| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08553261B2 |
Image communication apparatus
An image communication apparatus includes: a display; an input device displaying an address input dialogue on the display, receiving a user input to designate an address of a transmission destination of multicast transmission; storage storing multicast transmission history; an extracting device, connected to the input device and the storage, responsive to the input device receiving an input of an address of a transmission destination of multicast transmission, for extracting, from the multicast transmission history, a multicast transmission history record including the address received by the input device as a transmission destination, and extracting an address different from the address received by the input device, included in the extracted multicast transmission history record, as a candidate of multicast transmission destination; and a control device controlling the display such that the extracted candidate of multicast transmission destination is displayed in the address input dialogue. |
| US08553259B2 |
Intelligent print options for search engine results
Systems and methods presented herein provide for intelligent print options to a user selecting web content of search results provided by a search engine. For example, the user may choose to perform a search through a search engine by entering search criteria within a webpage of the search engine. The search engine may return the search results to the user's web browser via the search engine's webpage. Along with these results, print options may be provided to the user on the webpage. By selecting to automatically print one or more of the search results, the content of the selected result(s) may be converted to a printable format such that page numbers may be counted and returned to the user. Based on the number of pages, the user may make a more informed decision as to whether the user should print the content. |
| US08553256B2 |
Image scanner and image scanning system
An image scanning system comprising an image scanner and a terminal, wherein the image scanner comprises an image storing unit to store the image data; a terminal designation unit to designate the terminal as a transmission target; a terminal storing unit to record correspondence data to associate the image data with the terminal; an information notification unit to transmit a notification of information concerning image data to the designated terminal; a request receiving unit to receive a request for image data; and an image transmission unit to transmit the image data associated with the designated terminal for which the request has been received, and the terminal comprises: an indication unit to make an indication in response to receipt of the notification; and a request transmission unit to transmit the request to the image scanner when a user operation for requesting image data is received. |
| US08553255B2 |
Information processing apparatus, servers, data processing method, and computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus that monitors a system in which a plurality of servers shares job information stored in the storage device, includes a determination unit configured to determine whether each server has updated the job information stored by the server in the storage device; and a deletion unit configured to, when the determination unit determines that a server has not updated the information, delete the job information stored in the storage device by the server determined to have not updated the information. |
| US08553254B2 |
Means to reduce a load on a computer and efficiently manage printing jobs or printing devices jobs
Monitoring of a large number (for example, hundreds) of printing devices in parallel makes a processing load very heavy. Or, the monitoring extremely increases the cost of a monitoring computer. A connection-managing unit sequentially monitors the states of printing devices within the number of connections less than the number of printing devices. Meanwhile, a transfer-managing unit sequentially transfers printing jobs to the printing devices within the number of connections less than the number of printing devices. The state-monitored printing devices are sequentially switched without synchronizing the state monitoring of the printing devices with the end of the transfer of the printing jobs, i.e., without waiting for the end of the transfer of the printing jobs. |
| US08553251B2 |
Information processing apparatus and print control method
An information processing apparatus determines whether data to be printed has an attribute indicating that printing is required to be performed according to a printing function in which data received from an external device is printed after a user input is received via an operation unit of the printing device. When the data to be printed has the attribute indicating that printing is required to be performed according to the printing function, the information processing apparatus controls the printing device that is capable of performing the printing function so that the data to be printed is printed according to the printing function. |
| US08553250B2 |
Printing device, system and method for image forming
There is provided a recording device provided with a communication unit configured to receive image data and a print execution instruction from an external device, a display unit, a printing unit, a storage unit; and a controller that stores the image data in the storage unit and displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display unit in response to receipt of the print execution instruction. |
| US08553243B2 |
Inkjet printer, ink billing system, and inkjet printer control method
A printer and printer control method can report information about ink consumption to the host computer. The printer 100 is in communication with a host computer 300, and prints according to print jobs sent from the host computer 300. The printer 100 has a job data memory 190 for storing information about each print job. A receiver 110 receives the print jobs from the host computer 300. A print controller 150 controls printing on paper using a predetermined ink according to the print job. A printing evaluator 175 evaluates the result of printing a print job. A ink shot count converter 170 calculates the number of ink shots used to print the print job. A job data manager 180 stores the job ID for the print job and the ink shot count used to print the print job linked to the print result determined for printing the print job in the job data memory 190. |
| US08553241B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium for generating print data according to an instruction
An information processing apparatus includes a decision unit for deciding whether or not each of physical pages of a document file is unprintable based on whether or not an inserter is designated as a paper feed unit, a determination unit for determining whether or not printing of a document is designated for the physical page that is decided as an unprintable page by the decision unit, and a preview display unit for displaying a preview image that can discriminate the physical page determined that printing of the document is designated by the determination unit from the other pages. |
| US08553240B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method of the same
In a printing apparatus that stores a sheet conveying distance correction value every sheet kind, the sheet conveying distance correction correcting a sheet conveying distance of a sheet to be printed; detects the sheet kind to be printed; prints a test chart for measuring the sheet conveying distance; determines the sheet conveying distance correction value based on the printed result of the test chart so as to store the sheet conveying distance correction value in a sheet conveying distance correction value storing unit; and conveys a sheet during printing in accordance with the sheet kind detected by a sheet kind detecting unit on the basis of the sheet conveying distance correction value obtained from the correction value storing unit, when the sheet conveying distance correction value for the sheet kind to be printed is not determined, the printing is temporarily interrupted. |
| US08553237B2 |
Optical blade clearance probe
The sensor comprises a beam of electromagnetic radiation projecting across a gap between the stationary member and the translating member, a reference detector having a reference FOV and a signal detector having a signal FOV. The sensor is to be mounted on the stationary member. The electromagnetic radiation beam, the reference FOV and the signal FOV intersect in a volume including the gap, and the gap is calculated from the reflected electromagnetic radiation received by the reference and signal detectors. The gap can be determined from a ratio between a rise time in the signal pulse and a rise time in the reference pulse, or a ratio between a fall time in the signal pulse and a fall time in the reference pulse, or a ratio between a delay time in the signal pulse and a delay time in the reference pulse, among other features. |
| US08553230B2 |
Method and apparatus for angular-resolved spectroscopic lithography characterization
An apparatus and method to determine a property of a substrate by measuring, in the pupil plane of a high numerical aperture lens, an angle-resolved spectrum as a result of radiation being reflected off the substrate. The property may be angle and wavelength dependent and may include the intensity of TM- and TE-polarized radiation and their relative phase difference. |
| US08553229B2 |
Fine particle optical measuring method in fluidic channels
A fine particle measuring method of performing optical measurement of fine particles introduced into a plurality of sample fluidic channels provided at predetermined distances on a substrate by scanning light to the sample fluidic channels is disclosed. The method includes: sequentially irradiating the light to at least two or more reference regions provided together with the sample fluidic channels; detecting a change of optical property occurring in the light due to the reference regions; and controlling timing of emission of the light to the sample fluidic channels. |
| US08553223B2 |
Biodegradable fibers for sensing
Biodegradable waveguides and their uses with devices, such as medical devices, are described. In one embodiment, an optically transmissive fibrous structure comprising biodegradable fiber waveguides may be disposed on a surface of a bandage. The bandage in combination with the optically transmissive fibrous structure may allow for simultaneously monitoring and covering an injured area of a patient. In one embodiment, the fiber waveguides may be provided as multi-channel/multi-core biodegradable fiber waveguides for transmitting light to and from a patient tissue. In some implementations, the bandage may include hydrogel-based biodegradable fiber waveguides that may deliver therapeutics to an injured patient area. |
| US08553221B2 |
Compact, low cost Raman monitor for single substances
Apparatus for performing Raman spectroscopy may include a first laser source having a first emission wavelength and a second laser source having a second emission wavelength. A separation between the first and second emission wavelengths may correspond to a width of a Raman band of a substance of interest. An optical switch may provide switching between the first and second laser sources. An ensemble of individually addressable laser emitters may be provided. A Bragg grating element may receive laser light from the ensemble. An optical system may direct light from the Bragg grating element into an optical fiber. A combined beam through the optical fiber may contain light from each of the emitters. |
| US08553219B2 |
Common detector for combined raman spectroscopy-optical coherence tomography
An apparatus includes first and second light sources for respectively generating broadband and monochromatic lights, a beamsplitter optically coupled to the first light source for splitting the broadband light into a reference light and a sample light, a reference arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter for receiving the reference light and returning the received reference light into the beamsplitter, a sample arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter and the second light source for combining the sample and monochromatic lights, delivering the combined light to the target of interest, collecting a backscattering light and a Raman scattering light generated from interaction of the combined light with the target of interest, returning the backscattering light into the beamsplitter so as to generate an interference signal between the returned backscattering light and the returned reference light in the beamsplitter, and directing the Raman scattering light in an output optical path. |
| US08553217B2 |
EUV high throughput inspection system for defect detection on patterned EUV masks, mask blanks, and wafers
Inspection of EUV patterned masks, blank masks, and patterned wafers generated by EUV patterned masks requires high magnification and a large field of view at the image plane. An EUV inspection system can include a light source directed to an inspected surface, a detector for detecting light deflected from the inspected surface, and an optic configuration for directing the light from the inspected surface to the detector. In particular, the detector can include a plurality of sensor modules. Additionally, the optic configuration can include a plurality of mirrors that provide magnification of at least 100× within an optical path less than 5 meters long. In one embodiment, the optical path is approximately 2-3 meters long. |
| US08553215B2 |
Back quartersphere scattered light analysis
An optical collection system for use in a surface inspection system for inspecting a surface of a workpiece. The surface inspection system has an incident beam projected through a back quartersphere and toward a location on the surface of the workpiece to impinge on the surface. This forms a reflected beam that extends along a light channel axis in a front quartersphere, and forms scattered light having a haze scatter portion. The incident beam and the light channel axis form an incident plane. The optical collection system includes back collectors that are positioned in the back quartersphere for collecting the scattered light, where each of the back collectors is disposed in the back quartersphere outside the incident plane, and at a relative minimum in the Rayleigh scatter. |
| US08553213B2 |
Self-aligning laser guide for a wheel balancer
A self-aligning laser guide device capable of indicating a top dead-center of a wheel on a wheel balancer and a process for locating the top dead-center of the wheel. The self-aligning laser guide can include a body having a laser beam generating device and a wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor configured to be rotatably connected to the body at one end and configured to be removably connected to a wheel balancer shaft at the other end. |
| US08553211B2 |
Stimulated Brillouin system with multiple FBG's
A Brillouin system for monitoring both temperature and strain includes either a single or double-ended fiber with multiple fiber Bragg gratings (FBG's) at different wavelengths and a pumped seed laser system tunable over a range substantially larger than a Brillouin shift. The FBG's are distributed along the length of the deployed fiber and serve as wavelength selectable reflectors that enable maintaining system operation even in the case of a fiber break. |
| US08553209B2 |
Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography confocal imaging apparatus
A 3D OCT confocal imaging apparatus includes a light source module for providing an illumination beam with wider bandwidth from a crystal fiber; a reference source module; a pickup module; a beam splitter; an optical filter; and a sensor module. When the illumination beam illuminates a sample, a pickup objective lens and a piezoelectric actuator of the pickup module together provide an image beam scanning the sample in depth direction. The image beam and a reference beam from the reference source module together form an interference image beam, which is converted by a photosensor into a coherence image electric signal. Meanwhile, the interference image beam passes through a pinhole to form a confocal image, which is converted by an excited light photometer into a confocal image electric signal. With an image processing system, a 3D OCT confocal microscopic image of the sample can be produced from these image electric signals. |
| US08553208B2 |
Retail compatible detection of CVD grown diamond
A system includes a radiation source to provide short wavelength light. A holder positions a table of a gemstone to receive the light. A detector is positioned to receive fluorescent light from the gemstone when the gemstone is a CVD grown gemstone. |
| US08553206B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, coverplate and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus, including a substrate table configured to hold a substrate; a positioner configured to position the substrate table relative to a projection system, the positioner including a short stroke module configured to perform fine positioning movements, on which the substrate table is held and which is supported on a long stroke module configured to perform coarse positioning movements; and a coverplate configured to at least partly cover a top surface of the short stroke module; wherein the coverplate is mounted to the long stroke module. |
| US08553205B2 |
Method for controlling the position of a movable object, a control system for controlling a positioning device, and a lithographic apparatus
A control system controls a positioning device displaceable in at least one degree of freedom by a reluctance motor. A force sensing element and a controller adjust force applied by the motor responsive to a force sensing element configured to sense force applied by the motor. The controller receives a signal representing force applied by the motor from the force sensing element, obtain an acceleration trajectory plan associated with a velocity trajectory plan for the positioning device, obtain a force trajectory plan associated with the acceleration trajectory plan, compare the force applied with a required amount of force obtained from the force trajectory, and adjust the amount of force applied by the motor based on the comparison. Related methods are also presented. |
| US08553203B2 |
Stage drive method and stage unit, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
When a transition from a first state where one stage is positioned at a first area directly below projection optical system to which liquid is supplied to a state where the other stage is positioned at the first area, both stages are simultaneously driven while a state where both stages are close together in the X-axis direction is maintained. Therefore, it becomes possible to make a transition from the first state to the second state in a state where liquid is supplied in the space between the projection optical system and the specific stage directly under the projection optical system. Accordingly, the time from the completion of exposure operation on one stage side until the exposure operation begins on the other stage side can be reduced, which allows processing with high throughput. Further, because the liquid can constantly exist on the image plane side of the projection optical system, generation of water marks on optical members of the projection optical system on the image plane side is prevented. |
| US08553196B2 |
Optical element
A component has a substrate (1) made of a transparent material, for example glass. On this layer (1), there is a linear polarizer (2) on which there is a layer (3) of a photo-oriented polymer network (PPN)(-LPP) which is oriented in locally varying fashion via its surface which covers the substrate. The layer (3) is adjoined by an anisotropic layer (4) of cross-linked liquid-crystal monomers. This layer (4) then has a molecular arrangement whose orientation is defined by the underlying orientation layer (3). The layer (4) will have been photocross-linked by exposure to a suitable wavelength of light, with the result that the molecular orientation defined by the PPN layer (3) is fixed. The clement, denoted as a whole by 7, can then be used as an optical component which is protected against forgery, it being possible for the orientation pattern of the liquid-crystal layer or the optical information stored therein to be made visible by means of an external polarizer (5), for example. |
| US08553192B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided that includes: a first substrate; a gate line formed on the first substrate; a data line intersecting the gate line to define a pixel; a thin-film transistor (TFT) connected to the gate line and the data line and formed in the pixel; a sustain electrode line including a first sustain electrode that passes through the pixel, so as to divide the pixel into a first region and a transparent second region, and a second sustain electrodes that extend perpendicularly from the first sustain electrode; and a first pixel electrode connected to the TFT, disposed in the first region. |
| US08553191B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention seeks to decrease the number of pixel defects in an IPS liquid crystal display device. A gate electrode is formed on a TFT substrate, while a gate insulating film is overlaid on the gate electrode. A pixel electrode which is divided into segments is formed on the gate insulating film. The segments of the pixel electrode are normally interconnected by a source electrode. An inter-layer insulating film, on which a common electrode including slits is formed, is overlaid on the pixel electrode. In a case where the common electrode and one of the segments of the pixel electrode are conductively interconnected by a conductive foreign substance, the other segments of the pixel electrode are allowed to operate by disconnecting the conducted segment of the pixel electrode from the source electrode. Thus, one pixel is prevented from lapsing into a full pixel defect. |
| US08553189B2 |
Color filter substrate and liquid crystal display panel including the same
A color filter substrate includes a substrate, a black matrix disposed on the substrate, a color filter on a sub-pixel area partitioned by the black matrix, a common electrode disposed on the color filter to receive a common voltage, and an anti-reflective layer configured to prevent the reflection of light in the color filter substrate. |
| US08553188B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules provided between a first substrate and a second substrate; pixels forming a display area; electrodes for applying a voltage across the liquid crystal layer within each of the pixels; a plurality of domain regulating structures for dividing orientations of the liquid crystal molecules and forming multiple domains within each of the pixels, when a predetermined voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer within each of the pixels. The device also includes a structure which is formed in an outer area located next to the display area, but that does not overlap the display area, and is substantially the same as at least one of the plurality of domain regulating structures. |
| US08553187B2 |
Patterned retarder film and method for manufacturing the same
A patterned retarder film with a plurality of first retardation regions and a plurality of second retardation regions and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes providing a base film; forming an alignment layer on a first surface of the base film; coating a liquid crystal material on the alignment layer as a liquid crystal layer; aligning the liquid crystal layer with the alignment layer; embossing the liquid crystal layer with a predetermined pattern to form a patterned layer with a plurality of first and second retardation regions. The structure of the first and second retardation regions are grating-like stripe structure and parallel to each other and the structure of the second retardation regions are grooving-like stripe structure and interleaved with each other. The patterned liquid crystal layer is cured. The phase retardation of the first and second retardation regions is different by 180°. |
| US08553185B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display panel
A transflective liquid crystal display panel includes a substrate, a gate electrode, a reflective electrode, a first insulating layer, a patterned semiconductor layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a patterned reflective layer, a second insulating layer, and at least a transmissive pixel electrode. The gate electrode and the reflective electrode are both formed by a first patterned conductive layer, and the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the patterned reflective layer are both formed by a second patterned conductive layer. Furthermore, a plurality of contact holes are formed in the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. Moreover, the transmissive pixel electrode is filled into the contact holes to be electrically connected with the drain electrode, the reflective electrode, and the patterned reflective layer, respectively. |
| US08553184B2 |
Manufacturing method of an array substrate including a four step process
An array substrate, comprising a substrate and a data line and a gate line formed on the substrate. The data line and gate line cross each other to define a pixel region and the pixel region comprises a reflective region and a transparent region. The pixel region further comprises: a pixel electrode, formed with a transparent conductive film on the substrate and provided at least in the transparent region; a thin film transistor, formed on the substrate, the transparent conductive film being retained below the gate line and a gate electrode of the thin film transistor; a planarization film, covering the thin film transistor on the substrate; and a reflective layer, formed on the planarization film and disposed in the reflective region of the pixel region. A method of manufacturing the array substrate is provided. |
| US08553177B2 |
Light guide plate, backlight and LCD device
A light guide plate comprising an incidence surface, a lower surface, an upper surface and an opposite surface which is opposite to the incidence surface, wherein the length of the upper surface is less than the length of the lower surface, and an acute angle is formed between the opposite surface and the direction of elongation line of the upper surface. |
| US08553175B2 |
Optical sheet having irregularity portions, backlight device with optical sheet, and liquid crystal display device including a backlight device with optical sheet
An optical sheet, a backlight device, and a liquid crystal display device are provided. The beam-condensing optical sheet includes a large number of irregularity portions arranged on one main surface of a light-transmissive base, in which a pitch of arrangement of the irregularity portions is 110 μm or more and 330 μm or less, and surface roughness (Ra) of the irregularity portion is 0.1 μm or less. |
| US08553173B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is disclosed. The LCD comprises a front frame, a panel, a plastic frame and an optical film assembly. The panel comprises a display region and a non-display region, and the plastic frame and the front frame cooperate with each other to sandwich the non-display region of the panel therebetween. The plastic frame is formed with a V-groove(s) on a surface thereof that faces towards a light exiting surface of the optical film assembly. In this way, light rays traveling through the optical film assembly to the lower surface of the plastic frame are reflected by the V-groove(s) so as to be mostly concentrated onto the non-display region of the panel and then gradually attenuated to disappear. This can reduce the bright lines appearing in the display region of the panel and, consequently, improve the displaying effect of the whole LCD. |
| US08553163B2 |
Display apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
A display apparatus used for creating 3D images has a display panel and a phase-delaying layer disposed on the display panel. The phase-delaying layer has first and second light-changing patterns that are self-aligned to at least one of pixels and a black matrix of the display panel. The self-aligned structure is formed by selectively passing curing light (e.g., UV light) through the display panel to cure curable liquid crystal films while the films are respectively aligned by aligning layers having different alignments. |
| US08553161B2 |
Color filter array substrate, liquid crystal display device comprising the same, and method for manufacturing the same
Discussed are a color filter array substrate with sensing lines capable of sensing a user's touch, and a method for manufacturing the color filter array substrate, wherein the color filter array substrate comprises a plurality of first sensing electrodes at fixed intervals on a substrate; a plurality of second sensing electrodes respectively interposed between each of the first sensing electrodes, wherein each second sensing electrode is provided at a predetermined interval from each first sensing electrode; and a plurality of conductive black matrixes respectively overlapped with the plurality of first sensing electrodes, wherein the plurality of conductive black matrixes are formed to electrically connect the neighboring first sensing electrodes provided with the second sensing electrode interposed in-between. |
| US08553157B2 |
Television with energy saving and quick start modes
The present invention is a television that executes a process for transitioning between multiple power modes. Both the transition events and the power states may be factory-defined, or they may be user-configurable. The TV may have two sleep modes. In a quick-start mode, the screen is powered down but the operating system is spun-up, and possibly other major functional subsystems are user-enabled. In an energy-saving mode, fewer subsystems than quick-start mode, and possibly only components required to recognize a tactile control requesting a return to a power-on mode, may be enabled. Quick-start is less efficient than energy-saving mode, but results in much faster return to power-in mode. In some embodiments, power modes and transition events between them power modes may be automated, and either user defined or factory defined. |
| US08553156B2 |
HDMI and VGA compatible interface circuit
A signal transmitting circuit includes a HDMI signal transmitting unit adapted to output a HDMI signal, a VGA signal transmitting unit adapted to output a VGA signal, a VGA signal processing unit, and a transmitting control unit. The VGA signal processing unit is connected to the VGA signal transmitting unit. The VGA signal processing unit is adapted to receive the VGA signal from the VGA signal transmitting unit, and include a detection signal into the VGA signal to form a combination signal. A transmitting control unit is connected to the VGA signal processing unit and the HDMI signal transmitting unit. The transmitting control unit is adapted to receive the combination signal and the VGA signal, to distinguish the combination signal and the VGA signal, and to output the combination signal and the VGA signal to the appropriate receivers. |
| US08553154B2 |
Method and/or apparatus for implementing a color management module
An apparatus comprising a first circuit, a processing circuit and a conversion circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a first intermediate signal in a second format in response to an input signal in a first format. The processing circuit may be configured to generate a second intermediate signal and a third intermediate signal in response to the first intermediate signal. The conversion circuit may be configured to generate an output signal in the first format in response to the second intermediate signal and the third intermediate signal. The processing circuit may be configured to implement color blending on the second intermediate signal in the second format prior to conversion to the first format and pass the third intermediate signal without color blending. |
| US08553148B2 |
Methods and apparatus to distinguish a signal originating from a local device from a broadcast signal
Methods and apparatus to distinguish a signal originating from a local device from a broadcast signal are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes analyzing a first predetermined characteristic of a video component of the audio-video signal to generate a first indication of the source of the audio-video signal, analyzing a second predetermined characteristic of an audio component of the audio-video signal to generate a second indication of the source of the audio-video signal, and determining if the audio-video signal was generated by a local device based on the first and second indications. |
| US08553147B2 |
Display method and apparatus for discriminating between an RGB and a component video input signal
A display apparatus, equipped with a common input terminal inputting different video signals, can discriminate the type of an input video signal entered from the common input terminal. The display apparatus includes the common input terminal inputting different video signals. A synchronizing signal separation unit separates a synchronizing signal from a video signal entered from the common input terminal. A frequency measurement unit measures a frequency of the synchronizing signal. An input signal discrimination unit discriminates the video signal entered from the common input terminal based on a type of the synchronizing signal separated by the synchronizing signal separation unit and a measurement result obtained by the frequency measurement unit. |
| US08553144B2 |
Electronic device with camera shelter
An electronic device includes a first housing defining a first hole, a second housing, a camera, and a camera shelter. The second housing includes a receiving part and a fixing part. The camera is fixed to the second housing. The camera shelter includes a body, an operation part, and a connection part. The body and the operation part are received in the receiving part. The connection part engages the fixing part to connect the camera shelter to the second housing. The body is sandwiched between the first housing and the second housing. When the operation part positions in a first position, the first hole defined in the first housing overlaps a second hole defined on the body to expose the camera. When the operation part is moved to a second position, the body of the camera shelter shelters the camera. |
| US08553142B2 |
Camera lens module and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a camera lens module. The present invention places and fixes an image sensor chip in an opening in a substrate and then assembles a frame, a lens holder and a lens, thereby minimizing the superposition height of the camera lens module and ensuring that the assembly is simpler and more effective. |
| US08553141B2 |
Electronic camera and method with fill flash function
A method and camera for electronic image capture provide an electronic image capture device, a scanning aperture shutter located to control light energy received by the image capture device, a flash unit oriented to illuminate an image scene, a photocell unit adapted for sensing visible spectrum energy and infrared spectrum energy received from the image scene, and an exposure control system responsive to the photocell unit and operatively connected to the scanning aperture shutter and the flash unit. The exposure control system is adapted to control an amount of fill flash energy received from the image scene in relation to visible ambient light energy received from the image scene during image capture by illuminating the flash unit once a predetermined amount of ambient visible spectrum energy is sensed by the photocell unit and by extinguishing the flash unit once a predetermined amount of infrared energy is sensed by the photocell unit. |
| US08553140B2 |
Image acquisition apparatus and image acquisition method
An image acquisition apparatus includes: an imaging device on which an image of a small area allocated to an area to be imaged is formed; a detection section detecting intensity of light irradiated on the small area from a light source; an integration section integrating the intensity of light detected by the detection section; if an integration value of the intensity of light integrated by the integration section from a point in time when light is emitted from the light source is greater than a predetermined threshold value, a light-source control section terminates light emission; an exposure control section starting exposure of the imaging device before light is emitted from the light source and terminating exposure of the imaging device after emission of light from the light source is terminated; and an image acquisition section acquiring the image of the small area as a divided image from the imaging device. |
| US08553136B2 |
Camera system
A camera system of this invention includes: a fixed member; a focusing lens; a drive portion that drives the focusing lens; a rotational member to be engaged; an operation ring that can be positioned at a first position and a second position in the optical axis direction; an engagement portion that, when the operation ring is at the second position, causes the rotational member to be engaged and the operation ring to engage with each other; and a control portion that, when the operation ring is at the first position and the operation ring is rotated, drives the focusing lens in accordance with the rotation, and when the operation ring is at the second position, drives the focusing lens in accordance with a relative movement position between the rotational member to be engaged and the fixed member. |
| US08553131B2 |
Six-axis mount
Provided herein is a lens mount system and related process that allow for performing six-axis active alignment with a single joining step. This system and/or process simplifies the lens attachment in a manner that makes such attachment compatible with high volume manufacturing and/or full automation. |
| US08553130B2 |
Display control apparatus, image pickup apparatus, display control method, and storage medium
A display control apparatus that enables to reliably and quickly search for a desired image. When a wheel is operated by a user by an amount less than a predetermined operation amount, image feeding is made in a first display mode where a plurality of images are displayed on an image display unit. When the wheel is operated by the user by an amount equal to or greater than the predetermined operation amount, image feeding is made in a second display mode where a larger number of images than in the first display mode are displayed on the image display unit in a smaller size than in the first display mode. |
| US08553128B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, method of controlling same and program therefor
An image capturing apparatus for capturing the image of a subject includes: a lock/unlock unit adapted to lock and unlock operation of the image capturing apparatus; a registration unit adapted to register a main item and a sub-item that have been selected by a user, wherein the main item is a main setting item among operation items of the image capturing apparatus and the sub-item is a setting item in a layer lower than that of the main item; and a control unit adapted to limit operation solely to a release operation of the image capturing apparatus and to the main item and sub-item, which have been registered by the registration unit, in a case where operation of the image capturing apparatus has been locked by the lock/unlock unit. |
| US08553112B2 |
A/D converter and readout circuit
An A/D converter 11 performs multiple-times sampling on a first signal S1 in a first period T1 while performing multiple-times sampling on a second signal S2 in a second period T2. An A/D converter circuit 17 provides a digital signal in response to a signal from an output 15b of a gain stage 15 in the second period T2. The digital signal may have a value “1” or a value “0”. The A/D converter circuit 17 includes a circuit 18 providing a signal SA/DM corresponding to the number of times the value “1” appears. A switch 24 operates in response to a clock signal φs and is used to sample a signal from a pixel 2a. In a first capacitor circuit 27, a switch 29 and a capacitor 31 are connected to an inverting input 23a and a non-inverting output 23b, respectively. The switch 29 operates in response to a clock signal φ3 and is used for integration in the capacitor 31. |
| US08553103B1 |
Compensation of ambient illumination
Compensation of ambient illumination. A visible image of an object with ambient illumination is captured. Image brightness of at least a portion of said object of said visible image is sampled. A difference between sampled image brightness of at least said portion of said object and a target brightness profile is determined. The difference is compensated for by projecting additional illumination onto said object. |
| US08553102B2 |
Electronic apparatus including multiple differential signal lines
An electronic apparatus that can prevent occurrence of crosstalk between different differential signals on a printed circuit board on which a wiring pattern of a differentially operated signal line is formed, and reduce unnecessary radiation noises. First and second wiring patterns are disposed on the printed circuit board and through which differentially operated signals are transmitted, and the first and second wiring patterns are electrically connected to first and second connection terminals, respectively. An electronic component is disposed on the printed circuit board, and includes first and second terminals electrically connected to the first and second wiring patterns, respectively. The first and second terminals of the electronic component are disposed on the printed circuit board, respectively, so that the first and second wiring patterns do not intersect each other. |
| US08553100B2 |
Spotlight with integral low lux video camera system
The invention provides a searchlight device for a recreational boat or other suitable vehicle, vessel or device, featuring a housing for mounting on the recreational boat or other suitable vehicle, vessel or device; a light arranged in the housing, responsive to a light control signal, for projecting bright illuminating light; and a low lux video camera also arranged in the housing, responsive to images in near total darkness, for providing a video camera signal containing information about the images in near total darkness, for allowing close quarter maneuvering in dim light without the need to activate the bright illuminating light so that an operator of the vehicle, vessel or other suitable device may operate safely while maintaining night vision and not impairing the vision of nearby vehicle, vessel or other suitable device. |
| US08553096B2 |
Systems and methods for performing gyroscopic image stabilization
Systems and methods for performing digital image stabilization implemented in a digital camera. The digital camera includes a gyroscope to measure motion of the digital camera and processes the signals from the gyroscope to track the total displacement of an image sensor over a series of frames of video. The algorithm implemented by the digital camera includes a processing block for correcting a DC bias in the signals from the gyroscope, a filter for attenuating the signals during periods of high acceleration, a processing block for detecting the start of a panning motion, and a processing block for quickly retracing the digital image stabilization correction back to the center of the image sensor during a panning motion. |
| US08553095B2 |
Digital image processing apparatus configured to perform a photographing preparation operation in response to a photographing motion and method of controlling the same
Provided are a digital image processing apparatus that detects a motion of a body, such as oscillation, shake, or velocity change of the body, to perform a photographing preparation operation, and a method of controlling the digital image processing apparatus. The digital image processing apparatus includes a motion sensor installed in the apparatus and configured to generate a signal in response to motion of the apparatus, and a controller receiving the motion signal, and controlling the digital image processing apparatus to perform a photographing preparation operation when the signal indicates that the motion is a photographing motion made in preparation of a user performing photography. |
| US08553093B2 |
Method and apparatus for super-resolution imaging using digital imaging devices
A super-resolution image is generated from a sequence of low resolution images. In one embodiment, the image shift information is measured for each of the low resolution images using an image stabilization component of an imaging device. The shift information is used to generate the super-resolution image. In another embodiment, the blurs are calculated for each of the low resolution images and are used to generate the super-resolution image. |
| US08553092B2 |
Imaging device, edition device, image processing method, and program
An imaging device for supporting the user to generate satisfactory synthesized images, not missing photo opportunities. The imaging device generates a plurality of still images continuously and generates a synthesized image from the still images. While the shooting button is pressed to instruct continuous shooting, the imaging device performs a process in which it writes still image data, which is obtained by the continuous shooting, into a recording medium sequentially. After the continuous shooting ends, the imaging device enters a wait state to wait for a new instruction, and then upon receiving an instruction to start generating a synthesized image, it performs a process of generating a synthesized image by using a plurality of pieces of still image data stored in the recording medium. |
| US08553088B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting obstructions in a camera field of view
A system mounted on a vehicle for detecting an obstruction on a surface of a window of the vehicle, a primary camera is mounted inside the vehicle behind the window. The primary camera is configured to acquire images of the environment through the window. A secondary camera is focused on an external surface of the window, and operates to image the obstruction. A portion of the window, i.e. window region is subtended respectively by the field of view of the primary camera and the field of view of the secondary camera. A processor processes respective sequences of image data from both the primary camera and the secondary camera. |
| US08553087B2 |
Vehicular image display system and image display control method
An image display system provided on a vehicle, which takes a side-rear view image of a first area alongside and to the rear of the vehicle, computes running conditions of the vehicle and an obstacle in the first area using the side-rear view image, determines a time point to start displaying the side-rear view image based on the computed running conditions, and presents the side-rear view image at the time point. |
| US08553085B2 |
Situation monitoring device and situation monitoring system
A situation monitoring device which enables monitoring of a variety of situations and reporting in response to the situation using a single device is provided. The situation monitoring device is easy to install and to use and a system therefore can be implemented inexpensively. The situation monitoring device recognizes a place or installation where the device is installed (step S102), holds relational information correlating the place of installation and the situation to be recognized and determines a predetermined situation to be recognized according to place of installation recognition results and the relational information (step S104), recognizes a determined predetermined situation (step S106), and reports the result of the predetermined situation to a user (step S108). |
| US08553082B2 |
Distortion inspecting apparatus and distortion inspecting method
A distortion inspecting apparatus, which inspects perspective distortion of a transparent object, includes a projector that projects a plurality of display points arranged at predetermined intervals, a screen that displays an image projected by the projector thereon and allows the image to pass therethrough, a pedestal that disposes the transparent object at a position where the image passed through the screen, a camera that captures the image that passed through the transparent object, and a control device that stores a reference position coordinate of the image that passed through a reference transparent object, compares the reference position coordinate with an inspection position coordinate of the image that passed through the transparent object as an object to be inspected, and calculates a displacement quantity of the reference position coordinate. |
| US08553075B2 |
Endoscope apparatus and control method therefor
An endoscope image is obtained by imaging a subject with a scope. Then, an edge portion of the endoscope image is extracted and a complexity degree of the edge portion is detected. Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether the endoscope image is an image obtained through near view imaging or distant view imaging according to the complexity degree and an imaging condition is changed according to the determined near view imaging or distant view imaging. |
| US08553072B2 |
Blanking inter-frame transitions of a 3D signal
Inter-frame blanking involves blanking the transition period between two video frames of a three-dimensional video signal. One implementation includes receiving a three-dimensional video signal and determining a frame overlap interval. The frame overlap interval is the time period in which a display device will concurrently display at least one portion of a first video frame and at least one portion of a second video frame during a transition period. The implementation also includes, based on the frame overlap interval, generating an inter-frame blanking signal that instructs a blanking device to filter the display of the three-dimensional video signal. |
| US08553070B2 |
Image signal processing device, transmitting device, image signal processing method, program and image signal processing system
An image signal processing device is provided which includes a receiving unit for receiving an image signal and setting information for each predetermined unit of the image signal including image type setting information to define whether the image signal represents a stereoscopic image and gamma correction setting information to define a gamma correction amount for the image signal, a gamma correcting unit for performing gamma correction for the image signal based on the gamma correction setting information included in the setting information received by the receiving unit, and a stereoscopic image processing unit for selectively performing a process to display the stereoscopic image for the image signal corrected by the gamma correcting unit based on the image type setting information included in the setting information received by the receiving unit. |
| US08553066B2 |
Conference control device, conference terminal device, and teleconference system
A conference control device including a data transmission portion that transmits conferencing data from one of the conference terminal devices to another of the conference terminal devices, a first notification request portion that, in a case where a first request packet that requests establishing of a first communication path has been received from the one of the conference terminal devices while the conferencing data are transmitted by the data transmission portion, transmits a first notification request packet to the other of the conference terminal devices, and a first request response portion that, in a case where a first response packet providing notification of a port number for establishing the first communication path has been received from the other of the conference terminal devices, transmits to the one of the conference terminal devices a first request response packet containing information on a transmission source port number of the first response packet. |
| US08553062B2 |
Optical scanner and image forming apparatus
An optical scanner includes a third f-theta lens, an eccentric cam, an attaching portion, a first supporting member, a second supporting member and a spring. A distance between a face opposed to the first side-face of the third f-theta lens in the first supporting member and a face opposed to the second side-face of the third f-theta lens in the second supporting member is set to be longer than a distance of the third f-theta lens in its lateral direction. The spring is disposed opposed to the first side-face or the second side-face, and presses the third f-theta lens so that the third f-theta lens is in contact with the eccentric cam and either of the first supporting member and the second supporting member. |
| US08553058B2 |
Pressure adjusting mechanism for adjusting pressure of a thermal print head and thermal sublimation printer therewith
A pressure adjusting mechanism for adjusting pressure applied on a thermal print head includes a pressing plate, a plurality of resilient members and a pressure adjusting member. The pressing plate is disposed above the thermal print head and comprising a first pressed section and a second pressed section connected to the first pressed section. The plurality of resilient members is connected to the first pressed section of the pressing plate and the thermal print head and to the second pressed section of the pressing plate and the thermal print head, respectively. The pressure adjusting member is pivoted to the pressing plate for driving the pressing plate to move relative to the thermal print head, so as to press the plurality of resilient members for providing the thermal print head with pressure, such that the plurality of resilient members drives the pressing plate to equilibrate the pressing plate. |
| US08553052B2 |
Display device
Display device, with a plurality of display elements arranged in the shape of a bar, wherein each display element can represent at least one first display state (off) and one second display state (on), and a value being shown can be indicated by the second display state (on) of at least one display element assigned to the value, so that an intermediate value between the value being displayed and a succeeding or preceding value can be represented by activating the preceding or succeeding display element. |
| US08553044B2 |
Graphic rendering system and pixel update method thereof
A graphic rendering apparatus includes a processing unit and a storage unit. The storage unit is stored with a piece of information. The piece of information defines a virtual area on a display. A pixel of the display overlaps a part of the virtual area, and the part corresponds to a color. The pixel defines a first boundary, a second boundary, a third boundary, and a fourth boundary. The processing unit decides a first coverage rate, a second coverage rate, a third coverage rate, and a fourth coverage rate of the virtual area on the first boundary, the second boundary, the third boundary, and the fourth boundary, respectively. The processing unit decides a display color of the pixel with reference to the color and the first coverage rate, the second coverage rate, the third coverage rate, and the fourth coverage rate. |
| US08553037B2 |
Do-It-Yourself photo realistic talking head creation system and method
A do-it-yourself photo realistic talking head creation system comprising: a template; handheld device comprising display and video camera having an image output signal of a subject; a computer having a mixer program for mixing the template and image output signal of the subject into a composite image, and an output signal representational of the composite image; a computer adapted to communicate the composite image signal to the display for display to the subject as a composite image; the display and the video camera adapted to allow the video camera to collect the image of the subject, the subject to view the composite image, and the subject to align the image of the subject with the template; storage means having an input for receiving the output signal of the video camera representational of the collected image of the subject and storing the image of the subject substantially aligned with the template. |
| US08553036B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying patient-related data
Systems and methods for displaying patient-related data to a care provider are provided. Patient-related values are received. The quantity of values is greater than a graph overflow threshold indicative of an amount of display space of a graph. A set of visible values is defined based at least in part on the graph overflow threshold. Sets of hidden values and anomalous values are also defined. The values in the visible-value set are displayed within the display space of the graph. An anomaly indicator is provided for any value in both the visible-value set and the anomalous-value set, to notify a care provider of any visible anomalous patient-related value. An overflow identifier is displayed instead of any value in the hidden-values set. The overflow identifier indicates the number of values in the hidden-value set to inform the care provider as such. |
| US08553033B2 |
Subsurface scattering in a wagering game machine
Systems and methods provide subsurface scattering on graphical images displayed for wagering games. In one example, a technique to approximate subsurface scattering includes the use of bounding geometry to gauge a distance of a ray to the edge of the object. An implementation of this technique in a wagering game may include: receiving a graphical object; receiving a position of a light source; receiving a position of a bounding geometry; for each pixel in a set of pixels in the graphical object, performing the actions of: computing a distance from the pixel to an edge of the bounding geometry along a vector including the pixel and the ii source and determining a display property of the pixel in accordance with the distance; and displaying the set of pixels in accordance with the display property each pixel in the set of pixels. |
| US08553027B2 |
Gate driver without pre-charging capacitor in gate driving circuit
A display panel driving apparatus and a method of driving the same are provided, and, in particular, a gate driver and a method of driving the gate driver. The gate driver includes a decoder that decodes gate line selection data and that generates a gate line selection signal. A gate driving circuit generates a gate driving signal in a pre-charging phase and a driving phase in response to the gate line selection signal and a pre-charging control signal that controls an off-state of non-selected gate lines. In a time period of the driving phase in which a gate line is not selected, a node that has been in a floating state is held to a target voltage level in response to a hold control signal. The hold control signal is generated based upon a timing relationship between the gate line selection signal and the pre-charging control signal. |
| US08553024B2 |
Pixel driving circuit of an organic light emitting diode
A pixel driving circuit of an organic light emitting diode includes a first switch, a capacitor, a transistor, a second switch, a third switch and an organic light emitting diode. The operation of the pixel driving circuit includes three stages of resetting, data writing, and emitting. The pixel driving circuit is able to reset the transistor for de-trapping holes at stages of resetting and data writing. The image retention caused by the transistor hysteresis may be improved. |
| US08553016B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of controlling operation of the mobile terminal
A method of controlling a mobile terminal includes displaying on a display of the mobile terminal a plurality of items, identifying a selected item of the plurality items, and detecting a first rotation of the mobile terminal about a first axis of rotation which exceeds a first threshold amount of rotation. The method further includes performing a first function that is associated with the selected item responsive to the detecting of the first rotation exceeding the first threshold, identifying a condition if a second rotation of the mobile terminal about a second axis of rotation exceeds a second threshold, or if a threshold time period elapses after the detecting of the first rotation and no further rotation of the mobile terminal has been detected, and responsive to the identifying of the condition, performing a second function that is associated with the selected item. |
| US08553015B2 |
Electronic device and information processing method
There are provided an electronic device that enables a user to perform handwriting input in one-subject display of a content and to call, from an item, a one-subject display screen of the item to which handwriting is added, and a control method of the electronic device. Electronic device includes input keys, a touch panel, a display, a ROM storing a content database, a hard disk, and a CPU. Display is a sensor-incorporated display that can accept the handwriting input. CPU searches the item from content database, based on an instruction. CPU displays an item display screen based on the searched item on display. CPU displays, on display, handwritten expression corresponding to the handwriting input so as to superimpose the same on the item display screen. CPU stores the handwritten expression in hard disk as handwritten memo data. When the item is selected, based on the instruction, CPU displays, on display, a screen in which the item display screen corresponding to the selected item, and the handwritten expression stored in the storage are superimposed. |
| US08553008B2 |
Bending threshold and release for a flexible display device
A flexible display device and a method for accurately recognizing a user's flex input bending of the flexible display device is described. The present invention is able to discard unintentional flexing of the flexible display device while being able to accurately recognize a user's intended flex input command based on a number of bending degree thresholds. A first bending threshold must be overcome in order to initially recognize a user's flex input as a valid flex input command. Then the user's flex input must fall below a second bending threshold in order to cease the recognition of the user's flex input as a valid flex input. |
| US08553002B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a detection section configured to detect contact/proximity of an operating object with/to a display surface of a display section on which objects classified into groups in accordance with a relationship between the objects are displayed, a proximity determination section configured to determine a degree of proximity of the operating object to the display surface based on a detection result obtained by the detection section, and an operation-lock determination section configured, when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, to disable an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from a group which an object that the operating object touches belongs to, until the operating object is positioned outside a proximity detection region, the proximity detection region being a region from the display surface to positions which are a predetermined distance away therefrom. |
| US08553000B2 |
Input apparatus that accurately determines input operation, control method for input apparatus, and storage medium
An input apparatus that accurately determines an input operation intended by a user without erroneously determining an operation including no move as an operation including move. Touch positions in a time period from touch-down to touch-up by an input operation performed on a touch panel by the user are recorded in chronological order. A statistical variance of the touch positions is calculated based on the obtained touch positions. Whether the input operation is an operation including no move or an operation including move is determined based on the calculated variance. When the calculated variance is smaller than a threshold value, it is determined that the input operation is the operation including no move, and when the calculated variance is not smaller than the threshold value, it is determined that the input operation is the operation including move. |
| US08552998B2 |
Simultaneous sensing arrangement
Multi-touch touch-sensing devices and methods are described herein. The touch sensing devices can include multiple sense points, each located at a crossing of a drive line and a sense line. In some embodiments, multiple drive lines may be simultaneously or nearly simultaneously stimulated with drive signals having unique characteristics, such as phase or frequency. A sense signal can occur on each sense line that can be related to the drive signals by an amount of touch present at sense points corresponding to the stimulated drive lines and the sense line. By using processing techniques based on the unique drive signals, an amount of touch corresponding to each sense point can be extracted from the sense signal. The touch sensing methods and devices can be incorporated into interfaces for a variety of electronic devices such as a desktop, tablet, notebook, and handheld computers, personal digital assistants, media players, and mobile telephones. |
| US08552997B2 |
Portable electronic device including tactile touch-sensitive input device
An electronic device includes a base, a touch-sensitive input surface spaced from and moveable relative to the base, and an actuating arrangement between the base and the touch-sensitive input surface. The actuating arrangement is arranged to vary a force on the touch-sensitive input surface in response to detection of a touch event on the touch-sensitive input surface. The actuating arrangement includes an actuator including a piezoelectric disk coupled to a substrate that includes an elastically deformable truncated disk. |
| US08552996B2 |
Mobile terminal apparatus and method of starting application
A mobile terminal apparatus includes a display section, a touch panel section detecting a touch on a display area of the display section, a pattern detection section detecting a pattern input into a specific area of the touch panel section, and a storage section. The storage section stores a relationship between the pattern input into the touch panel section and an application to be started correspondingly to the pattern in an application table. A control section determines an application corresponding to the pattern detected by the pattern detection section on the basis of the application table stored in the storage section and starting the determined application. |
| US08552990B2 |
Touch pad for handheld device
A touch pad system is disclosed. The system includes mapping the touch pad into native sensor coordinates. The system also includes producing native values of the native sensor coordinates when events occur on the touch pad. The system further includes filtering the native values of the native sensor coordinates based on the type of events that occur on the touch pad. The system additionally includes generating a control signal based on the native values of the native sensor coordinates when a desired event occurs on the touch pad. |
| US08552988B2 |
Viewing device having a touch pad
Viewing devices are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a viewing device is a digital camera having at least one function. And embodiment of the digital camera comprises a touch pad, wherein in which a stylus that is moved relative to the touch pad is detectable by the digital camera. The speed at which the function is performed corresponds to the speed that the stylus is moved relative to the touch pad. |
| US08552987B2 |
System and/or method for displaying graphic to input information
An information processing apparatus includes a display and a touch panel provided thereon. A CPU core causes the display to display an input screen (image) that has a keyboard image including a plurality of key patterns and an input area formed on each of the key patterns. By touching some of the key patterns, moving a stick or like to the input area while keeping it in a touch-on state and then performing a touch-off from the key pattern, a character graphic for the key pattern can be input (dragged) to a coordinate position in the input area just before the touch-off; however, by touching some of the key patterns and then performing a touch-off from the key pattern, a character graphic for the key pattern is input to a predetermined position in the input area. |
| US08552986B2 |
Scalable controller for a computer input area
In one embodiment, a scalable controller for a computer input area is provided with: a plurality of drive signal pads; a plurality of signal detection pads; a programmable memory to store an indication of active ones of the drive signal pads and signal detection pads; and control circuitry to identify user input with the computer input area by 1) driving active ones of the drive signal pads, and 2) reading active ones of the signal detection pads. |
| US08552984B2 |
Method, system, apparatus and computer-readable media for directing input associated with keyboard-type device
In one aspect of the present invention a computer-implemented method is provided of processing input key events associated with user input received from a keyboard-type device, wherein the keyboard-type device selected from at least one of a keyboard and a keypad. In this aspect, input key events associated with a first process active within an operating system are received and monitored for a first predefined input key event associated with user selection of a first key of the keyboard-type device for at least a predetermined time period. In response to identifying the first predefined input key event, the input key events are redirected from the first process to a second process. The input key events are monitored for a second predefined input key event associated with further redirection of the input key events. In response to identifying the second predefined input key event, the input key events are redirected to the first process. |
| US08552981B2 |
Multidirectional input device and electronic apparatus comprising it
A multidirectional input device includes ring-shaped resistance element layer 18, first conductive layer 22 and second conductive layer 23 shaping in arcs corresponding to resistance element layer 18, and knob 14 having ring-shaped protruded section 14D. Resistance element layer 18 has at least a pair of electrodes and is formed on flexible insulating substrate 16. Protruded section 14D brings resistance element layer 18 into contact with first conductive layer 22 or second conductive layer 23 when the knob is tilted. When a given voltage is applied to the electrodes and the knob is tilted, resistance element layer 18 comes in contact with first conductive layer 22 or second conductive layer 23, so that an output signal of a high resolution concerning a tilt angle can be obtained. The output signal is supplied to a microprocessor and calculated, then an angle or a direction is detected and recognized. |
| US08552979B2 |
Proximity sensor for a graphical user interface navigation button
A display device comprises a display screen, a graphical user interface navigation button and a proximity sensor including an infrared radiation emitter, an infrared radiation sensor and an infrared radiation source differentiator. The infrared radiation emitter emits a navigation infrared radiation. The infrared radiation sensor is positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor. The infrared radiation source differentiator is in electrical communication with the infrared radiation sensor to provide a navigation mode signal indicative of at least one of a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor by a navigation object proximate the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared radiation sensor, and a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of ambient infrared radiation emitted by an infrared radiation source other than the infrared radiation sensor. |
| US08552975B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for operating the same
An image display apparatus and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The image display apparatus includes a display, a user input interface for receiving a control signal from a remote controller and processing the received control signal, a network interface for transmitting or receiving data over a network, a controller for controlling a pointer on the display according to the control signal received from the remote controller, and a platform for controlling data transmission or reception over the network according to the control signal received from the remote controller. The platform includes an Operating System (OS) kernel and an application layer that runs on the OS kernel, and the application layer including an installable or deletable application downloaded over the network. |
| US08552974B2 |
Haptic feedback device
A haptic feedback device includes a screen and a piezoelectric vibrator partially connected with the screen. The screen includes a display viewing area and a frame surrounding the display viewing area. The piezoelectric vibrator engaged with the screen defines a moving portion having a projecting portion extending toward the screen. The screen defines a cavity and the projecting portion of the piezoelectric vibrator is at least partially accommodated in the cavity. |
| US08552973B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having display divided into first and second display regions along a border line in a direction in which scanning signal lines extend
A liquid crystal display device where one display region of the liquid crystal display panel is divided into a first display region and a second display region along a border line in the direction in which scanning signal lines extend, a video signal line to which TFT elements of pixels in the first display region are connected and a video signal line to which TFT elements of pixels in the second display region are connected are electrically isolated from each other. Pixels having TFT elements connected to one of two adjacent video signal lines and pixels TFT elements connected to the other of the two adjacent video signal lines are alternate in a column of a number of pixels aligned in the direction in which the video signal lines extend in the first display region and the second display region. |
| US08552966B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying drive state of backlight in liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is checking a drive state of a backlight lamp of a liquid crystal display device and notifying to an external entity whether it is normally driven in which level or is difficult to be normally driven. The apparatus for displaying a drive state of a backlight in a liquid crystal display device includes an inverter for converting an inputted DC voltage into an AC voltage of a certain level, and outputting the same to a backlight lamp; a drive voltage detecting unit for detecting a drive voltage supplied to the backlight lamp from the inverter and outputting a detected signal according to the detected drive voltage; a drive current detecting unit for detecting a tube current of the backlight lamp and outputting a detected signal according to the detected tube current; a drive voltage control/drive state signal output unit for checking a drive state of the backlight lamp based on the two detected signals, and controlling the drive voltage outputted from the inverter based on the checked result as well as outputting a drive state signal for indicating the drive state; and a lamp drive state indicating unit for indicating in which drive state the backlight lamp is driven according to the drive state signal. |
| US08552964B2 |
Backlight assembly and method of driving the same
A plurality of point-light sources emits light, based on an image displayed on a display panel. A substrate has the point-light sources disposed thereon. A power-controlling section provides the point-light sources with first driving current having a pulse current with a pulse modulation duty less than or equal to a maximum pulse modulation duty cycle and a first amplitude in accordance with a normal image. A power-controlling section provides the point-light sources with second driving current having a pulse current with the maximum pulse modulation duty cycle and first boosting amplitude greater than the first amplitude in accordance with a high luminance image. Thus, the quantity of emitted light of the point-light sources may be adjusted in accordance with the position of an image displayed in a display panel, and the point-light sources that correspond to high luminance images may be boosted up. |
| US08552963B2 |
Switching regulator control circuit, current drive circuit, light emitting apparatus, and information terminal apparatus
A control circuit may include a first feedback input terminal which receives the cathode terminal voltage of light-emitting elements from a current driving circuit as a feedback signal. Such an arrangement controls the ON/OFF state of a switching element such that the cathode terminal voltage approaches a predetermined voltage. A second feedback input terminal may be included to receive the anode terminal voltage of the light-emitting elements as a feedback signal. Such an arrangement controls the ON/OFF state of the switching element such that the anode terminal voltage does not exceed a predetermined threshold voltage. A feedback output terminal may be included of the current driving circuit which allows the cathode terminal voltage of the light-emitting elements to be input to a control circuit for the switching regulator as a feedback signal. The control circuit and the current driving circuit may be integrally provided in the form of separate semiconductor chips. |
| US08552962B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing heat generated at source driver of display apparatus
A display apparatus driving circuit capable of reducing the amount of heat generated at a driving unit while suppressing degradation in image quality is provided. A display apparatus driving circuit according to the present invention includes: a source driver for driving a display unit; a heat detecting circuit for detecting amount of heat generated at the source driver, and outputting a heat detection signal when the detected amount of generated heat is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value; and a heat reduction circuit for changing, when the heat detection signal is received, a driving method of the display unit to reduce the amount of heat generated at said source driver. |
| US08552959B2 |
Shift register and a gate-line drive device used for a liquid crystal display
A shift register and a gate-line drive device relate to liquid crystal display. The shift register comprises: first thin film transistor, second thin film transistor, third thin film transistor, fourth thin film transistor and fifth thin film transistor; capacitor, connected between first node and the output terminal of the present stage; first operation modular, connected between first operation signal terminal and the first node, and connected to the low level signal terminal; second operation modular, connected between second operation signal terminal and the first node, and connected to the low level signal terminal, wherein, the first operation modular and the second operation modular are alternatively operated, and the first operation modular and the second operation modular are used to maintain both of the gate and drain of the second thin film transistor at low level respectively, when the shift register is not operated. |
| US08552958B2 |
Method of driving a gate line, gate drive circuit for performing the method and display apparatus having the gate drive circuit
There is provided a method of driving a gate line, a gate drive circuit for performing the method, and a display apparatus having the gate drive circuit. In the method, a plurality of gate signals, generated from a plurality of shift registers connected to a plurality of gate lines, is applied to the gate lines. An output of the gate signals is blocked during a vertical blanking interval, and then a gate off voltage is applied to the gate lines. Therefore, an output signal of the gate drive circuit may maintain a gate off voltage during a vertical blanking interval in which a clock signal is not applied to a gate drive circuit. |
| US08552957B2 |
Liquid crystal display reordered inversion
Methods and apparatus for switching the voltages supplied to the electrodes of pixels disposed within a liquid crystal display device. By reducing the frequency associated with an alternating voltage supplied to a first set of liquid crystal electrodes, the power required to drive the liquid crystal display device can be reduced. At the same time, a reordered schedule for updating rows of pixels in the liquid crystal display device can provide improved image quality. |
| US08552956B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is disclosed. The liquid crystal display includes a clock generator generating a first input clock signal and then a second input clock signal; a level shifter shifting the first and second input clock signals and generating clock signals whose voltages decrease stepwise from a gate high voltage, to a modulation voltage that is lower than the gate high voltage, to a gate low voltage that is lower than the modulation voltage; and a liquid crystal panel that includes data lines, gate lines intersecting the data lines, TFTs provided at intersections of the data lines and the gate lines, and a gate shift register sequentially supplying a gate pulse to the gate lines in response to the clock signals input from the level shifter. |
| US08552954B2 |
Liquid crystal display system and pixel-charge delay circuit thereof
A liquid crystal display system for improving display color mismatch utilizes a pixel-charge delay circuit to generate a new latch-data signal for a source driver of the liquid crystal display system according to an output-enable signal and a latch-data signal generated by a timing control circuit of the liquid crystal display system. Therefore, when the source driver charges a pixel on an mth gate line, a switch corresponding to a pixel on an (m−1)th gate line is already completely turned off. |
| US08552950B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, active matrix type liquid crystal display device, and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display device with no flicker and with bright excellent display is provided. A polarity pattern of a conventional frame inversion driving is one kind of display. A polarity pattern of a conventional source line inversion driving is two kinds of display, and a disclination pattern is one kind of display. On the contrary, in a circuit structure of the present invention, polarity patterns are made to have not less than four kinds, and disclination patterns are made to have not less than two kinds. By this, bright display in which flicker is not included and poor display due to disclination is improved, can be obtained. |
| US08552947B2 |
Driving device and display apparatus having the same
In a driving device and a display apparatus having the driving device, a converter converts input image data and outputs first and second sub-image data which have different values. A first compensator compensates the first sub-image data and outputs a first compensated image data, and a second compensator compensates the second sub-image data and outputs a second compensated image data. An output circuit controls output time of the first and second compensated image data. Accordingly, sub-image data for each sub-pixel may be exactly compensated by employing compensators to individually compensate for the sub-image data of each sub-pixel. |
| US08552944B2 |
Pixel structure and control system for controlling the same
A pixel structure on a display panel comprises three sub-pixels where each sub-pixel can be arranged to a first transmissive region and a second transmissive region. The first transmissive region has a first transistor along with a first photo-resistant layer as well as the second transmissive region has a second transistor along with a second photo-resistant layer. The first photo-resistant layer and the second photo-resistant layer of different thickness or area are formed on a color filter. There exists a function relation between data signals received from the first transistor and the second transistor. Using these two data signals and combining the photo-resistant layers of different thickness or area will make each sub-pixel generate new level of brightness in gray scale and increase the number of displaying colors. |
| US08552941B2 |
Light emitting display apparatus having a controller for detecting pixel currents and driving method thereof
A light emitting display apparatus, capable of protecting light emitting elements by preventing overcurrent from flowing into the elements, and a method of driving the light emitting display apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the light emitting display apparatus comprises a pixel portion comprising a plurality of pixels for emitting light in response to a data signal and a scan signal, a data driver for generating and transmitting the data signal to the pixel portion; a scan driver for generating and transmitting the scan signal to the pixel portion, a timing controller for controlling the data driver and the scan driver, and a controller for detecting a current flowing through each of the pixels and blocking light emission of the pixel portion in case that the detected current is greater than a predetermined value. |
| US08552939B2 |
Pixel circuit, display device, driving method of pixel circuit, and driving method of display device
A pixel circuit, disposed at a part where a scanning line and a signal line intersect each other, includes at least an electrooptic element, a drive transistor, a sampling transistor, and a retaining capacitance. The drive transistor has a gate connected to an input node, a source connected to an output node, and a drain connected to a predetermined power supply potential and supplies a driving current to the electrooptic element according to a signal potential retained in the retaining capacitance. The electrooptic element has one terminal connected to the output node and another terminal connected to a predetermined potential. The sampling transistor is connected between the input node and the signal line and operates when selected by the scanning line, samples an input signal from the signal line, and retains the input signal in the retaining capacitance. The retaining capacitance is connected to the input node. The pixel circuit further includes a compensating circuit which detects a decrease in the driving current from a side of the output node and feeds back a result of detection to a side of the input node to compensate for a decrease in the driving current, which decrease is attendant on a secular change of the drive transistor. |
| US08552934B2 |
Organic light emitting display and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting display and a driving method thereof that reduces false contour noise and the occurrence of a stripe pattern generated in a digital driving manner. The organic light emitting display includes a scan driver for supplying a scan signal to scan lines, a data driver for supplying a data signal to data lines, and pixels coupled to the scan lines and the data lines. Each of the pixels includes an organic light emitting diode. The organic light emitting diodes of the pixels coupled to a scan line are alternately positioned in a first horizontal line and a second horizontal line adjacent to the first horizontal line, respectively. |
| US08552933B2 |
Light emitting device and driving method of the same
The invention provides a light emitting device and an element substrate in which a luminance variation of light emitting elements among pixels due to variation in characteristics of driving transistors can be suppressed even without suppressing the off-current of a switching transistor low or increasing the capacitance of a capacitor. A gate of a first transistor is connected to a first scan line, and a gate of a second transistor is connected to a second scan line. A connection between a signal line and a gate of a third transistor is controlled by the first transistor. The second transistor and the third transistor are connected in series between a pixel electrode of a light emitting element and a power supply line. The signal line, the second scan line and the power supply line are disposed in parallel, while the first scan line is crossed with the signal line, the second scan line and the power supply line. |
| US08552931B2 |
Sensor arrangement
A sensor is provided having an array of electrostatic sensor elements with each sensor element being capable of producing a respective output signal when the sensor is directed to a region of an object being sensed, the output signals being separately available at the sensor output to provide information relating to the electrostatic charge distribution across the region, and the sensor being configured such that at least two electrostatic sensor element are interlinked by means of a differential input charge amplifier, each input to the differential input charge amplifier includes a decoupling device, and the differential input charge amplifier is associated with an integrating or augmenting amplifier to further condition the image signal presented to the controller. |
| US08552928B2 |
Sealed pixel assemblies, kits and methods
Discrete flexible pixel assemblies can be hermetically sealed from the environment and can comprise unitary, self-contained replaceable modules which enable efficient, economical production of large scale, free-form electronic displays, signs and lighting effects for outdoor use. The method and means for producing hermetically sealed discrete flexible pixel assemblies can include encapsulation means, exterior encasement means, and cable connector means. |
| US08552926B2 |
Optical device, image display apparatus and head-mounted display unit
Disclosed herein is an image display apparatus, including: a light source; and a scanning section adapted to scan a light beam emitted from the light source; the scanning section including (a) a first mirror, (b) a first light deflection section, (c) a second mirror, and (d) a second light deflection section; the second light deflection section including an external light receiving face; the second light deflection section having a plurality of translucent films provided in the inside thereof; the translucent films having a light reflectivity R2 at a wavelength of the light beam which satisfies: R2≦k ×{(P2/t2)×tan(ζ2)}1/2 where k is a constant higher 0 but lower than 1, P2 an array pitch of the translucent films, t2 a thickness of the second light deflection section, and ζ2 an angle formed between the light emitting face and the translucent films. |
| US08552921B2 |
Semiconductor device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device which can be surely supplied electric power by electromagnetic waves in different frequency bands without preventing reduction in size and weight of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device capable of wireless communication is provided with a frequency determining circuit which detects the frequency of the electromagnetic waves received by the antenna and a circuit which automatically adjusts impedance in accordance with information from the frequency determining circuit, and the semiconductor device communicates and obtains electric power by one antenna. For adjustment of impedance, a circuit which can change the inductance or the capacitance, or an antenna which can change the length is used. |
| US08552919B2 |
Antenna module
An antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a radiator, a feed pin, a ground element, a first parasitic arm, a second parasitic arm and an impedance matching unit. The radiator includes a first section and a second section, wherein an end of the first section is connected to the second section, and the first section is perpendicular to the second section. The feed pin is connected to another end of the first section. The first parasitic arm is parallel to the second section, wherein an end of first parasitic arm is connected to the ground element, and the first parasitic arm couples with the second section of the radiator. The impedance matching unit is connected to the second section and the ground element. The second parasitic arm is partially parallel to the first section, and the second parasitic arm couples with the first section of the radiator, and an end of the second parasitic arm is connected to the ground element. |
| US08552917B2 |
Wide angle multibeams
A method and system are disclosed for wide angle multibeam antennas. The method and system involve a multibeam antenna system for generating high performance multiple spot beams. In one or more embodiments, the multibeam antenna system includes an oversized antenna reflector and a plurality of antenna feeds. The oversized antenna reflector has its surface shape optimized from a normal parabolic shape in order to broaden and shape the reflected spot beams to improve antenna performance. In addition, the diameter of the oversized antenna reflector is greater than ((100*λ)/δ), where λ is the wavelength in inches and δ is the beam to beam spacing in degrees. In some embodiments, the ratio of the focal length of the oversized antenna reflector to the diameter of the oversized antenna reflector (F/D) is greater than 0.7. In at least one embodiment, the system further includes an antenna sub-reflector. |
| US08552916B2 |
Antenna and radio communication apparatus
An antenna includes a first arm whose one end is connected to a feeding unit, a second arm whose one end is connected to the first arm at a position that is away from the one end of the first arm and whose other end is connected to ground, and a variable impedance unit whose impedance is variable, provided between the ground and the other end of the first arm. |
| US08552915B2 |
Microwave ablation antenna radiation detector
A radiation detector disposed on a microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The radiation detector includes a receiving antenna adapted to receive errant microwave energy and a rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna that is adapted to rectify at least a portion of the errant microwave energy. A filter is coupled to the rectifier and is adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal. |
| US08552913B2 |
High isolation multiple port antenna array handheld mobile communication devices
A multiple input-multiple output antenna assembly with high isolation between the antennas is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a substrate with a ground layer at its surface. Two antennas are disposed opposing each other on the substrate. A meandering slot is interposed between the first and second antennas on the ground plane. A first signal port is provided for applying a first signal to excite the first antenna and a second signal port is provided for applying a second signal to excite the second antenna. The meandering slot provides isolation that inhibits electromagnetic propagation between the first and second antennas. A third signal port is provided for applying a third signal to excite the meandering slot to act as another antenna for multiple input, multiple output operation. |
| US08552907B2 |
Electronic scanning radar apparatus, receiving wave direction estimating method, and computer-readable storage media storing receiving wave direction estimation program
In accordance with one of embodiments of the present invention, a frequency resolution processing unit calculates complex number data based on a beat signal caused by a receiving wave coming from a target and a transmission wave. A target detection unit detects a peak value from the intensities of beat frequencies, and then detects an existence of the target. The target link unit makes association between a target detected in the present detecting cycle and the target detected in the past detecting cycle. A direction estimating unit generates a generative complex number data based on the complex number data so as to correspond to a data generation unit. The direction estimating unit calculates, for each antenna, an incoming direction of the receiving wave based on each of normal equations formed by use of the complex number data of the beat frequency which an existence of the target is detected and the generative complex number data. |
| US08552900B1 |
System and method of clocking low sample rate analog to digital converters while minimizing linearity errors
A successive approximation register switched capacitor analog to digital converter utilizes a high frequency clock for controlling comparator reset switches and a clock distribution block to operate at lower sample rates. The successive approximation cycles are clocked with the high frequency clock so that the reset switches stay within the leakage limit irrespective of the sample rate but the end of conversion signal is delayed to mimic the slower sample rate. |
| US08552899B2 |
Analog-digital conversion
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first analog signal at a first input; receiving a second analog signal at a second input; mixing the first analog signal with a first oscillator signal having a first frequency; mixing the second analog signal with a second oscillator signal having a second frequency; converting a sum signal to a digital signal; generating a first control signal based on a first digital value of a first function and the digital signal; and generating a second control signal based on a second digital value of a second function and the digital signal. |
| US08552898B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamically dampening a transient step response
A circuit has a digital to analog (DA) resistance ladder having an analog output; a capacitor coupled to the analog output; a first resistance coupled from the capacitor to ground; and a switch coupled to the capacitor in parallel to the resistor, wherein the switch, when closed, has a second resistance, and the first resistance is greater than the second resistance. |
| US08552897B1 |
Reference circuit suitable for use with an analog to digital converter and an analog to digital converter including such a reference circuit
A reference circuit for use with a charge redistribution analog to digital converter, having a capacitor array, the reference circuit comprising: an input for receiving a signal; an output for supplying a reference voltage to at least one capacitor of the charge redistribution capacitor array; a storage capacitor for storing the reference voltage; a voltage modification circuit for comparing the reference voltage stored on the storage capacitor with the reference signal, and based on the comparison to supply a correction so as to reduce a difference between the reference voltage and the reference signal, the correction being applied during a correction phase; and a first switch for selectively connecting the storage capacitor to the input during an acquisition phase. |
| US08552894B2 |
Sigma-delta modulator having a feed-forward path and a hybrid portion
A sigma-delta modulator includes a front portion and a hybrid portion to form a loop filter. The front portion includes integrator(s) and feed-forward path(s), and is arranged to provide a front signal by combining signals of the integrator(s) and feed-forward path(s). The hybrid portion is coupled to the front portion, and arranged to provide a filtered signal by combining an integration of the front signal and a weighting of the front signal. The filtered signal is quantized, converted from digital to analog, and fed back to the loop filter. |
| US08552893B1 |
Control system using nonlinear delta-sigma modulator with switching period error compensation
A control system provides a control signal to a nonlinear plant that generates a response signal responsive to the control signal. The control system includes a detector that detects a predetermined value of a plant quantity, valley switching logic, coupled to the detector, to change a state of a plant switch when the plant quantity is minimized, and a pulse-width modulator, coupled to the valley switching logic, to generate a control signal that controls the plant switch. The valley switching logic includes a nonlinear delta-sigma modulator that compensates for an error in a plant response signal by adjusting the duration of an on-time of a plant switch to cause an average value of the plant response signal to converge toward a target signal value. |
| US08552890B2 |
Lossless coding with different parameter selection technique for CABAC in HEVC
A system utilizing a high throughput lossless coding mode for CABAC in HEVC is described. The system may include an electronic device configured to obtain a block of data to be encoded using an arithmetic based encoder; determine whether the block of data is to be encoded using lossless encoding; in response to determining that the block of data is not to be encoded using lossless encoding, use a first Absolute-3 coding technique to encode the block of data; in response to determining that the block of data is to be encoded using lossless encoding, use a second Absolute-3 coding technique to encode the block of data; wherein the second Absolute-3 coding technique is different than the first Absolute-3 coding technique. |
| US08552888B2 |
Method and device for automatically estimating an air speed of an aircraft
A device calculates a first air speed representing an estimated air speed during flight using measurements of static pressure and total pressure onboard the aircraft. The device includes a storage device for storing in memory, in case of detection of a ground taxiing of the aircraft, the most recently determined value of static pressure corrected from induced aerodynamic effects. As a result, a second air speed representing the estimated air speed during the ground taxiing may be calculated by implementing a correction and using the most recently determined value of static pressure when the ground taxiing of the aircraft is detected. A method for automatically estimating an air speed of an aircraft is also provided. |
| US08552887B2 |
Determining an electrical short in an aviation communication apparatus
Techniques are described to determine that an electrical short has occurred on a communication channel based on monitoring a power level of the communication channel with respect to a reference power level. In an implementation, the aviation communication apparatus includes a first voltage source that provides a first voltage input to a first communication channel of a stereo jack for a headset, a voltage monitor that monitors a voltage level of the first communication channel with respect to a reference voltage level of the first communication channel and determines that an electrical short has occurred on the first communication channel based on the monitoring. Accordingly, an electrical short indicator may indicate responsive to the voltage monitor determining that the electrical short has occurred. |
| US08552886B2 |
Crash warning system for motor vehicles
A system adapted to provide a warning to a motorist that a nearby vehicle has been in an accident. Embodiments include a crash detector operable to detect a crash of a vehicle, a transmitter to transmit a warning signal (typically, radio frequency) from the crashed vehicle, a receiver to receive a transmitted crash warning signal, and a display to warn the operator of an approaching vehicle of the crash. Some embodiments incorporate feedback from a vehicle's air-bag deployment circuitry to provide a trigger effective to broadcast the crash warning signal. Desirably, the operator of an approaching vehicle is provided with at least one, if not both, of a visual and an audible warning signal. Certain embodiments provide such audible and/or visual warning to approaching vehicles via the transmitted warning signal and a display and/or speaker carried in the approaching vehicle. Sometimes, audible and visual warnings may be transmitted directly from the crashed vehicle. |
| US08552885B2 |
Emergency service warning system
An emergency service warning system is described herein that is arranged to warn a user of approach of emergency services. The system includes movable emergency service transmitters (T) and at least one receiver (M, R), arranged to receive signals transmitted by the emergency service transmitters (T). The system is provided with at least one stationary emergency service communication device (M) for the purpose of communication with the emergency service transmitter (T) utilizing emergency service signals. The system includes at least one user receiver (R) which is arranged to detect emergency service signals and to deliver a warning signal upon detection of an emergency service signal. |
| US08552884B2 |
Power and signal distribution system
A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators.In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units. |
| US08552880B2 |
Guided user help system for an ambulatory infusion system
An ambulatory infusion pump can include a guided user help system that allows for a user to correct an error with the pump without needing to summon a home healthcare aide or other medical professional. When an error occurs with the pump, the user can select an option to receive help with the error. The help screen can display a possible solution for correcting the error that the user can follow. Additional help screens can display additional possible solutions if prior possible solution prove ineffective at correcting the problem. |
| US08552878B2 |
Voltage drop cancellation
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for bypassing a voltage drop. A protection module allows electric current to flow from an electric power storage device to a load. The protection module prevents electric current from flowing to the electric power storage device. The protection module includes a voltage drop between the electric power storage device and the load. A power source detection module detects an absence of electric power from an electric power source. The electric power source provides electric current to the load when electric power from the electric power source is present. A bypass module bypasses the protection module and the voltage drop in response to the power source detection module detecting the absence of electric power from the electric power source. A conservation module delivers, to the load, electric current flowing through the power source detection module. |
| US08552875B2 |
Efficient and safe door locking control in power-off and power-on conditions
Systems, methods, and devices that efficiently control the operating state of an electromagnetic lock under power on and power off conditions are presented. A lock component includes a solenoid component (e.g., bi-stable latching solenoid) that holds a lock pin in a locked or unlocked position without using power to hold the lock pin in the desired position, and using power to transition from one position to another position. A sensor component senses when power to the lock component will be lost, and if the lock pin is not in the desired position for the power off condition, the lock pin can be transitioned to the desired position, and if the lock pin is in the desired position for power off condition, the lock component can maintain the lock pin in the desired position, while the lock component is in the power off condition. |
| US08552872B2 |
Transmitter for animal training device capable of switching between rheostatic mode and intensity selection mode
A transmitter for animal training device capable of switching modes between a rheostatic mode and an intensity selection mode is provided. Switching from rheostatic mode to intensity selection mode is done by fitting a select knob to a volume switch, setting a mode selection switch to a vibrations mode, and operating both an adjust mode select switch and a power switch at the same time. When in intensity selection mode, a user is able to adjust the volume level in multiple stages. When the select knob is fitted to the volume switch and is rotated, a ball plunger engages in grooves of the select knob, so that the select knob is stopped at the volume level a user desires. With adaptation of the select knob or volume knob to the volume switch, vibrations or shock level are adjusted in rheostatic mode or intensity selection mode. |
| US08552867B2 |
Radio frequency identification for collecting stage-by-stage manufacturing and/or post-manufacturing information associated with a circuit board
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is coupled to a circuit board to track the specific operating and environmental conditions of each stage as the circuit board passes through one or more manufacturing and/or post-manufacturing stages. An RFID reader and data collector are used at each stage to read the RFID tag and store its identifying information along with processing information, operating conditions, and results for each stage. This permits to quickly and accurately collect manufacturing and post-manufacturing information for each circuit board at various stages as well as the operating conditions for each stage at a particular time. Such manufacturing and/or post-manufacturing metrics can then be retrieved on a stage-by-stage basis for a particular circuit board by an identifier associated with the circuit board. |
| US08552866B2 |
Method and system for determining RFID tag tampering
The invention provides an RFID tag with means for determining when such tag has been tampered and means for securing the tag to an object. The tag may use an optical or infrared transmitter/receiver pair for detecting active tag removal from the object to which it is attached; and a method of attaching the tag holder to rounded objects regardless of object diameter while still preserving tamper capability of the active tag. Alternatively the tag may use an infrared radiation sensor to determine a change infrared radiation that occurs when the tag is removed from a person, and a light sensor to determine when tag has been tampered. |
| US08552860B2 |
Binaural audio signal-based applications
Applications for detecting binaural sounds and customizing binaural sounds for users. A system is disclosed having: an interface for obtaining a plurality of desired responses; a system for generating a binaural recipe, wherein the binaural recipe includes left side audio signals and right side audio signals for inducing the plurality of responses; and an output system for playing the left side audio signals and right side audio signals. A further system is disclosed for detecting binaural sounds, including: an input system for obtaining a left side audio signal and a right side audio signal within an environment; a binaural sound detector for evaluating the left side audio signal and the right side audio signal to determine whether a binaural sound is present; and an alarm system for generating an alert when the binaural sound is detected. |
| US08552859B2 |
Self adapting alert device
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts to the current operating environment of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method comprising providing a plurality of alert devices in an electronic device, determining an operating environment of the electronic device using a sensor of the electronic device, and actuating at least one of the plurality of alert devices that corresponds to the determined operating environment. |
| US08552857B2 |
Failsafe signal transmission for wireless sensor mesh
An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of transceivers arranged in a mesh network that each synchronously communicate with at least one other of the plurality of transceivers in an assigned slot of a TDMA channel, at least a first of the plurality of transceivers asynchronously transmitting a priority message on a priority channel that is different than the TDMA channel and at least a second of the plurality of transceivers that detects an information content of the asynchronous priority message on the priority channel and retransmits the detected information content synchronously on the TDMA channel to a third transceiver of the plurality of transceivers. |
| US08552851B2 |
Operation state judgement method and system
A vehicle state determination unit receives vehicle data from a vehicle sensor and position data from a position sensor with a certain frequency. A mode selection unit selects a driving operation mode on the basis of the data received from the vehicle state determination unit and passes the data to a data comparison unit. The data comparison unit reads out model data of the driving operation mode specified by the mode selection unit, from a model data storage unit, compares data received from the vehicle state determination unit and the model data, and passes the comparison result to a driving state determination unit. The driving state determination unit statistically processes the comparison result received from the data comparison unit and passes the result of the determination to a warning display unit. |
| US08552849B2 |
System and method for power supply testing
In one embodiment, a method of verifying a component coupled to an output of a power supply includes measuring a frequency response from a control input of the power supply to the output of the power supply. The method also includes comparing the frequency response to a predetermined metric based on the measuring. The component is determined to be valid if the frequency response falls within the predetermined metric. |
| US08552844B2 |
Pairing PLC devices
A power line communication device includes a power line communication unit, a sensor to sense a physical connection to a second power line communication device other than via a powerline medium and a pairing unit to receive an indication of a physical connection between the power line communication device and the second power line communication device and to initiate a pairing process with the second power line communication device. A method of pairing communication devices which communicate along a non-data-cable medium includes sensing a data cable connection with a second device, entering an appropriate pairing state upon sensing the data cable connection, the pairing state being either an add device state or a join device state and performing pairing with the second device along the non-data-cable connection. |
| US08552840B2 |
Product managing apparatus and control method
According to one embodiment, a product managing apparatus includes a radio unit, an instruction receiving unit, an area-password storing unit, and a password updating unit. The radio unit performs radio communication with an RFID tag that is attached to a product and can store an identification code of the product and a password. The instruction receiving unit receives an instruction for moving the product from a first area to a second area. The area-password storing unit stores a password corresponding to the second area. When the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction for moving the product from the first area to the second area, the password updating unit causes the radio unit to operate and writes, in the RFID tag attached to the product, the password corresponding to the second area. |
| US08552837B2 |
Data transmission method and apparatus in RFID and remote sensor systems
A method and apparatus is provided for data transmission in RFID and remote sensor systems with at least one reader and a plurality of transponders or remote sensors being located in an electromagnetic field of the reader, in which a multipart return link header containing transmission parameters for the return link, such as timing or modulation references, is transmitted at the beginning of a return link transmission of useful data from a transponder or sensor to a reader. A relative time duration of individual subsymbols of the return link header is modified to select a data transfer mode from among a number of different data transfer modes. A combination of different return link transmission mechanisms is thereby possible, whereby these are mutually compatible and moreover are simple to realize in terms of circuitry and control engineering. |
| US08552835B2 |
RFID system with low complexity implementation and pallet coding error correction
Systems and methods for decoding data transmitted by RFID tags are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes an analyzer and equalizer configured to filter an input signal, an estimation block configured to obtain a baseband representation of the modulated data signal by mixing the filtered input signal with the carrier wave, and a coherent detector configured to perform phase and timing recovery on the modulated data signal in the presence of noise and to determine a sequence of data symbols. |
| US08552834B2 |
Item finding using radio frequency and optical signaling
A system for, and method of, locating a particular item from among a plurality of items identifiable by radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with the items, includes an interrogator for radio frequency (RF) signaling the tags to detect unique identifiers associated with the tags in a field of view of the interrogator; and an optical signaler for optically signaling one of the tags in the field of view to designate the particular item to be located. |
| US08552833B2 |
Security system for managing information on mobile wireless devices
A security system is provided for managing information stored on mobile wireless devices upon exit from a building. The security system includes an exit system and a device management system. The exit system is configured to detect that a user has requested to exit a building. The exit system is also configured to detect that a particular mobile wireless device is in proximity to the user. The device management system is configured to determine, based upon policy data that specifies attributes of information that should not be removed from the building on mobile wireless devices, information on the mobile wireless device that is to be rendered inaccessible. The device management system is further configured to cause the determined information on the mobile wireless device to be rendered inaccessible. Rendering information on the mobile wireless device inaccessible may include, for example, deleting the information, encrypting the information or re-encrypting the information. |
| US08552832B2 |
System and method for interactive appliance control
A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynamically configure itself to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of appliances. The master appliance also causes a graphical representation of the current configuration of the controlling device to be displayed on a display device that is associated with the master appliance. |
| US08552830B2 |
Amorphous transformer
An amorphous transformer which includes an amorphous core formed of an amorphous material with a lap provided at an upper portion and allowed to stand in substantially a vertical direction while being supported at a core support member, and a coil which is fitted with the amorphous core. The core support member is formed by integrating a core support member for supporting a side surface of the amorphous core and a corner support member for supporting a corner portion of the core. The core support member is provided in substantially a vertical direction along at least one of the side surfaces of the core. |
| US08552818B2 |
Tunable filter
A tunable filter that is capable of magnifying a pass band width or increasing a frequency variable amount includes a resonator circuit portion provided in at least one of a series arm connecting an input terminal and an output terminal to each other and a parallel arm connecting the series arm and a ground potential to each other, a first variable capacitor is connected in series to the resonator circuit portion and a second variable capacitor is connected in parallel to the resonator circuit portion. The resonator circuit portion includes a piezoelectric substrate including LiNbO3 or LiTaO3, an elastic wave resonator including an electrode located on the piezoelectric substrate, and a bandwidth extending inductance Lx, Lx connected to the elastic wave resonator. |
| US08552815B2 |
High-frequency line structure for impedance matching a microstrip line to a resin substrate and method of making
A high-frequency line structure includes a multi-layered resin substrate in which insulating layers of a resin are laminated. A high-frequency-signal input part is arranged on the resin substrate to input a high-frequency signal and supply the high-frequency signal to the resin substrate. A high-frequency-signal output part is arranged in the resin substrate to receive the high-frequency signal from the input part and output the received high-frequency signal. A first metal layer is arranged to encircle the input and output pads and electrically insulated from the input and output parts. A second metal layer is arranged on the resin substrate. A plurality of penetration vias are arranged in the resin substrate to encircle the input part and the output part, and each penetration via being connected to the first and second metal layers. |
| US08552813B2 |
High frequency, high bandwidth, low loss microstrip to waveguide transition
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel printed antenna that provides a low-loss transition into waveguide. The antenna is integrated with a heat spreader and the interconnection between the antenna and the output device (such as a power amplifier) is a simple conductive connection, such as (but not limited to), a wirebond. Integrating the antenna with the heat spreader in accordance with the concepts, circuits, and techniques described herein drastically shortens the distance from the output device to the waveguide, thus reducing losses and increasing bandwidth. The transition and technique described herein may be easily scaled for both higher and lower frequencies. Embodiments of the present apparatus also eliminate the complexity of the prior art circuit boards and transitions and enable the use of a wider range of substrates while greatly simplifying assembly. |
| US08552810B2 |
Arrangement for reducing interference
An arrangement for reducing interference between circuit blocks having differences in the amount of input power and phase differences includes isolation wires located between the circuit blocks and connected to a ground. |
| US08552809B2 |
Systems and methods for a stacked waveguide circulator
Systems and methods for a stacked waveguide circulator are described. The stacked waveguide circulator may comprise a first side and a second side. The stacked waveguide circulator may also comprise a top and a bottom opposite the top. The top and the bottom may be adjacent to the first and second sides. The stacked waveguide circulator may also comprise a a first port and a second port on the first side. The first port may be vertically above the second port on the first side. Further, the stacked waveguide circulator may comprise a third port on the second side. The stacked waveguide circulator may comprise a first magnet on the top. The first magnet may be configured to assist in directing signals between the first, second, and third ports. |
| US08552801B2 |
Amplifier common-mode control methods
Systems and methods for providing a fully differential amplifier performing common-mode voltage control having reduced area and power requirements are disclosed. The amplifier disclosed comprises an additional input stage at the amplifier input which senses the common mode voltage of the amplifier's inputs and applies internal feedback control to adjust the output common-mode voltage until the input common-mode voltage matches a target voltage and thereby indirectly set the output common-mode voltage. Furthermore the internal common-mode control can be implemented in such a manner as to provide a feed-forward transconductance function in addition to common-mode control if desired. Moreover it is possible to use feedback from other amplifier stages in an amplifier chain to implement common-mode feedback. |
| US08552799B2 |
Power amplifying circuit
A power amplifying circuit includes first and second operational amplifiers. The power amplifying circuit includes first to fourth feedback resistor. The power amplifying circuit includes a fully differential operational amplifier that is connected to the output terminal of the first operational amplifier at a non-inverting input terminal thereof, to the output terminal of the second operational amplifier at an inverting input terminal thereof, to a first signal output terminal at a non-inverting output terminal thereof, and to a second signal output terminal at an inverting output terminal thereof and maintains a constant differential gain. The power amplifying circuit includes a switching circuit. The power amplifying circuit includes first and second input resistors. The power amplifying circuit includes a midpoint potential controlling circuit that monitors a power supply voltage and controls the switching circuit. |
| US08552791B2 |
Protected power switch with low current consumption
Under-voltage, over-voltage, and temperature detectors disposed in a switching circuit are turned on periodically and in response to an oscillating signal having a low duty cycle. Accordingly, because the voltage and temperature detectors remain off for long durations, their operating currents, and thus the operating current of the switching circuit is substantially reduced. The switching circuit has a current limiting function which is disabled when the switch current is below a threshold value, thereby further decreasing the current consumption of the switching circuit at low switch current levels. |
| US08552789B2 |
Device beacon for handoff management of handoffs to access nodes
An access node receives a device beacon transmitted from a wireless communication device in accordance with a system timing of a wireless wide area network (WWAN). When transmitted within a WWAN uplink channel, the device beacon is mapped to designated beacon channels within the time-frequency space of the uplink WWAN channel assignment. In response to the reception of the device beacon, communications between the wireless communication device and the access node are established. In one example, the access node is a femtocell base station. In another example, the access node is a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point. |
| US08552785B2 |
Pulse generator
A circuit includes a logic gate and a latch. The logic gate is configured to receive a clock signal at a first input. The latch is disposed in a feedback loop of the logic gate and is configured to output a feedback signal to a second input of the logic gate in response to a signal output by the logic gate and the clock signal. The circuit is configured to output a pulsed signal based on one of a rising edge or a falling edge of the clock signal. |
| US08552783B2 |
Programmable delay generator and cascaded interpolator
A programmable delay generator and a cascaded interpolator are provided. The programmable delay generator includes a first delay line and a second delay line, each having a respective plurality of stages of the same number. Each stage of the first line includes a respective delay buffer and has one signal input and one signal output. Each stage of the second line includes a respective selecting element and has two signal inputs, one select input for selecting one of the two signal inputs, and one signal output. The first line and the second line are configured in parallel, are interconnected, and have a same signal propagation direction. Each delay step provided by each stage of the second line is equal to a difference between a delay through one stage of the first line and a delay through one stage of the second line. |
| US08552782B1 |
Quadrature phase network
A phase shifter comprises a differential quadrature all-pass filter (QAF) including a balanced input port and two balanced output ports. A quadrature phase shift is manifested between the balanced output ports. The phase shifter also comprises a resistance-capacitance polyphase filter (PPF) section defining two balanced input ports and two balanced output ports. The balanced input ports of the PPF are coupled to the balanced output ports of the QAF. The combination exhibits broad bandwidth and relatively low ohmic loss. |
| US08552781B2 |
Digital quadrature phase correction
Methods and systems to adjust a phase difference between signals, such as to perform quadrature phase correction. First and second signals are digitally compared, such as with exclusive OR circuitry, to provide a comparison signal having a duty cycle representative of a phase difference between the signals. A phase delay of one or both of the first and second signals is adjusted until the duty cycle of the comparison signal corresponds to a desired phase difference. In a clock and data recovery system, the signals may correspond to a zero degree phase of a first phase interpolator and a ninety degree phase of a second phase interpolator, and digital codes to the first and second phase interpolators may be adjusted to provide a fifty percent duty cycle in the comparison signal. |
| US08552780B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining duty cycle of a clock in a circuit using a configurable phase locked loop
An embodiment of the invention discloses phase shifting a second clock signal by a phase increment with respect to a first clock signal, where the first clock signal and the second clock signal have the same periods. The first clock signal is sampled with the second clock signal, and the output of the sample indicates whether the sample of the first clock signal is at a logic one state or a logic zero state. A count of logic one samples is incremented if the sample of the first clock signal is at a logic one state. The process of phase shifting the second clock signal and sampling the first clock signal is repetitively performed to a maximum number of samples. |
| US08552779B2 |
Synchronizer latch circuit that facilitates resolving metastability
The disclosed embodiments provide a synchronizer latch circuit that facilitates resolving metastability issues. This synchronizer latch circuit includes a set of lightly loaded, cross-coupled transistors that form a metastable resolving and state-holding element that is coupled to two outputs. An incoming synchronization signal creates a voltage difference between the two outputs, but does not directly force a state change for the outputs. Instead, the data and clock inputs control transistors that allow neighboring power sources and/or ground network connections to weakly influence the outputs. The cross-coupled transistors then amplify the resulting voltage difference to generate valid output voltages, even when the data input and clock signal are received at roughly the same time. Thus, the synchronizer latch circuit facilitates rapidly resolving metastability and improving synchronizer performance. |
| US08552778B2 |
Duty cycle corrector and duty cycle correction method
The invention relates to a duty cycle corrector for generating from an input clock signal an output clock signal having a desired duty cycle. The duty cycle corrector comprises a pulse generating stage for generating from the input clock signal a pulsed clock signal. The pulse generating stage converts rising edges of the input clock signal into pulses, each of which pulses is shorter than the desired duty cycle times the clock period. The duty cycle corrector further comprises a pulse stretching stage for generating from the pulsed clock signal the output clock signal, the pulse stretching stage delaying falling edges of the pulsed clock signal by a controlled delay. The duty cycle corrector may comprise a duty cycle detector for generating a control signal as a function of the duty cycle of the output clock signal, and a feedback path for delivering the control signal to the pulse stretching stage so as to increase the controlled delay when the duty cycle is less than the desired duty cycle and to decrease the controlled delay when the duty cycle is greater than the desired duty cycle. The invention also relates to a method of generating from an input clock signal an output clock signal having a desired duty cycle. |
| US08552776B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for altering a forward path delay of a signal path
Apparatuses and methods related to altering the timing of command signals for executing commands is disclosed. One such method includes calculating a forward path delay of a clock circuit in terms of a number of clock cycles of an output clock signal provided by the clock circuit and adding a number of additional clock cycles of delay to a forward path delay of a signal path. The forward path delay of the clock circuit is representative of the forward path delay of the signal path and the number of additional clock cycles is based at least in part on the number of clock cycles of forward path delay. |
| US08552775B2 |
Digital phase-locked loop apparatus using frequency shift keying and method of controlling the same
A digital phase-locked loop apparatus using FSK includes a PFD detecting phase differences between a reference clock and a frequency-divided signal, and a first adder for generating first digital control codes by adding first digital codes, second digital codes, and channel frequency codes including channel information to each other, the first digital codes being converted from time differences between first and second pulses. The apparatus further includes a digital filter correcting errors of the first digital control codes to generate second digital control codes, a DCO for varying an oscillating frequency in accordance with a digital tuning word based on the second digital control codes, and a dual modulus division unit dividing the oscillating frequency into a frequency-divided signal. |
| US08552770B2 |
Frequency divider with synchronous range extension across octave boundaries
A frequency divider based on a series of divide-by-2/3 cells and divide-by-1/2/3 cells using extended division range is disclosed. The frequency divider uses modified divide-by-1/2/3 cells and additional circuit elements to correctly divide an input frequency by a divisor on successive output cycles while the divisor transitions across an octave boundary. The frequency divider creates a divide-by-1 mode for unused divide-by-1/2/3 cells in the series of cells. The divide-by-1 mode passes the input clock in the unused latches of each unused divide-by-1/2/3 cell as opposed to having each unused divide-by-1/2/3 cell implement divide-by-3 mode. |
| US08552769B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes first and second power elements and first and second driving circuits. The semiconductor device also includes a resistor having a first end connected to the first power element and a second end connected to the first driving circuit. Furthermore, the semiconductor device includes a switching element connected between the first driving circuit and the first end of the resistor, and turned ON and OFF. When a first input signal is an OFF signal, the first driving circuit causes the first power element to become turned OFF, and when the first input signal is an OFF signal or when a second input signal is an ON signal, the switching element is turned ON. |
| US08552765B2 |
Adaptive multi-stage slack borrowing for high performance error resilient computing
Adaptive scaling digital techniques attempt to place the system close to the timing failure so as to maximize energy efficiency. Rapid recovery from potential failures is usually by slowing the system clock and/or providing razor solutions (instruction replay.) These techniques compromise the throughput. We present a technique to provide local in-situ fault resilience based on dynamic slack borrowing. This technique is non-intrusive (needs no architecture modification) and has minimal impact on throughput. |
| US08552764B2 |
Clock glitch detection circuit
In a first circuit for detecting clock glitches in a clock signal, a master counter is clocked by the clock signal and memorizes a master count. An incrementer advances the master count by one increment. A slave counter is clocked by the clock signal and memorizes a slave count. The slave count is retarded relative to the master count by at least a particular number of clock edges. A comparator determines whether the difference between the master count and the slave count is at least a value of the incrementer times the particular number of clock edges. |
| US08552758B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit with data transmitting and receiving circuits
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention including a data transmitting circuit and a data receiving circuit that receives data transmitted from the data transmitting circuit. The data transmitting circuit includes a data output circuit that outputs the data or sets an output to a high impedance state, and a control circuit that outputs a control signal to the data output circuit so that the data output circuit outputs the data when the data transmitting circuit transmits the data, and the data output circuit keeps outputting data last output in the previous data transmission, during a predetermined period after the previous data transmission when the data transmitting circuit further transmits another data after transmitting the data. |
| US08552754B2 |
Method of testing reliability of semiconductor device
The invention provides a method of testing reliability of a semiconductor device, wherein the semiconductor device has negative bias temperature instability NBTI. The method comprises steps of: measuring a NBTI curve of a first set of semiconductor devices; measuring 1/f noise power spectrum density and drain current at a predetermined frequency for the first set of the semiconductor devices, under a condition that the first set of the semiconductor devices are biased at a gate electric field; measuring an equivalent oxide thickness EOT of gate dielectric of the first set of the semiconductor devices; measuring 1/f noise power spectrum density and drain current at the predetermined frequency for a second set of semiconductor devices, under a condition that the second set of the semiconductor devices are biased at the gate electric field; measuring an EOT of gate dielectric of the second set of the semiconductor devices; and evaluating a degradation characteristic of the second set of the semiconductor devices by using the NBTI curve of a first set of the semiconductor devices. The method saves the time required for testing the reliability of a large numbers of semiconductor devices, and will not cause damages to the second set of semiconductor devices. |
| US08552752B2 |
Structural determination apparatus and method
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus arranged to determine an interface between two components that includes a reference electrode arranged to be connected to a constant voltage supply or ground; a measurement electrode, and a field generating device arranged to establish an electric field in at least one of the components; wherein the field generating device is configured to establish the electric field across the measurement electrode, and the apparatus is configured to measure a potential difference between the measurement electrode and the reference electrode, the potential difference between the measurement electrode and the reference electrode being indicative of the interface between the components. |
| US08552751B2 |
Method for determining the heating characteristic of a glow plug
A method for determining a heating characteristic of a glow plug, wherein pulse-width-modulated voltage pulses are applied to the glow plug and an electric variable is measured repeatedly during a voltage pulse with the heating characteristic of the glow plug determined by evaluating the difference of successive measurement results of this variable. |
| US08552750B2 |
Apparatus and method for the measurement of electrical conductivity and dielectric constant of high impedance fluids
A sensor, a system of direct measurement using that sensor, and a method of direct and simultaneous measurement of conductivity and dielectric constant of a fluid, particularly high impedance, hydrocarbon-based fluids. The sensor has a cell that holds the fluids to be measured between a single pair of coaxial, bare metal electrodes connected through interface circuitry to measurement circuitry preferably implemented in one or several IC's. The sensor has a mutually compatible electrode geometry that provides both the correct cell constant for measurement of conductivity of hydrocarbons fluids (typical range 0-100,000 pS/cm), and a bulk capacitance (for use in dielectric constant measurement) in the range of measure of readily available low cost commercial IC's (having a typical capacitance measurement span of <10 pF, with a total bulk capacitance at the chip of <20 pF). The cell conductivity constant for use with hydrocarbon-based oils having a conductivity in the range of 1 to 500,000 pS/M is preferably less than or equal to about 0.1. The cell bulk capacitance with hydrocarbon fluids inside the sensor results in a bulk capacitance of at least about 4 pF. In one embodiment, the electronic circuitry is a Microcontroller/DSP that both generates synchronous drive signals at various frequencies, for both conductivity and dielectric constant measurements while directly digitizing and numerically processing the sensor output. |
| US08552746B2 |
Proximity sensor including a multilayer elastomer assembly
A capacitive sensor includes a conductive elastomer portion formed into a pre-determined shape to sense a touch of a user within a sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, a dielectric portion disposed adjacent the conductive elastomer portion within the sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, and a controller in electrical communication with the conductive elastomer portion to detect a change in an electrical characteristic of the conductive elastomer portion. |
| US08552745B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling the curing of cements used in medical procedures
A system for monitoring a cement that undergoes polymerization during curing such as most bone and dental cements by passing an electrical signal through the cement to determine the swelling phase, the initiation of polymerization of the cement and the effective working phase. The system further can control the swelling phase to reduce the time from the mixing of the cement to the initiation of the polymerization by using a ultrasonic signal or by heating the cement and can control the effective working phase after the polymerization has been initiated in order to prolong the working phase by cooling the cement. |
| US08552744B2 |
Propagation time measuring method for determining a distance
An apparatus for ascertaining and monitoring a fill level and includes a transmitting/receiving unit and a delay circuit. The delay circuit includes at least a sampling clocking oscillator, which produces a sampling signal having a sampling frequency, a transmission clocking oscillator, which produces a pulse repetition signal having a pulse repetition frequency, and a frequency converter, which produces by means of sequential sampling a difference signal. The apparatus further includes a control/evaluation unit, which determines on the basis of travel time the fill level. Provided on the control/evaluation unit is an external clocking input, which is connected via a clocking line with a first clocking output of the sampling clocking oscillator or with a second clocking output of the transmission clocking oscillator. A stabilized and cost-favorable control circuit for producing an intermediate frequency signal with a highly accurately determinable, transformation factor results. |
| US08552743B2 |
Microwave diffraction system
A microwave diffraction system includes two plates, a lattice model, a transmitter and a detector. The two plates are electrically conductive and configured in a parallel manner so as to form a planar waveguide. The lattice model includes a plurality of cylinders arranged in regular order and is placed between the two plates. The transmitter is arranged at an outside edge of the planar waveguide and configured for providing a microwave towards the lattice model. The detector is arranged at outside edge of the planar waveguide and configured for detecting the microwave reflected from the lattice model. The diffraction pattern obtained by the above-mentioned microwave diffraction system is similar to theoretical value. |
| US08552740B2 |
Method of measuring delay in an integrated circuit
A method of measuring signal delay in a integrated circuit comprising applying a common clock signal at a circuit input and output, applying a test signal at the circuit input, detecting a corresponding output signal at the circuit output and detecting whether the test signal and output signal occur in a common part of the clock signal. |
| US08552739B2 |
Electronic device and method for correcting time-domain reflectometers
In an electronic device and a method of correcting time-domain reflectometers, two channels of a time-domain reflectometer are connected to a corrector using cables, and the two channels are enabled to transmit pulses. Parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew of the two channels are zeroed. Resistance values of the two channels are measured simultaneously, and the value of the parameter Step Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the Resistance values of the two channels. Times of achieving the same resistance value of the two channels are measured after the cables and the connector have been disconnected, and the value of the parameter Channel Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the times of achieving the same resistance value. The adjusted values of the parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew are displayed through a display unit. |
| US08552737B2 |
High-voltage transformer
A high-voltage transformer for providing an alternating voltage in the kV range, comprising at least one secondary winding wound on a coil carrying body surrounding a transformer core, and an insulation housing encapsulating the secondary winding is provided to electrically insulate the secondary winding. Said insulation housing is walled by the coil carrying body carrying the secondary winding and by an enveloping body made of plastic and enveloping the secondary winding so that an annular gap is formed, wherein the annular gap between the secondary winding and the enveloping body is filled with an insulating fluid. The annular gap has a gap width of less than or equal to 20 mm viewed in the cross-section, and the enveloping body has a wall thickness of less than or equal to 20 mm, wherein the plastic is polypropylene, and a separate expansion volume is not provided for the insulating fluid. |
| US08552729B2 |
State monitoring unit for assembled battery
A state monitoring unit monitors a state of an assembled battery in which unit cells are connected in series. The state monitoring unit includes a plurality of voltage monitoring devices and a controller. The controller transmits a common voltage measurement command to the voltage monitoring devices connected in a daisy-chain scheme. Each of the voltage monitoring devices measures the voltage of the corresponding unit cells in response to the command that is received from the controller or the adjacent voltage monitoring device at a leading end of the communication channel, and transmits the command to the adjacent voltage monitoring device at a termination of the communication channel. When received the measured voltage from the adjacent voltage monitoring device at the termination, the voltage monitoring device transmits it with the own measured voltage. The controller determines the abnormality in reception state based on the number of received, measured voltages. |
| US08552727B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
According to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment, a Radio Frequency (RF) pulse applying unit applies to a subject a flip pulse for exciting spin of nuclei inside a subject body, and a flop pulse for refocusing the phase of the spin. A gradient magnetic-field applying unit applies a spoiler gradient magnetic field onto the subject after the flop pulse is applied, and applies a rewind gradient magnetic field before applying the flop pulse. A control unit executes a pulse sequence of controlling the gradient magnetic-field applying unit so as to keep each of the strengths of the spoiler gradient magnetic field and the rewind gradient magnetic field at respective predetermined values or higher with respect to each of a plurality of slice encodings. |
| US08552724B2 |
Quantum theory-based continuous precision NMR/MRI: method and apparatus
A method for spin magnetic resonance applications in general, and for performing NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging) in particular is disclosed. It is a quantum theory-based continuous precision method. This method directly makes use of spin magnetic resonance random emissions to generate its auto-correlation function and power spectrum, from which are derived spin relaxation times and spin number density using strict mathematical and physical equations. This method substantially reduces the NMR/MRI equipment and data processing complexity, thereby making NMR/MRI machines less costly, less bulky, more accurate, and easier to operate than the pulsed NMR/MRI. By employing extremely low transverse RF magnetic B1 field, MRI with this method is much safer for patients. And, by employing continuous spin magnetic resonance emissions, NMR with this method is of virtually unlimited spectral resolution to satisfy any science and engineering requirements. |
| US08552719B2 |
Method and apparatus for the purification and analytical evaluation of highly purified liquids
A method and apparatus for removing soluble and insoluble contaminants from highly purified and ultra-pure liquids having a bulk resistivity in excess of one megohm-centimeter by establishing laminar flow of the liquid in a cylindrical chamber through an electromagnetic field transverse to the direction of flow, to induce mobility of the constituents. The wall of the chamber forms a cathode and a central rod forms an anode in the chamber. The mobilized constituents are transported either to the anode or the cathode, where the material will adhere and agglomerate with other constituents. Systems are provided utilizing the method and apparatus for purifying and analytically evaluating highly purified and ultra-pure water. |
| US08552717B2 |
Eddy current testing method and eddy current testing apparatus
It is an object of the present invention to provide an eddy current testing apparatus capable of accurately detecting any flaws occurring in a columnar or cylindrical subject to be tested regardless of their extending directions, with the use of the same probe coil.The eddy current testing apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises a spinning plate 1 and a probe coil 2 disposed on the spinning plate 1. The probe coil is a probe coil capable of obtaining a differential output about a scanning direction of a detection signal which corresponds to a detected eddy current induced in the subject to be tested. The spinning plate is disposed in such a position that a spinning center RC of the spinning plate faces with an axial center PC of the subject to be tested. A distance R between the spinning center of the spinning plate and a center of the probe coil is set so that a difference between a maximum amplitude of a differential output at an axially extending artificial flaw provided in the subject to be tested and a maximum amplitude of a differential output at a circumferentially extending artificial flaw provided in the subject to be tested falls within a predetermined range. |
| US08552716B2 |
Testing methods for magnetic heads and magnetic storage devices assembled with the magnetic heads
In one embodiment, a manufacturing method for magnetic heads includes classifying magnetic heads into one of: a first tested head class, and a non-test-candidate head class, determining characteristic values of the magnetic heads classified in the first tested head class, estimating characteristic values of the magnetic heads classified in the non-test-candidate head class, wherein the estimating is based on the characteristic values of the magnetic heads classified in the first tested head class, classifying each of the magnetic heads classified in the non-test-candidate head class into one of: a second tested head class, and a non-test head class based on the estimated characteristic values, determining characteristic values of the magnetic heads classified in the second tested head class, and screening magnetic heads in the second tested head class based on the determined characteristic values of the magnetic heads classified in the second tested head class. |
| US08552715B2 |
Method and device for determining the actuation position of an adjusting element of a motor vehicle
In order to determine the actuation position of a motor-driven adjusting element of a motor vehicle, a Hall-effect sensor is located in a rotatable magnetic field, wherein a periodic change in the magnetic flux density sensed by the Hall-effect sensor is converted into a binary pulse train in that a pulse transition takes place when an upper switching threshold is positively exceeded and when a lower switching threshold separated from the upper switching threshold by a hysteresis is negatively exceeded. The hysteresis is reduced following an inactive phase of the Hall-effect sensor during which the magnetic field was stationary and/or the Hall-effect sensor was deactivated, if the magnetic flux density at the start of the inactive phase has exceeded the upper switching threshold by no more than a predefined tolerance range. |
| US08552712B2 |
Current measurement method, inspection method of semiconductor device, semiconductor device, and test element group
One object is to provide a method for measuring current by which minute current can be measured. A value of current flowing through an electrical element is not directly measured but is calculated from change in a potential observed in a predetermined period. The method for measuring current includes the steps of: applying a predetermined potential to a first terminal of an electrical element having the first terminal and a second terminal; measuring an amount of change in a potential of a node connected to the second terminal; and calculating, from the amount of change in the potential, a value of current flowing between the first terminal and the second terminal of the electrical element. Thus, the value of minute current can be measured. |
| US08552700B2 |
Switched mode voltage regulator and method of operation
A voltage regulator includes a transistor, a comparator, and a compensation circuit. The comparator has a first input terminal coupled to receive a clock signal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal coupled to a control electrode of the transistor. The compensation circuit has a first input terminal coupled to receive a reference voltage, a second input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the voltage regulator, and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal of the comparator. The compensation circuit has a filter circuit. The filter circuit has a first RC time constant during startup of the voltage regulator, and the filter circuit has a second RC time constant during normal operation. Changing the RC time constant for startup prevents an overshoot of an output voltage of the voltage regulator. |
| US08552697B2 |
Universal single-stage power converter with PFC capability
A switched-mode power converter power converter, in one preferred embodiment with eight switches connected between three ports and an inductive element, with a donor (charging) port, a receptor port (load) and donor/receptor port (storage) operated so that energy may be switch between any of the ports regardless of the polarity and magnitude of the inductor current at the beginning of a chopping cycle. In one embodiment of the invention power conversion and power factor correction are accomplished in a single stage. |
| US08552695B2 |
Dual mode flyback converter and method of operating it
A DC-DC converter includes a power switching device and a mode control logic circuit to control the power switching device and generate an ON-pulse. A flip-flop is configured to be set by the mode control logic circuit. A current mode comparator is configured to reset the flip-flop and to compare a signal based upon current flowing through the power switching device with a signal based upon an output voltage of the dual mode flyback DC-DC converter. A transformer is driven by the current mode comparator. The mode control logic circuit includes a timer starting when a gate driver control signal applied to the power switching device turns the power switching device off and configured to generate a pulse when an off time interval elapses, a zero current detector circuit configured to sense a voltage on the transformer and generate a pulse when the voltage drops below a trigger threshold, and a combinatory logic circuit configured to compare pulse signals generated by the timer and the zero current detector circuit and generate the ON-pulse based thereupon. |
| US08552691B2 |
Charging circuit with function of avoiding battery pulling down voltage output from charging device and charging method thereof
A charging circuit includes a main control microchip, a charging integrated circuit, and a current control circuit. The main control microchip includes a power-on pin connected to a charging device. The charging integrated circuit comprises a power input pin and a current limit pin, wherein the power input pin is connected to the charging device, and the charging integrated circuit is capable of limiting current. The current control circuit comprises a transistor, a first current limiting resistor and a second current limiting resistor, a base of the transistor is connected to the main control microchip, the first current limiting resistor is connected between the current limit pin and ground, and the second current limiting resistor is connected between the current limit pin and a collector of the transistor, the main control microchip is operable to output control signals to enable or disable the transistor. |
| US08552690B2 |
Method and system for automatically detecting a voltage of a battery
Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods and systems for auto-voltage detect chargers. One disclosed method comprises the steps of determining a condition of a battery based at least in part on a measured response to a predetermined test charge; and determining a voltage rating of the battery based at least in part on the condition of the battery and a response to a precharge process. |
| US08552689B2 |
System and method for information handling system battery charge protection and fault alarm
An information handling system battery has first and second protective circuits to detect and address faults for a first charge applied from an external power source to an integrated charger and a second charge applied from a charger of an information handling system to battery cells. If the first protective circuit detects a fault associated with the integrated charger, charging of the battery cells is still supported by inserting the battery in an information handling system. If the second protective circuit detects a fault, the battery becomes inoperative by disconnecting the battery cells. An indicator, such as LEDs on the battery casing, indicates whether a soft or hard fault has occurred. |
| US08552682B2 |
Battery charging system for hybrid vehicles
A user-operated switch is provided to enable an engine to operate a generator to charge a battery while the vehicle is parked. |
| US08552678B2 |
Variable-flux motor drive system
A variable-flux motor drive system including a permanent-magnet motor including a permanent magnet, an inverter to drive the permanent-magnet motor, and a magnetize device to pass a magnetizing current for controlling flux of the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is a variable magnet whose flux density is variable depending on a magnetizing current from the inverter. The magnetize device passes a magnetizing current that is over a magnetization saturation zone of magnetic material of the variable magnet. This system improves a flux repeatability of the variable magnet and a torque accuracy. |
| US08552675B2 |
Motor
A motor includes a sensor magnet having a non-circular contour and a magnet cover fixed to an end portion of a shaft to cover the end portion of the shaft. The magnet cover includes a support portion positioned outside the end surface of the end portion of the shaft. In the support portion, a magnet hole having a non-circular cross section as the sensor magnet and extending in the direction of the rotation axis is provided. The sensor magnet is inserted into the magnet hole and fixed to the magnet hole. |
| US08552669B2 |
Duty ratio control device, electric power tool and recording medium
A duty ratio control device includes a duty ratio calculation unit and a parameter setting unit. The duty ratio calculation unit, when an acceleration manipulation is performed, calculates a control duty ratio per predetermined timing based on a value of at least one parameter so that a rotation speed of a motor mounted on an electric power tool reaches a target rotation speed corresponding to the acceleration manipulation. The control duty ratio is calculated to be larger as the value of the at least one parameter is larger. The parameter setting unit sets the value of the at least one parameter. The value of the at least one parameter set for a reacceleration manipulation is larger than the value of the at least one parameter set for an initial acceleration manipulation. |
| US08552668B2 |
Architecture for automotive electrical body systems
An automotive electrical body system includes a plurality of electrical assemblies coupled to at least one automotive body component. Each of the assemblies includes a heating element for heating the at least one component, a motor for actuating the at least one component, or a switch configured to toggle the at least one component on and off. Each of the assemblies also includes a wireless communication module for receiving wireless signals, and, in response to the wireless signals, controlling operation of the heating element or motor. An electrical conductor interconnects each of the electrical assemblies and carries electrical power to each of the electrical assemblies. |
| US08552665B2 |
Proactive arc management of a plasma load
Proactive arc management systems and methods are disclosed. In many implementations, proactive arc management is accomplished by executing an arc handling routine in response to an actual arc occurring in the plasma load and in response to proactive arc handling requests in a sampling interval. The number of proactive arc handling requests in a sampling interval is a function of a proactive arc management count that in turn is a function of actual number of arcs in a preceding sampling interval. Accordingly during a present sampling interval proactive arc management executes arc handling for actual arcs in the present sampling interval and for each count in a proactive arc management count updated as a function of the number of arcs in the immediately preceding sampling interval. |
| US08552663B2 |
Controller for controlling an LED assembly, lighting application and method for controlling an LED assembly
A controller for controlling an LED assembly is described. The controller is arranged to—receive an input signal representing a required characteristic of the LED assembly,—convert the input signal to a control signal for the LED assembly,—apply a correction to the control signal to obtain a corrected control signal, the correction being based on a predetermined transient characteristic of the LED assembly,—output the corrected control signal. As such, a better correspondence between a required characteristic and an actual characteristic of the LED assembly is obtained. |
| US08552659B2 |
Method and apparatus for discriminating modulated light in a mixed light system
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing optical emission feedback control for an illumination system comprising mixed light including light from a first light source (135) and a second light source (140). Each light source is driven by a drive current configured using a control and/or modification signal associated with that light source. The control signal in turn can be configured using a modification signal associated with the light source. An optical signal indicative of the mixed light is generated, for example using an optical sensor (150), and the optical signal is processed based on a reference signal to provide measurements indicative of light from each light source, which are used for feedback control of the illumination system. The reference signals can be generated locally or based on a corresponding control or modification signal. To provide measurements for a light source, processing (198) of the optical signal can comprise mixing (235) and compensation (255) operations based on control and/or modification signals associated with that light source. |
| US08552658B2 |
Light-emitting diode (LED) driver and controller
Apparatuses, methods, systems, and circuits for light-emitting diode (LED) control are disclosed. In one embodiment, an LED control circuit can include a first pin receiving an input voltage supply; a second pin receiving a primary signal from a primary winding of a transformer coupled to the LED; a third pin coupled to a ground supply; and logic configured to estimate an output current and/or output voltage at the LED coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer from the input voltage supply and the primary signal. |
| US08552654B2 |
Single inductor control of multi-color LED systems
A circuit for driving multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes at least two sets of LEDs, each set comprised of one or more LEDs in series. The circuit further includes a single inductor connected in series with the two sets of LEDs. At least one set of LEDs is connected to a shunting transistor connected in parallel with the set of LEDs. The duty cycle of the shunting transistor is controlled by a single controller connected to the shunting transistor and the inductor. |
| US08552652B2 |
Lighting device, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus
A lighting unit includes, a plurality of light emitting elements which has a first substrate, a supporting electrode, light emitting functional layers, first electrodes, and a second electrode; a plurality of fuse units,; an insulating first partitioning wall which separates each of the light emitting functional layers from each other, and each of the first electrodes from each other; and an insulating second partitioning wall which separates each of fuse units from each other. One of the plurality of fuse units electrically connects one of the first electrodes and the supporting electrode. |
| US08552651B2 |
High frequency plasma generation system and high frequency plasma ignition device using the same
In a high frequency plasma generation system, a magnetic resonance section is provided as a frequency multiplier section between a discharge circuit and a power booster circuit. The magnetic resonance section extracts from a fundamental wave of a predetermined frequency generated by a frequency generator higher harmonic components, which are multiplied waves of the predetermined frequency and as high as two or more integer times of the fundamental wave. A resonance frequency of the power booster circuit and a first resonance coil is set to be equal to the frequency of the multiplied wave and match to equal a resonance frequency of the discharge circuit and a second resonance coil of the magnetic resonance section when a discharge electrode and a ground electrode are in a predetermined pressure range. |
| US08552646B2 |
Low T1I/low InI-based dose for dimming with minimal color shift and high performance
The present disclosure relates to a discharge lamp able to be operated at less than full rated power without suffering undesirable color shift, loss of lumen maintenance or loss of lamp efficacy. It finds particular application in connection with ceramic metal halide lamps having a low dose level of thallium iodide and optionally indium iodide, e.g. less than 1 mol %, in the dose thereof. |
| US08552645B2 |
Seal and leg design for ceramic induction lamp
A ceramic arc body includes a main body having a chamber. A leg extends from the main body and has an internal opening therethrough that communicates with the chamber. An electrically non-conductive seal member is received in the leg opening. A tapered internal surface abuttingly engages the seal member and provides for centering of the seal member relative to the leg. A separate tapering region, shoulder, or stop surface limits insertion of the seal member into the leg opening for precision location of the seal member, and in another embodiment, a single continuous taper inside the leg cooperates with a tapered seal member for both centering and precision insertion of the seal member into the leg. In another embodiment, a hybrid electrode is employed where one portion of the hybrid electrode is electrically non-conductive and a second portion of the electrode is electrically conductive. The hybrid electrode mechanically supports both the lamp and the starting coil and also provides electrical connection to the starting coil. |
| US08552641B2 |
Display panel, display panel module and electronic apparatus
A display panel is disclosed which suppresses appearance of structural fault at a frame portion of an opposing glass plate. The display panel has a panel structure ready for an active matrix driving method and includes an element having a formation face on which pixel circuits are formed, and an opposing substrate configured to seal the formation face. The opposing substrate has a protrusion pattern formed in a region thereof opposing to an outer edge of the opposing substrate. The protrusion pattern has a layer structure similar to that in a display region of the formation face. |
| US08552640B2 |
Thin-film formed substrate, organic electroluminescence display device, color filter substrate, and method of producing thin-film formed substrate
The present invention provides a thin-film formed substrate, an organic electroluminescent display device, a color filter substrate, and a method of producing a thin-film formed substrate. The thin-film formed substrate according to the present invention is a thin-film formed substrate provided with a substrate and a thin film formed on the substrate, the substrate comprising a first bank forming a depression on the substrate, and a second bank formed on the first bank, wherein a partitioned region surrounded by the second bank has a plurality of the depressions arranged therein, and the thin film is arranged in each of the depressions. |
| US08552639B2 |
White organic light emitting device
A white organic light emitting device (WOLED) includes electroluminescence (EL) red and blue light emitting layers disposed inside a cavity and a non-electroluminescence (NEL) green light emitting unit disposed outside the cavity or on a region inside the cavity where there are no combinations of electrons and holes. The green light emitting unit adjusts a green spectrum by resonating greenish blue light in the cavity, or is disposed on a path through which red and blue light output from the cavity travels and adapted to absorb the blue light and emit green light. A photoluminescence (PL) light emitting layer may be a capping layer covering the cavity. The capping layer functions as an optical path control layer controlling an optical path. A white spectrum is obtained by combining blue light and red light generated by EL and green generated by PL. This WOLED can operate at a low voltage. |
| US08552638B2 |
Pixel array substrate and display panel
A pixel array substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel structures, a plurality of signal lines, a plurality of first traces, a plurality of second traces, a plurality of first conductive structures, and a plurality of second conductive structures. The pixel structures are arranged in array in a display region of the substrate. The signal lines are disposed in the display region and are formed in a first conducting wire layer and are electrically connected to the pixel structures. The first traces and the second traces are disposed in a periphery circuit region of the substrate and are respectively formed in a second conducting wire layer and the first conducting wire layer. A part of the signal lines are electrically connected to the first traces by the first conductive structures. Another of the signal lines are electrically connected to the second traces by the second conductive structures. |
| US08552637B2 |
Organic electroluminescence element having a conductive resin layer and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a an organic electroluminescence element comprising: a transparent plate with an electrode attached, which comprises a transparent-plate body that exhibits light-transmissivity, and a first electrode that is installed on the transparent-plate body; a second electrode arranged in opposition to the first electrode, and which has a different polarity from the first electrode; and a light-emitting layer installed in between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode, comprising a mixed layer having a conductive first resin and a multitude of wire-formed conductors, and a conductive-resin layer having conductive resin and not having any wire-formed conductors, consists of being laminated on the transparent-plate body, with the mixed layer arranged at the transparent-plate body side. |
| US08552635B2 |
Pixel arrangement of an organic light emitting display device
A pixel arrangement of an organic light emitting display device with a plurality of repeatedly arranged sub-pixel groups, each of the sub-pixel groups includes two first sub-pixels in i-th and (i+2)-th columns (i is a natural number), two second sub-pixels in the i-th and (i+2)-th columns, the second sub-pixels being arranged in different rows with respect to the first sub-pixels, and two third sub-pixels in (i+1)-th and (i+3)-th columns, each third sub-pixel being arranged to overlap at least two adjacent rows of the first and second sub-pixels. |
| US08552630B2 |
Lighting fixture with replaceable light source
A LED illuminator includes positive and negative electrodes of different configurations and a LED lamp with a plurality of the LED illuminators. The LED lamp includes two or more elastic jacks, in each of which a positive electrode or a negative electrode is arranged. The elastic jack has a positive connection point and a negative connection point respectively corresponding to distal and proximal ends of the positive electrode or the negative electrode inserted therein so that the LED lamp is in electrical connection with a power supply unit. In addition, the LED illuminators may be in parallel connection. Accordingly, a slight touch of the LED illuminator allows the illuminator to be inserted into or removed from the respective elastic jack when replacing the LED illuminators of the lamp. |
| US08552629B2 |
Spark plug designed to ensure desired degree of ignitability of fuel
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is provided which is equipped with a tip protrusion disposed on a top of a hollow cylindrical housing of the spark plug. The spark plug also includes a center electrode retained in a porcelain insulator disposed inside the housing and a ground electrode is joined to the housing so as to form a spark gap. The tip protrusion serves to direct a flow of gas to be ignited by a spark produced in the spark gap and is shaped to have a radial width extending in a radial direction of the housing and a circumferential width extending in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical housing. The radial width is greater than the circumferential width. This enhances the efficiency in guiding the flow of gas toward the spark gap. |
| US08552625B1 |
Cantilever type acoustic transduction apparatus
An electro-mechanical transducer provides a very low frequency wide band response by using a quad configuration of piezoelectric cantilevers, providing additive output between the resonant frequencies of the cantilevers and achieves this at great depths under free flooded or oil filled conditions. |
| US08552623B2 |
Polymer and polymer actuator comprising the same
Provided are a polymer and a polymer actuator including the polymer. The polymer is cross-linked by a cross-linking agent. When the polymer is used in the polymer actuator, the polymer actuator shows a high strain and may be stably operated at high temperatures. |
| US08552620B2 |
Method of measuring and evaluating mechanical outputs of piezoelectric actuators, controlling method of the same, and apparatus using those methods
The present invention relates to a method of measuring and evaluating rigidity of a target object or mechanical output, such as force, displacement, and mechanical energy generated by a piezoelectric actuator and applied to the target object, according to only a measured value of electric quantity without use of a mechanical sensor, and a method of controlling the piezoelectric actuator, and a device using these methods.Steps of finding equivalent circuit constants of the piezoelectric actuator; applying a voltage to the piezoelectric actuator and measuring electrical quantity flowing into the piezoelectric actuator due to the applied voltage, or applying an electric charge to the piezoelectric actuator and measuring voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator due to the applied electric charge; and measuring and evaluating one or more of force, displacement, or mechanical energy generated by the piezoelectric actuator and applied to a target object, or rigidity of a target object are included. While these values are measured and evaluated minutely, applied voltage and electrical quantity are adjusted and controlled. |
| US08552619B2 |
Driving circuit for vibration-type actuator
A driving circuit is configured to drive a vibration-type actuator including a vibration member and a moving member. The vibration member includes an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and may generate a vibration wave in response to an alternating voltage applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. The moving member is in contact with the vibration member and may move in response to the vibration wave relative to the vibration member. The driving circuit includes a capacitor and an inductor connected in series with the capacitor to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. Parameters of the driving circuit may be set such that when a series resonance frequency of the inductor and the capacitor is denoted by fs and a resonance frequency of the vibration member is denoted by fm, a condition 0.73·fm |
| US08552616B2 |
Micro-scale power source
A micro-scale power source and method includes a semiconductor structure having an n-type semiconductor region, a p-type semiconductor region and a p-n junction. A radioisotope provides energy to the p-n junction resulting in electron-hole pairs being formed in the n-type semiconductor region and p-type semiconductor region, which causes electrical current to pass through p-n junction and produce electrical power. |
| US08552612B2 |
Stator core and method of manufacturing same
A stator core 10 and its manufacturing method, the stator core 10 including laminated stator core sheets 17, each of the stator core sheets 17 punched out from a magnetic metal sheet 32, a central portion of the magnetic metal sheet 32 previously punched out to form a rotor core sheet 36, the stator core 10 including a thin section 24 formed in a magnetic pole piece 19 of each of the stator core sheets 17, the thin section 24 formed by pressing both sides of the magnetic pole piece 19 in a thickness direction and radially-inwardly elongating the magnetic pole piece 19. The present invention prevents the magnetic pole piece 19 from being curved and improves interlocking accuracies and dimensional accuracies in blanking the rotor core sheet 36 and the start core sheet 17 from one magnetic metal sheet 32. |
| US08552609B2 |
Synchronous motor and system for driving synchronous motor
A synchronous motor which has reduced torque ripple while having a high torque includes a rotor and a stator, and U-phase coils, V-phase coils, and W phase coils are wound around sections of the yoke each located between two adjacent stator teeth. The number of turns in each coil and the direction in which each coil is wound are set to compensate for a difference between a timing at which a magnetic field produced at each stator tooth is at a maximum value and a timing at which a point between magnetic poles passes by the stator tooth as the rotor rotates, the difference in timing being caused by a difference between the interval between the magnetic poles and the interval between the stator teeth. |
| US08552607B2 |
Electric power generator with ferrofluid bearings
An electric generator using ferrofluid bearings is provided. The generator includes stators having plural magnets separated by a yoke of magnetizable materials. A rotor configured to rotate in a horizontal plane is positioned between the stators. The rotor includes plural coils in which current is induced during rotation from passing through the magnetic fields generated by the stators. A first set of ferrofluid bearings is positioned between the first stator and the rotor and a second set is positioned between the rotor and the second stator. A third set of ferrofluid bearings is positioned adjacent to the periphery of the rotor and configured to center the rotor. In one embodiment, the electric generator is wind-driven and supported in a wind collection housing. |
| US08552601B2 |
Electric motor and electrical machinery equipped therewith
An electric motor includes a stator including stator steel core (11) around which a coil is wound; a rotor which includes rotating body (30) that holds a plurality of permanent magnets (32) in the circumferential direction to face the stator, and shaft (16) that fastens rotating body (30) so as to penetrate the center of rotating body (30); a bearing (15) for supporting shaft (16); and bracket (17) for fixing bearing (15), wherein dielectric layer (50) is provided between shaft (16) and the outer periphery of rotating body (30). |
| US08552599B2 |
Vibration generating device
Disclosed herein is a vibration generating device including: a stator which includes a bracket, a case which has an inner space and is assembled with the bracket, and magnets which are fixed symmetrically at a lower surface of the bracket and an upper surface of the case; and a vibrator which includes an elastic member which is fixed at central portions of opposite side surfaces of the case to support vertical vibration, a coil which is connected with an inner diameter of the elastic member, yokes which are symmetrically assembled with upper and lower portions of the elastic member, and weight bodies which are assembled with the yokes. |
| US08552597B2 |
Passive RF energy harvesting scheme for wireless sensor
A radio frequency energy harvester harvests RF energy from the environment. The energy harvester may include a local power source. The energy harvester may have an associated crystal radio antenna that harvests AM radio waves ubiquitously. The radio frequency energy harvested may be stored via a super capacitor. The stored energy may power a self-contained processing unit directly when the level of the energy harvested remains above a threshold level. However, if the energy harvested drops below the threshold level, the processing unit, which may include a radio, may switch to the local power source and/or a low power mode of operation. The low power mode of operation may reduce the amount of processing and/or transmitting by the radio. The processing unit may be part of a network of radios. The energy harvester may supply energy for a variety of applications, including building automation, industrial automation, power generation, and healthcare. |
| US08552591B2 |
Energy storage system
An energy storage system capable of improving the lifespan of a battery pack while supplying power in a secured manner is provided. In one embodiment, the energy storage system includes a plurality of battery packs connected between a grid and a solar cell to charge/discharge power. The energy storage system includes an inverter connected among the grid, the solar cell, and the battery pack and inverting an alternating current (AC) power to a direct current (DC) power and vice versa according to charging/discharging operations. The energy storage system includes a converter connected to the solar cell, the battery pack, and the grid and converting power supplied from the solar cell, and a plurality of bidirectional converters connected to the plurality of battery packs, the solar cell, and the grid and connected in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of battery packs and converting the power for charging/discharging the battery pack. The energy storage system further includes a controller connected to the inverter, the converter, and the plurality of bidirectional converters and applying drive signals to sequentially drive the plurality of bidirectional converters. |
| US08552590B2 |
Energy management system and grid-connected energy storage system including the energy management system
An energy management system includes: a first interface configured to receive a first power from a power generation system; a second interface configured to couple to the power generation system, a power grid, and a storage device, and to receive at least one of the first power from the power generation system, a second power from the power grid, or a third power from the storage device, and to supply a fourth power to at least one of the power grid or a load; and a third interface configured to receive the third power from the storage device, and to supply a fifth power to the storage device for storage. |
| US08552589B2 |
Digital control method for operating the UPS systems in parallel
Systems and methods of operating uninterruptible power supplies in parallel in a power distribution system to provide power to a load are provided. At least one uninterruptible power supply inverter provides power to the load. A communication interface provides a measured value of at least one of inverter output current of a first uninterruptible power supply and a measured value of the load current to a second uninterruptible power supply, and receives a measured value of at least one of inverter output current of the second uninterruptible power supply and the load current. A controller controls the uninterruptible power supplies to operate in one of a master state and a slave state. In the master state the uninterruptible power supply is configured to control the voltage to the load, and in the slave state the uninterruptible power supply is configured to determine a reference output current value based at least in part on at least one of the measured value of inverter output current of the second uninterruptible power supply and the measured value of the load current. The uninterruptible power supply in the slave state drives its inverter output current toward the reference output current value to provide its share of the load current. |
| US08552587B2 |
Power conversion for distributed DC source array
Embodiments related to the conversion of DC power to AC power are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a power conversion system, comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) power sources, a plurality of power output circuits connected to one another in a parallel arrangement, each power output circuit being connected to a corresponding DC power source to receive power from the corresponding DC power source and to selectively discharge power received from the corresponding DC power source, a power combiner configured to combine power received from the plurality of power output circuits to form a combined power signal, an output stage configured to convert the combined power signal into an AC signal or a DC signal, and a controller in electrical communication with each power outlet circuit and the power combiner to control the output of power by the power converter. |
| US08552586B2 |
Standby power control in a multiple power supply environment
A system for standby power control in a multiple power supply environment is provided. The system includes a plurality of power supplies. Each power supply has a standby voltage output, and has a standby voltage enable signal input. A signal line connects to each power supply at the respective standby voltage enable signal input. A resistance is connected between the signal line and a system reference. The plurality of power supplies are configured such that the resistance determines a number of power supplies that must be available before the standby voltage outputs are activated by the power supplies. |
| US08552583B2 |
Power supply system and method including power generator and storage device
The present invention relates to a power supply system and method including a power generator and a storage device. Specifically, the power supply method using a power supply system which includes a power generator, a storage device, a unidirectional converter, and a bidirectional interleaved converter, and in which the other side of the unidirectional converter is connected to the other side of the bidirectional interleaved converter and power is output from the other side of the unidirectional converter, the power supply method comprises measuring one or more of an amount of power generation of the power generator and an amount of power storage of the storage device; forming a power transfer path by analyzing one or more of the amount of power generation and the amount of power storage; and controlling activation of devices on the formed power transfer path. |
| US08552578B2 |
Vehicle mirror assembly for generating electrical energy
A vehicle mirror includes a main body, a mirror fixed on the main body, and a generator. The generator includes a generating assembly received in the main body. The generating assembly includes a fan, a stator, and a rotor. The rotor is connected to the fan and is capable of rotating relative to the stator when the fan is rotated by wind, such that the generator generates electrical energy. |
| US08552577B2 |
Wind-power generation system with over-speed protection and method of operating the same
A wind-power generation system with an over-speed protection is disclosed. The system is provided to convert wind energy into mechanical energy by a wind turbine, and mechanical energy is converted into electric energy by the wind turbine driving a generator. Also, electric energy is delivered to a power grid. The wind-power generation system mainly includes an AC crowbar, a fuse, and a DC chopper. The AC crowbar or the DC chopper is provided to consume superfluous energy outputted from the generator, thus providing an over-load operation to brake the wind turbine when the wind turbine operates under a first stage over-speed operation. Finally, the generator is isolated from the generator-side converter by disconnecting the fuse when the wind turbine operates under a second stage over-speed operation. |
| US08552576B2 |
Wind turbine comprising a generator cooling system
A wind power installation is provided having a pylon, a pod mounted rotatably on the pylon, a generator arranged within the pod and having a rotor and a stator, and at least one fan in the region of the pod. The fan may be adapted to blow air out of a rear part of the pod, through an air gap between the stator and the rotor and into a front part of the pod. A seal structure may be positioned in the pod in such a way that an air flow that bypasses the air gap between the stator and the rotor is substantially prevented. |
| US08552575B2 |
Hybrid electric power for vehicular propulsion
This invention relates to a hybrid gas turbine (HGT) engine powerplant having electrical output power and as a system independently or in combination with electrical energy storage means, supplies electrical power to at least one electric motor for vehicular propulsion.The HGT has a minimum of two spools at least one spool, the power spool, has integrated a compressor rotor, turbine rotor and alternator rotor; a minimum second spool for staged engine air compression has integrated a compressor and turbine rotors aero-coupled to the power spool.An electronic engine unit (EECU) supplies electrical power to the fuel control valve, has preprogrammed variable power spool speeds per output power requirements, exhaust gas turbine temperature limits for fuel economy considerations and is responsive thru vehicle throttle commands of accel, decel, constant vehicle operations, start-up, shut down, battery charger and auxiliary power applications (APU). |
| US08552574B2 |
Cogeneration apparatus
A cogeneration apparatus for indoor installation includes: an airtight chamber provided within a housing, at least a power generator and an engine being accommodated within the airtight chamber; an intake duct connected to the airtight chamber for introducing air from outside the housing into the airtight chamber; and an exhaust duct connected to the engine for discharging exhaust gas of the engine. The air introduced through the intake duct cools the interior of the airtight chamber and is also sucked in to an air cleaner of the engine, and the exhaust gas of the engine is discharged directly to outside the airtight chamber through the exhaust duct. |
| US08552572B2 |
Resin composition for encapsulating semiconductor and semiconductor device using the same
Provided is a resin composition for encapsulating a semiconductor which has excellent flame resistance and solder resistance, and can be manufactured at a low cost. The composition includes a phenol resin (A), an epoxy resin (B), and an inorganic filler (C). The phenol resin (A) includes at least one polymer component (A0) composed of a polymer having structural units represented by general formulae (1) and (2), and at least one polymer component (A0) is composed of a polymer having structural units represented by general formulae (1) and (2) and terminated on at least one end with an aromatic group free of polar groups and containing at least one alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; each R3 is independently a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and a is an integer of 0 to 3 , wherein R5, R6, R8 and R9 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; each R4 and R7 is independently a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; b is an integer of 0 to 3; and c is an integer of 0 to 4. |
| US08552571B2 |
Electronic device and method for production
An electronic device and method for production is disclosed. One embodiment provides an integrated component having a first layer which is composed of copper or a copper alloy or which contains copper or a copper alloy, and having an electrically conductive second layer, whose material differs from the material of the first layer, and a connection apparatus which is arranged on the first layer and on the second layer. |
| US08552567B2 |
Semiconductor die assemblies, semiconductor devices including same, and methods of fabrication
Methods of fabricating multi-die assemblies including a wafer segment having no integrated circuitry thereon and having a plurality of vertically stacked dice thereon electrically interconnected by conductive through vias, resulting multi-die assemblies, and semiconductor devices comprising such multi-die assemblies. The wafer segment may function as a heat sink to enhance heat transfer from the stacked dice in the resulting multi-die assembly. The die stacks are fabricated at the wafer level on a base wafer, from which the wafer segment and die stacks are singulated after at least peripheral encapsulation. |
| US08552566B1 |
Integrated circuit package having surface-mount blocking elements
A first cavity-down ball grid array (BGA) package includes a substrate member and an array of bond balls. The array of bond balls includes a pair of parallel extending rows of outer mesh bond balls and a row of inner signal bond balls that is parallel to the pair of rows of outer mesh bond balls. A surface-mount blocking element is disposed between the row of inner signal bond balls and the pair of rows of outer mesh bond balls. The surface-mount blocking element is either a passive or an active component of the BGA package. In one example, the first cavity-down BGA package is surface-mounted to a second cavity-down BGA package to form a package-on-package (POP) security module. The surface-mount blocking element provides additional physical barrier against the probing of the inner signal bond balls. Sensitive data is therefore protected from unauthorized access. |
| US08552561B2 |
Semiconductor device with output circuit arrangement
The present invention has for its purpose to provide a technique capable of reducing planar dimension of the semiconductor device. An input/output circuit is formed over the semiconductor substrate, a grounding wiring and a power supply wiring pass over the input/output circuit, and a conductive layer for a bonding pad is formed thereover. The input/output circuit is formed of MISFET elements in the nMISFET forming region and the pMISFET forming region, resistance elements in the resistance element forming regions and diode elements in the diode element forming regions functioning as protective elements. A wiring connected to the protective elements and positioned under the grounding wiring and the power supply wiring is pulled out in a pulling-out region between the nMISFET forming region and the pMISFET forming region and between the grounding wiring and the power supply wiring to be connected to the conductive layer. |
| US08552558B2 |
Conductive compositions and processes for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices
The present invention is directed to a thick film conductive composition comprising: (a) electrically conductive silver powder; (c) fluorine-containing glass frit; dispersed in (d) organic vehicle and devices made therefrom. |
| US08552557B1 |
Electronic component package fabrication method and structure
An electronic component package includes a RDL pattern comprising a redistribution pattern terminal. A buildup dielectric layer is formed on the RDL pattern, the buildup dielectric layer having a redistribution pattern terminal aperture exposing the redistribution pattern terminal. An interconnection ball is formed within the redistribution pattern terminal aperture and on the redistribution pattern terminal. The interconnection ball includes an enclosed portion having an outer concave surface within the buildup dielectric layer. The angle of intersection between the outer concave surface of the interconnection ball and the redistribution pattern is less than 90°. This minimizes stress between the interconnection ball and the redistribution pattern which, in turn, minimizes failure of the bond between the interconnection ball and the redistribution pattern. |
| US08552556B1 |
Wafer level fan out package
A wafer level fan out package includes a semiconductor die having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. A stiffener is disposed on the third surface of the semiconductor die. A conductive via passes through the stiffener. First and second electrically conductive patterns electrically connected to the conductive via are disposed on the first and second surfaces of the semiconductor die and stiffener. Solder balls are electrically connected to the first or second electrically conductive patterns. |
| US08552552B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
A technique which improves the reliability in coupling between a bump electrode of a semiconductor chip and wiring of a mounting substrate, more particularly a technique which guarantees the flatness of a bump electrode even when wiring lies in a top wiring layer under the bump electrode, thereby improving the reliability in coupling between the bump electrode and the wiring formed on a glass substrate. Wiring, comprised of a power line or signal line, and a dummy pattern are formed in a top wiring layer beneath a non-overlap region of a bump electrode. The dummy pattern is located to fill the space between wirings to reduce irregularities caused by the wirings and space in the top wiring layer. A surface protection film formed to cover the top wiring layer is flattened by CMP. |
| US08552550B2 |
Semiconductor device
Disclosed is a semiconductor device having a multilayer wiring structure, in which a dummy pattern is formed in a wiring void with favorable manufacturing efficiency. In a semiconductor device having a multilayer wiring structure, dummy pattern (21) is formed in relatively narrow wiring void (Area_S1) so as to extend in a direction different from that of dummy patterns (22, 23) formed in relatively wide wiring void (Area_S2). |
| US08552549B2 |
Semiconductor device, and inspection method thereof
In a substrate for a stacking-type semiconductor device including a connection terminal provided for a connection with a semiconductor chip to be stacked and an external terminal connected to the connection terminal through a conductor provided in a substrate, connection terminals of a power supply, a ground and the like, which terminals have an identical node, are electrically continuous with each other. Thus, it is possible to facilitate an inspection of electrical continuity between each connection terminal and an external terminal corresponding to each connection terminal by minimum addition of inspecting terminals. Further, it is possible to improve reliability of a stacking-type semiconductor module. |
| US08552548B1 |
Conductive pad on protruding through electrode semiconductor device
To form a semiconductor device, a through electrode is formed in a semiconductor die, and a dielectric layer is then formed to cover the through electrode. The dielectric layer has an opening by being partially etched to allow the through electrode to protrude to the outside, or has a thickness thinner overall so as to allow the through electrode to protrude to the outside. Subsequently, a conductive pad is formed on the through electrode protruding to the outside through the dielectric layer by using an electroless plating method. |
| US08552547B2 |
Electronic device package and method for forming the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a method for forming an electronic device package, which includes providing a carrier substrate having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface; forming a cavity from the upper surface of the carrier substrate; disposing an electronic device having a conducting electrode in the cavity; forming a filling layer in the cavity, wherein the filling layer surround the electronic device; thinning the carrier substrate from the lower surface to a predetermined thickness; forming at least a through-hole in the electronic device or the in the carrier substrate; and forming a conducting layer over a sidewall of the through-hole, wherein the conducting layer electrically connects to the conducting electrode. |
| US08552546B2 |
Semiconductor package, semiconductor package structure including the semiconductor package, and mobile phone including the semiconductor package structure
Provided is a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package may include a first semiconductor package having first semiconductor chips sequentially stacked on a substrate. In example embodiments, the first semiconductor chips may have a cascaded arrangement in which first sides and second sides of the semiconductor chips define cascade patterns. The cascaded arrangement may extend in a first direction to define a space between the first sides of the first semiconductor chips and the substrate. The semiconductor package may also include at least one first connection wiring at the second sides of the semiconductor chips, the at least one first connection wiring being configured to electrically connect the substrate with the first semiconductor chips. In addition, the semiconductor package may further include a first filling auxiliary structure adjacent to the first sides of the first semiconductor chips. |
| US08552545B2 |
Manufacturing method for semiconductor device, semiconductor device and semiconductor chip
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device includes: the step of preparing a semiconductor chip which is provided with a functional element formed on a front surface side of a semiconductor substrate, a feedthrough electrode which is placed within a through hole that penetrates the semiconductor substrate, a front surface side connection member which protrudes from the front surface, and a rear surface side connection member which has a joining surface within a recess that is formed in a rear surface; the step of preparing a solid-state device where a solid-state device side connection member for connection to the front surface side connection member is formed on one surface; and the joining step of making the front surface of the semiconductor chip face the first surface of the solid-state device by holding the rear surface of the semiconductor chip, and of joining the front surface side connection member to the solid-state device side connection member. |
| US08552542B2 |
Lead frame, semiconductor device, method of manufacturing lead frame, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A lead frame or semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same in which where the unit lead frame of each semiconductor device after dicing was located in a lead frame before dicing can be known without an additional manufacturing step. The lead frame includes a plurality of unit lead frames each having a die pad, suspension leads coupled to the die pad, and leads formed around the die pad. An identification mark including at least one of a penetrating groove, recess, and convex is formed in at least one of the die pad, suspension leads, and leads. The identification mark of a first unit lead frame and the identification mark of a second unit lead frame are different from each other at least either in location in the unit lead frame or in shape. |
| US08552541B2 |
Power device packages having thermal electric modules using peltier effect and methods of fabricating the same
Provided are power device packages, which include thermal electric modules using the Peltier effect and thus can improve operational reliability by rapidly dissipating heat generated during operation to the outside, and methods of fabricating the same. An exemplary power device package includes: a thermal electric module having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other, and a plurality of n-type impurity elements and a plurality of p-type impurity elements alternately and electrically connected to each other in series; a lead frame attached to the first surface of the thermal electric module by an adhesive member; at least one power semiconductor chip and at least one control semiconductor chip, each chip being mounted on and electrically connected to the lead frame; and a sealing member sealing the thermal electric module, the chips, and at least a portion of the lead frame, but exposing the second surface of the module. |
| US08552538B2 |
Methods of eliminating pattern collapse on photoresist patterns
A stabilizing solution for treating photoresist patterns and methods of preventing profile abnormalities, toppling and resist footing are disclosed. The stabilizing solution comprises a non-volatile component, such as non-volatile particles or polymers, which is applied after the photoresist material has been developed. By treating the photoresist with the solution containing a non-volatile component after developing but before drying, the non-volatile component fills the space between adjacent resist patterns and remains on the substrate during drying. The non-volatile component provides structural and mechanical support for the resist to prevent deformation or collapse by liquid surface tension forces. |
| US08552534B2 |
Laminated semiconductor substrate, semiconductor substrate, laminated chip package and method of manufacturing the same
In a laminated semiconductor substrate, a plurality of semiconductor substrates are laminated. Each of the semiconductor substrate has a plurality of scribe-groove parts formed along scribe lines. Further, each of the semiconductor substrate has a plurality of device regions having a semiconductor device formed therein and insulated from each other, and a plurality of wiring electrodes connected to the semiconductor devices respectively formed in the plurality of device regions and extending from the device regions into the inside of the scribe-groove parts. The plurality of wiring electrodes are arranged in a partial arrangement pattern in which the wiring electrodes are arranged along only a part of four boundary sides, corresponding to boundaries between each of the device regions and the scribe-groove parts. Further, the plurality of wiring electrodes extend into the scribe-groove part from only one of two device regions adjacent to each other with the scribe-groove part therebetween. |
| US08552533B2 |
Compound semiconductor substrate and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing the compound semiconductor substrate having a reduced dislocation density at an interface between a Si substrate. Contaminants, such as organic matter and metal, on a surface of a Si substrate are removed whereby a flat oxide film is formed. The oxide film on the surface is removed by using an aqueous hydrogen fluoride solution, whereby hydrogen termination treatment is performed. Immediately after being subjected to the hydrogen termination treatment the temperature of the Si substrate is raised in a vacuum apparatus. If the substrate temperature is raised without any operation, the termination hydrogen is released. Before the hydrogen is released, pre-irradiation with As is performed. Thus, an interface between the Si substrate and the compound semiconductor layer is prepared. Several minutes later, irradiation with Ga and As is performed. Thereby, the compound semiconductor is formed. |
| US08552530B2 |
Vertical transient voltage suppressors
A vertical transient voltage suppressor for protecting an electronic device is disclosed. The vertical transient voltage includes a conductivity type substrate having highly doping concentration; a first type lightly doped region is arranged on the conductivity type substrate, wherein the conductivity type substrate and the first type lightly doped region respectively belong to opposite types; a first type heavily doped region and a second type heavily doped region are arranged in the first type lightly doped region, wherein the first and second type heavily doped regions and the conductivity type substrate belong to same types; and a deep first type heavily doped region is arranged on the conductivity type substrate and neighbors the first type lightly doped region, wherein the deep first type heavily doped region and the first type lightly doped region respectively belong to opposite types, and wherein the deep first type heavily doped region is coupled to the first type heavily doped region. |
| US08552525B2 |
Semiconductor structures and devices and methods of forming the same
Methods of forming semiconductor structures that include bodies of a semiconductor material disposed between rails of a dielectric material are disclosed. Such methods may include filling a plurality of trenches in a substrate with a dielectric material and removing portions of the substrate between the dielectric material to form a plurality of openings. In some embodiments, portions of the substrate may be undercut to form a continuous void underlying the bodies and the continuous void may be filled with a conductive material. In other embodiments, portions of the substrate exposed within the openings may be converted to a silicide material to form a conductive material under the bodies. For example, the conductive material may be used as a conductive line to electrically interconnect memory device components. Semiconductor structures and devices formed by such methods are also disclosed. |
| US08552520B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer includes a first lower layer and a first upper layer on the first lower layer. The first insulating layer has a first opening through the first lower layer and the first upper layer. A maximum width of the first opening at the first lower layer is different from a maximum width of the first opening at the first upper layer. |
| US08552516B2 |
Solid state image capture device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a solid state image capture device includes a multilayered interconnect layer, a semiconductor substrate, a pillar diffusion layer and an insulating member. The multilayered interconnect layer includes an interconnect. The semiconductor substrate is provided on the multilayered interconnect layer and the semiconductor substrate has a through-trench. The pillar diffusion layer is formed in the semiconductor substrate around the through-trench. In addition, an insulating member is filled into the through-trench. |
| US08552513B2 |
Semiconductor pressure sensor
A semiconductor pressure sensor includes a cavity disposed in one silicon substrate of a SOI substrate having two silicon substrates bonded to each other with an oxide film therebetween and a diaphragm formed from the other silicon substrate and the oxide film, wherein the oxide film, bordering the cavity, of the diaphragm includes an arc-shaped section at the boundary portion to the one silicon substrate defining the inner wall side surface of the cavity, the arc-shaped section having the same width as the width of the cavity at a desired section in the one silicon substrate and reducing the width of the cavity from the boundary portion toward the diaphragm center. |
| US08552512B2 |
MEMS device and fabrication method thereof
A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device includes: a fixed electrode made of silicon and provided above a semiconductor substrate; a movable electrode made of silicon and arranged in a mechanically movable manner by having a gap from the semiconductor substrate; and a wiring layered part that is provided around the movable electrode, covers a portion of the fixed electrode and includes wiring. One of the fixed electrode and the movable electrode is implanted with an impurity ion and at least a part of the portion of the fixed electrode covered by the wiring layered part is silicidized. |
| US08552510B2 |
Semiconductor device having ring-shaped gate electrode, design apparatus, and program
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a transistor that has a ring-shaped gate electrode formed on the substrate; a plurality of external dummy electrodes that are arranged outside the gate electrode and are formed in the same layer as the gate electrode; and at least one internal dummy electrode that is arranged inside the gate electrode and is formed in the same layer as the gate electrode. |
| US08552504B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for forming the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor device, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate, comprising a gate stack, a channel region, and source/drain regions, wherein the gate stack is on the channel region, the channel region is in the semiconductor substrate, the source/drain regions are embedded in the semiconductor substrate, and each of the source/drain regions comprises a sidewall and a bottom, a second semiconductor layer being sandwiched between the channel region and a portion of the sidewall distant from the bottom, a first semiconductor layer being sandwiched between the semiconductor substrate and at least a portion of the bottom distant from the sidewall, and an insulating layer being sandwiched between the semiconductor substrate and the other portions of the bottom and/or the other portions of the sidewall. The present invention also provides a method for forming the semiconductor device. The present invention helps preventing the dopants in the source/drain regions from diffusing into the substrate. |
| US08552500B2 |
Structure for CMOS ETSOI with multiple threshold voltages and active well bias capability
A semiconductor substrate having a first type of conductivity and a top surface, a layer of oxide disposed over the top surface and a semiconductor layer disposed over the layer of oxide. A plurality of transistor devices are disposed upon the semiconductor layer. Each transistor device includes a channel between a source and a drain, where some transistor devices have a first type of channel conductivity and the remaining transistor devices have a second type of channel conductivity. A well region is formed adjacent to the top surface. The well region has a second type of conductivity. First trench isolation regions are between adjacent transistor devices that extend through the semiconductor layer. Second trench isolation regions are between adjacent transistor devices of opposite channel conductivity. |
| US08552498B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device in which defects in characteristics due to electrostatic discharge is reduced and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device has at least one of these structures: (1) a structure in which a first and second insulating films are in direct contact with each other in a peripheral region of a circuit portion, (2) a structure in which a first and second insulators are closely attached to each other, and (3) a structure in which a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are provided on outer surfaces of the first insulator and the second insulator, respectively, and electrical conduction between the first and second conductive layers is achieved at a side surface of the peripheral region. Note that the conduction at the side surface can be achieved by cutting a plurality of semiconductor devices into separate semiconductor devices. |
| US08552497B2 |
Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes: a first conductive-type first well and a second conductive-type second well configured over a substrate to contact each other; a second conductive-type anti-diffusion region configured in an interface where the first conductive-type first well contacts the second conductive-type second well over the substrate; and a gate electrode configured to simultaneously cross the first conductive-type first well, the second conductive-type anti-diffusion region, and the second conductive-type second well over the substrate. |
| US08552493B2 |
Segmented pillar layout for a high-voltage vertical transistor
In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a first section of transistor segments disposed in a first area of the semiconductor die, and a second section of transistor segments disposed in a second area of the semiconductor die adjacent the first area. Each of the transistor segments in the first and second sections includes a pillar of a semiconductor material that extends in a vertical direction. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. Outer field plates of transistor segments adjoining first and second sections are either separated or partially merged. |
| US08552491B2 |
Semiconductor devices semiconductor pillars and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a trench isolation region provided on a substrate and defining first and second active regions separated from each other. A first semiconductor pillar protruding upward from the first active region is provided. A second semiconductor pillar protruding upward from the second active region is provided. A first gate mask extending to cross over the first and second active regions is provided. The first gate mask surrounds upper sidewalls of the first and second semiconductor pillars. A first gate line formed below the first gate mask, separated from the first and second active regions, and surrounding parts of sidewalls of the first and second semiconductor pillars is provided. |
| US08552489B2 |
Vertical channel memory devices with nonuniform gate electrodes
A mold stack including alternating insulation layers and sacrificial layers is formed on a substrate. Vertical channel regions extending through the insulation layers and sacrificial layers of the mold stack are formed. Gate electrodes are formed between adjacent ones of the insulation layers and surrounding the vertical channel regions. The gate electrodes have a greater thickness at a first location near sidewalls of the insulation layers than at a second location further away from the sidewalls of the insulation layers. |
| US08552486B2 |
Forming metal-insulator-metal capacitors over a top metal layer
A plurality of metal layers includes a top metal layer. An Ultra-Thick Metal (UTM) layer is disposed over the top metal layer, wherein no additional metal layer is located between the UTM layer and the top metal layer. A Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) capacitor is disposed under the UTM layer and over the top metal layer. |
| US08552485B2 |
Semiconductor structure having metal-insulator-metal capacitor structure
A semiconductor structure includes a through-substrate-via (TSV) structure disposed in a substrate. A first etch stop layer is disposed over the TSV structure. A first dielectric layer is disposed in contact with the first etch stop layer. A first conductive structure is disposed through the first etch stop layer and the first dielectric layer. The first conductive structure is electrically coupled with the TSV structure. The TSV structure is substantially wider than the first conductive structure. A second etch stop layer is disposed in contact with the first dielectric layer. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure is disposed in contact with the second etch stop layer. |
| US08552484B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
The semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises: a ferroelectric capacitor 42 formed above a semiconductor substrate 10 and including a lower electrode 36, a ferroelectric film 38 formed on the lower electrode 36 and an upper electrode 40 formed on the ferroelectric film 38; a silicon oxide film 60 formed above the semiconductor substrate 10 and the ferroelectric capacitor 42 and having the surface planarized; a flat barrier film 62 formed on the silicon oxide film 60 with a silicon oxide film 61 formed therebetween, for preventing the diffusion of hydrogen or water; a silicon oxide film 64 formed above the barrier film 62 and having the surface planarized; and a flat barrier film 78 formed on the silicon oxide film 74 with a silicon oxide film 76 formed therebetween, for preventing the diffusion of hydrogen or water. |
| US08552473B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical device and manufacturing method for the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a micro-electro-mechanical-device having a microstructure and a semiconductor element over one surface. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for simplifying the process of forming the microstructure and the semiconductor element over one surface. A space in which the microstructure is moved, that is, a movable space for the microstructure is formed by processsing an insulating layer which is formed in a process of forming the semiconductor element. The movable space can be formed by forming the insulating layer having a plurality of openings and making the openings face each other to be overlapped each other. |
| US08552472B2 |
Integrated circuit devices including vertical channel transistors with shield lines interposed between bit lines and methods of fabricating the same
An integrated circuit device includes a plurality of pillars protruding from a substrate in a first direction. Each of the pillars includes source/drain regions in opposite ends thereof and a channel region extending between the source/drain regions. A plurality of conductive bit lines extends on the substrate adjacent the pillars in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A plurality of conductive shield lines extends on the substrate in the second direction such that each of the shield lines extends between adjacent ones of the bit lines. Related fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US08552469B2 |
Semiconductor device
There is a problem that a reverse off-leak current becomes too large in a Schottky barrier diode. A semiconductor device of the present invention includes P-type first and second anode diffusion layers formed in an N-type epitaxial layer, N-type cathode diffusion layers formed in the epitaxial layer, a P-type third anode diffusion layer formed in the epitaxial layer so as to surround the first and second anode diffusion layers and to extend toward the cathode diffusion layers, and a Schottky barrier metal layer formed on the first and second anode diffusion layers. |
| US08552463B2 |
Electronic devices with yielding substrates
In accordance with certain embodiments, a semiconductor die is adhered directly to a yielding substrate with a pressure-activated adhesive notwithstanding any nonplanarity of the surface of the semiconductor die or non-coplanarity of the semiconductor die contacts. |
| US08552459B2 |
Radiation-emitting component and method for its manufacture
A radiation-emitting component includes a carrier, a semi-conductor chip arranged on the carrier, wherein the semi-conductor chip includes an active layer to generate electromagnetic radiation and a radiation exit surface, a first and a second contact structure for the electrical contacting of the semi-conductor chip, a first and a second contact layer, wherein the semi-conductor chip is electrically conductively connected to the first contact structure via the first contact layer and to the second contact structure via the second contact layer, a passivation layer arranged on the semi-conductor chip. |
| US08552449B2 |
Package of light emitting diode and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a package of a light emitting diode. The package according to an embodiment includes a package of a light emitting diode, the package comprising: a base layer including an entire top surface that is substantially flat; a light emitting diode chip on the base layer; a lead frame electrically connected to the light emitting diode chip; and a reflective coating layer comprising titanium oxide, wherein a top surface of the reflective coating layer is substantially parallel to a top surface of the base layer, and wherein ends of the reflective coating layer and base layer are aligned with each other. |
| US08552444B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and manufacturing method of the same
Light from a semiconductor light-emitting element travels in all directions. Thus, light that travels in the directions other than a lighting direction cannot be used effectively. Means for forming a semiconductor light-emitting element having tilted side surfaces, and forming a reflective layer on the tilted side surfaces has been proposed. However, since the tilted surfaces are formed by an etching method or the like, it takes a long time to form the tilted surfaces, and it is difficult to control the tilted surfaces. As a solution to these problems, semiconductor light-emitting elements are placed on a submount substrate and sealed with a sealant, and then a groove is formed in a portion between adjoining ones of the semiconductor light-emitting elements. The grooves formed are filled with a reflective material, and a light-emitting surface is polished. Then, the submount substrate is divided into individual semiconductor light-emitting devices. Thus, a semiconductor light-emitting device having a reflective layer on its side surfaces can be obtained. |
| US08552441B2 |
AlGaInP light-emitting diode having vertical structure with transparent multilayered reflective films
A method for manufacturing the AlGaInP LED having a vertical structure is provided, including: growing, epitaxially, a buffer layer, an n-type contact layer, an n-type textured layer, a confined layer, an active layer, a p-type confined layer and a p-type window layer in that order on a temporary substrate, to form a texturable epitaxial layer; forming a transparent conducting film with periodicity on the p-type window layer of the epitaxial layer, forming a regulated through-hole on the transparent conducting film, and filling the through-hole with a conducting material; forming a total-reflection metal layer on the transparent conducting film; bonding a permanent substrate with the texturable epitaxial layer via a bonding layer, and bring the total-reflection metal layer into contact with the bonding layer; removing the temporary substrate and the buffer layer; forming an n-type extension electrode on the exposed n-type contact layer; removing the n-type contact layer, and forming a pad on the n-type textured layer; and forming a p-type electrode on a back of the permanent substrate. The transparent multilayered film with periodicity provides a greater reflectivity difference and hence brings better results than the conventional reflector consisting of single-layered, or, non-periodic, transparent films; and light-emitting efficiency is enhanced. |
| US08552431B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising pixel portion
To provide a liquid crystal display device having high quality display by obtaining a high aperture ratio while securing a sufficient storage capacitor (Cs), and at the same time, by dispersing a load (a pixel writing-in electric current) of a capacitor wiring in a timely manner to effectively reduce the load. A scanning line is formed on a different layer from a gate electrode and the capacitor wiring is arranged so as to be parallel with a signal line. Each pixel is connected to the individually independent capacitor wiring via a dielectric. Therefore, variations in the electric potential of the capacitor wiring caused by a writing-in electric current of a neighboring pixel can be avoided, whereby obtaining satisfactory display images. |
| US08552429B2 |
Proximity charge sensing for semiconductor detectors
A non-contact charge sensor includes a semiconductor detector having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The detector includes a high resistivity electrode layer on the first surface and a low resistivity electrode on the high resistivity electrode layer. A portion of the low resistivity first surface electrode is deleted to expose the high resistivity electrode layer in a portion of the area. A low resistivity electrode layer is disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor detector. A voltage applied between the first surface low resistivity electrode and the second surface low resistivity electrode causes a free charge to drift toward the first or second surface according to a polarity of the free charge and the voltage. A charge sensitive preamplifier coupled to a non-contact electrode disposed at a distance from the exposed high resistivity electrode layer outputs a signal in response to movement of free charge within the detector. |
| US08552427B2 |
Fuse part of semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A fuse part of a semiconductor device includes an insulation layer over a substrate, and a fuse over the insulation layer, wherein the fuse includes a plurality of blowing pads for irradiating a laser beam and the plurality of blowing pads have laser coordinates different from one another. |
| US08552423B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An aperture ratio of a semiconductor device is improved. A driver circuit and a pixel are provided over one substrate, and a first thin film transistor in the driver circuit and a second thin film transistor in the pixel each include a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating layer over the gate electrode layer, an oxide semiconductor layer over the gate insulating layer, source and drain electrode layers over the oxide semiconductor layer, and an oxide insulating layer in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor layer over the gate insulating layer, the oxide semiconductor layer, and the source and drain electrode layers. The gate electrode layer, the gate insulating layer, the oxide semiconductor layer, the source and drain electrode layers, and the oxide insulating layer of the second thin film transistor each have a light-transmitting property. |
| US08552417B2 |
Nanoparticles
The present application provides a light-emissive nitride nanoparticle, for example a nanocrystal, having a photoluminescence quantum yield of at least 1%. This quantum yield is significantly greater than for prior nitride nanoparticles, which have been only weakly emissive and have had poor control over the size of the nanoparticles produced. The nanoparticle includes at least one capping agent provided on a surface of the nitride crystal and containing an electron-accepting group for passivating nitrogen atoms at the surface of the crystal. The invention also provides non-emissive nitride nanoparticles. |
| US08552413B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device using a tunnel nitride as a current limiter element
Embodiments of the invention generally include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has an improved device switching performance and lifetime, due to the addition of a current limiting component disposed therein. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises a resistive material that is configured to improve the switching performance and lifetime of the resistive switching memory element. The electrical properties of the current limiting layer are configured to lower the current flow through the variable resistance layer during the logic state programming steps (i.e., “set” and “reset” steps) by adding a fixed series resistance in the resistive switching memory element found in the nonvolatile memory device. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises a tunnel nitride that is a current limiting material that is disposed within a resistive switching memory element in a nonvolatile resistive switching memory device. |
| US08552408B2 |
Particle beam irradiation apparatus and control method of the particle beam irradiation apparatus
Provided is a particle beam irradiation apparatus capable of highly reliable measurement of a dose of each beam and capable of highly sensitive measurement of a leakage dose caused by momentary beam emission. The particle beam irradiation apparatus according to the present invention includes: an emission control portion that controls emission and termination of a particle beam; a control portion that sequentially changes an irradiation position of the particle beam relative to an affected area; first and second dosimeters that measure dose rates of the particle beam directed to the affected area; and an abnormality determination portion that accumulates the dose rates output from the first and second dosimeters for each of predetermined determination periods to calculate first and second sectional dose measurement values and that performs second abnormality determination of determining that there is an abnormality and outputs an interlock signal for terminating the emission of the particle beam in at least one of a case in which the first sectional dose measurement value exceeds a predetermined first reference range and a case in which the second sectional dose measurement value exceeds a predetermined second reference range. |
| US08552406B2 |
Apparatus and method for surface modification using charged particle beams
An apparatus and method for using high beam currents in FIB circuit edit operations, without the generation of electrostatic discharge events. An internal partial chamber is disposed over the circuit to be worked on by the FIB. The partial chamber has top and bottom apertures for allowing the ion beam to pass through, and receives a gas through a gas delivery nozzle. A non-reactive gas, or a combination of a non-reactive gas and a reactive gas, is added to the FIB chamber via the partial chamber, until the chamber reaches a predetermined pressure. At the predetermined pressure, the gas pressure in the partial chamber will be much greater than that of the chamber, and will be sufficiently high such that the gas molecules will neutralize charging induced by the beam passing through the partial chamber. |
| US08552403B2 |
Power system for dosimeter reader
Described is a portable dosimeter reader device that is small in size and light in weight. The device comprises an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) reader for reading one or more OSL sensors of a dosimeter and a dosimeter drawer slidably mounted in the device. The device further comprises an elevator carriage comprising a barrel with a barrel groove on an exterior side thereof, a loop retainer elevator including a tongue on an interior side thereof that travels in the barrel groove, a pinion gear mounted on the barrel, and a rack with rack teeth that engage pinion teeth of the pinion gear. |
| US08552397B2 |
Focused ion beam device and focused ion beam processing method
Disclosed is an operation for an optical system which achieves observation of focused ion beam processing equivalent to that in a case wherein a sample stage is tilted mechanically. In a focused ion beam optical system, an aperture, a tilting deflector, a beam scanner, and an objective lens are controlled so as to irradiate an ion beam tilted to the optical axis of the optical system, thereby achieving thin film processing and a cross section processing without accompanying adjustment and operation for a sample stage. The thin film processing and the cross section processing with a focused ion beam can be automated, and yield can be improved. For example, by applying the present invention to a cross section monitor to detect an end point, the cross section processing can be easily automated. |
| US08552395B2 |
Ultraviolet irradiation system
According to one embodiment, an ultraviolet irradiation system that sterilizes, disinfects, and inactivates raw water such as city water or underground water, includes a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices connected in series, and a controller configured to control output and non-output of the ultraviolet irradiation devices. The ultraviolet irradiation device includes a water processing vessel through which the raw water flows, an ultraviolet lamp configured to irradiate the raw water in the water processing vessel with ultraviolet rays, and an ultraviolet sensor configured to measure an amount of ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp. |
| US08552390B2 |
Radiation detector
In an X-ray line sensor 1, a scintillator layer 24 that absorbs X-rays in a low-energy range and emits light and a scintillator layer 26 that absorbs X-rays in a high-energy range and emits light are brought in contact with each other, and further, the thickness of the scintillator layer 24 on the front side is thinner than that of the scintillator layer 26 on the rear side. These make the amount of mismatch small between a light emitting position P1 in the scintillator layer 24 and a light emitting position P2 in the scintillator layer 26 to X-rays in the low-energy range and X-rays in the high-energy range entered at the same angle from the front side, so that at this time, light emitted by the scintillator layer 24 and light emitted by the scintillator layer 26 are detected by a photo-detecting section 16 and a photo-detecting section 23 facing each other. Thus, mismatch between an X-ray transmission image in the low-energy range and an X-ray transmission image in the high-energy range obtained simultaneously can be prevented. |
| US08552389B2 |
System and method for collimation in diagnostic imaging systems
A system and method for collimation in diagnostic imaging systems is provided. One collimation system includes a collimator for a radiation imaging detector having a plurality of adjustable segments and a plurality of collimator holes within each of the plurality of adjustable segments. The plurality of adjustable segments are configured to move independently of a detector to adjust a field of view of the collimator holes. |
| US08552388B2 |
Sensor unit for an X-ray detector and associated production method
A production method for a sensor unit that includes a scintillator and a support plate on which a stack of collimator sheets is attached. The production method permits precise positioning of the collimator sheets in respect of the scintillator. In the process, individual scintillator strips are initially produced from a plurality of scintillator pixels adjoining one another along one dimension. Respectively one photodiode strip, made of a plurality of photodiodes in turn adjoining one another along one dimension, is attached to each of the individual scintillator strips along a longitudinal side in order to form a sensor strip. In an embodiment, respectively one photodiode is associated with respectively one scintillator pixel for readout purposes. The sensor strips are subsequently individually assembled on an outer side of the support plate facing away from the collimator sheets in order to form the scintillator. |
| US08552386B2 |
Image acquisition devices with contrast and spatial resolution enhanced back-scatter shielding
An image acquisition device employs a low-Z material to maximize the probability of backscattering or direct hits in Compton scattering for radiation with a given energy spectrum that passes through a detector array to enhance the contrast and spatial resolution of the image acquisition device. A radiation apparatus including the image acquisition device is also provided. |
| US08552385B2 |
Radioactive contamination monitoring device and monitoring method
Provided are a radioactive contamination monitoring device and a radioactive contamination monitoring method for enabling easy detection of radiation from an object to be monitored in a little surrounding space. The radioactive contamination monitoring device comprises a radiation detection unit, a photoelectric conversion unit for converting the light generated in the radiation detection unit to electricity, and a signal processing unit connected to the photoelectric conversion unit. The radiation detection unit includes a quadrangular prism-shaped light guide bar having a rectangular cross-section and a scintillator attached only to two adjacent side faces of the four side faces of the light guide bar. |
| US08552382B2 |
Thermal effect measurement with mid-infrared spectroscopy
A method of determining a physical property of a composite material includes providing a series of composite materials/surfacing films, which are subjected to increasing thermal experience to create a set of thermal effect standards, collecting mid-IR spectra on those standards, performing data pre-processing and then multivariate calibration on the spectra of the composite materials/surfacing films, and using that calibration to predict the thermal effect for samples in question. |
| US08552381B2 |
Agile IR scene projector
An infrared (IR) scene projector device includes a light emitter and a thermal emitter. The light emitter is configured to selectably provide visible light. The thermal emitter includes a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACN) array. The VACN array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed proximate to a thermally conductive substrate, such that a longitudinal axis of the carbon nanotubes extends substantially perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. The thermal emitter absorbs the visible light from the light emitter and converts the visible light from the light emitter into IR radiation. |
| US08552378B2 |
Sensing device and electronic apparatus
A light emitting unit is positioned to the subject side than a light receiving unit in a sensing device. The light emitting unit includes a light emitting layer, a first electrode, a second electrode which has an opening, and an insulating layer that is provided at a position that corresponds to the opening portion of the second electrode and that partially insulates the first electrode and the second electrode. The light receiving unit includes a light receiving element that receives reflected light. The light blocking layer is provided at a position that corresponds to the opening portion, and an opening portion is formed thereon. In a case when viewed in a plan view, the light blocking layer overlaps the opening portion, and a light receiving face of the light receiving element is positioned within the opening. |
| US08552372B2 |
Method and system of evaluating distribution of lattice strain on crystal material
A crystal material lattice strain evaluation method includes illuminating a sample having a crystal structure with an electron beam in a zone axis direction, and selectively detecting a certain diffracted wave diffracted in a certain direction among a plurality of diffracted waves diffracted by the sample. The method further includes repeating the illuminating step and the selectively detecting step while scanning the sample, and obtaining a strain distribution image in a direction corresponding to the certain diffracted wave from diffraction intensity at each point of the sample. |
| US08552370B2 |
Robust statistical reconstruction for charged particle tomography
Systems and methods for charged particle detection including statistical reconstruction of object volume scattering density profiles from charged particle tomographic data to determine the probability distribution of charged particle scattering using a statistical multiple scattering model and determine a substantially maximum likelihood estimate of object volume scattering density using expectation maximization (ML/EM) algorithm to reconstruct the object volume scattering density. The presence of and/or type of object occupying the volume of interest can be identified from the reconstructed volume scattering density profile. The charged particle tomographic data can be cosmic ray muon tomographic data from a muon tracker for scanning packages, containers, vehicles or cargo. The method can be implemented using a computer program which is executable on a computer. |
| US08552369B2 |
Obtaining elemental concentration profile of sample
A method of obtaining an elemental concentration profile of a sample using x-ray photon spectroscopy measurements is described. Each measurement relates to a different depth in the sample. The sample is shaped to provide access to different depths thereof. Measurements are obtained at respective positions on a bevelled surface exposing material at each of the depths. The method involves fitting the measurements to a mathematical function, dividing the function into a plurality of equal depth wise slices, determining the elemental concentration for the slice corresponding to the thinnest part of the bevel, and then iteratively determining the contribution of each successive slice to the intensity value as being the intensity value measured for that slice minus the intensity value determined to have been contributed by each preceding slice. According to preferred embodiments, a surface correction factor compensating surface effect phenomena is applied to the concentration value calculated for each slice. |
| US08552368B1 |
Trace atmospheric gas analyzer low pressure ionization source
A low pressure ionization source and method for detecting trace atmospheric gases with an instrument employing ionized target substances. The ionization source and method may employ electric potential ionization, photoionization, and/or ionization by alpha and/or beta particle irradiation. In one embodiment, an ionization source includes a fixture securable to the instrument, a chamber within the fixture, two sample entrance passageways into the chamber, an electrode receiver hole, a lamp receiver hole, and an ionized sample exit hole from the chamber. A gas sample entering the chamber via a sample entrance passageway is ionized by one of an electric potential induced by an electrode received in the electrode receiver hole or a light beam provided by a photoionization lamp received in the lamp receiver hole. At least a portion of the ionized gas sample exits the chamber via the sample exit hole to a detector/analyzer of the instrument. |
| US08552367B2 |
Micro-reflectron for time-of-flight mass spectrometer
A micro-reflectron for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer including a substrate and integrated with the volume of the substrate, means for application of a potential gradient in a volume suitable for constituting a flight zone of the ions. The means of application includes at least two polarization electrodes and a wall of at least one resistive material that can be polarized between these electrodes so as to generate a continuous potential gradient, itself providing the function of reflectron, this flight zone, these electrodes and this wall being obtained by the technology of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and this micro-reflectron having a thickness of less than 5 millimeters while its other dimensions are less than 10 times this thickness. |
| US08552361B2 |
Optical displacement sensor for infusion devices
An optical sensor for a delivery device having a piston that displaces a substance, such as a fluid, from a reservoir. The optical sensor has a light source and a detector array for imaging encoding features disposed along a plunger rod coupled to the piston. By virtue of the pattern of encoding features, an absolute position of the plunger rod relative to a fiducial position may be determined uniquely. Thus, the volume of fluid remaining in the reservoir, the rate of fluid delivery, and proper loading of the reservoir may be accurately ascertained. Additionally, the encoding may serve to uniquely identify a version of the reservoir which may be supplied in various versions corresponding, for example, to differing concentrations of a therapeutic agent to be dispensed. |
| US08552360B2 |
Wavelength sweep control
Methods and apparatus for the active control of a wavelength-swept light source used to interrogate optical elements having characteristic wavelengths distributed across a wavelength range are provided. |
| US08552353B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus and imaging system using the same
In a photoelectric conversion apparatus including charge storing portions in its imaging region, isolation regions for the charge storing portions include first isolation portion each having a PN junction, and second isolation portions each having an insulator. A second isolation portion is arranged between a charge storing portion and at least a part of a plurality of transistors. |
| US08552352B2 |
Solid-state imaging device including corner register
A solid-state imaging device of an embodiment includes an imaging region, an output register, a corner register, a multiplication register, a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a valve gate electrode. The output register is a transfer register that receives a charge transferred from the imaging region to transfer the charge. The output register is capable of selectively transferring a charge in one direction and in the other direction opposite to the one direction. The corner register transfers a charge transferred in one direction from the output register. The multiplication register receives a charge from the corner register and generates and transfers a multiplied charge. The first amplifier generates a signal based on a multiplied charge from the multiplication register. The second amplifier generates a signal based on a charge transferred in the other direction by the output register. The valve gate electrode is an electrode for preventing a transfer of a charge between the output register and the corner register. |
| US08552350B2 |
Mitigation of drift effects in secondary inertial measurements of an isolated detector assembly
The 6-axis position and attitude of an imaging vehicle's detector assembly is measured by mounting the detector assembly on a compliant isolator and separating the main 6-axis IMU on the vehicle from a secondary IMU comprising at least inertial rate sensors for pitch and yaw on the detector assembly. The compliant isolator couples low-frequency rigid body motion of the vehicle below a resonant frequency to the isolated detector assembly while isolating the detector assembly from high-frequency attitude noise above the resonant frequency. A computer processes measurements of the 6-axis rigid body motion and the angular rate of change in yaw and pitch of the isolated detector assembly to mitigate the drift and noise error effects of the secondary inertial rate sensors and estimate the 6-axis position and attitude of the detector assembly. |
| US08552347B2 |
Method and a device for bonding a metal fairing to the leading edge of an airfoil
A method and a device (1) for bonding a metal fairing (6) to protect a leading edge of an aircraft airfoil (7), the metal fairing (6) is designed to be bonded against the airfoil (7) with the help of an adhesive (9). The bonding device (1) is remarkable in that it includes a rigid yoke (2) having inserted therein induction heater elements (30) for heating the metal fairing (6). |
| US08552343B2 |
Brazing structure, ceramic heater, and glow plug
Disclosed is a brazing structure that includes a ceramic member, a metal layer, a tubular metal fitting and first and second brazing members. The ceramic member includes a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion. The metal layer is located on an outer surface of the large diameter portion. At least an edge of the ceramic member is inserted in the fitting. The first brazing member connects the inner surface of the fitting to the metal layer. The second brazing member does not contact with the metal layer, and fills between at least a part of the small diameter portion and the inner surface, which faces to the part of the small diameter portion, of the fitting. The small diameter portion is located closer to the edge than the metal layer and is inside the fitting. |
| US08552336B2 |
Micro matrix data marking
The invention provides methods and systems for the application and reading of micro markings for coding of information for placement on the surfaces of individual very small devices. In preferred embodiments, a two dimensional micro matrix of markings or dots is realized on a scale of a 25 um cell size and smaller. |
| US08552335B2 |
Atmospheric-pressure plasma jet
A plasma jet apparatus for performing plasma processing of an article includes: an elongated central electrode (2,15), an elongated cylindrical outer electrode (1) or two outer electrodes (15,16) surrounding the central electrode and being coaxial with the central electrode, or two electrodes substantially parallel to the central electrode. an electrical insulator (3) or insulators (18,19) are disposed between the outer electrode(s) and the central electrode, wherein a discharge lumen having a distal end and a proximal end is defined between the central electrode and the electrical insulator(s). A supply opening (6) is disposed at the distal end of the discharge lumen for supplying a plasma producing gas to the discharge lumen, A power source (9) provides a voltage between the central electrode and said outer electrode. The electrical insulator has a radial or outward extension (40,20) at the proximal end beyond the outer surface of the outer electrode(s). |
| US08552330B2 |
Submerged arc welding system with pressurized flux delivery and welding torch
A submerged arc welding system includes a robot having a first arm connected to a second arm, and at least one wire supply. A welding torch is connected to a first end of the second arm of the robot. A wire motor is mounted to a second end of the second arm of the robot. The wire motor moves wire from the wire supply along a wire path to the welding torch. The system further includes a flux supply and a flux delivery system configured to move flux from the flux supply along a flux path to the welding torch. |
| US08552326B2 |
Electrostatic separation control system
A process control system, more particularly, a process control system for controlling electrostatic separation for the separation of particulate materials is provided. |
| US08552325B2 |
Click mechanism for electric part
A click mechanism for an electric part comprises a spring 50 made of a plate material and disposed on a rotatable plate 40 that rotates integrally with a rotationally-manipulated shaft of an electric part, a click piece 60 disposed on the outer perimeter of the rotatable plate 40 so as to retractably protrude from the outer perimeter, and projections and depressions 25 formed on the inner perimeter of a housing 22 for the rotatable plate 40 to be arranged in the circumferential direction of the inner perimeter. The click piece 60 is cylindrical and biased by the spring 50 to be in resilient contact with the projections and depressions 25 at the perimeter thereof. The click mechanism can produce a fine and clear click feel, has high durability, and can be reduced in size. |
| US08552321B2 |
Multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assemblies
Multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assemblies for electronic devices and methods for creating the same are provided. For example, a switch assembly may include a deformable dome that may have a conductive inner surface. The switch assembly may also include three conductive pads, at least two of which may be positioned underneath the dome. When the dome is deformed, each one of the three conductive pads may be electrically coupled to the conductive inner surface of the dome. When the dome is not deformed, at least one of the three conductive pads may be electrically isolated from the conductive inner surface of the dome. |
| US08552320B2 |
Control of illumination devices
A switch for generating short-term supply-line interruptions during switching-on with contact elements (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23) and an actuating element (4) for opening and closing electrical contacts between the contact elements, wherein (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23). A first contact element (1, 5, 21) is mounted elastically and, when a contact is closed via the first contact element (1, 5, 21), can be deflected elastically in such a way that the contact, after initial closing, is opened again by the elastic deflection. |
| US08552318B2 |
Rotary interlock mechanism for electrical switches
Rotary switch interlock mechanisms and electrical switch assemblies with a rotary switch interlock mechanism are presented herein. An electrical distribution device with at least two electrical switches is disclosed. Each of the electrical switches has a switch actuator that is movable between engaged and disengaged positions. A rotary interlock member is rotatably mounted to the housing of the electrical distribution device adjacent the first and second electrical switches. The rotary interlock member is rotatable 180 degrees between a first orientation, whereat the rotary member allows the switch actuator of the second electrical switch into its engaged position while preventing the switch actuator of the first electrical switch from being moved into its engaged position, and a second orientation, whereat the rotary member allows the first switch actuator to be moved into its engaged position while preventing the second switch actuator from being moved into its engaged position. |
| US08552312B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board
A printed wiring board including a substrate having first and second surfaces and a penetrating hole extending through the substrate between the surfaces, a first conductive circuit on the first surface, a second conductive circuit on the second surface, and a through-hole conductor in the hole and connecting the first and second conductive circuits. The conductor includes an electroless plated film on the inner-wall surface of the hole, a first electrolytic plated film formed on the electroless plated film and forming a first opening portion opening on the first surface and a second opening portion opening on the second surface, a second electrolytic plated film filling the first portion, and a third electrolytic plated film filling the second portion. The first and second portions taper toward the central portion of the hole with respect to the axis direction of the hole and have cross sections forming a substantially U-shape, respectively. |
| US08552311B2 |
Electrical feedthrough assembly
An electrical feedthrough includes a ceramic body and a ribbon via extending through the ceramic body, an interface between the ribbon via and the ceramic body being sealed using partial transient liquid phase bonding. The ribbon via extends out of the ceramic body and makes an electrical connection with an external device. |
| US08552305B2 |
Electronic component-embedded printed circuit board
Disclosed herein is an electronic component-embedded printed circuit board including: a base plate including an insulating resin layer and circuit layers; and an electronic component embedded in the insulating resin layer, wherein the insulating resin layer has a thickness 1.3˜3 times greater than that of the electronic component. The electronic component-embedded printed circuit board has an optimum thickness ratio of its constituents in order to minimize the warpage thereof at the time of manufacturing the same. |
| US08552303B2 |
Circuit structure and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a circuit structure is provided. A metal layer having an upper surface is provided. A surface passivation layer is formed on the metal layer. The surface passivation layer exposes a portion of the upper surface of the metal layer, and a material of the metal layer is different from a material of the surface passivation layer. The metal layer and the surface passivation layer are dipped into a modifier, and the modifier is selectively absorbed and attached to the surface passivation layer, so as to form a covering layer. The covering layer has a plurality of nanoparticles and covers the surface passivation layer. |
| US08552292B2 |
System and method for overmolding of decorated plastic parts
An electronic device enclosure includes a first structural layer having a first surface and a second surface. A decorative feature is formed on the first surface of the first structural layer. The enclosure further includes a second structural layer, which is formed directly on the first surface of the first structural layer. The second structural layer is formed over the decorative feature by an overmolding process. |
| US08552289B2 |
Photoelectric converter and solar cell using the same
The present invention provides a photoelectric conversion device having at least a fullerene derivative as an electron acceptor and a compound as an electron donor between a pair of electrodes, wherein the fullerene derivative has 2 to 4 organic groups which each independently have 1 to 50 carbon atoms, and wherein when the fullerene derivative has two organic groups, these organic groups do not bind to each other to form a ring. |
| US08552284B2 |
Pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generating device
A pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generating device includes an internal through-hole along the axis direction of the pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device; a plurality of first cup-shaped components each made of metal; a plurality of second cup-shaped components each made of thermoelectric material; a first electrode; a second electrode. The plurality of first cup-shaped components and the plurality of second cup-shaped components are arranged alternately and repeatedly along the axis direction. The first electrode and the second electrode are provided respectively at one end and at the other end of the pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device. |
| US08552283B2 |
Thermoelectric application for waste heat recovery from semiconductor devices in power electronics systems
In a power electronics system of a next generation vehicle, a power module is provided including a thermoelectric device which is provided in a thermally conductive path between a power device and a cooling plate such that the thermoelectric device creates useful electric power from the waste heat of the power device. |
| US08552279B2 |
Method for production of a metallic-sounding musical instrument
Indicated is a method for production of a metallic-sounding musical instrument of the steelpan-type, in particular for production of a Hang®. In the method the steel sheet with a thickness of 0.75 to 1.25 mm required for the production is nitrided until the sheet is completely permeated with iron nitride needles. The linear density of the needles is, as a rule, between 40·10·103 m−1 to 80·103 m−1. The type of nitriding can be selected freely. The thus obtained instrument is characterized by novel tones. |
| US08552278B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV599858
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV599858. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV599858, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV599858 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV599858 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV599858. |
| US08552275B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH175773
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH175773. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH175773, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH175773 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH175773. |
| US08552273B1 |
Soybean cultivar 15332100
A soybean cultivar designated 15332100 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 15332100, to the plants of soybean cultivar 15332100, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 15332100, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 15332100. 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 15332100. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 15332100, 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 15332100 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08552272B1 |
Soybean cultivar 14265229
A soybean cultivar designated 14265229 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 14265229, to the plants of soybean cultivar 14265229, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 14265229, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 14265229. 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 14265229. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 14265229, 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 14265229 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08552268B2 |
Soybean variety D6422351
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D6422351. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D6422351. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D6422351 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D6422351 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08552265B1 |
Soybean variety XBP40009
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP40009 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP40009, cells from soybean variety XBP40009, plants of soybean XBP40009, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP40009. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP40009 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP40009, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP40009, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP40009. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP40009 are further provided. |
| US08552257B2 |
Cucumber hybrid PS 14784719 and parents thereof
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PS 14784719 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PS 14784719 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber 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. |
| US08552250B2 |
Absorbent articles with multiple indicating widths
An absorbent article comprises a first location of a first portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. At the first location, the first portion has a first overall width. The absorbent article also comprises a second location of a second portion of a visual fullness indicating area that is configured to change to a subsequent visual state when indicating the presence of a bodily exudate. The second location is outboard from the first location. The second location has a second overall width that is wider than the first overall width. |
| US08552243B2 |
Process for preparing an alkylate
The present invention provides a process for preparing an alkylate, comprising: contacting in a reaction zone a hydrocarbon mixture comprising at least isoparaffin and an olefin with an acidic ionic liquid catalyst under alkylation conditions to obtain an alkylate; withdrawing an alkylate-comprising effluent from the reaction zone; separating at least part of the alkylate-comprising effluent into an hydrocarbon-rich phase and an ionic liquid catalyst-rich phase; fractionating part of the hydrocarbon-rich phase into at least an alkylate-comprising product and a isoparaffin-comprising stream; mixing another part of the hydrocarbon-rich phase with an olefin-comprising stream to form the hydrocarbon mixture; and providing the hydrocarbon mixture to the reaction zone. |
| US08552242B2 |
Efficient methods for Z- or cis-selective cross-metathesis
The present invention generally relates to methods for performing metathesis reactions, including cross-metathesis reactions. Methods described herein exhibit enhanced activity and stereoselectivity, relative to known methods, and are useful in the synthesis of a large assortment of biologically and therapeutically significant agents. |
| US08552238B2 |
Process for the reduction of alkylation catalyst deactivation
Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream. |
| US08552233B2 |
Pretreatment of biomass with carbonaceous material
A composition of matter is described herein that can be subjected to pyrolysis and converted into a bio-oil. The composition comprises an intimate mixture of a particulate solid biomass material and a carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material acts as a reducing agent during the pyrolysis reaction. The composition of matter produces bio-oil in a greater yield than prior art processes. The bio-oil is of improved quality, as evidenced by its low TAN value. |
| US08552232B2 |
Biogenic turbine and diesel fuel
The present invention provides fully renewable turbine and diesel fuels created from biomass sources. In one embodiment, the fully renewable turbine fuel is comprised of mesitylene and at least one alkane. Preferably, the turbine fuel comprises from about 50 to 99 wt % mesitylene and from about 1 to 50 wt % of at least one alkane. In another embodiment the diesel fuel comprises mesitylene, octadecane, and optionally octane or nonane. Preferably, the diesel fuel comprises from about 50 to 99 wt % mesitylene, and from about 1 to 50 wt % octadecane. These biomass derived fuels may be formulated to have a wide range of cetane values and differing freezing and boiling points. A preferred biogenic turbine fuel comprises one or more synthetic paraffinic kerosenes (SPK) and/or hydroprocessed renewable jet (HRJ) fuel; and between about 8 to 25 vol % of mesitylene. Another preferred biogenic turbine fuel is a blend of about 50% petroleum-based fuel; and about 50% of one or more of synthetic paraffinic kerosenes (SPK) and/or hydroprocessed renewable jet fuel (HRJ), and mesitylene. |
| US08552229B2 |
Method for utilization of the reaction heat that occurs in the production process of 1,2-dichloroethane from ethylene in a fluidized bed reactor
With a method for utilization of the reaction heat that occurs in the production of 1,2-dichloroethane from ethylene, by reaction with oxygen and hydrochloride (oxychlorination), in a fluidized bed reactor, with dissipation of this reaction heat through cooling pipe bundles situated within the reactor, positioned in the fluidized bed, utilization of the heat is supposed to be improved, while simultaneously reducing the size of the corresponding system elements. This is achieved in that part of the reaction heat is dissipated by heating boiler feed water, whereby the heated boiler feed water is used to heat heat sinks in the production process. |
| US08552228B2 |
Process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) comprising (a) contacting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-difluoropropane (243db) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the presence of a zinc/chromia catalyst to produce a compound having the formula CF3CHFCH2X, wherein X is Cl or F, and (b) dehydrohalogenating the compound of formula CF3CHFCH2X to produce 1234yf. |
| US08552227B2 |
Preparation of hydrofluoroolefins by dehydrofluorination
A dehydrofluorination process is disclosed for making hydrofluoroolefins of the structure RfCH═CHRf, wherein each Rf is independently a perfluoroalkyl group or a perfluoroalkyl group having a terminal hydrogen. The process involves reacting RfCH2CHFRf with a basic aqueous solution to produce a product mixture comprising RfCH═CHRf. |
| US08552226B2 |
Process for heat integration for ethanol production and purification process
Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs. |
| US08552221B2 |
Process for the manufacture of halogenated precursors of alkenones under specific conditions
A process for preparing a halogenated precursor of an alkenone, which comprises reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether in a liquid reaction medium under turbulent conditions and a process for preparing an alkenone, by eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone. |
| US08552220B2 |
Therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease
To develop a highly safe measure to treat Alzheimer's disease using a secretase-inhibiting substance, there is provided a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein A represents a phenyl group or the like, R1 represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, or a nitro group or the like, R2, R3, R4, and R5 each represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and L represents CH2—CH2 or CH═CH. |
| US08552219B2 |
Process for preparing L-phenyl-3-dimethylaminopropane derivative
Provided is a process for the preparing 1-phenyl-3-dimethylaminopropane derivatives of formula I, (The formula should be inserted here) and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof via novel intermediates. |
| US08552217B2 |
Isocyanate manufacture
The present invention encompasses the finding that improvements can be achieved in manufacture of isocyanates through the use of a substitute for or a precursor of phosgene. Methods and compositions utilized in accordance with the present invention can be useful in situations in which it is difficult to use phosgene, and in particular gaseous phosgene. In some embodiments, a substitute for or a precursor of phosgene used in accordance with the present invention for preparing isocyanates is or comprises diphosgene (ClCO2CCl3). |
| US08552214B2 |
Process for preparing dialkyl carbonates
The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing lower dialkyl carbonates as main product and alkylene glycol as by-product by transesterification of a cyclic alkylene carbonate (e.g. ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate) with lower alkyl alcohols in the presence of a catalyst and also the required purification of the dialkyl carbonate in a subsequent process step. To optimize the economics and energy efficiency of the process, additional devices are used for intermediate heating of the liquid streams in the apparatus. |
| US08552213B2 |
Compound
To provide a novel compound.It is disclosed a compound represented by following formula (I): A-L-{D1-(E)q-D2-(B)m—Z1—R}p. In the formula, A represents a p-valent chain or cyclic residue; L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; p represents an integer of 2 or more; D1 represents a carbonyl group (—C(═O)—) or a sulfonyl group (—S(═O)2—); D2 represents a carbonyl group (—C(═O)—), a sulfonyl group (—S(═O)2—), a carboxyl group (—C(═O)O—), a sulfonyloxyl group (—S(═O)2O—), a carbamoyl group (—C(═O)N(Alk)-) or a sulfamoyl group (—S(═O)2N(Alk)-); E represents a divaltn group; and R represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or non-substituted C8 or longer alkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group or a trialkylsilyl group. |
| US08552212B2 |
Chiral phosphorus ligands
The invention relates to a series of novel chiral phosphorus ligands of formulae (Ia) and (Ib): wherein R, 1-rR>4 and X are as defined herein. The invention also relates to chiral metal complexes prepared with these chiral phosphorus ligands. The chiral metal complexes are useful as catalysts for carrying out asymmetric hydro genation. |
| US08552209B2 |
Recovery of lactic acid values from a meso-lactide stream
Lactic acid equivalents are recovered from a starting lactide stream by catalytically racemizing a portion of the lactide in the stream at a temperature of 180° C. or below. This increases the proportion of two species of lactide (i.e., at least two of S,S-, R,R- or meso-lactide) at the expense of the third species. The racemized mixture so obtained can be separated to recover some or all of one or more of the lactide species from the remaining lactide species, by a process such as melt crystallization or distillation. Impurities in the starting lactide stream usually are retained mostly in the remaining meso-lactide, so a highly purified S,S- and/or R,R-lactide stream can be produced in this manner. Such a purified S,S- and R,R-lactide stream is suitable for polymerization to form a polylactide. |
| US08552207B2 |
Salt forms of [R-(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-beta, delta-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid
Novel salt forms of [R—(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid characterized by their X-ray powder diffraction pattern and solid-state NMR spectra are described, as well as methods for the preparation and pharmaceutical composition of the same, which are useful as agents for treating hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and Alzheimer's Disease. |
| US08552205B2 |
Derivatives of 6,7-dihydro-5H-imidazo[1,2-alpha]imidazole-3-carboxylic acid amides
Derivatives of 6,7-dihydro-5H-imidazo[1,2-α]imidazole-3-carboxylic acid amide exhibit good inhibitory effect upon the interaction of CAMs and Leukointegrins and are thus useful in the treatment of inflammatory disease. |
| US08552202B2 |
Furo[3, 2-B] pyrrol-3-ones as cathespin S inhibitors
A first aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, complex or pro-drug thereof, wherein: one of R3 and R4 is H, and the other is selected from C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-haloalkyl, C1-6-alkoxy, and C6-12-aralkyl; or R3 and R4 are each independently selected from C1-6-alkyl and halo; R9 is a substituted 5 or 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group or a 6,5- or 6,6-fused biaryl or heterobiaryl group. Compounds of formula (I) exhibit surprisingly high efficacies for human cathepsin S, excellent selectivity verses other mammalian cathepsins and are useful for treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, transplant rejection, diabetes, Sjogrens syndrome, Grave's disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, allergic rhinitis, asthma, atherosclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic pain. |
| US08552198B2 |
Benzimidazole compound crystal
A novel crystal of (R)-2-[[[3-methyl-4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-pyridinyl]methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole or a salt thereof of the present invention is useful for an excellent antiulcer agent. |
| US08552191B2 |
Process and intermediates for the synthesis of 8-[{1-(3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethoxy}-methyl]-8-phenyl-1,7-diaza-spiro[4.5]decan-2-one compounds
This application discloses a novel process to synthesize 8-[{1-(3,5-Bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-ethoxy}-methyl]-8-phenyl-1,7-diaza-spiro[4.5]decan-2-one compounds, which may be used, for example, as NK-1 inhibitor compounds in pharmaceutical preparations. |
| US08552190B1 |
Tristhiourea tripodal metal complexes
The tristhiourea tripodal metal complexes are a group of coordination compounds having a transition metal linked by coordinate covalent bods to a chelating agent. The chelating agent has a tris-(6-amino-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TAPA) backbone and three thiourea ligands bonded to the three legs of the TAPA backbone, respectively. The transition metal bonds to the amino groups of the TAPA backbone, and the thiourea ligands hydrogen bond to the anion guest remote from the transition metal. The chelating agent has a symmetrical C3v tripodal cavity that is selective for tetrahedral anions. The transition metal is selected from the group consisting of cadmium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc. The tristhiourea tripodal metal complexes may be used in colorimetric sensors, selectively permeable membranes, filtration media for separating tetrahedral anions (such as phosphate and perchlorate) from mixtures, and similar applications. |
| US08552184B2 |
Compounds and methods for treating disorders related to glucose metabolism
The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and compositions comprising the same, that are useful in modulating lyn kinase activity, treating obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and in reducing blood glucose level, weight gain, or fat depot level, or treating a disease or condition associated with the same. |
| US08552183B2 |
Process for the covalent coupling of two molecules by means of a diels-alder reaction with inverse electron requirement
The present invention relates to a process for linking two molecules by means of a Diels Alder reaction with inverse electron requirement (DARinv), comprising the following steps: reaction of a (a) triazine or tetrazine with one or more electron-attracting substituents on the ring as a diene component, the electron-attracting substituents being selected from: COOR C(O)NR2 CX3 (X=halogen) halogen CN SO2—R or SO3—R PR2 wherein R═H, alkyl, aryl, heterocycle, which in turn may be substituted, where appropriate, with alkyl, OH, SH, halogen, aryl, heterocycle, nitro, carboxyamido or amine group. —heterocyclic rings having 1, 2 or 3 N, O or S atoms with a ring size of 5 or 6 ring members, which are substituted with at least one carboxyl, sulfonic acid or phosphone group with (b) an isolated double bond or triple bond in a (hetero)carbocyclic ring or an isolated olefinic double bond or triple bond in a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain which may also contain heteroatoms, where appropriate, as a dienophile component. |
| US08552179B2 |
Organic compound, photovoltaic layer and organic photovoltaic device
The present invention relates generally to the field of organic chemistry and particularly to the organic compound for organic photovoltaic devices. More specifically, the present invention is related to the organic compounds and the organic photovoltaic devices based on these compounds. In one preferred embodiment, this organic compound has the general structural formula (I) where Het1 is a predominantly planar polycyclic molecular system of first type; Het2 is a predominantly planar polycyclic molecular system of second type; A is a bridging group providing a lateral bond of the molecular system Het1 with the molecular system Het2 via strong chemical bonds; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; B1 and B2 are binding groups; i is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; j is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; S1 and S2 are groups providing solubility of the organic compound; k is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; D1 and D2 are substituents independently selected from a list comprising —CH3, —C2H5, —NO2, —Cl, —Br, —F, —CF3, —CN, —OH, —OCH3, —OC2H5, —OCOCH3, —OCN, —SCN—NH2, —NHCOCH3, —C2Si(CH3)3, and —CONH2; y is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; and z is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. Said organic compound absorbs electromagnetic radiation in at least one predetermined spectral subrange within a wavelength range from 400 to 3000 nm and is capable to form supramolecules. The molecular system Het1, the bridging group A, and the molecular system Het2 are capable to form a donor-bridge-acceptor system providing dissociation of excited electron-hole pairs. A solution of the organic compound or its salt is capable of forming a solid photovoltaic layer on a substrate. |
| US08552177B2 |
Room temperature stable agarose solutions
A method for making functionalized porous crosslinked polysaccharide gel coated structures used as liquid chromatography media is provided. The method includes impregnating a porous substrate with a room temperature stable aqueous polysaccharide solution containing water, 0.1% to 20% of a polysaccharide, 18% to 54% of a gel-inhibiting agent to prevent the gel from re-gelling, and 0.001% to 10% of an anionic fluorosurfactant for optimum solution coatability onto the substrate, each concentration is by total weight of the aqueous solution. Next water is evaporated from the coating, followed by exposing the dehydrated coating to a gelling agent thereby forming a porous polysaccharide gel coated substrate. Next the gel coated substrate is exposed to a crosslinking agent forming a porous crosslinked polysaccharide gel coated substrate. Next, the gel coated substrate is functionalized by contacting the porous polysaccharide gel coated substrate with sodium 3-bromopropanesulfonate, thereby attaching sulfopropyl ligands to the gel coated substrate, resulting in a functionalized porous absorptive polysaccharide gel coated chromatography structure. When the functionalized gel coated chromatography structure is used as liquid chromatography media, and a protein (e.g. lysozyme) containing solution contacts the media, the sulfopropyl ligands attached to the gel coated chromatography structure will bond to the protein, thereby removing the protein from the protein containg solution. |
| US08552176B2 |
Glycosylated chlorambucil analogs and uses thereof
A library of glycosylated chlorambucil analogs which are useful as anti-tumor and/or anti-metastatic agents is disclosed. The glycosylated chlorambucil analogs have the general formula wherein represents a reducing sugar moiety. |
| US08552171B2 |
RNA sequence-specific mediators of RNA interference
The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response. This specific targeting of a particular gene function is useful in functional genomic and therapeutic applications. |
| US08552165B2 |
Immunostimulatory oligonucleotides
The invention relates to immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and methods of using immunostimulatory oligonucleotides to induce an antigen-specific immune response. The invention further relates to a vaccine that comprises an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and an antigen, and comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention, in some embodiments, include one or more modified linkage(s). |
| US08552163B2 |
Liver-targeting agents and their synthesis
This invention provides novel liver targeting agents and their synthetic methods. A liver targeting agent, with a lysine based nitrilotriacetic acid structure as backbone which acquires multivalency with saccharide groups, to bind with a galactosamine chain or lactose chain is disclosed. In particular, only one amino acid L-lysine is involved to provide trivalency. All carboxyl groups in Nε-benzyloxycarbonyl-Nα-dicarboxymethyl-L-lysine can be conjugated with three glycosides of ahGalNAc or ahLac in one step. This invention also provides a hexa-lactoside. In particular, the TFA-AHA-Asp was used to conjugate 2 molecules of NTA(ahLac)3. This invention also provides a method for adding a spacer between NTA and DTPA. The extended hepatocyte-specific glyco-ligand has higher 111In-radiolabelling yield than those non-extended. |
| US08552160B2 |
Selective extraction of proteins from freshwater or saltwater algae
Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal proteins from an algal biomass or algal culture are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal proteins. These proteins can be used as renewable sources of proteins for animal feedstocks and human food. Further, lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of proteins can be used to generate renewable fuels. |
| US08552158B2 |
Method for the production of insulin-like growth factor-1
Method for the production of IGF-I, characterized by cultivating a prokaryotic host cell comprising an expression vector containing a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein comprising said IGF-I N-terminally linked to the C-terminus of a propeptide, whereby said propeptide ends C-terminally with amino acids -Y-Pro, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of Pro, Pro-Ala, Pro-Gly, Pro-Thr, Ala-Pro, Gly-Pro, Thr-Pro, Arg-Pro, or Pro-Arg-Pro, recovering and cleaving said fusion protein with IgA protease, and recovering said IGF-I. IGF-I is useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's Disease. |
| US08552157B2 |
c-Kit antibodies and uses thereof
This invention is directed to antibodies that specifically bind to an extracellular domain of human c-Kit, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, and their use in treating cancer. |
| US08552155B2 |
Anti-Pyk2 antibodies
This document provides methods and materials related to anti-Pyk2 antibodies. For example, anti-Pyk2 antibodies, methods for making anti-Pyk2 antibodies, and methods for using an anti-Pyk2 antibody to inhibit glioma cell migration are provided. |
| US08552154B2 |
Anti-PD-L1 antibodies and uses therefor
The present invention is based, in part, on the identification of novel human anti-PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 antibodies. Accordingly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for diagnosing, prognosing, and treating conditions that would benefit from modulating PD-1, PD-L1, and/or PD-L2 activity (e.g., persistent infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, asthma, transplant rejection, inflammatory disorders and tumors) using the novel human anti-PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 antibodies described herein. |
| US08552148B2 |
TNF-α antagonists containing IGFBP5
The present invention relates to: TNF-α antagonists containing IGFBP5 protein, variants thereof, or fragments thereof; and the use of the TNF-α antagonists. More specifically, the present invention relates to: a polynucleotide encoding the protein, variants thereof, or fragments thereof; a vector containing the polynucleotide; a transformant containing the vector; and a method for screening a therapeutic agent for TNF-α overexpression-related diseases by checking whether the mutual reaction thereof is facilitated after treating with candidates to the cell expressing the IGFBP5 protein, variants thereof, or fragments thereof, and the TNFR1. |
| US08552147B2 |
Peptides and compositions for prevention of cell adhesion and methods of using same
Compositions comprising an isolated peptide, which may for example optionally comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of FDYDWY (SEQ ID NO: 2), SFSQNKSVHSFDYDWYNVSDQADLKN (SEQ ID NO: 3) or CSFSQNKSVHSFDYDWYNVSDQADLKNC (SEQ ID NO: 1), or any cyclized version thereof, and methods of using same, including for treatment of or prevention of formation of microbial biofilms and against adhesion of a cell to a surface. |
| US08552144B2 |
Block copolymer with simultaneous electric and ionic conduction for use in lithium ion batteries
Redox reactions that occur at the electrodes of batteries require transport of both ions and electrons to the active centers. Reported is the synthesis of a block copolymer that exhibits simultaneous electronic and ionic conduction. A combination of Grignard metathesis polymerization and click reaction was used successively to synthesize the block copolymer containing regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) segments. The P3HT-PEO/LiTFSI mixture was then used to make a lithium battery cathode with LiFePO4 as the only other component. All-solid lithium batteries of the cathode described above, a solid electrolyte and a lithium foil as the anode showed capacities within experimental error of the theoretical capacity of the battery. The ability of P3HT-PEO to serve all of the transport and binding functions required in a lithium battery electrode is thus demonstrated. |
| US08552143B2 |
Method for the preparation of poly (disulfide) polymers and gels
High molecular weight disulfide polymers are synthesized in aqueous media by exposing dithiol compounds to a mild oxidizing environment in the presence of a tertiary amine catalyst. The unique oxidizing system polymerizes monomers through the formation of sulfur-sulfur bonds between dithiol compounds. The same oxidizing system may be used to make disulfide-crosslinked gels from compounds containing multiple thiol groups. The oxidizing system is comprised of oxygen at atmospheric concentration and dilute hydrogen peroxide. A filler such as carbon black may be incorporated into the polymer or cross-linked gel during polymerization. A polydisulfide polymer is provided having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000 g/mol and a polydispersity index of about 2 or less. A tetrathiol composition results from a reaction of a diacrylate with a trithiol. The tetrathiol composition may be subjected to an oxidizing environment with a tertiary amine catalyst to provide a polytetrathiol polymer network. |
| US08552138B2 |
Polyester resin, production process therefor and use thereof
Polyester resins (C) of the invention have a practically sufficient high molecular weight and a high crystallinity and have an amide group in the molecular chain. Processes for producing the polyester resins are also disclosed. In detail, the polyester resins (C) have a practically sufficient high molecular weight and a high crystallinity and have a biodegradable amide group in the molecular chain. Processes for producing the polyester resins are also disclosed.The polyester resins (C) are obtained by reacting an aliphatic polyester resin (A) and a polyisocyanate compound (B) in the presence of an amidation catalyst and contain a specific structural unit. |
| US08552137B2 |
Composition comprising silyl derivative as dehydrating agent
Disclosed is a compositions comprising isocyanate sub-composition comprising by weight not more than 5% of diisocyanate monomers, a dehydrating agent selected among compounds bearing dihydrocarbylsilyl groups bonded to a metalloid of the chalcogen column or to an atom of the nitrogen column. The invention is applicable to the coatings industry, in particular paints and adhesives. |
| US08552132B2 |
Rheology modifiers for modifying the rheological behaviour of coating compositions
The present invention provides rheology modifiers, which are water-soluble polymers having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 1,000,000 g/mol and an intrinsic viscosity of at least 2.5 dl/g, both as determined by size exclusion chromatography, and wherein the water-soluble polymers are in the form of solid particles. It also provides mixtures of rheology modifiers comprising a first rheology modifier, which is a water-soluble polymer having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 1,000,000 g/mol and an intrinsic viscosity of at least 2.5 dl/g, both as determined by size exclusion chromatography, and a second rheology modifier, which has a weight average molecular weight of from 2,000 g/mol to 800,000 g/mol. It also provides coating composition containing the rheology modifiers, respectively, mixtures of rheology modifiers, a process for their preparation, a process for coating a substrate using these coating compositions and substrates coated with these coating compositions. |
| US08552126B2 |
Aqueous polymer dispersions, processes for preparing them, and their use
The present invention relates to an aqueous polymer dispersion whose dispersed addition polymer P comprises, copolymerized in free-radically polymerized form, at least one polar monomer having a water solubility of greater than 50 g/liter (measured at 20° C.), and obtainable by free-radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerization, the polar monomer being metered to the reaction mixture during the polymerization process at a variable, i.e., nonconstant rate, for example in the sense of a rate gradient. The present invention further relates to processes for preparing these aqueous polymer dispersions, to their use as binders and/or in coatings, and also to coatings comprising the polymer dispersion of the invention. |
| US08552120B2 |
Grafted and functionalized high 1,4-trans polybutadiene with aromatic organosulfur compound
The present invention relates to a process of preparing 1,4-trans polybutadiene grafted with an aromatic organosulfur compound, the process comprising (a) preparing 1,4-trans polybutadiene by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene or butadiene derivatives in a nonpolar solvent in the presence of a particular catalyst, and (b) preparing the 1,4-trans polybutadiene grafted with an aromatic organosulfur compound by reacting the trans polybutadiene with an aromatic organosulfur compound. The organosulfur molecule in the molecular chain minimizes ultra high molecular weight fraction and narrows the molecular weight distribution, thereby enabling this polymer to show improved processability and tensile properties. |
| US08552118B2 |
Polyisobutylenes and process for making same
The present invention generally relates to alcohol-terminated polyisobutylene (PIB) compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to primary alcohol-terminated polyisobutylene compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to polyisobutylene compounds that can be used to synthesize polyurethanes, to polyurethane compounds made via the use of such polyisobutylene compounds, and to processes for making such compounds. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to primary alcohol-terminated polyisobutylene compounds having two or more primary alcohol termini and to a process for making such compounds. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to primary terminated polyisobutylene compounds having two or more primary termini selected from amine groups or methacrylate groups. |
| US08552117B1 |
Sealing elements and sealing element compositions
Polyolefin based sealing element compositions with good oxygen barrier properties particularly suitable for forming sealing elements, for example gaskets and cap liners that are especially useful for sealing containers having products such as liquids or food-stuffs therein. The compositions when formed as sealing elements do not appreciably contribute taste and/or odor to a packaged product including the sealing element. The compositions have desirable rheological properties and are thus readily processable at various temperatures. |
| US08552112B2 |
Weatherable thermoplastic resin composition having excellent low gloss characteristic and method of preparing the same
The present invention provides a weather resistant thermoplastic resin with low gloss and a method of preparing the same. The thermoplastic resin of the present invention comprises a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester-based polymer (A) and a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester-based oligomeric prepolymer (B), and an aromatic vinyl-cyanide vinyl based copolymer (C), wherein the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester-based polymer (A) and the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester-based oligomeric prepolymer (B) form a network-shaped disperse phase and the aromatic vinyl-cyanide vinyl based copolymer (C) forms a continuous phase. |
| US08552111B2 |
Environmentally friendly polymeric textile coating
A composition comprises a polyvinylchloride homopolymer, a biodegradable plasticizer and either a swelling agent or a carbohydrate coupled to the polyvinylchloride homopolymer or a combination thereof. The composition may further comprise a blowing agent. A coated fabric comprises a textile substrate and a biodegradable coating at least partially coating the textile substrate, wherein the biodegradable coating degrades at least 60% after 28 days under the ASTM D584 standard. A method of making a biodegradable coating comprises providing a polymer and blending a biodegradable plasticizer with the polymer to form a blend. A method of making a coated textile comprises providing a textile and a composition comprising a polymer, a biodegradable plasticizer, and at least one other component; applying the composition to the textile; and curing the composition, thereby making a coated textile. |
| US08552106B2 |
Dispersion of fluorosilicones and fluorine- and silicon-containing surface treatment agent
A fluorosilicone reaction product of a mercapto or vinyl functional organopolysiloxane and a fluorine-containing monomer, and methods of preparing the fluorosilicone are disclosed. The fluorosilicone products are suitable for application to substrates such as textiles, particularly fabrics, to impart oil repellent properties to the textile. The fluorosilicone reaction product is prepared from (A) a fluorine-containing monomer of the formula CH2═C(X)COOYRf, and (B) a mercapto or vinyl functional organopolysiloxane. |
| US08552102B2 |
Coating composition
The present invention relates to a novel resin composition useful as a coating agent or a binder for medicines, drugs for animals, agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, foods or the like, which contains a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer as a main component. More particularly, the present invention relates to a resin composition, characterized in that the composition is obtained by copolymerizing a polyvinyl alcohol having an average polymerization degree of 1300 or less, and at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer in a weight ratio of 6:4 to 9:1. |
| US08552097B2 |
Polymer vulcanizate and process for the production thereof
A new polymer composition comprising (i) a polymer having a main polymer chain derived from (ia) at least 30% by weight to 100% by weight based on the polymer of a first monomer which introduces at least one of a secondary carbon and a tertiary carbon to the main polymer chain, and (ib) in the range of from 0 to 70% by weight based on the polymer of at least one other monomer; (ii) at least one lithium salt; and (iii) at least one antioxidant is provided, as well as a process for producing a polymer vulcanizate comprising the step of vulcanizing the polymer composition mentioned above additionally comprising a vulcanization system. A method for improving the hot air aging and aqueous fluid resistance characteristics of the polymer mentioned above comprises the step of admixing said polymer with at least one lithium salt and at least one antioxidant is also provided. |
| US08552096B2 |
Flame-retardant reinforced polycarbonate compositions
A composition containing a polycarbonate, a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, an alicyclic hydrocarbon resin flow promoter, an inorganic filler, a flame retardant and an impact modifier. The compositions may include polycarbonate in an amount of 40% by weight or more of the combined weights of the polycarbonate, polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, inorganic filler, flame retardant, flow promoter, and impact modifier compound wherein a molded sample of the thermoplastic composition is capable of achieving UL94 V0 rating at a thickness of 1.2 mm (±10%); wherein the polymer composition has a melt viscosity of 185 Pa·sec or less, when measured at 270° C. and 1500 sec−1; and wherein a molded sample of the thermoplastic composition has a flexural modulus determined in accordance with ASTM D790 within 3800-8000 MPa; and wherein a 3.2-mm thick molded NII bar comprising the composition has a notched Izod impact strength of 40 to 200 J/m determined in accordance with ASTM D256 at 23° C. |
| US08552095B1 |
Flame-retardant polymer composition and article
A flame-retardant polymer composition includes specific amounts of polyamide, acid-functionalized poly(phenylene ether), polyimide, and metal dialkylphosphinate. The composition, which exhibits improved flame retardancy and tensile modulus relative to known blends of poly(phenylene ether), polyamide, and polyimide, is useful for forming electrical components, such as photovoltaic junction boxes and connectors, inverter housings, automotive electrical connectors, electrical relays, and charge couplers. |
| US08552091B2 |
Multiphase acrylic adhesives
The invention relates to cured (meth)acrylate based adhesive composition, comprising at least two co-continuous phases of interpenetrating networks and at least two types of polymeric inclusions, in which one of the co-continuous phases comprises a polymer or copolymer based on at least one acrylic or methacrylic acid monomer or a derivative thereof. These compositions exhibit better facture toughness, especially at low temperatures. |
| US08552089B2 |
Ink composition for forming light shielding film of organic semiconductor device, method for forming light shielding film, and organic transistor device having light shielding film
There is provided an ink composition for forming a light shielding film in an organic semiconductor device which is capable of stably forming a fine pattern when forming a finely patterned light shielding film by the letterpress reverse printing method or microcontact printing method, which can be baked at a temperature equal to or less than the substrate heatproof temperature, and which is also capable of providing light shielding property and mechanical strength, the ink composition for forming a light shielding film in an organic semiconductor device which is an ink composition for forming a light shielding film in an organic semiconductor device comprising a black pigment; a resin component; a surface energy modifier; a quick-drying organic solvent; a slow-drying organic solvent; and a mold releasing agent, wherein the resin component comprises a solid resin that is in a solid state at 200° C. or less and a liquid resin that is in a liquid state at 10 to 50° C. at a ratio (solid resin/liquid resin) of 0.2 to 0.6. |
| US08552088B2 |
Cement for dental applications
A cement for dental use, containing a first agent and a second agent, wherein both of the first agent and the second agent contain a polymerizable monomer (a) and a filler (b), wherein the first agent and/or the second agent further contains a photopolymerization initiator (c), wherein further as a chemical polymerization initiator (d), either one of the first agent and the second agent contains an oxidizing agent (f) and the other contains a reducing agent (g), the oxidizing agent (f) and the reducing agent (g) constituting a redox polymerization initiator, wherein the photopolymerization initiator (c) contains an α-diketone, and the photopolymerization initiator (c) is contained in a total amount of from 0.010 to 0.100 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polymerizable monomer (a), wherein the chemical polymerization initiator (d) is contained in a total amount of from 0.001 to 20 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polymerizable monomer (a), and wherein a cured product has a compression modulus immediately after photocuring of from 100 to 400 MPa, and a compression modulus after 24 hours from photocuring of 500 MPa or more. The cement for dental use of the present invention is suitably used for adhering the dentine and a crowning restorative material in the field of dental therapy, or the like. |
| US08552081B2 |
High modulus bio-based polymer formulations
The present invention is a high modulus bio-based polymer plastic composition or mixture and methods of preparing the same. The composition is formed from the reaction of a bio-based epoxidized triglyceride oil, an energy activated catalyst and a bio-based non-aromatic cross-linking compound to form a structural polymer plastic. The bio-based epoxidized triglyceride oil is selected from a bio-based epoxidized triglyceride or a bio-based acrylated epoxidized triglyceride. The non-aromatic cross-linking compound is selected from itaconic acid or itaconic anhydride, and the energy activated catalyst is activated by UV radiation or heat. |
| US08552070B2 |
Metallic pigment preparation in compacted form, method for producing the same and use thereof
A pigment preparation with metallic effect pigments in compacted form, the pigment preparation including the following components: a) 60%-95% by weight of at least one metallic effect pigment which has at least one low-refractive-index layer (low-index layer) on the metallic core of the metallic effect pigment, the low-index layer comprising or consisting of at least one inorganic component, b) 0.5%-40% by weight of a binder which is free from styrene groups, has an acid number of 150-500 mg KOH/g binder, and a melting point or melting range which lies in the range of 120-200° C., c) a residual moisture content in the range of 0%-15% by weight of at least one of water, organic solvent and a solvent mixture and d) optionally neutralizing agent(s). The disclosure further relates to a method for producing the pigment preparation and also to the use thereof. |
| US08552068B2 |
Compositions and methods
Gaseous nitric oxide (NO) can be delivered to a mammal for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes using a composition capable of delivering NO, comprising a compound capable of forming a reversible bond or association with NO. Methods for the manufacture and use of said composition are disclosed. |
| US08552067B2 |
Macromolecular conjugates of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein inhibitors and uses therefor
Provided herein are bioactive agents comprising a compound that inhibits the ion transport activity of a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and that is linked to a macromolecule that interacts with a cell that expresses CFTR. The bioactive agents described herein are useful for treating diseases, disorders, and sequelae of diseases, disorders, and conditions that are associated with aberrantly increased CFTR activity, for example, secretory diarrhea. |
| US08552066B2 |
Modified chalcone compounds as antimitotic agents
Antimitotic agents comprising a modified chalcone or modified chalcone derivative are disclosed. The modified chalcone or modified chalcone derivative compounds are of the general formula CHAL-LIN-COV, wherein CHAL is a chalcone or chalcone derivative portion, LIN is an optional linker portion, and COV is a covalent bonding portion (e.g., an α,β-unsaturated thiol ester group). The modified chalcone or modified chalcone derivative compounds provide an improved method of interference with tubulin polymerization, for example by covalent (and essentially irreversible) bonding between tubulin and the covalent bonding portion, potentially resulting in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer, to the benefit of cancer patients. |
| US08552065B2 |
Biarylamide derivative and compositions containing the derivative as an active ingredient
The present invention relates to a novel biarylamide derivative and a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic composition comprising the same as an active ingredient. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel biarylamide derivative, a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic composition for preventing or treating a pigmentation disorder caused by an abnormal excess of melanin or a disease caused by melanocyte hyperplasia comprising the same as an active ingredient. The biarylamide derivative of the present invention inhibits melanin production and thus inhibits melanocyte hyperplasia. Therefore, a cosmetic composition comprising the biarylamide is excellent in a whitening effect, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the biarylamide is effective in the prevention or treatment of pigmentation disorders of skin such as lentigo, melasma, freckle, etc. and malignant melanoma. |
| US08552064B2 |
Suramin and derivatives thereof as topical microbicide and contraceptive
The present invention is directed to methods of inhibiting STDs by topically administering suramin or a derivative thereof to actual or potential sites of infection, and methods of preventing pregnancy by topically applying suramin or a derivative thereof intravaginally. Suramin compositions that include an antimicrobial agent and/or a sperm-function inhibitor are also provided and may advantageously be used in the methods of the invention. A method of simultaneously inhibiting STDs and preventing pregnancy is also provided. Devices impregnated or coated with the topical suramin compositions are further disclosed and may be used to apply the compositions described herein. |
| US08552061B2 |
Locally active “soft” antiandrogens
The present invention relates to antiandrogenic compounds which may be administered for the treatment of androgen excess in the skin and by way of consequence, the treatment of acne, baldness or hirsuitism in subject or patient. These compounds have the general chemical structure (I, II, III or IV). |
| US08552060B2 |
Methods for treatment of sexual dysfunction
This invention is directed to a method of treating sexual dysfunction in a subject, comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof wherein Rx is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, halogen selected from F, CI, Br and I, alkoxy containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, nitro, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, and thioalkoxy containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; x is an integer of 1 to 3, with the proviso that R may be the same or different when x is 2 or 3; R1 and R2 can be the same or different from each other and are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl of 3 to 7 carbon atoms; R1 and R2 can be joined to form a 5 to 7-membered heterocycle substituted with a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and aryl groups, wherein the cyclic compound can comprise 1 to 2 nitrogen atoms and O to 1 oxygen atom, wherein the nitrogen atoms are not directly connected with each other or with the oxygen atom. |
| US08552058B2 |
Application of L-n-butylphthalide in preventing and treating dementia
The invention discloses the application of l-n-butylphthalide as formula (I) in preparing a medicine for preventing and treating dementia, in special Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. |
| US08552051B2 |
Use of pharmaceutical compositions containing mesembrenone
The use of mesembrenone and medicaments and dietary supplements containing mesembrenone. The applicant has surprisingly found that mesembrenone exhibits potent PDE-4 inhibition properties and, in addition to being useful in treating conditions that respond to treatment with a PDE-4 inhibitor, has dual activity on account of its serotonin-uptake inhibition properties. Mesembrenone is extracted and isolated, for example as a pure compound, from plant material of the plant family Mesembryanthemaceae. Preferably a plant or plants from the genus Sceletium, more preferably, Sceletium tortuosum(L) N.E.Br is used. |
| US08552049B2 |
Pyrazolecarboxamide derivatives and their use as microbiocides
Compounds of Formula (I) wherein R1 is C1-C4alkyl or C1-C4 haloalkyl; R2 is C1-C4alkyl; R3 is hydrogen or halogen; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C4alkyl or C1-C4halogenalkyl; R5 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4alkyl or C1-C4halogenalkyl; R6 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl or C3-C6alkinyl; R7 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C3-C6alkinyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl-C3-C6alkinyl, halophenoxy, halophenyi, C1-C6haloalkyl, C1-C6haloakoxy, C2-C6haloalkenyl, or C2-C6haloalkenyloxy; R8 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl or C3-C6alkinyl; with the provisio that at least one of R6, R7 and R8 is different from hydrogen; n is 0 or 1, are suitable for use as microbriocides. |
| US08552047B2 |
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors
The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HCV infection. |
| US08552045B2 |
Tricyclic imidazole compounds as PDE10 inhibitors
This invention is directed to compounds with the structure which are PDE10A enzyme inhibitors. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides processes for the preparation of the compounds of formula 1. The present invention further provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula 1. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a drug addiction comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula 1. The present invention further provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a psychiatric disorder comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula 1. |
| US08552044B1 |
Coatings for disease control
The present invention relates to coatings for disease control. More particularly, the present invention relates to coatings that are effective against toxins, precursors to these coatings and methods of forming the coatings. |
| US08552042B2 |
Use of combination preparations comprising antifungal agents
The invention relates to the use of an antimycotic agent and an epithelial cell or endothelial cell adhesion inhibitor for producing a combination drug for the topical treatment of Candida mycoses selected from vulvovaginal candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush), diaper dermatitis (diaper thrush) and intertriginous (Candida) eczema. |
| US08552040B2 |
Isoxazoline compounds having MIF antagonist activity
Methods of use and pharmaceutical compositions for a genus of low molecular weight compounds comprising optionally substituted isoxazoline ring systems that act as inhibitors of MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) are disclosed. Specifically, the compounds are useful for treating a variety of diseases involving inflammatory activity or pro-inflammatory cytokine responses, such as autoimmune diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis, insulin-dependent diabetes, multiple sclerosis, graft versus host disease, lupus syndromes), asthma, arthritis, ARDS, psoriasis, interleukin-2 toxicity, proliferative vascular disease, and various forms of sepsis and septic shock, and other conditions characterized by underlying MIF responses including, for instance, tumor growth and neovascularization (angiogenesis). |
| US08552038B2 |
Crystalline forms of thiazolidinedione compound and its manufacturing method
A crystalline form of a hydrate of a dihydrochloride 5-(4-{[6-(4-amino-3,5-dimethylphenoxy)-1-methyl-1-H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methoxy}benzyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione represented by the following formula: wherein the crystalline form shows main peaks at interplanar spacings of 10.42, 5.85, 5.52, 3.84, 3.46 and 2.95 angstroms in X-ray powder diffraction obtained with Cu Kα line radiation (wavelength λ=1.54 angstroms). |
| US08552037B2 |
Tricyclic compound and pharmaceutical use thereof
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases related to the action of melatonin, or a salt thereof and the like. |
| US08552036B2 |
Polymorph of atazanavir sulfate
The present invention provides a novel crystalline form of atazanavir sulfate, process for its preparation and to pharmaceutical composition containing it. In accordance with the present invention atazanavir sulfate was dissolved in methanol, to the solution was added ethyl acetate, the solid obtained was collected by filtration and dried to give atazanavir sulfate crystalline form H1. |
| US08552035B2 |
Phenanthrenone compounds, compositions and methods
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: or salt thereof, which are modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor. The compounds and salts of the invention are useful in the treatment of conditions mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity. |
| US08552032B2 |
Bicyclic derivatives useful as inhibitors of DPP-1
The present invention is directed to novel bicyclic derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by DPP-1. |
| US08552031B2 |
3-ethylidenehydrazino substituted heterocyclic compounds as thrombopoietin receptor activators
A compound represented by the formula (1): wherein A, B, R1, L1, R2, L2, L3, Y, L4, R3 and X are the same as defined in the description, a tautomer, prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound or a solvate thereof. |
| US08552029B2 |
Quinoline derivatives and uses of the same
Provided is a quinoline derivative of Chemical Formula (I): wherein, R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, R2 is a halogen, and R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and one of the carbon atoms in the phenyl ring of the phenyl group is optionally substituted by a nitrogen atom (N). The quinoline derivative can efficiently inhibit cancer cell proliferation and can be used for treating cancer, especially for treating cancers related to the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway and/or the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. |
| US08552027B2 |
Luminescent compounds
Dyes and photoluminescent compounds based on polymethine dyes that contain at least one alkyl-phosphonate or substituted alkyl-phosphonate group, including the synthetic precursors, methods of synthesis, and applications thereof. Certain embodiments include heterocyclic ring systems and polymethine linkage are selected such that the resulting polymethine dye is a cyanine dye, a merocyanine dye, or a styryl dye. |
| US08552026B2 |
Isatin derivatives, medicaments containing the isatin derivatives and method for its preparation
The present invention relates to an isatin derivative having the formula (I), a medicament for treatment of tuberculoses containing that isatin derivative as well as a method for preparing isatin derivative according to formula (I). |
| US08552025B2 |
Stable methylnaltrexone preparation
Stable pharmaceutical compositions useful for administering methylnaltrexone are described, as are methods for making the same. Kits, including these pharmaceutical compositions, also are provided. |
| US08552022B2 |
Substituted cyclopropyl compounds, compositions containing such compounds and methods of treatment
Substituted cyclopropyl compounds of the formula I: are disclosed as useful for treating or preventing type 2 diabetes and similar conditions. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are included as well. The compounds are useful as agonists of the g-protein coupled receptor GPR-119. |
| US08552017B2 |
2-amino-3-sulphonyl-tetrahydro-pyrazolo[1,5-A]pyrido-pyrimidine antagonists of serotonin 5-HT6 receptors, methods for the production and use thereof
The invention relates to serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonists—novel 2-amino-3-arylsulfonyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrido[4,3-e]pyrimidines and substituted 2-amino-3-arylsulfonyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines, drug substances and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the said drug substances as the said compounds, and also to method of prophylaxis and treatment of various diseases of central nervious system in humans and animals pathogenesis of which is associated with serotonin 5-HT6 receptors including cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases.Substituted 2-amino-3-arylsulfonyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrido[4,3-e]pyrimidines of the general formula 1 and substituted 2-amino-3-arylsulfonyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines of the general formula 2 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or hydrates thereof. wherein: Ar is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl; R1 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C4 alkyloxycarbonyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen or optionally substituted C1-C3 alkyl; R13 and R23 represent optionally alike: hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C3 alkyl or R13 and R23 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted azaheterocycle. |
| US08552013B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds based on N6-substituted adenine, methods of their preparation, their use for preparation of drugs, cosmetic preparations and growth regulators, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic preparations and growth regulators containing these compounds
Novel heterocyclic derivatives based on N6-substituted adenine, having anticancer, mitotic, immunosuppressive and antisenescent properties for plant, animal and human cells and methods of their preparation. Included are also pharmaceutical compositions, cosmetic preparations and growth regulators, which contain these derivatives as active compound and the use of these derivatives for the preparation of drugs, cosmetic preparations, in biotechnological processes, in cosmetics and in agriculture. |
| US08552003B2 |
(S)-N-((S)-1-cyclohexyl-2-{(S)-2-[4-4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-thiazol-2-yl]pyrrolidin-1-yl}-2-oxoethyl)-2-methylamino-propionamide, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and their uses
The present invention is directed to a compound of the formula: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and use of such compounds for treating proliferative diseases such as cancer, in mammals. |
| US08552002B2 |
Compounds and compositions as protein kinase inhibitors
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents X1, R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meaning as set forth and explained in the description of the invention, to processes for the preparation of these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing same, the use thereof optionally in combination with one or more other pharmaceutically active compounds for the therapy of a disease which responds to an inhibition of protein kinase activity, and a method for the treatment of such a disease. |
| US08551998B2 |
Delta opioid receptor agonist compounds
Compositions and methods for treatment of sexual dysfunctions by administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a delta opioid receptor agonist in an amount effective to delay the onset of ejaculation in the subject during sexual stimulation. |
| US08551997B2 |
Structural-based inhibitors of the glutathione binding site in aldose reductase, methods of screening therefor and methods of use
Provided herein are methods of treating a pathophysiological state or symptoms thereof resulting from aldose reductase-mediated signaling in a cytotoxic pathway in a subject using an inhibitor of aldose reductase. Particularly, specific inhibitors may be a small-interfering RNA (siRNA) or may be inhibitors of glutathione-aldehyde binding to aldose reductase which are designed via at least computer modeling of the ternary AR:NADPH:DCEG structure. Also, methods of treating a cancer or suppressing metastasis thereof using the siRNAs and aldose reductase inhibitors are provided. |
| US08551992B2 |
Aminooxazole inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases
Oxazole derivatives are described. The inventive compounds are useful as kinase inhibitors, and may be used in the treatment of cancer, such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, CNS cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, and renal cancer. |
| US08551991B2 |
1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline derivative having glucocorticoid receptor binding activity
An object of the present invention is to synthesize a novel 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline derivative represented by formula (1) and to find a pharmacological action of the derivative. In the formula, the R1 represents a halogen, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group, or the like; p represents 0 to 5; R2 represents a halogen, an alkyl, hydroxyl or alkoxy group, or the like; q represents 0 to 2; R3 represents hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, alkylcarbonyl or arylcarbonyl group, or the like; R4 and R5 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group, or the like; R6 represents hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group, or the like; A represents an alkylene; R7 represents OR8, NR8R9, SR8, S(O)R8, S(O)2R8; and X represents O or S. |
| US08551985B2 |
Carbinol derivatives having heterocyclic linker
[Object]It is to provide a novel LXRβ agonist useful as a preventative and/or therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis; arteriosclerosis such as those resulting from diabetes; dyslipidemia; hypercholesterolemia; lipid-related diseases; inflammatory diseases that are caused by inflammatory cytokines; skin diseases such as allergic skin diseases; diabetes; or Alzheimer's disease.[Solving Means]A carbinol compound represented by the following general formula (I) or salt thereof, or their solvate: (wherein, each V and W independently show N or C—R7; each X and Y independently show CH2, C═O, SO2, etc; Z shows CH or N; each R1, R2 and R7 independently show a hydrogen atom, C1-8 alkyl group, etc.; R3 shows C1-8 alkyl group; R4 shows an optionally substituted C6-10 aryl group or an optionally substituted 5- to 11-membered heterocyclic group; R5 and R6 show a hydrogen atom, etc.; L shows a C1-8 alkyl chain optionally substituted with an oxo group, etc.; and n shows any integer of 0 to 2.) |
| US08551984B2 |
Aminopyrimidines as SYK inhibitors
The present invention provides novel pyrimidine amines of formula (I) which are potent inhibitors of spleen tyrosine kinase, and are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by said enzyme, such as asthma, COPD and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| US08551983B2 |
Nicotinic receptor agonists for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
Nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof for treating inflammatory pulmonary diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions including nicotine receptor agonists or analogs or derivatives thereof. Compounds of formula wherein R1, R2, Xa and Ya are as defined herein are also provided. |
| US08551982B2 |
Benzodioxane inhibitors of leukotriene production
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 to R3, A, X and n are as defined herein. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as inhibitors of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) and treating LTA4H related disorder. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I), methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, and processes for preparing these compounds. |
| US08551980B2 |
Substituted triazolopyridines
The present invention relates to triazolopyridine compounds of general formula (I) which are Monopolar Spindle 1 kinase (Mps-1 or TTK) inhibitors: Formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as given in the description and in the claims, to methods of preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds, to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis proliferative of diseases, as well as to intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of said compounds. |
| US08551977B2 |
Use of perifosine in combination with antimetabolites for the treatment of benign and malignant oncoses in humans and mammals
The invention relates to the use of alkylphosphocholines in combination with antimetabolite antitumor substances for the treatment of benign and malignant oncoses in humans and animals. It is possible in this connection for the alkylphosphocholines to be employed in a combination according to the invention with one or more antimetabolite antitumor substances. Preferred alkylphosphocholines are described by the Formula II. One such preferred alkylphosphocholine is perifosine. |
| US08551975B1 |
Hyaluronic acid in soft gel form
An orally administered soft gelatin formulation preparation of low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid (HA) for use as a nutritional supplement to provide the primary benefit of internally causing the softening of the human skin. |
| US08551971B2 |
Composition for treatment of pancreatic cancer
Disclosed is a composition for treating pancreatic cancer. The composition comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antisense nucleic acid or siRNA that inhibits expression of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of SON gene, MCM5 gene, WDR5 gene, PBK gene and CENPA gene. The composition inhibits the expression of a specific gene to provide the effect of inhibiting the proliferation, survival and tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer cells. |
| US08551969B2 |
Methods to identify compounds useful for tumor sensitization to DNA damage
Cdc25A is herein identified as a substrate for β-TrCP1- or β-TrCP2-mediated ubiquitination and subsequent degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In particular, it has been found that interfering with β-TrCP expression or function, or increasing β-TrCP degradation, leads to accumulation of Cdc25A in a cell. Since degradation of Cdc25A is a key feature of the response to DNA damage, leading to a stall in the cell cycle during which the cell can repair the damage, Cdc25A accumulation can abolish this response, thereby sensitizing the cell to DNA damage. Described herein are assays for identifying β-TrCP inhibitors, and method of using such inhibitors for modulating Cdc25A degradation, sensitization of tumor cells, and as adjuvants in cancer therapy based on DNA damaging agents. |
| US08551960B2 |
Uses of D-mannopyranose derivatives activating angiogenesis
The invention relates to the use of certain derivatives of D-mannopyranoside for controlling angiogenesis. These compounds have a pro-angiogenic activity, and can particularly be used for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating cardiovascular diseases or for treating muscular atrophy. The invention also relates to certain D-mannopyranoside derivatives, to a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition containing said derivatives, and to the use of such a cosmetic composition for preventing and/or treating hair loss. |
| US08551959B2 |
Glycolipid and use thereof
The invention provides a glycolipid effective for cancer treatment and the like and a synthetic intermediate therefor, as well as a medicament containing the glycolipid and the like. The glycolipid is represented by the formula (1) or a salt thereof |
| US08551957B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition comprising a glucopyranosyl-substituted benzene derivate
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition according to the claim 1 comprising a glucopyranosyl-substituted benzene derivative in combination with a DPP IV inhibitor which is suitable in the treatment or prevention of one or more conditions selected from type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. In addition the present invention relates to methods for preventing or treating of metabolic disorders and related conditions. |
| US08551956B2 |
Compositions containing peptides with non-natural amino acids and methods of use
The invention relates generally to peptides comprising one or more non-natural amino acids residues and their use in cosmetic and personal care compositions. |
| US08551954B2 |
Antimicrobial peptides with heparin binding activity
An antimicrobial peptide with heparin binding activity is described. It can be derived from endogenous mammalian proteins being substantially free from antimicrobial activity selected from the group consisting of laminin isoforms, complement factor C3, histidin rich glycoprotein and kininogen and having from 10 to 36 amino acids residues, wherein the antimicrobial peptide consists of at least four amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of K,R, and H. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antimicrobial peptide and use of the antimicrobial peptide and/or antimicrobial/pharmaceutical composition. |
| US08551953B2 |
Treatment of T-cell mediated diseases
The invention provides a method of treating T-cell mediated diseases and a method of inhibiting the activation of T-cells using certain diketopiperazines. The invention also provides methods of synthesizing diketopiperazines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain diketopiperazines. The invention further provides methods of making improved pharmaceutical compositions of proteins and peptides by either increasing or decreasing the content of diketopiperazines in the compositions and the resultant improved pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08551952B2 |
Methods for the treatment and prevention of ocular disorders
Provided herein are methods for treatment of ocular diseases. The methods comprise administering a compound of general Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Ak are as defined in the specification. |
| US08551951B2 |
Pharmaceutical preparations and methods for inhibiting tumors
The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and method for inhibiting growth of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition includes human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes a mixture of human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof and an anticancer drug which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from, for example of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, benign prostate hyperplasia, or (BPH) gastrointestinal cancer. The anticancer drug of the latter mixture may be one selected from the group of drugs including mitomycin, idarubicin, cisplatin, 5-fluoro-uracil, methotrexate, adriamycin, daunomycin, taxol, taxol derivative, and mixtures thereof. |
| US08551947B2 |
Treatment of hibernating myocardium with an exendin peptide
Hibernating myocardium is characterized by viable myocardium with impaired function due to localized reduced perfusion. Hibernating myocytes retain cellular integrity, but cannot sustain high-energy requirements of contraction. High plasma levels of catecholamines, such as norepinepherine, are believed to be predictive of mortality from hibernating myocardium. Likewise, high levels of catecholamines lead to cardiomyopathy in patients with diabetes. GLP-1 reduces plasma norepinepherine levels, and it thus is useful in a method of treating hibernating myocardium or diabetic cardiomyopathy. |
| US08551946B2 |
Glucagon antagonist-GIP agonist conjugates and compositions for the treatment of metabolic disorders and obesity
Provided herein are peptide combinations comprising a GIP agonist peptide and a glucagon antagonist peptide. In some embodiments, the peptide combination is provided as a composition, e.g., a pharmaceutical composition, while in other embodiments, the peptide combination is provided as a kit. In yet other embodiments, the peptide combination is provided as a conjugate, e.g., a fusion peptide, a heterodimer. In specific aspects, the GIP agonist peptide is an analog of native human glucagon. In specific aspects, the glucagon antagonist peptide is an analog of native human glucagon. In some embodiments, the GIP agonist peptide is covalently attached to the glucagon antagonist peptide via a linker. Methods of treating a disease, e.g., a metabolic disorder, such as diabetes and obesity, comprising administering the peptide compositions described herein are further provided. |
| US08551938B2 |
NPR-B agonists
Disclosed are novel compounds having NPR-B agonistic activity. Preferred compounds are linear peptides containing 8-13 conventional or non-conventional L- or D-amino acid residues connected to one another via peptide bonds. |
| US08551937B2 |
Peptide having an extending action for half-life of object peptide in plasma
An isolated chimeric peptide consisting of one or two added peptides and an object peptide wherein the added peptide is bonded to the N-terminus, the C-terminus or both of the object peptide, wherein if the added peptides are bound to both terminals, the two added peptides may be the same or different; and physiological activity of the object peptide is still retained, wherein the object peptide is a natural physiologically active peptide selected from the group consisting of an atrial natriuretic peptide, a brain natriuretic peptide, a C-type natriuretic peptide, motilin, a glucagon-like peptide 1, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin, or a derivative of any thereof, wherein the derivative has one or more amino acid(s) deleted from the amino acid sequence of a natural physiologically active peptide and has the desired physiological activity. |
| US08551936B2 |
Defensin-antigen fusion proteins
The present invention relates to a vaccine for increasing the immunogenicity of a tumor antigen thus allowing treatment of cancer, as well as a vaccine that increases the immunogenicity of a viral antigen, thus allowing treatment of viral infection, including immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides a fusion protein comprising a defensin fused to either a tumor antigen or viral antigen which is administered as either a protein or nucleic acid vaccine to elicit an immune response effective in treating cancer or effective in treating or preventing viral infection. |
| US08551929B2 |
Unit dose detergent compositions and methods of production and use thereof
The present invention provides unit dose detergent products, such as those in the form of compositions comprising: a water-soluble single-chamber container, such as a pouch; and a cleaning system comprising at least one detersive surfactant, and optionally one or more additional components. The invention also provides methods of production of such compositions, and methods use of such compositions in processes for cleaning dishware and/or fabrics, including garments, by introducing one or more of the unit dose products of the invention into an automatic washing machine suitable for washing dishware or laundry, whereby the cleaning system is released such that it comes into contact with a soiled article (e.g., dishware or fabrics) under conditions favoring the removal of one or more soils from the article. |
| US08551928B2 |
Multi-agent type cleaning kit for semiconductor substrates, cleaning method using the same and method of producing semiconductor element
A multi-agent type cleaning kit for applying to semiconductor substrates, which contains a foaming agent having an alkylene carbonate and a carbonic acid salt, a foaming aid having an acidic compound, and an oxidizing agent; at least the foaming agent is mixed with the foaming aid upon using for the cleaning of a semiconductor substrate, in combination with the oxidizing agent. |
| US08551926B2 |
Stabilizing emulsified acids for carbonate acidizing
Emulsified acids have been used to increase production rates of oil and gas in carbonate reservoirs through acid fracturing and matrix acidizing operations. An emulsifier is used to emulsify the aqueous acid with an oil, usually diesel. Very small particles, such as colloidal clay particles and/or nanoparticles increase the stability of the emulsified acids over an elevated temperature range. |
| US08551918B2 |
Herbicidal composition
A herbicidal composition comprising, in addition to customary inert formulation excipients, as a mixture of at least one soil-applied herbicide and a lipophilic additive consisting of a paraffin oil derived from the refined fraction of petroleum oil with a distillation range at 10 mm Hg of about 190 °C. to about 280 °C. and with a carbon number distribution from about C13 to about C55. |
| US08551917B2 |
Use of prolines for improving growth and/or yield
The present invention describes a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3, and, a carrier medium for application of the L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers to a target plant. The composition can also be used as a germination medium and may be incorporated into a seed coat for assisting in germination. The present invention further describes a method of increasing the agronomic performance of a target plant by treating a target plant with a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3 and a carrier medium for said L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers. |
| US08551916B2 |
Method for preparation of aqueous emulsion using interfacially active organic compound as emulsifying agent
The present invention provides a method for obtaining O/W emulsions by emulsifying various to-be-emulsified material without the use of any organic solvent, and drying and making into powder the O/W emulsion. The invention relates to a method for producing an O/W emulsion including after preliminarily dispersing a to-be-emulsified material and an interfacially active organic compound in water, heating the preliminary dispersion to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the to-be-emulsified material and equal to or higher than the phase transition temperature of a self-assembled product of the interfacially active organic compound in the absence of an organic solvent, and performing emulsification under a pressure. |
| US08551914B2 |
Pesticidal compositions
Molecules having the following structure are disclosed. Processes of using such molecules are disclosed. |
| US08551910B2 |
Alumina titanate porous structure
The invention relates to a porous structure comprising a ceramic material comprising mainly or consisting of an oxide material of the pseudobrookite type comprising titanium, aluminum, magnesium and zirconium in proportions such that the phase of the pseudobrookite type substantially satisfies the formula: (Al2TiO5)x(MgTi2O5)y(MgTiZrO5)z. This material satisfies the following composition, in mol % on the basis of just the oxides Al2O3, TiO2, MgO and ZrO2: 90<2a+3m<110; 100+a<3t<210−a; and a+t+m+zr=100, in which: a is the molar content of Al2O3; t is the molar content of TiO2; m is the molar content of MgO; and zr is the molar content of ZrO2. |
| US08551908B2 |
Exhaust gas purification catalyst
An exhaust gas purification catalyst includes: a lower catalyst layer that contains a ceria-zirconia mixed oxide having 50 to 70 mass % of CeO2 and 5 mass % or more of Pr2O3 and carries at least one of Pt and Pd; and an upper catalyst layer that contains at least zirconia and carries at least Rh, wherein the total amount of CeO2 per liter of the carrier base is 15 to 30 g. Because the amount of CeO2 is small, formation of H2S is suppressed and a high capability of adsorbing and releasing oxygen is brought out in spite of the small amount of CeO2. |
| US08551907B2 |
Dispersed metal sulfide-based catalysts
The invention provides a catalyst composition, which includes an emulsion of an aqueous phase in an oil phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises an aqueous solution containing a group 6 metal and a group 8, 9 or 10 metal. The metals can be provided in two separate emulsions, and these emulsions are well suited for treating hydrocarbon feedstocks. |
| US08551905B2 |
Metal-carbon compositions
A gold-carbon compound that is a reaction product of gold and carbon, wherein the gold and the carbon form a single phase material that is meltable. The compound is one in which the carbon does not phase separate from the gold when the single phase material is heated to a melting temperature. |
| US08551904B2 |
High surface area ceramic catalysts and the manufacture thereof
A process for making a ceramic catalyst material includes mixing a catalyst precursor material with a mineral particulate to form a mixture; adding a binder, silicon carbide, and a parting agent to the mixture to form unfired spheroids; and heating the unfired spheroids at a temperature effective to oxidize the silicon carbide and the catalyst precursor material to form the ceramic catalyst material. In another embodiment, the process includes the addition of a catalyst metal oxide salt to an aluminosilicate hydrogel aggregate mixture. Once the mixture sets, the set mixture is heated to a temperature to effective to produce a high surface area ceramic catalyst material. |
| US08551903B2 |
Amide ester internal electron donor and process
Disclosed is a process for producing a procatalyst composition having an amide ester internal electron donor. The process includes pre-halogenating a procatalyst precursor before reaction with the amide ester and forming the procatalyst composition. Ziegler-Natta catalyst compositions containing the present procatalyst composition exhibit improved catalyst activity and/or improved catalyst selectivity and produce propylene-based olefins with broad molecular weight distribution. |
| US08551899B2 |
Dark neutral green gray soda-lime glass composition
The present invention relates to a dark neutral green gray soda-lime glass composition comprising, as a colorant ingredient per 100 weight parts of a base glass composition, 1.4 to 2.5 weight parts of total Fe2O3, 0.02 to 0.04 weight parts of CoO, 0.0001 to 0.004 weight parts of Se, 0.005 to 0.5 weight parts of MnO2, and 0.05 to 1 weight parts of CeO2. The glass composition of the present invention has a visible light transmittance (LTA) of 15% or less, an ultraviolet ray transmittance (Tuv) of 0 to 1%, and a solar transmittance (Tsol) of 15% or less, measured for a reference thickness of 4 mm. As described above, the glass composition of the present invention is excellent in absorbing ultraviolet rays and solar heat, and therefore can be valuably used in privacy glass or a sunroof of a motor vehicle, or in glass used for construction. |
| US08551897B2 |
Inorganic fiber
Provided are inorganic fibers containing calcium and alumina as the major fiber components. According to certain embodiments, the inorganic fibers containing calcia and alumina are provided with a coating of a phosphorous containing compound on at least a portion of the fiber surfaces. Also provided are methods of preparing the coated and non-coated inorganic fibers and of thermally insulating articles using thermal insulation comprising the inorganic fibers. |
| US08551895B2 |
Nonwoven webs having improved barrier properties
A laminate is generally provided having alcohol repellency properties. In one particular embodiment, the laminate includes a meltblown web bonded to a spunbond web (e.g., a SM laminate, a SMS laminate, a SMMS laminate, etc.). A fluorinated polymeric coating is attached to the surface of the spunbond web (e.g., grafted). The fluorinated polymeric coating comprises a perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer polymerized on the surface of the spunbond web via exposure to a low frequency energy source. The perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer has a perfluoroalkyl side groups comprising —(CF2)z—F, where z is an integer from 1 to 6. The laminate has an alcohol repellency of greater than 80%. |
| US08551894B2 |
Ligand graft functionalized substrates
Polyethyleneimine and polyalkylene biguanide ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed. |
| US08551893B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
An object is to provide a semiconductor device of which a manufacturing process is not complicated and by which cost can be suppressed, by forming a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film typified by zinc oxide, and a manufacturing method thereof. For the semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a substrate; a gate insulating film is formed covering the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the gate insulating film; and a first conductive film and a second conductive film are formed over the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film has at least a crystallized region in a channel region. |
| US08551890B2 |
Showerhead for CVD depositions
A CVD showerhead that includes a circular inner showerhead and at least one outer ring showerhead. At least two process gas delivery tubes are coupled to each showerhead. Also, a dual showerhead that includes a circular inner showerhead and at least one outer ring showerhead where each showerhead is coupled to oxygen plus a gas mixture of lead, zirconium, and titanium organometallics. A method of depositing a CVD thin film on a wafer. Also, a method of depositing a PZT thin film on a wafer. |
| US08551889B2 |
Manufacture method for photovoltaic module
In a manufacture method for a photovoltaic module, a plurality of strips of resin adhesive film having a desired width and unwound from a single feeding reel is simultaneously pasted on a solar cell. In particular, the manufacture method is implemented by performing the steps of: unwinding a resin adhesive film sheet from a reel on which the resin adhesive film sheet is wound; splitting the unwound resin adhesive film into two or more film strips in correspondence to lengths of wiring material to bond; pasting the strips of resin adhesive film on an electrode of the solar cell; and placing the individual lengths of wiring material on the electrode of the solar cell having the plural strips of resin adhesive film pasted thereon and thermally setting the resin adhesive film by heating so as to fix together the electrode of the solar cell and the wiring material. |
| US08551886B2 |
CMP process for processing STI on two distinct silicon planes
A method for semiconductor processing is provided wherein a workpiece having an underlying body and a plurality of features extending therefrom, is provided. A first set of the plurality of features extend from the underlying body to a first plane, and a second set of the plurality features extend from the underlying body to a second plane. A protection layer overlies each of the plurality of features and an isolation layer overlies the underlying body and protection layer, wherein the isolation has a non-uniform first oxide density associated therewith. The isolation layer anisotropically etched based on a predetermined pattern, and then isotropically etched, wherein a second oxide density of the isolation layer is substantially uniform across the workpiece. The predetermined pattern is based, at least in part, on a desired oxide density, a location and extension of the plurality of features to the first and second planes. |
| US08551883B2 |
Masking method
The invention relates to a method for masking a semiconductor substrate including the following steps: providing a planar semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side lying opposite thereto, applying a mask to at least one of the sides, an extrusion printing method being used for applying the mask. |
| US08551882B2 |
Back-side contact formation
In one embodiment, a semiconductor is provided comprising a substrate and a plurality of wiring layers and dielectric layers formed on the substrate, the wiring layers implementing a circuit. The dielectric layers separate adjacent ones of the plurality of wiring layers. A first passivation layer is formed on the plurality of wiring layers. A first contact pad is formed in the layer and connected to the contact pad. A through silicon via (TSV) is formed through the substrate, the plurality of wiring and dielectric layers, and the passivation layer. The TSV is electrically connected to the wire formed on the passivation layer. The TSV is electrically isolated from the wiring layers except for the connection provided by the metal wire formed on the passivation layer. |
| US08551878B2 |
Metal interconnection method of semiconductor device
A metal interconnection method of a semiconductor device includes forming a copper layer on a semiconductor substrate and planarizing the copper layer. Two thermal treatments are performed at different temperatures between formation of the copper layer and planarization of the copper layer. |
| US08551872B2 |
Low series resistance transistor structure on silicon on insulator layer
A transistor structure includes a channel located in an extremely thin silicon on insulator (ETSOI) layer and disposed between a raised source and a raised drain, a gate structure having a gate conductor disposed over the channel and between the source and the drain, and a gate spacer layer disposed over the gate conductor. The raised source and the raised drain each have a facet that is upwardly sloping away from the gate structure. A lower portion of the source and a lower portion of the drain are separated from the channel by an extension region containing a dopant species diffused from a dopant-containing glass. |
| US08551871B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: exposing a surface of a semiconductor substrate to a halogen-containing gas that contains at least one of Si and Ge, the semiconductor substrate being provided with a member comprising an oxide and consisting mainly of Si; and exposing the surface of the semiconductor substrate to an atmosphere containing at least one of a Si-containing gas not containing halogen and a Ge-containing gas not containing halogen after starting exposure of the surface of the semiconductor substrate to the halogen-containing gas, thereby epitaxially growing a crystal film containing at least one of Si and Ge on the surface. |
| US08551864B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises the steps of forming a film on a main face of a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of device forming regions for forming semiconductor devices, the film having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the semiconductor substrate and including a cutout on a region between the plurality of device forming regions; forming the semiconductor devices in the respective device forming regions by using the film; and dividing the semiconductor substrate into the respective device forming regions. |
| US08551861B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a trench for defining an active region over a semiconductor substrate, forming a doped region by implanting impurities into the trench, forming an oxide film in the trench by performing an oxidation process, forming a nitride film at inner sidewalls of the trench, and forming a device isolation film in the trench. |
| US08551860B2 |
Semiconductor devices having through electrodes and methods of fabricating the same
Provided are semiconductor devices having through electrodes and methods of fabricating the same. The method includes providing a substrate including top and bottom surfaces facing each other, forming a hole and a gap extending from the top surface of the substrate toward the bottom surface of the substrate, the gap surrounding the hole and being shallower than the hole, filling the hole with an insulating material, forming a metal interconnection line on the top surface of the substrate on the insulating material, recessing the bottom surface of the substrate to expose the insulating material, removing the insulating material to expose the metal interconnection line via the hole, filling the hole with a conductive material to form a through electrode connected to the metal interconnection line, recessing the bottom surface of the substrate again to expose the gap, and forming a lower insulating layer on the bottom surface of the substrate. |
| US08551858B2 |
Self-aligned SI rich nitride charge trap layer isolation for charge trap flash memory
A method for fabricating a memory device with U-shaped trap layers over rounded active region corners is disclosed. In the present invention, an STI process is performed before the charge-trapping layer is formed. Immediately after the STI process, the sharp corners of the active regions are exposed, making them available for rounding. Rounding the corners improves the performance characteristics of the memory device. Subsequent to the rounding process, a bottom oxide layer, nitride layer, and sacrificial top oxide layer are formed. An organic bottom antireflective coating applied to the charge trapping layer is planarized. Now the organic bottom antireflective coating, sacrificial top oxide layer, and nitride layer are etched, without etching the sacrificial top oxide layer and nitride layer over the active regions. After the etching the charge trapping layer has a cross-sectional U-shape appearance. U-shaped trap layer edges allow for increased packing density and integration while maintaining isolation between trap layers. |
| US08551856B2 |
Embedded capacitor and method of fabricating the same
Methods are provided for forming a capacitor. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing an insulator material layer over a substrate, etching at least one via in the insulator material layer and depositing a contact material fill in the at least one via to form a first set of contacts. The method further comprises etching the insulator material layer adjacent at least one contact of the first set of contacts to form at least one void, depositing a dielectric material layer over the at least one void and over the first set of contacts and depositing a contact material fill in the at least void to form a second set of contacts. |
| US08551852B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor memory device includes a word line interconnect layer having a plurality of word lines extending in a word line direction and a bit line interconnect layer having a plurality of bit lines extending in a bit line direction alternately stacked on a silicon substrate. A variable resistance film is disposed between the word line and the bit line. A first pin diode extending in the word line direction is provided between the word line and the variable resistance film, and a second pin diode extending in the bit line direction is provided between the bit line and the variable resistance film. A region of an upper surface of the pin diode other than an immediately underlying region of the variable resistance film is located lower than the immediately underlying region. |
| US08551851B2 |
Titanium-based high-K dielectric films
This disclosure provides (a) methods of making an oxide layer (e.g., a dielectric layer) based on titanium oxide, to suppress the formation of anatase-phase titanium oxide and (b) related devices and structures. A metal-insulator-metal (“MIM”) stack is formed using an ozone pretreatment process of a bottom electrode (or other substrate) followed by an ALD process to form a TiO2 dielectric, rooted in the use of an amide-containing precursor. Following the ALD process, an oxidizing anneal process is applied in a manner is hot enough to heal defects in the TiO2 dielectric and reduce interface states between TiO2 and electrode; the anneal temperature is selected so as to not be so hot as to disrupt BEL surface roughness. Further process variants may include doping the titanium oxide, pedestal heating during the ALD process to 275-300 degrees Celsius, use of platinum or ruthenium for the BEL, and plural reagent pulses of ozone for each ALD process cycle. The process provides high deposition rates, and the resulting MIM structure has substantially no x-ray diffraction peaks associated with anatase-phase titanium oxide. |
| US08551850B2 |
Methods of forming a reversible resistance-switching metal-insulator-metal structure
A method of forming a reversible resistance-switching metal-insulator-metal structure is provided, the method including forming a first non-metallic conducting layer, forming a non-conducting layer above the first non-metallic conducting layer, forming a second non-metallic conducting layer above the non-conducting layer, etching the first non-metallic conducting layer, non-conducting layer and second non-metallic conducting layer to form a pillar, and disposing a carbon material layer about a sidewall of the pillar. Other aspects are also provided. |
| US08551844B1 |
Methods of forming semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include methods in which first insulative material is formed across a memory region and a peripheral region of a substrate. An etch stop structure is formed to have a higher portion over the memory region than over the peripheral region. A second insulative material is formed to protect the lower portion of the etch stop structure, and the higher portion is removed. Subsequently, at least some of the first and second insulative materials are removed. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions having a first region with first features, and a second region with second features. The first features are closer spaced than the second features. A first insulative material is over the second region and an insulative structure is over the first insulative material. The structure has a stem joined to a bench. The bench has an upper surface, and the stem extends to above the upper surface. |
| US08551841B2 |
IO ESD device and methods for forming the same
A method includes forming an ESD diode including performing an epitaxy growth to form an epitaxy region comprising silicon and substantially free from germanium. The epitaxy region is doped with a p-type impurity to form a p-type region, wherein the p-type region forms an anode of the ESD diode. |
| US08551840B2 |
Methods of forming phase-change memory devices and devices so formed
A method of forming can be provided by forming a metal silicide layer that includes a diffusion metal on a substrate. A native oxide layer can be formed on the metal silicide layer and forming a metal oxide layer by reacting the native oxide layer with the diffusion metal. A phase-change layer and an upper electrode can be formed on the metal oxide layer. A phase-change memory device can include a substrate and a conductive region on the substrate with a lower electrode on the conductive region, where the lower electrode can include a metal silicide layer on the conductive region and a metal silicon nitride layer having a resistivity of about 10 to about 100 times that of the metal silicide layer. A metal oxide layer can be located between the metal silicon nitride layer and the metal silicide layer, the metal oxide layer comprising a resistivity that is greater than that of the metal silicide layer and less than the resistivity of the metal silicon nitride layer. A phase-change layer and an upper electrode can be located on the lower electrode. |
| US08551830B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit switch matrix
There is provided a small-type semiconductor integrated circuit whose circuit area is small and whose wiring length is short. The semiconductor integrated circuit is constructed in a multi-layer structure and is provided with a first semiconductor layer, a first semiconductor layer transistor formed in the first semiconductor layer, a wiring layer which is deposited on the first semiconductor layer and in which metal wires are formed, a second semiconductor layer deposited on the wiring layer and a second semiconductor layer transistor formed in the second semiconductor layer. It is noted that insulation of a gate insulating film of the first semiconductor layer transistor is almost equal with that of a gate insulating film of the second semiconductor layer transistor and the gate insulating film of the second semiconductor layer transistor is formed by means of radical oxidation or radical nitridation. |
| US08551824B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, an oxide insulating layer is formed so as to be in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. Then, oxygen is introduced (added) to the oxide semiconductor layer through the oxide insulating layer, and heat treatment is performed. Through these steps of oxygen introduction and heat treatment, impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride are intentionally removed from the oxide semiconductor layer, so that the oxide semiconductor layer is highly purified. |
| US08551820B1 |
Routable single layer substrate and semiconductor package including same
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a routable substrate that may be used, for example, in relation to the manufacture of Dual and Quad Flat No-Lead (DFN/QFN) style semiconductor packages as a substrate or interposer of such packages. The method of fabricating the substrate effectively removes metal from the saw streets and provides a more stable surface structure for wire bonding. The substrate fabrication method also utilizes existing etching techniques which are implemented in a prescribed sequence to achieve no metal in the saw streets and to completely electrically isolated features. Further, the substrate fabrication method includes a molding step intended to replace pressure sensitive adhesive tapes. |
| US08551816B2 |
Direct edge connection for multi-chip integrated circuits
The present invention allows for direct chip-to-chip connections using the shortest possible signal path. |