| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08553438B1 |
Voltage regulator with inductor banks
A voltage regulator coupled to an unregulated DC input voltage source by an input terminal, and to a load by an output terminal is disclosed. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes one or more slaves, and each slave includes a switching circuit which serves as a power switch for alternately coupling and decoupling the input terminal to an intermediate node. The voltage regulator also includes a filter coupled to the slaves, the filter including one or more inductor banks each of which having a predetermined number of inductors. |
| US08553436B2 |
Synchronization detecting circuit and automatic synchronous parallelization apparatus
An automatic synchronous parallelization apparatus capable of suppressing an inrush current by automatically adjusting the magnitude, the frequency, and the phase of the voltage when a single-phase voltage-type DC-to-AC converting device performing an autonomous parallel operation is connected in parallel with an external single-phase AC voltage source. The automatic synchronous parallelization apparatus includes a synchronization detecting circuit, a voltage amplitude command value generating circuit, and a frequency command value generating circuit. The voltage amplitude command value generating circuit generates the 1st-axis voltage command value, and the frequency command value generating circuit generates the 2nd-axis voltage command value, based on a value relating to a frequency difference between an external single-phase AC voltage source and a single-phase voltage-type DC-to-AC converting device and an effective value of a voltage of the external single-phase AC voltage source that are detected by synchronization detecting circuit. By using such command values, an output of the single-phase voltage-type DC-to-AC converting device can be adjusted to as to coincide with a voltage waveform of the external single-phase AC voltage source. |
| US08553435B2 |
Power converter with multi-level voltage output and harmonics filter
A device for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage and vice versa comprises at least one phase leg with a first voltage source and a first inductor connected in series between a first DC terminal and a first AC terminal and with a second inductor and a second voltage source connected in series between the first AC terminal and a second DC terminal, where each of the voltage sources comprises at least a first and a second submodule in series-connection, each submodule comprising at least one power electronic switch connected in parallel with at least one capacitor. In the device, a passive electronic filter is arranged between the first and the second inductor as well as the first AC terminal for reducing harmonics in a circulating current. |
| US08553432B2 |
Power transmission method and power transmission apparatus
Method and apparatus for controlling an apparatus transmitting power between two electricity networks or between an electricity network and a polyphase electric machine), and including low-voltage power cells (C), which include a single-phase input/output connection (IN/OUT). The power cells are arranged into groups (G1-GN, GP1-GPN1, GS1-GSN2, G1′″-GN′″) such that at least one power cell per each phase of the electricity network or of the electric machine belongs to each group, and the input terminals (IN) of all the power cells belonging to the same group are connected to a common transformer, the transformer including its own separate winding that is galvanically isolated. The controllable power semiconductor switches connected to the input connectors (IN) of all the power cells supplying power to the same transformer are controlled cophasally with a 50% pulse ratio. |
| US08553425B2 |
Portable electronic device with anti-reverse engineering function
An exemplary portable electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board, starting module set on the circuit board for starting the portable electronic device, and an assembly module. The assembly module helps assembles the housing and the circuit board together and forms a part of circuitry associated with the starting module. When the assembly module is disassembled from the housing and the circuit board, the starting module cannot start the portable electronic device. |
| US08553423B2 |
Memory module holder
A memory module holder includes a base, two latching elements, and a frame. A slot is defined in the base. The two latching elements are rotatably attached to opposite ends of the base. The frame includes a beam portion and two latching portions. The two latching portions are positioned at opposite ends of the beam portion. The latching portions are retained by the latching elements. A receiving space is defined by the frame and the base to receive the memory module when the memory module holder is in a first state. The slot is covered by the beam portion when the memory module holder is in a second state. |
| US08553422B2 |
Push button and electronic device having same
A push button for mounting on an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a shell defining a hole, and a circuit board received in the shell. The push button includes a pressing member, a switch and a lever. The depressing member is received in the hole. The switch is received in the shell and connected to the circuit board. The switch is configured to be misaligned with the hole. The lever includes a spring arm and an body pivotally connected to the shell. When pressed, the depressing member pushes the lever to rotate from the first position to a second position where the other end of the body of the lever actuates the switch. The disclosure also provides the means of incorporating the push button into a device. |
| US08553404B2 |
Mounting apparatus for data storage device
A mounting apparatus includes an enclosure, a bracket for fixing a data storage device, and a resisting member. The bracket includes a base and a handle pivotably mounted to the base. The handle includes a pressing portion. The resisting member is pivotably mounted to the bracket. When the handle is rotated toward the base, the pressing portion of the handle presses a first portion of the resisting member to pivot the resisting member. A second portion of the resisting member extends through the bracket to resist against the enclosure. |
| US08553399B2 |
Electronic device with locking assembly
An electronic device includes an enclosure defining a first receiving hole and a locking assembly. The first receiving hole defines a first passing portion and a first locking portion smaller than and communicating with the first passing portion. The locking assembly includes a fixed member fixed to the enclosure and a rubber cover tightly sandwiched between the fixing member and the enclosure. The rubber cover includes a block portion extending to and received in the first passing portion of the first receiving hole. When a fastener on a wall is positioned at the first locking portion by way of the first passing portion, the block portion of the rubber cover blocks the first passing portion to prevent the fastener from moving away the first locking portion. |
| US08553397B2 |
Method and apparatus for coupling portable communication devices
A method and apparatus mechanically couple portable communication devices. The apparatus can include a first shaft having a first shaft longitudinal axis, a first shaft length along the first shaft longitudinal axis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end. The apparatus can include a first portable communication device having a first housing coupled to the first shaft end where the first housing rotates about an axis perpendicular to the first shaft longitudinal axis, the first housing having a first housing width. The apparatus can include a second portable communication device that can have a second portable communication device communication signal interface configured to communicate with a first portable communication device communication signal interface and can have a second housing that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the first shaft longitudinal axis. The first shaft length can be at least as long as the first housing width. |
| US08553396B2 |
Communications device capable of coupling current reduction
A communications device capable of coupling current reduction includes a first casing, a second casing, and an antenna. The first casing includes a first metal layer part. The second casing includes a second metal layer part. The antenna is adjacent to the first and second metal layer parts when the second casing is at a covering position. The first metal layer part has a surface that confronts the second metal layer part when the second casing is at the covering position and that is formed with a plurality of first recesses. The second metal layer part has a surface that confronts the first metal layer part when the second casing is at the covering position and that is formed with a plurality of second recesses. |
| US08553394B2 |
Circuit breaker racking apparatus, systems, and methods of using same
Embodiments provide a circuit breaker racking apparatus having a frame configured to couple to a switchgear section configured to receive a circuit breaker; a coupling operable to couple to a racking handle of the circuit breaker to be racked to or from the switchgear section; and a drive member coupled to the coupling and remotely operable to rotate the coupling and racking handle to accomplish racking of the circuit breaker. System and method aspects are provided, as are other aspects. |
| US08553393B2 |
Coin type lithium ion capacitor
Disclosed is a coin type lithium ion capacitor which includes a positive electrode made of an activated carbon based positive active material and a negative electrode opposite to the positive electrode with a first separator interposed therebetween. The negative electrode includes a graphite electrode including a first current collector and a graphite based negative active material coated onto the first current collector; and a lithium metal member opposite to the graphite electrode with a second separator interposed therebetween and including a second current collector and lithium metal coated on the second current collector, in which lithium ions of the lithium metal move from the lithium metal to the positive electrode through the graphite electrode during discharge and are carried in the graphite electrode from the positive electrode during charge. |
| US08553389B1 |
Anchor design and method for MEMS transducer apparatuses
An improved MEMS transducer apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus includes a movable base structure having a base surface region. An anchor structure is disposed within a substantially circular portion of the surface region typically at or near the center of the surface region. A spring structure is coupled to the anchor structure and at least one portion of the base surface region. A capacitor, having a fixed capacitor element and a movable capacitor element, are disposed near the base surface region. The fixed capacitor element can be coupled to the anchor structure and the movable capacitor element can be spatially disposed on a portion of the base surface region near the anchor structure. |
| US08553386B2 |
Surge suppression device having one or more rings
A surge suppression device may include a housing having a cavity, a center conductor positioned within the cavity, a spiral inductor having an inner curve coupled to the center conductor and an outer curve, a coil capture device connected to the outer curve of the spiral inductor, and a ring assembly having a first ring connected to the coil capture device, a second ring connected to the housing, and a voltage limiting device positioned between the first ring and the second ring. |
| US08553381B2 |
Gradually reducing resistive clamp
A voltage spike protection system minimizes a voltage spike by connecting a resistive clamp to a power source when the voltage spike is detected. The voltage spike detection system disconnects the resistive clamp after a portion of the voltage spike is dissipated. |
| US08553374B2 |
Modular circuit configuration for switching electrical power and an adapter designed to this end
A modular circuit arrangement for switching electrical power includes a relay socket, an adapter and a relay. The adapter is detachably connectable to the relay socket and includes a semiconductor relay and a control unit electrically connected to the semiconductor relay. The relay includes a mechanical switch and is electrically and mechanically detachably connectable to the adapter so as to connect the semiconductor relay of the adapter in parallel to the mechanical switch. The control unit is configured to actuate the relay and the semiconductor switch at different times. |
| US08553371B2 |
TMR reader without DLC capping structure
Embodiments herein generally relate to TMR readers and methods for their manufacture. The embodiments discussed herein disclose TMR readers that utilize a structure that avoids use of the DLC layer over the sensor structure and over the hard bias layer. The capping structure over the sensor structure functions as both a protective layer for the sensor structure and a CMP stop layer. The hard bias capping structure functions as both a protective structure for the hard bias layer and as a CMP stop layer. The capping structures that are free of DLC reduce the formation of notches in the second shield layer so that second shield layer is substantially flat. |
| US08553368B2 |
High aspect ratio motion limiter of a microactuator and method for fabrication
A high-aspect ratio motion limiter of a microactuator and a method for fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one low-aspect ratio gap is created in a substrate of a microactuator of a hard disk drive. The low-aspect ratio gap is then utilized to facilitate the creation of a high-aspect ratio motion limiter in the substrate of the microactuator. |
| US08553367B1 |
Depopulated head stack assembly having a necked dummy mass
A novel head stack assembly (HSA) is disclosed and claimed. The HSA includes first and second actuator arms. A first head gimbal assembly is attached to the first actuator arm. The first head gimbal assembly includes a read head. A dummy mass is attached to the second actuator arm. The dummy mass includes a mounting plate portion defining a mounting plate width, a neck portion defining a neck width and a neck length, and a distal mass portion defining a distal mass width and a distal mass length. The neck width is less than the mounting plate width and the neck width is less than the distal mass width. |
| US08553366B1 |
Disk drive with actuator pivot bearing having a surface coating inhibiting lubricant migration
An actuator pivot bearing is disposed at least partially within a bore in the body of a disk drive head actuator. The actuator pivot bearing includes a lubricant wetting a first surface, and a coating on a second surface. The coating has a surface energy such that the lubricant does not wet the second surface. |
| US08553362B2 |
Magnetic recording head with adjacent track interference suppresion by novel microwave-assisted magnetic recording element
A magnetic write head for magnetic data recording that incorporates a novel magnetic oscillation generator stricture that sets up a magnetic oscillation in the magnetic media for improving writing and that also narrows the write width and reduces adjacent track interference by suppressing writing in regions outside of the desired data track. The magnetic oscillation generating structure includes a centrally disposed magnetic assist element that generates an oscillating magnetic field that oscillates in a direction that will assist the write pole in writing to the magnetic medium. The magnetic oscillation generating structure also includes first and second magnetic non-assist elements at either side of the assist element. The non-assist elements generate a magnetic field that oscillates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, which counteracts the magnetic write assist from the centrally disposed magnetic assist element and acts to suppress writing in these side regions. |
| US08553361B2 |
Perpendicular write head having a trailing shield with a short gap, short throat and high apex angle for improved linear density recording
A magnetic write head having a trailing shield configured to optimize both write field strength and field gradient. The write head includes a write pole, a trailing gap layer formed over the trailing edge of the write pole and a trailing magnetic shield formed over the non-magnetic write gap layer such that the non-magnetic write gap layer is sandwiched between the trailing magnetic shield and the write pole. The trailing magnetic shield has a first surface disposed at the air bearing surface and second surface disposed away from the air bearing surface that is tapered at an angle of 20 to 75 degrees relative to the trailing edge of the write pole. |
| US08553359B2 |
Magnetic recording head and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus using the same
A magnetic recording head includes a magnetic pole, a spin torque oscillator, a first shield and a second shield. The magnetic pole has an air-bearing surface. The spin torque oscillator is provided so that a first side of the spin torque oscillator faces the magnetic pole in a first direction parallel to the air-bearing surface. The first shield includes a granular magnetic material, and is provided so that two portions of the first shield sandwich the spin torque oscillator in a second direction which is parallel to the air-bearing surface and perpendicular to the first direction. The second shield is provided on a second side of the spin torque oscillator opposite to the first side. |
| US08553349B2 |
Servo routine for track seeking in a hard disk drive and hard disk drive for performing the same
A method for controlling a hard disk drive, includes a track seeking servo routine in which seek time is measured in a mode of the routine after the trajectory mode, the measured seek time is compared with a predetermined period of time, and an alarm mode is induced when the measured seek time exceeds the predetermined period of seek time. |
| US08553340B2 |
Imaging device with focused illumination
An imaging system comprising a parabolic reflector having a base and defining a first axis, a light source disposed proximate the base essentially along the first axis, an imaging device comprising a zooming lens having a second axis, the imaging device being disposed in front of the light source along the first axis such that the second axis and the first axis are essentially coincident. |
| US08553339B2 |
Enhanced variable power zoom lens
The present invention is directed to provide an enhanced variable power zoom lens that has focusing lens optics reduced in weight so as to relieve of a load on a focusing drive system, and that has its anti-vibration lens optics reduced in both diameter and weight so as to relieve of a load on an anti-vibration drive system and downsize the same. The enhanced variable power zoom lens is adapted to have the foremost or first lens group G1 of positive refractivity, the second lens group G2 of negative refractivity, the third lens group G3 of positive refractivity, the fourth lens group G4 of negative refractivity, and the fifth lens group G5 of positive or negative refractivity arranged in sequence from a position closer to the object where the fourth lens group G4 serves as a focusing lens, and the third lens group G3 and the fifth lens group G5 together move on and along the same cam structure during zooming. |
| US08553335B2 |
Optical imaging system, camera device, and hand-held data terminal device
A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, and a second lens group having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power arranged in order from an object side, the third lens group having a first positive lens, a second positive lens, and a negative lens, and a third positive lens in order from the object side. When zooming from short to long focal end, the zoom lens is moved so that the interval between the first and second lens groups increases, that between the second and third lens groups decreases, that between the third and fourth lens groups increases, and the first and third lens groups are positioned closer to the object at the long focal end than the short focal end. |
| US08553332B2 |
Three-dimensional display apparatus
A display device includes; a display panel, a lens substrate facing the display panel, an air layer disposed between the display panel and the lens substrate, and a light refraction portion disposed on a surface of the lens substrate facing the display panel, wherein an average refractive index of the light refraction portion taken along a plane substantially parallel to the display panel increases in a direction substantially parallel to a path of light from the display panel to the lens substrate. |
| US08553331B2 |
Selective diffractive optical element and a system including the same
A selective diffractive optical element includes a first diffractive region having a first design on a first surface of a substrate, and a second diffractive region having a second design on the first surface of the substrate, the first and second designs being different, wherein, by altering a position of a cross-section of an illumination beam, the selective diffractive optical element outputs a desired proportion of the two diffractive patterns aligned along an optical axis of the illumination beam. |
| US08553330B1 |
Cylindrical lens with refractive optical element and diffractive optical element
A cylindrical lens having a refractive optical element and a diffractive optical element is used in order to provide a cylindrical lens that can preferably be fabricated cost effectively and precisely, and in the case of which optical aberrations and defects in semiconductor diode laser arrangements can be corrected. The diffractive optical element can include various segments. |
| US08553328B2 |
Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in that order from the object side, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group decreases, and the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group increases. The second lens group includes a positive first sub-lens group and a negative second sub-lens group, in that order from the object side. The second sub-lens group is a negative single lens element serving as an image-stabilizer lens group which moves in directions orthogonal to the optical axis to change the imaging position to correct image shake. |
| US08553327B2 |
Selective repositioning and rotation wavelength beam combining system and method
A system and method for reconfiguring a plurality of electromagnetic beams to take advantage of various wavelength beam combining techniques. The reconfiguring of beams includes individual rotation and selective repositioning of one or more beams with respect to beam's original input position. |
| US08553323B2 |
Objective changer
A microscope objective changer includes a changing device for changing at least two objectives. A movable objective holder corresponds to each objective. Each movable objective holder is configured to receive a respective one of the objectives and to transfer the respective objective along a respective displacement path from an allocated stand-by position into an operating position. A carrier is associated with each objective holder and includes a guide groove constituting the respective displacement path. Each displacement path includes a first portion beginning at the respective stand-by position and extends substantially perpendicular to the optical axis and a second portion directly bordering the first portion that includes a downwardly component in a direction parallel to the optical axis such that each objective holder is movable from the respective stand-by position to the optical axis of the operating position when reaching a lower end of the second portion of the displacement path. |
| US08553322B2 |
Variable magnification optics with spray cooling
A collection optics having variable magnification, and which enable changing magnification without stopping the spray cooling. The variable magnification is provided by a turret that carries several objectives of different magnifications. A frame is provided above the turret, wherein the spray cooling is provided. By rotating the turret and changing its elevation, different objectives of the turret can be “docked” to a docking port within the frame. |
| US08553317B2 |
Electrophoresis device, method of manufacturing the electrophoresis device, display, display substrate, and electronic unit
An electrophoresis device, includes: a migrating particle; a porous layer including a fibrous structure holding a non-migrating particle having optical reflection characteristics different from optical reflection characteristics of the migrating particle; and a light-transmissive dividing wall including part of the porous layer. |
| US08553315B2 |
Electrophoretic display device, driving method of electrophoretic display device, and electronic apparatus
An electrophoretic device includes: a first substrate and a second substrate; an electrophoretic layer including colored particles that is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; first electrodes; first transistors connected to the first electrodes; opposing electrodes that have larger areas than the first electrodes and have transparency; and a reflecting layer that has a larger area than the first electrodes, wherein the gradation is controlled by the area of the colored particles that is visible when the electrophoretic layer is seen from the second substrate side. |
| US08553309B2 |
Blade speed adjustable mechanism and focal plane shutter having the same
A blade speed adjustable mechanism includes: a board having an opening; a shutter blade opening or closing the opening; a drive lever supported by the board and bringing the shutter blade into an overlapped operation or an expanded operation; a biasing member engaging the drive lever and biasing the shutter blade in an overlapped direction or in an expanded direction; a ratchet member engaging the biasing member and having ratchet teeth; an engagement member holding the ratchet member at a desired stop position and adjusting an biasing force of the biasing member by changing the stop position. The engagement member has a plurality of pawl portions different from each other in length. The pawl portion engages the ratchet tooth to hold the ratchet member at the stop position. A difference in length between the pawl portions is shorter than a distance corresponding to a pitch of the ratchet teeth. |
| US08553307B2 |
Double-projection apparatus
Disclosed is a double-projection apparatus. The double-projection apparatus includes a frame, a carrier, two eccentric axles, a mirror-twisting axle, two scanning mirrors and two piezoelectric actuators. The carrier is provided in the frame, and includes an opening defined therein. Each of the eccentric axles includes an end connected to the frame and another end connected to the carrier. The mirror-twisting axle is provided in the opening. The scanning mirrors are provided in the opening and connected to two sides of the mirror-twisting axle. The piezoelectric actuators are connected to two sides of the frame. |
| US08553306B2 |
Optical deflector and optical device
An optical deflector includes a plurality of piezoelectric unimorph oscillating bodies (210a to 210d) that cause a reflecting plate (1) to oscillate rotationally, centering upon a pair of flexible support units (2a and 2b). The optical deflector forms a single structure of the oscillating plates (23a to 23b), the reflecting plate (1), the flexible support units (2a and 2b), and a support body (9), by connecting one set of the terminals of the oscillating plates (23a to 23d) of the suite of piezoelectric unimorph oscillating bodies (210a to 210d) to the flexible support units (2a and 2b), and connecting the other set of terminals to the support body (9). Furthermore, the plurality of piezoelectric unimorph oscillating bodies (210a to 210d) each respectively comprise a plurality of parallel oscillating bodies (23a1 to 23a-3, 23b-1 to 23b-3, 23c-1 to 23c-3), and (23d-1 to 23d-3), and a suite of parallel actuators (28a-1 to 28a-3, 28c-1 to 28c-3, and 28d-1 to 28d-3). |
| US08553305B2 |
Light deflecting element, light deflector, and image forming device
A light deflecting element includes: a movable plate provided with a light reflecting section having light reflectivity; a support section; a coupling section adapted to couple the movable plate rotatably to the support section; and a magnet disposed on an opposite surface of the movable plate to the light reflecting section, wherein the coupling section has a shape having a width gradually increasing in a direction from a side of the light reflecting section toward a side of the magnet in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to a rotational axis of the movable plate. |
| US08553302B2 |
Method for encoding computer-generated holograms using a correction function
A method for encoding computer-generated holograms in pixelated light modulators, the encoding area of which comprises a pixel matrix whose pixels are provided with a pixel form and a pixel transparency, wherein the encoding area contains a hologram made up of sub-holograms, to each of which is assigned an object point of the object to be reconstructed by the hologram. The corruption of the reconstruction of the hologram caused by the real pixel form and the pixel transparency is largely eliminated and the computing time for correction of the hologram is reduced. Each individual computer-generated sub-hologram is multiplied by a correction function, and only thereafter the corrected sub-holograms are added up to form a total hologram, the correction function being based on the reciprocal of the transform of the pixel function (e.g. 1/sinc) associated with the virtual observer window. |
| US08553299B2 |
Color material usage estimating image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium on which image processing program is recorded
An image processing apparatus includes a two color process section and a color material usage estimation and calculation section. The two color process section generates, based on input image data of RGB inputted by reading an original document, image data of CMY for outputting a two-color image. The color material usage estimation and calculation section calculates, based on the image data of CMY generated by the two color process section, a usage of color materials used when the two-color image is outputted and generates information concerning the usage of color materials from a result of the calculation. The color material usage estimation and calculation section outputs the generated information concerning the usage of color materials to an image display device. |
| US08553292B2 |
Image processing system and control method thereof
An image processing system comprises a first image reading apparatus which generates first image data by reading an image, transmits the first image data to a transmission destination via a network, and transmits, to a second image reading apparatus, information for combining image data which is transmitted by each of the first image reading apparatus and the second image reading apparatus to the transmission destination, the second image reading apparatus which generates second image data by reading an image, and transmits the second image data to the transmission destination via the network by using the transmitted information. |
| US08553289B2 |
Method and apparatus for compensation of arbitrary banding sources using inline sensing and control
A method for compensation of banding in a marking platform includes: initiating a signature learning mode; establishing a timing reference after marking modules have achieved constant velocity; marking a test pattern over multiple intervals of a lowest fundamental frequency among marking modules; obtaining image data for the test pattern from a sensor; and processing the image data in relation to the timing reference to form banding profiles for multiple banding sources. Alternatively, the method may include: initiating a cycle up stage in a phase learning mode; establishing a timing reference after marking modules have achieved constant velocity; marking a test pattern over multiple intervals of a lowest fundamental frequency among marking modules; obtaining banding image data for the test pattern from a sensor; and processing the image data with banding signatures in relation to the timing reference to form phase estimates for each banding signature. Additional embodiments are also provided. |
| US08553285B2 |
Image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a medium on which an image processing control program is recorded, an image evaluation device, an image evaluation method and a medium on which an image evaluation program is recorded
In image processing according to the prior art, the important part of photographic image data (referred to herein as the object) could not be determined and therefore required human participation.A computer 21 which is the core of image processing calculates an edginess which is an image variation from a differential value of data for adjacent picture elements in a step SA110, and determines object picture elements by selecting only images with a large variation in steps SA120, SA130. As optimum parameters for contrast correction and lightness compensation are calculated from image data for object picture elements in steps SA310-SA330, image processing indicators based on object picture elements are determined, and optimum image processing can be performed automatically. After summing a luminance distribution for each area of the image, which is a feature amount, while uniformly selecting picture elements in a step SB110, a reevaluation is performed by a weighting determined for each area in a step SB120, and a luminance distribution strongly influenced by the luminance distribution of the photographed object is thus obtained with uniform sampling. After determining the intensity of this luminance distribution insteps SB130-SB150, the image data is converted in a step SB160, and image processing can therefore be performed with optimum intensity while reducing the processing amount. |
| US08553284B2 |
Information input/output method using dot pattern
A dot pattern including a block defined as a rectangular area of a square or a rectangle of a medium face, such as printed matter. A straight line in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction configuring a frame of the block each are defined as a standard grid line. Virtual reference grid points are provided at predetermined intervals on the reference grid line. Reference grid point dots are placed on respective virtual reference grid points. Straight lines that connect the virtual reference grid points to each other and are parallel to the reference grid lines are defined as grid lines. A point of intersection of grid lines is defined as a virtual grid point. A dot pattern is generated by arranging one or a plurality of information dots, each of which has a distance and a direction around the virtual grid point. |
| US08553283B2 |
Printing apparatus, printing apparatus control method, and storage medium allowing editing to an image formed in a region to be cut off during postprocessing
A control method for controlling a printing apparatus configured to print image data and capable of conveying a printed sheet to a postprocessing apparatus configured to trim the printed sheet identifies and manages a region to be cut off by trimming and another region not to be cut off by the trimming and allows a user to easily edit an image included in the region to be cut off by the trimming. The control method includes displaying the image data, editing the displayed image data, obtaining information about a trimming position at which the postprocessing apparatus trims the sheet, and executing control for permitting editing of a first region, which is a region to be cut off by the postprocessing apparatus according to the obtained information and for restricting editing of a second region not to be cut off by trimming by the postprocessing apparatus. |
| US08553280B2 |
Image on paper registration using image marks
An image transfer assembly and method capable of adjusting the registration of an image printed on paper. A first image location being determined on at least one first sheet by measuring for each of at least three corners of a first sheet the distance between the two adjoining edges of the respective corners to a portion of at least one first fiducial mark. For each of the measured first sheet corners the measured portion of the at least one first fiducial mark is closer to that respective corner than any other of the first sheet corners. Then a second image to be transferred is adjusted by changing, relative to at least one second sheet, at least one of a size, shear, position and orientation of the second image based on the determined first image location. The adjusted second image being then printed on the second sheet(s). |
| US08553279B2 |
Image forming apparatus and a control method to improve image quality based on an edge pixel
An image forming apparatus and a control method to improve image quality. In the image forming apparatus, an edge detecting unit detects an edge pixel from scanned image data, an edge processing unit determines whether the edge pixel is a color edge pixel or a black edge pixel and applies independent edge processing methods to the color edge pixel and the black edge pixel, and a print unit prints the scanned image data using the processed edge pixel. |
| US08553278B2 |
Method of generating combined look-up table, and image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
An information processing apparatus generates a combined LUT that performs color matching and color separation in an integrated manner, based on an LUT for color matching and an LUT for color separation. Input points of the combined LUT are set such that output corresponding to the input points of the combined LUT corresponds to input points of the LUT for color separation. |
| US08553277B1 |
Image forming system having an image checking apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus and an image checking apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a transport control unit which transports a recording medium at a transport speed, and forms an image on the recording medium. The image checking apparatus includes a transport-speed acquisition unit, a detector, a reading unit, and an operation-state notification unit. The transport-speed acquisition unit acquires transport-speed information from the image forming apparatus. The detector detects a mark shown on the recording medium. The reading unit reads a checking-target image formed by the image forming apparatus at a position distant from the mark, on the basis of the transport-speed information and information concerning a positional relationship between the mark and the checking-target image. The operation-state notification unit notifies the image forming apparatus of an operation state of the image checking apparatus. |
| US08553276B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a contact glass having a light control glass part having transmittance changeable by an applied voltage; a scanner part reading an original placed on an original placement surface of the contact glass and outputting image data in a storage part; a projector part projecting image information onto the contact glass from a side opposite to the original placement surface; and a control part controlling the voltage applied to the light controlling glass part. When the scanner part is operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to increase and the projector part stops projecting the image information, and when the scanner part is not operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to decrease and the projector part projects the image data stored in the storage part onto the contact glass. |
| US08553272B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program therefor, and medium storing program
An image processing apparatus which performs variable printing in accordance with print data containing a fixed object and a variable object determines whether the fixed object overlaps another fixed object. When the image processing apparatus determines that the fixed object overlaps the other fixed object, the image processing apparatus generates data by performing the first image forming processing to combine the fixed object and the other fixed object or the second image forming processing to process the fixed object or the other fixed object. The image processing apparatus stores the generated data. The image processing apparatus extracts the stored data, combines it with the variable object to generate print data, and outputs the print data. |
| US08553269B2 |
Image forming apparatus and computer-readable recording medium storing image forming program for allowing storage section to store repeating use instruction information for repeatedly using band data
A controller (3) controls band data generating of a band data generating section (2), band data storing of the storage section (4), print image producing of the print image producing section (5), and printing of the printing section (6). The controller (3) allows the storage section (4) to store repeating use instruction information indicating that previous band data is to be repeatedly used when the newly generated band data to be stored in the storage section (4) is identical to the previous band data. The controller (3) allows the image producing section (5) to produce a print image by using expanded data of previous band data in place of expanded data of band associated with the repeating use instruction information stored in the storage section (4). |
| US08553267B2 |
Image forming system
If the user of an information processor enters into it a performance request to perform a job and a notification request to notify one or more other information processors of batch processing for the job, this processor transmits the performance and notification requests to a management apparatus. When the management apparatus receives the requests, the apparatus transmits to that processor or those processors a batch m processing notification inviting it or them to transmit to the apparatus a performance request to perform a job. If, within a specified length of time after the notification transmission, the management apparatus receives from that processor or at least one of those processors a performance request to perform a job, the apparatus transmits to an image forming apparatus the jobs which the image forming apparatus is requested to perform. Then, the image forming apparatus performs the jobs by means of batch processing. |
| US08553262B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus utilization system, and method for editing processing condition
A disclosed information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first processing condition information stored in a server via a network, a processing condition storage unit configured to store the first processing condition information acquired from the server via the network, a display unit configured to display the first processing condition information stored in the processing condition storage unit, an edition receiving unit configured to receive an edition of the first processing condition information displayed on the display unit, an execution unit configured to set the first processing condition information edited by the edition receiving unit to execute information processing based on the set first processing condition information, and a processing condition registration unit configured to register the first processing condition information set by the execution unit in the processing condition storage unit. |
| US08553258B2 |
Image communication system, image reading device and communication device with evaluation information indicates re-reading of the image is necessary includes an additional image corresponding to the image data
An image communication system, comprising an image reading device; and a communication device, wherein the image reading device comprises an image reading unit; a transmission unit to transmit the image date to a communication device; an evaluation information receiving unit to receive evaluation information indicating that re-reading of the image is necessary from the communication device; and a display unit to display the evaluation information, and wherein the communication device comprises: an image data receiving unit to receive the image data; an image data display unit to display an image corresponding to the image data; a command reception unit to receive an execution command for executing re-reading of the displayed image; an evaluation information generation unit to generate the evaluation information in response to receipt of the execution command; and an information transmission unit to transmit the evaluation information to the image reading device. |
| US08553257B2 |
Communication device driven by an on-demand driver installed in an apparatus, method of controlling the same, and system including the same
A communication device is driven by an on-demand driver installed in an apparatus that includes an on-demand driver generating program that generates the on-demand driver for the communication device based on device information of the communication device. The communication device includes a memory unit that stores therein the device information of the communication device, a responding unit that, in response to a request for obtaining the device information from the on-demand driver generating program, sends the device information stored in the memory unit to the apparatus, and an updating unit that is used in externally updating the device information stored in the memory unit. |
| US08553252B2 |
Communication apparatus, printing apparatus, printing system including said communication apparatus and printing apparatus, and method of controlling same
In response to a search command issued from a communication terminal, a printing apparatus declares to the communication terminal that the printing apparatus possesses an analyzing function for analyzing information described in a structured language. The printing apparatus analyzes description data, which relates to a communication method described in a structured language transmitted from the communication terminal, and communicates with the communication terminal in accordance with the communication method. |
| US08553248B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus accumulates the number of input print jobs when a control circuit of the image forming apparatus recognizes that, during the execution of the first print job having a sheet post-processing setting, a subsequent new print job having no sheet post-processing settings is input. If the accumulated number of input print jobs is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the image forming apparatus allows the interruption of the first print job by the subsequent new job. |
| US08553245B2 |
Management of image forming apparatus based on user authentication
An image forming apparatus connected via a network with an authentication server for user authentication based on biometric information about a user. The image forming apparatus is also connected with a managing server for managing an operation of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a transmission unit transmitting the biometric information about the user to the authentication server, a reception unit receiving use limit information corresponding to the biometric information about the user from the managing server, and a control unit controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus based on the use limit information. |
| US08553234B2 |
Shape measurement device
Disclosed is a shape measurement device including: a light irradiation unit which irradiates linear light onto a work; an imaging element which images reflected light reflected by the work; and an image-forming lens which forms an image of the reflected light reflected by the work on an imaging plane of the imaging element, and a light irradiation plane of the light irradiation unit, a principal plane including a principal point of the image-forming lens, and the imaging plane of the imaging element satisfy a Scheimpflug principle. The shape measurement device further includes: an image obtaining region selection unit which divides the imaging plane of the imaging element into a plurality of regions, and selects, as an image obtaining region, a region for use in measurement from the plurality of regions in response to at least one of measurement accuracy and a size of a measurement range. |
| US08553232B2 |
Interference objective lens unit and light-interference measuring apparatus using thereof
Disclosed is an interference objective lens unit, comprising: an objective lens; a beam splitter that splits the light transmitted through the objective lens into a reference optical path in which a reference mirror is provided and a measuring optical path in which the measuring object is placed, and that superposes the split lights to output interference light; a first holder that holds the objective lens and that is formed by material having a first linear expansion coefficient; and a second holder that holds the reference mirror and that is formed by material having a second linear expansion coefficient different from the first linear expansion coefficient, wherein when a usage environment temperature changes, a difference in the linear expansion coefficients between the first holder and the second holder corrects an optical path difference between the reference optical path and the measuring optical path. |
| US08553231B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the height of a number of spatial positions on a sample defining a profile of a surface through white light interferometry
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the height of a number of spatial positions on the sample, defining a height map of a surface through interferometry with a broadband light source. The method can involve for each spatial position: obtaining a correlogram during scanning of the surface plane of the objective and estimating the point of the correlogram where an amplitude of the correlogram is at its maximum, thus determining an approximation of the height of the spatial position on the sample. The estimation of the value where the correlogram has its maximum can involve subjecting the correlogram to a Fourier transform, subjecting the Fourier transformed signal to a filter, subjecting the filtered signal to an inverse Fourier transform, and calculating the location of the center of mass of the inversed filtered Fourier transformed signal. |
| US08553228B2 |
Web inspection calibration system and related methods
Systems and methods for calibrating a web inspection system using data from a calibrated point sensor, using a frequency spectra-based analysis. A sensor measures a web property of interest, which is then converted into the frequency domain, as is information from a web inspection system. A correlation model is then created to allow calibration of the web inspection system. |
| US08553222B2 |
Coded aperture snapshot spectral imager and method therefor
The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene. |
| US08553218B2 |
Calibration method and apparatus
Calibration of an angularly resolved scatterometer is performed by measuring a target in two or more different arrangements. The different arrangements cause radiation being measured in an outgoing direction to be different combinations of radiation illuminating the target from ingoing directions. A reference mirror measurement may also be performed. The measurements and modeling of the difference between the first and second arrangements is used to estimate separately properties of the ingoing and outgoing optical systems. The modeling may account for symmetry of the respective periodic target. The modeling typically accounts for polarizing effects of the ingoing optical elements, the outgoing optical elements and the respective periodic target. The polarizing effects may be described in the modeling by Jones calculus or Mueller calculus. The modeling may include a parameterization in terms of basis functions such as Zernike polynomials. |
| US08553210B2 |
System and method for combined Raman and LIBS detection with targeting
A system and method for locating and identifying unknown samples. A targeting mode may be utilized to scan regions of interest for potential unknown materials. This targeting mode may interrogate regions of interest using SWIR and/or fluorescence spectroscopic and imaging techniques. Unknown samples detected in regions of interest may be further interrogated using a combination of Raman and LIBS techniques to identify the unknown samples. Structured illumination may be used to interrogate an unknown sample. Data sets generated during interrogation may be compared to a reference database comprising a plurality of reference data sets, each associated with a known material. The system and method may be used to identify a variety of materials including: biological, chemical, explosive, hazardous, concealment, and non-hazardous materials. |
| US08553204B2 |
Movable body apparatus, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
A fine movement stage is driven by a controller, based on positional information of the fine movement stage in a measurement direction measured by a measurement system and correction information of a measurement error caused by a tilt of the fine movement stage included in the positional information. Accordingly, driving the fine movement stage with high precision becomes possible, which is not affected by a measurement error included in the positional information in a measurement direction of the measurement system that occurs due to a tilt of the fine movement stage. |
| US08553200B2 |
Optical element with at least one electrically conductive region, and illumination system with the optical element
An optical element includes first regions which reflect or transmit the light falling on the optical element. The optical element also includes second regions which are in each instance separated by a distance from a first region and which at least partially surround a first region. The second regions are designed to be at least in part electrically conductive and are electrically insulated from the first regions. The optical element includes a carrier element and at least two first regions in the form of mirror facets which are arranged on the carrier element. The second regions are arranged with a separation from the mirror facets on the carrier element and are electrically insulated against the carrier element as well as against the mirror facet. At least one mirror facet is surrounded by an electrically conductive second region. |
| US08553199B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A vibration damping arrangement for a lithographic apparatus includes a sensor arranged to, in use, detect a vibration of a projection system. An actuator is arranged to, in use, exert a force on a control unit of the projection system to convert an output signal of the sensor to an actuator input signal such that, during operation, the vibration of the projection system is mitigated by controlling the actuator by the input signal to exert the force to the projection system. |
| US08553198B2 |
Mask pattern correction device, method of correcting mask pattern, light exposure correction device, and method of correcting light exposure
In view of realizing a lithographic process which makes it possible to estimate and correct flare with an extremely high accuracy, and causes only an extremely small dimensional variation in width, over the entire portion not only of a single shot region, but also of a single chip region, a mask pattern correction device of the present invention has a numerical aperture calculation unit calculating, for every single shot region, flare energy for a mask pattern corresponding to a transferred pattern, based on an exposure layout of a plurality of shot regions, or more specifically, while considering flare from a plurality of shot regions located around every single shot region. |
| US08553194B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display device manufacturing method, and electronic device
A liquid crystal display device including: first and second substrates disposed oppositely to each other; a first spacer formed on a side of the first substrate so as to be directly or indirectly abutted against a side of the second substrate; and a second spacer formed on the first substrate side so as to be spaced apart from the second substrate side; wherein a concavo-convex portion is formed in an area, of the second substrate, corresponding to the second spacer on the first substrate side. |
| US08553193B2 |
Pixel structure and display panel having the same
A pixel structure includes a first and a second scan lines, a data line, a first insulating layer covering the first and the second scan lines and a portion of the data line and having a recess, a second insulating layer covering the first insulating layer, a capacitor electrode line covering the data line and the recess, a third insulating layer on the capacitor electrode line, a first active device electrically connected to the second scan line and the data line, a second active device electrically connected to the first active device and the first scan line, and a first and a second pixel electrodes electrically connected to the first and the second active devices, respectively. The portion of the data line and the first and the second scan lines are in the same layer. The recess is located at two sides of the portion of the data line. |
| US08553186B2 |
Thin film transistor array substrate, display panel, liquid crystal display apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
A display panel having a pixel region and a sensing region includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a display medium layer. A plurality of pixel structures and at least one photo-voltaic cell device are disposed on the first substrate. The pixel structures are arranged in the pixel region in array, and each of the pixel structures includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor. The photo-voltaic cell device disposed in the sensing region includes a doped semiconductor layer, a transparent electrode layer, a first type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer and a second type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer. The first type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer and the second type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer are disposed between the doped semiconductor layer and the transparent electrode layer. The display medium layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08553183B2 |
Display device having reduced step coverage at overlapping portion of color filters
A display device includes; a first substrate, a first pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, a second pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and neighboring the first pixel electrode, a first color filter disposed under the first pixel electrode, a second color filter disposed under the second pixel electrode and overlapping the first color filter in an area between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, and a data line including a first portion and a second portion respectively disposed on left and right sides of the area wherein the first and second color filters overlap. |
| US08553180B2 |
Ink-jet ink composition for color filter, color filter, method for producing a color filter, and liquid crystal display device
The present invention is to provide an ink-jet ink composition for a color filter, which shows excellent straightness and sustainability when ejected from a head, which is able to decrease the heaped amount of the ink and to prevent the ink from overflowing from the ink layer-forming portion, and which is able to form a cured layer with an excellent shape and excellent film properties when deposited onto a substrate by the ink-jet method. The present invention is also to provide a color filter using the same, a method for producing a color filter, and a liquid crystal display device. The ink-jet ink composition for a color filter of the present invention comprises: (A) a pigment comprising C.I. pigment blue 15:6 and C.I. pigment violet 23, (B) a pigment dispersing agent comprising a polyallylamine derivative, (C) a thermosetting binder and (D) an organic solvent, wherein the content of C.I. pigment violet 23 is 8 to 30% by weight of the pigment (A). |
| US08553178B2 |
Channelized plate
Preferred embodiments utilize a plurality of optical channels to effectively aim the light emitted by a liquid crystal display (LCD). Embodiments may also change the nominal and range of viewing angles of light in two or three dimensions in order to confine the emitted light towards the intended observer. |
| US08553176B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device performs suitable overshoot drive, even if a panel temperature is changed due to a change of the backlight emission luminance. The liquid crystal display device includes: a temperature sensor which detects the temperature in the device; an emphasis conversion section, which obtains, after the elapse of one vertical display period, an emphasis conversion parameter for making the transmissivity of the liquid crystal panel reach the transmissivity specified by input image signals, and which outputs applying voltage signals for the liquid crystal panel on the basis of the emphasis conversion parameter; and a main microcomputer which corrects the panel temperature of the liquid crystal panel on the basis of the changed light emission luminance when the light emission luminance of the backlight is changed. The emphasis conversion section variably controls the emphasis conversion parameter on the basis of the panel temperature corrected via the main microcomputer. |
| US08553174B2 |
Liquid crystal display and backlight module and back plate assembly thereof
A back plate assembly includes a heat dissipating member and a back cover. The heat dissipating member includes a base plate for mounting a light guide plate and a side plate for mounting a LED light source. The base plate extends along a first direction, and includes a first surface facing a display and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The side plate is connected to the base plate, and extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The back cover is disposed on the base plate and is made of plastic material. The back cover includes a third surface facing the display and coplanar with or higher than the first surface. With the present disclosure, the manufacturing cost of the light guide plate is reduced and no complicated fixing structures are required to fix the light guide plate on the back plate. |
| US08553172B2 |
P-chassis arrangement for positioning a display stack
Methods and apparatus for aligning a display stack with respect to a housing associated with a portable electronic device are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a chassis arrangement suitable for use in aligning a display stack with respect to a housing includes a first portion, a second portion, and a coupling arrangement. The first portion is configured to engage the display stack, and the second portion is configured to enable the display stack to be manipulated when the display stack is engaged by the first portion. The coupling arrangement couples the first portion with the second portion, and is configured to enable the second portion to be detached from the first portion. |
| US08553171B2 |
Display device
The display device includes a display panel displaying images, a light source generating and supplying light to the display panel, and a unitary indivisible frame supporting the display panel and including the light source disposed therein. The frame includes a bottom surface, a plurality of sidewalls which each extend from the bottom surface, a plurality of seating portions which extend from the plurality of sidewalls and on which the display panel is seated, and support protrusions protruding inclined from the seating portions and facing a lateral surface of the display panel. The bottom surface, the plurality of sidewalls, the plurality of seating portions and the support protrusions are disposed continuous with each other in the unitary indivisible frame. |
| US08553167B2 |
Portable electronic device
When image data is displayed on the display portion of a conventional mobile telephone, characters cannot be displayed thereon, and thus the image data and the characters cannot be simultaneously displayed. In a portable electronic device according to the present invention, a cover member having a first display device (101) for displaying an image (digital still image or the like) and a second display device (102) having a touch input operational portion (for displaying characters, symbols, or the like) are attached to each other so as to allow opening and closing. |
| US08553166B2 |
TFT-LCD array substrate and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) array substrate comprises a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines on a substrate. A plurality of pixel regions are defined by the gate lines and the data lines. Each of the pixel regions comprises a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor serving as a switch element. The gate electrode of the thin film transistor is connected with a corresponding gate line through a connection electrode, and the gate electrode is formed by a material layer different from that forming the gate lines. |
| US08553164B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with shield lines on data lines and thin film transistor components
A liquid crystal display device includes a p-type driving thin film transistor and an n-type driving thin film transistor in a non-display region, and a pixel thin film transistor connected to a gate line and a data line in a display region. The liquid crystal display device further includes a pixel electrode that covers and directly contacts a third drain electrode of the pixel thin film transistor, a shield pattern that covers and directly contacts each of the first source electrode and the first drain electrode of the p-type driving thin film transistor and the second source electrode and the second drain electrode of the n-type driving thin film transistor, and a shield line that covers and directly contacts the data line and a third source electrode of the pixel thin film transistor. |
| US08553162B2 |
3D image display device
A 3D image display device. The device may include: a display unit displaying left-eye and right-eye images alternately; a display-side polarizing plate arranged on the side of a display surface of the display unit; and shutter glasses having left-eye and right-eye shutters, and opening and closing a shutter in accordance with display states of images on the display unit. A shutter includes a liquid crystal cell, a retardation plate arranged at the liquid crystal cell, and a first glasses-side polarizing plate arranged at the liquid crystal cell on the side opposite to the retardation plate. Polarization axes of the display-side polarizing plate and the first glasses-side polarizing plate are orthogonal. The polarization axis of the display-side polarizing plate and a retardation axis of the retardation plate are parallel or orthogonal. |
| US08553159B2 |
Radio frequency powered remote control
Described herein is a remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment. The remote control may include an input device, a transmitter, and a power generation device. The input device may be for receiving commands from a user. The transmitter may be for transmitting instruction signals to audio/visual equipment, where the instruction signals may be based at least in part on the commands received from the user. The power generation device may be for providing power to the transmitter. The power generation device may receive at least a first radio frequency signal and convert at least the first radio frequency signal into direct current power. |
| US08553149B2 |
Television display leveling
A television leveling module determines, using at least one accelerometer module in response to activation of the television leveling module, an angle of orientation relative to horizontal of a television coupled to a horizontal level-adjustable mounting assembly. An indication of the angle of orientation relative to horizontal is displayed on a television display. The display of the indication of the angle of orientation relative to horizontal of the television is iteratively updated in response to detected adjustments of the angle of orientation. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08553146B2 |
Visually imperceptible matrix codes utilizing interlacing
A device obtains a video and a matrix code (such as a QR code) to divide into portions and interlace with the video. The device generates a modified interlaced video by including at least a first portion in a first but not a second field of a first frame, a second portion in a second but not a first field of a second frame, and so on such that all of the portions of the matrix code are included in the modified interlaced video. Subsequently, the device transmits the modified interlaced video to a display. When the modified interlaced video is displayed, the matrix code is present but not visually perceptible. A matrix code reader detects and/or records and analyzes the displayed modified video to identify the portions of the matrix code included therein, extract such portions, and combine the extracted portions to form the matrix code. |
| US08553139B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
The present invention is an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device having an image pickup plane on which pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, a mechanical rear curtain shutter that runs along the image pickup plane to control passage/shielding of light, a system control section that divides the image pickup plane into a plurality of pixel groups along the running direction ahead of running of the mechanical rear curtain shutter and collectively resets charge of all pixels in one pixel group sequentially at timing per pixel group according to running characteristics of the mechanical rear curtain shutter, and an image processing section that corrects a signal level of an image signal read from the image pickup device to approximate to an image signal obtained when the pixels have a same exposure time based on the running characteristics of the mechanical rear curtain shutter and reset timing for each pixel group. |
| US08553132B2 |
Lens barrel, image pickup device, and lens barrel manufacturing method
A lens barrel includes a fourth lens, a prism, and a sixth lens. The fourth lens receives a light flux incident along a first optical axis. The prism includes a reflecting surface reflecting the light flux passing through the fourth lens to a direction along a second optical axis intersecting with the first optical axis. The sixth lens receives the light flux reflected by the prism. A second group frame includes an opening portion, a prism retaining frame that is arranged in a more inner position than the opening portion and in which the prism is contained, and a plurality of adhesive pockets arranged on an area around the prism retaining frame and being open to the side of the opening portion. Adhesive agent is filled in the adhesive pockets. |
| US08553124B2 |
Solid-state image capturing device, method of driving solid-state image capturing device, and image capturing apparatus
A solid-state image capturing device includes: a pixel array unit including plural pixels each converting light selectively incident through a mechanical shutter into charges to be stored in a storage portion and having an overflow path through which charges exceeding a saturation charge amount are discharged; and a driving unit starting an exposure by simultaneously resetting all pixels of the pixel array unit, maintaining the overflow path in an opened state during the exposure period, and closing the overflow path during a period while signals are read from the pixels after ending the exposure by closing the mechanical shutter. |
| US08553123B2 |
Image sensing apparatus, imaging system, and imaging sensing apparatus driving method
An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel array including an optical black region and effective pixel region, and a scanning unit which scans the pixel array. The scanning unit includes a first shift register which scans the optical black region by a shift operation, and a second shift register which scans the effective pixel region by a shift operation. The second shift register starts the shift operation during a first period when the first shift register scans the optical black region, and scans a readout region serving as a partial region of the effective pixel region during a second period following the first period. |
| US08553122B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
A system and method for driving a solid-state image pickup device including a pixel array unit including unit pixels. Each unit pixel includes a photoelectric converter, column signal lines and a number of analog-digital converting units. The unit pixels are selectively controlled in units of rows. Analog signals output from the unit pixels in a row selected by the selective control though the column signal lines are converted to digital signals via the analog-digital converting units. The digital signals are added among a number of unit pixels via the analog-digital converting units. The added digital signals from the analog-digital converting units are read. Each unit pixel in the pixel array unit is selectively controlled in units of arbitrary rows, the analog-distal converting units being operable to performing the converting in a (a) normal-frame-rate mode and a (b) high-frame-rate mode in response to control signals. |
| US08553121B2 |
Imaging apparatus and control method thereof
An image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units disposed in line and column directions, transfer capacitances that store a signal read out from the (n−1)th line (n being an integer of 2 or more) of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, transfer capacitances that store a signal read out from the nth line of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, and a system control CPU that controls the image sensor. While a level of a predetermined driving pulse generated within the image sensor changes during the period where the signal of the (n−1)th line stored in the transfer capacitance is read out from the transfer capacitances, the system control CPU control not to output the signal of the (n−1)th line from the transfer capacitances. |
| US08553118B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus
In order to suppress a variation of a signal held by each signal holding unit, a solid-state imaging apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, when a clamp operation of a pixel output signal is performed in the signal holding unit, a time changing rate of an amplitude of a drive pulse supplied to the selecting unit for turning from a non-conducting state to a conducting state is not larger than a time changing rate of the amplitude of the drive pulse supplied to the selecting unit for turning from the conducting state to the non-conducting state. |
| US08553117B2 |
Photodetector system, apparatus and method
A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an image signal by receiving a flux of photons at a convex photodetector such as a hemispherical photodetector. The convex photodetector includes a plurality of photosensors. Each photosensor has a different orientation with respect to a propagation vector of the flux of photons. The photosensors generate a respective plurality of intensity signals. Each of the intensity signals is related to the respective orientation of the photosensor that generates it. The intensity signals are received by a signal processor, such as a digital signal processor, which uses the intensity signals to compute an image signal related to the intensity signals and thereby produce a focused output image. |
| US08553116B2 |
Digital camera and exposure control method
Shutter blades are driven so that light which hits an image sensor which has been hit by the light is blocked (timing t5). That the shutter blades have moved a predetermined amount is detected before the start of the shutter blades blocking the light (timing t6), and furthermore, reset scanning of the exposure amount of the image sensor vertically upwards is started at a reset timing according to the detection before the start of the shutter blades blocking the light (timing t7). Due to this, it is possible for the exposure amount of the image sensor to be reset at a timing corresponding to the type of driving of the shutter for each camera in a case where there is variation or change in the type of driving due to individual unit differences or changes over time in the shutter mechanism. |
| US08553115B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus and imaging system using the same
If separations between photoelectric conversion elements are different from each other, charge leaking into adjacent photoelectric conversion elements varies. A photoelectric conversion apparatus of the present invention includes a first semiconductor region that can be potential barriers against signal charge, between first and second photoelectric conversion elements. Further, the apparatus includes a second semiconductor region that has the same depth as the depth of the first semiconductor region and a width narrower than the width of the first semiconductor region and can be potential barriers against the signal charge, between the first and a third photoelectric conversion element. Moreover, the apparatus includes a third semiconductor region that can be potential barriers against the signal charge under the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region. |
| US08553113B2 |
Digital image capturing system and method
A digital image capturing system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a processing engine that performs digital image processing functions like noise reduction, gain control, white balance and others. In one embodiment, the image capturing system may have a first image sensor operable to capture a first view of a scene and a second image sensor operable to capture a second and different view of the scene. A selector may be employed to selectively route either the first view information or the second view information onto the processing engine. In preferred embodiments, the sensors may be CMOS sensors and, as such, relatively inexpensive. By allowing two inexpensive sensors to share image processing electronics, an image capturing system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be able to offer compelling functional characteristics at a reasonable price. |
| US08553111B2 |
Noise reduction system, image pickup system and computer readable storage medium
A noise reduction system for performing noise reduction processing for an image signal taken in from an image pickup system, includes a local area extracting unit which sequentially extracts, from the image signal, a local area including a target pixel for which the noise reduction processing is performed; a first noise reducing unit which performs random noise reduction processing for the local area; a second noise reducing unit which performs impulsive noise reduction processing for the local area; and a combining unit which combines an image signal which has been subjected to the noise reduction processing by the first noise reducing unit and an image signal which has been subjected to the noise reduction processing by the second noise reducing unit. |
| US08553109B2 |
Concurrent image processing for generating an output image
Embodiments of the present application automatically utilize parallel image captures in an image processing pipeline. In one embodiment, image processing circuitry concurrently receives first image data to be processed and second image data to be processed, wherein the second image data is processed to aid in enhancement of the first image data. |
| US08553106B2 |
Dual lens digital zoom
A camera with a pair of lens/sensor combinations, the two lenses having different focal lengths, so that the image from one of the combinations has a field of view approximately two to three times greater than the image from the other combination. As a user of the camera requests a given amount of zoom, the zoomed image provided will come from the lens/sensor combination having the field of view that is next larger than the requested field of view. Thus, if the requested field of view is less than the smaller field of view combination, the zoomed image will be created from the image captured by that combination, using cropping and interpolation if necessary. Similarly, if the requested field of view is greater than the smaller field of view combination, the zoomed image will be created from the image captured by the other combination, using cropping and interpolation if necessary. |
| US08553105B2 |
Audiovisual data recording device and method
In each of photographed L and R viewpoint images, an object area and an object size are detected. A disparity calculator calculates a maximum disparity of the object area between the L and R viewpoint images. A sound image locating unit determines the shift amount of a reverberation sound ratio from a standard ratio based on the object size and the maximum disparity, to give an appropriate depth to sound data. The sound image locating unit also locates the sound data with an appropriate location angle in accordance with the position of a horizontal center of the object area. The processed sound data and L and R viewpoint image data are compressed, and recorded as an AV file on a memory card. |
| US08553101B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device and image sensing system
A solid-state image sensing device comprises a first readout circuit configured to read out a signal from a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit configured to hold the signal read out from the first readout circuit, a second readout circuit configured to read out the signal held in the signal holding unit, and a current control unit configured to control an electric current flowing through at least part of the first readout circuit while the first readout circuit reads out the signal. The current control unit controls an electric current flowing through the at least part of the first readout circuit in a moving image capturing mode to be smaller than an electric current flowing through the at least part of the first readout circuit in a still image capturing mode. |
| US08553094B2 |
Interactive image system, interactive apparatus and operating method thereof
An interactive image system includes a host having a first wireless module and an access device for accessing software, at least one reference point for generating light of a predetermined spectrum and an interactive apparatus including a second wireless module, an image module, a modulation module and a processing unit. The image module captures images of the reference point with a sampling frequency to form a first image and a second image, calculates and outputs a moving vector of the images of the reference point between the first and second images. The processing unit controls the second wireless module to transmit the moving vector to the first wireless module and controls the modulation module to real-timely modulate the sampling frequency of the image module according to a predetermined condition. The present invention further provides an interactive apparatus and operating method thereof. |
| US08553083B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatically adjusting camera
A method is provided for automatically adjusting a size of characters using a camera. The method includes receiving an image with characters; adjusting a focus of the image with characters and detecting a region and a size of characters in the image; determining whether the size of the characters in the image falls within a preset range; recognizing the characters in the image and displaying the recognition results, if the size of characters falls within the preset range; and automatically adjusting a zoom ratio of the image and recognizing the characters in the resized image, if the size of the characters does not fall within the preset range. |
| US08553081B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying an image of vehicle surroundings
When images of vehicle surroundings are captured by cameras and are displayed together with an image of a vehicle, surrounding images within a predetermined distance from the vehicle are displayed at the same scale as the scale of the vehicle image, and surrounding images outside the predetermined distance are displayed at a larger scale than the scale of the vehicle image. The surrounding images may be displayed at a progressively larger scale as the distance from the vehicle increases. |
| US08553078B2 |
Media display system and adjustment method therefor
An adjustment method for a media display system includes a camera capturing an image of a viewer, detecting a reference eyeline in the image, obtaining a midline of the image, comparing the reference eyeline with the midline to determine whether the two lines overlap and outputting a comparison signal correspondingly, and driving a driving apparatus according to the comparison signal to adjust height of an electronic billboard. |
| US08553074B2 |
Auto stereoscopic display improving brightness
Provided is an auto stereoscopic display improving brightness, including: a left eye pixel including a plurality of first color sub pixels and a first white sub pixel; a right eye pixel including a plurality of second color sub pixels and a second white sub pixel; and a viewing field separating unit which separates a viewing field of a left image formed by the left eye pixel and a viewing field of a right image formed by the right eye pixel. |
| US08553068B2 |
Switched multipoint conference using layered codecs
In one implementation, a conference bridge connects endpoints in a media conference. The various endpoints may have a wide range of video capabilities and audio capabilities. The video conference bridge learns the video capabilities of the endpoints and formulates a media plan based on these capabilities. The media plan instructs the endpoints on the types of media streams to produce. The video conference bridge may shape a media stream received from one of the endpoints by removing one or more layers. Accordingly, each endpoint decodes only the media streams that can be encoded by another endpoint and receives the best possible media stream from each endpoint. |
| US08553064B2 |
System and method for controlling video data to be rendered in a video conference environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a video session in which a plurality of displays are used for rendering video data, and evaluating a presentation element in order to identify a control element that includes control data. The control element is included in the presentation element. The method further includes communicating at least a portion of the control data such that it can be used to determine which video data is to be rendered on the plurality of displays. |
| US08553061B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus using the same
An optical scanning device includes a light source device having light emitting members of a number N (N is an integer not less than 2) disposed with a tilt with respect to a sub-scan direction and a main-scan direction, a deflecting device for scanningly deflecting light beams of the number N from the light emitting members, an input optical system for directing the light beams from the light source means to the deflecting device, an imaging optical system for directing the deflected light beams to a surface to be scanned, a synchronism signal detecting device for detecting a portion of a light beam scanningly deflected by the deflecting surface and producing writing start timing signals for the light beams upon the surface to be scanned, and a synchronism detecting optical system for directing the deflected light beams to the synchronism signal detecting device, wherein the synchronism signal detecting device detects a light beam emitted from a light emitting member among the light emitting members of the number N, except a light emitting member which emits a light beam that provides a least light quantity when the same is incident on the synchronism signal detecting device, to determine the writing start timing signal. |
| US08553060B2 |
Thermal printer
A head unit (4), a platen roller (3), a motor (5) and a gear transmission mechanism (6) are attached to a frame (2) of a thermal printer. The frame (2) is molded by die-casting an alloy material, and a radiating fin assembly (15) is formed integral with the frame (2) in the vicinity of a motor mounting area of the frame (2). Heat generated from the motor (5) is radiated from the die-cast frame and the radiating fin assembly. |
| US08553059B2 |
Thermal printer head and manufacturing method thereof
A thermal printer head that is highly efficient to manufacture is provided, which includes: a first substrate (11), including a first main surface (110), a first inclined surface (111) that is inclined relative to the first main surface (110), and a second inclined surface (112) that is inclined relative to the first main surface (110); an electrode layer (3), laminated on the first main surface (110), the first inclined surface (111), and the second inclined surface (112); a resistor layer (4), having a plurality of heat dissipation portions (41) respectively laminated on the first inclined surface (111) and crossing separated parts in the electrode layer (3); a driving integrated circuit (IC), for controlling the current passing through each heat dissipation portion (41); and a plurality of wires (81), respectively joined to the driving IC and joined to the second inclined surface (112) through the electrode layer (3). |
| US08553048B2 |
Method and system for processing picture
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for processing the pictures, including: decomposing a dynamic picture frame into multiple static picture frames; bonding each of the static picture frames with a static original picture to generate multiple static pictures; and forming a dynamic picture with the multiple static pictures. Embodiments of the present invention further provide a system for processing the pictures, including a decomposing unit, a bonding unit and a composing unit. The decomposing unit is configured to decompose a dynamic picture frame into multiple static picture frames; the bonding unit is configured to bond each of the static picture frames with a static original picture to generate multiple static pictures; and the composing unit is configured to form a dynamic picture with the multiple static pictures. By processing the pictures with the technical solution provided by embodiments of the present invention, pictures may possess a sense of action and good expressive force, and may better display the personality of the user. |
| US08553043B2 |
Three-dimensional (3D) image processing method and system
A three-dimensional (3D) image processing method is provided. The method includes receiving from an image source a 3D image containing a plurality of images that are previously compressed, and storing pixel data of the received plurality of images. The method also includes determining that the plurality of images do not have a same number of pixel columns, determining at least one boundaries among the plurality of images, and determining a minimum number of pixel columns and a maximum number of pixel columns of the plurality of images. Further, the method includes adjusting any one of the plurality of images having a column number less than the maximum number such that each of the plurality of images has the maximum number of pixel columns, decompressing the plurality of images, and discarding from each of the decompressed plurality of images by a determined number of last columns, wherein the determined number is the difference between the maximum number and the minimum number. |
| US08553042B2 |
QoS-aware scheduling
In an embodiment, a memory controller includes multiple ports. Each port may be dedicated to a different type of traffic. In an embodiment, quality of service (QoS) parameters may be defined for the traffic types, and different traffic types may have different QoS parameter definitions. The memory controller may be configured to schedule operations received on the different ports based on the QoS parameters. In an embodiment, the memory controller may support upgrade of the QoS parameters when subsequent operations are received that have higher QoS parameters, via sideband request, and/or via aging of operations. In an embodiment, the memory controller is configured to reduce emphasis on QoS parameters and increase emphasis on memory bandwidth optimization as operations flow through the memory controller pipeline. |
| US08553041B1 |
System and method for structuring an A-buffer to support multi-sample anti-aliasing
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently creating and accessing an A-Buffer that supports multi-sample compression techniques. The A-Buffer is organized in stacks of uniformly-sized tiles, wherein the tile size is selected to facilitate compression techniques. Each stack represents the samples included in a group of pixels. Each tile within a stack represents the set of sample data at a specific per-sample rendering order index that are associated with the group of pixels represented by the stack. Advantageously, each tile includes tile compression bits that enable the tile to maintain data using existing compression formats. As the A-Buffer is created, a corresponding stack compression buffer is also created. For each stack, the stack compression buffer includes a bit that indicates whether all of the tiles in the stack are similarly compressed and, consequently, whether the GPU may operate on the stack at an efficient per pixel granularity. |
| US08553040B2 |
Fingerprinting of fragment shaders and use of same to perform shader concatenation
An automated method of quantifying a set of processing resources used by an image transform operation is described. The method receives a set of image processing instructions for performing the transform operation, and, for the set of image processing instructions, generates data that estimates the amount of processing resources required to perform the set of image processing instructions. The method associates the data with the set of image processing instructions, the association allowing evaluation of the data at run-time to facilitate execution of the set of image processing instructions on a particular processing unit having a particular set of processing resources. In addition, an automated method of concatenating a plurality of image processing instruction sets, where each image processing instruction set includes data representing an estimate of processing resources required by the image processing instruction set is described. |
| US08553032B1 |
Glyph rendering
Techniques are provided for glyph rendering based on a polygon mesh having vertices located away from a glyph's outline. Skeletonisation may be used to establish polygonal skeletons in the interior region of a glyph and in the outside region of the glyph. Transepts oriented away from the glyph's outline may be generated for nodes on the glyph's outline. A polygon mesh may be generated with vertices constrained to be selected from a set of candidate vertices comprising termination points of transepts, skeleton nodes, and/or points on the glyph's bounding boxes. Implicit forms may be determined from curves or lines representing segments of the glyph's outline, without use of Bézier control points and endpoints. These implicit forms along with tessellation data may be provided to a computing device as glyph rendering data for rendering the glyph at runtime. |
| US08553031B2 |
Display device, eyewear device and video system
The instant application describes a display device for switching a display mode between a first display mode for displaying a stereoscopic image with an eyewear device, and a second display mode, which is different from the first display mode. The display device includes a signal generator, which generates a timing signal for notifying a timing of an increasing period of an incident light amount to left and right eyes or a stop signal for stopping the adjustment operation as a control signal, which is transmitted by a transmitter to the eyewear device. The transmitter transmits the timing signal for the first display mode while the image is displayed in the first display mode. If the display mode is then switched from the first to second display mode, the transmitter sequentially transmits the stop signal and the timing signal for the second display mode to the eyewear device. |
| US08553029B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining two- or three-dimensional display mode of image sequence
A method of determining a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) display mode is provided. An image sequence is received. Whether a current image included in the image sequence is a 2D or 3D image is determined. Based on a result of the determination, a 2D or 3D display mode for the image sequence is determined. |
| US08553028B1 |
Efficiently implementing and displaying independent 3-dimensional interactive viewports of a virtual world on multiple client devices
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to efficiently circumventing the limitations of client side rendering of virtual worlds. In a particular implementation, a proposed system renders each client viewport remotely, removing the burden of rendering a 3D scene from the local client device. 3D viewports, rather than being rasterized on the local client, are instead generated on a remote render device which then transmits a visual representation of the viewport to the client device in a format (including, but not limited to a video stream) which the client can use to display the scene without requiring complex 3D rasterization. This process eliminates the need for the client to have any specialized 3D rendering software or hardware, or to install or download any persistent render assets on the local system. The hardware requirements for the client are therefore roughly equivalent to those needed to play a continuous video stream. |
| US08553026B2 |
Scan driver and driving method thereof
A display device includes a plurality of scan lines and a scan driver. The scan driver includes a plurality of stages for transmitting a scan signal having a first voltage to the plurality of scan lines, and each of the stages includes a sequential switching unit, a sequential output unit, a concurrent switching unit, and a concurrent output unit. The concurrent output unit includes a first transistor for transmitting a second control signal to the output terminal according to a first control signal during a concurrent driving period before the scan signal is converted from a first level to a second level according to the second control signal, and a gate voltage of the first transistor is controlled by a voltage that is different from the first voltage according to the first control signal. |
| US08553025B2 |
Plasma display apparatus with power recovery circuit
A plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel including plural scanning electrodes extending in a first direction and plural address electrodes extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, an address driver to drive the address electrodes, a power recovery circuit including an inductor and a capacitor, and a switch provided in the address driver to switch connection and disconnection between the address electrodes and the power recovery circuit. |
| US08553022B2 |
Image display device and driving method of image display device
Disclosed herein is an image display device including a display section, a signal line driving circuit, and a scanning line driving circuit. The display section is formed by arranging pixel circuits in a form of a matrix. The signal line driving circuit is configured to output a driving signal for a signal line to the signal line of the display section. The scanning line driving circuit is configured to output a driving signal for a scanning line to the scanning line of the display section. The pixel circuits each include at least a light emitting element, a driving transistor configured to drive the light emitting element connected to a source by a driving current corresponding to a gate-to-source voltage, a storage capacitor configured to retain the gate-to-source voltage, and a writing transistor configured to set a terminal voltage of the storage capacitor by a voltage of the signal line. |
| US08553018B2 |
Circuit and method for driving an array of light emitting pixels
A technique for driving a column of pixels that include light emitting elements. The technique incorporates feedback data provided from feedback data sources connected to the data line and to feedback line of the array, pixel driving circuit with feedback path. The technique can also include block of the reference elements for input signal corrections. |
| US08553017B2 |
Gate-driving apparatus and display device including the same
A gate driving apparatus includes a first stage which outputs a first gate output signal, and a second stage which outputs a second gate output signal. The first stage includes: a transistor which includes a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; and a dummy transistor which includes a dummy gate electrode, a dummy source electrode and a dummy drain electrode. The gate electrode receives the second gate output signal, and the dummy source electrode is connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode of the transistor and prevents static electricity from flowing to the first stage. |
| US08553014B2 |
Optical touch screen systems using total internal reflection
A touch screen, including a layer of light-transmissive material having an upper surface that is exposed for touch by one or more objects, a plurality of light emitters underneath the upper surface, a first lens assembly for directing light beams emitted by the light emitters into the layer at an angle such that the light beams, when entering the layer, remain confined to the layer by total internal reflection when the light beams are not absorbed by any of the objects touching the upper surface, a plurality of light detectors for detecting light beams and for generating outputs indicating the amounts of light detected, a second lens assembly for directing light beams at a surface of the layer towards the light detectors, and a calculating unit for determining respective one or more locations of the one or more objects touching the upper surface, based on outputs of the light detectors. |
| US08553011B2 |
Method and device for capacitive sensing
The disclosed capacitive sensing device has first conductive lines, second conductive lines and electrical conductors. The first conductive lines are electrically isolated from each other, the second conductive lines are electrically isolated from each other and electrically isolated from and stacked with the first conductive lines to form numerous intersecting points, and the electrical conductors are electrically isolated from each other and correspondingly crossing the first and the second conductive lines and being around the intersecting points. Herein, the electrical conductors are electrically isolated from the first and second conductive lines. When an electrical signal is driven to a first conductive line, the first conductive line is capacitive coupled to the second conductive lines which intersecting mutually, and the electrical conductors crossing the first conductive line are respectively capacitive coupled to the first conductive line and the mutually intersecting second conductive lines to provide a higher compound capacitance. |
| US08553009B2 |
Firmware methods and devices for a mutual capacitance touch sensing device
Disclosed are various embodiments of methods and devices for operating a processor or host controller in a mutual capacitance sensing device. Methods and devices for sorting motion reports provided to a host controller or other processor in a mutual capacitance sensing device, reporting touch points to a host controller or other processor in a mutual capacitance sensing device, improving noise robustness and navigation performance in a mutual capacitance sensing device, determining a touch area of a user's finger on a touch panel or touchpad of a mutual capacitance sensing device, and avoiding false wakeups and minimizing power consumption in a mutual capacitance sensing device having a touch panel or touchpad are described. |
| US08553007B2 |
Method and handheld electronic device including first input component and second touch sensitive input component
A handheld electronic device includes a housing having a surface; a first input component having input members disposed external to the surface; a second touch sensitive input component disposed about the input members, the touch sensitive input component being separate and distinct from the input members and the first input component and being structured to provide one of: a contact point with respect to the surface responsive to actuation of a first number of the input members, and a number of responses responsive to actuation of a second number of the input members. A processor cooperates with the first input component and the touch sensitive input component to determine if a plurality of the input members are actuated contemporaneously and to output a representation of a single one of the input members based upon one of: the contact point, and the number of responses. |
| US08553004B2 |
Front-end signal compensation
A touch surface device having improved sensitivity and dynamic range is disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch surface device includes a touch-sensitive panel having at least one sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a compensation circuit, coupled to the at least one sense node, for generating a compensation signal that when summed with the output signal removes an undesired portion of the output signal so as to generated a compensated output signal; and an amplifier having an inverting input coupled to the output of the compensation circuit and a non-inverting input coupled to a known reference voltage. |
| US08553003B2 |
Input detection method, input detection device, input detection program and media storing the same
The invention provides an input detection method, wherein when multiple touch points are input a touch sensor 30 detects touch points 41, 42 individually. The detection method includes: scanning a first electrode line, and if a plurality of touch areas 43, 45 sandwiching a non-touch area 44 are detected, labeling the plurality of touch areas 43, 45 sequentially; determining the location of the non-touch area as a separation area in the case where the non-touch area between the labels is within a predetermined spacing; when a second electrode line next to the first electrode line where a separation area is detected is scanned, handling the area on the second electrode line corresponding to the separation area on the first electrode line as a separation area; and practicing the above steps for every electrode line and detecting the labels. |
| US08552995B2 |
Sensor and method of sensing
A touch sensor senses the presence of an object at one of a plurality of channels on a surface of the touch sensor, wherein proximity of the object to the touch sensor results in a change in capacitance at the position of the channel. The touch sensor includes a drive circuit and a charge sensing circuit, each coupled to each of the channels. The charge sensing circuit includes at least one charge measurement capacitor. A measurement cycle is applied to the touch sensor having a drive portion and a sense portion. During the drive portion a charge is applied to the channels and therefore the charge measurement capacitors of the touch sensor, and during a sense portion the charge measurement capacitors are discharged by a predetermined amount and the remaining charge on the charge measurement capacitors is measured. |
| US08552993B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus with touch input function
A liquid crystal display apparatus with touch input function includes a display unit coupling to a first scanning line, a touch transistor, a touch-sensing device, and a touch-detecting circuit coupling to a sensing line. The touch transistor includes a gate coupling to a second scanning line, a first terminal, and a second terminal coupling to the sensing line. The touch-sensing device includes a first conductor coupling to the first terminal of the touch transistor, a second conductor coupling to the first scanning line, and a touch conductor configured to electrically connect the first conductor and the second conductor when a sensing region of the liquid crystal display apparatus is touched. |
| US08552991B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer includes a main body casing comprising an upper plate and a supporting portion disposed below the upper plate, and a touch-pad seated on the supporting portion and to sense coordinates touched on a plate surface to generate a position data of a pointer, the supporting portion comprising a lateral wall bent from the upper plate, and a seating portion bent from the lateral wall and formed with an opening in one area thereof. |
| US08552976B2 |
Virtual controller for visual displays
Virtual controllers for visual displays are described. In one implementation, a camera captures an image of hands against a background. The image is segmented into hand areas and background areas. Various hand and finger gestures isolate parts of the background into independent areas, which are then assigned control parameters for manipulating the visual display. Multiple control parameters can be associated with attributes of multiple independent areas formed by two hands, for advanced control including simultaneous functions of clicking, selecting, executing, horizontal movement, vertical movement, scrolling, dragging, rotational movement, zooming, maximizing, minimizing, executing file functions, and executing menu choices. |
| US08552968B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel; a backlight unit; a panel drive circuit; a timing controller; an internal memory; a self-screen drive controller; a scaler unit; a selection unit; an internal power circuit; an external power circuit; and a microprocessor that blocks an output of the external power circuit from being supplied to the scaler unit in a self-screen drive. |
| US08552967B2 |
Display device, display control method, and electronic apparatus
A display device is provided including a photosensor PS that detects the ambient light amount of a display area, a comparator that compares the output of the photosensor PS with a predetermined reference value, and a backlight controller that controls the amount of light supplied to the display area depending on a comparison result by the comparator, a switch SW for controlling application of a precharge potential is connected to a metal that exists near the light-receiving part of the photosensor PS with the intermediary of an insulating film. The embodiment apparently decreases the parasitic capacitance of the detection element to thereby suppress the influence of the parasitic capacitance of the detection element itself at the time of light amount detection. |
| US08552965B2 |
Display device and electronic appliance
To provide a liquid crystal display device capable of switching the range of viewing angles while being able to reduce the cost and thickness of the device, and to provide an electronic appliance having the same. The display device according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal type display panel having a diffusive reflection part which diffusively reflects light irradiated from the front side while transmitting light from the back side; and a backlight source disposed on a back face of the display panel along the display panel for switchably outputting transmission light of different directivities. |
| US08552951B2 |
Driving method for liquid crystal panel and LCD
In a driving method for a liquid crystal panel, overdriving pixel data is obtained either independently of the FRC pixel data or depending on a difference between the FRC pixel data and previous FRC pixel data. |
| US08552949B2 |
Method of driving electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
The invention provides a method of driving an electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus which are capable of reducing the time for writing data without providing special circuits. In the electro-optical device pixel circuits having reset transistors for controlling an electric connection between drains and gates of driving transistors between the drains and the gates of the driving transistors are arranged on a display panel in a matrix. The pixel circuits arranged in a matrix are electrically connected to a scanning line driving circuit via scanning lines. The scanning line driving circuit sequentially switches on the reset transistors from the pixel circuit connected to first scanning lines in accordance with scanning line control signals supplied from a control circuit and then lets organic EL elements emit light. |
| US08552946B2 |
Display device, display driver and image display method
In a display device and a display driver, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or lower than a specific grayscale value obtained from a histogram of the display image, a display grayscale is extended with a linear function. On the other hand, when a grayscale of a display image is equal to or higher than the specific grayscale value, histogram equalization of a part higher than the specific grayscale value is performed, and the display grayscale is extended with a non-linear function obtained from the histogram equalization. |
| US08552945B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
A liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same is described for reducing a compensating deviation of a common voltage. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel; a data driver for driving data lines of the liquid crystal display panel; a gate driver for driving gate lines of the liquid crystal display panel; and a common voltage compensating unit for generating a plurality of compensating signals for compensating respective distortions of common voltages at a plurality of common regions of a common electrode of the liquid crystal display panel by using common voltages fed back from the common regions, and supplying compensating signals corresponding to each of the plurality of common regions. |
| US08552943B2 |
Pixel circuit including N-type transistors and organic electroluminescent display apparatus using the same
An improved pixel circuit is provided. The pixel circuit includes a light emitting device driven by a drive current according to a voltage applied to a gate electrode of a driving transistor. The pixel circuit also includes a first capacitor, a second transistor for transferring a data signal to a first terminal of the first capacitor in response to a scan control signal applied to a gate electrode of the second transistor, a third transistor for diode-connecting the driving transistor in response to a scan control signal applied to a gate electrode of the third transistor, a fourth transistor for applying a first power voltage to the first electrode of the driving transistor in response to an emission control signal, and a fifth transistor for applying a sustain voltage to a first terminal of the first capacitor in response to the emission control signal. The driving transistor and the second to fifth transistors are N-type transistors. |
| US08552942B2 |
LED drive circuit for SCR dimming
A LED drive circuit for SCR dimming including an external controller configured to receive AC voltage from a power network to convert the AC voltage to an AC voltage with a lacked phase by phase controlling the voltage through a thyristor, and a LED driver that includes a bridge rectifier configured to shape the AC voltage with the lacked phase output into a unidirectional pulse DC voltage, and a phase angle detecting circuit configured to shape the AC voltage signal output with lacked phase from the external controller into a saw-tooth wave pulse signal. |
| US08552936B2 |
OLED device with capacitive proximity sensing means
An OLED device comprised of: an OLED means, a capacitive proximity sensing means for sensing a change in a capacitance, a mechanical element, and a means to provide a signal, wherein the OLED means and the mechanical element are movable relative to each other upon operation by a user and can assume a first position or a second position, wherein the capacitance is adapted to change between a first capacitance and a second capacitance when the OLED means and mechanical element are moved between the first position and the second position by an operator, and wherein the signal depends upon the capacitance. |
| US08552929B2 |
Flexible pixel hardware and method
A graphical display station of arbitrary shape such as channel letters or other shaped structures is populated with pixels which are components of flexible pixel strings which can be arranged to fit the arbitrary shape(s). The flexible pixel strings provide for straightforward and cost effective fabrication of channel letter or other shaped displays. The invention also includes pixel units which comprise lighting elements together with such control circuits as are needed to roperly drive the lighting elements to form a graphical image. Addressing of the particular pixels is provided to accommodate the arbitrary arrangement of pixels of the flexible pixel strings. Methods of fabricating a channel letter display are also disclosed. |
| US08552927B2 |
Electronic device with reflective panel
An electronic device such as a portable phone has a casing, a display element provided in the casing, and a panel attached to the casing to cover the display element. A half mirror layer and a shading layer are formed on the panel. An opening of the shading layer is above the display element. The surface of the panel is seen in a substantially continuously uniform color when no electricity is supplied to the display element, and a display produced by the display element can be seen through the panel when electricity is supplied to the display element. |
| US08552925B2 |
Stereoscopic image display apparatus
When displaying one of a three-dimensional image and a two-dimensional image on a background and displaying the other image in a window, a flag bit indicating whether the first and second electrodes overlap the window is set. Waveforms differing according to the flag bit are applied to the first and second electrodes as pulses applied to the opposed first and second electrodes of a variable polarization cell. As a result, three-dimensional image display is partially conducted in the window and two-dimensional image display is conducted in areas other than the window. Or two-dimensional image display is partially conducted in the window and three-dimensional image display is conducted in areas other than the window. |
| US08552923B2 |
Projector and projection control method of the projector
A projector control system includes a location measurement unit which measures location information of a projector; a projection information unit which generates projection information using the location information; a communication unit which transmits the projection information to the projector; and an image control unit which controls the projector to project an image according to the projection information. |
| US08552918B2 |
Multiband high gain omnidirectional antennas
Exemplary embodiments are provided of multiband high gain omnidirectional antennas. In one exemplary embodiment, an antenna generally includes first and second radiating elements. The first radiating element is configured to produce a first radiation pattern at a first operating frequency. The second radiating element is configured to produce a second radiation pattern at a second operating frequency. Each of the first and second radiating elements includes a meandering or helical portion. |
| US08552914B2 |
Antenna and antenna assembly using same
The present invention provides an antenna for transmitting/receiving a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal. The antenna includes a first frequency antenna branch for transmitting/receiving the first frequency signal, a second frequency antenna branch separated from the first frequency antenna branch for transmitting/receiving the second frequency signal and an inductance for connecting the first and second frequency antenna branches in series with one another. The inductance is capable of preventing the first frequency signal passing through the second frequency antenna branch. |
| US08552910B2 |
System and method of locating missing nodes in networks
Systems and methods of locating missing endpoints in a utility meter network include periodically receiving electronic GPS data including coordinates identifying the physical location of a mobile meter reading device and collecting radio frequency (RF) data transmissions sent by one or more missing endpoints in proximity to the mobile meter reading device. Energy levels associated with the RF data transmissions can be used to determine a signal strength indicator for each transmission. The transmissions are collected while the mobile meter reading device is positioned in at least first and second different locations relative to each missing endpoint. A triangulation procedure is electronically implemented using the GPS coordinates and the signal strength indicator for a given missing endpoint as determined in the at least first and second different locations in order to identify an estimated location for the given missing endpoint, which is provided as electronic output to a user. |
| US08552908B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing high fidelity Doppler phase and time effects in advanced EW stimulus systems
A high fidelity simulation of Doppler that may exactly replicate the phenomenology of the physical world. Compute the linear (Line of sight) kinematics (Slant Range, Radial Velocity, and Radial Acceleration) for each of a multiplicity of emitter-receiver pairs in accordance with exact 3D vector mathematics. Smoothly interpolate the linear kinematic parameters to produce accurate instantaneous values of these parameters at sample rates sufficient to produce negligible error effects in the presence of realistic aircraft maneuvers. Calculate the Doppler frequency, in accordance with well known physics, from the emitter carrier wavelength and a high sample rate. Calculate the Doppler effect as a differential phase (Doppler frequency×sample time) and apply the effect as incremental phase shifts to the carrier signal. |
| US08552906B2 |
Method and circuit for operating a mixer
A mixer for mixing a received signal and a local oscillator signal is provided. The local oscillator signal is modulated by means of a modulation signal and the modulated local oscillator signal is injected into the received signal. |
| US08552904B2 |
In-vehicle pulse radar
There is provided an in-vehicle pulse radar that permits to detect information on an object accurately by temporally separating a noise signal mixed into a receiving signal by applying a delay time with a simple configuration. A baseband signal down-converted by a frequency converter (152) is output to a signal processing section (102) through a board-to-board connector (103) after passing through a delay circuit (153). Still further, a control signal is output to a switching circuit (151) from a control signal generating section (162) through the board-to-board connector (103). The delay circuit (153) increases a time lag from when the control signal passes through the board-to-board connector (103) until when the baseband signal passes through the board-to-board connector (103) by applying a predetermined delay time to the baseband signal. Thereby, the baseband signal receives no interference from the control signal. |
| US08552902B2 |
Methods and apparatus for suppression of low-frequency noise and drift in wireless sensors or receivers
An imaging receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) module to receive and amplify the radio-frequency (RF) input signal; one or more switches configured to selectively pass RF input to one or more of the power detector circuits; one or more power detector circuits coupled to the switches to generate output voltages proportional to associated powers at their input ports; one or more reference circuits to provide reference signals to the switches; and one or more integrator circuits to integrate the output voltages of the power detector circuits. |
| US08552896B2 |
Digital to analog converter (DAC)
A DAC for converting a sequence of digital words into a corresponding analog signal. The DAC includes: a thermometer code generator fed by the sequence of digital words for providing N parallel outputs, each one of the outputs having one of two discrete levels; and an amplifier section having a plurality of N amplifiers, each one of the N amplifiers being fed by a different one of the M outputs. Each one of the amplifiers is driven into saturation in response to one of the two discrete levels or pinched-off in response to the other one of the two discrete levels. A combiner sums outputs of the N amplifiers producing a sequence of analog signals having levels related to the decimal values of the sequence of the digital words. An interconnection network interleaves connections between the thermometer code generator and the plurality of amplifier sections. |
| US08552895B2 |
Sigma-delta modulator for reducing power consumption and suitable for high-speed operations
Disclosed herein is a sigma-delta modulator, including an integration circuit, a first DAC unit, and a second DAC unit. The integration circuit includes first and second terminals, and integrates a voltage supplied via the first terminal. The first DAC unit alternately supplies a first voltage obtained at one end of a first resistor to the first terminal and the second terminal. The second DAC unit alternately supplies a second voltage at the other end of a second resistor to the second terminal or the first terminal. The second DAC unit supplies the second voltage to the second terminal when the first DAC unit supplies the first voltage to the first terminal. The second DAC unit supplies the second voltage to the first terminal when the first DAC unit supplies the first voltage to the second terminal. |
| US08552892B2 |
Signal sample trigger apparatus, data acquisition system and method of sampling an analogue signal
A signal sample trigger apparatus (206) comprises an input (302, 304), a processing resource (300, 500) coupled to the input (302, 304), and an output (306) coupled to the processing resource (300, 500). The processing resource (300, 500) is arranged to generate, when in use, a trigger signal (400, 600) in response to location increment information. The location increment information (402, 404, 602, 604) is received via the input (302, 304), and the trigger signal (400, 600) is provided via the output for triggering execution of a sample of an analogue signal. |
| US08552883B1 |
Electronic three-dimensional surface device
An electronic three-dimensional (3D) surface device for creating tactile physical 3D images featuring hydraulic cylinders disposed in a base; fiber optic rods slidably disposed in each hydraulic cylinder which utilize a hydraulic mechanism to move the fiber optic rod upwardly and downwardly, the fiber optic rod comprises a colored light source; a microprocessor operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinders and colored light sources; and a device independent bitmap (DIB) file format and a computer software system configured to read the DIB file format, the DIB file format represents a tactile physical 3D image; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive input signals from the computer software system based on the DIB file format, wherein the microprocessor sends output commands to hydraulic cylinders and colored light sources to modify height and color of the respective fiber optic rods based on the DIB file format to create the tactile physical 3D image. |
| US08552882B2 |
Proximity detection systems and method for internal traffic control
Embodiments described herein relate to proximity detection systems and a method for internal traffic control in a work zone. In various embodiments, magnetic field generators generate respective oscillating magnetic fields for detection by magnetic field detectors. The magnetic field detectors generate a signal for providing a visual and/or audible warning to operators in response to detecting the magnetic field. |
| US08552879B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the amount of media on an elevator that supports a media stack in an image production device
A method and apparatus for determining the amount of media on an elevator that supports a media stack in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include sensing one or more identification mark on a segmented positional reference scale, determining the elevator's position based on the sensed one or more identification mark, and determining an amount of media on the elevator based on the determined elevator position. |
| US08552874B2 |
Security system for the vent stack of a structure
Building vents and the associated vent stacks are an emerging security challenge. The vents may run the entire length of a building, providing a direct and substantially unobstructed path for gases and devices to be introduced into a building's interior. A security apparatus for the vent(s) of a structure may include a housing that may be positioned on a vent opening, such as a vent stack, and a gas monitoring apparatus and a motion detector. The gas monitoring apparatus may be used to detect a volatile gas in the vicinity of the housing and generate an alarm or signal when a gas is detected. The motion detector may sense the removal of the security apparatus from a vent and trigger an alarm. |
| US08552873B2 |
Method and system for detecting a driving state of a driver in a vehicle
In a method and system for detecting a driving state of a driver in a vehicle, a face recognition standard corresponding to an environmental condition within the vehicle is established based on a series of image frames generated by capturing consecutively images of the driver upon movement of the vehicle. Upon detection of a variance in the environmental condition during movement of vehicle, the face recognition standard is updated with a corrected face recognition standard corresponding to the environmental condition with the variance. It is determined based on the corrected face recognition standard and the image frames whether the driving state of the driver is a dangerous state, where the driver's face does not face a front windshield of the vehicle or where the driver's face faces the front windshield of the vehicle but one of the driver's eyes is closed. |
| US08552871B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing photoplethysmogram and fall
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for sensing photoplethysmogram and fall. According to the present invention, the apparatus and for sensing photoplethysmogram and fall may include: a sensor unit that senses acceleration and photoplethysmogram; a photoplethysmogram/fall determining module that synthetically tests sensed acceleration signals and photoplethysmogram signals sensed by the sensor unit to determine whether emergency occurs due to fall or emergency occurs due to photoplethysmogram; and a communication module that transmits the test results. |
| US08552868B1 |
Systems, methods, and software for automated medication dispensing and compliance
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for tracking the status and use of packaged goods are provided. The systems of the invention coordinate various stakeholders, hardware devices, computer software systems, standards, methods, procedures, practices and their interconnection in ways that lead to greater efficiency, safety, and efficacy, along with potentially lower cost, and less waste in the delivery of packaged goods and their use. In one aspect a Medication Management System (“MMS”) that tracks the status of packaged medications and patient compliance is also provided. |
| US08552865B2 |
Self-test method for a microwave module
A method and apparatus are provided for automatically testing microwave instruction detection modules of a security system. The method includes the steps of detecting intruders within a protected space by monitoring a Doppler output of a signal extraction circuit coupled to a microwave transceiver module, varying a frequency of direct current power pulses applied to the microwave transceiver module, detecting a difference in magnitude of the Doppler output of the signal extraction circuit over the varied frequency and comparing the detected difference with a fault threshold level. |
| US08552862B2 |
System and method for detecting multi-level intrusion events and computer program product thereof
A system and a method for detecting multi-level intrusion events are provided. The system includes an area recognition module and an area classification module. The area recognition module performs a geometric topology operation to recognize a plurality of areas in a ground plane that has a plurality of boundaries and a plurality of gates, and each of the areas is constituted of at least one of the boundaries and at least one of the gates. The area classification module defines a plurality of security levels and classifies each of the areas recognized by the area recognition module as one of the security levels. Accordingly, the system is able to automatically recognize the areas in the ground plane, set the security levels of the areas, and generate the corresponding detection areas and tripwires according to the security levels of the areas. |
| US08552861B2 |
Biodegradable smart sensor for mesh network applications
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for a biodegradable sensor device for mesh networking applications. In an embodiment of the invention, a biodegradable sensor device for mesh networking applications is provided. The device includes a frame formed of biodegradable material such as a mixture of polylactic acid and a resin, a biodegradable battery such as a flexible biodegradable lithium ion battery, an antenna, an environmental event detector formed from biodegradable material responsive to a change in environmental conditions, and signal generating circuitry configured to be responsive to detecting an environmental event by broadcasting a signal to other sensor devices in a mesh network and also to re-broadcast signals received from other sensor devices in the mesh network. |
| US08552858B2 |
Simulation and visualization of scattered radiation
Scattered radiation has non-intuitive properties. A signalling system (28) is presented which provides a perceptible signal (34) being indicative of a predicted or measured spatial distribution of scattered radiation. An embodiment provides for easy assessment of the individual risk of scattered radiation exposure for personnel working in an environment exposed to scattered radiation. A method for predicting a distribution of scattered radiation takes into account at least one object related parameter (18) and at least one radiation related parameter (22) and, in response hereto, predicts a distribution of scattered radiation. |
| US08552855B2 |
Method and system for safety monitoring
Embodiments of the present invention may include systems and methods for monitoring a person's activities. A system may receive an input (2) and may contact a designated party to ensure they are safe or perhaps even confirm they are at a specified location at a specified time. A system may also provide an escalation response (315) in those circumstances where a primary contact is not reached or perhaps where it is directed by a primary contact. Further, a system may provide communications to a primary contact or a user (203) including a plausible excuse for the primary contact to leave an agenda location. |
| US08552853B2 |
Networked power and communication receptacle devices
A power connector has a plate member that has a central opening therethrough, and a front side and rear side. An electrical connector member is attached to the plate member and positioned within the central opening. The electrical connector member has a base that is attached to the plate member and a plurality of power pole electrical conductors. The plurality of power pole electrical conductors comprises four power pole electrical conductors arranged in two columns wherein each column has two power pole electrical conductors. Two brackets are attached to the front side of the plate member. Each bracket is substantially perpendicular to the front side of the plate member and the electrical connector member is located between the pair of brackets. The plate member has through holes sized for receiving fasteners, so as to allow the plate member to be attached to a wall, article of furniture or other structure. |
| US08552852B1 |
Trailer hitch receiver safety light system
A safety light system comprising a trailer hitch mounted configuration. The safety light system includes a safety light assembly receptacle carried by a trailer hitch mounting member. The safety light assembly receptacle includes a light assembly receiving cavity for receiving and temporarily retaining a removable light assembly. The removable light assembly includes elements to provide a user controlled continuous red light, a flashing red light, and a continuous white light. The flashing red light provides a roadside flare configuration. The continuous white light provides a flashlight configuration. The continuous red light in conjunction with the flashing red light configuration provides a driving light configuration. The removable light assembly can include a securing mechanism for attaching the removable light assembly to an object to warn others of the extended object and/or support legs enabling operation as a roadside flare, spotlight, and the like. |
| US08552850B2 |
Near-to-eye tracking for adaptive operation
A method and a system are provided for adaptive vehicle operation. The method includes the steps of sensing a position and an orientation of a near-to-eye display device worn by the vehicle operator, determining a direction of gaze of the vehicle operator in response to the position and the orientation of the near-to-eye display device, and selectively generating an alert signal in response to the direction of gaze of the vehicle operator. |
| US08552847B1 |
Tactile based performance enhancement system
A system is disclosed for communicating tactile messages to a user, such as a racecar driver, yacht crewmember, or other athlete. The system can include a tactile vest having tactile activators for conveying tactile messages to the user, including real time messages for helping the user assess and improve physical performance. The messages may be generated based on various types of sensor data, including, for example, data collected by vehicle sensors of a racecar or yacht. |
| US08552846B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving a dielectric elastomer matrix avoiding crosstalk
A method for driving a matrix of elements responding to the absolute value of the activation voltage avoiding crosstalk, the matrix (4) composed of elements (3) arranged in M rows and N columns with a first (2) and second (2′) electrodes to apply the activation voltage. When elements (E3C,E6C,E8C) located on a common activation column (CC) and on activation rows (R3,R6,R8) are to be excited, the method including applying a row activation voltage (V3) to the first electrode (2) of the elements (3) located on activation rows (R3,R6,R8); applying a column activation voltage (V0) to the second electrode (2′) of the elements (3) located on common activation column (C); applying a common row voltage (V1) to the first electrode (2) of the elements (3) located on all the rows of the matrix (4) except for the activation rows (R3,R6,R8); applying a common column voltage (V2) to the second electrode (2′) of the elements (3) located on all the columns of the matrix (4) except for the common activation column (C). |
| US08552838B2 |
Passive wireless system
A passive wireless system for monitoring a protected area. The passive wireless system comprises at least one passive sensor for sensing an event, a reader for receiving signals from the at least one passive sensor, a plurality of exciters disposed within the protected area for transmitting a radio frequency pulse at a variable time interval to the at least one passive sensor, and a controller for controlling each of the plurality of exciters to transmit the radio frequency pulse at the variable time interval. The radio frequency pulse powers the passive sensors. |
| US08552836B2 |
System and method for coupling a component to a vehicle
An alignment system for coupling a component to a vehicle includes at least one sensor target coupled to the component, and a controller assembly configured to transmit a signal towards the sensor target and receive a reflected signal from the sensor target, wherein the controller assembly is configured to output an orientation dataset for the component relative to the vehicle using the reflected signal. The system also includes a processing device communicatively coupled to the controller assembly, wherein the processing device is programmed to translate the orientation dataset and cause a set of component positioning signals based on the orientation dataset to be displayed at a user interface. |
| US08552831B2 |
Chip varistor
A chip varistor is provided with a varistor section and a plurality of terminal electrodes. The varistor section is comprised of a sintered body containing ZnO as a major component, exhibits the nonlinear voltage-current characteristics, and has a pair of principal surfaces opposed to each other. The plurality of terminal electrodes are connected each to the varistor section. Each of the terminal electrodes has a first electrode portion connected to either of the principal surfaces and a second electrode portion connected to the first electrode portion. |
| US08552828B1 |
System and method for a coreless transformer
In accordance with an embodiment, a transformer includes a first coil disposed in a first conductive layer on a first side of a first dielectric layer, and a second coil disposed in a second conductive layer on a second side of the first dielectric layer. Each coil has a first end disposed inside its respective coil and a second end disposed at an outer perimeter of its respective coil. A first crossover disposed in the second conductive layer is directly connected to the first end of the first coil and extends past the outer perimeter of the first coil. In addition, a second crossover disposed in the first conductive layer is directly connected to the first end of the second coil and extends past the outer perimeter of the second coil. |
| US08552825B2 |
Iron core winding assembly
An iron core winding assembly comprises a coil rack and an iron core structure coupled with the coil rack. The coil rack includes a winding portion, a through hole located in the winding portion and at least one lateral wire exit portion extended from the winding portion. The iron core structure includes two end walls and two axial magnetic cylinders located between the two end walls, and two top walls and two bottom walls located between the two end walls to cover the winding portion. Each axial magnetic cylinder runs through the through hole. Each top wall forms a wire exit notch with the bottom wall run through by the lateral wire exit portion. The iron core winding assembly thus formed is positioned transversely on an electronic baseboard at a desired height. By separating the winding portion and electronic baseboard via the bottom wall, electromagnetic interference can be avoided. |
| US08552824B1 |
Integrated planar electromechanical contactors
An integrated planar electromechanical contactor assembly includes a substrate, a through-hole formed through the substrate, a plurality of solenoid traces embedded within the substrate about the through-hole in a plurality of distinct planes, a solenoid core arranged in the through hole in electromagnetic communication with the plurality of solenoid traces, and a mobile contact arm. The plurality of distinct planes are substantially parallel to one another and each solenoid trace of the plurality of solenoid traces is in electrical communication with an adjacent solenoid trace through an electrical via. Furthermore, the mobile contact arm is configured to selectively connect an external contact lead arranged on the substrate to at least one electrical trace embedded within the substrate responsive to motion of the solenoid core. |
| US08552822B2 |
Multi-phase medium voltage contactor
A multi-phase Medium Voltage Contactor (100) comprising: for each phase, a fixed contact (103) and a movable contact (104) positionable between an open position, in which it is operatively disconnected from the fixed contact (103), and a closed position in which it is operatively connected to the fixed contact (103); an electromagnetic actuator (10) operatively connected to the movable contact (104) and positionable between a first open position corresponding to the open position of the movable contacts (104), and a second closed position corresponding to the closed position of the movable contacts (104); a manual opening device (20) operatively connected to the electromagnetic actuator. The manual opening device (20) comprises a kinematic mechanism having: an operating shaft (8); first lever means (3) movable by the operating shaft (8); second lever means (4) movable by the first lever means (3) and operatively coupled to the electromagnetic actuator, blocking means (5) movable by the first lever means (3) between a first position in which the blocking means (5) lock the second lever means (4) and a second position in which the second lever means (4) are released thereby determining the positioning of the electromagnetic actuator (10) from said closed position into said open position. |
| US08552821B2 |
Electromagnetic resonance coupler
An electromagnetic resonance coupler includes a transmission resonator provided on the transmission substrate and having a shape obtained by opening a loop shape including an inwardly recessed portion in part to make a transmission resonator slit, transmission wiring connected to the transmission resonator, a reception substrate, a reception resonator provided on the reception substrate and having the same size and shape as the transmission resonator, and reception wiring connected to the reception resonator. The transmission and reception resonators are symmetric with respect to a point and face each other so that their contours match. In the transmission resonator, at least part of wiring constituting the recessed portion is close to wiring other than the at least part of wiring at a distance less than or equal to four times the wiring width of the transmission resonator. |
| US08552820B2 |
Filter, duplexer and communication module
A filter includes at least one series resonator and parallel resonators, the at least one series resonator and the parallel resonators including excitation electrodes and reflectors, the parallel resonators having different resonance frequencies, and at least one of the parallel resonators other than the parallel resonator having the highest resonance frequency being configured to have a pitch of reflectors that is smaller than that of excitation electrodes. |
| US08552819B2 |
High coupling, low loss saw filter and associated method
Disclosed embodiments include a surface acoustic wave device having electrode period, electrode width, and/or ratio of electrode width to electrode period varied in a prescribed manner. |
| US08552817B2 |
Phase shifter with reversely configured electric regulation units
A phase shifter has a chamber with a holding space, a first feeder unit and a second feeder unit at the sides of the holding space, and at least one reversely configured electric regulation unit. The regulation unit contains a first coupling set with a movable and a fixed coupling, and a second coupling set with a movable and a fixed coupling. A sync linkage mechanism is used to link the respective movable couplings. A push-pull unit is linked to a driven connection of the sync linkage mechanism. A cover plate seals the holding space. The phase shifter configuration makes it possible to reduce markedly the volume and space of the phase shifter, cut down the manufacturing cost and improve the mating accuracy with higher applicability. |
| US08552816B2 |
Multiband simultaneous transmission and reception front end architecture
A user equipment (UE) front end (FE) that is adapted for multiband simultaneous transmission and reception is provided. The UE FE includes a first multi-filter device having a transmit (TX) band-pass filter adapted to pass a first TX signal band associated with a first radio access technology type, and a receive (RX) band-pass filter adapted to pass a second RX signal band associated with a second radio access technology type. The UE FE also includes a second multi-filter device having a TX band-pass filter adapted to pass a second TX signal band associated with the second radio access technology type and an RX band-pass filter adapted to pass the first RX signal band associated with the first radio access technology type. The first radio access technology type and the second radio access technology type are preferably long term evolution (LTE) and code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), respectively, or vice versa. |
| US08552814B2 |
Output impedance compensation for voltage regulators
Method and circuit topology for an impedance compensation circuit (ICC), for compensating a DC voltage regulator circuit (RC). The ICC comprises individual components that are workable in combination with an inherent output impedance characteristic of the RC. The components are optimizable for providing a substantially uniform AC output impedance characteristic and impedance phase over a first defined frequency range and an operating idle current under a load, by creating a condition where a source impedance and a load impedance are complex conjugates. The source impedance is a series combination of the inherent output impedance characteristic of the RC and a first impedance due to a first portion of the individual components. The load impedance is a parallel combination of a second impedance due to a second portion of the individual components and the load, when the ICC is configured with the RC and the load. |
| US08552808B2 |
Apparatus and method for oscillator resonator power control
Embodiments of the present invention provide an oscillator having circuitry that measures the power dissipated in a resonator and circuitry that controls the power delivered to the resonator in response to the measured power. In some embodiments, the circuitry that measures the power dissipated in the resonator comprises circuitry that measures the voltage across the resonator, circuitry that measures the current through the resonator, and circuitry that calculates the power dissipated in the resonator based on the measured voltage and current. |
| US08552805B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrator, method of manufacturing piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic equipment and radio-controlled timepiece
A piezoelectric vibrator includes a tuning fork type piezoelectric vibrating reed including a pair of vibration arm portions; a package that accommodates the piezoelectric vibrating reed; and a getter material that is formed along the longitudinal direction of the vibration arm portion in an inner portion of the package, wherein a cross-sectional area of a middle portion of the getter material adjacent to a center portion of the longitudinal direction of the vibration arm portion is greater than that of an end portion of the getter material. |
| US08552804B1 |
Frequency synthesizers with dynamic calibration intervals
An apparatus includes an adjustable oscillator circuit configured to generate an output signal having a frequency that varies responsive to a frequency control signal and a frequency reference generator circuit configured to produce a frequency reference signal. The apparatus further includes a calibration circuit configured to determine a relationship of the output signal to the frequency reference signal and to enable and disable the frequency reference generator circuit based on the determined relationship. |
| US08552800B2 |
Wireless communication device and semiconductor package device having a power amplifier therefor
A semiconductor package device comprises a first amplifier block, at least one further amplifier block, and at least one differential inductance operably coupled between a first plurality of elements of the output of a first active component of the first amplifier block and a second plurality of elements of the output of a first active component of the at least one further amplifier block. The differential inductance is arranged such that a uniform inductance is provided between the first plurality of elements of the first active component of the first amplifier block and the second plurality elements of the second active component of the at least one further amplifier block. |
| US08552798B2 |
Method for offset compensation of a switched-capacitor amplifier and switched capacitor amplifier arrangement
A method for offset compensation of a switched-capacitor amplifier comprises a reset phase (φ1) and at least one working phase (φ2). An output voltage (Vout) of the amplifier (amp) is fed according to a damped feedback loop gain (AB(1)) to a first amplifier input (ain1) in the reset phase (φ1) as a function of an offset voltage (Voff). In the least one working phase (φ2), an offset of the amplifier (amp) is compensated as a function of the offset voltage (Voff) by superimposing the output voltage (Vout) onto an input voltage (Vin) of the amplifier (amp) according to a loop gain (AB(2)). |
| US08552797B2 |
High accuracy RC calibradion circuit
In an RC calibration circuit, a single reference current is used to generate voltages across both a resistive and capacitive element. The component value of one of the resistive and capacitive element is successively altered until the voltages are substantially equal. Additionally, parasitic capacitances in the circuit are precharged to the resistive element voltage prior to the comparison. The RC calibration circuit eliminates the errors due to current matching and parasitic capacitances in prior art calibration circuits. The circuit includes a comparator and a digital control circuit (DCW) including a successive approximation register (SAR) holding the value of the digital control word used to control the component value of the tunable resistive or capacitive element. The SAR alters the DCW in an iterative, bit-by-bit binary searching pattern in response to the comparator output. |
| US08552796B2 |
CMOS circuit and semiconductor device
A CMOS circuit and a semiconductor device having small leakage current and a low threshold voltage, and which is operated at high speed and with a small voltage amplitude, including an output stage circuit having MOSTs configured such that when their gates and sources are respectively set to an equal voltage, subthreshold leakage currents substantially flow between their drains and sources, and upon deactivation, a voltage is applied to the gate of each of the MOSTs to cause a reverse bias to be applied between the gate and source of the MOST. Upon activation of the circuit, the MOST is held in a reverse bias state or controlled to a forward bias state according to an input voltage. |
| US08552795B2 |
Substrate bias control circuit for system on chip
A substrate bias control circuit includes a process voltage temperature (PVT) effect transducer that responds to a PVT effect. A PVT effect quantifier is coupled to the PVT effect transducer. The PVT effect quantifier quantifies the PVT effect to provide an output. The PVT effect quantifier includes at least one counter and a period generator. The period generator provides a time period for the counter. A bias controller that is coupled to PVT effect quantifier is configured to receive the output of the PVT effect quantifier. The bias controller is configured to provide a bias voltage. The bias controller includes a bias voltage comparator. |
| US08552794B2 |
Constant-voltage circuit
A constant-voltage circuit includes a first reference voltage generation unit which generates a reference voltage using a bandgap voltage of a bipolar transistor, a second reference voltage generation unit which generates a reference voltage using a field effect transistor, a constant voltage generation unit which generates a constant voltage with reference to either an output voltage of the first reference voltage generation unit or an output voltage of the second reference voltage generation unit, and a control unit which controls the first reference voltage generation unit, the second reference voltage generation unit, and the constant voltage generation unit. During an initial activation period, the first reference voltage generation unit and the second reference voltage generation unit are operated, and during a subsequent operation period, the first reference voltage generation unit is stopped. |
| US08552792B1 |
Switch circuit and electronic device using the same
A switch circuit and an electronic device using the same include a power switch transistor, a controlling circuit, a regulated capacitor, and a capacitor. The power switch transistor is connected between an input and an output of the switch circuit. An output of the controlling circuit is connected to a controlling electrode of the power switch transistor and outputs pulse width modulation (PWM) signals to turn the power switch transistor on and off. The regulated capacitor is connected between an output of the switch circuit and ground. The capacitor is connected between an output of the controlling circuit and ground for increasing an inclination of a rising edge and a falling edge of PWM signals to slow down the speed of switching the power switch transistor on and off, thereby making the regulated capacitor charge slowly and the output voltage of the switch circuit stable. |
| US08552777B2 |
Method for adjusting a time base for a tire pressure measurement unit
Method of controlling the drifting of a low-frequency LFO circuit in a wheel unit of a tire pressure monitoring system, each wheel unit including temperature and pressure sensors in conjunction with a signal control circuit, the sensors being activated according to an LFO circuit time base integrated into the control circuit. An RF emission circuit of each wheel unit transmits data stored in a memory and an identifier of the unit to a central unit. The emission circuit is regulated by a high-precision clock. In each wheel unit, a variation between a measured temperature and a reference temperature is compared with a variation threshold and a drift between the periods of the time base of the LFO circuit and of the clock is determined. The drift is used to adjust the time base to the period of the clock if the temperature variation ΔTi is greater than this threshold ΔT. |
| US08552773B2 |
Phase locked loop
A phase locked loop (10) comprising: a tuneable oscillator (12); a mixer-based phase sensitive detector (18) to receive input signals from the tuneable oscillator (12) and a reference signal (20); a cycle slip detector (26) to receive input signals from the tuneable oscillator (12) and the reference signal (20), the cycle slip detector (26) being configured to generate an output signal when two consecutive pulses are present in one of its input signals without an intervening pulse in the other of its input signals; coarse tune signal means (32, 34) to receive the output signal generated by the cycle slip detector; and adding means (24) for adding a signal output by the coarse signal means (32, 34) to a signal output by the phase sensitive detector (18) to control the frequency of the tuneable oscillator (12). |
| US08552771B1 |
System for reducing noise in a chemical sensor array
A method including receiving an output signal from a sensor array, providing power to the sensor array and to the first analog-to-digital converter, generating a plurality of clock signals that are synchronous with a primary clock signal, providing a first clock signal of the plurality to the first analog-to-digital converter and providing a second clock signal of the plurality to the first switcher. The first clock signal is asynchronous with the second clock signal. |
| US08552767B1 |
Systems, circuits, and methods for a digital frequency synthesizer
Systems, methods, and circuits provide a digital frequency synthesizer where the output of the frequency synthesizer is a fractional factor of an input signal frequency. The digital frequency synthesizer may comprise a time to digital converter. A ramp offset signal may be added to the output of the time to digital converter. The ramp offset signal may be added to the output of a TDC until a reference dock signal reaches a value of pi. At such a point, the reference clock signal may be switched and the ramp offset signal may be restarted. As such, a frequency offset may be introduced at the input of the time to digital converter where the frequency offset may be modified by changing the slope of the ramp offset signal. |
| US08552763B2 |
Switch array including active regions being adjacent to each other in channel width direction of memory cell transistor
According to one embodiment, a switch array includes first and second switches provided in a switch unit. The first switch includes first and second memory cell transistors and a first pass transistor. A second switch includes third and fourth memory cell transistors and a second pass transistor. The first and second memory cell transistor is provided in a first active region. The first pass transistor is provided in a second active region in the substrate. The third and fourth memory cell transistor is provided in the first active region. The second pass transistor is provided in the second active region adjacent to the first pass transistor in the channel length direction. The first and second active regions are adjacent to each other in a channel width direction. |
| US08552762B2 |
Low-power wire-or matching circuit
A wire-OR matching circuit with low power consumption can be enabled by inputting an input-enabling signal representing “enabled.” The wire-OR matching circuit generates an output-enabling signal according to a control signal and a periodic pulse signal. When the periodic pulse signal represents “turn on”, if the input-enabling signal represents “enabled” and the control signal represents “not disabled”, the output-enabling signal represents “enabled;” if the input-enabling signal represents “enabled” and the control signal represents “disabled”, the output-enabling signal represents “not enabled.” The wire- or matching circuit can promptly break the connection between the high voltage source and the low voltage source by controlling the pulse width of the periodic pulse signal. In this way, large current is avoided, saving power consumption. |
| US08552753B2 |
Circuits and methods for sensing resistance
Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for sensing resistance. In one embodiment, a current is generated into a node. The node is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor. A second terminal of the resistor is coupled in series with a capacitance and a reference voltage. The current is turned off when a voltage on the node meets a threshold. A second voltage is detected on the node after the current is turned off. A resistance value is determined based on the first voltage on the node and the second voltage on the node. In one embodiment, the resistor is external to an integrated circuit and sensed through a single pin of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may include a current source, comparator, and a digital-to-analog converter. |
| US08552749B2 |
Measuring cable resistance in system for providing power over communication cable
A system for providing power to a powered device over a communication cable has a cable resistance measuring mechanism that determines values of response signals detected in response to supplying each of at least three reference signals over the communication cable, and determines the resistance of a pair of wires in the cable based on these values. The cable resistance measuring mechanism may be configured for determining resistance of an Ethernet cable that delivers power to the powered device in a Power over Ethernet system. |
| US08552748B2 |
Electrical detection and/or quantification of organophosphorus compounds
A device for detecting and/or quantifying organophosphorus compounds, including an electrical device including a source electrode and a drain electrode separated by a semiconductive material, characterized in that at least one receptor molecule, including a group R and a primary alcohol in spatial proximity to a tertiary amine, with which the primary alcohol is capable of reacting in the presence of an organophosphorus compound, is grafted, by the group R, onto one of the electrodes or onto the semiconductive material, and a device for detecting the variation in positive charges between the two electrodes. |
| US08552747B2 |
Capacitance discrimination circuit and touch switch equipped with the same
In some embodiments, a capacitance discrimination circuit includes first and second capacitors, a comparator configured to compare a first voltage of the first capacitor and a second voltage of the second capacitor, a counter circuit configured to perform a count operation based on a comparison result of the comparator, a charge circuit configured to charge the first and second capacitors, and a control circuit configured to control the charge circuit so as to charge either the first capacitor or the second capacitor based on the comparison result of the comparator. The capacitance discrimination of the first and second capacitors is performed based on count values of the counter circuit. The capacitance discrimination circuit preferably includes a discharge circuit to discharge electric charges stored in the first and second capacitors in accordance with a discharge signal from the control circuit. |
| US08552742B2 |
Calibration method for radio frequency scattering parameter measurements
A calibration method for radio frequency scattering parameter measurements enabling self-calibration, which calibration method using a transmission line segment calibrator, a series device calibrator, a shunt device calibrator and a tested object measuring instrument, in which the lengths of the transmission lines in the series device calibrator and the shunt device calibrator are equal to the length of the transmission lines in the tested object measuring instrument such that the series device calibrator and the shunt device calibrator have the same error box as the tested object measuring instrument; and after acquiring the scattering parameter matrix of the error box through the calibration method, it is possible to connect a tested electronic device onto the tested object measuring instrument and perform operations on uncorrected measurement data thereof thereby obtaining the radio frequency scattering parameter of the tested object. |
| US08552735B2 |
Switching apparatus and test apparatus
To perform a forcible disconnection when voltage outside a reference range is applied to a terminal, provided is a switching apparatus comprising a main switch provided between a first terminal and a second terminal; a voltage detection section that detects whether voltage of the second terminal is within a reference range; and a control section that controls the main switch according to a control signal received from a control terminal and turns OFF the main switch when the voltage of the second terminal is outside the reference range. The voltage detection section includes a detection switch that disconnects the second terminal and the control section from each other when the voltage of the second terminal is within the reference range and connects the second terminal and the control section to each other when the voltage of the second terminal is outside the reference range. |
| US08552733B2 |
Electrical leak detecting apparatus for an electric vehicle
The present invention relates to an electrical leak detecting apparatus for an electric vehicle, which is capable of not only detecting an electrical leak generated when a vehicle body is connected to the maximum potential or minimum potential of a battery pack, but also detecting which portion of the battery pack the vehicle body is connected to when an electrical leak is generated through the connection of the vehicle body and an intermediate potential of the battery pack. The electrical leak detecting apparatus for an electric vehicle according to the present invention includes: first and second switches connected to each other in series between a maximum potential terminal and a minimum potential terminal; a detection resistor having one end connected to a common contact of the first and second switches; and first and second measured potential supply units which are connected to each other in parallel between the other end of the detection resistor and the vehicle body, and which selectively provide first and second measured potentials, of different potential, to the battery pack. |
| US08552730B2 |
Amorphous IrOX film pH sensor
The present invention provides a pH sensing apparatus that includes a flexible polymer substrate, one or more amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes disposed on the flexible polymer substrate, and a reference electrode corresponding to each amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. Each reference electrode is disposed on the flexible polymer substrate in close proximity to the corresponding amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrode. The amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes provide a potential in reference to the reference electrodes that varies according to a pH of a substance contacting the amorphous iridium oxide film sensor electrodes and the reference electrodes. |
| US08552728B2 |
Sluggish circuit breaker detection system and method
A circuit breaker electronic trip unit includes a controller, and a memory that stores a threshold tripping duration. The memory is readable by the controller. The trip unit includes a trip signal output, and an input section that receives at least one of a phase current level signal, a phase or line voltage level signal, and a contact state change signal. The trip unit activates the trip signal output and monitors the input section for a predetermined signal change. The trip unit determines a tripping duration from a timing of the activation of the trip signal output and a timing of the predetermined signal change. The trip unit compares the tripping duration to the threshold tripping duration to determine a sluggish circuit breaker operation. |
| US08552726B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a static magnetic-field magnet that generates a static magnetic field in an imaging area in which a subject is to be placed; a main coil that is provided on the inner side of the static magnetic-field magnet, and applies a gradient magnetic field onto a subject placed in the static magnetic field; and a shield coil that is provided between the static magnetic-field magnet and the main coil, and shields a gradient magnetic field generated by the main coil. Moreover, a Radio Frequency (RF) coil side cooling system including a plurality of cooling pipes that circulates a coolant in pipe is provided on the inner side of the main coil. |
| US08552723B2 |
Measuring arrangement
A measuring arrangement is provided with a magnetic field-sensitive sensor (2), which includes a body (10) formed of a magnetic material. The body has a continuous recess (12) and a wall (26) defining same. The sensor (2) has at least one electric conductor (5), which extends between the ends and is passed through the recess (12). A magnet (22), which can be moved relative to the body (10), provides a magnetic field by which the permeability of the body (10) can be varied as a function of the distance between the body (10) and the magnet (22). An analysis means (4), which can be or is connected to the conductor (5) and by which the change in the permeability of the body (10) can be detected. The conductor (5) does not loop around the wall (26). |
| US08552721B2 |
Hall sensor array
A Hall sensor array has two Hall sensors arranged in opposed quadrants of a two by two array. Each Hall sensor has four contacts, arranged as two pairs of opposite contacts, the axes of each pair being substantially perpendicular. |
| US08552720B2 |
Mobile information terminal apparatus and magnetic sensor, including magnetoresistive detecting device
A disclosed magnetic sensor includes a substrate having a plane surface and multiple sloping surfaces; multiple soft magnetic films each disposed on a different one of the sloping surfaces and magnetized according to strength of a magnetic field; and multiple detecting devices each disposed on the plane surface, including a free layer and a pinned layer and configured to produce a detection output according to magnetization of the free layer and the pinned layer. Each of the soft magnetic films is magnetically coupled with the free layer of a different one of the detecting devices. The pinned layers of the detecting devices have magnetization directions different from each other. |
| US08552711B2 |
Device for testing serial attached small computer system interface signal
A signal testing device includes an oscillograph having a plurality of first connection ports, and a signal transmitting cable. The signal transmitting cable includes a plurality of second connection ports, a plurality of coaxial cables and a SAS connector configured for connecting to a mother board. One end of each coaxial cable is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the second connection ports, and the other end is electrically connected to the SAS connector. The first connection ports are configured for engaging with the second connection ports. |
| US08552710B2 |
Calibration apparatus and method thereof, multi-channel driving circuit and current balancing method
A calibration method for adjusting an offset voltage of a unit is proposed. The unit, capable of operating in a calibration mode or a normal mode, includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal. The calibration method includes: operating the unit in a calibration mode; providing a programmable voltage to the first input terminal; providing a constant voltage to the second input terminal; adjusting the programmable voltage monotonously when an output status of the output terminal is not changed; latching the programmable voltage when the output status toggles; and operating the unit in a normal mode after the output status toggles. |
| US08552707B2 |
Bandgap circuit and complementary start-up circuit for bandgap circuit
A bandgap circuit includes a bias current generating circuit and a complementary start-up circuit. The bias current generating circuit includes a first node and a second node and is arranged to generate a bias current in response to a voltage provided at the first node or a voltage provided at the second node. The complementary start-up circuit is arranged to start-up the bias current generating circuit and includes a first start-up circuit coupled to the first node and a second start-up circuit coupled to the second node. The first and second start-up circuits operate complementarily, so that the second start-up circuit provides the voltage to the second node when the first start-up circuit is unable to provide the voltage to the first node, and the first start-up circuit provides the voltage to the first node when the second start-up circuit is unable to provide the voltage to the second node. |
| US08552706B2 |
Stability methods and structures for current-mode DC-DC voltage converters
DC-DC voltage converter structures and methods are provided that employ first and second transistors which are switched to control currents through an inductor and a capacitor to thereby provide an output voltage substantially equal to a predetermined reference voltage. Preferably included is a voltage feedback loop in which an error voltage is fed back to a loop comparator and further included is a current feedback loop that provides to the comparator a first voltage ramp whose amplitude is proportional to the amplitude of the converter's input current. The output signal of the comparator sets the duty cycles of the first and second transistors. In each converter period, the first and second transistors of the voltage converter respectively control, through the inductor, a first current with a rising slope and a second current with a falling slope. Finally, converter stability is enhanced by providing a second voltage ramp having a slope related to a fraction (e.g., ½) of the falling slope and then comparing the error voltage of the voltage feedback loop to the sum of the first and second voltage ramps. |
| US08552705B2 |
Lower power controller for DC to DC converters
The present invention relates to a DC to DC converter system (100), which comprises converter means (110) and control means (120). The switching sequence of the first, second and third switching means (S1, S2, S3) is controlled by the control means (120) in such a manner that, during the on-time of the second switching device (S2), the first current (II) that flows through the inductive storage element (L) of the converter means (110) can be indirectly measured through the first voltage (VC1) across the capacitive storage element (C1), which is being charged with a second current (12) proportional to the input voltage (Vin) of the converter means (110) and provided by the current source (CS). Thus, the on-time of the second switching means (S2) varies inversely proportional to the input voltage (Vin). |
| US08552703B2 |
Method and apparatus for low standby current switching regulator
A regulator controller which controls conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, including a switching regulator, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and a mode controller. The switching regulator develops a pulse control signal to regulate the output voltage when enabled. The LDO regulator also regulates the output voltage when enabled. The mode controller enables or disables the switching regulator and the LDO regulator based on a load condition. The switching regulator is enabled and the LDO regulator is disabled during normal operation. The LDO regulator is enabled when the low load condition is detected, such as a skipped pulse on the pulse control signal. The switching regulator is disabled when the pulse control signal reaches a minimum level. The LDO regulator is disabled and the switching regulator is re-enabled based on threshold conditions of the current output of the LDO regulator. |
| US08552702B2 |
Digital control switching regulator having an input voltage detection circuit
A digital control switching regulator of the invention ON/OFF-controls switching elements by digital-controlled pulse width modulation signals and converts an input voltage to a desired output voltage. The switching regulator includes an input voltage detection circuit that includes: a voltage dividing circuit outputting a divided voltage of the input voltage; a comparator section comparing the divided voltage of the input voltage with a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage and outputting a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal indicating comparison results; and a control section controlling a dividing ratio of the voltage dividing circuit based on the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal to obtain the predetermined divided voltage, thereby outputting an input voltage digital signal corresponding to the input voltage. The input voltage digital signal controls controller coefficients for use in the digital control. |
| US08552701B2 |
System for regulating a load voltage in power distribution circuits and method for regulating a load voltage in power distribution circuits
The present invention refers to a system for regulating a load voltage (C) in power distribution circuits comprising at least: a regulation transformer (2) the secondary winding of the regulatory transformer (2) being operatively arranged in series between a power source (F) and the load (C), the power source (F) being capable of providing a supply voltage (VAL) to the load (C); a measuring device (5) operatively associated to the load (C), the measuring device (5) being capable of measuring at least one value of an electric signal of the load (SCA); a control device (4) operatively associated to the measuring device (5), the control device (4) being capable of comparing the value of the electric signal of the load (SCA) with a pre-established reference value and providing a correcting electric signal (SCO); and an actuation device (3) operatively associated to the control device (4), wherein the actuation device (3) is capable of providing an adjustment voltage (VAJ) proportional to the correcting electric signal (SCO), the adjustment voltage (VAJ) being applicable to fixed electric taps of the primary winding of the regulation transformer (2), the fixed electric taps being configured to remain immovable when there is a variation of the adjustment voltage (VAJ), the regulation transformer (2) being capable of transforming the adjustment voltage (VAJ) into a regulation voltage (VRE), the regulation voltage (VRE) being added in module and phase to the supply voltage (VAL). The present invention also refers to a method executed by the above-mentioned system. |
| US08552694B2 |
Generator device with overvoltage monitoring
A generator device with a generator regulator and a generator unit having a generator and a rectifier arrangement. The generator regulator has an operating voltage connection and a phase voltage connection. Furthermore, if during a control intervention of the phase voltage the DC voltage applied to the operating voltage connection exceeds a predefined limit for a predefined period of time, the generator regulator deactivates the control intervention of the phase voltage. |
| US08552692B2 |
Charger and discharger for secondary battery
A charger and discharger for a secondary battery includes a secondary battery coupled to an output stage of the charger and discharger, a first converter circuit including a first pulse voltage generator that outputs a first pulse voltage according to a first duty ratio, and a first inductor that outputs a first current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted first pulse voltage with respect to time to a positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery, a second converter circuit including a second pulse voltage generator that outputs a second pulse voltage according to a second duty ratio, and a second inductor that outputs a second current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted second pulse voltage with respect to time to a negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery, and first and second controllers controlling the duty ratios of the first and second pulse voltage generators, respectively. |
| US08552688B2 |
On-vehicle battery condition estimation device
A battery condition estimation device estimates a pre-restart voltage drop amount ΔVjh+ΔVbn of a battery mounted to a vehicle during period T1 to T2 from initiation of an engine stop until initiation of an engine restart based on detection values regarding the battery condition. The device estimates a voltage drop amount ΔVst during period T3 from initiation of the engine restart until completion of the engine restart based on the detection values regarding the battery condition. The device finally estimates a minimum voltage of the battery during period T1 to T3 from the initiation of the engine stop until the completion of the engine restart based on a voltage detection value Vj0 before the engine stop, the pre-restart voltage drop amount ΔVjh+ΔVbn, and the voltage drop amount ΔVst. |
| US08552687B2 |
Method and system for characterizing a battery
Methods and systems are provided for characterizing a battery. A property of the battery is measured. A dynamic characteristic of the battery is determined from a second order linear dynamic model. |
| US08552685B2 |
Electric power supply system for vehicle including a power receiving antenna
To stabilize the transmission characteristic of an electric power supply system for vehicle even when the vehicle being charged and powered by it shifts horizontally, a power transmitting antenna, which is arranged on the ground, and a power receiving antenna, which is arranged at the bottom of the vehicle, set up resonances at substantially the same resonant frequency and produce magnetic coupling between them. When the power receiving antenna enters the zone in which the power transmitting antenna is located, power is transmitted to the vehicle. By setting H, which is the distance between the power transmitting and receiving antennas that face each other, so that H satisfies 0.11×W1≦H≦0.26×W1 with respect to the width W1 of the power transmitting antenna, the transmission characteristic can be stabilized. |
| US08552681B2 |
Power storage system for a rail-guided vehicle
An energy storage system for a track-guided vehicle includes at least one electrical energy storage device and at least one electrochemical energy storage device connected through at least one converter to a supply line and to a drive unit for the vehicle. Individual phases of said at least one converter can be operated as independent direct-current controllers for independent charging and discharging of different energy storage devices. |
| US08552679B2 |
Pulse width controlled DC-DC converter having pulse width period control for influencing power consumption
A method is described wherein DC power is converted into battery charging power by means of an inductor carrying a current which is controlled by a power controller during an adjustable part of a pulse width period. The pulse width period is made adjustable in order to influence the power consumption of the controller which consumes a substantial amount of the total power consumed for controlled DC-DC conversion. Several additional features are provided to improve the efficiency and to further reduce the power consumed by both the converter and the power controller, which provides new uses for a variety of products and appliances having solar cells, such as road studs. |
| US08552676B2 |
Method for measuring an operating variable at multiple electric motors of an automatic parking brake
A method for measuring at least one operating variable at multiple electric motors of an automatic parking brake with the aid of a sensor system, the signals generated by the sensor system being processed by a processing device. To minimize the influence of signal interferences, the at least one operating variable is not measured or is not further processed as long as none of the electric motors is activated. |
| US08552671B2 |
Sensorless motor control using the rate of change of the inductive rise time
A conventional method used for a startup mode for a brushless direct current (DC) motor employed complementary inductive rise times. Specifically, inductive rise times rise times for a driving state and its complementary state were compared to one another such that when the inductive rise times cross a switching point had been reached. This methodology, however, significantly affects the efficiency of the driving torque and power consumption. Here, however, a derivative of the inductive rise time is employed, which can determine the switching event without the need for a use of a complementary state, improving motor performance. |
| US08552670B2 |
Control circuit of an electric motor with a measure delay compensation and motor system comprising the circuit
A control circuit controls an electric motor and includes: a measuring device configured to measure a first phase current of the motor and provide a corresponding first analog signal; an analog-to-digital converter structured to convert the first analog signal into a first digital signal; a conversion module for generating a first converted digital signal representative of the first digital signal expressed in a rotating reference system; a node structured to compare the first converted digital signal into a first reference signal and generate a first error signal; and a measure control circuit structured to provide a timing signal of the analog-to-digital converter depending on the first error signal and a time delay introduced by the measuring device. |
| US08552667B2 |
Linear accelerator
The present invention provides a linear accelerator in which a rotatable conductive vane is employed to vary the electromagnetic coupling between adjacent accelerating cells. The vane is sealed off from the rest of the linear accelerator by an insulating partition, so the pressure around the vane can be higher than in the rest of the accelerator. This greatly simplifies the mechanisms which may be used to control the rotation of the vane, allowing a higher bakeout temperature in manufacture and a higher rate of rotation in use. |
| US08552666B2 |
System and method for controlling a lighting system with a plurality of light sources
The invention relates to the controlling of a lighting system with a plurality of light sources, particularly to the semi-automatic commissioning of light sources of the lighting system or controlling of the creation of lighting scenes with the lighting system. A basic idea of the invention is to use a spatial coding of light for controlling a lighting system, particularly for commissioning of light sources of the lighting system instead of or in addition to the temporal light coding as applied in the prior art. An embodiment of the invention relates to a system for controlling a lighting system with a plurality of light sources (1, 2) comprising a light system controller (5) for controlling the light sources in that a spatial light pattern (11, 12, 21, 22) is created, which codes one or more attributes (512) of the light sources (511), and a light pattern capturing device (3) for capturing the created spatial light pattern and communicating (32, 52) with the light system controller (5) in order to enable the controlling of the one or more light sources based on the captured spatial light pattern. A spatial coding is particularly suitable for wallwasher light sources, and thus especially assists personnel in commissioning wallwasher light sources of a lighting system. |
| US08552664B2 |
Power management unit with ballast interface
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. |
| US08552661B2 |
Multi-energy vehicle illuminating system and method
A vehicle multi-energy illuminating system is disclosed. The system having at least one multi-energy source module configured to collect waste energy from a vehicle headlamp, the at least one a multi-energy source module having at least one photovoltaic device configured to collect infrared energy and at least one photovoltaic device configured to collect visible light energy from the vehicle headlamp: at least one solar energy source module configured to collect visible light energy not generated from the vehicle headlamp bulb; a rechargeable battery coupled to the least one multi-energy source module and the at least one solar energy source module, the rechargeable battery being configured to collect and store the waste energy from the headlamp bulb and the visible light energy not generated from the vehicle headlamp bulb; a safety light; a light sensor; and a microcontroller coupled to the rechargeable battery, the safety light and the light sensor, wherein the microcontroller illuminates the safety light by coupling the safety light to the rechargeable battery when the light sensor provides a signal to the microcontroller indicating that detected light is below a predetermined value. |
| US08552660B2 |
Drive circuit for parallel array of light emitting diodes
The present invention relates to a parallel light emitting diode (“LED”) drive circuit and provides a drive circuit configured to drive a parallel array of LEDs. The drive circuit comprises: a plurality of switches, a plurality of sampling resistors, and a plurality of chopper amplifiers. Each switch is coupled to a respective LED in the LED array. Each chopper operational amplifier configured to receive a reference voltage and a switching control signal and generate an input offset voltage. Each chopper operational amplifier includes a differential amplifier including an input transistor pair and a current mirror transistor pair, of which the electrical positions can be reserved when the switching control signal is switched between a first state and a second state, wherein the offset voltage, which causes the lightness mismatching in a parallel LED circuit, can be cancelled. |
| US08552656B2 |
AC light emitting device, driving device thereof, and driving method thereby
An AC light emitting device, a driving device thereof and a driving method are disclosed. The driving device includes a sub-driving part turned on corresponding to each of positive and negative voltage regions of an AC voltage source to provide current paths for operating at least two LEDs, and a free-charge part charging with a voltage to be supplied to one of the at least two LEDs which is not operated while the other LED is operated by the sub-driving part. The AC light emitting device, the driving device thereof and the driving method thereby can solve problems, such as a decrease in power factor, severe total harmonic distortion, excessive flickering, and the like, due to operating characteristics of the AC light emitting device by application of an AC voltage source thereto. |
| US08552653B2 |
Electro-optical device, electronic apparatus, and method of driving electro-optical device
An electro-optical device includes a first pixel circuit which is disposed so as to correspond to each intersection between a scanning line and a first data line, a second pixel circuit which is disposed so as to correspond to each intersection between a scanning line and a second data line, a signal line, a selection section, a driving circuit. In a first selection period, the selection section is operated such that the first data line and the second data line are electrically connected to the signal line. In the second selection period, the selection section is operated such that the second data line is electrically connected to the signal line. In a writing period, the first data potential is supplied to the first pixel circuit and the second data potential is supplied to the second pixel circuit. |
| US08552650B2 |
Plasma formation region control apparatus and plasma processing apparatus
There is provided a plasma formation region control apparatus, with which a large-scale plasma can be obtained under a high pressure with ease and at low cost. The plasma formation region control apparatus comprises a microwave oscillator, an antenna connected to the microwave oscillator, and controller for controlling the position of each of the microwave oscillator and the antenna. The controller positions the antenna towards a plasma formation region in accordance with a specification for a plasma region for respective points in time t; establishes a driving sequence for the microwave oscillator based on the temperature state of the specified plasma; and drives the microwave oscillator according to the driving sequence. |
| US08552648B2 |
Vehicle headlamp apparatus
A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes right and left headlamps, and a controller which controls the right and left headlamps. Each of the right and left headlamps is configured to produce a low beam light distribution pattern having a horizontal cutoff line to irradiate a region in front the vehicle headlamp apparatus, and is operable to selectively produce one or both of a right side auxiliary light distribution pattern above a right part of the horizontal cutoff line and a left side auxiliary light distribution pattern above a left part of the horizontal cutoff line. Based on a position of a forward vehicle ahead of the vehicle headlamp apparatus, the controller controls each of the right and left headlamps to produce one or both of the right side auxiliary light distribution pattern and the left side auxiliary light distribution pattern. |
| US08552644B2 |
Encapsulation of organic devices
Presented an organic light-emitting device (OLED) that includes at least one active region, at least one organic layer, a first glass plate on which the at least one active region is applied, and a second glass plate. The active region is disposed between the first and the second glass plates. The first and second glass plates are at least partially transparent in the near infrared spectral range. The OLED further includes a bonding material that includes a solder glass and is disposed between the first and second glass plates. The bonding material forms at least one frame that surrounds the active region and mechanically connects the first glass plate with the second glass plate and seals the active region. The bonding material absorbs near infrared radiation. The OLED further includes spacer particles that have a mean diameter that maintains a height between the first and second glass plates. |
| US08552643B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus has a region where a plurality of grooves are arranged along contours of a display region so as to extend in a direction across the contours of the display region and where an organic protective film is provided so as to cover the grooves and a region, surrounding the region where the grooves are provided, where the grooves and the organic protective film are not provided. |
| US08552636B2 |
High resolution pixel architecture
A high resolution pixel using organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) in a staggered arrangement to increase aperture ratio is disclosed. The arrangement may be used with both bottom and top emission type pixels. The arrangement includes a first organic light emitting device emitting light of a first color. A second organic light emitting device emitting light of a second color is located in a bottom row under the first organic light emitting device. A third organic light emitting device emitting light of a third color is located in a top row with the first organic light emitting device. |
| US08552632B2 |
Active matrix phosphor cold cathode display
A flat panel display is disclosed. The flat panel display includes a plurality of electrically addressable pixels, a plurality of thin-film transistor driver circuits each been electrically coupled to an associated at least one of the pixels, respectively, a passivating layer on the thin-film transistor driver circuits and at least partially around the pixels, a conductive frame on the passivating layer, and a plurality of nanostructures on the conductive frame, wherein, creating a voltage difference between the pixels and the conductive frame by addressing one of the pixels using the associated driver circuit causes the nanostructures to emit electrons that induce a corresponding one of the pixels to emit light. The display further comprising a nano material deposited on a metal cathode layer. The nano-material providing additional electron emission through secondary electron emission. |
| US08552627B2 |
Retaining frame having at least one optical element
A retaining frame (2) having at least one optical element (3) secured thereto by injection molding, with the at least one optical element (3) being embodied for beam shaping at least by means of total internal reflection and/or diffraction. |
| US08552626B1 |
Lighting device with reverse tapered heatsink
A solid state lighting devices includes a heatsink having a first end arranged proximate to a base end, and a second end arranged between the first end and a solid state emitter, wherein at least a portion of the heatsink is wider at point intermediate the first end and the second end than the width of the heatsink at the second end. Such reverse angled heatsink reduces obstruction of light. A heatsink may include multiple fins and a heatpipe. |
| US08552622B2 |
Acoustic wave device
An acoustic wave device according to one embodiment of the present invention has a base with a vibrating body, a sealing member which is joined to the base in a frame-shaped region surrounding the vibrating body and faces the vibrating body with a space therebetween, and an intermediate layer between the frame-shaped region of the sealing member and the base. The frame-shaped region has a recess and at least a portion of the intermediate layer is located inside the recess. |
| US08552621B2 |
Systems and methods for operating piezoelectric switches
Systems and methods for operating piezoelectric switches are disclosed. A piezoelectric switching system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a bias voltage source. The first actuator has a first body electrode, a first gate electrode, and a first contact region. The second actuator has a second body electrode, a second gate electrode, and a second contact region. The first and second contact regions are separated by a gap. The bias voltage source applies a bias voltage to the body electrodes. The bias voltage is lower in magnitude than an actuation voltage for the switch. The gate electrodes receive a switching voltage. The switching voltage causes at least one of the first and second actuators to bend, thereby closing the gap such that the second contact region electrically contacts the first contact region. The difference between the switching voltage and the bias voltage exceeds the actuation voltage of the switch. |
| US08552618B2 |
Surface acoustic wave device with IDT electrodes having different electrode finger pitches and communication apparatus using same
Among the plurality of IDT electrodes having serially divided type structures, when designating any three continuously and sequentially arranged IDT electrodes as first, second, and third IDT electrodes in the order of arrangement, electrode fingers are arranged so that a first electrode finger pitch P1 at the boundary between the first IDT electrode and the second IDT electrode in the first region and a second electrode finger pitch P2 at the boundary between the second IDT electrode and the third IDT electrode in the first region are equal, the first and second electrode finger pitches P1 and P2 are the smallest among electrode finger pitches of IDT electrodes in the first region, and each of the IDT electrodes has a third electrode finger pitch P3 larger than the first and second electrode finger pitches P1 and P2 in the first region. |
| US08552614B2 |
Generator stator configuration
The invention relates to a generator stator configuration, comprising a stiffened stator core having a multitude of stator plates, which have stator teeth on the radial inner periphery of the stator core, each stator plate having a material bond to an adjacent stator plate and/or to a stiffening element on the radial outer periphery on at least one connection point; and a spring-elastic support structure to implement an elastic foundation connection for the stiffened stator core. |
| US08552611B2 |
Coil end structure of rotating electric machine
The present invention provides a coil end structure of a rotating electric machine which is able to miniaturize the coil end structure without having an insulation coating of a flat wire being affected. A coil segment 4 is composed of a plurality of flat wires. A surface of each flat wire confronting another in a slot 2a (legs 41 and 41) is identical to the surface confronting the other at a coil end (head 42). |
| US08552608B2 |
Modular magneto mechanical device
An electromechanical device has a rotor, a stator, and a module that at least partially houses the rotor. During normal operation of the electromechanical device, the stator is positioned external to and separate from the module. |
| US08552606B1 |
Spindle motor
There is provided a spindle motor including: a shaft; a first sleeve rotatably supporting the shaft by fluid dynamic pressure; a second sleeve provided outwardly of the first sleeve; a stator core mounted on an outer surface of the second sleeve; and a base member including a mounting part protruding upwardly in an axial direction and fixed to at least one of the first and second sleeves. |
| US08552604B2 |
Drive unit of electric motor and motorized equipment using the drive unit
A power module of a drive unit of an electric motor is formed by inserting multiple power transistors, which supply a drive current to a coil wound around a stator or a rotor, and wirings connecting the power transistors in a resin, which is formed in the shape of a plate, by resin molding. Electronic components such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors, a choke coil and a first connector are provided in a board thickness direction of the power module and are electrically connected with the wirings of the power module. Thus, a construction for electrically connecting the wirings of the power module formed by the resin molding and the electronic components can be simplified. |
| US08552603B2 |
Electric rotating machine with cooling mechanism
An electric rotating machine is provided which includes a stator in which a coil is so wound as to have an coil end and a coolant channel. The coolant channel has defined therein a flow path through which coolant flows and a flow separator disposed in the flow path and a first and a second coolant outlet. The flow separator works to separate a flow of the coolant into at least a first and a second coolant streams. The first coolant outlet communicates with the first coolant stream, while the second coolant outlet communicates with the second coolant stream. The first and second coolant outlets drain the coolant to different portions of the coil end, thereby cooling almost the whole of the coil end even when the electric rotating machine is tilted undesirably. |
| US08552600B2 |
Potted end turns of an electric machine
Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module and a method for cooling an electric machine module. The electric machine module includes an electric machine including a stator with stator end turns, a liquid-cooled housing at least partially enclosing the electric machine, and a potting material in contact with and at least partially surrounding the stator end turns. The method includes potting at least some of the stator end turns with the potting material to provide a thermally-conductive path from the stator end turns to the housing and circulating a coolant through the housing to at least remove heat energy conducted from the stator end turns to the housing. |
| US08552598B2 |
Linear vibrating motor
A linear vibrating motor includes a base defining a first bottom wall and a first sidewall extending vertically from the first bottom wall, a cover forming a receiving cavity together with the base and defining a second bottom wall and a second sidewall extending vertically from the second bottom wall, a coil positioned on one of the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall, a vibrating unit suspended in the receiving cavity, a gasket positioned on a bottom wall of one of the base and the cover, and an elastic plate suspending the vibrating unit and sandwiched between the gasket and a sidewall of the other one of the base and the cover. |
| US08552596B2 |
Power transmitting apparatus and power transmission system
This disclosure provides a power transmitting apparatus including coupling electrodes couplable to a power receiving apparatus to transmit power to the receiving apparatus. A high-frequency voltage generator circuit is adapted to supply a high-frequency voltage across the coupling electrodes in accordance with a signal output from a control circuit. A driving power supply switching circuit switches between applying a constant voltage and supplying a constant current to the high-frequency voltage generator circuit. First, by sweeping the driving frequency of the high-frequency voltage generator circuit in a state in which a constant current is supplied, it is determined whether there is a maximal value in the frequency characteristics of a voltage applied to the high-frequency voltage generator circuit. When there is a maximal value, the corresponding frequency is set as the driving frequency, and power transmission is started after the driving power supply switching circuit is switched to a constant voltage. |
| US08552594B2 |
Noncontact power feed system, noncontact relay apparatus, noncontract power reception apparatus, and noncontact power feed method
A noncontact power feed system includes: a noncontact power feed apparatus including a power feed resonance device to supply alternate-current power to an electronic apparatus by resonance in a noncontact manner, and an alternate-current power source section to generate the alternate-current power and supply it to the power feed resonance device; a noncontact relay apparatus including a relay resonance device to receive the alternate-current power and relay it to another electronic apparatus by resonance in a noncontact manner, a relay-side rectifier circuit to form direct-current power for output, and a movement means for moving the noncontact relay apparatus by the direct-current power; and at least one noncontact power reception apparatus including a power reception resonance device to receive the alternate-current power by magnetic field resonance in a noncontact manner, a power-reception-side rectifier circuit to form direct-current power for output, and a load means driven by the direct-current power. |
| US08552593B2 |
Non-contact power transmission apparatus
A non-contact power transmission apparatus accurately determines the kind of object that is placed on the charging deck of the non-contact power transmission apparatus, and, only when a non-contact power receiving apparatus is placed on the power transmission apparatus, allows power transmission and data communication to take place, thereby accurately determining the state of the receiver side and efficiently controlling the transmission of power. In the power transmission apparatus, the power supplied to the non-contact power receiving apparatus is measured, and the output power of the wireless power signal output from two different cores is controlled, thereby allowing the charging operation to be stably conducted even if the non-contact power receiving apparatus is moved anywhere on the power transmission apparatus. The power transmission apparatus improves both the reliability of operation of the non-contact charging system, and the competitiveness of related products, such as portable terminals, battery packs and the like. |
| US08552585B2 |
MOS transistor device in common source configuration
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first p-channel laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) transistor formed over the semiconductor substrate and additional p-channel LDMOS transistors formed over the semiconductor substrate. First drain and gate electrodes are formed over the substrate and are coupled to the first LDMOS transistor. Additional drain and gate electrodes are formed over the substrate and are coupled to the second LDMOS transistor. A common source electrode for the first and second LDMOS transistors is also formed over the substrate. |
| US08552581B2 |
Portable solar and wind-powered energy generating system
The portable solar and wind-powered energy generating system provides an ecologically friendly, portable system for generating electricity. The system includes a portable enclosure having a roof, along with first and second solar modules. The first solar module is mounted on the roof of the portable enclosure. A portable vertical support is removably positioned adjacent the portable enclosure. A wind turbine is preferably mounted on an upper end thereof. An extensible support releasably extends between the roof and the vertical support for releasably supporting the second solar module. Preferably, a third solar module is further provided, and a collapsible support is mounted on the portable vertical support for releasably supporting the third solar module. The wind turbine is in electrical communication with the first, second and third solar modules, and generated electricity is delivered to an electrical load, such as a storage battery, a charger for electrical vehicles, or the like. |
| US08552580B2 |
Wind turbine power generation
A wind turbine power generation for generating electricity from a fluid may include a compression module housing to compress the fluid, a turbine module housing to convert the compressed fluid into electricity, and a lower pressure reduction module housing and a upper pressure reduction module housing to exhaust the fluid from the turbine module housing. The turbine module housing may include a turbine airflow control to control the amount of fluid flowing through the turbine module housing. The turbine airflow control may include a variable diameter shutter to open and close to control the amount of fluid. |
| US08552579B2 |
Wind power plant
The invention relates to a wind power plant, comprising a rotor that can be rotated about a vertical axis, said rotor between two horizontal bearing planes disposed at a distance on top of each other comprising a plurality of rotor blades, which are disposed distributed on a circumferential circle, can each be pivoted about a vertical pivot axis, and the pivot range of which is delimited on both sides by a stop. In such a wind power plant, an improvement in the energy yield, while simultaneously ensuring another operation, is enabled in that the width of the rotor blades is smaller than approximately ⅓ the radius of the circumferential circle. |
| US08552570B2 |
Wiring board, semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing wiring board and semiconductor device
In the wiring board, insulating layers and wiring layers are alternately laminated, and the wiring layers are electrically connected by the vias. The wiring board includes first terminals arranged in a first surface and embedded in an insulating layer, second terminals arranged in a second surface opposite to the first surface and embedded in an insulating layer, and lands arranged in an insulating layer and in contact with the first terminals. The vias electrically connect the lands and the wiring layers laminated alternately with the insulating layers. No connecting interface is formed at an end of each of the vias on the land side but a connecting interface is formed at an end of each of the vias on the wiring layer side. |
| US08552564B2 |
Hybrid-core through holes and vias
A semiconductor device substrate includes a front section and back section that are laminated cores disposed on a front- and back surfaces of a first core. The first core has a cylindrical plated through hole that has been metal plated and filled with air-core material. The front- and back sections have laser-drilled tapered vias that are filled with conductive material and that are coupled to the plated through hole. The back section includes an integral inductor coil that communicates to the front section. The first core and the laminated-cores form a hybrid-core semiconductor device substrate with an integral inductor coil. |
| US08552563B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor architecture
A system and method for making semiconductor die connections with through-silicon vias (TSVs) are disclosed. TSVs are formed through the substrate to allow for signal connections as well as power and ground connections. In one embodiment this allows these connections to be made throughout the substrate instead of on the periphery of the substrate. In another embodiment, the TSVs are used as part of a power matrix to supply power and ground connections to the active devices and metallization layers through the substrate. |
| US08552562B2 |
Profiled contact for semiconductor device
A profiled contact for a device, such as a high power semiconductor device is provided. The contact is profiled in both a direction substantially parallel to a surface of a semiconductor structure of the device and a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the semiconductor structure. The profiling can limit the peak electric field between two electrodes to approximately the same as the average electrical field between the electrodes, as well as limit the electric field perpendicular to the semiconductor structure both within and outside the semiconductor structure. |
| US08552560B2 |
Alternate pad structures/passivation inegration schemes to reduce or eliminate IMC cracking in post wire bonded dies during Cu/Low-K BEOL processing
Passivation integration schemes and pad structures to reduce the stress gradients and/or improve the contact surface existing between the Al in the pad and the gold wire bond. One of the pad structures provides a plurality of recessed pad areas which are formed in a single aluminum pad. An oxide mesa can be provided under the aluminum pad. Another pad structure provides a single recessed pad area which is formed in a single aluminum pad, and the aluminum pad is disposed above a copper pad and a plurality of trench/via pads. Still another pad structure provides a single recessed pad area which is formed in a single aluminum pad, and the aluminum pad is disposed above a portion of a copper pad, such that the aluminum pad and the copper pad are staggered relative to each other. |
| US08552551B2 |
Adhesive/spacer island structure for stacking over wire bonded die
Adhesive/spacer structures used to adhere a first device, such as a die, or a package, to a second device in a stacked semiconductor assembly, include a plurality of spaced-apart adhesive/spacer islands securing the first and the second devices to one another at a chosen separation. Either or both of the first and second devices can be a die; or, either or both of the devices can be a package. A package includes a die mounted onto and electrically interconnected to, a substrate, and where one package is stacked over either a lower die or a lower package, the upper package may be oriented either so that the die attach side of the upper package faces toward the lower die or lower package substrate or so that the die attach side of the upper package faces away from the lower die or lower package substrate. |
| US08552543B2 |
Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package that includes a conductive clip having an interior surface that includes a plurality of spaced raised portions, a semiconductor device having a first major surface that includes a plurality of spaced depressions each receiving one of the raised portions in the interior thereof, and a conductive adhesive disposed between each raised portion and a respective interior surface of a depression. |
| US08552539B1 |
Shielded package having shield lid
A shielded package includes a shield assembly having a shield fence, a shield lid, and a shield lid adhesive electrically coupling the shield lid to the shield fence. The shield fence includes a porous sidewall through which molding compound passes during molding of the shielded package. Further, the shield fence includes a central aperture through which an electronic component is die attached and wire bonded. |
| US08552536B2 |
Flexible integrated circuit device layers and processes
This disclosure provides systems, processes, and apparatus implementing and using techniques for fabricating flexible integrated circuit (IC) device layers. In one implementation, a sacrificial layer is deposited on a substrate. The sacrificial layer can include amorphous silicon or molybdenum, by way of example. One or more electronic components are formed on the sacrificial layer. A polymer coating is provided on the one or more electronic components to define a coated device layer. The sacrificial layer is removed to release the coated device layer from the substrate. The sacrificial layer can be removed using a xenon difluoride gas or by etching, for example. Coated device layers made in accordance with this process can be stacked. The substrate can be formed of glass, silicon, a plastic, a ceramic, a compound semiconductor, and/or a metal, depending on the desired implementation. The electronic component(s) can include a passive component such as a resistor, an inductor, or a capacitor. The electronic component(s) can also or alternatively include an active component such as a transistor. |
| US08552535B2 |
Trench shielding structure for semiconductor device and method
A shielding structure for a semiconductor device includes a plurality of trenches. The trenches include passivation liners and shield electrodes, which are formed therein. In one embodiment, the shielding structure is placed beneath a control pad. In another embodiment, the shielding structure is placed beneath a control runner. |
| US08552526B2 |
Self-aligned semiconductor trench structures
Methods for forming a semiconductor device include forming self-aligned trenches, in which a first set of trenches is used to align a second set of trenches. Methods taught herein can be used as a pitch doubling technique, and may therefore enhance device integration. Further, employing a very thin CMP stop layer, and recessing surrounding materials by about an equal amount to the thickness of the CMP stop layer, provides improved planarity at the surface of the device. |
| US08552524B2 |
Semiconductor component with trench insulation and corresponding production method
The invention relates to a semiconductor component with trench isolation and to an associated fabrication method, a trench isolation having a deep isolation trench with a covering insulation layer, a side wall insulation layer and an electrically conductive filling layer, which is electrically connected to a predetermined doping region of the semiconductor substrate in a bottom region of the trench. The use of a trench contact, which has a deep contact trench with a side wall insulation layer and an electrically conductive filling layer, which is likewise electrically connected to the predetermined doping region of the semiconductor substrate in a bottom region of the contact trench, makes it possible to improve the electrical shielding properties with a reduced area requirement. |
| US08552523B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region extending in a first direction on a semiconductor substrate, forming a mask layer extending in a second direction that intersects with the first direction on the semiconductor substrate and forming a trench on the semiconductor substrate by using the STI region and the mask layer as masks. In addition, the method includes forming a charge storage layer so as to cover the trench and forming a conductive layer on side surfaces of the trench and the mask layer. Word lines are formed from the conductive layer on side surfaces of the trench that oppose in the first direction by etching. The word lines are separated from each other and extend in the second direction. |
| US08552517B1 |
Conductive paste and mold for electrical connection of photovoltaic die to substrate
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a CPV module wherein a solder paste is used as an alternative to wire bonds or braided ribbon/mesh connectors to facilitate the electrical connectivity between the concentrated photovoltaic receiver cell or die of the CPV module and the conductive pattern of the underlying substrate thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the possibility of accidentally shorting the top of the receiver die with the other metal parts of the CPV module is avoided by molding at least the periphery of the receiver die with a mold body, and then dispensing or printing the conductive paste between the top of the receiver die and the substrate, the mold body defining a reservoir which facilities the flow of the conductive paste in a prescribed pattern. |
| US08552515B2 |
Method for fabricating a damascene self-aligned ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) device structure employing reduced processing steps
Disclosed is a novel non-volatile, ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) device and a method for fabricating a damascene self-aligned F-RAM device structure on a planar surface using a reduced number of masks and etching steps. |
| US08552514B2 |
Semiconductor physical quantity sensor
A semiconductor physical quantity sensor includes a sensor chip, a support member for fixing the sensor chip to a fixing position and an adhesive bonding the sensor chip with the support member. The sensor chip includes a semiconductor substrate and a chip base supporting the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is provided with a sensing portion for detecting a physical quantity. The chip base is bonded with the support member through the adhesive. The adhesive is provided by a mixture of an adhesive base material mainly made of a resin and a granular material mainly made of a cross-linked resin. |
| US08552511B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device including a low-concentration impurity region formed on the drain side of an n-type MIS transistor, in a non-self-aligned manner with respect to an end portion of the gate electrode. A high-concentration impurity region is placed with a specific offset from the gate electrode and a sidewall insulating film. The semiconductor device enables the drain breakdown voltage to be sufficient and the on-resistance to decrease. A silicide layer is also formed on the surface of the gate electrode, thereby achieving gate resistance reduction and high frequency characteristics improvement. |
| US08552507B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A p-type MIS transistor Qp arranged in a pMIS region Rp of a silicon substrate 1 includes a pMIS gate electrode GEp formed so as to interpose a pMIS gate insulating film GIp formed of a first insulating film z1 and a first high-dielectric film hk1, and an n-type MIS transistor Qn arranged in an nMIS region Rn includes an nMIS gate electrode GEn formed so as to interpose an nMIS gate insulating film GIn formed of a first insulating film z1 and a second high-dielectric film hk2. The first high-dielectric film hk1 is formed of an insulating film mainly made of hafnium and oxygen with containing aluminum, titanium, or tantalum. Also, the second high-dielectric film hk2 is formed of an insulating film mainly made of hafnium, silicon, and oxygen with containing an element of any of group Ia, group IIa, and group IIIa. |
| US08552505B1 |
Integrated circuits having improved metal gate structures and methods for fabricating same
Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a PFET trench in a PFET region and an NFET trench in an NFET region of an interlayer dielectric material on a semiconductor surface. The NFET trench is partially filled with an N-type work function metal layer to define an inner cavity. The PFET trench and the inner cavity in the NFET trench are partially filled with a P-type work function metal layer to define a central void in each trench. In the method, the central voids are filled with a metal fill to form metal gate structures. A single recessing process is then performed to recess portions of each metal gate structure within each trench to form a recess in each trench above the respective metal gate structure. |
| US08552503B2 |
Strained silicon structure
A strained silicon substrate structure includes a first transistor and a second transistor disposed on a substrate. The first transistor includes a first gate structure and two first source/drain regions disposed at two sides of the first gate structure. A first source/drain to gate distance is between each first source/drain region and the first gate structure. The second transistor includes a second gate structure and two source/drain doped regions disposed at two side of the second gate structure. A second source/drain to gate distance is between each second source/drain region and the second gate structure. The first source/drain to gate distance is smaller than the second source/drain to gate distance. |
| US08552499B2 |
Semiconductor substrate, semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
It is an object to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate in which contamination of a semiconductor layer due to an impurity is prevented and the bonding strength between a support substrate and the semiconductor layer can be increased. An oxide film containing first halogen is formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and the semiconductor substrate is irradiated with ions of second halogen, whereby a separation layer is formed and the second halogen is contained in a semiconductor substrate. Then, heat treatment is performed in a state in which the semiconductor substrate and the support substrate are superposed with an insulating surface containing hydrogen interposed therebetween, whereby part of the semiconductor substrate is separated along the separation layer, so that a semiconductor layer containing the second halogen is provided over the support substrate. |
| US08552495B2 |
Dummy gate for a high voltage transistor device
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first doped region and a second doped region both formed in a substrate. The first and second doped regions are oppositely doped. The semiconductor device includes a first gate formed over the substrate. The first gate overlies a portion of the first doped region and a portion of the second doped region. The semiconductor device includes a second gate formed over the substrate. The second gate overlies a different portion of the second doped region. The semiconductor device includes a first voltage source that provides a first voltage to the second gate. The semiconductor device includes a second voltage source that provides a second voltage to the second doped region. The first and second voltages are different from each other. |
| US08552490B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device with a high-K charge storage layer having a U-shaped,cross-sectional structure
A nonvolatile memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided. Then, a tunneling dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and a dummy gate is form on the tunneling dielectric layer. Subsequently, an interlayer dielectric layer is formed around the dummy gate, and the dummy gate is removed to form an opening. Following that, a charge storage layer is formed on the inner side wall of the opening, and the charge storage layer covers the tunneling dielectric layer. Moreover, an inter-gate dielectric layer is formed on the charge storage layer, and a metal gate is formed on the inter-gate dielectric layer. Accordingly, a stacked gate structure of the nonvolatile memory device includes the tunneling dielectric layer, the charge storage layer, the inter-gate dielectric layer, and the metal gate. |
| US08552488B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices having gate structures doped by nitrogen
Nonvolatile memory devices are provided including an integrated circuit substrate and a charge storage pattern on the integrated circuit substrate. The charge storage pattern has a sidewall and a tunnel insulating layer is provided between the charge storage pattern and the integrated circuit substrate. A gate pattern is provided on the charge storage pattern. A blocking insulating layer is provided between the charge storage pattern and the gate pattern. The sidewall of the charge storage pattern includes a first nitrogen doped layer. Related methods of fabricating nonvolatile memory devices are also provided herein. |
| US08552487B2 |
SOI trench DRAM structure with backside strap
A semiconductor structure includes a SOI substrate having a top silicon layer overlying an insulation layer, which overlies a bottom silicon layer; a capacitor disposed at least partially in the insulation layer; a device disposed at least partially on the top silicon layer, which device is coupled to a doped portion of the top silicon layer; a backside strap of first epitaxially-deposited material, at least a first portion of the backside strap underlying the doped portion, the backside strap being coupled to the doped portion of the top silicon layer at a first end of the backside strap and to the capacitor at a second end of the backside strap; and second epitaxially-deposited material that at least partially overlies the doped portion of the top silicon layer, the second epitaxially-deposited material further at least partially overlying the first portion. |
| US08552483B2 |
X-Y address type solid state image pickup device and method of producing the same
In an X-Y address type solid state image pickup device represented by a CMOS image sensor, a back side light reception type pixel structure is adopted in which a wiring layer is provided on one side of a silicon layer including photo-diodes formed therein. and visible light is taken in from the other side of the silicon layer, namely, from the side (back side) opposite to the wiring layer. wiring can be made without taking a light-receiving surface into account, and the degree of freedom in wiring for the pixels is enhanced. |
| US08552481B2 |
Imaging device and imaging system
An object of the present invention is to prevent a sensitivity difference between pixels. There are disposed plural unit cells each including plural photodiodes 101A and 101B, plural transfer MOSFETs 102A and 102B arranged corresponding to the plural photodiodes, respectively, and a common MOSFET 104 which amplifies and outputs signals read from the plural photodiodes. Each pair within the unit cell, composed of the photodiode and the transfer MOSFET provided corresponding to the photodiode, has translational symmetry with respect to one another. Within the unit cell, there are included a reset MOSFET and selecting MOSFET. |
| US08552480B2 |
Aluminum indium antimonide focal plane array
In one embodiment, a detector includes an AlzIn(1-x)Sb passivation/etch stop layer, an AlxIn(1-x)Sb absorber layer disposed above the Alzn(1-z)Sb passivation/etch stop layer, and an AlyIn(1-y)Sb passivation layer disposed above the AlxIn(1-x)Sb absorber layer, wherein x |
| US08552476B2 |
Schottky barrier diode and MOSFET semiconductor device
A semiconductor layer has a second impurity concentration. First trenches are formed in the semiconductor layer to extend downward from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer. Each of insulation layers is formed along each of the inner walls of the first trenches. Each of conductive layers is formed to bury each of the first trenches via each of the insulation layers, and extends downward from the upper surface of the semiconductor layer to a first position. A first semiconductor diffusion layer reaches a second position from the upper surface of the semiconductor layer, is positioned between the first trenches, and has a third impurity concentration lower than the second impurity concentration. A length from the upper surface of the semiconductor layer to the second position is equal to or less than half a length from the upper surface of the semiconductor layer to the first position. |
| US08552474B2 |
Junction field effect transistor structure
A junction field effect transistor structure includes a grid electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a substrate. The grid electrode includes a polysilicon layer and a P-type implanted layer. The source electrode includes an N-type implanted layer, an N-type well layer and a heavy-implanted N-type well layer. The drain electrode includes the N-type implanted layer, the N-type well layer and the heavy-implanted N-type well layer. The substrate is connected with a substrate connecting end by the P-type implanted layer, a P-type well layer, a heavy-implanted P-type well layer and a P-type buried layer. The junction field effect transistor structure of the present invention can be manufactured without adding any masking step based on the existing technologies, and has the high-voltage resistant characteristic to meet the requirements in practical applications. Furthermore, it has the compact structure and compatible technology. |
| US08552468B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A semiconductor layer has a first layer of first conductive type, a second layer of second conductive type, and a third layer. The third layer has a first region of first conductive type, and a second region of second conductive type. A second electrode is in contact with each of the first and second regions. A trench is formed on the semiconductor layer at a surface opposite to its surface facing a first electrode. A gate electrode is embedded in the trench with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The gate electrode includes a first portion projecting into the first layer through the first region and the second layer, a second portion projecting into the first layer through the second region and the second layer. The second portion projects into the first layer deeper than a depth in which the first portion projects into the first layer. |
| US08552464B2 |
CMOS-compatible movable microstructure based devices
The present invention addresses the aims and issues of making multi layer microstructures including “metal-shell-oxide-core” structures and “oxide-shell-metal-core” structures, and mechanically constrained structures and the constraining structures using CMOS (complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors) materials and layers processed during the standard CMOS process and later released into constrained and constraining structures by etching away those CMOS materials used as sacrificial materials. The combinations of possible constrained structures and methods of fabrication are described. |
| US08552458B2 |
Side by side light emitting diode (LED) having separate electrical and heat transfer paths
A light emitting diode includes a thermal conductive substrate having at least one electrical isolation layer configured to provide vertical electrical isolation and a heat transfer path through the substrate from a front side (first side) to a back side (second side) thereof. The light emitting diode includes an anode having a through interconnect, and a cathode having a through interconnect, which are arranged side by side on the substrate. The light emitting diode also includes a LED chip mounted to the substrate between the anode and the cathode. A method for fabricating the light emitting diode includes the steps of providing a thermal conductive substrate having an electrical isolation layer, forming an anode via and a cathode via side by side on a first side of the substrate part way through the substrate, forming an anode through interconnect in the anode via and a cathode through interconnect in the cathode via, thinning the substrate from a second side of the substrate to the anode through interconnect and the cathode through interconnect, and mounting a LED chip to the first side in electrical communication with the cathode through interconnect and the anode through interconnect. |
| US08552457B1 |
Thermal stress releasing structure of a light-emitting diode
A thermal stress releasing structure is applied to a light-emitting diode (LED) which includes a P-type electrode, a permanent substrate, a binding layer, a buffer layer, a mirror layer, a P-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer, an N-type semiconductor layer, and an N-type electrode that are stacked in sequence. The buffer layer includes a plurality of first material layers and a plurality of second material layers. The first material layers and the second material layers are alternately stacked in a staggered manner to form a concave-convex structure in a stacking direction of the first and second material layers. The concave-convex structure is formed in a corrugated shape to function as the thermal stress releasing structure, thus is capable of releasing thermal stress generated by thermal expansion and contraction of the buffer layer in the LED to prevent the buffer layer from damaging a metal layer or an epitaxy layer. |
| US08552456B1 |
Light-emitting diode packaging structure of low angular correlated color temperature deviation
A light-emitting diode (LED) packaging structure having low angular correlated color temperature deviation includes: a substrate, a LED chip, a phosphor body, and a transparent lens. The LED chip is disposed on the substrate, and the phosphor body includes a hemisphere body and an extension part extended from the bottom of the hemisphere body. The phosphor body is disposed on the substrate and covers the LED chip. Besides, the transparent lens is disposed outside the phosphor body to cover the phosphor body to increase light extraction efficiency. With the implementation of the present invention, the setup of the extension part makes a longer vertical distance between the LED chip and the top of the phosphor body, so that the light in the normal direction of the LED chip can have a longer optical length, thereby to reduce the angular correlated color temperature deviation. |
| US08552455B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting diode and a production method therefor
Provided is a semiconductor light-emitting diode including a semiconductor layer having a light-emitting structure; and an ohmic electrode incorporating a nanodot layer, a contact layer, a diffusion-preventing layer and a capping layer on the semiconductor layer. The nanodot layer is formed on the N-polar surface of the semiconductor layer and is formed from a substance comprising at least one of Ag, Al and Au. Also provided is a production method therefor. In the ohmic electrode which has the multi-layer structure comprising the nanodot layer/contact layer/diffusion-preventing layer/capping layer in the semiconductor light-emitting diode of this type, the nanodot layer constitutes the N-polar surface of a nitride semiconductor and improves the charge-injection characteristics such that outstanding ohmic characteristics can be obtained. |
| US08552454B2 |
Light-emitting device and light mixing device
Disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising: a carrier; a light-emitting element disposed on the carrier; a first light guide layer covering the light-emitting element, and disposed on the carrier; a wavelength conversion and light guide layer covering the first light guide layer and the light-emitting element, and disposed on the carrier; and a low refractive index layer disposed between the first light guide layer and the wavelength conversion and light guide layer; wherein the first light guide layer comprises a gradient refractive index, the wavelength conversion and light guide layer comprises a dome shape structure and is used to convert a wavelength of light emitted from the light-emitting element and transmit light, and the low refractive index layer is used to reflect light from the wavelength conversion and light guide layer. |
| US08552453B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device, which has: a light emitting element; a package that comprises a concavity for holding the light emitting element, and that has on its side wall where the concavity is integrally formed a light reflector for reflecting light from the light emitting element and a light transmitter for transmitting light from the light emitting element to the outside. |
| US08552452B2 |
Light emitting device and lighting instrument including the same
Disclosed is a light emitting device including, a second electrode layer, a light emitting structure that includes a second conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer and a first conductive semiconductor layer and that is provided on the second electrode layer, a first electrode layer that includes a pad part and an electrode part connected to the pad part and that is provided on the light emitting structure, and a current blocking layer arranged between the second electrode layer and the light emitting structure in such a way that a part of the current block layer overlaps to correspond to the first electrode layer, wherein a width of the current blocking layer corresponding to the electrode part is different depending upon a clearance with the pad part. |
| US08552451B2 |
Light-emitting diode with increased light extraction
Methods are disclosed for forming a vertical semiconductor light-emitting diode (VLED) device having an active layer between an n-doped layer and a p-doped layer; and securing a plurality of balls on a surface of the n-doped layer of the VLED device. |
| US08552450B2 |
LED package structure with a fuse for protection from high current
An LED package structure comprises an LED chip and a fuse electrically connected to the LED chip in series. The fuse has a low melting point such that the fuse melts under a high current to form an open circuit to prevent the high current from flowing through the LED chip. |
| US08552448B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device capable of improving both color unevenness and emission output power is provided. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor light emitting element including a semiconductor layer that emits primary light; and a fluorescent material layer disposed on the light emitting side of the semiconductor light emitting element, that absorbs a part of the primary light and emits secondary light having a wavelength longer than that of the primary light; and emits light of blended color of the primary light and the secondary light of the light emitting element, and further includes a scattering layer in which particles having a mean particle size D that satisfies the inequality: 20 nm |
| US08552447B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting element
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes a semiconductor laminated structure including a light-emitting layer sandwiched between first and second conductivity type layers for extracting an emitted light from the light-emitting layer on a side of the second conductivity type layer, a transparent electrode in ohmic contact with the second conductivity type layer, an insulation layer formed on the transparent electrode, an upper electrode for wire bonding formed on the insulation layer, a lower electrode that penetrates the insulation layer, is in ohmic contact with the transparent electrode and the electrode for wire bonding, and has an area smaller than that of the upper electrode in top view, and a reflective portion for reflecting at least a portion of light transmitted through a region of the transparent electrode not in contact with the lower electrode. |
| US08552446B2 |
Hidden organic optoelectronic devices with a light scattering layer
Disclosed is an optoelectronic device including at least one optoelectronic active region comprising at least a rear electrode and a front electrode between which an organic optoelectronic material is sandwiched, said rear electrode being reflective, and a cover layer arranged in front of said front electrode. The cover layer is formed from a material with light-scattering particles of a first material dispersed in a transparent matrix of at an least partly hydrolyzed silica sol. Due to the highly scattering properties of the cover layer, the device is essentially concealed behind the cover layer when not in its operative state. |
| US08552445B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light emitting device having high reliability and excellent light distribution characteristics is provided. Specifically, a semiconductor light emitting device 1 is provided with an n-electrode 50, which is arranged on a light extraction surface on the side opposite to the surface whereupon a semiconductor stack 40 is mounted on a substrate 10. A plurality of convexes are arranged on a first convex region 80 and a second convex region 90 on the light extraction surface. The second convex region 90 adjoins to the interface between the n-electrode 50 and the semiconductor stack 40, between the first convex region 80 and the n-electrode 50. The base end of the first convex arranged in the first convex region 80 is positioned closer to alight emitting layer 42 than the interface between the n-electrode 50 and the semiconductor stack 40, and the base end of the second convex arranged in the second convex region 90 is positioned closer to the interface between the n-electrode 50 and the semiconductor stack 40 than the base end of the first convex. |
| US08552443B2 |
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 comprising the same. The light emitting device comprises a light emitting structure comprising a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an anti-reflection region on a lateral surface of the light emitting structure. |
| US08552436B2 |
Light emitting diode structure
A micro light emitting diode (LED) and a method of forming an array of micro LEDs for transfer to a receiving substrate are described. The micro LED structure may include a micro p-n diode and a metallization layer, with the metallization layer between the micro p-n diode and a bonding layer. A conformal dielectric barrier layer may span sidewalls of the micro p-n diode. The micro LED structure and micro LED array may be picked up and transferred to a receiving substrate. |
| US08552435B2 |
Electronic device structure including a buffer layer on a base layer
Electronic device structures that compensate for non-uniform etching on a semiconductor wafer and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a number of layers including a semiconductor base layer of a first doping type formed of a desired semiconductor material, a semiconductor buffer layer on the base layer that is also formed of the desired semiconductor material, and one or more contact layers of a second doping type on the buffer layer. The one or more contact layers are etched to form a second contact region of the electronic device. The buffer layer reduces damage to the semiconductor base layer during fabrication of the electronic device. Preferably, a thickness of the semiconductor buffer layer is selected to compensate for over-etching due to non-uniform etching on a semiconductor wafer on which the electronic device is fabricated. |
| US08552428B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device according to the present invention, which has a termination structure in which a field plate is provided on an insulating film filled in a recessed region formed in a semiconductor substrate and includes a plurality of unit cells connected in parallel, includes: a gate wiring region in which gate wiring electrically connected to each gate electrode of the plurality of unit cells is provided; and a gate pad region electrically connected to the gate wiring region, wherein the gate wiring region is disposed on the insulating film filled in a recessed region formed in the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08552422B2 |
Transistor structures and methods of fabrication thereof
An electronic device is presented, such as a thin film transistor. The device comprises a patterned electrically-conductive layer associated with an active element of the electronic device. The electrically-conductive layer has a pattern defining an array of spaced-apart electrically conductive regions. This technique allows for increasing an electric current through the device. |
| US08552421B2 |
Organic microelectronic device and fabrication method therefor
An organic electronic device includes an active region polarity definition layer, and a bulk heterojunction active layer formed on the active region polarity definition layer. The bulk heterojunction active layer includes an upper region and a lower region having respective majority carriers localized therein of different polarities. |
| US08552418B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which is not easily damaged by external local pressure. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a highly-reliable semiconductor device, which is not destructed by external local pressure, with a high yield. A structure body, in which high-strength fiber of an organic compound or an inorganic compound is impregnated with an organic resin, is provided over an element layer having a semiconductor element formed using a non-single crystal semiconductor layer, and heating and pressure bonding are performed, whereby a semiconductor device is manufactured, to which the element layer and the structure body in which the high-strength fiber of an organic compound or an inorganic compound is impregnated with the organic resin are firmly fixed together. |
| US08552416B2 |
Quantum dot light emitting diode device and display device therewith
The present invention relates to a quantum dot light emitting diode device in which a hole transportation layer is formed after forming a quantum dot light emitting layer by a solution process by applying an inverted type quantum dot light emitting diode device for making free selection of a hole transportation layer material that enables easy injection of a hole to the quantum dot light emitting layer; and display device and method therewith. |
| US08552415B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method for manufacturing solid-state imaging device, and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposing to the first electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer, which is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and in which narrow gap semiconductor quantum dots are dispersed in a conductive layer, wherein one electrode of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed from a transparent electrode and the other electrode is formed from a metal electrode or a transparent electrode. |
| US08552414B2 |
Electronically scannable multiplexing device
An electronically scannable multiplexing device is capable of addressing multiple bits within a volatile or non-volatile memory cell. The multiplexing device generates an electronically scannable conducting channel with two oppositely formed depletion regions. The depletion width of each depletion region is controlled by a voltage applied to a respective control gate at each end of the multiplexing device. The present multi-bit addressing technique allows, for example, 10 to 100 bits of data to be accessed or addressed at a single node. The present invention can also be used to build a programmable nanoscale logic array or for randomly accessing a nanoscale sensor array. |
| US08552410B2 |
Plasmonic polarizer
A radiation-emitting device (e.g., a laser) includes an active region configured to generate a radiation emission linearly polarized along a first polarization direction and a device facet covered by an insulating layer and a metal layer on the insulating layer. The metal layer defines an aperture through which the radiation emission from the active region can be transmitted and coupled into surface plasmons on the outer side of the metal layer. The long axis of the aperture is non-orthogonal to the first polarization direction, and a sequential series of features are defined in or on the device facet or in the metal layer and spaced apart from the aperture, wherein the series of features are configured to manipulate the surface plasmons and to scatter surface plasmons into the far field with a second polarization direction distinct from the first polarization direction. |
| US08552409B2 |
Wafer temperature correction system for ion implantation device
To provide an ion implantation device capable of correcting the temperature of the wafer. The ion implantation device of the present invention has: an irradiation means that radiates ions; a retention means that includes a disk 112 that retains at least one wafer W; a thermopile 122 that detects, in a noncontact manner, temperature information for a wafer W retained on disk 112; a cooling medium supply unit that enables heat exchange for a wafer W retained on disk 112; and a control unit that calculates the surface temperature of a wafer W retained on disk 112 based on the temperature information detected by thermopile 122 and that determines whether the calculated surface temperature for the wafer is within a permissible temperature range. |
| US08552404B2 |
Ion implantation method and ion implantation apparatus
In an ion implantation method, ion implantation into a substrate is performed while changing a relative positional relation between an ion beam and the substrate. A first ion implantation process in which a uniform dose amount distribution is formed within the substrate and a second ion implantation process in which a non-uniform dose amount distribution is formed within the substrate are performed in a predetermined order. Moreover, a cross-sectional size of an ion beam irradiated on the substrate during the second ion implantation process is set smaller than a cross-sectional size of an ion beam irradiated on the substrate during the first ion implantation process. |
| US08552402B2 |
Super-resolution microscopy system using speckle illumination and array signal processing
A nano-scale resolution fluorescence microscopy system and a method of obtaining an image using the nano-scale resolution microscopy system, and more particularly, a method and a microscopy system, capable of observing fluorescence probes in high resolution by radiating an irregular diffused light to have an incoherent speckle pattern that has low correlation in an adjacent space are disclosed. According to embodiments of the present invention, a diffraction limit of a fluorescence microscope may be overcome, and a super high resolution image on a nanometer scale may be obtained. |
| US08552399B2 |
Apparatus for producing photocatalytic reaction water
The present invention provides an apparatus for producing photocatalytic reaction water through a photocatalytic reaction, which can produce water containing a satisfactory amount of active oxygen species, can eliminate microorganisms, parasites or protozoa, shows high oxidizing ability for a prolonged period of time, can reduce the power requirements, is small in size, and is applicable to various devices. A photocatalyst is radiated with light emitted from a light source to produce active oxygen species, and the active oxygen species is diffused in water, whereby the water is provided with functions of the active oxygen species. An oxidation reaction with the water is utilized to perform at least one selected from the elimination of microorganisms, the elimination of parasites, and the elimination of protozoa. |
| US08552398B2 |
Converter of orbital momentum into spin momentum for the polarization of particle beams
An apparatus for spin polarizing a particle beam is adapted to process an input particle beam in such a way as to generate an at least partially spin polarized output particle beam. A vortex beam generator for imparting orbital angular momentum to the input particle beam. An electromagnetic field generator generates a transverse magnetic field, space-variant and symmetric with respect to the axis of the input particle beam, in such a way as to change the spin of the particles and attach thereto different values of orbital angular momentum in dependence on their input spin values. A beam component separating group spatially separates the particles in dependence on their orbital angular momentum values, in such a way as to obtain the at least partially spin polarized output particle beam. |
| US08552394B2 |
Vacuum UV based optical measuring method and system
A method and system are presented for use in optical processing of an article by VUV radiation. The method comprises: localizing incident VUV radiation propagation from an optical head assembly towards a processing site on the article outside the optical head assembly and localizing reflected VUV radiation propagation from said processing site towards the optical head assembly by localizing a medium, non-absorbing with respect to VUV radiation, in within the light propagation path in the vicinity of said site outside the optical head assembly. The level of the medium is controlled by measuring the reflected VUV radiation. |
| US08552387B2 |
Method for determining radiation attenuation by an examination object in a positron emission tomography scanner
In an embodiment, an initial segmentation of an examination object is fixed, wherein an attenuation coefficient is assigned to each segment of the segmentation. Raw radiation data about the examination object arranged in the positron emission tomography scanner is acquired, and a correction factor is determined for each pixel with the aid of an optimization method, in which the probability of the acquired raw radiation data is maximized taking into account the segmentation and the attenuation coefficients assigned to the segments. A statistical parameter of the correction factors is determined for each segment and the segmentation is corrected by subdividing a segment as a function of the statistical parameter determined for the segment. A segment correction factor is determined for each segment from the correction factors assigned to the segment and the attenuation coefficients assigned to the segments are corrected as a function of the segment correction factors. |
| US08552383B2 |
Methods and systems for in-vitro analysis of biological cells and/or microorganisms
Methods for in-vitro analysis of biological cells and/or microorganisms to determine characteristics such as: degree of differentiation, cell type, donor individuals, culture conditions, purity, lack of natural characteristic, or additional characteristics in comparison to natural characteristics. The methods include the steps of: (a) projecting infrared radiation on a sample; (b) recording spectral characteristics of the sample; (c) deriving a Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) from the collected spectral characteristics; (d) generating a derivative transformation of the FT-IR spectrum; (e) comparing said derivative transformation with a derivative of a reference FT-IR spectrum; (f) identifying deviations of said derivative from said reference derivative; and (g) providing an analysis of said characteristics based on the presence of said deviations. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the disclosed methods. |
| US08552380B1 |
IR detector
An IR detector in the form of a thermopile including one or more thermocouples on a dielectric membrane supported by a silicon substrate. Each thermocouple is composed of two materials, at least one of which is p-doped or n-doped single crystal silicon. The device is formed in an SOI process. The device is advantageous as the use of single crystal silicon reduces the noise in the output signal, allows higher reproducibility of the geometrical and physical properties of the layer and in addition, the use of an SOI process allows a temperature sensor, as well as circuitry to be fabricated on the same chip. The detector can also have an IR filter wafer bonded onto it and/or have arrays of thermopiles to increase the sensitivity. The devices can also be integrated with an IR source on the same silicon chip and packaged to form a complete and miniaturised NDIR sensor. |
| US08552379B2 |
Radiation sensor
A radiation sensor includes first and second pixels with a radiation absorption filter positioned over the first pixel and an interference filter positioned over both the first and second pixels. The combined spectral response of the absorption filter and the first pixel has a first pixel pass-band and a first pixel stop-band. The interference filter has a first interference filter pass-band substantially within the first pixel pass-band and a second interference filter pass-band substantially within the first pixel stop-band. |
| US08552377B2 |
Particle detection system
This invention provides a design to process a large range of detection beam current at low noise with a single detector. With such a design, the detection system can generate up to 1010 gain and maximum signal output at more than mini Ampere (mA) level. A condenser lens is configured to increase bandwidth of the detector that scan speed can be enhanced. |
| US08552373B2 |
Charged particle beam device and sample observation method
Disclosed is a charged particle beam device, wherein multibeam secondary electron detectors (121a, 121b, 121c) and a single beam detector (140; 640) are provided, and under the control of a system control unit (135), an optical system control circuit (139) controls a lens and a beam selecting diaphragm (141) and switches the electrooptical conditions between those for multibeam mode and those for single beam mode, thereby one charged particle beam device can be operated as a multibeam charged particle device and a single beam charged particle device by switching. Thus, observation conditions are flexibly changed in accordance with an object to be observed, and a sample can be observed with a high accuracy and high efficiency. |
| US08552371B2 |
Method for adjusting imaging magnification and charged particle beam apparatus
There is provided a method for setting a suitable imaging magnification for each of a plurality of measurement places in a charged particle beam apparatus which images a semiconductor pattern.For a given measuring point coordinate, a line segment or a vertex representing a change in concavity and convexity near the measuring point coordinate is searched, and an imaging magnification is set so that coordinates on a sample corresponding to both ends which gives a length that serves as a reference falls in a field of view of the charged particle beam apparatus by letting a minimum distance be the reference, of distances between line segments representing a change in concavity and convexity from the measuring point coordinate or a distance between neighboring vertexes. |
| US08552366B2 |
Mass spectrometer
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion guide or ion mobility spectrometer having helical, toroidal, part-toroidal, hemitoroidal, semitoroidal or spiral ion guiding region. The ion guide may comprise a tube made from a leaky dielectric wherein an RF voltage is applied to outer electrodes in order to confine ions radially within the ion guide. A DC voltage is applied to a resistive inner layer in order to urge ions along the ion guide. Alternatively, the ion guide may comprise a plurality of electrodes each having an aperture through which ions are transmitted. |
| US08552363B2 |
System and method for optically driven separations using fluid filled core optical fibers
An optical chromatography system employs fluid filled hollow core fibers, such as photonic crystal fibers (PCFs), which confine an incident optical beam from a laser, for example, in the core and cause separation of particles in the fluid along the length of the PCF. The incident optical beam is confined in the fluid filled core of the PCF by a periodic lattice of air capillaries surrounding the core. The lattice either creates a lower refractive index in the cladding than in the fluid filled core or creates a 1D photonic bandgap structure where the guiding is accomplished by surrounding the fluid filled core with a periodically changing array of dielectric constant which prohibits radial dilution of the optical energy over a range of wavelengths through photonic bandgap effects. |
| US08552359B2 |
Optical spectroscopy device for non-invasive blood glucose detection and associated method of use
An apparatus for concentrating light and associated method of use is disclosed. This apparatus includes a first outer wall having an anterior end, a posterior end, an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an interior portion, the interior portion having an anterior end and a posterior end, and a light source disposed within the interior portion. The first outer wall has an opening in the posterior end, the opening having an opening diameter. The interior portion has a substantially frusto-conical shape and has a cross-sectional diameter at the opening equal to the opening diameter and a second cross-sectional diameter near the anterior end that is less than the opening diameter and the inner surface is photo-reflective. The light passes through a sample through an aperture and a collector lens or a second outer wall. A transmission diffraction grating may be utilized. |
| US08552357B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus
An apparatus includes a first photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light into a current by a photoelectric conversion, a first current amplification unit configured to amplify the current, a first current monitoring unit configured to monitor the amplified current amplified and output a monitor signal, and a first bias voltage setting unit configured to gain the monitor signal by a factor less than 1 and apply a reverse bias voltage to the first photoelectric conversion element according to the gained monitor signal. |
| US08552354B2 |
Solid-state image pickup element having a control circuit for controlling the operation period of a transfer circuit and method for controlling the same
A transfer circuit is configured to transfer signal charges of an accumulating region to a floating diffusion region when being operated, while being configured to stop the transfer of the signal charges when not being operated, by use of a transfer gate which is turned on and off in response to a transfer control signal. The pixel control circuit controls the transfer circuit according to a light receiving level of a pixel circuit so as to extend an operation period of the pixel circuit in a case where a light receiving quantity is not lower than a predetermined quantity, contrary to a case where the light receiving quantity is lower than the predetermined quantity. |
| US08552349B1 |
Projectile guidance kit
Apparatus and methods provide a guidance kit that can be attached to a projectile, such as screwed into a fuze well of an artillery round or a mortar round. A portion of the guidance kit is configured to spin constantly during flight. In the context of an artillery round that is shot from a rifled barrel, the direction of the spin torque is counter to the direction of the spin induced by the rifled barrel. Control surfaces are present in the portion of the guidance kit that spins constantly during flight. While the portion spins, the control surfaces are actuated to steer the projectile towards an intended target via, for example, GPS. |
| US08552348B2 |
Collapsible field director structure
A collapsible field director includes at least one master vane and at least first and second slave vanes. The master vane includes a conductive flap that is articulably attached to a mounting flange. The flange is attached to a planar support member having openings or slots formed therein. Each slave vane has a mounting tab thereon. The slave vanes are flexibly connected to the master vane. The slave vanes are flexibly displaceable with respect to the conductor flap and the conductor flap is articulably movable with respect to the mounting flange so that the field director structure, in the deployed state, occupies a self-supported disposition in which the conductor flap is oriented perpendicular to the mounting flange and the slave vanes are angularly spaced from the master vane with the tabs on the slave banes being received in openings or slots in the planar member. |
| US08552345B2 |
Method for operating a diesel fuel filter heater
The invention relates to a method for operating a diesel fuel filter heater comprising at least one PTC element, in a motor vehicle. According to the invention, a glow plug control device is used to generate an effective voltage from a vehicle system voltage using pulse width modulation, which is then applied at the filter heater. |
| US08552344B2 |
Cooking method
A cooking method which provides optimized cooking results when starting the cooking process at ambient temperature and that is applicable to the majority of the food categories. |
| US08552341B2 |
Torch for arc welding gun
A welding torch comprising: a main cylindrical conductive assembly with a front diffuser section having a plurality of circumferentially spaced shielding gas diffuser orifices for directing shielding gas radially outwardly from the assembly, a forwardly facing threaded bore extending through a cylindrical support nose and an elongated wire passageway coaxial with the threaded bore and opening at the rear end of the assembly. An insulated, cylindrical protective sleeve fitted around both the support nose and the diffuser orifices where the sleeve has a front clearance opening and circumferentially spaced openings communicated with the diffuser orifices and a contact tip having a central wire guide bore with a diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of the welding wire, a threaded rear body, a front extension passing through the front clearance opening and a radially extending flange between the rear body and the front extension to hold the protective sleeve around the nose when the body is screwed into the threaded bore of the main assembly. |
| US08552340B2 |
Enclosed welder with recess panel
Embodiments of an enclosed welder that includes a recess disposed at a depth in a rear panel of the enclosure are provided. The recess may include at least one of an engine air filter, a blower housing, and a recoil start. The depth at which the recess is set back from the rear panel may be such that the engine air filter, the blower housing, and the recoil start each do not extend outward beyond the rear panel. A first air source may be configured to enter the enclosed welder via the air filter and combust fuel within an engine. A second air source may further be configured to enter the welder via the blower housing and cool the engine. |
| US08552338B2 |
System and method for laser machining of three-dimensional structures
A system and method of laser machining rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation, and translates the workpiece in a first direction along the axis of rotation. A mask defining a shape is translated in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a laser beam is directed at the mask such that the laser beam is scanned across the mask and at least a portion of the laser beam passes through the mask and toward the workpiece. The mask and the workpiece are translated with coordinating opposing motion to cause the laser beam to be imaged onto the workpiece with a shape or pattern corresponding to a shape or pattern defined by the mask. Rotation of the workpiece and the shape of the image on the workpiece produce different vectorial intensities such that material of the workpiece is removed to different respective depths to form a three-dimensional structure. |
| US08552329B2 |
Submerged arc welding system with pressurized flux delivery and welding torch
A submerged arc welding system. In one embodiment, the submerged arc welding system includes a robot, a flux supply distal from the robot, and at least one wire supply distal from the robot. The system also includes a welding torch connected to the robot, a wire path connecting the wire supply to the welding torch, and a flux path connecting the flux supply to the welding torch. A flux delivery system is configured to move flux from the flux supply to the welding torch. At least one vent is disposed on the flux path adjacent the welding torch, to evacuate air from the flux path. |
| US08552328B2 |
Method of repairing the deterioration of magneto-resistive effect device
The invention provides a method for fixing up the deterioration of a magneto-resistive effect device. A hard disk system is provided in it with a head heating means for heating a thin-film magnetic head, and by that head heating means, a defective site of the magneto-resistive effect device, which occurs as the hard disk system is in operation and is confined in a quasi-stable state, is fixed up in such a way as to return back to its own normal stable state. Thus, the deteriorated site of the magneto-resistive effect device (reproducing device) in the thin-film magnetic head, which is caused by the so-called thermal asperity as the hard disk system is in operation, is fixed up while it remains built in the hard disk system, i.e., without dismantling the hard disk system. |
| US08552324B2 |
Lever button and electronic device therewith
A lever button in which at least one side thereof is elastically supported and an electronic device therewith is provided. The lever button includes a manipulation part and an elastic part having one end supported by the manipulation part and another end supported by a support frame. The elastic part comprises at least one cantilever. |
| US08552319B2 |
Turning direction indicator device
A turning direction indicator device includes an actuator that rotates by an operation of the operating lever, a cam body that shifts in a rearward direction approaching a cancel cam. The cam body is rotatable about a rotation axis, and shifts in the rearward direction when the actuator rotates. The cam body includes a rear wall surface opposite to the cancel cam. The rear wall surface has two end parts symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis. A spring elastically contacts the end parts to urge the cam body in the rearward direction. The spring also urges the cam body in a rotating direction about the rotation axis when the longitudinal axis of the cam body rotates. The turning direction indicator device suppresses a hitting noise produced by the cam body and a release element with such a simple structure, and operates reliably. |
| US08552314B2 |
Portable, hand-held weighing apparatus with three indicators
A weighing apparatus, the weighing apparatus comprising a weighing portion including means for at least temporarily retaining an item to be weighed thereon, and a measurement portion in communication with the weighing portion, wherein the measurement portion comprises at least two indicators for indicating the weight of the item attached to the weighing apparatus, each of the indicators for indicating the weight of the item in different conditions. |
| US08552313B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing weighing errors associated with partially off-scale items
Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof. |
| US08552309B2 |
Wiring device and display device
A wiring device includes a main conductive line, a plurality of branch conductive lines, a passivation layer, a plurality of contact holes, a plurality of conductive patterns, and a plurality of outside device bonding regions. The branch conductive lines are electrically connected to the main conductive line. The passivation layer is disposed on the branch conductive lines. Each the contact hole partially exposes one of the branch conductive lines. The conductive patterns are disposed on the passivation layer, and each of the conductive patterns is disposed respectively corresponding to each of the branch conductive lines. Each of the conductive patterns is electrically connected to the corresponding branch conductive line via the contact holes. Each of the outside device bonding regions is disposed corresponding to each of the branch conductive lines. At least one of the outside device bonding regions does not overlap the contact hole in a vertical projective direction. |
| US08552308B2 |
Differential signal pair transmission structure, wiring board and electronic module
A differential signal pair transmission structure adapted to a wiring board and including a first signal path and a second signal path is provided. The first signal path includes a first upper trace, a first lower trace and a first conductive through via. The second signal path includes a second upper trace, a second lower trace and a second conductive through via. A portion of the first signal path and a portion of the second signal path overlaps in the normal projection onto the upper or lower surface of the wiring board. Normal projections of the first and the second signal path projecting onto the upper surface of the wiring board are substantially symmetric with respect to a line which is perpendicular to a segment connecting normal projections of axes of the first and the second through via onto the upper surface and passes through the midpoint of the segment. |
| US08552307B2 |
Mounting structure
A mounting structure includes an insulating substrate having a substrate electrode on which at least one electrode notch is provided and a resist, an electronic component having an electronic component electrode to be electrically connected to the substrate electrode, and solder paste printed on a surface of the substrate electrode. The substrate electrode has a following relation, 0 |
| US08552302B2 |
Embedded circuit board and manufacturing method thereof
An embedded circuit board is disclosed including a first copper clad laminate formed with a plurality of cavities and including a plurality of chips having different thicknesses embedded in the cavities, a second copper clad laminate provided in the cavities to allow the first copper clad laminate to level with the chips; and a resin coated copper foil provided on upper surfaces of the first and second copper clad laminates. |
| US08552300B2 |
Printed board fixing apparatus
To provide a printed board fixing device capable of reducing the thickness and size with a simple structure. The printed board fixing device includes a coupling member which two-folds a flex rigid printed board that includes one and the other rigid printed boards via a flexible part and mutually couples and fixes the one and the other boards. The length of the coupling member is set to be within a range of entire thickness including the one and the other rigid printed boards. The coupling member is provided at two points on the one and the other rigid printed boards. |
| US08552297B2 |
Insulation spacer for a gas insulated device and method of producing same
An insulation spacer for a gas insulated device includes an insulator disc and an armature extending around an outer periphery of the insulator disc and holding the same. The armature is ring-shaped defining a ring axis and includes two ring base surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly to the ring axis; and a ring inner surface being arranged between the two ring base surfaces and facing the ring axis. Further, the ring inner surface includes at least one protrusion directed radially inwardly towards the ring axis, the at least one protrusion being shaped such that it locks the insulator disc in the armature against movement in both directions parallel to the ring axis. |
| US08552296B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and related methods for weather-proofed wire splicings
Disclosed are systems, apparatus and related methods for making weather, fire, or water-proofed wire-to-wire electrical connections. |
| US08552294B2 |
Cable management apparatus
A cable management apparatus includes a securing board and a cable management element. The securing board includes a board body and two positioning portions. Each positioning portion includes a neck portion and a head portion. A diameter of the neck portion is less than that of the head portion. The cable management element to hold cables captive includes a base panel, a first connecting panel, a first securing portion, a second connecting panel, and a second securing portion. The sides of the cable management element are squeezed together for attachment to and for disengagement from the board body. |
| US08552293B2 |
Hermetic electrical feedthrough assembly for a compressor and method for making the same
An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing. |
| US08552288B2 |
Photovoltaic module with adhesion promoter
Photovoltaic modules with adhesion promoters and methods for fabricating photovoltaic modules with adhesion promoters are described. A photovoltaic module includes a solar cell including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface including a plurality of interspaced back-side contacts. A first glass layer is coupled to the first surface by a first encapsulating layer. A second glass layer is coupled to the second surface by a second encapsulating layer. At least a portion of the second encapsulating layer is bonded directly to the plurality of interspaced back-side contacts by an adhesion promoter. |
| US08552286B2 |
Method of adaptive solar tracking using variable step size
A method for controlling a photovoltaic (PV) panel in a PV system including a computing device that provides motor control signals and implements an iterative adaptive control (IAC) algorithm for adjusting an angle of the PV panel. The IAC algorithm relates P at a current time k (P(k)), an elevation angle of the PV panel at k (θS (k)), P after a next step (P(k+1)) and an elevation angle of the PV panel at k+1 (θS (k+1)). The algorithm generates a perturbed power value P(k+1) to provide a power perturbation to P(k), and calculates θS (k+1) using P(k+1). The motor control signals cause the motor to position the PV panel to achieve θS (k+1). A change in P resulting from the positioning is compared to a predetermined change limit, and only if the change in P is ≧ the change limit, again sensing P, and repeating the generating, calculating and positioning. |
| US08552276B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X90B043
A novel maize variety designated X90B043 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 X90B043 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X90B043 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X90B043, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X90B043. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X90B043. |
| US08552274B2 |
Cotton cultivar UA103
A cotton cultivar, designated UA103, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cotton cultivar UA103, to the plants of cotton UA103 and to methods for producing a cotton plant produced by crossing the cultivar UA103 with itself or another cotton variety. The invention further relates to hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar UA103 with another cotton cultivar. |
| US08552270B2 |
Soybean cultivar S100282
A soybean cultivar designated S100282 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100282, to the plants of soybean cultivar S100282, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S100282, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S100282. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100282. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100282, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S100282 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08552269B2 |
Soybean cultivar 94L41
A soybean cultivar designated 94L41 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 94L41, to the plants of soybean cultivar 94L41, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 94L41, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 94L41. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 94L41. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 94L41, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 94L41 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08552260B2 |
Soybean cultivar S090086
A soybean cultivar designated S090086 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S090086, to the plants of soybean S090086, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S090086, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S090086 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S090086, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S090086, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S090086 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08552259B2 |
Squash hybrid PX 13056719
The invention provides seed and plants of squash hybrid PX 13056719 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of squash hybrid PX 13056719 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a squash plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another squash plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08552258B2 |
Squash hybrid RX 04858033
The invention provides seed and plants of squash hybrid RX 04858033 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of squash hybrid RX 04858033 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a squash plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another squash plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08552256B2 |
Gene capable of being expressed specifically in endosperm of plant, promoter for the gene, and use of the gene and the promoter
The present inventors identified a novel rice glutelin gene, GluD-1, which is expressed specifically in seeds. The promoter of the GluD-1 gene was confirmed to induce seed-specific gene expression, and to induce expression of downstream genes specifically in the endosperm during the early stage of seed maturation process. More specifically, the GluD-1 promoter can induce strong expression of an exogenous gene in sites including the endosperm. |
| US08552254B2 |
Methods for maintaining genetic stability of inbred animal strains
The present invention provides novel methods of maintaining genetic stability of non-human animal inbred strains. In the methods, pedigree-tracked cryopreserved embryos or gametes or pre-gametes derived from a foundation colony are produced and used to re-establish the foundation colony at appropriate intervals. |
| US08552253B2 |
Screening of drug for attention deficit hyperactive disorder by using GIT1 knock-out mice as a novel ADHD mouse model
Provided is a method of using any mammal except humans, in particular, a mammal as an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder model, wherein genes of G protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting protein 1 (GIT1) as a neuronal synapse protein in the brain are knocked out from the mammal. In addition, disclosed is analysis of GIT1 knock-out mice in aspects of molecular biology, cellular biology, electrical biology and animal behavior and, more particularly, a screening method of novel drug, wherein excessive behavior as an attention deficit hyperactive disorder as well as recovery of theta wave in the frontal lobe are observed by administering a candidate material of the drug, thereby inducing recovery of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. |
| US08552252B2 |
Disposable absorbent article with enhanced absorption properties
A substantially cellulose free absorbent core comprising absorbent polymer material having a saline flow conductivity greater than about 100×10−7 cm3•sec/g and a centrifuge retention capacity of greater than about 20 g/g. A disposable absorbent article is also disclosed. |
| US08552251B2 |
Article with health-benefit agent delivery system
A laminate having health-benefit agents therein is made by particle stabilization within the lamination process. By changing the substrate type (tissue, nonwoven, film) and/or the physical composition and/or attributes of the laminate layers, the release of the health-benefit agents can be controlled. The laminate, sometimes referred to as a liner, may be used in personal absorbent articles such as diapers, feminine pads, bandages, bed pads, and the like. |
| US08552249B2 |
Medicated diaper
An anti-rash diaper for preventing and treating diaper rash and skin irritations comprising: an absorbent layer, where the absorbent layer draws moisture; medicated ointment, where the ointment is applied over the absorbent layer; and a protective sheet, where the protective sheet is releasably attached over the ointment. The anti-rash diaper according to the present invention may further include elastic waistbands. A hook and loop fastener may be used to attach the protective sheet to the diaper. The protective sheet effectively secures the ointment over the absorbent layer. |
| US08552247B2 |
Aromatics recovery by extractive distillation
The present invention relates to a process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. According to the invention, an improved extractive distillation (extractive-distillation) process is disclosed for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes from heavy (C9+) hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to an improved extractive-distillation process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons. This invention is further directed toward the regeneration and recovery of the extractive-distillation solvent utilized to recover and purify the aromatic hydrocarbons from the petroleum stream containing at least a measurable amount of hydrocarbons heavier than the intended product. |
| US08552244B1 |
Process for recovering solvent from spent oil sand solids
A process for recovering solvent from spent oil sands solids is provided, comprising drying the solids using superheated steam to vaporize solvent and water; compressing and condensing the vapors in a first heat exchanger (hot side) to produce condensates, comprising primarily condensed hot water, and uncondensed vapors; separating condensed hot water and solvent from the uncondensed vapors in a first separator; flowing the hot water through the first heat exchanger (cold side) to produce near-saturated steam; and superheating the near-saturated steam in a second heat exchanger to produce the superheated steam for drying the solids. Uncondensed vapors from the first separator can be further condensed in a third heat exchanger to produce warm water, recovered solvent and uncondensed off gas, which can be separated in a second separator. Some of the warm water is combined with the hot water to produce the near-saturated steam for superheating. The off gas is oil scrubbed or combusted prior to release to the atmosphere. |
| US08552240B2 |
Process for producing propylene
Process for producing propylene from a propanol feedstock A2 by reacting the propanol feedstock A2 in a vapor phase dehydration reactor wherein the propanol is convened at a temperature comprised between 160 and 270° C. and at a pressure of above 0.1 MPa but less than 4.5 MPa, into a product stream B2 containing propylene, propyl ethers, water and unconverted and/or isomerized propanols, cooling the product stream B2, disengaging the cooled product stream B2 in a separation unit to give a first stream C2 containing propylene and propyl ethers, and a second product stream D2 containing water, propyl ethers and unconverted and/or isomerized propanols, feeding the product stream D2 to a dewatering unit wherein the water stream F2 is separated from the propyl ethers and unconverted and/or isomerised propanols stream E2, recycling the stream E2 into the dehydration reactor, cooling the product stream C2, feeding the cooled product stream C2 to a purification unit wherein the propyl ethers stream G2 is separated from the propylene stream H2, and optionally, recycling the propyl ethers stream G2 to either the dewatering unit or directly to dehydration reactor. |
| US08552239B2 |
Olefin production process
A novel olefin production process is provided which can be established as an industrial and practical process capable of producing olefins by directly reacting a ketone and hydrogen in a single reaction step. In particular, a novel olefin production process is provided in which propylene is obtained with high selectivity by directly reacting acetone and hydrogen.The olefin production process according to the present invention includes reacting a ketone and hydrogen in the presence of at least one dehydration catalyst and a silver-containing catalyst, and the at least one dehydration catalyst is selected from metal oxide catalysts containing a Group 6 element, zeolites, aluminas and heteropoly acid salts in which part or all the protons in heteropoly acids are exchanged with metal cations. |
| US08552231B2 |
Synthetically derived illuminating and heating paraffin oil
The invention provides synthetically derived distillate kerosene produced by catalytic conversion of Fisher-Tropsch derived light olefins to distillates (COD) and hydrotreating thereof. The kerosene boils in the range of about 170 to 250° C. and includes less than 10% n-paraffins, more than 75% iso-paraffins and less than 1% aromatics. |
| US08552216B2 |
Process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether
Process for the production of methyl acetate by carbonylating a dimethyl ether feed with carbon monoxide under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the presence of a zeolite catalyst effective for the carbonylation. The carbonylation is carried out at a temperature in the range of 275 to 350° C. and in the presence of hydrogen. |
| US08552206B2 |
NF-κB inhibitors and uses thereof
A new class of imidazolines as 4-position esters with very potent anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial activity is described. The synthesis of these imidazolines includes a multicomponent reaction applicable to a combinatorial synthetic approach. The combination of these two key characteristics provides an effective therapeutic drug in the treatment of septic shock as well as many other inflammatory (arthritis and asthma) and infectious disorders. The use of this novel class of non-steroidal agents as anti-inflammatory agents (for the treatment of asthma, etc.), antibacterial agents, and antiseptic agents is described. The compounds are also useful in the treatment of tumors (such as cancers). The imidazolines are potent inhibitors of the transcription factor NF-κB as well as potent activity against the Gram (+) bacterium. The compositions are also useful for treating autoimmune diseases and for inhibiting rejection of organ and tissue transplants. |
| US08552204B2 |
Zinc cluster
Disclosed is a novel zinc cluster compound represented by general formula (1): Zn4O (OCOR)6 (RCOOH)n, wherein R represents an alkyl group which has 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be substituted with a halogen atom, and n represents 0.1 to 1, and also disclosed are a method for producing the compound and a reaction using the compound. |
| US08552201B2 |
5, 6-bisaryl-2-pyridine-carboxamide derivatives, preparation and application thereof in therapeutics as urotensin II receptor antagonists
The present invention relates to derivatives of 5,6-bisaryl-2-pyridine-carboxamide, their preparation and their application in therapeutics as antagonists of urotensin II receptors. |
| US08552200B2 |
Substituted 6-amino-nicotinamides as KCNQ2/3 modulators
Substituted 6-amino-nicotinamides, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and also use of these compounds in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of pain and further diseases and/or disorders. |
| US08552199B2 |
Substituted indanes, method for the production thereof, and use thereof as drugs
The invention relates to substituted indanes and derivatives thereof, to physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives thereof, to the production thereof, to drugs containing at least one substituted indane according to the invention or derivative thereof, and to the use of the substituted indanes according to the invention and to derivatives thereof as MCH antagonists. |
| US08552196B2 |
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, R1, R2, R3 are defined above. The compounds have apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (“ASK1”) inhibitory activity, and are thus useful in the treatment of ASK1-mediated conditions, including autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the compounds of Formula (I), and to methods of preparing the compounds of Formula (I). |
| US08552193B2 |
Alternative forms of the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor N-cyclopropyl-1-{3-[(1-oxidopryidin-3-yl)ethynyl]phenyl}-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxyamide
The present invention is directed to alternative forms of the title phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor which has the structural formula shown immediately below: |
| US08552192B2 |
Purified pyrroloquinolinyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione compositions and methods for preparing and using same
The present invention relates to a form 1 and form 2 polymorph of (−)-trans-3-(5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-1-yl)-4-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione. The present invention also relates to (−)-trans-3-(5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-1-yl)-4-(1H-indol-3-yl) pyrrolidine-2,5-dione compounds having a chiral purity greater than 99%, and methods of preparation of these compounds. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these (−)-trans-3-(5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-1-yl)-4-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione compounds. The present invention provides methods of treating a cell proliferative disorder, such as a cancer, by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising (−)-trans-3-(5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-1-yl)-4-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione having a chiral purity greater than 99% or a form 1 and form 2 polymorph of (−)-trans-3-(5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-1-yl)-4-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione. |
| US08552188B2 |
Epoxy compound and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a novel intermediate for manufacturing a 2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole compound with a high yield and a high purity, and a manufacturing method of the intermediate. The present invention provides an epoxy compound represented by the general formula (2): wherein, R1 represents a hydrogen or a lower alkyl group; and R2 represents a piperidyl group represented by the general formula (A1): (wherein, R3 represents a phenoxy group having a halogen-substituted lower alkoxy group substituted on a phenyl group, and the like) and the like; and n represents an integer of 1 to 6, a manufacturing method of the epoxy compound, and a manufacturing method of an oxazole compound using the epoxy method. |
| US08552187B2 |
Processes and intermediates for carbamoylpyridone HIV integrase inhibitors
Processes are provided which create an aldehyde methylene, or hydrated or hemiacetal methylene attached to a heteroatom of a 6 membered ring without going through an olefinic group and without the necessity of using an osmium reagent. In particular, a compound of formula (I) can be produced from (II) and avoid the use of an allyl amine: (formulae I and II) where R, P1 P3, R3 and Rx are as described herein. |
| US08552186B2 |
Fused bicyclic derivatives of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine as ALK and c-MET inhibitors
The present invention provides a compound of formula I or II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, are as defined herein. The compounds of formula I or II have ALK and/or c-Met inhibitory activity, and may be used to treat proliferative disorders. |
| US08552181B2 |
Substituted hydroxyethyl amine compounds as beta-secretase modulators and methods of use
The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase activity and for the treatment of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related CNS conditions, mediated thereby. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I or Formula II wherein R1a-1c, B, R3-5 and W of Formula I, and R1a-1c, R2-5, A1-4, W, X, Z, m and n of Formula II are defined herein. The invention further provides compounds of Formula III and IV and sub-Formulas II-A-II-D and III-A-III-D. The compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions for treating, prophylactically or therapeutically, disorders related to the activity of beta-secretase protein, including without limitation, AD, cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions. |
| US08552180B2 |
Method for separating amide from amino acid ionic liquid
The present invention provides a method for separating an amide from an amino acid ionic liquid. The method includes the step of providing a polar solvent and an extracting agent to the amino acid ionic liquid, so as to separate the amide from the amino acid ionic liquid. In the method of the present invention, there is no need to add ammonium for neutralization, such that no byproduct, ammonium sulfate, is formed. In addition, after the amide is separated from the amino acid ionic liquid, the amino acid ionic liquid can be recycled. |
| US08552178B2 |
Process for modification of biopolymers
A biopolymer thinning process is provided comprising the steps of (a) mixing a biopolymer substrate with a thinning agent and an alkalizing agent; and (b) drying the mixture of step (a), wherein the thinning agent consists of one or more hypochlorites; and step (a) is carried out at a neutral to alkaline pH and does not involve any artificial heating. |
| US08552175B2 |
Sulfur transfer reagents for oligonucleotide synthesis
The use of N-formamidino-5-amino-3H-1,2,4-dithiazole-3-thiones, 5-phenyl-3H-1,2,4-dithiazole-3-thiones, and derivatives thereof as novel, efficient sulfur-transfer reagents is disclosed. Sulfur transfer from these reagents to compounds containing a P(III) atom (e.g., triphenylphosphine, 5′-O-DMT-thymidine 2-cyanoethyl-(N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite, and 5′-O-DMT-3′-O-levulinyl dithymidilyl 2-cyanoethyl phosphite), was studied in solution by 31P NMR and HPLC. The sulfur transfer from title compounds was also studied in the solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotide phosphorothioates by phosphoramidite methods. In this application, the efficiency of the sulfur transfer reaction for 2′-deoxyoligonucleotides was better than 99.5%. The novel sulfurizing agents are synthesized, at low cost, using simple chemical methods. As opposed to many sulfur transfer reagents known in the prior art such as 1,2-benzodithiol-3-one-1,1-dioxide (Beaucage reagent) and 5-ethoxy-3H-1,2,4-dithiazole-2-one (EDIT), the sulfurizing agents disclosed herein are highly stable in solution, which increases their practical and commercial value. |
| US08552173B2 |
Compositions, probes, and conjugates and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compositions useful as probes and in other applications and methods of their use. In some embodiments, nucleotides are prepared and functionalized with dyes. In some embodiments a first molecule is functionalized with an alkynyl group, a second molecule is functionalized with an azide group, and said first and second molecules are mixed under conditions to form a conjugate with a 1,2,3-triazol group. In further embodiments, a nucleotide is functionalized with an alkynyl group, a dye is functionalized with an azide group, and mixing the nucleotide and the dye forms a conjugate capable of emitting light. |
| US08552172B2 |
Oligomers
Molecules are provided for inducing or facilitating exon skipping in forming spliced mRNA products from pre-mRNA molecules in cells. The molecules may be provided directly as oligonucleotides or expression products of vectors that are administered to a subject. High rates of skipping can be achieved. High rates of skipping reduce the severity of a disease like Duchene Muscular Dystrophy so that the disease is more like Becker Muscular Dystrophy. This is a severe reduction in symptom severity and mortality. |
| US08552170B2 |
Expression vector for establishing highly productive cell and the highly productive cell
The present invention provides an expression vector which is effective in an efficient establishment of transformed cells which express the aimed protein gene in a high level. An expression vector which has a cassette for expressing the drug selective marker gene containing mRNA destabilizing sequence, at least one element for stabilizing the gene expression and a cassette for expressing the gene of the aimed protein. Preferably, the mRNA destabilizing sequence is derived from AT-rich sequence existing in the 3′-untranslated region of cytokine, interleukin or proto-oncogene, and the element for stabilizing the gene expression is derived from Chinese hamster genome. |
| US08552168B2 |
Nucleic acids for inducing expression of transcripts and proteins and methods for making and using them
The invention provides nucleic acids and polypeptides for enhanced expression of nucleic acids and proteins. In one aspect, the sequences serve as transcription and translation enhancers or stabilizers, and can be incorporated in expression constructs at or near the translation control elements. The invention provides methods of producing mRNA (transcripts) and proteins. The invention provides methods of discovering new enhancer elements. |
| US08552164B2 |
Spray-dried chitin nanofibrils, method for production and uses thereof
The invention relates to a novel method for production of nanofibrillar chitin, sustainable from an industrial manufacturing standpoint and suitable for producing chitin nanofibrils having improved properties and free from less crystalline components. The invention also relates to novel chitin nanofibrils obtained with said method and characterized by an increased dispersibility in aqueous media. The invention further relates to uses of nanofibrils in pastes and aqueous gels useful for topical on-skin application, to the manufacturing of materials of biomedical interest, as well as to the deposition of chitin nanofibrils on coating surfaces or the incorporation of the same inside of items like, e.g., fibers and fabrics of any Origin, natural as well as synthetic or mixed ones. |
| US08552162B2 |
Processes for the preparation of 2 fluoro 6-11 bicyclic erythromycin derivatives
The present invention relates to processes and intermediates for the preparation of 2-fluoro 6-11 bicyclic erythromycin derivatives. In particular, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for the preparation of a compound of formula (X-c): |
| US08552153B2 |
Coral-derived collagen and methods of farming same
An isolated collagen fiber is disclosed, wherein a length of the fiber prior to stretching by about 15%, is identical to a length of the fiber following said stretching by about 15%. The fiber comprises a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic profile as shown in FIG. 1. Uses thereof and method of isolating are also disclosed. |
| US08552150B2 |
MART-1 T cell receptors
T-cell receptors that recognize MART-1 antigen are provided. The TCRs can be used, for example, to treat patients suffering from melanoma. |
| US08552146B2 |
Peptide vaccines for cancers expressing MPHOSPH1 or DEPDC1 polypeptides
The present invention provides peptides having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 192, 195, 197, 209, 225, 226, 228, 230, 240, 241, 243, 244, 249, 253, 254 or 255, as well as peptides having the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added, wherein the peptides possess cytotoxic T cell inducibility. The present invention also provides drugs for treating or preventing a disease associated with the over-expression of MPHOSPH1 and/or DEPDC1, e.g. cancers, containing these peptides as an active ingredient. The peptides of the present invention can also be used as vaccines. |
| US08552141B2 |
Hyper-branched polyester for use in CPT toner and method of preparing the same
A hyper-branched polyester and a method of making the same having a tri-functional monomer A3, a di-functional monomer B2 and a mono-functional monomer C1 having a monomer ratio of A3:B2:C1 from about 1:0.2:2 to about 1:1.4:0.2 for use in a chemically processed electrophotographic toner providing a lower fusing temperature. In one form, the hyper-branched polyester includes a tri-hydroxy monomer, a di-acid and its derivatives, and a mono-acid and its derivatives. In other forms, a substituted anhydride and a long chain hydrocarbon carboxylic acid and its derivatives may also be included in the di-functional monomer. |
| US08552136B2 |
Thermoplastic silicone-based polymer process additives for injection molding applications
There is provided a thermoplastic silicone-based polymer process additive component for use in injection molding applications, articles made using the silicone-based polymer process additive component, and methods for making these articles. |
| US08552135B2 |
Substituted polyalkoxysiloxane compositions and methods of use
Linear polydialkoxysiloxanes with 2-8 polymeric units have been reacted with alcohols by a transetherification reaction to provide hydrophilic and water soluble silicone products. The glycerol substituted siloxanes in particular are effective in topically treating skin lesions such as radiation burns. Compositions including the substituted polydialkoxysiloxane products inhibit biofilm formation when used as coatings on hard surfaces. |
| US08552130B2 |
Polymerizable ionic liquid comprising aromatic carboxylate anion
Presently described are polymerizable ionic liquids comprising a cation and an aromatic carboxylate anion; wherein the cation, anion, or both comprise a free-radically polymerizable group. Also described are curable compositions comprising such polymerizable ionic liquids and at least one other free-radically polymerizable monomer, oligomer, or polymer. |
| US08552129B2 |
Low melt flow branched ionomers
Embodiments of the present invention include a branched aromatic ionomer, and a process of making it, by co-polymerizing a first monomer comprising an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer represented by the general formula: [R-AZ]y-MX wherein R is a hydrocarbon chain having from 2 to 40 carbons and at least one polymerizable unsaturation; A is an anionic group; M is a cationic group; Z is −1 or −2; X is +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5; and y is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4. The branched aromatic ionomer has a melt flow index ranging from 1.0 g/10 min. to 13 g/10 min. Optionally the melt flow index ranges from 1.3 g/10 min. to 1.9 g/10 min. |
| US08552128B2 |
Polymer processing simplification
A process for the preparation of a fluoroolefin polymer from an azeotropic mixture of monomers having a constant composition, the process including the step of: contacting in a reaction zone: (i) an initiator; and (ii) an azeotropic mixture of monomers including at least one fluoroolefin and, optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated comonomer capable of copolymerizing therewith; wherein the contacting is carried out at a temperature, pressure and length of time sufficient to produce the fluoroolefin polymer. |
| US08552127B2 |
Method for the production of terpolymers based on VDF, TRFE and CFE, or CTFE
A process for manufacturing terpolymers by polymerization of VDF (vinylidene difluoride), TrFE (trifluoroethylene), and CFE (1-chloro-1-fluoroethylene) or CTFE (chlorotrifluoroethylene) monomers in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, characterized in that: i) an initial mixture of VDF and of TrFE, free of CFE and of CTFE, is fed into an autoclave, ii) the initiator mixed with water is injected into the autoclave so as to achieve, inside the autoclave, a pressure at least equal to 80 bar, in order to form a suspension of VDF and TrFE monomers in water, iii) a secondary mixture constituted of VDF, TrFE and CFE or CTFE is injected into the autoclave, then iv) as soon as the polymerization reaction starts, said secondary mixture is reinjected continuously into the reactor, so as to maintain therein a constant pressure of at least 80 bar. |
| US08552124B2 |
Copolymers with perfluoropolyether segment and polydiorganosiloxane segment
Copolymers containing at least one perfluoropolyether segment and at least one polydiorganosiloxane segments are described. The copolymers further contain multiple aminooxalylamino groups that link the various segments together. Methods of making the copolymers are also described. |
| US08552123B2 |
Thermosetting resin, composition including the same, and printed board fabricated using the same
A thermosetting resin including at least one repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, A is derived from a phenolic moiety, an anilinic moiety, or a combination thereof, L is C(O)O, C(O)NR′ wherein R′ is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryloxy group, an aromatic ester, an aromatic ester-imide, an aromatic ester-amide, an aromatic amide, or a combination thereof, Z is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group including a double bond or a triple bond, a substituted or unsubstituted alicyclic group including a double bond or a triple bond, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group including a double bond or a triple bond, (iso)cyanate, a derivative thereof, or a combination thereof, and n is an integer ranging from 1 to about 4. |
| US08552121B2 |
Functionalized polymer
A method for providing a polymer having terminal functionality that includes at least one sulfur atom and at least one silicon or tin atom involves reacting a terminally active polymer with a cyclic compound that includes in its ring structure at least one Si or Sn atom and at least one S atom, optionally at adjacent positions of the ring structure. |
| US08552116B2 |
Polypropylene resin, polypropylene resin composition, and foam-injection-molded article
A polypropylene resin and a polypropylene resin composition are provided, which have excellent fluidity and foaming properties, and particularly in use for foam injection molding, allow molding with a narrow initial cavity clearance even if a large mold is used, and therefore can provide a thin, large-area foam-injection-molded article having good appearance. The invention relates to a polypropylene resin obtained by melt mixing a linear polypropylene resin, a radical polymerization initiator and a conjugated diene compound, wherein the polypropylene resin has a melt flow rate of more than 30 g/10 min and not more than 250 g/10 min as measured at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg; a melt tension at 200° C. of not less than 0.3 cN; and a loss tangent (tan δ) of not more than 6.0, the loss tangent being a ratio of loss modulus to storage modulus at an angular frequency of 1 rad/s in dynamic viscoelasticity measurement at 200° C., and also relates to a polypropylene resin composition for foam injection molding, containing the polypropylene resin. |
| US08552109B2 |
Aqueous polyurethane resin dispersion, preparation method of the same, and coating composition containing the same
Disclosed is an aqueous polyurethane resin dispersion which comprises a polyurethane resin which is obtained by reacting (A) a polyurethane prepolymer obtained by reacting (a) a polycarbonate polyol having an alicyclic structure in the main chain, (b) an acidic group-containing polyol compound and (d) a polyisocyanate, and (B) a chain-elongating agent, being dispersed in an aqueous medium, a carboxylic acid group content of the above-mentioned (A) polyurethane prepolymer based on a solid component of (A) the polyurethane prepolymer is 2.0 to 13.0% by weight, and a number of a hydroxyl equivalent of a mixture of the above-mentioned (a) polycarbonate polyol having an alicyclic structure in the main chain, the above-mentioned (b) acidic group-containing polyol compound, and, if necessary, (c) a polyol other than (a) and (b) is 70 to 270. |
| US08552108B2 |
Room temperature curable organopolysiloxane composition and gas separation membrane
A room temperature curable organopolysiloxane composition is provided. The composition comprises (I) an organopolysiloxane which is a condensation product of component (A) (an organopolysiloxane comprising R3SiO1/2 unit and SiO4/2 unit and containing 0.02 to 0.12 mol/100 g of hydroxy group bonded to the silicon atom) and component (B) (a diorganopolysiloxane raw rubber having hydroxy group on opposite ends thereof), (II) an organosilane compound having at least 2 hydrolyzable groups bonded to the silicon atom on average per molecule, and/or its partial hydrolytic condensate, (III) a solvent, and (IV) a silica nano particle having its surface modified by a branch structure. The composition is capable of providing a high strength film without incorporating reinforcement fillers, with no curing inhibition by the inorganic nano particles, and without inhibiting gas separation performance realized by the inorganic nano particles. |
| US08552105B2 |
Compatibilized composition, method for the formation thereof, and article comprising same
A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer is used to compatibilize blends of polar polymers and non-polar polymers. The resulting compatibilized blends exhibit physical property improvements relative to blends without a compatibilizer and blends with a poly(hydroxy ether). |
| US08552104B2 |
Amphiphilic block copolymer-toughened thermoset resins
A composition comprising (1) a thermosettable resin selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, an epoxy vinyl ester resin, an unsaturated polyester resin or a mixture thereof, and (2) an amphiphilic mock copolymer dispersed in the thermosettable resin; fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), coatings and composites prepared therefrom; and methods of preparing these. |
| US08552103B2 |
Filled polyamide molding materials showing a reduced water absorption
Filled polyamide molding materials, in particular polyamide molding materials with medium filler content, are producible from a polyamide blend and for example by compounding with chopped or endless fibers on two-screw extruders, and have a combination of reduced water absorption and good mechanical properties, which results in very good dimensional stability and reduced variation of the electrical properties of the produced molded part, such as an antenna housings of stationary or mobile communication devices. These thermoplastic polyamide molding materials are suitable for manufacturing molded parts and other semi-finished or finished parts, for example by extrusion, injection molding, pressing, direct process or direct compounding, respectively, wherein the compounded polyamide molding material is directly processed by injection molding or other shaping methods. |
| US08552090B2 |
Ink composition, recorded material, recording method, and recording apparatus
An ink composition includes a polyurethane resin and at least one selected from a metal compound and hollow resin particles as a colorant, and in the ink composition described above, the polyurethane resin is a polycarbonate-based or a polyether-based anionic polyurethane resin. |
| US08552086B2 |
Dental compositions including organogelators, products, and methods
A hardenable dental composition that includes a polymerizable component and an organogelator. |
| US08552084B2 |
Process for preparing adhesive using planetary extruder
A process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a modified planetary roller extruder is described. The process in accordance with one aspect of the invention is a continuous process that includes introducing primary raw materials comprising a non-thermoplastic elastomer into a planetary roller extruder, introducing a heat-activatable crosslinker into the planetary roller extruder for mixing with the primary raw materials, and compounding the primary raw materials and the heat activatable crosslinker to form an adhesive composition while maintaining the temperature of the adhesive composition between about 25° C. and about 100° C. The non-thermoplastic elastomer is masticated during compounding and at least some of the heat-activatable crosslinker remains generally unactivated and is available for later activation. |
| US08552083B1 |
Ultra low refractive index curable coatings
The present invention relates to a radiation-curable composition having a refractive index less than 1.40 comprising (1) a curable perfluoropolyether oligomer having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of: and wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, wherein A represents a straight chained or branched alkylene group, wherein m represents an integer from 1 to 4, wherein the integers represented by m within individual —((CF2)m—O)n— repeat units can be the same or different, and wherein n represents an integer from 1 to 20; (2) a diluent; (3) a photo-initiator; and (4) an adhesion promoter; wherein the radiation-curable composition is free of compounds containing —CF3 groups. |
| US08552082B2 |
Alkali-soluble polymer compound and photosensitive resin composition using the same
A novel alkali-soluble polymer compound including a dehydrogenated pimaric acid and/or its isomer as a repeating unit, and a photosensitive resin composition including the alkali-soluble polymer compound as an effective binder matrix are provided. A photosensitive resin composition using the alkali-soluble polymer compound including a dehydrogenated resin acid has excellent photosensitivity and developing characteristics cause a less deformation in a firing process, has excellent elasticity. Thus, the photosensitive resin composition is advantageous for curing various transparent photosensitive materials, in particular, materials of column spacers, an overcoat, a passivation layer, or the like, used for fabricating color filters of an LCD. |
| US08552080B2 |
Polyurethane foams
Polyurethane foams are prepared from polyester polyols obtained by reaction of diols with a mixture of diacids derived from a mixture of dinitrile compounds obtained as by-products in the manufacture of adiponitrile by hydrocyanation of butadiene. |
| US08552079B2 |
Water-blown, flame retardant rigid polyurethane foam
The present invention provides a flame-retardant polyurethane foam made with non chlorofluorocarbon/hydrogenated chlorofluorocarbon-containing blowing agents and without trimethylolpropane-based polyols that achieves a Class I rating as determined by a modification of the ASTM E-84 tunnel test and may find application in electronic cabinetry, architectural decorative moldings, and interior transportation vehicle walls. |
| US08552077B2 |
Trimer catalyst additives for improving foam processability
The present invention provides trimerization catalyst compositions and methods to produce a polyisocyanurate/polyurethane foam using such trimerization catalyst compositions. The catalyst composition is the contact product of at least one α,β-unsaturated carboxylate salt and at least one second carboxylate salt. |
| US08552076B2 |
Fused aerogel-polymer composite, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same
Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a fused aerogel-polymer composite in which aerogel and an organic polymer is mixed in a dry state to adsorb polymer particles on the surface of the aerogel and are then subjected to thermal treatment, thus forming a polymer coating on the aerogel. The fused aerogel-polymer composite can be used for thermal insulation in a variety of applications. The fused aerogel-polymer composite exhibits high thermal insulation properties and superior physical strength and processability while still maintaining the properties of an aerogel that does not have a polymer coated on its surface. |
| US08552057B2 |
Phytoestrogenic formulations for alleviation or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases
Select phytoestrogen pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use for promoting neurological heath and prevention of age-related neurodegeneration, such as AD, have been developed. These select phytoestrogen formulations are composed of a number of plant-derived estrogenic molecules and/or their structural analogues and exhibit binding preference to ERβ over ERα and agonist activity in the brain. These ERβ-selective phytoestrogen formulations cross the blood-brain-barrier and promote estrogen-associated neurotrophism and neuroprotections mechanisms in the brain, without activating proliferative mechanisms in the reproductive tissues and are therefore devoid of other estrogen-associated problematic aspects. These are administered enterally, transdermally, transmucosally, intranasally or parenterally, in a dosage effective to prevent or alleviate neuronal damage, effect neuronal regeneration or sustain viability, increase expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, and/or decrease indicators of Alzheimer's Disease. |
| US08552056B2 |
Biologically active taxane analogs and methods of treatment by oral administration
The present invention relates to a novel chemical compound of formula S-(1): for use in the treatment of cancer, to compositions containing said compound, methods of manufacture and combinations with other therapeutic agents. |
| US08552052B2 |
Use of diindolylmethane-related indoles for the treatment and prevention of respiratory syncytial virus associated conditions
The present invention includes compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of conditions associated with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection. RSV-associated conditions include acute infections in mammals, typically bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and post-infectious chronic respiratory conditions. In particular, the present invention describes new therapeutic and preventative uses for 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), or a DIM-related indole, alone or in combination with an inhibitor of a membrane bound Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, to treat conditions associated with exposure to RSV. |
| US08552050B2 |
Activators of pyruvate kinase M2 and methods of treating disease
The invention described herein features methods, compositions, and kits for the use of activators of PKM2 for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of diseases related to PKM2 function, including, e.g., cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, restenosis, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and proliferative disorders. |
| US08552048B2 |
Phosphoramidate alkylator prodrugs for the treatment of cancer
Compositions containing, and, methods administering, TH302, are useful in treatment of cancer and other hyper-proliferative diseases. |
| US08552046B2 |
Manufacture, compositions and uses of coagulation factor VIIa modulator
Treatment of cancer and thromboembolic disorders using inhibitors of Factor VIIa are disclosed herein using a compound of Formula I. |
| US08552043B2 |
N[S(4-aryl-triazol-3-yl)α-mercaptoacetyl]-p-amino benzoic acids as HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors
A series of S-triazolyl α-mercaptoacetanilides having N-(α-mercaptoacetyl) p amino benzoic acid derivatives. are provided, where Q is CO2H, or a salt or ester thereof, or a C(O) N-linked amino acid. The compounds inhibit several variants of the reverse transcriptase of HIV, and are useful in the treatment of HIV infections. |
| US08552041B2 |
Therapeutic approaches for treating alzheimer disease and related disorders through a modulation of cell stress response
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. More particularly, the invention relates to combined therapies that modulate cell stress response for treating said disease. |
| US08552039B2 |
Compounds, methods and formulations for the oral delivery of a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) compound or a melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4) agonist peptide
The present invention relates to novel compounds, methods, and formulations useful for the oral delivery of a GLP-1 compound or an MC4 agonist peptide. |
| US08552033B2 |
Inhibitors of CXCR2
The invention relates to compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, X, A, B and Y1 to Y4 have the meanings indicated in the claims, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or a prodrug thereof. Because of their properties as inhibitors of chemokine receptors, especially as CXCR2 inhibitors, the compounds of the formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof are suitable for the prevention and treatment of chemokine mediated diseases. |
| US08552028B2 |
8-phenylisoquinolines and pharmaceutical composition used in treatment for sepsis
A compound is provided. The compound includes a formula of: |
| US08552024B2 |
Azacyclic compounds
The invention provides novel compounds having the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2 and n are as described herein, compositions including the compounds and methods of using the compounds. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) for the treatment of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity. |
| US08552019B2 |
Inhibitors of phosphoinositide dependent kinase 1 (PDK1)
The instant invention provides for compounds of formula A that inhibit PDK1 activity: The invention also provides for compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds and methods of inhibiting PDK1 activity by administering the compound to a patient in need of treatment of cancer. |
| US08552016B2 |
Anti-cancer cyclopenta(g)quinazoline compounds
Cyclopenta[g]quinazolines of the formula (I): wherein: A is a group OR or NR0R1 wherein R0 and R1 are each independently hydrogen C1-4 alkyl, C3-4 alkenyl, C3-4 alkynyl, C2-4 hydroxyalkyl, C2-4 halogenoalkyl or C1-4 cyanoalkyl, or R0 and R1 together with the intermediate N form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring; p is an integer in the range 1 to 4; R2 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, C3-4 alkenyl, C3-4 alkynyl, C2-4 hydroxyalkyl, C2-4 halogenoalkyl or C1-4 cyanoalkyl; Ar1 is phenylene, thiophenediyl, thiazolediyl, pyridinediyl or pyrimidinediyl which may optionally bear one or two substituents selected from halogeno, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, C1-4 alkyl and C1-4 alkoxy; and R3 is a group of one of the following formulae: -A1-Ar2-A2-Y1-A5-CON(R)CH(Y4) Y5-A8-X—Ar4 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof are of therapeutic value particularly in the treatment of cancer. |
| US08552015B2 |
Quinazolinone derivatives and their use as CB agonists
Novel quinazolinone derivatives of formula I wherein R1-R9 are as defined in the description, processes for their production, their use as pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. |
| US08552014B2 |
Methods of using selective chemotherapeutic agents for targeting tumor cells
A method for treating cancer tumors, particularly ovarian cancer tumors, is described, where fused cyclic pyrimidine having a cancer treating ability is selectively delivered to an FR expressing cancerous tumor. |
| US08552011B2 |
6-(C2-6alkylseleno)purines and methods for treating neural measles viral infection therewith
The present application relates to anti-viral selenopurine compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 is C2-6alkyl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and prodrugs thereof. These 6-(C2-6alkylseleno)purine compounds find use in the treatment of neural measles virus infection and associated diseases (namely, multiple sclerosis or neural measles). A particularly preferred compound is ethylselenopurine or ESP. |
| US08552010B2 |
Inhibitors of Bruton'S tyrosine kinase
Disclosed herein are compounds that form covalent bonds with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Also described are irreversible inhibitors of Btk. Methods for the preparation of the compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions. |
| US08552007B2 |
Mesoionic pesticides
Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, wherein X is O or S; Y is O or S; and R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling an invertebrate pest comprising contacting the invertebrate pest or its environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention. |
| US08552005B2 |
(EN) 3-sulfonyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines / antagonists of serotonin 5-HT6 receptors, methods for the production and the use thereof
The present invention relates to novel substituted 3-(arylsulfonyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines of general formula 1 pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or hydrates, to novel serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonists, to novel drug substances, pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments and methods for their preparation and use for treatment and prophylaxis of pathological states and diseases of CNS, pathogenesis of which is associated with disturbance of serotonin 5-HT6 receptor activation.In compounds of general formula 1 Ar represents optionally substituted aryl or heterocyclyl; R1, R2 and R3 independently of each other represent hydrogen, C1-C3 alkyl or phenyl; R4 represents hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C5 alkyl, substituted hydroxyl group or substituted sulfanyl group. |
| US08552004B2 |
Chemical compounds
There is provided pyrimidinyl compounds of Formula (I), wherein: R2 is or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy. |
| US08552001B2 |
Sulfoxide derivatives for the treatment of tumors
Sulfoxide derivatives of the formula Ia to Im as described, and pharmaceutically usable salts, solvates, enantiomers, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios, for the treatment of tumors. |
| US08552000B2 |
Therapeutic agent for senile dementia
A therapeutic/preventive agent for cognitive dysfunctions, which comprises as an active ingredient an imide derivative of the following formula [1]: wherein Z is a group of the formula [2]: D is a group of —(CH2)p-A-(CH2)q—; G is ═N—, —CH—, etc.; and Ar is an aromatic heterocyclic group, etc. |
| US08551999B2 |
Heterocyclic compound and pharmaceutical composition thereof
The present invention provides a heterocyclic compound represented by General Formula (1): wherein R1 is a group R5—Z1—, etc., Z1 is a lower alkylene group, etc., and R5 is a group represented by General Formula; wherein R13 is a hydrogen atom, etc., m is an integer from 1 to 5; R2 is a hydrogen atom: Y is CH or N: A1 is a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of indolediyl groups, wherein the heterocyclic ring may have at least one substituent: T is a group —CO—, etc.: R3 is a hydrogen atom, etc.: R4 is a lower alkyl group optionally substituted by one or more hydroxy groups, etc.: R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom to which they bind, may bind to each other and form a 5- to 10-membered saturated heterocyclic ring, wherein the heterocyclic ring may have at least one substituent. The heterocyclic compound of the present invention has excellent effects of suppressing the production of collagen and/or treating tumors. |
| US08551996B2 |
Compounds, compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of treatment
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include compounds as described herein, labeled compounds as described herein, pharmaceutical composition including compounds described herein, methods of imaging, method of forming a compound as described herein, and the like. In particular, embodiments of the disclosure include a series of triamino-pyridine derivatives and labeled triamino-pyridine derivatives, methods of synthesizing these compounds, intermediate compounds, methods of treatment using these compounds, methods of imaging, diagnosing, localizing, monitoring, and/or assessing a condition (e.g., corticotropin releasing factor type-1 (CRF1)) and/or related biological events, using triamino-pyridine derivatives, and the like. In addition, the present disclosure includes compositions (e.g., labeled triamino-pyridine derivatives that are ligands for the CRF1 receptor) used in and methods relating to non-invasive imaging (e.g., positron emission tomography (PET) imaging or SPECT imaging). |
| US08551994B2 |
Affinity adsorbents for fibrinogen
For the separation, removal, isolation, purification, characterization, identification or quantification of fibrinogen or a protein that is a fibrinogen analogue, an affinity adsorbent is used that is a compound of formula II wherein one X is N and the other is N, C—Cl or C—CN; Y is O, S or NR2; 0 Z is O, S or NR3; R2 and R3 are each H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, benzyl or &bgr; -phenylethyl; n is 0 to 6; A is a support matrix, optionally linked to the triazine ring by a spacer; R7 is a group bearing a positive charge at neutral pH; W is an optional linker; V is an aromatic group; and R8 and R9 are each H, OH, alkyl, alkoxy, amino, NH2, acyloxy, acylamino, CO2H, sulphonic acid, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, alkylsulphonyl or halogen or a cyclic structure such as a morpholino group, or R8 and R9 are linked to form such a cyclic structure. |
| US08551990B2 |
Anxiolytic compounds
The present invention relates to chemical compounds of general formula (I) which may possess useful therapeutic activity in a range of central nervous system disorders, and in particular, anxiety disorders. |
| US08551986B2 |
Treatment of sequelae of psychiatric disorders
In general, the invention provides methods and compositions for treating sequela of weight gain or pain insensitivity, e.g., in a subject suffering from a psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia. The combinations employed in the invention include a second generation antipsychotic agent and an opioid receptor antagonist. |
| US08551979B2 |
Nonaqueous preparation for percutaneous absorption containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
The present invention relates to nonaqueous preparation for percutaneous absorption prepared by laminating an adhesive layer comprising a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic in an alkali metal salt form, and an inorganic acid which is strongly acidic compared with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic in a free form, together with a nonaqueous base, on a support. According to the present invention, drug-releasing characteristics and skin penetration in a nonaqueous preparation for percutaneous absorption can be improved because the addition of an inorganic acid in a nonaqueous base containing a drug in an alkali metal salt form leads to an improvement in the solubility of the drug in the base, and a good partitioning of the drug to skin surface. In addition, as the inorganic acid has no alcoholic hydroxy group in the structure, the inorganic acid does not react with the drug, therefore it causes no lowering in the stability of the drug by esterification. |
| US08551978B2 |
Diamide compounds having muscarinic receptor antagonist and β2 adrenergic receptor agonist activity
This invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Such compounds possess both muscarinic receptor antagonist and β2 adrenergic receptor agonist activities. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds, and methods of using such compounds as bronchodilating agents to treat pulmonary disorders. |
| US08551974B1 |
Ophthalmic compositions including lubricant, deturgescent agent, and glycosaminoglycan and methods of using the same
Ophthalmic compositions are provided that include a lubricant, a deturgescent agent, a glycosaminoglycan, and water. Methods of using the ophthalmic compositions are also provided. |
| US08551973B2 |
Nucleoside analogs
A purified compound having activity against hepatitis C virus is disclosed. |
| US08551968B2 |
Methods for generation of antibodies
This invention generally relates to methods for the production of antibody producing cells and antibodies in protooncogene expressing animals. The invention also relates to methods for the efficient production of antibodies specific for antigens that are normally subject to immunological constraints such as self tolerance. The invention further relates to the production of antibody producing cells and antibodies without the need for the conventional fusing of antibody producing B cells with a myeloma fusion partner. |
| US08551967B2 |
Formulations with anti-tumour action
The use of defibrotide as an anti-tumor agent, alone or in combination with other active ingredients with anti-tumor action, is described. |
| US08551963B2 |
Imidazolothiazole compounds and methods of use thereof
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of receptor kinases and for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of disease or disorder mediated by receptor kinases. |
| US08551958B2 |
Galactosylated pro-drugs of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories with improved pharmacokinetic characteristics and reduced toxicity of the starting drug
Pro-drugs of all non-steroidal anti-inflammatories with free acid function derivatized with an ester group, which have the general structural formula given below (I) where A is: aspirin, diflunisal, benorylate, ibufenac, diclofenac, indomethacin, sulindac, ketorolac, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, mefenamic acid, meclof enamic acid, flufenamic acid, niflumic acid, and where in the ester group R can be a sugar (amongst which aldose, or ketose pentose, or esose selected from a group of D- and L-enantioiuers of ribose, glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, xilose, allose, altrose, gulose, idose and talose and substituted derivatives thereof, such as glucosamine, galactosamine, N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl galactosamine, N-acetyl ribosamine), a disaccharide, a trisaccharide or an oligosaccharide. |
| US08551950B2 |
Method of treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory pain
A method of treatment, reversal and/or symptomatic relief of inflammatory pain, including hyperalgesia, thermal or mechanical allodynia, in vertebrate animals, particularly in human subjects, comprising administering angiotensin II receptor 2 (AT2 receptor) antagonists is disclosed. The AT2 receptor antagonist may be provided alone or in combination with other compounds such as those that are useful in the control of inflammatory pain. |
| US08551949B2 |
Methods for treatment of pain
The invention provides for methods and compositions for treatment of pain via craniofacial mucosal administration of an analgesic compound (e.g. a non-opioid analgesic peptide, an NOP agonist or N/OFQ). Intranasal administration of certain analgesic peptides such as N/OFQ results in global analgesic effects. |
| US08551948B2 |
Albumin fibers and fabrics and methods of generating and using same
Provided are method of generating a fiber from a globular protein such as albumin. Also provided are albumin fibers and fabrics and methods of using same for bonding a damaged tissue or for ex vivo or in vivo formation of a tissue. |
| US08551942B2 |
Lyophilized anti-fungal compositions
A lyophilized anti-fungal composition comprises (A) caspofungin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an effective amount; (B) one or more non-reducing sugars having a glass transition temperature Tg(s) of at least about 90° C.; and (C) an acetate buffer in an amount effective to provide a pH in a range of from about 5 to about 7; wherein the weight ratio of the one or more non-reducing sugars to caspofungin is in a range of from about 1.1:1 to about 10:1; the composition has a moisture content of about 0.8 wt. % or less; and the composition has a glass transition temperature Tg(c) of at least about 55° C. The lyophilized composition has good storage stability at temperatures up to and including room temperature. The composition can be reconstituted for use in preventing or treating fungal infections. |
| US08551941B2 |
Process of making flowable hemostatic compositions and devices containing such compositions
The present invention includes both sterilized and unsterilized hemostatic compositions that contain a continuous, biocompatible liquid phase having a solid phase of particles of a biocompatible polymer suitable for use in hemostasis and which is substantially insoluble in the liquid phase, and a discontinuous, biocompatible gaseous phase, each of which is substantially homogenously dispersed throughout the continuous liquid phase, methods for making such compositions, medical devices that contain sterilized hemostatic compositions disposed therein and methods of making such devices. |
| US08551935B2 |
Benefit agent containing delivery particle
The present invention relates to benefit agent containing delivery particles, compositions comprising said particles, and processes for making and using the aforementioned particles and compositions. When employed in compositions, for example, cleaning or fabric care compositions, such particles increase the efficiency of benefit agent delivery, there by allowing reduced amounts of benefit agents to be employed. In addition to allowing the amount of benefit agent to be reduced, such particles allow a broad range of benefit agents to be employed. |
| US08551931B2 |
Surface treatment composition containing phosphonic acid compounds
Surface treatment compositions containing selected phosphonic acid compounds are disclosed. The compositions contain major levels of surface-active agents in combination with additive levels of the phosphonic acid compounds, and, in accordance with needs and objectives, conventional optional ingredients and additive agents. The inventive compositions can provide significant performance benefits, among others novel synergies and eminently desirable regulatory and environmental acceptability. |
| US08551925B2 |
Imidazoline-based heterocyclic foamers for downhole injection
Disclosed are imidazoline-based foamers and corrosion inhibitors for treatment of oil and gas wells for enhanced production. The invention also includes methods of foaming a fluid by introducing the disclosed foamers to oil and gas wells. |
| US08551924B2 |
Consolidating agent emulsions and associated methods
Consolidation fluids comprising: an aqueous base fluid comprising a hardening agent; an emulsified resin having an aqueous external phase and an organic internal phase; a silane coupling agent; and a surfactant. The consolidation fluid itself may be emulsified and further comprise an emulsifying agent. The consolidation fluid may also be foamed in some cases. |
| US08551922B1 |
Process of fabricating tissue array
In a process of fabricating a tissue array, a tissue block is sliced to obtain sheet-form pieces of tissue, and each of the sheet-form pieces is closely rolled around a guide member to form a spiral shape tissue around the guide member. Then, the spiral shape tissues are inserted in an axial direction into holes arrayed in a base block. |
| US08551921B2 |
Method for determining the toxicity of an environmental or chemical sample
An indicator device, and a biological test method, for determining the toxic fingerprint and degree of toxicity, comprising at least 3, preferably at least 11, different microorganisms freeze-dried on an inert support material, wherein the microorganisms are being selected to form a high diversity of microorganisms, on the support material, with regards to the taxonomical tree and high diversity regarding responses to toxic chemicals. Further, a kit and a process for producing the indicator device is also disclosed. |
| US08551919B2 |
Methods for promoting plant health
A method for promoting the health of a plant comprises administering malic acid to the plant or the soil in an amount effective to recruit plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to the plant. Administration of malic acid promotes biofilm formation of PGPR on the plant's roots, thereby restricting entry of a foliar pathogen through stomatal pores present in the leaves. Another method for promoting the health of a plant comprises administering acetoin to the plant or the soil in an amount effective to increase pathogen resistance in aerial parts of the plant. |
| US08551911B2 |
Recording material using phenolic compound
An object of the present invention is to provide a recording material or a recording sheet that is excellent in background and image stabilities and further excellent in color-developing sensitivity. The recording material of the present invention contains a color-forming compound, an additive, and at least one compound represented by formula (I) [wherein R1 and R4 each independently represent a C1-C6 alkyl group or the like; p represents 0 or any integer of 1 to 4; q represents 0 or any integer of 1 to 5; when p and q represents 2 or more, each of R1 and each of R4 are the same or different; R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; and the bond represented by the wavy line represents E, Z, or a mixture thereof]. |
| US08551906B2 |
Titanate photocatalyst
The invention relates to a titanate photocatalyst of formula (I): HmAx-mTiyOzDn (I) wherein: A is a cation selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium and francium; D is a dopant selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, nitrogen, fluorine, sulphur, phosphorus and iodine; x is a value between 0 and 8; y is a value greater than 0 and less than or equal to 8; n is a value greater than 0 and less than or equal to 8; z is a value greater than 0 and less than or equal to 8; and m is a value between 0 and 8. The invention also relates to method of production and uses of the titanate photocatalyst. |
| US08551901B2 |
Catalyst for purifying nitrogen oxide
A nitrogen-oxide-removing catalyst includes β zeolite bearing a rare earth metal oxide, and titanium dioxide bearing a rare earth metal oxide; includes β-zeolite bearing a rare earth metal oxide and iron oxide or iron hydroxide, and titanium dioxide bearing a rare earth metal oxide and iron oxide or iron hydroxide; or includes a carrier made of a ceramic or metallic material, and a layer of the nitrogen-oxide-removing catalyst supported on the carrier. |
| US08551900B2 |
Purification of an olefinic fraction by adsorption on alumina-faujasite co-granules
Method for preparation of an adsorbent that comprises successive shaping stages by co-granulation of a faujasite-type zeolite powder A, with a powder B that consists of alumina, whereby the ratio per unit of mass of the powder A in the mixture of powders A and B is between 10 and 70%, for treatment under water vapor and drying.The invention also relates to a process for adsorption of organic contaminants that contain at least one heteroatom and that are present in an olefinic feedstock that comprises at least 50% by volume of hydrocarbons, whereby this process comprises the stage for bringing the olefinic feedstock into contact with the adsorbent that is obtained by the preparation method according to the invention. |
| US08551896B2 |
Tear resistant laminate
A multilayer laminate material that resists the growth of a hole, tear, or aperture, and includes an extensible nonwoven layer joined to an elastomeric film layer in a face-to-face relationship. The elastomeric film layer includes an SEEPS elastomeric block copolymer that has a Tm of between 10° C. and 20° C. The laminate exhibits a laminate integrity time of greater than 2 hours. |
| US08551892B2 |
Method for reducing dielectric constant of film using direct plasma of hydrogen
A method for reducing a dielectric constant of a film includes (i) forming a dielectric film on a substrate; (ii) treating a surface of the film without film formation, and (III) curing the film. Step (i) includes providing a dielectric film containing a porous matrix and a porogen on a substrate, step (ii) includes, prior to or subsequent to step (iii), treating the dielectric film with charged species of hydrogen generated by capacitively-coupled plasma without film deposition to reduce a dielectric constant of the dielectric film, and step (iii) includes UV-curing the dielectric film to remove at least partially the porogen from the film. |
| US08551891B2 |
Remote plasma burn-in
Methods of treating the interior of a plasma region are described. The methods include a preventative maintenance procedure or the start-up of a new substrate processing chamber having a remote plasma system. A new interior surface is exposed within the remote plasma system. The (new) interior surfaces are then treated by sequential steps of (1) forming a remote plasma from hydrogen-containing precursor within the remote plasma system and then (2) exposing the interior surfaces to water vapor. Steps (1)-(2) are repeated at least ten times to complete the burn-in process. Following the treatment of the interior surfaces, a substrate may be transferred into a substrate processing chamber. A dielectric film may then be formed on the substrate by flowing one precursor through the remote plasma source and combining the plasma effluents with a second precursor flowing directly to the substrate processing region. |
| US08551888B2 |
Method of forming patterns for semiconductor device
A method of forming patterns for a semiconductor device. The method includes: forming a first hard mask layer on a layer which is to be etched; forming a second hard mask layer on the first hard mask layer, wherein the second hard mask layer includes a first portion and a second portion formed underneath the first portion, wherein the first portion and second portion are composed of the same material; etching the first portion to form first patterns; forming spacers covering sidewalls of the first patterns; etching the second portion using the spacers as etch masks to form second patterns; etching the first hard mask layer and the spacers using the second patterns disposed underneath the spacers as etch masks to form third patterns; and etching the layer to be etched, using the third patterns. |
| US08551887B2 |
Method for chemical mechanical planarization of a copper-containing substrate
A method using an associated composition for chemical mechanical planarization of a copper-containing substrate affords high copper removal rates and low dishing values during CMP processing of the copper-containing substrate, including an abrasive, at least three surfactants, preferably non-ionic and preferably three distinct surfactants, preferably in the range of 100 ppm to 2000 ppm per surfactant and an oxidizing agent. |
| US08551880B2 |
Ammonia-based plasma treatment for metal fill in narrow features
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A substrate is provided having a patterned dielectric layer disposed thereon. A trench is formed in the dielectric layer. The surfaces of the trench are treated with an ammonia-based plasma process. A metal layer is then formed in the trench. |
| US08551879B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first conductor formed over a semiconductor device; an insulation film formed over the semiconductor substrate and the first conductor and having an opening arriving at the first conductor; a first film formed in the opening and formed of a compound containing Zr; a second film formed over the first film in the opening and formed of an oxide containing Mn; and a second conductor buried in the opening and containing Cu. |
| US08551876B2 |
Manufacturing method for semiconductor device having metal gate
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device having a metal gate includes providing a substrate having at least a first semiconductor device formed thereon, forming a first gate trench in the first semiconductor device, forming a first work function metal layer in the first gate trench, and performing a decoupled plasma oxidation to the first work function metal layer. |