| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08345396B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protectors having increased RC delays
An RC delay circuit for providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is described. The circuit employs an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor to produce a large effective resistance using a relatively small circuit layout area. |
| US08345395B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection circuit having a reduced size and enhanced discharge
The present invention describes an electrostatic discharge protection circuit that protects an internal circuit of a semiconductor device from electrostatic discharge. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a first electrostatic protection unit that transfers static electricity as a driving signal and also discharges the static electricity to a first discharge line when the static electricity is generated in a pad. It also includes a second electrostatic protection unit that discharges the static electricity generated in the pad to a second discharge line in response to the driving signal transferred from the first electrostatic protection unit. Since the first electrostatic protection unit performs an electrostatic discharge operation and at the same time aids the driving of the second electrostatic protection unit, electrostatic discharge performance can be enhanced while a layout area of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit can be reduced. |
| US08345393B1 |
Exterior primary fuse system for transformers
An externally replaceable primary fuse for a pole-mount electrical distribution transformer, thereby eliminating a need for a conventional internal fuse, and a method of use thereof is herein disclosed. The fuse is accessed using a bayonet-style fuse holder mounted to an outside surface of a transformer tank being internally wired thereto a primary transformer lead. The fuse holding apparatus permits fuse replacement while the transformer remains mounted to a pole, providing a reduction of down time and expense during said fuse replacement. |
| US08345392B2 |
Quench energy dissipation for superconducting magnets
An energy dissipation arrangement for a cryogenically cooled superconductive magnet comprising a plurality of superconductive coils (10) connected in series and housed within a cryostat (24), comprising a superconducting switch (25) having a superconductive current path (28) in series with the superconductive coils (10); and a resistor (38), external to the cryostat, electrically connected in parallel with the superconductive current path (28) of the superconducting switch (25). The superconductive switch is arranged (26, 32, 30) to open in response to an electric current applied to an associated heater (26; 40). |
| US08345389B2 |
Magnetoresistive element utilizing a peltier effect junction of Au and CuNi to cool the element
A magnetoresistive element includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The first metal layer includes Au and is provided so that the first ferromagnetic layer is sandwiched between the nonmagnetic layer and the first metal layer. The second metal layer includes a CuNi alloy, and is provided so that the first metal layer is sandwiched between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second metal layer. In addition, magnetization of either one of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer is fixed in a direction. Magnetization of the other is variable in response to an external field. At least one of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer includes a half metal. |
| US08345387B1 |
Disk drive with transverse plane damper
Described herein is a disk drive having an actuator arm constrained layer damper, for reducing, during use, vibration of the actuator arm. The damper can include a first substantially planar portion that is configured to be positioned on and coupled to a top surface of an actuator arm. The damper can also include a second substantially planar portion extending in a plane transverse to the first planar portion and configured to be coupled to at least one of a side surface of the actuator arm or a surface of an adjacent actuator body. |
| US08345383B2 |
Method to make an integrated side shield PMR head with non-conformal side gap
A non-conformal integrated side shield structure is disclosed for a PMR write head wherein the sidewalls of the side shield are not parallel to the pole tip sidewalls. Thus, the side gap distance between the leading pole tip edge and side shield is different than the side gap distance between the trailing pole tip edge and side shield. As a result, there is a reduced side fringing field and improved overwrite performance. The side gap distance is constant with increasing distance from the ABS along the main pole layer. A fabrication method is provided where the trailing shield and side shield are formed in the same step to afford a self-aligned shield structure. Adjacent track erasure induced by flux choking at the side shield and trailing shield interface can be eliminated by this design. The invention encompasses a tapered main pole layer in a narrow pole tip section. |
| US08345382B1 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a main pole and a shield and specifically structured and located coil elements and magnetic coupling layers
A magnetic head includes a coil, a main pole, a gap part, a write shield, and a return path section. The return path section includes a yoke part with a first coupling layer connected to the write shield and a second coupling layer magnetically coupling the first coupling layer to the yoke part. The second coupling layer has an end face facing toward a medium facing surface and located away from the medium facing surface. The coil includes i) a first coil element disposed with the first coupling layer interposed between the medium facing surface and the first coil element and ii) a plurality of second coil elements aligned perpendicularly to the medium facing surface and disposed with the second coupling layer interposed between the medium facing surface and the second coil elements. The first coil element being interposed between the main pole and the second coil elements. |
| US08345379B2 |
Disk drive device equipped with a bearing unit relatively rotatably supporting a hub against base member
A disk drive device has a hub so configured as to place and hold recording disks. Where the non-rotating eigenfrequency of resonance in a secondary rocking mode with the recording disks placed on the hub is defined to be F0 (Hz) and the rotational frequency of the hub is defined to be N (Hz), an extending part of the hub and a second cylinder part of the hub are formed such that the radial dimension of the extending part is smaller than the axial dimension of the second external cylinder part to satisfy to a relation F0>N·(3·P+2). |
| US08345372B2 |
Apparatus for a medium having a medium identification pattern and a segment identification pattern
A tape drive apparatus is for a tape medium having a magnetic segment for magnetically transducing information and an identification segment carrying a medium identification pattern and a segment identification pattern. The tape drive apparatus has a data transfer apparatus configured to transfer data between the tape medium and the tape drive apparatus, a reader configured to read a signal representative of the identification segment, a detector configured to detect the segment identification pattern in the signal, and a decoder configured to decode the medium identification pattern in response to the detection of the segment identification pattern. |
| US08345371B2 |
Information storing device and method for controlling same to record/reproduce information by selecting one of working modes
An information storing device and an information processing device having a memory for registering a plurality of working modes at recording/reproduction and a switching circuit for selecting one of the plurality of working modes, which select the optimum working mode automatically or by an instruction of an operator according to power supply capacity of a device of higher rank to effect recording/reproduction. |
| US08345369B2 |
Systems and methods for data recovery using enhanced sync mark location
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for identifying a reproducible location on a storage medium. As an example, a circuit is discussed that includes a data storage circuit, a pattern comparison circuit, and a threshold comparison circuit. The data storage circuit is operable to store a first set of data samples corresponding to a region of interest. The pattern comparison circuit is operable to compare a subset of the first set of data samples with a subset of a second set of data samples corresponding to the region of interest. The pattern comparison circuit is operable to yield a match value corresponding to a degree of similarity between the first set of data samples with the subset of a second set of data samples. The threshold comparison circuit is operable to indicate an anchor point based at least in part on the magnitude of the match value relative to a threshold value. |
| US08345366B2 |
Storage drive performance characterization
A storage system is configured to determine a redundancy group configuration for a plurality of storage drives by grouping storage drives with a similar performance group designation together. When a storage drive is inserted, the storage system tests the performance of the storage drive. The storage drive may comprise a serial ATA (advanced technology attachment) (SATA) hard drive and/or a solid state drive. The storage system stores the result in a database. The storage system assigns the storage drive a performance group designation based on the result and groups the storage drive into a redundancy group. The storage system then displays the redundancy group configuration for the plurality of storage drives so that a storage administrator may configure the redundancy groupings of the storage drives of the storage system based on the redundancy group configuration displayed. |
| US08345365B2 |
Data processing system having data reproduction independent of data processing
A processing unit performs a method including controlling a reading-out of data from a first storage medium at a predetermined read-out data rate to produce inputted data, and controlling a compression of the inputted data to produce first compressed data of a first compressed format. The method includes controlling a storage of the first compressed data in a second storage medium at a faster writing data rate than the predetermined read-out data rate, controlling a reading-out of second compressed data of a second compressed format from the second storage medium, and controlling a decompression of the second compressed data to produce decompressed data. The method also includes controlling simultaneously the storage of the first compressed data in the second storage medium, the reading-out of the second compressed data from the second storage medium, and audibly reproducing the decompressed data. The first compressed format is different from the second compressed format. |
| US08345363B2 |
Drive device, lens part, and camera module
A drive device capable of engaging a drive shaft and a part holding the drive shaft with a suitable force without accompanying increase in the size of the drive device. The drive device includes a couple member with a piezoelectric element and a transmission shaft coupled together, a lens holder that holds a lens and to which the couple member is secured, a biasing member that biases the transmission shaft in a direction intersecting a placement direction of the transmission shaft viewed from the lens holder (excluding a lengthwise direction of the transmission shaft), and a link member (link body) that holds the transmission shaft in a slidable manner together with the biasing member. |
| US08345362B2 |
Lens holder and camera module using the same
A camera module includes a base board and a lens holder mounted on the base board. The lens holder includes a main body and at least one ventilation portion integrally formed with the main body. The main body includes a top wall and a peripheral wall extending from a peripheral edge of the top wall. The top wall and the peripheral wall cooperatively define an accommodating space. The top wall defines a viewing aperture through the top wall thereof and at least one riser vent positioned adjacent to the peripheral wall. The at least one ventilation portion covers the riser vent, and is made of a waterproof breathable material. |
| US08345361B2 |
Projecting device and lens adjusting module thereof
The invention discloses a lens adjusting module for adjusting the position of a lens module. The lens adjusting module includes an input rod and an output rod, wherein the input rod is configured along a first direction and has an inclined surface. The output rod is configured along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The output rod has a first contact surface contacting the inclined surface, and a second contact surface contacting the lens module. When the input rod moves along the first direction, the first contact surface of the output rod moves along the inclined surface of the input rod, and the lens module moves with the output rod along the second direction. |
| US08345360B2 |
Camera unit and macro lens thereof
A camera unit is provided, including a camera lens and a macro lens coupled with the camera lens module along an optical axis. The macro lens comprises a plane substrate and a plano-convex lens structure formed on the plane substrate by wafer level processing, wherein the effective focal length of the macro lens is between 80-150 mm. |
| US08345358B2 |
Image-capturing optical lens assembly
The present invention provides an image-capturing optical lens assembly comprising, in order from an object side to an image side, a front lens group, a stop, and a rear lens group. The front lens group comprises, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; and a second lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The rear lens group comprises, in order from the object side to the image side: a third lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power; and a fifth lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface. With such an arrangement of optical elements, the optical system will have a field of view that is large enough; meanwhile, aberrations of the optical system can be favorably corrected to obtain good image quality. |
| US08345356B2 |
Objective lens, optical pickup device, and optical recording/reproducing apparatus
An objective lens for converging light emitted from a light source onto an optical recording medium to record and reproduce information consists of a single lens that has at least one aspheric surface. The following conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: −0.90 |
| US08345353B2 |
Long-length lens
A lens including a lens portion having first and second opposite oblong surfaces is disclosed. At least one of the first and second oblong surfaces of the lens portion is a curved lens surface having a reflective power. A rib portion is disposed at each of two opposite sides of the lens portion facing in a direction of a width of the first oblong surface. The rib portion extends along a longitudinal direction of the lens portion in a position separate from the second oblong surface. A draft surface extends between the second oblong surface and the rib portion. The draft surface includes a slant surface slanting outwardly toward the rib portion. The slant surface is curved inwardly with a draft thereof increasing gradually toward the rib portion. |
| US08345352B2 |
Polarization-maintaining reflector arrangement
The present invention discloses a polarization-maintaining reflector arrangement comprising a reflector group including at least one polarizing reflector and at least one compensating reflector, wherein the incident plane for the polarizing reflectors is perpendicular to the incident plane for the compensating reflectors, and the product of s-wave reflectance of all the polarizing reflectors and p-wave reflectance of all the compensating reflectors is equal to the product of s-wave reflectance of all the compensating reflectors and p-wave reflectance of all the polarizing reflectors. One or more reflector groups can be used in the light path. The invention can conveniently and effectively eliminate the polarization caused by reflection. |
| US08345348B1 |
Method and optical gain fiber having segments of differing core sizes
Apparatus and method for amplifying laser signals using segments of fibers of differing core diameters and/or differing cladding diameters to suppress amplified spontaneous emission and non-linear effects such as four-wave mixing (FWM), self-phase modulation, and stimulated Brillouin and/or Raman scattering (SBS/SRS). In some embodiments, different core sizes have different sideband spacings (spacing between the desired signal and wavelength-shifted lobes). Changing core sizes and providing phase mismatches prevent buildup of non-linear effects. Some embodiments further include a bandpass filter to remove signal other than the desired signal wavelength and/or a time gate to remove signal at times other than during the desired signal pulse. Some embodiments include photonic-crystal structures to define the core for the signal and/or the inner cladding for the pump. Some embodiments include an inner glass cladding to confine the signal in the core and an outer glass cladding to confine pump light in the inner cladding. |
| US08345343B2 |
Reflective display device
A reflective display device including: a substrate; a reflective layer on the substrate and configured to reflect light incident on the reflective layer; a color filter layer on the reflective layer; and an optical shutter layer on the color filter layer. Each pixel of a plurality of pixels of the reflective display device includes a plurality of sub-pixels and each sub-pixel includes the substrate, the reflective layer, the color filter layer, and the optical shutter layer, and for each pixel, the color filter layer includes a plurality of color filter elements corresponding to colors respectively obtained by the plurality of sub-pixels. At least one of the plurality of color filter elements includes a composite color area including a plurality of white areas configured to let white light pass through them such that the white light is directly reflected by the reflective layer and the plurality of white areas are discontinuously distributed in at least a portion of the composite color area through which light of the obtained colors passes. |
| US08345342B2 |
Multilayer structure having a photochromic host matrix and manufacturing method
A photochromic structure includes a plastic support of optical grade with good light transparency, having at least one face with an adhesive layer impregnated with a solution of a solvent with photochromes, having a flexible host matrix for the photochromes, which is mounted by adhesion onto another support. A structure with a uniform flexible photochromic matrix, which has rapid transition times, notably a rapid relaxation time, is thus obtained. The structure is mountable, and advantageously repositionable. It is produced via a process using roll-milling combined with a system for dispensing the solvated solution of photochromes upstream of the rolls, via which a support strip of an adhesive is entrained by the rolls, and the adhesive is gradually impregnated and then laminated on another support. |
| US08345338B2 |
Method of modifying color composition for a color-blind person in a mobile displaying apparatus
Disclosed is a method for evaluating the qualities of the user's color vision by means of the FM chromaticity test or directly measuring the defective factors of the user causing the color blindness. Thus it modifies the color composition of a video displaying apparatus according to a numerical analysis of the color and degree of color blindness specific to each dichromatic individual, so that he may perceive the same colors as the normal person. Also discloses is an apparatus for performing the method steps described herein. |
| US08345336B2 |
MEMS scanning micromirror with reduced dynamic deformation
A MEMS scanning micromirror with reduced dynamic deformation with a mirror support including a rotation axis beam 120 having a rotation axis 58; a pair of extension bars 56 parallel to the rotation axis 58, each having a first end 140, a midpoint 142, and a second end 144; and a pair of X beams 130, each of the pair of X beams 130 having a cross midpoint 134. One of the pair of X beams 130 is connected to the first end 140 and the midpoint 142 of each of the pair of extension bars 56; the other of the pair of X beams 130 is connected to the midpoint 142 and the second end 144 of each of the pair of extension bars 56; and the rotation axis beam 120 is connected to the cross midpoint 134 of each of the pair of X beams 130. |
| US08345333B2 |
Displacement/distortion measuring method and displacement/distortion measuring apparatus
Provided are a displacement/distortion measuring method and a displacement/distortion measuring apparatus for easily and highly accurately measuring displacement or distortion of an object. An image of the surface of the measuring object is picked up by a line scanner apparatus adhered or brought close to the surface of the measuring object. The image is taken, displacement or distortion is measured by image analysis of the image of the measuring object surface prior to time lapse and that after time lapse, and displacement or distortion measuring results are outputted. |
| US08345330B2 |
Document reading apparatus
In reading an image of a document in a monochromatic document reading mode, a document reading apparatus reads the image of the document while conveying the document at a speed determined according to a variable magnification ratio, executes digital variable magnification on the read multivalued image in a main scanning direction by using a main scanning direction variable magnification unit, binarizes the multivalued image, and stores the binary image on a memory. In reading an image in a color document reading mode, the document reading apparatus reads the image of the document while conveying the document at a predetermined speed, stores the read multivalued image on the memory, and executes digital variable magnification on the multivalued image in the main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction. |
| US08345329B2 |
Systems and methods for improving image quality in image forming devices
An image forming device may select from among a plurality of rendering parameters to include selectable halftone frequency candidates automatically based on an internal determination regarding an operating condition of the device to improve image quality for formed images. As a time varying function of the status and/or condition of the components and/or consumables employed in the image forming device, a capability is provided for the device to independently determine an optimal individual or set of rendering parameters to be employed based on a monitored device status. Available monitoring data for a current overall condition of the image forming device, to include monitoring a condition of the components and/or the consumables within the device, is used to allow the device to internally perform automatic adjustment of one or more image rendering parameters, including automatically implementing an optimal halftone frequency election scheme. |
| US08345325B2 |
Segmented reflective optical system
An optical system, used for scanning, forms an image using reflective optical surfaces. The system may be telecentric, and may form an image that is reduced in size as compared with the scanned original. Several image-forming optical channels may be combined to form a page-wide scanning array. |
| US08345322B2 |
Scanning apparatus having dual power mode
A scanning apparatus having dual power mode is described. The scanning apparatus includes a detection module, a switch unit, and a power controller. The detection module detects a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal for generating a detecting signal. The switch unit receives the commands from the power controller for outputting the first voltage signal and/or the second voltage signal to the image acquiring device of the scanning apparatus. The power controller determines whether the first voltage signal is detected according to the detecting signal. While the first voltage signal is detected, the power controller controls the switch unit to output the first voltage signal and/or the second voltage signal to the image acquiring device. While the first voltage signal is not exist, the power controller controls the switch unit to output the second voltage signal to the image acquiring device. |
| US08345321B2 |
Image input and output using scan-all-first input mode
In processing documents, a scan-all-first mode is available, in which a set of documents is input part by part until all documents have been input, and, after completion of the input process, an output process is performed as a single job for the set of documents. In an intermediate state during the input process in which the set of documents is input part by part in the scan-all-first mode, a user is allowed to make settings of processing conditions associated with, for example, insertion of a sheet or insertion of a form image. In the job processed in the scan-all-first mode, insertion of the sheet or insertion of a composite image including the form image is performed according to the settings made in the intermediate state. |
| US08345318B2 |
Scanner
Disclosed is a scanner with a main body, hinge, cover member, and plurality of sets of pins and pin holes. The main body includes a transparent plate on the top surface for placing a document. The hinge connects the main body and the cover member. The cover member rotates between an opened and closed state with respect to the main body. The cover member has a bottom surface, which contacts the top surface of the main body when closed. The pins are fanned on either the top surface of the main body or the bottom surface of the cover member, while the pin holes are formed on the opposing surface. The plurality of sets adjusts a positional relationship between the main body and the cover member in the closed state. |
| US08345317B2 |
Copying apparatus
A copying apparatus detects a non glossy portion (K, M, C, or Y) and a glossy portion (T) of a document based on image data output from a reader unit. The copying apparatus forms an image of the detected non glossy portion (K, M, C, or Y) with a colored toner and an image of the detected glossy portion (T) with a transparent toner, on a sheet, based on the image data output from the reader unit. |
| US08345316B2 |
Layered security in digital watermarking
A media object authentication system uses layers of security features based on digital watermarks embedded in media objects. The system generates a first digital watermark with a message payload carrying data about the object, such as a hash of text data printed on the object. The first digital watermark is combined with a content signature derived from features of the media object, such as frequency domain attributes, edge attributes, or other filtered version of the media signal (e.g., image photo on a secure document) on the media object. This combination forms a new digital watermark signal that is embedded in the host media object. To verify the object, the digital watermark payload is extracted and compared with the data about the object. The combined digital watermark and content signature is also evaluated to authenticate the media signal on the media object. |
| US08345314B2 |
Methods and systems to embed glossmark digital watermarks into continuous-tone images
Disclosed are methods/systems to embed a watermark into a contone image. Specifically, the disclosed methods and systems spatially modulate a contone image substantially adjacent a watermark area according to a first polarization and spatially modulate the contone image substantially within the watermark area according to a second polarization. These spatially modulated images may then be subsequently processed, stored, communicated and/or rendered. |
| US08345311B2 |
Reduction of harmonic artifacts in halftone screens
A halftone screen is modified to reduce harmonic artifacts. Artifacts are modeled from the screen in a frequency domain. Threshold values in the screen are modified to reduce amplitude of at least some of the modeled artifacts. |
| US08345309B2 |
Secure printing-out using color toner and particular toner
An image processing apparatus forming an image with color toners used for full color printing and a particular toner is provided. The apparatus comprises a storage storing image data and attribute information indicating an attribute of each pixel in the data; a compression component compressing the information; a change component changing attribute information except particular toner information for forming an image with the particular toner of the attribute information, so that a data amount of the compressed attribute information does not exceed the storage capacity, when a data amount of the compressed attribute information exceeds the storage capacity; a component storing the attribute information changed by the change component into the storage; and a component forming a full color image and a particular toner image by image processing using the attribute information in the storage for the image data in the storage. |
| US08345308B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of combining processing modes
An image forming apparatus includes a user interface, and an image forming unit to perform an image forming job in a new image mode by combining two or more image modes when the two or more image modes are selected through the user interface. The image forming unit may include a controller to combine color lookup tables of the two or more selected image modes and to create a new color lookup table, and an engine unit to perform the image forming job in an image mode corresponding to the new color lookup table. Therefore, it is possible for the image forming apparatus to support various image modes. |
| US08345305B2 |
Image-processing device and image-processing method
An image-processing device includes: an acquiring unit that acquires image data representing a document which includes a plurality of pages; an extracting unit that extracts, from the acquired image data, a character area in a first page that is at least one of the plurality of pages; and an output unit that outputs first partial image data within the extracted character area associated with the acquired image data of a second page other than the first page, the second page determined by having a character area corresponding to the extracted character area in the first page. |
| US08345304B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing control program capable of processing document data
An image processing method of forming images of data onto a plurality of recording media each having an obverse surface and a reverse surface is disclosed. This method has a recognizing step of recognizing a delimiter of the data in document data and a recognizing step of, in the case where the delimiter of the data is recognized in the recognizing step when an image process is executed so as to form the image onto the obverse surface of a predetermined recording medium, recognizing an instruction showing either a mode to continue the image forming operation to the reverse surface of the recording medium or a mode to exchange the recording medium and continue the image forming operation from the obverse surface of another recording medium. |
| US08345300B2 |
Computer readable medium, document processing apparatus, document processing system, and document processing method for managing electronic documents
A computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for document processing, the process includes: receiving image data obtained by, with an image reading apparatus, reading a document of a predetermined format in which contents of an electronic document stored in a storage portion while being associated with identification information, the identification information, and an entry for additional information are arranged; extracting entered additional information from the entry area of the received image data; and correlating the extracted additional information with an electronic document associated with the identification information. |
| US08345298B2 |
Print control apparatus, for performing a printing operation by reusing rendering completed data
In determining whether to use RIP completed data, a print control apparatus determines whether objects constituting a processing target page are all reusable objects. As a result of this determination, if it is not determined that the objects constituting the processing target page are all reusable objects, the print control apparatus performs RIP on the processing target page data without using the RIP completed data. On the other hand, if the objects constituting the processing target page are all reusable objects, it is then determined whether a registered common page matching the processing target page is present in a common page table. As a result of this determination, if the registered common page is present, the print control apparatus reuses the RIP completed data. If the registered common page is not present, the print control apparatus performs the RIP on the processing target page without using the RIP completed data. |
| US08345297B2 |
Data communication system including address management apparatus and data communication apparatus, address management method using address management apparatus, and address management program controlling address management apparatus
In order to facilitate updating of information on a destination of data, a data communication system includes a server and an MFP capable of communicating with each other. The MFP transmits to the server an update requesting signal including a source address of an e-mail received from another apparatus and related information on the source, transmits an address request to the server and receives user address data from the server, and transmits data to at least one destination address included in the received user address data. The server stores the user address data having destination addresses and related information on the destinations associated with each other, and in receipt of the update requesting signal from the MFP, rewrites the related information associated with the source address included in the update requesting signal by the user address data with the related information included in the update requesting signal. |
| US08345292B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus control method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus selects attribute information in a predetermined layer based on a result of measurement of the number of appearances of attribute information included in print data, determines a priority order of the attribute information based on the number of times of references to a reusable object from a page corresponding to a record that includes the selected attribute information, serially selects attribute information based on the determined priority order, generates intermediate data for a page corresponding to the selected attribute information, and generates image data by rasterizing the generated intermediate data. |
| US08345290B2 |
Apparatus for determining facsimile transmission authorizer and facsimile machine having the apparatus
In a facsimile machine having the function of authorization by the authorizer, an authorizer determining apparatus that can alleviate workload on the authorizers is provided, and a facsimile machine having such an authorizer determining apparatus is also provided. The authorizer determining apparatus for the facsimile machine includes a candidate selecting unit selecting, based on a sum of condition values of a plurality of attributes (such as sender, destination, and format of document to be transmitted) selected in advance for a facsimile transmission, a set of authorizer candidates consisting of possible authorizers having condition values not smaller than the sum, and an authorizer determining unit for determining an authorizer candidate having the lowest condition value among the set of authorizer candidates. |
| US08345274B2 |
Imaging device and method of controlling the same
An imaging device receives from a host image data and commands including a normal command and a real-time command to be processed prior to the normal command. A receiver receives a real-time processing disable command with a parameter indicating a number of bytes of the image data, and a processor processes the image data in terms of the number of bytes without processing the real-time command, after processing the real-time processing disable command. In a method for so controlling an imaging device, the host controls transmission of image data and commands including normal and real-time commands to an imaging device as noted above. The host comprises a detector that determines if data to be transmitted includes image data, and a processor that transmits the image data after transmitting a real-time processing disable command with the parameter described above, if the detector determines that the data includes the image data. |
| US08345273B2 |
Information processing apparatus for managing an expansion module, control method therefor, and program for executing the method
The present invention discloses, as an example, an information processing apparatus for downloading an expansion module for a print driver from a server apparatus for setup, including: a reception unit for receiving a program from the server apparatus; a determination unit for determining whether the reception unit receives the expansion module for the print driver and a license management program which is an expansion program for the print driver; an obtaining unit for obtaining, in response to a determination by the determination unit that the reception unit receives the expansion module for the print driver and the license management program, by calling the received license management program, license information indicating a license status of the expansion program; and a decision unit for deciding whether a use of the expansion program is permitted in the information processing apparatus by using the obtained license information. |
| US08345271B2 |
Printing control apparatus for assigning parameter selections to specific keys
A printing control apparatus has an input unit with several keys, and a printing control unit that receives a print command from the input unit. The print command initiates a print operation at a printer. A determination unit of the printing control apparatus determines whether a predetermined key is pressed at the same time that the print command is received. If the determination unit determines that the predetermined key is pressed at the same time that the print command is received, an update unit updates a setup value of a parameter relating to a printing mode to a specific value from a predetermined value. The printer executes the print operation in accordance with the setup value of the parameter. |
| US08345269B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the width of composite tape
Apparatus is provided for slitting composite material int1aaaaaaaaaaao tape and for measuring the width of the slit tape as the tape is being reeled onto take up rolls. The tape width is measured by an optical micrometer. The optical micrometer includes a transmitter for directing radiant energy over the tape and, a receiver for receiving radiant energy from the transmitter that passes across an edge of the tape and for producing a signal related to the width of the tape. |
| US08345266B2 |
Method and system for measuring wear in the lining of a vessel
In a method and system for measuring wear in the lining of a vessel by a laser contouring system having an electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device. The laser contouring system references permanent marks and temporary marks positioned outside, on, or within the vessel. The distances and direction from the electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device to the fixed and temporary marks is determined during an initial measurement by the electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device from a first scanning position. The electromagnetic radiation emitting and receiving device is then moved along a path from the first scanning position to a second scanning position wherein some of the marks which were scanned from the first scanning position are scanned again to determine the relative position of the vessel and points on the internal lining of the vessel to determine the contour of the lining. |
| US08345265B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and methods for compensating substrate unflatness, determining the effect of patterning device unflatness, and determining the effect of thermal loads on a patterning device
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a sensor configured to measure a height level, curvature and/or angle of a surface of a patterning device supported on the support. |
| US08345264B2 |
Laser reflection optical fiber sensor
A sensor, sensor assembly and a method of sensing, in which the sensor is in contact with a material or structure and the sensor directly measures one or more property changes in the material by means of light reflection and scattering using a reflective target. |
| US08345263B2 |
Measurement method and measurement apparatus that measure a surface figure of an aspheric surface based on an interference pattern
The present invention provides a measurement apparatus that illuminates a surface to be tested having an aspheric surface using light beams that form spherical waves to measure a figure of the surface to be tested, including a detection unit configured to detect interference patterns between light beams from the surface to be tested and light beams from a reference surface, and a controller configured to control processing for obtaining a figure of the surface to be tested based on the interference patterns detected by the detection unit. |
| US08345262B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a deviation of an actual shape from a desired shape of an optical surface
An optical element having an optical surface (12; 103), which optical surface has an actual shape, the actual shape deviating from a desired shape by maximum 0.2 nm, wherein the desired shape is either: a free-form surface having a deviation from its best-fitting sphere of at least 5 μm or a substantially rotationally symmetrical surface having a deviation from its best-fitting sphere of at least 0.5 mm. |
| US08345261B2 |
Optical coherence tomography imaging
A digitized image of an object may include representations of portions of the object that are obscured, occluded or otherwise unobservable. The image may be a multi-dimensional visual representation of dentition. Characteristics of the dentition and its surfaces, contours, and shape may be determined and/or analyzed. A light may be directed toward and reflected from the dentition. The reflected light may be combined with a reference to determine characteristics of the dentition, including obscured areas such as subgingival tissue. |
| US08345258B2 |
Synchronous frequency-shift mechanism in fizeau interferometer
An optical device for characterizing a test surface combines a Fizeau interferometer with a polarization frequency-shifting element. Two substantially collinear, orthogonally polarized beams having respective frequencies differing by a predetermined frequency shift are generated by the polarization frequency-shifting element and projected into the Fizeau optical cavity to produce a pair of test beams and a pair of reference beams, wherein the beams in each pair have orthogonal polarization states and have frequencies differing by the predetermined frequency shift. A second, substantially equal frequency shift is introduced in the Fizeau cavity on either one of the pairs of test and reference beams, thereby generating a four-beam collinear output that produces an interferogram without tilt or short-coherence light. The invention may also be implemented by reversing the order of the Fizeau cavity and the polarization frequency-shifting element in the optical train. |
| US08345246B2 |
Running yarn line inspection method and carbon fiber manufacturing method using thereof
A running yarn line inspection method inspects yarn lines running in parallel in the same surface. The running yarn line inspection method is provided with a first illumination means and a line sensor for imaging the yarn lines on the side of the first surface of the running surface of the yarn lines and a second illumination means on the side of the second surface, and comprises a data processing means which processes data obtained by the line sensor and a recording means which records data processed by the data processing means with time. |
| US08345241B1 |
Application of digital light processor in imaging ellipsometer and the like systems
Application of digital light processor (DLP) systems in an imaging ellipsometer or imaging polarimeter with a focusing means, sample and detector arranged to meet the Scheimpflug condition. |
| US08345240B2 |
Rotation detection kit
A rotation detection kit, comprising a source for generating at least a first polarized beam emitted along a propagation axis, a receiver comprising at least a first beam intensity sensor and an analyzer. The analyzer comprises a first polarizer device for location in the at least first polarized beam between the source and at least first beam intensity sensor. The first polarizer device is configured such that the receiver can measure rotation between the source and the analyzer about a first axis that is non-parallel to the propagation axis based on the at least first beam intensity sensor's output. |
| US08345239B1 |
System and method for monitoring birefringent particles in a fluid
An imaging system with an imaging mechanism which includes polarization analyzers, which may be crossed polarization analyzers, positioned to provide birefringence images of particles in the fluid passing through the flow chamber. Captured images are of high resolution and may be used in comparison to known images of a library of images. The system and related method enhance the accuracy and sensitivity of particle monitoring by utilizing birefringence imaging combined with particle analysis and the detection of each particle's characteristic features, such as crystalline features. The system includes a scatter detector used to trigger backlighting of the flow chamber and capture images of particles therein. |
| US08345238B2 |
Measuring optical spectral property of light based on polarization analysis
A device for measuring spectrum of light includes a differential group delay (DGD) device positioned to receive light under measurement and to produce output light with a DGD value representing a difference in the group delay between two orthogonal optical polarizations of the light under measurement. An optical detector is positioned to receive the output light from the DGD device to measure a state and a degree of polarization of the output light. A processing device receives and processes measurements of the state and the degree of polarization from the optical detector. A probe light source produces probe light. An optical sensor receives the probe light and interacts with the probe light at a resonance wavelength of the optical sensor. A processing unit processes the optical spectrum of the returned probe light to extract information on a parameter to change the resonance wavelength. |
| US08345237B2 |
Optical information analyzing device and optical information analyzing method
An optical information analyzing device includes an irradiating unit that irradiates irradiation light to specimens, a transmitted light receiving unit that receives transmitted light and detects the transmitted light as a transmitted light signal, a scattering/fluorescent light receiving unit that receives lateral scattering light and fluorescent light and detects the lateral scattering light and the fluorescent light as a scattering/fluorescent light signal, a nozzle position adjusting mechanism, and an analyzing unit that measures the optical information on the specimen on the basis of the detected transmitted light signal and the detected scattering/fluorescent light signal and analyzes the specimen. |
| US08345235B2 |
Measurement of sample reflectance
An accessory for a spectrometer for carrying out measurements of specular reflectance of a sample. The accessory is designed so that all components can be located in a housing and the sample can be located horizontally on a top-plate of the housing with the components disposed below the plane of that plate. |
| US08345234B2 |
Self calibration methods for optical analysis system
Disclosed is a system and methodologies for providing self-calibration in an optical analysis system. Illumination light is directed toward a material to be sampled while provisions are made to modify the characteristics of at least a portion of the illumination light falling on a reference detector. The modified characteristics may include light presence and/or spectral characteristics. Light presence may be modified by rotating or moving mirror assemblies to cause light to fall on either a sample detector or a reference detector while spectral characteristics may be modified by placing materials having known spectral characteristics in the path of the illumination light. |
| US08345230B2 |
Illumination apparatus and reflective characteristics measuring apparatus employing the same
An illumination apparatus to illuminate a sample surface with excellent illumination efficiency and a reflective characteristics measuring apparatus using the illumination apparatus. The illumination apparatus includes a plane light source positioned on a normal at a center of the sample surface and a mirror having an internal reflective surface positioned between the plane light source and the sample surface. The internal reflective surface has a circular or polygonal shape in a section perpendicular to the normal and the circular or polygonal shape substantially corresponds to an imaginary circle centered on the normal and having a radius equal to half a distance between the plane light source and the sample surface. In place of the mirror, a plurality of reflective faces may be positioned. |
| US08345227B2 |
Measuring volume and constituents of cells
A method of determining a hemoglobin content value of a red blood cell includes: (a) illuminating the cell with incident light at a plurality of illumination wavelengths; (b) obtaining at least one two-dimensional image of the cell corresponding to each illumination wavelength; (c) for each illumination wavelength, determining a mean optical density and a maximum optical density for the cell; (d) determining an area of the cell; (e) for each illumination wavelength, determining a volume of the cell; (f) for each illumination wavelength, determining an integrated optical density for the cell; and (g) determining the hemoglobin content value of the cell based on the area of the cell, the volumes of the cell corresponding to each of the illumination wavelengths, and the integrated optical densities for the cell corresponding to each of the illumination wavelengths. |
| US08345224B2 |
Methods and devices for driving micromirrors
A micromirror of a micromirror array in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus can be tilted through a respective tilt angle about two tilt axes. The micromirror is assigned three actuators which can respectively be driven by control signals in order to tilt the micromirror about the two tilt axes. Two control variables are specified, each of which is assigned to one tilt axis and which are both assigned to unperturbed tilt angles. For any desired combinations of the two control variables, as a function of the two control variables, one of the three actuators is selected and its control signal is set to a constant value, in particular zero. The control signals are determined so that, when the control signals are applied to the other two actuators, the micromirror adopts the unperturbed tilt angles as a function of the two control variables. |
| US08345221B2 |
Aberration measurement method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A method for measuring a spherical aberration amount of a projection optical system that projects an image of a pattern formed on an original plate onto a substrate, includes: obtaining a first focal position in a direction of an optical axis of the projection optical system under a first measurement condition; obtaining a second focal position in the direction of the optical axis of the projection optical system under a second measurement condition; calculating the spherical aberration amount of the projection optical system based on a difference between the first focal position and the second focal position. Under the first measurement condition the focal position in the direction of the optical axis with respect to the spherical aberration amount does not change; and under the second measurement condition the focal position in the direction of the optical axis with respect to the spherical aberration amount changes. |
| US08345219B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting an illumination optical unit
A method for setting an illumination optical unit involves determining an actual value of an intensity-weighted illumination parameter of the illumination optical unit for multiple field points and for multiple illumination angles. The influence of a deformation of at least one of the optical surfaces of the illumination optical unit on the at least one illumination parameter is then determined. A desired value of the illumination parameter is then predefined. A desired form of the at least one optical surface is determined so that the actual value of the illumination parameter corresponds to the desired value of the illumination parameter within predefined limits. Finally, the optical surface is deformed with the aid of at least one actuator so that an actual form of the optical surface corresponds to the desired form. |
| US08345216B2 |
Substrate conveyance device and substrate conveyance method, exposure apparatus and exposure method, device manufacturing method
A substrate conveyance device that conveys a substrate having been exposed with a pattern image via a projection optical system and a liquid, the substrate conveyance device comprising: a liquid detector that detects the liquid adhering on the substrate. |
| US08345215B2 |
Optical means for calibrating temperature
The invention relates to a system and method for the optical calibration of the temperature of a micro-environment. The system comprises a thermochromic liquid crystal in combination with a luminophore. The steps of the method comprise providing in combination in the micro-environment at least one thermochromic liquid crystal and a luminophore, varying the temperature of the environment while irradiating the combination with light that includes light at one or more excitation wavelengths of the luminophore, and monitoring luminescence emitted by the combination while recording the temperature of the environment. |
| US08345213B2 |
Liquid crystal device, method of manufacturing liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus
Provided is a liquid crystal device including a first substrate and a second substrate which face each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, wherein a plurality of columnar spacers for maintaining a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate is arranged on a surface of a liquid crystal layer side of the first surface, and spacer reception portions are arranged on a surface of a liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate in regions which face the columnar spacers, and wherein the spacer reception portions include contact reception portions which are in contact with the columnar spacers and non-contact reception portions which are not in contact with the columnar spacers. |
| US08345211B2 |
Display apparatus and manufacturing method therefor, and active matrix substrate
A display panel includes a plurality of display lines provided in each of blocks and extending in parallel with each other, a plurality of drive circuits provided outside a display region and connected to the display lines in the respective blocks, a plurality of first lines provided outside the display region and intersecting end portions closer to the drive circuits of the display lines in the respective blocks, the first lines being insulated from the display lines, and a second line provided outside the display region and intersecting end portions farther from the drive circuits of the display lines of all the blocks, the second line being insulated from the display lines. The second line is configured to intersect the first lines while being insulated from the first lines, and be supplied with a display signal from each of the drive circuits via an amplifier circuit. |
| US08345204B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is provided. In the liquid crystal display, a common line includes an edge common line that is formed in a non-display area outside a display area of a liquid crystal display panel to receive a common voltage through a plurality of input units, a plurality of pixel common line patterns that are formed along edges of each of subpixels to be electrically connected to one another, and a plurality of longitudinal common lines that is electrically connected to the edge common line to apply the common voltage to the pixel common line patterns. Each of the pixel common line patterns has a mesh structure and is connected to common electrodes of the subpixels. Each of the longitudinal common lines is formed between two horizontally adjacent pixels in a direction parallel to the data lines. |
| US08345201B2 |
Alignment film material comprising polyimide and a vinyl-type monomer, alignment film comprising polyimide and polyvinyl compound, method of forming the alignment film, and liquid crystal display having the same
An alignment film material according to the present invention includes: a precursor of a first polyimide (p1); a second polyimide (p2) and a precursor thereof; and a vinyl-type monomer. The vinyl-type monomer is represented by general formula (1) P1-A1-(Z1-A2)n-P2 (in general formula (1), P1 and P2 are, independently, acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide or methacrylamide; A1 and A2 represent, independently, 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexane or 2,5-thiophene, or naphthalene-2,6-diyl or anthracene-2,7-diyl; at least one of A1 and A2 is substituted by at least one fluorine group; and Z1 is a —COO— group, a —OCO— group, a —O— group, a —CONH— group or a single bond, where n is 0 or 1). |
| US08345191B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having optical component for changing state of polarized light
An optical component capable of changing polarization light state and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device using the same are provided. The optical component including a transparent substrate and a wavelength compensator is disposed at any position from the outer side of the LCD device to the outside in an output direction of an output light. The wavelength compensator is directly attached to the surface of the substrate to convert an output light of the LCD device from a linearly polarized light into a circularly polarized light or an elliptically polarized light, thereby effectively reducing eye fatigue. The LCD device is provided with such an optical component such that a linearly polarized light emerging from the LCD device is converted into a circularly polarized light or an elliptically polarized light to lessen the eye fatigue. |
| US08345188B2 |
Illumination device and liquid crystal display device
A backlight (illumination device) of this invention includes a plurality of light source units (12) each including (i) at least one light source (5) and (ii) a light guide body (7) for surface-emitting light which has come from the at least one light source. In the light source unit (12), the light source is disposed at one end portion of the light guide body (7), and another end portion of the light guide body (7), opposite to the one end portion, has a thickness from 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. As a result, it is possible to further improve luminance uniformity in an illumination device including a plurality of light guide bodies. |
| US08345184B2 |
Surface light source apparatus
A light guide plate (63) includes a light introducing section (65), which is at a position facing a point light source (62), for confining light from the point light source, and a light guide plate main body (64), which has a thickness smaller than a thickness at an end of the light introducing section on the point light source side, for outputting the confined light to an outside from a light outputting surface by light outputting means (70). The light introducing section (65) has an inclined surface (67), which is inclined from a surface of the light introducing section towards a surface of the light guide plate main body (64). The inclined surface (67) has a directivity converting pattern (68) for converting a directivity expansion in a thickness direction of the light guide plate of the light entered to the light introducing section (65) to directivity characteristics tilted towards a direction parallel to a surface direction of the light guide plate. The directivity converting pattern (68) has a structure in which a plurality of V-shaped groove structures (68a) are lined. |
| US08345179B2 |
Flat panel display module
A flat panel display module is introduced herein, which principally includes an upper bezel, a liquid crystal panel, a frame, an optical film set and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), wherein various types electrical components mounted on the PCBA are capable of being completely or mostly accommodated within a caved structure constructed within the inside of the flat panel display module so as to reduce a thickness of the whole flat panel display module. Simultaneously, a better structural strength for the whole flat panel display module can be achieved therefore by closely stacking up the above-mentioned elements of the whole flat panel display module. |
| US08345175B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line disposed along a first direction on the substrate, a data line disposed along a second direction and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, pixel electrodes disposed in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, common electrodes disposed in the pixel region and alternating with the pixel electrodes, a semiconductor layer underlying the data line and including a portion having a width greater than a width of the data line, and a first blocking pattern comprising an opaque material and disposed under the semiconductor layer. |
| US08345173B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate, display device having the same and method of manufacturing the same
A display substrate includes a first sensor line substantially parallel with the gate line or the data line, a first protrusion portion protruded from the first sensor line, and a first sensor electrode electrically connected to the first protrusion portion. The first sensor electrode includes a malleable metal. The malleable metal can overcome pressure and elastic deformation. Thus, the sensor electrode made from the malleable metal is not easily damaged by pressing the sensor electrode repeatedly. |
| US08345172B2 |
Video display device and light source driving method thereof
A display device uses a field sequential color scheme. Assume that a panel video writing period defines a period from the start of writing image data into a display panel to the completion of displaying the image on the basis of the image data in a sub-frame. A light source driving circuit generates a driving signal for gradually increasing the luminance of a light source of a color corresponding to a displayed image in the present sub-frame from zero to a predetermined value within the panel video writing period of the present sub-frame and for gradually decreasing the luminance of the light source from the predetermined value to zero within the panel video writing period of the next sub-frame. A light source driver drives the light source to emit light in accordance with the driving signal. |
| US08345170B2 |
Display device and its control method
When an operation mode of a television receiver is a normal mode, insertion of a memory card having trigger information stored therein into a card insertion portion causes a storefront mode setting screen to be displayed on a video display unit. When the operation mode of the television receiver is a storefront mode, detection of supply of power by a power supply detector causes a storefront mode release screen to be displayed on the video display unit. Users performs selection and setting on the storefront mode setting screen and the storefront mode release confirmation screen by operating a remote controller to switch the operation mode of the television receiver. |
| US08345169B2 |
Signal transmitter and signal receiver
In a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, a multiplexing part multiplexes a video signal and a time-base-compressed audio signal on the basis of a multiplexing control signal to transmit the multiplexed signal through a data line in the signal transmitter. Further, a demultiplexing part demultiplexes a video/audio multiplexed signal received through the data line into the original video signal and audio signal by a demultiplexing control signal in the signal receiver. According to the so-configured signal transmitter and signal receiver, it is possible to realize a signal transmission system compliant with the DVI standard, in which the audio signal as well as the video signal can be transmitted. |
| US08345168B2 |
Digital broadcast receiver unit
A display apparatus coupled with a video processing apparatus including: an input unit which inputs a video signal scanned by one of the plurality of scanning methods and a scanning method data detected based on said video signal from said video processing apparatus, a display which displays said video signal inputted by said input unit, a controller which controls as said display displays said video signal based on said scanning method data inputted by said input unit. |
| US08345167B2 |
Methods of storing and accessing pictures
A method of storing and accessing pictures in a multi-field video operation includes storing a first portion of a first field in first page of a first bank of a DRAM; storing a first portion of a second field in the first page of the first bank; reading the first page of the first bank; and performing the multi-field video operation according to the first portions of the first field and the second field. Another method includes storing a first field in a first bank of a DRAM; storing a second field in a second bank of the DRAM; reading a first portion of the first field from the first bank of the DRAM and reading a first portion of the second field from the second bank of the DRAM; and performing the multi-field video operation according to the first portions of the first field and the second field. |
| US08345162B2 |
Systems and methods for triggering an out of focus alert
In order to trigger an out of focus alert when the focus level of a video frame meets a focus criteria, a method is performed including the operations of: receiving a video frame, partitioning the video frame into a plurality of blocks, calculating an array of discrete cosine transformation (DCT) coefficients for at least one of the plurality of blocks using a DCT, classifying each of the at least one of the plurality of blocks based on the array of DCT coefficients for that block, calculating a focus level of the video frame from the block classifications, and triggering an out of focus alert if the focus level meets a focus criteria. |
| US08345161B2 |
Signal processing device, and image output device
In a case of changing the resolution of the synthesized image signal obtained by synthesizing the first image signal and a second image signal, identification information for identifying whether or not the character signal is contained is added to the synthesized image signal based on presence/absence of the character signal, by a character signal creating unit and a character signal synthesizing unit. Then, based on the identification information, a resolution changing unit separates the synthesized image signal into a third image signal containing a component of the character signal and a fourth image signal containing no component of the character signal, changes the resolutions of the third image signal and the fourth image signal, and synthesizes the third image signal and the fourth image signal with the resolutions changed, based on the identification information. |
| US08345160B2 |
Synchronous signal conversion circuit, signal processing system including it, and synchronous signal conversion method
A synchronous signal conversion circuit converts a first synchronous signal, which is transmitted with a data signal, to a second synchronous signal conforming to a predetermined standard. In the synchronous signal conversion circuit, a transition detection circuit detects transition of the first synchronous signal. A synchronous signal generation circuit generates a second synchronous signal in response to a detection result by the transition detection circuit. An output timing control circuit delays the second synchronous signal generated by the synchronous signal generation circuit so that the second synchronous signal synchronizes with the data signal. |
| US08345159B2 |
Captioning evaluation system
A captioning evaluation system. The system accepts captioning data and determines a number of errors in the captioning data, as well as the number of words per minute across the entirety of an event corresponding to the captioning data and time intervals of the event. The errors may be used to determine the accuracy of the captioning and the words per minute, both for the entire event and the time intervals, used to determine a cadence and/or rhythm for the captioning. The accuracy and cadence may be used to score the captioning data and captioner. |
| US08345156B2 |
Progressive scanning conversion apparatus and progressive scanning conversion method
According to one embodiment, a progressive scanning conversion apparatus comprising: a motion detecting unit that detects a motion during one frame for each pixel and that outputs an output value between a still image determination value and a moving image determination value; a still image interpolation pixel generating unit that generates still image interpolation pixels from at least one of a preceding field signal and a following field signal; a moving image interpolation pixel generating unit that generates moving image interpolation pixels from at least one of a current field signal, the preceding field signal and the following field signal; an interpolation pixel mixing generating unit that mixes the still image interpolation pixels to the moving image interpolation pixels at an adjustable mixing ratio; an inter-field zero vector correlation detecting unit that detects correlation of corresponding small regions in a current field and a preceding field or in the current field and a following field, the corresponding small regions occupying the same area in an entire screen; and a motion detection correcting unit that corrects the output value to be closer to the moving image determination value when the correlation detected by the inter-field zero vector correlation detecting unit is lower; wherein, when the corrected output value is closer to the still image determination value, the interpolation pixel mixing generating unit increases the adjustable mixing ratio; and wherein, when the corrected output value is closer to the moving image determination value, the interpolation pixel mixing generating unit decreases the adjustable mixing ratio. |
| US08345152B2 |
Shutter for CCD imager
A CCD sensor has a shutter to prevent frame shift smear during transfer of an image from the image region to a store region. The CCD sensor has an extended dynamic range, because each integration is in two parts, the second part of which has a different sensitivity than the first part. In order to avoid an asymmetry in the uncovering and covering of the image region, a two-bladed shutter is used. |
| US08345148B2 |
Method and system for inverse telecine and scene change detection of progressive video
Certain aspects of a method and system for inverse telecine and scene change detection of progressive video may include determining a cadence, for example, 3:2 or 2:2 pulldown, and phase of received progressive input pictures. A difference between two or more consecutive received progressive input pictures may be determined. The motion compensation of a plurality of output pictures may be controlled based on the determined cadence, phase and difference between two or more consecutive received progressive input pictures. The system may be enabled to determine repeated pictures and scene changes. The motion compensation of output pictures may be stopped during detected scene changes. |
| US08345144B1 |
Methods and apparatus for rich image capture with focused plenoptic cameras
Methods and apparatus for rich image capture using focused plenoptic camera technology. A radiance camera employs focused plenoptic camera technology and includes sets of modulating elements that may be used to modulate the sampling of different aspects of the range of plenoptic data. The radiance camera, via the modulating elements, may capture a particular property of light, such as luminance, color, polarization, etc., differently in different microimages or in different portions of microimages. With the focused plenoptic camera technology, the microimages are captured at the same time in a single image. Thus, multiple microimages of the same image of a scene may be captured at different exposures, different colors, different polarities, and so on, in a single image at the same time. Captured images may be used, for example, in High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, spectral imaging, polarization imaging, 3D imaging, and other imaging applications. |
| US08345143B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and image capturing apparatus control method
An image capturing apparatus has either one of a first display mode for continuously displaying a captured image on an image display unit and a second display mode for not displaying the captured image on the image display unit and displays an image according to the detection result on the image display unit when the second display mode is set. |
| US08345138B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, an image signal transmitter, an image signal receiver, a signal processor and a control unit. The imaging element includes pixels arranged in two-dimensional array. The pixels output an imaging signal in synchronization with a first synchronizing signal. The image signal transmitter superimposes a second synchronizing signal on the imaging signal and transmits an image signal. The second synchronizing signal indicates a start position in vertical and horizontal directions in the two-dimensional array and is different from the first synchronizing signal. The image signal receiver receives the image signal from the image signal transmitter, and separates the received image signal into the imaging signal and second synchronizing signal. The signal processor processes the separated imaging signal based on the separated second synchronizing signal. The control unit receives the first synchronizing signal, and controls peripheral circuits in synchronization with the first synchronizing signal. |
| US08345133B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus and imaging system using the same
A plurality of photoelectric conversion elements including a first photoelectric conversion element, a second photoelectric conversion element, and a third photoelectric conversion element, are arranged in a photoelectric conversion apparatus of the present invention. Provided, between the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion element, is a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type and of a first width in which a signal charge is a minor charier. And, provided, between the first photoelectric conversion element and the third photoelectric conversion element, is a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type in a higher impurity concentration and of a second width narrower than the first width at a position deeper in a semiconductor substrate rather than a depth of the first semiconductor region. |
| US08345129B2 |
Camera placed behind a display with a transparent backlight
A method and combined video display and camera system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first sheet and a second sheet oriented parallel to the first sheet, the second sheet including a light diffuser. A light source is placed along an edge of the second sheet, wherein the second sheet diffuses light generated by the light source. One or more cameras are placed behind the second sheet to capture an image through the second sheet and the first sheet. |
| US08345127B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of processing image for reducing noise of the image
An image processing apparatus calculates a smoothed value obtained by smoothing signal levels of a plurality of pixels including a processing target pixel in a local area of an input image and a feature amount representing an edge degree of the processing target pixel using a pre-noise reduction image obtained by reducing an impulse noise of the input image. The image processing apparatus weighted-adds a signal level of the processing target pixel and the smoothed value at a ratio corresponding to the feature amount and outputs the weighted-addition result as a signal level after noise reduction processing. |
| US08345123B2 |
Image sensing apparatus, registration apparatus, and control method and program therefor
A lens unit 1 acquires identification information for an attached lens unit from the lens unit and stores the acquired identification information in a second memory 37. In a case in which correction information for the stored identification information is not registered, a CPU 36 reads the correction information for the stored identification information out from an external memory 39 and registers it. |
| US08345120B2 |
Electronic camera with self-adjusting flash and image-capture sensitivity
An electronic camera includes: an image-capturing unit with variable image-capturing sensitivity, which captures an image of a subject through a photographic lens; a brightness detection unit that detects subject brightness; an exposure calculation unit that executes an exposure calculation by using, at least, the image-capturing sensitivity set at the image-capturing unit and the subject brightness having been detected; a flash quantity calculation unit that calculates a main flash quantity for a flash unit that illuminates the subject when capturing an image thereof; and a sensitivity adjusting unit that adjusts the image-capturing sensitivity so as to achieve optimal exposure with a main flash quantity within a flash quantity control range of the flash unit when the main flash quantity having been calculated by the flash quantity calculation unit is outside the flash quantity control range. And if the image-capturing sensitivity has been adjusted by the sensitivity adjusting unit, the exposure calculation unit re-executes the exposure calculation. |
| US08345118B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, album creating apparatus, album creating method, album creating system and computer readable medium
An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing section for capturing an image; a person determining section for determining whether the image captured by the image capturing section includes any person; an input notification section for notifying a user that the person included in the image captured by the image capturing section should be inputted when the image determining section determines that the image includes the person; a personal identification information input section for causing the user to input personal identification information indicative of the person included in the image captured by the image capturing section by a predetermined timing after the input notification section notifies the user that the person included in the image captured by the image capturing section should be inputted; and an image storage section for storing the personal identification information inputted by the personal identification information input section in association with the image captured by the image capturing section when the personal identification information input section inputs the personal identification information. |
| US08345115B2 |
Visual occultation to measure refractivity profile
Presented is a system and method for measuring the refractivity profile of a parcel of atmosphere comprising an image capturing device for capturing an image of a visual feature, such as a topographic feature like the horizon, combined with a lens having focal length adapted to focus an image onto image capturing device such that the combination of the lens and the image capturing device are adapted to resolve at least 100 microradians of angle, and an image processor adapted to compare a detected position of the visual feature in the image to the expected position of the visual feature. The system uses the difference between the detected position and the expected position to detect the change in arrival angle caused by atmospheric refraction of light from the visual feature as it passes through the atmosphere. |
| US08345107B2 |
Display control device, imaging device, and printing device
A digital camera 1 has an image recorder 12, a microprocessor 3, and an image display controller 13. The image recorder 12 records a plurality of sequentially captured images along with a panning mode signal 60 related to the panning operation of the digital camera 1. The microprocessor 3 determines the layout of the plurality of images on the basis of the panning mode signal 60 recorded to the image recorder 12. The image display controller 13 displays a plurality of images side by side on a liquid crystal monitor 55 on the basis of the determination result of the microprocessor 3. |
| US08345105B2 |
System and method for accessing and utilizing ancillary data with an electronic camera device
A system and method for accessing and utilizing ancillary data with an electronic camera device includes a data source that stores various selectable ancillary data files such as image template files, text overlay files, image background files, and special program instruction files. The data source may be implemented in any effective manner, including as a service on an distributed computer network like the Internet, as a discrete electronic device such as a personal computer, or as a removable, non-volatile memory device such as a flash memory. The electronic camera device may then utilize an ancillary data module to access, select, and download the ancillary data files from the data source for subsequently combining with other captured image data to thereby produce new composite images. |
| US08345103B2 |
Apparatus and method of obtaining 3D image
An apparatus and method for obtaining an image. A first filter unit of the apparatus of obtaining an image may pass a light in a first wavelength band corresponding to visible light. Also, a second filter unit may pass a light in a second wavelength band corresponding to an Infrared ray (IR). A sensor unit may sense the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band. An operating unit may operate at least one of the first filter unit and the second filter unit. |
| US08345099B2 |
Optical path protection device and method for a railroad track inspection system
A railroad track inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The railroad track inspection system includes an optical path protection device for a protective window for optical sensors of an optical inspection system when it becomes contaminated with dirt, dust, mud, grease, and other contaminants that block or obscure an optical path of the sensors. The optical path protection device eliminates the need for a human operator to perform the periodic cleaning of the protective window by using a clear film with an automated advancement mechanism for providing clean film, as needed, for keeping the optical path of the optical sensors unobstructed and clear. |
| US08345090B2 |
Fluoroscopy apparatus having an image correction section
A fluoroscopy apparatus includes an illumination portion irradiating an observation target with illumination light; a fluorescence image acquisition device acquires fluorescence emitted from an observation target to acquire a fluorescence image; a fluorescence image-acquisition optical system forms an image of the observation target using the fluorescence; a reference-light image acquisition device acquires returning light from the observation region to acquire a reference image; a reference-light image-acquisition optical system forms an image using the returning light; and an image correction section corrects the fluorescence image by the reference image, wherein the product of an pixel density of the reference-light image acquisition device and the image-forming magnification of the reference-light image-acquisition optical system is less than the product of the pixel density of the fluorescence image acquisition device and the image-forming magnification of the fluorescence image-acquisition optical system. |
| US08345088B2 |
Autostereoscopic display apparatus
In an autostereoscopic display apparatus comprising a liquid crystal spatial light modulator having an array of pixels of different colors, each pixel comprising plural domains of different polar alignments, and a parallax element comprising an array of optical elements having geometric axes extending in parallel across the spatial light modulator in an inclined direction, the domains are shaped to improve the angular contrast uniformity. For each individual domain, a notional line parallel to the geometric axes of the optical elements of the parallax element has a total length of intersection with the individual domain, summed over adjacent pixels of the same color, is the same for all positions of the notional line. The total length of intersection for different domains is proportional to the area of the individual domains. |
| US08345085B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating files for stereographic image display and method and apparatus for controlling stereographic image display
An apparatus for generating a file comprises a file obtaining means, image composing means and a file generating means. The file obtaining means obtains a main image file in which a main stereographic image is recorded and a sub-image file in which a sub-image is recorded. The image composing means generates a first synthetic stereographic image by synthesizing a sub-stereographic image reconstructed to conform to a main stereographic image with the main stereographic image and generates a second synthetic stereographic image by synthesizing a main stereographic image reconstructed to conform to a sub-stereographic image with the sub-stereographic image. The file generating means generates a file of a predetermined format including the synthetic first and second stereographic images. |
| US08345084B2 |
Stereoscopic image-capturing objective optical system and endoscope
A system includes a first prism pair that converts beams emitted from a subject and having two substantially parallel optical axes arranged side-by-side in one direction into beams arranged side-by-side in a direction intersecting the aforementioned side-by-side direction; and a second prism pair that performs conversion to reduce the distance between the optical axes of the two beams converted by the first prism pair and that has exit surfaces arranged side-by-side in a direction perpendicular to the side-by-side arrangement direction before entering the first prism pair. The first prism pair includes a first parallelogram prism that reflects, twice, the beam containing one of the two optical axes in a first plane containing one of the optical axes, and a second parallelogram prism that reflects, twice, the beam containing the other of the two optical axes in a second plane containing the other optical axis and parallel to the first plane. |
| US08345082B2 |
System and associated methodology for multi-layered site video conferencing
A video conferencing system with more than three endpoints and a multipoint control unit displays a merged image of the video conference participants at an endpoint monitor. The participant images are separated from their corresponding background and merged to make all participants appear the same size on the monitor. The system also identifies an active endpoint based on the level of sound received from the endpoints and highlights a corresponding participant as a speaker. |
| US08345078B2 |
Optical component bowing device, optical device, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus
An optical component bowing device includes a bending moment generating structure. In a particular embodiment, the bending moment generating structure can have extension members that extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of an optical component. The extension members can be positioned adjacent longitudinal end portions of the optical component. The bending moment generating structure can also have loading members that load the extension members in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the optical component, whereby displacement of the extension members can generate a bending moment in a supported portion of the optical component that reflects or shapes a light beam. The bending moment generating structure can also include a reflective surface. Extension members on at least one end of the optical component can be T-shaped when seen in plan view in a direction orthogonal to the reflective surface. |
| US08345074B2 |
Light-emitting device, print head and image forming apparatus
A light-emitting device includes: a board; plural light-emitting chips that are one-dimensionally arrayed in a longitudinal direction of the board and that are connected to a first potential and a second potential; and plural capacitors that each include a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in a short-side direction of the board, and that are arrayed in the longitudinal direction of the board so that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately positioned between each adjacent two of the capacitors. The first electrode is connected to the first potential for the light-emitting chips, and the second electrode is connected to the second potential for the light-emitting chips. |
| US08345071B2 |
Display control circuit, liquid crystal display device including the same, and display control method
In a display control circuit of this invention, a write gray scale level determining part outputs write gray scale level data for performing overshoot drive on a liquid crystal display device. Moreover, an achievable gray scale level determining part outputs achievable gray scale level data indicating a gray scale level which achieves after a lapse of one frame. Further, an error noise predicting part compares, with a predetermined threshold value, predicted values as differences between gray scale level values of plural pieces of input image data and a mean gray scale level value of these gray scale level values to control a data selecting part such that when at least one of the predicted values exceeds the threshold value, the data selecting part gives, to an image compressing part, the input image data rather than the achievable gray scale level data predicted that a decoding error becomes large. This configuration allows suppression or elimination of after-image noise. |
| US08345070B2 |
Apparatus and method for frame rate up conversion
A method for frame rate up conversion. The method is executed by a frame rate up-converter. The frame rate up-converter receives a plurality of consecutive input video frames and detects luminance information for a current frame. The frame rate up-converter generates a first output frame according to the luminance information for the current frame and a preceding frame before the current frame and generates a second output frame according to the luminance information for the current frame and a succeeding frame after the current frame, wherein the second output frame is outputted after the first output frame. |
| US08345065B2 |
System and method for providing graphics using graphical engine
Systems and methods that provide graphics using a graphical engine are provided. In one example, a system may provide layered graphics in a video environment. The system may include a bus, a graphical engine and a graphical pipeline. The graphical engine may be coupled to the bus and may be adapted to composite a plurality of graphical layers into a composite graphical layer. The graphical engine may include a memory that stores the composite graphical layer. The graphical pipeline may be coupled to the bus and may be adapted to transport the composite graphical layer. |
| US08345063B2 |
Filtering method and apparatus for anti-aliasing
Embodiments of a filtering method and apparatus for anti-aliasing as described herein take advantage of improved existing hardware by using as input the data stored in the multisampling anti-aliasing (MSAA) buffers after rendering. The standard hardware box-filter is then replaced with a more intelligent resolve implemented using shader programs. Embodiments find scene edges using existing samples generated by Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) hardware. Using samples from a footprint larger than a single pixel, a gradient is calculated matching the direction of an edge. A non-linear filter over contributing samples in the direction of the gradient gives the final result. |
| US08345062B2 |
Automatic color adjustment of a template design
The present invention generates a color template design to format a presentation. According to one aspect, a plurality of template designs are provided on a visual display. A selection of one of the plurality of template designs is received from a user. A plurality of source images that are separate from the plurality of template designs are provided on the visual display. A selection of a color from one of the plurality of source images is received from the user. Colors of the selected template design are automatically adjusted to match the selected the color from the source image. The selected template design may include framing, mat, background, and foreground portions, at least one of which is adjusted. After automatically adjusting the colors, the selected template design may be displayed and/or stored for use as a template. |
| US08345060B2 |
Method and system for improved internet color
The present invention provides a technique for providing color corrected images to a user over a network. In particular, the present invention allows multiple image providers to provide color corrected images to a user when the user's computer and its associated devices are not calibrated and/or characterized, or the calibration and/or characterization data is not available over the network to the image providers. This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules requiring an abstract to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure contained herein. This abstract is submitted with the express understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. |
| US08345056B2 |
User-directed path-based region filling
A method for filling closed regions in a drawing using a region filling tool. Rather than selecting individual regions to fill, or filling based on style-by-layer techniques, the user creates a path or an area boundary to identify the regions to be filled. A graphics application may then fill each region that intersects the path or area boundary with a selected color or graphical style. In this manner, multiple regions in the drawing may be identified using one interaction with the region filling tool, allowing the user to more efficiently and intuitively fill regions in the drawing with the selected color or graphical style. |
| US08345053B2 |
Graphics processors with parallel scheduling and execution of threads
A graphics processor capable of parallel scheduling and execution of multiple threads, and techniques for achieving parallel scheduling and execution, are described. The graphics processor may include multiple hardware units and a scheduler. The hardware units are operable in parallel, with each hardware unit supporting a respective set of operations. The hardware units may include an ALU core, an elementary function core, a logic core, a texture sampler, a load control unit, some other hardware unit, or a combination thereof. The scheduler dispatches instructions for multiple threads to the hardware units concurrently. The graphics processor may further include an instruction cache to store instructions for threads and register banks to store data. The instruction cache and register banks may be shared by the hardware units. |
| US08345051B2 |
Processing of 3-dimensional graphics
A graphic rendering pipeline has a number of different rendering units and receives fragments for rendering. A renderer stated word cache is used to store rendering state data to be used to configure the rendering units when they render a fragment. Each rendering unit includes a functional block which carries out a rendering operation on a received fragment and a renderer state word interface that can be used to look up the required rendering state data from the renderer state word cache. Each fragment is provided to the rendering pipeline with fragment data that indicates, inter alia, a fragment index, a renderer state word index, and other fragment data that is necessary to render the fragment. When a rendering unit of the rendering pipeline receives a fragment to be rendered, it firstly uses the renderer state word index associated with the fragment to look-up, using its renderer state word interface, the relevant rendering state data from the renderer state word cache. It then uses that rendering state data to configure its functional block, and then renders the fragment. |
| US08345049B2 |
Method and apparatus for predicting avatar movement in a virtual universe
The present invention provides a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer useable program code to offer to move an avatar in a virtual universe. A computer predicts a location selection to form a prediction. The computer renders a first viewport in a computer display, based on the prediction. The first viewport includes a first user-control; a first coordinate; and a first attitude. The computer renders a second viewport comprising a second user-control, a second coordinate and a second attitude wherein at least one object is rendered in a computer display from a perspective distinct from a perspective of the first viewport. The computer receives an instruction corresponding to the first user-control. |
| US08345047B2 |
Method for displaying performance information for one or more vehicles
A method and system for displaying information related to a work vehicle comprises sensors for detecting levels associated with corresponding performance variables. An assignor assigns points in an image or graphical data representation associated with corresponding detected levels. A graphical module interconnects the points in the image to form a performance polygon indicative of a collective level of performance of the performance variables. A display is arranged for displaying the performance polygon to a user. |
| US08345044B2 |
Indirect binding with segmented thin layers to provide shape-preserving deformations in computer animation
A method for use in deformation of an object. The method includes providing a high-resolution model of the object and providing a control cage for the model that includes control faces each defined by control vertices. The method includes generating a thin-layer segment for each of the control faces including extruding a set of the control vertices a distance toward the model. The method includes binding the control cage to the high resolution model based on the thin-layer segments. Each of the thin-layer segments includes a segmented mesh corresponding to a set of the control faces surrounding each face as it is used as seed for a segment. The method includes determining heat diffusion weights for the segments and using the weights along with mean value coordinates to statically bind the cage to the model and to determine influences of segments during deformation of the model with the cage. |
| US08345043B2 |
Solving networks of geometric constraints
Systems, program products and program products for accepting a request to move a first geometric entity that is constrained to other geometric entities in a drawing that may contain both one-way and two-way geometric constraints. A set of affected geometric entities that need to be repositioned or otherwise changed as the result of moving the first geometric entity is identified. The affected geometric entities and the geometric constraints are classified into groups which are solved using a variational geometric constraint solver. If the geometric constraints cannot be satisfied, the movement of the first geometric entity is restricted. Otherwise the affected geometric entities are updated. |
| US08345040B2 |
Information processing system and information processing apparatus
A display state of input data and a setting dialog on a display screen is determined to display the setting dialog at an appropriate position based on a determination result. An information processing system includes a scanner apparatus for inputting data and a PC for displaying input data input by the scanner apparatus on a display screen of a large-sized display. The PC includes a display control portion for displaying the input data and the setting dialog for setting document reading conditions relating to the input data on the display screen, and a display state determining portion for determining a display state of the input data and the setting dialog. The display control portion controls a display position of the setting dialog based on a determination result by the display state determining portion. |
| US08345037B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a driving method thereof are provided. The LCD device includes a display panel including pixel units, a data driving circuit, and a gate driving circuit. The gate driving circuit provides a first gate off voltage to one pixel unit of the pixel units when the data driving circuit provides a data voltage having a positive polarity to the pixel unit, the gate driving circuit provides a second gate off voltage to one pixel unit of the pixel units when the data driving circuit provides a data voltage having a negative polarity to the pixel unit. The second gate off voltage is less than the first gate off voltage. |
| US08345036B2 |
Display method, display system, mobile communication terminal, and display controller
When there is a circuit that has to wait for one frame cycle to switch LCD resolution, a user feels uncomfortable because the resolution is switched while the screen is temporarily turned off and blackened or while the screen does keep display but causes flickers. When the user switches to an application that will display in QVGA mode on the LCD while the LCD is displaying in VGA mode, a synchronization signal, etc. are stopped from being output from an LCD controller within a vertical blank period (step S2). Then, a pseudo vertical synchronization signal whose cycle falls within the vertical blank period is generated by the LCD controller to trigger a circuit in a par/ser converting circuit triggered by a vertical synchronization signal (steps S3 to S5), and to realize resolution switching (steps S6 to S8). This prevents blackening/flickering of the screen when the resolution is switched. |
| US08345035B2 |
Liquid crystal display and display apparatus
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel switchable between normal mode for displaying images and standby mode, a control circuit coupled to the liquid crystal panel controlling the liquid crystal panel mode according to video signals transmitted thereto, and a power board providing a power voltage to the control circuit. When the liquid crystal panel is in a standby mode, the control circuit outputs a corresponding feedback signal to interrupt power voltage supply from the power board to the control circuit. |
| US08345028B2 |
Driving circuit, electronic display device applying the same and driving method thereof
A driving circuit applied in an electronic display apparatus is provided. The driving circuit includes a first exchange circuit and a first buffer. The first buffer includes first and second input stages, a second exchange circuit and first and second output stages. The first exchange circuit selectively couples a first input signal and a first output signal outputted from the first output stage to one of the first and the second input stages; and selectively couples a second input signal and a second output signal outputted from the second output stage to the other of the first and the second input stages. The second exchange circuit selectively couples the first input stage to one of the first and the second output stages and selectively couples the second input stage to the other of the first and the second output stages. |
| US08345024B2 |
Display system, display device, and method for the same
A display system includes a display device with a display section. A display-data providing device provides a display control signal containing display data to the display device. The display-data providing device stores display data to be provided to the display device and information corresponding to the display data in association with each other. The display device holds the corresponding information associated with the display data provided from the display-data providing device. If the display data is lost from the display device, and if the display-data providing device identifies the display content indicated by the corresponding information contained in the display-data identifying signal output by the display device, the display device erases the display content according to a second inverted erase signal sent from the display-data providing device, and the second inverted erase signal includes the display data corresponding to the display content identified by the display-data providing device. |
| US08345018B2 |
Image display that moves physical objects and causes tactile sensation
An image display including a touch-sensitive display, that creates tactile sensation and movement of an object (3-2) along its surface is provided. Actuators including conductive rods (4-111, 4-112) attached together may be used, such that each rod of the actuator (4-11) may increase or decrease in size when current is applied to that rod to cause the actuator to bend toward a specified direction. Also, an image display that includes ball bearings (1-10) whose rotation is controlled by driving magnets (1-21, 1-22) to cause an object to move is provided. Further, air holes (3-11) tilted in various directions to control object movement by air pressure may be provided. Moreover, rods (3-10) may be moved up or down as activated by driving magnets (2-20). The actuators, rods, ball bearing assemblies, or holes may provide touch sensitivity for the image display. |
| US08345011B2 |
Method for express execution of playing computer multimedia data with device group activation
A method for express execution of multimedia playing with device group activation is provided. A device activation group table is provided to a multimedia computer system. The device activation group table defines, according to the functional features of each multimedia players connected to the computer, each hot key and its associated multimedia player, driver, and application program. To execute the express activation of the group function menu, the method includes the following steps: detecting the depression of a hot key; computer loading and executing the driver for the multimedia player associated with the depressed hot key in the computer by referring to the device activation group table; and loading and executing the application program for the multimedia player associated with the depressed hot key to activate the associated multimedia player. For those multimedia players associated with the hot keys that are not depressed, no action is taken. |
| US08345006B2 |
Deformable computer mouse
A deformable computer mouse for easy storage and portability. The mouse housing includes a flat top layer having at least two splitable pieces and an intermediate layer sliding mounted underneath. By pulling the two splitable pieces upward, the intermediate layer slides out and forms an arced surface together with the two splitable pieces, thus forming a full sized computer mouse. |
| US08345005B2 |
Push-detecting hall effect mini-joystick and corresponding control device
The invention relates to a mini joystick including a handle which can be moved in relation to a body, in rotation along at least two axes of rotation.According to the invention, such a mini-joystick includes a Hall effect movement detection set including at least one first element interdependent in rotation with said handle and at least one second element fixed in relation to said body, said elements belonging to the group including the sensors and the magnets, delivering at least one item of information regarding the position of said handle, and detection means for detecting at least one push applied onto an upper part of said handle, able to deliver at least one item of control information when a push is applied, whatever the position of said handle in relation to said body. |
| US08345002B2 |
Control apparatus and method for controlling an image display
A control apparatus for controlling an image display includes at least one reference object for generating a predetermined spectrum signal; a modulation unit for modulating the predetermined spectrum signal with a predetermined method; and a remote controller. The remote controller includes an image sensor for receiving the modulated predetermined spectrum signal and generating a digital signal; and a processing unit for receiving the digital signal, demodulating the digital signal so as to generate a digital image which only contains the image of the reference object, and calculating an image variation of the image of the reference object formed on the digital image, wherein the remote controller controls the image display according to the image variation thereby eliminating the interference from a light source which generates a light band overlapping the band of the predetermined spectrum signal. The present invention also provides a control method for controlling an image display. |
| US08344999B2 |
Powerless electronic notepad and powerless wireless transmission system using the same
The present invention relates to a powerless electronic notepad and a powerless wireless transmission system using the same, and more particularly, to a powerless electronic notepad that stores data recorded on an electronic notepad using piezoelectric elements and transmits the stored data using a passive RFID tag without the use of a power source, and a powerless wireless transmission system using the same. |
| US08344998B2 |
Gesture-based power management of a wearable portable electronic device with display
Methods and systems for providing gesture-based power management for a wearable portable electronic device with display are described. An inertial sensor is calibrated to a reference orientation relative to gravity. Motion of the portable device is tracked with respect to the reference orientation, and the display is enabled when the device is within a viewable range, wherein the viewable range is a predefined rotational angle range in each of x, y, and z axis, to a user based upon a position of the device with respect to the reference orientation. Furthermore, the display is turned off if an object is detected within a predetermined distance of the display for a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08344997B2 |
Method and system for writing data to electromechanical display elements
Methods and devices for applying bias potentials of opposite polarities to columns of electromechanical display elements are described herein. The bias potentials may be applied such that a column and an adjacent column receive bias potentials of opposite polarity. The bias potentials may be applied such that a polarity of bias voltages received by columns of a first set of the display elements is opposite a polarity of bias voltages received by columns of a second set of the display elements. |
| US08344996B2 |
Line addressing methods and apparatus for partial display updates
A method for updating a submatrix of a display matrix of a display device comprises sequentially selecting rows of the display matrix starting from an initial row of the display matrix. The method includes determining whether a selected row precedes a first row of the submatrix in a first drive frame of a waveform having two or more drive frames. If a condition that a selected row precedes the first row of the submatrix in the first drive frame of the waveform is false, the method includes addressing the selected row for a first line address period. If a condition that a selected row precedes the first row of the submatrix in the first drive frame of the waveform is true, the method includes addressing the selected row for a second line address period. |
| US08344995B2 |
Portable electronic device and illumination controlling method thereof
A portable display device includes a display formed with electronic paper, an illuminating unit, and a controller. The electronic paper displays data in response to applied electrical current, and maintains displaying of the data in an absence of the applied electrical current. The illuminating unit selectively illuminates each particular region of a plurality of regions of the display and includes a plurality of light sources which are individually associated with one or more of the plurality of regions of the display. The controller activates the illuminating unit, selectively activating a first group of the plurality of light sources to illuminate a particular region of the display responsive to user contact, and the first group includes at least one of the plurality of light sources. |
| US08344994B2 |
Reduced energy let through mode indication and delay in switching devices
A method of improved reduced energy let through (RELT) mode selection in a switching apparatus includes receiving a request to disable a RELT mode of the switching apparatus, and, if the RELT mode of the switching apparatus is active, increasing a current threshold of the switching apparatus after a configurable amount of time has elapsed from the receipt of the request to disable the RELT mode. |
| US08344993B2 |
Backlight device and method for LCD displays
A backlight device for LCD displays can include a light-emitting source of the type that includes a cold-cathode or hot-cathode fluorescent tube that is lit with a high-frequency power supply. The high-frequency power supply can be PWM-controlled to adjust the brightness. The high-frequency power supply can also be randomly phase-modulated with an irregular modulation code to light the fluorescent tube. This enables the infrared radiation from the fluorescent tube to be spread over a wider band such that the level thereof is lowered to a level that does not interfere with typical remote controls. |
| US08344988B2 |
Signal output circuit, shift register, output signal generating method, display device driving circuit, and display device
A signal output circuit of one embodiment of the present invention is provided in a unit stage of a shift register. The signal output circuit includes a set-reset flip-flop, and a signal generation circuit for generating an output signal by loading or blocking a clock signal in accordance with a signal inputted thereto. The signal output circuit is arranged such that: the signal generation circuit receives a signal outputted from the flip-flop and the output signal fed back to the signal generating circuit; and the output signal is fed back to a reset input of the flip-flop. This makes it possible to achieve a reduction in the area of the circuit and a simplification of the circuit. |
| US08344985B2 |
Liquid crystal display with common voltage compensation and driving method thereof
An exemplary liquid crystal display (300) includes a liquid crystal panel (301) having a plurality of pixel units (340), a data processor (391) having a calculation circuit (393) and an analyzing circuit (394), and a common voltage circuit (305). The calculation circuit is configured to carry out a predetermined calculation between display signals corresponding to a current frame period and display signals corresponding to a previous frame period. The analyzing circuit is configured to provide a compensating signal according to a result of the calculation. The common voltage circuit is configured to adjust a reference voltage signal according to the compensating signal, so as to generate a common voltage signal for the pixel units. A related method for driving a liquid crystal display is also provided. |
| US08344984B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same are provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel including data lines, gate lines crossing the data lines, and liquid crystal cells and having a quad type pixel structure in which red, green, blue, and white subpixels constitute one pixel, a logic circuit sequentially outputting polarity control signals, a data drive circuit that inverts a polarity of a data voltage in response to the polarity control signals to supply the data voltage with the inverted polarity to the data lines, and a gate drive circuit sequentially supplying gate pulses to the gate lines. A logic level of each of the polarity control signals is inverted every three horizontal periods, and phases of the polarity control signals are different from one another. |
| US08344983B2 |
Driving method of liquid crystal display apparatus, driving apparatus of liquid crystal display apparatus, and program thereof
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a plurality of areas in which response speeds greatly different from each other coexist in a pixel. A first replacement process section replaces the image data of the desired target frame with a first gradation, when a gradation transition from a current frame to a desired target frame corresponds to the above gradation transition. A second replacement process section replaces the image data of the current frame with a second value. The first value is set to a value causing the pixel to respond at a relatively higher speed without the occurrence of the excessive brightness. Without avoiding the deterioration of the image, it is possible to drive a liquid crystal display apparatus including areas whose response speeds are different from each other coexist in the pixel, such as a liquid crystal display apparatus of vertically aligned mode and normally black mode. |
| US08344981B2 |
Display driver, display device, and drive method
A display driver including: a data line driver circuit which drives an output line based on a drive voltage corresponding to display data; a first switching element connected between a first power supply line and the output line; a second switching element connected between a second power supply line and the output line; and a switch control circuit which controls the first and second switching elements. The lengths of first and second periods are determined based on at least part of the display data in a horizontal scanning period which is immediately before a current horizontal scanning period. The first and second switching elements are respectively turned ON and OFF in the first period, and are respectively turned OFF and ON in the second period. After the second period, the first and second switching elements are turned OFF, and the output line is driven by the data line driver circuit. |
| US08344979B2 |
Method and apparatus for over-driving liquid crystal display
A method and an apparatus for over-driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) are provided, which are suitable for compensating a gray level brightness of the LCD. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a data buffer unit outputs a current frame data. Then, the current frame data is stored into a frame memory unit, and the frame memory unit outputs a previous frame data. Next, several look-up tables (LUTs) are searched for a driving voltage in a corresponding LUT according to the current frame data and the previous frame data. Afterward, a position scanning unit receives the current frame data to determine a current position. Finally, a multiplexer outputs the corresponding driving voltage at the current position. Thus, a display panel has the same gray level brightness in upper, middle, and lower portions thereof, thereby avoiding ghosting. |
| US08344976B2 |
Display device and liquid crystal display panel
A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed. |
| US08344972B2 |
Light emitting device and electronic device
A TFT for controlling the amount of current flowing into a power supply line when an EL element does not emit light (electric discharge TFT) is provided in each pixel. When an EL driving TFT is turned ON to make an EL element emit light, the electric discharge TFT is turned OFF. On the other hand, the electric discharge TFT is turned ON when the EL driving TFT is turned OFF and no EL element emit light. Therefore variation of the difference in electric potential over the length of a power supply line depending on an image to be displayed is contained. Thus reduced is the difference in amount of current flowing into EL elements in adjacent pixels while the EL elements emit light, thereby avoiding crosstalk. |
| US08344968B2 |
Plasma display apparatus
A plasma display apparatus is disclosed. The plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel including a scan electrode and a sustain electrode that are positioned parallel to each other, and an address electrode crossing the scan electrode and the sustain electrode and a driver that supplies a reset signal to the scan electrode and supplies a first signal, whose a direction is the same as a direction of the reset signal, to the sustain electrode in a reset period of at least one of a plurality of subfields of a frame. The first signal overlaps a predetermined period during which the reset signal rises to a maximum voltage and then again rises to a voltage less than the maximum voltage. |
| US08344966B2 |
Method and system for providing a fault tolerant display unit in an electronic device
Method and apparatus for providing a fault tolerant display unit for an electronic device such as a glucose meter, including display unit, and a controller unit operatively coupled to the display unit, the controller unit configured to control the display unit to display an information, where when a failure mode of the display unit occurs, the display unit is configured to display a modified information, where the modified information is different from the information for display under the control of the controller unit, is provided. |
| US08344965B2 |
Head mounted display device
A head mounted display device has a frame. The frame includes a front portion mountable on a nose of a user, and extending to a right side edge of the front portion, and to a left side edge of the front portion, in front of at least one eye of the user, a connection portion connected to an edge portion of at least one of the right and left side edge, and the connection portion extends rearward from the edge portion, and a temple portion configured to be mountable on an ear of the user, rotatably connected to the connection portion, and rotates around a rotation axis. The head mounted display also has an image display unit having an optical system, for generating an image to be displayed at a position viewable by the user, and a retaining mechanism to hold the image display unit within the connection portion. |
| US08344961B1 |
C-band radiating element for broad area maritime surveillance (BAMS)
The present invention is Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) radiating element which includes a plurality of dipole layers, a stripline feed layer and a cover portion. The radiating element is low-profile and may have a thickness of 180 mils. Further, the radiating element may have an operating frequency range from 5.35 GHz to 5.46 GHz and a depth of 0.083 free space wavelengths at the high end of the operating frequency range. Still further, the dipoles of the dipole layers of the BAMS radiating element vary in width from layer to layer to maximize match at the edge of the scan volume. The BAMS radiating element may be at least partially constructed of printed circuit board material, such as Rogers 4003. The BAMS radiating element may have a return loss of less than −10 decibels over its entire scan volume and frequency band. |
| US08344958B2 |
Secured document with a contactless chip with protection of date against unauthorized access
The invention relates to a secured document in the form of a booklet of at least one sheet which may be folded about a folding axis, the document having a transponder with an electronic chip provided with a memory for storing data and a transponder antenna. The document also includes a foldable amplifier antenna, distinct from the transponder antenna and arranged on the document such that, when the same is open, the amplifier antenna amplifies the electromagnetic flux received by the transponder antenna to permit communication of the document with a remote reader and, in the closed position of the document, the amplifier antenna reduces the electromagnetic flux received by the transponder antenna beneath a minimum threshold permitting communication of the electronic chip with a remote reader. |
| US08344955B2 |
Integrated antenna with e-flex technology
A first printed wiring board PWB includes a core and a power layer and a ground layer. A second PWB includes a flexible portion that is partially embedded within an end section of the first printed wiring board and abutting the core. The flexible portion includes a first layer having an antenna feed coupled to the power layer of the core, and a second layer. In a particular embodiment, the second PWB also includes a rigid section in which an opposed end of the flexible portion is also partially embedded. |
| US08344952B2 |
Portable terminal and antenna module thereof for receiving broadcast signal
A portable terminal with an antenna for receiving broadcast signals, includes an antenna module having a chip antenna patterned on a dielectric chip so as to define a physical length of the antenna module that enables the chip antenna to operate within a broadcast band, and a conductive plate connected to the chip antenna and having an area such that conductive plate leads a main radiation of the antenna module on the broadcast band, whereby the physical length of the antenna module can be reduced as short as possible by employing the chip antenna. Accordingly, the chip antenna facilitates making the antenna module and the portable terminal be smaller in size. Also, the chip antenna is configured to lead a main radiation on the conductive plate, thereby increasing radio reception quality and improving radio performance. |
| US08344951B2 |
Antenna for use in radio frequency identification (RFID) device
An antenna for use in an RFID device is disclosed. The antenna of the RFID device includes an antenna substrate including a cavity in which an RFID chip is inserted, and also includes a first antenna electrode and a second antenna electrode. The first and second antenna electrodes are formed on the antenna substrate so as to connect to the RFID chip, and are tilted at specific slopes while interposing the cavity therebetween. The antenna is connected to the RFID chip using a simple insertion method, so that connection speed is increased. |
| US08344950B2 |
Dual-loop antenna and multi-frequency multi-antenna module
A dual-loop antenna includes a grounding unit, a shorting unit, a feeding unit, a first loop radiating unit and a second loop radiating unit. The shorting unit has at least one shorting pin disposed on the grounding unit. The feeding unit has at least one feeding pin separated from the shorting pin by a predetermined distance and suspended above the grounding unit at a predetermined distance. The first loop radiating unit is disposed above the grounding unit at a predetermined distance. The first loop radiating unit has two ends respectively electrically connected to the shorting unit and the feeding unit. The second loop radiating unit is disposed above the grounding unit at a predetermined distance and around the first loop radiating unit. The second loop radiating unit has two ends respectively electrically connected to the shorting unit and the feeding unit. |
| US08344946B2 |
Single frequency user ionosphere system and technique
A method and apparatus for directly estimating depleted ionosphere delay in a GPS receiver and using the estimate for improved navigation precision in satellite based augmentation systems. |
| US08344944B2 |
Method and system for continuous wave interference suppression in pulsed signal processing
A System and Method for CW interference suppression in pulsed signal processing having a front-end, an A/D converter, a data store, and a suppressor module coupled to both the A/D converter and the data store. The front-end is operable to receive a waveform and communicate such to the A/D converter to digitize for processing by the suppressor module. The suppressor module being operable to further process the digitized waveform by way of applying a FFT to obtain a corresponding amplitude spectrum of the digitized waveform, clipping the amplitude spectrum to obtain a clipped amplitude spectrum, performing successive piece-wise IFFTs on the positive frequency points of the clipped amplitude spectrum to obtain multiple amplitude-time series, each having a frequency value assigned, and then stacking such amplitude-time series successively in the data store to form a time-frequency spectrogram array to thereby facilitate suppression of interference signals and detection of data pulses. |
| US08344942B2 |
System and method for resolving ambiguity in radar, lidar, and acoustic systems
Range and Doppler ambiguities are common in radar, lidar, and acoustic systems. Resolving these ambiguities is important to achieve desirable geolocation and image quality performance in these systems. A new method is described to iteratively resolve the ambiguities. For Doppler ambiguity applications, a first PRF value and an initial Doppler frequency search window are selected. A new PRF is determined based on the ratio of the initial search window to the first PRF. The radar data of the first pair of PRF's is used to determine two modulo Doppler estimates. The modulo Doppler estimates are used to determine a new Doppler estimate with a confidence interval smaller than the first search window. The ratio of the new Doppler search window to the first PRF, is used to determine the next PRF. This process is iterated until the new Doppler search window is less than the first PRF. |
| US08344941B2 |
Relative vibration measurement
A method of detecting motion in a load bearing member on a machine. The method includes positioning a Doppler radar detector on the machine and orienting the Doppler radar detector such that the Doppler radar detector floods the load bearing member transmitted radio frequency signals. The method further includes receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the load bearing member with an antenna and generating intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the reflected radio frequency signals. The method further includes measuring the intermediate frequency signals. |
| US08344940B2 |
Apparatus and sensor for adjusting sensor vertical alignment
Provided are a sensor capable of adjusting vertical alignment and a sensor vertical alignment adjusting apparatus using the same. The sensor has a structure with a plurality of switchable transmitting and receiving antennas so as to be able to adjust the vertical alignment, or a structure with a tilting motor for adjusting a radiating or receiving angle. The sensor vertical alignment adjusting apparatus using such a sensor corrects vertical misalignment of the sensor by determining whether or not the vertical misalignment of the sensor occurs, variably switching one from among the plurality of transmitting or receiving antennas of the sensor or controlling the tilting motor, and adjusting the radiating angle of the sensor signal or the receiving angle of a reflected wave of the sensor signal. |
| US08344938B2 |
System to prevent two rotating antennas from illuminating each other
An apparatus or a method for preventing radio-frequency (RF) interferences between rotating antennas. For example, the invention is particularly applicable to radar and communication systems on board naval ships. |
| US08344936B2 |
Systems and methods for providing an advanced ATC data link
Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for providing an avionics overlay data link. Through embodiments of the present invention, existing ATC (or other) modulated signals using existing frequencies (or other frequencies) may be utilized to transmit (e.g., from an aircraft transponder) additional information in a manner that does not render the transmitted signal unrecognizable by legacy ATC equipment. In various embodiments, legacy equipment may demodulate and decode information that was encoded in the transmitted signal in accordance with preexisting standard modulation formats, and updated equipment can also extract the additional information that was overlaid on transmitted signals. |
| US08344929B2 |
A/D converter device and signal processing unit
An A/D converter device is provided, which has a D/A conversion function and changes a resolution of A/D conversion and D/A conversion. The A/D converter device is configured to selectively execute an A/D conversion operation and a D/A conversion operation, by the operation of a control circuit controlling switching of switches according to an ADC/DAC function switching signal supplied from an external side. The A/D conversion operation performs A/D conversion of an input signal voltage inputted via a signal input terminal from an external side and outputs an A/D conversion value of 12 bits. The D/A conversion operation outputs, via a signal output terminal, an analog voltage produced by performing D/A conversion of a digital value supplied from the external side. |
| US08344928B2 |
Method and apparatus for capacitance sensing
A capacitance-to-digital converter for an extended range of capacitances includes a reference capacitor and one or more offset capacitors. Electrical charge accumulated in the offset capacitors is used to at least partially cancel the charge accumulated in a sensed capacitance to facilitate matching with a charge accumulated in the reference capacitor. The residual charge is passed to an integrator, the output from which is quantized and used to control switching of the capacitors. Immunity to tonal external noises and improved conversion speed are achieved by controlling the capacitor switching with a spread spectrum clock. The capacitance-to-digital converter may be used, for example, for sensing of the capacitances of capacitive elements in touch and proximity displays or other user interfaces. |
| US08344927B2 |
Analog digital converting device and reference voltage controlling method thereof
Provided are an analog digital converting device and a reference voltage controlling method thereof. The analog digital converting device includes: a first reference voltage generating circuit generating a first reference voltage; a second reference voltage generating circuit generating a second reference voltage; a first sub analog digital converter receiving an analog input signal and converting the analog input signal into a first digital signal by using the first reference voltage; an amplifier converting the first digital signal into a voltage corresponding to the first digital signal by using the first reference voltage and amplifying a difference between a voltage level of the analog input signal and a voltage level corresponding to the first digital signal to output a residual signal; and a second sub analog digital converter receiving the residual signal and converting the residual signal into a second digital signal by using the second reference voltage. |
| US08344921B2 |
Sigma-delta modulator with SAR ADC and truncater having order lower than order of integrator and related sigma-delta modulation method
A sigma-delta modulator includes a processing circuit, a quantizer, a truncater and a feedback circuit. The processing circuit receives an input signal and an analog information and generates an integrated signal by perform an integration upon a difference between the input signal and the analog information. The quantizer includes a successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for receiving the integrated signal and generating a digital information according to the integrated signal. The truncater receives the digital information and generates a truncated information according to the digital information. The feedback circuit generates the analog information to the processing circuit according to the truncated information, wherein an order of the truncater is lower than an order of the integration. |
| US08344920B1 |
Methods and apparatus for calibrating pipeline analog-to-digital converters
Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating a pipeline analog-to-digital converter including one or more serially connected analog-to-digital pipeline stages and a back-end analog-to-digital converter. |
| US08344919B2 |
Processing system compensating DC offset and gain error
A processing system including a first processing module and a second processing module is disclosed. The first processing module transforms and amplifies a grounded signal to generate a first processed signal and transforms and amplifies a predetermined signal to generate a second processed signal. The second processing module transforms the first processed signal to a first digital code according to a first reference voltage group and transforms the second processed signal to a second digital code according to a second reference voltage group. The second processing module adjusts a third reference voltage group according to the first and the second digital codes, and during a normal mode, the second processing module generates a third digital code according to the adjusted third voltage group. |
| US08344915B2 |
Keyboard and information processing device
A keyboard includes a base, and plural keys arranged on the base, wherein at least a part of the plural keys are arranged in plural steps in a depth direction of the keyboard, in the shape of a sector in such a manner that the keys closer to a central portion in a width direction of the keyboard are arranged backward whereas the keys closer to both end portions in the width direction of the keyboard are arranged forward. |
| US08344913B2 |
Transmission of an emergency call comprising address data
An automatic emergency call is transmitted in the form of voice data which contain address information for the vehicle. The address information has been ascertained inside the vehicle by the emergency call device on the basis of a GPS position. |
| US08344908B2 |
Monitoring management and presentation of preemption control data of centrally managed traffic signals
Managing traffic signal preemption data accumulated at a plurality of intersections. In one approach a method includes reading the preemption data stored at each of the intersections. The preemption data includes for each preemption request an emitter code, and a date and a time the preemption request was submitted. The preemption data read from the intersections are stored in a database, and each emitter code is associated with a vehicle name in the database. Selected preemption data and associated vehicle names are read from the database in response to user input, and the selected preemption data and associated vehicle names are displayed. The database further stores data identifying the intersection from which the preemption data was read. |
| US08344907B2 |
Vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and distribution
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation can include acquiring imagery of multiple vehicles traveling on a roadway between two locations and individually identifying the different vehicles in the imagery. An elapsed time of travel can be determined for the individually identified vehicles between the two locations and a rate of travel can be computed for each of the individually identified different vehicles based upon the elapsed time of travel. Thereafter, the rate of travel for at least one of the individually identified different vehicles can be broadcast to a subscriber for at least one of the two locations. |
| US08344906B2 |
Automated traffic synchronization
Spatial relationship information and performance information are determined for vehicles within a vehicular environment. Traffic signaling information is received from a traffic regulation system associated with the vehicular environment. At least one synchronized control action is calculated for each of the vehicles to synchronize the vehicles with the traffic regulation system based upon the traffic signaling information, the determined spatial relationship information, and the determined performance information for each of the vehicles. The associated at least one synchronized control action is communicated to each of the vehicles. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08344896B2 |
Process for detecting scale formation in a beverage preparation machine
The invention concerns a process for detecting scale deposit in the liquid supply means of a water pump driven machine comprising at least a water tank, a pump and a heating means, where water is pumped from the water tank and fed to the heating means, and where the pump is energized by a controller by providing the pump with an energizing signal to provide an intended water flow rate F, wherein the actual water flow rate f is measured and the discrepancy Δ between the actual water flow rate f and the intended water flow rate F is directly and/or indirectly compared to an operating instruction related to scale deposit. |
| US08344895B2 |
Photoelectric sensor and photoelectric sensor system
There are provided a photoelectric sensor and a photoelectric sensor system in which received light quantities of a plurality of photoelectric sensors are displayed in an integrated manner, and slight variation in the received light quantity that has nothing to do with a detected condition of a workpiece is ignored and a photoelectric sensor with abnormity is easily found out. Upon acceptance of an instruction to execute scaled display by a control unit of a photoelectric sensor, a scaling adjustment ratio is calculated by assigning the received light quantity to a target value set to be greater than a display upper limit while executing the scaled display. A received light quantity that is subsequently obtained is scaled based on the calculated scaling adjustment ratio to obtain a received light quantity after the scaling. |
| US08344892B2 |
Personalization of event participation in mobile neighborhoods
Embodiments described herein are directed to personalizing event participation of a visitor at an event. Embodiments include communication nodes that form defined wireless areas. A first one of the communication nodes determines when the visitor enters a first defined wireless area in response to detecting an identifier associated with the personal portable wireless device associated with the visitor, records user activities of the visitor within the first one of defined wireless areas, and determines an interest of the visitor in response to the user activities in the first defined wireless area, where the interest is used to customize the event for the visitor. |
| US08344890B2 |
Systems and methods for a RFID enabled metal license plate
In the embodiments described herein, a RFID enabled license plate is constructed by using the license plate, or a retro-reflective layer formed thereon as part of the resonator configured to transmit signals generated by and RFID chip integrated with the license plate. Such an RFID enabled license plate can include a metal license plate with a slot formed in the metal license plate, and a RFID tag module positioned in the slot. The RFID tag module can include a chip and a loop, and the loop can be coupled with the metal license plate, e.g., via inductive or conductive coupling. In this manner, the metal license plate can be configured to act as a resonator providing increased performance. |
| US08344887B2 |
System, control station, and method for controlling circulation of media materials
A system for controlling circulation of media materials from a library includes a control system and a circulation control station having a housing defining a receptacle which is configured to receive a packaged unit of securable media therein. The circulation control station includes an electronic security control mechanism and a mechanical security control mechanism, each mounted to the housing. The electronic security control mechanism may include an RFID reader/writer, and the mechanical security control mechanism may include a magnet and an actuator. The control system is configured to release a packaged unit of securable media to circulation by disabling an electronic security device and a magnetic security device of a packaged unit of securable media resident within the receptacle and executing a media checkout procedure. |
| US08344885B2 |
Container with interior enclosure of composite material having embedded security element
An apparatus is disclosed including one or more security structures. The one or more security structures includes: a weldable frame; a plurality of composite panels, each panel securable to the weldable frame, each composite panel configured to form at least one joint with at least one adjoining composite panel; and a respective security element embedded within each of the composite panels. The security element is configured to detect a breach in the composite panel. |
| US08344884B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for triggering an alarm
According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for triggering an alarm. In this regard, one example apparatus includes means for receiving an instruction to alarm a security gate device, and means for tuning a security resonator at a location such that a field generated by the security gate device interacts with the security resonator to cause the security gate device to trigger an alarm in response to at least receiving the instruction to alarm the security gate device. |
| US08344877B2 |
Track worker safety system
A safety system for providing early warning notifications to an authorized track worker performing official duties along a rail road network is disclosed herein. The safety system determines the position of the authorized worker and determines an estimated time to collision between the authorized track worker and an approaching rail vehicle. The result of the safety system is that the track worker has enough time and sufficiently accurate warning that will enable the track worker to move to a point of safety so as to remain unharmed by the approaching rail vehicle. |
| US08344875B2 |
Pump stand
A vacuum pump stand (1) for generating and regulating the vacuum intended for a rotary vaporizer, including a control device having a control connection to a control unit (4) having at least one control element (3, 6). In the pump stand (1), the control unit (4) is designed as a remote control unit having a wireless control connection to the control device of the pump stand. Laboratory personnel can thus observe the rotary evaporator and the associated pump stand (1) through the divider of a fume cupboard, in order to be able to modify and readjust the process parameters at the remote control panel as needed. Because the remote control unit (4) has a wireless control connection to the control device of the pump stand (1), the fume cupboard no longer needs to be opened, even momentarily. Rather, the pump stand (1) can be operated from a sufficient distance outside the fume cupboard without the laboratory personnel needing to be exposed to special hazards. |
| US08344874B2 |
Intelligent power-enabled communications port
A port that supplies power in accordance with a standard is equipped with a variable power supply and a power line communications module. Power line signals on the power conductors are used to allow a port controller to negotiate power requirements with peripheral devices and the power supply is adjusted accordingly. If the peripheral device does not support such negotiation, power is delivered in accordance with the standard. The port may be a data communications port that supplies power and data in accordance with a standard. |
| US08344872B2 |
System and method for sensing presence of media in a mailing machine
A sensor is paired with an emitter, such as in a postage metering machine, and the sensor is calibrated for ambient light conditions. Ambient light is measured with a sensor while the emitter is unpowered. If the measured ambient light is less than a current trip level (voltage level at the sensor), then a current level of light is measured with the sensor while the emitter is powered. If the measured current level of light exceeds the current trip level, then the signal output from the sensor indicates that an object such as an envelope awaiting postage to be printed thereon is present at the sensor. The current trip level may be determined by measuring light at the sensor when the emitter is on and adding some voltage margin to it, but if the sensor is blocked during this calibration a default threshold is used as the current trip level. |
| US08344868B2 |
Maintenance of proper tire inflation pressure thru active material actuation
An adaptive tire utilizing active material actuation to sense and/or modify an excessive and/or low inflation pressure, so as to autonomously maintain proper inflation pressure. |
| US08344865B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring a vehicular propulsion system battery
A method and apparatus for determining coolant leakage in a vehicular propulsion system battery. An AC isolation resistance test is used to determine whether an isolation fault has occurred within the battery, but can also determine the capacitance of the circuit or system, which can further determine the coolant leakage levels of the vehicular propulsion system battery. This eliminates having an additional device to measure the coolant leakage. |
| US08344862B1 |
Tactile messaging system
The disclosure relates to a tactile messaging system configured to send tactile messages between users. The system may be configured so a first user may input tactile information into a first wearable tactile user device and a second user may receive sensory output from a second tactile user device that corresponds to the tactile information entered by the first user into the first tactile user device. This may allow users to communicate by touch, without having to manually enter electronic input information into the system. |
| US08344861B2 |
Haptic motion feedback mechanism
In one embodiment, the invention is a haptic motion feedback mechanism. One embodiment of an apparatus for communicating motion in a virtual space includes a base and a feedback mechanism coupled to the base, the feedback mechanism using forced air to convey motion in the virtual space. In another embodiment, a method for communicating motion in a virtual space using a feedback mechanism includes receiving a signal indicative of user motion from a computing device on which the virtual space is running and forcing air through the feedback mechanism in order to convey the user motion. |
| US08344857B1 |
RFID tags with synchronous power rectifier
The present disclosure provides a power rectifier for a Radio Frequency Identification tag circuit. The rectifier is constructed from a pair of complementary MOS transistors. Gates of the transistors have predetermined voltages applied to them. The applied voltages bias the transistors to near their active operating region. During the same time additional control signals are applied to the gates of the transistors, the control signals are synchronous, but out of phase, with each other. |
| US08344856B2 |
Position detecting system and cable unit
A position detecting system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a moving machine capable of moving along a predetermined path, plural storage media configured to store position information and arranged in parallel along the path, and a reading unit provided on the moving machine side and configured to read the position information of the storage media arranged in a reading range corresponding to the reading unit. |
| US08344854B2 |
Transient routing slips and inter-office envelopes
An inter-office communication management system can include an inter-office communication item such as an inter-office mail envelope or routing slip. The inter-office communication item can be a transient document. An inter-office communication identifier placement module can affix an inter-office communication identifier to the first inter-office communication label. The inter-office communication label can be attached to the inter-office communication item. An inter-office communication tracking module can be used to track the inter-office communication item based on the inter-office communication identifier affixed to the inter-office communication label. |
| US08344852B2 |
Method and system for transmitting a plurality of notifications in a notification pool
A method for transmitting a plurality of notifications in a notification pool includes determining a first notification batch having the plurality of notifications, and assigning a priority weight to each of the plurality of notifications, at least two of the priority weights being different. The method further includes inserting the first notification batch into the notification pool, and transmitting the plurality of notifications in the notification pool sequentially, based on the priority weights of the plurality of notifications. A system for transmitting a plurality of notifications is also provided. |
| US08344851B2 |
Method for providing remote mobile device access and control
Provided is a remote mobile device access and control method, and particularly a generic approach for providing remote mobile device access and control. To this end, there is provided a method for a user to access and control his/her mobile device at a remote location by using a remote mobile device access and control architecture that allows the user to access an application and data of his/her mobile device. |
| US08344848B2 |
Method and device for the safe, systematic, exclusive assignment of the command authorization of an operator to a controllable technical installation
The invention relates to methods and appropriate devices for safely, unequivocally and exclusively, temporarily assigning the command authority of an operator (1) to a controllable technical system (60) using a mobile control device (2) which is technically suitable for periodically controlling a plurality of controllable technical systems (60), which is equipped as standard with safety switch elements (38, 39) such as an emergency stop switch, ok key and operating mode selection switches and for a data coupling with the controllable technical system (60) in spite of having only normal transmission means (6) or network technologies without any particular features specific to safety function. |
| US08344847B2 |
Coordination of control commands in a medical device system having at least one therapy delivery device and at least one wireless controller device
A medical device system includes at least one controllable patient-worn or patient-carried medical device, and a plurality of controller devices that are capable of independently controlling features or functions of the patient medical device. Control commands and other data is wirelessly communicated among the patient medical device and the multiple controller devices. A number of techniques, protocols, and other measures are provided to coordinate wireless communication between the various devices in a medical device system. These control command coordination processes address situations where conflicting, redundant, or concurrent control commands might be independently issued by the multiple controller devices. |
| US08344842B1 |
Vertical PCB surface mount inductors and power converters
An vertical PCB inductive device is adapted to be surface mount soldered to a substrate. The inductive device may comprise a transformer having a plurality of windings or one or more discrete inductive devices. The inductive device, being amenable to volume production, may also provide cost savings by reducing the number of layers and the PCB area otherwise required by planar magnetics in a power converter. A power converter may be fashioned to be vertically oriented and surface mount soldered to a substrate such as a customer PCB. |
| US08344838B2 |
Transformer and transformer assembly
A transformer includes: a bobbin on which a coil is wound; a core coupled with the bobbin to provide a magnetic flux, at least a portion of the core being installed on the PCB in a penetrating manner; and a base plate electrically connected to the coil and having a lead frame connected to the PCB, wherein the base plate is installed to be reversedly disposed at an upper side of the bobbin on the PCB, a space is formed between a lower surface of the base plate and an upper surface of the PCB, and the space between the lower surface of the base plate and the upper surface of the PCB is supported by a support member in contact with the upper surface of the PCB. |
| US08344836B2 |
Protective cover for a tablet computer
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasable attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. |
| US08344834B2 |
Input apparatus
The invention provides an input apparatus An input apparatus according to the present invention includes: an operating member, operable to move in at least X and −X directions from a neutral position; first and second magnets, being arranged with spacing along an X and −X direction and having opposite magnetic polarities to each other, wherein when the operating member moves in either one of the two directions, the first and second magnets moves in the same direction as the operating member; and a first magnetic sensor, provided at a position displaced from a middle point between the two magnets when the operating member is located in the neutral position, the position being equidistant from the two magnets. When the operating member moves in one of the two directions, the first magnetic sensor outputs a signal in accordance with the magnetic polarity of one of the first and second magnets. |
| US08344832B2 |
Magnetic switch
A magnetic switch comprises a first frame and a second frame, a stationary contact to face the second frame, a movable contact contactable with or separated from the stationary contact, a coil assembly that generates a magnetic force in accordance with a flow of an electric current, a movable unit that makes the movable contact to be contactable with or separated from the stationary contact, a contact spring that applies an elastic force to the movable contact in a direction that the movable contact moves toward the stationary contact, a movable distance limiting unit limiting a movable distance of the movable unit to determine a contact pressure distance that the movable contact contacts the stationary contact and the contact spring is pressed, and a return spring to apply an elastic force to the movable unit in a direction that the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact. |
| US08344830B2 |
Magnet core; method for its production and residual current device
A magnet core (1) that is suitable for use in a fault current circuit breaker and that is made of a helically wound, magnetically soft band has a top (4) and a bottom (5), the top (4) and the bottom (5) being formed by side surfaces (16) of the magnetically soft band. The magnet core (1) is fixed in a protective housing (6), and there is a contact cement (11) between the bottom (5) of the magnet core (1) and an inside wall (10) of the housing for fixing the magnet core (1). |
| US08344829B2 |
Technique for conveying a wireless-standard signal through a barrier
The RF signal generated by a ZigBee radio on the outside of a building structure is conveyed to the interior of the building by guiding it along an electric cable bundle that passes through the building's wall to supply domestic electric power to the interior of the structure. The RF signal is launched by a unique coupler comprising a pair of insulated foil conductors. |
| US08344828B2 |
Metamaterial transmission line apparatus and method of implementing the same
A metamaterial transmission line for transmitting an electromagnetic wave. The metamaterial transmission line may include a substrate including a substrate configured to include a an upper portion and a lower portion on which a ground plane is formed, a signal line configured to be formed on the substrate, and a defected ground structure configured to include an etched region and two metal portions, wherein the etched region is generated by etching a part of the ground plane and the metal portions extend from the signal line and are disposed on the etched region. |
| US08344827B2 |
Phase shifter where a rotation member is combined with a guide member
A phase shifter for reducing a loss by friction, etc by combining a rotation member with a guide member is disclosed. The phase shifter includes a rotation member, a first rotation axis member combined with the rotation member in a direction crossing over the rotation member, a first guide member combined with the first rotation axis member, and configured to rotate in accordance with rotation of the first rotation axis member, and a first power delivering member configured to connect at least one of the rotation member and the first rotation axis member to the first guide member. |
| US08344825B2 |
Acoustic wave device
An acoustic wave device includes an input terminal; a balun that is connected to the input terminal, converts a signal input from the input terminal into two anti-phase signals, and outputs the two anti-phase signals; and a filter that is connected to the balun, and outputs the two anti-phase signals input from the balun as balanced output signals. An output impedance of the balun is equal to an input impedance of the filter, and is larger than an output impedance of the filter. |
| US08344817B2 |
Compensating DFLL with error averaging
A compensating DFLL (CDFLL) is disclosed that utilizes temperature readings at regular intervals in combination with production characterization data of a reference oscillator to compensate for frequency drift and nominal frequency error. In some implementations, the CDFLL selects a calibration value that is not optimal for frequency accuracy to minimize accumulated frequency error over time. More particularly, during a calibration run, mismatch between an ideal frequency and an actual frequency is measured, and the measurement is used as a starting point for a next calibration run, such that the accumulated frequency error is averaged almost to zero over time. |
| US08344816B2 |
Fundamental wave/overtone crystal oscillator
Provided is a fundamental wave/overtone crystal oscillator to obtain fundamental wave oscillation and overtone oscillation with one crystal unit and to optimize the excitation current depending on the fundamental wave oscillation and the overtone oscillation. The fundamental wave/overtone crystal oscillator includes a crystal unit that oscillates with fundamental waves or with overtones, and an oscillator circuit that amplifies an excitation current from the crystal unit and outputs an oscillatory frequency. A capacitor Cf and a capacitor Co are connected in parallel with the base of a transistor in the oscillator circuit as well as the emitter. A switch is provided so as to connect or disconnect the capacitor Cf with respect to the circuit in response to a switching signal. The switch turns ON when the crystal oscillator oscillates with fundamental waves, and turns OFF when the crystal oscillator oscillates with overtones. |
| US08344812B2 |
Loop filter and voltage controlled oscillator for a phase-locked loop
A phase-locked loop includes a loop filter and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The VCO includes multiple transistors, each transistor having a smaller transconductance (gm) than if a single transistor were used while maintaining the same loop bandwidth and drain-to-source current through the transistor. As a result of a smaller transconductance in the VCO, a larger resistor can be used in the loop filter without increasing the noise. With a larger resistor, a smaller capacitor can be used in the loop filter as well. Alternatively, the transconductance can be reduced by a certain factor and the resistance value can be increased by the same factor to maintain a constant loop bandwidth but with a reduction in the amplitude of the noise. Thus, a smaller loop filter capacitor can be achieved albeit with the same noise level, or a lower noise level with the same size capacitor for the loop filter. |
| US08344809B2 |
System and method for adjusting gain frequency response of RF power amplifier
A radio frequency (RF) amplifier is disclosed including an active device adapted to amplify an input signal in accordance with a gain frequency response to generate an output signal, and a dissipative circuit adapted to modify the gain frequency response by dissipating the input or output signal more so at a first frequency range than at a second frequency range. The dissipative circuit may include a resistive element, and an open circuit adapted to operate as an open at a specified frequency to substantially minimize the dissipation of the input or output signal through the resistive element at the specified frequency. The open circuit may include an open-ended transmission line having an electrical length of a half wavelength or multiple thereof at the specified frequency. Alternatively, the open circuit may include a short-ended transmission line having an electrical length of a quarter wavelength or odd multiple thereof at the specified frequency. |
| US08344808B2 |
Non-linear capacitance compensation
Embodiments are directed to capacitance compensation via a compensation device coupled to a gain device to compensate for a capacitance change occurring due to an input signal change, along with a controller coupled to the compensation device to receive the input signal and to control an amount of compensation based on the input signal. In some embodiments, banks may be formed of multiple compensation devices, where each of the banks has a different size and is coupled to receive a different set of bias voltages. |
| US08344807B2 |
Distributed low noise amplifier
A distributed low noise amplifier (DLNA) comprises at least a first amplifier part 30.1 providing a first path 36.1 form an input of the amplifier to an output of the amplifier and a second amplifier part 30.2 providing a second path 36.2 from the input to the output. Each of the first and second paths being associated with a respective and different change in phase. The difference being larger than degrees in a noise suppression band to cause a phase difference between noise generated by the amplifier arrangement propagating along the first and second paths and destructive interference of the noise before the output of the DLNA, thereby to suppress noise in the noise suppression band. The respective gains of the amplifier parts 30.1 to 30.n may decrease in a direction from the input of the amplifier to the output thereof. |
| US08344805B2 |
High-frequency differential amplifier circuit
There is provided a high-frequency differential amplifier circuit comprising: a first MOS transistor, a second MOS transistor, a first positive feedback element and a second positive feedback element. The first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor each has a source connected to a first power source and a drain connected through loads to a second power source. The first and second MOS transistors receives at their gates, first and second input signals having phases reverse to each other. The first positive feedback element includes a first capacitor and a first variable resistance connected in series between the gate of the first MOS transistor and the drain of the second MOS transistor. The second positive feedback element includes a second capacitor and a second variable resistance connected in series between the gate of the second MOS transistor and the drain of the first MOS transistor. |
| US08344802B2 |
Operational amplifier device
An operational amplifier device includes an operational amplifier, a first transmission gate, and a first switch module. The operational amplifier includes an output stage, which has a first signal input terminal and a signal output terminal, and outputs an output voltage at the signal output terminal. The first transmission gate is coupled between the signal output terminal and a transmission output terminal, having a first transmission control terminal. The first switch module is utilized for controlling electrical connection between the first signal input terminal and the first transmission control terminal. During a first transmission period, the first switch module controls the first transmission control terminal to be coupled to the first signal input terminal, thereby conducting the first transmission gate to not only transmit the output voltage but also act as a Miller capacitor. |
| US08344800B2 |
Repeating system and method for cancellation of feedback interference signal with pre-distortion function
There is provided a repeating system for cancellation of a feedback interference signal, including: a PA (Power Amplifier) for power-amplifying an output signal; a feedback ICS (Interference Cancellation System) for canceling a feedback interference signal and detecting a residual error; a pre-distorter for compensating for an error of the PA by applying pre-distortion and compensating for the residual error by using information on the residual error detected by the feedback ICS to linearize the characteristic of the PA; and a control unit for controlling the feedback ICS and the pre-distorter. |
| US08344788B2 |
Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes a power element which is in an on state when voltage is not applied to a gate, a switching field-effect transistor for applying first voltage to the gate of the power element, and a switching field-effect transistor for applying voltage lower than the first voltage to the gate of the power element. The switching field-effect transistors have small off-state current. |
| US08344786B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a level shift circuit which is located so that a second IO cell region is interposed between the level shift circuit and a first IO cell region, and converts a signal output from an IO cell of the first IO cell region into a signal having an amplitude of a second voltage and outputs the resultant signal, and an internal circuit which is operated using the signal having the amplitude of the second voltage output from the level shift circuit. A signal interconnect via which the signal output from the IO cell of the first IO cell region is input to the level shift circuit is provided between the IO cell of the first IO cell region and the level shift circuit, extending over or in an IO cell of the second IO cell region. |
| US08344777B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptively modifying a pulse width of a pulse width modulated output
Systems, methods, and apparatus for improving steady state operation of a pulse width modulator during transient and soft start events are described herein. An apparatus can include a phase component configured to adaptively modify a pulse width of a first pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal based on a pulse width of a PWM input signal. Further, the apparatus can include a power stage component configured to source at least one of a voltage or a current to a load based on the first PWM output signal. In one example, the phase component can be configured to linearly extend the pulse width of the first PWM output signal based on the pulse width of the PWM input signal. In another example, the phase component can be configured to adaptively modify the pulse width of the first PWM output signal based on a predetermined maximum pulse width. |
| US08344776B2 |
Memory interface circuit and drive capability adjustment method for memory device
Provided is a memory interface circuit connected to a memory device that outputs a first data signal, and including: a first delay unit delaying a first strobe signal outputted from the memory device by a first delay amount to generate a first delayed strobe signal; a first data latch unit latching the first data signal as a first latched data signal in synchronization with the first delayed strobe signal; a first range calculating unit calculating a first delay range width that is a width of a range of values of the first delay amount which allow the first data latch unit to correctly latch the first data signal as the first latched data signal; and a drive capability setting unit adjusting the drive capability of the memory device so as to widen the first delay range width. |
| US08344774B2 |
Frequency synthesizer with immunity from oscillator pulling
Frequency synthesizer with immunity from oscillator pulling. The frequency synthesizer for generating an output frequency includes an oscillator that is capable of generating a first frequency. The frequency synthesizer also includes an output divider coupled to the oscillator. The output divider is configurable to allow the oscillator to generate a second frequency to prevent degradation in phase noise due to an interference to the first frequency of the oscillator, and to generate the output frequency from the second frequency. |
| US08344771B2 |
Delay locked loop of semiconductor integrated circuit and method for driving the same
A delay locked loop (DLL) of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first delay line configured to variably delay a source clock signal and output a locked clock signal, a phase comparator configured to compare the phase of the source clock signal with the phase of a feedback clock signal, a second delay line configured to variably delay the locked clock signal, a first delay controller configured to control the first delay time of the first delay line, a second delay controller configured to control the minimum delay time of the second delay line, and an operation mode controller configured to control the first and second delay controllers in response to an output signal of the phase comparator, and switch operation modes of the first and second delay controllers depending on locking state of the delay lines. |
| US08344770B2 |
PLL circuit
A PLL circuit is provided capable of reducing phase noise and facilitating design. In the PLL circuit, a PLL receives a reference frequency and an output from a VC-TCXO, performs a lock operation. In a lock state, a selector selects an output of a first divider that divides the reference frequency. When PLL detects input of reference frequency being lost or an unlock state, the PLL outputs an alarm signal to the selector. When receiving the alarm signal from the PLL, the selector switches from the output of the first divider to an output of a second divider that frequency-divides an output of the VC-TCXO, and outputs the same. Then, a PLL receives an output of the selector and an output of a VCXO and performs a lock operation. |
| US08344766B2 |
Reset circuit of high voltage circuit
A reset transistor is prevented from being deteriorated when power-down occurs during a programming operation or an erasing operation. It is made possible to protect the reset transistor as well as other transistors in a circuit to which a high voltage is applied when the power-down occurs during the erasing operation on an EEPROM, because the system is not reset all at once based only on a first reset signal POR of a power-on reset circuit, but is reset based on the first reset signal POR and a low voltage detection signal LD from a low voltage detection circuit so that the reset transistor is not turned on while the high voltage is applied to it. |
| US08344762B2 |
Gate driving circuit
A primary circuit turns on switching elements and generates energy from a direct-current power supply to a secondary circuit through a transformer. The secondary circuit charges a driven element using the energy obtained from the primary circuit through the transformer, turns on a switching element, discharges the energy accumulated in the driven element, and generates the energy in the primary circuit through the transformer. The primary circuit returns the energy obtained from the secondary circuit to the direct-current power supply. |
| US08344758B2 |
Magnetic device for performing a logic function
A device for performing a “logic function” consisting of a magnetic structure including at least a first magnetoresistive stack including a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer separated by a non-ferromagnetic interlayer and at least one first line of current situated in the vicinity of the first magnetoresistive stack and generating in the vicinity of the first stack a magnetic field when an electric current passes through it. The first line includes at least two current input points so that two currents can be added together in the first line, with the sum of the two currents being determined by the logic function. |
| US08344757B2 |
Semiconductor device and data processing system including the same
A semiconductor device includes a first circuit block connected between first and second power lines, a logic circuit that receives an output signal of the first circuit block that is connected between the first power line and a fourth power line or a third power line and the second power line, and a second circuit block that receives an output signal of the logic circuit that is connected between the third and fourth power lines. In an active state, a first potential is supplied and in a standby state, a second potential lower than the first potential is supplied between the first and second power lines. In any of the active state and the standby state, the first potential is supplied between the third and fourth power lines. With this configuration, speeding-up of a critical path can be realized while maintaining a subthreshold current low. |
| US08344752B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an impedance control signal generation block configured to transmit first impedance control signals and second impedance control signals through same signal lines at predetermined time intervals, and input/output blocks configured to separately receive the first impedance control signals and the second impedance control signals at corresponding time intervals and perform a data input/output operation based on set impedance. |
| US08344746B2 |
Probe interface for electrostatic discharge testing of an integrated circuit
A system, probe interface, and method to test an integrated circuit with an electrostatic discharge signal. The probe interface includes a pulse generation circuit, ground plane, and a relay matrix, while the integrated circuit includes a plurality of contact points. The probe interface is configured proximate to the integrated circuit and the relay matrix is configured to electrically connect at least one of an operative signal, the pulse generation circuit, or the ground plane to a contact point of the integrated circuit. The probe interface is thus configured to provide a shortened path for at least one of the electrostatic discharge signal from the probe interface to the integrated circuit, or to the ground plane from the integrated circuit. The probe interface may selectively electrically connect to up to about thirty-two contact points of the integrated circuit, while the system may include up to about four probe interfaces. |
| US08344740B2 |
System for diagnosing impedances having accurate current source and accurate voltage level-shift
The present invention relates to a system for measuring a capacitor (C). A current source (12) is connected in parallel to the capacitor (C) between a supply plane (Vc) and ground (VGND) for providing a current to the capacitor (C). A voltage level-shift is connected between the supply plane (Vc) and the ground (VGND) in parallel to the capacitor (C) and in parallel to the current source (I2). The voltage level-shift senses a voltage across the electronic component (C) and provides a level-shifted output voltage Vout in dependence thereupon. The voltage level-shift comprises a resistor (RI) connected in series with a current source (II) and an output port interposed between the resistor (RI) and the current source (II). The current sources (I,) and (12) have opposite temperature coefficients such that the current provided to the electronic component is substantially constant. |
| US08344735B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor
The solid electrolytic capacitor includes a solid electrolyte type capacitor element including a dielectric layer intervening between an anode section and a cathode section, and an insulating substrate. The insulating substrate includes a first surface on which the capacitor element is mounted and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface is provided thereon with a first anode layer to which the anode section is electrically connected and a first cathode layer to which the cathode section is electrically connected. The second surface is provided thereon with a second anode layer electrically connected to the first anode layer and a second cathode layer electrically connected to the first cathode layer. Here, a pad member with electrical insulation property projects on the first surface of the insulating substrate, and the first anode layer is formed on a tip end surface of the pad member. |
| US08344734B2 |
Test module for radio frequency identification chips and method of the same
A test module and method for radio frequency identification (RFID) chips are provided. The test module includes a test head having a chip carrier for carrying a RFID chip to be tested, the chip carrier having a first antenna electronically connecting the RFID chip. The module further includes a second antenna for communicating with the first antenna; and a base supporting the chip carrier and the second antenna. The test module further includes a test computer electronically connecting the second antenna, wherein the test computer evaluates functions of the RFID chip by way of the communications between the first antenna and the second antenna. |
| US08344732B2 |
Measuring system
There is provided a measuring system capable of rendering a power source voltage of an internal circuit higher than a drivable voltage of the internal circuit by removing or reducing a chloride film with greater certainty, thereby enabling operation, and initial activation of the internal circuit to be normally executed, or preventing the internal circuit from running away. The measuring system comprises a thionyl chloride based primary cell, a cell voltage measurement unit, and an internal circuit provided with state-transition controller wherein in the case of transition of the internal circuit to a state thereof, having a discharge current larger than the discharge current in the present state thereof, the transition is made according to results of comparison of a voltage measured by the cell voltage measurement unit with a threshold on the basis of a discharge current in a state before, or after the transition of the internal circuit. |
| US08344731B2 |
NMR device for detection of analytes
This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient. |
| US08344728B2 |
Systems and methods using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to evaluate pain and degenerative properties of tissue
NMR spectroscopy is performed on intervertebral disc tissue. Extent of degeneration is determined based on the NMR spectroscopy. Correlation between NMR spectral regions and at least one of tissue degeneration and pain are made. Accordingly, NMR spectroscopy is used to determine location and/or extent of at least one of degeneration or pain associated with a region of tissue, such as for example in particular disc degeneration, or discogenic pain. NMR spectral peak ratios, such as between N-Acetyl/cho and cho/carb, are readily acquired and analyzed to predict degree of tissue degeneration and/or pain for: tissue samples using HR-MAS spectroscopy; and larger portions of anatomy such as joint segments such as a spine, using clinical 3 T MRI systems with surface head or knee coils; and tissue regions such as discs within spines of living patients using 3 T MRI systems with a surface spine coil, thus providing a completely non-invasive diagnostic toolset and method to image and localize degeneration and/or pain. |
| US08344725B2 |
Device for nondestructive testing of pipes
A device for nondestructive testing of a pipe made of ferromagnetic steel for detection of longitudinal, transverse or inclined flaws using magnetic or magnetic-induction test procedures is disclosed. The device includes a magnetizing yoke which transmits the magnetic flux contactless into the pipe and at least two magnetic-field-sensitive scanning probes having GMR sensors. The GMR sensors are combined into sensor groups in form of a sensor array and electrically connected in parallel. A single preamplifier connected to each sensor group in one-to-one correspondence. The device further includes an evaluation unit. |
| US08344720B2 |
Reference voltage generators, integrated circuits, and methods for operating the reference voltage generators
A reference voltage generator includes a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current source and a voltage divider. The PTAT current source is capable of providing a first current that is proportional to a temperature. The voltage divider is capable of receiving a second current that is proportional to the first current. The voltage divider is capable of outputting a reference voltage. The reference voltage is substantially independent from a change of the temperature. |
| US08344719B2 |
Regulator circuit and RFID tag including the same in wireless communication to improve noise margin
One object of the present invention is to provide a regulator circuit with an improved noise margin. In a regulator circuit including a bias circuit generating a reference voltage on the basis of the potential difference between a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal, and a voltage regulator outputting a potential to an output terminal on the basis of a reference potential input from the bias circuit, a bypass capacitor is provided between a power supply terminal and a node to which a gate of a transistor included in the bias circuit is connected. |
| US08344718B2 |
DC-DC converter, method for controlling DC-DC converter, and electronic device
A DC-DC converter includes a switching element to generate a pulse waveform by repeatedly admitting and cutting off the input voltage, a fluctuation component restraining circuit to restrain a fluctuation component generated in superposition on the pulse waveform and having a shorter cycle than a cycle of the pulse waveform, and a control circuit to operate the fluctuation component restraining circuit when the input voltage is equal to or larger than a reference voltage. |
| US08344717B2 |
Switching regulator with balanced control configuration with filtering and referencing to eliminate compensation
A switching regulator and controller and an electronic device using same are disclosed in which the controller includes a sense circuit, an error amplifier circuit, a filter and reference circuit, and a comparator circuit. The switching regulator includes a pulse switch circuit coupled to an output inductor for developing an output voltage. The sense circuit provides a sense signal indicative of current through the output inductor. The error amplifier circuit develops an error signal indicative of error of the output voltage. The filter and reference circuit high pass filters the sense signal to provide a filtered sense signal and which balances the filtered sense signal and the error signal at a common DC level. The comparator circuit develops a pulse control signal using the error signal and the filtered sense signal, where the pulse control signal is for controlling switching of the pulse switch circuit. |
| US08344715B2 |
System and method for adaptive switching frequency control
System and method for providing frequency control to a power converter. The system includes a controller configured to receive a load signal and generate a first control signal. The load signal indicates an output load for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a signal generator configured to receive the first control signal and generates at least a first output signal. The first output signal is associated with a first signal strength and a first frequency. The first frequency is inversely proportional to a sum of a first time period, a second time period, and a third time period. The first signal strength increases with the time during the first time period, the first signal strength decreases with the time during the second time period, and the first signal strength is constant with respect to the time during the third time period. |
| US08344714B2 |
Linear voltage regulator circuit with power saving capability
A linear voltage regulator circuit includes first and second voltage input terminals to receive a first or second external voltage, a voltage output terminal, a voltage regulator unit, a voltage switch unit, and a voltage detecting unit. The voltage regulator unit selectively receives the first or second external voltage controlled by the voltage switch unit. The voltage detecting unit outputs a first control signal to control the voltage switch unit to output the first external voltage to the voltage regulator unit, in response to an output voltage of the voltage output terminal being less than or equal to a predetermined value. The voltage detecting unit outputs a second control signal to control the voltage switch unit to output the second external voltage to the voltage regulator unit in response to the output voltage being greater than the predetermined value. |
| US08344712B2 |
Modification of activation order in a multi-phase power delivery system
A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e.g., a processor device) monitors energy delivery for each of multiple power converter phases that supply energy to a load. The controller analyzes the energy delivery associated with each of the multiple power converter phases to identify an imbalance of energy delivered by the multiple power converter phases to the load. Based on the analyzing and detection of an imbalance condition, the controller modifies a future order of activating the multiple power converter phases for powering the load. Accordingly, a single phase of a multiphase switching power converter may be prevented from becoming overloaded while delivering energy to power the load. |
| US08344705B2 |
Method and apparatus for lead-unity-lag electric power generation system
A method employing a lead-unity-lag adjustment on a power generation system is disclosed. The method may include calculating a unity power factor point and adjusting system parameters to shift a power factor angle to substantially match an operating power angle creating a new unity power factor point. The method may then define operation parameters for a high reactance permanent magnet machine based on the adjusted power level. |
| US08344702B2 |
Battery having universal serial bus port
A universal serial bus battery includes a universal serial bus interface, a battery, a charger, a comparator, a first switch, and a second switch. The comparator is configured for comparing the voltage at the universal serial bus interface and the voltage of the battery, and to produce an ON signal when the voltage at the serial bus interface exceeds the voltage of the battery, or to produce an OFF signal otherwise. The first switch is configured for establishing an electrical connection between the USB interface and the charger upon receiving the ON signal or cutting off the connection upon receiving the OFF signal. The second switch is configured for establishing a connection between the universal serial bus interface and the battery when the connection between the USB interface and the charger is terminated by the first switch. |
| US08344701B2 |
Electronic apparatus with fake charging preventing function and method thereof
A method for preventing fake charging of an electronic apparatus is provided. The method includes: providing a power management table for setting function units for each power range; activating a fake charging preventing function according to a predetermined condition or an activating operation of users; detecting power of the electronic apparatus every a first predetermined time interval; determining a current power range the detected power falls into; determining whether the current power range is changed; beginning to time when the current power range is changed; activating function units which are disabled and whose power range is the current power range when the timing reaches a second predetermined time interval and the detected power is still in the current power range. |
| US08344699B2 |
Power supply, system having a plurality of power storage units, vehicle using the same, and its control method
When the relation of battery temperature Tb1>battery temperature Tb2 is satisfied, a temperature increase request for a power storage unit becomes relatively large. Therefore, a target power value P2* for the power storage unit is determined with priority. The target power value P2* is calculated by multiplying the required power value Ps* by a distribution ratio Pr2 (0.5≦distribution ratio Pr2≦1.0) determined in accordance with temperature deviation between battery temperature Tb1 and battery temperature Tb2. The target power value P1* is determined by subtracting the target power value P2* from the required power value Ps*. |
| US08344698B2 |
Lead storage battery charging control method, charging control circuit, power source device, and lead storage battery
Disclosed is a charging control method including: a full charging step of charging a lead storage battery until the battery is fully charged; a refresh charging step of performing refresh charging of charging the lead storage battery with a predetermined refresh charging quantity of electricity after the lead storage battery has been fully charged; and a refresh charging quantity setting step of setting the refresh charging quantity of electricity in the refresh charging step for the lead storage battery which has been fully charged at a present time, depending on a temperature of the lead storage battery throughout a deficient charging period, the deficient charging period being a period from a time when the lead storage battery has been fully charged at a previous time to a time when the lead storage battery has been fully charged at the present time in the full charging step. |
| US08344697B2 |
Method for optimized design and operation of battery cooling system in electric vehicles
A method and system for controlling temperature in an electric vehicle battery pack such that battery pack longevity is preserved, while vehicle driving range is maximized. A controller prescribes a maximum allowable temperature in the battery pack as a function of state of charge, reflecting evidence that lithium-ion battery pack temperatures can be allowed to increase as state of charge decreases, without having a detrimental effect on battery pack life. During vehicle driving, battery pack temperature is allowed to increase with decreasing state of charge, and a cooling system is only used as necessary to maintain temperature beneath the increasing maximum level. The decreased usage of the cooling system reduces energy consumption and increases vehicle driving range. During charging operations, the cooling system must remove enough heat from the battery pack to maintain temperatures below a decreasing maximum, but this has no impact on driving range. |
| US08344692B2 |
Charging device and charging structure
A charging device includes an air nozzle that prevents power-feeding-side terminals from becoming wet by blasting air, fitting switches operated when a power feeding connector is removed from a connector holding portion, and an ECU that activates an air compressor and a vacuum pump on the basis of operations of the fitting switches. The power-feeding-side terminals can be prevented from becoming wet while the power feeding connector is attached to a power receiving connector of an electric vehicle after being removed from the connector holding portion. |
| US08344689B2 |
Hearing aid and energy charger as well as associated method
A hearing aid with a rechargeable energy storage unit used as a power supply and an antenna used for wireless transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals is provided. The hearing aid also includes an energy charging unit which is arranged between the antenna and the energy storage unit, with the energy transmitted electromagnetically in a charging mode to the antenna being fed electrically via the energy charging unit into the energy storage unit. An energy charger and an energy storage method are also provided. |
| US08344687B2 |
Battery pack updating method
A battery pack updating method updates firmware stored in internal control circuit memory via an update signal sent from a main device that supplies power. When battery pack memory is updated, an AC adapter is connected to the main device, and power is supplied to the main device from the AC adapter. The updating method transmits a charging and discharging blocking signal from the main device to the battery pack control circuit via a communication line. The charging and discharging blocking signal stops discharge from the battery pack rechargeable battery, and stops charging of the rechargeable battery. With rechargeable battery discharging and charging to and from the main device stopped by the charging and discharging blocking signal, the updating method transmits update data from the main device to the battery pack control circuit to update memory. |
| US08344685B2 |
System for automatically gathering battery information
A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery. |
| US08344679B2 |
Method and apparatus to maintain motion control during manual patient positioning
A method and apparatus are provided to maintain motion control during manual positioning of a patient table. The method and apparatus of the present application control the amount of resistance to manual motion of the patient table without using switches to control the amount of assistance provided during manual positioning. The amount of resistance to manual motion may vary as a function of the velocity and position of the patient table. Further, the resistance to initial manual movement of the patient table may be reduced. |
| US08344668B2 |
Method and apparatus for propagating optical signals along with power feed to illuminators and electrical appliances
In a method and apparatus for propagating optical signals via optical cables such as plastic optical fiber, known as lightguide joint and mingled with the electrical wiring and home automation system for controlling LED illuminators enclosed in standard screw type bulb bases or plug-in bases, such as used for halogen lamp via optical signal propagated through such standard bases. Same optical signals are propagated through power outlets and via power cable assemblies to electrical appliances for controlling the appliances operation and on-off switching. Full range of control, distribution, signal conversion, keypads and touch screen including video interphones monitors and shopping terminals operate and controls such home automation via the optical cables. |
| US08344666B1 |
Circuit for and method of implementing a configurable light timer
A circuit for implementing a configurable light timer controlling a light is disclosed. The circuit comprises an input portion for receiving timing characterization data, the input portion having a slot adapted to receive a portable memory device storing the timing characterization data; a control circuit coupled to access a set of data of a plurality of sets of data of the timing characterization data; and a multiple setting selection actuator coupled to the control circuit, the multiple setting selection actuator enabling a selection of the set of data to be implemented by the control circuit. A method of implementing a configurable light timer is also disclosed. |
| US08344660B2 |
Lighting control
An apparatus and method of controlling a light are disclosed. One method includes detecting a light adjusting trigger event, selecting a random delay time, and adjusting the light, wherein the light adjustment occurs the random delay time after detecting the light adjusting trigger event. |
| US08344657B2 |
LED driver with open loop dimming control
An LED driver with open loop dimming including a full wave rectifier circuit, a DC/DC converter, and an oscillator circuit. The rectifier is configured to receive an input voltage in the form of an AC conductive angle modulated voltage and to provide a rectified voltage. The DC/DC converter converts the rectified voltage to an output voltage and an output current, where the output current has a magnitude which varies proportionately with a square of a quadratic mean of the input voltage. The oscillator circuit controls switching of the DC/DC converter with constant frequency and constant duty cycle. The DC/DC converter may be a flyback converter and may include a transformer operated in DCM. The driver may include output voltage and/or output current limit. The output current may be limited when the input voltage is within normal operating range of an AC line voltage from which the input voltage is derived. |
| US08344649B2 |
Universal electronic ballast for operating Hg-free lamps and Hg-containing discharge lamps
An electronic ballast for a discharge lamp includes a microcontroller, which is configured to identify the parameters which determine the discharge lamp type. The microcontroller implements an orientation mode program once when the lamp is first switched on, which orientation mode program can be used to determine the type of discharge lamp. |
| US08344644B2 |
Electronic ballast for HID lamps with active lamp power control
An electronic ballast includes a ballast control circuit controlling an inverter circuit to supply a rectangular wave AC power to a high-pressure discharge lamp. The ballast control circuit includes a load voltage detection circuit adapted to detect load voltages of both positive and negative polarities applied to the lamp, a comparison and selection circuit adapted to compare the detected load voltages of the positive and negative polarities and select one of the positive and negative polarities, and a switching control circuit adapted to use the load voltage of the polarity selected by the comparison and selection circuit for controlling load current in one cycle after a period of detecting the load voltages of both the positive and negative polarities. |
| US08344636B2 |
Fixed frequency dimming method and fixed frequency dimming circuit for light emitting module
A fixed frequency dimming method and fixed frequency dimming circuit for a light emitting module can control light emitting brightness of the light emitting module through a hysteresis control circuit. A voltage difference between an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage of a hysteresis width of the hysteresis control circuit is maintained at a fixed value, and a driving current flowing through the light emitting module is changed by changing the upper limit voltage or the lower limit voltage. |
| US08344633B2 |
Driving circuit for driving a plurality of light sources arranged in a series configuration
A driving circuit (10) for driving a plurality of light sources (1) arranged in a series configuration (2) is described. A controllable current source (20) is connected to said series arrangement of light sources. Each light source (1(i)) is bridged by a corresponding controllable switch (25(i)). A controller (30) controls the operation of the current source (20) to set a current level and controls the operative states of the respective switches (25(i)) in order to individually control the light output of the corresponding light sources. The controller (30) is capable of individually setting the switch control signals (SL(O) for the respective switches (25(i)). Especially, the controller (30) is capable of boosting the light output of one selected light source (1(x)) while maintaining the light output of other light sources in the series arrangement (2). To this end, the current level is increased while the other light sources are dimmed. |
| US08344626B2 |
Electron beam tube output transition including a rectangular to conical waveguide transition with conical internal propagation surfaces
The invention relates to a microwave output transition for a high-power electron tube comprising a body (78) of tubular shape, along a longitudinal axis ZZ′, having two ends (80, 90), a passage (79) between the two ends that has internal surfaces for propagating electromagnetic waves, one of the ends (90), in the form of a circular cylindrical tube, comprising a conical internal propagation surface (130) and the other end (80), in the form of a tube of rectangular cross section, having two long sides (84, 85) and two short sides (86, 87) perpendicular to the long sides, the passage having two plane internal propagation surfaces (120, 122) parallel to the long sides (84, 85) and two other plane internal surfaces (124, 126) parallel to the short sides (86, 87).Each of the plane internal propagation surfaces (120, 122) parallel to the long sides (84, 85) is joined to the conical internal propagation surface (130) via a respective curved connecting surface (132, 133) having bidirectional radii of curvature. |
| US08344620B2 |
Active matrix electroluminescence device having a metallic protective layer and method for fabricating the same
An active matrix electroluminescence display device and a method for fabricating the same, whereby damage caused by UV light rays during the fabrication process can be prevented, are disclosed. The active matrix electroluminescence display device includes a plurality of transistors formed on a substrate having an emissive area and a non-emissive area defined thereon, an insulating layer formed on the substrate and the thin film transistors, a metallic protective layer formed on the insulating layer of the non-emissive area, a first electrode formed on the insulating layer of the emissive area, an electroluminous layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the electroluminous layer. |
| US08344614B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display (OLED) device and a method of manufacturing the same, the OLED device including a first substrate having an organic emission unit on a surface thereof, a second substrate above the first substrate, an inorganic sealing member between the first substrate and the second substrate, the inorganic sealing member bonding the first substrate and the second substrate. and a filler, the filler filling a space between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a volume of the filler is greater than a volume of a space between the first substrate, the second substrate, and the inorganic sealing member prior to bonding the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08344611B2 |
Oxyfluoride phosphors and white light emitting diodes including the oxyfluoride phosphor for solid-state lighting applications
A blue-green emitting Ce3+-activated oxyfluoride phosphor for use with a light emitting diode (LED) in solid state lighting applications. The blue-green emitting Ce3+-activated oxyfluoride phosphor is represented as: (Sr1-x-yAEy)3(Al1-zTz)O4F:Ce3+x wherein 0 |
| US08344609B2 |
Image display apparatus including electron-emitting device
A plurality of electron-emitting devices arranged in a matrix, a row wiring that connects electron-emitting portions of electron-emitting devices arranged in the same line to one another, and a column wiring that connects gate connection members of electron-emitting devices arranged in the same column to one another are included. Each of the plurality of gates is positioned at one side of an electron-emitting portion in an arrangement direction in which the plurality of electron-emitting portions are arranged. |
| US08344608B2 |
Hot cathode fluorescent lamp and electrode for fluorescent lamp
A long-life hot cathode fluorescent lamp can include a pair of parallel lead wires that can be arranged at each end of a tube. A coiled filament can be connected at its opposite end portions to the lead wires. The coiled filament can have two long pitched regions in which a coil pitch is longer than regions outside of the long pitched regions. Emitter can be located in a region defined between the two long pitched regions. Shape characteristics and intensive current flow obtained by the presence of the long pitched regions can form the origins of discharge near the boundaries between long and short pitched regions. Accordingly, stable discharge can be achieved with the origins of discharge located at ends of the emitter. As a result, the hot cathode fluorescent lamp is allowed to have a long life and stable light emission characteristics. |
| US08344604B2 |
Spark plug for internal combustion engine
A precious metal tip on the side of a ground electrode is indirectly joined to the front end portion of the ground electrode via a mounting part interposed therebetween. The mounting part includes a base part and a protruding part. First, in the state where the precious metal tip is in contact with the protruding part, laser welding or the like is performed thereon to form a fused part and obtain a complex, and the base part is joined to a flat surface of the ground electrode by resistance welding. The grain size of grains of the mounting part in the vicinity of the of the fused part is greater than the grain size of the grain size of the grains thereof in the vicinity of the ground electrode, and the grain size of the grains of the flange part of the mounting part is smaller than the grain size of the grains of the protruding part. |
| US08344602B2 |
Light emitting diode and light source module incorporating the same
A light emitting diode (LED) includes an LED chip, a casting, two metallic electrodes and a heat sink. The casting includes a first surface, a second surface and an outer peripheral side surface interconnecting the first and second surfaces. The casting defines a receiving space concaved inwardly from the first surface for receiving the LED chip therein. A through hole is defined in the casting and extends from the receiving space to the second surface. The metallic electrodes are separated from each other. Each metallic electrode includes a first terminal electrically connecting with the LED chip, and a second terminal disposed at the outer peripheral side surface of the casting. The heat sink is filled in the through hole and thermally contacts the LED chip. The heat sink is thermally and electrically insulated from the metallic electrodes by the casting. |
| US08344600B2 |
Heat dissipating structure of LED circuit board and LED lamp tube comprised thereof
A heat dissipating structure of an LED circuit board includes an LED circuit board having a plurality of soldering points. The soldering points of the LED circuit board are covered by a coating layer including Nanoparticles and a bonding agent. The LED circuit board is covered by the coating layer in an LED lamp tube to accelerate dissipating the heat of the LED circuit board. The coating layer has the characteristics of high emitting rate, temperature resistance, and conductivity insulation. On the other hand, the coating layer can increase the contacting areas of the soldering points with the air to enlarge the heat dissipation area of the LED circuit board to, thereby accelerating dissipating the heat. |
| US08344595B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer array, and ultrasonic device
An ultrasonic transducer is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer includes a vibrating member and a piezoelectric member coupled to the vibrating member. The piezoelectric member includes a first piezoelectric part configured and arranged to be deformed by applied voltage to vibrate the vibrating member or configured and arranged to be deformed by vibration of the vibrating member to produce a potential difference, and a second piezoelectric part configured and arranged to be deformed by applied voltage to statically deflect the vibrating member. |
| US08344592B2 |
Ultrasonic motor
The invention relates to an ultrasonic motor having a multilayer actuator in the form of a multilayer plate, having one or more friction elements or friction layers on its side surfaces and having an electrical exciter apparatus for the actuator. According to the invention, the multilayer plate has two intersecting, mirror-imaged asymmetrical generators for ultrasonic vibrations, to be precise in the form of layers of exciter electrodes and general electrodes which are alternately arranged with layers of piezoelectric ceramic, wherein a two-dimensional asymmetrical acoustic standing wave is generated in the multilayer actuator. |
| US08344587B2 |
Capacitive electro-mechanical transducer, and fabrication method of the same
A capacitive electro-mechanical transducer includes a plurality of cavities, a communicating portion for connecting the cavities to each other, and two electrodes sandwiching each of the cavities. The cavities are sealed from outside, and at least a portion of the communicating portion is closed to interrupt the communication between the cavities through the communicating portion. |
| US08344586B2 |
Temperature-activated voltage generator
An illustrative embodiment of a temperature-activated voltage generator includes a generator housing having a housing interior; a flexible, temperature-sensitive bimetallic element disposed in the housing interior; and a piezoelectric element carried by the generator housing. The bimetallic element is positional between a first position wherein the bimetallic element disengages the piezoelectric element and a second position wherein the bimetallic element engages the piezoelectric element. Electrical voltage output leads are electrically connected to the piezoelectric element. A voltage-generating method is also disclosed. |
| US08344581B2 |
Induction motor rotor core having shaped slots
To provide an indication motor rotor capable of improving motor performance by concentrating portions under magnetic saturation conditions of rotor teeth. The rotor of an induction motor of this invention may include slots formed approximately in the shape of a T. The slots may be formed so that top slots are arranged on an outer peripheral portion of a rotor core, and bottom slots are arranged on an inner side of the top slots. The width in the circumferential direction of the top slot is wider than the width in the circumferential direction of the bottom slot, and the width in the circumferential direction of a rotor tooth between adjacent top slots is narrower than the width in the circumferential direction of the rotor tooth between adjacent bottom slots. |
| US08344580B2 |
Stator for a polyphase electric machine and method for manufacturing same
A stator (16) is proposed for a polyphase electric machine, having a core body (17), which is provided with slots (114), which are situated in the radial direction with respect to an axis of rotation of the electric machine on one side of the core body (17) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core body (17), having a slot width (bn1, bn2) and a stator yoke (122) being provided on the opposite side, with two slots (114) each being separated from one another by a tooth (116) having a tooth width (bz1, bz2) and extending from a slot base (120) to a tooth head (118), these slots (114) being provided to receive at least one coil winding having a plurality of coils that is electrically connected in series and are manufactured from at least one continuous wire (124) without interruption, the ratio (bz2/hj) of the tooth width (bz2) to the yoke height (hj) at the tooth head (118) being between 0.3 and 0.8 and/or the ratio (bz2/bn2) of the tooth width (bz2) at the tooth head (118) to the slot width (bn2) at the tooth head (118) being between 0.3 and 3, and/or the ratio (mCu(slot)/mCu(total)) of the copper mass of the wire (124) in the slot (114) to the total copper mass of the wire (124) being between 0.43 and 0.55. |
| US08344575B2 |
Stator and manufacturing method thereof
The disclosed embodiments relate to a stator and manufacturing method of the stator in which the coil conducts of the stator have three phases (a U phase, V phase, and W phase), which are arranged in a distributed winding form in a plurality of slots of a stator core. The coil conductors of the three phases each include a slot conductor portion that is disposed in the slot, and a pair of coil end conductor portions disposed on both axial sides of the stator core to connect the slot conductor portions disposed in the different slots. The stator also includes a first side transition wire portion in each phase that is disposed further toward a radial inner side than an inner peripheral end surface of a tooth provided on each circumferential side of the slot so as to overlap another first side transition wire portions in the axial direction. |
| US08344572B2 |
Electromotive part of an elevator drive
The present invention relates to an electromotive part of an elevator drive, comprising a rotor (24) and a stator (10, 22), wherein windings of the stator and/or the rotor (24) are provided as single tooth windings. An electromotive part of an elevator drive, is provided as an internal rotor motor, and includes a rotor and a stator. Windings of the stator and/or the rotor are provided as single tooth windings, the windings are, at least in part, encapsulated, and the windings are provided as two-layer windings. A method for winding-up windings of an electromotive part of an elevator drive with two-layer windings, includes inserting the windings of individual phases as alternating upper and lower layers. |
| US08344571B2 |
High-efficiency permanent magnet motor
The present invention relates to a high-efficiency permanent magnet motor driven by a direct current (DC) without alternation, with the motor generating a high-efficiency kinetic energy synthesized from active energy of a stator and passive energy of a rotator, comprising: a stator comprising a coil distributively wound radially around a circular planar PCB, creating a magnetic field on both sides of the stator located at the center of two rotators; and a rotor comprising two circular planar permanent magnets with a corresponding size to the magnetic field of the stator, with the magnet having both faces magnetized arranged such that the magnetized faces of the magnets and the magnetic fields on both sides of the stator facing each other have the same polarity. Constant power is provided when DC power is applied to the coil of the stator, the rotor rotates, in the absence of an AC. |
| US08344570B2 |
Interior permanent magnet rotor, electric motor using the same and electric device
A rotor (21) is an interior permanent magnet rotor formed of a rotor core (24) in which a plurality of permanent magnets (25) are embedded at predetermined intervals. First protruding portions (26) and second protruding portions (27) are formed on an outer peripheral face of the rotor, the first protruding portions (26) each opposing the vicinity of a central portion of each of the permanent magnets and having a substantially arc-shaped cross section protruding outward and the second protruding portions (27) each opposing the vicinity of an end portion of each of the permanent magnets and protruding outward. One first protruding portion and two second protruding portions correspond to one permanent magnet. The formation of the first and second protruding portions as described above on the outer peripheral face of the rotor makes it possible to sufficiently reduce the torque ripple and the noise caused by the distortion of air-gap magnetic flux distribution. |
| US08344564B2 |
Drive device
A driving device (100) is provided with first and second rotating electrical machines (MG1, MG2); an inverter (30); a first storing case (23) having a first rotating electrical machine storing section (21) for storing the first rotating electrical machine (MG2), and an inverter storing section (300) for storing the inverter (30); and a second storing case (13) which can store the second rotating electrical machine (MG1) and can be attached to the first storing case (23); a first terminal section (121) connected to the inverter; and a second terminal section (15) which is arranged on the second storing case (13) and is connected to the second rotating electrical machine (MG1). The first terminal section (121) and the second terminal section (15) are arranged so that one protrudes toward the other. |
| US08344563B2 |
Rotating electrical machine having fans on frame
A rotating electrical machine includes a flange provided at one end of a substantially rectangular, hollow frame in an axial direction; a lid provided at the other end of the frame in the axial direction; a rotor including a shaft, the shaft being rotatably supported by the flange and the lid; a stator fixed to an inner section of the frame, the stator surrounding the rotor; and a plurality of fans provided on opposite side surfaces of the frame in a plan view of the frame as viewed in the axial direction. |
| US08344561B2 |
Stepping motor with first pole teeth and second pole teeth alternately disposed
A stepping motor may include a rotor having a drive magnet and a stator having a drive coil wound in a tube shape and disposed on the drive magnet. The stator may include a first yoke, a second yoke, a plurality of first pole teeth, and a plurality of second pole teeth. The plurality of the first and second pole teeth may be alternately disposed in a circumferential direction of the rotor. |
| US08344560B2 |
Magnetically actuated reciprocating motor and process using reverse magnetic switching
A magnetically actuated reciprocating motor utilizes the stored energy of rare earth magnets and an electromagnetic field provided by a solenoid to reciprocally drive a solenoid assembly. A converting mechanism, such as a connecting rod and crankshaft, converts the reciprocating motion of the solenoid assembly to power a work object. The solenoid assembly comprises a solenoid having a nonferromagnetic spool with a tubular center section and a coil of wire wrapped around the center section. A magnetic actuator has a permanent magnet at each end of an elongated shaft that is received through the center section of the spool. A switching mechanism switches magnetic polarity at the ends of the solenoid so the solenoid assembly is alternatively repelled and attracted by the permanent magnets. A controlling mechanism interconnecting an output shaft and the switching mechanism provides the timing to switch the polarity of the solenoid and reciprocate the solenoid assembly. |
| US08344558B2 |
Production system power supply control method, and production system
A power supply control method of a production system including a first unit and a second unit includes: starting power supply for operation of the second unit in accordance with a signal acquired according to an operation status of the first unit (S41); starting the operation by the second unit after the start of the power supply (S44); acquiring stop time information indicating time from when the operation ends to when a next operation of the second unit starts (S22); determining, based on the acquired stop time information, whether or not to stop the power supply after the started operation ends (S24); and stopping the power supply when it is determined to stop the power supply (S48). |
| US08344557B2 |
Magnetic flux measuring device and magnetic flux measuring method for stationary induction electrical apparatus, and synchronous switching control gear for circuit breaker
The present invention provides a magnetic flux measuring device and magnetic flux measuring method for stationary induction electrical apparatus which can accurately measure the magnetic flux without being influenced by the DC offset component which superimposes on the measurement system, and can constantly and continuously measure the magnetic flux without setting a limit in the magnetic flux measurement period. The magnetic flux measuring method which measures a magnetic flux of a stationary induction electrical apparatus 2 using a voltage waveform of the stationary induction electrical apparatus 2, wherein the magnetic flux 151 of the stationary induction electrical apparatus 2 is determined by the steps of: inputting a voltage waveform 121 of the stationary induction electrical apparatus 2 into a negative-feedback amplification means 14 of which feedback circuit is constructed by a low pass filter; and integrating output of the negative-feedback amplification means 14 by integration means 15. |
| US08344554B2 |
Switching spark gap
The present invention relates to a controlled truncating radio connection for a high-voltage impulse test system, preferably for quality assurance of power transformers. According to the invention, the truncating radio connection is expanded by an additional damping unit, made of a serial damping resistance and a damping inductance having a radio connection connected in parallel thereto, and thereby combines the functionalities of a truncating radio connection and an overshoot compensation in only one auxiliary component. |
| US08344552B2 |
Antennas and their coupling characteristics for wireless power transfer via magnetic coupling
Optimizing a wireless power system by separately optimizing received power and efficiency. Either one or both of received power and/or efficiency can be optimized in a way that maintains the values to maximize transferred power. |
| US08344551B2 |
3-phase high-power UPS
A 3-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) including first, second, and third AC/DC converters, a DC/DC converter, and at least one DC/AC converter coupled to multiple electrical buses. The first, second, and third AC/DC converters each being configured to receive AC power and to provide multiple DC signals to the multiple electrical buses. The DC/DC converter being configured to convert DC voltages present on the multiple electrical buses to a DC voltage that can be used to charge a battery. The DC/AC converter being configured to receive DC power from the multiple electrical buses and to provide an AC output. The 3-phase UPS being configured such that when suitable AC power is provided to the AC/DC converters, the DC/DC converter is configured to charge a battery, and when suitable AC power is not provided to the AC/DC converters, the DC/DC converter is configured to provide DC power to the multiple electrical buses using power provided by the battery. |
| US08344550B2 |
Power conversion control with energy storage
A power generation system includes a renewable power source for producing source power; a source side converter for converting the source power to converted DC power; a source side controller for driving the converted DC power towards a maximum power point; a DC link for receiving the converted DC power; a grid side converter coupled to the DC link for converting DC link power from the DC link to AC output power for a grid; a grid side controller for controlling the AC output power of the grid side converter to achieve grid interconnection requirements; an electrical energy storage device; an energy storage converter coupling the energy storage device to the DC link; an energy storage controller for controlling the energy storage converter to achieve a desired power balance on the DC link. |
| US08344548B2 |
Photovoltaic power plant with minimized power collection losses
A photovoltaic power plant design is disclosed where a two-tier DC power collection method is used in concert with specific array field geometries and equipment locations to minimize system wiring costs and/or resistive wiring losses. |
| US08344546B2 |
Power supply unit directly connected to backup direct current power source
A power supply unit that obviates the need for an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for a server in a data center by receiving a DC power from a temporary backup power source. The power supply unit converts AC power received from a power utility service into a DC power for operating one or more motherboards of the server. An AC to DC converter in the power supply unit senses an input AC voltage and activates a DC to DC converter coupled to the temporary backup power source. The DC to DC converter powers the one or more motherboards until a generator serving as an auxiliary AC power source becomes operational. The power supply unit resumes connection to the AC to DC converter after the generator becomes operational. |
| US08344544B2 |
Bus-tie SSPCS for DC power distribution system
A direct current (DC) power distribution system includes a first electrical distribution and power management (EDPM) unit including a first DC power source connected to a first high voltage DC bus connected to a first DC load, and a first bus-tie solid state power controller (SSPC) connected to the first HVDC bus; a second EDPM unit including a second DC power source connected to a second high voltage DC bus connected to a second DC load, and a second bus-tie SSPC being connected to the second HVDC bus; and a bus-tie connected between the first bus-tie SSPC and the second bus-tie SSPC, wherein in the event a power source failure occurs in the first EDPM unit, power flows from the second DC power source to the first HVDC bus via the second bus-tie SSPC, the bus-tie, and the first bus-tie SSPC. |
| US08344541B1 |
Reverse current protection methods and systems for trailer tow
A reverse current protection system for a vehicle electrical system that communicates with a trailer electrical system generally includes a mode determination module that receives a reverse current flow detection signal and that selectively determines a field effect transistor (FET) operating mode to be a reverse on mode based on the reverse current flow detection signal. A current flow control module generates a current flow control signal to a field effect transistor to control the field effect transistor based on the determined FET operating mode. |
| US08344539B1 |
Power generating system
A drive shaft is supported at first and second ends with bearings for rotational reciprocation. A sail has a fixed portion and a reciprocable portion. An inextensible cord couples the reciprocable portion of the sail to the drive shaft adjacent to the first end whereby wind contacting the sail will reciprocate the reciprocable portion of the sail to pull the inextensible cord and rotate the drive shaft. A generator is rotatably coupled to the drive shaft adjacent to the second end for creating electrical energy in response to the reciprocation of the sail from the action of the wind. |
| US08344537B2 |
Generating station which transforms the force of gravity into electricity
An electricity generating station using a method which enables the force of gravity to be transformed into electricity and which comprises two 6-meter diameter semi-solid combined structure axle-borne wheels which serve to increase the axle revolutions, two electricity generators, six direction reversers fitted to the axle, six plastic containers for transporting water, six chains enabling the reverser to raise and lower the six containers, two revolution step-up gears for increasing the revolutions, an electric pump for raising the water, a water valve which opens and closes for filling the containers, a back sluice for container draining, a pair of tanks and a network of PVC conduits. |
| US08344528B2 |
Waste oil electrical generation systems
An on-site electrical power generation system utilizing environmentally hazardous waste oils as a combustible fuel. The disclosed invention utilizes the combustion of environmentally hazardous waste oils to drive a heat engine and electrical generator. In addition, the system is adapted to provide local space heating and hot water as a byproduct of the combustion process. |
| US08344526B2 |
Energy generating supports
Energy harvesting systems are described in which electroactive materials, such as dielectric elastomers, may be utilized to absorb the shocks, bumps, and vibrations from the road or path to generate energy which is captured and stored for use in the vehicle to provide additional power for any number of uses. Other devices and systems, such as household appliances which dissipate vibrational energy, may also incorporate any number of the dielectric elastomer generators. |
| US08344521B2 |
Semiconductor device, semiconductor package and wiring structure
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor package, a circuit board, an interconnection electrically connecting the semiconductor package and the circuit board, and a wiring structure. The wiring structure includes a through hole, a contact disposed at the through hole and a lead pattern extending from the contact. The wiring structure is disposed between the semiconductor package and the circuit board. The interconnection passes through the through hole and connects with the contact. |
| US08344520B2 |
Stacked structure of chips
A stacked structure of chips including a first chip and a second chip is provided. The first chip includes a first and a second circuit blocks, a signal path, a first and a second hardwired switches. The second chip stacks with the first chip stack and includes a third circuit block, a third and a fourth hardwired switches. If the first circuit block is defective and the second and the third circuit blocks are functional, the first hardwired switch and the third hardwired switch are set correspondingly such that a power-supply bonding pad is connected to the third power terminal and disconnected to the first power terminal, and the second hardwired switch and the fourth hardwired switch are set correspondingly such that the third signal terminal is electrically connected to the signal path to make the third circuit block replace the first circuit block and provide the first function. |
| US08344517B2 |
Integrated circuit devices including air spacers separating conductive structures and contact plugs and methods of fabricating the same
An integrated circuit device includes first and second conductive structures spaced apart from one another on a substrate along a first direction. The first and second conductive structures extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A contact plug is interposed between the first and second conductive structures and is separated therefrom along the first direction by respective air gaps on opposite sides of the contact plug. The air gaps define first and second air spacers that electrically insulate the contact plug from the first and second conductive structures, respectively. An upper insulation layer covers the first and second air spacers and the first and second conductive structures. The air spacers may sufficiently reduce the loading capacitance between the conductive structures. Related fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US08344514B2 |
Semiconductor device structures and electronic devices including same hybrid conductive vias
A conductive via of a semiconductor device includes a relatively small diameter portion extending into an active surface of a fabrication substrate and a corresponding, relatively large diameter portion that extends into a back side of the fabrication substrate. This type of conductive via may be fabricated by forming the relatively small diameter portion before or during BEOL processing, while the large diameter portion of each conductive via may be fabricated after BEOL processing is complete. Electronic devices that include one or more semiconductor devices with such conductive vias are also disclosed. |
| US08344512B2 |
Three-dimensional silicon interposer for low voltage low power systems
Scalable silicon (Si) interposer configurations that support low voltage, low power operations are provided. In one aspect, a Si interposer is provided which includes a plurality of through-silicon vias (TSVs) within a first plane thereof adapted to serve as power, ground and signal interconnections throughout the first plane such that the TSVs that serve as the power and ground interconnections are greater in number and/or size than the TSVs that serve as the signal interconnections; and a plurality of lines within a second plane of the interposer in contact with one or more of the TSVs in the first plane, the second plane being adjacent to the first plane, adapted to serve as power, ground and signal interconnections throughout the second plane such that the lines that serve as the power and the ground interconnections are greater in number and/or size than the lines that serve as the signal interconnections. |
| US08344510B2 |
Semiconductor device with void detection monitor
Methods for detecting a void in an element portion of a semiconductor device having an element portion and a void detection structure are disclosed. As a part of the method, an insulating film is formed on a substrate, a plurality of holes is formed in the insulating film, and a metal portion is formed on the insulating film to fill the plurality of holes. The metal portion is polished until the insulating film is exposed and a recessed portion is formed in the void detection structure. It is determined if a void exists in the element portion of the semiconductor device by determining whether or not a void is exposed at a surface of the recessed portion of the void detection structure. |
| US08344509B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes forming a dielectric film above a substrate; forming an opening in the dielectric film; forming a first film containing a metal whose energy for forming silicide thereof is lower than that of Cu silicide inside the opening; forming a second film that is conductive and contains copper (Cu) in the opening in which the first film containing the metal is formed; and forming a compound film containing Cu and silicon (Si) selectively on the second film in an atmosphere in which a temperature of the substrate is below 300° C. |
| US08344498B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor element; a support substrate arranged on a surface of the semiconductor element opposite to a surface thereof provided with a pad, the support substrate being wider in area than the semiconductor element; a burying insulating layer on the support substrate for burying the semiconductor element therein; a fan-out interconnection led out from the pad to an area on the burying insulating layer lying more peripherally outwardly than the semiconductor element; and a reinforcement portion arranged in a preset area on top of outer periphery of the semiconductor element for augmenting the mechanical strength of the burying insulating layer and the fan-out interconnection. |
| US08344495B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with interconnect and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate external layer having an opening; forming a convex interconnect within the opening with the convex interconnect having a protrusion and a horizontal flange substantially horizontally coplanar with the substrate external layer; forming an insulation layer over the substrate external layer and the convex interconnect; forming a horizontal conductive pathway on the insulation layer; forming a single interlayer conductive connector from the horizontal conductive pathway to the convex interconnect; and connecting an integrated circuit and the horizontal conductive pathway. |
| US08344494B2 |
Layered chip package and method of manufacturing same
A layered chip package includes a main body and wiring. The main body includes a main part including a plurality of stacked layer portions, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the main part. The wiring includes a plurality of lines electrically connected to the plurality of terminals. The plurality of lines include a plurality of common lines and a plurality of layer-dependent lines. Each of the plurality of layer portions includes: a plurality of common electrodes electrically connected to the plurality of common lines; a plurality of non-contact electrodes that are electrically connected to the layer-dependent lines and are not in contact with the semiconductor chip in the layer portion; and a selective connection electrode selectively electrically connected to only the layer-dependent line that the layer portion uses among the plurality of layer-dependent lines. The layer-dependent lines are greater than the common lines in maximum width. |
| US08344492B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
A first multilayer wiring structure has a first surface and a second surface positioned on an opposite side to the first surface, a first wiring pattern formed on the second surface side and a housing portion penetrating through the first multilayer wiring structure from the first surface to the second surface. An electronic component has an electrode pad. The electronic component is accommodated in the housing portion in a state that an electrode pad formation surface at the side where the electrode pad is formed is positioned on the second surface side of the first multilayer wiring structure. A second multilayer wiring structure has an insulating layer and a second wiring pattern which are stacked on the second surface of the first multilayer wiring structure and the electrode pad formation surface of the electronic component. The second wiring pattern is electrically connected to the first wiring pattern and the electrode pad. |
| US08344489B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device of the invention includes: a substrate having a hollowed hollow section on a top surface; a semiconductor chip mounted in the hollow section of the substrate; and a lid having a substantially plate-shaped top plate section that opposes the substrate and covers the hollow section, and having at least one pair of side wall sections that project from a circumference of the top plate section towards the substrate and that engage with a side surface of the substrate. The substrate and the lid can be accurately positioned. |
| US08344487B2 |
Stress mitigation in packaged microchips
A packaged microchip has a lead frame with a die directly contacting at least a single, contiguous portion of the lead frame. The portion of the lead frame has a top surface forming a concavity and contacting the die. The packaged microchip also has mold material substantially encapsulating part of the top surface of the portion of the lead frame. |
| US08344481B2 |
Bipolar transistors with hump regions
By providing a novel bipolar device design implementation, a standard CMOS process can be used unchanged to fabricate useful bipolar transistors and other bipolar devices having adjustable properties by partially blocking the P or N well doping used for the transistor base. This provides a hump-shaped base region with an adjustable base width, thereby achieving, for example, higher gain than can be obtained with the unmodified CMOS process alone. By further partially blocking the source/drain doping step used to form the emitter of the bipolar transistor, the emitter shape and effective base width can be further varied to provide additional control over the bipolar device properties. The embodiments thus include prescribed modifications to the masks associated with the bipolar device that are configured to obtain desired device properties. The CMOS process steps and flow are otherwise unaltered and no additional process steps are required. |
| US08344479B2 |
Integrated circuit inductor with integrated vias
Integrated circuit inductors (5) are formed by interconnecting various metal layers (10) in an integrated circuit with continuous vias (200). Using continuous vias (200) improves the Q factor over existing methods for high frequency applications. The contiguous length of the continuous vias should be greater than three percent of the length of the inductor (5). |
| US08344476B2 |
Fuse structure for high integrated semiconductor device
The present invention provides a technology capable of improving an operation reliability of a semiconductor device. Particularly, a fuse material which constitutes the copper can be prevented from migrating being locked in the recesses or the grooves after a blowing process. A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer including a concave-convex-shaped upper part; and a fuse formed on the insulating layer. |
| US08344474B2 |
Microstructure device including a metallization structure with self-aligned air gaps and refilled air gap exclusion zones
In a sophisticated metallization system, self-aligned air gaps may be provided in a locally selective manner by using a radiation sensitive material for filling recesses or for forming therein the metal regions. Consequently, upon selectively exposing the radiation sensitive material, a selective removal of exposed or non-exposed portions may be accomplished, thereby resulting in a highly efficient overall manufacturing flow. |
| US08344472B2 |
Semiconductor device and method
Transistors (21, 41) employing floating buried layers may be susceptible to noise coupling into the floating buried layers. In IGFETS this is reduced or eliminated by providing a normally-ON switch (80, 80′) coupling the buried layer (102, 142, 172, 202) and the IGFET source (22, 42) or drain (24, 44). When the transistor (71, 91) is OFF, this clamps the buried layer voltage and substantially prevents noise coupling thereto. When the drain-source voltage VDS exceeds the switch's (80, 80′) threshold voltage Vt, it turns OFF, allowing the buried layer (102, 142, 172, 202) to float, and thereby resume normal transistor action without degrading the breakdown voltage or ON-resistance. In a preferred embodiment, a normally-ON lateral JFET (801, 801′, 801-1, 801-2, 801-3) conveniently provides this switching function. The lateral JFET (801-3) can be included in the device (70, 70′, 90, 90′) by mask changes without adding or customizing any process steps, thereby providing the improved noise resistance without significant increase in manufacturing cost. The improvement applies to both P (90-1) and N channel (70-1, 70-2, 70-3) transistors and is particularly useful for LDMOS devices. |
| US08344471B2 |
CMOS image sensor big via bonding pad application for AICu process
An integrated circuit includes a substrate having a bonding pad region and a non-bonding pad region. A relatively large via, called a “big via,” is formed on the substrate in the bonding region. The big via has a first dimension in a top view toward the substrate. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of vias formed on the substrate in the non-bonding region. The plurality of vias each have a second dimension in the top view, the second dimension being substantially less than the first dimension. |
| US08344468B2 |
Photovoltaic device with lateral P-I-N light-sensitive diodes
A photovoltaic device includes lateral P-I-N light-sensitive diodes respectively formed in portions of a planar semiconductor material (e.g., polycrystalline or crystalline silicon) layer that is entirely disposed on an insulating material (e.g., SiO2) layer utilizing, e.g., STI or SOI techniques. Each light-sensitive diode includes parallel elongated doped regions respectively formed by P+ and N+ dopant extending entirely through the semiconductor layer material and separated by an intervening elongated intrinsic (native) region. The light-sensitive diodes are connected in series by patterned conductive (e.g., metal film) structures. Optional bypass diodes are formed next to each lateral P-I-N light-sensitive diodes. Optional trenches are defined between adjacent light-sensitive diodes. The photovoltaic devices are either utilized to form low-cost embedded low power photovoltaic arrays on CMOS IC devices, or produced on low-cost SOI substrates to provide, for example, low-cost, high voltage solar arrays for solar energy concentrators. |
| US08344466B2 |
Process for manufacturing MEMS devices having buried cavities and MEMS device obtained thereby
A process for manufacturing a MEMS device, wherein a bottom silicon region is formed on a substrate and on an insulating layer; a sacrificial region of dielectric is formed on the bottom region; a membrane region, of semiconductor material, is epitaxially grown on the sacrificial region; the membrane region is dug down to the sacrificial region so as to form through apertures; the side wall and the bottom of the apertures are completely coated in a conformal way with a porous material layer; at least one portion of the sacrificial region is selectively removed through the porous material layer and forms a cavity; and the apertures are filled with filling material so as to form a monolithic membrane suspended above the cavity. Other embodiments are directed to MEMS devices and pressure sensors. |
| US08344460B2 |
Method for forming a nickelsilicide FUSI gate
Ni3Si2 FUSI gates can be formed inter alia by further reaction of NiSi/Ni2Si gate stacks. Ni3Si2 behaves similarly to NiSi in terms of work function values, and of modulation with dopants on SiO2, in contrast to Ni-rich silicides which have significantly higher work function values on HfSixOy and negligible work function shifts with dopants on SiO2. Formation of Ni3Si2 can applied for applications targeting NiSi FUSI gates, thereby expanding the process window without changing the electrical properties of the FUSI gate. |
| US08344459B2 |
Semiconductor device
The present invention enhances voltage conversion efficiency of a semiconductor device. In a non-isolated DC-DC converter that includes a high-side switch power MOSFET and a low-side switch power MOSFET, which are series-connected, the high-side switch power MOSFET and driver circuits for driving the high-side and low-side switch power MOSFETs are formed within one semiconductor chip, whereas the low-side switch power MOSFET is formed in another semiconductor chip. The two semiconductor chips are sealed in a single package. |
| US08344452B2 |
Metal gate transistors with raised source and drain regions formed on heavily doped substrate
An MOS transistor formed on a heavily doped substrate is described. Metal gates are used in low temperature processing to prevent doping from the substrate from diffusing into the channel region of the transistor. |
| US08344450B2 |
Semiconductor device with buried bit lines and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate configured to include a plurality of trenches therein; a plurality of buried bit lines each configured to fill a portion of each trench; a plurality of active pillars each formed in an upper portion of each buried bit line; a plurality of vertical gates each configured to surround each active pillar; and a plurality of word lines configured to couple neighboring vertical gates with each other. |
| US08344447B2 |
Silicon layer for stopping dislocation propagation
A composite semiconductor structure and method of forming the same are provided. The composite semiconductor structure includes a first silicon-containing compound layer comprising an element selected from the group consisting essentially of germanium and carbon; a silicon layer on the first silicon-containing compound layer, wherein the silicon layer comprises substantially pure silicon; and a second silicon-containing compound layer comprising the element on the silicon layer. The first and the second silicon-containing compound layers have substantially lower silicon concentrations than the silicon layer. The composite semiconductor structure may be formed as source/drain regions of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices. |
| US08344446B2 |
Nonvolatile storage device and method for manufacturing the same in which insulating film is located between first and second impurity diffusion regions but absent on first impurity diffusion region
Provided is an excellent nonvolatile storage device having advantageous in miniaturization and less variation in initial threshold value, and exhibiting a high writing efficiency, without an erasing failure and a retention failure. The nonvolatile storage device is characterized by including a film stack extending from between a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode onto at least a surface of the gate electrode lying on a first impurity diffusion region side, the film stack including a charge accumulating layer and a tunnel insulating film sequentially from a gate electrode side. |
| US08344444B2 |
Semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory cell with a cap insulating film formed over a selection gate electrode
To provide a technique capable of improving reliability of a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory cell by suppressing the reduction of the drive force.A memory cell is configured by a selection pMIS having a selection gate electrode including a conductive film exhibiting a p-type conductivity and a memory pMIS having a memory gate electrode including a conductive film exhibiting a p-type conductivity, and at the time of write, hot electrons are injected into a charge storage layer from the side of a semiconductor substrate 1 and at the time of erase, hot holes are injected into the charge storage layer from the memory gate electrode. |
| US08344443B2 |
Single poly NVM devices and arrays
A single-poly non-volatile memory includes a PMOS select transistor (210) formed with a select gate (212), and P+ source and drain regions (211, 213) formed in a shared n-well region (240), a serially connected PMOS floating gate transistor (220) formed with part of a p-type floating gate layer (222) and P+ source and drain regions (221, 223) formed in the shared n-well region (240), and a coupling capacitor (230) formed over a p-well region (250) and connected to the PMOS floating gate transistor (220), where the coupling capacitor (230) includes a first capacitor plate formed with a second part of the p-type floating gate layer (222) and an underlying portion of the p-well region (250). |
| US08344441B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; an element isolation insulator formed in an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate and dividing the upper portion into first and second active areas extending in a first direction; a first contact connected to the first active area; and a second contact connected to the second active area. Each of the first and second active area includes: a first portion connected to one of the first contact and the second contact; and a second portion having an upper surface being placed lower than an upper surface of the first portion. The first contact and the second contact are mutually shifted in the first direction. The first portion of the first active area is disposed adjacent to the second portion of the second active area. |
| US08344438B2 |
Electrode of an integrated circuit
The present invention refers to an electrode comprising a first metallic layer and a compound comprising at least one of a nitride, oxide, and oxynitride of a second metallic material. |
| US08344437B2 |
Semiconductor device with vertical channel transistor
A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor pillar extending from the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor pillar comprising a first region, a second region, and a third region, the second region positioned between the first region and the third region, the third region positioned between the second region and the semiconductor substrate, immediately adjacent regions having different conductivity types, a first gate pattern disposed on the second region with a first insulating layer therebetween, and a second gate pattern disposed on the third region, wherein the second region is ohmically connected to the substrate by the second gate pattern. |
| US08344436B2 |
Semiconductor constructions and electronic systems
Some embodiments include DRAM having transistor gates extending partially over SOI, and methods of forming such DRAM. Unit cells of the DRAM may be within active region pedestals, and in some embodiments the unit cells may comprise capacitors having storage nodes in direct contact with sidewalls of the active region pedestals. Some embodiments include 0C1T memory having transistor gates entirely over SOI, and methods of forming such 0C1T memory. |
| US08344435B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
To realize a semiconductor memory device whose capacitance value per unit area in a memory cell is increased without increase in the area of the memory cell. The memory cell includes a transistor, a memory element, a first capacitor, and a second capacitor. The first capacitor includes a semiconductor film, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode which are included in the transistor and is formed at the same time as the transistor. The second capacitor includes an electrode which is included in the memory element and an insulating film and an electrode which are formed over the electrode. Further, the second capacitor is formed over the first capacitor. In this manner, the first capacitor and the second capacitor which are connected in parallel with the memory element are formed. |
| US08344431B2 |
Image sensor having reduced dark current
An image sensor includes a light receiving device, a field effect transistor, a stress layer pattern, and a surface passivation material. The light receiving device is formed in a first region of a substrate. The field effect transistor is formed in a second region of the substrate. The stress layer pattern is formed over the field effect transistor for creating stress therein to improve transistor performance. The surface passivation material is formed on the first region of the substrate for passivating dangling bonds at the surface of the light receiving device. |
| US08344427B2 |
Standard cell, semiconductor device having standard cells, and method for laying out and wiring the standard cell
The chip area of a semiconductor device having a plurality of standard cells is to be made smaller. A semiconductor device includes first and second standard cells. The first standard cell includes a diffusion region, a functional device region opposed to the diffusion region, and a metal layer. The second standard cell includes another diffusion region continuous with the diffusion region, another functional device region opposed to the other diffusion region, and further another diffusion region formed between the other diffusion region and the other functional device region. The metal layer and the other functional device region are coupled together electrically through the diffusion regions. |
| US08344425B2 |
Multi-gate III-V quantum well structures
Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a III-V tri-gate fin on a substrate, forming a cladding material around the III-V tri-gate fin, and forming a hi k gate dielectric around the cladding material. |
| US08344424B2 |
Enhancement mode gallium nitride power devices
Enhancement mode III-nitride devices are described. The 2DEG is depleted in the gate region so that the device is unable to conduct current when no bias is applied at the gate. Both gallium face and nitride face devices formed as enhancement mode devices. |
| US08344419B2 |
Compound semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
An AlN layer (2), a GaN buffer layer (3), a non-doped AlGaN layer (4a), an n-type AlGaN layer (4b), an n-type GaN layer (5), a non-doped AlN layer (6) and an SiN layer (7) are sequentially formed on an SiC substrate (1). At least three openings are formed in the non-doped AlN layer (6) and the SiN layer (7), and a source electrode (8a), a drain electrode (8b) and a gate electrode (19) are evaporated in these openings. |
| US08344416B2 |
Integrated circuits using guard rings for ESD, systems, and methods for forming the integrated circuits
An integrated circuit includes at least one transistor over a substrate. A first guard ring is disposed around the at least one transistor. The first guard ring has a first type dopant. A second guard ring is disposed around the first guard ring. The second guard ring has a second type dopant. A first doped region is disposed adjacent to the first guard ring. The first doped region has the second type dopant. A second doped region is disposed adjacent to the second guard ring. The second doped region has the first type dopant. The first guard ring, the second guard ring, the first doped region, and the second doped region are capable of being operable as a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) to substantially release an electrostatic discharge (ESD). |
| US08344415B2 |
Semiconductor component
A semiconductor component is disclosed. One embodiment provides a semiconductor body having a cell region with at least one zone of a first conduction type and at least one zone of a second conduction type in a rear side. A drift zone of the first conduction type in the cell region is provided. The drift zone contains at least one region through which charge carriers flow in an operating mode of the semiconductor component in one polarity and charge carriers do not flow in an operating mode of the semiconductor component in an opposite polarity. |
| US08344414B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device with which a driving voltage is able to be kept low is provided. The semiconductor light emitting device includes: an n-type cladding layer; an active layer; a p-type cladding layer containing AlGaInP; an intermediate layer; and a contact layer containing GaP in this order, wherein the intermediate layer contains Ga1-aInaP (0.357≦a≦0.408), and has a thickness of from 10 nm to 20 nm both inclusive. |
| US08344400B2 |
Light emitting device package
Embodiments relate to a light emitting device package. The light emitting device package comprises: a body comprising a multilayer cavity; a light emitting device in the cavity; a first phosphor layer sealing the light emitting device and comprising a first phosphor; and a second phosphor layer comprising a second phosphor on the first phosphor layer, the second phosphor and the first phosphor having a difference in the specific gravity. |
| US08344392B2 |
Light-emitting element and the manufacturing method thereof
A light-emitting element includes a light-emitting stack includes: a first semiconductor layer; an active layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; a recess structure formed through the second semiconductor layer, the active layer, and extended in the first semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer includes a contact region defined by the recess structure; a first electrode structure including a first contact portion on the contact region of the first semiconductor layer, and a second contact portion laterally extended from the first contact portion into the first semiconductor layer; and a dielectric layer formed on side surfaces of the second semiconductor layer and the active layer to insulate the second semiconductor layer and the active layer from the first contact portion. |
| US08344390B2 |
Thin film active element group, thin film active element array, organic light emitting device, display apparatus, and thin film active element manufacturing method
The objective is to achieve an organic thin film transistor group that can be manufactured more easily and at a lower cost. Provided is a thin film active element group comprising a drive active element having a semiconductor channel layer formed in a channel region between a source electrode and a drain electrode; and a switch active element having a semiconductor channel layer formed in a channel region between a source electrode and a drain electrode, the switch active element switching the drive active element. The drive active element and the switch active element are formed to be separated from each other in a direction of a channel width such that a straight line associated with the channel region of the drive active element and a straight line associated with the channel region of the switch active element are parallel to each other. The channel region of the drive active element and the channel region of the switch active element may be aligned linearly with each other in the direction of the channel width. |
| US08344387B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is, in a thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor is used as an active layer, to prevent change in composition, film quality, an interface, or the like of an oxide semiconductor region serving as an active layer, and to stabilize electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor. In a thin film transistor in which a first oxide semiconductor region is used as an active layer, a second oxide semiconductor region having lower electrical conductivity than the first oxide semiconductor region is formed between the first oxide semiconductor region and a protective insulating layer for the thin film transistor, whereby the second oxide semiconductor region serves as a protective layer for the first oxide semiconductor region; thus, change in composition or deterioration in film quality of the first oxide semiconductor region can be prevented, and electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor can be stabilized. |
| US08344386B2 |
Laminated thin-film device, manufacturing method thereof, and circuit
The present invention provides a novel capacitor element, laminated thin-film device, and circuit wherein the capacitance dependency on voltage can be appropriately adjusted, and a technology for manufacturing such a capacitor element and laminated thin-film device. In the capacitor element that comprises a pair of electrode layers and a dielectric layer disposed between the electrode layers, a well region where an ion is implanted is disposed in the dielectric layer, and the C-V curve between the electrode layers is shifted or shifted and expanded in at least one direction of the plus direction and minus direction with respect to the voltage axis. |
| US08344368B2 |
Fused cyclic compound and organic electronic device
The present invention relates to a new fused cyclic compound, and an organic electronic device using the same.Since the compound according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used as a material of an organic material layer of the organic electronic device and in particular may effectively inject, transport or extract a hole, it is possible to provide an organic electronic device having excellent efficiency and performance. |
| US08344366B2 |
Organic thin film transistor and method of forming the same
Provided are an organic thin film transistor and a method of forming the same. The method comprises forming a gate electrode on a substrate, forming a gate dielectric, which covers the gate electrode and includes a recess region at an upper portion, on the substrate, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the recess region, and forming an organic semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode in the recess region. |
| US08344362B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device, method for producing organic electroluminescent device, and electronic apparatus
An organic EL device includes a base layer including a substrate, a partitioning portion disposed on the base layer and defining first and second film-formation regions adjacent to each other, a first organic EL element disposed on the base layer at a position overlapping the first film-formation region in plan view, a second organic EL element disposed on the base layer at a position overlapping the second film-formation region in plan view, a first drive circuit section disposed in the base layer to control driving of the first organic EL element, and a second drive circuit section disposed in the base layer to control driving of the second organic EL element. At least part of the first drive circuit section and at least part of the second drive circuit section overlap the first film-formation region in plan view. |
| US08344359B2 |
Transistor having thermo electron cooling
A semiconductor structure having a transistor and a thermo electronic structure. The transistor has a control electrode for controlling a flow of carriers through a semiconductor layer between a pair of electrodes. The thermo electronic structure has a first portion disposed on at least one of the pair of electrodes and a second portion disposed over a region of the semiconductor layer proximate the control electrode between the control electrode and said at least one of the pair of electrode. The thermo electronic structure extends from the first portion to the second portion for removing heat generated heat from said region in the semiconductor layer. |
| US08344358B2 |
Graphene transistor with a self-aligned gate
A graphene-based field effect transistor includes source and drain electrodes that are self-aligned to a gate electrode. A stack of a seed layer and a dielectric metal oxide layer is deposited over a patterned graphene layer. A conductive material stack of a first metal portion and a second metal portion is formed above the dielectric metal oxide layer. The first metal portion is laterally etched employing the second metal portion, and exposed portions of the dielectric metal oxide layer are removed to form a gate structure in which the second metal portion overhangs the first metal portion. The seed layer is removed and the overhang is employed to shadow proximal regions around the gate structure during a directional deposition process to form source and drain electrodes that are self-aligned and minimally laterally spaced from edges of the gate electrode. |
| US08344350B2 |
Phase change device with offset contact
A programmable resistance memory combines multiple cells into a block that includes one or more shared electrodes. The shared electrode configuration provides additional thermal isolation for the active region of each memory cell, thereby reducing the current required to program each memory cell. |
| US08344348B2 |
Memory device
An electrical device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A first active material is between the first electrode and second electrode. A second active material is between the first electrode and second electrode. A nonlinear electrode material is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The nonlinear electrode material is electrically in series with the first electrode, the first active material, the second active material, and the second electrode. The first electrode and the first active material undergo no chemical or electrochemical reaction when current passes between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08344346B2 |
Semiconductor device having resistive device
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of word lines vertically formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, where each pair of the plurality of word lines form a set of word lines, a bit line formed parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate and disposed in plurality stacked between the word lines of each pair constituting the one set of word lines, and unit memory cells disposed between respective ones of the bit lines and an adjacent one of the pair of word lines of said one of the word line sets. |
| US08344341B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A map of the surface of a substrate is generated at a measurement station. The substrate is then moved to where a space between a projection lens and the substrate is filled with a liquid. The substrate is then aligned using, for example, a transmission image sensor and, using the previous mapping, the substrate can be accurately exposed. Thus the mapping does not take place in a liquid environment. |
| US08344338B2 |
Systems and methods for enhancing electrical discharge
Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to enhancing electrical discharge. A hollow conical electrode may be provided to discharge electrical energy in a directed manner. The conical electrode has two openings: a larger entrance opening; and a smaller exit opening. These openings are configured to allow radiated energy to pass therethrough and form a preferential path of electrical conduction. The larger entrance opening has a surface with a radius of curvature that is larger than that of the second smaller exit opening. The smaller exit opening directs electrical energy to the path because of stronger electric fields. In one embodiment, a protruding electrode element is configured with the smaller exit opening to further enhance electrical discharge by focusing electric fields in the vicinity of the protruding electrode. |
| US08344334B2 |
Apparatus and method for detection and measurement of target compounds such as a food toxin
A method for the detection or determination of a target comprising a plurality of target compounds, or derivatised target compounds, said method comprising: immobilizing said target on a carrier, directing radiation at said target, said radiation being selected to cause said target to emit a relevant radiation, detecting said relevant radiation emitted by said target, and analyzing said detected radiation to identify and/or quantify the plurality of target compounds in said target. |
| US08344323B1 |
Apparatus and method for detecting and quantifying analytes in solution
A method for identifying and quantifying one or more analytes included in a sample comprising a background solvent is disclosed. The present invention enables in-situ calibration and removal of the spectral signature of the background solvent from a composite spectrum so that the spectral features associated with the analyte(s) can be more easily and precisely identified. Further, the method enables estimation of the concentration of the analyte(s) by normalizing the spectrum based on the path length of the infrared radiation through the sample. |
| US08344322B2 |
Radiant energy imager using null switching
In some aspects, the present invention embodies both the method and apparatus for converting a pattern of irradiation to a visible image. An embodiment of the present invention provides an array of micro-electro-mechanical sensors with each sensor includes a deflectable micro-cantilever, responsive to absorbed incident radiation and to an applied repulsive electrostatic field. In an aspect, the sensor device also includes a null-sensing circuit coupled to a switch contact on or near the substrate, which senses when the micro-cantilever reaches its null location, by electrical connection with an upper switch contact on the micro-cantilever. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08344321B2 |
Infrared imaging device
An infrared imaging device according to an embodiment includes: an imaging area formed on a semiconductor substrate, the imaging area having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, the plurality of pixels including a plurality of reference pixels arranged in at least one row and a plurality of infrared detection pixels arranged in remaining rows to detect incident infrared rays, each of the reference pixels having a first thermoelectric conversion element, each of the infrared detection pixel having a thermoelectric conversion unit, the thermoelectric conversion unit having an infrared absorption film to absorb the incident infrared rays and convert the incident infrared rays to heat and a second thermoelectric conversion element to convert the heat obtained by the conversion conducted by the infrared absorption film to an electric signal. |
| US08344317B2 |
Molecular ion accelerator
A novel system and methods for accelerating analytes including, without limitation, molecular ions, biomolecules, polymers, nano- and microparticles, is provided. The invention can be useful for increasing detection sensitivity in applications such as mass spectrometry, performing collision-induced dissociation molecular structure analysis, and probing surfaces and samples using accelerated analyte. |
| US08344312B2 |
Color filter array having plural filter layers, image sensor including the same, and electronic device including the color filter array
A color filter array is provided. The color filter array includes a plurality of basic filter blocks arranged in all directions. Each of the basic filter blocks include one or more color filters. The color filters include a first type color filter that passes through all light without filtering it or has a higher light transmittance than a second type color filter, a third type color filter, and a fourth type color filter. The second through fourth color filters being a red, green or blue filter. Accordingly, the color filter array increases sensitivity to incident light or increases brightness of outgoing light. |
| US08344309B2 |
Method and circuit for calibrating phase, and signal processing apparatus having the same
A method for calibrating a phase include comparing a phase of an in-phase output signal and a phase of a quadrature-phase output signal and generating a digital code corresponding to a comparison result, and controlling the phase of the in-phase output signal in response to quadrature-phase differential input signals and the digital code, and controlling the phase of the quadrature-phase output signal in response to in-phase differential input signals and the digital code, to make a phase difference between the in-phase output signal and the quadrature-phase output signal 90°. |
| US08344306B2 |
Imaging method and apparatus
Disclosed are an imaging method and apparatus. The apparatus may include an image sensor that may include a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a light-detector element and a filter that band-passes a select visible light component to the light-detector element and band-passes a select non-visible light component to the light-detector element. A color value and depth value may be obtained using the same pixel through the image sensor. |
| US08344305B2 |
System and method for aligning heliostats of a solar power tower
Disclosed is a solar power tower heliostat alignment system and method that includes a solar power tower with a focal area, a plurality of heliostats that each reflect sunlight towards the focal area of the solar power tower, an off-focal area location substantially close to the focal area of the solar power tower, a communication link between the off-focal area location and a misaligned heliostat, and a processor that interprets the communication between the off-focal area location and the misaligned heliostat to identify the misaligned heliostat from the plurality of heliostats and that determines a correction for the identified misaligned heliostat to realign the misaligned heliostat to reflect sunlight towards the focal area of the solar power tower. |
| US08344304B2 |
Methods and apparatus for missile air inlet
Methods and apparatus for delivering a missile may operate in conjunction with a missile comprising an outer skin. The missile may be configured in a closed position and an open position. In the open position, an aperture is opened in the outer skin, for example to supply air to an air-breathing engine. In the closed position, the aperture is closed. |
| US08344300B2 |
Device to reduce shadowing during radiative heating of a substrate
A substrate heating apparatus configured to be coupled to a processing system and radiatively heat a substrate is described. The substrate heating apparatus includes a radiative heat source coupled to a processing system and configured to produce electromagnetic (EM) radiation, a translucent object positioned between the radiative heat source and the substrate along a the EM radiation path, and an opaque object also positioned between the radiative heat source and the substrate along the EM radiation path. The translucent object includes at least one textured surface to cause random refraction of the EM radiation passing through the translucent object, or an optical waveguide configured to encapsulate the opaque object and direct the EM radiation around the opaque object, or both, to prevent creation of a shadow of the opaque object on the substrate. |
| US08344295B2 |
Nanosoldering heating element
Techniques for providing heat to a small area and apparatus capable of providing heat to a small area are provided. |
| US08344292B2 |
Rotary switch with improved simmer performance
A cooking appliance has a cooktop including a plurality of separately controlled cooking areas. A first heating element and a second heating element are positioned below one of the separately controlled cooking areas. A control switch is electrically coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element and is operable to selectively energize the first heating element with single-phase AC power and selectively energize the second heating element with two-phase AC power. |
| US08344277B1 |
Waterproof operating device with one or more capacitive switches
A waterproof housing to contain and operate an electronic device with capacitive touch screen and electrically conductive outer case includes interfitting pieces configured to removably receive and immobilize the electronic device. One or more buttons through the housing are aligned opposite control regions of the screen and exposed for user depression. Different conductive polymer members connect at least distal tips of the buttons with the outer case to provide electrical connection between the case and a control region of the touch screen with depression of the button overlying the region. Some members further provide sealing and spring functions. |
| US08344276B2 |
Contact arrangement for weak current applications
An electrical contact arrangement for weak current applications includes at least one fixed contact including a first contact material, a moving contact configured to be brought into a closing and an opening position with the at least one fixed contact, and a contact bridge which carries the moving contact and includes at least one contact piece including a second contact material. The contact bridge is configured to be actuated in a longitudinally movable manner toward the fixed contact. The first contact material is a metallic conducting material and the second contact material includes at least 70% carbon material. |
| US08344274B2 |
Three position lock device for drawout circuit breaker
A position locking device is disclosed for a draw-out circuit breaker. In at least one embodiment, the position locking device includes a screw rod, a catching plate, a positioning plate, a locking plate, and a push rod. The screw rod has key ways. The catching plate has a catching plate hole and a protrusion that can be inserted into the key ways. Positioning notches for limiting OFF, TEST, and ON positions of the circuit breaker are formed on the top surface of the positioning plate, and corresponding protruding platforms are disposed on the bottom surface. One end of the locking plate bears against the bottom surface of the positioning plate, and the other end is locked to or unlocked from an outward protruding platform of the catching plate. One end of the push rod passes through the catching plate hole, and has an inclined surface. When the push rod is pushed, the inclined surface makes the catching plate leave the key ways. The position locking device is structurally simple and reasonable, secure, reliable, and convenient to operate. The cost for manufacturing, installing or maintaining the device is lowered. |
| US08344273B2 |
Keyboard structure and electronic device using the same
A keyboard structure includes a housing having at least one post, a key assembly, and at least one connecting part. The key assembly includes a number of keypads and a keymat, the keymat defining a first through hole, a second through hole and a groove. The connecting part includes a ring, a protruding post and a connecting portion connecting the protruding post to the ring, the connecting part received in the first through hole, the second through hole and the groove, and then fixed on the keymat. The post passes through the key assembly and the ring coils around the post to connect the key assembly to the housing. |
| US08344269B2 |
Semiconductor device capable of switching operation modes
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first pad, a second pad, and a third pad that are placed along one side of a perimeter of the substrate, a circuit that is formed above the substrate, and that is coupled to the first pad, a first external terminal that is coupled to the second pad, and a second external terminal that is coupled to the third pad, wherein the circuit generates a signal indicative of a connection configuration between the first pad and the first external terminal, wherein the third pad is placed adjacent to one of the first pad and the second pad, wherein, in a direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, the first pad, the second pad and the third pad have a first width, a second width and a third width, respectively, and wherein each of the first width of the first pad and the second width of the second pad is smaller than the third width of the third pad. |
| US08344267B2 |
LED luminous module with crossover connecting element
Connecting element for mounting on a printed circuit board, which connecting element has at least two connecting lines which cross one another and are not electrically connected between respectively associated contacts. |
| US08344260B2 |
Multilayer wiring board
Saddle warpage of a wiring board at the time of reflow soldering is reduced by canceling out a difference in thermal expansion amount between wiring layers with anisotropy due to variations between the wiring layers in the proportion of copper remaining in the wiring layers C and non-uniformity of wiring elements by a difference in thermal expansion amount with anisotropy between resin base material layers produced according to the material of fiber bundles forming a warp or a weft in at least one resin base layer B, different from the material of other fiber bundles. |
| US08344258B2 |
Electric device
An electric device, in particular a mechatronic gear, motor, or brake control device in a motor vehicle, includes an electronic component having at least one electric contact surface for electrically contacting the component. A flexible circuit board with a conduction path structure includes at least one contact pad and conduction lines between two flexible, non-conducting films. A respective contact pad of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected, in particular by welding, to a respective contact surface of the component for creating at least one contact point. A sealing element is disposed on a side of the flexible circuit board opposite the component and an internal space is bounded by a wall. The sealing element is pressed against the flexible circuit board at an edge of the wall so that the edge surrounds at least one of the contact points. |
| US08344257B2 |
Flexible printed circuit and fabrication method thereof
A flexible printed circuit and fabrication method thereof is provided. At least one signal wire is disposed on a plastic substrate. Two ground lines are disposed at both sides of the signal wire in parallel. A shielding layer is provided, contacting the plastic substrate to form a chamber, wherein the signal wire and ground lines are wrapped therein. A flexible dielectric layer is implemented between the signal wire and the shielding layer to provide electricity isolation. |
| US08344255B2 |
Cable with jacket including a spacer
A multi-pair cable having a jacket, including a spacer integrally formed in the jacket. The spacer extends helically about the central axis of the cable. The spacer includes an inner projection that projects radially inward and an outer projection that projects radially outward from the main wall of the jacket. The jacket with the spacer reduces the occurrence of alien crosstalk between adjacent cables. |
| US08344254B2 |
Electrical cable with foraminous label
An electrical cable of the type that is of the type to have a connector member coupled thereto. The electrical cable includes a conductive outer sheath and a label disposed on the conductive outer sheath The label includes information about the cable and has at least one conductive region to facilitate electrical conductivity between the conductive outer sheath and the connector member. |
| US08344252B2 |
Cable splice connection assembly
A cable splice connection assembly for coupling a first cable to a second cable generally includes a main body having first and second ends and defining an inner cavity, the first end configured to receive at least a portion of a first cable therein, and the second end configured to receive at least a portion of a second cable therein, and a first engagement mechanism configured to couple the main body to a first cable wherein the first engagement mechanism includes a cable seal, wherein the cable seal includes an adhesive seal. |
| US08344249B1 |
Provisions for securement of an electrical box
An electrical box including at least four sides extending from a bottom to an open top and a front surface, a first outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides and proximate the front surface, a second outer tab extending from one of the at least four sides opposite the first outer tab and proximate the front surface, a first aperture adjacent the first outer tab, a second aperture adjacent the second outer tab, a first locking tab mounted within the first aperture, a second locking tab mounted within the second aperture, and wherein the first and second locking tabs slide towards the front surface for securing a mounting wall between the first outer tab and the first locking tab and between the second outer tab and the second locking tab. |
| US08344244B2 |
Solar cell using carbon nanotubes and process for producing the same
A solar cell includes a p-type semiconductor substance, and an n-type semiconductor substance. The p-type semiconductor substance and the n-type semiconductor substance form a pn junction or a pin junction, and the p-type semiconductor substance or the n-type semiconductor substance includes a structure film having a plurality of carbon nanotubes electrically connected to each other. |
| US08344243B2 |
Method and structure for thin film photovoltaic cell using similar material junction
A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic device. The method provides a transparent substrate including a surface region. A first electrode layer overlies the surface region. A copper layer is formed overlying the first electrode layer and an indium layer is formed overlying the copper layer to form a multi-layered structure. At least the multi-layered structure is subjected to a thermal treatment process in an environment containing a sulfur bearing species to forming a bulk copper indium disulfide. The bulk copper indium disulfide material has a surface region characterized by a copper poor surface region having a copper to indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1 and n-type impurity characteristics. The bulk copper indium disulfide material excluding the copper poor surface region forms an absorber region and the copper poor surface region forms at least a portion of a window region for the thin film photovoltaic device. The method optionally forms a high resistivity transparent material having an intrinsic semiconductor characteristic overlying the copper poor surface region. A second electrode layer overlies the high resistivity transparent layer. |
| US08344241B1 |
Nanostructure and photovoltaic cell implementing same
Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables extending from a substrate, the nanocables in the array being characterized as having a spacing and surface texture defined by inner surfaces of voids of a template; an electrically insulating layer extending along the substrate; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables. A nanostructure according to another embodiment includes a substrate; a portion of a template extending along the substrate, the template being electrically insulative; an array of nanocables extending from the template, portions of the nanocables protruding from the template being characterized as having a spacing, shape and surface texture defined by previously-present inner surfaces of voids of the template; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables. |
| US08344238B2 |
Self-cleaning protective coatings for use with photovoltaic cells
Systems and materials to improve photovoltaic cell efficiency by implementing a self-cleaning function on photovoltaic cells and on albedo surfaces associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided. Materials for protecting albedo surfaces that surround photovoltaic cell assemblies, thereby maximizing energy input into the photovoltaic cell assemblies, are provided. Materials for self-cleaning photovoltaic cell panels, thereby maintaining their efficiency, are provided. Portable albedo collecting devices associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided. |
| US08344232B2 |
Multiple string tuning peg assembly
A multiple string tuning peg for a stringed musical instrument capable of independently tuning at least two strings. It minimizes the amount of clutter at the top end of a stringed instrument and maximizes the use of the mechanical gearing assemblies by sharing mechanical components. A single thumb twist can be physically manipulated to operated the multiple string winding mechanisms. |
| US08344231B2 |
Guitar pitch stability system with saddle clamps
This invention improves guitar pitch stability and requires no modifications to a guitar or any of its parts. It is a low profile design which pertains in particular to Fender Stratocasters or any electric guitars with a similar bridge plate and tone block design. This invention does basically two things. First, the guitar strings are rerouted giving a much softer string bend past the string saddles (similar to Gibson guitars) which significantly reduces string drag (friction) at the saddles. After “dive-bombing” downward or going upward in pitch via the tremolo arm (as with a Stratocaster), the guitar returns to its original pitch when the tremolo arm is released. Second, readjustable saddle clamps are used which hold and lock all six string saddles together in position and to the bridge plate after string height and intonation adjustments have been made. |
| US08344229B2 |
Argyranthemum intergeneric hybrid plants and methods of production
New plants were created from a new and efficient method of intergeneric hybridization between the genus Argyranthemum as a female parent and a plant from I. versicolor and Glebionis sp. as a male parent. The plants were created by rescuing an embryo from the cross-pollination of a tetraploid or aneu-tetraploid Argyranthemum female parent with a plant from the group I. versicolor and Glebionis sp. as a male parent. The new plants often exhibited the perennial and multi-branched habit of the female Argyranthemum parent, with large capitula size and different ray floret colors, many not previously seen in Argyranthemum. When compared to Argyranthemum, the new plants possessed improved tolerance to high growing temperatures. In addition to providing the intergeneric hybrid plants and parts thereof, the invention provides methods for making such plants and methods for creating intergeneric hybrid plants. |
| US08344227B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH590373
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH590373. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH590373, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH590373 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH590373. |
| US08344221B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV786079
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV786079. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV786079, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV786079 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV786079 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV786079. |
| US08344220B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH115012
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH115012. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH115012, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH115012 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH115012. |
| US08344214B1 |
Soybean variety XB08U10
A novel soybean variety, designated XB08U10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB08U10, cells from soybean variety XB08U10, plants of soybean XB08U10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB08U10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB08U10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB08U10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB08U10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB08U10 are further provided. |
| US08344213B2 |
Soybean variety XB14Y10
A novel soybean variety, designated XB14Y10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB14Y10, cells from soybean variety XB14Y10, plants of soybean XB14Y10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB14Y10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB14Y10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB14Y10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB14Y10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB14Y10 are further provided. |
| US08344210B2 |
Increasing low light tolerance in plants
Methods and materials for modulating (e.g., increasing or decreasing) low light tolerance in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding polypeptides that confer plants with tolerance to low light are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased low light tolerance and plant products produced from plants having increased low light tolerance. |
| US08344208B2 |
Highly efficient suppressor-dependent protein expression in plants with a viral vector
A series of viral vectors derived from foxtail mosaic virus, sunn hemp mosaic virus and white clover mosaic virus sequences, and which are capable of expressing heterologous proteins in plants, including the tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana, and cowpea, bean, and other legumes with the properties of unusually limited expression in the absence of gene silencing suppressors and high level expression in their presence. In a preferred embodiment, these viral vectors may be introduced via agroinoculation, and expression of the heterologous gene may be inducible with little or no leakiness in the absence of induction. |
| US08344205B2 |
Plants with increased yield
This invention relates generally to plant cells and/or plants with increased yield as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant cell by increasing or generating one or more activities of polypeptides associated with the intermediate phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) in plants. In particular, this invention relates to plant cells and/or plants with increased yield as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant cell by increasing or generating one or more activities of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthases (PRPP synthetase, PRS) The invention also deals with methods of producing and screening for and breeding such plant cells and/or plants. |
| US08344201B2 |
Dressing product
A dressing product includes a thin film dressing sheet, one first surface of which is coated with an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive hydrocolloid adhesive, which is applicable to an anatomical surface of a human. A carrier system, which provides a support for the dressing sheet, defines a gripping section for handling of the carrier system. The carrier system may include one or more foil members and supporting sheets for facilitating application and for providing a non-touch application system, i.e., a system which may be handled by an operator without the operator touching the dressing sheet or at least the adhesive surface. A protective sheet having an opening for application of a pharmaceutical product to the adhesive prior to application of the dressing sheet is disclosed. |
| US08344194B2 |
Process for the conversion of solid particulated biomass materials
A process for producing bio-fuel from biomass is disclosed herein. The process includes processing the mean particle diameter of the biomass by mechanical processing to a size ranging from 1 μm to 1000 μm to form particulated biomass. The particulated biomass is mixed with a liquid hydrocarbon to form a suspension, wherein the suspension includes between 1 weight percent to 40 weight percent particulated biomass. The suspension is heated to a temperature between 50° C. and 550° C. The heated suspension is fed into a unit selected from the group consisting of a pyrolysis reactor, a fluid catalytic cracking unit, a delayed coker, a fluid coker, a hydroprocessing unit, and a hydrocracking unit; and then at least a portion of the particulated biomass of the heated suspension is converted into fuel. |
| US08344192B2 |
Process for the recovery of fluoromonomers
The invention provides a technique enabling the separation and recovery of an unreacted fluoromonomer from an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion obtained by emulsion polymerization, without using any extraction solvent, and enabling the prevention of a hydrolysis of —SO2F and a like sulfonic acid precursor functional group convertible to sulfonic acid group. Thus, the invention provides a recovering method fluoromonomer having a sulfonic acid precursor functional group convertible to a sulfonic acid group and remaining unreacted from an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion obtained by emulsion polymerization of the fluoromonomer, wherein the unreacted fluoromonomer is recovered from the aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion by evaporation, wherein the aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion has an acidic pH. |
| US08344180B2 |
Hydrazine amide derivative
Disclosed are compound having NPY Y5 receptor antagonistic activity of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is optionally substituted lower alkyl, R2 and R8 are each independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, X is optionally substituted cycloalkylene, or —NR2—X— may be a group of the formula: wherein a group of the formula: is piperidinediyl, piperazinediyl, pyridindiyl, pyrazinediyl, pyrrolidinediyl or pyrrolediyl, U is a bond, lower alkylene or lower alkenylene, Y is —OCONR7—, —CONR7— or —CSNR7—, R7 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, Z is optionally substituted carbocyclyl, or optionally substituted heterocyclyl, W is —S(═O)n-, n is 2, provided that Z is not carbocyclyl substituted with non-halogeno lower alkoxy, and provided that 5-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[(5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carbonyl)-amino]-5 -(N′,N′-dimethyl-hydrazinocarbonyl)-cyclohexyl]-amide and 5-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid [2-[(5-chloro-4-fluoro-1H-indole-2-carbonyl)-amino]-5-(N′,N′-dimethyl-hydrazinocarbonyl) -cyclohexyl]-amide are excluded. |
| US08344176B2 |
Synthesis of substituted hydroxymethyl phenols
The present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of 2-(3 -diisopropylamino-1-phenylpropyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenol or its phenolic monoesters or salts thereof, characterized by the steps of a) reacting a compound of formula (II) with a mixture of a Grignard initiator and Mg in a solvent; b) optionally reducing the temperature of the Grignard reagent to a lower temperature than in step a), and reacting the resulting Grignard reagent with an excess of a carbonate in a solvent, to obtain a compound of formula (III) wherein A is a C1-C6 alkyl, and the further reacting the compound of formula (III) in a known manner to obtain the desired end product. |
| US08344175B2 |
Liquid crystal compositions, polymer networks derived therefrom and process for making the same
The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I); compositions further comprising one or more chiral compounds; and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions. Another embodiment relates to processes for providing compounds of Formula (I). |
| US08344172B2 |
Preparation of antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters
A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10. Careful control over catalysis, exposure to air, and other process conditions enables the preparation of high yields of bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates that have low color and other valuable attributes. A method of producing bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate articles having improved compressive strength is also disclosed. |
| US08344167B2 |
Method for producing propylene oxide
A method is for producing propylene oxide, the method including the steps of: reacting hydrogen peroxide with propylene either in an acetonitrile solvent or in a mixture of solvents which include acetonitrile and water, in presence of a titanosilicate catalyst, whereby a reaction mixture containing propylene oxide is obtained; separating the reaction mixture obtained in the reacting into a gas and a reaction liquid; and distilling the reaction liquid obtained in the separating, whereby the reaction liquid is separated into a column top liquid containing propylene oxide, and a column bottom liquid including acetonitrile or a combination of acetonitrile and water, in combination with other steps. This enables industrially efficient production of propylene oxide with use of acetonitrile. |
| US08344162B2 |
Synthetic processes for the preparation of aminocyclohexyl ether compounds
This invention is directed to stereoselective synthesis of compounds of formula (I) or formula (II): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, amide, complex, chelate, clathrate, solvate, polymorph, stereoisomer, metabolite or prodrug thereof; wherein R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein. Compounds of formula (I) and formula (II) are known to be useful in treating arrhythmias. |
| US08344160B2 |
Pyrrolone melanin concentrating hormone receptor-1 antagonists
The present application provides compounds, including all stereoisomers, solvates, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable forms thereof according to Formula I wherein R1, R4, R5, R3, R3a, W, D, R2a, R2b and R2c are defined herein. Additionally, the present application provides pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one compound according to Formula I and optionally at least one additional therapeutic agent. Finally, the present application provides methods for treating a patient suffering from an MCHR-1 modulated disease or disorder such as, for example, obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety or intestinal inflammation, by administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a compound according to Formula I. |
| US08344158B2 |
Fluorescent polymethine cyanine dyes
The invention encompasses fluorescent cyanine dyes and methods of using such dyes. In particular, the invention encompasses near infrared polymethine cyanine dyes. |
| US08344152B2 |
Process for producing pyridylethylthio compound, modified ion exchanger and process for producing the same, and process for producing bisphenol compound
The present invention relates to a process for producing a pyridylethylthio compound which is improved in yield of the pyridylethylthio compound. In a process for producing a pyridylethylthio compound by reacting vinyl pyridine with a sulfur-containing compound, vinyl pyridine used contains a compound represented by the general formula (1): (wherein R1 and R2 are any of combination of isopropenyl group and a hydrogen atom, combination of 1-propenyl group and a hydrogen atom, combination of 2-propenyl group and a hydrogen atom, and combination of methyl group and vinyl group), in an amount of not more than 4% by weight. |
| US08344151B2 |
Process for the preparation of 4-aminobut-2-enolides starting from 4-alkoxyfuran-2(5H)-one or 4-arylalkoxyfuran-2(5H)-one
Process for the preparation of 4-aminobut-2-enolide compounds of the formula (I): comprising reaction of a 4-alkoxyfuran-2(5H)-one compound or 4-arylalkoxyfuran-2(5H)-one compound of the formula (II) with an amine of the formula (III) in which R1, R2 and A have the definitions given in the description, in the presence of a Brønstedt acid. |
| US08344150B2 |
Pyrrole end-capped bipyridine assay powder for selective detection of zinc ions and a process for the preparation thereof
The present invention provides pyrrole end-capped bipyridine derivative having a general formula (1) useful for the detection of zinc ions in solution. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of pyrrole end-capped bipyridine derivative having a general formula (1). The present invention further provides a dipstick device by coating the assay powder of formula (1) in alumina over a thermoplastic or a glass solid support. The detection event can be monitored by noting the color change and the intense fluorescence change on the surface of the dipstick. For zinc ions, in addition to the color change an intense fluorescence change from greenish-yellow to red is observed. Detection event by means of fluorescence change is selective for Zn2+ ions when compared with all other biologically important metal ions like Na+, K+, Ca2+; Mg2+, Cu2+. The present dipstick is reusable, and can conduct the analysis of different samples using same stick. |
| US08344147B2 |
Process for preparing modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
The present invention relates to processes for preparing solid state forms of N-(4-(7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-oxo-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1, 4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide, including Compound 1 Form A, Compound 1 Form A-HCl, Compound 1 Form B, and Compound 1 Form B-HCl, any combination of these forms, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treatment therewith. |
| US08344144B2 |
Inhibitors of Janus kinases
The instant invention provides for compounds that inhibit the four known mammalian JAK kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2) and PDK1. The invention also provides for compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds and methods of inhibiting the activity of JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, TYK2 and PDK1 by administering the compound to a patient in need of treatment for myeloproliferative disorders or cancer. |
| US08344142B2 |
Perylene charge-transport materials, methods of fabrication thereof, and methods of use thereof
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include perylenetetracarboxylic diimide charge-transport materials, methods of forming perylenetetracarboxylic diimide charge-transport materials, and methods of using the perylenetetracarboxylic diimide charge-transport materials. |
| US08344141B2 |
Pentasil-structure zeolithic material the production and use thereof
Zeolite material of the pentasil type has an alkali metal and alkaline earth metal content of not more than 100 ppm and a molar ratio of Si to Al of from 250 to 1500, at least 90% of the primary particles of the zeolite material being spherical and 95% by weight of the spherical primary particles having a diameter of less than or equal to 1 μm. |
| US08344139B2 |
Process for preparing crystalline polymorphic forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, hydrates and solvates and processes for their preparation are provided. These crystal forms are either intermediates for the preparation of stable polymorphic form B or are suitable for solid formulations. |
| US08344133B2 |
Neoglycorandomization and digitoxin analogs
The present invention provides methods of producing compounds with enhanced desirable properties and diminished side effects as well as the compounds produced by the methods. In preferred embodiments, methods of the present invention use a universal chemical glycosylation method that employs reducing sugars and requires no protection or activation. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides neoglycoside digitoxin analogs that include compounds with significantly enhanced cytotoxic potency toward human cancer cells and tumor-specificity, but are less potent Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors in a human cell line than digitoxin. |
| US08344130B2 |
Organic compositions to treat Beta-ENaC-related diseases
The present disclosure relates to RNAi agents useful in methods of treating Beta-ENaC-related diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1), Liddle's syndrome, hypertension, alkalosis, hypokalemia, and obesity-associated hypertension, using a therapeutically effective amount of a RNAi agent to Beta-ENaC. |
| US08344128B2 |
Short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) for oral administration
Short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) for oral administration, said siRNA comprising two separate RNA strands that are complementary to each other over at least 15 nucleotides, wherein each strand is 49 nucleotides or less, and wherein at least one of which strands contains at least one chemical modification. |
| US08344127B2 |
Organic compositions to treat beta-ENaC-related diseases
The present disclosure relates to RNAi agents useful in methods of treating Beta-ENaC-related diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1), Liddle's syndrome, hypertension, alkalosis, hypokalemia, and obesity-associated hypertension, using a therapeutically effective amount of a RNAi agent to Beta-ENaC. |
| US08344124B2 |
Probe, probe set, probe carrier, and testing method
A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 2 and mutated sequences thereof. |
| US08344123B2 |
System and method for detection of HIV tropism variants
An embodiment of a method for detecting low frequency occurrence of one or more HIV sequence variants associated with drug resistance is described that comprises the steps of: generating cDNA species from each RNA molecule in an HIV sample population; amplifying at least one first amplicon from the cDNA species, wherein each first amplicon comprises a plurality of amplified copies and is amplified with a pair of nucleic acid primers that define a locus of the first amplicon; clonally amplifying the amplified copies of the first amplicons to produce a plurality of second amplicons wherein a plurality of the second amplicons comprise an immobilized population of substantially identical copies from one of the amplified copies of first amplicons; determining a nucleic acid sequence composition of the substantially identical copies from at least 100 of the immobilized populations in parallel on a single substrate; and detecting one or more sequence variants that occur at a frequency of 5% or less in the nucleic acid sequence composition of the at least 100 immobilized populations; and correlating the detected sequence variants with variation associated with HIV tropism. |
| US08344117B2 |
Method for detecting and quantifying endogenous wheat DNA sequence
A circular DNA is provided comprising endogenous DNA common to both genetically modified wheat and non-genetically modified wheat along with one or more pieces of DNA each having a sequence present specifically in a strain of genetically modified wheat. Also provided is a method for determining a mix rate of genetically modified wheat in a test sample. |
| US08344109B2 |
Anti-ricin antibody
The subject of the present invention is an anti-ricin antibody and the use thereof for the treatment of an individual suffering from ricin poisoning. |
| US08344107B2 |
Method and system for corn fractionation
Methods and apparatus for processing corn into one or more corn products. Oil is extracted from corn or corn products or by-products with a solvent. The corn-solvent mixture is separated into streams, one of which preferably includes an extract containing at least oil and solvent, and another containing de-oiled corn solids and adsorbed solvent. Zein is separated from the de-oiled corn solids. Solvent is then separated, and the de-oiled, de-zeined, desolventized corn solids are processed to provide one or more corn products. |
| US08344104B2 |
Screening systems utilizing RTP801
RTP801 represents a unique gene target for hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Down-regulation of the mTOR pathway activity by hypoxia requires de novo mRNA synthesis and correlates with increased expression of RTP801.The present invention relates to screening systems utilizing RTP801 and/or RTP801 interactors and/or RTP801 biological activity, to drug candidates identified by such screening systems, and to the use of such drug candidates in the treatment of various disorders. |
| US08344098B2 |
Processes for producing polytrimethylene ether glycol and copolymers thereof
Processes for producing polytrimethylene ether glycol and copolymers thereof are provided wherein, by condensing and recycling at least a portion of the vapor phase produced as the reaction progresses, the yield loss and polymer color are reduced. |
| US08344093B2 |
Production method of aliphatic polyester
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficient continuous production of aliphatic polyester having good quality. The invention relates to a continuous production method of aliphatic polyester, wherein the polyester is obtained through a preparation step of slurry containing aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic diol, an esterification reaction step and a polycondensation reaction step, wherein temperature range of the slurry during the preparation step thereof is from the coagulation point of the aliphatic diol to 80° C., and moisture content in the slurry is from 0.01 to 10% by weight. |
| US08344090B2 |
PDMS-PVP block copolymers
Methods for preparing functionalized polyvinylpyrrolidones with polymerizable functions. Also, amphipathic polydimethylsiloxane-PVP block copolymers, such as and (meth)acrylated and (meth)acrylamide-functionalized polyvinylpyrrolidone compounds, such as The block copolymers are useful as biomaterial components in biomedical devices. They provide improved wettability, lubricity, and material compatibility to the biomedical device, e.g., ophthalmic lenses. |
| US08344087B2 |
Hydrosilylation cured organosiloxanes having diluent therein
A method of preparing a diluted chain extended organopolysiloxane containing polymer comprising the steps of reacting a pre-formed polymer with a suitable chain extender reactable with terminal groups of the polymer in the presence of a diluent material, a suitable catalyst and optionally an end-blocking agent; and Where required quenching the polymerization process wherein the diluent material is substantially retained within the resulting diluted organopolysiloxane containing polymer. The case additionally relates to products of the process and subsequent applications for the polymer such as for example sealants and rubbers. |
| US08344085B2 |
Polymer and cement admixture using the same
The present invention provides a novel polymer, and a mixture and a cement admixture thereof. The cement admixture has higher dispersibility compared to the previous ones. The novel polymer of the present invention has a different structure from the conventional copolymers used for cement admixtures, using an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol monomer as the monomer components.The novel polymer of the present invention basically contains a polyalkylene glycol chain and a polymer segment bonded to the chain. Another type of the novel polymer of the present invention contains two polyalkylene glycol chains and a polymer segment connecting the chains. In these polymers, at least one of unsaturated monomers constituting the polymer segment is an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer or an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol monomer. The cement admixture of the present invention comprises a polymer, made from these monomers, or a mixture thereof. |
| US08344081B2 |
Transition metal complexes, catalysts composition containing the same, and process for preparing ethylene homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins using the same
The present invention relates to a transition metal complex useful as a transition metal catalyst in the preparation of an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin, a catalyst composition comprising the same and a process of preparing an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin using the same. More particularly, it relates to a transition metal complex having a cyclopentadiene derivative and at least one phenyl oxide ligand substituted at the 2-position of phenyl with, for example, a silyl group having a C1-C30 hydrocarbon group or a C1-C20 hydrocarbon group, around a group IV transition metal, with no crosslinkage between the ligands, a catalyst composition comprising the transition metal complex and a cocatalyst selected from the group consisting of an aluminoxane and a boron compound, and a process for preparing an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin using the same. |
| US08344079B2 |
Molar ratio modifications to larger polyolefin catalysts
Disclosed are catalyst systems and methods of making the catalyst systems/supports for the polymerization of an olefin containing a solid titanium catalyst component having a substantially spherical shape and containing an internal electron donor, a support made by contacting substantially equal molar amounts of a magnesium compound and an epoxy compound in the presence of an aprotic solvent and subsequent treatment with a halogenating agent to provide a magnesium based catalyst support. The catalyst system can further contain an organoaluminum compound and an organosilicon compound. Also disclosed are methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing an alpha-olefin. The methods involve contacting an olefin with a catalyst system containing the solid titanium catalyst component. |
| US08344076B2 |
Hydrolytically resistant thermoset monomers
The present invention provides hydrolytically resistant monomers prepared by the reaction of an epoxy compound and a reactive ester and methods for producing the monomers. Also provided are adhesive compositions containing the hydrolytically resistant monomers and methods for use thereof. |
| US08344073B2 |
Functionalization of polyolefins with phenoxy derivatives
Provided herein are telechelic polymers and methods for producing the same. In some embodiments, provided herein are compounds having the formula and methods for producing the same. |
| US08344066B2 |
Polymers functionalized with nitrile compounds containing a protected amino group
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group. |
| US08344065B2 |
Nanoimprint resist, nanoimprint mold and nanoimprint lithography
A nanoimprint resist includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), and a diluent solvent. A method of a nanoimprint lithography is also provided. |
| US08344062B2 |
Dispersions of intrinsically conductive polymers
A dispersion which contains particles of at least one intrinsically conductive polymer, wherein the particle size is on average (weight) less than 1 μm, and which is characterized in that the dispersant is a liquid at room temperature, and a layer, film or sheet formed from this dispersion has a conductivity of >100 S/cm after removal of the dispersant. |
| US08344061B2 |
Process for producing polyol dispersions
The present invention relates to polyol dispersions comprising at least one polyol and at least one polymer particle mixture comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer (P) and at least one block copolymer (B), wherein the block copolymer (B) has at least one block which is compatible with the thermoplastic polymer (P) and at least one block which is compatible with the polyol, a process for producing such polyol dispersions, their use for producing polyurethanes and a process for producing polyurethanes. |
| US08344058B2 |
Reactive block copolymers as additives for the preparation of silicate-polymer composites
A process for making a block copolymer compatibilizer comprises reacting an acrylic and/or vinyl monomer that has functional groups with one or more vinyl monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator and a stable free radical to form a reaction product that includes residual unreacted acrylic and/or vinyl monomer, and reacting one or more vinyl monomers with the reaction product to form a second block that incorporates the residual unreacted acrylic monomer. The block copolymer is used to compatibilize a clay nanocomposite material with a thermoplastic or thermoset resin. The block copolymer can be used with existing, commercially-available clays, or the block copolymer can be formed with a polar block that is miscible in a polar dispersion medium for use as a intercalate in producing a clay nanocomposite material. |
| US08344057B1 |
Protective coatings for organic substrates and associated methods
A composition for protecting a surface of an organic substrate, such as VCT, wood, or a synthetic laminate material, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Such a composition may also include a leveling agent, such as a surfactant. Organic substrates, such as VCT, wood, and synthetic laminate materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting organic substrates. |
| US08344055B1 |
Ammonium phosphate fire retardant with water resistance
An ammonium phosphate containing fire retardant is combined with a fluoropolymer and/or a penetrating barrier, borate-containing formulation having resistance to water damage with protective properties coming from materials such as used in food packaging and cosmetics and/or a medium-to-long chain polar carboxyl substance, and/or a medium-to-long chain polar carboxyl substance without borate, so as to make a composition. The composition can be aqueous. It can be a liquid of light to moderate viscosity, or may be a concentrated or dried version, which may contain a neutral ammonium phosphate and perhaps other ingredient(s) such as a mold inhibitor, an insecticide, a stain protector, and so forth and the like. The mold inhibitor can have especial activity against toxic black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum). The insecticide may be a termiticide. Such a composition can be made by contacting the fire retardant and other necessary ingredient(s) under conditions sufficient to form the composition; it can be used by contacting it with a substrate, which beneficially is otherwise flammable. A process for incorporation of an ammonium phosphate containing fire retardant into wood includes contacting the wood with a liquid at an effective pH above the pH of the wood, where the liquid embraces a combination in proximity or time of an amine oxide and a buffering agent, as well as the ammonium phosphate containing fire retardant, under conditions such that the ammonium phosphate containing fire retardant is incorporated into the wood. Another aspect is the composition or its residue in combination with the substrate. |
| US08344054B2 |
Polymer nanocomposites including dispersed nanoparticles and inorganic nanoplatelets
Nanocomposites and method of making same are provided using nanoplatelets. A nanocomposite is provided, and the nanocomposite includes nanoparticles, inorganic platelets, and a polymer material. A method is provided for dispersing nanoparticles into a polymeric material by using inorganic nanoplatelets. |
| US08344045B2 |
Ink composition, inkjet recording method, printed material, and process for producing molded printed material
An ink composition is provided that includes (A) a polymerizable silicone compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group and a silicone chain, (B) tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate, and (C) a radical polymerization initiator. There are also provided an inkjet recording method that includes (a1) a step of discharging onto a recording medium the ink composition and (b1) a step of curing the ink composition by irradiating the discharged ink composition with actinic radiation, a printed material obtained by the inkjet recording method, and a process for producing a formed printed material that includes (a2) a step of forming an image on a support by discharging the ink composition by an inkjet method, (b2) a step of obtaining a printed material having a cured image on the support by irradiating the obtained image with actinic radiation so as to cure the ink composition, and (c2) a step of molding the printed material. |
| US08344043B2 |
Thermoplastic resin composition having good scratch resistance and molded article made therefrom
The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition that can have improved scratch resistance comprising: (A) about 10 to about 20% by weight of a rubber modified aromatic vinyl graft copolymer resin; (B) about 30 to about 50% by weight of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resin; and (C) about 40 to about 60% by weight of an aromatic vinyl copolymer resin including about 5 to about 50% by weight of a (meth)acrylate alkyl ester. The thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention can have a good balance of various properties such as scratch resistance, impact strength, colorability, gloss, and injection molding properties. |
| US08344027B2 |
4-dimethylaminobutyric acid derivatives
This invention relates to novel 4-dimethylaminobutyric acid derivatives of the formula wherein A1, A2, R1, m and n are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds inhibit carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) activity, in particular CPT2 activity, and can be used as medicaments in methods for the treatment of diseases modulated by CPT2 inhibitors. |
| US08344019B2 |
Methods for the production of biliverdin
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the production of biliverdin and methods of treatment and prevention. In particular, the invention concerns methods for producing biliverdin in yeast, especially Candida albicans, and other microorganisms. |
| US08344013B2 |
Dual-acting imidazole antihypertensive agents
The invention is directed to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, r, R2-3, X, and R5-7 are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds. |
| US08344012B2 |
Compounds, compositions and methods of using same for modulating uric acid levels
Described herein are compounds useful in the modulation of blood uric acid levels, formulations containing them and methods of making and using them. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein are used in the treatment or prevention of disorders related to aberrant levels of uric acid. |
| US08344006B2 |
Liquid formulations of bendamustine
Stable liquid formulations of bendamustine, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and polar aprotic solvents, are described. |
| US08344001B2 |
Heterocyclic H3 antagonists
Compound of formula (I) wherein W, X, Y, Z is —C(R1)═ or N; R1 is hydrogen or alkyl, V is N or C (i.e. carbon), A is a bond or an alkylene linker with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when A is a bond, V must be CH, R is ethyl, propyl, a branched C3-6 alkyl or a cyclic C3-8 alkyl, m and n is 1-3, D is heteroaryl optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxy, cyano, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, —(CH2)0—(C═O)p—NR2R3, or D is aryl optionally substituted with one or more of the groups independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyl-alkoxy, heterocyclylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarboxy, cyanoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, arylcarbonylamino, aryl-carbonylaminoalkyl, heteroarylcarbonylamino or heteroarylcarbonylaminoalkyl, —(CH2)0—(C═O)p—NR2R3, wherein o is 0-3, p is 0 or 1, and R2 and R3 independently are hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl; or R2 and R3, can together with the attached nitrogen form a heterocyclyl group, and salts and solvates thereof have binding affinity for the histamine H3 receptor. |
| US08343999B2 |
Thiazolyl compounds useful as kinase inhibitors
The invention provides compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The formula I thiazolyl compounds inhibit tyrosine kinase activity thereby making them useful as anticancer agents and for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. |
| US08343996B2 |
Azaquinolinone derivatives and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds and methods for treating or preventing the development of a disease, disorder, or condition in a subject or patient. |
| US08343994B2 |
Fluorene compound and pharmaceutical use thereof
The present invention provides an agent for the prophylactic or treatment of diabetes, diabetic complications, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, cardiac failure, cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia, brain ischemia, cerebral apoplexy, pulmonary hypertension, hyperlactacidemia, mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial encephalomyopathy or cancer, namely, a PDHK inhibitor and the like. A compound represented by the following formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate thereof: wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification. |
| US08343990B2 |
Substituted cyclopropyl compounds, compositions containing such compounds and methods of treatment
Substituted cyclopropyl compounds of formula (I) are disclosed as useful for treating or preventing type 2 diabetes and similar conditions. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates are included as well. The compounds are useful as agonists of the g-protein coupled receptor GPR-119. |
| US08343989B2 |
Benzoimidazol-2-yl pyrimidines and pyrazines as modulators of the histamine H4 receptor
Benzoimidazol-2-yl pyrimidines and pyrazines, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for H4 receptor activity modulation and for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by H4 receptor activity, including allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and pruritis. |
| US08343985B2 |
Methods for modulating Lyn kinase activity and treating related disorders
The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and formulations comprising the compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are useful in modulating lyn kinase activity. In particular, the compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful for treating or preventing a disease or disorder including cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, a disorder of glucose metabolism, metabolic syndrome (i.e., Syndrome X), a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, septicemia, a thrombotic disorder, type II diabetes, obesity, pancreatitis, hypertension, renal disease, inflammation, or impotence. |
| US08343979B2 |
Use of alkanoyl L-carnitine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is treated with a combination of propionyl L-carnitine in combination with sildenafil, apomorphine prostaglandin El, pentolamine and papaverine. |
| US08343976B2 |
Compounds, compositions and methods comprising pyrazole derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1-2 or encompassed by formulas Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb) or compositions comprising these compounds, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease. |
| US08343975B2 |
4-amino-3-(imidazolyl)-pyrazolo[3,4-D]pyrimidines
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are 4-amino-3-imidazoyl-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated disease, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists. |
| US08343966B2 |
Organic compounds
Compounds of formula I in free or salt or solvate form, where T1, T2, X, Ra, Rb, R8 and R9 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating inflammatory or obstructive airways, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, liver fibrosis, muscle diseases and systemic skeletal disorders. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and processes for preparing the compounds are also described. |
| US08343961B2 |
Substituted heterocyclic compounds
The present invention relates to substituted heterocyclic compounds and substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds and methods of synthesizing these compounds. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing substituted benzodiazepine compounds and substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds and methods of treating cell proliferative disorders, such as cancer, by administering these compounds or pharmaceutical compositions to subjects in need thereof. |
| US08343960B2 |
1,4-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonyl pyrimidine derivatives and their medical use
This invention relates to novel 1,4-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonyl pyrimidine derivatives and their use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions. The compounds of the invention are found to be cholinergic ligands at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and modulators of the monoamine receptors and transporters.Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances. |
| US08343957B2 |
Therapeutic pyrazoloquinoline urea derivatives
The invention provides a novel chemical series of formula I, as well as methods of use thereof for binding to the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor and modulating GABAA, and use of the compound of formula I for the treatment of GABAA receptor associated disorders. The general structure of formula I is shown below: The invention further provides a method of modulation of one or more GABAA subtypes in an animal comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I). |
| US08343949B2 |
Stabilized compositions comprising a therapeutically active agent, and an oxidizing preservative
Citric acid and conjugate bases thereof are useful for stabilizing stabilized chlorine dioxide in the presence of therapeutically active agents and excipients in a composition. Ophthalmic compositions and methods related thereto are also disclosed herein. |
| US08343948B2 |
Medicament for preventing and/or treating mammary carcinoma, containing a steroidal aromatase inhibitor
A method of prophylaxis and/or treatment of mastocarcinoma (i.e., mammary carcinoma) involves the topical application of a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor locally, and not systemically, to an area of a patient in need of treatment. This local application avoids the side effects associated with systemic use of steroidal aromatase inhibitors. |
| US08343947B2 |
Therapeutic treatment
The invention describes the use of betaine for treating and preventing arterites. The invention also describes an orally administered composition for treating arterites and, in particular, intermittent claudication, said composition containing, as an active ingredient, an active therapeutic quantity of betaine glycine by single dose. The invention particularly describes a medicament provided for treating a patient suffering from an intermittent claudication caused by peripheral circulatory disorders such as arteriosclerosis obliterans or by thromboangiitis obliterans. |
| US08343943B2 |
Cancer sensitizer comprising glucosamine, glucosamine derivatives or salts thereof
Disclosed herein is a cancer sensitizer comprising glucosamine, a glucosamine derivative, or a salt thereof. When administered to patients with cancer, the cancer sensitizer functions to sensitize cancer cells to anticancer agents without producing side effects, thereby increasing the therapeutic efficiency of chemotherapy. |
| US08343940B2 |
Method for enhancing chemical sensitivity or radiosensitivity of cancer cells by inhibiting expression of TSPYL5
Disclosed herein is a method for enhancing sensitivity of cancer cells to compounds or radiation by inhibiting the expression of testis-specific protein, Y-encoded like 5 (TSPYL5). More specifically, because methylation of TSPYL5 protein expressed in lung cancer cell line was inhibited to increase the expression level of the gene, resistance to stress such as radiation or anticancer agents was increased. Because the sensitivity of cancer cells to stress such as radiation or anticancer agents was increased by inhibiting the expression of the TSPYL5 gene to promote the apoptosis of the cells, an anticancer supplement agent containing an inhibitor of the expression or activity of the TSPYL5 gene of the present invention inhibits the growth of cancer cells and enhances the sensitivity to various stresses to maximize the apoptosis. Thus, when used in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, the anticancer supplement agent may be used very usefully for anticancer treatment. |
| US08343939B2 |
Methods of modulating angiogenesis
The present inventors discovered that PKCε is necessary for VEGF signaling through PI3K/Akt-dependent pathways and is involved in MAPK-dependent pathways, thus regulating eNOS activity and DNA synthesis, respectively. Thus differential manipulation of PKCε activity can be used to modify VEGF effects in conditions in which modulation of angiogenesis is desirable (e.g., for treatment of diabetic proliferative retinopathy or to enhance angiogenesis for treatment of peripheral and myocardial ischemia). |
| US08343937B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating flaviviruses and pestiviruses
A method and composition for treating a host infected with flavivirus or pestivirus comprising administering an effective flavivirus or pestivirus treatment amount of a described 1′, 2′ or 3′-modified nucleoside or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided. |
| US08343936B2 |
Antibacterial agents
Described herein are novel macrolides, the preparation of novel macrolides, the use of novel macrolides for preventing, treating, or ameliorating various conditions, and the use of novel macrolides as antibacterial agents. |
| US08343933B2 |
Variants derived from ActRIIB and uses therefor
In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating (promoting or inhibiting) growth of a tissue, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, and/or neuronal tissue. The present invention also provides methods of screening compounds that modulate activity of an ActRIIB protein and/or an ActRIIB ligand. The compositions and methods provided herein are useful in treating diseases associated with abnormal activity of an ActRIIB protein and/or an ActRIIB ligand. |
| US08343931B2 |
Methods of inhibiting photoreceptor apoptosis
The present invention provides methods to prevent photoreceptor death. In particular, the present invention provides peptides which prevent FAS-mediated photoreceptor apoptosis. |
| US08343928B2 |
Monomethylvaline compounds having phenylalanine side-chain replacements at the C-terminus
Auristatin peptide analogs of MeVal-Val-Dil-Dap-Phe (MMAF) are provided having C-terminal phenylalanine residue side chain replacements or modifications which are provided alone or attached to ligands through various linkers. The related conjugates can target specific cell types to provide therapeutic benefit. |
| US08343927B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions for prevention of overdose or abuse
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprised of a chemical moiety attached to an active agent in a manner that substantially decreases the potential of the active agent to cause overdose or to be abused. When delivered at the proper dosage the pharmaceutical composition provides therapeutic activity similar to that of the parent active agent. |
| US08343925B2 |
Composition for improving brain function and method for improving brain function
The present invention provides a composition which may be ingested orally in a small dose for the purpose of improving brain function, and a method for improving brain function. The present invention is a composition for improving brain function, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, Xaa-Pro-Pro (wherein Xaa represents Ile, Leu or Ser). |
| US08343923B2 |
Use of notch signaling regulators for modulating osteogenesis
The present invention provides methods of treating osteoporosis and other bone disorders by inhibiting Notch signaling. |
| US08343922B2 |
Compositions and methods for the stimulation or enhancement of bone formation and the self-renewal of cells
Compositions and methods for the treatment of bone diseases, bone fractures, bone injuries and other bone abnormalities involving the use of Dkk protein, a Wnt antagonist, a Wnt inhibitor, or any other related protein for the stimulation or enhancement of mineralization and for stimulating the renewal of cells. One Dkk protein, Dickkopf-2 (Dkk-2), acts to stimulate bone formation independently of Wnt proteins which may be inhibited and/or antagonized by Dkk-2. Dkk-2 displayed enhanced specific targeting ability and enhanced biological activity in stimulating or enhancing mineralization. Dkk-2 also played a role in the differentiation and self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, particularly in osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. |
| US08343919B2 |
Cancer treatment using natriuretic peptides
The present invention includes a method of utilizing four peptide hormones to inhibit the growth of cancer(s). A dramatic decrease in the number of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (i.e., the type of cancer with the highest mortality, with patients only surviving four months) was observed responsive to treatment. The application of the invention would be to utilize one or more of these peptide hormones alone and/or in combination to treat cancer. The ability of these peptide hormones to decrease the number of adenocarcinoma cells has implications for adenocarcinomas at other sites in the body with the majority of cancers of the breast, colon and prostate also being adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas also occur in the lung and other tissues. Treatment of a wide variety of cancers in addition to adenocarcinomas is anticipated by the present invention. |
| US08343916B2 |
Use of heat-shock protein 27 for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment
A method of reducing cholesterol in a subject is provided. The method may be used to decrease serum cholesterol and/or arterial wall cholesterol. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), or a co-factor, variant or analogue thereof. The method may be used to treat, prevent or reverse cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis); to decrease atherosclerotic lesion formation or rupture; to decrease apoptosis within a plaque; to decrease macrophage accumulation; and/or to reverse the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque mass in a subject. Kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising HSP27 for preventing or treating of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, are also provided. |
| US08343915B2 |
Use of heat-shock protein 27 for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment
A method of preventing or treating cardiovascular disease is provided. The method comprises administering heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), a co-factor, variant or analogue thereof. The cardiovascular disease can include atherosclerosis. A pharmaceutical composition comprising HSP27 for use in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease is also provided. |
| US08343913B1 |
Hsp90, buffering and drug resistance
A method of reducing antifungal drug resistance in which Hsp inhibitors, such as Hsp90 inhibitors, are used. |
| US08343910B2 |
Reversible pegylated drugs
Reversible pegylated drugs are provided by derivatization of free functional groups of the drug selected from amino, hydroxyl, mercapto, phosphate and/or carboxyl with groups sensitive to mild basic conditions such as 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) or 2-sulfo-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMS), to which group a PEG moiety is attached. In these pegylated drugs, the PEG moiety and the drug residue are not linked directly to each other, but rather both residues are linked to different positions of the scaffold Fmoc or FMS structure that is highly sensitive to bases and is removable under physiological conditions. The drugs are preferably drugs containing an amino group, most preferably peptides and proteins of low or medium molecular weight. Similar molecules are provided wherein a protein carrier or another polymer carrier replaces the PEG moiety. |
| US08343908B2 |
Foaming hand sponge with color change indicator
A cleansing product suitable for making the cleaning of both inanimate and animate surfaces more fun and effective for children is disclosed. Specifically, the cleansing product is capable of expanding in volume under certain temperature conditions, and in some embodiments, can additionally include a coloring agent, providing a color change to indicate when sufficient cleansing has been performed. |
| US08343907B2 |
Particulate bleaching composition comprising enzymes
Particulate bleach additive composition containing enzymes, which can be used to bleach fabrics in conjunction with a conventional granular or liquid laundry detergent. |
| US08343905B2 |
Detergent composition
The present invention relates to an aqueous detergent composition comprising the following elements in the indicated amounts expressed as percentage by weight: a) 0.1-15% of at least one alkyl ether carboxylate of formula (I): R—O—(CH2CH2O)m—CH2—COOX wherein, —R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl or alkenyl group containing between 3 and 10 carbon atoms, —m represents a number comprised between 0.5 and 20, and —X represents hydrogen or a suitable cation, selected from an alkaline metal, an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylamino, alkanolamino or glucammonium, b) 0.1-15% of at least one amine oxide, c) 0.1-40% of at least one alkyl ether sulfate type anionic surfactant with a hydrocarbon chain containing between 10 and 18 carbon atoms, d) water up to 100%; said detergent composition is particularly suitable for manual dishwashing, for washing kitchen utensils, as well as in certain domestic cleaning applications of general use, such as the cleaning of hard surfaces. |
| US08343904B2 |
Phosphate and phosphonate-free automatic gel dishwashing detergent providing improved spotting and filming performance
A phosphate and phosphonate-free gel automatic dishwashing detergent provides improved spotting and filming performance by including a spot reduction system that contains a combination of a polyacrylate and a carboxymethyl inulin. The gel detergent may also be free of a bleach ingredient (i.e., it does not contain either chlorine bleach or an oxygen bleach). |
| US08343903B2 |
Biostatic medical cleaning products
There is disclosed a cleaning composition comprising (i) 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of the cleaning composition of a biofilm removing detergent solution comprising a combination of an alkyl (C8-18) polysaccharide, a non-ionic surfactant and a nitrogen containing surfactant-biocide (ii) 2 to 80 percent by weight of the cleaning composition of one or more polar solvent (iii) 0.5 to 15 percent by weight of the cleaning composition of one or more primary amine (iv) two or more chelating agents (v) 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight of the cleaning composition of an alkaline buffer system providing a pH of about 11.5 to 13.3 in aqueous solution (vi) 0.005 to 5.0 percent by weight of the cleaning composition of an alkoxyaminosilane. Also disclosed is a process of cleaning, decontaminating and/or passivating metallic surgical instruments and/or equipment using the composition of the invention. |
| US08343898B2 |
Method of lubricating conveyors using oil in water emulsions
The present disclosure generally relates to a method for lubricating conveyors using lubricant compositions with oil in water emulsions. The emulsion can be a lipophilic compound and an emulsifier. In an embodiment, the method includes applying a lubricant composition to the articulating chain and pin joint of the chain of a conveyor wherein the conveyor transports objects weighing more than about 15 kilograms, and the lubricant composition comprises an oil in water emulsion where at least one oil is not a silicone compound. |
| US08343895B2 |
Additive to reduce fluid loss for drilling fluids
Additives for reducing the loss of drilling fluid into the formation surrounding a wellbore during the drilling process as well as drilling fluids comprising the additives and methods of using such additives. The additive includes elastomeric, polymeric, and acrylate, non-agglomerated microspheres. |
| US08343893B2 |
Substituted enaminocarbonyl compounds
The present application relates to substituted enaminocarbonyl compounds of the formula (I) in which A, B, D, R1 to R3 are each as defined in the description, to processes for preparation thereof and to the use thereof for controlling animal pests. |
| US08343891B2 |
Method of improving the properties of urea granules
A method of improving the properties of urea granulates, more especially the caking tendency, the dust formation and the foaming tendency in aqueous media, by the addition of an additive to the urea, wherein the additive comprises a carboxylic acid compound with the general formula XY—(Z)—COOH, in which Z is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon with 1-25 carbon atoms and X and Y are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom or a polar organic functional group, and in that the additive is added as a solution in a polar solvent to the urea granulates, which are subsequently dried. |