| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08213424B2 |
Label switched packet transfer device
A device for connecting base station(s) to a cellular label switched network in a cellular network. The cellular network includes: base station(s), the connecting device(s); cellular label switched network(s); and service area(s). The base station(s) communicates with mobile terminals using wireless technology. The wireless technology uses a protocol layer architecture that includes at least one of the following: a wireless physical layer; a wireless medium access control protocol layer; a radio link control layer; and a network layer. The connecting device(s) include: a first interface to connect to the base station(s); a second interface to connect to cellular label switched network(s); and a label forwarding layer that: forwards packets between base station(s) and cellular label switched network(s); attaches label(s) to packets and removes label(s) from packets. A service area divided into a multitude of cells through which mobile terminals can move through and communicate with base station(s). |
| US08213419B2 |
Interworking network element, interworking system between the CSI terminal and the IMS terminal and the method thereof
An interworking network element, an interworking system between the CSI terminal and the IMS terminal and the method thereof, which relate to the communication technology, enable the CSI terminal and the IMS terminal to interwork and the effective bearing link to be established according to the actual requirement. The interworking network element CSI-IW is added at the network of the called side between the CSI terminal and the IMS terminal. The network element receives the session request from the IMS terminal, determines whether there is need to separate the IMS session including the real time media request and non-real time media request into the two IMS sessions including the real time media request and non-real time media request respectively, and chooses the CS domain or the IMS domain to end the call according to the attribute information of the session, the ability for accessing the network, the ability of the terminal etc, so that the real time session can be borne by the CS domain as possible as it can. |
| US08213418B2 |
Providing packet-based multimedia services via a circuit breaker
A packet-based multimedia service is provided to a terminal in a network. A packet signaling connection is established between the terminal and the network. Signaling information for the multimedia service is transferred via the packet signaling connection using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) or a similar protocol. A circuit bearer connection is also established with the terminal. Data for the multimedia service is transferred via the circuit bearer connection. This allows the data to be carried across networks which do not support the required QoS functionality for the packet-based service, or which cannot efficiently carry packet-based data. The circuit bearer connection can be established by a network entity or by the terminal. The circuit bearer can be interworked to a packet-switched bearer at some point in the network, such as at a gateway, so as to provide a remote party with the appearance that a fully packet-switched connection is being used. |
| US08213417B2 |
System, apparatus, and methods for proactive allocation of wireless communication resources
A system for communication between a mobile node and a communications network is provided for use with a communications network having one or more communications network nodes that define a foreign agents and that communicate with the mobile node in a predefined region. The system includes a ghost-foreign agent that advertises a foreign agent so that the mobile node is aware of the foreign agent when the mobile node is located outside the predefined region. The system further includes a ghost-mobile node that signals the foreign agent in response to the foreign agent advertising and based upon a predicted future state of the mobile node. |
| US08213416B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for early media connection proxying
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for early media connection proxying are disclosed. According to one method, a call setup signaling message is received for establishing a call between a calling entity and a called entity. Based on at least one parameter in the call setup signaling message, it is determined whether an early media connection is required for the call. It is also determined whether early media connection proxying is required for the call. In response to determining that an early media connection and early media connection proxying are required for the call, signaling is performed on behalf of a network entity to establish an early media connection for the call. |
| US08213413B2 |
Real-time packet processing system and method
In some embodiments, the invention may include a combination of real-time packet detection, processing and routing. When implemented in a distributed architecture, such systems can yield a low cost, high availability and/or secure network capable of switching real-time data and delivering the quality of service expected in mission critical systems. |
| US08213411B2 |
Charging database with class of service (COS)
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with provisioning an internet protocol (IP) multimedia core network subsystem (IMS) are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes logic for provisioning an IMS charging database with charging data and logic for provisioning an IMS user database with user data. The exemplary system embodiment may also include logic for provisioning an IMS call session control function (CSCF) logic with data that relates a user to charging information based, at least in part, on a charging class of service (COS) identifier. |
| US08213409B2 |
System and method for communicating over mesh networks using waveform-enhanced, link-state routing
A communication system includes a plurality of mobile nodes forming a mesh network. A plurality of wireless communication links connect the mobile nodes together. Each mobile node is formed as a communications device and operative for transmitting data packets wirelessly to other mobile nodes via the wireless communications link from a source mobile node through intermediate neighboring mobile nodes to a destination mobile node using a link state routing protocol and multiple waveforms. |
| US08213406B2 |
Uplink time synchronization in a communication system
An apparatus and method for uplink time synchronization in a communication system includes a first step 602 of receiving uplink data from a user equipment. A next step 604 includes storing a time error of the uplink data along with a time stamp. A next step 620 includes integrating the time error to provide an accumulated time error. A next step 606, 626 includes dumping the accumulated time error upon the time stamps of the accumulated data meeting a timing condition. A next step 610 includes comparing the accumulated time error against a threshold. A next step 616 includes scheduling a time advance with the user equipment if the accumulated time error exceeds the threshold. |
| US08213405B2 |
Wireless network synchronization
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate synchronizing timing among wireless nodes in a wireless communication network. A tracking wireless node can synchronize to a global positioning system (GPS) signal if available. Alternatively, the tracking wireless node can receive quality metrics related to one or more target nodes. The quality metrics can relate to parameters that can be utilized to evaluate the target node for timing synchronization. Based on the quality metrics, the tracking wireless node can select a target wireless node for timing synchronization. The tracking wireless node can subsequently synchronize timing with the target wireless node. In addition, the tracking wireless node can continually evaluate surrounding wireless nodes to detect whether other wireless nodes have higher quality metrics than the current target wireless nodes and can accordingly resynchronize with nodes having higher metrics. |
| US08213395B2 |
Method and system for dual mode operation in wireless networks
Aspects of a method and system for dual mode operation in wireless networks are presented. Aspects of the system include a communicating device that selects an RF channel and a physical layer type. The communicating device may process signals received via the selected RF channel based on the selected physical layer type. The communicating device may determine whether a beacon frame has been detected base on the signals that were received via the selected RF channel and processed based on the selected physical layer type. When a frame is not detected, the communicating device may determine a signal energy level for the received signals. The communicating device may establish an association with an existing network based on detection of the beacon frame or the communicating device may transmit an originating beacon frame based on the determined signal energy level. |
| US08213394B2 |
Method and apparatus for management of inactive connections for service continuity in an agnostic access internet protocol multimedia communication
State machine diagram (300) illustrates inactive connection (303) management wherein all bindings are deregistered, but active sessions remain. The mobile station may, re-register the connection (309), to stop the Linger Timer (305) and return the connection to the active state (303) before timeout, or otherwise before the inactive connection is terminated. Otherwise, the Linger Timer may be stopped when the last active session is moved to a different connection, or released (311). If the Linger Timer times out (315), any active sessions will be released without the explicit action of the mobile station. In the active state (303), if all bindings are deregistered and no active sessions are present, the connection may be terminated immediately as in (313), without invoking the Linger Timer. Thus, the mobile station has an opportunity to take action regarding remaining sessions, such as releasing or refreshing on a different but active connection. |
| US08213393B2 |
Methods for associating an IP address to a user via an appliance
The intranet IP address management solution of the appliance and/or client described herein provides an environment for efficiently assigning, managing and querying virtual private network addresses, referred to as intranet IP (IIP) addresses of virtual private network users, such as a multitude of SSL VPN users on an enterprise network. The appliance provides techniques and policies for assigning previously assigned virtual private network addresses of a user to subsequent sessions of the user as the user logs in multiple times or roams between access points. This technique is referred to IIP stickiness as the appliance attempts to provide the same IIP address to a roaming VPN user. The appliance also provides a configurable user domain naming policy so that one can ping or query the virtual private network address of a user by an easily referenceable host name identifying the user. The appliance and/or client agent also provide techniques to allow applications to seamlessly and transparently communicate on the virtual private network using the virtual private network address of the user or client on the private network. |
| US08213390B2 |
Reverse link automatic repeat request
Upon successful decoding of a first set of slots of a first data packet, an Access Network (AN) can send an acknowledge message (ACK) to an Access Terminal (AT) to indicate that the AN has successfully decoded the data received in the first set of slots of the first data packet. Upon unsuccessful decoding of the first set of slots of the first data packet, the AN can send a negative acknowledge message (NAK) to the AT to indicate that the AN has not successfully decoded the data received in the first set of slots of a first data packet. Based upon receipt of the NAK, the AT can resend the data by sending a second set of slots of the first data packet containing redundant data. Based upon receipt of the ACK, the AT can send a first set of slots of another packet. |
| US08213389B2 |
Location determination using formula
Among other disclosed subject matter, a method includes obtaining, in a mobile device, power information indicating a detected power of respective signals received from multiple transmitters. The method includes determining a location of the mobile device using a formula that uses: locations of the multiple transmitters, a first function of the power information and a second function of respective locations of the multiple transmitters. The method can include recording the determined location. |
| US08213387B2 |
Method, system and device for transmitting a media independent handover message
A method for transmitting a media independent handover (MIH) message includes the following steps: The MIH message is divided into segments and the segments are encapsulated into transmission control protocol (TCP) segments; the TCP segments are then encapsulated into Internet protocol (IP) data packets; the IP data packets is transmitted to a receiving end. The method, system, and device for transmitting an MIH message described herein provide flow controls for the MIH message transmission, thereby enhancing the transmission efficiency of the MIH message. |
| US08213384B2 |
Handover in a radio communication system
In a method for communication by radio a first network radio station allocates radio resources to a subscriber station and communicates with the subscriber station using a portion of the radio resources. A second network radio station uses another portion of the radio resources to send a signaling signal which is intended exclusively for the subscriber station. The first network radio station and/or the second network radio station receives a message from the subscriber station, acknowledging receipt of the signaling signal. In response to the message from the subscriber station, the communication of the subscriber station is handed over from the first network radio station to the second network radio station. |
| US08213382B2 |
Technique for controlling handovers within a multi-radio wireless communication system
A technique is provided for use by a Multi-Radio Management Resource (MRRM) component of a multi-radio wireless communication system for controlling the handover of a mobile terminal between different radio access technologies (RAT). In one example, all suitable RATs having coverage areas currently covering the location of a mobile terminal are identified. The performance gain that might be achieved via a handover to one of the other RATs is then determined by the MRRM based on various performance gain factors. Handover costs that will be incurred as a result of the handover are also explicitly calculated. Then, a cost-adjusted gain is determined by the MRRM based on the performance gain and the handover costs. A handover is only triggered by the MRRM if the cost-adjusted gain exceeds a minimum threshold. The speed and trajectory of the mobile terminal may also be considered. |
| US08213380B2 |
Method for transmitting packet switched data in a cellular radio communication system during cell change
A method for packet-switched transmission of data. A first base station associated with a first radio cell is used to at least partially transmit data packets in a second sequence to at least one subscriber station by at least one first radio channel. The at least one subscriber station sorts out the received data packets into a first sequence in an intermediate storage unit and the base station associated with the first radio cell is used to derive and/or represent status information relating to the content of the intermediate storage unit in a status memory unit. Transmission of the data packets is relayed from the first to the second radio cell and data packets are transmitted by a base station associated with the second radio cell to the at least one subscriber station by at least one other radio channel. The status information is transferred from the base station associated with the first radio cell to the base station associated with the second radio cell. |
| US08213379B2 |
Wireless station and frame constructing method and frame reading method thereof
Wireless stations and methods thereof are provided. Allocations in a frame are considered to have a predetermined transmission sequence. MAP in the frame arranges zone allocation IEs of the allocations by following the predetermined transmission sequence so that a station receive the frame can know the predetermined transmission sequence. By having the predetermined transmission sequence, zone allocation IE of each of the allocations in the frame can be described by only two parameters: number of time units and number of frequency bands. |
| US08213376B2 |
OFDMA power allocation method
The OFDMA power allocation method provides for supporting absolute proportional rate constrains for scalable OFDMA systems. Network scheduling procedures implementing the prescribed method can provide absolute guarantees for satisfying the specified rate constrains while maximizing the throughput of the network. |
| US08213374B2 |
Mobile communication method, radio base station, mobile station, and processor
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes the steps of: (A) activating, at the radio base station (eNB), a first timer, upon transmission of a downlink data signal to the mobile station (UE) operating in a continuous reception cycle; (B) transmitting, from the radio base station (eNB) to the mobile station (UE), a change instruction instructing the mobile station (UE) to change a reception cycle of the mobile station (UE) from the continuous reception cycle to a first discontinuous reception cycle, and releasing the uplink dedicated resources, when the first timer expires with no downlink data signal transmitted after the activation of the first timer; and (C) changing, at the mobile station (UE), the reception cycle of the mobile station (UE) from the continuous reception cycle to the first discontinuous reception cycle, and releasing the uplink dedicated resources, in response to the received change instruction. |
| US08213370B2 |
Method of transmitting on a random access channel based on parameter relating to performance of persistence test
Optimizing call setup procedures by determining whether a trigger for a random access procedure is independent for a restricted number of terminals, and performing a preamble transmission with or without a delay based upon the determining. |
| US08213365B2 |
Call origination in a CDMA legacy MS domain using SIP
A system and a method in a wireless network utilizing session initiation protocol (SIP) for call control. The SIP payload (SDP) contains a list of voice codecs to coordinate the selection of voice bearer resources (between a calling party and a called party) such that the number of transcoders in the voice bearer path is minimized. An additional aspect of the embodiment of the present invention includes a serving MSCe that is operable to determine whether to initiate or discontinue ringback to the calling party. If ring back is to be initiated, ringback can be initiated from a Serving MGW controlled by the serving MSCe. The call negotiation process according to the described embodiment of the invention eliminates the requirement for any transcoding in specific situations to result in the number of transcoders used in the voice bearer path to be reduced to 0 (TrFO, Transcoder Free Operation) or to 1 (RTO, remote transmitter operation). |
| US08213364B2 |
Method for releasing a high rate packet data session
The invention discloses a method for releasing a high rate packet data (HRPD) session, including the following steps: S302, in the case that the access network (AN) determines to reauthenticate the access terminal (AT), it authenticates the AT via the established connection with the AT; S304, in the case that the reauthentication of the AT is not passed, the AN or the AT initiates the release of the HRPD session; S306, the AN closes the HRPD session with the AT, and sends to the packet control function (PCF) entity a first releasing message indicating of releasing the resource and the connection and starts a first timer; S308, the PCF eneity sends to the packet data service node (PDSN) a second releasing message indicating of releasing the connection and starts a second timer; S310, the PDSN releases the connection and feeds back a second release response message to the PCF entity, and the PCF entity stops the second timer upon receiving the second release response message; S312, the PCF entity sends a first release response message to the AN, and the AN stops the first timer upon receiving the first release response message. |
| US08213363B2 |
QoS channels for multimedia services on a general purpose operating system platform using data cards
A SIP (session initiation protocol) service activation abstraction layer that provides a unified interface to upper layer applications for discovering, establishing, and managing the QoS connectivity. In one implementation, this is IP Multimedia Subsystem-centric, further supporting applications that utilize SIP for session control. This capability extends to the data card universe allowing UMTS data card vendors to establish concurrent QoS-based sessions using multiple primary PDP (packet data protocol) contexts based on a set of SIP triggers, further allowing applications running on a computing system to transparently utilize the established pipes based on the individual QoS requirements. |
| US08213353B2 |
Repeater gain control method and apparatus
This document proposes soft activation and inactivation of (network) repeaters that are, for example, activated on an as-needed basis. With soft activation, repeater gain ramps upward at a controlled rate, thereby avoiding rapid changes in interference caused by the repeater. Likewise, with soft inactivation, repeater gain ramps downward at a controlled rate. Soft activation/inactivation results in more gradual changes in the interference contribution of the repeater, thereby improving the performance of interference-compensating radio receivers operating in proximity to the repeater. |
| US08213352B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, wireless communication method, and program
A set-N table (110) is a table holding information regarding other wireless communication devices that can be reached from a wireless communication device (a node) in one hop. A set-N2 table (120) is a table holding information regarding other wireless communication devices that can be reached from a wireless communication device (100) in two hops. A set-F table (170) is a table holding information regarding nodes whose reachability of flooding from the wireless communication device (100) has not been verified. An MPR setting unit (160) sets optimal MPR nodes with consideration of communication states of links in a wireless ad hoc network by selecting, with consideration of communication states of links between individual nodes, the communication states of links being held in the set-N table (110) and the set-N2 table (120), MPR nodes and setting the MPR nodes in an MPR table (180) while deleting nodes whose reachability of flooding has been verified from the set-F table (170). |
| US08213351B2 |
Relay station and communication method thereof
An embodiment of a relay station for a base station and a mobile station is provided. The relay station includes a first base station module and a mobile station module. The first base station module receives a control packet and a data packet transmitted by a mobile station. The mobile station module receives and transmits the control packet and the data packet to the base station, wherein the first base station module transmits the control packet to the mobile station module via a tunnel mode, and transmits the data packet to the mobile station module via a bridge mode. |
| US08213350B2 |
Communication network with relaying of radio signals by relay terminals
A radiocommunication network includes at least one communication station (GW) adapted to exchange data by radio with radiocommunication terminals (T1-T5). This network is adapted to use a data transmission method wherein, each time a source radiocommunication terminal (T1) wishes to transmit data to its communication station (GW), the identifier of at least one active neighbor relay communication terminal (T2, T3) is determined in the source terminal (T1) in order to transmit signals representing the data to be transmitted by radio to each relay terminal so determined so that it relays them to the communication station (GW). |
| US08213348B2 |
Method for realizing MBMS TDM and the information transmission method thereof
The present invention discloses a method for implementing time division multiplexing among multimedia broadcast multicast services, comprising: if multimedia broadcast multicast services adopt a bearer type of point-to-multipoint, and channel resource is shared by time division multiplexing to transmit the services, a network side informing user equipments of configuration information of the multimedia broadcast multicast services, and sending the multimedia broadcast multicast services on the channel resource satisfying the configuration information, the configuration information comprising information of a time division multiplexing repetition period, and information of a position and amount of channel resource occupied in a time division multiplexing period; after receiving the configuration information, the user equipments receiving the multimedia broadcast multicast services on indicated channel resource. |
| US08213345B2 |
Transmission method and apparatus for uplink control signaling in time division OFDMA system
A method and an apparatus for an uplink control signaling transmission in a time division duplex OFDMA system are provided for the long term evolution time division duplex (LTE TDD). A signaling processing unit reserves frequency resource for an uplink control channel according to the total amount of the uplink control signaling, and the reserved frequency resource are assigned on both sides of the frequency domain used by uplink time slots, so that the uplink control signaling of a terminal UE is transmitted on the position and the bandwidth of the reserved frequency resource. The transmitted uplink control signaling is transmitted on respective reserved uplink control sub-channels by an intra-subframe hopping way, each terminal UE or a group of UEs corresponding to a frequency-hop sequence. The present invention is simple to realizes and capable of utilizing resource repeatedly and utilizing the time domain and frequency domain diversity simultaneously. |
| US08213340B1 |
System and method for managing a node split across multiple network elements
A telecommunication network includes a communication ring having a plurality of nodes. The communication ring includes a plurality of links wherein each link interconnects one node to another node. Each node includes one or more network elements. Management functions for the nodes, the communication ring, the links, and the network elements are provided by a manager. The manager can discover and define the nodes, the links, and the communication ring and establish more than one network element at a node. The manager provides a coherent view of the telecommunication network despite a node being supported by more than one network element. |
| US08213339B2 |
RSTP processing system
The invention can achieve a recovery time that satisfies the demands of real-time transmission processing by performing, in an extremely short time period, an RSTP process in a network, which is configured in a ring topology and wherein a plurality of IEEE 802.3 compliant nodes is connected via prescribed transmission lines, using hardware to execute processes related to the physical layer and the data link layer of the OSI reference model—without software processing. The RSTP processing unit of each node: receives BPDU data, which is received from the network by one of two PHY units and stored in a BPDU send/receive buffer of a corresponding MAC unit that is connected to that PHY unit, via a BPDU data bus that is connected to that MAC unit; decodes the received BPDU data; performs a prescribed process; transfers the BPDU data, via the BPDU data bus that is connected to the other MAC unit, to the other BPDU send/receive buffer; and transmits that BPDU data from the PHY unit connected to the other MAC unit to the network. |
| US08213338B2 |
Systems and methods for initializing cable modems
A system includes a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to transmit a discover message on a first upstream channel, where the discover message includes information representing capabilities of the first device. The second device is configured to receive the discover message from the first device and determine whether to switch the first device to a second upstream channel based on the capabilities information in the discover message. The second device makes the determination before a registration of the first device. The second device transmits a message to the first device instructing the first device to switch to the second upstream channel based on a result of the determination. |
| US08213335B2 |
Communication resource allocation method of base station
A communication resource allocation method for solving resource request imbalance content in a cell is provided. Considering a propagation environment, the base station allocates a whispering resource to a whispering area, the whispering resource being one part of the communication resource and the whispering area being a peripheral area of the first base station, and allocates a speaking resource to a speaking area, the speaking resource being other parts of the communication resource and the speaking area being a border area of a cell. When the resource request of the whispering area is increased, the base station further allocates a part of the speaking resource to the whispering area or increases a ratio of the whispering resource. When the resource request of the speaking area is increased, the base station controls a threshold value for identifying the whispering and speaking areas or increases a ratio of the speaking resource. |
| US08213328B2 |
Communication information acquisition creation system, network switch, and network switch evaluation method
The present invention provides a communication information acquisition creation system 50 used for evaluating a network switch 4 which includes multiple communication ports 41. The communication information acquisition creation system 50 acquires first communication information input to a first communication port and second communication information input to a second communication port, then acquires from the first and the second communication information time information 1011 which is the time when each information has been acquired, transmitting source information 1012 which shows each transmitting source, and destination information 1013 which shows each destination, stores the communication data in which each piece of the above-mentioned information corresponds with each other, creates communication information for evaluation to be input to the communication port 41 of the network switch 4 with reference to the stored communication information, and transmits the created communication information for evaluation to the communication ports 41 specified by the transmitting source information and the destination information in the order shown by the time information. |
| US08213315B2 |
Dynamically-connected transport service
A method of communication includes receiving, in a network interface device, first and second requests from an initiator process running on an initiator host to transmit, respectively, first and second data to first and second target processes running on one or more target nodes, via a packet network. A single dynamically-connected initiator context is allocated for serving both the first and second requests. A first connect packet referencing the dynamically-connected (DC) initiator context is directed to the first target process so as to open a first dynamic connection with the first target process, followed by transmission of the first data over the first dynamic connection. The first dynamic connection is closed after the transmission of the first data, and a second connect packet is transmitted so as to open a second dynamic connection with the second target process, followed by transmission of the second data. |
| US08213312B2 |
Communication network design
A communication network design circuit can derive a path and a necessary link capacity for multiple point communication service permitting arbitrary communication within a predetermined range of communication amount by providing traffic amount of data in-flowing through an ingress node and traffic amount of data flowing out through an egress node. The communication network designing circuit has setting means for setting a mathematical programming problem for deriving the multiple point communication service and optimizing means for solving the mathematical programming problem set by the setting means and obtaining the path for the multiple point communication service. |
| US08213308B2 |
Methods and apparatus for defining a flow control signal related to a transmit queue
In one embodiment, a processor-readable medium can store code representing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to receive a value representing a congestion level of a receive queue and a value representing a state of a transmit queue. At least a portion of the transmit queue can be defined by a plurality of packets addressed to the receive queue. A rate value for the transmit queue can be defined based on the value representing the congestion level of the receive queue and the value representing the state of the transmit queue. The processor-readable medium can store code representing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to define a suspension time value for the transmit queue based on the value representing the congestion level of the receive queue and the value representing the state of the transmit queue. |
| US08213306B1 |
Apparatus and methods for aggregation of communication bandwidth over multiple wireless communication links
Fixed-length communication traffic blocks, for transmission over a wireless communication link, are generated from communication traffic that is received at a primary communication apparatus. The generated blocks are distributed between a first wireless communication link associated with the primary apparatus and a second wireless communication link associated with a secondary apparatus, for transmission of the communication traffic blocks over the first and second wireless communication links. The distribution of the communication traffic blocks is through an inter-apparatus communication link between the primary and secondary apparatus. Communication traffic blocks that are received over the second wireless communication link are transferred to the primary apparatus through the inter-apparatus communication ink and combined, with blocks that are received on the first wireless communication link, into a communication traffic stream. One or more secondary wireless communication links may be provided by one or more respective installations of secondary apparatus. |
| US08213303B2 |
Generating, at least in part, and/or receiving, at least in part, at least one request
In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include circuitry to generate, at least in part, and/or receive, at least in part, at least one request that at least one network node generate, at least in part, information. The information may be to permit selection, at least in part, of (1) at least one power consumption state of the at least one network node, and (2) at least one time period. The at least one time period may be to elapse, after receipt by at least one other network node of at least one packet, prior to requesting at least one change in the at least one power consumption state. The at least one packet may be to be transmitted to the at least one network node. Of course, many alternatives, modifications, and variations are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US08213301B2 |
Systems and methods for network channel characteristic measurement and network management
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for detecting and applying network channel characteristic measurements. |
| US08213296B2 |
Link aggregation protection
A method includes detecting, by a first network device, a configuration problem at a second network device, where the first and second network devices are associated with a link aggregation group (LAG) coupling the first and second network devices. The method also includes de-activating, by the first network device, one or more links in the LAG in response to detecting the configuration problem. The method further comprises maintaining at least one of the links in the LAG as an active link and allowing traffic to be forwarded on the active link in the LAG. |
| US08213294B2 |
Mechanism for detecting and clearing I/O fabric lockup conditions for error recovery
A computer implemented method, apparatus and mechanism for recovery of an I/O fabric that has become terminally congested or deadlocked due to a failure which causes buffers/queues to fill and thereby causes the root complexes to lose access to their I/O subsystems. Upon detection of a terminally congested or deadlocked transmit queue, access to such queue by other root complexes is suspended while each item in the queue is examined and processed accordingly. Store requests and DMA read reply packets in the queue are discarded, and load requests in the queue are processed by returning a special completion package. Access to the queue by the root complexes is then resumed. |
| US08213291B2 |
Wireless data transmission methods, devices, and systems
Method and system for creating a radio block header that identifies a selected data block, a first compression scheme to compress a first encoded instance of the selected data block, and a second compression scheme to compress a second encoded instance of the selected data block, wherein the second compression scheme is different from the first compression scheme and for forming a radio block that includes the radio block header, a first instance of the selected data block, and a second instance of the selected data block. |
| US08213289B2 |
Compatible optical recording medium
The optical recording medium has a recording layer sensitive for recording at a first wavelength and sensitive for reading at a second wavelength, the recording layer having a groove structure, wherein at the first wavelength the groove structure has a diffraction efficiency into a first diffraction order sufficiently large to generate a push-pull signal, and at the second wavelength it has a diffraction efficiency into a first diffraction order close to zero. The optical pickup for recording on an optical recording medium intended to be read with a second wavelength and a second numerical aperture is characterized in that it has a light source for generating a light beam at a first wavelength and a numerical aperture given by the second numerical aperture multiplied with a ration of the first wavelength and the second wavelength. |
| US08213286B2 |
Photodetector and optical pickup apparatus including the same
A photodetector comprising: a substrate; a photodiode fixed to the substrate, the photodiode configured to output a signal according to a light amount of a laser beam when applied with the laser beam; and a translucent resin covering the photodiode, the translucent resin being irradiated with ultraviolet light in advance for a predetermined time such that a change in transmittance of the translucent resin for the laser beam having a predetermined wavelength is set within a predetermined range. |
| US08213281B2 |
Characterizing the performance of a disk drive across a range of vibration frequencies
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes the performance of a disk drive at frequencies in a set of frequencies in a frequency range. First, the disk drive is vibrated at each frequency in the set of frequencies, one frequency at a time. During this process, a disk drive performance metric is monitored. Next, the performance of the disk drive is characterized by determining the parameter related to acceleration due to the vibrations for each frequency at which a disk drive performance metric degrades by a predetermined amount from a baseline. |
| US08213279B2 |
Optical recording medium and optical recording-reading method
An optical recording medium including recording and reading layers and a servo layer increases the recording capacity thereof. In the optical recording medium including the plurality of recording and reading layers and the servo layer, the servo layer has a groove and a land that can be used to perform tracking control with a long-wavelength servo beam. Information is recorded on the recording and reading layers with a recording and reading beam having a wavelength shorter than the wavelength of the servo beam. Recording marks are formed on the recording and reading layers while both the groove and land are tracked. |
| US08213275B2 |
Object lens actuator and disc drive using the same
The present invention provides an object lens actuator in which a tilt of an object lens due to a change of an ambient temperature is inhibited even when a metal member is attached to a resin based securing part. It is desirable to improve quality of writing and playing in a disc drive using the object lens actuator. This is achieved by coupling a metal member having a flat portion and bent portions to a securing part near top ends of the bent portions. The flat portion has a normal in the focusing direction. The bent portions extend in the focusing direction from the respective ends of the flat portion in the tracking direction. The securing part has an opening therethrough in the focusing direction, and in the opening, the metal member and the securing part may be coupled between each outermost two support members in the focusing direction. |
| US08213263B2 |
Apparatus and method of detecting target sound
An apparatus and method of voice activity detection (VAD) are disclosed. To detect a target sound, a target sound detecting apparatus calculates the phase difference corresponding to each frequency component from a plurality of sound signals converted in frequency domain, calculates a characteristic value indicating possibility that the phase difference of the frequency component is within an allowable phase difference range of target sound calculated based on a direction angle of the target sound, and detects the presence and/or absence of target sound using the characteristic value. |
| US08213261B2 |
Method for geophysical and geological interpretation of seismic volumes in the domains of depth, time, and age
Method for transforming geologic data relating to a subsurface region between a geophysical depth domain and a geologic age domain. A set of topologically consistent surfaces (252a) is obtained that correspond to seismic data (252). The surfaces are enumerated in the depth domain. An age is assigned to each surface in the depth domain (255). The age corresponds to an estimated time of deposition of the respective surface. An age mapping volume is generated (256). An extent of the age domain is chosen. A depth mapping volume is generated (260). Both the age mapping volume and the depth mapping volume are used to transform geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations (258, 263) between the depth domain and the age domain (268) and vice versa (269). The geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations transformed by at least one of the age or depth mapping volume are outputted. |
| US08213256B2 |
Anti-fuse circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit including the same
An anti-fuse circuit includes an anti-fuse coupled to a sensing node, a driving unit configured to rupture the anti-fuse in response to a rupture enable signal, an anti-fuse status detecting unit configured to output an anti-fuse status detecting signal in response to a voltage at the sensing node corresponding to a rupture status of the anti-fuse, and a sensing current supplying unit configured to supply sensing current to the sensing node in response to a rupture sensing signal. |
| US08213255B2 |
Non-volatile storage with temperature compensation based on neighbor state information
Data is programmed into and read from a set of target memory cells. When reading the data, temperature compensation is provided. The temperature compensation is based on temperature information and the state of one or more neighbor memory cells. In one embodiment, when data is read from set of target memory cells, the system senses the current temperature and determines the differences in temperature between the current temperature and the temperature at the time the data was programmed. If the difference in temperature is greater than a threshold, then the process of reading the data includes providing temperature compensation based on temperature information and neighbor state information. In one alternative, the decision to provide the temperature compensation can be triggered by conditions other than a temperature differential. |
| US08213254B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device with temperature controlled column selection signal levels
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array with a matrix of nonvolatile memory cells. The nonvolatile memory cells may store data using variable resistive elements. A plurality of bitlines are coupled to a plurality of nonvolatile memory cell arrays in the memory cell array. A column selection circuit selects among the bitlines in response to a column selection signal. A controller regulates a level of the column selection signal in response to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be configured to measure temperature outside the nonvolatile memory device to generate the temperature signal. |
| US08213253B2 |
Semiconductor memory
A regular capacitor is saturated by an electric charge of a regular memory cell holding a high logic level and is not saturated by an electric charge from the regular memory cell holding a low logic level. A reference capacitor is saturated by the electric charge from a reference memory cell holding the high logic level. A differential sense amplifier differentially amplifies a difference between a regular read voltage read from the regular capacitor and a voltage which is lower by a first voltage than a reference read voltage being a saturation voltage read from the reference capacitor, and generates logic of data held in the memory cell. Accordingly, a difference between the reference voltage and the read voltage corresponding to the low logic level can be made relatively large. As a result, it is possible to improve a read margin. |
| US08213250B2 |
Integrated circuit and semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a cell array including a plurality of unit cells, a first amplification circuit amplifying an input signal received from at least one unit cell among the unit cells, a signal transmission unit to transmit the signal to the first amplification circuit in response to a selection signal, first amplification control circuit to output a first amplification control signal controlling an amplification operation of the first amplification circuit, a second amplification circuit to amplify an output signal of the first amplification circuit, a second amplification control circuit to output a second amplification control signal controlling an amplification operation of the second amplification circuit, and a voltage adjustment circuit to adjust an internal voltage of the first amplification circuit in response to a voltage adjustment signal before the first and second amplification circuits perform the amplification operation. |
| US08213246B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a test circuit that generates a pulse signal from a timing signal. The test circuit outputs the pulse signal and a first set of address signals in response to a first type transition of the timing signal. The test circuit outputs the pulse signal and a second set of address signals in response to a second type transition of the timing signal. The second set of address signals is different from the first set of address signals. |
| US08213245B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes data transmission devices for transmit data in synchronization with each other. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of data transferring unit, a first control unit, a multiplexing unit, and a second control unit. The plurality of data transferring unit transfers data to a plurality of global lines. The first control unit controls the plurality of data transferring unit in response to a column select signal to select a column of a memory cell. The multiplexing unit multiplexes the data transferred to the plurality of global lines. The second control unit controls the multiplexing unit, wherein the second control unit synchronizes the column select signal with a column address signal having a column address information of the memory cell. |
| US08213243B2 |
Program cycle skip
A non-volatile storage system includes technology for skipping programming cycles while programming a page (or other unit) of data. While programming a current subset of the page (or other unit) of data, the system will evaluate whether the next subsets of the page (or other unit) of data should be programmed into non-volatile storage elements or skipped. Subsets of the page (or other unit) of data that should not be skipped are programmed into non-volatile storage elements. Some embodiments include transferring the appropriate data to temporary latches/registers, in preparation for programming, concurrently with the evaluation of whether to program or skip the programming. |
| US08213242B2 |
Memory cells having a row-based read and/or write support circuitry
A circuit comprises a plurality of memory cells in a row, at least one write word line, and a write support circuit coupled to the at least one write word line and to the plurality of memory cells in the row. The write support circuit includes a first current path and at least one second current path. A current path of the at least one second current path corresponds to a respective write word line of the at least one write word line. A write word line of the at least one write word line is configured to select the first current path when the plurality of memory cells in the row operates in a first mode, and to select a second current path of the at least one second current path when the plurality of memory cells in the row operates in a second mode. |
| US08213241B2 |
Memory readout scheme using separate sense amplifier voltage
A memory includes a memory cell coupled to a data line. A sense amplifier is coupled to the data line. A power supply node has a first voltage. The first voltage is provided to the sense amplifier. A charge pump circuit is coupled to the sense amplifier. The charge pump circuit is configured to provide a second voltage to the sense amplifier when a read operation is performed. |
| US08213240B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory with page erase
In a nonvolatile memory, less than a full block maybe erased as one or more pages. A select voltage is applied through pass transistors to each of plural selected wordlines and an unselect voltage is applied through pass transistor to each of plural unselected wordlines of a selected block. A substrate voltage is applied to the substrate of the selected block. A common select voltage may be applied to each selected wordline and the common unselect voltage may be applied to each unselected wordline. Select and unselect voltages may be applied to any of the wordlines of a select block. A page erase verify operation may be applied to a block having plural erased pages and plural nonerased pages. |
| US08213239B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
An electronic memory device includes at least one basic unit, which is configured as a memory cell for storing at least one bit of information. The basic unit includes a vacuum cavity for free charge carriers propagation therethrough, a region of charge carriers emission or entry into the vacuum cavity, an anode electrode which are kept under controllable voltage conditions, and at least one floating gate electrode accommodated in a path of the free charge carriers propagating through the vacuum cavity between the emission or entry region and the anode. The floating gate electrode serves for storing therein a charge indicative of the at least one bit of information. |
| US08213238B2 |
Non-volatile memory device having separate transistors for program and erase operations and reading operation and driving method thereof
A non-volatile memory device and a driving method thereof. The non-volatile memory device includes a floating gate formed on and/or over a first type well, and transistors formed on and/or over a second type well and connected in series to the floating gate. One of the transistors is a first transistor for program and erase operations, and the other one is a second transistor for a reading operation. |
| US08213235B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device, including an X decoder coupling global lines to respective word lines to which memory cells are coupled, a voltage supply unit comprising voltage selection circuits corresponding to the respective global lines and configured to generate operating voltages, wherein each of the voltage selection circuits latches control signals, each determined according to a corresponding line enable signal and a corresponding voltage control signal, and selects and supplies one of the operating voltages in response to the control signals, and a control unit supplying a number of the line enable signals and a number of the voltage control signals to the voltage supply unit. |
| US08213234B2 |
Current sink system for source-side sensing
Source-side sensing techniques described herein determine the data value stored in a memory cell based on the difference in current between the read current from the source terminal of the memory cell and a sink current drawn from the read current. The sink current is drawn in response to the magnitude of a reference current provided by a reference current source such as a reference cell. |
| US08213232B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory, method for reading out thereof, and memory card
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes: a memory cell unit including a plurality of memory cells having an electric charge accumulation layer and a control electrode, said memory cells being electrically connected in series; a plurality of word lines, each of which is electrically connected to said control electrode of said plurality of memory cells; a source line electrically connected to said memory cells at one end of said memory cell unit; a bit line electrically connected to said memory cells at the other end of said memory cell unit; and a control signal generation circuit, which during a data readout operation staggers a timing for selecting the word line connected to said memory cells of said memory cell unit from a timing for selecting a non-selected word line connected to a non-selected memory. |
| US08213227B2 |
4-transistor non-volatile memory cell with PMOS-NMOS-PMOS-NMOS structure
A non-volatile memory (NVM) cell structure comprises a PMOS program transistor having source, drain and bulk region electrodes and a gate electrode that is connected to a data storage node; an NMOS control transistor having source, drain and bulk region electrodes that are commonly-connected to receive a control voltage and a gate electrode that is connected to the data storage node; a PMOS erase transistor having source, drain and bulk region electrodes that are commonly-connected to receive an erase voltage and a gate electrode that is connected to the data storage node; and an NMOS read transistor having source, drain and bulk region electrodes and a gate electrode connected to the data storage node. |
| US08213226B2 |
Vertical transistor memory cell and array
A semiconductor device along with circuits including the same and methods of operating the same are described. The device includes an electrically floating body region and a gate disposed about a first portion of the body region. The device includes a source region adjoining a second portion of the body region, the second portion adjacent the first portion and separating the source region from the first portion. The device includes a drain region adjoining a third portion of the body region, the third portion adjacent the first portion and separating the drain region from the first portion, wherein the source and drain regions are opposing. |
| US08213225B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems relating to memory cells having a floating body
Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed relating to a memory cell having a floating body. A memory cell includes a transistor comprising a drain and a source each formed in silicon and a gate positioned between the drain and the source. The memory cell may further include a bias gate recessed into the silicon and positioned between an isolation region and the transistor. In addition, the bias gate may be configured to be operably coupled to a bias voltage. The memory cell may also include a floating body within the silicon. The floating body may include a first portion adjacent the source and the drain and vertically offset from the bias gate and a second portion coupled to the first portion. Moreover, the bias gate may be formed adjacent to the second portion. |
| US08213222B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction with compensation element
A magnetic tunnel junction having a compsensation element is disclosed. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a reference element, and a compensation element having an opposite magnetization moment to a magnetization moment of the reference element. A free magnetic layer is between the reference element and the compensation element, and an electrically insulating and non-magnetic tunneling barrier layer separates the free magnetic layer from the reference element. The free magnetic layer includes Co100-X-YFeXBY wherein X is a value being greater than 30 and Y is a value being greater than 15. |
| US08213221B2 |
Magnetic shielding in magnetic multilayer structures
Techniques and device designs associated with devices having magnetically shielded magnetic or magnetoresistive tunnel junctions (MTJs) and spin valves that are configured to operate based on spin-transfer torque switching. |
| US08213218B2 |
Optimized solid electrolyte for programmable metallization cell devices and structures
A microelectronic programmable structure suitable for storing information and array including the structure and methods of forming and programming the structure are disclosed. The programmable structure generally includes an ion conductor and a plurality of electrodes. Electrical properties of the structure may be altered by applying energy to the structure, and thus information may be stored using the structure. |
| US08213217B2 |
Microelectronic programmable device and methods of forming and programming the same
A microelectronic programmable structure and methods of forming and programming the structure are disclosed. The programmable structure generally includes an ion conductor and a plurality of electrodes. Electrical properties of the structure may be altered by applying a bias across the electrodes, and thus information may be stored using the structure. |
| US08213212B2 |
Methods of making quantum dot films
In an example embodiment, an optical device includes an integrated circuit, an array of conductive regions, and an optically sensitive material over at least a portion of the integrated circuit and in electrical communication with at least one conductive region. In another example embodiment, a method of forming a nanocrystalline film includes fabricating nanocrystals having a plurality of first ligands attached to their outer surfaces, exchanging the first ligands for second ligands of a different chemical composition, forming a film of the ligand-exchanged nanocrystals, removing the second ligands, and fusing the cores of adjacent nanocrystals in the film to form an electrical network of fused nanocrystals. In another example embodiment, a film includes a network of fused nanocrystals with at least portions of the fused nanocrystals being in direct physical contact with adjacent nanocrystals, the film having substantially no defect states in regions where cores of the nanocrystals are fused. |
| US08213210B2 |
Magnetic shift register and reading method
A magnetic shift register including at least one magnetic track is provided. Each magnetic track has at least one set of burst data formed by a plurality of consecutive magnetic domains. Each magnetic domain has a magnetization direction corresponding to a stored data. A head magnetic domain having a given magnetization direction corresponding to a given stored data is set at a most front of the set of burst data, and the head magnetic domain and the set of burst data form a data storage unit. A method for reading a magnetic shift register is provided. |
| US08213207B2 |
Printed board assembly movement detection
A system may include a first connector housing, a magnetic data storage device mechanically coupled to the first connector housing, a second connector housing configured to be mechanically engaged with the first connector housing, and a permanent magnet mechanically coupled to the second cavity. In some examples, relative motion between the magnetic data storage device and the permanent magnetic causes data stored on the magnetic data storage device to be modified. In one example, the system further includes a printed board assembly mechanically coupled to one of the first or second connector housings and a master interconnect board mechanically coupled to the other one of the first or connector housings. Modification to the data stored on the magnetic data storage device may indicate relative movement between the first and second connector housings. |
| US08213204B2 |
Modular power adapter
A modular power adapter and method for using the same which increases the ease of a user's travel with portable electronic devices. The modular power adapter includes an output module which may be interchangeably and detachably coupled to DC input module or an AC input module. The output module and the input module are provided in separate housing structures thereby effectively spreading the heat dissipated from the modular power adapter. |
| US08213203B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a constant current output in a switching mode power supply
A controller for providing a constant output current control signal in a switched mode power supply (SMPS) includes a conduction time compensation circuit that is configured to produce a compensated conduction time interval signal that includes compensation for a ringing waveform of a feedback signal. The compensated signal reflects more accurately the actual conductive time of a rectifying diode in a secondary winding of the switched mode power supply. In one embodiment, the compensated conduction time interval signal is used to generate a fixed ratio between the conduction time and the non-conduction time of the rectifying diode. In another embodiment, the controller also provides a constant voltage control signal. |
| US08213194B2 |
Control device for a flyback converter
A control device for regulating the constant output current of a flyback converter, the control device adapted to control the on time period and the off time period of a primary winding switch and including a first circuit adapted to multiply a first signal representative of current flowing through the primary winding and a second signal representative of an input voltage and outputting a signal representative of the multiplication, a second circuit adapted to compare the output signal of the first circuit and a third signal representative of the direct output voltage, the control device determining, on the basis of the output signal of the second circuit, the on time period and the off time period of the switch so that the output signal of the first circuit is equal to the signal representative of the direct output signal to have the output current of the flyback converter constant. |
| US08213193B2 |
Flyback DC-DC converter with feedback control
A flyback DC-DC converter is disclosed herein. The flyback DC-DC converter includes a controller, an input switching circuit, a transformer and an output switching circuit. The input switching circuit is controlled by the controller and thus controls power supply to the transformer. The transformer is equipped with a first secondary winding to provide the output voltage, a second secondary winding that forms a feedback loop together with a voltage divider, and a third secondary winding to control the output switching circuit. |
| US08213192B2 |
Primary side sensing for isolated fly-back converters
A switching voltage regulator samples signals corresponding to a flyback voltage on an auxiliary winding on a primary side of the switching voltage regulator. The flyback voltage functions as feedback from the output voltage on the secondary side. On detection of presence of the flyback voltage, samples corresponding to the flyback voltage are stored until the flyback voltage falls below a threshold voltage. A history of N samples of the flyback voltage is thus maintained. A sample older than the most recently stored sample is used to generate control for generation of the output voltage of the switching voltage regulator. Use of the older sample ensures that the flyback voltage sample used is one that is close to, but before the current in the secondary winding goes to zero. |
| US08213186B2 |
Retaining assembly and apparatus using the same
A retaining assembly for retaining a first member with a second member is provided. The retaining assembly is capable of retaining the first member. The retaining assembly includes a body and at least one retaining device retained to the body. Each retaining device includes a supporting member and a latching member corresponding to the supporting member. The supporting member and the latching member cooperatively define a space for receiving the second member, and further cooperatively secure the member after the member is retained in space. An apparatus using the retaining assembly are also provided. |
| US08213185B2 |
Interposer substrate including capacitor for adjusting phase of signal transmitted in same interposer substrate
In an interposer substrate, a plating stub conductor and a ground conductor form a capacitor, and a plating stub conductor and the ground conductor form a capacitor. Capacitances of the capacitors are adjusted so that a phase difference between signals transmitted by a differential transmission using a signal line including a connection wiring conductor and a signal line including a connection wiring conductor is equal to 180 degrees. |
| US08213182B2 |
Housing case for housing electronic circuit board, and electronic apparatus
A housing case housing an electronic circuit board, includes: a lower case portion which internally houses a circuit board for mounting electronic components; and an upper case portion which is externally fitted to the lower case portion to form a box-like member. Each of the lower case portion and the upper case portion includes a planar portion, and sidewall portions which stand from the peripheral edge of the planar portion. The planar portion and the sidewall portions are formed by using a plate-like member made of a metal material. Engaging projections which are outwardly projected are disposed on the sidewall portions of the lower case portion. Engaging holes which are passed through the sidewall portions of the upper case portion are disposed in the sidewall portions, in positions corresponding to the engaging projections of the lower case portion. The upper case portion is externally fitted to the lower case portion, and the engaging projections are engaged with the engaging holes, whereby the lower case portion and the upper case portion are fixed to each other. |
| US08213169B2 |
Sliding hinge and a portable electronic device
A sliding hinge for a portable electronic device has a stationary leaf, a link assembly, a main sliding leaf and a side sliding leaf. The linking assembly is mounted pivotally on the stationary leaf via a pivoting middle. The main and side sliding leaves are connected respectively to two ends of the linking assembly. With the linking assembly, the main and side sliding leaves are moved simultaneously. Therefore, when the portable electronic device is not used, the main and side sliding leaves fully overlap with the stationary leaf to achieve a smallest footprint. When the portable electronic device performs multiple functions, the main and side sliding leaves are slid out to reveal control buttons. |
| US08213165B2 |
Key assembly and portable electronic device using the same
A key assembly comprises a base plate, a connecting member, a first key and a second key. The base plate has an opening defined therein. The connecting member is rotatably accommodated in the opening. The first key is rotatably hinged one side of the connecting member. The second key is rotatably hinged another side of the connecting member opposite to the first key. When the first key or the second key is pressed, the pressed key is rotated toward the base plate and rotates the connecting member, and the connecting member rotates the non-pressed key away from the base plate. |
| US08213163B2 |
Tilting portable electronic device
A tilting portable electronic device includes a housing, a cover, at least one supporting rod and at least one telescoping bar. The at least one supporting rod rotatably connects to the housing and the cover; the at least one telescoping bar rotatably connects to the housing and the cover. The telescoping bar includes at least two bushing sections, the two bushing sections retractably connect each other. When the cover is opened relative to the housing, the telescoping bar expands and rotates and the supporting rod rotates until the telescoping bar and the supporting rod cooperatively support one end of the cover. |
| US08213158B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor and its production method
Provided is a solid electrolytic capacitor comprising an anode of a porous body formed of a valve metal or its alloy, a dielectric layer formed on the surface in the inside part of the porous body and on the surface in the outer peripheral part thereof, a conductive polymer layer formed on the dielectric layer, a cathode layer formed on the conductive polymer layer in the outer peripheral part of the porous body, and an anode lead of which one end is embedded inside the anode, wherein the conductive polymer layer in the first region which is in the inside part of the porous body and the periphery around the anode lead as the center is formed of a polypyrrole layer, and the conductive polymer layer in the second region which is the periphery around the first region is formed by laminating a polypyrrole layer on a polyethylenedioxythiophene layer. |
| US08213153B2 |
Dielectric ceramic and laminated ceramic capacitor
A dielectric ceramic with stable insulation properties even after calcination under a reducing atmosphere, as is preferred for a laminated ceramic capacitor, is a CaTiO3 composition containing Sn. It is preferable for the dielectric ceramic to contain, as its main component, (Ca1-xBaxSny)TiO3 (0≦x<0.2, 0.01≦y<0.2) with a solution of Sn at the B site. |
| US08213149B2 |
Lifting and transporting stacks of ferromagnetic plates
A stack of ferromagnetic sheets is gripped, lifted, and transported by first engaging with an uppermost sheet of the stack a plurality of magnet assemblies of a magnetic grab, each assembly having at least one electromagnet, then electrically energizing the electromagnets and lifting the stack with the grab while monitoring a magnetic flux of each electromagnet. A controller then compares the fluxes of the electromagnets, and varies the electrical energization of at least one of the electromagnets such that the fluxes of all the electromagnets are generally equal. The system has at least one flux sensor on each of the magnet assemblies and connected to the controller. |
| US08213147B2 |
Over-current protection circuit with foldback capability
An over-current protection circuit is disclosed that provides a current limit threshold using resistors in the path of a scaled mirror current of a load current. The protective circuit has a first state that passes a supply source to a device, but when the threshold is reached the circuit becomes a feedback circuit that allows only a set final current to be passed to the device. When the load current reaches the threshold, the mirror current reaches a corresponding threshold that triggers a comparator and circuitry that then limits and fold backs the load current. |
| US08213145B2 |
Output driver protection
Embodiments of an output driver comprising a switching module configured to multiplex a protection transistor between a protection mode and a current mirror mode are disclosed herein. The output driver may operate at high speed with voltages above a maximum threshold voltage specification for the output driver. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed. |
| US08213144B2 |
Circuit protection system
A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing protection against arc flash during maintenance on a low voltage power circuit including a circuit breaker having a specified trip function for responding to a fault is provided. The specified trip function is overridden with a maintenance trip function that results in reduced arc energy in the fault during a trip over arc energy during a trip with the specified trip function. The specified trip function is restored following maintenance. |
| US08213139B2 |
Leakage current protection plug and interrupt protection plug contact spring structure
A leakage current protection plug includes a plug housing, a power supply cord, two copper legs embedded within the plug housing, a leakage current protection device composed of two main moving contacts. A reset button presses the moving contacts to contact the two copper legs, a winding assemble, an iron core, a circuit board assemble, an ZCT. Ends of moving contacts are arranged with contacts that conduct individually with the two copper legs upon coming into contact; the power supply cord, through the ZCT, is connected with the moving contacts; the output of the ZCT is connected with the input of the amplification circuit on the circuit board, while the output of the amplification circuit is connected with the winding assemble. |
| US08213134B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method to prevent smoke in a power supply powered by a current limited source
A positive temperature coefficient device is configured in parallel with a bypass switch and implemented at an input to a switching regulation stage of a switching power supply. A monitoring module determines that a voltage across the regulation switch in the switching power supply is below a predefined threshold voltage for greater than a predefined threshold time period. A control module controls operation of the bypass switch. The control module opens the bypass switch in response to the monitoring module determining that the voltage across the regulation switch is below the predefined threshold voltage for greater than the predefined threshold time period such that substantially all of the current entering the switching regulation stage passes through the PTC device. By causing substantially all of the current to pass through the PTC device, the device will enter a high impedance state thereby preventing smoke and smell from occurring. |
| US08213131B2 |
Read sensors with improved orientation of the hard bias layer and having a nanocrystalline seed layer
A system in one embodiment includes a magnetic sensor having a free magnetic layer, a nanocrystalline seed layer formed on an insulative amorphous material; a chromium-containing underlayer formed on the seed layer; and a hard bias layer formed on the underlayer and separated from the sensor by the insulative amorphous material. A method according to a further embodiment includes forming an amorphous insulative layer encapsulating a sensor stack; forming a nanocrystalline seed layer on the amorphous insulative material; forming a chromium-containing underlayer on the seed layer; and forming a hard bias layer on the underlayer. Additional systems and methods are presented. |
| US08213130B1 |
Magnetoresistive element, magnetic head assembly, magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, memory cell array, and manufacturing method of magnetoresistive element
A magnetoresistive element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a spacer layer, an oxide layer, and a metal layer. The oxide layer is provided between the first electrode and the first magnetic layer, or within the first magnetic layer, or between the first magnetic layer and the spacer layer, or within the spacer layer, or between the spacer layer and the second magnetic layer, or within the second magnetic layer, or between the second magnetic layer and the second electrode. The oxide layer includes at least one element of Zn, In, Sn, and Cd, and at least one element of Fe, Co, and Ni. The metal layer includes at least one element of Zn, In, Sn, and Cd by not less than 5 at % and not more than 80 at %, and at least one element of Fe, Co, and Ni. |
| US08213124B2 |
Flex cable assembly for robust right angle interconnect
A hard disk drive flex cable assembly, for conveying data between a connector to a host system and a head stack assembly, comprises a flex cable, which in part has a first end for coupling to the connector, and a second end for coupling to the head stack assembly; and a stiffener coupled to the second end, wherein the stiffener supports at least one termination pad of the second end on three sides of the termination pad. |
| US08213123B2 |
Actuator latch system of hard disk drive
An actuator latch system of a hard disk drive (HDD) retains a rotatable swing arm of the HDD in place when a magnetic head of the HDD is parked. The actuator latch system includes a portion of the swing arm that defines a notch at an end portion of a swing arm, and a latch lever that has at least one main hook and a rebound hook, and an elastic buffering arm. The latch lever is disposed on the base member adjacent the end portion of the swing arm and is supported so as to be rotatable. The at least one main hook prevents the swing arm from initially rotating in one direction beyond a certain point, and the rebound hook prevents the swing arm from rotating beyond a certain point after the swing arm rebounds upon colliding with the at least one main hook. |
| US08213122B1 |
Damped high strain region beam for a disk drive head suspension
A disk drive head suspension includes a load beam designed for damping of torsion and sway resonance modes. The load beam includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and the proximal end portion includes a proximal edge. The load beam also includes a strain-inducing feature that is formed into an upper planar surface of the load beam and extends from the proximal edge of the load beam. A flexure is attached to and supported by the load beam for carrying a magnetic head slider. A hinge attached to the load beam and to the base mounting structure, the latter of which is for coupling the head suspension to a disk drive actuation system. A damping element is on the load beam at the proximal end portion that spans across the strain-inducing feature and is adjacent to the proximal edge of the load beam. |
| US08213121B2 |
HGA suspension pad barrier for elimination of solder bridging defect
A method and apparatus for preventing solder bridging. The method includes providing a substrate layer upon which a solder pad is disposed. The method further includes providing a signal conductive layer within the substrate layer. The method also includes forming a solder pad upon the signal conductive layer. The solder pad has a base surface. The method additionally includes forming a barrier portion above the base surface of the solder pad. The barrier portion is for controlling solder flow during a reflow process. |
| US08213118B2 |
Magnetic recording medium, method for production thereof and magnetic recording and reproducing device
A discrete track-type magnetic recording medium (30) includes a nonmagnetic substrate (1), a magnetic recording track and a servo signal pattern which are provided on at least one side of the nonmagnetic substrate, and a nonmagnetic part (4) consisting of a nonmagnetic alloy containing Si for physically separating the magnetic recording track and the servo signal pattern. A magnetic recording and reproducing device comprising, in combination, the magnetic recording medium (30), a driving part (26) serving to drive the magnetic recording medium in a direction of recording, a magnetic head (27) composed of a recording part and a reproducing part, a device (28) to impart motion to the magnetic head relative to the magnetic recording medium, and a recording and reproducing signal processing device (29) for entering a signal into the magnetic head and reproducing an output signal from the magnetic head. |
| US08213117B2 |
Magnetic head with protective layer and a protective film removal method for the magnetic head
A magnetic head includes a reproducing element for reproducing information recorded on a magnetic recording medium, a recording element for recording information on the magnetic recording medium, and a heating resistor. The magnetic head has a magnetic medium-facing surface on which the reproducing element and the recording element are exposed.The magnetic head is obtained as follows: (1) a protective film is formed to cover the magnetic medium-facing surface; (2) within a case of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus including the magnetic recording medium, the magnetic medium-facing surface is opposed to a surface of the magnetic recording medium; (3) the heating resistor is allowed to generate heat by power supply while rotating the magnetic recording medium, wherein thermal expansion due to the heat generation causes bulging of the magnetic medium-facing surface, bringing the protective film into contact with the magnetic recording medium; and (4) a portion of the protective film covering at least one of the reproducing element and the recording element is removed by scraping. |
| US08213116B2 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording
A magnetic layer for writing incorporates: a pole layer having an end face located in a medium facing surface; and an upper yoke layer. A first magnetic layer for flux concentration is connected to the pole layer at a location away from the medium facing surface, and passes a magnetic flux corresponding to a magnetic field generated by a first coil. A second magnetic layer for flux concentration is connected to the upper yoke layer at a location away from the medium facing surface, and passes a magnetic flux corresponding to a magnetic field generated by a second coil. A nonmagnetic layer is disposed between the pole layer and the upper yoke layer. The upper yoke layer is connected to the pole layer at a location closer to the medium facing surface than the nonmagnetic layer. |
| US08213115B1 |
Secure data storage
A hard disk drive includes a chassis which supports a “sealed” housing containing a data storage magnetic disk, and read/write heads and actuator. The housing also contains an erasure device which generates a magnetic or other field or emanation for erasing the disk, so that the erasing field or emanation need not penetrate the sealed housing to effectuate erasure. A backup power supply provides power to the erasing device so that erasure can occur even in the absence of external power. A bus- or network-actuated arrangement couples power to the erasure device so that many hard drives may be simultaneously erased. |
| US08213112B2 |
Motor having a pressure difference generation portion disposed in a space between a disk and rotor case and disk drive apparatus including the motor
There is provided a motor. The motor includes a shaft rotatably installed and supported by a sleeve, a rotor case coupled with the shaft and on which a disk is mounted, and a pressure difference generation portion disposed in a space between the disk and the rotor case and generating a pressure difference using airflow in the space. |
| US08213108B2 |
Storage medium library device and storage medium library device cartridge transporting method
To provide a plurality of magazines very closely by saving the space for forming the moving path that is required for allowing a cartridge transporting device to move. A movable magazine that is capable of moving in the lateral direction individually is provided between a first fixed magazine and a second fixed magazine located on both sides. The movable magazine is moved from the position of a cartridge loading/unloading face that corresponds to a cell to which a cartridge as a mount target for a magnetic tape drive is being housed or a cell to which a cartridge that is unmounted from the magnetic tape drive is to be housed so as to form a longitudinal moving path for allowing the cartridge transporting device to move between the magazines neighboring to each other. |
| US08213106B1 |
Zoned servo system
A disk drive includes a plurality of servo zones of different servo frequencies and a read channel. The disk drive also includes a frequency detector operable to determine a servo frequency associated with a servo sector. The read channel includes a voltage-controlled oscillator operable to provide a reference clock; frequency multiplier/divider circuitry operable to multiply or divide the reference clock from the voltage-controlled oscillator by a first factor to generate a first servo timing recovery clock for the first servo zone, the first factor selected based at least in part on the servo frequency determined by the frequency detector; and a servo demodulator operable to demodulate the at least a portion of a servo sector using the first servo timing recovery clock. |
| US08213104B2 |
Apparatus and method for writing data onto a tape
An apparatus and method for writing data to be played back onto a tape is provided. Included is an acquisition unit for acquiring data to be written onto the tape, a writing unit for writing the data to the tape, and a determination unit for determining a data amount of a leading part of the data to be stored in a place separate from a place where the data is stored so that a part following the leading part is made ready to be played back before playback of the leading part ends, to reduce the time taken to read the data from the tape. Also included is an extraction unit for extracting the data and a storage unit for storing the leading part of the data. |
| US08213100B2 |
Lens drive device
A lens drive device may include a movable body holding a lens and a drive mechanism for driving the movable body in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may include a drive magnet part formed in a substantially triangular prism shape which is disposed at least one of four corners of the lens drive device, a drive coil wound around in a substantially triangular tube shape so that its inner peripheral face is oppositely disposed to an outer peripheral face of the drive magnet part through a gap space, and a magnetic member which is disposed on an object side with respect to the drive coil. The magnetic member is attracted toward an intermediate position of the drive magnet part in the optical axis direction. |
| US08213099B2 |
Miniature auto-focusing lens device
A miniature auto-focusing lens device includes a first casing, a second casing coupled to the first casing, a movable lens set disposed in the first casing, an electromagnetic driving module provided in the first casing and configured to drive the movable lens set to perform focusing and displacement, and a fixed lens set coupled to the second casing and corresponding in position to the movable lens set. The movable lens set and the fixed lens set together form an optical system of the miniature auto-focusing lens device to perform optical focusing and imaging. The fixed lens set includes a lens that outstrips any one of the lenses of the movable lens set in size. |
| US08213096B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens includes a first group having a positive or negative refractive power, a second group having a positive refractive power, a third group having a positive or negative refractive power, which are sequentially arranged from the object side of the imaging lens. The first group includes an aperture stop, and the second group includes a positive lens, and a cemented lens of a positive lens and a negative lens. The third group is composed of a cemented lens of a positive lens and a negative lens, and the following formula (1) is satisfied: 0.5≦f2/f≦1.2 (1), where f: focal length of the entire system of the imaging lens, and f2: focal length of the second group. |
| US08213093B2 |
Lens and light emitting apparatus having the same
Provided is a lens. The lens may include a lens body having a convex top surface having a first recessed part at a central portion thereof and a flat surface at a circumference thereof and a flat bottom surface having a second recessed part at a central portion thereof, and a plurality of lens supports on the bottom surface of the lens body. |
| US08213090B2 |
Electrowetting pixel structure
An electrowetting pixel structure includes a substrate, a hydrophobic dielectric layer, a non-polar liquid, a polar liquid, at least one electrode, and at least one contact hole. The hydrophobic dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, the non-polar liquid covers one surface of the hydrophobic dielectric layer, and the polar liquid is provided on the hydrophobic dielectric layer where the non-polar liquid and the polar liquid are immiscible. The electrode is formed on the substrate and divides the substrate into an electrode section and a non-electrode section. When a voltage is applied to the electrowetting pixel structure, the non-polar liquid contracts on the hydrophobic dielectric layer and is confined to an area substantially overlapping the non-electrode section. The contact hole is formed on the substrate at a position away from the non-electrode section of the electrowetting pixel structure. |
| US08213089B2 |
Projecting type hyper-lens and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a projecting type hyper-lens and a method of manufacturing the same. The projecting type hyper-lens includes a main lens layer and a substrate layer. A front surface of the main lens layer is recessed. The substrate layer supports the main lens layer. A front central portion of the main lens layer protrudes beyond a surface of the substrate layer. The projecting type hyper-lens allows an object to move towards a front surface of the hyper-lens until a distance between the front surface of the hyper-lens and the object is smaller than a half-wavelength of light, and thus images an object smaller than a half-wavelength of used light. Evanescent waves scattered from an object is used in a manner convenient to a user. |
| US08213088B2 |
Wide field of view color image projector
An optical device for an image projector for providing a projected wide field of view image, includes a first dichroic mirror or splitter, arranged in an input path for receiving light of a plurality of wavelength bands, and adapted to output by reflection on a first path respective first portions of selected ones of the wavelength bands and by transmission on a second path respective second portions of the selected ones of the wavelength bands. Light modulating devices, arranged in respective ones of the first and second paths to receive the first and second portions, generate and output on respective first and second intersecting output paths modulated ones of the first and second portions. A second dichroic mirror or combiner, adapted to reflect one and transmit the other of the first and second portions, is arranged in an area of intersection of the first and second intersecting output paths, to output, by reflection and transmission, respectively, the modulated ones of the first and second portions on a common output path. |
| US08213085B2 |
Image sensor device with high photosensitivity
An anti-reflection structure for transmitting a light source is disclosed. The anti-reflection structure comprises a first dielectric layer of a first refractive index and a second dielectric layer of a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. The first dielectric layer has a plurality of protrusions randomly arranged on a top surface thereof, in which the plurality of protrusions and the intervals therebetween has an average size smaller than the wavelength of the light source. The second dielectric layer has a bottom surface conformally attached to the top surface of the first dielectric layer. The invention also discloses an image sensor device having the anti-reflection structure. |
| US08213082B2 |
Light control film
Provided is a light control film and displays incorporating same. In particular, provided are light control films comprising a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. The light control films further comprise alternating transmissive and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. Each transmissive region has an index of refraction N1, and each absorptive region having an index of refraction N2, where N2-N1 is not less than−0.005. The light control films have an average pitch of successive absorptive regions of 0.070 mm or less. Light incident to the light input surface exits the light output surface with a maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) in a direction perpendicular to the light output surface of 65 or greater, and exits the light output surface with an effective polar viewing angle (EPVA) of 45° or less. |
| US08213081B2 |
Objective replacement device for microscopes
The invention relates to an objective replacement device for a microscope, wherein the sample is located in a sample chamber and surrounded by an immersion medium within the sample chamber, means for positioning and aligning the sample relative to the focus of an objective being present, wherein the detection beam path is aligned horizontally, which is to say perpendicular to the direction of action of gravity. For an objective replacement device for a microscope of the type described above, according to the invention a device is provided for exchanging the objective, at the focus of which the sample is positioned and aligned, with at least another objective, the position and alignment of the sample within the sample chamber remaining the same. |
| US08213080B2 |
Inspection apparatus for biological sample
An inspection apparatus for a biological sample is herein disclosed, wherein a sample, entering a communicating space via a first opening, is sucked upward to a test area by capillarity and then sucked downward to a second opening by a siphonic action; then the sample becomes still as a result of the communicating tube principle. Hence, the present invention provides sufficient amount of biological sample for the test area and also simplifies the inspection process. |
| US08213071B2 |
Display device
Display device is based on layer break up or layer displacement having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids, e.g., oil in a first state, adjoins at least a first support plate and, in the second state, the other fluid at least partly adjoins the first support plate. In one embodiment, a picture element corresponds to a substantially closed space and, in the first state, the other fluid layer substantially completely adjoins both support plates and is divided in two sub-layers. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to use lower voltages to make displacement occur. On the other hand, this opens the opportunity to color displays. |
| US08213069B2 |
Compensating for voice coil thermal expansion in a microarray scanner
A lens stage for use in a scanning system is provided. In certain embodiments, the lens stage comprises: a) a support comprising a first rail and a second rail, in which the first rail and the second rail are mounted to the support in parallel; and b) a linearly moveable lens assembly comprising: i) a voice coil comprising a moving coil that moves in a direction parallel to the rails; ii) a lens; iii) a bracket that is attached to: a) the moving coil and b) the lens, and moveably engaged with the rails via a set of bearing cars; and iv) means to reduce force exerted on the set of bearing cars due to thermal expansion of the moving coil. |
| US08213068B1 |
Scanning optical apparatus
A scanning optical apparatus includes a light source, a deflecting element for deflecting a beam of light emitted from the light source, an optical device for causing the beam of light emitted from the light source to be imaged into a linear shape long in the main scanning direction on the deflecting surface of the deflecting element. The optical device is comprised of a first optical element and a second optical element, and a third optical element for causing the beam of light deflected by the deflecting element to be imaged into a spot-like shape on a surface to be scanned. The third optical element includes a single lens, the opposite lens surfaces of which both include a toric surface of an aspherical surface shape in the main scanning plane, the curvatures of the opposite lens surfaces in the sub scanning plane being continuously varied from the on-axis toward the off-axis in the effective portion of the lens. |
| US08213065B2 |
Image display device
An image display device includes an image forming device, collimating optical system, and optical device, with the optical device including a light guide plate, first diffraction grating member and second diffraction grating member which are made up of a volume hologram diffraction grating, and with central light emitted from the pixel of the center of the image forming device and passed through the center of the collimating optical system being input to the light guide plate from the near side of the second diffraction grating member with a certain angle. Thus, the image display device capable of preventing occurrence of color irregularities, despite the simple configuration, can be provided. |
| US08213064B2 |
Personal display system with extended field of view
A system and method for providing extended field of view. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to provide extended field of view for a user of a personal display system. The system may include an image source coupled to relay optics, to redirecting unit and to reflecting unit, and may optionally be mounted in a helmet. |
| US08213062B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus has a platen, first and second carriages, a light source supported on the first carriage, a first mirror to deflect reflected light from the original document toward the second carriage, one or more second mirrors supported on the second carriage to guide the light from the first mirror to image reading device, and rail members. The first carriage has first and second mirror support portions for supporting one side edge portion of the first mirror by two points, and a third mirror support portion for supporting the other side edge portion by one point. The first carriage is supported slidably at its opposite side edge portions respectively on the rail members via slide members disposed at four right and left places including two front and back places, and a height position is adjustable for supporting the first mirror by one point. |
| US08213058B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for reducing noise
An image forming apparatus including: a user interface unit to display a user interface to select one or more low noise modes to reduce noise produced during a print standby state and a printing state of the image forming apparatus; and a controller to control the driving of a laser scanning unit and to control a print speed, according to one or more of the selected low noise modes selected through the user interface. Therefore, noise generated in the print standby state, and/or the printing state, are reduced, according to a low noise mode selected by a user. |
| US08213057B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus improves precision in adjudicating the type of the recording medium while also minimizing the time required to make such an adjudication. To accomplish this, the apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of particular shape images that configures a two-dimensional bar code. The apparatus forms a measurement pattern image for measurement, which includes one or more of the particular shape images, upon an image carrier and reads in the measurement pattern image that is formed upon the image carrier. The apparatus then determines a difference between a shape of the particular shape image that is included in the measurement pattern image and a shape of the particular shape image that is stored in the storage unit and subsequently determines an image forming condition with regard to the particular shape image stored in the storage unit. |
| US08213056B2 |
Image processing apparatus and line pair pattern identification method
An image processing apparatus is provided with a line pair identification unit that includes: a binarization portion that binarizes image data generated by a reading unit reading a document; a detection portion that detects, in an image based on the binarized image data, a line screen pattern in a first direction and a line screen pattern in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; a determination portion that determines the periodicity of the line screen pattern in the first direction; and an identification portion that identifies whether or not a line pair pattern is present in the image data based on the difference in the number between the two line screen patterns as detected by the detection portion and the results of the determination performed by the determination portion. |
| US08213051B2 |
Color management workflow for transitioning offset printing using custom inks to digital printing
A color management workflow for offset printing using custom inks is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for color management workflow for transitioning offset printing using custom inks to digital printing includes a color image recording device to measure one or more spot color ramps that correspond to custom ink colors, the color image device operable to determine a matching L*a*b value for the spot color ramps. The apparatus further includes a color characterization module to determine device CMYK matches for each of the L*a*b values for the one or more spot color ramps and create a custom input characterization file based on the device CMYK matches and an International Color Consortium (ICC) profile module to create a new input ICC file and a new output ICC file from the custom input characterization file. |
| US08213048B2 |
Information display apparatus, information display method and information display program
An information display apparatus includes a touch panel, and a storage/management unit for storing objects input from the touch panel and other information. The storage/management unit includes a memory space (22) for temporarily storing a display object among the input objects, a memory space (24) for temporarily storing a print object, and a memory space (20) for temporarily storing other information (28). In the information display apparatus, at the time of printing, objects (30, 32) to be printed can be selected from input objects (30, 32, 34, 36), by designating a color of the object. The information display apparatus forms print information by combining pieces of information stored in memory spaces (20) and (24). |
| US08213047B2 |
Image ordering system
An image ordering system includes an order management apparatus and an image providing apparatus. The order management apparatus includes a first image storage section, an order receiving section which receives an order for printout of images, and an order information transmitting section which transmits order information to a contact address associated with ordered images. The image providing apparatus includes a second image storage section, an order information receiving section which receives the order information, an image searching section which searches the images stored in the second image storage section for images related to images indicated by the order information, and an image releasing section which releases the images found as a result of the search upon receiving a release permission. |
| US08213044B2 |
Printing device for printing image data as displayed, printing method for printing image data as displayed, and computer program product for printing image data as displayed
A printing device comprising: a data acquiring unit configured to acquire image data; an image processing unit configured to generate display image data and printing image data based on the image data by with pixel value of a pixel at a first position in an image of the printing image data, performing an image process of modifying a pixel value of a first subject pixel of the printing image data at the first position or another position, the first position being determined according to a first parameter P1, with pixel value of a pixel at a second position in an image of the display image data, performing an image process of modifying a pixel value of a second subject pixel of the display image data at the second position or another position, the second position being determined according to a second parameter P2, and determining the second parameter P2 such that a ratio (P2/P1) of the second parameter P2 and the first parameter P1 is in a specified range that includes a ratio (Px2/Px1) of a display pixel count Px2 representing a size of the image of the display image data and a printing pixel count Px1 representing a size of the image of the printing image data; a display unit configured to display an image based on the display image data; and a printing unit configured to perform printing based on the printing image data. |
| US08213034B2 |
Methods and systems for providing remote file structure access on an imaging device
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for providing remote file structure data access to an imaging device user interface. Some aspects relate to methods and systems wherein a request for file structure data is sent from an imaging device (IDev) to a remote computing device (RCD) that is capable of retrieving and converting file structure data. Some aspects relate to reading the file structure data of a remote resource and converting that file structure data to a format that is compatible with an IDev user interface (UI). The converted file structure data may then be received by the IDev and displayed at the IDev UI. |
| US08213033B2 |
Common driver application device and method
A common driver application device and method. A first communication unit provides a communication interface with a first printing apparatus, a common printer driver unit loads from the first printing apparatus print information including default values for print options and an emulation type that the first printing apparatus supports, and provides a print option setting menu enabling a user to adjust the default values for the print options, if the first communication unit is communicatively connected to the first printing apparatus, and a central processing unit controls the common printer driver unit to load the print information from the first printing apparatus, if the first communication unit is connected to the first printing apparatus. Thus, one common printer driver to drive plural printers connected to a computer can be provided. |
| US08213032B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method and computer-readable storage medium thereof
An information processing method of an information processing apparatus that receives a job ticket, includes performing a function according to the job ticket, and determining whether a notification that the process has normally ended is received. In one embodiment, if it is determined that the notification is not received, a JDF analysis/correction unit may search for a confirmed subsequent function in the system based on a system map, and can determine whether there is another apparatus including the subsequent function in the system based on the search result. If the JDF analysis/correction unit determines that there is another apparatus including the subsequent function, the job ticket is updated and transmitted to the subsequent apparatus, along with input data. |
| US08213030B2 |
Image-forming apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image-forming apparatus includes a reception unit adapted to receive setting information that defines designation of a storage area and a process to be executed, a setting unit adapted to set the process to be executed for the designated storage area based on analysis of the setting information, an access right setting unit adapted to set an access right to access the second data, a managing unit adapted to manage the designated storage area and the second data with the set access right in association with each other, and an execution unit adapted to execute the process set in the storage area for the submitted first data and the second data that is associated with the storage area and has the set access right. |
| US08213028B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus and program
An image processing system and a software program which simplify customizations when a program for operations in connection with image processing is installed in a plural number of image processing apparatuses. When a program for operations in connection with image processing is newly installed in a first MFP, the first MFP makes an inquiry to other MFPs which are connected to the first MFP via a network. When a second MFP is already installed with the same program and has information on individual users' settings for the program, the first MFP receives the setting information from the second MFP. Then, referring to history information and device information, the first MFP judges whether to store the setting information therein and whether to make modifications to the setting information. |
| US08213025B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the amount of scattered light in a machine vision system
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the amount of light scattered in an object in a machine vision system comprising: a light source illuminating said object with incident light having a limited extension in at least one direction; and, an imaging sensor detecting light emanating from said object, wherein said emanated light is reflected light (R) on the surface of said object and light scattered (S) in said object, said detected light is resulting in at least one intensity distribution curve on said imaging sensor having a peak where said reflected light (R) is detected on said imaging sensor. A width (w) of said at least one intensity distribution curve around said peak is measured, whereby said measured width (w) indicates the amount of light scattered (S) in said object. |
| US08213018B2 |
Constant optical power sensor using a light source current servo combined with digital demodulation intensity suppression for radiation and vibration insensitivity in a fiber optic gyroscope
Systems and methods for fiber-optic gyroscopes are provided. In one embodiment, a fiber-optic gyroscope comprises: a light source current servo coupled to a light source that transmits light through an optic path, wherein the light source current servo controls intensity of light through the optic path via a light source current drive that supplies current to power the light source; and an intensity control signal processor coupled to the optic path via a photo detector, wherein the intensity control signal processor outputs an intensity control signal to the light source current servo, wherein the intensity control signal is a function of intensity of light as received at the photo detector; wherein the light source current servo compares the intensity control signal against a stable analog voltage reference to adjust the light source current drive and drive optical power at the photo detector towards a constant level. |
| US08213017B2 |
Analytical system comprising an arrangement for temporally variable spatial light modulation and detection method executable therewith
The invention relates to an analytical system and method for generating and metering optical signals. The invention includes an optical system having an illuminating system and a sensor platform. The illuminating system includes an arrangement identified as “SLM” for the temporally rapidly variable spatial light modulation, by which in an operating state, illuminating patterns of a freely selectable and rapidly variable geometry, which can be determined by the settings of the SLM, can be generated on the sensor platform from an illuminating light, which enters into this SLM and which includes a substantially homogenous intensity distribution in the in the cross section of the illuminating light at right angles to its direction of expansion. |
| US08213014B1 |
High speed counter and inspector for medicament and other small objects
An apparatus for counting and inspecting medicaments and other small objects whereby the objects are poured into a funnel. From the funnel, the objects fall onto the sharp point of a concentric cone, dispersing the objects on their way outwards causing dispersion and lateral singulation. Objects are vertically singulated when falling from the bottom edge of the cone. Objects are circularly scanned from just below the edge of the cone. A high speed processor resolves the scanned path in sufficiently small segments to determine width, and angular position measurements of the objects. The height measurements are resolved by the number of scans that show the objects in the same location before falling out of view. By calculations based on recurring sequential scans of objects at the same location, a total count can be made as well as sizes and irregularities of the objects. |
| US08213011B2 |
Spatial imaging/imaging spectroscopy system and method
A system and method for spatial imaging and imaging spectroscopy system includes a sample holder for holding samples, an illumination system arranged to illuminate the samples, a wavelength isolation module configured to selectively isolate received illumination from the samples to a plurality wavelengths, a single matrix imaging device arranged to receive the isolated wavelengths from the wavelength isolation module through a single lens system, and a computing device configured to perform a spatial imaging and imaging spectroscopy process. The spatial imaging and imaging spectroscopy process includes acquiring image data corresponding to each of the isolated wavelengths, performing spatial imaging analysis based on the acquired image data, and performing imaging spectroscopy on the acquired image data. |
| US08213007B2 |
Spectrally sensing chemical and biological substances
A sensor-network system for spectrally sensing a chemical or biological substance includes a plurality of probe assemblies that each includes a sensor comprising a nano structured surface, wherein the nano structured surface can adsorb molecules of a sample material captured adjacent to the sensor; a laser configured to emit a laser beam to illuminate the molecules adsorbed to the nano structured surface, and a spectrometer that can obtain spectral data from light scattered by the molecules adsorbed to the nano structured surface. A control center includes a computer storage configured to store spectral signatures each associated with a chemical or biological substance and a spectral analyzer that can determine a spectral signature matching at least one of the spectral signatures stored in the computer storage thereby to identify, in the sample material, the chemical or biological substance associated with the one of the spectral signatures. |
| US08213006B2 |
Multi-analyte optical computing system
The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward a plurality of optical detectors. Signals from the detectors are compared with a reference signal based on a portion of the illuminating light passing through a reference element to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass. |
| US08213004B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring raman signals
A method of measuring Raman signals comprises: an analyte placing step of placing an analyte on a detection surface of a microstructure plate which generates an enhanced electric field when irradiated with excitation light; an irradiating step of irradiating the detection surface with the excitation light so that the enhanced electric field is generated around the detection surface and light is emitted from the analyte and the detection surface to be enhanced by the generated enhanced electric field; a Raman signal obtaining step of detecting the enhanced light to obtain a Raman signal emitted from the analyte and a background signal for use as a reference, the Raman signal and the background signal having respective intensities; and a normalizing step of normalizing the Raman signal from the analyte by dividing the intensity of the Raman signal from the analyte by the intensity of the background signal obtained as the reference. |
| US08212995B2 |
Laser imaging system with uniform line illumination and method for generating images
Embodiments of a laser imaging system with uniform line illumination and method for generating images are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the laser imaging system includes a polarizer beam splitter to angularly separate an input laser beam into a pair of overlapping cross-polarized beams having a first angular separation therebetween, and a diffraction optic beamlet generator to generate a plurality of beamlets of alternating polarization states with a second angular separation therebetween. The laser imaging system may also include a focal-plane array (FPA) having a field-of-view (FOV) to be illuminated by the plurality of beamlets. |
| US08212993B2 |
Method and apparatus for surveying actual measurement data of a component
An improved method for surveying actual measurement data of a component, which originate from an optical scan, is characterized in that the actual measurement data (2) of the component (1) are surveyed by means of a measurement program (24) for a tactile coordinate measuring instrument, wherein the measurement program (24) generates a virtual measuring stylus of a virtual coordinate measuring instrument, which surveys the actual measurement data of the component. |
| US08212992B2 |
Device for damping vibrations in projection exposure apparatuses for semiconductor lithography
A changeable assembly for a projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography contains at least one damping element. Projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography and measuring assemblies for a projection exposure apparatus for semiconductor lithography can include at least one sensor for detecting parameters and vibrations of the projection exposure apparatus, wherein the measuring assembly is embodied in such a way that it can be inserted into an exchange opening, provided for an optical element, in the projection exposure apparatus. |
| US08212977B2 |
In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display with a retardation layer formed directly on a color filter substrate in a reflection region
An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes: a lower substrate and an upper substrate which face each other; a gate line and a data line on the lower substrate such that the gate line and the data line cross each other to define a pixel region that is divided into a transmissive region and a reflective region; a thin film transistor arranged at a crossing of the gate line and the data line; a reflective plate in the reflective region; a pixel electrode and a common electrode arranged in an alternating pattern at the pixel region; a retardation layer arranged on the upper substrate to correspond to the reflective region; a liquid crystal layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; and a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate at outer surfaces of the lower substrate and the upper substrate, respectively. |
| US08212973B2 |
Color filter substrate and liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is provided which includes a color-filter substrate, an active matrix substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between them. The active matrix substrate includes a first transparent substrate and includes a plurality of switching elements and a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the first transparent substrate. Each switching element is electrically connected one of the pixel electrodes. The color-filter substrate defines a plurality of pixel areas. Each pixel area is suitable for corresponding to one of the pixel electrodes, includes a second transparent substrate, a first and second transparent conducting layers and a dielectric layer. The first transparent conducting layer is interposed between the second transparent substrate and the second transparent conducting layer, and the dielectric layer is interposed between the first and second transparent conducting layers. The second transparent conducting layer in each pixel area defines a hole. |
| US08212970B2 |
Liquid crystal display and organic EL display
Disclosed is a liquid display device that is capable of suppressing a change in contrast of a liquid crystal display panel, in which a screen is a curved surface with a curvature in one direction. In a liquid crystal display panel having a cylindrical surface, an upper polarizing plate is attached to a color filter substrate. The upper polarizing plate receives tensile stress in a curved direction. Tensile stress adversely affects polarization characteristics of the upper polarizing plate. According to an embodiment of the invention, if the absorption axis A of the upper polarizing plate is adapted to match with the curved direction of the liquid crystal display panel, it is possible to prevent a change in polarization characteristics of the upper polarizing plate. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image with excellent contrast for a long term. |
| US08212969B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing display device
Provided are a method and apparatus for manufacturing a display device, which can ensure precise alignment and attachment of a lenticular sheet onto a display panel. The method includes sequentially stacking a display panel and a lenticular sheet on a stage, irradiating light that is incident in parallel toward the display panel and the lenticular sheet from below the display panel, detecting the light that has passed through the display panel and the lenticular sheet, and determining an axial direction of a columnar lens formed on the lenticular sheet. |
| US08212963B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising a diffuser board which includes a plurality of micro lenses
An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-crystal display device which includes a diffuser board that does not produce striped mura on the surface of a liquid crystal panel even if point light sources are used as light sources of a backlight.A backlight apparatus 103 is provided with a diffuser board 103b having diffusion portions 103b1. At each of the diffusion portions 103b1, the light L emitted by a LED module 104 included in a light source unit 103a is reflected by prism patterns P and diffused around the LED module 104. Then, the diffused light is reflected again by a reflecting surface formed on the inner surface of a housing 103c and emitted from the backlight apparatus 103, thereby achieving illuminating light without mura. |
| US08212962B2 |
Optical device, material for forming optical device, backlight for display, display and method of making device or material
An optical device is provided, for example for use as a brightness enhancing film in a display. The device comprises a sheet (31) carrying a plurality of light-concentrating elements in the form of prism-like structures (171). The sheet (31) is non-flat, for example by being bent or curved, in one direction. Each of the prism-like structures (171) has first and second surfaces (34, 35) extending from the sheet (31) and intersecting at a line (33). A line (32) parallel to the viewing direction and passing through the intersection line (33) bisects the opposite surface (36) where it intersects (38) the film (31). When used in a display, such a device provides improved and uniform display brightness across a display of curved or other non-flat shape. |
| US08212960B2 |
Display apparatus
In a display apparatus including: a display panel; a backlight unit disposed on the rear side of the display panel; a circuit board disposed on a side of the backlight unit which is different from the display panel side; and a brightness sensor for measuring brightness of light from the backlight unit, the brightness sensor is supported on a side of the circuit board which is different from the backlight unit side. |
| US08212948B2 |
Two and three dimensional view display
A display device (200) configured to provide two-dimensional and three dimensional perception. The device comprises a display panel (230), a backlight arrangement (201) and control circuitry (232). The backlight arrangement comprises a first layer (210) in the form of an optically clear lightguide, a birefringent second layer (202) and a third layer (204). At least one interfacing surface between any two of the layers comprises a microstructure (206) in the form of a plurality of essentially parallel structures extending in a direction of extension (x) of the structures. The device further comprises first (218) and second (219) light sources that are configured to emit light into the lightguide in a first (z) and a second direction (-z), respectively. The first and second directions are essentially opposing directions and the first and second directions are essentially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the microstructure. |
| US08212945B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating a projector for image warping
A calibration image including dots and scale points is projected at first and second display surfaces. A location of a scale point may be modified. A location for a registration point is determined and the registration point is added to the calibration image. The projected calibration image is captured. A location of the captured registration point and locations captured scale points are identified. Captured dots that are projected onto the first display surface and their locations are identified. Each of the captured dots identified as being projected onto the first display surface are mapped to a corresponding dot of the calibration image. Dots of the calibration image that are not projected onto the first display surface are identified, locations of each of the identified dots are determined, and a synthetic dot is added to the captured image for each identified dot. The captured image may be provided as input to a process for determining one or more inverse offsets. |
| US08212938B2 |
Sync signal acquisition device
A sync signal acquisition device is disclosed which comprises a transistor, a resistor, a clamper, an analog multiplexer and a comparator. While operating in a composite HS mode, prior to the generation of the sync signal HS, the invention uses a conventional circuit to extract a composite sync signal at start-up, thereby allowing related circuits to generate the sync signal HS and a clamping signal. Then, a mode selecting signal is used to disable the automatic clamping mode and switch the analog multiplexer to a forced clamping mode. At this point, the output voltage of the damper is set by a user instead of process; accordingly, the DC voltage level is more controllable, but not subject to drift due to process changes or temperature changes. |
| US08212931B2 |
Image processing and controlling system
An image processing and controlling system is provided in the present invention. In addition to adjusting the image displaying modes according to the ergonomic look-up table, the present invention is further capable of adjusting the weighting value with respect to each image characteristic value of an initial image according to lighting characteristics of an ambient light system such that a display unit can provide the most comfortable viewing conditions and the best image quality under different ambient lighting characteristics. In another embodiment, the present invention further functions to control the ambient light system according to the image characteristics of the weighted output image. By means of the foregoing dual controlling ways, the image processing and controlling system may provide appropriate output images corresponding to different viewing scenario and conforming to the requirement of output quality. |
| US08212927B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus, image signal processing method and video display apparatus
The present invention relates to a technology of appropriately improving image resolution. According to an image signal processing method of the present invention, an input video signal contains an image signal whose pixel size is converted at a specified magnification scale. The input image signal is used to calculate sampling frequencies for image signals before and after the pixel size conversion. A ratio of sampling frequencies before and after the pixel size conversion is used to determine the specified magnification scale. A sampling phase for the image signal before the pixel size conversion is calculated from the input image signal after the pixel size conversion. A sampling carrier for the image signal before the pixel size conversion is generated from the sampling frequency and the sampling phase both before the pixel size conversion. |
| US08212921B2 |
Display apparatus for displaying video input through various ports
A display apparatus displaying video input through various ports is provided. The display apparatus includes a board which is disposed behind a display module, wherein the board includes a universal serial bus (USB) port which receives a USB standard signal, a decoder which decodes a video signal from the USB standard signal and outputs a decoded signal, a video output unit which outputs a displayable video signal to the display module corresponding to the video signal, wherein the USB port is disposed at an edge of a first side of the board, and the video output unit is disposed at an edge of a second side which is different from the first side of the board. The video output unit receives video from an external apparatus such as a computer through a USB port in addition to a DVI port and D-SUB port, and displays the received video. Display apparatuses having additional ports than the DVI ports and D-SUB ports may be connected to a computer without requiring additional hardware. |
| US08212919B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes: a field forming unit configured to subject 3-2 pulldown materials to 3-2 pulldown to form field images in normal reproduction, and to add flag information to the field images, the flag information necessary to generate frame images from field images; and a generating unit configured to generate frame images from the formed field images based on the flag information, wherein in a special reproduction other than the normal reproduction, according to its reproduction form, the field forming unit forms a predetermined field image from the material, and adds flag information to the formed field images, the flag information that has to be added to a field image possibly formed by subjecting the material corresponding to the field image to 3-2 pulldown, and the generating unit generates a frame image from the field image based on the flag information added to the field image. |
| US08212912B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, and imaging method
The number of thermal sensors in an imaging device that requires temperature measurement is reduced. The imaging device includes: a lens array (112) including lenses; an imaging element (122) provided at a predetermined distance from the lens array (112) and having imaging areas respectively corresponding to the lenses; a light-shielding wall (113) which partitions a space between the lens array and the imaging element so as to prevent light entering each of the lenses from reaching the imaging areas different from a corresponding one of the imaging areas; an imaging signal input unit (133) configured to generate an imaging signal by digitalizing an electric signal provided by the imaging element; and a temperature estimation unit (143) configured to calculate, from the imaging signal, a length of an image of the light-shielding wall projected on an imaging plane of the imaging element, and to estimate a temperature using the calculated length of the image of the light-shielding wall. |
| US08212906B2 |
Skimmed charge capture and charge packet removal for increased effective pixel photosensor full well capacity
An imaging device having pixels that store charge from a photosensor under at least one storage gate during a sampling period. A driver used to operate the at least one storage gate, estimates how much charge in the pixel exceeds a predetermined limit during a non-destructive pixel sensing operation. A specific voltage is stored on the pixel's floating diffusion region to flag how many times the pixel exceeded the limit. The final pixel signal and the stored information is readout at the end of integration period to create a sum that represents the pixel's final signal value. |
| US08212905B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device, imaging system, and photoelectric conversion device driving method
A photoelectric conversion device comprises a plurality of pixels, a driving supplemental element, a signal line to which the plurality of pixels and the driving supplemental element are connected, a driving unit which drives the plurality of pixels and the driving supplemental element, and an output circuit which processes a signal output to the signal line from a readout pixel selected by the driving unit and outputs the processed signal, each of the plurality of pixels including a first charge-voltage converter, a first reset unit which resets the first charge-voltage converter, and a first output unit which outputs a signal corresponding to a voltage of the first charge-voltage converter, the driving supplemental element including a second charge-voltage converter, a second reset unit which resets the second charge-voltage converter, and a second output unit which outputs a signal corresponding to a voltage of the second charge-voltage converter. |
| US08212904B2 |
Solid-state imaging device having high floating diffusion reset potential
A solid-state imaging device includes plural pixel cells, arranged in a matrix, each of which includes a photodiode that photoelectrically converts incident light. The solid-state imaging devices also includes a transferring transistor that transfers a charge generated by the photodiode, a floating diffusion that accumulates the transferred charge, a reset transistor that resets a potential of said floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor that converts the charge accumulated in the floating diffusion into a voltage. The solid-state imaging device further includes column signal lines, each connected to associated ones of plurality of amplifying transistors, including the amplifying transistor corresponding to a corresponding one of columns having the associated plurality of pixel cells, and a voltage control circuit which increases a voltage of the column signal line to a predetermined voltage between the reset of the potential by the reset transistor and the transfer of the charge by the transferring transistor. |
| US08212900B2 |
Method and apparatus providing color interpolation in color filter arrays using edge detection and correction terms
A method and apparatus for color plane interpolation are provided which interpolates the color values of pixels differently depending on an edge direction and whether a pixel is at an edge within an image. The use of the edge detection during the interpolation of each of the colors present in the color pattern helps reduce some of the disadvantages of the loss of image sharpness abundant in known demosaicing techniques. |
| US08212893B2 |
Digital camera device and methodology for distributed processing and wireless transmission of digital images
A digital imaging system is described that provides techniques for reducing the amount of processing power required by a given digital camera device and for reducing the bandwidth required for transmitting image information to a target platform. The system defers and/or distributes the processing between the digital imager (i.e., digital camera itself) and the target platform that the digital imager will ultimately be connected to. In this manner, the system is able to decrease the actual computation that occurs at the digital imager. Instead, the system only performs a partial computation at the digital imager device and completes the computation somewhere else, such as at a target computing device (e.g., desktop computer) where time and size are not an issue (relative to the imager). By deferring resource-intensive computations, the present invention substantially reduces the processor requirements and concomitant battery requirements for digital cameras. Further, by adopting an image strategy optimized for compression (compressed luminosity record), the present invention decreases the bandwidth requirements for transmitting images, thereby facilitating the wireless transmission of digital camera images. |
| US08212891B2 |
Apparatus, methods and computer readable storage mediums
A method including receiving an image from an image sensor, the image including a portion corresponding to an object; determining distance of the object from the image sensor using the received image; and controlling exposure of the image sensor using the determined distance. |
| US08212883B2 |
System and method for distributing video data over an electrical power line
A system is disclosed for performing a method of distributing video data over an electrical power line. The system includes but is not limited to a processor in data communication with a computer readable medium and a computer program comprising instructions embedded in the computer readable medium, the computer program further comprising instructions to detect first event data at a first controllable device in an internet protocol television system; instructions to send second event data over the electrical power line to a second controllable device in the internet protocol television system from the first controllable device in response to the detecting the first event data at the first controllable device; and instructions to receive video data concurrently at a first internet protocol television client device over the electrical power line from the first and second controllable devices in response to the detecting the first event data at the first controllable device. |
| US08212882B2 |
Handheld article with movement discrimination
A digital camera 10 has a pair of angular rate-sensing gyroscopic sensors 130 with mutually perpendicular axes and an electronic circuit 120 responsive to the sensor output signals to discriminate between voluntary and involuntary movements of the article as a function of the number of zero crossings per unit time of the signal and the average of the absolute amplitude of the signal. |
| US08212879B2 |
Image stabilization control circuit for imaging apparatus
An internal CPU, a vibration control equalizer for processing an output signal of a vibration detector for detecting vibration of an imaging apparatus and calculating a vibration signal for determining a driving amount for an optical component on the basis of vibration of the imaging apparatus, a position control equalizer for calculating a position signal for determining a driving amount for the optical component on the basis of position of the optical component, and a control switching section for switching between the internal CPU and an external control circuit for the imaging apparatus for control of the vibration control equalizer and the position control equalizer. |
| US08212869B2 |
Substrate inspection method, substrate inspection system and storage medium
A substrate inspection method capable of accurately inspecting a substrate is provided. A jig having reference points represented by known coordinates in a three-dimensional world coordinate system is photographed by a camera and coordinates of the reference points in a pixel image coordinate system defined by pixels of an image forming device is determined. The coordinates in the pixel image coordinate system are transformed into those in a camera coordinate system set on the camera, and world-camera coordinate system transformation parameters are calculated. Image data in the pixel image coordinate system obtained by photographing a substrate to be inspected is transformed into image data in a world coordinate system for inspection. The accurate inspection of the substrate to be inspected can be achieved because distortion in the image of the substrate to be inspected in the world coordinate system attributable to the position and attitude of the camera is reduced. |
| US08212867B2 |
Underwater CCD camera for visual testing of reactor cooling system
Disclosed is an underwater CCD camera for visual testing of a reactor cooling system. The underwater CCD camera includes a CCD camera, a casing having a supporter supporting the CCD camera and a cooling pin on a top surface thereof, a Pb-glass window on a front side of the easing to shield the CCD camera from radiation and to reduce a temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the casing, a sealing O-ring preventing a coolant from being introduced into a gap between the Pb-glass window and the casing, a sealing nut providing a fastening force to bring the Pb-glass window into close contact with the sealing O-ring, a rear cap, a silicon O-ring preventing the coolant from being introduced into a gap between the rear cap and the casing, and a fastening nut providing a fastening force to prevent leakage between a camera cable and the casing. |
| US08212863B2 |
Signal output board and endoscope
A signal output board includes: a drive signal generation section configured to generate a drive signal for a CCD; an inverse signal generation section configured to generate an inverse signal by inverting a phase of the drive signal from the drive signal generation section; a first signal transmission line portion configured to transmit the drive signal from the drive signal generation section; a second signal transmission line portion configured to transmit the inverse signal from the inverse signal generation section, at least part of the second signal transmission line portion being arranged in parallel to and adjacent to the first signal transmission line portion; an output end portion configured to output the drive signal transmitted by the first signal transmission line portion, to the outside; and an equivalent load section including a load equivalent to a transmission path for the drive signal from the output end portion to the electronic device, the equivalent load section being connected to an end portion of the second signal transmission line portion. |
| US08212862B2 |
Endoscope system
An endoscope system of the present invention has an endoscope which acquires a direct-view field of view image and a side-view field of view image of an object to be observed, a light source apparatus which supplies an illuminating light for illuminating the object to be observed, a detection section which detects a change of a physical quantity with respect to movement of an insertion section provided at the endoscope, which occurs due to an operation of the endoscope, an image processing unit which generates and outputs a video signal including the direct-view field of view image and the side-view field of view image in a same screen, and a light adjustment area selection section which detects a brightness of the direct-view field of view image and a brightness of the side-view field of view image individually, selects a field of view image corresponding to a moving direction in which the change of the physical quantity increases out of the direct-view field of view image and the side-view field of view image as a light adjustment target based on a detection result of the detection section, and performs control so as to make a luminance of the field of view image selected as the light adjustment target relatively higher than a luminance of the other field of view image. |
| US08212861B2 |
Medical apparatus
A medical apparatus includes: an image pickup apparatus introduced and retained in a body; a retaining/fixing section which contacts a body wall in the body, for retaining and fixing the image pickup apparatus at the body wall; plural operation wires operated from an extracorporeal side; and an observation direction control section which changes an observation direction of the image pickup apparatus by operation of the plural wires, and includes: an image pickup apparatus fixing section connected to the operation wires, which contacts an outer surface part of the image pickup apparatus; and a rotary section for supporting the retaining/fixing section and the image pickup apparatus fixing section so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and allowing the image pickup apparatus fixing section to rotate with respect to the retaining/fixing section with a rotation center as a fulcrum, based on operation of the plural operation wires. |
| US08212844B2 |
Method and device for encoding video levels into subfield code words
A method and a device for encoding the video level of a pixel of a picture into a subfield code word in a display device using a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) technology and subfields for displaying video picture. The bits of the subfield code word are computed recursively one after the other from the bit having the most significant weight to the bit having the least significant weight. In determining the state of a bit of the subfield code word, a first threshold and a second threshold is associated with the bit, the second threshold being greater than the first threshold, and the video level to be encoded by this bit and its following bits in the subfield code word are compared to the first and second thresholds. A state is allocated to the bit based on the comparison. |
| US08212841B2 |
Non-linear image mapping using a plurality of non-coplanar clipping planes
A display processing system for providing video signals for displaying an image is provided. The display processing system comprises input channels for receiving a plurality of component images, each component image being a portion of the complete image for display, the image data of each component image being defined by a view frustum having a clipping plane, and a combiner for combining the image data of the component images. According to the present invention, at least two clipping planes of two of the view frustums are non-coplanar. Such display processing system corrects for the defect of driving angular resolution to the edges of the field of view of a display system, in particular for large field-of-view display systems, and balances the overall system angular resolution by allowing each image generator channel to render to an optimal view frustum for its portion of the complete image. |
| US08212839B2 |
Image creating device, image creating method, information recording medium, and program
In an image creating device (201) for creating an image viewably showing the distribution of environment parameters in a virtual space, a parameter acquiring unit (202) acquires environment parameters at a predetermined plurality of places in a virtual space, and an image creating unit (203) creates an image based on the acquired environment parameter. The image creating unit (203) creates, for each of the predetermined plurality of places in the virtual space, an image showing a graphic drawn at a position within the image, the position being associated with the place and associated with the environment at the place. |
| US08212838B2 |
Antialiasing system and method
A system and method for improved antialiasing in video processing is described herein. Embodiments include multiple video processors (VPUs) in a system. Each VPU performs some combination of pixel sampling and pixel center sampling (also referred to as multisampling and supersampling). Each VPU performs sampling on the same pixels or pixel centers, but each VPU creates samples positioned differently from the other VPUs corresponding samples. The VPUs each output frame data that has been multisampled and/or supersampled into a compositor that composites the frame data to produce an antialiased rendered frame. The antialiased rendered frame has an effectively doubled antialiasing factor. |
| US08212832B2 |
Method and apparatus with dynamic graphics surface memory allocation
An apparatus and method utilizes system memory as backing stores so that local graphics memory may be oversubscribed. Surfaces may be paged in and out of system memory based on the amount of usage of the surfaces. The apparatus and method also prioritizes surfaces among different tiers of local memory (e.g. frame buffer), non-local memory (e.g. page locked system memory), and system memory backing stores (e.g. pageable system memory) locations based on predefined criteria and runtime statistics relating to the surfaces. As such, local memory may be, for example, expanded without extra memory costs such as adding a frame buffer memory to allow graphics applications to effectively use more memory and run faster. |
| US08212826B1 |
Using graphics processing unit (“GPU”)-generated data in-situ to characterize the ability of a cable to carry digitized video
Disclosed are an apparatus, a computer device, a system, computer readable media and a method for using graphics processing unit (“GPU”)-generated data to characterize, in-situ, the ability of a cable to reliably carry digitized video, among other things. In one embodiment, a computing device includes a processor coupled via a system bus to a graphics engine and a video cable-testing apparatus. This apparatus has an input port configured to couple to the digitized video cable to receive pixel data generated by the graphics engine. It also has a signal integrity evaluator (“SIE”) configured to identify the digitized video cable as the source an amount of data corruption, the amount of data corruption being a function of the pixel data. The signal integrity evaluator includes a classifier to classify the amount of data corruption into classes that each represents various degrees of degradation of the computer-generated video images. |
| US08212816B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for parallel ray tracing traversal and intersection utilizing a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) processing architecture
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for parallel ray tracing traversal and intersection utilizing a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) processing architecture. In operation, a ray tracing traversal operation is performed utilizing one or more processing elements of the SIMD architecture. Additionally, a ray tracing intersection operation is performed in parallel with the ray tracing traversal operation, utilizing the same one or more processing elements. Furthermore, at least a portion of code utilized for performing the ray tracing traversal operation is the same as at least a portion of code utilized for performing the ray tracing intersection operation. |
| US08212814B2 |
Generation of constrained Voronoi grid in a plane
A computer-implemented method for generating a constrained Delaunay triangulation for a planar domain with boundaries and internal features. The boundaries and internal features of the domain are approximated with polylines. Unconstrained Delaunay triangulation is constructed for the domain. The unconstrained Delaunay triangulation is modified to conform triangle sides to the polylines. The modified triangulation is corrected to make it a constrained Delaunay triangulation. At least one of the steps of the method is implemented using a computer. |
| US08212813B2 |
Image generating apparatus, method of generating image, program, and recording medium
The present application generates an image in which a contour line is drawn about a tuned object in a virtual three-dimensional space. A reference width is stored in association with the tuned object. The reference width corresponds to a reference size of the tuned object. The reference size of the tuned object is a size of the tuned object when the tuned object is positioned a predetermined distance from a viewing point of a virtual camera. A line width of the contour line that is drawn about the tuned object is calculated based upon the reference width and a distance that the target object is positioned from the viewing point of the virtual camera. |
| US08212812B2 |
Active shape model for vehicle modeling and re-identification
A method for modeling a vehicle, includes: receiving an image that includes a vehicle; and constructing a three-dimensional (3D) model of the vehicle, wherein the 3D model is constructed by: (a) taking a predetermined set of base shapes that are extracted from a subset of vehicles; (b) multiplying each of the base shapes by a parameter; (c) adding the resultant of each multiplication to form a vector that represents the vehicle's shape; (d) fitting the vector to the vehicle in the image; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) by modifying the parameters until a difference between a fit vector and the vehicle in the image is minimized. |
| US08212811B2 |
Method of coding and system for displaying on a screen a digital mock-up of an object in the form of a synthesis image
A method of coding, in the form of a digital file of a three-dimensional synthesis image, a model of an object formed by a stream of image elements (FEI) in which elementary images which are subsets of image elements {EIe}e=1e=ex are discriminated (A) in the stream (FEI), each elementary image is coded (B) according to an index value (n) representative of the elementary image, the numerical values (Zk,g,i) of the 3D synthesis image are calculated (C) and these values are stored in the form of a digital file. Application to 3D display involving an interactive dialogue with a user of a graphics application. |
| US08212806B2 |
File format extensibility for universal rendering framework
Embodiments of the invention provide a method for extending a graphics rendering framework. A rendering application locates a first file that includes a first implementation involving a first graphics material and compares data associated with the first file to data associated with a second file that includes a second implementation involving a second graphics material. The rendering application compares data associated with the first and second files, determines that the first graphics material matches the second graphics material, and determines that the first implementation is different from the second implementation. The data associated with the first file and the data associated with the second file are then combined into a data structure. Advantageously, new graphics materials, and implementations for existing graphics materials, may be created without access to the source code of the original implementation of the graphics materials and may be installed at a later time without re-shipping the entire library of graphics materials and implementations. |
| US08212805B1 |
System and method for parametric display of modular aesthetic designs
A system and method for the aesthetic design of a modular assemblage, comprising means for providing a client graphic user interface for receiving an input for defining parameters of the modular assemblage, and for presenting an image of the defined modular assemblage; communicating a code to a server representing the defined parameters; at the server, in dependence on the communicated code, defining a set of graphic elements corresponding to the defined modular assemblage; communicating the graphic elements from the server to the client; and displaying, at the client, the graphic elements received from the server to represent the defined modular assemblage. |
| US08212801B2 |
Booster circuit and display device
The present invention provides a display device which is used in a miniaturized portable information device, wherein the display device requires a small mounting area for a driving circuit thus realizing free mounting of the driving circuit and also can perform driving thereof with a low-voltage power source such as a battery. In a display device which includes a display panel and a driving circuit on the same substrate, a booster circuit is formed on one side of a display panel together with the driving circuit and is formed by steps substantially equal to steps for pixel transistors. The booster circuit includes a circuit which compensates for the lowering of voltage of a switching element used in the booster circuit attributed to a threshold value of a switching element. |
| US08212797B2 |
Video signal processing device and display
A video signal processing device that includes first and second input terminals and a size changer configured to change an image size of an image to be displayed based on a video signal input from the second input terminal. A mixer is configured to mix a video signal input from the first input terminal with a video signal that has passed through the size changer, and an output terminal is configured to output a video signal arising from mixing by the mixer. |
| US08212795B2 |
Payment terminal stylus with touch screen contact detection
In an exemplary embodiment, a stylus operates with a capacitive touch screen only when the stylus tip is in contact with the touch screen. The stylus is used as a sensor to determine the location where a user is touching the surface of a capacitive touch screen, but is not active until the stylus tip is pressed against the touch screen. In an exemplary embodiment, pressing the stylus tip against the touch screen activates the stylus by creating a physical separation in the circuit and disconnecting the stylus tip from ground. When the stylus tip is no longer grounded, it becomes active and is able to operate with a capacitive touch screen. In an exemplary embodiment, signal attenuation may be performed by diverting the sense signal to ground via a capacitor or other electronic component. |
| US08212791B2 |
Protection panel with touch input function for display window of electronic device, and electronic device
There are included a protection panel main body configured by a transparent plate, a lower electrode sheet laminated onto an upper surface of the protection panel main body, an upper electrode sheet bonded to the lower electrode sheet at peripheral edges thereof with a gap being formed between electrodes, a decorative sheet laminated onto an upper surface of the upper electrode sheet, and an FPC that has an end inserted between the lower electrode sheet and the upper electrode sheet and is connected by thermal compression bonding to output ends of an upper circuit and a lower circuit. Further, the protection panel main body is provided with a thermal compression head inserting space at a portion corresponding to a portion bonded with the FPC by thermal compression so that a thermal compression heater is allowed to be brought closer to the lower electrode sheet. |
| US08212788B2 |
Touch input to modulate changeable parameter
A computing system includes a touch-input receptor and a touch-detection module. The touch-detection module is configured to track a touch input directed to the touch-input receptor. The computing system also includes a control module to change a parameter of the computing system indicated by an initial portion of the touch input tracked by the touch-detection module. The control module is configured to change the parameter by an amount indicated by a subsequent portion of the touch input tracked by the touch-detection module. |
| US08212784B2 |
Selection and display of media associated with a geographic area based on gesture input
An interactive media display system is provided to display media associated with a selected geographic area based on a gesture input of user. The interactive media display system may include a touch-sensitive display surface configured to display a geographic map and receive a gesture input generated by a user on the touch-sensitive display surface while the geographic map is displayed, the gesture input defining a selected geographic area on the geographic map. The system may further include a controller configured, in response to the gesture input, to filter the media data based on position data to determine a filtered media data collection including media that are associated with the selected geographic area, and to command the touch-sensitive display surface to display the media in the filtered media data collection. |
| US08212783B2 |
Tactile and visual display device
Provided is a tactile and visual display device enabling visual information and tactile information to be simultaneously sensed. The tactile and visual display device includes: a display unit comprising a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of pixels; a tactile sensation generator mounted over the display unit, transmitting light emitted from the pixels, comprising a transistor electrically connecting a plurality of corresponding pixels formed to correspond to the pixels with adjacent corresponding pixels, and generating an electrostatic force and a magnetostatic force; and a sensor in contact with the corresponding pixels to sense the generated electrostatic force or magnetostatic force. Accordingly, the texture of an image displayed on a display is provided as tactile information using an electrostatic force and a magnetostatic force, so that tactile information as well as visual information of the conventional display may be simultaneously provided. |
| US08212782B2 |
Apparatus, method, and medium of sensing movement of multi-touch point and mobile apparatus using the same
A user interface technique using a two-dimensional capacitive sensor is provided. An apparatus for sensing movement of multi-touch points includes a capacitance sensing unit sensing two or more touch points, and sensing capacitance and a change in capacitance on the basis of the sensed touch points, a movement analyzing unit sensing and analyzing a change of movement of the two or more touch points using information on the sensed capacitance and change in capacitance, and a command processing unit processing a command corresponding to the change in movement according to a result of the analysis. |
| US08212780B2 |
Apparatus and program for controlling the state of an object displayed on a screen by operating a touch panel
The present invention relates to a game apparatus for changing a display state of an image by displaying a marker on a display screen covered with a touch panel and moving the marker while pressing the marker. The game apparatus divides the touch panel into a plurality of areas, detects the coordinate value of the marker on the display screen covered with the touch panel, and continuously changes the display state of the image based on the parameter set for the area in which the marker is located, in accordance with the movement of the marker. |
| US08212778B2 |
Imaging and navigation arrangement for controlling a cursor
A method for operating an optical pointing device involves capturing a plurality of arrays of data, representing light reflected from a surface to a two-dimensional array of photo detectors, processing at least some of the plurality of arrays of data to estimate movement of the surface during each of a plurality of measurement cycles, and sending a series of estimated movement update signals to a computer. |
| US08212775B2 |
Computer input apparatus having a calibration circuit for regulating current to the light source
A computer input apparatus is disclosed which has improved safety control. Computer input devices with coherent light sources are popular. However, coherent light sources may cause serious and unrecoverable injuries to human eyes. Accordingly, there are several safety specifications defined by manufacturers and governments. Therefore, an improved device is disclosed that includes a calibration circuit and a fault detection circuit to control the operation current of a coherent light source to be within the safety specifications range, and to monitor for fault conditions. Furthermore, a computer input apparatus with coherent light source can be operated without the traditional optical lens. |
| US08212765B2 |
Pulse width modulated dimming of multiple lamp LCD backlight using distributed microcontrollers
In a scanning backlight for an LCD display, several backlights (101, 102, 103, 10n) provide a precisely positioned dimming pulse corresponding to a transition point of the LCD screen. The dimming pulse must be variable with video synchronization frequency and dimming duty cycle, which is a performance intensive calculation. One microcontroller performing this operation is limited in scope. By using several ballast controllers (141, 142, 143, 14n), the solution is scalable, in that it is flexible if the number of backlights (101, 102, 103, 10n) changes. Additionally, by using several controllers (141, 142, 143, 14n), added functions can be performed by the ballast controllers (141, 142, 143, 14n). |
| US08212762B2 |
Output amplifier of a source driver with an amplifier circuit having an inverted and non-inverted output
An output amplifier includes an amplifier circuit, a driving stage circuit, an output stage circuit, a first unity gain buffer, and a second unity gain buffer. The amplifier circuit provides an inverted signal and a non-inverted signal, in which the amplifier circuit amplifies an input pixel signal to generate the inverted signal and the non-inverted signal. The output stage circuit passes a supply voltage or a ground voltage to the pixel circuit according to the inverted signal and the non-inverted signal. The driving stage circuit passes the supply voltage or the ground voltage to the pixel circuit. The first unity gain buffer enhances and passes the inverted signal from the amplifier circuit to the driving stage circuit. The second unity gain buffer passes and enhances the non-inverted signal from the amplifier circuit to the driving stage circuit. |
| US08212759B2 |
Control circuit and control method for LCD panel
A timing controller for an LCD panel includes a signal receiver, a data reader, a signal receiver, a logic control unit, and a data conversion unit. The signal receiver receives transmitted signals, and the data reader acquires data from the signal receiver. The logic control unit receives the data acquired by the data reader to generate pixel data, and the data conversion unit receives the pixel data and converts them into serial signals. The timing controller converts the pixel data and the control commands into serial signals, and then they are transmitted in serial to each of the source driver chips. |
| US08212757B2 |
Amplifier and source driver utilizing the amplifier
A source driver includes an amplifier, and the amplifier includes an input stage, an output stage, a first current source, a second current source, a third current source, and a switch module. The first current source is utilized to provide a first bias current to the input stage, the second current source is utilized to provide a second bias current to the output stage, and the third current source is utilized to provide a third bias current. The switch module is utilized for selectively connecting the third current source to the input stage or the output stage. |
| US08212754B2 |
Grayscale voltage generating circuit providing control of grayscale resistor current
A grayscale voltage generating circuit includes a first constant-voltage source for generating a high potential; a second constant-voltage source for generating a low potential; γ resistor connected between outputs of the first and second constant-voltage sources; a difference voltage detecting circuit for detecting a difference voltage across the γ resistor; and a voltage-to-current converting circuit for converting the difference voltage to a current by a resistor and outputting the current as a source current and a sink current. The source current output and sink current output of the voltage-to-current converting circuit are connected to the high and low potential sides, respectively, of the γ resistor. |
| US08212751B2 |
Flat panel display and data multi-modulation method thereof
The present invention relates to a flat panel display device that is adaptive for preventing a brightness inversion phenomenon generated when the data modulated before are re-modulated in a multi-modulation method where data are modulated several times, and a data multi-modulation method thereof. The flat panel display device includes a first modulator which primarily modulates digital video data, which are to be displayed in a flat panel display panel, with pre-stored first compensation values in order to adjust at least any one of a response characteristic and a contrast ratio of the flat panel display panel. The flat panel display device further includes a second modulator which secondarily modulates the digital video data, which are to be displayed at a defect display area of which the brightness appears different from that of a normal display surface when displaying the same gray level in the flat panel display panel, with pre-stored second compensation values. |
| US08212749B2 |
AMOLED drive circuit using transient current feedback and active matrix driving method using the same
Disclosed herein is an Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting-Diode (AMOLED) drive circuit using transient current feedback. The AMOLED drive circuit includes a current Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), a data line drive transistor, a constant current source, a variable current source, a differential amplifier, and a transient charging current control unit. The DAC generates current corresponding to input digital data. The data line drive transistor is configured such that the drain terminal thereof is connected to the output node of the current DAC. The constant current source is connected between the source terminal of the data line drive transistor and a ground. The variable current source is connected between both the output node of the current DAC and the drain terminal of the drive transistor, and a voltage source. The differential amplifier is configured to input the output voltage thereof to the gate terminal of the drive transistor. The transient charging current control unit is configured to increase or decrease the bias current of the variable current source depending on variation in the voltage of the output node of the current DAC. |
| US08212748B2 |
Display panel module and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a self-light-emission-type display panel module wherein a second driving voltage is set at the magnitude of a voltage which drives a device driving transistor employed in each pixel areas to operate in a saturated region during a time span between a start of a period for compensating the device driving transistor and a point of time immediately lagging behind a start of a light emission period and drives the device driving transistor employed in each of the pixel areas each receiving a signal electric potential having a level at least equal to a gradation level determined in advance in a linear region, and a third driving voltage is set at the magnitude of a voltage which drives the device driving transistor employed in each the pixel areas for all gradation levels to operate in a saturated region during the light emission period. |
| US08212747B2 |
Image display device
Disclosed herein is an image display device including a display section formed by arranging pixel circuits in a matrix form. Each pixel circuit includes at least a light emitting element, a drive transistor, a holding capacitor, and a write transistor. A light emission and non-light emission periods are alternately repeated. A light emission period start voltage and a non-light emission period start voltage are alternately output to the signal line. The terminal voltage of the holding capacitor is set to start the light emission and non-light emission periods. The write signal is set to sequentially delay the timings. The power drive signal is set in units of a plurality of successive lines. The drain voltage of the drive transistor is pulled up to high level at a time other than when the one of the terminals is connected to the signal line by the write signal in different lines. |
| US08212746B2 |
Method for driving a plasma display panel by using a holding period between subfield groups
In a driving method of a panel, one field period is formed by arranging a plurality of subfields that have an initializing period for causing initializing discharge in a discharge cell, an address period for selectively causing address discharge in the discharge cell, and a sustain period for causing as many sustain discharges as the number corresponding to luminance weight in the discharge cell. One field period is formed by arranging a plurality of subfield groups having a plurality of subfields whose luminance weights monotonically increase. A holding period when discharge is not caused is disposed before the head subfield belonging to at least one subfield group of the plurality of subfield groups. In the initializing period of the head subfield belonging to at least one subfield group, an initializing operation of causing initializing discharge is performed in the discharge cell where the sustain discharge has been performed in the sustain period of the immediately preceding subfield. |
| US08212745B2 |
Method for driving a plasma display panel using subfield groups
In a driving method of a panel, one field period is formed by arranging a plurality of subfields that have an address period for selectively causing address discharge in a discharge cell, and a sustain period for causing as many sustain discharges as the number corresponding to luminance weight in the discharge cell. One field period is formed by arranging a plurality of subfield groups having a plurality of subfields whose luminance weights monotonically increase. In the discharge cell for causing address discharge in a certain subfield other than the head subfield in each subfield group, address discharge is caused even in the head subfield. |
| US08212741B2 |
Dual display device
A dual display device for displaying an input image includes first and second displays. The first display is arranged for modulating an image from the second display. The dual display device further includes a processor having an image splitter which splits the input image into illumination and reflection images according to a retinex algorithm. The reflection image is displayed on the first display and the illumination image is displayed on the second display. Due to the series arrangement of the two displays, the input image is substantially recreated. The illumination image typically is a spatially low-resolution image derived from the input image. |
| US08212740B1 |
Automatic configuration of multiple monitor systems
Control of multiple display screens associated with a computer, wherein the auxiliary screen display content that depends on conditions of the computer. During some times the auxiliary screen displays content associated with the presently executing program, and during other times the auxiliary screen displays history information. The rules can be automatically changed or manually changed. |
| US08212729B2 |
Mechanically tunable antenna for communication devices
A radio antenna assembly for use in a communication device has an antenna element disposed adjacent to a ground plane to form a physical relationship with the ground plane. A mechanical device is used to change the physical relationship for changing the operating impedance of the antenna element or shifting the frequency band of the antenna assembly. The physical relationship can be changed by mechanically changing the shape of the antenna element. When the antenna element comprises a first radiating element and a second radiating element disposed at a lateral distance from the first radiating element, the physical relationship can be changed by changing the distance. When a physical object is disposed between the antenna element and the ground plane, the physical relationship can be changed by moving or twisting the physical object. The object can be electrically conducting, dielectric or magnetic. |
| US08212725B2 |
Method for production of chip-integrated antennae with an improved emission efficiency
The method is to fabricate a microelectronic device with an integrated antenna. This method may include forming at least a first semiconducting layer on a substrate, forming in at least one zone of the first semiconducting layer of a structure to limit the circulation of current in the zone of the first semiconducting layer, forming a plurality of layers on the semiconducting layer and at least one antenna in the plurality of layers, with the antenna being formed opposite the zone. The antenna may be operable at radio frequencies above 10 GHz, and may have an improved emission efficiency. |
| US08212724B2 |
Position indicating process
A position indicating process includes the steps of receiving at least four radio signals emitted by different transmitter stations; determining a channel pulse response of the transmission channel for each of the received radio signals; estimating the direct signal path for each of the received radio signals based on the respectively determined channel pulse response; and determining the receiving position of the radio signals by evaluating the estimated direct signal paths of the received radio signals. |
| US08212721B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor
A portable mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, and at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing. The portable mobile wireless communications device may also include a satellite positioning signal receiver carried by the portable housing and an antenna carried by the portable housing and coupled to the satellite positioning signal receiver. The portable wireless communications device may further include a passive antenna beam pattern director associated with the antenna and may include at least one electrically conductive director element carried by the portable housing in spaced apart relation from the antenna and inductively coupled thereto. |
| US08212719B2 |
Method and apparatus for background decoding of a satellite navigation message to maintain integrity of long term orbit information in a remote receiver
A method and apparatus for background decoding of a broadcast satellite-navigation message to maintain integrity of long-term-orbit information used in a Global-Navigation-Satellite System or other positioning system is described. The method may include processing the long-term-orbit information associated with at least one satellite to obtain a first position of a receiver; obtaining at least one portion of broadcast ephemeris transmitted from the at least one satellite; and processing, as a substitute for at least one portion of the long-term-orbit information, the at least one portion of broadcast ephemeris to obtain a second position of the receiver. |
| US08212716B2 |
System and method for calibration of phased array antenna having integral calibration network in presence of an interfering body
A method for calibrating an antenna comprising a phased array of antenna elements connected to a plurality of transceivers, the method comprising providing an RF source located close to the antenna and synchronized with the transceivers, determining, per antenna element, a calibration ratio adapted to accommodate for presence of at least one interfering structure electromagnetically interfering with a signal transmitted from the RF source and received by the antenna, wherein the determining includes generating simulated far field and near field signals so as to simulate a signal transmitted by an RF source located at infinity and located near the RF source respectively, internally injecting an internal signal into the antenna via an internal injection network, using the RF source to externally inject an external signal into the antenna; and, for each individual antenna element, computing said calibration ratio by combining information characterizing the internal and external signals as received by the individual antenna element with a correction factor characterizing the simulated far field and near field signals; and calibrating the antenna using the per-antenna element calibration ratios adapted to accommodate for presence of at least one interfering structure. |
| US08212714B1 |
Using doppler radar images to estimate aircraft navigational heading error
A yaw angle error of a motion measurement system carried on an aircraft for navigation is estimated from Doppler radar images captured using the aircraft. At least two radar pulses aimed at respectively different physical locations in a targeted area are transmitted from a radar antenna carried on the aircraft. At least two Doppler radar images that respectively correspond to the at least two transmitted radar pulses are produced. These images are used to produce an estimate of the yaw angle error. |
| US08212708B2 |
Remote controller
The remote controller includes: a casing with a battery holder provided to house a battery; a lid to cover the battery holder of the casing and provided with a latch-hook extending downward at its end; a switch-contact to carry out electrical switching conducted by the operation panel; a controller to send remote signals from transmitter in response to the electrical switching of the switch-contact; a plurality of protrusions provided symmetrically on the front and rear surfaces of the latch-hook on the lid; and latch-pawls provided on the casing internally to engage with the protrusions. The remote controller can hold the lid reliably and additionally can open/shut the lid easily. |
| US08212704B2 |
Floating point timer techniques
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to floating point timers and counters that are used in a variety of contexts. In some implementations, a floating point counter can be used to generate a wave form made up of a series of pulses with different pulse lengths. An array of these floating point counters can be used to implement a pool of delays. In other implementations, an array of floating point counters can be used to analyze waveforms on a number of different communication channels. Analysis of such waveforms may be useful in automotive applications, such as in wheel speed measurement for example, as well as other applications. |
| US08212699B1 |
System and method for extending the overload range of a sigma delta ADC system by providing over-range quantization levels
Examples of a system and method for sigma-delta analog-to-digital conversion of an electrical input signal are disclosed. An electrical input signal is received. A filtered analog signal is provided based on the electrical input signal and an analog feedback signal. A digital representation of the filtered analog signal is provided, the digital representation being one of K quantization levels, wherein K is a positive integer between 2L and 2L+1, L being a positive integer. The analog feedback signal is obtained based on the digital representation. |
| US08212697B2 |
Methods of and arrangements for offset compensation of an analog-to-digital converter
An arrangement is disclosed for offset compensation of a time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter, having a plurality of computing channels and being adapted to convert a signal from an analog domain to a digital domain. The arrangement comprises the time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter, an analog offset estimation and compensation unit adapted to estimate a mean offset for the plurality of computing channels, a digital offset estimation and compensation unit adapted to estimate a residual computing channel specific offset for each of the plurality of computing channels, and offset compensation means. The offset compensation means are adapted to perform offset compensation in the analog domain of each of the plurality of channels based on the estimated mean offset in the analog domain, and to perform offset compensation in the digital domain of each of the plurality of channels based on respective residual computing channel specific offset. |
| US08212691B2 |
Controlling location-based services using a portable privacy key
A method for controlling location-based services for a vehicle that includes establishing a user-selected location-based service preference for a vehicle, linking a portable privacy key to the vehicle, communicating the presence of the portable privacy key from the vehicle to a call center, sending the user-selected location-based service preference from the call center to the vehicle, and activating at least one location-based service in response to linking of the portable privacy key to the vehicle. |
| US08212686B2 |
Device for bidirectional remote water-meter reading by means of radio, for invoicing in a accordance with consumption time bands
The present invention relates to a remote water-meter reading device (8) that comprises an assembly (10) for acquiring consumption data and comprising at least one radio transmitter for transmitting the information acquired, at least one radio receiver incorporated into the acquisition assembly (10) so as to enable said device (1) to communicate in both directions in order to receive the information from a central unit (2), and an antenna (11) so that said central unit can transmit time/date information such that this transmission of information taken into account by said radio receivers makes it possible to guarantee exact timing/dating of all the acquisition assemblies (10) of the meters that form one and the same lot, characterized in that said meter (8) initiates a volume-consumed measurement at a time determined by a first timing/dating received from the central unit (2) by the receiver and stops it at a time determined by a second timing/dating received from the central unit (2) by the receiver, the volume consumed in the interval between the two timings/datings being stored in a memory and then transmitted to said central unit (2) via the transmitter at a later time. |
| US08212684B2 |
Industrial universal electrometer
An electrometer for use in measuring current is provided. The electrometer includes an enclosure capable of containing various components of the electrometer. A pre-amplifier is present and is one of the components of the electrometer. The pre-amplifier is contained by the enclosure. The pre-amplifier has a pre-amplifier enclosure that contains the pre-amplifier and provides radio frequency shielding and magnetic shielding to the pre-amplifier. |
| US08212683B2 |
Metric for planned downtime
A metric of a system is monitored using a monitoring tool that receives an operation metric and a planned downtime metric that reflects whether the monitored system is currently in a planned downtime, the planned downtime metric received as another one of the multiple metric inputs. The operation metric and the planned downtime metric are combined into a processed operation metric for the monitored system. |
| US08212680B2 |
Methods and systems of tagging objects and reading tags coupled to objects
Methods and systems of tagging objects and reading tags coupled to objects. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a reading antenna, a tag reader coupled to the reading antenna, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising a tag antenna electromagnetically coupled to the reading antenna. The RFID tag couples to an object such as the body of a living organism or a metallic article. Moreover, the tag antenna has a far-field radiation pattern in a direction away from the object that is substantially unaffected by proximity of the RFID tag to the object, and substantially unaffected by which surface of the RFID tag faces the object. |
| US08212673B1 |
Condition-based maintenance systems and methods
Systems and methods are described for condition-based maintenance of mechanical systems. In one embodiment, a method for performing condition-based maintenance on a mechanical system includes providing a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag on a component of the mechanical system, sensing one or more operating conditions during operation of the mechanical system, calculating a service life increment of the component based on the one or more operating conditions, and adjusting a service life value stored on the RFID tag. After operation of the mechanical system has ceased, the method includes scanning the service life value stored on the RFID tag, and determining whether at least one of an inspection, a maintenance, and a repair of the component is needed based on the service life value. The mechanical system may be an aircraft, and the operating conditions may include aerodynamic conditions, loads, accelerations, and movements of the aircraft during flight. |
| US08212665B2 |
Systems and methods for indicating the presence of a child in a vehicle
Systems and methods which provide for an alarm or notification that a child is in a car seat. The systems generally determine if a child is in the seat and that the seat, and therefore the vehicle, is not in motion. Upon detecting both situations, the notification or alarm is activated. |
| US08212664B2 |
Data communication device, air pressure monitoring system using thereof, and data communication method
A data communication device includes: an antenna resonance circuit; a detection circuit; an arithmetic processing device; and a first switch. The antenna resonance circuit receives a signal in the ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) format. The detection circuit demodulates a digital baseband signal based on the reception signal. The arithmetic processing device detects an appearance time of an edge in the demodulated digital baseband signal based on a preamble part of the reception signal. The first switch short-circuits both end of the antenna resonance circuit at first timing in synchronization with the appearance time of the edge. |
| US08212662B2 |
Automotive display system and display method
An automotive display system includes an image projection unit and an angle information acquisition unit. The image projection unit projects a light flux including an image including a display object toward one eye of an image viewer. The angle information acquisition unit acquires at least one of vehicle angle information and external environment angle information. The vehicle angle information relates to an angle of at least one of an attitude and a heading of a vehicle carrying the image viewer. The external environment angle information relates to an angle of a background object at a target position of the display object in a background of an external environment of the vehicle. The image projection unit changes an angle of the display object in the image based on at least one of the vehicle angle information and the external environment angle information acquired by the angle information acquisition unit. |
| US08212657B2 |
Vibration assembly for portable electronic device
A vibrating device for portable electronic device includes a frame, a main circuit board, a motor and a secondary circuit board. The frame defines a recess and a receiving hole. The main circuit board is fixed in the recess of the frame. The motor is fixed in the receiving hole of the frame. The secondary circuit board electronically connects the main circuit board and the motor. |
| US08212656B2 |
Vehicle presence notification apparatus
A vehicle presence notification apparatus generates a notice sound by emitting an ultrasonic wave in mid air based on an ultrasonic signal modulated according to an audible sound. During proceeding in mid air, the modulated ultrasonic wave is self-demodulating to become an audible sound. The audible sound posterior to the self-demodulation has a significant directionality like the ultrasonic wave. The notice sound is thus conveyed mainly to a pedestrian who is present in a dangerous area range where a danger needs to be taught. In addition, the vehicle presence notification apparatus includes a sensor-use ultrasonic transducer device having a transducers. The transducer device serves as a vehicle velocity sensor by transmitting an ultrasonic wave towards a road surface based on an ultrasonic wave signal or modulated ultrasonic wave, thereby enabling the vehicle presence notification apparatus to acquire vehicle velocity information by itself. |
| US08212652B2 |
Biometric authentication method, biometric authentication system, IC card, and terminal
A biometric authentication system 10 includes an IC card 100 including a reading unit 110 sending generation information back to a terminal and a writing unit 111 writing biometric information in a storage area indicated in a write instruction, and a terminal 200 including a card generation acquisition unit 210 receiving from the IC card the generation information, a device generation acquisition unit 211 receiving from a biometric authentication device the generation information, a biometric information acquisition unit 212 receiving biometric information from the biometric authentication device 300, a first write instruction unit 213 identifying a storage area of the same generation as the generation of the biometric authentication device and transmitting a write instruction of the biometric information to the IC card, and a second write instruction unit 214 transmitting a write instruction for a storage area of the oldest generation to the IC card. |
| US08212651B2 |
Use of radio frequency identifier (RFID) tags for identification of an authentication status of an item
A method and system for identifying an authentication status of a first item. An RFID reader transmits zero and a random number to a first RFID tag associated with the first item. The first RFID tag uses a hashing function to compute a hash (H1) of a concatenation of an identifier (Id1) of the first RFID tag, the random number, and a first secret key and sends the hash H1 to the RFID reader which then transmits the identifier Id1 and the random number to a second RFID tag. The second RFID tag uses the hashing function to compute a hash (H2) of a concatenation of the identifier Id1, the random number, and a second secret key and sends the hash H2 to the RFID reader. The authentication status of authentic or counterfeit is determined for the first item based on whether or not H1 is equal to H2. |
| US08212650B2 |
Situationally aware and self-configuring electronic data and communication device
A self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device comprising a self-contained module comprising means for self-configuring based on a user's activity and context an operational mode in a plurality of operational modes, wherein the self contained module further comprises intelligent situational awareness derived from at least one of pre-programmed criteria, a sensing ability, a user-specified lifestyle theme, a communication functionality, an accessory, and a user motion pattern. The self-contained module further comprises a display, a processor, a memory, and a battery, and is capable of configuring itself according to an accessory to which it is attached or connected. |
| US08212649B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a lower-surface oxidation preventing insulating film formed on a lower surface of a metal resistor element; an upper-surface oxidation preventing insulating film formed on an upper surface of the metal resistor element; and a side-surface oxidation preventing insulating film formed only near a side surface of the metal resistor element by performing anisotropic etching after being deposited on a whole surface of a wafer in a process separated from the lower-surface oxidation preventing insulating film and the upper-surface oxidation preventing insulating film. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the increase of the resistance value due to the oxidation of the metal resistor element and also to prevent the increase of the parasitic capacitance between metal wiring layers without complicating the fabrication process. |
| US08212647B2 |
Device having at least one PTC resistor
The present invention relates to a device having at least one PCT resistor and having at least one AC voltage source connected to the PTC resistor, with the PTC resistor being dimensioned such that the voltage drop over the PTC resistor does not exceed the value of 40 V/mm. |
| US08212644B2 |
Transformer assembly
The present invention relates to a transformer assembly (1) and a process for manufacturing same. The transformer (1) comprises a primary winding (5) wound on a PCB (9) and a secondary winding (7) mounted adjacent to the primary winding. The primary winding comprises a spiral coil, for example of wire or insulated wire, wound on the PCB. Gate drive windings (31, 33) are incorporated in the PCB (9) and there is therefore very close coupling between the primary winding and the gate drive windings. Furthermore, the secondary winding (7) is a center-tapped secondary having two halves. A flux balance winding (13) is provided to connect the two halves of the center-tapped secondary winding (7) and minimize leakage inductance thereby reducing power loss and spiking effects and obviating the need for complex control arrangements. |
| US08212640B1 |
Tool having buffered electromagnet drive for depth control
A magnetically driven tool includes a shaft having a bottom application end including a contacting surface, at least one support around a portion of the shaft for supporting components positioned outside the shaft that float with respect to the shaft. A first magnet is affixed to the shaft. An electromagnet secured to the support is positioned outside the shaft and floats with respect to the shaft above the first magnet. At least one bearing is provided for sliding the shaft in an axial direction and optionally rotating the shaft. For pushing operations, the direction of current through the electromagnet is applied so that like poles relative to the first magnet face one another to provide a repulsive force, while for pulling operations unlike poles face one another. The magnitude of the current sets a force applied by the contacting surface to a workpiece. |
| US08212639B2 |
Haptic feedback system and method
A haptic feedback system includes movable and static portions coupled by one or more magnetic fields that serve to retard movement of the movable portion with respect to the static portion so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved relative to the static portion. A magnet associated with one of the movable and static portions reacts with structure associated with the other of the movable and static portions so as to provide haptic feedback when the movable portion is moved with respect to the static portion. |
| US08212637B2 |
Electromagnetic switch for a starter motor
An electromagnet switch has a metal contact for a switch terminal that projects from a case and is wired to one end of a coil. A male connector member surrounds an outer periphery of the metal contact. The male connector member is connected to a female connector member that is provided at a tip end of a cable used for supplying electric power to the coil. Such a penetrating hole is formed in a case that reaches the metal contact.A tester terminal can contact the metal contact through the penetrating hole for conducting conductive testing of the electromagnet switch, in a commercial field. |
| US08212636B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay having a high positioning accuracy of a movable iron piece and little variation in operating characteristics. A pair of upper and lower rotating shaft convex portions are provided at one end of a movable iron piece along the same shaft center. The pair of upper and lower rotating shaft convex portions are rotatably supported by a base and a spool of an electromagnetic block mounted on the base respectively. A movable contact piece is driven by the movable iron piece rotated by magnetization or demagnetization of the electromagnetic block to open or close a contact. One end of the spool has a shaft hole in which the upper rotating shaft convex portion of the movable iron piece is inserted. |
| US08212632B2 |
FET phase shifter for selectively phase shifting signals between different filtering characteristics
Provided is a phase shifter that shifts a phase of an input signal based on switching between a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter, the phase shifter including: a first field-effect transistor that is coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal; a resonance circuit that resonates when the first field-effect transistor is in an on-state; an additional line that is coupled between the resonance circuit and a node that is included in a signal line, which is formed between the input and output terminals when the first field-effect transistor is in the on-state; and an inductor that is included in a part of the signal line and forms a low-pass filter together with at least the additional line, when the first field-effect transistor is in the on-state. |
| US08212627B2 |
Wideband digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) and digital broadcasting receiver having the same
A wideband digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) is provided. The wideband DCO includes an active element which is driven by a first digital control signal; a single inductor which is connected to the active element in parallel, and comprises fixed inductance; and a plurality of capacitors which are connected to the single inductor in parallel, and vary operating frequency by being selectively turned on or off by a second digital control signal. Accordingly, the wideband DCO capable of operating in a wideband frequency range using a single inductor is provided, and if the wideband DCO is implemented using a single integrated circuit (IC) chip, the size of chip is reduced as the single inductor is used. |
| US08212625B2 |
Differential VCO and quadrature VCO using center-tapped cross-coupling of transformer
Provided are a differential voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a quadrature VCO using center-tapped cross-coupling of a transformer. The differential VCO and the quadrature VCO can be driven by low power through a current reuse structure and have an excellent phase noise characteristic by center-tapped cross-coupling through a transformer. Further, variable capacitance units for frequency variation are divided into variable capacitance units for coarse tuning and variable capacitance units for fine tuning. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a wide tuning range while voltage oscillation gain is reduced. Further, the differential VCO and the quadrature VCO are configured in such a manner that the respective variable capacitance units operate linearly throughout the entire capacitance region due to control voltage distribution by resistors. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a linear control voltage-oscillation frequency characteristic. The quadrature VCO according to the present invention can output four-phase quadrature signals while having an excellent phase noise characteristic, without substrate loss and current consumption caused by the switching transistors. |
| US08212623B2 |
Terahertz oscillators and methods of manufacturing electron emitters
A terahertz oscillator may include a first insulating layer, an electron emitter on the first insulating layer, adapted to emit an electron beam, and including a cathode, an anode, an oscillating circuit, and a collector sequentially disposed, spaced apart from each other, on the first insulating layer in a direction in which the electron beam is emitted from the electron emitter, wherein the oscillating circuit converts energy of the electron beam to energy of an electromagnetic wave, and wherein the collector collects the electron beam, an output unit adapted to emit the electromagnetic wave from the oscillating circuit to outside of the terahertz oscillator, and an electron emitting material layer. The cathode may include a first curved portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the first insulating layer. The electron emitting material layer may be on an inner surface of the first curved portion of the cathode. |
| US08212622B2 |
Oscillation circuit and recording apparatus
An oscillation circuit includes: n ring oscillators each formed from m delay elements connected annularly, m being an integer equal to or greater than 2, n being an integer equal to or greater than 2; and a phase coupled ring. |
| US08212621B2 |
Memristive programmable frequency source and method
A frequency source and a method of frequency generation employ a memristive negative differential resistance (M-NDR) voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The frequency source includes a first M-NDR VCO of a plurality of memristive VCOs to provide a first signal having a first signal frequency. The frequency source further includes a second M-NDR VCO of the plurality to provide a second signal having a second signal frequency. The first and second M-NDR VCOs are interconnected with the plurality of memristive VCOs. The first and second M-NDR VCOs have independent programmable states and are connected to a common output of the frequency source. The method includes providing an M-NDR VCOs, where each M-NDR VCO includes an M-NDR device connected in parallel with a capacitance, and applying a bias voltage to activate a selected M-NDR VCO of the plurality to produce a frequency output. |
| US08212616B2 |
Biasing circuit for differential amplifier
The invention concerns a biasing circuit for controlling the current flowing through a differential pair (102, 104) comprising: a first branch comprising a first resistor (306), a first transistor device (308) and a second transistor device (310) coupled in series; a second branch comprising a second resistor (312), a third transistor device (314) and a fourth transistor device (316) coupled in series, a control node of the third transistor device being coupled to a first node (324) between the first resistor and the first transistor device, and a control node of the first transistor device being coupled to a second node (322) between the second resistor and the third transistor device; and an operational amplifier (318) having an output node coupled to control nodes of the second and fourth transistor devices, said output node providing a output signal (Vc) for controlling the current flowing through said differential pair. |
| US08212613B1 |
Switching amplifier using flyback transformer
A switching amplifying method or a switching amplifier for obtaining one or more than one linearly amplified replicas of an input signal, is highly efficient, and does not have the disadvantage of “dead time” problem related to the class D amplifiers. Another aspect of the present invention provides a switching amplifier that is completely off when there is no input signal. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a switching amplifier for obtaining a plurality of different linearly amplified replicas of the input signal, and adds more slave outputs easily and economically. |
| US08212611B2 |
Switching core layout
Traditionally, mixers have been arranged symmetrically around the input signal, which has resulted in problems due to self-mixing or feed-through by the local oscillator signal. Here, however, the arrangement for a mixer has been changed to generally avoid self-mixing of the local oscillator signal. In particular, transistors in the switching core are merged according to the portion of the local oscillator signal received. This, in turn, results in the conductors, which carry the different portions of the local oscillator signal, being separated (or not having any crossings) so as to generally eliminate self-mixing or feed-through of the local oscillator signal. Complex IQ mixers realized using this arrangement benefit from improved sideband suppression and image rejection. |
| US08212604B2 |
T switch with high off state isolation
An analog T switch is disclosed which has high isolation in the off state. The analog T switch can include series-connected NMOS transistors having separate gate control. The gates of the NMOS transistors can be isolated from one another to improve off state isolation of the analog T switch. The analog switch can include series-connected PMOS transistors having separate gate control. The gates of the PMOS transistors can be isolated from one another to improve off state isolation of the analog T switch. The analog T switch can include a substrate voltage control circuit that controls the voltage of the substrate regions in which the PMOS transistors are formed. The substrate voltage control circuit can isolate the substrate regions of the PMOS transistors from one another in the off state to improve off state isolation of the analog T switch. |
| US08212603B2 |
Mixer circuit
In a mixer circuit, addition of analog signals by capacitive coupling is used and square-law characteristics of the drain current of a MOS transistor operating in a saturated region are used. With this configuration, the voltage and power of the mixer circuit can be reduced. |
| US08212602B2 |
System and method for signal mixing based on high order harmonics
A system and method for signal mixing using high-order harmonics of a local oscillation (LO) signal. In a radio frequency (RF) system, the input RF signal is converted to a lower frequency signal such as an intermediate frequency (IF) signal or a baseband signal for further processing. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is often used to generate a VCO signal which is then divided down to provide the needed LO signals for down conversion. The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a composite harmonic signal based on a linear combination of divided down LO signals with specific phase shifts. Consequently a VCO signal with lower frequency can be used to conserve power. The composite harmonic signal is mixed with the input RF signal to generate a series of mixed signal including one associated with a high-order harmonic of the divided down LO signal. Systems to implement the high order harmonic mixing is also disclosed which comprises a plurality of mixer sections with configurable weighting factors. A combination circuit is used to combine the weighted mixed signals which contains a term corresponding the mixing of the input RF signal with a high order LO harmonic. |
| US08212600B2 |
Data latch circuit and electronic device
The data latch circuit of the invention includes a means for short-circuiting an input terminal and an output terminal of an inverter and by connecting the input terminal to one electrode of a capacitor and sampling a data signal or a reference potential to the other electrode of the capacitor, an accurate operation can be obtained without being influenced by variations in the TFT characteristics even when the amplitude of an input signal is small relatively to the width of a power supply voltage. |
| US08212598B2 |
Oscillation frequency control circuit, DC-DC converter including the oscillation frequency control circuit, and semiconductor device
An oscillation frequency control circuit controls a second oscillation circuit, which generates and outputs a second clock signal of a second frequency according to a received control signal, to control the second frequency. The oscillation frequency control circuit includes a frequency difference detection circuit unit configured to detect a difference between a predetermined first frequency of a first clock signal generated by an external first oscillation circuit and the second frequency, and generate and output an output signal indicating a detection result, and a frequency control circuit unit configured to control, according to the output signal of the frequency difference detection circuit unit, the second oscillation circuit to control the second frequency of the second clock signal to make an absolute value of the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency greater than a predetermined value. |
| US08212597B2 |
Method for detecting the locking of a phase-locked loop and associated device
A method is for detecting locking of a phase-locked loop that generates an output signal and includes a phase comparator receiving, as an input, a reference signal and a second signal based upon the output signal. A time window having a duration of at least two periods of a third signal based upon the output signal, and located about a payload edge of the second signal, is generated. A first comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a first payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a first side of the payload edge of the second signal is performed. A second comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a second payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a second side of the payload edge of the second signal is then performed. Locking of the phase-locked loop based upon the reference signal and the second signal being equal during the first and second comparisons is detected. |
| US08212595B2 |
System and method to improve the efficiency of synchronous mirror delays and delay locked loops
A phase detection system for use with a synchronous mirror delay or a delay-locked loop in order to reduce the number of delay stages required, and therefore increase the efficiency, is disclosed. The invention includes taking a clock input signal and a clock delay or feedback signal, each having timing characteristics, and differentiating between four conditions based upon the timing characteristics of the signals. The phase detector and associated circuitry then determines, based upon the timing characteristics of the signals, which of a number of phase conditions the signals are in. Selectors select the signals to be introduced into the synchronous mirror delay or delay-locked loop by the timing characteristics of the phase conditions. The system is able to utilize the falling clock edge of the clock input signal, and the lock time is decreased under specific phase conditions. The invention increases the efficiency of the circuits by reducing the effective delay stages in the SMD or DLL while maintaining the operating range. |
| US08212592B2 |
Dynamic limiters for frequency dividers
Techniques for generating quadrature signals from a local oscillator signal, wherein the generated quadrature signals have a frequency half of the local oscillator frequency. In an exemplary embodiment, two oscillators, e.g., injection locked oscillators, are provided, each oscillator having a load, a cross-coupled transistor pair, an integrating capacitor, and current injection transistors. A differential pair is coupled to the leads of each of the integrating capacitors, and the drains of the differential pair are coupled to the outputs of the other oscillator to help increase the slew rate of the output voltages of the other oscillator. The inputs to the differential pair may be first amplified to improve the gain of the differential pair. In another exemplary embodiment, the power consumption of the differential pair may be reduced by operating them in a discontinuous mode, e.g., by coupling the source voltages of the differential pair to corresponding delayed versions of the drain voltages. |
| US08212590B2 |
Mixed-voltage I/O buffer
A mixed-voltage I/O buffer includes an input buffer circuit. The input buffer circuit includes a first inverter, a first voltage level limiting circuit, a first voltage level pull-up circuit, an input stage circuit, and a logic calibration circuit. The first inverter inverts an input signal to generate a first control signal. The first voltage level limiting circuit limits voltage level of an external signal to generate the input signal transmitted to the first inverter to prevent electrical overstress of the first inverter. The first voltage level pull-up circuit is controlled by the first control signal to pull up voltage level of the input signal inputted into the first inverter. The input stage circuit receives the first control signal to generate corresponding digital signals inputted into a core circuit. The logic calibration circuit calibrates voltage level of the first control signal when the first inverter mis-operates due to the input signal having a low voltage level. |
| US08212589B2 |
Circuit, apparatus, and method for signal transfer
A signal transfer circuit according to the present invention includes a differential signal generation unit that generates a differential signal according to a voltage difference between two input signals, a voltage difference detection unit that detects a voltage difference between the two input signals input to the differential signal generation unit, and a signal output unit that outputs a signal including a predetermined value if the voltage difference is not detected by the voltage difference detection unit, and outputs the differential signal generated by the differential signal generation unit if the voltage difference is detected by the voltage detection unit. |
| US08212588B2 |
Opportunistic bus access latency
A bus system that includes a plurality of signal driving devices coupled to a common signal bus, a bus controlled circuit coupled to the common signal bus, and a compare circuit. The plurality of signal driving devices include a first signal driving device and a second signal driving device. The bus controller includes delay compensation circuitry with a configurable delay for each of the signal driving devices. The delay compensation circuitry has a current delay chain configuration associated with the first signal driving device. The compare circuit is configured to compare a first configurable delay associated with a first signal driving device to a second configurable delay associated with a second signal driving device of the plurality of signal driving devices, and for generating an output responsive to the comparing that indicates if the current delay chain configuration can be used by the second signal driving device. |
| US08212587B2 |
Redriver with output receiver detection that mirrors detected termination on output to input
A redriver chip is inserted between a transmitter chip and a receiver chip and re-drives differential signals from the transmitter chip to the receiver chip. The redriver chip has switched output termination that switches to a high value to detect far-end termination at the receiver chip, and to a low value for signaling. An output detector detects when the receiver chip has termination to ground and enables switched input termination to provide termination to ground on the lines back to the transmitter chip so that the far-end termination on the receiver chip is mirrored back to the transmitter chip, hiding the redriver chip. An input signal detector detects when the transmitter chip begins signaling and enables an equalizer, limiter, pre-driver, and output stage to re-drive the signals to the receiver chip. The input signal detector also causes the switched output termination to switch to the low value termination for signaling. |
| US08212584B2 |
Apparatus of low power, area efficient FinFET circuits and method for implementing the same
A novel implementation of a majority gate and a 2-1 MUX by using both gates of FinFET transistors as inputs is presented. A general methodology of using both gates of FinFET as inputs to implement any digital logic circuit is also presented. Circuits implemented using this methodology have significant advantages over CMOS logic counterpart and pass transistor logic counterpart in terms of power consumption and cell area. |
| US08212583B2 |
Method and system for testing yawing system for wind turbine
A system and method is provided for ground testing of a yaw system of a nacelle (3) prior to erection of a wind turbine (1). A portable transformer box (10) is provided which will allow the nacelle preparation team to operate the yaw and hydraulic systems while the nacelle is grounded prior to erection. |
| US08212582B2 |
Physical property measuring method for TFT liquid crystal panel and physical property measuring apparatus for TFT liquid crystal panel
There is provided a physical property measuring method for a TFT liquid crystal panel, includes an impedance setting step of setting the impedance between the source and drain of a TFT of the TFT liquid crystal panel to be less than or equal to a predetermined value, a voltage application step of applying a voltage that cyclically varies to a liquid crystal layer of the TFT liquid crystal panel. And the method further includes a physical property measuring step of measuring a transient current flowing through the liquid crystal layer to which the voltage that cyclically varies is applied in the voltage application step to measure physical properties of the liquid crystal layer. |
| US08212581B2 |
Defective emitter detection for electroluminescent display
Inoperative or defective electroluminescent (EL) emitters in an EL display having a plurality of subpixels are detected. Current flow through a drive transistor in a subpixel is turned off, a selected test current is provided through the EL emitter in the subpixel using a current source, and the voltage at a second electrode of a readout transistor in the subpixel is measured to provide a status signal representative or characteristics of the selected EL emitter. The status signal for the subpixel is compared to the respective status signals of neighboring subpixels to determine whether the EL emitter in the subpixel is defective. |
| US08212568B2 |
Oil based mud imaging tool with common mode voltage compensation
An apparatus and method for minimizing the effects of a common mode voltage signal in downhole logging tools utilized to determine the resistivity of an adjacent portion of a borehole wall. Two current electrodes are energized by an excitation source to create an oscillatory electric field in a borehole wall. A voltage drop across a segment of the borehole wall is measured by two voltage electrodes, and the differential voltage is used in combination with a measured current flow to determine a resistivity value for the borehole wall. A common mode voltage in front of the two voltage electrodes is measured and minimized by controlling the excitation source, thereby reducing the resistivity measurement error. |
| US08212566B2 |
Angular position sensing based on magnetically induced beam deformation
A sensor for sensing an angular position of an instrument relative to a static magnetic field includes a flexible beam, an electromagnetic device, and a measuring device. The beam at one end may be coupled to the instrument, and lies along a sensor axis when the beam is in a non -flexed state. The electromagnetic device is coupled to the beam and is configured for generating a magnetic sensor field aligned with the sensor axis. The measuring device communicates with the beam and is configured for measuring a property of the beam related to an amount of flexure of the beam. The sensor may be utilized to set the instrument at a desired angle prior to operating the instrument, and to determine whether the instrument has deviated from the desired angle during operation. The instrument may include a probe spinning module such as may be utilized in magnetic resonance experiments. |
| US08212562B2 |
Method and apparatus for designing and/or implementing variable flip angle MRI spin echo train
A variable flip angle (VFA) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) spin echo train is designed and/or implemented. For example, a target train of detectable spin-locked NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) echo signal amplitudes may be defined and a corresponding designed sequence of variable amplitude (i.e., variable NMR nutation angle) RF refocusing pulses may be determined for generating that target train of spin echoes in an MRI sequence (e.g., used for acquiring MRI data for a diagnostic imaging scan or the like). Such a designed VFA sequence may be output for study and/or use by an MRI system sequence controller. |
| US08212561B2 |
Fast velocity measurements using balanced SSFP magnetic resonance imaging
Referenceless techniques for flow imaging are described that exploit a refocusing property of balanced steady state free precession (“SSFP”) magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), and achieve up to approximately a 50% reduction in total scan time. With the echo time set to one half of the sequence repetition time (TE=TR/2), non-flow-related image phase tends to vary smoothly across the field-of-view, and can be estimated from static tissue regions to produce a phase reference for nearby voxels containing flowing blood. These approaches produce accurate in vivo one-dimensional velocity estimates in half the scan time compared with conventional balanced SSFP phase-contrast methods. The feasibility of referenceless time-resolved 3D flow imaging (called “7D” flow) is demonstrated for a carotid bifurcation application from just three acquisitions. Related systems are also described. Other attributes such as blood acceleration can also be imaged with such techniques. |
| US08212559B2 |
NMR-MAS probehead with integral transport conduit for an MAS-rotor
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magic angle spinning (MAS) probe head (1; 61) for measuring a measuring substance in an MAS rotor (21a-21c), comprises a bottom box (3) and a tube (2) mounted to the bottom box (3) and projecting from the bottom box, wherein, in the area of the end (5) of the tube (2) facing away from the bottom box (3), an MAS stator (7; 62) is disposed within the tube (2) for receiving an MAS rotor (21a-21c), and with a pneumatic sample changing system for supplying and discharging an MAS rotor (21a-21c) to/from the MAS stator (7; 62). A transport conduit (10) is provided for pneumatically transferring an MAS rotor (21a-21c) within the transport conduit (10), wherein the transport conduit (10) extends in the inside of the tube (2) from the bottom box (3) to the MAS stator (7; 62). The probe head realizes fast change between different MAS rotors and facilitates RF shielding and keeping of defined extreme temperature conditions. |
| US08212557B2 |
Method for analyzing a multi-phase fluid
A method for determining individual component flow-rates in a multi-phase fluid flowing in a pipe comprises the steps of: a) flowing the fluid through a magnetic resonance based apparatus comprising a magnetic resonance module and at least one pre-polarization module through which the fluid phases flow before entering the magnetic resonance module, wherein said pre-polarization module comprises a plurality of cylindrical segments that can be selectively combined so as to modify the effective length of the pre-polarization module, b) selectively using the prepolarization module to polarize a component in a volume of the fluid, c) applying a selective excitation to said fluid volume, d) using a signal resulting from said excitation to obtain a velocity measurement for said component, and e) repeating steps b)-d) until velocity measurements for a desired number of components have been obtained. |
| US08212556B1 |
Atomic magnetometer
An atomic magnetometer is disclosed which uses a pump light beam at a D1 or D2 transition of an alkali metal vapor to magnetically polarize the vapor in a heated cell, and a probe light beam at a different D2 or D1 transition to sense the magnetic field via a polarization rotation of the probe light beam. The pump and probe light beams are both directed along substantially the same optical path through an optical waveplate and through the heated cell to an optical filter which blocks the pump light beam while transmitting the probe light beam to one or more photodetectors which generate electrical signals to sense the magnetic field. The optical waveplate functions as a quarter waveplate to circularly polarize the pump light beam, and as a half waveplate to maintain the probe light beam linearly polarized. |
| US08212554B2 |
Intraluminal magneto sensor system and method of use
A system (100) including a catheter mounted magneto sensor (114), such as a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), and methods using the system are disclosed, where the system and method are designed to detect changes in a magnetic field in a body of interest, such as a patient, to detect changes in a magnetic field in a patient, to identify loci in a target body that accumulate magnetic particles or to identify vulnerable plague in a patient. |
| US08212547B2 |
System and method for on-chip duty cycle measurement
An apparatus and method for measuring the duty cycle of a clock signal, the apparatus having a first multi-tap delay module, a second multi-tap delay module, and a multi-element detecting module, the input terminal of the first multi-tap delay module and the input terminal of the second multi-tap delay module coupled to an input node IN, the first multi-tap delay module receiving the clock signal and then providing it a first constant incremental delay at each tap, the second multi-tap delay module receiving the same clock signal CLK and then providing it a second constant incremental delay at each tap, and the multi-element detecting module determining the ratio of the number of outputs of the multi-element detecting module in which the sampled clock level is high with respect to the total number of steps covering one complete clock cycle. |
| US08212546B2 |
Wideband CMOS RMS power detection scheme
A system includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes a first MOS transistor having a gate and a drain. The first circuit is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal at the gate of the first MOS transistor. The drain of the first MOS transistor is configured to output a first current that is proportional to the square of the input voltage of the RF signal while receiving the RF signal. The second circuit includes a second MOS transistor having a source configured to receive a first current from the first circuit. The second MOS transistor is biased in a triode region and has a channel resistance between the source and a drain. The second circuit is configured to output a voltage proportional to the value of the power of the RF signal received by the first circuit. |
| US08212543B2 |
Method and systems for conduction mode control
Methods for selecting between the two modes (states) of operation, continuous conduction and discontinuous conduction, are disclosed. Systems that are capable of selecting the operating mode and operating in the continuous conduction mode or the discontinuous conduction mode are also disclosed. |
| US08212540B2 |
Voltage generating circuit
A voltage generating circuit according to the present invention comprises a voltage converter which voltage-converts a reference voltage, and an output unit which impedance-converts the voltage outputted from the voltage converter. The voltage converter and the output unit each comprise a low-voltage-side power supply and a high-voltage-side power supply. A voltage level of the high-voltage-side power supply in the output unit is set to be higher than a voltage level of the high-voltage-side power supply in the voltage converter. |
| US08212539B2 |
Interleaved converter
The present invention includes: an input voltage detector detecting an input voltage of a parallel converter and outputting an input voltage signal; an output voltage detector detecting an output voltage of the parallel converter; and a controller. The controller includes an error amplifier comparing the output voltage signal and a reference voltage and outputting an error amplification signal; an arithmetic operator generating an ON time signal and an OFF time signal based on the input and output voltage signals and the error amplification signal; a phase signal generator generating plural phase signals having different phases based on the ON and OFF time signals and the error amplification signal; a pulse generator generating plural pulse-train signals synchronized with the respective phase signals based on the ON time signal, the error amplification signal and the phase signals; and a driver driving the switching units in accordance with the pulse-train signals. |
| US08212537B2 |
Integratable efficient switching down converter
A converter circuit and methods for operating the same. The converter circuit includes a supply voltage, a capacitor, an inductor, and four stacked switching elements. Each switching element is adjustable from a low resistance state to a high resistance state by a control signal. The inductor outputs current to a circuit load. The circuit may be operated in a first mode such that the output is adjustable between the supply voltage and half the supply voltage. Alternatively, in a second mode of operation, the output is adjustable from half the supply voltage to a ground voltage. |
| US08212531B2 |
Method of charging a battery, and a corresponding charger and battery
The present invention relates to a method of charging a battery having internal resistance, the method including the step of feeding the battery with substantially constant charging current at a charging voltage that is regulated so as to compensate at least in part for the voltage drop generated by the internal resistance of the battery. The invention also provides a charger and a battery for implementing the method. |
| US08212529B2 |
Charge/discharge protection circuit, battery pack including charge/discharge protection circuit, and electronic device thereof
A charge/discharge protection circuit for protecting a plurality of serially connected secondary batteries from overcharge, overdischarge, and current overflow by detecting overcharge, overdischarge, and current overflow and switching on/off a discharge controlling FET or a charge controlling FET according to the detection results is disclosed including an overcharge protecting circuit configured to prioritize the detection results corresponding to overcharge and switch off the charge controlling FET in a case where a charger is connected to the charge/discharge protection circuit. |
| US08212510B2 |
Fiber optically communicated motor temperature and position signals
Methods and apparatus are provided for a controlling an electric motor that is at least partially disposed within a motor housing. The rotational speed and position of the electric motor are sensed, and a temperature of the electric motor is sensed. The sensor signals are converted to optical signals and are propagated in a fiber optic cable. The electric motor is controlled based, at least in part, on the propagated optical signals. |
| US08212507B2 |
Procedures and control system to control a brushless electric motor
The present invention relates to a method and a control system for driving a three-strand brushless, electronically commutated electric motor (2), wherein a line AC voltage (UN) is rectified and fed via a slim DC link (8) with minimum DC link reactance as a DC link voltage (UZ) to an inverter (10) that can be driven to supply and commutate the electric motor (2). A pulsating DC voltage (UG) initially generated by rectifying the line AC voltage (UN) is dynamically increased with respect to its instantaneous values by a step-up chopper (18) in such a manner that the resulting DC link voltage (UZ) with a reduced ripple always lies above a defined limit voltage (U18/U1) over time. The control system consists of a network rectifier (6), a downstream slim DC link (8) with minimum DC link reactance and a controllable inverter (10) that can be supplied via the DC link and driven to commutate the electric motor (2). A step-up chopper (18) is integrated therein with a controller (20) designed in such a manner that, the pulsating DC voltage (UG) rectified by the network rectifier (6) is dynamically increased with respect to its instantaneous values in such a manner that the resulting DC link voltage (UZ) with a reduced ripple always lies above a defined limit voltage (U20/U1) over time. Stray inductances (Ls1-Ls3) of the motor winding heads present in the electric motor (2) are used as inductor (L) for the step-up chopper (18). |
| US08212497B2 |
Ballast with lamp-diagnostic filament heating, and method therefor
A ballast (10) for powering one or more gas discharge lamps (30,40) includes an inverter (100), an output circuit (200), a filament heating control circuit (300), and a control circuit (500). During a lamp filament detection period prior to startup of inverter (100), control circuit (500) monitors a signal within output circuit (200) in order to determine the number of lamps with intact filaments that are present at the ballast output connections (202, 204, . . . , 210, 212). During a lamp type detection period following startup of inverter (100), control circuit (500) monitors a current within filament heating control circuit (300) in order to determine the type of lamp(s) present at ballast output connections (202, 204, . . . , 210, 212). The determinations as to the number of lamps and the type of lamps are utilized by control circuit (500) to provide an appropriate level of heating to the lamp filaments. Preferably, control circuit (500) is realized by a microcontroller that is programmed with data relating to the different lamp types that may be powered by ballast (10). |
| US08212495B2 |
Method for controlling a half-bridge circuit and corresponding half-bridge circuit
A circuit arrangement for operation of lamps, including a half-bridge arrangement which has an upper and a lower electronic switch (Q1, Q2), which are connected in series, each having a control connection and forming a neutral point (N1) at their connection point. The circuit arrangement further includes: a load circuit, in which a load circuit current (IL1) flows, is connected to the neutral point (N1); a feedback device; a stop device; a timer coupled to the input of the stop device; and a trigger device. A sequence controller is configured to preset an on-time (ton) during the preheating time of the electrodes of the lamps, by means of the timer, and after the preheating time of the electrodes of the lamps, this on-time is continuously increased until it corresponds at least to one quarter of the period duration of the resonant frequency of the reactance network. |
| US08212490B2 |
Light source device, image display apparatus, and method of driving light emitting element
A light source device includes: a light emitting element; a pulse drive section adapted to supply the light emitting element with a pulse current in order for controlling an average emission light intensity from the light emitting element; and a light emitting element shunt section disposed in parallel to the light emitting element and adapted to shunt the light emitting element. |
| US08212489B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for starting and operating one or more discharge lamps
A circuit arrangement for starting and operating one or more discharge lamps comprising a self-oscillating inverter (1), a resonant circuit (2), a low-pressure discharge lamp (5), a starting voltage controller (3) with a variable resistor (R1), and a lamp filament heating controller (4), wherein the lamp filament heating controller includes an additional variable resistor (R2) in the resonant circuit, which variable resistor measures the current flowing in the resonant circuit, and, in the event of a threshold value being exceeded, disconnects the half-bridge transistor (Q2) and thus limits the current flowing in the resonant circuit, this additional variable resistor (R2) being bypassed by a switch (Q3), depending on the lamp state. |
| US08212484B2 |
Initiation method for abnormal glow plasma discharge in a liquid-phase medium and apparatus for its implementation
A method and apparatus for initiating and maintaining an abnormal glow volumetric sonoplasma discharge (VSPD). With certain parameters of the electrical discharge and of the intensity of elastic vibrations, it is possible to initiate VSPD within a cavitating liquid medium. The mechanism for the initiation of VSPD is related to the breakdown of gas phase microchannels formed by growth cavitation bubbles. The method for continuous processing uses elastic vibrations in the frequency range 1-100 kHz with enough intensity for the development of cavitation phenomena; these vibrations are introduced into the liquid phase working medium, and a source of direct, alternating, high frequency and ultrahigh frequency electric field in liquid provides the initiation and stable glow of VSPD. Resulting VSPD is characterized by volumetric glow in the frequency range of visible light and ultraviolet radiation in the entire cavitational-electric field and has a rising volt-ampere characteristic curve. |
| US08212482B2 |
Automotive illumination device with welcome illumination feature
An automotive illumination device includes a dome lamp bulb, a transistor switch, an in-vehicle unit, a door status detection unit, and a microcontroller. When user's access to an automobile has been detected by the in-vehicle unit, the microcontroller controls ON/OFF operation of the transistor switch at duty ratio of 60 percent to turn on the dome lamp bulb at brightness of 60 percent (welcome illumination state or mode). When opening of a door of the automobile has been detected by the door status detection unit during the welcome illumination, the microcontroller controls the ON/OFF operation of the transistor switch to always close the transistor switch (at duty ratio of 100 percent) to illuminate the dome lamp bulb at brightness of 100 percent. |
| US08212481B2 |
Voltage control apparatus, power supply apparatus, electron tube and high-frequency circuit system
A voltage control apparatus used for an electron tube or a power supply apparatus includes a detecting circuit for detecting current flowing through a helix electrode, a voltage-limiting circuit for controlling a potential difference between the helix electrode and the anode electrode based on a predetermined voltage level; and a switch for switching based on an output from the detecting circuit. The switch connects the helix electrode and the anode electrode through the voltage-limiting circuit, or causes a short circuit between the helix electrode and the anode electrode. |
| US08212477B2 |
Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel has a first substrate, plural pairs of display electrodes, a second substrate, and plural data electrodes. Each pair of the display electrodes is made up of a scanning electrode and a sustain electrode which are arranged parallel to each other on the first substrate. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. A discharge space is formed between the first substrate and second substrate. The data electrodes are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display electrodes on the second substrate. The data electrode is wider in peripheral portion of the second substrate than in a central portion of the second substrate. |
| US08212475B2 |
Photocathode, electron tube, and photomultiplier tube
In the photocathode, an underlayer made of a crystalline material containing La2O3 is provided between a supporting substrate and a photoelectron emission layer, and is in contact with the photoelectron emission layer. Therefore, for example, at the time of heat treatment in a manufacturing process of the photocathode, dispersion to the supporting substrate side of an alkali metal contained in the photoelectron emission layer is suppressed. Further, it is assumed that this underlayer functions so as to reverse the direction of, out of photoelectrons e− generated within the photoelectron emission layer, photoelectrons traveling toward the supporting substrate side to the side opposite thereto. |
| US08212474B2 |
Display device, and method of manufacturing the display device
In a display device and a method of manufacturing the display device, the display device has a substrate having a first region and a second region disposed at a peripheral portion of the first region. The substrate includes a plurality of first electrodes disposed on the first region and an insulation member selectively disposed in the first region. The insulating member has a plurality of openings that expose a portion corresponding to the first electrodes. The substrate includes light emitting patterns are disposed on the first electrodes through the openings and the substrate has a second electrode disposed on the light emitting patterns. Accordingly, the thickness of the light emitting patterns is uniformity so that the quality of an image generated from the light emitting patterns is improved. |
| US08212472B2 |
Organic electric field light-emitting element
An organic electric field light-emitting element, which contains: an anode; a cathode; and a light-emitting layer provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the light-emitting layer contains two or more luminescent materials each giving a different emission peak, and a concentration ratio [(B/A)×100] in the light-emitting layer gradually increases along with the direction from an anode side of the light-emitting layer to a cathode side of the light-emitting layer, where A denotes a concentration of the luminescent material having the emission peak at the shortest wavelength side compared to the emission peaks of other luminescent materials, and B denote a concentration of the luminescent material having the emission peak at the longest wavelength side compared to the emission peaks of other luminescent materials, and wherein the light-emitting layer satisfies the relationship of: [(B/A)×100]≦10%. |
| US08212467B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a cap sealing the light emitting element, and a light conversion structural section covering an upper surface of the cap. The cap includes a base section having a hole for taking out light emitted from the light emitting element, and a glass section overlaid on the hole. The glass section is provided outside the base section, and the light conversion structural section is provided outside the glass section. According to this light emitting device, manufacturing cost can be reduced by suppressing reduction in yield. |
| US08212465B2 |
Field emission device
Provided is a field emission device. The field emission device includes an insulated cathode substrate facing an anode substrate, a plurality of cathodes arranged on the cathode substrate and separated from each other, and an emitter formed on each of the cathodes. In order to prevent accumulation of charges on an exposed area of the cathode substrate between the cathodes due to electrons discharged from the emitter, the distance between the cathodes is equal to or smaller than a first threshold value, and the distance from the emitter to the end of the cathode is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. Accordingly, in the field emission device in which a plurality of cathodes are separated from each other on the same plane, it is possible to prevent abnormal field emission and arc generation due to accumulated charges between the cathodes, thereby performing stable operation. |
| US08212464B2 |
Backlight unit of liquid crystal display device
This invention relates to a backlight unit of a liquid crystal display device using a cold cathode fluorescent lamp that is capable of realizing pure colors and having a broad color reproduction range. A backlight unit of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one lamp including a first red phosphor having a dominant wavelength of about 620 nm, a second red phosphor having a dominant wavelength of about 658 nm, a green phosphor having a dominant wavelength of about 515 nm and a blue phosphor having a dominant wavelength of about 447 nm; a bottom cover in which the lamp is disposed; and an optical member disposed on the lamp. |
| US08212459B2 |
Motor
A motor is disclosed. The motor can include: a rotor equipped with a shaft; a base, in which a housing hole is formed and which includes a housing support portion protruding along a periphery of the housing hole; a housing, which may be inserted in the housing hole to be supported by the housing support portion and in which a through-hole is formed so that the shaft may be inserted in one side of the through-hole; and a rotor support, which may be inserted into the other side of the through-hole and in which a support indentation is formed to rotatably support the shaft. This motor can be manufactured by a simple process at a low manufacturing cost. |
| US08212448B2 |
Electric motor
A universal motor has a stator and a rotor installed in the stator. The stator comprises a pair of stator segments. Each segment has a yoke with first and second ends, a pole and a neck connecting the pole to the first end of the yoke. The second end of each yoke is connected with the first end of the other yoke. A pair of pre-formed windings are mounted on respective poles of the stator segments. |
| US08212446B2 |
Brushless electric machine and device comprising said machine
To provide a technique that improves an efficiency of using a magnetic field in a brushless electric machine. A brushless electric machine includes a first member having N sets (N is an integer of 2 or more) of electromagnetic groups, and a second member that has N+1 sets of magnetic field forming member groups and can move in a predetermined moving direction in relative to the first member. One set of the electromagnetic coil group and one set of the magnetic field forming member group are alternately disposed along a direction perpendicular to the moving direction. |
| US08212444B2 |
Magnetic axial bearing and a spindle motor having this kind of magnetic axial bearing
The invention relates to a magnetic axial bearing for taking up axial forces that act on a rotor component that is rotatably supported about a rotational axis with respect to a stator component. The bearing comprises a first bearing part consisting of at least one permanent magnet and at least two flux guide elements associated with the permanent magnet that are disposed on opposing end faces of the permanent magnet and aligned substantially radial and perpendicular to the rotational axis, and a second bearing part consisting of at least two flux guide elements that are disposed at a mutual spacing to one another and aligned substantially radial and perpendicular to the rotational axis, each flux guide element of the second bearing part being associated with a flux guide element of the first bearing part and lying directly opposite the latter in a radial direction and separated from it by an air gap. The invention further describes a spindle motor having a magnetic axial bearing of this kind, used, for example, for driving a hard disk drive. |
| US08212440B2 |
Rotation structure
A rotation structure rotates a rotatable segment via the attraction between a number of electromagnetic elements disposed on another rotatable segment around a screw and a magnet disposed on another rotatable segment. The rotated angle of the rotatable segment can be controlled by selectably magnetizing the electromagnetic elements in response to an instruction generated by pressing a button formed on another rotatable segment. |
| US08212436B2 |
Apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy
An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy is described. The apparatus includes: a flux path. The flux path includes: a magnetic material having a magnetic property that is a function of stress on the magnetic material; a first magnetically conductive material proximate the magnetic material; a magnet in the flux path, wherein a magnetomotive force of the magnet causes magnetic flux; and a component configured to transfer changes in load caused by an external source to the magnetic material. |
| US08212433B2 |
Electret and electrostatic induction conversion device
An electret having a high surface charge density, is provided and along with an electrostatic induction conversion device including such an electret. In some embodiments, the electret includes a laminate having a layer (A) containing a polymer compound (a) having a relative dielectric constant of from 1.8 to 3.0 and a layer (B) containing a polymer compound (b) or inorganic substance (c) having a relative dielectric constant higher than the polymer compound (a). The difference between the relative dielectric constant of the polymer compound (b) or inorganic substance (c) and the relative dielectric constant of the polymer compound (a) is at least 0.3. The layer (A) is disposed on the outermost surface on a side opposite to the side where electric charge is injected at the time of injecting electric charge into the laminate to form the electret; and the layer (B) has a thickness of at least 1 μm. |
| US08212418B2 |
High power bipolar pulse generators
A bipolar pulse generator is implemented in a simple structure while providing a high efficiency design having a relatively low total size, while still allowing access by fibers used to control a photoconductive switch that activates the generator. The bipolar pulse generator includes a stacked Blumlein generator structure with an additional transmission line connected to a load at its near end and short-circuited at its distal end. An extra transmission line is positioned between the Blumlein generator's structure and the load provides specified limited gap between positive and negative sub-pulses. The bipolar pulse generator further includes a bended Blumlein generator structure, in which an existing intrinsic “stray” transmission line is used to provide the bipolar pulse. Still further, bipolar pulse generator includes stepped transmission lines, with additional switches positioned between steps, which are charged by different voltages. |
| US08212412B1 |
Energy storage connection system
A power system for connecting a variable voltage power source, such as a power controller, with a plurality of energy storage devices, at least two of which have a different initial voltage than the output voltage of the variable voltage power source. The power system includes a controller that increases the output voltage of the variable voltage power source. When such output voltage is substantially equal to the initial voltage of a first one of the energy storage devices, the controller sends a signal that causes a switch to connect the variable voltage power source with the first one of the energy storage devices. The controller then causes the output voltage of the variable voltage power source to continue increasing. When the output voltage is substantially equal to the initial voltage of a second one of the energy storage devices, the controller sends a signal that causes a switch to connect the variable voltage power source with the second one of the energy storage devices. |
| US08212411B2 |
System for generating electric energy
A system for generating electric energy from renewable energy sources such as waves includes a plurality of generator aggregates (4a-6c) arranged in the sea and a plurality of switchgears (1a-1c) arranged in the sea. Each switchgear (1a-1c) is connected to a plurality of the generator aggregates (4a-6c). A plurality of primary intermediate stations (17a-17c) are respectively connected to a plurality of the switchgears, and a secondary intermediate station (19) is connected to a plurality of the primary intermediate stations (17a-17c). The secondary intermediate station is also connected to a land based electric network. Switching means (192) is present for allowing selective connection to various locations (193, 194, 195) in the electric network. |
| US08212407B2 |
Power supply circuit
A power supply circuit includes a voltage regulating module; a voltage selecting circuit and a voltage regulating chip. The voltage regulating module outputs corresponding control signals according to a type of a CPU installed on a motherboard. The voltage selecting circuit receives the control signals and converts the corresponding control signal to a voltage selecting signal. The voltage regulating chip receives the voltage selecting signal and outputs the corresponding working voltage to the CPU. |
| US08212405B2 |
Metering assembly and customer load panel for power delivery
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for alternate power delivery are provided. A metering assembly includes a power meter module. The power meter module includes a power control module and a power monitor. The power control module is coupled to a transfer switch that receives both primary power and alternate power. The transfer switch has an output coupled to an electrical circuit load. The power control module is configured to receive a request from the transfer switch for the alternate power to be supplied through the transfer switch to the electrical circuit load. The power control module is configured to enable the transfer switch to supply the alternate power to the electrical circuit load in response to the request. The power monitor is configured to determine an amount of the alternate power provided to the electrical circuit load. The power control module is configured to enable the alternate power to be decoupled from the electrical circuit load if the determined amount of the alternate power provided to the electrical circuit load is greater than a power trip setpoint. A plurality of metering assemblies may be provided to monitor a corresponding number of transfer switches coupled to electrical circuit loads in a facility. |
| US08212404B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining uninterruptible power supplies
A system and method of isolating an uninterruptible power supply system is disclosed that comprises bypassing an inverter section of the power supply to couple primary power to a load bus; and, thereafter, isolating the power supply by simultaneously uncoupling the power supply from the load bus and coupling the primary power to the load bus. |
| US08212397B2 |
Method for operating a low-voltage electrical system
Decentralized power generation installations are connected to a low-voltage electrical system LV. These installations can make available control energy. The control of the active power output by the power generation installations into the low-voltage electrical system takes place by means of active variation of the system voltage by means of a transformer T with a variable transformation ratio. |
| US08212393B2 |
Device and method for addressing power to a load selected from a plurality of loads
The invention relates to a device and method for addressing power to at least a selected load from a plurality of loads, in particular light sources in solid state lighting applications, such as decorative indoor and outdoor illumination for buildings or cars, by timing a power signal such as to power a selected load when said common timed power signal is switched to said load under control of a delayed clock signal. |
| US08212392B2 |
Method and system for supplying power to multiple voltage islands using a single supply source (SSS)
Methods and systems for supplying power to multiple voltage islands using a single supply source are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include providing power to a first of a plurality of voltage islands, and individually controlling providing of power to each of a remaining portion of the plurality of voltage islands. For example, when an electronic system is first powered on, a low current voltage source may be used to supply power to a primary voltage island. As a higher current voltage source becomes available, power derived from the higher current voltage source may be provided to the primary voltage island and to secondary voltage islands. Power to each of the secondary voltage islands may be, for example, individually controlled via a power MOS transistor. The power MOS transistor may also be configured to allow a faster blocking time than unblocking time. |
| US08212390B1 |
Adaptive power supply for telecommunications networks
An adaptive power supply span powers devices used in telecommunications. It includes a power circuit and control circuit that receives power and sense signals therefrom and provides a control signal thereto and distinguishes between a first network interface load having a constant voltage input power requirement and a second network interface unit load having a constant current input power requirement. A voltage control circuit and current control circuit are interconnected together and connected to the power circuit. A control signal from the voltage control circuit and current control circuit extends to the power circuit. The control circuit maintains a fixed output voltage for constant voltage regulation for the first network interface unit load, if the output current remains below a threshold current. The circuit limits the output current to a regulated value for constant current regulation below the initial maximum value for powering a second network interface unit if the initial output current is greater than the threshold current for a time greater than a threshold time. |
| US08212389B2 |
Relay driving circuit and battery pack using same
A capacitor 16 is charged by turning on a switching element 12, and when a relay 18 is operated, by turning off the switching element 12 and turning on a switching element 13, a constant-voltage power supply 11 and the capacitor 16 are series-connected, and a switching element 14 is turned on to cause the series circuit of the constant-voltage power supply 11 and the capacitor 16 to be connected to a relay coil 20, so that the voltage resulting from addition of the output voltage of the constant-voltage power supply 11 and the charging voltage of the capacitor 16 is supplied to the relay coil 20, whereby causing the relay 18 to be turned on, after which the capacitor 16 is gradually discharged by means of the relay coil 20. |
| US08212388B2 |
Multi-capacity power supply for electronic devices
An electronic device may be provided with more than one industry-standard type of AC power connector. The electronic device may be powered in any of a variety of locations by selectively exposing one of the power connectors selected according to an AC power outlet available at that location. A location-specific power cord may be used to connect the exposed power connector to the AC power outlet. The location-specific power cord may have, for example, a line socket at one end of a type that matches the exposed power connector, and a power plug at the other end of a type that matches the AC power outlet at the location. Predefined power settings appropriate for use with the AC power outlet and the exposed power connector may be automatically invoked. |
| US08212387B2 |
Connection module for providing N+N and M+1 redundant power distribution
A device may include an interconnect module that includes a number of ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply; where the interconnect module provides power from the received power supplies to a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs). |
| US08212382B2 |
Power conversion apparatus and electric vehicle
A power conversion apparatus capable of improving the impedance characteristics between each of two power modules and each of a plurality of capacitor cells, the power conversion apparatus including: plural capacitor cells connected in parallel between a three-layer laminated wiring board consisting of a positive polarity conductor board and a negative polarity conductor board formed widely in the direction of the parallel disposition of the power modules and laminated with an insulation sheet therebetween; a three-layer laminated conductor board consisting of a positive polarity conductor board and a negative polarity conductor board formed widely in the direction of the parallel direction of the power modules and laminated with an insulation sheet therebetween and used to connect the positive and negative polarity sides of each of the two power modules to the laminated wiring board respectively. |
| US08212379B2 |
Station communications over electrical transmission lines
A communication device for use on high voltage power lines provides for broadband communications over such high voltage power lines. The device has an impedance matching circuit configured to connect at one end to a high voltage line arrester of the high voltage power line, as well as a limiter circuit coupled to the other end of the impedance matching circuit to limit a voltage associated with a broadband signal. A noise blanker circuit is coupled at one end to this other end of the impedance matching circuit and is configured to inhibit presentation of a time delayed incoming signal to the broadband modem upon detection of electrical noise. The communication device can further comprise link aggregation and/or a differential circuit for providing non-inverted and inverted broadband signals for both reception and transmission. A corresponding method of communicating broadband information over a high voltage power line is disclosed. |
| US08212378B2 |
Control and supply system
In accordance with at least some embodiments, a maritime well system includes a sea-surface control unit. The maritime well system also includes a sea-bed control unit coupled to the sea-surface control unit by a sub-sea cable configured to carry a direct current (DC) voltage output from the sea-surface control unit at least 30 kilometers to the sea-bed control unit. The maritime well system also includes a sub-sea tree coupled to the sea-bed control unit via a connecting line configured to carry a converted voltage output from the sea-bed control unit to the sub-sea tree. In accordance with at least some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the sub-sea cable is designed to carry a predetermined amount of power to the sea-bed control unit as DC power and is at least 10 times smaller than a cross-sectional area needed for carrying the predetermined amount of power to the sea-bed control unit as alternating current (AC) power. |
| US08212377B2 |
Smart control device
A control device, such as a device for connecting with and providing control data on a low voltage line, is provided disclosed. The control device includes a power supply that generates a DC voltage from an input voltage communicated via a low voltage line by a power source. The control device also includes a receiver that extracts timing data from the input voltage and output circuitry that is operable to communicate information to the power source via the low voltage line. |
| US08212374B2 |
Wind power generator
A constant-speed wind power generator including a plurality of wind scoops, at least two wind-catching cylinders, a fan, a vertical shaft, a steering gear, a first booster, a spring wheel, a second booster, an accelerator, a generator, and an iron tower. The first booster and second booster respectively comprise gears meshed with each other with diameters from small to large. The accelerator comprises a plurality of gear drive mechanisms with different diameters and the diameter of a driving gear of each gear drive mechanism is greater than that of a driven gear. The vertical shaft is disposed on the iron tower, and a plurality of the wind scoops are fixed on the vertical shaft. The fan is fixed on the vertical shaft corresponding to the wind-catching cylinders. The generator is capable of producing a stable power generation. |
| US08212365B2 |
Printed wiring board and manufacturing method thereof
A printed wiring board is configured to be connected to an organic substrate in a state where a semiconductor chip is mounted thereon. A plurality of first layers are formed of a material having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the semiconductor chip. A plurality of second layers are formed of a material having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the organic substrate. The first layers have different thicknesses from each other and the second layers have different thicknesses from each other. The first layers and the second layers form a lamination by being laminated alternately one on another. The thicknesses of the first layers decrease from a side where the semiconductor chip is mounted toward a side where the organic substrate is connected. The thicknesses of the second layers decrease from the side where the organic substrate is connected toward the side where the semiconductor chip is mounted. |
| US08212364B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor apparatus, and semiconductor apparatus and electric appliance
The present invention is directed to a semiconductor device having: an interposer; a wiring provided on the interposer; a first chip having a first semiconductor device, a first pad and a first solder ball over the interposer, the first semiconductor device being connected to the first pad and the first pad being connected to the first solder ball; a second chip having a second semiconductor device, a second pad and a second solder ball over the first chip, the second semiconductor device being connected to the second pad and the second pad being connected to the second solder ball; and a terminal provided at a rear side of the interposer, where the wiring and the first chip are connected via the first solder ball, where the first chip and the second chip are connected via the second solder ball, and where the terminal is connected to the first semiconductor device. |
| US08212362B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a first main surface having an electrode pad in an exposed state, and an interlayer insulation layer formed on the first main surface so that the electrode pad is partially exposed; a re-wiring layer including a wiring pattern having a linear portion having one end portion electrically connected to the electrode pad and extending from the electrode pad, and a post electrode mounting portion with a recessed polygonal shape and connected to the other end portion of the linear portion; a post electrode formed on the post electrode mounting portion and having a bottom surface with a contour crossing an upper contour of the post electrode mounting portion at more than two points; a sealing portion disposed so that a top of the post electrode is exposed; and an outer terminal formed on the top of the post electrode. |
| US08212357B2 |
Combination via and pad structure for improved solder bump electromigration characteristics
The invention generally relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to structures and methods for enhancing electromigration (EM) performance in solder bumps and related structures. A semiconductor structure includes a wire comprising first and second wire segments, a pad formed over the wire, and a ball limiting metallization (BLM) layer formed over the pad. The semiconductor structure also includes a solder bump formed over the BLM layer, a terminal via formed over the BLM layer, and at least one peripheral via formed between the second wire segment and the pad. The first and second wire segments are discrete wire segments. |
| US08212356B2 |
Semiconductor device having multi-layered wiring layer and fabrication process thereof
A semiconductor device having a multi-layered wiring layer includes a semiconductor substrate, an electrode that is provided on the semiconductor substrate, an insulating film that is provided on the semiconductor substrate, the insulating film having an aperture at least partly overlapping the electrode, a resin bump that is provided on the insulating film, and the wiring layer that is electrically connected to the electrode and that includes a first conductive layer, an intermediate layer, and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is formed on the electrode and on the resin bump, the intermediate layer is formed on the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer formed on the intermediate layer. |
| US08212354B2 |
Active plastic bridge chips
A system for proximity communication between semiconductor chips includes a package assembly. The package assembly includes a plurality of bridge circuits made of organic or plastic semiconductor material. A plurality of base chips are assembled to the package assembly. The package assembly positions and aligns the plurality of base chips such that the bridge circuits bridge the base chips and enable proximity communication between the base chips. |
| US08212351B1 |
Structure for encapsulating microelectronic devices
According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a microelectronic device to be encapsulated is built on, or alternatively in, a substrate. The device is then coated with a sacrificial layer. A lid layer is deposited over the sacrificial layer, and then appropriately perforated to optimize the removal of the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is then removed using one of several etching or other processes. The perforations in the lid layer are then sealed using a viscous sealing material, thereby fixing the environment that encapsulates the device. The sealing material is then cured or hardened. An optional moisture barrier may be deposited over the cured sealing layer to provide further protection for the encapsulation if needed. |
| US08212350B2 |
Space and cost efficient incorporation of specialized input-output pins on integrated circuit substrates
In some embodiments an Integrated Circuit package includes a plurality of system functional pins, at least one system functional pin depopulation zone, and at least one non-system functional pin located in the at least one functional pin depopulation zone. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08212346B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing semiconductor package tensile stress
A semiconductor package is provided having reduced tensile stress. The semiconductor package includes a package substrate and a semiconductor die. The semiconductor die is coupled electrically and physically to the package substrate and includes a stress relieving layer incorporated therein. The stress relieving layer has a predetermined structure and a predetermined location within the semiconductor die for reducing tensile stress of the semiconductor package during heating and cooling of the semiconductor package. |
| US08212336B2 |
Field effect transistor source or drain with a multi-facet surface
FET configurations in which two (or more) facets are exposed on a surface of a semiconductor channel, the facets being angled with respect to the direction of the channel, allow for conformal deposition of a convex or concave S/D. A convex tip of the S/D enhances electric fields at the interface, reducing the resistance between the S/D and the channel. In contrast, a S/D having a concave tip yields a dual-gate FET that emphasizes reduced short-channel effects rather than electric field enhancement. The use of self-limiting, selective wet etches to expose the facets facilitates process control, control of interface chemistry, and manufacturability. |
| US08212333B2 |
MIM capacitor of semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a MIM capacitor of a semiconductor device and a MIM capacitor. A MIM structure and a metal layer may be formed using a single process. A method of manufacturing a MIM capacitor may include forming a hole on and/or over a lower metal wire region. A method of manufacturing a MIM capacitor may include forming a lower metal layer, an inter-metal dielectric and/or an upper metal layer on and/or over a hole to form a MIM structure. Patterns to form a MIM structure and a metal layer may be formed at substantially the same time. If etching is performed with a photoresist pattern as a mask, a MIM structure and a metal layer structure may be formed at substantially the same time using a single mask. |
| US08212330B2 |
Process for improving the reliability of interconnect structures and resulting structure
An interconnect structure of an integrated circuit having improved reliability and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a dielectric layer overlying the substrate, performing a first shrinking process, wherein the dielectric layer shrinks and has a first shrinkage rate, forming a conductive feature in the dielectric layer after the step of performing the first shrinking process, and performing a second shrinking process after the step of forming the conductive feature, wherein the dielectric layer substantially shrinks and has a second shrinkage rate. |
| US08212325B2 |
Electrostatic vibrator and electronic apparatus
An electrostatic vibrator has a vibrating plate including beam-shaped vibrating parts each fixed at opposite ends thereof and configured for electrostatic actuation to perform flexural vibration, and temperature compensation parts connected to the vibrating parts. A silicon oxide film covers each of the vibrating parts but not the temperature compensation parts. A substrate is mounted in parallel relation to the vibrating plate. An oxide layer is disposed between the substrate to the vibrating plate. Electrodes are formed on the substrate and arranged on opposite sides of each of the vibrating parts. |
| US08212323B2 |
Seal ring structure for integrated circuits
A seal ring structure for an integrated circuit includes a seal ring being disposed along a periphery of the integrated circuit and being divided into at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is positioned facing an analog and/or RF circuit block and is different from the first portion in structure. A P+ region is provided in a P substrate and positioned under the second portion. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure surrounds the P+ region and laterally extends underneath a conductive rampart of the second portion. |
| US08212321B2 |
Semiconductor device with feedback control
An electronic element (39′, 39, 40) having feedback control is provided by placing an inductive interposer (42) between the output connection or bus (382) and the input connection or bus (381), wherein the inductive interposer (42) forms part of a closed circuit (47) with the inductive interposer (42) substantially parallel with the output connection or bus (382) and input connection or bus (381) for a distance permitting significant inductive coupling therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the closed circuit (47) containing the inductive interposer (42) comprises impedance ZT. By including various circuit elements (e.g., resistance, capacitance, and/or inductance) in ZT, the output-to-input feedback can be modified to advantage. This greatly increases the available design freedom, especially for power devices, such as for example, field effect, MOSFET, LDMOS. bipolar and other power devices that use substantially parallel input and output bus structures. |
| US08212314B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first conductive type semiconductor substrate; a first conductive type semiconductor region provided thereon in which first conductive type first pillar regions and second conductive type second pillar regions alternately arranged; second conductive type second semiconductor regions provided on second pillar regions in an element region to be in contact with first pillar regions therein; gate electrodes each provided on adjacent second semiconductor regions and on one of the first pillar region interposed therebetween; third semiconductor regions functioning as a first conductive type source region provided in parts of the second semiconductor regions located under side portions of the gate electrodes; and a second conductive type resurf region which is a part of a terminal region surrounding the element region and which is provided on first pillar regions and second pillar regions in the part of the terminal regions. |
| US08212313B2 |
Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device which can relax the electric field in the junction termination region, and can achieve a high breakdown voltage.The semiconductor device includes an element region (51) and a junction termination region (52). The element region includes: a first semiconductor region (2) of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor region (4) of a second conductivity type; a third semiconductor region (10) of the first conductivity type; a trench (35) passing through the second semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region and has a bottom surface which reaches the first semiconductor region (2); a gate insulating film (12) formed on the side surface and a bottom surface of the trench; and a gate electrode (8) embedded in the trench. The junction termination region includes: a terminal trench (55) formed in the depth direction from the top surface so as to surround the element region; a gate insulating film (12) formed on a sidewall and a bottom surface of the terminal trench; and a gate electrode (8) embedded in the terminal trench (55). The depth from the top surface of the second semiconductor region (4) to the bottom surface of the terminal trench (55) is 0.9 to 2.0 times the thickness of the second semiconductor region. |
| US08212311B2 |
Semiconductor device having increased gate length implemented by surround gate transistor arrangements
In a vertical transistor comprising a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer and a gate electrode formed around the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, it is difficult to form a transistor having a gate length greater than that of the vertical transistor. The present invention provides a semiconductor device which comprises two vertical transistors comprising first and second pillar-shaped semiconductor layers each formed on a first diffusion layer on a substrate. The vertical transistors have a common gate electrode. A first upper diffusion layer formed on a top of the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer is connected to a source electrode, and a second upper diffusion layer formed on a top of the second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer is connected to a drain electrode. The vertical transistors are connected in series to operate as a composite transistor having a gate length two times greater than that of each of the vertical transistors. |
| US08212310B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a deep well of a second conductivity type formed in a portion of an upper layer portion of the semiconductor layer; a well of the first conductivity type formed in a portion of an upper layer portion of the deep well; a source layer of the second conductivity type formed in the well; a drain layer of the second conductivity type formed in the well apart from the source layer; and a contact layer of the second conductivity type formed outside the well in an upper layer portion of the deep well and connected to the drain layer. The drain layer is electrically connected to the deep well via the well by applying a driving voltage between the source layer and the drain layer. |
| US08212309B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing same
Provided are an architecture for a non-volatile memory device that can increase the write efficiency for split-gate trap memory, as well as increase resistance to disturbances; and a method of manufacturing said memory device. The device includes, at least: a layered film having traps, formed on top of the semiconductor substrate; a memory gate electrode formed on top of the layered film; a word gate electrode laid out so as to contact the memory gate electrode and the substrate through an insulating film; and source and drain regions in the substrate, sandwiching the two gate electrodes. The equivalent oxide thickness of the insulating film sandwiched between the word gate electrode and the substrate is made greater where the layered film is in contact than where there is no contact. |
| US08212308B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor flash memory
Two diffusion layers are provided in an element area. A tunnel insulating film is provided on the surface of the element area between the two diffusion layers. A charge storage layer is provided on the tunnel insulating film. A first insulator provided on the upper surface of the charge storage layer. An inter-electrode insulating film provided on the first insulator, on the side surface of the charge storage layer in a first direction and on the isolation insulating film. And a control gate electrode extends in the first direction and covers the charge storage layer via the first insulator and the inter-electrode insulating film. The first insulator is thicker than the inter-electrode insulating film, and the inter-electrode insulating film has a first slit on the first insulator. |
| US08212305B2 |
Semiconductor device with improved insulating film and floating gate arrangement to decrease memory cell size without reduction of capacitance
A semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory is reduced in size. In an AND type flash memory having a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells having a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of word lines crossing therewith, and a plurality of floating gate electrodes disposed at positions which respectively lie between the plurality of adjacent first electrodes and overlap the plurality of word lines, as seen in plan view, the plurality of floating gate electrodes are formed in a convex shape, as seen in cross section, so as to be higher than the first electrodes. As a result, even when nonvolatile memory cells are reduced in size, it is possible to process the floating gate electrodes with ease. In addition, it is possible to improve the coupling ratio between floating gate electrodes and control gate electrodes of the word lines without increasing the area occupied by the nonvolatile memory cells. |
| US08212302B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device which is superior in writing property and charge holding property, including a semiconductor substrate in which a channel formation region is formed between a pair of impurity regions, and a first insulating layer, a floating gate, a second insulating layer, and a control gate over the semiconductor substrate. The floating gate includes at least two layers. It is preferable that a band gap of a first layer included in the floating gate, which is in contact with the first insulating layer, be smaller than that of the semiconductor substrate. For example, it is preferable that the band gap of the semiconductor material for forming the floating gate be smaller than that of the channel formation region in the semiconductor substrate by 0.1 eV or more. This is because, by lowering the bottom energy level of a conduction band of the floating gate electrode than that of the channel formation region in the semiconductor substrate, a carrier injecting property and a charge holding property are improved. |
| US08212301B2 |
Capacitor and method for fabricating the same
A capacitor includes a lower electrode, a first dielectric layer formed over the lower electrode, a second dielectric layer formed over the first dielectric layer, wherein the second dielectric layer includes an amorphous high-k dielectric material, a third dielectric layer formed over the second dielectric layer, and an upper electrode formed over the third dielectric layer. The third dielectric layer can be thicker than the first dielectric layer. |
| US08212298B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and methods of producing it
A semiconductor storage device where one MOS transistor in a memory cell section includes a selection transistor, and one MOS transistor in a peripheral circuit section includes a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor of different conductivity type, the first MOS and second MOS transistors and the selection transistor include lower drain or source regions in a planar semiconductor layer, a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer on the planar semiconductor layer, upper source or drain regions in an upper portion of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode that surrounds a sidewall of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer through a dielectric film, and where a first silicide layer connects a surface of the lower drain or source region of the first MOS and second MOS transistors, and a second silicide layer on a surface of the lower drain or source region of the selection transistor. |
| US08212297B1 |
High optical efficiency CMOS image sensor
High optical efficiency CMOS image sensors capable of sustaining pixel sizes less than 1.2 microns are provided. Due to high photodiode fill factors and efficient optical isolation, microlenses are unnecessary. Each sensor includes plural imaging pixels having a photodiode structure on a semiconductor substrate adjacent a light-incident upper surface of the image sensor. An optical isolation grid surrounds each photodiode structure and defines the pixel boundary. The optical isolation grid extends to a depth of at least the thickness of the photodiode structure and prevents incident light from penetrating through the incident pixel to an adjacent pixel. A positive diffusion plug vertically extends through a portion of the photodiode structure. A negative diffusion plug vertically extends into the semiconductor substrate for transferring charge generated in the photodiode to a charge collecting region within the semiconductor substrate. Pixel circuitry positioned beneath the photodiode controls charge transfer to image readout circuitry. |
| US08212295B2 |
ROM cell circuit for FinFET devices
The present disclosure provides a read only memory (ROM) cell array. The ROM cell array includes a plurality of fin active regions oriented in a first direction and formed on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of gates formed on the plurality of fin active regions and oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of ROM cells formed by the plurality of fin active regions and the plurality of gates, the plurality of ROM cells being coded such that each cell of a first subset of ROM cells has a source electrically connected to a Vss line, and each cell of a second subset of ROM cells has a source electrically isolated. Each cell of the first subset of ROM cells includes a drain contact having a first contact area and a source contact having a second contact area at least 30% greater than the first contact area. |
| US08212281B2 |
3-D and 3-D schottky diode for cross-point, variable-resistance material memories, processes of forming same, and methods of using same
A variable-resistance material memory (VRMM) device includes a container conductor disposed over an epitaxial semiconductive prominence that is coupled to a VRMM. A VRMM device may also include a conductive plug in a recess that is coupled to a VRMM. A VRMM array may also include a conductive plug in a surrounding recess that is coupled to a VRMM. Apparatuses include the VRMM with one of the diode constructions. |
| US08212275B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device according to an embodiment includes: a blue color LED including a first principal surface, a second principal surface and a side surface, the blue color LED producing light; and a package portion in which a recess portion, which is a light shield portion accommodating the blue color LED with no gap on the side surface side, thereby preventing release of the light from the side surface, is formed. |
| US08212272B2 |
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode includes a substrate (12) having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral side surface, a pair of upper electrodes (13a, 13b) provided on upper surface portions of the substrate, at least one light emitting element (14) mounted one of the pair of upper electrodes, and a covering member (18) provided on the upper surface of the substrate except the upper surface portions at which the pair of upper electrodes are provided. The covering member (18) includes a recess (19), and a light-shielding resin (20) filled in the recess (19). |
| US08212269B2 |
Organic light emitting device, method for producing thereof and array of organic light emitting devices
The present invention is directed to an organic light emitting device (OLED) including a first electrode, a second electrode, at least one layer of organic material arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a dielectric capping layer arranged on the second electrode opposite to the first electrode, wherein the capping layer comprises an outer surface, opposite to the second electrode, for emission of light generated in the at least one layer of organic material. The capping layer has the effect that a reflectance of external light is reduced whereas outcoupling of the light generated in the at least one layer of organic material through the capping layer is increased. |
| US08212266B2 |
Light emitting device and method of fabricating the same
A light emitting device may include a plurality of nano-structures having a strip shape, each including a first nano-structure and a second nano-structure, the first nano-structures being the same height on the buffer layer. |
| US08212265B2 |
Light emitting device and method for fabricating the light emitting device
Disclosed is a light emitting device including, a light emitting structure that has a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive semiconductor layer, wherein the active layer is provided between the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer, and includes a plurality of well layers and at least one barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer includes a first nitride layer and a second nitride layer provided on the first nitride layer, and wherein the first nitride layer has a larger energy band gap than the second nitride layer while the energy band gap of the second nitride layer is larger than that of each well layer. |
| US08212261B2 |
SiC semiconductor device with BPSG insulation film
A SiC device includes: a substrate; a drift layer; a base region; a source region; a channel layer connecting the drift layer and the source region; a gate oxide film on the channel layer and the source region; a gate electrode on the gate oxide film; an interlayer insulation film with a contact hole having a barrier layer and a BPSG insulation film on the gate electrode; a source electrode having upper and lower wiring electrodes on the interlayer insulation film and in the contact hole for connecting the base region and the source region; and a drain electrode on the substrate. The barrier layer prevents a Ni component in the lower wiring electrode from being diffused into the BPSG insulation film. |
| US08212257B2 |
Semiconductor device
Solved is a problem of attenuation of output amplitude due to a threshold value of a TFT when manufacturing a circuit with TFTs of a single polarity. In a capacitor (105), a charge equivalent to a threshold value of a TFT (104) is stored. When a signal is inputted thereto, the threshold value stored in the capacitor (105) is added to a potential of the input signal. The thus obtained potential is applied to a gate electrode of a TFT (101). Therefore, it is possible to obtain the output having a normal amplitude from an output terminal (Out) without causing the amplitude attenuation in the TFT (101). |
| US08212252B2 |
Light-emitting device
An object of the present invention is to provide a new light-emitting device with the use of an amorphous oxide. The light-emitting device has a light-emitting layer existing between first and second electrodes and a field effect transistor, of which the active layer is an amorphous. |
| US08212251B2 |
Active matrix substrate
In an active-matrix substrate (100) according to the present invention, a semiconductor layer (110) has a first gettering region (112) adjacent to the source region (132) of a first thin-film transistor (130), a second gettering region (114) adjacent to the drain region (146) of a second thin-film transistor (140), and a third gettering region (116) adjacent to any of the source and drain regions located between the respective channel regions (134 and 144) of the first and second thin-film transistors (130 and 140) among the source and drain regions of the thin-film transistors included in the thin-film transistor element (120). |
| US08212243B2 |
Organic semiconducting compositions and N-type semiconductor devices
An organic semiconducting composition consists essentially of an N,N-dicycloalkyl-substituted naphthalene diimide and a polymer additive comprising an insulating or semiconducting polymer having a permittivity at 1000 Hz of at least 1.5 and up to and including 5. This composition can be used to provide a semiconducting layer in a thin-film transistor that can be incorporated into a variety of electronic devices. |
| US08212234B2 |
Method of fabricating nanosized filamentary carbon devices over a relatively large-area
Nanosized filamentary carbon structures (CNTs) nucleating over a catalyzed surface may be grown in an up-right direction reaching a second surface, spaced from the first surface, without the need of applying any external voltage source bias. The growth process may be inherently self-stopping, upon reaching a significant population of grown CNTs on the second surface. A gap between the two surfaces may be defined for CNT devices being simultaneously fabricated by common integrated circuit integration techniques. The process includes finding that for separation gaps of up to a hundred or more nanometers, a difference between the respective work functions of the materials delimiting the gap space, for example, different metallic materials or a doped semiconductor of different dopant concentration or type, may produce an electric field intensity orienting the growth of nucleated CNTs from the surface of one of the materials toward the surface of the other material. |
| US08212229B2 |
Methods and apparel for attenuating electromagnetic fields emanating from an animal handler
Attenuating, while handling an animal, one's own emanated electromagnetic field by wearing apparel that includes an electromagnetically shielding fabric. The shielding fabric comprises a substantially continuous system of conductive fibers combined with non-conductive fabric. Or attenuating, while a handler is handling an animal, the electromagnetic field emanated by the handler, by (i) providing to the handler apparel that includes the electromagnetically shielding fabric, and (ii) instructing the handler to wear it while handling an animal, respectively. The attenuation of the emanated electromagnetic field decreases the likelihood of the animal reacting to the emanated electromagnetic field. |
| US08212228B2 |
Extreme ultra violet light source apparatus
An extreme ultra violet light source apparatus prevents debris staying and accumulating within a chamber from contaminating the chamber and deteriorating the performance of an important optical component. The extreme ultra violet light source apparatus includes: a chamber in which extreme ultra violet light is generated; a driver laser for applying a laser beam to a target supplied to a predetermined position within the chamber to generate plasma; a collector mirror provided within the chamber, for collecting and outputting the extreme ultra violet light radiated from the plasma; an exhaust path communicating with the chamber and connected to an exhausting device, for maintaining an interior of the chamber at a certain pressure; a catching chamber provided in the exhaust path, for catching debris generated from the plasma; and a collecting unit for collecting the caught debris out of the chamber. |
| US08212224B2 |
Charged particle beam device
The present invention provides a charged particle beam device which can effectively restrain misalignment of an optical axis even if a position of an anode is changed. The present invention is a charged particle beam device comprising a cathode provided with a charged particle source which emits a charged particle, an anode which applies an electric field to the emitted charged particle, a charged particle beam deflector which deflects an orbit of a charged particle beam having passed the anode, and a charged particle beam detector which detects the charged particle beam from a sample to which the charged particle is irradiated, wherein a distance changing mechanism which changes a distance between the cathode and the anode, corresponding to a charged particle amount emitted from the charged particle source and a deflection amount control mechanism which detects a condition of the deflector under which the charged particle dose detected from the sample scanned by deflecting the charged particle beam in the changed distance becomes a desired size and controls deflection of the deflector at sample measurement on the basis of the condition are provided. |
| US08212221B2 |
Dual-range photon detector
The invention relates to a detector for measuring nuclear radiation, especially gamma-radiation, comprising a scintillator crystal with a light decay time of less than 100 ns, a silicon drift detector (SDD) for the measurement of both direct hits of low energy radiation and the light, being emitted from the scintillator crystal, the silicon drift detector being mounted between the scintillation crystal and the radiation entry window, a preamplifier, connected to the SDD, electronic devices, being capable of determining the signal rise time of the measured signals and of separating the signals on the basis of said rise time, electronic devices, being capable of separately collecting the energy spectra of SDD and scintillator detection events on the basis of the different rise times. |
| US08212215B2 |
Refraction assisted illumination for imaging
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods of imaging subsurface features of objects. An illumination source may be directed towards a surface of an object comprising subsurface features at a first angle relative to the normal of the surface. The object may have a portion between the subsurface features and the surface that has an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of a surrounding medium. An imaging device may be placed with an objective lens oriented substantially normal to the surface. The first angle may be larger than an acceptance angle of the objective lens. |
| US08212209B2 |
TOF mass spectrometer for stigmatic imaging and associated method
The present invention is concerned with improving the focusing of ions having a particular mass to charge ratio by optimising the electric field for the focusing of ions having that particular mass to charge ratio. In particular, the stigmatic focusing of ions can be improved by adjusting a voltage applied to an ion-optical lens 50 for ions of different mass to charge ratios as those ions pass through the lens. In one embodiment, a digital to analogue converter 32 and amplifier 34 are AC coupled to a high voltage DC power supply unit 38 by high voltage capacitor 36. The digital to analogue converter 32 generates a low voltage wave form which is amplified by the amplifier 34 and then added to the output of the high voltage supply 38 so that the desired voltage waveform is generated and applied to ion-optical lens 50 as ions pass through the lens. |
| US08212208B2 |
Linear ion trap
A linear ion trap (6, 7, 8)is disclosed comprising a central quadrupole rod set (6)and a post-filter quadrupole rod set (8). A 180° phase difference is maintained between axially adjacent rod electrodes of the central quadrupole rod set (6) and the post-filter quadrupole (8) so that an axial pseudo-potential barrier is created between the central quadrupole rod set (6) and the post-filter quadrupole (8). A supplementary AC voltage is applied to the rods of the central quadrupole (6) in order to radially excite ions which are desired to be ejected from the ion trap. The ions are ejected from the ion trap (6, 7, 8) non-adiabatically in an axial direction. |
| US08212205B2 |
Device and method for verifying valuable documents
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically checking sheet-shaped documents of value.According to the present invention a simply constructed measuring apparatus can be obtained, by the measuring apparatus evaluating measuring values e.g. at least two measuring frequencies and the position of one or a plurality of discrete measuring tracks being determined in such a way that at least the presence of two different not visible spectral properties of a predetermined type of authentic documents of value can be checked. |
| US08212204B2 |
Calibrated flexible radioactive source
A calibrated radioactive source comprises a container and a material labelled by at least one radionuclide. The labelled material is contained in the container and the container is made of a material that is transparent to the radiation emitted by the at least one radionuclide. The source is characterized in that the labelled material is a self-hardening polymer that is chemically inert relative to the material used for the container and in that the container is a flexible sheath. The calibrated source is placed into a hole of a brick of a tissue-equivalent phantom. An assembly is formed by such a calibrated source and a brick of tissue-equivalent phantom. |
| US08212202B2 |
Reflective optical encoder package and method
Disclosed are various embodiments of a reflective optical encoder package having a light emitter and a light detector disposed on an integrated circuit having an optically transparent glass layer disposed thereover. The package can be manufactured without resort to wirebonding techniques and instead can be made using wafer level packaging methods and materials. The package can also be made of lower profile or smaller footprint than many conventional optical encoder packages, and may be employed to sense or detect rotary or linear motion. |
| US08212201B2 |
Photoelectric converter and photoelectric conversion element
A photoelectric converter includes a photoelectric conversion element, which includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed discretely and a photoelectric conversion material layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and in which a current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer changes with the lapse of an application time, where a constant amount of light is applied to the photoelectric conversion material layer while a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a current detection circuit to detect the change in the current. |
| US08212199B2 |
Driving method for photo transistor by supplying an alternate current voltage to a gate electrode and photo sensor and flat panel display using the same
A driving method for a photo transistor includes providing an alternating current (AC) voltage to a gate electrode of the photo transistor. A photo sensor using the driving method and a flat panel display using the photo sensor are also provided. |
| US08212195B2 |
Projectile with inertial measurement unit failure detection
A guided projectile may include a projectile body. An inertial measurement unit may be disposed within the projectile body, the inertial measurement unit including sensors to measure motion parameters relative to first, second, and third mutually orthogonal axes. Each of the first, second, and third mutually orthogonal axes may form an oblique angle with a longitudinal axis of the projectile body. A controller may be configured to control a trajectory of the guided projectile in response, at least in part, to measurement data received from the inertial measurement unit. |
| US08212191B2 |
Heating cable with a heating element positioned in the middle of bus wires
Particular embodiments generally relate to a heating cable that includes a plurality of bus wires positioned on the outside of a heating element. In one embodiment, a spacer is provided. A heating element is included on a surface of the spacer. The heating element also includes one or more resistance wires. A plurality of bus wires are positioned on the edges of the spacer that has the heating element wrapped around it. For example, a first bus wire is positioned on a first side of the spacer and a second bus wire is positioned on a second side of the spacer. A plurality of node areas (e.g., on the bus wires or on an insulated heating element) allow a resistance wire of the heating element to be electrically coupled to the bus wires at the plurality of node areas on alternating bus wires. |
| US08212190B1 |
Decorative handle sheath and associated method
A protective handle sheath including a body adapted to wrap about the existing appliance handle, a heat-activated anti-bacterial agent impregnated within the body, and first and second hook and loop strips attached to oppositely situated first and second longitudinal edges of the body respectively. The first and second hook and loop strips generate heat when engaged with each other such that the heat is transferred through the body and thereby transforms the anti-bacterial agent from an inactive state to an active state. In this manner, the anti-bacterial agent is released out from an interior of the body and thereby adapted to directly contact an outer surface of the existing appliance handle. Conversely, the anti-bacterial agent automatically returns to an inactive state when the first hook and loop strip is separated from the second hook and loop strip. Thus, the inactive anti-bacterial agent is absorbed into the interior of the body. |
| US08212187B2 |
Heater with 360° rotation of heated air stream
A heater with 360° rotation of a heated air stream is provided. The device includes a housing, a motor, an impeller, a heating element, an air stream deflector and a rotational engine. More specifically, the device is directed toward a portable space heater having an outward radial projection of a heated air stream in combination with 360° rotational movement for reducing air temperature stratification and uneven heating problems in a room. |
| US08212183B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing thermal energy generated by medical diagnostic devices
This invention relates to the use of system thermal energy generated by equipment, such as an ultrasound sensing device, to transfer heat to the peripherals/sensors/probes under user control. This is accomplished by recycling the heat generated by the system and used that to keep the peripheral/sensor/probe warm. |
| US08212182B2 |
Contactor assembly for wire feeder
A portable wire feeder for providing welding wire and welding current to a welding operation includes an input electrically connected to a power source. An output is selectively electrically connected to the input to receive welding current delivered to the input from the power source and to provide the welding current and welding wire to the welding operation through a guide hose. A contactor includes a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a conductive bridge member for selectively electrically connecting the input to the output. The first electrical terminal is electrically connected to the input. The second electrical terminal is electrically connected to the output. The conductive bridge member is movable between the first position in which the bridge member electrically connects the first electrical terminal to the second electrical terminal and a second position wherein the bridge member is separated from at least one of the first and second electrical terminals to electrically isolate the terminals from one another. At least one of the first electrical terminals, the second electrical terminal and the bridge member is independently removable from the contactor for servicing or replacement. A motorized wire feeding system includes a motor and a feed roll driven by the motor to direct the welding wire from a wire supply to the output for provision of the welding wire to the welding operation through the guide hose. |
| US08212180B2 |
Method for severing brittle flat materials by laser beam with previously produced traces
The invention relates to a method for severing brittle flat materials, for example made of glass, ceramic, silicon, gallium arsenide or sapphire. The method includes the step of heating the flat material along desired dividing lines below its melting temperature by means of a laser alone desired separating lines. Then the material is shocked by a coolant jet so that a thermally-induced mechanical stress difference brings about a material separation. Traces are formed in the flat material in advance along the separation lines, so that the flat material has a lower breaking stress along the traces than in the unworked flat material, and the separation with the laser takes place along these traces. |
| US08212175B2 |
Method for controlling the quality of laser-welding processes, control system an program product therefor
Described herein is a method for controlling the quality of a laser-welding process, for example of laser welds of semifinished products constituted by elements of sheet metal of different thickness and/or properties (“tailored blanks”), of the type that comprises the steps of: detecting a radiation (E*) produced in the welding area (2, 3) and issuing signals (E*) indicating said radiation; acquiring and processing said signals (E*) indicating said radiation; making a division into blocks of said signals (E*) indicating said radiation; calculating (205) for each block a block-mean value (u) and a value of block standard deviation (o); and in supplying input values comprising block-mean values (u) and values standard deviation (o) for identifying defects and/or porosities and insufficient penetration. |
| US08212174B2 |
Casing and plasma jet system using the same
A casing is used for being rotatably disposed in a plasma jet system. The casing is rotated around a central axis. The casing comprises a main body and a plasma nozzle. The main body has a first cavity. The plasma nozzle is disposed under the main body and has a second cavity and a straight channel. The second cavity is connected to the first cavity. The straight channel is located at a side of the plasma nozzle opposite to the main body and connected to the second cavity. The straight channel has an extension axis which is substantially parallel with the central axis and separated from the central axis by an interval. Plasma generated by the plasma jet system jets out through the straight channel. |
| US08212164B2 |
Outside the door racking and interlock
An assembly that prevents a circuit breaker from being racked into and out of a switchgear compartment unless the compartment door is closed completely. A coupling member protrudes through the door and has an exposed hexagonal-shaped end to receive a socket of a racking tool. When the door is closed, a recess of the coupling member receives a drive shaft that has a drive pin through it. The drive pin slides into a slot formed in the recess of the coupling member such that when the racking tool cranks the coupling member, the coupling member in turn cranks the drive shaft as the drive pin engages the slot in the coupling member. However, when the door is open, the coupling member is separated from the drive pin so rotating the coupling member does not turn the drive shaft. An optional padlock and deadbolt assembly provides added security against unauthorized access to the tool-receiving end of the coupling member. |
| US08212163B2 |
Withdrawable device of vacuum circuit breaker
A withdrawable device of a vacuum circuit breaker for transferring a vacuum circuit breaker received in a cradle, includes: a carriage on which the vacuum circuit breaker is loaded; a first transfer unit fixed to the carriage; a second transfer unit installed at one side of the cradle such that it can be driven, and transferring a transfer force to the first transfer unit; and a transfer limiting unit for selectively limiting driving of the second transfer unit. |
| US08212161B2 |
Keypad assembly for electronic devices
A keypad assembly includes a PCB, a light guiding board disposed on the PCB, a panel disposed on the light guiding board, a plurality of panel portions made of transparent material, set on the panel, a lighting device disposed on the PCB, and a sensing device disposed on the PCB. when an object touches or slides on/above the surface of the panel portion, the intensity of light sensed by the sensing device changes which causes the current of the four sensors to be changed, thus the sensing device generates a signal to complete a corresponding information input. |
| US08212159B2 |
Capacitive touchpad method using MCU GPIO and signal processing
A microcontroller identifies a maximum x-axis charge time and a maximum y-axis charge time, along with x-axis sensor locations and y-axis that correspond to the maximum charge times (maximum charge time sensor locations). Next, the microcontroller identifies sensor locations that are adjacent to the maximum charge time sensor locations and computes adjacent charge time ratios based upon their corresponding charge times. In turn, the microcontroller uses the largest adjacent charge time ratios and the maximum charge time sensor locations to compute and map an x-axis position and a y-axis position of a user's contact location on a two-dimensional grid. |
| US08212157B2 |
Load sensor for vehicle seat with an attached amplifier substrate shielded by an attached metal bracket and the sensor mounting mechanism
A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism made of metal and a seat side mounting mechanism made of metal and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat includes a strain generating body adapted to be fixed via both end portions to a fitting surface formed at one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism while having a predetermined clearance from the fitting surface, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating body, a bracket made of metal and including an attachment portion that extends laterally relative to the strain generating body, and an amplifier substrate mounted on the attachment portion while being arranged in parallel to the strain generating body, both surfaces of the amplifier substrate being covered by one of or more of the bracket, the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, the amplifier substrate amplifying a signal output from the strain gauge. |
| US08212154B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board suppresses characteristic impedance mismatch that occurs when the printed wiring board is equipped with a through-type coaxial connector, and includes ground layers stacked in a plurality of layers via insulating layers; a through-hole; a clearance serving as an anti-pad provided in an area between the through-hole and the ground layers; and signal wiring extending from the through-hole to between prescribed ones of the ground layers through the clearance. The prescribed ones of the ground layers have a wiring-impedance adjustment area for adjusting the impedance of the signal wiring, the wiring-impedance adjustment area being arranged so as to overlap a portion of the signal wiring in the clearance. |
| US08212151B2 |
Wiring substrate and semiconductor package
A wiring substrate includes: an insulating layer; a wiring formed on the insulating layer; and a solder resist layer formed on the insulating layer so as to cover at least a portion of the wiring, the solder resist layer being constituted by a plurality of layers, wherein the plurality of layers contain fillers of different grain diameters, a layer thickness of an innermost layer for constituting the plurality of layers is thicker than a layer thickness of the wiring, and a grain diameter of the filler contained in the innermost layer is smaller than a shortest interval between adjacent lines of the wiring. |
| US08212147B2 |
Finger friendly twist-on wire connector
A finger friendly twist-on wire connector having a spiral coil and an open end rigid shell secured to the spiral coil with the rigid shell having an outer surface with a circumferential band and a closed end supporting a finger cushion material integral to at least a portion of the outer surface of the rigid shell with the finger cushion material including a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated ribs resiliently deformable in response to radially and tangential finger forces thereon as rotational finger forces are transmitted to the rigid shell through the finger cushion material to thereby inhibit finger fatigue and finger injury while allowing the user to maintain a feel of the wire engagement within the wire connector. |
| US08212145B2 |
Circuit unit accommodation box
It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit unit accommodation box having receptacles, with the circuit unit accommodation box being able to reliably accommodate a circuit unit having a first connector and also allowing the worker to attach the circuit unit to the circuit unit accommodation box with a simple operation when the circuit unit is to be accommodated in the circuit unit accommodation box. The circuit unit accommodation box includes a box body and a receptacle. The box body includes at least one circuit unit accommodating recess into which a circuit unit, equipped with a first connector, is inserted. The receptacle is disposed in the circuit unit accommodating recess and provides an electrical connection with the inserted circuit unit. The box body and the circuit unit are equipped with a securing mechanism for holding the circuit unit in the box body when the circuit unit is inserted from a first position to a second position. |
| US08212141B2 |
Organic semiconductor radiation/light sensor and radiation/light detector
There is provided a high-sensitivity organic semiconductor radiation/light sensor and a radiation/light detector which can detect rays in real time. In the high-sensitivity organic semiconductor radiation/light sensor, a signal amplification wire 2 is embedded in an organic semiconductor 1. Carriers created by passage of radiation or light are avalanche-amplified by a high electric field generated near the signal amplification wire 2 by means of applying a high voltage to the signal amplification wire 2, thus dramatically improving detection efficiency of rays. Hence, even rays exhibiting low energy loss capability can be detected in real time with high sensitivity. |
| US08212134B2 |
Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments
Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments having a bottom, a sidewall of a predetermined height extending from the bottom and a cover which is hingedly connected to the sidewall and which can be closed and secured with an appropriate fastener are described herein. The cases include a semi-rigid neck-brace having a height approximately the same as the inner height of the sidewall and being affixed to the bottom. The cases further include at least one retaining band that may be used to releasably secure the instrument neck to the neck-brace. Instrument damage may be prevented in the event of a sideways or backward fall, in at least part, because the neck-brace suspends the headstock between the bottom, sidewall and cover of the case and thereby prevents it from making contact. |
| US08212129B1 |
Inbred corn line NPID3757
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPID3757, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPID3757 with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPID3757 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPID3757 and plants produced by said methods. |
| US08212128B1 |
Maize variety inbred PH13BP
A novel maize variety designated PH13BP and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH13BP with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH13BP through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH13BP or a locus conversion of PH13BP with another maize variety. |
| US08212123B1 |
Soybean variety XB38V10
A novel soybean variety, designated XB38V10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB38V10, cells from soybean variety XB38V10, plants of soybean XB38V10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB38V10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB38V10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB38V10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB38V10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB38V10 are further provided. |
| US08212121B2 |
Soybean variety A1016115
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016115. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016115. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016115 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016115 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08212119B1 |
Soybean cultivar 04RM149036
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 04RM149036 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 04RM149036 and its progeny, and methods of making 04RM149036. |
| US08212109B2 |
Method for the production of transgenic plants
Mesocotyl meristem explants that contain multiple primary meristems are transformed via particle bombardment or Agrobacterium-mediated methods. Regeneration is through an organogenesis pathway that allows for secondary multiple bud formation. This method allows for the genotype independent transformation of varieties of wheat. |
| US08212107B1 |
Soybean cultivar 09133222
A soybean cultivar designated 09133222 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 09133222, to the plants of soybean cultivar 09133222, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 09133222, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 09133222. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 09133222. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 09133222, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 09133222 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08212100B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for protecting and treating a traumatic wound
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for protection, depressurization, and treatment of a traumatic wound. The disclosed apparatus comprises a flexible patch with an elevated portion configured to accommodate multiple connectors at least one of which is configured to interface with a two-way valve. |
| US08212098B2 |
HF alkylation process with internal acid regeneration
An improved process for removing polymeric by-product (ASO) from the HF alkylation acid in an HF alkylation unit used for the production of gasoline boiling range alkylate product by olefin/iso-paraffin alkylation, comprises fractionating a portion of the circulating HF alkylation acid inventory of the unit with a portion of hot alkylate product in a fractionation zone to from an overhead product comprising HF alkylation acid and water and a bottoms fraction comprising the polymeric by-product and alkylate. The bottoms fraction is sent to the isoparaffin stripper of the unit to remove trace HF alkylation acid as overhead and form a product stream of hot alkylate as a bottoms fraction. |
| US08212095B2 |
Method for production of styrene from toluene and syngas
A method for the production of styrene comprising reacting toluene and syngas in one or more reactors is disclosed. |
| US08212088B2 |
Efficient and selective chemical recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products
An efficient and environmentally beneficial method of recycling and producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning powerplants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by chemical or electrochemical reduction seconardy treatment to produce essentially methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products. |
| US08212086B2 |
Method of making alkylene glycols
Methods and systems for preparing alkylene glycols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of alkylene oxides with water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time. |
| US08212085B2 |
Method for purifying optically active 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethanol
There is disclosed a purification method of an optically active 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethanol represented by the formula [1], which includes recrystallizing the optically active 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethanol from an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent where * denotes an asymmetric carbon. This method makes it possible to improve the optical purity of the ethanol significantly. |
| US08212084B2 |
Method for the production of 4,4′-[1-trifluoromethyl)alkylidene]-bis-(2,6-diphenylphenols)
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4,4′-[1-(trifluoromethyl)alkylidene]bis(2,6-diphenylphenols), in particular for preparing 4,4′-[1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]bis(2,6-diphenylphenol), which comprises the self-condensation of cyclohexanone in the presence of a basic catalyst to form tricyclic condensation products, dehydrogenation of the resulting tricyclic condensation products in the presence of a supported transition metal catalyst in the condensed phase to form 2,6-diphenylphenol and reaction of the 2,6-diphenylphenol with a trifluoromethyl ketone. The invention further provides an improved process for preparing 2,6-diphenylphenol by aldol self-condensation of cyclohexanone. |
| US08212080B2 |
Production method of xylylenediamine
A method of producing xylylenediamine by the hydrogenation of dicyanobenzene obtained by the ammoxidation of xylene in a high yield while prolonging the catalyst life. In the method, a molten dicyanobenzene from which compounds having a boiling point lower than that of dicyanobenzene have been removed but compounds having a boiling point higher than that of dicyanobenzene are not removed is dissolved in a solvent containing liquid ammonia. By this dissolution, at least part of dicyanobenzene polymers precipitates as insolubles. The precipitates are removed by a solid-liquid separation. By subjecting the resulting solution containing the dicyanobenzene polymers in a reduced amount to hydrogenation, xylylenediamine is produced in a high yield and the life time of hydrogenation catalyst is prolonged. |
| US08212078B2 |
Diimines and secondary diamines
This invention provides aromatic diimines where the diimines have imino groups with at least two carbon atoms, and either are in the form of one benzene ring having two imino groups on the ring, which imino groups are meta or para relative to each other, and in which each position ortho to an imino group bears a hydrocarbyl group, or are in the form of two benzene rings connected by an alkylene bridge and having one imino group on each ring, and in which each position ortho to an imino group bears a hydrocarbyl group. This invention also provides aromatic secondary diamines where the diamines have amino hydrocarbyl groups with at least two carbon atoms, and either are in the form of one benzene ring having two amino groups on the ring, which amino groups are meta or para relative to each other, and in which each position ortho to an amino group bears a hydrocarbyl group, or are in the form of two benzene rings connected by an alkylene bridge and having one amino group on each ring, and in which each position ortho to an amino group bears a hydrocarbyl group. Also provided are processes for forming diimines and secondary diamines from primary diamines, including the aromatic diimines and aromatic secondary diamines of the invention. |
| US08212077B2 |
Process for the synthesis of agomelatine
Process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I) |
| US08212076B2 |
Prevention of cellular senescence in mammals by natural peptide complexes
Preventing skin aging by targeting multiple causes by a single bullet is of primal scientific and consumer interest. A treatment based on compositions of compound (I) for cellular senescence to control cellular degradation offers such a solution to multiple skin ailments including skin degradation from cancer, diabetes, radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and sun-burn; mitochondrial dysfunction, age spots, acne, loss of cellular antioxidants, collagen loss, loss of skin pliability, loss of skin suppleness, skin wrinkles including fine lines, oxidation, damage from radiation, damage from free radicals, damage from UV, dry skin, xerosis, ichthyosis, dandruff, brownish spots, keratoses, melasma, lentigines, liver spots, pigmented spots, dark circles under the eyes, skin pigmentation including darkened skin, blemishes, oily skin, warts, eczema, pruritic skin, psoriasis, inflammatory dermatoses, topical inflammation, disturbed keratinization, skin changes associated with aging, scalp dryness, skin depigmentation, intracellular dehydration, and combinations thereof; |
| US08212075B2 |
Process for preparing 2-amino-5-cyanobenzoic acid derivatives
Disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 comprising contacting a compound of Formula 2 with at least one alkali metal cyanide of Formula 3 and a compound of Formula 4. wherein R1 is NHR3 or OR4; R2 is CH3 or Cl; R3 is H, C1-C4 alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylcyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl or methylcyclopropyl; R4 is H or C1-C4 alkyl; X is Br, Cl or I; and R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are as defined in the disclosure.Also disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 4 wherein R9 and R10 together are a cycloalkadiene bidentate ligand, comprising contacting a compound of Formula 5 wherein Y is Cl, Br or I, with a cycloalkadiene bidentate ligand, at least one metal reducing agent and a nitrile solvent.Also disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 comprising preparing a compound of Formula 4 by contacting a compound of Formula 5 with a cycloalkadiene bidentate ligand and at least one metal reducing agent, and then contacting the reaction mixture comprising the compound of Formula 4 with a compound of Formula 2 and at least one alkali metal cyanide of Formula 3; and further disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 6 wherein R15, R16, R17 and Z are as defined in the disclosure using a compound of Formula 1, characterized by preparing the compound of Formula 1 by a method disclosed above. |
| US08212070B2 |
Method for preparing acrylic acid from glycerol
The invention relates to a method for preparing acrylic acid from an aqueous glycerol solution, comprising a first step of dehydration of the glycerol to acrolein, carried out in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst and under a pressure of between 1 and 5 bar, and a second step of oxidation of the acrolein to acrylic acid, in which an intermediate step is implemented, consisting in at least partly condensing the water and heavy by-products present in the stream issuing from the first dehydration step. This method serves to obtain high acrylic acid productivity and selectivity. |
| US08212069B2 |
Process for preparing isocyanates
Process for preparing isocyanates by phosgenation of amines, wherein phosgene and amine are brought into contact in at least 2 mixing chambers connected in parallel. |
| US08212068B2 |
Ester derivative and use thereof
A compound represented by the following formula (I′) wherein X1 is a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group or a vinylene group, X2 is a divalent group represented by the following formula A or B, Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=0 to 8, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that when X1 is a methylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A, and when X1 is a vinylene group, then X2 is not a divalent group represented by the formula A. The compound is a stable capsinoid derivative, and is useful as an active ingredient of an external blood circulation enhancer or a cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition, or a food composition. |
| US08212067B2 |
Method for recovering (meth)acrylonitrile
An increase in the differential pressure in the distillation tower for the recovery of (meth)acrylonitrile is suppressed, and a stable and efficient operation is performed over a long time. A method for recovering (meth)acrylonitrile from a mixture containing (meth)acrylonitrile, acetonitrile and unsaturated compounds, in which the mixture is introduced into a distillation tower, distillation is performed under the conditions that the overhead liquid of the distillation tower contains (meth)acrylonitrile, acetonitrile is drawn out from the bottom and/or a side stream of the distillation tower, and a liquid containing the unsaturated compounds is drawn out from a site higher in position than the position of drawing acetonitrile. |
| US08212066B2 |
Process for producing diaryl carbonates
The present invention relates to a process for producing diaryl carbonates, which is to synthesize diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of phenols with carbon monoxide and oxygen, and in particular, to synthesize diphenyl carbonate from phenol. The present invention is characterized in that a catalytic system comprising a metal halide catalyst and one or more cocatalysts of nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds is used to increase the convertibility, selectivity and yield of this catalytic reaction. |
| US08212063B2 |
Xanthophyll composition containing trans, meso-zeaxanthin, trans, R, R-zeaxanthin and trans, R, R-lutein useful for nutrition and health care and a process for its preparation
The present invention relates to a xanthophyll composition containing (trans, meso)-zeaxanthin), (trans, R,R)-zeaxanthin and (trans, R,R)-lutein useful for nutrition and health care and a process for its preparation. More particularly, the invention relates to a xanthophylls composition containing at least 80% by weight of total xanthophylls, out of which the (trans,3R,3′S, meso)-zeaxanthin content is at least 80%, the remaining being (trans, R,R)-zeaxanthin, (trans, R,R)-lutein and trace amounts of other carotenoids. This invention further provides a xanthophyll composition containing at least 80% by weight of total xanthophylls, out of which at least 50% being (trans, R,R)-zeaxanthin, the remaining being (trans,3R,3′S, meso)-zeaxanthin, (trans, R,R)-lutein and trace amounts of other carotenoids. |
| US08212061B1 |
Preparation of organic acid salts of cationic surfactants
The invention pertains to a highly efficient process for preparing a very pure food-grade organic acid salt of a cationic surfactant derived from the condensation of a fatty acid with an esterified dibasic amino acid. The process involves the following steps: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising a mineral acid salt of the cationic surfactant and an alkali and/or alkaline earth metal salt of the food-grade organic acid; (b) allowing the reaction between the mineral acid salt of the cationic surfactant and the alkali and/or alkaline earth metal salt of the food-grade organic acid salt to proceed until substantially all of the mineral acid salt of the cationic surfactant has been converted to the food-grade organic acid salt of the cationic surfactant; and (c) recovering the food-grade organic acid salt of the cationic surfactant from the reaction mixture. |
| US08212059B2 |
Process for producing vitamin D derivative using photoreaction
There are provided a novel process for producing [{(5Z,7E)-(1S,3R,20S)-1,3-dihydroxy-9,10-secopregna-5,7,10(19),16-tetraen-20-yl}oxy]-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)acetamide, which process is characterized by irradiating a compound represented by the formula: with UV to ring-open the compound, and then isomerizing the resulting compound; an intermediate useful for carrying out the process; and a process for producing the intermediate. |
| US08212058B2 |
Fluorescent photoprobe for the imaging of endothelin receptors
The present invention relates to a endothelin receptor antagonist conjugate of the formula (I) wherein R2 is an alkoxy group and one of R1 and R3 represents an alkoxy group and the other represents a group of the formula: (OCH2CH2)n—NH—X, wherein n is an integer of 1 to 100 and X represents a fluorescent dye and tautomers thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a diagnostic composition comprising the compounds of the invention. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds of the invention for the preparation of a diagnostic composition for the diagnosis of cancer, the evaluation of cancer biology and/or monitoring of anticancer therapy. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to kits comprising the compounds of the invention. |
| US08212057B2 |
Pyrroles having hypolipidemic hypocholesteremic activities, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine
The present invention relates to novel substituted pyrrole compounds, their derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing them. This invention particularly relates to novel substituted pyrrole compounds of the general formula (I), their analogs, their derivatives, their polymorphs, their tautomeric forms, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and their pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The invention also relates to the process for preparing such compounds, a composition containing such a compound and the use of such a compound and composition in medicine. The compounds lower triglyceride levels in blood and may be useful in the treatment of obesity, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesteremia, syndrome X and diabetes. |
| US08212054B2 |
Crystalline complexes of pendimethalin and metazachlor
The present invention relates to crystalline complexes of pendimethalin and metazachlor. It also relates to agriculturally useful compositions of the complexes. |
| US08212049B2 |
Electronically tuned ligands for asymmetric hydrogenation
Disclosed is a new class of chiral bidentate ligands capable of performing asymmetric hydrogenation. Also disclosed are processes of performing asymmetric hydrogenation the chiral bidentate ligands. |
| US08212040B2 |
Glucocorticoid mimetics, methods of making them, pharmaceutical compositions, and thereof
Compounds of Formula (IA) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein for Formula (IA), or a tautomer, prodrug, solvate, or salt thereof; pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods of modulating the glucocorticoid receptor function and methods of treating disease-states or conditions mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor function or characterized by inflammatory, allergic, or proliferative processes in a patient using these compounds. |
| US08212037B2 |
Process for production of optically active quinuclidinols
A novel ruthenium complex which is a highly efficient catalyst useful for the production of optically active 3-quinuclidinols, and a process for production of optically active 3-quinuclidinols using the ruthenium complex as a catalyst, where the optically active 3-quinuclidinols are useful as an optically active, physiologically active compound utilized in medicines and agrichemicals or as a synthetic intermediate such as a liquid crystal material. |
| US08212036B2 |
Maleate salts of 6-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-5-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)carbonyloxy]-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine
Maleate salts of (6-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-5-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)carbonyloxy]-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine) are provided. |
| US08212035B2 |
Process for preparation of rosuvastatin calcium field of the invention
The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing (E)-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]pyrimidin-5-yl](3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid calcium of Formula (I). |
| US08212033B2 |
Use of substituted quinazoline compounds in treating angiogenesis-related diseases
Quinazoline derivatives of the following formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, X, and Z are defined herein. It also discloses a method of treating an angiogenesis-related disorder with one of these compounds. |
| US08212031B2 |
Pyrrolotriazine kinase inhibitors
The invention provides compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The formula I compounds inhibit protein kinase activity thereby making them useful as anticancer agents. |
| US08212029B2 |
Method for the production of high-purity 4a, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12,-hexahydro-6H-benzofuro [3a, 3, 2-ef] [2] benzazepine, and the derivatives thereof
A process for the production of extremely pure galanthamine and galanthamine derivatives is provided. Racemic bromine narwedine is debrominated under palladium catalysis. The reaction mixture is then worked-up in the presence of oxygen or peroxides so that the palladium catalyst is converted into an insoluble form that can be easily separated. Further reaction is carried out by reduction of enantiomerically pure narwedine to form enantiomerically pure galanthamine, which is then alkylated or dealkylated, so that a corresponding substitution on the ring-nitrogen atom is achieved. By further purification, such as recrystallization, residual portions of palladium of below 5 ppm are achieved. The pure galanthamine can then be directly used as a pharmaceutical raw material. |
| US08212024B2 |
Crystalline sodium salt of cephalosporin antibiotic
The present invention relates to novel polymorph of Ceftiofur sodium as a crystalline product. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of crystalline Ceftiofur sodium of formula (I). |
| US08212022B2 |
Effect of carbohydrate concentration on sucralose extraction efficiency
A process for the purification of aqueous feed streams containing sucralose and/or sucralose 6-esters includes, providing an aqueous feed stream including the sucralose and/or sucralose 6-esters, concentrating the aqueous feed stream to form a concentrated aqueous feed stream containing at least 10 wt % total carbohydrates and extracting the concentrated aqueous feed stream with an organic solvent and producing an organic extract and an aqueous extract, in which the organic solvent is immiscible with water, and in which the carbohydrate preferentially passes into the organic extract. |
| US08212017B2 |
Nucleic acids and corresponding proteins entitled 158P3D2 useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene 158P3D2 and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 158P3D2 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 158P3D2 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 158P3D2 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 158P3D2 can be used in active or passive immunization. |
| US08212016B2 |
NPC1L1 orthologues
The present invention provides, in part, NPC1L1 from various species. Methods of using the NPC1L1 polypeptides and polynucleotide set forth herein, e.g., in screening assays, are also set forth. |
| US08212013B2 |
Process for producing 1,2-trans-glycoside compound
In preparing a glycoside compound from (a) a furanose compound or pyranose compound, and (b) an alcohol compound, a process for preparing a glycoside compound in which glycosidic bond locates selectively trans form relative to C-2 hydroxyl group, the process comprising using a furanose compound wherein the hydroxyl at the 2-position may have a substituent protected with a group A, or a pyranose compound which may have a substituent wherein R2 and R3 are the same or different and are each alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or aryl having or not having a substituent, or R2 and R3 are combined to form alkylene having 2 to 4 carbon atoms (the alkylene may be substituted with alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or may have intervening phenylene), and m and n are each an integer of 0 or 1. |
| US08212010B2 |
Sphingosine 1-phosphate antagonism
Materials and Method for treating cancer and screening for anti-neoplastic agents are provided. These materials and methods can include sphingosine 1-phosphate antagonists that bind to sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor subtype 3. Antibodies and aptamers that selectively bind to an epitope in the extracellular loop between transmembrane domains two and three of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor subtype 3 are provided. |
| US08212009B2 |
Methods and compounds for lymphoma cell detection and isolation
Compositions comprising a purified and/or isolated antibody, humanized antibodies, precipitates and anti-sera that specifically bind to or are otherwise directed against ROR1 protein. The compositions may be used for detecting ROR1 in a sample from a subject that is suspected or known to contain cancer cells. The ROR1 antibodies are especially useful in identifying and treating lymphomas and ademocarcinomas. Vaccines and related methods for protecting a subject against diseases that involve expression of ROR1 are also provided, as are human anti-sera effective in abrogating interactions between Wnt5a protein and ROR1 that contribute to the survival of certain cancer cells, such as CLL cells. |
| US08212008B2 |
Antibodies to CD200R
The present invention relates to binding compounds specific for the human inhibitory CD200R and uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to antibodies that recognize the human inhibitory CD200R and modulates its activity in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. |
| US08212004B2 |
Neutrokine-alpha fusion proteins
The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to antibodies or portions thereof that specifically bind Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV and diagnostic and therapeutic methods using these antibodies. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders using the compositions of the invention. |
| US08211997B2 |
Process for producing polyarylene sulfide
In a process for producing polyarylene sulfide, comprising: reacting an alkali sulfide source and an aromatic dihalide compound in a polar organic solvent to obtain a polymerizate slurry containing polyarylene sulfide particles, by-produced alkali metal salt fine particles and the polar organic solvent, and recovering the polyarylene sulfide particles washed from the polymerizate slurry; the polymerizate slurry is separated by sieving into the polyarylene sulfide particles and a slurry containing the alkali metal salt fine particles, and the separated polyarylene sulfide particles are subjected to a washing step wherein the polyarylene sulfides are introduced into a countercurrent washing apparatus enclosing a movable part and subjected therein to continuous countercurrent contact with a washing liquid. As a result, polyarylene sulfide particles of good quality are produced at a good yield, while pursuing process rationalization. |
| US08211986B2 |
Method for producing polylactic acid block copolymer
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a polylactic acid block copolymer having high molecular weight, and in lower cost, wherein only a stereo-complex crystal is capable of growing, even when heat melting process is repeated. The present invention relates to a method for producing a polylactic acid block copolymer characterized in that (i) ring-opening polymerization of D-lactide (D component) is carried out in the presence of poly-L-lactic acid (L component), or (ii) ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide (L component) is carried out in the presence of poly-D-lactic acid (D component), and mass ratio of the D component and the L component is the D component/the L component=60/40 to 91/9, or the L component/the D component=60/40 to 91/9. |
| US08211980B2 |
Polymeric materials having reduced tack, methods of making the materials and chewing gum compositions containing such materials
A polymeric material having low tack which has a straight or branched chain carbon-carbon polymer backbone and a multiplicity of side chains attached to the backbone wherein the side chains, which are attached directly to carbon atoms of the polymer backbone, have the formula wherein R1 is H, —C(O)OR4 or —C(O)Q and R2 is —C(O)OR4 or —C(O)Q provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is the group —C(O)Q; R3 is H or —CH3; R4 is H or an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Q is a group having the formula —O—(YO)b—(ZO)c—R5′ wherein each of Y and Z is, independently, an alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms and R5 is H or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a is 3 or 4 and each of b and c is, independently, 0 or an integer of from 1 to 125 provided that the sum b+c has a value in the range of from 10 to 250, preferably from 10 to 120. The polymeric material may be used to replace at least part of a water-insoluble gum base in a chewing gum composition to give a composition exhibiting reduced adhesion to surfaces. |
| US08211978B2 |
Moldability modifier and polypropylene resin composition using the same
A moldability modifier capable of improving molding processability, and a polypropylene resin composition using the same suitable for automobile exterior parts are provided. The invention relates to a moldability modifier comprising propylene block copolymer (A) containing from 80 to 98 wt % of a propylene homopolymer portion (A1) and from 2 to 20 wt % of a propylene/ethylene random copolymer portion (A2), wherein the MFR of (A1) is 300 g/10 min or more, the ethylene content of (A2) is from 10 to 70 wt %, the [η] of (A2) is 6.5 dl/g or more, and the MFR as a whole is 40 g/10 min or more; and propylene block copolymer (B) containing from 20 to 79 wt % of a propylene polymer portion (B1) and from 21 to 80 wt % of a propylene/ethylene random copolymer portion (B2), wherein the MFR of (B1) is 20 g/10 min or more, the ethylene content of (B2) is from 20 to 70 wt %, the [η] of (B2) is from 2.5 to 9.0 dl/g, and the MFR as a whole is from 0.1 to 50 g/10 min; and a polypropylene resin composition using the same. |
| US08211974B2 |
Curable fiberglass binder comprising a polyacetal or polyketal
A curable formaldehyde-free binding composition for use with fiberglass is provided. Such curable composition comprises an acid-catalyzed reaction product of an aldehyde or ketone with a multihydric alcohol. When heated, the composition forms polyacetal or polyketal that undergoes curing to form a water-insoluble resin binder which exhibits good adhesion to glass. In a preferred embodiment, maleic anhydride initially serves as a catalyst and subsequently enters into a cross-linking reaction during curing to form a poly(ester-acetal). Also, in a preferred embodiment, the fiberglass is in the form of building insulation. In other embodiments the product can be a microglass-based substrate for use in a printed circuit board, battery separator, filter stock, or reinforcement scrim. |
| US08211972B2 |
Emulsifier systems for cosmetic and pharmaceutical oil-in-water emulsions
The invention relates to emulsifier systems for cosmetic and pharmaceutical oil-in-water emulsions comprising high molecular weight organomodified polysiloxanes with a dispersion index greater than 1.6. |
| US08211970B2 |
Aqueous pigment dispersions
The invention relates to aqueous pigment dispersions comprising at least one dispersed pigment, an aqueous carrier and a copolymer prepared by polymerization of at least one macromonomer (1) having a terminal olefinic unsaturation with a mixture of olefinically unsaturated monomers (2), wherein the macromonomer (1) comprises 1a) 5-100% by weight of at least one polymerized acid functional unsaturated monomer, 1b) optionally at least one polymerized hydroxy functional unsaturated monomer, and optionally 1c) at least one further polymerized olefinically unsaturated monomer, and wherein the mixture of olefinically unsaturated monomers (2) comprises 2a) 5-80% by weight of at least one unsaturated vinyl aromatic monomer, 2b) 5-50% by weight of at least one vinyl monomer with at least one polar heterocyclic group with a 5 or 6 membered ring containing at least one ring nitrogen atom which is not connected to a hydrogen atom, and optionally 2c) other olefinically unsaturated monomers. |
| US08211968B2 |
Plasticized polyolefin compositions
The present invention relates to plasticized polyolefin compositions comprising a polyolefin and a non-functionalized hydrocarbon plasticizer. |
| US08211967B2 |
Composite repair resins containing minimal hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compound
The present invention relates to a composition and method for fabricating composite resins that produce either reduced or zero volatile organic compound (VOC) and zero hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. The non-volatile reactive diluents of the composite resin, fatty acid monomers, enhance the stability, shelf-life, flexibility and strength of the composite resin. The resins incorporating fatty acid monomers may be used to repair military equipment or for any commercial repair purposes. |
| US08211965B2 |
Coating compositions
Silicon nitride coated crucibles for holding melted semiconductor material and for use in preparing multicrystalline silicon ingots by a directional solidification process; methods for coating crucibles; methods for preparing silicon ingots and wafers; compositions for coating crucibles and silicon ingots and wafers with a low oxygen content. |
| US08211962B2 |
Filled polyamide molding materials
Filled polyamide molding compounds which, in addition to a selected polymer mixture comprising polyamides and a flameproofing agent, contain glass fibers with non-circular cross-sections, the use of such molding compounds for the production of molded articles, and the molded articles themselves. |
| US08211956B2 |
Universal dental adhesion-promoter composition
The invention relates to an adhesion-promoter composition for the adhesive joining of metallic or ceramic dental materials to radically curing dental materials, wherein the adhesion-promoter composition contains an alkoxysilane monomer (i), a phosphoric acid ester monomer (ii), a sulphur-containing monomer (iii) and an organic solvent (iv). |
| US08211955B2 |
Actinically-crosslinkable silicone-containing block copolymers
The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing poly(oxyalkylene) blocks, polysiloxane blocks, and actinically-crosslinkable groups which are acryl groups, thiol groups, ene-containing groups or combinations thereof. A preopolymer of the invention is prepared in a one-pot procedure according to the Michael addition of thiol to electron deficient alkenes, such as α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, without need for additional reaction step(s) to introduce actinically crosslinkable groups. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and to methods for making the silicone hydrogel contact lenses. |
| US08211954B2 |
Radiation-hardenable compounds
Radiation-curable compounds, processes for the preparation thereof, the use thereof and coating materials comprising them and having high scratch resistance, which compounds are polyurethanes comprising allophanate groups and obtained by reaction of di- or polyisocyanates and at least two different compounds, each having at least one group reactive toward isocyanate and at least one unsaturated group capable of free radical polymerization. |
| US08211952B2 |
Curable sealing method and foamed composition
A foamed composition adapted to seal to a substrate is provided. The foamed composition includes a radiation curable rubber, a photoinitiator, a blowing agent, a styrene-ethylene/butylene block copolymer, a light mineral oil, rheology modifier, a tackifier, and one of a radiation curable monomer and radiation curable oligomer, and wherein the composition is foamed upon application to the substrate. |
| US08211948B2 |
Lyophilized nanoemulsion
The present invention relates to a lyophilized nanoemulsion comprising a lipophilic phase and one or more sucrose fatty acid esters, to the nanoemulsion which can be prepared from the lyophilized nanoemulsion by redispersion, and to a process for the preparation of the lyophilized nanoemulsion. |
| US08211942B2 |
Compositions and methods for dry eye syndrome
Compositions and methods to inhibit dry eye as well as other conditions are provided. |
| US08211938B2 |
Direct application of non-toxic crosslinking reagents to resist progressive spinal degeneration and deformity
A method of treatment of native, non-denatured tissue to increase resistance to tearing, fissuring, rupturing, and/or delamination, comprising the step of: contacting at least a portion of the tissue with an effective amount of a reagent that increases crosslinks in the tissue. |
| US08211937B2 |
7-pyrollyl 9-aminoacyl tetracycline compounds and methods of use thereof
A compound of formula (I): wherein: A represents an aromatic 5 membered heterocycle, optionally containing, in addition to the nitrogen atom indicated in formula (I), one to three additional nitrogen atoms. |
| US08211928B2 |
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors
This disclosure concerns novel compounds of Formula (I) as defined in the specification and compositions comprising such novel compounds. These compounds are useful antiviral agents, especially in inhibiting the function of the NS5A protein encoded by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Thus, the disclosure also concerns a method of treating HCV related diseases or conditions by use of these novel compounds or a composition comprising such novel compounds. |
| US08211927B2 |
5-phenyl-isoxazole-3-carboxamide derivatives as TRPV1 modulators
The present invention relates to isoxazole-3-carboxamide derivative having the general Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, as well as to the use of said isoxazole-3-carboxamide derivatives for the treatment of TRPV1 mediated disorders, such as acute and chronic pain disorders, acute and chronic neuropathic pain, acute and chronic inflammatory pain, respiratory diseases, and lower urinary tract disorders. |
| US08211924B2 |
1-(azolin-2-yl)amino-1,2-diphenylethane compounds for combating animal pests
The present invention relates to 1-(azolin-2-yl)amino-1,2-diphenylethane compounds of the formula I and to their salts which are useful for combating animal pests. The invention also relates to a method for controlling animal pests by using these compounds, to seed and to an agricultural and veterinary composition comprising said compounds. wherein A is a radical of formulae A.1 or A.2 wherein # denotes the bond to the remaining compound of formula I, X is selected from O, S and NRX, R1 is selected from the group consisting of —ORA, —NRB1RB2, —C(═O)—RC, —C(═O)—ORD, —C(═O)—SRE, —C(═O)—NRB1RB2′, —C(═S)—RC′, —C(═S)—ORD′, —C(═S)—SRE′, —C(═S)—NRB1RB2, —C(═NR1a)—RC′, —C(═NR1b)—ORD′, —C(═NR1c)—SRE′, —C(═NR1d)—NRB1RB2, —S(═O)—RF, —S(═O)2—RG, —S(═O)2—NRB1RB2′, —P(═O)RH1RH2, —P(═S)RH1RH2, —B—C(═O)—RI, —B—O—C(═O)—RI, —B—S—C(═O)—RI, —B—N(RJ)—C(═O)—RK, —B—C(═S)—RK, —B—O—C(═S)—RK, —B—S—C(═S)—RK, —B—N(RJ)—C(═S)—RK, C1-C8-alkenyl, C1-C8-alkynyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 to 4 substituents R1e, naphthyl, which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 to 4 substituents R1f, a saturated or partially unsaturated heterocycle, which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 to 4 substituents R1g, hetaryl, which is unsubstituted or may carry 1 to 4 substituents R1h, and C1-C6-alkyl, which carries a radical selected from the group consisting of —NR1iR1j, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy and heterocyclylthio, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, OH, SH, NH2, SO3H, COOH, cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-alkylamino etc. |
| US08211922B2 |
1-methylnicotinamide derivatives and formulations for treatment of lipoprotein abnormalities
The present invention is directed to nicotinamide derivatives, and their use in treating lipoprotein abnormalities, alone or in combination with a statin. |
| US08211921B2 |
Heterocyclic inhibitors of MEK and methods of use
Disclosed are compounds of the Formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein R1, R2, R7, R8, R9, W, and X are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer and inflammation, in mammals, and inflammatory conditions. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. |
| US08211916B2 |
N- and O-substituted 4-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)-ethyl]-1-[(phenyl)methyl]piperidine analogs and methods of treating CNS disorders therewith
N- and O-substituted 4[2-diaromaticmethoxy and methylamino)alkyl] piperidines exhibit high CNS activity with respect to the dopamine transporter (DAT) and serotonin transporter (SERT). Preferred compounds exhibit highly differential behavior as between the DAT and SERT and between the DAT and the norepinephrine transporter (NET). The compounds have utility in treating CNS disorders, including but not limited to cocaine addiction, depression, and Parkinson's disease. |
| US08211915B2 |
Biphenyl compounds useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists
This invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, d, m, n, p, s, t, Ar1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, R8, and W are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders. |
| US08211911B2 |
Compounds as kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient, methods for the treatment of disease states associated with angiogenesis, such as cancers associated with protein tyrosine kinases, to their use as medicaments for use in the production of inhibition of tyrosine kinases reducing effects in warm-blooded animals such as humans. |
| US08211905B1 |
Opioid salts and formulations exhibiting anti-abuse and anti-dose dumping properties
A drug substance with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid addition salt of an opioid wherein said organic acid is selected from Structure A: wherein R1-R4 are independently selected from H, alkyl or substituted alkyl of 1-6 carbons, adjacent groups may be taken together to form a cyclic alkyl, cyclic alkyl-aryl, or cyclic aryl moiety; R5 is selected from H, or an alkali earth cation; R6 and R7 are independently selected from H, alkyl of 1-6 carbons, an alkali earth cation, and aryl of 6 to 12 carbons, in a number sufficient to complete the valence bonding of X, and wherein X is selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; and wherein the drug substance has a morphology selected from amorphous and crystalline. |
| US08211904B2 |
Spiropiperidine beta-secretase inhibitors for the treatment of alzheimer's disease
The present invention is directed to spiropiperidine compounds of formula (I) and tautomers thereof, which are inhibitors of the beta-secretase enzyme and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of such diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved. |
| US08211903B2 |
Substituted pyrimido isoquinoline derivatives
Pyrimido isoquinoline derivatives represented by formula (I): wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R7, R8, R9, R10, and are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the compounds of formula (I) and their use in therapeutics. |
| US08211899B2 |
Artificial nucleic acid bases and their use in base pairing natural nucleic acid bases
The present invention provides artificial universal base capable of base pairing nonspecifically with any of four kinds of natural nucleic acid bases (A, T, G, and C) without the function to specifically recognize pairing natural nucleic acid bases for base pair formation.Universal base capable of base paring nonspecifically with four kinds of natural nucleic acid bases, wherein the universal base has a structure represented by the following chemical formula: wherein R represents a monovalent group other than a hydrogen atom. |
| US08211895B2 |
Capped pyrazinoylguanidine sodium channel blockers
The present application relates to pyrazinoyl guanidine sodium channel blockers having the structure: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where the structural variables are as defined herein. The present invention also relates pharmaceutical compositions comprising the sodium channel blockers and their use in methods of treatment, including the treatment of cardiovascular disease, cystic fibrosis, and chronic bronchitis and in the rehydration of mucosal surfaces and promotion of mucus clearance in a patient. |
| US08211894B2 |
Heteroarylalkyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane compounds as mu opioid receptor antagonists
The invention provides heteroarylene substituted 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, A, and m are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, that are antagonists at the mu opioid receptor. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat conditions associated with mu opioid receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds. |
| US08211889B2 |
Prodrugs of 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses
The present disclosure provides prodrugs of biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, compositions comprising the prodrugs, intermediates and methods for synthesizing the prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs in a variety of applications. |
| US08211886B2 |
Thiadiazinone derivatives
Compounds of the formula (I), which are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular of Met kinase, and can be employed for the treatment of tumours. |
| US08211885B2 |
Cyclic indole-3-carboxamides, their preparation and their use as pharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to cyclic indole-3-carboxamides of the formula I, wherein A, R, R10, R20, R30, R40, n, p and q have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds. Specifically, they inhibit the enzyme renin and modulate the activity of the renin-angiotensin system, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. |
| US08211883B2 |
Topical delivery of phthalocyanines
The invention relates to topical pharmaceutical compositions comprising a phthalocyanine, wherein a diamagnetic metal ion moiety is either coordinated or covalently bound to the phthalocyanine core. The invention also relates to methods for destroying cancer tissue, precancerous cells, photo-aged cells, damaged cells, or otherwise pathologic cells, or activated cells, such as lymphocytes or other cells of the immune system, or activated or inflamed tissue cells comprising topically administering to the cancer tissue or surrounding tissue an effective amount of a phthalocyanine composition. |
| US08211882B2 |
Glutamate receptor modulators and therapeutic agents
The present invention discloses methods of modulating the activity of Group I mGluRs using a defined class of benzamide compounds. In one embodiment, methods of modulating the activity of mGluR1 are provided. In another embodiment, methods of modulating the activity of mGluR5 are provided. In still another embodiment, methods of simultaneously modulating the activities of both mGluR1 and mGluR5 are provided. The present invention also provides methods of treating diseases or disorders which are mediated in full or in part by Group I mGluRs using one or more compounds belonging to the defined class of benzamide compounds. The present invention further provides methods of preventing diseases or disorders which are mediated in full or in part by Group I mGluRs using one or more compounds belonging to the defined class of compounds. Diseases and disorders contemplated include, inter alia, diseases and disorders of the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, the gastrointestinal system, the circulatory system, skin, retina, brain, heart, and lungs. |
| US08211880B2 |
Low viscosity, highly flocculated triamcinolone acetonide suspensions for intravitreal injection
Triamcinolone acetonide suspension compositions are disclosed. The suspension compositions have a relatively low viscosity and are easy to extrude through a 27- or 30-guage needle but are highly flocculated and easily redispersed. The compositions are particularly suitable for intravitreal injection. |
| US08211878B2 |
Method for reducing neuronal death in nervous system injuries resulting from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
The present invention provides methods for prevention and prophylaxis of neurological diseases accompanied by neuronal death in a patient. The invention includes use of 5-benzylamino salicylic acid (BAS) and its derivatives. Thus, the present invention provides methods for reducing neuronal death in nervous system injuries resulting from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. |
| US08211876B2 |
Compositions for treatment of inflammatory diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases are represented by two idiopathic disorders, which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is restricted to the colon and involves uncertain and inflammation of the lining (mucosa) of the large intestine. Crohn's disease, on the other hand, can involve the mucosa of the small and/or large intestine and may involve deeper layers of the bowel wall. The present invention is a combination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and one or more antioxidants (e.g., N-acetylcysteine) for treating such inflammatory bowel diseases. |
| US08211875B2 |
Local treatment of neurofibromas
A method for treating a neurofibroma, e.g. dermal neurofibroma, a subdermal neurofibroma, or a superficial plexiform neurofibroma, in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises locally applying a composition to a neurofibroma either topically or intralesionally. This method does not encompass systemic administration of the composition to the subject to have an effect on the neurofibromas. Compositions useful for such treatments and methods of preparing the compositions are disclosed. |
| US08211874B2 |
Inhibition of thrombin generation
The present invention is a method for inhibiting undesirable thrombin generation in a mammal in need thereof. The method comprises administering to the mammal an effective amount of a non-antibacterial tetracycline formulation. |
| US08211873B2 |
Antiaging chirally-correct mitoprotectant amino acid and peptide complexes
This invention relates to certain chirally-correct mitoprotectant phosphorylated heterocyclic agents [formula (I)], which are useful for the treatment of dermatological disorders that include challenged skin from cancer, diabetes, radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and sun-burn; mitochondrial dysfunction; age spots; acne, loss of cellular antioxidants; skin changes associated with aging including collagen loss, loss of skin pliability, loss of skin suppleness, skin wrinkles and fine lines, oxidation, damage from radiation, damage from free radicals, and damage from UV; dry skin; xerosis; ichthyosis; dandruff; brownish spots; keratoses; melasma; lentigines; liver spots; skin pigmentation including pigmented spots, dark circles under the eyes, darkened skin, and blemishes; oily skin; warts; eczema; pruritic skin; psoriasis; inflammatory dermatoses; topical inflammation; disturbed keratinization; scalp dryness; skin depigmentation, and combinations thereof; |
| US08211872B1 |
Method and composition for treatment of multiple sclerosis and related neurodegenerative conditions
A method for treating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and related neurodegenerative conditions, using a histamine compound that is methylated in vitro prior to being introduced into the body of the patient. The histamine compound is suitably histamine diphosphate, and may be methylated in vitro by mixing in combination with at least one thiol compound in the presence of at least one methyl group donor compound. The thiol compound is suitably L-reduced glutathione and the methyl group donor is suitably betaine hydrochloride. The compounds are mixed vigorous in an acid environment, to create a shearing force that facilitates exchange of the methyl group from the donor compound to the histamine diphosphate. The resulting methylated histamine compound is suitably administered to the patient by transdermal application. The method also provides a medicament for treatment the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and related neurodegenerative conditions, and a method for preparation of such a medicament. |
| US08211871B2 |
Topical skin barriers and methods of evaluation thereof
A topical skin barrier for protecting and promoting healing of skin, and for providing comfort to a patient, comprises a semi-solid hydrocarbon, a water-absorbing compound, and a pain relief agent. The topical skin barrier effectively adheres to skin, affords protection from moisture and waste, provides transparency in use, and is anhydrous and therefore is preservative-free. Methods of in vitro evaluation are for (i) a composition's protection from moisture and waste, and (ii) a composition's adhesion to skin. |
| US08211864B2 |
Compositions and methods for the intracellular disruption of VEGF and VEGFR-2 by intraceptors
The present invention provides an intraceptor that interacts with and decreases activity of with VEGF and/or a VEGFR for the treatment of angiogenesis-related conditions. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use thereof, for the treatment and prevention of an angiogenesis-related condition using said intraceptors. The invention further provides for nucleic acids encoding said intraceptors. |
| US08211861B2 |
Compositions for and methods of enhancing the immune response to antigens
Compositions comprising the compound of formula are provided herein. Also provided are methods of enhancing an immune response of a subject to an antigen by administering the antigen and the composition. The enhanced immune response may be an humoral immune response, a CD4+ T cell response, a CD8+ T cell response or result in activation of antigen presenting cells. Methods of enhancing the immune response by intramuscular administration of an antigen and the composition including the compound of formula I are also provided. |
| US08211860B2 |
Carbohydrate-lipid constructs and their use in preventing or treating viral infection
The invention relates to selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs and their use as mimics of ligands, for receptors expressed by virus. In particular, the invention relates to the use of selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs in methods of inhibiting virus infection and/or promoting clearance of virus from infected subjects. Carbohydrate-lipid constructs selected for use in these methods where the virus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are provided. |
| US08211857B2 |
Peptide composition for cancer treatment by inhibiting TRPV6 calcium channel activity
The invention includes an isolated peptide comprising all or part of the amino acid sequence: EGKLSSNDTE GGLCKEFLHP SKVDLPR (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein the peptide inhibits calcium channel activity. The peptides of the invention are useful for preventing or treating cancer. |