| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08121073B2 |
Future forwarding zones in a network
A method, system, and computer program product for enabling the transmission of data from a mobile device to a target device via one or more carrier mobile devices, in a communication network. A proxy mobile carrier (PMC) utility facilitates transmission of data from the originating mobile device to a target device in a network which is inaccessible to the originating mobile device. The PMC utility employs a collection of enhanced transmission enabling components (ETECs) to enable the data transfer via one or more carrier mobile devices. The ETECs include a message creation component, a network zone identification component, a future forwarding zone prediction component, a message acceptor component, a storage component, an inter-node communication component, and a message delivery component. By initiating specific interactions between the ETECs, the PMC utility facilitates the transmission of data from the mobile device to the target device via carrier mobiles. |
| US08121068B2 |
Techniques to improve co-existence among multiple radios
Techniques are described that can be used to permit coexistence of different radios. Preambles of frames from a first radio are detected. If the preambles occur within a prescribed period of one another, then a frame synchronization signal is transmitted. Based on the timing of the frame synchronization signal, a second radio adjusts the timing of transmit and receive time slots. |
| US08121060B2 |
Protocol extensions in a display port compatible interface
A computer can control a target device using a packet format described herein. In one example, an extension packet controls the target device in at least one of power consumption, image rendering, and register updating. |
| US08121052B2 |
Framework for internetworking between WMAN and WLAN networks
According to one general aspect, a method of using a customer premises equipment (CPE) to represent a mobile station (MS) to a base station (BS) is described. Wherein the CPE and the BS are part of a first wireless network based upon a first networking standard, and the MS and the CPE are part of a second wireless network based upon a second networking standard. The method comprising associating the MS with the CPE. The method further comprising indicating to the BS that the CPE is acting as an agent for the MS on the second wireless network. Also comprising acting as an agent, on the second wireless network, for the MS. And comprising, storing context information related to the MS, wherein the context information includes MS context information related the first network and MS context information related the second network. |
| US08121051B2 |
Network resource teaming on a per virtual network basis
A computer system teams its network resource ports on a per virtual network basis. The system configures one or more virtual networks. For each of the one or more configured virtual networks, the system establishes a team comprising two or more of the network resource ports. The system selects a layer2 address that is uniquely associated with one of the ports of the team. The system assigns the selected unique layer2 address to be the primary layer2 address for the team. |
| US08121043B2 |
Approach for managing the consumption of resources using adaptive random sampling
An approach for managing the consumption of resources uses adaptive random sampling to decrease the collection of flow statistical data as the consumption of resources increases. When a packet is received from a network, a determination is made whether the packet belongs to an existing flow, for which flow statistical data is being collected, or to a new flow. If the packet belongs to an existing flow, then the flow statistical data for the existing flow is updated to reflect the packet. If the packet belongs to the new flow, then a sampling probability is used to determine whether the new flow is to be sampled. The sampling probability is determined, at least in part, upon a current usage of resources. |
| US08121041B2 |
Redundancy for point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to-multipoint ethernet virtual connections
A method and system for redundancy in Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting continuity check messages from a node in an Ethernet Virtual Connection connecting at least one root node and a plurality of leaf nodes in a point-to-multipoint or multipoint-to-multipoint connection, identifying a failure in a primary path between the root node and the leaf nodes, switching to a backup path, and advertising the switching to the backup path to at least one node. |
| US08121030B2 |
Network service monitoring
Network devices, systems, and methods are described that perform network service monitoring. One method includes examining a number of packets received by a first network device to determine whether a protocol of a packet corresponds to a given network service, forwarding packet service type information and packet address information to a second network device in response to a determination that the protocol of the packet corresponds to the network service, comparing the packet service type information and an associated service type address to a list of service types and addresses on the second network device, and executing a remedial action if, based on the comparing, it is determined that the network service is an unauthorized service and that a provider of the network service is an unauthorized provider. |
| US08121029B2 |
Methods and systems for providing supported DSL communications features as selections
A method of offering Digital Subscriber Link (DSL) communications features includes eliminating selections from a menu of features to be provided via a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to a customer premises prior to allowing selections from the menu. |
| US08121028B1 |
Quality of service provisioning for packet service sessions in communication networks
A communication system comprises an end system coupled to an access system and configured to transmit an invite message for a session wherein the invite message indicates a destination and an alias for the end system, a proxy system configured to receive the invite message and transfer a quality request wherein the policy request indicates the alias, a policy system configured to receive the quality request, determine a quality level for the session and transmit a quality message to the access system indicating the alias and the quality level, and the access system configured to receive the quality message, transmit a query to a database system indicating the alias, receive a network address for the end system in response to the query, identify traffic for the session using the network address, and apply the quality level to the traffic. |
| US08121026B2 |
Systems and methods for routing data in a communications network
A network device includes a group of interfaces. Each interface is associated with at least one other interface of the group of interfaces and a group of network addresses. Each interface is configured to monitor at least one of the group of network addresses with which the each interface is associated or the at least one other interface with which the each interface is associated, and determine whether to logically shut down based on the monitoring. |
| US08121025B2 |
Method and system for switching multicast traffic and router
A method for switching multicast traffic includes: entering, by a second router, a waiting state after receiving a packet indicative of recovery of a first router; and deleting, by the second router, the egress interface of MFIB entries on the second router after receiving a data packet or an Assert packet from the first router. A router and a system for switching multicast traffic are also provided herein. |
| US08121021B2 |
Data transmission method for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system
A data transmission method for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system, specifically comprises sending M, which is greater than 1, OFDM symbols included in each data transmission unit with different bandwidth, wherein each data transmission unit with different bandwidth sends two kinds of OFDM symbols with different cyclic prefix lengths: OFDM symbols with the long cyclic prefixes and OFDM symbols with the short cyclic prefixes; and the data transmission units with different bandwidths transmit the identical number of OFDM symbols with the long cyclic prefixes and the identical number of the OFDM symbols with the short cyclic prefixes. |
| US08121015B2 |
Optical disk drive device and method
An optical disk drive device has an RF equalizer configured to generate an equalized RF signal by controlling a frequency characteristic of a delay time of an RF signal read out from an optical disk based on a control input signal, a playback clock extractor configured to extract a playback clock for reproducing data recorded on the optical disk from the equalized RF signal, and an RF rate controller configured to generate the control input signal inputted to the RF equalizer, wherein the control input signal is a signal for correcting waveform distortion of the RF signal by controlling the delay time of the RF signal dependent on a frequency of the playback clock. |
| US08121014B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the reading power of an optical reproducing device
Since the conventional optical disk recording/reproducing apparatus cannot correctly measure a power of a main beam that is a part of the laser light outputted from an objective lens and is focused on a recording layer to contribute to recording/reproducing, it is difficult to accurately control a read power. A ratio of a proper read power to a threshold power of erasing is acquired beforehand. The read power is determined by measuring the threshold power of erasing and multiplying it by the ratio when learning of the read power is performed for each drive device. According to the read power learning method of this invention, it becomes possible to determine the proper read power regardless of performance variance of an optical pickup and sensitivity dispersion of a medium. |
| US08121013B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus and optical disc apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus changes a propagation direction of luminous fluxes, out of a laser light reflected by a disc, in four luminous flux regions set about a laser optical axis so as to mutually disperse these luminous fluxes. A signal light region in which only a signal light is present appears on a detection surface of a photodetector. A plurality of sensors for a signal light are placed at positions irradiated with the signal light within the region. When an arithmetic process is performed on a detection signal outputted from each sensor, a DC component occurring in a tracking error signal is suppressed. |
| US08121010B2 |
Hologram device, tilt detection method, and tilt correction method
A hologram device includes: a light source for applying light to a hologram recording medium having a recording layer in which information recording is performed by interference fringes between signal light and reference light; a spatial modulation unit that generates the signal light and/or the reference light and generates a marker light in a predetermined position within an incident surface of the light from the light source by performing spatial light modulation on the light from the light source; a light applying unit that applies the light subjected to spatial light modulation by the spatial light modulation unit to the hologram recording medium via an objective lens; a light receiving unit that receives the light applied via the objective lens through the hologram recording medium; and a tilt detection unit that obtains a tilt error signal representing an error from an ideal angle of a tilt angle as an incident angle of the applied light via the objective lens to an information recording surface of the hologram recording medium based on a result of detection of an error between an ideal light reception position of the marker light in the light receiving unit and a real light reception position of the marker light by the light receiving unit. |
| US08121009B2 |
Apparatus and method for recording data on holographic storage medium
An apparatus and method to record data on a holographic storage medium, the apparatus including: a light processing unit to record the data on the holographic storage medium using a reference beam and a signal beam, the light processing unit including a light modulator to modulate the signal beam; and a control unit to control the light processing unit to record the data on the holographic storage medium, wherein the light modulator modulates the signal beam so that an image formed on a surface of the light modulator is shorter in a radial direction that is a scanning direction of the reference beam than in a tangential direction that is perpendicular to the radial direction. |
| US08121003B2 |
Optical recording/reproducing apparatus
The present invention provides an optical recording/reproducing apparatus which can record information on the whole plane of the optical disk with a stable quality, even when the temperature has largely changed during a recording standby period in an intermittent recording process. The present optical recording/reproducing apparatus reproduces the information from a recorded portion on which the information has been already recorded, to evaluate the signal quality of the reproduced information, and simultaneously detects a temperature in the apparatus to correct a recording power of a laser beam when restarting the recording, on the basis of the evaluation result and the detected temperature in the apparatus, during the recording standby period in the intermittent recording process. |
| US08121000B2 |
Optical disk apparatus
In an optical disk apparatus, an optical pickup includes an actuator for driving an object lens, and a sensed signal output part for making it possible to generate a tracking error signal and a lens error signal by addition/subtraction, and a signal processor includes a servo signal generator for generating a tracking error signal and a lens error signal on the basis of a signal supplied from the sensed signal output part, and a tracking offset correction quantity signal generator supplied with the lens error signal to output a tracking offset correction quantity signal. DC (direct current) offset correction is conducted by conducting addition/subtraction between the tracking error signal and both the lens error signal and the tracking offset correction quantity signal. |
| US08120998B2 |
Optical disk drive and method for driving the optical disk drive in relation to a velocity switching point
An optical disk drive includes: an objective lens for converging a light beam onto an optical disk with an information storage layer; an actuator for moving the lens perpendicularly to the storage layer; an actuator driver for moving the lens at a predetermined velocity by controlling the actuator's operation; and a disk position detector for detecting the position of the lens, when the focal point of the beam is located on the storage layer, as a disk position. While the lens is being moved toward the disk to perform a focus finding operation, the moving velocity of the lens is set high until the lens reaches a velocity switching point, determined by reference to the disk position, and is set low once the lens has passed the point. The switching point is set farther away from the disk than the position of the lens is when the focal point of the beam is located on the storage layer of the disk. |
| US08120995B2 |
Electronic timer with graphic time scale display panel
An electronic timer graphically displaying programmed ON/OFF settings includes a microprocessor; a time setting unit electrically connected to the microprocessor for a user to set at least one programmed ON/OFF setting for at least one selected day; a memory unit electrically connected to the microprocessor for storing the programmed ON/OFF setting; a clock signal generating unit electrically connected to the microprocessor for generating a clock signal to the microprocessor; and a graphic time scale display unit electrically connected to the microprocessor and including a plurality of time scale segments, each of which represents a predetermined time period. The microprocessor calculates based on the programmed ON/OFF settings to derive all the time scale segments that are corresponding to the programmed ON/OFF settings, and drives the graphic time scale display unit to show the time scale segments corresponding to the programmed ON/OFF settings. |
| US08120994B2 |
Digital transcription system utilizing acoustical detectors having apertures with a vertical orientation relative to the work surface
A pen transcription system and method for using the same are disclosed. The pen transcription system includes a receiver having first and second acoustical sensors mounted on a planar base and separated from one another, an EM detector, and a controller. The first and second acoustical sensors detect an acoustical signal emitted by a moveable signal source. The EM detector detects an EM signal that is synchronized with the acoustical signal. The controller measures the difference in time of detection between the EM signal and the acoustical signals detected by the first and second acoustical sensors. The acoustical sensors include a detector and a housing surrounding the detector, the housing having an aperture defined by an axis. The acoustical sensor has a reception function that is symmetrical about the axis and the axis is substantially perpendicular to the base surface. |
| US08120993B2 |
Acoustic treatment apparatus and method thereof
An acoustic treatment apparatus obtains a first output signal by performing filtering for forming a directivity in a first direction for received sound signals of sound receivers, obtains a second output signal by performing filtering for forming a directivity in a second direction different from the first direction for received sound signals of sound receivers, obtains a strength ratio between a strength of the first output signal and a strength of the second output signal, and estimates a sound source direction on the basis of the strength ratio. |
| US08120992B2 |
Method for finding range and bearing to underwater object
A method for localizing the range and bearing of a distant underwater object includes firing a preselected number of supercavitating projectiles sequentially from a firing location such that each projectile tracks along substantially the same trajectory. Supercavitating pellets are dispersed from a projectile at a pre-selected range. Acoustic signals are sensed to detect acoustic signals caused by supercavitating pellet impact with an object. These signals can be processed to determine the range and bearing to the object. In further steps the range and bearing can be used to aim the projectiles. |
| US08120991B2 |
System and method for full azimuth angle domain imaging in reduced dimensional coordinate systems
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for converting coordinate systems for representing image data such as for example seismic data, including accepting a first set of seismic data, mapping the first set of seismic data to a second set of seismic data, where the dimensionality of the second set of seismic data is less than the dimensionality of the first set of seismic data, and generating image data by processing the second set of seismic data. |
| US08120989B2 |
Concurrent multiple-dimension word-addressable memory architecture
An N-dimension addressable memory. The memory includes an N-dimension array of bit cells and logic configured to address each bit cell using N-Dimension Addressing (NDA), where N is at least two and the array of bit cells is addressable by N orthogonal address spaces. Each bit cell of the N-dimension addressable memory includes a bit storage element, N word lines, and N bit lines. |
| US08120982B2 |
Semiconductor device, control method for semiconductor device, and electronic device
A semiconductor device including a first switch coupled to a first power supply line, a second switch coupled to the first switch and to a second power supply line, and a storage part provided in a path which is between the second power supply line and the first switch, and having a high resistance state and a low resistance state, and wherein the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off when a resistance state of the storage part is in a high resistance state. |
| US08120981B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device with fuse elements and control method therefore
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first block, a second block, and a control section. The first block includes a first fuse, a first switching configured to write data to the first fuse, a first holding portion capable of holding a first instruction, and a first instruction portion configured to turn on the first switching when a second instruction is given thereto with the first instruction. The second block includes a second fuse, a second switching configured to write data to the second fuse, a second holding portion capable of holding the first instruction, and a second instruction portion configured to turn on the second switching when the second instruction is given thereto with the first instruction. The control section issues the second instruction at a point in time when the first instruction is held in the first and second holding portions. |
| US08120978B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having auto-precharge function
To provide a semiconductor memory device including: a first clock generation circuit and a second clock generation circuit that generate a first internal clock and a second internal clock, respectively; a latency counter that counts latency synchronously with the first internal clock; and a recovery counter that counts a write recovery period synchronously with the second internal clock. The second clock generation circuit activates the second internal clock when auto-precharge is designated, and deactivates the second internal clock when the auto-precharge is not designated. With this configuration, the recovery counter does not perform any counting operation when an auto-precharge function is not operated, and thus unnecessary power consumption can be prevented. |
| US08120973B2 |
Write driver of semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory bank and a second memory bank and a common write driver configured to drive write data to an activated memory bank of the first memory bank and the second memory bank. The common write driver of the semiconductor memory device includes a common write control block configured to generate common drive control signals corresponding to write data, and a common write drive block configured to drive transmission lines of a first memory bank or transmission lines of a second memory bank that are selected by a bank selection signal in response to the common drive control signals. |
| US08120972B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus and test circuit therefor
A test circuit for a semiconductor memory apparatus of an open bit-line structure includes a compression part configured to, in response to test data read from a plurality of memory cells included in a test target cell mat and a compression control signal generated from a compression control signal generating part, compress the test data that are read from the memory cells that share a sense amplifier block and sequentially output compression test signals. |
| US08120967B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and related method of programming
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device comprises applying a program voltage to a selected wordline to program selected memory cells, and performing a verify operation by applying a verify voltage to the selected wordline to determine the programming status of the selected memory cells. The verify operation applies the verify voltage to the selected wordline at least two different times to divide the selected memory cells into at least three regions corresponding to different threshold voltage ranges. |
| US08120966B2 |
Method and apparatus for management of over-erasure in NAND-based NOR-type flash memory
A method and apparatus for operating an array block of dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells by erasing the dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells to set their threshold voltage levels to prevent leakage current from corrupting data during a read operation. Erasure of the array block of NOR flash memory cells begins by selecting one of block section of the array block and erasing, erase verifying, over-erase verifying, and programming iteratively until the charge retaining transistors have their threshold voltages between the lower limit and the upper limit of the first program state. Other block sections are iteratively selected and erased, erased verified, over-erase verified, and programmed repeatedly until the charge retaining transistors have their threshold voltages between the lower limit and the upper limit of the first program state until the entire block has been erased and reprogrammed to a positive threshold level. |
| US08120960B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing a non-volatile memory array comprising unidirectional current flowing multiplexers
A non-volatile memory (NVM) having an array of memory cells and a unidirectional multiplexer (UMUX), the UMUX may be comprised of two or more address line ports adapted to receive addressing signals corresponding with elements in the memory array, and a set of switching transistors adapted to switch a supply voltage in accordance with the addressing signal such that current only flows into the array. |
| US08120956B2 |
Single-transistor EEPROM array and operation methods
An integrated circuit structure includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) array, which includes EEPROM cells arranged as rows and columns; a plurality of word-lines and a plurality of drain-lines extending in a column direction, and a plurality of source-lines extending in a row direction. Each of the plurality of word-lines is connected to control gates of the EEPROM cells in a same column. Each of the plurality of drain-lines is connected to drains of the EEPROM cells in a same column, wherein none of the plurality of drain-lines are shared by neighboring columns of the EEPROM cells. Each of the plurality of source-lines is connected to sources of the EEPROM cells in a same row. |
| US08120955B2 |
Array and control method for flash based FPGA cell
A push-pull non-volatile memory array includes memory cells with an n-channel non-volatile pull-down transistor in series with a p-channel volatile pull-up transistor. A non-volatile transistor row line is associated with each row of the array and is coupled to the control gates of each n-channel non-volatile pull-down transistor in the row. A volatile transistor row line is associated with each row of the array and is coupled to the control gates of each p-channel volatile pull-up transistor in the row with which it is associated. A column line is associated with each column in the array and is coupled to the source of each p-channel volatile pull-up transistor in the column with which it is associated. |
| US08120950B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a first magnetic random access memory including a first memory cell and a second magnetic random access memory including a second memory cell operating at higher speed than the first memory cell and is provided on the same chip together with the first magnetic random access memory. The first memory cell is a current-induced domain wall motion type MRAM and stores data based on a domain wall position of a magnetization free layer. A layer that a write current flows is different from a layer that a read current flows. The second memory cell is a current-induced magnetic field writing type MRAM and stores data based on a magnetic field induced by a write current. |
| US08120948B2 |
Data writing method for magnetoresistive effect element and magnetic memory
A data writing method for a magnetoresistive effect element of an aspect of the present invention including generating a write current in which a falling period from the start of a falling edge to the end of the falling edge is longer than a rising period from the start of a rising edge to the end of the rising edge, and flowing the write current through the magnetoresistive effect element which comprises a first magnetic layer having an invariable magnetizing direction, a second magnetic layer having a variable magnetizing direction, and a tunnel barrier layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, to change the magnetizing direction of the second magnetic layer. |
| US08120944B2 |
Control circuit for forming process on nonvolatile variable resistive element and control method for forming process
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device can carry out a forming process simultaneously on the nonvolatile variable resistive elements of memory cells and make the forming time shorter. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has a forming detection circuit provided between the memory cell array and the second selection line (bit line) decoder. The forming detection circuit detects the completion of the forming process for memory cells by measuring the fluctuation in the potential of second selection lines or the current flowing through the second selection lines when applying a voltage pulse for a forming process through the second selection lines simultaneously to the memory cells on which a forming process is to be carried out connected to the same first selection line (word line), and prevents a voltage from being applied to the second selection lines connected to the memory cells where the completion of the forming process is detected. |
| US08120938B2 |
Method and apparatus for arranging multiple processors on a semiconductor chip
A method and apparatus for connecting multiple cores to form a multi core processor. Each processor is connected to at least two other processors, each of which is a mirror image of the first processor. The processors are connected to form a two dimensional matrix connected by one drop busses. |
| US08120935B2 |
Power converter with dual ring network control
A method for providing electric power to a power system includes receiving, at a slave node of a power converter having a plurality of slave nodes, a first synchronization signal via a first communication channel, the first synchronization signal purporting to represent a master timing characteristic of a master control node of the converter; receiving, at the slave node of the converter, a second synchronization signal via a second communication channel, the second synchronization signal purporting to represent a master timing characteristic of the master control node of the converter; synchronizing an internal timing characteristic of the slave control node with the master timing characteristic of the master control node using the first synchronization signal; determining that the first synchronization signal is invalid; and synchronizing an internal timing characteristic of the slave control node with the master timing characteristic of the master control node using the second synchronization signal. |
| US08120934B2 |
Voltage converter and method for voltage conversion
A voltage converter comprises a first, a second and a third capacitor (11, 12, 13) which are switched in series in at least one operating state, an input (1) for supplying an input voltage (VIN), an output (2) for providing an output voltage (VOUT), and a compensation circuit (5). The input (1) of the voltage converter is coupled to a capacitor from a group comprising the first, the second and the third capacitor (11, 12, 13). The output (2) of the voltage converter is coupled to a capacitor from the group comprising the first, the second and the third capacitor (11, 12, 13). The compensation circuit (5) is coupled to the first, the second and the third capacitor (11, 12, 13) and adapts a first voltage (V1) of the first capacitor (11), a second voltage (V2) of the second capacitor (12) and a third voltage (V3) of the third capacitor (13) to one another. |
| US08120931B2 |
Power converter with control circuit and related control method
A control circuit for use in a power converter has a multi-function terminal, a current comparator circuit, and an under-voltage detection circuit. The current comparator circuit compares current flowing through a power switch of the power converter with a reference value through the multi-function terminal when the power switch is on, and turns the power switch off when the current reaches the reference value. The under-voltage detection circuit determines whether an input voltage of the power converter is less than a predetermined value through the multi-function terminal when the power switch is turned off. |
| US08120928B2 |
Electronic device with a fixing member
An electronic device includes an enclosure and a fixing member to secure the enclosure to a fastener. The receiving member defines a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion in communication with the first receiving portion. The fixing member includes a control portion received in the receiving member and moving relative to the enclosure along a first axis of the first receiving portion, and a locking portion received in the receiving member and moving relative to the enclosure along a second axis of the second receiving portion perpendicular to the first axis. Movements of the control portion relative to the enclosure along the first axis of the first receiving portion and the locking portion relative to the enclosure along the second axis of the second receiving portion causes the electronic device to toggle in a locked or unlocked position. |
| US08120925B2 |
Circuit device
A circuit device includes a dielectric substrate including a first face and a second face opposite side of the first face; a coplanar line including a first line, a second line and ground electrodes, the first line and the second line being decupled mutually, the ground electrodes formed around the first line and the second line, the first line, the second line and the ground electrodes formed on the first face of the dielectric substrate; a capacitor for connecting the first line and the second line; a termination resistor connecting the second line; a microstrip line formed on the second face of the dielectric substrate; and a conducting portion formed in the dielectric substrate and electrically connecting the first line and the microstrip line. |
| US08120923B2 |
Cover assembly for industrial computer
A cover assembly for industrial computer has a cover arranged to a cover body of the industrial computer or a front surface of the cover body. The cover has wide opening and screw set arranged to the opening. The screw set includes a sleeve, retaining component, and screw component. The sleeve is placed into the opening and held by a stop portion formed to the sleeve outside the cover and by the retaining component buckled to the sleeve inside the cover. An end of the sleeve outside the cover is received by a nut of the screw component. The screw component has a screw rod extending inside the cover through a tunnel of the sleeve. The wide opening allows transverse adjustment of the sleeve to be aligned with the threaded hole. |
| US08120919B2 |
Adjustable mounting bracket for a computer component
A bracket, computer component and method for connecting to connection points associated with a socket on a computer circuit board are provided. The bracket and computer component have a mounting device including a fastener connectable to one of the connection points and positioned on a mounting flange. The mounting device is adjustable relative to the mounting flange from a first position on the mounting flange to a second position to allow the bracket and computer component to be used in conjunction with a number of different types of sockets. |
| US08120911B2 |
Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device positioned in a computer case, includes a fan, a plate positioned between the computer case and the fan, at least one motor contiguous with the fan, a motor driver, a fan driver, at least one temperature sensor sensing the temperature in the computer case, and a controller. The fan defines an air outlet facing the computer case. The plate is slidable relative to the air outlet to open or close the air outlet. The motor is configured for moving the plate. The motor driver is configured for driving the motor to work. The fan driver is configured for driving the fan to rotate. When the sensed temperature is higher than a preset threshold temperature, the controller controls the motor to move the plate from the air outlet, and controls the fan to rotate. |
| US08120903B2 |
Storage apparatus
A storage apparatus including a circuit board, a first flash memory, a first golden finger, a control unit, and a supporting component is provided. The circuit board has a first surface and a second surface. The first flash memory is disposed on the circuit board. The first golden finger and the control unit are disposed on an end of the circuit board, in which the first golden finger is disposed on the first surface, and the control unit is disposed on the second surface, and the control unit is substantially on the backside of the first golden finger. The control unit is electrically connected with the first memory and the first golden finger. The supporting component is used for supporting the circuit board. |
| US08120902B2 |
Durable mass data storage device cartridge
This disclosure includes an elastic shock mount for a mass data storage device cartridge comprising a shock mount body forming a void configured to receive a mass data storage device; and a set of elastic shock mount protrusions extending outward from the shock mount body. The elastic shock mount protrusions are configured to transfer shock forces experienced by the cartridge housing to durable portions of the mass data storage device. |
| US08120898B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a base, a first cover and a second cover. The first cover is rotatably disposed on the base between a first position and a second position. When the first cover is at the first position, the cover is closed relative to the base, and when the first cover is at the second position, the cover is open relative to the base. The second cover is movably disposed on the base between a third position and a fourth position. When the first cover is rotated from the first position to the second position, the second cover is pushed thereby from the third position to the fourth position. |
| US08120892B2 |
Electrode for supercapacitor having metal oxide deposited on ultrafine carbon fiber and the fabrication method thereof
The present invention discloses an improved electrode for a supercapacitor and a method of preparation thereof. The inventive electrode comprises a collector, a carbon substrate disposed on the collector comprising ultrafine carbon fibers having a specific surface area of at least 200 m2/g (BET) and a d002 value of 0.36 nm or less, and a metal oxide thin layer formed on the carbon substrate. The electrode of the subject invention retains a high specific capacitance during high-speed charging and discharging cycles. |
| US08120891B2 |
Multilayer capacitor having low equivalent series inductance and controlled equivalent series resistance
In a capacitor body of a multilayer capacitor, one second capacitor portion is sandwiched between two first capacitor portions. An ESR is controlled by setting a width of lead portions of third and fourth internal electrodes disposed in the second capacitor portion to be less than that of lead portions of first and second internal electrodes disposed in the first capacitor portions and by changing ratios between the first and second capacitor portions in the width of the lead portions and in the number of stacked internal electrodes. In the first capacitor portions, current paths from the internal electrodes to an external terminal electrode are widely distributed so that the first capacitor portions have a relatively low ESL, and accordingly, the ESL of the entire multilayer capacitor is reduced. |
| US08120887B2 |
MOS transistor triggered transient voltage suppressor to provide circuit protection at a lower voltage
An electronic device formed as an integrated circuit (IC) wherein the electronic device further includes a transient voltage suppressing (TVS) circuit. The TVS circuit includes a triggering MOS transistor connected between an emitter and a collector of a first bipolar-junction transistor (BJT) coupled to a second BJT to form a SCR functioning as a main clamp circuit of the TVS circuit. The TVS circuit further includes a triggering circuit for generating a triggering signal for the triggering MOS transistor wherein the triggering circuit includes multiple stacked MOS transistors for turning into a conductive state by a transient voltage while maintaining a low leakage current. |
| US08120879B2 |
Head suspension, load beam, method of manufacturing load beam, and method of processing work
A method of manufacturing a load beam directly improves the finishing accuracy of the surface of the load beam having a tab and/or a dimple, and the method includes a modifying process of preparing a flat plate work serving as the load beam and irradiating a part of a surface of the work where the tab and/or the dimple is formed with a laser beam, to form a modified layer in the irradiated part and a forming process of carrying out plastic working on the part where the modifies layer is present, to form the tab and/or the dimple in the part where the modified layer is present. |
| US08120876B2 |
Medium for use in a tape drive apparatus having identification segment and a segment identification pattern
A tape medium has an identification segment located on a transparent leader segment of the tape medium for optical detection of the segment identification pattern. The segment identification pattern and the medium identification pattern have a predefined spatial relationship, enabling photo-optical detection of the segment identification pattern and reading of the medium identification pattern. The medium identification pattern carries various medium identification information, such as tape manufacturer, tape serial number and a tape medium property. |
| US08120872B2 |
Spindle motor and disk drive apparatus
A stator portion of a spindle motor includes a substantially cup-shaped base member including a bottom portion expanding in a radial direction, and a wall portion extending upwards from an outer edge portion of the bottom portion. A circuit board is fixed to a lower surface of the base member in a position on the outer side in the radial direction and on the upper side than the bottom portion. Accordingly, the thickness of the spindle motor in the axial direction can be reduced. The base member has a through hole formed axially through the bottom portion. An opening edge portion of the base member is covered with the insulating layer. A conducting wire from a coil is drawn through the through hole, led out along the surface of the insulating layer, and connected to the circuit board positioned on the outer side in the radial direction than the bottom portion. Accordingly, the conducting wire can be led to the circuit board while the electric connection between the conducting wire and the opening edge portion can be prevented. |
| US08120871B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing repeatable runout in storage systems
A method and apparatus is described for reducing RRO in storage systems. A disc may be partitioned into a number of equally spaced sectors. An RRO profile may be individually obtained for each sector, a runout control algorithm may be applied to each sector to generate an RROC waveform for the sector to suppress the RRO, and sector RROC waveforms may be assembled into an RROC waveform for a whole revolution and saved in a memory buffer for feed-forward control. The RROC is performed in the time domain, and it may be adapted for each sector to reject the RRO disturbance. |
| US08120870B1 |
Asymmetry correction in read signal
Systems and techniques associated with signal processing are described. A described technique includes generating asymmetry vectors that model asymmetry in a received analog signal, including an effect of asymmetry spreading in a read channel and selecting at least two different indicators of asymmetry based on the asymmetry vectors. The technique can include using the selected indicators of asymmetry to compensate for one or more asymmetries associated with the analog signal. |
| US08120868B2 |
Data storage medium having system data stored in a guard band between zones of consecutive data storage tracks
A storage medium format is provided having a first band of a plurality of consecutive data storage tracks having user data stored thereto, a second band of a plurality of consecutive data storage tracks having other user data stored thereto, and a guard track medially disposed therebetween the first band and the second band and having system data stored thereto. |
| US08120866B2 |
Method for characterizing a magnetic-recording system for the presence of adjacent-track interference and far-track interference
A method for characterizing a magnetic-recording system for the presence of adjacent-track interference and far-track interference. The method includes writing a plurality of repeating pulse-waveforms on a data track of a magnetic-recording disk at a write element of a magnetic-recording head. The method further includes reading a plurality of read-back signals from the magnetic-recording disk over a band of pseudo-data tracks offset from the data track by corresponding pseudo-data-track offsets in a radial direction of the magnetic-recording disk at a read element of the magnetic-recording head. In addition, the method includes displaying a magnetic-recording-signature map synthesized from the read-back signals from the magnetic-recording disk. |
| US08120865B2 |
Image degradation prevention optical apparatus
An optical apparatus which is capable of preventing degradation of image quality caused by an ND filter. The optical apparatus incorporates an aperture stop having an aperture variable in size, and an ND filter movable with respect to the aperture of the aperture stop, an actuator that drives the ND filter, and a controller that controls the actuator. The ND filter includes a part having a size that can fully cover a first aperture that is the aperture with the aperture stop being narrowed. The controller controls the actuator so that the ND filter is moved without a halt between a first position where the part is retracted with respect to the first aperture with the aperture stop being narrowed, and a second position where the part fully covers the first aperture in any stop operation. |
| US08120864B2 |
Display filter, display device and method for forming display filter
A display filter including a base portion having a recess, a first part disposed in the recess and having a first refractive index different from a refractive index of the base portion, and a second part disposed in the recess and having a second refractive index different from at least one of the first refractive index of the first part and the refractive index of the base portion. |
| US08120862B2 |
Camera module with focusing spring
A camera module includes a lens barrel, a lens holder, and a focusing spring. The lens barrel includes an operation plate and a first body, and the outer diameter of the operation plate exceeds that of the first body, thereby a staging surface is formed facing the first body. The first body includes an outer surface, and defines an external thread on the outer surface. The lens holder includes a second body, and defining a second receiving hole therethrough. The second body includes an upper surface and an inner surface, and defines an internal thread on the inner surface. The lens barrel is received in the second receiving hole, and the external thread of the lens barrel is screwed and meshed with the internal thread of the lens holder. The focusing spring is compressively interposed between the staging surface and the upper surface. |
| US08120859B2 |
Viewing optical system and imaging apparatus using the same
The invention provides a viewing optical system positioned between a viewing plane as a virtual plane and an eye point. The viewing optical system comprises, in order from the viewing plane side, a cemented lens and a positive lens component, and satisfies the following condition (1). 0.2 |
| US08120858B2 |
Micro lens, method and apparatus for manufacturing micro lens, and camera module including micro lens
Micro lens manufacturing apparatus, a micro lens manufacturing method, a micro lens, and a camera module employing the micro lens are provided. First mold is manufactured in correspondence with a first lens profile of a lens element. Second mold is manufactured in correspondence with a second lens profile of the lens element. Second mold is aligned on a surface of a lens substrate having a hollow hole formed thereon. Material for the lens element is supplied into the hollow hole of the lens substrate. First mold is aligned on the other surface of the lens substrate having the hollow hole and compressed to form the first and second profiles of the lens element. Formed lens element hardened. First and second molds are separated from each other. Therefore, time and cost for manufacturing the micro lens are reduced, and the accurate alignment between the first and second lens profiles is achieved. |
| US08120856B2 |
Method for manufacturing polymer miniature lens
A method for manufacturing a polymer miniature lens on a substrate with the lens forming pattern, and the liquid polymer is dispensed therein. The lens forming pattern having a periphery area and an interior area, most portion of the periphery area having a property of confining liquid polymer, while the interior area having at least one portion exposing the surface of the substrate; depositing liquid polymer onto the lens forming pattern; and curing the liquid polymer after the liquid polymer reaches equilibrium shape and is confined to the periphery area. The invention also discloses a collimator including the polymer miniature lens. |
| US08120850B2 |
Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system of the present invention, in order from an object side to an image side, includes a first lens unit G1 having positive optical power, a second lens unit G2 having negative optical power, a third lens unit G3 having negative optical power, and a fourth lens unit G4 having positive optical power. At the time of zooming, at least the first lens unit G1 moves from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit. The fourth lens unit G4 includes a first sub lens unit having positive optical power and a second sub lens unit having negative optical power, the second sub lens unit being arranged at the image side relative to the first sub lens unit. At the time of compensating image blur caused by vibration applied to the zoom lens system, the first sub lens unit or the second sub lens unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. |
| US08120846B2 |
Projector screen equipped with means for applying vertical and horizontal tensile forces
A projection screen (1) has a projection surface (2), support elements (4) for supporting the projection surface in the suspended state, elements for exerting vertical traction forces (FV) including elements (5) for weighting the bottom longitudinal edge of the projection surface, and elements for exerting horizontal traction forces (FH) including firstly two deformable elongate elements (9, 10) each connected to one of the lateral edges of the projection surface and secondly elements (11) for weighting each deformable elongate element. According to the invention, the weighting elements for exerting horizontal traction forces and the weighting elements for exerting vertical traction forces are distinct and are mounted to perform independent weighting action in at least one position corresponding to the or one of the utilization positions. |
| US08120845B2 |
Collimated intensified vision system and method of collimating
An optical system includes an optical assembly frame having an input portion, an output portion, and an objective lens assembly disposed at the input portion of the optical assembly frame. The objective lens assembly has an objective lens central optical axis. An eyepiece lens assembly is disposed at the output portion of the frame. The eyepiece lens assembly has an eyepiece lens central optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and offset from the objective lens central optical axis by a distance. An inverting image intensifier is disposed between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly. The image intensifier has an image intensifier optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and parallel to the eyepiece lens central optical axis. The image intensifier optical axis is offset from both the objective lens central optical axis and the eyepiece lens central optical axis by about half the distance. |
| US08120842B2 |
Wavelength conversion device, laser apparatus, image forming apparatus, and display apparatus
A wavelength conversion device enabling the stable output of high-power harmonic light is disclosed. The wavelength conversion device includes MgO:LiNbO3 (PPMgLN) having a periodic polarization reversed structure, and the +Z and −Z surfaces of the PPMgLN are covered with thin chrome (Cr) film. In the PPMgLN, the incident surface and output surface are disposed on the −X side and +X side, respectively, in the longitudinal direction. Because of this structure, even when a high-power laser fundamental wave is incident, the PPMgLN can avoid destruction and damage due to the electric field, thereby enabling the stable output of high-power harmonic. |
| US08120841B2 |
Optical comb frequency source
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for generating an optical frequency comb. In embodiments a passive mode locked optical waveguide comb uses electrical or optical tuning for the mode spacing frequency (df) and the carrier envelope offset frequency (fceo). We describe a passive mode locked optical comb frequency source comprising: an optical cavity having an optical driver and an optical output to provide an optical comb; an absorbing element coupled to said optical cavity for producing said optical comb; and an optically or electrically controllable element in said optical cavity; and wherein said optically or electrically controllable element has an optically or electrically controllable refractive index such that said refractive index is variable to vary one or both of a mode spacing and a carrier envelope offset frequency of said optical comb. |
| US08120840B1 |
Electrorheological fluid having properties of newtonian fluid
An electrorheological fluid is provided. The electrorheological fluid includes polarizing particles and a dispersion medium in which the polarizing particles are dispersed. The polarizing particles may include silica particles. The dispersion medium may include silicon oil. The silicon oil may be modified silicon oil including at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group (—OH group), an amine group (—NH2 group), a mercapto group (—SH group), and a carboxy group (—COOH group). |
| US08120838B2 |
Electrophoretic display device
The present invention in one aspect relates to a solar cell formed on a substrate, a bottom electrode member formed on the solar cell, an electrophoretic display panel formed on the bottom electrode member, having a plurality of electrophoretic cell structures spatially arranged in a matrix form, each electrophoretic cell structure containing a plurality of charged particles movable in the electrophoretic cell structure responsively to applied fields, and a top electrode member formed on the electrophoretic display panel, where at least one of the bottom electrode member and the top electrode member includes a plurality of in-plane switching (IPS) electrodes. Each IPS electrode is positioned in relation to a corresponding electrophoretic cell structure for controlling movements of the charged particles therein along a horizontal direction parallel to the electrophoretic display panel. |
| US08120836B2 |
Luminance enhancement structure for reflective display devices
The present invention is directed to luminance enhancement structures for reflective display devices. The structure comprises columns and grooves, wherein each of said grooves has a cross-section comprising an apex angle and two edge lines. The structure increases the overall reflectance by reducing the total internal reflection, and as a result, the brightness of a display device is increased. |
| US08120835B2 |
Electro-phoresis device
Provided is an electro-phoresis device that includes a light control layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The light control layer may include a plurality of electro-phoresis particles. The first electrode and the second electrode may form an electric field to control of the electro-phoresis particles such that the electro-phoresis particles move towards at least one of the electrodes. The third electrode may be electrically connected to any one of the first and second electrodes and may have an electric polarity opposite to the other of the first and second electrode. |
| US08120833B2 |
Variable space shutter for LED display
A variable space shutter includes: a first frame having vertically spaced slats forming vertical openings; a second frame having a horizontal indented channel, the second frame being affixed to the first frame around a periphery of the first frame; and a shutter part having vertically spaced slats forming vertical openings, the shutter part being sandwiched between the first and second frames such that a portion of the shutter part rests within the horizontal indented channel to permit selective sliding movement of the shutter within the channel between a first position, wherein the vertical openings of the first frame line up with the vertical openings of the shutter part, to permit light to pass through the variable space shutter, and a second position, wherein the vertical openings of the first frame line up with the vertical slats of the shutter part, to block light from passing through the variable space shutter. |
| US08120832B2 |
High speed electromechanical shutter
An electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly comprising: an electrical current source member; a shutter member movable between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position; a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member; a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized; at least one magnet which generates a magnet flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil; electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and passed positions; wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated that interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and light beam passed positions. |
| US08120825B2 |
Device, apparatus, and method of controlling optical scanning device
A device, apparatus, and method of controlling operation of scanning performed by an optical scanning device are disclosed such that the color images are not shifted in the sub-scanning direction even when thinning processing is performed. |
| US08120824B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus including: an image forming section which forms an image on a photosensitive drum based on a reference signal which being an image write control signal of a predetermined cycle; a measuring section which detects a rotational velocity of the photosensitive drum and measures a velocity fluctuation distribution in time period of one rotation of the drum; a storage section which stores a correction value as a correction data table for each type of recording sheets, wherein the correction value is obtained based on the velocity fluctuation distribution; and a control section which corrects the cycle of the reference signal by referring the correction data table corresponding to a selected type of recording sheets, and controls the image forming section to form the image on the photosensitive drum based on the reference signal with the corrected cycle. |
| US08120821B2 |
Image scanning device comprising a flatbed scanner unit and a casing with a stopper accommodating portion
An image scanning device includes: a main body that has a box-shaped appearance having a front face and a back face; a flat bed scanner unit that is mounted on the main body to be rotatable around an axis provided near the back face along a width direction of the main body; and a stopper that supports the flat bed scanner unit in an opened state. The stopper includes: a base end that is rotatably attached to an upper portion of the main body; and a leading end that is slidably attached to the flat bed scanner unit. A casing of the flat bed scanner is provided with a stopper accommodating portion that is recessed from a bottom surface of the casing. The stopper accommodating portion accommodates the stopper above the bottom surface in a closed state where the flat bed scanner unit is closed. |
| US08120820B2 |
Method of scanning images larger than the scan swath using coded surfaces
A method of swipe-scanning a graphic image printed on a surface. The surface has a position-coding pattern superimposed with the graphic image. The method comprises the steps of: (i) operatively positioning a swipe scanner relative to the surface; (ii) swiping the scanner across the surface; (iii) capturing, during said swipe, successive images of portions of the graphic image; (iv) imaging, during the swipe, successive parts of the position-coding pattern; (v) determining absolute positions of the scanner using the imaged parts of the position-coding pattern; and (vi) using the absolute positions to assemble the captured portions of the graphic image into a scanned graphic image. |
| US08120819B2 |
Image processing device and image forming device for generating corrected image data for a source image according to absorption wavelength characteristics of invisible coloring material
An image processing device provided with an acquiring unit and a generating unit. The acquiring unit acquires invisible image data of an invisible image subject to forming on a recording medium with invisible coloring material and acquires source image data of a source image subject to forming on the recording medium with visible coloring material. The generating unit generates corrected-image-data of the source image data corrected according to the absorption wavelength characteristics of the invisible coloring material, such that the color of overlapping regions where both the invisible image and the source image are superimposed when formed on the recording medium approximates to the color of regions corresponding to the overlapping regions in the source image. |
| US08120814B2 |
Image processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, image processing method and image processing system
An image processing apparatus has a printing function. A preview original-image creation part creates an original image for preview based on print data. A preview parts-image creation part creates a parts image for preview peculiar to each equipment. A preview image synthesis part synthesizes a preview image from the original image for preview and the parts image for preview. A preview image retaining part retains the preview image. |
| US08120810B2 |
Method and system for adjusting scanned images
A system for adjusting scanned images for printing. In response to scanning one or more objects, one or more bounding boxes are calculated for the scanned image. The scanned image is cropped to a size of the one or more bounding boxes. The cropped image is rotated to align with a scanner bed and other cropped images if necessary. The cropped image is centered. It is determined if more scanned image data can fit within a selected page size. In response to determining that more scanned image data can fit within the selected page size, it is determined if more objects need to be scanned in a print job. In response to determining that more objects do not need to be scanned in the print job, a print layout is determined for the print job. Then, the print job is printed on the selected page size. |
| US08120809B2 |
Document creation method and document creation apparatus for reflecting a document structure of a paper document in an electronic document
A document creation method according to this invention includes an image capturing step of capturing image data of each page, a boundary image specifying step of specifying a boundary image serving as the boundary between sets of pages from image data captured in the image capturing step, and a document creation step of creating, on the basis of the image data captured in the image capturing step, an electronic document divided into different chapters at the position of the boundary image specified in the boundary image specifying step. The electronic document created in the document creation step is divided into a plurality of chapters, and boundary pages are set between the plurality of chapters. |
| US08120807B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus stores therein selected to-be-transmitted image data and the predetermined transmission order of image data, and displays a list of the stored to-be-transmitted image data according to the predetermined transmission order. When receiving an instruction to edit the transmission order of a displayed list of image data, the information processing apparatus displays stored to-be-transmitted image data according to an edited transmission order, and stores the edited transmission order. When receiving an instruction to fax, the information processing apparatus combines to-be-transmitted image data into a single image data to transmit the combined image data to an image transmitting apparatus, based on the stored edited transmission order. |
| US08120805B2 |
Image forming apparatus to set parameter corresponding to driver version of host device, host device, and methods thereof
A printing system includes an image forming apparatus and a host device. An image forming apparatus includes a printing part to perform a printing operation, a receiver to receive a parameter on a drive condition of the printing part from the host device, a storage part to store a parameter for each driver version, and a controller to update the stored parameter according to the received parameter. Accordingly, the quality of printing output can be improved by setting a parameter corresponding to a driver version of the host device and/or the satisfaction of and the convenience for a user can be improved by realizing a user desired/set color output. |
| US08120802B2 |
System and method for securely accessing downloaded print job resources
A system and method are provided for securely accessing imaging job resources in a printing device. The method initially downloads a restricted software resource to a printing device. That is, the resource is restricted to use by a user group. As differentiated from factory installed software, or field upgrades, the restricted software resource is stored in a user-accessible memory, such as non-volatile storage (e.g., RAM). Subsequently, an imaging job is accepted for processing. The imaging job is verified to be associated with the user group. Subsequent to verification, access is permitted to the restricted software resource, and the imagining job is processed using the restricted software resource. |
| US08120796B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, image processing method, computer-readable medium and computer data signal
An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit, an image receiving unit, a detection unit and a control unit. The storage unit stores number of a plurality of information images included in a reference image. The information images represent data. The image receiving unit receives an image including one or more the information images. The detection unit detects the one or more information images from the image received by the image receiving unit. The control unit performs control relating to a copying operation of the image, based on number of the one or more information images detected by the detection unit and the number of the information images stored in the storage unit. |
| US08120794B2 |
Data-processing device, data-processing method, and computer program
When an error occurs while a job flow including a plurality of steps is executed, an electronic signature is added to image data processed at a step that has already been performed, and the image data to which the electronic signature is added is stored. At that time, an electronic certificate expiring at the same date as the expiration date of the job flow is generated and added to the electronic signature. Before restarting execution of the job flow where the error occurred, the electronic signature added to the image data is verified and a user is notified of the verification result. A determination is then made whether execution of the job flow where the error occurred should be restarted according to an operation performed by the user in response to the notification. |
| US08120793B2 |
Methods and systems for displaying content on an imaging device
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for sending content to an imaging device display using a browser and an embedded application. Some aspects relate to an interruptive process whereby a browser process is interrupted in order to display new browser content. Some aspects relate to an interruptive process whereby alarm or error content is pushed to the browser. |
| US08120790B2 |
Method and system to allow printing compression of documents
A print compression method and system reduces the amount of space required to print a document such that less paper is used during the printing of a document. A user defines criteria, which is used to perform document compression. However, the document compression only applies to the form of document being printed. This compression does not affect the document being edited. |
| US08120788B2 |
Image arranging device and image arranging program storage medium
An image arranging device arranging an image in a predetermined region, includes: a regulation obtaining section that obtains an arrangement regulation of the image in the region; and a data obtaining section that obtains print image data which represents a print image to be printed on a print medium and in which a finish size of a printed matter is designated. The device further includes: a protrusion removal section that, regarding the print image represented by the print image data obtained by the data obtaining section, obtains an image portion protruding from the finish size designated by the print image data and removes the obtained image portion; and an image arranging section that, regarding the print image represented by the print image data, arranges an image portion remaining after the removal by the protrusion removal section in the region according to the arrangement regulation obtained by the regulation obtaining section. |
| US08120777B2 |
Temperature-stable interferometer
This invention provides an interferometric detection device configured to maintain a temperature of a sensing area to within 20 m° C. of a first target temperature and to maintain a temperature of the medium within 500 m° C. of a second target temperature The device can do so under conditions in which ambient temperature changes from 0.1° C. to 5° C. over 5 minutes. |
| US08120776B1 |
Measuring characteristics of ultra-shallow junctions
Carrier activation and end-of-range defect density of ultra-shallow junctions in integrated circuits are determined using modulated optical reflectance signals, DC reflectances of pump or probe laser beams, and in-phase and quadrature signal processing. A method for determining characteristics of an ultra-shallow junction includes periodically exciting a region of the substrate using a pump laser beam, and reflecting a probe laser beam from the excited region. A modulated optical reflectance signal is measured along with DC reflectance of the probe laser beam. The modulated optical reflectance signal and DC reflectance are compared with reference signals generated from calibration substrates to determine carrier activation and end-of-range defect density in the junction. |
| US08120775B2 |
Sensor device and for determining a physical value
A sensor device for determining a physical value using a laser, whose emission behavior can be affected by the physical value is described. The laser is arranged to emit at least two concurrent modes lying above a laser threshold and the physical value is determined using a comparison of changes of the at least two modes occurring under the influence of the physical value. |
| US08120771B2 |
Configuration of a laser scanning microscope for raster image correlation spectroscopy measurement and method for conducting and evaluating such a measurement
By means of an improved configuration method, mathematical transport models can be fitted to correlations determined by means of scanning fluorescence spectroscopy with few errors. With improved methods for carrying out or evaluating a raster image correlation spectroscopy measurement (RICS) measurement, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced and RICS correlations of high statistical quality can be determined within a short period of time. For a raster image correlation spectroscopy measurement, a best value for a sampling value is determined and is specified for a subsequent scanning process on a sample. In order to carry out or evaluate a RICS measurement, sampling values are acquired or a correlation is determined exclusively in a sample region within which a pixel time (ΔP) changes along a harmonically controlled scan axis (X) by less than, or at most by, a predetermined or predeterminable value. |
| US08120770B2 |
Three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing using a microfluidic device
A microfluidic device comprises inlets for a sample flow and an out-of-plane focusing sheath flow, and a curved channel section configured to receive the sample flow and out-of-plane focusing sheath and to provide hydrodynamic focusing of the sample flow in an out-of-plane direction, the out-of-plane direction being normal to a plane including the curved channel. |
| US08120767B2 |
Mask making decision for manufacturing (DFM) on mask quality control
The present disclosure provide a method for making a mask. The method includes assigning a plurality of pattern features to different data types; writing the plurality of pattern features on a mask; inspecting the plurality of pattern features with different inspection sensitivities according to assigned data types; and repairing the plurality of pattern features on the mask according to the inspecting of the plurality of pattern features. |
| US08120766B2 |
Inspection apparatus
Scattered light that originates from the surface roughness of silicon or other metallic films is distributed more strongly at positions closer to the starting position of the scattering. Of all scattered-light detection signals obtained during multi-directional detection, therefore, only a detection signal of forward scattered light can be used to detect micro-defects, and only a detection signal of backward scattered light can be used to detect the surface roughness very accurately. |
| US08120765B2 |
Observation device
An observation device 1 comprises a light source unit 10, a biaxial scanning system 20, a wavefront modulation unit 30, an optical branching unit 40, a light detection unit 50, a wavefront detection unit 60, a control unit 70, and the like. The wavefront modulation unit 30 presents a compensating phase pattern for compensating for an aberration of input light and a branching phase pattern for splitting the input light into first and second beams. The wavefront detection unit 60 receives inputted light and detects a wavefront of the inputted light. The compensating phase pattern for compensating for the wavefront aberration is feedback-controlled in loop processing that includes the detection of a wavefront distortion of the light by the wavefront detection unit 60, the adjustment of the phase pattern by the control unit 70 according to the result of detection, and the presentation of the phase pattern by the wavefront modulation unit 30. |
| US08120758B2 |
Fast UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectrometer system and method
A method and system for evaluating a colored gem stone which has been cooled to below a designated temperature are provided. The system includes a cooling unit configured to support and cool a gem stone to below a desired temperature, an electromagnetic radiation source, a spectrometer, an integrating sphere, and a processing unit. The method includes receiving a spectral response of the colored gem stone and sampling a noise component within a range of wavelengths in the spectral response so as to make a baseline determination. The method further includes ascertaining a presence of at least one designated peak within the range of wavelengths as a function of the baseline determination, and evaluating the presence of each of the at least one designated peaks so as to provide an indication of whether the colored gem stone requires further evaluation. |
| US08120757B2 |
Remote lens unit assembly for laser doppler velocimeter
An assembly structure and method for housing a remote lens unit assembly of a laser Doppler velocimeter. The housing includes one or more transceiver telescopes and an optical window. The transceiver telescopes are aligned such that optical beams from the mounted optical transceiver telescopes cross paths at the optical window. The housing is mountable on a wind turbine. |
| US08120756B2 |
Laser doppler velocity system for variable beam focusing
Disclosed is a laser doppler velocity system that can easily change a focal length of laser beam, in order to measure the velocity of fluid. As the fluid lens is used in order to focus the laser beam, the lens aperture is rapidly and accurately changed at a low power to easily measure the flow-velocity and shear stress of the boundary layer of the structure within the flow field. As the optical array including the fluid lens is integrated using a diode laser as a laser light source, the laser doppler velocity system can be made in small-size. Also, as the laser doppler velocity system is inserted into the surface of the structure, it can be used as a surface flow field measurement sensor. |
| US08120755B2 |
Method of correcting a volume imaging equation for more accurate determination of a velocity field of particles in a volume
The subject matter of the invention is a method of correcting a volume imaging equation for more accurate determination of a velocity field of particles in a volume, said volume being captured from different directions by at least two cameras, a coarse calibration of the position of the cameras relative to each other and relative to the volume of concern being carried out first by determining an imaging equation that associates with the coordinates (X, Y, Z) of a point in the volume the corresponding camera picture coordinates xi, yi of each camera i, all the cameras then capturing simultaneously in the same unchanged position particles in a volume, the position (X, Y, Z) of a particle in the volume being approximated by means of a known triangulation method using the calculated position xi, yi of a particle in the camera pictures, this position (X, Y, Z) being imaged through the original imaging equation onto a position xi′, yi′ in the camera images of the at least two cameras, a correction factor for the imaging equation being calculated from the difference (dxi, dyi) between the coordinates (xi, yi) and (xi′, yi′) so that, thanks to the amended imaging equation, the point (xi, yi) becomes identical with the point (xi′, yi′) for all the cameras i, this correction occurring for many particles in the volume. |
| US08120754B2 |
Light detection and ranging apparatus
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus is provided that employs one or more additional reflectors to reflect and redirect the light beam transmission pulses from a scanning fan assembly to a given area of interest. The one or more additional reflectors provide additional resolution for detecting a detectable object. The one or more additional reflectors can be external or internal to the scanning fan assembly. |
| US08120750B2 |
Exposure apparatus and method of manufacturing device
When a substrate stage is located in a first area, a first measurement device measures the same portion of the substrate at the plural measurement points both before and after the stage is horizontally driven. A controller calculates a first difference of the stage in the vertical direction in the first area accompanying driving of the stage horizontally, based on a first measurement result, calculates a value representing a surface shape of the substrate by subtracting the first difference from the first measurement result, calculates a second difference of the stage in the vertical direction in the second area accompanying driving of the stage horizontally by subtracting the value from a value representing a vertical position of the substrate when the stage is located in the second area, and controls a vertical position of the stage in the second area based on the second difference. |
| US08120749B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithography apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is supplied to a space between a projection system and a substrate, and a plate structure is provided to divide the space into two parts. The plate structure has an aperture to allow transmission of the projection beam, has through holes in it to reduce the damping effect of the presence of the plate and optionally has one or more inlets and outlets to provide various flows around the aperture in the plate. An embodiment of the invention may reduce the transportation of contaminants, stray light, temperature gradients, and/or the effect of bubbles on the imaging quality. |
| US08120748B2 |
Lithographic processing optimization based on hypersampled correlations
A method of optimizing lithographic processing to achieve substrate uniformity, is presented herein. In one embodiment, The method includes deriving hyper-sampled correlation information indicative of photoresist behavior for a plurality of wafer substrates processed at pre-specified target processing conditions. The derivation includes micro-exposing subfields of the substrates with a pattern, processing the substrates at the various target conditions, determining photoresist-related characteristics of the subfields (e.g., Bossung curvatures), and extracting correlation information regarding the subfield characteristics and the different target processing conditions to relate the target conditions as a function of subfield characteristics. The method then detects non-uniformities in a micro-exposed subsequent substrate processed under production-level processing conditions and exploits the correlation information to adjust the production-level conditions and achieve uniformity across the substrate. |
| US08120741B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes a display panel, a first data circuit board, a second data circuit board, and a clip. The first data circuit board has a portion of a plurality of conductors that are coupled to the display panel. The second data circuit board has a second plurality of conductors that are coupled to the display panel. A clip couples the first and the second circuit boards together. A method of assembling the liquid crystal display includes positioning a light source; coupling a clip to the first circuit board and the second circuit board that form a display panel; positioning the clip, the first circuit board, and the second circuit board below the light source; and coupling the clip to a ground plane. |
| US08120740B2 |
Active-matrix substrate and method for producing the same, electrooptical device and method for producing the same, and electronic apparatus
A method for producing an active-matrix substrate including a board, pixels, thin-film transistors that switch the pixels, and source lines and gate lines electrically connected to the thin-film transistors includes forming a conduction portion that provides electrical connection between the source lines and the gate lines using an organic conductive material at the same time as forming either the source lines or the gate lines; and breaking the electrical connection provided by the conduction portion. |
| US08120737B2 |
Alignment treatment of liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device including a pair of spaced and opposed substrates, an electrode and a first alignment layer formed on one substrate, an electrode and a second alignment layer formed on the other substrate, and liquid crystal filled between the pair of substrates. The first alignment layer defines two regions of different alignment directions, within one pixel, with the two regions of the first alignment layer being separated by a first boundary, where the two different alignment directions of the first alignment layer are generally parallel to the first boundary, but extend in opposite directions, and where each region of the first alignment layer is treated to realize an alignment with a pretilt angle by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays. The second alignment layer defines two regions of different alignment directions, within the one pixel, with the two regions of the second alignment layer being separated by a second boundary, where the two different alignment directions of the second alignment layer are generally parallel to the second boundary, but extend in opposite directions, and where each region of the second alignment layer is treated to realize an alignment with a pretilt angle by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays. The first boundary crosses said second boundary. |
| US08120736B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display is provided that includes first and second panels facing each other, an alignment layer disposed on at least one of the first and second panels, a fixing member disposed on the surface of the alignment layer to fix the alignment structure of the alignment layer, and liquid crystal materials disposed between the first and second panels. The liquid crystal materials include liquid crystal molecules that have a pre-tilt angle and are disposed on the alignment layer. |
| US08120733B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines on the first substrate crossing each other to define pixel regions, a black matrix layer on the second substrate in regions corresponding to the gate lines and the data lines, color filter layers on the second substrate covering at least the pixel regions, a plurality of column spacers on respective portions of the black matrix layer excluding the color filter layers, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08120729B2 |
Optical film and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is an optical film that is manufactured by using longitudinal and uniaxial stretching of an unstretched cycloolefin copolymer film and has an in-plane retardation of 100 to 150 nm and a thickness retardation of 0 to −30 nm at a wavelength of 550 nm, a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display including the same, and a method of manufacturing the optical film. The method includes longitudinally and uniaxially stretching the unstretched film while a ratio of a width to a length of a stretched portion of the film is controlled. |
| US08120728B2 |
Polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device using the same
The invention relates to a polarizing plate comprising at least a polarizing layer having a K value as defined by the following expression of from 0.25 to 0.75; K=(kx−kz)/(kx−ky) wherein axes which are orthogonal to each other in a plane of the polarizing layer are an x-axis and a y-axis; an axis which is orthogonal to an x-y axis plane is a z-axis; and kx, ky and kz are an absorption coefficient along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions, respectively. |
| US08120724B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having frames with a plurality of fasteners having openings and baffles
A liquid crystal display device including a backlight module, a liquid crystal display device panel and a second frame is provided. The backlight module has a first frame. The first frame has a first body, first fasteners and baffles, wherein the first fasteners and the baffles are integrally formed on the first body, and the first fasteners have opening. The liquid crystal display device panel is arranged on the backlight module. The second frame is assembled with the first frame for fixing the liquid crystal display device panel. The second frame has a second body and second fasteners integrally formed on the second body, and the second fasteners lodge in the openings of the first fasteners to limit the relative displacement between the first and second body, and the baffles are adapted for limiting the relative displacement between the first body and second body. |
| US08120720B2 |
Pixel structure
A pixel structure includes a scan line, a data line, a gate electrode electrically connected to the scan line, a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate electrode, a drain electrode, an extending electrode, and a pixel electrode. The scan line and the data line cross each other, and are insulated. The drain electrode includes a contact part disposed outside the gate electrode, an electrode part disposed on the semiconductor pattern and a connecting part extending from the contact part along a direction to connect the electrode part, and partially overlapping the gate electrode. The pixel electrode is connected to the contact part. The extending electrode is connected to the scan line. A first end of the extending electrode points to the semiconductor layer along the direction, and overlaps the drain electrode. A first width of the connecting part is equal to the second width of the extending electrode. |
| US08120719B2 |
Photo-addressable display medium and photo-addressable display device
A photo-addressable display medium is provided, the photo-addressable display medium including: a pair of electrodes having transparency; a photoconductive layer disposed between the pair of electrodes and having a laminated structure of a first charge generation layer, a charge transport layer and a second charge generation layer in this order from an exposing light irradiation side; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between an electrode of the inverse side to the exposing light irradiation side and the second charge generation layer and having memory performance, wherein the first charge generation layer and the second charge generation layer contain a phthalocyanine compound, and the charge transport layer contains a stilbene compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein, R1 to R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group. |
| US08120713B2 |
Television apparatus
Disclosed herein is a television apparatus including: a thin display device; a mount section to be placed in a site; a support mechanism projecting upwardly from the mount section and supporting the display device in an upper portion spaced from the mount section in a manner to allow the display device to change an attitude thereof; a first speaker mounted on the display device; a second speaker mounted on the mount section; a signal supply section configured to supply a first audio signal to the first speaker and to supply a second audio signal to the second speaker; and a signal processor configured to adjust the time difference between the timing of the first audio signal output from the signal supply section and the timing of the second audio signal output from the signal supply section. |
| US08120712B2 |
Channel selection in a receiver for terrestrial digital television broadcasting
Disclosed is a receiver for terrestrial digital television broadcasting including: a receiving circuit for receiving terrestrial digital television broadcasting to output a video signal and an audio signal of a predetermined channel and an information signal of information related to a channel being received; a data table in the receiving circuit on which channel data for selecting channels of the terrestrial digital television broadcasting is registered; and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured such that: first data for identifying a channel, second data for identifying a broadcast service area and third data for identifying a transport stream are taken out of the information signal to be supplied to the control circuit; if the first data is normally obtained, the receiving circuit selects a channel based on the first data with reference to the data table; and if the first data is not normally obtained, the receiving circuit selects a channel based on the second and the third data with reference to the data table. |
| US08120711B2 |
Display system and method of controlling a display system
A display system and a method of controlling a display system are provided. The display system may include a receiving device to transmit a power control signal across a wireless communication link according to a power on/off command inputted from a user, to receive an audio/video (A/V) signal, to display the A/V signal, and to transmit an acknowledgment signal of the A/V signal. The display system may further include a transmitting device to turn on/off in response to a power control signal received from the receiving device, to transmit the A/V signal to the receiving device, and to control a power thereof according to whether the acknowledgement signal of the A/V signal has arrived. |
| US08120709B2 |
Method of and apparatus for utilizing video buffer in a multi-purpose fashion to extend the video buffer to multiple windows
The present invention includes a method and device that allows efficient mixing of multiple video images with a graphics screen while utilizing only one video buffer. The present invention partitions the sole video buffer, pre-scales the plurality of video images and inserts them into the partitioned video buffer in a predetermined range of buffer addresses. The present invention mixes the partitioned video including the pre-scaled video images with the graphics screen to produce a video display including both a video screen and a graphics screen. |
| US08120708B2 |
Television control method
A method is provided for controlling a television including a user input part for manipulating a channel adjusting item. The method includes displaying a channel map showing a predetermined number of channels including a tuned broadcast channel if the channel adjusting item is selected through the user input part, and a channel setting information menu corresponding to one of the channels shown in the channel map. Thus, the television control method not only allows a user to easily and simply recognize a channel setting state according to channels when the user wants to adjust channel-related functions, but also allows a user to conveniently and effectively adjust the channel setting state according to the channels. |
| US08120705B2 |
Television having a connecting terminal for connecting a player device
The present invention discloses a television that includes a speaker; a display; a tuner for receiving television broadcasting signals and generates first sound signals and first image signals based on the television broadcasting signals; a connecting terminal for connecting to a player device having an operation panel generating operation commands according to user's operations; an operation macro outputting unit for outputting an operation macro same as a plurality of the operation commands to the player device in order to make the player device perform consecutive operations, through the connecting terminal. |
| US08120703B2 |
Source-adaptive video deinterlacer
A method is described for deinterlacing an interlaced video stream. The method includes detecting an occurrence of groups of adjacent fields that are derived from a common original image frame source, and merging field pairs of the interlaced video stream to create a non-interlaced video stream output. |
| US08120698B2 |
Focus control apparatus useful for image pick up apparatuses equipped with an auto focus function and method therefor
A focus control apparatus and method capable of shortening a focus adjustment time in focus control. The method includes extracting a first high frequency component depending upon a first cutoff frequency and a second high frequency component depending upon a second cutoff frequency higher than the first cutoff frequency from a video signal, generating first and second contrast signals of the video signal respectively based on the first and second high frequency components, using a quotient obtained by dividing a value of the first contrast signal by that of the second contrast signal as a parameter, exercising focus control based on the parameter, and setting the first and second cutoff frequencies so as to cause a value of the parameter to assume a peak when a focus lens in an image pickup apparatus is located in a position at a predetermined distance from an in-focus position. |
| US08120694B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging apparatus
A lens barrel includes: a plurality of lenses disposed in an outer enclosure; and an imaging device that converts image light introduced as an image capturing signal through the plurality of lenses into an image signal. The outer enclosure has a unit assembling portion in which an imaging unit is disposed. The imaging unit includes a centering lens disposed in the bottom portion of the unit assembling portion, a pressing plate that presses the centering lens from the side opposite the bottom portion, a packing disposed on the opposite side of the pressing plate, and an imaging module having the imaging device and disposed on the opposite side of the packing to the pressing plate and pressing the packing against the pressing plate. A working hole through which an adjustment jig is inserted is formed in the peripheral side portion of the unit assembling portion. |
| US08120693B2 |
Imaging unit and mobile electronic device
An imaging unit including an image sensor, an incident-side prism, an exit-side prism, and an intermediate optical system positioned therebetween, wherein light incident on the incident-side prism passes through the incident-side prism, the intermediate optical system and the exit-side prism to be incident on the image sensor, the imaging unit includes a housing supporting the incident-side prism, the exit-side prism and the intermediate optical system such that incident and exit optical axes of the incident-side prism, an optical axis of the intermediate optical system, and incident and exit optical axes of the exit-side prism all lie on a common plane; and a cover board, on which the image sensor is mounted, fixed to the housing so that the image sensor faces an exit surface of the exit-side prism, the cover board closing an opening of the housing. |
| US08120690B2 |
Imaging device
An imaging device of the present invention includes a plurality of photosensors arranged in matrix on a light-receiving surface and a readout section for adding up photo signals on the photosensors for external output in each pixel block set on the light-receiving surface. The pixel blocks each consists of N (N≧2) photosensors assembled in an array direction of the matrix and the pixel blocks in even number arrays and those in odd number arrays in the matrix are shifted from each other by half a phase in the array direction. With or without execution of the adding-up operation, it is able to switch a pattern of readout pixels from the imaging device between a grid pattern and a diagonal grid pattern. |
| US08120685B2 |
CMOS image sensors and methods for outputting pixel data at high speeds
A The CMOS image sensor includes a pixel array including pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns and a row selection unit configured to generate selection signals for simultaneously or concurrently selecting at least two rows from the rows of the pixel array in response to a received row address. An analog-to-digital conversion unit is configured to convert pixel data output from the at least two rows selected from the pixel array into a digital video signal and output the digital video signal. The pixel array outputs the pixel data in response to the selection signals. |
| US08120682B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device and method of resetting the same
A solid-state image pickup device comprises for each pixel a photoelectric converter PD, an input terminal FD of a signal amplifier and a transfer switch TX for transferring an optical signal from the photoelectric converter to the input terminal. The device additionally comprises means for resetting the photoelectric converter by opening the transfer switch TX under a condition of holding the voltage of the input terminal FD to a fixed high level before storing the optical signal in the photoelectric converter PD. With this arrangement, any residual electric charge in the photoelectric converter can be eliminated without paying the cost of reducing the manufacturing yield and degrading the chip performance. |
| US08120681B2 |
Image sensing apparatus, image sensing apparatus control method, and imaging system
An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel array, a readout unit and an output unit having an output line group, a plurality of difference circuits, a first dummy line and a second dummy line. The output line group is interposed between the first dummy line and the second dummy line. The readout unit includes a plurality of memory circuits, each including a first holding capacitance and a second holding capacitance. A gain determined by a ratio of a capacitance value of the first holding capacitance and a capacitance value of a first output line is applied to the first signal output to the first output line, and a gain determined by a ratio of a capacitance value of the second holding capacitance and a capacitance value of a second output line is applied to the second signal output to the second output line. |
| US08120677B2 |
Imaging apparatus, adjustment method of black level, and program
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is arranged with an OB level difference correcting unit for performing a process by sectionalizing a vertical pre-stage OB unit to a first region positioned on a side opposite to an effective pixel unit along a vertical transfer direction and a second region positioned on the effective pixel unit side and read out after the first region, and calculating a correction amount for correcting the OB level difference using a signal corresponding to a dark current obtained from the first region, and a correction table described with a relationship of a signal corresponding to the dark current generated in the vertical pre-stage OB unit and an OB level difference which is a difference between a black level in the vertical pre-stage OB unit and a black level of an image signal. |
| US08120676B2 |
Image distortion correcting method, carrier medium carrying distortion correcting program, and optical apparatus
A proposition is to provide a distortion correcting method, a carrier medium carrying distortion correcting program and an optical apparatus which can perform reliable and good distortion correction while suppressing the quantity of information in distortion correcting information. The distortion correcting method includes a preparing operation which expresses distortion aberration of an optical system for shooting in a function of a lens position thereof, optimizes coefficients of the function so that residual aberrations in two or more lens positions are controlled appropriately respectively, and prepares, in advance, information of optimized coefficients thereof as distortion correcting information of the optical system, and a correcting operation which performs a correction of distortion of an image picked up by the optical system based on the lens position at shooting time and the distortion correcting information prepared. |
| US08120674B2 |
Imaging apparatus
By connecting to or mounting a first storage medium that stores image data as a retrieval object (e.g. first memory card 121) and a second storage medium that stores a retrieve condition (e.g. non-volatile memory 111 or second memory card 122), an imaging apparatus 100 can store image data as a retrieval object and a retrieve condition on different storage medium. By replacing the first storage medium with a third storage medium, image retrieval can be executed for a plurality of storage medium using the same retrieve condition. |
| US08120671B2 |
Digital camera for recording a still image while shooting a moving image
In a digital camera, when snapshot shooting is instructed during recording of a moving image, a shot still image is temporarily pushed aside in a memory area for use in pushing aside (7a) in a frame buffer (7). A currently shooting motion image and a still image are displayed in parallel on a display (9), so that a user can confirm a content of a snapshot. The moving image continues to be recorded even during a push-aside operation. After a moving image processing is completed, the still image is processed by an image correcting circuit (4). The frame buffer (7) comprises a plurality of frame recording areas, and is shared on the occasions of a moving image processing and a still image processing. In a normal moving image processing, these areas are utilized in a cyclic manner, and when the still image is shot, any of areas will be utilized. Thereafter, the rest of areas are utilized in the cyclic manner for the moving images. The recording function for the moving image and still image is improved at low cost, it becomes easy to take a snapshot, and the merchandise size is not increased. |
| US08120668B2 |
Electronic camera for adjusting a parameter for regulating an image quality based on the image data outputted from an image sensor
An electronic camera includes a pre-processing block. The pre-processing block fetches four partial images outputted in a parallel manner from an image sensor in response to a clock CLK1 having a frequency equal to or less than 432 MHz, and performs four pre-processes that have responded to a clock CLK2 having a frequency ¼ the frequency of the clock CLK1, on each of the fetched four partial images. An image based on the processed four partial images is outputted from an LCD monitor. An evaluation-image producing circuit responds to a clock CLK3 so as to create an evaluation image based on the processed four partial images. A frequency of the clock CLK3 is adjusted in a range in which ¼ of 432 MHz is the upper limit. A parameter for regulating a quality of an output image is adjusted based on the evaluation image thus created. |
| US08120665B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus, digital camera, and recording medium recording image processing program
A technology for recognizing one or more quadrangles from an input image is disclosed. Edge areas are detected from the input image, lines corresponding to the edge areas are extracted, a line pair selected from the extracted lines is categorized according to a positional relationship between two lines included in the line pair, a line pair evaluation value is calculated for the line pair, a combination of two line pairs is selected, a quadrangle is generated from four lines included in the two line pairs selected, a quadrangle evaluation value is calculated for the quadrangle based on the categories and the line pair evaluation values of the two line pairs forming the quadrangle, and a quadrangle is selected based on the calculated quadrangle evaluation value. |
| US08120663B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and correction method
An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensor, a driving unit that drives the image sensor so as to output electrical signals through multiple readout modes including at least a full pixel readout mode and a thinning readout mode, an acquisition unit that acquires lens magnification chromatic aberration correction information, a correction coefficient calculation unit that obtains a coefficient for a first magnification chromatic aberration correction method during full pixel readout and a coefficient for a second magnification chromatic aberration correction method during thinning readout, and a digital signal processor that corrects the electrical signals using the obtained coefficients. In the second magnification chromatic aberration correction method, the thinned and read-out electrical signals are corrected based on positions in the image sensor of pixels corresponding to the electrical signals. |
| US08120659B2 |
Method and system for motion estimation in digital imaging applications
A method and system for estimating global motion in digital imaging applications with confidence level filtering. Motion search yields a plurality of vectors describing the movement of feature blocks from one frame to another. A confidence level is assigned to each motion vector. Based on the confidence levels, vectors are given more or less weight when estimating global motion. High-confidence vectors are given more weight than low-confidence vectors. Embodiments for estimating both the magnitude of global motion and the magnitude and direction of global motion are disclosed. |
| US08120657B2 |
Image acquiring device with positioning assisting functionality
An image acquiring device with positioning assisting functionality is for acquiring an image of an object to be captured, and includes a positioning assisting unit and an image acquiring unit. The positioning assisting unit emits light toward a planar surface. The light forms at least one positioning mark on the planar surface. The image acquiring unit is for acquiring an image of an image acquiring region associated with the positioning mark. |
| US08120656B2 |
Assembly module having a video transmission element
This invention is to provide an assembly module comprising a board, a frame disposed on a surface of the board, and a circuit board disposed on another surface of the board, wherein the circuit board includes a power line and an image transmission line for directly connecting to a camera power line and a video cable of a surveillance camera respectively. A hollow padding is added into a wire passing hole disposed in the board, and a size of the hollow padding may be adjusted according to the width of a wire of the surveillance camera, which passes through the hollow padding. Therefore, problems such as needing to make enough space in a wall or a ceiling for receiving a video transmitter, requiring an additional device for connecting to power supply, and having gaps being left between the wire and the wire passing hole may be resolved simultaneously. |
| US08120655B1 |
Interactive theatrical performance
A theatrical performance for relaying data from at least one performer to at least one member of the audience, including a processor; at least one data collector positioned on the at least one performer and remotely connected to the processor; and at least one display device remotely connected to the processor to display processed data from the processor. |
| US08120653B2 |
Video monitoring system for school buses
A video camera system for a school bus to replace one or more of the mirror systems typically utilized on school buses today. One or two cameras can be positioned on the sides of the school bus in place of the rearview mirrors presently utilized. A pair of cameras with wide-angle lenses can be positioned on the front fenders of the school bus to replace the cross view mirrors currently used today. One or more cameras can also be positioned on the rear of the school bus to display the environment immediately behind the school bus. Video monitors displaying the images from the cameras can be positioned in the cab of the school bus for viewing by the driver. The monitors from the cameras positioned on the sides of the school bus can be positioned on the A-pillars of the school bus approximately in the locations presently occupied by the rearview mirrors outside of the school bus. The monitors for the cross-view mirrors can be positioned on the dashboard or instrument panel of the school bus, preferably to the right side of the driver and adjacent the egress door. The monitor for the camera(s) on the rear of the bus can be positioned on the windshield of the vehicle. A portable computer could also be provided in place of the stationary monitors, and a central recording system can be utilized to retain the images from all of the cameras for subsequent monitoring purposes. |
| US08120650B2 |
Video fishing rod with underwater observation gear
A video fishing rod with underwater observation gear as fishing equipment, allowing surveillance of the bait and fish around it, and includes a video monitor attachable to the fishing pole, miniature submersible video camera attached close to the end of the fishing line for transmitting video images up to the monitor via the same fishing line without the use of a video cable. |
| US08120647B2 |
3-dimensional display device having divided regions
3-dimensional display device includes a display panel for displaying image; a backlight for supplying light to the display panel; and a switching liquid crystal panel between the display panel and the backlight to display 2-dimensional image and 3-dimensional image by blocking and transmitting the light from the backlight in part area, the switching liquid crystal panel being divided a plurality of regions to display respectively the 2-dimensional image and the 3-dimensional image in each regions. |
| US08120642B2 |
Optical fingerprint acquisition
A swept distance between a subject and a plurality of cameras provides a plurality of raw images. Focused portions of the raw images are fused to generate a synthetic image and a distance image. A projection of the synthetic image and the distance image yields a panoramic image. |
| US08120641B2 |
Panoramic photography method and apparatus
An apparatus may take a panoramic photograph without the need to set the order in which panoramic images. The method includes taking a reference image that is a portion of the panoramic photograph, generating a plurality of guide images using portions of the reference image, detecting movement of an image-taking device and displaying a guide image selected according to the detected movement of the image-taking device, and taking a connected image to be stitched to the most recently taken reference image using the guide image. |
| US08120639B2 |
High-definition video conference system and method
The invention provides a high-definition video conference system and method. The high-definition video conference system, according to the invention, uses an encoding module for compressing a plurality of usable digital signals under a high-definition compression standard into a plurality of compressed digital signals, and an instant-messaging application for transmitting the compressed digitals to a second terminal apparatus. The second terminal apparatus uses a decoding module for decompressing the plurality of compressed digital signals under the high-definition compression standard to obtain a plurality of image signals, and a displaying module for displaying the image signals. Therefore, the high-definition video conference system of the invention can achieve high-definition video conference applications even under limited hardware performance and network transmission bandwidth. |
| US08120637B2 |
Virtual theater system for the home
In one embodiment, a system includes a mixer that creates customized mixed audio streams by synchronously mix audience reaction data packets received from a plurality of virtual theater nodes with a soundtrack of a movie. The audience reaction data packets are produced by viewers watching the movie. The mixer transmits each customized mixed audio streams to a corresponding one of the virtual theater nodes. A video streamer streams video data packets to each of the virtual theater nodes, the video data packets being synchronized with each of the customized mixed audio streams. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US08120636B2 |
Method for performing recording operation in video communication mode of wireless terminal and wireless terminal implementing the same
A method for performing a recording operation in a video communication mode of a wireless terminal are provided, where the video communication mode of the wireless terminal is switched to a recording mode for performing the recording operation, and video data are evaluated to determine if received in the recording mode of video communication. When the video data are not received, although a predetermined time passes, the recording mode of the video communication is performed while inserting preset substitution image data. When the video data are received before the predetermined time passes, the received video data is checked to determine if an error is included, and when the received video data includes abnormal video data, the recording mode of the video communication is performed while inserting preset substitution image data. |
| US08120630B2 |
Image shift adjusting apparatus of image forming apparatus
First patterns for setting a first adjustment value and second patterns for setting a second adjustment value are formed on a transfer belt running at a first process speed. By this, an image shift adjustment value in a sub-scanning direction is made common to the first process speed and a second process speed. Image shift adjustment values in a main scanning direction are set for the first process speed and the second process speed, respectively. |
| US08120629B2 |
Display device
A signal converter to make a display module conduct an n-ply display operation divides one frame period of input display data into n subframes to obtain n-ply display data, shifts the sampling position for each n-ply display data, samples the data to convert resolution thereof, rearranges in n ways a combination of subpixels included in each pixel of output display data resultant from the sampling, and varying the sampling position and the combination of subpixels for each subframe in a cooperative fashion. |
| US08120628B2 |
Method for driving a display
A method for driving a display is provided. According to the driving method, a display panel is divided into a plurality of bright regions and a plurality of dark regions, wherein the dark regions and the bright regions are alternately arranged so that the bright regions within the display panel are not adjacent to each other. Next, a full-color frame is divided into four sub-frames, wherein the sub-frames are matched with the four color-orders one by one. In this way, the display randomly displays the sub-frames in a frame period. |
| US08120627B2 |
Redistribution of N-primary color input signals into N-primary color output signals
A method of redistributing an N-primary color input signal (IS) having a particular number≧4 (N) of input components (I1, . . . , IN) into N-primary color output signal (OS) having the particular number (N) of output components (P1, . . . , PN) under a constraint (CON2). The method comprises defining (MPRC) three functions (F1, F2, F3) representing three (P1, P2, P3) of the output components (P1, . . . , PN) as a function of the remaining N-3 output components (P4, . . . , PN). Substituting (MPRC) the values of the input components (I1, . . . , IN) into the three functions (F1, F2, F3) to determine unknown coefficients (P1′, P2′, P3′) of the three functions (F1, F2, F3). And, determining (MPRC) optimal values of the output components (P1, . . . , PN) by applying the constraint (CON2) to the three functions (F1, F2, F3). |
| US08120616B2 |
Color sampler
A method for selecting a desired color from a screen display using a color selection tool that may appear as an eyedropper. Rather than independently choosing pixels or a matrix of pixels, the user blends a color by selecting pixels using a mouse cursor. In response, the color of each selected pixel is incrementally blended into the current color at a constant rate. That is, each selected pixel is blended with the current color according to a constant blending factor. In this manner, the current color changes at a constant rate with the contribution of each successive pixel. This approach allows the user to gradually blend colors from the screen display, much as a painter would gradually mix colors on a palette. |
| US08120610B1 |
Methods and apparatus for using aliases to display logic
A system traverses a directed cyclic graph to discover a relationship between a first object and a second object, and creates an alias. The alias represents the second object. The system replaces the relationship between the first object and the second object with the created alias, and creates a reference from the first object to the alias. |
| US08120609B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for light energy accounting in ray tracing
For ray tracing systems, described methods, media, apparatuses provide for accounting of light energy that will be collected at pixels of a 2-D representation without recursive closure of a tree of ray/primitive intersections, and also provide for adaptivity in ray tracing based on importance indicators of each ray, such as a weight, which may be carried in data structures representative of the rays. Examples of such adaptivity may include determining a number of children to issue for shading an identified intersecting primitive, culling rays, and adding rays to achieve more accurate sampling, if desired. All such adaptivity may be triggered with goal-based indicators, such as a threshold value representative of rendering progress to a time-based goal, such as a frame rate. |
| US08120604B2 |
Object editing system, object editing method and object editing program product
The present invention provides a snap function that can move an object smoothly, without deteriorating the user operability. According to the present invention, there is provided an object editing system, including: an arrangement system for arranging an object and a snap target in a given display area; a moving system for moving the object in the display area; a snap system for causing the object to snap the snap target on a basis of a distance between the object and the snap target; and a restriction system for inhibiting the object from snapping the snap target on a basis of a direction in which the object is moving. According to the object editing system of the invention, the snap system causes the object to snap the snap target once the distance between the object and the snap target has become smaller than a predetermined threshold value. |
| US08120597B2 |
Mapping pixel values
The present invention provides a device comprising: a backplane controller including means for sequencing a series of instructions, wherein the instructions control memory accesses to data that is used to control one or more pulse widths that drive one or more mirrors/electrodes on a spatial light modulator that control one or more outputs of the spatial light modulator. |
| US08120593B2 |
Method of positioning coordinate
A method of positioning a coordinate suitable for a touch panel includes following steps. When a touch event occurs, the touch panel generates a corresponding detection coordinate periodically until the touch event ends. When the touch event occurs, the detection coordinate generated by the touch panel is sequentially stored. The touch event is ignored until the number of coordinates generated by the touch panel is greater than or equal to N, and N is a positive integer. When the number of coordinates generated by the touch panel is greater than or equal to N, a touch coordinate corresponding to the touch event is generated according to the last generated N detection coordinates. The above-mentioned step of generating the touch coordinate is repeated according to a cycle of generating the detection coordinate by the touch panel so as to renew the touch coordinate until the touch event ends. |
| US08120591B2 |
Detection of low noise frequencies for multiple frequency sensor panel stimulation
The identification of low noise stimulation frequencies for detecting and localizing touch events on a touch sensor panel is disclosed. Each of a plurality of sense channels can be coupled to a separate sense line in a touch sensor panel and can have multiple mixers, each mixer using a demodulation frequency of a particular frequency, phase and delay. With no stimulation signal applied to any drive lines in the touch sensor panel, pairs of mixers can demodulate the sum of the output of all sense channels using the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals of a particular frequency. The demodulated outputs of each mixer pair can be used to calculate the magnitude of the noise at that particular frequency, wherein the lower the magnitude, the lower the noise at that frequency. Several low noise frequencies can be selected for use in a subsequent touch sensor panel scan function. |
| US08120589B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel disposed on a display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of first sensing strings and second sensing strings, and a plurality of assistant lines. The first sensing strings and the second sensing strings include sensing pads, a plurality of first connecting lines and a plurality of second connecting lines. The first connecting lines are parallel to a first direction and electrically connected to portions of the sensing pads in series to construct the first sensing strings. The second connecting lines are parallel to a second direction and electrically connected to the other portions of the sensing pads in series to construct the second sensing strings. The first and the second sensing pads are coplanar. The first connecting lines are electrically insulated from the second connecting lines. The assistant lines are positioned within an area of the sensing pads. The assistant lines directly contact with the sensing pads. |
| US08120585B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product providing vibration control interface
A method includes defining a plurality of parameters for a vibration control pulse comprising a start pulse and a stop pulse, and outputting the vibration control pulse to a vibration element to provide tactile feedback. |
| US08120583B2 |
KVM switch capable of detecting keyword input and method thereof
Disclosed is a keyboard-video-mouse switch capable of detecting keyword input and recording video data from a computer and keyboard input data from a console and method thereof. The keyboard-video-mouse switch includes a keyword filter and a capture unit. The keyword filter detects whether a predetermined keyword is inputted from the console into the computer and the capture unit records video data if the predetermined keyword is detected. Moreover, the capture unit may record keyboard input data for a complete monitor. The keyboard-video-mouse switch of the present invention further includes an alarm and a keyword database. The alarm will alarm an administrator when the predetermined keyword is detected. The keyword database stores data of keystroke combinations, which is defined as predetermined keyword data for at least one input method. |
| US08120580B2 |
Electronic apparatus with display screen
The present invention provides an electronic apparatus including a display screen having a first menu display area and a second menu display area, and a direction key provided on a side; first menu items arranged in a right-left direction are displayed in the first menu display area, and second menu items arranged in an up-down direction are displayed in the second menu display area, the direction key and the first menu display area are positioned substantially on a straight line extending in the right-left direction, the first menu items can be selected when a front portion/back portion of the direction key is pressed, the second menu items corresponding to the selected first menu items can be selected when an upper portion/lower portion of the direction key is pressed, and the selected menu items can be confirmed when a center portion of the direction key is pressed. |
| US08120577B2 |
Eye tracker with visual feedback
The present invention relates to entry of control commands into a computer in response to eye-tracker detected movement sequences of a point of regard over a graphical display, which is associated with the computer. A processing module in the computer causes the display to present graphical feedback information in the form of a data-manipulating window, which visually confirms any entered control commands. The data-manipulating window is presented at a position relative to an active control object on the display, such that a center point of the window is located within a relatively small offset distance from a center point of the active control object. The window includes graphical information, which symbolizes and activity portion of the display presently being the object of an eye-tracker-controlled entry of control commands. Moreover the information in the window is repeatedly updated in response to the eye-tracker-controlled entry of control commands. |
| US08120571B2 |
LED driver and display device using the same
An LED driver 5 includes current sources (52R, 52G, 52B) for generating drive current of LED (4R, 4G, 4B); and a black insert control section (54) for generating a black insert signal (BK) for determining a black insert period in one frame from a frame synchronizing signal (such as vertical synchronizing signal VS). The current sources (52R, 52G, 52B) stop current supply to the LEDs (4R, 4G, 4B) during the black insert period according to the black insert signal (BK). With this configuration, it is possible to enhance the moving image visibility of a liquid crystal display device without increasing the load on display control means or significantly lowering the light source brightness. |
| US08120567B2 |
Shift register, and solid state image sensor and camera using shift register
The present invention provides a solid state image sensor and a camera using such a solid state image sensor, in which all of stage registers of the shift register can be reset efficiently without increasing the number of pads and/or sensor pins. The solid state image sensor comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 31 arranged in a two-dimensional array, a vertical shift register 503 disposed in a column direction and a horizontal shift register 504 disposed in a row direction and is characterized in that a timing for controlling resetting means for a first stage register of the shift register differs from a timing for controlling a second stage register and subsequent stage registers. Further, as a concrete example, the second stage register and subsequent stage registers are rest by a pulse for driving the shift register and the first stage register is reset by a pulse in which a high level is reached only upon power ON. |
| US08120565B2 |
Method and apparatus to enhance contrast in electro-optical display devices
Display contrast in electro-optical display devices is improved using a drive circuit including pixel drive circuits and a common drive circuit. The pixel drive circuits are connected to pixel electrodes of the display device, and are operable to generate respective pixel drive signals that alternate between a first high voltage and a first low voltage differing in voltage by less than or equal to a process-limited maximum. The common drive circuit is connected to a common electrode of the display device, and is operable to generate a common drive signal alternating between a second high voltage and a second low voltage differing in voltage by more than the process-limited maximum. The common drive signal is asymmetrically bipolar with respect to the first low voltage of the pixel drive signal. |
| US08120562B2 |
Liquid crystal device, active matrix substrate, and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal element having a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode which control alignment of liquid crystal molecules by applying an electric field in a direction parallel to a surface of a substrate to a liquid crystal layer, a memory circuit which is disposed in a pixel circuit and which serves as a voltage source of a first voltage and a second voltage, and an application voltage inverting circuit which is disposed in the pixel circuit and which inverts voltages applied to the liquid crystal element by controlling each of the first voltage and the second voltage so as to be supplied to either the first pixel electrode or the second pixel electrode of the liquid crystal element. |
| US08120560B2 |
Image displaying method, image displaying device, and contrast-adjusting circuit for use therewith
A system provides an image displaying technique that provides stable high contrast even in an area having high brightness. Based on information about an average brightness level of a digital luminance signal, black-correction processing which decreases a brightness level by offsetting the brightness level to the minus side, and increase processing which increases a contrast gain within a dynamic range, are performed for an analog luminance signal or a digital luminance signal, enabling improvement in contrast even where brightness is intense. |
| US08120559B2 |
Liquid crystal device and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display device and a driving method thereof is presented in which a first liquid crystal cell is provided at one side of the data line, and a second liquid crystal cell is provided at the other side thereof. A first switching part is provided for each first liquid crystal cell positioned at an ith horizontal line (wherein i is an integer) to be controlled by the (i−1)th gate line and the ith gate line. A second switching part is provided for each second liquid crystal cell positioned at an ith horizontal line to be controlled by the ith gate line. |
| US08120556B2 |
Organic light emitting display having longer life span
An organic light emitting display, including a driving transistor electrically coupled to a first power line, a first switch electrically coupled to the driving transistor and an emission line, a second switch electrically coupled to the driving transistor and a previous scan line, a third switch electrically coupled to the first switch and a data line, a fourth switch electrically coupled to the data line and the third switch, a fifth switch electrically coupled to the driving transistor and a scan line, a first capacitor electrically coupled to the second switch and the third switch, a second capacitor electrically coupled to the third switch and the fifth switch, and an organic light emitting diode electrically coupled to the driving transistor and a second power line. |
| US08120554B2 |
Pixel and organic light emitting display comprising the same, and driving method thereof
An OLED pixel, an organic light emitting display comprising the same, and a driving method thereof in which a uniform image is displayed regardless of differences among transistor characteristics are disclosed. The organic light emitting display comprises a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of power source lines. Each pixel comprises a frequency supplying line to supply a frequency signal having a frequency corresponding to a sub-frame, a pixel circuit to supply current from the power source line on the basis of a data signal and the frequency signal, and an organic light emitting diode configured to emit light depending on the output current from the pixel circuit. |
| US08120551B2 |
Active-matrix display device, and active-matrix organic electroluminescent display device
An active-matrix display device that employs current-programmed-type pixel circuits and performs the writing data to each of pixels on a line-by-line basis. The active-matrix display device has a matrix of current-programmed-type pixel circuits includes a data line driving circuit formed of a plurality of current driving circuits (CD) arranged so as to correspond to respective data lines. The data line driving circuit (CD) holds image data (luminance data herein) in the form of voltage, and then converts the voltage of the image data into a current signal. The current signal is then fed to the data lines at a time. The image information is thus written on the pixel circuits. |
| US08120549B2 |
Method for driving a plasma display panel
The present method is to drive a plasma display panel which displays a frame composed of a plurality of sub-fields having different weights of luminance. The method comprises using plural kinds of application voltage waveforms different in light emission luminance, as pulse voltages for sustain discharges in display of each sub-field, and adjusting the number of waves in each of the plural kinds of application voltage waveforms according to the weight of luminance set for each sub-field, thereby performing gradation display. |
| US08120547B2 |
Information display
A method displaying information for viewing by a user characterised by the steps of: peripherally displaying primary information (5) on a first focal plane (3), and displaying secondary information (6) on at least a second focal plane (2) to said primary information (5), wherein said secondary information (6) exhibits at least one characteristic capable of augmenting the effect of the primary information (5) on the viewer. |
| US08120542B2 |
Notch antenna and wireless device
A notch antenna includes a ground conductor having a slit and a reactance circuit containing a capacitive reactance element and an inductive reactance element, the reactance circuit being placed at an open end of the slit so as to bridge the slit and being connected to the ground conductor. The slit has a closed end to which power is supplied, and the capacitance of the capacitive reactance element and the inductance of the inductive reactance element are set so that the reactance circuit has a capacitance desired to obtain a first antenna resonance point at a first frequency and a capacitance desired to obtain a second antenna resonance point at a second frequency. |
| US08120541B2 |
Antenna system for tracking satellite
Provided is an antenna system for tracking a satellite which includes a fixed body and a rotating body. The antenna system includes a transmitting/receiving unit having a transmitting channel and a receiving channel for signal power, a driving unit for enabling mechanical motion of the rotating body for satellite tracking, and a control unit for monitoring and controlling the operation of the driving unit. Accordingly, the various kinds of the components of the antenna system mounted and operated on the movable body can be minimized and the output of the transmitted signal required in the antenna system can be simply replaced, thereby simplifying the configuration of the system and reducing the production cost of the system. In addition, the STR having the tracking signal processing function in the digital mode as well as the general analog mode is mounted on the antenna system, thereby improving accuracy of satellite tracking. Moreover, the posture of the antenna system can be stably maintained regardless of the motion of the movable body in the moving environment by using the driving unit and the control unit which are designed for stably controlling the elevation, azimuth and antenna rotating angle, thereby improving communication performance that is the intrinsic object of the antenna system. |
| US08120538B2 |
Wireless chip
The invention provides a wireless chip which can secure the safety of consumers while being small in size, favorable in communication property, and inexpensive, and the invention also provides an application thereof. Further, the invention provides a wireless chip which can be recycled after being used for managing the manufacture, circulation, and retail. A wireless chip includes a layer including a semiconductor element, and an antenna. The antenna includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a dielectric layer sandwiched between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and has a spherical shape, an ovoid shape, an oval spherical shape like a go stone, an oval spherical shape like a rugby ball, or a disc shape, or has a cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape in which an outer edge portion thereof has a curved surface. |
| US08120530B2 |
Method and device for using GNSS satellite trajectory extension data in mobile apparatus
A method and device for using satellite trajectory extension data in a mobile apparatus. The device in accordance with the present invention comprises an I/O interface and a microprocessor. The input/output (I/O) interface is used for obtaining at least one satellite navigation message for a satellite. The microprocessor is used for determining a propagating condition according to the satellite navigation message, estimating a plurality of parameters of a satellite trajectory prediction model according to the propagating condition to establish an estimated satellite trajectory predication model, propagating a set of satellite trajectory extension data by using the estimated satellite trajectory prediction model, computing acquisition assistance data according to the satellite trajectory extension data and acquiring signals of the satellite by using the acquisition assistance data. |
| US08120526B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and systems for locating non-cooperative objects
Measurements of the differential and/or absolute time-of-arrival of separable signals transmitted from a set of spatially-distributed (SD) transmitters are obtained by one or more receivers. The signals transmitted by each transmitter are made separable by encoding them in a manner that enables each signal to be distinguished from the others by the receiver or receivers. An accurate time-of-arrival of each signal at the receiver is determined, from which the path lengths from the transmitters to the receiver and from the receiver to the object are determined based on the known propagation speed of the signals. Any Doppler frequency shifts in each signal can also be determined from this information. From all of this information, the receiver is able to determine its own position, motion and orientation (roll, pitch and yaw), as well as the position and motion of the moving object being tracked by the receiver. |
| US08120525B2 |
Systems and methods for obtaining aircraft state data from multiple data links
Systems and methods are delineated that may provide for a system for use in a merging and spacing application for an aircraft. An exemplary system may comprise a TCAS and a processor for executing the merging and spacing application using ADS-B data and data received by the aircraft in response to an interrogation of another aircraft from the TCAS. In a disclosed embodiment, a lead aircraft responds to the TCAS interrogation from a following aircraft to provide EHS heading and/or speed of the lead aircraft to the following aircraft, which uses the received EHS data as well as ADS-B data to determine merging and spacing control parameters for the following aircraft. |
| US08120524B2 |
Motion detection systems using CW radar in combination with additional sensors
Whether or not the CW radar is utilized for through-the-wall detection, additional one or more sensors are used with the CW radar to confirm the motion detection result or to in fact turn on the CW radar once motion or the physical presence of an individual has been sensed, thereby to provide confirmation of a less-reliable sensor with the use of the more reliable CW radar. Thus, the addition of other sensors provides lower power consumption, lower false alarm rates and better discrimination and classification of moving objects. |
| US08120520B2 |
Successive approximation analog/digital converter and time-interleaved successive approximation analog/digital converter
A successive approximation analog/digital converter includes a sample & hold part sampling and holding an intensity of an analog input signal using a single clock cycle of a clock signal; a first comparator comparing the intensity of the analog input signal with comparison voltages determined according to estimated digital values per clock cycle following an operating clock cycle of the sample & hold part; a second comparator comparing the intensity of the analog input signal with a value equal to ½ of a preset reference voltage in the latter half of the operating clock cycle of the sample & hold part; a successive approximation register determining a value of an MSB of a digital value to be converted according to the comparison result of the second comparator and values of bits successive to the MSB according to the comparison result of the first comparator, and generating the estimated digital values by applying estimated values to undetermined bits; and a digital/analog converter generating the comparison voltages using the estimated digital values and the reference voltage. |
| US08120518B2 |
Digital feedforward sigma-delta modulator in analog-to-digital converter and modulation method thereof
A digital feedforward sigma-delta modulator in an analog-to-digital converter and its modulation method are disclosed. The modulator changes a feedforward path from an analog domain to a digital domain and processes it. The modulator integrates an analog input by using a plurality of integrators, weights them, quantizes them by using a plurality of quantizers in a digital domain to output digital signals, and then adds up the thusly outputted digital signals by using a digital adder. In case of a continuous time digital feedforward sigma-delta modulator (SDM), a digital signal outputted from the digital adder is weighted and then immediately inputted to the digital adder in the digital domain so as to be subtracted, allowing for digital feedforwarding. Because the feedforward signal is processed in the digital domain, the area occupied by an analog circuit and power consumption can be reduced. Also, because signals are added up in the digital domain, a digital output signal can be immediately used when an excess loop delay needs to be corrected. Thus, because there is no need to convert the digital output signal into an analog signal by using a DAC, the DAC can be omitted. |
| US08120509B2 |
MWD data transmission
An MWD data transmission system and method for determining and transmitting the environmental properties of the downhole borehole assembly (BHA) to surface data receivers via mud pulse telemetry, EM telemetry, or both mud pulse telemetry and EM telemetry based on one or more determined properties of the downhole environment. |
| US08120505B2 |
Emergency ingress/egress monitoring system
A base computer that, under normal conditions receives and stores individual ingress/egress data transmitted from at least one card reader and that maintains a current occupancy census of a facility. Under emergency conditions, individual exit from the facility is registered at a plurality of card readers located at evacuation assembly areas and such egress data are transmitted by wireless means to a portable computer that is in communication with the base computer thereby allowing a real time, current occupancy census to be generated and displayed. Egress can also be registered by telephone to a preestablished phone number. |
| US08120504B2 |
Circuit for indicating operating status of computer hardware devices
A circuit for indicating operating status of a plurality of hardware devices of a computer includes a detecting module, a decoding module, and an indicating module. The indicating module includes a dual color indicator and two electronic switches connected to a first input and a second input of the dual color indicator respectively. The detecting module detects an operating status of the plurality of hardware devices, and outputs state signals of each hardware device during power on self test of the computer. The decoding module decodes the state signals, and outputs level control signals to turn on or off the two electronic switches. The dual color indicator indicates operating status of the plurality of hardware devices by shifted to be at different indicating states by the two electronic switches correspondingly. |
| US08120500B2 |
Acoustic fluid presence/absence detection
An acoustic sensor detects presence and/or absence of fluid in a fluid delivery medium. The acoustic sensor detects fluid absence based on the difference of the speed of sound between air and a fluid. For example, the acoustic sensor may detect fluid absence based on a phase shift between acoustic signals transmitted through the fluid delivery medium when fluid is present as compared to acoustic signals transmitted through the fluid delivery medium when fluid is absent, e.g., when air or bubbles are present in the fluid delivery medium. |
| US08120498B2 |
Capturing body movement related to a fixed coordinate system
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a kinematic sensor may be carried by or on one or more body segments of a user to obtain one or more kinematic variables based at least in part on movement of the user with respect to a fixed, global reference system. The kinematic sensor comprises a tri-axial accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, and a magnetometer sensor to define the global reference system and to obtain kinematic data. The kinematic data may be transmitted via a wireless link to a remote information handling system or device, for example to monitor a health status of the user based at least in part on movement of the user with respect to the fixed, global reference system. |
| US08120495B2 |
RFID system
An RFID system according to the present invention includes an RFID antenna system including: a first antenna that can communicate with an external reader/writer; an antenna selector for connecting with the first antenna; and a plurality of second antennas that can connect with the first antenna in order via the antenna selector, each of the second antennas can communicate with an IC tag that is attached to an article placed in a region defined by the second antenna. |
| US08120494B1 |
RFID readers and systems with antenna switching upon detecting too few tags and methods
RFID readers, reader systems, and methods are provided that utilize smart antenna switching. A first signal is transmitted from a first antenna estimating presence of tags within the antennas field of view. If fewer than a predefined number of tags are estimated, the system switches to a second antenna. Otherwise, the tags found in the field of view of the first antenna are inventoried before switching to the second antenna. |
| US08120492B2 |
Blister package with integrated electronic tag and method of manufacture
A blister package with an integrated RFID tag is provided. The conductive lidding material is modified to serve not only to seal some contents within some formed blister film, but also to act as an RFID tag antenna. An IC chip is electrically connected to the lidding film antenna. Methods of manufacture which integrate with conventional blister package manufacturing processes are also provided. |
| US08120490B2 |
RFID tag information system
An RFID tag information system comprises a transmission/reception antenna configured to carry out information transmission/reception via radio communication with a RFID circuit element. An access information processing device configured to carry out predetermined processing relating to information for access that accesses the RFID circuit element or access acquisition information. And a selection processing portion for select and process one transmission path among a plurality of transmission paths that transmit the information for access from the access information processing device or that transmit the access acquisition information to the access information processing device. |
| US08120474B2 |
Communication system for vehicle
A communication system for a vehicle includes a portable identification device including a portion for receiving an interrogation signal and a portion for transmitting an indication indicative signal responsive to the interrogation signal, multiple tire sensor devices each of which includes a portion for receiving an initiation signal and a portion for transmitting a condition indicative signal responsive to the initiation signal, multiple transmitting devices each of which emits the interrogation signal and the initiation signal for different conditions within a communication area, a receiving device for receiving the indication indicative signal and the condition indicative signal, and a central controller for unlocking a door lock device when the portable identification device is determined to be in an overlapped area based on a condition of the portable identification device, the overlapped area being defined between two adjacent communication areas and in which the door lock device is involved. |
| US08120468B2 |
Security system for inventory
A security system for inventory automatically detects removal of inventory items from an area or areas protected with security sensors. A person removing the item then scans an identifying code of the item, such as its bar code or radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, with a device such as a portable shopping assistant device; if the item is not scanned in an appropriate manner, such as within a particular a time period, then theft of the item may be suspected. Information for completing a purchase transaction can be sent from the portable shopping assistant device. In this manner, items can be purchased directly from the protected areas. |
| US08120465B2 |
RFID tag, interrogator and system with improved symbol encoding and decoding
An improved RFID Tag, Interrogator, and system wherein at least one tag modulates a radio frequency signal by modulated backscatter operations. |
| US08120461B2 |
Automatic data collection device, method and article
A radio frequency identification system comprises a radio-frequency identification substrate and an interrogator. In one embodiment, the radio-frequency identification substrate comprises a plurality of radio-frequency identification devices. In one embodiment, a first radio-frequency identification device on the substrate monitors an indication of a response of a second radio-frequency identification device on the substrate to an interrogation signal and selectively responds to the interrogation signal based on the monitoring of the indication. |
| US08120460B1 |
Electronic key provisioning
A method for method of initializing an electronic lock is disclosed. The method comprises a point-of-sale terminal reading electronic lock identification information from the electronic lock and the point-of-sale terminal receiving confidential information from a mobile electronic device. The method also comprises an inventory control system that is coupled to the point-of-sale terminal and that transmits an electronic lock registration message, wherein the registration message contains at least some of the confidential information and at least some of the identification information. When the inventory control system receives an electronic access code in response to the electronic lock registration message, the point-of-sale terminal transmits the electronic access code to the mobile electronic device. The electronic access code is operable to lock and unlock the electronic lock when transmitted, using near-field-communication technology, to the electronic lock. |
| US08120459B2 |
Access authentication system and method using smart communicator
Disclosed is an intelligent access authentication system and method. The intelligent access authentication system includes a door lock that can be locked and released in a predetermined manner, a door phone for communicating with the visitor; a smart communicator which configures access approval levels of expected visitors and access authentication information for each access approval level, communicates with the visitor, and controls the door lock, and a home network server which stores the access approval levels of expected visitors and access authentication information for each access approval level received from the smart communicator, checks the access approval level of the visitor attempting to release the door lock by referring to previously stored information, and transmits a door lock operating command to the door lock according to the access approval level of the visitor. In the present invention, the resident can check the visitor and control the door lock to be released according to the access approval level of the visitor, even at a remote location. |
| US08120452B2 |
Mechanical interlock for circuit breaker to prevent relatching of the breaker
An apparatus and method for restricting auxiliary latch movement within a tripped circuit breaker. An auxiliary latch is held in a closed state and is biased into an open state. When the trip bar is activated in response to an overload condition, it releases the auxiliary latch which pivots to the open state. The cradle is released and pivots to disengage the breaker contact. Tabs on the cradle and auxiliary latch cooperatively interlock to limit auxiliary latch movement until the latch is properly reset. |
| US08120448B2 |
High frequency nanotube oscillator
A tunable nanostructure such as a nanotube is used to make an electromechanical oscillator. The mechanically oscillating nanotube can be provided with inertial clamps in the form of metal beads. The metal beads serve to clamp the nanotube so that the fundamental resonance frequency is in the microwave range, i.e., greater than at least 1 GHz, and up to 4 GHz and beyond. An electric current can be run through the nanotube to cause the metal beads to move along the nanotube and changing the length of the intervening nanotube segments. The oscillator can operate at ambient temperature and in air without significant loss of resonance quality. The nanotube is can be fabricated in a semiconductor style process and the device can be provided with source, drain, and gate electrodes, which may be connected to appropriate circuitry for driving and measuring the oscillation. Novel driving and measuring circuits are also disclosed. |
| US08120440B2 |
Voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with simultaneous switching of frequency band, oscillation core and varactor size
The invention relates to a voltage controlled oscillator for generating a variable frequency. The oscillator comprises an oscillator core and a transconductive portion for compensating current losses in the oscillator core. The oscillator core comprises an inductive portion with at least one inductive element and a capacitive portion whose capacitance can be continuously varied by means of a control voltage for varying said frequency. The capacitive portion comprises multiple variable capacitive elements whose capacitance is continuously variable by means of said control voltage, each variable capacitive element being switchable for being added to or removed from the capacitive portion. |
| US08120437B2 |
Oscillator with little deterioration capable of outputting clock pulses with target frequency
An oscillator includes: a vibrator having a first electrode and a second electrode disposed with a gap with the first electrode; a reference voltage supply circuit adapted to supply a reference voltage; and a voltage adjustment circuit having a step-up circuit operating in response to input of clock pulses and adapted to convert the reference voltage into a voltage of a predetermined level and to output the voltage of the predetermined level, wherein the vibrator is configured so as to apply the voltage of the predetermined level, which is output from the voltage adjustment circuit, between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the clock pulses to be input into the step-up circuit are obtained using the vibrator as a source. |
| US08120435B2 |
PLL circuit and semiconductor device having the same
A PLL circuit includes a phase detector, a loop filter (LF), a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and a frequency divider. The phase detector compares a phase of a signal Fs which is input from outside with a phase of a signal Fo/N which is input from the frequency divider. The loop filter generates a signal Vin by removing alternating current components from a signal input from the phase detector. The voltage-controlled oscillator outputs a signal Fo based on the signal Vin input from the loop filter. The frequency divider converts the signal Fo output from the voltage-controlled oscillator into Fo/N (frequency division by N), and outputs it to the phase detector. |
| US08120431B2 |
Variable loop bandwidth phase locked loop
An apparatus comprising a voltage controlled oscillator, a first charge pump, a second charge pump, a switch circuit and a comparator circuit. The voltage controlled oscillator may be configured to generate an output signal oscillating at a first frequency in response to a control signal. The charge pump circuit may be configured to generate a first component of the control signal in response to a first adjustment signal and a second adjustment signal. The second charge pump may be configured to generate a second component of the control signal in response to a first intermediate signal and a second intermediate signal. The switch circuit may be configured to generate the first intermediate signal and the second intermediate signal in response to the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal. The comparator circuit may be configured to generate the first and second adjustment signals in response to a comparison between (i) an input signal having a second frequency and (ii) the output signal. |
| US08120423B2 |
OP-AMP sharing with input and output reset
An operational amplifier with two pairs of differential inputs for use with an input switch capacitor network. The operational amplifier has reset devices for resetting the second pair of differential inputs while amplifying the first pair of differential inputs, and for resetting the first pair of differential inputs while amplifying the second pair of differential inputs for reducing memory effect in electronic circuits. In an embodiment, the amplifier has an additional reset device for resetting the outputs during a prophase of amplifying the first pair of differential inputs and a prophase of amplifying the second pair of differential inputs. |
| US08120421B2 |
Circuit structure free from test effect and testing method thereof
A circuit structure free from test effect is provided. The circuit structure includes a first test terminal and a second test terminal. A symmetric circuit unit is coupled between the first test terminal and the second test terminal. The symmetric circuit unit includes a plurality of transistors, wherein the transistors are symmetrically disposed to form a first part circuit and a second part circuit. A switch control unit alternatively connects the transistors of the first part circuit and the transistors of the second part circuit between the first test terminal and the second test terminal according to a control signal. |
| US08120417B2 |
Transfer-function control in an active filter
A filter circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit to provide a number of poles including a dominant pole, and a feedback circuit to feed a portion of an output of the differential amplifier circuit to an input of the differential amplifier circuit. The feedback circuit includes a feedback resistor and a feedback capacitor to provide a controllable increase in an order of a transfer function of the filter circuit along with non-dominant poles of the differential amplifier circuit coupled in parallel with the feedback resistor. Coefficients of a transfer function of the differential amplifier circuit are forced to substantially depend solely on one or more of a plurality of passive circuit elements, the feedback resistor, and the feedback capacitor to control a dependence of the transfer function of the filter circuit on a gain of the differential amplifier circuit and poles of the differential amplifier circuit. |
| US08120411B1 |
Charge pump with ramp rate control
A charge pump circuit is provided that has a controllable ramp rate. The charge pump circuit may receive a control signal from a control circuit. The control signal may be asserted by the control circuit to turn on the charge pump circuit. When the charge pump circuit is turned on, the charge pump circuit produces an output voltage. The output voltage ramps up from an initial value to a desired target value. During the ramp up process, a ramp rate regulation circuit monitors the output voltage and ensures that the ramp rate does not exceed a desired maximum value. A capacitor may be charged at a desired ramp rate to use as a time-varying reference voltage. A feedback circuit may be used to maintain the output voltage at the desired target value once the ramp-up process is complete. |
| US08120410B2 |
Adaptive control of power supply for integrated circuits
The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement and method for controlling power supply in an integrated circuit wherein at least one working parameter of at least one electrically isolated circuit region (10) is monitored, and the conductivity of a variable resistor means is locally controlled so as to individually adjust power supply for each of said at least two electrically isolated circuit regions (10) based on the at least one monitored working parameter. Thereby, a fast and simple control functionality with low area overhead can be provided. |
| US08120407B1 |
Techniques for varying phase shifts in periodic signals
A circuit includes a phase detection circuit and a phase change circuit. The phase detection circuit compares a phase of a first periodic signal to an input signal to generate a gain signal. The phase change circuit provides phase shifts to the first periodic signal in first and second directions when the gain signal has a first value. The phase change circuit increases phase shifts provided to the first periodic signal in the first direction in response to the gain signal changing from the first value to a second value. The phase change circuit provides phase shifts to the first periodic signal in the second direction when the gain signal has the second value that are smaller than the phase shifts provided to the first periodic signal in the first direction when the gain signal has the second value. |
| US08120406B2 |
Sequential circuit with dynamic pulse width control
A pulsed latch circuit with conditional shutoff prevents an input node, such as a node receiving data, of the pulsed latch circuit, from latching data based on a delayed input control signal, such as an internal clocking signal, and based on a feedback latch state transition detection signal indicating that a current state of input data is stored in the latch. As such, two control conditions are used to shut down the latch. In one example, a condition generator detects when the latch has captured data correctly and outputs a signal to disable the input node. In addition, a variable delay circuit is used to adjust the width of the allowable input signal to set a worst case shutoff time. If data is latched early, a feedback latch state transition detection signal causes the input node to be disabled. If data is not latched early, the maximum allowable latch time is set by the variable delay circuit. |
| US08120404B2 |
Flip-flop circuit with internal level shifter
A flip-flop circuit with an internal level shifter includes an input stage, a clock input stage, an output stage and a level shifting stage. The output stage generates an output signal based on an input signal received by the input stage and a clock signal received by the clock input stage. The level shifting stage shifts-up the voltage level of the output signal. |
| US08120403B2 |
Duty detection circuit
A semiconductor device includes a first duty determining circuit (20) and a second duty determining circuit (30). The first duty determining circuit (20) determines a duty correction condition for an input signal in a first predetermined cycle longer than a cycle of the input signal to obtain a first determination result and updates the duty correction condition for the input signal on the basis of the first determination result. The second duty determining circuit (30) determines the duty correction condition for the input signal in a second predetermined cycle shorter than first predetermined cycle to obtain a second determination result and updates the duty correction condition for the input signal only when the second determination result is fixed during a predetermined period. |
| US08120398B2 |
Delay locked loop circuit
A delay locked loop (DLL) circuit has a first delay line that delays a received external clock signal for a fine delay time and then outputs a first internal clock signal; a duty cycle correction unit that corrects a duty cycle of the first internal clock signal and then outputs a second clock signal; a second delay line that delays the second clock signal for a coarse delay time and then outputs a second internal clock signal; and a phase detection and control unit that detects the difference between the phases of the external clock signal and the fed back second internal clock signal, and controls the fine delay time and the coarse delay time. The DLL circuit performs coarse locking and fine locking by using different type delay cells, and thus consumes a small amount of power and robustly withstands jitter and variation in PVT variables. |
| US08120397B2 |
Delay locked loop apparatus
A delay locked loop (DLL) apparatus includes a first delay unit converting a reference clock into a rising clock. A second delay unit converts the reference clock into a falling clock, and a replica delay unit replica-delays the rising clock. A first phase detector compares the phases of the reference clock and the delayed rising clock to output a first detection signal corresponding to the compared phases. A controller synchronizes the rising edge of the rising clock with the rising edge of the reference clock according to the first detection signal of the first phase detector. A second phase detector compares the phases of the synchronized rising clock and the synchronization clock to output a second detection signal corresponding to the compared phases. The DLL apparatus compensates for a skew between an external clock and data and between external and internal clocks by employing a single replica delay unit. |
| US08120390B1 |
Configurable low drop out regulator circuit
A low drop out voltage regulator (LDO) is capable of operating in one of two different modes based on externally connected components. In one mode, the LDO directly generates a regulated output voltage. In a second mode, the LDO drives an external PNP transistor to generate a regulated output voltage. In both modes, a relatively large bypass capacitor may be connected to the output voltage node to bypass high-frequency loading on the output voltage node. However, the bypass capacitor creates a low frequency pole in the frequency response of the LDO, which can diminish phase margin and reduce overall stability. An on chip compensation network beneficially counteracts the low frequency pole with an appropriately placed zero, thereby resulting in improved phase margin and greater stability. |
| US08120387B2 |
Receiving circuit, electronic apparatus and method for controlling receiving circuit
A receiving circuit includes a comparing circuit, a first storage circuit, a second storage circuit, and a voltage controlling circuit. The comparing circuit compares an input signal with a reference voltage and outputs a signal with either a first level when the input signal is larger than the reference voltage or a second level when the input signal is smaller than the reference voltage as a comparison result. The first storage circuit stores an output level of the comparing circuit for a next one cycle. The second storage circuit stores an output level of the first storage circuit for a next one cycle. The voltage controlling circuit controls a level of the reference voltage in each cycle on the basis of output levels of the first storage circuit and the second storage circuit. |
| US08120384B2 |
Multivalued logic circuit
In a bridge adder circuit, a first and a second complementary pair of current mirrors is connected between the input terminals and a positive and a negative supply voltage bus, respectively, to control a first and a second push-pull output stage. The outputs of the push-pull output stages are connected to the respective inputs through first resistors and to a common output node through second resistors. As a result, a universal circuit element for a multivalued logic element, such as ternary logic or 5-valued logic is provided. |
| US08120382B2 |
Programmable integrated circuit with mirrored interconnect structure
A programmable integrated circuit (IC) with mirrored interconnect structure. The IC includes a plurality of arrangements, which are horizontally arranged. Each arrangement includes a first logic column, an interconnect column, and a second logic column. Each interconnect column includes programmable interconnect blocks (148), and each of the first and second logic columns includes programmable logic blocks. Each programmable interconnect block provides a plurality of first input and output ports on a first side and a plurality of second input and output ports on a second side. The first ports and the first side of each of the programmable interconnect blocks physically mirror the second ports and the second side of the programmable interconnect block. The ports of the programmable interconnect blocks are coupled to the ports of the programmable logic blocks in the first and second logic columns. |
| US08120381B2 |
Impedance adjusting device
An impedance adjusting device includes a calibration unit configured to generate an impedance code for adjusting a termination impedance value, a plurality of termination units configured to be enabled by resistance selection information and terminate an interface node in response to the impedance code, a resistance providing unit coupled in parallel to the plurality of termination units and configured to provide a resistance in response to the resistance selection information, and a selection signal generation unit configured to generate the resistance selection information according to a target impedance value. |
| US08120374B2 |
Inspection circuit and display device thereof
An inspection circuit is used for inspecting signal wires of a display area. The inspection circuit includes a shorting bar, plural first shorting switches, and plural second shorting switches. The plurality of the first and the second shorting switches are disposed at different sides of the display area for increasing space between each adjacent shorting switch so as to reduce coupling effect. In the inspection circuit, a first shorting switch is electrically connected between the shorting bar and first end of one signal wire, and a second shorting switch is electrically connected between the second end of that signal wire and second end of another signal wire. |
| US08120369B2 |
Dielectric characterization of bituminous froth
A method of determining a permittivity of a substance may include providing a probe having a planar end surface, providing a signal source and a signal receiver coupled to the probe, and physically contacting the substance with the planar end surface of the probe defining an interface. The method may further include measuring a reflection coefficient of the substance by at least transmitting a signal through the probe to the interface, receiving a reflected signal from the interface, and comparing the transmitted and reflected signals. The method may further include calculating the permittivity of the substance based upon the reflection coefficient. |
| US08120362B2 |
Surveying a subterranean structure using electromagnetic measurements and microorganism content data
A survey apparatus for surveying a subterranean structure includes an electromagnetic (EM) sensing element to measure an EM field received from the subterranean structure, and a sample collector activatable to collect a sample of soil. |
| US08120360B2 |
System and method of angular elliptic centric view ordering for 3D MR acquisitions
A method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging includes segmenting a ky-kz plane comprising a plurality of encoding points into a plurality of annular segments. For each annular segment, a view ordering is defined based on a polar angle associated with each encoding point contained within the annular segment. MR data is acquired for the plurality of encoding points based on the view ordering for each annular segment and at least one MR image is generated using the acquired MR data. |
| US08120354B2 |
Self-calibrating magnetic field monitor
A self-calibrating magnetic field monitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field sensor repeatedly generates an electronic signal related to the magnetic field. In addition, a calibration module generates a relative baseline signal based on an average value of the electronic signals for a given time period. A comparator compares the electronic signal with the relative baseline signal and generating an output signal if a difference in the comparing is greater than or equal to a threshold. |
| US08120353B2 |
Methods for detecting damage to magnetoresistive sensors
A method for detecting a damaged magnetoresistive sensor in one embodiment includes measuring a resistance of a first sensor upon application thereto of a positive bias current; measuring the resistance of the first sensor upon application thereto of a negative bias current; determining a difference in the measured resistances at positive and negative currents of the first sensor; measuring a resistance of a second sensor upon application thereto of a positive bias current; measuring the resistance of the second sensor upon application thereto of a negative bias current; determining a difference in the measured resistances at positive and negative currents of the second sensor; and outputting at least one of the differences, or a derivative of the at least one of the differences. Additional methods are also presented. |
| US08120351B2 |
Magnet sensor arrangement for sensing the movement of element moving in linear or rotary fashion
A magnetic sensor arrangement (1), having magnetically sensitive sensor elements (7, 8) whose electrical properties are changeable as a function of a magnetic field that a moving, passive transmitter element (11) is able to influence. The magnetic sensor arrangement (1) has two sensor elements (7, 8) in a gradiometer arrangement that are each respectively associated with one of two magnetic regions (4, 5) of a permanent magnet embodied in the form of a gap magnet (2; 20; 23), which regions are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (sa). The regions (4, 5) and the gap magnet (2; 20; 23)—in terms of the for example wedge-shaped embodiment, the dimensions (h, b, t), the gap width (sa), the gap depth (st), and their positions in relation to the sensor elements (7, 8)—are situated so as to minimize the offset of the output signal of the sensor elements (7, 8) in the gradiometer arrangement. |
| US08120345B2 |
Semiconductor device and power supply using the same
A semiconductor device for control applied to a constant-voltage power supply device includes a digital-analog converter circuit which outputs a reference voltage corresponding to a value of a first register with taking an output voltage of a reference voltage source as a criterial reference voltage, and generates a control signal for driving a power semiconductor device based on an output voltage of an error amplifier which differentially amplifies a feedback voltage obtained by resistive-dividing on an output voltage of the constant-voltage power supply device and the reference voltage. An analog-digital converter circuit which converts the feedback voltage to a digital value with taking the output voltage of the constant-voltage power supply device as a reference voltage is provided, and based on the output, a value of a first register is corrected so as to offset an effect of an error in voltage dividing ratio of a voltage dividing resistor circuit. |
| US08120338B2 |
Dropper-type regulator
A dropper-type regulator capable of providing a soft start function using a simple circuit configuration. An exemplary regulator includes a first FET having a relatively high current driving capability and a second FET having a relatively low current driving capability are provided in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal. For a predetermined time immediately after power activation, only the second FET is driven, thereby preventing a large rush current. A switch circuit connected to the gate of the first FET is operated after the predetermined period of time, thereby supplying a driving voltage to the gate of the first FET. |
| US08120337B2 |
Inverter driver and load driver including the same, and driving method thereof
A load driver includes an inverter and an inverter driver. The inverter converts an input voltage into a driving voltage of a discharge lamp using at least one first switch for switching according to a duty ratio, and the inverter driver controls the inverter. The inverter driver controls the duty ratio using a voltage of a capacitor and a control signal having a waveform that is repeated with a predetermined frequency. The capacitor is charged and discharged by a current corresponding to a difference between a feedback voltage corresponding to a current flow to the discharge lamp and a reference voltage. Such inverter driver controls to gradually increase the output voltage of the inverter in the soft start period by setting the voltage of the capacitor as a voltage corresponding to the control signal. |
| US08120336B2 |
Switching regulator circuit, system, and method for providing input current measurement without a dedicated input current sense element
A synchronous regulator includes a controller coupled to receive a reference signal and a feedback signal from the regulator and being operable to provide a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal at its output. The regulator includes at least one gate driver coupled to receive the PWM signal and includes a synchronous output switch having a phase node therebetween controlled by the gate driver, and also including regulator input current measurement circuitry. The regulator input current measurement circuitry includes a circuit that provides a signal representative of at least one phase node timing parameter. A sensing circuit is operable to sense inductor or output current provided by the regulator. A calculation circuit is coupled to receive the signal representative of the phase node timing parameters and the inductor or output current and is operable to determine the input current from the phase node timing parameters and the inductor or output current. |
| US08120334B2 |
System and method for phase management in a multiphase switching power supply
A system and method for managing phases in a multiphase switching power supply turns off a phase in light load conditions and turns on a phase in heavier load conditions. The increase or decrease in the number of phases changes the efficiency of the power supply in response to operating conditions. The phases of the power supply may be synchronized and interleaved. Input current or power representing power supply loading provides a criteria for switching phases on or off. The input current can be taken from an input current sense resistor. The input power can be determined based on a control for managing phases. Turning a phase off causes remaining phases to have an increased on-time or gain to smooth the transition between differing numbers of active phases. |
| US08120332B2 |
Method and system for shot tracking
The present invention is a method for transmitting a RFID signal while conserving battery power of a circuit. The method comprises charging a capacitor using a battery. The battery is in electrical communication with a resistor and the resistor is in electrical communication with a capacitor and a load switch. The load switch is in electrical communication with an enabler and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is in electrical communication with a radiofrequency component. The load switch is closed, allowing power drawn from the capacitor to flow to the radiofrequency component. |
| US08120329B2 |
Apparatus for controlling power generated by on-vehicle generator on the basis of internal status of on-vehicle battery
An apparatus for controlling power generation of a generator mounted on a vehicle, the generator charging a on-vehicle battery, comprising a detecting device that detects information indicating the internal status of the battery that includes temperature of the battery, a power supply circuit that supplies power to the detecting device, a calculator for calculating the internal status of the battery using the information detected by the detecting device, a circuit board on which the calculator, the power supply circuit, and the detecting circuit are mounted and a controller that controls the power generation of the generator based on the internal status of the battery. The temperature sensing element is arranged on a bus bar that is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the battery, and the bus bar and the temperature sensing element are coupled thermally to each other. |
| US08120328B2 |
Charging system, charging control program, and portable terminal
A charging system of the present invention is a charging system for charging a battery mounted on a portable telephone 100, and includes a charging control unit 174 that performs supply and control of the charging electric current and the charging voltage to the battery, a device temperature monitoring unit 170 that monitors the device temperature inside the portable telephone 100, and a battery temperature monitoring unit 172 that monitors the battery temperature of the battery. The charging control unit 174 controls the charging electric current to be supplied to the battery according to the device temperature monitored by the device temperature monitoring unit 170 and controls the charging voltage to be supplied to the battery according to the battery temperature monitored by the battery temperature monitoring unit 172. |
| US08120327B2 |
System and method for using stored electrical energy to quiet power sensitive measurement circuits
The present invention is a system and method for temporarily storing electrical energy to power sensitive measurement circuits. In one embodiment, a switch-mode power converter is operable to charge an energy storage device. After the energy storage device is sufficiently charged, the switch-mode power converter is powered off so that sensitive measurements may be made without being affected by noise or interference caused by the switch-mode power converter. Once the measurement has been made, the switch-mode power converter is powered on and provides power to the energy storage device to recharge the energy storage device so that a subsequent measurement may be made. |
| US08120323B2 |
High efficiency charging circuit and power supply system having such high efficiency charging circuit
A charging circuit includes a main power circuit, a DC-to-DC converting circuit, a detection circuit and a controller. The main power circuit is electrically connected to a power source for converting an input voltage from the power source into a first voltage. The DC-to-DC converting circuit is electrically connected to the main power circuit for converting the first voltage into a second voltage to charge the energy storage element. The detection circuit is electrically connected to the main power circuit and the DC-to-DC converting circuit for detecting a terminal voltage of the energy storage element and the first voltage from the main power circuit, thereby generating a feedback signal. The controller is electrically connected to the detection circuit and the main power circuit for controlling operations of the first switching element in response to the feedback signal, so that the first voltage is adjustable according to the second voltage. |
| US08120317B2 |
Wireless charger and wireless charging method thereof
A wireless charger for charging an electronic device includes a holder with a primary coil and a number of holding coils fixed thereon and a resilient member sleeved thereon. The wireless charger further includes a sensing module, a storing module, a comparing module and an adjusting module. The sensing module detects each current value of the holding coils when the wireless charger is powered on. The storing module stores each current value of the holding coils from the sensing module and predetermines a reference current value for each holding coil. The comparing module compares the current value with the reference current value to determine whether the current value equals to the reference current value. The adjusting module changes the current values to the reference current values when the current value is not equal to the reference current value to adjust an angle of the secondary coil relative to the primary coil. |
| US08120315B2 |
Battery charger with mechanism to automatically load and unload batteries
A mechanism is disclosed for loading/unloading one or more rechargeable batteries. The mechanism includes one or more charging compartments configured to receive one or more rechargeable batteries and a first actuator configured to cause the one or more rechargeable batteries to be displaced from a first position to a second position. |
| US08120313B2 |
Battery charger for portable devices and related methods
A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon. |
| US08120312B2 |
Power management topologies to control power between a DC power source and one or more batteries to a system load
A power supply topology according to one embodiment includes a first path coupled to a controllable DC power source, a second path coupled to a rechargeable battery, and a third path coupled to a system load, the three paths coupled to a common node. The topology may further include a unidirectional switch coupled to the first path and a selectively unidirectional switch coupled to the second path. The topology may further include a power management control circuit including a wake up circuit having a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US08120308B2 |
Solar panel charging system for electric vehicle that charges individual batteries with direct parallel connections to solar panels
A connection system is provided to charge a high voltage battery (42) in an electric vehicle with multiple low voltage solar panels (21-n). The connection system includes sets of transmission lines (94) to individually connect each one of the solar panels (21-n) to each individual one of the battery cells (341-n) making up the battery (42). With the connection system the high voltage battery (42) can be charged by the lower voltage solar panels (21-n) without using a lossy DC-DC converter system that converts the DC solar panel output to AC for transforming to the much higher voltage across the primary terminals of battery (42) before converting back to DC to connect to the battery (42). |
| US08120302B2 |
Servo control apparatus
A servo control apparatus capable of suppressing adverse effects of disturbance, load variation and the like, and realizing robust and high-performance speed control. The apparatus includes both of the following observers: a disturbance observer for adding a disturbance compensation torque Tf, calculated from a torque command T* and an electric motor rotational speed ωm, to a torque command basic signal T0*, calculated on the basis of a deviation between a speed command ω* and a feedback speed ωf by a PI control section, thus outputting the torque command T*; and a phase advance compensation observer for generating, from the torque command basic signal T0* and the electric motor rotational speed ωm, an output of a nominal plant serving as an element in which no delay occurs, thus outputting the output as the feedback speed ωf. |
| US08120301B2 |
Ergonomic surgeon control console in robotic surgical systems
A control console to remotely control medical equipment is disclosed having a base with an ergonomically adjustable pedal system. The base further has an opening to receive the pedal system. The pedal system includes a moveable pedal tray with a pedal base. The tray includes a first left pedal assembly and a first right pedal assembly, and an upper tier having a second left pedal assembly and a second right pedal assembly respectively in alignment with and elevated above the first left pedal assembly and the first right pedal assembly. Rollers are rotatable coupled to the moveable pedal tray to allow it roll over a floor. A drive assembly is coupled between the moveable pedal tray and the base. The drive assembly applies a force to the to roll the moveable pedal tray over the floor within the opening of the base. |
| US08120300B2 |
Fault tolerant cooling in a redundant power system
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for fault tolerant cooling in a redundant power system. The apparatus receives power from a common power bus to power one or more power supply fans. The apparatus detects a non-functioning redundant power supply. The apparatus receives a fan control signal within a non-functioning redundant power supply. In addition, the apparatus uses the received fan control signal to synchronize a fan speed of a power supply fan within the non-functioning redundant power supply. The fan speed is synchronized with at least one fan control signal of a power supply fan within a functioning redundant power supply. Thus, the power supply fans of a non-functioning power supply continue to operate and are synchronized with power supply fans in functioning power supplies. |
| US08120299B2 |
Motor controller of air conditioner
The present invention relates to a motor controller of an air conditioner, including an inverter including a plurality of switching elements and adapted to convert a DC voltage, input through switching operations of the switching elements, into an AC voltage and supply the converted voltage to a motor, a power calculation unit that calculates electric power applied to the motor, an angle calculation unit that calculates an optimal phase angle of a current command value based on the calculated electric power; and a microcomputer that outputs a switching control signal to control the switching elements of the inverter based on the optimal phase angle. |
| US08120298B2 |
Control unit for an electric motor, in particular for a fan motor
The invention provides a control unit for at least one electric motor, wherein the control unit performs open-loop or closed-loop control of the motor speed of the electric motor in such a way that in the case of control values in specific ranges which are typical of a fault when the setpoint value is being predefined, such a fault being, for example, a line break, a voltage failure or a short circuit, the control unit drives the motor with a predefined setpoint value which differs from the current control value. |
| US08120295B2 |
Vehicle power controller
A power controller alleviating change of braking feeling caused by reduced regenerative braking force is provided. Energy generated by regenerative braking is used for charging a capacitor. The charging power P(C) is calculated and whether P(C) has reached a maximum value WMAX of predetermined limit control value WIN(C) or not is determined. If P(C) is determined to have reached WMAX, WIN(C) is regulated to be smaller from that time point. |
| US08120294B2 |
Power transducer
The performance of a power transducer is improved while efficiently using a power semiconductor also by managing the permissible duty factor of the power semiconductor in the regenerative braking circuit provided in the power transducer. The user is allowed to set, through an operation panel provided on the power transducer, the resistance value of the regenerative braking resistor for thermally consuming the rotational energy generated during motor deceleration. The power transducer performs the steps of: calculating the current which flows in the regenerative braking circuit from the resistance value setting; obtaining the generation loss of the power semiconductor in the regenerative braking circuit with the calculated current value; and determining the permissible duty factor of the power semiconductor from the obtained generation loss. |
| US08120291B2 |
Drive system for electrically operated vehicle
A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal. |
| US08120288B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED) driving circuit
A light emitting diode (LED) driving circuit is provided. The LED driving circuit includes a voltage adjusting unit, a switch unit, and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the voltage adjusting unit and the switch unit. The voltage adjusting unit outputs a driving voltage to a first end of each of a plurality of load units. The switch unit is coupled to a second end of each of the load units. When one LED string in the load units is coupled to a current source, the voltage adjusting unit adjusts the voltage level of the driving voltage so that the voltage level of the driving voltage of the driving voltage corresponds to the driven LED string. Thereby, a driving problem caused by the variation in electrical characteristics of the LEDs is alleviated. |
| US08120287B2 |
High efficiency power system for a LED display system
A LED display system includes multiple LEDs, a power converter to produce a supply voltage for the LEDs, and multiple drivers to drive the LEDs. According to the maximum one of the forward voltages of the LEDs, the drivers provides a feedback signal for the supply voltage control, and the feedback signal is amplified or digitized to reduce the voltage drop in the global power line. |
| US08120283B2 |
LED device and LED driver
A LED device having a LED array, LED driver ICs, DC-DC converter, a first feedback circuit consisting of voltage dividing resistors, and a headroom voltage monitoring circuit having controller and second feedback circuit. In second feedback circuit, headroom voltages obtained at output current terminals of the LED driver ICs, are fed back to DC-DC converter. |
| US08120280B2 |
Circuits and methods for controlling a light source
A driving circuit for controlling a light source includes a frequency controller and a switch module. The frequency controller is operable for receiving a first dimming signal for controlling the light source to achieve a predetermined brightness, and for generating a second dimming signal having a frequency out of one or more predetermined ranges according to the first dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is within the predetermined ranges. The switch module coupled to the frequency controller is operable for switching on and off alternately to achieve the predetermined brightness of the light source according to the second dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is within the predetermined ranges and according to the first dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is out of the predetermined ranges. |
| US08120269B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for operating a high-pressure discharge lamp
A circuit arrangement for operating a high-pressure discharge lamp (12) with an electronic ballast, which is designed to provide an AC feed signal for the high-pressure discharge lamp (12). The AC feed signal comprises, in the time range as modulation period (T), a serial sequence of at least one first signal section (Sa1), one second signal section (Sa2) and one third signal section (Sa3), which are associated with a first, a second and a third color. The AC feed signal is an amplitude-modulated RF signal (IRF) with a frequency (f) of at least 500 kHz. The following applies for the envelope (E) of the signal components with a positive and/or negative amplitude: the absolute value of the envelope (E) has a mean amplitude (M); and the first signal section (Sa1) and/or the second signal section (Sa2) and/or the third signal section (Sa3) has/have at least one temporal range in which the absolute value of the envelope (E) is between 5% and 100% greater than the mean amplitude and/or in which the absolute value of the envelope (E) is between 5% and 90% less than the mean amplitude (M). |
| US08120264B2 |
Discharge lamp lighting circuit
A discharge lamp lighting circuit for supplying an AC power to a discharge lamp includes first and second converters for receiving a DC voltage and stepping up the voltage. A controlling circuit drives the first and second converters CON1, CON2 alternately at a first frequency and stops an operation of a side that is not driven such that the AC power is supplied to the discharge lamp to execute a lighting operation. |
| US08120256B2 |
Direct-current discharge lamp
A direct current discharge lamp with an anode (10) and a cathode (12) that are arranged opposite one another at a predetermined distance (r) inside a discharge vessel (14) filled with a filling gas, it being possible to apply electric power (P) to the anode (10) and the cathode (12) in order to produce a gas discharge. At least the predetermined distance (r) between the anode (10) and the cathode (12), the electric power (P) and a geometry of the anode (10) are adapted to one another in such a way that a region (22) of a surface (24) of the anode (10) facing the cathode (12) is free flowing in the heated state of the direct current discharge lamp. |
| US08120254B2 |
Plasma display panel comprising sputtering prevention layer
A plasma display panel (PDP) includes a front panel (2) having a front glass substrate (3) on which display electrodes (6) are formed, a dielectric layer (8) covering the display electrodes (6), and a protective layer (9) formed on the dielectric layer (8). The PDP panel also includes a rear panel (10) facing the front panel (2) to form a discharge space therebetween, and including address electrodes formed along a direction intersecting with the display electrodes (6) and barrier ribs partitioning the discharge space. The protective layer (9) includes a primary film (91) made of MgO and formed on the dielectric layer (8), and aggregated particles (92) formed of several crystal particles of MgO aggregated together and at least one type of particles (93) made of non-organic material and different from aggregated particles (92). The particles (92) and (93) are distributed on the primary film (91). |
| US08120249B2 |
Organic light emitting display and method of fabricating the same
Provided are an organic light emitting display and a method of fabricating the same that are capable of preventing an element from being damaged due to a large amount of heat generated when the laser irradiates a glass frit for sealing a substrate. The organic light emitting display includes: a first substrate comprising a pixel region and a non-pixel region; an array of organic light emitting pixels formed over the pixel region; a conductive line formed over the non-pixel region; a second substrate placed over the first substrate such that the array and the conductive line are interposed between the first and second substrates; and a frit seal interposed between the first and second substrates and surrounding the array, the frit seal interconnecting the first and second substrates, the frit seal comprising a portion overlapping the conductive line, wherein when viewed from the second substrate, the portion of the flit seal substantially eclipses the conductive line. |
| US08120248B2 |
Light-emitting device, electronic apparatus, and film-forming method
A light-emitting device includes a substrate, and a light-emitting element including a lower electrode, a light-emitting function layer, and an upper electrode that are formed on the substrate in that order. At least one auxiliary electrode in a strip shape extends in a first direction on and in contact with the upper electrode. The auxiliary electrode has a cross section taken along the direction intersecting the first direction, having a shape including a tapered portion. The light-emitting device also includes a barrier layer covering the auxiliary electrode and the upper electrode. The barrier layer prevents water and oxygen from penetrating into the light-emitting element. |
| US08120245B2 |
Interdigitated electrode dual electroemissive/electrochromic devices
A dual electrochromic/electroluminescent (EC/EL) device of at least one pixel includes an interdigitated electrode where an electroactive layer is dispersed on and between the digits of the two electrodes of the interdigitated electrode. The electroactive layer is in contact with an electrolyte layer that also contacts a third electrode. The device acts as an electroluminescence device when an electrical bias between the two electrodes of the interdigitated electrode is established. The device acts as an electrochromic device when the electrical bias is established between the combined electrodes of the interdigitated electrode and the third electrode. |
| US08120240B2 |
Light emission device and method utilizing multiple emitters
A light emission device includes multiple electrically activated solid state emitters (e.g., LEDs) having differing spectral output from one another; and/or phosphor material including one or more phosphors arranged to receive spectral output from at least one of the solid state emitters and to responsively emit a phosphor output, to provide spectral output. In one arrangement, at least four electrically activated solid state emitters each have different spectral outputs in the visible range, with the emitters arranged in an array positioned on a single reflector cup or other support, with at least two solid state emitters differing substantially in size. Aggregated output may include white light having a color temperature in any of several desired ranges. |
| US08120233B2 |
Piezoelectric devices and methods for manufacturing same
Methods are disclosed for manufacturing piezoelectric vibrating pieces and devices including such pieces. According to an embodiment of the method, a piezoelectric vibrating piece is produced from a piezoelectric wafer. To form the piece, a profile of the piezoelectric vibrating piece is formed in a piezoelectric wafer. A first metal film (chromium; Cr) is formed on the surface of the piezoelectric piece. The chromium film is surface-oxidized to form a film having Cr foundation layer and an oxidized surface. A second metal film (gold; Au) is formed on the oxidized surface. Then, in selected regions not destined to become electrodes, the second metal film is removed, leaving electrode patterns at designated regions of the piezoelectric vibrating piece. |
| US08120232B2 |
Sensors and actuators using piezo polymer layers
A device has a substrate, a piezo polymer layer arranged adjacent the substrate, a first electrode in contact with a first side of the layer, and a second electrode arranged adjacent the first electrode, such that when the piezo layer flexes, the first and second electrodes are arranged to detect one of a change in voltage or resistance, wherein at least one of the piezo polymer layer or the electrodes are deposited by printing. A method including depositing a spacer layer onto a substrate, depositing a piezo polymer layer onto the substrate, patterning an array of first electrodes in contact with the piezo polymer layer, and patterning an array of second electrodes adjacent the array of first electrodes, wherein depositing includes one of printing and laminating and pattering includes one of printing and etching. A method including laminating a piezo polymer layer onto a substrate, such that the layer forms at least one cantilever beam, forming a first electrode on one side of the layer, arranging a second electrode adjacent the first electrode, printing a polymer layer on the cantilever beam, and printing a proof mass on the cantilever beam. |
| US08120229B2 |
Middle spring supported micro-electro-mechanical transducers
A micro-electro-mechanical transducer (such as a cMUT) is disclosed. The transducer has a substrate, a top plate, and a middle spring layer therebetween. The substrate and the middle spring layer define cavities therebetween sidewalled by standing features. The middle spring layer is anchored by the standing features to create cantilevers over the cavities to enable a vertical displacement of connectors placed on the middle spring layer. The connectors define a transducing space between the middle spring layer and the top plate. The top plate is transported by the vertical displacement of the connectors in a piston-like motion to change the transducing space and to effectuate energy transformation. Various configurations of cantilevers, including single cantilevers, back-to-back double cantilevers and head-to-head double cantilevers (bridges) are possible. |
| US08120225B2 |
External split field generator
A generator includes a coil disposed about a core. A first stationary magnetic field source may be disposed on a first end portion of the core and a second stationary magnetic field source may be disposed on a second end portion of core. The first and second stationary magnetic field sources apply a stationary magnetic field to the coil. An external magnetic field source may be disposed outside the coil to apply a moving magnetic field to the coil. Electrical energy is generated in response to an interaction between the coil, the moving magnetic field, and the stationary magnetic field. |
| US08120220B2 |
Fluid dynamic bearing device and manufacturing method therefor
To provide a fluid dynamic pressure bearing device that achieves high rigidity against moment without degradation in assembly precision and bearing performance, bearing sleeves are arranged in an axial direction and coaxiality of radial bearing surfaces formed on inner peripheral surfaces of the bearing sleeves is set to 3 μm or less. This secures width precision between the radial bearing gaps to prevent a degradation in bearing performance and a failure such as wear etc. caused by contact between a shaft member and the bearing sleeves. Further, a first radial bearing surface and a second radial bearing surface are provided on at least one sleeve, and this allows a sleeve assembly constructed from the bearing sleeves to be supported at least three positions in the axial direction in a process of assembling the sleeve assembly. As a result, assembly work can be carried out with two bearing sleeves prevented from being bent at a midway thereof, and highly accurate coaxiality between both the bearing sleeves is secured. |
| US08120217B2 |
Spindle motor having recess for accomodating terminal
A spindle motor includes a stator unit and a rotor unit. The stator unit includes a stator, a base portion, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a connection portion and an extending portion extending from the connection portion. The base portion is provided on its lower surface with a recess portion arranged to accommodate the connection portion of the printed circuit board and a groove portion in which the extending portion is arranged, the groove portion communicating with the recess portion. The groove portion has a bottom surface on which the extending portion is arranged and a slant surface gradually sloping downwards as it extends away from the bottom surface in a circumferential direction. The region in the recess portion extending from the connection portion to a boundary between the recess portion and the groove portion is covered with a cured flowable resin material. |
| US08120216B2 |
Electric motor and electric pump unit with busbars integrally formed with driving circuit connecting terminals
The invention provides an electric motor including a tubular insulator that insulates coils of each of U, V, and W phases that makes a rotor rotated by an electromagnetic force, and a stator core around which the coils are wound; and a plurality of busbars that are fixed to the insulator to relay feed of power to the coils that constitute each phase. Ring-shaped terminals directly connected to an external driving circuit board for controlling a driving current leading to each phase of the coils, without via separate connecting members, are integrally formed in the busbars, respectively. |
| US08120214B2 |
Linear vibrator with improved damping function
The present invention provides a linear vibrator comprising a weight having an auxiliary magnet which is provided in a lower end of the weight and generates magnetic force with respect to the bracket. Therefore, a magnetic attractive force between auxiliary magnet and the bracket prevents undesirable fine vibrations and prevents the vibration unit from coming into direct contact with the casing. |
| US08120207B2 |
Nanosecond pulse generator with a protector circuit
This invention relates to a pulse generator circuit for delivering a short high current pulse to a load. This pulse generator comprises a junction recovery diode, a switch, a first resonant circuit and a second resonant circuit. The diode may be configured to store charges in its depletion layer when there is a forward flow of a current and to rapidly switch open after the depletion layer is discharged by a reverse flow of a current. After the diode rapidly switch opens, the pulse generator may provide a reverse current to the load. This pulse generator may be configured to generate at least one pulse that is having a length of no more than 100 nanoseconds at the full-width-at-half-maximum and an amplitude of at least 1 kilovolt. Electrodes may be connected to the pulse generator to deliver one pulse or plurality of pulses to biological cells such as tumor cells. |
| US08120206B2 |
Method of detecting a sustained parallel source condition
A method of detecting a parallel source condition includes calculating a reactive power, comparing the reactive power to a predetermined threshold, and determining a parallel source condition in response to the reactive power exceeding the predetermined threshold. |
| US08120205B2 |
Adding and dropping phases in current sharing
A distributed power management system may include a digital communication bus and a plurality of POL (point-of-load) regulators coupled to the communication bus and configured in a current sharing arrangement in which each POL regulator of the plurality of POL regulators has a respective output stage coupled to a common load and configured to generate a respective output current. Each POL regulator may have a respective phase in the current sharing configuration, and each POL regulator may transmit and receive information over the bus according to a bus communication protocol corresponding to the bus. Each POL regulator may autonomously add and drop its phase as required by the system, by sequentially manipulating a pulse width of a couple of gate signals configured to respectively control a high-side field effect transistor (FET) and low-side FET in the POL regulator's output stage. |
| US08120199B2 |
Trailer hitch plug power inverter
Disclosed is a power inverter for use in converting 12VDC to 115VAC, the power inverter is adapted for securement to a conventional trailer hitch connector. The power inverter provides remote power to 115 volt accessory items by use of a conventional 115 volt output receptacle positionable at the rear of a vehicle by use of the trailer hitch connector so as to eliminate the need for extension cords commonly used when powering 115 volt accessories from a conventional vehicle. |
| US08120197B2 |
Water turbine for generating electricity
An array 22 of water turbine assemblies 10 is positioned between two I-beams driven into the bed of a flowing water system. Each water turbine assembly 10 comprises a modular box-shaped housing 12 having an inlet and outlet for accelerating the flow of water therethrough. Turbine 14 has a ring gear 18 positioned about the periphery thereof in mechanical communication with a plurality of generators 20 for converting the kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity. Receiving means 16 are positioned and attached to the inlet and outlet of the housing 12 for collecting, concentrating, directing and accelerating water through the turbine 14 in the throat section 19 of each water turbine assembly 10. Each box-shaped modular housing 12 is structurally communicated with other housings 12 by interlocking mating surfaces 26. |
| US08120194B2 |
System, device, and method for wind turbine load reduction in a cold weather environment
A method for controlling an operation of a wind turbine. A meteorological condition is received from a meteorological sensor. An operating threshold value is calculated at least in part by applying a continuous function to the meteorological condition. An operation of the wind turbine is controlled based at least in part on the calculated operating threshold value. For example, the wind turbine may be disabled if a current wind speed exceeds a maximum wind speed that is calculated based on an ambient air temperature or ambient air density. |
| US08120189B2 |
Wiring terminal-connecting adhesive
A wiring structure having a wiring-terminal-connection adhesive that includes a curing agent capable of generating a free radical upon heating, a radically polymerizable substance and silicone particles. |
| US08120188B2 |
Electronic component mounting structure and method for manufacturing the same
An electronic component mounting structure includes an electronic component provided with a plurality of electrode terminals, and a mounting substrate provided with connector terminals in positions corresponding to the electrode terminals. An electrode terminal is connected to a connector terminal via a protrusion electrode disposed on the electrode terminal or the connector terminal, and the protrusion electrode includes a conductive filler and a photosensitive resin. The photosensitive resin varies in resin component crosslink density in the height direction of the protrusion electrode. |
| US08120184B2 |
Semiconductor constructions and methods of forming layers
The invention includes methods of forming layers conformally over undulating surface topographies associated with semiconductor substrates. The undulating surface topographies can first be exposed to one or more of titanium oxide, neodymium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide and vanadium oxide to treat the surfaces, and can be subsequently exposed to a material that forms a layer conformally along the treated surfaces. The material can, for example, comprise one or both of aluminum silane and aluminum silazane. The invention also includes semiconductor constructions having conformal layers formed over liners containing one or more of titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide and vanadium oxide. |
| US08120183B2 |
Method of forming top electrode for capacitor and interconnection in integrated passive device (IPD)
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a first conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the substrate. A high resistivity layer is formed over the substrate and the first conductive layer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the substrate, first conductive layer and high resistivity layer. A portion of the dielectric layer, high resistivity layer, and first conductive layer forms a capacitor stack. A first passivation layer is formed over the dielectric layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the capacitor stack and a portion of the first passivation layer. A first opening is etched in the dielectric layer to expose a surface of the high resistivity layer. A third and fourth conductive layer is deposited over the first opening in the dielectric layer and a portion of the first passivation layer. |
| US08120181B2 |
Post passivation interconnection process and structures
A system and method for forming post passivation metal structures is described. Metal interconnections and high quality electrical components, such as inductors, transformers, capacitors, or resistors are formed on a layer of passivation, or on a thick layer of polymer over a passivation layer. |
| US08120180B2 |
Semiconductor device including ruthenium electrode and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an insulation pattern on the semiconductor substrate, and an etch stop layer on the insulating pattern, the insulation pattern and the etch stop layer defining a contact hole that exposes the substrate, a first plug filled in a portion of the contact hole, a diffusion barrier layer formed above the first plug and in a bottom portion and on sidewalls of a remaining portion of the contact hole, a second plug fainted on the diffusion barrier layer and filled in the contact hole, and a storage node coupled to and formed on the second plug. |
| US08120177B2 |
Wafer level package having a stress relief spacer and manufacturing method thereof
In a semiconductor device package having a stress relief spacer, and a manufacturing method thereof, metal interconnect fingers extend from the body of a chip provide for chip interconnection. The metal fingers are isolated from the body of the chip by a stress-relief spacer. In one example, such isolation takes the form of an air gap. In another example, such isolation takes the form of an elastomer material. In either case, mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion between the metal interconnect fingers and the body of the chip is avoided, alleviating the problems associated with cracking and delamination, and leading to improved device yield and device reliability. |
| US08120158B2 |
Laminate electronic device
A laminate electronic device comprises a first semiconductor chip, the first semiconductor chip defining a first main face and a second main face opposite to the first main face, and having at least one electrode pad on the first main face. The laminate electronic device further comprises a carrier having a first structured metal layer arranged at a first main surface of the carrier. The first structured metal layer is bonded to the electrode pad via a first bond layer of a conductive material, wherein the first bond layer has a thickness of less than 10 μm. A first insulating layer overlies the first main surface of the carrier and the first semiconductor chip. |
| US08120155B2 |
Reduced stiction and mechanical memory in MEMS devices
A MEMS device is packaged in a process which hydrogen (H) deuterium (D) for reduced stiction. H is exchanged with D by exposing the MEMS device with a deuterium source, such as deuterium gas or heavy water vapor, optionally with the assistance of a direct or downstream plasma. |
| US08120150B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with dual connectivity
An integrated circuit package system includes: forming a die-attach paddle, a terminal pad, and an external interconnect with the external interconnect below the terminal pad; connecting an integrated circuit die with the terminal pad and the external interconnect; and forming an encapsulation, having a first side and a second side at an opposing side to the first side, surrounding the integrated circuit die with the terminal pad exposed at the first side and the external interconnect extending below the second side. |
| US08120137B2 |
Isolation trench structure
Among structures, methods, devices, and systems for isolation trenches, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a substrate and an isolation trench structure. One such isolation trench structure includes a first isolation trench portion associated with a surface of the substrate and having a first pair of opposing sidewalls that are each substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. A second isolation trench portion includes a second pair of sidewalls within the substrate that are each angled obliquely with respect to the surface of the substrate, where the second isolation trench portion has a separation between the second pair of sidewalls that decreases as a distance from the first isolation trench portion increases. A third isolation trench portion includes a third pair of sidewalls within the substrate that are each substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. |
| US08120130B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method for manufacturing the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging device that can achieve a high sensitivity, finer pixels for increasing the number of pixels, a high-speed operation, and high image quality, and a method for manufacturing the same. There are provided a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions arranged in a matrix on a substrate, a vertical transfer channel arranged between vertical columns of the photoelectric conversion portions, a plurality of vertical transfer electrodes for transferring a charge of the photoelectric conversion portions to the vertical transfer channel, a light-shielding film that is laminated on the vertical transfer electrodes via a first insulating film and has a plurality of window portions, each defining a light-receiving portion of each of the photoelectric conversion portions, and a shunt wiring that is arranged in a region overlapping the vertical transfer channel and is insulated from the light-shielding film by a second insulating film. A driving pulse according to a drive phase of each of the vertical transfer electrodes is supplied from the shunt wiring. |
| US08120129B2 |
Image sensor and method of manufacturing the same
An image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes on a substrate, an dielectric layer on the plurality of the photodiodes, a metal line layer in the dielectric layer corresponding to a border region between neighboring photodiodes, the metal line layer having a curved backside, a color filter layer on the dielectric layer, and a microlens on the color filter layer. |
| US08120126B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction device and fabrication
A magnetic tunneling junction device and fabrication method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes depositing a capping material on a free layer of a magnetic tunneling junction structure to form the capping layer and oxidizing a portion of the capping material to form a layer of oxidized material. |
| US08120122B2 |
Self-aligned masks using multi-temperature phase-change materials
A method of forming a pattern includes forming a first layer on a substrate, forming a second layer on the first layer, depositing a multi-temperature phase-change material on the second layer, patterning the second layer using the multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask, reflowing the multi-temperature phase-change material, and patterning the first layer using the reflowed multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask. |
| US08120116B2 |
Semiconductor device and photomask
Shared contact holes SC1 and SC2 reach both gate electrode layers GE1 and GE2 and a drain region PIR. In a planar view, a sidewall E2 of gate electrode layers GE1 and GE2 is shifted toward a side of a sidewall E4 from a virtual extended line E1a of the sidewall E1. In a planar view, a center line of a line width D1 in a portion that shared contact holes SC1 and SC2 of gate electrode layers GE1 and GE2 reach is located while shifted with respect to a center line of a line width D2 in a portion located on channel formation regions CHN1 and CHN2 of gate electrode layers GE1 and GE2. Therefore, a semiconductor device and a photomask that can suppress an opening defect of the shared contact hole are obtained. |
| US08120114B2 |
Transistor having an etch stop layer including a metal compound that is selectively formed over a metal gate
In one aspect, an apparatus may include a metal gate of a transistor. An etch stop layer may be selectively formed over the metal gate. The etch stop layer may include a metal compound. An insulating layer may be over the etch stop layer. A conductive structure may be included through the insulating layer to the metal gate. Methods of making such transistors are also disclosed. |
| US08120112B1 |
Method and apparatus for improving triggering uniformity of snapback electrostatic discharge protection devices
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a first array of transistors, having source and drain doped with a first type of material, arranged in parallel in a first block, and a second array of transistors, having source and drain doped with the first type of material, arranged in parallel in a second block. The ESD protection circuit also includes an active region between the first and second array of transistors doped with a second type of material that is complementary to the first type of material. |
| US08120111B2 |
Thin film transistor including insulating film and island-shaped semiconductor film
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor which enables heat treatment aimed at improving characteristics of a gate insulating film such as lowering of an interface level or reduction in a fixed charge without causing a problem of misalignment in patterning due to expansion or shrinkage of glass. A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor of the present invention comprises the steps of heat-treating in a state where at least a gate insulating film is formed over a semiconductor film on which element isolation is not performed, simultaneously isolating the gate insulating film and the semiconductor film into an element structure, forming an insulating film covering a side face of an exposed semiconductor film, thereby preventing a short-circuit between the semiconductor film and a gate electrode. Expansion or shrinkage of a glass substrate during the heat treatment can be prevented from affecting misalignment in patterning since the gate insulating film and the semiconductor film are simultaneously processed into element shapes after the heat treatment. |
| US08120108B2 |
High voltage SCRMOS in BiCMOS process technologies
An integrated circuit having an SCRMOS transistor with a RESURF region around the drain region and SCR terminal. The RESURF region is the same conductivity type as the drift region and is more heavily doped than the drift region. An SCRMOS transistor with a RESURF region around the drain region and SCR terminal. A process of forming an integrated circuit having an SCRMOS transistor with a RESURF region around the drain region and SCR terminal. |
| US08120106B2 |
LDMOS with double LDD and trenched drain
A LDMOS with double LDD and trenched drain is disclosed. According to some preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structure contains a double LDD region, including a high energy implantation to form lightly doped region and a low energy implantation thereon to provide a low resistance path for current flow without degrading breakdown voltage. At the same time, a P+ junction made by source mask is provided underneath source region to avoid latch-up effect from happening. |
| US08120101B2 |
Semiconductor constructions and transistors, and methods of forming semiconductor constructions and transistors
The invention includes a transistor device having a semiconductor substrate with an upper surface. A pair of source/drain regions are formed within the semiconductor substrate and a channel region is formed within the semiconductor substrate and extends generally perpendicularly relative to the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. A gate is formed within the semiconductor substrate between the pair of the source/drain regions. |
| US08120097B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a circuit with a high voltage sense device
A control circuit with a high voltage sense device. In one embodiment, a circuit includes a first transistor disposed in a first substrate having first, second and third terminals. A first terminal of the first transistor is coupled to an external voltage. A voltage provided at a third terminal of the first transistor is substantially proportional to a voltage between the first and second terminals of the first transistor when the voltage between the first and second terminals of the first transistor is less than a pinch-off voltage of the first transistor. The voltage provided at the third terminal of the first transistor is substantially constant and less than the voltage between the first and second terminals of the first transistor when the voltage between the first and second terminals of the first transistor is greater than the pinch-off voltage of the first transistor. The circuit also includes a control circuit disposed in the first substrate and coupled to the third terminal of the first transistor. The circuit further includes a second transistor disposed in a second substrate. A first terminal of the second transistor coupled to the external voltage. |
| US08120096B2 |
Power semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A power semiconductor device capable of transmitting gate signals in all directions (e.g., up-/down-ward/right-/left-ward) on a plane and a method of manufacturing the same. The power semiconductor device includes first conductive regions, formed to a predetermined depth in a surface of a conductive low concentration epitaxial layer. The first conductive regions include linear first conductive layers spaced from each other and linear second conductive layers spaced from each other. Second conductive regions are formed to a smaller width and depth than the first and second conductive layers to form channels in the first and second conductive layers. A gate oxide layer formed on a surface of the epitaxial layer defines first windows having a smaller width than the first conductive layers and second windows having a smaller width than the second conductive layers. A gate polysilicon layer is formed on the gate oxide layer. |
| US08120092B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method therefor
First gate electrodes of memory cell transistors are formed in series with each other on a semiconductor substrate. A second gate electrode of a first selection transistor is formed adjacent to one end of the first electrodes. A third gate electrode of a second selection transistor is formed adjacent to the second electrode. A fourth gate electrode of a peripheral transistor is formed on the substrate. First, second, and third sidewall films are formed on side surfaces of the second, third, and fourth gate electrodes, respectively. A film thickness of the third sidewall film is larger than that of the first and second sidewall films. A space between the first electrode and the second electrode is larger than a space between the first electrodes, and a space between the second electrode and the third electrode is larger than a space between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08120089B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method for fabricating non-volatile memory device
Provided are nonvolatile memory devices with a three-dimensional structure and methods of fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device includes conductive patterns three-dimensionally arranged on a semiconductor substrate, semiconductor patterns that extend from the semiconductor substrate and intersect one-side walls of the conductive patterns, charge storage layers interposed between the semiconductor patterns and one-side walls of the conductive patterns, and seed layer patterns interposed between the charge storage layers and one-side walls of the conductive patterns. |
| US08120087B2 |
Ferroelectric capacitor with underlying conductive film
A semiconductor device includes an insulating film provided over a semiconductor substrate, a conductive plug buried in the insulating film, an underlying conductive film which is provided on the conductive plug and on the insulating film and which has a flat upper surface, and a ferroelectric capacitor provided on the underlying conductive film. At least in a region on the conductive plug, the concentration of nitrogen in the underlying conductive film gradually decreases from the upper surface to the inside. |
| US08120086B2 |
Low leakage capacitors including portions in inter-layer dielectrics
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region; an insulation region in the second region of the semiconductor substrate; and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) over the insulation region. A transistor is in the first region. The transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A first conductive line and a second conductive line are over the insulation region. The first conductive line and the second conductive line are substantially parallel to each other and extending in a first direction. A first metal line and a second metal line are in a bottom metal layer (M1) and extending in the first direction. The first metal line and the second metal line substantially vertically overlap the first conductive line and the second conductive line, respectively. The first metal line and the second metal line form two capacitor electrodes of a capacitor. |
| US08120085B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: a channel region extending substantially perpendicular to a main surface of a semiconductor substrate; a first diffusion layer provided on a bottom of the channel region; a second diffusion layer provided on a top of the channel region; a first gate electrode that extends substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and that is provided on a side of the channel region through a gate insulation film; and a second gate electrode that extends substantially parallel to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and that is connected to the top of the first gate electrode, wherein a planar position of the second gate electrode is offset relative to a planar position of the first gate electrode. |
| US08120084B2 |
Ferro-electric device and modulatable injection barrier
Described is a modulatable injection barrier and a semiconductor element comprising same. More particularly, the invention relates to a two-terminal, non-volatile programmable resistor. Such a resistor can be applied in non-volatile memory devices, and as an active switch e.g. in displays. The device comprises, in between electrode layers, a storage layer comprising a blend of a ferro-electric material and a semiconductor material. Preferably both materials in the blend are polymers. |
| US08120083B2 |
Polymer-based ferroelectric memory
Apparatus and systems may comprise electrode structures that include two or more dissimilar and abutting metal layers on a surface, some of the electrode structures separated by a gap; and a polymer-based ferroelectric layer overlying and directly abutting some of the electrode structures. Methods may comprise actions to form and operate the apparatus and systems. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08120079B2 |
Light-sensing device for multi-spectral imaging
A method of fabricating multi-spectral photo-sensors including photo-diodes incorporating stacked epitaxial superlattices monolithically integrated with CMOS devices on a common semiconductor substrate. |
| US08120077B2 |
Solid-state imaging device comprising doped channel stop at isolation regions to suppress noise
Capacitance between a detection capacitor and a reset transistor is the largest among the capacitances between the detection capacitor and transistors placed around the detection capacitor. In order to reduce this capacitance, it is effective to reduce the channel width of the reset transistor. It is possible to reduce the effective channel width by distributing, in the vicinity of the channel of the reset transistor and the boundary line between an active region and an element isolation region, ions which enhance the generation of carriers of an opposite polarity to the channel. |
| US08120076B2 |
Method and structure of monolithically integrated infrared sensing device
Protection for infrared sensing device, and more particularly, to a monolithically integrated uncooled infrared sensing device using IC foundry compatible processes. The proposed infrared sensing device is fabricated on a completed IC substrate. In an embodiment, the infrared sensing device has a single crystal silicon plate with an absorbing layer supported a pair of springs. The absorbing layer absorbs infrared radiation and heats up the underlying silicon layer. As a result, an n well in the silicon layer changes its resistance related to its temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). In another embodiment, the infrared sensing device has a top sensing plate supported by an underlying spring structures. The top sensing plate has sensing materials such as amorphous silicon, poly silicon, SiC, SiGe, Vanadium oxide, or YbaCuO. Finally, a micro lens array is placed on top of the sensing pixel array with a gap in between. In an embodiment, the micro lens array is fabricated on a silicon substrate and bonded to the sensing pixel array substrate. In another embodiment, the micro lens array is fabricated monolithically using amorphous silicon. The micro lens array layer encapsulates the pixel sensing array hermetically, preferably in a vacuum environment. |
| US08120074B2 |
Bipolar semiconductor device and manufacturing method
A bipolar semiconductor device with a hole current redistributing structure and an n-channel IGBT are provided. The n-channel IGBT has a p-doped body region with a first hole mobility and a sub region which is completely embedded within the body region and has a second hole mobility which is lower than the first hole mobility. Further, a method for forming a bipolar semiconductor device is provided. |
| US08120067B1 |
Power and ground routing of integrated circuit devices with improved IR drop and chip performance
An integrated circuit chip includes a semiconductor substrate having thereon a plurality of IMD layers and first conductive layers embedded in the IMD layers; a first insulating layer overlying the IMD layers and the first conductive layers; a plurality of first power/ground mesh wiring lines, in a second conductive layer overlying the first insulating layer, for distributing power signal or ground signal; and a second insulating layer covering the second conductive layer and the first insulating layer. |
| US08120066B2 |
Single voltage supply pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) power device and process for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) power device (1) including a semi-insulating substrate (2); an epitaxial substrate (3) formed on the semi-insulating substrate (2) a contact layer (19). The contact layer (19) includes a lightly doped contact layer (20) formed on the Schottky layer (18), and a highly doped contact layer (21) formed on the lightly doped contact layer (20) and having a doping concentration higher than the lightly doped contact layer (20). The PHEMT power device (1) further includes a—wide recess (23) formed to penetrate the highly doped contact layer (21) and a narrow recess (24) formed in the wide recess (23) to penetrate the lightly doped contact layer (20). The gate electrode (6) is formed in the narrow recess (24) and in Schottky contact with the Schottky layer (18). |
| US08120061B2 |
Light receiving device
A light receiving device having small dark current and capable of sensing light in the wavelength range of 2.0 μm to 3.0 μm with high sensitivity is provided. The light receiving device has an InP substrate, and a light receiving layer formed by alternately stacking a larger layer formed of GaInNAsSbP mixed crystal having nitrogen content of at most 5% in 5 group, larger lattice constant than that of InP and thickness between hc and 11hc, the critical thickness hc being determined as hc=b(1−ν cos2α){log(hc/b)+1}/8πf(1+ν)cos λ and a smaller layer formed of GaInNAsSbP mixed crystal having nitrogen content of at most 5% in 5 group, smaller lattice constant than that of InP and thickness between hc and 11hc; absolute value of lattice mismatch of the larger layer and the smaller layer to the InP substrate is at least 0.5% and at most 5%; at least one of the layers has absorption edge wavelength of 2.0 μm to 3.0 μm; total thickness of respective layers is 2.0 μm to 4.0 μm; and thickness-weighted average lattice mismatch is set to be at most ±0.2%. |
| US08120056B2 |
Light emitting diode assembly
An electronic assembly includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED) mounted on a top surface of a heat spreader, at least two electrical contacts co-planar with the heat spreader, and at least one heat slug mounted on the top surface of the heat spreader, where the heat slug is made of high thermal conductive plastic. |
| US08120052B2 |
Flip chip type LED lighting device manufacturing method
A flip chip type LED lighting device manufacturing method includes the step of providing a strip, the step of providing a submount, the step of forming a metal bonding layer on the strip or submount, the step of bonding the submount to the strip, and the step of cutting the structure thus obtained into individual flip chip type LED lighting devices. |
| US08120047B2 |
III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device
The present disclosure relates to a III-nitride semiconductor light-emitting device including a substrate with a first groove and a second groove formed therein, the substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of III-nitride semiconductor layers including a first semiconductor layer formed over the first surface of the substrate, a second semiconductor layer formed over the first III-nitride semiconductor layer, and an active layer disposed between the first and second III-nitride semiconductor layers and generating light by recombination of electrons and holes, a first opening formed on the first groove, a second opening formed on the second groove, a first electrode electrically connected from the second surface to the first III-nitride semiconductor layer through the first groove, and a second electrode electrically connected from the second surface to the second III-nitride semiconductor layer through the second groove and the second opening. |
| US08120046B2 |
Light-emitting element
A light-emitting element includes a semiconductor laminated structure including a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type and an active layer sandwiched by the first and second semiconductor layers, a first electrode on one surface side of the semiconductor laminated structure, a conductive reflective layer on an other surface side of the semiconductor laminated structure for reflecting light emitted from the active layer, a contact portion partially formed between the semiconductor laminated structure and the conductive reflective layer and being in ohmic contact with the semiconductor laminated structure, and a second electrode on a part of a surface of the conductive reflective layer on the semiconductor laminated structure without contacting the semiconductor laminated structure for feeding current to the contact portion. |
| US08120044B2 |
Multi-chips with an optical interconnection unit
A multi-chip having an optical interconnection unit is provided. The multi-chip having an optical interconnection unit includes a plurality of silicon chips sequentially stacked, a plurality of optical device arrays on a side of each of the plurality of the silicon chips such that the optical device arrays correspond to each other and a wiring electrically connecting the silicon chip and the optical device array attached to a side of the silicon chip, wherein the corresponding optical device arrays forms an optical connection unit by transmitting and receiving an optical signal between the corresponding optical device arrays in different layers. Each of the optical device arrays includes at least one of a light emitting device and a light receiving device. |
| US08120041B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light-emitting device has an n-type DBR layer (3), an n-type cladding layer (4), an active layer (5), a p-type cladding layer (6), a p-type intermediate layer (7), a p-type contact layer (8), a p-type transparent substrate (9), ohmic electrodes (10 and 11), and a reflecting layer (12). The n-type DBR layer (3) has reflectivity for the emission wavelength of the active layer (5). |
| US08120040B2 |
Substrate for mounting IC chip, manufacturing method of substrate for mounting IC chip, device for optical communication, and manufacturing method of device for optical communication
A device for optical communication including a substrate for mounting an IC chip, and a multilayered printed circuit board. An optical path for transmitting optical signal which penetrates the substrate for mounting an IC chip is formed in the substrate for mounting an IC chip. |
| US08120033B2 |
Semiconductor element and display device using the same
Provided is a semiconductor element including: a semiconductor having an active layer; a gate insulating film which is in contact with the semiconductor; a gate electrode opposite to the active layer through the gate insulating film; a first nitride insulating film formed over the active layer; a photosensitive organic resin film formed on the first nitride insulating film; a second nitride insulating film formed on the photosensitive organic resin film; and a wiring provided on the second nitride insulating film, in which a first opening portion is provided in the photosensitive organic resin film, an inner wall surface of the first opening portion is covered with the second nitride insulating film, a second opening portion is provided in a laminate including the gate insulating film, the first nitride insulating film, and the second nitride insulating film inside the first opening portion, and the semiconductor is connected with the wiring through the first opening portion and the second opening portion. |
| US08120032B2 |
Active device array substrate and fabrication method thereof
A fabrication method of an active device array substrate is disclosed. A first metal material layer, a gate insulation material layer, a channel material layer, a second metal material layer, and a first photoresist layer are formed over a substrate sequentially. The first photoresist layer is patterned with a multi-tone mask to form a first patterned photoresist layer with two thicknesses. A first and second removing processes are performed sequentially using the first patterned photoresist layer as a mask to form a gate, a gate insulation layer, a channel layer, and a source/drain. The first patterned photoresist layer is removed. A passivation layer and a second patterned photoresist layer are formed over the substrate. A third removing process is performed to form a plurality of contact holes. A pixel electrode material layer is formed over the substrate. The second patterned photoresist layer is lifted off to form a pixel electrode. |
| US08120031B2 |
Display device including an opening formed in a gate insulating film, a passivation film, and a barrier film
A structure for preventing deteriorations of a light-emitting device and retaining sufficient capacitor elements (condenser) required by each pixel is provided. A first passivation film, a second metal layer, a flattening film, a barrier film, and a third metal layer are stacked in this order over a transistor. A side face of a first opening provided with the flattening film is covered by the barrier film, a second opening is formed inside the first opening, and a third metal layer is connected to a semiconductor via the first opening and the second opening. A capacitor element that is formed of a lamination of a semiconductor of a transistor, a gate insulating film, a gate electrode, the first passivation film, and the second metal layer is provided. |
| US08120022B2 |
Light emitting device material and light emitting device
Disclosed is a light emitting device material characterized by containing a specific fluorine compound. This light emitting device material enables to obtain a light emitting device having high luminous efficiency, excellent color purity and excellent durability. Also disclosed is a light emitting device using such a light emitting device material. |
| US08120016B2 |
Imaging device
A solid-state imaging device, a line sensor and an optical sensor for enhancing a wide dynamic range while keeping high sensitivity with a high S/N ratio, and a method of operating a solid-state imaging device for enhancing a wide dynamic range while keeping high sensitivity with a high S/N ratio are provided. The solid-state imaging device comprises an integrated array of a plurality of pixels, each of which comprises a photodiode PD for receiving light and generating photoelectric charges, a transfer transistor Tr1 for transferring the photoelectric charges, and a storage capacitor element C connected to the photodiode PD at least through the transfer transistor Tr1 for accumulating, at least through the transfer transistor Tr1, the photoelectric charge overflowing from the photodiode PD during accumulating operation. |
| US08120013B2 |
Nitride semi-conductor light emitting device and a process of producing a nitride semi-conductor light emitting device
A nitride semi-conductor light emitting device has a p-type nitride semi-conductor layer 7, an n-type nitride semi-conductor layer 3, and a light emission layer 6 which is interposed between the p-type nitride semi-conductor layer 7 and the n-type nitride semi-conductor layer 3. The light emission layer 6 has a quantum well structure with a barrier layer 6b and a well layer 6a. The barrier layer 6b is formed of AlaGabIn(1-a-b)N (0 |
| US08120009B2 |
Nanowhiskers with PN junctions, doped nanowhiskers, and methods for preparing them
Nano-engineered structures are disclosed, incorporating nanowhiskers of high mobility conductivity and incorporating pn junctions. In one embodiment, a nanowhisker of a first semiconducting material has a first band gap, and an enclosure comprising at least one second material with a second band gap encloses said nanoelement along at least part of its length, the second material being doped to provide opposite conductivity type charge carriers in respective first and second regions along the length of the of the nanowhisker, whereby to create in the nanowhisker by transfer of charge carriers into the nanowhisker, corresponding first and second regions of opposite conductivity type charge carriers with a region depleted of free carriers therebetween. The doping of the enclosure material may be degenerate so as to create within the nanowhisker adjacent segments having very heavy modulation doping of opposite conductivity type analogous to the heavily doped regions of an Esaki diode. In another embodiment, a nanowhisker is surrounded by polymer material containing dopant material. A step of rapid thermal annealing causes the dopant material to diffuse into the nanowhisker. In a further embodiment, a nanowhisker has a heterojunction between two different intrinsic materials, and Fermi level pinning creates a pn junction at the interface without doping. |
| US08120001B2 |
Inspection method and apparatus, lithographic apparatus, lithographic processing cell and device manufacturing method
In a scatterometry apparatus having an illumination aperture stop, a field stop is provided at an intermediate image to control a spot size on a substrate. The field stop may be apodized, e.g., having a transmissivity in the form of a trapezium or a Gaussian shape. |
| US08119999B2 |
Radiation-shielding glass and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a radiation-shielding glass, including a glass composition in % by mass of 10 to 35% SiO2, 55 to 80% PbO, 0 to 10% B2O3, 0 to 10% Al2O3, 0 to 10% SrO, 0 to 10% BaO, 0 to 10% Na2O, and 0 to 10% K2O, in which the radiation-shielding glass has a total light transmission at a wavelength of 400 nm at a thickness of 10 mm of 50% or higher. Also provided is a radiation-shielding glass which has the similar glass composition and can be used for a gamma-ray shielding glass for a PET examination. |
| US08119997B2 |
Optical system and method for inspecting fluorescently labeled biological specimens
A system for imaging a fluorescently labeled sample is presented, The system comprises a capsule, which is a closable structure made of a material isolating the inside of the capsule from its surrounding environment, and which has a support stage for receiving the sample and carrying it thereinside during the imaging; and an optical device at least partly accommodated inside the capsule and operable to illuminate the sample with incident radiation to excite a fluorescent response of the sample, detect the fluorescent response, and generate data indicative thereof. |
| US08119996B2 |
Quantum efficiency measurement apparatus and quantum efficiency measurement method
A sample that is an object whose quantum efficiency is to be measured, and a standard object having a known reflectance characteristic are each attached to a sample window provided in a plane mirror. Based on respective spectrums measured by a spectrometer in respective cases where the sample is attached and the standard object is attached, the quantum efficiency of the sample is measured. The plane of an opening of an observation window is made substantially coincident with the exposed surface of the sample or standard object, so that direct incidence, on the observation window, of the fluorescence generated from the sample receiving an excitation light and the excitation light reflected from sample is prevented. |
| US08119995B2 |
Device for detection of excitation using a multiple spot arrangement
The invention relates to a device (1) for detection of excitation (110) using a multiple spot arrangement (60), in which a multiple spot generator (50) is matched to the multiple spot arrangement (60) in such a way that light (100) entering the multiple spot generator (50) will be guided to defined areas on the multiple spot arrangement (60). |
| US08119988B2 |
Collection-amount detection method for particulate matters and collection-amount detection apparatus therefor and exhaust-gas converting apparatus
A filter 2 for collecting PMs, a microwave transmitter 30 for emitting electromagnetic waves whose frequency is dozens of GHz-a few of THz onto the filter 2, a microwave receiver 31 for detecting an intensity of the electromagnetic waves that have transmitted through the filter 2, and a computing means for computing a collection amount of PMs from the intensity that has been detected with the microwave receiver 31 are included. Since it is possible to detect the distribution of the collection amount of PMs with good accuracy, it is possible to carry out a recycling process in a state where the collection amount does not become too much, and thereby it is possible to make a reducing-agent supply amount into exhaust gases minimum at the time of the recycling process. |
| US08119985B2 |
Methods and apparatus for statistical characterization of nano-particles
A method and apparatus for determining statistical characteristics of nano-particles includes distributing the nano-particles over a surface and then determining properties of the nano-particles by automatic measurement of multiple particles or by a measurement that determines properties of multiple particles at one time, without manipulating individual nano-particles. |
| US08119978B2 |
Apparatus and methods for real-time verification of radiation therapy
Various embodiments are described herein for an area integrated fluence monitoring sensor that can be used to measure a radiation dose. The sensor comprises at least one Gradient Ion Chamber (GIC) comprising an ion chamber having a volume gradient across a length or width thereof, a gas or liquid located within the ion chamber and an electrode to detect ions generated within the gas or liquid when the at least one GIC is subjected to an ionizing radiation beam. Various embodiments are also described herein for an Integral Quality Monitoring system and associated method that can be used to measure and monitor the quality of radiation doses provided by a radiation treatment system. |
| US08119975B2 |
High speed deterministic, non-contact, 3-axis free trajectory measurement device and free trajectory imaging device
A data providing device associated with a trajectory sensing system has at least a frame. The frame supports at least two sensing receivers and at least one emitter for the sensing receivers. The sensors sense movement and/or position with respect to a surface. The frame supports a third sensor that senses information (e.g., image data) from the surface at least in addition to movement. There is also a communication link from the two sensing receivers to a data storage device; a communication link from the third sensor to a data storage device or to a processor and then a data storage device; and a processor that determines position of the system with respect to the surface based at least in part on data from the two sensing receivers. |
| US08119974B2 |
Microprocessor based automatically dimmable eye protection device with interruption prevention
An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit in electrical communication with the shutter assembly. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a clear state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller programmed to store a plurality of memory presets including at least one setting corresponding to the operation of the shutter assembly. At least two of the plurality of memory presets are individually configured for a specific type of welding. |
| US08119969B2 |
Imaging device and method for high-sensitivity optical scanning and integrated circuit therefor
An inspection system includes a CMOS integrated circuit having integrally formed thereon an at least two dimensional array of photosensors and providing an inspection output representing an object to be inspected. A defect analyzer is operative to receive the inspection output and to provide a defect report. |
| US08119963B2 |
High efficiency counterbalanced dual axis solar tracking array frame system
A high efficiency, environmentally friendly system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic solar collecting panels (PV panels) is disclosed. The system comprises an outer frame to which a plurality of inner frames are mounted to which the plurality of PV panels are attached. To minimize shadowing by the outer frame upon one or more PV panels, at least one PV panel may extend beyond an endpoint of the main frame. The system also comprises an outer frame rotation actuator that rotates the outer frame and an inner frame rotation actuator that rotates the inner frames and the plurality of PV panels. The solar tracking array frames disclosed herein help to improve the quality of the environment by conserving a variety of energy resources (e.g., fossil fuels, hydroelectric energy, etc.) The solar tracking array frames disclosed herein also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as solar tracking array frames do not produce carbon dioxide byproducts. |
| US08119961B2 |
Solar tracking device for solar panel
A solar tracking device for solar panel includes a barrel body, a light transmitting unit, a projecting unit, a photosensor unit, and a lens. The light transmitting unit is disposed at a first end of the barrel body oriented toward the sun. The light transmitting unit has a light-transmittable crossing point provided at a center thereof. The projecting unit is an opaque member arranged between the first end and a second end of the barrel body. The photosensor unit is arranged to one side of the projecting unit, so that the projecting unit is located between the light transmitting unit and the photosensor unit. The photosensor unit has a locating center preset at a center of the projecting unit. The lens is arranged between the projecting unit and the photosensor unit. The barrel body is a telescopic barrel enabling the solar tracking device to switch between different operating angle modes. |
| US08119959B1 |
Flight control of missiles
A missile in which a nose portion is rotatably mounted on a main body portion of the missile and is subjected to thrust to bring it to a demanded roll attitude and to apply to it a demanded lateral steering force. The thrust is produced by a propellant gas and supplied to discharge ducts in the nose portion which provide for the discharge of the propellant gas tangentially with respect to the nose portion. The discharge ducts are selectively opened and closed by relative axial displacement of the nose portion and a valve spool which controls the flow of propellant gas. An actuator responsive to guidance control signals causes a predetermined roll torque to bring the nose portion to a demanded roll attitude and a predetermined lateral steering force on the missile. |
| US08119958B2 |
Method and device for matrix of explosive cells
A matrix of explosive cells can include plural explosive cells formed in an array in a common substrate. Each cell can be formed as a recess filled with explosive material. An ignition device has an addressable ignition source for each cell. This matrix can be used in combination with a projectile guidance system. The projectile guidance system includes an antenna, a transceiver and a control processor. A method of guiding a projectile can include firing a projectile at a target, tracking the projectile and the target, determining a desired change in a flight path of the projectile, transmitting guidance commands to effect the desired change in the projectile's flight path to the projectile, receiving the guidance commands onboard the projectile and selectively igniting an explosive cell in a matrix of addressable explosive cells contained in a common substrate using the guidance commands. |
| US08119956B2 |
Multi-stage hyper-velocity kinetic energy missile
A multi-stage hyper-velocity kinetic energy missile (HVKEM) uses a ‘missile in a missile’ architecture in which the HVKEM includes a 1st stage flight missile and a 2nd stage kill missile that includes a KE-rod penetrator. The flight missile cruises at a relatively low velocity (less than Mach 1.5, typically less than Mach 1) to conserve propellant (weight) and to allow for effective guidance and maneuvering until the missile is in close proximity to the target. When the missile is within the lethal range of the KE-rod penetrator, the kill missile separates and boosts to a much higher velocity (greater than Mach 3, typically greater than Mach 5) and flies unguided to impact the target in less than a second. Waiting to boost the KE-rod until “the last second” reduces the total propellant (weight) needed to deliver the KE-rod on target and simplifies the guidance. The missile may be configured for use with different platforms and different guidance systems but is particularly well suited for use with the existing base of TOW launch containers and platforms satisfying all of the physical, operational and CLOS guidance constraints while maintaining the performance of the KE-rod penetrator. |
| US08119951B2 |
Weld wire with enhanced slag removal
A low alloy or mild steel weld containing a slag-modifying additive selected from the group consisting of antimony, bismuth, germanium and compounds thereof;A weld wire for forming a low alloy or mild steel weld containing a slag-modifying additive selected from the group consisting of antimony, bismuth, germanium and compounds thereof. |
| US08119948B2 |
Method of retouching metal parts
A method of retouching metal parts joined by brazing at high temperatures is disclosed. The brazed zones are retouched by a retouching laser. The peak power of the retouching laser is between 1500 and 3000 W. The retouching laser is used in pulsed mode. |
| US08119946B2 |
Electrical switching device having a contact piece which can move along a movement axis
An electrical switching device has a displaceable contact piece mounted on an encapsulated housing. The displaceable contact piece extends within and outside of the encapsulated housing. The displaceable contact piece is sealed gas-proof in relation to the encapsulated housing. For forming a gas-proof transition, first and second sealing elements are provided, which, as axial sealing elements, are alternately pressed against the encapsulated housing by peripheral collars of the displaceable contact piece. A third sealing element is provided for sealing the displaceable contact piece in a radial direction. |
| US08119942B2 |
Circuit breaker having delaying function for rotation of cam
Disclosed is a circuit breaker having a cam rotation delaying function employed to block current, the circuit breaker performing a charging operation and a charting operation, the circuit breaker including a closing spring having one end portion rotatably coupled to each of plates, a driving lever rotatably installed at each of the plates and connected to another end portion of the closing spring so as to be rotated responsive to compression and extension of the closing spring, a cam rotatably installed at each of the plates and configured to press the driving lever for rotation, a link mechanism having a plurality of links rotatably installed at each of the plates and connected to the driving lever for operation, a movable contact rotatably installed at a side of each of the plates and contactable with a terminal by an operation of the link mechanism, and a cam delaying mechanism installed at each of the plates and configured to attenuate a rotational force of the cam due to a restoring force of the closing spring, whereby an excessive rotation of the cam can be prevented by the cam delaying mechanism so as to allow stable and complete toggling operation of the link mechanism and a smooth restoring operation of the closing spring, thereby providing more stable operation of the circuit breaker. |
| US08119939B2 |
On-load tap changer with an energy storage mechanism
The invention relates to an on-load tap changer having an energy storage mechanism for changing over, without any interruptions, between different winding taps of a tap-changing transformer on load. According to the invention, the energy storage mechanism has one or more compression springs, which are tensioned at the beginning of a changeover operation. In comparison with the tensile springs used to date with such energy storage mechanisms, the compression springs have markedly greater long-term strength. |
| US08119934B2 |
Combination weigher including a single hopper line
A combination weigher includes weighing hoppers capable of discharging weighed objects selectively in a first direction or in a second direction, a first collecting chute and a collecting hopper, a second collecting chute and a collecting hopper, and a control unit configured to determine a first discharge combination and a second discharge combination in which combination weight values fall within an allowable range with respect to a target weight value, to cause weighing hoppers belonging to the first discharge combination to discharge the weighed objects in the first direction, to cause weighing hoppers belonging to the second discharge combination to discharge the objects to be weighed in the second direction, and to cause the collecting hopper and the collecting hopper to discharge the objects to be weighed. |
| US08119927B2 |
Wiring board, method for manufacturing the same, and semiconductor package
In a wiring board, a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of insulating layers are alternately stacked. The wiring layers are electrically connected to one another through via holes formed in the insulating layers. The wiring board includes: a connection pad which is disposed on one of the wiring layers that is on the inner side of an outermost wiring layer; and an external connection terminal which is disposed on the connection pad, and which is projected from the surface of the wiring board. The external connection terminal is passed through the outermost wiring layer. |
| US08119926B2 |
Terminal assembly with regions of differing solderability
An intercoupling component is provided which permits reliable, non-permanent electrical connection between a first substrate and a second substrate. The intercoupling component includes an electrically conductive terminal including a first end and a second end opposed to the first end. The first and second ends are configured to receive a solder ball. An axial hole extends inward from the first end of the terminal, and an electrically conductive core member is disposed within the hole. The core member is sized and shaped to obstruct the hole. In addition, at least an outer surface of the core member includes a first material and at least an outer surface of the body includes a second material, the first material having greater solderability than the second material. |
| US08119920B2 |
Multilayer printed wiring board
An IC chip for a high frequency region, particularly a packaged substrate in which no malfunction or error occurs even if 3 GHz is exceeded. A conductive layer on a core substrate is formed at a thickness of 30 μm and a conductor circuit on an interlayer resin insulation layer is formed at a thickness of 15 μm. By thickening the conductive layer, the volume of the conductor can be increased and resistance can be reduced. Further, by using the conductive layer as a power source layer, the capacity of supply of power to an IC chip can be improved. |
| US08119919B2 |
Printed wiring board, method for manufacturing printed wiring board, and electric device
Provided are a printed wiring board and a flexible printed wiring board which hardly generate radiation electromagnetic noises and are not easily affected by external noises. First and second wave-shape wirings are provided between at least two insulation substrates stacked on each other. The first and the second wave-shape wirings three-dimensionally intersect with each other in a plane direction and a thickness direction of the insulating substrates. The first and second wave-shape wirings are electrically separated from each other by a resist layer provided between the insulating substrates. |
| US08119916B2 |
Flexible cable having a dual layer jacket
A flexible multi-conductor cable and a method of manufacturing a flexible multi-conductor cable, wherein the cable is adapted for use, particularly, in a mechanical cable track type lifting device. The cable includes two or more insulated conductors surrounded by a dual layer jacket. The dual layer jacket includes an inner layer having a TPE material with a higher tensile modulus, and an outer layer having a TPE material with a lower tensile modulus. The material of the cable is selected so that the cable is capable of surviving the external physical requirements of a mechanical cable track, as well as to prevent the transfer of the wiping effect onto the conductors. |
| US08119914B2 |
Substantially transparent cable protector and cable protection system
A cable protector may comprise an at least partially transparent base member, at least one channel extending between opposing ends of the base member and structured to house at least one cable, and an indicia member positioned within the base member so as to be visible through at least a portion of the base member. The indicia member may comprise advertising indicia, indicia that indicates at least a product name of the cable protector, and/or indicia that indicates a manufacturer of the cable protector. |
| US08119913B2 |
Protector for wire harness
A first coupling of a first protector includes a U-shaped inner wall section and a cover. The inner wall section has an inner bottom wall and opposed inner side walls. The cover extends from outer surfaces of the inner bottom wall and opposed inner side walls of the inner wall section to a distal end opening in the first coupling. The cover is open at a distal end. A second coupling of a second protector includes a bottom wall and opposed side walls that are inserted through the distal end opening into a clearance defined between the inner wall section and the cover of the first protector. The first and second couplings of the first and second protectors are connected together so that the second coupling of the second protector is caught between the inner wall and the cover of the first coupling of the first protector. |
| US08119912B2 |
Cover assembly for an in-floor box
A cover assembly for a floor-mounted enclosure or in-floor box includes a lid that remains flush with the floor and covers the in-floor box while permitting egress of electrical cables connected to receptacles housed in the box. |
| US08119910B1 |
Power and communication receptacle trough with receptacle attachment member having wave-like contour
A power and communication receptacle trough has a frame which has an upper, peripheral portion and a plurality of walls downwardly extending from the upper, peripheral portion. The frame defines an interior region. A receptacle attachment member is disposed within the interior region of the frame and is attached to the frame. The receptacle attachment member has a wave-like contour having a crest portion. At least one power or communication receptacle is connected to the receptacle attachment member. The receptacle attachment member has a central portion and the crest portion of the wave-like contour is at the central portion of the receptacle attachment member. Covers are movably attached to the upper, peripheral portion. Each cover corresponds to a respective half of the frame. A lighting device is attached to the receptacle attachment member to illuminate the interior region of the frame. |
| US08119909B2 |
Fastening system for fastening a plate within an enclosure
A fastening system for fastening a plate within an enclosure for electric installations includes an elongated holder and a support member arranged to be fastened to the holder with a snap-in fastening device. The snap-in fastening device is arranged to fasten the support member detachably to the holder in a direction perpendicular relative to the longitudinal direction of the holder and includes a locking device for fastening the support member to the holder at different points along the holder. In order for the fastening system to provide adequate support to a plate to be installed within the enclosure in all applications, the fastening arrangement includes a flexible catch, which, during the placement of the snap-in fastening device into the locking position, is arranged to yield in a direction perpendicular relative to the longitudinal direction of the holder, and the locking device includes at least one locking element arranged to keep the support member locked in the longitudinal direction of the holder substantially inflexibly. |
| US08119904B2 |
Silicon wafer based structure for heterostructure solar cells
A multi-junction photovoltaic device includes a silicon substrate and a dielectric layer formed on the silicon substrate. A germanium layer is formed on the dielectric layer. The germanium includes a crystalline structure that is substantially similar to the crystalline structure of the silicon substrate. A first photovoltaic sub-cell includes a first plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the germanium layer. At least a second photovoltaic sub-cell includes a second plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the first photovoltaic sub-cell that is on the germanium layer that is on the dielectric layer. |
| US08119902B2 |
Concentrating module and method of manufacture for photovoltaic strips
A glass concentrator for manufacture of solar energy conversion module is provided including a webbing that has a load sustenance characteristic and a hail impact resistance characteristic based on a first thickness of the webbing. The concentrator also includes a plurality of elongated concentrating elements integrally formed with the webbing. Each of the elongated concentrating elements has an aperture region, an exit region and two side regions, which bears a geometric concentration characteristic provided by a highly reflective side regions and an aperture-to-exit scale ratio in a range from about 1.8 to about 4.5. The glass concentrator can be attached with a plurality of photovoltaic strips cumulatively on each and every exit regions and clamped with a rigid or flexible back cover member to form a solar concentrator module for converting sunlight to electric energy. The solar concentrator module based on certain embodiments meets the industrial qualification standards. |
| US08119901B2 |
Solar cell module having a conductive pattern part
A solar cell module is discussed. The solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each including a plurality of first current collectors and a plurality of second current collectors, a first protective layer positioned on incident surfaces of the solar cells, a transparent member positioned on the first protective layer, and a conductive pattern part positioned on non-incident surfaces of the plurality of solar cells. The conductive pattern part includes a first pattern having a plurality of first protrusions connected to first current collectors of one solar cell and a second pattern having a plurality of second protrusions connected to second current collectors of the one solar cell. The plurality of first current collectors and the plurality of second current collectors are positioned on a surface of each solar cell on which light is not incident. |
| US08119898B2 |
Method of instructing an audience to create spontaneous music
A method of instructing an audience to spontaneously create music at an entertainment event is disclosed. The method comprises providing noisemakers to groups of participants, the noisemakers being distinguishable between the plurality of types and each noisemaker sounding a single note. A dynamic display comprising a screen and a notice period shows instructions to the participants. The instructions direct the participants to sound their respective noisemakers at different times. The combined sound from the various noisemakers thereby produces a musical score. |
| US08119895B2 |
Keyboard assembly for electronic musical instrument
A keyboard assembly for an electronic musical instrument comprises an integrally formed multikey unit and a keyboard frame. The multikey unit has a plurality of juxtaposed key bodies and is comprised of three subunits, a sharp key subunit, a C-E-G-B key subunit and a D-F-A key subunit, which are complementary to each other to provide a key unit for a complete one octave. The rear end of each of the key body is extended downward to form a deformable thickness-reduced member to allow a vertical swing of the key body when depressed by a player. The thickness-reduced members are connected into a common connecting member to horizontally align the key bodies in the direction of juxtaposition. The keyboard frame has a vertical rear wall member and a rear top wall member both extending in the direction of the key body alignment, and guide ribs connecting the rear top wall member and the vertical rear wall member. In assembling, the common connecting member is first placed over the rear top wall member, thereafter is slid along the guide ribs, and is temporarily held at the correct position just behind the vertical rear wall member, before being fixed to the vertical rear wall member. |
| US08119893B2 |
Magnetic bridges and tailpieces for stringed instruments
Improved bridges and tailpieces for stringed instruments, such as guitars and banjos. The bridge and tailpiece each include a void at each end of their respective base pieces, near the vertical hole or slot, into which is fixedly set a permanent magnet. The magnet attracts to the ferromagnetic metal bridge posts or tailpiece posts to retain the bridge or tailpiece on the posts and keep them from falling off when the strings are removed from the instrument. |
| US08119890B2 |
Wheat cultivar DA904-32W
A wheat cultivar designated DA904-32W, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of wheat cultivar DA904-32W, to the plants of wheat DA904-32W, and to methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing wheat cultivar DA904-32W with itself or another wheat variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a wheat plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic wheat plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to wheat varieties or breeding varieties and plant parts derived from wheat cultivar DA904-32W, to methods for producing other wheat varieties, lines or plant parts derived from wheat cultivar DA904-32W, and to the wheat plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing wheat cultivar DA904-32W with another wheat cultivar. |
| US08119889B2 |
Wheat variety 25R32
A wheat variety designated 25R32, the plants and seeds of wheat variety 25R32, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety 25R32 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety 25R32 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety 25R32. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety 25R32 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods. |
| US08119888B2 |
Wheat variety W010704F1
A wheat variety designated W010704F1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W010704F1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W010704F1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W010704F1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W010704F1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W010704F1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods. |
| US08119886B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV324581
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV324581. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV324581, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV324581 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV324581 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV324581. |
| US08119883B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV436696
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV436696. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV436696, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV436696 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV436696 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV436696. |
| US08119882B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH990185
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH990185. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH990185, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH990185 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH990185. |
| US08119881B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH288157
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH288157. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH288157, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH288157 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH288157. |
| US08119875B2 |
Soybean cultivar 90362556
A soybean cultivar designated 90362556 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 90362556, to the plants of soybean 90362556, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 90362556, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 90362556 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 90362556, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 90362556, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 90362556 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119872B2 |
Soybean cultivar 92112264
A soybean cultivar designated 92112264 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 92112264, to the plants of soybean 92112264, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 92112264, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 92112264 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 92112264, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 92112264, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 92112264 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119871B2 |
Soybean cultivar 96160254
A soybean cultivar designated 96160254 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 96160254, to the plants of soybean 96160254, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 96160254, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 96160254 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 96160254, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 96160254, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 96160254 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119870B2 |
Soybean cultivar 92180643
A soybean cultivar designated 92180643 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 92180643, to the plants of soybean 92180643, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 92180643, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 92180643 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 92180643, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 92180643, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 92180643 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119869B2 |
Soybean variety A1016276
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016276. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016276. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016276 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016276 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08119866B2 |
Soybean cultivar S080174
A soybean cultivar designated S080174 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080174, to the plants of soybean S080174, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080174, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080174 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S080174, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080174, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S080174 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119865B2 |
Soybean cultivar 85210625
A soybean cultivar designated 85210625 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 85210625, to the plants of soybean 85210625, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 85210625 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 85210625 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 85210625, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 85210625 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 85210625 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119860B2 |
Delta-9 elongases and their use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and using these delta-9 elongases in plants. |
| US08119858B2 |
Plant yield improvement by Ste20-like gene expression
The present invention concerns a method for increasing plant yield by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a Ste20-like polypeptide or a homologue thereof. One such method comprises introducing into a plant a Ste20-like nucleic acid or variant thereof. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having introduced therein a Ste20-like nucleic acid or variant thereof, which plants have increased yield relative to control plants. The present invention also concerns constructs useful in the methods of the invention. |
| US08119856B2 |
Resistance to downy mildew of onion caused by the fungus peronospora destructor
The present invention relates to plants of the Allium cepa species, which are resistant to the downy mildew of onion caused by the fungus Peronospora destructor, due to a Pd resistance locus, wherein any fragment of a chromosome, comprising the Pd resistance locus, can be present homozygously in progeny without causing lethality. The present invention also encompasses plants of the Allium cepa species which are resistant to downy mildew of onion caused by the fungus Personospora destructor (Pd) due to Pd resistance locus present homozygously in the genome of the plants. The present invention also provides processes for obtaining plants resistant to downy mildew of onion, which are suitable for obtaining cultivated onions and shallots. |
| US08119852B2 |
Process for manufacturing neohexene
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing neohexene, comprising contacting isobutene with a supported catalyst comprising a tungsten compound chosen from tungsten hydrides, organometallic tungsten compounds and organometallic tungsten hydrides, and a support comprising an oxide of aluminum, so as to form a reaction mixture comprising neohexene, and preferably separating neohexene from the reaction mixture, so as to isolate it. The contacting leads to the direct production of neohexene, in particular in a single (reaction) stage and with a high molar selectivity for neohexene. The contacting can be performed at a temperature of 50 to 600 ° C., under a total absolute pressure of 0.01 to 100 MPa. |
| US08119850B2 |
Process for producing unsaturated hydrocarbon compound
Disclosed is a method for producing an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound wherein an α-olefin is dimerized by using a catalyst system composed of a metallocene compound (A) and an oxygen-containing organometallic compound modified with a halogen-containing compound (B). By this method, an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound having unsaturated double bonds in a high ratio, in particular the one having a terminal vinylidene group can be produced efficiently. |
| US08119848B2 |
Preparation of alkylation feed
A process for treating an alkylation feedstock comprising olefins, n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, and impurities including one or more of butadiene, oxygenates, nitrogen-containing compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds, the process including: contacting an alkylation feedstock containing at least one of oxygenates and nitrogen-containing compounds with water to produce a hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced concentration of the at least one of oxygenates and nitrogen-containing compounds and an aqueous fraction comprising at least a portion of the at least one of oxygenates and nitrogen-containing compounds; separating water from the hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced concentration to produce a hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced water content; contacting the hydrocarbon fraction having a reduced water content with an oligomerization catalyst in a first oligomerization reaction zone under oligomerization conditions to react at least a portion of the olefins to form a reactor effluent comprising olefin oligomers; and feeding at least a portion of the reactor effluent to an alkylation unit. |
| US08119842B2 |
Process for synthesis of amino-methyl tetralin derivatives
Methods for producing a compound of formula k1 or k2 by reducing a dihydronapthalene amide compound of formula i with hydrogen gas in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst of formula j1 or j2 Ru(Z)2(L) j1; Ru(E)(E′)(L)(D) j2; wherein m, n, Ar, Y, R1 E, E′, D, Z and L are as defined herein. |
| US08119840B2 |
Ethambutol based nitric oxide donors
The present invention relates generally to nitric oxide releasing pharmaceutical compounds. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that release nitric oxide under physiological conditions. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to new chemical compounds—diazeniumdiolates nitric oxide donors—that are based on ethambutol possessing physiological and biomedical activity. |
| US08119839B2 |
Carboxylic acid and antidepressant composition containing the same as active ingredient
The present invention provides a novel compound and antidepressant composition that can be effectively used for improving depressed mood and depressed state, particularly for depressed mood and depressed state in menopausal women. The compound of the present invention is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an acetyloxy group, and n is an integer of 2 to 7, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. This compound is used as an active ingredient in the antidepressant composition. Examples of the compound of the invention include (2E)-9,10-dihydroxy-2-decenoic acid, (2Z)-9,10-dihydroxy-2-decenoic acid, (2E)-9-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, and (2E)-7-acetoxy-2-heptenoic acid. |
| US08119837B2 |
Process for producing methionine
A process for producing methionine, while corrosion of a pipe and a reaction vessel is well inhibited, is provided including the following steps (1) to (3), wherein a content of thiols in 3 -methylthiopropanal is 500 ppm or less, based on the propanal, and a content of hydrogen sulfide in 3-methylthiopropanal is 60 ppm or less, based on the propanal; step (1) in which 3 -methylthiopropanal is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a base to give 2 -hydroxy -4-methylthiobutanenitrile; step (2) in which the 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile obtained in step (1) is reacted with ammonium carbonate to give 5-(β-methylmercaptoethyl) hydantoin; and step (3) in which the 5-(β-methylmercaptoethyl)hydantoin obtained in step (2) is hydrolyzed in the presence of a basic potassium compound to give methionine. |
| US08119833B2 |
Dendrimer solid acid and polymer electrolyte membrane including the same
Provided are a dendrimer solid acid and a polymer electrolyte membrane using the same. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a macromolecule of a dendrimer solid acid having ionically conductive terminal groups at the surface thereof and a minimum amount of ionically conductive terminal groups required for ionic conduction, thus suppressing swelling and allowing a uniform distribution of the dendrimer solid acid, thereby improving ionic conductivity. Since the number of ionically conductive terminal groups in the polymer electrolyte membrane is minimized and the polymer matrix in which swelling is suppressed is used, methanol crossover and difficulties of outflow due to a large volume may be reduced, and a macromolecule of the dendrimer solid acid having the ionically conductive terminal groups on the surface thereof is uniformly distributed. Accordingly, ionic conductivity is high and thus, the polymer electrolyte membrane shows good ionic conductivity even in non-humidified conditions. |
| US08119823B2 |
Solvo-thermal hydrolysis of xylose
The invention relates to a process for producing furfural from xylose comprising: (a) mixing an aqueous xylose solution containing xylose oligosaccharides with sub-critical or near-critical water to form a mixture at a first temperature and a first pressure; (b) maintaining the mixture at the first temperature and the first pressure for a first time period; and (c) rapidly cooling the mixture to a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein furfural is produced by the process (d) process can also be carried out with or without mixing of carbon dioxide with aqueous xylose solution before it is mixed with sub-critical or near-critical water to form a mixture at a first temperature and pressure. |
| US08119816B2 |
Merocyanine dye and use thereof
The present invention provides a blue laser light-absorbent substance, which is suitably used in organic photo conductor, laser optical data carrier or organic light-emitting diodes. The blue laser light-absorbent substance includes a merocyanine compound of the general formula (1) wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 3; R1 is unsubstituted or phenyl-, halogen-, ester-, siliy-substituted linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, benzyl or naphthyl; N and R1R2 together represent aromatic-fused N-containing heterocyclic group (NR1R2); Y1 is unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; Y2 is cyano, nitro, halogen or carboxylate; or O and Y1Y2 together represent epoxy or N-containing heterocyclic hydrocarbonyl ketone (OY1Y2). |
| US08119814B2 |
Aromatic hetrocyclic compound, organic light-emitting diode including organic layer comprising the aromatic hetrocyclic compound, and method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting diode
The present invention provides an aromatic heterocyclic compound represented by Formula 1 below, an organic light-emitting diode including an organic layer comprising the aromatic heterocyclic compound, and a method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting diode: wherein A, Ar1, Ar2, n, m, and k are as described in the detailed description of the present invention. |
| US08119809B2 |
AMPK-activating heterocycloalkyloxy(hetero)aryl carboxamide, sulfonamide and amine compounds and methods for using the same
Disclosed are carboxamide, sulfonamide and amine compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use. One embodiment is a compound having the structure in which R1, R2, R4, E, T, n and x are as described herein. In certain embodiments, a compound disclosed herein activates the AMPK pathway, and can be used to treat metabolism-related disorders and conditions. |
| US08119808B2 |
Tetrahydroquinoline derivatives as cannabinoid receptor modulators
The invention provides for compounds of formula I wherein the substitutents are as described herein. Further provided are methods of using such compounds for the treatment of eating disorders, metabolic disorders, obesity, cognitive disorders, neurological disorders, pain disorders, inflammation disorders, in the promotion of smoking cessation and for the treatment of other psychiatric disordersAlso provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and pharmaceutical combinations of the compounds of the invention with other therapeutic agents. |
| US08119799B2 |
Method for the production of polyisocyanates comprising isocyanurate groups and use therof
The present invention relates to novel catalysts for preparing polyisocyanates having isocyanurate groups by a partial trimerization of (cyclo)aliphatic diisocyanates. |
| US08119791B2 |
si-RNA-mediated gene silencing technology to inhibit tyrosinase and reduce pigmentation
The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating, preventing and improving hyperpigmentation, or other unwanted pigmentation of the skin, or other unwanted skin condition, such as age spots, aged skin, skin discoloration, etc., wherein the compositions include siRNA-gene silencing oligomers specific for tyrosinase. The compositions are used to treat a broad variety of pigmentation conditions, and are preferably applied to the skin, or are delivered by directed means to a site in need thereof. |
| US08119788B2 |
Compositions and methods for the detection of Candida species
Compositions and methods for detecting and/or differentiating among Candida organisms, including C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, are disclosed. Exemplary methods involve screening a sample suspected of containing at least one or more Candida sp. for the presence or absence of a nucleic acid sequence specific for each such fungal pathogen. Some disclosed methods permit the rapid and simultaneous detection and identification of several fungal pathogens (e.g., up to 100 fungi) in a single sample. |
| US08119785B2 |
Nucleic acid sequences and homologous recombination vectors for distruption of a Fel D I gene
A transgenic cat with a phenotype characterized by the substantial absence of the major cat allergen, Fel d I. The phenotype is conferred in the transgenic cat by disrupting the coding sequence of the target gene with a specialized construct. The phenotype of the transgenic cat is transmissible to its offspring. |
| US08119782B2 |
Medium scale integration of molecular logic gates in an automaton
The development of the first solution-phase molecular assembly comprising over 100 molecular logic gates, which more than quadruples the complexity performed by any previous system. “MAYA-II” is a second generation molecular automaton capable of playing a complete game of tic-tac-toe against a human opponent, and encompasses 76 permissible game plays. MAYA-II is more user-friendly than MAYA-I, as it signals both players move in a two-color output system and imposes no constraints on the position of the human player's first move. MAYA-II is constructed from three classes of stem-loop controlled deoxyribozyme-based logic gates that are allosterically modulated by input oligonucleotides to produce fluorescent output signals. |
| US08119780B2 |
Chitosan-derivative compounds and methods of controlling microbial populations
The present invention is directed to chitosan-derivative compounds and structures, methods of making chitosan-derivative compounds and methods for controlling, inhibiting and enhancing microbial populations in a variety of environments. The present invention is also directed to the control, inhibition and enhancement of microbial populations in animals, particularly humans. The microbial populations include bacteria, viruses and other pathogens where control of microbial populations are a necessity. The chitosan-derivative compounds of the present invention include chitosan-arginine compounds, related chitosan-L/D unnatural amino acid compounds, chitosan-acid amine compounds, chitosan-L/D natural amino acid derivative compounds, co-derivatives of the chitosan-derivative compounds, salts of the chitosan derivative compounds, and chitosan-guanidine compounds. |
| US08119774B2 |
Cell marker for hepatic and pancreatic stem cells and progenitor cells
The present invention provides a cell marker that is characterized by binding to a GCTM-5 antibody of active fragment. The cell marker identifies a unique sub-population of stem cells that show characteristics of hepatic or pancreatic stem cells or hepatic or pancreatic progenitor cells. More specifically the marker is an early liver marker, which could prove a useful tool for the isolation and identification of liver and pancreatic progenitors for both diseased adult liver and differentiating human embryonic stem cells. |
| US08119771B2 |
Products for altering IL-33 activity and methods thereof
Products for altering IL-33 activity including antibodies that specifically bind to an epitope with the polypeptide sequence of IL-33 such as antibodies that specifically bind to a protease cleavage region of IL-33 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 17, or SEQ ID NO. 16, or SEQ ID NO. 10; isolated IL-33 polypeptide(s); and compositions comprising a soluble IL-33 receptor linked to an enzyme capable of cleaving IL-33 or an antibody that binds to IL-33 linked to an enzyme capable of cleaving IL-33. The invention also relates to methods of altering IL-33 activity using the products described herein. |
| US08119765B2 |
Crosslinkable fluorine-containing ether compound
A crosslinkable fluorine-containing compound, which is an adduct compound having a crosslinkable group, wherein the adduct compound is an adduct of a fluorine-containing compound having, per molecule, 2 or more terminal fluorine-containing vinyl groups each directly bonded to an oxygen atom, and a compound having 2 or more groups represented by —XH, where X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. |
| US08119762B2 |
Film(s) and/or sheet(s) comprising polyester compositions which comprise cyclobutanediol and have a certain combination of inherent viscosity and moderate glass transition temperature
Described are film or sheet, comprising polyester based composition, comprising dicarboxylic acid component as terephthalic acid residues and optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues and glycol component, comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and cyclohexanedimethanol residues. The polyester composition has the inherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C., glass transition temperature Tg of 110° C. to 160° C., notched Izod impact strength of at least 7.5 ft-lb/inch at 23° C. according to ASTM D256 with a 10-mil notch in a ⅛-inch thick bar, melt viscosity is less than 10,000 poise as measured at 1 radian/second on a rotary melt rheometer at 290° C. and does not contain polycarbonate. |
| US08119757B2 |
Polysiloxane and urethane modified water-reducible alkyd resins
Urethane and siloxane modified water-reducible alkyd resins ABCDE, comprising moieties derived from polyhydric alcohols A, modified fatty acids B made by grafting olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids B2 onto fatty acids B1, ungrafted fatty acids C, silanol or alkoxysilyl functional siloxane oligomers or polymers D, and polyfunctional isocyanates E, a process for their production, and a method of use thereof in coating binders. |
| US08119754B2 |
Room temperature curing adhesive composition having high temperature properties
Room temperature curing structural adhesive compositions including polyurethane oligomers having multi-methacrylate functionality, cycloalkylmethacrylate, at least one maleimide-functionalized compound and a cure system are disclosed. These compositions exhibit enhanced high temperature properties, including hot strength, heat/humidity strength, and heat aging strength, without compromising initial tensile strength and fixture speeds and still possessing a room temperature cure. |
| US08119753B2 |
Silicone hydrogels with amino surface groups
A silicone hydrogel comprising monomeric units of one or more amino monomers, wherein the amino monomers are of formula IA, IB, IIA or IIB and monomeric units of one or more silicone monomers wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or CH2OH; R4 is a C1-C10 alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or carboxylic acid; E is a polymerizable group; X is an anion suitable for quaternary nitrogen; and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and m is an integer from 1 to 8. |
| US08119751B2 |
(Meth)acrylate derivative, polymer and photoresist composition having lactone structure, and method for forming pattern by using it
A photoresist material for lithography using a light of 220 nm or less which comprises at least a polymer represented by the following formula (2) and a photo-acid generator for generating an acid by exposure: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R5 are each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R4 is an acid-labile group or one of a specified subset of alicyclic hydrocarbon groups, alicyclic hydrocarbon groups, or hydrocarbon groups; R6 is a hydrogen atom or one of a specified subset of hydrocarbon groups or alicyclic hydrocarbon groups; x, y and z are optional values which meet x+y+z=1, 0 |
| US08119748B2 |
High activity, low molecular weight olefin polymerization process
Group 4 metal complexes comprising a polyvalent, heteroaryl donor ligand and their use as components of olefin polymerization catalysts, especially suited for preparing propylene/ethylene copolymer products having high isotacticity and low molecular weight, are disclosed. |
| US08119746B2 |
Polysiloxanes grafted with radically curable and/or moisture curable groups
This application relates to polysiloxane compositions grafted with improved heat curable, moisture curable, or heat/moisture curable groups. In particular, the polysiloxane compositions have reactive groups on the terminal or pendent areas of the siloxane backbone, which once reacted provide improved heat and/or moisture curable polysiloxanes. |
| US08119742B2 |
Multi-armed catechol compound blends
The invention describes families of compounds that utilize multihydroxyl phenyl groups to provide adhesive properties. Selection of the multihydroxy phenyl group along with linkers or linking groups and the linkages between the linkers or linking groups with polyalkylene oxides, provides materials that can be engineered to afford controllable curing time, biodegradation and/or swelling. |
| US08119735B2 |
Golf ball with cover having a pearlescent effect
A golf ball having a cover having a pearlescent effect is disclosed. The cover comprises a first thermoplastic and a second thermoplastic having an index of refraction that differs from an index of refraction of the first thermoplastic by at least about 0.5 percent. The cover further comprises a compatibilizer. |
| US08119731B2 |
Water-based amino resin and water-based thermosetting resin composition containing the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a definitely novel water-based amino resin which is a condensation product of an amino compound (a) having no acid functional group, an amino compound having an acid functional group or an amide compound (b) having an acid functional group, formaldehyde (c) and an alcohol (d), wherein an acid functional group originating in the compound (b) is neutralized with a basic compound (e). |
| US08119729B2 |
Aqueous secondary polymer dispersions for the production of coatings
The invention concerns aqueous secondary polymer dispersions based on special acrylate building blocks, a process for their production and their use as binders for the production of blister-free coatings. |
| US08119727B2 |
Use of comb polymers as a grinding agent for preparations containing cement
The present invention relates to the use of comb polymers which have a carbon backbone which bears polyether groups of the formula A *—U—(C(O))k—X-(Alk-O)n—W A wherein * indicates the binding site to the carbon backbone of the comb polymer, U stands for a chemical bond or an alkylene group with 1 to 8 C atoms, X means oxygen or a NR group, k is 0 or 1, n stands for a whole number, the mean value whereof, based on the comb polymer, lies in the range from 5 to 300, Alk stands for C2-C4 alkylene, where Alk within the group (Alk-O)n can be the same or different, W means a hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl residue or an aryl residue or means the group Y—Z, Y stands for a linear or branched alkylene group with 2 to 8 C atoms, which may bear a phenyl ring, Z stands for a 5- to 10-membered nitrogen heterocycle bound via nitrogen, which can have as ring members, as well as the nitrogen atom and as well as carbon atoms, 1, 2 or 3 additional hetero atoms, selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, wherein the nitrogen ring members can contain a group R′, and wherein 1 or 2 carbon ring members can be present as carbonyl groups, R stands for hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or benzyl, and R′ stands for hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or benzyl; and functional groups B, which are present in the form of anionic groups at pH>12, and salts thereof as grinding aids in cement-containing preparations. |
| US08119726B2 |
Flame retardant thermoplastic resin composition
The flame retardant thermoplastic resin composition according to the present invention comprises (A) about 45 to 95 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin; (B) about 1 to 50 parts by weight of a rubber modified vinyl graft copolymer; (C) about 0 to 50 parts by weight of a vinyl copolymer; (D) about 1 to 30 parts by weight of a mixture of oligomeric phosphoric acid ester compounds consisting of (d1) about 5 to 99% by weight of an oligomeric phosphoric acid ester compound derived from bisphenol-A and (d2) about 1 to 95% by weight of an oligomeric phosphoric acid ester compound derived from resorcinol, per 100 parts by weight of the sum of (A), (B) and (C); and (E) about 0.05˜5 parts by weight of a fluorinated polyolefin resin, per 100 parts by weight of the sum of (A), (B) and (C). |
| US08119725B2 |
Fiber reinforced polypropylene composite interior trim cover panels
A fiber reinforced polypropylene composite interior trim cover panel. The interior trim cover panel is molded from a composition comprising at least 30 wt % polypropylene based resin, from 10 to 60 wt % organic fiber, from 0 to 40 wt % inorganic filler, and optionally from 0 to 0.1 wt % lubricant, based on the total weight of the composition, the interior trim cover panel having an outer surface and an underside surface. A process for producing an interior trim cover panel for a vehicle is also provided. The process includes the step of injection molding a composition to form the interior trim cover panel for a vehicle, the interior trim cover panel having at least an outer surface and an underside surface, wherein the composition comprises at least 30 wt % polypropylene, from 10 to 60 wt % organic fiber, from 0 to 40 wt % inorganic filler, and optionally from 0 to 0.1 wt % lubricant, based on the total weight of the composition. |
| US08119723B2 |
Molding compounds with reduced anisotropy regarding impact resistance
A thermoplastic molding composition, comprising the following amounts of components A, B, C, and D: a) from 3 to 91.9% by weight of one or more styrene copolymers A, b) from 3 to 91% by weight of one or more polyamides B, c) from 5 to 50% by weight of one or more graft polymers C, d) from 0.1 to 25% by weight of one or more terpolymers D, whose oligomer content is smaller than 3% by weight, and also, if appropriate, comprising, as further components, a further rubber E, an at least monofunctional anhydride F, fibrous or particulate fillers G, and also further additives H, has markedly reduced anisotropy of impact resistance. |
| US08119715B2 |
Powdery composition of a polymer and a flameproofing agent containing ammonium polyphosphate, method for the production thereof, and moulded body produced from said powder
A pulverulent composition that is a powder containing at least one polymer, and at least one flame retardant that contains ammonium polyphosphate, the powder having a maximum particle size of ≦150 μm and a median particle size of from 20 to 100 μm. |
| US08119714B2 |
Multi-layer golf ball providing improved speed
The present invention is directed to a multi-layer golf ball comprising at least one core or core layer, at least one intermediate layer, and at least one cover layer. The core has a diameter of about 1.20 to about 1.56 in. and a PGA compression of about 40 to about 90. The intermediate layer comprises a modified ionomeric polymer, and it has a thickness of about 0.01 to about 0.10 in. and a Shore D hardness of about 30 to about 70. The cover layer has a Shore D hardness of about 40 to about 75. The multi-layer golf balls of the present invention provide high driver ball speed and/or a high Coefficient of Restitution, while maintaining excellent shot feel. |
| US08119712B2 |
Golf balls having layers made from rubber compositions containing nucleating agents
Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a rubber composition comprising a benzenetrisamide nucleating agent are provided. The rubber composition preferably contains a free-radical initiator agent, cross-linking agent, and fillers along with the base rubber and nucleating agent. Golf balls of various constructions may be made including two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece balls. The composition is used preferably to form a golf ball core having improved resiliency, durability, toughness, and impact strength. |
| US08119707B2 |
Treated alumina hydrate material and uses thereof
A composite material includes a polymer matrix and a particulate material dispersed within the polymer matrix. The particulate material includes metal oxide coated alumina hydrate. The particulate material has a 500 psi Compaction Volume Ratio of at least about 4.0 cc/cc. The metal oxide coating may include precipitated silica. The particulate material may have a Hg Cumulative Pore Volume of at least 1.65 cc/g. |
| US08119704B2 |
Implantable medical device comprising copolymer of L-lactide with improved fracture toughness
The present invention relates to implantable medical devices comprising a L-lactide-constitutional unit-containing copolymer having a wt % percent crystallinity of 40% or less. |
| US08119701B2 |
Method of manufacturing polystyrene foam with polymer processing additives
Disclosed is a method for making polystyrene foam which utilizes one or more atmospheric gases, particularly combinations of HFCs and CO2, as the blowing system in combination with a polymer processing aid (PPA), typically an ester that is relatively non-volatile at the extrusion temperature range. The blowing system and the PPA may both be introduced into the molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin or the PPA may be incorporated in the solid source polystyrene resins. The resulting foams will typically exhibit improved dimensional stability at ambient temperatures. |
| US08119699B2 |
Method of recycling laminated molding
A method of recycling a laminate shaped product, including the steps of: breaking a shaped product having a laminate structure including at least one layer of aliphatic polyester resin in addition to a principal resin layer, storing resultant broken pieces in a moisturizing environment to adjust a moisture content of the aliphatic polyester resin (layer) to at least 0.5 wt. %, and then washing the broken pieces with alkaline water to remove the aliphatic polyester resin layer, thereby recovering the principal resin. As a result, it becomes possible to shorten an induction period in the alkaline water washing step that is a principal process step, thereby rationalizing the entire process. |
| US08119693B2 |
Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase inhibitors and uses thereof for treating vascular calcification
Disclosed herein are compounds that are tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase inhibitors. The disclosed compounds are used to treat, prevent, or abate vascular calcification, arterial calcification and other cardiovascular diseases. |
| US08119687B2 |
Derivatives of dioxan-2-alkyl carbamates, preparation thereof and application thereof in therapeutics
A compound corresponding to general formula (I): in which R1 represents a phenyl or naphthalenyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, (C1-C3)alkyl, (C1-C3)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, benzyloxy, (C3-C6)cycloalkyl-O— or (C3-C6)cycloalkyl(C1-C3)alkoxy groups; R2 represents either a group of general formula CHR3CONHR4 in which R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C3)alkyl, (C3-C5) cycloalkyl or (pyridin-4-yl)methyl group; or a 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group; or an (imidazol-2-yl)methyl group; or a (benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl group; or a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or cyano, nitro, (C1-C3)alkyl, (C1-C3)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy groups; and n represents a number ranging from 1 to 3; in the form of a base, of an addition salt with an acid, of a hydrate or of a solvate. Also disclosed and claimed are the pharmaceutical compositions derived therefrom and their therapeutic use in treating a wide variety of diseases. |
| US08119681B2 |
2-[1-phenyl-5-hydroxy or methoxy-4alpha-methyl-hexahydrocyclopenta [ƒ]indazole-5-YL]ethyl phenyl derivatives as glucocorticoid receptor ligands
The present invention is directed to 2-[1-phenyl-5-hydroxy or methoxy-4alpha-methyl-hexahydrocyclopenta[f]indazol-5-yl]ethyl phenyl derivatives of formula I (I) as glucocorticoid receptor ligands useful for treating a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases or conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included. |
| US08119679B2 |
Method for preparation of 2,4-dinitroimidazole which is an intermediate for insensitive meltcastable molecular explosive
The present invention provides a method for preparing 2,4-dinitroimidazole, wherein separation of 1,4-donitroimidazole in powder form is avoided so that it is possible to eliminate allergy problems in workers and simplify the process, thereby improving process economy. |
| US08119678B2 |
Compounds, compositions and methods
Compounds useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases and disorders by modulating the activity of KSP are disclosed. |
| US08119674B2 |
4-phenylimidazole-2-thione tyrosinase inhibitors and pharmaceutical/cosmetic applications thereof
Novel 4-phenylimidazole-2-thione tyrosinase inhibiting compounds corresponding to the following general formula (I): formulated into pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions are useful for the treatment or prevention of pigmentary disorders, or for preventing and/or treating signs of skin aging, and/or for body or hair hygiene. |
| US08119671B2 |
Isoxazoline-substituted benzamide compound and pest control agent
Novel pest control agents, particularly insecticides or miticides are provided. Isoxazoline-substituted benzamide compounds of General Formula (1) or a salt thereof: (where A1, A2 and A3 are independently C or N, G is a benzene ring, etc., Q is a structure of Q-1, Q-2 or Q3: (where, for example, R1 in Q-1 is a C1 to C4 haloalkyl, etc., and R2 is H, etc., R1 in Q-2 is —OR1a, etc., R1a is a C1 to C4 alkyl, etc., and R2 is H, etc.), W is O or S, X is a halogen atom, a C1 to C2 haloalkyl, etc., Y is a halogen atom, a C1 to C2 alkyl, etc., R3 is a C1 to C2 haloalkyl, etc., m is an integer of 1-3, etc., and n is an integer of 0 or 1, etc.), and pest control agents containing the compounds. |
| US08119670B2 |
Antimicrobial composition useful for preserving wood
Antimicrobial compositions useful for preserving wood, and comprising a variety of antimicrobial compounds. |
| US08119664B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV)
The present invention relates to compounds which inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and are useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, especially type II diabetes, as well as hyperglycemia, Syndrome X, hyperinsulinemia, obesity, atherosclerosis, and various immunomodulatory diseases. |
| US08119662B2 |
Crystalline compounds
The present invention relates to a novel crystalline form of zofenopril calcium of formula (I), chemically known as (4S)-1-[(2S)-3-(benzoylthio)-2-methylpropionyl]-4-(phenylthio)-L-proline calcium salt. The present invention further relates to a process for the preparation of the new crystalline form of zofenopril calcium and its use in pharmaceutical preparations. |
| US08119660B2 |
Small-molecule inhibitors of the androgen receptor
The present invention provides a method of inhibiting an androgen receptor by administering a compound of Formula I: or a compound of Formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R8 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl. R4 is absent or is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkyl-OH. R5 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or —NR6R7. R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, or are combined with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a heterocycloalkyl having from 5 to 7 ring members. L is a linker of C1-6 alkylene, C2-6 alkenylene, C2-6 alkynylene or C3-6 cycloalkylene. The compounds of Formula I include the salts, hydrates and prodrugs thereof. Each R9 is H, C1-6 alkyl, —OH or —O—C1-6 alkyl. The compounds of Formulas I and II include the salts, hydrates and prodrugs thereof. By administering the compound of Formula I or II, the method inhibits the androgen receptor. |
| US08119659B2 |
(2S,3R)-N-(2-((3-pyridinyl)methyl)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide, novel salt forms, and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to (2S,3R)-N-(2-((3-pyridinyl)methyl)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide, novel salt forms thereof, methods for its preparation, novel intermediates, and methods for treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders, including those associated with dysfunction of the central and autonomic nervous systems. |
| US08119655B2 |
Kinase inhibitors
Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, kits and methods are provided for use with kinases that comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of: wherein the variables are as defined herein. |
| US08119654B2 |
Indenoisoquinolinone analogs and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to Indenoisoquinolinone Analogs, compositions comprising an effective amount of an Indenoisoquinolinone Analog and methods for treating or preventing an inflammatory disease, a reperfusion injury, diabetes mellitus, a diabetic complication, reoxygenation injury resulting from organ transplantation, an ischemic condition, a neurodegenerative disease, renal failure, a vascular disease, a cardiovascular disease, cancer, a complication of prematurity, cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an Indenoisoquinolinone Analog. |
| US08119653B2 |
Belactosin derivatives as therapeutic agents/biological probes and their synthesis
Derivatives of belactosin and their synthesis are disclosed. In certain embodiments, compounds of the present invention exhibit anti-cancer, antiviral, antibiotic, and/or auto-immune therapeutic abilities. In general, methods of synthesis disclosed herein allow for introduction of a variety of substituents at numerous positions as well as the facile introduction of a beta-lactone ring moiety. The synthetic steps comprise, in preferred embodiments, a tandem Mukaiyama aldol lactonization reaction. Data demonstrating the utility of some of the derivatives as proteasome inhibitors is also disclosed. |
| US08119650B2 |
Aminophenyl derivatives as novel inhibitors of histone deacetylase
This invention comprises the novel compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, X and Y have defined meanings, having histone deacetylase inhibiting enzymatic activity; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use as a medicine. |
| US08119649B2 |
Use of c-Src inhibitors alone or in combination with STI571 for the treatment of leukaemia
The invention relates to a combination which comprises (a) at least one compound decreasing the c-Src activity and (b) N-{5-[4-(4-methyl-piperazino-methyl)-benzoylamido]-2-methylphenyl}-4-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrimidine-amine or the monomethanesulfonate salt thereof; to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said combinations; and to a method of treating a warm-blooded animal having leukaemia, especially chronic myelogenous leukaemia, comprising administering to the animal at least one compound inhibiting the activity of a member of the Src kinase family, the Btk kinase family, the Tec kinase family or a Raf kinase inhibitor, in particular inhibiting the c-Src protein tyrosine kinase activity or inhibiting simultaneously the c-Src protein tyrosine kinase activity and the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase activity, alone or in combination with a Bcr-Abl inhibitor, in particular N-{5-[4-(4-methyl-piperazino-methyl)-benzoylamido]-2-methylphenyl}-4-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrimidine-amine. |
| US08119648B2 |
8-[3-amino-piperidin-1-yl]-xanthines, the preparation thereof and their use as pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to substituted xanthines of general formula wherein R1 to R3 are as defined herein, the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures, the prodrugs thereof and the salts thereof which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibiting effect on the activity of the enzyme dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV). |
| US08119647B2 |
Fused pyrimidineone compounds as TRPV3 modulators
The present invention provides transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) modulators. In particular, compounds described herein are useful for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3. Also provided herein are processes for preparing compounds described herein, intermediates used in their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3. |
| US08119646B2 |
Fungicide hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives
The present invention relates to hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives of formula (I) wherein T represent a tetrazolyl substituents, A represents a carbo- or heterocycle, L1 and L2 represent various linking groups and Q represents a carbocycle, their process of preparation, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions, and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions. |
| US08119642B2 |
Structurally rigid dopamine D3 receptor selective ligands and process for making them
A family of structurally rigid dopamine D3 receptor selective ligands is described. The family of structurally rigid dopamine D3 receptor selective ligands has the formula wherein A is cis or trans —CH═CH—, —C═C—, or cyclohexyl. B is cis or trans —CH═CH— or absent. R1 represents an optionally substituted phenyl group, wherein said substituents are selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, amino, nitro, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, acyl and pyridyl, and said substitution may occur at any of the ortho, meta, or para positions, or R1 represents a heteroaromatic ring. A preferred heteroaromatic ring is indole, quinoxoline, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, or imidazole. R2 and R3 may be independently hydrogen or a halogen, or R2 alone may be C1, C2, or C3 alkoxy, and m is 1 or 2, and n is 0, 1, or 2. |
| US08119640B2 |
Hedgehog pathway antagonists methods of use
The present disclosure provides for compounds, pharmaceutical preparations, kits and methods for the inhibition of the Hh pathway and the alleviation of cancer and developmental disorders associated with the Hh pathway. |
| US08119633B2 |
Substituted sulfonamide compounds
Substituted sulfonamide compounds corresponding to formula I pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, a process for preparing them, and the use of such compounds to treat or inhibit pain and other disorders or disease states. |
| US08119629B2 |
Carboxamide GABAA α2 modulators
The invention encompasses compounds of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutical compositions, and their use in treating CNS disorders. |
| US08119626B2 |
Oxime derivative and preparations thereof
The problem of the present invention is to provide a useful compound as a glucokinase activating agent, which is the oxime derivative of the formula [I]: wherein Ring A is aryl or heteroaryl; Q is cycloalkyl, heterocycle, alkyl or alkenyl; Ring T is heteroaryl or heterocycle; R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cycloalkylsulfonyl or the like; R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen atom, hydroxy, oxo, halogen atom or the like; R5 is hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, nitro, tetrazolyl or the like; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US08119620B2 |
Dosage form for hormonal contraception
A dosage form for hormonal contraception containing a specific number of gestagen-containing daily units A and a specific number of gestagen-containing daily units B for uninterrupted, daily, oral administration of daily units A and then immediately subsequently of daily units B, wherein the daily units A in each case contain at most 200 μg of folic acid and the daily units B contain >200 μg up to the maximum permissible amount of folic acid for women. |
| US08119619B2 |
Pregnane steroids and their use in the treatment of CNS disorders
Steroid compounds possessing a hydrogen donor in 3beta position, either in the form of a hydroxy- or a sulfate group, function as efficient blockers of the 3alpha-hydroxy-pregnan-steroid action and thus have utility as therapeutic substances for the prevention and/or treatment of steroid related CNS disorders. Treatment methods based on the administration of these substances are disclosed, and these substances either alone or in combination are also suggested for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of many specific steroid induced CNS disorders. |
| US08119617B2 |
aSMase inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds of formula wherein the residues have various meanings and their use as pharmaceuticals. |
| US08119616B2 |
Formulation of quinazoline based EGFR inhibitors containing a zinc binding moiety
The present invention relates to a composition comprising an inclusion complex of a cyclodextrin and quinazoline containing zinc-binding moiety based derivatives. The cyclodextrin is preferable a β-cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof. The quinazolines have enhanced and unexpected properties as inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) and their use in the treatment of EGFR-TK related diseases and disorders such as cancer. The said derivatives may further act as HDAC inhibitors. |
| US08119615B2 |
Methods and kits for folding proteins
The invention relates to methods for folding protein comprising providing an aqueous solution of a protein in non-native conformation and a linear or branched sugar polymer comprising three or more saccharide units, or a derivative thereof at a concentration suitable to permit folding of the protein and incubating the solution to permit folding of the protein. |
| US08119608B2 |
Method and medicament for inhibiting the expression of a given gene
The present invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting gene expression using double stranded RNA molecules that are between 15 and 24 nucleotides in length and are complementary to a target gene sequence. |
| US08119606B2 |
Crystalline D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan and the mono ammonium salt of D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan
A process for making pure crystalline D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan is provided which includes the step of deprotecting essentially pure N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan or its diester to yield essentially pure D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan. A process is also provided for the preparation of pure mono ammonium salt of D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan from essentially pure N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan. D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan, ammonium salt (1:1) is a stable pharmaceutical solid. |
| US08119604B2 |
Polypeptide formulation
The present invention relates to an aqueous pharmaceutical composition suitable for long-term storage of polypeptides containing an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin, methods of manufacture, methods of administration and kits containing same. |
| US08119602B2 |
Administration of HCV protease inhibitors in combination with food to improve bioavailability
Methods of treating, preventing or ameliorating one or more symptoms of hepatitis C in a subject comprising the step of administering at least one HCV protease inhibitor in combination with food are provided. Also provided are methods of increasing bioavailability of an HCV protease inhibitor and methods of increasing serum levels of an HCV protease inhibitor in a subject. All methods comprise adminstering at least one HCV protease inhibitor in combination with food, the at least one HCV protease inhibitor selected from the group consisting of compounds of Formulae I-XXVI, described herein. Administration of compounds of the present invention in combination with food provides improved bioavailability and increased peak serum levels of the compounds as compared to administration without food. |
| US08119600B2 |
Compositions containing lysozyme and C-1/C-4 polysaccharides and use thereof in oral care, cosmetology and dermatology, contraception, urology and gynecology
A composition comprising a content of a lysozyme and a content of a C-1/C-4 polysaccharide is useful in oral care, cosmetology and dermatology, contraception, urology and gynecology. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader quickly to ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the appended issued claims. 37 CFR §1.72(b). |
| US08119592B2 |
Compounds and methods for inhibiting hepatitis C viral replication
Macrocyclic compounds having the structures described herein are useful for inhibiting replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In preferred embodiments, the compounds are active against both the NS3 protease and the NS3 helicase of HCV. |
| US08119591B2 |
Methods and compositions for regenerating articular cartilage
Methods and compositions are described to regenerate cartilage in a partial thickness defect or area of reduced volume of articular cartilage comprising an infiltration suppressor agent and a columnar growth promoting agent. |
| US08119573B2 |
Corrosion inhibitors
Provided is an anticorrosive composition for use in aqueous salt solutions. The composition contains an antimony compound and at least two other components selected from morpholine derivatives, acetylenic alcohols, ascorbic acid derivatives, and selenium compounds. The composition is particularly useful for inhibiting corrosion of metallic surfaces of drilling devices or refrigeration systems that are in contact with salt brines at elevated temperatures. |
| US08119572B2 |
Methods for determining protein binding specificity using peptide libraries
A method for determining protein binding specificity using a screen of a peptide library is provided. The method can be used to determine binding specificity for human NAD+-dependent deacetylase SIRT1, and to identify the most efficiently deacetylated peptide sequences. The method can be also used to screen a combinatorial H4 histone N-terminal tail peptide library to examine the binding preferences of a α-phos (S1) H4 antibody toward all known possible H4 histone modification states. |
| US08119562B2 |
Heat-sensitive transfer sheet and image-forming method using heat-sensitive transfer system
A heat-sensitive transfer sheet that is used in an image-forming method using a heat-sensitive transfer system, which method comprises the steps of superposing the heat-sensitive transfer sheet having at least one yellow heat transfer layer, at least one magenta heat transfer layer, and at least one cyan heat transfer layer on a support, and a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet having at least one dye receptor layer on a support, and then transferring at least three kinds of heat transferable dyes to the dye receptor layer sequentially, which heat-sensitive transfer sheet satisfies the following Formula (1): μ1>μ2>μ3m Formula (1) where μ1, μ2 and μ3 are coefficients of static friction as defined herein. |
| US08119561B2 |
Heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet and production method thereof
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet containing at least one heat insulation layer and at least one receptor layer on a support, wherein said heat insulation layer contains at least one kind of hollow polymer particles and said receptor layer contains at least one latex polymer and at least one water-soluble polymer; wherein said water-soluble polymer is at least one of a gelatin and a polyvinyl alcohol in which the gelatin has an average molecular mass of 20,000 or more and the polyvinyl alcohol has a saponification degree of 95% or more and an average polymerization degree of from 200 to 1600 or has a saponification degree of less than 95% and an average polymerization degree of from 500 to 2000. |
| US08119559B2 |
Catalyst, its preparation and use
A dehydrogenation catalyst is described comprising an iron oxide, an alkali metal or compound thereof, and silver or a compound thereof. Further a process is described for preparing a dehydrogenation catalyst that comprises preparing a mixture of iron oxide, an alkali metal or compound thereof, and silver or a compound thereof and calcining the mixture. A process for dehydrogenating a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon and a process for polymerizing the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon are also described. |
| US08119556B2 |
Production method of primary amines and catalysts for producing primary amines
A method of producing a primary amine by the hydrogenation of a nitrile in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation catalyst contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron. Before use in the hydrogenation of nitrile, the hydrogenation catalyst is pretreated with at least one treating agent selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, esters and carbon monoxide at 150 to 500° C. |
| US08119555B2 |
Carbonaceous material having modified pore structure
The invention provides a method of increasing the mesopore volume of a porous activated carbon, comprising coating a porous activated carbon with a metal oxide or metal oxide precursor to form a treated activated carbon; and calcining the treated activated carbon, in a dry atmosphere, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to increase the mesopore volume of the treated activated carbon. The invention also provides an activated carbon having a total mesopore volume of at least about 0.10 cc/g and less than about 0.25 cc/g, and a percentage of mesopore volume per total pore volume of at least about 15% and less than about 35%. Activated carbon modified according to the invention, cigarette filters incorporating such activated carbon, and smoking articles made with such filters are included in the invention. |
| US08119553B2 |
Polymerization catalysts for producing polymers with low melt elasticity
The present techniques relate to catalyst compositions, methods, and polymers encompassing a Group 4 metallocene compound comprising bridging η5-cyclopentadienyl-type ligands, typically in combination with a cocatalyst, and a activator. The compositions and methods presented herein include ethylene polymers with low melt elasticity. |
| US08119543B2 |
Methods of reducing defect formation on silicon dioxide formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes
Methods for reducing and inhibiting defect formation on silicon dioxide formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are disclosed. Defect reduction is accomplished by performing processing on the silicon dioxide subsequent to deposition by ALD. The post-deposition processing may include at least one of a pump/purge cycle and a water exposure cycle performed after formation of the silicon dioxide on a substrate. |
| US08119540B2 |
Method of forming a stressed passivation film using a microwave-assisted oxidation process
A method for forming a stressed passivation film. In one embodiment, the method includes depositing a silicon nitride film over an integrated circuit structure on a substrate and embedding oxygen into a surface of the silicon nitride film by exposing the silicon nitride film to a process gas containing an oxygen-containing or an oxygen- and nitrogen-containing gas excited by plasma induced dissociation based on microwave irradiation via a plane antenna member having a plurality of slots, wherein the plane antenna member faces the substrate surface containing the silicon nitride film. The method further includes heat-treating the oxygen-embedded silicon nitride film to form a stressed silicon oxynitride film. |
| US08119539B2 |
Methods of fabricating oxide layers on silicon carbide layers utilizing atomic oxygen
Methods of forming oxide layers on silicon carbide layers are disclosed, including placing a silicon carbide layer in a chamber such as an oxidation furnace tube that is substantially free of metallic impurities, heating an atmosphere of the chamber to a temperature of about 500° C. to about 1300° C., introducing atomic oxygen in the chamber, and flowing the atomic oxygen over a surface of the silicon carbide layer to thereby form an oxide layer on the silicon carbide layer. In some embodiments, introducing atomic includes oxygen providing a source oxide in the chamber and flowing a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gas over the source oxide. The source oxide may comprise aluminum oxide or another oxide such as manganese oxide. Some methods include forming an oxide layer on a silicon carbide layer and annealing the oxide layer in an atmosphere including atomic oxygen. |
| US08119536B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming the same
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of forming the semiconductor device. The method may include forming a semiconductor pattern on a substrate, forming an interlayer insulating layer including an opening exposing the semiconductor pattern, forming a semiconductor ohmic pattern on the semiconductor pattern, forming an electrode ohmic layer on the semiconductor ohmic pattern, performing a wet etching on the electrode ohmic layer, and forming an electrode pattern on the etched electrode ohmic layer. |
| US08119535B2 |
Pitch reduced patterns relative to photolithography features
Differently-sized features of an integrated circuit are formed by etching a substrate using a mask which is formed by combining two separately formed patterns. Pitch multiplication is used to form the relatively small features of the first pattern and conventional photolithography used to form the relatively large features of the second pattern. Pitch multiplication is accomplished by patterning a photoresist and then etching that pattern into an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall spacers are then formed on the sidewalls of the amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon is removed, leaving behind the sidewall spacers, which define the first mask pattern. A bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) is then deposited around the spacers to form a planar surface and a photoresist layer is formed over the BARC. The photoresist is next patterned by conventional photolithography to form the second pattern, which is then is transferred to the BARC. The combined pattern made out by the first pattern and the second pattern is transferred to an underlying amorphous silicon layer and the pattern is subjected to a carbon strip to remove BARC and photoresist material. The combined pattern is then transferred to the silicon oxide layer and then to an amorphous carbon mask layer. The combined mask pattern, having features of difference sizes, is then etched into the underlying substrate through the amorphous carbon hard mask layer. |
| US08119523B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device using dual damascene process
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device using a dual damascene process is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a conductive layer, forming a via hole exposing the conducting layer by selectively etching the dielectric layer, projecting a portion of the dielectric layer at an edge of the via hole by selectively etching the dielectric layer to a first depth, and forming a trench by selectively etching the dielectric layer to a second depth, wherein the trench is overlapped with the via hole to form a dual damascene pattern. |
| US08119519B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method
A method for making a semiconductor device including at least three interconnection layers sequentially stacked without intervention of a via layer. At least one of the interconnection layers includes an interconnection and a via which connects interconnections provided in interconnection layers underlying and overlying the one interconnection layer. |
| US08119517B2 |
Chemical mechanical polishing method and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A chemical mechanical polishing method comprises polishing an organic film using a slurry including polymer particles having a surface functional group and a water-soluble polymer. |
| US08119513B1 |
Method for making cadmium sulfide layer
A method for making a cadmium sulfide layer is provided. The method includes a number of steps including providing a substrate and disposing a layer containing cadmium on the substrate followed by sulfurization of the cadmium-containing layer. |
| US08119508B2 |
Forming integrated circuits with replacement metal gate electrodes
In a metal gate replacement process, a stack of at least two polysilicon layers or other materials may be formed. Sidewall spacers may be formed on the stack. The stack may then be planarized. Next, the upper layer of the stack may be selectively removed. Then, the exposed portions of the sidewall spacers may be selectively removed. Finally, the lower portion of the stack may be removed to form a T-shaped trench which may be filled with the metal replacement. |
| US08119505B2 |
Method of making group III nitride-based compound semiconductor
A method of making a group III nitride-based compound semiconductor includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising group III nitride-based compound semiconductor, polishing a surface of said semiconductor substrate such that said polished surface includes an inclined surface that has an off-angle θ of 0.15 degrees or more and 0.6 degrees or less to one of an a-face, a c-face and an m-face of the semiconductor substrate, providing a stripe-shaped specific region on the polished surface, the specific region comprising a material that prevents the growth of the group III nitride-based compound semiconductor on its surface, and growing a semiconductor epitaxial growth layer of group III nitride-based compound semiconductor on the polished surface of the semiconductor substrate. The specific region is provided on the polished surface such that the longitudinal direction of the specific region intersects with the longitudinal direction of a step portion that is formed with an atom-layer height on the polished surface by introducing the off-angle θ. |
| US08119503B2 |
Methods of forming integrated circuit devices having vertical semiconductor interconnects and diodes therein and devices formed thereby
Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming an etch stop layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate and forming a first interlayer insulating layer on the etch stop layer. The first interlayer insulating layer is patterned to define an opening therein that exposes a first portion of the etch stop layer. This first portion of the etch stop layer is then removed to thereby expose an underlying portion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate. This removal of the etch stop layer may be performed by wet etching the first portion of the etch stop layer using a phosphoric acid solution. A semiconductor region is then selectively grown into the opening, using the exposed portion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate as an epitaxial seed layer. |
| US08119501B2 |
Method for separating a semiconductor wafer into individual semiconductor dies using an implanted impurity
Provided is a method for separating a semiconductor wafer into individual semiconductor dies. The method for separating the semiconductor wafer, among other steps, may include implanting an impurity into regions of a semiconductor wafer proximate junctions where semiconductor dies join one another, the impurity configured to disrupt bonds in the semiconductor wafer proximate the junctions and lead to weakened regions. The method for separating the semiconductor wafer may further include separating the semiconductor wafer having the impurity into individual semiconductor dies along the weakened regions. |
| US08119497B2 |
Thin embedded active IC circuit integration techniques for flexible and rigid circuits
A flexible electronic circuit member formed of a plurality of dielectric layers includes a plurality of thinned semiconductor chips embedded within the circuit member for increased levels of integration and component density. The thinned semiconductor chips may include various integrated circuits thereon. They may be formed on various substrates and using various technologies and the embedded, thinned semiconductor chips are interconnected by a patterned interconnect that extends between and through the respective dielectric layers. A method for forming the flexible circuit member includes joining semiconductor chips to a mounting apparatus using a releasable bonding layer then forming thinned semiconductor chips that are joined to respective dielectric layers that combine to form the flexible electronic circuit member. The releasable bonding layer is removed after the thinned semiconductor chips are joined to the respective dielectric layers used in combination to form the electronic circuit member. |
| US08119493B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor device an alignment mark formed in a groove
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following processes. A first groove is formed in a semiconductor substrate. An insulating film is formed in the first groove. An interlayer insulating film is formed over the semiconductor substrate. A removing process is performed to remove a part of the interlayer insulating film and a part of the insulating film to form an alignment mark in the first groove. |
| US08119491B2 |
Methods of fabricating passive element without planarizing and related semiconductor device
Methods of fabricating a passive element and a semiconductor device including the passive element are disclosed including the use of a dummy passive element. A dummy passive element is a passive element or wire which is added to the chip layout to aid in planarization but is not used in the active circuit. One embodiment of the method includes forming the passive element and a dummy passive element adjacent to the passive element; forming a dielectric layer over the passive element and the dummy passive element, wherein the dielectric layer is substantially planar between the passive element and the dummy passive element; and forming in the dielectric layer an interconnect to the passive element through the dielectric layer and a dummy interconnect portion overlapping at least a portion of the dummy passive element. The methods eliminate the need for planarizing. |
| US08119489B2 |
Method of forming a shallow trench isolation structure having a polysilicon capping layer
A method of fabricating an isolation structure and the structure thereof is provided. The method is compatible with the embedded memory process and provides the isolation structure with a poly cap thereon to protect the top corners of the isolation structure, without using an extra photomask. |
| US08119487B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The method includes implanting first conduction type impurities into a semiconductor substrate to form a first well, implanting second conduction type impurities into the first well to form a second well, implanting second conduction type impurities into the second well to form an impurity region, forming a gate on the semiconductor substrate, and implanting second conduction type impurities to form a drain region in the impurity region on one side of the gate. |
| US08119486B2 |
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices having a recessed-channel
A method according to example embodiments includes forming isolation regions in a substrate, the isolation regions defining active regions. Desired regions of the active regions and the isolation regions are removed, thereby forming recess channel trenches to a desired depth. The recess channel trenches are fog to have a first region in contact with the active regions and a second region in contact with the isolation regions. A width of a bottom surface of the recess channel trenches is less than that of a top surface thereof. The active regions and the isolation regions are annealed to uplift the bottom surface of the recess channel trenches. An area of the bottom surface of the first region is increased. A depth of the bottom surface of the first region is reduced. |
| US08119480B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices performing erase operation using erase gate and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device performing an erase operation using an erase gate and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The memory device may include a charge trap layer storing a first charge transfer medium having a first polarity and at least one erase gate. The at least one erase gate may be formed below the charge trap layer. A second charge transfer medium, which has a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, may be stored in the at least one erase gate. During the erase operation, the second charge transfer medium migrates to the charge trap layer causing the first charge transfer medium to combine with the second charge transfer medium. |
| US08119479B2 |
Scalable flash EEPROM memory cell with floating gate spacer wrapped by control gate and method of manufacture
A polysilicon spacer as a floating gate of a Flash memory device. An advantage of such spacer structure is to reduce a cell size, which is desirable for state-of-the-art Flash memory technology. In a preferred embodiment, the floating gate can be self-aligned to a nearby and/or within a vicinity of the select gate of the cell select transistor. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention preserves a tunnel oxide layer after the removal, using dry etching, a polysilicon spacer structure on the drain side of the select transistor gate. More preferably, the present method provides for a certain amount of tunnel oxide to remain so as to prevent the active silicon area in the drain region of the memory cell from being etched by the dry etching gas. |