially condense the gas phase portion; and a top take-off for removal of a light impurity fraction. |
| US08053584B2 |
Purification process for lactide
The present case relates to a process for the purification of lactide from a crude lactide vapor product stream which process comprises a rectification/condensation step leading to a lactide-enriched condensate. |
| US08053582B1 |
Process for making tetrazole based cross-linked polymers
A cross-linked polyisocyanate polymer and a process for preparation of a polymer having the general structure (I) including reacting an effective amount of tetrazole polyol with isocyanate resin, combining at a temperature in the range of about 50° C. to about 100° C. for a time period in the range of about 1 to about 24 hours and cooling to room temperature producing a cross-linked polyisocyanate polymer. |
| US08053579B2 |
Salts of clopidogrel and process for preparation
Disclosed are new salts of Clopidogrel viz. Clopidogrel mesylate, Clopidogrel besylate and Clopidogrel tosylate, methods for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine. |
| US08053578B2 |
Alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine imaging agents and probes
The present invention provides novel alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds I wherein R1 is a C1-C10 fluorinated aliphatic radical; R2 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R4 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C10 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C10 aromatic radical. The alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and may comprise either or both of fluorine-18 and fluorine 19. The alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds are believed to possess high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes. The alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds comprising a fluorine-18 group are useful as PET imaging agents targeting the VMAT-2 biomarker. The non-radiolabled alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds are useful as probes for the discovery of PET imaging agents. |
| US08053576B2 |
Compositions containing spirocyclic cyclohexane compounds
Spirocyclic cyclohexane compounds corresponding to formula I a method for producing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods of using them. |
| US08053571B2 |
Methods, compositions, and apparatuses for forming macrocyclic compounds
This invention relates to methods, compositions, and apparatuses for producing macrocyclic compounds. First, one or more reactants are provided in a reaction medium, which are capable of forming the macrocyclic compound through a desired reaction pathway that includes at least cyclization, and which are further capable of forming undesired oligomers through a undesired reaction pathway that includes undesirable oligomerization. Oligomerization of such reactions in the reaction medium is modulated to reduce formation of undesired oligomers and/or to reduce separation of the undesired oligomers from the reaction medium, relative to a corresponding unmodulated oligomerization reaction, thereby maximizing yields of the macrocyclic compound. The macrocyclic compound so formed is then recovered from the reaction medium. Preferably, the macrocyclic compound spontaneously separates from the reaction medium via phase separation. More preferably, the macrocyclic compound spontaneous precipitates from the reaction medium and therefore can be easily recovered by simple filtration. |
| US08053570B2 |
Method for producing α-form titanylphthalocyanine and electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising α-form titanylphthalocyanine
The present invention relates to a method for producing an α-form titanylphthalocyanine represented by the formula (1): which has a peak at a Bragg angle (2θ±0.2°) in X-ray diffraction spectrum with CuK α-ray: 7.5°, 10.2°, 12.6°, 13.2°, 15.1°, 16.3°, 17.3°, 18.3°, 22.5°, 24.2°, 25.3° and 28.6°, wherein the method includes steps of: (I) subjecting a crude titanylphthalocyanine having an α-form polymorph to an acid pasting treatment, and then filtering and washing with water to give a water-containing wet cake, and then subjecting the wet cake to drying and crushing to give a low crystalline titanylphthalocyanine; (II) adding a dispersing aid to the low crystalline titanylphthalocyanine and dispersing at room temperature, in DMF, to prepare a polymorph; and (III) filtering, washing, and drying under a reduced pressure. |
| US08053569B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding and methods of producing fusion proteins
The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of agents across the blood brain barrier while allowing their activity once across the barrier to remain substantially intact. The agents are transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems. In some embodiments the agents are therapeutic, diagnostic, or research agents. |
| US08053566B2 |
Methods for isolating and harvesting lignin and isolated lignin preparations produced using the methods
Lignin polymers having distinctive properties, including a generally high molecular weight and generally homogeneous size distribution, as well as preservation of native reactive side groups, are isolated by solvent extraction of plant materials. Methods for isolation of lignin polymers, and for use of the isolated lignin polymers are disclosed. Compositions containing lignin isolated from plant materials, such as carbon fiber composites, resins, adhesive binders and coatings, polyurethane-based foams, rubbers and elastomers, plastics, films, paints, nutritional supplements, food and beverage additives are disclosed. Xylose and xylose derivatives, furfural, fermentable sugars, cellulose and hemi-cellulose products may be used directly or further processed. The lignin polymers and other plant-derived products disclosed herein may be produced in abundance at low cost, and may be used as substitutes for feedstocks originating from fossil fuel or petrochemical sources in the manufacture of various products. |
| US08053565B2 |
Multi-media affinity column to prevent leaching of ligands
In an affinity-type purification, ligands dissociated from a packed bed that would otherwise leach into the solution containing the species being purified are captured by a second ligand that resides in a porous barrier downstream from the packed bed, the second ligand exhibiting an affinity-type interaction with the dissociated first ligand with sufficient specificity to avoid the undesired retention by the second ligand of species from the liquid sample or source liquid other than the species sought to be purified in the affinity column. |
| US08053563B2 |
YKL-40 monoclonal authority
The present invention relates to monoclonal anti-human YKL-antibodies which are capable to modulate biological processes in which YKL-40 plays a prominent role, e.g. inhibit the growth and/or inducing apoptosis of cells, in particular cancer cells. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antibodies and uses said antibodies and/or pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of a disease wherein inhibition of cell growth, cell differentiation, remodelling of extracellular matrix, metastasis and/or induction of cell death due to apoptosis is a prerequisite for successful curing. An antibody of the invention is capable of inhibiting biological function of YKL-40 in the above mentioned processes by binding to a specific epitope on YKL-40. |
| US08053560B2 |
Modified human plasma polypeptide or Fc scaffolds and their uses
Modified human plasma polypeptides or Fc and uses thereof are provided. |
| US08053558B2 |
Dendritic cell co-stimulatory molecules
A novel costimulatory protein molecule, B7-DC, which is a member of the B7 family, is described as is DNA coding therefor and expression vectors comprising this DNA. B7-DC protein, fragments, fusion polypeptides/proteins and other functional derivatives, and transformed cells expressing B7-DC are useful in vaccine compositions and methods. Compositions and methods are disclosed for inducing potent T cell mediated responses that can be harnessed for anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity. |
| US08053556B2 |
Glypican-3 (GPC3)-derived tumor rejection antigenic peptides useful for HLA-A2-positive patients and pharmaceutical comprising the same
It is an object of the present invention to identify a glypican-3-derived peptide which can bind to HLA-A2 and activate human killer T cells, so as to provide a means for carrying out an immunotherapy which is able to target approximately 40% of Japanese patients suffering from several types of cancers, which express GPC3 at a high level. The present invention provides a peptide of any of the following (A) or (B): (A) a peptide, which has the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3; or (B) a peptide, which has an amino acid sequence comprising a substitution or addition of one or two amino acids with respect to the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3, and which has ability to induce killer T cells. |
| US08053555B2 |
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. |
| US08053552B2 |
Neopeptides and methods useful for detection and treatment of cancer
The present invention relates to compounds and methods useful for the detection and treatment of disorders associated with frameshift mutations in coding microsatellite regions. The compounds and methods are applicable in cancers, especially of DNA mismatch repair deficient (MMR) sporadic tumors and HNPCC associated tumors. The compounds disclosed in the invention are useful for detection of disorders and in therapy such as e.g. immuno-therapy. The diagnostic methods relate to diagnosis and prognostic assessment of disorders associated with frameshift polypeptides originating from frameshift mutations in coding microsatellite regions of genes based on the detection of immunological entities directed against said frameshift polypeptides in body fluids. With respect to the treatment of cancer, especially of DNA mismatch repair deficient (MMR) sporadic tumors and HNPCC associated tumors, the invention pertains to methods which use immuno therapy with combinatorial mixtures of tumor specific frameshift peptides to elicit a cytotoxic T-cell response specifically directed against tumor cells for use in prevention as well as in curative treatment of cancers and precancers. |
| US08053551B2 |
Serpentine transmembrane antigens expressed in human cancers and uses therefor
Described is a novel family of cell surface serpentine transmembrane antigens. Two of the proteins in this family are exclusively or predominantly expressed in the prostate, as well as in prostate cancer, and thus members of this family have been termed “STEAP” (Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate). Four particular human STEAPs are described and characterized herein. The human STEAPs exhibit a high degree of structural conservation among them but show no significant structural homology to any known human proteins. The prototype member of the STEAP family, STEAP-1, appears to be a type IIIa membrane protein expressed predominantly in prostate cells in normal human tissues. Structurally, STEAP-1 is a 339 amino acid protein characterized by a molecular topology of six transmembrane domains and intracellular N- and C-termini, suggesting that it folds in a “serpentine” manner into three extracellular and two intracellular loops. STEAP-1 protein expression is maintained at high levels across various stages of prostate cancer. Moreover, STEAP-1 is highly over-expressed in certain other human cancers. |
| US08053549B2 |
Method for the preparation of fluoropolymer powdered materials
A method for the preparation of a modified fluoropolymer powdered material is disclosed. A suspension of solid fluoropolymer particles together with PTFE particles in an aqueous carrier, is frozen and the frozen carrier is then removed by sublimation at sub-atmospheric pressure to produce a dry powder of modified fluoropolymer particles. |
| US08053547B2 |
Conjugated polymers and blends containing carbazole, representation and use thereof
The present invention relates to conjugated polymers comprising specific carbazole structural units. The materials according to the invention display steeper current-voltage curves and are therefore better suited to use in organic light-emitting diodes than are comparative polymers which do not contain these units. |
| US08053546B2 |
Catalyst for curing epoxides
The use of 1,3-substituted imidazolium salts of the formula I in which R1 and R3 independently of one another are an organic radical having 1 to 20 C atoms, R2, R4, and R5 independently of one another are an H atom or an organic radical having 1 to 20 C atoms, it also being possible for R4 and R5 together to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring, X is an anion having a pKb of less than 13 (measured at 25° C., 1 bar in water or dimethyl sulfoxide), and n is 1, 2 or 3, with the exception as imidazolium salts of 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium acetate and 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium acetate-acetic acid complex, as latent catalysts for curing compositions comprising epoxy compounds. |
| US08053544B2 |
Silicone for preparing ophthalmic devices
The present invention is to provide a silicone having (meth)acryl groups on both ends of a molecule and represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 is represented by the following formula: wherein n is 3 or 4, k is an integer of from 1 to 15, j is an integer of from 0 to 15, and Q2 is a methyl group or a hydrogen atom; R2 is, independently of each other, a group selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon groups and halogenated hydrocarbon groups, both having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R3 is a group represented by the following formula: —CmH2mO(C2H4O)x(C3H6O)yQ1 wherein m is 3 or 4, x is an integer of from 1 to 15, y is an integer of from 0 to 15, and Q1 is a methyl group or a hydrogen atom; a is an integer of from 1 to 500; and b is an integer of from 1 to 100, with a total of a and b being 50 to 500. |
| US08053542B2 |
Styrene-butadiene polymers with styrene gradient and methods of making the same
The invention provides a process for polymerizing a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, said process comprising: A) adding less than 60 weight percent of the total amount of the butadiene used in the polymerization, to a reactor comprising the total amount of styrene used in the polymerization and solvent; B) adding at least one initiator to the reactor, and allowing the reaction to proceed for a time t; C) adding the remaining amount of butadiene to the reactor in two or more separate additions; and wherein for each butadiene addition, the amount of subsequent butadiene added is less than, or equal to, the amount of butadiene added in the immediately prior addition; and wherein for each butadiene addition, the butadiene is added over a time, tnc, and after each addition, the reaction is allowed to proceed for a time, tnr, wherein n is the number of the butadiene addition, and for each addition, n is independently greater than, or equal to, 1. |
| US08053540B2 |
Catalyst precursor composition for electroless plating, and preparation method of transparent electromagnetic interference shielding material using the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst precursor composition for electroless plating, and more specifically, the present invention provides the catalyst precursor composition comprising (a) a reactive oligomer; (b) a reactive monomer; (c) a photoinitiator; (d) a catalyst precursor for electroless plating; and (e) a solvent, and a method of preparing the EMI shielding material with the same. The present invention provides an easy and simple method of preparing the EMI shielding material by using the catalyst precursor composition that contains a UV curable resin with good adhesion to the base material, thereby eliminating the need for pre-treating the base material with a receptive layer before electroless plating. |
| US08053537B2 |
Method for using a topcoat composition
A method of forming an image on a photoresist. The method includes: forming a photoresist over a substrate; applying a topcoat composition, the topcoat composition comprising at least one fluorine-containing polymer and a casting solvent, onto the photoresist; removing the casting solvent of the topcoat composition resulting in the formation of a topcoat material over the photoresist; exposing the photoresist to radiation, the radiation changing a chemical composition of the regions of the photoresist exposed to the radiation, forming exposed and unexposed regions in the photoresist; and removing i) the topcoat material and ii) the exposed regions of the photoresist or the unexposed regions of the photoresist. |
| US08053536B2 |
Functionalized polyfluorenes for use in optoelectronic devices
The present invention relates to process comprising reacting a polyfluorenes comprising at least one structural group of formula I with an iridium (III) compound of formula II wherein R1 and R2 are independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl or a combination thereof; R5is H or CHO; R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl or a combination thereof; R11 and R12 taken together form a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or bicyclic heteroaromatic ring; R13 is independently at each occurrence halo, nitro, hydroxy, amino, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, or substituted arylalkyl; Ar is aryl, heteroaryl, substituted aryl, substituted heteroaryl, or a combination thereof; X is selected from a direct bond, alky, substituted alkyl, and combinations thereof; Y is CHO or NH2; Z is CHO or NH2 where Z does not equal Y; and p is 0, 1 or 2. The invention also relates to the polyfluorenes, which are products of the reaction, and the use of the polyfluorenes in optoelectronic devices. |
| US08053535B2 |
Polysiloxanes with anti-fouling activity
Anti-fouling materials may include one or more of a number of suitable copolymers (e.g., block copolymers, graft copolymers, etc.) which provide biocidal and/or fouling release characteristics. The copolymers may include a polysiloxane backbone with one or more polymers grafted onto the polysiloxane backbone. |
| US08053526B2 |
Fluoroelastomer process aid contains polyalkylene oxide and polycaprolactone
A process aid for improving the processability of non-fluorinated melt processible polymers contains a fluoroelastomer having a Mooney viscosity (ML (1+10) at 121° C.) between 30 and 100 and at least two interfacial agents, one a polycaprolactone having a Mn between 2000 and 8000 and the other a polyalkylene oxide having a Mn between 3000 and 5000. |
| US08053525B2 |
Method of modifying the rheology of a thermoplastic resin
A method of modifying the rheology of a thermoplastic resin that includes the steps of providing a thermoplastic resin and blending interpolymer resin particles with the thermoplastic resin. The interpolymer resin contains a styrenic polymer intercalated within a polyolefin, such that the thermoplastic resin is present as a continuous phase and the interpolymer resin is present as a dispersed phase. The method provides a rheology modified thermoplastic resin with improved physical characteristics. |
| US08053520B2 |
Conjugation reactions
An initiator for the terminal group of the polymer product of an atom or group radical transfer polymerisation has an activated carboxyl or an amine group which is reacted with an amine or carboxyl (respectively) group containing biologically active compound. The initiator is preferably 4-(3-(2-bromo, 2-methyl-propionate)phenyl)-propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester or 2-bromo, 2-methyl-propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The monomers preferably comprise a zwitterionic monomer such as 2-methacryloxyethyl-2′-trimethyl ammoniumethyl phosphate inner salt. |
| US08053511B2 |
Process for preparing polymer dispersions, the resulting dispersions and their use
A description is given of a process of emulsion polymerization of free-radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group of the monoesters or diesters of ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids with alkanols, vinyl esters and/or vinylaromatics and, if desired, further monomers copolymerizable therewith, at least 60% of the total conversion in the polymerization taking place at a temperature of 100° C. to 160° C., the polymerization being performed in the presence of emulsifiers and an amount of 0% to 1% by weight, based on the total amount of the monomers used, of protective colloid.The process can be used to obtain significantly faster conversions for comparable quality of the process products.The dispersions obtained can be employed in a wide variety of different applications, such as binders for paints or as adhesives. |
| US08053510B2 |
Pneumatic tire
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a wire-reinforced component comprising (A) a metallic wire; and (B) a rubber composition contacting the wire, the rubber composition comprising (1) a diene based elastomer; and (2) from 2 to 20 phr of at least one carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid and dithiodipropionic acid. |
| US08053509B2 |
Starch-(meth)acrylate graft copolymer, oil-swellable material and oil- and water-swellable material comprising the same, and sealing articles and packers prepared from said swellable material
The present invention provides a starch-(meth)acrylate graft copolymer and the preparation process thereof. The starch-(meth)acrylate graft copolymer is prepared by copolymerizing (meth)acrylate monomer and starch in a weight ratio of (0.4˜8):1, the graft copolymer having a skeleton of large starch molecule is grafted with one or more (meth)acrylate monomer with a grafting ratio of no less than 70%. The present invention further provides an oil swellable material, which comprises the starch-(meth)acrylate graft copolymer above as the swelling agent; and also an oil- and water-swellable material, which comprises the starch-(meth)acrylate graft copolymer above, water absorbing agent, reactive monomer, surfactant and material matrix. Further, sealing articles and packers prepared from the above oil swellable material and oil- and water-swellable material are also provided. |
| US08053507B2 |
Highly filled elastomeric resin compositions with added microsilica for processability
The present invention relates to elastomeric compounds having a high filler content additionally containing 1 to 400% by weight of resin of microsilica as a modifier to improve the processability. Thereafter, the invention relates to a method for production of elastomeric compounds having a high filler content, wherein microsilica is added to the elastomeric compounds in an amount of 1 to 400% by weight of resin as a modifier to improve processability. |
| US08053505B2 |
Fire retardant material and molded body
An object is to provide a fire retardant material capable of being molded by an injection molding machine and free from deterioration of the physical properties and a molded body formed of the fire retardant material. A fire retardant includes a degraded polypropylene resin obtained by melt kneading a polypropylene resin and an organic peroxide, wherein a weight average molecular weight of the degraded polypropylene is from 50,000 to 200,000; and an inorganic filler, wherein a mass ratio of the polypropylene to the inorganic filler is from 95/5 to 10/90. |
| US08053503B2 |
Aqueous dispersion, its production method, and its use
Aqueous dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water; wherein the dispersion has a pH of less than 12 are disclosed along with dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water wherein the dispersion has a volume average particle size of less than about 5 μm. Some dispersions include less than about 4 percent by weight of the dispersing agent based on the weight of the thermoplastic resin. Other dispersions include at least one propylene-rich alpha-olefin interpolymer; at least one dispersing agent; and water. Methods of making such dispersions are also described. |
| US08053496B1 |
Rubber wet master batch, process for producing the same, rubber composition, and pneumatic tire
A process for producing a rubber wet master batch contains at least a filler, a dispersing solvent and a rubber latex liquid as raw materials, comprising: a step (I) of, at the time of dispersing the filler into the dispersing solvent, adding at least one portion of the rubber latex liquid thereto, thereby preparing a slurry containing the filler to which rubber latex particles adhere; a step (II) of mixing the slurry with the rest of the rubber latex liquid, thereby preparing the rubber latex liquid containing the rubber-latex-particle-adhering filler; and a step (III) of solidifying and drying the rubber latex liquid containing the rubber-latex-particle-adhering filler. |
| US08053494B2 |
Invisible ink and scratch pad
An invisible ink, a method for preparing an invisible ink, and an invisible ink product are disclosed herein. An invisible ink comprising a first ink combined with a second ink is applied to a print medium. The first ink comprises a color developer activator without a color former leuco dye and the second ink comprises a color former leuco dye without a color developer activator. The first ink is prepared with a polyvinyl alcohol binder, dispersant/surfactant, and a wetting agent. The second ink is prepared with a polyvinyl alcohol binder, grind aid, dispersant/surfactant and defoamer. Heat generated by rubbing and/or scratching the invisible ink on the print medium activates the color former leuco dye and activator to change the color on the printing medium. |
| US08053493B2 |
Pixel-to-barrier-unevenness-controllable ink
Disclosed is an ink, which has a viscosity and a volumetric shrinkage, controlled to 20˜80 cP and 10˜30%, respectively, by controlling an amount of each of: (a) a first monomer having a viscosity of 7˜1,600 cP and having one or two polymerizable functional groups; and (b) a second monomer having a viscosity of 30˜20,000 cP and having at least three polymerizable functional groups, in the presence of 0˜20 wt % of a solvent, and which can form a convex portion due to its surface tension controlled to 20˜40 mN/m, so as to compensate for its volumetric shrinkage, wherein the viscosity and the surface tension are measured at 25° C. A substrate, which is patterned or information-recorded with the ink, and a display device having the substrate are also disclosed. |
| US08053487B2 |
Multifunctional acrylates used as cross-linkers in dental and biomedical self-etching bonding adhesives
This invention describes an adhesive used for bonding dental and medical biomaterials to hard tissues via a molecular bridge formed from calcium-reactive amines and acrylic or methacrylic ester monomers to hard tissues such as enamel, dentin, and bone. This formulation consists of an acid-stable polymerizable compound with multi-functional acrylate cross-linkers. This formula provides good self-adherence without prior preparation of the hard tissue substrates. The formulation can contain chemical- and/or light-activated free-radical initiators. |
| US08053481B2 |
Low-pressure Fischer-Tropsch process
A Fischer-Tropsch process for producing diesel fuel or diesel blending stock with a high cetane number, in a concentration of 65-90 wt % at pressures below 200 psia, using a cobalt catalyst with a rhenium and/or ruthenium promoter. The catalyst is a cobalt catalyst with crystallites having an average diameter greater than 16 nanometers, and the resulting hydrocarbon product after a rough flash, contains less than 10 wt % waxes (>C23). |
| US08053479B2 |
Silica sol and method for producing the same
This invention provides a high-purity, high-concentrated silica sol with long-term stability and low viscosity by preventing viscosity-increase after production, and method for producing the same. In one embodiment, the silica sol produced by an alkoxide method comprises at least a dispersing agent and silica, wherein the concentration of said dispersing agent is 10-3000 ppm with respect to the silica, wherein said dispersing agent may be an inorganic acid, inorganic acid salt, organic acid or organic acid salt whose degradation temperature and boiling point are both 60° C. or higher, wherein said silica sol has a silica concentration of 20% weight or higher. |
| US08053476B2 |
Method for treating peripheral neuropathic pain
The present invention concerns the use of compounds of the Formula (I) for treating different types of acute and chronic pain, especially non neuropathic inflammatory pain in mammals. The pain to be treated may be e.g. chronic inflammatory pain, rheumatoid arthritis pain and/or secondary inflammatory osteoarthritic pain. The compounds show an antinociceptive profile and differ from classical analgesics like opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and are useful as specific analgesics. |
| US08053473B2 |
Antibacterial agent comprising 7, 10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid
The present invention relates to an antibacterial agent containing 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (referred as DOD) as an active ingredient. DOD produced by the method of the present invention can be effectively used as an antibacterial agent because it has a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against various microorganisms. |
| US08053472B2 |
Use of the acetyl L-carnitine in association with the biotin for the treatment of patients with type 2 insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus
The invention relates to the use of the acetyl L-carnitine in association with the biotin for the treatment of patients with Type 2 insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus. |
| US08053469B2 |
Stabilized ascorbic acid solutions; method of use thereof; process for their obtention; and compositions comprising the same
This invention relates to improved solutions comprising ascorbic acid (vitamin C). These solutions may comprise as much as 15% ascorbic acid; they are stable for at least two years, without no significant development of yellowish coloration and no substantial (not more than 10%) degradation of the vitamin. The process involves sequential additions of ascorbic acid and ethoxydiglycol to a first solution of vitamin in water, which are followed by addition of propylene glycol. The high stirring speed that occurs during the additions favors a process of micronization. Mild heating is used to achieve ascorbic acid concentrations equivalent to about 6% in 10% water or higher. |
| US08053466B2 |
Oxathiane derivative as perfuming ingredient
The present invention relates to 2-(3-methylbutyl)-4-propyl-1,3-oxathiane and its use as perfuming ingredients. The present invention also concerns the use of this compound in the perfumery industry as well as the compositions or articles containing this compound. |
| US08053463B2 |
PPAR active compounds
Compounds are described that are active on at least one of PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ, which are useful for therapeutic and/or prophylactic methods involving modulation of at least one of PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ, wherein the compounds have the formula: wherein: X2 and X3 are independently CH or N; and one of X1 and X4 is N or CR4 and the other of X1 and X4 is N or CH. |
| US08053461B2 |
Oxindole derivative
A compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of the present invention is represented by the following general formula (I): [wherein, R1 to R8 may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C2-C8 alkenyl group, a C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl group or —COOR9 (wherein R9 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group or a C2-C8 alkenyl group) as a substituent; and X represents a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom or NR10 (wherein R10 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C2-C8 alkenyl group or a C1-C6 alkoxy group)]. |
| US08053454B2 |
Pyridopyrimidinone inhibitors of PIM-1 and/or PIM-3
Compounds of formula (I), useful for inhibiting PIM-I and/or PIM-3: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Y, Z, R1, R3, Q, X and R4 are as defined above. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating diseases and conditions, such as cancer, are also disclosed. |
| US08053452B2 |
Substituted isoxazoline or enone oxime compound, and pest control agent
There is provided a novel pest control agent (pesticide), particulally insecticide or miticide. A substituted isoxazoline compound or a substituted enone oxime compound represented by Formula (1) or (2), and apest control agent containing them: wherein A1, A2, A3 and A4 are C or N, G1 is a benzene ring, etc., G2 is 1-trazolyl, etc., X and Y are halogen atom, etc., R3 is haloalkyl, etc., R3a is halogen atom, etc., R3b and R3c are H, etc., is haloalkyl, etc., m is 0-5, n is 0-4. |
| US08053444B2 |
Sirolimus formulation
The present invention relates to a stable pharmaceutical composition that includes sirolimus. The pharmaceutical composition includes sirolimus in the amorphous form, a fatty acid ester, such as glyceryl behenate, and a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer wherein the fatty acid ester is present at a concentration of less than 10% w/w compared to the total weight of the composition. |
| US08053437B2 |
Furo[3. 2-B] pyrrol derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: R3 is tert-butylmethyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl; X is CH or N; and R4 is optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C3-8 cycloalkyl. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I), and the use of such compounds in the treatment of a disease selected from osteoporosis, Paget's disease, Chagas's disease, malaria, gingival diseases, hypercalaemia, metabolic bone disease, diseases involving matrix or cartilage degradation, and bone cancer disorders such as bone metastases and associated pain. |
| US08053436B1 |
9-(piperazinylalkyl) carbazoles as bax-modulators
The present invention is related to piperazine derivatives of carbazole of formula (I) notably for use as pharmaceutically active compounds, as well as to pharmaceutical formulations containing such piperazine derivatives of carbazole. Said piperazine derivatives of carbazole are efficient modulators, in particular efficient inhibitors, of the Bax function and/or activation. The present invention is furthermore related to novel piperazine derivatives of carbazole as well as methods of their preparation. |
| US08053425B2 |
Use of oxandrolone in the treatment of burns and other wounds
The subject invention provides a method of treating burn-induced weight loss in a burn patient which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxandrolone to the patient. The invention also provides a method of treating a wound in a patient suffering from a wound which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxandrolone to the patient. The subject invention further provides a method of treating burn-induced weight loss in a burn patient which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxandrolone in conjunction with a protein supplement to the patient. |
| US08053420B2 |
Peptide conjugated, inosine-substituted antisense oligomer compound and method
A therapeutic oligomer-peptide conjugate, and methods of using the conjugate are disclosed. The conjugate includes (a) a substantially uncharged oligonucleotide analog compound having a base sequence that includes a string of bases that are complementary to four or more contiguous cytosine bases in a target nucleic acid region to which the compound is intended to bind, and (b) conjugated to the compound, an arginine-rich peptide effective to enhance the uptake of the compound into target cells. The string of bases in the compound includes at least one inosine base positioned in the string so as to limit the number of contiguous guanine bases in said string to three or fewer. The conjugate has greater cellular uptake than the compound alone, by virtue of the arginine-rich peptide, and substantially greater antisense activity greater activity than the conjugate in the absence of inosine for guanine substitutions. |
| US08053417B2 |
Hexosylceramides as adjuvants and their uses in pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to new adjuvants and the uses in pharmaceutical compositions, like in vaccines. In particular, the present invention provides new compounds useful as adjuvants for prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination in the treatment of infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, tumours, allergies as well as for the control of fertility in human or animal populations. The compounds are particularly useful not only as systemic, but preferably as mucosal adjuvants. In addition, the invention relates to its uses as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08053415B2 |
Compounds having RD targeting motifs
The present invention provides compounds that have motifs that target the compounds to cells that express integrins. In particular, the compounds have peptides with one or more RD motifs conjugated to an agent selected from an imaging agent and a targeting agent. The compounds may be used to detect, monitor and treat a variety of disorders mediated by integrins. |
| US08053410B2 |
Pegylated factor VII glycoforms
The invention concerns a preparation comprising a plurality of Factor VII polypeptides or Factor VII-related polypeptides, wherein the polypeptides comprise asparagine-linked and/or serine-linked oligosaccharide chains, and wherein at least one oligosaccharide group is covalently attached to at least one polymeric group. |
| US08053408B2 |
Methods for treating obesity using fibroblast growth factor-like polypeptides
The present invention provides methods for reducing body weight in a mammal using Fibroblast Growth Factor-like (FGF-like) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. |
| US08053404B2 |
Compositions comprising tetrafluoropropene and carbon dioxide
Disclosed are compositions useful in a wide variety of applications, including heat transfer fluids which possess a highly desirable and unexpectedly superior combination of properties, and heat transfer systems and methods based on these fluids. The preferred heat transfer fluid comprises from about 1 to about 40 percent, on a weight basis, of carbon dioxide (CO2) and from about 99 to about 60 percent, on a weight basis, of a compound having the Formula I XCFzR3-z (I), where X is a C2 or a C3 unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl radical, each R is independently Cl, F, Br, I or H, and z is 1 to 3. A preferred compound of Formula I is tetrafluoropropene, particularly 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropene and/or 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropene. |
| US08053401B2 |
Cleaning and disinfecting agent
A detergent and disinfectant in which water-soluble permanganates are used in an alkaline solution in order to initiate the oxidation of organic substances and simultaneously a chemical oxidant, preferably a peroxodisulfate, is used which is capable of producing radical reactions with catalytic support by manganates originating from the supplied permanganate, which reactions produce the oxidation of organic substances. All components are present in powder form and a respective powder mixture can be dissolved rapidly and free from residues in water. It thus represents a universally applicable, highly effective detergent and disinfectant. |
| US08053400B2 |
Liquid cleansing composition comprising a ternary mixture of anionic surfactants
A personal cleansing composition exhibiting enhanced skin feel (i.e., enhanced skin softness, reduced skin irritation, reduced residue, and reduced greasy, tacky, or tight skin feel), enhanced foaming and lather, and good cleansing, more specifically, a personal cleansing composition comprising a mixture of alpha sulfonated alkyl esters or sulfonated fatty acids, or salts thereof, with an alkyl sulfoacetate or ethoxylated alkyl sulfoacetate, or salts thereof, secondary surfactants, and optional additives. |
| US08053396B2 |
Surfactant mixtures for tertiary oil recovery
Use of a mixture comprising a surfactant and a cosurfactant in the form of an aqueous solution for flooding underground deposits of hydrocarbons for mobilizing and recovering the hydrocarbons from the underground deposits, the cosurfactant being a substance or a group of substances selected from the following list: an amphiphilic comb polymer having a backbone with two or more side chains attached to the backbone, the side chains differing from one another and/or the side chains differing from the backbone in their amphiphilic character, an amphiphilic polymer having one or more hydrophobic subunits [A2] based on a polyisobutene block, at least 50 mol % of whose polyisobutene macromolecules have terminally arranged double bonds, and one or more hydrophilic subunits [B2], or an amphiphilic polymer having the general structural formula |
| US08053395B2 |
Compositions for increasing gas production from a subterranean formation
Exemplary embodiments provide treatment fluids for treating a subterranean formation to improve gas production therefrom. Exemplary embodiments of the treatment fluids comprise a base fluid and a cationic polyorganosiloxane, wherein the cationic polyorganosiloxane comprises at least two cationic quaternary ammonium groups. |
| US08053391B2 |
Resistance to abiotic stress in plants
A method for inducing resistance to abiotic stress is provided, comprising applying to the plant an amount of a composition comprising a yeast cell wall effective to prevent or reduce harmful effects of the pathogen. The composition may further include a plant extract derived from Yucca. |
| US08053388B2 |
Catalyst support particle, exhaust gas purifying catalyst, and production processes thereof
Disclosed are a catalyst support particle comprising alumina having dispersed therein ceria primary particles, wherein a prominent peak of alumina is not present in the vicinity of 2θ=67° in the X-ray diffraction analysis; an exhaust gas purifying catalyst obtained by loading a noble metal on the support particle; and production processes of the support catalyst and the exhaust gas purifying catalyst. |
| US08053385B2 |
Dielectric ceramic composition and electronic component
The dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component including a compound satisfying a compositional formula of (SrxBa1-x)mTiO3 (“x” in said compositional formula is 0.159≦“x”≦0.238, and “m” is 0.997≦“m”≦1.011), and a subcomponent comprising 11 to 25 weight % of CaTiO3, 0.10 to 0.50 weight % of at least one oxide of element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn in terms of FeO3/2, CoO4/3, NiO, CuO, and ZnO, 0.590 to 1.940 mol % of an oxide of element “A” (A is Mn and/or Cr), and an oxide of element “D” where “D” is at least one element selected from a group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Y; wherein a ratio (A/D) of the element “A” with respect to element “D” is 2.250 to 7.450. According to the present invention, the dielectric loss (tan δ) at the wide frequency range can be lowered while maintaining a good capacitance temperature characteristic and the specific permittivity, without including Pb and bismuth Bi. |
| US08053384B2 |
Optical glass
A glass composition being suitable for precision mold press forming, having superior resistance to devitrification, having optical constants (a refractive index, an Abbe number, and the like) required for aspherical lenses, and a low glass transition temperature. There is provided an optical glass comprising no less than 5 mol % and no more than 60 mol % of a B2O3 component, and no less than 0.2 mol % and no more than 60 mol % of a TeO2 component, by mol % on the basis of oxides. Further, there is provided an optical glass mentioned above having optical constants with a refractive index (nd) of 1.80 to 2.20, and an Abbe number (νd) of 16 to 40. Still further, there is provided an optical glass mentioned above having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of no more than 680° C. |
| US08053377B2 |
Low stress photo-sensitive resin with sponge-like structure and devices manufactured employing same
System and method for forming a structure including a MEMS device structure. In order to prevent warpage of a substrate arising from curing process for a sacrificial material (such as a photoresist), and from subsequent high temperature process steps, an improved sacrificial material comprises (i) a polymer and (ii) a foaming agent or special function group. The structure can be formed by forming a trench in a substrate and filling the trench with a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material includes (i) a polymer and (ii) a foaming agent or special function group. After further process steps are completed, the sacrificial material is removed from the trench. |
| US08053376B2 |
One-step synthesis and patterning of aligned polymer nanowires on a substrate
In a method of making a polymer structure on a substrate a layer of a first polymer, having a horizontal top surface, is applied to a surface of the substrate. An area of the top surface of the polymer is manipulated to create an uneven feature that is plasma etched to remove a first portion from the layer of the first polymer thereby leaving the polymer structure extending therefrom. A light emitting structure includes a conductive substrate from which an elongated nanostructure of a first polymer extends. A second polymer coating is disposed about the nanostructure and includes a second polymer, which includes a material such that a band gap exists between the second polymer coating and the elongated nanostructure. A conductive material coats the second polymer coating. The light emitting structure emits light when a voltage is applied between the conductive substrate and the conductive coating. |
| US08053370B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabrications thereof
A method for forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. A substrate comprising a structural layer thereon is provided. A hard mask layer is formed on the structural layer. A photoresist layer is formed on the hard mask layer. The photoresist layer is patterned to from a plurality of main photoresist patterns and at least one dummy photoresist pattern between the main photoresist patterns or adjacent to one of the main photoresist patterns, wherein width of the dummy photoresist pattern is less than that of the main photoresist patterns. Two main photoresist patterns are separated with each other by a first opening, and two dummy photoresist patterns are separated with each other by a second opening. Width of the second opening is less than that of the first opening. The hard mask layer is patterned using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask. The structural layer is patterned using the patterned hard mask layer as a mask. |
| US08053368B2 |
Method for removing residues from a patterned substrate
The present invention relates to a method for removing residues from open areas of a patterned substrate involving the steps of providing a layer of a developable anti-reflective coating (DBARC) over a substrate; providing a layer of a photoresist over said DBARC layer; pattern-wise exposing said photoresist layer and said DBARC layer to a radiation; developing said photoresist layer and said DBARC layer with a first developer to form patterned structures in said photoresist and DBARC layers; depositing a layer of a developer soluble material over said patterned structures; and removing said developer soluble material with a second developer. |
| US08053366B2 |
Al-doped charge trap layer and non-volatile memory device including the same
Provided is an aluminum (Al) doped charge trap layer, a non-volatile memory device and methods of fabricating the same. The charge trap layer may include a plurality of silicon nano dots that trap charges and a silicon oxide layer that covers the silicon nano dots, wherein the charge trap layer is doped with aluminum (Al). The non-volatile memory device may include a substrate including a source and a drain on separate regions of the substrate, a tunneling film on the substrate contacting the source and the drain, the charge trap layer according to example embodiments, a blocking film on the charge trap layer, and a gate electrode on the blocking film. |
| US08053362B2 |
Method of forming metal electrode of system in package
A method for forming a metal electrode of a system in package of a system in package including a multilayer semiconductor device having semiconductor devices stacked in a plurality of layers. The method may include forming a through hole extending through the plurality of layers, forming a combustible material layer having high viscosity at a lower portion of the through hole in order to seal the lower portion thereof, and forming a through electrode by filling copper in the through hole. There is an effect of efficiently forming a through electrode having a large depth corresponding to the height of stacked semiconductor devices in the system in package. Filling copper in a through hole having a large depth-to-width ratio may be efficiently done by OSP coating, electrolysis copper plating, and electro Cu plating processes. |
| US08053360B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
To prevent two contacts that have different heights, share at least one interlayer insulating film and are disposed close to each other from being short-circuited to each other due to misalignment thereof, a semiconductor device according to the invention has a recess in an interlayer insulating film in which a first contact hiving a lower height, the recess being formed by the upper surface of the first contact, and a silicon nitride sidewall is formed in the recess to extend from the upper surface of the first contact and along the side surface of the recess. |
| US08053359B2 |
Semiconductor device having a second level of metallization formed over a first level with minimal damage to the first level and method
A method for processing a semiconductor structure includes the steps of capping a top surface of the semiconductor structure that defines the metallization layer with a thin stop layer, forming a dielectric layer over the thin stop layer, wherein the dielectric layer defines at least one area where the thin stop layer is exposed, and removing the exposed thin stop layer to expose a top surface of the metallization layer using etchant gases substantially free from oxygen, so that the metallization layer is substantially free of damage. |
| US08053354B2 |
Reduced wafer warpage in semiconductors by stress engineering in the metallization system
In complex metallization systems of sophisticated semiconductor devices, appropriate stress compensation mechanisms may be implemented in order to reduce undue substrate deformation during the overall manufacturing process. For example, additional dielectric material and/or functional layers of one or more metallization layers may be provided with appropriate internal stress levels so as to maintain substrate warpage at a non-critical level, thereby substantially reducing yield losses in the manufacturing process caused by non-reliable attachment of substrates to substrate holders in process and transport tools. |
| US08053345B2 |
Method for fabricating field effect transistor using a compound semiconductor
Provided is a method for fabricating a field effect transistor. In the method, an active layer and a capping layer are formed on a substrate. A source electrode and a drain electrode is formed on the capping layer. A dielectric interlayer is formed on the substrate, and resist layers having first and second openings with asymmetrical depths are formed on the dielectric interlayer between the source electrode and the drain electrode. The first opening exposes the dielectric interlayer, and the second opening exposes the lowermost of the resist layers. The dielectric interlayer in the bottom of the first opening and the lowermost resist layer under the second opening are simultaneously removed to expose the capping layer to the first opening and expose the dielectric interlayer to the second opening. The capping layer of the first opening is removed to expose the active layer. A metal layer is deposited on the substrate to simultaneously form a gate electrode and a field plate in the first opening and the second opening. The resist layers are removed to lift off the metal layer on the resist layers. |
| US08053344B1 |
Methods of forming integrated circuits
A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. At least one silicon-containing layer is formed in source/drain (S/D) regions adjacent to sidewalls of the gate structure. An N-type doped silicon-containing layer is formed over the at least one silicon-containing layer. The N-type doped silicon-containing layer has an N-type dopant concentration higher than that of the at least one silicon-containing layer. The N-type doped silicon-containing layer is annealed so as to drive N-type dopants of the N-type doped silicon-containing layer to the S/D regions. |
| US08053338B2 |
Plasma CVD apparatus
In a plasma CVD apparatus, unnecessary discharge such as arc discharge is prevented, the amount of particles due to peeling of films attached to a reaction chamber is reduced, and the percentage of a time contributing to production in hours of operation of the apparatus is increased while enlargement of the apparatus and easy workability are maintained. The plasma CVD apparatus is configured such that in a conductive reaction chamber 104 with a power source 113, a vacuum exhausting means 118, and a reaction gas introduction pipe 114, plasma 115 is generated in a space surrounded by an electrode 111, a substrate holder 112, and an insulator 120. |
| US08053336B2 |
Method for reducing chip warpage
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure including providing a wafer comprising a front surface and a back surface, wherein the wafer comprises a chip; forming an opening extending from the back surface into the chip; filling an organic material in the opening, wherein substantially no portion of the organic material is outside of the opening and on the back surface of the wafer; and baking the organic material to cause a contraction of the organic material. |
| US08053334B2 |
Method for forming silicon oxide film of SOI wafer
The invention is a method for forming a silicon oxide film of an SOI wafer, the method by which at least thermal oxidation treatment is performed (a process (A)) on an SOI wafer having an oxide film on the back surface and, after the thermal oxidation treatment, heat treatment is additionally performed (a process (B)) in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the thermal oxidation treatment was performed, whereby a silicon oxide film is formed on the front surface of an SOI layer. This provides a method for forming a silicon oxide film of an SOI wafer, the method that can prevent an SOI wafer from being warped after thermal oxidation treatment even when an SOI wafer having a thick oxide film on the back surface is used and a silicon oxide film for forming a device is formed by thermal oxidation on the front surface on the SOI layer side, and can reduce exposure failure and adsorption failure caused by warpage of the SOI wafer and enhance yields of device fabrication. |
| US08053333B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device with high performance and low cost and a manufacturing method thereof. A first region including a separated (cleavage) single-crystal semiconductor layer and a second region including a non-single-crystal semiconductor layer are provided over a substrate. It is preferable that laser beam irradiation be performed to the separated (cleavage) single-crystal semiconductor layer in an inert atmosphere, and laser beam irradiation be performed to the non-single-crystal semiconductor layer in an air atmosphere at least once. |
| US08053332B2 |
Method for manufacturing SOI substrate and semiconductor device
To provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate provided with a single crystal semiconductor layer which can be used practically even when a substrate with a low upper temperature limit, such as a glass substrate, is used. An oxide film is formed on a single crystal semiconductor substrate; accelerated ions are introduced into the single crystal semiconductor substrate through the oxide film to form an embrittled region in the single crystal semiconductor substrate; a supporting substrate is bonded such that the supporting substrate and the single crystal semiconductor substrate face each other with the oxide film interposed therebetween; separation is performed at the embrittled region into the supporting substrate to which a single crystal semiconductor layer is bonded and part of the single crystal semiconductor substrate by heating of the single crystal semiconductor substrate; first etching is performed on a surface of the single crystal semiconductor layer bonded to the supporting substrate with a substrate bias applied; the single crystal semiconductor layer is irradiated with a laser beam and at least part of the surface of the single crystal semiconductor layer is melted and solidified; and second etching is performed on the surface of the single crystal semiconductor layer with no substrate bias applied. |
| US08053328B2 |
Methods of selective deposition of fine particles onto selected regions of a substrate
A method for depositing fine particles from a suspension on selected regions of a substrate is disclosed. The particles are deposited on selected regions of a clean hydrophobic semiconductor surface that are surrounded by a wetting boundary which includes a mesa formed by etching through a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) film and an underlying buried oxide of an SOI substrate. The process is well suited for the growth of semiconductor nanowires that nucleates from fine particle used as a catalyst. |
| US08053316B2 |
Method of fabricating vertical channel transistor
A method of fabricating a vertical channel transistor includes: forming a line type active pattern on a substrate so as to extend in a first horizontal direction; forming a vertical channel isolating the active pattern in a second horizontal direction intersecting the first horizontal direction and extending vertically on the substrate; forming a buried bit line extending in the first horizontal direction on the substrate; and forming a word line extending in the second horizontal direction along at least one side surface of the vertical channel. |
| US08053315B2 |
Method to manufacture split gate with high density plasma oxide layer as inter-polysilicon insulation layer
This invention discloses a method of manufacturing a trenched semiconductor power device with split gate filling a trench opened in a semiconductor substrate wherein the split gate is separated by an inter-poly insulation layer disposed between a top and a bottom gate segments. The method further includes a step of forming the inter-poly layer by applying a RTP process after a HDP oxide deposition process to bring an etch rate of the HDP oxide layer close to an etch rate of a thermal oxide. |
| US08053309B2 |
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes first and second regions; first, second, and third insulating layers; a capacitor dielectric layer that includes first and second dielectric layers; a gate insulating layer formed on the first and second regions; a gate formed on the gate insulating layer of the second region; a first capacitor electrode formed on the capacitor dielectric layer; and impurity regions formed in the semiconductor substrate on sides of the gate. The first and second regions include first and second trenches, respectively. The third insulating layer is formed on the second insulating layer, which is formed on the first insulating layer, which is formed on an inner surface of the second trench. The second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer, which is formed on an inner surface of the first trench. |
| US08053307B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device with cell epitaxial layers partially overlap buried cell gate electrode
A semiconductor device may include a substrate having a cell active region. A cell gate electrode may be formed in the cell active region. A cell gate capping layer may be formed on the cell gate electrode. At least two cell epitaxial layers may be formed on the cell active region. One of the at least two cell epitaxial layers may extend to one end of the cell gate capping layer and another one of the at least two cell epitaxial layers may extend to an opposite end of the cell gate capping layer. Cell impurity regions may be disposed in the cell active region. The cell impurity regions may correspond to a respective one of the at least two cell epitaxial layers. |
| US08053306B2 |
PFET with tailored dielectric and related methods and integrated circuit
A PFET having tailored dielectric constituted in part by an NFET threshold voltage (Vt) work function tuning layer in a gate stack thereof, related methods and integrated circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the PFET includes an n-type doped silicon well (N-well), a gate stack including: a doped band engineered PFET threshold voltage (Vt) work function tuning layer over the N-well; a tailored dielectric layer over the doped band engineered PFET Vt work function tuning layer, the tailored dielectric layer constituted by a high dielectric constant layer over the doped band engineered PFET Vt work function tuning layer and an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) threshold voltage (Vt) work function tuning layer over the high dielectric constant layer; and a metal over the NFET Vt work function tuning layer. |
| US08053304B2 |
Method of forming high-mobility devices including epitaxially growing a semiconductor layer on a dislocation-blocking layer in a recess formed in a semiconductor substrate
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a first recess in the semiconductor substrate; and forming a dislocation-blocking layer in the first recess. The dislocation-blocking layer includes a semiconductor material. Shallow trench isolation (STI) regions are formed, wherein inner portions of the STI regions are directly over portions of the dislocation-blocking layer, and wherein inner sidewalls of the STI regions contact the dislocation-blocking layer. A second recess is formed by removing a portion of the dislocation-blocking layer between two of the inner sidewalls of the STI regions, with the two inner sidewalls facing each other. A semiconductor region is epitaxially grown in the second recess. |
| US08053302B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing same
A non-volatile memory device and a method of manufacturing the non-volatile memory device are provided. At least one first semiconductor layer and at least one second semiconductor layer are disposed. At least one control gate electrode is disposed between the at least one first semiconductor layer and the at least one second semiconductor layer. At least one first layer selection line is capacitively coupled to the at least one first semiconductor layer. At least one second layer selection line is capacitively coupled to the at least one second semiconductor layer. |
| US08053295B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other to define a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of thin film transistors, each disposed in one of the pixel regions, and a plurality of pixel electrodes, each disposed in one of the pixel regions, wherein the thin film transistor includes at least one Ti layer. |
| US08053294B2 |
Manufacturing method of thin film transistor by controlling generation of crystal nuclei of microcrystalline semiconductor film
It is an object to control quality of a microcrystalline semiconductor film or a semiconductor film including crystal grains so that operation characteristics of a semiconductor element typified by a TFT can be improved. It is another object to improve characteristics of a semiconductor element typified by a TFT by controlling a deposition process of a microcrystalline semiconductor film or a semiconductor film including crystal grains. In addition, it is another object to increase on-state current of a thin film transistor and to reduce off-state current of the thin film transistor. In a semiconductor layer including a plurality of crystalline regions in an amorphous structure, generation positions and generation density of crystal nuclei from which the crystalline regions start to grow are controlled, whereby quality of the semiconductor layer is controlled. In addition, after generation of crystal nuclei from which the crystalline regions start to grow in the semiconductor layer, an impurity element serving as a donor is added to the semiconductor layer, whereby crystallinity of the semiconductor layer is increased and the resistivity of the semiconductor layer is reduced. |
| US08053291B2 |
Method for making thin film transistor comprising flocculating of carbon nanotubes
A method for making a thin film transistor, the method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes and an insulating substrate; flocculating the carbon nanotubes to acquire a carbon nanotube structure, applying the carbon nanotube structure on the insulating substrate; forming a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode; and covering the carbon nanotube structure with an insulating layer. The source electrode and the drain electrode are connected to the carbon nanotube structure, the gate electrode is electrically insulated from the carbon nanotube structure by the insulating layer. |
| US08053283B2 |
Die level integrated interconnect decal manufacturing method and apparatus
A die level integrated interconnect decal manufacturing method and apparatus for implementing the method. In accordance with the technology concerning the soldering of integrated circuits and substrates, and particularly providing for solder decal methods forming and utilization, in the present instance there are employed underfills which consist of a solid film material and which are applied between a semiconductor chip and the substrate in order to enhance the reliability of a flip chip package. In particular, the underfill material increases the resistance to fatigue of controlled collapse chip connect (C4) bumps. |
| US08053281B2 |
Method of forming a wafer level package
A method is provided for forming a microelectronic package at a wafer level. Such method can include providing a semiconductor wafer having a surface with a pattern of electrical contacts thereon. An interposer component can be provided which has a compliant dielectric layer bonded to a conductive layer. A pattern of holes can be formed through the compliant dielectric layer and the conductive layer which corresponds to the pattern of electrical contacts. The compliant dielectric layer can be contacted with the semiconductor wafer surface so that the pattern of holes is in an aligned position with the pattern of contacts and the compliant dielectric layer and the semiconductor wafer surface then bonded in the aligned position to unite the semiconductor wafer and the interposer component to form a wafer level semiconductor package. The wafer level semiconductor package can be diced to form individual semiconductor chip packages. |
| US08053279B2 |
Methods and systems for imaging and cutting semiconductor wafers and other semiconductor workpieces
Methods and systems for imaging and cutting semiconductor wafers and other microelectronic device substrates are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for singulating microelectronic devices from a substrate includes an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray source spaced apart from an X-ray detector. The X-ray source can emit a beam of X-rays through the substrate and onto the X-ray detector, and X-ray detector can generate an X-ray image of at least a portion of the substrate. A method in accordance with another embodiment includes detecting spacing information for irregularly spaced dies of a semiconductor workpiece. The method can further include automatically controlling a process for singulating the dies of the semiconductor workpiece, based at least in part on the spacing information. For example, individual dies can be singulated from a workpiece via non-straight line cuts and/or multiple cutter passes. |
| US08053276B2 |
Method of stacking and interconnecting semiconductor packages via electrical connectors extending between adjoining semiconductor packages
An electronic component is disclosed including a plurality of stacked semiconductor packages. A first such embodiment includes an internal connector for electrically coupling the stacked semiconductor packages. A second such embodiment includes an external connector for electrically coupling the stacked semiconductor packages. |
| US08053269B2 |
Method of forming display device that includes removing mask to form opening in insulating film
To improve the use efficiency of materials and provide a technique of fabricating a display device by a simple process. The method includes the steps of providing a mask on a conductive layer, forming an insulating film over the conductive layer provided with the mask, removing the mask to form an insulating layer having an opening; and forming a conductive film in the opening so as to be in contact with the exposed conductive layer, whereby the conductive layer and the conductive film can be electrically connected through the insulating layer. The shape of the opening reflects the shape of the mask. A mask having a columnar shape (e.g., a prism, a cylinder, or a triangular prism), a needle shape, or the like can be used. |
| US08053266B2 |
Piezo-diode cantilever MEMS fabrication method
A piezo thin-film diode (piezo-diode) cantilever microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and associated fabrication processes are provided. The method deposits thin-films overlying a substrate. The substrate can be made of glass, polymer, quartz, metal foil, Si, sapphire, ceramic, or compound semiconductor materials. Amorphous silicon (a-Si), polycrystalline Si (poly-Si), oxides, a-Site, poly-SiGe, metals, metal-containing compounds, nitrides, polymers, ceramic films, magnetic films, and compound semiconductor materials are some examples of thin-film materials. A cantilever beam is formed from the thin-films, and a diode is embedded with the cantilever beam. The diode is made from a thin-film shared in common with the cantilever beam. The shared thin-film may a film overlying a cantilever beam top surface, a thin-film overlying a cantilever beam bottom surface, or a thin-film embedded within the cantilever beam. |
| US08053265B2 |
Mitigation of high stress areas in vertically offset structures
Alternative methods of constructing a vertically offset structure are disclosed. An embodiment includes forming a flexible layer having first and second end portions, an intermediate portion coupling the first and second portions, and upper and lower surfaces. The distance between the upper and lower surfaces at the intermediate portion is less than the distance between the upper and lower surfaces at the first and second end portions. The first end portion is bonded to a base member. The second end portion of the flexible layer is deflected until the second end portion contacts the base member. The second end portion is bonded to the base member. |
| US08053263B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor light emitting device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device may include forming an insulating layer on a substrate, forming a plurality of first holes in the insulating layer, forming a plurality of GaN rods in the plurality of first holes, and laterally growing an n-GaN layer on the plurality of GaN rods. |
| US08053262B2 |
Method for manufacturing nitride semiconductor laser element
A method for manufacturing a nitride semiconductor laser element having a nitride semiconductor layer including at least an active layer provided on a substrate, a pair of cavity planes formed on the nitride semiconductor layer, and a protruding part where part of the substrate protrudes from said cavity plane, said method comprises: a step of forming the nitride semiconductor layer on the substrate; a first etching step of forming a first groove by etching at least the nitride semiconductor layer; and a second etching step of forming the cavity plane, in the second etching step, the inner wall of the first groove and part of the nitride semiconductor layer surface adjacent to the first groove are etched to form a second groove, and form the upper face of the protruding part. |
| US08053259B2 |
Manufacturing method of light emitting diode
Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a light emitting diode. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of preparing a substrate and mounting light emitting chips on the substrate. An intermediate plate is positioned on the substrate. The intermediate plate has through-holes for receiving the light emitting chips and grooves for connecting the through-holes to one another on its upper surface. A transfer molding process is performed with a transparent molding material by using the grooves as runners to form first molding portions filling the through-holes. Thereafter, the intermediate plate is removed, and the substrate is separated into individual light emitting diodes. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a light emitting diode in which the first molding portion formed through a transfer molding process is positioned within a region encompassed by cut surfaces of the substrate. Since the first molding portion is positioned within the region encompassed by the cut surfaces of the substrate, second molding portions can be symmetrically formed on the side surfaces of the first molding portions in various manners. |
| US08053258B2 |
Thick film sealing glass compositions for low temperature firing
The present invention is a composition that may be used for sealing applications in the manufacture of electronic devices. The composition includes organic vehicles that may be removed upon low temperature firing in air or inert atmospheres. The present invention is further a process for the use of the composition. |
| US08053254B2 |
Apparatus for forming thin film and method of manufacturing semiconductor film
An apparatus including a vacuum chamber having a substrate holding unit that holds a substrate and a plasma electrode facing the substrate, a first gas supply unit that supplies a H2 gas to the vacuum chamber at a constant flow rate, a second gas supply unit that opens or closes a valve to turn on or off the supply of a SiH4 gas, a high-frequency power source that applies a high frequency voltage to the plasma electrode, a shield box that is connected to a ground so as to surround the plasma electrode outside the vacuum chamber, and a control unit that controls the valve such that the SiH4 gas is periodically supplied to the vacuum chamber and modulates the amplitude of high frequency power in synchronization with the opening or closing of the valve, and the valve is provided in the shield box. |
| US08053253B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device that has tolerance to external stress and electrostatic discharge. Another object is to prevent defective shapes and defective characteristics due to the external stress or an electrostatic discharge in the manufacturing process, and to manufacture a semiconductor device with high yield. Still another object is to manufacture a semiconductor device at low cost and with high productivity. With the use of a conductive shield covering a semiconductor integrated circuit, electrostatic breakdown due to electrostatic discharge of the semiconductor integrated circuit is prevented. The conductive shield is formed so that at least the conductive shields on the top and bottom surfaces are electrically connected by a plating method. In addition, a semiconductor device can be formed at low cost with high productivity because a plating method is used for the formation of the conductive shield. |
| US08053252B2 |
Mitigation of edge degradation in ferroelectric memory devices through plasma etch clean
A ferroelectric memory device is fabricated while mitigating edge degradation. A bottom electrode is formed over one or more semiconductor layers. A ferroelectric layer is formed over the bottom electrode. A top electrode is formed over the ferroelectric layer. The top electrode, the ferroelectric layer, and the bottom electrode are patterned or etched. A dry clean is performed that mitigates edge degradation. A wet etch/clean is then performed. |
| US08053246B2 |
Method of esterifying bio-related molecule for mass spectrometry and method of mass spectrometry of obtained esterified derivative
To provide a method for enhancing analysis sensitivity of bio-related molecules in mass spectrometry. To provide a method for rapidly and conveniently analyzing biological acid molecules using the method of enhanced analysis sensitivity in mass spectrometry.A method of preparing a bio-related molecule to be subjected to mass spectrometry, in which at least a part of acid group(s) is esterified, comprising reacting a bio-related molecule comprising an acid group(s) with a triazene compound to esterify at least a part of said acid group(s). A method of analyzing bio-related molecules comprising reacting a bio-related molecule comprising an acid group(s) with a triazene compound to esterify said acid group(s), and then subjecting said bio-related molecule having an esterified acid group(s) to mass spectrometry. |
| US08053242B2 |
Crystallization of chemical species/polymorphs and microfluidic apparatus and screening methodology therefor
The crystallization of chemical species/polymorphs comprises forming droplets of a solution of a substance with optionally different concentrations of said substance in an inert phase; producing and storing the droplets in at least one storage microchannel (1); forming crystals in all droplets; increasing the temperature in order to induce the dissolution of at least a portion of the crystals in at least some droplets; and analyzing the crystallization and dissolution process. |
| US08053240B1 |
Formulations for imparting traceability and/or trackability to one or more chemicals
The invention relates to chemical formulations that can be used to render such chemicals easier to identify upon application to a surface. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to formulations designed to render herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, insecticides and/or phytotoxins easier to identify upon application to one or more types of vegetation. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to formulations designed to render water-soluble herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, insecticides and/or phytotoxins easier to identify upon application to one or more types of vegetation. |
| US08053239B2 |
Digital microfluidic method for protein extraction by precipitation from heterogeneous mixtures
A method for extracting proteins from heterogeneous fluids by precipitation using microfluidics. The method uses an automated protocol for precipitation of proteins onto surfaces, rinsing the precipitates to remove impurities, and resolubilization in buffer for further analysis. The method is compatible with proteins representing a range of different physicochemical properties, as well as with complex mixtures such as fetal bovine serum and cell lysate. In all cases, the quantitative performance (measured using a fluorescent assay for % recovery) was comparable to that of conventional techniques, which are manual and require more time. |
| US08053236B2 |
Feed media
The invention provides stable feed media containing pyruvate and methods for stabilizing feed media by adding pyruvate. The invention further provides methods for producing proteins using such media and proteins produced through the use of such methods. |
| US08053229B2 |
Thermal cycler
A thermal cycler includes a bearing element, a heating element, a first cooling element, and a temperature controller. The bearing element carries at least one reaction mixture. The heating element raises the temperature of the reaction mixture. The heating element includes a housing, at least one carbon nanotube structure and a pair of electrodes. The carbon nanotube structure and the pair of electrodes are accommodated in the housing. The pair of electrodes is electrically connected to the carbon nanotube structure. The first cooling element cools the temperature of the reaction mixture. The temperature controller is electrically connected to the heating element and the first cooling element. The temperature controller controls the operation of the heating element and the first cooling element |
| US08053227B2 |
Biosensor
A biosensor provided herein includes a semiconductor laser device having an optical resonator with at least one reflective surface and a light output surface, and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) unit disposed on the reflective surface of the optical resonator. The SPR unit has specific biological molecules fixed thereon for reacting with corresponding biological molecules of an analyzed object. |
| US08053224B2 |
Glucose-induced inactivation/degradation-resistant transporter gene and use thereof
The present invention relates to a glucose-induced inactivation/degradation resistant transporter gene and use thereof, and more particularly to a brewery yeast having excellent assimilability of oligosaccharides (maltose, maltotriose, etc.), an alcoholic beverage produced using the yeast, and so on. In particular, the present invention relates to a glucose-induced inactivation/degradation resistant transporter such as Mal21p, etc., a gene encoding the same, a method of producing an alcoholic beverage using the same; and so on. |
| US08053218B2 |
Gene STS 18
The present invention relates to newly identified genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides and polypeptides as biotechnological tools in the production of Vitamin C from microorganisms, whereby a modification of the polynucleotides and/or encoded polypeptides has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of the fermentation product in the microorganism. Also included are methods/processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms. The invention also relates to genetically engineered microorganisms and their use for the direct production of Vitamin C. |
| US08053217B2 |
Method for producing eritadenine in liquid phase fermentation
Method to produce eritadenine by liquid phase fermentation of Lentinus edodes without formation of the fruit body wherein the Lentinus edodes is exposed to shear during its cultivation. |
| US08053216B2 |
Bacterial cellulose-containing formulations
A new method to produce formulations of bacterial cellulose that exhibit improved viscosity-modifying properties particularly with low energy applied to effectuate viscosity changes therewith is provided. Such a method includes the novel co-precipitation with a water soluble co-agent that permits precipitation in the presence of excess alcohol to form an insoluble fiber that can than be utilized as a thickener or suspension aid without the need to introduce high energy mixing. Such bacterial cellulose properties have been available in the past but only through highly labor and energy intensive processes. Such an inventive method as now proposed thus provides a bacterial cellulose-containing formulation that exhibits not only properties that are as effective as those for previous bacterial celluloses, but, in some ways, improvements to such previous types. Certain end-use compositions and applications including these novel bacterial cellulose-containing formulations are also encompassed within this invention. |
| US08053214B2 |
Apparatus and method of extracting and optically analyzing an analyte from a fluid-based sample
An extraction and analysis device includes a microfluidic based collection system that extracts one or more different analytes from a fluid-based sample and an optical analysis system directly coupled to the collection system to perform optical analysis on the one or more collected analytes. The microfluidic based collection system includes microfluidic circuitry for directing a fluid based sample to a purification chip. Analytes collected within the purification chip can be either subsequently removed and analyzed or the analytes can be analyzed directly, while still within the purification chip, using the optical analysis system. The purification chip is preferably comprised of a plurality of pillars, the surface area of each pillar is coated with a specific capture chemistry. The specific capture chemistry is applied by derivitizing the pillars such that a ligand, such as a nucleic acid, an amptimer, or an antibody is attached to each pillar. |
| US08053212B1 |
Non-standard nucleoside analogs with reduced epimerization
This invention relates to nucleoside, nucleotide, and oligonucleotide analogs that incorporate non-standard nucleobase analogs, defined to be those that present a pattern of hydrogen bonds to a paired nucleobase analog in a complementary strand that is different from the pattern presented by adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. The invention is specifically concerned with compositions of matter that present the donor-donor-acceptor, donor-acceptor-donor, and acceptor-donor-donor non-standard hydrogen bonding patterns on pyrimidine analogs, where nucleoside analogs bearing these pyrimidine analogs do not epimerize as easily as those known in the art. The heterocycles on these nucleoside analogs are diaminopyridines and aminopyridones that have electron withdrawing groups attached to the position analogous to the 5-position of the ring in standard pyrimidines, including nitro, cyano, and carboxylic acid derivatives. |
| US08053211B2 |
Process for the fermentative production of heterologous proteins by means of Escherichia coli
A process for producing a heterologous protein is provided. The process comprises culturing an E. coli strain in a fermentation medium, the E. coli strain harboring a gene which codes for the heterologous protein and is functionally linked to a signal sequence coding for a signal peptide, and releasing the heterologous protein into the fermentation medium, and the heterologous protein being removed from the fermentation medium, wherein the E. coli strain has an attenuated (p)ppGpp-synthetase II activity (PSII activity). |
| US08053208B2 |
FRET protease assays for clostridial toxins
The present invention provides clostridial toxin substrates useful in assaying for the protease activity of any clostridial toxin, including botulinum toxins of all serotypes as well as tetanus toxins. A clostridial toxin substrate of the invention contains a donor fluorophore; an acceptor having an absorbance spectrum overlapping the emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore; and a clostridial toxin recognition sequence that includes a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor and where, under the appropriate conditions, resonance energy transfer is exhibited between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor. |
| US08053207B1 |
Cancer diagnosis by measuring polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase activity
Methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment; in particular, methods for diagnosis and treatment of triple negative breast cancer by measuring the activity of PMPMEase. |
| US08053206B2 |
Antagonists of HMG1 for treating inflammatory conditions
There is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating sepsis, including septic shock and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), comprising administering an effective amount of a HMG1 antagonist. There is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock, comprising measuring the serum concentration of HMG1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk or exhibit sepsis or septic shock symptoms. Lastly, there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for effecting weight loss or treating obesity, comprising administering an effective amount of HMG1 or a therapeutically active HMG1 fragment. |
| US08053203B2 |
Methods and device for the detection of occult blood
The present invention relates generally to detection of occult blood. In particular, the present invention provides a device and methods for the simultaneous detection of hemoglobin and transferrin in fecal samples, which permit a more sensitive diagnosis of occult blood in fecal sample and a differential diagnosis of bleeding of the upper GI tract versus the lower GI tract. |
| US08053201B2 |
Microfluidic control chip and method of detecting protein using the same
Provided is a microfluidic control chip, which includes a filter section having a filter to which anti-immunoglobulin antibodies, which are bound to endogenous antibodies in blood to thereby remove the endogenous antibodies, are immobilized, a first reaction section to which detection antibodies immobilized to fluorescent nano-particles are adsorbed, the detection antibodies being bound to proteins to be detected in blood which is introduced from the filter section with the endogenous antibodies removed therefrom, and a second reaction and detection section including capture antibodies immobilized thereto, binding the capture antibodies to the proteins, which are bound to the detection antibodies introduced from the first reaction section, and detecting a concentration of the proteins based on an intensity of fluorescent light. Thus, the microfluidic control chip can minimize interference of an immune response to maximize the immune response. |
| US08053199B2 |
Molecular phenotyping of severe asthma
The present invention discloses a method for classifying individuals into those who have airway hyperreactvitiy and those with asthma based on cytokine expression patterns. It is contemplated that such a method will enable rapid identification of individuals requiring intensive treatment for asthma, thereby reducing morbidity and improving quality of life for those affected. |
| US08053198B2 |
Diagnostic methods
The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing cancerous conditions in a patient, as well as methods of monitoring the progression of a cancerous condition and/or methods of monitoring a treatment protocol of a therapeutic agent or a chemotherapeutic regimen. The invention also relates to assay methods used in connection with the diagnostic methods described herein. |
| US08053197B2 |
Methods for detecting and treating autoimmune disorders
The present disclosure relates to methods for inhibiting an autoimmune disease by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that increases FOXP3 expression, thereby inhibiting the autoimmune disease. Further disclosed herein are methods for detecting in a subject an autoimmune disease or a predisposition to an autoimmune disease, and methods for assessing the efficacy of a therapy for an autoimmune disease. |
| US08053196B2 |
Clinical assays for thrombospondin fragments in the detection, diagnosis, and evaluation of cancer
The invention relates to thrombospondin fragments found in plasma, their use or use of portions thereof in diagnostic methods, as method calibrators, method indicators, and as immunogens, and as analytes for methods with substantial clinical utility; and their detection in plasma or other bodily fluids for purpose of diagnostic methods, especially for cancer. |
| US08053188B2 |
Nucleic acid enrichment
This invention relates to methods, reagents and kits for enriching nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, reagents and kits for sample preparation including sample modification, sample enrichment and amplification. |
| US08053184B2 |
Soybean event MON89788 and methods for detection thereof
The present invention provides for soybean plant and seed comprising transformation event MON89788 and DNA molecules unique to these events. The invention also provides methods for detecting the presence of these DNA molecules in a sample. |
| US08053181B2 |
Methods for detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Methods for detecting an infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in a subject are disclosed. The methods include detecting the presence of CD8+T cells that specifically recognize an Mtb polypeptide. The methods include in vitro assays for detecting the presence of CD8+T cells in a biological sample, and in vivo assays that detect a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction. The methods can also include detecting Mtb polypeptides and polynucleotides. Reagents for the detection of an Mtb infection are also disclosed. |
| US08053179B2 |
Method for manufacturing substrate for making microarray
A method for manufacturing a substrate for making a microarray wherein a monomolecular film for immobilizing a target molecule can be simply formed position-selectively in manufacture of the substrate for making the microarray is provided.A method for manufacturing a substrate for making a microarray, comprising, a step of forming a resist film on the substrate using a chemically amplified positive resist composition using a copolymer where a content of a monomer unit having a hydroxyl group is 5 mole % or less relative to total monomer units as a binder; a step of patterning the resist film; a step of forming a monomolecular film having a silicon oxide chain on the substrate having the patterned resist film; and subsequently a step of removing the resist film. |