Document Document Title
US08170101B2 Methods and systems for low-complexity data compression
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for low-complexity data compression.
US08170099B2 Unified system for progressive and interlaced video transmission
A system and method that support both progressive and interlaced format video transmission and display. The system utilizes de-interlacing techniques to convert input interlaced format video to progressive format video, and compress and vertically scale the progressive format video to communicate videos more efficiently in a progressive format. The system also supports interlaced and progressive displays, where after decompressing and vertically rescaling the communicated compressed progressive format video, the video may be converted to interlaced format if the display supports interlaced format video. The system is capable of dynamically switching between the progressive and the interlaced format modes.
US08170094B2 Method and system for scalable bitstream extraction
A scalable video compression system (100) having an encoder (120), bit extractor (140), and decoder (160) for efficiently encoding and decoding a scalable embedded bitstream (130) at different video resolution, framerate, and video quality levels is provided. Bits can be extracted in order of refinement layer (136), followed by temporal level (132), followed by spatial layer (134), wherein each bit extracted provides an incremental improvement in video decoding quality. Bit extraction can be truncated at a position in the embedded bitstream corresponding to a maximum refinement layer, a maximum temporal level, and a maximum spatial layer. For a given refinement layer, bits are extracted from all spatial layers in a lower temporal level prior to extracting bits from spatial layers in a higher temporal level for prioritizing coding gain to increase video decoding quality, and prior to moving to a next refinement layer.
US08170093B2 Equalizing filter circuit
An equalizing filter circuit includes a first transmission line in which a plurality of first delay devices 104a are connected in cascade to input terminal 101, a second transmission line in which a plurality of second delay devices 107a are connected in cascade to output terminal 102, a plurality of weighting circuits 105a connected in parallel between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and having a gain which is adjustable by setting coefficients, and variable adjusting circuit 108a arranged at the output side of at least one of weighting circuits 105a for correcting a fluctuation of the output characteristics of the weighting circuits.
US08170090B2 Data processing apparatus and method using a 32K mode interleaver in a digital video broadcasting (DVB) standard including the DVB-Terrestrial2 (DVB-T2) standard
A data processing apparatus maps input symbols to be communicated onto a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbol. The data processor includes an interleaver memory which reads-in the predetermined number of data symbols for mapping onto the OFDM sub-carrier signals. The interleaver memory reads-out the data symbols on to the OFDM sub-carriers to effect the mapping, the read-out being in a different order than the read-in, the order being determined from a set of addresses, with the effect that the data symbols are interleaved on to the sub-carrier signals. The set of addresses are generated from an address generator which comprises a linear feedback shift register and a permutation circuit.
US08170081B2 System and method for adjusting DIDO interference cancellation based on signal strength measurements
A machine-implemented system and method are described for removing interference between adjacent distributed-input-distributed-output (DIDO) clusters comprising. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: detecting signal strength at a first client from a main DIDO cluster; detecting interference signal strength at the first client from an interfering DIDO cluster; if the signal strength from the main DIDO cluster reaches a specified value relative to the value of the interference signal strength from the interfering DIDO cluster, then generating channel state information (CSI) defining channel state between one or more antennas of the first client and one or more antennas of the interfering DIDO cluster; transmitting the CSI from the first client to a base transceiver station (BTS) in the interfering DIDO cluster; and implementing DIDO precoding with inter-DIDO-cluster interference (IDCI) cancellation at the BTS in the interfering DIDO cluster to avoid RF interference at the first client.
US08170080B2 Frequency hopping
A communications system is described in which user devices communicate with an associated base station. The user devices employ frequency hopping techniques to provide frequency diversity in their communications with the base station. Techniques are described for reducing collisions between the communications from the different user devices and for the efficient signalling of data defining the frequency hopping sequence to use. The inventions are particularly suitable for use in the uplink of the E-UTRA communications scheme.
US08170077B2 Internal memory for transistor outline packages
A transistor outline (TO) package includes a housing having a window and a substrate. Circuitry is coupled to the substrate within the housing. The circuitry comprises a laser diode and memory configured to store information related to the TO package. Electrical connectors are coupled to the substrate at the opposite side to the circuitry. At least one of the electrical connectors is electrically connected to the memory. A disclosed method includes assembling a TO package, testing the TO package, storing results of the testing in memory, and making the information stored in the memory, including the results of the testing, available to a device external to the TO package. The TO package includes a laser diode and memory configured to store information related to the TO package.
US08170073B2 Optically-pumped external-cavity surface-emitting semiconductor lasers with front-cooled gain-structures
A semiconductor gain-structure functions as a gain-element in a laser-resonator. The gain-structure is bonded to a diamond heat-spreader that is peripherally cooled by a heat-sink configured to allow access to the gain-structure by laser-radiation circulating in the laser-resonator. In one example, the gain-structure is used as a transmissive gain-structure in a traveling-wave ring-resonator. In another example, the gain-structure surmounts mirror-structure which functions as an end-mirror of a standing-wave laser-resonator.
US08170069B2 Method and system for processing signals from a local collection facility at a signal processing facility
A system and method for processing signal in a remote facility includes an IP network and a first local collection facility that includes a first plurality of receiving circuit modules receiving a first plurality of channel signals and generating a first plurality of IP encoded signals from the first plurality of channel signals and a first router routing the first plurality of encoded signals to the IP network. The system also includes a second local collection facility comprising a second plurality of receiving circuit modules receiving a second plurality of channel signals and generating a second plurality of IP encoded signals from the second plurality of channel signals and a second router routing the second plurality of encoded signals to the IP network. The system also includes a remote facility having a statistical multiplexer in communication with the IP network. The remote facility includes a compression system controller configuring the statistical multiplexer and at least one of the first plurality of receiving circuit modules and at least one of the second plurality of receiving circuit modules to form a multicast group so that at least one of the first plurality of encoded signals and at least one of the second plurality of encoded signals are multiplexed together with the statistical multiplexer to form an output signal.
US08170067B2 Memory system with calibrated data communication
A system includes a first integrated circuit device and a second integrated circuit device. The first device transmits a data sequence to the second integrated circuit device, and the second device samples the data sequence to produce receiver data. The second device then transmits the receiver data back to the first device. Within the first integrated circuit device, a comparison between the data sequence and the receiver data is performed, and based on the comparison, the first device generates information representative of a calibrated timing offset. The first device uses the information representative of the calibrated timing offset to adjust timing associated with transferring write data from the first integrated circuit to the second integrated circuit.
US08170065B2 Methods and apparatus for selecting digital access technology for programming and data delivery
Methods and apparatus for selecting digital access technology for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different capabilities profiles. The server determines the one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE based on its profile. The server generates a list of programs or content based on this evaluation, and transmits this list to the CPE, which displays the list for viewing by a user. The user is therefore offered a list of available content that is compatible with their specific configuration. A business and operational rules engine is also optionally employed to control the operation of the foregoing processes to accomplish particular business or operational goals.
US08170061B2 Communication device
A device including: a receiving unit receiving a packet; a packet determining unit determining whether the received packet is a head fragment packet or an intermediate or last fragment packet; a search control unit using search data registered previously for searching for packet information and search data used for identifying the same fragment of the fragment packet on the same search address; and an assembly processing unit assembling the fragment packets, wherein the search control unit extracts a fragment identifier from the head fragment packet and registers the fragment identifier as the search data on the same search address as the search address of the search data registered previously for searching for the packet information and extracts the fragment identifier of the intermediate fragment packet or the last fragment packet, makes a search in a way that uses the fragment identifier as search target data, and assembles the fragment packets.
US08170054B2 Software control of half duplex radio data transceivers
Apparatus and method for providing a data interface to a plurality of radio transceivers such as between a personal computer or other information processing device to one or more radio transmitter/receiver systems having a serial data interface in a manner that provides control of the radio and means to send and receive data via the radio without regard to the characteristics of the radio or its serial interface. A common control protocol is employed that exposes the functionality necessary to control the radio transmitter/receiver device in a generic manner. The invention may communicate with the data terminal equipment via a widely-available data interface or network protocol, such as an asynchronous serial interface, the Universal Serial Bus (USB), or an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The invention also provides a means of implementing synchronous serial framing formats through software implementation, allowing compatibility with future data systems to be achieved without requiring hardware modifications.
US08170046B2 Terminal and method of controlling broadcasting therein
A mobile terminal including a user input unit configured to select a first broadcast channel, and a controller configured to buffer broadcast data relevant to at least one second broadcast channel different than the first broadcast channel for a predetermined time if the first broadcast channel is selected and to stop buffering the broadcast data relevant to the at least one second broadcast channel when the predetermined time expires.
US08170041B1 Message passing with parallel queue traversal
In message passing implementations, associative matching structures are used to permit list entries to be searched in parallel fashion, thereby avoiding the delay of linear list traversal. List management capabilities are provided to support list entry turnover semantics and priority ordering semantics.
US08170040B2 Fully connected generalized butterfly fat tree networks
A generalized butterfly fat tree network comprising (logd N) stages is operated in strictly nonblocking manner for unicast and in rearrangeably nonblocking manner for arbitrary fan-out multicast when s≧2, and is operated in strictly nonblocking manner for arbitrary fan-out multicast when s≧3, includes a leaf stage consisting of an input stage having N d switches with each of them having d inlet links and s×d outgoing links connecting to its immediate succeeding stage switches, and an output stage having N d switches with each of them having d outlet links and s×d incoming links connecting from switches in its immediate succeeding stage. The network also has (logd N)−1 middle stages with each middle stage, excepting the root stage, having s × N d switches, and each switch in the middle stage has d incoming links connecting from the switches in its immediate preceding stage, d incoming links connecting from the switches in its immediate succeeding stage, d outgoing links connecting to the switches in its immediate succeeding stage, d outgoing links connecting to the switches in its immediate preceding stage, and the root stage having s × N d switches, and each switch in the middle stage has d incoming links connecting from the switches in its immediate preceding stage and d outgoing links connecting to the switches in its immediate preceding stage.
US08170039B2 Method for transferring data in an automation system
A method of transferring data in an automation system having a plurality of communicatively connected communication stations is provided. The communicative connection of the communication stations follows a predefined hierarchy, in which a plurality of communication stations are grouped together in a line and an alias matched to the hierarchy is assigned to each communication station. Telegrams sent in the automation system designate a destination communication station also by its alias, whereby each line is closed to form a ring by way of its transition, designated as entry point, from the next higher line by way of the entry point, and telegrams in the ring thus resulting with the line are forwarded both in the direction of the hierarchy of the allocated alias designations and also in the opposite direction.
US08170038B2 Two-layer switch apparatus to avoid first layer inter-switch link data traffic in steering packets through bump-in-the-wire service applications
Link-level data communications carried out in a link-level data communications switching apparatus that includes modular link-level data communications switches; the switching apparatus is configured as two layers of link-level data communications switches; all the switches stacked by a stacking protocol that shares administrative configuration information among the switches and presents the switches as a single logical switch; the switching apparatus includes data communications ports coupling the switching apparatus to data communications networks and to service applications, each service application associated with a unique, link-level identifier; the switching apparatus includes rules governing the steering of packets among service applications and networks; including receiving, in the switching apparatus, packets directed to a destination network; and steering each packet among the service applications to the destination network in accordance with the rules, without using the link-level identifier of any service application.
US08170034B2 Packet forwarding system and packet forwarding device
In a forwarding device connected to a network including a plurality of communication nodes connected to each other, in which a plurality of communication routes, each for forwarding a signal through at least one of the communication nodes can be present between arbitrary ones of the communication nodes, a forwarding method according to the present invention determines that the received packet is a BPDU or a local BPDU, and discards the BPDU if the received packet is the BPDU and fetches an original BPDU from the local BPDU if it is the local BPDU. In the case where the BPDU is to be transmitted, the BPDU is created and wrapped in a format of the local BPDU. Then, the wrapped BPDU is broadcasted. In this manner, the local BPDU can be exchanged without affecting the other bridges having a normal spanning tree function.
US08170032B2 Method and arrangement for externally controlling and managing at least one WLAN subscriber who is assigned to a local radio network
A method for externally controlling and managing a wireless local area network subscriber assigned to at least one wireless local area network includes requesting a service using the subscriber, checking an authorization of the subscriber to access the TCP/IP network, and establishing a connection via the TCP/IP network to the subscriber if the subscriber has the authorization to access the TCP/IP network. Signaling and/or information data are managed using a control and managing device connected to the public TCP/IP network via an interface device.
US08170030B2 Locator resolution in communications networks
A set of globally-reachable attachment registers is provided for objects in an internetwork of interconnected communications networks. “Objects” can be networks, hosts or terminals, or passive objects which themselves do not have a network interface. Each attachment register corresponds to an object in the internetwork. The attachment registers are not located with their respective object. Information is stored in the attachment registers that establishes one or more logical links between the attachment registers. The information is used to perform one or more network communication functions, and in particular to determine a locator by identifying a logical path, along the logical links between attachment registers, from a destination attachment register corresponding to the destination object. Other non-limiting example functions include location registration and update, name to global locator resolution, routing, multi-homing, dynamic ISP selection, and handover.
US08170025B2 Switch port analyzers
Methods and devices are provided for non-disruptive monitoring of network traffic through one or more ports of a Fibre Channel network device. Preferred embodiments of the invention are used in conjunction with the switched port analyzer (“SPAN”) and/or remote SPAN (“RSPAN”) features. SPAN mode operation allows traffic through any Fibre Channel interface of a network device to be replicated and delivered to a single port on the same network device. Ingress SPAN allows the monitoring of some or all packets that ingress a specified port or ports. Egress SPAN allows the monitoring of some or all packets that egress a specified port or ports. RSPAN allows the delivery of the replicated traffic to a port on a remote network device. Filtering may be applied, for example, to SPAN packets having selected virtual storage area network numbers.
US08170023B2 System and method for a software-based TCP/IP offload engine for implementing efficient digital media streaming over internet protocol networks
A method of sending data through a network from a first computing device to a second computing device is described, where the computing devices adhere to a packet-based network protocol. A connection between the first computing device and the second computing device is established for a session according to the network protocol. A packet header template is defined having a plurality of static fields filled with static values valid for all packets sent during the session and variable fields that can acquire packet-dependent values for different packets sent during a session. A packet header is created based on the header template by defining, in a central processing unit, at least one value of a variable field and by reusing the static values for the static fields. The packet header is pre-pended to payload data to form a packet, and the packet is sent to the second computing device.
US08170022B2 Method and apparatus for actively discovering internet protocol equal cost multiple paths and associate metrics
Methods and apparatus for identifying a best path from a plurality of equal cost paths while accounting for service level agreement (SLA) metrics are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for routing a packet that has a payload using a node includes obtaining the packet, and adding an address of the node to the payload. Adding the address of the node to the payload creates an augmented packet. The method also includes identifying at least one element to which the augmented packet is to be routed, and providing the augmented packet to that element. In one embodiment, the method also includes storing ingress and egress timestamps associated with the node.
US08170020B2 Leveraging active firewalls for network intrusion detection and retardation of attack
A computer network firewall or network filter functions normally to pass data on open ports to a respective service or data source associated with an open port. In addition, traffic arriving on closed ports may be directed to a handler for analysis and response. The handler may analyze and catalog the source and type of traffic arriving on the closed ports. The handler may then send a response with either a fixed response or data tailored to the type and nature of the traffic. The handler may respond slowly to cause the source of the traffic to wait for the response, thereby slowing the speed at which a potential attacker can identify valid targets and proceed past non-valid targets.
US08170018B2 No-sight routing for ad-hoc networks
A system comprising a plurality of nodes forming a network, the plurality of nodes comprising source nodes and destination nodes; wherein a propagation limit restricts the travel of link-state information transmitted by the sources nodes to a subset of destination nodes within the network. A network-layer protocol provided at a layer above that of the network facilitates communication between nodes within and outside of this subset of nodes.
US08170014B1 Multiple NAT traversal protocol
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with multiple NAT traversal are provided. A request is received from a host for a publicly-routable communication path identifier for the host, where the host is a member of a private network associated with a first network address translation device. The first network address translation device communicates with a second network address translation device using an address-port-borrowing-protocol to acquire information related to the publicly-routable communication path identifier. Information related to the publicly-routable communication path identifier is received with the first network address translation device and the publicly-routable communication path identifier is provided to the host.
US08170012B2 Phase control of a synchronization signal in a packet switching network
A device is operative to send packets in a packet communication network having at least two stations. According to an exemplary embodiment, the device operates by: extracting image pips on the basis of a synchronization signal; initializing a first counter on the basis of the the image pips; initializing a second counter according to zero-crossings of the first counter; sampling the second counter every period Tsmp, where Tsmp emanates from a time base synchronized on all the stations of the network; sending packets containing the samples of the second counter in the network; receiving at least one phase deviation value Δφ to be applied; and sending the at least one phase deviation value Δφ in the network. The present invention also pertains to a device operative to receive packets in a packet communication network having at least two stations.
US08170011B2 System and method for allocating packet identifiers in a transport stream in a subscriber network
An apparatus in a digital network includes the logic for allocating and assigning packet identifiers (PIDs) to digital packets, such as MPEG packets. The logic can reside in a device that transmits a transport stream or a device that controls a transport stream transmitter. In the preferred embodiment, a session number is associated a program and with an output port of a transport stream transmitter; and the session number is unique for that output port. The logic associates a PID from a set of allocated PIDs with the session number. The set of allocated PID values are PMT_PIDs, which are used for identifying the PMT packets, and the set of PMT_PIDs is scalable. In the preferred embodiment, the logic also associates the PMT_PID to the session number using a predetermined scheme. The apparatus also includes logic for assigning a set of PID values to the elementary streams of a program. In the preferred embodiment, number of PIDs assigned to the elementary streams of a program is no more than the number of elementary streams of the program.
US08170006B2 Digital telecommunications system, program product for, and method of managing such a system
A digital telecommunications system, a method of managing a communications network in such a system and a program product for managing audio transmission in a digital communications system. A softswitch manages communications between devices at network endpoints, e.g., session initiation protocol (SIP) devices, and detects when communications include a non-human, e.g., an audio system, at an endpoint. The softswitch selects conversational communications for calls between voice devices and messaging communications parameters with lower overhead for communications with an audio system, e.g., messaging systems such as voice mail.
US08170004B2 Shared DSL network and deployment method
A DSL network topology is provided for the interconnections between a telecom carrier and households. Each household is provided with an HCC (Home Communications Centre) for facilitating digital communication. The digital communication includes DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) communication. A method of forming a DSL network such that existing copper pair wire is reused is also provided.
US08169997B2 Communication system including a base station and terminal devices each using an up-link line allocated by the base station
A communication system allocates a discrete line between a base station and each terminal device that allows discrete communication in a time span equivalent to several frames. The communication system includes a base station that has a processing function unit processing a physical layer using a given data format, and terminal devices each using an up-link line allocated by the base station. In the system, the base station and each terminal device communicates with each other by the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing method. The base station sends out a preamble signal cyclically, and has a means that sends out a vacant discrete connection identifier for identifying a vacant up-link line for a terminal device to send data to the base station when the base station receives an up-link line request from the terminal device.
US08169995B2 System and method for wireless communication of uncompressed video having delay-insensitive data transfer
A system and method using a medium access control (MAC) header for a wireless communication system including an application layer, a MAC layer, and a physical (PHY) layer is disclosed. The MAC header accommodates time-delay insensitive data transfer between devices located in the network. The MAC header finds particular benefits in short range networks that transfer high definition (HD) video between components. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of transferring data in a wireless communication network for uncompressed video including fragmenting the data into a plurality of data packets; appending a PHY header to at least one of the data packets to form a MAC frame; setting a field in the PHY header to indicate that the packets do not contain audio video (A/V) data; and transmitting the MAC frame to another device in the wireless communication network.
US08169992B2 Uplink scrambling during random access
The technology described in this case facilitates random access by a user terminal with a radio base station. A user terminal determines one of a first type of uplink scrambling sequences and generates a random access message using the determined one of the first type of uplink scrambling sequences. The random access message is transmitted to the base station. The user terminal receives from the base station a second, different type of uplink scrambling sequence and uses it for subsequent communication with the radio base station. For example, the first uplink scrambling sequences may be specifically associated with the radio base station's cell area or a random access radio channel associated with the radio base station, but they are not specifically assigned to any user terminal, and the second uplink scrambling sequence may be selected from a second set of uplink scrambling sequences specifically assignable to individual user terminals.
US08169988B2 Wireless local area network
A wireless network includes a base transceiver station configured to transmit signals over a wireless connection to a plurality of terminals connected to the local area network and receive signals over a wireless connection from a plurality of terminals. The new terminal is arranged to transmit a connection request message comprising an identifier and a request to identify the new terminal to the network when the new terminal tries to access the wireless network. The network is arranged to transmit information regarding one or more new terminals attempting to access the wireless network to the user through the control interface. A control interface enables a user to transmit a control command to the network to allow a new terminal to be connected to the network.
US08169986B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving system information in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving system information in a mobile communication system are provided, in which a System Frame Number (SFN) is transmitted as system information, and other system information, which excludes the SFN, is transmitted using resources different from resources used to transmit the SFN on a broadcast channel.
US08169984B2 Communication system, radio lan base station control device, and radio lan base station device
There are provided a communication system, a radio LAN base station control device, and a radio LAN base station device capable of increasing the control reliability and improving communication stability and safety between the radio LAN base station control device and the radio LAN base station device. In this communication system (10), a plurality of data tunnels are formed between an AP control device (100) and the radio LAN base station device (200) and the data tunnels are used according to the frame type (control data frame, data frame, etc.) so as to increase the reliability that the AP control frame reaches the radio LAN base station device (200). As a result, control reliability between the AP control device (100) and the radio LAN base station device (200) is increased. Thus, it is possible to improve the communication stability and safety in the communication system (10).
US08169982B2 Method and apparatus for creating a fingerprint for a wireless network
The disclosure is directed to a wireless communication device and method for using the device. The wireless communications device may be used by accessing information in memory, the information relating to a first communications network. The information, along with one or more reference signals from a second communications network, is used to determine whether the wireless communications device is in the vicinity of the first communications network.
US08169977B2 Methods and apparatus for characterizing noise in a wireless communications system
Improved pilot signal sequences which facilitate multiple channel quality measurements, e.g., through the use of different signal pilot transmission power levels, are described. In various implementations the transmitted pilot sequences facilitate determining the contribution of interference from other sectors of a cell using the same tones, e.g., in a synchronized manner, as the sector in which the pilot signal measurements are being made. To measure noise contributions from neighboring sectors a sector NULL pilot, e.g., a pilot with zero power, is transmitted in an adjacent sector at the same time a pilot signal with a pre-selected, and therefore known, non-zero power is transmitted in the sector where the received pilot signal measurement is made. To facilitate background noise measurements, a cell NULL is supported in some embodiments. In the case of a cell NULL, all sectors of a cell transmit a Null pilot, on a tone that is used to measure background noise. Since no power is transmitted in the cell on the tone during the measurement, any measured signal on the tone is attributable to noise, e.g., background noise which may include inter-cell interference.
US08169974B2 Suspending transmissions in a wireless network
A method of increasing operational safety of a wireless communication network operating in a process control environment and having a plurality of network devices includes detecting a first triggering condition associated with an increased operational risk due to a wireless transmissions by at least one of the plurality of network devices, sending a suspend command to at least some of the plurality of network devices, suspending transmissions at the at least some of the plurality of network devices; and resuming transmissions at the at least some of the plurality of network devices upon occurrence of a second triggering condition.
US08169972B2 System and method for providing service continuity of multicast and broadcast services in a wireless communication system
There is provided a method of handing over a provided service from a serving base station to a target base station, the service including streaming content sent to a mobile station. The method includes receiving, at the target base station, a handover request from the serving base station, the handover request identifying the streaming content being provided to the mobile station by the serving base station, and an interrupt data packet, of the streaming content, last transmitted to the mobile station. The method includes sending a handover response to the serving base station and receiving a notification from the serving base station indicating that the target base station is selected for handover. The method includes receiving, from the serving base station, subsequent data packets of the streaming content that are later in time than the interrupt data packet and sending the received subsequent data packets to the mobile station.
US08169971B2 Base station apparatus, communication control system, communication control method, and inter-station control method
A base station apparatus includes a determining unit that determines whether a direct link has been established between the base station apparatus and another base station apparatus, when a mobile device makes a request to switch a communication recipient from the base station apparatus to the other base station apparatus; a link information acquiring unit that acquires, indirectly from the other base station apparatus, link information necessary for establishing the direct link to the other base station apparatus, when the determining unit determines that no direct link to the other base station apparatus has been established; and a link requesting unit that requests the other base station apparatus to establish the direct link to the base station apparatus, based on the link information of the other base station apparatus acquired by the link information acquiring unit.
US08169969B2 Radio bearer dependent forwarding for handover
This invention employs an inherent tradeoff in a radio bearer dependent data handling method for intra-E-UTRA handoffs. For user equipment using real time data, the source node forwards to the target node not yet acknowledged real time service data units and disconnects. This makes the handoff latency short at the expense of data traffic between nodes. For user equipment not needing real time data, the source node continues to receive user equipment acknowledgements during a time out period and only forwards service data units acknowledged during the time out period. This reduces X2 interface traffic between the source and target nodes but extends the handoff latency.
US08169965B2 Inter-mode/inter-rat handover
There is disclosed a method of packet switched handover in a communications system having at least two modes of operation, the method comprising, at a terminal of the system, associating identifiers of each mode of operation, and responsive to a packet switched connection handover to a new mode, allocating the connection from an identifier of the existing mode to the associated identifier of the new mode.
US08169962B1 Method and system for transmitting a voice mail indication to a mobile station
A radio access network (RAN) receives a request to route a call from a caller to a mobile station, assigns a wireless traffic channel to the mobile station for the call, and detects a no-answer condition for the call (because a user of the mobile station does not answer the call within a predetermined time period or has chosen to ignore the call). In response to the no-answer condition, the RAN redirects the call to a voice mail system and keeps the wireless traffic channel assigned to the mobile station while the caller interacts with the voice mail system. The RAN determines that the caller has left a voice mail message on the voice mail system and transmits an indication of the voice mail message to the mobile station over the wireless traffic channel.
US08169960B2 Persistent resource allocation
Methods and apparatus for communicating and utilizing persistent allocation of uplink resources are described herein. A base station can allocate persistent uplink resources to a client station, such that the resource allocation remains active for future uplink frames without the client station repeating a request for uplink resources or the base station expressly communicating the uplink resource allocation. A client station can request a persistent uplink resource allocation when wireless channel conditions are fairly consistent and not varying and the required uplink resources are predictably periodic and fixed in size. The base station can verify that the uplink resource request meets the criteria for persistent allocation and can allocate persistent uplink resources in a dedicated information element of an uplink resource map that is transmitted to the user. The resources allocated remain allocated to the client station in each frame satisfying a predetermined periodicity until deallocated.
US08169958B2 Obtaining information regarding services available from a wireless local area network
In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an application launcher, referred to herein as a “Concierge Launcher,” that enables a mobile device to access a wireless local area network (WLAN) and launch an application with one click. In an example embodiment, the WLAN advertises one or more services, for example a Concierge Service, along with the identity of the provider of the service and optionally a Uniform Resource Indicator (URI) for the application to use the service. The mobile device is configured to detect the advertisement and notify an end user of the availability of the service. If the end user selects the service, the provider of the service is validated, and an application, such as a web browser, on the mobile device configured to use the service is started.
US08169957B2 Flexible DTX and DRX in a wireless communication system
A data traffic responsive battery-saving approach for a wireless user equipment (UE) device such as an data packet capable cellphone incorporates flexible discontinuous transmission and reception (DTX-DRX) when in Long Term Evolution (LTE) active mode as dictated by an evolved radio access network (RAN) such as an evolved base node (eNode B). A UE device requests are made on unsynchronized random access channel (RACH). Lengthening a duration of DRX and reducing requirements for synchronization uplink transmissions results in power savings of up to 75%, as well as creating opportunities for reducing interference and for allocating additional time slots for data. This power savings is compatible with other downlink scheduling proposals, with control channel-less Voice-over-IP (VoIP), and need not target those UE devices in bad radio conditions. Legacy UE devices that can interact with the eNode B by being capable of radio resource control (RRC) signaling continue to be compatible.
US08169955B2 Systems and methods for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communications over satellite links
Methods for controlling orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communications over satellite links. The methods include estimating a differential delay in a satellite spotbeam between a mean propagation delay in the spotbeam and a propagation delay between a user terminal in the spotbeam and a satellite, estimating an overlap between an OFDMA uplink frame and an OFDMA downlink frame as a result of the differential delay, and providing a guard band in the OFDMA uplink frame and/or the OFDMA downlink frame to reduce an overlap between remaining portions of the OFDMA uplink frame and the OFDMA downlink frame other than the guard band. Corresponding systems and devices are also disclosed.
US08169943B2 Method and a device for saving power in a wireless user terminal
A method (400) for use in a cellular system with at least one controlling node (110), eNodeB, which controls user terminals, UEs (130), in a cell (120). According to the method, a UE can be in one of at least two different states (410), an idle state, a DRX state, and an “on duration” state. A UE (130) can receive at least a first (420) and a second (425) type of traffic from its eNodeB (110). If (415) the first type of traffic is received by a UE during an on duration period, the UE assumes the idle (DRX) state at the end of the on duration period, and if (430) the second type of traffic is received by the UE during an on duration period, the UE prolongs the current on duration period by a certain amount of time.
US08169942B2 Method for wireless multi-hop network
Technology for a wireless multi-hop network is disclosed. a plurality of nodes in the wireless multi-hop network are synchronized to a period sequentially including a first interval and a second interval and are in an active state at the start time of the first interval. a node transmits a control frame at the start time of the first interval, the control frame indicating that data will be transmitted in the second interval, and then transitions to a sleep state which is maintained until a wake-up time in response to determining that the control frame has been successfully received by a next hop node. The wake-up time is a point in time when a node transitions to an active state to transmit the data and is present in the second interval.
US08169940B2 Techniques for device and piconet controller availability notification in wireless personal area and wireless local area networks
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising notifying of device and piconet controller (PNC) availability in wireless personal area network (WPAN) and/or wireless local area networks (WLAN) at the start of a superframe, wherein whether the PNC will stay awake or go to sleep during a part of the superframe depends on whether or not there are any services to provide in the WPAN and/or WLAN during a given period of time, and wherein the PNC shall stay awake if there are services to provide in the WPAN and/or WLAN to maintain network performance, otherwise the PNC will go to sleep to minimize its energy consumption.
US08169937B2 Managing a packet switched conference call
The invention relates to a method for managing a packet switched, centralized conference call between a plurality of terminals 13. In order to enable an enhancement of the user comfort, it is proposed that the method comprises at a conference call server 12 receiving data packets from all terminals 13. Based on these data packets, then at least one terminal 13 currently providing voice data is determined. In a next step, the data received in the data packets is mixed, and the mixed data is inserted into new data packets together with at least one identifier associated to one of the terminals 13 which were determined to provide voice data, such that the at least one identifier can be distinguished from any other information in the data packets. Finally, the new data packets are transmitted to terminals 13 participating in the conference call. The invention relates equally to a, corresponding server and to a corresponding terminal
US08169933B2 Dynamic topological adaptation
Apparatus and methods for reconfiguration of a communication environment based on loading requirements. Network operations are monitored and analyzed to determine loading balance across the network or a portion thereof. Where warranted, the network is reconfigured to balance the load across multiple network entities. For example, in a cellular-type of network, traffic loads and throughput requirements are analyzed for the access points and their user equipment. Where loading imbalances occur, the cell coverage areas of one or more access points can be reconfigured to alleviate bottlenecks or improve balancing.
US08169931B2 Method and apparatus for base stations and their provisioning, management, and networking
In wireless system, a group of Base station (BTSs) with smaller footprints have the capability to communicate with each other as well as with the BTSs with relatively larger footprints via wireless air-interfaces. One of such example is coordinated cell systems. A coordinated cell system comprises a group of coordinated cell base stations that have the capability to communicate with each other as well as with relevant macro cell or Pico cell base stations via wireless air-interfaces. Each coordinated cell BTS consists of an over the air control unit in addition to the conventional coordinated cell BTS system. A set of protocols in the form of messages and database are also defined to enable the networking capability. This enables enhancement in performing a variety of tasks by coordinated cell systems, including interference management and coordination, registration and authentication, quality of service coordination, installation and maintenance, location services, etc.
US08169927B2 Configuration management method and configuration management system of wireless access network, and wireless access network management device
A configuration of a wireless cell contained by a wireless network control station in a wireless access network is optimized to efficiently achieve leveling of a processing load in the wireless network control station. A wireless access network management device inputs input information including position information of a wireless cell, traffic demand of each wireless cell, location registration demand of each wireless cell, handover demand with respect to each adjacent wireless cells of each wireless cell, and internal processing time required by a wireless network control station for traffic processing, location registration processing, and handover processing. Then, a wireless cell group to be controlled by a wireless network control station is selected based on the input information so that processing loads of a plurality of wireless network control station are leveled.
US08169926B2 Enhanced channel changing within multi-channel communication systems
Enhanced channel changing within multi-channel communication systems. A CMTS directs channel changing of a CM, sometimes between upstream data bursts. Logical channels, part of a single frequency channel, may be used, and the channel changing may be performed between those logical channels. Multiple upstream burst profiles and/or modulation densities may be used providing high degrees of robustness, fidelity, and throughput and allowing great channel flexibility. A CM may be switched between channels without losing transmitter capability. Even if some throughput rate may be sacrificed during the channel changing, the CM will still be able to continue data throughput. Then, the new channel may then undergo the initialization and ranging processes thereby enabling greater throughput on that new channel. After undergoing the initialization and ranging processes, the new channel will then be a fully equivalent member of the CM communication system.
US08169923B2 Power line communication method and apparatus
A power line communication (PLC) method includes determining whether a destination communication apparatus to receive a data packet can directly communicate without using a repeater, transmitting the data packet to the destination communication apparatus when the destination communication apparatus can directly communicate without using the repeater, and transmitting the data packet to the repeater when the destination communication apparatus cannot directly communicate without using the repeater, and a power line communication (PLC) apparatus to perform the method.
US08169916B1 Multi-platform video delivery configuration
A system and a method are disclosed for delivering a video to a destination device using multiple sources and multiple protocols. The video can be on demand or a live video. A video is divided into several chunks distributed across devices and servers in the network. A node is selected for delivering a video chunk based on criteria including the cost of delivery of the chunk from the node to the destination node. This also improves the throughput of the entire system. Different nodes can use different communication protocols for delivering chunks of videos. Portions of videos are forward-cached to a node before a request for the video is made by the node. Activities associated with a device are gathered to determine a profile for the device. The profile of the device is used to select videos to be forward-cached to the peer device.
US08169908B1 Method for discarding corrupted data packets in a reliable transport fabric
A method for discarding perpetually-rejected packets in a fabric-based interconnect having a reliable physical layer is disclosed. A transmitting component keeps a count of the number of negative acknowledgements (NAKs) it receives from the receiving component for packets the transmitting component sends. If the transmitting component receives a number of consecutive NAKs for the same packet that exceeds some pre-determined threshold, the packet is not resent, but is, instead, treated as having been acknowledged, and subsequent packets are allowed to be transmitted. Higher-level processes are then notified of the problem so as to allow the error to be dealt with at a higher level, but without obstructing the flow of packets on the physical layer.
US08169904B1 Feedback for downlink sensitivity
A method, system, and medium are provided for managing bandwidth associated with a communication session characterized by a plurality of data packets being transmitted from a sender to a receiver. The receiver can include functions that monitor communication sessions and determine bandwidth adjustments corresponding thereto for optimizing the user's experience. The receiver can communicate feedback messages to senders that include requests for bandwidth adjustments. According to embodiments, senders can include well-known feedback listening ports through which feedback messages are received, enabling out-of-band user experience optimization.
US08169899B2 Client device method and apparatus for routing a call
A telecommunication method, server and system that route an outbound telephone communication initiated by a wireless remote device through an enterprise communication network. The system also routes an incoming call to a device associated with an enterprise communication network to a plurality of telephony devices including wireless devices and other remote devices.
US08169894B2 Fault-tolerant communications in routed networks
A method for providing fault-tolerant network communications between a plurality of nodes for an application, including providing a plurality of initial communications pathways over a plurality of networks coupled between the plurality of nodes, receiving a data packet on a sending node from the application, the sending node being one of the plurality of nodes, the data packet being addressed by the application to an address on one of the plurality of nodes, and selecting a first selected pathway for the data packet from among the plurality of initial communications pathways where the first selected pathway is a preferred pathway.
US08169893B1 Quick detection of problematic link to support fast failover
A technique involves operating an electronic device having data communications ports. Each data communications port includes PHY circuitry to provide Physical Layer network functionality to the electronic device. The technique includes monitoring a particular PCS status signal from the PHY circuitry. The PCS status signal has (i) a PCS_OK value when a first data communications port is operating reliably in data mode and (ii) a PCS_NOT_OK value when the first data communications port is not operating reliably in data mode. The technique further includes detecting a transition event while monitoring the PCS status signal. The transition event involves the PCS status signal initially having the PCS_OK value and transitioning to having the PCS_NOT_OK value. The technique further includes, in response to detection of the transition event, outputting an electronic warning indication to enable failover from the first data communications port to a second data communications port.
US08169885B2 Method and apparatus for optimization of wireless mesh networks
A cross-layer optimization framework for designing of multi-radio/multi-channel wireless mesh networks with network coding to support multiple unicast applications is used. A column-generation-based primal-dual method is used to solve the optimization problem. For network-layer formation, a code construction scheme based on linear programming is used. Delay constraints are imposed on the network code construction so the possible impact of the extra decoding delay to the upper-layer Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) performance may be reduced without changing the upper-layer protocols.
US08169872B2 Optical recording medium, information recording method, and information reproducing method
According to one embodiment, an optical recording medium is provided in which interlayer crosstalk is low and in which stable and high-quality recording characteristics can be obtained. To this end, an optical recording medium comprises a first recording part which includes a first recording layer and a first light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side closer to a light receiving surface, and a second recording part which includes a second recording layer and a second light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side farther from the light receiving surface, the first recording part and the second recording part being stacked, wherein the thickness of the second light reflecting layer is larger than the thickness of the first light reflecting layer.
US08169867B2 Optical disc drive apparatus
In an optical disc drive apparatus, when a start time of a tracking pull-in operation is adjusted according to the eccentricity amount of the optical disc, a suitable starting point of the tracking pull-in operation can be always captured and the pull-in operation of the tracking control can be stably performed, without depending on the eccentricity amount of the optical disc. Further, the eccentricity amount and an eccentricity phase are detected from a track zero crossing signal before the tracking pull-in, and an eccentricity compensation signal of the track is added to the tracking control signal. As a result, also in the optical disc with the large eccentricity amount, the tracking pull-in operation can be stably performed.
US08169866B2 Reproducing power adjusting method, optical information recording/reproducing apparatus and information recording media
By referring to a table of reproducing conditions and medium specific parameters, stored in an optical disc or optical disc apparatus and/or generated by the optical disc apparatus, the medium specific parameters to be used for performing reproducing power adjustment are changed in accordance with the reproducing condition to execute reproducing power adjustment.
US08169862B1 Turntable having multiple-point touch function for a digital sound-signal device
A turntable having multiple-point touch function for a digital sound-signal device includes a base formed with a central insert hole having a lower side provided with a load sensor, with a photo-sensor installed at one inner end of the base. A multiple-point touch-induction circuit is fixed on the base, having different sensing regions and bored with a central through hole. A touch-control turntable assembled on the circuit board has a central post protruding downward to be inserted through both the through hole and the insert hole for combining the base, the circuit board and the turntable together, the combining post having its lower end touching the load sensor. The turntable has its outer end edge provided with lots of light-obstructing plates protruding downward for obstructing light with the photo-sensor. The touch-control turntable is preset with plural memory regions to be touched for outputting different sound effects.
US08169854B2 System and method for wireless data transmission
The invention relates to a system and method for wireless data transmission in an open process regime, for example a producing (or injecting) well associated with oil and gas production, the system comprising means for data acquisition, means for en data conversion, means for wireless data transmission, control means, power source, and a static pulse generation device adapted for generating static pressure fluctuations in the well fluid. The data conversion means are adapted to convert data to a simplified number format to be transmitted by the induced fluctuations in the process fluid.
US08169853B2 Acoustic system quality assurance and testing
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, a method for testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device coupled with the acoustic system via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. The signal can include a pattern of pulses including Doppler pulses. At least one Doppler pulse from the pattern pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device. A response to the signal from the acoustic system can be provided by generating an echo pulse with the testing device based on the detected at least one Doppler pulse wherein the echo pulse is frequency shifted from the detected at least one Doppler pulse and mimics a response to the detected at least one Doppler pulse for a selected acoustic probe.
US08169850B2 Forming multiprocessor systems using dual processors
In one embodiment, link logic of a multi-chip processor (MCP) formed using multiple processors may interface with a first point-to-point (PtP) link coupled between the MCP and an off-package agent and another PtP link coupled between first and second processors of the MCP, where the on-package PtP link operates at a greater bandwidth than the first PtP link. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08169848B2 Nonvolatile memory device, nonvolatile memory system, and access device
Power consumption required for making a nonvolatile storage device having a radio communication function operate as a file server for a radio host device is great for a host device which supplies the power. The present invention enables a user to operate a host device to which the nonvolatile storage device having the radio communication function is attached so as to activate and inactivate the radio communication function of the nonvolatile storage device. This reduces unnecessary power consumption by the radio communication function.
US08169847B2 Semiconductor memory apparatus and refresh control method of the same
A semiconductor memory apparatus and refresh control method are presented. The semiconductor memory apparatus includes a memory cell block composed of a multiplicity of floating body cell (FBC) transistors. Each FBC transistor has a gate connected to a word line, a drain connected to a bit line, and a source connected to a source line. FBC transistor pairs are formed by sharing the source lines in the plurality of the floating body cell transistors. When a refresh signal is enabled, the semiconductor memory apparatus is configured to read data stored in the memory cell block by enabling a refresh read signal and then configured to rewrite the read data in the memory cell block by enabling a refresh write signal.
US08169846B2 Refresh control circuit and method for semiconductor memory apparatus
A refresh control circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a variable oscillator configured to generate a room-temperature oscillation signal and a limit-temperature oscillation signal in response to a temperature state signal; a cycle selector configured to selectively output the room temperature oscillation signal and the limit-temperature oscillation signal as a variable oscillation signal in response to the temperature state signal; a refresh signal generator configured to generate a refresh signal in response to the variable oscillation signal and a fixed oscillation signal; and a temperature state detector configured to generate the temperature state signal by detecting current temperature in response to the room-temperature oscillation signal and the fixed oscillation signal.
US08169844B2 Memory built-in self-characterization
A memory circuit includes an operational memory and a monitor circuit comprising a circuit element in the operational memory and/or a circuit element substantially identical to a corresponding circuit element in the operational memory. The monitor circuit is operative to measure at least one functional characteristic of the operational memory. A control circuit coupled to the monitor circuit is operative to generate a control signal which varies as a function of the measured characteristic of the operational memory. The memory circuit further includes a programmable voltage source coupled to the operational memory which is operative to generate at least a voltage and/or a current supplied to at least a portion of the operational memory which varies as a function of the control signal.
US08169842B2 Skew detector and semiconductor memory device using the same
A skew detection circuit includes a data sensing block configured to sense a first data that is transferred earliest and a last data that is transferred latest among a plurality of data which are transferred through different transfer paths, and generate a sensing result signal; and a detection signal generation block configured to compare an output signal of the data sensing block with a certain time, and generate a skew detection signal.
US08169840B2 Address latch circuit and semiconductor memory apparatus using the same
An address latch circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a control signal generating section configured to generate a control signal in response to an external command signal and a RAS idle signal, a clock control section configured to output a clock signal as a control clock signal when the control signal is enabled and to fix the control clock signal to a predetermined level when the control signal is disabled, and an address latch section configured to latch an address signal in response to the control clock signal.
US08169839B2 Flash backed DRAM module including logic for isolating the DRAM
A memory device for use with a primary power source including: non-volatile memory; volatile memory; an interface for connecting to a backup power source; isolation logic for controlling access to the volatile memory by a host processor, said isolation logic having a first mode during which the isolation logic provides the host processor with access to the volatile memory for storing or reading data and a second mode during which the isolation logic isolates the volatile memory from access by the host processor; and a controller controlling the isolation logic, said controller programmed to place the isolation logic in the first mode when the volatile memory is being powered by the primary power source and, when power to the volatile memory from the primary power source is interrupted, to place the isolation logic in the second mode and transfer data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory.
US08169837B2 Semiconductor memory device and method for generating bit line equalizing signal
A bit line equalizing signal generator of a semiconductor memory device uses a supply voltage and a pumping voltage in stages during a period where a bit line equalizing signal is enabled, thereby enhancing an equalizing speed and an active speed while minimizing power consumption. The semiconductor memory device includes a bit line equalizing signal generating unit configured to drive an output terminal with the supply voltage during a first activation period at the beginning of the period where the bit line equalizing signal is enabled, and to drive the output terminal with the pumping voltage higher than the supply voltage during a second activation period following the first activation period, thereby outputting the bit line equalizing signal, and a bit line equalizing unit configured to equalize a bit line pair in response to the bit line equalizing signal.
US08169829B2 Memory controller, memory system, recording and reproducing method for memory system, and recording apparatus
A memory system has a memory unit that is made of memory cells, each of which assumes a record state with a threshold voltage according to data. If an inverter has performed reverse processing on a data sequence so as to make the number of the memory cells in a predetermined record state great based on a count of a counter in a record operation, the memory system sets a flag added to the data sequence to indicate that the reverse processing has been performed, and performs re-reverse processing on the data sequence to which the flag indicating that the inverter has performed the reverse processing is added in a reproducing operation.
US08169823B2 Memory devices having volatile and non-volatile memory characteristics and methods of operating the same
Multi-bit semiconductor memory devices having both volatile and nonvolatile memory characteristics and methods of operating the same are disclosed, the semiconductor memory device including a floating body on an upper region of a substrate, a gate electrode on the floating body and electrically insulated from the floating body, source and drain regions on the substrate adjacent to the gate electrode and a charge trap layer between the floating body and the gate electrode, where first bit data is written in one of the charge trap layer and the floating body, and second bit data is written in one of the charge trap layer and the floating body in which first bit data is not written.
US08169819B2 Semiconductor storage device
There is provided a semiconductor storage device which is capable of further reducing a size of a memory cell, and increasing a storage capacity. Plural memory cells each including a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a variable resistive device having a resistance value changed by voltage supply and connected between source and drain terminals of the transistor are arranged longitudinally and in an array to configure a three-dimensional memory cell array. A memory cell structure has a double channel structure in which an inside of a switching transistor is filled with a variable resistance element, particularly, a phase change material. The switching transistor is turned off by application of a voltage to increase a channel resistance so that a current flows in the internal phase change material to operate the memory.
US08169805B2 Method of operating an inverter by turning off the switching around a zero transition of the output voltage
A method for operating an inverter for converting direct voltage into alternating voltage, having two direct-voltage terminals and two alternating-voltage terminals, between which a plurality of power switching elements clocked at high-frequency are connected. The high-frequency clocking of the power switching elements of the inverter is switched off around a zero transition of the alternating voltage for a period which depends on the direct voltage present at the direct-voltage terminals of the inverter and/or the output power of the inverter, so that no current is generated in time intervals with a poor efficiency at the alternating-voltage terminals of the inverter.
US08169804B2 Three-phase buck-boost power factor correction circuit and controlling method thereof
The configurations of a three-phase buck-boost power factor correction (PFC) circuit are provided. The circuit includes a first single-phase buck-boost PFC circuit receiving a first phase voltage and having a first and a second output terminals and a neutral-point for outputting a first and a second output voltages, a second single-phase buck-boost PFC circuit receiving a third phase voltage and coupled to the first and the second output terminals and the neutral-point, a first to a fourth thyristors, each of which has an anode and a cathode. The anodes of the first and the third thyristors and the cathodes of the second and the fourth thyristors receive a second phase voltage, and the cathode of the first thyristor and the anode of the second thyristor are coupled to the first single-phase buck-boost PFC circuit.
US08169803B2 Power transistor chip with built-in junction field effect transistor and application circuit thereof
A power transistor chip and an application circuit thereof have a junction field effect transistor to act as a start-up circuit of an AC/DC voltage converter. The start-up circuit can be turned off after the PWM circuit of the AC/DC voltage converter operates normally to conserve the consumption of the power. Besides, the junction field effect transistor is built in the power transistor chip. Because the junction field effect transistor is fabricated with the same manufacturing process as the power transistor, it is capable of simplifying the entire process and lowering the production cost due to no additional mask and manufacturing process.
US08169801B2 Voltage converters with integrated low power leaker device and associated methods
Voltage converters with integrated low power leaker device and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voltage converter includes a switch configured to convert a first electrical signal into a second electrical signal different than the first electrical signal. The voltage converter also includes a controller operatively coupled to the switch and a leaker device electrically coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the on and off gates of the switch, and the leaker device is configured to deliver power to the controller. The leaker device and the switch are formed on a first semiconductor substrate, and the controller is formed on second semiconductor substrate separate from the first semiconductor substrate.
US08169800B2 Power converter, switching control device thereof, and driving method thereof
A power converter according to the present invention includes a power supply unit, an output unit, and a switching controller. The power supply unit includes a primary coil of a transformer that receives an input voltage, a gate electrode, and a switch having a first electrode and a second electrode that is connected to the primary coil. The output unit includes a secondary coil of the transformer, and outputs an output voltage that is converted from the input voltage by the transformer. The switching controller includes a feedback terminal that receives a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage, generates a burst voltage by compensating the feedback voltage according to a maximum current value that can flow between the second electrode and the first electrode of the switch, determines whether to perform a burst mode operation according to the burst voltage, and transmits a gate signal according to performance of the burst mode operation to the gate electrode of the switch.
US08169797B2 AC/DC intermediate-circuit converter having a very wide AC input voltage range
An AC/DC intermediate-circuit converter has a very wide AC input voltage range with a ZVS three-level DC/DC resonant converter with an LLC series-resonant circuit. Two intermediate-circuit capacitors are connected in series between DC intermediate-circuit connections with their common connection point forming a DC intermediate-circuit center connection (5). The DC intermediate-circuit connections are connected to the DC connections of a rectifier whose AC input connections have an AC input voltage applied thereto. A range changeover switch is arranged between an AC input connection and the DC intermediate-circuit center connection. The range changeover switch is closed in a lower AC input voltage range, when the ZVS three-level DC/DC resonant converter is operated on the basis of a “two-level operating mode” modulation strategy, such that the LLC series-resonant circuit has the full DC input voltage present between the DC intermediate-circuit connections applied to it. The range changeover switch is open in a central AC input voltage range when the ZVS three-level DC/DC resonant converter is operated on the basis of the “two-level operating mode” modulation strategy. The range changeover switch is open in an upper AC input voltage range when the ZVS three-level DC/DC resonant converter is operated on the basis of a “three-level operating mode” modulation strategy, such that the LLC series-resonant circuit has only half the DC input voltage that is present between the DC intermediate-circuit connections applied to it.
US08169795B2 Audio power conversion system
An audio power conversion system includes a power supply having a positive supply rail and a negative supply rail for supplying power to a single ended class D amplifier. The system further includes a supply pump reduction circuit connected to the supply rails and adapted to redistribute a pumping charge from said power supply by forcing a current-flow from a rail with a higher voltage to a rail with a lower voltage. According to the at least one embodiment of the invention, the redistribution circuit is arranges to always distribute charge from the rail with the higher voltage. Thus, for practical circuits, the pump canceling occurs continuously and is not confined to every other cycle.
US08169794B2 Harness-integrated slide hinge and sliding-type electronic apparatus
A harness-integrated slide hinge is provided that connects between a plurality of casings having circuits therein while allowing the casings to move relatively. The harness-integrated slide hinge includes: a first sliding plate fitted to the one casing; a second sliding plate fitted to the other casing; a sliding mechanism that connects between the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate while allowing them to move relatively; and a harness that has a plurality of wirings, and connection sections provided on both ends of these wirings, and that is routed between the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate, wherein a wiring lamination section having a plurality of the wirings laminated therein is bent in a U-shape and accommodated in a space section between the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate.
US08169793B2 Electronic device and fabrication method thereof
Provided is an electronic device of high reliability having an exposed functional portion. An electronic device 10 comprises an electronic element 11 having an exposed functional portion 11a on a first surface, a frame member 12 having a first penetration hole 12a, and a board 13 having a second penetration hole 13a. The frame member 12 is provided on the first surface of the electronic element 11 such that the first penetration hole 12a faces at least a part of the functional portion 11a. The electronic element 11 is mounted on the board 13 such that at least a part of the functional portion 11a faces the second penetration hole 13a. The frame member 12 does not contact with the board 13.
US08169792B2 Multilayer printed wiring board
A multilayer printed wiring board includes: a build-up layer that is formed on a core substrate and has a conductor pattern disposed on an upper surface; a low elastic modulus layer that is formed on the build-up layer; lands that are disposed on an upper surface of the low elastic modulus layer and connected via solder bumps to a IC chip; and conductor posts that pass through the low elastic modulus layer and electrically connect lands with conductor patterns. The conductor posts have the aspect ratio Rasp (height/minimum diameter) of not less than 4 and the minimum diameter exceeding 30 μm, and the aspect ratio Rasp of external conductor posts, which are positioned at external portions of the low elastic modulus layer, is greater than or equal to the aspect ratio Rasp of internal conductor posts, which are positioned at internal portions of the low elastic modulus layer.
US08169789B1 Graphics processing unit stiffening frame
Apparatus and methods for mounting of a processor coupled to a circuit board include use of a frame disposed around the processor. The frame decreases flexibility of the circuit board around the processor. Further, the frame may act as a mechanical stop limiting tilting of a heat sink coupled to the processor.
US08169784B2 Circuit module
To improve reliability of a circuit module by improving heat release performance and minimizing thermal influence on a device to be mounted, a base substrate having a first substrate mounted thereon is fitted into a lower portion of casing member, and a second substrate is installed in the upper portion of the casing member so that a spaced area can be provided. In addition, a drive device to be installed on the second substrate is positioned off the center of the second substrate.
US08169779B2 Power electronics substrate for direct substrate cooling
Systems and apparatus are provided for power electronics substrates adapted for direct substrate cooling. A power electronics substrate comprises a first surface configured to have electrical circuitry disposed thereon, a second surface, and a plurality of physical features on the second surface. The physical features are configured to promote a turbulent boundary layer in a coolant impinged upon the second surface.
US08169776B2 Face panel
A face panel includes a frame unit having mounting grooves arranged in parallel on the front side thereof, and decorative face members detachably fastened to the front side of the frame unit, each decorative face member having coupling devices protruded the back side thereof and detachably fastenable to the mounting groove of the frame unit, a decorative finish located on the front side thereof and carrying a design and a connection structure located on each of the two distal ends thereof for enabling a member of the decorative face members to be connected transversely in a line by means of forcing one connection structure of one decorative face member into engagement with one connection structure of another decorative face member.
US08169774B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor and a method for manufacturing same
A first solid electrolytic capacitor according to the present invention includes a capacitor element, an exterior resin covering the capacitor element, an anode terminal, a cathode terminal, and a metal wire. The capacitor element includes an anode body from which an anode lead is extracted, a dielectric layer formed on a surface of the anode body, and a cathode layer formed on the dielectric layer. The anode terminal and the cathode terminal are electrically connected to the anode lead and the cathode layer, respectively, and extracted to an outer surface of the exterior resin, the anode terminal including an opposing part opposed to the anode lead in the exterior resin. The metal wire includes both ends connected to the opposing part and a curving part, and is provided to the anode lead, and at least a part of the curving part is electrically connected to the anode lead.
US08169770B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit including circuit for driving electrostatic actuator, micro-electro-mechanical systems, and driving method of electrostatic actuator
A semiconductor integrated circuit comprises an electrostatic actuator, an estimation circuit, a storage circuit and a bias circuit. The electrostatic actuator has a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and an insulating film disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The estimation circuit estimates the amount of a charge accumulated in the insulating film of the electrostatic actuator. The storage circuit stores a result of the estimation of the charge amount by the estimation circuit. The bias circuit changes, on the basis of the estimation result stored in the storage circuit, a drive voltage to drive the electrostatic actuator.
US08169769B2 Electrostatic chuck power supply
A detection circuit is provided for a power supply for an electrostatic chuck generating a trapezoidal waveform with approximately flat tops and minimal dead-time between phase reversals. The detection circuit includes an amplifying circuit which receives inputs from a secondary winding of a transformer of the power supply and produces an amplified buffered signal. A chucking detect circuit receives the signal from the amplifying circuit and is configured to produce a first signal indicative of a substrate on the electrostatic chuck and a second signal indicative of an electrostatic chuck without a substrate. A chucking quality circuit receives the signal from the amplifying circuit and produces a signal indicative of a quality of the chucking of the substrate. A movement detection circuit receives the signal from the amplifying circuit and produces a signal indicative of movement of the substrate on the electrostatic chuck.
US08169768B1 Electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck for retaining a substrate. The chuck has a clamping surface for receiving the substrate, where the clamping surface is formed of a hard polymeric material filled with carbon nanotubes. Electrodes are disposed beneath the clamping surface, for inducing localized electrostatic charges in the substrate and thereby retaining the substrate against the clamping surface. A base supports the clamping surface and the electrodes.
US08169765B2 High-side driver
A high-side driver has a semiconductor element being connected in series in a power supply path extending from a DC power source to a linear solenoid and turned on/off to control a current of the linear solenoid. The high-side driver includes a current detector of a current of the linear solenoid, a controller of the semiconductor element, a state detector of the high-side driver or the linear solenoid and output a state signal, a first transmit buffer to latch and output the state signal, a second transmit buffer to output the state signal without latching the same, and a transmit shift register to convert the state signal into serial data and transmit the serial data to an external device at predetermined timing. The state detector selects at least one of the first and second transmit buffers and outputs the state signal to the selected one.
US08169763B2 Transient blocking unit having an enhancement mode device in the primary current path
A transient blocking unit (TBU) is a circuit having series-connected transistors that normally conduct current, but automatically switch to a high-impedance current blocking state in response to an over-current condition. Here enhancement mode devices are used in the primary TBU current path, as opposed to the conventional use of depletion mode devices in this context. This approach provides two main advantages. The first advantage is that the dependence of TBU parameters on poorly controlled depletion mode device parameters can be reduced or eliminated. The second advantage is that such TBUs can provide over-voltage protection in addition to over-current protection.
US08169761B2 ESD clamp circuit applied to power amplifier
An ESD clamp circuit applied to a power amplifier is provided. The ESD clamp circuit includes a first line, a second line, a first circuit, a second circuit, an ESD detecting unit, a buffer unit, and an ESD clamp unit. The first line is coupled to the output terminal of the power amplifier. The first circuit is coupled to the first line. The second circuit is coupled to the first circuit. The ESD detecting unit is coupled to the first circuit and the second line. The buffer unit is coupled to the second circuit, the second line and the ESD detecting unit. The ESD clamp unit is coupled to the buffer unit, the first line and the second line. Therefore, at normal operation mode, the problem of signal loss caused by the leakage current of ESD clamp circuit can be avoided.
US08169755B2 Power supply system
A power supply system is provided with devices of generating an electric power, controlling an amount of power generation, charging an electric power having been generated, converting an electric power having been generated, charging an electric power having been converted, operating an electric load by an electric power having been converted, and detecting a short-circuit fault of input/output of a DC converter. In the case of detecting an input/output short-circuit fault of the DC converter, from the input/output short-circuit detector to the generator controller, an instruction is given such that the generator is switched to make a power generation at a predetermined constant voltage determined based on a voltage of the circuit arrangement.
US08169754B2 Dedicated noncorrosive smear detector
A disk drive head slider for a magnetic disk drive is provided. The head slider includes a tunnel magnetic resistance device for reading data on a magnetic disk and a dedicated noncorrosive smear detector for measuring resistance wherein the resistance corresponds to a level of smear associated with the head slider.
US08169752B2 Method for manufacturing a magneto-resistance effect element having spacer layer
In a method for manufacturing a magneto-resistance effect element having a pinned magnetic layer of which a magnetization is fixed substantially in one direction, a free magnetization layer of which a magnetization is rotated in accordance with an external magnetic field and a spacer layer, which is located between the fixed magnetization layer and the free magnetization layer, with an insulating layer and a metallic layer penetrating through the insulating layer, the spacer layer is formed by forming a first metallic layer; forming, on the first metallic layer, a second metallic layer to be converted into a portion of the insulating layer; performing a first conversion treatment so as to convert the second metallic layer into the portion of said insulating layer and to form a portion of the metallic layer penetrating through the insulating layer; forming, on the insulating layer and the metallic layer formed through the first conversion treatment, a third metallic layer to be converted into the other portion of the insulating layer; and performing a second conversion treatment so as to convert the third metallic layer into the other portion of the insulating and to form the other portion of the metallic layer penetrating through the insulating layer.
US08169746B1 Integrated lead suspension with multiple trace configurations
An integrated lead head suspension flexure includes a mounting region, a gimbal extending distally from the mounting region and having bond pads, and a tail extending proximally from the mounting region and having terminal pads. First trace sections having a first structural configuration, such as interleaved traces, are electrically connected to the terminal pads and extend across the tail and mounting region. Second trace sections having a second structural configuration different than the first structural configuration, such as ground plane traces, are electrically connected to the bond pads and extend across the gimbal. Transition structures electrically connect the first trace sections to the second trace sections. The first and second trace sections impedance match the different impedances at the bond pads and terminal pads.
US08169744B2 Slider having a lubricant-accumulation barrier
A slider resistant to lubricant accumulation. The slider resistant to lubricant accumulation includes a positive-air-pressure portion of the slider configured to levitate the slider above a magnetic-recording disk and a negative-air-pressure portion of the slider configured to bring the slider into proximity with the magnetic-recording disk at a fly height sufficient for writing data to and reading data from the magnetic-recording disk. The slider resistant to lubricant accumulation also includes a lubricant-accumulation barrier disposed in proximity to a trailing edge of the slider. The lubricant-accumulation barrier is configured to reduce lubricant accumulation on the slider.
US08169741B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording head with side shield and magnetic disk apparatus
According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main pole which generates a recording magnetic field, a return pole which forms a closed magnetic circuit for the recording magnetic field, and a side shield magnetically spaced from the main pole in a cross-track direction in which a point on a trailing edge of the side shield which is closest to the main pole is positioned on a leading side of a trailing edge of the main pole.
US08169738B1 Fluid dynamic bearing mechanism including communicating channel, spindle motor, and disk drive apparatus
A fluid dynamic bearing mechanism includes a stationary bearing portion including a sleeve portion, and a rotating bearing portion including an outer rotating portion. A lubricating oil is arranged between the stationary and rotating bearing portions. A first dynamic pressure groove array is arranged in an upper surface of the sleeve portion or a lower surface of the outer rotating portion. A second dynamic pressure groove array is arranged in a surface of the outer rotating portion or a surface of the stationary bearing portion in a region between the first array and a liquid surface. An end of the second array closer to the liquid surface is arranged radially inward of an opposite end of the second array. An upper end opening of a communicating channel defined in the sleeve portion is arranged radially outward of a radially inner end of the first array.
US08169734B2 Method and apparatus for controlling head flying height in a disk drive
According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a measuring module, a flying height controller, a detection module, and a controller. The measuring module is configured to measure the flying height that the head has with respect to the disk. The flying height controller is configured to control the head flying height in accordance with a value preset for the head flying height. The detection module is configured to detect the values representing the environmental elements of the head. The controller is configured to adjust the preset value in accordance with the flying height measured by the measuring module and values detected by the detection module if environmental changes are detected from the environmental element values output from the detection module.
US08169732B2 Reducing written-in errors in servo patterns
A method for writing servo onto a disk of a hard disk drive. The method includes writing a plurality of spiral servo signals with a head. The spiral servo signals are used to generate position error signals and write a plurality of servo patterns. A write current of the head is varied for at least one servo pattern. A PES/WC relationship between the position error signals and the write current is determined and a plurality of final servo patterns are written by utilizing the PES/WC relationship and varying the write current. Varying the write current changes the trailing edge of the servo bits and controls the position of the track center. The PES/WC relationship allows the system to compensate for excursions within a single revolution of the disk.
US08169728B2 Magnetic medium having an artificial pattern structure using a gradient of a magnetization reversal field and a method of use thereof
To avoid the occurrence of a recording error by suppressing the influence that a magneto-static interaction acting between the pattern dots exerts on a recording process and expand a margin for recording synchronization timing lag or tracking misregistration on the pattern dot. Each pattern dot has a structure in which a plurality of parts having different magnetization reversal fields are bonded with exchange interaction in the in-plane direction of a medium, substrate. The positional relationship between the parts having different magnetization reversal fields is substantially coincident between the adjacent pattern dots, which are arranged to have a gradient of magnetization reversal field in a track direction or track transverse direction. Further, the recording is performed by adapting a gradient of recording magnetic field to the gradient of magnetization reversal field. Other methods and systems are described as well.
US08169727B2 Apparatus and method for stabilizing slider flying height over a discrete track media disk surface in a hard disk drive
This application discloses a hard disk drive and a disk employing Discrete Tracks each including a land with a groove at a first depth with sectors of each track separated by servo pattern wedges with a variable second land and a variable second groove possessing widths and a second depth for the grooves differing from the first widths and depth of the groove of the sectors. The second depth optimizes the stability of the flying height of a slider over both sectors and servo pattern wedges, removing the possibility of added vibrational modes adversely affecting the slider's normal operations of reading, writing and flying above the disk surface. This also discloses the disks and their manufacture of disk surfaces with these sector zones and servo pattern wedges.
US08169722B2 Flexible printed circuit, image pickup device, and electronic equipment
A flexible printed circuit according to the present invention is anchored to a holding member disposed within electronic equipment, and comprises: a main body portion 70 that includes electrical lines; a first connection portion 71 disposed in the main body portion 70 and to which an electric component or another flexible printed circuit is connected; and a first cover portion 72 formed as part of the main body portion 70 and disposed so as to cover the first connection portion. Part of the first cover portion is held by a lens holder 6. According to this configuration, an insulated state can be reliably maintained by using a configuration in which soldered connection portions are covered by part of the FPC and the covering portion is held by the housing.
US08169721B2 Lens assembly and lens module incorporating the same
A lens assembly comprises a first lens and a second lens. The first lens includes a first central round portion and a first peripheral stepped portion surrounding the first central round portion. The first peripheral stepped portion comprises a downward-facing surface, a first supporting surface, and a first inclined surface interconnected. The second lens includes a second central round portion and a second peripheral stepped portion surrounding the second central round portion. The second peripheral stepped portion includes an upward-facing surface, a second inclined surface, a third surface, and a second supporting surface. The second lens is engaged on the first lens in a manner that the first supporting surface contacts the second supporting surface, the downward-facing surface is facing toward the upward-facing surface, the first inclined surface contacts the second inclined surface but a gap is defined between the first inclined surface and the third surface.
US08169720B2 Rear focus wide-angle lens system and electronic imaging device using the same
A rear focus wide-angle lens system includes a first lens group, a diaphragm, and a second lens group, in this order from the object. The second lens group is moved along the optical axis of the lens system when focusing is performed from infinity to an object at a closer distance. The rear focus wide-angle lens system satisfies the condition 1.5
US08169715B2 Variable focal length lens, and focal length adjusting device, and imaging apparatus that use the same
A variable focal length lens, as well as a focal length adjusting device and an imaging device using the same. A variable focal length lens has a lens, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode. A second layer and a first layer constituting the lens are formed from polyvinyl chloride with which a plasticizer has been mixed. The hardness of these layers is adjusted by adjusting the mixing quantity, plasticizer type, etc. The second layer is formed so as so cover at least a light transmission region of the first layer. When a voltage is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the second layer and first layer are deformed to be pulled to the positive electrode, and thereby the curvature of the variable focal length lens is varied to vary the focal length.
US08169709B2 Liquid optics zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A high performance zoom lens system suitable for use with a camera is disclosed. The zoom lens systems employs liquid optics and a movable lens group to provide optical performance over the zoom focal length range at focus distances from close to infinity. The system also provides compensation for undesirable thermally induced effects by adjustments of the zoom group and the variably shaped optical surface in the liquid lens cell.
US08169706B2 Light-diffusing plate for liquid crystal display device and polycarbonate resin composition for light-diffusing plate for liquid crystal display device
Provided are: a light-diffusing plate for a liquid crystal display device which plate can give an assured or improved luminance with assured light-diffusibility, suppress itself from dimensional changes caused by moisture absorption, and also prevent the device from deterioration caused by ultraviolet light generated from a lighting unit; and a polycarbonate resin composition for a light-diffusing plate which has both high light transmittivity and light-diffusibility and is excellent in flame retardancy. The present invention is a light-diffusing plate for a liquid crystal display device which plate has a lamination structure comprising two or more kinds of plastic layers; said lamination structure having at least two layers of which are different from each other in refractive index.
US08169704B2 Image display apparatus
The image display apparatus includes an image-forming element, an optical system guiding light from the image-forming element to an exit pupil, and a diffractive optical element disposed between the image-forming element and the optical system or between the optical system and the exit pupil. The diffractive optical element includes plural diffraction grating portions formed of mutually different materials. Each of the diffraction grating portions includes plural grating rings each having a grating surface and a grating side surface. In each of the grating rings, the grating side surface is inclined oppositely to the grating surface with respect to a normal to an enveloping surface passing through apexes of the plural grating rings. The diffractive optical element satisfies the following conditions at least when k=kE: θd(j, k)=sin−1 [{ni·sinθi (j, k)−m(j, k)·λ/P(j, k)}/nd]≦θi(j, k), M(k)=Σ{m(j, k)}=const, and θd(j, k)≦θ≦θi (j, k).
US08169703B1 Monolithic arrays of diffraction gratings
An optical apparatus comprises at least one primary diffraction grating and at least one reference diffraction grating each formed on or within a common grating substrate. The reference diffraction grating is arranged so as to diffract and disperse spatially according to wavelength a reference optical signal incident on the reference diffraction grating at an input incidence angle. The primary diffraction grating is arranged so as to diffract and disperse spatially according to wavelength an input optical signal incident on the primary diffraction grating at the input incidence angle. The reference and primary diffraction gratings exhibit at least one differing grating structural parameter. The reference and primary diffraction gratings are arranged so that a diffracted and spatially dispersed reference optical signal having at least one known wavelength component defines at least one spatial wavelength calibration reference for the diffracted and spatially dispersed input optical signal.
US08169695B2 Optical sub-wavelength super resolution imaging system producing nanometric spatial resolution of a scanned subject
An imaging method and system are presented for use in sub-wavelength super resolution imaging of a subject. The imaging system comprises a spatial coding unit configured for collecting light coming from the scanned subject and being spaced from the subject a distance smaller than a wavelength range of said light; a light detection unit located upstream of the spatial coding unit with respect to light propagation from the object, and configured to define a pixel array and a spatial decoding unit, which is associated with said pixel array and is configured for applying spatial decoding to a magnified image of the scanned subject, thereby producing nanometric spatial resolution of the image.
US08169686B2 Display with integrated photovoltaics
A display with patterned photovoltaic (PV) material integrated on the front side and/or back side of the display is disclosed. Light may reach PV material situated behind a display through fully or partially transmissive features or gaps within the display. Display-generated light may also reach PV material behind a display. A patterned PV material situated in front of a display may collect both ambient light as well as display-generated light.
US08169680B2 Polymers responsive to radiation pressures
Polymers that undergo a reversible phase change in response to being exposed to a light from a laser having a radiation pressure greater than a threshold level. The phase changeable polymers have the ability to reduce the intensity of the laser and can advantageously scatter laser light incident on the polymers. The on-off response of such polymers is in the microsecond range and the light scattering property is independent of laser wavelength. The polymers can beneficially be incorporated into devices to protect human vision and optical instruments that are vulnerable to lasers at high intensities. Methods for making and using such devices are also disclosed.
US08169678B2 Micro-mirror actuator having encapsulation capability and method for the production thereof
The present invention relates to a method for producing a micro-mirror actuator and the corresponding actuator. In the method, the actuator is generated from a layered construction made of at least three main layers (101, 103, 107), which are at least sectionally electrically insulated from one another via intermediate layers (102, 104, 106). The layers are structured to form the micro-mirror element and the electrodes, the structuring being performed in such a way that a closed frame (310) is formed from at least the uppermost layer (107) around the inner area of the actuator, which allows a hermetic encapsulation of the inner area by application of a cover plate onto the frame. Furthermore, a conductor level (105), which is electrically insulated from these layers via the intermediate layers, is generated between at least two of the layers and structured to form conductor paths, via which one or more electrodes may be electrically contacted from outside the frame (310) after the formation of contact openings in one or more of the intermediate layers (102, 104, 106).A hermetically sealed encapsulation of the inner area of actuator may already be achieved easily at the wafer level using the method.
US08169675B2 Apparatus and method for creating preview image of object
Apparatus and method for creating a preview image of an object is provided. The apparatus includes an object type detecting unit for detecting an object to be previewed for determining whether the type of the object is text, graphics, and image, a color matching unit for converting a color signal of the detected object into an image forming color signal by using a color profile corresponding to the detected object according to the detection result of the object type detecting unit, and a preview image creating unit for creating and displaying a preview image for the object converted into the image forming color signal. Therefore, because the preview image is displayed on a monitor according to the type of object (text, graphics, or image), a user can predict the image forming result more accurately. Further, because the colors of objects can be adjusted, a printout with desired color characteristics can be obtained.
US08169673B2 Illuminating device and image reading apparatus
An illuminating device includes a linear light source mounted on a mounting surface of a board, with a plurality of light-emitting elements being arrayed thereon, for irradiating light toward an illuminating target, a white reflecting surface provided in a planar shape parallel to an optical axis of the linear light source on a surface including the mounting surface, to reflect the light from the linear light source, and a mirror surface formed in a planar shape that reflects the light from the linear light source and reflected light from the white reflecting surface. The linear light source, the white reflecting surface, and the mirror surface are arranged such that a third plane crosses a first plane on the illuminating target side than a second plane, and 0°<θW<θR<90° is satisfied.
US08169672B2 Image scanning device and illuminating device that divide a light beam from a light source into multiple light beams and direct the multiple light beams to a target
A disclosed image scanning device illuminates a document with a light source, focuses light reflected from the document on an image sensor to obtain one-dimensional images of the document, and obtains a two-dimensional image of the document from the one-dimensional images. The device includes an illumination lens for dividing a light beam emitted from the light source into multiple light beams and a combining unit for combining the multiple light beams on the document. A disclosed image scanning method includes the steps of illuminating a document with a light source; focusing light reflected from the document on an image sensor to obtain one-dimensional images of the document; and obtaining a two-dimensional image of the document from the one-dimensional images. In this method, a light beam from the light source is divided into multiple light beams and the multiple light beams are combined on the document. A disclosed image forming apparatus includes the image scanning device.
US08169668B2 Image processing apparatus and file transmission method
An image processing apparatus is premised on the assumption that it is connected to a policy server. If no access policy is given to a file to be transmitted, the image processing apparatus forms definition information for defining an access policy, and registers the formed definition information in the policy server. The image processing apparatus then transmits, to a client computer across a network, a file to which the access policy is given.
US08169663B2 Image processing system and method for quantizing an image by using an error diffusion method
An image processing apparatus includes (i) a repulsive force generating section for setting repulsive force values RVa and RVu of a quantized pixel according to an output pixel value of the quantized pixel, (ii) a repulsive force calculating section for calculating a repulsive force value RVC to be used in quantizing a quantization-target pixel by attenuating, according to a distance between the quantized pixel and the quantization-target pixel, the repulsive force values RVa and RVu set for the quantized pixel; and (iii) a threshold value correcting section for correcting a threshold value T used in quantizing the quantization-target pixel according to the repulsive force value RVC. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of processing steps and amount of processing when an image is processed with an error diffusion method. At the same time, it is possible to prevent decrease in image uniformity and formation of a pattern unique to the error diffusion method.
US08169661B2 Method and system for scanning papers and documents presenting printed information in black & white and in colored formats
The present invention is a scanning method and system in which the colored information as well as the black & white information appearing on the individual page or upon multiple pages of a document are initially scanned in a full color, 24-bit per pixel, mode; after which, the black & white wording and/or images are then selectively identified and electronically downsized to a single bit per pixel value. This sequence of selective identification and electronic downsizing of the black & white scanned contents effectively preserves the original printed information, while retaining the accuracy and integrity of the characters forming the colored written text and illustration portions of the scanned page or document in their original 24-bit per pixel format. Via this method and system, the entirety of the scanned image is maintained as a single electronic file of markedly reduced size.
US08169650B2 Printing apparatus, method, and program for selecting, displaying, and printing group images
According to this invention, the date range can be intuitively designated by designating up, down, left, and right directions, and images stored in a storage medium can be easily restricted to images which may be subjected to printing. In order to restrict images stored in a memory card on the basis of the date, a region for inputting the start date of the date range is displayed at the upper portion of a display window on a display device, and a region for inputting the end date is displayed at the lower portion. One of the regions is designated and selected with up and down direction keys. A date in the selected region is changed with left and right direction keys. Images having storage dates between the start date and the end date are decided as printing target candidates.
US08169648B2 Driver management apparatus and method therefor
A driver management apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive a network entry message sent by unicast according to a search protocol for one-to-one connection from a device connected to a network, a determination unit configured to determine an operation environment in which the device executes a job sent from a client apparatus connected to the network, and an installation unit configured to install a driver for operating the device that has sent the network entry message according to the operation environment determined by the determination unit.
US08169646B2 Image-providing apparatus and control method thereof, printing apparatus and control method thereof, and printing system
A composite image is generated by compositing blank regions generated by tilt correction with achromatic pixels or pixels contained in the non-overlapping regions that do not overlap with the region of the original image as a result of tilt correction. The data of this composite image, which is used as image data used for printing, is provided to a printing apparatus having an automatic correction feature. As a result, variation in correction results due to the amount of tilt correction is minimized when images corrected for tilt are automatically corrected and printed.
US08169645B2 Partitioned duplex printing method based on the capacity of the output tray
A printer includes a data obtaining unit, a storage unit, an engine, and a printing unit. The data obtaining unit obtains, from print data stored in the storage unit, print data for sheets less than the maximum number of sheets dischargeable to a discharge tray as target print data and sends the target print data to the engine via the printing unit. The target print data includes first print data of odd pages and second print data of even pages. After printing the first print data on one side of sheets fed from a feed tray and discharges the sheets onto the discharge tray, the engine prints the second print data on the other side of the sheets manually returned from the discharge tray to the feed tray.
US08169644B2 Thermal dye sublimation printer and ink ribbon cassette therefor
A thermal dye sublimation printer to which an ink ribbon cassette having a function of transmitting and receiving data via wireless communication with a printer main body is attached, is disclosed. The thermal dye sublimation printer includes: communication means that transmits and receives data via wireless communication with an ink ribbon cassette; and control means that acquires management information of the ink ribbon cassette stored in the ink ribbon cassette side via the communication means and controls printing processing based on the acquired management information.
US08169643B2 Communication system including printer and user terminals for bi-directional communications
A communication system includes: at least one user terminal; a printer; a storage device; a registering unit; and a list transmitting unit. The printer includes a print controlling unit that prints an image on a recording sheet based on target print data received from a user terminal, and that prints on the same recording sheet a mark set by the user terminal according to a mark configuration parameter. The registering unit records in the storage device a combination of a mark configuration parameter and identification data that is received from one of the at least one user terminal, the mark configuration parameter indicating configuration of a mark that has been set at the subject user terminal, the identification data identifying one user that has set the mark. The list transmitting unit transmits to each user terminal data of a mark list that lists up at least one combination of the mark configuration parameter and the identification data that has been stored in the storage device.
US08169642B2 Image forming system, image forming apparatus and device, and recording medium for erasing data in a memory unit
An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus that are connected to each other via a network. The first image forming apparatus includes a transmitter unit transferring reproduced data of data for transfer to the second image forming apparatus via the network, a memory unit storing the data for transfer, and a data eraser unit erasing the data in the memory unit and transmitting an instruction to erase the corresponding data to the second image forming apparatus when a user inputs an instruction to erase the data for transfer. The second image forming apparatus includes a receiver unit receiving the transferred data, a memory unit storing the received data, and an eraser unit erasing the corresponding data in the memory unit according to the erase instruction transmitted from the first image forming apparatus.
US08169640B2 Network system, network setup method, and program and storage medium therefor
A network system and network system setting method including a control apparatus connected to a network and an image processing apparatus connected to the control apparatus so as to access the network, where when setup information for the image processing apparatus is transmitted to another image processing apparatus, setup information for the control apparatus is also transmitted.
US08169639B2 Communication system providing services from a server to a client device
An image processing device is configured to provide a service relating to at least one of (1) the image data generated by the function of the image processing device and (2) image data representing the image to be formed, in response to a request from the image processing device. The image processing device may include a parameter designating unit, a service request unit, and a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit. The service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit provided to the image processing device.
US08169636B2 Method, computer and computer program modules to transfer data in a computer network, and such a computer network
In a method, a computer, and computer program modules to transfer data between servers of a computer network, a computer program module supplying the data from a first server is provided, and a reading computer program module is provided that reads the supplied data, and wherein one of the following transmission modes is selected: 1) a complete storage of the data in a file occurs before the reading computer program module reads the data; 2) a segment-by-segment storage of the data in a file occurs such that the reading computer program module already begins with the reading of a segment while the supplying computer program module is still supplying data; and 3) a direct transmission of the data between the supplying computer program module and the reading computer program module occurs without buffering.
US08169631B2 Printing apparatus, information processing apparatus, control method thereof, print management system, and program
An apparatus and method for printing data based on an electronic file and generating management information about the print data including receiving print data and identification information associated with the electronic file, comparing the received print data with registered print data registered in a management apparatus based on the identification information, and registering the management information.
US08169627B2 Image outputting system
There is described an image outputting system including a controlling apparatus and an image outputting apparatus. The image outputting apparatus is provided with an inputting unit to input a change instruction with respect to the print products and a setting-change instructing unit to transmit the change instruction to the controlling apparatus, when the change instruction, inputted from the inputting unit, includes a change of the setting information. The controlling apparatus is provided with a first changing unit to rewrite the setting information attached to the first-type image data being an object of the change instruction, based on the change instruction when receiving the change instruction and an image develop processing section to convert the first-type image data, being an object of the change instruction, to the second-type image data, based on the setting information rewritten, and to send the second-type image data to the image outputting apparatus.
US08169622B1 Optical sensor for mounting to a washing machine or dish washer
An optical sensor (10) for fitting to a washing machine or dishwasher is proposed, comprising: a housing (16), an arrangement, which is housed in the housing, of optical components, the optical components comprising a controllable light emitter (26) and a first and a second light receiver (28, 30), and an electronic analysis and control unit (36) which is connected to the light emitter (26) and the two light receivers (28, 30), the first light receiver (28) being arranged at the end of a first light measurement path (54) which starts at the light emitter (26) and runs on a portion outside the housing (16), and the second light receiver (30) being arranged at the end of a second light measurement path (56) which starts at the light emitter (26), and when the sensor is fitted to the machine as specified, the first light measurement path running on a portion through a washing space (14) of the machine, and is the second light measurement path running completely outside this washing space, the analysis and control unit (36) being set up to control the luminous flux of the light emitter (26), depending on an output signal of the second light receiver (30).
US08169617B2 Method and apparatus for phase sensitive surface plasmon resonance
There is disclosed a phase sensitive surface plasmon resonance sensing apparatus wherein a testing beam may be reflected from a sensing surface at a plurality of angles. There are also disclosed methods for surface plasmon resonance sensing.
US08169613B1 Segmented polarizer for optimizing performance of a surface inspection system
A polarizing device may be used with sample inspection system having one or more collection systems that receive scattered radiation from a region on a sample surface and direct it to a detector. The polarizing device disposed between the collection system(s) and the detector. The polarizing device may include a plurality of polarizing sections. The sections may be characterized by different polarization characteristics. The polarizing device is configured to transmit scattered radiation from defects to the detector and to block noise from background sources that do not share characteristics with scattered radiation from the defects from reaching the detector while, maximizing a capture rate for the defects the detector at a less than optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
US08169612B2 System and method for performing ellipsometric measurements on an arbitrarily large or continuously moving sample
A method for calibrating an apparatus for ellipsometric measurements performed on an arbitrarily large or continuously moving sample, using a visible sample reference frame, and one or more laser sources in order to calibrate the ellipsometer for variations in the distance between the ellipsometer apparatus and the sample of interest. Included are techniques for projecting a first laser beam spot from an incident laser source onto a sample, then analyzing the position of the first laser beam spot relative to the center of the sample reference frame using human-aided measurements and confirmations and/or computer vision techniques. Then adjusting pivot points and/or apparatus-to-sample distance to achieve a first beam spot being located about the center of the sample reference frame, and concurrently intersecting the plane of the sample. Other techniques include changing the incidence and reflectance angle using a semi-circular track arc design with a stepping motor activating each goniometer arm.
US08169610B2 DNA sequencing system
An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.
US08169608B2 Optical characteristic measurement device and optical characteristic measurement method suitable for spectrum measurement
An optical characteristic measurement device includes a photodetector and a processor. The photodetector has a detection surface greater than a light incident surface receiving light from a spectrometer. The processor is configured to obtain a measurement spectrum detected in a first detection area corresponding to the light incident surface and a signal intensity detected in a second detection area different from the light incident surface, correct a pattern prepared in advance and exhibiting a noise characteristic of the photodetector based on the signal intensity to calculate a first correction spectrum, subtract a correction value calculated based on the signal intensity from each component value of the measurement spectrum to calculate a second correction spectrum, and subtract each component value of the first correction spectrum from a corresponding component value of the second correction spectrum to calculate an output spectrum.
US08169607B2 Optical characteristic measurement device and optical characteristic measurement method suitable for spectrum measurement
A processing unit obtains a first spectrum detected in a first detection area and a first signal intensity detected in a second detection area after the light entering the housing is cut off, and then calculates a first correction spectrum by subtracting a first correction value calculated based on the first signal intensity from each component value of the first spectrum. The processing unit obtains a second spectrum detected in the first detection area and a second signal intensity detected in the second detection area while a cut-off portion is opened, and then calculates a second correction spectrum by subtracting a second correction value calculated based on the second signal intensity from each component value of the second spectrum. The processing unit calculates an output spectrum representing a measurement result by subtracting a corresponding component value of the first correction spectrum from each component value of the second correction spectrum.
US08169603B2 Lens-testing apparatus and lens-testing method having a plurality of combinations of object distances
One embodiment of the invention provides a lens-testing apparatus being used for testing a lens device. The lens-testing apparatus comprises a light module, at least one first and second image sensors, and at least one image sensor module. The light module generates a patterned light beam passing the lens device. The first and second image sensors receive first and second portions of the patterned light beam; the first image sensor is disposed between the second image sensor and the lens device. The image sensor module receives a substantially parallel third portion of the patterned light beam, and comprises a third image sensor and a collimator. The third portion of the patterned light beam is focused onto the third image sensor by the collimator; the distance between the first image sensor and the lens device is smaller than the distance between the second image sensor and the lens device.
US08169602B2 Automated document processing system and method
A document processing system includes an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past an image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The image scanner operates to obtain images of the documents and further operates to obtain images of selected portions of the documents, and further can obtain information contained in the selected portions. The discrimination unit operates to determine document authenticity. A system controller directs the flow of documents over the transport mechanism.
US08169599B2 Device and method for measuring parts
A device and method for measuring moving material includes a processor and operating software associated therewith; a light source for emitting at least two polarized light beams in a manner wherein the beams cross thereby creating an interference region and generate a set of fringes; a sensor aligned relative to the interference region wherein the fringes have a predetermined orientation to the directional movement of the material and wherein the sensor is operably equipped to receive scattered light emanating from the interference region and provide a time varying signal to the processor such that the processor can manipulate and convert the signal to speed and distance and a polarizing filter operably associating a polarizing filter with one of the sensor and the emitting means in a manner to substantially preclude reflected polarized light from the interference region back to one of the sensor and the emitting source.
US08169597B2 Method and apparatus for laser return characterization in a countermeasures system
In a method for laser return characterization in a DIRCM system, the improvement locating a single IR detector in an aperture in an image mirror so that its output can be used for countermeasure effectiveness measurement, missile range measurement, missile characteristic determination and to provide an AGC signal for tracking camera gain control.
US08169596B2 System and method using a multi-plane curtain
A multi-plane scanner support system includes a bracket and a mirror block. The bracket is configured to be secured in a fixed orientation with respect to a scanner. And the mirror block is arranged to receive a scanning signal from the scanner and to reflect the scanning signal into a plurality of directions to create multiple scanning planes. The scanner can be a laser scanner. The scanner and multi-plane scanner support system can be attached to a material transport vehicle, for example, to provide safety functions. The vehicle can be manned or unmanned.
US08169595B2 Optical apparatus and method for modifying the imaging behavior of such apparatus
The disclosure relates to an optical apparatus including a light source that emits light in the form of light pulses having a pulse frequency, and including at least one optical element. The disclosure also relates to a projection exposure machine including a pulsed light source and a projection objective, and to a method for modifying the imaging behavior of such an apparatus, such as in a projection exposure machine.
US08169587B2 Methods and systems for strengthening LCD modules
Systems and methods for improving strength of thin displays, such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) displays, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display can use an asymmetrical arrangement of layers (e.g., glass layers) where one layer is thicker than another layer. Different scribing techniques can also be used in singulating the different layers. The asymmetrical arrangement and/or scribing techniques can facilitate displays that are not only thin but also adequately strong to limit susceptibility to damage.
US08169584B2 Fabricating method of a lightweight liquid crystal display device utilizing an auxiliary seal pattern
A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes: providing first and second substrates having a plurality of unit cell regions; forming a plurality of main seal patterns on the first substrate, each main seal pattern having an injection; forming an auxiliary seal pattern on the first substrate, the auxiliary seal pattern surrounding the plurality of main seal patterns and having at least one open portion; attaching the first substrate to the second substrate; providing an adhesive at the at least one open portion; and etching the first and second substrates, wherein a viscosity of the adhesive is within a range of about 5 to 100 centipoises (cP).
US08169582B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and including a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode spaced apart from the first sub-pixel electrode by a gap, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, a shielding member disposed on the first substrate or the second substrate and overlapping the gap between the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode, an alignment layer disposed on at least one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08169578B2 Method of driving a liquid crystal display device with specific steps of sequentially applying control signals and gate signals to respective four thin film transistors
A liquid crystal display device and a driving method thereof for reducing the number of data lines and the number of data drive integrated circuits corresponding thereto are disclosed. In the device, a plurality of gate lines is provided in a direction crossing a plurality of data lines. First and second control lines are provided in a direction being parallel to the gate lines. First liquid crystal cells are provided at one side on a basis of the data lines. Second liquid crystal cells are provided at other side on a basis of the data lines. A first switching part is provided for each first liquid crystal cell to apply video signals supplied from the data lines to the first liquid crystal cells under control of the first control line and the gate line. A second switching part is provided for each second liquid crystal cell to apply video signals supplied from the data lines to the second liquid crystal cells under control of the second control line and the gate line.
US08169576B2 Production method of liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device
To provide a production method of a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display device, in which generation of a joint line on a display screen is suppressed and yield can be improved even if a substrate is subjected to an alignment treatment by completing exposure for the substrate through several exposures in a liquid crystal display device including pixels each having two or more domains. The present invention is a production method of a production method of a liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display device including: a pair of opposed substrates; a liquid crystal layer formed between the pair of opposed substrates; and an alignment film arranged on a liquid crystal layer side surface of at least one of the pair of opposed substrates, and the liquid crystal display device having two or more regions which differ in alignment azimuth in a pixel, wherein the production method comprises an exposure step of exposing the alignment film in such a way that a substrate plane is divided into two or more exposure regions through a photomask in each exposure region, and in the exposure step, exposure is performed in such a way that adjacent two exposure regions have an overlapping exposure region where the adjacent two exposure regions partly overlap with each other, and the photomask has a halftone part corresponding to the overlapping exposure region.
US08169568B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device has a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and the second substrates. The first substrate includes a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. The second substrate includes a color filter facing a pixel electrode of one of the pixels, and a black matrix formed on a region except the color filter. The black matrix has an opening that exposes a portion of one of the gate electrodes. External light entering the opening is reflected from the gate electrode.
US08169563B2 Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly includes a light source, a light-guide plate, a mold frame and a bottom chassis. The mold frame includes a first bottom portion, a protrusion on a first surface of the first bottom portion and a first sidewall portion on a second surface of the first bottom portion opposite to the first surface of the first bottom portion and facing the light guide plate. The bottom chassis includes a second bottom portion having a hole to receive the protrusion of the first bottom portion, and a second sidewall portion facing the light guide plate. A cross sectional area of a first opening of the hole corresponding to an inner surface of the bottom chassis and contacting the first surface of mold frame is different than a cross sectional area of a second opening of the hole corresponding to an outer surface of the bottom chassis.
US08169562B2 Liquid crystal display with plastic frame having side opening and cooperative sliding guide
An exemplary liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, and a plastic frame accommodating the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel includes a display region, and peripheral regions adjacent to the display region. The plastic frame includes an opening defined in portions where a first side wall is located, two second side walls adjacent to the first side wall, two sliding guides defined at opposite inner sides of portions of the plastic frame that are adjacent to the second side walls, and a stopping board. The opening allows the liquid crystal panel to be inserted into the plastic frame therethrough. The sliding guides communicate with the opening, and are allow the liquid crystal panel to slide into the plastic frame therealong. The stopping board abuts the peripheral regions of the liquid crystal panel for limiting the liquid crystal panel from undesirably departing from the plastic frame.
US08169559B2 Array substrate and method of manufacturing the same
In an array substrate and a method of manufacturing the array substrate, an array substrate includes a first switching element, a second switching element, a third switching element and a fourth switching element. The first switching element is electrically connected to a first data line. The second switching element is electrically connected to a second data line adjacent to the first data line. The third switching element is electrically connected to a data power line interposed between the first and second data lines. The fourth switching element is electrically connected to a gate power line receiving a voltage having different polarity from a voltage applied to the data power line. Therefore, light transmittance, opening ratio and display quality are improved.
US08169555B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode, a second substrate, a liquid crystal interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, pixels each having a transmissive portion for performing a transmissive display and a reflective portion for performing a reflective display, and a driving circuit driving the pixels. Here, a third electrode is disposed in the second substrate opposed to the first substrate with the liquid crystal interposed therebetween. The first electrode is disposed in the transmissive portion along with the second electrode and is also disposed in the reflective portion along with the third electrode. The driving circuit is provided to independently apply potentials to the second electrode and the third electrode.
US08169547B2 Processing of video image
The present invention relates to a video image processor (1) that is configured to compare (7) a single frame included in the received video signal (3) with a preceding processed frame so as to detect changes. In order to enable the video being compressed in as compact a format as possible the processor (1) is configured to detect (7) changes by dividing the pixels of a single frame into movement blocks and to detect the movement block as changed if in said movement block there is a given number of pixels whose color value change as compared with the corresponding pixels of the preceding processed frame exceeds a predetermined threshold, to exchange (8) the color values of the pixels of the unchanged movement blocks in the frame under process for predetermined values and to generate a signal (4) that indicates the changes.
US08169544B2 Image processing apparatus and method
To eliminate a signal deviation that occurs when scaling processing is performed on image data including multiple signals having different data rates, there is provided an image processing apparatus which performs scaling processing on image data including multiple signals having different data rates and includes a first scaling processing unit that performs a first scaling processing according to a first scale factor in a first area; and a second scaling processing unit that performs a second scaling processing subsequent to the first scaling processing, according to a second scale factor in a second area adjacent to the first area, on a signal having a high data rate using the first scale factor, and performs the second scaling processing on a signal having a low data rate using the second scale factor obtained by correcting the first scale factor, after the first scaling processing.
US08169541B2 Method of converting frame rate of video signal
A method of converting a frame rate of a video signal includes the steps of: receiving a pulldown film sequence existing in or converted from a sequence of successive-in-time frames of the video signal, in which the pulldown film sequence comprises a plurality of diverse original frames each having a corresponding number of duplicate frames; modifying the original frames; performing estimation of at least one motion vector associated with the modified original frames; and interpolating new frames between the modified original frames in accordance with the motion vector.
US08169538B2 Image rotation adaptor
An image rotation adapter that is configured to be detachably mounted between an image capturing lens and a camera main body in a camera and includes a first prism configured to invert the object image passed through the image capturing lens by reflecting an odd number of times object light passed through the image capturing lens and a second prism that is supported rotatably about the optical axis, and that is configured to further invert the object image inverted by the first prism by reflecting an odd number of times the object light passed through the first prism; an operation device configured to perform an operation to rotate the second prism; and a relay optical system configured to re-form the object image passed through the second prism on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device.
US08169537B2 Control method, control apparatus and control program for photographing apparatus
The present invention relates to a control method of a photographing apparatus, the photographing apparatus and a control program, which are capable of automatically determining a photographing mode capable of generating a sharper image. If a first exposure time is equal to or shorter than a first threshold value, a control circuit 18 makes a decision to take an input image in a first mode. The first exposure time is an exposure time required for taking one input image on the assumption that a photographing operation is carried out in the first mode for generating one output image by taking one input image. If the first exposure time is neither equal to nor shorter than the first threshold value, on the other hand, the control circuit 18 makes a decision to take a plurality of input images in a second mode provided that a second exposure time is equal to or shorter than a second threshold value. The second exposure time is an exposure time required for taking each of the input images successively on the assumption that a photographing operation is carried out in the second mode for generating one output image by taking the input images successively. The present invention can be applied for example to a digital camera.
US08169531B2 System and method for automatically focusing an optical lens of an image measuring machine
A system and method for automatically focusing an optical lens controls the light generated by a light-emitting device of an image measuring machine to penetrate a glass sheet, so as to project a picture of the glass sheet onto an object. The system and method further moves an optical lens along a Z-axis of the image measuring machine to capture one or more digital images of the object, and computes a definition value of each captured digital image. Furthermore, the system and method obtains a focus position corresponding to the highest definition value of the captured digital image.
US08169529B2 Apparatus and methods for performing light metering in an imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an image of a subject, a finder optical system configured to enable a photographer to optically observe the subject, a light-metering unit configured to perform a light-metering operation for a light flux that enters the finder optical system, an image display unit disposed in the finder optical system and configured to display an image of the subject captured by the image sensor and to enable the photographer to observe an image of the subject captured by the image sensor when the photographer looks in the finder optical system, and a control unit configured to prevent the image display unit from performing the display of the image when the light-metering unit performs the light-metering operation.
US08169527B2 Apparatus selectively presenting distortion corrected image data
Relative to an image processing apparatus that processes image data containing a distortion of an image pickup optical section, which is obtained by picking up an optical image from a subject through the image pickup optical section giving the distortion, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program therefor, a recording medium in which the program is recorded, an image pickup apparatus, which are easily used by the user conveniently, are provided. A data output section (13d) outputs the image data of a display image that corresponds to a display mode by using a subject image whose selected region which indicates a part of a field of view represented by the image data is made identifiable and a distortion-corrected image of the selected region. A display mode setting section (13c) performs setting of the display mode. In accordance with switching of the selected region, a control section (13e) changes a first display mode in which the subject image whose selected region is made identifiable is not used in the display image to a second display mode in which the subject image whose selected region is made identifiable is used in the display image.
US08169526B2 Low noise signal reproducing method for a solid state imaging device
A method for reproducing a low noise signal for a solid state imaging device which can reduce not only the reset noise but the amplifier noise around frequency zero, avoiding the saturation of the voltage conversion part in a bright scene, is accomplished by controlling a reset pulse of a CCD imaging device according to the result of comparing the output signal of the CCD imaging device with a reference signal value. When the output signal of the CCD imaging device is smaller than the reference signal value, the reset pulse is not applied to the CCD imaging device. Thereat, a pixel signal is reproduced as a differential signal between two signals sampled at two points with an interval of T0, the amplifier noise around frequency zero being reduced in the pixel signals.
US08169525B2 Image sensing device and image sensing system
An image sensing device comprises a readout unit, an output amplifier, and a horizontal scanning unit, wherein the horizontal scanning unit scans a plurality of column signal holding circuits in a plurality of holding blocks in the readout unit in a direction along a row, in each holding block, a first operation in which the signal held in a first holding unit is transferred to a second holding unit via a transfer switch is performed, and subsequently, a second operation in which the signal held in the second holding unit is transferred to the output amplifier, and a third operation in which a signal output from a pixel is read out to the first holding unit are performed in parallel, and the second operation and the first operation are performed in parallel between different holding blocks in the plurality of holding blocks.
US08169520B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus and camera
A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of sensors that are formed on a substrate on a pixel basis and photoelectrically convert the light incident from a first surface side of the substrate, and a readout circuit that is formed on a second surface side of the substrate, which is the opposite side to the first surface side, and processes a signal from the plurality of sensors. The readout circuit includes a plurality of transistors and the transistors are disposed in a region between the pixels in an aligned manner.
US08169519B1 System and method for reducing motion blur using CCD charge shifting
A method and system is disclosed for reducing motion blur using CCD charge shifting. In one embodiment, photodiode wells are exposed for a set of successive exposures with each exposure duration being a fraction of a total exposure time. After each successive exposure, the photodiode wells integrate signal charges and shift them to corresponding storage lines. The shifted signal charges are then shifted along the storage lines for a specified number of storage units. At the same time, the CCD is moved in the direction of a leading edge of the CCD. The photodiode wells are then exposed for another exposure to produce another set of signal charges, which are shifted to the storage lines. Signal charges from the successive exposures are accumulated at the storage lines. After all successive exposures have been taken, the accumulated signal charges are shifted to a serial shift register and output to form an image.
US08169518B2 Image pickup apparatus and signal processing method
An image pickup apparatus includes: a solid-state image sensing device that includes a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including: a photoelectric conversion film; and a photoelectric conversion element that is formed in the semiconductor substrate below the photoelectric conversion film, are made up of at least three types of photoelectric conversion elements for detecting light in different wave ranges, of visible light, and absorbs light in a wave range different from the wave ranges detected in the at least three types of photoelectric conversion elements and generates a charge responsive to the absorbed light, the image pickup apparatus further including: a monochrome image data generation unit; a color image data generation unit; and a record image data generation unit.
US08169515B2 Processing data from a CCD and CCD imaging apparatus to correct smearing artifacts
A method of processing data from a CCD 1 having a line of light sensitive CCD elements is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving measured illumination data readout from the CCD corresponding to measurements of charge associated with each element of the line of light sensitive CCD elements and removing from the measured illumination data in respect of each CCD element a component dependent upon illumination recorded by each of the other CCD elements through which the charge from the CCD element passed during the readout process.
US08169513B2 Cameras and defective pixel compensation methods for image sensors thereof
A camera with defective pixel compensation is provided. The camera comprises a register and a compensating unit. The compensating unit receives an image datum and a plurality of adjacent image data relating to the image datum and, according to the value installed in the register, the compensator selects a reference datum from the plurality of adjacent image data. When the image datum is greater than the reference datum by a threshold value, the compensating unit modifies the image datum according to the reference datum.
US08169511B2 Imaging apparatus and photographing control method
After an end of exposure, a data level of OB signals that are imaging signals output from OB portion 400 are sampled by a CDS circuit 6 twice, to artificially generate two OB signals from each OB signal. Thereby, assuming that the total number of OB signals required to stabilize the black level in the clamp circuit 9 is n, the black level can be stabilized before it is started to output effective signals that are imaging signals from effective pixel portion 200 even if the number of OB signals output from the OB portion 400 is 1/n (in the case where pixel mixing or pixel thinning is performed, or in the case where the number of photoelectric conversion elements in the OB portion 400 is less than n). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image degradation by suppressing a wrong black level.
US08169508B2 Image input apparatus for forming a composite image based on a photoelectric conversion signal and a saturation signal
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image input apparatus including a plurality of pixel sections, each including a light-sensitive element configured to generate electric charge by photoelectric conversion, a semiconductor region configured to receive a signal transferred from the light-sensitive element, and a transfer switch configured to transfer the signal from the light-sensitive element to the semiconductor region. An image is formed based on a composite signal obtained by combining a saturation signal representing photoelectric charge overflowing from the light-sensitive element and flowing into the semiconductor region and a photoelectric conversion signal stored in the light-sensitive element. Formation of the image is controlled based on a corrected composite signal obtained by correcting a component corresponding to a noise component. The noise component includes a noise component generated in the semiconductor region during a charge accumulation period during which the light-sensitive element performs the photoelectric conversion.
US08169499B2 Solid-state image pick-up device, data transmission method, and image pickup apparatus
A video camera (100) for transmitting image data from an image pickup device to an image processing device with reduced electric power includes a C-MOS image sensor (110) that reads captured image data on the basis of a reference clock CLK0, a frequency multiplying circuit (121) that generates a high-speed clock CLK1, a rearranging circuit (122) that transposes the captured image data into bit data sequences, a data output section (120) that causes each data transmitter (124) to sequentially transmit a corresponding bit data sequence to the outside on the basis of the high-speed clock CLK1, and a system controller (400) that drives data transmitters (124), the number of which is proportional to a transmission speed.
US08169495B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic panoramic capturing
A method and apparatus for capturing an image depicting an area or region of interest. The method and apparatus use a large sensor, and a sampling function, which can be non-uniform, so that sensor cells depicting the region or object of interest are sampled more densely than other sensor cells, thus providing more details for the object or region of interest than to other areas, while still showing other areas for orientation and navigation purposes. The method and apparatus can be used for tracking the object or area of interest if either the area or object of interest, or the capturing device moves, by constantly adapting the densely sampled area on the sensor. The method and apparatus can be used for controlling the capturing device from a remote location.
US08169494B2 Image sensing apparatus and method of controlling image sensing apparatus
An image sensing apparatus comprises: a pixel array including a first pixel group and a second pixel group; a first readout unit which reads out a first signal from the first pixel group in a readout period which remains constant regardless of the operation modes; a second readout unit which reads out a second signal from the second pixel group in a readout period selected in accordance with a switched operation mode between the operation modes; and a control unit which controls a performance of generating an evaluation value by using the first signal of the first pixel group, and which controls at least one of image displaying performance and image recording performance by using the second signal of the second pixel group.
US08169490B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a motion prediction processor configured to detect a motion vector that indicates inter-image motion between a current image and a reference image; a motion compensation processor configured to perform a motion compensation process for the reference image by using the motion vector and generate a motion compensated image; an addition processor configured to generate a noise reduced image in which noise of the current image is reduced by adding the current image and the motion compensated image; an addition determination unit configured to compute an addition weight in units of pixels of the motion compensated image; a down-sampling processor configured to perform a process for reducing the current image and the motion compensated image; and an up-sampling processor configured to perform a process for expanding an addition coefficient map that is an output of the addition determination unit.
US08169483B1 System and method for synchronizing waveform data with an associated video
A subject is connected to a monitoring system and videoed while being monitored. The monitoring system receives raw data from the subject and processes the raw data into waveform data, and transmits the waveform data to a marking device. The marking device simultaneously marks the waveform data with a waveform reference point and causes a light emitting diode to flash in the video, thereby creating a video reference point. A computer program locks the waveform reference point with the video reference point and thereby synchronizes the waveform data with the video.
US08169482B2 Monitor video accumulation system
A surveillance video accumulation system pertaining to the present invention includes a plurality of surveillance camera units and a video accumulation unit that are connected with each other via a network. Among pieces of video data that have been encoded according to a prediction encoding method and transmitted from all the surveillance camera units, the video accumulation unit accumulates video data transmitted from a selected one of the surveillance camera units. Before the selection, if specified as a surveillance camera unit that is expected to shoot a subject, each of the surveillance camera units encodes video data of the subject based only on intra frame prediction and transmits the encoded video data to the accumulation unit.
US08169481B2 System architecture and process for assessing multi-perspective multi-context abnormal behavior
A multi-perspective context sensitive behavior assessment system includes an adaptive behavior model builder establishing a real-time reference model that captures intention of motion behavior. It operates by modeling outputs of multiple user defined scoring functions with respect to multiple references of application specific target areas of interest. The target areas have criticality values representing a user's preference regarding the target areas with respect to one another. The outputs of the scoring functions are multiplied by the critically values to form high level sequences of representation that are communicated to the user.
US08169480B2 Method for automatically calibrating a virtual camera system
A method for producing a time sequence of images of motor vehicle surroundings from a virtual elevated central perspective on a display wherein several cameras are used to record time sequences of subimage data records from a plurality of real perspectives differently offset and tilted with respect to the virtual perspective. Then, parameterized transformations are applied for obtaining sequences of transformed subimage data records and overall image data for an overall image from the virtual perspective is assembled. Finally, the sequence of the overall image data is displayed as an overall image. To compensate for positional and/or orientation deviations in the recording cameras a selection unit is proposed to recurrently apply a selection criterion for selecting a subimage data record from the sequence and to take this as a basis for redetermining the parameters of the transformations by an optimization method under a quality criterion for the overall image.
US08169475B2 Image processing system, imaging system, and microscope imaging system
An image processing system comprising an image data acquisition unit for acquiring captured image data, with a first image processing unit for performing first image processing relating to color correction and gradation correction on the image data, a second image processing unit for performing second image processing relating to color correction based on a Color Appearance Model on the image data, a parameter calculation unit for calculating an image processing parameter used in the first image processing from the image data before the second image processing and the image data after the second image processing, and a control unit for setting the image processing parameter to the first image processing unit.
US08169472B2 Image display apparatus with interactive database
An image display apparatus 104 according to the present invention includes a DB 130 which stores patient information of a subject, a display unit 140 that displays a group of intra-subject images of the subject and patient information, an input unit 120 that inputs at least a part of the patient information of the subject, a control unit 150, and an I/F 160 that is communicatively connected to an external receiving device. The control unit 150 searches the DB 130 for patient information of a desired subject based on information input by the input unit 120, and displays the searched patient information on the display unit 140. The patient information is transferred to the external receiving device via the I/F 160, and registered in the external receiving device.
US08169464B2 Hardware architecture for video conferencing
Video processing architectures, systems, and methods for a multipoint control unit are provided. In one example, a video processing system includes a motherboard and at least one daughterboard, each daughterboard having a plurality of processors interconnected via a daughterboard switch, where the daughterboard switch is configured to switch data between the plurality of processors and between the motherboard and daughterboard. The video processing system may further include a plurality of daughterboards each having an identical hardware and/or mechanical configuration. The plurality of daughterboards may be configured to be mechanically and electrically couplable together in any order, and may be stackable to form a series chain of daughterboards extending from the motherboard, each respective daughterboard switch being further configured to switch data to a daughterboard switch on another daughterboard to permit data flow along said series chain.
US08169459B2 Compensation method in radial direction on label side of optical disc
The disclosure discloses a compensation method in a radial direction on a label side of an optical disc. An optical disc is inserted into an optical disk drive. The data side of the optical disc is divided into at least one compensation area. An optical pick-up head (OPU) is moved from inner to outer rings by simulating a writing process. The OPU is moved to some pre-determined points and radial-directional compensation is performed to obtain radial-directional voltage gains at the pre-determined points. The voltage gains are recorded. The label side of an optical disc is inserted into the optical disk drive. The simulated track number is calculated on the basis of the required moving distance for the OPU to write pattern on the label side. The OPU is moved to write the label side by a radial-directional lens driving voltage compensated with a gain obtained from a compensation formula.
US08169454B1 Patterning a surface using pre-objective and post-objective raster scanning systems
Scanning beam systems in both pre-objective and post-objective designs for display, printing and other applications. Various servo feedback control mechanisms are described to control display imaging qualities on fluorescent screens that emit fluorescent light to form images or a target surface of a printing medium or other objects.
US08169448B2 Mobile terminal and display method thereof
A display unit includes a transparent light emitting element and displaying information on both sides thereof; a sensing unit for detecting the direction in which the screen of the display unit faces; and a controller for determining a placed state of the display unit according to the detected screen direction and changing information displayed on the display unit according to the determined placed state of the display unit. The screen direction may be one of a first direction in which a front surface of the display unit faces upward, and a second direction in which a rear surface of the display unit faces upward. By using the transparent display device, information can be displayed by using both surfaces of the display device, and displayed information can be changed according to a placed state of the display device. Thus, the users' interest and fun can be aroused and user convenience can be provided.
US08169442B2 Graphic system comprising a fragment graphic module and relative rendering method
A graphic system having a central processing unit; a system memory coupled to the central processing unit; a display unit provided with a corresponding screen; a graphic module coupled to and controlled by the central processing unit to render an image on the screen of the display unit, the graphic module including a fragment graphic module having a depth test buffer for storing a current depth value; a depth test stage coupled to the depth test buffer for comparing the current depth value with a depth coordinate associated with an incoming fragment and defining a resulting fragment; a test stage for testing the resulting fragment and defining a retained fragment; a buffer writing stage operatively associated with the test stage for receiving the retained fragment, the buffer writing stage coupled to the depth test buffer for updating the current depth value with a depth value of the retained fragment.
US08169440B2 Parallel data processing apparatus
A method of processing data relating to geometrical primitives is disclosed. Each of the primitives has a plurality of vertices. The method uses a plurality of processing elements in parallel with one another, and comprises assigning respective vertex data to the processing elements, on each processing element, and in parallel with one another, performing at least one processing step on vertex data to produce processed vertex data, and transferring processed vertex data between processing elements so as to assemble primitive data.
US08169433B2 Apparatus and method for three-dimensional model retrieval
The present invention relates to three-dimensional model retrieval apparatus and method. The three-dimensional model retrieval apparatus according to the present invention comprises a model normalizing unit for rotating and/or translating a three-dimensional model so that main axis directions of the three-dimensional model are consistent with coordinate axes of a system coordinate system, and barycenter of the three-dimensional model is consistent with origin of the system coordinate system; a two-dimensional image generating unit for projecting said three-dimensional model respectively in a positive direction and a negative direction of each coordinate axis of said system coordinate system to generate a plurality of two-dimensional images; a model describing unit for generating a model descriptor of the three-dimensional model from said two-dimensional images; and a retrieving unit for retrieving, based on said model descriptor, a three-dimensional model which most matches an input query from a model database.
US08169431B2 Methods and systems for image tonescale design
Elements of the present invention relate to systems and methods for generating, a modified process for compensating for a reduced source light illumination level as well as a post-compensation process.
US08169428B2 Display substrate, method of manufacturing the same and display device having the same
A display device includes silver-molybdenum alloy electrodes having high reflectivity despite annealing temperatures. The display may have a first display substrate, a second display substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The first display substrate includes signal-applying modules (e.g., TFTs) disposed on a first substrate each including an output terminal configured to output a data signal, a patterned insulation layer having contact holes that expose the output terminals, and silver-molybdenum alloy electrodes (made of silver and molybdenum) electrically connected to the output terminals. The silver-molybdenum alloy electrode is employed in the display device, thereby increasing reflectivity of the display device and improving display quality of an image displayed by the display device.
US08169425B2 Source driver adapted to a display panel
A source driver and a driving method thereof are provided. The source driver is adapted to a display panel. The source driver includes an output buffer and a regulating unit. The output buffer has an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal of the output buffer receives a pixel signal. The output terminal of the output buffer is coupled to the display panel for outputting an output signal. The regulating unit is coupled to the output terminal of the output buffer, for providing a charging current or a discharging current to the output terminal of the output buffer according to a polarity of the pixel signal. Thereby, a slew rate of the output signal is increased.
US08169424B2 Active matrix display device
A display device includes a dynamic ratioless shift register which is operated in a stable manner and can expand the degree of freedom of design. In the dynamic ratioless shift register which is provided with thin film transistors having semiconductor layers made of p-Si on a substrate surface, a node which becomes the floating state is connected to a fixed potential through a capacitance element.
US08169420B2 Reporting optical tracking data based on integrated resolution switching and surface detection
An integrated resolution switching surface detection system for an optical navigation device. The integrated resolution switching surface detection system includes a resolution switching engine, a surface detection engine, and a navigation engine. The resolution switching engine sets a resolution status based on a motion speed of a tracking surface relative to a navigation sensor, wherein the motion speed is a measure of motion data over time. The surface detection engine sets a surface detection status based on the resolution status that is set by the resolution engine. The navigation engine reads motion data from the navigation sensor and reports the motion data to a computing device according to the surface detection status that is set by the surface detection engine. Embodiments of the integrated resolution switching surface detection system maintain smooth and predictable cursor movement associated with a plurality of finger assert and finger de-assert events.
US08169419B2 Power efficient capacitive detection
Capacitive detection systems, modules, and methods. In one embodiment, a power saving mode is implemented when deemed appropriate, based on an analysis of previous detection or non-detection of the presence and/or position of an object near a capacitive sensing area.
US08169415B2 Touch sensor device
Provided is a touch sensor device including: at least one terminal connected to at least one contact pad; at least one common terminal; at least one light emitter connected between the common terminal and the terminal; and a touch sensor and light-emission controller unit connected to the common terminal and the terminal, and when a touch is sensed by the contact pad, controlling a corresponding light emitter to emit light.
US08169413B2 Method for operating touch input device and portable terminal using the same
A method for operating a touch input device and a portable terminal using the touch input device may prevent a malfunction of the touch input device due to an abrupt change of external temperature. The method for operating a touch input device measures a temperature, calculates a temperature difference value between temperatures measured at a current time point and a previous time point, and compensates a recognition threshold value used for detecting a touch event with a predefined compensation value based on the temperature difference value.
US08169405B2 Methods and systems for enhancing television applications using 3D pointing
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional 3D control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user.
US08169403B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus comprises a display module, a control module and a scroll wheel module. The display module is used to display a digital image. The control module is connected to the display module for controlling the display module and conducting image processing. The scroll wheel module is connected to the control module for providing at least five operation modes, each in a different direction, and generating at least five control signals for controlling the control module to conduct image processing.
US08169402B2 Vibrotactile haptic feedback devices
Vibrotactile haptic feedback devices are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a device includes: a mass, an actuator configured to vibrate the mass, and a coupling disposed between the actuator and the mass or between the mass and a housing, the coupling having a first configuration with a compliance and a second configuration with a compliance, the compliance of the coupling in the first configuration being different from the compliance of the coupling in the second configuration, the actuator being configured to output haptic feedback associated with the first configuration of the coupling and haptic feedback associated with the second configuration of the coupling, the haptic feedback associated with the first configuration of the coupling being different from the haptic feedback associated with the second configuration of the coupling.
US08169401B2 Haptic interface
Simulated textures whose parameters are held with object model data in a data store are modified in accordance with data held in data store which data defines a Gamma correction factor previously determined for each identified user. The gamma correction factor is determined by outputting to a Haptic Output interface a texture simulation including spaced grooves or ridges. By correlating user response to the perceived “feel” of the texture (rough, medium or smooth scale for example) the user's perceptual factors can be determined. Subsequently applying the perceptual factors to effect a mathematical adjustment (power) of texture in simulation algorithms allows output simulations to be adapted so that each user has a corresponding perception of the simulated objects.
US08169397B2 Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and driving method for same is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device included: a plurality of pixel cells formed at pixel regions defined by crossings of a plurality of gate and data lines on a substrate, each pixel cell for displaying one of three colors, wherein the pixel cells are arranged with pixel cells of a single color arranged along the each gate line, and pixel cells of the three colors are alternately arranged along each data line; a gate built-in circuit built on the substrate that sequentially drives the gate lines; and a driving integrated circuit formed on the liquid crystal panel, that drives the gate built-in circuit and that modulates a video signal to be supplied to the data lines in response to an ambient temperature of the liquid crystal panel.
US08169395B2 Apparatus and method of driving liquid crystal display device
An apparatus and method of driving an LCD device is disclosed, which has a simplified structure by decreasing the number of signal transmission lines included in a shift register, the apparatus comprising a display panel to display images; a gate driver to drive gate lines of the display panel; a timing controller to control the gate driver by generating at least three clock pulses having the different phases from one another; and a start pulse generator to generate a start pulse using at least two clock pulses among at least three clock pulses, and to supply the generated start pulse to the gate driver.
US08169394B2 Image output apparatus, projector, and method of controlling image output apparatus
An image output apparatus includes: a display device having a light modulation section which is divided into a plurality of channels; a level adjusting unit that is provided to each of the channels, adjusts a level of input signal, and outputs adjusted output signal to corresponding channel; a signal switching unit that switches between a video input signal and a first reference signal as the input signal of the level adjusting unit, for a predetermined period; an adjustment amount correcting unit that compares an output signal from each of the level adjusting units with a second reference signal for the predetermined period and corrects the adjustment amounts of the corresponding level adjusting units on the basis of the comparison results; and a connection state switching unit that outputs a control instruction to the display device to change a state of the channels to an open state for the predetermined period.
US08169393B2 Display device
A display device includes a display panel having (m×n) pieces of pixels wherein m and n are integers of 2 or more, n pieces of video lines, and m pieces of scanning lines, a video line address circuit, a scanning line address circuit, n pieces of video line vector circuits which are connected to the respective output terminals of the video line address circuit and input the same video data to the pixels at address positions from a starting address to an ending address at one time, and m pieces of scanning line vector circuits which are connected to the respective output terminals of the scanning line address circuits and input the selective scanning voltages to the pixels at the address positions from the starting address to the ending address at one time.
US08169392B2 Liquid crystal display with low flicker and driving method thereof
An exemplary liquid crystal display (20) includes gate lines (21), a gate driver (25) configured for receiving input signals, a comparator (28), a reference voltage generator (29) configured for outputting a reference voltage to the comparator, and a timing control circuit (27). The gate driver is further configured for driving the gate lines. Falling edges of waveforms of the input pulse signals drop gradually from a first voltage to a second voltage. The comparator is configured for receiving the input pulse signals and the reference voltage, and outputting a control signal according to the input pulse signals and the reference voltage. The timing control circuit is configured for receiving the control signal from the comparator, and, according to the control signal, outputting output enable signals to the gate driver to adjust gate signals applied to the gate lines.
US08169386B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display includes 1) an organic light emitting diode comprising i) a pixel electrode, ii) an organic emission layer formed on the pixel electrode, and iii) a common electrode formed on the organic emission layer, 2) a dual brightness enhancement film formed over the common electrode of the organic light emitting diode, 3) a first phase delaying plate formed on the dual brightness enhancement film, 4) a corner cube film formed on the first phase delaying plate, 5) a second phase delaying plate formed on the corner cube film and a 6) polarizing plate formed on the second phase delaying plate, wherein at least one of the elements 2)-5) is configured to reduce reflection of external light incident onto the polarizing plate and/or reduce the loss of light emitted from the organic emission layer before outputting the emitted light through the polarizing plate.
US08169383B2 Display method in an active matrix display device
The present invention relates to a method for displaying an image in an active matrix display device and more particularly in an active matrix OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) display. The purpose of this invention is to increase the video dynamic range of each color component. The voltages applied to the OLED cells are based on reference voltages or currents. According to the invention, a different set of reference voltages is used for each color component. To this end, the video frame is divided into at least three sub-frames and at least one color component of the picture is addressed during each subframe with a set of reference voltages adapted to said color component.
US08169382B2 Electro-optical device, driving circuit thereof, and electronic apparatus
A driving circuit of an electro-optical device having electro-optical elements which are changed to optical states corresponding to data signals includes: a first terminal group and a second terminal group of which each includes an input terminal and an output terminal; a first current generator for generating first reference current corresponding to an input signal to the input terminal of the first terminal group; a second current generator for generating second reference current corresponding to an input signal to the input terminal of the second terminal group; a data signal generator for generating the data signals corresponding to the first reference current and the second reference current; a first output unit for outputting the data signal corresponding to the second reference current to the output terminal of the first terminal group; and a second output unit for outputting the data signal corresponding to the first reference current to the output terminal of the second terminal group.
US08169381B2 Method and apparatus for spatial display using a rasterized imaging device and an array of filter elements
The invention relates to arrangements for spatial display, and in particular to such arrangements that, by means of wavelength or gray level filter arrays, present an image visible in three dimensions to one or several observers without the use of auxiliary aids such as glasses. In such arrangements, an increased brightness of the 3D display is achieved by means of the arrangement of transparent filters on the filter array according to the invention.
US08169379B2 Portable multiband antenna
A portable DGPS navigation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a receiver assembly and a DGPS antenna assembly. The receiver assembly includes a GNSS antenna, a GNSS receiver, and a DGPS modem. The DGPS antenna assembly includes a DGPS antenna; a top connector for coupling the DGPS antenna assembly to the receiver assembly such that the receiver assembly and DGPS antenna assembly are aligned with a geodetic pole, and a bottom connecter.
US08169366B2 Reconfigurable satellite positioning system receivers
Methods and apparatus are provided for operatively enabling at least a first receiver path to receive a first signal associated with a first satellite positioning system (SPS), operatively enabling at least a second receiver path to receive a signal associated with at least one other SPS, and subsequently operatively enabling at least the second receiver path to receive a second signal associated with the first SPS.
US08169365B2 Communication system with assisted GPS and SBAS
A communication system includes a reference station and a mobile station. The reference station is operable to: receive GPS signals; generate GPS assisting data from the received GPS signals; receive SBAS signals; obtain SBAS data from the received SBAS signals; combine the GPS assisting data and the SBAS data to produce combined GPS data; and transmit the combined GPS data via a terrestrial wireless communication. The mobile station is operable to: receive the GPS signals; receive the combined GPS data via the terrestrial wireless communication; and generate positioning data from the mobile received GPS signals and the combined GPS data.
US08169364B2 Determination of a relative position of a satellite signal receiver
For enhancing the quality of a relative positioning, a filter is adjusted depending on information on a movement of a satellite signal receiver. A position of the satellite signal receiver is determined relative to a reference station using the filter, wherein measurements on satellite signals received by the satellite signal receiver and measurements on satellite signals provided for the reference station are used as input to the filter. The measurements for the reference station may be received in messages which are assembled and provided for transmission and which may include in addition an indication of a current movement of the reference station.
US08169361B2 Electronically scanned radar system
A sampled beat signal RD is split into a plurality of short-time data SD in the time direction, for each of antenna elements. Interference component frequency of an interference wave is detected from a frequency spectrum of the short-time data SD. A digital beam forming process is performed for the interference component frequency of the interference wave to extract a peak of the electrical power of an azimuth direction and estimate an absolute value of an incoming direction of interference components. Based on the absolute value of the incoming direction of the estimated interference components, a filter for suppressing the interference components is operated to suppress the interference components.
US08169360B1 Systems and methods of range tracking
A system(s) and method(s) of tracking a target(s). Systems include at least one electronic waveform processor operatively associated with an apparent emitted signal electronic sensor and a reflected signal electronic sensor and configured and programmed to generate an estimate of the range from an object to the target and an estimate of the closing velocity of the object to the target by processing a semi-active mode apparent emitted signal and a reflected signal.
US08169358B1 Coherent multi-band radar and communications transceiver
A multi-band RF transceiver for transmitting communications data and radar signals includes a transmitter having a source of communications data and radar signals. A modulator combines the data and radar signals and then modulates the combined signal with a carrier signal generated by a synthesizer. A processor instructs the synthesizer to change the carrier frequency and the source to provide data and radar signals corresponding to the carrier frequency so that multiple bands are transmitted over a desired spectrum. A receiver includes a demodulator that demodulates the received signal and a synthesizer that generates a signal that tunes the demodulator to the desired carrier frequency. A processor instructs the synthesizer to change the carrier frequency so that the demodulator demodulates the multiple bands of data and the radar signals over the desired spectrum.
US08169353B2 Wideband digital to analog converter with built-in load attenuator
A circuit for digital-to-analog conversion is described. The circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC includes a double cascaded current source and a differential current-mode switch (DCMS). The circuit further includes a direct current (DC) offset stage. The circuit also includes a load attenuator. The double cascaded current source may be between the DCMS and a rail voltage.
US08169351B2 Feedback circuits with DC offset cancellation
Feedback circuits with DC offset cancellation are described. In an exemplary design, a feedback circuit includes a slow integrator and a summer. The slow integrator receives a first intermediate signal at a particular point in the feedback circuit and provides a second intermediate signal. The summer is located after the particular point and receives and sums the first and second intermediate signals to reduce DC offset in the first intermediate signal. In one design, the feedback circuit may be a delta-sigma (ΔΣ) modulator with at least one integrator coupled in cascade. The slow integrator is coupled to the output of the last integrator, receives the first intermediate signal from the last integrator, and provides the second intermediate signal. The summer is coupled to the last integrator and the slow integrator and sums the first and second intermediate signals to reduce DC offset in the first intermediate signal.
US08169350B2 Analog-digital converter chip and RF-IC chip using the same
A wireless receiving circuit having an analog-digital converter of digital calibration type constituted by plural analog-digital converter units, shares portions about digital calibration, and applies the result of calibration of one analog-digital converter unit to other analog-digital converter units to appropriately perform each digital calibration of the plural analog-digital converter units. For example, in a wireless receiving circuit having an analog-digital converter of digital calibration type constituted of an analog-digital converter unit of I side and an analog-digital converter unit of Q side, portions about digital calibration are shared, and a calibration result of I side is applied to Q side.
US08169348B2 Parallel-serial converter circuit
In a parallel-serial converter circuit of a multistage configuration, there is formed a clock propagation path so that when multistage connected data converters are operated according to the timing of a clock signal, a reference clock signal or a clock signal in which the reference clock signal has been frequency-converted, is given sequentially to the data converter of the first stage up to the data converter of the final stage. As a result, even in a case where variations occur in power supply voltage, timing deviation of data signals and clock signals input to the data converters of the second and subsequent stages can be suppressed, and parallel-serial conversion of high-speed data signals can be reliably executed.
US08169344B2 Method and system for audio CODEC voice ADC processing
Methods and systems for audio CODEC voice ADC processing are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include using a decimating filter that may be enabled to generate 13 MHz, 9-level digital output signal from a 26 MHz, 3-level digital input signal. The 13 MHz, 9-level digital output signal may be processed for RF transmission, for audio output to an output device, and/or utilized for testing by a test fixture, for example. The 13 MHz, 9-level digital output signal may be further processed to generate a 6.5 MHz, 33-level digital signal. The 6.5 MHz, 33-level digital signal may be converted to an analog signal, and processed for audio output and/or testing. The 13 MHz, 9-level digital output signal may also be processed to generate a 40 KHz, 17-bit digital signal, which may be communicated to a test equipment or further processed for RF transmission.
US08169338B2 Inter-vehicle communication feature awareness and diagnosis system
A method is provided for sharing data between a host vehicle and remote entity in an inter-vehicle communication system. Wireless messages are transmitted between the remote entity and the host vehicle. The wireless messages include data relating to sensor information used to enhance environmental awareness of surrounding conditions of the host vehicle. A received wireless message includes sensor information transmitted from the remote entity to the host vehicle. The wireless message further includes an uncertainty indicator relating to the remote vehicle's assessment of an uncertainty of the sensor information transmitted by the remote vehicle. The uncertainty affecting an accuracy of the sensor information is assessed for determining a degree for which the sensor information is to be used in evaluating environmental awareness conditions affecting the host vehicle. Environmental awareness features of the host vehicle are selectively activated in response to assessing the uncertainty affecting the accuracy of sensor information.
US08169326B2 Portable electronic device and computer software product
The invention relates to a portable electronic device and computer software product. The portable electronic device comprises a motion detector for generating motion data characterizing the local movement of the portable electronic device, a motion intensity determiner for determining a instantaneous motion intensity value of the user of the portable electronic device from the motion data, and an active time counter for determining an active time accumulation that sums up the time periods, during which the instantaneous motion intensity value meets predefined activity criteria.
US08169322B1 Low profile metal-surface mounted RFID tag antenna
A passive RFID tag suitable for attachment to an electrically conductive surface is provided. The passive RFID tag includes a dielectric substrate, an RFID chip for storing data, and an RFID antenna structure operatively connected to the RFID chip wherein the RFID antenna structure comprises a slotted inverted L-shape. A method of manufacturing a passive RFID tag includes forming an antenna structure on a conductive layer, the antenna structure comprising a slotted inverted L-shape. The method further includes operatively connecting an RFID chip with the antenna structure. A method associated with a passive RFID tag includes providing a passive RFID tag. The passive RFID tag includes a dielectric substrate, an RFID chip for storing data, and an RFID antenna structure operatively connected to the RFID chip wherein the RFID antenna structure comprises a slotted inverted L-shape. The method further includes operatively connecting the passive RFID tag to a conductive surface.
US08169314B2 Water sensor switch system
A drain pan system for activating a pump when detecting a predetermined water level in a drain pan is provided. The drain pan system includes the drain pan, the pump, a water sensor, first and second inputs, a control section and a switching device. The water sensor is coupled to the drain pan for detecting a level of water in the drain pan, the water sensor generating a drain pan water level detection signal in response to detection of the level of the water in the drain pan equal to or greater than a predetermined water level. The pump is coupled to the drain pan and, when activated, pumps the water from the drain pan. The first input couples a source line to a first power potential. The second input couples a neutral line to a second power potential, the second power potential being a neutral potential. The control section is coupled to the water sensor for receiving the drain pan water level detection signal therefrom. The control section is also connected to the first and second inputs and generates a switching signal in response to the drain pan water level detection signal. In addition, the switching device is coupled to the control section for connecting the first input to the pump in response to the switching signal, thereby activating the pump to pump the water from the drain pan.
US08169313B2 Method and apparatus for asset management in an open environment
A method and apparatus for asset management in an open environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method correlates a person's RFID tag with an RFID of an asset and uses this information to determine whether an asset is allowed to pass an access point.
US08169312B2 Determining speeds of radio frequency tags
The present disclosure is directed to determining speeds of radio frequency tags. In some implementations, a method includes sampling a Radio Frequency (RF) signal from an RFID tag at a plurality of different times as the RFID tag approaches an RFID reader and recedes from the RFID reader. A phase of the RF signal is determined for each of the plurality of different times based, at least in part, on the sampled RF signal. A speed of the RFID tag is determined based, at least in part, on the determined phase for the sampled signal for each of the plurality of different times.
US08169310B2 Method for reflecting configuration values of drive recorder
In a method in which vehicle-mounted devices on vehicles read configuration data set on a computer using a memory card, when the computer is installed remotely from the vehicles, it is inefficient to have to go back and forth between the vehicles and the place where the computer is installed every time the configuration is changed.A method for reflecting configuration values of a drive recorder according to the present invention has the steps of: allowing a computer to read configuration values at least one of which are changed on a vehicle-mounted device side in a plurality of configuration data items in configuration data of a drive recorder; indicating side by side the configuration values on the vehicle-mounted device side and configuration values on a center side included in master data stored in the computer on a display device connected to the computer; and comparing the configuration values on the vehicle-mounted device side with the configuration values on the center side, wherein, when the configuration value on the vehicle-mounted device side set in the drive recorder and the configuration value in the master data are different from each other in any data item, at least one of the configuration value on the vehicle-mounted device side and the configuration value on the center side are indicated differently from a case in which the configuration value on the vehicle-mounted device side and the configuration value on the center side are identical to each other in any data item.
US08169309B2 Image processing apparatus, driving support system, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes: a guide superimposition portion that obtains a photographed image taken by an imaging device from the imaging device incorporated in a vehicle and superimposes a guide on the photographed image; and a specific region detection portion that detects a specific region which is able to be included in the photographed image. If the specific region is detected by the specific region detection portion, the guide superimposition portion does not superimpose the guide on the specific region.
US08169308B2 Method for checking the switching region of a touch-free switching system
A method is disclosed for checking the switching region of a touch-free switching system with at least one sensor and at least one signal emitter, wherein the signal emitter sends data to the sensor. An extremely flexible and practical switching region check is achieved in at least one embodiment by the fact that a change in at least one system parameter of the switching system derives at least one first piece of information on the position of the signal emitter. The method represents an inexpensive possibility for checking a switching region, which has options for the definition and allocation of the switch-on, switch-off, and hysteresis regions.
US08169306B2 Touch panel assembly with haptic effects and method of manufacturing thereof
A system with haptic effects includes a first surface, a second surface with a flexible arm portion, a coupling that couples the flexible arm portion to the first surface, and a haptic effect generator attached to the first surface. The flexible arm portion includes a coupling portion, and the coupling is received in the coupling portion. The haptic effect generator causes movement of the first surface relative to the second surface, and the flexible arm limits the movement of the first surface and elastically returns the first surface substantially to its original position relative to the second surface.
US08169304B2 User station for healthcare communication system
A user station configurable for use in a healthcare communication system, such as a nurse call system, is provided.
US08169293B2 Fuse element retaining device
The fuse element retaining device is an L-shaped bracket having a long leg and a short leg. The short leg has a notch and a plurality of vent holes surrounding the notch. At least one clip is provided for mounting the long leg of the L-shaped bracket to a fuse holder barrel. The fuse holder barrel has a top end and a bottom end. When the long leg of the L-shaped bracket is mounted to the fuse holder barrel, the short leg is positioned with the vent holes over the bottom end of the fuse holder barrel. The vent holes are for venting propellant gases during a discharge when a fuse element blows. The notch receives a part of the fuse element from the fuse holder barrel and minimizes projectiles from the fuse element heading towards the ground at very high speeds when the fuse element blows during the discharge.
US08169290B2 Methods and apparatus for electromagnetic components
Methods and apparatus for electromagnetic components comprise a core and a winding. The core and winding are configured to provide smaller and more effective electromagnetic components.
US08169288B2 Electronic component and method for making the same
An electronic component that reduces resistance and prevents occurrence of an edge effect, includes a laminated body formed by stacking insulator layers. Conductor layers are linear conductors, and define coils included in the laminated body. The conductor layers face each other, with the insulator layer interposed therebetween, and allow signals of substantially the same phase to pass therethrough. The conductor layers define regions, each having a shape which decreases in thickness in the z-axis direction with increasing distance from a center thereof in a line width direction.
US08169281B2 Starter for engines and its starting circuit
The starter has a system of pushing the pinion gear in the direction of the anti-motor side by using the attracting power of the electromagnetic switch via the shift lever. The switch coil of the electromagnetic switch is constituted of one coil that is electrically separated from the motor circuit. The mass of pinion gear is set to 100 g or less, the switch extrusion power stored in the drive spring is set to 70 N (Newton) or less, and the operation current of the electromagnetic switch is set to 12 amperes or less. With this starter, since the switch coil and the motor circuit can be electrically separated, the terminal for connection for connecting the conventional attracting coil and conventional “M terminal bolt” can be abolished. Further, by setting the operation current of the electromagnetic switch 10 to 12 amperes or less, it is possible to control the operation current directly by the ECU.
US08169280B2 Relay
A relay includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic circuit. The permanent magnet is disposed between a pair of electromagnets. The pair of the electromagnets is formed by winding coils around body portions of spools. Each spool has flanges integrally formed on both upper and lower end portions thereof. The magnetic circuit is formed by a yoke spanning the spools and the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is held by the upper and lower flanges of a pair of the spools that are juxtaposed.
US08169278B2 Surface acoustic wave device and duplexer
A surface acoustic wave device in which miniaturization and a flat design implemented, is resistant to a deformation responsive to a pressure of a molten resin in the formation of a mold resin layer, and is less susceptible to a characteristic degradation. In the surface acoustic wave device, an IDT electrode is located on a piezoelectric substrate, and an insulator member is arranged such that a space B surrounding the IDT electrode is provided. For the purpose of reducing the area of the space B, reflectors having weighted portions are arranged on both sides of the IDT electrode. The weighted portions include electrode fingers of the reflectors that become shorter in length as they extend farther away from the IDT electrode. The shape of the space B is reduced accordingly.
US08169274B2 Transmission line converter using oblique coupling slots disposed in the narrow wall of a rectangular waveguide
It is an object to obtain a transmission line converter in which a rectangular waveguide provided under a transmission line may be reduced in size. In the transmission line converter including: a rectangular waveguide (11); a slot (5) provided in a wall surface of the rectangular waveguide (11); and a transmission line (13) which extends in a direction of a tube axis of the rectangular waveguide (11) and includes signal conductors (2 and 3) and a ground conductor (4), the slot (5) is provided in a narrower wall surface of the rectangular waveguide (11) and has a shape in which a central portion of the slot (5) includes an oblique portion to the tube axis of the rectangular waveguide (11) and at least one of both end portions of the oblique portion includes a portion parallel to the tube axis of the rectangular waveguide (11), and the wall surface of the rectangular waveguide (11) in which the slot (5) is provided is a part of the ground conductor (4).
US08169270B2 Overlapping, two-segment capacitor bank for VCO frequency tuning
A VCO (for example, in an FM receiver) includes an LC resonant tank. The LC resonant tank includes a coarse tuning capacitor bank and a fine tuning capacitor bank. The coarse tuning capacitor bank contains a plurality of digitally controlled coarse tuning capacitor elements, each providing a first capacitance value when active. The fine tuning capacitor bank contains a plurality of digitally controlled fine tuning capacitor elements, each providing a second capacitance value when active. To address the practical problem of capacitor mismatch, capacitance overlap throughout the VCO tuning range is created by selecting the first and second capacitance values such that the capacitance value of the fine capacitor bank is greater than the first capacitance value when all of the digitally controlled fine tuning capacitor elements of the fine capacitor bank are active.
US08169269B2 Hartley voltage controlled oscillator
In a Hartley voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit comprising two inductors (Ld, Lg), a transistor (Q1) and a varactor (C), the two inductors (Ld, Lg) are arranged as a coupled inductor pair to enable positive mutual inductance (M) between them and reduce the size of the VCO.
US08169266B2 Mixer circuits and methods
Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for improving the spectral purity of mixer circuits. In one embodiment the present invention includes a mixer circuit comprising a first transistor having a gate, a source and a drain, a second transistor having a gate, a source and a drain, a first capacitance coupled between the source of the first transistor and the source of the second transistor and a bias circuit having an input, a first output coupled to the source of the first transistor and a second output coupled to the source of the second transistor. The present invention may be advantageously used in a wireless transmitter application.
US08169257B2 System and method for communicating between multiple voltage tiers
A system includes first, second, and third circuits and first and second capacitors. The first capacitor has a first power supply terminal coupled to positive power supply terminal, a second power supply terminal, and an input/output. The second capacitor has a first power supply terminal coupled the second power supply terminal of the first circuit, a second power supply terminal, and an input/output. The third circuit has a first power supply terminal coupled the second power supply terminal of the second circuit, a second power supply terminal, and an input/output. The first capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the input/output of the first circuit and a second terminal coupled to the input/output of the second circuit. The second capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first capacitor and a second terminal coupled to the input/output of the third circuit.
US08169254B2 Semiconductor apparatus and method for controlling the same
A semiconductor apparatus includes a plurality of pump control units respectively located in a plurality of chips, connected in series through a first TSV, and configured to sequentially delay a period signal, transmit delayed period signals and generate pump control signals based on the period signal or the delayed period signals; and a plurality of voltage pump units respectively located in the plurality of chips, and configured to generate a pumping voltage in response to the pump control signals generated from the plurality of pump control units.
US08169243B2 Techniques for non-overlapping clock generation
Techniques for generating precise non-overlap time and clock phase delay time across a desired frequency range are provided. In one configuration, a device includes a non-overlapping clock generation circuit which comprises a delay lock loop (DLL) circuit that in turn generates a control voltage to a clock generator circuit coupled thereto. The control voltage operates to maintain precise timing relationship of non-overlapping delayed clock signals generated by the clock generator circuit. In one aspect, the DLL circuit receives an input clock with a known duty cycle and derives an output control voltage to fix the unit delay to a certain portion of the input clock cycle. In a further aspect, the clock generator circuit includes a plurality of voltage-controlled delay cells coupled to the DLL circuit to generate a first set of clock signals and a second set of clock signals delayed from the first set of clock signals by a non-overlapping time (tnlp) that is independent of manufacturing process variations.
US08169242B2 Programmable fine lock/unlock detection circuit
An integrated circuit includes a feedback controlled clock generating circuit, such as a DLL, PLL or other suitable circuit, that is operative to provide a feedback reference frequency signal based on a generated output clock signal. The integrated circuit also includes a programmable fine lock/unlock detection circuit that includes programmable static phase error sensitivity logic that senses phase error. The programmable static phase error sensitivity logic sets a phase lock sensitivity window used to determine a fine lock/unlock condition of the generated output clock signal. The programmable fine lock/unlock detection logic is also operative to generate a fine phase lock/unlock signal based on the set phase lock sensitivity window. The integrated circuit may also include a coarse lock detection circuit that generates a coarse lock signal based on a frequency unlock condition.
US08169238B1 Capacitance to frequency converter
A capacitance to frequency converter includes a switching capacitor circuit, a charge dissipation circuit, a comparator, and a signal generator. The switching capacitor circuit charges a sensing capacitor and transfers charge from the sensing capacitor to a circuit node of the charge dissipation circuit. The comparator is coupled to the charge dissipation circuit to compare a potential at the circuit node to a reference voltage. The signal generator is coupled to an output of the comparator and to the charge dissipation circuit. The signal generator is responsive to the output of the comparator to generate a signal fed back to control the charge dissipation circuit. A frequency of the signal is proportional to a capacitance of the sensing capacitor.
US08169237B1 Comparator with jitter mitigation
In one embodiment, a circuit such as a comparator circuit includes a differential stage adapted to receive a differential input signal and first and second diodes coupled to the differential stage. The first and second diodes are adapted to selectively switch on and off to provide a differential output signal at first and second differential output nodes in response to the differential input signal. The circuit may include an output stage coupled to the first and second diodes at the first and second differential output nodes, with the output stage adapted to convert the differential output signal to a single ended output signal. The circuit may also include a current source adapted to selectively provide a reference current to the first or second diode in an off state to reduce voltage swing of the first or second diode between the off and an on state.
US08169235B2 Receiver to match delay for single ended and differential signals
In one embodiment, a receiver circuit is provide that may receive either a differential input or a single-ended input corresponding to an interface. The receiver circuit may include at least two current sources to control a gain of an amplification stage in the receiver. If the receiver circuit is receiving a differential input, one of the current sources may be used. If the receiver circuit is receiving a single-ended input, both of the current sources may be used. A larger gain may thus be provided for the single-ended input as compared to the differential input.
US08169234B1 No stress level shifter
A voltage level shifting circuit may include a differential first-stage level shifter that receives a binary input signal and generates a non-inverted first-stage shifted output signal and an inverted first-stage shifted output signal, a second-stage level shifter that receives the first-stage shifted output signals and generates a non-inverted second-stage shifted output signal and an inverted second-stage shifted output signal, and a signal generator that generates a level shifted final output signal corresponding to the binary input signal that is based on the non-inverted second-stage shifted output signal and the inverted second-stage shifted output signal. The voltage swing of the first stage output signals may be limited to swing between a non-zero lower value and an upper value that is less than or equal to a source-to-drain voltage rating of transistors in the differential first-stage level shifter.
US08169230B2 Semiconductor device and method of testing the same
A semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor device has: an output buffer configured to externally output an output signal received from an internal circuit; an input buffer configured to output an input signal externally received to the internal circuit; a switch configured to control electrical connection between an output terminal of the output buffer and an input terminal of the input buffer; a first transmission path provided in a scribe region of the semiconductor wafer and connecting between the output terminal and the switch; and a second transmission path provided in the scribe region and connecting between the input terminal and the switch.
US08169229B2 Active device array and testing method
An active device array includes a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixel structures, a first testing circuit, a second testing circuit, a third testing circuit and a fourth testing circuit. Each of the pixel structures is connected to one of the scan lines and one of the data lines. The first testing circuit is electrically connected to the odd scan lines; the second testing circuit is electrically connected to the (4n+1)th scan lines wherein n is zero or a positive integer; the third testing circuit is electrically connected to the even scan lines; the fourth testing circuit is electrically connected to the (4n+2)th scan lines.
US08169219B2 Slice selective MRI excitation with reduced power deposition using multiple transmit channels
Described are embodiments for slice-selective excitation for MRI that utilize multiple RF transmit coils, each of which are driven with a separate independent current waveform. These embodiments allow slice-selective excitation with slice profile and excitation time similar to other single-channel excitation, but with reduction in SAR caused by the transverse component of the RF field by a factor up to the number of excitation coils.
US08169217B2 Mitigating saturation artifacts associated with intersecting plane TrueFISP acquisitions through grouped reverse centric phase encoding
Systems methods, and other embodiments associated with acquiring intersecting TrueFISP images using grouped reverse centric phase encoding are described. One example method includes controlling an MRI apparatus to produce a TrueFISP sequence that delays acquisition of the center of k-space to reduce saturation banding artifacts. The example method also includes controlling the MRI apparatus to produce a TrueFISP sequence that reduces eddy current artifacts by grouping (e.g., pairing) lines in k-space. The method concludes by acquiring NMR signal in response to the TrueFISP sequence.
US08169213B2 Magnetic field analysis method, magnetization analysis device, and recording medium with computer program
It is possible to perform accurate magnetization analysis by considering the magnetic state of an incomplete magnetic region. A magnetization analysis device performs magnetization analysis by using a magnetizer parameter associated with a magnetizer and a magnet parameter associated with a magnet material so as to calculate a magnetization magnetic field applied to respective portions of the magnet material (S17), calculates a recoil ratio permeability and a coercivity as region of a permanent magnet as an analysis object for the respective portions according to the calculation result of the magnetized magnetic field and the demagnetization curve associated with the incomplete magnetization region actually measured in advance (S18), and performs a magnetic field analysis by using the calculation result of the region parameter so as to calculate a state parameter indicating the magnetized state of the permanent magnet as an analysis object (S19).
US08169209B2 Output driving circuit capable of reducing EMI effect
An output driving circuit capable of reducing EMI effect includes a non-overlapping signal generation unit for generating a first non-overlapping signal and a second non-overlapping signal according to an input signal, a pre-driver for generating a first pre-driving signal and a second pre-driving signal according to the first non-overlapping signal and the second non-overlapping signal, a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and a control unit for controlling the high-side switch or the low-side switch to be switched into a weak on state to reduce load inductive current effect for a load.
US08169207B2 Power supply device including a clamping portion to limit and error voltage and electronic appliance provided therewith
A power supply device has an error amplifier producing an error voltage by amplifying a difference between a feedback voltage according to an output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, an output portion producing a desired output voltage from an input voltage in such a way that the error voltage is reduced, and a clamping portion setting, during a predetermined period after startup of the power supply device, an upper limit of the error voltage to a value that is lower than a value obtained at normal times, such that the lower the input voltage the higher the upper limit, the higher the input voltage the lower the upper limit.
US08169205B2 Control for regulator fast transient response and low EMI noise
Methods and circuits for power supply arrangement and control are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a switching regulator can include: (i) a filter network coupled to an output terminal, where an output voltage is generated at the output terminal from an input source; (ii) an active switch to connect the input source to the filter network by periodically operating between on and off states over a switching period, where a duty cycle of the on state relative to the switching period is modulated based on a PWM control signal; (iii) a comparator receiving an output feedback signal, a hysteresis signal, and a reference level, and providing the PWM control signal therefrom; and (iv) a hysteresis programming circuit generating the hysteresis signal, and a ramp control signal, where the hysteresis signal is programmed based on conditions at the input source and the output voltage to achieve a pseudo constant frequency operation.
US08169204B2 Active current limiting circuit and power regulator using the same
The present invention mainly relates to a current limiting circuit, also known as over-current protection circuit, and a power regulator using the same. The purpose for the circuit is to protect the power device and the loading circuit for the power regulator. The conventional current limiting circuit takes advantage of a resistor and a MOS to convert the detected over current into a voltage and then turn on a P-typed MOS to clamp the gate voltage of a power transistor so as to achieve the goal of current limiting. However, the process variation for the resistor and said MOS and their temperature variation lead to a significant error to the limiting current. The present invention, therefore, takes advantage of the current comparison to enhance the accuracy for the current limiting circuit.
US08169203B1 Low dropout regulator
A low-drop out (LDO) regulator circuit is provided having a gate of a pass transistor coupled to an output of an operational transconductance amplifier, the LDO regulator exhibiting a non-dominant pole at an output of the LDO. A dynamic zero-compensation circuit is coupled in parallel to the pass transistor. A compensation control circuit is coupled and configured to adjust a frequency, at which a zero is generated, and cause the generated zero to track with the non-dominant pole.
US08169202B2 Low dropout regulators
Low dropout regulators capable of preventing damage caused by a short circuit or a heavy load are provided, in which a pass transistor receives an unregulated power supply voltage to generate a regulated output voltage according to a control signal. Additionally, a constant overcurrent limiting circuit limits an output current through the pass transistor to below a predetermined current, and a foldback overcurrent limiting circuit enables the constant overcurrent limiting circuit to further decrease the output current, when the regulated output voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage.
US08169201B2 Output compensator for a regulator
An output compensator for a regulator is provided that can improve the dynamic response of a regulator, and which does not require the redesigning of the power conversion stage or control stage of the regulator, but simple circuit connection of the compensator circuit to the output stage of the regulator. The compensator senses an output signal at a passive component at an output of the regulator; generates a compensating signal based on a difference signal, the difference being a difference between a level of a reference signal for the regulator and the sensed output signal; and applies the compensating signal to the passive output component to reduce the difference between the level of the reference signal and the sensed output signal. The passive output component may be, for example, a capacitor or an inductor, depending on the operation of the regulator.
US08169197B2 Device for damping control of mechanical torsional oscillations of an electrical alternating current generator of multi-phase power supply system
A device for damping control of mechanical torsional oscillations of an electrical alternating current generator connected to a multi-phase power supply system, includes a controllable converter of an HVDC installation connected to the power supply system, a measurement and filter device for detection of a frequency-dependent signal in a frequency range of the torsional oscillations of the alternating current generator and a correction apparatus for correction of a control signal for the converter for the HVDC installation. The correction apparatus includes a single phase correction filter for correction of a phase frequency response of the frequency-dependent signal. The control signal is formed by a current nominal value of a current regulator of the converter or a triggering angle of the nominal valve and with the phase correction filter is configured to take a transfer function of the current regulator into account.
US08169194B2 System and method for applying pulsation energy to online battery backup systems
A method of applying pulsation energy to an online battery backup system including the steps of (1) sampling at least one voltage sampling circuit to monitor a float voltage drop across the terminals of each battery unit within a plurality of battery units; (2) selecting from among the plurality of battery units the unit having the greatest float voltage drop; (3) operating a pulse generation circuit to apply pulsation energy across the terminals of only the selected battery unit; and (4) ceasing to operate the pulse generation circuit in response to a predetermined trigger. A generally corresponding method may be performed on each battery cell within the plurality of battery units. Also, battery pulsation systems for an online battery backup system including means for applying pulsation energy across the terminals of only a selected battery unit or a selected battery cell.
US08169190B2 Battery apparatus for controlling plural batteries and control method of plural batteries
Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.
US08169189B2 Mobile terminal with a temperature sensor and method of charging battery mounted in mobile terminal
In order to shorten a period of time necessary for charging a battery, and further, to prevent a temperature of a mobile terminal from raising, the mobile terminal 100 is comprised of a case 102 in which electronic parts are arranged, a battery 104 mounted in the case 102, a battery-charging circuit 106 supplying a current to the battery 104, a charge controller 108 allowing the battery-charging circuit 106 to charge the battery 104 or stopping the battery-charging circuit 106 from charging the battery 104, and a temperature sensor 112 detecting a temperature in the case 102, wherein the charge controller 108 controls the current to be supplied to the battery 104, in accordance with a temperature detected by the temperature sensor 112.
US08169181B2 Induction motor
An active reactive induction motor is provided. The motor comprises two sets of three-phase windings. One set of windings carries the active power and is called the power windings. The second set of windings carries the reactive power and is called the flux windings. The power windings carrying the active power provides more power to the induction motor than the flux windings carrying the reactive power. A driver circuit for driving the active reactive induction motor and the corresponding modes of operation is also provided.
US08169177B2 Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle includes a control unit having overcurrent generation judgment unit, inverter selection unit, and inverter drive control unit. The overcurrent generation judgment unit judges whether an overcurrent is generated in an inverter for generation or an inverter for travel. When an overcurrent is generated in one of the inverters, the inverter selection unit selects the other inverter to be driven. The inverter drive control unit stops the driving of the one inverter and drives the other inverter to drive a travel motor or a generator.
US08169174B2 Motor circuit and electric power steering apparatus
In a steering control unit, a U-phase feed line branches into paired branch feed lines, phase-open MOSFETs are provided in middle portions of the branch feed lines, phase-open MOSFETs are provided in middle portions of a V-phase feed line and a W-phase feed line, and the phase-open MOSFETs are arranged in such a manner that parasitic diodes are in the same orientation with respect to a motor. When an abnormality occurs, all the phase-open MOSFETs are turned off. Then, a closed circuit, which includes phase coils and through which electric currents flow, is no longer present.
US08169170B2 Motor driving device, motor device, and integrated circuit device
A motor driving device (100) includes an inverter (20), a speed control unit (40), and a regeneration preventing means (50). The inverter (20) converts supplied DC power to driving power for driving a motor (10), and supplies the driving power to the motor (10). The speed control unit (40) generates a speed control signal group based on a speed command signal Sref and a speed detection signal N, and adjusts the driving power based on a drive control signal VSP1 included in the speed control signal group, thereby controlling the speed of the motor (10). The regeneration preventing means (50) determines whether the motor (10) is in a state possibly causing regenerative phenomena or in a state not causing regenerative phenomena based on the speed command information included in the speed command signal Sref and the speed detection information included in the speed detection signal N, and performs a regeneration reduction process to reduce regenerative phenomena according to the determination result, thereby preventing regenerative phenomena.
US08169169B2 Door operator for controlling a door and method of same
A door operator for controlling operation of a door, the door operator having a motor to open the door against a spring force, the door operator further comprising a door position sensor for transmitting a signal indicative of door position; and among other things, calculates a door moment of inertia based on a net torque and the time for the door to reach a predetermined angle from the closed position. Also provided is a door operator that compares door speed to a desired door speed based on a door speed-position profile and generates a door speed error signal and minimizes the door speed error signal by adjusting the braking load resulting from charging a chargeable battery using the motor as a generator.
US08169167B2 Methods for diagnosing and automatically controlling the operation of a particle accelerator
Methods are described wherein the signals from various sensors that monitor parameters such as beam position, beam intensity at each turn, number of turns, extracted current, extracted beam profile in space and energy are used to determine the effect of the variation of different parameters that control the operation of an accelerator. The diagnostic measurements and adjustments may be based upon measuring and evaluating parameters as a function of turn, and are part of an automated feedback loop for achieving the proper automated operation. The methods can be used to establish proper operating values for the accelerator parameters for optimum beam operation. By the use of feedback the operation of the accelerator can be automatically controlled in real time.
US08169158B2 Cold cathode tube lighting device
A cold cathode tube lighting device prevents emission-position-dependent unevenness from occurring in the brightness of light emitted from the cold cathode tube lighting device and includes a plurality of discharge tubes connected in parallel; ballast capacitors each integrally attached to a respective one of the plurality of discharge tubes; power supplies arranged to supply power to the plurality of discharge tubes; and a voltage detection unit connected to the plurality of discharge tubes to detect voltages between pairs of internal electrodes of the plurality of discharge tubes. The power supply to the plurality of discharge tubes is controlled according to the voltages detected by the voltage detection unit.
US08169156B2 Control method capable of preventing flicker effect and light emitting device thereof
A control method capable of preventing flicker effect for a light source module includes detecting variation situations of a driving current passing through the light source module to generate a current detection signal, adjusting a variable reference voltage according to the current detection signal, obtaining a feedback voltage from the light source module, generating a voltage control signal according to the feedback voltage and the variable reference voltage, and generating an output voltage according to the voltage control signal to drive the light source module.
US08169154B2 Variable load circuits for use with lighting control devices
A variable load circuit (2) is provided for use with a dimmer (1). A low wattage load such as a LED (3) is provided in series with the dimmer and the variable load circuit is provided in parallel with the LED. The variable load circuit has two different load characteristics: when the applied voltage from the dimmer is below a threshold, the variable load circuit presents a fixed load (24), and when the applied voltage is above a threshold the variable load circuit presents a variable load so as to act as a constant current sink. The variable load is provided by a secondary load portion (25) which may or may not act in combination with the fixed load (24), and the secondary load portion (25) is switched in or out of the variable load circuit by a trigger circuit portion (26).
US08169151B2 DC/AC converter and controller thereof
A DC/AC converter includes a resonant circuit having a first capacitor connected to at least one of a primary winding and a secondary winding of a transformer and an output end connected to a load, the resonant circuit receiving an alternating signal having a predetermined frequency and amplitude to pass a current, a variable impedance element connected in parallel with a part of the output end of the resonant circuit, the variable impedance element changing the impedance value thereof according to a current passing through the load, and a controller to control the current passing through the load to a predetermined value by changing the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit according to the changed impedance value of the variable impedance element.
US08169148B2 Plasma generating apparatus
A plasma generating apparatus having superior plasma generation efficiency that uses a single reaction chamber. The plasma generating apparatus includes a RF generator for providing a RF power, an antenna for generating an electromagnetic field upon receiving the RF power, a reaction chamber for exciting/ionizing a reaction gas via the electromagnetic field, and generating a plasma, and a plasma channel for absorbing the RF power, and allowing a current signal to be induced to the plasma.
US08169147B2 Circuit for vehicle lighting
A circuit for driving a vehicle lamp includes a current path coupled between a power line and ground, and a monitoring unit coupled to the power line. The current path includes a dummy load. The monitoring unit can monitor a testing signal applied to the power line. The testing signal can test whether the vehicle lamp operates properly. The monitoring unit can conduct the current path to enable a current to flow through the dummy load to ground to decrease a total resistance of the circuit if the testing signal is detected.
US08169145B2 Spark-discharge gap for power system protection device
A spark gap includes two terminal electrodes enveloping a cavity. The cavity includes an electrical discharge space between the two terminal electrodes. The spark gap also includes an electrical insulator between the two terminal electrodes.
US08169144B2 Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel is disclosed. The plasma display panel includes a front substrate, a rear substrate opposite the front substrate, a barrier rib that is positioned between the front substrate and the rear substrate to provide a discharge cell, a seal layer that attaches the front substrate to the rear substrate, and an exhaust hole that is formed on the rear substrate in a portion between the barrier rib and the seal layer. The exhaust hole is positioned in a portion overlapping an active area along a shorter side or a longer side of the rear substrate.
US08169142B2 Display panel with plurality of microcapsules
A display apparatus includes a plurality of first electrodes, a second electrode facing the plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of microcapsules. Each of the plurality of first electrodes corresponds to one of a color. The plurality of microcapsules have a dispersion media and a plurality of particles sealed therein and are disposed between the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode. A microcapsule of the plurality of microcapsules providing one of the colors is arranged on the first electrode that corresponds to the one of the colors.
US08169138B2 Organic light emitting diode display including a driving voltage line and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to an OLED display and a manufacturing method thereof, including a gate line, a data line intersecting the gate line, a switching thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, a driving thin film transistor connected to the switching thin film transistor, a first driving voltage line connected to the driving thin film transistor and overlapping the gate line and the data line, a first electrode connected to the driving thin film transistor, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and an light emitting member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08169133B2 Image display apparatus, manufacturing method of image display apparatus, and functional film
There is provided an image display apparatus including: a first substrate having an electron-emitting device; a second substrate having an anode electrode that is opposed to the electron-emitting device; and a conductive layer that is provided on the side of a second face of the second substrate, the second face being an opposite face to a first face of the second substrate, the first face being located on the first substrate side, wherein a potential of the conductive layer is set to be lower than a potential of the anode electrode when displaying an image; and a surface resistance of the conductive layer is higher than a surface resistance of the anode electrode.
US08169132B2 Organic light emitting diode display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the OLED device includes a substrate; a display unit formed on a display area of the substrate; and an encapsulating film covering i) the display unit and ii) a non-display area surrounding the display area, wherein the density and thickness of the encapsulating film increase in a direction from a center portion of the encapsulating film to an edge portion of the encapsulating film.
US08169123B2 Multilayered piezoelectric element and method of manufacturing the same
In a multilayered piezoelectric element, a side insulating film is accurately formed even on a thin multilayered structure. The element includes: a multilayered structure having a step formed on a side surface of the multilayered structure such that an end of an internal electrode is located on a projecting portion of either side surface; a side insulating film for covering the end of the internal electrode on the projecting portion of the side surface; a first flat electrode formed on one principal surface of the multilayered structure; a second flat electrode formed on the other principal surface of the multilayered structure; a first side electrode formed on a first side surface of the multilayered structure and connected to a first group of electrodes; and a second side electrode formed on a second side surface of the multilayered structure and connected to a second group of electrodes.
US08169122B1 Ultra sonic release of DNA or RNA
Method and apparatus for sonication in connection with preparing a cellular sample containing DNA or RNA for performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or for other reasons where it is important to break down the cell walls and other cellular structures to release cellular contents including DNA. The same methods and apparatus may be used to release DNA or RNA from virus for PCR or other uses. A novel apparatus which is capable of releasing cellular contents or releasing the DNA or RNA of virus without the aid of beads or chemicals is described herein. The apparatus is designed to deliver high levels of sonic energy through optimizing the geometry the apparatus and optimizing the force created by a piezoelectric transducer. The apparatus is capable of processing samples which are contained within fluid in a short amount of time between 30 seconds and two and one half minutes. The apparatus is small and can be field deployable or used in a standard molecular biology laboratory.
US08169121B2 Surface acoustic wave device including electrode fingers partially disposed in grooves in a piezoelectric substrate
A surface acoustic wave device has a large electromechanical coupling coefficient, a low insertion loss, and high resistance to static electricity. In the surface acoustic wave device, a piezoelectric substance includes a plurality of grooves. Each electrode finger of an IDT electrode includes a first electrode layer disposed in the grooves and a second electrode layer disposed on the first electrode layer and located at a position higher than the upper opening of the grooves. In a surface acoustic wave device, the one-half power of the product of the cube of the average density (ρa) of the first electrode layer and the average stiffness (C44a) of the first electrode layer [(ρa3×C44a)1/2] is larger than the one-half power of the product of the cube of the average density (ρb) of the second electrode layer and the average stiffness (C44b) of the second electrode layer [(ρb3×C44b)1/2].
US08169118B2 High-aspect-ratio homopolar magnetic actuator
A homopolar magnetic actuator is configured to exert controllable radial forces on a body adapted to rotate around an axis. The actuator comprises at least three radial magnetic pole assemblies distributed at some distances from each other along the axis, each including a plurality of poles adjacent to an actuator target on the body. Permanent magnets are used to induce bias magnetic fluxes in the assemblies with polarities alternating from assembly to assembly but remaining the same around the rotational axis. Having several small bias fluxes distributed between several pole assemblies instead of a large single bias flux facilitates designing an actuator with a high aspect ratio. A control coil around each pole can induce a control magnetic flux in the poles. These control fluxes affect magnetic flux distribution around the actuator target, resulting in magnetic forces exerted on the target.
US08169116B2 Electric motor
An electric motor 1 includes a first structure 4 including a magnetic pole row formed by a predetermined plurality of magnetic poles 4a arranged in a predetermined direction, a second structure 3 including an armature row disposed in a manner opposed to the magnetic pole row, for generating moving magnetic fields moving in the predetermined direction between the armature row and the magnetic pole row, and a third structure 5 including a soft magnetic material element row. The third structure disposed such that the soft magnetic material element row is positioned between the magnetic pole row and the armature row. A ratio between the number of the armature magnetic poles, the number of the magnetic poles 4a, and the number of the soft magnetic material elements 5a is set to 1:m:(1+m)/2 (m≠1.0).
US08169115B1 Motor distributor system
A cylindrical drive shaft has forward and rearward ends. A fixed cylindrical housing receives the drive shaft, the housing having forward and rearward ends. An axial flux permanent magnet motor encompasses the drive shaft within the housing. The axial flux permanent magnet motor has a radially exterior cylinder fixedly secured to the housing and a radially interior cylinder secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. Each axial flux permanent magnet motor has windings coupled to the exterior cylinder. Each axial flux permanent magnet motor has a permanent magnet fixedly coupled to the interior cylinder. Electrical lines have lower ends coupled to the windings and upper ends adapted to be coupled to a source of potential for energizing the axial flux permanent magnet motors.
US08169114B2 Large gap horizontal field magnetic levitator
The invention is a magnetic levitation device that has a pair of permanent magnets or electromagnets, which are used to create a large constant magnetic field on a horizontal plane between two magnetic poles. An object is levitated between the two magnets and is kept within the horizontal magnetic field by an electromagnet that is controlled by a servomechanism.
US08169113B2 Motor operating at two different voltages
A motor operating at two different voltages, containing at least: a stator, a rotor, multiple coil windings, a housing, a patch board, a connector socket having a terminal cap, a first plug, a second plug, and a base. The patch board is disposed on the housing. The connector socket, the first plug, and the base are disposed on the patch board. The terminal cap is disposed in the connector socket. The coil winding is directly electrically connected to the terminal cap. The first plug is inserted in the connector socket whereby connecting two in-phase coil windings in parallel. The second plug is disposed on the base as the motor operates at a low voltage, and the second plug is inserted in the connector socket whereby connecting two in-phase coil windings in series. The first plug is disposed on the base as the motor operates at a high voltage.
US08169112B2 Position sensing device and motor using the same
A position sensing device for a motor, the motor has a stator having a coil winding, and a rotor, and the position sensing device including a fixing frame, including a first fixing portion, a second fixing portion, a third fixing portion, and a fourth fixing portion, multiple Hall components, and a PCB board. The position sensing device is connected to the stator via the first fixing portion whereby detecting a position of the rotor, the second fixing portion operates to fix a power lead connected to the coil winding of the stator, the PCB board is disposed on the fixing frame via the third fixing portion, and the Hall component is disposed on the fixing frame via the fourth fixing portion and connected to the PCB board. The invention features simple structure and is capable of being firmly connected and fixed to other electronic components such as a power lead, a PCB board and so on.
US08169111B2 Brushless motor
A brushless motor has a stator, a rotor rotatably disposed in an inner circumferential portion of the stator, and a resolver configured to detect a rotational position of the rotor with respect to the stator. The resolver has a resolver stator disposed at a fixed circumferential position with respect to the stator, and a resolver rotor disposed at a fixed circumferential position with respect to the rotor.
US08169110B2 Oil cooled motor/generator for an automotive powertrain
An oil-cooled motor/generator for an automotive powertrain located outside of the transmission is provided, such as a BAS motor/generator. The motor/generator may have a stator, a rotor circumscribed by the stator, and a motor shaft on which the rotor is mounted for rotation. A housing assembly may surround the stator and the rotor, with a bearing positioned between the housing assembly and the motor shaft. A flow control member may at least partially circumscribe the rotor axially adjacent the stator. A bearing retainer may be positioned axially adjacent the bearing. A rotor end ring may be axially adjacent the rotor. The housing assembly may have an inlet configured to receive cooling oil. The housing assembly, the flow control member, the bearing retainer and the rotor end ring may be configured to distribute the cooling oil from the inlet to cool the stator, the rotor and the bearing.
US08169107B2 Method and system for reducing switching losses in a high-frequency multi-cell power supply
A method of reducing switching losses in a power supply includes the steps of advancing the output voltage of a first pole of a power cell by a first angle, retarding the output voltage of a second pole of the power cell by a second angle, and producing a combined output voltage of the power cell equal to a positive pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a first half of a switching cycle of the power cell, and equal to a negative pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a second half of the switching cycle of the power cell.
US08169100B2 Torque transmission for an aircraft engine
The torque transmission system for an aircraft engine permits a starter-generator to drive the engine on starting at a speed reducing ratio. Once the engine is running, the engine then drives the starter-generator also at a speed reducing ratio.
US08169095B2 Wind energy plant with a rotor
A wind energy plant with a rotor, which is connected to a gearbox and/or a generator via a rotor shaft, wherein the rotor shaft is bearing mounted on a carrier unit via two taper roller bearings in an O arrangement, characterized in that each taper roller bearing has an inner and an outer race, wherein the inner races and the outer races are secured in their distance to each other in the axial direction with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor shaft via an adjustment device.
US08169088B2 Power converter integrated circuit floor plan and package
For a DC to DC converter circuit integrated on a packaged die, the relative positions of various die pads and power MOSFETs on the die for a small outline integrated circuit package are described.
US08169084B2 Bond pad structure and method for producing same
It is described a bond pad structure and a method for producing the same, the bond pad structure (1), comprising: a substrate (3) having a surface (17) to be electrically contacted; a first isolator layer (5) contacting the surface (17) of the substrate in a first region (a); a first metal layer (9) contacting the surface (17) of the substrate (3) in a second region (b) adjacent the first region (a) and partly overlapping the first isolator layer (5); a second isolator layer (11) at least partly overlapping the first isolator layer (5) and the first metal layer (9); a second metal layer (13) at least partly overlapping the second isolator layer (11) in the second region (b); wherein a maximum thickness (U) of the second metal layer (13) perpendicular to the surface (17) of the substrate (3) is smaller than a maximum thickness (t0) of the first isolator layer (5) perpendicular to the surface (17) of the substrate (3). The surface of the second isolator layer forming the highest level provides scratching protection for the bond pad structure.
US08169082B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: a sensor including a sensor structure on a first side of the sensor and a periphery element surrounding the sensor structure; and a cap covering the sensor structure and having a second side bonded to the first side of the sensor. The cap includes a first wiring layer on the second side of the cap. The first wiring layer steps over the periphery element. The sensor further includes a sensor side connection portion, and the cap further includes a cap side connection portion. The sensor side connection portion is bonded to the cap side connection portion. At least one of the sensor side connection portion and the cap side connection portion provides an eutectic alloy so that the sensor side connection portion and the cap side connection portion are bonded to each other.
US08169080B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacture thereof
A seal ring is provided between a region where a circuit is formed on a semiconductor substrate and a dicing region. The seal ring has a portion where sealing layers of which the cross sectional form is in T-shape are layered and a portion where sealing layers of which the cross sectional form is rectangular are layered.
US08169075B2 Electronic part with affixed MEMS
According to an aspect of the invention, an electronic part includes a substrate having a first planar surface, a first bump affixed to the first planar surface of the substrate, a second bump affixed to the first planar surface of the substrate a predetermined distance from the first bump, a MEMS chip including a element, the MEMS chip coupled to the first bump and the second bump, the MEMS chip distanced from the first planar surface, an adhesive region bonding with the first bump, the substrate and the MEMS chip.
US08169074B2 Semiconductor devices including first and second silicon interconnection regions
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes a first interconnection disposed on a substrate. The interconnection includes a first silicon interconnection region and a first metal interconnection region sequentially stacked on the substrate. A second interconnection includes a second silicon interconnection region and a second metal interconnection region that are stacked sequentially. The second silicon interconnection region has a lower resistivity than the first silicon interconnection region.
US08169070B2 Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor chip defining a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, the semiconductor chip comprising at least one contact element on the first face of the semiconductor chip, an encapsulating body encapsulating the semiconductor chip, the encapsulating body having a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, a redistribution layer extending over the semiconductor chip and the first face of the encapsulating body and containing a metallization layer comprising contact areas connected with the contact elements of the semiconductor chip, and an array of external contact elements located on the second phase of the encapsulating body.
US08169067B2 Low profile ball grid array (BGA) package with exposed die and method of making same
Methods and apparatuses for improved thermal, electrical and/or mechanical performance in integrated circuit (IC) packages are described. An IC circuit package comprises a substrate having a central opening. An IC die, resides within the opening in the substrate. Wirebonds couples a plurality of bond pads on a top surface of the IC die to a plurality of bond fingers on a top surface the substrate. An encapsulating material encapsulates at least the IC die and the wirebonds such that at least a bottom surface of the IC die is left exposed. The encapsulating material suspends the die such that at least a portion of the die is held within the opening in the substrate.
US08169064B2 Nested integrated circuit package on package system
A package on package system is provided including providing a first substrate having a first integrated circuit thereon and a second substrate having a second integrated circuit thereon, the second substrate having a recess provided therein. The first and second substrates are mounted having the first integrated circuit at least partially nested in the recess.
US08169062B2 Integrated circuit package for semiconductior devices with improved electric resistance and inductance
A semiconductor integrated circuit package having a leadframe (108) that includes a leadframe pad (103a) disposed under a die (100) and a bonding metal area (101a) that is disposed over at least two adjacent sides of the die. The increase in the bonding metal area (101a) increases the number of interconnections between the metal area (101a) and the die (100) to reduce the electric resistance and inductance. Furthermore, the surface area of the external terminals radiating from the package's plastic body (106) is increased if not maximized so that heat can be dissipated quicker and external terminal resistances reduced. The integrated circuit is applicable for MOSFET devices and the bonding metal area (101a) is used for the source terminal (101). The bonding metal area may have a “L” shape, a “C” shape, a “J” shape, an “I” shape or any combination thereof.
US08169059B2 On-chip RF shields with through substrate conductors
Structures of a system on chip and methods of forming a system on chip are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system on a chip includes an RF component disposed on a first part of a substrate, a semiconductor component disposed on a second part of the substrate, the semiconductor component and the RF component sharing a common boundary. The system on chip further includes through substrate conductors disposed in the substrate, the through substrate conductors coupled to a ground potential node, the through substrate conductors disposed around the RF component forming a fence around the RF circuit.
US08169053B2 Resistive random access memories and methods of manufacturing the same
Provided are resistive random access memories (RRAMs) and methods of manufacturing the same. A RRAM includes a storage node including a variable resistance layer, a switching device connected to the storage node, and a protective layer covering an exposed part of the variable resistance layer. The protective layer includes at least one of aluminum oxide and titanium oxide. The variable resistance layer is a metal oxide layer.
US08169048B2 Isolation structure in a memory device
An isolation structure in a memory device and a method for fabricating the isolation structure. In the method, a first trench is formed in a cell region of a semiconductor substrate and a second trench in a peripheral region of the semiconductor substrate. A liner layer comprising a silicon nitride layer is formed on the first and second trenches. A spin on dielectric (SOD) layer comprising polysilazane is formed on the liner layer so as to fill the first and second trenches. A portion of the SOD layer filling the second trench is removed. A portion of the silicon nitride layer, which is disposed on the second trench and is exposed after the removing of the portion of the SOD layer, is oxidized using oxygen plasma and heat generated from the plasma. A high density plasma (HDP) oxide layer is formed to fill the second trench.
US08169037B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit including transistor having diffusion layer formed at outside of element isolation region for preventing soft error
A MISFET includes a drain diffusion layer of a first conductivity type, a source diffusion layer of the first conductivity type, a gate electrode, and a substrate/well of a second conductivity type. In the MISFET, first diffusion layers of the first conductivity type are provided at two or more positions at predetermined intervals with an isolation therebetween respectively. The two or more positions are facing at least two sides of the element isolation insulation around the drain diffusion layer. A second diffusion layer of the second conductivity type is provided so as to be close to or to come in contact with the source diffusion layer.
US08169031B2 Continuous metal semiconductor alloy via for interconnects
A contact structure is disclosed in which a continuous metal semiconductor alloy is located within a via contained within a dielectric material. The continuous semiconductor metal alloy is in direct contact with an upper metal line of a first metal level located atop the continuous semiconductor metal alloy and at least a surface of each source and drain diffusion region located beneath the continuous metal semiconductor alloy. The continuous metal semiconductor alloy can be derived from either a semiconductor nanowire or an epitaxial grown semiconductor material. The continuous metal semiconductor alloy includes a lower portion that is contained within an upper surface of each source and drain region, and a vertical pillar portion extending upward from the lower portion. The lower portion of the continuous metal semiconductor alloy and the vertical pillar portion are not separated by a material interface. Instead, the two portions of the continuous metal semiconductor alloy are of unitary construction, i.e., a single piece.
US08169028B2 Semiconductor device
In a conventional semiconductor device, protection of a to-be-protected element from a surge voltage is difficult because the to-be-protected element is turned on before a protection element due to variations in manufacturing conditions. In a semiconductor device of the present invention, a protection element and a MOS transistor have part of their structures formed under common conditions. N type diffusion layers of the protection element and the MOS transistor are formed in the same process, while the N type diffusion layer of the protection element has a larger diffusion width than the N type diffusion layer of the MOS transistor. With this structure, when a surge voltage is applied to an output terminal, the protection element is turned on before the MOS transistor, and thereby the MOS transistor is protected from an avalanche current.
US08169026B2 Stress-induced CMOS device
A semiconductor device including: a silicon dioxide layer; an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) including at least one recessed source/drain trench and located over a portion of the silicon dioxide layer; a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) including at least one recessed source/drain trench and located over a portion of the silicon dioxide layer; a nitride stress liner over the NFET and the PFET, the nitride stress liner filling the at least one recessed source/drain trench of the NFET and the at least one recessed source/drain trench of the PFET; and a first contact formed in the silicon dioxide layer, the first contact abutting one of the NFET or the PFET.
US08169019B2 Metal-oxide-semiconductor chip and fabrication method thereof
A metal-oxide-semiconductor chip having a semiconductor substrate, an epitaxial layer, at least a MOS cell, and a metal pattern layer is provided. The epitaxial layer is located on the semiconductor substrate and has an active region, a termination region, and a scribe line preserving region defined on an upper surface thereof. An etched sidewall of the epitaxial layer is located in the scribe line preserving region. The boundary portion of the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate is thus exposed. The MOS cell is located in the active region. The metal pattern layer is located on the epitaxial layer and has a gate pad coupled to the gate of the MOS cell, a source pad coupled to the source of the MOS cell, and a drain pattern, which is partly located on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08169014B2 Interdigitated capacitive structure for an integrated circuit
System and method for an improved interdigitated capacitive structure for an integrated circuit. A preferred embodiment comprises a first layer of a sequence of substantially parallel interdigitated strips, each strip of either a first polarity or a second polarity, the sequence alternating between a strip of the first polarity and a strip of the second polarity. A first dielectric layer is deposited over each strip of the first layer of strips. A first extension layer of a sequence of substantially interdigitated extension strips is deposited over the first dielectric layer, each extension strip deposited over a strip of the first layer of the opposite polarity. A first sequence of vias is coupled to the first extension layer, each via deposited over an extension strip of the same polarity. A second layer of a sequence of substantially parallel interdigitated strips can be coupled to the first sequence of vias.
US08169013B2 Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor having capacitor dielectric material selected from a group consisting of ZRO2, HFO2, (ZRX, HF1-X)O2 (0
A semiconductor device having a logic section and a memory section that are formed on the same semiconductor chip, including: a first transistor formed in the logic section and having gate electrodes and source and drain regions, and a second transistor formed in the memory section having gate electrodes, source and drain regions and a capacitor, the capacitor being of a MIM structure and having an upper and a lower metal electrode and a capacitor dielectric film sandwiched therebetween, the capacitor dielectric film being formed of a dielectric material which is selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, Hf92, (Zrx, Hf1-x)O2 (0
US08169001B1 Method for preparing a non-self-aligned heterojunction bipolar transistor with a small emitter-to-base spacing
The present invention refers to a method for preparing a non-self-aligned heterojunction bipolar transistor comprising: preparing a patterned emitter metal on an emitter epi layer of a HBT epi structure on a substrate; preparing an emitter epitaxy below the emitter metal; applying a resist layer on the top surface covering the emitter metal and emitter epitaxy, and the base layer; applying lithography leaving the emitter epitaxy and the emitter metal covered by the resist vertically with a width pD and leaving a pattern according to the mask in the resist; depositing base metal on the entire surface; and removing the remaining resist and the base metal covering the resist defining a base metal, the base metal being spaced from the emitter epitaxy and the emitter metal by a distance xD from 0.05 μm to 0.7 μm. The present invention refers to a non-self-aligned heterojunction bipolar transistor as prepared by this method.
US08168999B2 Semiconductor device having IGBT and diode
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; an active element cell area including IGBT cell region and a diode cell region; a first semiconductor region on a first side of the substrate in the active element cell area; a second semiconductor region on a second side of the substrate in the IGBT cell region; a third semiconductor region on the second side in the diode cell region; a fourth semiconductor region on the first side surrounding the active element cell area; a fifth semiconductor region on the first side surrounding the fourth semiconductor region; and a sixth semiconductor region on the second side below the fourth semiconductor region. The second semiconductor region, the third semiconductor region and the sixth semiconductor region are electrically coupled with each other.
US08168998B2 LED with remote phosphor layer and reflective submount
A light emitting device comprises a flip-chip light emitting diode (LED) die mounted on a submount. The top surface of the submount has a reflective layer. Over the LED die is molded a hemispherical first transparent layer. A low index of refraction layer is then provided over the first transparent layer to provide TIR of phosphor light. A hemispherical phosphor layer is then provided over the low index layer. A lens is then molded over the phosphor layer. The reflection achieved by the reflective submount layer, combined with the TIR at the interface of the high index phosphor layer and the underlying low index layer, greatly improves the efficiency of the lamp. Other material may be used. The low index layer may be an air gap or a molded layer. Instead of a low index layer, a distributed Bragg reflector may be sputtered over the first transparent layer.
US08168997B2 Light emitting diode package
Provided is an LED package including a printed circuit board (PCB); a conductive structure that is formed on the PCB and is composed of any one selected from a silicon structure and an aluminum structure; and an LED chip that is mounted on the PCB and is electrically connected to the PCB through the conductive structure.
US08168995B2 Nitride based semiconductor light emitting diode
A nitride based semiconductor LED is provided. In the nitride based semiconductor LED, an n-type nitride semiconductor layer is formed on a substrate. The n-type nitride semiconductor layer has the top surface divided into a first region and a second region with a finger structure, so that the first region and the second region are meshed with each other. An active layer is formed on the second region of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer. A p-type nitride semiconductor layer is formed on the active layer, and a reflective electrode is formed on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer. A p-electrode is formed on the reflective electrode, and an n-electrode is formed on the first region of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer. A plurality of n-type electrode pads are formed on the n-electrode. At least one of the n-type electrode pads are arranged adjacent to different sides of the n-electrode.
US08168991B2 Optical element and optoelectronic component comprising such an optical element
An optical element (1) is specified comprising an optical body (2) containing a plastic material. The optical body (2) is completely encapsulated by a protective layer (3) containing a silicon oxide. An optoelectronic component comprising such an optical element is furthermore described.
US08168990B2 Apparatus for dissipating thermal energy generated by current flow in semiconductor circuits
A thermal energy dissipating arrangement includes a semiconductor device and a thermally conductive medium. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor circuit defining a semiconductor junction and encapsulating material in physical contact with and surrounding the semiconductor circuit. The thermally conductive medium defines an opening sized to receive the semiconductor device such that the thermally conductive medium defining the opening is in physical, thermally conductive contact with an exterior surface of the encapsulating material about the semiconductor device with the thermally conductive medium defining the opening intersecting an angle of less than or equal to a predefined angle relative to a plane defined by the semiconductor junction about a periphery of the semiconductor circuit. The thermally conductive medium absorbs thermal energy generated within the semiconductor device as a result of current flow through the semiconductor junction and rejects the absorbed thermal energy to an ambient environment surrounding the thermally conductive medium.
US08168986B2 GaN-based semiconductor light-emitting element, light-emitting element assembly, light-emitting apparatus, method of driving GaN-based semiconductor light-emitting element, and image display apparatus
A GaN-based semiconductor light-emitting element is provided and includes a first GaN-based compound semiconductor layer; an active layer having a multi-quantum well structure; and a second GaN-based compound semiconductor layer. At least one of barrier layers constituting the active layer is composed of a varying-composition barrier layer, and the composition of the varying-composition barrier layer varies in the thickness direction thereof so that the band-gap energy in a region of the varying-composition barrier layer, the region being adjacent to a boundary between a well layer disposed closer to the second GaN-based compound semiconductor layer and the varying-composition barrier layer, is lower than that in a region of the varying-composition barrier layer, the region being adjacent to a boundary between a well layer disposed closer to the first GaN-based compound semiconductor layer and the varying-composition barrier layer.
US08168983B2 Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing semiconductor device, display device, and method for manufacturing display device
A semiconductor device 19-1 includes a source electrode 3s and a drain electrode 3d disposed on a substrate 1, an insulating partition wall 5, which has a first opening 5a reaching end portions of the source electrode 3s and the drain electrode 3d and between these electrodes 3s-3d and which is disposed on the substrate 1, a channel portion semiconductor layer 7a, which is composed of a semiconductor layer 7 formed from above the partition wall 5 and which is disposed on the bottom portion of the first opening 5a while being separated from the semiconductor 7 on the partition wall 5, a gate insulating film 9 formed all over the surface from above the semiconductor layer 7 including the channel portion semiconductor layer 7a, and a gate electrode 11a disposed on the gate insulating film 9 while overlapping the channel portion semiconductor layer 7a.
US08168979B2 Crystallization method, thin film transistor manufacturing method, thin film transistor, display, and semiconductor device
According to a crystallization method, in the crystallization by irradiating a non-single semiconductor thin film of 40 to 100 nm provided on an insulation substrate with a laser light, a light intensity distribution having an inverse peak pattern is formed on the surface of the substrate, a light intensity gradient of the light intensity distribution is controlled, a crystal grain array is formed in which each crystal grain is aligned having a longer shape in a crystal growth direction than in a width direction and having a preferential crystal orientation (100) in a grain length direction, and a TFT is formed in which a source region and a drain region are formed so that current flows across a plurality of crystal grains of the crystal grain array in the crystal growth direction.
US08168978B2 Display device
The present invention provides a display device where thin film transistors are formed on a substrate on which an image display portion is formed, wherein the thin film transistors comprise: a gate electrode; a gate insulating film formed so as to cover the gate electrode; a semiconductor layer in island form which is formed on the gate insulating film so as to overlap with the gate electrode; and a pair of electrodes formed on the semiconductor layer so as to face each other, and the semiconductor layer is provided within a region where the gate electrode is formed as viewed in a plane, and formed of a crystal semiconductor layer and an amorphous semiconductor layer, which are layered in sequence on the gate electrode side, characterized in that the gate electrode is formed so as to have such a film thickness that the light transmittance is 0.3% or less at least in the region facing the semiconductor layer.
US08168977B2 Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a thin film transistor having high performance in a liquid crystal display, and a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that includes: forming a gate line including a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate line; forming a data line including a source electrode and a drain electrode facing the source electrode on the gate insulating layer; forming a partition defining a pixel area and having an opening region exposing the gate insulating layer on the gate electrode, the source electrode and the drain electrode on the gate line, and the data line and the drain electrode; forming a semiconductor in the opening region; forming a color filter in the pixel area defined by the partition; and forming a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode on the color filter.
US08168970B2 Die having embedded circuitry with test and test enable circuitry
Timely testing of die on wafer reduces the cost to manufacture ICs. This disclosure describes a die test structure and process to reduce test time by adding test pads on the top surface of the die. The added test pads allow a tester to probe and test more circuits within the die simultaneously. Also, the added test pads contribute to a reduction in the amount of test wiring overhead traditionally required to access and test circuits within a die, thus reducing die size.
US08168969B2 Semiconductor-on-diamond devices and methods of forming
The present invention provides semiconductor-on-diamond devices, and methods for the formation thereof. In one aspect, a mold is provided which has an interface surface configured to inversely match a configuration intended for the device surface of a diamond layer. An adynamic diamond layer is then deposited upon the diamond interface surface of the mold, and a substrate is joined to the growth surface of the adynamic diamond layer. At least a portion of the mold can then be removed to expose the device surface of the diamond which has received a shape which inversely corresponds to the configuration of the mold's diamond interface surface. The mold can be formed of a suitable semiconductor material which is thinned to produce a final device. Optionally, a semiconductor material can be coupled to the diamond layer subsequent to removal of the mold.
US08168967B2 Organic light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same, the device including: a substrate; a barrier layer; a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the barrier layer includes an SiO layer and an SiOxNy layer.
US08168966B2 GaN-based semiconductor light-emitting device, light illuminator, image display planar light source device, and liquid crystal display assembly
A GaN-based semiconductor light-emitting device includes (A) a first GaN-based compound semiconductor layer 13 having n-type conductivity, (B) an active layer 15 having a multi-quantum well structure including well layers and barrier layers for separating between the well layers, and (C) a second GaN-based compound semiconductor layer 17 having p-type conductivity. The well layers are disposed in the active layer 15 so as to satisfy the relation d1
US08168965B2 Semiconductor device and method using nanotube contacts
A semiconductor device includes at least one semiconductor layer, a metal layer in electrical contact with the semiconductor layer, and a carbon nanotube contact layer interposed between the metal layer and the semiconductor layer. The contact layer electrically couples the metal layer to the semiconductor layer and provides a semiconductor contact having low specific contact resistance. The contact layer can be substantially optically transparent layer in at least a portion of the visible light range.
US08168964B2 Semiconductor device using graphene and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor graphene is used for a channel layer, and a metal graphene is used for electrode layers for a source, a drain, and a gate which serve as interconnections as well. An oxide is used for a gate insulating layer. The channel layer and the electrode layers are located on the same plane.
US08168963B2 System and methods for self-decontaminating a surface
A system for self-decontaminating a surface of an object is disclosed herein. The system includes a light emitting member and photocatalytic material which can be mounted on or within the object to be decontaminated. Activation of the system releases an oxidizing agent effective in deactivating chemically or biologically active agents at or near the surface. The system is robust, non-destructive, can be activated on demand, and does not require regeneration or expose a user to harmful materials such as UV irradiation. Also disclosed are objects containing the system, methods for self-decontaminating objects using the system, and methods for fabricating self-decontaminating surfaces on an object.
US08168957B2 Magnetically enhanced, inductively coupled plasma source for a focused ion beam system
The present invention provides an inductively coupled, magnetically enhanced ion beam source, suitable to be used in conjunction with probe-forming optics to produce an ion beam without kinetic energy oscillations induced by the source.
US08168955B2 Photon event distribution sampling apparatus and method
Locations of the origins of the photons are acquired from a scanned sample with reference to a scan frame. The location on the sample from which a photon was emitted is inferred from the location of the scan as commanded by a scan drive signal, a feedback signal related to the position of the scan device, or alternatively by the point in time during a scan at which the photon is detected. A position function, e.g., photon probability density, is associated with a photon position. Summing or other processing of photon probability density functions can require fewer photons to converge to an ideal density distribution associated with an image feature than are required using conventional pixel binning. Stored data can be mapped into pixels or voxels of a display or otherwise processed. Original data remains available in the digital storage for post-hoc analysis. Imprecision introduced by the display process need not adversely affect the precision of the collected data.
US08168945B2 Method for generation and use of isotopic patterns in mass spectral data of simple organisms
A method for identifying a biological analyte that is affected by a stressor is disclosed in which two substantially identical biological samples are provided, with a first sample being a control sample and a second sample being an experimental sample. The control sample is grown with a nutrient having an isotope of a first atom, whereas the experimental sample is grown with a nutrient having a second isotope of the first atom. The experimental sample is grown with a stressing agent and regimen. The samples are admixed, and the formed composite is mass spectroscopically assayed for analyte peaks. The ratio of first isotope to second isotope is determined for the peaks, as is a sample median isotopic ratio. The ratio for assayed analyte peaks is compared with the median ratio. An analyte whose isotopic ratio significantly deviates from the median ratio is an analyte affected by the stressing agent.
US08168944B2 Methods and systems for providing a substantially quadrupole field with a higher order component
A two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field is provided. The field comprises a quadrupole harmonic of amplitude A2 and an octopole harmonic of amplitude A4, wherein A4 is greater than 0.01% of A2, A4 is less than 5% of A2, and, for any other higher order harmonic with amplitude An present in the field, n being any integer greater than 2 except 4, A4 is greater than ten times An.
US08168942B2 Chromatograph mass spectrometer
In a chromatograph mass spectrometer capable of defining an appropriate measurement time range and selectively performing a scan measurement, selected ion monitoring (SIM) measurement or simultaneous scan/SIM measurement in that time range, a total ion chromatogram 51 obtained by a scan measurement of a standard sample and a previously-created compound table 52 are displayed on the screen of a display unit in the process of setting parameters in a measurement condition table. An operator selects a compound that should undergo the simultaneous scan/SIM measurement, then places a checkmark in an appropriate check box in the compound table 52, and finally clicks the “Auto-Create” button 54. Then, a measurement time range for the selected compound is defined by adding a time span before and after the retention time of that compound, respectively, and a measurement condition table 53 is automatically created and displayed on the screen. This table includes instructions for performing a simultaneous scan/SIM measurement at specific mass-to-charge ratios characteristic of the selected compound during the aforementioned measurement time range.
US08168941B2 Ion beam angle calibration and emittance measurement system for ribbon beams
An ion beam angle calibration and emittance measurement system, comprising a plate comprising an elongated slit therein, wherein the elongated slit positioned at a rotation center of the plate and configured to allow a first beam portion to pass therethrough. A beam current detector located downstream of the plate, wherein the beam current detector comprises a slit therein configured to permit a second beam portion of the first beam portion to pass therethrough, wherein the beam current detector is configured to measure a first beam current associated with the first beam portion. A beam angle detector is located downstream of the beam current detector and configured to detect a second beam current associated with the second beam portion. The plate, the current beam detector and the beam angle detector are configured to collectively rotate about the rotation center of the plate.
US08168933B2 Method for forming image sensor with shield structures
An image sensor having shield structures and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the image sensor includes: (i) substrate having at least one photosensitive element formed therein; (ii) a dielectric layer overlying the substrate and the photosensitive element; and (iii) an annular reflective waveguide disposed in the dielectric layer above the photosensitive element to reduce cross-talk between adjacent elements of the sensor while increasing sensitivity of the sensor. In certain embodiments, the sensor further includes a photoshield disposed in the dielectric above the photosensitive element and about the waveguide to further reduce the possibility of cross-talk. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08168930B2 Beam power for local receivers
A beam power source transmits a signal indicating power availability, receives a request for power in response, and beams power in response to the request.
US08168926B2 Heating device
A first heating element and a second heating element, which are capable of individually controlling temperatures thereof, are embedded in a ceramic base. Each of the first heating element and the second heating element is formed into a spiral shape so as not to contact the other from a central portion of the base to an outer circumferential portion thereof in substantially the same plane parallel to a heating surface of the base. One of the first and second heating elements includes a high heating density portion on the central portion side of the base, and a low heating density portion on the peripheral portion side of the base, and the other of the first and second heating elements includes a low heating density portion on the central portion side of the base, and a high heating density portion on the peripheral portion side of the base.
US08168925B2 Glass-ceramic plate and method for the production thereof
Glass-ceramic plates that may be used to cover or receive at least one heating element of a cooking apparatus include a coating comprising at least two contrasted zones. Methods and devices for producing such glass plates and cooking apparatus are provided.
US08168923B2 System for heated food delivery and serving
The invention involves a temperature regulated heated Pizza/Food delivery system that ca provide a continuous warming solution for pizza and food from the store, to the car and to the customer, in a vehicle, including the ability to be battery-powered, should an electrical outlet not be available. This invention can use a dual powered technology to power the heater directly from 110/220V AC wall outlets or 12V DC automotive outlets without needing power adapters. The heater's power plug can be a magnetic breakaway connector, accessible through an opening in the insulated bag. Two colored LED indicators can be used to indicate the source of power. A set of detachable feet that fit into the keyhole slot of the heater can allow it to stand independently. The Nonstick, water-resistant heater surface can allow it to serve heated food directly, replacing the ubiquitous fire hazard, Sterno.
US08168920B2 Bonding device
A bonding device includes a bonding head including a bonding tool for sucking and holding an electronic component, and a laser heater for heating the electronic component by irradiating laser light on the electronic component held by the bonding tool from an inside of the bonding head, the laser heater including a collective unit for condensing laser light emitted from a light source. A focusing point of the laser light condensed by the collective unit is formed inside the bonding head.
US08168918B2 Laser welding system and laser welding control method
A laser processing head mounted on a robot arm moves from with a constant speed in a direction from a welding point to a next welding point, while a reflection mirror continuously turns in order to maintain laser beams focused on the welding point until the welding at the welding point is completed, and the reflection mirror quickly turns to shift the focus of the laser beams onto the next welding point when the welding at the welding point is completed.
US08168917B2 System and method for laser-encoding information on hydraulic rods
A system for encoding information on a movable object including a laser optically coupled to a moveable object, wherein the moveable object includes a circumferential surface and a longitudinal axis. The laser is configured to project concentrated electromagnetic radiation onto the moveable object. The concentrated electromagnetic radiation heats a portion of the surface of the moveable object affected by the radiation so as to anneal the portion of the surface affected by the radiation, thereby modifying the reflective characteristics of the annealed portion. The system also includes a mounting apparatus configured to adaptively position the moveable object relative to the laser. The system further includes a controller in communication with the laser and the mounting apparatus and configured to control one or more of the mounting apparatus and the laser to project a desired encoding pattern onto the moveable object.
US08168914B2 Electric-discharge-machining power supply apparatus and electric discharge machining method
In an electric discharge machining, in order to reduce damage of an object to be machined and an electrode and to achieve machining velocity enhancement and reduction of electrode wear amount by appropriately controlling a short-circuit current that flows when the electrode and the object to be machined are short-circuited, an electric-discharge-machining power supply apparatus for machining an object to be machined by interrupting every predetermined time period pulse trains that are turned on and off at predetermined timing, to supply electric power to a machining gap between a machining electrode (2) and the object (3) to be machined includes: a short circuit detecting means (11) for detecting a short circuit at the machining gap between the machining electrode (2) and the object (3) to be machined; and a pulse halting means (12) for, when the short circuit detecting means (11) detects a short circuit occurrence at the machining gap, halting generation of particular pulses in the pulse train so as to halt the power supply to the machining gap.
US08168911B2 Circuit breaker with improved arc quenching
A circuit breaker having an arc quenching system is provided. The quenching system includes an ablative device positioned within a chamber. On end of the ablative device includes an opening that receives a stationary contact. A movable contact arm travels within a channel between the closed position and an open position. When an abnormal operating condition is detected, the circuit breaker trips causing the contact arm to move. This generates a plasma arc that evaporates material from the ablative device. The evaporated material generates a pressurized gas that cools and quenches the plasma arc to improve the performance of the circuit breaker during undesired operating conditions such as a short circuit.
US08168909B2 Vacuum switchgear
A vacuum switchgear comprising a vacuum container, two fixed contacts and two movable contacts for being in contact with and out of contact with the fixed contacts which are disposed in the vacuum container, and two operation rods linked to the each movable contact, respectively, characterized that a connection conductor having a current collector for making electrical sliding contact with the external surface of the each operation rod, which is fixed to outlet parts of the vacuum containers, from which extend the operation rod outwardly.
US08168907B2 Switch mechanism for a power cutter
A switch mechanism for a power tool switchable between an ON and OFF state including a support structure; a first actuator rotatably mounted on the support structure and which is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first actuator is capable of being releasably latched in either of the first or second positions. The first actuator includes a recess. A second actuator is a slidable button located inside of the recess of the first actuator so that the first actuator at least partially surrounds the second actuator, and is linearly slidable within the recess between a first position and a second position. The second actuator is biased towards its first position. Movement of the first actuator from its first position to its second position, when the second actuator is in its first position, switches the switching mechanism to its ON state; and movement of the first actuator from its second position to its first position, when the second actuator is in its first position, switches the switching mechanism to its OFF state. Movement of the second actuator from its first position to its second position, when the first actuator is latched in its second position, switches the switch mechanism to its OFF state.
US08168904B2 Illumination button switch assembly having lighting structure and electronic device
An illumination button switch assembly for an electronic device includes a substrate, a switch element, a flexible and light-pervious supporting member, a light source, and a button cap. The switch element is disposed on the substrate to be triggered to generate a switching signal. The supporting member has a top end and a bottom end, a concave hollow portion is formed on the bottom end, and the bottom end is disposed above the switch element and is spaced from the switch element. The light source is disposed on the substrate to project light into the hollow portion. The button cap is fixed on the top end to be pressed to push the supporting member to contact the switch element with the bottom end. Since the button cap is light-pervious, the light passing through the hollow portion penetrates the button cap, thereby illuminating the button cap.
US08168901B2 Cutouts with automatic reclosing
A cutout is used in an electrical distribution network to electrically connect a first electric cable with a second electrical cable, The cutout includes an electrically non-conductive insulator having first and second end. A first terminal assembly is secured to the first insulator end. A second terminal assembly is secured to the second insulator end. A failsafe fuse assembly is pivotally secured to the second terminal and is movable between an engaged position and a lockout position. A reclosing mechanism is secured to the first terminal and monitors electrical current through the fuse assembly. If a fault condition exists, the reclosing mechanism opens and then closes the electrical link between the first and second electrical cable. If, after a predetermined number of closes, the fault condition still exists, the reclosing mechanism disconnects from the fuse assembly, allowing the fuse assembly to fall to the lockout position.
US08168900B2 Auxiliary operating device for an electromechanical switching device
An auxiliary operating device for an electromechanical switching device having an operating mechanism. The auxiliary operating device including an actuating element couplable to the operating mechanism and movable between a first position and a second position, an actuation member movable relative to the actuating element between a third position and a fourth position, and a drive dog arrangement configured to cooperate with the actuating element and the actuation member. The auxiliary operating device further includes a coupling device movable between a release position and an operating position. The coupling device is configured, when in the operating position, so as to move the actuating element with the actuation member in a second direction of movement when the actuation member is in the third position. The coupling device is configured, when in the release position, so as to allow movement of the actuation member in the first and second directions between the third and fourth positions.
US08168893B2 Multilayer wiring board with concave portion for accomodating electronic component
A multilayer wiring board includes a multilayer wiring substrate having a concave portion which accommodates an electronic component. The multilayer wiring substrate has multiple insulation layers, multiple conductive circuits, multiple vias and an electromagnetic shielding layer. The conductive circuits are separated by the insulation layers and electrically connected through the vias. The electromagnetic shielding layer has a roughened surface and formed along one of a bottom surface and side surfaces of the concave portion in the multilayer wiring substrate.
US08168890B2 Printed circuit board and component package having the same
A printed circuit board, a component package that includes the printed circuit board, and a method of manufacturing the component package are disclosed. The printed circuit board, which may include an insulation layer, a pad formed over the insulation layer and wire-bonded to a component, and a tin (Sn) alloy layer formed over the pad, can be manufactured with lower costs and a simpler manufacturing process, where the adhesion provided by the wire-bonding can also be increased.
US08168886B2 Paste for back contact-type solar cell
Disclosed is a back contact-type solar cell wherein both of n+-type layer and p+-type layer are formed in the opposite side from a sunlight receiving side, wherein an electrode formed on the opposite side comprises a conductive component comprising silver and an added metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir and Pt.
US08168878B2 System for coordinating a performance
Embodiments described herein provide a musical performance system that produces a set of signals or cues to individual members of a choir or group of musical instruments as to when each member is to play their particular instrument. Typically, the musical instrument is comprised of a handbell as used in bell choirs. The system alerts, e.g., via vibration or light, children or physically challenged individuals at a predetermined, specified time such that they may perform music with the correct rhythm and timing. The system comprises a computer readable medium for storing data, a musical instrument digital interface unit, a sequencer, a sending unit, and at least one receiving unit.
US08168877B1 Musical harmony generation from polyphonic audio signals
Melody and accompaniment audio signals are received and processed to identify one or more harmony notes and a harmony signal is produced based on the one or more harmony notes. Typically the melody note is identified and a spectrum of the accompaniment audio signal and is obtained, and one or more harmony notes are identified based on the melody note and the accompaniment spectrum. The melody, and accompaniment signals can be processed in real-time for combination with the harmony signal in an audio performance. In some examples, audio signals are processed and harmonies generated for subsequent performance based on, for example, MIDI files generated from the audio signals.
US08168876B2 Method of displaying music information in multimedia playback and related electronic device
Music information is displayed during playback of multimedia content performed by a multimedia playback device. The multimedia content comprises audio and video. To obtain the music information, audio of the multimedia content is retrieved, environmental noise is filtered out of the audio to generate filtered audio, a rhythm of the filtered audio is obtained, and the music information is generated based on the rhythm of the filtered audio. The music information is displayed simultaneously during playback of the multimedia content.
US08168873B2 Drum support structure
The drum support structure according to the present invention includes: a drum support member that is attached to a drum holding portion of a drum stand; and a coupling member that supports a drum shell and couples the drum shell to the drum support member, and the drum support member includes a base made of wood to which the coupling member is attached.
US08168869B2 Sweet pepper hybrid 9930417
The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid 9930417 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid 9930417 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08168866B2 Generation of plants with altered oil content
The present invention is directed to plants that display an altered oil content phenotype due to altered expression of a HIO32.2 nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an altered oil content phenotype.
US08168865B1 Polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08168862B2 Fructan biosynthetic enzymes
This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding fructosyltransferases. More specifically, this invention relates to polynucleotides encoding 1-FFTs, 6-SFTs, or 1-SSTs. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA constructs encoding all or a portion of the fructosyltransferases, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the fructosyltransferases in a transformed host cell.
US08168860B2 Compositions and methods for the modification of physiological responses in plants
A gene expression system for controllable expression of ethylene response in a plant cell includes an activation cassette comprising a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a response element; an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain; and an activation domain; and a target cassette comprising an inducible promoter, which comprises, in operative association, the response element and a minimal promoter responsive to the activation domain. The inducible promoter controls the expression of a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a selected protein that modifies sensitivity to ethylene in the plant. Interaction among the components of the activation cassette and target cassette, when in a plant cell, in the presence of an inducing composition, modulates expression of the selected protein and selectively modulates ethylene sensitivity in the plant cell. This modulation in the expression of the protein is controlled by the timing, the concentration and the duration of the application of the inducing composition. Transgenic plant cells, tissues, organs and entire plants are provided, which in the presence of the inducing composition control ethylene sensitivity. Ethylene sensitivity and/or ethylene production in such transgenic plants and tissues may be controlled for purposes of manipulating ripening, flower senescence and other ethylene sensitive functions of the plant.
US08168857B2 Polynucleotides and polypeptides involved in plant fiber development and methods of using same
Isolated polynucleotides are provided. Each of the isolated polynucleotides comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NOs:130-258 and 536-791, wherein the polypeptide is capable of regulating cotton fiber development. Also provided are methods of using such polynucleotides for improving fiber quality and/or yield of a fiber producing plant, as well as methods of using such polynucleotides for producing plants having increased biomass/vigor/yield.
US08168856B2 Method of production of recombinant sucrose synthase, use thereof in the manufacture of kits for determination of sucrose, production of adpglucose and production of transgenic plants whose leaves and storage organs accumulate high contents of adpglucose and starch
An isolated sucrose synthase peptide. Also, a method of preparing ADPglucose by incubating the isolated sucrose synthase peptide with ADP in suitable conditions and then isolating and purifying the ADPG produced. Also, an assay kit for the spectrophotometric, fluorimetric or amperometric determination of sucrose, which kit includes the isolated sucrose synthase peptide. Also, a method of producing a transgenic plant that overexpresses sucrose synthase by inserting a genetic construct containing a DNA fragment that encodes the sucrose synthase peptide into a vector and transferring to a plant genome, and a transgenic plant obtained thereby.
US08168855B2 Tobacco compositions and methods of making
The present disclosure describes tobacco varieties having reduced levels of DVTs, methods of making such varieties, and tobacco compositions including such varieties.
US08168853B2 Extrusion bonded laminates for absorbent articles
An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a topsheet, an outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The outer cover may comprise an extrusion bonded laminate. The EBL may comprise a multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film and a nonwoven. The film may comprise a core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, wherein the core layer is between the first and second outer layers. The nonwoven may comprise fibers and/or filaments. The first outer layer may be non-adhesively joined to the nonwoven via extrusion coating. Further, the outer cover may be elastic to at least about 50% engineering strain. The nonwoven may have high chemical affinity for the first outer layer. The first outer layer may have a low chemical affinity for the core layer; and the multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film may have a basis weight no greater than about 40 gsm.
US08168851B2 Adhesive skin patch sheet
An adhesive skin patch sheet comprises a support, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a release sheet laminated in that order, the release sheet is divided by a cut line into a small first release sheet and a large second release sheet, the cut line is formed so as to be convex only from the second release sheet toward the first release sheet.
US08168849B2 Method of making a bandage
The present invention provides a method of making a bandage from a fabric such as a knitted fabric, for example. The fabric is steamed, sprayed with a solution containing an antibacterial/antimicrobial agent in a spraying chamber 28 and then dried in a drying chamber 40.
US08168847B2 Aqueous phase oxidation process
An improved oxidization process may be used to oxidize a wide variety of feedstocks. Oxidation takes place in a reactor where the feedstock is mixed with an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid. The reaction mixture may also include a secondary oxidizing acid such as sulfuric acid as well as water and/or dissolved and mechanically mixed oxygen gas. The reactor may be maintained at an elevated pressure such as at least approximately 2070 kPa or desirably at least approximately 2800 kPa. The temperature of the reaction mixture may be maintained at no more than 210° C.
US08168845B2 Separation process
The invention relates to an improved absorption-type separation and/or purification processes having dual rotary valves.
US08168842B2 Process for the alkylation of a cycloalkene
Process for the alkylation of a cycloalkene, which process comprises alkylating a cycloalkene with an oxygenate under alkylating conditions in the presence of a zeolite; to yield an alkylated cycloalkene. Composition obtainable by such a process and use of such a composition as a gasoline blending component.
US08168841B2 Process for preparing cyclododecatriene
Preparation of cyclododecatriene in a continuous or discontinuous process by trimerization of butadiene in the presence of a catalyst system and a solvent, the crude cyclododecatriene obtained being able to be isolated by means of distillation. The cyclooctadiene formed as by-product can likewise be isolated from the crude product.
US08168840B2 Biomass pretreatment process
A process is described for pretreating lignocellulosic biomass. The process comprises swelling the lignocellulosic biomass with an aqueous liquid. The pretreated lignocellulosic biomass may be used as a feedstock for the enzymatic conversion to ethanol, or in a thermal conversion. process to produce bio-oil. The pretreatment results in a greater yield and, in the case of a thermal conversion process, a better quality of the bio-oil. The pretreatment process may be used to adjust the composition and amount of inorganic material present in the lignocellulosic biomass material.
US08168839B2 Continuously cracking technology of waste rubber or plastics and its equipment
Certain examples relate to methods of continuously cracking waste rubber or plastics and apparatuses related to the same, to produce oil from waste rubber or plastics. Raw materials comprising a catalyst and rubber or plastics may be extruded in order to separate the air or to prevent oxidization. The raw materials are transported into the cracking chamber, and moved from the inlet to the discharge hole. After the cracking process is finished, the products are discharged automatically through the discharge hole. The separation of air and oxygen in the inlet and discharge hole of the cracking chamber can avoid dangers caused by oxygen entering the cracking chamber, and realize industrial production with continuous feedings. The ratio of the oil can be raised from 19% to 45%-48%, and the loss of production equipment reduced. Production costs are reduced, safety measurements improved, and continuous production is realized.
US08168838B2 Hydrocarbon compositions useful as lubricants
A process for the preparation of a synthetic predominantly single carbon number hydrocarbon fluid comprises the steps of: contacting an alpha olefin having a carbon number of 4 to 30 with a single site catalyst under conditions effective to produce reactive hydrocarbon oligomers that contain reactive double bonds and comprising predominantly dimers, trimers, and tetramers wherein at least 10 weight percent of such reactive hydrocarbon oligomers at least one of trimers and tetramers; separating at least one of said trimers and tetramers in said reactive hydrocarbon oligomers; dimerizing said separated one of said trimers tetramers by contacting said separated one of said trimers or tetramers with a dimerization catalyst thereby producing an unsaturated synthetic hydrocarbon fluid; and contacting said unsaturated synthetic hydrocarbon fluid with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst thereby producing a synthetic hydrocarbon fluid having predominantly single carbon number.
US08168837B2 Process for separating hydrogen fluoride from organic feedstocks
Provided is a process for purifying an organic feedstock comprising (a) distilling a raw organic feedstock comprising hydrogen fluoride, 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene to produce a first distillate stream comprising an azeotrope-like composition of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and hydrogen fluoride, and a first bottoms stream rich in hydrogen fluoride; (b) cooling said first distillate stream to produce an intermediate composition comprising an organic layer rich in 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and an acid layer rich in hydrogen fluoride; and, optionally but preferably, (c) distilling said organic layer to produce a second distillate stream comprising an azeotrope-like composition of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and hydrogen fluoride, and a second bottoms stream comprising a purified organic feedstock substantially free of hydrogen fluoride.
US08168836B2 Method of hydrogenating aldehydes and ketones
Methods and systems for the hydrogenation of aldehydes and/or ketones are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of the hydrogen-containing gas (e.g. H2 gas) in the aldehydes and/or ketones. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce hydrogenation time with existing catalysts.
US08168834B2 4-alkyl 1-(3-methoxy-2-propen-1-yl) benzene compounds and their use in perfume compositions
The present invention is directed to novel 4-alkyl 1-(3-methoxy-2-propen-1-yl)benzene compounds and a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of the novel compounds.
US08168831B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte cell, electrode stabilizing agent, phosphazene derivative and method of producing the same
A non-aqueous electrolyte cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a support salt. The non-aqueous electrolyte further comprises a phosphazene derivative. The phosphazene derivative having a specified structure functions as an electrode stabilizing agent or a non-combustion agent.
US08168828B2 Process for the preparation of pregabalin
The present invention encompasses novel intermediates of pregabalin, namely 3-cyano-5-methyl hexanamide (28) and 3-(amino methyl)-5 methyl hexanamide (29), and processes for their preparation. The invention also encompasses a process for converting the novel pregabalin intermediates into pregabalin, Formula (I): The present invention further provides a cost effective method for the synthesis of (S)-pregabalin, which involves the recovery of mandelic acid and tartaric acid used in the resolution process and recycling them, increasing the yields of the final product formed, which substantially reduced the cost of the production.
US08168827B2 Amide derivative
Amide derivatives represented by the formula (I): wherein: A is a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; X is a nitrogen atom or CR17; Y is —NRa-, —(CRbRb′)m-, and the like; m is 0 to 4; and R1 to R17 may be the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a carboxyl group, a formyl group, a hydroxyl group, an ammonium group, an alkyl group optionally having one or more substituents, -ZR18 and the like, Z is —O—, —S(O)p-, —S(O)pO—, —NH—, —NR19-, and the like; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a hydrate thereof, or a solvate thereof may be applied to pharmaceutical use such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic action and the like.
US08168826B2 Method of producing highly functionalized 1,3-diamino-propan-2-ols from solid support
The invention is directed to compounds and methods of synthesizing hydroxyethylamino amides and their use in treatment of aspartyl protease mediated diseases and conditions.
US08168825B2 Amide derivatives, process for preparation thereof and use thereof as insecticide
An object of the present invention is to provide a compound represented by Formula (1): wherein A1, A2, A3 and A4 each represent a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom or an oxidized nitrogen atom; R1 and R2 each represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group or an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkylcarbonyl group; G1 and G2 each represent an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X, which may be identical or different each other, represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C3 alkyl group or a trifluoromethyl group; n is an integer of 0 to 4; and Q1 represents an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted naphthyl group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; Q2 represents a phenyl group or heterocyclic group having one or more substituents, at least one of the substituent being any of a C1-C4 haloalkoxy group, a C2-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, a C1-C6 perfluoroalkylthio group, a C1-C6 perfluoroalkylsulfinyl group and a C1-C6 perfluoroalkylsulfonyl group, an insecticide comprising the compound as the active ingredient, and a process for preparation thereof.
US08168819B2 Process for production of 5-phenylisophthalic acid
The present invention provides an industrially advantageous process for producing 5-phenylisophthalic acid, which process attains excellent selectivity and yield and also realizes recovery and reuse of a catalyst.The process for producing 5-phenylisophthalic acid represented by formula (1) is characterized in that the process includes the following steps (A) to (C): (A) reacting m-xylene with cyclohexene in the presence of hydrogen fluoride and boron trifluoride, to thereby produce 1-cyclohexyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene; (B) dehydrogenating the 1-cyclohexyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene produced in step (A) in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst, to thereby produce 3,5-dimethylbiphenyl; and (C) dissolving the 3,5-dimethylbiphenyl produced in step (B) in a solvent and oxidizing the 3,5-dimethylbiphenyl in the co-presence of an oxidation catalyst, to thereby produce 5-phenylisophthalic acid.
US08168814B2 Synthesis of phosphonic acid labeled compounds
High purity isotopically labeled phosphonic acid esters can be obtained from isotopically enriched Chloro[13C]methyl phenyl sulfide The labeled phosphonic acid esters can then be used as precursors for the one step production of labeled vinyl sulfides, labeled vinyl sulfoxides, and labeled vinyl sulfones. The labeled phosphonic acid esters can also be reacted with a variety of aldehydes to produce extended vinyl systems that are isotopically labeled.
US08168809B2 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal, and method for production thereof
Disclosed are: (1) a method for producing 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal, which comprises the step of providing a reaction mixture containing 1-acetoxy-2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1-propene by a process for reacting 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene with 2-methyl-3,3-diacetoxypropene or a process for reacting 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene, methacrolein and acetic anhydride with one another; subjecting the reaction mixture to hydrolysis or transesterification with an alcohol to provide a reaction mixture containing 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal; and purifying by distilling the reaction mixture, wherein a high boiling point compound contained in the reaction mixture is removed by a specific procedure; and (2) 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-propanal produced by the method, which has an acetic acid content of a less than 40 ppm, is useful as a perfume, and has a high purity.
US08168805B2 Optically active methylhydroxylaminopropanol compound and its use as intermediate for preparation of (S)-(−)-3-methylamino-1-(2-thienyl)propan-1-ol
The present invention provides an (S)-methylhydroxylaminopropanol derivative and the (S)-methylhydroxylaminopropanol derivative of the present invention is used as an intermediate for preparation of (S)-(−)-3-methylamino-1-(2-thienyl)propan-1-ol, which is an intermediate for preparation of (S)-(+)-N-methyl-3-methyl-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-3-(2-thienyl)propylamine oxalate. The present invention also provides a process for preparing (S)-(−)-3-methylamino-1-(2-thienyl)propan-1-ol with higher yield and lower cost, wherein the (S)-methylhydroxylaminopropanol derivative is used as an intermediate.
US08168799B2 Process for the preparation of tetrazolytetrahydrocyclopentapyrazoles
A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), or a salt, hydrate or solvate thereof; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, or C1-6 alkyl groups or R1 and R2 are linked and, together with the cyclopentane carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a cyclopropyl ring.
US08168798B2 Caspase inhibitor prodrugs
This invention relates to prodrugs of caspase inhibitors comprising of a furo[3,2-d]oxazolin-5-one moiety which, under specific conditions, can convert into biologically active compounds, particularly caspase inhibitors.This invention also relates to the processes for preparing these prodrugs of caspase inhibitors.This invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said prodrugs and to the use thereof for the treatment of diseases related to inflammatory or degenerative conditions.
US08168794B2 Pim kinase inhibitors and methods of their use
The present invention relates to new compounds of Formulas I and II, their tautomers, stereoisomers and polymorphs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, metabolites or prodrugs thereof, compositions of the new compounds together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and uses of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, in the inhibition of Pim kinase activity and/or the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.
US08168792B2 Heterocyclic antiviral compounds
Compounds having the formula A-R wherein A is a heteroaryl and R is Ia, Ib or Ic and wherein A, R, R1, R2a, R2b, R2c, R3a, R3b, R4, R5, R6, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X, X1, X2 and n are as 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.R is
US08168790B2 Process for the preparation of 6-beta hydroxy morphinan compounds
The invention provides processes for the conversion of a 6-keto morphinan to a 6-hydroxy morphinan. In particular, the invention provides a stereoselective process for the conversion of a 6-keto morphinan to a 6-beta-hydroxy morphinan.
US08168781B2 Organic semiconducting material, and film, organic electronic device and infrared dye composition each including said material
An organic semiconducting material comprises a naphthalocyanine derivative represented by formula (1); wherein M represents Si, Ge or Sn, R1 to R3 represent substituents other than a hydrogen atom except that all of R1 to R3 are identical straight-chain alkyl groups, and R4 to R27 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.
US08168771B2 Use of consensus sequence as vaccine antigen to enhance recognition of virulent viral variants
The invention provides consensus sequences for hepatitis C virus 1a and 1b. Also provided are non-synonymous changes for each residue of the consensus sequences. These sequences are useful as compositions or vaccines for prophylactic use or treating HCV-infected individuals. Also provided are methods for lessening the chances for a HCV-infected individual to enter a chronic phase of infection and methods of diagnosing an individual with HCV 1a or HCV 1b infection.
US08168769B2 HPV vaccines and methods for using the same
Improved anti-HIV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed, Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype A Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype B Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype C Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype D Envelope protein, those having consensus sequences for HIV Subtype B consensus Nef-Rev protein, and those having consensus sequences form HIV Gag protein subtypes A, B, C and D. Improved anti-HPV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them; improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them; improved hTERT immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them; and improved anti-Influenza immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising and live attenuated pathogens are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HIV, HPV, HCV, hTERT and Influenza are disclosed.
US08168766B2 Process of making 2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides and intermediates therefor
A compound of formula (A) or salt thereof: wherein each of R1, R2, and R3 independently represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, acyl, sulfonyl, or silyl; P represents hydrogen or a hydroxy protective group. This compound may be used an intermediate for making a 2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides, such as gemcitabine.
US08168764B2 Polyfunctional compound, optical recording material, optical recording medium, optical recording/reproducing apparatus, optical waveguide material, and photo-alignment film material
Provided is a polyfunctional compound which can be used as an optical recording material in which a large quantity of information data can be recorded optically at a high density, which can be used as an optical waveguide material using a refractive index difference occurring between a light-irradiated part and a part not irradiated with light, and which is capable of forming a film and can be used as a photo-alignment film material having excellent photosensitivity.
US08168763B2 Ferritin 2 for the host immunization against ticks
Ferritin 2 is a tick secreted protein, which serves in the tick plasma as a non-heme iron transporter from the gut to the peripheral tissues. It can be exploited as an antigen for raising up host antibodies, which can reversely block this antigen in the tick and the attached tick will not have functional mechanism of the non-heme iron transport from the gut to the peripheral tissues. This mechanism is essential for the further tick development and its blocking eventually prevents transmission of tick-borne pathogens.
US08168761B2 Antibody to SOST peptides
The present invention is directed to isolated polypeptides and antibodies suitable for producing therapeutic preparations, methods, and kits relating to bone deposition. One objective of the present invention is to provide compositions that improve bone deposition. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide methods and compositions to be utilized in diagnosing bone dysregulation. The therapeutic compositions and methods of the present invention are related to the regulation of Wise, Sost, and closely related sequences. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides include Wise and Sost as well as a family of molecules that express a cysteine knot polypeptide.
US08168758B2 Anti-MN antibodies and methods of using same
The invention provides antibodies having an antigenic binding site specifically directed against an MN protein, and methods for using such antibodies in treating and diagnosing an MN-related disorder.
US08168753B2 Thrombin cleavable factor X analogues
The invention relates to factor X analogues containing the thrombin-cleavable sequence Pro-Arg-Ala in place of the-sequence Thr-Arg-Ile of the activation site of native factor X. These factor X analogues can be used to obtain procoagulant medicinal products.
US08168750B2 Subunits of the adenovirus fiber protein and uses thereof as vaccines
A nucleic acid sequence encoding a fragment of the adenovirus fiber capsid protein, a DNA construct including a replicable expression vector and at least one heterologous nucleic acid, and recombinant protein including fragment of the adenovirus fiber capsid protein. The fragment comprises the C-terminal knob and part of the shaft domain of the fiber protein of these adenoviruses. The use of recombinant proteins as an active ingredient in vaccinating compositions for conferring to an animal immunity against a pathogenic infection by an adenovirus, and methods for vaccinating a domestic bird against a pathogenic adenoviral infection.
US08168749B2 Stimulating neurite outgrowth using Tctex-1-related polypeptides
A method of stimulating neurite outgrowth in a subject may include administering to the subject a formulation that includes a tctex-1-related polypeptide that stimulates neurite outgrowth in vitro.
US08168746B2 Biomimetic materials for protein storage and transport
The invention provides a method for the insertion of protein in storage vehicles and the recovery of the proteins from the vehicles, the method comprising supplying isolated protein; mixing the isolated protein with a fluid so as to form a mixture, the fluid comprising saturated phospholipids, lipopolymers, and a surfactant; cycling the mixture between a first temperature and a second temperature; maintaining the mixture as a solid for an indefinite period of time; diluting the mixture in detergent buffer so as to disrupt the composition of the mixture, and diluting to disrupt the fluid in its low viscosity state for removal of the guest molecules by, for example, dialysis, filtering or chromatography dialyzing/filtering the emulsified solid.
US08168745B2 Process for the preparation of poly- and oligothiophenes on an industrial scale
Process for industrial scale synthesis of poly- and oligothiophenes, which works in concentrated solution. In this process, a solution which comprises an organometallic thiophene reagent is added to a second solution which comprises a catalyst.
US08168743B2 Curable benzoxazine macromonomers, their preparation and cured products
The invention relates to a curable benzoxazine macromonomer containing at least 3 benzoxazine rings and at least one aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, araliphatic, hetereoaraliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic fragment, the fragment comprising a shortest atom chain containing at least 40 consecutive atoms between two benzoxazine nitrogen atoms or between two benzoxazine oxygen atoms, and said atom chain must not include any oxazine ring atoms (“soft fragment”). The invention further relates to cured products made thereof and a method or producing the same.
US08168742B2 Crosslinkable fluorinated aromatic prepolymer and its uses
To provide a crosslinkable fluorinated aromatic prepolymer which is capable of forming a cured product having a low relative permittivity, high heat resistance, low birefringence and high flexibility, and its uses.A crosslinkable fluorinated aromatic prepolymer which is obtained by subjecting a compound (Y-1) having a crosslinkable functional group (A) and a phenolic hydroxyl group and/or a compound (Y-2) having a crosslinkable functional group (A) and a fluorinated aromatic ring, to a condensation reaction in the presence of a HF-removing agent, with a fluorinated aromatic compound (B) represented by the formula (1): (wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 2, each of a and b which are independent of each other, is an integer of 0 to 3, and each of Rf1 and Rf2 represents a fluorinated alkyl group having at most 8 carbon atoms and a compound (C) having at least 3 phenolic hydroxyl groups, and which has crosslinkable functional groups (A) and ether bonds and has a number average molecular weight of from 1×103 to 5×105.
US08168740B2 Process for producing an organsiloxane polymer
Process for producing an organosiloxane polymer and novel organosiloxane polymer compositions. The process according to the invention comprises hydrolyzing tetraalkoxysilane monomers in a hydrolysis step; and polymerizing said hydrolyzed monomers in a polymerization step by subjecting them to conditions conducive to polymerization to form an organosiloxane polymer. The hydrolysis step is conducted in a reaction medium comprising an organic compound with hydroxy groups. The invention allows for the synthesis of siloxane polymer compositions suitable for thin-film applications using a high content of tetra- and trifunctional silixane polymer precursors.
US08168736B2 Emulsion polymer comprising activators, process for preparation thereof and use thereof in two-component or multicomponent systems
The invention describes anemulsion polymer which can be obtained by polymerization of a mixture comprising a) from 5 to 99.9% by weight of one or more monomers having a solubility in water of <2% by weight at 20° C. and selected from the group consisting of monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers, styrene and vinyl esters; b) from 0 to 70% by weight of one or more monomers which can be copolymerized with the monomers a); c) from 0 to 20% by weight of one or more doubly or multiply vinylically unsaturated compounds; d) from 0 to 20% by weight of one or more polar monomers having a solubility in water of >2% by weight at 20° C.; and e) 0.1-95% by weight of at least one activator, with the components a) to e) adding up to 100% by weight of the polymerizable constituents of the mixture, and is characterized in that e1) the activator is a compound of the Formula I, where the radicals R1 to R7 and X have the meanings given in the description; and in that e2) the activator e) is incorporated via covalent bonds into the emulsion polymer. The emulsion polymer makes it possible to form core-shell polymers having a protected activator fixed to the polymer and can be used particularly advantageously for controlling the pot life of two-component or multicomponent systems, for example in adhesives, pourable resins, floor coatings, compositions for reactive pegs, dental compositions or sealing compositions.
US08168735B2 Silicone compound, a process for the preparation thereof and a process for the preparation of an ophthalmic device therefrom
The present invention provides a hydrophilic silicone which has a predetermined number of silicon atoms and a high purity and is suitable for producing an ophthalmic device and a process for preparing the same.The silicone compound is represented by formula (1) with a purity of 95% by weight or higher, wherein m is one value out of the integers of from 3 to 10, n is one value out of the integers of from 1 to 10, R1 is one out of alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R2 is one out of a hydrogen atom and a methyl group.
US08168731B2 Curable resin composition, cured product thereof, printed wiring board, epoxy resin, and process for producing the same
Provided is a curable resin composition that exhibits good heat resistance and low thermal expansion, and that realizes good solubility in solvents, a cured product thereof, a printed wiring board including the composition, a novel epoxy resin that imparts these properties, and a process for producing the same. A curable resin composition contains, as essential components, an epoxy resin (A) having, in its molecular structure, a glycidyloxy group and a skeleton in which a naphthalene structure and a cyclohexadienone structure are bonded to each other via methylene group(s); and a curing agent (B).
US08168730B2 Curable silicone rubber composition and cured product thereof
Provided is a curable silicone rubber composition, comprising (A) an organopolysiloxane containing two or more aliphatic unsaturated bonds within each molecule, having a viscosity at 25° C. within a range from 10 to 100,000 mm2/s, and containing a phenyl group and/or cyclohexyl group, (B) an organopolysiloxane with a resin structure comprising SiO2 units and (R1)3SiO0.5 units (wherein, each R1 represents, independently, a vinyl group, an allyl group, or a monovalent hydrocarbon group that contains no aliphatic unsaturated bonds, provided one or more of all the R1 groups within this component (B) represent, independently, a phenyl group or a cyclohexyl group), (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and (D) a platinum group metal-based catalyst, wherein the component (B) exists in a quantity that represents from 20 to 80% by mass of the combination of the component (A) and the component (B). The composition is capable of forming a cured product with improved hardness, no surface tackiness, and a high refractive index, without any loss in rubber-like properties such as elongation. A substrate such as an electrical or electronic component or an optoelectronic component can be coated with the cured product by applying the composition to the substrate and curing the composition to form the cured product on top of the substrate.
US08168725B2 Degradation of polypropylene with hydroxylamine ester compositions
The invention relates to novel composition comprising hydroxylamine esters and thio compounds, which are suitable for lowering the molecular weight of polypropylene, propylene copolymers or polypropylene blends and result in an excellent degradation performance at temperatures below 220° C.
US08168722B2 Interpolymer resin particles
A polymer composition that includes from 0.1 to 60 percent by weight of interpolymer resin particles containing a styrenic polymer intercalated within a polyolefin and from 40 to 99.9 percent by weight of at least one second polymer. The polyolefin is present at from 20% to 80% by weight based on the weight of the particles, has a VICAT softening temperature greater than 60° C. and a melt index of from 0.3 to 15 g/10 minutes (190° C./2.16 kg). The styrenic polymer is present at from 20% to 80% by weight based on the weight of the particles. The interpolymer resin particles have a gel content ranging from 0 to 5% by weight based on the weight of said interpolymer resin particles, a VICAT softening temperature ranging from 85° C. to 115° C., and a melt index value ranging from 0.1 to 6.0 (230° C./5.0 kg).
US08168717B2 Polyester resin for toner, toner composition and resin particle
Disclosed is a heat-fusible electrostatic image developing toner which has an excellent balance between fixability at low temperatures and grindability and is excellent in glossiness after fixing. Also disclosed is a resin for toners. A polyester resin for toners which is obtained by polycondensing a polyol component and a polycarboxylic acid component is characterized by containing 20-100 weight % of one or more polyester resins (A1) having a storage elastic modulus from 2.5 x 103 Pa to 5 x 106 Pa at 150° C. wherein the molar average cohesive energy of the polyol component is between 7.0 x 104 and 1.4 x 105 J.
US08168714B2 (Per)fluoroelastomeric compositions
A (per)fluoroelastomeric composition curable by peroxidic way comprising: 100 phr as (per)fluoroelastomer as filler, 0.5-50 phr of silica having a pH value, determined according to the DIN ISO 787-9 standard, higher than 7, preferably higher than 8, as crosslinking agent, from 0.5 to 10 phr of a bis-olefin having general formula: wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, equal to or different from each other, are H or C1-C5 alkyls; Z is selected between a C1-C18 linear or branched alkylene or cycloalkylene radical, optionally containing oxygen atoms, preferably at least partially fluorinated, or a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene radical.
US08168713B2 Dispersants and compositions thereof
The present invention provides a dispersant of Formula (1): E-O—(Y)x-T-NR′-A-Z—W0-v, and salts thereof, wherein E is R or R—NR′-T-; R is H or C1-50-optionally substituted hydrocarbyl; R′ is a residue of an optionally substituted alkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide, or a residue of an epoxide, or a C1-8-optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group; Y is C2-4-alkyleneoxy; T is C2-4 alkylene; A is the residue of a dibasic acid or anhydride thereof; Z is the residue of a polyamine and/or polyimine; W is the residue of an oxide, urea or dibasic acid or anhydride thereof; x is from 2 to 90; and v represents an integer variable. The invention further provides a composition comprising a particulate solid, an organic medium and/or water and the dispersant.
US08168712B2 Golf ball
The object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent durability and resilience. The present invention provides a golf ball which includes a core, and a cover covering the core. The cover contains an ionomer resin and an organically modified layered silicate. The organically modified layered silicate has an interlayer distance, measured by X-ray diffraction, in a range from 2.5 nm to 15 nm.
US08168708B2 Sheet-fed offset printing inks and varnishes comprising new solvents
An offset printing varnish, comprising a solvent, is provided. The solvent comprises at least one triglyceride with saturated monocarboxylic acid moieties, which solvent is preferably food safe.
US08168702B2 Acrylic-resin-containing film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device using the same
Object of the present invention is to provide an acrylic-resin-containing film which exhibits high transparency, high heat resistance, and markedly improved brittleness, a polarizing plate using the acrylic-resin-containing film which improves a yield of operation such as punching of a polarizing plate or bonding panels and a liquid crystal display device which can keep to exhibit excellent visibility in long-terms usage in harsh environment. These objects have been achieved by the acrylic-resin-containing film comprising a acrylic resin (A) and a cellulose ester resin (B), or comprising the acrylic resin (A), the cellulose ester resin (B) and at least a resin (D) which is other than the resins (A) and (B) and has a glass transition temperature Tg of 120-300° C. The film is characterized in that it has a haze of less than 2%, a tensile softening point of 120-150° C. and undergoes no ductile fracture.
US08168700B2 Electrodepositable coating compositions and related methods
Provided is an electrodepositable coating composition of a resinous phase dispersed in an aqueous medium, the resinous phase including (a) an active hydrogen-containing, cationic salt group-containing resin; and (b) an at least partially blocked polyisocyanate curing agent. The composition contains an organotin catalyst which is or is derived from a dialkyltin compound having the structure (I): [R1][R2]—Sn═O  (I) where R1 and R2 are the same or different, and each independently represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is greater than 8. The catalyst is present in an amount sufficient to effect cure at a temperature at or below 340° F. (171.1° C.). Methods of preparing and using the composition also are provided.
US08168698B2 Method of using hyperbranched polyamine to exfoliate inorganic clay into random form of nanosilicate platelet
A method for producing random form of nanosilicate platelets comprises mixing and acidifying an exfoliating agent with an inorganic acid to form an acidified exfoliating agent; intercalating layered inorganic silicate clay with the acidified exfoliating agent to form a mixture; and dissolving the mixture in a solvent and reacting it with a hydroxide or chloride of alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal. The hyperbranched polyamines serving as the exfoliating agent are prepared by polymerizing poly(oxypropylene)-triamine and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA). Hydrophilic amine groups of the exfoliating agent are acidified and then reacted with the layered inorganic silicate clay through cation exchange reaction and physical clay exfoliation to give random form of nanosilicate platelets.
US08168689B2 High optical contrast pigment and colorful photosensitive composition employing the same and fabrication method thereof
A high optical contrast pigment and colorful photosensitive composition employing the same are disclosed. The composition comprises a solvent, an alkali-soluble resin, reactive monomer, and a modified pigment which has low crystallization. The low crystallization degree means that the grain size variation R is not more 80%, wherein the grain size variation R is represented by a formula R=G1/G0×100%, G0 is the original grain size, and G1 is the grain size after modification.
US08168680B2 Cyclopentane heptan(ENE)OIC acid, 2-heteroarylalkenyl derivatives as therapeutic agents
A compound comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, having the groups described in detail herein is disclosed. Also disclosed herein are compounds comprising or derivatives thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tetrazoles, or prodrugs of compounds of the structure or derivatives thereof, said derivatives being described in detail herein. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating diseases or conditions, including glaucoma and elevated intraocular pressure. Compositions and methods of manufacturing medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08168675B2 Compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions for treating and preventing presbycusis.
US08168673B2 Compounds having CRTH2 antagonist activity
Compounds of general formula (I) wherein W is chloro or fluoro; Z is a group SO2R1; wherein R1 is —C3-C8 cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents chosen from halo, —CN, —C1-C6 alkyl, —SOR3, —SO2R3, —SO2N(R2)2, —N(R2)2, —NR2C(O)R3, —CO2R2, —CONR2R3, —NO2, —OR2, —SR2, —O(CH2)pOR2, and —O(CH2)pO(CH2)qOR2 wherein each R2 is independently hydrogen, —C1-C6 alkyl, —C3-C8 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; each R3 is independently, —C1-C6 alkyl, —C3-C8 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; p and q are each independently an integer from 1 to 3; and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, complexes or prodrugs are useful in orally administrable compositions for the treatment of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.
US08168672B2 Thioamide derivatives as progesterone receptor modulators
Thioamide compounds, and specifically, thioamide pyrrole compounds, and preparation thereof are provided. These thioamide compounds can be used as progesterone receptor modulators, in contraception, and in the treatment of progesterone-related maladies.
US08168663B2 Pharmaceutically acceptable salt of 6-carboxy-2-(3,5 dichlorophenyl)-benzoxazole, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the salt thereof
Kinetic stabilization of the native state of transthyretin is an effective mechanism for preventing protein misfolding. Because transthyretin misfolding plays an important role in transthyretin amyloid diseases, inhibiting such misfolding can be used as an effective treatment or prophylaxis for such diseases. Treatment methods are disclosed.
US08168659B2 1, 5-diphenyl-3-benzylamino-1, 5-dihydropyrrolidin-2-one as CB1 receptor modulators
Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the Formula as CB1 receptor inverse agonists useful for reducing body weight in mammals, treating cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, and mitigating treatment emergent weight gain observed during treatment with antipsychotics.
US08168658B2 Inhibitors of histone deacetylase
The present invention relates to a novel class of compounds. These compounds can inhibit histone deacetylase and are suitable for use in selectively inducing terminal differentiation, and arresting cell growth and/or apoptosis of neoplastic cells, thereby inhibiting proliferation of such cells. Thus, the compounds of the present invention are useful in treating a patient having a tumor characterized by proliferation of neoplastic cells. The compounds of the invention may also be useful in the prevention and treatment of TRX-mediated diseases, such as autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory diseases, and in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as neurodegenerative diseases. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the instant invention and safe dosing regimens of these pharmaceutical compositions, which are easy to follow, and which result in a therapeutically effective amount of these compounds in vivo.
US08168657B2 Solenopsin A, B and analogs and as novel angiogenesis inhibitors
The present invention relates to solenopsin A and its analogs for use as angiogenesis inhibitors. The present compounds unexpectedly exhibit good activity as angiogenesis inhibitors, which find use as antitumor/anticancer agents as well as to treat a number of conditions or disease states in which angiogenesis is a factor.
US08168653B2 Mediators of hedgehog signaling pathways, compositions and uses related thereto
The present invention makes available methods and reagents for inhibiting aberrant growth states resulting from hedgehog gain-of-function, ptc loss-of-function or smoothened gain-of-function comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog antagonist of formula (I) in a sufficient amount to aberrant growth state, e.g., to agonize a normal ptc pathway or antagonize smoothened or hedgehog activity.
US08168651B2 Protein kinase modulators
The invention relates in part to molecules having certain biological activities that include, but are not limited to, inhibiting cell proliferation, modulating protein kinase activity and modulating polymerase activity. Molecules of the invention can modulate Pim kinase activity and/or FMS-like tyrosine kinase (Flt) activity. The invention also relates in part to methods for using such molecules.
US08168645B2 Arylsulfonamide compounds
The invention relates generally to small molecules that mimic the biological activity of certain peptides and proteins, to compositions containing them and to their use. In particular, the invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) that mimic the biological activity of BH3-only proteins and are capable of binding to and neutralizing pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins: wherein A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, X, Z, R1, R2, R3 and t are as described herein. The invention also relates to processes of preparing the benzenesulfonamide compounds that mimic portions of peptides and proteins, and to the use of such compounds in the regulation of cell death and the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases or conditions associated with the deregulation of cell death.
US08168644B2 Quinazolinone derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, n, m and X have defined meanings.
US08168642B2 Dihydropyrimidine compounds and their uses in preparation of medicaments for treating and preventing antiviral diseases
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, to a process for preparing the compound of formula (I), and to use of the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof as a medicament, in particular as a medicament for the treatment and prevention of type B hepatitis.
US08168641B2 Aspartyl protease inhibitors
Disclosed are compounds of formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, U, W, X, R1, R2, R6, R7, R30 and R31 are as described above in the specification. Also disclosed is the method of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases. Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic m1 agonist or m2 antagonist.
US08168639B2 Heterotricyclic compounds as serotonergic and/or dopaminergic agents and uses thereof
Novel heterocyclic compounds of formula I: A-B-D  Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is selected from the group consisting of a moiety having general Formula II and a moiety having general Formula III: B is a moiety selected from the group consisting of: D is a moiety selected from the group consisting of:  which exhibit a dopamine receptor (preferably a D4 receptor) and/or a serotonine receptor (preferably 5HTA1 agonistic activity), processes of preparing same, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and uses thereof in the treatment of medical conditions associated with the dopaminergic and/or serotonergic systems (e.g., sexual disorders, dyskinesia, anxiety) are disclosed.
US08168638B2 Pyrazinecarboxamide derivatives and plant disease controlling agents containing the same
The present invention provides the compounds represented by the general formula (I): [wherein X is a halogen atom or an (C1-C3)alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom(s); Y is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a cyano, a (C1-C3)alkyl or (C1-C3)alkoxy group; R is a hydrogen or halogen atom, a cyano group, or a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl group, (C2-C6)alkynyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C2-C6)alkenyloxy, (C2-C6)alkynyloxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl or (C1-C6)alkylsulfonyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom(s), a (C1-C6)alkoxycarbonyl group, a (C1-C6)alkoxyimino(C1-C3)alkyl group, a tri(C1-C10)alkylsilyl group, or a phenyl, phenoxy, pyridyloxy or pyrimidyloxy group which may be substituted with a substituent(s); n is an integer of 1 to 5], which compounds cause reduced loads of deleterious, harmful effects to the earth environment, and exhibit a widened controlling spectrum at lowered chemical application rates, thereby finding useful application as a plant disease controlling agent for agricultural and horticultural uses.
US08168637B2 Beta-amino heterocyclic dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes
The present invention is directed to compounds which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme (“DP-IV inhibitors”) and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved.
US08168624B2 Crystalline forms of (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride
The present invention is directed to crystalline forms of (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine, compositions containing the same, preparations, and uses thereof.
US08168622B2 β-lactamase-resistant cephalosporin ester compounds and salts of thereof
β-lactamase resistant cephalosporin ester compound chosen from those represented by formula (I): wherein, and pharmaceutical salts thereof, composition thereof, and use thereof are disclosed.
US08168619B1 Hormonal composition based on a progestational agent and an oestrogen and use thereof
A method of preventing estrogen deficiencies and osteoporosis in menopausal women by continuously orally administering without interruption to menopausal women in need thereof an amount of 0.3 to 3 mg of 17β-estradiol or esters thereof and 0.3 to 1.25 mg of nomegestrol or esters thereof in an amount sufficient to prevent said problems.
US08168618B2 Emulsifying agent
The present invention has its object to provide a novel emulsifier which is obtainable from an edible yeast and is highly safe and shows by itself a high level of emulsifying property and high emulsion stability; a water-soluble composition containing a liposoluble substance, together with the emulsifier; and methods of producing these. The present invention includes: an emulsifier which comprises, as an active ingredient, a carbohydrate- and protein-based complex derived from a culture fluid obtained by cultivating an edible yeast; a water-soluble composition which comprises an emulsifier and a liposoluble substance; and a method of producing the emulsifier and the water-soluble composition.
US08168617B2 Complex pantoic acid ester neopentyl sulfonyl ester cyclization release prodrugs of acamprosate, compositions thereof, and methods of use
Pantoic acid ester neopentyl sulfonyl ester prodrugs of acamprosate, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such prodrugs, and methods of using such prodrugs and compositions thereof for treating diseases are disclosed. In particular, acamprosate prodrugs exhibiting enhanced oral bioavailability and methods of using acamprosate prodrugs to treat neurodegenerative disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, movement disorders, substance abuse disorders, binge eating disorder, cortical spreading depression related disorders, tinnitus, sleeping disorders, multiple sclerosis, and pain are disclosed.
US08168616B1 Combination comprising a renin inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor inhibitor for hypertension
The invention relates to a combination comprising the renin inhibitor of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08168602B2 Compositions, kits and methods for identification, assessment, prevention and therapy of cancer
The invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, preventing, and treating human cancer. A variety of chromosomal regions (MCRs) and markers corresponding thereto, are provided, wherein alterations in the copy number of one or more of the MCRs and/or alterations in the amount, structure, and/or activity of one or more of the markers is correlated with the presence of cancer.
US08168600B2 Compositions and methods for topical delivery of oligonucleotides
The present invention relates to compositions and methods which enhance the delivery of nucleic acids and other nucleosidic moieties via topical routes of administration. The invention relates to the use of an aqueous solution to preferentially deliver nucleic acids preferentially to hair follicles. The invention relates to a method of inhibiting hair growth comprising administration of a nucleic acid preferentially to a hair follicle.
US08168593B2 Mutated netrin-4, fragments thereof and their use as medicines
A peptide fragment of the netrin-4 protein and nucleic acids coding for the peptide are described. The peptide can inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and cell migration, as well as activate the proliferation and migration of pericytes and smooth muscle cells. Pharmaceutical formulations containing the peptide and/or the nucleic acids can be used to treat a variety of tumoral and non-tumoral pathologies.
US08168589B2 Use of erythropoietin and substances increasing and/or prolonging the activation and/or stimulation of erythropoietin receptors for treating and/or preventing schizophrenia and related psychoses
Method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of schizophrenia and related psychoses of a human being, erythropoietin being administered to the human being.
US08168581B2 Process for producing a multi-phase detergent tablet
A process for the manufacture of a detergent tablet comprises filling a recess in a first pre-formed body with a gel; adding a second body to the gel; and allowing/causing the gel to solidify.
US08168576B2 Volume giving cleansing composition
The present invention is related to an aqueous cleansing composition especially for keratin fibers such as human hair with excellent volume enhancing effect. First object of the present invention is a cleansing composition for hair comprising at least one surfactant selected from anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric ones and furthermore comprising at least one ethoxylated monoglyceride according to the general formula wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated and branched or straight alkyl chain with a chain length of 7 to 21 C atoms and x+y+z has a value of 3 to 200 and at least one (poly)propylene glycol according to the following formula wherein n has a value between 1 and 70.
US08168575B2 Metalworking fluids comprising neutralized fatty acids
An additive for an aqueous metalworking fluid (MWF) comprises a C12-20 fatty acid neutralized with at least one of an amine, alkanolamine and a caustic. The additive is designed for use in an aqueous MWF having a pH of at least about 7 and comprising at least about 0.10 weight percent, based on the weight of the MWF, of the neutralized C12-20 fatty acid. The additive inhibits the staining of ferrous and nonferrous metals during and after machining.
US08168574B2 Dispersant viscosity modifiers based on maleic anhydride-styrene copolymers
An interpolymer composition comprising monomer-derived units of (i) at least one of an aliphatic olefin containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms and a vinyl aromatic monomer, and (ii) at least one alpha, beta-unsaturated acylating agent; wherein a portion of said acylating agent monomers is esterified and wherein a portion of said acylating agent monomers is condensed with at least one aromatic amine, provides good viscosity modification and dispersancy performance.
US08168573B2 Lubricating oil composition
The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition comprising a mixture of both a poly-alpha-olefin and an ester compound, the lubricating oil composition having an SAE viscosity grade of 75W-85, satisfying GL-5 in terms of API gear oil designation and having a viscosity index of 160 or more. The above mixture of the poly-alpha-olefin and ester compound is preferably contained in an amount of from 75 to 90 wt % with reference to the total amount of the lubricating oil composition. The poly-alpha-olefin is preferably a mixture of a poly-alpha-olefin having low viscosity of from about 3 to 6 mm2/s at 100° C. and a poly-alpha-olefin having high viscosity of from about 35 to 45 mm2/s at 100° C.
US08168572B2 Lubricant blend composition
The present invention relates to a lubricant composition. The present invention more particularly relates to a fully miscible lubricant composition that comprise a polyether and a renewable raw material such as an unsaturated seed or vegetable oil.
US08168563B2 Metal-modified silica particles for reducing odor
A substrate for reducing odor is provided. The substrate contains silica particles bonded to a transition metal through a covalent or coordinate bond. The transition metal provides one or more active sites for capturing an odorous compound.
US08168562B2 Preparation of palladium-gold catalysts
A new method for preparing supported palladium-gold catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises sulfating a titanium dioxide support, calcining the sulfated support, impregnating the calcined support with a palladium salt, a gold salt, and an alkali metal or ammonium compound, calcining the impregnated support, and reducing the calcined support. The resultant supported palladium-gold catalysts have increased activity and stability in the acetoxylation.
US08168561B2 Core shell catalyst
A core-shell catalyst material can include a core and a shell material. Each of the core material and the shell material can have crystal structures and lattice parameters which allow for a substantially coherent core-shell interface. The shell material can include a catalytically active metal. The circumferential stress of the shell material, σθθ, at the core-shell interface and at the shell surface, is greater than 0 (tensile) or can be compressive of a lower magnitude than a catalyst made of the shell material alone. The crystal structures of the core material can often be the same as the shell material, although this is not always required.
US08168556B2 Racemoselective synthesis of ansa-metallocene compounds, ansa-metallocene compounds, catalysts comprising them, process for producing an olefin polymer by use of the catalysts, and olefin homo- and copolymers
A metallocene compound with the 4- and 7-positions on the indenyl moiety possessing large aromatic substituents is prepared in accordance with a method which produces substantially 100 percent racemic isomer. Advantageously, polymerization catalysts including the metallocene of the invention provide superior olefin polymerization results.
US08168553B2 Optical glass, method of making the optical glass, optical elements made with the optical glass and uses thereof
The lead- and arsenic-free optical glass has a refractive index nd of 1.55≦nd≦1.64, an Abbe number νd of 42≦νd≦65, and a low transition temperature Tg≦460° C., good producibility and processability, and crystallization stability. The optical glass has a composition within the following range, in wt. % based on oxide content: P2O540-58 ZnO20-34 Li2O0.5-5   GeO20.1-11. The glass may also have a total content of SiO2, B2O3 and Al2O3 that is less than 9 wt. %. The glass may contain MgO, SrO, CaO and BaO, but the sum of these oxides is preferably at least 2 wt. % and at most 12 wt. %. The glass may contain at most 5 wt. % of each of La2O3, TiO2, Nb2O5, at most 2 wt. % Ta2O5 and less than 1 wt. % fluorine.
US08168552B2 Method of refining glass and product obtained
The subject of the invention is a method of refining glass for which the temperature (T log 2) corresponding to a viscosity of 100 poise (10 Pa·s) is greater than or equal to 1480° C., characterized in that sulfides are used as a refining agent. It also relates to the glass article capable of being obtained by this method.
US08168551B2 Cover coating composition for glass lining
Provided is a cover coating composition for a glass lining comprising a frit constituting the composition which mainly includes 65 to 75 mol % of SiO2, 2 to 8 mol % of ZrO2, 10 to 22 mol % of R2O where R represents Li, K, or Cs, and 2 to 12 mol % of R′O where R′ represents Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba, and the frit is free of Na2O, and said cover coating composition for a glass lining may further contain a metal fiber.
US08168549B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus
There are provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a substrate processing apparatus by which the quality of a silicon nitride film can be improved. The method comprises: (a) supplying a silicon-containing gas into a process chamber accommodating a substrate in a heated state; (b) switching between an exhaust stop state and an exhaust operation state at least two times while a nitrogen-containing gas is supplied into the process chamber so as to vary an inside pressure of the process chamber such that a maximum inside pressure of the process chamber is at least twenty times higher than a minimum inside pressure of the process chamber. The steps (a) and (b) are alternately repeated to form a silicon nitride film on the substrate.
US08168548B2 UV-assisted dielectric formation for devices with strained germanium-containing layers
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate in a vacuum processing tool, the substrate having a strained Ge-containing layer on the substrate and a Si-containing layer on the strained Ge-containing layer, maintaining the substrate at a temperature less than 700° C., and exposing the Si-containing layer to oxidation radicals in an UV-assisted oxidation process to form a Si-containing dielectric layer while minimizing oxidation and strain relaxation in the underlying strained Ge-containing layer. A semiconductor device containing a substrate, a strained Ge-containing layer on the substrate, and a Si-containing dielectric layer formed on the strained Ge-containing layer is provided. The semiconductor device can further contain a gate electrode layer on the Si-containing dielectric layer or a high-k layer on the Si-containing dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer on the high-k layer.
US08168545B2 Solar cell fabrication using extruded dopant-bearing materials
Wafer-based solar cells are efficiently produced by extruding a dopant bearing material (dopant ink) onto one or more predetermined surface areas of a semiconductor wafer, and then thermally treating the wafer to cause diffusion of dopant from the dopant ink into the wafer to form corresponding doped regions. A multi-plenum extrusion head is used to simultaneously extrude interdigitated dopant ink structures having two different dopant types (e.g., n-type dopant ink and p-type dopant ink) in a self-registered arrangement on the wafer surface. The extrusion head is fabricated by laminating multiple sheets of micro-machined silicon that define one or more ink flow passages. A non-doping or lightly doped ink is co-extruded with heavy doped ink to serve as a spacer or barrier, and optionally forms a cap that entirely covers the heavy doped ink. A hybrid thermal treatment utilizes a gaseous dopant to simultaneously dope exposed portions of the wafer.
US08168544B2 Oxide etching method
There is provided an etching method of an amorphous oxide layer containing In and at least one of Ga and Zn, which includes etching the amorphous oxide layer using an etchant containing any one of acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, and perchloric acid.
US08168533B2 Through-silicon via structure and method for making the same
A through-silicon via structure includes a substrate with a first side and a second side, a through-silicon hole connecting the first side and the second side and filled with a conductive material, a passivation layer disposed on and contacting the first side and covering the through-silicon hole, and a protection ring surrounding but not contacting the through-silicon hole and exposed by the first side and the second side. The protection ring is filled with an insulating material.
US08168531B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same, which forms a contact hole, a via hole or a via contact hole with multiple profiles with various taper angles. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor formed on the substrate and having a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode, and an interlayer dielectric, and a contact hole penetrating the gate insulating layer and the interlayer dielectric and exposing a portion of the semiconductor layer. The contact hole has a multiple profile in which an upper portion of the contact hole has a wet etch profile and a lower portion of the contact hole has at least one of the wet etch profile and a dry etch profile.
US08168529B2 Forming seal ring in an integrated circuit die
The formation of a seal ring in a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) die is described. Through-silicon vias (TSVs) are typically formed in a semiconductor IC die to facilitate the formation of a three dimensional (3D) stacking die structure. The TSVs may be utilized to provide electrical connections between components in different dies of the 3D stacking die structure. A seal ring is formed in the inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layers of an IC die, enclosing an active circuit region. The real ring is formed prior to the formation of the TSVs, preventing moistures or other undesired chemical agents from diffusing into the active circuit region during the subsequent processes of forming TSVs.
US08168526B2 Semiconductor chip package and method for manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor chip package and a method for manufacturing thereof includes sequentially forming upper dielectric layer patterns and lower dielectric patterns over a substrate to expose an underlying metal line such that the lower dielectric layer patterns overlap the metal line, positioning a solder ball over and contacting the lower dielectric layer patterns such that the solder ball does not contact the metal line, and then placing the solder ball in a contacting position over the metal line by performing an etching process on the lower dielectric layer patterns. Therefore, no cracks occur on the chip pads so that there is no concern of short phenomenon generated in the terminal.
US08168524B2 Non-volatile memory with erase gate on isolation zones
The present invention provides a non-volatile memory device and a method for manufacturing such a device. The device comprises a floating gate (16), a control gate (19) and a separate erase gate (10). The erase gate (10) is provided in or on isolation zones (2) provided in the substrate (1). Because of that, the erase gates (10) do not add to the cell size. The capacitance between the erase gate (10) and the floating gate (16) is small compared with the capacitance between the control gate (19) and the floating gate (16), and the charged floating gate (16) is erased by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling through the oxide layer between the erase gate (10) and the floating gate (16).
US08168521B2 Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices having low resistance buried gate structures
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a recess is formed in an active region of a substrate. A gate insulation layer is formed in the first recess. A barrier layer is formed on the gate insulation layer. A preliminary nucleation layer having a first resistance is formed on the barrier layer. The preliminary nucleation layer is converted into a nucleation layer having a second resistance substantially smaller than the first resistance. A conductive layer is formed on the nucleation layer. The conductive layer, the nucleation layer, the barrier layer and the gate insulation layer are partially etched to form a buried gate structure including a gate insulation layer pattern, a barrier layer pattern, a nucleation layer pattern and a conductive layer pattern.
US08168519B2 Plasma immersion ion implantation method using a pure or nearly pure silicon seasoning layer on the chamber interior surfaces
Plasma immersion ion implantation employing a very high RF bias voltage on an electrostatic chuck to attain a requisite implant depth profile is carried out by first depositing a partially conductive silicon-containing seasoning layer over the interior chamber surfaces prior to wafer introduction.
US08168517B2 Method for epitaxial growth and epitaxial layer structure using the method
There are provided a method for epitaxial growth capable of securing stable optical and electrical characteristics by minimizing defects produced in a second epitaxial layer when growing the second epitaxial layer on a first epitaxial layer having defects formed therein, and an epitaxial layer structure using the method. The method includes preparing a first epitaxial layer having a defect formed therein, forming a metal quantum dot on the first epitaxial layer, allowing the metal quantum dot to be moved onto a step of the first epitaxial layer due to a difference of surface energy, converting the metal quantum dot into a metal quantum-dot semiconductor crystal having a lattice constant corresponding to that of the first epitaxial layer, and growing a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer.
US08168516B2 Method of fabricating single crystal gallium nitride semiconductor substrate, nitride gallium semiconductor substrate and nitride semiconductor epitaxial substrate
A method of fabricating a single crystal gallium nitride substrate the step of cutting an ingot of single crystal gallium nitride along predetermined planes to make one or more single crystal gallium nitride substrates. The ingot of single crystal gallium nitride is grown by vapor phase epitaxy in a direction of a predetermined axis. Each predetermined plane is inclined to the predetermined axis. Each substrate has a mirror polished primary surface. The primary surface has a first area and a second area. The first area is between an edge of the substrate and a line 3 millimeter away from the edge. The first area surrounds the second area. An axis perpendicular to the primary surface forms an off-angle with c-axis of the substrate. The off-angle takes a minimum value at a first position in the first area of the primary surface.
US08168514B2 Laser separation of thin laminated glass substrates for flexible display applications
A method of separating a sheet of coated brittle material comprises the steps of providing a sheet of layered brittle material comprising a brittle layer and a coating material adhered to a surface of the brittle layer and applying a laser along a separation line in the sheet, thereby cutting the coating material and separating the brittle layer by inducing a stress fracture therein.