| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08373943B2 |
Magnetic head having a multilayer magnetic film and method for producing the same
According to one embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic head includes depositing a first film above a substrate, etching a pattern into the first film, depositing a second film on the etched portion of the first film, and depositing a third film above the first and second film to form a multilayer magnetic film, wherein the second film is embedded between the first and third film in a portion of the first film that is removed. In another embodiment, a differential magnetic read head includes a magnetic multilayer film comprising a stack of a first magnetic sensor film and a second magnetic sensor film which are not magnetically connected and a hard magnetic film provided on both sides in a track width direction of the magnetic multilayer film for controlling a magnetic domain of the magnetic multilayer film. The hard magnetic film is a laminated structure as described above. |
| US08373941B2 |
Automatic unthread to secure tape from sticking to the head
A system and method for automatically unthreading a tape. The system and method determine whether the drive being at the stop state could cause the tape sticking condition in future after a defined dwell time (e.g., 20 minutes). The tape sticking tends to increase with time and humidity. Moreover, it is known that worn tape is stickier than new tape. With a plurality of attempts (e.g., four attempts) of moving tape (e.g., every 5 minutes), the drive is able to identify whether the tape needs to be unthreaded. Such a system allows a tape drive to handle the tape in safety at severe condition for the sticking tape, and minimize the penalty for the response to the command in normal condition. |
| US08373940B2 |
Magnetic head having a facing electrode pair for generating an electromagnetic field and applying energy to the magnetic recording layer
According to one embodiment, a magnetic head for recording magnetic data by changing the magnetization direction of a magnetic recording layer of a magnetic medium comprises a magnetic pole for generating a magnetic field to change the magnetization direction of the magnetic recording layer, and a facing electrode pair for generating an electromagnetic field and applying energy to the magnetic recording layer to assist the change of the magnetization direction of the magnetic recording layer caused by the magnetic field from the magnetic pole. Other embodiments are also presented. |
| US08373935B2 |
Fixed-focus lens
A fixed-focus lens disposed between an enlarged side and a reduced side is provided. An f-number of the fixed-focus lens is smaller than or equal to 2. The fixed-focus lens includes a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens, wherein the first lens is an aspheric lens. The second lens group, disposed between the first lens group and the reduced side, has a positive dioptre. The second lens group includes a second lens, wherein the second lens is an aspheric lens. The fixed-focus lens focuses by moving the first and the second lens group and satisfies 0.1<|f/f1|<1, 0.2<|f/f2|<1.5, and 1.5 |
| US08373933B2 |
Optical system and optical apparatus including optical system
Provided are an imaging optical system in which chromatic aberrations are excellently corrected across the entire screen to realize high optical performance, and an optical apparatus including the imaging optical system. In an imaging optical system of which a back focus is longer than a focal length, a lens unit located in a reduction-conjugate side of an aperture stop includes at least one positive lens. A partial dispersion ratio and an Abbe number of the positive lens are set such that a refractive index, a position, and a power satisfy a suitable relationship. |
| US08373926B2 |
Differentiation of power and channel count changes in optically amplified links
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are drawn to a method and apparatus for the differentiation of power and channel count changes in optically amplified links. Additionally, configuration of a corresponding optical amplifier can be based on the determination of the power and channel count changes. |
| US08373923B2 |
Illuminator having a spatial light modulator
The present invention relates to an illuminator (10, 30, 40) comprising a spatial light modulator (14) including an array of elements (16) each adapted to selectively transmit incoming light without altering the direction of the light, or alter the direction of incoming light; a lamp (12) arranged to illuminate the modulator; a lens (20, 42) for directing unaltered light from the modulator onto an illumination surface (24); and means for forwarding essentially all light altered in direction by the modulator towards the illumination surface. |
| US08373921B2 |
Methods and systems for modulating and demodulating millimeter-wave signals
A system comprises an optical processor comprising a sideband generator, an optical filter, and a phase-shift-keying (PSK) modulator, wherein: the sideband generator generates optical frequency sidebands about a carrier frequency of an optical signal; the optical filter discriminates between the optical frequency sidebands and the optical carrier frequency such that optical sidebands of interest can be used to generate an optical millimeter-wave signal; the PSK modulator comprises an optical splitter, an optical phase delay unit, two or more optical gates, and an optical combiner; the optical splitter divides the optical millimeter-wave signal into two or more intermediate signals; the optical phase delay unit delays one or more of the intermediate signals to create distinct phase relationship between them; the optical gates modulate each intermediate signal individually, based on a control input; and the optical combiner combines the gated intermediate signals into a single, PSK-modulated optical millimeter-wave signal. |
| US08373915B2 |
Optical scanning device
An optical scanning device for scanning a photoreceptor surface with a beam, said optical scanning device having: a light source for emitting the beam; an optical system for causing the beam emitted from the light source to converge; and a deflector that includes a polygon mirror with a plurality of reflecting surfaces and that deflects the beam that has passed through the optical system by rotations of the polygon mirror. Between the deflector and the photoreceptor surface, no optical system for causing the beam to converge or diverge is disposed. The optical system for causing the beam emitted from the light source to converge generates spherical aberration depending on which part of the optical system in a main-scanning direction the beam passes through. The beam enters into three or more adjacent reflecting surfaces of the polygon mirror at a time. |
| US08373913B2 |
Image scanning apparatus and method thereof
An image scanning apparatus includes a light source unit having a plurality of lamps. A converter supplies power to the plurality of lamps and adjusts the power according to a desired light intensity of each the plurality of lamps. A controller controls the converter such that at least one of the lamps is overdriven for a predetermined amount of time when lamp warm-up is initiated. Thus, the length of time required to wait until an operational light intensity is reduced. |
| US08373911B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a main unit and a conveyer unit swingably coupled to the main unit via a hinge. The conveyer unit includes a lower cover with an opening, which extends orthogonally to a swing axis of the conveyer unit, and an attachable member. The attachable member includes a main part and an auxiliary part and is fixed to the lower cover by the main part and to a rotatable fixing section of the hinge by the auxiliary part. |
| US08373907B2 |
Image processing apparatus including a usage-log managing unit for managing usage log information about a processed image data and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an image receiving unit, an image processing unit, an image storage unit, a usage-log managing unit, an operation display unit, and a control unit. The usage-log managing unit manages processing contents used for image data processed by the image processing unit in association with the processed image data as usage log information. When the operation display unit receives a request for an output process, the control unit acquires a processing content of the output process from the usage log information and displays information about the acquired processing content in association with image data processed based on the acquired processing content via the operation display unit. |
| US08373905B2 |
Semantic classification and enhancement processing of images for printing applications
A printing system enables the printing of enhanced documents using a semantic classification scheme. A printing system receives an image to be printed. The system classifies the image according to the semantic classification scheme and, based on this classification, performs enhancement processing on the image. Depending on the desired application, the printing system may recognize and classify any number of image types and may then perform various enhancement processing functions on the image, where the type of enhancement processing performed is based on the classification of the image. |
| US08373902B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program
Banding can be prevented and image-quality degradation can be reduced. An image processing apparatus includes first creation means configured to distribute density of image data to a pixel on another scanning line on the basis of a difference between an actual print position of the image data and a reference position and to create position-corrected image data, second creation means configured to correct the image data using a correction value corresponding to a position of the image data and to create density-corrected image data, and generation means configured to generate output image data using the position-corrected image data created by the first creation means and the density-corrected image data created by the second creation means. |
| US08373900B2 |
Image reading apparatus and method for adjusting same
An image reading apparatus which approximates the MTF characteristics on the front and back surfaces of the original to each other, in reading a double-sided original, to thereby prevent a density difference and a color difference from being caused between the front and back surfaces of the original. A CCD line sensor and a CIS read front and back surfaces of the double-sided original to output image data. The filter coefficients of first and second MTF correction filters are set for use in a plurality of areas arranged by dividing respective reading ranges of the CCD line sensor and the CIS. The first and second MTF correction filters correct the MTF characteristics of the image data output from the CCD line sensor and the CIS, using the set filter coefficients for associated areas. |
| US08373899B2 |
Color image forming apparatus and color adjustment method
A color image forming apparatus specifies print mode (media), forms a test image based on gradation levels of a plurality of colors according to the specified print mode (media), and detects the test image with a color sensor. The color image forming apparatus performs gray axis correction calculation based on detection result obtained by the color sensor. |
| US08373897B2 |
Method of and system for predicting print colors
A method and a system for predicting print colors are provided. A profile generator determines standard density spectral reflectances of a color chart printed under standard density conditions, first changed density spectral reflectances of a color chart printed with only the density of one of colors C, M, Y, K being changed by a given amount, and second changed density spectral reflectances of a color chart printed with the densities of the colors C, M, Y, K being changed by the same amount. The profile generator generates a print predicting profile for obtaining desired target densities, using the standard density spectral reflectances, the differences between the standard density spectral reflectances and the first changed density spectral reflectances, and corrective coefficients for obtaining the second changed density spectral reflectances, and predicts highly accurately colors of the print where the density of a desired color is changed, using the print predicting profile. |
| US08373895B2 |
Prevention of unauthorized copying or scanning
A method for embedding “no-scan” or “no-copy” information in a document border includes encoding information as a plurality of data carrying dot pair patterns. For each page of a document to be rendered, the method includes determining whether the border area is blank. If found not blank the border area is cleared. Each of the plurality of data carrying dot patterns is embedded in the blank border area of the document page. The document page with the embedded data carrying dot patterns is then rendered, where each data carrying dot is too small to be visually noticeable. |
| US08373893B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control device, computer readable medium and computer data signal
An image forming apparatus includes a light emission element, a lighting signal generation section, a storage section, a communication line, a control section and an electromagnetic noise generation source. The storage section stores data used when the lighting signal generation section generates a lighting signal. The lighting signal generation section and the storage section transmit and receive the data therebetween through the communication line. The control section that controls the transmitting and receiving of the data between the lighting signal generation section and the storage section. The control section controls so as to start the transmitting and receiving of the data between the storage section and the lighting signal generation section in a state where a magnitude of the electromagnetic noise, at a position where the lighting signal generation section is disposed, generated by the electromagnetic noise generation source is smaller than a predetermined value. |
| US08373890B2 |
Printing processing apparatus, method, and system, and computer readable recording medium for processing at various resolutions
A printing processing device that includes an analyzing unit that analyzes the components of print data. Based on the analysis results, a first raster processing unit performs raster processing at a first resolution for the print data of a portion of the components of the print data other than an optically read printing portion. Similarly, based on the analysis results, a second raster processing unit that performs raster processing at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, for the print data of the optically read printing portion of the components of the print data. Further, the printing processing device includes a resolution conversion unit that converts the print data that has been processed by the first raster processing unit into the second resolution and a synthesizing unit that synthesizes the print data that has been converted into the second resolution by the resolution conversion unit and the print data that has been processed by the second raster processing unit. |
| US08373889B2 |
Method, system, and program of extending a function of an application
In plug-in software capable of creating a sheet size to be set in an application based on an output size and sheet sizes allowed to be set in the application, when the plug-in software supports a plurality of applications, if there is a difference in sheet size among the applications, it is necessary to change setting in terms of the size when data is shared by the applications. This necessity of changing the setting in terms of the size is avoided by detecting a smallest sheet size from maximum sheet sizes usable in the respective applications and determining the sheet size for common use by the applications based on the detected smallest size. |
| US08373887B2 |
Image processing apparatus including an image processing unit, a memory, a determination unit, a dividing unit, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit, a memory, a determination unit, and a dividing unit. The image processing unit dynamically changes a configuration thereof, and executes image processing in accordance with the changed configuration. The memory includes a pre-processing information memory area, an ongoing-processing information memory area, and a post-processing information memory area. The determination unit determines a division position of printing information used for image processing to be executed by the image processing unit, at which an amount of printing information, an amount of intermediate information corresponding to the printing information, and an amount of image information corresponding to the printing information are less than or equal to memory capacities of the pre-processing information memory area, the ongoing-processing information memory area, and the post-processing information memory area, respectively. The dividing unit divides the printing information in accordance with the division position determined by the determination unit. |
| US08373886B2 |
Image processing device
An image processing device comprises an image data input means 2, an image data storage means 12 for storing the image data being input, an image data processing means 6 having multiple processing modes for outputting the stored image data, and a image data erasing means for erasing the image data stored in the storage means 12. The device further comprises erase count control means 8, 14 for controlling the number of times for erasing image data capable of having the number of times of erase set arbitrarily according to the security level required for each mode, and capable of having the set number of times of erase changed in mid-flow. Confidentiality is protected by performing erase operations repeatedly to the region storing the unnecessary image data according to the security level. |
| US08373885B2 |
Printer and image processing apparatus
An input unit inputs RAW data. An image generating unit generates an image from the RAW data using a demosaicing processing. A print unit that prints the image. |
| US08373882B2 |
Mobile document imaging and transmission
A wireless communication device can send and receive realtime facsimile transmissions over a data channel available to the device. The device can implement a real time facsimile protocol over the data channel, which can generally be a packet switched network connection, such as an IP connection. An image capture device can be employed to obtain an image of a document that can be facsimile transmitted from the wireless device over the data channel. The document image may be converted to a format generally usable with facsimile transmissions. The wireless device can be configured to transmit immediately following image capture, or after a desired number of images are captured. A contact list that may be included with the wireless device may be used to select a destination address for facsimile transmission. A printing device can be the destination address to permit wireless or mobile printing. |
| US08373881B2 |
Image formation apparatus, recording medium, image formation method, and consumables management system
An image formation apparatus, which includes: a detector unit that detects a status of consumables; a prediction unit that predicts a run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the status detected by the detector unit; a transmission unit that transmits the status detected by the detector unit to a management apparatus as consumables information; a reception unit that receives run-out timing information indicating a run-out timing predicted by the management apparatus on the basis of the consumables information transmitted by the transmission unit; and a notification unit that notifies the run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the run-out timing information received by the reception unit if communication with the management apparatus is possible, or notifies the run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the run-out timing predicted by the prediction unit if communication with the management apparatus is not possible. |
| US08373880B2 |
Technical documents capturing and patents analysis system and method
Disclosed is a system and method for capturing technical documents and reading and commentating captured documents thereof. The system may comprise a capturing system and a reading with commentating system. The capturing system selects related drawings from a group of technical documents. It then provides important information and the related drawings onto an image for the readers' review. The reading with commentating system allows the readers to process technical classification, management and export/import for the group of technical documents. Readers may make comments on an information sharing platform after reviewing the technical documents. Besides, other materials collected or generated from the technical analysis on the technical documents may be attached to the information sharing platform. |
| US08373877B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and host device and direct-print control method of host device
A host device includes an interface part to receive directly-printable file types from an image forming apparatus; and a controller to provide a popup menu to set a direct print option, if a file corresponding to the received file types is selected from among previously stored files. Accordingly, whether or not it is possible to perform direct-printing of a file which a user desires to print may be displayed, and thus direct-printing can be performed without individually checking whether each file is a directly-printable file type. |
| US08373875B2 |
Adaptive universal symbol driver interface
A system and method are provided for processing an imaging job using adaptive universal symbols. The method comprises: establishing a user interface (UI) representing imaging job options with adaptive universal symbols at a job source, which can be an imaging driver or a direct submit application; accepting adaptive universal symbol selections from the UI; sending an imaging job to an imaging device, in an imaging device-specific format, along with the adaptive universal symbol selections; and, at the imaging device, processing the imaging job in response to the selected adaptive universal symbols. With respect to print, copy, or fax jobs for example, the adaptive universal symbols may represent options such as staple, cut, fold, hole-punch, trim, N-up, duplex, paper size, input tray, output bin, copies, collation, margin, sheet/page orientation, or front/back covers. |
| US08373867B2 |
Display-integrated image forming apparatus, image display system, and image display method
A digital multifunction peripheral provided with a scanner portion, an operation portion, an image forming portion, a device control portion, a fax modem, a communications portion, a management portion, and a hard disk (HD) is connected to a server apparatus via an external network. A large-format display is attached integrally to a rear face of a case of the digital multifunction peripheral, with a first display screen facing toward the outside. The device control portion is connected to the server apparatus via the external network, and displays various pieces of provided information managed by the server apparatus on the first display screen. |
| US08373866B2 |
Wavefront aberration measuring apparatus, wavefront aberration measuring method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An apparatus measuring wavefront aberration of an optical system includes a first mask in an object plane and having plural openings, an illumination optical system illuminating the openings of the first mask by using light from a light source, a second mask in an image plane and having an opening allowing passage of light containing aberration of the optical system and a pinhole/slit. The apparatus takes an image of interference fringe generated by light having passed through the optical system and the pinhole/slit and the light having passed through the optical system and the opening of the second mask, calculates an evaluation value to evaluate a state of the interference fringe by using image data of the image, determines, based on the evaluation value, whether the wavefront aberration of the inspected optical system is to be calculated, and calculates the wavefront aberration of the optical system from the image data. |
| US08373858B2 |
System and method for real time determination of size and chemical composition of aerosol particles
This invention is an apparatus and method of real time determination of particle size and optionally chemical composition or both. An aerosol beam generator focuses a beam containing sample particles that passes through a sizing laser beam of approximately constant width to produce light scattering that is detected by a light detection means, allowing generation of electrical pulses that may be used to compute particle velocity. In being formed into a beam, the particles are accelerated to terminal velocities that are functions of their sizes. The duration of time elapsed while a particle passes through the width of the sizing laser beam is a function of its velocity which, in turn, is a function of its size. Chemical composition of the particle is determined by suitable analytical means included in the apparatus, such as mass spectrometry. |
| US08373854B2 |
Luminescence reference standards
The present teachings provide for systems, and components thereof, for detecting and/or analyzing light. These systems can include, among others, optical reference standards utilizing luminophores, such as nanocrystals, for calibrating, validating, and/or monitoring light-detection systems, before, during, and/or after sample analysis. |
| US08373852B2 |
Optical waveguide rotator mechanism, birefringence-inducing element and polarization control devices employing either or both and methods of using same
A fiber rotator mechanism for rotating a portion of an optical waveguide, specifically an optical fiber, about a longitudinal axis thereof comprises a motor having a tubular rotor through which the fiber extends, in use, and to which the fiber is secured, directly or indirectly. An optical fiber may be secured by means of a device which also compresses the optical fiber to induce a required birefringence, conveniently by means of a spring-loaded clamping device or a ferrule of shape memory material. |
| US08373851B2 |
Measuring system and measuring method, in particular for determining blood glucose
A measuring system for determining blood glucose includes a photometric measuring unit with a light source and a detector, and an analytical test element, to which a body fluid sample can be applied, and which can be placed in a beam path between the light source and the detector for optical detection of an analyte. For an improved multi-wavelength measurement, it is proposed that the light source includes a first emitter that can be actuated in a first wavelength range to emit pulsating alternating light and a second emitter that can be excited in a second wavelength range to emit fluorescent light. |
| US08373844B2 |
Exposure apparatus having an element to be cooled
An exposure apparatus having an element to be cooled and that exposes a substrate to patterned radiation by using the element. A reservoir houses a liquid coolant therein. A first pump, disposed between the reservoir and the element, supplies the coolant from the reservoir to the element. A heater, disposed between the first pump and the element, heats the coolant supplied from the first pump. A jacket receives the coolant from the heater and cools the element. A second pump, disposed between the jacket and the reservoir, reduces a pressure of the jacket and supplies the coolant from the jacket to reservoir. A cooler, disposed between the second pump and the reservoir, cools the coolant supplied from the second pump. |
| US08373842B1 |
Praxinoscope kit and assembly method
A kit of parts and method for forming a praxinoscope with a base, an outer wall to be secured to the base in a cylindrical configuration, and a mirrored inner wall to be secured to the base in a faceted, substantially cylindrical configuration concentric with the outer wall. Image strips with sequential images disposed thereon can be disposed within the outer wall, and an axle member concentrically disposed through the base and the upper panel permits a rotation of the praxinoscope to produce animation. The inner and outer walls can be secured to the base by teeth that project from their lower longitudinal edges in combination with inner and outer rings of apertures disposed in ring shapes in the base. An upper panel can be similarly retained atop the inner wall. Notches at the proximal ends of the teeth can positively engage the apertures in the base. |
| US08373841B2 |
Shared isolated gas cooling system for oppositely facing electronic displays
A system and method for cooling back to back electronic displays. Transparent first and second gas chambers are co-existive with the front display surfaces of the first and second electronic displays. A closed loop of isolated gas enters the first and second gas chambers and contacts the front surfaces of the electronic displays, where it may extract heat from the front display surfaces. The isolated gas is then directed into a cooling chamber where it is cooled and re-introduced into the first and second gas chambers. Fans may be used to propel the isolated gas through the cooling chamber and the first and second gas chambers. The circulating gas removes heat directly from the electronic display surfaces. The isolated gas is transparent or at least semi-transparent to ensure that the image quality of the electronic displays is minimally impacted. |
| US08373834B2 |
Array substrate for in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device having double-layered metal patterns and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate of an in-plane switching liquid crystal display device includes, among other features, a gate electrode and a gate line having a first double-layered structure consisting of a first barrier layer and a first low resistance metallic layer; a data line defining a pixel region with the gate line, the data line having a second double-layered structure consisting of a second barrier layer and a second low resistance metallic layer; a plurality of common electrodes disposed in a direction opposite to an adjacent gate line; a thin film transistor (TFT) near a crossing of the gate and data lines, each of the source and drain electrodes of the TFT having the same double-layered structure as the data line; and a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in an alternating pattern with the common electrodes and disposed in the direction opposite the adjacent gate line. |
| US08373829B2 |
Light source and liquid crystal display
A light source comprising sidelight type backlight light guide plate (L), wherein a transmittance angle dependent layer (T1) which transmits normally incident light and reflects obliquely incident light is disposed on one surface of the sidelight type backlight light guide plate (L), and a reflection plate (R) having a repetitive slope structure is disposed on the other surface of the sidelight type backlight light guide plate (L). The invention light source is less in absorption loss due to repetition of light reflection and the like. |
| US08373823B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An LCD device is disclosed. The disclosed LCD device includes: a liquid crystal display panel configured to display images; a backlight unit configured to include a light source provided for emitting light and optical sheets provided for improving optical characteristics of light which is emitted by the light source; a bottom cover with a receiving portion configured to receive the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit; and a heat guide member disposed on a front surface of the receiving portion of the bottom cover and configured to guide the heat generated in the light source toward the liquid crystal display panel. |
| US08373822B2 |
Surface emitting device and liquid crystal display device
A surface emitting device includes a light guide plate having a light outgoing surface and a reflection surface and an LED light source that includes an LED element provided so that light from the LED element enters the light guide plate through a light incoming end surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a concave portion corresponding to the LED element on a side of the reflection surface just in front of the LED light source. The concave portion has dimensions in which a width of the light guide plate is equal to or larger than a width of a light outgoing surface of the LED element, and a depth from the reflection surface in a thickness direction of the light guide plate is set so that the concave portion does not overlap with a region opposed to the light outgoing surface of the LED element. |
| US08373820B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device including the same
A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device includes a reflection plate, first and second light guide plates over the reflection plate, the second light guide plate disposed between the first light guide plate and the reflection plate, wherein the first light guide plate includes first and second sections alternating with each other, and the second light guide plate includes third and fourth sections alternating with each other, the first and third sections having patterns at rear surfaces, the second and fourth sections excluding patterns, wherein the first section corresponds to the fourth section, and the second section corresponds to the third section, first and second light-emitting diode (LED) assemblies at opposite sides of the first and second light guide plates, each of the first and second LED assemblies including LEDs arranged in first and second lines, and a plurality of optical sheets over the first light guide plate, wherein the LEDs of the first lines of the first and second LED assemblies face opposite side surfaces of the first light guide plate, and the LEDs of the second lines of the first and second LED assemblies face opposite side surfaces of the second light guide plate. |
| US08373819B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit capable of preventing an initial driving malfunction is disclosed. The backlight unit includes a bottom cover opened upwardly, a reflective sheet disposed in the inner surface of the bottom cover; a plurality of lamps arranged at a fixed interval on the reflective sheet; an auxiliary light source disposed at the outer side surface of the bottom cover; and a light guide member, opposite to the emitting surface of the auxiliary light source, configured to guide light emitted from the auxiliary light source to the lamps through first and second penetration holes formed on one of the side walls of the bottom cover and the reflective sheet. |
| US08373818B2 |
Multiple-primary-color display device
A multiple primary color display device according to the present invention includes a pixel defined by a plurality of sub pixels. The plurality of sub pixels include a first sub pixel to display a first color having a first hue, a second sub pixel to display a second color having a second hue, a third sub pixel to display a third color having a third hue, and a fourth sub pixel to display a fourth color having a fourth hue. When a color represented by the input signal is changed from black to white via a color of a prescribed hue, luminance levels of the plurality of sub pixels are set such that the luminance level of each of the first sub pixel, the second sub pixel and the third sub pixel is started to be increased without increasing the luminance level of the fourth sub pixel and such that the luminance level of the third sub pixel is increased at a lower rate than that of the luminance level of each of the first sub pixel and the second sub pixel. |
| US08373814B2 |
Display panel and display panel device including the transistor connected to storage capacitor
An approach of a circuit configuration is provided for operating a display panel and a liquid crystal display with high aperture ratio, transmittance and visibility, the circuit configuration includes: a gate line; a data line intersecting the gate line; a first transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a second transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a storage electrode line separated from the gate line; a third transistor connected to the storage electrode line and the second transistor; a first pixel electrode connected to the first transistor; and a second pixel electrode connected to the second transistor and the third transistor. The third transistor being separated from an additional gate line is connected to the storage electrode line such that the aperture ratio can be increased, and visibility and transmittance can be enhanced. |
| US08373813B2 |
Array substrate, method of manufacturing the same and method of repairing the same
An array substrate includes a substrate including a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, data lines disposed in the display area and including a portion thereof extending from the display area into the peripheral area at a first side of a periphery of the display area, and a repair line disposed in the peripheral area and crossing the portion of the data lines extending into the peripheral area. The array substrate also includes a static electricity diode part electrically connected to the repair line and a first data line of the data lines. |
| US08373805B2 |
System and method for remote control of a television with a manually actuatable element
There is provided a system and method for remote control of a television with a manually actuatable control element. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a remote control for a television with a manually actuatable control element. The remote control may comprise a manually actuatable control element configured to generate a signal in response to an activation of the control element by a user, wherein the signal is generated at one of a plurality of different levels based on a characteristic of the activation, and a control system configured to receive the signal and to produce one of a plurality of television commands in response to the signal, wherein the command produced corresponds to the level of the signal. |
| US08373802B1 |
Art-directable retargeting for streaming video
Techniques are provided for content-aware video retargeting. An interactive framework combines key frame-based constraint editing with numerous automatic algorithms for video analysis. This combination gives content producers a high level of control of the retargeting process. One component of the framework is a non-uniform, pixel-accurate warp to the target resolution that considers automatic as well as interactively-defined features. Automatic features comprise video saliency, edge preservation at the pixel resolution, and scene cut detection to enforce bilateral temporal coherence. Additional high level constraints can be added by the producer to achieve a consistent scene composition across arbitrary output formats. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide a better visual result for retargeted video when compared to using conventional techniques. |
| US08373801B1 |
Video source resolution detection
Embodiments for video content source resolution detection are provided. Embodiments enable systems and methods that measure video content source resolution and that provide image-by-image source scale factor measurements to picture quality (PQ) processing modules. With the source scale factor information. PQ processing modules can be adapted dynamically (on a picture-by-picture basis) according to the source scale factor information for better picture quality enhancement. In addition, embodiments provide source resolution detection that is minimally affected by video coding artifacts and superimposed content (e.g., graphics). |
| US08373795B2 |
Camera body and imaging device to which a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject can be mounted
A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a shutter, a shutter drive device, and an electronic viewfinder. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The shutter is disposed between the body mount and the imaging element, and arranged to block light passing through the lens unit. The shutter drive device controls the exposure time of the imaging element by driving the shutter. The electronic viewfinder includes an eyepiece, a viewfinder image display unit configured to electronically display an image of the subject, and a viewfinder optical system arranged to guide the subject image displayed by the viewfinder image display unit to the eyepiece. The electronic viewfinder is disposed above the shutter drive device and beside the body mount when viewed in a first direction perpendicular to the light receiving face in a landscape orientation. |
| US08373793B2 |
Auto focusing method using VCM actuator
The present disclosure relates to an auto focusing method using a VCM (voice coil motor) actuator, the method of using the VCM actuator to upwardly move a lens position, to obtain a most-focused upward position value, and downwardly move the lens position to automatically adjust the lens focus, the method comprising: obtaining an auto focus (AF) upward position value, which is an upward position value of a lens when the lens is most focused by upwardly moving the lens to capture an image; determining whether a difference between the AF upward position value and an AF downward position value of a code value which is a bit value corresponding to the AF upward position value is smaller than a pre-set level; and implementing the auto focusing the code value if the difference is smaller than the pre-set level, and using a hysteresis table of the VCM actuator to select a code value corresponding to a downward position value most approximate to the AF upward position value in a downward position value column and to implement the auto focusing adjustment using the corrected code value, if the difference is not smaller than the pre-set level. |
| US08373792B2 |
Autofocus apparatus with correction of focusing data
An autofocus apparatus with a photographic optical system having a movably disposed focus adjusting lens, an optical element to split light beams received from an object, a plurality of image forming lenses to form images from portions of the split light beams, a plurality of focusing estimating portions to create focusing data for focusing the image of the object on the corresponding image forming lenses, a data detecting device to detect data for focusing the image, a data creating device to correct the detected focusing data, a selecting portion to select from among the focusing estimating portions, and a moving device to move the focus adjusting lens. |
| US08373790B2 |
Auto-focus apparatus, image-pickup apparatus, and auto-focus method
Disclosed is an auto-focus apparatus utilized for an image pickup apparatus having a focus ring. The auto-focus apparatus includes an evaluation value calculator periodically calculating a plurality of evaluation values for a plurality of areas of a subject image based on high frequency components of image signals of the plurality of areas of the subject image; and a control unit, after detecting that the focus ring has been stopped, performing image processing on an area of the subject image where fluctuations of the evaluation values obtained just before the focus ring has been stopped exhibit a predetermined history, based on an evaluation value obtained in the area of the subject image exhibiting the predetermined history, and outputting instruction signals for moving a focus lens base on a peak of the evaluation values obtained by the image processing. |
| US08373789B2 |
Auto focus system and auto focus method
An auto focus method for passive auto focus systems consists of an image acquisition and processing engine, as well as an acutance index calculation engine. An auto focus method measures image's acutance index rather than image's contrast value. A passive auto focus system employing the auto focus method of the present invention can accurately and reliably detect the best focus point and thus preventing auto focus malfunction even under the condition that illumination uniformity changes dramatically. |
| US08373788B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image displaying method, and image displaying program
An image processing apparatus includes: an image display device; an instruction position detecting unit to accept, via an operating screen having multiple operating areas provided to a display screen of the image display device, instructions from a user and detect and output the position of the instruction operation on the operating face; a storage unit to store and hold image data; and a display control unit to control display of an image according to the image data stored and held in at least the storage unit on the image display device; wherein, if the user performs a tracing operation on the operating face, the display control unit controls the display of the image on the display screen of the image display device so as to change, according to the operated operating area and direction of operation that is distinguished based on the detecting output from the instruction position detecting unit. |
| US08373785B2 |
Shallow trench isolation for active devices mounted on a CMOS substrate
The present invention includes operational amplifier for an active pixel sensor that detects optical energy and generates an analog output that is proportional to the optical energy. The active pixel sensor operates in a number of different modes including: signal integration mode, the reset integration mode, column reset mode, and column signal readout mode. Each mode causes the operational amplifier to see a different output load. Accordingly, the operational amplifier includes a variable feedback circuit to provide compensation that provides sufficient amplifier stability for each operating mode of the active pixel sensor. For instance, the operational amplifier includes a bank of feedback capacitors, one or more of which are selected based on the operating mode to provide sufficient phase margin for stability, but also considering gain and bandwidth requirements of the operating mode. |
| US08373780B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and camera
A solid-state image sensor includes: a transfer control section configured to control charge transfer from the vertical transfer section to the horizontal transfer section. The transfer control section has a plurality of unit control sections corresponding to the transfer packets. The unit control section has a vertical transfer channel and a plurality of control section electrodes formed over the vertical transfer channel. The control section electrodes include a signal charge accumulating electrode and a transfer inhibiting electrode, which are sequentially formed from a side of the vertical transfer section. The vertical transfer channels are independently connected to a horizontal transfer channel. When stopping the charge transfer from the vertical transfer section to the horizontal transfer section, a high-level voltage is applied to the signal charge accumulating electrode, and a low-level voltage is applied to the transfer inhibiting electrode. |
| US08373776B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image sensing apparatus
An image processing apparatus outputs an output image by synthesizing a first image obtained by shooting, a second image obtained by shooting with an exposure time longer than the exposure time of the first image, and a third image obtained by reducing noise in the first image. The image processing apparatus has a noise reduction processing control portion which controls the contents of image processing for obtaining the third image from the first image according to the noise level in the first image. |
| US08373774B2 |
Image pickup apparatus having optical path reflecting zoom lens
An image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens, and an image pickup element having an image pickup surface which receives optically an image formed by the zoom lens, and which converts the image received to an electric signal. The image pickup apparatus satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) Lv 1 Er/Lv 1 EL<0.49, (2) 0.93 |
| US08373773B2 |
Imaging apparatus for generating a wide-angle image
An imaging apparatus including a capturing section which captures an image at a first viewing angle, a capturing control section which performs consecutive image capturing by the capturing section, a setting section which sets areas to be captured at the first viewing angle to generate a composite image reproducing a captured image at a second viewing angle by combining captured images, a judgment section which judges whether a captured image is suitable for any one of the set areas, and a recording control section which corresponds the captured image with an area and records the capture image in a recording section when the captured image is suitable, wherein the judgment section further judges whether the captured image is more suitable for an area than previously recorded by corresponding a recorded image in comparison with a previously recorded image, when an image that was previously recorded in the record means exists. |
| US08373772B2 |
Imaging apparatus for capturing a main image and a sub image
An imaging apparatus according to an implementation of the present invention is connected to a memory and includes: an imaging device reading any given area; a main image storage unit reading an image of a main image area, the image representing a whole image formed on the imaging device, and store in the memory an image associated with the read image as a main image; a sub image storage unit reading an image of a watch area from the imaging device, the watch area being an area to be watched, and store the read image in the memory as a sub image; an encoder encoding the main image and the sub image stored in the memory by the main image storage unit and the sub image storage unit; and a recording unit recording the main image and the sub image encoded by the encoder on a recording medium. |
| US08373769B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging processing method and recording medium
An imaging apparatus, including, an imaging section, a gain adjustment section to adjust gain values of an R component or a B component, an information obtaining section to obtain information about a first photographing environment of the image after an adjustment, a first judgment section to judge whether the first photographing environment in the obtained information and a second photographing environment to which the gain adjustment section is to adjust the gain values of the R component or the B component, are different from each other, a gain re-adjustment section to re-adjust at least one of the gain values of the R component and the B component to be suppressed when judged that the first photographing environment and the second photographing environment are different from each other, and an image recording section to record an image obtained by performing a color adjustment by using a re-adjusted gain value. |
| US08373768B2 |
Personalizing content based on mood
In order to increase the efficacy of a mood-based playlisting system, a mood sensor such as a camera may be used to provide mood information to the mood model. When the mood sensor includes a camera, a camera may be used to capture an image of the user. The image is analyzed to determine a mood for the user so that content may be selected responsive to the mood of the user. |
| US08373765B2 |
Image capturing device, image generating device, moving picture generating method and computer-readable medium
An image capturing unit outputs an image data signal. A first moving picture data generating unit generates first moving picture data based on the image signal from the image capturing unit. A trigger signal generating unit causes a trigger signal to be generated, every time a predetermined trigger condition is met, while the first moving picture data generating unit is in process of generating the first moving picture data. A second moving picture data generating unit causes, every time the trigger signal is generated, generation of moving picture data corresponding to an image signal of the predetermined period of time based on the point of time the trigger signal has been generated. A recording unit effects recording of the first moving picture data and the second moving picture data. |
| US08373761B2 |
Shake correcting apparatus and method thereof in digital photographing apparatus
Provided are a method and apparatus for correcting a shake of a digital photographing apparatus. The method includes sensing a shake via an inertial sensor comprised in the digital photographing apparatus, and calculating a first shake value; comparing the first shake value with a predetermined threshold value and, when the first shake value is greater than the predetermined threshold value, driving an OIS (optical image stabilizer); detecting an edge component of an image of a target subject, wherein the image is input via an imaging device of the digital photographing apparatus, and calculating a second shake value from a difference value between edge values of sequential frames of the input image; and comparing the second shake value with the first shake value, and according to a result of the comparing, controlling a shake of the target subject to be corrected. |
| US08373758B2 |
Techniques for analyzing performance of solar panels and solar cells using infrared diagnostics
Techniques for analyzing performance of solar panels and/or cells are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing an infrared thermal image taken using an infrared camera is provided. The method includes the following steps. The infrared thermal image is converted to temperature data. Individual elements are isolated in the infrared thermal image. The temperature data for each isolated element is tabulated. A performance status of each isolated element is determined based on the tabulated temperature data. The individual elements can include solar panels and/or solar cells. In another aspect, an infrared diagnostic system is provided. The infrared diagnostic system includes an infrared camera which can be remotely positioned relative to one or more elements to be imaged; and a computer configured to receive thermal images from the infrared camera, via a communication link, and analyze the thermal images. |
| US08373748B2 |
Automatic endoscope recognition and selection of image processing and display settings
A control unit is connected to an endoscopic video camera, which is connected to an endoscope. Image data representing an image is received by the control unit from the video camera. Based on a characteristic of the received image which is indicative of a physical characteristic of the endoscope, the endoscope is recognized and/or and the value of a parameter for processing or display of images acquired by the camera is then automatically selected. |
| US08373746B2 |
Surround vision
A surround vision apparatus comprises at least one screen, at least one loud speaker, a plurality of projectors and a processor, wherein the at least one screen substantially encloses a space, and wherein the plurality of projectors project images onto the said at least one screen such that the said images may be viewed from within the said enclosed space, and wherein the processor synchronizes the projection of images onto the or each screen such that the images are perceived by the viewer as being uninterrupted. |
| US08373743B2 |
System and method for playing back individual conference callers
A teleconferencing system receives at least two streams that are parts of a live conference and individually records at least one of the streams. During the conference, a conferencing system receives a request from a communication device that is participating in the conference for at least a portion of at least one but not all of the recorded streams and in response sends the requested portion(s) of the stream to the communication device. The communication device can then play back the requested portion(s) of the recorded stream(s) to a participant in the conference. The streams may be audio and/or video streams. |
| US08373742B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing and adding context to a video call image
A method and apparatus for enhancing a video image sent from a first terminal of a video-telephony system to a second terminal of the video-telephony system during a video telephony call. An image style is selected at the first terminal and a description of the image style is transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal. A sequence of video images transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal is modified by a style generator at the second terminal in accordance with description of the image style before being displayed at the second terminal. The first terminal includes a user interface that controls a style selector to produce the style description that defines the properties or the style such as a cropping region, a border style, an image filter, a background and an animation. |
| US08373738B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes: a latent image bearing member; an exposure head having an imaging optical system and N light-emitting elements (where N is an integer) disposed in a first direction that emit light forming an image upon the latent image bearing member through the imaging optical system; an FM screen whose unit of processing is M in the first direction, M being greater than N; and a controller that performs a screening process on image data using the FM screen. |
| US08373735B2 |
Line head, image forming apparatus, image forming method
Provided is a line head including: a light emitting device array in which N (N is an integer of 2 or more) light emitting device groups including a plurality of light emitting devices is arranged; an output unit which sequentially outputs driving signals for driving the light emitting devices of the light emitting device groups to the light emitting device groups; and a delay unit which delays input timings when the driving signals output from the output unit are input to the light emitting devices, wherein the delay unit delays the input timings of the 1 to (N−1)th driving signals output from the output unit to the input timings of the Nth driving signals output from the output unit, and allows the light emitting devices of the different light emitting device groups simultaneously to emit light. |
| US08373734B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus, and a method of controlling same, the image forming apparatus including an image carrying body; a light exposing unit which emits a light toward the image carrying body according to a light exposing signal; a light sensor which is disposed to a side of the image carrying body to receive a part of the emitted light; and a control unit which detects a biased amount in a sub scanning direction of the emitted light of the light exposing unit based on a sensing result of the light sensor. |
| US08373727B2 |
Display apparatus and display panel driver including subtractive color processing circuit for error diffusion processing and weighting processing
Disclosed herewith a liquid crystal display apparatus, which includes a liquid crystal display panel that employs the delta arrangement; a subtractive color processing circuit that carries out a subtractive color processing for input image data, thereby generating subtractive color image data; and data line driving circuit that drives the liquid crystal display panel in response to the subtractive color image data. The subtractive color processing circuit carries out a weighting processing that increases or decreases the subtractive color image data according to a line that includes a sub-pixel to be subjected to a subtractive color processing, then carries out an error diffusion processing for the result of the weighting processing, thereby generating subtractive color image data. The subtractive color processing circuit carries out the weighting processing so as to increase the subtractive color image data corresponding to a line and decrease the subtractive color image data corresponding to another line. |
| US08373724B2 |
Selective display of OCR'ed text and corresponding images from publications on a client device
Text is extracted from a source image of a publication using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process. A document is generated containing text segments of the extracted text. The document includes a control module that responds to user interactions with the displayed document. Responsive to a user selection of a displayed text segment, a corresponding image segment from the source image containing the text is retrieved and rendered in place of the selected text segment. The user can select again to toggle the display back to the text segment. Each text segment can be tagged with a garbage score indicating its quality. If the garbage score of a text segment exceeds a threshold value, the corresponding image segment can be automatically displayed instead. |
| US08373723B2 |
Method and apparatus to provide plot data of contents
A method and an apparatus to provide time based plot data of contents. The method includes extracting a time of requesting plot data, based on time information that is recorded on a predetermined unit-by-unit basis, when a signal to request plot data is received while contents are being reproduced; checking whether there is time based plot metadata corresponding to the requested plot data; and extracting plot data corresponding to a period from a start time of contents to the time of requesting the plot data and displaying the plot data if the time based plot metadata exists. |
| US08373722B2 |
Color measuring apparatus and method and liquid crystal display system
According to color measuring apparatus and method and a liquid crystal display system S of the present invention, intensity signals obtained by receiving radiant light from a liquid crystal color display 3 at a first viewing angle and corresponding to at least three mutually different spectral responsivities are converted into information on a plurality of primary color intensities of the liquid crystal color display 3, and the intensity signals by the first viewing angle are corrected to signal intensities by a second viewing angle. Thus, these color measuring apparatus and method are capable of a more accurate measurement even at a dark gradation. The liquid crystal display system can more accurately calibrate a display surface 3a of the liquid crystal color display 3 even at a dark gradation. |
| US08373720B2 |
Combined color harmony generation and artwork recoloring mechanism
Obtaining an original set of two or more original colors associated with an artwork is disclosed. An input set of one or more user selected colors is received. For each original color in the original set, a mapping from the original color to one of a plurality of derived colors is determined. The plurality of derived colors is derived based at least in part on one or more user selected colors. The artwork is colored with at least two of the plurality of derived colors using the mapping. |
| US08373717B2 |
Utilization of symmetrical properties in rendering
The symmetrical properties of a group of vertices are leveraged to reconstruct the group using vertex data for a subset of the vertices and a set of control data. The subset of vertices is symmetrical to one or more other subsets of vertices in the group, and the control data includes information to reconstruct the one or more other subsets using the vertex data for the first set of vertices and symmetrical characteristics of the group. In some embodiments, reconstruction is performed using a geometry shader in a graphics processor to compute the additional vertices. |
| US08373715B1 |
Projection painting with arbitrary paint surfaces
Object previews for projection painting operations using arbitrary paint surfaces are provided. The object preview is rendered from the view of the arbitrary projection paint surface. The object preview is provided to the user, who then may define projection paint attribute values by painting over the object preview. The projection paint attribute values are mapped back on to the projection paint surface and one or more images of the object geometry are rendered using the projection paint attribute values. Object previews are rendered by defining a camera view and a proxy surface. A mapping from the proxy surface to a projection surface is defined and associates proxy surface points with projection paint surface points. Rays generated using a projection operation are defined and a renderer uses these rays to determine attribute values for their associated points on the proxy surface to define an object preview image. |
| US08373714B2 |
Virtualization of graphics resources and thread blocking
Virtualization of graphics resources and thread blocking is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a system and method of a kernel in an operating system including generating a data structure having an identifier of a graphics resource assigned to a physical memory location in video memory, and blocking access to the physical memory location if a data within the physical memory location is in transition between video memory and system memory wherein a client application accesses memory in the system memory directly and accesses memory in the video memory through a virtual memory map. |
| US08373712B2 |
Method, system and computer-readable recording medium for providing image data
The present disclosure relates to a method, system and computer-readable medium for providing image data. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of providing image data includes storing a particular region on image data in association with a keyword, comparing conditional information with the keyword associated with the particular region, when receiving the conditional information from a user terminal unit, and controlling a display state of the image data to allow the particular region to be displayed on a screen of the user terminal unit. When a user inputs a keyword including content relating to a geographical feature or object, an actual shape of the geographical feature or object can be displayed on a screen of the user terminal unit. |
| US08373710B1 |
Method and system for improving computational concurrency using a multi-threaded GPU calculation engine
A computing system may include a plurality of GPUs, one or more CPUs, and a data store containing data to be analyzed. A user may register a calculation to be performed on the data, and the system may determine a scheme for allocating portions of the calculation and subsets of the data to different GPUs for concurrent execution. The system may also modify a user-provided algorithm to convert portions of the algorithm that are path-dependent into atomic path-independent operations that may be performed by GPU threads asynchronously. The system may also determine coordination operations sufficient for merging sub-results generated from individual GPU threads' execution of the atomic operations back into a path-dependent computation. The system may be configured to use any number of similar or different GPU devices, and for GPU devices to be added to or removed from the system without requiring programmers to alter their algorithms. |
| US08373706B2 |
Real-time goal-directed performed motion alignment for computer animated characters
A method for real-time, goal-directed performed motion alignment for computer animated characters. A sequence of periodic locomotion may be seamlessly aligned with an arbitrarily placed and rotated non-periodic performed motion. A rendering application generates a sampling of transition locations for transition from a locomotion motion space to a performed motion space. The sampling is parameterized by control parameters of the locomotion motion space. Based on the location and rotation of a goal location at which the performed motion is executed, a particular transition location may be selected to define a motion plan to which a performed motion sequence may then appended. Advantageously, by utilizing a look-up of pre-computed values for the control parameters of the motion plan, the rendering application may minimize the computational cost of finding the motion plan to move the character to a location to transition to a performed motion. |
| US08373705B2 |
Method for computing animation parameters of objects of a multimedia scene
A method is provided for creating a multimedia scene including at least one object animation, designed to be reproduced on at least one radio communication terminal. At least one of the animations is associated with a non-temporal animation variable, representing a state of at least one object of the scene, of at least one element of the terminal, and/or a state of at least one associated communication network. The variable provides a time-based function for the animation. A method is also provided for reproducing a multimedia scene comprising at least one object animation, on a radio communication terminal. |
| US08373703B2 |
System and method for incorporating a personalized writing style into a word program
A system, method and computer writeable medium for creating a personalized font and which includes an electronic pad exhibiting a display. A stylus pen is manipulated to mark upon at least one field exhibited by the pad on its display. A separate processor operable device incorporates a keyboard, and to which the electronic pad is communicated. In this fashion, the pad is utilized in combination with the keyboard in order to create a personalized font associated with a software writing program of the processor operable device. |
| US08373692B2 |
Light modulator, projection display apparatus and image projection method
A first linearly polarized bundle of rays of incident rays is converted by optical modulation with an input video signal into a second linearly polarized bundle of rays orthogonal to the first rays in polarization. The first rays pass through a polarizer before optically modulated. A second linearly polarized bundle of rays originally involved in the incident rays is reflected by the polarizer in a first direction. The second rays obtained by the optical modulation are reflected by the polarizer in a second direction. The second rays reflected in the second direction pass through another polarizer. A first linearly polarized bundle of rays involved in the reflected second rays is reflected by the other polarizer. The reflected first rays is detected by an optical sensor that is positioned outside an optical path of the second rays originally involved in the incident rays and reflected in the first direction. |
| US08373689B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device
An organic light emitting diode display device capable of achieving a considerable reduction in power consumption by generating a drive signal only for a period, in which the drive signal is actually required, is disclosed. The organic light emitting diode display device includes a DC-DC converter including a switching element to generate a drive signal by controlling an input voltage under a control of a logic, and a driver to supply, to pixels, the drive signal generated from the DC-DC converter in accordance with a timing. The logic includes an AND circuit to AND a control signal for drive signal generation and an output control signal maintained at a logic-high voltage only for a period in which the drive signal is to be supplied, and to supply a result of the ANDing operation. |
| US08373688B2 |
Method for controlling the output of devices in the network
Methods for allocating predetermined output display spaces to devices and allowing the devices to freely display desired information in the respective allocated spaces so as to easily control the devices is disclosed. That is, one of the methods for outputting information collected through a report request (S41, S42) on a display of a platform device in order to request basic device capability information of devices and allowing a user to directly control a selected device through a key passing-through method is disclosed. |
| US08373687B2 |
Organic light emitting display and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display capable of displaying images of uniform luminance and a method for driving the display are disclosed. The display senses degradation of the organic light emitting diode and threshold and/or mobility of a drive transistor and modifies the data supplied to the pixel according to the sensed parameters. |
| US08373686B2 |
Multi-level point-to-point transmission system and transmitter circuit and receiver circuit thereof
A multi-level point-to-point transmission system including at least one terminal resistor, a transmitter circuit, and a receiver circuit is disclosed. The transmitter circuit includes a first external resistor and a transmitter. The transmitter generates a first reference current according to the first external resistor and determines a current flowed through an output terminal thereof according to a transmission data and the first reference current. The receiver circuit includes a second external resistor, a third external resistor, and at least one receiver. The receiver generates a second reference current according to the second external resistor and generates a reference voltage difference according to the second reference current and the third external resistor. The receiver judges a voltage at the receiving terminal thereof according to the reference voltage difference so as to receive the transmission data correctly. |
| US08373685B2 |
Display systems
Driving methods for display panels are provided, in which a Kth row of pixels in a pixel array is driven during a first period, and a K+1th row of pixels in the pixel array is driven during a second period. A control clock applied for a charge pump is toggled at least N times during a third period between the first and second periods, and the control clock is maintained at a fixed logic level during the first and second periods, in which N≧2. |
| US08373681B2 |
Stylus having a retracted and extended position
A stylus comprises a shell, a stylus body, and a slide enabling member. The shell has a chamber defined therethrough. The stylus body is slidably accommodated in the chamber of the shell. The slide enabling member is slidably coupling the stylus body to the shell so the stylus body can slide relative to the shell from a retracted position to an extended position. The slide enabling member includes a sliding pin located at one of the stylus body and the shell, and a track defined at another one of the stylus body and the shell and slidably engaging with the sliding pin so the stylus body slides relative to the shell. |
| US08373680B2 |
Optical touch panel and coordinate information correction method and detecting device therefor
A coordinate information correction method for an optical touch panel includes: a) determining a set of to-be-corrected included angle values according to output signals received from light detectors, each of the to-be-corrected included angle values representing an included angle between a base line and a connecting line that extends from a respective one of the light detectors to a location of an object in a light curtain region; b) calculating a set of correction values, each of which is a finite order function of a respective one of the to-be-corrected included angle values; c) calculating a set of corrected included angle values from the set of to-be-corrected included angle values and the set of correction values; and d) generating corrected coordinate information associated with the location of the object in the light curtain region from the corrected included angle values. |
| US08373679B2 |
Infrared touchscreen electronics
Touchscreen electronics for detecting touches on a display screen broadly comprises a plurality of transmitters, a plurality of receivers, and a controller. Each transmitter may transmit at least one beam across the display screen, wherein the beam may be switched on and off in a repeated pattern. The receivers may detect the beams from the transmitters, and each receiver may generate an “on” value that corresponds to the beam being switched on and an “off” value that corresponds to the beam being switched off. The controller communicates with the transmitters and the receivers and may be configured to determine that a touch has occurred when the “on” value generated by one of the receivers transitions in a sequence from greater than an upper level to less than a lower level. |
| US08373676B2 |
Pointing device with solid-state roller
A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger. |
| US08373671B2 |
Touch screen device
Touch positions can be detected with a high accuracy. A receiver receives a charge-discharge current signal of a receiving electrode in response to a drive (pulse) signal applied to a transmission electrode, and outputs a level signal of each electrode intersection. The receiver includes an IV converter that converts the charge-discharge current signal to a voltage signal. A conversion characteristic of the IV converter is set such that phases of amplitude of the voltage signal corresponding to a leading edge and a trailing edge of a pulse wave of the drive signal substantially match each other, and phases of amplitude of the voltage signal corresponding to the trailing edge of the pulse wave and a leading edge of a succeeding pulse wave substantially match each other. |
| US08373669B2 |
Gradual proximity touch screen
In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus comprising a touch screen display, a sensing mechanism operable to sense an object in proximity of the touch screen display, and control logic coupled to the sensing mechanism and the touch screen display. The control logic is operable to calculate an anticipated touch point for the object on the touch screen. The control logic is responsive to calculating the anticipated touch point to increase a size of a portion of the touch screen display around the anticipated touch point. |
| US08373668B2 |
Electrophoretic display apparatus and operating method thereof
Disclosed are embodiments of an electrophoretic display apparatus and an operating method thereof. According to one or more embodiments, an update voltage compensating for the degradation of an image is applied to a related pixel after a predetermined time interval elapses, when a plurality of images are consecutively displayed on one screen. Thus, the update voltage may be prevented from being applied to the pixel before the image degradation occurs, thereby preventing the pixel from being over-charged. |
| US08373667B2 |
Flat panel display with capacitance sensing touch screen
There is disclosed a display device with an integral touch screen. A display panel includes a plurality of pixels controlled by a plurality of column electrodes and a plurality of row electrodes. A column driver having a plurality of outputs drives the plurality of column electrodes, and a row driver having a plurality of outputs drives the plurality of row electrodes. A column sensor and a row sensor sense capacitive coupling between the row and column electrodes and a probe adjacent to an external surface of the display panel. |
| US08373665B2 |
Interactive display device
Computing devices are disclosed which include a digitizer and a display, wherein the digitizer and the display are mounted on opposite surfaces of the device. For example, a computing device such as portable hand held device includes a display mounted on a front surface of the device and a digitizer is mounted on a rear surface of the device, wherein the digitizer receives a pointing action to be displayed on the display and wherein locations on a digitizer surface are mapped to locations on the display surface so that a user may easily indicate locations or objects on a screen without obscuring the user's view of the screen. |
| US08373663B2 |
Small form-factor keypad for mobile computing devices
Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices. |
| US08373657B2 |
Enhanced multi-touch detection
Enhanced multi-touch detection, in which a graphical user interface for an application is projected onto a surface, and electromagnetic radiation is emitted. The electromagnetic radiation is collectively emitted by an array defining a layer aligned parallel with the surface and overlapping at least a region of the surface onto which the graphical user interface is projected. Electromagnetic radiation is detected that reflects off of an object interrupting the defined layer where the defined layer overlaps the region of the surface onto which the graphical user interface is projected, and indicating a position of the object is output. |
| US08373656B2 |
Finger pointing apparatus
A finger pointing apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect the finger pointing apparatus includes at least one pressure sensor fixed on a hand for triggering a corresponding electromagnetic wave transmitter to transmit electromagnetic wave when pressure is produced by a finger contacting an external object. In another aspect, the finger pointing apparatus includes at least one electromagnetic wave transmitter connected with a corresponding pressure sensor and fixed on the hand for transmitting electromagnetic wave to all electromagnetic wave receivers when pressure is detected by the pressure sensor. In one aspect, the finger pointing apparatus includes at least two electromagnetic wave receivers arranged at fixed positions with respect to each other for receiving electromagnetic wave from the at least one electromagnetic wave transmitter and transmitting received electromagnetic wave to a microprocessor. In another aspect, the finger pointing apparatus includes a microprocessor for receiving electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave receivers, calculating coordinate values of a position pressed by the finger from electromagnetic wave from different electromagnetic wave receivers and outputting the coordinate values. |
| US08373655B2 |
Adaptive acceleration of mouse cursor
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for providing a user interface (UI) having a selector controllable by a physical input device. The response of the selector is adaptively adjusted to facilitate executing desired operations within the UI. A response factor defines how far the selector moves for a given movement of the physical input device. The response factor is increased so the selector can be moved a large distance, but is dynamically decreased to provide fine-tuned control of the selector for selecting densely grouped screen elements. Screen elements can be endowed with gravity, making them easy to select, or with anti-gravity, making them more difficult to select. The disclosure methods also provide tactile feedback such as vibration or braking of the physical input device to assist a user in executing desired operations. |
| US08373654B2 |
Image based motion gesture recognition method and system thereof
An image based motion gesture recognition method and system thereof are disclosed. In embodiment, a hand posture detection is performed according to the received image frames, to obtain a first hand posture. It is then determined whether the first hand posture matches a predefined starting posture or not. If the first hand posture matches said predefined starting posture, movement tracking is performed according to hand locations on image frames, to obtain a motion gesture. During said movement tracking, the hand posture detection is performed according to said image frames to obtain a second hand posture, and it is determined whether the second hand posture matches a predefined ending posture. If the second hand posture matches the predefined ending posture, the movement tracking is stopped. Therefore, reduce complexity motion gesture recognition can be reduced and the reliability in interaction can be improved. |
| US08373653B2 |
Hand integrated operations platform
One embodiment of a hand integrated mouse platform remotely operates one or more computer applications while worn on the user's hand and the hand is also free to do other things such as keyboarding, driving, and flying. |
| US08373652B2 |
Image display apparatus and image display method
An image display apparatus comprises a reference image display unit, a setting unit, an image generating unit and a tomographic image display unit. The reference image display unit displays a reference image on a display unit. The setting unit sets a display range of tomographic images in a first direction and either of a number of the tomographic images in the first direction to be displayed or a thickness of the tomographic images in the first direction, to image data corresponding to a plurality of slices. The image generating unit generates either of the tomographic images having the set thickness in the first direction or the set number of the tomographic images in the first direction using image data corresponding to a plurality of slices in the display range. The tomographic image display unit displays the generated tomographic images. |
| US08373649B2 |
Time-overlapping partial-panel updating of a bistable electro-optic display
A method for updating two or more regions of the display area of a bistable, electro-optic display device comprises selecting at least one first waveform for at least one pixel of a first region; (b) selecting at least one second waveform for at least one pixel of a second region; (c) updating the first region by generating and providing the first waveform to the at least one pixel of the first region; and (d) updating the second region by generating and providing the second waveform to the at least one pixel of the second region, wherein the first and second updates at least partially coincide in time. The first waveform is selected from a first drive scheme for use in a first update mode having a first period. The second waveform is selected from second a drive scheme for use in a second update mode having a second period. |
| US08373647B2 |
Surface light source device and display device
A surface light source device, which may perform surface light emission using a plurality of light guide members while suppressing formation of emission lines, and a display device using the surface light source device is provided. The surface light source device includes light sources, and a plurality of light guide members, each light guide member having a light incidence surface for light entering from each of the light sources, and making surface light emission based on incident light from the light incidence surface. The plurality of light guide members are arranged on the same plane, and each light guide member has tapered or curved surfaces adjacent to the light incidence surface, each tapered or curved surface having a predetermined angle against the light incidence surface. |
| US08373645B2 |
Method of driving light sources, light source driving device for performing the method and display apparatus having the circuit
A light source driving device includes a resolution analyzing part, a dimming block adjusting part, a local dimming part and a light source unit. The resolution analyzing part obtains an image resolution. The dimming block adjusting part adjusts the size or the number of dimming blocks generating light in a local dimming method in response to the resolution. The local dimming part generates a local dimming signal for individually driving the dimming blocks in response to the image data and the size or the number of dimming blocks. The light source unit is driven by the local dimming signal to generate light. The size or the number of the dimming blocks is adjusted to be optimized for the obtained image resolution, so that regardless of the image resolution, a local dimming signal corresponding to the size and the number of the dimming blocks may be generated. |
| US08373644B2 |
Backlight luminance control apparatus and video display apparatus
In a video display apparatus, a backlight for illuminating a liquid crystal panel is segmented into a plurality of areas. A frequency distribution processing unit calculates a dark pixel amount from the frequency distribution of the gradation values of pixels in a video image. A backlight control unit calculates a lower limit of luminance in each area included in the backlight so that the lower limit increases as the dark pixel amount becomes smaller. The backlight control unit adjusts the luminance in each area individually according to the gradation values in each portion of the video image, and adjusts the luminance in an area where the luminance is less than the lower limit to the lower limit. The difference in luminance between the areas illuminating dark portions of the video image is decreased, and the occurrence of luminance blur resulting from the difference in luminance between the areas is reduced. |
| US08373641B2 |
Power control system for LCD monitor
A power control system for an LCD monitor having an LCD panel includes a light source unit providing light to the LCD panel, a power supply unit generating a standard low DC current, and a high-voltage generator for converting the lower DC voltage to a relatively high voltage and supplying the high voltage to the light source. The power control system further includes a feedback control unit coupled to the power supply unit for interrupting the operation of the power supply unit when the converted high voltage is determined to be abnormal. The feedback control unit includes a cable, through which a voltage can be induced due to high voltage generated by the high-voltage generator, and a power supply control circuit capable of interrupting the operation of the power supply unit when the converted high voltage is determined to be abnormal by analyzing the induced current. |
| US08373638B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes: a plurality of scan signal lines and a plurality of data signal lines that cross each other; a plurality of pixels formed at each crossing of the scan signal lines and the data signal lines, wherein each of the pixels includes sub-pixels that display red color, green color, blue color and white color in response to a scan signal from the scan signal lines and a data signal from the data signal lines, wherein the sub-pixels are arranged in a 2×2 matrix; a scan signal driving circuit including a plurality of stages that supplies the scan signal to the scan signal lines; and a data signal driving circuit that supplies the data signal to the data signal lines, wherein the scan signal driving circuit, the pixels, the scan signal lines and the data signal lines are formed on a same substrate. |
| US08373631B2 |
Driving circuit of a semiconductor display device and the semiconductor display device
There are provided a driving circuit of a semiconductor display device which can obtain an excellent picture without picture blur (display unevenness) and with high fineness/high resolution, and the semiconductor display device. A buffer circuit used in the driving circuit of the semiconductor display device is constituted by a plurality of TFTs each having a small channel width, and a plurality of such buffer circuits are connected in parallel with each other. |
| US08373627B1 |
Low power optical interconnect driver circuit
A driver circuit for driving a light emitting semiconductor device. The driver circuit of this invention includes a capacitor connected between a source of voltage pulses and a light emitting semiconductor device. |
| US08373625B2 |
Display device and method of driving thereof
False contouring during display by time division gray scales can be prevented with high efficiency. The order of appearance of subframe periods, and the times at which the subframe periods begin, are changed between pixels driven by odd number gate signal lines and pixels driven by even number gate signal lines. For example, assume that display is performed in a display period Tr1 of a subframe period SF1, a display period Tr2 of a subframe period SF2, and a display period Tr3 of a subframe period SF3. The order of appearance of the display periods is changed between pixels driven by the odd number gate signal lines (B1) and pixels driven by the even number gate signal lines (B2). Although the non-light emitting display periods (display periods Tr3, Tr2, and Tr1) are continuous over nearly one frame period in the odd number lines of pixels when there is a gray scale change, non-light emission and light emission are repeated alternately at the same time for the even number lines of pixels. Accordingly, the brightness of the above light emission is averaged by human eyes, and therefore the generation of unnatural dark lines (false contouring) can be suppressed. |
| US08373619B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, aberration correction method, and computer-readable storage medium
An image processing system, which corrects an aberration generated in an optical system by executing coordinate conversion of pixels of an image, has a table which holds correspondence between the positions of pixels before and after the coordinate conversion, acquires coordinates after conversion corresponding to the coordinates of representative points to be converted from the table, and calculates coordinates after conversion of a pixel between the acquired representative points by an interpolation calculation using a Lagrange interpolation formula. |
| US08373613B2 |
Photovoltaic apparatus
A photovoltaic apparatus, through which an antenna is allowed to transmit and receive radio-frequency signals, includes a photovoltaic material and conducting electrodes. The photovoltaic material is used for converting photon energy into electrical energy, and the conducting electrodes collect and transfer the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic material. The arrangement of the conducting electrodes forms a frequency selective surface placed in the transmitting or receiving path of the antenna. The frequency selective surface and the antenna have a spacing there between. The projection of the frequency selective surface in the transmitting or receiving path of the antenna covers the antenna. |
| US08373612B2 |
Antenna installation apparatus and method
Methods and systems are disclosed for enabling installation of antennas in a cost effective and efficient manner. The methods and systems disclosed herein provide a hollow pole and an elevating mechanism, wherein the elevating mechanism can be used to position antenna equipment located in one or more capsules attached to the elevating mechanism. The antenna equipment may be attached to a removable power source located in the capsule or to a non-removable power source located at the base of the hollow pole. Additionally, the antenna equipment may also be attached to communications equipment adapted to communicate with one or more communications networks. In an embodiment disclosed herein, the capsules may be adapted to rotate around a one or more axis in response to received commands and/or in accordance with instructions stored on a memory module attached to the capsules. |
| US08373610B2 |
Microslot antennas for electronic devices
Microslot antennas may be provided for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices. The microslot antennas may have dielectric-filled microslots that are formed in a ground plane element. The ground plane element may be formed from part of a conductive device housing. The microslots may be narrow enough that they are not readily noticeable to the naked eye. The microslots may have lengths that allow the microslot antenna to provide antenna coverage in one or more communications bands. A first group of the microslots may be used to provide coverage in a first communications band and a second group of the microslots may be used to provide coverage in a second communications band. |
| US08373609B1 |
Perturbed square ring slot antenna with reconfigurable polarization
A reconfigurable polarization antenna includes a microwave dielectric substrate having a ground plane that has a centrally located slot with five conducting patches, four of which form an evenly spaced apart perimeter group with a gap between each and the fifth, centrally positioned conducting patch. A conducting pad is positioned in each gap and is connected via a switch to the ground plane. A microstrip feed line including a short stub is positioned on the opposite side of the substrate and electromagnetically coupled to the slot. The polarization of the antenna is reconfigured by a selection of an on or off state of each of said switches. |
| US08373608B2 |
Reconfigurable antenna pattern verification
A method of verifying programmable antenna configurations is disclosed. The method comprises selecting a desired antenna configuration from a plurality of antenna configuration patterns, with the selected antenna configuration forming at least one reconfigurable antenna from reconfigurable antenna array elements. The method validates the formation of the selected antenna configuration to determine antenna performance of the at least one reconfigurable antenna. |
| US08373607B2 |
Tunable antenna structure having a variable capacitor
A tunable antenna structure having a variable capacitor includes a substrate, a first metal strip, a second metal strip and a third metal strip formed on the substrate, a variable capacitor element located between the first metal strip and the second metal strip, an inductor element located between the second metal strip and the third metal strip, a first capacitor element located between the first metal strip and the third metal strip, and a second capacitor element located on the third metal strip. |
| US08373606B2 |
Slim mobile communication device and antenna structure thereof
A slim mobile communication device includes an antenna structure. The antenna structure includes a dielectric substrate, a ground element, an antenna element, and a feeding line. The antenna element is a planar structure and is disposed on a no-ground portion of the dielectric substrate. At least two edges of the no-ground portion are surrounded by a ground element of the dielectric substrate, wherein one of the edges used as a feeding edge and the other edges are non-feeding edges. A distance between the non-feeding side edge of the antenna element and the second edge of the no-ground portion is smaller than 3 mm. A length of the non-feeding side edge of the antenna element is at least 5 mm. The non-feeding side edge of the antenna element is short-circuited to the ground element. The feeding line is coupled to the feeding side edge of the antenna element. |
| US08373602B2 |
Antenna and portable wireless communication device using the same
An antenna mounted on a baseboard including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface includes a feed portion, two radiating portions, a ground portion and a coupling portion. The feed portion and the two radiating portions are disposed on the first surface, and the two radiating portions are connected to the feed portion. The ground portion and the coupling portion are disposed on the second surface, and the coupling portion is connected to the ground portion. The coupling portion passes through the baseboard and couples with two radiating portions. |
| US08373599B2 |
Antenna module, wireless communication device using the antenna module and method for adjusting a performance factor of the antenna module
An antenna module includes an antenna, a substrate defining a plurality of notches, and a plurality of filling blocks. The antenna is attached to the substrate. The filling blocks have a permittivity higher than the substrate and are received in a portion of the notches covered by the antenna to raise the permittivity of the substrate. |
| US08373598B2 |
Antenna device and dual-band antenna
An antenna device includes a substrate, and a dual-band antenna disposed on a surface of the substrate. The dual-band antenna includes a feed-in section, a first radiator arm, a second radiator arm, a third radiator arm, and a ground section. The feed-in section is for signal feed-in, and has opposite first and second ends. The first radiator arm extends from the first end of the feed-in section and is parallel to the feed-in section. The second radiator arm is connected to the second end of the feed-in section and extends parallel to the feed-in section. The third radiator arm is disposed adjacent to and extends parallel to the first radiator arm in a manner that the feed-in section is disposed between the third radiator arm and the second radiator arm. The ground section is connected to the third radiator arm. |
| US08373597B2 |
High-power-capable circularly polarized patch antenna apparatus and method
A circularly polarized patch antenna uses a square quarter-wavelength conductive plate, spaced away from a slightly larger backing conductor. Excitation uses a coaxial feed stem pair, whereof respective inner conductors join the patch at orthogonal locations on a reference circle, and outer conductors intrude past points of joining to the backing conductor to establish gaps that interact with patch and backing conductor size and spacing to jointly establish terminal impedance. A parasitic element in the propagation path broadens bandwidth, while a frame behind serves to define a cavity reflector. A power divider behind the frame converts a single applied broadcast signal into two equal signals with orthogonal phase, which signals are delivered to the feed stems with equal-length coaxial lines. |
| US08373594B1 |
Low frequency directed energy shielding
A method and apparatus for use in generating and imparting a low frequency, directed energy wavefield are disclosed. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a low frequency directional array, comprising: a plurality of array elements capable of generating a low frequency, directed energy wavefront; and a canceling element capable of actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method, comprising: imparting a low frequency, directed wavefront; and actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront. |
| US08373593B2 |
Navigation receiver for processing signals from a set of antenna units
A navigation receiver processes signals transmitted by global navigation satellites and received by a set of antenna units. Each antenna unit is connected to a separate input port of an antenna multiplexer switch. Satellite signals received from each antenna unit are consecutively switched to the input of a common radiofrequency processing module. A common signal correlator generates a common in-phase correlation signal from the satellite signals received from all the antenna units. The common in-phase correlation signal is processed by a data processing module to demodulate information symbols from the received satellite signals. The common in-phase correlation signal is also processed by phase-lock loops and delay-lock loops to generate carrier phases and code delays from the received satellite signals. Embodiments are described in which, along with the common in-phase correlation signal, common functional blocks or hardware are used to process the satellite signals received from all the antenna units. |
| US08373591B2 |
System for sensing aircraft and other objects
A system for sensing aircraft and other objects uses bistatic radar with spread-spectrum signals transmitted from remotely located sources such as aircraft flying at very high altitudes or from a satellite constellation. A bistatic spread spectrum radar system using a satellite constellation can be integrated with a communications system and/or with a system using long baseline radar interferometry to validate the digital terrain elevation database. The reliability and safety of TCAS and ADS-B are improved by using the signals transmitted from a TCAS or ADS-B unit as a radar transmitter with a receiver used to receive reflections. Aircraft and other objects using spread spectrum radar are detected by using two separate receiving systems. Cross-Correlation between the outputs of the two receiving systems reveals whether a noise signal is produced by the receiving systems themselves or is coming from the outside. |
| US08373583B2 |
Compression producing output exhibiting compression ratio that is at least equal to desired compression ratio
An embodiment may include first circuitry and second circuitry. The first circuitry may compress, at least in part, based at least in part upon a first set of statistics, input to produce first output exhibiting a first compression ratio. If the first compression ratio is less than a desired compression ratio, the second circuitry may compress, at least in part, based at least in part upon a second set of statistics, the first output to produce second output. The first set of statistics may be based, at least in part, after an initial compression, upon other data that has been previously compressed and is associated, at least in part, with the input. The second set of statistics may be based at least in part upon the input. Many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible. |
| US08373578B1 |
Wireless head for a traffic preemption system
A wireless head for a traffic preemption system. Implementations may include one or more optical receivers adapted to identify an optical signal transmitted by an optical transmitter included in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and one or more head radio transceivers adapted to identify a radio signal transmitted by a vehicle radio transceiver included in the vehicle preemption unit. A head radio frequency (RF) modem may also be included adapted to transmit one or more radio signals to an intersection RF modem. The head may be mounted to a traffic support fixture. The one or more optical receivers, one or more head radio transceivers, and the head RF modem may all be operably coupled together within the wireless head. The intersection preemption unit may be adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted. |
| US08373576B2 |
Wireless sensor network with variable priority
A system for wirelessly monitoring a plurality of parameters is disclosed. A first remote transceiver is attached to at least one first sensor for monitoring one of the parameters and a second remote transceiver is attached to at least one second sensor for monitoring another of said parameters. The system includes a base station transceiver. The first and second remote transceivers reach periodically report normal operating conditions to the base station transceiver. The first remote transceiver reports abnormal sensor readings with no substantial delay after occurrence. The second remote transceiver reports abnormal sensor readings a predetermined length of time after occurrence. |
| US08373567B2 |
System and method for identifying non-event profiles
Valid driving events and non-events are identified, and detailed information is stored for valid events. Valid events are those captured driving events that are essential to testing of a driver's risky behavior. Remaining captured events which are not identified as involving risky behavior are non-events. At least one event capture device captures location, trigger force, images, and other information that collectively comprise an event. An event detector compares the captured event data to previously created non-event profiles and determines whether the captured event is a non-event. An abbreviated record is created for each identified non-event. For valid driving events, detailed driving event records are created. The records are stored at an evaluation server and are accessible to an analysis station for scoring and review. |
| US08373563B2 |
Electronic tag and method for using an electronic tag configured to track at least one plant
A system for tracking at least one plant includes an electronic tag including an interrogation interface and memory circuitry and a package for the electronic tag, the package being configured for physical association with at least one corresponding plant. The package may be configured for self-contained physical association with the at least one plant. The electronic tag may be interrogated by multiple trading partners in a supply chain. |
| US08373562B1 |
Asset tracking system
An asset tracking system includes a station, transmitting points, and tag units. The tag units can be used for communicating with the transmitting points. The station receives data associated with signal strengths between wireless access points and tag units. The station analyzes the data associated with a number of the transmitting points and determines the location of the tag units. |
| US08373560B2 |
Communication apparatus and portable communication terminal using the same
When commonly using a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna having mutually opposing characteristics, the present invention makes it possible to commonly use the antennas without deteriorating the characteristics of both antennas. In a communication apparatus including both of an RF-ID function circuit to perform contactless communication with an external reader/writer device and a reader/writer function circuit to perform contactless communication with an external RF-ID, there is disposed a common antenna shared therebetween. And, a transmitting and receiving resonance frequency switching circuit is connected in parallel to the common antenna; when selecting each function, a resonance frequency is automatically changed by the transmitting and receiving resonance frequency switching circuit. |
| US08373556B2 |
Medical data transport over wireless life critical network
A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing that supports a processor coupled to memory for storing medical firmware and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, and a power source. Communications between a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and the first radio of the PPC are effected in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and communications between the second radio of the PPC and the wireless network are effected in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. Data from the PIMD is received via the first radio to which a priority level is assigned, such as in a tiered manner. A data transport mechanism is selected among disparate data transport mechanisms based at least in part on the priority level. PIMD data is transmitted to the wireless network using the selected transport mechanism via the second radio. |
| US08373555B1 |
Garage door remote system with alert feature
A garage door opening system for alerting a user if the garage door is left open featuring an interface unit for integrating into the garage door, the interface unit comprises a motor microprocessor, a door position sensor; and an interface transceiver; and a remote device comprising a remote microprocessor, a remote transceiver, a speaker, and a push button, wherein the push button functions to move the garage door between the open and closed positions, wherein the transceivers are in two-way communication with each other within a range, wherein if the remote device is out of range and the garage door is left open the alarm is activated to alert the user. |
| US08373548B2 |
Portable lap counter and system
A highly portable, vertically-standing RFID tag reader, referred to as a “bollard,” is presented. The bollard includes a vertical element supporting an internal RFID tuner component above the surface on which the bollard rests. Additionally, each bollard includes a base element that provides vertical stability to the vertical element and a plurality of internal components. The internal components include the following: a power system, a processor, a tuner component, and a wireless interface. The power system provides power to the powered components of the bollard. The processor directs and/or executes the functions of the bollard with regard to an event in which the bollard is configured to participate. The tuner component is configured to read RFID tags that come within RFID communication range of the bollard. The wireless interface component is configured to provide wireless communications between the bollard and an operator console. |
| US08373547B2 |
Method and apparatus for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices that share a common power signal. During operation, the system receives a request to change power usage. In response to the request, the system inserts a phase-cut notch into the common power signal. A device that is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch detects this notch in the common power signal, and in response triggers a power-state change. For instance, the device may trigger a reduced-power state when it detects a phase-cut notch. |
| US08373546B2 |
Mobile body remote control system
A system that remotely controls a mobile body includes a guideway (i.e., balanced feeder line) for guiding the mobile body to its destination, and a coupling device provided on the mobile body for transmitting and receiving control information to control movement of the mobile body along the guideway. The coupling device includes a first loop antenna and a second loop antenna that are cross-connected to each other. A distance from the center of the balanced feeder line to the center of the first loop antenna is less than a distance from the center of the balanced feeder line to the center of the second loop antenna. The system can operate with an extremely low power of emission with a weak electric field intensity of a radio wave for controlling the movement of the mobile body. |
| US08373539B2 |
Gas cutoff apparatus
It is an objective to appropriately assure a function of limiting use of appliances that cause changes in quantities of gas used. There are provided a flow detection unit 10; a flow computing unit 11; an average flow computing unit 12; a flow storage unit 13 that records an average flow quantity value; a flow change determination unit 14 that determines whether there is a flow change; a flow registration unit 15 that registers a flow quantity corresponding to a flow change or deletes a registered flow quantity close to the flow change when the flow change determination unit 14 has determined an incremental or decremental change; a flow memory unit 16; a flow change correction memory unit 17 that, when the flow change determination unit has determined presence of a change and when only the maximum flow quantity is registered, determines whether or not a sum of registered flow quantities deleted in the past and an average flow fall within a predetermined range; a determination period unit 18 that, when no flow change is determined to have been for a predetermined time period, deletes flow quantities in the flow memory unit and the registered flow quantity, thereby performing re-registration; a monitoring value memory unit 19; an abnormality determination unit 20 that compares the flow quantity value in the flow registration unit with a determination value of the monitoring value memory unit, thereby determining presence or absence of an abnormality; and an operating time correction unit 22 that outputs a re-registration correction signal through use of a determination period unit. |
| US08373538B1 |
Mobile device monitoring and control system
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for surreptitiously installing, monitoring, and operating software on a remote computer controlled wireless communication device are described. One aspect includes a control system for communicating programming instructions and exchanging data with the remote computer controlled wireless communication device. The control system is configured to provide at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a computer implemented device controller; a module repository in electronic communication with the device controller; a control service in electronic communication with the device controller; an exfiltration data service in electronic communication with the device controller configured to receive, store, and manage data obtained surreptitiously from the remote computer controlled wireless communication device; a listen-only recording service in electronic communication with the device controller; and a WAP gateway in electronic communication with the remote computer controlled wireless communication device. |
| US08373537B2 |
Resistor having parallel structure and method of fabricating the same
There are provided a resistor and a method of fabricating the same. The resistor includes: a substrate; a lower resistant material layer formed on the upper portion of the substrate; an insulating layer to be stacked on the upper portion of the lower resistant material layer; an upper resistant material layer to be stacked on the upper portion of the insulating layer; and two penetration parts vertically penetrating through the insulating layer, wherein the penetration part is filled with a resistant material having the same component as that of the lower resistant material layer and the upper resistant material layer to electrically connect the upper resistant material layer to the lower resistant material layer. |
| US08373534B2 |
Flexible coil
The present invention is to provide a coil having flexibility even if it includes a core body. A flexible coil 10 comprises a plurality of sheet-like coils laminated together in a region sharing a magnetic flux, wherein each sheet-like coil has a coil section formed along a surface of an insulating sheet having flexibility; and magnetic bodies 80 and 81 that have flexibility and sandwich the plurality of the laminated sheet-like coils. |
| US08373530B2 |
Power converter method and apparatus
The invention comprises a power converter method and apparatus, which is optionally part of a filtering method and apparatus. A corona potential is the potential for long term breakdown of winding wire insulation due to the high electric potentials between winding turns winding a mid-level power inductor in a converter system. The high electric potential creates ozone, which breaks down insulation coating the winding wire and results in degraded performance or failure of the inductor. In one embodiment, the inductor is configured with inductor winding spacers, such as a main inductor spacer and/or inductor segmenting winding spacers. The spacers are used to space winding turns of a winding coil about an inductor. The insulation of the inductor spacer minimizes energy transfer between windings and thus minimizes corona potential, formation of corrosive ozone through ionization of oxygen, correlated breakdown of insulation on the winding wire, and electrical shorts in the inductor. |
| US08373529B2 |
Amorphous metal continuous flux path transformer and method of manufacture
In a three phase transformer core, amorphous metal strips are wound into rings that are combined into frames and assembled to define cores with leg cross sections that have more than 4 sides to facilitate winding transformer windings onto the legs using winding tubes. The amorphous metal layers are secured relative to one another and the core made more rigid using resin, silicon steel layers included in the amorphous metal core, or by using strapping or tying devices. |
| US08373528B2 |
Magnetic field control method and magnetic field generator
There is provided a magnetic field control method and a magnetic field generator which are capable of moving a local maximum point of magnetic field intensity on a predetermined plane easily to any given point within a predetermined area on the predetermined plane. A magnetic field generator 10 includes a pair of permanent magnets 16a, 16b provided axially of a predetermined axis A, with a gap G in between. The permanent magnet 16a is formed on a drive unit 14a in such a way that a center region 30a of a first main surface 26a is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16b is formed on a drive unit 14b in such a way that a center region 30b of a first main surface 26b is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16a revolves on a path R1 as a rotating member 24a rotates. The permanent magnet 16b revolves on a path R2 as a rotating member 24b rotates. A local maximum point M is moved on an X-Y plane by performing at least one of a first operation of revolving the permanent magnets 16a, 16b relatively to each other and a second operation of revolving the permanent magnets 16a, 16b in the same direction by the same angle. |
| US08373525B2 |
Electromagnetic contactor
An electromagnetic contactor has a stationary core; a coil arranged around the stationary core; a movable holder movable toward the stationary core; a movable core coupled to one end of the movable holder for being attracted to the stationary core by the excitation of the coil; and a nonmagnetic structural component arranged on the movable core facing the stationary core. The nonmagnetic structural component is a flat plate structural component with high flexural rigidity, overlaid on the surface of the movable core to face the stationary core. The nonmagnetic structural component and the movable core are held between a cushioning spring and a coupling pin. The cushioning spring is contained in the movable holder and buts the back face of the movable core not facing the stationary core. The coupling pin crosses the nonmagnetic structural component with both ends engaged with a pair of holder legs. |
| US08373523B2 |
Electromagnetic trip device
An electromagnetic trip device for a circuit breaker is provided. The electromagnetic trip device includes a current path having a conductor guiding an electric current through at least one contact point formed between a fixed and at least one movable contact piece. A contact lever carries the at least one movable contact piece. The contact lever is mounted to be movable between a closed contact position and an open contact position. The electromagnetic trip device also includes a magnetic circuit with an air-gap. The movable contact lever is at least partially located in the air-gap. The electric current flows through the contact lever in a direction substantially perpendicular to the orientation of magnetic flux in the air-gap. |
| US08373520B2 |
Power coupler for industrial high-frequency generator
The invention relates to a device for coupling individual high-frequency amplifiers (M1, M2, . . . Mn) operating at a frequency f, including n high-frequency inputs E1, E2, . . . Ei, . . . Ep, . . . En, n being an integer greater than 1, i and p being two integers between 1 and n, p being different from i, and a power high-frequency output (S) to supply a load (R) with a power which is the sum of the powers supplied by all the individual amplifiers connected via their power outputs to said high-frequency inputs. The coupling device includes n inductors L1, L2, Li, . . . Lp, . . . Ln connected by one of their ends to a respective high-frequency input, their other ends being connected together to one end (B) of an output capacitor (Cs) the other end of which is connected to the high-frequency output (S) in order to form as many series resonant LC circuits, resonating at the operating frequency f, between the inputs E1, E2, . . . Ei, . . . Ep, . . . En and the high-frequency output (S), as there are amplifiers to be coupled. |
| US08373519B2 |
Switchable power combiner
A switchable power combiner is disclosed. The switchable power combiner has an output section that is a signal source connected to a transformer section. The transformer section has one or more primaries and a common secondary. The transformer primaries and secondary are acoustically coupled. The primaries or/and the secondary are made of switchable piezoelectric material, such that the acoustic coupling between any primary and the secondary can be switched on or off by electrical control, thereby implementing a switchable power combiner. The transformer secondary is connected to an antenna port. The power amplifier output section is segmented and connected to the transformer primaries. The power amplifier output section has a plurality of power amplifiers and a plurality of reactance elements, either fixed or variable. The switchable power combiner generates different linear load lines by switching on and off the coupling between any primary and the secondary. |
| US08373517B2 |
Power supply cable for power line communication equipment
A connector including a magnetic core and a cable. The cable includes a first conductor and a second conductor. The first conductor and the second conductor are wound around each other. The cable is wound a plurality of times through a center of and around the magnetic core. A first end of the first conductor and a first end of the second conductor are configured to connect to power line communication equipment. A second end of the first conductor and a second end of the second conductor are configured to connect to a power line. |
| US08373515B2 |
TCXO replacement for GPS
To determine the level of frequency drift of a crystal oscillator as a result of a change in the its temperature, the temperature of the crystal oscillator is sensed and used together with previously stored data that includes a multitude of drift values of the frequency of the crystal oscillator each associated with a temperature of the crystal oscillator. Optionally, upon initialization of a GPS receiver in which the crystal oscillator is disposed, an initial temperature of the crystal oscillator is measured and a PLL is set to an initial frequency in association with the initial temperature. When acquisition fails in a region, the ppm region is changed. The temperature of the crystal oscillator is periodically measured and compared with the initial temperature, and the acquisition process is reset if there is a significant change in temperature. The GPS processor enters the tracking phase when acquisition is successful. |
| US08373498B2 |
Boosting circuit of charge pump type and boosting method
A boosting circuit of charge pump type includes: charging portion for applying an input voltage to a first capacitor; double boosting portion for applying the input voltage to a second capacitor and applying a sum of the input voltage and a voltage across the first capacitor to an output capacitor in a first predetermined period after start of a boosting operation; and triple boosting portion for repeating in order, after end of the first predetermined period, a step of applying the sum of the input voltage and the voltage across the first capacitor to the second capacitor and a step of applying a sum of the voltage across the first capacitor and a voltage across the second capacitor to the output capacitor. |
| US08373492B2 |
High-frequency switch module and high-frequency switch apparatus
A high-frequency switch module includes a multi-layer substrate, and a switch circuit mounted on the multi-layer substrate. The multi-layer substrate includes a terminal through which a plurality of high-frequency signals in a plurality of frequency bands are input and output, a plurality of switch terminals, terminals to which control signals to control the switch circuit are supplied, current paths that connect the terminals to the switch circuit, and resistors that are provided on the current paths and have resistance values greater than the resistance values of the current paths. The switch circuit connects the terminal to the switch terminals corresponding to the frequency bands of high-frequency signals input and output through the terminal based on the control signals. |
| US08373491B2 |
Switched current mirror with good matching
A current mirror circuit exhibits improved current matching by applying a switching signal to ground path switches in series with transistors in both a reference path and an output path of the current mirror. The switching signal may comprise a high-frequency signal, which may be phase modulated. A plurality of matched, parallel-connected output transistors may be selectively enabled by qualifying the switching signal applied to each corresponding series-connected ground path switches by decoded digital modulation data. In one embodiment, the modulation data is decoded to thermometer-coded representation. In one embodiment, the switching signal path is identical to the reference and output circuits. |
| US08373487B1 |
True RMS power measurement
Systems and methods are provided for power measurement of signals such that the power measurement is insensitive to PVT variations of the measurement systems. A power measurement system includes an analog squarer circuitry, an integrating ADC, and a controller. The squarer circuitry calculates the power of a signal whose power is to be measured while the integrating ADC integrates the calculated power over a runup interval to generate an integrated power. The squarer circuitry also calculates the power of a reference for the integrating ADC to de-integrate the integrated power over a rundown interval. The power measurements are independent of PVT variations of the analog squarer circuitry and integrating ADC. The controller digitally controls the runup interval and measures the rundown interval to provide digitized power measurements. The analog squarer circuitry have replica squarer circuits. Process dependent mismatches between the replica analog circuitry may be removed through a calibration process. |
| US08373486B2 |
Structure for a frequency adaptive level shifter circuit
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a frequency adaptive level shifter circuit. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit includes a first inverter, a second inverter coupled to the output of the first inverter, a capacitor coupled to the output of the second inverter, and a resistor coupled to the output of the capacitor. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit further includes a transistor coupled to the output of the resistor, wherein the transistor has a gate connected to a reference voltage, a third inverter coupled to the output of the capacitor, and a fourth inverter coupled to the output of the third inverter and the transistor and outputting the signal. |
| US08373485B2 |
Voltage level shifting apparatus
A voltage level shifting apparatus is disclosed. The voltage level shifting apparatus has a cross-coupled transistor pair, a plurality of transistor pairs, a first diode string, a second diode string and an input transistor pair. One of the transistor pairs is coupled to the cross-coupled transistor pair, and the transistor pairs are controlled by a plurality of reference voltages. The first and the second diode strings are coupled between two of the transistor pairs. Each of the first and the second diode strings has at least one diode. The input transistor pair receives a first and a second input voltage, and the first and second input voltages are complementary signals. The cross-coupled transistor pair generates and outputs a first output voltage and a second output voltage by shifting the voltage level of the first and the second input voltage. |
| US08373482B2 |
Temperature sensor programmable ring oscillator, processor, and pulse width modulator
A method of programming a ring oscillator for use as a temperature sensor comprises selecting an initial number of delay elements for use in a ring oscillator. The method further comprise starting a system clock counter and counting pulses of the ring oscillator until the system clock counter reaches a programmed value. The method also comprises determining whether a number of counted ring oscillator pulses is between lower and upper count thresholds and changing the number of delay elements for the ring oscillator as a result of the number of counted ring oscillator pulses being less than the lower count threshold or greater than the upper count threshold. |
| US08373480B2 |
Delay locked loop semiconductor apparatus that models a delay of an internal clock path
A delay locked loop semiconductor apparatus that models a delay of an internal clock path is presented. The semiconductor apparatus includes: a DLL and a detection code output block. The DLL includes a delay model unit in which a delay value of an internal clock path is modeled and is configured to output a DLL clock signal of which the phase is controlled by reflecting the delay value of the internal clock path into an applied input clock signal. The detection code output block is configured to output a phase difference detection code having a code value corresponding to a phase difference between a first phase correction clock signal generated by reflecting a model delay value of the delay model unit into the DLL clock signal and a second phase correction clock signal generated by reflecting an actual delay value of the internal clock path into the DLL clock signal. |
| US08373478B2 |
Semiconductor device and delay locked loop circuit thereof
A semiconductor device includes a first phase detector for detecting a phase of a second clock by comparing the phase of the second clock with the phase of the first clock, a second phase detector for detecting a phase of a clock obtained by delaying the second clock by a set delay amount, a third phase detector for detecting the phase of the second clock by delaying the first clock by the set delay amount, and a phase difference detection signal generator for setting a logic level of a phase difference detection signal corresponding to a phase difference between the first and second clocks detecting that the phase of the first or second clock is changed, and change the logic level of the phase difference detection signal. |
| US08373476B2 |
Device and method for compensating a signal propagation delay
A device for compensating a delay τ suffered by a first periodic signal ref(t) during propagation between a first and second end of a first transmission connection, comprising at least: first means able to generate a second signal ref(t+τ) corresponding to the first signal ref(t) the phase of which is advanced by a time equal to the delay τ, second means able to generate, from a third signal ref(t−τ) obtained at the second end of the first transmission connection and corresponding to the first signal ref(t) the phase of which is delayed by the delay τ, and from the second signal ref(t+τ), a fourth signal in phase with the first signal ref(t). |
| US08373473B2 |
Dual-loop phase lock loop
A dual-loop phase lock loop includes a phase frequency detector, a first charge pump, a second charge pump, a first capacitor, a filter, a first adder, a voltage controlled delay line, and a frequency divider. The phase frequency detector is used for outputting a switch signal according to a reference clock and a divided feedback clock. The first charge pump and the first capacitor are used for generating a coarse control voltage according to the switch signal. The second charge pump, the filter, and the first adder are used for generating a fine control voltage according to the switch signal and the coarse control voltage. The voltage controlled delay line is used for outputting a feedback clock according to the coarse control voltage and the fine control voltage. The frequency divider is used for dividing the feedback clock to output the divided feedback clock. |
| US08373471B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and DLL circuit using the same
A semiconductor apparatus includes: an update pulse generating unit configured to generate an update pulse every first period based on a frequency of a clock, and a control unit configured to control an output signal in response to an input signal and the update pulse, so that the output signal is varied based on the input signal. |
| US08373469B2 |
Phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer and method of operating the same
A phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer generates a plurality of output reference signals by phase-delaying an input reference signal and generates a plurality of comparison signals by using a signal having a frequency divided by the fractional frequency divider. Here, the comparison signals are lower than the divided frequency. Further, the phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer controls an output frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator through phase and frequency comparison between the plurality of output reference signals and the plurality of comparison signals. |
| US08373467B2 |
Method using digital phase-locked loop circuit including a phase delay quantizer
A phase locked loop circuit and method for use, in accordance with an embodiment, implements a digital phase delay quantizer to replace the analog charge-pump and phase frequency detector in an analog PLL circuit. Therefore, the built-in loop filter can be a compact-sized, high order, high bandwidth, and high attenuation digital filter as well. The digital PLL circuit takes advantage of the deep sub-micron process technology which features high speed, high resolution, compact size, and low power. |
| US08373462B2 |
Delay lock loop and delay lock method
A delay lock loop comprising: a first delay loop, for delaying an input signal to generate a first output signal; a second delay loop, for frequency-dividing and delaying the input signal to generate a second output signal, wherein a frequency of the first output signal is higher than which of the second output signal; a phase detector, selectively detecting phases of the input signal, and one of the first delayed output signal and the second delayed output signal, to generate a phase detecting result; and a delay control circuit, for generating a first and a second delay control signal according to the phase detecting result, wherein the first and the second delay control signals are respectively transmitted to the first delay loop and the second delay loop, to control delay amounts of the first delay loop and the second delay loop. |
| US08373461B2 |
PLL frequency synthesizer
A VCO oscillates at a frequency that corresponds to a control voltage. A frequency mixer performs frequency mixing of the output signal of the VCO and a local signal having a local frequency. A first filter extracts a difference frequency signal obtained by the mixing operation of the mixer. A phase difference detection unit makes a comparison between the phase of the difference frequency signal extracted by the first filter and the phase of a reference signal having a reference frequency, and generates a phase difference signal that corresponds to the phase difference. A loop filter performs filtering of the phase difference signal so as to generate the control signal. A second filter extracts a summation frequency signal obtained by the mixing operation of the mixer, and outputs the summation frequency signal via an output terminal thereof. |
| US08373459B2 |
Power-on reset circuit
An integrated circuit provides a power on reset signal with respect to a supply voltage level supplying the electronic device. The integrated circuit comprises a bias current generating stage having a first current mirror and an output stage having first, second and third series connected MOS transistors. A connection between the second MOS transistor and the third MOS transistor forms a POR output node. A gate of the second MOS transistor and a gate of the third MOS transistor are coupled to each other and to the first current mirror. This allows a current through the third MOS transistor when the supply voltage is higher than a first MOS transistor threshold and a current through the second MOS transistor only when the supply voltage is greater than or equal to the sum of the first MOS transistor threshold and a second MOS transistor threshold voltage. |
| US08373455B1 |
Output buffer circuit
An output driver circuit can include at least a first driver transistor having a source-drain path coupled between a first power supply node and an output node. A first variable current supply can generate a current having at least one component that is inversely proportional to a power supply voltage. A first driver switch element can be coupled in series with the first variable current supply between a gate of the at least first driver transistor and a second power supply node. |
| US08373454B2 |
Power stage
An power stage has a differential output stage 2 driven by one or more buffer stages 4. The buffer stages 4 are implemented as high and low side buffers 12,14, each of which is itself a differential buffer implemented using transistors formed in an isolated-well technology such as triple-well CMOS. |
| US08373451B1 |
Digital driver with RC tuned transition control
Improved digital driver with transition time control of an output stage output transistor of the digital driver. A predriver circuit has a resistor that forms an RC time constant with a feedback capacitor of the output transistor. The RC time constant is adjusted to control corner resolution of the output transistor in output switching. The RC time constant can be controlled by a digitally-controlled variable capacitor. Additionally, a delay may be introduced in the turning on of the output transistor as compared with the turn off time to reduce simultaneous conduction or shoot-through current. |
| US08373449B2 |
Circuit arrangement including a common source sense-FET
A current sensing circuit arrangement is disclosed. The circuit arrangement includes a load transistor for controlling a load current to a load being coupled to a drain electrode of the load transistor. A sense transistor is coupled to the load transistor. The sense transistor has a drain electrode that provides a measurement current representative of the load current. The load transistor and the sense transistor are field effect transistors having a common source electrode. A measurement circuit is configured to receive the measurement current from the sense transistor and to generate an output signal therefrom, the output signal being representative of the load current. |
| US08373448B2 |
Electronic load of semiconductor element
An electronic load for a semiconductor element is provided. The electronic load includes at least two slope generating circuits, each of which generates a current according to a current for the electronic load corresponding to an output voltage of a power supply. Each slope generating circuit comprises at least a first slope generating circuit that simulates a first slope when the output voltage of the power supply is between 0V to a rated voltage, and a second slope generating circuit that simulates a second slope when the output voltage of the power supply is higher than the conducting state voltage of the semiconductor element by subtracting the forward bias voltage from the output voltage of the power supply. |
| US08373445B2 |
Transmission input circuit
This transmission input circuit is provided with an adjustment processing section which turns ON a switch at an empty timing where transmission current from a slave device is not flowing, to allow a reference current to flow from a constant current circuit to a current detection resistor, generates in the current detection resistor a target adjustment voltage, in which a threshold voltage corresponding to the reference current is added to a load current detection voltage corresponding to the load current, and adjusts a digital value so that a reference voltage output from a digital variable resistor matches with the target adjustment voltage. |
| US08373443B2 |
Logic circuit
An object is to apply a transistor using an oxide semiconductor to a logic circuit including an enhancement transistor. The logic circuit includes a depletion transistor 101 and an enhancement transistor 102. The transistors 101 and 102 each include a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a first oxide semiconductor layer, a second oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The transistor 102 includes a reduction prevention layer provided over a region in the first oxide semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode. |
| US08373440B2 |
Three dimensional multilayer circuit
A three dimensional multilayer circuit includes a via array made up of a set of first vias and a set of second vias and an area distributed CMOS layer configured to selectively address said first vias and said second vias. At least two crossbar arrays overlay the area distributed CMOS layer. These crossbar arrays include a plurality of intersecting crossbar segments and programmable crosspoint devices which are interposed between the intersecting crossbar segments. The vias are connected to the crossbar segments such that each programmable crosspoint devices can be uniquely accessed using a first via and a second via. |
| US08373437B2 |
Look-up table circuits and field programmable gate array
A look-up table circuit according to an embodiment includes: a variable resistance circuit including variable resistance devices and selecting a variable resistance device from the variable resistance devices based on an input signal; a reference circuit having a resistance value between the largest resistance value and the smallest resistance value of the variable resistance circuit; a first n-channel MOSFET including a source connected to a terminal of the variable resistance circuit and a gate connected to a drain; a second n-channel MOSFET including a source connected to a terminal of the reference circuit and a gate connected to the gate of the first n-channel MOSFET; a first current supply circuit to supply a current to the variable resistance circuit; a second current supply circuit to supply a current to the reference circuit; and a comparator comparing voltages at a first input terminal and a second input terminal. |
| US08373434B2 |
Control board for connection between FPGA boards and test device thereof
A Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) connection control board is provided. The FPGA connection control board includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a plurality of first connection terminals formed at an upper part of the PCB, a plurality of second connection terminals formed at a lower part of the PCB and a plurality of switches each for selectively connecting each of the plurality of first connection terminals with each of the plurality of second connection terminals. |
| US08373431B2 |
Probe for scanning over a substrate and data storage device
A data storage device comprises a storage medium for storing data in the form of marks and at least one probe for scanning the storage medium. The storage medium may be comprised in a substrate. The probe comprises a cantilever that comprises terminals serving as electrical contacts an being during operation of the probe mechanically fixed to a probe-holding structure, which may be a common frame of the data storage device. A probe further comprises a supporting structure, to which the terminals are mechanically directly coupled or coupled via hinges and which extends away from the terminals. A tip with a nanoscale apex is provided. A beam structure comprises a heating resistor and is attached at ends to the supporting structure. The beam structure is thinned at least in a direction parallel to an axis of the tip compared to an area of the supporting structure abutting the beam structure. |
| US08373427B2 |
Electron radiation monitoring system to prevent gold spitting and resist cross-linking during evaporation
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for in-situ measurement of impurities on metal slugs utilized in electron-beam metal evaporation/deposition systems, and for increasing the production yield of a semiconductor manufacturing processes utilizing electron-beam metal evaporation/deposition systems. A voltage and/or a current level on an electrode disposed in a deposition chamber of an electron-beam metal evaporation/deposition system is monitored and used to measure contamination of the metal slug. Should the voltage or current reach a certain level, the deposition is completed and the system is inspected for contamination. |
| US08373425B2 |
Plasma insensitive height sensing
A method for determining a distance between a first piece and a second piece includes measuring, at the first or second piece, an AC signal, and determining the distance based on the measured AC signal. A system for determining a distance between a first piece and a second piece includes a measuring device adapted to measure, at one or both of the first and second piece, an AC signal, and a signal processing device adapted to determine the distance based on the measured AC signal. The AC signal includes a DC offset. |
| US08373421B2 |
Ambulatory infusion device with sensor testing unit
An ambulatory infusion device for infusion of a liquid drug into a patient's body over an extended period of time and methods thereof are disclosed. The device includes a sensor assembly, which produces a sensor assembly output based on an infusion characteristic of the ambulatory infusion device and based on a supply voltage/current, and a supply unit which is coupled to a sensor of the sensor assembly and generates the supply voltage/current. A sensor testing unit detects a failure of the sensor assembly, wherein the sensor testing unit is coupled to the sensor assembly and the supply unit, and the sensor testing unit carries out a sensor testing sequence. The sensor testing sequence includes controlling the supply unit so as to produce a variation of the supply voltage/current, and determining whether the variation of the supply voltage/current produces a corresponding variation of the sensor assembly output. |
| US08373420B2 |
Ground fault detection
A ground fault detection system detects an earth fault or ground fault in a network device. The network device may be used in a fire alarm network. The ground fault detection system includes a power device that electrically isolates the ground fault detection system. A controller sequences a series of switches or relays to charge an energy storing element, such as a capacitor, with the isolated power supply. The capacitor is placed in communication with each port of the network device one at a time. If the connected port includes an inadvertent connection to ground, a detection circuit will detect the bias on the earth ground. The detection circuit may then output an indication of the inadvertent connection to ground to either a workstation or a fire alarm control panel. |
| US08373408B2 |
High precision algorithmically assisted voltage divider with fault detection
A method, an algorithm, and circuits for implementation of a high-accuracy voltage divider are described that include a capability of fault detection. The disclosure allows for correction of non-catastrophic faults, such as significant changes of the components' values. The performance of the circuit built as described is vastly superior to operations achievable with the modern-day components utilized in previous standard and known configurations. |
| US08373407B2 |
Intelligent electronic device having improved analog output resolution
A method and apparatus provides improved resolution in an analog signal, relative to the resolution of a digital-to-analog converter producing the signal. In one embodiment, a digital electrical power and energy meter varies a digital input to a digital-to-analog converter such that an average of the output of the digital-to-analog converter indicates a value with greater resolution than the instantaneous resolution of the digital-to-analog converter. |
| US08373404B2 |
Negative lock loop and control method for a flyback voltage converter
A flyback voltage converter includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a switch serially connected to the primary winding for being switched to produce a current in the secondary winding, and a negative lock loop to adjust the peak value of the current in the secondary winding according to a current conduction time during which the current in the secondary winding is higher than a current threshold, such that the peak value of the current in the secondary winding will be in inverse proportion to the time. |
| US08373403B1 |
Circuit for controlling synchronous rectifiers during start-up into pre-biased output voltage
A power supply includes circuitry for gradually enabling switching rectifiers during a startup condition without drawing current from a pre-biased power supply output. A driver provides a control signal to synchronous rectifier. A driver supply circuit is coupled across the driver and has a first input receiving pulse signals provided by a pulse modulation controller, an output providing supply voltage to the driver, a second input receiving driver supply input voltage, and circuitry defining a time constant. The circuitry includes a first switching element that turns on when pulse signals are provided and a second switching element connected to the output. The time constant is associated with a rise time for the power supply, and defined by selected component values, such that the second switching element only becomes fully conductive after elapsing of the time constant. |
| US08373401B2 |
Step-up/step-down DC-DC converter and vehicle lighting appliance
A step-up/step-down DC-DC converter includes a control section to compare an output value from voltage decrease or increase sections and a preset target value. A computation circuit provides a voltage value resulting from subtracting a difference between the voltage value of the comparison result and a first preset voltage value from a first voltage value. A drive pulse generation section generates a drive pulse for turning on and off a voltage decrease switch and a voltage increase switch in response to the result of a comparison between the computation output voltage and a ramp wave. When the voltage value of the computation output voltage exists between the first voltage value and the second voltage value, the drive pulse generation section provides control to selectively switch the on and off operation of the voltage decrease switch and the on and off operation of the voltage increase switch. |
| US08373398B2 |
Area-efficient voltage regulators
Area-efficient voltage regulators are provided in which a first transistor has a first breakdown voltage and a first on-state resistance and a second transistor has a second breakdown voltage that exceeds the first breakdown voltage and a second on-state resistance that exceeds the first on-state resistance. With this arrangement, the second transistor can be biased to raise an output voltage. When the difference between an input voltage and the output voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, the second transistor is disabled and the first transistor is controlled to provide the output voltage at a wherein the controlling is preferably performed with a feedback control loop. The die area of the first transistor can be reduced because its on-state breakdown need only exceed the predetermined voltage rather than the substantially-higher input voltage. Because of the reduced on-state breakdown, the die area of the first transistor can be reduced and still obtain a low on-state resistance rDS(ON) that will enhance the efficiency of the voltage regulator. The die area of the second transistor can be reduced because this transistor is not on after the difference between the output voltage and the input voltage is within the predetermined voltage. The second transistor can therefore be configured with a high on-state resistance rDS(ON) without degrading the performance of the voltage regulator. The die area of the second transistor can thus be reduced while still obtaining breakdown voltages greater than the input voltage. |
| US08373397B2 |
DC-DC converter and semiconductor integrated circuit
A DC-DC converter according to the present invention includes a monitoring circuit which monitors an output signal of a mode comparator and which outputs a mode change detection signal when the output of the mode comparator has output a light load mode signal, and a clamp circuit which is connected between power supply and ground and which changes a voltage at a first end of a filter circuit toward a preset prescribed voltage according to the mode change detection signal. |
| US08373396B2 |
Adaptive two-stage voltage regulator and method for two-stage voltage regulation
The present invention discloses an adaptive two-stage voltage regulator and a method for controlling the same. The adaptive two-stage voltage regulator includes: a voltage regulator for converting an input voltage (Vin) to a middle voltage (Vm), wherein Vin≦Vin_max; a linear regulator for converting the middle voltage to an output voltage (Vout); and a middle voltage controller for adjusting the middle voltage according to (1) an input voltage indicator and one of (2a) an output voltage indicator and (2b) a predetermined reference signal, such that when Vin≦Vout, Vm=Vout+ΔV and (Vout+ΔV) |
| US08373395B2 |
Power source apparatus, control circuit, and method of controlling power source apparatus
A power source apparatus includes: a switch circuit to receive an input voltage; a control circuit to switch the switch circuit from a second state to a first state at a timing corresponding to a comparison result between a feedback voltage generated based on a first voltage corresponding to an output voltage and a reference voltage generated based on a standard voltage set in accordance with the output voltage; and a voltage generation circuit to add a compensation voltage generated by voltage-converting a time period in which the switch circuit switches from the second state to the first state to one of the first voltage and the standard voltage, to generate the feedback voltage, to add a slope voltage which changes at a slope to one of the first voltage and the standard voltage, and to generate the reference voltage. |
| US08373393B2 |
Power distribution system control and monitoring
In one example embodiment, a power control system includes one or more stages, a plurality of primary busbars operatively coupled to the one or more stages, and an intelligent controller operatively coupled to the one or more stages. Each of the one or more stages is configured to generate a lead current when coupled in parallel to a power distribution system, and at least one of the one or more stages comprises a notch filter and a power tank circuit. Each of the plurality of primary busbars is configured to carry one phase of a multiple phase power signal. The controller is configured to determine when to switch each of the one or more stages one and off, to count a number of times each stage is switched on, and to track one or more electrical parameters of the power distribution system, power control system, or both. |
| US08373391B1 |
Rechargeable hand-held devices using capacitors, such as supercapacitors
Systems devices and methods for flash charging a portable device with a charging device. The portable device may be a ruggedized hand-held controller. In some examples, the portable device includes a capacitive power supply which comprises one or more capacitors, e.g. supercapacitors. In use, the capacitive power supply may receive charge, store the charge, and provide power to power-using components of the portable device, when needed. In some examples, the system includes a charging device, such as a docking station. The charging device may couple to the portable device to charge the portable device. The charging device may include a capacitive power supply, which may comprise one or more capacitors, such as supercapacitors. In some cases, the system flash charges the capacitive power supply within the portable device, via the capacitive power supply of the charging device. |
| US08373386B2 |
Wireless charging system with device power compliance
A method of controlling an inductive charging system on those occasions in which the combined power requests of a plurality of secondary devices exceed the power capacity of the power supply. The method includes at least one of (a) powering each device at a level below its requested level, (b) powering each device sequentially, and/or (c) powering each device in a repetitive pattern (e.g. time multiplexing). Also disclosed is a method of controlling an inductive charging system at least partially as a function of information received from the power management unit (PMU) of each secondary device. |
| US08373385B2 |
Non-contact charger and non-contact charging system
A non-contact charger includes: a casing having a recessed portion in which a cordless handset is placeable; a primary coil which is provided in the casing to be opposed to the cordless handset upon placement of the cordless handset in the recessed portion of the casing; an oscillating portion which is oscillatable to generate a magnetic flux energy from the primary coil; a detecting portion which detects at least one of a current value and a voltage value in the oscillating portion; and a controller which stops a generation of the magnetic flux energy based on at least one of the current value and the voltage value detected by the detecting portion. |
| US08373383B2 |
Smart cart to automatically manage portable information handling systems
A smart cart for automatically managing a plurality of information handling systems. The system provides a plurality of functions. For example, in certain embodiments, the system provides one or more of security authentication for distributing the notebooks, automatic asset tracking functionality; identification of notebook charge status; provides identification of asset information (e.g., an asset tag number, a serial number or a computer name); network access to push patch updates at night when units are not in use; and charging control to optimize system availability and prevent AC input circuit overload. |
| US08373382B2 |
System of a plurality of series-connected fuel cell converter devices and method for controlling the system
A system of a plurality of series-connected fuel cell converter devices and a method for controlling the system are provided. The system includes a plurality of fuel cell converter devices, a series connection unit, a power control unit, a Mux control unit, and a master controller. The output ends of a plurality of fuel cell converter devices are connected in series by the series connection unit. The master controller reads signals from the power control unit and the Mux control unit and determines accordingly which fuel cell converter devices need to be turned on to meet the requirement of a load. The method includes the steps of estimating a load, determining the number of the fuel cell converter devices to be turned on, calculating an output power, discharging, and charging. Thus, a plurality of fuel cell converter devices is controlled to output the required power of the load. |
| US08373380B2 |
Device and method for controlling alternating-current motor
A device for controlling an alternating-current motor includes a resolver for detecting a rotational position of an alternating-current motor; and a rectangular wave voltage control unit for performing control based on an output of the resolver to provide a rectangular wave voltage to each phase of the alternating-current motor. The control unit causes an amount of change Δθ in a voltage phase of the rectangular wave voltage of each phase from a switching reference phase of each phase to increase or decrease equally for each switching in one cycle of an electrical angle determined based on the output of the resolver. In this way, a device for controlling an alternating-current motor is provided to restrain occurrence of an offset current upon rectangular wave voltage control. |
| US08373371B2 |
Control of an electric machine
A method of controlling an electric machine that includes sequentially exciting and freewheeling a winding of the electric machine. The winding is excited in advance of zero-crossings of back emf in the winding by an advance angle, and the winding is freewheeled over a freewheel angle. The method then includes varying the advance angle and the freewheel angle in response to changes in the voltage used to excite the winding. Additionally, a control system for an electric machine, and a product incorporating the control system and electric machine. |
| US08373362B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for commissioning an LED lighting fixture with remote reporting
In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures. |
| US08373358B2 |
Compact and efficient driver for multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs)
A method includes receiving a variable reference voltage at a power converter and generating a regulated output voltage based on the variable reference voltage. The method also includes sequentially driving multiple sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs) using the regulated output voltage, where each set includes at least one LED. The variable reference voltage varies based on the set of LEDs being driven. For example, the method could include receiving a first reference voltage, generating a first output voltage based on the first reference voltage, and driving a first set of LEDs using the first output voltage. The method could then include receiving a second reference voltage, generating a second output voltage based on the second reference voltage, and driving a second set of LEDs using the second output voltage. At least one additional set of LEDs could be driven concurrently with the sequential driving of the multiple sets of LEDs. |
| US08373357B2 |
Modulator module in an integrated circuit device
An integrated circuit device has a modulator module that provides a modulation signal comprising one frequency keyed on and off, or alternating between two or more different frequencies or phases that are selected based upon a modulator signal. The one or more frequencies or phases may be selected from a plurality of frequency sources. Switching the one frequency on or off, or between the at least two different frequencies or phases may be synchronized with one or both of the two or more different frequencies or phases so that “glitches” or spurs are not introduced into the modulation signal. The integrated circuit device may also comprise a processor, memory, digital logic and input-output. Frequency sources may be internal to the digital device or external. The modulator signal may comprise serial data generated from the digital logic and/or processor of the digital device. |
| US08373355B2 |
Brightness control of a status indicator light
An apparatus and method for controlling the brightness and luminance of a light, such as an LED. The embodiment may vary the brightness and luminance of the LED in a variety of ways to achieve a variety of effects. The exemplary embodiment may vary the rate at which the LED's luminance changes, such that an observer perceives the change in the LED's brightness to be smooth and linear as a function of time, regardless of the ambient light level. Changes to the LED's luminance may be time-constrained and/or constrained by a maximum or minimum rate of change. |
| US08373353B2 |
Alternating current light emitting diode device
An alternating current light emitting diode device is disclosed, which comprises a substrate having a supporting surface and two supporting elements locating on the two sides of the supporting surface; a plurality of LED grains set on the supporting surface; a first chip resistor set on one of the two supporting elements; and a plurality of electrical wires providing electrical connections between the LED grains, and between the LED grain and the first chip resistor. Therefore, the total wattage of the AC LED device can be lowered to a designed range by using a chip resistor with proper resistance, and the total illumination efficiency can be increased. |
| US08373352B2 |
Electrodeless plasma lamp array
An electrodeless plasma lamp array structure uses multiple plasma lamps to produce large amounts of electromagnetic radiation (visible, IR, UV, or a combination of visible, IR, and UV). An M by N array configuration is powered by either a single RF power source or multiple RF power sources. The array incorporates controllers to adjust the power delivered from the RF power source to each lamp within the array. By adjusting the delivered RF power, the intensity of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from each lamp is controlled independently allowing for the creation of an array of lamps that emit electromagnetic radiation of varying intensity levels at different places within the array. Using lamps with different color temperatures as part of the array allows the color temperature and the color rendering index of the illumination to achieve different lighting conditions. |
| US08373350B2 |
Fixed-time, fixed-frequency, preheat-type ballast circuit for fluorescent light tube
The present invention is to provide a ballast circuit, which includes a preheat circuit configured to perform a fixed-time, fixed-frequency preheating process on filaments at both ends of a fluorescent light tube before it is lit. While the filaments are being preheated, a power driving circuit generates an output signal whose frequency is far higher than resonant frequency of a resonant circuit, and controls the preheat circuit for enabling a filament transformer and a high-frequency coupling capacitor in the preheat circuit to couple the voltage of the output signal to the filaments and thereby preheat the filaments, but not light up the light tube. When the preheat period is up, the power driving circuit stops the preheating process and changes the frequency of the output signal to a level close to the resonant frequency, thereby oscillating the resonant circuit and generating a high voltage enough for lighting the light tube. |
| US08373344B2 |
Organic electro-luminescence display device and method for fabricating the same
The embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic electro-luminescence display device and a method for fabricating the same, which can improve reliability and reduce production cost. The organic electro-luminescence EL display device has a thin film transistor array unit formed on a lower substrate, an organic EL array unit on the thin film transistor array unit having a matrix of organic EL cells, and a glass cap bonded to the lower substrate with sealant at edges of the lower substrate for protecting the organic EL array unit, wherein the glass cap includes a vertical portion bonded to the lower substrate with the sealant, a horizontal portion connected to the vertical portion to face the organic EL array unit including a first region and a second region having rectangular flat recesses each with a thickness thinner than the first region, and moisture absorbent within each of the recesses. |
| US08373343B2 |
Optoelectric devices
The invention provides an optoelectric device, in particular an organic light emitting diode device comprising a substrate, a first electrode applied on the substrate, a second electrode, a layer of an organic light emitting material which is arranged in between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a multilayer seal applied onto the second electrode which multilayer seal comprises at least one layer of a high density material and at least one layer of an organic material in which organic material a moisture scavenging agent has been incorporated, which moisture scavenging agent comprises an organic composition that does not generate an acidic proton when subjected to hydrolysis. The invention also relates to an article comprising said organic light emitting device, and a method for preparing said device. |
| US08373340B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display device
An embodiment of this document provides an organic electroluminescent display device, comprising a panel, a polarization plate disposed over the panel, a cover window disposed on the polarization plate, and a support member configured to form an air layer between the panel and the polarization plate. |
| US08373338B2 |
Enhanced color contrast light source at elevated color temperatures
A lamp having improved color quality scale, especially at elevated color temperatures, is provided. The light generated by the light-emitting elements of the lamp, when the lamp is energized, has delta chroma values for fifteen color samples of the color quality scale within select parameters. The delta chroma values are measured in the CIE LAB color space. |
| US08373337B2 |
Spark plug having a reduced physical volume
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, including an electrical connecting arrangement on a connection-side end, an end on the combustion-chamber side pointing toward a combustion chamber, an insulator and a housing having a thread for attaching the spark plug to an engine component, a first sealing area and a second sealing area being provided between the insulator and the housing, the first sealing area being situated closer to the connection-side end and the second sealing area being situated closer to the end on the combustion-chamber side, a tool engagement area for transmitting a torque to the spark plug for fitting or removing the spark plug being situated in an area of the spark plug which lies between the connection-side end and the first sealing area. |
| US08373333B2 |
Resonator element, resonator, electronic device, and electronic apparatus
A resonator element includes at least one resonating arm that vibrates in a torsional mode, wherein the resonating arm includes a structural portion having a first portion disposed in a first direction in a sectional view in the width direction and a second portion connected to the first portion so that the center of gravity departs from the center of gravity of the first portion in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first portion vibrates in a stretch mode in the length direction of the resonating arm with an application of a voltage, and wherein the second portion does not substantially vibrate in the stretch mode in the length direction of the resonating arm with the application of the voltage or vibrates in a stretch mode with a phase different from that of the first portion. |
| US08373329B2 |
Surface acoustic wave device
A surface acoustic wave device includes an electrode and a dielectric layer laminated on a piezoelectric substrate, in which the electrode includes a first electrode film containing Pt, Au, Ag, or Cu and a second electrode film containing Al, the normalized film thickness h/λ of the first electrode film is about 0.005 or more and at most about 0.015 in the case of Pt, the normalized film thickness h/λ of the Al film is about 0.06 or more and at most about 0.185, and the normalized film thickness h/λ of the dielectric layer is about 0.2 or less. |
| US08373324B2 |
Field element core
A field element core includes field magnet through holes and coupling part. The field magnet through holes are circularly disposed in a peripheral direction around a predetermined direction and are adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction to form a set. The field magnet through holes forming the same pair both extend along a given direction that is defined for each pair, when viewed from the predetermined direction. The coupling part 11 is provided between the field magnet through holes forming the same set and has ends as lateral surfaces, respectively. The entire lateral surfaces of the coupling part are curved to form a concave shape. Specifically, viewed from the predetermined direction, only at a given position between both ends of the lateral surface, a tangent of the lateral surface extends along an extending direction of the coupling part. The same holds true for the lateral surface. |
| US08373323B2 |
Control box for motor
A motor, including: a body, including a housing, a stator, and a rotor; and a controller, including a control box, and a control board. The body is disposed at the top of the motor. The controller is disposed at the bottom of the motor. The control board is disposed in the control box. A debug window is disposed on side wall or at the bottom of the control box. A sealing cover is disposed on the debug window. The sealing cover can be opened. The control board can be exposed for wire connection, adjustment of parameters of electronic components, and fixation of a rotating shaft according to requirements of users for installation and use. |
| US08373317B2 |
RFI suppression system and method of mounting for DC cordless tools
A hand tool RFI suppression system comprising a DC motor having a conductive housing, a power supply and a suppression circuit board supporting at least one suppression assembly and at least one ground circuit electrically coupled to the suppression assembly. The suppression circuit board is mounted to the motor housing with the at least one suppression assembly electrically coupled in parallel between the power supply and the DC motor and the ground circuit is electrically coupled to the motor housing. A method of suppressing RFI in a power hand tool is also provided. |
| US08373315B2 |
Linear oscillatory actuator
A linear oscillatory actuator includes a magnetic pole forming portion that includes an electromagnet and a base, magnetic blocks each of which includes a magnet attracted or repelled by the electromagnet to reciprocate, elastic suspensions for supporting the magnetic blocks, and at least one coupling spring portion that couples the magnetic blocks reciprocatably. Each of the elastic suspension includes upper and lower extending portions, and elastic planar portions integrally provided between the upper extending portions and the lower extending portions, respectively. Depressed portions are formed at continuous portions between the upper extending portions and the elastic planar portions, respectively, and each of the depressed portions is depressed toward the magnetic blocks. While the magnetic blocks reciprocate, Stress concentration on the continuous portions can be mitigated by the depressed portions. Therefore, the elastic planar portions can be prevented from being damaged without becoming large in size. |
| US08373312B2 |
Solar power generation stabilization system and method
A power generation system including a photovoltaic (PV) module to generate DC power is provided. The system includes a combination of a DC to DC converter and a DC to AC converter coupled to the DC to DC converter for supplying power from the PV module to a power grid. The system further includes a bidirectional converter and an energy storage device coupled to the bidirectional converter. The system also includes a control system to generate commands for controlling a state of charge of the energy storage device. The control system comprises a deadband limiter to detect a deviation of the frequency signal outside of a respective signal range, a power shaper to provide a transient power generation adjustment signal in response to the signal being outside of the respective signal range and a limit controller for preventing the adjustment signal from causing the energy storage device to operate outside of at least one operating constraint. |
| US08373310B2 |
Inductive power supply
In one aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a plunger for mechanically interconnecting a remote device with the power supply. The plunger may be extendable/retractable to interfit with the remote device. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply with a movable primary that allows for close alignment between the primary and the secondary when the remote device is disposed within a range of different positions with respect to the charging surface. The movable primary may, for example, be coupled to the remote device by a peg, a plunger or a magnet. Alternatively, the position of the movable primary may be adjusted manually. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a charging bowl having a plurality of charging stations disposed about a common axis. Each charging station may include a movable primary that permits some freedom in positioning of the remote device on the charging surface. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a manually movable primary. |
| US08373302B1 |
Renewable power transmission overlay
A renewable power transmission overlay for generating electrical power of regional extent includes three types of generators for generating electrical power from wind, solar radiation and biomass, along with a plurality of region-wide transmission facilities with each region-wide transmission facility having at least one collection facility for collecting electric power from at least one of the generators for generating electrical power. Inter-regional transmission facilities are included which selectively couple the electric power generated by at least two of the types of electrical generators and at least one substation electrical facility is coupled to each of the collection facilities of the region-wide transmission facilities for downloading the electrical power generated to a local electrical transmission grid which, preferably, firms the electric power that is generated, transmitted and downloaded to the local electrical transmission grid. |
| US08373301B2 |
System and method for providing power to two loads from a single three-phase inverter
A method for providing electrical power to two loads on a powered system/unit, the method including supplying electrical power from a first phase and a second phase of a three-phase inverter to a first load, supplying electrical power from the second phase and a third phase of a three-phase inverter to a second load, and independently controlling the first phase and the third phase of the electrical power to comply with an electrical requirement of the first load and/or the second load. The two loads may be DC loads that require DC power for operation, or the loads may be AC loads that require two-phase power for operation. A system for providing electrical power to two loads on a powered unit is also disclosed. |
| US08373298B2 |
Electrical generator for wind turbine
A wind turbine or other rotary device for generating electricity has its outer perimeter constructed with coils that form a rotor (26) of an electrical generator. A stator assembly (52) is positioned at the lower perimeter of the path of the rotor and includes stator halves that are juxtaposed the moving rotor for generating electricity. The stator halves include magnetic bearings that provide substantially no contact between the rotor and the stator, allowing the rotor to move with a minimum of resistance. |
| US08373288B2 |
Alignment mark, method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and mask set
An alignment mark formed by using a first mask used in forming a same memory cell pattern on a substrate and formed together with the memory cell pattern includes: a first pattern for position detection used for alignment in forming a first wiring pattern; and a first irregular reflection prevention mark that suppresses, when a position detection signal is irradiated as alignment in forming a second wiring pattern further on an upper layer side than the first wiring pattern, irregular reflection of a position detection signal from a second pattern for position detection formed further in a lower layer than the first pattern for position detection. |
| US08373285B2 |
Chip module
A chip module and a fabricating method thereof are provided. Firstly, a substrate is provided. Next, a chip is assembled on the substrate and electrically connected with the substrate. Afterward, a plurality of passive units is assembled on the substrate in the style of encircling the chip. Then, a first glue structure is filled between the passive units so that an encircled area is defined by the first glue structure and the passive units. Then, a second glue structure is filled in the encircled area so that the chip is covered by the second glue structure. |
| US08373283B2 |
Adhesive composition, film-like adhesive, adhesive sheet and semiconductor device
The adhesive composition of the invention comprises (A) a thermoplastic resin with a Tg of no higher than 100° C. and (B) a thermosetting component, wherein the (B) thermosetting component includes (B1) a compound with an allyl group and (B2) a compound with a maleimide group. |
| US08373274B2 |
Method of forming wiring structure and semiconductor device comprising underlying refractory metal layers
A micronized wiring structure is obtained by optimizing film forming modes of barrier metal films as being adapted respectively to a via-hole and a wiring groove, wherein sputtering processes are adopted herein, which are specifically the multi-step sputtering process for formation of the barrier metal film over the via-hole, and the one-step, low-power sputtering process for formation of the barrier metal film over the wiring groove, to thereby realize improved electric characteristics such as via-hole resistance and wiring resistance, and improved wiring reliabilities such as Cu filling property and electro-migration resistance. |
| US08373270B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of manufacturing same
In the current manufacturing process of LSI, or semiconductor integrated circuit device, the step of assembling device (such as resin sealing step) is normally followed by the voltage-application test (high-temperature and high-humidity test) in an environment of high temperature (such as an approximate range from 85 to 130° C.) and high humidity (such as about 80% RH). For that test, the inventors of the present invention found the phenomenon of occurrence of separation of titanium nitride film as the anti-reflection film from upper film and of generation of cracks in the titanium nitride film at an edge part of upper surface of the aluminum-based bonding pad applied with a positive voltage during the high-temperature and high-humidity test caused by an electrochemical reaction due to moisture incoming through the sealing resin and the like to generate oxidation and bulging of the titanium nitride film. An invention of the present application is to remove the titanium nitride film over the pad in a ring or slit shape at peripheral area of the aluminum-based bonding pad. |
| US08373269B1 |
Jigs with controlled spacing for bonding dies onto package substrates
A device includes a lower jig and an upper jig, wherein the lower jig and the upper jig are configured to secure a package substrate. The lower jig includes a first base material and a first plurality of features attached to the first base material. The first plurality of features is disposed adjacent to a peripheral of the lower jig. The upper jig includes a second base material and a second plurality of features attached to the second base material. The second plurality of features is disposed adjacent to a peripheral of the upper jig. The first plurality of features is configured to be attracted to the second plurality of features by a magnetic force. |
| US08373264B2 |
Semiconductor package with integrated interference shielding and method of manufacture thereof
An integrated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for a semiconductor module package. The integrated EMI shield includes a plurality of wirebond springs electrically connected between a ground plane in the substrate of the package and a conductive layer printed on the top of the package mold compound. The wirebond springs have a defined shape that causes a spring effect to provide contact electrical connection between the tops of the wirebond springs and the conductive layer. The wirebond springs can be positioned anywhere in the module package, around all or some of the devices included in the package, to create a complete EMI shield around those devices. |
| US08373262B2 |
Source driver, method for manufacturing same, and liquid crystal module
A source driver of a film package type including a film substrate; a semiconductor chip on a surface of the film substrate, the semiconductor chip having a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals including input terminals, output terminals, and third terminals; an input terminal wiring region for receiving first wiring lines which are connected to the input terminals; an output terminal wiring region for receiving second wiring lines which are connected to the output terminals; sprocket portions at opposite ends of the film substrate; and a heat conducting patterns for connecting the third terminals. This makes it possible to provide a source driver, a method for manufacturing the source driver, and a liquid crystal module, each of which can increase a heat dissipation amount. |
| US08373261B2 |
Chip stack package and method of fabricating the same
Provided is a chip stack package and a method of manufacturing the same. A chip stack package may include a base chip including a base substrate, a base through via electrode penetrating the base substrate, a base chip pad connected to the base through via electrode, and a base encapsulant. The chip stack package may further include at least one stack chip on a surface of the base substrate. The chip stack package may also include an external connection terminal connected to the base through via electrode and the base chip pad and protruding from the base encapsulant, and an external encapsulant surrounding and protecting outer surfaces of the base chip and the at least one stack chip, wherein the chip through via electrode and the chip pad are connected to the base through via electrode and the base chip pad of the base chip. |
| US08373254B2 |
Structure for reducing integrated circuit corner peeling
A crack prevention structure that reduces integrated circuit corner peeling and reduces cracking is disclosed. The crack prevention structure comprises a semiconductor substrate; a first plurality of dielectric layers of a first material disposed over the semiconductor substrate; a second plurality of dielectric layers of a second material different than the first material, disposed on the first plurality of dielectric layers, wherein the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second plurality of dielectric layers meet at an interface; and a plurality of metal structures and a plurality of via structures formed through the interface of the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second plurality of dielectric layers. |
| US08373253B2 |
Semiconductor structure
A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor comprises a substrate, a first deep well, a diode and a transistor. The first deep well is formed in the substrate. The diode is formed in the first deep well. The transistor is formed in the first deep well. The diode is connected to a first voltage, the transistor is connected to a second voltage, and the diode and the transistor are cascaded. |
| US08373251B2 |
Semiconductor device
A first semiconductor chip includes a first inductor and a second inductor, and a second semiconductor chip includes a third inductor and a fourth inductor. The first inductor is connected to a first receiving circuit of the first semiconductor chip, and the second inductor is connected to a second transmitting circuit of the second semiconductor chip through a first bonding wire. The third inductor is connected to a second receiving circuit of the second semiconductor chip, and the fourth inductor is connected to a first transmitting circuit of the first semiconductor chip through a second bonding wire. |
| US08373244B2 |
Temperature monitoring in a semiconductor device by thermocouples distributed in the contact structure
By forming thermocouples in a contact structure of a semiconductor device, respective extension lines of the thermocouples may be routed to any desired location within the die, without consuming valuable semiconductor area in the device layer. Thus, an appropriate network of measurement points of interest may be provided, while at the same time allowing the application of well-established process techniques and materials. Hence, temperature-dependent signals may be obtained from hot spots substantially without being affected by design constraints in the device layer. |
| US08373239B2 |
Structure and method for replacement gate MOSFET with self-aligned contact using sacrificial mandrel dielectric
The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a replacement gate structure overlying a channel region of a substrate. A mandrel dielectric layer is formed overlying source and drain regions of the substrate. The replacement gate structure is removed to provide an opening exposing the channel region of the substrate. A functional gate structure is formed over the channel region including a work function metal layer. A protective cap structure is formed over the functional gate structure. At least one via is etched through the mandrel dielectric layer selective to the protective cap structure to expose a portion of at least one of the source region and the drain region. A conductive fill is then formed in the vias to provide a contact to the at least one of the source region and the drain region. |
| US08373238B2 |
FinFETs with multiple Fin heights
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a FinFET over the semiconductor substrate. The FinFET includes a semiconductor fin; a gate dielectric on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin; a gate electrode on the gate dielectric; and a source/drain region at an end of the semiconductor fin. A first pair of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions includes portions directly underlying portions of the source/drain regions, wherein the first pair of STI regions is separated by, and adjoining a semiconductor strip. The first pair of STI regions further has first top surfaces. A second pair of STI regions comprises portions directly underlying the gate electrode, wherein the second pair of STI regions is separated from each other by, and adjoining, the semiconductor strip. The second pair of STI regions has second top surfaces higher than the first top surfaces. |
| US08373233B2 |
Highly N-type and P-type co-doping silicon for strain silicon application
A semiconductor device includes a gate, a source region and a drain region that are co-doped to produce a strain in the channel region of a transistor. The co-doping can include having a source and drain region having silicon that includes boron and phosphorous or arsenic and gallium. The source and drain regions can include co-dopant levels of more than 1020 atom/cm3. The source region and drain region each can be co-doped with more boron than phosphorous or can be co-doped with more phosphorous than boron. Alternatively, the source region and drain region each can be co-doped with more arsenic than gallium or can be co-doped with more gallium than arsenic. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate on top of a substrate and over a nitrogenated oxide layer, etching a portion of the substrate and nitrogenated oxide layer to form a recessed source region and a recessed drain region, filling the recessed source region and the recessed drain region with a co-doped silicon compound. The co-doped silicon compound can include silicon, boron and phosphorous or can include silicon, arsenic and gallium. The co-doped silicon compound can be epitaxially grown in the recesses. |
| US08373232B2 |
Device to detect and measure static electric charge
A device (10) to detect and measure static electric charge (q) on an object (100) being positioned in a distance (r.) from an input electrode (11) of the device (10) comprises at least one MOS field transistor (20). The input electrode (11) is connected with the gate electrode (21) of the MOS-FET (20) to detect said electrical charge. The MOS-FET (20) can comprise a gate oxide layer underneath the gate (21) and over the source (22) and drain (23) areas having a sufficient thickness to allow the MOS field transistor (20) to withstand several kilovolts (kV) of voltage and to avoid the loss of charges by tunnel effect due to the high potential of the gate electrode during ESD events. |
| US08373231B2 |
Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device including an n-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor for electrostatic discharge protection including drain regions and source regions placed alternately with each other, and gate electrodes each placed between each of the drain regions and each of the source regions, in which: the first metal interconnects formed on the source regions are electrically connected to the second metal interconnect through constant size via-holes, and a ratio between the numbers of the via-holes arranged above each of the source regions is controlled to be less than four according to a distance from the ground potential supply line. |
| US08373230B1 |
Method for fabrication of a semiconductor device and structure
Systems and methods are disclosed for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes implanting one or more regions on a semiconductor wafer; performing a layer transfer onto a carrier; and transferring from said carrier to a target wafer. |
| US08373229B2 |
Gate controlled bipolar junction transistor on fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) structure
An integrated circuit device is disclosed. An exemplary integrated circuit device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure disposed over the base portion of the fin structure. The collector portion is a first doped region including a first type dopant, and is coupled with a first terminal for electrically biasing the collector portion. The emitter portion is a second doped region including the first type dopant, and is coupled with a second terminal for electrically biasing the emitter portion. The base portion is a third doped region including a second type dopant opposite the first type, and is coupled with a third terminal for electrically biasing the base portion. The gate structure is coupled with a fourth terminal for electrically biasing the gate structure, such that the gate structure controls a path of current through the base portion. |
| US08373225B2 |
Super-junction trench MOSFET with Resurf stepped oxides and split gate electrodes
A super-junction trench MOSFET with Resurf Stepped Oxide and split gate electrodes is disclosed. The inventive structure can apply additional freedom for better optimization of device performance and manufacturing capability by tuning thick oxide thickness to minimize influence of charge imbalance, trapped charges, etc. Furthermore, the fabrication method can be implemented more reliably with lower cost. |
| US08373219B2 |
Method of fabricating a gate stack integration of complementary MOS device
A method includes providing a substrate comprising a first device region and a second device region; forming an oxide cap over the substrate and in the first device region and the second device region; forming a first metal layer over the oxide cap, wherein the first metal layer has a first portion in the first device region and a second portion in the second device region; forming a mask to cover the second portion of the first metal layer, wherein the first portion of the first metal layer is exposed; removing the first portion of the first metal layer and the oxide cap from the first device region; removing the mask; and forming a second metal layer in the first device region and the second device region, wherein the second metal layer in the second device region is over the second portion of the first metal layer. |
| US08373207B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a rectifying element; an electrode pad electrically connected to the rectifying element; and a resistance and a depletion transistor arranged between the rectifying element and the electrode pad, and electrically connected to each other. The semiconductor device has a configuration in which the rectifying element, the resistance, the depletion transistor, and the electrode pad are serially connected. The semiconductor device is configured to generate a gate potential of the depletion transistor based on a difference in potential across the resistance and to produce a depletion layer in a channel of the depletion transistor based on the gate potential. As a result, a semiconductor device having reasonably large current at low voltage and small current at high voltage can be obtained. |
| US08373205B2 |
Signal quality of field effect transistor-based humidity sensors or gas sensors
Humidity or a gas concentration or a solvent concentration in at least one gas is detected by a field effect transistor-based gas sensor whose sensor signal is generated by the change in the work function on a sensitive film. Detection is to be provided in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner. An additional change in potential is impressed at a gate of the field effect transistor and a variable of the resulting change in the sensor signal relative to the additional change in potential is evaluated. For example, each variable, which is e.g. a ratio, can be assigned a relative humidity, a gas concentration, or a solvent concentration. Sensitive films having at least one polymer are particularly advantageous. |
| US08373203B2 |
Semiconductor device
An intrinsic or substantially intrinsic semiconductor, which has been subjected to a step of dehydration or dehydrogenation and a step of adding oxygen so that the carrier concentration is less than 1×1012/cm3 is used for an oxide semiconductor layer of an insulated gate transistor, in which a channel region is formed. The length of the channel formed in the oxide semiconductor layer is set to 0.2 μm to 3.0 μm an inclusive and the thicknesses of the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer are set to 15 nm to 30 nm inclusive and 20 nm to 50 nm inclusive, respectively, or 15 nm to 100 nm inclusive and 10 nm to 20 nm inclusive, respectively. Consequently, a short-channel effect can be suppressed, and the amount of change in threshold voltage can be less than 0.5 V in the range of the above channel lengths. |
| US08373200B2 |
Nitride based semiconductor device and method for manufacturing of the same
Disclosed herein is a nitride based semiconductor device. The nitride based semiconductor device includes: a base substrate; an epitaxial growth layer disposed on the base substrate and having a defect generated due to lattice disparity with the base substrate; a leakage current barrier covering the epitaxial growth layer while filling the defect; and an electrode part disposed on the epitaxial growth layer. |
| US08373196B2 |
Composition encapsulating optical semiconductor and optical semiconductor device using same
A composition for encapsulating optical semiconductors. The composition comprises (A) a mixture of a linear alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane and an alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane resin containing at least one SiO2 unit, (B) a mixture of a linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing two or more SiH groups and a branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane that is liquid at 25° C., (C) a platinum group metal catalyst, and (D) a linear or cyclic organopolysiloxane having at least two functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkenyl groups, alkoxysilyl groups and epoxy groups bonded to silicon atoms. A cured product of the composition exhibits dramatically reduced surface tack, and therefore using the composition for encapsulating optical semiconductor elements improves the optical semiconductor device yield. |
| US08373190B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package, and lighting system including the same
Provided are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system including the light emitting device and the light emitting device package. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure, a dielectric, a second electrode layer, a semiconductor region, and a first electrode. The light emitting device includes a plurality of semiconductor layers that form a heterojunction that produces light and a homojunction that protects the device from a reverse current. |
| US08373186B2 |
Radiation-emitting component
A radiation-emitting component includes a semiconductor layer stack having an active region that emits electromagnetic radiation, and at least one surface of the semiconductor layer stack or of an optical element that transmits the electromagnetic radiation wherein the surface has a normal vector, wherein on the at least one surface of the semiconductor layer stack or of the optical element through which the electromagnetic radiation passes, an antireflection layer is arranged such that, for a predetermined wavelength, it has a minimum reflection at a viewing angle relative to the normal vector of the surface at which an increase in a zonal luminous flux of the electromagnetic radiation has approximately a maximum. |
| US08373182B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and manufacturing method
A semiconductor light-emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same can include a wavelength converting layer encapsulating at least one semiconductor light-emitting chip to emit various colored lights including white light. The semiconductor light-emitting device can include a base board with the chip mounted thereon, a frame located on the base board, a transparent plate located on the wavelength converting layer, a reflective material layer disposed between the frame and both side surfaces of the wavelength converting layer and the transparent plate, and a light-absorbing layer located on the reflective material layer. The semiconductor light-emitting device can be configured to improve light-emitting efficiency and a contrast between a light-emitting and non-light-emitting surfaces by using the transparent material and light-absorbing layer. A wavelength-converted light that is emitted can have a high light-emitting efficiency and a high contrast between a light-emitting and non-light-emitting surface from a small light-emitting surface. |
| US08373181B2 |
Method and device for a cathode structure for flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) device
A method for making a flexible OLED lighting device includes forming a plurality of OLED elements on a flexible planar substrate, wherein at least one of the OLED elements includes a continuous respective anode layer formed over the substrate, one or more organic light emitting materials formed over the anode layer, a cathode layer formed over the light emitting materials, and an encapsulating protective cover formed over the cathode layer. At least one of the OLED elements defines a continuous light region on the substrate, wherein the substrate and combination of OLED elements define an active light area. The active light area is bendable from a flat planar configuration to a bend configuration having a design bending radius. The thickness of the cathode layer is formed between a minimum thickness value and a maximum thickness value as a function of the size of the active light area and the design bending radius. An OLED in accordance with these aspects is also provided. |
| US08373178B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package and lighting system having the same
A light emitting device includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the active layer; and a transparent electrode layer formed at least one of on and under the light emitting structure, wherein the transparent electrode layer has a thickness in a range of 30 nm to 70 nm to obtain a transmittance equal to or greater than 70% with respect to a wavelength range of light of 420 nm to 510 nm. |
| US08373177B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED) light source and manufacturing method for the same
An LED light source can include protection members to protect bonding wires. The LED can include a substrate including electrode patterns, a sub mount substrate located on the substrate, at least one flip LED chip mounted on the sub mount substrate and a phosphor rein covering the LED chip. The bonding wires can connect each of the electrode patterns to conductor patterns connecting to electrodes of the LED chip. The protection members can be located so as to surround both sides of the bonding wires. In addition, because each height of the protection members is higher than each maximum height of the bonding wires and is lower than a height of the phosphor resin, the protection members can protect the bonding wires from external pressure while the light flux is not reduced. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a reliable LED light source having a favorable light distribution. |
| US08373175B1 |
Dual ohmic contact to N- and P-type silicon carbide
Simultaneous formation of electrical ohmic contacts to silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor having donor and acceptor impurities (n- and p-type doping, respectively) is disclosed. The innovation provides for ohmic contacts formed on SiC layers having n- and p-doping at one process step during the fabrication of the semiconductor device. Further, the innovation provides a non-discriminatory, universal ohmic contact to both n- and p-type SiC, enhancing reliability of the specific contact resistivity when operated at temperatures in excess of 600° C. |
| US08373174B2 |
III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device
The present III-nitride semiconductor light-emitting device comprises: a first III-nitride semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type; a second III-nitride semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; an active layer disposed between the first III-nitride semiconductor layer and the second III-nitride semiconductor layer and generating light by recombination of electrons and holes; and a depletion barrier layer brought into contact with the active layer and having a first conductivity type. |
| US08373168B2 |
Thin film transistor
A thin film transistor is provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate, at least an inorganic material layer, at least one dielectric layer, a source, a drain, and an active layer. The active layer is located on the substrate. The source and the drain cover a part of the active layer and a part of the substrate. A channel region exists between the source and the drain. The inorganic material layer is filled into the channel region. The dielectric layer at least including an organic material covers the inorganic material, the source and the drain. The gate is disposed on the dielectric layer. |
| US08373163B2 |
Oxide semiconductor and thin film transistor including the same
Disclosed are an oxide semiconductor and a thin film transistor (TFT) including the same. The oxide semiconductor may include a lanthanoid (Ln) added to zinc oxide (ZnO) and may be used as a channel material of the TFT. |
| US08373161B2 |
Organic thin film transistor
Disclosed herein are a method for fabricating an organic thin film transistor, including treating the surfaces of a gate insulating layer and source/drain electrodes with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-forming compound through a one-pot reaction, and an organic thin film transistor fabricated by the method. According to example embodiments, the surface-treatment of the gate insulating layer and the source/drain electrodes may be performed in a single vessel through a single process. |
| US08373159B2 |
Organic light-emitting diodes comprising carbene-transition metal complex emitter, and at least one compound selected from disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene s-oxides and disilyldibe
The present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode comprising an anode An and a cathode Ka and a light-emitting layer E which is arranged between the anode An and the cathode Ka and comprises at least one carbene complex and if appropriate at least one further layer, where the light-emitting layer E and/or the at least one further layer comprises at least one compound selected from disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene S-oxides and disilyldibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides, to a light-emitting layer comprising at least one of the aforementioned compounds and at least one carbene complex, to the use of the aforementioned compounds as matrix material, hole/exciton blocker material, electron/exciton blocker material, hole injection material, electron injection material, hole conductor material and/or electron conductor material, and to a device selected from the group consisting of stationary visual display units, mobile visual display units and illumination units comprising at least one inventive organic light-emitting diode; to selected disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene S-oxides and disilyldibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides, and to processes for their preparation. |
| US08373152B2 |
Light-emitting element and a production method therefor
A light emitting element according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a support substrate; a second electrode layer formed on the support substrate; a current spreading layer formed on the support substrate; a second conductive semiconductor layer formed on the second electrode layer and the current spreading layer; an active layer formed on the second conductive semiconductor layer; a first conductive semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; and a first electrode layer formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer. |
| US08373149B2 |
Resistance change element and manufacturing method thereof
A resistance change element including: a lower electrode formed on at least one of a semiconductor and insulating substrate; a resistance change material layer formed on the lower electrode and including a transition metal oxide as a major component; and an upper electrode formed on the resistance change material layer. The resistance change material layer is formed of a nickel oxide containing nickel vacancy and having a higher oxygen concentration than a stoichiometric composition, and has a stacked structure with different composition ratios. |
| US08373148B2 |
Memory device with improved performance
The present resistive memory device includes first and second electrodes. An active layer is situated between the first and second electrodes. The active layer with advantage has a thermal conductivity of 0.02 W/Kcm or less, and is surrounded by a body in contact with the layer, the body having a thermal conductivity of 0.01 W/Kcm or less. |
| US08373136B2 |
Achromatic beam deflector, achromatic beam separator, charged particle device, method of operating an achromatic beam deflector, and method of operating an achromatic beam separator
An achromatic beam separator device for separating a primary charged particle beam from another charged particle beam and providing the primary charged particle beam on an optical axis (142) is provided, including a primary charged particle beam inlet (134), a primary charged particle beam outlet (132) encompassing the optical axis, a magnetic deflection element (163) adapted to generate a magnetic field, and an electrostatic deflection element (165) adapted to generate an electric field overlapping the magnetic field, wherein at least one element chosen from the electrostatic deflection element and the magnetic deflection element is positioned and/or positionable to compensate an octopole influence. |
| US08373129B2 |
Cargo inspection system for special nuclear materials (SNM)
A system and method for detection of special nuclear materials within a larger space is disclosed and claimed. Gamma rays emitted from special nuclear materials upon neutron interrogation detected. An associated-particle neutron generator provides interrogation neutrons. |
| US08373125B2 |
Occupancy detector switch
A sensor switch includes an infrared sensor, and a control unit coupled to the infrared sensor and configured to receive a signal corresponding to an object detected by the infrared sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to enable an ON state of a device under control of the sensor switch for a period of time depending on a duration and a strength of the signal from the infrared sensor. |
| US08373123B2 |
Bolometric detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation in the region extending from infrared to terahertz frequencies and an array detection device comprising such detectors
This bolometric detector for electromagnetic radiation comprises: a first and a second crossed bow-tie antenna intended to collect electromagnetic radiation; a resistive load coupled to said antennas in order to convert the collected electromagnetic power into calorific power; a bolometric micro bridge structure suspended above substrate by support and thermal isolation arms with the micro bridge comprising: the resistive load; a thermometric element coupled to resistive load so that its temperature can rise due to the effect of the calorific power produced. The first antenna is located outside micro bridge and is capacitively coupled with the resistive load and the second antenna is located in micro bridge and is resistively coupled with the resistive load. |
| US08373119B2 |
Methods of analyzing composition of aerosol particles
An aerosol particle analyzer includes a laser ablation chamber, a gas-filled conduit, and a mass spectrometer. The laser ablation chamber can be operated at a low pressure, which can be from 0.1 mTorr to 30 mTorr. The ablated ions are transferred into a gas-filled conduit. The gas-filled conduit reduces the electrical charge and the speed of ablated ions as they collide and mix with buffer gases in the gas-filled conduit. Preferably, the gas filled-conduit includes an electromagnetic multipole structure that collimates the nascent ions into a beam, which is guided into the mass spectrometer. Because the gas-filled conduit allows storage of vast quantities of the ions from the ablated particles, the ions from a single ablated particle can be analyzed multiple times and by a variety of techniques to supply statistically meaningful analysis of composition and isotope ratios. |
| US08373117B2 |
Gas delivery system for mass spectrometer reaction and collision cells
A gas delivery system for a cell-based mass spectrometer includes a mass flow controller having an input coupled to a gas source. A three-way valve includes an input coupled to an output of the mass flow controller, a first output coupled to a vacuum system, and a second output normally coupled to a reaction or collision cell. A cell is positioned inside a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer where the second output of the three-way valve is coupled to an inlet of the cell and the mass flow controller provides a gas to the cell that increases a pressure inside the cell relative to the pressure in the vacuum chamber. |
| US08373116B2 |
Multi-channel electrospray emitter
Provided is a multi-channel electrospray emitter. The emitter includes a plurality of separate or distinct capillaries, each capillary being one channel and terminating in a nozzle, from which the analyte is sprayed. The nozzles may be raised above a face of the electrospray emitter. The multi-channel electrospray emitter may comprise a microstructured fiber. In one embodiment, the microstructured fiber may be a photonic crystal fiber. |
| US08373114B2 |
Total carbon mass determination by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) using 13C isotope dilution
There is disclosed a method for direct quantitation of total carbon and 14C/12C ratios in a single measurement using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). More specifically, measurement of both total carbon and 14C/12C ratio is performed in the same sample at the same time. The disclosed method provides improved sensitivity and accuracy for reliably calculating 14C-labeled compound concentrations in biological samples. There is also a reduction in measurement time, sample volume requirement and measurement cost compared to existing procedures. |
| US08373113B2 |
Calibration standard member, method for manufacturing the member and scanning electronic microscope using the member
This invention provides a standard member allowing magnification calibration for use in an electron microscope to be performed with high precision. A (110) or (100) oriented silicon substrate including a magnification calibration pattern comprised of a constant pitch periodic pattern and a (110) or (100) oriented silicon substrate not including the constant pitch periodic pattern are bonded together by means of bonding without using an adhesive agent, while aligning the plane directions of the surfaces of the two substrates in the same orientation. Then, the thus bonded substrates are cleaved or diced so that their (111) surfaces or (110) surfaces become cross-section surfaces. Further, by selectively etching one side of the constant pitch periodic pattern, a standard member with no level difference and no damage to superlattice patterns and having a constant pitch concavity and convexity periodic pattern in a cross-section surface vertical to the substrate surface is created. |
| US08373106B2 |
Method of detecting and controlling perceptual flicker
A method and apparatus are provided for processing light from a light source. The method includes the steps of measuring a predetermined set of characteristics of the light source and detecting flicker when the predetermined set of characteristics exceed a corresponding flicker fusion threshold value. |
| US08373100B2 |
Heating element
A heating element with a ceramic body that has PTC properties is specified. The heating element has electrodes that are arranged on ceramic body. Both the ceramic body and the electrodes are lead-free. |
| US08373099B2 |
Heat pump with heat recovery
A fuel cell is provided to furnish electrical power to an HVAC&R system, and the waste heat from the fuel cell is transferred to a secondary fluid directed to flow to the climate-controlled space of a building during periods of time in which heating is required. The heat rejected by the fuel cell may be a supplemental or primary source of heat as well used for precise temperature control within the climate-controlled space of the building. A channeling assembly is used to selectively direct the fuel cell heat either to and/or away from the climate-controlled space served by the HVAC&R system. Higher energy efficiencies of the HVAC&R equipment are achieved, and the “cold blow” phenomenon is reduced or eliminated. |
| US08373096B2 |
Toilet seat heating device
A toilet seat heating device is installed between a toilet cover and a bowl to provide a warming function when people use the toilet. The toilet seat heating device includes a base plate which is provided with a carbon fiber on the hotline, an upper seat and a cooling fin which is provided between the base plate and the upper seat. An upper side of the base plate is provided with an annular groove into which the carbon fiber on the hotline is provided to contact with the cooling fin. When the carbon fiber on the hotline is energized, the cooling fin can quickly absorb heat energy of the carbon fiber on the hotline and then conduct the heat energy upward to the upper seat, thereby providing a warm and comfortable toilet seat. |
| US08373092B2 |
Purge and sealant cap for selective laser sintering build frame
A selective laser sintering apparatus is adapted contain or receive a build frame and comprises a cap assembly which includes a removable plate assembly having at least one gas inlet formed therein. The removable plate assembly sealingly covers the build frame. The cap assembly further comprises at least one gas line fluidly connectable to the gas inlet via a gas port to deliver inert gas to the interior of the build frame. The plate assembly comprises upper and lower plates defining a spacing therebetween. A seal extends around a periphery of the upper and lower plates and is sandwiched therebetween to enclose the spacing. The lower plate has a plurality of gas inlets formed therein which are in fluid communication with the spacing such that inert gas may be delivered to the build volume while the cap assembly is installed thereupon. |
| US08373088B2 |
Apparatus for uniformly generating atmospheric pressure plasma
An atmospheric pressure plasma generation apparatus is provided for generating plasma at the atmospheric pressure with stable voltage supply. A plasma generation apparatus of the preset invention includes a first conductor arranged to face a workpiece and having a power plate through power is applied; a second conductor arranged oppositely to a surface facing the workpiece along the first conductor for define a discharge space; and a gas supply unit having a gas supply passage for guiding gas to the discharge space and supporting the first and second conductors. The atmospheric plasma generation apparatus of the present invention is advantageous since the plasma can be uniformly generated in stable manner at an atmospheric pressure on the basis of a stable voltage supply. |
| US08373085B2 |
Pipe fabrication equipment
Plasma cutter and welder units are provided for fabricating a pipe. The plasma cutter and welder unit include a support structure having a carriage rotatably supported thereon. A plasma cutter nozzle and a weld nozzle are mounted to the carriage. A drive mechanism adjusts positioning of the plasma cutter and weld nozzles through varying control by a controller during operation. Additionally, a bearing support is provided for cradling the pipe during fabrication. The bearing support includes a plurality of bearing plates. A wedge structure is secured to each of the bearing plates and to a fixture base to form a nest for receiving the pipe. An isolation pad is disposed between the wedge structure and the fixture base. |
| US08373080B2 |
Method and device for discarding incomplete sets of caps
A method and a device relating to handling caps for drinking straws is provided. In particular, the method and device provide for examining caps and discarding incomplete sets of caps and/or sets of caps in which at least one cap is aligned incorrectly. |
| US08373078B2 |
System and method for load measuring by motor torque
Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method for determining a weight of a load associated with an excavating machine, the method comprising: determining a load torque of an excavating machine, the excavating machine comprising a bucket and a hoist motor adapted to vertically move the bucket; and calculating a load weight from the load torque. |
| US08373075B2 |
Implantable co-fired electrical feedthroughs
A multilayered feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes a substrate having a first edge, a second edge, and a substrate length. A plurality of traces is formed on the substrate and extends along the substrate length. The plurality of traces extends to the first and second edges of the substrate. An insulator layer is formed on the substrate and the plurality of traces. A ground plane layer is formed on the insulator layer. |
| US08373072B2 |
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes a ground layer, a power source layer, a signal wiring layer, an insulating layer and an electromagnetic radiation suppressing member. The power source layer is provided to be opposed to the ground layer. The signal wiring layer transmits a signal in a predetermined frequency domain. The insulating layer insulates the ground layer, the power source layer and the signal wiring layer from one another. The electromagnetic radiation suppressing member is provided to cover a circumferential edge of the insulating layer. The electromagnetic radiation suppressing member has a negative dielectric constant and a positive magnetic permeability in a frequency domain including the predetermined frequency domain. |
| US08373069B2 |
Electronic component mounting substrate and method for manufacturing electronic component mounting substrate
An electronic component mounting substrate including a support layer made of resin with first and second surfaces, an organic insulation layer on the first surface of the support layer with a first surface on opposite side of the first surface of the support layer and a second surface in contact with the first surface of the support layer, an inorganic insulation layer on the first surface of the organic layer, a conductor on the second surface of the support layer, and a first conductive circuit on the second surface of the organic layer. The inorganic layer has a second conductive circuit and a pad for mounting an electronic component inside the inorganic layer. The organic layer has a via conductor inside the organic layer and connecting the first and second circuits. The support layer has a conductive post inside the support layer and connecting the first circuit and the conductor. |
| US08373068B2 |
Precision shunt for high speed measurements
A shunt for measuring current passing through a conductor. The shunt includes a first section and a second section connected in series with the conductor, and a coaxial cable connected between the first and second sections. An outer conductor of the first section surrounds an internal conductor having a resistance lower than that of the outer conductor of the first section. An outer conductor of the second section surrounds an internal conductor having a resistance higher than that of the internal conductor of the second section. The dimensions of the first and second sections are the same. An internal conductor of the cable is connected between the two sections, and an outer conductor of the cable is connected to the outer conductors of the two sections. The voltage across the outer and inner conductors of the cable is proportional to the current passing through the conductor. |
| US08373066B2 |
Electrical feedthrough structure for superconductor element
An electrical bushing structure includes a central conductor (19) designed to have one (26) of its two ends connected to a superconductor element situated in an enclosure (11) at cryogenic temperature, and its other end (25) connected to an article at ambient temperature. An electrically insulating sheath (20) surrounds the conductor over substantially the entire length of the conductor. A metal tube (24) surrounds the conductor over substantially its entire length and is interposed between the insulating sheath (20) and the conductor (19), the tube being mechanically fastened to the conductor close to one of the ends (25, 26) of the conductor, referred to as its first end, and not being mechanically fastened to the conductor close to the other one of the ends of the conductor, referred to as its second end. A space between the conductor and the tube containing a gas. The tube is in electrical contact with said second end of the conductor. |
| US08373059B2 |
Solar cell array and solar cell module
A solar cell array is formed by connecting an n-type electrode of a first solar cell included in a plurality of solar cells and a p-type electrode of a second solar cell with each other. An n-type electrode of a protective diode is connected to the p-type electrode of the first solar cell, while a p-type electrode of the protective diode is connected to the p-type electrode of the second solar cell. According to this structure, a solar cell array capable of reducing the number of welded points with respect to bonded portions of the solar cells as well as a process time and a solar cell module including the same can be provided. |
| US08373057B2 |
Thermoelectric element
A thermoelectric element includes at least one thermopair and a pn-junction. The thermopair has a first material with a positive Seebeck coefficient and a second material with a negative Seebeck coefficient. The first material is selectively contacted by way of a conductor with the p-side of the pn-junction, and the second material is selectively contacted by way of a conductor with the n-side of the pn-junction. |
| US08373054B2 |
Electronic musical instrument
When musical performance data is input to the electronic musical instrument in accordance with user's operation for musical performance, the electronic musical instrument detects a chord in accordance with the input musical performance data at the defined timing T3 at which the chord detection timing ends. On the electronic musical instrument, furthermore, the application of the detected chord to the musical performance is instructed by user's pedal (foot switch) operation of turning off the pedal. In a case where the instruction to apply the chord has been already accepted at the chord detection timing T3 or in a case where the instruction to apply the chord has been accepted by user's pedal-off operation at a point in time (Tpf) situated between the chord detection timing T3 and the time limit T4, the detected chord is to be applied to the musical performance. |
| US08373047B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X08A119
A novel maize variety designated X08A119 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A119 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A119 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A119, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A119. This invention further is relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A119. |
| US08373046B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X80A457
A novel maize variety designated X80A457 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X80A457 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X80A457 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X80A457, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X80A457. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X80A457. |
| US08373042B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH057021
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH057021. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH057021, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH057021 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 CH057021. |
| US08373040B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV400845
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV400845. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV400845, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV400845 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 CV400845 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 CV400845. |
| US08373038B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV379998
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV379998. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV379998, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV379998 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 CV379998 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 CV379998. |
| US08373036B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV386215
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV386215. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV386215, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV386215 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 CV386215 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 CV386215. |
| US08373035B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV989165
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV989165. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV989165, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV989165 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 CV989165 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 CV989165. |
| US08373027B2 |
Lettuce line RX06471911
The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated RX06471911. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line RX06471911, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line RX06471911 with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line RX06471911, including the gametes of such plants. |
| US08373025B2 |
Herbicide resistant sorghum
Sorghum genotypes that exhibit resistance to dinitroanaline herbicides are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of sorghum genotypes with resistance to dinitroanaline herbicides, to the plants of sorghum genotypes with resistance to dinitroanaline herbicides, to plant parts of sorghum genotypes with resistance to dinitroanaline herbicides and to methods for producing a sorghum plant produced by crossing of one or more sorghum genotypes with resistance to dinitroanaline herbicides with itself or with another sorghum plant. |
| US08373020B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X08A113
A novel maize variety designated X08A113 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A113 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A113 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A113, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A113. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A113. |
| US08373012B2 |
Renewable jet fuel blendstock from isobutanol
The present invention in its various embodiments is directed to methods for preparing a renewable jet fuel blendstock, and blendstocks prepared by such methods, comprising fermenting a biomass-derived feedstock to form one or more C2-C6 alcohols such as isobutanol, catalytically dehydrate and oligomerize the alcohols to form higher molecular weight olefins (e.g., C8-C16 olefins), hydrogenating at least a portion of the higher molecular weight olefins to form a renewable jet fuel blendstock comprising C12 and C16 alkanes which meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM D7566-10a for hydroprocessed synthesized paraffinic kerosene (SPK). |
| US08373011B2 |
Process for producing saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon compound, and lubricant composition
The present invention provides a process for producing a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon prepared using an α-olefin as a raw material and represented by the general formula (1), including the steps of: (I) producing a vinylidene olefin by dimerizing the α-olefin in the presence of a metallocene complex catalyst; (II) further dimerizing the vinylidene olefin in the presence of an acid catalyst; and (III) hydrogenating the obtained dimer. Further, there are provided a lubricant composition containing the saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon compound produced by the above process, a bearing oil consisting of the lubricant composition, and making use of the same, a bearing and gyral equipment. The saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds produced by the process of the present invention have low-temperature fluidity, exhibiting low evaporativity, and excellent in thermal stability and oxidation stability. Thus, the saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds are suitable for use as, for example, a base oil of lubricant composition for hydraulic pressure, turbine, working machine, bearing, gear, metal-working, etc. |
| US08373010B2 |
Methods to produce 3,3,3-trifluoropropene
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropene comprising the steps of; (1) fluorination of 240fa to form 245fa; (2) conversion of 245fa to a cis/trans mixture of 1234ze; (3) hydrogenation of the cis/trans mixture of 1234ze to form 254fb ; and (4) dehydrofluorination of 254fb to produce 3,3,3-trifluoropropene. Alternatively or additionally, a second process for the preparation of the desired compound comprises the following steps; (1) fluorination of HCC-240fa to form HCFC-244fa; (2) conversion of 244fa to a cis/trans mixture of HFO-1234ze; (3) hydrogenation of the cis/trans mixture of 1234ze to form HFC-254fb; and (4) dehydrofluorination of 254fb to produce 3,3,3-trifluoropropene. |
| US08373009B2 |
Recovery of butanol from a mixture of butanol, water, and an organic extractant
A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. The extractant comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof. |
| US08373006B2 |
Anti-leishmanial compound and anti-leishmanial drug
Provided is an anti-leishmanial compound represented by formula (3): |
| US08373004B2 |
Method for producing colorless isocyanurates of diisocyanates
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing colorless, isocyanurate group-comprising polyisocyanates of (cyclo)aliphatic diisocyanates. |
| US08373002B2 |
Production of nitrile compounds
Organic compounds containing at least one site of ethylenic unsaturation are catalytically hydrocyanated and the medium of hydrocyanation is separated into desired linear organic compounds containing at least one nitrile function, e.g., 3-pentenenitrile, and undesired nitrile by-products, e.g., methylglutaronitrile, and the undesired nitrile by-products are hydrodenitrogenated into ammonia and at least one hydrocarbon compound under an absolute hydrogen pressure ranging from 0.1 to 10 MPa at a temperature ranging from 200° to 500° C. and in the presence of a hydrodenitrogenation catalyst. |
| US08373001B2 |
Method of producing dinitrile compounds
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of compounds comprising two nitrile functional groups. It relates more particularly to a process for the manufacture of dinitrile compounds from compounds comprising a nitrile functional group and an ethylenic unsaturation in the presence of a catalytic system comprising an organometallic complex and a cocatalyst of the Lewis acid type. The process of the invention comprises a stage of treatment of the reaction medium resulting from the hydrocyanation which makes it possible to extract and recover the metal element of the Lewis acid. |
| US08373000B2 |
Process for the production of bis(trimethylsilyloxy)silylalkylglycerol methacrylates
The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of reacting a substituted epoxide, and preferably a silicone containing substituted epoxide with at least one lithium acrylic acid salt, at least one acrylic acid and optionally at least one inhibitor at a temperature above about 60° C. to form a substituted hydroxy acrylate. |
| US08372998B2 |
Process for preparing porous metal-organic framework materials
The present invention relates to a method for producing a porous metal-organic framework material comprising the stepreacting a reaction mixture in the liquid phase of at least one copper compound having at least one at least bidentate, organic compound which can bind by coordination to the copper in the presence of a nonaqueous solvent, the at least one at least bidentate, organic compound being derived from a polycarboxylic acid having at least three carboxyl groups, and the reaction proceeding at atmospheric pressure above 80° C. |
| US08372996B2 |
Transition metal catalytic systems and methods for preparing ethylene homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene and α-olefins using the same
Provided are transition metal catalytic systems for preparing ethylene homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene with α-olefins. More specifically, provided are Group 4 transition metal catalysts, which is characterized in that the Group 4 transition metal catalyst comprises around the Group 4 transition metal a cyclopentadiene derivative, and at least one naphthoxide ligand(s) having aryl substituent(s) that function(s) as an electron donor and serve(s) to stabilize the catalyst system by surrounding an oxygen atom that links the ligand to the transition metal at 2-position, and there is no cross-linkage between the ligands; catalytic systems comprising such transition metal catalyst and aluminoxane cocatalyst or boron compound cocatalyst; and processes for preparing ethylene homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene with α-olefins by using the same. |
| US08372994B2 |
C10 alkanoic acid glycidyl esters and use thereof
Glycidyl 2-propylheptanoate, glycidyl 4-methyl-2-propylhexanoate or a mixture of these (referred to collectively for short as glycidyl ester). |
| US08372993B2 |
Method for separating trioxane from a trioxane/formaldehyde/water mixture by means of pressure change rectification
A process for removing trioxane from a use stream I of formaldehyde, trioxane and water, by a) providing a use stream I which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and trioxane and water as the secondary components, b) feeding the use stream I, a recycle stream V and a recycle stream VII which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and water and trioxane as the secondary components into a first distillation stage and distilling to obtain a stream II a steam III and formaldehyde as the and a steam X c) distilling the stream III, in a second distillation stage the pressure in the second distillation stage being from 0.1 to 15 bar higher than the pressure in the first distillation stage, to obtain a stream IV and the recycle stream V as the secondary components, d) feeding the stream X and if appropriate a stream IX into a third distillation stage and distilling at a pressure of from 1 to 10 bar to obtain a stream VI which consists substantially of water and a recycle stream VII which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and water and trioxane as the secondary components. |
| US08372985B2 |
Process of making α-aminooxyketone/α-aminooxyaldehyde and α-hydroxyketone/α-hydroxyaldehyde compounds and a process of making reaction products from cyclic α, β-unsaturated ketone substrates and nitroso substrates
The present invention is directed to a process of making α-aminooxyketone and α-hydroxyketone compounds. The synthetic pathway generally involves reacting an aldehyde or ketone substrate and a nitroso substrate in the presence of a catalyst of the formula (IV): wherein Xa-Xc represent independently nitrogen, carbon, oxygen or sulfur and Z represents a 4 to 10-membered ring with or without a substituent and optionally a further step to convert the α-aminooxyketone compound formed to the α-hydroxyketone compound. The present invention results in α-aminooxyketone and α-hydroxyketone compounds with high enantioselectivity and high purity. The present invention is also directed to a catalytic asymmetric O-nitroso Aldol/Michael reaction. The substrates of this reaction are generally cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone substrate and a nitroso substrate. This methodology generally involves reacting the cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone substrate and the nitroso substrate in the presence of a proline-based catalyst, to provide a heterocyclic product. |
| US08372980B2 |
Fused ring thrombin receptor antagonists
Fused-ring, heterocyclic-substituted tricyclics of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of said compound, isomer or racemic mixture wherein represents an optional double bond, and wherein An, En, Mn, Gn, Jn, R3, n7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R32, R33, X, Y, B and Het are herein defined and the remaining substituents are as defined in the specification, are disclosed, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them and a method of treating diseases associated with thrombosis, atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, heart failure, and cancer by administering said compounds. Combination therapy with other cardiovascular agents is also claimed. |
| US08372979B2 |
Process for the production of high-purity 2,4′-dimethyl-3-piperidino-propiophenone (tolperisone), pharmaceutical compositions that contain the latter, as well as active ingredient formulations that contain tolperisone
The invention relates to a method for producing highly pure 2,4′-dimethyl-3-piperidino-propiophenone (tolperisone) (formula I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrochlorides, and hydrates thereof. The method allows the content of the undesired byproduct 2-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl) propenone (4-MMPPO) to be kept significantly lower than in previously known methods. The invention further relates to active substance formulations which contain tolperisone and are suitable, among other things, for producing combination preparations used for treating patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to topical formulations, controlled release (CR) formulations, and transdermal therapeutic systems, such as active substance patches, which contain less than 50 ppm, preferably less than 10 ppm, more preferably less than 7 ppm, and most preferably less than 3 ppm or 0 ppm (i.e. less than the detectable amount) of the undesired byproduct 2-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl) propenone (4-MMPPO) in relation to 100 percent by weight of active substance. |
| US08372975B2 |
Liquid crystal compound having difluoropropenyleneoxy bonding group
The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having general physical properties necessary for the compound, namely stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase, a high clearing point, a good compatibility with other compounds, a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy; a compound represented by formula (1): wherein, for example, R1 is alkyl having 1 to 20 carbons; ring A1 and ring A4 each are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, or 1,4-phenylene in which arbitrary hydrogen is replaced by halogen; Z1 and Z4 each are a single bond; L1, L2, L3 and L4 each are hydrogen or fluorine; and X1 is fluorine, chlorine, —CF3 or —OCF3. |
| US08372974B2 |
Regioselective preparation of substituted pyrimidines
The present invention relates to a method of making pyrimidines of formula (III), wherein X1, X2, R1 and R2 have the meanings as defined herein. |
| US08372972B2 |
Process for the preparation of dihydroquinazolines
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of dihydroquinazolines, for example, methyl (S)-{8-fluoro-2-[4-(3-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-3-[2-methoxy-5-(trifluoro -methyl)-phenyl]-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-4-yl}acetate (2S,3S)-2,3-bis[(4-methylbenzoyl) -oxy]succinic acid salt, which are used for the production of antiviral medicaments. |
| US08372967B2 |
Compounds and methods for modulating expression of GCCR
The present disclosure describes short antisense compounds, including such compounds comprising chemically-modified high-affinity monomers 8-16 monomers in length. Certain such short antisense compound are useful for the reduction of target nucleic acids and/or proteins in cells, tissues, and animals with increased potency and improved therapeutic index. Thus, provided herein are short antisense compounds comprising high-affinity nucleotide modifications useful for reducing a target RNA in vivo. Such short antisense compounds are effective at lower doses than previously described antisense compounds, allowing for a reduction in toxicity and cost of treatment. In addition, the described short antisense compounds have greater potential for oral dosing. |
| US08372963B2 |
RSV F-protein and its use
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule, which codes for the F-protein of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or a fragment thereof, for the expression in a human cell environment of codon optimized variants of said nucleic acid molecule, vectors and compositions comprising said nucleic acid molecules and the use thereof as vaccines and polypeptides coded by the nucleic acid molecules and method for the production thereof. |
| US08372960B2 |
Mutant tRNA for introducing unnatural amino acid into protein
It is an objective of the present invention to provide tRNA that has CUA or CCCG as an anticodon and is aminoacylated with an unnatural amino acid, such tRNA being capable of efficiently introducing an unnatural amino acid into a protein without competing with a termination factor. Such tRNA is a mutant tRNA for tryptophan which has G at the 5′ end, C as a base pairing with the G at the 5′ end, and A as a base next to the C on the 3′ side, such tRNA being a mutant tRNA which pairs with a stop codon and has CUA as an anticodon or a mutant tRNA which pairs with a stop codon or a 4-base codon has CUA or CCCG as an anticodon, into which a single base has been inserted just before the CCA sequence at the 3′ end. |
| US08372959B2 |
Production of recombinant proteins by autoproteolytic cleavage of a fusion protein
Disclosed is a method for the production of a heterologous polypeptide of interest with a homogenous N-terminus, using a fusion polypeptide comprising the polypeptide of interest and N-terminally thereto a polypeptide exhibiting autoproteolytic function, said method comprises the steps of a) binding of the fusion polypeptide in a soluble, autoproteolytically inactive form by an affinity chromatography system, b) refolding of the fusion polypeptide, thereby activating the autoproteolytic function of the fusion polypeptide and causing cleavage of the heterologous polypeptide of interest, and c) subsequently eluting the heterologous polypeptide of interest, wherein the steps are conducted on one affinity chromatography system. |
| US08372957B2 |
Antibody against periostin, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising it for preventing or treating a disease in which periostin is involved
The present invention provides an antibody against a periostin isoform having anti-cell adhesive activity, especially an anti-periostin antibody having the ability to neutralize anti-cell adhesive properties, as well as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for periostin-related diseases comprising the antibody. The present invention also provides methods for detecting and quantifying the periostin isoform in a sample by using the antibody, as well as a method for diagnosing periostin-related diseases comprising measuring the amount of the periostin isoform by the detection or quantification method. |
| US08372956B2 |
Antibodies produced in a transgenic avian egg white
The invention provides for antibodies produced in transgenic birds as chickens. |
| US08372955B2 |
Purified antibody to the extracellular domain of NKp44L
The present invention relates to the field of the in vitro diagnosis of the progression status of an infection of an individual with a virus belonging to the family of the Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) as well as with the therapeutical treatment of this infectious disease. |
| US08372954B2 |
Phage display libraries of human VH fragments
Phage display libraries are taught in which the recombinant phage population displays a plurality of potential binding fragments having preferred characteristics of solubility and/or intermolecular interaction. Also taught are methods of biasing display libraries to produce variants which more closely approximate the preferred characteristics of the parental binding fragment. |
| US08372953B2 |
Composition comprising various proteorhodopsins and/or bacteriorhodopsins and use thereof
The present invention provides a solid material comprising an immobilized mixture of two or more proteorhodopsins, two or more bacteriorhodopsins, or one or more bacteriorhodopsin and one or more proteorhodopsins. The proteorhodopsins are selected from the group consisting of all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsins and retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsins; all of which have absorption spectra that do not overlap. The bacteriorhodopsins are selected from the group consisting of all-trans-retinal-containing bacteriorhodopsins and retinal analog-containing bacteriorhodopsins; all of which have absorption spectra that do not overlap. The present invention also provides an optical information carrier, such as an optical data storage material and a fraud-proof optical data carrier, comprising the above-described solid material and a substrate selected from the group consisting of glass, paper, metal, fabric material, and plastic material, wherein said solid material is deposited on said substrate. The present invention further provides security ink comprising one or more hydrophilic polymers and a mixture of various photochromic materials. |
| US08372952B2 |
Binding proteins that bind to human FGFR1C, human β-klotho and both human FGFR1C and human β-klotho
Binding proteins that specifically bind to β-Klotho or portions thereof, FGFR1c or portions thereof, or both FGFR1c and β-Klotho, and optionally other proteins as well are provided. Coding sequences, methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. |
| US08372948B2 |
12 human secreted proteins
The present invention relates to 12 novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins. |
| US08372947B2 |
Foldable hydrogen storage media and methods
Reversible, high density hydrogen storage that provides a mechanism for reversible uptake/storage/release of hydrogen fuel in response to combination of thermal, mechanical, magnetic, electrical, optical or chemical stimuli. Exemplary media are based on natural and/or synthetic composite materials, and potentially can achieve the highest possible storage density, while using a simple, fast and energy-efficient means for hydrogen uptake and release when needed. |
| US08372940B2 |
Golf ball
An object of the present invention is to improve the abrasion resistance of a golf ball that uses a polyurethane as a resin component for a cover. Another object of the present invention is to improve the shot feeling of a golf ball that uses a polyurethane as a resin component for a cover. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core; and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover contains a polyurethane elastomer as a resin component, and the polyurethane elastomer contains a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component and does not contain a chain extender. |
| US08372937B2 |
Two-component adhesion promoter composition and use of packaging comprising two compartments
The present invention discloses a two-component adhesion promoter composition for surface pretreatment, comprising two components, the first component, K1, comprising at least one hydrolyzable adhesion promoter substance A which is selected from the group comprising organosilicon compounds, organotitanium compounds, organozirconium compounds, and mixtures thereof; and the second component, K2, comprising at least one compound B which reacts with the adhesion promoter substance A or triggers or catalyzes condensation of the adhesion promoter substance A, and the first and the second components in the unopened state being present in two compartments (1, 2) separated from one another by at least one dividing wall (3).Additionally disclosed are the use of a pack (5) having two compartments (1, 2) which are separated from one another by a dividing wall, and a package (6) composed of a pack (5) and of a two-component adhesion promoter composition, in the compartments (1, 2) separated from one another by a dividing wall 3. |
| US08372934B2 |
Method for producing organopolysiloxanes
Organopolysiloxanes with consistent product properties are prepared while minimizing alcohol usage in the hydrolysis of chlorosilanes by use of a vertical continuous loop reactor having a heating unit on an ascending side of the loop which is regulated such that the temperature of the reactant mixture is within ±5° C. of a set value. |
| US08372932B2 |
Pressure-senstive adhesives and process for preparing them
The invention relates to a process for preparing a pressure-sensitive adhesive based on at least one polymer, in the course of which said at least one polymer is crosslinked, the polymer having functional groups Y and having been admixed, further, with at least one kind of functionalized particles which have at least one nonpolymeric base unit, wherein the particles having a surface modification of the base unit, the surface modification of the particles having at least one kind of functional groups X, and the crosslinking of the polymer being brought about at least in part by a reaction of the functional groups X of the particles and the functional groups Y of the polymer, and further to pressure-sensitive adhesives based on at least one crosslinked polymer component, the crosslinking of the polymer component being brought about at least in part by incorporation of the functionalized particles, the particles having at least one nonpolymeric base unit and also a surface modification of this base unit, and the surface modification of the particles having at least one kind of functional groups X which are capable of reacting with functional groups Y present in the polymer component, and also to the use of surface-modified functionalized particles having a nonpolymeric base unit as crosslinking reagents for crosslinking polymers for preparing pressure-sensitive adhesives. |
| US08372927B2 |
Metal-ligand complexes and catalysts
The present invention generally relates to metal-ligand complexes, catalysts comprising or prepared from the metal-ligand complexes, processes of catalyzing olefin polymerization reactions with the catalysts to prepare polyolefins, polyolefins prepared thereby, processes of making the metal-ligand complexes and catalysts, and intermediate compounds useful therefor. |
| US08372925B2 |
Nickel-based catalyst composition
In general the present invention provides a process for forming conjugated diene polymer, the process comprising the step of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst composition formed by combining (a) a nickel-containing compound, (b) an alkylating agent, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, (d) a carboxylic acid, and (e) an alcohol. |
| US08372924B2 |
Processes and apparatus for continuous solution polymerization
Described herein in one embodiment is a plant for the continuous solution polymerization of one or more monomers in a solvent, e.g., a hydrocarbon solvent. In one aspect, the plant comprises a high pressure pump and at least one heat exchanger downstream of the pump. In another aspect a feed is cooled by three heat exchangers which are refrigerated by means of a common three stage compressor. In another aspect, the plant comprises a primary reactor and a secondary reactor arranged to operate in parallel, in which the ratio of volume of the primary reactor to the secondary reactor is in the range of 60:40 to 95:5. In another aspect, a method of defouling a heat exchanger is provided in which the level of liquid refrigerant in the heat exchanger is temporarily lowered. |
| US08372922B2 |
One component epoxy resin composition and motor or dynamo using the same
An one-part epoxy resin composition for the use of bonding of a coil which is preferable for impregnation of a motor and a generator for an automobile, especially of a drive motor-generator set for a hybrid car, which has superior storage stability and a cured resin of the composition has excellent adhesion properties, thermal stability, and reliability, are provided. The one-part epoxy resin composition of the present invention comprises (A) a bisphenol A type and/or F type epoxy resin which is in liquid form at room temperature, (B) methylnadic anhydride as a cycloaliphatic anhydride which is in liquid form at room temperature, and (C) a nitrogen-containing latent hardening accelerator. |
| US08372921B2 |
Process for brominating unsaturated organic compounds using a quaternary phosphonium tribromide as the brominating agent
Compounds or polymers that contain carbon-carbon unsaturation are brominated using a quaternary phosphonium tribromide as the brominating agent. The bromination process proceeds easily under mild conditions. The process can be highly selective. When the substrate is a butadiene polymer or copolymer, the brominated product tends to have excellent thermal stability. |
| US08372918B2 |
Nitrile group-containing highly saturated copolymer rubber
A nitrile-group-containing highly saturated copolymer rubber comprising α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer units (a) in 5 to 60 wt %, α,β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid mono ester monomer units (b) in 0.1 to 20 wt %, (meth)acrylic acid alkoxyalkyl ester monomer units which have alkoxyalkyl groups with 2 to 8 carbon atoms (c) in 11 to 50 wt %, and conjugated diene monomer units (d) in 20 to 83.9 wt %, where at least part of the conjugated diene monomer units (d) are hydrogenated. |
| US08372917B2 |
Polymeric blends and methods of using same
A film comprising a polylactic acid and polypropylene blend having a haze of from about 10% to about 95% and a gloss 45° of from about 50 to about 125. A method of producing an oriented film comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, forming the polymeric blend into a film, and orienting the film. A method of producing an injection molded article comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, injecting the polymeric blend into a mold, and forming the article. |
| US08372916B2 |
Phosphorus-containing compounds useful for making halogen-free, ignition-resistant polymers
Phosphorus-containing compounds useful for flame retardant epoxy resins are disclosed. The flame retardant epoxy resins may be used to make electrical laminates. This invention is particularly useful in end use applications in which a low bromine or low halogen content is required or desired. |
| US08372915B2 |
Golf ball
An objective of the present invention is to provide a golf ball striking a balance between the flight distance on the driver shots and the approach performance on the approach shots and having the excellent shot feeling and durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core consisting of a center and a surrounding layer covering the center; at least one intermediate layer covering the core; and a cover covering the intermediate layer; wherein at least one piece or one layer of the intermediate layer is formed from a highly elastic intermediate layer composition that contains (A) a highly elastic resin having a flexural modulus in a range from 700 MPa to 5,000 MPa and (B) an ionomer resin having a flexural modulus in a range from 150 MPa to 1,000 MPa in a content ratio ((A)/(B)) of (A) the highly elastic resin to (B) the ionomer resin (B) being (20 mass % to 80 mass %)/(80 mass % to 20 mass %) (the total is 100 mass %), and wherein a surface hardness (Hm) of the intermediate layer and a surface hardness (Hs) of the core satisfy the equation: Hm≧Hs, and the cover has a slab hardness (Hc) of 45 or less in Shore D hardness. |
| US08372909B2 |
Composite edge for producing double or multiple pane insulation glass or solar modules
A sealing compound includes a polymer modified with special, reactive groups and has the following overall composition: a) 30-60 wt. %, preferably 40-50 wt. %, olefinic polymers, Mn 400-600,000 D, preferably 5,000-300,000 D b) 2-35 wt. %, preferably 5-25 wt. %, modified polymer c) 5-40 wt. %, preferably 10-30 wt. %, fine-particle, inert fillers d) 5-25 wt. %, preferably 10-15 wt. %, desiccants and water scavengers 0-3 wt. % aging resistors, in particular anti-oxidants or UV stabilizers. |
| US08372906B2 |
Halo-functional silane, process for its preparation, rubber composition containing same and articles manufactured therefrom
A halo-functional silane possesses halogen functionality and alkanedioxysilyl functionality. |
| US08372905B2 |
Coating compositions containing low molecular weight polytrimethylene ether glycol
The present disclosure is directed to a coating composition having low molecular weight polytrimethylene ether glycol, polymers having one or more crosslinkable functional groups and a crosslinking agent having one or more crosslinking functional groups. The coating compositions can be used as interior and exterior top coats, basecoats, primers, primer surfacers and primer fillers. The disclosure is particularly directed to a coating composition comprising components derived from renewable resources. |
| US08372903B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition, flexible circuit board employing the same, and circuit board production method
A halogen-free and flame-resistant photosensitive resin composition is provided, which has properties necessary for a solder resist (insulative property, solder heat resistance, alkali developability and the like) and is capable of forming a film that is excellent in folding endurance even after an IR reflow process. A flexible circuit board employing the photosensitive resin composition and a circuit board production method are also provided. The photosensitive resin composition comprises: (A) a linear polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated compound comprising a carboxyl-containing ethylenically unsaturated compound; (B) an epoxy resin; (C) a polymerizable compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated group; (D) a photopolymerization initiator; and a cyclic phosphazene (E) represented by the following general formula (1): |
| US08372897B2 |
Ink composition
An ink composition, contains: an organic solvent, a metal pigment, and a resin, in which the organic solvent contains, based on the total amount of the ink composition, 60% by mass or more of diethylene glycol diethylether, 24 to 37% by mass of γ-butyrolactone and/or tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and more than 1% by mass and lower than 5% by mass of tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and the 50% average particle diameter in terms of sphere determined by a light scattering method of the metal pigment is 0.8 to 1.2 μm. |
| US08372895B2 |
Biomaterial containing degradation stabilized polymer
The present invention relates to a polymer based material comprising a water binding agent, whereas the water binding agent is present in an amount sufficient to chemically and/or physically absorb and/or adsorb water to prevent degradation of the polymer. It also relates to a polymer based material which comprises a plasticizer or organic solvent as well as a multi-component material or composite including materials encompassing a second polymer and/or an active agent. Furthermore it relates to a method for manufacturing the polymer comprising material and use of the material for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition to be used for treatment of bone, cartilage and/or periodontal defects. The invention also encompasses a kit using the polymeric material. Further, the present invention encompasses the use of a water binding agent for inhibiting water induced degradation of a polymer comprising material, for inducing blood clot stabilization in a polymer comprising material and for increasing storage stability in a polymer comprising material, wherein the water binding agent is not removed prior to application of the material. |
| US08372891B2 |
Polymer mechanical damping composites and methods of production
A method of reshaping an article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an intermolecular blend of a predominantly positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte by controlling the salt doping level. |
| US08372881B2 |
Acyloxyalkyl carbamate prodrugs of tranexamic acid, methods of synthesis and use
Acyloxyalkyl carbamate prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of making prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexane-carboxylic acid, and methods of using prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent various diseases or disorders are disclosed. Acyloxyalkyl carbamate prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and pharmaceutical compositions thereof suitable for oral and topical administration and for administration using sustained release dosage forms are also disclosed. |
| US08372874B2 |
Compounds which selectively modulate the CB2 receptor
Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. Compounds according to the invention bind to and are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists of the CB2 receptor, and are useful for treating inflammation. Those compounds which are agonists are additionally useful for treating pain. |
| US08372873B2 |
Inhibitors of serine proteases
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds inhibit serine protease, particularly the hepatitis C virus NS3-NS4A protease. |
| US08372872B2 |
Methods for concomitant treatment of theophylline and febuxostat
Co-administration of febuxostat and theophylline to a hyperuricemic patient suffering from gout is disclosed. |
| US08372865B2 |
Dihydropyridone amides as P2X7 modulators
Compounds of the formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein m, n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and Ra are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds and using the compounds for treatment of diseases associated with the P2X7 purinergic receptor. |
| US08372863B2 |
Tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo fused pyridones
The present invention relates to tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo fused pyridone compounds useful as HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors to treat anemia and like conditions. |
| US08372858B2 |
Compounds and compositions as protein kinase inhibitors
The invention provides novel pyrimidine and pyridine derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for using such compounds. For example, the pyrimidine and pyridine derivatives of the invention may be used to treat, ameliorate or prevent a condition which responds to inhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) activity, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP-70), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1R), or a combination thereof. |
| US08372856B2 |
Hydrates of erlotinib hydrochloride
Erlotinib hydrochloride hydrate is formed from an aqueous solution and is useful as a pharmaceutical and as a purification intermediate. |
| US08372855B2 |
Cyclohexyloxy-substituted heterocyclics, medicines containing these compounds and method for the production thereof
The present invention relates to cyclohexyloxy-substituted heterocycles of general formula (I) the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids, which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibitory effect on signal transduction mediated by tyrosine kinases, the use thereof for the treatment of diseases, particularly tumoral diseases as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), diseases of the lungs and airways and the preparation thereof. |
| US08372852B2 |
Purines as reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Described herein are novel enzyme inhibitors. In some embodiments, the enzyme inhibitors are reverse transcriptase inhibitors, particularly HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Also described herein are compositions containing them and methods of using them. Thus, the compounds and compositions described herein are useful for the in vitro and in vivo inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase as a method of treating or preventing HIV, AIDS or related disorders. In some embodiments, the enzyme inhibitors are compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or tautomer thereof: |
| US08372848B2 |
Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor antagonists and methods of use
This invention relates generally to N-benzylamino cyclic thioureas, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use as antagonists of melanin-concentrating hormone receptor (MCH receptor). |
| US08372841B2 |
Inhibitors of the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme
The present invention relates to compounds which are inhibitors of the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme. The present invention further relates to the use of inhibitors of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme for the treatment of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases and conditions that are mediated by excessive glucocorticoid action. |
| US08372838B2 |
Compounds as bradykinin B1 antagonists
Compounds of the formula I wherein n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 and X are defined as described in the specification, which are bradykinin B1 antagonists, and their use as medicaments. |
| US08372837B2 |
Pyridone and pyridazone analogues as GPR119 modulators
Novel compounds of structure Formula (I) or an enantiomer, a diastereomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z, R1, R2, R21, T1, T2, T3 and T4 are defined herein, are provided which are GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor modulators. GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor modulators are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor modulator therapy. Thus, the disclosure also concerns compositions comprising these novel compounds and methods of treating diseases or conditions related to the activity of the GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor by using any of these novel compounds or a composition comprising any of such novel compounds. |
| US08372835B2 |
Pyrrolopyrazines and pyrazolopyrazines useful as inhibitors of protein kinases
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of Aurora protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions. |
| US08372833B2 |
Urea derivative
Disclosed is a novel compound having an NPY Y5 receptor antagonistic activity.A compound represented by the formula: its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein X is hydrogen or the like, Y is a group of the formula: Z is —NR7— or the like, R1 is hydrogen or the like, R2 and R3 are each independently hydrogen or the like, n is 0 or 1, p is 0 to 6. |
| US08372830B2 |
Methods for using vasopressin antagonists with anthracycline chemotherapy agents to reduce cardiotoxicity and/or improve survival
The present invention relates to methods of reducing cardiotoxicity and/or improving survival from treatment with anthracycline agents comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vasopressin antagonist compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, administered simultaneously or prior to the anthracycline administration. |
| US08372829B2 |
Biocide composition comprising pyrithione and pyrrole derivatives
The present invention is directed to a biocidal composition comprising a blend of one or more pyrithione compounds, and one or more pyrrole compounds of Formula I wherein said biocidal composition is copper free or low copper content. |
| US08372826B2 |
Estriol therapy for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases
The present invention discloses administering steroid hormones to mammals to treat autoimmune related diseases, more particularly, Th1-mediated (cell-mediated) autoimmune diseases including: multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), autoimmune thyroiditis and uveitis. Most preferably the invention is used to treat a patient with a therapeutically effective amount of estriol of 8 milligrams once daily via oral administration to treat the symptoms or prevent the onset of multiple sclerosis. |
| US08372825B2 |
Skin compositions containing hydrocortisone
Skin compositions comprising, hydrocortisone; allantoin; and a water-based vehicle that is essentially free of petroleum jelly, mineral oil and wax; and related method for protecting, healing and/or soothing the skin comprising: applying an effective amount of a cosmetic preparation selected from the group consisting of hand cream, foot cream, body cream, lip cream, lip gloss, lip stick, gel, balm and lotion to the skin surface; wherein said cosmetic preparation includes a skin composition made of hydrocortisone; allantoin; and a water-based vehicle that is essentially free of petroleum jelly, mineral oil and wax; and said effective amount is enough to protect, heal and/or soothe the skin surface. |
| US08372824B2 |
GABA-steroid antagonists and their use for the treatment of CNS disorders
Compounds exhibiting 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha/beta-steroid blocking action with no or only low antagonism against the gamma-aminobutyric acid (A) receptor (GABA-A), and compounds exhibiting partial antagonism against said receptor are presented. Methods for the prevention, treatment and/or alleviation of various CNS-disorders are suggested, as well as pharmaceutical compositions for such use. |
| US08372819B2 |
Methods and compositions for targeting skip
Provided herein are methods and compositions for modulating apoptosis by targeting SKIP (Ski-interacting protein) activity. Methods of increasing DNA damage-induced cell death in cancer cells, and reducing DNA damage-induced cell death in normal cells are provided. |
| US08372812B2 |
Phospholipid and protein tablets
A new method for krill meal production has been developed using a two step cooking process. In the first step the proteins and phospholipids are removed from the krill and precipitated as a coagulum. In the second stage the krill without phospholipids are cooked. Following this, residual fat and astaxanthin are removed from the krill using mechanical separation methods. A novel krill meal product with superior nutritional and technical properties is prepared. |
| US08372810B2 |
Anti-tumor drug, medicament, composition, and use thereof
The present invention relates to an active polypeptide including the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, or having at least 50%, preferably 70%, more preferably 90% identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, or fragments thereof having at least 21 contiguous amino acids, or peptides having at least 50%, preferably 70%, more preferably 90% identity with the amino acid sequence of the fragments, provided that the polypeptide is not SEQ ID NO:2, variants and antigenic fragments thereof, SEQ ID NO 16 or SEQ ID NO 17, and uses thereof in a method of treating cancer and/or tumours of the human or animal body. |
| US08372805B1 |
Osteogenic devices and methods of use thereof for repair of endochondral bone, osteochondral and chondral defects
Disclosed herein are improved osteogenic devices and methods of use thereof for repair of bone and cartilage defects. The devices and methods promote accelerated formation of repair tissue with enhanced stability using less osteogenic protein than devices in the art. Defects susceptible to repair with the instant invention include, but are not limited to: critical size defects, non-critical size defects, non-union fractures, fractures, osteochondral defects, subchondral defects, and defects resulting from degenerative diseases such as osteochondritis dessicans. |
| US08372802B2 |
Fluorinated macrocyclic compounds as hepatitis C virus inhibitors
The present invention discloses compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention. |
| US08372800B2 |
Albumin-free factor VIII formulations
An albumin-free Factor VIII formulation comprising: 4% to 10% of a bulking agent selected from the group consisting of mannitol, glycine and alanine; 1% to 4% of a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, and arginine; 1 mM to 5 mM calcium salt; 100 mM to 300 mM NaCl; and a buffering agent. Alternatively, the formulation can comprise 2% to 6% hydroxyethyl starch; 1% to 4% of a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, and arginine; 1 mM to 5 mM calcium salt; 100 mM to 300 mM NaCl; and a buffering agent. In a further embodiment, the formulation can comprise: 300 mM to 500 mM NaCl; 1% to 4% of a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, and arginine; 1 mM to 5 mM calcium salt; and a buffering agent. |
| US08372798B2 |
High-concentration protein formulations and method of manufacture
Provided is a pharmaceutical composition involving a concentrated mixture of a precipitated protein and a liquid medium and a method for manufacturing the concentrated mixture. The concentrated mixture is manufacturable by precipitation of a protein with a biocompatible polymer precipitating agent, followed by removal of sufficient liquid to concentrate the resulting mixture to the desired degree. The precipitated protein can be stored for a significant time in the concentrated mixture, such as intermediate between processing stages during manufacture operations. |
| US08372795B2 |
Fabric care compositions comprising a poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride-co-acrylic acid), process of making, and method of use
The instant disclosure relates to processes for making stable compositions via combining a mixture containing at least one cationic polymer and a mixture containing at least one anionic surfactant in the presence of a high energy dispersion step, followed by incorporation of an external structurant using a low energy dispersion step, and compositions made according to the disclosed processes. |
| US08372792B2 |
Cleaner composition for removing lead-free soldering flux, and method for removing lead-free soldering flux
The object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleaner composition that not only reduces ignition by flame and has a small influence on the environment, but that also has an excellent property of dissolving flux residues adhered on narrow portions or in narrow gaps in an object to be cleaned that was subjected to soldering with a lead-free solder, and reduces recontamination of the object in the water-rinsing process. The present invention uses a halogen-free organic solvent (A) represented by a specific Formula; an amine-based compound (B) represented by a specific Formula; a chelating agent having no amino group (C); and, as required, water. |
| US08372791B2 |
Cosmetic composition for skin cleansing
The present invention describes a cosmetic composition for skin cleansing, the end product of which has peculiar and improved physical characteristics with regard to plasticity, malleability, moldability and non-friability. Said peculiar and improved physical characteristics occur because of the presence of a structural analog of vegetable starch in the formulation of the end product. Said cosmetic composition for skin cleansing comprises: at least one surfactant; fecula; at least one cosmetic agent and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. |
| US08372784B2 |
Procedure of densifying filaments for a superconductive wire
A method for producing a superconductive wire, whereby an elongated intermediate element is formed out of an initial element in a deformation step and whereby the superconductive filaments are formed by a final reaction heat treatment, is characterized in that prior to the final reaction heat treatment the filaments in the intermediate element are densified in one or more high pressure densification steps following up the deformation step, said densification steps comprising a simultaneous action of at least four hard surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the elongated intermediate element, building up high pressure P≧100 MPa on a part of the intermediate element having an axial length L. This leads to a substantial increase of the critical current density Jc, whereby the anisotropy factor Γ is be almost not affected thus enabling production of almost isotropic wires or tapes. |
| US08372782B2 |
Imaging system
There are disclosed imaging members wherein a chemical compound in a crystalline form is converted, at least partially, and preferably substantially completely or completely, to an amorphous form that has intrinsically a different color from the crystalline form. Also described are imaging methods utilizing the imaging members. The conversion of the compound from the crystalline form to an amorphous form can be effected by laser exposure. |
| US08372779B2 |
Metal organic frameworks based on aluminum, iron and chromium
The present invention relates to a porous metal organic framework comprising a bidentate organic compound coordinated to a metal ion selected from the group of metals consisting of Al, Fe and Cr, with the bidentate organic compound being derived from a dicarboxylic acid, wherein the framework has a structure whose projection along [001] has a pattern in which each side of a hexagon is bounded by a triangle. The present invention further relates to shaped bodies and a process for preparing the porous metal organic framework and its use. |
| US08372777B2 |
Catalysts, preparation of such catalysts, methods of using such catalysts, products obtained in such methods and uses of products obtained
Method of contacting a hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst that includes one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table and/or one or more compounds of one or more metals from Column 6 of the Periodic Table and a support. The support comprises from 0.01 grams to 0.2 gram of silica and from 0.80 grams to 0.99 grams of alumina per gram of support. The catalyst has a surface area of at least 340 m2/g, a pore size distribution with a median pore diameter of at most 100 Å, and at least 80% of its pore volume in pores having a pore diameter of at most 300 Å or the catalyst exhibits one or more peaks between 35 degrees and 70 degrees, and at least one of the peaks has a base width of at least 10 degrees, as determined by x-ray diffraction at 2-theta. |
| US08372773B2 |
Hydrocarbon conversion system, and a process and catalyst composition relating thereto
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for making a catalyst including an effective amount of iron for catalyzing one or more reactions in a hydrocarbon conversion system. The process can include grinding and coating the particles. The ground particles can have an effective amount of iron, and substantially all the particles may have a maximum dimension no larger than about 130 microns. The coating can have an effective amount of one or more hydrocarbons to provide the catalyst with improved flowability. |
| US08372772B2 |
Hydrocracking catalyst and process using insitu produced Y-fauajasite
A hydrocracking catalyst comprising zeolite crystallized as a layer on the surface of a porous alumina-containing matrix, said zeolite-layered matrix arranged in a configuration to provide macropores in which the zeolite layer is provided on the walls of the macropores. Hydrogenating metals can be incorporated into the catalyst. |
| US08372769B2 |
Yttria-based refractory composition
Method for producing a mold for use in casting reactive metals comprising preparing a slurry of a yttria-based refractory composition and a binder, and using said slurry as a mold facecoat by applying said slurry onto a surface of a mold pattern, wherein said yttria-based refractory composition is obtainable by (a) mixing particles of a yttria-based ceramic material and a fluorine containing dopant, and (b) heating the resulting mixture to effect fluorine-doping of said yttria-based ceramic material. |
| US08372765B2 |
Odor inhibiting water-absorbing composites
The present invention relates to a process for producing odor-inhibiting water-absorbing composites comprising water-absorbing polymer particles and fibers, wherein the fibers are premixed with at least one metal peroxide, metal hyperoxide or metal ozonide. |
| US08372759B2 |
Molecular self-assembly in substrate processing
Methods for sealing a porous dielectric are presented including: receiving a substrate, the substrate including the porous dielectric; exposing the substrate to an organosilane, where the organosilane includes a hydrolysable group for facilitating attachment with the porous dielectric, and where the organosilane does not include an alkyl group; and forming a layer as a result of the exposing to seal the porous dielectric. In some embodiments, methods are presented where the organosilane includes: alkynyl groups, aryl groups, fluoroalkyl groups, heteroaryl groups, alcohol groups, thiol groups, amine groups, thiocarbamate groups, ester groups, ether groups, sulfide groups, and nitrile groups. In some embodiments, method further include: removing contamination from the porous dielectric and a conductive region of the substrate prior to the exposing; and removing contamination from the conductive region after the forming. |
| US08372756B2 |
Selective etching of silicon dioxide compositions
A process for selectively etching a material comprising SiO2 over silicon, the method comprising the steps of: placing a silicon substrate comprising a layer of a material comprising SiO2 within a reactor chamber equipped with an energy source; creating a vacuum within the chamber; introducing into the reactor chamber a reactive gas mixture comprising a fluorine compound, a polymerizable fluorocarbon, and an inert gas, wherein the reactive gas mixture is substantially free of added oxygen; activating the energy source to form a plasma activated reactive etching gas mixture within the chamber; and selectively etching the material comprising SiO2 preferentially to the silicon substrate. |
| US08372753B2 |
Dry cleaning of silicon surface for solar cell applications
A method and apparatus for cleaning layers of solar cell substrates is disclosed. The substrate is exposed to a reactive gas that may comprise neutral radicals comprising nitrogen and fluorine, or that may comprise anhydrous HF and water, alcohol, or a mixture of water and alcohol. The reactive gas may further comprise a carrier gas. The reactive gas etches the solar cell substrate surface, removing oxygen and other impurities. When exposed to the neutral radicals, the substrate grows a thin film containing ammonium hexafluorosilicate, which is subsequently removed by heat treatment. |
| US08372750B2 |
Method and system for improved nickel silicide
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for nickel silicidation includes providing a substrate having a source region, a gate region, and a drain region, forming a source in the source region and a drain in the drain region, annealing the source and the drain, implanting, after the annealing the source and the drain, a heavy ion in the source region and the drain region, depositing a nickel layer in each of the source and drain regions, and heating the substrate to form a nickel silicide region in each of the source and drain regions by heating the substrate. |
| US08372748B2 |
Method for forming semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer including a contact plug defined therein to electrically couple a semiconductor substrate on which a cell region and a dummy region are defined. A sacrificial layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric layer. An etch stop pattern is formed over the sacrificial layer, the etch stop pattern being vertically aligned to the dummy region. A storage electrode region through the sacrificial layer is defined to expose a first storage electrode contact of the cell region, the second storage electrode contact of the dummy region remaining covered by the sacrificial layer. A conductive layer is deposited within the storage electrode region to form a storage electrode contacting the first storage electrode contact of the cell region. |
| US08372743B2 |
Hybrid pitch-split pattern-split lithography process
An integrated circuit may be formed by a process of forming a three interconnect patterns in a plurality of parallel route tracks, using photolithography processes which have illumination sources capable of a pitch distance twice the pitch distance of the parallel route tracks. The first interconnect pattern includes a first lead pattern which extends to a first point. The second interconnect pattern includes a second lead pattern which is parallel to and immediately adjacent to the first lead pattern. The third interconnect pattern includes a third lead pattern which is parallel to and immediately adjacent to the second pattern and which extends to a second point in the first instance of the parallel route tracks, laterally separated from the first point by a distance less than one and one-half times a space between adjacent patterns in the parallel route tracks. |
| US08372742B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for adjusting local and global pattern density of an integrated circuit design
An integrated circuit (IC) design method providing a circuit design layout having a plurality of functional blocks disposed a distance away from each other; identifying a local pattern density to an approximate dummy region, on the circuit design layout, within a predefined distance to one of the functional blocks; performing a local dummy insertion to the approximate dummy region according to the local pattern density; repeating the identifying and performing to at least some other of the functional blocks; and implementing a global dummy insertion to a non-local dummy region according to a global pattern density. |
| US08372740B2 |
Methods for increased array feature density
The embodiments generally relate to methods of making semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to methods for making semiconductor pillar structures and increasing array feature pattern density using selective or directional gap fill. The technique has application to a variety of materials and can be applied to making monolithic two or three-dimensional memory arrays. |
| US08372737B1 |
Use of a shadow mask and a soft mask for aligned implants in solar cells
An improved method of implanting a solar cell is disclosed. A substrate is coated with a soft mask material. A shadow mask is used to perform a pattern ion implant and to set the soft mask material. After the soft mask material is set, the mask is removed and a blanket implant is performed. |
| US08372734B2 |
High-throughput printing of semiconductor precursor layer from chalcogenide nanoflake particles
Methods and devices are provided for transforming non-planar or planar precursor materials in an appropriate vehicle under the appropriate conditions to create dispersions of planar particles with stoichiometric ratios of elements equal to that of the feedstock or precursor materials, even after selective forces settling. In particular, planar particles disperse more easily, form much denser coatings (or form coatings with more interparticle contact area), and anneal into fused, dense films at a lower temperature and/or time than their counterparts made from spherical nanoparticles. These planar particles may be nanoflakes that have a high aspect ratio. The resulting dense films formed from nanoflakes are particularly useful in forming photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment, at least one set of the particles in the ink may be inter-metallic flake particles (microflake or nanoflake) containing at least one group IB-IIIA inter-metallic alloy phase. |
| US08372730B2 |
Method for cutting an electric fuse
An electric fuse includes: a first interconnect and a second interconnect, formed on a semiconductor substrate; a fuse link, formed on the semiconductor substrate and provided so that an end thereof is coupled to the first interconnect, the fuse link being capable of electrically cutting the second interconnect from the first interconnect; and an electric current inflow terminal and an electric current drain terminal for cutting the fuse link, formed on the semiconductor substrate and provided in one end and another end of the first interconnect, respectively. |
| US08372726B2 |
Methods and applications of non-planar imaging arrays
System, devices and methods are presented that provide an imaging array fabrication process method, comprising fabricating an array of semiconductor imaging elements, interconnecting the elements with stretchable interconnections, and transfer printing the array with a pre-strained elastomeric stamp to a secondary non-planar surface. |
| US08372715B2 |
Vertical channel transistors and methods for fabricating vertical channel transistors
Provided are a vertical channel transistor and a method for fabricating a vertical channel transistor. The method includes forming an active layer on a substrate, forming a plurality of vertical channels on the active layer, forming a plurality of isolated gate electrodes to surround sidewalls of the plurality of vertical channels, forming a buried bitline to extend along the active layer between the plurality of vertical channels, forming a plug-in between the plurality of vertical channels to connect the plurality of isolated gate electrodes and forming a wordline on a location where the plug-in and the plurality of isolated gate electrodes are connected. |
| US08372714B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device can be manufactured by a method that includes forming a structure that includes a plurality of layers of semiconductor material. One or more etching processes are performed on the multi-layered semiconductor structure, and then an Ar/O2 treatment is performed on the multi-layered semiconductor structure. The Ar/O2 treatment includes exposure of the structure to Ar ion bombardment and O2 molecular oxidation. The Ar/O2 treatment can be used to create a bottle-shaped structure. |
| US08372711B2 |
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices with sidewall conductive patterns
A gate pattern is disclosed that includes a semiconductor substrate, a lower conductive pattern, an upper conductive pattern, and a sidewall conductive pattern. The lower conductive pattern is on the substrate. The insulating pattern is on the lower conductive pattern. The upper conductive pattern is on the insulating pattern opposite to the lower conductive pattern. The sidewall conductive pattern is on at least a portion of sidewalls of the upper conductive pattern and the lower conductive pattern. The sidewall conductive pattern electrically connects the upper conductive pattern and the lower conductive pattern. An upper edge portion of the lower conductive pattern may be recessed relative to a lower edge portion of the lower conductive pattern to define a ledge thereon. The sidewall conductive pattern may be directly on the ledge and sidewall of the recessed upper edge portion of the lower conductive pattern. |
| US08372706B2 |
Semiconductor device fabrication method including hard mask and sacrificial spacer elements
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate. A second hard mask layer s formed the substrate overlying the first hard mask layer. A dummy gate structure on the substrate is formed on the substrate by using at least one of the first and the second hard mask layers to pattern the dummy gate structure. A spacer element is formed adjacent the dummy gate structure. A strained region on the substrate adjacent the spacer element (e.g., abutting the spacer element). The second hard mask layer and the spacer element are then removed after forming the strained region. |
| US08372704B2 |
Semiconductor integrated device and manufacturing method for the same
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor integrated device including forming a second impurity layer of a second conductivity type that is higher in impurity concentration than a second well of the second conductivity type on a first impurity layer of a first conductivity type that is higher in impurity concentration than a first well of the first conductivity type, forming the first well of the first conductivity type on the second impurity layer of the second conductivity type on the first impurity layer of the first conductivity type, the first well being supplied with potential from the first impurity layer of the first conductivity type, and forming the second well of the second conductivity type on the second impurity layer of the second conductivity type on the first impurity layer of the first conductivity type, the second well being supplied with potential from the second impurity layer of the second conductivity type. |
| US08372703B2 |
Gate dielectric first replacement gate processes and integrated circuits therefrom
A method for fabricating a CMOS integrated circuit (IC) and ICs therefrom includes the steps of providing a substrate having a semiconductor surface, wherein the semiconductor surface has PMOS regions for PMOS devices and NMOS regions for NMOS devices. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the PMOS regions and NMOS regions. An original gate electrode layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer. A gate masking layer is applied on the gate electrode layer. Etching is used to pattern the original gate electrode layer to simultaneously form original gate electrodes for the PMOS devices and NMOS devices. Source and drain regions are formed for the PMOS devices and NMOS devices. The original gate electrodes are removed for at least one of the PMOS devices and NMOS devices to form trenches using an etch process, such as a hydroxide-based solution, wherein at least a portion and generally substantially all of the gate dielectric layer is preserved. A metal comprising replacement gates is formed in the trenches, and fabrication of the IC is completed. |
| US08372702B2 |
Method of manufacturing TFT and array TFT
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor includes sequentially forming a gate and at least one insulation layer on a substrate, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on the at least one insulation layer, and forming a channel layer formed of a semiconductor on a part of the source electrode and the drain electrode, wherein the gate, the source electrode, and the drain electrode are formed by using a hybrid inkjet printing apparatus. |
| US08372700B2 |
Method for manufacturing thin film transistor
It is an object to provide a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor, in which the number of masks to be used is small. A thin film transistor is manufactured as follows: a first conductive film, an insulating film, a semiconductor film, an impurity semiconductor film, and a second conductive film are stacked; a resist mask having a recessed portion is formed thereover with the use of a multi-tone mask; a thin-film stack body is formed with first etching; a gate electrode layer is formed with second etching in which an etched first conductive film is side-etched; and then a source electrode and a drain electrode and the like are formed. A crystalline semiconductor film is used for the semiconductor film. |
| US08372699B2 |
Method for forming a split-gate memory cell
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first semiconductor layer over a substrate, forming a first photoresist layer over the first semiconductor layer, and using only a first single mask patterning the first photoresist layer to form a first patterned photoresist layer. The method further includes using the first patterned photoresist layer etching the first semiconductor layer to form a select gate and forming a charge storage layer over the select gate and a portion of the substrate. The method further includes forming a second semiconductor layer over the charge storage layer, forming a second photoresist layer over the second semiconductor layer, and using only a second single mask patterning the second photoresist layer to form a second patterned photoresist layer. The method further includes forming a control gate by anisotropically etching the second semiconductor layer and then subsequently isotropically etching the second semiconductor layer. |
| US08372697B2 |
Digital oxide deposition of SiO2 layers on wafers
Novel silicon dioxide and silicon nitride deposition methods are generally disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes depositing silicon on the surface of a substrate having a temperature of between about 65° C. and about 350° C. The heated substrate is exposed to a silicon source that is substantially free from an oxidizing agent. The silicon on the surface is then oxidized with an oxygen source that is substantially free from a silicon source. As a result of oxidizing the silicon, a silicon oxide layer forms on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, or in additionally, a nitrogen source can be provided to produce silicon nitride on the surface of the substrate. |
| US08372695B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with stack interconnect and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package substrate having a substrate base side and a substrate stack side; mounting an integrated circuit over the substrate stack side; attaching a stack connector to the substrate stack side; forming an encapsulation over the stack connector and the integrated circuit; attaching an external connector to the substrate base side; attaching an adhesive tape to the external connector having spacing between the adhesive tape and the substrate base side; cutting a step portion in the encapsulation to expose the stack connector; cutting a singulation kerf in the package substrate having exit damage on the substrate base side; and removing the adhesive tape. |
| US08372694B2 |
Semiconductor package fabrication process and semiconductor package
A substrate is provided with electrical connection pads on a front face and on a rear face, the front pads and rear pads being selectively connected via a network passing through the substrate. A peripheral edge of the substrate is mounted on a rigid annular frame and the rearm face secured to a suction table. A layer of a dielectric sealant containing electrically conductive particles is deposited on the front face and front pads of the substrate. Integrated-circuit chips are positioned on the front face to flatten the layer of dielectric sealant, the included electrically conductive particles making electrical connection between pads of the integrated-circuit and the front pads of the substrate. The resulting assembly in then encapsulated in a block of encapsulating material positioned on top of the front face of the substrate. The block is then diced in order to obtain a plurality of semiconductor packages. |
| US08372693B2 |
Semiconductor device including semiconductor chips with different thickness
In a stacked-type semiconductor device, a first semiconductor device and at least one second semiconductor device are stacked. The first semiconductor device includes a wiring board and a first semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring board. The second semiconductor device includes a wiring board and a second semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring board. The thickness of the second semiconductor chip of each second semiconductor device is thicker than the thickness of the first semiconductor chip. |
| US08372691B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes the steps of: (a) providing a support including a plane having a first region for mounting a chip thereon and a second region provided around the first region; (b) forming an insulating resin layer in a semi-curing state on the plane; (c) forming, on the insulating resin layer, a first opening portion for exposing the first region; (d) fitting a chip in the first opening portion to mount the chip on the first region; and (e) completely curing the insulating resin layer after the step (d). |
| US08372690B2 |
SiP substrate
Disclosed in this specification is a system-in-a-package substrate that includes an interconnect substrate for permitting finely pitched connections to be made to an integrated circuit. The interconnect substrate includes a central region on its upper surface for receiving the integrated circuit. The interconnect substrate also has interconnections that electrically connect the finely pitched contacts on the upper surface to larger pitched contacts on the lower surface. The larger pitched contacts connect to a conductive trace frame. The resulting assembly is encased in a molding compound along with a plurality of other devices which are configured to interact with one other through the conductive trace. |
| US08372689B2 |
Wafer-level semiconductor device packages with three-dimensional fan-out and manufacturing methods thereof
In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device package includes: (1) providing a carrier and a semiconductor device including an active surface; (2) forming a first redistribution structure including a first electrical interconnect extending laterally within the first structure and a plurality of second electrical interconnects extending vertically from a first surface of the first interconnect, each second interconnect including a lower surface adjacent to the first surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface; (3) disposing the device on the carrier such that the active surface is adjacent to the carrier; (4) disposing the first structure on the carrier such that the upper surface of each second interconnect is adjacent to the carrier, and the second interconnects are positioned around the device; and (5) forming a second redistribution structure adjacent to the active surface, and including a third electrical interconnect extending laterally within the second structure. |
| US08372688B2 |
Method for forming Ge-Sb-Te film and storage medium
A film-forming method includes a preprocessing step (step 1) wherein the inside of a processing chamber is exposed to a gas containing Cl and/or F in a state having no substrate in the processing chamber, and a step (step 2) wherein a substrate is loaded into the processing chamber after the step 1. Then, in a step 3, a gaseous Ge raw material, a gaseous Sb raw material, and a gaseous Te raw material are introduced into the processing chamber having the substrate loaded therein, and a Ge—Sb—Te film formed of Ge2Sb2Te5 is formed on the substrate by CVD. |
| US08372687B2 |
System, method and apparatus for forming multiple layers in a single process chamber
A method for forming multiple layers in a single process chamber includes placing a substrate in the process chamber having multiple processing sources and iteratively forming a copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) including forming multiple relatively thin CIGS layers including forming a copper indium gallium (CIG) layer on the substrate, the CIG layer having a thickness of between less than about 50 angstroms and about 200 angstroms, forming a selenium layer on the CIG layer, the selenium layer having a thickness of between less than about 50 angstroms and about 200 angstroms and heating the substrate, the CIG layer and the selenium layer. A processing chamber system is also disclosed. |
| US08372681B2 |
Ultraviolet sensor
A diode type ultraviolet sensor having a layered-structure body including a conductive layer composed of a sintered ceramic body having conductivity and a semiconductor layer composed of an oxide semiconductor including ZnO. The semiconductor layer is disposed on a principal surface of the conductive layer and forms a heterojunction with the conductive layer. The ultraviolet sensor is used in such a condition that the semiconductor layer is positioned at a light-receiving side irradiated by ultraviolet rays. The semiconductor layer is preferably composed of a sintered body. The sintered body serving as the conductive layer and sintered body serving as the semiconductor layer are preferably formed by co-firing. Terminal electrodes are provided on a principal surface and the other principal surface of the layered-structure body, respectively. |
| US08372676B2 |
Integrated getter area for wafer level encapsulated microelectromechanical systems
There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, present invention is directed to a thin film encapsulated MEMS, and technique of fabricating or manufacturing a thin film encapsulated MEMS including an integrated getter area and/or an increased chamber volume, which causes little to no increase in overall dimension(s) from the perspective of the mechanical structure and chamber. The integrated getter area is disposed within the chamber and is capable of (i) “capturing” impurities, atoms and/or molecules that are out-gassed from surrounding materials and/or (ii) reducing and/or minimizing the adverse impact of such impurities, atoms and/or molecules (for example, reducing the probability of adding mass to a resonator which would thereby change the resonator's frequency). In this way, the thin film wafer level packaged MEMS of the present invention includes a relatively stable, controlled pressure environment within the chamber to provide, for example, a more stable predetermined, desired and/or selected mechanical damping of the mechanical structure. |
| US08372675B2 |
Microelectronic device and fabricating method thereof and MEMS package structure and fabricating method thereof
A fabricating method of a microelectronic device including the following steps is provided. First, a substrate is provided. Second, a semi-conductor element is formed in a CMOS circuit region of the substrate. Next, a plurality of metallic layer, a plurality of contact plugs and a plurality of oxide layer are formed on the substrate. The metallic layers and the oxide layers are interlaced with each other and the contact plugs are formed in the oxide layers and connected with the metallic layers correspondingly so as to form a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) structure within a MEMS region and an interconnecting structure within the CMOS circuit region. Then, a first protective layer is formed on at least one of the oxide layers and a second protective layer is formed on the interconnecting structure. Predetermined portions of the oxide layers located within the MEMS region are removed and thereby the MEMS structure is partially suspended above the substrate. The present invention also provides a microelectronic device, a MEMS package structure and a fabricating method thereof. |
| US08372674B2 |
Method for chemical sensor fabrication and related sensor
A method includes forming a hole in a first wafer and forming a sensor structure in or on a second wafer. The second wafer includes a piezoelectric material. The method also includes bonding the first wafer and the second wafer, where the sensor structure is located between the wafers. The method further includes forming a sensing layer by depositing material between the wafers through the hole in the first wafer. The sensing layer could be formed by depositing a sensing layer material on the second wafer using direct printing. Also, the hole through the first wafer could be formed using ultrasonic milling, micro-drilling, laser drilling, wet etching, and/or plasma etching. A spacer material could be used to bond the wafers together, such as frit glass paste or an organic adhesive. Trenches could be formed in the first wafer to facilitate easier separation of multiple sensors. |
| US08372672B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
A nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes a light emitting structure having n-type and p-type nitride semiconductor layers and an active layer formed therebetween. N-type and p-type electrodes are electrically connected to the n-type and p-type nitride semiconductors, respectively. An n-type ohmic contact layer is formed between the n-type nitride semiconductor layer and the n-type electrode and has a first layer of a material In and a second layer formed on the first layer and of a material containing W. The nitride semiconductor light emitting device has thermal stability and excellent electrical characteristics without heat treatment. |
| US08372668B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
In a manufacturing method of a light-emitting device, a separation layer is formed over a substrate; a semiconductor circuit element layer and first electrodes are formed over the separation layer; a partition wall overlapping with end portions of the first electrodes is formed; and organic material layers are formed over the first electrodes. Organic material layers emitting light of the same color are arranged adjacent to each other in a line and extend in a first direction. A second electrode is formed using a material having high adhesiveness to the partition wall over the organic material layers to be in contact with the partition wall. A stack structure including the semiconductor circuit element layer, the first electrodes, the partition wall, the organic material layers, and the second electrode is separated from the substrate using the separation layer in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US08372664B2 |
Method for manufacturing display device
One object is to provide a method for manufacturing a display device in which shift of the threshold voltage of a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer can be suppressed even when ultraviolet light irradiation is performed in the process for manufacturing the display device. In the method for manufacturing a display device, ultraviolet light irradiation is performed at least once, a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a switching element, and heat treatment for repairing damage to the oxide semiconductor layer caused by the ultraviolet light irradiation is performed after all the steps of ultraviolet light irradiation are completed. |
| US08372659B2 |
Sensing method for biopolymers and sensing device therefor
The present invention provides a highly sensitive sensing device for biopolymers which detects the magnetic signal generated from a labeled biopolymer under AC magnetic field using thermo-responsive magnetic nano particles as a probe. |
| US08372658B2 |
Chemical analytic apparatus and chemical analytic method
A chemical analytic apparatus of the present invention is the one which proposes that a miniaturization, a making low-cost and portability are possible and also the operation of each process of separation, concentration and dilution of specimen is possible, and, which includes: an introduction means (S1) that introduces a droplet to which magnetic ultrafine particles are mixed into another liquid that differs from the droplet while maintaining a single droplet; a conveyance means by which the droplet that includes the magnetic particles is conveyed in another liquid of the introduction means by applying magnetic field externally to the magnetic ultrafine particles; and processing means (S2 to S6) by which operations for processing of chemical analysis are performed one by one in the process in which the droplet to which the magnetic ultrafine particles are mixed is conveyed by the conveyance means. |
| US08372656B2 |
Hydrodynamic filter, filtering apparatus including the same, and filtering method using the hydrodynamic filter
A hydrodynamic filter includes a first portion, and a second portion which is spaced apart from and faces the first portion. The first portion includes a plurality of protrusions protruding in a first direction, and the second portion includes a plurality of protrusions protruding in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A filtering apparatus including a body which includes a plurality of the hydrodynamic filters and filters a fluid including target molecules, an inlet portion in connection with the body, and an outlet portion in connection with the body. |
| US08372648B2 |
Optical reporter compositions
This invention provides compositions that have a light emitting reporter linked to biomolecules, preferably, nucleotide oligomers. The light reporter particles are silylated and functionalized to produce a coated light reporter particle, prior to covalently linking the biomolecules to the light reporter particle. The light reporter particles of the invention can be excited by a light excitation source such as UV or IR light, and when the biomolecule is DNA, the attached DNA molecule(s) are detectable by amplification techniques such as PCR. |
| US08372637B2 |
Method for stabilising a biological sample
The present invention relates to a method of stabilizing a biological sample, having the steps of preparation of a biological sample, and of contacting the biological sample with a composition, having a substance according to the following structural formula: in which R1 is a hydrogen residue or a methyl residue, R2 and R3 are identical or different hydrocarbon residues with a length of the carbon chain of 1-20, and R4 is an oxygen, sulfur or selenium residue (FIG. 1). |
| US08372634B2 |
Storage-access apparatus for storing products and storage system thereof
A storage-access apparatus includes a first support device including a first base; at least one first storage-access device and at least one first storage device, disposed on the first base and arranged in a first circle; a second support device including a second base; at least one second storage-access device and at least one second storage device, disposed on the second base and arranged in a second circle; and a transporting device, wherein the first storage-access device, the first storage device, the second storage-access device and the second storage device each has plural compartments, the transporting device corresponds to the compartments, and the first storage-access device and the first storage device can rotate relative to the second storage-access device and the second storage device. Accordingly, the storage-access apparatus can be employed in depositing and picking up products independently. Also disclosed is a storage system including, among others, the storage-access apparatus. |
| US08372633B2 |
Kit for packaging predetermined volume of substance to be preserved by cryogenic vitrification
The invention concerns an assembly for packaging a volume of substance to be preserved by cryogenic vitrification characterized in that it comprises a sheathing (2) including a thin tube (6) having a predetermined internal diameter (Di) and a predetermined length (L); a support (3) comprising a zone for receiving said predetermined volume, said support (3) capable of being introduced inside said thin tube (6); and a plunger (4) for pushing forward said support (3), said support (3) then taking up a predetermined position in said thin tube (6) with an interval between each end (21, 22) of said support (2) and the neighboring end (8, 9) of said thin tube (6). |
| US08372632B2 |
Method and apparatus for CO2 sequestration
A method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 using algae comprises a plurality of vertically suspended bioreactors, each bioreactor being translucent and including a flow channel formed by a plurality of baffles. A culture tank contains a suspension of water and at least one algae and includes a plurality of gas jets for introducing a CO2-containing gas into the suspension. The culture tank is in fluid communication with an inlet in each channel for flowing the suspension through the channel in the presence of light. A pump pumps the suspension into the channel inlet. |
| US08372627B2 |
Methods for in situ acceleration of biological degradation of chlorohydrocarbon in a soil
The invention provides methods for in situ acceleration of biological degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in a soil. The invention particularly provides a method for in situ acceleration of biological degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in a soil comprising adding H2, CO2 and acetate. |
| US08372625B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding antagonist antibodies against GDF-8
The disclosure provides novel molecules related to growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), in particular mouse and humanized antibodies, and antibody fragments, including those that inhibit GDF-8 activity and signaling in vitro and/or in vivo. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, ameliorating, preventing, prognosing, or monitoring degenerative orders of muscle, bone, and insulin metabolism, etc., in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, the disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of such disorders by using the antibodies, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and vectors of the invention. |
| US08372624B2 |
Genetically engineered biological indicator
The disclosed technology relates to a genetically engineered biological indicator, comprising: at least one test organism and at least one reporter gene suitable for producing an indicator enzyme, the reporter gene being taken up by the test organism; and at least one repressor gene that inhibits expression of the reporter gene until the reporter gene is exposed to at least one inducer. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed. |
| US08372623B2 |
Compositions and methods for altering alpha- and beta-tocotrienol content using multiple transgenes
Preparation and use of isolated nucleic acids useful in altering the oil phenotype of plants are described. Isolated nucleic acids and their encoded polypeptides are described that alter the content of alpha-tocotrienol, beta-tocotrienol, or both, in transformed seeds and oil obtained from the transformed seeds. Expression cassettes, host cells and transformed plants are described that contain the foregoing nucleic acids. |
| US08372620B2 |
Bacterial xylanases
An improved dough for preparing bakery products is made by substituting a bacterial xylanase for the usual fungal xylanase, resulting in a dough which is less sticky. Suitable bacterial xylanases and xylanase inhibitors are identified. |
| US08372616B2 |
Homogentisic acid geranylgeranyl transerase polypeptide
It is a subject of this invention to isolate a gene group of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of vitamin E of Para rubber tree, and to determine the base sequence of each gene. According to this invention, genes encoding enzymes involved in the vitamin E biosynthesis were isolated from Para rubber tree and the base sequences of these genes were determined. Since vitamin E is an antioxidant existing in nature, it is expected that transformation of a plant by using the genes obtained in the invention would result in an increase in the vitamin E content of the plant and, in its turn, contribute to the prevention of rubber from aging. |
| US08372610B2 |
Production of odd chain fatty acid derivatives in recombinant microbial cells
Recombinant microbial cells are provided which have been engineered to produce fatty acid derivatives having linear chains containing an odd number of carbon atoms by the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Also provided are methods of making odd chain fatty acid derivatives using the recombinant microbial cells, and compositions comprising odd chain fatty acid derivatives produced by such methods. |
| US08372609B2 |
Process for producing a sugar solution by combined chemical and enzymatic saccharification of polysaccharide enriched biomass
Concentrated sugar solutions obtained from polysaccharide enriched biomass by contacting biomass with water and at least one nucleophilic base to produce a polysaccharide enriched biomass comprising a solid fraction and a liquid fraction and then contacting enriched biomass with a dilute mineral acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, or a combination thereof, to produce an intermediate saccharification product, which is contacted with an enzyme consortium to produce a final saccharification product comprising fermentable sugars. |
| US08372607B2 |
Method for producing serine derivative and protein used for the same
The present invention describes a method for generating a serine derivative and an optically active isomer thereof by a convenient technique, and an enzyme and the like useful in the method. In the presence of the following protein (A) and/or (B) having an enzymatic activity, an α-amino acid is reacted with an aldehyde to form a serine derivative: (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, and (B) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion and addition of one or more amino acids and is able to catalyze the reaction to form the serine derivative. |
| US08372605B2 |
Immuno-amplification
A high-sensitivity, low-background immuno-amplification assay is provided, which offers a streamlined workflow suitable for high-throughput assays of clinically relevant samples, such as blood and other bodily fluids. The assay comprises the use of two proximity members that each comprise an analyte-specific binding component conjugated to an oligonucleotide. Binding an analyte brings the oligonucleotide moieties of the proximity members in sufficiently close contact that the oligonucleotides form an amplicon. The presence of the analyte then is detected through amplification of the amplicon and detection of the amplified nucleic acids. The sensitivity of the assay of the present invention is improved by preventing spurious or non-specific amplicon formation by proximity members that are not complexed with an analyte. |
| US08372603B2 |
Mammalian cell lines for increasing longevity and protein yield from a cell culture
Disclosed are compositions and methods for increasing the longevity of a cell culture and permitting the increased production of proteins, preferably recombinant proteins, such as antibodies, peptides, enzymes, growth factors, interleukins, interferons, hormones, and vaccines. Cells transfected with an apoptosis-inhibiting gene or vector, such as a triple mutant Bcl-2 gene, can survive longer in culture, resulting in extension of the state and yield of protein biosynthesis. Such transfected cells exhibit maximal cell densities that equal or exceed the maximal density achieved by the parent cell lines. Transfected cells can also be pre-adapted for growth in serum-free medium, greatly decreasing the time required to obtain protein production in serum-free medium. In certain methods, the pre-adapted cells can be used for protein production following transformation under serum-free conditions. The method preferably involves eukaryotic cells, more preferably mammalian cells. |
| US08372602B2 |
Methods for producing cytokine receptor ZALPHA11
Novel polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for zalpha11, a novel cytokine receptor. The polypeptides may be used within methods for detecting ligands that stimulate the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic, lymphoid and myeloid cells in vitro and in vivo. Ligand-binding receptor polypeptides can also be used to block ligand activity in vitro and in vivo. The polynucleotides encoding zalpha11, are located on chromosome 16, and can be used to identify a region of the genome associated with human disease states. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto. |
| US08372600B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume
A method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume generally includes introducing cells into a chamber having a volume between 2 and 100 times the volume of the introduced cell. A first electrically conductive extracellular fluid is introduced into the chamber and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first fluid is exchanged with a second electrically conductive extracellular fluid and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first induced voltage result and the second induced voltage result are used in conjunction with known voltages induced by such current flows to monitor changes in the volume corresponding to fluid flow between the cell and an extracellular fluid. |
| US08372599B2 |
Culture medium and a method for detection of parasites
This invention relates to a culture medium, a kit containing the culture medium and to a method for detection of a parasite such as Dientamoeba fragilis and/or another parasite. The culture medium of the invention is bi-phasic and includes a solid phase containing an egg slope or agar slope; and a liquid phase including a serum and a peptone. |
| US08372597B2 |
Methods of screening for introduction of DNA into a target cell
The present invention provides methods of introducing a polynucleotide into a target cell, wherein the method employs a light generating protein coding sequence acting as a reporter. An important advantage of the methods described herein is that drug resistant target cells or target cells having no useful auxotrophic markers can be effectively transformed. The present invention also includes transformed cells produced by the methods described herein. Also described are light generating protein coding sequence modifications, a variety of vectors, and methods of using the transformed cells of the present invention. |
| US08372590B2 |
Isolation and enumeration of cells from a complex sample matrix
The present invention relates to methods and systems for labeling, isolating, detecting and enumerating biological cells, or other biological analytes of interest present in a sample, where the capturing complex may also serve as a labeling agent. In one embodiment, the capture complex is an encoded magnetic bead coupled to antibodies having a specific affinity for a cell surface protein on a cell of interest. The methods and systems of the present invention can be used for quantitative or qualitative detection. |
| US08372589B2 |
Methods for the diagnosis and prognosis of leukemia and other cancer types
Methods for diagnosing leukemia and other cancer types, so that the malignancy thereof dependent on expression of ARTS at low levels or an absence of ARTS expression are disclosed. Moreover methods for prognosis of leukemia and other cancer types, which are prone for an effective treatment by restoring ARTS expression levels and/or restoring cellular ARTS activity are further disclosed. |
| US08372588B1 |
Isolated 3′-noncoding genomic human resistin polynucleotide fragments
The invention is directed to isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments that encode human resistin and human syntaxin binding protein 2, vectors and hosts containing these fragments and fragments hybridizing to noncoding regions as well as antisense oligonucleotides to these fragments. The invention is further directed to methods of using these fragments to obtain human resistin and human syntaxin binding protein 2 and to diagnose, treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a pathological disorder. |
| US08372586B2 |
Method for diagnosing acute lymphomic leukemia (ALL) using miR-146a
Disclosed are compositions and methods for reducing the proliferation of ALL cancer cells through targeted interactions with ALL1 fusion proteins. |
| US08372584B2 |
Rare cell analysis using sample splitting and DNA tags
The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, e.g. aneuploidy. The present invention involves labeling regions of genomic DNA in each cell in said mixed sample with different labels wherein each label is specific to each cell and quantifying the labeled regions of genomic DNA from each cell in the mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying labeled DNA polymorphisms from each cell in the mixed sample. |
| US08372583B2 |
Potentiator of activity of anti-cancer agent and use thereof, and biomarker for prediction of prognosis in cancer patient and use thereof
Disclosed is a means for improving the clinical outcomes of cancer therapy. Specifically disclosed is an activity potentiator comprising a compound capable of inhibiting the expression of RFP (RET finger protein) gene or the activity of RFP as an active ingredient. The activity of an anti-cancer agent having an oxidative stress inducing ability can be potentiated by using the anti-cancer agent in combination with the activity potentiator. Further specifically disclosed are a biomarker useful for the recognition of prognosis in a cancer patient and use of the biomarker. |
| US08372581B2 |
Methods for detecting oncofetal fibronectin
Methods and products for the detection of oncofetal fibronectin indicating molecules in samples are provided. Methods for imaging of oncofetal fibronectin are provided. In some methods provided herein, the sample is treated with a reagent and/or contacted with a non-specific binder. Provided are methods for testing subjects to ascertain health and disease status and to assess the risk of developing a disease or condition. Methods for detecting the presence of oncofetal fibronectin indicating molecules by a variety of methods such as immunoassays and mass spectrometry also are provided. Methods and products for detection of oncofetal fibronection for selection of concepti are provided. |
| US08372576B2 |
Miniaturized microparticles
A system and method for forming encoded microparticles is described. One embodiment includes an encoded microparticle, the microparticle comprising a plurality of segments aligned along an axis, wherein the plurality of segments define a code for the microparticle; and an outer cuboid encapsulating the plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments are detectable through the outer cuboid. |
| US08372575B2 |
Ultraviolet-curing resin material for pattern transfer and magnetic recording medium manufacturing method using the same
According to one embodiment, an ultraviolet-curing resin material for pattern transfer contains at least one of 2-methyl-2-adamantyl acrylate, 2-ethyl-2-adamantyl acrylate, and 1,3-adamantanedimethanol diacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, polyfunctional acrylate, and a polymerization initiator, or contains at least one of the acrylates described above, a polymerization initiator, and fluorine-based alcohol. |
| US08372574B2 |
Method of producing electrostatic latent image developing toner
A method of producing an electrostatic latent image developing toner includes: preparing a resin particle dispersion by polymerizing, in a water-based solvent, a polymerizable monomer that comprises a polymerizable monomer comprising a vinyl-based double bond; extracting a liquid from the resin particle dispersion by heating; mixing the distilled resin particle dispersion with a colorant particle dispersion prepared by dispersing a colorant; and aggregating the resin particles, the pigment particles and a release agent particles to form aggregate particles, and then conducting heating to fuse the aggregate particles. |
| US08372573B2 |
Toner
A toner in which, in a loss tangent (tan δ) curve obtained by a dynamic viscoelasticity test, the tan δ shows a maximal value δa in the temperature region of 28.0-60.0° C., which maximal value δa is 0.50 or more, and shows a minimal value δb in the temperature region of 45.0-85.0° C., which minimal value δb is 0.60 or less, where the difference between the maximal value δa and the minimal value δb is 0.20 or more; and, where the temperature that affords the maximal value δa is represented by Ta (° C.) and the temperature that affords the minimal value δb is represented by Tb (° C.), the difference between the Ta and the Tb is 5.0-45.0° C.; and the toner having, in a storage elastic modulus (G′) curve obtained by the dynamic viscoelasticity test, a value G′a of a storage elastic modulus at the Ta, of 1.00×106-5.00×107 Pa. |
| US08372572B2 |
Toner, two-component developer, developing device and image forming apparatus
A toner capable of ensuring cleanness and the amount of specific charge for extended periods of time and having excellent charge stability and fixing property, a two-component developer, a developing device and an image forming apparatus are provided. A toner includes toner particles containing at least a binding resin and a coloring agent, and fine silicon-containing oxide particles having an average primary particle size of not smaller than 70 nm but not larger than 150 nm and containing water in an amount of not larger than 2.0% by weight, the fine silicon-containing oxide particles being externally added to the toner particles. |
| US08372569B2 |
Toner, and image forming method and process cartridge using the toner
A toner is provided including toner particles A having a circularity of greater than 0.93 and not greater than 1.00 and toner particles B having a circularity of from 0.85 to 0.93, wherein the following relationships are satisfied: 70≦RA≦95, 5≦RB≦30, 0.014≦SD≦0.025, and 0.940≦ED≦0.950, wherein RA (% by number) represents a ratio of a number of the toner particles A to a total number of toner particles included in the toner, RB (% by number) represents a ratio of a number of the toner particles B to the total number of toner particles included in the toner, SD represents a standard deviation of circularity of the toner particles A, and ED represents an average envelope degree of the toner particles B. |
| US08372567B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor and manufacturing method therefor
In an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer on an electroconductive substrate, the photosensitive layer is a positive-charging laminate comprising at least a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer laminated in that order, with the charge generating layer containing at least a resin binder, a charge generating agent, a space filler and an electron transport agent, while the charge transport layer contains at least, as a resin binder, polystyrene and a hole transport agent, and mineral oil of the charge transport layer is in an amount of 1% by mass or less of an amount of polystyrene. Thus, a highly durable and economic positive-charging multilayer electrophotographic photoreceptor and a manufacturing method therefor may be achieved. |
| US08372566B1 |
Fluorinated structured organic film photoreceptor layers
A imaging member, such as a photoreceptor, having an outermost layer that is a structured organic film (SOF) comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers including a first fluorinated segment and a second electroactive segment. |
| US08372563B2 |
MEMS lithography mask with improved tungsten deposition topography and method for the same
The present invention discloses a MEMS lithography mask with improved tungsten deposition topography and a method for making the same. The MEMS lithography mask includes: a pattern including at least two sections forming a conjunction with each other, each of the at least two sections having a width not less than a minimum width, the conjunction having a center and a plurality of corners, wherein at least one of the corners is inwardly recessed to reduce a width of the conjunction, the sections being for defining trenches on a substrate to be filled with tungsten as apart of a MEMS device, whereby the lowest height of the tungsten surface is not lower than 80% of the trench height. |
| US08372562B2 |
Conductive carbon carrier for fuel cell, electrode catalyst for fuel cell and solid polymer fuel cell comprising same
A conductive carbon carrier for a fuel cell having at least a surface layer graphitized, characterized in that the dimension (La) in a six-membered ring face (carbon plane) direction of a crystallite measured by X-ray diffraction is 4.5 nm or more. This carbon carrier improves the durability in a fuel cell and enables operation for a long period of time. |
| US08372559B2 |
Low cost thermal insulation for a fuel cell stack integrated end unit
An end unit for a fuel cell stack is provided. The end unit includes a main body having a cavity and a substantially impermeable barrier disposed thereon to militate against heat transfer within the end unit and minimize a cost of insulating the end unit. A fuel cell system and a method of fabricating the end unit for use in a fuel cell system are also provided. |
| US08372556B2 |
Conductive porous spacers for nested stamped plate fuel cell
A fuel cell having a pair of bipolar plates is provided. Each of the bipolar plates has a nested active area and a non-nested feed area which also may serve as active area. An electrolyte membrane is disposed between a pair of electrodes and a pair of diffusion medium layers. Each of the diffusion medium layers is disposed adjacent the nested active areas and non-nested feed areas of the bipolar plates. A porous, electrically conductive spacer is disposed between one of the diffusion medium layers and one of the bipolar plates. A fuel cell stack having the fuel cell is also provided. |
| US08372545B2 |
Separator for non-aqueous lithium-ion battery
A method for manufacturing battery separators for use in a lithium-ion battery containing non-aqueous electrolytes, producing batteries being resistant to thermal runaway and explosion, includes the steps of preparing a dryblend comprising two UHMW Polyethylenes and Calcined Kaolin, feeding said dry-blend into an extruder, melt-kneading said dry blend in the extruder while feeding mineral oil, making a solution from a die into the form of a sheet, using casting rolls, thereby cooling the solution down, producing a thick gel sheet, stretching the gel sheet in both machine and transverse directions, producing a 20 micron thick gel sheet containing oil thereby, extracting the oil by use of a solvent and drying the film, heat-setting the film and producing a microporous membrane. |
| US08372536B2 |
Battery module
A battery module for a rechargeable battery. The battery module has low contact resistance and includes: a plurality of electrode assemblies incorporating a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a housing installed with the electrode assembly; and at least one conductive barrier inserted in the housing thereby dividing the space inside the housing, and electrically connecting the plurality of electrode assemblies. |
| US08372529B2 |
Crosslinked pi-conjugated heteroacene compound for organic electroluminescence device and organic electroluminescence device using the same
Provided are an organic electroluminescence device, which: shows high luminous efficiency; is free of any pixel defect; and has a long lifetime, and a material for an organic electroluminescence device for realizing the device. The material for an organic electroluminescence device is a compound of a specific structure having a π-conjugated heteroacene skeleton crosslinked with a carbon atom, nitrogen atom, or oxygen atom. The organic electroluminescence device has one or more organic thin film layers including a light emitting layer between a cathode and an anode, and at least one layer of the organic thin film layers contains the material for an organic electroluminescence device. |
| US08372528B2 |
Phenyl and fluorenyl substituted phenyl-pyrazole complexes of Ir
The invention provides emissive materials and organic light emitting devices using the emissive materials in an emissive layer disposed between and electrically connected to an anode and a cathode. The emissive materials include compounds with the following structure: wherein at least one of R8 to R14 is phenyl or substituted phenyl, and/or at least two of R8 to R14 that are adjacent are part of a fluorenyl group. The emissive materials have enhanced electroluminescent efficiency and improved lifetime when incorporated into light emitting devices. |
| US08372527B2 |
Material for organic electroluminescent element, and organic electroluminescent element
A material for an organic electroluminescence device including at least one of compounds shown by the following formula (Ia), (Ib), (IIa), (IIb), (III), (IVa) or (IVb): |
| US08372522B2 |
Composite articles made by process for joining brass part and silicon carbide ceramic part
A process for joining a brass part and a silicon carbide ceramic part comprising: providing a brass part, a SiC ceramic part, a Ti foil and a Ni foil; placing the SiC ceramic part, the Ti foil, the Ni foil, and the brass part into a mold, the Ti foil and the Ni foil located between the SiC ceramic part and the brass part, the Ti foil abutting against the SiC ceramic part, the Ni foil abutting against the brass part and the Ti foil; placing the mold into a chamber of an hot press sintering device, heating the chamber and pressing the brass part, the SiC ceramic part, the Ti foil, and the Ni foil at least until the brass part, the SiC ceramic part, the Ti foil and the Ni foil form a integral composite article. |
| US08372521B2 |
Twisted wire and method of producing twisted wire
A method for producing a twisted wire (1) by twisting two wires (2) together. When that portion of the twisted wire (1) extending from one ends (3) of the two wires (2) to a first predetermined position (4) is defined as a one end-side twisted portion (5), and that portion of the twisted wire (1) extending from the first predetermined position (4) to a second predetermined position (6) is defined as an intermediate twisted portion (7), and that portion of the twisted wire (1) extending from the second predetermined position (6) to the other ends (8) of the two wires (2) is defined as an other end-side twisted portion (9), a twisting pitch of the one end-side twisted portion (5) and the other end-side twisted portion (9) is smaller than a twisting pitch of the intermediate twisted portion (7). |
| US08372516B2 |
(Meth)acrylate phosphonic esters as adhesion promoters
The invention is directed to compositions on a surface which comprise a) at least a (meth)acrylate prepolymer, b) an adhesion promoting monomer of formula (I) wherein Q, R1, R2, R4, R5, m and n are defined herein. Further the compositions may be used to improve the adhesion to surfaces, especially metallic surfaces and may include additional optional components such as adhesion promoting photoinitiators. |
| US08372514B2 |
Moisture-curing composition comprising at least two polymers having silane groups
The present invention relates to moisture-curing compositions that comprise, in addition to a first type of polymer having a specific end group, at least one additional type of polymer having a different specific end group. It has been shown that such compositions have a surprisingly quick adhesive formation and a low amount of seepage. |
| US08372513B2 |
Transparent substrate comprising an antireflection coating
The subject of the invention is a transparent substrate (6) having at least one antireflection coating, made from a film (A) comprising multiple thin layers of alternately high and low refractive indexes. The multilayer film comprises, in succession, a high-index first layer (1), having a refractive index n1 of between 1.8 and 2.3 and a geometrical thickness e1 of between 5 and 50 nm, a low-index second layer (2), having a refractive index n2 of between 1.30 and 1.70 and a geometrical thickness e2 of between 5 and 50 nm, a high-index third layer (3), having a refractive index n3 of between 1.8 and 2.3 and a geometrical thickness e3 of at least 100 nm, and a low-index fourth layer (4), having a refractive index n4 of between 1.30 and 1.70 and a geometrical thickness e4 of at least 80 nm. This antireflection coating can be used in solar modules. |
| US08372511B2 |
Fine carbon fiber with linearity and resin composite material using the same
A fine carbon fiber having linearity, each fiber filament of the carbon fiber having a bending angle of 30° or less with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fiber filament, and including a hollow space extending along its axis, and having an outer diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm, an aspect ratio of 5 to 1,000, and a BET specific surface area of 2 to 2,000 m2/g, wherein the average interlayer distance (d002) of the carbon fiber at a (002) plane is 0.345 nm or less as measured by means of X-ray diffractometry, and the ratio of the peak height (Id) of the band at 1,341 to 1,349 cm−1 in a Raman scattering spectrum of the carbon fiber to that of the peak height (Ig) of the band at 1,570 to 1,578 cm−1 in the spectrum (Id/Ig) is 0.1 to 2. The fiber exhibits excellent dispersibility in a matrix. |
| US08372509B2 |
Decorative laminates incorporating flame retardant engineering thermoplastic films
A decorative laminate that contains at least three layers that include a surface layer, a backing layer and a color layer positioned between the surface and backing layers. The surface layer or backing layer or both are made of flame retardant engineering thermoplastic materials. |
| US08372508B2 |
Window film frame assemblies and methods
A method, apparatus, and kit adapted for installation over windows or the like. Included is a window film frame assembly that comprises a frame having a plurality of frame segments and a plurality of connector members. Pressure-sensitive adhesive strips are attached to one side of the frame and serve to attach a generally flexible film sheet structure thereto. The film sheet structure is provided so as to conform to the shape of the frame across the frame opening. The film sheet structure does not have an exterior surface coated with an adhesive material. |
| US08372498B2 |
Composite core densification
A reinforcement tube for composite core densification and a composite article therewith. |
| US08372496B2 |
Cooking item comprising a non-stick coating with improved properties of adhesion to the substrate
A cooking item comprising a vitreous coating with improved impact-resistance properties. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such an item. |
| US08372495B2 |
Electronic device enclosure using sandwich construction
A housing for an electronic device or other object formed in a layered configuration. The layer or sandwich construction imparts strength and rigidity while decreasing the overall weight to the housing. The case/housing may have a first layer and a second layer formed from a first material. The case may also include a core formed from a second material. Where the first layer may be bonded to a top surface of the core and the second layer may be bonded to a bottom surface of the core. |
| US08372494B2 |
Inkjet print media
An inkjet print medium includes a base substrate, a layer of a deinking solution at least partially diffused into the base substrate, and an ink-receiving layer established on the layer of the deinking solution. The deinking solution includes a flocculant in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of a total wt. % of the deinking solution. |
| US08372488B2 |
Methods and apparatus for thermal barrier coatings with improved overall thermal insulation characteristics
Methods and apparatus for thermal barrier coatings are provided. The thermal barrier coating system includes a bond coat, a first thermal barrier coating comprising a thermal conductivity, kA having a first value, and a second thermal barrier coating including a thermal conductivity, kB having a second value wherein the second value is different than the first value. |
| US08372484B2 |
Anti-frost coating and the application method thereof
The present invention provides an anti-frost coating, which forms a coat having a hydrophilic and hydrophobic composite structure after being applied on a substrate, and contains a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. The application method of the anti-frost coating comprises: dissolving the hydrophilic polymer and the hydrophobic polymer in a solvent to form a homogeneous solution, coating the solution on a substrate to form a film, drying and curing to form an anti-frost coat with a hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic composite structure including a super-hydrophobic surface layer and a hydrophilic inner layer. Water drips can roll off easily and the dust and impurities deposited on the surface can be easily removed. The anti-frost effect is desirable. |
| US08372483B2 |
Methods for forming thin films comprising tellurium
Methods for controllably forming Sb—Te, Ge—Te, and Ge—Sb—Te thin films are provided. ALD processes can be used to deposit a first film comprising ZnTe. Providing an antimony source chemical, such as SbI3 replaces the zinc, thereby forming Sb2Te3 thin films. Ge—Te and Ge—Sb—Te films can also be made by providing Ge sources to ZnTe and Sb—Te thin films, respectively. |
| US08372482B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlled chemical vapor deposition
A gas injector system is provided that allows for improved distribution and directional control of the vapor material in a CVD or CVI process. Gas injector systems may be used without experiencing significant clogging of gas injector tube apertures over multiple CVD procedures. Further, a gas injector system include a dual aperture release system and/or allow vapor material to flow both substantially horizontally and substantially vertically. |
| US08372479B2 |
Method of treating a chamber having refractory walls
Method of treating a chamber having refractory walls, in which: a treatment composition, comprising at least one organosilicon compound and at least one hydrocarbide, is sprayed into said chamber, in the presence of oxygen; and said sprayed treatment composition is heated, the spraying in the presence of oxygen taking place in the closed chamber in which the treatment composition, in a predominantly liquid state, is atomized in the form of suspended particles, the method further including said at least one organosilicon compound decomposing to form a colloidal silica aerosol in the closed chamber, an overpressure being established therein, and a colloidal silica layer being spread over the refractory walls with, as a result of said overpressure, the colloidal silica penetrating into the microcracks. |
| US08372471B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic instrument
An electro-optical device includes a substrate having a plurality of film-formation regions configured and arranged to receive a liquid material discharged from a plurality of nozzles of a nozzle row while the substrate and the nozzle row are moved relative to each other in a primary scanning direction. Each of the film-formation regions includes a plurality of landing positions in which the liquid material lands with the landing positions being set by a nozzle interval in a direction of the nozzle row and a discharge interval in the primary scanning direction. At least two or more of the film-formation regions include a portion in which a total number of the landing positions in the at least two or more of the film-formation regions that simultaneously face the nozzles is the same in the primary scanning direction. |