Document Document Title
US08149783B2 Providing mobility control information to a communications device
A method for providing mobility control information to a communications device includes determining, for a transceiver device of a communication system, mobility control information of at least one further transceiver device and broadcasting system information from the transceiver device on a basic broadcast control channel, wherein the system information comprises the mobility control information of the at least one further transceiver device.
US08149773B2 Resource allocation for enhanced uplink using an acquisition indicator channel
Techniques for supporting UE operation with enhanced uplink are described. A UE may select a first signature from a first set of signatures available for random access for enhanced uplink, generate an access preamble based on the first signature, and send the access preamble for random access while operating in an inactive state. The UE may receive an acquisition indicator (AI) for the first signature on an acquisition indicator channel (AICH) from a Node B. The UE may use a default enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) resource configuration for the first signature if the AI has a first predetermined value. The UE may determine an E-DCH resource configuration allocated to the UE based on an extended acquisition indicator (EAI) and a second signature if the AI has a second predetermined value. In any case, the UE may send data to the Node B using the allocated E-DCH resource configuration.
US08149770B2 Method and apparatus for determining capability of a serving system for anchoring a call using an intelligent network protocol
A method (200) for determining capability of a serving system for anchoring a call using an intelligent network protocol is provided. A communication network (100) includes a plurality of serving systems. Each serving system of the plurality of serving systems is associated with a unique identifier (ID). The method at a communication device (124) includes detecting (204) a movement of the communication device from a first serving system (102) to a second serving system (104) based on the unique ID of the first serving system and the unique ID of the second serving system. Further, the method includes accessing (206) a list that includes a mapping of the unique ID of each serving system with the intelligent network protocol capability of the serving system. Furthermore, the method includes determining (208), based on the list, whether the second serving system supports the intelligent network protocol for anchoring a call.
US08149769B2 Apparatus and method of transmitting and receiving reception acknowledgment signal in mobile communication system
Provided are apparatus and method of transmitting and receiving a reception acknowledgment signal in a mobile communication system. The apparatus and method of receiving the reception acknowledgment signal includes respectively calculating a probability that the received reception acknowledgment signal is a reception success signal and a probability that the reception acknowledgment signal is a reception failure signal, by using an estimated packet error rate predicted based on a pre-set required packet error rate and determining whether the reception acknowledgment signal is the reception success signal or the reception failure signal. The apparatus and method of transmitting a reception acknowledgment signal includes determining transmission powers of a reception success signal and a reception failure signal in order to maximize a difference between a first complex signal and a second complex signal, the first complex signal being modulated for the reception success and the second complex signal being modulated for the reception failure, based on the average transmission power and a pre-set required packet error rate. The apparatus and method of transmitting reception acknowledgment signals transmits a single packet indicating reception successes or failures for a plurality of received data packets by using variable length coding based on a pre-set required packet error rate. According to the present invention, non-uniformity of frequency between the reception success signal and the reception failure signal is considered to increase correct reception rate of the reception acknowledgment signal.
US08149765B2 Mobile station, base station, communications system, and communications method
A mobile station includes a radio link control unit for outputting or inputting data that are transmitted or received via a radio channel to or from a higher-level protocol layer, a media access control unit for outputting or inputting data via a logical channel to or from the radio link control unit, a physical layer control unit for outputting or inputting the data via a transport channel to or from the media access control it and for controlling radio communications, and a radio resource control unit for outputting or inputting control data to or from the radio link control unit, media access control unit, and physical layer control unit. The mobile station multiplexes report information therefrom into a channel for packet data transmission so as to transmit it to a base station. The base station carries out assignment of radio resources using the report information.
US08149764B2 Methods and apparatus for distributing and acquiring overhead flow data in a multi-frequency network
Methods and apparatus for distributing and acquiring overhead flow data in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes generating primary flow (PF) overhead data associated with one or more multiplexes to be distributed in the multi-frequency network, identifying multiplex specific overhead (MSO) data associated with the one or more multiplexes, transmitting the PF overhead data over the multi-frequency network using first pre-assigned flow identifiers, and transmitting the MSO data over the multi-frequency network using second pre-assigned flow identifiers. An apparatus includes flow acquisition logic configured to acquire PF overhead data associated with at least one multiplex using first pre-assigned flow identifiers, and processing logic configured to determine that overhead data associated with the at least one multiplex has been updated based on the received PF overhead data, and to obtain MSO data associated with the at least one multiplex using second pre-assigned flow identifiers.
US08149762B2 Satellite, mobile terminal, and complementary terrestrial component in OFDM based multi-beam satellite system reusing the same frequency band for all the beams, and communication method thereof
Provided is a communication method of a mobile terminal in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based multi-beam satellite system reusing the same frequency band for all the beams, the method including: receiving location information of the mobile terminal from a satellite to determine a location of the mobile terminal within multiple beams; determining a subcarrier group for a communication with the satellite according to the location of the mobile terminal within the multiple beams; and communicating with the satellite using the subcarrier group for the communication with the satellite.
US08149761B2 Incrementally increasing deployment of gateways
In one embodiment, a satellite communications system includes first and second receivers, splitters, and combiners. The first receiver is configured to receive a first microwave communications signal; and the first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels. The second receiver is configured to receive a second microwave communications signal; and the second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels. The first combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal; and the second combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal.
US08149752B2 Media-access-control protocol for a network employing multi-user wireless channels
A medium-access-control (MAC) scheduler, according to one embodiment of which a station of a wireless network evaluates data throughputs corresponding to three different transmission configurations for transmission of a packet over a first of that station's wireless links. The first and second of those transmission configurations have the packet encoded in the first and second tiers, respectively, of a two-tier signal. The third transmission configuration has the packet encoded as a conventional single-tier signal. For each of the first and second transmission configurations, the station selects a second of that station's wireless links for transmission of at least a second packet, with the first and second packets encoded in different respective tiers of the two-tier signal. The station varies power allocation between the first and second tiers to optimize data throughput for each of the first and second transmission configurations and selects from the first, second, and third transmission configurations one resulting in the highest data throughput.
US08149749B2 Mobile communications system and mobile terminal
A mobile terminal judges whether or not the mobile terminal is able to make a transition to a DTX period during Active, and, when judging that the mobile terminal is able to make a transition to a DTX period during Active, notifies a base station to that effect. If the base station judges that the mobile terminal is able to make a transition to a DRX period during Active when triggered by the notification from the mobile terminal, the base station temporarily stops supply of electric power to the data transmission processing units and the data reception processing units of the mobile terminal.
US08149737B2 Method and system for data transmission in a wireless network
A method and system for data transmission by computational devices in a wireless network (100) are disclosed. A computational device (102) organizes the wireless network in a hierarchical topology having at least one root node and updates a list of interferers and a list of descendents. Then, the computational device allocates a Contention Free Period (CFP) slot to each computational device in the wireless network based on at least one of the list of interferers and the list of descendents and transmits data during the allocated CFP slot.
US08149735B2 Utilizing ad-hoc network pathway support via communication devices
A user end-point device may determine a plurality of personal communication devices that are operable to provide ad-hoc network pathway support when communicatively coupled to the user end-point device, and negotiate with the personal communication devices for incentives for facilitating ad-hoc network communication via one or more connections between the devices. Incentives comprise offering pay and/or credit to the personal communication devices. The personal communication devices receive traffic intended for the user end-point device, and the received traffic is stored, buffered, and/or queued in the personal communication devices. Various types of communication are available during ad-hoc network pathway support, comprising multicast and snoop communications. Providing access to, blocking, limiting and/or modifying available/offered services is managed based on incentives and/or availability of resources in the personal communication devices. The user end-point device is operable to reconstruct data from plurality of packets received directly and via the personal communication devices.
US08149733B2 Systems and methods for synchronizing communication networks
In many aspects, the invention relates to systems and methods for synchronizing a communication network, particularly a slotted communication network, having a plurality of nodes. In slotted communication networks, the nodes are configured to transmit or receive data during selected time slots. During a selected time slot, each node transmits a synchronization message that is received by a neighboring node. The neighboring node adjusts its time slot boundary to coincide with the time of receipt of the synchronization message, thereby synchronizing each node with a neighboring node. Such systems and methods are energy efficient, accurate, fast, fault tolerant and easy to implement.
US08149732B1 Clearing message broker system
Systems and methods are provided for efficiently permitting the transmission and receipt of trading messages between message sources configured to use a variety of different protocols. Messaging gateways may be configured to reformat messages for proper transmission across a transport mechanism. Routers may be dynamically partitioned so that manual reconfiguration is not required when sources and/or routers are added or deleted. The routers may be configured to route messages based on content to limit the amount of formatting required at message sources.
US08149729B2 Methods to detect wireless stations in a wireless local area network
In one exemplary embodiment, a process for detecting a phone includes monitoring wirelessly transmitted traffic between first and second stations. Next, the process determines whether the traffic sent in both directions between the first and second stations are close to each other in term of traffic volume. The process identifies a total frames count of a number of frames of an identical frame size transmitted, where the number of frames is greater than any number of frames of a same size. The process calculates the percentage of the count that was just collected out of the count of the total frames. The process identifies the first station as a phone if the calculated percentage is over a first threshold and the total frames count is over a second threshold.
US08149727B2 Radio transmission apparatus, and radio transmission method
Provided is a communication device, which is enabled to improve the throughput of a communication system by reducing the difference of a transmission power between an SCCH and an SDCH thereby to satisfy the required quality of a PAPR. In this device, an MCS selection unit (111) of a transmission unit (110) decides, with reference to a CQI lookup table, an MCS pattern (MCS1) of the SDCH, an MCS pattern (MCS2) of the SCCH and information (multiplex information) on multiplex positions on the time axes of those two channels, on the basis of the CQI information. On the basis of the MCS2 and the MCS1, encoding modulation units (112 and 113) perform encoding and modulating operations. According to the multiplex information, a channel multiplexing unit (114) time-division multiplexes the SCCH and the SDCH thereby to generate a transmission signal.
US08149726B2 Wireless communication system and method
A method for performing wireless communication in a network by at least one of a plurality of network nodes, the network including a network coordinator, the plurality of network nodes, and a plurality of subscriber stations. The method includes sending, by at least one of the plurality of network nodes, delay data to at least one of the network coordinator or one or more upstream network nodes. The delay data includes a network node delay data associated with the at least one of the plurality of network nodes, and the one or more upstream network nodes include any of the plurality of network nodes located along an upstream transmission path between the at least one network node and the network coordinator. In addition, the method includes receiving, from at least one of the network coordinator or the one or more upstream network nodes, target delay data, and receiving, from at least one of the network coordinator or the one or more upstream network nodes, a message. Further, the method includes transmitting, at a target transmission time, the message to one or more of the plurality of subscriber stations. The target delay data is based on the delay data, and the target transmission time is based on the target delay data.
US08149722B2 Method and apparatus for detecting VPN communication
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) communication detecting apparatus connecting to an internal network for detecting a VPN node on an external network which connects to the internal network through a relay apparatus, transmits response request packet to test target node, receives response packet from the test target node in response to the response request packet, measures response time which is from first time point when the response request packet is transmitted to second time point when the response packet is received, and determines whether the test target node is the VPN node, based on correlation between the response time and delay time inserted by the relay apparatus when test target packet pass through the relay apparatus, the test target packet, if the test target node is the other of the VPN nodes, including the response request packet or the response packet.
US08149721B2 Test apparatus and test method
There is provided a test apparatus for testing a device under test, including an obtaining section that obtains a packet sequence communicated between the test apparatus and the device under test, from a simulation environment for simulating an operation of the device under test, a packet communication program generating section that generates from the packet sequence a packet communication program for a test, where the packet communication program is to be executed by the test apparatus to communicate packets included in the packet sequence between the test apparatus and the device under test, and a testing section that executes the packet communication program to test the device under test by communicating the packets between the test apparatus and the device under test.
US08149720B2 Method and apparatus for QoS control
A method, an apparatus and a system for operating Quality of Service, QoS, based on stream, are provided. The method may include: delivering a Real-Time Transport Protocol, RTP, data stream feature to a forwarding plane; learning a RTP packet which is delivered by the forwarding plane conforming to the RTP data stream feature; and judging the RTP data stream to be a determined RTP data stream based on the RTP packet learned; identifying and monitoring the determined RTP data stream to obtain control strategy of QoS of the determined RTP data stream; and delivering the control strategy of the QoS of the determined RTP data stream to the forwarding plane so that the forwarding plane manipulates QoS of the determined RTP data stream based on the control strategy of QoS.
US08149717B2 System and method to provide differentiated routing in multi-hop multi-radio wireless networks
A method provides for differentiating usage permissions between different categories of communication traffic within a given network. The method includes ensuring one or more categories of traffic never transits communication radios, link, and/or spectrums dedicated to a different category of traffic. A combined routing metric is calculated using a scaling factor for discouraging usage of restricted communication links and encouraging usage of non-restricted communication links.
US08149714B2 Routing engine for telecommunications network
A system for automated installation of a communication line using an optimal route between a source location and a destination location is disclosed. The system includes a routing module configured to provide an automated design process for rendering the optimal route. The routing module utilizes a routing algorithm to select the optimal route from a graph of capacity links defining a plurality of possible routes between the source and destination locations. If, at any time during the design process, the optimal route or capacity links defining the optimal route are detected as unavailable for any reason, the routing module re-initiates the design process and thereafter selects a new optimal route based upon a new capacity graph built without the previously unavailable capacity link. A command and control engine manages the process for assigning the optimal route in the provisioning system.
US08149713B2 Forwarding of packets based on a filtered forwarding information base
A filtered Forwarding Information Base (FIB) (the “complete local FIB”) is used to determine how to forward packets, typically on line cards. The complete local FIB is generated by filtering (i.e., dropping or removing) extraneous entries in the standard global FIB of a router. This smaller FIB is then installed within the memory of a forwarding engine, possibly implemented as a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), for use in determining how to forward packets, with the router forwarding packets accordingly.
US08149712B2 Method for selecting transport format combination guaranteed QoS in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to selecting a transport format combination (TFC) such that a quality of service (QoS) is guaranteed in a mobile communication system of a certain level even for a service having a low priority. The present invention selects a transport format combination such that not only a priority of each service is guaranteed but also a service quality is guaranteed by an MAC layer at the time of transporting services having different QoSs and different priorities.
US08149704B2 Communication apparatus and data communication method
A communication apparatus includes an arrival time estimation unit, connection selection unit, and network processing unit. The arrival time estimation unit estimates, for each block and each of a plurality of connections, an arrival time until a block generated by segmenting transmission data arrives from the apparatus at a final reception terminal or a merging apparatus through a network. The connection selection unit selects, for each block, a connection with the shortest arrival time from the plurality of connections on the basis of the estimation result. The network processing unit outputs each block to the network by using the selected connection. A data communication method and a data communication program are also disclosed.
US08149698B1 Providing a schedule for active events to be processed by a processor
A switch that interconnects networks provides a scheduling algorithm that determines a number of active events to be processed by a processor in the switch. The active events involve processing of bearer traffic. A schedule tailored to the number of active events is generated. In response to a change affecting the schedule, the schedule is modified. The active events are processed by the processor according to the modified schedule.
US08149693B2 Method of implementing association in automatic switched optical network (ASON)
A method of implementing association in an Automatic Switched Optical Network. When an initial node of the 1+1 protection service is outside the ASON, it associates the primary service and the slave service to realize 1+1 protection. This invention includes: a node of a first associated service acquiring path information of a second associated service from a node of the second associated service, and associating the second associated service to the first associated service according to the path information of the second associated service.
US08149686B2 Base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus and synchronization channel transmission method
A base station apparatus is disclosed for use in a mobile communication system including multiple cells having multiple sectors. The base station apparatus includes a synchronization channel generation unit configured to generate a synchronization channel for use in cell search by a user apparatus and a transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit a signal including the synchronization channel. The synchronization channel includes a primary synchronization channel and a secondary synchronization channel. The primary synchronization channel includes multiple types of sequences, and the secondary synchronization channel transmitted in a sector of a cell includes a code derived from a predefined generation polynomial equation corresponding to the primary synchronization channel.
US08149685B2 Covert OFDM transmission using cyclic prefix
Methods for secure OFDM communications include changing the length of OFDM symbols in a pseudo-random fashion by appending a totally random signal to some of the OFDM symbols. An adaptive cyclic prefix is provided for covert and spectrally efficient communication. A developed PN based random data addition provides further security by removing the chance of combining synchronization information over several OFDM symbols.
US08149677B2 Optical pickup unit and optical disk apparatus having a phase-differing periodic structure
An optical pickup unit comprises a diffraction grating that divides light into at least three luminous fluxes and condenses the three luminous fluxes to apply at least three focusing spots, independent of each other, onto a signal side of a medium. The diffraction grating is divided into at least four regions, a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region.
US08149676B2 Apparatus and method for recording/reproducing holographic data and holographic data storage medium
A method and apparatus for recording and/or reproducing holographic data and a holographic information storage medium, wherein the apparatus for recording and/or reproducing holographic information includes an optical pickup emitting light onto a holographic information storage medium and receiving the emitted light. The optical pickup includes: a light source unit emitting a signal beam and a reference beam in a recording mode; and a focusing optical system focusing the signal beam and the reference beam on one focal point in the holographic information storage medium so that information can be recorded by using an interference pattern formed along a depth direction of the holographic information storage medium in the vicinity of the focal point, wherein the numerical aperture of the focusing optical system for the signal beam is different from the numerical aperture of the focusing optical system for the reference beam.
US08149675B2 Recording apparatus, recording method, program, and recording medium
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, a program, and a recording medium whereby data is reproduced from a two-layer optical disk that has yet to be formatted completely. A control section 51 divides a recording area of a layer L0 of the optical disk 33 into a plurality of recording regions and a recording area of a layer L1 of the same disk 33 into a plurality of recording regions at substantially the same physical positions as the recording regions of the layer L0. A control section 51 records the region where user-designated data was last written. The control section 51 controls a signal processing section 56 to write dummy data to the recording area of the layer L0 or L1 different from the layer that includes the region to which the user-designated data was last written. The signal processing section 56 is then controlled to write dummy data to the recording area of the layer containing the region where the user-designated data was last written, thus formatting the optical disk 33. This invention can be applied advantageously to the recording apparatus for recording data to optical disks.
US08149672B2 Optical recording medium, information recording method, and information reproducing method
According to one embodiment, an optical recording medium is provided in which interlayer crosstalk is low and in which stable and high-quality recording characteristics can be obtained. To this end, an optical recording medium comprises a first recording part which includes a first recording layer and a first light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side closer to a light receiving surface, and a second recording part which includes a second recording layer and a second light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side farther from the light receiving surface, the first recording part and the second recording part being stacked, wherein the thickness of the second light reflecting layer is larger than the thickness of the first light reflecting layer.
US08149667B2 Optical recording medium having read-only storage area and writable storage area and recording/reproducing apparatus and method therefor
An optical recording medium having a read-only storage area and a writable storage area and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method therefor. The optical recording medium is a hybrid disc having both the read-only storage area, which is suitable for mass production of information having the same contents, and the writable storage area on which data can be recorded, updated or added at a user's option. The read-only storage area has a structure that is completely compatible with a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM) specification, and the writable storage area is compatible with the recording/reproducing characteristics of a writable DVD specification so that an existing reproducing-only apparatus can read information from the read-only storage area, and data can be recorded in the writable storage area using an apparatus obtained by minimally changing an existing recording/reproducing apparatus while maintaining the physical recording characteristics of the existing recording/reproducing apparatus.
US08149666B2 Optical disc apparatus
An optical disc apparatus according to the present invention includes a disc type recognizing section for determining whether the optical disc loaded is a first type, of which the number of information storage layers is less than a setting T (where T is an integer that is greater than two), or a second type, of which the number of information storage layers is equal to or greater than the setting T. Depending on whether the optical disc loaded has turned out to be the first type or the second type, the apparatus determines the read/write preprocessing (such as whether a fingerprint detection process needs to be performed or not).
US08149661B2 Short-pulse light source, laser light emission method, optical device, optical disc device, and optical pickup
Directed to freely adjusting an emission period of a semiconductor laser.In the present invention, pulsed light serving as pulse-shaped laser light (LL) is emitted from a semiconductor laser (3), and a laser drive voltage (DJ) that is generated on the basis of a pulse signal (SL) and that has pulse-shaped drive voltage pulses (DJw) is applied to the semiconductor laser (3). At this time, a short-pulse light source (51) varies a voltage period (TV) corresponding to an interval between the drive voltage pulses (DJw), thereby varying a set period (TS) corresponding to an interval between generated signal pulses (SLw) in the pulse signal (SL).
US08149655B2 Information recording medium, information recording apparatus and method, information reproducing apparatus and method, and computer program
An information recording medium (100), provided with: a first recording layer (L0 layer) and a second recording layer (L1 layer) in each of which record information can be alternately recorded, at least one of the first recording layer and the second recording layer provided with: an anchor area (AP#1 to 4) which is to record therein anchor information (VRS, AVDP, VAT_ICB) and which is referred to in reading file system information (101, 111) for controlling at least one of recording and reproduction of the record information; and an update area to update and record therein the anchor information.
US08149652B2 Compensating the effects of static head-media spacing variations and nonlinear transition shift in heat assisted magnetic recording
An apparatus comprises a storage medium, a recording head, a source of electromagnetic radiation, and a control circuit for modulating the source of electromagnetic radiation in response to a static deviation of a spacing between the recording head and the storage medium. A method of compensating a static deviation of a spacing between a recording head and a storage medium performed by the apparatus, and a method of precompensating for nonlinear transition shifts in a heat assisted magnetic recording system, are also provided.
US08149651B2 Resonator mounted in a case incorporating a watch module
The invention concerns an electronic watch comprising an electric motor (5) for driving analogue display means (6), and a time base (1, 2) comprising an oscillator circuit (2) and a resonator (1), both mounted in the same case (9), characterized in that said case further comprises a control circuit (4) for said electric motor.
US08149648B2 Method of processing echo pulses, and pulse-echo ranging system using the method
Error correction in an echo pulse is performed by periodically (for example, every 100th pulse) generating a parabola derived from a selected part of the pulse leading edge. An error value is generated from the distance from a leading edge reference point to the peak of the generated parabola or to the echo peak, whichever is less. In this way an error correction is dynamically re-learned.
US08149647B2 Seismic cable and acoustically decoupled sensor
A robust seismic cable and sensor module system wherein the sensor modules include a housing and sensing unit. The housing substantially transfers the load and torque of the cable from one end of the housing to the other bypassing the sensing unit and the sensing unit and housing are acoustically decoupled from each other for the seismic frequencies desired.
US08149639B2 Test apparatus of semiconductor integrated circuit and method using the same
A test apparatus includes a test fuse unit for generating a test fuse signal in response to a test mode signal during a test time and generating a test fuse signals according to a fuse cutting after a termination of the test time, a combination signal generating unit for storing a test signal and inactivating a combination signal when the test mode signal is inactivate and for outputting the stored test signal as the combination signal when the test mode signal is activate, and a code signal generating unit for activating a test code signal when one of the test fuse signal and the combination signal is activated.
US08149637B2 Semiconductor device capable of being tested after packaging
Provided is a semiconductor device capable of effectively testing whether memory cells and a memory cell array are defective. The semiconductor device may include a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells and an external test pad connected to an internal test pad. A test voltage may be applied to the plurality of word lines connected to the plurality of memory cells via the external test pad and the internal test pad in a test mode, wherein the test voltage disables the plurality of word lines.
US08149632B2 Output circuit for a semiconductor memory device and data output method
An outputting transistor circuit of a push-pull structure has an outputting PMOS transistor and an outputting NMOS transistor connected in series between a first power supply and a grounded power supply. In a standby state, a voltage level of a gate terminal of the outputting PMOS transistor is set to a voltage level of a second power supply higher than a voltage level of the first power supply. In an active state, a voltage level of the gate terminal of the outputting PMOS transistor is changed to a voltage level of the first power supply in response to an active command or a read command, or in response to the state of a semiconductor memory device changing to the active state or a read state, and either the outputting PMOS transistor or the outputting NMOS transistor is turned ON in response to a data read signal from a memory cell.
US08149631B2 Non-volatile semiconductor storage device
For data erase from an electrically erasable and programmable non-volatile memory cell, the following operations are performed: an erase operation to apply an erase pulse voltage to a memory cell for data erase, an erase verify operation to verify whether data erase is completed, and a step-up operation to increase the erase pulse voltage by a certain step-up voltage if data erase is not completed. A control unit controls voltages so that at least a first erase pulse voltage initially generated in the erase operation has a longer rise time than that of a second erase pulse voltage generated subsequent to the first erase pulse voltage.
US08149626B2 Threshold voltage digitizer for array of programmable threshold transistors
A method and system for determining a respective threshold voltage of each of a plurality of transistors in a memory array. The method includes: applying a ramp voltage to gates of the plurality of transistors, wherein the ramp voltage is configured to increase based on an incrementing digital code; as the ramp voltage is being applied, generating a respective control signal in response to sensing a predetermined threshold current along a respective bitline in the memory array, wherein each transistor in the memory array is in communication with a respective bitline in the memory array; and for each transistor in the memory array, latching a current value of the incrementing digital code in response to the respective control signal corresponding to the transistor being generated. The current value of the incrementing digital code latched by each register corresponds to the threshold voltage of the corresponding transistor.
US08149625B2 Nonvolatile memory device, operating method thereof, and memory system including the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array; a voltage generator configured to provide stepwise increasing step pulses for varying logic states of memory cells in the memory cell array; and control logic configured to adjust an initial voltage of the stepwise increasing step pulses according to the number of the stepwise increasing step pulses.
US08149623B2 Controller and non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A controller includes a generation unit configured to aggregate comparison results between second threshold voltage levels held in the memory cells and predetermined third threshold voltage levels, and generate a histogram of the second threshold voltage levels, an estimation unit configured to estimate statistical parameter of a distribution of the second threshold voltage levels with respect to a first threshold voltage level according to writing data, based on the histogram, and a determination unit configured to determine a fifth threshold voltage level defining a boundary of a fourth threshold voltage level indicating a read result of the memory cells from the third threshold voltage levels based on the statistical parameter in such a manner that mutual information amount between the first threshold voltage level and the fourth threshold voltage level becomes maximum.
US08149622B2 Memory system having NAND-based NOR and NAND flashes and SRAM integrated in one chip for hybrid data, code and cache storage
A memory system includes a NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory and a SRAM memory on a single chip. Both NAND and NOR memories are manufactured by the same NAND manufacturing process and NAND cells. The three memories share the same address bus, data bus, and pins of the single chip. The address bus is bi-directional for receiving codes, data and addresses and transmitting output. The data bus is also bi-directional for receiving and transmitting data. One external chip enable pin and one external output enable pin are shared by the three memories to reduce the number of pins required for the single chip. Both NAND and NOR memories have dual read page buffers and dual write page buffers for Read-While-Load and Write-While-Program operations to accelerate the read and write operations respectively. A memory-mapped method is used to select different memories, status registers and dual read or write page buffers.
US08149620B2 Flash memory device having dummy cell
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a string selection transistor coupled to a bit line. The device also includes a plurality of memory cells coupled in series to the string selection transistor, wherein at least one of the memory cells is configured to be in a programmed state during an erase procedure of the plurality of memory cells.
US08149614B2 Magnetoresistive random access memory element and fabrication method thereof
A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) element includes a bottom electrode embedded in a first insulating layer; an annular reference layer in a first via hole of a second insulating layer on the first insulating layer, the annular reference layer being situated above the bottom electrode; a first gap fill material layer filling the first via hole; a barrier layer covering the annular reference layer, the second insulating layer and the first gap fill material layer; an annular free layer in a second via hole of a third insulating layer on the second insulating layer, the annular free layer being situated above the annular reference layer; and a top electrode stacked on the annular free layer.
US08149606B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of memory cell arrays stacked on the semiconductor substrate, each memory cell array including a plurality of first lines paralleled with each other, a plurality of second lines paralleled with each other and formed crossing the first lines, and a plurality of memory cells arranged at intersections of the first lines and the second lines, each memory cell having one end connected to the first line and the other end connected to the second line; a first control circuit provided on the semiconductor substrate immediately beneath the memory cell arrays and having one end connected to the first line to select and drive the first line; and a second control circuit provided on the semiconductor substrate immediately beneath the memory cell arrays and having one end connected to the second line to select and drive the second line.
US08149604B2 Method of controlling a rectifying bridge and a circuit for the control
A circuit for controlling a thyristor (V1) into conducting state, the thyristor (V1) being in a rectifier, which rectifier is adapted to supply DC voltage to a DC voltage circuit. The circuit comprises a pulse transformer (T1), means for generating voltage pulses on the primary winding of the pulse transformer (T1), a trigger capacitor (C2) adapted to be charged from the voltage pulses in the secondary winding of the pulse transformer, a zener diode (V5) adapted to be triggered with the voltage of the trigger capacitor (C2) when the voltage of the trigger capacitor (C2) exceeds the breakdown voltage of the zener diode (V5), and an auxiliary thyristor (V3) adapted to be triggered with the current from the trigger capacitor (C2) flowing via the zener diode (V5), wherein the cathode of the auxiliary thyristor (V3) is connected to the gate of the thyristor (V1) for triggering the thyristor (V1) with the current from the trigger capacitor (C2) flowing via the auxiliary thyristor (V3).
US08149599B2 Controller circuit and system having such a controller circuit
A controller circuit is specified, having a step-up controller, a resonant converter connected downstream of the step-up controller on the output side, a transformer, a rectifier, which rectifier is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer on the input side, and a CLL resonant circuit connected to the resonant converter and to the primary winding of the transformer, which CLL resonant circuit has a resonance capacitance and a first and a second resonance inductance. In order to reduce the switching losses, the CLL resonant circuit is embodied as a “T” circuit.
US08149594B2 Electromagnetic shield structure of electronics housing
An electromagnetic shield structure of an electronics housing includes a terminal having a protrusion for external connection; a substrate having the terminal disposed thereon and electrically connected to the terminal; a housing made of resin, enclosing the substrate and having an opening at a position corresponding to the protrusion of the terminal on a front surface side where the protrusion of the terminal is located; and an electromagnetic shield disposed so as to surround the substrate inside the housing, having an opening at the position corresponding to the protrusion of the terminal, and electromagnetically shielding the substrate. The electromagnetic shield has a bent portion formed on the front surface side for filling a gap between the terminal and the housing.
US08149593B2 Radiation level reducing device
A radiation level reducing device, including: a metal plate for covering surface of an electromagnetic wave generation source for radiating an electromagnetic wave; a cover region, set within a plane of the metal plate, for covering the surface; and a plurality of slits formed to a band-shape in the cover region, and spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the plurality of slits includes, a drawing slit extending towards a central part of the cover region from an intense electric field position where an electric field generated in between the electromagnetic wave generation source by the electromagnetic wave is stronger than other positions at an outer periphery of the cover region, and a coupling slit extending so as to line in parallel to another slit from an end in the central part direction of the cover region in the drawing slit.
US08149591B2 Wall box dimmer
A dual function air-gap switch actuator (26) is incorporated into the generally planar face of a wall box dimmer. The switch actuator is finger operated and provides both a main power disconnect via air-gap contacts (211) and the means (212) to activate a secondary function. The dual function air-gap switch actuator is optionally fitted with an indicator lamp (265).
US08149590B2 Circuit board fixing element
A circuit board fixing element is provided. The circuit board fixing element is used for fixing a circuit board on a sheet, and includes a fixing portion, a buckling portion, and a connecting portion. The buckling portion is made of a resilient material. The connecting portion is connected between the fixing portion and the buckling portion, and has two opposite ends and a side surface connected to the ends. The fixing portion and the buckling portion are respectively located on the ends and protrude from the side surface.
US08149584B2 Electronic component and electronic component module
In a dielectric element, the angle θ made by either the top face or the bottom face and the side faces is either 0°<θ<89°, or is 91°<θ<180°, and is an angle other than 89°≦θ≦91°. By this means, the area of contact of the side faces of the dielectric element with a glass epoxy resin substrate and with insulating material is increased, adhesion with the resin substrates is improved, and strength and reliability can be enhanced when buried between the two resin substrates.
US08149576B2 Information processing unit
Since an information processing unit of the present invention includes a protrusion portion on a back face side of a first casing, it is possible to reduce an impact transmitted to a notebook PC when the notebook PC is placed in an upright position on the surface of a desk. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the notebook PC from being damaged. Furthermore, since the protrusion portion is provided to the back face side of the first casing, it is possible not to allow the notebook PC to stand self-supported in an upright position. Therefore, the notebook PC will not be placed carelessly in an upright position on the surface of a desk or the like; thus, it is possible to prevent the PC from being broken or damaged due to a fall.
US08149574B2 Cooling fan housing assembly
A cooling fan housing assembly for assembling to a heat sink includes a boosting portion and a connecting portion extended from the boosting portion. The connecting portion includes a first part and a second part for covering on and fixing to the heat sink. The second part of the connecting portion is provided with at least one hooking section for firmly hooking to the heat sink, so that a cooling fan supported on the cooling fan housing assembly can be quickly assembled to the heat sink without the risk of producing vibration during the operation of the cooling fan. Therefore, the cooling fan housing assembly not only reduces assembling labor and time and manufacturing cost, but also enables stable operation of the cooling fan.
US08149569B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor with cathode terminal and anode terminal
A solid electrolytic capacitor including a capacitor element having an anode member and a cathode member, an anode terminal electrically connected with the anode member, a cathode terminal electrically connected with the cathode member, and a mold resin portion covering the capacitor element; wherein the cathode terminal has an upper step portion in face-to-face contact with the cathode member and a lower step portion exposed out of the mold resin portion and a bottom surface of the mold resin portion and an upper surface of the lower step portion of the cathode terminal are disposed in an approximately same plane.
US08149565B2 Circuit board device and integrated circuit device
A circuit board device includes a circuit board comprising a mounting area, and first and second power lines and a ground pad formed on the mounting area, and a vertical multilayer chip capacitor (MLCC) comprising a capacitor body, a plurality of first and second polarity inner electrodes, first and second outer electrodes, and a third outer electrode, wherein the first and second power lines are separately disposed on the mounting area, connected to the first and second outer electrodes, and electrically connected to each other only by the vertical MLCC, and the ground pad is disposed between the first and second power lines and connected to the third outer electrode.
US08149564B2 MEMS capacitive device and method of forming same
A MEMS capacitive device (90) includes a fixed capacitor plate (104) formed on a surface (102) of a substrate (100). A movable capacitor plate (114) is suspended above the fixed capacitor plate (104) by compliant members (116) anchored to the surface (102). A movable element (120) is positioned in spaced apart relationship from the movable capacitor plate (104) and has an actuator (130) formed thereon. Actuation of the actuator (130) causes abutment of a portion of the movable element (120) against a contact surface (136) of the movable plate (114). The abutment moves the movable plate (114) toward the fixed plate (104) to alter a capacitance (112) between the plates (104, 114). Another substrate (118) may be coupled to the substrate (100) such that a surface (126) of the substrate (118) faces the surface (102) of the substrate (100). The movable element (120) may be formed on the surface (126).
US08149563B2 Ignition circuit
An ignition circuit includes a system power supply, an ignition coil, a delay unit, a first switch unit, and a second switch unit. When the system power supply is powered on, the second switch unit is turned on, the ignition coil is powered on. After a delay time, the delay unit controls the first switch unit to be turned on, the second switch unit is turned off, the ignition coil is powered off. Therefore an ignition operation is accomplished.
US08149562B2 System for decharging a wafer or substrate after dechucking from an electrostatic chuck
A system for decharging a wafer or substrate disposed on an electrostatic chuck, includes a capacitance detector for measuring a capacitance between the electrostatic chuck and the wafer or substrate, and a decharging voltage calculator for calculating a decharging voltage based at least in part on the capacitance measured by the capacitance detector. The decharging voltage calculated by the decharging voltage calculator of the system is applied to the electrostatic chuck after dechucking to substantially neutralize electrostatic charges on the wafer or substrate.
US08149558B2 Contactor engagement system and method
A battery control module for a battery system includes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) module that generates N PWM signals. The battery control module also includes a contactor control module that consecutively applies the N PWM signals to close a contactor in order to connect a battery to a load. Application of a first one of the N PWM signals moves the contactor at a first velocity from an open position and application of a second one of the N PWM signals moves the contactor at a second velocity to a closed position. The first velocity is less than the second velocity. N is an integer greater than one.
US08149557B2 Residual magnetic devices and methods
Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create an irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.
US08149554B2 Apparatus for fault tolerant digital inputs
An input termination board for use with an industrial controller in a safety system is disclosed herein. The industrial controller may be populated with standard input modules according to the application. The termination board, in conjunction with the controller allows the standard input modules to be used as safety inputs. The termination board provides simplified wiring between the input modules and the remote devices by splitting each of the signals generated by the remote device into separate inputs for two different input modules. In addition, a program executing on the controller of the safety system monitors and tests each of the inputs in both input modules to verify proper operation of the inputs. If the program detects a fault in either input module, the safety system may alternately shut down according to a fail-safe procedure or continue operating under a fault-tolerant mode of operation.
US08149553B2 Electrostatic discharge event protection for an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit 2 is provided with a clamp transistor 20 for providing electrostatic discharge event protection. A detector circuit 28 produces a clamp control signal for switching the clamp transistor 20 to a conductive state so as to provide the electrostatic discharge protection. The detector circuit 28 also generates an electrostatic discharge event signal 36 which is distributed elsewhere within the integrated circuit 2 and controls a protection circuit element 60, 64, 44 to force a processing control signal 40, 52 of a signal processing transistor 38, 54 into a state in which the signal processing transistor 38, 54 is more resistant to electrostatic discharge damage. The signal processing transistors 38, 54 may be P-type field effect transistors associated with a receiver 14 or a transmitter 12 connected to an external signal communication line. The use of this active protection controlled by the electrostatic discharge event signal 36 permits smaller protection diodes 22, 24 to be use with such communication signal lines and/or provide for increased electrostatic discharge protection.
US08149551B2 Systems and methods involving motor drive ground fault interrupts
A method comprises determining whether a ground fault on a bus (110) operative to drive the system (100) exceeds a first threshold level, (502) receiving values of phase currents of a first motor, (504) calculating a sum of the values of the phase currents of the first motor (106) responsive to determining that the ground fault on the bus exceeds the first threshold value, and (504) determining whether the sum of the values of the phase currents of the first motor (106) exceeds a second threshold value (506).
US08149547B2 Magnetoresistive effect element and thin-film magnetic head with the magnetoresistive effect element
An MR element includes a pinned layer, a free layer and a nonmagnetic space layer or a tunnel barrier layer sandwiched between the pinned layer and the free layer. A magnetization direction of the free layer is substantially perpendicular to a film surface thereof, and a magnetization direction of the pinned layer is substantially parallel to a film surface thereof.
US08149545B1 Low profile load beam with etched cavity for PZT microactuator
A dual-stage actuator disk drive suspension load beam has a recessed cavity formed in it into which the microactuator motor is partially or completely placed. The cavity may be formed by partially etching the load beam during the same etching process that creates the load beam from a sheet of stainless steel material. The partially etched load beam having a cavity for the microactuator motor has the advantages of a lower profile, improved inertial balancing of the suspension, and increased sway resonant frequency.
US08149544B2 Hard disk drive with recessed actuator joint
Components and assemblies for a hard disk drive (HDD) with a recessed actuator joint are described. A rotary actuator hub assembly comprises a shaft having a flange, and a pivot seat on which the flange is seated when the shaft is fastened to an HDD chassis. According to an embodiment, the pivot seat has at least one “contact-reducing feature” recessed from the surface of the pivot seat at which the seat contacts the flange. A purpose of the contact-reducing feature(s) of the pivot seat is to weaken the joint between the actuator hub assembly and the chassis, thereby mechanically loosening the rotary actuator assembly from the chassis. Consequently, movements to and vibrations from the chassis are less likely to be transmitted to the rotary actuator assembly and, ultimately, to the HDD read/write head(s).
US08149541B2 System for controlling contact location during TFC touchdown and methods thereof
A system according to one embodiment includes a thin film stack having a magnetic transducer and a contact pad; and a heater in the thin film stack for inducing thermal protrusion of a media-facing side of the thin film stack, wherein the thin film stack is characterized by the contact pad protruding farther than the magnetic transducer upon the thin film stack being heated by the heater. A method for calibrating a protrusion of a magnetic head includes increasing a thermal protrusion of a magnetic head to induce head-medium contact; determining that the head has contacted the medium, wherein a portion of the head that contacts the medium is a contact pad or overcoat of the contact pad; determining parameters for inducing a desired amount of protrusion based in part on the determination that the head has contacted the medium; and storing the parameters.
US08149535B2 Magnetic and encapsulation contamination control for disk drives
A disk device with disk contamination control having a spindle for rotating at least one disk. A spindle hub located on the spindle. A disk clamp for clamping the at least one disk on the hub. A magnetic clamp seal magnetically and removably attached to the disk clamp wherein the magnetic clamp seal encapsulates disk contaminants between the clamp and the clamp seal. The magnetic clamp seal magnetically collects metallic contaminants within a sealed housing.
US08149534B2 Protective coatings for data storage devices
A data storage device comprising a storage medium having a recordable surface, a transducing head having a bearing surface positioned adjacent to the recordable surface of the storage medium, and at least one compound disposed between the recordable surface and the bearing surface, the at least one compound comprising at least one functional group that imparts corrosion resistance and at least one functional group that imparts lubricating properties.
US08149528B1 Disk drive connecting defect shapes to preempt data loss
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks. A first defect shape is detected during a manufacturing defect scan of the disk. A second defect shape is detected while the disk drive is deployed in-the-field. Whether the first defect shape is connectable to the second defect shape is determined, and when the first defect shape is connectable to the second defect shape, data sectors along a trajectory between the first defect shape and the second defect shape are relocated.
US08149527B2 Systems and methods for reducing attenuation of information derived from a defective medium
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data regeneration. For example, a method for data regeneration is disclosed that includes receiving a data input derived from a medium, determining a media defect corresponding to the data input, and determining an attenuation factor associated with the defective medium. Based at least in part on the determination that the medium is defective, amplifying the data input by a derivative of the attenuation factor to regenerate the data.
US08149522B2 Image forming optical system and electronic image pickup apparatus using the same
There is provided an image forming optical system in which, it is possible to achieve both, the small-sizing and slimming of an optical system, and a favorable correction of various aberrations, mainly the chromatic aberration.In an image forming optical system including a lens component in which, a shape of another optical surface C of an intermediate layer L2 which is made of a transparent material having Abbe's number νd2 which is in a close contact with one optical surface B of a lens L1 which is made of a transparent material having Abbe's number νd1, is an aspheric shape differing from (a shape of) the optical surface B, and furthermore, a lens L3 which is made of a transparent material having Abbe's number νd3 is in a close contact with the optical surface C, the following conditions are satisfied 0.012<1/νd3−1/νd1<0.090  (1) 0.010<1/νd3−1/νd2  (2) where, νd1 denotes Abbe's number for the lens L1, νd2 denotes Abbe's number for the intermediate layer L2, and νd3 denotes Abbe's number for the lens L3.
US08149521B2 Lens apparatus and imaging apparatus
A lens apparatus includes a first lens unit and a second lens unit that can respectively move in an optical axis direction, a first cam tube, a linearly moving guide tube that is arranged on an inner circumferential side of the first cam tube and configured to guide the second lens unit in the optical axis direction, a guide member that is configured to guide the linearly moving guide tube in the optical axis direction, a cylindrical member that is provided on an outer circumferential side of the first lens unit, and a second cam tube. The first lens unit includes a guide part configured to guide the cylindrical member in the optical axis direction.
US08149520B2 Rotary actuator for auto-focusing a camera lens
A rotary actuator includes a multi-polar magnet, in which north and south poles are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction, the multi-polar magnet being shaped into one of a circular ring and a circular arc member; and a coil body having coils which are provided around the multi-polar magnet to be capable of moving in the circumferential direction of the multi-polar magnet, each of the coils substantially lying on a plane that extends in a radial direction of the multi-polar magnet and orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the multi-polar magnet. The north and south poles of the multi-polar magnet are positioned apart from each other by a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. Dimensions of each coil are predetermined so that length of each coil in the circumferential direction is associated with the predetermined interval. Predetermined currents are passed through the coils in a properly phased manner.
US08149513B2 Package structure of liquid lens
The invention discloses a package structure of a liquid lens which includes a first substrate and an electrode on the first substrate. The package structure includes a second substrate, a first sleeve, a second sleeve, a first circular member, and a second circular member. The first substrate is fixed at the first sleeve to form a holding chamber for receiving a first dielectric liquid and a second dielectric liquid. The second substrate is disposed on the liquid lens and fixed at the second sleeve. The first sleeve is fixedly connected inside the first sleeve and the second substrate. The second circular member is disposed on the first circular member. The first and second circular member are located and urged between the first sleeve and the second sleeve to form a reserved expansion chamber.
US08149509B2 Projection screen and method of constructions
A projection screen apparatus having a retention member configured, in use, to be in contact with at least one surface of a screen along at least a portion of at least one edge of the screen. The projection screen may include polymeric material and the retention member may be bonded to the screen. The retention member may comprise a plurality of apertures and tensioning members extending through the apertures to apply tension to the screen. A portion of each tensioning member extending through the apertures to contact the retention member may be flexible and non-resilient. The retention member may be configured to allow slidable engagement with the plurality of tensioning members. Each retention member may comprise biasing means configured to bias each retention member away from a neighboring retention member, the biasing means adjustable to vary the bias applied when the screen is in situ.
US08149506B2 Cassette for facilitating optical sectioning of a retained tissue specimen
A cassette for retaining a specimen of surgically exposed tissue from a patient in an orientation that facilitates optical sectioning of the tissue by a confocal microscopic or other optical imaging microscope. The cassette includes a base member having an optically transparent window upon which a tissue specimen is situated, a membrane locatable over a substantial portion of the base member including the window, and an upper member which can cover the base member to provide an enclosed cavity between the membrane and the window sealing the tissue specimen therein. The edges of the tissue specimen may then be positioned planar against the window and retained in that position by bonds formed between the membrane and window around the tissue specimen. The cassette may be part of a confocal imaging system to produce microscopic images of sections of the tissue specimen useful for Mohs surgery.
US08149505B2 Laser scanner device with limited test part accessibility
A laser scanner device (1) for imaging and/or measuring fluorescent samples located on slides and treated using fluorescent pigments includes a sample table (2) defining a sample plane (49) and a motorized transport device (3) for moving a slide from a storage unit (4) to the sample table (2) and back. The storage unit (4) includes one sample part (7) for sample slides (8) and one test part (9) for test slides (10), each having at least one depository (6) and being accessible during the operation of the laser scanner device (1) for the transport device (3). The test part (9) is implemented separately from the sample part (7) and as a test part magazine (9′) that is permanently connected to the laser scanner device (1) for one or more test slides (10).
US08149503B2 Reflective semiconductor optical amplifier and optical signal processing method using the same
Provided are a semiconductor optical amplifier and an optical signal processing method using the same. The reflective semiconductor optical amplifier includes: an optical signal amplification region operating to allow a downward optical signal incident from the external to obtain a gain; and an optical signal modulation region connected to the optical signal amplification region and generating a modulated optical signal. The downward optical signal is amplified through a cross gain modulation using the modulated optical signal and is outputted as an upward optical signal.
US08149501B2 Quantum entangled photon pair generating device
Excitation light is split into two components with mutually orthogonal polarization. One component is fed clockwise and the other component is fed counterclockwise into a polarization maintaining loop. A second-order nonlinear optical medium disposed in the loop generates up-converted light from each excitation component by second harmonic generation, and generates down-converted light from the up-converted light by spontaneous parametric down conversion. A polarization manipulation unit manipulates the polarization direction of at least one of the excitation or down-converted components. The clockwise and counterclockwise components of the down-converted light are recombined and output as quantum entangled photon pairs having substantially the same wavelength as the excitation light. The optical components can be optimized for operation at this wavelength without the need to consider the shorter wavelength of the up-converted light.
US08149493B2 Electro-optic silicon modulator
In a general aspect, a device includes a substrate, a light transmission formed on a top surface of the substrate, a first contact, and a second contact. The light transmission structure includes a first doped region; a second doped region doped oppositely to the first region; a lateral junction between a part of the first doped region and a part of the second doped region, the lateral junction oriented substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate; and a vertical junction between a part of the first doped region and a part of the second doped region, the vertical junction oriented substantially parallel to the top surface of the substrate. The first contact is in electrical contact with the first region and the second contact is in electrical contact with the second region.
US08149491B2 Scanning unit and image display device
A scan unit according to the present invention is a scan unit including: a reflecting portion for reflecting laser light; and an enclosure portion having a movable object enclosed within a hollow, characterized in that the movable object moves in accordance with an angular velocity of the scan unit, thereby changing a reflecting state of the reflecting portion with respect to the laser light. In one embodiment, the movable object moves in accordance with the angular velocity of the scan unit to cover at least a part of the reflecting portion. In one embodiment, the movable object moves in accordance with the angular velocity of the scan unit to deform the reflecting portion.
US08149487B2 Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus includes: a focusing lens that focuses light which is one of recording light being irradiated to an optical recording medium with reference light for recording a hologram and reference light being irradiated to an optical recording medium for reading out a hologram; and a focal position-shifting unit that refracts the light while moving in accordance with a moving speed of the optical recording medium, so as to shift a focal position of the light in the optical recording medium a distance in a thickness direction of the optical recording medium.
US08149486B2 Recording device, recording/reproducing method, and reproducing method
A hologram recording and reproduction method is configured such that the number of values which can be implemented per one pixel is increased from two according to a conventional method to three or more to achieve increase of the data recording capacity. While two values are conventionally represented by two different values of “0” and “1” of the amplitude, for example, phases “0” and “π” are combined with the amplitudes “0” and “1” thereby to make it possible to represent three values of “0,” “1” and “−1” (amplitude “1”×phase “π”). In particular, a two-value data train of “0” and “1” is converted into another data train of three values of “0,” “1” and “−1” in accordance with a rule for encoding determined in advance, and the amplitude “0” is allocated to pixels of the value “0”; the amplitude “1” (phase “0”) is allocated to pixels of the value “1”; and the amplitude “1” and the phase “π” are allocated to pixels of the value “−1,” to carry out recording. Increase of the data recording capacity can be achieved thereby.
US08149483B2 Color gamut data creating device
A color gamut data creating device includes a locating unit, and an extracting unit. The locating unit locates characteristic points based on the measurement points on a target plane. The extracting unit extracts at least three vertices of a color gamut from among the characteristic points. The at least three vertices satisfy the conditions that a first point, which is any one of the at least three vertices, is located within a reference distance from a second point adjacent to the first point from among the at least three vertices, and that all cross products that are calculated by a vector from the first point to the second point and vectors from the first point to any characteristic points that are located within the reference distance from the first point have the same sign.
US08149479B2 Original transport and reading apparatus
An original transport and reading apparatus is provided with an original transport portion that transports an original, an original reading portion that reads the original transported by the original transport portion through a reading region of a reading glass, and a control portion that controls the original transport portion. The control portion executes foreign matter removal at the reading region of the reading glass by controlling the original transport portion so as to cause the original to advance in a reverse direction to a transport direction of when the original is being read and causes the original to contact at least the reading region of the reading glass.
US08149477B2 Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same
In an optical scanning apparatus, the shape of a sub-scanning section of a transmissive imaging optical element on which a light beam subjected to scanning and deflected by a deflecting surface of an optical deflector is incident twice, the tilt angle of a reflective optical element disposed in an optical path between the optical deflector and a surface to be scanned, and the relationship between the transmissive imaging optical element and the reflective optical element are provided.
US08149476B2 Document reading apparatus
Provided is a document reading apparatus in which an original document fed by feeding means to contact glass having a predetermined reading position is read by reading means. Then, the document reading apparatus is provided with a guide unit having a guide member for guiding the original document to be fed to the contact glass, and a backup unit to back up the original document to be read, and the guide unit is configured to be able to travel between a close position to near the contact glass and an open position to distance from the contact glass. In the guide unit is formed a concave portion for removably accommodating the backup unit, and the backup unit is configured so that an original document guide face of the guide member and an original document guide face in the backup unit form a continuous guide face when the guide unit travels to the close position.Then, the guide unit is moved to the open position to perform cleaning of the backup unit and contact glass. Further, the backup unit is removed to perform maintenance.
US08149474B2 Image reading apparatus
A control unit inputs a control signal depending on whether reading at a high resolution is selected or reading at a low resolution is selected in an image reading unit. A first delay circuit and a second delay circuit output image data that is captured by a first CCD line sensor and a second CCD line sensor to an adder after retaining the image data for a time in accordance with the input control signal. The adder generates color image data by adding the image data that is captured by the first CCD line sensor to the image data that is captured by the second CCD line sensor.
US08149473B2 Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus is provided that can prevent image streaks due to dirt, stain or the like from being produced in an image of an original that is read while being conveyed. The image reading apparatus (A) includes an ADF (40) having a scanner unit (59) incorporated therein and comprised of a cylinder (60) having an outer peripheral surface thereof on which a plurality of read pixels (61) are arranged in a matrix. In reading an original (D), the scanner unit is rotatably driven in an original conveying direction at a circumferential speed approximately equal to an original conveying speed, and reads image information on the original passing through an image reading position (P1).
US08149472B2 Image-scanning system, method of controlling image-scanning system, and computer readable medium therefor
An image-processing system and a method for controlling the same, including an image-scanning device obtaining image data by scanning data written on a document, an image-processing device processing the image-data item and outputting as an output-image data, and a user interface including setting conditions of the scanning and the image processing, setting an item having a limit value, so as to determine whether or not, at least one of (1) the size of the processed image data, and (2) a time period from when the scanning processing is started to the output, should be limited based on an input from the user interface, changing at least one of the conditions based on the item, performing scanning for the document based on the conditions and the changed condition, and processing image data obtained through the scanning based on the conditions and the changed condition, and outputting the output-image data.
US08149469B2 Image reading apparatus and image reading method
An image reading apparatus has an image sensor in which a plurality of sensor arrays for reading a document image are connected into a line, and parallel-output image data. In the image reading apparatus, of image data output from each sensor array, image data of a pixel at one end and image data of the remaining pixels are compressed by different compression methods. The compressed data of one line are decompressed by a set method at the timing when the number of pixels reaches a preset number of pixels.
US08149467B2 E-mail transmission apparatus, e-mail transmission method and e-mail transmission program
A technology for use in an e-mail transmission apparatus capable of preventing or discovering ‘impersonation’ in e-mail transmission efficiently, in which an e-mail is sent not only to a receiving address, but also to a sending address set by a sender.
US08149466B2 Method of embedding data in original image with reduced effect on visibility of original image
A PC generating image data divides data to be embedded into a predetermined size and arranges it in a predetermined area of a watermarking image. In the predetermined area are defined positions a-h assumed by an information dot configuring an information pattern based on the data to be embedded, and, of positions a-h, a position defined for the information pattern is assumed by a point dot. Of positions a-h, a position that is not defined for the information pattern is assumed by a linear dot. Furthermore in the predetermined area there is a position assumed by a positioning dot defining the predetermined area, and this position is assumed by a point dot. The linear dot has a geometry extending in one of the main scanning direction and vertical scanning direction of an image formation apparatus that allows higher performance in reproducibility for a line.
US08149463B2 Information processing apparatus, image processing apparatus and method thereof, which create and use a halftone screen
A halftone screen which is applicable to a low-resolution electrophotographic printer is created. Hence, dot-lattice points arranged in a predetermined region are displaced using rotation processing, the predetermined region is partitioned into polygons each of which surrounds the dot-lattice point. Then, a threshold matrix used to grow a halftone dot, which is surrounded by each polygon, in a direction of the displacement is generated.
US08149461B2 Image processing apparatus and method to compensate for displacement of different printing positions in different colors
An image processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit; an edge detecting unit; a transparency setting unit; an image data generating unit; and an instruction unit. The acquisition unit acquires print data, the print data indicating an object image and a background image, a region of the object image being located at least partly inside a region of the background image. The edge detecting unit detects at least a part of an edge of the object image. The transparency setting unit sets an edge region that is located inside the region of the object image and that extends along the at least a part of the edge detected by the edge detecting unit, the transparency setting unit setting a transparency degree to the edge region of the object image. The image data generating unit generates image data based on the print data and on the transparency degree for the edge region of the object image. The instruction unit issues a printing instruction instructing that a plurality of color component images are printed in a plurality of different colors one on another based on the image data.
US08149455B2 Color reproduction method using B-spline approximation
A units of red {u1-uA}, B units of green {v1-vB} and C units of blue {w1-wC} are sampled and measurements are performed, and an interpolation equation is found from the A×B×C units of data in three-dimensions (L*, a*, b*) that are obtained. Firstly, A units of point sequence data in 3×B×C dimensions are least squares approximated for the parameters u, and Mu control points in 3×B×C dimensions are found. Then, B units of point sequence data in 3×C×Mu dimensions are least squares approximated for the parameters v, and Mv control points in 3×C×Mu dimensions are found. Next, C units of point sequence data in 3×Mu×Mv dimensions are least squares approximated for the parameters w, and Mw control points in 3×Mu×Mv dimensions are found. Then, output values (L*,a*,b*) corresponding to arbitrary input values (Red,Green,Blue) can be obtained by an interpolation equation according to Mu×Mv×Mw final control points in three dimensions and basis functions used in the least squares approximations.
US08149451B2 Information processing device, information embedding method, and program
In an information processing device which embeds a number of partial information items produced from predetermined information in an image, an image dividing unit divides an image into a number of division images in a lattice formation to generate the division images. An information assigning unit assigns the partial information items to the division images generated by the image dividing unit. An information embedding unit embeds the partial information items assigned by the information assigning unit, in the division images. The information assigning unit assigns all the partial information items to a set of division images located in a predetermined direction.
US08149449B2 Systems and methods for print scheduling
In some embodiments of systems and methods for print scheduling, at least one of a plurality of entries in a request table associated with a printing device is updated with print job related information when a spool associated with a printing device is full. A priority is associated with the entries in the request table and an incoming print job is spooled at the time of a print job request, if the spool associated with the printing device is not full and the entry corresponding to the print job in the request table has the highest priority. Embodiments of the methods disclosed provide for the ordered processing of print jobs in a timely fashion with minimal alterations to existing protocols.
US08149444B2 Printing control system
A print system in which a printer and a client personal computer are connected to a network. The printer may include a storage unit configured to store a residual quantity information of sheets of paper in a paper feed cassette, a communication unit configured to transmit the residual quantity information to the client personal computer, and a printing unit. The client personal computer may include a generation unit configured to generating print data corresponding to a print job, and a control unit configured to acquire the residual quantity information and a number of sheets of paper necessary for the print job and compare the residual quantity information and the number of sheets of paper necessary. Upon judging an occurrence of exhaustion of sheets of paper according to a comparison result, the control unit may notify a user before starting printing in the printer.
US08149437B2 Image forming apparatus with user authentication
An image forming apparatus spools normal print requests received from external equipment as normal print jobs which are sequentially executed by a printer, spools a private print request received from an external equipment in a spooler as a private print job executed by a printer in response to an instruction by a user who has requested the private print, and changes a normal print job in an execution waiting state of the user which is spooled in the spooler to a private print job of the user in response to a request from the user authenticated by a user authenticating portion.
US08149436B2 Network facsimile apparatus
A communication apparatus is connected to a terminal apparatus via a network. The communication apparatus includes a storage that stores a document file and an HTML file of a user setting page. A file manager stores a storage period for the document file, determines whether or not the document file has been stored in the storage for the storage period, and deletes the document file when the document file has been stored in the storage for the storage period. A web server transmits, to the terminal apparatus, the HTML file of the user setting page, the user setting page configured so that a user at the terminal apparatus can request a change of the storage period. The web server further instructs the file manager to change the storage period, when the user requests the change of the storage period.
US08149432B2 Information processing apparatus, method, and recording medium storing program for modifying print instructions
An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.
US08149431B2 Systems and methods for managing printer settings in a networked computing environment
Systems and methods for remotely managing printer settings that are associated with a remote printer connected to a client machine. A virtual printer driver, executing on a server, is used to generate and manage generate virtual printer queues associated with remote printers connected to the client machine. Each virtual printer queue intercepts print requests generated by one or more applications executing on the server, these print requests cause the virtual printer driver to either retrieve printer setting information from cache memory, or interrogate the remote printer for printer setting information. The virtual printer driver retrieves printer setting information and associates virtual printer queues with remote printers using the retrieved printer setting information. The virtual printer driver then responds to the print request by generating a graphical interface that incorporates the retrieved printer settings and user-defined printer settings.
US08149430B2 Dual-head or hybrid print driver supporting XPS and GDI print paths without performing data conversion between XPS to EMF or vice versa
A method is provided for improving printing performance of a print job from a Graphics Device Interface (GDI) based Windows® application submitted to an XPSDrv printer driver which is utilized by a filter pipeline service, wherein a required conversion from an existing GDI/device driver interface (DDI) to an XML Paper Specification (XPS) performed by a GDI-to-XPS conversion unit is eliminated to reduce latency. The method includes replacing the GDI-to-XPS conversion unit with a printer graphics driver which converts DDI calls into raw spool data; and adding a dual head filter as a first filter to the filter pipeline service to handle the raw spool data generated from the printer graphics driver.
US08149429B2 Control apparatus, program, computer-readable storage medium, imaging apparatus control system, and control method
In acquiring setting information from a user, a multifunctional apparatus can be switched between (i) a first input mode in which an operation panel displays a setting window and accepts an operation from the user and (ii) a second input mode in which a printing section prepares an entry sheet on which setting information is written to be designated and a scanner section reads the entry sheet on which the setting information has been written. A control server controls such multifunctional apparatuses, and includes: an input mode selecting section for selecting either of the two input modes in accordance with a predetermined condition when the multifunctional apparatus acquires setting information from a user; and a command generating section for generating a control command for instructing the multifunctional apparatus to acquire setting information in the input mode selected by the input mode selecting section. This provides a user-friendly input environment.
US08149427B2 Dispatching pages for raster-image processing prior to printing the pages by a printing device
A raster-imaging processing (RIP) time is predicted for each of a number of pages to be printed in printed-page number order. The pages are sorted based at least on when RIP should be finished for each page. The pages are dispatched to RIP components for RIP at least substantially in an order in which the pages have been sorted. Each page is dispatched to a next RIP component that is available. A RIP component is available for a given page to be dispatched thereto where a total size of the RIP component's output buffer minus space within this output buffer taken up by any pages ordered after the given page in the printed-page number order is greater than the needed space to store the given page. The pages as have been raster-image processed are retrieved from the output buffers in the printed-page number order and transmitted to a printing device.
US08149424B2 Image processing device and information processing device
A disclosed image processing device includes: a media connecting portion including a first surface and a second surface forming a space for housing a protrusion type storage medium whose body protrudes from the media connecting portion and an insertion type storage medium whose body is inserted into the media connecting portion; a protrusion type slot portion for protrusion type storage media formed on the first surface; and an insertion type slot portion for insertion type storage media formed on the second surface. An insertion direction in the protrusion type slot portion is substantially orthogonal to an insertion direction in the insertion type slot portion.
US08149422B2 System and method for dispersion-force-based actuation
A system and method for dispersion-force-based actuation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a light beam is used to change the dispersion force between two spaced apart surfaces. The change in the dispersion force causes a change in the gap between the surfaces. The actuation system can be used in conjunction with a deformable mirror to provide an improved adaptive optics system.
US08149417B2 Synchronous radiation hardened fiber optic gyroscope
A synchronous fiber optic gyroscope includes a light source, an optical coupler in optical communication with the light source, an optical modulator in optical communication with the coupler, and a fiber optic coil in optical communication with the modulator. A detector is configured to receive an optical signal from the coupler and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal. A loop closure signal processor has a first input configured to receive the electrical signal from the detector. A phase lock loop has an output operatively connected to a second input of the processor. A direct digital synthesizer is operatively coupled to an input of the phase lock loop, with the synthesizer configured to generate a low-frequency signal that is transmitted to the phase lock loop. The phase lock loop converts the low-frequency signal to a high-frequency signal that is transmitted to the second input of the processor, and the phase lock loop provides signal modulation that is synchronous with signal demodulation.
US08149414B2 Method and device for measuring the spectral phase or the combined spectral and spatial phases of ultra short light pulses
The method and device for measuring the spectral phase or combined spectral and spatial phases of ultra short light pulses, consisting of a decomposition of the light pulse to be measured in two identical replicas called signal pulse and primary reference pulse, respectively, of different polarization or direction and the phase characteristics of which are essentially identical to the original pulse, a temporal filtering of the primary reference pulse by a nonlinear interaction generating a secondary reference pulse of average frequency essentially identical and of spectral width greater than the spectral width of the primary reference pulse, and a spectral interferometry measurement by recombination of this secondary reference pulse and the signal pulse with a given temporal offset.
US08149413B2 Surface plasmon resonance sensing device
A surface plasmon resonance sensing device that is portable, and having the fiber sensing unit whose resonant wavelength being within the transmission range of a single-mode fiber or a multi-mode fiber, is disclosed. The disclosed sensing device comprises: a light source unit, a fiber sensing unit, an optical sensor, a plurality of fibers, and a computing and displaying unit. The fiber sensing unit includes a trench, a cladding layer, a core layer, a first metallic layer, and a plurality of dielectric thin film layers, wherein the first metallic layer covers the trench, and the plurality of dielectric thin film layers forms on the first metallic layer. The light source provided by the light source unit will become a light signal, after the light passes through the fiber sensing unit. The optical sensor transforms the light signal into a corresponding electric signal, for the usage of the computing and displaying unit.
US08149410B2 Detecting device, detecting unit substrate, detecting unit, detecting unit kit and detecting method
A necessary number of metal structures including a trapping body for trapping a target substance provided on a support are one-dimensionally placed to form a transmission path of plasmon, and a signal based on the plasmon transmitted on the transmission path is detected so as to detect whether or not there is trapping of the target substance from a sample to the trapping body. It is thereby possible to detect a reaction of the trapping body belonging to the detecting unit and the target substance with high sensitivity.
US08149409B2 Apparatus and method for on-line detecting welding part of strip
There is provided an on-line detection system and method for a weld of a steel strip, which can emit a laser beam onto the surface of a steel strip moving at a high speed and measure the reflectivity of the laser beam reflecting from the same, thereby detecting the weld of the steel strip easily on-line. In the on-line detection system, reflectivity measuring means emits a laser beam onto a moving steel strip and continuously measuring the reflectivity of the laser beam returning from the surface of the steel strip, and signal processing means detects a weld of the steel strip based on change in the reflectivity measured on the weld.
US08149406B2 Method of controlling the colour of the light output of a lamp
The invention describes a method of controlling the color of the light output of a lamp (1), which method comprises electronically collecting color data pertaining to a first color (C1) to obtain a first color description (D1), electronically collecting color data pertaining to a second color (C2) to obtain a second color description (D2), and combining the first color description (D1) with the second color description (D2) to obtain a target color description (DT). The target color description (DT) is transferred to a control unit (4) of the lamp (1), and the lamp (1) is driven according to the target color description (DT) to give a target color light output. The invention also relates to a system (3) for controlling the color of the light output of a lamp. Furthermore, the invention relates to a color data collection device (2) for use in a system (3) for controlling the color of the light output of a lamp (1), which color data collection device (2) comprises a color detector (20) for electronically converting captured light (Lr, Lsp) into color data pertaining to a color (C1, C2), a conversion unit (21) for translating the color data pertaining to a color (C1, C2) into a corresponding color description (D1, D2), a combining unit (22) for combining a first color description (D1) with a second color description (D2) to obtain a target color description (DT), and a transfer interface (23) for transferring the target color description (DT) to a control unit (4) of the lamp (1).
US08149404B2 Method for aligning wafer and alignment apparatus using the method
A method of aligning a wafer includes recognizing images of the wafer accommodated on a work table and a notch of the wafer using a camera, designating at least one notch point of the notch in a recognized image, producing at least one reference line using the designated notch point in the recognized image, designating a center point of the reference line in the recognized image, producing an imaginary line having an angle with respect to the reference line from the center point of the reference line in the recognized image, producing a center line of the wafer using the imaginary line in the recognized image, and aligning the wafer using an alignment apparatus to allow the center line of the wafer and an alignment line of the work table to be matched.
US08149400B2 Coded aperture snapshot spectral imager and method therefor
The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene.
US08149397B2 Metallic nanostructures adapted for electromagnetic field enhancement
The disclosure relates to metallic nanophotonic crescent structures, or “nanocrescent SERS probes,” that enhance detectable signals to facilitate molecular detections. More particularly, the nanocrescent SERS probes of the disclosure possess specialized geometries, including an edge surrounding the opening that is capable of enhancing local electromagnetic fields. Nanosystems utilizing such structures are particularly useful in the medical field for detecting rare molecular targets, biomolecular cellular imaging, and in molecular medicine.
US08149393B2 Personal identification system
A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
US08149391B2 Distance measuring instrument and method
A distance measuring instrument comprises at least one light source; at least one light detector; optics to direct measuring light emitted from the at least one light source towards an object and to direct measuring light received back from the object to the at least one detector; a signal delay module; a first signal analyzer; and a variable gain amplifier.
US08149390B2 User interface for laser targeting system
A simulation system for predicting a likelihood of whether a target object positioned in an environment will be detected by a detection system when illuminated by a laser source. The simulation system may be used for a laser rangefinder application and a laser designator application. The simulation system may provide a detection probability of the target object at a specified range to the detection system or a plurality of detection probabilities as a function of the range to the detection system. The simulation system may provide an indication of an overlap of the beam provided by the laser source on the target object. The simulation system may determine the effect of vibration on the detection of the target object at a specified range.
US08149389B2 Radiation sensor for detecting the position and intensity of a radiation source
A description is given of a radiation sensor for detecting the position and intensity of a radiation source. The radiation sensor includes at least one photodetector having a radiation-sensitive surface. Furthermore, the radiation sensor includes a reflector that reflects the radiation emitted by a radiation source from specific directions at least partly in the direction of the radiation-sensitive surface of the photodetector. The reflector is arranged on that side of the radiation sensor that is remote from the radiation source.
US08149386B2 Illumination optical system, exposure apparatus using the same and device manufacturing method
An illumination optical system includes a pair of fly-eye mirrors configured to receive light from a light source, a first condenser configured to condense light from the pair of fly-eye mirrors, a reflection type integrator configured to receive light from the first condenser, the reflection type integrator including a plurality of cylindrical reflective surfaces having parallel generating line directions, an aperture stop arranged perpendicular to the generating line direction, and a second condenser configured to superpose on an illuminated surface luminous fluxes from a plurality of cylindrical reflective surfaces of the reflection type integrator.
US08149384B2 Method and apparatus for extracting dose and focus from critical dimension data
A method for monitoring a photolithography system includes defining a model of the photolithography system for modeling top and bottom critical dimension data associated with features formed by the photolithography system as a function of dose and focus. A library of model inversions is generated for different combinations of top and bottom critical dimension values. Each entry in the library specifies a dose value and a focus value associated with a particular combination of top and bottom critical dimension values. A top critical dimension measurement and a bottom critical dimension measurement of a feature formed by the photolithography system using a commanded dose parameter and a commanded focus parameter are received. The library is accessed using the top and bottom critical dimension measurements to generate values for a received dose parameter and the received focus parameter. The received dose and focus parameters are compared to the commanded dose and focus parameters to characterize the photolithography system.
US08149381B2 Optical element and exposure apparatus
An optical element is used for an exposure apparatus which is configured to illuminate a mask with an exposure light beam for transferring a pattern on the mask onto a substrate through a projection optical system and to interpose a given liquid in a space between a surface of the substrate and the projection optical system. The optical element includes a first anti-dissolution member provided on a surface of a transmissive optical element on the substrate's side of the projection optical system.
US08149379B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
The use of electro wetting to control the behavior of immersion liquid within an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed.
US08149378B2 Cleaning apparatus for exposure apparatus and exposure apparatus
A cleaning apparatus for an exposure apparatus that projects a pattern of an exposing mask onto a substrate with first light through an optical element is provided. The cleaning apparatus cleans the optical element with second light having a wavelength different from that of the first light, and includes a recording part configured to record information on exposure history of the exposure apparatus, and an information producing part configured to produce information on a cumulative irradiation light amount of the second light at each of regions in a predetermined cleaning area on the optical element, based on the information on the exposure history.
US08149375B2 Display panel and manufacturing method thereof
There is provided a display panel formed by segmenting a large sized substrate into an individual substrate along alignment marks, remaining portions of the alignment marks being formed in the display panel. A remaining portion of a slant mark formed by a plurality of scale lines arranged in parallel to each other is formed between the remaining portions of the alignment marks.
US08149374B2 Cholesteric liquid crystal display devices with actuating thin-film driving elements
Cholesteric liquid crystal display (Ch-LCD) devices with actuating thin-film driving elements are presented. The Ch-LCD device includes a first substrate and an opposing second substrate. An actuating thin-film structure is disposed on the first substrate. A cholesteric liquid crystal layer is filled between the first substrate and the second substrate. A common electrode is disposed on the second substrate. In operation, the actuating thin-film structure is deformed to drive phase transition of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.
US08149371B2 Liquid crystal display device with grounded by thermocompression bonding tape
A liquid crystal display device which can be manufactured at a low cost is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate, a CF substrate of a size smaller than a size of the TFT substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate. A ground pad is formed on a portion of the TFT substrate where the CF substrate does not overlap with the TFT substrate. A transparent conductive film is formed on an upper surface of the CF substrate. The transparent conductive film of the CF substrate and the ground pad formed on the TFT substrate are electrically connected with each other via a thermocompression bonding conductive tape. A double-sided adhesive tape is arranged between the thermocompression bonding conductive tape and an upper surface of the CF substrate and between the thermocompression bonding conductive tape and the TFT substrate.
US08149368B2 In-plane switching LCD panel
The present invention discloses an array substrate for an IPS-LCD device. The IPS-LCD device according to the present invention implements a multi-domain for a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned in various directions with respect to each different domain. Therefore, the different domains compensate for one another such that a color shift is prevented in spite of wide viewing angles. To form the multi-domain, the present invention provides an array substrate having divided common electrode or pixel electrode or both. In another aspect, to form the multi-domain, the present invention provides an array substrate having multi-bar shaped common and pixel electrodes. Each of the common and pixel electrodes has a transverse portion and a perpendicular portion. The transverse portions of the common and pixel electrodes induce a first domain, whereas the perpendicular portions of the common and pixel electrodes induce a second domain.
US08149367B2 Liquid crystal display device
An IPS-method liquid crystal display device which exhibits small directivity of a viewing angle and high brightness is realized. A planar common electrode is arranged below a pixel electrode which includes comb-teeth-shaped electrodes and slits. When a video signal is applied to the pixel electrode, an electric field is generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode by way of slit portions formed in the pixel electrode thus controlling liquid crystal molecules. To reduce the occurrence of a phenomenon that an abnormal domain is generated in an end portion of the slit and the abnormal domain lowers transmissivity of liquid crystal, the structure in which the slits having both ends thereof closed and the slits having one-side end portion thereof opened are alternately arranged next to each other in parallel is adopted.
US08149365B2 Upper substrate and liquid crystal display device having the same
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. The lower substrate includes a display part for displaying image and a driving part for providing the display part with a driving signal. The upper substrate includes a common electrode and an insulating member that electrically insulates the common electrode from the driving part. The insulating member has a lower dielectric constant than the liquid crystal layer. Thus, a parasitic capacitance between the driving part and the common electrode is reduced to prevent malfunction of the driving part, and a display quality is enhanced.
US08149363B2 Liquid crystal display device
A VA-mode liquid crystal display device which includes a pair of alignment sustaining layers 34a and 34b formed by a photopolymerized material on surfaces of a pair of vertical alignment films 32a and 32b which are closer to a liquid crystal layer, and a cruciform opening 22a provided only in a counter electrode. When a predetermined voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer, four liquid crystal domains are formed such that the azimuths of the directors of the respective liquid crystal domains are different from one another and form an angle of about 45′ relative to the polarization axes of a pair of polarizing plates. When no voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer, the pretilt azimuths of liquid crystal molecules included in regions respectively corresponding to the four liquid crystal domains are regulated by the alignment sustaining layers 34a and 34b.
US08149358B2 Automated teller machine
An ATM of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel having, between two transparent substrates, (i) an image forming layer including at least a liquid crystal layer and a pixel section in which RGB pixels are arranged in a matrix manner, and (ii) a plurality of barriers (16) for splitting a display image formed by the image forming layer into a plurality of images each having a specific viewing angle. The plurality of barriers are provided so as to face the image forming layer. The plurality of barriers (16) are extended in a horizontal direction (lateral direction) parallel to the surfaces of the transparent substrates, and provided at substantially regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, parallel to the surfaces of the transparent substrates (i.e., in a longitudinal direction). This makes it possible to provide an ATM that prevents a peep at private information such as a secret number without giving, whichever direction a display is viewed, a false recognition that the display is in a resting state.
US08149357B2 Light absorption layer for a display device
A liquid crystal display is presented. The liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a pixel electrode formed on the first substrate; a first alignment layer formed on the pixel electrode; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a common electrode formed on the second substrate; a second alignment layer formed on the common electrode; a liquid crystal layer formed between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer; and a light absorption layer formed between the first substrate and the first alignment layer, or the second substrate and the second alignment layer, wherein the light absorption layer absorbs light having a UV wavelength between about 280 nm and about 450 nm.
US08149355B2 Liquid crystal display device comprising color polarizing plate
A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, electrodes formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal layer twisted in the gap between the pair of substrates at a predetermined twisted angle. A normal polarizing plate to exhibit a polarizing function for the whole visible light is arranged on the outer surface of an observation side substrate in the pair of substrates. A color polarizing plate to exhibit a polarizing function for visible light of a wavelength band other than a specific wavelength band is arranged on the outer surface of the opposite side substrate in the pair of substrates. A reflecting plate to reflect light entering from the observation side toward the observation side is arranged on a surface of the color polarizing plate that is opposite to the surface that opposes the opposite side substrate.
US08149353B2 Visual display unit illumination
A method of adapting a visual unit having a first screen (10) in a first focal plant by the addition of one or more at least partially transparent display screens (20) at least partially overlapping said first screen (10) and located in focal planes distinct from said first focal plane, characterized in that an at least partially transparent emissive layer (21) is provided between said first screen (10) and at least one said additional display screen (20).
US08149351B2 Passive and hybrid daylight-coupled backlights for sunlight viewable displays
A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, and a curved reflector behind the LCD panel. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. A hybrid display includes both a passive backlight and an active backlight for providing backlighting from an active light source.
US08149350B2 Optical element, and lighting device, display device and electronic device that use the optical element
A micro-louver (1) includes: a transparent substrate (2); a concavoconvex shape portion (5) formed on at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2) and in a prescribed pattern for diffracting incident light to form an image; and a light controlling layer (7) including at least one transparent layer (3) and at least light-absorption layer (4) arranged alternately on said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2), each of said at least one transparent layer (3) and said at least one transparent layer (4) extending in a direction that intersects said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2).
US08149347B2 Thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes forming a gate electrode; forming a gate insulator on the gate electrode, an active layer on the gate insulator, and an etch stopper on the active layer; depositing an ohmic contact layer, a first metal layer and a second metal layer on the substrate; etching the ohmic contact layer, and the first and second metal layers to form ohmic contact patterns, and first and second metal patterns including source, drain and pixel electrodes using a single photomask.
US08149345B2 Transflective liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a transistor formed in a pixel. A first insulating layer is formed over the transistor, a first electrode is formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer is formed on the first electrode, a second electrode is formed on the second insulating layer, and the first electrode has a bumpy plane shape and the second electrode has a line shape portion.
US08149343B2 Display device and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a display device having an image-emitting panel and an image dividing sheet. The image-emitting panel includes a light-blocking layer, a lower substrate, an upper substrate and an electro-optic layer. The lower substrate includes pixel electrodes into which a first image signal and a second image signal having different viewing angles are applied in a spatial dividing method. The electro-optic layer reflects a circularly polarized light towards the upper substrate. The image dividing sheet includes a first optical element and a second optical element. The first optical element converts the circularly polarized light into a first light corresponding to the first image signal. The second optical element converts the circularly polarized light into a second light corresponding to the second image signal.
US08149342B2 Controlling the perceived depth of autostereoscopic display device and method therefor
An autostereoscopic display device comprises: a display panel having an array of display pixels for producing a display, the pixels being arranged in rows and columns; and at least two arrays of light output directing elements, the arrays being arranged in series over the display panel at different depths, each array being controllable to direct the light output from respective groups of pixels in different directions to enable a stereoscopic image to be perceived. The device is operable to selectively control any one of the arrays to provide the light output directing function, thereby providing respective first and second three dimensional display modes having different amounts of perceived depth.
US08149341B2 LCD apparatus
An LCD panel (214) is provided on the light-incidence side thereof with a reflective polarizer. An optical compensator (213) is provided between a reflective polarizer (211) and the LCD panel (214) to reduce birefringence that takes place in the liquid crystal of the LCD panel (214). A further absorptive polarizer (212) is provided between a reflective polarizer (211) and the optical compensator (213). The reflective polarizer (211) and the absorptive polarizer (212) are arranged so that their transmission axes coincide to each other. Thus, the absorptive polarizer and optical compensator together cooperate to compensate for the deficient polarization degree of the reflective polarizer to improve the contrast of a displayed image. The absorptive polarizer absorbs unwanted catoptric light. The optical compensator removes irregularity in the blackness of the LCD panel that would otherwise appear in the black display screen. Thus, degradation of picture quality of a displayed image caused by unwanted catoptric light undergoing multiple reflections in the LCD panel can be eliminated by the absorptive polarizer in collaboration with the optical compensator.
US08149339B2 Broadcast receiving apparatus and reproduction processing method
In switching a channel or in switching an external input, a reduction in a psychological strain on a user is offered. An image generating unit 22 generates image data indicating a lapse of time on the basis of time information received from a control unit 30 and supplies it to a combining unit 21. The combining unit 21 combines image data stored in a storage unit 25 and the image data indicating the time information from the image generating unit 22 to generate video data and supplies the video data to a video switching unit 16. The video switching unit 16 selects video data from a video decoder 14, the video data from the combining unit 21, or video data from a determination unit 24 on the basis of the control of the control unit 30 and outputs it to the display unit 18. For example, when a user switches a channel by operating an operating unit 31, muting is performed, the video data from the combining unit 21 is selected, and video indicating a lapse of time is displayed on the display unit 18.
US08149338B2 Method and apparatus for color decision metadata generation
A method presents metadata that is used for determining the color correction processes to be performed on image data representing a sequence of moving images. Instructions in the metadata controls how many color corrections are to be performed and when such operations occur. The image data is then subjected to the specified color correction operations that are performed at specified times and in a determined order. The image data is then rendered as a series of images by a rendering device. Optionally, different regions of the image data may be subjected to different color correction operations.
US08149324B2 Phase difference detection device, imaging apparatus, phase difference detection method
The ratio between an image A and an image B is calculated as the comparison result of the images A and B obtained from a pair of optical images. The variance is then calculated in order to evaluate the statistical fluctuation of the ratio obtained for each pixel. The fluctuation due to the variance is evaluated for each phase difference while the phase between the image A and the image B is shifted. The phase difference detection is performed on the basis of the evaluation result of the fluctuation.
US08149323B2 System and method to autofocus assisted by autoexposure control
In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes comparing a frame rate of image capture by an image sensor to a frame rate threshold at an image capture device. The method also includes when the frame rate is less than the frame rate threshold, increasing the frame rate to a modified frame rate that is greater than or at least equal to the frame rate threshold. The method further includes performing an autofocus operation on an image to be captured at the modified frame rate.
US08149322B2 Image sensor with an improved sensitivity
An image sensor having a surface intended to be illuminated and pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive area formed in an active area of the substrate, at least one first pixel including a first microlens located on the surface, the sensor including at least one second pixel including a transparent portion forming a pedestal located at least partly on the surface and a second microlens at least partially covering the pedestal.
US08149321B2 Camera module and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a camera module including a housing that is formed in a rectangular box shape and has a cylindrical barrel coupling portion extending upward from the central portion thereof; an image sensor module that is mounted in the housing; a lens barrel that has a lens insertion port provided in the central portion thereof and a housing coupling portion extending downward therefrom, the housing coupling portion being closely coupled to the barrel coupling portion of the housing; a wafer lens that is mounted in the lens insertion port of the lens barrel; and a lens fixing cap that is covered on the upper end portion of the lens barrel.
US08149317B2 Display device, photographing apparatus, and display method
A feature area having a visual feature is analyzed for each of at least three of similar images in a memory card, and the analyzed feature areas are displayed on a display screen while overlapped with a reference image. The visual feature is used to distinguish an image from other images in the plural images. In the case where the images of the feature areas are displayed on the display screen while visually overlapped, when a user touches a touch panel on the display screen, the image corresponding to the feature area to which the touched point belongs is read from the memory card and displayed on the display screen.
US08149316B2 Imaging apparatus with a rotatable monitor
An imaging apparatus includes an apparatus body, a monitor connected to the apparatus body, and a hinge mechanism including a support member. The supporting mechanism includes a mounting portion on a first end, the mounting portion being rotatably mounted on the apparatus body, and a supporting portion on a second end, the supporting portion supporting the monitor. The support member rotatably supports the monitor relative to the apparatus body. The support member of the hinge mechanism is disposed at substantially the same height as that of a viewfinder disposed on the apparatus body.
US08149315B2 System and method for changing display of an image during a changed state of electronic device
An information processing apparatus capable of being opened and closed includes storage means, display means, and taken image display control means. The storage means stores a taken image therein. The display means has a display screen provided in a surface which is located inside when the information processing apparatus is closed and which is located outside when the information processing apparatus is opened. The taken image display control means displays a taken image on the display screen, and changes a taken image to be displayed between before and after closing and opening the information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is closed and opened again.
US08149312B2 CMOS image sensor with shared sensing node
A CMOS image sensor has a pixel array provided with a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix shape of rows and columns. Each of the unit pixel includes a photocharge generation means for generating photocharges by absorbing an external light; and a sensing node for receiving the photocharges transferred from the photocharge generation means, wherein the sensing node of the unit pixel in a previous scan line is shared with a sensing node of a unit pixel in a current scan line in response to a line select signal of the current line.
US08149311B2 Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor
A CMOS image sensor includes a unit pixel including controlled by a high voltage; a reference high voltage generator for generating a reference high voltage; and a high voltage output unit for generating the high voltage by using the reference high voltage as an operating voltage to thereby output the high voltage to the unit pixel, wherein a level of the high voltage is stably maintained regardless of a variations of the reference high voltage level.
US08149309B2 Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are disclosed. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout circuit. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators disposed to correspond to a pixel column array, and a plurality of counters. Each counter includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a mirror circuit to from a current mirror in parallel with the second amplifier. The first amplifier includes differential transistors, initializing switches connected between gates and collectors of the differential transistors, and first and second capacitors connected to each of the gates of the differential transistors. The second amplifier includes an initializing switch and a third capacitor. The mirror circuit includes a gate input transistor whose gate is inputted with a voltage sampled by the first amplifier or a voltage sampled by the second amplifier.
US08149306B2 Solid-state imaging device, production method and drive method thereof, and camera
A solid-state imaging device capable of reducing an eclipse (blocking) of an incident light at a circumferential portion of a light receiving portion and realizing a larger angle of view and high-speed driving. A single-layer transfer electrode configuration of forming first transfer electrodes and second transfer electrodes by one polysilicon layer is adopted. Two shunt wirings extending in a horizontal direction are formed on the first transfer electrodes connected in a horizontal direction and, for example, four-phase transfer pulses are supplied to first transfer electrodes and second transfer electrodes on transfer channels through low-resistance shunt wirings extending in the horizontal direction.
US08149301B2 Image processing device, correction information generation method, and image-capturing device
An image processing device that corrects and interpolates pixel values of defective pixels present upon an image sensor, includes: a position information storage memory that stores a position of a defective pixel of a first type whose pixel value can be utilized after correction, and a position of a defective pixel of a second type whose pixel value is to be interpolated using pixel values of other pixels, distinguished from one another; a correction amount storage memory that stores a correction amount for the defective pixel of the first type; a correction unit that corrects the pixel value of the defective pixel of the first type according to the correction amount; and an interpolation unit that interpolates the pixel value of the defective pixel of the second type, using the pixel values of pixels including the defective pixel of the first type whose pixel value has been corrected by the correction unit.
US08149300B2 Radiometric calibration from noise distributions
Technologies that enable correcting for the non-linear relationship between scene irradiance and digital pixel intensity values of an image of the scene produced by a camera. Imaging noise is used as a signal from which a corrective function is derived. Noise distributions from the image are evaluated to determine the radiometric response function of the camera, from which an inverse response function is computed and used for calibration.
US08149299B2 Apparatus and method for generating a picture having a high visibility
A first filter generates a first smooth picture by smoothing an input picture. A second filter generates a second smooth picture by smoothing the input picture. The second filter has a characteristic different from the first filter. A contrast component picture calculation unit generates a contrast component picture by dividing each pixel value of the input picture with the pixel value of the first smooth picture. A picture composition unit generates a composed picture by composing the second smooth picture with the contrast component picture.
US08149298B2 Imaging device and method
An image processing method and apparatus operable for processing images is disclosed. The image processing method allows for drawing any given image in an output image on which various types of image processing have been performed. Such various types of image processing are, for example, correction of an image having distortion due to the distortion aberration of an imaging lens, an image having unnatural perspective distortion of a subject due to high-angle or overhead photography, generation of an output image with the viewpoint changed from the viewpoint of a captured image, mirror-image conversion of a captured image, and electronic zooming. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an imaging apparatus that uses the image processing method.
US08149289B2 Pseudo-digital average sub sampling method and apparatus
A method of k*k subsampling, where k is an integer greater than one, a full frame readout on a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, each pixel belonging to one of at least two sets, a first set configured to sense a first value of an image parameter and a second set configured to sense a second value of the image parameter, the method including sampling signals of k pixels of at least one set in a first row to output subsampled signals, converting the subsampled signals into digital signals having a lower resolution than the full frame readout, repeating sampling and converting for k rows, and adding digital signals for the first to kth rows within the at least one set.
US08149287B2 Imaging system using restoration processing, imaging apparatus, portable terminal apparatus, onboard apparatus and medical apparatus having the imaging system
An imaging system is provided and includes an imaging lens and an imaging device such that the maximum diameter of an effective region of a point image becomes a size covering three or more pixels of light receiving pixels, the point image being projected onto a light receiving surface through the imaging lens from any position of X, Y, and Z directions. A signal processing unit in the imaging system executes restoration processing on first image data output from the imaging device that images an optical image of a subject projected onto the light receiving surface through the imaging lens, the restoration processing being executed to generate second image data equivalent to the first image data output from the imaging device when the resolving power of the imaging lens is higher.
US08149283B2 Image processing device, electronic camera, image processing method, and image processing program
To provide a technique to obtain a synthesized image with an expanded dynamic range with ease and a technique to reduce workload of a user while maintaining the degree of freedom relating to image processing. There provides an image inputting part taking in at least one of a plurality of low-resolution images and a high-resolution image obtained by shooting the same subject while changing exposure condition, a shift detecting part detecting a positional shift of pictorial pattern between each of the plurality of low-resolution images and the high-resolution image, and a gradation expanding part generating a synthesized image in which a range of reproduced gradation is expanded by performing position alignment between each of the plurality of low-resolution images and the high-resolution image based on the positional shift, extracting a gradation information of the plurality of low-resolution images, and synthesizing it with the high-resolution image.
US08149281B2 Electronic device and method for operating a presentation application file
An electronic device and method for operating a presentation application file includes acquiring a histogram of each of a plurality of designated objects, and defining an operation corresponding to each of the plurality of designated objects. The electronic device and method further includes acquiring a histogram of a recognized object in an image, determining a matched designated object by comparing the histogram of the recognized object with the histograms of the designated objects, and executing an operation function corresponding to the matched designated object.
US08149276B2 Pressure-bonded ball diameter detecting apparatus and pressure-bonded ball diameter detecting method
Improving detectability of a diameter of a pressure-bonded ball bonded by a bonding apparatus by calculating the diameter of the pressure-bonded ball by obtaining a first tentative radius by subtracting a distance between a line representing an outline of a pad short side and a curving line representing an outline of a pressure-bonded ball from a distance between the line representing the outline of the pad short side and a bonding-control-center position of the pressure-bonded ball; obtaining a second tentative radius by subtracting a distance between a line representing an outline of a pad short side that faces toward the pad with which the first tentative radius is calculated and an outline of a pressure-bonded ball from a distance between the line representing the outline of the pad short side and a bonding-control-center position of the pressure-bonded ball; and averaging the same number of the first and the second tentative radii.
US08149274B2 Endoscope apparatus
An endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes a light quantity adjusting section that adjusts outgoing light quantity from a light source section that generates light irradiating a subject, a current control section that controls a current to be applied to the light source section, an image pickup section provided with an image pickup device that picks up an image of the subject, an identification section that identifies whether or not the image pickup device is provided with a shutter function, a brightness detection section that detects brightness based on an image pickup signal from the image pickup section, a white balance acquiring section for acquiring information on white balance adjustment processing, an amount of adjustment control section that controls an amount of adjustment of the light quantity adjusting section to a predetermined amount according to a white balance information acquiring operation in the white balance acquiring section, and a control section that controls the current control section or the shutter function of the image pickup device based on the output result from the brightness detection section and the output result from the identification section.
US08149273B2 System and methods for vital sign estimation from passive thermal video
A system for measuring a pulse and respiratory rate from passive thermal video includes contour segmentation and tracking, clustering of informative pixels of interests, and robust dominant frequency component estimation. Contour segmentation is used to locate a blood vessel region to measure, after which all pixels in the nearby region are aligned across frames based on the segmentation's position, and scale in each frame. Spatial filtering is then performed to remove noise not related to heart beat and then non-linear filtering is performed on the temporal signal corresponding to each aligned pixel. The signal spectrum of each pixel is then feed to a clustering algorithm for outlier removal. Pixels in the largest cluster are then used to vote for the dominant frequency, and the median of the dominant frequency is output as the pulse rate.
US08149270B1 High resolution endoscope
A stereoscopic endoscope employing a single light sensor array and a lenticular lens layer located at a proximal end of the endoscope, a pair of periscopic prisms located at a distal end of the endoscope and an optical relay assembly array located between the pair of periscopic prisms and the light sensor array. One prism of the pair of periscopic prisms receives a right view of an object and another prism of the pair receives a left view of the object. The interpupilar distance (IPD) between the right and left view is substantially large, thereby increasing the resolution of a stereoscopic image which is eventually displayed on a display. Another embodiment includes a set of three light sensor arrays, a light director and three lenticular lens layers. Each light sensor array detects light at a predetermined range of wavelengths (e.g. red, green and blue).
US08149269B2 Emergency services call delivery from a legacy communications device to a VoIP PSAP
An Emergency Services Application Server (ES-AS) that obtains routing instructions for both VoIP-originated and non-VoIP-originated calls to emergency services numbers (e.g., 9-1-1). If the emergency request is a VoIP-originated call and includes a location object, the ES-AS queries its database using the location object to obtain routing information. If a location object is not provided, the ES-AS queries a location information server to obtain a location object. The ES-AS then uses the location object to query its database. If the call is originated by legacy user equipment, the ES-AS accesses a legacy automatic location information system to obtain location information and the associated PSAP. The ES-AS then queries its database with the returned information to refine routing information needed to route the call to the identified PSAP. The ES-AS includes a web services interface that allows a PSAP or authorized agency to change routing instructions dynamically, which overrides any static data in the ES-AS's routing database.
US08149261B2 Integration of audio conference bridge with video multipoint control unit
In one embodiment, a system includes a video multipoint control unit (MCU) and an audio conferencing bridge, the audio conferencing bridge being operable to receive audio streams from audio-only and video endpoints, and to negotiate video sessions between each of the video endpoints and the video MCU. In response to detecting when one of the video endpoints is an active speaker, the audio conferencing bridge transmitting a dummy audio stream over a dummy audio channel from the audio conferencing bridge to the video MCU. The dummy audio stream causes the video MCU to switch an image in a video output stream. 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.
US08149260B2 Methods and systems for producing seamless composite images without requiring overlap of source images
A method for color blending seamless composite images without requiring overlap of source images is disclosed. A plurality of source images is acquired from a plurality of imagers and is combined to produce a seamless composite image. Moreover, a first reference location is selected in a first source image and a second reference location is selected in a second source image of the composite image. Color transform interpolation is then performed between the reference location in the first source image and the reference location in the second and other source images to produce a seamless color blended composite image without requiring overlap of image regions of the plurality of source images.
US08149259B2 Drive device, LED array, LED head, and image forming apparatus provided therewith
A drive device for outputting a drive signal for driving a plurality of light emitting elements time-divisionally, the drive device includes a plurality of input terminals receiving input of a drive control signal for the light emitting elements, and a plurality of output terminals connected to the light emitting elements, for outputting the drive signal based on the drive control signal input into the input terminals, in which the input terminals and the output terminals are arranged substantially in a line.
US08149257B2 Printer and method of adjusting conveying distance of recording sheet
A printer includes printing unit provided on a conveying path of a recording sheet and sheet feed unit provided on the downstream and upstream sides of the printing unit in a conveying direction of a recording sheet. The printer includes a platen roller, a first sheet feed roller, a second sheet feed roller, a first branch transmission gear group, a second branch transmission gear group, and thrust amount adjusting unit. A tooth trace of one of the gears of each of the first and second branch transmission gear groups has an inclination angle with respect to an axial direction, and the first and second branch transmission gear groups are formed of first and second idler gears including inclined gear portions of which inclined directions of tooth traces are the same as each other.
US08149256B2 Techniques for changing temperature of a platen
Techniques for changing temperature of a platen are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for changing temperature of a platen comprising a platen and one or more movable thermal pads comprising one or more thermal fluid channels to carry a thermal fluid configured to affect a temperature of the platen.
US08149255B2 Image forming apparatus and modification sheet cartridge using the same
An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a predetermined direction, a thermal transfer sheet traveling unit that causes a thermal transfer sheet to travel in a predetermined direction, a modification sheet moving unit that moves a surface modification sheet, a thermal head that applies thermal energy and thermally transfers sequentially a dye layer and a protective layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto the recording medium while the dye layer or the protective layer opposes the surface of the recording medium, and a modification sheet protecting unit disposed in a movement path of the surface modification sheet, and configured to prevent adhesion of dust to the surface modification sheet or to eliminate the adhesion. After forming the image onto the recording medium using the thermal transfer sheet and forming the protective layer that protects the image, the surface modification portion of the surface modification sheet is aligned with a plane in which the protective layer is formed, so that heat and pressure are applied by the thermal head to modify the surface state of the protective layer formed at the recording medium.
US08149252B2 Duty cycle calculation and implementation for solid state illuminators
A display uses x illuminator systems to produce x primary colors and y overlap colors, which are combinations of primary colors, to illuminate a spatial light modulator in a display system. A first set of n duty cycles for the x primary colors over a frame is provided, wherein the display system can select any one of the duty cycles to produce a desired white point. A second set of n duty cycles of x+y colors over a frame corresponding to the first set of duty cycles is determined, where the second set of duty cycles are generated responsive to a specified desired allocation of the frame to the y overlap colors, such that each of the overlap colors can be displayed from a dark shade to a bright shade while maintaining a constant color point.
US08149247B1 Method and system for blending rendered images from multiple applications
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of generating a first rendered image associated with a first application, independently generating a second rendered image associated with a second application, applying a first set of blending weights to the first rendered image to establish a first weighted image, applying a second set of blending weights to the second rendered image to establish a second weighted image, and blending the first weighted image and the second weighted image before scanning out a blended result to a first display device.
US08149236B2 Information processing apparatus and program
Conventional information processing apparatuses have the problem of not being able to easily extract and observe a three-dimensional region of interest from 3D voxel data. The present invention provides an information processing apparatus in which a first slice information group, which is multiple pieces of slice information obtained as a result of extraction from 3D voxel information using a first three-dimensional region mask extracting the 3D voxel information, is stored, wherein the information processing apparatus: receives input regarding a second three-dimensional region mask; acquires second mesh information constituting the second three-dimensional region mask; determines an internal region, which is a region inside the second mesh information, and an external region, which is a region outside the second mesh information, for each slice information in the first slice information group, based on the second mesh information; and outputs the first slice information group such that the internal region and the external region are visually distinguished from each other. With this information processing apparatus, it is possible to easily extract and observe a three-dimensional region of interest from 3D voxel data.
US08149235B2 System and method for upscaling low-resolution images
A method is disclosed which may include providing an original image having an array of samples; defining a two-dimensional target image having a higher resolution than the original image; defining a splat in the target image for each of a plurality of samples in the array; and rendering the plurality of splats employing a graphics processor.
US08149234B2 Picture processing using a hybrid system configuration
A system is presented that is configured to reduce power consumption when performing processing tasks. The system includes a first processing entity capable of performing a set of operations, and a second processing entity configured to consume less power than the first processing entity and capable of performing a subset of operations that is part of the set of operations. During system operation, the second processing entity is configured to perform the subset of operations instead of the first processing entity.
US08149232B2 Systems and methods for generating reference voltages
Systems and methods for generating reference voltages are provided. A representative system comprises a resistor circuit; a first switch coupled between a first end of the resistor circuit and a first power source; a second switch coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and a second power source; a third switch coupled to a second end of the resistor circuit; a fourth switch coupled to the second end of the resistor circuit; a first resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the first switch; a second resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the second switch; a third resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the third switch; a fourth resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the fourth switch; and a control circuit for controlling the switches.
US08149225B2 Display apparatus for refrigerator
The present invention discloses a display apparatus (30) for a refrigerator which can be operated by using a touch screen (60). The display apparatus for the refrigerator includes a control unit (40) for controlling the refrigerator, a display unit (50) installed on the front surface of the control unit, for displaying information from the control unit, and a transparent touch screen (60) installed to cover the front surface of the display unit (50) and the front surface of the control unit (40), and electrically connected to the control unit, for applying a clicking input of the user to the control unit. The display unit (50) is externally shown through the transparent touch screen (60). A printed matter (70) is printed on the touch screen except the portion corresponding to the display unit.
US08149221B2 Touch panel display system with illumination and detection provided from a single edge
A touch panel that has a front surface, a rear surface, a plurality of edges and an interior volume. An energy source is positioned in proximity to a first edge of the touch panel and is configured to emit energy that is propagated within the interior volume of the touch panel. A diffusing reflector is positioned in proximity to the front surface of the touch panel for diffusively reflecting at least a portion of the energy that escapes from the interior volume. At least one detector is positioned in proximity to the first edge of the touch panel and is configured to detect intensity levels of the energy that is diffusively reflected across the front surface of the touch panel. Preferably, two detectors are spaced apart from each other in proximity to the first edge of the touch panel, to allow calculation of touch locations using simple triangulation techniques.
US08149218B2 Controlling device with selectively illuminated user interfaces
A controlling device using a source of energy, such as light energy, to provide the controlling device with a user interface having multiple, different visual appearances.
US08149217B2 Creating responses for an electronic pen-computer multimedia interactive system
A system for associating a selected object on any printed material to a valid response provided by a computer system includes a maker component to define an object on a page of printed material, and to link a position of the object on the page, the contents of the page, and the response to be performed by a computer system. The system also includes a pointing device to determine a position on the printed material, a communicating device to transmit the position to the computer system, and a player component to correlate the position to selected digital content associated with the printed materials, the selected digital content being accessible by the computer system; and to provide a valid response to a user based at least in part on the position and the correlated content, wherein the valid response includes at least one of rendering audio content, rendering video content, rendering image content, and performing an action by the computer system.
US08149216B2 Electronic device with joystick
An electronic device with joystick is provided. The joystick includes a receiving space includes a plurality of first conductive elements. The device further includes a plurality of resistors, a chip, and a rotatable post. Each of the first conductive elements is electrically connected to the ground via a resistor. The chip includes a plurality of input pins, and each of the pins is electrically connected to a node between a first conductive element and a resistor. The rotatable post includes a second conductive element. The second conductive element is electrically connected to a direct current power source. When the joystick is rotated, causing the second conductive element to contact with one of the first conductive elements, the voltage of the pin connected to the second conductive element is changed. The chip detects a change of the voltage of the pins and executes corresponding functions according to the detected change.
US08149215B2 Cursor control method applied to presentation system and computer readable storage medium
The invention discloses a cursor control method applied to a presentation system. The presentation system comprises a computer, an imaging plane, an optical pointer, a camera, and a projector. The projector is a mobile or built-in projector of the computer for projecting output from the computer onto the imaging plane, wherein the output of the computer comprises an internal cursor generated by the computer. The optical pointer is used for projecting an external cursor onto the imaging plane. The camera is a mobile or built-in camera of the computer for capturing an image of the imaging plane. After capturing the image, a processor of the computer detects both a first position of the external cursor and a second position of the internal cursor corresponding to the image, calculates a shift vector between the first and second positions, and moves the internal cursor based on the shift vector.
US08149203B2 Systems and method for displaying images with reduced power consumption
A method and a system for displaying images are provided. In the method, a pixel is provided that includes a layer of ferroelectric material and a layer of liquid crystal material. A first electric field is momentarily applied to the pixel to electrically polarize the ferroelectric layer to a first polarization. The first polarization is then used to maintain the liquid crystal material in a first orientation corresponding to a first apparent brightness of the pixel.
US08149199B2 Driving system and method for liquid crystal display
A driving system and method for liquid crystal display is disclosed. The system stores only the driving values corresponding to specific grayscale values of pixels on a current frame and specific grayscale values of pixels on a previous frame. The stored driving values are then used by an operation processing unit of the system to calculate out driving values to be applied to the current frame. Moreover, the system is provided with a logic judging unit for preventing the noises of the frame from being overdriven.
US08149195B2 Method and apparatus for driving liquid crystal display device
A method of driving a liquid crystal display device includes extracting brightness components of a portion of the first data for a current frame, arranging the brightness components for the current frame into a brightness histogram, retrieving brightness histograms for at least two frames prior to the current frame to generate an average histogram, generating second data for the current frame based on the average histogram, comparing the histogram for the current frame with the average histogram to determine whether an image at the current frame is a moving image or a still image, and driving the liquid crystal display device in accordance with one of the first data and the second data based on the comparison result.
US08149192B2 Optical writing image forming device, control device for optical writing image forming device
There is provided an optical writing image forming device including: a positioning section positioning an optically written display medium including a pair of electrodes with at least one of which formed by a group of plural sub-electrodes, a display layer, and a photoconductor layer; a display layer initialization section applying an initialization voltage between the pair of electrodes and irradiating initialization light over the entire region of the photoconductor layer; an optical writing section; a head position identification section; and a writing information erasing section, based on information identified by the head position identification section, erasing in a time-series writing information in the display layer corresponding to the group of the plural sub-electrodes by selecting the sub-electrodes in sequence so that an image writing head does not obstruct light emitted from the initialization light source while the image writing head light source is being returned to a standby position.
US08149190B2 Correcting brightness variations in organic electroluminescent panel
An OLED display having a correction circuit for producing corrected image data in response to the first image data and in response to correction data to correct for brightness unevenness due to TFT variations; a memory for storing first image data or correction data; a switch effective in first and second states in response to a function switching signal having first and second conditions, respectively; and circuitry for causing the switch to be in the first state to connect the memory to the image input signal interface and to provide the stored first image data to the panel as the second image data; and for causing the switch to be in the second state to connect the memory to the correction circuit, provide the stored correction data to the correction circuit, and provide the corrected image data to the panel as the second image data.
US08149186B2 Pixel, organic light emitting display using the same, and associated methods
A pixel including an organic light emitting diode, a second transistor controlling a current supplied to the organic light emitting diode, a pixel circuit configured to compensate a threshold voltage of the second transistor; and a compensating unit controlling a voltage of a gate electrode of the second transistor in order to compensate for deterioration of the organic light emitting diode. The compensating unit includes seventh and eighth transistors coupled in series between the organic light emitting diode and a first power source, the seventh and eight transistors being commonly connected to a fourth node therebetween, first and second feedback capacitors coupled in series between the fourth node and a second node, the second node being coupled to the gate electrode of the second transistor, and a ninth transistor coupled between a predetermined voltage source and a fifth node that is common to the first and second feedback capacitors.
US08149185B2 Pixel circuit, display unit, and pixel circuit drive method
A pixel circuit, display device, and method of driving a pixel circuit enabling source-follower output with no deterioration of luminance even with a change of the current-voltage characteristic of the light emitting element along with elapse, enabling a source-follower circuit of n-channel transistors, and able to use an n-channel transistor as an EL drive transistor while using current anode-cathode electrodes, wherein a source of a TFT 111 as a drive transistor is connected to an anode of a light emitting element 114, a drain is connected to a power source potential VCC, a capacitor C111 is connected between a gate and source of the TFT 111, and a source potential of the TFT 111 is connected to a fixed potential through a TFT 113 as a switching transistor.
US08149183B2 Display
Various embodiments and methods relating to driving a stacked arrangement of display panels are disclosed.
US08149178B2 Millimeter-wave communication system with directional antenna and one or more millimeter-wave reflectors
Embodiments of millimeter-wave communication systems and methods for communicating using millimeter-waves are described. In some embodiments, a directional antenna (102) may direct millimeter-wave signals substantially in a horizontal plane (115), and one or more reflectors (104) may be positioned to reflect the millimeter-wave signals to user devices (108).
US08149175B2 Multiple band antenna
The present invention provides a multiple band antenna, including a first radiation element adapted to resonate at a first resonant frequency band by employing a resonant length, which is reduced by a coupling effect with a neighboring radiation element, a power feed unit coupled to one lower side of the first radiation element, a first inductor coupled in series to the other lower side of the first radiation element, a second radiation element adapted to face the first radiator to thereby obtain the coupling effect, wherein the second radiation element has a predetermined lower portion coupled to the first inductor, a second inductor having one end coupled in series to a predetermined upper portion of the second radiation element, and a third radiation element coupled to the other end of the second inductor, wherein the third radiation element operates as one radiation element together with the second radiation element and resonates at a second frequency band.
US08149173B2 Modified loop antenna
Disclosed is an antenna comprising a loop element (10) and an Electric-field radiator (30), wherein the E-field radiator is electrically coupled to the loop element such that at the frequency of operation, there is a substantially 90 degree phase difference between the Electric and Magnetic fields produced by the antenna.
US08149172B2 Antenna
An antenna is provided. The antenna includes a substrate, a ground element, a first feed conductor and a second feed conductor. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface. The ground element is formed on the first surface, wherein the ground element has an aperture, the aperture is funnel shaped, the aperture has an opening portion and a convergent portion, and the opening portion is connected to the convergent portion. The first feed conductor is disposed on the second surface, wherein the first feed conductor feeds a first signal to the aperture. The second feed conductor is disposed on the second surface, wherein the second feed conductor feeds a second signal to the aperture.
US08149168B1 Position determination using wireless local area network signals and television signals
Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprise a first receiver to receive a wireless television signal; a first measurement unit to generate a measurement of the wireless television signal; wherein a position of the apparatus is determined based on the measurement of the wireless television signal; a second receiver to receive a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal; and a second measurement unit to generate a measurement of the WLAN signal; wherein a position of a transmitter of the WLAN signal is determined based on the position of the apparatus and the measurement of the WLAN signal.
US08149165B2 Configurable antenna interface
Techniques for interfacing a set of active elements with an antenna array. In one exemplary embodiment, the active elements include a plurality of signal paths, each signal path including a mixer coupled to a local oscillator (LO) signal having an adjustable phase. When the active elements are to be interfaced with an unbalanced antenna, the phase of the LO signal for each signal path coupled to the unbalanced antenna may be adjusted independently of the other signal paths. When the active elements are to be interfaced with a balanced antenna, the phases of the LO signals for the two signal paths coupled to the balanced antenna are adjusted to differ by π radians from each other. The techniques may be applied in either receiver or transmitter applications to provide a flexible interface between an antenna array and an integrated circuit (IC) without the use of baluns.
US08149161B1 Method and system for azimuthal containment using largest gap method
A maximum gap method and system provide for identifying a space sector within which a system capable of engaging an object, should search for the object. A detector system that may be a radar or other active range determination system tracks position of the moving object and based on position estimates and the uncertainties associated with the position estimates, generates a range of possible positions for each estimate then determines gaps between the uncertainties and derives the search sector based on the maximum gap.
US08149160B2 Method and apparatus using non-contact measuring device to determine rail distance traveled
A non-contact, distance traveled measurement system (DTMS) to calculate speed and distance traveled by a vehicle over rails—more specifically, by trains traveling on standard railroad tracks. Preferably, a pair of short range (near field) microwave-based transmitters/sensors (transceivers) are mounted on the underside of the train and used to key on rail-bed features such as cross ties or tie plates. Preferred embodiments also include infrared sensors as a redundant channel that is less sensitive to moisture in the track bed. Data from the sensors is correlated to determine the time delay between the first and second sensors' passage over objects on the rail bed such as cross-ties or tie-plates. From this time delay, nearly instantaneous velocity can be computed at each given target such as a tie plate (metal target) or a tie (dielectric contrast target). Velocity versus time curves can be integrated over time to derive distance traveled.
US08149159B1 Radar coasting during data dropout
A method for rapid convergence of radar target state includes the steps of using range acceleration to estimate perpendicular velocity and jump-starting a Cartesian state filter with the estimated perpendicular velocity. The improved estimate in the Cartesian state filter allows improved coasting of the range-state.
US08149158B2 Device for estimating information on target object
A target object information estimating device embodied by an electronically agile radar sensor is mounted in a moving vehicle. The device has a unit outputting a radar wave every measuring period, receiving radar waves reflected from a target object through different transmission paths and calculating a distance to the object in each measuring period to detect the object, a unit tracking the object in a tracking term of measuring periods, a unit setting the distance changed with time as a null distance each time electric power of the received waves is reduced to a minimal value, and a unit producing an actual pattern of null points corresponding to the null distances, collating the actual pattern with modeled patterns corresponding to various heights and estimates the height of the object from the collation result as information about the object.
US08149155B2 Range measuring method, range measuring apparatus, non-contacted IC medium and range measuring system
A method of measuring a range from a reader unit to a non-contacted IC medium, includes: transmitting an inquiry signal at a first frequency from the reader unit to the non-contacted IC medium; causing the non-contacted IC medium to perform modulation to modulate the first frequency by using a second frequency to obtain a modulated frequency, and causing the non-contacted IC medium to respond to a response signal at the modulated frequency; causing the reader unit to receive the response signal to acquire a plurality of frequency components; calculating a phase difference between signals of at least two of the acquired plurality of frequency components; and measuring the range by using the phase difference.
US08149154B2 System, method, and software for performing dual hysteresis target association
In certain embodiments, a method includes receiving first track information comprising data for a particular aircraft track. The method further includes receiving a first radar plot comprising first location information corresponding to first aircraft identification information and first location information corresponding to second aircraft identification information. The method further includes associating the first aircraft identification information with the particular aircraft track. The method further includes accessing historical association information comprising a first association history variable corresponding to one or more previous associations between the first aircraft identification information and the particular aircraft track and a second association history variable corresponding to one or more previous associations between the second aircraft identification information and the particular aircraft track. The method further includes updating the first association history variable in response to the association of the first aircraft identification information with the particular aircraft track.
US08149153B1 Instrumentation structure with reduced electromagnetic radiation reflectivity or interference characteristics
An instrumentation structure includes a sensor array and a support structure. The sensor array is rotatable around multiple axes. Radar absorbent material (RAM) is adapted to conform to non-planar exterior surfaces of the instrumentation structure.
US08149152B2 Capacitor based digital to analog converter layout design for high speed analog to digital converter
A method and system for capacitor based digital to analog converter design layout for high speed analog to digital converter are provided. The method includes arranging a plurality of metal plates to form the capacitor. Each of the plurality of metal plates includes a driven plate and a common plate. The method also includes generating a plurality of interconnects in the common plate and extending the driven plate over the plurality of interconnects. Further, the method includes shielding the common plate by the driven plate. The system includes an analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter also includes capacitor based digital to analog converter and digital logic for controlling digital operations in the analog to digital converter. The capacitor based digital to analog converter includes a plurality of capacitors, and a comparator for comparing the analog output from the digital to analog converter with a ground potential.
US08149148B1 Local binary XML string compression
Targeted compression of strings is provided for XML and other documents using local tables whose scope need not align with syntactically well-formed document regions. The local table's scope is fixed (not sliding), and may be nested within other local table scopes. A string is nominated for inclusion, and record(s) are inserted in a document encoding to effect the nomination. The nominated string is placed in the local table in correspondence with a token identifier. During compression, reference(s) to the string's token identifier are included in the document encoding; during decompression the references are replaced by the string. The local table is deleted at the end of its scope. Tables may have multiple channels, with nominated strings placed in a channel based on frequency of references to the strings. The document encoding may include the local table(s), static table(s), and dynamic table(s) in a flat token value space.
US08149146B2 Automatic power control system for optical disc drive and method thereof
An automatic power control system, an automatic power control method, a down sampling circuit and a down sampling method. The automatic power control system is incorporated in an optical disc drive comprising a laser diode for receiving a control signal to generate a laser beam; and a photodetector for detecting the laser beam to generate an analog input signal. The automatic power control system comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a down sampling circuit, a comparator, and a digital-to-analog converter. The analog-to-digital converter converts the analog input signal to digital data. The down sampling circuit, coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, comprises a down sampler, a counter, and a controller. The down sampler receives a predetermined amount of digital data to generate representation data. The counter, coupled to the down sampler, calculates the amount of digital data, and resets the down sampler when the amount equals or exceeds the predetermined count. The controller, coupled to the counter, disables the counter when the digital data is invalid. The comparator, coupled to the down sampling circuit, compares the representation data with predetermined target data to generate error data. The digital-to-analog converter, coupled to the comparator, converts the error data to analog to generate the control signal.
US08149145B2 Method and apparatus for adaptive lossless data compression
A method for performing adaptive lossless data compression using a buffer memory comprises the steps of receiving a plurality of first match signals (m(0) to m(n)), each first match signal indicating whether a byte of an input sequence matches a byte in a memory location of the buffer memory. A plurality of second match signals (mD(0) to mD(n)) are generated, wherein a second match signal (mD) is a delayed version of a corresponding first match signal (m). The second match signals (mD(0) to mD(n)) are used to detect a match sequence between the data bytes received in the input sequence and the data bytes stored in the content addressable memory, and the first match signals (m(0) to m(n)) used to predict whether the match sequence continues during a subsequent byte of the input sequence.
US08149144B2 Hybrid arithmetic-combinatorial encoder
Hybrid range coding/combinatorial coding (FPC) encoders and decoders are provided. Encoding and decoding can be dynamically switched between range coding and combinatorial according to the ratio of ones to the ratio of bits in a partial remaining sequence in order to reduce the computational complexity of encoding and decoding.
US08149142B2 Adaptive range vehicle locating unit, vehicle tracking unit and vehicle recovery system including same
An adaptive range vehicle recovery system including an adaptive range vehicle locating unit including a narrowband baseband generator for generating a narrowband signal, a wideband baseband generator for generating a wideband signal, a timing control circuit responsive to an activation signal to transmit, alternately, said narrowband signal at a first rate, and said wideband signal at a second rate and responsive to a track signal to transmit one of said wideband and narrowband signals at a third, different, rate; and also to an adaptive range vehicle recovery system including an adaptive range vehicle track unit including a data decoder including, a wideband decoder for detecting data from a wideband baseband signal, a narrowband decoder for detecting data from a narrowband baseband signal, a bandwidth detector responsive to a received signal to distinguish narrowband and wideband signals and an input switching circuit responsive to said bandwidth detector for directing the wideband signal to the wideband decoder and the narrowband signal to the narrowband decoder.
US08149139B2 Dynamic pricing for toll lanes
The present invention provides a method and system for determining a toll charge for vehicles traveling on a toll lane that includes determining a change in traffic flow for vehicles traveling on the toll lane, determining a change in traffic speed for vehicles traveling on the toll lane, and determining the toll charge for vehicles traveling on the toll lane using a weighting approach that weights the change in traffic flow with a first factor and weights the change in speed with a second factor, the first factor depending on whether the change in traffic flow is increasing or decreasing, and the second factor depending on whether the change in speed is increasing or decreasing.
US08149129B2 Signal alignment monitoring system and method of assembling the same
A signal alignment monitoring system is provided. The system includes a signal assembly including at least one signal lamp. The system also includes an alignment monitoring apparatus coupled to the signal assembly. The alignment monitoring apparatus includes a source for emitting electromagnetic energy and a detector for sensing electromagnetic energy emitted by the source to facilitate determining an alignment of the signal assembly.
US08149123B2 Wireless communications apparatus, processing apparatus, and wireless communications system
A wireless communications apparatus includes: a second communications unit that uses electromagnetic waves to perform wireless communications with a recording medium having a first communications unit that stores information; and a housing that houses a portion of the recording medium, the portion including the first communications unit, wherein the second communications unit is provided at a position that faces the first communications unit housed in the housing; and the housing has a first electromagnetic wave suppressing member that suppresses radiation of electromagnetic waves from inside to outside, and suppresses radiation of electromagnetic waves from the second communications unit in a direction other than towards the first communications unit of the recording medium in a state housed in the housing.
US08149122B2 Liquid level detection system with floating RFID tag
A wireless pump on/off system incorporates a radio receiver and an antenna. An RFID tag is carried on a float. The float can be located in a fluid whose level is to be controlled with at least a portion thereof protruding above the fluid level. Signal strength of a wireless received from the tag can be indicative of at least one fluid level, and responsive thereto a pump can be activated. The pump can be deactivated in response to another received wireless signal, loss of the activating signal indicative of another fluid level or expiration of a preset time interval.
US08149118B2 Device and method for registering the opening of closures of spaces to be secured
In a device and a method for registering the opening of closures of spaces to be secured, a sealing module, which includes a sensor, a microprocessor, a memory, and a wireless communication device, can be attached to the closure in such a way that the sensor detects a movement and writes data documenting the movement into the memory; a detection unit includes at least one wireless communication device, a microprocessor, and a memory that are embodied to read out at least the data documenting the movement from the memory of the sealing module and to write these data into the memory of the mobile detection unit.
US08149115B2 Explosive detection portal
This device will allow individuals to pass through explosive detection portals efficiently without undue delay. The airflow from a series of jets will dislodge embedded molecules and direct them to a sensor that will detect the presence of commonly found explosive materials. The molecules that are dislodged will be accomplished by air flow through an air tunnel or portal structure that is not invasive to the person yet allows real time detection of explosive material while not infringing on the privacy of the individual.
US08149110B2 Large area position/proximity correction device with alarms using (D)GPS technology
A movable boundary detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a receiver operable to receive a positioning signal including actual position coordinates of a movable device in a first space and a memory module including a memory to store predefined position coordinates for defining boundaries of a second space being located within the first space. A processor module is communicatively coupled to the receiver and the memory module and operable to compare the actual position coordinates to the predefined position coordinates. An indicator is communicatively coupled to the processor module and operable to indicate when the actual position coordinates are outside the predefined position coordinates for indicating that the device is outside the second space.
US08149108B2 System and method for automatically powering on and synchronizing a wireless remote console to a central control unit so as to allow remote control of a medical device
A system and method for controlling one or more medical devices by a remote console. The remote console communicates wirelessly with a central control unit that connects to one or more of the medical devices. To conserve battery power and simplify operation, the remote console is configured to automatically power on and initiate a wireless connection in response to being brought into proximity of the central control unit. According to another embodiment, the remote console automatically powers on and terminates any previously established wireless connections when brought into proximity of the central control unit.
US08149105B2 Systems and devices for broadband communication with an alarm panel
A communications system for an alarm panel including: an alarm panel adaptor in operable communication with the alarm panel generating analog alarm signals; a first powerline communications device in operable communication with a the alarm panel adaptor converting the analog alarm signals to powerline alarm signals; a second powerline communications device receiving the powerline alarm signals over an electrical grid and converting the powerline alarm signals to internet protocol alarm signals; and a broadband connection in operable communication with the second powerline communications device for transmitting the internet protocol alarm signals to a remote central control station.
US08149099B2 Dial speed indicator with two pointers indicating an actual speed and a reference speed
An indicator for a vehicle instrument cluster includes a number of pointers concentrically mounted with respect to the instrument cluster. The pointers are illuminated via a common light source. The pointers may be configured to indicate a reference value and an actual measured value (e.g., vehicle speed).
US08149098B2 Human-bicycle interaction device
A human-bicycle interaction device has an interface for a person to enter electronic commands and a display unit responding to the commands, wherein the interface has a directional button with a non-operating position and at least two operating positions. The use of the device is intuitive and requires few hardware connections and the display is tightly sealed.
US08149096B2 Medication container and dosing monitor
A patient-portable medication event monitor is disclosed which is capable of detecting the dispensing of doses of a particular medication from the monitor, comparing the dispensing detected with information concerning the desired dosing regimen for the certain medication and displaying graphically to the patient at least one feedback indication of the patient's degree of compliance or deviation with the desired regimen.
US08149094B2 Clustering methods for radio-frequency-identifier networks
Methods and systems of the present invention are directed to clustering RFID-tag readers of a multi-RFID-tag-reader network in order to obtain a set of RFID-tag readers with high probability of detecting an event, but with low probability of collisions and with an acceptable cost. The cost may be determined by any of numerous cost functions of the RFID-tag readers in the set of RFID-tag readers, and may represent a cost in power, long-term reliability, and other such metrics that may be applied to an RFID-tag network.
US08149093B2 System and method for wireless communications
A method of detecting position of a moving RFID tag relative to an antenna, includes continually receiving a signal from the RFID tag at the antenna. The phase of the received signal over a time period is detected and, based on a maximum detected phase, the position of the RFID tag relative to the antenna is detected.
US08149089B2 Method for unlocking a locked computing device and computing device thereof
A method for unlocking a locked computing device includes obtaining biometric information utilizing the computing device, determining whether the biometric information meets a predetermined requirement, unlocking the computing device when the biometric information obtained meets the predetermined requirement, and maintaining a locked status of the computing device when the biometric information does not meet the predetermined requirement. A computing device includes a sensor utilized for obtaining biometric information, wherein the computing device is for determining whether the biometric information meets a predetermined requirement, for unlocking the computing device when the biometric information obtained meets the predetermined requirement, and for maintaining a locked status of the computing device when the biometric information does not meet the predetermined requirement.
US08149088B2 Optical biometric acquisition device with information display intended for the user
The invention concerns a biometric capture optical device (1) comprising a prismatic optical element (2) having one side (4) appearing in a window (3) to provide a support surface for a bodily limb and illuminating means (6) designed to illuminate the side (4) from within the element (2) and form by total reflection a biometric image of the bodily limb; in addition, luminous information display means are located beneath the element (2) opposite the window (3) so as, in the absence of the bodily limb on the side (4), to transmit, without total reflection, through the window (3) a luminous information image visible from outside (15).
US08149085B2 Coordinated security systems and methods for an electronic device
Systems and methods for implementing security features of a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device comprises a first security module configured to implement a first security operation and a second security module configured to implement a second security operation. The method includes: detecting a first security event; implementing a first security operation by the first security module; triggering a second security event; and implementing a second security operation by the second security module. The first security operation includes triggering the second security event.
US08149084B2 Appliance remote control apparatus and method of using same
A remote control apparatus and method of using are disclosed for controlling an electronic appliance such as a television set, radio, computer, or other. The remote control apparatus may include a hand held housing, a wireless transmitter for sending signals to the appliance, and a manually operated rotary controller for causing operation adjusting signals to be generated and supplied to the transmitter.
US08149073B2 Band-pass filter and method for making photonic crystal for the band-pass filter
A band-pass filter includes a photonic crystal having a local mode that generates a pass band in a stop band formed by Bragg reflection, a transmission channel that limits electromagnetic waves propagating in the photonic crystal to a mode in which an amplitude direction of an electrical field is a particular direction; and a magnetic field-applying unit for applying to the photonic crystal a DC magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a propagation direction of the electromagnetic waves. The photonic crystal includes a periodic structure including a low permittivity dielectric member and a plurality of high permittivity dielectric members periodically arranged in the low permittivity dielectric member so that the Bragg reflection occurs in the periodic structure, and a magnetic member disposed in the periodic structure.
US08149071B2 Radio frequency switch and apparatus containing the radio frequency switch
The present invention relates to A radio frequency (RF) switch and an apparatus including the RF switch. In an aspect of the present invention, an RF switch includes a transmission line having one end connected to an input terminal or an output terminal and the other end connected to a signal line and configured to transfer an RF signal, and a diode disposed between the input terminal and the transmission line or between the output terminal and the transmission line, the diode being configured to control whether or not to transmit the RF signal. In another aspect, an RF switch includes a transmission line having one end connected to an input terminal and the other end connected to an output terminal, and a diode disposed between the input terminal and the transmission line or between the output terminal and the transmission line, the diode being configured to control whether or not to transmit the RF signal. Here, a CRLH (Composite Right/Left-Handed) transmission line is employed as the transmission line.
US08149070B2 Chockless power coupler
A wideband power coupler and method for taping part of a RF signal from a combined RF and AC signal with relatively simple structure and relatively low number of needed parts. The power coupler may include a BALUN, the BALUN constructed of a central conductor, an outer conductor and a ferrite element. Combined downstream AC and RF signal may flow through the central conductor of the BALUN. A part of the RF signal is reflected on the outer conductor of the BALUN with 180 degrees phase shift with respect to the RF signal, to create a reversed signal. Another part of the RF signal is sampled by a high pass filter. An autotransformer sums the reversed signal with the RF signal to create an output RF signal for an output tap port. When an upstream combined RF and AC signal flows through the BALUN, the phase of the RF signal reflected on the outer conductor of the BALUN is aligned with the phase of the RF signal sampled by the high pass filer such that the autotransformer cancels the upstream RF signal at the output tap port and the power coupler provides isolation to the output port.
US08149057B2 Signal processing circuit
A signal processing circuit includes a waveform shaping section that applies a first gain to an input signal and generates a first signal when an absolute value of a level of the input signal falls within a first input range from a first level to a second level, a variable gain section that adjusts an amplitude of the first signal and amplifies the first signal by a gain to generate an output signal, and a control section that reduces the gain of the variable gain section so that the output signal is prevented from occurrence of clipping when the amplitude of the first signal falls within a second input range. The second input range includes a range of the level of the first signal output from the waveform shaping section corresponding to the first input range of the input signal.
US08149053B2 Low noise amplifier
The present invention relates to a low noise amplifier comprising a transformer, a first amplifier and a feedback resistor, the transformer comprising a primary stage and a secondary stage. The secondary stage is connected to the input of the first amplifier and the output of the first amplifier is connected in series with a feedback resistor and the primary stage of said transformer.
US08149049B2 Low noise receiving apparatus
A low noise receiving apparatus includes an amplifier which inputs an input signal, an output matching circuit which is connected between the amplifier and an output terminal which matches an impedance of an output side of the amplifier, a bypass circuit which bypasses the amplifier and is connected to an output side of the output matching circuit, and a switching circuit having one end connected between the amplifier and the output matching circuit and the other end connected to an alternating current ground which switches whether or not to connect an output of the amplifier to the alternating current ground. In a bypass mode, the switching circuit connects the output of the amplifier to the alternating current ground in order to have a lower impedance viewed from the output terminal of the output matching circuit than in an amplification mode.
US08149048B1 Apparatus and method for programmable power management in a programmable analog circuit block
An apparatus and method for programmable power management in a programmable analog circuit block. Specifically, the present invention describes an operational amplifier circuit that includes current sources that are coupled in parallel. Configuration bits are asserted to selectively enable or selectively disable one or more of the current sources in order to modulate the performance of the operational amplifier circuit block. Selective addition or removal of current sources increases or decreases the amount of current within the operational amplifier and, correspondingly, the speed and power consumption of the operational amplifier. Combinations of asserted configuration bits pass a bias voltage in order enable selected current sources. In one embodiment, the bias voltage can be increased in order to increase the current output of one of the current sources which, correspondingly, increases the speed of the operational amplifier circuit block.
US08149047B2 Bandgap reference circuit with low operating voltage
A bandgap reference circuit comprising a current mirror, an operational amplifier, first and second BJT transistors is disclosed. The current mirror comprises a first input terminal, a second input terminal and at least one output terminal. The operational amplifier is coupled to the current mirror, wherein a first transistor and a second transistor respectively coupled to the first and the second input terminals have a zero or near zero threshold voltage. The first and second BJT transistors are coupled to two input terminals of the operational amplifier respectively, wherein at least one of the first and second BJT transistors is coupled to the output terminal of the current mirror through a conductive path.
US08149046B2 Biasing for transistor-based apparatuses and methods
The present disclosure relates to constructing and operating a transistor or other active device with significantly reduced flicker noise.
US08149045B2 Variable stage charge pump and method for providing boosted output voltage
An embodiment of a variable stage charge pump includes a plurality of pump stages. Each stage is configured to generate an intermediate boosted output voltage. A pump stage selector selects the number of charge pump stages to be coupled between an input and output terminal of the variable stage charge pump. The pump stage selector may control a plurality of switches to select the number of stages. For example, two stages maybe coupled in parallel and the parallel combination coupled in series to a third stage, resulting in a two stage charge pump. For a three stage charge pump, all three stages are coupled in series.
US08149044B2 Trimmer circuit and method
A trimmer circuit is so configured that an electronic device will break down to produce a high current to trim a fuse. The electronic device is selectively configured to have a breakdown voltage lower than an applied voltage, for the trigger of its breakdown to be controllable. In an embodiment, the electronic device is switched between two states having two breakdown voltages respectively, and the applied voltage is higher than one of the breakdown voltages and lower than the other one.
US08149042B2 Analog switch for signal swinging between positive and negative voltages
An analog signal is input to an input terminal. An analog signal is output via an output terminal. A first transistor is an N-channel MOSFET, and is provided between the input terminal and the output terminal. A first resistor is provided between the gate of the first transistor and a first fixed voltage terminal (power supply terminal), which sets the gate of the first transistor to a high-impedance state.
US08149038B1 Techniques for phase adjustment
A dynamic phase alignment circuit includes a phase generator circuit having delay-locked loop circuits that generate periodic output signals. Each of the delay-locked loop circuits generates one of the periodic output signals in response to at least two periodic input signals. A multiplexer circuit selects a selected periodic signal from among the periodic input signals and the periodic output signals based on select signals. A phase detection circuit compares a phase of the selected periodic signal to a data signal to generate a phase detection signal. A control logic circuit generates the select signals. The control logic circuit adjusts the select signals based on changes in the phase detection signal to cause the multiplexer circuit to adjust the phase of the selected periodic signal.
US08149037B2 Clock duty correction circuit
A clock duty correction circuit includes a first current sourcing unit that sources a current to a current path in response to a clock signal, a first current sinking unit that sinks the current of the current path in response to the clock signal, a second current sourcing unit that sources a current to the current path in response to a delay clock signal obtained by delaying the clock signal by a predetermined time, a second current sinking unit that sinks the current of the current path in response to the delay clock signal, a current adjustment unit that adjusts an amount of the current flowing through the current path according to a voltage level of a control voltage, and a clock output unit that outputs an output clock signal having a voltage level corresponding to the amount of the current flowing through the current adjustment unit.
US08149034B2 Delay lines, methods for delaying a signal, and delay lock loops
Locked loops, delay lines and methods for delaying signals are disclosed, such as a delay line and delay lock loop using the delay line includes a series of delay stages, each of which consists of a single inverting delay device. The inputs and outputs of a selected stage are applied to a phase inverter that inverts one of the signals and applies it to a first input of a phase mixer with the same delay that the other signal is applied to a second input of the phase inverter. The delay of the signals from the selected delay element are delayed from each other by a coarse delay interval, and the phase mixer interpolates within the coarse delay interval by fine delay intervals. A phase detector compares the timing of a signal generated by the phase interpolator to the timing of a reference clock signal applied to the delay line to determine the selected delay stage and a phase interpolation value.
US08149030B2 Clock generator to reduce long term jitter
A clock generator includes a controller, a digital phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, a charge pump phase locked loop (PLL) circuit and a divider. The controller generates a division factor and a first internal clock signal in response to a low-frequency reference clock signal and a multiplication factor. The digital PLL circuit generates a second internal clock signal in response to the reference clock signal, the division factor and the first internal clock signal. The charge pump PLL circuit generates a plurality of third internal clock signals by using the second internal clock signal. The divider generates a high-frequency clock signal in response to a phase selection signal, the division factor and the third internal clock signals.
US08149029B2 Electronic device with optical module
An electronic device includes an optical module, a power source module powering the optical module, a processor, a controller, and a switch module. The processor generates and maintains a delay signal for a first predetermined time in response to determination that the power source module is powered on. The processor further generates a driving signal upon determination that the first predetermined time has elapsed. The controller generates and maintains a control signal for a second predetermined time in response to determination that the power source module is powered on. The switch module is turned on to establish an electrical connection between the power source module and the optical module according to the driving signal, and turned off to cut off the electrical connection according to the control signal.
US08149025B2 Gate driving circuit
An exemplary gate driving circuit is adapted for receiving an external gate power supply voltage and an external control signal, sequentially generating multiple internal shift data signal groups and thereby sequentially outputting multiple gate signals. Each of the internal shift data signal groups includes multiple sequentially-generated internal shift data signals. The gate driving circuit includes multiple gate signal generating modules. Each of the gate signal generating modules includes a voltage modulation circuit and a gate output buffer circuit. The voltage modulation circuit modulates the external gate power supply voltage according to a corresponding one of the internal shift data signal groups and the external control signal, and thereby a modulated voltage signal is obtained. The gate output buffer circuit includes a plurality of parallel-coupled output stages. The output stages output the modulated voltage signal as a part of the gate signals during the output stages being sequentially enabled.
US08149023B2 RF buffer circuit with dynamic biasing
An RF buffer circuit for a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes dynamic biasing circuitry to selectively flip the phase of the output voltage waveform. In a CMOS implementation, a PMOS/NMOS pair is employed in an output path. During a high (voltage) swing mode condition, the phase of the output is flipped such that the output waveform is in phase with the voltages appearing at the gates of the PMOS/NMOS pair. The technique thereby reduces peak gate-to-drain voltages and allows for improved reliability of the MOS devices in a configuration amenable to low phase noise and low power consumption.
US08149021B2 Current detection circuit and voltage converter using the current detection circuit
A first auxiliary switch circuit is connected to one terminal and a first terminal of a main switch circuit and generates a first auxiliary detection current. A second auxiliary switch circuit is connected to the other terminal and a second terminal of the main switch circuit and generates a second auxiliary detection current. A current adjustment detection circuit adjusts the first auxiliary detection current so that the potentials of the other terminal and the first terminal are equal and passes the first auxiliary detection current in a direction of receiving the current from the first auxiliary switch circuit and adjusts the second auxiliary detection current so that the potentials of the one terminal and the second terminal are equal and passes the second auxiliary detection current in a direction of outputting the current to the second auxiliary switch circuit, thereby generating a detection current being proportional to the output current.
US08149019B2 Chopper type comparator and A/D converter
A chopper type comparator including a first power supply line to which a first power source is supplied, a second power supply line to which a second power source having lower voltage than the first power source is supplied, a reference voltage input part to which a reference voltage is input, a target comparison voltage input part to which a target comparison voltage is input, a comparing part configured to compare the size between the reference voltage input from the reference voltage input part and the target comparison voltage input from the target comparison voltage input part, an output part configured to output a comparison result of the comparing part, and a resistance value setting part configured to set resistance values of the first power supply line and/or the second power supply line.
US08149018B2 Sense amplifier and electronic apparatus using the same
A sense amplifier according to the present invention for detecting a potential difference of signals input to a first input terminal and a second input terminal, includes a first means for applying voltages corresponding to threshold voltages of first and second transistors to gate-source voltages of the first and second transistors, and a second means for transferring signals input to the first and second input terminals to gates of the first and second transistors. In this case, a threshold variation of the first and second transistors is corrected.
US08149013B2 High speed integrated circuit
A novel driver circuit that uses a differential driver as a design backbone is described. Unlike a conventional differential interface, which typically has two or more outputs for providing an output signal and its complement, one of the differential driver's outputs is coupled to drive an output signal onto a signal line, while another one of the differential driver's outputs is unused and terminated, for instance by coupling the output to package ground or a voltage source via a capacitor. The performance of the driver circuit is significantly improved over conventional singled-ended driver designs.
US08149011B1 Stress programming of transistors
A method comprising applying a first voltage to a first transistor to create a defect in the first transistor, wherein (i) the first voltage is greater than a maximum operational voltage of the first transistor and (ii) the maximum operational voltage does not cause a defect in the first transistor when applied to the first transistor. The method further includes determining whether the first transistor has been programmed, including (i) measuring a first current through the first transistor, (ii) measuring a second current through a second transistor, and (iii) comparing the measured first current to the measured second current, wherein a difference between the measured first current and the measured second current indicates that the first transistor has been programmed.
US08149003B2 Method and device for determining the humidity content of an insulation of a transformer
A method and a device for determining a humidity content of an insulation of a transformer, the insulation having a liquid. At least one dielectric property of the insulation is measured, an uncorrected humidity content of the insulation and a conductivity of a liquid which is included in the insulation is derived from a model of the insulation, said model being chosen depending on the measured dielectric property of the insulation, and the humidity content of the insulation is corrected by means of the conductivity.
US08149002B2 Device and method for capacitive measurement by a floating bridge
A device for capacitive measurement by a floating bridge, including: a sensor module including at least one measuring electrode and at least one guard electrode arranged close to a target connected to a general earth, at least one integrated circuit for capacitive measurement, provided with a guard to which the guard electrode is connected, having an input connected to the measuring electrode, a guard connected to the reference earth of the integrated circuit, an excitation output connected to the general earth, a measurement output, and structure for supplying the integrated circuit for capacitive measurement in floating mode.
US08148996B2 Circuit testing apparatus
The invention discloses a circuit testing apparatus for testing a device under testing. The circuit testing apparatus includes a logic tester and a signal-measuring module. The logic tester is coupled to the device under testing for providing a testing signal and a trigger signal, and then determining a testing result for the device under testing according to a digital measuring result. The signal-measuring module coupled to the device under testing and the logic tester, is utilized for measuring a DC signal generated by the device under testing according to the testing signal after receiving the trigger signal, and generating the digital measuring result.
US08148995B2 Degradation determination device for heater of gas sensor and method for diagnosing the heater
A sensor element detects exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine. A heater is supplied with electricity from a power source so as to heat the sensor element. A detection unit detects heater voltage across the heater. A degradation determination unit determines whether the heater is degraded in accordance with at least one of the heater voltage and a diagnosis value, which changes according to the heater voltage. The degradation determination unit determines whether the heater is degraded further in accordance with at least one of power-supply voltage of the power source and a driving state of an electric device, which is supplied with electricity from the power source.
US08148987B2 Magnetic resonance device
A magnetic resonance device has a cryostat and a gradient coil assembly situated within an inner bore of the cryostat. A seal is positioned between the gradient coil assembly and the inner bore. The seal includes a first fluid filled toroid or helix mounted concentrically with the gradient coils; and a second fluid filled toroid or helix situated within the first toroid, or first helix.
US08148986B2 HF antenna system for magnetic resonance measurements
The invention relates to an HF-antenna system for carrying out and/or detecting a magnetic resonance in an object exposed to a main magnetic field which orients the object spins in a desired longitudinal direction (z) comprising at least one first antenna element (1) provided with several conducting sections (11, 12, 13, 14) which lead a high-frequency alternating current and extend from the common top to a base area in the form of separate claws in such a way that the testable object containing a volume of interest is enveloped in a helmet manner. Said invention is characterized in that each conducting section (11, 12, 13, 14) is embodied in the form of a HF (HL) line for electromagnetically connecting a wave propagating in a TEM mode or in an quasi-TEM mode with the spins of the testable object to be enveloped and the electrical length the terminals of the HF (HL) lines are selected in such a way that the magnetic resonance frequency waves are produced therein.
US08148984B2 Method for magnitude constrained phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging
A method for magnitude constrained phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method utilizes an assumption that the image magnitude is shared across a series of images reconstructed from a set of phase contrast enhanced k-space data. In this manner, one common magnitude image and a plurality of phase images are reconstructed substantially contemporaneously from the acquired image data. The method is further applicable to other phase contrast MRI methods, such as phase contract velocimetry. Moreover, simultaneous phase contrast velocimetry and chemical shift imaging, in which water and fat signal separation is achieved, is provided.
US08148975B2 Pickup coil for sensing rotary speed of engine, the coil including adjustable weight member
A pickup coil includes a sensing unit having an iron core, a permanent magnet magnetically coupled to a rear end position of the iron core, and a coil for sensing a change of magnetic flux occurring in the iron core; and a supporting frame member. The sensing unit is molded with a cup-shaped resin case. The sensing unit is integrally molded with the supporting frame member and is mounted on a mounting object via the supporting frame member. A plurality of weight units for adjusting a characteristic frequency of the coil is stored in a weight storage section formed inside the resin case at a position spaced away from the supporting frame member. The weight storage section is sized such that one or more weight units are accommodated therein.
US08148974B2 Pulse generator wheel, preferably for shafts, and method for manufacturing such a pulse generator wheel
A pulse generator wheel has a cylindrical wall provided with windows distributed about a circumference of the cylindrical wall and closed axially at a first end by a ring. The ring is made of circumferentially extending profiled sections of profiled parts that are separated from one another. The pulse generator wheel is made by stamping in a round sheet metal about the circumference profiled parts each having at least one profiled section extending in the circumferential direction for forming windows between the profiled parts. The profiled sections are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction. The profiled parts are erected and the profiled sections then form a circumferential ring delimiting the windows axially.
US08148969B2 Circuit arrangement for the regulation of a current through a load
A circuit arrangement (1) for the regulation of a current (IL) through a load (RL) comprises: a resistance (RS), through which a load current (IL) flows and across which a voltage (VS) drops, which serves as a control variable (X) for the regulation of the load current (IL), a tapping point (P) for a reference voltage (Vref), which serves as a command variable (W) for the regulation of the load current (IL), and a differential amplifier for the amplification of the control deviation (W−X) between command variable (W) and control variable (X). In the circuit arrangement (1) are provided for the regulation of the load current (IL) as a function of the load voltage (VL) a transistor (Q4) and also a collector resistance (R2) and an emitter resistance (R6), wherein the series connection of the base-emitter section of the transistor (Q4) and the emitter resistance (R6) is arranged parallel to the load (RL), and wherein the tapping point (P) for the reference voltage is arranged between the collector resistance (R2) and the transistor (Q4).
US08148967B2 PWM clock generation system and method to improve transient response of a voltage regulator
A pulse control clock generator for a voltage regulator including a comparator, a window circuit, a filter circuit, a ramp circuit, and a current circuit. The comparator compares a ramp voltage with a compensation voltage and provides a corresponding pulse control signal. The compensation voltage is indicative of output voltage error. The window circuit adds a window voltage to the compensation voltage to provide a hysteretic voltage. The filter circuit filters the hysteretic voltage to provide a filtered hysteretic voltage, such that a difference between the compensation voltage and the filtered hysteretic voltage is reduced in response to a load increase. The ramp circuit provides a repetitive ramp voltage which ramps between the filtered hysteretic voltage and the compensation voltage based on the pulse control signal. The current circuit increases a slope of the ramp voltage in response to the load increase.
US08148964B2 Monolithic III-nitride power converter
A power arrangement that includes a monolithically integrated III-nitride power stage having III-nitride power switches and III-nitride driver switches.
US08148958B2 System and method for transmitting current sharing information among paralleled power trains
An embodiment of the invention relates to a power control device configured to provide current-sharing control in a power converter including a plurality of power trains. The power control device transmits or receives a synchronization signal on a synchronization node to initiate a time frame that includes a plurality of time slots, and to control a switching activity of a power switch in a respective power train. The power control device further includes a current sharing bus node on which a digital current-sharing signal is transmitted in a designated time slot. The power control device determines a load current of the power converter and controls a power train current employing current data received on the current-sharing bus node from another power control device. The power control device may be a master power control device that transmits the synchronization signal on the synchronization node.
US08148957B2 Power switch-mode circuit with devices of different threshold voltages
The high side or low side FET of a buck converter, or both, are replaced by plural parallel devices of different threshold voltage and are turned on and off in a sequence which offers the best turn on and turn off characteristics related to high and low threshold voltages. The parallel devices can have the same or different active areas.
US08148953B2 Apparatus and method for recycling and reusing charge in an electronic circuit
An apparatus and method for recycling and reusing charge in an electronic circuit. The apparatus includes at least one capacitor coupled to a circuit block in the electronic circuit, the capacitor being configured to collect current charge consumed by the circuit block when set to a charge collection mode, and a voltage level comparator configured to detect a fully charged state when the capacitor is fully charged. Further, the apparatus includes a first electrical switch configured to allow, once the fully charged state is detected, the capacitor to switch to a discharge mode for discharging the current charge collected back into the power supply for reuse by the electrical system and a second switch configured to allow, after the capacitor has fully discharged the current charge collected, the capacitor to switch back to the charge collection mode, such that, the current charge is recycled and reused by the electrical system.
US08148952B2 Control strategy for HV battery equalization charge during driving operation in fuel cell hybrid vehicles
A system and method for equalizing the state of charge of the cells of a battery in an electric vehicle while the vehicle is being driven. The method includes monitoring the state of charge of the battery cells in the battery and measuring the actual current of the battery. The method also includes determining a maximum charge current limit of the battery and comparing the actual battery current and the charge current limit. The method also includes modifying the charge current limit based on the comparison between the actual battery current and the charge current limit. The method then converts the modified charge current limit to a power charge limit and then over charges the battery using a small amount of current and the power charge limit so that all of the cells in the battery become fully charged.
US08148946B2 Battery pack having protection circuit for secondary battery
A battery pack has first through third external terminals connected to positive and negative power supply terminals and a voltage detection terminal, respectively. A secondary battery is connected between the first external terminal and the third external terminal. A protection circuit controls ON/OFF of first and second switching elements provided on a wiring between the secondary battery and a load or a charge device by detecting an overcharge, an overdischarge and an overcurrent of the secondary battery. A first thermistor is connected between the second external terminal and the third external terminal. A series circuit containing a second thermistor and a resistor is provided in parallel to the secondary battery. A third switching element is connected between the second external terminal and the third external terminal. The protection circuit turns on the third switching element and short-circuits between the second external terminal and the third external terminal when a detection is made by the second thermistor that a temperature of the secondary battery exceeds a predetermined temperature.
US08148941B2 Equipment system comprising a battery-operated electrical device, a rechargeable battery unit, and a battery charger
An equipment system includes a battery unit (10) having a monitoring circuit (14), which detects at least one operating parameter of the battery unit (10) and furnishes a control signal, dependent on the operating parameter, for switching means (25, 31). The switching means control the charging and discharging process of the battery unit (10) and are located in the electrical device (20) and in the charger (30), respectively. From the battery unit (10), the control signal is transmitted to the switching means (25, 31) in the electrical device (20) and in the charger (30), respectively. By this provision of shifting the switching means (25, 31) out of the battery unit (10) into the electrical device (20) and into the charger (30), respectively, the heat development in the battery unit (10) and also its structure size are reduced.
US08148937B2 Alternating-current motor control apparatus
When a rectangular wave voltage control mode is selected, a control apparatus estimates the output torque of an alternating-current motor based on the outputs of a current sensor and a rotation angle sensor, and executes torque feedback control by adjusting the phase of rectangular wave voltage based on the difference between the torque estimated value and a torque command value. The control apparatus executes a switching interruption that outputs a control command to a switching element of an inverter every 60 degrees of electrical angle, and executes an angle interruption that samples the phase currents of the alternating-current motor based on the output of the current sensor and converts those phase currents into a d-axis current and a q-axis current every predetermined electrical angle that is set beforehand. The control apparatus for the alternating-current motor then sets the predetermined electrical angle such that the number of angle interruptions between switching interruptions varies according to the rotation speed of the alternating-current motor.
US08148934B2 Voltage step-up/down converter
A motor control apparatus includes a step-up/down converter and an inverter. The converter includes a coil, MOSFETs, capacitors and a control circuit. The control circuit turns on the MOSFET in the high potential side, while tuning off the MOSFET in the low potential side. After a predetermined time, the control circuit turns off the MOSFET in the high potential side and then turns on the MOSFET in the low potential side. It is checked whether the MOSFET, which is switched in the step-down operation, is normal or abnormal based on the voltages of the capacitors. The capacitors produce specific changes in the respective voltages in correspondence to the check result. Thus, the abnormality of the MOSFET can be determined based on the changes.
US08148931B2 Multi-degree-of-freedom stage control system
There are included a plurality of actuators, an instruction generator for generating instructions of plural degrees of freedom, a position arithmetic unit for calculating positions of plural degrees of freedom from signals of a plurality of sensors, a control arithmetic unit for calculating operation amounts of plural degrees of freedom from the instructions of plural degrees of freedom and the positions of plural degrees of freedom, a thrust force conversion arithmetic unit for calculating thrust force instructions of the plurality of actuators from the operation amounts of the plural degrees of freedom, a current instruction unit for calculating current instructions which should be flowed to the plurality of actuators, and a sensor configuration input device for selecting a desired sensor configuration from among a plurality of sensor configurations. The positions of plural degrees of freedom are calculated by using a position arithmetic expression corresponding to a selected sensor configuration.
US08148928B2 Method for starting a brushless sensorless DC motor
A method for starting a brushless DC motor. A rotor is aligned with a stator in accordance with a predetermined phase. After alignment, the rotor is positioned in accordance with another phase, two phases are skipped, a timer is set to a first count time, and the rotor is aligned with the stator in accordance with a third phase. Then the timer is restarted and the rotor is aligned with the stator in accordance with a fourth phase. After a first delay, first back electromotive force value is stored. The timer is stopped when the first back electromotive force value substantially equals a peak amplitude of opposite polarity. The timer is updated to a second count time that is substantially equal to a time at which the second timer was stopped. The process is repeated until the rotor has a position and a velocity that are suitable for normal operation.
US08148927B2 Alternating-current motor control apparatus
A control apparatus for an alternating-current motor that is driven by an inverter includes a rectangular wave voltage control portion that generates a control command of the inverter such that rectangular wave voltage that has been phase-controlled to make the alternating-current motor operate according to a torque command value is applied to the alternating-current motor; and a phase change control portion that controls a change in the phase to maintain the center of a flux linkage vector locus indicative of a change in a flux linkage of the alternating-current motor before and after a change in the phase of the rectangular wave voltage.
US08148922B2 High-current DC proton accelerator
A dc accelerator system able to accelerate high currents of proton beams at high energies is provided. The accelerator system includes a dc high-voltage, high-current power supply, an evacuated ion accelerating tube, a proton ion source, a dipole analyzing magnet and a vacuum pump located in the high-voltage terminal. The high-current, high-energy dc proton beam can be directed to a number of targets depending on the applications such as boron neutron capture therapy BNCT applications, NRA applications, and silicon cleaving.
US08148918B2 Light source driving device
A light source driving device drives a plurality of light sources. A Power Factor Circuit (PFC) circuit converts a received electrical signal to a DC signal and output to a DC/AC converting circuit. The DC/AC converting circuit converts the DC signal to another AC signal, which is isolated by the transformer circuit. A resonance balancing circuit converts the AC signal output from the transformer circuit to another AC signal to drive the light source module. A PWM dimming controller outputs a control signal to control output of the DC/AC converting circuit according to a received dimming signal, wherein duty cycle of the control signal is fixed. A voltage dividing circuit adjustably divides voltage of the DC signal output from the PFC circuit. A PFC controller feeds the divided signal back to the PFC circuit to control the DC signal output from the PFC circuit.
US08148917B2 Flashlight
A flashlight in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes an ID module for generating an ID signal indicative of a power mode of the flashlight. In an aspect, the flashlight mates with a removable battery pack that regulates at least one of an output voltage and output current in accordance with the ID signal. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the ID module is mounted. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a soft-start module and a bulb, wherein the soft start module increases power to the bulb at a controlled rate when the flashlight is turned on. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a lamp housing having a lens retained by a bezel. The lens includes an axially extending peripheral edge. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a main housing having a lamp housing. A mounting mechanism and mating features are adapted to selectively couple and decouple the main housing and the lamp housing. In an aspect, a flexible conduit connects the main housing and lamp housing. The flexible conduit can be formed in an arc having an apex that lies directly above a center of gravity of the flashlight when the main housing and the lamp housing are coupled, thereby allowing the flashlight to be balanced when the flexible conduit is used as a carrying handle.
US08148915B2 Electronic ballast device and operation method thereof
An electronic ballast device includes a stabilizer and a sweep frequency circuit for preheating. The stabilizer includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal connected to a fluorescent lamp. The sweep frequency circuit includes a boost element, an impedance element, a switch and a frequency selective circuit. The boost element includes a first end and a second end separately electrically connected to the first input terminal and the impedance element. The switch includes an input terminal electrically connected to the common contact point of the boost element and the impedance element, an output terminal and a reference voltage input terminal electrically connected to the common contact point of the boost element and the stabilizer. Furthermore, the frequency selective circuit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the switch, the first input terminal of the stabilizer and the second input terminal of the stabilizer.
US08148914B2 Dynamic power saving pulse width modulated LED driver circuit
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an LED driving circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter and a driving portion. The circuit is operable to turn off the digital-to-analog converter at times when the driving portion is not providing a high signal. As such the digital-to-analog converter will waste less energy.
US08148912B2 Lighting device with staggered light sources responsive to a single user control
Various lighting devices and related methods of operation are provided which may be used to adjust brightness levels of a plurality of light sources in a staggered fashion in response to a single user control. In one example, a lighting device includes a plurality of light sources. Each light source is adapted to exhibit an associated current brightness level within a range of brightness levels associated with each light source extending from an associated minimum brightness level to an associated maximum brightness level. The lighting device also includes a user control adapted to selectively adjust the current brightness levels exhibited by the light sources in a staggered fashion such that the light sources exhibit different current brightness levels from each other over at least a range of positions of the user control.
US08148903B2 Light emitting diode driving circuit
A LED driving circuit that may control current flow into an LED on a current path according to the amount of light sensed from the LED. An LED driving circuit for driving at least one LED may include at least one of: An optical sensor for receiving light emitted from the LED and generating a feedback signal having a level corresponding to an amount of the received light. A current regulator provided on a path through which current of the LED flows for regulating an amount of current flowing into the LED according to a comparison of the feedback signal with a first reference signal.
US08148901B2 Light source apparatus with power feeder structure
A light source apparatus, comprises a lamp housing, a xenon lamp provided in the lamp housing, a reflection mirror which reflects light emitted from the xenon lamp, and first and second power feeders which supply electric power to the xenon lamp, wherein a direction of the first power feeder connected to one end of the xenon lamp and a direction of the second power feeder connected to the other end thereof are approximately in point symmetry with respect to a center of lamp axis connecting electrodes which face each other.
US08148900B1 Methods and systems for providing illumination of a specimen for inspection
Methods and systems for providing illumination of a specimen for inspection are provided. One embodiment relates to a system configured to provide illumination of a specimen for inspection. The system includes an electrodeless lamp configured to generate light. The system is further configured such that the light illuminates the specimen during the inspection. Another embodiment relates to a system configured to inspect a specimen. The system includes an electrodeless lamp configured to generate light and one or more optical elements configured to direct the light to the specimen. The system also includes a detection subsystem configured to generate output responsive to light from the specimen. The output can be used to detect defects on the specimen. An additional embodiment relates to a method for providing illumination of a specimen for inspection. The method includes illuminating the specimen during the inspection with light generated by an electrodeless lamp.
US08148899B2 Plasma display panel and method for manufacturing the same
A plasma display of this invention includes a front panel, and this front panel includes a substrate, a plurality of display electrode pairs formed in stripes on the substrate, a dielectric layer formed to cover the display electrode pair and the substrate, a dielectric-protective layer formed to cover the dielectric layer, and fine particles containing a crystal of a metal oxide, the fine particles being dispersed on a surface of the dielectric-protective layer. The display electrode pair is provided with a strip-shaped scanning electrode and a strip-shaped sustaining electrode each having a laminate structure of a transparent electrode and a bus electrode. In the surface of the dielectric-protective layer, a first region corresponding to a region facing the bus electrode of the scanning electrode is smaller than a second region corresponding to a region except the first region, with regard to a cover rate of the surface covered with the fine particles. This configuration allows effective increase of a charge accumulation amount in the first region, and also allows suppression of increase of a discharge start voltage.
US08148898B2 Plasma display panel and method for manufacturing plasma display panel
A plasma display panel includes a first and a second panel. The first panel includes a first plate provided with a plurality of display electrodes extending in a first direction. The second panel includes a second plate facing the first plate via a discharge space, a plurality of first barrier ribs provided on the second plate, and a dent part opened to a side of the first plate. The dent part is provided in between the barrier ribs adjacent to each other. A width of the dent part along the first direction is formed to be narrower toward a side of the second plate from the side of the first plate for at least within a range from a position at a half of a depth to a bottom part of the dent part. As a result, a luminescent efficiency of the PDP can be improved.
US08148897B2 Backlight unit for LCD using LED
A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display (LCD) using a light emitting diode (LED) is provided. The backlight unit includes a blue light source, a red light source, and a green light source. The green light source includes an ultraviolet (UV) LED and a green phosphor excited by light emitted from the UV LED.
US08148894B2 Organic light emitting diode display
The present invention relates to an OLED display. In some embodiments, the OLED display may employ combinations of linear polarization, circular or elliptical polarization, and phase delay in order to suppress reflection from external light while minimizing the loss of emitted light from the OLED display. For example, the OLED in the display includes a stack having a first electrode, an organic emission layer, and a second electrode, a DBEF formed on the OLED, a first polarizing plate formed on the DBEF, a second polarizing plate formed on the first polarizing plate, and a plurality of phase delay plates formed between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate.
US08148893B2 Substrate for organic electroluminescence device and method of producing the same
Provided is a substrate for an organic electroluminescence device having the following characteristics: occurrence of withdrawal of an organic electroluminescence material can be suppressed, and, even when the withdrawal occurs owing to, for example, impurities on the substrate, such a problem that stop of film formation for one entire line can be suppressed, and hence yields can be improved. The substrate for an organic electroluminescence device including at least pixel electrodes and stripe-shaped banks has projections between the stripe-shaped banks.
US08148891B2 Electron impeding layer for high efficiency phosphorescent OLEDs
The present invention relates to OLEDs comprising an electron impeding layer between the cathode and the emissive layer. An organic light emitting device, comprising: an anode; a hole transport layer; an organic emissive layer comprising an emissive layer host and an emissive dopant; an electron impeding layer; an electron transport layer; and a cathode disposed, in that order, over a substrate.
US08148890B2 Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A light-emitting device includes a support substrate which includes a light-emitting layer and a light extraction surface, and a light transmission layer, formed on the light extraction surface of the support substrate, having a periodic refractive index distribution structure in an in-plane direction and a thickness direction, the light transmission layer including a plurality of projections formed of a having a refractive index lower than that of the support substrate.
US08148887B2 Light emitting diode lamp and light emitting device
A bullet type light emitting diode lamp or a chip-type light emitting diode lamp includes a semiconductor light emitting element, and a plurality of fluorescent materials that absorb part or whole of light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element, and emit fluorescence at a wavelength different from that of the absorbed light. The fluorescent materials include a phosphor of a CaAlSiN3 crystalline phase.
US08148885B2 Methods of conditioning getter materials
Provided are methods for conditioning a getter material, comprising subjecting the getter material to microwave radiation. Electronic devices uses the conditioned getter materials and methods of making such electronic devices are also provided.
US08148884B2 Electrodeless discharge lamp
An electrodeless discharge lamp is provided which prevents the problem of decrease in strength due to degradation of resin material, allowing secure fitting of a lamp part and a coupler member to a base even if it is used for a long time. A bulb containing a discharge gas and a coupler member for generating a high frequency electromagnetic field to excite the bulb are detachably fitted to each other via a base for fixing and supporting the bulb. The bulb and the base form a lamp part. The base comprises a base frame formed of a metal such as aluminum and a base cover formed e.g. of synthetic resin. The base frame has a coupler member fitting portion which is provided at a lower part thereof and fitted to the coupler member, wherein bulb fixing posts provided to stand on the coupler member fitting portion fix a bulb outer tube. Thus, the fitting portions of the lamp part and the coupler member to the base undergo less material degradation than a conventional one which uses a base of resin material.
US08148882B2 Spindle motor
A spindle motor is disclosed, wherein the spindle motor is formed at an outer periphery of a first protruder of a bearing housing having a gap relative to the inner periphery of the coupling hole of a base with a guide portion contacting an inner periphery of a coupling hole, whereby, the bearing housing is not moved on the base by the guide portion, and whereby the bearing housing is always coupled to a predetermined area of the base, such that when the base assembled with parts is coupled to the product, the parts are always positioned at a predetermined area of the product, thereby improving product reliability.
US08148877B2 Micromachined piezoelectric ultrasound transducer arrays
A piezoelectric composite micromachined ultrasound transducer including single and multilayer 1-D and 2-D arrays having through-wafer-vias (TWVs) that significantly decreased electrical impedance per element, and hence the improved electrical impedance matching to T/R electronics and improved signal to noise ratio is disclosed. The TWVs facilitate integrated interconnection in single element transducers (positive and negative contact on the same side) and array transducers (contact pads array for integration with T/R switches and/or pre-amplifier circuits).
US08148876B2 Piezoelectric actuator and electronic apparatus
Piezoelectric actuator (51) includes a piezoelectric element (11) that performs expansion/contraction movement in accordance with the state of an electrical field, a base (21) with the piezoelectric element (11) adhered to one surface thereof, and a support member (46) for supporting the piezoelectric element (11) and the base (21), the piezoelectric element (11) and base (21) vibrating up and down in accordance with the expansion/contraction movement of the piezoelectric element (11). The base (21) is connected to the support member (46) by way of a vibration film (31) having less rigidity than the base (21). In addition, the piezoelectric element (11) and support member (46) have different outline shapes.
US08148871B2 Structure of casing of small stepping motor
Disclosed is a structure of a casing of a small stepping motor having an outer diameter of 8 mm or less, in which yoke teeth are integrally formed on the inner surface of the casing, and the thickness of the outer wall of the casing is different from the thickness of each of the yoke teeth. The casing of a small stepping motor includes yoke teeth integrally formed on an inner surface of the casing, in which a thickness of an outer wall of the casing is different from a thickness of the yoke tooth.
US08148867B2 Permanent magnet brushless machine with magnetic flux regulation
A permanent magnet machine (PMM) has a generally cylindrical permanent magnet (PM) rotor that has multiple PM rotor poles arranged around a rotor axis of rotation; and a stator with two generally cylindrical and concentric yokes, an inner yoke proximate the PM rotor with associated multiple inner poles and inner armature windings suitable for multiphase alternating current operation that form a PMM magnetic flux circuit, an outer yoke with associated multiple outer poles and outer control windings suitable for connection to a direct current source, with distal ends of the outer poles in contact with the inner yoke to form an external magnetic flux circuit that diverts magnetic flux from the PMM magnetic flux circuit; wherein application of increasing direct current to the outer windings results in increased magnetic reluctance of the external magnetic flux circuit, thereby causing the external magnetic flux circuit to divert less magnetic flux from the PMM magnetic flux circuit.
US08148864B2 Dynamoelectric machine
A dynamoelectric machine includes first and second magnet seat portions disposed to project from portions of first and second yoke portions that face respective inner circumferential surfaces near tip ends of second and first claw-shaped magnetic pole portions, and magnet housing portions disposed integrally to extend axially outward from outer circumferential portions of a pair of flange portions of a bobbin, extend near the first and second yoke portions that face the inner circumferential surfaces near the tip ends of the first and second claw-shaped magnetic pole portions, and be held by the first and second magnet seat portions. First and second permanent magnets are housed and held in the first and second magnet housing portions, are disposed to face the inner circumferential surfaces near the tip ends of the second and first claw-shaped magnetic pole portions, and the first and second permanent magnets are respectively magnetically oriented in a reverse direction to a direction of a magnetic field that the field coil produces.
US08148859B2 Cooling structure for inverter and capacitor accommodated integrally with motor in housing of motor, motor unit with cooling structure, and housing
Inside a housing, there are provided a motor generator (MG), an IPM, and a smoothing capacitor. Between the MG and the IPM, there is provided a cooler through which a coolant liquid flows, provided in an inclined manner to form contact with the top face of the IPM. Between the MG and the smoothing capacitor, there are provided a first communication channel through which an LLC flows from a region outside the housing into the cooler, brought into contact with a lateral face of the smoothing capacitor, and a second communication channel through which the LLC flows from the interior of the cooler to the region outside the housing.
US08148857B2 Cooling system of a superconducting machine
A superconducting machine device is disclosed including a machine; a rotor including a superconductive coil; and a cooling system including at least one incline-intolerant component for cooling the coil. In at least one embodiment, at least one component is held by a carrier compensating for an incline of the machine device.
US08148854B2 Managing SSL fixtures over PLC networks
Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.
US08148850B2 Device for balancing the power supplied by power generators
A device for balancing power generators, including a plurality of converters each including an elementary conversion cell with a switch driven by a comparator that receives a ramp on one input thereof and, on another input, a voltage from a driving amplifier wherein the driving amplifiers receive on their negative input an image of the cell current and have their positive input connected to an adjustment loop including a common path CS_Bus, and wherein the CS_Bus path directly connects the positive inputs of the driving amplifiers to the outputs of transconductance amplifiers associated with the elementary conversion cells.
US08148843B2 Remote device control and power supply
An actuator controller with a power supply that steps down a high voltage for use by remote auxiliary loads in an aircraft is provided. A high voltage power bus running through the aircraft may use high gage or smaller diameter wiring, resulting in weight savings in the power bus. A control network running through the aircraft may use fiber optic cabling, providing further weight reductions. An actuator controller may receive the high voltage from the power bus and provide a lower voltage to a remote device. The actuator controller may facilitate communication between the control network and the remote device. The integration of control and power supply may enhance endurance, reliability, and enable localized calibration of the remote device. Modular wing components may include interface controllers, high and low power busswork, and remote devices. The modular wing components may include power and control interconnections.
US08148837B2 Offshore wind turbine
An offshore wind turbine is comprised of a tower structure body configured with a tower and foundation, a rotor supported at the tower top, a power generator generating electricity by the rotation of the rotor, and a power converter converting electricity from the generator. A cavity is formed in the tower and foundation, and an internal space configured therewith is divided into upper and lower chambers by a bulkhead with first and second air vents between or in either of the tower and foundation. The converter is disposed in the upper chamber. An air circulating channel and air blower (e.g., air exhaust fan) are provided wherein air is circulated from the converter to the lower chamber through the first air vent, then to the converter through the second air vent. An air inlet is disposed at a lower level of an air outlet, or a partition member is provided therebetween.
US08148830B2 Environmental protection coating system and method
A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board having an outer surface configured with a plurality of discrete electrical components. The assembly includes a first protective dielectric layer overlying the outer surface, and a second dielectric layer overlying the first protective dielectric layer and the discrete electrical components. The second dielectric layer includes a dielectric material having modulus of elasticity less than 3.5 Giga-Pascal (GPa), a dielectric constant less than 3.0, a dielectric loss less than 0.008, a moisture absorption less than 0.04 percent, a breakdown voltage strength in excess of 2 million volts/centimeter (MV/cm), a temperature stability to 300° Celsius, pinhole free in films greater than 50 Angstroms, hydrophobic with a wetting angle greater than 45 degrees, capable of being deposited conformally over and under 3D structures with thickness uniformity less than or equal to 30%.
US08148829B2 Self repairing IC package design
An integrated circuit package comprises a molding compound covering a semiconductor die. A healing substance is on the surface of the semiconductor die at an interface of the molding compound and the semiconductor die. The healing compound comprises a catalyst and a plurality of microcapsules containing a sealing compound. If the molding compound becomes delaminated from the semiconductor die the microcapsules rupture and spill the sealing compound. When the sealing compound is spilled and contacts the catalyst the sealing compound and catalyst polymerize and fasten the molding compound to the semiconductor die.
US08148828B2 Semiconductor packaging device
A semiconductor packaging device is provided. Semiconductor package groups, a side retainer wall, and a filling layer may be located on a base plate. The side retainer wall may be located around the semiconductor package groups. The filling layer may be located between the side retainer wall and the semiconductor package groups.
US08148827B2 Quad flat no lead (QFN) package
The present invention relates to a quad flat no lead (QFN) package is provided. In the invention, a plurality of first pads are disposed outside an extension area of a conductive circuit layer, and a plurality of second pads are disposed inside a die bonding area of the conductive circuit layer, wherein the extension area surrounds the die bonding area. First ends of a plurality of traces are connected to the second pads, and second ends of the traces are located in the extension area. An insulating layer fills at least the die bonding area and the extension area, and exposes top surfaces and bottom surfaces of the second pads. A chip is mounted at the die bonding area and a plurality of wires electrically connect the chip to the first pads and the second ends of the traces respectively. An encapsulation material is used to cover the conductive circuit layer, the chip and the wires. Whereby, the package of the invention can have more inputs/outputs terminals, and the insulating layer can prevent moisture permeation from corroding the joints between the wires and the first pads and the second ends of the traces, thus increasing the reliability of the package of the invention.
US08148826B2 Three-dimensional integrated circuits with protection layers
A semiconductor structure includes a first die comprising a first substrate and a first bonding pad over the first substrate, a second die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die and a protection layer having a vertical portion on a sidewall of the second die, and a horizontal portion extending over the first die.
US08148823B1 Low loss package for electronic device
A package for one or more semiconductor die is described. A generally rectangular package includes two large terminals that occupy substantially the entire length of the package and provide low resistance connections. Additional connections may be provided preferably in a central portion of a short end of the package. BGA connections between the semiconductor die and the package substrate provide low impedance connections between the die and the package contacts. The package and connections facilitate current flow orthogonal to the longest package dimension maximizing conductor width and minimizing interconnection resistance.
US08148816B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor chips is stacked. A first semiconductor chip is stacked in a region, on a second semiconductor chip, in which a circuit that generates noise is not disposed within said second semiconductor chip, and a wire of a circuit that easily receives noise within said first semiconductor chip is disposed so as not to extend over said circuit that generates noise.
US08148815B2 Stacked field effect transistor configurations
An improved organization for a MOSFET pair mounts first and second FET dies in an overlying or stacked relationship to reduce the surface area ‘footprint’ of the MOSFET pair. The source and drain of a high side FEThigh and a low side FETlow or the drains of the respective high side FEThigh and low side FETlow are bonded together, either directly or through an intermediate conductive ribbon or clip, to establish a common source/drain or drain/drain node that functions as the switch or phase node of the device. The stacked organization allows for lower-cost packaging that results in a significant reduction in the surface area footprint of the device and reduces parasitic impedance relative to the prior side-by-side organization and allows for improved heat sinking.
US08148814B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted to stack for transmitting a signal between the semiconductor chips
In a through-via-hole path of semiconductor chips stacked in N stages, repeater circuits are provided in the respective semiconductor chips. For example, a signal transmitted from an output buffer circuit of the semiconductor chip is transmitted to an input buffer circuit of the semiconductor chip via the repeater circuits of the respective semiconductor chips. The respective repeater circuits can isolate impedances on input sides and output sides, and therefore, a deterioration of a waveform quality accompanied by a parasitic capacitance parasitic on the through-via-hole path of the respective semiconductor chips can be reduced and a high speed signal can be transmitted.
US08148811B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
This invention is directed to offer a semiconductor device in which a cavity space is easily provided in a specific region when a supporting member is bonded to a semiconductor substrate through an adhesive layer, and its manufacturing method. A resist layer is applied to an entire top surface of the semiconductor substrate 2, and exposure to transfer a pattern is performed. By subsequent development and selective removal of the resist layer, the resist layer is formed into a shape of a plurality of columnar structures 4. Then, an adhesive material made of an epoxy resin or the like is applied to the entire top surface of the semiconductor substrate 2. The adhesive material is gathered around the columnar structures 4 by itself to form an adhesive layer 5. Therefore, in contrast, the adhesive layer 5 does not deposit in a region where the cavity is to be formed. Then, the supporting member 6 is bonded through the columnar structures 4 and the adhesive layer 5. By bonding the supporting member 6, there is formed the cavity 7 surrounded with the semiconductor substrate 2, the columnar structures 3 and the supporting member 6.
US08148810B2 Semiconductor device, and inspection method thereof
In a substrate for a stacking-type semiconductor device including a connection terminal provided for a connection with a semiconductor chip to be stacked and an external terminal connected to the connection terminal through a conductor provided in a substrate, connection terminals of a power supply, a ground and the like, which terminals have an identical node, are electrically continuous with each other. Thus, it is possible to facilitate an inspection of electrical continuity between each connection terminal and an external terminal corresponding to each connection terminal by minimum addition of inspecting terminals. Further, it is possible to improve reliability of a stacking-type semiconductor module.
US08148808B2 Partitioning of electronic packages
Partitioning electronic sensor packages is provided. The electronic sensor package includes an electronic component, a sensor device, and electrical connections between the electronic component and the sensor device. A dam is written in the electronic sensor package to partition the package into two or more sections, where the sensor device is situated at least partially in one section and the electronic component is situated at least partially in another section. The partitioning of the dam allows the two sections to be filled with different fill materials. For example, the section with the sensor device can be filled with a soft gel-like material to provide some moisture protection to the sensor device without causing detrimental stresses to the sensor device, while the section with the electronic component can be filled with a highly moisture protective epoxy.
US08148806B2 Multiple chips bonded to packaging structure with low noise and multiple selectable functions
The package includes a substrate, a first chip, a second chip, multiple first bumps and multiple second bumps. The substrate has a first region and a second region. The first region is substantially coplanar with the second region. The first bumps connect the first chip and the second chip. The second bumps connect the first chip and the second region of the substrate, wherein the second chip is over the first region of the substrate. The second bumps have a height greater than that of the first bumps plus the second chip. The substrate does not have an opening accommodating the second chip. The first bumps may be gold bumps or solder bumps. The second bumps may be solder bumps.
US08148805B2 Forming compliant contact pads for semiconductor packages
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a semiconductor package having a substrate with a first surface to support a semiconductor die. A second surface of the substrate includes compliant conductive pads to provide electrical connections to the semiconductor die. In this way, improved connection between the semiconductor package and a socket is provided. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08148804B2 Wiring device for semiconductor device, composite wiring device for semiconductor device, and resin-sealed semiconductor device
A wiring device for a semiconductor device, a composite wiring device for a semiconductor device and a resin-sealed semiconductor device are provided, each of which is capable of mounting thereon a semiconductor chip smaller than conventional chips and being manufactured at lower cost. The wiring device electrically connects an electrode provided on a semiconductor chip with an external wiring device, and has an insulating layer, a metal substrate and a copper wiring layer. The metal substrate is provided on one side of the insulating layer. The copper wiring layer is provided on another side of the insulating layer. The wiring device has a semiconductor chip support portion provided on the side of the copper wiring layer with respect to the insulating layer. The copper wiring layer includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a wiring portion. The first terminal is connected with the electrode provided on the semiconductor chip. The second terminal is connected with the external wiring device. The wiring portion connects the first terminal with the second terminal.
US08148802B2 Passivation of aluminum nitride substrates
The present invention provides methods of protecting a surface of an aluminum nitride substrate. The substrate with the protected surface can be stored for a period of time and easily activated to be in a condition ready for thin film growth or other processing. In certain embodiments, the method of protecting the substrate surface comprises forming a passivating layer on at least a portion of the substrate surface by performing a wet etch, which can comprise the use of one or more organic compounds and one or more acids. The invention also provides aluminum nitride substrates having passivated surfaces.
US08148801B2 Nitride crystal with removable surface layer and methods of manufacture
A nitride crystal or wafer with a removable surface layer comprises a high quality nitride base crystal, a release layer, and a high quality epitaxial layer. The release layer has a large optical absorption coefficient at wavelengths where the base crystal is substantially transparent and may be etched under conditions where the nitride base crystal and the high quality epitaxial layer are not. The high quality epitaxial layer may be removed from the nitride base crystal by laser liftoff or by chemical etching after deposition of at least one epitaxial device layer. The nitride crystal with a removable surface layer is useful as a substrate for a light emitting diode, a laser diode, a transistor, a photodetector, a solar cell, or for photoelectrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation.
US08148796B2 Solar cell and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are a solar cell and a manufacturing method thereof. The solar cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate having a plurality of holes formed on one surface thereof; a metal layer formed on an inner wall of the hole and on one surface of the substrate; a p-type semiconductor coated on the metal layer; an n-type semiconductor formed inside the hole and on one surface of the substrate; a transparent conductive oxide formed on the n-type semiconductor; and an electrode terminal formed on the p-type semiconductor and on the transparent conductive oxide.
US08148790B2 Thin-film lid MEMS devices and methods
Thin film encapsulation devices and methods for MEMS devices and packaging are provided. For a MEMS device encapsulated by a sacrificial layer, a lid layer can be deposited over the MEMS device without touching the MEMS device. The lid layer can be patterned and etched with a distribution of release etch holes, which provide access to the sacrificial layer encapsulating the MEMS device. The sacrificial material can be removed through the release etch holes, and the release etch holes can be filled with a seal layer. The seal layer can be removed from the substrate except where it seals the etch holes, leaving a series of plugs that can prevent other materials from entering the MEMS device cavity. In addition, a seal metal layer can be deposited and patterned so that it covers and encloses the plugged etch holes, and a barrier layer can cover the entire encapsulation structure.
US08148788B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The invention is directed to reduction of a manufacturing cost and enhancement of a breakdown voltage of a PN junction portion abutting on a guard ring. An N− type semiconductor layer is formed on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a P type semiconductor layer is formed thereon. An insulation film is formed on the P type semiconductor layer. Then, a plurality of grooves, i.e., a first groove, a second groove and a third groove are formed from the insulation film to the middle of the N− type semiconductor layer in the thickness direction thereof. The plurality of grooves is formed so that one of the two grooves next to each other among these, that is closer to an electronic device, i.e., to an anode electrode, is formed shallower than the other located on the outside of the one. Then, an insulating material is deposited in the first groove, the second groove and the third groove. The lamination body of the semiconductor substrate and the layers laminated thereon is then diced along dicing lines.
US08148786B2 Complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit using raised source drain and replacement metal gate
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit may be formed with a PMOS device formed using a replacement metal gate and a raised source drain. The raised source drain may be formed of epitaxially deposited silicon germanium material that is doped p-type. The replacement metal gate process results in a metal gate electrode and may involve the removal of a nitride etch stop layer.
US08148783B2 Semiconductor device
Semiconductor device including semiconductor layer, first impurity region on surface layer portion of semiconductor layer, body region at interval from first impurity region, second impurity region on surface layer portion of body region, field insulating film at interval from second impurity region, gate insulating film on surface of the semiconductor layer between second impurity region and field insulating film, gate electrode on gate insulating film, first floating plate as ring on field insulating film, and second floating plate as ring on same layer above first floating plate. First and second floating plates formed by at least three plates so that peripheral lengths at centers in width direction thereof are entirely different from one another, alternately arranged in plan view so that one having relatively smaller peripheral length is stored in inner region of one having relatively larger peripheral length, and formed to satisfy relational expression: L/d=constant.
US08148782B2 Semiconductor device with ESD protection function and ESD protection circuit
A semiconductor device with an ESD protection function has an SOI substrate, first to fourth diffusion layers, and a gate. The SOI substrate has a semiconductor layer on an insulation layer. The first diffusion layer is of a first conductivity type and is formed on the semiconductor layer. The second diffusion layer is of the first conductivity type and is formed on the semiconductor layer. The third diffusion layer is of a second conductivity type and is formed on the semiconductor layer so as to be adjacent to the first and second diffusion layers. The fourth diffusion layer is of the second conductivity type and is formed on the semiconductor layer so as to be adjacent to the first diffusion layer and electrically connected to the second diffusion layer. The gate is formed over the third diffusion layer.
US08148781B2 Method and structures of monolithically integrated ESD suppression device
This present invention relates in general to protection of integrated circuit chips, and more particularly, to a micromachined suppression device for protecting integrated circuit chips from electrostatic discharges. The proposed ESD suppression device consists of conductive pillars are dispersed in a dielectric material. The gaps between each pillar behave like spark gaps when a high voltage ESD pulse occurs. When the voltage of the pulse reaches the “trigger voltage” these gaps spark over, creating a very low resistance path. In normal operation, the leakage current and the capacitance is very low, due to the physical gaps between the conductive pillars. The proposed ESD suppression device is fabricated using micromachining techniques to be on-chip with device ICs.
US08148774B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor device with a high breakdown voltage between neighboring wells
To provide a semiconductor device in which an interval between first wells can be shortened by improving a separation breakdown voltage between the first wells and a method for manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device includes a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate 1, second conductivity type first wells 2 and 3 disposed on a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate 1 with a predetermined interval between them, a first conductivity type second well 4 disposed between the first wells 2 and 3 on the surface layer of the semiconductor substrate 1 and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductivity type third well 5 at least disposed below the second well 4 in the semiconductor substrate 1 and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate 1 and lower than that of the second well 4, and a first conductivity type fourth well 11 at least disposed below the third well 5 in the semiconductor substrate 1 and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate 1 and lower than that of the second well 4.
US08148773B2 Power semiconductor devices integrated with clamp diodes having separated gate metal pads to avoid breakdown voltage degradation
A structure of power semiconductor device integrated with clamp diodes having separated gate metal pad is disclosed. The separated gate metal pads are wire bonded together on the gate lead frame. This improved structure can prevent the degradation of breakdown voltage due to electric field in termination region blocked by polysilicon or gate metal.
US08148769B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory strings, each of which has a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series; and select transistors, one of which is connected to each of ends of each of the memory strings. Each of the memory strings is provided with a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate, and a joining portion formed so as to join lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed so as to surround a side surface of the columnar portions; and a first conductive layer formed so as to surround the side surface of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer, and configured to function as a control electrode of the memory cells. Each of the select transistors is provided with a second semiconductor layer extending upwardly from an upper surface of the columnar portions; and a second conductive layer formed so as to surround a side surface of the second semiconductor layer with a gap interposed, and configured to function as a control electrode of the select transistors.
US08148768B2 Non-volatile memory cell with self aligned floating and erase gates, and method of making same
A memory device, and method of making the same, in which a trench is formed into a substrate of semiconductor material. The source region is formed under the trench, and the channel region between the source and drain regions includes a first portion that extends substantially along a sidewall of the trench and a second portion that extends substantially along the surface of the substrate. The floating gate is disposed in the trench, and is insulated from the channel region first portion for controlling its conductivity. The control gate is disposed over and insulated from the channel region second portion, for controlling its conductivity. The erase gate is disposed at least partially over and insulated from the floating gate. The erase gate includes a notch, and the floating gate includes an edge that directly faces and is insulated from the notch.
US08148767B2 Semiconductor memory devices including recess-type control gate electrodes and methods of fabricating the semiconductor memory devices
A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a control gate electrode recessed in the semiconductor substrate, a storage node layer interposed between a sidewall of the control gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, a tunneling insulation layer interposed between the storage node layer and the semiconductor substrate, a blocking insulation layer interposed between the storage node layer and the control gate electrode, and first and second channel regions formed around a surface of the semiconductor substrate to at least partially surround the control gate electrode. The semiconductor memory device may include a plurality of control gate electrodes, storage node layers, tunneling insulation layers, blocking insulation layers, and continuous first and second channel regions. A method of fabricating the semiconductor memory device includes etching the semiconductor substrate to form a plurality of holes, forming the tunneling insulation layers, storage node layers, blocking insulation layers, and control gate electrodes.
US08148764B2 Semiconductor device having a high aspect cylindrical capacitor and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device having a high aspect cylindrical capacitor and a method for fabricating the same is presented. The high aspect cylindrical type capacitor is a stable structure which is not prone to causing bunker defects and losses in a guard ring. The semiconductor device includes the cylindrical type capacitor structure, a storage node oxide, a guard ring hole, a conducive layer, and a capping oxide. The cylindrical type capacitor structure in a cell region includes a cylindrical type lower electrode, a dielectric and an upper electrode. The storage node oxide is in a peripheral region over the semiconductor substrate. The conductive layer coating the guard ring hole. The guard ring hole at a boundary of the peripheral region that adjoins the cell region over the semiconductor substrate. The capping oxide partially fills in a part of the conductive layer. The gapfill film filling in the rest of the conductive layer.
US08148761B2 Solid-state imaging device, electronic apparatus, and method for manufacturing the same
Photoelectric conversion elements disposed on an imaging surface of a substrate, receiving light incident on a light receiving surface and performing photoelectric conversion to produce a signal charge; electrodes interposed between the photoelectric conversion elements; and light blocking portions provided above the electrodes and interposed between the photoelectric conversion elements. The light blocking portions include an electrode light blocking portion formed to cover the corresponding electrode, and a pixel isolation and light blocking portion protruding convexly from the upper surface of the electrode light blocking portion. The photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at first pitches on the imaging surface. The electrode light blocking portions and the pixel isolation and light blocking portions in the light blocking portions are arranged at second and third pitches, respectively, on the imaging surface. At least the third pitch increases with distance from the center toward the periphery of the imaging surface.
US08148760B2 Visible light detecting semiconductor radiation detector
A semiconductor radiation detector device, comprising a bulk layer (103) of semiconductor material, and on the first surface of the bulk layer (303) in the following order: a modified internal gate layer (104) of semiconductor material of second conductivity type, a barrier layer (305) of semiconductor material of first conductivity type and pixel dopings (131, 132, 133) of semiconductor material of the second conductivity type, adapted to be coupled to at least one pixel voltage in order to create pixels corresponding to pixel dopings, characterized in that the device comprises a first contact of first conductivity type and said pixel voltage is defined as the potential difference between the pixel doping and the first contact.
US08148758B2 High voltage semiconductor device with JFET regions containing dielectrically isolated junctions and method of fabricating the same
A high-voltage field-effect device contains an extended drain or “drift” region including an embedded stack of JFET regions separated by intervening layers of the drift region. Each of the JFET regions is filled with material of an opposite conductivity type to that of the drift region, and the floor and ceiling of each JFET region is lined with an oxide layer. When the device is blocking a voltage in the off condition, the semiconductor material inside the JFET regions and in the drift region that separates the JFET regions is depleted. This improves the voltage-blocking ability of the device while conserving chip area. The oxide layer prevents dopant from the JFET regions from diffusing into the drift region.
US08148756B2 Separative extended gate field effect transistor based uric acid sensing device, system and method for forming thereof
A separative extended gate field effect transistor based uric acid sensing device is provided, including: a substrate; a conductive layer including a silver paste layer on the substrate and a graphite-based paste layer on the silver paste layer; a conductive wire extended from the conductive layer; a titanium dioxide layer on the conductive layer; and a uric acid enzyme sensing film on the titanium dioxide layer.
US08148755B2 Solid-state imaging device and manufacturing method thereof
A solid-state imaging device including: light-receiving units which are formed in rows and columns; a transfer channel formed in each column; first and second transfer electrodes that are formed in the same layer and deposited alternately above the transfer channel; insulating regions each formed above the transfer channel and between one of the first transfer electrodes and one of the second transfer electrodes which are adjacent to each other; an antireflection film formed above the light-receiving units, and formed on the insulating regions to cover the insulating regions; a first wire formed in each row in a layer upper than the antireflection film, and electrically connected to second transfer electrodes; and a light-shielding film which is formed in a layer upper than the first wire, covers the transfer channel, and has an opening above each of the light-receiving units.
US08148751B2 Group III nitride semiconductor wafer and group III nitride semiconductor device
A group III nitride semiconductor device and a group III nitride semiconductor wafer are provided. The group III nitride semiconductor device has a channel layer comprising group III nitride-based semiconductor containing Al. The group III nitride semiconductor device can enhance the mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas and improve current characteristics. The group III nitride semiconductor wafer is used to make the group III nitride semiconductor device. The group III nitride semiconductor wafer comprises a substrate made of AlXGa1-XN (0
US08148750B2 Transistor device having asymmetric embedded strain elements and related manufacturing method
Semiconductor transistor devices and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary transistor device includes a layer of semiconductor material having a channel region defined therein and a gate structure overlying the channel region. Recesses are formed in the layer of semiconductor material adjacent to the channel region, such that the recesses extend asymmetrically toward the channel region. The transistor device also includes stress-inducing semiconductor material formed in the recesses. The asymmetric profile of the stress-inducing semiconductor material enhances carrier mobility in a manner that does not exacerbate the short channel effect.
US08148749B2 Trench-shielded semiconductor device
Various structures and methods for improving the performance of trench-shielded power semiconductor devices and the like are described. An exemplary device comprises a semiconductor region having a surface, a first area of the semiconductor region, a well region of a first conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor region and around the first area, and a plurality of trenches extending in a semiconductor region. Each trench haves a first end disposed in a first portion of the well region, a second end disposed in a second portion of the well region, and a middle portion between the first and second ends and disposed in the first area. Each trench further having opposing sidewalls lined with a dielectric layer, and a conductive electrode disposed on at least a portion of the dielectric layer.
US08148746B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device (A1) includes a case (1) and a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements (3) arranged in the case. The case (1) is formed with a plurality of reflectors (11) each in the form of a truncated cone surrounding a respective one of the semiconductor light emitting elements (3). Current is applied to each of the semiconductor light emitting elements (3) via two wires (6). Each of the wires (6) includes a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is connected to the semiconductor light emitting element (3), whereas the second end is located outside the space surrounded by the reflector (11).
US08148744B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device including a substrate, an electrode and a light emitting region is provided. The substrate may have protruding portions formed in a repeating pattern on substantially an entire surface of the substrate while the rest of the surface may be substantially flat. The cross sections of the protruding portions taken along planes orthogonal to the surface of the substrate may be semi-circular in shape. The cross sections of the protruding portions may in alternative be convex in shape. A buffer layer and a GaN layer may be formed on the substrate.
US08148743B2 Semiconductor device including semiconductor circuit made from semiconductor element and manufacturing method thereof
In the present invention, a semiconductor film is formed through a sputtering method, and then, the semiconductor film is crystallized. After the crystallization, a patterning step is carried out to form an active layer with a desired shape. The present invention is also characterized by forming a semiconductor film through a sputtering method, subsequently forming an insulating film. Next, the semiconductor film is crystallized through the insulating film, so that a crystalline semiconductor film is formed. According this structure, it is possible to obtain a thin film transistor with a good electronic property and a high reliability in a safe processing environment.
US08148739B2 LED package structure
An LED package structure includes a heatsink slug, a positive-electrode frame, a negative-electrode frame, and an LED module electrically connected with the positive-electrode frame and the negative-electrode frame. The LED module includes a plurality of LED chips. The heatsink slug is provided, at its surface, with a plurality of cup-like recesses. The plural LED chips are each bonded, correspondingly, on a plane in the cup-like recess. Each of the LED chips is covered with a fluorescent colloidal layer having a curved and convex contour. As a result, a specific proportion for the color lights emitted from all the LED chips and from the fluorescent material in every direction of a space can be maintained, and that a better spatial color uniformity can be achieved.
US08148736B2 Flip chip type light-emitting element
In a flip chip type light-emitting element of the present invention, an n type contact electrode 14 is formed on an n layer 11 exposed in a comb-tooth shape, a light transmission electrode 15 made of an ITO is formed over the entire surface of an upper surface of a p layer 13 and twenty pad electrodes 16 are formed at prescribed intervals on the light transmission electrode 15. The plane form of the pad electrode 16 has four branches 16b protruding in the form of a cross from a circular central part 16a and the adjacent pad electrodes 16 connected to each other by the branches 16b.
US08148735B2 Optical communication module
An infrared data communication module (A1) includes a substrate (1) consisting of a first layer (1A) and a second layer (1B), where the first layer is formed with a recess (11) open at its obverse surface, and includes the opening of the recess (11) and the second layer is fixed to the first layer (1A) on the side opposite from the opening. The module also includes a bonding conductor layer (6A) covering at least the bottom surface of the recess (11), a light emitting element (2) mounted on the bonding conductor layer (6A), and a heat dissipating conductor layer (6C) sandwiched between the first layer (1A) and the second layer (1B) and connected to the bonding conductor layer (6A).
US08148725B2 Light-emitting device and repairing method thereof
A light-emitting device including a plurality of light-emitting units is provided. Each of the light-emitting units includes a first common electrode layer, a plurality of light-emitting layers, and a second common electrode layer. The first common electrode layer includes a bridge conductive line and a plurality of first electrode patterns electrically insulated from each other, in which the first electrode patterns cover a portion of the bridge conductive line and are electrically connected to each other through the bridge conductive line. Each of the light-emitting layers is disposed on one of the first electrode patterns. The second common electrode layer is disposed on the light-emitting layers, in which the first common electrode layer of each of the light-emitting units is electrically connected to the second common electrode layer of an adjacent light-emitting unit.
US08148723B2 Light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
A first conductive film, a first insulating film, a semiconductor film, an impurity semiconductor film, and a second conductive film are stacked in this order (a thin-film stacked body); first etching is performed to expose the first conductive film and form at least a pattern of the thin-film stacked body; second etching is performed to form a pattern of the first conductive film. The second etching is performed under a condition in which the first conductive film is side-etched. Further, after forming the patterns, an EL layer can be formed selectively by utilizing a depression and a projection due to the patterns.
US08148722B2 Method of manufacturing P-type ZnO semiconductor layer using atomic layer deposition and thin film transistor including the P-type ZnO semiconductor layer
Provided are a method of manufacturing a transparent N-doped p-type ZnO semiconductor layer using a surface chemical reaction between precursors containing elements constituting thin layers, and a thin film transistor (TFT) including the p-type ZnO semiconductor layer. The method includes the steps of: preparing a substrate and loading the substrate into a chamber; injecting a Zn precursor and an oxygen precursor into the chamber, and causing a surface chemical reaction between the Zn precursor and the oxygen precursor using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique to form a ZnO thin layer on the substrate; and injecting a Zn precursor and an nitrogen precursor into the chamber, and causing a surface chemical reaction between the Zn precursor and the nitrogen precursor to form a doping layer on the ZnO thin layer.
US08148718B2 Low voltage transistors
The invention provides a transistor having a substrate, a structure supported by the substrate including a source, drain, gate, and channel, wherein the source and the channel are made of different materials, and a tunnel junction formed between the source and the channel, whereby the tunnel junction is configured for injecting carriers from the source to the channel.
US08148717B2 Manufacturing method for semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A manufacturing method for semiconductor device includes: forming an opening, in a surface of a semiconductor substrate being composed of first atom, the opening having an opening ratio y to an area of the surface of the semiconductor substrate ranging from 5 to 30%; forming an epitaxial layer in the opening, the epitaxial layer being made of a mixed crystal containing a second atom in a concentration ranging from 15 to 25%, and the second atom having a lattice constant different from a lattice constant of the first atom; implanting impurity ion into the epitaxial layer; and performing activation annealing at a predetermined temperature T, the predetermined temperature T being equal to or higher than 1150° C. and satisfies a relationship of y≦1E-5exp (21541/T).
US08148715B2 Solid state charge qubit device
This invention concerns a quantum device, suitable for quantum computing, based on dopant atoms located in a solid semiconductor or insulator substrate. In further aspects the device is scaled up. The invention also concerns methods of reading out from the devices, initializing them, using them to perform logic operations and making them.
US08148713B2 Method for fabrication of semipolar (Al, In, Ga, B)N based light emitting diodes
A yellow Light Emitting Diode (LED) with a peak emission wavelength in the range 560-580 nm is disclosed. The LED is grown on one or more III-nitride-based semipolar planes and an active layer of the LED is composed of indium (In) containing single or multi-quantum well structures. The LED quantum wells have a thickness in the range 2-7 nm. A multi-color LED or white LED comprised of at least one semipolar yellow LED is also disclosed.
US08148710B2 Phase-change memory device using a variable resistance structure
A phase-change memory device including a first contact region and a second contact region formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating layer with a first contact hole and a second contact hole is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, exposing the first and second contact regions. A first conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating interlayer to fill the first and the second contact holes. A first protection layer pattern and a lower wiring protection pattern are disposed on the first conductive layer. A first contact with a first electrode and a second contact with a lower wiring are disposed so as to connect the first and second contact regions. A second protection layer with a second electrode is disposed on the first protection layer pattern and the lower wiring protection pattern. A via filled with a phase-change material is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08148707B2 Ovonic threshold switch film composition for TSLAGS material
A chalcogenide alloy that optimizes operating parameters of an ovonic threshold switch includes an atomic percentage of arsenic in the range of 9 to 39, an atomic percentage of germanium in the range of 10 and 40, an atomic percentage of silicon in the range of 5 and 18, an atomic percentage of nitrogen in the range of 0 and 10, and an alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. A ratio of sulfur to selenium in the range of 0.25 and 4, and a ration of sulfur to tellurium in the alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium is in the range of 0.11 and 1.
US08148705B2 Method and apparatus for inspecting defects of patterns formed on a hard disk medium
If an inspection method for inspecting a patterned medium is intended for the nanoimprint process control, it is necessary to measure a correct shape of each pattern element. On the other hand, if the inspection method is intended for the quality control of products, it is necessary to inspect the products on a I00 percent basis. However, the conventional method which uses SEM or AFM could not satisfy these requirements. According to the present invention, IO0-percent inspection of products becomes possible by a method including the steps of: irradiating a surface of a hard disk medium, on which a magnetic material pattern is formed, with a light beam including a plurality of wavelengths; detecting the intensity of a reflected light beam from the hard disk medium on a wavelength basis; calculating a spectral reflectance from the detected intensity of the reflected light beam; and detecting a shape of each pattern element formed on the hard disk medium on the basis of the calculated spectral reflectance.
US08148694B2 Realtime line of response position confidence measurement
A PET event position calculation method using a combination angular and radial event map wherein identification of the radial distance of the event from the centroid of the scintillation crystal with which the event is associated as well as angular information is performed. The radial distance can be converted to a statistical confidence interval, which information can be used in downstream processing. More sophisticated reconstruction algorithms can use the confidence interval information selectively, to generate higher fidelity images with higher confidence information, and to improve statistics in dynamic imaging with lower confidence information.
US08148691B1 Calibration methodology for NDIR dew point sensors
A method for calibrating a dual-beam NDIR gas sensor for detecting water vapor by obtaining a variant sensor components domain (“G0”) when there is no water vapor gas in the sample chamber, obtaining a physics measurement domain (“G”) for a set of known concentrations of the water vapor gas in the sample chamber, the known concentrations being measurable quantities exceeding zero, using G to calculate a G0i from a known concentration of water vapor in the sample chamber for each of multiple master calibration curves, and then selecting the master calibration curve with the lowest difference between its G0i and the G0 of the NDIR gas sensor as the calibration curve. G and the G0i are obtained, preferably, at substantially the same temperature, G is a signal channel output (“VS”) divided by a reference channel output (“VR”), and the master calibration curves are obtained from a set of multiple calibration curves obtained from a large number of NDIR gas sensors, each of the calibration curves being represented by an equation of P=F(G/G0) where P is equal to a gas pressure and F is a function.
US08148689B1 Detection of distant substances
Disclosed are embodiments of methods and apparatus related to detection of substance(s) at a distance. For example, an apparatus can have a mount structure and an emitter mounted to the mount structure and configured to be trained on a target. The emitter can have a source configured to emit radiation and a mirror configured to direct the radiation toward the target. The apparatus can also have a collector mounted to the mount structure and configured to be trained on the target at the same time the emitter is trained on the target and concentrate collected radiation on a sensor. The apparatus can also have a detection system comprising the sensor and an interferometer configured to produce an interferogram. The processor can be configured to perform a Fourier transform on the interferogram to produce a spectrogram and analyze the spectrogram to determine presence or absence of known substances in or around the target.
US08148688B2 Near-field terahertz wave detector
A near-field terahertz wave detector comprises a semiconductor chip (12) whose longitudinal electrical resistance along its surface changes due to a near-field wave of a terahertz wave (1), an insulating film (18) which covers the surface of the semiconductor chip, and a conductive film (20) able to shield the terahertz wave by covering the surface of the insulating film. The conductive film (20) has an aperture (21) whose maximum size is one digit or more smaller than the wavelength of the terahertz wave. Further, a planar conductive probe (14) is provided between the conductive film (20) and the semiconductor chip (12). The conductive probe (14) is insulated from the conductive film (20) by the insulating film (18), and a tip (14a) of the conductive probe (14) is located inside the aperture (21). It is possible to increase a signal-to-noise ratio by significantly reducing the effect of a far-field wave, thereby enabling a near-field wave to be detected with high efficiency and increasing the resolution of an object by the near-field wave to one tenth or less of the wavelength.
US08148683B2 Method for characterizing a membrane in a wet condition by positron annihilation spectrometer and sample holder thereof
The present invention discloses a method for characterizing a membrane in a wet condition using a positron annihilation spectrometer and a sample holder thereof. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has been know to be an invaluable tool for investigating local free-volume hole properties in various materials. Accompanying with the method and sample holder disclosed by the invention, PAS and PALS can measure the properties of various materials, such as free volume and layer structures both in the dry and wet states.
US08148681B2 Microengineered vacuum interface for an ionization system
A planar component for interfacing an atmospheric pressure ionizer to a vacuum system is described. The component combines electrostatic optics and skimmers with an internal chamber that can be filled with a gas at a prescribed pressure and is fabricated by lithography, etching and bonding of silicon.
US08148680B2 Ion transfer arrangement with spatially alternating DC and viscous ion flow
A method of transporting gas and entrained ions between higher and lower pressure regions of a mass spectrometer comprises providing an ion transfer conduit 60 between the higher and lower pressure regions. The ion transfer conduit 60 includes an electrode assembly 300 which defines an ion transfer channel. The electrode assembly 300 has a first set of ring electrodes 305 of a first width D1, and a second set of ring electrodes of a second width D2 (≧D1) and interleaved with the first ring electrodes 305. A DC voltage of magnitude V1 and a first polarity is supplied to the first ring electrodes 205 and a DC voltage of magnitude V2 which may be less than or equal to the magnitude of V1 but with an opposed polarity is applied to the second ring electrodes 310. The pressure of the ion transfer conduit 60 is controlled so as to maintain viscous flow of gas and ions within the ion transfer channel.
US08148677B2 Peptide identification and quantitation by merging MS/MS spectra
The present invention is directed to methods of merging spectral data resulting from collision fragmentation processes, such as, for example, Pulsed Q Dissociation (PQD), high-energy collision-induced dissociation (HCD), electron transfer disassociation (ETD), collision-induced dissociation (CID), and photo-dissociation processes, such as, but not limited to, infrared multi-photon photo-dissociation (IRMPD), to provide the desired qualitative and quantitative information on a single peptide. By merging such ETD, CID, or IRMPD scans with corresponding HCD scans that are obtained on the same precursor, the quality of the resulting spectrum is increased so as to provide more confident identification of peptides and correspondingly the quantification is enhanced because the HCD method of the MS/MS spectrum produces higher abundances of detectable reporter ions. Such methods, as disclosed herein, are especially applicable for peptides which experience predominant neutral loss in the ion trap, e.g., phosphorylated.
US08148675B2 Collision cell for an MS/MS mass spectrometer
The length of the collision cell (20) in the direction along the ion optical axis (C) is set to be within the range between 40 and 80 mm, and typically 51 mm, which is remarkably shorter than before. The CID gas is supplied so that it flows in the direction opposite to the ion's traveling direction. Since the energy that an ion receives in colliding with a CID gas increases, it is possible to practically and sufficiently ensure the CID efficiency even though the collision cell (20) is short. In addition, since the passage distance for an ion is short, the passage time is shortened. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the degradation in the detection sensitivity and the generation of a ghost peak due to the delay of the ion.
US08148674B2 Optical encoder for detecting relative rotation angle for two members
An optical encoder, with a simple structure, that can output a high-precision origin signal is provided.Rotary origin phase slits (112), which are formed into a pattern of linear slits arranged in parallel at equal pitches, are prepared for a rotary disk (110), while fixed origin phase slits (122), which are formed into a pattern of linear slits arranged in parallel at equal pitches, are prepared for a fixed origin phase scale (120). Light emitted by a light source (130) passes through an ejection window (121) and irradiates the rotary origin phase slits (112). The light reflected at the rotary origin phase slits (112) passes through the fixed origin phase slits (122) and is detected by a light-receiving element (140). Then, based on the detection signal, an origin signal is generated.
US08148671B2 Proximity-type imaging device and imaging filter
A proximity-type imaging device includes an image sensor and an angle limiting filter. The image sensor performs photoelectric conversion for light transmitted from a subject using plural pixels, so as to capture the subject. The angle limiting filter includes a transparent glass substrate and a light shielding film which is formed with openings having one-to-one correspondence with the pixels and which is provided on the glass substrate. The angle limiting filter is disposed on the image sensor and limits an incidence angle of light incident to the image sensor to such an angle range that the light is incident from each opening to the corresponding pixel. The condition L ≥ T 1 ( n 1 2 - 1 ) 1 / 2 is satisfied, where n1 denotes a refractive index of the substrate, T1 denotes a thickness of the substrate, and L denotes a shortest distance between a contour of one opening and a contour of the pixel corresponding to an opening adjacent.
US08148668B2 Oil stripping fryer unit
A continuous oil fryer used to fry food slices, such as potato chips, having an internal oil stripping capability. The fryer accumulates the steam produced by the frying process in a hood and utilizes such steam, after superheating the steam by passing it through a heat exchanger, to strip oil from product immediately upon removal from the hot oil bath by passing the superheated steam through a product bed while on an output conveyor. The superheated steam removes oil from the product on the output conveyor without increasing the moisture level of the product. The fryer therefore accomplishes the same function as a low-oil stripper without increasing the footprint of the frying unit and with less energy.
US08148667B2 Thermal treatment system instrument rack and method of selectively thermally treating medical instrument portions
A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.
US08148658B2 Non-contact touch switch
A non-contact touch switch comprises an outer cover installed at an outlet of an AC power source, a microcomputer control circuit installed on an inner side of the outer cover, a medium transferring interface installed on the outer cover and connecting with the microcomputer control circuit, a start switch with one end thereof being connected with the microcomputer control circuit and another end thereof being disposed with a control contact connected to the power source so as to control electrifying time of an electrical device connected therewith, and a power interceptor disposed between the microcomputer control circuit and the start switch capable of directly intercepting, rectifying, and stabilizing an external power supply as a power supply available for a normal operation of an internal circuit.
US08148657B2 Key for SMT applications
A key for intermittently electrically contacting at least two conductors located on a circuit board with an electrically conducting contact element includes at least one base that is disposed on the circuit board and a key which encompasses the contact element and is movable relative to the circuit board and the base. The key is connected to the base by at least one movable membrane. The base and the membrane are made of an insulating elastic material. The key additionally includes at least one soldering leg of which the first end is positively inserted in to the base while the second end, the soldering zone, is used for fastening the key to the circuit board.
US08148655B2 Pressure sensor for a hermetically sealed container
A pressure sensor is provided for a container having a hermetically sealed internal chamber. The pressure sensor includes a support member having a membrane side and an electrical contact extending along the membrane side. The support member is configured to be held by the container such that at least a portion of the support side is exposed to the internal chamber of the container. The pressure sensor also includes a membrane having a chamber side and an opposite support side. The membrane is held by the support member such that the chamber side is configured to be exposed to the internal chamber and the support side is configured to be isolated from the internal chamber. A pressure differential across the chamber side and the support side of the membrane deflects the membrane into and out of engagement with the electrical contact of the support member.
US08148653B2 Domestic appliance for treating laundered articles, in particular tumble dryer
A domestic appliance for treating laundered articles including a container for receiving laundered articles, which can be introduced into the container via a loading opening that can be closed by a door, and a door contact switch that is actuated as a function of a door position in order to interrupt a treatment process of the laundered articles, wherein the door contact switch is arranged on a substrate, which supports electronic control devices of the domestic appliance.
US08148652B2 Position detecting device and position detecting method
A position detecting device includes: X-axis electrodes and Y-axis electrodes; a driving section for supplying an AC signal to the X-axis electrodes; a synchronous clock generating section for generating synchronous clock signals at the timing when the AC signal passes through zero-cross points; a first switch for selectively supplying the AC signal outputted from the driving section to one of the X-axis electrodes at the timing of the synchronous clock signal; a second switch for selecting one of the Y-axis electrodes at the timing of the synchronous clock signal; a synchronous detector for synchronous-detecting a signal outputted by the Y-axis electrodes through the second switch; and a position calculating section for calculating a position indicated by an indicator based on the signal outputted from the synchronous detector, wherein the position corresponds to one or more intersections of the X-axis electrodes and Y-axis electrodes.
US08148650B2 Mailing machine transport system with integral scale for weighing mail pieces where the contact force on the take away rollers is reduced to eliminate oscillations of the weighing platform
A transport system that reduces the amount of oscillation of the weighing platform thereby weighing mail pieces faster. A take-away nip of the weighing module is formed by a pivot arm having a roller mounted thereon and a drive roller mounted in the weighing platform. The take-away nip feeds mail pieces from the weighing platform to the subsequent module of the mailing machine. The pivot arm has a biasing mechanism with a force that results in less impact force between the pivot arm roller and drive roller when the trailing edge of each mail piece passes through the take-away nip, resulting in less vibration of the weighing platform as mail pieces exit the weighing platform. The reduction in vibration results quicker settling of the weighing platform during weighing of subsequent mail piece, allowing for faster weighing of the mail pieces, which increases the throughput of the mailing machine.
US08148648B2 Combination extruded and cast metal outdoor electronics enclosure
A method for forming an electronics enclosure is disclosed. The method comprises extruding a backplane having a first extruded length, the backplane comprising slots on opposing sides of the backplane, wherein the slots extend along the first extruded length. The method further comprises extruding at least one door panel at the first extruded length, wherein the backplane and the door panel each have extruded hinge features for pivotally coupling the door panel to the backplane, and coupling at least two cast metal plates to opposing ends of the backplane, where each of the cast metal plates comprise a gland that aligns with the slots of the backplane to create a continuous channel for inserting a seal.
US08148644B2 Electronic card and aircraft including same
An electronic card that includes at least two superimposed conducting layers with an insulation layer between the two conducting layers, the two conducting layers each including a utility conducting portion and a conducting portion at the periphery of the utility conducting portion with an insulating portion between the conducting portions, the insulating portion of a first of the two layers being offset relative to the insulating portion of the second of the layers. An aircraft includes a housing in which at least one such card is provided.
US08148643B2 Multilayered printed circuit board and manufacturing method thereof
An opening is formed in resin 20 by a laser beam so that a via hole is formed. At this time, copper foil 22, the thickness of which is reduced (to 3 μm) by performing etching to lower the thermal conductivity is used as a conformal mask. Therefore, an opening 20a can be formed in the resin 20 if the number of irradiation of pulse-shape laser beam is reduced. Therefore, occurrence of undercut of the resin 20 which forms an interlayer insulating resin layer can be prevented. Thus, the reliability of the connection of the via holes can be improved.
US08148640B2 Insulating element for busbars and insulating and supporting device for busbars compromising this element
The present invention relates to an insulating element (1) for producing an insulating and supporting device for busbars to install in cabinets for low voltage distribution switchboards. The invention also relates to an insulating and supporting device for busbars comprising the insulating element which essentially comprises a body made of insulating material (5) which extends along a longitudinal axis (100) between two end surfaces (8) transverse to this axis. The body made of insulating material (5) comprises a plurality of lateral surfaces (10, 20) which extend between the end surfaces (8) in the direction of said longitudinal axis (100). At least a first (10) and a second (20) of these lateral surfaces are provided with longitudinal grooves (11, 21) defined between connecting portions (15). In particular, the longitudinal grooves (11) defined on the first lateral surface (10) have a longitudinal extension (L1) differing from that (L2) of the grooves (21) defined on the second lateral surface (20).
US08148639B2 Electrical cable provided with external marking and method of crimping the barrel of a contact onto an electrical cable provided with external marking
An electrical cable (1) provided with a sheath (2) having external marking. The marking is formed from a block (3) of two patterns (4, 5), the two patterns being consecutive along a length of the cable, said block being repeated at least twice along the length of the cable starting from the free end (12) of the cable. The disclosed embodiments also relates to a method of crimping a contact (7) onto such a cable, the external marking of the cable making it possible to know the position of the cable in the barrel and thus guarantee that the crimping that takes place will be of good quality.
US08148638B2 Cord accommodation member for television entertainment shelf and its manufacturing method
A cord accommodation member is able to easily accommodate a connecting cord for a thin TV and video equipment in a hidden place under a glass shelf, having a hard-to-fall-off structure, and can be cut in the desired size for each type in order to cope with the development of various types different in lateral width, without need of raising the die every type, and its manufacturing method. The cord accommodation member comprises a cord accommodating portion for accommodating a connecting cord, a fixing arm for fixing the cord accommodating portion, which is attached to a glass shelf of a TV stand for mounting a television and video equipment, and a fixing rubber for increasing the fixing force for the glass shelf and the fixing arm.
US08148636B2 Electric device
A cover (5) includes a first bent portion (5b) and a second bent portion (5c) which are provided in series to be continuous with a lid portion (5a). A casing (2) includes a hole (8) through which the cover is allowed to be inserted/removed and movably inserted into/removed from the casing, and includes a cover locking portion (9) to which the cover is locked in a substantially upright posture while covering an opening portion (4) with the lid portion. The cover can pivot in a fore-and-aft direction at a corner portion (5d) on an inner side of the first bent portion with an inner edge portion (8c) at an intersection between an upper inner wall surface (8a) of the hole and an inner wall surface (3a) of a front wall as a fulcrum. The cover can be displaced between the substantially upright posture and a substantially laid posture.
US08148634B1 Electrical box assembly for mounting and supporting a security camera or fixture
An electrical box assembly for mounting a security camera or electrical fixture on a wall or ceiling. The electrical box assembly includes an electrical box and a trim piece. A plurality of rotatable flags, adjustable from the front of the electrical box assembly, are tightened to secure the assembly to the wallboard in a ceiling or wall. Wall preparation for installation of the electrical box assembly requires only a round hole in the wallboard, which can be easily provided by a hole-saw. The flags can be rotated inward to enable easy insertion of the electrical box within the hole in the wallboard. The electrical box assembly includes a mounting bar and adapter plate that adapt the assembly for mounting a wide variety of security cameras and electrical fixtures. The electrical box assembly conforms to the electrical code in those areas that require a metallic box.
US08148633B2 Housing for an electronic apparatus
A housing for an electronic apparatus includes a first cover having at least one wedging hook, a second cover having at least one wedging structure that matches at the least one wedging hook, and a third cover having at least one convex block. The convex block of the third cover extends into the wedging structure of the second cover to lock with the wedging hook of the first cover with the wedging structure. The housing can be applied to a cell phone, PDA and other electronic apparatus.
US08148629B2 Method and structure for hydrogenation of porous monocrystalline silicon substrates
A photovoltaic device and related methods of manufacture. The device has a support substrate having a support surface region. The device has a thickness of crystalline material characterized by a plurality of worm hole structures therein overlying the support surface region of the support substrate. The worm hole structures are characterized by a density distribution. The one or more worm hole structures have respective surface regions. In a specific embodiment, the thickness of crystalline material has an upper surface region. The device has a passivation material overlying the surface regions to cause a reduction of a electron-hole recombination process. A glue layer is provided between the support surface region and the thickness of crystalline material. A textured surface region formed overlying from the upper surface region of the thickness of crystalline material.
US08148625B2 Composition for solar cell sealing film, solar cell sealing film and solar cell using the sealing film
The present invention provides a solar cell sealing film having enhanced transparency. A composition for a solar cell sealing film contains an ethylene-polar monomer copolymer, a crosslinker and a compound having an alkyleneoxy group. Thereby a solar cell sealing film having excellent all light beam transmittance and enhanced transparency can be formed.
US08148621B2 Scoring of free-form vocals for video game
A music based video game in which a game player's singing performance is digitally sampled while the player performs a free-form vocal over a prerecorded musical composition. Aspects of the game player's free-form vocal performance are compared with predetermined criteria. For example, the vocal performance may be compared with tempo and key information to generate performance evaluation data. The performance evaluation data may be used to present performance feedback to the game player while the game player is singing.
US08148617B2 Drum pad and manufacturing method thereof
A drum pad capable of providing an excellent percussion feeling and securely adhering a base portion to a body portion made of rubber. The drum pad has a rear-side clothlike material which is provided on a rear surface of the body portion and into which the rubber of the body portion is impregnated. The base portion is fixed to a rear surface of the rear-side clothlike material via a fixing layer made of pressure sensitive adhesive or adhesive and provided on the rear surface of the rear-side clothlike material.
US08148614B1 Soybean variety XB39U09
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB39U09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB39U09, to the plants of soybean XB39U09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB39U09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB39U09 with another soybean plant, using XB39U09 as either the male or the female parent.
US08148597B2 Absorbent article having stain resistant properties
A sanitary napkin including a body facing surface, a portion adapted to be arranged over the vaginal opening during use, a first colored portion, said colored portion extending over at least the portion of the napkin to be placed over the vaginal opening during use, a noncolored portion, wherein said first colored portion has a first color as measured from said body facing surface prior to staining, wherein the first colored portion has a second color as measured from said body facing surface after staining, wherein the first color has an average L value greater than 80; and wherein a Δa* between said first color and said second color is less than 18.
US08148592B2 Catalytic transalkylation of dialkyl benzenes
The present invention relates to a method for performing catalytic transalkylation between long-chain dialkyl benzenes and benzene in order to obtain monoalkyl benzenes. As dialkyl benzene source, this method employs the by-products of a method for alkylation of benzene with linear C9-C16 monoolefins.
US08148590B2 Process for producing aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen
A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, in which a lower hydrocarbons-containing feedstock gas is reformed by being supplied to and being brought into contact with a catalyst under high temperature conditions thereby forming aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrogen gas together with the feedstock gas during a supply of the feedstock gas; and (b) suspending the supply of the feedstock gas for a certain period of time while keeping a condition of a supply of the hydrogen gas. The catalyst is exemplified by a metallo-silicate carrying molybdenum and a metallo-silicate carrying molybdenum and rhodium. An amount of the hydrogen gas supplied together with the feedstock gas is set to be preferably larger than 2% and smaller than 10%, more preferably within a range of from 4 to 8%, much more preferably 8%. As a pretreatment for a reforming reaction by which aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen are formed, the catalyst is increased in temperature and kept at the temperature for a certain period of time while a gas containing methane and hydrogen is supplied thereto.
US08148584B2 Compositions, combustion prevention compositions, methods for preventing and/or extinguishing combustion, combustion prevention systems, and production processes
Compositions comprising are provided wherein RF is a fluorine containing moiety comprising (CF3)2CFCH2(CF3)CH—, (CF3)2CFCH2((CF3)2CF)CH—, (CF3)2CFCH2((CF3)2CH)CH—, (CF3)2CHCH2((CF3)2CF)CH—, ((CF3)2CFCH2)2CH—, (CF3)2CFCH2CF—, (CF3)2CF—, (CF3)2CH—, CF3—, or CnF2n+1—, n being an integer from 2 to 20; R1 is F or H; R2 comprises (CF3)2CF—, (CF3)2CH—, CF3—, F, or H; and R3 comprises (CF3)2CF—, (CF3)2CH—, CF3—, F, or H, such compositions can produced according to processes, and utilized to prevent combustion utilizing systems.
US08148581B2 Process for preparing plastics using 1,6-hexanediol having an aldehyde content of less than 500 ppm
The present invention relates to a process for preparing plastics using 1,6-hexanediol having an aldehyde content of less than 500 ppm, a process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol having an aldehyde content of less than 500 ppm and also 1,6-hexanediol having an aldehyde content of less than 500 ppm.
US08148570B2 Process for preparing vinyl acetate with utilization of the heat of reaction
Vinyl acetate is prepared by a) continuous gas-phase reaction of ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen at 1 to 30 bar and 130° C. to 200° C., the process heat being removed by heat exchange with water at 120° C. to 185° C. and 1 to 10 bar, b) the product gas stream consisting essentially of ethylene, vinyl acetate, acetic acid, water, carbon dioxide and further inert gases is fractionated, and c) all or part of the ethylene is recycled to the recycle gas process, wherein all or part of steam formed in the gas-phase reaction by heat exchange, with a temperature of from 120° C. to 185° C. and pressure of from 1 to 10 bar, is compressed by a differential pressure of at least 0.5 bar and used further.
US08148568B2 Esters of (2-hydroxy-3-oxo-cyclopent-1-enyl) acetic acid and their use for preparing (−)-R-homocitric acid gamma-lactone, (+)-S-homocitric acid gamma-lactone and the corresponding (−)-R-homocitric acid and (+)-S-homocitric acid salts
Archiral (2-hydroxy-3-oxo-cyclopent-1-enyl) acetic acid) alkyl, alkylphenyl and phenyl esters, and a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of both enantiomers of homocitric acid gamma-lactone and the corresponding salts from these esters are described. The method is based on asymmetric oxidation of esters, and the steps of basic and acidic hydrolysis and final acidic lactonization of the homocitric acid into homocitric acid gamma-lactone. The homocitric acid salts are obtained after basic treatment of homocitric acid gamma-lactone. The esters, conditions and reagents used in chemical conversion and separating products are important constituents affording efficient and simple method for production of homocitric acid gamma-lactone and homocitric acid salts.
US08148563B2 Chemical compositions and methods of making them
Bimetal chelates are prepared from a solution formed by adding to a solvent one or more polyfunctional acids with basic salts of two or more coordination elements listed in Groups IIIA to VIIIA, Groups IB to IIIB, of periods 4 and 5 and aluminum in Group IIIB, period 3 of The Periodic Table of the Elements and recovering the chelate. Such chelates can be used to formulate useful products.
US08148562B2 Substituted organopolysiloxanes and use thereof
The present invention provides a compound of Formula 1: The compound of Formula 1 is useful as a scavenger for the removal of unwanted organic and inorganic compounds, for solid phase extraction, for solid phase synthesis, for the immobilization of bio-molecules, as ion exchanger materials, as catalysts and catalyst supports and as chromatography materials.
US08148559B1 Supercritical fluid explosion process to aid fractionation of lipids from biomass
Disclosed are processes for development and recovery of lipids from biomass. A plant or microorganism-based biomass can be developed to encourage a desired lipid profile. Following development, ecologically friendly normally gaseous fluids such as carbon dioxide can be pressurized to a supercritical state followed by rapid expansion. The fluid is first contacted with a biomass source including oil-containing microorganisms and/or agricultural products. For instance, fungi or algae can be bioconverted from another biomass sources such as canola seed or corn syrup and then contacted with the high pressure fluid. During a contact period, the fluid can diffuse into the biomass, and in particular through the cell walls of the biomass. The fluid undergoes rapid release of pressure and opens the cell structure for improved release of oil. The fluid can optionally be utilized for extraction following the explosion process. For instance, the fluid can be re-pressurized in the same vessel for extraction processes.
US08148555B2 Method for improving the selectivity of a catalyst and a process for the epoxidation of an olefin
A method for improving the selectivity of a supported highly selective epoxidation catalyst comprising silver in a quantity of at most 0.17 g per m2 surface area of the support, which method comprises contacting the catalyst, or a precursor of the catalyst comprising the silver in cationic form, with a feed comprising oxygen at a catalyst temperature above 250° C. for a duration of up to 150 hours, and subsequently decreasing the catalyst temperature to a value of at most 250° C.; and a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, which process comprises contacting a supported highly selective epoxidation catalyst comprising silver in a quantity of at most 0.17 g per m2 surface area of the support, or a precursor of the catalyst comprising the silver in cationic form, with a feed comprising oxygen at a catalyst temperature above 250° C. for a duration of up to 150 hours, and subsequently decreasing the catalyst temperature to a value of at most 250° C. and contacting the catalyst with the feed comprising the olefin and oxygen.
US08148553B2 Catalytic conversion of cellulose to liquid hydrocarbon fuels by progressive removal of oxygen to facilitate separation processes and achieve high selectivities
Described is a method to make liquid chemicals, such as functional intermediates, solvents, and liquid fuels from biomass-derived cellulose. The method is cascading; the product stream from an upstream reaction can be used as the feedstock in the next downstream reaction. The method includes the steps of deconstructing cellulose to yield a product mixture comprising levulinic acid and formic acid, converting the levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone, and converting the γ-valerolactone to pentanoic acid. Alternatively, the γ-valerolactone can be converted to a mixture of n-butenes. The pentanoic acid so formed can be further reacted to yield a host of valuable products. For example, the pentanoic acid can be decarboxylated yield 1-butene or ketonized to yield 5-nonanone. The 5-nonanone can be hydrodeoxygenated to yield nonane, or 5-nonanone can be reduced to yield 5-nonanol. The 5-nonanol can be dehydrated to yield nonene, which can be dimerized to yield a mixture of C9 and C18 olefins, which can be hydrogenated to yield a mixture of alkanes. Alternatively, the nonene may be isomerized to yield a mixture of branched olefins, which can be hydrogenated to yield a mixture of branched alkanes. The mixture of n-butenes formed from γ-valerolactone can also be subjected to isomerization and oligomerization to yield olefins in the gasoline, jet and Diesel fuel ranges.
US08148546B2 Tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives as ligands of G-protein coupled receptors
The present invention provides novel tetrahydrocarbazole compounds according to formula (I) as ligands of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) which are useful in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathological conditions in mammals mediated by GPCR or of physiological and/or pathological conditions which can be treated by modulation of these receptors.
US08148544B2 Compounds that inhibit (block) bitter taste in composition and methods of making same
The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter compounds present in, e.g., coffee. Also, the invention relates to the discovery of specific compounds and compositions containing that function as bitter taste blockers and the use thereof as bitter taste blockers or flavor modulators in, e.g., coffee and coffee flavored foods, beverages and medicaments. Also, the present invention relates to the discovery of a compound that antagonizes numerous different human T2Rs and the use thereof in assays and as a bitter taste blocker in compositions for ingestion by humans and animals.
US08148543B2 Organic semiconductor material and organic thin-film transistor
Disclosed are an organic semiconductor material including a thiazole compound represented by the following general formula (1) and an organic thin-film transistor using the organic semiconductor material: A1-B1-C1  (1) wherein A1 and C1 each represent an unsubstituted or substituted thiazole ring, and B1 represents an unsubstituted or substituted benzene ring or an unsubstituted or substituted polycondensed aromatic ring. Accordingly, there are provided an organic semiconductor material having high ON current and excellent storage stability and an organic thin-film transistor using the organic semiconductor material.
US08148542B2 Method for producing crystal polymorphs of 2-(3-cyano-4-isobutyloxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-thiazolecarboxylic acid
A method for producing crystal A of 2-(3-cyano-4-isobutyloxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-thiazolecarboxylic acid by dissolving 2-(3-cyano-4-isobutyloxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-thiazolecarboxylic acid in methanol or a mixed solvent of methanol and water (the volume ratio of methanol to water is 90/10 or more), then adding water until the ratio of methanol to water becomes 7/3, and further adding a specific amount of a seed crystal at a specific timing during the addition of water.
US08148541B2 Rhodanine derivatives, a process for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical composition containing the same
Disclosed herein are rhodanine derivatives, a method for the preparation thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The rhodanine derivatives have inhibitory activity against protein phosphatases (PPase) such as PTP1B, Prl-3, LAR, CD45, Cdc25A, Cdc25B, Cdc25C, Yop, PP1 and VHR, and can be applied for the prevention and treatment of PPase-caused diseases, including autoimmune diseases, diabetes, impaired glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, cancers, etc. when the inhibitory activity thereof is modulated.
US08148536B2 Comestible compositions comprising high potency savory flavorants, and processes for producing them
The present invention relates to the use of certain high potency savory (“umami”) taste modifiers, as savory flavoring agents and/or enhancers of monosodium glutamate, for the preparation of foods, beverages, and other comestible compositions, and to processes for preparing food flavorant compositions for use in the preparation of comestible food and drink.
US08148533B2 Ionic liquids of heterocyclic amines
Ionic liquids having melting points below about 100 C formed by reaction of a heterocyclic amine with about 2.8 and about 3.2 moles of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride per mole of amine nitrogen. Electrochemical devices having non-aqueous electrolytes containing the ionic liquids are also disclosed, as well as silicon oxide etching compositions containing the ionic liquids and etching methods in which silicon oxides are selectively removed by the etching compositions in the presence of aluminum.
US08148531B2 Quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives as inhibitors of kinase enzymatic activity
Compounds of formula (IA) or (IB), are inhibitors of aurora kinase activity: Formula (IA), (IB) wherein -L1Y1-[CH2]z- is a linker radical wherein Y1, L1 and z are as defined in the claims; R6 is C1-C4alkoxy, hydrogen or halo; W represents a bond, —CH2—, —O—, —S—, —S(═O)2—, or —NR5— where R5 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; Q is ═N—, ═CH— or ═C(X1)— wherein X1 is cyano, cyclopropyl or halo; linker radicals L2 are as defined in the claims; R is a radical of formula (X) or (Y): wherein R1 is a carboxylic acid group (—COOH), or an ester group which is hydrolysable by one or more intracellular carboxylesterase enzymes to a carboxylic acid group; R4 is hydrogen; or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-, —(C═O)R3, —(C═O)OR3, or —(C═O)NR3 wherein R3 is hydrogen or optionally substituted (C1-C6)alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl(C1-C6 alkyl)-; R41 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; and D is a mono-cyclic heterocyclic ring of 5 or 6 ring atoms.
US08148528B2 Processes and compounds for the preparation of normorphinans
The invention generally provides processes and intermediate compounds useful for the production of normorphinans and derivatives of normorphinans.
US08148524B2 Process for producing sulfonyl chloride compound
A process for producing a sulfonyl chloride compound comprising:(A) a step comprising reacting a pyridazine compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or atoms, or the like, R2 and R3 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or the like, R4 represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or atoms, or the like, with a sulfonating agent; (B) a step comprising contacting the reaction mixture obtained in the step (A) with a chlorinating agent; and (C) a step comprising mixing the reaction mixture obtained in the step (B) with an aqueous inorganic base solution to separate an organic layer containing a sulfonyl chloride compound represented by the formula (2): wherein R1 to R4 are the same meanings as defined above.
US08148520B2 Process for the preparation of beta-lactam antibiotic meropenem trihydrate
A process for preparing purified Meropenem trihydrate that involves the dissolution of Meropenem in water in presence of base, adjusting the pH to 4.0-7.0, and adding solvent to yield Meropenem trihydrate.
US08148518B2 Cellulose esters and their production in carboxylated ionic liquids
Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.
US08148517B2 Phosphorylated waxy potato starch
The invention relates to potato starches having an amylose content of less than 10% by weight, a phosphate content in the C6 position of between 35 and 100 nmol of phosphate per milligram of starch and a content of side chains having a DP of from 12 to 19 which is elevated as compared with that in potato starch from corresponding wild-type potato plants.
US08148514B2 hTERT gene expression regulatory gene
Disclosed is a novel substance capable of regulating the expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene in a cell of a mammal. A gene capable of regulating the expression of hTERT, comprising a nucleotide sequence depicted in SEQ ID No: 1 or 2. The expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene can be inhibited by inhibiting the expression of the gene. By utilizing this mechanism, the expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene can be regulated.
US08148512B2 Methods for detection and quantification of analytes in complex mixtures
The invention provides a diverse population of uniquely labeled probes, containing target specific nucleic acid probes each attached to a unique label bound to a nucleic acid. Also provided is a method of detecting a nucleic acid analyte. The method consists of (a) contacting a mixture of nucleic acid analytes under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a plurality of target specific nucleic acid probes each having a different specifier; (b) contacting the mixture under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a corresponding plurality of antigenedigits each having a unique label, the plurality of anti-genedigits having a diversity sufficient to uniquely hybridize to genedigits within the specifiers, and (c) uniquely detecting a hybridized complex between one or more analytes in the mixture, a target specific probe, and an anti-genedigit.
US08148506B2 Protein kinase-inducible domains
Applicants have used protein design to develop novel functional protein architectures, termed protein kinase-inducible domains, whose structures are dependent on phosphorylation by specific protein kinases or are dependent on dephosphorylation by specific protein phosphatases. Applicants have designed kinase-inducible domains based on a modular architecture, which allows kinase-inducible domains to be responsive to any specific serine-threonine kinases. Kinase-inducible domains can consist of canonical amino acids, allowing their use as expressible tags of protein kinase activity.
US08148502B2 R-ALPHA1 antitrypsin anion exchange chromatography
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining highly purified recombinant alpha1-antitrypsin (rAAT) using anion exchange chromatography, wherein a composition comprising rAAT and at least one impurity originating from cultivation of cells used for generating of rAAT is loaded onto a column containing anion exchange material and the anion exchange chromatography is carried out with buffers containing phosphate ions and N-acetylcysteine.
US08148501B2 Absorbent protein meal base hydrogels
Absorbent hydrogels are formed by reacting a protein meal base, a radical initiator and a polymerizable monomer. Optionally, a cross-linking agent and/or a radical accelerant, such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), is also added to the mixture. Preferably, the radical initiator is ammonium persulfate (APS) or potassium persulfate (KPS), and the cross-linking agent is preferably trifunctional trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) or methylene bis acrylamide (MBA). The polymerizable monomer is preferably acrylic acid, or a combination of acrylic acid and acrylamide. The as-formed hydrogel is washed in order to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried. The resultant absorbent and superabsorbent hydrogels have high water uptake ratios, and can be utilized for a variety of applications.
US08148490B2 Method of making a cyclic guanidine from a guanidinium salt and a weak acid and coating compositions containing the same
The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a cyclic guanidine comprising reacting (i) a guanidinium, (ii) a polyamine, and (iii) a weak acid. The present invention is also directed to a coating composition comprising the cyclic guanidine.
US08148488B2 (Block) polyisocyanate composition and coating composition using same
Disclosed is a polyisocyanate composition which is excellent in both curability and drying characteristic. The polyisocyanate composition contains at least one compound selected from aliphatic diisocyanates, at least one compound selected from alicyclic diisocyanates and at least one compound selected from polyols, while satisfying all of the following conditions; i) the diisocyanate monomer concentration is not more than 3 mass %, ii) the polyol component concentration is 1-50 mass %; and iii) the glass transition temperature is from −50° C. to 0° C.
US08148486B2 Amine-containing alkoxysilyl-functionalized polymers
An amine-containing alkoxysilyl-functionalized polymer, a method of preparing a reactive polymer functionalized with an alkoxysilane functionalizing agent and further reacted with an amino alcohol, the resulting polymer, and vulcanizates thereof.
US08148478B2 Process for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins
A process for the polymerization of olefins carried out in a gas-phase reactor having interconnected polymerization zones, where the growing polymer particles flow upward through a first polymerization zone (riser) under fast fluidization or transport conditions, leave said riser and enter a second polymerization zone (downcomer) through which they flow downward under the action of gravity, leave said downcomer and are reintroduced into the riser, a gas recycle stream being withdrawn from said first polymerization zone, subjected to cooling below its dew point and then returned to said first polymerization zone, the process being characterized in that said gas recycle stream is cooled at a temperature Tc ranging from 0.05° C. to 3° C. below its dew point.
US08148476B2 Slurry phase polymerisation
Process for transferring a slurry stream containing polymer through a transfer line from a polymerisation reactor to a downstream vessel by, prior to entry into the downstream vessel, separating the slurry stream into two flows, the first flow being recycled upstream of the flow separation and the second flow being passed into the downstream vessel. The flow separation is located more than halfway along the transfer line between the reactor and the downstream vessel.
US08148474B2 Golf ball
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which has excellent durability and wear-resistance and provides an excellent shot feeling. The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising: a core; and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane (A), a polyisocyanate (B) having at least two isocyanate groups, and a polyhydroxyether (C) as a resin component, and wherein the core has a surface hardness of 85 or smaller in JIS-C hardness.
US08148473B2 Sulfur-containing conjugated diolefin copolymer rubber, and rubber composition comprising the same
Disclosed is a sulfur-containing conjugated diolefin copolymer rubber composed of a conjugated diolefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein (1) the content of sulfur bound to the rubber is 0.01 mmol % or more, (2) the content of the aromatic vinyl compound polymerization unit is not less than 5 wt % and less than 45 wt % relative to the amount of the copolymer rubber, and (3) the content of a vinyl bond (a 1,2-bond) in the conjugated diolefin polymerization unit is 30 mol % or more relative to the amount of the conjugated diolefin polymerization unit. In the copolymerization between the conjugated diolefin and the aromatic vinyl compound, a sulfur-containing polymerization terminator is used to terminate the reaction of the copolymerization.
US08148472B1 Polymer compositions comprising cyclic olefin polymers, polyolefin modifiers and non-functionalized plasticizers
This invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a blend comprising: (a) greater than 30 wt (based upon the weight of the composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer having a Tg greater than 60° C. and having a Tm heat of fusion (ΔHf) of 40 J/g or less selected from the group consisting of: i) copolymers comprising at least one acyclic olefin and at least 15 mole % of one or more cyclic olefins; ii) partially or completely hydrogenated copolymers comprising at least one acyclic olefin and at least 15 mole % of one or more cyclic olefins; iii) metathesis copolymers comprising two or more cyclic olefins; iv) partially or completely hydrogenated metathesis copolymers comprising two or more cyclic olefins; v) metathesis homopolymers comprising cyclic olefins; vi) partially or completely hydrogenated metathesis homopolymers comprising cyclic olefins; and vii) mixtures thereof; (b) from 1 to 50 wt % (based upon the weight of the composition) of an acyclic olefin polymer modifier having a glass transition temperature of less than 0° C.; (c) from 0.1 to 50 wt % (based upon the weight of the composition) of a non-functionalized plasticizer having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 3 to 3000 cSt, a viscosity index of 120 or more, a pour point of 0° C. or less and a flash point of 200° C. or more.
US08148470B1 Processes for making multimodal molecular weight distribution polyolefins
This invention relates to a process to make a multimodal polyolefin composition comprising: (i) contacting at least one first olefin monomer with a mixed catalyst system, under polymerization conditions, to produce at least a first polyolefin component having a Mw of 5,000 g/mol to 600,000 g/mol, wherein the mixed catalyst system comprises: (a) at least one polymerization catalyst comprising a Group 4 or Group 5 transition metal; (b) at least one organochromium polymerization catalyst; (c) an activator; and (d) a support material; (ii) thereafter, contacting the first polyolefin component/mixed catalyst system combination with a molecular switch; (iii) contacting the first polyolefin component/mixed catalyst system combination with at least one second olefin monomer, which may be the same or different, under polymerization conditions; and (iv) obtaining a multimodal polyolefin composition.
US08148468B2 Reactive hot melt adhesive composition and method for producing the same
Disclosed are a reactive hot melt adhesive composition having no problem in the initial adhesive strength, the adhesive strength obtained after moisture curing, stringiness and the like, and a method for producing the same. In the method, 1 to 50 parts by mass of a polymer (A), which is obtained by polymerization of a monomer composition including a vinyl monomer having a carboxyl group and a vinyl monomer having an epoxy group and has the equivalent ratio of the carboxyl group to the epoxy group in the range of 1/100 to 100/1, is mixed with 99 to 50 parts by mass in total of a polyisocyanate (B) and a polyol (C) so that the amount of the isocyanate group can become 1.1 to 10 moles relative to 1 mole of the hydroxyl group of the polyol (C), the sum of the components (A) to (C) being 100 parts by mass, and the resulting mixture is heated and mixed.
US08148462B2 Aqueous polyurethane fluid dispersion and method for producing the same
Disclosed is an aqueous polyurethane obtained by reacting a sulfonate containing a hydrophilic group represented by the following general formula (1): (in which M represents an alkali metal atom or an ammonium, and p represents an integer of 2 to 20) and an amino group with a polyurethane prepolymer having an isocyanate group at an end thereof, characterized in that the hydrophilic group represented by the general formula (1) bonds with a urea bond moiety of the polyurethane.
US08148458B2 Rubber composition for tread and pneumatic tire using the same
A method of compounding a modified, epoxidized natural rubber for use as a tire tread which includes the steps of modifying an epoxidized natural rubber containing a ring-opened epoxy group, compounding the modified, epoxidized natural rubber with another rubber, to form a rubber compound, together with silica and/or carbon black to form a rubber composition, and forming the rubber composition into a tire tread.
US08148454B2 Use of glycerol acetals
Disclosed is the use of glycerol acetals as coalescent agents and/or solvents for making lacquers and paints.
US08148450B2 Process to produce a hydrocarbon rubber cement utilizing a hydrofluorocarbon diluent
Provided for herein is a process to produce an essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement from a polymer slurry comprising a hydrocarbon-rubber, a diluent, and unreacted monomer(s), the process comprising: (a) contacting the polymer slurry with a hydrocarbon solvent; and (b) removing the diluent in amounts not sufficiently more than is necessary to produce the essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement wherein the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, is less than the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, wherein the diluent comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.
US08148442B2 Pressure sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates, polarizing plate with pressure sensitive adhesive and production process for polarizing plate
The disclosed a pressure sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates which has a storage elastic modulus (G′) at 23° C. of at least 0.3 MPa; a polarizing plate having a pressure sensitive adhesive; a process for producing the above polarizing plate which comprises sticking a polarizing plate on a tacky adhesive material layer formed on a releasing layer of a releasing sheet, and thereafter irradiating with an active energy beam from the releasing sheet side; an optical film which comprises a polarizing plate and a phase difference plate; and a process for producing the above optical film. The pressure sensitive adhesive and polarizing plate having the pressure sensitive adhesive are characterized in that they are capable of sticking with high durability, the polarizing plate to a and phase difference plate, and the resultant liquid crystal display unit is less liable to cause light leakage under the conditions of high temperature.
US08148437B2 Integral polyurethane foams comprising dialkyl cyclohexanedicarboxylates as internal mold release agent
The present invention relates to a process for producing integral polyurethane foams, in which a) organic polyisocyanates are mixed with b) relatively high molecular weight compounds having at least two reactive hydrogen atoms, c) blowing agents, d) dialkyl cyclohexanedicarboxylates and, if appropriate, e) chain extenders and/or crosslinkers, f) catalysts and g) other auxiliaries and/or additives to form a reaction mixture, the reaction mixture is introduced into a mold and allowed to react to form an integral polyurethane foam. The present invention further relates to integral polyurethane foams comprising dialkyl cyclohexanedicarboxylates, the use of such foams in the interior of road vehicles or as shoe soles and the use of dialkyl cyclohexanedicarboxylates as internal mold release agents in the production of integral polyurethane foams.
US08148436B2 Ion/electron-conducting composite polymer membrane, manufacturing processes thereof and planar fuel cell core comprising it
The invention relates to an ion/electron-conducting composite polymer membrane (10′), which comprises at least two gas-tight ion-conducting polymer portions (11′) joined together directly by a gas-tight electron-conducting polymer portion (12′). It also relates to processes that enable this membrane to be manufactured, and also to a planar fuel cell core comprising it. Applications: production of planar fuel cells used for generating electrical power intended for stationary applications, transport applications and portable and transportable applications.
US08148435B2 Integrated coal to liquids process and system
An integrated coal-to-liquids process is provided to minimize carbon dioxide emissions and efficiently make use of carbon resources, by recovering carbon dioxide emissions from Coal-to-Liquids (CTL) facilities, using the recovered carbon dioxide in at least one carbonylation reaction step for converting ammonia to urea and then converting urea into dimethyl carbonate.
US08148433B2 Concentrated inverse latex, process for preparing it and industrial use thereof
The invention relates to a composition in the form of a positive latex comprising a) between 50 wt. % and 80 wt. % of at least one cross-linked, branched, or linear organic polymer (P), b) between 5 wt. % and 10 wt. % of a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifying system (S1), c) between 5 wt. % and 45 wt. % of at least one oil, and d) between 0 wt. % and 5 wt. % of water. The inventive composition is characterized in that between 0.01 mol. % and 10 mol. % of the monomeric patterns of said monomer P comprise at least one neutral monomer of formula (I): C(R1)(R3)═C(R2)—C(=0)-0-(CH2—CH2—O)n—R4 (I) wherein the radicals R1, R2 and R3, which are the same or different, independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl radical comprising between 1 and 4 carbon atoms, the radical R4 represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic radical comprising between 6 and 30 carbon atoms, and n represents a number between 1 and 50. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said composition and the use of the same.
US08148431B2 Osteogenesis promoter containing β-cryptoxanthin as the active ingredient
It is intended to provide an osteogenesis promoter having a remarkable effect of positively promoting osteogenesis and thus preventing/treating bone diseases; a preventive/a remedy for bone diseases such as osteoporosis having both of an osteogenesis-promoting effect and a bone resorption-inhibiting effect; and a method of screening an active ingredient for preventing/treating bone diseases by using a compound having both of an osteogenesis-promoting effect and a bone resorption-inhibiting effect as a lead compound. It is confirmed that beta-cryptoxanthin, which occurs in a large amount in peel and sarcocarp of satsuma orange, has an osteogenesis-promoting effect and a therapeutic effect on bone disease. Thus, beta-cryptoxanthin or its composition is used as an osteogenesis promoter, a preventive/a remedy for bone diseases, a functional food or a food material for preventing/treating bone diseases and a feed composition.
US08148428B2 Antiviral drugs for treatment of arenavirus infection
Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain novel compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses is disclosed, i.e., including but not limited to, Arenaviridae (Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe, and Pichinde), Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg viruses), Flaviviridae (yellow fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur Forest disease viruses), and Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever).
US08148427B2 Benzylamine derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and use thereof for medical purposes
The benzylamine derivative represented by the formula below and a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical containing the derivative or the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for pollakiuria or urinary incontinence containing the derivative or the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof are provided. The benzylamine derivative of the present invention and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof have less possibility of occurrence of side effects than known compounds, and show a better therapeutic effect against pollakiuria or urinary incontinence, so that they can be used as excellent therapeutic or prophylactic agents for pollakiuria or urinary incontinence.
US08148426B2 Bis(thio-hydrazide amides) for increasing Hsp70 expression
A method of treating a Hsp70-responsive disorder in a subject includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound represented by Structural Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Y is a covalent bond or an optionally substituted straight chained hydrocarbyl group, or, Y, taken together with both >C═Z groups to which it is bonded, is an optionally substituted aromatic group.R1-R4 are independently —H, an optionally substituted aliphatic group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or R1 and R3 taken together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, and/or R2 and R4 taken together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, form a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring optionally fused to an aromatic ring.R7-R8 are independently —H, an optionally substituted aliphatic group, or an optionally substituted aryl group.Z is O or S.
US08148420B2 Use of novel compounds from fruiting body of Antrodia camphorata for stimulating immune response
Methods of stimulating immune response or treating an inflammatory disorder with one of a number of the compounds disclosed herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08148419B2 N-(1-alkyl-2-phenylethyl)-carboxamide derivatives and use thereof as fungicides
A compound of general formula (I): A process for preparing this compound.A fungicidal composition comprising a compound of general formula (I).A method for treating plants by applying a compound of general formula (I) or a composition comprising it.
US08148417B2 Primary amines and derivatives thereof as modulators of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor useful for the treatment of disorders related thereto
The present invention pertains to certain compounds of Formula (Ia) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that modulate the activity of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor. Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are directed to methods useful in the treatment of platelet aggregation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, angina, stroke, atrial fibrillation, blood clot formation, asthma or symptoms thereof, agitation or a symptom thereof, behavioral disorders, drug induced psychosis, excitative psychosis, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, manic disorder, organic or NOS psychosis, psychotic disorder, psychosis, acute schizophrenia, chronic schizophrenia, NOS schizophrenia and related disorders, and sleep disorders, sleep disorders, diabetic-related disorders, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and the like. The present invention also relates to the methods for the treatment of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor associated disorders in combination with other pharmaceutical agents administered separately or together.
US08148416B2 Treatment of inflammatory, cancer, and thrombosis disorders
A pharmaceutical composition and a method of treating inflammation in a mammal. The method administers the therapeutic composition to the mammal. The therapeutic composition includes: a standard therapeutic dose of a COX2 inhibitor consisting of celecoxib or rofecoxib; and low dose aspirin in an amount of 70-85 mg.
US08148415B2 Sulfamic acid ester compounds useful in the inhibition of steroid sulphatase activity and aromatase activity
The present invention relates to steroid sulphatase and/or aromatase inhibitors of Formula III or Formula IV, wherein A is selected from H, OH, halogen and hydrocarbyl; D, E and F are each independently of each other an optional linker group; P, Q and R are independently of each other a ring system, wherein R4 and R5 are independently selected from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, acyl and aryl, or combinations thereof, or together represent alkylene, wherein the or each alkyl or cycloalkyl or alkenyl or optionally contain one or more hetero atoms or groups, and which can be used in medicine.
US08148409B2 Phenathrenone compounds, compositons and methods
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: or salt thereof, which are modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor. The compounds and salts of the invention are useful in the treatment of conditions mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity.
US08148406B2 Polymorph of N,N-diethyl-4-(3-fluorophenyl-piperidin-4-ylidene-methyl)-benzamide hydrochloride salt
Polymorphs of N,N-diethyl-4-(3-fluorophenyl-piperidin-4-ylidene-methyl)-benzamide hydrochloride salt, methods of making these polymorphs and uses thereof are described.
US08148403B2 Substituted piperidyl-propane-thiols
One object of the present invention are novel substituted piperidyl-propane-thiols of the formula (1), wherein R1, R2, R3 and D are defined as below. Another object of the present invention is to provide agonists or antagonists of CCR-3, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, more particularly to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08148402B2 Isoindolinone derivatives having inhibitory activity against T-type calcium channel and method for preparation thereof
Disclosed are isoindolinone derivatives, represented by Chemical Formula 1, having inhibitory activity against T-type calcium channels, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same as an active ingredient. wherein R1˜R6 are as defined in the specification.
US08148401B2 Benzimidazole derivatives
The present invention relates to a compound of the Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3A, R3B, R4, R5, X, m, and n are as defined herein. Such novel benzamidazole derivatives are useful in the treatment of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, in mammals. This invention also relates to a method of using such compounds in the treatment of abnormal cell growth in mammals, especially humans, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US08148394B2 Azaindoles having serotonin receptor affinity
Described herein are compounds with affinity for the 5-HT6 receptor, which have the general formula I: wherein A, B, D, E, R1 to R3 and n are described herein. Also described is the use of these compounds as pharmaceuticals to treat indications where inhibition of the 5-HT6 receptor is implicated, such as schizophrenia.
US08148387B2 AKT and P70 S6 kinase inhibitors
The present invention provides AKT and p70 S6 kinase inhibitors of the formula: The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I, uses of compounds of Formula I and methods of using compounds of Formula I.
US08148384B2 Substituted thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine PIM kinase inhibitors as cancer chemotherapeutics
Compounds of formula I wherein A1, A2, and A3 are as defined herein are inhibitors of PIM kinase. The compounds of formula I are useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
US08148381B2 Potentiator of radiation therapy
A radiation therapy potentiator, which, when employed in combination with cancer radiation therapy, can reduce radiation dose and can mitigate adverse effects, the radiation therapy potentiator containing, as an effective ingredient, a uracil derivative represented by formula (1) the substitutents of which are defined in the specification.
US08148378B2 Pyridazine derivatives and their use as inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 activity in a mammal
A method of treating an SCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human, includes administering to a mammal a compound of formula (I): where x, y, W, V, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R6a, R7, R7a, R8, R8a, R9 and R9a are defined herein. The SCD-mediated disease or condition may be selected from the group consisting of Type II diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, acne, cardiovascular disease, hypertriglyceridemia, inflammation, cancer, and any combination of these.
US08148374B2 Modulators of pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutics
The present application provides for a compound of Formula IV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, and/or ester thereof, compositions containing such compounds, therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, and therapeutic methods and include the administration of such compounds with at least one additional therapeutic agent.
US08148372B2 Metabotropic glutamate receptor isoxazole ligands and their use as potentiators—286
Compounds in accord with Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, methods of making, pharmaceutical compositions containing and methods for using the same.
US08148371B2 Adenine compound and use thereof
A drug for topically administration which is effective as an antiallergic agent. The drug for topically administration contains as an active ingredient an adenine compound represented by the general formula (1): [wherein ring A represents a 6 to 10 membered, mono or bicyclic, aromatic hydrocarbon or a 5 to 10 membered, mono or bicyclic, aromatic heterocycle containing one to three heteroatoms selected among 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms, 0 or 1 oxygen atom, and 0 or 1 sulfur atom; n is an integer of 0 to 2; m is an integer of 0 to 2; R represents halogeno, (un)substituted alkyl, etc.; X1 represents oxygen, sulfur, NR1 (R1 represents hydrogen or alkyl), or a single bond; Y1 represents a single bond, alkylene, etc.; Y2 represents a single bond, alkylene, etc.; Z represents alkylene; and at least one of Q1 and Q2 represents —COOR10 (wherein R10 represents (un)substituted alkyl, etc.), etc.] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound.
US08148370B2 Polysubstituted derivatives of 2-aryl-6-phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, and preparation and therapeutic use thereof
Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and X are as defined in the disclosure, or an acid addition salt thereof, and the therapeutic use and process of synthesis thereof.
US08148366B2 Substituted pyrazolo[3,4-E][diazepin-6-5(H)ones and analogues thereof, their preparation and their use as antibacterial medicaments
The invention relates to nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds of formula (I): in which: R1 represents hydrogen, —(CH2)m—NH2, —(CH2)m—NH(C1-C6)alk, —(CH2)m—N(C1-C6)alk2, —(CH2)m—NH—C(NH)NH2 or —(CH2)m—NH—CH═NH, m is equal to 1 or 2; R2 and R3 together form a nitrogenous heterocycle of aromatic character with 5 vertices containing 1, 2 or 3 nitrogen atoms, substituted on a nitrogen atom by R4; R4 represents hydrogen, C1-C6)alk or a chain of formula: -(A)n-(NH)o—(CH2)p—(CHR′)qR″ A represents C═O, C═NH or SO2; R′ represents hydrogen or carboxy.
US08148361B2 Kinase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The Formula (I) compounds inhibit the tyrosine kinase activity of growth factor receptors such as VEGFR-2, FGFR-1 and IGFR-1, thereby making them useful as anti-cancer agents. The formula (I) compounds are also useful for the treatment of other diseases associated with signal transduction pathways operating through growth factor receptors.
US08148353B2 Polymorphs of fluticasone furoate and process for preparation thereof
Provided are polymorphs of fluticasone furoate and processes for preparation thereof.
US08148351B2 Enteropathy ameliorating composition
The present invention relates to a composition for preventing, ameliorating or treating a bowel disease, comprising galactomannan and/or arabinogalactan; a liquid food for preventing, ameliorating or treating a bowel disease, characterized in that the liquid food comprises a protein and galactomannan and/or arabinogalactan; and a composition for preventing, ameliorating or treating an irritable bowel syndrome, comprising degraded galactomannan.
US08148350B2 Carbohydrate composition for flat glucose response
A low-glycemic available carbohydrate composition of the invention contains the following components: (i) 5-60 wt. % of one or more monosaccharides selected from monosaccharides other than glucose and fructose, in particular galactose, ribose and mannose; (ii) 15-95 wt. % of oligosaccharides having a length of 2 to 20 anhydromonose units, at least half of which are anhydroglucose units linked by non-α-1,4 bonds; these oligosaccharides preferably comprising disaccharides such as palatinose, isomaltose and trehalose and/or non-α-1,4 linked higher glucose-containing oligosaccharides; (iii) 0-45 wt. % of other available carbohydrates, such as glucose and maltodextrins. This carbohydrate composition can be part of a food composition for the treatment of diabetes, obesitas, insulin resistance, or for postprandial glucose response.
US08148347B2 Inhibition of interaction of PSD93 and PSDS95 with nNOS and NMDA receptors
PSD-95/SAP90 antisense-treated animals not only experience a significant decrease in MAC for isoflurane, but also experience an attenuation in the NMDA-induced increase in isoflurane MAC. PSD-95/SAP90 appears to mediate the role of the NMDA receptor in determining the MAC of inhalational anesthetics. Suppression of the expression of PSD-95/SAP90 in the spinal cord significantly attenuates responses to painful stimuli mediated through the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation. In spinal cord neurons PSD-95/SAP90 interacts with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits 2A/2B. Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in spinal hyperalgesia results in association of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor with PSD-95/SAP90. PSD-95/SAP90 is required for hyperalgesia triggered via the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor at the spinal cord level.
US08148346B2 Compositions and methods for the systemic treatment of arthritis
The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with autoinflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks the bioavailability of interleukin-1β.
US08148344B2 Compositions and methods for mediating RNAi in vivo
This invention relates to new formulated lipid particles (FLiPs) comprising at least one of a single or double stranded oligonucleotide, where the oligonucleotide has been conjugated to a lipophile and at least one of an emulsion or liposome to which the conjugated oligonucleotide has been aggregated, admixed or associated. These particles have surprisingly been shown to effectively deliver oligonucleotides to heart, lung and muscle where they effect gene silencing.
US08148342B2 Oligoribonucleotides and methods of use thereof for treatment of alopecia, acute renal failure and other diseases
The invention relates to a double-stranded compound, preferably an oligoribonucleotide, which down-regulates the expression of a human p53 gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, or a vector capable of expressing the oligoribonucleotide compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also contemplates a method of treating a patient suffering from alopecia or acute renal failure or other diseases comprising administering to the patient the pharmaceutical composition in a therapeutically effective dose so as to thereby treat the patient. The alopecia may be induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and the patient may be suffering from cancer, in particular breast cancer.
US08148340B2 Immunomodulatory oligonucleotides
Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.
US08148338B2 Doxorubicin formulations for anti-cancer use
Doxorubicin block copolymer formulations for use in preparing injectable compositions for treating cancer patients which contain lactose for solubilizing the doxorubicin and block copolymers in said formulations and methyl paraben for stabilizing these formulations, as well as a method of preparing and using these injectable compositions.
US08148332B2 Method for treating a rheumatic disease using a soluble TLA4 molecule
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating rheumatic diseases, such as psoriasis arthropathica, by administering to a subject a CTLA4 molecule that block endogenous B7 molecules from binding their ligands.
US08148331B2 Method for the preparation of growth hormone and antagonist thereof having lower levels of isoform impurities thereof
The present invention is directed generally to recombinant methods for making a desired polypeptide. These method(s) yield a polypeptide product containing reduced levels of isoform impurities thereof. In particular, the present invention is directed to (1) a recombinant method for preparing growth hormone with reduced isoform impurities thereof and (2) a recombinant method for preparing a growth hormone antagonist, such as pegvisomant, and its protein intermediate, also having reduced isoform impurities thereof. More specifically, the isoform impurities that are decreased by methods of the present invention are the trisulfide and des-phe isoform impurities of growth hormone and growth hormone antagonist (or its intermediate), respectively.
US08148329B2 Osteogenic implants with combined implant materials and methods for same
Described are osteogenic implants that include a first implant material covered at least in part by a second implant material carrying an osteogenic protein such as a bone morphogenic protein. The first implant material can comprise a mineral and provide an inner scaffolding portion for supporting bone ingrowth, and the second implant material can comprise a collagen or other sponge carrier covering the first implant material and having a liquid osteogenic protein formulation imbibed therein. Related implant materials and methods of preparation and use constitute additional aspects of the invention.
US08148328B2 Salicylanilides enhance oral delivery of therapeutic peptides
This invention pertains to the surprising discovery that salicylanilides, e.g., niclosamide and/or niclosamide analogues when orally administered in conjunction with a peptide pharmaceutical (e.g., a class A amphipathic helical peptide as described herein) significantly increases the bioavailability of that peptide. Methods of peptide delivery using such “delivery agents” and pharmaceutical formulations are provided.
US08148323B2 Method of treating or inhibiting inflammation by multi-domain amphipathic helical peptides
Disclosed herein are peptides or peptide analogs with multiple amphipathic α-helical domains that promote lipid efflux from cells via an ABCA1-dependent pathway. Also provided herein are methods of using multi-domain amphipathic α-helical peptides or peptide analogs to treat or inhibit dyslipidemic disorders. Methods for identifying non-cytotoxic peptides that promote ABCA1-dependent lipid efflux from cells are also disclosed herein.
US08148322B2 Method and carrier complexes for delivering molecules to cells
The invention relates to carrier complexes and methods for delivering molecules to cells. The carrier complexes comprises a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide in accordance with the invention. In one embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a carrier complex. In another embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide.
US08148320B2 Peptide inhibitors of ABL kinases
Provided are purified compounds comprising SEQ ID NO:1, where the tyrosine at residue (10) is phosphorylated. Also provided are purified compounds comprising SEQ ID NO:1, where the amino acid sequence of the compound is less than 400 amino acids. Additionally provided are methods of determining whether an agent is a candidate inhibitor of an AbI kinase. Further provided are methods of inhibiting an AbI kinase. Also provided are methods of treating a patient having a condition characterized by a mutant AbI kinase. Additionally provided are methods of treating a patient at risk for a condition characterized by a mutant AbI kinase. Methods of labeling an AbI kinase are also provided. Additionally, methods of isolating an AbI kinase from a tissue are provided.
US08148317B2 Azeotrope-like compositions of tetrafluoropropene and hydrofluorocarbons
Provided are azeotrope-like compositions comprising tetrafluoropropene and hydrofluorocarbons and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agent compositions, and aerosol propellants.
US08148314B2 Stabilization of perhydrolases
Disclosed herein is a method for stabilization of the perhydrolase activity of the CE-7 esterase in a formulation with a carboxylic acid ester that employs the addition of a buffering agent, substantially undissolved, to the mixture of the CE-7 esterase and the carboxylic acid ester. Further, disinfectant and laundry care formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
US08148311B2 Composition and method for cleaning semiconductor substrates comprising an alkyl diphosphonic acid
The compositions and methods for the removal of residues and contaminants from metal or dielectric surfaces comprises at least one alkyl diphosphonic acid, at least one second acidic substance at a mole ratio of about 1:1 to about 10:1 in water, and pH is adjusted to from about 6 to about 10 with a basic compound, and optionally a surfactant. Particularly, a composition and method of cleaning residues after chemical mechanical polishing of a copper or aluminum surface of the semiconductor substrates. One of the embodiment is the method of using the compositions in dilution, wherein the solution may be diluted with DI water at dilution ratios, for example, of up to 1:10, up to 1:50, up to 1:100, up to 1:150, up to 1:250, and up to about 1:500 or any ratios therein.