| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08085449B2 |
Image sensor and image forming apparatus
An image sensor includes a housing which receives heat of a circuit board, and a light source which is supported in the housing and radiates light toward a document. The light source is an EL light-emitting element including a light emission section which emits light by organic electroluminescence. The EL light-emitting element extends in a line shape along a scanning direction. A thermal diffusion layer is interposed between the EL light-emitting element and the housing. |
| US08085447B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image reading method
This invention solves the problem of color misalignment upon reading a color image. An image reading apparatus according to this invention reads an image by scanning a scanning unit which mounts a reading sensor which reads light beams which are emitted by three light sources, which emit light beams of three primary colors, and reflected by an original document. The image reading apparatus conveys the original document by ⅓ of the reading width of the reading sensor in the conveyance direction of the original document every time the image is read. The image is read by switching between the three light sources so that each pixel of the image is read with the light beams from them. |
| US08085446B2 |
Image processing device for creating data file from monochrome image after the monochrome image has been compressed by different compression methods
An image processing device includes a first encoding processing portion to perform first encoding processing according to a first compression method for compressing multilevel image data and a second encoding processing portion to perform second encoding processing according to a second compression method for compressing binary image data. A determination portion determines whether an image made up of acquired image data is a monochrome image. A data volume estimating portion makes an estimation between a first data volume when image data forming the monochrome image is compressed by the first encoding processing and a second data volume when the image data is compressed by the second encoding processing as to which data volume becomes smaller. A file creating portion creates a data file from image data that has the smaller volume. |
| US08085445B2 |
Method to certify facsimile transmissions
The invention is directed to techniques of facilitating document transmission from one entity through an electronic communications network. An entity may be a legally recognized person such as a corporation, partnership, organization, government, individual, and the like. As a legally recognized person, an entity may act as a principal with respect to one or more authorized agents. Furthermore, as a legal person, an entity may authorize one or more of its agents to use fax transmission equipment such as the fax certification system described herein. The techniques of this invention assure a second entity that a first entity has indeed authorized its agent to send a document from a fax station under the controls of the first entity. |
| US08085441B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting banding using moire pattern
A method of determining presence of variations in interline spacing in a first image comprising a first plurality of parallel lines of pixels comprising: providing a second image comprising a second plurality of parallel lines; orienting the images so that the lines in the first and second pluralities are superimposed and angled with respect to each other to generate an interference image comprising a Moiré interference pattern; and using the Moiré interference pattern to determine presence of said variations. |
| US08085439B2 |
Method and device for processing a print data flow for producing multicolor printed images using a high performance printing system
In a method/device for preparing a print data stream for generation of print images with at least two primary colors, the print data contained in an input print data stream are supplied to a processing stage as input print data. The input print data are processed with the processing stage wherein at least one raster image of a first primary color is generated. Trapping information is generated by use of the raster image. An output print data stream is generated that has the trapping information in addition to print data. |
| US08085434B2 |
Printer characterization for UV encryption applications
The appearance of a color print viewed under UV illumination is predicted using a target comprising color patches each printed using a known coverage of printer colorant(s). In one case, the target is illuminated using a UV light source and an electronic image of the target is captured using a digital camera or the like. In another case, a spectrophotometer is used both with and without a UV cutoff filter to measure the target. The captured image data or the spectrophotometric measurements are used to derive a UV printer characterization model that relates any arbitrary combination of printer colorants to a predicted UV color appearance value. Metameric colorant mixture pairs for visible light and UV light viewing can be determined using the UV model together with a conventional visible light printer characterization model. A visual matching task is used to determine a correction factor for the UV printer characterization model. |
| US08085430B2 |
Printer and tape printer
A printer includes: an area judging unit which judges whether a character printing area necessary for standard printing of an image corresponding to the character data on the printing material exceeds a definite length printing area; a printing data processing unit which creates corrected image data corresponding to a corrected printing image produced by thinning out the image corresponding the character data in the printing direction to perform compressive conversion process for fitting the character printing area to the definite length printing area when the area judging unit judges that the character printing area exceeds the definite length printing area; and a printing device which prints the corrected printing image on the printing material based on the corrected printing data created by the printing data processing unit. |
| US08085427B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus
An image processing apparatus stores, in a buffer, an image data of c bits in the main scanning direction and y lines in the sub scanning direction, and reads out a pixel data of p bits that configures the image data stored in the buffer, in accordance with the completion of the storage of the image data. Note that c is a common multiple of m, which is the number of bits in the unit of memory access, and p, which is the number of bits in a single pixel. Note further that the number of bits in the unit of memory access m is not itself a multiple of the number of bits in a single pixel p. |
| US08085425B2 |
Information processing apparatus
The present invention allows a printing process to be released from application software earlier. At the start of printing, the size of an available area in a RAM 11 is obtained. It is determined whether or not the size of total print data transmitted from a handheld computer to a color printer is the obtained size of the available area. If it is determined that the size of the total print data is larger, the size of an available area in a memory card is obtained. It is then determined whether or not the obtained size of the available area is larger than the size of the total print data. If it is determined that the size of the available area is larger, the total print data is created on the available area in the memory card. Then, the created total print data is transmitted to the color printer. |
| US08085423B2 |
Network scanner for global document creation transmission and management
A network scanner, communication protocols, and client and server programs and are provided which provide an improved way to transmit legally binding documents, obviating the need for outmoded, legacy fax transmissions. Using the network scanner, a document may be scanned and transferred directly into any shared folder inbox residing on any computer attached to the Internet. Enhanced server systems and network communications and messaging protocols are provided that are more practical to use than email for sending documents such as executed legal documents or other documents requiring robust integrity and authenticatability. Similarly, the inventive network scanner, server systems and communication protocols provide improved ways to perform large file transfers and to manage bandwidth to minimize problems associated with uploading/downloading large files as attachments to/from email servers and for enabling user control over VoIP quality during file transmission sessions. |
| US08085419B2 |
Image input/output system, control method of image input/output system, and program for implementing the method
An image input/output system which makes it possible to reduce a load on a server in the case of using a network scan function in a server based computing environment. An image input/output system comprises a multifunction peripheral, a server, and a computer which are communicably connected to one another via a network. The server receives a reading instruction from the computer and instructs the multifunction peripheral to read an original according to the reading instruction. In the multifunction peripheral, a reader section reads the original based on the instruction from the server, and a control section sends thumbnail image data obtained by the reader section to the computer without going through the server. |
| US08085411B2 |
Data processing apparatus, print control method, computer-readable storage medium, and program stored therein
It is necessary to avoid performing printing which brings about a poor printing result due to a mismatch between a medium fed by a printer and a set medium. For arbitrary paper, a paper type determining process unit 612 determines according to the information plural times detected with different timing during the process on the print data whether or not a mismatch occurred between the type of paper set on a printer and paper set by a print setting process unit 611, and the generation and output of print data by a print data generating process unit 618 is correctly controlled. |
| US08085409B2 |
Surface profile measuring apparatus
A surface profile measuring apparatus of the invention has a changing section for changing the cross section of a flux of light to be projected onto a sample by a light projecting section in measuring a surface profile of the sample. The surface profile measuring apparatus having the above arrangement enables to measure the surface profile of the sample easily and precisely, without using different kinds of measuring apparatuses. |
| US08085406B2 |
Ultrafast microscopy of surface electromagnetic fields
System(s) and method(s) to probe electromagnetic fields at the surface of a solid-state material are provided. The technique combines ultrafast (e.g., less than 10 fs) optical excitation and electron microscopy to generate electronic excitations and image the ensuing electromagnetic fields with nanometer-scale spatial resolution and femtosecond time-scale resolution. In addition, time-of-flight energy analysis facilitates imaging of relaxation a generated electronic excitation. The dynamics of the electromagnetic fields can be probed interferometrically through generation of multi-frame imaging, with inter-frame frequency of the order of a few hundreds of attoseconds, of interference patterns among an electric field associated with an excitation in a sample or device and the electromagnetic field of a probe pulse coherent with an excitation pulse. Quality assurance of nanoscopic devices based on plasmonic, photonic, electronic, spintronic operation can be analyzed with spectroscopy provided in the subject innovation. |
| US08085403B2 |
Photoacoustic sensor
Embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods relate to a photoacoustic sensor includes an excitation source, a modulator, a quantum dot filter, an interferometer, a gas chamber, and a microphone. The excitation source generates a monochromatic light. The modulator intensity modulates the monochromatic light at a first modulation frequency. The quantum dot filter down converts the modulated monochromatic light into a broadband spectrum of infrared light. The interferometer further intensity modulates the broadband spectrum such that the at least one wavelength component of the broadband spectrum is further intensity modulated at a second modulation frequency. The gas chamber stores a sample gas and receives the plurality of modulated wavelength components. The microphone detects pressure changes within the gas chamber to produce an acoustic signal, which can be used to analyze properties of the sample gas. |
| US08085397B2 |
Fiber optic sensor utilizing broadband sources
Fiber optic sensors employ a high brightness light source such as a fiber optic supercontinuum source, multiplexed superluminescent light emitting diodes, or a broadband tunable laser diode. Light is delivered to the measurement location via fiber optics and sensor optics directs infrared radiation onto material the being monitored that is located in a hostile environment. A disperse element is positioned in the detection beam path in order to separate the wavelengths and to perform spectral analysis. A spectral analysis of the radiation that emerges from the sheet yields information on a plurality of parameters for the material. For papermaking applications, the moisture level, temperature and cellulose content in the paper can be obtained. |
| US08085395B2 |
Inspection device
What is disclosed is an inspection device and a method wherein interconnected, substantially flat bags are provided, in which bags objects are present which are set vibrating, after which one or more images of the objects in the bag are recorded. The vibration is exerted on the objects in the plane of the interconnected bags, whilst a squeezing force effected by means of a pulling force on the bags is exerted on the vibrating objects. The combination of said vibration and said squeezing force on the objects, such as tablets, leads to a quiet and reliable inspection device. |
| US08085394B2 |
Optoelectronic longitudinal measurement method and optoelectronic longitudinal measurement device
The invention relates to an optoelectronic measurement method for determining a position, particularly an angle or a length, of a code carrier (10) that carries a position code (11) and is movable relative to a detector element (30) with a degree of freedom, particularly in a rotary or translational fashion. The detector element (30) has at least one line in the longitudinal direction comprising a plurality of light-sensitive receiving regions (31) disposed in a linear fashion. In the course of the positional measurement method, a projection is produced of part of the position code (11) on the detector element (30) that is dependent on the position of the code carrier (10); said projection is produced by at least an emission of optical radiation onto the code carrier (10) using a laser diode (20) having an emitter edge (21), and said projection is detected by the detector element (30). The position of the code carrier (10) relative to the detector element (30) is derived from the projection. According to the invention, in the projection on the detector element (30) thus produced, the axis of divergence of the laser diode emission (26) running perpendicular to the emitter edge (21) has a substantially parallel orientation to the longitudinal axis (34) of the detector element (30). |
| US08085391B2 |
Integrated optical characteristic measurements in a CMOS image sensor
Methods and systems for forming a chief ray angle (CRA) profile of an imaging lens having a field of view (FOV) are provided. At least one CRA sensor is positioned between an edge of a pixel array and an edge of the FOV, at one or more predetermined lens height percentages. Light is transmitted through the imaging lens and detected by multiple detectors included in the at least one CRA sensor. Each detector is configured to detect a different predetermined CRA. For each CRA sensor, a largest amplitude of detected light among the multiple detectors is selected. The largest amplitude of light represents a CRA of the transmitted light. At least one data point of the CRA profile is determined, by using the selected predetermined CRA at the one or more predetermined lens height percentages. |
| US08085387B2 |
Optical instrument and method for obtaining distance and image information
An optical instrument and a method for obtaining distance and image information of an object is disclosed to improve the speed and accuracy of data acquisition. The instrument comprises a camera, positioning unit, distance measuring unit, lens arrangement and control unit. The camera acquires images of an object and the control unit defines an area to be scanned and measurement pixels of an object in the image, wherein the measurement pixels are converted into an approximation of coordinates of positions to be measured assuming a default distance to the positions, and the optical axis of the lens arrangement is adjusted sequentially onto the positions to be measured. After measuring the distances to the positions, the coordinates are recalculated increasing the accuracy of the coordinates. |
| US08085386B2 |
Method for determining exposure condition and computer-readable storage media storing program for determining exposure condition
A method for determining an exposure condition for use in projecting an image of a pattern of an original on a substrate includes a setting step of setting an exposure condition, an image calculating step of calculating a dimension of an image to be projected on the substrate under the set exposure condition, an electrical characteristic calculating step of calculating an electrical characteristic of at least one of a portion for use as an interconnection and a portion for use as a transistor in a pattern to be formed on the substrate in accordance with a result calculated in the image calculating step, a determining step of determining whether the electrical characteristic calculated in the electrical characteristic calculating step satisfies a requirement, and an adjusting step of adjusting the set exposure condition when the electrical characteristic is determined not to satisfy the requirement in the determining step. |
| US08085385B2 |
Movable body drive method and movable body drive system, and pattern formation method and pattern formation apparatus
A first positional information of a wafer stage is measured using an interferometer system such as, for example, a Z interferometer. At the same time, a second positional information of the wafer stage is measured using a surface position measurement system such as, for example, two Z heads. Moving average is applied to a difference between the first positional information and the second positional information for a predetermined measurement time to set a coordinate offset, and the coordinate offset is used to inspect the reliability of output signals of the surface position measurement system. When the output signals are confirmed to be normal, servo control of the wafer stage is performed using a sum of the first positional information and the coordinate offset. According to the servo control by this hybrid method, drive control of the wafer stage which has the stability of the interferometer and the precision of the Z heads becomes possible. |
| US08085384B2 |
Exposure apparatus
An exposure apparatus that exposes a pattern of an original onto a substrate includes a condenser optical system configured to split light from a light source into plural rays, to condense the plural rays at different positions on the original, and to make a central part of each of the plural rays that illuminate the original darker than a periphery at the Fourier transform plane with respect to the original, and a projection optical system configured to project the pattern of the original onto the substrate. |
| US08085383B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for scanning detector for fast and frequent illumination uniformity correction module
Provided is a reticle masking blade system, including a reticle-masking blade device. Also included is a detector array mounted on an edge of a blade of the blade device. |
| US08085379B2 |
Circuit board and display device having the same
Provided are a circuit board and a display device having the circuit board. The circuit board includes a first surface opposite to a second surface and a first and a second wire disposed on the first surface. The circuit board is attached substantially to one side of the display panel unit. |
| US08085377B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and LCD device using the same with particular aligning electrodes
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and an LCD device using the same are provided. The LCD panel includes a first and a second substrate, wherein a liquid crystal layer is sealed between the first and the second substrates. The first substrate has a plurality of pixel unit each including a data line, a scan line, a switch element, a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, a first aligning electrode and a second aligning electrode. The scan line corresponds to a gap between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode. The switch element has an input terminal, a control terminal, a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The first aligning electrode and the second aligning electrode correspond to the edges of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode respectively, and receive a voltage of a common electrode. |
| US08085373B2 |
Liquid crystal display device treated by UV irradiation
A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 μm can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate. |
| US08085369B2 |
Self-compensating, quasi-homeotropic liquid crystal device with high contrast ratio
Self-compensating, quasi-homeotropic liquid crystal devices overcome the contrast reducing effects of smaller pretilt angles. The devices exhibit extremely high contrast ratio but at the same time suppress fringe field-induced disclination lines in high pixel density and small pixel size quasi-homeotropic displays. The surface pretilt and cell twist angles are set at values that, in combination, contribute to establishing a cuspate singularity in the contrast ratio for normally incident light in response to a drive signal switching the liquid crystal device to the OFF director field state that provides nearly 0% optical efficiency. The OFF director field state corresponds to a subthreshold drive level that provides for the liquid crystal device self-compensation for in-plane optical retardation. Setting the cell gap (“d”) to provide substantially 100% optical efficiency in response to a value of the drive signal switching the liquid crystal device to the ON director field state achieves optimal dynamic range for the liquid crystal device. |
| US08085366B2 |
Thin film transistor display panel and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array panel according to an exemplary embodiment includes a first colored member overlapping a thin film transistor and a plurality of second colored members simultaneously formed on the first colored member. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent light leakage current of the thin film transistor, to easily repair deterioration of the thin film transistor, to prevent light leakage of a peripheral area and between color filters, and to form stable patterns. |
| US08085361B2 |
Liquid crystal module
A liquid crystal module includes a rear frame, a light reflecting sheet, a plurality of U-shaped cold cathode tubes, an optical sheet and a liquid crystal panel. The light reflecting sheet is disposed on the rear frame. The U-shaped cold cathode tubes are disposed above the light reflecting sheet and arranged parallel to each other. Each of the U-shaped cold cathode tubes includes a U-shaped bent part and a pair of end portions extending from the U-shaped bent part. Widths of the U-shaped bent parts of the U-shaped cold cathode tubes are different from each other. Overall lengths of the U-shaped cold cathode tubes from one end portions to the other end portions along the U-shaped cold cathode tubes are equal to each other. The optical sheet is disposed above the U-shaped cold cathode tube. The liquid crystal panel is disposed above the optical sheet. |
| US08085357B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel, a back light unit attached to the liquid crystal display panel having a light source and a light guide plate, a mold frame attached to the back light unit, and a bezel within the mold frame for supporting the mold frame. The bezel includes a first seat having a base and a first side wall extending from a perimeter of the base, and a second seat having a step extending from the first side wall and a second side extending from a perimeter of the step. |
| US08085354B2 |
Pixel structure with semiconductor of top-gate TFT extended over electrodes and liquid crystal display panel
A pixel structure is disclosed. The pixel structure is suitable to be disposed on a substrate and includes a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a top gate TFT. The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are disposed over the substrate, wherein the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are separated from each other. The top gate TFT is disposed between the substrate and the first pixel electrode and includes a patterned semiconductor layer and a gate. |
| US08085352B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection circuit, manufacturing method thereof and liquid crystal display device having the same
A width and a length of the electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit are reduced by changing a connection structure of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit includes a plurality of gate electrodes disposed between odd signal lines and even signal lines adjacent to the odd signal lines among the signal lines; source/drain electrode pairs each disposed on a respective one of the gate electrodes to form a plurality of transistors; and connection nodes parallel to the source/drain electrode pairs, each connection node adjacent to a respective one of the source/drain electrodes pairs and on a respective one of the gate electrodes, wherein each of the connection nodes is directly connected to the source/drain electrode pair of an adjacent transistor and the gate electrode formed below the source/drain electrode through a contact part. |
| US08085346B2 |
Filter module for a video decoding system
Systems and methods are disclosed for filter modules in a video display system or network. One embodiment relates to a method for operating a filter module in a video display network comprising determining a picture type, display type and operation of the display network. The method further comprises determining, in real time, a filter configuration from a plurality of possible filter configurations based on the determined picture type, display type and operation. |
| US08085344B2 |
Module socket
A module socket for use with camera modules has an insulative housing with a base and four walls extending upward. The base and walls have L-shaped terminal-receiving cavities that receive terminal therein. The terminals extend between the two legs of the L-shaped cavities so as to position a terminal contact portion in opposition to contacts on the bottom surface of a camera module. Two metal retainers are applied to two opposing walls of the housing and these retainers have locking arms that extend horizontally into the interior space of the housing. The locking arms each include separate angled guide members and engagement members, the first of which guide a module into the socket and the second of which retain the module in place within the socket. |
| US08085343B2 |
Image capture apparatus
An image capture apparatus includes an outer housing, a capturing lens, a slide cover, and a grip projection portion. The capturing lens is disposed on a front face of the outer housing. The slide cover is slidable relative to the outer housing between a closed position covering the capturing lens and an open position uncovering the capturing lens. The grip projection portion projects from the outer housing and includes a finger placing portion that allows a user to place fingers of a user. The finger placing portion is positioned frontwardly of the slide cover. |
| US08085341B2 |
Digital camera including remaining battery voltage check
A digital camera has a battery that supplies electric power, a battery level detector, a time detector, a remaining voltage calculator, and a boot controller. When the digital camera is turned off, the battery level detector detects a remaining voltage level of the battery. When the digital camera is turned on, the time detector detects an elapsed time from the last electric power OFF operation to the current electric power ON operation, namely, a time period in which the camera is in the OFF state. Further, when the digital camera is turned on, the remaining voltage calculator calculates a remaining voltage-level of the battery on the basis of the detected elapsed time, the last detected remaining voltage level, and the discharge characteristic of the battery. Then, the boot controller allows the digital camera to boot if the calculated remaining voltage level is larger than a limited voltage necessary to boot the digital camera. |
| US08085339B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing capture device settings through depth information
A method for adjusting image capture settings for an image capture device is provided. The method initiates with capturing depth information of a scene at the image capture device. Depth regions are identified based on the captured depth information. Then, an image capture setting is adjusted independently for each of the depth regions. An image of the scene is captured with the image capture device, wherein the image capture setting is applied to each of the depth regions when the image of the scene is captured. |
| US08085333B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera includes: an image processing unit that creates first display image data and second display image data; a display device that displays a first screen image and a second screen image so as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed along a second direction that differs from the first direction; and a control unit that instructs the display device to display the first display image data as the first screen image, and the second display image data as the second screen image. |
| US08085331B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, driving method thereof, and camera
An objective of the present invention is to provide the solid-state imaging device and the driving method thereof which can control: a poor picture quality, such as blooming, to maximize a dynamic range of the photodiode; and a poor picture quality resulted from an incomplete read-out operation. A solid-state imaging device in the present invention includes: a solid-state imaging element; and a driving pulse controlling unit applying a driving pulse to each of read-out gates of a column CCD. The driving pulse controlling unit transfers in a column direction signal charge within a charge transfer region of the column CCD by applying a column transfer clock having a LOW level voltage and a MIDDLE level voltage, and the LOW level voltage and the MIDDLE level voltage are minus voltages. |
| US08085329B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, driving control method, and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device and an imaging apparatus are provided. The solid-state imaging device performs an AD conversion in a column parallel for an analog pixel signal outputted from each of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional matrix shape. The solid-state imaging device includes: an AD conversion unit including a plurality of pixel signal accumulating units; a first switching unit for disconnecting parallel connection of a second pixel signal accumulating unit other than a first pixel signal accumulating unit which is one of the plurality of pixel signal accumulating units; and a second switching unit for connecting the second pixel signal accumulating unit to a pixel signal line of a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in a row direction, when parallel connection of the second pixel signal accumulating unit is disconnected by the first switching unit. |
| US08085328B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus which is capable of providing optimal image quality according to a scene to be shot, and is improved in user-friendliness. A determination unit comprising a comparator, a comparison potential, and an OR element determines an output level of each pixel or each area formed by a plurality of pixels in the image pickup device with reference to a predetermined output level. A system controller changes a charge transfer period in a horizontal blanking period for a line including a pixel or an area of with the output level is not lower than the predetermined output level, according to a result of determination by the determination unit. |
| US08085327B2 |
Image sensor, method for operating an image sensor, and computer program using a time-delayed integration
An image sensor includes a plurality of image elements configured to provide associated image element signals which are dependent on light intensities incident on the image elements. The image sensor includes an accumulation circuit with a plurality of charge storage elements, wherein the accumulation circuit is configured to change charges on the charge storage elements during a phase in dependence on image element signals of respectively associated image elements. The accumulation circuit is further configured to change an association between charge storage elements and associated image elements in successive phases, so that in operation, a charge on one of the charge storage elements depends on image element signals of plural image elements in a plurality of phases. |
| US08085326B2 |
Solid imaging device and driving method thereof
A solid imaging device includes a vertical signal line, a unit pixel including a photodiode which photoelectrically converts and stores incident light, an amplifying transistor which amplifies an input signal from the photodiode and outputs the amplified signal to the vertical signal line, and a reset transistor which resets a potential of a control electrode of the amplifying transistor, and a control circuit configured to maintain a state of a potential of the vertical signal line while the reset transistor is being driven. |
| US08085322B2 |
Defect pixel correction circuit, image processing system using the same, and defect pixel correcting method
A defect pixel correction circuit that can easily determine a defect of an image sensor that has the defect that ranges to one direction and replace with the correcting pixel is provided. The defect pixel correction circuit 1 includes: a defect pixel determination unit 10 configured to determine whether a noteworthy pixel oo is a defect pixel referring to a referring pixels ko, mo, qo and so that excludes the noteworthy pixel oo, the referring pixels centering on the noteworthy pixel oo and lining up in one direction; and a defect pixel correcting unit 20 configured to generate a correcting pixel value on the basis of the referring pixels mo and qo, and replace the noteworthy pixel value that is pixel value of the noteworthy pixel oo with the correcting pixel value, when the noteworthy pixel oo is a defect pixel. |
| US08085321B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a rolling double reset timing for global storage in image sensors
An apparatus for and a method of operating an array of pixels of an image sensor, where each pixel includes at least a photosensor, an associated storage device and a floating diffusion region and the array of pixels is configured in a plurality of rows and columns. The photosensors associated with the pixels are reset and charges are accumulated in the photosensor. The accumulated charges are then globally transferred to storage devices associated with the pixels. A rolling double reset is used to reduce the deleterious effects on the accumulated charges stored in the storage devices. The accumulated charges stored in the storage devices are transferred to floating diffusion regions associated with the pixels and the charges residing in the floating diffusion region are read out. In a second embodiment the storage device is eliminated and the rolling double reset is used to reduce the deleterious effects on the accumulated charges stored in the floating diffusion region. |
| US08085320B1 |
Early radial distortion correction
Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise an input module to receive image data representing an image, wherein the image data includes radial distortion; and a zoom module to scale the image based on the image data and a scaling factor, wherein the zoom module comprises a radial distortion correction module to correct the radial distortion in the image data while the zoom module scales the image. |
| US08085319B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device and image capturing device
A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel unit including a photoelectric converter, an amplifier arranged on the output side of the pixel unit, an output unit arranged on the output side of the amplifier, a first restriction circuit, and a second restriction circuit. The first restriction circuit restricts, between the amplifier and the output unit, a noise level read out from the pixel unit via the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit. The second restriction circuit restricts, between the photoelectric converter and the amplifier, a noise level to be provided to the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit. |
| US08085317B2 |
Information process apparatus and method, program record medium, and program
A data generation section generates an essence data file composed of a file header, a file body, and a file footer. A header size obtainment section obtains header size information of essence data file from the data generation section, and supplies the header size information to a clip generation section and an index file update section. The clip generation section generates a clip information file that describes the header size information supplied from the header size obtainment section. The index file update section registers a clip element that describes the header size information supplied from the header size obtainment section to an index file stored in a ROM. |
| US08085313B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program for processing an image
The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and program for processing an image, capable of producing a sharp image. A digital camera 1 includes an imaging device 4 formed of a single-plane sensor that provides one color signal for each pixel. A plurality of images are captured at a high shutter speed by the imaging device 4 and stored in a frame memory 22 of a signal processor 7. The signal processor 7 detects a positional relationship among the plurality of images stored in the frame memory 22 and estimates a correct image with three color signals at each pixel, based on the detected positional relationship. The present invention is applicable, for example, to a digital camera. |
| US08085312B2 |
Image input apparatus, image input method, personal authentication apparatus, and electronic apparatus
An image input apparatus that inputs an image of an object residing within a living body is disclosed. The image input apparatus includes a light source that irradiates near infrared light on the living body, a lens array arranged at a position facing the living body and including plural lenses each having a face with zero or negative power arranged at a side facing the living body and a face with positive power arranged at a side facing an image surface, an imaging unit arranged at the image surface side of the lens array that forms a compound-eye image corresponding to a collection of ommatidium images formed by the lenses of the lens array, and a reconstruction unit that reconstructs a single image from the compound-eye image using a parallax between the ommatidium images. The reconstructed single image is input as the image of the object. |
| US08085303B2 |
Animated display calibration method and apparatus
A method for adjusting properties of a display includes displaying a first pluge image on the display to a user, wherein the display includes a plurality of locations, wherein the first pluge image comprises a first plurality of output values associated with the plurality of locations, thereafter displaying a second pluge image on the display to the user, wherein the second pluge image comprises a second plurality of output values associated with the plurality of locations, wherein the first plurality of output values are different from the second plurality of output values, and receiving a display adjustment input from the user, wherein the display adjustment input from the user is in response to the user viewing the first pluge image on the display and in response to the second pluge image on the display. |
| US08085302B2 |
Combined digital and mechanical tracking of a person or object using a single video camera
A combined digital and mechanical tracking system and process for generating a video using a single digital video camera that tracks a person or object of interest moving in a scene is presented. This generally involves operating the camera at a higher resolution than is needed for the application, and cropping a sub-region out of the image captured that is output as the output video. The person or object being tracked is at least partially contained within the cropped sub-region. As the person or object moves within the field of view of the camera, the location of the cropped sub-region is also moved so as to keep the subject of interest within its boundaries. When the subject of interest moves to the boundary of the FOV of the camera, the camera is mechanically panned to keep the person or object inside its FOV. |
| US08085301B2 |
Compact handheld detector for greenhouse gasses
Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include an unstablized laser and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of gas that absorbs at least some of the wavelength of operation of the unstablized laser. The devices can be operated at a low-power density for safety and/or may be configured to mitigate wavelength hopping associated with unstablized laser light sources. |
| US08085299B2 |
Digital line scan camera
Disclosed is a digital line scan camera, having at least at least one focal plane, on which at least one linear photosensitive sensor is arranged, an objective lens, and a location measurement system. The location measurement system is used to determine six external location parameters, where the location system measurement comprises a satellite-supported position determination device and an inertial navigation measurement unit. The line scan camera includes at least on two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, which is synchronously driven with the linear sensor. At least one displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is calculated from the data of the minimum of one two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, and where the displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is used to correct the date of the inertial measurement unit. |
| US08085298B2 |
Camera control device
A camera control device capable of easily performing control even if more than one camera is provided. A common operation section performs a map operation and a camera operation with the same operation device. An operation management section switches between the map operation and the camera operation depending on the scale (display magnification) of a map and the imaging magnification of a camera to be operated. To perform the map operation, the operation management section sends an operation signal to a map control section, and to perform the camera operation, it sends an operation signal to a camera control section. |
| US08085294B2 |
Stereoscopic image display apparatus
A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes: a plane display device; a lens array provided in front of the display surface to distribute light rays from pixels of the display device to predetermined angles, and having a plurality of lenses arranged in a first direction; a variable polarizer provided between the plane display device and the lens array to polarize light rays from the pixels; and a double refraction prism array provided on an opposite side of the lens array from the display device, and including a plurality of double refraction prisms. Each of the double refraction prisms has a ridge in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged in the first direction with a pitch which is substantially twice a lens pitch in the lens array, and has double refraction in which a refractive index in a ridge direction is different from a refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the ridge direction. |
| US08085289B1 |
Reducing side lobes within optical irradiance distributions used to selectively expose photosensitive surface
An optical beam is selectively output towards a scanner in accordance with image data for a scan line of an image. The optical beam has a beam irradiance distribution that is elliptical in shape. The optical beam passes through an aperture stop, ordinarily creating side lobes within a focus irradiance distribution of the optical beam. The scanner scans the optical beam to form the scan line on a photosensitive surface by selectively exposing positions along the scan line in accordance with image data. The optical beam is modified before it reaches the photosensitive surface to substantially remove the side lobes that have been created within the focus irradiance distribution and/or to substantially prevent the side lobes from being created within the focus irradiance distribution of the optical beam. |
| US08085286B2 |
Printing method and apparatus
A method of printing an image onto a substrate including the steps of providing a substrate, a print head, and a carrier between the print head and the substrate; providing a backing roller; urging the print head towards the roller so as to urge the print head against the carrier, the carrier against the substrate, and the substrate against the roller; then selectively energizing print head heating elements while moving the print head in a first direction so as to move the print head along the substrate and transfer print medium from the carrier to the substrate to print a portion of the image on a respective area of the substrate; and after printing image portion, if there is at least one further image portion to be printed, moving the head, substrate, and carrier in a second direction, opposite to the first, in preparation for printing the next portion in a series of portions. |
| US08085285B2 |
Thermal marking system
One or more arrays of heating elements are configured with insulating regions to prevent the dissipation of heat to unintended regions of a thermochromic substrate. Methods include printing and arranging impressions on a two-sided substrate avoiding bleeding and other problems more-commonly associated with traditional two-sided thermal printing techniques. A simple and reliable thermal printing system is provided for use in ballot marking, including several mechanisms for receiving and detecting the orientation of a substrate within a thermal printing apparatus. |
| US08085284B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying bitmap multi-color image data on dot matrix-type display screen on which three primary color lamps are dispersedly arrayed
A display screen comprises many pixel lamps arrayed uniformly and in a regular pattern. Pixel lamps come in three types (first- to third-color lamps), and image data to be displayed on the screen consist of bit-map type multi-colored data in which one pixel is represented by a set of three-type color data (first- to third-color data). Each color data plane on a bit-map image data plane is divided into many groups each consisting of a plurality of contiguous pixels, each group is correlated to each first color lamp on the display screen, an operation of selecting in a preset sequence first-color data of a plurality of pixels belonging to one group is repeated, and a first-color lamp correlating to each group is emission-driven according to a selected first-color data. (The same steps are followed for second- and third-color lamps). |
| US08085278B2 |
Method for setting compensation region for irregular defect region in manage display device
The present invention relates to a method for setting a compensation region for an irregular defect region in an image display device, including the steps of detecting an irregular display defect, setting a horizontal width of the irregular defect region detected thus, generating a plurality of guide lines which divide the irregular defect region in a horizontal direction along the horizontal width set thus automatically, setting upper and lower side boundary lines to the irregular defect region at every interval of the plurality of the guide lines to generate a plurality of main compensation regions defined by the plurality of guide lines and the upper and lower side boundary lines, and generating a plurality of upper, lower, left, and right supplementary compensation regions at upper, lower, left, and right sides of the plurality of main compensation regions, which maintain a gap of each of the plurality of the guide lines, automatically. |
| US08085274B2 |
Video data compression
Systems and methods for compressing data within a block of data for storage in memory and for transmission along a data path are described herein. By utilizing previously unused bits in data words, the valid data can be stored more efficiently and transmitted in fewer transfer cycles, thereby increasing the availability of the data bus to other masters. One embodiment of a system for storing and transmitting compressed data includes masters and slaves interconnected by a data bus. One of the masters is a video input interface configured to receive video data from an external video source. The video input interface is further configured to compress the video data using a compression algorithm based on the difference in color between two adjacent pixels. Another one of the masters is a video display controller configured to receive the compressed video data. Also, the video display controller is configured to decode the compressed video data to restore the video data to its original form for transmission to an external video display. |
| US08085269B1 |
Representing and editing audio properties
Technologies relating to user interfaces for visualization and editing of audio signals. In some implementations, a method is provided that include the actions of receiving one or more audio signals including digital audio data; generating one or more audio objects, each of the one or more audio objects representing one or more audio signals; and displaying a corresponding representation of each of the one or more audio objects in an interface according to one or more parameters of the audio signals associated with the respective one or more audio objects such that a location of each particular audio object representation in the interface is based on the one or more parameters associated with the particular audio object. |
| US08085268B2 |
Techniques for drawing geodetic polygons
Techniques in a data processor for drawing on a map a geodetic polygon that straddles a splitting meridian include, in one embodiment, maintaining data that represents the geodetic polygon, the data comprising a set of geographic coordinates; transforming the set of geographic coordinates into a set of planar coordinates representing a planar polygon; splitting the planar polygon into a plurality of sub-figures; shifting at least one sub-figure of the plurality of sub-figures along a horizontal axis of two-dimensional plane to produce a shifted sub-figure; and causing the shifted sub-figure to be displayed on a map concurrently with at least one other sub-figure of the plurality of sub-figures that was not shifted. |
| US08085267B2 |
Stochastic addition of rays in a ray tracing image processing system
According to embodiments of the invention, rays may be stochastically culled before they are issued into the three-dimensional scene. Stochastically culling rays may reduce the number of rays which need to be traced by the image processing system. Furthermore, by stochastically culling rays before they are issued into the three-dimensional scene, minor imperfections may be added to the final rendered image, thereby improving the realism of the rendered image. Therefore, stochastic culling of rays may improve the performance of the image processing system by reducing workload imposed on the image processing system and improving the realism of the images rendered by the image processing system. According to another embodiment of the invention, the realism of images rendered by the image processing system may also be improved by stochastically adding secondary rays after ray-primitive intersections have occurred. |
| US08085266B2 |
System and method for smoothing three dimensional images
A method and system for converting two-dimensional artwork into three-dimensional models. Data relating to an image is imported and segments of the image are chained into contiguous curves. The contiguous curves together may form loops. Subsets of closed loops are split and created where surfaces of the image are to be created. The closed loops are contoured to create contours. The geometries created are projected onto a surface as an image. Finally, the image is smoothed. |
| US08085263B2 |
Power supply circuit, driver circuit, electro-optical device, electronic instrument, and common electrode drive method
A power supply circuit which outputs a common electrode voltage to a common electrode of an electro-optical device provided opposite to pixel electrodes through an electro-optical material includes a voltage booster circuit which generates a boost voltage boosted by a charge-pump operation in synchronization with a charge clock signal, and a common electrode voltage generation circuit which outputs a high-potential-side voltage or a low-potential-side voltage generated based on the boost voltage to the common electrode as the common electrode voltage. The charge clock signal has a rising edge and a falling edge in a period in which a sign of voltages between the pixel electrode and the common electrode are either positive or negative. |
| US08085257B2 |
Negative step-up charge pump circuit, LCD driver IC, and liquid crystal display device
In a negative step-up charge pump circuit according to the present invention, of a plurality of stages of charge transfer transistors and an output transistor, the former-stage transistors are P channel type field effect transistors, and the later-stage transistors are N channel type field effect transistors. With such configuration, it is possible to avoid start-up failure and current driving performance deterioration resulting from an increase in the number of stages of step-up units without complicating processes and increasing the chip size. |
| US08085256B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device is provided which can appropriately adjust the brightness of a display apparatus in accordance with the lightness of visible light by preventing UV-light from being incident upon an optical sensor. An electronic device having, in a housing, a display apparatus (1) that includes an active matrix substrate (2) having a pixel array region (8) in which a plurality of pixels (5) are arranged and a display medium (4) provided in a gap between the active matrix substrate (2) and a counter substrate (3), includes an optical sensor (11) provided in a peripheral region (9) present in a periphery of the pixel array region (8) in the active matrix substrate (2) of a display apparatus (1), and a UV-light blocking member (70) that is provided in a portion covering the optical sensor (11) in the housing and transmits visible light and absorbs UV-light. |
| US08085252B1 |
Method and apparatus to determine direction of motion in a sensor array of a touch sensing device
Direction of motion in a sensor array of a touch sensing device may be determined using a rule-based algorithm. A presence of a conductive object on a sensing device may be detected. First, second, and third locations of the detected presence of the conductive object may be determined. The first location may be compared with the second location using the rule-based algorithm, and a first direction of motion of the conductive object may be recognized based on the comparison. The second location may be compared with the third location using the rule-based algorithm, and the same first direction of motion of the conductive object may be recognized based on the comparison. |
| US08085251B2 |
Display-and-image-pickup apparatus, object detection program and method of detecting an object
A display-and-image-pickup apparatus includes: a display-and-image-pickup panel having an image display function and an image pickup function; an image producing means for producing a predetermined processed image on the basis of a picked-up image of a proximity object obtained through the use of the display-and-image-pickup panel; an image processing means for obtaining information about the proximity object through selectively using one of two obtaining modes on the basis of at least one of the picked-up image and the processed image; and a switching means for switching processes so that, in the case where the parameter is increasing, one of the two obtaining modes is switched to the other obtaining mode when the parameter reaches a threshold value, and in the case where the parameter is decreasing, the other obtaining mode is switched to the one obtaining mode when the parameter reaches a smaller threshold value. |
| US08085250B2 |
Touch pad with flexible substrate
A touch sensor device is provided that uses a flexible circuit substrate to provide an improved input device. Specifically, the present invention uses a touch sensor controller affixed to the flexible circuit substrate, which is coupled to a sensor component to provide a flexible, reliable and cost effective touch sensor suitable for a wide variety of applications. In one embodiment the touch sensor uses a flexible circuit substrate that provides relatively high temperature resistance. This allows the touch sensor controller to be affixed using reliable techniques, such as various types of soldering. The sensor component can comprise a relatively low-temperature-resistant substrate that can provide a cost effective solution. Taken together, this embodiment of the touch sensor provides reliability and flexibility at relatively low cost. |
| US08085246B2 |
Keypad panel assembly having laterally-illuminated keypad surface
A keypad panel assembly having a laterally-illuminated keypad surface is arranged on an electronic device. The keypad panel includes a light-guiding plate and a panel. The light-guiding plate has a carrier thereon. One side surface of the carrier is provided with a plurality of protruding strips. Each protruding strip is provided with a plurality of light-guiding particles at positions corresponding to the other side surface of the carrier. The top surface of the protruding strip is provided with a reflective layer. The panel is arranged on one side surface of the carrier, and is provided thereon with a plurality of rectangular keypads. One side surface of each keypad is provided with an icon, and a plurality of hollowed portions is provided between each keypad and the panel. Each hollowed portion encloses a rectangular shape and corresponds to the protruding strip of the carrier. After the protruding strip passes through the hollowed portion, the height of the protruding strip is larger than those of the keypad and the icon. After the light generated by a backlight source of the electronic device is introduced from one side of the light-guiding plate, the light-guiding particles focus the light on the protruding strip. Then, the light illuminates the keypad surface from both sides of the protruding strip, so that a user can see the icon displayed on the keypad surface clearly. |
| US08085245B2 |
Display device, keypad thereof and method for activating display device
A display device includes a processor, a memory, an interface and a keypad. The keypad, separably connected to the interface, includes a signal generator. When the display device is connected to a power source, the processor sends a first signal to the interface. The signal generator generates a second signal in response to the first signal. The processor determines whether the second signal is correct based on data stored in the memory. If yes, the display device may be activated. A method for activating the display device via the separable keypad comprises the steps of: connecting the display device to the power source; the display device sending the first signal to the interface; determining whether the second signal is correct; and if yes, activating the display device. |
| US08085242B2 |
Input control device and image forming apparatus
An input control device and an image forming apparatus capable of providing an easy-to-use operating environment even for a user having difficulties operating such conventional devices and apparatuses due to his/her height, color vision deficiency, weak vision, use of a wheelchair, and the like is disclosed. In the input control device, based on the detected distance between an instruction item on the display and an operation direction element (such as a user's finger), the display mode of the instruction item is changed (by, for example, changing positions, colors, and combinations). Further, as the operation direction element approaches, the size of the instruction item on the display becomes larger, thereby improving the operability especially for a user with color vision deficiency or weak vision. |
| US08085240B2 |
Display apparatus having a detection signal line used to transmit driving voltage signals to a digital driver
A display apparatus includes a DSD for outputting a digital video signal and a wiring board. The wiring board includes a first wiring portion in which signal lines used to transmit the digital video signal output from the DSD are disposed, a signal generation circuit for generating drive voltage signals, and a second wiring portion in which signal lines used to transmit the drive voltage signals to a panel substrate are disposed. In the first wiring portion, a detection signal line used to transmit the drive voltage signals to the DSD is disposed. In the signal generation circuit, an output wiring portion including output lines used to transmit the drive voltage signals to the signal lines in the second wiring portion and a detection line having one end connected to the detection signal line and the other end connected to the output lines via switches are disposed. |
| US08085237B2 |
Method for controlling luminance of backlight unit
A method for controlling luminance of an edge type backlight unit having a plurality of lamps at opposite sides of a light-guiding plate is provided that includes: analyzing luminance data for each frame of an image before outputting the image; selecting a backlight luminance level from a Look-Up Table LUT that classifies the luminance according to the analyzed luminance data; outputting lamp on/off control signals according to the selected luminance level; and providing lamp on/off signals to respective lamps according to the lamp on/off control signals. |
| US08085234B2 |
Capacitive load driving circuit, method of driving capacitive load, method of driving liquid crystal display device
A capacitive load driving circuit includes a gate driver, and a source driver. The gate driver drives a plurality of capacitive loads arranged in a matrix form in a row direction. The source driver drives the plurality of capacitive loads in a column direction. The source driver includes a plurality of output circuits configured to be arranged in a row direction. Each of the plurality of output circuits changes a slew rate based on a column position of a capacitive load of the plurality of capacitive loads driven by the gate driver. |
| US08085232B2 |
Array substrate receiving two polarities opposite to each other and a display device having the same
An array substrate includes a base substrate, a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines and a pixel matrix. The plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines define pixel areas. The pixel matrix is formed on each pixel area, and includes a plurality of pixel columns and pixel rows. Each pixel column has a first pixel group and a second pixel group. The first pixel group is electrically connected to a first gate line adjacent to the pixel column. The second pixel group is electrically connected to a second gate line adjacent to the pixel column. Each pixel row is electrically connected to one data line adjacent to the pixel column. |
| US08085231B2 |
Display device
In a display device which mounts drive circuits and a display control circuit on a substrate which constitutes a display panel, signal lines can be arranged on the substrate which constitutes the display panel without making the signal lines intersect each other. A plurality of drive circuits and a display control circuit are mounted on a peripheral portion of one long side of a first substrate. A printed circuit board is connected to one long side of the first substrate. Each drive circuit mounts, on a surface thereof facing the first substrate, a group of power source voltage input terminals to which a power source voltage is supplied, a group of gray-scale reference voltage input terminals to which a gray-scale reference voltage is supplied, and a group of gray-scale reference voltage output terminals which sends gray-scale reference voltages. |
| US08085227B2 |
Control device, illumination device, and display device
A control device has: an external terminal receiving a control signal; an output setting circuit changing an output state every time a predetermined edge appears in the control signal; an oscillator generating a clock signal; a period detector counting the number of pulses in the clock signal to detect whether or not the control signal has been kept at a predetermined logic level for a predetermined period; an initializing circuit initializing, based on the output of the period detector, the output state specified by the output setting circuit when the control signal is found to have been kept at the predetermined logic level for the predetermined period; and an oscillation control circuit permitting the operation of the oscillator only when the control signal is at the predetermined logic level and inhibiting the operation of the oscillator otherwise. |
| US08085225B2 |
Image display apparatus
In organic EL display apparatuses, when the reset operating time required for compensating variations in the OLED drive TFT voltage threshold is too short then fluctuations in the threshold voltage Vth cannot be corrected and an accurate gray scale is impossible. A precharge voltage is supplied from the precharge TFT switch prior to the reset TFT switch and the light TFT switch resetting the Vth of the OLED driver TFT, in order to apply a specified voltage value to the gate voltage of the OLED driver TFT prior to reset. The voltage potential on the gate of the OLED driver TFT prior to reset is therefore no longer an undetermined voltage potential so variations in the gate voltage after reset are suppressed and variations in the gray scale are suppressed. |
| US08085224B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus of this invention includes a neighborhood data integration section 20 which integrates image data on respective colors corresponding to electron emitting devices proximate to an electron emitting device to be driven, and corresponding to a phosphor contributing to a halation, an adder 6 adds the integrated image data R22, G22, and B22 on the respective colors, a coefficient operation section 7 which multiplies an addition result by a predetermined coefficient according to a luminous intensity of the halation, an adder 8 which adds outputs R23, G23, and B23 obtained by inverting a sign of multiplication results to image data R14, G14, and B14 corresponding to the electron emitting device to be driven, respectively, and a comparator 11 which compares an addition result with zero in magnitude, and which outputs a driving signal R25 for the respective colors. |
| US08085223B2 |
Image display apparatus and its driving method
A driving method of an image display apparatus includes the steps of: applying a non-selection potential to a first scanning wiring; and applying a selection potential to the first scanning wiring. A voltage applied to an electron-emitting device connected to the first scanning wiring is set to a voltage having a polarity reverse to that of a voltage to be applied upon emitting electrons during at least partial period of a period when the non-selection potential is applied to the first scanning wiring. The voltage applied to the electron-emitting device connected to the first scanning wiring is set to zero volt or to a voltage having a polarity same as that of the voltage to be applied upon emitting electrons and less than the threshold voltage, during a predetermined period before the selection potential is applied to the first scanning wiring. |
| US08085218B2 |
Providing a floating alphanumeric/graphical display without moving electronics
Mechanisms for providing a floating display without moving electronics is provided. The mechanisms include a stationary array of light emitting elements and a moving reflective element. As the reflective element rotates, oscillates, or otherwise moves in a path relative to the array of light emitting elements, a controller controls the illumination, i.e. the pulsing on and off, of the light emitting elements based on a location of the reflective element so as to achieve a desired image, alphanumeric message, graphical display, animated display, or the like. The reflective element may be a reflective sphere having a reflective exterior surface. In this way, the electronics used to generate the floating display are kept stationary while the reflective element is moved along a path of motion to generate the floating image. This reduces the complexity and cost of the electronics needed to generate a floating image. |
| US08085217B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for compensating for crosstalk during the display of stereo content
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for compensating for crosstalk during the display of stereo content. In use, display content is received for being outputted utilizing a display system. Such display system inherently exhibits crosstalk, whereby an amount of left eye display content is displayed to a right eye of a user and an amount of right eye display content is displayed to a left eye of the user. Thus, prior to outputting the display content utilizing the display system, the display content is processed utilizing a graphics processor to compensate for the amount of the left eye display content to be displayed to the right eye of the user and the amount of the right eye display content to be displayed to the left eye of the user. In one embodiment where the crosstalk is a function of pixel location, the compensation may also be a function of pixel location. [e.g. in the case of a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc.]. |
| US08085216B2 |
Real time desktop image warping system
The present invention relates to an image warping software algorithm for a real time alteration of a display scene running under the Microsoft Windows Operating System. The image warping software algorithm alters the display scene and allows an observer to view the display scene as a single unbroken image when the display scene is distributed across multiple display screens. The purpose of the image warping software algorithm is to significantly reduce the distortion observed at the abutting edges of the joined display screens. |
| US08085212B2 |
Reconfigurable radiant array antenna
The invention relates to a reconfigurable reflecting array antenna comprising a subset of patterns capable of radiating signals emitted in a given direction and means of loading and placing said radiating arrays to place one of them in a chosen emitting position, characterized in that: the loading and placement means comprise a system for scrolling a first film (F1) comprising the subsets of radiating patterns used to selectively position a subset of radiating patterns in the emitting position. The antenna can be of the reflecting array antenna type or of the phased array antenna type. |
| US08085208B2 |
Configurable radio frequency element
Implementations related to configurable strip-line quarter wavelength and/or antenna structures are described herein. |
| US08085205B2 |
Antenna module and an electronic device having the antenna module
An antenna module for wireless signal transmission of an electronic device is disclosed. The antenna module comprises an antenna body and a fixing part. The antenna body comprises a radiating element, a grounding element, a connecting element, and a feeding point. The radiating element has a first radiating area and a second radiating area. The connecting element has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected with the first radiating area of the radiating element and the second end is connected with the grounding element. The feeding point is disposed on the radiating element and is used to feed a signal. The fixing part comprises a main body and a first clip portion. The main body is used to match the shape of the antenna body. The first clip portion is used to clip and fix the antenna body. |
| US08085204B2 |
Ultra-wideband antenna
An ultra-wideband has an elongated grounding plate disposed horizontally with a long front edge defined thereon. A connecting portion extends upwards from an end of the front edge. A first antenna radiator includes a first radiating strip extended from a side of the connecting portion and a second radiating strip connecting with a free end of the first radiating strip. A third antenna radiator includes a third radiating strip suspended over the grounding plate, a fourth radiating strip connecting with an end of a long front edge of the third radiating strip and an upper side of the second radiating strip, a fifth radiating strip extended downwards from the long front edge of the third radiating strip connecting with the connecting portion. A third antenna radiator extends downwards from a middle of the long front edge of the third radiating strip. A feeding point disposes on the second radiating strip. |
| US08085202B2 |
Wideband, high isolation two port antenna array for multiple input, multiple output handheld devices
A multiple input-multiple output antenna assembly with high isolation between the antennas is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a substrate with a ground layer at its surface. Two antennas are disposed opposing each other on the substrate. An isolation element in a form of a patterned slot is interposed between the first and second antennas on the ground plane. A first signal port is provided for applying a first signal to excite the first antenna and a second signal port is provided for applying a second signal to excite the second antenna. The isolation element provides isolation that inhibits electromagnetic propagation between the two antennas. |
| US08085198B2 |
Smart antenna system and failure detection method for smart antenna system
Disclosed herein is a smart antenna system including an antenna body with changeable directivity, and a control device that optimizes receiving conditions of the antenna body by changing the directivity of the antenna body with a control signal based on a selected channel. The antenna body has a reception confirming section that, when a control signal is output from the control device, outputs to the control device a cognitive signal indicating the receipt of the control signal; and the control device has a failure determination section to determine that the antenna body fails when a cognitive signal is not received, and a failure reporting section to notify that the antenna body fails based on a result from the failure determination section. |
| US08085195B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a global secure user plane location (SUPL) service
A method and apparatus for providing assistance data for satellite positioning system receivers utilizing a secure user plane location (SUPL) service. In one embodiment, the assistance data is supplied by a global secure user plane location center that contains global assistance data. |
| US08085190B2 |
Method and apparatus for faster global positioning system (GPS) location using a pre-computed spatial location for tracking GPS satellites
A method and apparatus for faster global positioning system (GPS) location using pre-computed spatial location data are described. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring a pre-computed spatial location of a mobile platform device (MPD) that is computed when a GPS receiver is disabled due to the spatial location of the MPD. In one embodiment, the pre-computed spatial location is determined by a non-GPS based spatial location technology when a receiver is disabled due to the spatial location of the MPD. During the periodic computation of spatial location data, the GPS receiver may be monitored. In one embodiment, in response to activation of the GPS receiver, the pre-computed spatial location data is provided to the GPS receiver for identification and lock onto a predetermined number of visible satellites to reduce a time to first fix (TTFF) a current spatial location of the MPD. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08085184B2 |
Radar device and processing method therefor
According to a conventional method of correlating beat frequencies in a radar device, a detecting state of a target differs at the time of up-chirping and at that of down-chirping, so that, when the number of peaks of beat frequencies does not match with each other, there occurs a situation in which the beat frequencies cannot be accurately correlated.The radar device herein provided includes a transmission unit for transmitting a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal; a reception unit for generating a beat signal from the transmission signal and a reception signal corresponding thereto; a beat-frequency generating unit for obtaining a beat-frequency distribution corresponding to the beat signal; an up-chirp beat-frequency tracking means and a down-chirp beat-frequency tracking means for performing tracking processing on a beat signal; and an up-chirp target-detection means and a down-chirp target-detection means for calculating a range and range-change rate to a target based on a beat signal's frequency distribution. |
| US08085180B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for multiple-output comparators and analog-to-digital converters
An analog-to-digital converter with comparators with multiple, inter-coupled, outputs is provided, which may be also called a Benorion Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) or a Benorion Converter. The analog-to-digital converter includes a plurality of comparators operably coupled for receiving an analog input signal and configured for comparing the analog input signal with a plurality of voltage reference signals. Each comparator of the plurality is configured for generating a plurality of comparator outputs comprising a primary comparator output, and at least one additional comparator output selected from the group consisting of positive comparator outputs and negative comparator. The analog-to-digital converter further includes a plurality of composite outputs, each composite output of the plurality comprising a combination of the primary comparator output from a corresponding comparator of the plurality and at least one additional comparator output from at least one additional comparator of the plurality of comparators. Other comparators and methods are provided. |
| US08085178B2 |
Multiplying-adding return to zero digital to analog converter circuit and method
A digital to analog converter (DAC) method and apparatus employs a multiplying-adding DAC, eliminating digital adder circuitry. Examples are given for multiplying a 3-bit binary number by a 2-bit binary number; however, there are no limitations to the bit-widths of the numbers to be multiplied. The multiplying-adding DAC method can be scaled up or down in bit-width by feeding the DAC with partial sums and adjusting the DAC weights accordingly. An analog to digital converter (ADC) can be placed after the DAC to generate a digital output. By multiplexing preset digital data into the DAC core for return to zero (RTZ), a true zero that is the midpoint of the DAC output range is achieved. It does not return to a rail for single-ended outputs. RTZ in DAC circuits doubles the null frequency of sin(x)/x roll-off inherent in DACs and also helps reduce switching glitches in the DAC output. |
| US08085177B2 |
Digital to analog converter system and method with multi-level scrambling
Tri-level scrambling in a digital to analog converter system is achieved by, in response to a tri-level binary code input, disabling a negative data directed scrambler circuit when the input code is in the positive cycle portion, disabling a positive data directed scrambler circuit when the input code is in the negative cycle portion and disabling both scrambler circuits upon a zero input code for reducing low level distortion due to a reversal of current during crossover between those cycles. |
| US08085175B2 |
Linearizer
The present invention provides an advanced adaptive predistortion linearization technique to dramatically reduce nonlinear distortion in power amplifiers over a very wide instantaneous bandwidth (up to 2 GHz) and over a wide range of amplifier types, input frequencies, signal types, amplitudes, temperature, and other environmental and signal conditions. In an embodiment of the invention, the predistortion linearization circuitry comprises (1) a higher-order polynomial model of an amplifier's gain and phase characteristics—higher than a third-order polynomial model; (2) an adaptive calibration technique; and (3) a heuristic calibration technique. The higher-order polynomial model is generated by introducing, for example, a plurality of multi-tone test signals with varying center frequency and spacing into the power amplifier. From the power amplifier's corresponding output, the nonlinearities are modeled by employing a higher-order curve fit to capture the irregularities in the nonlinear transfer function. Different distortion transfer functions can be implemented for different operating conditions. The adaptive calibration technique is based on a feedback analysis technique, which updates the applicable distortion transfer function by analyzing the error signal between the introduced input signal and the output signal in real-time. The heuristic calibration technique implements different distortion transfer functions based on historical operating conditions and optimal configurations of the power amplifier. |
| US08085174B2 |
Current-mode DAC capable of prospective correction
A current-mode DAC includes at least one to-be-corrected one current source, a referential current source, a current comparator for comparing the current of the to-be-corrected current source and the current of the referential current source, a correction controller, a successive approximation register controller controlled by the correction controller and referring to the result of the comparison for carrying out successive approximation, and at least one correction DAC electrically connected with the successive approximation register controller and the to-be-corrected current source for referring to the result acquired from the successive approximation register controller and then providing a bias for the to-be-corrected current source for carrying out current correction. Accordingly, the corrected current can have the excellent accuracy. |
| US08085167B2 |
Parking assist apparatus
A view in front of a vehicle (1) is captured, and the captured imaged is displayed on a display section. At a predetermined stop position (S1), a target parking position (S4) of the vehicle (1) is set based on the captured image. Then, a reverse guidance route (C2) is calculated. The reverse guidance route (C2) is a route located forward of the vehicle (1), in front of the stop position (S1), and lies from a reverse start position (S2), at which the vehicle (1) starts to reverse for parking, up to the target parking position (S4). Based on the captured image, the reverse start position (S2) is set within a predetermined setting area by an instruction of an occupant of the vehicle (1). A forward travel guidance route (C1) from the stop position (S1) to the reverse start position (S2) is calculated, and conditions of movement of the vehicle (1) are detected. The vehicle (1) is guided from the stop position (S1) up to the reverse start position (S2) based on the forward travel guidance route (C1) and on the movement conditions. |
| US08085165B2 |
Wireless corrosion sensor
A passive sensor that is located on or adjacent to a structure that can be used to monitor the affect of environment on a structure or coating that is used to protect the structure. The sensor includes a parasitic element that interacts with the environment and influences the intensity of the electromagnetic response between the inductive element of the sensor and the antenna of the interrogation reader device. The condition of the parasitic element is determined by the radio frequency interaction of the reader antenna and the inductive element of the sensor. The parasitic element condition correlates to the environmental severity, or corrosivity of the environment and damage to metallic structures or protective coatings. An integrated circuit within the sensor is capable of storing identification, time, material, and measurement information. The sensor and system of the present invention is useful for tracking and monitoring cumulate environmental damage to a structure. |
| US08085162B2 |
Tamper prevention system
A tamper prevention system includes a mounting unit, a portable terminal device, a first data input unit, an authentication unit, a detecting unit, and a setting unit. The portable terminal device enables a user to input operation data, performs an operation in accordance with the operation data when a first mode is set, and fails to perform the operation when a second mode is set. The first data input unit enables the user to input first data. The authentication unit authenticates the user when the first data matches authentication data. The setting unit sets the portable terminal device to the first mode when the authenticating unit has authenticated the user, and sets the portable terminal device to the second mode when the authenticating unit has failed to authenticate the user and the detecting unit has detected that the portable terminal device is removed from the mounting unit. |
| US08085161B2 |
Safety warning system and method
An appliance warning system comprises a floor pad for location on or adjacent a device such that a user must stand on the floor pad in order to normally use the device. The floor pad has at least one switch movable between an open position when no weight pressure is detected on the floor pad and a closed position when the switch is activated by weight pressure detected on the floor pad. A control circuit is connected operational between a ready state before the switch is activated to the closed position and a monitoring state after the switch is activated to the closed position. A warning device connected to the control circuit is activated when the control circuit determines that the switch has been in the open position for a preselected period of time after having been in the closed position. |
| US08085159B2 |
Electronic apparatus including a battery chamber and method for controlling the display of battery information
An electronic apparatus that enables a remaining battery capacity to be checked without requiring the battery to be loaded into the electronic apparatus. In this electronic apparatus, a battery lid closes a battery chamber that accommodates a battery. An opening/closing detection device detects opening/closing of the battery lid. An acquisition device acquires battery information of the battery when the opening/closing detection device detects that the battery lid opens. A storing device stores the battery information acquired by the acquisition device. A display device displays the battery information that is stored in the storing device, and displays the battery information of a battery that is not accommodated in the battery chamber. |
| US08085157B2 |
Smoke detectors
A multi-frequency photoelectric smoke detector includes a multi-frequency, source and an multi-frequency sensing array. The array can be part of a solid state camera which can be used to sense scattered multi-frequency light. Multiple wavelength signals, red, blue green for example, emitted by the camera can be analyzed to determine a degree of airborne particulate matter in a sensing region between the source and the array. |
| US08085156B2 |
RF cavity-based process fluid sensor
A remote system for sensing a process fluid parameter comprises a cavity, a tuner and a signal coupler. The cavity is configured to resonate at a central frequency that shifts in response to the process fluid parameter. The tuner is configured to tune the central frequency. The signal coupler is configured to receive a query signal, and to transmit an echo signal when the query signal matches the shifted central frequency. |
| US08085153B2 |
Activity monitoring device
A device for monitoring the activity of a user to prevent deep vein thrombosis when working. The device comprises a carrier (20) for positioning on or adjacent a user, a motion sensor (10) mounted on the carrier (20) and adapted to detect the user performing a predefined motion, processor adapted to filter the motion detected to remove background motion not attributable to the desired exercise and to reset a timer (12) when the predefined motion is detected. An alarm (14) is operated by the processor should the time period elapse without the exercise pattern being detected. The components are all contained in the carrier (20) which is preferably a small container that can be attached to a user's trousers or around the limb of a wearer. Failure to undertake the required motion will cause the alarm (14) to be activated, thus notifying the wearer of the omission. |
| US08085151B2 |
Signal converting cradle for medical condition monitoring and management system
A monitoring apparatus is disclosed which includes a receiver unit for receiving data and outputting a first alert signal based on the received data; and a docking unit comprising a converter unit which converts the first alert signal when the receiver unit is connected to the docking unit. |
| US08085150B2 |
Inventory system for RFID tagged objects
A case for containing objects can include a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Reader antenna to detect any RFID tags placed within the case. The RFID antenna can operably connect with external RFID Reader components to detect RFID tags in the case. Alternately, a case can also include a passive RFID antenna to couple with any RFID tags in the case. |
| US08085147B2 |
Security system including audio alarm detection
A building security arrangement includes a sensor for emitting an audible alarm signal. A security system installed in the building detects the audible alarm signal and transmits an electrical alarm signal over a public switched telephone network in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal. A central monitoring station receives the electrical alarm signal over the public switched telephone network and notifies an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal. |
| US08085145B2 |
Personal environmental monitoring method and system and portable monitor for use therein
A personal environmental monitoring method and system and a portable monitor for use therein permit real-time mobile monitoring of environmental conditions in the immediate vicinity to ensure compatibility with the particular environmental sensitivities of a person being monitored. The portable monitor may be a fully integrated mobile device that provides real-time mobile monitoring of immediate environmental conditions without network connectivity. |
| US08085141B2 |
Self-diagnostic switch
A self-diagnostic acoustic wave touch actuated switch assembly includes a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity, a transducer operatively connected to the acoustic wave cavity, a processing unit, and at least one light emitting member operatively connected to the processing unit. The transducer is configured to generate a trapped acoustic wave within the acoustic wave cavity. The processing unit is operatively connected to one or both of the acoustic wave cavity and/or the transducer. The processing unit may be configured to activate the at least one light emitting member when the processing unit detects one or both of a switch malfunction and/or a potential switch malfunction. |
| US08085131B2 |
System for tag estimation and anti-collision and method thereof
The present application discloses a system and a method for tag estimation and anti-collision in an RFID system, which can estimate an exact number of tags within an RF area and can rapidly identify tags by using the estimated number of tags in an RFID system. The system includes an RFID reader and RFID tags. The RFID reader includes an identification means, a collision management means, a tag number estimation means, and a reader control means. The RFID tag includes a tag communication means, a message reading means, a counter management means, an information storage means, and a tag control means. The disclosed system and method can prevent occurrence of too many idle times slots in the DFSA and too many initial collisions in the binary tree scheme, and thus can identify a large number of tags at a high speed with a small number of time slots. |
| US08085124B2 |
Acoustically-controlled access control installation and an access control device for such an installation
An access control installation adapted for controlling access from a first zone to a second zone, said installation comprising: at least one separating panel separating the first and second zones, said separating panel having at least one moving closure element (1) adapted for selectively opening or closing an opening; at least one opening actuator (3a, 3b) adapted for causing the closure element (1) selectively to prevent or to allow access via the opening; and a control circuit (5) for controlling the opening actuator. Said installation further comprises at least one sound sensor (6) fastened to the separating panel on the same side as the second zone and adapted for detecting knocks on the first surface of said separating panel, and the control circuit (5) is adapted for: recognizing a predetermined code represented by a particular sequence of knocks on the first surface; and controlling the opening actuator as a function of the recognized code. |
| US08085122B2 |
High voltage step-up dry power transformer and power supply unit comprising at least one such transformer
A high voltage step-up power transformer includes at least one module which defines a lower voltage primary side and a higher voltage secondary side and which includes at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding, wound concentrically around a ferromagnetic core body, the primary winding(s) being situated outwardly, and at least one shielding and/or insulating surface structure being arranged between the primary and secondary windings. The transformer (1) is characterized in that the outer primary winding (2) or winding parts is (are) made of at least one insulated high voltage cable and in that the at least one conductive intermediate surface structure (5) and/or the core body (4) are set at a referential potential which is a fraction of the output voltage or potential difference on the secondary side. |
| US08085120B2 |
Solid insulation for fluid-filled transformer and method of fabrication thereof
An insulation system for a fluid-filled power transformer that allows for operation of the transformer at higher temperatures and with lowered susceptibility to aging. The insulation system includes a plurality of fibers that are bound together by a solid binding agent. The solid binding agent may, for example, for sheaths around the fibers or may be in the form of dispersed particles that bind the fibers to each other. Also, a method of fabricating such an insulation system. |
| US08085119B2 |
Flexible electromagnetic valve actuator modeling and performance
The system contains a first planar permanent magnet having a first direction of magnetization and a first opening formed therein. A second planar permanent magnet has a second direction of magnetization and a second opening formed therein. The second opening is axially aligned with the first opening. The direction of magnetization of the first planar permanent magnet opposes the direction of magnetization of the second planar permanent magnet. A plurality of stationary coils are provided, wherein at least one of the stationary coils is located within the first opening and at least one of the stationary coils is located within the second opening. A pair of extension members traverses the first opening and the second opening. A magnetizable slug is integral with each of the extension members. |
| US08085118B2 |
Inline cross-coupled coaxial cavity filter
An inline microwave bandpass filter where cross coupling between non-adjacent resonators is realized by changing the orientation of selected resonators. The microwave bandpass filter includes a cavity and three or more resonators arranged in a row (or inline) in the cavity. At least one resonator has a different spatial orientation from at least one other resonator. For example, one or more of the resonators may be rotated 90 or 180 degrees with respect to one of the other resonators. This arrangement of resonators facilitates sequential coupling between pairs of adjacent resonators and cross coupling between at least one pair of non-adjacent resonators without the use of additional cross coupling structures such as dedicated coupling probes or extra cavities. One or more plates may be introduced between adjacent resonators to independently control the sequential and cross coupling. |
| US08085116B2 |
Elastic wave device with a dielectric layer on the comb-shaped electrodes
An elastic wave device is described which includes a piezoelectric substrate, comb-shaped electrodes having teeth electrodes that are disposed so as to face each other on the piezoelectric substrate, a non-overlapping area in which the teeth electrodes of the comb-shaped electrodes do not overlap each other, and a overlapping area in which the teeth electrodes overlap each other and the velocity of sound is higher than that in the non-overlapping area. |
| US08085112B2 |
Broadband transition from a via interconnection to a planar transmission line in a multilayer substrate
According to one embodiment, a broadband transition to joint a via structure and a planar transmission line in a multilayer substrate is formed as an intermediate connection between the signal via pad and the planar transmission line disposed at the same conductor layer. The transverse dimensions of the transition are equal to the via pad diameter at the one end and strip width at another end; the length of the transition can be equal to the characteristic dimensions of the clearance hole in the direction of the planar transmission line or defined as providing the minimal excess inductive reactance in time-domain according to numerical diagrams obtained by three-dimensional full-wave simulations. |
| US08085111B2 |
Thin film balun
A thin film balun includes: an unbalanced transmission line which includes two coils; a balanced transmission line which includes two coils and is electromagnetically coupled to the unbalanced transmission line; a capacitor having one end connected to the balanced transmission line; and a ground terminal connected to the other end of the capacitor. The capacitor is disposed in a region which does not overlap a coil included in the unbalanced transmission line and a coil included in the balanced transmission line. |
| US08085110B2 |
Microwave device, high-frequency device, and high-frequency equipment
Since the loss of the conventional microwave device is large, when this device is applied to the microwave component, there are problems; for example, a low-noise amplifier, the noise figure is degraded, and when applied to a high-output amplifier, output and efficiency may be decreased. In particular, in the high-output amplifier of over 100 W class, heat generation at a capacitor which forms the microwave device increases, which causes a problem that the reliability of the microwave device may be decreased. A structure is formed to include a capacitor loaded between two high impedance lines the length of which has ¼ wavelength in the desired frequency band and the characteristic impedance is higher than 50Ω. |
| US08085109B2 |
Electrical funnel: a novel broadband signal combining method
An electrical signal transformation device configured for emulation of physical, for example, optical, phenomena and/or a mathematical or logical process. The device employs a first plurality, second plurality and third plurality of electrical components each having a first terminal and a second terminal. The first plurality and second plurality of electrical components are arranged along a first direction and a second direction respectively, to form a planar two dimensional lattice. The first plurality of electrical components are configured to provide at least one of a constant signal propagation velocity and/or amplitude while the second plurality of electrical components are configured to provide at least one of a varying signal propagation velocity and/or amplitude. The lattice includes at least two input signal nodes and at least one output signal node and is configured to transform and communicate a plurality of input signals from the input node to the output node. |
| US08085108B2 |
Digital polar radio frequency transmitting device with a radiofrequency reference oscillator and an integrated circuit comprising such device
A radiofrequency transmitting device delivers output signals having a chosen radiofrequency from input data split up into complementary phase data and amplitude data. This device includes a radiofrequency reference oscillator for outputting a reference signal having a fixed radiofrequency reference, and a digital phase modulator for synthesizing the chosen radiofrequency from the fixed radiofrequency reference and for phase modulating the reference signal with the phase data, in order to produce an output signal having the chosen radiofrequency. |
| US08085106B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic modulation
Circuits and methods of dynamic modulation are disclosed. A dynamic modulator is used to reduce measurable conducted and/or radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI). The dynamic modulator is configured to generate either a set of optimal frequency modulation depths or discrete frequencies or both, and dynamically selects them to use over a series of programmable time durations (dwell time). Together with the utilization of Peak, Average or Quasi-Peak (QP) method of measurement, the dynamic modulator can reduce the spectral amplitude of EMI components, in particular the lower harmonics, to effectively pass regulatory requirements. In alternative embodiments, the dynamic modulator is used in a closed loop system to continuously adjust the frequency and the duty cycle of a PWM signal to reduce conducted and/or radiated EMI. |
| US08085105B2 |
Constant-temperature type crystal oscillator
A constant-temperature type crystal oscillator includes: a crystal unit including a case main body including a first power source terminal on an outer bottom surface thereof; a surface-mounted oscillator; a temperature control circuit including a heating resistor and a temperature sensor; and a circuit substrate including a second power source terminal. One ends of the heating resistor and the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the second power source terminal. The first power source terminal of the surface-mounted oscillator and the one ends of the heating resistor and the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the second power source terminal of the circuit substrate. The first power source terminal of the surface-mounted oscillator is directly and electrically connected to, at least, the one end of the temperature sensor via an electrically-conducting path. |
| US08085102B2 |
Low-power relaxation oscillator
The low-power relaxation oscillator comprises a first module (21) having a ramp generator formed by a reference current source (31) and a storage capacitor (32) defining a ramp voltage (Vramp1), and a voltage comparator (m1, m2) for comparing the ramp voltage with a reference voltage, a second module (22, 41, 42, Vramp2, m3, m4) similar to the first module and an asynchronous flip-flop (23) receiving the output signal of the comparator of the first module at a first input (s) and the output signal of the comparator of the second module at a second input (r). For each module a generator of said reference voltage is configured by adding a reference resistance (33, 43) between the reference current source and the storage capacitor. Thus, the generation of the reference voltage and the ramp voltage is conducted on the very same current branch. This enables the electrical power consumption of the oscillator to be reduced. |
| US08085098B2 |
PLL circuit
A PLL circuit comprising an oscillation unit, a frequency division unit, a phase comparison unit, and a generation unit comprises a switching unit that switches between a first state in which a control voltage output from the generation unit is input into the oscillation unit and a second state in which a reference voltage is input into the oscillation unit; and a correction unit that, in the second state, compares the control voltage output from the generation unit with the reference voltage, and corrects a frequency at which the oscillation unit oscillates with respect to a voltage input into the oscillation unit, such that the control voltage output from the generation unit is equivalent to the reference voltage. |
| US08085097B2 |
Integrated ramp, sweep fractional frequency synthesizer on an integrated circuit chip
An integrated ramp, sweep fractional frequency synthesizer system on an integrated circuit chip includes an integrated circuit chip having a fractional frequency synthesizer with a fractional divider responsive to a VCO and a ΔΣ modulator for modifying the divisor of the fractional divider; and a ramp generator on the same integrated circuit chip; the ramp generator being responsive to a trigger signal to generate a ramp for sweeping the frequency of said fractional frequency synthesizer. |
| US08085096B2 |
Apparatus and method for improved amplifier shunt-peak loading
An amplification apparatus comprising first amplification circuitry having first shunt-peak circuitry and second amplification circuitry having second shunt-peak circuitry, wherein the amplification apparatus is arranged to provide an operational bandwidth over which the first and second amplification circuitry amplify signals, and wherein the second shunt-peak circuitry is arranged to use at least part of the first shunt-peak circuitry. |
| US08085095B2 |
Switched capacitor voltage converter for a power amplifier
A voltage converter includes a plurality of capacitors and corresponding first switch elements, the capacitors coupled in series and arranged to each charge to a voltage level during a first clock period, the voltage level determined by a supply voltage level, the number of capacitors and a value of each capacitor; and a plurality of second switch elements configured to cause the plurality of capacitors to be connected in parallel and to discharge into an output capacitor during a second clock period, the output capacitor charged to a discrete voltage output level so that the output capacitor provides the discrete voltage output level, wherein the discrete voltage output level is less than the supply voltage level and wherein the discrete voltage output level is used to develop a bias signal that is supplied to a power amplifier element. |
| US08085092B2 |
Amplifier arrangement and method for amplification
An amplifier arrangement comprises a first transistor (18), a first bias transistor (13) and a first field-effect transistor (51). A first input signal (VN) is supplied for amplification to a control terminal of the first transistor (18). The first bias transistor (13) is coupled to the first transistor (18) via a first node (12). The first field-effect transistor (51) is coupled for clamping of a first node voltage (V1) provided at the first node (12). |
| US08085088B2 |
Quadrature signal demodulator circuitry suitable for doppler ultrasound
Quadrature signal demodulator circuitry for demodulating multiple related input signals into respective pairs of quadrature signals for selective combining to provide a composite pair of quadrature signals with a maximized signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). |
| US08085086B1 |
Non-volatile memory device and charge pump circuit for the same
A charge pump apparatus comprises a plurality of charge pump stages, including a first stage, and one or more succeeding stages. The charge pump stages each include a respective output node. Each output node is connected to charge boosting circuitry and to precharge circuitry. The charge boosting circuit receives one or more clock signals. The precharge circuits have a first state allowing the respective pump-stage output node to fluctuate at a level above a standby wordline voltage, and a second state coupling the respective pump-stage output node to the standby wordline voltage. |
| US08085085B1 |
Substrate bias feedback scheme to reduce chip leakage power
A substrate bias circuit may measure a leakage current of a baseline device, compare the leakage current with a reference current, and based on the comparison, adjust a reverse body bias voltage applied to a body of the baseline device. |
| US08085082B2 |
High speed multiplexer
According to one embodiment, a high speed multiplexer includes a number of data inputs, a number of hot code select inputs, and a final data output. In one embodiment, the high speed multiplexer utilizes a number of intermediate multiplexers, each receiving respective hot code select inputs and providing an intermediate data output. In one embodiment, each intermediate multiplexer has a critical delay path comprising a first NAND gate and a second NAND gate. In one implementation a four-to-one intermediate multiplexer comprises a first two-input NAND gate and a second four-input NAND gate. In one embodiment, a 32-to-1 high speed multiplexer comprises four four-to-one intermediate multiplexers. According to one implementation of this embodiment, the 32-to-1 multiplexer has a critical delay path from any of the data inputs to the final data output comprising a first NAND gate, a second NAND gate, a NOR gate, and a third NAND gate. |
| US08085075B2 |
Method and system for diagnostic imaging using a digital phase locked loop
A method and apparatus are provided for minimizing output pulse jitters in a phase locked loop. The method includes pre-setting the digital phase locked loop to a desired frequency, locking the digital phase locked loop to the desired frequency to generate an output signal, and filtering the output signal of the digital phase locked loop to maintain undesirable jitter to an acceptable range. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a medical imaging device. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a baggage imaging device. |
| US08085073B2 |
Phase synchronization apparatus
A phase synchronization apparatus includes a bias control unit configured to sequentially delay an input clock signal to generate bias control signals having multiple bits, a bias generation unit configured to generate a pull-up bias voltage having a level that corresponds to logical values of the bias control signals, and to generate a pull-down bias voltage in response to a control signal; and a voltage controlled oscillator configured to include a plurality of delay cells respectively having a pull-up terminal and a pull-down terminal to generate an output clock signal in response to the control voltage, wherein the pull-up bias voltage is supplied to the pull-up terminals of the respective delay cells and the pull-down bias voltage is supplied to the pull-down terminals of the respective delay cells. |
| US08085072B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit having delay locked loop circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a delay locked loop (DLL) output block configured to delay an input clock signal by a predetermined time in response to a plurality of delay control signals and provide a DLL clock signal; a locking control block configured to compare a phase of a reference clock signal and a phase of a feedback clock signal, and synchronize the phase of the reference clock signal and the phase of the feedback clock signal in response to the plurality of delay control signals; and a locking detection block configured to detect whether the phase of the reference clock signal and the phase of the feedback clock signal are synchronized and the DLL clock signal is locked, wherein, when the DLL clock signal is locked, the locking control block provides the reference clock signal, which is obtained by dividing the input clock signal by n (where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2), as an internal DLL clock signal. |
| US08085071B2 |
Phase-locked loop circuit and delay-locked loop circuit
A phase-locked loop circuit includes a phase comparator that compares phases between a reference signal and a feedback signal and outputs a phase difference signal indicating a phase difference therebetween; a charge pump that outputs a charge pump current according to the phase difference signal; a low-pass filter that includes a resistor and a capacitor and that smoothes the charge pump current and converts the smoothed current into a control voltage; a voltage-controlled oscillator that generates an oscillation signal with a frequency according to the control voltage; and a frequency divider that generates a frequency-divided signal by frequency-dividing the oscillation signal and outputs the frequency-divided signal to the phase comparator as the feedback signal, wherein the resistor in the low-pass filter is a variable resistor that is changed according to the control voltage. |
| US08085070B2 |
Overclocking with phase selection
A novel solution that combines the technologies of fractional divider and phase selection is provided to implement over-clocking for CPU PLL in PC clock generator with a set resolution that is independent of the clock frequency. |
| US08085069B2 |
Starting apparatus and starting method
A starting apparatus includes: a storage unit storing an identifier; a rectifying unit rectifying a reception signal; a generating unit comparing the reception signal rectified in the rectifying unit to a reference signal and generating a digital signal from the reception signal; a judging unit judging whether or not the digital signal contains information of the identifier; a reference changing unit changing the reference signal when the judging unit judges that the reception signal does not contain information of the identifier; and a start instructing unit instructing start of an electric appliance when the judging unit judges that the reception signal contains information of the identifier. |
| US08085068B1 |
Combined static and dynamic frequency divider chains using thin film transistors
Frequency divider circuits and architectures, and methods of implementing and using the same, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the frequency divider circuit includes a dynamic section that receives an input signal and outputs an intermediate signal that has a frequency lower than that of the input signal; and a static section that receives the intermediate signal and outputs a signal having a frequency that is lower than that of the intermediate signal. Stages in the dynamic and/or static section can be implemented using thin film transistors (TFTs). Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide an approach that takes overcomes problems associated with the leakage and speed characteristics of TFTs. |
| US08085064B2 |
Logic module including versatile adder for FPGA
A logic module for an FPGA includes a LUT formed from an N-level tree of 2:1 multiplexers. Each of the N inputs to the LUT is connected to the select inputs of the multiplexers in one level of the tree. Each of the data inputs at the leaves of the tree is driven by a configuration memory cell that produces either a logic 0 or a logic 1. The output of the single multiplexer at the last level of the tree forms a Y output and is coupled to one input of an XOR gate and to the select input of a two-input carry multiplexer. The 0 input of the carry multiplexer is coupled to a G input. A CI input is coupled to the other input of the XOR gate and to the 1 input of the carry multiplexer. |
| US08085053B2 |
Twisted-pair electrical cable testing
Methods and systems for cable inspection operate by generating a relative motion between an electrical cable including multiple wires and a magnetic field. An electrical signal induced in the wires is measured responsively to the magnetic field. A variation in the electrical signal is sensed due to the relative motion. In response to the variation, a defect is detected in the electrical cable. |
| US08085050B2 |
Robust inversion systems and methods for azimuthally sensitive resistivity logging tools
Methods and systems for determining the horizontal resistivity, vertical resistivity, and relative dip angle of anisotropic earth formations. Some of the disclosed methods and systems measure sinusoidal variation of azimuthally sensitive resistivity logging tool measurements, determine parameters representative of the sinusoidal variation, and perform inversion based on the sinusoidal parameters. When cast in this manner, the inversion process may yield more accurate and consistent resistivity and dip angle estimates. The sinusoidal parameters preferably take the form of average and peak-to-peak measurements, but may also take other forms. Moreover, use of such sinusoidal parameters enables a condensed representation of the resistivity logging tool measurements, enabling significantly more efficient communication and storage of these measurements. The condensed representations continue to enable directional boundary detection and geosteering. |
| US08085044B2 |
Method for producing spectral-spatial parallel RF excitation pulses for magnetic resonance imaging
A method for producing a spatially and spectrally selective radiofrequency (“RF”) excitation pulse includes establishing a desired spatial RF excitation pattern and establishing a desired spectral RF excitation pattern. The method also includes estimating an RF transmission profile map indicative of the transmission characteristics of an RF coil and determining, from the desired spatial and spectral excitation patterns and the estimated RF transmission profile map, at least one magnetic field gradient waveform indicative of locations in k-space to which RF energy is to be deposited. The method further includes determining, from the established spatial and spectral excitation patterns, the estimated RF transmission profile map, and the determined at least one gradient waveform, at least one RF excitation pulse waveform that will produce the desired spatial and spectral excitation patterns. |
| US08085043B2 |
Method for image data acquisition with a magnetic resonance device
In a method for image data acquisition of a region of interest in a subject with a magnetic resonance device, wherein, to establish the field of view, a minimal geometric shape encompassing the subject to be acquired and/or the surface of the subject is determined automatically from previously acquired localizer exposures as aliasing information for each exposure, at least one slice plane is determined for the acquisition of the region, and the phase coding direction and/or the extent of the field of view in the phase coding direction is determined for every slice plane using the aliasing information. |
| US08085039B2 |
Miniature magnetic core, sensor comprising same and method for manufacturing same
A miniature magnetic core includes at least one bar magnet having, in the demagnetized state, a plurality of magnetic domains separated by magnetic walls, the bar magnet having permanent discontinuities placed at least approximately at the probable locations of at least some of these magnetic walls in the absence of these permanent discontinuities. A miniature sensor includes a miniature core that cooperates with at least one excitation coil and at least one detection coil. A method for manufacturing the magnetic core includes identifying the probable location of the magnetic walls, depositing at least a thin film of magnetic material on a support in order to form the core and producing, in said core, discontinuities approximately at the identified locations of the walls. |
| US08085038B2 |
Method for testing noise of thin-film magnetic head, and magnetic disk drive apparatus with noise testing function
A noise-testing method for a thin-film magnetic head with an MR read head element and a heating unit capable of applying a heat and a stress to the MR read head element, includes a step of applying alternately and discontinuously with each other an electrical power having a first level and an electrical power having a second level higher than the first level to the heating unit, and a step of evaluating the thin-film magnetic head by measuring a noise output or noise outputs obtained from the MR read head element when the electrical power or the electrical powers are applied to the heating unit. |
| US08085036B2 |
Sensor including two code rings and a magnetic field sensor between the code rings
An apparatus includes a shaft and a first code ring including a first number of pole pairs. The first code ring is attached to the shaft. The apparatus includes a second code ring including a second number of pole pairs different from the first number. The second code ring is attached to the shaft and spaced apart from the first code ring. The apparatus includes a first magnetic field sensor between the first code ring and the second code ring for sensing a first superposition of magnetic fields provided by the first code ring and the second code ring. |
| US08085033B2 |
Phase detector system
A phase detection system (100) comprises an input terminal (101), first and second peak detectors (103, 113), an averaging unit (107), an offset unit (122), and a comparator (126). Input terminal (101) is coupled to the first and to the second peak detectors (103, 113) and provides an input signal to phase detection system (100). Averaging unit (107) is coupled between offset unit (122) and both the first peak detector and the second peak detector (103, 113), and generates an intermediate signal. Offset unit (122) is coupled to input terminal (101) and generates two comparable signals by applying a predetermined offset in signal strength to the input signal or the intermediate signal. The comparator (126) is coupled to the offset unit (122) and generates an output signal by comparing the two comparable signals which is indicative of the phase of the input signal. |
| US08085030B2 |
Voltage generator having a dynamic resistors feedback control
A voltage generator includes a charge pump, a voltage dividing circuit, and a comparator. The charge pump can output a high voltage. The dividing circuit includes a plurality of resistors and at least one switch. The dividing circuit can generate a first divided voltage of the high voltage when the switch is turned on and a second divided voltage of the high voltage when the switch is turned off. An output signal of the comparator can control the switch and the charge pump. The dividing circuit and the comparator form a feedback loop so that the response speed of the comparator can be increased and the ripples of the high voltage outputted from the charge pump can be decreased. |
| US08085029B2 |
Bandgap voltage and current reference
Circuits and methods that improve the performance of reference circuits are provided. A reference generator circuit maintains a substantially constant output current over an extended temperature for use as a reference. Output current fluctuations caused by a poorly specified power source or process variations are minimized or eliminated. |
| US08085028B2 |
Method of driving a semiconductor device
As for a transistor, overlapped are factors such as a variation of a gate insulation film which occurs due to a difference of a manufacturing process and a substrate used and a variation of a crystalline state in a channel forming region and thereby, there occurs a variation of a threshold voltage and mobility of a transistor.This invention provides an electric circuit which used a rectification type device in which an electric current is generated only in a single direction, when an electric potential difference was applied to electrodes at both ends of the device. Then, the invention provides an electric circuit which utilized a fact that, when a signal voltage is inputted to one terminal of the rectification type device, an electric potential of the other terminal becomes an electric potential offset only by the threshold voltage of the rectification type device. |
| US08085025B2 |
Short circuit current ratcheting in switch mode DC/DC voltage regulators
A regulator with a high side pass device and a low side pass device coupled in series to the high side pass device is disclosed. The apparatus further includes a control module coupled to the high side pass device and the low side pass device. The control module is coupled to the high side pass device and the low side pass device to control the high side pass device and the low side pass device. The control module is operable to lock out the high side pass device under certain conditions. |
| US08085024B2 |
Self-tuning digital current estimator for low-power switching converters
A switched mode power can use a digital controller to control the switching of the at least one switch of the switched mode power supply. The current through the power inductor can be estimated using a self-tuning digital current estimator. |
| US08085021B2 |
PFC converter having two-level output voltage without voltage undershooting
A switching controller for a PFC converter is provided. The switching controller comprises a switching-control circuit, a current-command circuit, a programmable feedback circuit, a modulator, an over-voltage detection circuit, and a light-load detection circuit. The switching controller is capable of regulating a bulk voltage of the PFC converter at different levels in response to load conditions of the PFC converter. A turbo current eliminates a first voltage undershooting of the bulk voltage at the transient that the bulk voltage decreases to arrive at a second level from a first level. A voltage-loop error signal is maximized to eliminate a second voltage undershooting of the bulk voltage at the transient that the bulk voltage starts to increase toward the first level from the second level. |
| US08085017B2 |
Pulse adding scheme for smooth phase dropping at light load conditions for multiphase voltage regulators
A pulse control system for a multiphase regulator including an error amplifier, a multiphase generator, and an adaptive controller. The error amplifier provides an error signal indicative of output voltage error. The multiphase generator develops modulation pulses for phases based on the error signal. The adaptive controller is responsive to a load indication signal and redirects at least one modulation pulse from a first of phase to a second phase. The load indication signal may be received from a microprocessor indicating a low power mode. The adaptive controller provides a smooth and efficient transition to low load conditions by dropping operation of one or more phases and redirecting modulation pulses to the remaining one or more phases, and reduced phases improve power efficiency for the low load conditions. |
| US08085016B2 |
Power supply circuit having standby detection circuit
A power supply circuit includes a voltage output controller configured for outputting voltages, a standby controller configured for directing the voltage output controller to provide voltage to a load, and a microprocessor configured for controlling the standby controller according to a mode of the load. The voltage output controller is applied with a direct current voltage. When the load enters active mode from a powered off mode, the standby controller sends a control signal to the voltage output controller to output direct current voltage to the load and the microprocessor. When the load enters standby mode from the active mode, the microprocessor directs the standby controller to prevent the voltage output controller from outputting direct current voltage to the load and the microprocessor. |
| US08085010B2 |
TRIAC/SCR-based energy savings device for reducing a predetermined amount of voltage using pulse width modulation
A TRIAC/SCR-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user. |
| US08085007B2 |
Switching power supply circuit
A switching power supply circuit, which includes: a switch; a coil serving as an energy transmitting element; and a capacitor serving as an output generation circuit that outputs, as an output voltage, the energy transmitted from the coil. The switching power supply circuit also includes an output voltage detection circuit that generates a detection signal according to the output voltage; a PNP transistor serving as a transmission circuit that outputs a transmission signal according to a value of the detection signal; and a controller that controls the switch according to the transmission signal. The switching power supply circuit further includes a diode serving as a rectifying element connected between the transmission circuit (PNP transistor) and the controller. |
| US08085005B2 |
Buck-boost converter with sample and hold circuit in current loop
In an average-current mode control type buck-boost PWM converter, a sample and hold circuit is inserted in the current loop to avoid problems associated with ripple of the average inductor current demand signal. The rippling average inductor current is generated by a differential transconductance amplifier having applied to its inputs an error signal and a signal corresponding to the instantaneous current through the inductor, where the output of the amplifier is filtered. The rippling average inductor current is sampled and held at the beginning of each switching cycle, prior to the average inductor current demand signal being compared to buck and boost sawtooth waveforms. By using the sample and hold circuit, the feedback loops are easier to stabilize, and the converter cannot switch modes during a switching cycle. |
| US08085001B2 |
Battery charging control circuit
The present invention provides a charging control circuit for a rechargeable battery. The charging control circuit includes: a constant-current charging unit and a trickle charging unit. The charging control circuit further includes a branch switch, a detection switch, a control unit, and a detection unit. The branch switch is connected between a power source and the rechargeable battery for enabling or disabling the constant-current charging unit, the detection switch is turned on or off depending on the enable or disable state of the constant-current charging unit. The control unit is connected between the detection switch and the branch switch for controlling the branch switch to turn on or off depending on the off or on state of the detection switch. |
| US08085000B2 |
Charger including a bias voltage applied to a rectifier to rectify received radio waves based on rectifier output voltage
A charger includes: a rectifier to rectify a received radio wave to generate a charging current; a potential generator to generate a bias voltage setting an operating point of the rectifier; and a controller to supply the bias voltage generated by the potential generator when an output voltage of the rectifier is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. |
| US08084998B2 |
Method and device for controlling a storage voltage of a battery pack
A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack. The control electronics are either implemented into the electronic device or the battery pack, or in a separate control electronic device. |
| US08084993B1 |
Replacement system for heavy battery banks
A plurality of manually maneuverable battery bank modules are formed into a train and transported by a vehicle to the site of electrically operated equipment. At the site, the modules replace modules already connected to the equipment. |
| US08084979B2 |
Method for testing an electric motor
A method for testing an electric motor which is connected to a valve element by at least one component comprises starting the motor, measuring a movement parameter of at least one of the motor and the component without moving the valve element, and stopping the motor when the measured movement parameter indicates that the valve element is about to move. |
| US08084975B2 |
Brushless motor, brushless motor control system, and brushless motor control method
A brushless motor control system according to the present invention detects a rotor stop position when activating the brushless motor including a stator having coils of three phases U, V, and W, and controls a phase voltage for energizing the coils of the respective phases U, V, and W, and the brushless motor includes the stator having coils of phases U, V, and W of N (N≧2) poles, in which any one phase coil among the coils of the phases U, V, and W is removed in one of the N poles, and the brushless motor control system includes: a current rise detecting circuit that, when the brushless motor is in a stop state, sequentially selects coils of two phases from the coils of the respective phases U, V, and W, applies a predetermined direct current voltage between the selected coils of the two phases, and detects a value of an electric current flowing to the selected coils of the two phases; and a rotor stop position detecting unit that determines a rotor stop position of the brushless motor based on information of the value of the electric current flowing to the respective phase coils which is detected by the current rise detecting circuit. |
| US08084974B2 |
Inverter device
There is provided an inverter device capable of simplifying the circuit structure, lowering the cast, and downsizing of the device. The inverter device detects a switching change of an inverter by a pulse and is equipped with a pulse signal detector capable of detecting a motor residual voltage or a phase and a detector for detecting a residual voltage or a phase. The inverter device includes a voltage detector, a circuit for detecting a pulse signal based on a comparison between a phase voltage detection value per one phase output from the voltage detector and a first reference voltage value, a circuit for detecting a line residual voltage based on phase voltage detection values of two phases output from the voltage detector, and a circuit for detecting a line phase based on a comparison between the line residual voltage and a second reference voltage value. |
| US08084973B2 |
Motor driving circuit
A motor driving circuit generates pulse driving signals, and controls the ON/OFF state of a switching circuit connected to a coil of a motor which is to be driven, thereby controlling the conduction period of the motor. A driving signal generating circuit generates the driving signals such that they are pulse modulated according to the torque target value for the motor, and outputs the driving signals to the switching circuit. A current detection circuit detects the current flowing through the coil of the motor. A current limiting circuit controls the logical values of the driving signals generated by the driving signal generating circuit such that the current detected by the current detection circuit does not exceed a predetermined current upper limit. The current limiting circuit increases the current upper limit according to the time elapsed in the starting operation of the motor. After the starting operation of the motor, the current upper limit is set to a predetermined fixed value. |
| US08084972B2 |
Dual lane control of a permanent magnet brushless motor using non-trapezoidal commutation control
A motor control system and method implements non-trapezoidal motor control and meets established “fail passive” regulatory guidelines. In particular, a system and method of controlling a multi-phase brushless motor that includes a multi-pole permanent magnet rotor, and an individual, electrically isolated stator winding associated with each phase that includes a first terminal and a second terminal. A motor command is supplied to a motor control. The motor control is configured such that the first terminal of each stator winding is selectively coupled to a power source at a first duty cycle, and the second terminal of each stator winding is selectively coupled to a power source asynchronously with the first terminal of each stator winding at a second duty cycle. |
| US08084970B2 |
Electrical machine and method of controlling the same
An electrical machine having a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a core and a plurality of windings disposed on the core in a multiple-phase arrangement. The rotor is disposed adjacent to the stator to interact with the stator. A method of operating the motor includes applying a pulsed voltage differential to first and second terminals of the windings resulting in movement of the rotor; monitoring the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the windings to sense rotor movement; after the applying and monitoring steps, monitoring the BEMF of the windings to determine whether the rotor is rotating in a desired direction, and electrically commutating the motor when the rotor is rotating in the desired direction and zero or more other conditions exist. |
| US08084961B2 |
Backlight module control system and control method thereof
A backlight module control system includes at least one backlight module, a driving circuit, at least one switch and a power supply module. The driving circuit is utilized for determining a driving signal to drive the backlight module. The switch is coupled between the driving circuit and the backlight module, and is selectively turned on or off according to the driving signal. The power supply module is coupled to the backlight module, and is utilized for providing an operating voltage required by the backlight module control system. |
| US08084954B2 |
Lamp driving circuit
The present invention relates to a lamp driving circuit capable of achieving miniaturization by using a safe insulation type multi-output transformer. The lamp driving circuit in accordance with the present invention includes a rectification unit for rectifying an input voltage; a PFC (Power Factor Correction) unit for enhancing a power factor of a voltage rectified by the rectification unit and converting the rectified voltage into a DC voltage; a switching unit for switching the DC voltage of the PFC unit in order to convert the DC voltage into a square wave voltage; an insulation transformer unit which includes a transformer to secure safe insulation by including an input terminal and a ground terminal of one primary side and all output terminals of first and second secondary sides each of which includes two output terminals at sides facing each other and a resonant capacitor, and outputs a plurality of driving voltages which have the same amplitude and drive a plurality of lamps respectively by receiving the square wave voltages outputted from the switching unit; and an insulation feedback unit for sensing any one of the plurality of driving voltages and transmitting the driving voltage to the switching unit positioned at the primary side of the transformer, wherein the insulation feedback unit insulates the primary side of the transformer from the secondary side of the transformer. |
| US08084951B2 |
Inverter and liquid crystal display device including the same
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display panel which includes a switching circuit for converting an input voltage into an alternating current (AC) voltage, a transformer for boosting the AC voltage generated from the switching circuit, and a bypass capacitor part connected in parallel between an output terminal of the switching circuit and the transformer. |
| US08084948B2 |
Method for dimming a light generatng system for generating light with a variable color
A method for dimming an illumination system (20) capable of emitting light (L) with a variable color is described. The illumination system (20) comprises three dimmable light sources (21, 22, 23) generating respective lights (L1, L2, L3) having respective, mutually different colors (C1, C2, C3). The method comprises the step of reducing the light intensities (I1, I2, I3) of the three dimmable light sources (21, 22, 23) while maintaining the color point until one of said light sources (21) reaches a lower dim limit (IMIN)—The method further comprises the step of maintaining the light intensity (I1) of said one light source (21) at its lower dim limit (IMIN) and reducing the light intensities (I2, I3) of the two other dimmable light sources (22, 23) in such a manner that the hue is maintained. |
| US08084945B2 |
AC driven light-emitting diodes
The invention relates to a circuit (2) comprising at least two parallel-connected light-emitting diodes (4, 5) opposite poled in a first parallel branch (12) and comprising at least two parallel-connected light-emitting diodes (6, 7) opposite poled in a second parallel branch (13), and also comprising a capacitor (8) and a coil (9). According to the invention, the first parallel branch (12) has a capacitor (8) and the second parallel branch (13) has the coil (9). On account of the capacitive parallel branch (10) and the inductive parallel branch (11), idle currents arise which are phase-shifted with respect to one another. The idle currents compensate one another and light changes of the oppositely-poled diode pairs take place at different points in time. A light current is then smoothed. |
| US08084936B2 |
Organic light emitting device having an inorganic isolation pattern and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting device including a first electrode disposed on a substrate, a separator disposed on the first electrode in a lattice shape and having a groove-shaped isolation portion that gradually expands from an entrance toward an inside of the isolation portion, organic light emitting patterns disposed on the first electrode surrounded by the separator, the organic light emitting patterns being separated by the isolation portion, and second electrodes disposed on the organic light emitting patterns and separated by the isolation portion. |
| US08084927B2 |
Thermal electron emitter and thermal electron emission device using the same
A thermal electron emitter includes at least one carbon nanotube twisted wire and a plurality of electron emission particles mixed with the twisted wire. The carbon nanotube twisted wire comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes. A work function of the electron emission particles is lower than the work function of the carbon nanotubes. A thermal electron emission device using the thermal electron emitter is also related. |
| US08084925B2 |
Piezoelectric thin film elemental device, sensor and actuator
A piezoelectric thin film element has a piezoelectric thin film on a substrate, the piezoelectric thin film has a (K1-x,Nax)NbO3thin film expressed by a compositional formula (K1-xNax)NbO3(0 |
| US08084923B2 |
Diagnostic ultrasound transducer
An ultrasound transducer includes an array of PZT elements mounted on a non-recessed distal surface of a backing block. Between each element and the backing block is a conductive region formed as a portion of a metallic layer sputtered onto the distal surface. Traces on a longitudinally extending circuit board—preferably, a substantially rigid printed circuit board, which may be embedded within the block—connect the conductive region, and thus the PZT element, with any conventional external ultrasound imaging system. A substantially “T” or “inverted-L” shaped electrode is thereby formed for each element, with no need for soldering. At least one longitudinally extending metallic member mounted on a respective lateral surface of the backing block forms a heat sink and a common electrical ground. A thermally and electrically conductive layer, such as of foil, transfers heat from at least one matching layer mounted on the elements to the metallic member. |
| US08084922B2 |
Array scanning type ultrasound probe
A technology is disclosed which provides an array scanning type ultrasound probe capable of preventing a diminution of ultrasound of a piezoelectric device at the time of transmission and at the time of reception due to its damage and thereby reducing a sensitivity deterioration of a diagnostic image. According to the technology, included are an electroacoustic conversion unit formed by arranging multiple piezoelectric devices and multiple acoustic matching layers in a predetermined direction, each of the multiple piezoelectric devices being an electroacoustic conversion device, the multiple acoustic matching layers being respectively stacked on the multiple piezoelectric devices; and a signal flexible board transferring electric signals to be transmitted to and received from the multiple piezoelectric devices. An incision passing through the multiple piezoelectric devices in respective thickness directions of the piezoelectric devices and extending into the corresponding acoustic matching layers stacked thereon is provided in parallel to the arrangement direction. |
| US08084920B2 |
Drive apparatus and image pickup apparatus
An anti-vibration unit has: an X-axis transducer generating elliptical vibration in drivers; a frame which is a fixing member having a holding portion for holding the X-axis transducer; an X frame having fixed thereto a slide element to which the drivers of the X-axis transducer are pressed and which moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the frame; a Y-axis transducer held by a holding portion provided in the X-frame and generating elliptical vibration in drivers; and a Y frame having fixed thereto a slide element to which the drivers of the Y-axis transducer are pressed and which moves in the Y-axis direction with respect to the X frame. The X-axis transducer and the Y-axis transducer have substantially same resonant frequency, and the slide elements differ in at least one of rigidity and density thereof, thereby providing a drive apparatus down-sized, large in driving force and high in efficiency. |
| US08084917B2 |
Surface acoustic wave resonator, surface acoustic wave oscillator, and surface acoustic wave module device
A surface acoustic wave resonator includes a piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital transducer (IDT) that includes electrode fingers exciting a surface acoustic wave on the piezoelectric substrate, a first region at a center of the IDT, and a second region and a third region at opposite sides of the IDT. In the IDT, a line occupation rate at which an electromechanical coupling coefficient becomes a maximum is different from the line occupation rate at which reflection of the surface acoustic wave becomes a maximum. |
| US08084916B2 |
Acoustic wave device and electronic equipment using the same
An acoustic wave device has: a piezoelectric body; an interdigital electrode that is arranged on the piezoelectric body and excites an acoustic wave; and a dielectric layer that is arranged on the piezoelectric body so as to cover the interdigital electrode. The dielectric layer includes a composition changing portion made up of a medium where propagation velocity of a transverse wave continuously increases upward. With this configuration, it is possible to shift a spurious radiation by a high-order mode that propagates inside the dielectric layer to a higher frequency, so as to reduce an influence of the spurious radiation by the high-order mode. |
| US08084914B2 |
Stator coil retention system for unvarnished stators
A downhole electric motor device has a longitudinally extending tubular housing; a stator part deployed within the tubular housing; a stator coil winding looped through the stator part with an end turn having an apex; and a connecting device connecting between at least one of the coil windings and an end of the housing adjacent to an end of the stator part, thereby supporting the coil winding. |
| US08084913B2 |
DC motor with asymmetrical poles
The present invention relates to a motor having a stator with a magnetized rotor rotatably positioned in the stator. The stator and the rotor each have at least two magnetic poles. At least one of the stator poles has a different area confronting the poles of the rotor than the other stator poles. An air gap is positioned between each of the at least two stator poles and at least two rotor poles. The distance of the air gap between each stator pole and each rotor pole is different. A coil is wound upon a bobbin which is placed about at least one of the stator poles. Altering the confronting area of the stator poles allows a larger bobbin and coil to be placed about the stator pole. |
| US08084911B2 |
Motor
A motor including a stator and a rotor is disclosed. The rotor includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit includes an N-pole first magnet and an S-pole second magnet. The first and the second magnets are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotor at equal angular intervals to form magnetic pole portions. The second unit includes an N-pole or S-pole third magnet and a salient pole arranged in the rotor core. The salient pole functions as a magnetic pole that differs from the third magnet. The third magnet and the salient pole are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotor to form magnetic pole portions. The number of magnetic pole portions of the second unit is the same as the number of magnetic pole portions of the first unit. The third magnet and the magnet of the first unit having the same pole as the third magnet are aligned in the axial direction of the rotor. |
| US08084907B2 |
Spindle motor having holding magnet preventing oil discharge
The spindle motor includes a rotating shaft, a rotor cover which is secured to the rotating shaft and rotates the rotating shaft, a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft, a holder for holding the bearing, and a holding magnet which is directly mounted to an inner wall of the rotor cover. In this case, the holding magnet is positioned above the bearing to prevent oil from being discharged from the bearing to the outside. |
| US08084903B2 |
Connection arrangement for supplying power to an electric motor
A connector arrangement is provided for supplying electric power to a three-phase motor to produce motor operation in either a delta mode or a star mode, use being made of modular units that are removably mounted within a chamber contained in an outer frame that is secured to the motor housing. A power supply module arranged within the chamber includes a main receptacle containing a stack of terminal blocks having bus bars that transmit to the motor windings three-phase power that is supplied either by external power supply lines that extend into the chamber though openings contained in the side walls of the outer frame, or from an inverter arranged externally of the outer frame. Auxiliary receptacles are removably connected with the external surface of the main receptacle for monitoring the operating condition of the motor, or for controlling a motor operation, such as braking. |
| US08084902B2 |
End plates for high speed generator applications
An end plate for a generator includes an end plate generally cylindrical and having a central bore to receive a rotor shaft. The end plate has a radially inner boss and a radially outer boss. The radially outer boss is positioned radially outwardly of windings in a generator. The radially inner boss is positioned radially inwardly of the windings in a generator. A main core assembly, a rotor, and a generator incorporating the end plates are all disclosed and claimed. |
| US08084901B2 |
Power tool
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power tool including: a housing having a suction port formed thereon to introduce an cooling air from an outside of the housing; and a brushless motor that is housed in the housing and has an electric circuit, the electric circuit having a heat radiating surface, wherein the heat radiating surface is disposed in a neighborhood of the suction port. |
| US08084895B2 |
Safety device for electrical distribution boards
A shock prevention device for an electrical distribution board having at least one incoming terminal and one or more bus conductors for distributing electrical power from the incoming terminal to a plurality of outgoing conductor terminals projecting from a housing of the distribution board, the shock prevention device comprising an insulating body adapted to receive and shroud at least one conductor terminal; a moveable element moveable relative to the body so as to place the device in one of a first configuration in which the device can be fitted to or removed from the distribution board so as to cover the exposed terminal and a second configuration in which the device is braced between the conductor terminal and part of the distribution board housing, whereby removal of the device is prevented; and means for locking the moveable element in the second configuration. |
| US08084893B2 |
Semiconductor device for controlling switching power supply
A semiconductor device controls a switching power supply. The semiconductor device includes a current inflow terminal; a starter circuit to cause a starting current to flow from the current inflow terminal to a power supply terminal to charge a capacitor externally connected to the power supply terminal; a control unit which controls the starter circuit to turn on to charge the capacitor with the starting current and controls the starter circuit to turn off to perform brown-out detection; a comparator which detects a brown-out state while the starter circuit is turned off; and a brown-out detection unit which receives output signals from the comparator and the control unit as inputs. The brown-out detection is performed while the starter circuit is off, so that the current inflow terminal for the starter circuit is used in common as a voltage detection terminal for detection of the brown-out state. |
| US08084892B2 |
Power supply device and method
An object is to provide a duplex power supply for auxiliary machines. A power supply device includes a switching section that is connected to a direct-current link between a generator-side inverter and a grid-side inverter via an auxiliary machine power inverter for converting direct-current power supplied from the direct-current link into alternating-current power to form a first path, that is connected somewhere between a power-converting section and a utility grid to form a second path, and that is connected to auxiliary machines to form a third path, and the switching section switches between connection of the third path to the first path and connection of the third path to the second path. |
| US08084889B2 |
Wireless non-radiative energy transfer
The electromagnetic energy transfer device includes a first resonator structure receiving energy from an external power supply. The first resonator structure has a first Q-factor. A second resonator structure is positioned distal from the first resonator structure, and supplies useful working power to an external load. The second resonator structure has a second Q-factor. The distance between the two resonators can be larger than the characteristic size of each resonator. Non-radiative energy transfer between the first resonator structure and the second resonator structure is mediated through coupling of their resonant-field evanescent tails. |
| US08084888B2 |
Method for the production of high amplitude RF voltages with control of the phase angle between outputs
A method of producing high frequency high amplitude AC voltages with control of the phase angle between outputs from a plurality of generators having individual DC current controlled variable inductors which method comprises controlling the timing of the circuit to allow inputs at the same frequency to have their phase angle preserved. All the outputs are phase locked and synchronized to a common external timed signal and programmed to the same output frequency. |
| US08084887B2 |
Modular electronically reconfigurable battery system
An electronically reconfigurable battery includes a number of battery modules selectively interconnected by a number of electronic switches, wherein a selectable number of battery modules may be connected either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration, as a result of placing selected switches of said plurality of switches in open states or closed states. In a parallel configuration, the battery provides power to a primary load, such as a propulsion load for a vehicle. In a series configuration, the battery is configured to provide a high voltage and high power output to a short-term and/or pulsed load, such as an additional load provided on the vehicle. Current from the battery is limited in one of three ways: a) by the batteries themselves; b) a current limiting device or system in series with the total erected battery; or c) a single level power converter or current limiter that is used to erect and charge the capacitor bank in a sequential one level at a time manner until the battery is fully erected and the capacitor is fully charged. |
| US08084884B1 |
Adaptive gate drive systems and methods
Aspects of the invention pertain to optimization of voltage converter efficiency for all load conditions. A signal conditioning circuit is electrically connected to a number of buck converter modules that supply power to different loads. Each module includes a voltage regulator module, which issues a signal that is proportional for its respective load current. The signal conditioning circuit integrates and averages the signals from each voltage regulator module to produce a conditioned voltage signal. The conditioned signal drives a controller, which in turn provides control information to a power conversion circuit. Operation of the signal conditioning circuit cause the controller and power conversion circuit to adapt the driver voltage of the buck converter modules, which improves and optimizes efficiency for all loads. |
| US08084883B2 |
Electric power supply system between vehicle and house
An electric bower supply system includes a power supply controlling element (62) configured to switch a plug-out power supply which supplies electric power (75) from a fuel cell (20) or a battery (21) to a house (70) and a plug-in power supply which supplies electric power from a commercial power source (75) disposed in the house (70) to a fuel cell vehicle (1a) on the basis of a vehicular power state of the fuel cell (20) and the battery (21) detected by a vehicular power state detecting element (61) and a household power state of the commercial power source (75) detected by a household power state detecting element (81) when a receptacle (10) of the fuel cell vehicle (1a) and an outlet (71) of the commercial power source (75) have been connected by a power cable (100). |
| US08084882B2 |
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine capable of generating motive power, a motor capable of generating motive power, a driving mechanism accommodation room capable of accommodating the motor and the internal combustion engine, a power storage, a first connection unit provided to be capable of receiving a first outside connection unit, the first connection unit being capable of supplying power to the power storage, and a second connection unit provided to be capable of receiving a second outside connection unit through which a current higher than in the first outside connection unit can pass, the second connection unit being capable of supplying power to the power storage, and the second connection unit being provided farther away from the driving mechanism accommodation room than the first connection unit is. |
| US08084880B2 |
Concentrator for wind power station and aeolian grid
A fixed convergent collecting concentrator is provided. The concentrator contains two spaced-apart, co-axial, approximately horizontal, concentric plates with approximately circular shape centered on a vertical axis. The space between said plates is separated by vertical partition walls radially disposed about the axis thereof. The walls connect to the plates to form several sectors such that, irrespective of the direction of the wind, certain sectors collect and concentrate the air flow which enters the respective sectors. Each sector is connected to an intermediate tube which is in fluid communication with an accumulating tube, thus forming a system of tubes which is oriented in a common direction, optionally towards the ground. A turbine or other engine adapted for energy conversion being placed inside the concentrator or tubes. |
| US08084879B2 |
Wind turbine
The invention concerns a wind turbine comprising a retaining arrangement, a main shaft and a direct drive generator comprising a rotor having a first and a second supporting element and a stator having a first and a second supporting element, wherein the main shaft is pivoted relatively to the retaining arrangement by a first and a second bearing, the first supporting element of the rotor and the main shaft are connected with each other, the first supporting element of the stator is supported on the main shaft and/or on the first supporting element of the rotor by a third bearing, the second supporting element of the stator and the retaining arrangement are connected with each other and the second supporting element of the rotor is supported on the retaining arrangement and/or on the second supporting element of the stator by a fourth bearing. |
| US08084875B2 |
Wind energy installation with an extended rotation speed range
A wind energy installation includes a wind rotor, a double-fed asynchronous generator driven by the wind rotor, a converter provided with a first part on the generator side connected to a rotor and a second part on the network side connected to a stator of the generator, and a control device providing converter regulation. A mode selector can be switched between a normal operating mode and a reduced voltage operating mode, in which the excitation of the generator is reduced compared to the normal operating mode. The under-excitation produces an additional reactive current, thus reducing the rotor voltage. The rotor voltage can be limited even when the load is high and the network frequency or voltage is incorrect. The usable rotation speed range of the wind energy installation can be extended to provide a more powerful generator with a higher rating, without changing the converter. |
| US08084874B2 |
Method of maintaining wind turbine components operational and a turbine comprising components suitable for operational maintenace
The invention relates to a wind turbine (1) which is connected to an electrical power grid (23) and which uses a magnet generator (6) as the only electrical power generator element both in the normal operation thereof and during periods in which the turbine is disconnected from the electrical power grid. The aforementioned wind turbine can perform operations in order to maintain the wind turbine systems operational, with the continued generation of electrical power, and to adjust the quantity of electrical power produced for power consumption during the periods in which the turbine is disconnected from the electrical power grid. |
| US08084869B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A technique permitting the reduction in size of a semiconductor device is provided. In a BGA type semiconductor device with a semiconductor chip flip-chip-bonded onto a wiring substrate, bump electrodes of the semiconductor chip are coupled to lands formed at an upper surface of the wiring substrate. The lands at the upper surface of the wiring substrate are coupled electrically to solder balls formed on a lower surface of the wiring substrate. Therefore, the lands include first type lands with lead-out lines coupled thereto and second type lands with lead-out lines not coupled thereto but with vias formed just thereunder. The lands are arrayed in six or more rows at equal pitches in an advancing direction of the rows. However, a row-to-row pitch is not made an equal pitch. In land rows which are likely to cause a short-circuit, the pitch between adjacent rows is made large, while in land rows which are difficult to cause a short-circuit, the pitch between adjacent rows is made small. By so doing, both prevention of a short-circuit and improvement of the layout density of lands are attained at a time. |
| US08084866B2 |
Microelectronic devices and methods for filling vias in microelectronic devices
Microelectronic devices and methods for filling vias and forming conductive interconnects in microfeature workpieces and dies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a microfeature workpiece having a plurality of dies and at least one passage extending through the microfeature workpiece from a first side of the microfeature workpiece to an opposite second side of the microfeature workpiece. The method can further include forming a conductive plug in the passage adjacent to the first side of the microelectronic workpiece, and depositing conductive material in the passage to at least generally fill the passage from the conductive plug to the second side of the microelectronic workpiece. |
| US08084863B2 |
Circuitized substrate with continuous thermoplastic support film dielectric layers
A circuitized substrate including a dielectric layer having a p-aramid paper impregnated with a halogen-free, low moisture absorptivity resin and not including continuous or semi-continuous fiberglass fibers as part thereof, and a first circuitized layer positioned on the dielectric layer. A method of making this substrate is also provided. |
| US08084857B2 |
Method and article of manufacture for wire bonding with staggered differential wire bond pairs
A method and article of manufacture for performing wire-bonding operations in an integrated circuit. In one aspect, the operations include the steps of bonding a wire to a first bond site in the integrated circuit and terminating the wire at a second bond site. The bonding and terminating steps are repeated for at least two differential wire bond pairs, and proximate differential wire bond pairs of the at least two differential wire bond pairs have substantially different wire bond profiles. |
| US08084855B2 |
Integrated circuit tampering protection and reverse engineering prevention coatings and methods
A method of protecting an electronics package is discussed along with devices formed by the method. The method involves providing at least one electronic component that requires protecting from tampering and/or reverse engineering. Further, the method includes mixing into a liquid glass material at least one of high durability micro-particles or high-durability nano-particles, to form a coating material. Further still, the method includes depositing the coating material onto the electronic component and curing the coating material deposited. |
| US08084847B2 |
Prefabricated lead frame and bonding method using the same
A prefabricated lead frame to bond a chip and a substrate, and a bonding method using the prefabricated lead frame. The prefabricated lead frame includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of wires, wherein inner ends and outer ends of the wires are respectively connected to the inner ring and the outer ring, and the prefabricated lead frame has a wire shape corresponding to a chip and a substrate to be bonded. The prefabricated lead frame may be manufactured in batch production to increase the manufacturing efficiency of semiconductor devices, and the prefabricated lead frame may be used instead of a general wire bonding process. |
| US08084843B2 |
N well implants to separate blocks in a flash memory device
A semiconductor memory device that has an isolated area formed from one conductivity and formed in part by a buried layer of a second conductivity that is implanted in a substrate. The walls of the isolated area are formed by implants that are formed from the second conductivity and extend down to the buried layer. The isolated region has implanted source lines and is further subdivided by overlay strips of the second conductivity that extend substantially down to the buried layer. Each isolation region can contain one or more blocks of memory cells. |
| US08084842B2 |
Thermally stabilized electrode structure
Memory devices and methods for manufacturing are described herein. A memory device as described herein includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a thermal isolation structure including a layer of thermal isolation material between the first and second electrode layers. The first and second electrode layers and the thermal isolation structure define a multi-layer stack having a sidewall. A sidewall conductor layer including a sidewall conductor material is on the sidewall of the multi-layer stack. The sidewall conductor material has an electrical conductivity greater than that of the thermal isolation material. A memory element including memory material is on the second electrode layer. |
| US08084837B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
In a rear surface incidence type CMOS image sensor having a wiring layer 720 on a first surface (front surface) of an epitaxial substrate 710 in which a photodiode, a reading circuit (an n-type region 750 and an n+ type region 760) and the like are disposed, and a light receiving plane in a second surface (rear surface), the photodiode and a P-type well region 740 on the periphery of the photodiode are disposed in a layer structure that does not reach the rear surface (light receiving surface) of the substrate, and an electric field is formed within the substrate 710 to properly lead electrons entering from the rear surface (light receiving surface) of the substrate to the photodiode. The electric field is realized by providing a concentration gradient in a direction of depth of the epitaxial substrate 710. Alternatively, the electric field can be realized by providing a rear-surface electrode 810 or 840 for sending a current. |
| US08084836B2 |
Semiconductor photodetector and radiation detecting apparatus
A photodiode array PD1 comprises an n-type semiconductor substrate one face of which is an incident surface of light to be detected; a plurality of pn junction-type photosensitive regions 3 as photodiodes formed on the side of a detecting surface that is opposite to the incident surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a carrier capturing portion 12 formed between adjacent photosensitive regions 3 from among the plurality of photosensitive regions 3 on the detecting surface side of the semiconductor substrate. The carrier capturing portion 12 has one or plurality of carrier capturing regions 13 respectively including pn-junctions, arranged at intervals. Thereby can be realized a semiconductor photodetector and a radiation detecting apparatus which can favorably restrain crosstalk from occurring. |
| US08084822B2 |
Enhanced stress-retention fin-FET devices and methods of fabricating enhanced stress retention fin-FET devices
Fin-FETS and methods of fabricating fin-FETs. The methods include: providing substrate comprising a silicon oxide layer on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate, a stiffening layer on a top surface of the silicon oxide layer, and a single crystal silicon layer on a top surface of the stiffening layer; forming a fin from the single crystal silicon layer; forming a source and a drain in the fin and on opposite sides of a channel region of the fin; forming a gate dielectric layer on at least one surface of the fin in the channel region; and forming a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer. |
| US08084821B2 |
Integrated circuit including a power MOS transistor
An integrated circuit includes a first transistor having a first gate and a first source and a second transistor having a second gate and a second source. The integrated circuit includes a first source contact adjacent the second transistor and coupled to the first source and the second source. The integrated circuit includes a first bond wire coupled to the first source contact. |
| US08084815B2 |
Superjunction semiconductor device
A superjunction semiconductor device includes an edge p pillar, an active region, and a termination region. The edge p pillar has a rectangular ring shape with rounded corners surrounding the active region. The active region includes an active n region and active p pillars having vertical stripe shapes disposed at regular intervals in the active n region. The top and bottom ends of the active p pillars are separated from the edge p pillar. The termination region includes termination n pillars and termination p pillars alternately arranged around the edge p pillar. Surplus p charges that are not used to balance the quantity of p charges and the quantity of n charges among p charges included in the upper and lower parts of the edge p pillar are eliminated or n charges are supplemented to balance the quantity of p charges and the quantity of n charges. |
| US08084810B2 |
Fabrication method and structure of semiconductor non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device with good write/erase characteristics is provided. A selection gate is formed on a p-type well of a semiconductor substrate via a gate insulator, and a memory gate is formed on the p-type well via a laminated film composed of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and a silicon oxide film. The memory gate is adjacent to the selection gate via the laminated film. In the regions on both sides of the selection gate and the memory gate in the p-type well, n-type impurity diffusion layers serving as the source and drain are formed. The region controlled by the selection gate and the region controlled by the memory gate located in the channel region between said impurity diffusion layers have the different charge densities of the impurity from each other. |
| US08084808B2 |
Zirconium silicon oxide films
Electronic apparatus and systems include structures having a dielectric layer containing a zirconium silicon oxide film. A zirconium silicon oxide film may be disposed in an integrated circuit, as well as in a variety of other electronic devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08084805B2 |
Three-dimensional microelectronic devices including repeating layer patterns of different thicknesses
A vertical NAND flash memory device includes a substrate having a face and a string of serially connected flash memory cells on the substrate. A first flash memory cell is adjacent the face, and a last flash memory cell is remote from the face. The flash memory cells include repeating layer patterns that are stacked on the face, and a pillar that extends through the series of repeating layer patterns. The pillar includes at least one oblique wall. At least two of the series of repeating layer patterns in the string are of different thicknesses. Other vertical microelectronic devices and related fabrication methods are also described. |
| US08084803B2 |
Capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
A capacitor with a mixed structure of a Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) capacitor and a Poly-silicon Insulator Poly-silicon (PIP) capacitor includes a substrate and a diffusion junction region formed over the substrate. A high concentration diffusion junction region may be formed in a portion of the diffusion junction region. An oxide layer may be formed over the substrate, the oxide layer having an opening that exposes a portion of the high concentration diffusion junction region. A first polysilicon plate may be formed over a portion of the oxide layer and spaced from the opening, and a nitride layer may be formed over a portion of the first polysilicon plate. A sidewall may be formed over a side of the first polysilicon layer, over a side of the nitride layer, and over a portion of the oxide layer between the side of the polysilicon layer and the opening. A second polysilicon plate may be formed over the nitride layer, over the sidewall, and over the high concentration diffusion junction region. |
| US08084799B2 |
Integrated circuit with memory having a step-like programming characteristic
A memory cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and phase change material between the first electrode and the second electrode. The phase change material has a step-like programming characteristic. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the phase change material form a via or trench memory cell. |
| US08084798B2 |
Semiconductor device having image sensor
A pixel area for generating an image signal corresponding to incident light is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A light-shielding layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate around the pixel area. The light-shielding layer has a slit near the pixel area and shields the incident light. A passivation film is formed in the pixel area, on the light-shielding layer, and in the slit. A coating layer is formed in the slit of the light-shielding layer and on the passivation film in the pixel area. Microlenses are formed on the coating layer in the pixel area. |
| US08084795B2 |
Resonant cavity complementary optoelectronic transistors
The CMOS field effect transistors, used in microprocessors and other digital VLSI circuits, face major challenges such as thin gate dielectrics leakage and scaling limits, severe short channel effects, limited performance improvement with scaling, complicated fabrication process with added special techniques, and surface mobility degradation. This disclosure proposes a new CMOS-compatible optoelectronic transistor. The current is much higher than the MOS transistors, due to the high carrier mobility with bulk transportation. The optoelectronic transistors are scalable to the sub-nanometer ranges without short channel effects. It is also suitable for low power applications and ULSI circuits. The new transistor consists of a laser or LED diode as drain or source, and a photo sensor diode (avalanche photo diode) as source or drain. The transistor is turned on by applying a gate voltage, similar to the CMOS transistors, and a laser or LED light signal is sent to the nearby photo diode, causing an avalanche breakdown and high drain current. The transistor is surrounded by dielectrics and metal isolations, which serve as a metal box or cavity, so the generated laser or LED lights are confined and reflected back from the metal. The drain current increases exponentially with the drain or gate voltage. This exponential drain current vs. drain or gate voltage characteristics makes the optoelectronic transistor run much faster than the transitional linear MOSFET.The optic transistor current-voltage characteristics are totally different from transitional CMOS transistors. |
| US08084793B2 |
Microwave semiconductor device using compound semiconductor and method for manufacturing the same
An undoped AlGaN layer 13 is formed on a buffer layer composed of a GaN series material formed on a semiconductor substrate, a drain electrode 15 and a source electrode 16 forming ohmic junction with the undoped AlGaN layer 13 are formed separately from each other on the undoped AlGaN layer 13. A gate electrode 17 composed of metal Ni and Au laminated in this order is formed between the drain electrodes 15 and the source electrode 16 on the undoped AlGaN layer 13. The end portion 17-2 of the gate electrode 17 is formed on the underlying metal 18 formed by a metal containing Ti via an insulating film 14 on a GaN buffer layer 12 surrounding the undoped AlGaN layer 13. |
| US08084792B2 |
Electric component
An electric component comprising a sensor and/or actuator chip with a substrate on which a passivating layer and a sensor and/or actuator structure consisting of an active surface area is arranged. The chip is surrounded by an encapsulation having an opening which forms an access to the at least one active surface area. A layer stack is arranged on the substrate, said stack of layers comprising from the passivating layer to the substrate at least one first strip conductor layer, a first electric insulating layer, a second strip conductor layer and a second electric insulating layer. The first conductor strip layer is fully arranged outside the area of the chip covered by the opening. At least one conductor strip of the second conductor strip layer is connected to the sensor and/or actuator structure. |
| US08084789B2 |
Phase change memory with ovonic threshold switch
A phase change memory includes a memory element and a selection element. The memory element is embedded in a dielectric and includes a resistive element having at least one sublithographic dimension and a storage region in contact with the resistive element. The selection element includes a chalcogenic material embedded in a dielectric. The chalcogenic material and the storage region are part of a stack having a common etched edge. |
| US08084788B2 |
Method of forming source and drain of a field-effect-transistor and structure thereof
A semiconductor fabrication method involving the use of eSiGe is disclosed. The eSiGe approach is useful for applying the desired stresses to the channel region of a field effect transistor, but also can introduce complications into the semiconductor fabrication process. Embodiments of the present invention disclose a two-step fabrication process in which a first layer of eSiGe is applied using a low hydrogen flow rate, and a second eSiGe layer is applied using a higher hydrogen flow rate. This method provides a way to balance the tradeoff of morphology, and fill consistency when using eSiGe. Embodiments of the present invention promote a pinned morphology, which reduces device sensitivity to epitaxial thickness, while also providing a more consistent fill volume, amongst various device widths, thereby providing a more consistent eSiGe semiconductor fabrication process. |
| US08084785B2 |
III-nitride power semiconductor device having a programmable gate
A III-nitride semiconductor device which includes a charged floating gate electrode. |
| US08084784B2 |
Semiconductor heterostructure and method for forming same
The invention relates to a method for forming a semiconductor heterostructure by providing a substrate with a first in-plane lattice parameter a1, providing a buffer layer with a second in-plane lattice parameter a2 and providing a top layer over the buffer layer. In order to improve the surface roughness of the semiconductor heterostructure, an additional layer is provided in between the buffer layer and the top layer, wherein the additional layer has a third in-plane lattice parameter a3 which is in between the first and second lattice parameters. |
| US08084783B2 |
GaN-based device cascoded with an integrated FET/Schottky diode device
A power semiconductor device is provided that includes a depletion mode (normally ON) main switching device cascoded with a higher speed switching device, resulting in an enhancement mode (normally OFF) FET device for switching power applications. The main switching device comprises a depletion mode GaN-based HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor) FET that does not include an intrinsic body diode. In one or more embodiments, the higher speed switching device comprises a high speed FET semiconductor switch arranged or connected in parallel with a Schottky diode. The high speed FET semiconductor switch may comprise a Si FET, GaN FET or any other type of FET which possesses higher speed switching capabilities and a lower voltage than that of the GaN-based HEMT FET. In some embodiments, the GaN-based HEMT FET and the higher speed switching device (i.e., the FET and Schottky diode) may be monolithically integrated on the same substrate. |
| US08084779B2 |
Casting for an LED module
A casting adapted to carry a light emitting diode die and an anti-static die is disclosed. The casting comprises two electrodes for opposite electrodes and a wall. The light emitting diode die is mounted one of electrodes and the anti-static die is mounted on the other electrode. The wall is arranged between the light emitting diode die and the anti-static die. Further, the height of the wall is larger than that of the anti-static die to shade the anti-static die, whereby reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting diode die. Therefore, the reflection ratio of the light emitting diode die is improved, and the intensity generated by the whole light emitting diode is also improved. |
| US08084774B2 |
Light emitting device having light emitting elements
A light-emitting device operating on a high drive voltage and a small drive current. LEDs (1) are two-dimensionally formed on an insulating substrate (10) of e.g., sapphire monolithically and connected in series to form an LED array. Two such LED arrays are connected to electrodes (32) in inverse parallel. Air-bridge wiring (28) is formed between the LEDs (1) and between the LEDs (1) and electrodes (32). The LED arrays are arranged zigzag to form a plurality of LEDs (1) to produce a high drive voltage and a small drive current. Two LED arrays are connected in inverse parallel, and therefore an AC power supply can be used as the power supply. |
| US08084773B2 |
Semiconductor-on-diamond devices and associated methods
Semiconductor-on-diamond (SOD) substrates and methods for making such substrates are provided. In one aspect, a method of making an SOD substrate may include depositing a base layer onto a lattice-orienting silicon (Si) substrate such that the base layer lattice is substantially oriented by the Si substrate, depositing a semiconductor layer onto the base layer such that the semiconductor layer lattice is substantially oriented with respect to the base layer lattice, and disposing a layer of diamond onto the semiconductor layer. The base layer may include numerous materials, including, without limitation, aluminum phosphide (Alp), boron arsenide (BAs), gallium nitride (GaN), indium nitride (InN), and combinations thereof. Additionally, the method may further include removing the lattice-orienting Si substrate and the base layer from the semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the Si substrate may be of a single crystal orientation. |
| US08084772B2 |
Organic light emitting display including an auxiliary electrode
Disclosed are an organic light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same. The organic light emitting includes a first substrate, a first electrode, an organic light emitting layer, and a second electrode. The first substrate includes a pixel region showing an image and a peripheral region surrounding the pixel region. The first electrode is formed in the pixel region of the first substrate. The organic light emitting layer is formed on the first electrode. The second electrode is formed on the organic light emitting layer and extends to the peripheral region. An auxiliary electrode is formed on the second electrode to contact the second electrode on an entire surface of the first substrate, thereby applying a voltage having the same voltage level as that of the second electrode. |
| US08084767B2 |
Opto-electrical devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A composition for use in the manufacture of an opto-electrical device, the composition comprising: a conductive or semi-conductive organic material; a solvent; and a first additive, wherein the first additive is an alcohol ether having a boiling point lower than 170° C. |
| US08084766B2 |
Organic optoelectronic component
The invention relates to an organic optoelectronic component comprising a base electrode, a top electrode that is provided with passages and an arrangement of organic layers, which is formed between the base electrode and the top electrode and makes electrical contact with said electrodes. In said component, light can be generated in a light-emitting region by the application of electrical energy to the base electrode and the top electrode. An organic current distribution layer also extends into the region containing the passages, said layer making electrical contact with the top electrode and the light-emitting region. |
| US08084760B2 |
Ring-shaped electrode and manufacturing method for same
An electrode structure and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit electrode includes forming a bottom electrode comprising a pipe-shaped member, filled with a conductive material such as n-doped silicon, and having a ring-shaped top surface. A disc-shaped insulating member is formed on the top of the pipe-shaped member by oxidizing the conductive fill. A layer of programmable resistance material, such as a phase change material, is deposited in contact with the top surface of the pipe-shaped member. A top electrode in contact with the layer of programmable resistance material. |
| US08084757B2 |
Contamination prevention in extreme ultraviolet lithography
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for removing debris particles using a stream of charged species. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for removing debris particles from a beam of radiation comprising a charged species source configured to dispense electrically charged species, and a collecting plate biased electrically opposite to the charged species from the charged species source, wherein the collecting plate and the charged species source are disposed on opposite sides of the beam of radiation, a stream of charged species from the charged species source to the collecting plate intersects the beam of radiation, the stream of charged species is configured to attach and remove debris particles from the beam of radiation by electrostatic force, and the collecting plate is configured to receive the charged species and the debris particles removed from the beam of radiation. |
| US08084756B2 |
UV fluorometric sensor and method for using the same
An ultraviolet (UV) fluorometric sensor measures a chemical concentration in a sample based on the measured fluorescence of the sample. The sensor includes a controller, at least one UV light source, and at least one UV detector. The sensor emits UV light in a wavelength range of 245-265 nm from the light source through the sample in an analytical area. The UV detector measures the fluorescence emission from the sample. The controller transforms output signals from the UV detector into fluorescence values or optical densities for one or more wavelengths in the wavelength range of 265-340 nm. The controller calculates the chemical concentration of the chemical in the sample based on the measured fluorescence emissions. |
| US08084755B2 |
Time-domain method and apparatus for determining the depth and concentration of a fluorophore in a turbid medium
Methods and apparatuses for determining the depth and concentration of fluorophores in a turbid medium are disclosed. The method advantageously provides for a rapid estimation of the depth of the flurophore using characteristics of a temporal point spread function. The concentration of the flurophore can be determined using the method of the present invention by combining a calculated depth of the flurophore with a measurement of the intensity of the emitted fluorescence. The intensity can be accurately measured by the apparatus disclosed herein which combine back-reflection and trans-illumination geometries for the source of light injecting and detection. |
| US08084753B2 |
Method and system for non-contact fluorescence optical tomography with patterned illumination
A method and system for non-contact fluorescent optical tomography using patterned illumination is disclosed. The method comprises illuminating a surface of a medium with light from at least one excitation light source to project at least two patterns. Each pattern comprises at least one motif, wherein the medium comprises at least one fluorescent target. The method further comprises for each pattern, measuring excitation light reflected from the medium to generate an excitation data set. In addition, the method comprises, for each pattern, measuring fluorescence emitted from the at least one fluorescent target to generate a fluorescence data set. The method also comprises generating a 3D image of the at least one fluorescent target in the medium by applying iterative algorithm. The iterative algorithm minimizes the difference between a predicted data set based on a mathematical model, and each excitation data set and each fluorescence data set. |
| US08084750B2 |
Curved ion guide with varying ion deflecting field and related methods
An ion guide includes a plurality of curved electrodes and an ion deflecting device. The electrodes are arranged about and radially spaced from a central curved axis, and circumscribe a curved ion guide region from an ion entrance to an ion exit. The ion deflecting device may include a device for applying a DC electric field to one or more electrodes in a radial direction. The magnitude of the DC electric field, and thus the ion deflecting force, varies along the curved axis. The ion guide may for example operate as a collision cell or like instrument. |
| US08084748B2 |
Radioactive material detecting and identifying device and method
In a device for detecting and identifying a radioactive material, a coincidence device is configured to receive the first pulse signals and the second pulse signals from a first second detectors; a multi-channel analyzer is configured to receive the second pulse signals, count said second pulses and generate the energy spectrum of the gamma rays according to the counted second pulses, when the first pulse signals and the second pulse signals are both valid; a linear gate is configured to receive coincidence signals and being turned on, when the output signals of the coincidence device are valid, to allow the multi-channel analyzer to count the second pulses; and a determination device is configured to determine the type of the radioactive material emitting the gamma rays according to the generated energy spectrum and determine whether a radiation exists or not. |
| US08084743B2 |
Sensor and image pickup device
A sensor for detecting a received electromagnetic wave comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an amorphous oxide layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08084741B2 |
Configurable coincidence pairing and filtering system and method for positron emission tomography
A method of processing positron emission tomography (PET) information obtained from a PET detector having a plurality of detector regions, each detector region having at least one detector module and a corresponding regional collector, the method including the steps of receiving PET event information for a single PET event, the PET event information including energy information and crystal position information of the single PET event; receiving non-detector event information; generating an event list that includes (1) a PET event entry, the PET event entry including a fine time stamp, the energy information, and the crystal position information, and (2) a non-detector event entry that includes the received non-detector event information; and transmitting the generated event list to a computer for off-line processing. |
| US08084739B2 |
Imaging apparatus and methods
Imagers, pixels, and methods of using the same are disclosed for imaging in various spectra, such as visible, near infrared (IR), and short wavelength IR (SWIR). The imager may have an imaging array having pixels of different types. The different types of pixels may detect different ranges of wavelengths in the IR, or the SWIR, spectra. The pixels may include a filter which blocks some wavelengths of radiation in the IR spectrum while passing other wavelengths. The filter may be formed of a semiconductor material, and therefore may be easily integrated with a CMOS pixel using conventional CMOS processing techniques. |
| US08084737B2 |
Array-based ion storage system and method therefor
An array-based ion storage system includes an ion generation section, and an ion storage section having a first end electrode coupled to the ion generation section and having multiple holes, a second end electrode having multiple holes, an intermediate electrode having multiple holes, a first insulator formed as a ring between the first end electrode and the intermediate electrode, and a second insulator formed as a ring between the intermediate electrode and the second end electrode. The ion storage section can be made thinner to facilitate consistency in ion extraction and reduce the spread of an ion mobility spectrum peak. The insulators have a big hole, and the ions cannot bump onto the insulation material during ion vibration or thermal movement in the storage space. Therefore, charge transfer and accumulation at the insulator and the subsequent discharge will not occur, suppressing instability of storage and loss of ions. |
| US08084736B2 |
Method and system for vacuum driven differential mobility spectrometer/mass spectrometer interface with adjustable resolution and selectivity
A mass spectrometer system including a differential mobility spectrometer and a mass spectrometer at least partially sealed to, and in fluid communication, with, the differential mobility spectrometer, together with a related method, are provided. The mass spectrometer system can be operable to, and method can comprise, a) maintaining the differential mobility spectrometer at an internal operating pressure; b) providing ions to the differential mobility spectrometer; c) maintaining the mass spectrometer at a vacuum pressure lower than the internal operating pressure to draw a gas flow including the ions through the differential mobility spectrometer and into the vacuum chamber; and, d) modifying the gas flow between the differential mobility spectrometer and the mass spectrometer to change a gas flow rate through the differential mobility spectrometer. |
| US08084735B2 |
Pulsed voltage electrospray ion source and method for preventing analyte electrolysis
An electrospray ion source and method of operation includes the application of pulsed voltage to prevent electrolysis of analytes with a low electrochemical potential. The electrospray ion source can include an emitter, a counter electrode, and a power supply. The emitter can include a liquid conduit, a primary working electrode having a liquid contacting surface, and a spray tip, where the liquid conduit and the working electrode are in liquid communication. The counter electrode can be proximate to, but separated from, the spray tip. The power system can supply voltage to the working electrode in the form of a pulse wave, where the pulse wave oscillates between at least an energized voltage and a relaxation voltage. The relaxation duration of the relaxation voltage can range from 1 millisecond to 35 milliseconds. The pulse duration of the energized voltage can be less than 1 millisecond and the frequency of the pulse wave can range from 30 to 800 Hz. |
| US08084734B2 |
Laser desorption ionization and peptide sequencing on laser induced silicon microcolumn arrays
The present invention provides a method of producing a laser-patterned silicon surface, especially silicon wafers for use in laser desorption ionization (LDI-MS) (including MALDI-MS and SELDI-MS), devices containing the same, and methods of testing samples employing the same. The surface is prepared by subjecting a silicon substrate to multiple laser shots from a high-power picosecond or femtosecond laser while in a processing environment, e.g., underwater, and generates a remarkable homogenous microcolumn array capable of providing an improved substrate for LDI-MS. |
| US08084733B2 |
Systems and methods for decreasing settling times in MS/MS
Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance of a mass spectrometer system when multiple measurements are made. For example, the total settling time of different components or stages of a mass spectrometer, such as a tandem mass spectrometer, are decreased by optimally ordering the measurements. |
| US08084732B2 |
Resistive glass structures used to shape electric fields in analytical instruments
A reflectron lens for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and a method of making same are disclosed. The reflectron lens includes a glass tube having a conductive surface along the length of the tube. The conductive surface has an electrical resistance gradient along its length. The electrical resistance gradient provides an electric field interior to the tube that varies in strength along the length of the tube when an electric potential is applied to opposing ends of the tube. A mass spectrometer incorporating the reflectron lens, a method of making the reflectron lens, and an apparatus for removing lead from the surface of a lead silicate glass tube are also disclosed. |
| US08084731B2 |
Sensor system for liquid detection with lens component having an apex
A light transmitting optical fiber shines light at a side edge portion of a hemispherical lens. The light is transmitted along the outer periphery of the lens to a second side edge portion located opposite the first side edge portion. A light sensitive component detects light at the second edge portion which light originated at the first side edge portion. The intensity of light detected at the second side edge portion is indicative of the fluid to which the lens is exposed. |
| US08084730B2 |
Dual mode source follower for low and high sensitivity applications
In certain embodiments, a unit cell is provided. The unit cell may include a high sensitivity path and a low sensitivity path. The high sensitivity path may include a first transistor and a first switch. The first switch may couple an output node to the first transistor. The low sensitivity path may include a capacitor. A second switch may couple the high sensitivity path to the low sensitivity path. A third switch may couple the high sensitivity path and the low sensitivity path to a voltage node. |
| US08084726B2 |
Control system for an exoatmospheric kill vehicle
A control system for a maneuverable kill vehicle is provided. The control system includes a pressurized fluid source configured to provide a pressurized fluid, a valve in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source, and a voice coil actuator comprising a magnet and a conductive coil oriented relative to the magnet such that when current flows through the coil, the coil moves relative to the magnet. The voice coil actuator is coupled to the valve such that the relative movement of the coil causes an adjustment in a flow rate of the pressurized fluid through the valve. |
| US08084724B1 |
Enhanced multiple kill vehicle (MKV) interceptor for intercepting exo and endo-atmospheric targets
By sharing tasks between the CV and the KVs, the MKV interceptor provides a cost-effective missile defense system capable of intercepting and killing multiple targets. The placement of the acquisition and discrimination sensor and control sensor on the CV to provide target acquisition and discrimination and mid-course guidance for all the KVs avoids the weight and complexity issues associated with trying to “miniaturize” unitary interceptors. The placement of either a short-band imaging sensor and headlamp or a MWIR sensor on each KV overcomes the latency, resolution and bandwidth problems associated with command guidance systems and allows each KV to precisely select a desirable aimpoint and maintain track on that aimpoint to impact. An implicit divert and attitude control system (DACS) using tow or more divert thrusters performs KV divert and attitude maneuvers to respond to the command guidance pre-handover and to maintain track on the aimpoint to terminal intercept post-handover. |
| US08084721B2 |
Electrical heating apparatus, method of manufacturing heat generator unit and pressing jig for use in manufacturing thereof
An electrical heating apparatus has: a fin brazed on at least one of a main body upper wall and a main body lower wall of a tube; an insertion unit having an electro-heat-generating element pressure-welded to a wall of one of the main body upper wall and the main body lower wall; and an edge part projecting in the width direction from each of main body vertical walls to form an edge space. The edge space is formed so as to be continuous with the insertion space and is smaller in thickness dimension than the thickness dimension of the insertion unit. The edge part has an edge part upper wall, an edge part lower wall, and an edge part vertical wall disposed in a concave shape. |
| US08084720B2 |
High rate method for stable temperature control of a substrate
A method for multi-step temperature control of a substrate includes selecting a first set-point temperature and a second set-point temperature for the substrate, and selecting a first PID parameter set including a first proportional constant KP1, a first integral constant KI1 and a first derivative constant KD1, and selecting a second PID parameter set including a second proportional constant KP2, a second integral constant KI2 and a second derivative constant KD2. The substrate is placed on a substrate holder, the temperature of the substrate is adjusted to the first set-point temperature and the substrate is processed for a first period of time at the first set-point temperature. The temperature of a region of the substrate is changed from the first set-point temperature to the second set-point temperature using the first PID parameter set for a first ramp period of time and using the second PID parameter set for a second ramp period of time, the second ramp period of time following the first ramp period of time. The substrate is then processed for a second period of time at the second set-point temperature. |
| US08084719B2 |
Variable heat distribution for indoor cooking appliance
An electric cooking device with a cooking surface. The cooking surface includes a first heating element positioned under the cooking surface arranged to heat substantially the entire cooking surface to a first power density and a second heating element positioned under a portion the cooking surface arranged to heat approximately half of the cooking surface to a second power density. The second power density can be greater that the first power density. The electric cooking device can include a temperature regulator and a selector connected to the first heating element and the second heating element arranged to selectively connect the first heating element or the second heating element through the temperature regulator to a power source. |
| US08084715B2 |
Method and means for heating and controlling the temperatures in a sauna
A control panel used in combination with a power unit to control the operation of a sauna. The control panel is equipped with a microprocessor that has software and proper circuitry to allow a user to use buttons to input information into the control panel regarding the time, temperature, and day on which heating within the sauna is to occur. Additionally, the power unit has a microprocessor with a pulse width modulation output that causes individual heating elements to continuously produce varying intensities of heat in order to maintain a consistent desired temperature, and/or intermittently radiate heat creating a wave of heat to be emitted by each individual heating element. |
| US08084709B2 |
Laser device with pendulum-type pressure roller
The invention concerns a laser device for joining work pieces made of plastic by means of beam welding technology, with a processing head that has focusing devices for the laser beam. Here, the focusing device that is closest to the work pieces has a rotatably supported cylinder lens in the shape of a roller that focuses the laser beam along a single axis and presses the work pieces together in the form of a line in an area around the impact point of the laser beam. In order to enable the cylinder lens to always contact the surface of the work piece facing the processing head in a precisely tangential manner, the processing head has a pendulum-type suspension for the rotatable cylinder lens. This also makes it possible for the contact pressure exerted by the processing head to always act perpendicularly on the work pieces so that they are pressed together in all welding places in the same way in a defined manner during the welding process. |
| US08084707B2 |
Laser irradiation apparatus, laser irradiation method, fabrication method for thin film semiconductor device and fabrication method for display apparatus
Disclosed herein is a laser irradiation apparatus, including: an optical system configured to form laser light of a linear cross section to be irradiated on an irradiation object; and a cutting member having a light blocking portion configured to block the laser light formed in the linear cross section by the optical system to cut the laser light so as to have a predetermined length along a line longitudinal direction; the light blocking portion having a plurality of fins provided on the light blocking portion thereof so as to fetch and absorb the laser light. |
| US08084704B2 |
Switch for a brush wear recording circuit
A switch for a brush wear monitoring recording circuit for monitoring wear of at least one brush, the switch having an open and a closed state, comprises a fixed part including a switch plate having a switch face and a moving part including a capacitive flag disposed on a brush so as to move the capacitive flag corresponding to a brush wear movement in a brush wear direction and a capacitive plate having a capacitive face, wherein the capacitive face and the switch face are disposed parallel to each other and provide capacitance to the switch, and further wherein the capacitive flag is disposed on the brush so as to bring the capacitive face and the switch face in proximity to each other so as to face each other and increase capacitance, thereby changing the switch state. |
| US08084700B1 |
Programmable wall switch controller
A programmable switch lever control timer device that fits over a standard wall switch with the switch lever engaged by a cam on the device. Rotational motion of the cam provided by a geared DC motor moves the switch lever arm to one of its two end-of-travel positions of operation. Programming and control means are provided by a microprocessor and motor driver circuitry. The programming and control means provides power from a battery source to the geared DC motor in accordance with a user selectable 24-hour program. Proper and accurate alignment of the switch lever and cam during installation is provided by a key-holed alignment plate that is attached to a standard wall switch cover plate prior to installing the device housing. The housing of the device attaches to the alignment plate allowing the housing to properly fit over the switch lever. All of the operating parts including a self-contained battery power source are within the device housing that fits over the standard wall switch cover plate. |
| US08084699B2 |
Vehicle switch
A vehicle switch includes a switch unit formed of a wiring board and an operating unit placed over the wiring board, a housing accommodating the wiring board, and a supporting member elastically deformable and placed in the housing for supporting the wiring board. This structure prevents switch contacts and the wiring board from being damaged, even when a great load or shock is applied to the operating unit, so that the vehicle switch can be reliably operated. |
| US08084696B2 |
Printed circuit board and manufacturing method thereof
A printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a printed circuit board including a connecting layer configured to which is configured to electrically connect both sides of an insulator, and a pad part, electrically connect both sides of an insulator, and a pad part formed in one side of the insulator to be directly in contact with the connecting layer, includes: forming a seed layer part on one side of the insulator, a portion of the seed layer part being bulged, forming a via hole by processing the other side of the insulator, corresponding to the bulged portion of the seed layer part, forming the connecting layer inside the via hole, and forming a plating layer, corresponding to the pad part, on the seed layer part. A pattern having a finer pitch, maintaining a VOP structure, can be formed and a lower side of a substrate is not penetrated through when a via hole is processed. |
| US08084694B2 |
Electrical contact device
An electrical contact device comprising a first contact assemblage having multiple contact pads disposed in a row which are allocated to different connection types, and having a second contact assemblage having multiple contact pads disposed in a row in accordance with a predetermined sequence, which are allocated to different connection types and having bonding wire connections that electrically connect at least some of the contact pads of the first contact assemblage to contact pads of the second contact assemblage. To reduce the outlay in terms of adaptation to different predetermined connection type allocations, it is proposed that the number and sequence of the contact pads in the first contact assemblage that are allocated to the different connection types be configured so that for at least two differently predetermined sequences of the contact pads in the second contact assemblage that are allocated to the different connection types, each of the contact pads of the second contact assemblage is to be connected in crossover-free fashion, by way of the bonding wire connections, to a contact pad of the first contact assemblage allocated to the same connection type. |
| US08084690B2 |
Ground strap for motor vehicles
A ground cable system for motor vehicles includes a ground cable that is a foil conductor. The ground cable is located between a vehicle body having electrical ground reference potential and a vehicle attachment part which is electrically insulated from the body. |
| US08084688B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a sealing member. The first housing has a first sidewall, and the second housing has a second sidewall. The sealing member is positioned between the first housing and the second housing. The first sealing member is elastic, and defines a first assembly groove and a second assembly groove. The first sidewall is engaged in the first assembly groove and tightly attached to the sealing member. The second sidewall is engaged in the second assembly groove and tightly attached to the sealing member. |
| US08084681B2 |
Distortion pedal
A combination distortion pedal and amplifier includes a foot pedal controls the distortion and the amplification of audio signals. The level of distortion and amplification are determined by the position of the foot pedal with a low level of distortion and amplification when the foot pedal is in a released position and a high level of distortion and amplification when the foot pedal is depressed. Various intermediate distortion and amplification levels are provided when the foot pedal is in positions between fully released and fully depressed. |
| US08084671B2 |
Corn variety DE811ASR(BC5)
This invention relates to polynucleotide sequences encoding a gene that can confer resistance to the plant pathogen Colletotrichum, which causes anthracnose stalk rot, leaf blight and top dieback in corn and other cereals. It further relates to plants and seeds of plants carrying chimeric genes comprising said polynucleotide sequences, which enhance or confer resistance to the plant pathogen Colletotrichum, and processes of making said plants and seeds. The invention further presents sequences that can be used as molecular markers that in turn can be used to identify the region of interest in corn lines resulting from new crosses and to quickly and efficiently introgress the gene from corn lines carrying said gene into other corn lines that do not carry said gene, in order to make them resistant to Colletotrichum and resistant to stalk rot. |
| US08084669B2 |
Brilliant white cauliflower
The present invention includes cauliflowers with enhanced whiteness and methods for obtaining such cauliflowers. The present invention also provides reagents that can be used in methods for obtaining such cauliflowers. |
| US08084667B2 |
Method of modifying plant phenotypes with nonsymbiotic hemoglobin
The present invention provides a method of modifying a plant phenotype by transforming a plant to alter the level of expression of non-symbiotic plant hemoglobin in the plant, whereby the transformed plant exhibits, under normal oxygen conditions, a plant phenotype that is modified as compared to a non-transformed plant. Plants exhibiting modified phenotypes under normal oxygen conditions also are provided. Methods of modifying the response to a plant hormone in a plant also are provided. |
| US08084666B2 |
Chloroplast transit peptides for efficient targeting of DMO and uses thereof
The invention provides for identification and use of certain chloroplast transit peptides for efficient processing and localization of dicamba monooxygenase (DMO) enzyme in transgenic plants. Methods for producing dicamba tolerant plants, methods for controlling weed growth, and methods for producing food, feed, and other products are also provided, as well as seed that confers tolerance to dicamba when it is applied pre- or post-emergence. |
| US08084663B2 |
Wound dressing with absorption and suction capabilities
A wound dressing having a suction member adaptable for connection to a source of vacuum pressure. The wound dressing preferably has a hydrophobic or biodegradable base layer and one or more absorptive layers for absorbing fluid from the wound. The absorptive layers are preferably quilted with patches containing desiccant, adsorbent, or absorbent material. Alternatively, the wound dressing may allow fluid to pass through the suction member. A semi-permeable cover is provided for allowing the wound to breathe while protecting the wound from undesirable substances such as bacteria, viruses, or fluids. The cover may have a bladder for distributing contact pressure away from the wound. Various sensors may be provided in the wound dressing for sensing various physiological parameters in the wound, such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood glucose, and serous fluid turbidity. Medicine may also be applied to the wound through the wound dressing. |
| US08084657B2 |
Integrated process for the production of P-xylene
A process of making p-xylcne comprising processing a mixed feedstock containing benzene, toluene, C8 aromatic hydrocarbons, C9 and higher aromatic hydrocarbons, and non-aromatic hydrocarbons through a series of operations and various units, including a C9 and higher aromatic hydrocarbon dealkylation unit, a toluene selective disproportionate unit, an adsorption separation unit, an isomerization unit, and a crystallization separation unit. |
| US08084652B2 |
Converting CO2 to an alcohol
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to an alcohol. The method involves contacting a stream of flue gas comprising the CO2 from a combustion process with water mist to create a mixture of liquid carbonic acid (H2CO3) and wastewater. The method further involves extracting the liquid H2CO3 from the mixture and pressurizing the liquid H2CO3 to generate pressurized liquid H2CO3. The method further involves combining the pressurized liquid H2CO3 with a first liquid reagent in a first hydrolysis chamber creating the alcohol from combining the pressurized liquid H2CO3 with the first liquid reagent. |
| US08084648B2 |
Process for producing cyclohexylbenzene
In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, hydrogen and a liquid feed comprising benzene are introduced into a reaction zone and are contacted in the reaction zone under hydroalkylation conditions to produce cyclohexylbenzene. An effluent stream comprising cyclohexylbenzene and unreacted benzene is removed from the reaction zone and is divided into at least first and second portions, wherein the mass ratio of the effluent stream first portion to the effluent stream second portion is at least 2:1. The effluent stream first portion is then cooled and the cooled effluent stream first portion is recycled to the reaction zone. |
| US08084647B2 |
Two-photon probe for real-time monitoring of intracellular calcium ions, method for preparing the probe and method for real-time monitoring of intracellular calcium ions using the probe
A two-photon probe for real-time monitoring of intracellular calcium ions is provided. The two-photon probe is very suitable for real-time imaging of intracellular calcium ions, shows 20˜50-fold TPEF enhancement in response to Ca2+, has a dissociation constant (KdTP) of 0.14±0.02 to 0.25±0.03 μM, and emits 5-fold stronger TPEF than currently available one-photon fluorescent Ca2+ probes. Unlike the previously available probes, the two-photon probe can selectively detect dynamic levels of intracellular free Ca2+ in live cells and living tissues without interference from other metal ions and from the membrane-bound probes. Moreover, the two-photon probe is capable of monitoring the calcium waves at a depth of 100-300 μm in live tissues for 1,100-4,000 s using two-photon microscopy (TPM) with no artifacts of photo-bleaching. Further provided are a method for preparing the two-photon probe and a method for real-time monitoring of intracellular calcium ions using the two-photon probe. |
| US08084645B2 |
4-phenylamino-benzaldoxime derivatives and uses thereof as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors
A compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is indicated by formula (1) below: wherein, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Q, R8, and R9 have the same meanings as R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Q, R8, and R9 in the specification. |
| US08084644B2 |
Iminopropene compound and use thereof
The compound (I) or a salt thereof has an excellent controlling activity against pests. Then the compound (I) or a salt thereof is useful for an active ingredient of a pesticidal composition. |
| US08084642B2 |
Method of improving the crushing strength, impact resistance and compressibility of urea, and urea composition
A method of improving the crushing strength, impact resistance and the compressibility of urea granules by the addition of a compound to the molten urea, wherein the compound comprises both a polyvinyl compound and an organic molecule consisting of 1-10 carbon atoms and 1-10 polar organic groups. |
| US08084640B2 |
Method for the continuous production of unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides
Process for continuously preparing unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides of the general formula I R—C(O)—O—C(O)—R (I) in which R is an unsaturated organic radical having 2 to 12 carbon atoms by transanhydridization of an aliphatic carboxylic anhydride with a carboxylic acid of the general formula II R—COOH (II) in which R is as defined above in a rectification column having an upper, middle and lower region, characterized in that f) an inert boiling oil is initially charged in the bottom of the column, g) the reactants are fed into a reaction region in stoichiometric ratios, h) the carboxylic acid formed as the by-product is withdrawn at the top of the column, i) the unconverted reactants are recycled into the reaction region and j) the product of the formula I is obtained via a side draw, preferably between the middle and lower column region. |
| US08084637B2 |
Amide gellant compounds with aromatic end groups
A compound of the formula wherein R1 and R1′ are the same, and wherein R1 and R1′ are each aromatic groups; and wherein R2 and R2′ and R3 each, independently of the others, are alkylene groups, arylene groups, arylalkylene groups, or alkylarylene groups; or wherein, in embodiments, R1 and R1′ can be the same or different, and wherein R1 and R1′ each, independently of the other is an alkyl group having a least one ethylenic unsaturation, an arylalkyl group having at least one ethylenic unsaturation, an alkylaryl group having at least one ethylenic unsaturation, or an aromatic group, provided that at least one of R1 and R1′ is an aromatic group; and provided that neither of R1 or R1′ is a photoinitiator group. |
| US08084630B2 |
Process for the synthesis of ramelteon and its intermediates
The present invention provides processes and intermediates for the synthesis of ramelteon. |
| US08084625B2 |
Crosslinking agent, crosslinking method, method of controlling gene expression, and method of examining gene function
The present invention provides a crosslinking agent which have photodegradable protective groups at two ends to crosslink double-stranded nucleic acid, a nucleic acid and a protein or a polypeptide, or proteins or polypeptides, in particular, double-stranded RNA; a method for crosslinking a double-stranded RNA or the like using the same; a method for regulating gene expression, which can control the expression of a target gene at an arbitrary timing and location; and a method for examining a gene function.According to the present invention, crosslinking between double-stranded nucleic acids between a nucleic acid and a protein or a polypeptide, or between proteins or polypeptides, in particular, between double-stranded RNA can be easily formed, and in addition, the crosslinking can also be easily removed, so that the expression of a target gene can be easily controlled at an arbitrary timing and location with high efficiency. Hence, as a result, function examination and/or identification of a gene that is expressed at a specific timing and location can be performed. In addition, the RNAi effect of a double-stranded RNA (siRNA) that cannot be easily inhibited by a conventional caged compound can be inhibited, and the expression of a target gene can be easily controlled at an arbitrary timing and location. |
| US08084624B2 |
Condensed polycyclic aromatic compound and use thereof
The object of the present invention to provide an organic semiconductor device comprising an organic semiconductor material satisfying both the requirement of high electron field-effect mobility and high on/off current ratio. The present invention provides a novel condensed polycyclic aromatic compound satisfying both the high electron field-erffect mobility and high on/off current ratio required for organic semiconductor materials. |
| US08084623B2 |
Pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl ketone derivatives and uses thereof
Compounds of the formula: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein m, n, Ar, R1, R2, Ra and Rb are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of using, and methods of preparing the compounds. |
| US08084620B2 |
Carbazole carboxamide compounds useful as kinase inhibitors
Compounds having the formula (I), and enantiomers, and diastereomers, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, thereof, are useful as kinase modulators, including Btk modulation. |
| US08084616B2 |
TRPV1 antagonists
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, m, and n are defined in the specification are TRPV1 antagonists. Compositions comprising such compounds and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also disclosed. |
| US08084609B2 |
Spiropiperidine derivatives
The present invention is concerned with novel spiro-piperidine derivatives as V1a receptor antagonists, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders and other diseases. The compounds of present invention are described with formula (I) wherein R1 to R5, R5′, R7 to R9, R7′, R8′, X and Y are as defined in the specification. |
| US08084606B2 |
Process for preparation of substantially optically pure levorotatory and dextrorotatory enantiomers of cetirizine using novel intermediates
The present invention relates to a novel and commercially viable process for substantially optically pure levorotatory and dextrorotatory enantiomers of cetirizine intermediate, 1-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]piperazine, thereby producing substantially optically pure levorotatory and dextrorotatory enantiomers of cetirizine and their pharmaceutical acceptable acid addition salts thereof in high purity and in high yield using novel intermediates. |
| US08084604B2 |
Process for the preparation of dihydroquinazolines
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of dihydroquinazolines, for example {8-fluoro-2-[4-(3-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-3-[2-methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-4-yl}acetic acid, which are used as antiviral agents in the production of medicaments. |
| US08084603B2 |
Naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives and their use as semiconductors
The present invention relates to naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid derivates, to a process for their preparation and to their use, especially as an n-type semiconductor. |
| US08084602B2 |
Porphyrin derivatives and their use in photodynamic therapy
A compound of formula I: wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Z have meanings given in the description, and metallated forms of such compounds, which are useful in the treatment of medical conditions for which a photodynamic compound is indicated. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of treatment of a medical condition for which a photodynamic agent is indicated are also disclosed. Sterilizing solutions comprising a compound of the invention, and the use thereof, are also disclosed. |
| US08084599B2 |
Methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of gene expression by double-stranded RNA
The invention is directed to compositions and methods for selectively reducing the expression of a gene product from a desired target gene in a cell, as well as for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene. More particularly, the invention is directed to compositions that contain double stranded RNA (“dsRNA”), and methods for preparing them, that are capable of reducing the expression of target genes in eukaryotic cells. The dsRNA has a first oligonucleotide sequence that is between 25 and about 30 nucleotides in length and a second oligonucleotide sequence that anneals to the first sequence under biological conditions. In addition, a region of one of the sequences of the dsRNA having a sequence length of at least 19 nucleotides is sufficiently complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the RNA produced from the target gene to trigger the destruction of the target RNA by the RNAi machinery. |
| US08084597B2 |
Artificial entropic bristle domain sequences and their use in recombinant protein production
Compositions and methods for recombinant protein production and, more particularly, fusion polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding fusion polypeptides, expression vectors, kits, and related methods for recombinant protein production. |
| US08084596B2 |
Regulated apoptosis
We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells. |
| US08084593B2 |
Polynucleotide encoding a TRIM-Cyp polypeptide, compositions thereof, and methods of using same
The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a TRIM—cyclophilin A fusion sequence encoding a TRIMcyp fusion protein which is active as an anti-viral agent, and in particular an anti-HIV-1 agent. The invention provides for a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having both TRIM activity and cyclophilin activity. The invention provides for an isolated polynucleotide encoding a TRIM-cyclophilin fusion protein, or variants thereof retaining the TRIM and cyclophilin activities. The invention provides for compositions thereof, antibodies that specifically bind thereto, and vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid or polypeptide. In addition, the invention provides for methods for treating or preventing viral infection, or reducing viral load in a subject comprising administering the nucleic acid, polypeptide, vector, or composition to the subject in an amount effective to treat or prevent the viral infection. In some embodiments, the viral infection is HIV-1 infection, hepatitis C infection, pox virus infection, vaccinia virus infection, or HTLV infection. |
| US08084590B2 |
Labelled nucleotides
The invention provides a nucleotide or nucleoside having a base attached to a detectable label via a cleavable linker, characterised in that the cleavable linker contains a moiety selected from the group comprising: Formula (I) (wherein X is selected from the group comprising O, S, NH and NQ wherein Q is a C1-10 substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, Y is selected from the group comprising O, S, NH and N(allyl). T is hydrogen or a C1-10 substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group and * indicates where the moiety is connected to the remainder of the nucleotide or nucleoside). |
| US08084588B2 |
Fluorescence quenching azo dyes, their methods of preparation and use
Disclosed is a group of azo quencher compositions useful as fluorescence quenchers having the general structure of formula 1, methods of making or using the compositions, and kits comprising the composition. |
| US08084587B2 |
Method for the production of proteins
The present invention relates to a process for the purification of a protease. |
| US08084584B2 |
Methods for stabilizing proteins
The present inventors revealed that deamidation of an antibody can be suppressed without influencing its activity by substituting a glycine that is located adjacent to an asparagine with another amino acid. |
| US08084572B2 |
Segmented polymers and their conjugates
Segmented water soluble polymers, containing a higher molecular weight segment linked to a lower molecular weight segment, are described. In one embodiment, the polymer segments are poly(ethylene glycol) segments. The segmented polymers are functionalized and are useful for conjugation to various moieties such as pharmacologically active substances. Also described are conjugates of such polymers and methods of their preparation. |
| US08084563B2 |
Cyclic olefin addition copolymer, process for production thereof, and retardation film obtained from the copolymer
A cyclic olefin addition copolymer includes a structural unit (1) derived from a cyclic olefin compound with a C4 alkyl substituent group and a structural unit (2) derived from a cyclic olefin compound with a C5-12 alkyl substituent group, and optionally includes a structural unit (3) derived from another cyclic olefin compound. The novel cyclic olefin addition copolymers according to the present invention are excellent in melt-formability, transparency and heat resistance, have low water absorption properties, low dielectric constant and low metal content, and are suitably used in optical parts such as optical films. Processes according to the present invention produce the cyclic olefin addition copolymers at high yield with small amounts of catalysts. |
| US08084555B2 |
Spouted bed device, polyolefin production system with spouted bed device, and polyolefin production process
A spouted bed device according to the present invention includes a vertically extending cylinder; a decreasing diameter member which is formed on the cylinder, has an inside diameter that decreases progressively downward, and has a gas inlet orifice at a bottom end thereof; and a tubular portion which extends downward from an edge of the gas inlet orifice. A spouted bed is formed in a treatment zone enclosed by a top surface of the decreasing diameter member and an inner wall of the cylinder above the decreasing diameter member. |
| US08084553B2 |
Curable adhesive compositions, process, and applications
The invention provides an improvement to the useable lifetimes of phenolic-epoxy, phenolic-benzoxazine, phenolic-epoxy-benzoxazine mixtures and other phenolic mixtures through the use of protected phenolics, where a phenolic compound, polymer, or resin is released on demand by the addition of a deblocking agent. |
| US08084552B2 |
Method for producing silicone polyethers
Silicone polyethers are prepared in a two stage process by reacting an unsaturated polyether with a first Si—H functional organopolysiloxane and then with a second organopolysiloxane, in which the weight ratio of silicon bonded hydrogen in the first and second organopolysiloxanes is at least 0.9. The reaction is more rapid than a single step process and produces a product with less unreacted Si—H content. |
| US08084550B2 |
Low gloss thermoplastic composition
A composition comprising a) about 30 to 80 wt. % of a polycarbonate, b) about 5 to about 50 wt. % of a polyester, c) about 2 to about 25 wt. % of an impact modifier and d) a gloss reducing effective amount of a multifunctional additive comprising at least one epoxy group. |
| US08084549B2 |
Polyorganosiloxane composition for use in unsaturated elastomer, article made therefrom, and associated method
A composition is provided for use with an unsaturated elastomer. The composition may include a sulfur-functional linear polyorganosiloxane. The sulfur-functional linear polyorganosiloxane may include a chemically protected sulfur group. Under certain conditions, the sulfur group may react with the unsaturated elastomer. The invention includes embodiments that may relate to methods of making and using the sulfur-functional linear polyorganosiloxane in elastomer compositions. |
| US08084545B2 |
Photo- and/or thermo-curable copolymer, curable resin compositions, and cured articles
Disclosed is a photo- and/or thermo-curable copolymer having polymerizable unsaturated groups in side chains, which is obtainable by reacting a copolymer (P) with an epoxy-containing polymerizable unsaturated compound (C), the copolymer (P) containing monomer units derived from a carboxyl-containing polymerizable unsaturated compound (A) and monomer units derived from at least one epoxy-containing polymerizable unsaturated compound (B) represented by following Formula (1) or (2), in which the epoxy group of the epoxy-containing polymerizable unsaturated compound (C) has been added to part of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer (P). In the formulae, Ras each represent hydrogen or hydroxyl-substituted or -unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and Rbs each represent single bond or alkylene having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may contain heteroatom(s). The curable copolymer is highly stably synthesized and stored, has satisfactory curing properties, and permits both epoxy crosslinking and radical crosslinking. |
| US08084544B2 |
Process for production of water-absorbing resin
Process for preparing a water-absorbent resin comprising carrying out a reversed-phase suspension polymerization in multi-steps of two or more steps. The water-absorbent resin is prepared by subjecting a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer to the reversed phase suspension polymerization. This process for preparing a water-absorbent resin involves adding an aminocarboxylic acid compound to at least one step in the second and subsequent steps to carry out the polymerization reaction. The resulting water-absorbent resin can be suitably used in a hygienic material. The water-absorbent resin has a high degree of water-retention, including a high degree of water absorption under pressure. It also has a high water absorption rate, and contains only a small amount of water-soluble substances. |
| US08084539B2 |
Resin composition and molded article comprising the same
A resin composition is provided which comprises 10 to 88% by mass of a propylene-based polymer (A) composed of 30 to 70% by mass of a propylene-based polymer (a) having a melt flow rate of 0.1 to 17 g/10 minutes measured at a temperature of 230° C. and a load of 21.18N and 30 to 70% by mass of a propylene-based polymer (b) having a melt flow rate of 80 to 300 g/10 minutes measured at a temperature of 230° C. and a load of 21.18N; 10 to 88% by mass of a polylactic acid-based resin (B); 1 to 50% by mass of an ethylene-based polymer having an epoxy group (C); and 1 to 50% by mass of an elastomer (D). |
| US08084537B2 |
Polymer blends from interpolymers of ethylene/α-olefin with improved compatibility
Disclosed herein are polymer blends comprising at least one ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer and two different poly-olefins which can be homopolymers. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers are block copolymers comprising at least a hard block and at least a soft block. In some embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer can function as a compatibilizer between the two polyolefins which may not be otherwise compatible. Methods of making the polymer blends and molded articles made from the polymer blends are also described. |
| US08084534B2 |
Plasticised polyvinyl chloride
Esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids are used as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride to enable products with comparable mechanical properties to be obtained using less polyvinyl chloride. Use of these esters also produces formulations with increased stability to ultra-violet light, improved low temperature properties, lower viscosity and improved processability as well as reduced smoke on burning. The esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may be used alone or in admixture with other plasticisers when the esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acids may act as viscosity depressants. Fast fusing plasticisers may also be included. The formulations are particularly useful in the production of a range of goods from semi-rigid to highly flexible materials and are particularly useful in the production of medical materials such as blood bags and tubing. |
| US08084533B2 |
Particulate materials
The present invention provides the use of a particulate polymer material as a support for an active agent, characterized in that said polymer material is a polymer produced by copolymerizing an unsaturated heterocyclic monomer and squaric or croconic acid or a derivative thereof. |
| US08084531B2 |
Particles with protected isocyanate groups
Particles useful in curable coating systems are functionalized on their surface with a blocked isocyanate functionality. The blocked isocyanate is generated by reacting an organosilane having an oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom α to the silyl group, or having a cyclic structure containing N or O in the ring, attached directly to silicon. |
| US08084528B2 |
Heat-resistant paint
The present invention relates to heat-resistant paint which is capable of forming paint film that inhibits whitening even in high-temperature environments on the order of 350-650° C. The heat-resistant paint of the present invention contains silicone resin and/or epoxy resin as well as black pigment, wherein, said black pigment contains manganese and copper, the content of manganese in said black pigment is 25-45 mass % by MnO conversion, the content of copper in said black pigment is 5-25 mass % by CuO conversion, and the content of silicon in said black pigment is 3 mass % or less by SiO2 conversion. |
| US08084527B2 |
Hotmelt adhesive with good adhesion to polyolefins
The present invention relates to hotmelt adhesive compositions which comprise at least one thermoplastic polyolefin (P) which is solid at 25° C., and also at least one amide (A) of the formula (I) or (II).These hotmelt adhesive compositions are suitable more particularly for the adhesive bonding of polyolefin films. More particularly it is possible to form assemblies of a substrate (S) and polyolefins bonded with a hotmelt adhesive. |
| US08084513B2 |
Implant filling material and method
Compositions of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed that are generally in the form of an elastic, hydrophilic, water-insoluble viscous cohesive mass of material that has many important medical uses including uses as a filler for implants. The present invention also involves a process for producing such compositions. |
| US08084511B2 |
Flame retardants for use in styrenic foams
The invention is a flame retardant for styrene foams. The flame retardant contains both aromatic bromine and an olefin. The olefin is an internal olefin. Desirable flame retardants are selected from:formula I: wherein R1 is C1-C6 and optionally containing a heteroatom or olefin; R2 is C1-C6 and optionally containing a heteroatom or olefin; and R3-R12 is H, C1-C6 (optionally containing a heteroatom), or halogen; and further wherein the compound of formula I is present in a concentration of at least 50 percent of a trans isomer; formula II: wherein R1 is Halogen, C1-C6 and optionally containing a heteroatom or olefin; R2 is Halogen, C1-C6 and optionally containing a heteroatom or olefin; and R3-R7 is H, C1-C6 (optionally containing a heteroatom), or halogen; and formula III: wherein R1 is Halogen, C1-C6 and optionally containing a heteroatom or olefin; R2 is Halogen, H, C1-C6 and optionally containing a heteroatom or olefin; and R3-R6 is H, halogen. |
| US08084507B2 |
Cosmetic O/W emulsion comprising 1,2-hexanediol
A cosmetic oil-in-water emulsion which comprises 1,2-hexanediol and a method of preparing same. |
| US08084505B2 |
Substance-containing carbon nanohorn composite having polyamine plug and process for producing the same
The present invention provides: a carbon nanohorn composite including a carbon nanohorn, a substance encapsulated in the carbon nanohorn, and a polyamine adsorbed by chemical reaction firmly to a surface functional group present on the opening part on the surface of the carbon nanohorn, wherein the release amount and release rate of the encapsulated substance can be controlled using the difference in size, substituent or three-dimensional structure of the polyamine, which is used as a plug; a method of controlling the release of the encapsulated substance; and a process for producing the carbon nanohorn composite. The release amount and release rate of the substance encapsulated in the carbon nanohorn composite is controlled by selecting a polyamine molecule, which plugs the opening part formed in the carbon nanohorn by oxidation, by its size, substituent or three-dimensional structure. |
| US08084504B2 |
High-clarity aqueous concentrates of 4-hexylresorcinol
The present invention relates to hexylresorcinol/water concentrates that are high in clarity, easily handled, and readily blended with other ingredients to form skin care compositions. |
| US08084502B2 |
Use of agmatine for protection of retinal ganglion cells
A use method of agmatine or a pharmaceutically allowable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same are disclosed. The method and pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can effectively cure or prevent eye diseases preferably including glaucoma, retinopathy, and optic neuropathy associated with apoptosis in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), particularly hypoxia-induced or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced apoptosis. |
| US08084496B2 |
Resveratrol ferulate compounds and compositions
Resveratrol ferulate compounds and compositions. |
| US08084495B2 |
Composition of labdane diterpenes extracted from andrographis paniculata, useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and alzheimer disease by activation for PPR-gamma receptors
The diterpenic labdane 3-[2-[decahydro-6-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-5,ha-dimethyl-2-methylene-1-naphthalenyl]ethylidene]-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2(3h)-furanone, chemically diagrammed as inhibits the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activates the PPAR-gamma receptor and diminishes nuclear factor kappa B. The compound is useful to treat auto-immune diseases, for organ and tissue transplantation, and to treat immunodeficiency (e.g., AIDS). |
| US08084491B2 |
Treatments for wound healing
The subject invention provides methods of promoting wound healing comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising topiramate. Compositions may administered to a wound site via a salve, ointment, or as a component of a bandage or bioadhesive applied to the site of injury. |
| US08084487B2 |
Processes for the preparation of 4-oxo-octahydro-indole-1-carbocyclic acid methyl ester and derivatives thereof
The present invention relates to a process for the production of carbamic acid (2-chloroethyl)(3-oxocyclohexyl)-alkyl ester enantiomers and of 1-carbalkoxy-4-ketoperhydroindole enantiomers. |
| US08084484B2 |
Vanilloid receptor ligands, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, process for making them, and use thereof for treating pain and other conditions
Vanilloid receptor ligand compounds corresponding to formula I: pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, a process for producing such compounds, and methods of using such compounds for treating or inhibiting pain and various other disorders or conditions. |
| US08084480B2 |
Microbicidal composition based on formaldehyde donor compounds and antioxidants
A microbicidal composition and its method of use for preserving technical products such as fuels and lubricants. The composition is made up of at least one formaldehyde donor compound and at least one antioxidant. The antioxidant is either a gallic ester, a phenol derivative, a L-ascorbic acid, including salts and derivatives thereof, a tocopherol or one of its associated derivatives. |
| US08084479B2 |
Thiazole compounds and methods of use
The invention relates to methods of using thiazole compounds of Formula I and Formula II and compositions thereof for treating diseases mediated by protein kinase B (PKB) such as cancer and other proliferative disorders where the variables have the definitions provided herein. |
| US08084474B2 |
Insecticides
Compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim (1), and the agrochemically acceptable salts and all stereoisomers and tautomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) can be used as agrochemical active ingredients and can be prepared in a manner known per se. |
| US08084473B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds with affinity to muscarinic receptors
The present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate or hydrate thereof. |
| US08084469B2 |
Substituted piperidines
The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) to processes for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and tumor disorders. |
| US08084465B2 |
Derivatives of pryidone and use thereof
The present invention provides N-substituted-2(1H) pyridones or the pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof, and the pharmaceutical preparations containing the compounds. The compounds of the present invention can be used to treat various fibrotic diseases effectively, e.g., hepatic fibrosis. |
| US08084464B2 |
Tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives
This invention relates to novel tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering a dual OX-1/OX-2 orexin antagonist. |
| US08084461B2 |
Albuterol and ipratropium inhalation solution, system, kit and method for relieving symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
The present invention relates to a dual bronchodilator inhalation solution, system, kit and method for relieving bronchospasm in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In one alternative embodiment, the solution of the present invention is a prepackaged, sterile, premixed, premeasured single unit dose of albuterol and ipratropium bromide for patients suffering from COPD. The present solution may be free of antimicrobial preservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride. In another alternative embodiment, the solution of the present invention comprises about 2.50 mg albuterol and about 0.50 mg ipratropium bromide in a 0.5 ml volume. |
| US08084460B2 |
6,7-unsaturated-7-carbamoyl substituted morphinan derivative
A novel compound which is useful as an agent for treating and/or preventing emesis, vomiting and/or constipation.A compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl etc., R3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy etc., R4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, R5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl lower alkyl or lower alkenyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptably salt, or a solvate thereof is provided. |
| US08084454B2 |
Compounds with anti-cancer activity
Novel substituted azole diones are provided that kill cells, suppress cell proliferation, suppress cell growth, abrogate the cell cycle G2 checkpoint and/or cause adaptation to G2 cell cycle arrest. Methods of making and using the invention compounds are provided. The invention provides substituted azole diones to treat cell proliferation disorders. The invention includes the use of substituted azole diones to selectively kill or suppress cancer cells without additional anti-cancer treatment. The invention includes the use of cell cycle G2-checkpoint-abrogating substituted azole diones to selectively sensitize cancer cells to DNA damaging reagents, treatments and/or other types of anti-cancer reagents. |
| US08084451B2 |
Heteropyrrole analogs acting on cannabinoid receptors
Disclosed are biologically active hetero pyrrole analogs such as imidazoles, thiazoles, oxazoles and pyrazoles capable of interacting with the CB1 and/or the CB2 cannabinoid receptors. One aspect discloses hetero pyrrole analogs acting as antagonists for the CB1 and/or the CB2 receptors. Another aspect discloses hetero pyrrole analogs having selectivity for the CB1 or CB2 cannabinoid receptor. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical preparations employing the disclosed analogs and methods of administering therapeutically effective amounts of the disclosed analogs to provide a physiological effect. |
| US08084449B2 |
Dual pharmacophores—PDE4-muscarinic antagonistics
The present invention is directed to novel compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and their use as dual chromaphores having inhibitory activity against PDE4 and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), and thus being useful for treating respiratory diseases. |
| US08084441B2 |
Cystitis treatment with high dose chondroitin sulfate
Interstitial cystitis and related GAG-deficient conditions of the bladder and urinary tract are treated by instillation of high dose chondroitin sulfate, such as 400 mg/20 mL. The higher dose of chondroitin is effective for the rapid reduction of symptoms, particularly in patients with severe and otherwise recalcitrant cystitis. |
| US08084438B2 |
Compositions and methods of sphingosine kinase inhibitors in radiation therapy of various cancers
The present invention relates to Sphingosine kinase inhibitors that are useful for treating various cancers. The invention further relates to compositions and methods of SPK inhibitors, including siRNAs, which specifically block gene expression of SPK and potentiates the effect of radiation in the treatment of various cancers. |
| US08084437B2 |
Methods for treating hypercholesterolemia
Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing LDL-C in an individual having elevated LDL-C. Additionally disclosed are antisense compounds and methods for treating hypercholesterolemia, or alternatively for treating or preventing atherosclerosis. Further disclosed are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing coronary heart disease risk. Such methods include administering to an individual in need of treatment an antisense compound targeted to a PCSK9 nucleic acid. The antisense compounds administered include gapmer antisense oligonucleotides. |
| US08084433B2 |
Antisense antiviral compound and method for treating ssRNA viral infection
The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Flaviviridae, Picomoviridae, Caliciviridae, Togaviridae, Arteriviridae, Coronaviridae, Astroviridae and Hepeviridae families in the treatment of a viral infection. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged morpholino oligonucleotides having a sequence of 12-40 subunits, including at least 12 subunits having a targeting sequence that is complementary to a region associated with stem-loop secondary structure within the 5′-terminal end 40 bases of the positive-sense RNA strand of the virus. |
| US08084426B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition comprising FGF18 and IL-1 antagonist and method of use
FGF18 is known to stimulate the proliferation of chondrocytes, bone, and nervous tissue, resulting in repair of diseased tissue. When an IL-1 antagonist is administered in addition to FGF18, the effects on the IL-1 mediated disease and also, the effect on cartilage, bone, and nervous cell proliferation, are found to be greater than administration of FGF18 or the IL-1 antagonist alone. The present invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition that combines FGF18 with IL-1 antagonist and methods of treating IL-1 mediated disease using this pharmaceutical composition. |
| US08084415B2 |
Uteroglobin in the treatment of IGA mediated nephropathy
Uteroglobin has been discovered to prevent IgA mediated diseases, such as IgA nephropathy, by preventing the deposition of IgA-Fibronectin immunocomplexes in tissues such as the renal glomeruli. The invention therefore includes methods of treating such diseases by administering therapeutically effective amounts of uteroglobin (and variants or mimetics) to prevent or improve the IgA mediated condition. Transgenic uteroglobin knockout animals, and animals in which uteroglobin-protein expression is reduced by antisense technology, also provide systems for studying IgA mediated diseases, and screening for appropriate treatments. |
| US08084414B2 |
Methods involving long lasting synthetic exendin-4-peptide conjugates
Modified insulinotropic peptides are disclosed. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming a peptidase stabilized insulinotropic peptide. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components to form a conjugate. The conjugates may be formed in vivo or ex vivo. The modified peptides are administered to treat humans with diabetes and other related diseases. |
| US08084408B2 |
Striped liquid personal cleansing compositions containing a cleansing phase and a separate benefit phase comprising a high internal phase emulsion
Personal cleansing compositions that comprise (A) a cleansing phase containing a surfactant and water; and (B) a separate benefit phase comprising at least one high internal phase emulsion; wherein the cleansing and benefit phases are packaged together and are in physical contact. These compositions and corresponding methods provide improved cosmetics, skin feel, and/or skin benefit efficacy. |
| US08084405B2 |
Composition comprising perfluoropolyether
A composition is disclosed which comprises an aryl perfluoropolyether, optionally a halogenated oil, and further optionally a thickening agent. The composition can be used as a lubricant itself or as an additive to an oil or grease lubricant and can withstand temperatures higher than 300° C. without decomposition. The halogenated oil can be a perfluoropolyether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, or combinations of two or more thereof. The thickening agent can be finely divided silica, boron nitride, clay, soap, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), clay, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof. |
| US08084402B2 |
Method of using ionic liquids to inhibit or prevent the swelling of clay
An ionic liquid may be used to inhibit the swelling and/or disintegration of clay in a subterranean formation. A subterranean clay-containing formation may be treated with the ionic liquid by contacting the formation with a well treatment composition containing the ionic liquid dispersed or dissolved in a carrier fluid. Damage to the formation caused by contact with the well treating composition is reduced or substantially eliminated. |
| US08084400B2 |
Methods for discretized processing and process sequence integration of regions of a substrate
The present invention provides methods and systems for discretized, combinatorial processing of regions of a substrate such as for the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of new materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes used in integrated circuit fabrication. A substrate having an array of differentially processed regions thereon is processed by delivering materials to or modifying regions of the substrate. |
| US08084395B2 |
4-aza indole derivatives and their use as fungicides
The present invention relates to a method of preventing and/or controlling fungal infection in plants and/or plant propagation material comprising applying to the plant or plant propagation material a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a salt of N-oxide thereof. In addition, the present invention also relates to a compound of formula (I). |
| US08084394B2 |
Method for the control of harmful micro-organisms and insects in crop protection with means of dipole-electrical air-jet spray-technology, ozonated water and UV-C irradiation
The invention relates to a plant protection method using ozonized water and UV-C light, applying dipole electric air jet spray technology and wetting agents. |
| US08084389B2 |
Sulfur storage catalyst
A noble metal is supported on an upstream-side catalytic portion 20 at least, and an SOx storage material, such as Mg and K that lower the noble metal's activities, is supported on a downstream-side catalytic portion 21. The noble metal being supported on the upstream-side catalytic portion 20 oxidizes SO2 efficiently to turn it into SOx, because the lowering of oxidizing activities is suppressed. These SOx are retained by means of storage in the SOx storage material being loaded on the downstream-side catalytic portion 21. Therefore, the SOx storing performance improves, and it is good in terms of durability as well. |
| US08084382B2 |
Ceramic powder, ceramic layer and layer system with pyrochlore phase and oxides
There is described a Ceramic Powder, a Ceramic Layer and a Layer System with Pyrochlore Phase and Oxides. Besides a good thermal insulation property, thermal insulation layer systems must also have a long lifetime of the thermal insulation layer. A described layer system has a layer sequence of a metallic bonding layer, an inner ceramic layer and an outer ceramic layer, which are specially matched to one another. |
| US08084373B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device for enhancing the current drive capability
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device is provided which can uniformly form a good and thin silicon oxide film or the like at a relatively low temperature. In step 1, a semiconductor substrate is exposed to monosilane (SiH4). Then, in step 2, the remaining monosilane (SiH4) is emitted. In step 3, the semiconductor substrate is exposed to nitrous oxide plasma. A desired silicon oxide film is formed by repeating one cycle including steps 1 to 3 until a necessary thickness of the film is obtained. |
| US08084358B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
In a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, an insulating film is formed on a first conductive film. By using a mask film having an opening that exposes the insulating film, anisotropic etching is performed to form a recess is formed in an upper part of the insulating film exposed to the opening and to cause a reaction product to adhere to a lower part of a sidewall portion of the mask film. Isotropic etching is then performed to decrease the sidewall portion of the mask film in a horizontal direction, and anisotropic etching is performed to etch the insulating film exposed at a bottom of the recess in a vertical direction while removing the reaction product adhering to the lower part of the sidewall portion of the mask film. Anisotropic etching is then performed to etch the insulating film present around the recess in the vertical direction to form a stepped portion, and also to etch the insulating film exposed at the bottom of the recess to expose the first conductive film. A second conductive film is then formed on the first conductive film. |
| US08084356B2 |
Methods of low-K dielectric and metal process integration
An integrated process for forming metallization layers for electronic devices that use damascene structures that include low-k dielectric and metal. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the integrated process includes planarizing a gapfill metal in low-k dielectric structures, generating a protective layer on the low-k dielectric followed by cleaning the surface of the gapfill metal. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of protecting low-k dielectrics such as carbon doped silicon oxide. |
| US08084354B2 |
Method of fabricating a metal cap layer with enhanced etch resistivity for copper-based metal regions in semiconductor devices
During the fabrication of sophisticated metallization systems of semiconductor devices, material deterioration of conductive cap layers may be significantly reduced by providing a noble metal on exposed surface areas after the patterning of the corresponding via openings. Hence, well-established wet chemical etch chemistries may be used while not unduly contributing to process complexity. |
| US08084353B2 |
Methods for pitch reduction formation
Methods and apparatus for providing a memory array fabrication process that concurrently forms memory array elements and peripheral circuitry. The invention relates to a method for fabricating memory arrays using a process that concurrently forms memory array elements and peripheral circuitry and results in a reduction in pitch. |
| US08084347B2 |
Resist feature and removable spacer pitch doubling patterning method for pillar structures
A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming at least one layer over a substrate, forming at least two spaced apart features of imagable material over the at least one layer, forming sidewall spacers on the at least two features and filling a space between a first sidewall spacer on a first feature and a second sidewall spacer on a second feature with a filler feature. The method also includes selectively removing the sidewall spacers to leave the first feature, the filler feature and the second feature spaced apart from each other, and etching the at least one layer using the first feature, the filler feature and the second feature as a mask. |
| US08084342B2 |
Method of manufacturing a CMOS device with zero soft error rate
A CMOS device and method of manufacture is provided for producing an integrated circuit that is not susceptible to various soft errors such as single-event upsets, multi-bit upsets or single-event latchup. The CMOS device and method utilizes a new and novel well architecture in conjunction with metal source/drain electrodes to eliminate soft errors. In one embodiment, the CMOS device uses a first metal source/drain material for the NMOS device and a second metal source/drain material for the PMOS device. The CMOS device further uses a multi-layered well-structure with a shallow N-well and a buried P-well for the PMOS device and a shallow P-well and a buried N-well for the NMOS device. |
| US08084339B2 |
Remote plasma processing of interface surfaces
Embodiments related to the cleaning of interface surfaces in a semiconductor wafer fabrication process via remote plasma processing are disclosed herein. For example, in one disclosed embodiment, a semiconductor processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a load lock coupled to the processing chamber via a transfer port, a wafer pedestal disposed in the load lock and configured to support a wafer in the load lock, a remote plasma source configured to provide a remote plasma to the load lock, and an ion filter disposed between the remote plasma source and the wafer pedestal. |
| US08084335B2 |
Method of thinning a semiconductor wafer using a film frame
A method for manufacturing a thin semiconductor wafer. A semiconductor wafer is thinned from its backside followed by the formation of a cavity in a central region of the backside of the semiconductor wafer. Forming the cavity also forms a ring support structure in a peripheral region of the semiconductor wafer. An electrically conductive layer is formed in at least the cavity. The front side of the semiconductor wafer is mated with a tape that is attached to a film frame. The ring support structure of the semiconductor wafer is thinned to form the thinned semiconductor wafer. A backside tape is coupled to semiconductor wafer and to the film frame and the tape coupled to the front side of the semiconductor wafer is removed. The thinned semiconductor wafer is singulated. |
| US08084326B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and provides to reduce a contact resistance of a landing plug by forming the landing plug in such a manner that a polysilicon layer is deposited only on the surface of a landing plug contact hole, and a metal layer is buried in the rest of the landing plug contact hole in the process of forming a storage node contact or a bit line contact. |
| US08084315B2 |
Method of fabricating non-volatile semiconductor memory device by using plasma film-forming method and plasma nitridation
A technique capable of improving the memory retention characteristics of a non-volatile memory is provided. In particular, a technique of fabricating a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is provided capable of enhancing the film quality of a silicon oxide film even when a silicon oxide film as a first potential barrier film is formed with a plasma oxidation method to improve the memory retention characteristics of the non-volatile memory. After a silicon oxide film, which is a main component of a first potential barrier film, is formed with a plasma oxidation method, plasma nitridation at a high temperature and a heat treatment in an atmosphere containing nitric oxide are performed in combination, thereby forming a silicon oxynitride film on the surface of the silicon oxide film, and segregating nitrogen to an interface between the silicon oxide film and a semiconductor substrate. |
| US08084309B2 |
Extremely thin silicon on insulator (ETSOI) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) with in-situ doped source and drain regions formed by a single mask
A method of fabricating an electronic structure is provided that includes forming a first conductivity doped first semiconductor material on the SOI semiconductor layer of a substrate. The SOI semiconductor layer has a thickness of less than 10 nm. The first conductivity in-situ doped first semiconductor material is removed from a first portion of the SOI semiconductor layer, wherein a remaining portion of the first conductivity in-situ doped first semiconductor material is present on a second portion of SOI semiconductor layer. A second conductivity in-situ doped second semiconductor material is formed on the first portion of the SOI semiconductor layer, wherein a mask prohibits the second conductivity in-situ doped semiconductor material from being formed on the second portion of the SOI semiconductor layer. The dopants from the first and second conductivity in-situ doped semiconductor materials are diffused into the first semiconductor layer to form dopant regions. |
| US08084307B2 |
Method for manufacturing thin film transistor
A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor containing an channel layer 11 having indium oxide, including forming an indium oxide film as an channel layer and subjecting the formed indium oxide film to an annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere. |
| US08084305B2 |
Isolation spacer for thin SOI devices
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor mesa overlying a dielectric layer, a gate stack formed overlying the semiconductor mesa, and an isolation spacer formed surrounding the semiconductor mesa and filling any undercut region at edges of the semiconductor mesa. |
| US08084304B2 |
Method for preventing gate oxide damage of a trench MOSFET during wafer processing while adding an ESD protection module atop
A method for preventing gate oxide damage of a trench MOSFET during wafer processing while adding an ESD protection module atop the trench MOSFET includes fabricate numerous trench MOSFETs on a wafer; add a Si3N4 isolation layer, capable of preventing the LTO patterning process from damaging the gate oxide, atop the wafer; add numerous ESD protection modules atop the Si3N4 isolation layer. |
| US08084302B2 |
Semiconductor package having semiconductor die with internal vertical interconnect structure and method therefor
A semiconductor wafer is made by forming a first conductive layer over a sacrificial substrate, mounting a semiconductor die to the sacrificial substrate, depositing an insulating layer over the semiconductor die and first conductive layer, exposing the first conductive layer and contact pad on the semiconductor die, forming a second conductive layer over the insulating layer between the first conductive layer and contact pad, forming solder bumps on the second conductive layer, depositing an encapsulant over the semiconductor die, first conductive layer, and interconnect structure, and removing the sacrificial substrate after forming the encapsulant to expose the conductive layer and semiconductor die. A portion of the encapsulant is removed to expose a portion of the solder bumps. The solder bumps are sized so that each extends the same outside the encapsulant. The semiconductor die are stacked by electrically connecting the solder bumps. |
| US08084295B2 |
Thin film transistor having n-type and p-type CIS thin films and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a thin film transistor (TFT) which uses CIS (CuInSe2), including Se, which is a chalcogen-based material, and can provide a rectifying function, and electric and optical switching functions of a diode. The TFT according to the present invention includes, a substrate, a gate electrode formed on a portion of the substrate, an insulating layer covering the substrate and a gate electrode, a plurality of CIS (CuInSe2) films formed on the insulating layer so as to cover the region where the gate electrode is formed; and source/drain regions separated from each other so as to comprise a trench exposing a portion of a surface of the CIS films. |
| US08084292B2 |
Thermal management and method for large scale processing of CIS and/or CIGS based thin films overlying glass substrates
The thermal management and method for large scale processing of CIS and/or CIGS based thin film overlaying glass substrates. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for fabricating a copper indium diselenide semiconductor film. The method includes providing a plurality of substrates, each of the substrates having a copper and indium composite structure. The method also includes transferring the plurality of substrates into a furnace, each of the plurality of substrates provided in a vertical orientation with respect to a direction of gravity, the plurality of substrates being defined by a number N, where N is greater than 5. The method further includes introducing a gaseous species including a selenide species and a carrier gas into the furnace and transferring thermal energy into the furnace to increase a temperature from a first temperature to a second temperature, the second temperature ranging from about 350° C. to about 450° C. to at least initiate formation of a copper indium diselenide film from the copper and indium composite structure on each of the substrates. |
| US08084290B2 |
Method for fabricating CMOS image sensor
A method of forming a CMOS image sensor and a CMOS image sensor. A method of forming a CMOS image sensor may include forming a plurality of photodiodes on and/or over a semiconductor substrate at regular intervals, forming an interlayer insulating film on and/or over an entire surface of a semiconductor substrate including photodiodes, coating an organic compound on and/or over an entire surface of an interlayer insulating film, coating photoresist on and/or over an organic compound, subjecting a photoresist to exposure and/or development to form a photoresist pattern which may expose an interlayer insulating film opposite to a photodiode region, selectively etching a portion of an exposed interlayer insulating film using a photoresist pattern as a mask, and/or removing a photoresist pattern. |
| US08084289B2 |
Method of fabricating image sensor and reworking method thereof
A method of fabricating an image sensor device is provided. First, a substrate comprising a pixel array region and a pad region is provided. A patterned metal layer and a first planarization layer having an opening exposing the patterned metal layer in the pad region are sequentially formed on the substrate. A color filter array is formed on the first planarization layer in the pixel array region. A second planarization layer is formed to cover the color filter array and filled into the opening. A plurality of microlens is formed above the color filter array on the second planarization layer. A capping layer is conformally formed on the microlens and the second planarization layer. An etching step is performed to remove the capping layer and the second planarization layer in the opening so as to expose the patterned metal layer in the pad region. |
| US08084286B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, camera and method of producing the solid-state imaging device
Producing a solid-state imaging device by (1) forming a structure including (a) a substrate having a first impurity with a first concentration, (b) a first conductive type Si layer and (c) a first conductive type impurity layer stacked on one another in that order, the first conductive type Si layer being formed on the substrate, the first conductive type impurity layer being formed in a boundary region including a boundary of the substrate and the Si layer, and a part of the substrate facing the boundary and a part of the first conductive type Si layer facing the boundary having a second impurity; and (2) forming in the Si layer a second conductive type region capable of storing in the Si layer a charge generated by a photoelectric conversion; and forming an interconnection layer on the Si layer. |
| US08084279B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device that uses both a normal photomask and a phase shift mask for defining interconnect patterns
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes below steps. A step of preparing a phase shift mask and a normal photomask. A step of stacking a first wiring layer on a semiconductor substrate, and further stacking, on the first wiring layer, a second wiring layer. The second wiring layer includes a second wiring and third wiring. A step of stacking an interlayer insulating film on the second wiring layer. A step of forming, in the interlayer insulating film, a first opening in which the second wiring is exposed, and a second opening in which the third wiring is exposed by photolithography using the normal photomask. A step of burying a metal in the first opening and the second opening. A step of providing a pad to be overlaid on the first and second openings. |
| US08084277B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof improving moisture resistance of a FeRAM. After a probe test using a pad, a metal film is formed to cover the pad in an opening of a protective film and a region from the pad to an opening outer periphery of the protective film. On the metal film, a metal bump is formed. The metal film is formed to have a two-layer structure of the first and second metal films. Materials of the lower and upper layers are selected mainly in consideration of adhesion to the protective film and adhesion to the metal bump, respectively. Film formation conditions thereof are set to provide metal films with a desired quality and thickness. Thus, penetration of moisture from the pad or the periphery into a ferroelectric capacitor can be prevented and therefore, occurrence of potential inversion abnormalities due to penetrated moisture can be effectively suppressed. |
| US08084276B2 |
Method for identifying a subject at risk of developing heart failure by determining the level of galectin-3 or thrombospondin-2
Described herein are methods for identifying a subject at risk of progression of heart failure. In some embodiments, the level of galectin-3 in a biological sample from a human subject may be measured and compared to a standard level indicative of risk of progression of heart failure, wherein an elevated level of galectin-3 in the sample indicates a risk of progression of heart failure. |
| US08084273B2 |
Universal matrix
The application relates to a method of depositing a patterning species from a nanoscopic tip to a substrate surface. The method is carried out at a sufficiently high humidity to facilitate the deposition. The deposition of the patterning species is facilitated by a polysaccharide carrier as well as an additional additive. |
| US08084272B2 |
Amelioration of heterophile antibody immunosensor interference
The invention is directed to methods and devices for reducing interference from heterophile antibodies in an analyte immunoassay. In one embodiment, the invention is to a method comprising the steps of (a) amending a biological sample such as a whole blood sample with non-human IgM or fragments thereof by dissolving into said sample a dry reagent to yield a non-human IgM concentration of at least about 20 μg/mL or equivalent fragment concentration; and (b) performing an electrochemical immunoassay on the amended sample to determine the concentration of said analyte in said sample. Preferably, the sample is amended with IgG or fragments thereof in addition to the IgM of fragments thereof. |
| US08084268B2 |
Method of evaluating the potential of the skin for scavenging free radicals
A substrate is filled with a reagent that presents a stable free radical character, and that is capable of producing a visible reaction in the presence of at least one free radical scavenger analyte of the skin. |
| US08084262B2 |
Biomarker for farnesyl pathway
The invention generally provides methods to determine the extent to which a compound interferes with steroid metabolism, comprising a novel biomarker of a felinine derivative. The invention also provides such novel felinine derivative biomarker. |
| US08084261B2 |
Method for predicting responsiveness to a pharmaceutical therapy for obesity
Methods for using TRL V6 as a biomarker for the modulation of triglyceride and/or lipoprotein metabolism in a mammal induced by a weight loss pharmaceutical agent. The biomarker may be used for determining if an individual patient will likely respond favorably to a given weight loss pharmaceutical agent. |
| US08084258B2 |
Manipulation of tissue of organ type using the notch pathway
The present invention is directed to methods for altering the fate of a cell, tissue or organ type by altering Notch pathway function in the cell. The invention is further directed to methods for altering the fate of a cell, tissue or organ type by simultaneously changing the activation state of the Notch pathway and one or more cell fate control gene pathways. The invention can be utilized for cells of any differentiation state. The resulting cells may be expanded and used in cell replacement therapy to repopulate lost cell populations and help in the regeneration of diseased and/or injured tissues. The resulting cell populations can also be made recombinant and used for gene therapy or as tissue/organ models for research. The invention is directed to methods for of treating macular degeneration comprising altering Notch pathway function in retinal pigment epithelium cells or retinal neuroepithelium or both tissues. The present invention is also directed to kits utilizing the methods of the invention to generate cells, tissues or organs of altered fates. The invention also provides methods for screening for agonists or antagonists of Notch or cell fate control gene pathway functions. |
| US08084256B2 |
Ex-vivo priming for generating cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for non-tumor antigens to treat autoimmune and allergic disease
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for antigenic peptides derived from IgE molecule can be generated in vitro by stimulating resting naive CD8 T cells with IgE peptides presented by artificial antigen presenting cells. The IgE specific CTLs lyse the target cells loaded with IgE peptides in vitro and inhibit antigen specific IgE response in vivo. In addition, adoptive transfer of the IgE specific CTL to an asthmatic mouse model can inhibit the development of lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. IgE specific CTL provides a treatment for allergic asthma and other IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Antigenic peptides identified from non-tumor self-antigens induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vitro. The CTL induced by peptides identified from CD40L can kill activated CD4 T cells. In vitro generated CTL specific for CD40L inhibit CD4-dependent antibody responses of all isotypes in vivo. In contrast, CTL induced by antigenic peptides derived from IgE specifically inhibit IgE responses, and adoptive transfer of CD40L-specific CTL to NOD mice at early age delay the development of diabetes in NOD mice. In vitro generated CTL specific for non-tumor self-antigens expressed on activated CD4 T cells regulate immune responses in vivo. |
| US08084254B2 |
Human blood brain barrier model
The present invention relates to an immortalized human brain endothelial cell line that is useful as an in vitro model of the blood brain barrier. |
| US08084251B2 |
Recombinant cell clones having increased stability and methods of making and using the same
Disclosed are a stable recombinant cell clones which are stable in serum- and protein-free medium for at least 40 generations, a biomass obtained by multiplying the stable cell clone under serum- and protein-free culturing conditions, and a method of preparing recombinant proteins by means of the biomass. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of recovering stable recombinant cell clones. |
| US08084249B2 |
Vector
A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence of interest (“NOI”) encoding a product of interest (“POI”) is described. The NOI and/or the POI is capable of recognizing a tumor, such that in use the vector is capable of delivering the NOI and/or the POI to the tumor. |
| US08084245B2 |
Apparatus and method for polymer synthesis using arrays
A polymer synthesis apparatus (20) for building a polymer chain including a head assembly (21) having an array of nozzles (22) with each nozzle coupled to a reservoir (23) of liquid reagent (24), and a base assembly (25) having an array of reaction wells (26). A transport mechanism (27) aligns the reaction wells (26) and selected nozzles (22) for deposition of the liquid reagent (24) into selected reaction wells (26). A sliding seal (30) is positioned between the head assembly (21) and the base assembly (25) to form a common chamber (31) enclosing both the reaction well (26) and the nozzles (22) therein. A gas inlet (70) into the common chamber (31), upstream from the nozzles (22), and a gas outlet (71) out of the common chamber (31), downstream from the nozzles (22), sweeps the common chamber (31) of toxic fumes emitted by the reagents. Each reaction well (26) includes an orifice (74) extending into the well (26) which is of a size and dimension to form a capillary liquid seal to retain the reagent solution (76) in the well (26) for polymer chain growth therein. A pressure regulating device (82) is provided for controlling a pressure differential, between a first gas pressure exerted on the reaction well (26) and a second gas pressure exerted on an exit (80) of the orifice, such that upon the pressure differential exceeding a predetermined amount, the reagent solution (76) is expelled from the well (26) through the orifice (74). A method of synthesis of a polymer chain in a synthesis apparatus (20) is also included. |
| US08084234B2 |
Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a fusion protein capable of binding VEGF
Modified chimeric polypeptides with improved pharmacokinetics are disclosed. Specifically, modified chimeric Flt1 receptor polypeptides that have been modified in such a way as to improve their pharmacokinetic profile are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the modified polypeptides including but not limited to using the modified polypeptides to decrease or inhibit plasma leakage and/or vascular permeability in a mammal. |
| US08084228B2 |
Nogo-B receptor antagonists
Nogo-B receptors bind to Nogo-B and mediate its biological function. We have discovered that Nogo-B receptor is a component of endothelial cells, and is highly expressed in intact blood vessels. The present invention provides compositions comprising the Nogo-B receptor and fragments and fusion proteins thereof. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the Nogo-B receptor and fragments and fusion proteins thereof, as well as vectors and cells comprising such nucleic acids. The present invention also relates to antibodies specific for the Nogo-B receptor and fragments and fusion proteins thereof. The present invention also provides methods for preventing, detecting and treating Nogo-B receptor-related diseases, disorders and conditions. |
| US08084221B2 |
Method of screening for a drug candidate that increases ATP release from RBCs stimulated via the Gs or Gi pathway
The invention is based upon the discovery that red blood cells contain phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B), and that inhibition of that phosphodiesterase allows for an enhanced accumulation of cAMP and subsequent release of ATP. It was further discovered that RBCs treated with insulin accumulate significantly less cAMP and release significantly less ATP than normal RBCs. Likewise, RBCs of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes (hyperinsulinemia) accumulate significantly less cAMP and release significantly less ATP than normal RBCs. It was further discovered that prostaglandin analogues synergistically work with phosphodiesterase 3B inhibitors to improve or increase cAMP accumulation and ATP release by RBCs. Thus the invention is directed to compositions and methods for improving ATP release by RBCs, via administering PDE3B inhibitor or a combination of PDE3B inhibitor and prostaglandin analogue. |
| US08084216B2 |
Screening methods for transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI)
The invention relates to the discovery that HNA-3a and HNA-3b are antigens within a polypeptide sequence that is highly similar to the CTL2 amino acid sequence. This invention provides methods and kits for screening for HNA-3a and HNA-3b specific antibodies, HNA-3a and HNA-3b polypeptides and HNA-3a and HNA-3b nucleic acids in a sample of a biological tissue intended for transplantation. |
| US08084214B2 |
Treatment solution, method for pretreatment, method for acquiring information and method for detection
The present invention intends to provide a high sensitivity method for identifying the type of a protein contained in each cell with a diameter of ten to several tens μm and a sample treatment solution required for it. The above is achieved by three steps of (1) treating a slice of a diseased tissue with an aqueous solution containing gold particles and a digestive enzyme, and digesting restrictively a protein of interest, (2) measuring a 2-dimensional distribution of fragmented peptides by TOF-SIMS, and (3) visualizing a 2-dimensional distribution of the target protein in the slice of the diseased tissue using the results of the proteome analysis and by means of a numerical analysis. |
| US08084213B2 |
Selection
The present invention to a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more Arc DNA binding domains, one or more Arc DNA binding sites and at least one polypeptide domain. |
| US08084210B2 |
Methods for the assessment of drug response
The present invention provides methods for predicting or determining a subject's response to an antiplatelet agent, and methods for determining a subject's suitability to a treatment regime or intervention for a disease associated with platelet aggregation, using analysis of genetic polymorphisms. The present invention also relates to the use of genetic polymorphisms in assessing a subject's response to an antiplatelet agent. Nucleotide probes and primers, kits, and microarrays suitable for such assessment are also provided. |
| US08084209B2 |
HMGCR isoforms in prediction of efficacy and identification of cholesterol-modulating compounds
The present invention provides methods for assessing a subject's responsiveness to a HMGCR inhibitor therapy, and selection of a HMGCR inhibitor therapy based upon such methods. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that modulate HMGCR activity, e.g., through modulating HMGCR mRNA splicing, while avoiding elevation of the statin-resistant isoform of HMGCR. |
| US08084206B2 |
High speed, high fidelity, high sensitivity nucleic acid detection
The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for nucleic acid detection. |
| US08084203B2 |
Methods for the determination of telomere length in a semi-automatic manner of every single cell in a immobilized cell population
The invention relates to methods and reagents for the determination of telomere length in tissue sections by the single cell telomeric mapping technique based on a fluorescent in situ hybridization step using a telomere-specific probe and an interpolation step using a standard curve correlating fluorescent intensity and telomere length obtained from a collection of cell lines of known telomere length. The invention further relates to methods for the identification of stem cell niches within tissues and for the identification of compounds capable of triggering stem cell mobilization using the telomere length as criteria for the identification of stem cells and which rely on the single cell telomeric mapping technique of the invention. |
| US08084202B2 |
Optical detection for electronic microarrays
Embodiments of the invention provide methods for detecting molecular recognition events electronically and optically. Methods according to embodiments of the invention provide a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes to a first probe nucleic acid molecule attached to an electronic detector wherein the second nucleic acid molecule comprises two regions. The two regions of the second nucleic acid molecule consist of a region that is complementary to the probe nucleic acid and a distal region that is not complementary to the first probe nucleic acid molecule. The hybridization reaction is detected electronically. A third nucleic acid molecule having an attached optically detectable label is hybridized to the distal region of the second nucleic acid molecule and the label is detected optically. Methods according to embodiments of the invention are useful, for example, to validate and quantify electronic detection methods. |
| US08084200B2 |
Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor
The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same. |
| US08084199B2 |
Method of diagnosing poor survival prognosis colon cancer using microRNA-21
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancers. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis. |
| US08084198B2 |
Use of a GIP promoter polymorphism
The use of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position −(97) of the GIP gene for the identification of a cardiovascular disease or of an increased risk for developing a cardiovascular disease in a biological sample taken from an individual to be examined. |
| US08084194B2 |
Substrate edge treatment for coater/developer
A method of substrate edge treatment includes forming a processing target film on a treatment target substrate, applying an energy line to a predetermined position on the processing target film to form a latent image on the processing target film, heating the treatment target substrate in which the latent image is formed on the processing target film, developing the processing target film after the heating, inspecting whether a residue is present at an edge of the treatment target substrate after the developing, and cleaning an end of the treatment target substrate to remove the residue at the edge of the treatment target substrate determined to be defective in the inspecting. |
| US08084193B2 |
Self-segregating multilayer imaging stack with built-in antireflective properties
A coating process comprises forming a patterned material layer on a substrate using a self-segregating polymeric composition comprising a polymeric photoresistive material and an antireflective coating material. The polymeric photoresistive material and the antireflective coating material that make up the self segregating composition are contained in a single solution. When depositing this solution on a substrate and removing the solvent, the two materials self-segregate into two layers. The substrate can comprise one of a ceramic, dielectric, metal, or semiconductor material and in some instances a material such as a BARC material that is not from the self segregating composition. The composition may also contain a radiation-sensitive acid generator and a base quencher. This produces a coated substrate having a uniaxial bilayer coating oriented in a direction orthogonal to the substrate with a top photoresistive coating layer and a bottom antireflective coating layer. The process may also include optionally coating a top coat material on the coated substrate. Pattern-wise exposing the coated substrate to imaging radiation and contacting the coated substrate with a developer, produces the patterned material layer wherein the optional top coat material and a portion of the photoresist layer are simultaneously removed from the coated substrate, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer on the substrate. Alternatively, the optional top coat material, a portion of the photoresist layer and a portion of the bottom antireflective layers are simultaneously removed from the coated substrate by the developer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer on the substrate. |
| US08084187B2 |
Resist composition and pattern forming method using the same
Provided is a resist composition including a compound having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less and containing at least one sulfonamide group (—SO2NH—). |
| US08084186B2 |
Hardmask process for forming a reverse tone image using polysilazane
The present invention relates to a process for forming an reverse tone image on a device comprising; a) forming an optional absorbing organic underlayer on a substrate; b) forming a coating of a photoresist over the underlayer; c) forming a photoresist pattern; d) forming a polysilazane coating over the photoresist pattern from a polysilazane coating composition, where the polysilazane coating is thicker than the photoresist pattern, and further where the polysilazane coating composition comprises a silicon/nitrogen polymer and an organic coating solvent; e) etching the polysilazane coating to remove the polysilazane coating at least up to a level of the top of the photoresist such that the photoresist pattern is revealed; and, f) dry etching to remove the photoresist and the underlayer which is beneath the photoresist, thereby forming an opening beneath where the photoresist pattern was present.The invention further relates to a product of the above process and to a microelectronic device made from using the above process. |
| US08084178B2 |
Non-magnetic toner
A non magnetic toner comprises toner particles each containing at least a binder resin, a colorant and a wax component. The toner further comprises an inorganic fine powder. A storage elastic modulus at 110° C. (G′110) of the non magnetic toner is in a range of 2.00×104 to 2.00×105 dN/m2. A storage elastic modulus at 150° C. (G′150) of the non magnetic toner is in a range of 3.00×103 to 2.00×104 dN/m2. The toner particles are obtained by dispersing a polymerizable monomer composition containing polymerizable monomers, the colorant, the wax component and a low-molecular weight polymer into an aqueous medium, granulating the dispersed polymerizable monomer composition, and polymerizing the polymerizable monomers in granulated particles. The low-molecular weight polymer has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in a range of 2000 to 5000. |
| US08084171B2 |
Undercoat composition
A binder containing a substituted fluorone can be utilized in an electrophotographic imaging member undercoat layer. |
| US08084166B2 |
Enhanced fuel delivery for direct methanol fuel cells
An arrangement for a direct methanol fuel cell includes a fuel cartridge that supplies a source of fuel to the direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cartridge has a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel cartridge. The arrangement also includes a fuel reservoir that receives fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel reservoir arranged to deliver fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel reservoir also including a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel reservoir. The combination of the surface area enhanced planar vaporization membranes residing in the fuel cartridge and reservoir provides a dual stage vaporization of fuel to the fuel cell. Other features included are passive or active arrangements to increase the temperature of the fuel or reduce pressure in the fuel container to enhance rate of vaporization. |
| US08084163B2 |
Fuel cell
A fuel cell comprising: a membrane electrolyte assembly having a polymer electrolyte membrane and a pair of catalyst electrodes, namely an air electrode and a fuel electrode sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane; a pair of separators, namely an air electrode separator and a fuel electrode separator sandwiching the membrane electrolyte assembly; two or more oxidizing gas channels running in a certain direction for the purpose of supplying an oxidizing gas to the air electrode; and two or more linear fuel gas channels arranged parallel to the certain direction for the purpose of supplying a fuel gas to the fuel electrode. Large gaps and small gaps are provided alternately between adjacent two oxidizing gas channels along the certain direction, and the fuel gas channels do not overlap portions of the oxidizing gas channels, that are parallel to the fuel gas channels. |
| US08084161B2 |
Combined accumulator and demineralizer functionality for a fuel cell
A fuel cell power plant assembly includes an accumulator having a housing. In one example, at least one demineralizer portion is positioned to interact with fluid within the accumulator housing. This allows for warm fluid within the accumulator housing to provide heat to the demineralizer portion. In one example, the demineralizer portion is within the housing. Another example includes a separator supported within the housing of the accumulator. A disclosed example includes a conical shaped baffle as the separator. The separator separates liquid from gas and facilitates distributing fluid flow within the accumulator housing to provide increased heat exchange with the demineralizer portion within the housing. |
| US08084160B2 |
Method for purifying lithium sulfide
A method of purifying lithium sulfide wherein lithium sulfide obtained by reacting lithium hydroxide with hydrogen sulfide in an aprotic organic solvent is washed with an organic solvent at a temperature of 100° C. or higher. Impurities contained in lithium sulfide can be reduced by the method of purification. |
| US08084157B2 |
Battery and portable electronic device employing same
A portable electronic device (100) includes a main body (10), two connecters (20), and a battery (30). The main body includes a battery receiving portion (13) defined therein. The two connecters are mounted to the main body, and are diagonally disposed across the battery receiving portion. The battery is detachably received in the battery receiving portion, and includes a main portion (31), two contact portions (33), and a pair of position poles (35). The main portion has two opposite sidewalls and two opposite side surfaces. The two contact portions are respectively diagonally formed on the sidewalls of the main portion, and can be respectively electrically connect with a corresponding connecter. The pair of position poles respectively extend outwardly from a corresponding side surface. The battery is rotatable around the position poles, relative to the main body. |
| US08084142B2 |
Methods of forming conductive contacts to source/drain regions and methods of forming local interconnects
The invention comprises methods of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor, and methods of forming local interconnects. In one implementation, a method of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor includes providing gate dielectric material intermediate a transistor gate and a channel region of a field effect transistor. At least some of the gate dielectric material extends to be received over at least one source/drain region of the field effect transistor. The gate dielectric material received over the one source/drain region is exposed to conditions effective to change it from being electrically insulative to being electrically conductive and in conductive contact with the one source/drain region. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated. |
| US08084135B2 |
Composition having improved adherence with an addition-curable material and composite article incorporating the composition
A composition and composite article have improved adherence with an addition-curable material. The composition and therefore the composite article, which includes at least one substrate formed from the composition, include a resin and an additive that is incorporated into the resin. The resin is organic and polymeric and free of ethylenically unsaturated and silicon hydride functional groups. The additive is selected from the group of a fluorine-substituted organopolysiloxane, an amino-functional organopolysiloxane, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt, and combinations thereof. Further, the additive includes a hydrosilylation reactive group present at a surface of the substrate for reaction with the addition-curable material. This improves adherence of the substrate with the addition-curable material. The substrate and the addition-curable material bond together to make the composition article. |
| US08084134B2 |
Transparent thermoplastic compositions having high flow and ductiliy, and articles prepared therefrom
Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising a combination of: a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer and a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate copolymer comprising soft block ester units of the formula (8a): wherein m is 4 to 18, wherein the thermoplastic composition has a melt volume rate of 14 cc/10 min to 22 cc/10 min at 300° C. and under a load of 1.2 Kg and a dwell time of 6 minutes, according to ASTM D1238-04, wherein an article molded from the thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 3.2 mm has a percent transmittance of greater than 85% according to ASTM D1003-00, and wherein 100% of a set of five test articles each having a thickness of 3.2 mm and molded from the thermoplastic composition exhibit ductile fracture at −40° C. when measured for notched Izod Impact according to ASTM D256-04. An article comprising the thermoplastic composition is also disclosed. |
| US08084133B2 |
Tintable film-forming compositions having high refractive indices and coated optical articles using same
Provided are curable film-forming compositions are provided including: (a) a binder of an alkoxysilane; (b) a metal oxide compound containing titanium, zirconium, cerium, niobium, tantalum, and/or tin; and (c) a polyglycidyl ether. Also provided are optical articles including a substrate and the curable film-forming composition superposed on a surface thereof. |
| US08084131B2 |
Transparent hybrid sheet
There is provided a transparent hybrid sheet having superior transparency and thermal resistance and having smaller linear expansion coefficient and optical anisotropy and higher degree of flatness. In a transparent hybrid sheet obtained by curing a hybrid composition including an epoxy resin composition containing alicyclic epoxy compound and a curing agent and curing a glass filler together, the alicyclic epoxy compound contains, as a principal component thereof, a diepoxybicyclohexyl compound represented by Formula (1) below, with amounts of isomers of the diepoxybicyclohexyl compound being 20% or less, of a sum of the diepoxybicyclohexyl compound and the isomers, in terms of a ratio of its peak area determined by a gas chromatography. |
| US08084128B2 |
Rare-earth magnet and manufacturing method thereof and magnet motor
The object of the present invention is to provide a rare earth magnet which enables to achieve a good balance between high coercive force and high residual magnetic flux density, and its manufacturing method. The present invention provides a rare earth magnet in which a layered grain boundary phase is formed on a surface or a portion of a grain boundary of Nd2Fe14B which is a main phase of an R—Fe—B (R is a rare-earth element) based magnet, and wherein the grain boundary phase contains a fluoride compound, and wherein a thickness of the fluoride compound is 10 μm or less, or a thickness of the fluoride compound is from 0.1 μm to 10 μm, and wherein the coverage of the fluoride compound over a main phase particle is 50% or more on average. Moreover, after layering fluoride compound powder, which is formed in plate-like shape, in the grain boundary phase, the rare earth magnet is manufactured by quenching the layered compound after melting it at a vacuum atmosphere at a predetermined temperature, or by heating and pressing the main phase and the fluoride compound to make the fluoride compound into a layered fluoride compound along the grain boundary phase. |
| US08084125B2 |
Non-curling polyhydroxyalkanoate sutures
Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with improved handling properties have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available and have a decreased tendency to curl, in the preferred embodiment, due to the inclusion of relaxation and annealing steps following extrusion and orientation of the fiber. Filaments prepared according to these methods are characterized by the following physical properties: (i) elongation to break from about 17% to about 85% (ii) Young's modulus of less than 350,000 psi, (iii) knot to straight ratio (knot strength/tensile strength) of 55-80% or (iv) load at break from 1100 to 4200 grams. |
| US08084124B2 |
Adhesive articles with improved air egress
This invention relates to an adhesive article which provides air egress. Air egress is provided by supplying a route, such as areas of no initial adhesion for the air to flow out from under the construction. The invention relates to an adhesive article comprising a facestock having a front surface and a back surface, a continuous layer of adhesive having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the upper surface of the adhesive layer is adhered to the back surface of the facestock, and a plurality of spaced-apart non-adhesive material which is in contact with the lower surface of the adhesive layer. These articles have usefulness as industrial graphics images, as well as decorative coverings, etc. The articles provide air egress and optionally repositionability and slideability. |
| US08084119B2 |
Mobile phone shell and method of manufacturing the same
An outer shell of a mobile phone, the outer shell comprises a substrate, a semi-transparent coating formed on the substrate, and an opaque layer partially formed on the opposite side from the semi-transparent coating, wherein the substrate includes at least two sub-areas, a first sub-area overlaps a second sub-area to form a first overlapping area showing a mixture of colors between a first color and a second color. |
| US08084114B2 |
Reinforced rampdown for composite structural member and method for same
A composite member with a reinforced rampdown or taper has a composite noodle bonded to an end of a core to fill the taper. |
| US08084113B2 |
Multi-layered phase-change optical recording medium
A multi-layered phase-change optical recording medium having a first substrate and a second substrate, and a plurality of information layers, wherein each of thermal diffusion layers of information layers other than an information layer disposed at the innermost side as viewed from the first substrate side has In oxide, Zn oxide, Sn oxide and Si oxide, and when the contents of thereof are represented by “a”, “b”, “c” and “d” [mol %] respectively, the following requirements are satisfied, and when the refractive index of the first and second substrates was represented by “n”, the laser light wavelength is represented by “λ” and the depth of the groove guide of the first and second substrates is represented by H, the H satisfied the following requirement, 3≦a≦50 0≦d≦30 a+b+c+d=100 λ/17n≦H≦λ/11.5n. |
| US08084112B2 |
Glycoluril resin and acrylic resin members
An intermediate transfer member, such as a belt, where the seam or seams thereof on the member contain a coating mixture of a glycoluril resin and a self crosslinking acrylic resin. |
| US08084108B2 |
Core having enhanced ID stiffness and method for manufacturing the same
A core having enhanced ID stiffness is provided. The core includes inner, intermediate, and outer wall zones. The intermediate zone is spring-like in that it minimizes deformation of the inner zone from a radial deflection of the outer zone by absorbing at least some of the deformation. Similarly, the intermediate zone minimizes deformation of the outer zone from a radial deflection of the inner zone by absorbing at least some of the deformation. The intermediate zone includes at least first and second intermediate layers and one or more intermediate support layers. The first and second layers include a number of plies and gaps that are offset from each other, i.e. the plies of the first layer are radially aligned with the gaps of the second layer. The intermediate support layers are between the first and second layers and extend radially across the gaps of the first and second layers. |
| US08084107B2 |
Ink-jet media with multiple porous media coating layers
The present invention is drawn to a print medium and a method of preparing the same. The print medium can include a media substrate, a porous ink-absorbing layer coated on the media substrate, and a porous ink-receiving layer coated on the porous ink-absorbing layer. The porous ink-absorbing layer can include semi-metal oxide or metal oxide particulates and a first binder, and the porous ink-receiving layer can include organosilane-functionalized semi-metal oxide or metal oxide particulates and a second binder. |
| US08084106B2 |
Inkjet recording medium and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided an inkjet recording medium having on a substrate an ink-receiving layer containing inorganic fine particles and a sulfur compound, with the sulfur compound being contained in a greater quantity in half of the ink-receiving layer at a side nearer to the substrate than in half of the ink-receiving layer at a side further from the substrate when the ink-receiving layer is divided into two equal parts by a plane parallel to the substrate, and a manufacturing method thereof. |
| US08084104B2 |
Atomic composition controlled ruthenium alloy film formed by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition
A metal film composed of multiple atomic layers continuously formed by atomic layer deposition of Ru and Ta or Ti includes at least a top section and a bottom section, wherein an atomic composition of Ru, Ta or Ti, and N varies in a thickness direction of the metal film. The atomic composition of Ru, Ta or Ti, and N in the top section is represented as Ru(x1)Ta/Ti(y1)N(z1) wherein an atomic ratio of Ru(x1)/(Ta/Ti(y1)) is no less than 15, and z1 is 0.05 or less. The atomic composition of Ru, Ta or Ti, and N in the bottom section is represented as Ru(x2)Ta/Ti(y2)N(z2) wherein an atomic ratio of Ru(x2)/(Ta/Ti(y2)) is more than zero but less than 15, and z2 is 0.10 or greater. |
| US08084099B2 |
Process and device for coating fibers with a metal by a liquid method
A process of coating fibers with a metal by a liquid method is disclosed. In this process, a fiber is drawn through a bath of molten liquid metal so as to coated with the latter, the liquid metal bath being maintained in a crucible of the “levitation” type, which at least partly eliminates contact between the liquid metal and the crucible. The bath is fed with metal, during the process, by a metal powder. Accordingly, the molten metal bath is fed in a simple and effective manner. |
| US08084097B2 |
Silicone resin film, method of preparing same, and nanomaterial-filled silicone composition
A method of preparing a silicone resin film comprising coating a release liner with a nanomaterial-filled silicone composition comprising (i) a free radical-curable silicone composition comprising a silicone resin and (ii) a carbon nanomaterial, and curing the silicone resin of the coated release liner; a silicone resin film prepared according to the preceding method; and a nanomaterial-filled silicone composition. |
| US08084082B2 |
Optical member, optical system using the optical member, and method of manufacturing an optical member
Provided is an optical member capable of keeping a high performance antireflection effect over a long period of time with respect to an arbitrary substrate. The optical member has plural layers on a substrate, and includes at least one metal oxide layer having a void, and at least one layer containing an organic resin as a main component formed between the substrate and the metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer is a plate crystal layer formed of a plate crystal containing aluminum oxide as a main component and a surface of the plate crystal layer has an uneven profile. The organic resin has an aromatic ring and/or a hetero ring in at least a part thereof. |
| US08084080B2 |
Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing is performed by providing a first and a second electrodes to be relatively parallelly movable, disposing an object to be processed on the second electrode so as to face the first electrode and providing a blocking member to both end portions of the second electrode, so that a plasma processing space is blocked by the blocking member when the first and second electrodes are moved relatively with each other. A voltage is applied to both the first and the second electrodes and a process gas is introduced into the plasma processing space formed between the first and second electrodes, and the plasma is irradiated to the object. The blocking member is provided so as to extend from the second electrode to the first electrode, and an upper surface of the blocking member is raised higher than a surface level of the object to be processed. |
| US08084077B2 |
One-step phosphorylcholine-linked polymer coating and drug loading of stent
A one step method for drug coating an interventional device is disclosed by mixing a drug with a phosphorylcholine-linked methacrylate polymer in a liquid and applying the mixture to an interventional device, such as a stent, in a single step. |
| US08084075B1 |
Process for preparing a melon extract and concentrate and product produced by the process
The process of producing a melon extract by the following steps: providing at least one whole melon comprising flesh; steaming the outside surface of the whole melon to thereby soften the outside surface of the melon and remove microbials from the outside surface of the melon; reducing the size of the whole melon to form melon pieces; and introducing the melon pieces into the first finisher and utilizing the finisher to remove the melon flesh from the melon pieces such that at least from about 1/16 inch of flesh remains on the melon pieces and form melon extract from the flesh that is removed from the melon pieces. |
| US08084070B2 |
Isomalt in cereal products
The present invention relates to cereal products comprising cereals and a mixture of 1,6-GPS and 1,1-GPM, methods for the production thereof and the use of a mixture comprising 1,6-GPS and 1,1-GPM for producing cereal products. |
| US08084068B2 |
Process for the production of compositions containing ribonucleotides and their use as flavouring agents
The present invention describes a process to produce a composition containing 5′-ribonucleotides wherein a microorganism is subjected to autolysis under conditions at which a substantial part of the RNA remains in a form degradable into 5′-ribonucleotides and at which a substantial part of the RNA remains associated with the cell wall fraction. Said cell wall fraction is recovered by a solid/liquid separation method and the RNA associated with said wall fraction is converted into 5′-ribonucleotides. The present invention also describes compositions containing 5′-ribonucleotides and their use in food or feed. |
| US08084063B2 |
Magnolia extract containing compositions
Disclosed is a method of increasing firmness or elasticity or reducing the appearance of sagginess in the periorbital area of a person's skin, comprising topically applying to the skin in need thereof a composition comprising magnolia extract and citrus grandis extract. |
| US08084058B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulation containing a biguanide and a thiazolidinedione derivative
A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a controlled release component comprising an antihyperglycemic drug in combination with a second component comprising a thiazolidinedione derivative and a disintegrating agent is herein disclosed and described. The dosage formulation exhibits a significant increase in bioavailability of the thiazolidinedione derivative component compared to conventional immediate release dosage forms containing only a thiazolidinedione derivative. |
| US08084057B2 |
Compositions and methods for wound healing
The present invention is related to the field of wound healing or tissue regeneration due to disease (i.e., for example, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritic diseases, or diabetes). In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising molecules with linked α-gal epitopes for induction of recruitment of macrophages localized within or surrounding damaged tissue. The recruited macrophages and stem cells promote the repair and regeneration of the treated injured tissue. In some embodiments, the present invention provides treatments for tissue repair in normal subjects and in subjects having impaired healing capabilities, such as diabetic and aged subjects. In some embodiments, the present invention provides treatments for injured tissues such as brain, peripheral nerve, muscle, cartilage, bone, gastrointestinal tract and dysfunctional endocrine tissues. |
| US08084050B2 |
Compositions comprising combinations of sensates
Compositions comprising a first sensate, a second sensate, and a cationic polymeric compound are described, as well as methods for using such compositions in oral care and personal care applications. |
| US08084049B2 |
Complexes of fatty acid esters of polyhydroxyalkanes and pyridine carboxy derivatives
The present invention relates to novel combinations of fatty acid derivatives and pyridine carboxy derivatives, including fatty acid esters with glycerol and 3-carboxy pyridine derivatives such as niacinamide. Such combinations have surprisingly shown antiviral and anti-microbial activity and the use for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and infections is disclosed herein. |
| US08084046B2 |
Inhibition of exoprotein production in absorbent articles using isoprenoids
Absorbent articles, such as catamenial tampons, are disclosed. The absorbent articles include an effective amount of an isoprenoid inhibitory compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria. The isoprenoid inhibitory compounds of the present invention include terpenes and terpenoids which substantially reduce the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria. |
| US08084043B2 |
Subunit vaccine of Pasteurella multocida in veterinary uses
The present invention declaims the use of Pasteurella lipoprotein E (PlpE) as a subunit vaccine and the use of vaccines containing PlpE to protect animals from diseases caused by P. multocida. The results of vaccination and challenge experiments showed that mice and chickens immunized with PlpE were completely protected animals from challenge infection with 101-103 LD50 of P. multocida and no adverse effect was observed. |
| US08084042B2 |
Compounds and methods for immunotherapy and diagnosis of tuberculosis
Compounds and methods for inducing protective immunity against tuberculosis are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one immunogenic portion of one or more M. tuberculosis proteins and DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides. Such compounds may be formulated into vaccines and/or pharmaceutical compositions for immunization against M. tuberculosis infection, or may be used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. |
| US08084040B2 |
Use of bacterium for manufacture of a vaccine
The present invention relates to the use of live attenuated bacteria for the manufacture of a vaccine for submucosal administration. |
| US08084035B2 |
CD38 modulated chemotaxis
The present invention relates to methods for modulating the migratory activity of cells expressing CD38 for the treatment of disorders including, but not limited to, inflammation, ischemia, asthma, autoimmune disease, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, infection with pathogenic organisms, such as parasites, and transplant rejection. Such cells include, for example, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, macrophages and dentritic cells. The invention further relates to drug screening assays designed to identify compounds that modulate the ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity of CD38 and the use of such. compounds in the treatment of disorders involving CD38 modulated cell migration. Additionally, the invention relates to the isolation and characterization of a CD38 homologue from the parasitic flatworm, Schistosoma mansoni. |
| US08084032B2 |
Purification method which prevents denaturation of an antibody
The present invention provides a method of purifying an antibody by protein A affinity chromatography. More specifically, the present invention provides a technique relating to an elution buffer solution which provides a good antibody recovery rate without denaturation. |
| US08084027B2 |
Combinations comprising a CDK inhibitor and a growth factor antibody or anti-mitotic
The present invention provides a combination comprising a compound A of formula (I) as set forth in the specification or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an antibody inhibiting a growth factor or its receptor and/or an antimitotic agent or a derivative or prodrug thereof, useful in the treatment of tumors. The chemical name of compound A is 8-[4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenylamino]-1,4,4-trimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-h]quinazoline-3-carboxylic acid methylamide. |
| US08084025B2 |
Method for the treatment of the symptoms of drug and alcohol addiction
A therapeutic agent for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and the method for preparing the therapeutic agent is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the gastrointestinal tract to determine the presence of symptoms of addiction, and the likelihood of relapsing into addiction is disclosed. |
| US08084023B2 |
Maintenance and propagation of mesenchymal stem cells
Various embodiments of the present invention include compositions, materials and methods for maintaining and propagating mammalian mesenchymal stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cells and applications of the same. |
| US08084022B2 |
Stabilizing alkylglycoside compositions and methods thereof
The present invention relates to alkylglycoside-containing compositions and methods for increasing the stability, reducing the aggregation and immunogenicity, increasing the biological activity, and reducing or preventing fibrillar formation of a peptide, polypeptide, or variant thereof, for example interferons, such as interferon-alpha, interferon-beta, interferon-gamma, and variants thereof. |
| US08084020B2 |
Use of anti-CD1 antibodies for the modulation of immune responses
The invention provides methods for the administration of an anti-CD 1 antibody for the treatment or prevention of a variety of disorders, such as autoimmune disease, viral infection, bacterial infection, parasitic infection, infection by a eukaryotic pathogen, allergy, asthma, inflammatory condition, graft versus host disease, graft rejection, immunodeficiency disease, spontaneous abortion, pregnancy, and cancer. |
| US08084018B2 |
Methods for imaging dopamine transporter level
Presented is a method for assessing dopamine transporter levels in a selected area of a subject's central nervous system by SPECT imaging comprising administering an injection of a labeled dopamine transporter ligand at approximately the time the subject is positioned for SPECT imaging and initiating a SPECT acquisition for a duration of about 30 minutes commencing at about 15 minutes after administration of labeled dopamine transporter ligand; and assessing, based on said SPECT acquisition, the amount of labeled dopamine transporter ligand that is bound to dopamine transporter. |
| US08084017B2 |
Contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and methods related thereto
In certain aspects the present invention provides methods and compositions related to contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. In certain variations, contrast agents provided herein are generated in situ via genetic instructions and become potent upon sequestering available metal atoms. Exemplary contrast agents include metal-binding proteins. |
| US08084015B2 |
Stabilized synthetic immunogen delivery system
The present invention provides an immunostimulatory complex specifically adapted to act as adjuvant and as a peptide immunogen stabilizer. The immunostimulatory complex comprises a CpG oligonucleotide and a biologically active peptide immunogen. The immunostimulatory complex is particulate and can efficiently present peptide immunogens to the cells of the immune system to produce an immune response. The immunostimulatory complex may be formulated as a suspension for parenteral administration. The immunostimulatory complex may also be formulated in the form of w/o-emulsions, as a suspension in combination with a mineral salt suspension or with an in-situ gelling polymer for the efficient delivery of an immunogen to the cells of the immune system of a subject following parenteral administration, to produce an immune response which may also be a protective immune response. |
| US08084013B2 |
Method and apparatus for degasification of claus-derived sulfur
A method and apparatus for degasification of Claus-derived sulfur by the use of gas-liquid eductor using the liquid sulfur as the ejector motive force and ambient sweep air as the active degassing agent combined with a static mixer and packed bed for promoting the intimate contact of the air and the sulfur. |
| US08084008B2 |
Production of saturated ammonia storage materials
A process for saturating a material capable of binding ammonia by ad- or absorption and initially free of ammonia or partially saturated with ammonia comprises treating said material under a pressure and associated temperature located on the vapor pressure curve of ammonia with an amount of liquid ammonia sufficient to saturate said material and an additional amount of a cooling agent selected from liquid ammonia, liquid or solid CO2, hydrocarbons and hydrohalocarbons that have a higher vapor pressure than ammonia, ethyl ether, methyl formate, methyl amine and ethyl amine, such that |Qabs|≦|Qevap|+Qext, wherein Qabs is the amount of heat released from said material when it absorbs ammonia from the liquid phase thereof to the point where it is saturated with ammonia, Qevap is the amount of heat absorbed by said cooling agent when it evaporates, and Qext is the amount of heat exchanged with the surroundings and is positive, if heat is removed from the process by external cooling, and negative, if heat is added to the process from the surroundings. |
| US08084007B2 |
Methods of synthesis of isotropically enriched borohydride and methods of synthesis of isotropically enriched boranes
The invention provides new methods for the synthesis of isotopically enriched metal borohydrides, metal tetrahydroundecaborate salts, and decaborane from isotopically enriched 10B-boric acid or 11B-boric acid. The invention is particularly useful for synthesis of isotopically enriched sodium or lithium borohydride, MB11H14 (where M is Li, Na, K, or alkylammonium), and decaborane. |
| US08084006B2 |
Method and device for entrained-flow sulfation of flue gas constituents
A method for entrained-flow sulfation of sulfatable flue gas constituents of an oxygen-containing flue gas in an incineration plant having at least one combustion chamber and a waste gas burnout zone includes passing the oxygen-containing flue gas through the waste gas burnout zone. The oxygen-containing flue gas is tempered by lowering a temperature of the oxygen-containing flue gas. The oxygen-containing flue gas is passed through a sufation zone so that the oxygen-containing flue gas has a temperature interval of between 700 and 900° C. during a time period of between 2 and 20 s so as to convert sulfatable flue gas constituents present in the oxygen-containing flue gas to solid sulfate-containing ash particles so as to reduce a halide concentration in ash deposits thereof. |
| US08084005B2 |
Multi-well sample plate cover penetration system
An apparatus for penetrating a cover over a multi-well sample plate containing at least one individual sample well includes a cutting head, a cutter extending from the cutting head, and a robot. The cutting head is connected to the robot wherein the robot moves the cutting head and cutter so that the cutter penetrates the cover over the multi-well sample plate providing access to the individual sample well. When the cutting head is moved downward the foil is pierced by the cutter that splits, opens, and folds the foil inward toward the well. The well is then open for sample aspiration but has been protected from cross contamination. |
| US08084001B2 |
Photoluminescent silica-based sensors and methods of use
Sensor particles comprise a silica-based core and at least one photoluminescent dye. The silica-based core may comprise a plurality of pores and the at least one photoluminescent dye may comprise a reference dye, insensitive to its environment and analytes and a sensor dye, sensitive to either or both of the foregoing. The sensor particles may be employed to sense unknown environmental conditions or analytes in biological or non-biological systems, in vitro or in vivo. |
| US08083999B2 |
Sterilizing apparatus
There is provided a sterilizing apparatus which is capable of sterilizing articles, such as test tubes, flasks, beakers, scalpels, forceps and so on, with high efficiency in a short time. The sterilizing apparatus includes a sterilizing gas generator 42 that supplies sterilizing gas into a chamber 4. The sterilizing gas generator 42 atomizes a sterilizer solution (oxygenated water) by means of an ultrasonic vibrator 46. The sterilizing apparatus further includes an ultraviolet generator (ultraviolet lamp 50) that irradiates gas in the chamber 4 with an ultraviolet ray. The sterilizing apparatus further includes a door 14 for blocking an opening 2A of the chamber 4 in a free-opening/closing manner and a locking device 52 for prohibiting the door 14 from being opened. The sterilizing apparatus further includes a controller 60 for controlling the locking device 52 to prevent the door 14 from being opened from start of the sterilization process to end of the decomposition process. |
| US08083992B2 |
Lancet integrated test element tape dispenser
A lancet integrated test element tape includes a plurality of lancet integrated test elements. The lancet integrated test elements each include a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test element configured to analyze body fluid from the incision in the tissue. A cartridge includes a supply compartment configured to store an unused section of the tape. The tape is folded within the supply compartment to limit damage to the lancet integrated test elements. The cartridge can further include a waste compartment in which a used section of the tape is stored. An indexing mechanism moves the tape between the supply and waste compartments. |
| US08083989B2 |
Method for producing three-dimensional shaped article
A method for producing a three-dimensional shaped article, including molding by irradiation of an optical beam to powder and by a rotating tool, providing a hollow part in a base pedestal supporting a shaped object, filling the hollow part with powder, forming a powder layer in the upper part of the hollow part and a surrounding region thereof, after a sintering region supporting the shaped object from the underside is formed in a region containing the powder layer, molding three or more supports of the base pedestal and two or more support frames connecting the shaped object, then the molded product and the base pedestal are then reversed in a vertical direction, thereby cutting and removing the sintering region, and molding the bottom part to achieve the object based on the fact that the supporting frames and the shaped object are cut and separated. |
| US08083987B2 |
Buoyant plugs for liquid metal control
A method of initiating a pour of a liquid alloy comprises the steps of filling an interior of a crucible with a displacement plunger and the liquid alloy until a metal head of the liquid alloy exceeds a critical height. The crucible has a bottom pour opening with a plug inserted therein. The plug is configured to be buoyant within the liquid alloy when the liquid alloy is below the critical height. Pour is initiated by at least partially withdrawing the displacement plunger until the metal head drops below the critical height. |
| US08083986B2 |
Fabrication of advanced thermoelectric materials by hierarchical nanovoid generation
A novel method to prepare an advanced thermoelectric material has hierarchical structures embedded with nanometer-sized voids which are key to enhancement of the thermoelectric performance. Solution-based thin film deposition technique enables preparation of stable film of thermoelectric material and void generator (voigen). A subsequent thermal process creates hierarchical nanovoid structure inside the thermoelectric material. Potential application areas of this advanced thermoelectric material with nanovoid structure are commercial applications (electronics cooling), medical and scientific applications (biological analysis device, medical imaging systems), telecommunications, and defense and military applications (night vision equipments). |
| US08083984B2 |
Apparatus and method for close tolerance forming of areas in fiber reinforced resin composite components
An apparatus and method for forming a fiber reinforced resin composite component by a resin transfer infusion (RTI) process in which a preform is laid up on a hard base tool and a bagging blanket is applied as a flexible upper tooling. Edge and/or other regions of the preform are superimposed by localized control plates which, together with spacer pins passing through the preform, serve to determine localized dimensional accuracy in the component without the need for hard upper tooling throughout. |
| US08083983B2 |
Method of solution preparation of polyolefin class polymers for electrospinning processing included
A process to make a polyolefin fiber which has the following steps: mixing at least one polyolefin into a solution at room temperature or a slightly elevated temperature to form a polymer solution and electrospinning at room temperature said polymer solution to form a fiber. |
| US08083971B2 |
Use of rylene derivatives as active components in solar cells and photodetectors
The invention relates to compounds of general formula (I) and to the use thereof as active materials in solar cells and photodetectors. The variables in formula (I) are defined in the specification. Formula (I) also has the following example. |
| US08083970B2 |
Electroconductive carbon fibril-based inks and coatings
The present invention relates to electroconductive inks and methods of making and using the same. The electroconductive inks include carbon fibrils and a liquid vehicle. The electroconductive ink may further include a polymeric binder. The electroconductive filler used is carbon fibrils which may be oxidized. The ink has rheological properties similar to that of commercially available electroconductive inks that use carbon black as their filler. The ink can be screen-printed, slot-coated, sprayed, brushed or dipped onto a wide variety of substrates to form an electroconductive coating. |
| US08083966B2 |
Cleaning disinfection and indicator agent
A cleaning, disinfection, and indicator agent comprising a water-soluble permanganate, particularly for mixture with an agent for ensuring an alkaline milieu having a pH value of at least 11, which, in addition to the water-soluble permanganate, contains a further oxidizing agent, whose oxidation potential is above that of manganese VII to manganese VI, pH buffer substances, preferably primary and/or secondary alkali carbonates such as sodium carbonate and/or sodium hydrogen carbonate, as well as oxidation-resistant polyphosphates. Furthermore, methods for cleaning, disinfecting, and monitoring the cleanliness of commercial and industrial plants or plant components and the use of an agent according to the present invention as an indicator solution for ascertaining the cleanliness of commercial and industrial plants or plant components by ascertaining the intensity of the light emitted in the violet wavelength range by the solution are described. |
| US08083963B2 |
Removal of process residues on the backside of a substrate
A substrate is processed in a process chamber comprising a substrate support having a receiving surface for receiving a substrate so that a front surface of the substrate is exposed within the chamber. An energized process gas is used to process the front surface of the substrate. A peripheral edge of the backside surface of the substrate is cleaned by raising the substrate above the receiving surface of the substrate support to a raised position, and exposing the backside surface of the substrate to an energized cleaning gas. |
| US08083960B2 |
Etching endpoint determination method
A microscopic change in a luminous intensity occurring near an etching endpoint is accurately detected, whereby the endpoint of etching is quickly determined. An etching endpoint determination method for determining an endpoint of etching processing in a plasma etching apparatus that introduces a processing gas into a vacuum chamber, produces plasma by feeding high-frequency energy to a introduced processing gas, and uses the produced plasma to perform plasma processing on a workpiece stored in the chamber includes: a step of sampling light of a pre-set wavelength from light emitted by the plasma produced in the vacuum chamber, acquiring as time-sequential data the luminous intensity of the sampled light of the specific wavelength, and computing a regression line on the basis of the acquired time-sequential data; and a step of computing distances in a time-base direction between the regression line and the time-sequential data which are obtained at the first step. An endpoint of etching processing is determined based in the distances in the time-base direction obtained at the second step. |
| US08083957B2 |
Decorative material, method for producing decorative material, and molded article
Disclosed is a decorative material in which a metal layer (e.g., a radio-wave-transmitting metal layer) on a non-metallic-lustrous part can be removed readily and sufficiently even when the metal layer is formed partially by a process involving an etching treatment, and can decorate a molded article with a desired pattern readily and satisfactorily. Also disclosed is a method for producing the decorative material. Further disclosed is a molded article produced by using the decorative material. Specifically disclosed is a decorative material (1) which mainly comprises: a support (2) having a first main surface (S1) and a second main surface (S2) both of which are opposed to each other; a metal oxide layer (12) which is arranged on the first main surface of the support (2) and comprises aluminum oxide; a radio-wave-transmitting metal layer (14) which is arranged on the metal oxide layer (12) and contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of Sn and In as a constituent component; a mask layer (16) which is arranged on the radio-wave-transmitting metal layer (14) and comprises a synthetic resin; and an adhesive layer (20) which is arranged on the mask layer (16) and comprises a synthetic resin. In the decorative material (1), the mask layer (16), the radio-wave-transmitting metal layer (14) and the metal oxide layer (12) are so laminated that all of these layers have almost the same pattern when observed in an almost normal direction of the main surface of the support (2). |
| US08083951B2 |
Method for purifying quench water and scrubbing water from MTO by mini-hydrocyclone and apparatus used for same
The invention provides a method for purifying MTO quench water and scrubbing water via mini-hydrocyclone separation, comprising: removing the entrapped catalyst particles from the MTO quench water via mini-hydrocyclone separation; cooling the quench water purified by mini-hydrocyclone separation so as to effect the recycling of water; removing the entrapped catalyst particles from the MTO quench water to be stripped via mini-hydrocyclone separation, so as to reduce the deposition of the catalyst particles within the stripping tower; removing the entrapped catalyst particles from the MTO scrubbing water via mini-hydrocyclone separation; and cooling the scrubbing water purified via mini-hydrocyclone separation so as to effect the recycling of water. The invention also provides an apparatus for purifying MTO quench water and scrubbing water via mini-hydrocyclone separation. |
| US08083950B2 |
Methods for recovering organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxides from hydrolysable metal compounds associated with contaminated water treatment
The present invention relates to a method for recovering an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide from a hydrolysable metal compound, accompanied with contaminated water treatment. The present invention comprises steps of: a) adding a hydrolysable metal compound as a coagulant to a contaminated water to form a separable floc between the hydrolysable metal compound and contaminants present in contaminated water; b) separating the separable floc and the pre-treated water after flocculation treatment; and c) calcinating the separated floc over 500° C. to produce an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide. More preferably, the present invention further comprises subjecting the pre-treated water of the step b) to a microwave treatment to cause a photocatalytic degradation of an organic contaminant that remains in the pre-treated water, with the assistance of the remaining hydrolysable metal compound. A novel titanium compound is found as an alternative coagulant instead of iron and aluminum salts which most widely use in water treatment. Ability, capacity and efficiency of flocculation as the proposed titanium coagulant are similar to those of FeCl3 and alum coagulants in terms of removing organic matter. Titania produced by calcination of the separated floc after TiCl4 flocculation is mainly doped with C and P atoms. |
| US08083944B2 |
Removing ammonia from waste water during cold weather months
Described herein is a Submerged Attached Growth Reactor (SAGR) which provides nitrification (ammonia removal) from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. The system described herein is novel in that the SAGR reactor includes more than one influent distribution point. Specifically, in addition to the first influent distribution point at the front end of the reactor, there is provided at least one additional distribution point(s) downstream of this first distribution point for introduction of influent into the reactor. As a result of this arrangement, when a second low carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), high nitrogen influent is distributed into the reactor at a location downstream of the initial influent entry point, a second (or more) population of bacteria (mainly nitrifying bacteria) is established and/or maintained in a physically discrete part of the overall treatment reactor. This second (or more) population at a discrete location within the reactor is useful in the removal of ammonia from high CBOD influent when the reactor is exposed to low temperatures. |
| US08083943B2 |
Filtration device
A filtration device is provided having a large number of filters, each comprising a filter element and a casing. The device includes filter strings constructed so that a plurality of filters are connected in a row by header tubes, at least two rows of filter strings are further connected in parallel by a filtrate recovery collecting tube, and the filtrate recovery collecting tube is placed at a higher position than the filtrate recovery header tubes. |
| US08083935B2 |
Cuttings vessels for recycling oil based mud and water
A system for recycling a drilling fluid that includes a first cuttings storage vessel, a second cuttings storage vessel, and a module fluidly connected to the first and second cuttings storage vessels, the module having a valve configured to fluidly connect the first and second cuttings storage vessels. The module further includes a filter system configured to fluidly connect to at least the second cuttings storage vessel, and at least one pump to facilitate the flow of a fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels. Also, a module for use at a drilling location that includes a valve for directing drilling fluid between at least a first cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module and a second cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module. The module further includes a filter system for filtering the drilling fluid and at least one pump for facilitating the flow of the fluid between at least the first and second cuttings storage vessels. |
| US08083931B2 |
Upgrading of tar using POX/coker
The invention is directed to a process wherein a feedstock or stream comprising steam cracker tar is passed to a vacuum pipestill. A deasphalted cut of tar is obtained as an overhead (or sidestream) and a heavy tar asphaltenic product is obtained as bottoms. In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the bottoms product is sent to a partial oxidation unit (POX) wherein syn gas may be obtained as a product, and/or at least a portion of the bottoms product is used to produce a light product stream in a coker unit, such as coker naphtha and/or or coker gas oil. In another preferred embodiment at least a portion of the overheads product is added to refinery fuel oil pools and in yet another preferred embodiment at least a portion of the overheads product is mixed with locally combusted materials to lower soot make. Two or more of the aforementioned preferred embodiments may be combined. |
| US08083930B2 |
VPS tar separation
A process is described for producing deasphalted steam cracker tar comprising feeding steam cracker tar to a vacuum pipestill (VPS) including a flash zone separated from a zone comprising trays by at least one annular entrainment ring and obtaining as an overheads a deasphalted tar product and as a bottoms an asphaltenic heavy tar product. Also according to the invention, there is a system for the upgrading of tar comprising said VPS with at least one annular entrainment ring. |
| US08083923B2 |
Electrode structure for protection of structural bodies
Electrolytic protection of steel-reinforced concrete bodies such as bridges and building facades is achieved with carbon material (3, 12, 23) inserted into the concrete body (6, 10, 21). The carbon material is connected to act as a anode with the steel reinforcement (1, 11, 22) as a cathode, so that corrosive chloride ions migrate away from the steel reinforcement. The carbon material is inserted so as also to act as a reinforcement. In one arrangement carbon textile material is provided between inner and outer grout-filled plastics ducts (2, 4, 5) fixed around post-tensioned steel cables (1). In another arrangement a carbon rod (12), or pin (23), is fixed between a concrete body (23) and a steel I-beam (22). |
| US08083921B2 |
Anode for oxygen evolution
An electrode for high overvoltage oxygen anodic evolution is described comprising a substrate of titanium or other valve metal, a first protective interlayer containing valve metal oxides, a second interlayer containing platinum or other noble metal, and an outer layer comprising tin, copper and antimony oxides. The electrode of the invention may be employed as anode in waste water treatment. |
| US08083916B2 |
Detection device having increased detection rate, and method for quick detection of biological molecules
A biological molecule detection device that includes a detection array, arranged on a body and having one or more probes for detecting corresponding electrically charged molecules, wherein a time varying electric field generating circuit is provided for generating at least one time varying electric field around the detection array within the detection region. The time varying electric field moves the electrical charged molecules repeatedly back and forth over the probes, thus providing increased opportunities for interaction and speeding the detection process. |
| US08083914B2 |
Electrochemical gas sensor
An electrochemical gas sensor is disclosed which comprises a gas sensing electrode and a counter electrode disposed within a housing, the housing having an aperture for gas ingress, the gas sensing electrode and counter electrode being separated by a region containing electrolyte, and means for connecting the gas sensing electrode and the counter electrode to a sensing circuit. An electrolyte-absorbing element is disposed inboard of the aperture, between the housing and the gas sensing electrode, in order to absorb electrolyte passing through the gas sensing electrode whilst maintaining a gas path through the electrolyte-absorbing element. |
| US08083912B2 |
Substrate carrier
A carrier for a substrate, wherein at least a part of the carrier contains a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion which is higher than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate, wherein in a specified region of the carrier a bar is centrally fastened whose coefficient of thermal expansion is lower than that of the region on which it is fastened. |
| US08083909B2 |
Material and device properties modification by electrochemical charge injection in the absence of contacting electrolyte for either local spatial or final states
In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for the combination of injecting charge in a material electrochemically via non-faradaic (double-layer) charging, and retaining this charge and associated desirable properties changes when the electrolyte is removed. The present invention is also directed to compositions and applications using material property changes that are induced electrochemically by double-layer charging and retained during subsequent electrolyte removal. In some embodiments, the present invention provides reversible processes for electrochemically injecting charge into material that is not in direct contact with an electrolyte. Additionally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to devices and other material applications that use properties changes resulting from reversible electrochemical charge injection in the absence of an electrolyte. |
| US08083907B1 |
Hydrogen storage nano-foil and method of manufacture
A hydrogen storage system using a coiled nano-foil hydride and methods for forming the hydrogen absorbing nano-foil coil without backing materials. Intercalation of hydrogen in metal hydrides allows for large amounts of hydrogen to be stored at atmospheric temperatures and pressures. Nano-films provide a large surface area for storage of hydrogen. Excessive heating of the system is avoided by use of a modified magnetron source, and the deposition rate is increased by employing stronger magnetic fields. The foil formed is capable of storage and of mechanical self-support without breakage and expansion up to 20% of its initial volume. |