| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08159543B2 |
Processing device with jitter extraction and equipment comprising such a device
A processing device (D) is dedicated to image frame stabilization of digital video sequences in an electronic equipment (E1), such as a digital camera, for instance. This processing device (D) comprises processing means (PM) arranged, for each current image frame of a video sequence, for determining a type of motion present in the video sequence from global motion parameters of the current image frame and the ones of at least one preceding image frame of this video sequence. These parameters are determined from a motion estimation between the current image frame and the preceding one of the video sequence. The motion determination is followed by a selection of a jitter extraction technique amongst at least two jitter extraction techniques depending on this determined motion type. The jitter extraction technique thus chosen is used to determine a jitter intended to be removed from the determined global motion parameter(s) in order to remove unwanted motion(s) present into the current image frame. |
| US08159536B2 |
Method for detecting desired objects in a highly dynamic environment by a monitoring system
A background image is generated based on a captured image. A data cluster is formed in pixel blocks of the background image using at least one feature of pixels in the pixel blocks. A data cluster formed in each pixel block includes a data distribution having a mean value and a standard deviation from the mean value. After generating the background image, each pixel of a subsequent captured image is compared with the data cluster of a pixel block of the background image to generate a first discrepancy value. A pixel of a subsequent image is compared with a data distribution of another adjacent pixel block of the background image to generate a second discrepancy value. Based on the discrepancy values, the pixels of the subsequent image are regarded as background or foreground pixels in a binary map, in which connected foreground pixels are marked to form a foreground object. |
| US08159534B2 |
Method for remote inspection of target in monitored space
This invention addresses remote inspection of target in monitored space. A three dimensional (3D) microwave image of the space is obtained using at least two emitters. The data undergoes coherent processing to obtain maximum intensity of the objects in the area. This image is combined with a 3D video image obtained using two or more video cameras synchronized with the microwave emitters. The images are converted into digital format and transferred into one coordinate system. The distance l is determined between the microwave and the video image. If l |
| US08159533B2 |
Surveillance camera capable of recording color or monochrome images based on time settings
A surveillance camera has a sensing module, a micro-control unit (MCU) and a real-time clock (RTC) unit. The sensing module records original images. The MCU is connected to the sensing module and stores multiple time settings and a smart timer process. The MCU executes the smart timer process to operate the surveillance camera in a color mode, a monochrome mode or an auto mode based on the time settings. In the color mode, the surveillance camera records color images. In the monochrome mode, the surveillance camera records monochrome images. In the auto mode, the surveillance camera selectively records color images and monochrome images based on a variation between light level of the original images and a predetermined light level. Therefore, the surveillance camera can be set to operate in specific mode based on requirements. The surveillance camera is more flexible and convenient than conventional surveillance cameras. |
| US08159530B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying stereoscopic images
A stereoscopic image display apparatus displays stereoscopic images generated from a plurality of images obtained by photography of subjects from different viewpoints. The stereoscopic image display apparatus is constituted by: an interpolative image generating section, for generating at least one pair of interpolative images, which have smaller degrees of parallax than the degree of parallax among the plurality of images; a stereoscopic image generating section, for generating at least one interpolative stereoscopic image from the at least one pair of interpolative images; and a display control section, for sequentially displaying the at least one interpolative stereoscopic image at at least one of a timing prior to and following display of the stereoscopic images. |
| US08159528B2 |
Visual display apparatus
A visual display apparatus suitable for use with a viewing apparatus capable of providing stereoscopic view of an image from 360-degree directions around it, or a display apparatus capable of displaying an observation image that changes depending on what angle it is viewed at or who views it, is described. The visual display apparatus comprises a main optical system that is concentric and rotationally symmetric about a center axis and a plurality of subordinate optical systems of identical construction, which are juxtaposed on a circumference concentric about the center axis. A combined optical system comprising the main optical system and each subordinate optical system has an exit pupil positioned on a side of the main optical system that faces away from each subordinate optical system and on a side of the center axis that faces away from each subordinate optical system on an optical path. |
| US08159526B2 |
Stereoscopic image display system
A stereoscopic image display system includes: an image display unit that displays a parallax image composed of a right eye image and a left eye image; glasses having a transmission portion for a right eye transmitting only the right eye image of the parallax image and a transmission portion for a left eye transmitting only the left eye image of the parallax image; an inclination detection unit that detects an inclination of the glasses; a parallax image generation unit that generates the parallax image in accordance with a detection result from the inclination detection unit; and a display unit that displays the parallax image generated by the parallax image generation unit. |
| US08159523B2 |
Method for capturing convergent-type multi-view image
Provided is a method for convergent type three-dimensional (3D) multi-viewpoint image acquisition. The method for acquiring a multi-viewpoint image in an image acquisition apparatus comprises the steps of: converting the image acquisition apparatus to a multi-viewpoint image photographing mode; if converted to the multi-viewpoint image photographing mode in the converting step, providing a plurality of geometric shapes to set a position of an object to be photographed within a screen and selecting a desired shape of the geometric shapes in response to an inputted shape selection signal; if the desired geometric shape is selected in the shape providing step, adjusting a position and a size of the selected geometric shape in response to a shape adjustment signal; and photographing a whole image having the object that places within the adjusted geometric shape in the adjusting step. |
| US08159522B2 |
Camera unit
There is provided a camera unit used in a communications system having a display section and arranged to exchange sound and images via communication between at least two locations. The camera unit includes a camera section having an image sensor for photoelectrically converting a visual image to an electric signal; a transparent filter section having signal lines for supplying power to the camera section and transferring the image signal supplied thereto from the camera section; a frame section for holding the transparent filter section therein, the frame section having a power input terminal for supplying power to the camera section and a video output terminal for outputting the image signal transferred thereto from the camera section; and attaching members for attaching the frame section holding the transparent filter section therein, to a front surface of a display screen of the display section of the communications system. |
| US08159520B1 |
Ensuring quality of a video stream through a telecommunications network
A method and medium are provided for ensuring that a video stream communicated from a mobile device is communicated subject to a minimum quality level. A request to communicate a video stream at a minimum quality level from a mobile device is received. Signaling information from the mobile device is processed and utilized to establish a communications pathway from the mobile device to the target device. The communications pathway facilitates the communication of the video stream at the minimum quality level. The video stream is communicated to the target device contemporaneously to receiving the video clip by the mobile device. |
| US08159516B2 |
Multibeam laser control device for image forming apparatus
An image data is pre-processed in parallel by a pre-processing unit (A) and a pre-processing unit (B) arranged in parallel. The image data is transferred in synchronization with an image processing signal obtained by ORing a BD signal and an interpolation signal. Laser scanning for plural beams of a multi-laser beam is performed in synchronization with the BD signal. Color matching processing or zeronization processing for the multi-laser beam is performed in synchronization with the image processing signal. |
| US08159514B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes an image transfer unit thermally transferring a plurality of color materials onto a recording medium to superimpose images in respective color materials, a medium conveyance unit conveying the recording medium through the image transfer unit using a stepper motor, a synchronism loss detection sensor detecting a loss of synchronism with the stepper motor, a reference position detection sensor detecting that the recording medium is located at a predetermined reference position, and a conveyance control unit making the medium conveyance unit repeat a forward conveyance and a reverse conveyance of the recording medium and, if the loss of synchronism is detected in the repeating process, making the image transfer unit resume the color printing on the recording medium through positioning the recording medium to the reference position and conveying the recording medium from the reference position to the transfer start position. |
| US08159511B2 |
Methods and systems for sub-pixel rendering with gamma adjustment
Sub-pixel rendering with gamma adjustment allows the luminance for the sub-pixel arrangement to match the non-linear gamma response of the human eye's luminance channel, while the chrominance can match the linear response of the human eye's chrominance channels. The gamma correction allows the sub-pixel rendering to operate independently of the actual gamma of a display device. The sub-pixel rendering techniques with gamma adjustment may be optimized for the gamma transfer curve of a display device in order to improve response time, dot inversion balance, and contrast. |
| US08159503B2 |
Method for adjusting brightness, contrast and color in a displaying apparatus
A process that enables the user to select the type of display device to be adjusted. The user adjusts the brightness levels and color levels of the monitor to create a monitor profile for storage. The user then calibrates the selected monitor relative to a peripheral device such as a color printer device by comparing a printed test image to a displayed a gray scale image and a plurality of color images to establish a printer profile. The user then chooses to print an image by incorporating the printer profile or not. |
| US08159501B2 |
System and method for smooth pointing of objects during a presentation
A system and method are provided that allows a speaker to provide real-time annotations to one or more displayed images during a presentation. The speaker inputs the annotations my manually identify a portion of the displayed image using an input mechanism such as a touch screen that is in communication with a presentation monitor and a control system that is controlling the presentation. The identified portions are annotated onto the displayed images using a adaptive color that is selected to provide optimum contrast with the existing colors in the displayed image. In addition to providing adaptive, contrasting colors for the annotations, imperfection such as waviness are removed from the identified portions to created corrected portions that are then annotated onto the presentation image. Annotation is accomplished through computer generated graphics or through the use of a motorized, controllable laser pointer. |
| US08159500B1 |
Methods and apparatus for color grading with gamut match preview
A method for color grading an image within RGB color space including color values includes receiving a source image having first pixels, wherein second pixels from the first pixels are associated with colors within a first gamut but not a second gamut, receiving a color grading signal, determining a graded image by automatically modifying the colors associated with second pixels to become modified colors in response to the color grading signal, wherein the modified colors are within the second gamut, and wherein at least one color component value of the colors of the second pixels is similar to at least one color component value of the modified colors of the second pixels, wherein ordinality of colors in the one color component of the second pixels in the source image are preserved in the modified colors in the graded image, and storing the color grading signal in a memory. |
| US08159494B2 |
System and method for designing curves
A curve designing system/method is provided. When similar curves are to be generated by evenly mixing features of given sample curves, the method of the present invention can control the extent of mixing features, smoothness, and size. The technology of the present invention can be applied to designing curve and curved surface in the fields of computer graphics and Computer-Aided Design (CAD). |
| US08159490B2 |
Shading of translucent objects
Embodiments of the invention relate for rendering translucent objects. According to some embodiments, the color of a pixel of a translucent object that is not directly illuminated by a light source can be determined by decaying the illumination contributed by the light source according to a predefined decay function. The decay function may be, for example, an exponential decay function. The decay function may be evaluated based on an initial illumination contributed by the light source, and a transmittance distance. In some embodiments, the initial color of the pixel is decayed instead of the illumination. Also disclosed is modifying the renderings of different regions of an object which have been rendered using different methods in order to remove sharp contrasts between these regions. |
| US08159489B2 |
Display apparatus and integrated circuit
A display apparatus includes an image display unit including electro-optic elements and pixel drive circuits arranged two-dimensionally in row and column directions, a first power supplying line for supplying a first potential to the image display unit, and plural data lines severally connected to columns of the image display unit for supplying data signals to the pixel circuits. In addition, plural scanning lines cross the data lines, a data line drive circuit drives the data lines, and a scanning line drive circuit drives the scanning lines. A second potential is supplied to the scanning line drive circuit through a second power supplying line, and the display apparatus is provided with elements for shifting potential of the scanning lines to the first potential of the first electric power supplying line when the second potential is lower than the first potential. |
| US08159486B2 |
Level converter circuit and a liquid crystal display device employing the same
A display device includes a pixel driver circuit. Each of level converter circuits in the pixel driver circuit has an input terminal supplied with a signal swinging between a first voltage and a second voltage lower than the first voltage; a first first-conductivity-type transistor having a gate electrode coupled to the input terminal, and a source region coupled to a reference voltage; a second second-conductivity-type transistor having a gate electrode coupled to a drain region of the first transistor, a source region-coupled to a power supply, and a drain region coupled to an output terminal; one circuit element among a diode, a resistor and a fourth second-conductivity-type transistor, coupled between the gate electrode of the second transistor and the power supply; a third first-conductivity-type transistor having a source region coupled to the input terminal, a drain region coupled to the output terminal, and a gate electrode supplied with a do voltage. |
| US08159484B2 |
Liquid crystal device, pixel circuit, active matrix substrate, and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal device includes a lateral electric field mode liquid crystal element that controls alignment of liquid crystal molecules by applying an electric field in a direction of a substrate plane to a liquid crystal layer. A voltage inverter circuit is provided in each pixel circuit, and inverts a voltage applied to the liquid crystal element by switching the supply of each of the first and second voltages, supplied from a memory circuit, to between a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode of the liquid crystal element. A holding capacitor holds a voltage applied to the liquid crystal element. The voltage inverter circuit includes switching elements. One end of the holding capacitor is connected to at least one of a common connecting point of first and second switching elements and a connecting point of third and fourth switching elements. |
| US08159480B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, pixels arranged so as to correspond to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, and an electro-optical material in which a response speed at a time of halftone display is lower than those at a time of low-gray-scale-level display and at a time of high-gray-scale-level display. Each of the pixels includes at least two adjacent subpixels as a group. Each of the subpixels includes a pixel electrode, a common electrode arranged so as to face the pixel electrode, and a switching device which electrically connects a corresponding one of the data lines to the pixel electrode in accordance with a selection voltage supplied from a corresponding one of the scanning lines. The switching device is connected to the corresponding one of the scanning lines. |
| US08159479B2 |
Pixel circuit and display device
A pixel circuit able to prevent a spread of the terminal voltages of drive transistors inside a panel and in turn able to reliably prevent deterioration of uniformity, wherein a source of a TFT serving as a drive transistor is connected to an anode of a light emitting element, a drain is connected to a power source potential, a capacitor is connected between a gate and source of the TFT, and a source potential of the TFT is connected to a fixed potential through a TFT serving as a switch transistor and wherein pixel circuit lines are connected by an upper line and bottom line and are arranged in parallel with pixel circuit power source voltage lines so as not to have intersecting parts. |
| US08159476B2 |
Mobile terminal comprising rotary type input device and method of setting sensitivity using the same
This document relates to a mobile terminal comprising a rotary type input device and a method of setting a sensitivity using the same. The mobile terminal comprises a display unit for displaying a selection indicator, an input unit comprising a rotary type input device, which is rotated and moved in one or more directions, and configured to set sensitivity information indicating a sensitivity when the rotary type input device is rotated and moved, and a controller for sensing the rotary movement of the rotary type input device and controlling movement of the selection indicator, based on the sensitivity information set by the input unit. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that a user can set a rotation sensitivity of the rotary type input device. |
| US08159470B2 |
Join objects
There is disclosed an interactive display system comprising an interactive surface for displaying an image and for receiving inputs from remote devices, the system being adapted to detect the presence of at least two remote devices proximate the interactive surface. |
| US08159469B2 |
User interface for initiating activities in an electronic device
In one embodiment, a user interface is presented for initiating activities in an electronic device. The user interface includes an element referred to as a “launch wave”, which can be activated at substantially any time, even if the user is engaged with an activity, without requiring the user to first return to a home screen. In various embodiments, the user can activate the launch wave by performing a gesture, or by pressing a physical button, or by tapping at a particular location on a touchscreen, or by activating a keyboard command. In one embodiment, activation of the launch wave and selection of an item from the launch wave can be performed in one continuous operation on a touch-sensitive screen, so as to improve the expediency and convenience of launching applications and other items. |
| US08159468B2 |
Touch substrate of embedded touch display panel and manufacturing method thereof
An embedded touch display panel including a first substrate and a second substrate is provided. The first substrate having a displaying region and a sensing region includes a stack structure, a first conductive layer and a first alignment layer. The stack structure disposed on the first substrate within the sensing region includes a protruding structure and a first rough structure disposed on the protruding structure. The first conductive layer conformally disposed on the stack structure has a first rough surface. The first rough surface is exposed from the first alignment layer that covers the first conductive layer. The second substrate includes a second conductive layer and a second alignment layer. The second conductive layer whose position corresponds to the sensing region is disposed on the second structure. A portion of the second conductive layer corresponding to the first rough surface is exposed from the second alignment layer covering thereon. |
| US08159463B2 |
Apparatus for the display of embedded information
An apparatus for the electronic display of information, where the apparatus is a substrate incorporating a digital recording medium attached to or embedded within the substrate. The substrate further includes a flexible-substrate display located on an exposed surface of the substrate, where the display is a medium capable of selectively displaying one of at least two possible colors at each pixel location thereon in order to produce a substrate medium that may be modified in accordance with a user's selection. |
| US08159461B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations
Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected. |
| US08159460B2 |
Four axles center wheel module for mouse
A four axles center wheel module for mouse comprising a coder assembly for outputting a encoded pulse electronic signal, a center wheel, and a mouse circuit board, the coder assembly is set on the center shaft of the center wheel; a swing component is installed in a slot on a mouse motherboard or the mouse circuit board, a front end supporting shaft of the swing component is installed on the front support of the mouse motherboard or circuit board, and a groove is set at both sides of the swing component to support the center wheel, touch arms for cooperating with two switches mounted on the mouse circuit board are set on both sides of the swing component, and a wheel downward press key touch arm is set at the trailing end of the swing component while a wheel downward press key switch is set on the mouse circuit board below the wheel press downwards key touch arm. To prevent the center wheel module involved in the above technical solution from making a misoperation in use, the following structures are set in the present invention: a position limiting device, or a lever component and a touch arm cooperated with it, or a swing composite switch, or a headstand switch. |
| US08159458B2 |
Motion tracking user interface
A method to transition focus of a display corresponding to an object's motion tracked by a video camera or like device is disclosed. In one implementation, the display shows one or more windows or user interfaces on the display. The object's motion can be used to select one of the windows or user interfaces on the display and manipulate content presented in the window or user interface. In another implementations, the object's motion can manipulate a three-dimensional graphical icon in a three-dimensional display environment, for example, by rotating it. In another implementation, the method further tracks motion of a second object and shifts focus of the display corresponding to the motion of the second object. In another implementation, a second display may be added to mirror the focus transition corresponding to the object's motion. |
| US08159457B2 |
Zero-click activation of an application
A method is described for activating an application without specific positioning of a mouse or clicking a mouse button (“zero-click activation”). This is done by evaluating motion of an input device with regard to predetermined criteria; detecting a rapid, multi-directional motion (a shaking motion) of the input device, and initiating a preconfigured application in response thereto. In an embodiment, the input device is a mouse, and the method is performed without actuating a button on the mouse. The preconfigured application may be a search function, and in particular may be a Web search invoked when a shaking action is detected while the user is viewing a Web site. |
| US08159456B2 |
Mobile communication device capable of providing candidate phone number list and method of controlling operation of the mobile communication device
A mobile communication device capable of providing a candidate phone number list and a method of controlling an operation of the mobile communication device is provided. The method includes displaying a phone number input window and a display window on the touch screen, displaying a string of numbers input to the phone number input window in the display window and displaying a candidate phone number list on the touch screen if a touch input to the display window is detected when the input number string is displayed in the display window, the candidate phone number list including a plurality of phone numbers that contain the input number string. |
| US08159448B2 |
Temperature-compensation networks
Temperature-compensation network embodiments are provided to generate compensation signals which may be useful in improving the performance of a variety of important systems. An embodiment includes a limit current mirror configured to provide a limit current, a current generator to provide a slope current whose magnitude varies with temperature, and an output current mirror positioned to receive the limit current and the slope current and configured to provide a compensation current. In addition, a floating voltage reference is provided for use in various networks which include the temperature-compensation networks. The temperature-compensation networks may be used to improve performance in systems such as a panel driver which provides turn-on and turn-off gate voltages to transistors in liquid crystal displays. |
| US08159447B2 |
Display driving apparatus and display apparatus comprising the same
A display driving apparatus that drives display pixels having pixel electrodes arrayed in rows and columns on the basis of display data includes a signal generating circuit generates a driving signal for sequentially sets the respective display pixels corresponding to the respective rows in a selected state, and applies a signal voltage corresponding to a gradation value of the display data to the pixel electrode of each display pixel. The display driving apparatus also includes a correcting circuit that corrects the driving signal in accordance with selecting operation by the driving signal for each display pixel, and brings the magnitude of the signal voltage with respect to the gradation value of the display data, which is to be applied to the pixel electrode of each display pixel, close to the same value, and applies the corrected driving signal to each of the display pixels set in the selected state. |
| US08159442B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In one embodiment of the present application, a liquid crystal display device is disclosed, in which increased power consumption due to an excessive DAC capability and reduced display quality due to a deficient DAC capability do not occur as a result of dynamically adjusting the DAC capability such that variation in the characteristics of the liquid crystal panel is compensated. The liquid crystal display device comprises a digital-to-analog converter circuit that converts data signals inputted as digital signals to analog signals; a source driver that distributes and inputs analog signals output from the digital-to-analog converter circuit to a plurality of source lines Y; a differential amplifier that compares the voltage V1 detected on the input side of a source line Y and voltage V2 detected on the side opposite the input side of the source line Y; and a correcting circuit that corrects the output of the digital-to-analog converter circuit that corrects the output of the digital-to-analog converter circuit based on the comparison results of the differential amplifier. |
| US08159439B2 |
Data driving circuit including a first operator that generates a flag signal based on a load signal and a reset signal and a second operator that generates a horizontal scanning identical signal, display apparatus comprising the same and control method thereof
A data driving circuit receiving an image signal and applying a data signal based on the image signal to a display panel, the data driving circuit includes a signal generator that generates a horizontal scanning identical signal based on the image signal and a load signal instructing an output of the data signal to the display panel; a signal amplifier that alternately converts a polarity of an offset compensation value from positive to negative and amplifies the image signal based on the offset compensation value; and a controller that counts pulses of the horizontal scanning identical signal and controls the signal amplifier to retain the converted polarity of the offset compensation value until a counted reaches a predetermined reference value. |
| US08159436B2 |
Data driver using a gamma selecting signal, a flat panel display with the same and a driving method therefor
A data driver using a gamma selecting signal, a flat panel display with the same and a driving method therefor are provided. A first to a fourth data lines are electrically connected to a first left sub-pixel, a first right sub-pixel, a second right sub-pixel and a second left sub-pixel, respectively. The data driver includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth gray level generating units for outputting a first set of positive gray voltage, a second set of negative gray voltage, a second set of positive gray voltage and a first set of negative gray voltage, respectively. The data driver drivers these sub-pixels according to the first set of positive gray voltage, the second set of negative gray voltage, the second set of positive gray voltage and the first set of negative gray voltage under the control of a polarity inversion signal and a gamma selecting signal. |
| US08159434B2 |
Driving device for liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display panel driving device is provided which is capable of reliably improving a response speed of a liquid crystal and of obtaining good display quality. When overshooting driving is performed in a current frame for displaying, an excessive response level in a next frame is predicted based on a combination of a gray level in one past frame and a gray level in a current frame and, when an excessive response is predicted, a corrected gray-level value to prevent (or to cancel) the excessive response is calculated in advance. By applying a voltage corresponding to the corrected gray-level value, an excessive response in a next frame can be suppressed. Irrespective of whether or not an excessive response is predictable in a next frame, an overshooting driving can be performed at an applied voltage sufficiently corresponding to a target gray-level value and, as a result, a response speed of a liquid crystal can be reliably made high and good display quality can be obtained. |
| US08159433B2 |
Liquid crystal drive apparatus and liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal drive apparatus includes: a storage unit storing an enhancement correction coefficient having (1/2n)×m below a decimal point where n is 3 or 4, and m is an integer which is at least 0 and less than 2n; a frame memory holding digital image information of a second frame located one frame before a first frame; a first computation unit computing a difference between digital image information of the first frame and digital image information of the second frame; a second computation unit computing enhancement image information for conducting enhancement display of an image on a liquid crystal panel on the basis of the difference and the enhancement correction coefficient; a third computation unit computing addition information by adding the digital image information of the second frame to the enhancement image information; and a drive signal generation unit generating a drive signal on the basis of the addition information to drive the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08159432B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixels each connected to a signal line via a switching element. Each pixel includes first and second sub-pixels having voltage vs. luminance characteristics different from each other with respect to a signal voltage supplied from the signal line. A threshold signal voltage of the first sub-pixel is lower than that of the second sub-pixel. The pixels form color display pixels which are red, green pixel and blue pixels. Where the area ratio of the first sub-pixel in each of the red, green and blue pixels is SR1, SG1 and SB1, and the ratio of the lighting-up time period of the first sub-pixel of each of the red, green and blue pixels in one vertical scanning period is TR1, TG1 and TB1, the relationship of (SR1×TR1)>(SG1×TG1)>(SB1×TB1) holds. |
| US08159429B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method thereof
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) capable of improving display quality includes a first insulating substrate, gate wiring lines formed on the first insulating substrate and extending in a first direction, data wiring lines insulated from and crossing the gate wiring lines and extending in a second direction, and pixel electrodes, each of which includes first and second sub-pixel electrodes that are applied with different data voltages from the data wiring lines, in which at least a part of the second sub-pixel electrode overlaps the data wiring lines. |
| US08159428B2 |
Display methods and apparatus
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators. |
| US08159421B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display including a plurality of data lines to which a data voltage is supplied, a plurality of pairs of gate lines each comprising a first gate lines to which a first scan pulse is supplied and a second gate lines to which a second scan pulse partially overlapping the first scan pulse in an opposed phase is supplied, an OLED that emits light by current that flows between the high potential driving voltage source and the low potential driving voltage source, a driving device for controlling the current that flows through the OLED in accordance with a gate-source voltage applied between a gate electrode connected to a first node and a source electrode connected to the low potential driving voltage source, a storage capacitor connected between the first node and the second node, and a switch circuit. |
| US08159419B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus is provided to operate a light emitting unit with a small number of power drivers. The display apparatus has a plurality of light emitting units, a power driver, whose total provided therein is less than the total of light emitting units, that outputs driving power to the light emitting units. A power switch is switched on and off to supply the driving power to one of the plurality of light emitting units, and a controller controls the power switch to sequentially supply the driving power to the plurality of light emitting units. |
| US08159418B2 |
Plasma display and driving method thereof
A plasma display and a driving method thereof. The plasma display includes a plurality of first electrodes, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a first capacitor. The first switch is connected between a first power source to supply a first voltage and the plurality of first electrodes. The second switch includes a first terminal electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes, a second terminal connected to a second power source to supply a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage, and a gate connected to a signal input terminal. The third switch includes a first terminal electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes, and a gate electrically connected to the first signal input terminal. The first capacitor includes a terminal connected to the second power source, and another terminal connected to a node of the first power source and a second terminal of the third switch. |
| US08159417B2 |
Image display device
An image display device includes: a display part, a measuring instrument, a determination unit, a detection unit, a decision unit, and a notification processing unit. The display part allows a user to visually recognize a display image by projecting an image light corresponding to the display image on an eye of the user in a state where some ambient light reaches at least either one of eyes of the user. The measuring instrument measures brightness of the ambient light. The determination unit determines brightness of the display image. The detection unit detects the difference between the brightness of the ambient light and the brightness of the display image. The decision unit decides timing of temporarily stopping the use of the display part. The notification processing unit performs notification which prompts the user to stop the use of the display part at the timing. |
| US08159411B2 |
Rotary connector providing electromagnetic interference shielding features
In one aspect, a rotary connector having a longitudinal axis includes a first metal portion including a groove about the longitudinal axis. The rotary connector also includes a second metal portion and a spring disposed in the groove and having metal contact with the first portion and the second portion. One of the first metal portion or the second metal portion is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis and the other of the first metal portion or the second metal portion is configured to remain substantially rotationally fixed with respect to the longitudinal axis. The rotary connector may be used for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding with antenna pedestals. |
| US08159404B2 |
Multiple frequency antenna
A helical element, which is operated in the frequency band of FM broadcast, is wound around the outer periphery of a rod-shaped support member 10. A line-shaped element 12, which is operated in the frequency band of terrestrial digital television broadcast, is disposed in a first groove 10a of a predetermined length formed on the outer periphery of the support member 10 from the lower end thereof. With this arrangement, a multi-frequency antenna 1, which is operated in the frequency band of FM broadcast and the frequency band of terrestrial digital television broadcast, can be arranged, and the entire length L of the helical element can be reduced and it can be operated in a plurality of frequency bands with the effect of the line-shaped element 12. |
| US08159403B1 |
GPS munitions/artillery anti-jamming array with multi-band capability
The present invention is a multi-element anti-jamming (A/J) antenna array. The antenna array includes a first antenna assembly configured for being fuse-mounted a first distance from an aft end of at least one of an artillery shell and a munition. The antenna array further includes a second antenna assembly configured for being fuse-mounted a second distance from an aft end of at least one of the artillery shell and the munition, the second distance being lesser than the first distance. Further, the antenna array includes multi-band functionality. |
| US08159401B2 |
Antenna for sealed transmitter assembly in subsurface utility installations
An antenna (14, 15) for installation in a subsurface ground enclosure has an F-shaped radiating element (15) having a rectangular strip (15c) disposed on edge and two spaced apart bars (15a, 15b) disposed substantially perpendicular to the rectangular strip (15c) for connection to a first edge of a circuit board (31) and an L-shaped ground plane extension element (14) extending from a second edge (31b) of the circuit board (31) and then turning substantially perpendicular downward to provide a longer ground plane within a confined rectangular space. The antenna (14, 15) is dimensioned so as to be tuned to a resonant frequency in a range from 450 Mhz to 470 Mhz. |
| US08159400B2 |
Chip antenna and mobile-communication terminal having the same
There are provided a chip antenna and a mobile telecommunication terminal having the chip antenna. The chip antenna includes: a dielectric block having opposing top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces; a first conductive pattern formed on at least one of the surfaces of the dielectric block and connected to an external feeding part; a second conductive pattern formed on at least one of the surfaces of the dielectric block to connect to the first conductive pattern, and having one end connected to an external ground part; and a third conductive pattern formed on at least one of the surfaces of the dielectric block, and spaced apart from the first and second conductive patterns to be capacitively coupled to the first and second conductive patterns, respectively, the third conductive pattern having a lower end connected to the external ground part. |
| US08159398B2 |
Built-in multi-antenna module
A built-in multi-antenna module includes a grounding unit, a plurality of first radiating units and a plurality of second radiating units. The first and the second radiating units are disposed on the grounding unit. Each first radiating unit has a first radiating body, a first feeding pin extended downwards from the first radiating body, and a first shorting pin extended downwards from the first radiating body and connected to the grounding unit. Each second radiating unit has a second radiating body, a second feeding pin extended downwards from the second radiating body, and a second shorting pin extended downwards from the second radiating body and connected to the grounding unit. The first radiating units and the second radiating units are alternately and symmetrically arranged on the grounding unit, and many included angles respectively formed between each first radiating unit and each second radiating unit are the same. |
| US08159395B2 |
Communication device, communication system, position detection method and program
There is provided a communication device including: a receiving unit that receives radio signals transmitted from another communication device using a plurality of transmitting antennas by a plurality of receiving antennas; an estimation unit that estimates a range of a position where said another communication device possibly exists based on a phase of each radio signal received by the receiving unit and antenna spacing between the transmitting antennas; and a position determination unit that determines an existing position of said another communication device within the range estimated by the estimation unit. |
| US08159392B2 |
Frequency aiding method and system for navigation satellite receiver with crystal oscillator frequency hysteresis
A method and apparatus for estimating oscillator signal variation due to temperature and for providing an estimated frequency to a GPS receiver in order to assist the GPS receiver to acquire the signals quickly is disclosed. A temperature sensor is closely thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator in the GPS receiver and during GPS tracking mode, when the error in the oscillator signal is known with precision, outer bounds of TCXO frequency at given temperatures are maintained, which may correspond to rising and falling temperature conditions. During acquisition mode, an estimated frequency value is provided to the GPS receiver based on a determined average of these bounds. Optionally, an uncertainty factor associated with the frequency estimated may also be provided. The two bounds take into account the hysteresis effects of the oscillator signal drift due to temperature so that a more accurate initial frequency estimate can be provided to the GPS receiver, thus reducing its average time to first fix. |
| US08159391B2 |
Method to secure GNSS based locations in a device having GNSS receiver
A method to detect at a GNSS receiver whether the received GNSS signals and navigation messages are the product of an attack. If there is evidence, as provided by the method described here, that the received signals and messages originate from adversarial devices, then receiver equipped with an instantiation of the method notifies the user or the computing platform that integrates the GNSS receiver that the calculated via the GNSS functionality position and time correction are not trustworthy. In other words, our method enables any GNSS receiver, for example, GPS, GLONASS, or Galileo, or any other GNSS system, to detect if the received navigation messages are the legitimate ones (from the satellites) or not (e.g., from attacker devices that generate fake messages that overwrite the legitimate messages). Based on this detection, neither the user and nor any application running in the computing platform is misled to utilize erroneous position information. |
| US08159386B2 |
Method for ascertaining and monitoring fill level of a medium in a container by a travel time measuring method
A method for ascertaining and monitoring fill level of a medium in a container by means of a field device by a travel time measuring method, wherein transmission signals are transmitted in the direction of the medium and reflection signals are received, wherein received reflection signals are registered as echo signals in an echo function dependent on travel time or travel distance, wherein position and/or amplitude at least of a wanted echo signal in the echo function are/is ascertained by means of an echo search algorithm and a continuous echo tracking of changes of position and/or of changes of amplitude of the wanted echo signal in the echo function is performed in a defined search window, wherein position and/or amplitude at least of a wanted echo signal is maintained, in case no wanted echo signal is ascertained in the search window, wherein from position and/or amplitude at least of a wanted echo signal, fill level is ascertained, and wherein a measured value of fill level is output. For this, an asymmetric search window is used for ascertaining the wanted echo signal. |
| US08159385B2 |
Conductive line communication apparatus and conductive line radar system and method
A conductive line radar comprising at least one signal surface wave launcher, which comprises a signal surface wave transceiver, which is physically attached to a power line. The signal surface wave transceiver transmits a wave signal along the power line with another signal radiating from the wave signal in a plurality of directions along the power line. The at least one signal surface wave transceiver receives reflected signals from a target within a distance of the power line. The at least one signal surface wave launcher includes at least one RF communications transceiver and can be inductively powered from the power line. |
| US08159384B2 |
Method for examining an ice region or dry region using radar echo sounding
To suppress cross-ambiguities in the examination of an ice region or dry region by means of aircraft- or aerospace-supported radar echo sounding, the region to be examined is overflown by a radar sensor (6) by multiple compatible radar sensors of the same operating wavelength on multiple spatially separated, substantially parallel paths, wherein the radar signal data received on each path are recorded. The radar signal data recorded for each of the different paths are summed coherently and using a weighting to form a radargram, wherein an adaptive complex-valued weighting for each of the individual paths is performed using a geometrical model which takes into account the topography of the environment of the region to be examined. The weighting for every depth of the examined region is determined by solving a system of linear equations from which is calculated a synthetic antenna pattern which has zeros in the direction of the ambiguities.Implementation in radar systems for echo sounding in ice and in dry regions on earth or other planets and extraterrestrial objects. |
| US08159382B2 |
Low power converter and shutdown SAR ADC architecture
With Successive Approximation Register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), there are several different architectures. One of these architectures is a “convert and shut down” architecture, where an internal amplifier is powered down during the sampling phase to reduce power consumption. This powering down comes at a price in that a portion of the convert phase is lost waiting for the amplifier to be powered back up. Here, an apparatus is provided that makes use of the entire convert phase by coarsely resolving a few bits during the period in which the amplifier is powering up to have an increased resolution over conventional SAR ADCs with “convert and shut down” architecture, while maintaining low power consumption. |
| US08159381B2 |
Glitch free dynamic element matching scheme
A dynamic element matching (DEM) scheme is implemented in a crawling code generator for converting a b-bit binary input code into a (2b−1)-bit digital output code. A random generator determines for every conversion step a direction. A decimal difference between the current and previous binary input is calculated. The new crawling output code is determined based on the previous crawling output code, the direction and the decimal difference. The DEM scheme is used in a digital-to-analog converter such that the crawling output code switches digital-to-analog converting elements that output analog signals that are then summed to be the final analog signal. |
| US08159378B2 |
Analog-to-digital conversion method using RC time constant calibrator and analog-to-digital converter therefor
An analog-to-digital conversion method using an RC time constant calibrator is provided. The method includes the operations of comparing a crossing time point at which a first reference signal and a second reference signal cross each other with a target time point and calibrating an RC time constant according to a result of the comparison. A length of time until the crossing time point at which a first analog signal and a second analog signal cross each other is counted based on a calibrated RC time constant. The counted value is output. |
| US08159373B2 |
Encoding and decoding information
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for encoding and decoding information. In one aspect, methods of encoding information in an encoder include the actions of receiving a signal representing information using a collection of discrete digits, converting, by an encoder, the received signal into a time-based code, and outputting the time-based code. The time-based code is divided into time intervals. Each of the time intervals of the time-based code corresponds to a digit in the received signal. Each digit of a first state of the received signal is expressed as a event occurring at a first time within the corresponding time interval of the time-based code. Each digit of a second state of the received signal is expressed as a event occurring at a second time within the corresponding time intervals of the time-based code, the first time is distinguishable from the second time. All of the states of the digits in the received signal are represented by events in the time-based code. |
| US08159372B2 |
Keyboard with plural key switch matrices to detect ghosting
Keyboard apparatus and methods for processing keyboard depressions are disclosed. One disclosed keyboard apparatus includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys configured to be depressed in a concurrent depression state, and a plurality of key switch matrices. Each key switch of the plurality of key switch matrices may be configured to be actuated by a corresponding key of the keyboard. The keyboard apparatus may further include a keyboard controller configured to determine whether a sensed key depression in the concurrent depression state is a ghost key depression, based on sensed key switch states of respective key switches in each of the plurality of key switch matrices which correspond to the sensed key depression. |
| US08159369B1 |
Weather radar system and method
An aircraft hazard warning system configured to provide an indication of a hazard level to an electronic display includes an input configured to receive first input data and second input data. The first input data includes at least one of lightning detection data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and temperature data. The second input data includes at least one of aircraft speed data and wing loading data. The system further includes processing electronics configured to determine a hazard level of the aircraft based on the first input data. The processing electronics updates at least one characteristic of the hazard level based on the second input data. The processing electronics provides an indication of the hazard level and updated characteristic to the electronic display. For example, the characteristic can be a color of indicators representing the first input data and can be modified based on the second input data. |
| US08159368B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for providing an emergency vehicle alert
A method for providing an emergency vehicle alert to an occupant of a second vehicle includes: receiving an alert signal at a receiver device on the second vehicle from the emergency vehicle; and, responsive to the received alert signal, automatically warning the occupant of the second vehicle that the emergency vehicle may be approaching and/or is in a vicinity of the second vehicle. |
| US08159359B2 |
Function check for a gas-alarm annunciator
A test device, for checking the functioning capability of a gas-alarm annunciator, has a reservoir in which are located a target fluid and a carrier fluid. At least a part of the carrier fluid is present in a liquid aggregate state and the target fluid is at least partially dissolved in the liquid carrier fluid. An extraction device engages into the reservoir such that the target fluid can be extracted along with the liquid carrier fluid. The target fluid is constituted such that on reaching a coverage area of a properly functioning gas-alarm annunciator it will cause the gas-alarm annunciator to annunciate an alarm. A test system and a test method for checking a gas-alarm annunciator's functioning capability use such a test device. |
| US08159348B2 |
Communication system with antenna box amplifier
A communication system for communicating with an implanted wireless sensor is provided. A transmit antenna element can propagate an energizing signal onto a communication medium and a receive antenna element can recover a responsive implanted sensor response signal. The antenna box includes a power amplifier for amplifying the energizing signal and timing regeneration circuitry for detecting an end to signals and outputting control signals for selecting mode operation. The antenna box can receive the energizing signal from the antenna cable in a transmit mode and provide the implanted sensor response signal to the antenna cable in a receive mode. The antenna box can communicate with an electronic box and/or conversion box that provide and receive signals and provide power via the antenna cable. |
| US08159342B1 |
Systems and methods for wireless object tracking
A system for object tracking may comprise at least one subsystem that couples an electronic signal emitting and receiving device to an object to be tracked, at least one subsystem that assigns an identifier to the object, at least one subsystem that registers the identifier of the object with a second object, and at least one subsystem that establishes electronic communication between the object to be tracked and the second object via the electronic signal emitting and receiving device. Also a system for object tracking may comprise at least one subsystem that detects at a first object an electronic signal from a second object, and at least one subsystem that emits an electronic alert beacon from the first object when said first object is determined to be out of range of the second object. |
| US08159339B2 |
Child monitoring system
Disclosed is a child monitoring system. The child monitoring system includes a plurality of caregiver units and a child monitoring unit. The child monitoring unit is communicably coupled to the plurality of caregiver units and the plurality of caregiver units are configured to communicate amongst each other. The child monitoring unit is configured to detect an audible sound of the child. A signal responsive of the audible sound of the child is generated and transmitted to at least one caregiver unit of the plurality of caregiver units. Further, the child monitoring unit is configured to receive a signal responsive of instructions of the at least one caregiver of the plurality of caregivers from the at least one caregiver unit. |
| US08159333B2 |
Energy-efficient indoor localization system and a method of reducing power consumption of a radio badge in the indoor localization system
A method of reducing power consumption of a radio badge in a localization system is disclosed, in which the radio badge is carried by a tracked target and is provided with a pedometer for detecting a footstep count of the tracked target. The method includes: estimating a velocity of the radio badge according to the footstep count detected by the pedometer; calculating a sleep time from the velocity of the radio badge; and controlling the radio badge to discontinue emitting radio signals during the sleep time. An indoor localization system that performs the method is also disclosed. |
| US08159332B2 |
Radio frequency identification transponder
A radio frequency identification transponder including a power supply and a dynamic memory array which stores data. When power from the power supply ceases, the data in the dynamic memory array is validly maintained for a predetermined period of time. The dynamic memory array is responsive to an interrogating signal for selectively updating the data. A signal processor extracts an identifier from the interrogation signal and is responsive to the identifier and the stored data to determine whether some or all of the identifier is stored in the dynamic memory array. |
| US08159330B2 |
System and method for dimensional rating using RFID technology
A device for determining the dimensions of a parcel includes a platform and two adjacent walls. Each of the platform and walls are provided with a respective antenna for transmitting and receiving RF energy. The parcel to be measured is placed on the platform and registered against the walls. A responding device, having RFID tags attached thereto, is placed on a corner of the parcel. Each of the antennae are energized, and response signals from the RFID tags are measured. Based on the response signals from the RFID tags, the dimensions of the parcel can be determined, and the parcel can be rated for delivery based on the determined dimensions. |
| US08159323B2 |
Transformer and power supply apparatus using the same
A transformer includes a first bobbin having a first primary winding and a first secondary winding wound therearound, having a first through hole; a second bobbin having a second primary winding and a second secondary winding wound therearound, having a second through hole; and two divided magnetic cores. A divided magnetic core is composed of center magnetic leg formed from a vertical wall and a side wall vertically linked to rear magnetic plate, with a T-shaped cross section; a first outer magnetic leg placed at one side separated by the vertical wall; and a second outer magnetic leg placed at the other side. The first and second outer magnetic legs are inserted from both sides of the first and second through hole. |
| US08159318B2 |
Electromagnet assembly directly driving latch of an electronic circuit breaker
A circuit breaker includes a trip unit and an electronic fault detection unit sharing a common trip latch for causing the circuit breaker to trip upon detection of a fault by either unit. The circuit breaker has an electromagnet for causing the circuit breaker to trip upon detection of a fault by an electronic fault detection unit. The electromagnet is oriented in the housing proximal the trip latch without any components interposed between them, and directly attracts the latch. Advantageously the electromagnet orientation does not impact operation or the range of motion of the latch or other trip unit components. Advantageously the circuit breaker of the present invention does not increase the trip latch mass, its bulk swept volume through its range of motion or require additional linkage components that potentially might increase trip cycle time. In some embodiments the electromagnet core is reciprocable. |
| US08159315B2 |
Substrate, communication module, and communication apparatus
A substrate for mounting a filter has a connection line layer having a transmission line for connecting a filter, a ground layer placed below the connection line layer and having a ground, and an insulation layer placed between the transmission line and the ground layer and having a thickness which satisfies a characteristic impedance of the transmission line in a range 0.1 to 50 ohms, the characteristic impedance determined by the thickness and a dielectric constant of the insulation layer and a width of the transmission line. |
| US08159312B2 |
Method and system for signal coupling and direct current blocking
A method and class of circuit configurations for coupling low-frequency signals from one stage of an electronic apparatus to another stage, from the outside world to such a stage, or from such a stage to the outside world, through the use of a plurality of symmetrical double-layer capacitors combined with other electronic components are disclosed. The capacitors are used for signal transmission while blocking direct current, rather than for energy storage. Use of double-layer capacitors in place of more conventional capacitors permits the transmission of a much wider range of signals with far less distortion. The technology is particularly well-adapted to use in medical devices, including bioelectronic stimulators, where redundant devices are required for safety in case of single component failure while unacceptable levels of distortion may occur when conventional components are used. |
| US08159310B2 |
Mictostrip transmission line structure with vertical stubs for reducing far-end crosstalk
Provided is a microstrip transmission line for reducing far-end crosstalk. In a conventional microstrip transmission line on a printed circuit board, a capacitive coupling between adjacent signal lines is smaller than an inductive coupling therebetween, so that far-end crosstalk occurs. According to the present invention, the capacitive coupling between the adjacent signal lines is increased to reduce the far-end crosstalk. A vertical-stub type microstrip transmission line is provided. |
| US08159309B1 |
Windowing to narrow a bandwidth of an amplitude modulation power supply input signal
The present disclosure relates to using windowing to reduce the bandwidth of an amplitude modulation (AM) power supply input signal (PSIS), which is fed to an AM power supply to provide envelope power to an RF power amplifier stage via an AM power supply output signal. By reducing the bandwidth, noise levels from the AM power supply may be reduced. However, although the bandwidth of the AM PSIS is reduced, the AM power supply output signal may track the AM of the RF power amplifier stage closely enough to meet linearity requirements and to provide high efficiency. The windowing may be based on dividing a stream of AM input samples into a stream of input windows, from which a stream of output windows is created to provide a stream of windowed AM input samples that are used to provide a windowed AM PSIS to the AM power supply. |
| US08159308B1 |
Low power voltage controlled oscillator (VCO)
An apparatus includes a tank circuit of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). A pair of alternating current (AC) coupling capacitors couple the gates of the pair of transistors to the drains of the pair of transistors. A bias circuit is coupled to the gates of the pair of transistors to bias the pair of transistors such that the pair of transistors alternatingly turn on during a plurality of peaks of an oscillating signal of the tank circuit and the pair of transistors turn off during a plurality of crossing points of the oscillating signal. A feedback loop may be configured to detect a peak oscillating amplitude of the oscillating signal and adjust a bias voltage of the bias circuit. Also, a supply capacitor may be coupled to the tank circuit and to the pair of transistors to provide an instantaneous current to the VCO. |
| US08159305B2 |
Amplifying device
An amplifying device includes a selecting section that selects one of a first power source potential and a second power source potential which are different from each other, a potential generating circuit that generates a third power source potential from the power source potential selected by the selecting section, an amplifier that operates with supply of the first power source potential and the third power source potential, and a controlling circuit that variably controls a target to be selected by the selecting section in accordance with at least one of an amplitude of a signal on an input side of the amplifier, an amplitude of a signal on an output side of the amplifier, and the third power source potential. |
| US08159303B2 |
Operational amplifier
An operational amplifier includes an input stage amplifier that receives an input signal, an output stage amplifier that amplifies a signal output from the input stage amplifier and outputs the signal, a capacitor that is connected between an input node and an output node of the output stage amplifier, and a charge and discharge control circuit that controls a charge and discharge current of the capacitor. |
| US08159300B2 |
Signal conversion circuit and rail-to-rail circuit
A signal conversion circuit 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a difference amplifier 10 and a source follower 20. The difference amplifier 10 has first and second resistors 11, 12 connected in series, third and fourth resistors 13, 14 connected in series, first and second PMOS transistors 15, 16, and a current source 18. The source follower 20 has first and second NMOS transistors 22, 24. A source of the first NMOS transistor 22 is connected between the first and second resistors 11, 12, while a source of the second NMOS transistor 24 is connected between the third and fourth resistors 13, 14. |
| US08159298B2 |
Linearization circuits and methods for power amplification
Linearization circuits of the invention are used in conjunction with power amplification circuits that comprise a power amplifier core. Exemplary linearization circuits comprise a replica of the power amplifier core. In operation, the linearization produces an envelope signal from an RF signal. The envelope signal is used to control the replica to produce an analog output signal which represents the inverse of the AM to AM distortion of the power amplifier core. The linearization circuit then biases the RF signal with the inverted non-linear signal of the replica to control the power amplifier core. The power amplifier core and the replica thereof can be defined on the same semiconductor die so both respond to process variables similarly. |
| US08159295B2 |
Supply-modulated RF power amplifier and RF amplification methods
An embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a reduced bandwidth envelope signal VDD(t) for the power supply modulator of an RF amplifier. An envelope signal of an RF amplifier input Venv(t) is low pass filtered. The filtered envelope signal is subtracted from the envelope signal to obtain a difference signal, which is rectified to produce a residue signal. The residue signal is low pass filtered and added back into the filtered envelope signal. An iterative process of the rectifying, low pass filtering the residue signal adding it back is continued until a condition of VDD(t)≧Venv(t) is met. Another embodiment provides a method of generating a reduced bandwidth envelope signal VDD(t) for the power supply modulator of an RF amplifier. An envelope signal of an RF amplifier input Venv(t) is low pass filtered. The filtered envelope signal is subtracted from the envelope signal to obtain a difference signal, which is rectified to produce a residue signal. The residue signal is low pass filtered and multiplied by a first constant that is greater than one, and then added back into the filtered envelope signal. A second constant is added into the filtered envelope signal so that the condition VDD(t)≧Venv(t) is met. |
| US08159293B2 |
Nested transimpendance amplifier
A nested transimpedance amplifier circuit including a first power source, a second power source, a charge pump module and a transimpedance amplifier. The first power source is at a first voltage. The second power source is at a second voltage. The second voltage is different than the first voltage. The charge pump module (i) receives the first voltage and the second voltage and (ii) generates a third voltage based on the first voltage and the second voltage. The first transimpedance amplifier includes an input, an output and a first operational amplifier. The input of the first transimpedance amplifier receives an input voltage. The output of the first transimpedance amplifier outputs an output voltage. The first operational amplifier receives the third voltage. The first transimpedance amplifier generates the output voltage based on the third voltage and the input voltage. |
| US08159282B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and high frequency module with the same
The present invention is directed to reduce increase in the level of a harmonic signal of an RF (transmission) Tx output signal at the time of supplying an RF Tx signal to a bias generation circuit of an antenna switch. A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an antenna switch having a bias generation circuit, a Tx switch, and an antenna switch having a bias generation circuit, a transmitter switch, and a receiver (Rx) switch. The on/off state of a transistor of a Tx switch coupled between a Tx port and an I/O port is controlled by a Tx control bias. The on/off state of the transistors of the Rx switch coupled between the I/O port and a receiver (Rx) port is controlled by an RX control bias. A radio frequency (RF) signal input port of the bias generation circuit is coupled to the Tx port, and a negative DC output bias generated from a DC output port can be supplied to a gate control port of transistors of the Rx switch. |
| US08159280B2 |
Noise generator
A noise generator for generating band-limited noise from a plurality of sinusoidal signals at the same level and equidistant frequency position in the noise spectrum is provided. A noise signal has a low crest factor and for this purpose the phase position of each individual sinusoidal signal is determined. |
| US08159278B2 |
Method for clamping a semiconductor region at or near ground
A clamping circuit clamps a voltage received by an n-type semiconductor region without using a Schottky transistor. The clamping circuit includes a current mirror as well as first and second bipolar transistors. The current mirror receives a first current and supplies a second current in response. The first current is received by the first bipolar transistor, and the second current is received by the second bipolar transistor. The difference between the base-emitter junction voltages of the first and second bipolar transistors, in part, defines the voltage at which the n-type region is clamped. To start-up the circuit properly, current is withdrawn from the base/gate terminals of the transistors disposed in the current mirror. The circuit optionally includes a pair of cross-coupled transistors to reduce the output impedance and improve the power supply rejection ratio. |
| US08159277B1 |
Techniques for providing multiple delay paths in a delay circuit
A feedback loop circuit includes a phase detector and delay circuits. The phase detector generates an output signal based on a delayed periodic signal. The delay circuits are coupled in a delay chain that delays the delayed periodic signal. Each of the delay circuits includes variable delay blocks and fixed delay blocks that are coupled to form at least two delay paths for an input signal through the delay circuit to generate a delayed output signal. Delays of the variable delay blocks in the delay circuits vary based on the output signal of the phase detector. Each of the delay circuits reroutes the input signal through a different one of the delay paths to generate the delayed output signal based on the output signal of the phase detector during operation of the feedback loop circuit. |
| US08159274B2 |
Signaling with superimposed clock and data signals
A data transmission circuit includes a clock driver to obtain a clock signal having a first rate and to drive the clock signal onto one or more transmission lines. The data transmission circuit also includes a timing circuit to obtain the clock signal and to generate a symbol clock having a second rate. The first rate is a multiple of the second rate, wherein the multiple is greater than one. The data transmission circuit further includes a data driver synchronized to the symbol clock. The data driver obtains a data signal and drives the data signal onto the one or more transmission lines at the second rate. The data signal and the clock signal are driven onto the one or more transmission lines simultaneously. |
| US08159272B2 |
System and method for on-chip jitter and duty cycle measurement
An apparatus for measuring time interval between two selected edges of a clock signal. includes an edge generator, a first multi-tap delay module, a second multi-tap delay module, and a multi-element phase detector. The edge generator produces a first edge at a first output node and a second selected edge at a second output node. First multi-tap delay module provides a first constant incremental delay at each tap to the first edge. Second multi-tap delay module provides a second constant incremental delay at each tap to the second selected edge. Each element of the multi-element phase detector has a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to a selected tap of the first multi-tap delay module and the second input terminal is coupled to a corresponding tap of the second multi-tap delay module. The output terminals of the multi-element phase detector provide the value of the time interval. |
| US08159269B2 |
Multi-function input terminal of integrated circuits
A single terminal is used to configure an integrated circuit into one of three states. A circuit within the integrated circuit is coupled to the terminal and determines whether the terminal: 1) is coupled by a low impedance to a voltage source, or 2) is coupled by a medium impedance to the voltage source, or 3) is floating or substantially floating. The circuit asserts a first digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is coupled by the low impedance to the voltage source. The circuit asserts a second digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is coupled by the medium impedance to the voltage source. The circuit asserts a third digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is floating or substantially floating. The terminal and circuit are particular suited for use in a Power Management Unit (PMU) Integrated Circuit. |
| US08159267B2 |
Semiconductor device, display device, and electronic device
To provide a semiconductor device which operates stably with few malfunctions due to noise, with low power consumption, and little variation in characteristics; a display device including the semiconductor device; and an electronic device including the display device. An output terminal is connected to a power supply line, thereby reducing variation in electric potential of the output terminal. In addition, a gate electrode potential which turns ON a transistor is maintained due to the capacitance of the transistor. Further, change in characteristics of the transistor is reduced by a signal line for reverse bias. |
| US08159265B1 |
Memory for metal configurable integrated circuits
Memory for a semiconductor device is disclosed. The memory array comprises: a memory cell replicated in rows and columns to form an array; and a plurality of first horizontal decode signals, each horizontal signal common to all the memory cells in a said row; and a plurality of first vertical decode signals, each vertical signal common to all the memory cells in a said column; wherein, said replicated memory cell further comprises: a storage device to store data; and a first decode device to receive a said first horizontal decode signal and a said first vertical decode signal and generate a first local decode signal to access a first unique memory cell in the array. |
| US08159263B1 |
Programmable integrated circuit with voltage domains
A programmable integrated circuit having a plurality of individually controlled voltage domains. Each voltage domain includes logic circuitry powered by a respective power network. The voltage magnitude of each power network is independently selectable. Each of a plurality of level shifters couples a first and second one of the voltage domains, couples a first port of the logic circuitry of the first voltage domain to a second port of the logic circuitry of the second voltage domain, and shifts from a first signaling protocol of the first port to a second signaling protocol of the second port. The first signaling protocol is referenced to the voltage magnitude of the first voltage domain, and the second signaling protocol is referenced to the voltage magnitude of the second voltage domain. Means are disclosed for controlling the voltage magnitude of the respective power network of one or more of the voltage domains. |
| US08159260B1 |
Delay chain burn-in for increased repeatability of physically unclonable functions
A circuit and method increases the repeatability of physically undetectable functions (PUFs) by enhancing the variation of signal delay through two delay chains during chip burn-in. A burn-in circuit holds the inputs of the two delay chains at opposite random values during the burn-in process. All the PFETs in the delay chains with a low value at the input will be burned in with a higher turn on voltage. Since the PFETs affected in the two delay chains are driven by opposite transitions at burn-in, alternating sets of delay components in the two delay chains are affected by the burn-in cycle. Under normal operation, both of the delay chains see the same input so only one chain has an increase in delay to achieve a statistically reliable difference in the two delay paths thereby increasing the overall repeatability of the PUF circuit. |
| US08159254B2 |
Crack sensors for semiconductor devices
Crack sensors for semiconductor devices, semiconductor devices, methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices, and methods of testing semiconductor devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a crack sensor includes a conductive structure disposed proximate a perimeter of an integrated circuit. The conductive structure is formed in at least one conductive material layer of the integrated circuit. The conductive structure includes a first end and a second end. A first terminal is coupled to the first end of the conductive structure, and a second terminal is coupled to the second end of the conductive structure. |
| US08159252B2 |
Test handler and method for operating the same for testing semiconductor devices
A test handler and method for operating a test handler for testing semiconductor devices are provided. The test handler includes a test tray located on one side of an opening apparatus in which a plurality of inserts are arrayed, wherein each insert comprises at least one semiconductor device loaded thereon, at least one opening unit for opening inserts at one part of the one side of the test tray, and a position changing apparatus comprises a motor including a driving pulley for moving at least one opening unit along a contact surface of the test tray such that the at least one opening unit changes positions on the test tray and is located at another part of the one side of the test tray in order to open inserts at the other part of the one side of the test tray. |
| US08159250B2 |
Testing device for testing a semiconductor device
A testing device of a semiconductor device includes a first board having a plurality of openings; a frame body provided in the openings, the frame body having a frame in which a plurality of probe needles is provided; and a plurality of second boards provided perpendicular to the first board in the periphery of the openings, the second boards being connected to the first board; wherein the probe needles pierce the frame so as to be connected to the second boards from the periphery of the frame body via the openings. |
| US08159248B2 |
Interposer structures and methods of manufacturing the same
Flexible and rigid interposers for use in the semiconductor industry and methods for manufacturing the same are described. Auto-catalytic processes are used to minimize the costs associated with the production of flexible interposers, while increasing the yield and lifetime. Electrical contact regions are easily isolated and the risk of corrosion is reduced because all portions of the interposer are plated at once. Leads projecting from the flexible portion of the interposers accommodate a greater variety of components to be tested. Rigid interposers include a pin projecting from a probe pad affixed to a substrate. The rigidity of the pin penetrates oxides on a contact pad to be tested. Readily available semiconductor materials and processes are used to manufacture the flexible and rigid interposers according to the invention. The flexible and rigid interposers can accommodate pitches down to 25 μm. |
| US08159246B2 |
Testing apparatus having tips of different heights
A testing device suitable for a testing apparatus with light inspection of a display panel is provided, in which the testing device includes a main part and two contact parts. The testing device is fixed to the testing apparatus with light inspection by the main part. Two contact parts are respectively extended from two ends of the main part along a first direction, and each of the contact parts has a plurality of tips. The tips of each contact part have different heights. Besides, a testing apparatus is also provided. Therefore, the abovementioned testing device and the testing apparatus are able to drastically extend the user lifetime, improve the inspection accuracy and save cost. |
| US08159245B2 |
Holding member for inspection, inspection device and inspecting method
Installed in a probe device is a holding member for inspection which can be mounted on a chuck. The holding member for inspection includes a support plate capable of mounting thereon a chip in which the power device is formed; pins for positioning the chip mounted on the support plate; and a metal film formed on a surface of the support plate in a range from a mounting area on which the chip is mounted to an exposed area on which the chip is not mounted. When inspecting the power device, the chip is fixed onto the mounting area in the holding member for inspection, one probe pin is brought into contact with a terminal on a top surface of the chip; and another probe pin is brought into contact with the metal film in the exposed area. |
| US08159244B2 |
Method and system for testing a semiconductor package
A method and system for testing a semiconductor package. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising testing a semiconductor package unit (150, 420) by electrically coupling a top printed circuit board (208, 420) to a top-side of a semiconductor package unit (150, 420), the coupling using electrically conductive top-side pogo pins (201A, 420), and a pair of adjacent top-side pogo pins (201A, 420) bridged using an electrically conductive path (302, 420), electrically coupling a bottom printed circuit board (210, 430) to a bottom-side of the semiconductor package unit (150, 430), the coupling using electrically conductive bottom-side pogo pins (201B, 430), said top-side pogo pins (201A, 430) and said bottom-side pogo pins are of substantially equal height (201B, 430), and transmitting test signals from the bottom printed circuit board to the semiconductor device package by way of the bottom-side pogo pins (210, 440). |
| US08159242B2 |
Handling device for positioning a test head at a test station
A handling device for positioning a test head, in particular at a test station, is provided with a positioning means enabling the test head to be positioned with respect to three dimensions. The handling device also has a mounting on which the test head can be attached and which is connected to the positioning means. The handling device is also provided with a fastening plate which is movably mounted and a compliance module by means of which the fastening plate can be moved between a starting position (I) and an end position (II, III) against the effect of a return force. The compliance module includes a housing, a spindle, a first sliding bushing and a second sliding bushing which are arranged in a movable manner on the spindle between a first stop and a second stop, and a spring element arranged between the sliding bushings and which impinges on the sliding bushings. The sliding bushings are movable relative to the housing. The compliance module permits bi-directional compliance of the test head. |
| US08159238B1 |
Method and apparatus for in-situ health monitoring of solar cells in space
Some embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus that includes an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The apparatus includes an oscillator, an inverter, and a ramp generator. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time of the waveform, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel. During the high time of the waveform, a measurement of a current of a shorted cell and a voltage reference is performed as the current of the shorted cell and the voltage reference are transmitted through the first channel and the second channel. |
| US08159237B2 |
Grid sensor
A grid sensor significantly reduces the complexity of a production process. The cost for installing and running the grid sensor are significantly reduced and the service life, pressure and heat resistance of the grid sensor can be significantly increased over previous grid sensors. Channels, which are wider than the diameter of the wire electrodes and have a depth of less than half the thickness of the sensor board, run outwardly from the edge of the measurement cross section in the sensor board. The channels are coated by a metal layer and the wire electrodes are inserted into the periphery of the measurement cross section. The two ends of the electrode, each in one of the opposite channels, and the electrodes are fixed in the channels by means of a conductive sealing compound. In each channel, the conductive sealing compound terminates in a planar fashion with the upper side of the sensor board, and the sensor board is clamped between two clamping plates. |
| US08159236B2 |
Corona effluent sensing device
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to the detection and monitoring of corona effluent. The present embodiments pertain to a corona sensing device that employs a film of organic charge transporting material, as the active component in a corona effluent sensing device, that is disposed onto a patterned electrode bearing support member. |
| US08159232B2 |
Fuel property sensor
In a fuel property sensor, a pair of first and second electrodes is arranged in a fuel chamber to measure an electric capacitance, thereby detecting a mixing ratio of alcohol to gasoline in a fuel of the fuel chamber. An outer wall surface of the first electrode is exposed in the fuel, and a sensing portion contacts an inner wall surface of the first electrode to detect a temperature of the fluid via the first electrode. One end portion of a lead is connected to the sensing portion and the other end portion thereof is connected to a plate portion attached to a housing. Furthermore, an elastic deformation portion is provided as a part of the lead to be elastically deformed, and to cause the sensing portion to be biased in a direction on which the sensing portion contacts the inner wall surface of the first electrode. |
| US08159229B2 |
Load compensation in distance protection of a three-phase power transmission line
A load compensation method for phase-to-ground loops in distance protection. A first reactive reach is estimated assuming zero fault resistance or with a positive sequence current. A second reactive reach is estimated with a zero sequence current. A third reactive reach is estimated with a negative sequence current. An import or export condition is estimated. A fourth reactive reach for import or export condition is estimated based on the first, second and third reactive reach. A fault impedance is estimated based on the estimated fourth reactive reach. |
| US08159227B2 |
Methods for making directional resistivity measurements
One exemplary embodiment of a method for making directional resistivity measurements includes transmitting an axial electromagnetic wave in a borehole and receiving substantially pure axial and transverse components of the wave. A ratio of the axial and transverse components is computed and may be utilized as an indicator of various formation parameters. The invention advantageously enables the moment of the transmitting antenna to be canceled and therefore can result in improved accuracy. |
| US08159224B2 |
Combined magnetic resonance imaging and targeting device for magnetic particles
The invention relates to a combined magnetic resonance imaging and targeting device for magnetic particles having a magnetic coil array. The magnetic coil array comprises a plurality of coils, each of which is connected to a power supply. The power supplies are connected to a controller which is embodied for two operating modes. In a first operating mode the power supplies are controlled in such a way that a magnetic field extreme value is generated at least one location in a target region. In a second operating mode the power supplies are controlled in such a way that magnetic fields having a strictly monotonously rising or falling magnetic field profile are generated in an imaging region. |
| US08159220B2 |
Nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope mechanization
One embodiment of the invention includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system. The system includes a gyro cell that is sealed to enclose an alkali metal vapor, a first gyromagnetic isotope, a second gyromagnetic isotope, and a third gyromagnetic isotope. The system also includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field that is provided through the gyro cell to cause the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes to precess. The system further includes an angular rotation sensor configured to measure a rotation angle about a sensitive axis of the NMR gyroscope system based on measured precession angles of the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes. |
| US08159219B2 |
MEMS 2D and 3D magnetic field sensors and associated manufacturing method
The disclosure provides Hall effect device configurations capable of measuring magnetic fields in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D) along with associated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The present invention includes various geometric layout configurations for 2D and 3D Hall effect devices with multidimensional magnetic field sensing elements. Advantageously, the present invention can provide, simultaneously and independently, absolute measurement of each of the components (i.e., x-, y-, and z-components) of a magnetic field. Additionally, the geometric layout configurations enable the Hall effect devices to be constructed with MEMS fabrication techniques. |
| US08159217B2 |
Method and device with separate emission/reception functions for making eddy current tests on an electrically conducting part
A method for making eddy current tests on an electrically conducting part (13), in which a sensor moves above this part, uses separate emission/reception functions. The method includes obtaining a first complex voltage curve at the terminals of a reception winding (12), obtaining at least one second complex voltage curve at the terminals of a reception winding, determining at least one given distance that minimizes the modulus of the difference between the first curve and the at least one second curve, calculating the arithmetic mean (d) of the at least one given distance, choosing this arithmetic mean+/−20% as the distance between the two emission and reception windings, and detecting if one or several defects are present in this part. |
| US08159216B2 |
Method and device for eddy current imaging for the detection and the characterisation of defects hidden in complex structures
This eddy current imaging method includes the steps of: positioning (72), in the vicinity of a large inspection region, elements for the measurement of a surface magnetic field, generating (74, 92) a global exciting magnetic field over the observation inspection region, measuring (76, 84) a resultant magnetic field at the surface, in the form of images, processing (90) the images. The generating step (74, 82) involves generating a set of at least two exciting magnetic field waveforms; the measuring step (76, 86) involves measuring a set of configurations of the resultant magnetic field in the form of images; the step (90) of treating the images by combining them allows defects to be detected and the position and the nature thereof to be determined. |
| US08159214B2 |
Position detecting system
A position detecting system includes a magnetic field generator, a detecting body, a magnetic field detector, a position/direction calculating unit, and a control unit. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field in a three-dimensional space. The detecting body is put into the three-dimensional space, and includes a resonance circuit for generating a resonance magnetic field. The position/direction calculating unit calculates a position/direction of the detecting body. If the resonance circuit is in the non-resonant state, the magnetic field detector detects an environmental magnetic field, and the control unit updates detection data of the environmental magnetic field. If the resonance circuit is in the resonant state, the magnetic field detector detects the spatial magnetic field in the three-dimensional space. The position/direction calculating unit executes processing using the detection data of the spatial magnetic field and updated detection data of the environmental magnetic field. |
| US08159213B2 |
Inductive non-contact measurement of a relative movement or relative positioning of a first object relative to a second object
A non-contact measurement method for a relative displacement or relative positioning of a first object relative to a second object, in which: at least one transmitting coil, placed on the first object, is excited by an alternating excitation signal, at least one alternating electronic output signal, generated by mutual inductance in at least one receiving coil, is detected; the at least one receiving coil being placed on the second object and in a magnetic field created by the at least one transmitting coil, and the relative displacement of the first object is determined relative to the second object using the at least one alternating electric output signal generated on the at least one receiving coil. |
| US08159212B2 |
Magnetic encoder
To disclose a magnetic encoder being subjected to only small gap variation between a magnetic sensor element and a magnetic medium and readily assembled, and having a smaller number of components, high sliding resistance, and high stability against outside force, such as shock or the like. The magnetic sensor holding mechanism has a swirling spring plate structure having elasticity with respect to rotation around a rotation axis in a reciprocative slide relative movement direction, elasticity with respect to rotation around a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocative relative movement direction and in parallel to the magnetic medium, and elasticity in the direction perpendicular to the sensor element. A load between 50 mN and 80 mN is applied to press onto the magnetic medium. |
| US08159211B2 |
Clamp jaw assembly
A clamp jaw assembly for a clamp meter is provided. The clamp jaw assembly comprises a housing containing a clamp jaw core disposed within a shield. The housing, shield, and core of the clamp jaw assembly are configured to provide an extended creepage and clearance path from an exterior of the housing to a surface of the core. |
| US08159207B2 |
Low drop voltage regulator with instant load regulation and method
An LDO regulator (10) produces an output voltage (Vout) by applying the output voltage to a feedback input (6) of a differential input stage (10A) and applying an output (3) of the differential input stage to a gate of a first follower transistor (MP4) having a source coupled to an input (8) of a class AB output stage (10C) which generates the output voltage. Demanded load current is supplied by the output voltage during a dip in its value to a gate of a second follower transistor (MP5) having a gate coupled to the output of the input stage to decrease current in a current mirror (MN5,6) having an output coupled to a current source (I1) and a gate of an amplifying transistor (MN7). This causes the current source to rapidly turn on the amplifying transistor to cause it to rapidly turn on a cascode transistor (MN3), causing it to turn on a pass transistor (MP3) of the output stage. |
| US08159206B2 |
Voltage reference circuit based on 3-transistor bandgap cell
A voltage regulator comprises first and second bipolar transistors operating at different current densities; a resistance is connected between their bases across which ΔVBE appears. A third bipolar transistor is connected such that its base voltage is equal to that of the first transistor or differs by a PTAT amount. A current mirror balances the collector current of one of the second and third transistors with an image of the collector current of the first transistor when an output node is at a unique operating point. The operating point includes both PTAT and CTAT components, the ratio of which can be established to provide a desired temperature characteristic. A feedback transistor provides current to the bases of the bipolar transistors and to the output node and is driven by the current mirror output to regulate the voltage at the output node by negative feedback. |
| US08159201B2 |
Linear regulator and voltage regulation method
The present invention discloses a linear regulator and a voltage regulation method. The method comprises: providing a power transistor for converting a supply voltage to an output voltage to a load according to the conduction condition of the power transistor; controlling the conduction condition of the power transistor according to a comparison between a feedback signal relating to the output voltage and a reference voltage; obtaining a signal relating to a load condition; and controlling the conduction capability of the power transistor according to the signal relating to the load condition. |
| US08159199B2 |
On-chip voltage supply scheme with automatic transition into low-power mode of MSP430
An integrated electronic device includes circuitry for providing a system supply voltage from a primary power supply. The circuitry has a high power (HP) stage coupled to the primary power supply and having an output node coupled to a supply system node for providing a HP system supply voltage level and a HP output current such that the HP stage is configured to be active in a full power mode, and a low power (LP) stage coupled to the primary power supply and to the supply system node through a voltage follower for providing a LP supply voltage level and an LP output current such that the LP stage is configured to be active in a low power mode. The HP system supply voltage level is greater than the LP system supply voltage level and the voltage follower of the LP stage is adapted to switch off in response to a voltage level at the supply system node becoming greater than the HP system supply voltage level and to switch on in response to the voltage level at the supply system node becoming lower than the HP system supply voltage level. |
| US08159198B2 |
Power supply that adjusts a transformer turns ratio to operate efficiently at high and low line input
An apparatus for efficient power supply operation variable input line voltages. The apparatus includes a detection module that senses the input line voltage to the power supply and determines whether it is high or low voltage. A turn module sets the turns ratio of the transformer to a first turns ratio if the input line voltage is low voltage. The turn module sets the turns ratio to a second turns ratio if the input line voltage is high. In one embodiment of the invention, a high voltage is between 180 and 250 volts, while a low voltage is between 90 and 130 volts. A primary module sets the boost voltage of the power supply's boost stage to a first voltage if the input line voltage is low, while it sets the boost voltage to a second voltage if the input line voltage is high. The first voltage may, for example, be 200 volts, and the second voltage 400 volts. |
| US08159197B2 |
Circuit and method for constant on-time control for an interleaved multiphase voltage regulator
A circuit and method are proposed for constant on-time control for an interleaved multiphase voltage regulator, which monitor the channel currents of all the channels of the interleaved multiphase voltage regulator to select one from the channels to drive and so achieve interleaved phase operation. |
| US08159195B2 |
Overvoltage protection circuit for use in charger circuit system and charge circuit with overvoltage protection function
The present invention discloses an overvoltage protection (OVP) circuit for use in a charger circuit system, comprising: a power transistor electrically connected between a voltage supply and a battery; an OVP circuit which turns off the transistor when a voltage supply exceeds a threshold value; and a multiplexing circuit electrically connected between an output of the OVP circuit and the gate of the transistor. The present invention also discloses a charger circuit with an OVP function, comprising: a single power transistor electrically connected between a voltage supply and a battery; an OVP control circuit which turns off the power transistor when a voltage supply exceeds a threshold value; and a charger control circuit which controls the gate of the power transistor to determine a charge current to the battery when the voltage supply does not reach the threshold value. |
| US08159184B2 |
Automotive power supply system
An automotive power supply system comprises a battery module that includes serially connected battery groups each constituted with serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits each disposed in correspondence to one of the battery groups, a control circuit, a transmission path through which the integrated circuits are connected to the control circuit and a relay circuit via which an electrical current is supplied from the battery module. In response to a start signal instructing an operation start and received via the transmission path, each integrated circuit measures terminal voltages at the individual battery cells in the corresponding battery group and executes an abnormality diagnosis. If abnormality diagnosis results provided by the integrated circuits indicate no abnormality, the control circuit closes the relay, enabling supply of electrical current from the battery module and subsequently, the control circuit receives measurement results from the integrated circuits via the transmission path. |
| US08159183B2 |
Contact-less power supply, contact-less charger systems and method for charging rechargeable battery cell
The present invention relates to a contact-less power supply magnetically coupled to a battery device having a receiving coil therein, for contact-less charging the battery device, the contact-less power supply having a sending coil array including a plurality of sending coils for inducing a charging power to the receiving coil; and a driving means for detecting a sending coil magnetically coupled to the receiving coil and selectively driving only the detected sending coil. |
| US08159175B2 |
Variable voltage supply system
Apparatus for controlling the voltage supplied to a load, comprising:a multi-phase transformer having a primary and a secondary winding for each phase, each secondary being connected in series between an input line and an output directed to the load; andthe primary is configurable by switches such that the phase of the voltage of the secondary is different from the line to which it is connected by a phase different from 0 and 180 degrees. |
| US08159174B2 |
Method for adapting controller parameters of a drive to different operating states
A method is provided for adapting controller parameters of a drive to different operating states. A control loop includes a PID controller whose I gain factor is adapted to a drive velocity and/or whose D gain factor is adapted to a drive current, and consequently to a drive load. The I gain factor is determined based on the drive velocity and the D gain factor is determined based on the drive current, in each case at least in one area, the I gain factor falling with the drive velocity and the D gain factor rising with the drive current. |
| US08159173B2 |
Control device for controlling travel motor of vehicle
A control device for a travel motor mounted to a vehicle has a resolver which works as a rotation-angle sensor. The control device has a RDC which calculates a rotation-angle output value φ based on rotation detection signals Sa, Sb transferred from the resolver. The control device supplies electric power to the travel motor based on the rotation angle output value φ. The RDC calculates “sin(θ−φ)” as an error deviation ε based on the signals Sa and Sb and the rotation-angle output value φ. The RDC calculates an angular acceleration by multiplying the error deviation ε with a gain (=Ka·Kb), and integrates the angular acceleration two times in order to obtain a next rotation-angle output value. A gain control part of the RDC decreases the gain when the judgment means judges that the travel motor rotates at a constant rotation speed. |
| US08159167B2 |
Electronically commutated motor
An electronically commutated motor (20) has a rotor (28) and a rotor position sensor (30), which sensor, during operation, furnishes a rotational position signal (34). A stator interacts with the rotor (28). The stator has a stator winding strand (26) in an H bridge (22), and a control apparatus (36) which, during operation, performs the steps of: (A) controlling the H bridge (22) so that current pulses (+i1, −i1) flow through the stator winding strand (26), in alternate directions, each pulse starting at a first point in time (t1); (B) at the beginning of each commutation, starting from a second point in time (t2), operating in short circuit the winding strand (26), in order to cause a decreasing loop current (I*) through the stator winding strand (26), which loop current (I*) reaches zero at a third point in time (t3); and (C) stepwise modifying, toward a minimum, the time interval (TCC) between the first and third points in time (t1, t3). |
| US08159164B2 |
Variable-delay-time control system for a motor
A variable-delay-time control system for a motor is provided. The system includes a control unit, a driving unit, and a motor. The control unit is used to output at least one control signal according to at least one predetermined signal, and the control signal has a variable delay time. The driving unit is connected to the control unit, and is used to receive the control signal and generate a driving signal. The motor is connected to the driving unit, and conduction time of the motor is controlled according to the driving signal and the variable delay time. With the variable-delay-time control system of the present invention, the delay time of the control signal is variable, so the motor can operate at a high efficiency (for example, at a reduced current). Moreover, as the variable-delay time can be adjusted according to the predetermined signal, the motor can operate at a high efficiency in different operating states, thus improving the overall efficiency of the motor. |
| US08159163B2 |
Phase current estimation device of motor and magnetic pole position estimation device of motor
A phase current estimation device of a motor includes: an inverter which uses a pulse width modulation signal to sequentially commutate an electric flow to a motor of a three-phase alternating current; a pulse width modulation signal generation unit generating the pulse width modulation signal from a carrier signal; a control unit performing a startup control and a self control of the motor using the inverter; a direct current sensor detecting a direct current of the inverter; and a phase current estimation unit estimating a phase current based on the direct current detected by the direct current sensor. |
| US08159162B2 |
Motor control apparatus, vehicle fan drive apparatus, and motor control method
A motor control apparatus has a start control section. When the motor control apparatus receives a motor start command from a host control unit when a motor is in a stop state or a low-speed rotating state where a sensorless control cannot be applied, the control section starts the motor that rotates a vehicle fan by a forced commutation which supplies a pseudo sinusoidal drive signal caused by a complementary PWM control. Thereafter, the motor control apparatus switches over to a sensorless control using a rectangular wave drive signal at an energization angle of lower than 180°. |
| US08159161B2 |
Motor control device
To estimate an initial magnetic pole position, estimated control axes corresponding to the d-axis and q-axis are set as the γ-axis and δ-axis, and a with high frequency rotation voltage or alternating voltage on the γδ coordinate system applied to the motor. A high frequency current ih flowing in the motor is then extracted from a detected motor current (armature current) and a direct current component (ihγ×ihδ)DC of a product of the γ-axis and δ-axis components of the high frequency current ih is derived. Alternatively, the γ′-axis component ichγ and the δ′-axis component 66 of the high frequency current ih that are shifted by π/4 in electric angle from the γ-axis and the δ-axis are used to obtain a direct current component of their product (ichγ×ichδ)DC. The magnetic pole position is then estimated by computing the axial error Δθ between the γ-d axes utilizing the direct current components. |
| US08159156B2 |
Lighting systems and methods of auto-commissioning
A lighting system for areal illumination is disclosed which includes a remote driver and a plurality of fixtures including luminaires, control devices, and/or standalone sensors. A method of commissioning a lighting system is also disclosed which includes causing a light source co-located with each luminaire to emit a signal, detecting the signal at light sensors co-located with each luminaire, converting the signals obtained by the light sensors into distance measurements between luminaires, creating a map recording the relative location of luminaires, and assigning luminaires to groups based on their relative locations in the map. A movable orb region containing luminaires can also be defined. |
| US08159152B1 |
High-power LED lamp
A high-power light-emitting diode (LED) lamp has a plurality of units. Each unit includes an LED die and a thermo-electric cooling device coupled to the LED die. A power source supplies a fixed current to the thermo-electric cooling device wherein the fixed current is based on heat generated by the LED die in normal operation. Accordingly, the unit operates without a controller. |
| US08159147B2 |
Luminous chain with distributed driver circuit
The luminous chain includes a plurality of luminous modules, wherein at least two of the luminous modules include at least one set including at least one light source and one driver circuit for driving the at least one light source, and the driver circuits of one set of the respective luminous modules are electrically connected in parallel with one another, and the light sources of the one set of the respective luminous modules are electrically connected in series with one another, and the driver outputs of the driver circuits are combined at a node for jointly supplying current to all of the light sources of the one set. |
| US08159145B2 |
Synchronous operating system for discharge tube lighting apparatuses, discharge tube lighting apparatus, and semiconductor integrated circuit
A synchronous operating system for operating a plurality of discharge tube lighting apparatuses at the same frequency and same phase includes (1) an oscillator of a triangular wave signal whose inclination for charging a capacitor C2 and inclination for discharging the same are the same, (2) a signal generation part to generate, in a period shorter than a half period of the triangular wave signal, a first drive signal having a pulse width corresponding to a load current, and (3) a signal generation part of a second drive signal having a pulse width substantially equal to that of the first drive signal and a phase difference of about 180 degrees with respect to the same. |
| US08159140B2 |
Load driving apparatus
The load driving apparatus according to the present invention includes a load current setting signal generating section, a load current generating section, a reference voltage generating section and a drive voltage generating section. The load current setting signal generating section generates a desired load current setting signal. The load current generating section generates a load current based on the load current setting signal to drive the load. The reference voltage generating section generates a reference voltage based on the load current setting signal. The drive voltage generating section generates a drive voltage, supplies the drive voltage to the load, generates a between-both-terminals voltage between both terminals of the load current generating section based on the drive voltage and controls the drive voltage so that the difference between the between-both-terminals voltage and the reference voltage becomes small. |
| US08159139B2 |
Color and intensity control over power wires
A control element for a luminaire constituted of a first and a second manually variable non-momentary impedance and a first and a second time dependent gating circuit, each responsive to a respective manually variable non-momentary impedance and operative to provide a time dependent gating of a respective polarity of an alternating current power signal, the amount of time of the gating reflecting the present value of the respective manually variable non-momentary impedance, wherein the first time dependent gating circuit and the second time dependent gating circuit are restrained to maintain a minimum predetermined power towards the solid state lighting unit. |
| US08159137B2 |
Magnetron
To provide a magnetron capable of reducing noises in a low frequency band of 30 MHz or less without deteriorating the stability of a load depending on phases, and also ensuring the precision of assembly dimensions without increasing the number of components, a coiled filament 3 is arranged between an input-side end hat 61 and an output-side end hat 7 which are supported by a cathode supporting rod 8. A larger-diameter boss 61a in the end hat 61 extends to the interior of an interaction space, a smaller-diameter boss 61b and one end 3a of the filament 3 are secured to each other, and the other end 3b is secured to a boss 7a of the end hat 7. Here, the dimension of an axial free length part F which forms an electron emission part which is not secured to the end hats 61 and 7 of the filament 3 is set to 50% or more and 80% or less of the axial dimension H of plate-like vanes 2, and the electron emission part is arranged so as to be displaced to the output side. |
| US08159132B2 |
Organic electro-luminescense display apparatus
An organic EL display apparatus includes a display unit having a plurality of organic EL elements two-dimensionally arranged on a substrate, where the organic EL elements provide pixels, a sealing plate configured to be adhered to the substrate with an adhesive to cover the display unit, and a plurality of lead wires disposed on the substrate such that the lead wires are drawn outward from the display unit to the outside of the sealing plate. A linear bank is formed along an adhesion zone defined on the substrate to extend across the lead wires in a region where these lead wires are disposed. The sealing plate has its periphery adhered to the adhesion zone on the substrate along the adhesion zone on the substrate. |
| US08159128B2 |
Sealed thick film dielectric electroluminescent display
The invention is a sealed thick film dielectric display where the display comprises a thick film dielectric display structure and an adhesive layer provided over the display structure. The invention also provides a seal where the seal comprises an adhesive layer bonded to the underside of a cover plate and to the surface of a thick film dielectric electroluminescent display. The seal substantially inhibits the exposure of display components to atmospheric contaminants. |
| US08159125B2 |
Color temperature adjustable lamp
A color temperature adjustable lamp is created through mixture of the color temperature of a low color temperature white LED and a high color temperature white LED. A plurality of different color temperatures in between the color temperature of the low color temperature white LED and the color temperature of the high color temperature white LED can be created to emit. The color temperature is also known as Correlated Color Temperature (CCT). |
| US08159117B2 |
Display apparatus and production method thereof
There are provided a display apparatus that can display an image having higher resolution feeling while solving the problem of patterning precision for sub pixels which is difficult to obtain in production, and a production method thereof. The display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels disposed in two directions within a display surface and each having a sub pixel for emitting red light, two sub pixels for emitting green light, and a sub pixel for emitting blue light, wherein the sub pixel for emitting red light and the sub pixel for emitting blue light are disposed so as to partially overlap each other in one of the two directions, and the two sub pixels for emitting green light are disposed distant from each other in the one direction, wherein for the pixels adjacent to each other in the one direction, the sub pixels for emitting green light are adjacent to each other, and the sub pixel for emitting red light and the sub pixel for emitting blue light are adjacent to each other, and wherein the pixels adjacent to each other in the other of the two directions have the same sub pixel disposition. |
| US08159112B2 |
Polymeric actuator controller, polymeric actuator control method, and electronic apparatus
A polymeric actuator controller includes: a polymeric actuator that has a first electrode and a second electrode for applying electric energy to a polymeric portion and that displaces in accordance with applied electric energy; a potential difference reading unit that reads a potential difference that occurs between terminals of the first electrode and second electrode of the polymeric actuator; and a polymeric actuator driver circuit that applies the electric energy to the first electrode and second electrode of the polymeric actuator to drive the polymeric actuator. The polymeric actuator driver circuit and the potential difference reading unit form a closed loop. The polymeric actuator driver circuit varies the electric energy so that the potential difference read by the potential difference reading unit is maintained at a target potential value. |
| US08159111B2 |
Driving device and protection method thereof
A driving device includes a motor, a clutch gear, a first rotating portion, a second rotating portion, a piezoelectric assembly, and a controlling unit. The motor includes a rotating shaft. The clutch gear is fixed to the rotating shaft. The first rotating portion sleeved on the rotating shaft includes a first end meshing with the clutch gear and a second end opposite to the first end. The second rotating portion is engaged with the second end. The piezoelectric assembly is sandwiched between the second end and the second rotating portion. The controlling unit is electrically connected to the motor and the piezoelectric assembly. The controlling unit is configured for storing a predetermined voltage, and determining whether a voltage output by the piezoelectric assembly equals to or exceeds the predetermined voltage. A protection method for the driving device is also provided. |
| US08159108B2 |
Integrated thermoelectric/ thermionic energy converter
A device for converting heat into electrical energy that is an integrated combination of thermionic and thermoelectric energy converters in a single device, or “TITE”. The electron output of thermionic portion of the TITE is the input of the thermoelectric portion of the device. The electron collector is covered by a thin layer of doped or undoped semiconductor material or a combination of doped and undoped semiconductor materials with appropriate doping and thickness to achieve increased operational temperature ranges and efficiency. |
| US08159104B1 |
DC induction electric motor-generator with magnetic gap self commutating laminated ferromagnetic rotating core
A motor-generator apparatus has a stator and a rotor in a cylindrical arrangement about a central longitudinal axis. The stator has a static circular magnetic surface spaced apart from, a static circular electromagnetic surface. The rotor has a cylindrical arrangement of radially oriented laminations positioned proximal to, and between the static circular magnetic, and the static circular electromagnetic surfaces. The rotor is supported for rotation relative to the stator. A circular arrangement of electromagnets are electrically interconnected for carrying an electrical current for energizing the circular electromagnetic surface which is discontinuous with a plurality of portions gapped apart. |
| US08159099B2 |
Stator having busbars for connection of the coils, and a corresponding method
The aim of the invention is to increase the degree of automation in the production of an electrical machine. Particularly, the aim is to be able automate the connection of the coils of an electrical machine. For this purpose, provision is made for the coil ends (17) to be connected using at least one busbar (20, 22). The ends (23) of the respective busbars (20, 22) are hot crimped or welded to the associated end (17) of the coil. Thus, it is possible to eliminate manual drilling and welding of the coil ends. Moreover, the hot-crimped and welded connections have a high degree of electric strength and a high current carrying capability. |
| US08159096B2 |
Apparatus for detecting position of rotation of motor
A magnetic absolute sensor for a geared motor comprises a dipole magnet and hall elements. The dipole magnet is fixed to a hollow portion of a hollow rotor shaft. A bracket attached to an end plate of a motor housing is coaxially inserted from the rear end side of the hollow portion. The dipole magnet is inserted from the front side in a cylindrical portion of the bracket. The hall elements are arranged at an interval of 90 degree on the circular inner periphery surface of the cylindrical portion. The hall elements face the circular outer periphery surface of the dipole magnet with a fixed gap therebetween. It is not necessary to increase a motor shaft length in order to incorporate the magnetic absolute sensor. The flux of a motor driven magnet is blocked by the hollow rotor shaft and the hall elements are not adversely affected. |
| US08159093B2 |
Motor apparatus, manufacturing method, exposure apparatus, and device fabrication method
A motor apparatus includes a movable portion including a coil and a tooth-like salient pole and a platen opposed to the movable portion. The movable portion and the platen move relative to each other by using a magnetic field generated by supplying a current to the coil. The platen includes a base material having a surface on which convex portions and first concave portions are periodically arranged, a first thermally sprayed layer formed on the surface of the base material by thermal spraying such that second concave portions are formed inside the first concave portions, and a resin filled in the second concave portions. |
| US08159088B2 |
Display device and portable terminal
In order to increase the continuous operating time of a display device driven by a battery or the like, and a portable information terminal using the same, the volume and weight of the battery are increased. Thus, there arises a trade-off between the increased capacity of the battery and the portability of the device/terminal. Therefore, the invention provides a display device with portability ensured, which is capable of operating continuously for long periods and a portable information terminal using the same. In the display device, TFTs and an RFID tag are formed over the same insulating substrate. The RFID tag detects signals from a reader/writer, and generates DC power based on the signals. While the RFID tag is detecting signals, the display device is driven by the DC power generated in the RFID tag. |
| US08159087B2 |
Power generation system and operation method thereof
The invention provides a power generation system having a power generator (1) configured to generate DC power; an electric power load (5); a current detector configured to detect a current flowing between a system power supply (8) and an interconnection point (9); and a switch (4) configured to switch to supply the DC power from the power generator (1) and AC power which is fed from the system power supply (8) through the interconnection point (9), to the electric power load (5). |
| US08159086B2 |
Methods and systems for no-break power transfer converter
A method is provided for using a temporary power source to transfer a power bus from a first power source to a second power source. The first power source operates at a first electrical frequency, and the second power source operates at a second electrical frequency that is different from the first electrical frequency. The method includes adjusting the output frequency of the temporary power source to match the first electrical frequency and supplying power to the power bus from the temporary power source. The method also includes disconnecting the first power source from the power bus. The method further includes adjusting the output frequency of the temporary power source to match the second electrical frequency. The method further includes coupling the second power source to the power bus. |
| US08159085B2 |
Wall-mountable electrical power supplying device having a ring-like structure for receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and a housing containing and concealing the same during power supply operations
A wall-mountable electrical power supplying device for supplying electrical power to a group of electrical appliances located in an environment. The wall-mountable device includes a power supply cord for plugging into a standard power receptacle by way of a supply power plug, and has a base housing portion having a bottom surface and a 3D interior volume. A power-ring subassembly is supported within the base housing portion, has a central aperture defining the boundaries of 3D interior volume, and is adapted for supporting a plurality of electrical receptacles and one or more electronic circuits, which are electrically connected to the power supply cord. A power-ring housing portion covers the power-ring subassembly and has a set of plug apertures allowing appliance power plugs associated with the electrical appliances to plug into the electrical receptacles mounted behind the plug apertures. A power cord portal allows a group of electrical power cords associated with the group of electrical appliances to enter/exit the 3D interior volume in a bundled manner. A cover housing portion is provided and adapted to cover the central aperture of the power-ring subassembly, and conceal appliance power plugs plugged into the electrical receptacles and appliance power cords associated with the electrical appliances. Also, a wall-mounting bracket, operably connectable to the base housing portion, is provided for mounting the electrical power supplying device on the wall surface in proximity to the standard wall receptacle. |
| US08159083B2 |
Automotive electrical system configuration
Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine. |
| US08159082B2 |
Systems and methods for providing an uninterruptible power supply to a ship-service bus of a marine vessel
A marine vessel power and propulsion system that provides a vessel-wide uninterruptible power supply is described. The power and propulsion system includes a propulsion system including a prime mover coupled to a motor/generator and a propulsion device. The motor/generator is configured to be driven by the prime mover and to generate alternating current (AC) electric power. The power and propulsion system also includes a ship-service electrical system including a generator set and a ship-service bus. The generator set is configured to generate ship-service electric power for distribution over the ship-service bus. The power and propulsion system also includes a bi-directional converter configured to couple the propulsion system to the ship-service electrical system and to convert AC electric power generated by the propulsion system to ship-service electric power for distribution over the ship-service electrical system. |
| US08159079B2 |
Environmental energy-saving power generator
An environmental energy-saving power generator includes a power generation module, a control module, a power module, a power generator housing, and an I/O module. A processor unit of the control module controls the power management unit and the power management unit controls the power module to supply driving power required by a drive unit of the power generation module during operation; after the power generation unit of power generation module operates, the surplus power generated by the power generation unit, when generating power, can be re-charged to the power module. The environmental energy-saving power generator effectively manages and allocates the power of power module and that of power generation module to lengthen the time when the environmental energy-saving power generator supplies power to the load for operation. The power generation units of power generation module and the drive unit may generate high-efficiency power of voltage, current, and frequency. |
| US08159076B2 |
Method of producing a via in a reconstituted substrate
A method of producing an electronic connection device, including: a) formation, in a plane of a support substrate, of at least one first contact element and, in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane, of at least one second contact element having a first end in electrical contact with the first contact element or elements and a second end, the second contact element or elements including one or more metal tracks standing up along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; b) then positioning at least one electrical or electronic component in contact with the first contact element or elements; and c) encapsulation of the component(s) and of the first and second contact elements, at least the second end or ends of the second contact element or elements being flush with the surface of the encapsulating material. |
| US08159074B2 |
Chip structure
A semiconductor chip includes first, second and third metal interconnects and an insulating layer over a semiconductor substrate. First, second and third openings in the insulating layer are over first, second and third contact points of the first, second and third metal interconnects, respectively. A fourth metal interconnect over the insulating layer connects the first and second contact points. The fourth metal interconnect includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The first metal layer is under but not at a sidewall of the second metal layer. The semiconductor chip includes a metal bump connected to the third contact point through the third opening, and a dielectric layer over the fourth metal interconnect and the insulating layer. No opening is in the dielectric layer on the fourth metal interconnect, and the metal bump has a top higher than a top surface of the dielectric layer. |
| US08159073B2 |
Interposer chip and manufacturing method thereof
The interposer chip includes a chip mounting region on which a semiconductor chip is mounted via a fixing material made of resin. The interposer chip has an insulator film, and wiring layers formed on the insulator film. At a position corresponding to a rim of the chip mounting region, a reinforcing region in which an adhesive force between the insulator film and the wiring layers are increased is provided. |
| US08159071B2 |
Semiconductor package with a metal post
Disclosed are a semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor package can include a semiconductor substrate, having one surface on which a conductive pad is formed; an insulating layer, being formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate; a metal post, penetrating through the conductive pad, the semiconductor substrate, and the insulating layer; and an outer-layer circuit, being electrically connected to the metal post. With the present invention, it can become unnecessary to form an additional via for electrically connecting both surfaces of the semiconductor substrate, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process, reducing the manufacturing cost, and improving the coupling reliability. |
| US08159069B2 |
Metal line of semiconductor device without production of high resistance compound due to metal diffusion and method for forming the same
A metal line includes a lower metal line formed on a semiconductor substrate. An insulation layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the lower metal line, and a metal line forming region exposing at least a portion of the lower metal line is defined in the insulation layer. A diffusion barrier is formed on a surface of the metal line forming region of the insulation layer and includes a WNx layer, a W—N—B ternary layer, and a Ti—N—B ternary layer. A wetting layer is formed on the diffusion barrier and is made of one of a Ti layer or a TiN layer. An upper metal line is formed on the wetting layer to fill the metal line forming region of the insulation layer. |
| US08159066B2 |
Semiconductor package having a heat dissipation member
A semiconductor package having a heat dissipation member capable of efficiently conveying excess heat away from semiconductor chips is presented. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip, through-electrodes, and a heat dissipation member. The semiconductor chip has a first surface, a second surface facing away from the first surface, and bonding pads which are disposed on the first surface. The through-electrodes are electrically connected with the bonding pads and passing through the first and second surfaces of the semiconductor chip, and protrude outward from the second surface. The heat dissipation member faces the second surface of the semiconductor chip and is coupled to the through-electrodes. |
| US08159062B2 |
Semiconductor and a method of manufacturing the same
A method including forming an intermediate product, the intermediate product being configured to include a wiring substrate including a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes and a plurality of test electrodes, a first semiconductor chip mounted over the wiring substrate and including a plurality of first pads electrically connected respectively to the first electrodes, and a second semiconductor chip stacked over the first semiconductor chip and including a plurality of second pads electrically connected respectively to the second electrodes; encapsulating the first and second semiconductor chips; and performing electrical tests on the first and second semiconductor chips by use of the test electrodes, after the encapsulating of the first and second semiconductor chips. |
| US08159061B2 |
Stacked semiconductor module
A stacked semiconductor module is made by stacking a second semiconductor device having a second semiconductor chip mounted to the top surface of a second semiconductor substrate above the top surface of a first semiconductor device having a first semiconductor chip mounted to a first semiconductor substrate. The top surface of the first semiconductor substrate is provided with a first connection terminal and the bottom surface of the first semiconductor substrate is provided with an external connection terminal. A region of the bottom surface of the second semiconductor substrate lying opposite to the second semiconductor chip is provided with a second connection terminal. A conductive connecting member connects the first connection terminal to the second connection terminal. |
| US08159060B2 |
Hybrid bonding interface for 3-dimensional chip integration
Each of a first substrate and a second substrate includes a surface having a diffusion resistant dielectric material such as silicon nitride. Recessed regions are formed in the diffusion resistant dielectric material and filled with a bondable dielectric material. The patterns of the metal pads and bondable dielectric material portions in the first and second substrates can have a mirror symmetry. The first and second substrates are brought into physical contact and bonded employing contacts between metal pads and contacts between the bondable dielectric material portions. Through-substrate-via (TSV) structures are formed through bonded dielectric material portions. The interface between each pair of bonded dielectric material portions located around a TSV structure is encapsulated by two diffusion resistant dielectric material layers so that diffusion of metal at a bonding interface is contained within each pair of bonded dielectric material portions. |
| US08159055B2 |
Semiconductor device, lead-frame product used for the same and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element; a group of back-inner terminals coupled with the semiconductor element through bonding wires and arranged in an area array shape so as to be exposed inside of the bottom; a group of back-outer terminals arranged outside the group of back-inner terminals; a group of front-outer terminals located immediately above the back-outer terminals to be exposed from the front surface, which are electrically coupled with the back-outer terminals located immediately therebelow through coupling conductors, respectively; and a sealing resin which seals the semiconductor element and bonding wires and non-exposed portions of said back-inner terminals, back-outer terminals and front-outer terminals. On at least the respective terminal faces of said back-inner terminals, back-outer terminals and front-outer terminals, noble-metal plated layers are formed. |
| US08159051B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
In one aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device may include a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and having a main surface that has a first plane orientation, a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type and having a main surface that has a second plane orientation different from the first plane orientation, the second semiconductor layer being directly provided on the first semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer having a main surface that has the first plane orientation, and being formed on the first semiconductor layer and on a side face of the second semiconductor layer, a gate electrode formed on the second semiconductor layer via a gate insulating film, first impurity diffusion regions of a second conductivity type, and being formed in the second semiconductor layer so that the gate electrode is located on a region sandwiched in a gate length direction between the first impurity diffusion regions, the first impurity diffusion regions extending to an interface between the first and second semiconductor layers, and second impurity diffusion regions of a second conductivity type, and being formed so as to extend from the third semiconductor layers to the first semiconductor layer, respectively, so that both the first impurity diffusion regions is sandwiched in the gate length direction between the second impurity diffusion regions. |
| US08159049B2 |
Semiconductor structure for imaging detectors
There is disclosed a photo-detector array including a plurality of sub-arrays of photo-detectors, the photo-detectors of each sub-array being formed on a substrate with an active area of each photo-detector being formed on a surface of the substrate, there further being formed for each photo-detector a conductive via through the substrate from an upper surface thereof to a lower surface thereof to connect the active area of each photo-detector to the lower surface of the substrate, wherein a plurality of said sub-arrays of photo-detectors are placed adjacent to each other in a matrix to form the photo-detector array. An imaging system comprising: a radiation detector including such a photo detector array, a radiation source facing the radiation detector, and means for controlling the radiation detector and the radiation source is also disclosed. A method for making such an array is also disclosed. |
| US08159048B2 |
Bipolar junction transistor geometry
Embodiments of methods, apparatus, devices and/or systems associated with bipolar junction transistor are disclosed. |
| US08159044B1 |
Density transition zones for integrated circuits
An integrated circuit is provided with a spiral inductor and a transition zone surrounding the spiral inductor. The transition zone may have a geometry that is substantially eight-sided or octagonal. Metal layers in the transition zone may have metal fill that is substantially octagonal and arranged in rows and columns. If desired, square or rectangular metal fill be tiled with the substantially octagonal metal fill. Metal layers may also contain halved or quartered octagonal metal fill. Substrate in the transition zone may have octagonal substrate regions separated by shallow trench isolation regions. A polysilicon layer above the substrate may have square regions of polysilicon fill directly above the shallow trench regions in the substrate. Such arrangements may provide more uniform densities in transition zones with certain geometries. |
| US08159041B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes: a lower layer interconnection formed on a chip; an upper layer interconnection formed in an upper layer above the lower layer interconnection above the chip; an interconnection via formed to electrically connect the lower layer interconnection and the upper layer interconnection; a via-type electric fuse formed to electrically connect the lower layer interconnection and the upper layer interconnection. The fuse is cut through heat generation, and a sectional area of the fuse is smaller than a sectional area of the upper layer interconnection and a via diameter of the fuse is smaller than that of the interconnection via. |
| US08159036B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A LDD layer of the second conduction type locates in the surface of a semiconductor layer beneath a sidewall insulator film. A source layer of the second conduction type is formed in the surface of the semiconductor layer at a position adjacent to the LDD layer. A resurf layer of the second conduction type is formed in the surface of the semiconductor layer at a position sandwiching the gate electrode with the LDD layer. A drain layer of the second conduction type is formed in the surface of the semiconductor layer at a position adjacent to the resurf layer. The resurf layer is formed in depth to have peaks of a first and a second impurity concentration in turn from the surface of the semiconductor layer. The peak of the first impurity concentration is smaller than the peak of the second impurity concentration. |
| US08159035B2 |
Metal gates of PMOS devices having high work functions
A semiconductor structure includes a refractory metal silicide layer; a silicon-rich refractory metal silicide layer on the refractory metal silicide layer; and a metal-rich refractory metal silicide layer on the silicon-rich refractory metal silicide layer. The refractory metal silicide layer, the silicon-rich refractory metal silicide layer and the metal-rich refractory metal silicide layer include same refractory metals. The semiconductor structure forms a portion of a gate electrode of a metal-oxide-semiconductor device. |
| US08159034B2 |
Semiconductor device having insulated gate field effect transistors and method of manufacturing the same
N-type semiconductor region and P-type semiconductor region are provided in a surface region of a semiconductor substrate. Insulating film and silicon containing film are laminated on the semiconductor substrate. P-type impurities are introduced into a first portion of the silicon containing film above the N-type semiconductor region. The first portion of the silicon containing film is thinned in the thickness direction. N-type impurities are introduced into a second portion of the silicon containing film above the P-type semiconductor region. A mask is provided on the silicon containing film. The first and second portions of the silicon containing film are etched together using the mask as an etching mask to form gate electrode films above the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions respectively. P-type and N-type impurities are introduced into the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions to form P-type and N-type source and drain layers. |
| US08159033B2 |
ESD protection device and manufacturing method thereof
A junction forming region is formed between a drain region of a MOS structure and a device isolation region which surrounds the MOS structure and is in contact with the drain region, to form a PN junction together with the drain region. As a consequence, it is possible to adjust a breakdown voltage of an ESD protection device which is fabricated in the same process as that for an internal device without varying basic performance of the internal device even at a final stage of an LSI manufacturing process. |
| US08159019B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with stacked gate including charge storage layer and control gate and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a first active region, a second active region, a first element isolating region and a second element isolating region. The first active region is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The second active region is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The first element isolating region electrically separates the first active regions adjacent to each other. The second element isolating region electrically separates the second active regions adjacent to each other. An impurity concentration in a part of the second active region in contact with a side face of the second element isolating region is higher than that in the central part of the second active region, and a impurity concentration in a part of the first active region in contact with a side face of the first element isolating region is equal to that in the first active region. |
| US08159018B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
A finFET-based non-volatile memory device on a semiconductor substrate includes source and drain regions, a fin body, a charge trapping stack and a gate. The fin body extends between the source and the drain region as a connection. The charge trapping stack covers a portion of the fin body and the gate covers the charge trapping stack at the location of the fin body. The fin body has a corner-free shape for at least ¾ of the circumference of the fin body which lacks distinct crystal faces and transition zones in between the crystal faces. |
| US08159014B2 |
Localized biasing for silicon on insulator structures
A silicon-on-insulator device has a localized biasing structure formed in the insulator layer of the SOI. The localized biasing structure includes a patterned conductor that provides a biasing signal to distinct regions of the silicon layer of the SOI. The conductor is recessed into the insulator layer to provide a substantially planar interface with the silicon layer. The conductor is connected to a bias voltage source. In an embodiment, a plurality of conductor is provided that respectively connected to a plurality of voltage sources. Thus, different regions of the silicon layer are biased by different bias signals. |
| US08159010B2 |
Solid-state image pick-up device and imaging system using the same
The present invention provides a solid-state image pick-up device without shading in the dark state, and capable of making a dynamic range and a S/N high. Reference numeral 505 denotes an N-type cathode of a photodiode, 506 denoting a surface P-type region for forming the photodiode into an embedded structure, 508a denoting an N-type high concentration region which forms a floating diffusion and which is also a drain region of a transfer MOS transistor. Reference character 508b denotes a polysilicon lead-out electrode brought into direct contact with the N-type high concentration region. Light incident from the surface passes through an aperture without a metal third layer 525 to enter into the photodiode. Among incident lights, light reflected by the top surface of a gate electrode 504 of the transfer MOS transistor is reflected by a first layer metal 521 right above the polysilicon, so as to repeats reflection a plurality of times to attenuate sufficiently before entering into the floating diffusion section, thereby making the aliasing extremely small. |
| US08159008B2 |
Method of fabricating a trench-generated transistor structure
Trench-generated transistor structures, methods for fabricating transistors using a trench defined in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, design structures for a trench-generated transistor, and other trench-generated device structures. The source and drain of the transistor are defined by doped regions in the semiconductor material of the handle substrate of the SOI wafer. The gate electrode may be defined from the semiconductor layer of the SOI wafer, which is separated from the handle wafer by an insulating layer. Alternatively, the gate electrode may be defined as a conventional gate stack on a shallow trench isolation region in the semiconductor layer or as a conventional gate stack in one of the BEOL interconnect levels. |
| US08159007B2 |
Providing current to compensate for spurious current while receiving signals through a line
Circuits, methods, and systems are disclosed in which a current is provided to compensate for spurious current while receiving signals through a line. For example, the spurious current can be sensed and the compensating current can be approximately equal to the sensed spurious current. The spurious current could include photocurrent from a bright light, and the compensating current can prevent bright light effects. |
| US08159005B2 |
Image sensor
An image sensor and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The image sensor can include a readout circuitry, an interconnection, a second interlayer dielectric, an image sensing device, a contact plug, and a sidewall dielectric. The contact plug can electrically connect the first conductive type layer to the interconnection through a via hole passing through the image sensing device. The sidewall dielectric can be disposed on a sidewall of the second conductive type layer within the via hole. |
| US08159004B2 |
Compound semiconductor device having dopant concentration gradient
A semiconductor device includes a first compound semiconductor layer having a two-dimensional carrier gas channel, a second compound semiconductor layer which functions as a barrier layer and is arranged above the first compound semiconductor layer, a first main electrode connected to one end of the two-dimensional carrier gas channel, and a second main electrode connected to another end of the two-dimensional carrier gas channel, these ends being separated, wherein a compound ratio of an elemental compound of the second compound semiconductor layer is different in a direction of the two-dimensional carrier gas channel between the first main electrode and the second main electrode. |
| US08158998B2 |
High-reflectivity and low-defect density LED structure
The present invention discloses a high-reflectivity and low-defect density LED structure. A patterned dielectric layer is embedded in a sapphire substrate via semiconductor processes, such as etching and deposition. The dielectric layer is formed of two materials which are alternately stacked and have different refractive indexes. An N-type semiconductor layer, an activation layer and a light emitting layer which is a P-type semiconductor layer are sequentially formed on the sapphire substrate. An N-type electrode and a P-type electrode are respectively coated on the N-type semiconductor layer and the P-type semiconductor layer. The dielectric layer can lower the defect density of the light emitting layer during the epitaxial growth process. Further, the dielectric layer can function as a high-reflectivity area to reflect light generated by the light emitting layer and the light is projected downward to be emitted from the top or the lateral. Thereby is greatly increased the light-extraction efficiency. |
| US08158995B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor chip
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip is disclosed which emits electromagnetic radiation from its front side (7) during operation, comprising a semiconductor layer sequence (1) having an active region (4) suitable for generating the electromagnetic radiation, and a separately produced TCO supporting substrate (10), which is arranged at the semiconductor layer sequence and has a material from the group of transparent conductive oxides (TCO) and mechanically supports the semiconductor layer sequence (1). |
| US08158991B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
Light-emitting elements in which an increase of driving voltage can be suppressed are provided. Light-emitting devices whose power consumption is reduced by including such light-emitting elements are also provided. In a light-emitting element having an EL layer between an anode and a cathode, a first layer in which carriers can be produced is formed between the cathode and the EL layer and in contact with the cathode, a second layer which transfers electrons produced in the first layer is formed in contact with the first layer, and a third layer which injects the electrons received from the second layer into the EL layer is formed in contact with the second layer. |
| US08158990B2 |
Light emitting device using GaN LED chip
A light emitting device is constituted by flip-chip mounting a GaN-based LED chip. The GaN-based LED chip includes a light-transmissive substrate and a GaN-based semiconductor layer formed on the light-transmissive substrate, wherein the GaN-based semiconductor layer has a laminate structure containing an n-type layer, a light emitting layer and a p-type layer in this order from the light-transmissive substrate side, wherein a positive electrode is formed on the p-type layer, the electrode containing a light-transmissive electrode of an oxide semiconductor and a positive contact electrode electrically connected to the light-transmissive electrode, and the area of the positive contact electrode is half or less of the area of the upper surface of the p-type layer. |
| US08158989B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a light emitting element and a driving transistor coupled to the light emitting element. The pixels may be arranged in a matrix. The pixels include first pixels, second pixels, and third pixels, the driving transistors of the first to the third pixels occupy different areas, and the light emitting elements of the first to the third pixels occupy substantially equal area. |
| US08158984B2 |
Thin film transistor, method of fabricating the same, and organic light emitting diode display device including the same
A thin film transistor (TFT), including a crystalline semiconductor pattern on a substrate, a gate insulating layer on the crystalline semiconductor pattern, the gate insulating layer having two first source/drain contact holes and a semiconductor pattern access hole therein, a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer, the gate electrode being between the two first source/drain contact holes, an interlayer insulating layer covering the gate electrode, the interlayer insulating layer having two second source/drain contact holes therein, and source and drain electrodes on the interlayer insulating layer, each of the source and drain electrodes being insulated from the gate electrode, and having a portion connected to the crystalline semiconductor pattern through the first and second source/drain contact holes. |
| US08158983B2 |
Semiconducting sheet
A substrate-free semiconducting sheet has an array of semiconducting elements dispersed in a matrix material. The matrix material is bonded to the edge surfaces of the semiconducting elements and the substrate-free semiconducting sheet is substantially the same thickness as the semiconducting elements. |
| US08158982B2 |
Polysilicon thin film transistor device with gate electrode thinner than gate line
A polysilicon thin film transistor device includes a gate metal pattern including a gate electrode and a gate line formed on a substrate, the gate metal pattern having a stepped portion, a gate insulating film formed on the gate metal pattern, a polysilicon semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating film, the polysilicon semiconductor layer including an active region, lightly doped drain regions, a source region, and a drain region, a source electrode connected to the source region and a drain electrode connected to the drain region on the polysilicon semiconductor layer, and a pixel electrode connected with the drain electrode. |
| US08158978B2 |
Inverter, logic circuit including an inverter and methods of fabricating the same
An inverter, a logic circuit including the inverter and method of fabricating the same are provided. The inverter includes a load transistor of a depletion mode, and a driving transistor of an enhancement mode, which is connected to the load transistor. The load transistor may have a first oxide layer as a first channel layer. The driving transistor may have a second oxide layer as a second channel layer. |
| US08158976B2 |
Thin-film transistor and method of manufacturing the same
Example embodiments relate to thin-film transistors (TFT) and methods for fabricating the same. A thin-film transistor according to example embodiments may include a gate, a gate insulation layer, a channel layer including a first oxide semiconductor layer and a second oxide semiconductor layer, and a source and drain on opposite sides of the channel layer. The first oxide semiconductor layer may have relatively large crystal grains compared to the second oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US08158971B2 |
Highly efficient organic light-emitting device using substrate or electrode having nanosized half-spherical convex and method for preparing the same
The present invention provides a transparent substance formed with a plurality of continuous half-spherical convexes having a diameter of 25˜1,000 nm on its first main surface; an organic light-emitting device comprising a substrate, a first electrode, an organic material layer(s) and a second electrode, sequentially, characterized by having a plurality of continuous half-spherical convexes having a diameter of 25˜1,000 nm on the underside of the substrate that does not contact the first electrode and/or the upside of the second electrode that does not contact the organic material layer; and a method for preparing same using a porous aluminum oxide layer forming process. |
| US08158964B2 |
Schottky diode switch and memory units containing the same
A switching element that includes a first semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer having a first portion and a second portion; a second semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer having a first portion and a second portion; an insulating layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a first metal contact in contact with the first portion of the first semiconductor layer forming a first junction and in contact with the first portion of the second semiconductor layer forming a second junction; a second metal contact in contact with the second portion of the first semiconductor layer forming a third junction and in contact with the second portion of the second semiconductor layer forming a fourth junction, wherein the first junction and the fourth junction are Schottky contacts, and the second junction and the third junction are ohmic contacts. |
| US08158957B2 |
System and method for structured illumination and collection for improved optical confocality of raman fiber array spectral translator imaging and interactive raman probing
The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for using telescope optics and a fiber array spectral translator-based (“FAST”) spectroscopic system for improved imaging, spectral analysis, and interactive probing of a sample. In an embodiment, the confocality of a fiber array spectral translator-based spectroscopic system is improved through the use of structured illumination and/or structured collection of photons. User input may be received and acted upon to allow a user to interactively in real time and/or near real time view and analyze specific regions of the sample. |
| US08158956B2 |
Photoactivatable paint curing device and method
A device and method for curing photoactivatable paint coatings. An exemplary device may include a light chamber housing supported by a frame and undercarriage, the wall portions of the light chamber having a peripheral region terminating at a light emission region. A UV light source may be located within the light chamber. A motorized carrier may be provided and configured to controllably index and/or oscillate the UV light source along a travel path within the housing. The light chamber may be located adjacent a target paint cure location on a work piece, with the UV light emission region facing the paint cure location. Once properly located, the UV light source may be indexed and/or oscillated along the travel path to deliver UV light to the target paint cure location so as to cure UV curable paint thereon. |
| US08158949B2 |
Radiation detector and method for manufacturing the same
A radiation detector characterized by includes a photoelectric conversion element, a scintillation layer which converts radioactive rays to fluorescence, the scintillation layer being formed on the photoelectric conversion element, and a reflective film formed on the scintillation layer, the reflective film containing light-scattering particles for reflecting the fluorescence from the scintillation layer and a binder material binding the light-scattering particles, and having depletion portions without being filled with the binder material, the depletion portions being formed in a periphery of the light-scattering particles. |
| US08158948B2 |
Scintillating crystal detector
A detector using scintillating crystals is provided. The scintillating crystal is based on cerium doped lutetium yttrium orthosilicate (Ce:LYSO). With calcium (Ca) doped into Ce:LYSO, the electrovalence of Ce is further uniformly distributed. The scintillating crystal obtains high stability with 2 to 10 times greater electrical degree than that of a general scintillating crystal. Thus, radiative induction to cancer cells is improved and distribution of the cancer cells is easily figured out. |
| US08158946B2 |
Intrinsically safe improved sensitivity NDIR gas sensor in a can
An NDIR gas sensor takes advantage of a conventional packaging embodiment commonly used to house detectors of all kinds comprising a can, header and a dish sample chamber all welded together to form a single detector unit. The can forms the top, a hollowed out header body forms the middle and a custom dish sample chamber forms the bottom of a completely functioning NDIR gas sensor. Whereas the header body not only accommodates all the optoelectronic and optical parts on its top surface providing the required signal processing functions for the gas sensor, part of its body is excavated below to accommodate a custom dish sample chamber in communication with the gas outside whose concentration level is to be measured. A lens and windows are also fabricated on the top part of this header body so that infrared radiation can enter the dish sample chamber below and then be redirected back above for signal processing. To achieve this optical feat, strategic reflecting surfaces are impregnated on the top of the can housing so as to direct infrared radiation to the dish sample chamber below through a lens and then redirect the radiation above via another window for subsequent signal detection and processing. |
| US08158945B2 |
Detector arrangement for a nondispersive infrared gas analyzer and method for the detection of a measuring gas component in a gas mixture by means of such a gas analyzer
A detector arrangement for detection of a measuring gas component in a gas mixture is provided. The arrangement includes a gas analyzer, a first single-layer receiver and a further single-layer receiver, the first single-layer receiver containing the measuring gas component and the further single-layer receiver containing a transverse gas. A concentration of the measuring gas component in the gas mixture is determined from signals delivered by sensors of the single-layer receivers. An evaluating device includes an n-dimensional calibration matrix for obtaining matrix signal values. Signal values of different known concentrations of the measuring gas component in the presence of different known transverse gas concentrations are stored as n-tubules in the evaluating device. The concentration of the measuring gas component in the presence of unknown transverse gas concentrations is determined by comparing n-tuples of signal values thereby obtained with the n-tuples of signal values stored in the calibration matrix. |
| US08158944B2 |
Atmospheric gas detection apparatus and method
A method of detecting a target gas includes the step of traversing a target area with a gas-filter correlation radiometer having a field of view oriented towards the target area. The gas-filter correlation radiometer receives reflected radiation in a passband from the target area and produces gas-filter correlation radiometer signals from the received reflected radiation. A surface reflectivity spectral profile of the target area is determined. The presence of the target gas in the target area is then determined based upon the received reflected radiation and the surface reflectivity spectral profile of the target area. |
| US08158942B2 |
Device and method for detecting infrared radiation through a resistive bolometer matrix
A device for detecting infrared radiation including a matrix of resistive imaging bolometers above a substrate, a read circuit forming an analog electrical signal constituting an image of the infrared radiation impinging on the matrix, a probe for measuring the temperature of the substrate, an ADC for converting the analogue electrical signals from the read circuit and probe, and a data processing unit for correcting the signal formed by the read circuit according digital values NC(i,j) corresponding to electrical signals from the bolometers exposed to a uniform scene at the measured temperature of the substrate. The data processing unit including a unit for computing the digital values NC(i,j) based on a single set of parameters of a predetermined physical model of the read circuit electrical signals and corresponding to the exposure of the matrix of imaging bolometers to a temperature substantially equal to the measured substrate temperature. |
| US08158941B2 |
Bolometric sensor with high TCR and tunable low resistivity
The present invention provides a novel way of operating sensing elements or bolometers in the resistive hysteresis region of a phase-transitioning VO2 (or doped VO2) films. The invention is based on a novel principle that minor hysteresis loops inside the major loop become single-valued or non-hysteretic for sufficiently small temperature excursions. This single valued R(T) branches being characterized by essentially the same temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) as the semiconducting phase at room temperature. These non-hysteretic branches (NHB) can be located close to the metallic-phase end of the major loop, thus providing for tunable resistivity orders of magnitude lower than that of a pure semiconducting phase. Operating the Focal Plan Array in one of these NHBs allows for having high TCR and low resistivity simultaneously. Means for measuring of the sensor R(T) characteristic is provided together with the means of achieving and controlling the correct sensor positioning at the operating temperature inside one of these NHBs. |
| US08158940B2 |
Magnetic domain imaging system
A magnetic domain imaging system is offered which permits application of a strong magnetic field to a specimen. The imaging system includes a transmission electron microscope having an objective lens. The specimen that is magnetic in nature is placed in the upper polepiece of the objective lens. An electron beam transmitted through the specimen is imaged and displayed on a display device. A field application coil assembly for applying a magnetic field to the specimen and two deflection coil assemblies for bringing the beam deflected by the field applied to the specimen back to the optical axis are mounted in the upper polepiece. |
| US08158938B2 |
Scanning electron microscope and a method for imaging a specimen using the same
(1) part or all of the number, coordinates and size/shape and imaging sequence of imaging points each for observation, the imaging position change method and imaging conditions can be calculated automatically from CAD data, (2) a combination of input information and output information for imaging recipe creation can be set arbitrarily, and (3) decision is made of imaging or processing at an arbitrary imaging point as to whether to be successful/unsuccessful and in case a failure is determined, a relief process can be conducted in which the imaging point or imaging sequence is changed. |
| US08158934B2 |
Electron capture dissociation apparatus and related methods
An electron capture dissociation apparatus comprises ion guide electrodes, an electron emitter, and an electron control device. The ion guide electrodes are arranged along a central axis and spaced circumferentially to circumscribe an interior space extending along the central axis. The electron emitter is disposed outside the interior space. The electron control device is configured for focusing an electron beam from the electron emitter toward the central axis, along a radial electron beam direction between two of the ion guide electrodes, and for decelerating the electron beam in a DC decelerating field of adjustable voltage potential directed along the electron beam direction. |
| US08158929B2 |
Specular array for radiometric calibration and method
A specular array for radiometric calibration (SPARC) includes a plurality of spherical mirrors disposed upon a uniform background as at least one array of reflective points, at least two points reflecting a different intensity of directly incident sunlight. Each mirror has a radius of curvature and a diameter, the radius of curvature and the diameter providing a field of regard, the collective mirrors providing a collective minimum calibratability field of regard. Based upon the radius of curvature, the transmittance value of the sun to each mirror and from each mirror to a sensor being calibrated, the intensity of calibration light provided to the input aperture of a sensor to be calibrated within the collective minimum calibratability field of regard may be determined and used as a baseline for sensor calibration. An associated method of combined spatial and radiometric calibration is also provided. |
| US08158928B2 |
System and method for improving the quality of thermal images
An image improvement system and method are disclosed that compensates for effects of optical scattering and pixel cross-talk on image quality in an imager employing a focal plane array. The method characterizes these effects on a test image, presents them as a set of stored numerical coefficients, and applies the coefficients during image processing. |
| US08158923B2 |
Time-frequency fusion digital pixel sensor
Light is converted to an electric signal by performing a light-to-frequency conversion of the light received during a first phase of operation. Following the first phase of operation, a light-to-time conversion is performed on light received during a second phase of operation. Following the second phase of operation a digital representation of the light is generated in response to the light-to-frequency conversion and the light-to-time conversion. |
| US08158921B2 |
Dual conversion gain gate and capacitor combination
An imaging device comprising a plurality of photosensors, a shared diffusion region for receiving charge generated by the photosensors, and a dual conversion gain element that can be selectively coupled to the shared diffusion region to increase a conversion gain of the shared diffusion region. A method of operating such an imaging device is also described, comprising resetting a shared diffusion region, sampling a reset voltage level at the shared diffusion region, transferring charge accumulated in one of a plurality of photosensors to the shared diffusion region, sampling a pixel signal voltage level at the shared diffusion region, and activating a dual conversion gain element to increase a conversion gain of the shared diffusion region. |
| US08158919B2 |
Image capturing system, image capturing method, and computer readable medium
An image capturing system includes an image capturing section that includes a plurality of light receiving elements configured to receive light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range, a control section that controls the light in the second wavelength range to be received by each of the plurality of light receiving elements more frequently than the light in the first wavelength range, where the light in the second wavelength range has a lower spectral intensity than the light in the first wavelength range, and an image generating section that generates an image by using the light in the first wavelength range received by the plurality of light receiving elements at a given timing and the light in the second wavelength range received by the plurality of light receiving elements at a different timing. |
| US08158913B2 |
Multidirectional fuse susceptor
A susceptor structure includes a layer of conductive material supported on a non-conductive substrate. The conductive layer includes a resonant loop defined by a plurality of microwave energy transparent segments and, optionally, a microwave energy transparent element within the resonant loop. |
| US08158912B2 |
Fan apparency arrangement for an appliance
A fan apparency arrangement for an appliance is disclosed. The fan apparency arrangement includes a chamber having a port; a fan in the chamber for moving air out of the chamber, the fan having a discharge end, and an intake end having an intake tube; and a sail switch disposed in the intake tube. When activated, the fan moves air out of the chamber through the port and creates a pressure difference between opposite ends of the intake tube, the pressure difference causing the sail switch to change position and signal that the fan is activated. An appliance incorporating such a fan apparency arrangement is also disclosed. |
| US08158909B2 |
Hot zone igniter
An igniter for igniting combustible gases in a hot zone, such as in a solid oxide fuel cell, comprising a subassembly including an electrical resistance heating tip comprising SiC, metal leadframe clips formed of a nickel-based superalloy and attached to the heating tip, wire leads formed of a nickel-chromium alloy and connected to the leadframe clips for supplying electric current to the heating tip, and a nickel-based braze alloy comprising palladium and cobalt for connecting the leadframe clips to the heating tip and to the wire leads; an alumina ceramic body for receiving the brazed subassembly; and a potting compound comprising zirconia for potting the subassembly into the alumina ceramic body. |
| US08158905B2 |
Arc welding initiation system and method
A method and apparatus for controlling arc shielding gas during an arc welding operation is disclosed. The method may include the steps of actuating a first valve connected to an arc initiation source of gas to selectively allow arc initiation gas to flow through a mixing chamber; initiating an arc; actuating a second valve connected to a primary shielding source of gas to selectively allow primary shielding gas to flow through the mixing chamber; actuating the first valve to reduce, if needed, the arc initiation gas flow from the arc initiation source of gas; and continuing with the arc welding operation. The arc welding operation may also include actuating the first valve to cause the arc welding operation to operate in a different metal transfer mode when it is desirable, or when the arc welding operation is nearing completion. |
| US08158904B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming a feature in a workpiece by laser ablation with a laser beam having an adjustable intensity profile to redistribute the energy density impinging on the workpiece
A method and apparatus is provided for removing material from an outer surface of a workpiece such as a catheter or other medical device. The method begins by generating a laser beam having an intensity profile and directing the laser beam onto the outer surface of the workpiece. After the laser beam is generated, its intensity profile is adjusted by a component such as a diffractive optical element (DOE) or a holographic optical element (HOE) so that material can be removed from the workpiece by ablation in a prescribed manner. |
| US08158903B2 |
Method for repairing or manufacturing a component
In a method of repairing a structural component, especially a stator-side structural component such as a housing or a guide vane ring of a gas turbine, a damaged section is separated-out along a separating line and removed from the structural component, and a new section that replaces the removed damaged section is connected with the structural component by welding along the separating line to produce a weld seam. The damaged section is separated-out from the structural component so as to minimize the length of the separating line and thus the weld seam. Depending on the material thickness distribution of the component along the separating line, material is removed from the structural component to provide the most uniform possible material thickness along the weld seam. After connecting the new section with the structural component by welding, at least the removed material is renewed by laser powder deposit welding. |
| US08158902B2 |
Method and apparatus for sorting metal
A system for sorting metals from a batch of mixed material scrap includes an array of inductive proximity detectors, a processing computer and a sorting mechanism. The inductive proximity detectors identify the location of the metal pieces and the processing computer instructs the sorting mechanism to place the metal and non-metallic pieces into separate containers. |
| US08158899B2 |
Waterproof operating device
A waterproof operating device has a pressure resistant housing including a support surface with one or more openings therethrough; a cover plate having corresponding openings therethrough; an elastic member having opposing major surfaces facing the support and cover plates with a protrusion extending from one major surface through an opening in the support surface. A button shaft extends through each pair of aligned openings into the protrusion. Each opposing major surface of the elastic member is maintained in direct continuous contact with the cover and support plates from the openings in the support and cover plates outward to beyond an area covered by the head portion of the button. The protrusion is dimensional for the selected elastic material and button dimensions to resist elongation from water pressure at greater than sixty meter depths, sufficient to actuate a switch element proximal to the distal end of the protrusion. |
| US08158898B2 |
Elastic pressing unit and molded case circuit breaker having the same
Disclosed are an elastic pressing unit and a molded case circuit breaker having the same, the molded case circuit breaker including, a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable contacts disposed to be rotatable between a closing position contacted with the corresponding fixed contacts and a breaking position or trip position separated from the corresponding fixed contacts, a rotation pin disposed to be simultaneously connected to the movable contacts, a mechanical unit connected to the rotation pin so as to allow the movable contacts to be simultaneously rotatable, and an elastic pressing unit configured to apply an elastic force to the rotation pin such that the rotation pin is rotated toward the closing position, whereby component deformation can be prevented, resulting in ensuring operation reliability and stability of the mechanical unit. |
| US08158895B2 |
Method and a system for batching of objects
The invention relates to a method and a system for batching of supplied objects in batches in such a manner that a batch fulfills predefined criteria as regards for example the total weight range and optionally the number of objects, weight, orientation and/or type(s) of objects. A selective transferal of the objects from means for object transport to batching means is performed by means of one or more handling means of the robot type in as a batch of objects is produced in consideration of said predefined criteria. The batches are produced on said batching means that are moved around said one or more handling means of the robot type. |
| US08158892B2 |
High-speed router with backplane using muli-diameter drilled thru-holes and vias
A high-speed router backplane is disclosed. The router backplane uses differential signal pairs on multiple signal layers, each sandwiched between a pair of digital ground layers. Thru-holes are used to connect the differential signal pairs to external components. To reduce routing complexity, at least some of the differential signal pairs route through a via pair, somewhere along their path, to a different signal layer. At least some of the thru-holes and vias are drilled to reduce an electrically conductive stub length portion of the hole. The drilled portion of a hole includes a transition from a first profile to a second profile to reduce radio frequency reflections from the end of the drilled hole. |
| US08158889B2 |
Electromagnetic bandgap structure and printed circuit board
An electromagnetic bandgap structure and a printed circuit board are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic bandgap structure includes a mushroom type structure comprising a first metal plate and a via of which one end is connected to the first metal plate; a second metal plate connected to the other end of the via; a first metal layer being connected to the second metal layer through a metal line; a first dielectric layer, layer-built between the first metal layer and the first metal plate; a second dielectric layer, layer-built on the first metal plate and the first dielectric layer; and a second metal layer, layer-built on the second dielectric layer. With the present invention, it is possible to solve the aforementioned mixed signal problem by preventing the EM wave of a certain frequency range from being transferred. |
| US08158883B2 |
Wall mounted system with insertable computing apparatus
The present invention is directed to provide a computing system comprises plurality of apparatii mounted on the wall or floor adjacent to or embedded inside the LAN jack or a main power outlet. The apparatii are connected at the back side through Ethernet cable, optical fiber or main lines to the building LAN and connected at the front side through cables or wirelessly to display, keyboard, mouse or other peripheral devices. In a typical embodiment of the present invention power to the computing apparatus is supplied through the LAN cable. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a wall or floor mounted housing part comprising of an integrated LAN connector. This common housing enables easy installation of the said computing apparatus module and plurality of other compatible devices that may be plugged into that same housing. |
| US08158879B2 |
Electrochemical cell structure and method of fabrication
An electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The electrochemical cell comprising: a first conductive layer; a metal oxide layer formed on the first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer comprising a plurality of adjacent metal oxide cells, spaced from one another; a functional dye layer formed on the metal oxide layer; a second conductive layer; and an electrolyte between the functional dye layer and the second conductive layer, wherein at least one of the first and second conductive layers is transparent, and wherein the metal oxide layer is formed from a metal oxide particle dispersion liquid. |
| US08158864B2 |
Soybean variety A1015460
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015460. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015460. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015460 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015460 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08158862B1 |
Soybean variety XB44J09
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB44J09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB44J09, to the plants of soybean XB44J09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB44J09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB44J09 with another soybean plant, using XB44J09 as either the male or the female parent. |
| US08158861B1 |
Soybean cultivar 05KL116623
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 05KL116623 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 05KL116623 and its progeny, and methods of making 05KL116623. |
| US08158856B2 |
Stress resistant plants
Stress tolerance in plants and plant cells is achieved by using nucleotide sequences encoding enzymes involved in the NAD salvage synthesis pathway and/or the NAD de novo synthesis pathway from fungal or yeast like organisms other than Saccharomyces cereviseae, e.g., for overexpression in plants. |
| US08158852B2 |
PMMOV resistant Capsicum plants
The present invention relates to a method of producing a plant of the Capsicum genus that exhibits resistance to Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) pathotype 1.2.3, comprising providing a recipient plant of the Capsicum genus that is susceptible to PMMoV pathotype 1.2.3 or a part thereof, and introducing into the genome of the recipient plant or a part thereof or a progeny plant thereof a genomic region comprising a truncated L4 resistance allele, wherein the allele comprises genetic information capable of being expressed in the plant or plant part or progeny plant thereby conferring resistance to PMMoV pathotype 1.2.3 to the plant or plant part or progeny plant, and wherein genetic information that confers the SNFD phenotype is absent from the allele at least to such an extent that the SNFD phenotype is not expressed. |
| US08158851B2 |
Transgenic high tryptophan plants
The present invention provides a method for altering the tryptophan content of a plant by introducing and expressing an isolated DNA segment encoding an anthranilate synthase in the cells of the plant. Transgenic plants transformed with an isolated DNA segment encoding an anthranilate synthase, as well as human or animal food, seeds and progeny derived from these plants, are also provided. |
| US08158848B2 |
Absorbent single use article
An absorbent single-use article includes an absorbent element for storing bodily fluids and a backsheet that is fluid impermeable, at least in sections. The fluid impermeable backsheet has a microporous breathable film. A moisture indicator is provided on the side of the film facing the absorbent element in the form of a visual perceptible textured arrangement applied directly to the film, wherein the textured arrangement detaches itself beyond recognition upon contact with aqueous fluid. |
| US08158844B2 |
Limited-access, reduced-pressure systems and methods
A reduced-pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site at a limited-access location on a patient includes a reduced-pressure source, a treatment manifold for placing proximate the tissue site and operable to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site, and a sealing member for placing over the tissue site and operable to form a pneumatic seal over the tissue site. The reduced-pressure treatment system also includes a reduced-pressure bridge and a moisture-removing device on at least portion of the reduced-pressure bridge. The reduced-pressure bridge includes a delivery manifold operable to transfer the reduced pressure to the treatment manifold, an encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side, and a reduced-pressure-interface site formed proximate one end of the reduced-pressure bridge. |
| US08158843B2 |
Deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon fuels
The invention relates to processes for reducing the sulfur content in hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. The invention provides a method and materials for producing ultra low sulfur content transportation fuels for motor vehicles as well as for applications such as fuel cells. The materials and method of the invention may be used at ambient or elevated temperatures and at ambient or elevated pressures without the need for hydrogen. |
| US08158841B2 |
Hydrotreating method
To provide a method for hydrotreating a synthetic hydrocarbon oil, which removes olefins and oxygen-containing compounds by hydrotreatment with the gasification rate restrained and can efficiently convert the synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by the FT process to a liquid fuel suitable as a fuel for diesel-powered vehicles. A hydrotreating method is disclosed in which a synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by FT synthesis is hydrotreated using a catalyst in which a definite catalytic metal is allowed to be carried on a support, under definite reaction conditions, with the gasification rate restrained to a definite value or less, thereby removing the olefins and the oxygen-containing compounds. |
| US08158839B2 |
Alkylation process using catalysts with low olefin skeletal isomerization activity
A process is presented for the production of linear alkylbenzenes. The process includes contacting an aromatic compound with an olefin in the presence of a selective zeolite catalyst. The catalyst includes two zeolites combined to improve the linearity, and to produce detergent grade LAB. The two zeolites are selected to limit skeletal isomerization while producing a desired 2-phenyl content for the LAB. |
| US08158835B2 |
Fluorene compound and organic electroluminescence device
Provided is a novel fluorene compound, which is represented by the following general formula (1): |
| US08158834B2 |
Method for producing hydrogenolysis product of polyhydric alcohol
The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogenolysis product of a polyhydric alcohol in an efficient manner. The present invention provides a process for producing a hydrogenolysis product of a polyhydric alcohol in a batch manner in which the hydrogenolysis reaction is carried out while removing water retained in a liquid phase of a reaction system. |
| US08158830B1 |
Integrated process for the preparation of tetraaminobenzene
An integrated process is provided for preparing 1,2,4,5-tetraminobenzene and salts thereof, starting in certain embodiments with nitration of 1,3-dihalobenzene. The process design eliminates costly intermediate drying and recrystallization steps. Handling of solid materials with possible skin sensitizing properties and toxicity is avoided, thereby eliminating human and environmental exposure. |
| US08158824B2 |
Process for the production of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide
Process for the production of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide in a urea plant containing a high-pressure synthesis section comprising two reactor sections, a stripper and a condenser, and a recovery section, wherein in the first reactor section a first synthesis solution is formed that is fed to the second reactor section; fresh carbon dioxide is fed to the second reactor section and in the second reactor section a second synthesis solution is formed that is fed to the stripper, wherein the second synthesis solution is stripped with the use of carbon dioxide as stripping gas and the mixed gas stream obtained in the stripper is sent to the condenser together with fresh ammonia and a carbamate stream, whereafter the condensate that is formed in the condenser is fed to the first reactor section and the urea stream that is obtained in the stripper is further purified in the recovery section, wherein the flow of the first synthesis solution from the first reactor section to the second reactor section, the flow of the second synthesis solution from the second reactor section to the stripper, the flow of the mixed gas stream from the stripper to the condenser and of the condensate from the condenser to the first reactor section is a gravity flow. |
| US08158820B2 |
Compounds
The invention relates to substituted phenoxyacetic acids (I) as useful pharmaceutical compounds for treating respiratory disorders, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and processes for their preparation. |
| US08158817B2 |
Synthesis of acylureas and composition comprising acylureas
The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a polyisocyanate composition comprising acylureas. According to the invention, a starting composition comprising a compound having at least two isocyanate functional groups is subjected to a reaction with at least two acid functional groups, with at least one of the acid functional groups having a pKa value of less than or equal to 3, and at least one of the acid functional groups having a pKa value of more than 3 and less than or equal to 6, at a temperature at least equal to 50 ° C., wherein the acid functional group having a pKa value of less than or equal to 3 and the acid functional group having a pKa value of more than 3 and less than or equal to 6 are present on two different acids or on the same acid. |
| US08158816B2 |
Process for lightening the color of polyol esters
The present invention relates to a process for lightening the color of polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the reaction product is worked up without using adsorbents and comprises a treatment with peroxidic compounds and an immediately subsequent steam treatment with subsequent drying. |
| US08158815B2 |
Carbonylation process with in situ regeneration of mordenite catalyst
A process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate and/or methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a mordenite catalyst to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate in which process the mordenite catalyst is regenerated in-situ by contacting the catalyst with a regenerating gas comprising a molecular oxygen-containing gas and an inert diluent at a total pressure in the range 1 to 100 bar and wherein the partial pressure of the molecular oxygen-containing gas is such that the temperature of the catalyst is maintained within the range 225 to 325° C. |
| US08158808B2 |
Synthesis and preparations of duloxetine salts
The invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of duloxetine, duloxetine intermediates, and duloxetine hydrochloride. |
| US08158804B2 |
Chelating agents
The present invention relates to chelating agents, in particular to chelating agents which are capable of forming complexes with paramagnetic metal ions such as iron (III) and gadolinium (III). The invention also relates to the complexes formed and their use as MRI contrast agents. |
| US08158803B2 |
Heterocyclic antiviral compounds
Compounds having the formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5a, R5b, R5c and R6 are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication. |
| US08158802B2 |
Arthropodicidal anthranilamides
This invention provides compounds of Formula 1, their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts wherein R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b and R5 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are methods for controlling invertebrate pests comprising contacting the invertebrate pests or their environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula 1 or a composition comprising a compound of Formula 1. |
| US08158789B2 |
Arginine derivatives with NP-I antagonistic activity
The present invention is a compound of formula (I) or formula (II) which are suitable as NP-1 antagonists. |
| US08158788B2 |
Method for the nitration of 4,6-dihydroxy-2-methylpyrimidine
Disclosed is a method for the nitration of 4,6-dihydroxy-2-methylpyrimidine for the synthesis of 4,6-dihydroxy-5,5-dinitro-2-(dinitromethylene)-2,5-dihydropyrimidine which is used as a precursor of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene, one type of explosives. The present invention provides an improved method for the nitration of 4,6-dihydroxy-2-methylpyrimidine, wherein organic solvent is applied in the nitration process of 4,6-dihydroxy-2-methylpyrimidine thereby solving the safety problem while improving the yield of nitration. |
| US08158786B2 |
Inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase
Disclosed herein are compounds that form covalent bonds with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Also described are irreversible inhibitors of Btk. Methods for the preparation of the compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions. |
| US08158785B2 |
5,7-disubstituted[1.3]thiazolo [4,5-D] pyrimidin-2(3H)-amine derivatives and their use in therapy
There are disclosed novel 5-substituted 7-amino-[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, together with processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in therapy. The compounds of formula (I) are CX3CR1 receptor antagonists and are thereby particularly useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative disorders, demyelinating disease, cardio- and cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disorders, peripheral artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary diseases such as COPD, asthma or pain. |
| US08158784B2 |
Quinuclidine derivative useful in the preparation of mequitazine
The invention relates to a 1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-en-3-ylmethyl acetate of the formula (I), wherein said compound is useful as a synthesis intermediate for the production of mequitazine. |
| US08158783B2 |
MTP inhibiting tetrahydro-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid derivatives
The present invention is concerned with novel tetrahydro-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid derivatives having apoB secretion/MTP inhibiting activity and concomitant lipid lowering activity. The invention further relates to methods for preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds as well as the use of said compounds as a medicine for the treatment of atherosclerosis, pancreatitis, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and type II diabetes. Formula (I). |
| US08158782B2 |
Biomolecule labeling reactants based on azacycloalkanes and conjugates derived thereof
This invention concerns novel labeling reactants based on azacycloalkanes, wherein a suitable group is linked to the molecule allowing introduction of the said molecules to bioactive molecules in solution or on solid phase. |
| US08158781B2 |
Polymorphic forms α, β and γ of rifaximin
Crystalline polymorphous forms of rifaximin (INN) antibiotic named rifaximin α and rifaximin β, and a poorly crystalline form named rifaximin γ, useful in the production of medicinal preparations containing rifaximin for oral and topical use and obtained by means of a crystallization carried out by hot-dissolving the raw rifaximin in ethyl alcohol and by causing the crystallization of the product by addition of water at a determinate temperature and for a determinate period of time, followed by a drying carried out under controlled conditions until reaching a settled water content in the end product, are the object of the invention. |
| US08158778B2 |
Method for the desalting of saccharide solution and an anion exchanger
The present invention provides the means for suppressing the production of decomposition reactant, isomerization reactant, colored material, and so on when a saccharide solution is desalted, thereby suppressing the production of impurities and preventing coloration of an ion exchange resin and decrease in the desalting capacity of the ion exchange resin.The desalting of a saccharide solution is performed by using an anion exchange resin supporting a carbonate ion and/or a hydrogencarbonate ion. |
| US08158775B2 |
Method for detaching protecting group on nucleic acid
The present invention provides a method for removing a 2-cyanoethoxymethyl (CEM) group, which substitutes the 2′-hydroxyl group of each ribose of an oligonucleic acid derivative, with good reproducibility and high efficiency. The present invention further provides a method for producing an oligonucleic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (11), characterized by using a sulfoxide-based solvent or an amide-based solvent or a mixture thereof as a reaction solvent in the step of removing a protecting group, which protects the 2′-hydroxyl group of each ribose of an oligonucleic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (10) by allowing TBAF to act on the oligonucleic acid derivative. |
| US08158769B2 |
Members of the capsaicin/vanilloid receptor family of proteins and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel members of the Capsaicin/Vanilloid receptor family. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-hVR-1, anti-hVR-2, and anti-rVR-2 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided. |
| US08158765B2 |
Water-treatment particle and a method of manufacturing thereof
A method of manufacturing water-treatment particles comprises respectively preparing a particle-fabricating solution that comprises chitinous composition and a forming solution first. Next, a complex solution is prepared by adding calcium sulfite into the particle-fabricating solution. Finally, the complex solution is pumped into the forming solution to form water-treatment particles. In addition, water-treatment particles manufactured by the method above are also disclosed in the specification. |
| US08158762B2 |
Anti-factor B antibodies and their uses
The invention concerns the prevention and treatment of complement-associated eye conditions, such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), by administration of factor B antagonists. |
| US08158754B2 |
Multiple modified derivatives of gelatin and crosslinked material thereof
Disclosed is a kind of multiple modified derivatives of gelatin having not only the structure of formula (I) but also one of structures of formula (II), (III), and (IV) as well, wherein, G refers to gelatin residue, which can be type A, type B or a gelatin obtained from gene recombination; R1 refers to alkylene, or a linkage group with amide; R2 refers to alkyl, or aryl; R3 refers to alkylene; and R4 refers to carboxyl or carboxylate. The multiple modifying ways of gelatin comprise the hydrophobic modification on the amino group of gelatin through amide bond, carboxylation on the amino group of gelatin through amide bond, thiolation on the carboxyl group of gelatin, and thiolation following carboxylation on amino group of gelatin through amide bond. Also disclosed is a crosslinked material made of multiple modified derivatives of gelatin. The multiple modified derivatives of gelatin have flexible chemical structures and many properties. Their crosslinked gelatin material can be used the matrix for cell growth, etc. |
| US08158752B2 |
Therapeutic agent and therapeutic method for periodontal diseases and pulpal diseases
The objects of the present invention are: to provide a therapeutic agent and a therapeutic method for periodontal diseases and pulpal diseases, a transplant for periodontal tissue regeneration, and a method for regenerating the periodontal tissue.According to the present invention, there are provided therapeutic agents for periodontal diseases and pulpal diseases which comprise neurotrophic factors as an active ingredient. |
| US08158751B2 |
Peptides for detection of antibody to Ehrlichia ewingii
The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia ewingii antibodies, antibody fragments, and polypeptides. |
| US08158747B2 |
Method of manufacturing a molded article
A method for manufacturing a molded article by melting and molding a granule of a polycarbonate resin at a temperature of 280 to 380° C., wherein the granule satisfies condition (a): when 100 parts by weight of the granule is cleaned with 100 parts by weight of a 1N nitric acid aqueous solution, the amount of an Fe compound eluted into the cleaning liquid of the 1N nitric acid aqueous solution is 1 to 100 ppb in terms of an Fe atom based on the granule. The molded article exhibits excellent color and transparency. |
| US08158746B2 |
Active energy ray curable liquid composition and liquid cartridge
The invention provides an active energy ray curable liquid composition containing a compound having a bonding group represented by a general formula (I), and a liquid cartridge. ([A] in the formula (I) is a cyclic group represented by a general formula (II), [Y] in the formula (II) is a cyclic linking group having a carbonyl group and a site containing an unsaturated carbon bond adjacent to the carbonyl group, and E in the formula (I) is a bonding group having at least one amide bond and at least one of divalent organic groups which may be substituted. |
| US08158743B2 |
Rosin phenolic resins for printing inks
Rosin modified phenolic resins are prepared by reacting together rosin, fatty acid, phenol and aldehyde. The fatty acid may be Monomer (derived from the fatty acid dimerization process). The reaction mixture may optionally include α,β-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid(s) or anhydride(s), and polyol(s). The resin may be dissolved in a solvent to form a varnish. The resin may be used as a component of inks for lithographic or gravure printing. |
| US08158740B2 |
Hydrophilic silicones
A process for producing a soluble silicone product is provided. The process includes the steps of chemically reacting a polydialkoxysiloxane with an aliphatic alcohol with or without a catalyst in a reaction mixture, removing produced alcohol from the mixture; recovering the water soluble portion of produced silicone product, purifying the water soluble portion; and recovering hydrophilic material in the water insoluble portion. |
| US08158734B2 |
Aqueous process for making fluoropolymers
A novel aqueous polymerization process for making fluoropolymers is disclosed in which non-ionic non-fluorinated emulsifier is used to produce fluoropolymer emulsions. The emulsifiers used in the invention are those that contain segments of polyethylene glycol and/or polypropylene glycol with repeating units of 3 to 100. |
| US08158731B2 |
Biopolymer compositions having improved flexibility
The present disclosure is directed to polymer blends comprising a biopolymer and a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic polyester. The aliphatic polyester comprises repeating units derivable from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic diacid, repeating units derivable from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic diol, and one or two terminator units derivable from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic alcohol. The polymer blends disclosed herein provide improved flexibility, and are useful, for example, in the production of packaging materials, industrial products, durable goods, and the like. |
| US08158719B2 |
Benzoxazine-formulations with reduced outgassing behaviour
Polymerizable combinations, comprising at least one first component selected from the group of benzoxazine monomers and at least one second component selected from the group of aromatic esters are described. Further on the use of aromatic esters as additives to benzoxazine monomers as well as methods of coating a device by heating the above mentioned combination, and a device, coated by that way is explained. |
| US08158717B2 |
Additive for aqueous polyurethane dispersion
The present invention relates to glycine derivatives as additive for an aqueous polyurethane dispersion. Said glycine derivatives can increase the fluidity of aqueous polyurethane dispersion and therefore is useful for preparation of aqueous polyurethane dispersion with high solid content. Besides, the glycine derivatives are able to significantly decrease the viscosity of aqueous polyurethane dispersion; therefore, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion with high solid content can be stored stably. |
| US08158712B2 |
Polymeric materials suitable for ophthalmic devices and methods of manufacture
Biocompatible polymers useful in ophthalmic devices such as accommodating intraocular lenses. The polymers have improved resistance to the diffusion of fluid, relatively high refractive indexes, and mechanical properties to allow for deformation upon the application of force. |
| US08158707B2 |
Continuous process for the production of organopolysiloxane compositions
Base compositions for silicone compositions with viscosity <500,000 mPas are continuously produced by, in a first stage, homogeneously mixing and kneading organopolysiloxanes (A) and prehydrophobized oxidic reinforcing fillers (B) in a continuous kneading cascade with kneading chambers arranged alongside one another, and in a second downstream stage, the compositions produced in the first stage of the process are subjected to aftertreatment in a mixing apparatus where the compositions have been subjected to a mixing procedure with introduction of shear force. |
| US08158705B2 |
Polymer composition and pneumatic tire
An object of the present invention is to provide a polymer composition that can decrease the thickness of an inner liner while maintaining air permeation resistance. The polymer composition of the present invention includes 0.1 to 50 parts by mass of an organic derivative of a clay mineral based on 100 parts by mass of a polymer mixture containing 99 to 60% by mass of a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer and 1 to 40% by mass of a polyamide-based polymer that contains polyamide in the molecular chain and has a Shore D hardness of 70 or less. |
| US08158704B2 |
Powder for cold spraying processes
A powder can be produced by immersing microparticles (2) in a first solution (4) which contains coupling molecules (5), and then in a second solution (10) which contains the nanoparticles (12), thereby producing microparticles (2) with nanoparticles (12) attached thereto. The particles form powder particles (14) which allow nanoparticles (12) that are smaller than approximately 5 [mu] to be applied to a component by cold gas spraying. |
| US08158700B2 |
Method of improving affinity between filler and polymers having a low degree of unsaturation
Provided is a composition comprising at least one polymer having a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol %; a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silica, and mixtures thereof; and a polymeric additive comprising a functional end group reactive with said filler, wherein said polymeric additive has a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol % and a number average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 25,000. The composition may optionally contain one or more polymers having a degree of unsaturation of more than 50 mol %. The composition may be particularly useful as a component for a tire. |
| US08158699B2 |
Water-soluble copolymers containing sulpho groups, process for their preparation and their use
Water-soluble sulfo group containing copolymers use as stabilizers, rheology modifiers and water retention agents in aqueous building materials based on hydraulic binders, such as cement, lime, gypsum and anhydrite, and in water-based painting and coating systems are described. Processes of preparing the copolymers and methods of using them are also described. |
| US08158698B2 |
Powder coating composition and process of manufacture
The present invention provides a powder coating composition comprising at least one glycidyl-functionalised (meth) acrylic resin, 1 to 30 wt %, the wt % based on the total weight of component A), of at least one hydroxyl-functionalised alkyl acrylate alkyl methacrylate copolymer, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of pigments, fillers, cross-linking agents and/or coating additives different from component B). The powder coating composition of this invention can provide coatings having improved impact resistance, corrosion stability, heat resistance and weather resistance. The powder coating also has good properties including good flow behavior and durability against aggressive substances, such as, inorganic acids. |
| US08158695B2 |
Forming clear, wettable silicone hydrogel articles without surface treatments
The present invention is a composition, which may be used to form contact lenses, comprising at least one silicone containing component, at least one hydrophilic component, at least one high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and at least one diluent with an alpha value of about 0.5 to about 1 and a Hansen solubility parameter of less than about 10. |
| US08158694B2 |
Single component dental composition containing silane coupling agent and acidic group containing polymerizable monomer
The present invention provides a one-component dental adhesive composition which can exhibit excellent adhesion to both materials of a dental ceramics and an organic composite containing an inorganic compound, and is excellent in can-stability. More particularly, the present invention provides a one-component dental adhesive composition comprising 1 to 60 parts by weight of (a) a silane coupling agent, 1.0 to 20.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the (a) component of (b) an acidic group-containing polymerizable monomer, and 28 to 99 parts by weight of (c) a volatile organic solvent. |
| US08158692B2 |
Polyurethane foam for steering wheel having improved water resistance
The present invention provides a polyurethane foam for an automobile steering wheel. More particularly, the present invention relates to polyurethane foam formed by using a predetermined amount of a polyol having various functional groups and OH values and a predetermined amount of isocyanate having a certain function, along with water as a foaming agent, thereby preventing the environmental problems caused by use of the conventional fluorine-based or pentane-based foaming agent and also improving durability such as water resistance. |
| US08158690B2 |
Temperature-sensitive active ingredient compositions for reducing the density of plastics
The invention relates to an active ingredient composition which has a high content in thermosensitive foaming agents and one or more polyolefin resins, the portion which is larger in quantity being a metallocene and optionally the remaining resins being polar or nonpolar nonmetallocene polyolefin resins. All polyolefin resins add up to at least 10% by weight of the formulation and have a melting point between 80 and 170° C. The reduced dust active ingredient composition according to the invention is used for the masterbatch production of foamed plastics. |
| US08158687B2 |
Oil-in-water emulsion for delivery
The present invention concerns an oil-in-water emulsion wherein the oil droplets of a diameter in the range of 5 nm to hundreds of micrometers exhibit a nano-sized structurization with hydrophilic domains with a diameter size in the range of 0.5 to 200 nm and being formed by a lipophilic additive. |
| US08158686B2 |
Use of copolymers as solubilizers for slightly water-soluble compounds
The use of copolymers obtained by free-radical polymerization of a mixture of i) 30 to 80% by weight of N-vinyllactam, ii) 10 to 50% by weight of vinyl acetate, and iii) 10 to 50% by weight of a polyether, with the proviso that the total of components i), ii) and iii) equals 100% by weight, as solubilizers for slightly water-soluble substances. |
| US08158678B2 |
Photoabsorbing, highly conjugated compounds of cyanoacrylic esters, sunscreen compositions and methods of use
Novel derivatives of α-cyano-β-naphthyl acrylates, sunscreen compositions including one or more α-cyano-β-naphthyl acrylate derivatives are described herein. Also disclosed are methods for stabilizing a sunscreen composition and methods of filtering out ultra-violet light from a substrate by the addition of one or more of the foregoing α-cyano-β-naphthyl acrylate derivatives. |
| US08158677B2 |
Treatment of viral infections by modulation of host cell metabolic pathways
Alterations of certain metabolite concentrations and fluxes that occur in response to viral infection are described. Host cell enzymes in the involved metabolic pathways are selected as targets for intervention; i.e., to restore metabolic flux to disadvantage viral replication, or to further derange metabolic flux resulting in “suicide” of viral-infected cells (but not uninfected cells) in order to limit viral propagation. While any of the enzymes in the relevant metabolic pathway can be selected, pivotal enzymes at key control points in these metabolic pathways are preferred as candidate antiviral drug targets. Inhibitors of these enzymes are used to reverse, or redirect, the effects of the viral infection. Drug candidates are tested for antiviral activity using screening assays in vitro and host cells, as well as in animal models. Animal models are then used to test efficacy of candidate compounds in preventing and treating viral infections. The antiviral activity of enzyme inhibitors is demonstrated. |
| US08158676B2 |
Substituted cyclopentanes having prostaglandin activity
Disclosed herein are compounds having a formula: Therapeutic methods, medicaments, and compositions related thereto are also disclosed. |
| US08158670B2 |
Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
Methods are provided for inhibiting stenosis following vascular trauma or disease in a mammalian host, comprising administering to the host a therapeutically effective dosage of a therapeutic conjugate containing a vascular smooth muscle binding protein that associates in a specific manner with a cell surface of the vascular smooth muscle cell, coupled to a therapeutic agent dosage form that inhibits a cellular activity of the muscle cell. Methods are also provided for the direct and/or targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to vascular smooth muscle cells that cause a dilation and fixation of the vascular lumen by inhibiting smooth muscle cell contraction, thereby constituting a biological stent. |
| US08158669B2 |
Method for treating neovascularization
The present invention describes an improved photodynamic treatment to treat subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). |
| US08158657B2 |
Heterocycles substituted pyridine derivatives and antifungal agent containing thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide an antifungal agent which has excellent antifungal effects and is superior in terms of its physical properties, safety and metabolic stability. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a compound represented by the following formula (I), or a salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an amino group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group or a C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, an amino group or a di C1-6 alkylamino group; one of X and Y is a nitrogen atom while the other is a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom; ring A represents a 5- or 6-member heteroaryl ring or a benzene ring which may have a halogen atom, or 1 or 2 C1-6 alkyl groups; Z represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —NH—, —CH2NH—, —NHCH2—, —CH2S—, or —SCH2—; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a C6-10 aryl group, a 5- or 6-member heteroaryl group, or 5- or 6-member non-aromatic heterocyclic group which may have 1 or 2 substituents; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom. |
| US08158653B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of 1,3-dioxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-4-amino isoindoline
Substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)phthalimides and 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)isoindolines are disclosed. The compounds are useful, for example, in reducing the levels of TNFα in a mammal. |
| US08158650B2 |
Substituted phenylmethyl bicyclocarboxyamide compounds
This invention provides a compound of the formula (I). These compounds are useful for the treatment of disease conditions caused by overactivation of the VR1 receptor such as pain, or the like in mammal. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above compound. |
| US08158648B2 |
Heteroaryl 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors
Novel compounds are provided which are 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors. 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitor therapy. These novel compounds have the structure: W-L-Z (I) or stereoisomers or prodrugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein W, L and Z are defined herein. |
| US08158647B2 |
Substituted pyrrolopyridines and pyrazolopyridines as kinase modulators
Provided herein are substituted pyrrolopyridine heterocycles and substituted pyrazolopyridine heterocycles, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said heterocycles and methods of using said heterocycles in the treatment of disease. The heterocycles disclosed herein function as kinase modulators and have utility in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, allergy, asthma, inflammation, obstructive airway disease, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disease, infection, CNS disease, brain tumor, obesity, asthma, hematological disorder, degenerative neural disease, cardiovascular disease, or disease associated with angiogenesis, neovascularization, or vasculogenesis. |
| US08158643B2 |
Substituted diaza-spiro-pyridinone derivatives for use in MCH-1 mediated diseases
The present invention concerns aryl and heteroaryl substituted diaza-spiro-pyridinone derivatives having antagonistic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) activity, in particular MCH-1 activity according to the general Formula (I) a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, an N-oxide form thereof or a quaternary ammonium salt thereof, wherein the variables are defined in Claim 1. It further relates to their preparation, compositions comprising them and their use as a medicine. The compounds according to the invention are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to anxiety, eating disorders, mood disorders, such as bipolar disorders and depression, psychoses, such as schizophrenia, and sleeping disorders; obesity; diabetes; sexual disorders and neurological disorders. |
| US08158641B2 |
2-anilino-4-aminoalkyleneaminopyrimidines
The present invention relates to 2-arylamino-4-(aminoalkylene)aminopyrimidines inhibitors having the structure shown below: wherein R and R1 are as defined herein. The 2-arylamino-4 -(aminoalkylene)aminopyrimidines inhibit Protein Kinase C-alpha (PKC-α). The PKC-α inhibitors of the present invention are important for improving myocardial intracellular calcium cycling, resulting in improved myocardial contraction and relaxation performance and thereby slowing the progression of heart failure. The present invention further relates to compositions comprising said 2-arylamino-4 -(aminoalkylene)amino-pyrimidines and to methods for controlling, abating, or otherwise slowing the progression of heart failure. |
| US08158640B2 |
Tetrahydroquinoline derivatives and a process for preparing the same
A novel compound of the formula (I): wherein R1 is alkoxycarbonyl or the like, R2 is alkyl or the like; R3 is hydrogen or the like; R4 is alkylene or the like; R5 is optionally substituted heterocyclic group; R6, R7, R8 and R9 are independently hydrogen; alkyl, alkoxy, or the like; R10 is optionally substituted aromatic ring, or the like; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which has an inhibitory activity against cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). |
| US08158637B2 |
Quinazolines useful as modulators of voltage gated ion channels
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders. |
| US08158630B2 |
Application of 2,5 -dihydroxymethyl-3,6-dimethyl pyrazine and its derivates in pharmacy
An application of 2,5-dihydroxymethyl-3,6-dimethyl pyrazine and its derivatives in the preparation of drugs for the treatment of, prevention of, and/or protection from heart failure wherein the structural formula of the compound is as follows: |
| US08158620B2 |
Fused aminodihydrothiazine derivatives
A compound represented by the general formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, wherein Ring A is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, L is —NReCO— or the like (wherein Re is a hydrogen atom or the like), Ring B is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, X is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, Y is a single bond or the like, Z is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or the like, and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, has an Aβ production inhibitory effect or a BACE1 inhibitory effect and is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease caused by Aβ and typified by Alzheimer-type dementia. |
| US08158614B2 |
Therapeutic treatment of cancer and dysplasia of the cervix or vagina using estrogen antagonists
A method for treatment of cervical or vaginal cancer and their associated dysplasia, including the steps of identifying a human cervical or vaginal cancer and/or dysplasia patient, administering an effective amount of an estrogen antagonist therapy to the patient, wherein the amount is effective to reduce cancer and dysplasia symptoms, and observing a reduction of cancer and dysplasia symptoms in the patient. |
| US08158613B2 |
Topical pharmaceutical formulations and methods of treatment
In certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical formulation for topical administration on a mammal, comprising a unit dose of a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium therefor, said formulation being solid at ambient temperature and having a softening point of not higher than 35° C., such that when the formulation is placed in continuous contact with the skin of a mammalian patient, it is softened to a consistency to effect substantial application of the unit dose of said therapeutic agent onto a desired skin area of the mammalian patient within a time period of less than 10 minutes. |
| US08158609B1 |
Use of cyclodextrins as an active ingredient for treating dry AMD and solubilizing drusen
The present invention is directed to the treatment of disorders involving the accumulation of drusen, such as dry age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy via administration of therapeutically effective amounts of at least one monomeric or polymeric cyclodextrin. |
| US08158604B2 |
2-propynyl adenosine analogs having A2A agonist activity and compositions thereof
The invention provides compounds having the following general formula (I): wherein X, R1, R2, R7 and Z are as described here. |
| US08158601B2 |
Lipid formulation
The invention features a cationic lipid of formula I, an improved lipid formulation comprising a cationic lipid of formula I and corresponding methods of use. Also disclosed are targeting lipids, and specific lipid formulations comprising such targeting lipids. |
| US08158600B2 |
Methods and compositions for detecting and treating retinal diseases based on metargidin (ADAM-15)
The invention discloses multiple genes related to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and/or phagocytosis by RPE cells of the eye, and methods and compositions for detecting and treating AMD and other retinal degenerative conditions based on these phagocytosis-related and/or AMD-related genes. Also provided are animal models useful for testing therapeutic compounds and treatment protocols for AMD, and gene arrays including polymorphic variants of phagocytosis-related and/or AMD-related genes, useful for genetic screening of nucleic acid samples from subjects to obtain profiles of polymorphic variant sequences in a plurality of genes associated with AMD. |
| US08158595B2 |
Modular aptamer-regulated ribozymes
An extensible RNA-based framework for engineering ligand-controlled gene regulatory systems, called ribozyme switches, that exhibit tunable regulation, design modularity, and target specificity is provided. These switch platforms typically contain a sensor domain, comprised of an aptamer sequence, and an actuator domain, comprised of a hammerhead ribozyme sequence. A variety of modes of standardized information transmission between these domains can be employed, and this application demonstrates a mechanism that allows for the reliable and modular assembly of functioning synthetic hammerhead ribozyme switches and regulation of ribozyme activity in response to various effectors. In some embodiments aptamer-regulated cis-acting hammerhead ribozymes are provided. |
| US08158593B2 |
GPR17 modulators, method of screening and uses thereof
The invention provides GPR17 modulators, methods of screening and use thereof for diagnosis and therapy of diseases or dysfunctions involving GPR17 activation, particularly ischemic brain damage. |
| US08158586B2 |
Inhibitors of protein kinases and uses thereof
Compounds that are capable of inhibiting the activity of one or more protein kinases are provided. The compounds are short, predominantly basic peptidic compounds comprising between about 5 and about 20 amino acids, and can optionally comprise an ATP mimetic moiety. The protein kinase inhibiting compounds can be used to inhibit the activity of one or more protein kinases in vitro or in vivo. Also provided are methods of inhibiting a protein kinase in a subject by administration of an effective amount of a protein kinase inhibiting compound and the use of the protein kinase inhibiting compounds, alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, in the treatment of protein kinase mediated diseases and disorders. |
| US08158584B2 |
Pharmaceutical preparations comprising an ALK1-Fc fusion protein
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to the insight that a polypeptide comprising a ligand-binding portion of the extracellular domain of activin-like kinase I (ALK1) polypeptide may be used to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, particularly in mammals suffering angiogenesis-related disorders. Additionally, the disclosure demonstrates that inhibitors of ALK1 may be used to increase pericyte coverage in vascularized tissues, including tumors and the retina. The disclosure also identifies ligands for ALK1 and demonstrates that such ligands have pro-angiogenic activity, and describes antibodies that inhibit receptor-ligand interaction. |
| US08158581B2 |
IGF-1 fusion polypeptides and therapeutic uses thereof
A fusion protein comprising at least one IGF1 variant component and a fusion component (F), and, optionally, a signal sequence, exhibits improved stability relative to the native IGF1 or IGF2 polypeptide. The fusion component (F) may be a multimerizing component, such as an immunoglobulin domain, in particular, the Fc domain of IgG or a heavy chain of IgG. IGF1 variants were shown to have improved ability to increase muscle mass in a subject suffering from muscle atrophy caused by cachexia, immobilization, aging, chronic disease, cancer, hereditary condition, an atrophy-causing agent, and the like. IGF1 variants are also effective in decreasing blood glucose in a subject suffering from diabetes or hyperglycemia. |
| US08158580B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions containing a glycopeptide antibiotic and a cyclodextrin
Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing a cyclodextrin and a therapeutically effective amount of a glycopeptide antibiotic or a salt thereof. Also disclosed are methods of treating a bacterial disease in a mammal by administering such pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08158577B2 |
Modulation of cartilage homeostasis by active domains of cell binding extracellular matrix molecules
A linear or cyclic peptide and the use of said peptide in medicine and especially in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction. The minimal core sequence of the linear or cyclic peptide is WLEAK (SEQ ID No. 1). Alternatives are WLEAR (SEQ ID NO. 17) and WLDAK (SEQ ID No. 18). |
| US08158576B2 |
Viral capsid proteins and any peptides or compositions thereof for the treatment of pathologic disorders
The present invention relates to viral capsid proteins, as a medicament for the treatment of a pathologic disorder. More particularly, the invention relates to the viral capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3, preferably, the SV40 VP1 or any peptide, fragment, mutant, derivative and mixtures thereof or of virus-like particles (VLP's) comprising the same, as the active ingredient in compositions for the treatment of pathologic disorders, preferably disorders associated with inactivation of cellular proteins involved with quality control processes, particularly, chaperones. The invention further provides methods for the treatment of such disorders and the use of the SV40 capsid proteins for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08158571B2 |
Fabric treatment composition comprising a core-shell particle bound to a phthalate-containing polymer
A particle (preferably a core-shell encapsulate) comprising a benefit agent (preferably a perfume), said particle being bound to a non-cationic deposition aid which is substantive to polyester, wherein the non-cationic deposition aid is a polymer derivable from dicarboxylic acids and polyols. Preferably the polymer comprises units derived from (poly)ethylene glycol and terephthalate, most preferably selected from the group comprising PET/POET, PEG/POET, PET/PEG and phthalate/glycerol/ethylene glycol polymers. The invention also provides a method for producing improved benefit agent particles which comprises the step of covalently linking or co-polymerising a deposition aid which is substantive to polyester to a particle comprises the benefit agent. The particles find particular utility in laundry treatment compositions comprising (a) anionic and/or nonionic surfactant, or (b) cationic fabric conditioner and further comprising core-shell particles, wherein said particles have, incorporated in the shell a polyester-substantive deposition aid which is a phthalate containing polymer and incorporated in the core a perfume. |
| US08158569B2 |
Cleaning solvent and cleaning method for metallic compound
Disclosed are cleaning solvents and cleaning methods for metallic compounds deposited on the equipment that supplies organometallic compounds to the manufacturing tool in the photovoltaic industry or the semiconductor industry. The cleaning solvents and the cleaning methods disclosed not only selectively remove the metallic compound without corroding the equipment, but also improve the ordinary cleaning process. Moreover, the cleaning solvents and the cleaning methods disclosed improve maintenance costs for the supply system because the equipment may be cleaned without being detached from the supply system. |
| US08158553B2 |
Photocatalyst dispersion element, method for producing photocatalyst dispersion element, photocatalyst body, and method for producing photocatalyst body
A photocatalyst dispersion element includes: a photocatalytic material; a solvent; and an ion additive. The ion additive generates a cation having a smaller ion radius than a tetramethylammonium ion in the solvent. |
| US08158551B2 |
Catalyst compositions for the treatment of vehicular exhaust gases comprise zirconium oxide and cerium oxide, and have a high reducibility and a stable specific surface area
Catalyst compositions for the treatment of vehicular exhaust gases are based on zirconium and cerium oxides, have a cerium oxide content of at most 50% by weight, a level of reducibility of at least 95% after calcination in air at 600°, and a specific surface area after calcination for 4 hours at 1100° of at least 15 m2/g; such compositions are prepared by forming an aqueous mixture containing zirconium and cerium compounds, by heating this mixture to at least 100° and, after the heating, adjusting it to a basic pH, by adding a surfactant additive to the precipitate obtained from this mixture and by calcinating the precipitate in an inert gas or under vacuum at a temperature of at least 900° and then in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 600°. |
| US08158548B2 |
Electrocatalysts based on mono/plurimetallic carbon nitrides for fuel cells fueled with hydrogen
The invention describes the preparation of electrocatalysts, both anodic (aimed at the oxidation of the fuel) and cathodic (aimed at the reduction of the oxygen), based on mono- and plurimetallic carbon nitrides to be used in PEFC (Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells), DMFC (Direct methanol fuel cells) and H2 electrogenerators. The target of the invention is to obtain materials featuring a controlled metal composition based on carbon nitride clusters or on carbon nitride clusters supported on oxide-based ceramic materials. The preparation protocol consists of three steps. In the first the precursor is obtained through reactions of the type: a) sol-gel; b) gel-plastic; c) coagulation-flocculation-precipitation. The second step consists of the thermal treatments to decompose the precursors in an inert atmosphere leading to the production of the carbon nitrides. In the last step the chemical and electro-chemical activation of the electrocatalysts is performed. Precursors are obtained through reactions leading to: a) the complexation of a “soft” transition metal with a coordination complex acting as a ligand to obtain clusters; b) 3-D networking of the resulting clusters through suitable organic molecules and/or macromolecules. |
| US08158547B2 |
Absorbent
An absorbent of ZSM-5 zeolite ion-exchanged with copper ion, characterized in that at least 60% or more of the copper sites in the copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite are copper (I) sites and preferably at least 70% or more of the copper (I) sites are three-oxygen-coordinated copper (I) sites. |
| US08158545B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for deep desulfurization of fuel gases
A highly effective and regenerable method, system and device that enables the desulfurization of warm fuel gases by passing these warm gasses over metal-based sorbents arranged in a mesoporous substrate. This technology will protect Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts and other sulfur sensitive catalysts, without drastic cooling of the fuel gases. This invention can be utilized in a process either alone or alongside other separation processes, and allows the total sulfur in such a gas to be reduced to less than 500 ppb and in some instances as low as 50 ppb. |
| US08158541B2 |
Optical glass, precision press-molding preform and optical element
Provided is an optically uniform and high-quality optical glass that is free from the occurrence of striae when a precision press-molding preform is produced therefrom, and that is a fluorine-containing glass having a refractive index nd(1) wherein the refractive index nd(1) and a refractive index nd(2) are substantially equivalent to each other, said refractive index nd(2) being a refractive index of the fluorine-containing glass after the fluorine-containing glass is re-melted in a nitrogen atmosphere at 900° C. for 1 hour, cooled to its glass transition temperature and then cooled to 25° C. at a temperature decrease rate of 30° C./hour. |
| US08158537B2 |
Chalcogenide absorber layers for photovoltaic applications and methods of manufacturing the same
In one example embodiment, a method includes depositing one or more thin-film layers onto a substrate. More particularly, at least one of the thin-film layers comprises at least one electropositive material and at least one of the thin-film layers comprises at least one chalcogen material suitable for forming a chalcogenide material with the electropositive material. The method further includes annealing the one or more deposited thin-film layers at an average heating rate of or exceeding 1 degree Celsius per second. The method may also include cooling the annealed one or more thin-film layers at an average cooling rate of or exceeding 0.1 degrees Celsius per second. |
| US08158536B2 |
Low dielectric constant films and manufacturing method thereof, as well as electronic parts using the same
While a fine porous diamond particle film has been known as a high heat resistant and low dielectric constant film and also has high mechanical strength and heat conductivity, and is expected as an insulating film for multi-layered wirings in semiconductor integrated circuit devices, it is insufficient in current-voltage characteristic and has not yet been put into practical use. According to the invention, by treating the fine porous diamond particle film with an aqueous solution of a salt of a metal such as barium and calcium, the carbonate or sulfate of which is insoluble or less soluble, and a hydrophobic agent such as hexamethyl disilazane or trimethyl monochlolo silane, as well as a reinforcing agent containing one of dichlorotetramethyl disiloxane or dimethoxytetramethyl disiloxane, thereby capable of putting the dielectric breakdown voltage and the leak current within a specified range of a practical standard. |
| US08158534B2 |
Reduction of defects formed on the surface of a silicon oxynitride film
Methods for reducing defects on the surface of a silicon oxynitride film are disclosed, in one embodiment, the methods include, forming a silicon oxynitride film on a semiconductor substrate and heating the silicon oxynitride film to increase a hydrophilicity of a surface of the silicon oxynitride film prior to treating the surface of the silicon oxynitride film with a hydrofluoric acid. |
| US08158528B2 |
Method for forming pattern of semiconductor device
A method for forming a pattern of a semiconductor device comprises: forming a stacked film including an underlying layer, an antireflection film and a photoresist film over a semiconductor substrate; coating an over-coating composition over the photoresist film to form an over-coating film; performing an exposing and developing process with a cell mask on the photoresist film where the over-coating film is formed to form a photoresist pattern; forming a silicon-containing-RELACS layer over the antireflection film including the photoresist pattern where the over-coating film is formed; removing the over-coating film and the silicon containing RELACS layer on the photoresist pattern to form a spacer of the silicon containing RELACS layer at sidewalls of the photoresist pattern; removing the photoresist pattern; and etching the antireflection film and the underlying layer with the spacer of the silicon containing RELACS layer as a mask to form an antireflection pattern and an underlying pattern. |
| US08158527B2 |
Semiconductor device fabrication method using multiple resist patterns
A resist pattern (5) is formed in a dimension of a limitation of an exposure resolution over a hard mask material film (4) over a work film (3). The material film (4) is processed using the resist pattern (5) as a mask. A hard mask pattern (6) is thereby formed. Thereby a resist pattern (7), over a non-selected region (6b), having an opening (7a) through which a selection region (6a) in the mask pattern is exposed is formed. Only the mask pattern (6a) exposed through the opening (7a) is slimmed by performing a selection etching, the work film (3) is etched by using the mask pattern (6). A work film pattern (8) is thereby formed, which include a wide pattern section (8a) of a dimension width of the limitation of the exposure resolution and a slimmed pattern section (8a) of a dimension that is not more than the limitation of the exposure resolution. |
| US08158524B2 |
Line width roughness control with arc layer open
To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention a method for etching an etch layer disposed below an antireflective coating (ARC) layer below a patterned mask is provided. The ARC layer is opened, and features are etched into the etch layer through the patterned mask. The opening the ARC layer includes (1) providing an ARC opening gas comprising a halogen containing gas, COS, and an oxygen containing gas, (2) forming a plasma from the ARC opening gas to open the ARC layer, and (3) stopping providing the ARC opening gas to stop the plasma. The patterned mask may be a photoresist (PR) mask having a line-space pattern. COS in the ARC opening gas reduces line width roughness (LWR) of the patterned features of the etch layer. |
| US08158523B2 |
Quantification of hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of materials
A non-destructive and simple analytical method is provided which allows in situ monitoring of plasma damage during the plasma processing such as resist stripping. If a low-k film is damaged during plasma processing, one of the reaction products is water, which is remained adsorbed onto the low-k film (into pores), if the temperature is lower than 100-150 C. A plasma (e.g. He) that emits high energy EUV photons (E>20 eV) which is able to destruct water molecules forming electronically excited oxygen atoms is used to detect the adsorbed water. The excited oxygen is detected from optical emission at 777 nm. Therefore, the higher the adsorbed water concentration (higher damage), a more intensive (oxygen) signal is detected. Therefore, intensity of oxygen signal is a measure of plasma damage in the previous strip step. The proposed analytical method can be performed in-situ immediately after plasma processing and most preferred the optical emission of oxygen radicals is monitored during the de-chucking step in the plasma chamber. |
| US08158521B2 |
Two step post-deposition treatment of ILD layer for a lower dielectric constant and improved mechanical properties
A method of lowering the dielectric constant of an organosilicon low k dielectric layer while improving the hardness and thermal stability is provided. A deposited layer of carbon doped oxide, HSQ, or MSQ is cured and treated with a He plasma which improves hardness for a subsequent CMP step and lowers the dielectric constant. There is no loss of H2O or CH4 during the He treatment. The low k dielectric layer is then treated with a H2 plasma which converts some of the Si—O and Si—CH3 bonds near the surface to Si—H bonds, thereby further lowering the dielectric constant and increasing thermal stability that improves breakdown resistance. Moisture uptake is also reduced. The method is especially useful for interconnect schemes with deep sub-micron ground rules. Surprisingly, the k value obtained from two different plasma treatments is lower than when two He treatments or two H2 treatment are performed. |
| US08158516B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a method is described for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method can form a conductive layer including tungsten on a foundation layer. The method can form a trench by selectively etching the conductive layer. The trench is shallower than a depth from a surface of the conductive layer to the foundation layer. The method can form a protective film on a side surface and a bottom surface of the conductive layer in the trench using a gas containing bromine. The protective film includes a compound of the tungsten and the bromine. The method can remove the protective film on the bottom surface of the conductive layer. The method can etch a portion of the conductive layer below the trench with the protective film on the side surface of the conductive layer. |
| US08158511B2 |
Method of depositing a uniform barrier layer and metal seed layer with reduced overhang over a plurality of recessed semiconductor features
A method of depositing a metal seed layer with underlying barrier layer on a wafer substrate comprising a plurality of recessed device features. A first portion of the barrier layer is deposited on the wafer substrate without excessive build-up of barrier layer material on the openings to the plurality of recessed device features, while obtaining bottom coverage without substantial sputtering of the bottom surface. Subsequently, a metal seed layer is deposited using the same techniques used to deposit the barrier layer, to avoid excessive build up of metal seed layer material on the openings to the features, with minimal sputtering of the barrier layer surface. |
| US08158503B2 |
Multilayer interconnection substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A multilayer interconnection substrate is disclosed that includes a multilayer interconnection layer having at least a first interconnection layer and a second interconnection layer stacked with an insulating layer provided therebetween, and a connection via configured to electrically connect the first interconnection layer and the second interconnection layer. The connection via includes an internal conductor and a metal film covering the internal conductor. The internal conductor is an aggregate of metal particles. |
| US08158499B2 |
Wire structure, method for fabricating wire, thin film transistor substrate, and method for fabricating thin film transistor substrate
Provided are a wire structure, a method for fabricating a wire, a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, and a method for fabricating a TFT substrate. The wire structure includes a barrier layer formed on a substrate and including copper nitride and a copper conductive layer formed on the barrier layer and including copper or a copper alloy |
| US08158486B2 |
Trench isolation structure having different stress
By locally heating isolation trenches with different annealing conditions, a different magnitude of intrinsic stress may be obtained in different isolation trenches. In some illustrative embodiments, the different anneal temperature may be achieved on the basis of an appropriate mask layer, which may provide a patterned optical response for a lamp-based or laser-based anneal process. Consequently, the intrinsic stress of isolation trenches may be specifically adapted to the requirements of circuit elements, such as N-channel transistors and P-channel transistors. |
| US08158481B2 |
CMOS structure and method for fabrication thereof using multiple crystallographic orientations and gate materials
Methods for fabricating a CMOS structure use a first gate stack located over a first orientation region of a semiconductor substrate. A second gate material layer is located over the first gate stack and a laterally adjacent second orientation region of the semiconductor substrate. A planarizing layer is located upon the second gate material layer. The planarizing layer and the second gate material layer are non-selectively etched to form a second gate stack that approximates the height of the first gate stack. An etch stop layer may also be formed upon the first gate stack. The resulting CMOS structure may comprise different gate dielectrics, metal gates and silicon gates. |
| US08158480B2 |
Method of forming a pattern for a semiconductor device, method of forming a charge storage pattern using the same method, non-volatile memory device and methods of manufacturing the same
A method of forming a semiconductor device pattern, a method of forming a charge storage pattern, a non-volatile memory device including a charge storage pattern and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method of forming the charge storage pattern including forming a trench on a substrate, and a device isolation pattern in the trench. The device isolation pattern protrudes from a surface of the substrate such that an opening exposing the substrate is formed. A tunnel oxide layer is formed on the substrate in the opening. A preliminary charge storage pattern is formed on the tunnel oxide layer and the device isolation pattern by selective deposition of conductive materials. The preliminary charge storage pattern may be removed from the device isolation pattern. The preliminary charge storage pattern remains only on the tunnel oxide layer to form the charge storage pattern on the substrate. |
| US08158474B2 |
Semiconductor device with localized stressor
A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS transistor, having localized stressors is provided. Recesses are formed on opposing sides of gate electrodes such that the recesses are offset from the gate electrode by dummy spacers. The recesses are filled with a stress-inducing layer. The dummy recesses are removed and lightly-doped drains are formed. Thereafter, new spacers are formed and the stress-inducing layer is recessed. One or more additional implants may be performed to complete source/drain regions. In an embodiment, the PMOS transistor may be formed on the same substrate as one or more NMOS transistors. Dual etch stop layers may also be formed over the PMOS and/or the NMOS transistors. |
| US08158471B2 |
Capacitorless DRAM on bulk silicon
A method of forming capacitorless DRAM over localized silicon-on-insulator comprises the following steps: A silicon substrate is provided, and an array of silicon studs is defined within the silicon substrate. An insulator layer is defined atop at least a portion of the silicon substrate, and between the silicon studs. A silicon-over-insulator layer is defined surrounding the silicon studs atop the insulator layer, and a capacitorless DRAM is formed within and above the silicon-over-insulator layer. |
| US08158470B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing thereof
A thin film transistor substrate and a method of manufacturing the thin film transistor substrate comprises forming a gate line and a data line intersecting each other with a gate insulating layer interposed and defining a pixel area on the substrate, a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate line and the data line, and a stepped-structure occurring pattern overlapping at least one of the gate line and the data line; forming a passivation layer having a stepped-structure portion formed by the stepped-structure occurring pattern on the substrate; forming a photoresist pattern having a second stepped-structure portion corresponding to the stepped-structure portion on the passivation layer; patterning the passivation layer using the photoresist pattern as a mask; forming a transparent conductive layer on the substrate; and removing the photoresist pattern where the transparent conductive layer is covered by a stripper penetrating through the stepped-structure portion of the photoresist pattern and forming a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor. |
| US08158467B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines and data lines on a first substrate defining a plurality of pixel regions, a thin film transistor within the pixel regions, a pixel electrode within the pixel regions, and at least one TiOx layer provided with the thin film transistor. |
| US08158463B2 |
Process and method for manufacturing a MOS device with intercell ion implant using one or more parallel enrichment windows
A process for manufacturing a MOS device includes forming a semiconductor layer having a first type of conductivity; forming an insulated gate structure having an electrode region (25), above the semiconductor layer (23); forming body regions having a second type of conductivity, within the semiconductor layer, laterally and partially underneath the insulated gate structure; forming source regions having the first type of conductivity, within the body regions; and forming a first enrichment region, in a surface portion of the semiconductor layer underneath the insulated gate structure. The first enrichment region has the first type of conductivity and is set at a distance from the body regions. In order to form the first enrichment region, a first enrichment window is defined within the insulated gate structure, and first dopant species of the first type of conductivity are introduced through the first enrichment window and in a way self-aligned thereto. |
| US08158458B2 |
Power semiconductor module and method of manufacturing the same
A power semiconductor module and a method of manufacture thereof includes lead a frame carrying lead having inner and outer lead portions. The outer lead portions, which are connected by soldering to semiconductor chips simultaneously, eliminate the need for using bonding wires. Since no bonding wire is used for connecting the leads and the semiconductor chips, a sufficient current capacity is obtained. The bonding between an insulating circuit board and the semiconductor chips and the bonding between the semiconductor chips and the leads can be made simultaneously in a single step of reflow-soldering. As a result, the mounting time can be shortened and the power semiconductor module can be manufactured more efficiently. |
| US08158457B2 |
Rule-based semiconductor die stacking and bonding within a multi-die package
A rule-based method of optimizing wire bonding jumps is disclosed which minimizes the amount of wire used for wire bonds and/or minimizes a number of power and ground pads on a substrate to support all wired connections. |
| US08158446B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a groove portion in a dicing region of an insulating layer and forming a via hole in an internal circuit formation region; providing a first resist film on the insulating layer; providing a second resist film to cover the first resist film; forming an interconnect opening in a region covering an internal circuit formation region of the second resist film and forming a position aligning opening in a region covering the dicing region of the second resist film; and detecting a positional relationship between the groove portion and the position aligning opening so as to detect whether the interconnect opening of the second resist film exists at a predetermined position with respect to the via hole of the insulating layer. In selective removing of the second resist film, the position aligning opening is formed such that a region of the position aligning opening covers the groove portion of the insulating layer. |
| US08158445B2 |
Methods of forming pattern structures and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same
Methods of forming pattern structures and methods of manufacturing memory devices using the same are provided, the methods of forming pattern structures include forming an etching object layer on a substrate and performing a plasma reactive etching process on the etching object layer using an etching gas including at least ammonia (NH3) gas. The etching object layer includes a magnetic material or a phase change material. |
| US08158443B2 |
Turbidimetric immunoassay for assessing human Cystatin C
There is a demand for improved turbidimetric immunoassays for human Cystatin C in biological samples, especially in human clinical samples of body fluids. The present invention provides a turbidimetric immunoassay method and reagent set enabling measurement of human Cystatin C by turbidimetric methods, resulting in a surprisingly stronger and faster turbidimetric signal than in the present state of the art. The increased and faster signal is accomplished by the use of new reagents and compositions, and enables shorter assay times and kinetic reading with a stronger signal, improving overall assay speed and quality. Improved robustness to lipid interference and improved linearity is achieved. |
| US08158442B2 |
Antagonists of bitter taste receptors and uses thereof
The present invention relates to antagonists of the human bitter-taste receptors hTAS2R38. The invention also relates to methods for identifying further molecules that suppress hTAS2R38 mediated bitter taste transduction or bitter taste response and uses thereof. |
| US08158440B2 |
Method for quantitative measurement of thyroid related antibodies or antigens in a serum sample
This invention discloses using SPR technology to simultaneously and quantitatively measure the concentrations of thyroid hormones and related antibodies in a serum sample, which can be used to evaluate thyroid functions and to diagnose thyroid diseases. It also discloses an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM that can greatly enhance the immobilization ability of the metal surface in SPR based techniques, which is good for the immobilization of relevant antibodies and antigens used for the detection of respective thyroid hormones and related antibodies in a serum sample. |
| US08158437B2 |
Luminescent detection of hydrazine and hydrazine derivatives
The present invention generally relates to methods for modulating the optical properties of a luminescent polymer via interaction with a species (e.g., an analyte). In some cases, the present invention provides methods for determination of an analyte by monitoring a change in an optical signal of a luminescent polymer upon exposure to an analyte. Methods of the present invention may be useful for the vapor phase detection of analytes such as explosives and toxins. The present invention also provides methods for increasing the luminescence intensity of a polymer, such as a polymer that has been photobleached, by exposing the luminescent polymer to a species such as a reducing agent. |
| US08158436B2 |
Methods for characterizing heparin-like glycosaminoglycan mixtures
The invention provides methods and apparatus for characterizing complex polymeric mixture of interest. Candidate solutions are eliminated from a solution space using one or more experimental measurements of a polymeric mixture of interest. The elimination step can be repeated one or more times using different experimental measurements produced by various chemical and physical protocols, so that the remaining candidate solutions converge to describe the actual polymeric mixture under investigation. Once the composition of the complex polymeric mixture has been characterized, the information thus generated can be used to facilitate, for example, the manufacture of a bio-equivalent of the complex polymeric mixture. |
| US08158425B2 |
Cell culture scaffold containing gel having interpenetrating polymer network structure
A cell culture scaffold containing a gel having a network structure comprised of a synthetic polymer such that cultured cells spread in a shorter time and the number of adsorbed cultured cells per unit area is larger than in the case of using a gel having a network structure comprised of polyacrylic acid, while taking advantage of synthetic polymers with low manufacturing cost, easy quality control and no risk of virus infection in cultured cell. Used as the cell culture scaffold is a gel containing a synthetic polymer obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of a monomer having a sulfonic group such as p-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt (NaSS) and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaAMPS). |
| US08158422B2 |
Erythroid cells producing adult-type β-hemoglobin generated from human embryonic stem cells
Methods and compositions of erythroid cells that produce adult β-hemoglobin, generated by culturing CD31+, CD31+/CD34+ or CD34+ cells from embryonic stem cells under serum-free culture conditions. |
| US08158418B2 |
Chimeric alphavirus replicon particles
Chimeric alphaviruses and alphavirus replicon particles are provided, including methods of making and using same. Specifically, alphavirus particles are provided having nucleic acid molecules derived from one or more alphaviruses and structural proteins (capsid and/or envelope) from at least two or more alphaviruses. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle, are disclosed. |
| US08158415B2 |
Combined use of cell permeable Nanog and Oct4 for increasing self-renewal and suppressing differentiation of stem cells
The present invention discloses cell permeable Nanog and Oct4 recombinant proteins that comprise a kaposi fibroblast growth factor 4 (kFGF4)-derived macromolecule transduction domain (MTD). Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the cell permeable Nanog and Oct4 recombinant proteins, a method of increasing self-renewal and suppressing differentiation of stem cells by treating the cells in combination with the cell permeable Nanog and Oct4 recombinant proteins, and the combined use of the cell permeable Nanog and Oct4 recombinant proteins for increasing self-renewal and suppressing differentiation of stem cells. |
| US08158414B2 |
Gene silencing
The present invention relates to unique strategies and constructs for producing a nucleic acid product that down-regulates or prevents expression of a desired target polynucleotide. Such construct may include an expressing cassette having two convergently-oriented promoters each operably linked to a polynucleotide, but not to a terminator. The two polynucleotides are fully identical in sequence over at least 23 nucleotides. |
| US08158411B2 |
Method of separating microorganism using nonplanar solid substrate and device for separating microorganism using the same
Provided is a method of separating microorganisms from a sample including contacting the sample containing microorganisms with an inorganic ion exchange material such that the sample reacts with the inorganic ion exchange material, and contacting the reacted sample with a means for capturing microorganisms. |
| US08158405B2 |
Process for concentrating and processing fluid samples
A method of treating a liquid sample having microbiological target species therein to concentrate the species and collect lysate is disclosed. The liquid sample comprises non-target microbiological particles, inorganic particles, and microbiological target species. The liquid is passed through a prefilter medium to allow the target species to pass through as filtrate and retain non-target microbiological products and inorganic particles thereon. The filtrate is contacted with a main filtration medium adapted to retain the target species thereon as retentate. The retentate is lysed to form a lysate containing target material that was enveloped within the microbiological target species. The microbiological species may comprise cell containing or viral material. Target materials comprise intracellular nucleic acids, or in the case of viral sampling, nucleic acids encased within the protein sheath or coating of the virus. |
| US08158403B2 |
Enhancer of proliferation of lactic acid bacterium, and agent for improvement in survivability of lactic acid bacterium
A dead cell of a lactic acid bacterium or a culture containing the dead cell of a lactic acid bacterium is added to the dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, milk beverage or the like in an amount of 0.001 wt % or more in dry weight of the dead cell, therefore, it is possible to enhance the growth of a lactic acid bacterium, to shorten the time required for fermentation, and to improve the viability of a lactic acid bacterium during storage over a long period, without affecting the flavor or production cost of the dairy product. |
| US08158402B2 |
Acetoin high-yield Bacillus pumilus strain
A high-yield bacterial strain for producing acetoin named Bacillus pumilus XH195 has been deposited in a microorganism deposit center in Germany. The deposit number is DSM 16187. The bacteria of the strain are rod-shaped, 1.5 μm to 3.0 μm in length, and 0.6 μm to 0.7 μm in diameter. The colony color of the bacterial strain is yellow or white. The strain has the typical fatty acid profile of Bacillus and its physiological and biochemical characteristics align with those of Bacillus pumilus. When the bacteria of strain were cultured at 37° C. for 60 hours with shaking, the yield of acetoin could reach 63.0 g/L or 58.1 g/L, when glucose or sucrose was used as the substrate, respectively. |
| US08158401B2 |
Method for isolating and culturing unculturable microorganisms
The invention provides a method for isolating and culturing a previously unculturable microorganism, which comprises: (i) collecting a sample from an environmental source; (ii) counting/estimating the number of microorganisms in the sample; (iii) diluting the sample in an appropriate medium; (iv) adding a gelating agent such as to entrap one or more microorganisms within a sphere of the gelating agent; (v) coating the spheres containing the entrapped microorganism(s) with a natural or synthetic polymer to form a polymeric membrane; (vi) incubating the coated spheres in the original environment for an appropriate time; (vii) cutting the spheres and scanning for microorganisms colonies; and (viii) isolating the microorganisms, and repeating steps (iii) to (vii) until a pure clone of said previously unculturable microorganism is obtained. |
| US08158398B2 |
Microelectronic sensor device
An optical device provides evanescent radiation, in response to incident radiation, in a detection volume for containing a target component in a medium. The detection volume has at least one in-plane dimension (W1) smaller than a diffraction limit. The diffraction limit is defined by the radiation wavelength and the medium. The evanescent radiation is provided by aperture defining structures having a smallest in plane aperture dimension (W1) smaller than the diffraction limit. The detection volume is provided between the aperture defining structures. The aperture defining structures further define a largest in plane aperture dimension (W2). The largest in plane aperture dimension is larger than the diffraction limit. A source is provided for emitting a beam of radiation having a wavelength incident at the optical device and having a direction of incidence non parallel to an out of plane normal direction, for providing the evanescent radiation in the detection volume, in response to the radiation incident at the optical device. The plane of incidence may be parallel to the largest in plane aperture dimension. |
| US08158392B1 |
Synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by recombinant cells
The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. |
| US08158390B2 |
Method for the fermentative production of L-valine and suitable microorganism
The invention relates to a method for producing L-valine and to a suitable microorganism. The inventive method is characterized by preferably enhancing the transaminase C activity of a coryneform bacterium, especially Corynebacterium glutamicum. The organisms so modified have a yield in L-valine which is 35.8% higher than that of non-modified organisms. |
| US08158385B2 |
Cell death-inducing agent
To identify antigens of the 2D7 antibody, the present inventors cloned the 2D7 antigen. The results suggested that the 2D7 antigen is an HLA class I molecule. Based on this finding, the present inventors examined whether the 2D7 antibody has cell death-inducing activity. Nuclei fragmentation was observed when the 2D7 antibody was cross-linked with another antibody, indicating that cell-death was induced. Further, diabodies of the 2D7 antibody were found to have very strong cell death-inducing activities, even without the addition of another antibody. These results indicate that minibodies of an HLA-recognizing antibody can be used as cell death-inducing agents. |
| US08158384B2 |
Methods for reducing or eliminating α-mannosidase resistant glycans in the production of glycoproteins
The present invention provides methods to reduce or eliminate α-mannosidase resistant glycans on glycoproteins in yeast. The reduction or elimination of α-mannosidase resistant glycans on glycoproteins results from the disruption of the newly isolated P. pastoris AMR2 gene encoding β1,2-mannosyltransferase. The present invention also discloses novel genes, polypeptides, antibodies, vectors and host cells relating to α-mannosidase resistance on glycans. |
| US08158381B2 |
Methods for integrated tissue processing and staining
Methods that combine processing and staining of tissue samples such that the processed tissue is stained and ready for histological evaluation prior to embedding and sectioning, and separate staining of the sectioned tissue is not required. The method may be used with chemical and/or mechanical/thermal tissue penetrant enhancers in an automated tissue processing system. |
| US08158380B2 |
Imaging agents for protein misfolding
Charged and neutral small fluorescent molecules based upon the styryl scaffold are useful as imaging agents for misfolded proteins such as amyloid plaque. Charged molecules are prepared using pyrrolidine catalyzed reactions by solution-phase synthesis. Neutral styryl molecules are prepared using acetic anhydride catalyzed reactions, Horner-Emmons reactions or Wittig reactions. |
| US08158378B2 |
Utilizing waste tail gas from a separation unit biogas upgrade systems as beneficial fuel
The invention relates to a method for utilizing low-quality tail gas derived from a pressure swing adsorption system or membrane system, which is used to upgrade biogas, as a beneficial fuel for the facility and/or digester boiler. |
| US08158376B2 |
Bisubstrate fluorescent probe binding to protein kinases
This invention relates to fluorescent probes for identification of compounds binding to protein kinases, for measurement of the affinity of inhibitors of protein kinases, and determination of the active concentration of protein kinases binding to the probe. Bisubstrate-analog character of the probe enables the simultaneous evaluation of inhibitors targeted to both ATP binding site and/or substrate protein/peptide binding domain of the kinase. High affinity of the probe (Kd=1.0 nM towards cAMP-dependent protein kinase) affords the application of the enzymes at low concentration which leads to the substantial decrease of the consumption of the kinase. Due to the ability of the conjugates of oligo(D-arginine) with a ATP binding site targeted inhibitors of this invention to bind with high affinity to a wide spectrum of (basophilic) kinases, a single Fluorescent probe is applicable for assessment of inhibitory potency of compounds towards a great number of protein kinases. |
| US08158374B1 |
Quantitative diagnostic methods using multiple parameters
Materials and Methods related to diagnosing a clinical condition in a subject, or determining the subject's predisposition to develop the clinical condition, using a multi-parameter system to measure a plurality of parameters and an algorithm to determine a disease score. |
| US08158373B2 |
Method of detecting cancer and evaluating cancer prognosis
A method of detecting cancer in a subject is provided. One step of the method includes obtaining a bodily sample from the subject. Next, the level of pro-prion protein (pro-PrP) in the bodily sample is detected. The level of pro-PrP in the bodily sample is then compared to a control level. An increased level of pro-PrP in the bodily sample as compared to the control level indicates that the subject has cancer or an elevated risk of having cancer. |
| US08158372B2 |
Agonists of a bitter taste receptor and uses thereof
The present invention relates to agonists of the hTAS2R14 bitter taste receptor and its role in bitter taste transduction. The invention also relates to assays for screening molecules that modulate, e.g. suppress or block hTAS2R14 bitter taste transduction or bitter taste response. |
| US08158368B2 |
Diagnosis and risk stratification of infections and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs by means of provasopressin, particularly copeptin or neurophysin II
The invention relates to a method for diagnosing and/or stratifying the risk of infections or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs, particularly lower respiratory tract infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In said method, provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments or partial peptides thereof, especially copeptin or neurophysin II, is/are determined. The invention further relates to suitable biomarker combinations for in-vitro diagnosis. |
| US08158365B2 |
Anti-2-O-desulfated acharan sulfate antibody and its application
An antibody that reacts with 2-O-desulfated acharan sulfate, a hybridoma that produces the antibody, a detection method and a detection kit to which the antibody is applied are disclosed. The antibody that reacts with 2-O-desulfated acharan sulfate can be produced by immunizing a mammal using as an antigen a substance obtained by chemically bonding a protein to 2-O-desulfated acharan sulfate. |
| US08158364B2 |
Methods and compositions involving nucleotide repeat disorders
The present invention concerns the methods and compositions involving nucleic acids with long repeat sequences. In some embodiments of the invention, there are methods for generating such a nucleic acid, and in other methods, there are methods for using such a nucleic acid to screen for candidate therapeutic compounds. Furthermore the present invention relates to methods of screening for Notch inhibitors and other substances that may be used to treat muscle loss and wasting. |
| US08158361B2 |
Tumor marker
The present invention concerns a gene product largely homologous to the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). It further refers to mRNA coding for such epithelial growth factor receptor. The present invention provides such an epithelial growth factor receptor which is characterized in that either exons 12 to 14 or exons 12 to 15 are deleted. These novel variants of the epithelial growth factor receptor can be used for a diagnosis, stratification, therapy guidance of a tumor or therapy guidance of tumor surgery. |
| US08158355B2 |
Method to generate or determine nucleic acid tags corresponding to the terminal ends of DNA molecules using sequences analysis of gene expression (terminal SAGE)
A method of providing an indication of an instance of expression of a gene is described herein, the method which may comprise the steps of: (a) providing a complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) having a terminus comprising a terminal transcribed sequence of a gene; (b) linking the cDNA to an linker sequence thereby forming a linked nucleic acid, in which the linker sequence comprises a first recognition site for a first nucleic acid cleavage enzyme, preferably a restriction endonuclease, that allows nucleic acid cleavage at a site distant from the first recognition site; and (c) cleaving the linked nucleic acid with the first nucleic acid cleavage enzyme to provide a linked tag, in which the linked tag comprises a nucleotide sequence tag representative of a terminal transcribed sequence of the gene; and (d) detecting the presence or identity of the linked tag or the nucleotide sequence tag to provide an indication of an instance of gene expression. |
| US08158348B2 |
Apparatus and method for preparative scale purification of nucleic acids
Apparatus and methods are described for pharmaceutical grade manufacture extrachromosomal nucleic acids from cell lysates using flotation to separate and eliminate undesired insoluble cellular debris including chromosomal DNA from the lysates. A gas is introduced to controllably generate bubbles that reduce the density of the cell debris and create a buoyant flocculent phase that can be readily separated from, and thus provide, a substantially clarified fluid lysate phase that is enriched in extrachromosomal DNA but substantially depleted of cellular proteins and chromosomal DNA. |
| US08158345B2 |
Labeled oligonucleotide
The present invention relates to a labeled oligonucleotide comprising a first nucleotide segment and a second nucleotide segment, complementary to a target sequence, a fluorophore, a quencher and at least one alpha-anomeric nucleoside. The invention also relates to the use of such an oligonucleotide and also to a process using such an oligonucleotide. |
| US08158344B2 |
Methods and compositions for correlating genetic markers with multiple sclerosis
The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a method of identifying a subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, comprising detecting in the subject the presence of a nucleotide variant in the interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain gene, whereby the presence of said variant identifies the subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. |
| US08158340B2 |
Methods for detecting conformational changes in bioentities
Described herein are methods for detecting conformational changes in bioentities. |
| US08158339B2 |
Method of preserving a platelet concentrate under elevated xenon concentration and pressure with refrigeration
Provides are improved methods for storing platelets and compositions that contain stored platelets for use in transfusions. The method entails obtaining a platelet concentrate from blood obtained from an individual and holding the platelet concentrate in at refrigerated temperatures under an atmosphere having a pressure of from 3.5 to 5 bars comprising more than 65% xenon and for at least one week. Also provided is a refrigerated composition that contains a platelet concentrate, wherein the platelet concentrate contains xenon, and wherein the platelet concentrate has been isolated from an individual for at least seven days. |
| US08158338B2 |
Resist sensitizer
Methods and compositions for enhancing the sensitivity of a resist composition are disclosed. In one aspect, compositions for use with a matrix material (e.g., a lithographically sensitive polymeric material) can be formulated with an acid generator and a sensitizer, where the sensitizer can be present in a relatively small amount. The sensitizer can include a compound with one or more silicon-silicon bonds, and can act to enhance the efficiency of acid generation when the resist is impinged by a selected lithographic radiation. The methods of the present invention can be especially useful in performing short wavelength (e.g., less than 200 nm) lithography, or for processes such as e-beam lithography, which traditionally suffer from low throughput. |
| US08158335B2 |
High etch resistant material for double patterning
The present invention includes a lithography method comprising forming a first patterned insist layer including at least one opening therein over a substrate. A water-soluble polymer layer is formed over the first patterned resist layer and the substrate, whereby a reaction occurs at the interface of the first patterned resist layer and the water-soluble polymer layer. The non-reacted water-soluble polymer layer is removed. Thereafter, a second patterned resist layer is formed over the substrate, wherein at least one portion of the second patterned resist layer is disposed within the at least one opening of the first patterned resist layer or abuts at least one portion of the first patterned resist layer. The substrate is thereafter etched using the first and second patterned resist layers as a mask. |
| US08158334B2 |
Methods for forming a composite pattern including printed resolution assist features
An underlayer to be patterned with a composite pattern is formed on a substrate. The composite pattern is decomposed into a first pattern and a second pattern, each having reduced complexity than the composite pattern. A hard mask layer is formed directly on the underlying layer. A first photoresist is applied over the hard mask layer and lithographically patterned with the first pattern, which is transferred into the hard mask layer by a first etch. A second photoresist is applied over the hard mask layer. The second photoresist is patterned with the second pattern to expose portions of the underlying layer. The exposed portions of the underlying layer are etched employing the second photoresist and the hard mask layer, which contains the first pattern so that the composite pattern is transferred into the underlying layer. |
| US08158332B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes: forming a first resist pattern made of a first resist material on a workpiece material; irradiating an energy beam onto the first resist pattern, the energy beam exposing the first resist material to light; performing a treatment for improving resistance the first resist pattern after irradiation of the energy beam; forming a coating film on the workpiece material so as to cover the first resist pattern; and forming a second resist pattern made of a second resist material on the coating film after the treatment. |
| US08158330B2 |
Resist protective coating composition and patterning process
A protective coating composition comprising a copolymer of an alkali-soluble (α-trifluoromethyl) acrylate and a norbornene derivative as a base polymer, optionally in admixture with a second polymer containing sulfonic acid and/or sulfonic acid amine salt in repeat units is applied onto a resist film. The protective coating is effective in minimizing development defects and forming a resist pattern of improved profile. |
| US08158328B2 |
Composition for formation of anti-reflection film, and method for formation of resist pattern using the same
A composition for forming an anti-reflection film on a resist film is provided, which is superior in handling characteristics, and is not accompanied by generation of deposits and the like after forming the film. A composition for forming an anti-reflection film to be provided on a resist film is provided, which includes at least a certain fluorochemical surfactant, and a certain water soluble film forming component. The composition for forming an anti-reflection film can be easily handled, has no adverse effect on health or the environment, and also avoids the generation of deposits and the like even after forming an anti-reflection film. |
| US08158327B2 |
Onium salt compound, polymer compound comprising the salt compound, chemically amplified resist composition comprising the polymer compound, and method for patterning using the composition
A compound represented by the following formula (1) is provided: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group, an alkyl group, or an alkoxy group; and A represents a group represented by the following formula (2) or formula (3): wherein R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted perfluoroalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and two or more of R2, R3 and R4 may be linked to each other to form a saturated or unsaturated carbon ring or a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring. The chemically amplified resist composition comprising a polymer compound which is produced from the compound of formula 1 according to the present invention provides a chemically amplified resist sensitive to far-ultraviolet radiation, which is represented by KrF excimer laser or ArF excimer laser. |
| US08158326B2 |
Photosensitive composition, compound for use in the photosensitive composition, and method of pattern formation with the photosensitive composition
A compound which generates a sulfonic acid having one or more —SO3H groups and one or more —SO2— bonds upon irradiation with an actinic ray or a radiation; a photosensitive composition containing the compound; and a method of pattern formation with the photosensitive composition. |
| US08158321B2 |
Method and apparatus for liquid electrostatic printing
Novel UV-curable liquid toner compositions, methods for preparing same and imaging processes and apparatus utilizing same are provided. The UV-curable liquid toner compositions include a dispersion of toner particles in a hydrocarbon based liquid carrier and one or more UV-curable component(s) which form a part of the carrier. |
| US08158318B2 |
Multicolor image forming apparatus and image forming method thereof
A multicolor image forming apparatus which includes a developer image forming unit to form an image using a developer and a transferring unit to transfer the formed developer image to a recording medium, wherein the developer comprises a plurality of dark developers and one or more light developers, wherein the dark developers and the light developers each include a binder resin having a weight average molecular weight from about 50,000 Mw to about 160,000 Mw, and wherein about 50,000 Mw to about 160,000 Mw of the weight average molecular weight of the binder resin of the dark developer is larger than about 50,000 Mw to about 160,000 Mw of the weight average molecular weight of the binder resin of the light developer. |
| US08158317B2 |
Azo dye compound, coloring composition, ink sheet for thermal transfer recording, thermal transfer recording method, color toner, ink for inkjet, and color filter
An azo dye of the following formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R5 represent a substituent. The dye has an excellent optical characteristic with sharp absorption and excellent fastness. |
| US08158315B2 |
SN containing hole blocking layer photoconductor
A photoconductor that includes a supporting substrate, a hole blocking layer, a ground plane layer, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer, and where the hole blocking layer includes a SN containing compound and an aminosilane. |
| US08158313B2 |
Image forming apparatus for forming a color image, and image forming method for forming a color image
An image forming apparatus configured (a) to charge uniformly an image bearing member once, (b) to form a latent image including n levels of electric potential on the image bearing member with a single exposure, (c) to adhere a first toner on a portion of the image bearing member which has the lowest electric potential, (d) to decrease the electric potential of a portion of the image bearing member not developed with the first toner by uniformly exposing light at a first wavelength whose transmission factor is lowest for the first toner, (e) to develop using a second toner a portion of the image bearing member which has the second lowest electric potential, (f) to perform a second uniform exposure at a wavelength whose transmission factor is lowest for both the first toner and the second toner, (g) to develop using a third toner a portion of the image bearing member which has the third lowest electric potential, (h) to perform a third uniform exposure at a wavelength whose transmission factor is lowest for each of the first toner, the second toner, and the third toner, and (i) to develop a portion of the image bearing member which has the fourth lowest electric potential. |
| US08158310B2 |
Aberration evaluation pattern, aberration evaluation method, aberration correction method, electron beam drawing apparatus, electron microscope, master, stamper, recording medium, and structure
A method of evaluating astigmatism of an irradiation system irradiating an electron beam is disclosed. In this method, a figure pattern consisting of plural (for example, four) concentric circles is formed on a reference sample “WP” and an image (scanned image) is formed based on an electron signal obtained by scanning the electron beam onto the reference sample “WP”. In the scanned image, the image has a blur in a region with its longitudinal direction parallel to the generating direction of the astigmatism and the size of the blur depends on magnitude of the astigmatism. Therefore, the direction and the magnitude of the astigmatism of the irradiation system of an irradiation apparatus can be detected based on the obtained scanned image. |
| US08158309B2 |
Fabricating methods of multi-domain vertical alignment display panel and color filter substrate
A fabricating method of a color filter substrate includes following steps. First, a base is provided. A patterned color filter film layer having a plurality of recesses is then formed on the base. Next, a common electrode layer is formed on the patterned color filter film layer and the base. Here, the common electrode layer conforms to surfaces of the recesses. Thereafter, a plurality of shelters are formed on the common electrode layer and correspond to the recesses. |
| US08158308B2 |
Negative curable composition, color filter, and method of producing the same
The invention provides a negative curable composition comprising a colorant, a photopolymerization initiator, a radical polymerizable monomer, a binder, and a monofunctional thiol compound, wherein the content of the radical polymerizable monomer with respect to the total solid content of the composition is from about 10 mass % to about 50 mass %, and the content of the binder with respect to the total solid content of the composition is about 20 mass % or less; a color filter formed by using the composition; and a method of producing the color filter. The negative curable composition has excellent developability at high sensitivity and enables formation of a fine rectangular pattern even in a low-binder content formulation. |
| US08158304B2 |
Formulation of nano-scale electrolyte suspensions and its application process for fabrication of solid oxide fuel cell-membrane electrode assembly (SOFC-MEA)
This invention describes the recipe and preparation process of nano-scale electrolyte suspension and its application via a spin coating process for fabrication of airtight/fully dense electrolyte layers composed in solid oxide fuel cell-membrane electrode assembly with high performance characteristics. The recipe of nano-scale electrolyte suspension includes 10˜50 wt % nano-scale electrolyte powder, 0.01˜1 wt % poly acrylic acid (PAA as dispersant), 0.1˜5 wt % poly vinyl alcohol (PVA as binder), 0.005˜1 wt % octanol as defoamer, and deionized water as solvent. Solid oxide fuel cell fabricated via this recipe and process exhibits that the open-circuit voltage (OCV) is over 1 Volt, and maximum power density is 335 mW/cm2 at 800° C. |
| US08158302B2 |
Separator and separator seal for polymer electrolyte fuel cells
A rubber composition comprising (A) a liquid alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane with Mw<100,000, (B) a gum-like organopolysiloxane with Mw≧150,000, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, (D) fumed silica, and (E) an addition reaction catalyst and having a viscosity of 20-200 Pa-s at a shear rate of 10 s−1 and 25° C. is effectively injection moldable into a cured product which is useful as a separator seal in PEFCs. |
| US08158300B2 |
Permselective composite membrane for electrochemical cells
An electrochemical cell includes an anode including an anode catalyst, a cathode including a cathode catalyst, and a first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles between the anode and the cathode, such that the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is not in contact with the anode. The cathode may be a cathode assembly including a gas diffusion electrode, a cathode catalyst on the gas diffusion electrode, and proton-conducting metal nanoparticles on the cathode catalyst. |
| US08158291B2 |
Hydrogen recirculation system using integrated motor generator energy
A system for delivering a supply fluid stream to a fuel cell stack that discharges an unused fluid stream is provided. A fuel supply is adapted to provide a pressurized supply fluid stream. An expander is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is configured to receive the pressurized supply fluid stream to reduce the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream and to generate mechanical energy in response to reducing the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream. An electric machine is operably coupled to the expander and for selectively converting the mechanical energy generated by the expander into electrical energy. A compressor/blower is capable of being driven by at least one of the mechanical energy and the electrical energy to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the fuel cell stack for recirculating the unused fluid stream back to the fuel cell stack. |
| US08158287B2 |
Fuel cell
A fuel cell system which provides stable cell outputs at startup. The fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell stack including a laminate formed by combining a membrane electrode assembly composed of an electrolyte membrane, an anode jointed to one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode joined to the other side of the electrolyte membrane, with a fuel channel plate having a fuel channel for supplying a fuel to the anode, an oxidant channel plate having an oxidant channel for supplying an oxidant to the cathode, and a coolant channel plate having a coolant channel for a coolant to flow through; piping and a circulation pump necessary for cooling the coolant exhausted from the fuel cell stack before putting the coolant into the fuel cell stack for circulation; a fuel humidifier which humidifies the fuel by heat exchange with the coolant; an air humidifier which humidifies the air by heat exchange with the coolant; and a control unit which continues the circulation of the coolant in a system stopping process until a predetermined cooling stop condition holds, and stops power generation of the fuel cell when the predetermined cooling stop condition holds. |
| US08158282B2 |
Method of producing prelithiated anodes for secondary lithium ion batteries
A method of producing a lithium-ion battery anode comprising: (a) providing an anode active material; (b) intercalating or absorbing a desired amount of lithium into this anode active material to produce a prelithiated anode active material; (c) comminuting the prelithiated anode active material into fine particles with an average size less than 10 μm (preferably sub-micron and more preferably <200 nm); and (d) combining multiple fine particles of prelithiated anode active material with a conductive additive and/or a binder material to form the anode. The battery featuring such an anode exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life. |
| US08158281B2 |
Anode active material and battery using the same
A battery with a high capacity and superior cycle characteristics and an anode active material used in the battery are provided. An anode includes an anode active material capable of reacting with lithium. The anode active material includes tin, cobalt and carbon as elements, and the carbon content is within a range from 9.9 wt % to 29.7 wt % inclusive, and the ratio of cobalt to the total of tin and cobalt is within a range from 30 wt % to 70 wt % inclusive. Moreover, the size of a crystalline phase of an intermetallic compound of cobalt and tin measured by small-angle X-ray scattering is 10 nm or less. Thereby, while a high capacity is maintained, cycle characteristics can be improved. |
| US08158274B2 |
Welding material and welded joint structure
A welding material, to be used for welding a base metal made of an austenitic alloy comprising C≦2.0%, Si≦4.0%, Mn: 0.01 to 3.0%, P: more than 0.03% to not more 0.3%, S≦0.03%, Cr: 12 to 35%, Ni: 6 to 80%, sol. Al: 0.001 to 1% and N≦0.3%, with the balance being Fe and impurities to a base metal made of another austenitic alloy, which comprises C: more than 0.3% to 3.0%, Si≦4.0%, Mn≦3.0%, P≦0.03%, S≦0.03%, Cr: more than 22% to 55%, Ni: more than 30% to not more than 70%, sol. Al: 0.001 to 1% and N≦0.3%, with the balance being Fe and impurities can suppress the weld solidification cracking which occurs in an austenitic alloy having a high P content and showing fully austenitic solidification. Therefore, the said welding material can be widely used in such fields where a welding fabrication is required. The said welding material may contain a specific amount or amounts of one or more elements selected from Cu, Mo, W, V, Nb, Ti, Ta, Zr, Hf, Co, B, Ca, Mg and REM. |
| US08158271B2 |
Waveform panel
A panel is disclosed formed of sheet material, the panel having opposite edges and being profiled to include a plurality of formations spaced along the length of the panel and extending between the edges, each formation including a substantially convex section and a substantially concave section which meet at a peak, and wherein each formation meets an adjoining formation at a trough. |
| US08158270B2 |
Titania-metal composite and method for preparation thereof, and film forming method using dispersion comprising the composite
Under the presence of at least one out of copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc, and compounds thereof, a tetravalent titanium salt solution and a basic solution are reacted together to form a hydroxide of titanium and the above metal, and then the titanium hydroxide is peroxidated with an oxidizing agent to manufacture an aqueous liquid or dispersion having therein titanium oxide fine particles having peroxy groups; by using this alone to form a coating film adjacent to a coating film of an organic dye or pigment, or using this to form a coating film together with an organic dye or pigment, a drop in decorativeness of color due to fading or discoloration of a coating material, a printed article, a building material, a fiber, an organic polymer resin product or the like can be prevented, and moreover surface anti-soiling and hydrophilic properties can be realized. |
| US08158267B2 |
Method for partially metallizing a product
A method for partially metallizing a product comprising a first surface, a first polymer material, and a second surface, a second polymer material, wherein the method comprises the sequential steps of exposing the first and second surfaces to conditions which render the first surface hydrophilic, and the second surface hydrophobic; contacting the first and second surfaces with water or aqueous solution; contacting the first and second surfaces with a solution of a film former in a water-immiscible solvent; evaporating the solvent to allow formation of a film by the film former on the second surface; adherence of a film by the film former on the first surface is prevented by the presence of the water or aqueous solution thereupon; performing a conventional metallization process to deposit a metal layer on the first and second surface; and removing the metallized film from the second surface to render the first surface metallized. |
| US08158261B2 |
Glass-ceramic composite encapsulation material
A glass-ceramic composite encapsulation material composed of glass matrix materials of SiO2, Al2O3, BaO and B2O3, and at least one glass filler selected from the group consisting of kaliophilite (KAlSiO4), leucite (KAlSi2O6), magnesium oxide (MgO). The glass-ceramic composite encapsulation material according to the invention comprises a high temperature type glass matrix (softening point: 750-850° C.) and a intermediate temperature type glass matrix (softening point: 650-750° C.), and glass filler mixed therein, wherein said glass filler in the high temperature type glass matrix comprises 5% to 20% by volume of the total volume of said glass matrix and glass filler, and the glass filler in the intermediate temperature type glass matrix comprises 0% to 40% by volume of the total volume of said glass matrix and glass filler, and wherein said glass filler has an effect of adjusting the expansion coefficient. |
| US08158259B2 |
Spreading layer and humidity control layer for enhancing sensor performance
The invention is directed to optical sensors for measuring clinically relevant analytes, their methods of manufacture, and their various uses. In an effort to develop a dry calibration method for the optical sensors of the invention it is discovered that water content inside or in the immediate vicinity of a such a sensor can have a major impact on fluorescence intensity (i.e., a sensor's response in the dry state). Thus, one of the objectives of the invention is the elimination of the bias of sensor responses measured at different humidity environments. |
| US08158258B2 |
Polycrystalline diamond
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies. |
| US08158252B2 |
Stamping film for producing tamper-proof motor vehicle license plates and tamper-proof motor vehicle license plate comprising such a stamping film
The invention concerns a stamping film for the production of tamper-proof license plates and a license plate produced using a stamping film. The stamping film includes a carrier film and a transfer layer which is detachable from the carrier film and which can be fixed on a substrate of the license plate. Starting from the carrier film, the transfer layer includes a transparent release layer, an opaque decoration layer, a transparent protection layer, an optically variable layer, a reflection layer, a colored layer and an adhesive layer. The decoration layer has mutually spaced areal interruptions where the transparent protection layer adjoins the release layer. The adhesive layer is provided for fixing the transfer layer to the substrate of the license plate. |
| US08158248B2 |
Porous ceramic for slide member, method for preparing the same, and mechanical seal ring
In porous ceramic for slide member including independent pores having a pore size of 5 μm or more, the independent pore is flattened body having minor axis in a direction perpendicular to a sliding surface, and a cross sectional area (S1) of an independent pore at a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface is 95% or less of an area (S2) of a complete round having a diameter which is the same length as a major axis of the cross section of the independent pore, and in a cumulative distribution curve of pore sizes of independent pores in a plane parallel to the sliding surface, a ratio (P75/P25) of a pore size of cumulative 75% by volume (P75) to a pore size of cumulative 25% by volume (P25) is 1.9 or less. The porous ceramic can be suitably used as slide member such as seal ring. |
| US08158244B2 |
Water-dispersible and multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. |
| US08158239B2 |
Identification medium
An identification medium provided with a laminated structure comprises laminated layers of a magnetically controllable layer, in which magnetic microcapsules are dispersed, and a color shifting layer. |
| US08158236B2 |
Conductive seam cover tape
The present invention is generally directed to tapes designed for use in conjunction with lighter-than-air vehicles, platforms or other inflated structures. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to conductive seam cover tape that can be, for example, used to protect and/or cover one or more seams in a lighter-than-air vehicle, platform or other inflated structure. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a conductive seam cover tape that can be, for example, used to protect and/or cover fabric panels or sections that are used to form lighter-than-air vehicles, platforms or other inflated structures that are in, one instance, designed for deployment at high altitudes. |
| US08158235B2 |
PTFE membranes and gaskets made therefrom
Improved expanded PTFE materials and improved gasket materials made therefrom, the gaskets being capable of forming a seal with greater bolt load retention than is possible with existing PTFE gaskets. The expanded PTFE membranes of the invention can be tailored to exhibit a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 25,000 psi, a matrix tensile strength ratio in two orthogonal directions of between 0.25 and 4, an orientation index of 50° or less, and a density of 2.0 g/cc or less. The improved gaskets exhibit improved mechanical properties such as high bolt load retention, low creep, high tensile strength, low stress to seal and high crystallinity index. |
| US08158234B2 |
Optical recording medium
The invention is principally to provide an archival optical recording medium of high quality which has satisfactory recording/reading characteristics when used in high-speed recording and high-density recording. The invention accomplishes the object with an optical recording medium comprising a resin substrate, a recording layer comprising an organic dye, and a reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer has a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer in this order from the side close to the recording layer, the second reflective layer has a thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of the first reflective layer, and the first reflective layer has a film thickness larger than the thickness of the second reflective layer. |
| US08158233B2 |
Optical information recording medium, method of manufacturing the same, and sputtering target
An optical information recording medium (9) of the present invention is an optical information recording medium including: N information layers, where N is a natural number of 2 or more; and an intermediate layer for separating the N information layers optically from each other. With the N information layers being referred to as a first information layer (10) to an N-th information layer (7) sequentially from an optical beam incident side, a first information layer (10) corresponding to an L-th information layer included in the N information layers includes a recording layer (104) on which information can be recorded by irradiation with an optical beam, a reflective layer (108), and a transmittance adjusting layer (109) in this order from the optical beam incident side, where L is an at least one natural number that satisfies 1≦L≦N−1. The transmittance adjusting layer (109) contains tungsten (W) and oxygen (O). |
| US08158232B2 |
Foldable chair pad
A chair pad has foldable panels for movement and shipment. A hard wood chair pad forms from multiple elongated rigid planks, processed like hardwood flooring. The chair pad provides a substantially rigid surface that folds easily for transport and shipping. The rigid planks utilized in the chair pad, similar to hardwood flooring planks, have sufficient thickness such that when they are bonded in an adjacent side by side abutting manner along the longer lengthwise edges similar to some hardwood flooring and further bonded to a backing in an adjacent side by side manner, the planks form a substantially rigid surface. The planks connect adjacently lengthwise along their long side edges. |
| US08158226B2 |
Paper container
Provided is a paper container having a window and being formed of a laminate that includes at least a paper layer and a gas barrier laminate, the paper layer having a cutout part for the window, the cutout part being covered with the gas barrier laminate, and the gas barrier laminate including a substrate and a gas barrier layer laminated on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the gas barrier layer is formed of a composition containing a polymer having at least one functional group selected from a carboxyl group and a carboxylic anhydride group, and wherein —COO— groups contained in the at least one functional group are neutralized at least partly with a metal ion having a valence of two or more. |
| US08158223B2 |
Ink jet recording medium and production process thereof, and fine particle dispersion
The invention relates to an ink jet recording medium, in which at least one of a substrate and an ink receiving layer contains a compound of the general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are individually a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a linear or branched alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, with the proviso that R1 and R2 may be the same or different from each other, R3 is a linear or branched alkylene group or arylene group, and X is an acidic solubilizing group. |
| US08158217B2 |
CNT-infused fiber and method therefor
A carbon nanotube-infused fiber and a method for its production are disclosed. Nanotubes are synthesized directly on a parent fiber by first applying a catalyst to the fiber. The properties of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber will be a combination of those of the parent fiber as well as those of the infused carbon nanotubes. |
| US08158216B2 |
Spinulose titanium nanoparticulate surfaces
Vapor plasma deposition of titanium (Ti) metal onto a substrate forms a structured surface that exhibits enhanced cell attachment properties. Initially deposited round nanoparticulate surface structures develop tentacles with a spine or thorn-like appearance upon continued deposition under special conditions. The density and size of the formed spinulose particles can be controlled by timing the deposition intervals. A significant increase in osteoblast, fibroblast and endothelial cell attachment is observed on Ti spinulose surfaces compared to attachment on nanoparticulate surfaces lacking spinulous nanostructure. |
| US08158215B2 |
Magnetic recording media and method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic recording/reproduction device
A method of manufacturing magnetic recording media with a high areal recording density, in which there write bleeding during magnetic recording is eliminated by reducing insofar as possible the coercive force and remanent magnetization in areas between magnetic tracks, is provided. The method of manufacture can produce magnetic recording media 10, in which a magnetic layer 3 is provided on at least one surface of a nonmagnetic substrate 1, and a magnetically separated magnetic pattern 3a is formed in this magnetic layer 3; by implanting atoms into the magnetic layer 3 with a uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the magnetic layer 3, and partially rendering nonmagnetic the magnetic layer 3, nonmagnetic portions 5 which magnetically separate the magnetic pattern 3a are formed. |
| US08158214B2 |
Photocurable ink composition set, ink jet recording method, and recorded matter
A photocurable ink composition set includes ink composition A and ink composition B. Ink composition A contains a dendritic polymer and an monomer expressed by general formula (1): CH2═CR1—COO—R2—O—CH═CH—R3. Ink composition B contains a coloring agent and a monomer expressed by general formula (1). In the formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents an organic moiety having a carbon number in the range of 2 to 20, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic moiety having a carbon number in the range of 1 to 11. |
| US08158209B2 |
Method and apparatus for coating resin
Method and apparatus for coating a surface of a work with a thin resin or plastic film suitable for use in imprinting a pattern by impressing a master pattern on a transfer surface of a mold on the coated resin film. A curable resin liquid is coated on a work by the use of an inkjet feed means having a plural number of inkjet nozzle holes in a row or rows on a nozzle assembly, in association with actuators to propel droplets of resin liquid from the respective inkjet nozzle holes in controlled timings while moving the inkjet feed means and the work relative to each other. |
| US08158208B2 |
Method of preserving wood by injecting particulate wood preservative slurry
The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to methods of preserving wood comprising the steps of providing an aqueous wood preservative slurry comprising a plurality of injectable particulates comprising at least 20% by weight of a sparingly soluble copper salt, wherein the first particulates have a d96 of about 1 micron or less, a d99 of about 1.5 microns or less, and a d50 of greater than 0.02 micron, and injecting the aqueous wood preservative slurry into wood. |
| US08158199B2 |
Method for making individually coated and twisted carbon nanotube wire-like structure
A method for making an individually coated and twisted carbon nanotube wire-like structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a carbon nanotube structure having a plurality of carbon nanotubes; forming at least one conductive coating on the plurality of carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure; and twisting the carbon nanotube structure. |
| US08158193B2 |
Highly luminescent color-selective nanocrystalline materials
A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%. |
| US08158192B2 |
Process for the coating of biomedical articles
The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a hydrophilic coating on a biomedical article, which comprises treating the biomedical article for a time period of ≦5 minutes with a solution of an organic solvent comprising a polyanionic compound with a number average molecular weight Mn of >5000, wherein the solution comprises less than 10% by weight of water, and wherein the solution is devoid of a cationic polymer.The coated biomedical articles obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus especially useful in the field of ophthalmic devices. |
| US08158191B2 |
Coating compositions, articles, and methods of coating articles
Processes for tinting a transparent, abrasion-resistant coating that is coated on at least one surface of a substrate are provided. The processes include coating the substrate with a transparent, tintable, abrasion-resistant coating composition, curing the coating composition on the substrate, and tinting the cured coating by immersing the cured coating in a dye bath for a period of time. |
| US08158190B2 |
Low magnetization materials for high performance magnetic memory devices
Techniques for attaining high performance magnetic memory devices are provided. In one aspect, a magnetic memory device comprising one or more free magnetic layers is provided. The one or more free magnetic layers comprise a low magnetization material adapted to have a saturation magnetization of less than or equal to about 600 electromagnetic units per cubic centimeter. The device may be configured such that a ratio of mean switching field associated with an array of non-interacting magnetic memory devices and a standard deviation of the switching field is greater than or equal to about 20. The magnetic memory device may comprise a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device. A method of producing a magnetic memory device is also provided. |
| US08158184B2 |
Structured lipid containing compositions and methods with health and nutrition promoting characteristics
Medium chain triglyceride oils are interesterified with long chain domestic oils in order to form interesterified structured lipids. These structured lipids find special application in combination with phytosterols to provide compositions and methods for enhancing health and nutrition characteristics. The compositions preferably have a structured lipid content of between about 92 and about 96 weight percent and a phytosterol ester content of between about 4 and about 8 weight percent, based on the total weight of the health and nutrition promoting composition. |
| US08158182B2 |
No evaporation process to produce gum based fruit snacks
The present invention resides in methods of preparing low moisture sweetened fruit product base. The methods comprise the steps in sequence of forming a hot sweetened intermediate moisture flowable fruit or confectionary composition or slurry by extended cooking with agitation at final moisture levels and a solids content ranging from about 85 to 92° Brix; and without intervening drying, forming the hot slurry into sized and shaped individual pieces. |
| US08158181B2 |
Method to make steviol glycoside isomers
Steviol glycoside isomers are provided having the formula: wherein R1 may be 1-β-D-glucopyranosyl or 2-(1-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-β-D-glucopyranosyl, and R2 may be hydrogen, 1-β-D-glucopyranosyl, 2-(1-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-β-D-glucopyranosyl, 2,3-bis(1-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-β-D-glucopyranosyl, 2-(1-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-1-β-D-glucopyranosyl, 2-(1-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-3-(1-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-β-D-glucopyranosyl, or 2-(1-β-D-xylopyranosyl)-3-(1-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-β-D-glucopyranosyl. Methods for making steviol glycoside isomers are also disclosed. These compounds may be present in food and beverage products as non-nutritive sweeteners. |
| US08158180B2 |
Process for the preparation of a flavoring concentrate
The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of a flavoring concentrate, to a flavoring concentrate which can be prepared by a process according to the invention, to products comprising one or more flavoring concentrates according to the invention, and to processes for the concentration of flavoring and/or aromatic substances. |
| US08158178B2 |
Method for removing odor from vinegar
The invention relates to a method for removing odor from vinegar comprising: a) increasing the pH of the vinegar with base to at least 6; b) maintaining said pH for at least 15 minutes at 40-90° C.; c) adding acid to obtain vinegar having pH between 6 and 8, if the pH of the vinegar of step b) is 8 or higher. |
| US08158174B2 |
Container for food products
Various packages for food products are provided herein. In one embodiment, a food package includes a rectangular substantially planar rigid bottom wall; two slanted side/side walls extending angularly upwardly from the bottom wall, and a rectangular opening opposite the bottom wall, the opening larger in area than the rectangular rigid bottom wall. A top side wall and a bottom side wall extend upwardly from the bottom wall; and a flexible film extends over the opening and seals the opening. The side walls are configured to engage and hold the food product, each side wall being angularly ramped and extending downward and inward toward the bottom wall, and having at least one well which extends downwardly from the angularly upward extending side wall. |
| US08158173B2 |
Composition for coating, process for coating and frozen coated confection
Frozen confection comprising a core and a coating is provided, wherein the coating comprises 17 to 50% (w/w) of saccharides and polysaccharides; 0.017 to 12.5% (w/w) of sweeteners selected from the group consisting of fructose, sucrose, dextrose, artificial sweeteners and any mixture thereof; and 50 to 83% water; wherein the average molecular weight of the saccharides and polysaccharides is between 476 and 9000. |
| US08158172B2 |
Fermented food products containing probiotics strains, and method for preparing same
The use of at least one sulphur-containing amino acid, at a total concentration of about 5 to 75 mg/ml, in particular of about 5 to about 50 mg/l, in particular of about 5 to about 30 mg/l, in particular of about 5 to about 20 mg/l, in free form, for implementing a method for preparing a fermented food product fermented by ferments containing bifidobacteria, the food product has acceptable sensory properties, contains more than about 5×107, in particular more than about 108 bifidobacteria per gram of food product fermented for a shelf lifetime of at least 30 days, in particular a shelf lifetime of at least 35 days, and containing no more than 0.5% of yeast extract or of yeast autolysate. |
| US08158170B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition comprising metadoxine and garlic oil for preventing and treating alcohol-induced fatty liver and steatohepatitis
Provided is a pharmaceutical or food or drink composition for preventing or treating alcohol-induced fatty liver or steatohepatitis comprising metadoxine (pyridoxol 1-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate) and garlic oil as active ingredients. The concurrent administration of metadoxine and garlic oil according to the present invention exhibits outstandingly superior effects of inhibiting the accumulation of triglyceride and increase of blood AST (aspartate aminotransferase) level in liver el tissue, inhibiting the expression of FAS (fatty acid synthase), CYP2E1 and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and inhibiting the deactivation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), as compared to the administration of metadoxine or garlic oil only. |
| US08158169B2 |
Chinese medicine composition and preparation method and use thereof
This invention relates a traditional Chinese medicine composition and the drug containing this composition as well as preparation method and use thereof. The composition comprises 1-10 parts by weight of radix ginseng, 1-10 parts by weight of folium ginkgo, 0.05-0.5 parts by weight of stigma croci and 5-10 parts by weight of glycine max l. merrill. The components can be the traditional Chinese medicinal materials or the extracts obtained by extracting the same quantity of the Chinese medicinal material. The Chinese medicine composition can be used for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease and senile dementia. |
| US08158168B2 |
Anti-gastritis and anti-ulcer agent containing Momordicae semen extract and momordica saponin I isolated from the same
The present invention relates to a Momordicae semen extract effective in the prevention and treatment of gastritis or gastric ulcer and momordica saponin I isolated therefrom. The Momordicae semen extract and the momordica saponin I isolated therefrom is effective in the prevention and treatment of gastritis or gastric ulcer since they prevent the damage of the gastric mucosa caused by alcohols and inhibit the secretion of gastric acid.teh |
| US08158167B2 |
Composition to enhance HDL cholesterol and to decrease intima-media thickening in animals and humans and a method for its preparation
A method of producing a product to correct hypercholesterolemia including pulping fruits of Emblica officinalis with demineralized water to create a slurry. The slurry is treated with pectinase. The pectinase-treated slurry is filtered to create a solution. The solution is concentrated to create a product. A product having an extract of Emblica officinalis for prophylactic and for therapeutic treatment of coronary diseases, atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. |
| US08158166B2 |
Enhanced antimicrobial activity compositions of blends of plant essential oils
Antimicrobial compositions based on a combination or blend of plant essential oils is of enhanced antimicrobial effectiveness; by adding to the combination of at least two plant essential oils, and preferably adds a small but antimicrobial enhancing effective amount of an enhancer selected from the group consisting of polyionic organic enhancers and polyionic inorganic enhancers. One preferred blended oil composition is a mixture of plant essential oils wherein at least one of the oils is oregano oil. The oil blend is used as a major component in the finished product anti-microbial. |
| US08158163B2 |
Antimicrobial and antiviral composition
An antimicrobial and antiviral barrier composition for topical application to the proximal anterior nares includes an antiseptic solution in combination with cocos nucifera (coconut oil) and one or more citrus oils such as, for example, citrus sinensis (orange oil). Various embodiments may also include one or more of the following additional ingredients: lauric acid; d-limonene; soy oil; emu oil; grapefruit seed extract; glycine soja; simmondsia chimensis (Jojoba); aloe vera; and a preservative, such as sodium benzoate, BHT, benzalkonium chloride, vitamin E. |
| US08158159B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulation for treating tinea of feet and hands and preparation thereof
A pharmaceutical formulation for treating tinea of feet and hands is disclosed, which is composed of Fructus Gleditsia, Alumen and Borneol. Also disclosed is a cream preparative method of the pharmaceutical formulation, which comprises Fructus Gleditsia is decocted with water, and the decocted liquid is dried under decompression into powder, which is formulated to a cream together with the powders of Alumen and Borneol as well as the respective excipients. |
| US08158158B2 |
Composite biocidal particles
A biocidal composition is disclosed comprising composite particles, each of said composite particles containing a shell and a core, said core comprising a metal or a metal-containing compound wherein the metal is a moiety selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, bismuth, silver, zirconium, and combinations thereof said shell comprising a pyrithione adduct comprising the reaction product of pyrithione with a portion of said core metal or metal compound. In one aspect, an anti-fouling composition is disclosed comprising (a) an anti-soft-fouling effective amount of copper pyrithione; and (b) an anti-hard-fouling effective amount of a copper-containing salt, or oxide or hydroxide thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of making an anti-fouling composition comprising particles of copper pyrithione and a copper-containing salt that is effective against hard-fouling and soft-fouling organisms. |
| US08158157B2 |
Multi-part substitution infusion fluids and matching anticoagulants
A multi-part substitution infusion fluid for an extracorporeal blood treatment and methods for using same are provided. Generally, the multi-part substitution fluid comprises a first solution composed of electrolites but without divalent cations and a second solution comprising divalent cations. Another embodiment includes a third solution comprising a matching citrate/citric acid anticoagulant. The described methods of using the multi-part substitution infusion fluids significantly reduce risks associated with various extracorporeal blood treatments. |
| US08158151B2 |
Solvent-assisted loading of therapeutic agents
Methods are provided for loading polymeric regions of medical devices with therapeutic agents. In these methods, a polymeric region of a medical device is first pretreated with a solvent system. Subsequently, therapeutic-agent-containing particles are impacted into the pretreated polymeric region at a velocity that is effective to at least partially embed the particles within the pretreated polymeric region. The pretreatment step parameters (e.g., the particular solvent system employed, amount of time that the solvent system contacts the polymeric region, etc.) are typically selected such that the surface tack of the polymeric region is increased. Consequently, the depth, the amount, or both the depth and the amount of the particles that become at least partially embedded in the polymeric region is/are typically increased, relative to what would be achieved in the absence of the pretreatment step. Also provided are medical devices made by such methods. |
| US08158147B2 |
Modified release formulations of at least one form of tramadol
The present invention relates to a modified release composition of at least one form of tramadol which is a delayed and extended release composition for oral administration suitable for once daily dosing. That composition comprises a core comprising at least one form of tramadol selected from the group consisting of tramadol, racemic mixtures thereof, enantiomers thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and combinations thereof in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. That composition further comprises a modified release coating which substantially surrounds said core. The compositions of the invention provide delayed and extended release of said at least one form of tramadol such that the mean plasma concentration of the at least one form of tramadol reaches a therapeutically effective level at a time which is after at least about 3 hours after first administration. |
| US08158140B2 |
Silver polyamide composite
A polymer composite comprising a thermoplastic polyamide polymer compounded with an organo-disulfide additive and a silver-based antimicrobial agent is disclosed. The organo-disulfide additive inhibits undesirable discoloration of the thermoplastic polyamide polymer including one or more silver-based antimicrobial agent. Processes for preparing the composite are also disclosed, including compounding the organo-disulfide additive in a polymeric carrier with the silver-based antimicrobial agent, then with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer, or compounding the organo-disulfide additive with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer before adding the silver-based antimicrobial agent. |
| US08158138B1 |
Urea compositions and their methods of manufacture
Urea compositions useful for treatment of dermatological conditions. The compositions, which are free from perceptible solids, may include at least about 50 wt-% urea, zinc pyrithione, and lactic acid, and may be formulated as a topical gel. |
| US08158136B2 |
Emulsification system for use in cosmetics
Disclosed are cosmetic compositions containing water, at least one non-polar and/or polar oil, and an emulsification system comprising a polyoxyethylene oxide C12-C24 fatty acid ester; a sucrose fatty acid ester of vegetable origin, and a glyceryl and/or sorbitan C12-C24 fatty acid ester, and methods of making and using the compositions. |
| US08158134B1 |
Microemulsion preconcentrate, microemulsion and use thereof
The invention relates to compositions in the form of microemulsion preconcentrates that contain (a) a mixture that consists of a medium-chain triglyceride and an omega-9 fatty acid and/or an omega-6 fatty acid; and (b) a surface-active component that contains a polyoxethylene tenside. When contacted with water or with an aqueous medium these microemulsion preconcentrates form microemulsions. The microemulsions of the O/W type have an average particle size below 150 nm, preferably below 100 nm. The inventive microemulsion preconcentrates and microemulsions are suitable for use as vehicles for substances, namely active agents, that are hardly soluble in water, but soluble in components (a) and/or (b). In the aqueous phase, said microemulsions may contain water-soluble substances. |
| US08158132B2 |
Clostridial toxin derivatives able to modify peripheral sensory afferent functions
This invention describes a novel agent for the targeted control of a mammalian cell activity, in particular the agent is used to control the interaction of particular cell types with their external environment. The agent has applications as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of a variety of disorders. An agent according to the invention comprises three Domains B, T and E linked together in the following manner: Domain B-Domain T-Domain E where Domain B is the Binding Domain which binds the agent to a Binding Site on the cell which undergoes endocytosis to produce an endosome, Domain T is the Translocation Domain which translocates the agent (with or without the Binding Site) from within the endosome across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol of the cell, Domain E is the Effector Domain which inhibits the ability of the Recyclable Membrane Vesicles to transport the Integral Membrane Proteins to the surface of the cell. |
| US08158128B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies to progastrin
The present invention provides progastrin-binding molecules specific for progastrin that do not bind gastrin-17(G17), gastrin-34(G34), glycine-extended gastrin-17(G17-Gly), or glycine-extended gastrin-34(G34-Gly). Further, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) selective for sequences at the N-terminus and the C-terminus of the gastrin precursor molecule, progastrin and the hybridomas that produce these MAbs. Also provided are panels of Mabs useful for the detection and quantitation of progastrin and gastrin hormone species in immuno-detection and quantitation assays. These assays are useful for diagnosing and monitoring a gastrin-promoted disease or condition, or for monitoring the progress of a course of therapy. The invention further provides solid phase assays including immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays suitable for detection and visualization of gastrin species in solid samples, such as biopsy samples or tissue slices. The progastrin-binding molecules are useful therapeutically for passive immunization against progastrin in progastrin-promoted diseases or conditions. Also provided are surrogate reference standard (SRS) molecules that are peptide chains of from about 10 to about 35 amino acids, wherein the SRS molecule comprises at least two epitopes found in a protein of interest of greater than about 50 amino acids. Such SRS molecules are useful as standards in place of authentic proteins of interest. |
| US08158127B2 |
Compounds for neutralizing the effects of secreted PLA2 IIA
A compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds secretory phospholipase A2 IIA (sPLA2 IIA) or parts of it and more preferably human sPLA2 IIA and which a.) blocks at least one or more sPLA2 IIA function on cell surfaces or in a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo, b.) and/or depletes sPLA2 IIA from a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo. |
| US08158125B2 |
B-cell epitope peptides of HSP 65, novel amino acid sequences, DNA encoding the amino acid sequences of said peptides, antibodies directed against said peptides and different uses thereof in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
B-cell epitope peptides of HSP 65, particularly the peptides comprising the amino acid sequence substantially as denoted by SEQ ID: NOs. 1-5 and their biologically functional homologues and derivatives thereof. Also included are polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies directed against them and their compositions for passive immunization against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Also encompassed are diagnostic uses of these antibodies, for identifying people at risk of developing arthritis or diabetes, and a method of monitoring progress of the disease conditions and disease prognosis. |
| US08158115B2 |
Copolymer and detergent composition employing it
A detergent composition, which imparts smoothness in finger-combing in rinsing after washing and smoothness, silky texture and non-stiffness to hair after application and drying is provided. The detergent composition comprises a copolymer having no cross-linking units and comprising constituting units corresponding to a cationic vinyl monomer (A) and constituting units corresponding to a specific vinyl monomer (B) having a hydroxyl group or an amide group, wherein the proportion of the constituting units corresponding to the cationic vinyl monomer (A) is from 25 to 45 mol % based on the entire constituting units constituting the copolymer. |
| US08158113B2 |
Guar gum containing compounds
Disclosed is a method of reducing the appearance of coloring streaks in a composition that has a colorant comprising adding a guar gum containing compound to said composition. |
| US08158111B2 |
Cosmetic composition and a process for preparing said composition
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition that provides prolonged moisturizing to the skin and a differentiated sensorial, and may be employed in various types of products. This cosmetic composition comprises olive esters, biosaccharide gum-1, a wetting agent of vegetable origin, an emollient of vegetable origin, a silicone and an oiliness adsorber. Further, the present invention relates to a process of preparing this cosmetic composition. |
| US08158107B2 |
Genes and proteins associated with angiogenesis and uses thereof
Disclosed is a panel of biomarkers associated with angiogenesis, and the use of such biomarkers (genes, proteins, homologues and analogs thereof) to regulate angiogenesis. Methods for identifying compounds useful for regulating angiogenesis and conditions related thereto are disclosed. |
| US08158105B2 |
UZM-37 aluminosilicate zeolite
A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+Rr+Al(1-x)ExSiyOz where M represents a combination of potassium and sodium exchangeable cations, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the propyltrimethylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to MWW but are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes. |
| US08158104B2 |
UZM-7 aluminosilicate zeolite, method of preparation and processes using UZM-7
A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized designated UZM-7. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+Rrp+Al(1-x)ExSiyOz where M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as lithium, potassium and barium, R is an organoammonium cation such as the choline or the diethyldimethylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes. |
| US08158103B2 |
UZM-37 aluminosilicate zeolite method of preparation
A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+Rr+Al(1−x)ExSiyOz where M represents a combination of potassium and sodium exchangeable cations, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the propyltrimethylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to MWW but are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes. |
| US08158102B2 |
System, device, and method for mixing a substance with a liquid
A system, device, and method for mixing a substance with a liquid pumps the liquid into a container of the substance to produce a solution. The container may be part of a container assembly including a port assembly for coupling with the container to produce an inlet and/or and outlet port for the container. The container assembly may be received within a receiving chamber for causing the coupling. The solution may be permitted to flow out of the outlet port when the solution rises within the container to a level of the outlet port so that the substance is partially diluted before flowing out of the outlet port. |
| US08158094B2 |
Methods of preparing metal carbides
The present embodiments relate methods of preparing metal carbides, for example some embodiments relate to methods of preparing metal carbides that do not contain the formation of an intermediate oxide compound. Some embodiments relate to methods that do not employ hydrocarbons in the reaction. Some embodiments relate to a method of preparing metal carbides that involves citrate gel precursors and a non-hydrocarbon gas but does not use a hydrocarbon gas, does not form an oxide intermediate species and does not produce carbon monoxide. In some embodiments, the metal carbides are transition metal carbides. |
| US08158091B2 |
Sulfide scavenging processes
Processes directed to the removal of sulfurous compounds from air are presented herein. The compositions and processes may be able to treat air with H2S concentrations of at least 1000 ppm. The processes are used to remove sulfurous compounds from air associated with wastewater systems in various aspects. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and processes disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof. |
| US08158090B2 |
Amorphous and partially amorphous nanoscale ion storage materials
Amorphous or partially amorphous nanoscale ion storage materials are provided. For example, lithium transition metal phosphate storage compounds are nanoscale and amorphous or partially amorphous in an as-prepared state, or become amorphous or partially amorphous upon electrochemical intercalation or de-intercalation by lithium. These nanoscale ion storage materials are useful for producing devices such as high energy and high power storage batteries. |
| US08158089B2 |
Compositions and methods for wastewater treatment
Particular aspects provide a method for recovering phosphate, comprising: obtaining an effluent or wastewater, etc. having calcium-sequestered phosphate; adding to the effluent or wastewater a calcium chelating or sequestration agent suitable to chelate or sequester Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate to facilitate release of phosphate from the calcium-sequestered phosphate; transferring, facilitated by said Ca++ ion capture and in the presence of sufficient concentrations of NH4+ and Mg2 ions, of the phosphate into struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate or MgNH4PO4.6H2O), or hydrated magnesium ammonium complex of phosphate; and recovering the struvite, or the formed hydrated magnesium ammonium complex. Preferably, the method further comprises acidification of the effluent or wastewater to facilitate release of Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate and chelation of sequestration of the Ca++ ions by the calcium chelating or sequestration agent. Additional aspects provide a phosphate-containing fertilizer comprising struvite, and methods for making same. |
| US08158088B2 |
Extractant compositions for co-extracting cesium and strontium, a method of separating cesium and strontium from an aqueous feed, and calixarene compounds
A mixed extractant solvent that includes at least one dialkyloxycalix[4]arenebenzocrown-6 compound, 4′,4′,(5′)-di-(t-butyldicyclohexano)-18-crown-6, at least one modifier, and, optionally, a diluent. The dialkyloxycalix[4]arenebenzocrown-6 compound is 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(octyloxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(decyloxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(dodecyloxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(2-ethylhexyl-1-oxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(3,7-dimethyloctyl-1-oxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(4-butyloctyl-1-oxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, or combinations thereof. The modifier is a primary alcohol. A method of separating cesium and strontium from an aqueous feed is also disclosed, as are dialkyloxycalix[4]arenebenzocrown-6 compounds and an alcohol modifier. |
| US08158085B2 |
Multi-well rotary synthesizer
An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The multiple banks of valves provide an additional number of reagent choices while operating in a serial mode and faster reagent distribution while operating in a parallel mode. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain. The cartridge holding the plurality of vials rotates relative to the stationary banks of valves and the waste tube system. The controller rotates the cartridge and operates the banks of valves and the waste tube system in response to the required sequence of dispensing various reagent solutions and flushing appropriate vials in order to form the desired polymer chain within each vial. |
| US08158084B2 |
Control scheme for enhanced filtered water systems
An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user. The control system can also include a monitor element that can gather data from outside the enhanced water system, such as user health information or environmental information, and provide the data to the enhanced water system. In some embodiments, a control logic element can be used to coordinate and control operation of the elements of the enhanced water system. |
| US08158082B2 |
Micro-fluidic device
Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber. |
| US08158081B2 |
Analyte monitoring devices
Covers for covering an opening in an analyte meter, and meters that include the same are provided. |
| US08158078B2 |
Easy strip access primary container and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a test strip container which provides easy access to test strips. The test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration. The nested configuration of the test strip container provides easy access to test strips by arranging the test strips so that they extend radially outward from the retaining member. The radial arrangement of the test strips operates to separate the test strips so that test strip users may easily select a single test strip from a plurality of test strips. Alternatively, the test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a longitudinal configuration. |
| US08158069B1 |
Apparatus for mild hydrocracking
An apparatus is disclosed for hydroprocessing two hydrocarbon streams at two different pressures. A hydrogen stream is compressed and split. A first split compressed stream is further compressed to feed a first hydroprocessing unit that requires higher pressure for operation. A second split compressed stream is fed to a second hydroprocessing unit that requires lower pressure. Recycle hydrogen from the second hydroprocessing unit is recycled back to the compression section. |
| US08158068B2 |
Plasma reactor
A plasma chemical reactor is provided. The reactor includes a chamber, a cathode assembly, and a baffle plate. The chamber forms a plasma reaction space. The cathode assembly includes a cathode support shaft and a substrate support. The cathode support shaft is coupled at one side to a wall surface of the chamber. The substrate support is coupled to the other side of the cathode support shaft and supports the substrate. The baffle plate is out inserted and coupled to the substrate support, and has a plurality of vents arranged to be spaced apart and through formed such that reaction gas can pass through, and the vents asymmetrically arranged and formed to get a vent area smaller at an opposite side than a top side of the cathode support shaft. |
| US08158061B2 |
Automated slide staining apparatus
A slide stainer assembly is disclosed. The slide stainer includes a slide carrier that is configured to carry one or more laboratory slides and a plurality of slide processing stations for processing the slides. A transport member including a plurality of engagement portions is configured for releasably engaging the slide carrier. A drive mechanism is coupled to the transport member. The drive mechanism is configured to move the transport member in a cyclical path such that, in the course of one cycle, the transport member engages a slide carrier docked in a first station, removes the slide carrier from the first station, docks the slide carrier in a second station and returns to the first station to engage another slide carrier. |
| US08158059B2 |
Integrated dissolution processing and sample transfer system
The invention provides a system and method for dissolution testing. The system includes multiple dissolution vessels and a dose carrier positioned above the dissolution vessels. The dose carrier holds multiple removable carousels that receive individual doses for dissolution tested. Carousels that receive tablets or sinkers typically have a first configuration, while carousels that receive baskets typically have a second configuration. The two different configurations of carousels are interchangeable on the same dose ring. The system further includes a drive head positioned above the dose carrier, the drive head having a basket arbor and a mixing paddle removably and interchangeably attached. A pipettor integral with the system transfers sample aliquots having volumes in the range of 50 μl to 1 ml from the dissolution vessels to wells of an external receptacle. |
| US08158055B2 |
Melting furnace with agitator
An agitator for agitating a melt includes a heat-resistive container having a blast opening through which cooling air is blown and an exhaust opening for exhausting air having been subjected to heat exchange, and a rotating magnet assembly composed of a permanent magnet housed in the heat-resistive container in a rotatable manner, magnetic lines of force emitted from the permanent magnet penetrating through the heat-resistive container to exit outside, and then penetrating the heat-resistive container again to return to the permanent magnet. |
| US08158051B2 |
Vacuum transfer seal
An intermediate sealing element and method for unsealing a vacuum membrane from one tool surface and transferring it to another tool surface without damaging the vacuum membrane. The intermediate sealing element forms a continuous path around the periphery of a vacuum membrane and is sealed directly to one or more vacuum membranes and a tool surface using any means known in the art to create an airtight seal between two surfaces. The intermediate sealing element is able to withstand high temperatures and high pressure without altering its structural characteristics. Because of its durability, the intermediate sealing element can be removed from the tool surface without tearing or elongating, subsequently allowing the vacuum membranes to be detached from the tool surface without tearing or elongating. |
| US08158048B2 |
Mold for fine pattern transfer and method for forming resin pattern using same
A mold for forming a resin pattern using nanoimprint lithography according to the present invention comprises a main mold including a fine pattern of a protrusion and a depression intended to be transferred, and a spacer for forming a space between the protrusion of the fine pattern of the main mold and a transferred object during a transfer of the fine pattern, in which the spacer has a vent passage capable of flowing gas therethrough and has an elasticity against a pressing force during the transfer. |
| US08158045B2 |
Method for manufacturing lightning strike mitigation composites
A method for manufacturing a composite material utilizes a tooling material having a desired shape. The surface of the tooling material is coated with a composite film that includes a conductive filler material. A composite composition is introduced into contact with the surface of the tooling material to form a desired shape. The composite composition is processed to produce the composite material, and the composite material has a conductive composite surface layer that includes the conductive filler material. |
| US08158043B2 |
Method for making an apertured web
A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio. |
| US08158033B2 |
Polymeric precursors for CAIGAS aluminum-containing photovoltaics
This invention relates to compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. In particular, this invention relates to molecular precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers including CAIGAS. |
| US08158021B2 |
Polymerizable liquid crystal compound, polymerizable liquid crystal composition, liquid crystalline polymer, and optical anisotropic article
A polymerizable liquid crystal compound shown by the following formula (I), a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that includes the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a chiral compound polymerizable with the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystalline polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound or the polymerizable liquid crystal composition, and an optical anisotropic article that includes the liquid crystalline polymer. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound shows a liquid crystal phase over a wider temperature range, is chemically stable, can be inexpensively produced, and has a wide selective reflection wavelength band Δλ (i.e., a large value Δn). The polymerizable liquid crystal composition includes the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystalline polymer is obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound or the polymerizable liquid crystal composition, and the optical anisotropic article includes the liquid crystalline polymer. wherein Y1 to Y6 represent —O—, —O—C(═O)—, —C(═O)—O—, or the like, G1 and G2 represent divalent aliphatic groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, Z1 and Z2 represent an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or the like, A1 and A2 represent divalent organic groups A having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, X1 to X8 represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and a and b represent 0 or 1. |
| US08158017B2 |
Detection of arcing events in wafer plasma processing through monitoring of trace gas concentrations
A method of detecting substrate arcing in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus is provided. A substrate is placed on a substrate support in a reaction chamber of a plasma processing apparatus. Process gas is introduced into the reaction chamber. A plasma is generated from the process gas and the substrate is processed with the plasma. Intensities of real-time spectrometry signals of selected gas species produced in the reaction chamber during plasma processing are monitored. The selected gas species are generated by a substrate arcing event. The arcing event is detected when the intensities are above a threshold value. |