Document Document Title
US08743267B2 Optical apparatus for calculating an object distance
An optical apparatus includes a first driver configured to drive a focus lens unit in autofocusing, a second driver configured to drive the focus lens unit in the autofocusing, a first detector configured to detect a driving amount of the first driver, a second detector configured to detect a driving amount of the second driver, a memory configured to store a relationship between information of detection results of the first and second detectors, and an object distance as a distance from the optical apparatus to an object, and a controller configured to obtain information of the object distance based upon the relationship stored in the memory and the detection results of the first and second detectors.
US08743266B2 Focus extending optical system and EDOF imaging system
A focus extending optical system has optical lenses and a focus extender. The optical lenses form an image of light, from an object, on an image sensor. The focus extender adjusts a wavefront so as to change a position of the image, formed by the optical lenses, in accordance with a distance from an optical axis and thereby extends a focus range. The focus extending optical system satisfies a condition that a value of a second MTF is less than or equal to three times a value of a first MTF. The first MTF is an MTF at a spatial frequency of ½ of a Nyquist frequency of the image sensor. The second MTF is an MTF at a spatial frequency of ¼ of the Nyquist frequency.
US08743265B2 Solid-state imaging device with lens, method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device with lens, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel that has a photoelectric conversion section which converts incident light into an electric signal; a color filter which is formed corresponding to the pixel; a micro lens which focuses the incident light to the photoelectric conversion section via the color filter; and an in-layer lens which is formed between the color filter and the micro lens and has a refractive index smaller than that of the micro lens.
US08743264B2 Camera module with reduced size
A camera module includes a lens barrel and a lens holder. The lens barrel includes a first tubular section and a second tubular section. The first tubular section extends from an end of the second tubular section. The outer diameter of the first tubular section tapers in a direction from the image side to the object side of the lens barrel. The lens holder includes a third tubular section and a fourth tubular section. The third tubular section extends from an end of the fourth tubular section. The outer diameter of the third tubular section tapers in a direction from an image side to an object side of the third tubular section. The lens barrel threadedly inserts into the lens holder and is held by the lens holder.
US08743262B2 Image capturing apparatus and control program for the same
An image capturing apparatus includes a setting unit for enabling a user to set control values, a display unit for displaying the control values, an obtaining unit for obtaining an aperture value of a lens unit based on luminous information of an object image and the control values set by the user, and a calculation unit for calculating a signal for controlling an aperture of the lens unit according to the aperture value, wherein when the aperture value of the lens unit is a first aperture value, a value based on the first aperture value is displayed and a signal corresponding to the first aperture value is calculated, and when the aperture value of the lens unit is a second aperture value, a value based on the second aperture value is displayed and a signal corresponding to a third aperture value which is different from the second aperture value is calculated.
US08743255B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus and solid-state image pickup method to reduce power consumption
A solid-state image pickup apparatus including a pixel section, a column circuit, and a column circuit controlling section. The pixel section includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix and converts an input optical signal to an electric signal. The column circuit processes the electric signal which is outputted from the pixel section column by column. The column circuit current controlling section reduces current of the column circuit, whose electric signal is not read out, than current of column circuit whose electric signal is read out, when a first mode which thins out and reads out electric signals of column circuits is set.
US08743251B2 Solid-state image pickup device and camera system
Provided is a solid-state image pickup device including a pixel section arranged with multiple pixel circuits in matrix having functions for converting an optical signal to an electrical signal and for accumulating the electrical signal depending on an exposure time, and a pixel driving section capable of driving through a control line to reset, accumulate, transfer, and output signal electric charge of the pixel section. The pixel section may have a pixel shared structure arranged with one selection control line, one reset control line, and multiple transfer control lines, including a readout-pixel section and an unread-pixel section in its entirety. The pixel driving section includes a pixel control section where an unread-pixel is normally fixed in a reset state. When reading a readout-pixel in a shared relationship, if its address is selected or a selection signal becomes active, the unread-pixel reset-state is cancelled to turn into an unread state.
US08743247B2 Low lag transfer gate device
A method of forming a CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) cell structure having at least one transfer gate device and method of operation. A first transfer gate device comprises a diodic or split transfer gate conductor structure having a first doped region of first conductivity type material and a second doped region of a second conductivity type material. A photosensing device is formed adjacent the first doped region for collecting charge carriers in response to light incident thereto, and, a diffusion region of a second conductivity type material is formed at or below the substrate surface adjacent the second doped region of the transfer gate device for receiving charges transferred from the photosensing device while preventing spillback of charges to the photosensing device upon timed voltage bias to the diodic or split transfer gate conductor structure. Alternately, an intermediate charge storage device and second transfer gate device may be provided which may first temporarily receive charge carriers from the photosensing device, and, upon activating the second transfer gate device in a further timed fashion, read out the charge stored at the intermediate charge storage device for transfer to the second transfer gate device while preventing spillback of charges to the photosensing device. The APS cell structure is further adapted for a global shutter mode of operation, and further comprises a light shield element is further provided to ensure no light reaches the photosensing and charge storage devices during charge transfer operation.
US08743246B2 Color imaging device
A color filter array includes a basic array pattern P1 constituted by a square array pattern corresponding to 3×3 pixels. In the color filter array, basic array pattern P1 is arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction repeatedly. G filters that are brightness system pixels are arranged at the four corners and the center, that is, arranged on the both diagonal lines. The G filters are in each line of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions of the color filter array, and the color filter array includes a square array that corresponds to 2×2 pixels that are constituted by the G filters. A ratio of the number of G pixels that help most to obtain a brightness signal of the basic array pattern P1 is greater than each ratio of the number of R pixels and the number of B pixels that correspond to the color other than G.
US08743243B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method and recording medium for electronic equipment including an electronic camera
A personal computer to which electronic equipment, such as, an electronic camera is connected reads recording units that are recorded in the electronic camera and displays a table consisting of recording information. In recording information such as a main image, a sub image and sound in the electronic camera, data within the electronic camera are inter-related by an index which indicates that the information is part of a common recording unit. The date having the same index are output and displayed in a same thumbnail area. When a recording unit for deletion is designated from the table; check boxes are displayed according to information contained in the recording unit. For example, an “x” is displayed in the check box of the information to be deleted, indicating that the information is a target of deletion. After the selection of information is completed and an “OK” button is pressed, the personal computer sends a control command to the electronic camera and deletes the designated information. Rather than deletion, the designated information can be read from the electronic camera into the personal computer.
US08743239B2 Image processing apparatus, control method thereof, and image-capturing apparatus
Disclosed are an image processing apparatus which effectively corrects, by a simple method, color crosstalk that is generated in a captured image by light obliquely entering an image sensor, and a control method thereof. A white-detection area used in white balance processing for a captured image signal is set in accordance with an aperture value used in image capturing. The degree of color crosstalk depends on an aperture value used in image capturing, and the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the image sensor changes depending on the degree of color crosstalk. By setting a white-detection range to correct a change of the spectral sensitivity characteristic depending on the aperture value, color crosstalk can be simply, effectively corrected.
US08743238B2 Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, image processing method, and white balance adjustment method
In an image processing method according to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, a captured image obtained by continuous imaging is acquired, the captured image is divided into a plurality of divided areas, a flicker that flashes is detected for each of the divided areas, it is detected, for each of the divided areas where the flicker has been detected, whether a divided area is an LED area including light from a light emitting diode (LED) based on a luminance difference between a luminance in a turn-on state and a luminance in an turn-off state, and LED area information is output.
US08743234B1 Video gamma correction
A technique of approximating exponential transformations such as gamma correction is disclosed that achieves high resolution without requiring relatively large RAMs for lookup tables or specialized DSP processors. The technique includes the acts of scaling the pixel values according to their values, wherein smaller pixel values are scaled with larger scale factors and larger pixel values are scaled with smaller scale factors; quantizing the scaled pixel values; looking up the quantized pixel values in a lookup table to provide lookup values; and scaling the lookup values responsive to their scale factors to provide the gamma-corrected pixel values.
US08743232B2 Image processing device and computer readable medium
An image processing device includes a dimension information acquisition unit that acquires dimension information specifying dimensions of a target image formed by extracting a region of a target of an image containing the target, picked up by image pickup unit. The image processing device further includes a pickup image quality information acquisition unit that acquires pickup image quality information indicating an image quality of the region of the target in the pickup image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a resolution acquisition unit that acquires a resolution of the region of the target when the region of the target is formed in the dimensions based on the dimension information and the pickup image quality information.
US08743230B2 Digital photographing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and recording medium storing program to execute the method
Provided are a digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a recording medium storing a program to execute the method. The digital photographing apparatus includes a photographing unit, an image analyzing unit, and a composing providing unit. The photographing unit generates an image signal by capturing an image of a subject. The image analyzing unit detects an edge component of the image from the image signal. The composition providing unit provides an image composition by using the detected edge component.
US08743226B2 Exposure adjustment method for night-vision camera
An exposure adjustment method for night-vision camera includes the following steps. A first image and a second image are shot with an infrared light source of different intensity; the shot first image and second image are divided into a plurality of image blocks, in which positions of the image blocks in the first image are respectively corresponding to those in the second image; a light reflectivity of the image blocks of the first image is compared with a light reflectivity of the image blocks of the second image, and object distances of image objects are determined; the image object having greater object distance obtains a lower light measuring weight, and the image object having smaller object distance obtains a higher light measuring weight; and an exposure parameter of image images is adjusted according to the image weights of the two images and light measuring weights of the blocks.
US08743225B2 Imaging control system, control apparatus and method for imaging apparatus, and storage medium
An imaging control system for controlling a direction of an optical axis of an imaging unit is provided. The imaging control system includes a pan change unit configured to change the direction of the optical axis to a pan direction, a tilt change unit configured to change the direction of the optical axis to a tilt direction, and a display control unit configured to display the change direction to which the direction of the optical axis is changed by the pan change unit, corresponding to the change by the tilt change unit, together with an image captured by the imaging unit.
US08743224B2 Context based management for secure augmented reality applications
An example system that allows a camera enabled application, such as an augmented reality application, to run in a protected area may include a first device including a camera, the camera including a secure mode of operation and a display, an image processing module configured to convert image data from the camera to encoded data when the camera is in the secure mode and protect image data stored in the system, an encryption module configured to encrypt encoded data from the image processing module, and a protected audiovisual path mechanism configured to securely send augmented encoded data to the display.
US08743222B2 Method and apparatus for cropping and stabilization of video images
A method including receiving cropping information for a current video frame; capturing at a camera sensor the current video frame; performing a first crop of the current video frame using a first cropping window to form a cropped video frame, wherein the first cropping window has been dynamically adjusted in response to the received cropping information; and sending the cropped video frame for digital image stabilization.
US08743216B2 Communication system, image output apparatus, communication processing method thereof, and computer-readable storage medium
In a communication system including a plurality of image supply apparatuses and an image output apparatus, If communication with a first image supply apparatus using a first protocol is disconnected before completion of output processing of an image supplied from the first image supply apparatus under communication control by a second communication control unit which controls communication relating to an image using a second protocol, and a second image supply apparatus requests a connection, the image output apparatus establishes a connection of communication with the second image supply apparatus using the first protocol and holds a connection to the second image supply apparatus using the second protocol until the completion of the output processing of the image.
US08743214B2 Display screen for camera calibration
A system for determining one or more camera calibration parameters is disclosed. The system comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to: a) provide a first pattern for display on a display screen; b) receive a first image from a camera viewing the display screen; c) provide a second pattern for display on the display screen; and d) receive a second image from the camera viewing the display screen. The relative position of the display screen and the camera are the same as when the first image was captured using the camera. The processor is further configured to determine an image location which is a projection of a known physical location on the display screen by using at least in part a first feature identified in the first image and a second feature identified in the second image and determine one or more calibration parameters based at least in part on the determined image location. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.
US08743213B2 Apparatus and method for compensating for variations in digital cameras
A method of manufacturing a digital video camera is provided. The method comprises acquiring video images of colored light, and measuring a light intensity response of the video camera to the colored light. The method further comprises comparing the intensity of the measured response to a desired colored light intensity for determining a color intensity bias and storing the intensity bias for the colored light in the camera so that the bias can be applied when the camera is operating at an arbitrary lighting condition.
US08743212B2 Optimizing content calibration for home theaters
A parameter detector sends at least one test signal to a display and receives at least one detected display parameter from a remote control device in proximity of the display. A content parameter analyzer retrieves at least one content parameter from content to be sent to the display. A parameter comparator then compares the detected display parameter to the content parameter and adjusts outgoing content signals based on the content parameter but in accordance with the detected display parameter. The parameter comparator provides at least one suggested display parameter adjustment when the content parameter is beyond the detected display parameter. The suggested display parameter can be transmitted using a video and/or an audio signal.
US08743210B2 Blemish detection sytem and method using recursion
A blemish detecting system includes an image capturing module, a brightness calculating module, a blemish detection module, a storage module, and a processor. The image capturing module captures an image. The image has a number of pixels. The brightness calculating module calculates the brightness values of the pixels. The blemish detection module gives serial numbers to the pixels according to the locations of the pixels, scans the pixels according to a first sequence, and marks the pixel of which the brightness value is less than a predetermined brightness value as a blemish. The storage module stores the serial numbers of the scanned pixels, and thus the blemish detection module does not need to scan the pixels for a second time. The brightness calculating module and the blemish detection module are computerized instructions and are executed by the processor.
US08743206B2 Indicator systems in beam combiner assemblies
A beam combiner is configured to generate a combined image by combining a first image and a second image, and transmit the combined image to a user. One or more light pipes are coupled to the beam combiner from one or more indicator lights. Each light pipe is configured to receive light from a respective indicator light and transmit the light from the respective indicator light to the beam combiner, which is then seen by the user.
US08743205B2 System and method for semantic video content analysis
Embodiments of the invention may include generating a description of a monitored scene and creating a plurality of rules related to the monitored scene by using common language. The description of the monitored scene and the plurality of rules may be converted into system parameters and an analysis of the video data may be performed based on the system parameters. The results of the analysis may be converted into one or more output terms from the plurality of predefined terms and may be displayed to a user in a common language.
US08743199B2 Omnidirectional imaging optics with 360°-seamless telescopic resolution
A multifacet mirror comprises a catoptric structure configured to reflect light from a first field of view onto an image plane comprising a plurality of sensors, the catoptric structure having a surface comprising a plurality of facets separated by a plurality of catoptric regions; wherein a facet of the plurality of the facets has a second field of view that is smaller than the predetermined field of view; and wherein a catoptric region of the plurality or catoptric regions between two facets of the plurality of facets is configured to reflect light from a world point within the first field of view onto two of the sensors of the plurality of sensors.
US08743196B2 System and method for performing an external inspection on a wind turbine rotor blade
A system and method for performing an external inspection on a rotor blade of a wind turbine are disclosed. The system may generally include a frame configured to extend at least partially around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade and a sensing device coupled to the frame. Additionally, first and second spacer arms may extend from the frame. The first spacer arm may be configured to contact a pressure side surface of the rotor blade. The second spacer arm may be configured to contact a suction side surface of the rotor blade.
US08743193B2 Method and device for detecting drowsiness
In a method and a device for detecting the drowsiness of a driver in a motor vehicle, a drowsiness model is provided to determine a value characterizing the drowsiness of the driver as a function of at least one output quantity of a driver-activity sensor array. Moreover, the device for detecting drowsiness includes a brightness sensor as well as a correction model for correcting the value characterizing the drowsiness of the driver as a function of at least one output quantity of the brightness sensor.
US08743191B2 System and method for editing an image stream captured in vivo
A system and method may allow editing of an image stream, which may be produced by, for example, an ingestible capsule. A workstation accepts images acquired by the capsule and displays the images on a monitor as a moving image. The editing method may include, for example, selecting images which follow predetermined criteria. A shortened movie may thus be created.
US08743186B2 Focal depth expansion device
A depth expansion apparatus includes an image-pickup-optical-system and an image-pickup-device (hereinafter, IPS) configured to form and pick up images A and B in different focus positions, and a depth-expanded-image forming section configured to generate, based on the images A and B, a depth-expanded-image that maintains a relation between a distance from an object point to the image-pickup-optical-system and luminance. When an image side NA of the image A is represented as NA′, a resolution determined by the IPS, as R, an optical path interval between image forming surfaces for the images A and B, as d, NA of an image at a near photographing distance among the images A and B, as NAn, and NA of an image at a far photographing distance among the images A and B, as NAf, the IPS satisfy the following conditional expressions (1) and (2): R×NA′/2≦d  (1) 0.05≦(NAf/NAn)2≦0.9  (2).
US08743185B2 Stereoscopic imaging optical system, imaging device, and camera
A stereoscopic imaging optical system having a function to adjust a stereo base, an imaging device that includes the stereoscopic imaging optical system, and a camera that includes the imaging device, are provided. The stereoscopic imaging optical system includes two imaging lens systems arranged in parallel, and two diaphragms arranged in the imaging lens systems, respectively. At least one of the diaphragms is decentered with respect to an optical axis to adjust the stereo base. Further, a condition (1.8≦SBmax/(fT×tan(ωT))≦45, where SBmax is a maximum value of the stereo base, fT is a focal length of the optical system at a telephoto limit, and ωT is a half view angle (°) at the telephoto limit) is satisfied.
US08743184B2 Photographing apparatus and focus position determining method
A photographing apparatus is provided that accurately determines focus positions of two photographing sections in the same degree of time as in the past and a focus position determining method. A search range setting section 121 calculates one boundary value Pn′ of a second search area and calculates the other boundary value Pf′ of the second search area on the basis of a focus position P1 of a first focus lens FLA detected by an AF detecting section 120 and a boundary value N of a search area on a near side and a boundary value F of a search area on a far side. The AF detecting section 120 searches for a focus position P2 while instructing a second F lens driving section 104B to move a second focus lens FLB in a second search area (Pn′ to Pf′) narrower than a first search area.
US08743183B2 Parallax calculation method and parallax calculation device
A stereo camera implements ranging of an object that includes consecutive similar patterns. In stereo matching using the stereo camera, if a plurality of corresponding point candidates are present in a sum of absolute differences (SAD) or suchlike evaluation value distribution for a target point, an evaluation value map is generated by superimposing an evaluation value distribution of a target point for which a plurality of corresponding points are determined to be present and an evaluation value distribution of each other target point present in a peripheral area of that target point. By this means, the shape of an object is represented in real space around a target point for which a plurality of corresponding points are determined to be present, and it is possible to calculate the true distance of a railing or the like that extends in a straight line by extracting a line segment with the strongest linearity in the evaluation value map.
US08743181B2 Image pickup apparatus
A first calculating section calculates an amount of camera-shake correction based on an amount of shaking of the image pickup apparatus which has been detected, when each of a first capturing and a second capturing is carried out. A second calculating section calculates at least an amount of optical tilt-displacement between the image pickup element and an object for the first capturing, which is necessary for the second capturing, and the second calculating section calculates one of an amount of shift by which some of the image pickup lenses and the interchangeable image pickup lenses are to be shifted in a predetermined direction, and an amount of change by which an angle of an image pickup surface of the image pickup element with respect to the optical axial direction is to be changed, while the first capturing and the second capturing are being carried out.
US08743173B2 Video phone system
A system allocates channel bandwidth based on the data received from a plurality of remote sources. A de-multiplexer/priority circuit separates two or more different data streams into their components parts. A stream modification driver modifies one or more characteristics of the data received from the de-multiplexer/priority circuit based on a priority assigned to the data by the de-multiplexer/priority circuit. The de-multiplexer/priority circuit determines the data transfer rates for each of the different data streams based on the assigned priority.
US08743172B2 Image capturing for video conference system
A video conference system built in an internet protocol (IP) network is provided. The system has a multimedia capturing unit, a DECT telephone, and a video conference terminal apparatus. The DECT telephone is utilized to perform video conferencing with the video conference terminal apparatus by receiving and transmitting sounds. The DECT telephone is further utilized to control the video conference terminal apparatus to capture a target image in the video signals from other users in the video conference. The video conference terminal apparatus updates the phonebook image in the phonebook database thereof with the target image.
US08743167B2 Optical scanner including an optical element holder and image forming apparatus including same
An optical scanner includes a light source to project light, a light deflector to deflect light, an optical element, and a holder to hold an optical element in place. The holder includes a curve adjustment mechanism, a first pressing member, a second pressing member, and a retainer. The curve adjustment mechanism adjusts a shape of the optical element in a sub-scanning direction relative to a scanning surface and perpendicular to a main scanning direction. The first pressing member is disposed at a first side from which the first pressing member presses the optical element in the sub-scanning direction. The second pressing member is disposed at a second side opposite the first side, to press the optical element from the second side. The retainer fixes substantially a center of the optical element in a main scanning direction of the light striking the optical element to the first side.
US08743161B2 Luminescence shock avoidance in display devices
A luminescence shock avoidance algorithm selectively limits the brightness level of a display device when the display device is activated in a dark environment to prevent the temporary vision impairment that can occur when a display device is activated in a dark environment. The algorithm receives the state of the display (e.g. on or in standby mode), and can optionally receive an ambient lighting value from an ambient light sensor and a user-selectable manual brightness adjustment setting to determine whether luminescence shock avoidance should even be triggered, and if it is triggered, how much should the brightness level of the display be limited.
US08743159B2 Display device with gray scale processing circuit to process lower gray scale level
A display device includes a gray scale controller which adjusts the number of pieces of image data successively displayed at the same brightness level to a predefined value or less when a desired brightness level represented by input image data is equal to or less than a predetermined level. Alternatively the display device may include a gray scale controller which may make the frequencies of selection of an immediately lower display brightness level than a desired level and an immediately higher display brightness level closer to each other when the brightness level represented by the input image data is equal to or less than the predetermined level and other than a plurality of display brightness levels. This frequency control is done to prevent a selected display brightness level from continuing at the same level over a period greater than a predetermined cycle.
US08743154B2 Source driver and electronic system utilizing the same
A source driver providing an output image to a plurality of pixels and including a judgment unit, an image processing unit, and a digital-to-analog converter is disclosed. The judgment unit encodes a first input image to generate an encoded code and compares the encoded code with a preset code to generate a luminance controlling signal. The image processing unit processes an image signal by an algorithm and outputs the processed result when the judgment unit asserts the luminance controlling signal. The image processing unit directly outputs the image signal when the judgment unit un-asserts the luminance controlling signal. The digital-to-analog converter transforms the output of the image processing unit and outputs the transformed result to the pixels.
US08743153B2 Display device for vehicle
A display device for a vehicle includes a liquid crystal panel (10), a light source (40), and a controlling means (50). The liquid crystal panel includes a particular display pixel (72) and a normal display pixel (62). The controlling means controls the ratio of the gradation value of the normal display pixel to a set gradation value of the normal display pixel as a gradation ratio of the normal display pixel. At the same time, it controls the ratio of the gradation value of the particular display pixel to a set gradation value of the particular display pixel as a gradation ratio of the particular display pixel. Further, the controlling means sets first and second modes as a control mode, the first mode in which the light source emits light, and the second mode in which the light source emits light with brightness lower than in the first mode. In the first mode, the controlling means sets the gradation ratio of the normal display pixel and the gradation ratio of the particular display pixel at a particular time to a maximum ratio. In the second mode, the controlling means executes a gradation processing for making the gradation ratio of the particular display pixel at a particular time higher than the gradation ratio of the normal display pixel.
US08743150B2 Display processing device and display control method
A display processing device for displaying a display object in a display window and changing a display range includes a sectioning unit that divides the display window into a plurality of sections (screens) by creating boundary lines. Maps of geographical ranges to be displayed are sectioned and displayed in the plurality of screens. In the event that a boundary line is moved through a user input, the geographical ranges of the maps in the screens for which the screen size has become larger than an initial screen size are enlarged, and the maps in the screens which have become smaller than the initial screen size are reduced in scale in accordance with the reduction in screen size, while maintaining the geographical range of the maps displayed in the display window prior to the boundary line being moved.
US08743147B2 Character highlighting control apparatus, display apparatus, highlighting display control method, and computer program
The present invention provides a character highlighting control apparatus including a character pixel extractor and a highlighting degree controller. The character pixel extractor is configured to extract a pixel corresponding to a character part from input image data. The highlighting degree controller is configured to carry out control in such a way that a maximum emission luminance of a display device is linked with input image data, to thereby selectively increase an emission luminance of an extracted pixel on a display screen and avoid increase of an emission luminance of a background part on the display screen.
US08743143B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Discussed is an image display device which detects image characteristic information from an image of a screen provided by a mobile terminal, extracts a characteristic area based on the image characteristic information, and automatically magnifies or reduces the extracted characteristic area and display the same, to thereby allow a user to conveniently and effectively view the image provided from the mobile terminal in a vehicle. The image display device includes: a communication unit configured to receive an image from a mobile terminal; a controller configured to detect image characteristic information of the received image, extract a first area on the basis of the detected image characteristic information, determine an image processing scheme with respect to the extracted first area, and process an image corresponding to the extracted first area according to the determined image processing scheme; and a display unit configured to display the processed image.
US08743142B1 Unified data fetch graphics processing system and method
A present invention pixel processing system and method permit complicated three dimensional images to be rendered with shallow graphics pipelines including reduced gate counts and facilitates power conservation by utilizing a single unified data fetch stage (e.g., unified data fetch module) that retrieves a variety of different pixel surface attribute values (e.g., depth, color, and/or texture values) in a single stage. Different types of pixel surface attribute data (e.g., depth, color, texture) associated with multiple graphics processing functions (e.g., color blending, texture mapping, etc.) are retrieved in the single unified data fetch graphics pipeline stage. The pixel surface attribute values may be placed in corresponding variable fields of a pixel packet row. The pixel packet rows including the pixel surface attribute values are forwarded to downstream graphics pipeline stages (e.g., an arithmetic logic pipestage).
US08743139B2 Automatically keying an image
Some embodiments provide a method for automatically selecting a portion of an image that includes several pixels, each of which has a set of pixel values. The method identifies a background color of the image. For each region of a set of regions of a color space that correspond to the background color, the method determines whether a threshold number of pixels in the image have pixel values that are in the region. The method identifies the pixels of the image in the regions that correspond to the background color and have a threshold number of pixels in the image. The method generates a portion of the color space to define a selection of the image using the pixel values of the identified pixels.
US08743133B2 Image processing system, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of input units configured to correspond to respective image data items to be obtained, an obtaining unit configured to obtain the image data items corresponding to the input units when the input units are operated, a determination unit configured to determine, when one of the input units is operated within a predetermined period of time, layout for displaying a corresponding one of the image data items in a display unit, and configured to determine, when at least two of the input units are operated within the predetermined period of time, layout for displaying image data items corresponding to the operated input units in the display unit in parallel, and an output unit configured to generate display data for a single screen using at least one of the image data items obtained using the obtaining unit in accordance with the layout determined using the determination unit and output the display data to the display unit.
US08743131B2 Course grain command buffer
A method for executing processes within a computer system is provided. The method includes determining when to switch from a first process, executing within the computer system, to executing another process. Execution of the first process corresponds to a computer system storage location. The method also includes switching to executing the other process based upon a time quantum and resuming execution of the first process after the time quantum has lapsed, the resuming corresponding to the storage location.
US08743124B2 Method and a system for generating a synthesized image of at least a portion of a head of hair
The invention relates to a method of generating at least one synthesized image of at least a portion of a head of hair in movement, the method comprising the steps consisting in calculating a shape of at least one director hair by applying to the at least one director hair at least one mechanical model of an inextensible rod having inertia and stiffnesses in twisting and in bending, and in generating at least one virtual image of the at least one portion of the head of hair from the shape of the director hair.
US08743122B2 Interactive visualization for exploring multi-modal, multi-relational, and multivariate graph data
A graph exploration module is described which displays graph data (or any data set) using any one of an extensible collection of chart types. Some of the chart types may present aggregated results associated with the graph data. One chart type provides bars which represent aggregations of nodes in the graph data and a collection of links which represent relationships among the bars. The graph exploration module may present the chart in the context of an interactive exploration panel within an exploration canvas. A user can make various selections which prompt the graph exploration module to generate a new exploration panel, together with a link which connects to the new panel to the previous panel. This process can be repeated any number of times to produce one or more exploration paths which reveal a history of exploration actions made by the user(s). That history can be saved and later retrieved.
US08743120B2 Controller
A controller remote-controlling a digital mixer which performs signal processing to an input signal by a DSP to output the processed signal is provided with functions of: accepting the setting of level of a dummy signal; calculating a gain of the signal processing at each stage in the DSP based on a value of a parameter used for the remote controlling; calculating level that the dummy signal would have at a reference point selected by a reference point selection button if the dummy signal is assumed to be inputted to the DSP, based on the level of the dummy signal and the calculated gain; and displaying the calculated level in a level display portion.
US08743113B2 Stereoscopic image display apparatus
A stereoscopic image display apparatus according an embodiment includes: an elemental image display unit having a display face in which pixels having sub-pixels are arranged in a matrix form, the display face being divided into a plurality of elemental images for display; and an optical plate provided on a viewer side of the elemental image display unit, the optical plate having a plurality of lenses arranged periodically with respect to the display face to be respectively associated with the plurality of elemental images, each of the lenses controlling light rays from the pixels which display an associated elemental image. In each lens, the sub-pixels which display an elemental image associated with the lens differing in isolation degree between adjacent sub-pixels depending upon whether a location is in a central portion of the lens or in a peripheral portion of the lens.
US08743110B2 Method and apparatus for creating of 3D direction displaying
An apparatus and method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) path are provided. The apparatus includes: a polygon generation unit to generate a left polygon and a right polygon on the left and the right of path data, respectively, based on a linear interpolation point of the path data; and a polygon conversion unit to apply a height value to the linear interpolation point based on the left polygon and the right polygon and to thereby generate the 3D path.
US08743107B2 Liquid crystal display device capable of improving charging rate to pixels
The disclosed liquid crystal display device includes a display panel for displaying a picture thereon, a plurality of gate drive ICs for forwarding scan pulses for driving gate lines on the display panel, a plurality of upper data drive ICs for supplying pixel voltages to data lines on one side of the display panel respectively, a plurality of lower data drive ICs for supplying the pixel voltages to the data lines on the other side of the display panel respectively, a first timing controller for generating and supplying an upper data control signal to the upper data drive ICs for controlling operation of the upper data drive ICs, and a second timing controller for generating and supplying a lower data control signal to the lower data drive ICs for controlling operation of the lower data drive ICs.
US08743097B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display comprising an array substrate formed with gate lines, data lines and pixel electrodes. Odd rows of pixel electrodes in the same column are connected with one of data lines at two sides of the column, even rows of pixel electrodes are connected with the other one of the data lines; pixel electrodes in the same row are controlled by one of the two gate lines at two sides of the row of pixel electrodes, pixel electrodes controlled by each gate line are located in the same row; there are two gate lines between two adjacent rows of pixel electrodes; two adjacent pixel electrodes in the same row between two adjacent data lines are controlled by one of the two gate lines at two sides of the row of pixel electrodes, and they are connected with one of the two adjacent data lines.
US08743096B2 Stable driving scheme for active matrix displays
A method and system for operating a pixel array having at least one pixel circuit is provided. The method includes repeating an operation cycle defining a frame period for a pixel circuit, including at each frame period, programming the pixel circuit, driving the pixel circuit, and relaxing a stress effect on the pixel circuit, prior to a next frame period. The system includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixel circuits and a plurality of lines for operation of the plurality of pixel circuits. Each of the pixel circuits includes a light emitting device, a storage capacitor, and a drive circuit connected to the light emitting device and the storage capacitor. The system includes a drive for operating the plurality of lines to repeat an operation cycle having a frame period so that each of the operation cycle comprises a programming cycle, a driving cycle and a relaxing cycle for relaxing a stress on a pixel circuit, prior to a next frame period.
US08743087B2 Display with dual-function capacitive elements
A touch screen including display pixels with capacitive elements is provided. The touch screen includes first common voltage lines connecting capacitive elements in adjacent display pixels, and a second common voltage line connecting first common voltage lines. The pixels can be formed as electrically separated regions by including breaks in the common voltage lines. The regions can include a drive region that is stimulated by stimulation signals, a sense region that receives sense signals corresponding to the stimulation signals. A grounded region can also be included, for example, between a sense region and a drive region. A shield layer can be formed of a substantially high resistance material and disposed to shield a sense region. A black mask line and conductive line under the black mask line can be included, for example, to provide low-resistance paths between a region of pixels and touch circuitry outside the touch screen borders.
US08743083B2 Dual mode touchpad with a low power mode using a proximity detection mode
A system includes a touchpad sensor array, a touch circuit, and a proximity circuit. The touch circuit executes a touch mode configured to track the position of a user or conductive object on the touchpad sensor array by detecting a change in an electrical property of the touchpad. The proximity circuit executes a proximity detection mode configured to track the position of a user or conductive object near or proximate to the touchpad sensor array by detecting a change in an electrical property of the touchpad. The system is configured to switch from the touch mode to the proximity detection mode after a predetermined period of inactivity, where the proximity detection mode can operate at one or more reduced polling rates, resulting in a reduced overall power dissipation. The system is configured to switch back to the touch mode when activity is detected by the proximity circuit.
US08743079B2 Position information input device and position information input method
A position information input device is provided with input positions assumed to be some positions of the surface of a conductive object, one or more signal receiving electrodes provided in other positions on the conductive object correspondingly thereto, for receiving a positioning signal inputted to each input position, and a signal input transfer module for transferring the same positioning signal specific to the input position. A signal generation/output module is provided together with the signal input transfer module, for generating the positioning signal in which a plurality of signals having different frequencies are defined as one group. The position information input device calculates path resistance values between the input position and the signal receiving electrodes from the respective values of the positioning signals received by the signal receiving electrodes and specifies the input position from the differences thereof.
US08743078B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus having an improved optical efficiency and a touch panel function, the display apparatus including a substrate; a display unit formed on the substrate and including a plurality of pixels; an encapsulation substrate disposed facing the display unit to encapsulate the display unit; an electrostatic capacitive pattern layer formed on the encapsulation substrate; and a black matrix layer formed between the substrate and the encapsulation substrate, and disposed to surround the plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of pixels are disposed to correspond to the electrostatic capacitive pattern layer.
US08743076B1 Sensor array touchscreen recognizing finger flick gesture from spatial pressure distribution profiles
Touch screen user interfaces configured to detect a touch gesture for controlling software applications, computers, devices, machinery, and process environments. Such user interfaces can be manipulated by users and provide a wide range of uses with computer applications, assistance to the disabled, and control of electronic devices, machines, and processes. Enhancements can include velocity and pressure sensing capabilities. The touch screen can be realized with a transparent touch sensor array positioned over a visual display. The touch screen can be configured to measure a spatial pressure distribution profile from a touch on the touch screen and recognize gestures based on dynamics among spatial pressure distribution profiles. In an example implementation, the gesture recognition may rely solely on dynamics of shape differences between hand contact patterns and omit the use of pressure, as the shape of the spatial pressure distribution profile does not vary much by pressure.
US08743073B2 Two-way touch-screen based communication system
Embodiments of the disclosure generally set forth a two-way touch screen based communication system. One example method may include receiving an order for an item from a first touch screen device via a first network, wherein the order is associated with a first identification for a merchant, a second identification for the customer, and a negotiable parameter reflective of a preference of the customer. The method may also include making available the order for a second touch screen device of the merchant to retrieve via a second network and to display and prior to completing processing of the order, transmitting a first response to the preference of the customer to the first touch screen device via the first network.
US08743072B2 Display device and control method thereof
A display device provides a user with tactile feedback using a tactile user interface. The display device includes a display unit, a tactile feedback unit, and a controller. The controller detects a first control input selecting a first object displayed on the display unit, detects a second control input controlling the first object that is consecutive to the first control input, controls the first object in response to the second control input, generates first tactile feedback according to properties of the first object in response to the second control input, detects a third control input controlling the first object that is consecutive to the second control input, the third control input being detected in a region of a second object displayed on the display unit, and maintains the first tactile feedback in response to the third control input while the first object is controlled by the third control input.
US08743071B2 Hybrid inertial and touch sensing input device
A method and apparatus for tracking coarse and fine motions associated with an electronic input device is disclosed. The electronic input device can have both an inertial sensor and a touch sensor. The method includes receiving inputs from an inertial sensor and a touch sensor, and dynamically adjusting a velocity estimate of the electronic input device based on weighting or predetermined thresholds of the inputs to maximize a tracking range of the input device.
US08743061B2 Touch sensing method and electronic device
A touch sensing method includes: scanning a plurality of first and second sensor lines, aligned in two different directions, of a touch sensor board; generating first and second indications based on the scan result, the first/second indication carrying information of at least one group of the first/second sensor lines that are adjacent to one another on the touch sensor board and that have detected a user's touch on the touch sensor board and of a number of the first/second sensor lines in the group; and generating a status signal that corresponds to a predetermined finger gesture at least based on a comparison result determined by comparing the number of the first sensor lines indicated by the first indication with the number of the second sensor lines indicated by the second indication. An electronic device that implements the touch sensing method is also disclosed.
US08743059B2 Word completion in a handheld electronic device
A method for enabling generation of text on a handheld electronic device which has a plurality of input members, at least some of which have a number of linguistic elements assigned thereto, and a memory having language objects stored therein. The method comprises enabling detection of a number of input member actuations corresponding with an ambiguous input, making at least one of a determination that the number of actuations exceeds a first threshold and a determination that a quantity of predicted language objects corresponding with the ambiguous input is less than a second threshold, generating prefix objects corresponding with the ambiguous input and predicted language objects corresponding with the ambiguous input, each predicted language object comprising a prefix object portion and a completion portion, and providing at a text input location an output comprising a prefix object and a completion portion of a first predicted language object.
US08743058B2 Multi-contact character input method and system
A multi-contact character input method includes: setting an input character corresponding to each multi-contact operation, in which attributes of the multi-contact operation include a position of each contact in a plurality of contacts, or/and the number of contacts contacting a multi-point touch screen within the same time, or/and a sliding direction of each contact; a user performing a multi-contact operation; identifying the multi-contact operation of the user and obtaining a corresponding input character according to the attributes of the multi-contact operation; and inputting the corresponding character. The multi-contact character input method fully uses the advantages of multi-point touch sensing, implements the input of frequently used functional keys or character keys through a multi-point touch combination of a special manner, and provides input convenience for the user without requiring the user to change a click input mode.
US08743057B2 Haptic feedback using a keyboard device
A low-cost haptic feedback keyboard device for providing haptic feedback to a user for enhancing interactions in a displayed environment provided by a computer. The haptic keyboard device can be a keyboard having multiple keys, or can be a wrist rest or other attachment coupled to a keyboard. The device includes a housing that is physically contacted by the user and rests on a support surface. An actuator is coupled to the housing and applies a force to the housing approximately along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the support surface, where the force is transmitted to the user contacting the housing. In one embodiment, the force is an inertial force that is output by moving an inertial mass. The keyboard device can be used in conjunction with another haptic device, such as a mouse, trackball, or joystick.
US08743052B1 Computing interface system
Computing interface systems and methods are disclosed. Some implementations include a first accelerometer attached to a first fastening article that is capable of holding the first accelerometer in place on a portion of a thumb of a user. Some implementations may also include a second accelerometer attached to a second fastening article that is capable of holding the second accelerometer in place on a portion of a wrist of a user. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include magnetometers and/or gyroscopes attached to the first and second fastening articles. Some implementations may also include a processing device configured to receive measurements from the accelerometers, magnetometers, and/or gyroscopes and identify, based on the measurements, symbols associated with motions of a user's hand and/or the orientation of the hand. Some implementations may allow a user to control a cursor in a three dimensional virtual space and interact with objects in that space.
US08743042B2 Display device and drive method for display device
Provided are a display device capable of preventing image noise arising from changes in potential of a common electrode and auxiliary capacitor lines at the time of a switch between a normal mode and a memory mode and a method for driving such a display device. In a case where it is necessary to cause the common electrode and the auxiliary capacitor lines to change in potential along with a switch between the normal mode and the memory mode, the change in potential is made while electrically connecting a node of each memory circuit to a corresponding source line with the corresponding source line having its potential fixed and with the memory circuit having its a switch circuit in a conductive state.
US08743039B2 Dynamic polarity control method and polarity control circuit for driving LCD
A dynamic polarity control method for driving an LCD is provided. Gray level information is obtained, which indicates gray levels of dots in an image to be displayed. The gray level information is applied to each of a plurality of polarity patterns to obtain a plurality of combined patterns, wherein each of the polarity patterns has an individual polarity distribution. The gray levels of each of the combined patterns are summed up. A final pattern is selected from the plurality of polarity patterns according to the summed results, to drive the LCD for displaying the image.
US08743037B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of driving same
A color field-sequential liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel; a planar light-source unit for emitting light toward the liquid crystal panel; and a signal processor connected to the liquid crystal panel and to the planar light-source unit; wherein the signal processing includes: a comparing unit that compares video signals included in subframes of at least one identical color in each frame of two mutually adjacent video frames; and a polarity reversing unit that reverses the polarities of video signals in mutually adjacent subframes within the same frame, deciding whether or not to reverse the polarities of all video signals of one frame based upon the result of the comparison by the comparing unit, and outputting a video signal having the decided polarity to the liquid crystal panel.
US08743035B2 Driving method for dynamically driving a field sequential color liquid crystal display
A driving method for dynamically driving a field sequential color liquid crystal display is characterized in that a backlight includes at least two or more different colors, a plurality of fields constitute one frame, each field includes scanning time, non-scanning time of COMs and the time when the backlight is turned off. All liquid crystal pixels are driven by scanning each COM in a certain order during the scanning time. The non-scanning time is the time during which all liquid crystal pixels are not driven while the backlight continues to be bright after the scanning time. The time when the backlight is turned off is the time when all liquid crystal pixels are not driven while the backlight is turned off after the non-scanning time. The sum of two kinds of time mentioned above is larger than or equal to 1 ms and less than or equal to 10 ms.
US08743034B2 Array substrate of liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same
An array substrate of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprising a switching device switching a connection between a short ring connected with a common line and each of a plurality of data lines. The switching device is turned off during a normal state, but is turned on by a control signal when the LCD device is turned off, thereby making an electrical potential of the data lines to be equal to that of the short ring.
US08743031B2 Dibenzothiophene compound and organic light-emitting element based on the same
An aspect of the present invention provides the dibenzothiophene compound expressed by General Formula 1 in Claim 1. In General Formula 1, R1 is either a hydrogen atom or an unsubstituted phenyl group, and Ar1 is any of phenanthrenyl, fluorenyl, triphenylenyl, naphthyl, chrysenyl, and pyrenyl groups. The options for the Ar1 substituents, namely the phenanthrenyl, fluorenyl, triphenylenyl, naphthyl, chrysenyl, and pyrenyl groups, may contain at least one of an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms and an aryl group as a substituent.
US08743030B2 Display device and driving method of display device
One feature of the present invention includes first to third steps of holding a voltage, corresponding to a difference between a voltage applied to a first power supply line and a threshold voltage of a first transistor, between both electrodes of first and second storage capacitors; holding a voltage, corresponding to a difference between a voltage applied to the first power supply line and a gate-source voltage of the first transistor, which is necessary to supply a light-emitting element with a current equivalent to a video signal current inputted into a signal line, between both the electrodes of the second storage capacitor; and applying a voltage based on the voltage held in the first and second storage capacitors in the first and second steps to a gate electrode of the first transistor; therefore, a current is supplied to the light-emitting element through the first transistor.
US08743026B2 Display device and electronic equipment
A display device includes a pixel array section, the pixel array section having pixels arranged in a matrix form, at least one of the pixels including an electro-optical element, a write transistor, a holding capacitance, a drive transistor, and a switching transistor. A write scan line is disposed for each pixel row of the pixel array section and adapted to convey a write signal to be applied to the gate electrode of the write transistor. The wiring structure of the write scan line does not intersect with the wiring pattern connected to the gate electrode of the drive transistor.
US08743025B2 Electro-optical device, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
A light-emitting device and an electronic apparatus, which are capable of preventing reduction of the amount of current flowing through light-emitting elements and which have an excellent display characteristic, are provided. Cathode wiring lines 13 connected to a cathode 12 are provided to surround an effective area 2a outside the effective area 2a where a plurality of pixels 103R, G and B having light-emitting elements are provided. First to third power source lines 103G, 103B and 103R connected to pixel electrodes are provided between the cathode wiring lines 13 and the effective area 2a.
US08743021B1 Display device detecting gaze location and method for controlling thereof
The present specification relates to a display device detecting a gaze location and a method of controlling therefor, and more particularly, to a method of displaying a reading interface based on a gaze location of a user and displaying content. According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display unit configured to display content, the display unit including a first display area and a second display area, an image capturing unit configured to capture a front image of the display device, and a processor configured to control the display unit and the image capturing unit and configured to detect a gaze location of a user located at a front of the display device from the captured image.
US08743018B2 Metamaterial
A metamaterial comprising a plurality of unit lattices which are arrayed on a plane in a two dimensional manner and are laminated, wherein a dielectric layer is formed from a first dielectric section and a second dielectric section that is present on the same plane as the first dielectric section and has a smaller refractive index than that of the first dielectric section, wherein the first dielectric section is arranged on an upper side or a lower side of the metal cross layer forming the unit lattice including at least a portion of the crossing region, and wherein the second dielectric section is arranged on an upper side or a lower side of the metal cross layer forming the unit lattice including at least a portion of the non-crossing region.
US08743017B2 Metamaterial and method for manufacturing same
A metamaterial that includes a metallic wire and a supporting member. The metallic wire has a length of substantially half the wavelength of electromagnetic waves, and is coiled in the shape of a spring. The supporting member fixes the metallic wire such that the central axis of the metallic wire is parallel in direction to an electric field generated between a signal line through which an electric current flows and a ground. The metallic wire placed in such manner resonates with electromagnetic waves having a wavelength approximately twice as long as the metallic wire, and exhibits a negative dielectric constant.
US08743014B2 Antenna device and wireless communication terminal
At least three resonance frequencies are obtained by two antenna elements. The antenna device includes antenna elements (11) and (12), a wireless section (20) for supplying power to each of the antenna elements (11) and (12), a PIN diode (16) for electrically connecting and disconnecting the antenna element (11) and the wireless section (20) with/from each other, the antenna elements (11) and (12) being provided so as to be capacitively coupled to each other during the electrical disconnection between the antenna element (11) and the wireless section (20) which electrical disconnection is made by the PIN diode (16).
US08743013B2 System and method for payload enclosure
A cylindrical-shaped enclosure having tapered ends. The enclosure includes a module having a radio disposed on a printed circuit board and an antenna connected to the PCB. The enclosure has a main piece coupled to a lower piece and to a top piece, an optionally a fourth piece coupled to the top piece. A mounting subsystem is mounted to the main piece and includes a hole configured to receive therethrough a wires that connect to the printed circuit board. The antenna is configured to rotate about an axis that extends along a longest dimension of the enclosure. The module includes a metal plate to which the antenna is directly mechanically and electrically coupled without any cable such that the wires lack any control signals for controlling the antenna. The top and/or lower pieces can house any combination of a camera, an environmental sensor, security equipment, or a lighting system.
US08743012B2 Broad-band, multi-band antenna
A broad-band, multi-band antenna. The antenna includes a ground terminal and a feed terminal, an elongated inductor, a first inductive element electrically coupled between the ground terminal and a first extremity of the elongated inductor, a capacitive element in parallel connection with the first inductive element, and a second inductive element electrically coupled between a second extremity of the elongated inductor and the feed terminal.
US08743010B2 Antenna device
An antenna device includes a T-shaped element having a first end part, a second end part, and a third end part, the first end part being a feeding point, the T-shaped element being bifurcated at an intermediate point; and a stub having one end connected between the intermediate point and the second end point and another end connected to ground, the stub forming a π-shaped configuration with the T-shaped element; wherein a length of a first line between the first end part and the second end part is longer than a length of a second line between the first end part and the third end part; and the length of the first line and the length of the second line correspond to a first resonance frequency and a second resonance frequency.
US08743008B2 Reconfigurable base station antenna
The invention relates to a base station antenna, that includes two or more reflector plates, each provided with a radiating element. The base station antenna also includes a reflector plate connecting member connected to each reflector plate for enabling the rotation of the reflector plates. The base station antenna also includes a reflector plate controller providing control signals for controlling the rotation and stoppage of the reflector plates.
US08743007B2 Substrate type antenna
The present invention provides a substrate type antenna capable of realizing high gain enhancement and high band enhancement in a simple configuration. In the substrate type antenna, a loop-like first joint pattern whose one spot is divided, is formed in one substrate surface of a substrate made of a dielectric material. Antennas are respectively connected to both end terminals of the first joint pattern at a position where the first joint pattern is divided. A loop-like second joint pattern formed at a position corresponding to the first joint pattern and whose one spot is divided, is formed in the other substrate surface of the substrate. A loop-like third joint pattern which is substantially concentric with the first joint pattern and which is formed at a position corresponding to the second joint pattern and whose spot is divided, is formed in the one substrate surface of the substrate. Other antennas are respectively connected to both end terminals of the third joint pattern at a position where the third joint pattern is divided.
US08743005B2 Low-aspect antenna having a vertical electric dipole field pattern
An antenna comprises a ring-shaped radiofrequency resonator that defines a path for a circulating magnetic current. In an implementation, the resonator has a height of no more than 2% of an operating wavelength, and it has an electromagnetic resonance at the operating frequency. In an implementation, the antenna is of a type having a vertical, short electric dipole radiation or sensitivity pattern. It comprises, as the dominant radiative element, a ring of material disposed transverse to the vertical dipole axis and having an average magnetic permeability more than ten times the magnetic permeability of air. The ring has a maximum outer diameter and a height that is less than the maximum outer diameter. The antenna further includes a feed structure adapted to couple radiofrequency energy into and/or out of a magnetic current circulating in the ring.
US08743004B2 Integrated waveguide cavity antenna and reflector dish
A feed assembly for a parabolic dish reflector is described. The feed assembly includes a waveguide cavity locatable at the focal point, or any other desired off-boresight location corresponding point, of the parabolic dish, at least one first radiating element optimized for operation at a first frequency band and provided on a top surface of the waveguide cavity, and a plurality of second radiating elements each optimized for operation at a second band of frequencies and provided on the top surface of the waveguide cavity.
US08743003B2 Steerable electronic microwave antenna
A steerable microwave antenna includes a resonant cavity comprising a partially reflecting surface (PRS) formed of an array of transmitting-receiving cells (CF2) each of which is adapted for control in transmissivity and directivity and a totally reflecting surface (TRS). A radiating element (RE) laid within the resonant cavity is provided in the vicinity of the totally reflecting surface (TRS) so as to generate microwaves. A circuit (Bx, By) for controlling transmissivity and directivity of each transmitting-receiving cell (CF2) and of the partially reflecting surface (PRS) is further provided. Such an antenna can be implemented as an antenna for Wifi connections and cellular telephone handset.
US08743001B2 Mechanically steered reflector antenna
A rotatable reflector antenna system that supports on-the-move communications to and from a mobile land, airborne, or maritime vehicle with a remote communication device, such as a geostationary satellite. The antenna system can include a pillbox antenna, a line feed antenna, or an array of horn antennas that convey electromagnetic waves between a transceiver (transmitter and/or receiver) and a reflector. The reflector may be embodied as a singly curved, parabolic cylinder reflector coupled to support members in a manner that enables the reflector to rotate with respect to the antenna. The reflector can rotate in a first direction, such as an elevation rotation, and the entire antenna system including the reflector can be mounted to a turntable or other rotatable platform that rotates in a second direction, such as an azimuth rotation.
US08742998B2 Goods storage tool and connection method
An object is to provide a goods storage tool that enables an antenna to be connected to an electronics device without the need to take out the antenna from a storage object in which the antenna is stored. A goods storage tool of the present invention is a goods storage tool for storing goods or contents therein. The goods storage tool includes an antenna that is stored in the goods storage tool; and a connection portion that enables a feeder connector connected to an electronics device to be connected to the antenna in such a way that the antenna remains stored in the goods storage tool.
US08742997B2 Testing system with electrically coupled and wirelessly coupled probes
Conductive electronic device structures such as a conductive housing member that forms part of an antenna may be tested during manufacturing. A test system may be provided that has a pair of pins or other contacts. Test equipment such as a network analyzer may provide radio-frequency test signals in a range of frequencies. The radio-frequency test signals may be applied to the conductive housing member or other conductive structures under test using the test probe contacts. An antenna may be used to gather corresponding wireless radio-frequency signal data. Forward transfer coefficient data may be computed from the transmitted and received radio-frequency signals. The forward transfer coefficient data or other test data may be compared to reference data to determine whether the conductive electronic device structures contain a fault.
US08742996B2 Mobile wireless communications device with selective load switching for antennas and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a plurality of antennas, a plurality of wireless transceivers, and signal processing circuitry. The device may further include a controller for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, and for selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers. Moreover, the controller may also be for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers.
US08742994B2 Antenna system
A housing includes a 3-D composite structure. The structure includes a flex foil. An antenna trace is provided on a first surface of the flex foil. A shield, which may be a sheet, is positioned on the antenna trace. A resin is molded to the first surface, the shield and the antenna trace. The resultant structure allows for a thin-walled design that can communicate efficiently via wireless signals.
US08742993B2 Metamaterial loaded antenna structures
Techniques and devices based on antenna structures with a MTM loading element.
US08742991B2 Handheld electronic devices and methods involving tunable dielectric materials
Handheld electronic devices and methods involving tunable dielectric materials are provided. In this regard, a representative device includes: a transceiver operative to selectively transmit and receive electrical signals; an antenna assembly electrically connected to the transceiver, the antenna assembly having anisotropic dielectric material operative to exhibit a change in dielectric constant responsive to an applied electrical signal; and a dielectric tuning system operative to automatically and selectively apply a first signal to the antenna assembly to change the dielectric constant of the anisotropic dielectric material to alter a resonant frequency and efficiency tuning of the antenna.
US08742987B2 Lean V2X security processing strategy using kinematics information of vehicles
A vehicle-to-vehicle communication filtering system is provided to selectively process broadcast messages between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle. A processing unit evaluates a time-to-collision status between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle sending the message. The time-to-collision status is a function of a relative distance and a relative velocity between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle which are determined from data provided within a first portion of the message received from the remote vehicle. An attentive factor is assigned to each of the remote vehicles based on the time-to-collision with respect to each remote vehicle. The attentive factor identifies a proportion of messages broadcast from the remote vehicle to be targeted for security processing. Security processing of the message is performed based on a second portion of the message unless the attentive factor indicates the message should be ignored.
US08742986B2 Wireless time reference system and method
Various methods and apparatuses that utilize a wireless time reference system are provided herein. One example method involves calibrating independent, spatially-located clocks of a geoposition system in order to geolocate an object having an associated object tag. The example method may include transmitting an RF pulse pair, receiving the pulse pair at multiple locations, utilizing respective frequencies of first and second spatially-located clocks to produce count values to effect measurement of an interarrival interval at each of multiple locations, determining a ratio of count values relative to said first and second spatially-located clocks, and utilizing said ratio to calibrate time indications of said clocks. Other related methods and apparatus are also provided.
US08742985B1 Ultra low power global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver operation
Apparatuses, methods, and other embodiments associated with ultra low power GNSS receiver operation are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus that supports an off-line mode includes receive hardware configured to receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals, and a memory to store the digitized GNSS signals received by the receive hardware. The apparatus also includes a result logic configured to produce a GNSS result from the digitized GNSS signals stored in the memory and a clock configured to provide a timing signal. The apparatus also includes a control logic configured to control combinations of power states of the receive hardware, the memory, and the result logic based, at least in part, on the timing signal.
US08742983B2 Radar reception signal processing apparatus and method thereof
According to one embodiment, a calculating of a weight includes which is calculating a covariance matrix by applying a process (Post-Doppler process) of selecting a plurality of banks after execution of a Doppler filter process to a specified number of pulses of the received signal, and extracting a plurality of arbitrary bank parts from among the plurality of selected banks which are used for the calculation of the covariance matrix, and calculating a plurality of weights on a phase and an amplitude, from a matrix of the plurality of extracted bank parts.
US08742982B2 Indirect radar holography apparatus and corresponding method
An indirect radar holography apparatus for scanning a scene and generating a high-density signal pattern representing the scene. The apparatus illuminates the scene with radiation according to an illumination signal; generates a reference signal from the illumination signal; detects radiation emitted in a predetermined spectral range from a spot of the scene; generates a radiation signal per spot from the detected radiation; performs control so that radiation is detected at a number of spots distributed over the scene, the number being lower than the number of intensity signals of the high-density signal pattern; combines the radiation signals generated from the detected radiation and the reference signals to obtain a low-density signal pattern of intensity signals; and processes the intensity signals of said low-density signal pattern to generate the high-density signal pattern by applying compressive sensing to the low-density signal pattern.
US08742981B2 Microstrip coupler combining transmit-receive signal separation and differential to single ended conversion
One embodiment relates to a coupler that can be used in a radar system. The coupler includes differential ports, an antenna port, a receiver port, a local port and a transmission path. The differential ports are configured to receive a differential signal. The antenna port is configured to output a transmitted signal and to input a received signal. The transmitted signal is derived from the differential signal. The receiver port is configured to output a portion or version of the received signal. The local port outputs a local signal, which is also derived from the differential signal. The transmission path is coupled to the differential ports, the antenna port, the receiver port and the local port. The transmission path typically has a length selected to derive or output the signals at the above ports.
US08742976B1 Power management for a radar system and ad hoc node device
A method and apparatus for providing power management for a device including a radar unit and an ad hoc network node are presented. The present invention involves various individual components of the device being turned on and off in various sequences in order to minimize power draw of the device. This involves starting individual components ahead of when they are required so they are fully functional when needed.
US08742970B2 Analogue-to-digital converter
An apparatus and method for regulating analogue-to-digital converters. First and second input signals are received at controlled oscillator circuitry which generates respective first and second pulse streams with pulse rates based on the relevant input signal. Difference circuitry determines the difference in number of pulses of the first and second pulse streams and outputs a first digital signal. Circuitry also determines a signal independent value based on the number of pulses of the first and/or second pulse streams. In one embodiment this value is the sum or average of the number of pulses of the first and second pulse streams. This value can be used to calibrate for any variation in transfer characteristic of the oscillator circuitry. In one embodiment this value is compared to a reference value and a regulation signal passed to control circuitry to regulate the operation of the oscillation circuitry.
US08742969B2 Two-step subranging ADC architecture
First and second track and hold stages track and store an input voltage for a sample of an analog input signal. A coarse reference ladder provides a plurality of coarse references. The coarse reference ladder includes a first coarse reference and a second coarse reference ladder. A coarse ADC performs a first comparison of the input voltage and the coarse references and outputs a coarse output based on the first comparison. A switch matrix includes switches and is configured to close a switch corresponding to a coarse reference based on the coarse output. A fine reference ladder provides fine references. A fine ADC performs a second comparison of the input voltage and the fine references and outputs a fine output based on the second comparison. Logic outputs a digital output for the sample of the analog input signal based on the coarse output and the fine output.
US08742967B2 Analog to digital converter
An analog to digital converter generating a number of corresponding voltages in response to a number of values of a grey level is provided. The analog to digital converter includes a decoder and an operational amplifier. The decoder provides first to third output voltages having the same level when w most significant bits (MSBs) of the grey level correspond to the same value, provides first and second intermediate voltages in response to the x MSBs next to the w MSBs when the w MSBs correspond to different values, and selectively has the first to the third output voltages equal to one of the first and the second intermediate voltages. The operational amplifier obtains a pixel voltage by interpolating the first to the third output voltages, wherein the sum of w and x is smaller than or equal to the bit number of the gray level.
US08742963B2 Recording circuit and a method of controlling the same
A recording circuit is provided. The recording circuit includes a multiplexing circuit configured to receive a plurality of input signals and to produce a multiplexed output signal including the plurality of input signals, and a plurality of sampling circuits electrically coupled in parallel to each other, each sampling circuit being configured to sample a portion of the multiplexed output signal corresponding to an input signal of the plurality of input signals and the sampling circuits configured to alternately produce an output signal corresponding to the sampled portion.
US08742960B2 Three-frequency phase digitizing system and method of three-phase digitizing an interferometer signal using the same
A phase digitizing system includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), multiple phase accumulators and a processing device. The ADC generates sample segments of digital signal waveform samples based on an analog composite input signal received in a measurement channel, the composite input signal includes a first signal having a first frequency F1 and a second signal imported from a reference channel having a second frequency F2. The processing device is coupled to the phase accumulators, and digitally processes each sample segment with outputs of the phase accumulators, and continually generates digital phase data The processing device further provides increment values to each of the phase accumulators based on the digital phase data, causing an output of a first phase accumulator to represent an instantaneous phase of the first signal, and an output of a second phase accumulator to represent an instantaneous phase of the second signal.
US08742958B2 Methods for encoding and decoding data
The transmission of broadcast data, such as financial data and news feeds, is accelerated over a communication channel using data compression and decompression to provide secure transmission and transparent multiplication of communication bandwidth, as well as reduce the latency. Broadcast data may include packets having fields. Encoders associated with particular fields may be selected to compress those particular fields.
US08742956B2 Position encoder apparatus
A position encoder kit, including: a scale comprising a series of position features; and a readhead. The readhead includes a detector for receiving configuration information from a configuration item. The readhead is configured to operate in accordance with the configuration information. The readhead also includes a receiver interface via which the readhead can supply position information to a receiver.
US08742955B2 Map display apparatus, map display method, and image pickup apparatus
In step ST11 of FIG. 5, a map image is displayed. In step ST12, moving-route marks are added to the map image. In step ST13, image-pickup-position marks are added to the map image. In step ST14, a current position mark is added to the map image. In step ST15, a predetermined range is determined based on an image-pickup position. Furthermore, predetermined ranges are determined based on a moving route and a current position. In step ST16, the number of types of landmark sign to be included in the map image is reduced in ranges other than the predetermined ranges. Since landmark signs which are positioned far from the image-pickup position, the moving route, and the current position and which are not important for a user are not added to the map image, map display is performed while display of the landmark signs is optimized.
US08742954B2 Destination arrival estimates auto-notification based on cellular systems
The present invention is directed to a method for determining vehicular speeds over various travel routes that includes the steps: (a) for a plurality of mobile communication devices, determining a respective first geographic location at a first time and a second geographic location at a second later time; (b) determining a respective velocity for each cellular communication device over the distance between the first and second geographic locations; and (c) based on the respective velocities, providing to a driver at least one of (I) a velocity over a selected travel route, (ii) a traffic volume over the selected travel route, and (iii) an estimated time of travel over the selected travel route.
US08742953B1 Marine fuel system with overfill alert
A marine fuel system and method includes receiving a fuel level signal from a fuel level sensor for a marine fuel tank on a marine vessel and discriminating between condition A comprising an increase in the true amount of fuel in the fuel tank above a given level, and condition B comprising a transient increase in the level of fuel in the fuel tank above the given level due to vessel movement, which may include movement due to waves, rough water, people moving on the vessel, and so on, while the vessel is stationary at a dock or filling station and being re-fueled. An alert signal is output in response to condition A and not to condition B.
US08742949B2 Parking barricate device with sensing vehicle
A vehicle sensing parking barricade device includes: an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag which is attached to a vehicle for identifying the vehicle; a barricade bar which limits entrance of the vehicle; an RFID reader which is installed in a portion of the barricade bar and receives information from the RFID tag to determine whether or not the vehicle is authenticated to be parked; and a motor driver which receives a signal from the RFID reader 25 to drive the barricade bar 10 to limit the vehicle entrance depending on the vehicle authentication.
US08742942B2 Security device and system for monitoring pipes
The invention relates to a security device for a cover device of a pipe and/or for a pipe, that can be used for producing pipelines having a series of further pipes welded to each other, wherein the cover device comprises a sleeve covering an inner wall of the pipe, and the security device is designed for generating an alarm signal, wherein the security device comprises a structure-borne sound detection device comprising a structure-borne sound sensor for detecting manipulation of the pipe. The invention further relates to a system for monitoring pipes having a plurality of security devices having a receiving station for receiving the security device signals, preferably repeatable by means of a repeater, and an electronic data processor designed for analyzing the signals and for out-putting an alarm signal.
US08742940B2 Fuse and breaker alarm device and method using a finite state machine
An alarm circuit and method of monitoring a circuit protection device are disclosed. The alarm circuit includes a circuit protection device connected in series at an input voltage of a load. The alarm circuit also includes a programmable circuit connected in parallel to the circuit protection device and including an alarm signal. The programmable circuit is programmed to include a plurality of functional states, and at least one functional state corresponds to activation of the alarm signal. The at least one functional state activating the alarm signal corresponds with an interruption condition in the circuit protection device.
US08742934B1 System and method for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties and enhancing anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism capabilities
A system and method for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties and enhancing anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism capabilities is disclosed. More particularly, according to one aspect of the invention, an electronic system and associated method is configured to facilitate the performance of law enforcement duties by quasi-instantaneously providing actionable intelligence to its users, such as front-line law enforcement officers, in response to a real-time query. According to another aspect of the invention, a system implements a set of automated status classifications for subjects with suspected or confirmed involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. The status classifications specifically and concisely establish the subject's involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a system executes a streamlined electronic process for asset forfeiture actions so as to ensure that criminal and/or terrorist assets are efficiently and effectively seized.
US08742922B2 Luggage tracking device
A luggage tracking device, and a method of tracking luggage using the device, the device including a housing configured to be attached to a piece of luggage, a location unit provided in the housing to determine a current location of the device, a transmitter provided in the housing to transmit current location information, and a controller provided in the housing to control operations of the location unit and transmitter.
US08742918B2 Alarm management system
An exemplary alarm management system and method for the management of alarm messages of a technical installation or of a technical process are disclosed. A data processing system receives alarm messages. A plurality of display modules display the alarm messages. The data processing system includes a module for creating alarm channels for different ways of representing the pending alarm messages. Each alarm channel created by the module is associated with one of the display modules, and the display modules present the pending alarm messages as ate least one of lists, alarm clouds, and displays in conjunction with at least one of acoustic signals and alarm records.
US08742917B2 Warning triangle structure
A warning triangle has a simplified structure and is operable in accordance with the requirement of energy saving and manufactured at lower cost. The warning triangle structure includes a first board body, a second board body and a third board body, which are assembled with each other. Each of the board bodies has a first face and a second face, which together define an internal cavity. At least one light source and a light guide strip for guiding light are disposed in the cavity. The second and third board bodies are pivotally connected with movable stands for supporting the warning triangle in use. The second and third board bodies can be selectively collapsed onto the first and second faces of the first board body to minimize the volume of the warning triangle.
US08742916B2 Warning light arrangements; components; and, methods
The present disclosure provides an LED light bar that provides off axis lighting. The warning light system includes lights that do not need reflectors that rotate to provide good light effects.
US08742910B2 Impact alert system and method
An impact alert system and method for reducing personal injury at vehicle impact, include at least one sensor arrangement adapted to monitor the surroundings of a vehicle, and to generate surrounding signals dependent thereon, a control unit adapted to receive the surrounding signals, and to evaluate the signals in order to predict an impact situation depending on the signals: The control unit is further adapted to, provided that an impact situation is predicted, determine the impact situation depending on the signals, and to determine an optimal muscle activation for an occupant for the impact situation, whereby the system is adapted to make an occupant in vehicle start achieve the optimal muscle activation before the impact situation.
US08742905B2 Easy to use and intuitive user interface for a remote control
A system and method for an easy to use and intuitive user interface on a remote control. In one embodiment, a touch sensitive area is extended beyond a screen. In one embodiment, soft buttons lie partially on the screen and partially off it (on the extended touch-sensitive area). This allows for an increased input area for the user, without the increase in cost associated with a larger screen. Moreover, this allows for a smooth, flat, and sleek upper surface of the remote control. In one embodiment, a remote control provides different user experiences based upon the context of use of the remote control. For instance, the color of the screen as well as the color of backlighting for certain buttons is dependent upon what mode the remote control is in.
US08742900B2 RFID enabled light switches
An embodiment of the invention relates to a for remote control of an electrical circuit, comprising an RFID source, a remotely-mounted switch operatively coupled to an RFID tag, and an RFID receiver operatively coupled to an electrical circuit, wherein a change in state of the remotely-mounted switch is detected by the RFID tag and transmitted to the RFID receiver to control the electrical circuit.
US08742896B2 Steerable phase array antenna RFID tag locater and tracking system and methods
A system for and method of tracking and locating RFID tags, including where at least one steerable phase array antenna may locate the tags associated with items in three dimensions in real time, through the use of a beam steering unit and controller therewith to control the direction of a beam launched by the at least one steerable phase array antenna.
US08742895B2 Wireless communication improving sheet, wireless communication IC tag, information transmitting medium and wireless communication system
A wireless communication improving sheet capable of improving a possible communication distance of an IC tag for wireless communication, a wireless communication IC tag, and a wireless communication system are provided. A first spacer has an arrangement surface for arranging a wireless IC tag. An auxiliary antenna, which resonates with respect to an electromagnetic wave used for wireless communication, is provided on a surface opposite to the arrangement surface of the first spacer. A second spacer is provided on an opposite side to the first spacer with the auxiliary antenna interposed therebetween. The first spacer and the auxiliary antenna is formed with a groove (a hole) having the second spacer as the bottom.
US08742894B2 Automatically controlled lighting device, and an installation including a plurality of such devices
The lighting device (10; 42) includes means for switching a light source on and/or off and search means suitable for detecting and identifying neighboring objects (34, 36, 38, 40) present in the proximity of the device and provided with radio transmitter circuits, e.g. of the Bluetooth type, that are suitable for interfacing with the device. The device includes means for causing it to switch off, and possibly to switch on, said means co-operating with the search means (20) to detect the appearance or the disappearance of neighboring objects in the radio range of the lighting device, and to trigger switching off of the light source on detecting the disappearance of at least one neighboring object, conditionally as a function of predetermined criteria. Switching is controlled essentially without orders being transmitted from neighboring objects to cause the lamp to switch off or on. A plurality of devices of the same type may be configured with one another and with the neighboring objects they have detected, in a hierarchical network topology.
US08742893B2 Filtered in-box for voice mail, e-mail, pages, web-based information, and faxes
The present invention is directed to a system for displaying, organizing, and prioritizing the incoming information on a wireless device. Using the present invention the wireless device can display the number of voice mails, e-mails, pages, and Internet information alerts that have been received by the wireless device during a specified time period. The invention also allows the incoming information to be separated by any number of user-specified criteria such as the originating sender, or divided by work related and personal messages. The present invention allows the wireless device user to see at a glance what kind of information has been received and is being stored on the wireless device.
US08742891B2 System and method for identifying a genuine printed document
A system and method for verifying that a document is included in a document management system is disclosed. This system and method includes scanning of a scan track of a document, generating document data dependently upon the scanning, comparing the generated document data to stored document data, the stored document data generated dependently upon a prior scanning of the scan track of the document, and outputting an indication of the document being included in the document management system as determined by the comparing.
US08742890B2 Image acquisition system and method of authenticating image acquisition device in the image acquisition system
An image acquisition system includes an image acquisition device and a commanding device configured as a member separate from the image acquisition device to transmit a command to the image acquisition device for controlling the image acquisition device in such a manner as to permit the image acquisition device to operate in response to the command. The image acquisition device transmits to the commanding device identification information permitting the image acquisition device to identify the commanding device. The commanding device receives the transmitted identification information and transmits a command with authentication information contains authentication information permitting the image acquisition device to authenticate the commanding device, the authentication information containing one of the received identification information and information derived from the identification information.
US08742889B2 Apparatus and method for electronic access control
Apparatus and methodology for providing electronic access control are disclosed. In an exemplary configuration, a retrofittable electronic lock can be used to provide secure storage to an enclosure. A user interface and LCD visual display can be provided to permit convenient adjustment of system operational parameters. In certain embodiments, the electronic access control system includes master-slave control capabilities. In other embodiments, the electronic access control system includes inventory management capability. In still other embodiments, apparatus and methodologies provide the secure storage of the enclosure when the enclosure is being moved or otherwise transported from one location to another location. Various alternative arrangements may provide various alert features, as well as battery features which facilitate rapid replacement and/or reconfiguration.
US08742888B2 Communication apparatus having human body contact sensing function and method thereof
Provided is a communication apparatus having a human body contact sensing function and method. The apparatus includes: an electrode that comes in contact with the human body; a contact sensor coupled to the electrode that instructs the CPU to perform an initial operation if contact with the human body is sensed; and a data processing unit that receives a control signal from the CPU to select whether to transmit or receive data, and performs a transmitting or receiving operation according to the control signal. To reduce power consumption in a stand-by state before body contact is made when using a human body as a communication medium, a human body contact sensor is included to minimize power consumption of a micro processing unit and a transmitter/receiver circuit until contact occurs. Minimizing power consumption when in a stand-by mode by using a contact sensor with low power consumption extends stand-by time.
US08742887B2 Biometric visitor check system
A system for biometric exclusion of certain individuals from entering a facility. A biometric exclusion system may use biometric acquisition and matching and a database to screen a large population of subjects by looking for individuals enrolled in a database. A screening approach may be used to match biometrics having sufficient quality of any individuals attempting to enter the facility, relative to biometrics of individuals stored in the database. A biometric, such as that of a face or an iris, of an individual may be obtained with the individual's knowledge or cooperation. The database may have biographical information pertinent to an individual having a biometric in the database. There may be an associated system which may be used to enroll individuals by entering their biometrics in the database.
US08742885B2 Directional touch remote
The present system and method is particularly useful for remotely controlling a device having one or more menus via a remote touch interface having at least an unstructured primary input area. A user can provide inputs to a touch interface without needing to view the interface and yet still achieve the desired response from the remotely controlled device. The primary input area of the touch interface may or may not have a background display, such as on a touch screen, but the primary input area of the touch interface should be unstructured and should not have independently selectable items, buttons, icons or anything of the like. Since the touch interface is unstructured, the user does not have to identify any selectable buttons. Instead the user can input a gesture into the interface and watch the remotely controlled device respond. The system does not provide any other visual confirmation.
US08742879B2 Transformer and display device using the same
There is provided a transformer capable of significantly reducing leakage inductance while satisfying safety standards. The transformer includes: a winding part having a plurality of coils wound on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrically-shaped body part while being stacked thereon; and a terminal connection part extended from one end of the winding part in an outer diameter direction and having a plurality of external connection terminals coupled to a distal end thereof, wherein the terminal connection part includes at least one lead groove formed in a radial direction and at least one catching groove formed in the lead groove in a manner in which a width of the lead groove is extended in a winding direction of the coils.
US08742877B2 Coil winding and coil arrangement for multi-winding magnetic structures
Multi-winding magnetic structures and methods of making multi-winding magnetic structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-winding magnetic structure includes a core constructed of a magnetic material and a plurality of windings. The core includes a core top, a core bottom, and a plurality of columns. The core top has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core top. A central section of the core top has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core top. The core bottom is beneath the core top and has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core bottom. A central section of the core bottom has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core bottom. The thickness of one of the core bottom and the core top decreases from an edge of its central section to its exterior edge. The plurality of columns extends from the core bottom to the core top and the plurality of windings are wound around the columns.
US08742870B2 Reconfigurable filter apparatus
According to the teachings presented herein, a reconfigurable filter apparatus includes at least first and second passive filter sections connected in parallel to yield a composite filter response. Each passive filter section has a respective passband response and at least one of the passive filter sections is a ‘de-tunable’ passive filter section. Each de-tunable passive filter circuit includes a detuning circuit operable to exclude the respective passband response of the de-tunable passive filter section from the composite filter response by detuning a resonator within the de-tunable passive filter section. ‘Detuning’ the resonator can be understood as short-circuiting, opening the resonator, or otherwise disabling it, such that the filter path is blocked. Advantageously, the resonator(s) that are selectively detuned in this manner is isolated from input and output ports of the de-tunable passive filter section with respect to frequencies outside of the respective passband response of the de-tunable passive filter section.
US08742869B2 Low passive inter-modulation capacitor
A high power, low passive inter-modulation capacitor is presented, which is formed using metal clad substrates, which are broad-side coupled through a thin air gap. Each substrate may include metal layers affixed on both sides which are electrical coupled together to form a single capacitor plate, or each substrate may have only a single metal layer on the surface adjacent to the air gap. The capacitor has particular application in low cost RF and microwave filters, which may be used in communication equipment and communication test equipment such a diplexers, for low PIM applications.
US08742868B2 Microstrip line structures
The invention is related to a microstrip line structure, which comprises: a first microstrip line and a second microstrip line, paralleled with the first mircostrip line for transferring a transmission signal, and a plurality of grooves periodically arranged on both sides of the second microstrip line by using subwavelength, and each period length in the plurality of grooves is smaller than the wavelength of the transmission signal.
US08742862B1 Current reuse voltage controlled oscillator with improved differential output
A current reuse voltage controlled oscillator with improved differential output is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor coupled together for current reuse and configured to provide differential oscillator outputs. The apparatus also includes a common mode rejection (CMR) circuit coupled between the PMOS and the NMOS transistors, the CMR circuit includes an inductor having a least one tap that can be selectively coupled to a ground to reduce common mode signals at the differential oscillator outputs.
US08742860B2 MEMS resonator and electrical device using the same
A MEMS resonator includes a beam oscillator that oscillates mechanically when an electrostatic force is applied. A supporter oscillates along with the oscillator and supports the oscillator; and at least one electrode includes an opposing face to the oscillator across a gap, wherein an electric current generated by the oscillation of the oscillator is output through an output terminal connected with the oscillator or electrode. The oscillator oscillates in a torsional resonance mode with a center being a longitudinal axis of the oscillator, and opposing faces of the oscillator and the electrode are made of semiconductors of which the conductive types are different from each other. Additionally, a surface part of the oscillator including the opposing face is doped with an impurity at a higher density than other part of the oscillator.
US08742858B2 Relaxation oscillator having a supply voltage independent output frequency
Techniques and architectures corresponding to relaxation oscillators having output frequencies that are supply voltage independent are described. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a relaxation oscillator having one or more capacitors and a compensation current circuit coupled to the relaxation oscillator. The compensation current circuit is configured to regulate current provided to the one or more capacitors of the relaxation oscillator in response to changes in a supply voltage provided to the compensation current circuit and to the relaxation oscillator.
US08742857B2 Inductance enhanced rotary traveling wave oscillator circuit and method
A plurality of inductance enhanced interweaved rotary traveling wave oscillators (RTWO) is disclosed. Portions of the transmission line conductors are increased in length and run in parallel. Because the currents in these portions travel in the same direction, the inductance of these inductors is increased. By controlling the length of the transmission line conductors in these areas compared to the lengths where the currents in the oscillators travel in opposite directions, the overall impedance of the oscillators can be increased. Increased impedance leads to lower power and lower phase noise for the oscillators. Additionally, the interweaved oscillators are phase-locked to each other.
US08742853B2 Low-stress cascode structure
An amplifier system comprises a cascode common-source (CS) amplifier including a plurality of transistors connected in a common-source configuration. A stress reducing circuit is connected to at least one of the plurality of transistors to equalize a voltage drop across the plurality of transistors. The stress reducing circuit includes a first transistor including a control terminal, a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first terminal of a first one of the plurality of transistors. A capacitance has a first terminal connected to the control terminal of the first transistor and a second terminal connected to a control terminal of a second one of the plurality of transistors.
US08742852B2 Optical receiver compensating input offset
A differential amplifier capable of canceling an input offset current and expanding a linearly operating range is disclosed. The differential amplifier, which is preferably applicable to an optical receiver to convert a photocurrent into a voltage signal, includes a trans-impedance amplifier and an offset canceller that detects output offset and extracts input current to cancel the output offset. Moreover, the extracted input current traces the average level of the input voltage to widen the linearly operating range of the trans-impedance amplifier.
US08742843B2 Power management in transceivers
Various embodiments are directed to apparatuses and methods to reduce average power dissipation in transceiver stages such as power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers (LNAs) that process signals of varying output amplitudes. Power dissipation may be reduced by varying the supply voltage in sympathy with the amplitude of the signal and/or the stage current density which may also be varied in sympathy with the signal amplitude.
US08742840B2 Very high efficiency flexible travelling wave amplifier
A travelling wave tube amplifier includes: a travelling wave tube comprising a cathode, a helix, an RF input, an RF output, and a plurality of collectors, and an electronic power conditioner providing power supply and electrode polarization to said travelling wave tube, wherein said electronic power conditioner comprises flexibility control means allowing to adjust, via control commands sent through a databus, the helix to cathode voltage and the collector voltages.
US08742839B2 Double through silicon via structure
This invention discloses a double Through Silicon Via (TSV) structure, including a first die unit, a first signal path, a second signal path, a receiving unit and a second die unit. The first and the second signal paths respectively include a driving unit and a TSV unit. Each driving unit includes a first end, a second end and a third end. The invention divides the signal paths of the conventional double TSV into two different signal paths by two driving units and the receiving unit having OR gate or NOR gate, to avoid generating the problem of signal degradation from the TSV unit with short defect. The invention further disposes a first switch unit, a second switch unit, a first exchange unit, a second exchange unit, a first VDD keeper and a second VDD keeper, to avoid generating the problems of open defect and leakage current.
US08742837B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a high voltage generator for generating a high voltage by raising a power source voltage, a transfer circuit for transferring the high voltage to an internal circuit in response to a transfer signal, and a first discharge circuit for discharging the high voltage of an output node of the high voltage generator or the high voltage of an input node or output node of the transfer circuit when the power source voltage drops.
US08742833B2 Charge pump circuit and method thereof
A charge pump circuit includes a charging capacitor, a plurality of pumping capacitors, a charging circuit, and a pumping circuit. The charging circuit is configured for charging the charging capacitor when the charge pump circuit is under a charging phase; and the pumping circuit is configured for coupling the charging capacitor charged in the charging phase to a pumping capacitor to generate an output voltage level at the pumping capacitor according to a potential difference stored in the charging capacitor, when the charge pump circuit is under a pumping phase.
US08742831B2 Method for digital programmable optimization of mixed-signal circuits
A method for digital programmable optimization of a mixed-signal circuit is provided. The method comprises dividing up one or more transistor devices of the mixed-signal circuit into one or more transistor segments, with each transistor segment including a body tie bias terminal. Each body tie bias terminal is coupled to at least one voltage bias, either by placing each body tie bias terminal in signal communication with one or more bias nodes in the mixed-signal circuit, or by placing each body tie bias terminal in signal communication with a non-precision bias voltage source. Each body tie terminal is also arranged to be in signal communication with a separate one of one or more digital programmable storage elements.
US08742830B2 Fuse sensing circuits
A fuse sensing circuit is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a sense input terminal; providing a sense output terminal; and providing first and second capacitors that are configured to charge and discharge based on the sense input terminal, wherein the first and second capacitors are further configured to discharge current to a fuse unit cell, and the sense output terminal is configured to indicate a fuse state of the fuse unit cell based on the discharging of the first and second capacitors. Embodiments include the indicated fuse state being based on a discharge rate difference between the discharging of the first capacitor and the discharging of the second capacitor.
US08742828B2 Disconnector switch for galvanic direct current interruption
A disconnecting apparatus for direct current interruption between a direct current source and an electrical device, in particular between a photovoltaic generator and an inverter, has a current-conducting mechanical switching contact and semiconductor electronics connected in parallel with the switching contact. The semiconductor electronics are non-conducting when the switching contact is closed, wherein a control input of the semiconductor electronics is wired with the switching contact in such a way that, when the switching contact opens, an arc voltage generated as a result of an arc via the switching contact switches the semiconductor electronics to become conducting.
US08742824B2 Driver circuit for driving a row of switch elements such as light emitting thyristors, drive apparatus incorporating the driver circuit, and image forming apparatus
A driver circuit is used for driving a plurality of switch elements connected between a power supply terminal and a common terminal. Each switch element includes an anode connected to the power supply terminal, a cathode, and a gate. The cathode is connected to a common terminal. The gate controls electrical conduction between the anode and the cathode. The driver circuit includes a switch circuit connected between the power supply terminal and the common terminal, and a driver into which a drive current flows. The switch circuit is in parallel with the switch elements, and electrically connects or disconnects the power supply terminal and the common terminal in response to a control signal supplied thereto. A transmission line, having a specific characteristic impedance, is connected between the common terminal and the driver circuit.
US08742822B2 Level shift circuit
According to one embodiment, a first CMOS inverter receives an input signal corresponding to a first power supply voltage, and is driven by a second power supply voltage which is smaller than the first power supply voltage; a second CMOS inverter is connected to a rear stage of the first CMOS inverter, and is driven by the second power supply voltage; a first driving adjustment circuit adjusts a current driving force of a low level output of the first CMOS inverter; and a second driving adjustment circuit adjusts a current driving force of a low level output of the second CMOS inverter.
US08742818B2 Adaptive clock signal generator with noise immunity capability
An adaptive clock signal generator with noise immunity capability is disclosed, including a gain amplifier for processing an analog oscillation signal to generate an amplified signal; an adjustable Schmitt trigger, coupled with the gain amplifier, for generating a triggered signal according to the amplified signal; an output buffer, coupled with the adjustable Schmitt trigger, for generating a clock signal according to the triggered signal; and a noise detector coupled with the adjustable Schmitt trigger. The noise detector detects noise components of an input signal and enlarges the hysteresis window of the adjustable Schmitt trigger as the level of detected noise increases.
US08742817B2 Controlling impedance of a switch using high impedance voltage sources to provide more efficient clocking
A clock system of an integrated circuit includes first and second transistors forming a switch that is used when switching the clock system between a resonant mode of operation and a non-resonant mode of operation. An inductor forms a resonant circuit with capacitance of the clock system in resonant mode. The switch receives a clock signal and supplies the clock signal to the inductor when the switch is closed and disconnects the inductor from the clock system when the switch is open. First and second high impedance voltage sources supply respective first and second voltages to the switch and a gate voltage of the first transistor transitions with the clock signal around the first voltage and a gate voltage of the second transistor transitions with the clock signal around the second voltage such that near constant overdrive voltages are maintained for the first and second transistors.
US08742815B2 Temperature-independent oscillators and delay elements
Temperature-independent delay elements and oscillators are disclosed. In one design, an apparatus includes at least one delay element, a bias circuit, and a current source. The delay element(s) receive a charging current from the current source and provide a delay that is dependent on the charging current. Each delay element may be a current-starved delay element. The delay element(s) may be coupled in series to implement a delay line or in a loop to implement an oscillator. The bias circuit controls generation of the charging current based on a function of at least one parameter (e.g., a switching threshold voltage) of the at least one delay element in order to reduce variations in delay with temperature. The current source provides the charging current for the delay element(s) and is controlled by the bias circuit.
US08742812B2 Pipe latch circuit and driving method thereof
A pipe latch circuit includes a pipe input unit configured to receive a plurality of data in an order corresponding to address information, a control signal generator configured to generate first and second control clock signals by using the address information, where the first and second control clock signals correspond to a synchronization clock signal, and a pipe output unit configured to synchronize an output signal of the pipe input unit with the first and second control clock signals and output the synchronized output signal.
US08742811B2 Semiconductor device, and display device and electronic device having the same
An object is to provide a semiconductor device which can suppress characteristic deterioration in each transistor without destabilizing operation. In a non-selection period, a transistor is turned on at regular intervals, so that a power supply potential is supplied to an output terminal of a shift register circuit. A power supply potential is supplied to the output terminal of the shift register circuit through the transistor. Since the transistor is not always on in a non-selection period, a shift of the threshold voltage of the transistor is suppressed. In addition, a power supply potential is supplied to the output terminal of the shift register circuit through the transistor at regular intervals. Therefore, the shift register circuit can suppress noise which is generated in the output terminal.
US08742810B2 PLL (phase-locked loop)
One embodiment provides a phase-locked loop (PLL), in which a sequencer controls a loop filter such that, when a signal indicating turning-off of a power supply of the PLL is input thereto, or when a signal indicating turning-on of the power supply of the PLL is input thereto, a resistance value of a first resistance change device in the loop filter is a first resistance value, and that, after the PLL is stabilized, the resistance value of the first resistance change device is a second resistance value which is higher than the first resistance value.
US08742808B2 Digital phase locked loop
A phase locked loop circuit (30, 100, 110) includes a controllable oscillator (42) for generating an output signal of desired frequency responsive to a control signal, a first phase detection circuit (32, 102, 112) for generating an output indicative of phase differential responsive to the output signal and a first edge of a reference signal and a second phase detection circuit (34, 104, 114) for generating an output indicative of phase differential responsive to the output signal and a second edge of a reference signal. The control signal to the controllable oscillator (42) is driven by the outputs of the first and second phase detections circuits.
US08742807B1 Low supply voltage analog phase interpolator
An apparatus comprising a first phase circuit, a second phase circuit, and a current steering circuit. The first phase circuit may be configured to generate a first portion of a phase interpolated clock signal in response to (i) a control signal, (ii) a first bias signal, and (iii) a feedback of said phase interpolated clock signal. The second phase circuit may be configured to generate a second portion of the phase interpolated clock signal in response to (i) the control signal, (ii) a second bias signal, and (iii) the feedback of the phase interpolated clock signal. The current steering circuit may be configured to generate the first bias signal and the second bias signal in response to a reference bias signal.
US08742803B2 Output driver using low voltage transistors
Aspects of the subject technology allow an output driver to be implemented using one or more transistors having an oxide-breakdown voltage below the output voltage swing of the output driver. The output driver can include one or more source followers, where a source follower provides voltage-level shifting of a voltage before the voltage is supplied to a gate of a transistor to prevent a source-to-gate voltage or a gate-to-source voltage of the transistor from exceeding the oxide-breakdown voltage of the transistor.
US08742802B2 Gate driving circuit
A highly-reliable gate driving circuit achieved by suppressing the amount of hot-carriers generated in a MOSFET. In the gate driving circuit having NOEMI circuits, same-type NOEMI circuits are connected in series with a p-channel MOSFET constituting a gate charging circuit and an n-channel MOSFET constituting a gate discharging circuit, respectively, so as to suppress the amount of hot-carriers generated in the p-channel MOSFET and the n-channel MOSFET.
US08742797B2 Double switched track-and-hold circuit
A double switched track-and-hold circuit includes an input buffer having a first switched amplifier circuit for passing an input signal in a track mode and isolating the input signal from a buffer output in a hold mode, and a track-and-hold core circuit responsive to the input buffer and having a second switched amplifier circuit for tracking the input signal in a track mode and isolating the input signal from a track-and-hold output in a hold mode. The first and second switching amplifier circuits turn off approximately simultaneously during the hold mode to provide enhanced isolation.
US08742795B2 Frequency difference calculation circuit, a satellite signal receiving apparatus and frequency difference calculation method
In a frequency difference calculation circuit, a first frequency difference calculation section calculates a difference between the first input frequency and an oscillation frequency of the non-integer multiple oscillation section of which an oscillation frequency is a non-integer multiple of the first input frequency. Meanwhile, a second frequency difference calculation section calculates a difference between a second input frequency in which a difference between frequency having an integer multiple of the first input frequency and the second input frequency being within a predetermined error range, and the oscillation frequency of the non-integer multiple oscillation section and an addition section calculates a difference between the first input frequency and the second input frequency adding a calculation result of the first calculation section and a calculation result of the second calculation section.
US08742794B2 Analog logic automata
A distributed, reconfigurable statistical signal processing apparatus comprises an array of discrete-time analog signal processing circuitry for statistical signal processing based on a local message-passing algorithm and digital configuration circuitry for controlling the functional behavior of the array of analog circuitry. The input signal to the apparatus may be expressed as a probabilistic representation. The analog circuitry may comprise computational elements arranged in a network, with a receiving module that assigns probability values when an input signal arrives and communicates the probability values to one of the computational elements, the computational elements producing outputs based on the assigned probability values. The signal processing apparatus may be an analog logic automata cell or an array of cells, wherein each cell is able to communicate with all neighboring cells.
US08742793B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a main-interconnect to which supply voltage or reference voltage is applied; a plurality of sub-interconnects; a plurality of circuit cells configured to be connected to the plurality of sub-interconnects; a power supply switch cell configured to control, in accordance with an input control signal, connection and disconnection between the main-interconnect and the sub-interconnect to which a predetermined one of the circuit cells is connected, of the plurality of sub-interconnects; and an auxiliary interconnect configured to connect the plurality of sub-interconnects to each other.
US08742792B2 Switching circuits, latches and methods
Switching circuits, latches and methods are provided, such as those that may respond to an input signal that transitions from a first binary level to a second binary level. One such switching circuit may have a metastable state that is closer to a first voltage corresponding to the first binary level than it is to a second voltage corresponding to the second binary level. In other embodiments, the metastable state may be dynamically adjustable so that it is at one voltage before the circuit switches and at a different voltage after the circuit switches. As a result, the switching circuit may respond relatively quickly to the input signal transitioning from the first binary level to the second binary level.
US08742791B1 Method and apparatus for preamble detection for a control signal
An embodiment of a technique to determine an expected occurrence of a signal is disclosed. The technique includes receiving first and second signals, and storing delay information representing an expected time delay from an occurrence of the first signal to a point in time corresponding approximately to an expected occurrence of the second signal. The technique further includes responding to an occurrence of the first signal by: waiting for a time interval equivalent to the expected time delay, evaluating the second signal at approximately the end of the time interval, and adjusting the stored delay information if the second signal occurred outside a time window associated with the end of the time interval.
US08742788B2 Common mode voltage control
A common mode control circuit (400) for generating a control signal indicative of a common mode signal in first and second signals of a differential signal pair comprises a first charge control means (300) for varying, dependent on polarity of the first and second signals with respect to a threshold, charge on a capacitive element (250, 260, 270). The first charge control means (300) is operable to, in response to the first and second signals both switching polarity simultaneously from opposite polarities, maintain a direction of flow of the charge. The first charge control means (300) can be operable to, in response to the first and second signals both switching polarity simultaneously from opposite polarities and the flow of charge being zero, maintain the flow at zero.
US08742778B2 Testing protection schemes of a power converter
A system for testing the existing protection schemes of a power converter. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level below an under-voltage threshold. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level above an over-voltage threshold. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the input bus. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the output bus. The system measures the system responses to these simulations against responses of a properly operating system and determines if the power converter's protection schemes are operating correctly.
US08742771B2 Method and apparatus to select a parameter/mode based on a time measurement
An example integrated control circuit includes a regulator, a first comparator, a second comparator, and a counter. The regulator is to charge, during a time period, a capacitor. The first comparator is to provide an output indicating when a voltage on the capacitor reaches a first threshold voltage. The second comparator is coupled to provide an output indicating when the voltage on the capacitor reaches a second threshold voltage. The counter is coupled to begin counting in response to the first threshold voltage being reached and is coupled to stop counting in response to the second threshold voltage being reached. The counter is coupled to provide an output representative of the capacitance value of the capacitor during the time period and the integrated control circuit receives a bias current at the terminal from the capacitor to provide power to operate the integrated control circuit after the time period has ended.
US08742765B2 Traveling wave based relay protection
An apparatus includes at least one Rogowski coil and a processor. The at least one Rogowski coil is positioned within an electrical power distribution network to detect a first traveling wave current caused by a fault on an electrical power transmission line of the network, generate a first signal indicative of detection of the first traveling wave, detect a second traveling wave current caused by the fault on the transmission line, and generate a second signal indicative of detection of the second traveling wave. The processor is adapted to receive the first signal and the second signal and to determine, based on the first signal and the second signal, where on the transmission line the fault occurred.
US08742764B2 Method and apparatus for checking insulation of pouch electric cell and probe for the same
To check insulation of a pouch electric cell, probes are contacted to an electrode of a pouch electric cell and an aluminum layer of a pouch of the pouch electric cell, respectively, and then an electric characteristic value between the probes is measured. The probe contacted with the aluminum layer has a contact portion made of conductive elastic material. Also, insulation of the pouch electric cell is determined by comparing the measured electric characteristic value with a reference value. Thus, physical characteristics of an outer periphery of a flexible pouch may be sufficiently exhibited in measuring or checking insulation of a pouch electric cell such as insulation resistance, thereby improving reliability of electric contact and minimizing physical damage or deformation of the pouch electric cell.
US08742762B2 Accumulator control device and method and system for auxiliary electrical power supply
An accumulator control device includes a first electrical connection configured to connect the accumulator control device to a local accumulator. A second electrical connection is connected to the first electrical connection and configured to connect to a remote auxiliary electrical power supply device. A control unit is configured to measure at least one of a parameter of the accumulator and an environmental parameter and to transmit at least one of the at least one measured parameter and a value calculated using the at least one measured parameter to the remote auxiliary electrical power supply device via a communication interface.
US08742758B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a plurality of coil elements for receiving magnetic resonance signals of a subject in a plurality of selectable combinations. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus also includes a sensitive region storage device for storing respective sensitive regions for the combinations of the coil elements, a setting device for setting scan regions, a calculation device for calculating a scan volume rate indicating each of proportions of overlap regions between the scan regions and the sensitive regions to the scan regions, and a sensitivity volume rate indicating each of proportions of the overlap regions to the sensitive regions, and a selection device for selecting each combination of the coil elements used to receive the magnetic resonance signals of the subject, out of the combinations of the coil elements, based on the scan volume rate and the sensitivity volume rate.
US08742757B2 Magnetic resonance imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution
Methods, systems, and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. In one example, the method includes applying a sample-selective magnetic field gradient sequence along a slice direction to partition responses from a sample under magnetic resonance imaging into a plurality of different regions of slices in the k space, applying spiral readout gradients to the sample to obtain echo data from the sample, and applying a Time Resolved Imaging of Contrast Kinetics imaging technique to sample the different regions of slices in the k space.
US08742753B2 Method and apparatus for sensing the presence of explosives, contraband and other molecules using nuclear quadrupole resonance
Stimulated emissions due to nuclear quadropole resonance are detected utilizing a terminated balanced transmission line and a directional coupler for the detection of explosives, contraband, narcotics and the like that exist between the transmission lines, with either a stepped frequency generator utilized to scan between 100 KHz and 10 MHz, or wherein parallel fixed frequency sources are coupled to the transmission line, thereby to permit correlation with expected lines, with the frequency sources being low power so as to not create a safety hazard and so as not to interfere with radiation sensitive devices such as film or electronic circuits that are in the vicinity of the balanced transmission line.
US08742748B2 Calibration of non-contact current sensors
Calibration of a non-contact current sensor provides improved accuracy for measuring current conducted through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire. In a calibration mode, a predetermined DC current is injected through a conductor integrated in the non-contact current sensor. The magnitude of the magnetic field is measured using a sensing element of the non-contact current sensor. Then, when operating in measurement mode, a current conducted in a wire passing through the non-contact current sensor is determined by correcting the output of the non-contact current sensor using the result of the measurement made in the calibration mode.
US08742739B2 Voltage regulator controller and related reference voltage adjusting method
A voltage regulator controller is disclosed including: a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage; a comparison circuit, coupled with the reference voltage generator, for comparing the reference voltage with an output voltage of a voltage regulator; and a control circuit, coupled with the reference voltage generator and the comparison circuit, for controlling the reference voltage generator to stepwise lower the reference voltage when a power saving command is received by the voltage regulator controller.
US08742734B2 Active filtering device for a power supply
The invention relates to an active filter device for a power supply comprising a source having a source of current iS and a voltage VE, a power converter presenting an input inductor L, a power switch T controlled by a chopper signal and delivering an output voltage VS, and a load, the device being characterized in that it includes an active filter converter (10) for generating at its output a compensation current minus harmonics of the source current due to the chopping, in response to an input signal representative of the chopping of the power converter.
US08742733B2 Methods and apparatuses for elimination of torque pulsation in doubly fed induction generators using the field reconstruction method
Methods and apparatuses for substantially eliminating torque pulsation in a doubly fed induction machine are disclosed. An example method comprises: measuring a stator current of the doubly fed induction machine, measuring a rotor current of the doubly fed induction machine, calculating a total magnetic flux density in an airgap of the doubly fed induction machine, calculating a tangential force density, calculating an electromagnetic torque, repeating the calculation of the electromagnetic torque over one electrical cycle to estimate a torque pulsation, determining a new rotor current that substantially eliminates the torque pulsation by referencing a set of optimal rotor currents in a look-up table, and changing the rotor current in response to the determination. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08742722B2 Dynamic power management system and method
According to one embodiment, a system configured to provide dynamic power management for a plurality of energy cells comprises an array of energy cells for providing a primary current path to a load, and a respective power stage for each energy cell. The power stages are configured to transfer power to and from each respective energy cell. The system further comprises a temporary energy storage node enabling energy transfer from a first plurality of energy cells comprised by the array of energy cells to a second plurality of energy cells comprised by the array of energy cells. In one embodiment, the system further comprises a feedback system for maintaining the temporary energy storage node at a constant average power.
US08742721B2 Battery charging warehouse
The battery charging warehouse includes a pallet rack and a battery charger. The pallet rack has a plurality of storage locations in each of which a battery is stored. At least one of the storage locations is a charging storage location in which the battery is charged. The battery charger is mounted to an upper part of the charging storage location. The battery charger is movable up and down in the charging storage location and has a charge connector. When the battery charger is moved down in the charging storage location, the charge connector is received by a battery connector of the battery stored in the charging storage location thereby to automatically connect the charge connector to the battery connector.
US08742717B2 Method and apparatus to harness keyboard strokes and mouse movement to charge an electrical storage device
In one aspect, the a system for charging an electrical storage device of a computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one user input device that is operatively connected to the computer and configured to communicate input data to the computer in response to an action of a user. The input device has one or more transducers that are configured to receive a mechanical force resulting from user input to the input device and to convert the received mechanical force into electrical energy. The input device also has a connector that is configured to operatively connect the user input device to the electrical storage device of the computer and to deliver the electrical energy from the user input device to the electrical storage device.
US08742714B2 Method and device for tracking the position of a component driven by an electric motor
In order to track the position of a component driven by an electric motor, wherein rotational movements of the electric motor are detected and used for a position count, deviations from an anticipated position count are determined and added to the position given by the position count as an uncertainty region.
US08742711B2 Active feedback user interface system and gimbal assembly therefor
An active user interface system includes a gimbal assembly that is configured as a dual-input/single-output differential mechanism. The differential mechanism implements a speed reduction from the inputs of the differential mechanism to the output of the differential mechanism. Speed reduction enables the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about one rotational axis to be greater than the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about another, perpendicular axis.
US08742710B2 Rotary electric machine system
A rotary electric machine system includes: a stator that has multi-phase stator coils and that generates stator magnetomotive forces based on respective stator currents having different phases supplied to the multi-phase stator coils; a rotor on which rotor coils are wound such that magnetic poles are formed by rotor currents generated in response to the stator magnetomotive forces generated by the stator; a regulating unit that regulates a flow direction of each of the rotor currents to one direction to thereby regulate a polarity of each of the magnetic poles; and a control unit that controls currents supplied to the stator coils on the basis of a target torque. The control unit superimposes a pulse on the stator currents to adjust the ratio of each of the stator currents and each of the rotor currents so as to minimize a copper loss in the stator and the rotor.
US08742708B2 Electric power conversion apparatus for vehicle
In an electric power steering system, a drain terminal side of a semiconductor relay is positioned to face a heat sink through an insulation film layer. The semiconductor relay has a source terminal between a gate terminal and a drain terminal. The source terminal is provided between the gate terminal and the drain terminal with respect to parts of the gate terminal, the drain terminal and the source terminal, which extend generally in parallel each other on the same plane.
US08742704B2 AC motor control device and AC motor driving system
The present invention relates to an AC motor control device and, particularly, to provide an AC control device capable of simply setting a state quantity of an AC motor non-linearly variable, in accordance with the motor driving state and using the setting in motor control, the present invention can be achieved by including a state quantity calculating unit (13, 13a, 13b, 13c) for calculating a state quantity corresponding to a coil interlinkage flux which is an internal quantity of the motor, calculating a setting value of the coil interlinkage flux defined on one axis out of two axes, that is, d and q axes, with a function formula using a current defined on the same one of the axes and a function formula using a state variable defined on the other one of the axes.
US08742700B1 Accelerator having acceleration channels formed between covalently bonded chips
An accelerator assembly includes a first chip and a second chip. An acceleration channel is formed into a surface of a first side of the first chip. The first side of the first chip is covalently bonded to a first side of the second chip such that the channel is a tubular void between the first and second chips. The channel has a tubular inside sidewall surface, substantially no portion of which is a metal surface. The channel has length-to-width ratio greater than five, and a channel width less than one micron. There are many substantially identical channels that extend in parallel between the first and second chips. In one specific example, the assembly is part of a Direct Write On Wafer (DWOW) printing system. The DWOW printing system is useful in semiconductor processing in that it can direct write an image onto a 300 mm diameter wafer in one minute.
US08742699B2 Charged particle beam generator, charged particle irradiation system, method for operating charged particle beam generator and method for operating charged particle irradiation system
A charged particle beam generator, a charged particle irradiation system, a method for operating the charged particle beam generator and a method for operating the charged particle irradiation system, which allow a charged particle beam to be injected into a circular accelerator at an arbitrary timing and can reduce an irradiation time and a time for a therapy, are provided while maintaining the lower limit of an operation cycle of a linear accelerator. An accelerator control device controls an operation of a synchrotron on the basis of a beam extraction request signal transmitted from a beam utilization system control device. A control device generates a timing signal notifying the linear accelerator of an injection timing of a next operation cycle of the synchrotron after completion of an extraction process performed by the synchrotron, changes an operation timing of the linear accelerator so that the operation timing of the linear accelerator matches the injection timing.
US08742695B2 Lighting control system and method
A lighting system provides for independent control of both the brightness of an LED light fixture and the perceived color of the light emitted by the LED light fixture. The LED light fixture has two LED light sources, a control circuit alternately pulses the two LED light sources and changes relative duty cycles of the light sources to alter a perceived color output of the lighting fixture, in response to a change in a control signal from a controller. Duty cycles of the light sources are a function of the control signal and vary inversely. The LED light fixture also receives a control signal for controlling a current level provided to the LED light sources to independently control the brightness of the lighting system.
US08742694B2 Wireless lighting control system
A lighting device includes a DC/DC power converter, a controller/processor electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, a light emitting diode (LED) current control circuit communicably coupled to the controller/processor and electrically connected to the DC/DC power converter, and two or more LEDs comprising at least a first color LED and a second color LED electrically connected to the LED current control circuit. The LED current control circuit provides an on/off signal having a cycle time to each LED in response to one or more control signals received from the controller/processor such that the two or more LEDs produce a blended light having a specified color based on how long each LED is turned ON and/or OFF during the cycle time.
US08742689B2 Light emitting diode driving apparatus
A light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus is provided, and which includes a first operational amplifier (OPA) having a positive input terminal receiving a predetermined voltage related to a current flowing through an LED string; a first resistor having a first end coupled to a negative input terminal of the first OPA and a second end coupled to a ground; a power transistor having a gate coupled to an output of the first OPA, a drain coupled to a cathode of the LED string and a source coupled to the first end of the first resistor; an error amplifier having a first input terminal coupled to the gate of the power transistor, a second input terminal receiving a reference voltage and an output terminal outputting a control voltage; and a power conversion stage providing a DC voltage to an anode of the LED string according to the outputted control voltage.
US08742688B2 Harbor lighting control apparatus
A harbor lighting control apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of slaves to perform on control or off control, and dimming control with respect to a light emitting diode (LED) array light source mounted to a lighthouse when an on control signal or off control signal, and a dimming control signal are received, and to transmit a result of the control as acknowledge signals, and a master to transmit the on control signal or off control signal and the dimming control signal to all of the plurality of slaves by a broadcast scheme, to transmit the on control signal or off control signal and the dimming control signal to an individual slave by a unicast scheme, and to recognize operational states of the plurality of slaves by receiving the acknowledge signals from the plurality of slaves. Accordingly, stable and reliably control of the harbor lighting is enabled.
US08742683B2 LED backlight driving circuit and LED backlight driving method
The present invention provides an LED backlight driving circuit and an LED backlight driving method. The circuit includes an isolation MOS transistor, a dimming MOS transistor connected in parallel to the isolation MOS transistor, and first and second resistors. The first resistor and the second resistor are connected to each other in parallel and are connected between the dimming MOS transistor and a ground wire. The isolation MOS transistor and the dimming MOS transistor are arranged for electrical connection with an LED light. The LED backlight driving circuit arranges the isolation MOS transistor and the dimming MOS transistor to connect in parallel to each other so as to make the electrical current flowing through the isolation MOS transistor lessened to reduce the amount of heat emitting therefrom and enhance operation safety and also allow the MOS transistor used to be of a downgraded specification to lower down the manufacture cost.
US08742682B1 AC driven lighting systems capable of avoiding dark zone
Disclosed are methods and lighting system with LEDs. An exemplified system comprises series-coupled light-emitting diodes, an integrated circuit, and an energy storage apparatus. The series-coupled light-emitting diodes are divided into several LED groups coupled in series. The integrated circuit comprises nodes respectively coupled to the LED groups, for providing a driving current to selectively flow through at least one of the LED groups. The energy storage apparatus has two ends coupled to a predetermined LED in a predetermined LED group. When the driving current flows through the predetermined LED group the energy storage apparatus energizes; and when the driving current does not flow through the predetermined LED group the energy storage apparatus de-energizes to illuminate the predetermined LED.
US08742671B2 Solid state lighting apparatus and methods using integrated driver circuitry
A lighting apparatus includes a first substrate including a switching circuit, the switching circuit including a first port, a second port and a current control circuit configured to generate a current at the second port of the current control circuit responsive to a varying voltage at the first port. The apparatus further includes a second substrate mounted on the first substrate and including at least two LEDs electrically coupled to the second port of the current control circuit of the first substrate.
US08742670B2 Electronic ballast
The electronic ballast includes: a square wave generator that includes a plurality of switching elements to convert a DC input voltage to an AC square wave output voltage; a transformer that includes a driving winding, a plurality of control windings, at least one inductive winding and at least one control driving circuit. The control windings controls the plurality of switching elements to turn on alternately; a resonant circuit that constitutes a resonant loop together with the driving winding is electrically connected with an output terminal of the square wave generator to drive the light emitting element. The control driving circuit is connected with two terminals of the inductive winding in parallel and receives a control signal to control a voltage across the inductive winding so as to control conducting time of at least one of the switching elements.
US08742668B2 Method for stabilizing plasma ignition
A method for stabilizing plasma ignition in a continuous process conducted on a substrate, includes: applying a spike of RF power between an upper electrode and a lower electrode on which the substrate is placed, wherein the spike starts from zero power, jumps to a spike power, and then drops to a base power which is so low as to cause plasma ignition failure; and continuously applying RF power at the base power between the upper and lower electrode for a duration substantially longer than a duration of the spike to process the substrate. The spike is such that ignition failure is reduced.
US08742666B2 Radio frequency (RF) power filters and plasma processing systems including RF power filters
A filter for filtering radio frequency (RF) power transmitted from an electrostatic chuck (ESC) in a plasma processing system. The plasma processing system may include a heating element disposed at the ESC. The plasma processing system may further include a power supply. The filter may include a core member and a cable wound around and wound along the core member to form a set of inductors. The cable may include a plurality of wires, including a first wire and a second wire, a portion of the first wire and a portion of the second wire being twisted together, a first end of the first wire and a first end of the second wire being connected to the heating element, each of a second end of the first wire and a second end of the second wire being connected to a capacitor and being connected to the power supply.
US08742661B2 Display device comprising a self-luminous light emitter and a barrier body in direct contact with a sealing material
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device preventing the external invasion of water and/or oxygen and preventing the deterioration of a luminous element due to these invading substances and to provide a production method including simple production steps for producing the display device. The invention provides a display device having a sealing material on the rim of an exposed interlayer insulator for preventing the invasion of water and/or oxygen from the interlayer insulator. Further, the invention provides a display device having a barrier body on an exposed interlayer insulator for preventing the invasion of water and/or oxygen from the interlayer insulator. Furthermore, the application of droplet discharge technique in production steps for producing the display device can eliminate a photolithography step such as exposing and developing. Thus, a method of producing a display device having an improved yield is provided.
US08742655B2 LED lighting systems with phosphor subassemblies, and/or methods of making the same
Certain example embodiments relate to improved lighting systems and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a lighting system includes a glass substrate with one or more apertures. An LED or other light source is disposed at one end of the aperture such that light from the LED directed through the aperture of the glass substrate exits the opposite end of the aperture. Inner surfaces of the aperture have a mirroring material such as silver to reflect the emitted light from the LED. In certain example embodiments, a remote phosphor article or layer is disposed opposite the LED at the other end of the aperture. In certain example embodiment, a lens is disposed in the aperture, between the remote phosphor article and the LED.
US08742650B2 Piezoelectric/electrostrictive element
In the manufacture of a laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive element by lamination of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film and an electrode film containing either platinum or an alloy composed mainly of platinum and having a thickness of 2.0 μm or less, both or either one of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) and cerium oxide (CeO2) is added to the electrode film or the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and the electrode film and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film are fired simultaneously. This simultaneously achieves a reduced thickness and improved thermal resistance of the electrode film and a reduced change in piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties with time, thereby producing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element with good initial piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties and with a small change in the piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties with time.
US08742643B2 Commutation system for a DC motor
A commutation system for a DC motor having a stator including a plurality of windings and a permanent magnet assembly, the assembly has a housing; at least three collector segments connected to stator windings inside the housing; and a rotor assembly in the housing having brushes for connecting the collector segments, the brushes extending from the rotors parallel to the motor axis; wherein the brushes are attached to the rotors to rotate coaxially to each other and contact the surfaces of the collector segments. The system includes proper mechanism for heat conduction from the brushes sliding surface to the external wall. Damping is provided to limit resonance in the commutation system. Also air filtering can be provided to insure clean operation.
US08742641B2 Concentric motor power generation and drive system
An apparatus is provided and includes a hub, including first and second opposing faces, a first sidewall fixed at opposite ends thereof to the first and second opposing faces to define a first interior between the first and second opposing faces and a second sidewall fixed to one of the first and second opposing faces to define a second interior within the first interior, a first assembly, disposed within the second interior, to generate current from input mechanical energy and a second assembly, electrically coupled to the first assembly and disposed within the first interior, to generate mechanical energy from current associated with the current generated by the first assembly.
US08742640B1 Electric motor and magnet transmission for motor vehicle
A motor vehicle having an electric motor driving a permanent magnet power transmission connected to the gear box of the vehicle. The magnet power transmission has first and second disk assemblies. A copper member on the first disk assembly faces a plurality of permanent magnets located in bores in the second disk assembly. A control assembly operatively connected to the second disk assembly selectively moves the second disk assembly and magnets toward and away from the first disk assembly to vary the flux between the first disk assembly and second disk assembly.
US08742637B2 Waterproof and salt spray-resistant fan motor structure
A waterproof and salt spray-resistant fan motor structure includes a base, a stator assembly, a case, and at least one circuit board. The base has a bearing cup vertically projected from one side thereof. The stator assembly is externally fitted around the bearing cup, and includes a plurality of silicon steel plates having windings mounted thereon. The case is arranged between the base and the stator assembly and internally defines a closed space, and the circuit board is located in the closed space. With these arrangements, the case protects the circuit board against corrosion by water and salt spray, enabling a fan to have largely extended service life.
US08742629B2 Residential electric power storage system
A residential electric power storage system includes a lead-in wire, a distribution line, an electric power storage device, a voltage sensor sensing a voltage of the lead-in wire, a current sensor sensing a current charged to the electric power storage device through the distribution line and an electric power adjustment unit adjusting electric power charged to the electric power storage device through the distribution line; and a controller controlling the electric power adjustment unit. If the lead-in wire has voltage smaller than a threshold voltage, the controller controls the electric power adjustment unit to match the current that is charged to the electric power storage device to a command value to provide current control, whereas if the lead-in wire has voltage larger than the threshold voltage, the controller controls the electric power adjustment unit to match the voltage of the lead-in wire to a command value to provide voltage control.
US08742627B2 Wireless power feeder
A wireless power feeder 116 feeds power by wireless from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 using a magnetic field resonance phenomenon. A power transmission control circuit 200 supplies AC power at a drive frequency fo to the feeding coil L2, thereby making the feeding coil L2 feed the AC power to the receiving coil L3. A phase detection circuit 150 detects the phase difference between the voltage phase and current phase of the AC power. Concretely, the phase detection circuit compares a first detection time period during which a signal T2 assumes a high level and a second detection time period during which a signal S2 assumes a high level and detects the length of the time period in which the first and second detection periods overlap each other to detect the phase difference.
US08742625B2 Multiphase inductive power supply system
A multiphase inductive power supply wirelessly transmits power in multiple phases. A primary circuit energizes multiple tank circuits in an out of phase relationship. A secondary circuit receives the power and recombines the power. The amount of energy in each phase is reduced compared to transferring the same amount of power using a single phase inductive power supply.
US08742623B1 Device with dual power sources
A wearable device includes a sensor, auxiliary electronics, a primary power supply configured to harvest radio frequency (RF) radiation received from an external reader and use the harvested RF radiation to power the sensor, and an auxiliary power supply configured to harvest energy other than that received from the external reader and use the harvested energy to supply power to the sensor and/or the auxiliary electronics. The external reader may supply less power in response to operation of the auxiliary power supply. Additionally or alternatively, in response to a determination that the auxiliary power supply is unable to supply power, the wearable device may disable all auxiliary electronics but for the sensor. In response to a determination that the primary power supply is unable to supply power but the auxiliary power supply is able to supply power, the wearable device may retain operating parameters in the memory storage unit using the auxiliary power supply.
US08742619B2 Battery system, electric vehicle, movable body, power storage device, and power supply device
One state detector detects an abnormal state or a normal state relating to charge and discharge of a battery cell group in one battery module, and generates one detection signal representing the detected state. Another state detector detects an abnormal state or a normal state relating to charge and discharge of another battery cell group in another battery module, and generates another detection signal representing the detected state. One operation processing device sends the one detection signal generated by the one state detector to an external object. Another operation processing device sends the other detection signal generated by the other state detector to the external object. The one detection signal generated by the one state detector is transmitted to at least one of the other operation processing device and the other state detector via a signal line.
US08742617B2 Battery apparatus
A battery apparatus includes a row battery group including a plurality of series-connected row batteries including one or more battery cells; a plurality of battery management sections, corresponding to the individual row batteries, for managing the battery statuses of the corresponding row batteries; a central management section for granting unique identification information to the individual battery management sections and acquiring information about the battery statuses of the row batteries from the respective battery management sections for management; second communication lines with which the plurality of battery management sections are daisy-chained; a first communication line with which, of the plurality of battery management sections, the battery management section located at one end is connected to the central management section; and a plurality of connection switching sections, provided in the individual second communication lines between the battery management sections, for switching the connection and disconnection between the battery management sections.
US08742616B1 Bulk energy storage and frequency regulation of electrical power
A bulk energy storage device for an energy source. The energy storage device includes a circular or conveyor, such as a rail track, which may be formed with slopes. An electrical conductor, such as a third rail or overhead electric cable, connects to an electric grid. Coupled masses, such as rail cars, which travel on the conveyor, have motor/generators that are electrically connected to the conductor. The coupled masses can be raised on a magnetic field and driven by a linear electric motor having a stator embedded in the track and a rotor attached to the undersurface of the masses. Power from the grid is drawn via the third rail to propel and store energy in the ring of masses. When the grid needs to draw power from storage, the linear motor acts as a generator, supplying power to the grid by converting mass momentum into electric power.
US08742612B1 Turbine having counter-rotating armature and field
In one embodiment, a turbine includes a first shaft rotatable in a first direction and a second shaft rotatable in a second direction; the second direction is generally opposite the first direction. A first propeller is coupled to the first shaft for rotating the first shaft in the first direction, and a second propeller is coupled to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft in the second direction. An armature is operatively coupled to the first shaft for rotation with the first shaft, and a field component is operatively coupled to the second shaft for rotation with the second shaft.
US08742607B2 Deep water power generation system and apparatus
A system for generation of power using an apparatus in deep water is disclosed. The system includes a ballast buoy configured to achieve a desired depth in the deep water, a substantially vertical hollow tube attached to the ballast buoy that is submerged under water when the ballast buoy achieves the desired depth in the deep water, and a converter for converting the physical environment created in the substantially vertical hollow tube by placement of the ballast buoy at the desired depth in the deep water.
US08742605B1 Method for aircraft engine start using synchronous generator and constant speed drive
A method of starting an aircraft engine is provided. The method includes providing motive power from a generator for starting an engine during an engine start mode and deriving electrical power by way of the generator from rotation of the engine during a generate mode, transmitting the motive power from the generator to the engine during the engine start mode by way of a constant speed drive (CSD) and regulating a frequency of the electrical power output from the generator during the generate mode by way of the CSD and coupling a generator and CSD controller (GCC) to the generator and the CSD and operating the generator and the CSD by the GCC to execute at least the engine start mode and the generate mode.
US08742604B2 Systems and methods for combined flow control and electricity generation
Systems and methods for combined flow control and electricity generation are described. Various embodiments may include an energy recovery device adapted to produce an electric current. At least a portion of the electric current may be used to power a pump. A control system may be adapted to adjust operating parameters of the system to stabilize or maximize the efficiency of the energy recovery device.
US08742600B2 Dual-phase intermetallic interconnection structure and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a dual-phase intermetallic interconnection structure and a fabricating method thereof. The dual-phase intermetallic interconnection structure includes a first intermetallic compound, a second intermetallic compound, a first solder layer, and a second solder layer. The second intermetallic compound covers and surrounds the first intermetallic compound. The first intermetallic compound and the second intermetallic compound contain different high-melting point metal. The first solder layer and the second solder layer are disposed at the opposite sides of the second intermetallic compound, respectively. The first intermetallic compound is adapted to fill the micropore defects generated during the formation of the second intermetallic compound.
US08742598B2 Semiconductor structure and method for making same
One or more embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure, comprising: a conductive pad, the conductive pad including a plurality of laterally spaced apart gaps diposed at least partially through the conductive pad.
US08742597B2 Package substrates with multiple dice
This disclosure relates generally to package substrates with multiple embedded dice wherein each of the embedded dice can be connected directly to a bus of the package substrate without being routed through another die. The package substrate may be configured as a bumpless build up layer (BBUL) substrate.
US08742594B2 Structure and method of making an offset-trench crackstop that forms an air gap adjacent to a passivated metal crackstop
A structure and method of making an offset-trench crackstop, which forms an air gap in a passivation layer that is adjacent to a passivated top metal layer of a metal crackstop in an integrated circuit (IC) die. The offset-trench crackstop may expose a portion of a topmost dielectric layer in the crackstop region, not expose a topmost patterned metal layer of the metal crackstop, and may be interposed between the metal crackstop and an active device region. Alternatively, the offset-trench crackstop may expose a portion of the topmost dielectric layer, which separates an outermost metal layer and an innermost metal layer of the metal crackstop, and does not expose any of the topmost patterned metal layer of the metal crackstop, where the innermost metal layer of the metal crackstop is interposed between the offset-trench crackstop in the crackstop region and the active device region of the IC die.
US08742589B2 Semiconductor embedded module and method for producing the same
A semiconductor embedded module 1 of the present invention has a configuration in which a semiconductor device 20, which is an electronic component such as a semiconductor IC (die) in a bare chip state, is embedded in a resin layer 10 (second insulating layer). In the semiconductor device 20, a redistribution layer 22 is connected to land electrodes. A protective layer 24 (first insulating layer) is provided on the redistribution layer 22, and is provided with openings such that external connection pads P of the redistribution layer 22 are exposed. Also, the resin layer 10 is formed to cover the protective layer 24, and vias V are formed at the positions of the respective external connection pads P of the redistribution layer 22. The grinding rate of the resin layer 10 is larger than that of the protective layer 24.
US08742588B2 Method for making via interconnection
The present invention provides a method of forming a via hole (9), or a via (7), from a lower side (5) of a substrate (3) for electronic devices towards an upper side (4) of a substrate (3) at least partly through the substrate (3). The method comprises the steps of: etching a first lengthwise portion (11) of the via hole (9) and etching a second lengthwise portion (12) of the via hole (9); whereby the first lengthwise portion (11) and the second lengthwise portion (12) substantially form the via hole (9) and a constriction (23) is formed in the via hole (9). The constriction (23) defines an aperture (24) of the via hole (9) and the method further comprises the step of opening the via hole (9) by etching, with the constriction (23) functioning as an etch mask. A via is formed by at least partly filling the via hole with conductive material. A substrate for electronic devices comprising a via is also provided.
US08742581B2 Enhanced diffusion barrier for interconnect structures
Alternative methods of fabricating an interconnect structure in which an enhanced diffusion barrier including an in-situ formed metal nitride liner formed between an interconnect dielectric material and an overlying metal diffusion barrier liner are provided. In one embodiment, at least one opening is formed into an interconnect dielectric material. A nitrogen enriched dielectric surface layer is formed within exposed surfaces of the interconnect dielectric material utilizing thermal nitridation. A metal diffusion barrier liner is the formed. During and/or after the formation of the metal diffusion barrier liner, a metal nitride liner forms in-situ in a lower region of the metal diffusion barrier liner. A conductive material is then formed on the metal diffusion barrier liner. The conductive material, the metal diffusion barrier liner and the metal nitride liner that are located outside of the at least one opening are removed to provide a planarized structure.
US08742578B2 Solder volume compensation with C4 process
An integrated circuit (IC) chip including solder structures for connection to a package substrate, an IC chip package, and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, an IC chip is provided comprising a wafer having a plurality of solder structures disposed above the wafer. A ball limiting metallurgy (BLM) layer is disposed between each of the plurality of solder structures and the wafer. At least one of the plurality of solder structures has a first diameter and a first height, and at least one other solder structure has a second diameter and a second height. The differing heights and volumes of solder structures facilitate solder volume compensation for chip join improvement on the IC chip side rather than the package side.
US08742577B2 Semiconductor package having an anti-contact layer
A semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip disposed on the first semiconductor chip, and a connection member to electrically connect the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip. The connection member may include a connection pad disposed on the first semiconductor chip, a connection pillar disposed on the second semiconductor chip, and a bonding member to connect the connection pad and the connection pillar. An anti-contact layer may be formed on at least one surface of the connection pad.
US08742576B2 Maintaining alignment in a multi-chip module using a compressible structure
An MCM includes a two-dimensional array of facing chips, including island chips and bridge chips that communicate with each other using overlapping connectors. In order to maintain the relative vertical spacing of these connectors, compressible structures are in cavities in a substrate, which house the bridge chips, provide a compressive force on back surfaces of the bridge chips. These compressible structures include a compliant material with shape and volume compression. In this way, the MCM may ensure that facing surfaces of the island chips and the bridge chips, as well as connectors on these surfaces, are approximately coplanar without bending the bridge chips.
US08742568B2 Circuit board, semiconductor device, process for manufacturing circuit board and process for manufacturing semiconductor device
A circuit board (1) exhibits an average coefficient of thermal expansion (A) of the first insulating layer (21) in the direction along the substrate surface in a temperature range from 25 degrees C. to its glass transition point of equal to or higher than 3 ppm/degrees C. and equal to or lower than 30 ppm/degrees C. Further, an average coefficient of thermal expansion (B) of the second insulating layer (23) in the direction along the substrate surface in a temperature range from 25 degrees C. to its glass transition point is equivalent to an average coefficient of thermal expansion (C) of the third insulating layer (25) in the direction along the substrate surface in a temperature range from 25 degrees C. to its glass transition point. (B) and (C) are larger than (A), and a difference between (A) and (B) and a difference between (A) and (C) are equal to or higher than 5 ppm/degrees C. and equal to or lower than 35 ppm/degrees C.
US08742567B2 Circuit board structure and packaging structure comprising the circuit board structure
A circuit board structure at least includes a patterned solder mask, a first conductive pattern, a second conductive pattern adjacent to the first conductive pattern and in direct contact with the patterned solder mask and a passivation respectively covering the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern.
US08742566B2 Semiconductor device having vertically offset bond on trace interconnects on recessed and raised bond fingers
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first recessed conductive layer embedded and recessed into a first surface of the substrate, and a first raised conductive layer disposed above the first surface. A first vertical offset exists between an upper surface of the first recessed conductive layer and an upper surface of the first raised conductive layer. The device includes a second recessed conductive layer embedded and recessed into a second surface of the substrate. The second surface of the substrate is opposite the first surface. The device includes a second raised conductive layer disposed beneath the second surface and an interconnect structure disposed on the first recessed and raised conductive layers and the second recessed and raised conductive layers. A second vertical offset exists between a lower surface of the second recessed conductive layer and a lower surface of the second recessed conductive layer.
US08742565B2 Ball grid array with improved single-ended and differential signal performance
An improved system and method for assigning power and ground pins and single ended or differential signal pairs for a ball grid array semiconductor package. In certain embodiments, the system uses a hexagonal pattern where the grid may be represented by a multiplicity of nested hexagonal patterns.
US08742561B2 Recessed and embedded die coreless package
Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure and associated structures formed thereby are described. Those methods may include forming a cavity in a plating material to hold a die, attaching the die in the cavity, forming a dielectric material adjacent the die, forming vias in the dielectric material adjacent the die, forming PoP lands in the vias, forming interconnects in the vias, and then removing the plating material to expose the PoP lands and die, wherein the die is disposed above the PoP lands.
US08742560B2 Anti-reflection structures for CMOS image sensors
Optical structures having an array of protuberances between two layers having different refractive indices are provided. The array of protuberances has vertical and lateral dimensions less than the wavelength range of lights detectable by a photodiode of a CMOS image sensor. The array of protuberances provides high transmission of light with little reflection. The array of protuberances may be provided over a photodiode, in a back-end-of-line interconnect structure, over a lens for a photodiode, on a backside of a photodiode, or on a window of a chip package.
US08742546B2 Semiconductor device with a plurality of dot patterns and a line pattern having a projection part
A semiconductor device includes a first pattern and a plurality of second patterns arranged at equal intervals. When the distance of the space between the first pattern and the second pattern closet to the first pattern is larger than a first distance, a plurality of dummy patterns are arranged in the space with shapes and intervals similar to those of the second patterns. When the distance of the space is equal to or less than the first distance and larger than a second distance, the dummy pattern is spaced from the second pattern closest to the first pattern, and extends toward the first pattern to be brought into contact with the first pattern. When the distance of the space is equal to or less than the second distance, the dummy pattern is spaced from the second pattern closest to the first pattern, and is connected to the first pattern.
US08742545B2 Substrate strip plate structure for semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A strip plate structure and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the strip plate structure comprises a strip plate array comprising a plurality of strip plates arranged in a predetermined direction with spacing. Each of the strip plates includes a first surface facing one side direction of the strip plate structure and a second surface facing an substantially opposite side direction of the strip plate structure; and a plurality of strip sheets. Each strip sheet alternately abuts either the first surfaces or the second surfaces of two adjacent strip plates.
US08742542B2 Method and device for a dram capacitor having low depletion ratio
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device having low depletion ratio capacitor comprising: forming hemispherical grains (HSG) on a poly-silicon; doping the hemispherical grained polysilicon in a phosphine gas; and rapid thermal oxidizing the doped hemispherical grained polysilicon at 850° C. for 10 seconds. The method further comprises nitridizing the rapid thermal oxidized hemispherical-grained polysilicon and depositing a alumina film on the silicon nitride layer. A semiconductor integrated circuit device having a low depletion ratio capacitor according to the disclosed manufacturing method is provided.
US08742541B2 High density three-dimensional integrated capacitors
A capacitor can include a substrate having a first surface, a second surface remote from the first surface, and a through opening extending between the first and second surfaces, first and second metal elements, and a capacitor dielectric layer separating and insulating the first and second metal elements from one another at least within the through opening. The first metal element can be exposed at the first surface and can extend into the through opening. The second metal element can be exposed at the second surface and can extend into the through opening. The first and second metal elements can be electrically connectable to first and second electric potentials. The capacitor dielectric layer can have an undulating shape.
US08742536B2 SOI disks comprising MEMS structures and filled isolating trenches having a defined cross-section
Forming of filled isolation trenches, in particular the transition area in trenches and recesses free of silicon during the realization of MEMS structures of SOI wafers. A reliable dielectric insulation of adjacent silicon regions is to be obtained. The insulation is achieved by filled isolation trenches. The end portions of the trench fill that are freed from the surrounding silicon by etching are free of conductive not completely removed silicon strips in the recess including the active sensor structure. This is accomplished by slanted wall of isolation trenches. Additionally, the trench fill should be removable at the transition area in an efficient manner. The technological realization does not require specific additional process steps.
US08742533B2 Constant current semiconductor device having a schottky barrier
This invention reveals a constant current semiconductor device of an N-type or a P-type epitaxial layer on a semi-insulating substrate, the device is treated by using a Schottky barrier to cut off current in conduction channels under certain bias and to provide constant current within cut-off voltage and breakdown voltage region between Schottky barrier section/ohmic contact section as the first electrode and the other ohmic contact section as the second electrode respectively, and has excellent characteristics as lower cut-off voltage (Vkp) than bipolar devices and easily gets higher constant current (Ip) by integrating several constant current units.
US08742528B2 Photodiode and photodiode array
A photodiode array PDA1 is provided with a substrate S wherein a plurality of photodetecting channels CH have an n-type semiconductor layer 32. The photodiode array PDA1 is provided with a p− type semiconductor layer 33 formed on the n-type semiconductor layer 32, resistors 24 provided for the respective photodetecting channels CH and each having one end portion connected to a signal conducting wire 23, and an n-type separating portion 40 formed between the plurality of photodetecting channels CH. The p− type semiconductor layer 33 forms pn junctions at an interface to the n-type semiconductor layer 32 and has a plurality of multiplication regions AM for avalanche multiplication of carriers generated with incidence of detection target light, corresponding to the respective photodetecting channels. An irregular asperity 10 is formed in a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer 32 and the surface is optically exposed.
US08742523B2 Wavelength sensitive photodiode employing shorted junction
A semiconductor device contains a photodiode which has a plurality of p-n junctions disposed in a stack. Two contact structures on the semiconductor device are connected across at least one of the junctions to allow electrical connection to an external detection circuit, so that signal current from incident light on the photodiode which generates electron-hole pairs across the connected junction may be sensed by the external detection circuit. At least one of the junctions is electrically shorted at the semiconductor device, so that signal current from the shorted junction may not be sensed by the external detection circuit.
US08742521B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in which MRAM is formed in a wiring layer A contained in a multilayered wiring layer, the MRAM having at least two first magnetization pinning layers in contact with a first wiring formed in a wiring layer and insulated from each other, a free magnetization layer overlapping the two first magnetization pinning layers in a plan view, and connected with the first magnetization pinning layers, a non-magnetic layer situated over the free magnetization layer, and a second magnetization pinning layer situated over the non-magnetic layer.
US08742514B2 Storage node, phase change memory device and methods of operating and fabricating the same
A storage node may include a lower electrode, a phase change layer on the lower electrode and an upper electrode on the phase change layer, and the lower electrode and the upper electrode may be composed of thermoelectric materials having a melting point higher than that of the phase change layer, and having different conductivity types. An upper surface of the lower electrode may have a recessed shape, and a lower electrode contact layer may be provided between the lower electrode and the phase change layer.
US08742513B2 Semiconductor device comprising metal gates and a silicon containing resistor formed on an isolation structure
In a semiconductor device comprising sophisticated high-k metal gate structures formed in accordance with a replacement gate approach, semiconductor-based resistors may be formed above isolation structures substantially without being influenced by the replacement gate approach. Consequently, enhanced area efficiency may be achieved compared to conventional strategies, in which the resistive structures may have to be provided on the basis of a gate electrode metal, while, nevertheless, a low parasitic capacitance may be accomplished due to providing the resistive structures above the isolation structure.
US08742511B2 Double gate planar field effect transistors
A transistor device includes multiple planar layers of channel material connecting a source region and a drain region, where the planar layers are formed in a stack of layers of a channel material; and a gate conductor formed around and between the planar layers of channel material.
US08742510B2 Semiconductor devices with replacement gate structures having conductive contacts positioned therebetween
Disclosed herein are various methods of forming replacement gate structures and conductive contacts on semiconductor devices and devices incorporating the same. One exemplary device includes a plurality of gate structures positioned above a semiconducting substrate, at least one sidewall spacer positioned proximate respective sidewalls of the gate structures, and a metal silicide region in a source/drain region of the semiconducting substrate, the metal silicide region extending laterally so as to contact the sidewall spacer positioned proximate each of the gate structures. Furthermore, the device also includes, among other things, a conductive contact positioned between the plurality of gate structures, the conductive contact having a lower portion that conductively contacts the metal silicide region and an upper portion positioned above the lower portion, wherein the lower portion is laterally wider than the upper portion and extends laterally so as to contact the sidewall spacers positioned proximate each of the gate structures.
US08742509B2 Apparatus and method for FinFETs
A FinFET comprises an isolation region formed in a substrate, a cloak-shaped active region formed over the substrate, wherein the cloak-shaped active region has an upper portion protruding above a top surface of the isolation region. In addition, the FinFET comprises a gate electrode wrapping the channel of the cloak-shaped active region.
US08742507B2 Variable resistive element, method for producing the same, and nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including the variable resistive element
A variable resistive element configured to reduce a forming voltage while reducing a variation in forming voltage among elements, a method for producing it, and a highly integrated nonvolatile semiconductor memory device provided with the variable resistive element are provided. The variable resistive element includes a resistance change layer (first metal oxide film) and a control layer (second metal oxide film) having contact with a first electrode sandwiched between the first electrode and a second electrode. The control layer includes a metal oxide film having a low work function (4.5 eV or less) and capable of extracting oxygen from the resistance change layer. The first electrode includes a metal having a low work function similar to the above metal, and a material having oxide formation free energy higher than that of an element included in the control layer, to prevent oxygen from being thermally diffused from the control layer.
US08742502B2 Method and apparatus for use in improving linearity of MOSFETs using an accumulated charge sink-harmonic wrinkle reduction
A method and apparatus for use in improving linearity sensitivity of MOSFET devices having an accumulated charge sink (ACS) are disclosed. The method and apparatus are adapted to address degradation in second- and third-order intermodulation harmonic distortion at a desired range of operating voltage in devices employing an accumulated charge sink.
US08742493B2 Semiconductor devices having vertical channel transistors and methods for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device has a plurality of vertical channels extending upright on a substrate, a plurality of bit lines extending among the vertical channels, a plurality of word lines which include a plurality of gates disposed adjacent first sides of the vertical channels, respectively, and a plurality of conductive elements disposed adjacent second sides of the vertical channels opposite the first sides. The conductive elements can provide a path to the substrate for charge carriers which have accumulated in the associated vertical channel to thereby mitigate a so-called floating effect.
US08742488B2 Three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same
Example embodiments relate to a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device including an electrode structure on a substrate, the electrode structure including at least one conductive pattern on a lower electrode, and a semiconductor pattern extending through the electrode structure to the substrate. A vertical insulating layer may be between the semiconductor pattern and the electrode structure, and a lower insulating layer may be between the lower electrode and the substrate. The lower insulating layer may be between a bottom surface of the vertical insulating layer and a top surface of the substrate. Example embodiments related to methods for fabricating the foregoing three-dimensional semiconductor memory device.
US08742484B2 Semiconductor device and fabricating method of the same
Openings are formed by lithography and subsequent dry etching at the portions of a first protective film which correspond to connecting holes of second plugs which will be described later, namely at the portions thereof which align with first plugs, wherein the openings have a diameter greater than that of connecting holes by about 0.4 μm.
US08742482B2 Semiconductor device having cell capacitors
A semiconductor device including: a bit line being arranged on top surfaces of first and second contact plugs via a first insulation layer and extending in a direction connecting a first impurity diffusion layer and a second impurity diffusion layer; a bit line contact plug being formed through the first insulation layer and electrically connecting the bit line to the first contact plug; a first cell capacitor having a first lower electrode beside one of side surfaces of the bit line; a first insulation film insulating the bit line and the first lower electrode from each other; and a first contact conductor electrically connecting a bottom end of the first lower electrode to a side surface of the second contact plug.
US08742481B2 Apparatuses and methods comprising a channel region having different minority carrier lifetimes
Apparatuses, such as memory devices, memory cell strings, and electronic systems, and methods of forming such apparatuses are shown. One such apparatus includes a channel region that has a minority carrier lifetime that is lower at one or more end portions, than in a middle portion. Other apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.
US08742480B2 Wireless chip and electronic device having wireless chip
It is an object to provide a wireless chip which can increase a mechanical strength, and a wireless chip with a high durability. A wireless chip includes a transistor including a field-effect transistor, an antenna including a dielectric layer sandwiched between conductive layers, and a conductive layer connecting the chip and the antenna. Further, a wireless chip includes a transistor including a field-effect transistor, an antenna including a dielectric layer sandwiched between conductive layers, a sensor device, a conductive layer connecting the chip and the antenna, and a conductive layer connecting the chip and the sensor device. Moreover, a wireless chip includes a transistor including a field-effect transistor, an antenna including a dielectric layer sandwiched between conductive layers, a battery, a conductive layer connecting the chip and the antenna, and a conductive layer connecting the chip and the battery.
US08742477B1 Elliptical through silicon vias for active interposers
An integrated circuit structure can include a silicon interposer. The silicon interposer can include a first elliptical TSV and a keep out zone (KOZ) for stress effects upon active devices surrounding the first elliptical TSV. A size of the KOZ can be determined by a transverse diameter and a conjugate diameter of the first elliptical TSV.
US08742476B1 Semiconductor device and structure
A semiconductor device including: a first single crystal layer including first transistors, first alignment mark, and at least one metal layer, the at least one metal layer overlying the first single crystal layer and includes copper or aluminum; and a second layer overlying the metal layer; the second layer includes second transistors which include mono-crystal and are aligned to the first alignment mark with less than 40 nm alignment error, the mono-crystal includes a first region and second region which are horizontally oriented with respect to each other, the first region has substantially different dopant concentration than the second region.
US08742471B2 Chemical sensor array with leakage compensation circuit
To reduce the pixel size to the smallest dimensions and simplest form of operation, a pixel may be formed by using only one ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). This one-transistor, or 1T, pixel can provide gain by converting the drain current to voltage in the column. Configurable pixels can be created to allow both common source read out as well as source follower read out. A plurality of the 1T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns and a column readout circuit in each column.
US08742468B2 Systems, methods and apparatus of a low conductance silicon micro-leak for mass spectrometer inlet
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a mass spectrometer micro-leak includes a number of channels fabricated by semiconductor processing tools and that includes a number of inlet holes that provide access to the channels.
US08742467B2 Bidirectional switching device and bidirectional switching circuit using the same
A bidirectional switching device includes a semiconductor multilayer structure made of a nitride semiconductor, a first ohmic electrode and a second ohmic electrode which are formed on the semiconductor multilayer structure, and a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode. The first gate electrode is covered with a first shield electrode having a potential substantially equal to that of the first ohmic electrode. The second gate electrode is covered with the second shield electrode having a potential substantially equal to that of the second ohmic electrode. An end of the first shield electrode is positioned between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, and an end of the second shield electrode is positioned between the second gate electrode and the first gate electrode.
US08742458B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to an exemplary embodiment comprises a substrate, a middle layer comprising a first semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate and comprising AlxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1) doped with a first dopant and a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer and comprising undoped gallium nitride (GaN) and a drive unit disposed on the second semiconductor layer.
US08742456B2 Integrating a trench-gated thyristor with a trench-gated rectifier
An integrated trench-MOS-controlled-thyristor plus trench gated diode combination, in which the trenches are preferably formed at the same time. A backside polarity reversal process permits a backside p+ region in the thyristor areas, and only a backside n+ region in the diode areas (for an n-type device). This is particularly advantageous in motor control circuits and the like, where the antiparallel diode permits the thyristor to be dropped into existing power MOSFET circuit designs. In power conversion circuits, the antiparallel diode can conveniently serve as a freewheeling diode.
US08742453B2 High linearity hybrid transistor device
A hybrid transistor device is provided. In one example case, the device includes a substrate, an oxide layer formed on the substrate, and a wide-bandgap body material formed between a portion of the oxide layer and a gate dielectric layer. The wide-bandgap body material has an energy bandgap higher than that of silicon. The device includes source-drain/emitter material formed on the oxide layer adjacent to the wide-bandgap body material so as to define a hetero-structure interface where the source-drain/emitter material contacts the wide-bandgap body material. The device includes a gate material formed over the gate dielectric layer, a base material formed over a portion of the source-drain/emitter material, and a collector material formed over a portion of the base material. The source-drain/emitter material is shared so as to electrically combine a drain of a first transistor type portion of the device and an emitter of a second transistor type portion.
US08742451B2 Power transistor with increased avalanche current and energy rating
A field-effect transistor involves a drain electrode, a drift region, a body region, a source region, a gate insulator layer, and a gate electrode. The drift region is disposed above the drain electrode. The body region extends down into the drift region from a first upper semiconductor surface. The source region is ladder-shaped and extends down in the body region from a second upper semiconductor surface. The first and second upper semiconductor surfaces are substantially planar and are not coplanar. A first portion of the body region is surrounded laterally by a second portion of the body region. The second portion of the body region and the drift region meet at a body-to-drift boundary. The body-to-drift boundary has a central portion that is non-planar. A gate insulator layer is disposed over the source region and a gate electrode is disposed over the gate insulator.
US08742450B2 III-nitride multi-channel heterojunction device
A III-nitride power semiconductor device that includes a plurality of III-nitride heterojunctions.
US08742449B2 Light emitting diode having electrode pads
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a including a substrate, a first conductive type semiconductor layer arranged on the substrate, a second conductive type semiconductor layer arranged on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer disposed between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer, a first electrode pad electrically connected to the first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second electrode pad arranged on the second conductive type semiconductor layer, an insulation layer disposed between the second conductive type semiconductor layer and the second electrode pad, and at least one upper extension electrically connected to the second electrode pad, the at least one upper extension being electrically connected to the second conductive type semiconductor layer.
US08742437B2 Pixel structure and manufacturing method thereof
A pixel structure including a substrate, a color filter layer, a conductive light-shielding layer, a buffer layer, a scan line, a data line, an active device, and a pixel electrode is provided. The substrate has a pixel region. The color filter layer is disposed corresponding to the pixel region. The conductive light-shielding layer is disposed corresponding to the periphery of the pixel region. The buffer layer covers the conductive light-shielding layer and color filter layer. The scan line and the data line are disposed on the buffer layer. The active device is disposed on the buffer layer and electrically connected to the scan line and data line. The pixel electrode is disposed on the buffer layer and electrically connected to the active device, wherein an overlapping area between the pixel electrode and the conductive light-shielding layer constitutes a storage capacitor. A method for manufacturing the pixel structure is also provided.
US08742435B2 LED lighting device
The LED lighting device in this invention comprises a light source, a first face sheet, and a reflection sheet. The light source comprises a plurality of LED chips which are configured to emit lights having wavelengths which are different from each other. The first face sheet has a rear surface. The rear surface is defined as a diffusing and reflecting surface which is being configured to diffuse and reflect the lights which are emitted from the LED chips. The first face sheet is provided with a plurality of apertures. The reflection sheet has a second reflecting surface. The second reflecting surface is configured to reflect the light which is reflected from the diffusing and reflecting surface of the first face sheet toward the first face sheet. Each the aperture is shaped to pass the light which is reflected from the second reflecting surface. Each the aperture is configured to prevent the light which is directly emitted by the light from being passed through the aperture without being subjected to any reflection.
US08742432B2 Metal substrate and light source device
The invention provides a metal substrate and a light source device ensuring that a semiconductor chip working as a light source can be firmly joined by using a metal joining material, such that heat generated in the mounted semiconductor chip can be efficiently dissipated through a metal plate. The metal substrate includes a heat dissipating metal plate made of a metal except for Au, an insulating resin-made white film stacked on a part of the heat dissipating metal plate, and a light source mounting surface-forming layer stacked on another part of the heat dissipating metal plate. The metal substrate is such that the light source mounting surface-forming layer is a metal layer directly contacting the heat dissipating metal plate, and the light source mounting surface is a surface of an Au layer which is the outermost layer of the light source mounting surface-forming layer.
US08742428B2 Deposition methods for the formation of III/V semiconductor materials, and related structures
Methods of forming ternary III-nitride materials include epitaxially growing ternary III-nitride material on a substrate in a chamber. The epitaxial growth includes providing a precursor gas mixture within the chamber that includes a relatively high ratio of a partial pressure of a nitrogen precursor to a partial pressure of one or more Group III precursors in the chamber. Due at least in part to the relatively high ratio, a layer of ternary III-nitride material may be grown to a high final thickness with small V-pit defects therein. Semiconductor structures including such ternary III-nitride material layers are fabricated using such methods.
US08742426B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an AlGaN layer that is provided on a SiC substrate and has an acceptor concentration equal to or higher than a donor concentration, a GaN layer provided on the AlGaN layer, and an electron supply layer that is provided on the GaN layer and has a band gap greater than that of GaN.
US08742421B2 Display device, method for manufacturing the same, and television apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide a display device which can be manufactured with usability of a material improved and with a manufacturing step simplified and to provide a manufacturing technique thereof. One feature of a display device of the present invention is to comprise an insulating layer having an opening, a first conductive layer formed in the opening, and a second conductive layer formed over the insulating layer and the first conductive layer, wherein the first conductive layer is wider and thicker than the second conductive layer, and the second conductive layer is formed by spraying a droplet including a conductive material.
US08742415B2 Test circuitry coupled to embedded circuit input/output unconnected to pads
Timely testing of die on wafer reduces the cost to manufacture ICs. This disclosure describes a die test structure and process to reduce test time by adding test pads on the top surface of the die. The added test pads allow a tester to probe and test more circuits within the die simultaneously. Also, the added test pads contribute to a reduction in the amount of test wiring overhead traditionally required to access and test circuits within a die, thus reducing die size.
US08742409B2 Thin film transistor and method for producing the same
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor of a top-contact structure with suppressed deterioration by a process which is easy and suitable for increase in area without damaging an organic semiconductor pattern. The organic semiconductor pattern is formed on a substrate. An electrode material film is formed on the substrate so as to cover the organic semiconductor pattern. A resist pattern is formed on the electrode material film. By wet etching using the resist pattern as a mask, the electrode material film is patterned. By the process, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed.
US08742408B2 Organic light emitting diode display and manufacturing method thereof
An OLED device is discussed which includes: a drive thin film transistor formed on a substrate; an organic light emitting diode configured with first electrode, a light emission layer and a second electrode which are sequentially formed on the substrate provided with the drive thin film transistor; a barrier film disposed on the substrate with the organic light emitting element and configure to include a retardation film, an optically isotropic film and a thin layer interposed between the retardation film and the optically isotropic film; and a polarizing plate disposed on the barrier film and configured to prevent reflection of external light.
US08742405B2 Light emitting unit, light emitting device, and lighting device
The light-emitting unit has at least a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a separation layer. The separation layer has a leg portion and a stage portion which protrudes outside of a bottom surface of the leg portion over the leg portion. An upper electrode of the first light-emitting element is electrically connected to a lower electrode of the second light-emitting element in a region where the upper electrode and the lower electrode overlap with the stage portion of the separation layer. By providing the separation layer, the light-emitting unit can be formed without using a metal mask. The upper electrode can be a composite material including an organic compound and a metal oxide or a stacked layer of the composite material and a metal material or a light-transmitting conductive material.
US08742403B2 Xanthene based semiconductor compositions
A small molecule semiconductor of Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted ethynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group, an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, an alkylsilyl group, a cyano group, and a halogen atom, wherein n is 1 or 2, and wherein X is independently S or
US08742401B2 Field effect transistor with gated and non-gated trenches
A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. The plurality of trenches includes a plurality of gated trenches and a plurality of non-gated trenches. A body region of a second conductivity extends in the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A dielectric material fills a bottom portion of each of the gated and non-gated trenches. A gate electrode is disposed in each gated trench. A conductive material of the second conductivity type is disposed in each non-gated trench such that the conductive material and contacts corresponding body regions along sidewalls of the non-gated trench.
US08742399B2 Nanograin material and photoelectric conversion device
A quantum dot, which is an ultrafine grain, has a core-shell structure having a core portion and a shell portion protecting the core portion. The surface of the shell portion is covered with two kinds of surfactants, a hole-transporting surfactant and an electron-transporting surfactant, which are concurrently present. Moreover, the hole-transporting surfactant has a HOMO level which tunneling-resonates with the valence band of the quantum dot and the electron-transporting surfactant has a LUMO level which tunneling-resonates with the transfer band of the quantum dot. Thus, a nanograin material which has good carrier transport efficiency and is suitable for use in a photoelectric conversion device is achieved.
US08742394B2 Semiconductor light-emitting element
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes a support substrate, a semiconductor film including a light-emitting layer provided on the support substrate, a surface electrode provided on a light-extraction-surface-side surface of the semiconductor film, and a light-reflecting layer provided between the support substrate and the semiconductor film, forming a light-reflecting surface. The surface electrode includes a first electrode piece and a second electrode piece. The light-reflecting layer includes a reflection electrode including a third electrode piece and a fourth electrode piece. The first electrode piece and the third electrode piece are arranged so as to not overlap when projected onto a projection surface parallel to a principal surface of the semiconductor film, and the shortest distance between the first electrode piece and the fourth electrode piece, is greater than the shortest distance between the first electrode piece and the third electrode piece.
US08742393B2 Electron emitting source and substrate for thin film growth
The SrTiO3 buffer layer is formed by lamination of the Sr2+O2− layer and the Ti4+O24− layer. The surface of the buffer layer is terminated with the Ti4+O24− layer. On the buffer layer, a LaAlO3 thin film layer is formed. The thin film layer includes a La3+O2− layer and an Al3+O24− layer alternately laminated in order on the SrTiO3 buffer layer.
US08742387B2 Resistive memory devices with improved resistive changing elements
An integrated circuit includes a memory cell with a resistance changing memory element. The resistance changing memory element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a resistivity changing material disposed between the first and second electrodes, where the resistivity changing material is configured to change resistive states in response to application of a voltage or current to the first and second electrodes. In addition, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises an insulator material including a self-assembled electrically conductive element formed within the insulator material. The self-assembled electrically conductive element formed within the insulator material remains stable throughout the operation of switching the resistivity changing material to different resistive states.
US08742384B2 Optical illumination apparatus and method having a reflective arrangement with moveable components for adjusting incident light
An optical system for detecting light from a 2D area of a sample (36) comprises a collection lens (34) for collecting light from a collection region of the sample. A light detector (44) is positionally fixed with respect to the sample, and a reflector arrangement (61) directs collected light to the detector. The reflector arrangement comprises movable components and the collection lens (34) is movable relative to the sample. The collection lens and the movable components are configurable to define different collection regions, and the movement of the components effects a direction of the light from the collection region to a substantially unchanged area of the light detector (44). This arrangement avoids the need for a bulky detector in order to detect signals from a 2D sample area formed by scanning across the sample.
US08742383B2 Radiation protection device
The present invention relates to the protection of medical patients and personnel from harmful radiation. More specifically, this invention provides a compact, light-weight article to be worn in areas of the body most sensitive to radiation. These include, for example, the pelvic area, the genital and gonad areas, the breast area to guard against radiation to the mammary gland, the neck and throat to protect the thyroid gland, the eye area to protect the crystalline lens.
US08742375B2 Scanning electron microscope device, evaluation point generating method, and program
An image acquisition condition necessary to so arrange FOV's as not to overlap along a device shape so that all constituent arreas necessary for electric characteristic measurement may be confined in the FOV's is determined from device shape information (including circuit design data and layout design data) possessed by CAD data. Since, contingently upon the shape of a wiring portion, the wiring portion of a device is expressed by using a plurality of basic constituent figures in combination, a process of arranging FOV's to the individual constituent figures is executed. For a cell portion, a FOV is arranged in reference to a cell outer frame and apexes. At that time, any apex is a starting point of the FOV arrangement process and another apex is an end point of the same process.
US08742364B2 Systems and methods for disinfecting water
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for point of use location treatment of potable water supplies on demand on board passenger vehicles, such as aircraft. The systems described generally provide increased safety features, alternate ultraviolet light sources, and reduced power consumption.
US08742356B2 Radiation image detecting device
A substrate is made of copper having an atomic number of 29. The substrate is formed in the shape of a box without a top, and has a rectangular bottom and sidewalls erected at four sides surrounding the bottom. A scintillator is evaporated onto the bottom. The scintillator includes a non-columnar crystal and a plurality of columnar crystals erected by crystal growth. A photodetector tightly adheres to top surfaces of the sidewalls of the substrate through an O-ring, so as to close the top of the box-shaped substrate. The substrate, the photodetector, and the O-ring seal the scintillator in an air-tight manner.
US08742355B2 Radiation image capturing system and method of adjusting same
The present invention relates to a radiation image capturing system and a method of adjusting the same. An image capturing condition setting unit sets a target, a filter, and a tube voltage as image capturing conditions depending on the sensitivity characteristics of a radiation conversion panel that is selected by a panel selector, in a radiation source and a radiation source control apparatus. Radiation image information of a subject is recorded in the radiation conversion panel according to the set image capturing conditions. An image processing condition setting unit sets image processing conditions corresponding to the sensitivity characteristics of the radiation conversion panel in an image processor. The image processor processes the radiation image information acquired from the radiation conversion panel according to the set image processing conditions.
US08742338B2 Systems and methods for laser assisted sample transfer to solution for chemical analysis
Systems and methods are described for laser ablation of an analyte from a specimen and capturing of the analyte in a dispensed solvent to form a testing solution. A solvent dispensing and extraction system can form a liquid microjunction with the specimen. The solvent dispensing and extraction system can include a surface sampling probe. The laser beam can be directed through the surface sampling probe. The surface sampling probe can also serve as an atomic force microscopy probe. The surface sampling probe can form a seal with the specimen. The testing solution including the analyte can then be analyzed using an analytical instrument or undergo further processing.
US08742335B2 Rotator sample introduction interface
In one embodiment, the present invention relates generally to a rotator sample introduction interface. In one embodiment, the rotary interface for collecting an analyte includes a valve body, a rotor coupled to the valve body and a stator coupled to the rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor is channel-free and the stator includes a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel comprises an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet for expelling the liquid, wherein a carrier gas is provided via an inlet of the second channel and an outlet of the second channel is coupled to an analyzer.
US08742329B2 Well flaw detection system (embodiments)
This invention relates to nondestructive control, more specifically, to the detection of cracks, flaws and other defects in oil and gas wells and cementing quality control.
US08742327B2 Method of determining auto-calibration of a test sensor
A method of determining auto-calibrating information of a test sensor includes providing an optical read head that includes a light source, a light guide and a detector. The read head forms an opening that is sized to receive a test sensor. The detector includes a linear-detector array or single detector. A test sensor is provided having apertures formed therein. The test sensor is placed in the opening of the optical read head. Light is transmitted from the light source through the apertures. The light transmitted through the apertures using the detector or detecting the absence of light being transmitted through the test sensor using the detector is detected. The detected light or the absence of detected light information from the detector is used to determine the auto-calibration information of the test sensor.
US08742315B2 Wireless remote detectors systems and methods
A system is provided that includes: a sensor device adapted to selectively monitor a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensor device includes a wireless transceiver within the sensor device adapted to transmit measurement information from the selected sensor; and a receiver indicator device adapted to wirelessly receive the measurement information from the sensor device, and provide an indication based on the measurement information to a user operating the receiver indicator device.
US08742313B2 Solid-state imaging device and method of adjusting reference voltage
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit that includes a plurality of pixels arranged two dimensionally and a plurality of read-out signal lines used for reading out pixel signals from the plurality of pixels; test voltage applying units that are disposed at the read-out signal lines and apply test voltages of various voltage levels to the read-out signal lines; a reference voltage generating circuit that includes a MOS transistor used for generating a reference voltage and can change an operating point of the MOS transistor; and an operating point control unit that controls a process of adjusting the operating point of the MOS transistor based on the test voltages and the reference voltage.
US08742311B2 Enhanced pixel cell architecture for an image sensor having a direct output from a buried channel source follower transistor to a bit line
A backside illuminated pixel array having a buried channel source follower of a pixel cell which is coupled to output an analog signal directly to a bitline as image data. In one embodiment, the buried channel source follower of a pixel cell is coupled to a source follower power line having a line impedance which is less than that of one or more other signal lines for operating that same pixel cell. In another embodiment, a source follower power line has a line impedance which is less than at least one of a line impedance of a transfer signal line or a line impedance of a reset signal line.
US08742309B2 Imagers with depth sensing capabilities
An imager may include depth sensing pixels that provide an asymmetrical angular response to incident light. The depth sensing pixels may each include a substrate region formed from a photosensitive portion and a non-photosensitive portion. The depth sensing pixels may include mechanisms that prevent regions of the substrate from receiving incident light. Depth sensing pixel pairs may be formed from depth sensing pixels that have different asymmetrical angular responses. Each of the depth sensing pixel pairs may effectively divide the corresponding imaging lens into separate portions. Depth information for each depth sensing pixel pair may be determined based on the difference between output signals of the depth sensing pixels of that depth sensing pixel pair. The imager may be formed from various combinations of depth sensing pixel pairs and color sensing pixel pairs arranged in a Bayer pattern or other desired patterns.
US08742305B2 Methods and apparatuses for thermal treatment of foods and other biomaterials, and products obtained thereby
Methods and apparatuses for thermally treating flowable materials using electromagnetic radiation, and foods and materials obtained thereby. Also provided are methods of continuous flow thermal treatment of biomaterials, apparatuses for performing the same, and products prepared using the methods and/or apparatuses.
US08742304B2 Multiple linked appliances with auxiliary outlet
A combination microwave and refrigerator system is constructed having a single plug input supply. The microwave oven is adapted to provide power to a refrigerator, and to auxiliary receptacles adapted for low power operation. The current to the low power receptacles and the refrigerator is controlled by the controller for the microwave oven according to the duty cycles of the connected appliances to avoid overload conditions.
US08742302B2 Heating device and its temperature control method
A heating device and its temperature control method, wherein an NTC element envelops a core member, a sensing wire is wound around an outside periphery of the NTC element for making parallel connection of the core member with the sensing wire; further, a capacitor, the sensing wire and an electric resistor are connected in series to form an RC circuit, the RC circuit is connected with a microprocessor and a switch. Thereby when the microprocessor outputs a control signal containing at least a duty cycle square wave in a predetermined time to control the switch to make a direct-current electric power source electrically charge/discharge for the RC circuit; meanwhile, the microprocessor measures RC time constant of the RC circuit, and when it detects changing of the RC time constant reaches a preset state, it outputs a control signal to make the heat emitting line and the direct-current electric power source in a state of circuit turning on or off, such that the heat emitting device is kept at a predetermined working temperature.
US08742297B2 Bottle warming device
The bottle warming device of the present invention includes a housing, a heating element disposed in the housing, and a basket receivable in the housing. The basket is movable between a first position in which a bottom of the basket is positioned a first distance from a top of the housing, and a second position in which the bottom of the basket is positioned a second distance from the top of the housing, the first distance being greater than the second distance.
US08742295B2 Inverter output rectifier circuit
In a power source of a welding system, an inverter rectifier output circuit and method for reducing the blocking voltages across saturable reactors associated with a rectifier coupled to a transformer winding in the inverter rectifier output circuit during both turn-on and turn-off transitions of the rectifier. At least a portion of a reverse recovery current associated with the rectifier is blocked by allowing blocking voltages to build across associated saturable reactors during a transition phase of the rectifier. During a turn-off portion of the transition phase, the blocking voltages are reduced using a RC circuit, thereby suppressing a peak voltage associated with the rectifier. During a turn-on portion of the transition phase, the blocking voltages are reduced using another saturable reactor in series with a free-wheeling diode.
US08742284B2 Steam plasma torch
A steam plasma torch includes a anode in the form of a nozzle, a first body for receiving the anode, a flow swirler mounted between the anode and the rod type cathode for inducing vorticity into working gas flow, an insulator connected to the first body, a second body connected to the insulator and formed with a thread, an adjusting element formed with a thread engaged with the thread of the second body, a collet fit in the adjusting element and a cathode in the form of a rod fit in the collet. A gap between the anode and cathode is adjusted when the adjusting element is rotated relative to the second body.
US08742281B2 Spot welding cap changer
The invention relates to a spot welding cap changer (1) with a cap puller (2) and two cap magazines (3, 3A), the cap puller (2) having a gripper (20) with spring-loaded, pivotable jaws (21, 22), which in response to a turning and axial pulling-off movement detaches a spot welding cap (K) of a pincer spot welding head introduced into it from a shaft of the pincer welding head in such a way that it is clamped to prevent it twisting, and the cap magazines (3, 3A) holding spot welding caps respectively in a round cap carrier (31) such that they are circularly arranged in a directed and oriented manner and are respectively transported individually one after the other into an access position against a stop (32) by an advancing force (P).
US08742280B2 Systems and methods for statistically analyzing welding operations
A welding system including a welding power source including power conversion circuitry adapted to receive primary power and to convert the primary power to a weld power output for use in a welding operation and a controller communicatively coupled to the welding power source are provided. The controller is adapted to determine a statistical signature of at least one parameter of a welding process and to utilize the statistical signature to determine at least one of an electrode type, an electrode diameter, and a shielding gas type during the welding operation.
US08742279B2 Method of creating an airfoil trench and a plurality of cooling holes within the trench
A tool for forming a trench and a plurality of cooling holes within the trench includes a body, the body including a ridge portion extending along a first side of the tool. The ridge portion is operable to mate with a workpiece to form a trench on the workpiece. A plurality of electrodes extend from the ridge portion and are oriented to form a plurality of cooling holes within the trench on the workpiece.
US08742278B2 Switchgear device for breaking a bidirectional direct current and installation with photovoltaic cells equipped with such a device
A switchgear device, for breaking a bidirectional direct current in an electric line, having at least two connection terminals, and an even number of pairs of separable contacts, arc chutes associated with pairs of separable contacts, and tripping mechanisms associated with pairs of separable contacts and connected to one another by a mechanical link, each arc chute having an arc extinguishing chamber and permanent magnets for creating a polarity enabling an electric arc to be removed to an arc extinguishing chamber when current is flowing in the electric line in a predefined direction, the predefined direction being different for one half of the arc chutes.
US08742276B2 Press key
A press key includes: a base unit having a metal plate; a position-limiting unit formed with a through hole, the metal plate and the position-limiting unit defining an accommodating space therebetween; a keycap movable between a raised position and a pressed position and including a cap body that corresponds in position to the through hole, and a flange member that extends outwardly from and around the cap body and that abuts against the position-limiting unit when the keycap is at the raised position; and an elastic restoring unit including a scissors-type lever that is connected pivotally to the keycap and the position-limiting unit.
US08742273B2 Switch module
A switch module is provided with a circuit substrate that has a metal dome sheet mounted on a surface thereof which is arranged in opposition to a key substrate, a light guiding sheet that is arranged between the key substrate and the circuit substrate, an LED, and a reflector that makes the light emitted from the LED incident into the light guiding sheet from an end thereof, wherein key parts are able to be illuminated by the switch module. At an inner side of the reflector in the light guiding sheet, there is formed a printed pattern of white ink for scattering light on an optical path of the light which transmits through a first surface from the vicinity of an edge portion of the reflector.
US08742269B2 Two-stage switch for surgical device
A surgical device control assembly includes a control device operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of a surgical device and a button operatively connected to the control device. The button has a button-actuation direction in which the button actuates, an unactuated position at a rest point of the button, a first actuated position at first distance from the rest point in the button-actuation direction, and a second actuated position at a second distance further from the rest point in the button-actuation direction than the first distance. The first actuated position effects a first of the at least two operational conditions. The second actuated position effects a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition.
US08742264B2 Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing and a flexible printed wiring board in the housing. The flexible printed wiring board includes a via, an insulator, a first conductive pattern, and a second conductive pattern. The insulator around the via includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first conductive pattern is connected to the via on the first surface. The second conductive pattern is connected to the via on the second surface.
US08742262B2 Low temperature co-fired ceramic structure for high frequency applications and process for making same
Disclosed herein is a multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) structure comprising a multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramic comprising glass-ceramic dielectric layers with screen printed thick film inner conductors on portions of the layers and with thin film outer conductors deposited on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the LTCC. At least a portion of the thin film outer conductors is patterned in the form of lines and the spacings between the lines are less then 50 μm. Also disclosed is a process for making the LTCC structure.
US08742260B2 Circuit board device and circuit board module device
Provided is a circuit board device in which printed wiring boards 11, 12 are connected to each other electrically using a anisotropic conductive member 15 disposed between the printed wiring boards 11, 12. The anisotropic conductive member 15 comprises: an insulating elastic resin material 16; fine metal wires 17 having a middle portion embedded within the insulating elastic resin material 16 so as to connect corresponding connecting terminals of the printed wiring boards 11, 12; and resin layers 18 exhibiting a flexural rigidity greater than that of the insulating elastic resin material. An assembly composed of the printed wiring boards 11, 12 and anisotropic conductive member 15 is curved. The resin layers are shape-retaining resins for maintaining the curvature of respective ones of principal surfaces of the anisotropic conductive member 15 made to conform to curvature of the printed wiring boards 11, 12.
US08742259B2 Holder for electrical component and electrical device including the holder and component
This holder includes a conductor metal part designed to be warmed for assembly of the electrical component on the metal part. It also includes a part made of synthetic material, jointed with the metal part, guaranteeing cohesion of the holder. This part made out of synthetic material contains a mass with a low melting point and a mass with a high melting point, inserted between the mass with a low melting point and the metal part. More specifically, the mass with the high melting point is made in a material with a melting point greater than the melting point of the mass with a low melting point.
US08742258B2 Bonding wire for semiconductor
A bonding wire for semiconductor includes: a core wire of copper or a copper alloy; a coating layer containing palladium and having a thickness of 10 to 200 nm; and an alloy layer formed on a surface of the coating layer. The alloy layer contains a noble metal and palladium and having a thickness of 1 to 80 nm. The noble metal is either gold or silver, and a concentration of the noble metal in the alloy layer is not less than 10% and not more than 75% by volume.
US08742255B2 Housing assembly to enclose and ground an electrical subassembly
A housing assembly to enclose an electrical subassembly includes a housing formed from a conductive polymer. The housing has a cavity sized to receive an electronic sub-assembly therein. A conductive boss is insert-molded into the housing in conductive contact with the housing. A conductive bracket is fastened to the boss in conductive connection with the boss and the housing to support and electrically ground the housing.
US08742253B1 Device configurations for CIS based solar cells
New photovoltaic device configurations utilize combinations of n-copper indium selenide (n-CIS) absorber and p-type semiconducting organic/polymeric or inorganic materials to maximize the efficiency of solar energy conversion into electric power. Fabrication methods to produce various device configurations, based on n-CIS thin films, nanoparticles, organic or polymeric materials deposited on flexible or rigid substrates are described, that simplify process steps and hence the costs for high volume solar cell manufacturing.
US08742250B2 Stationary sunlight redirecting system for increasing the efficiency of fixed-tilt PV farm
A low-cost system for increasing the electricity generation of flat panel photovoltaic (PV) farms in which sunlight redirecting elements are positioned in offset spaces provided between adjacent panel assemblies and serve to redirect otherwise unused sunlight onto solar cells disposed on one of the panel assemblies. The redirecting elements are located in a prismatic volume bounded at its upper end by an inclined upper plane that extends across the offset space separating adjacent PV panel assemblies. The redirecting elements are either mounted to at least one of the PV panel assemblies, or placed on the ground between the assemblies. Each redirecting element includes multiple reflecting and/or refracting surfaces that utilize a disclosed microoptical arrangement (e.g., focus and steer or reorient and scatter) to distribute the redirected sunlight in a substantially homogenous (uniform) distribution on the solar cells.
US08742248B2 Photoelectric conversion module and method of manufacturing the same
A photoelectric conversion module and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The photoelectric conversion module may include a light-receiving substrate in which a first functional layer having a photoelectrode is formed, a counter substrate that faces the light-receiving substrate and is electrically coupled to the light-receiving substrate and in which a second functional layer having a counter electrode is formed. The photoelectric conversion module may include a sealant formed between the light-receiving substrate and the counter substrate and positioned so as to divide a plurality of unit photoelectric cells formed between the light-receiving substrate and the counter substrate. The photoelectric conversion module may include a plurality of interconnection units electrically connecting adjacent unit photoelectric cells. The light-receiving substrate and the counter substrate may be divided into a photoelectric conversion area in which the unit photoelectric cells are formed, a sealing area in which the sealant is formed outside the photoelectric conversion area and a non-photoelectric conversion area outside of the sealing area. The interconnection units may be electrically connected to each other by a bypass unit, which may be configured to electrically connect a plurality of functional unit photoelectric cells and bypass a defective unit photoelectric cell.
US08742246B2 Thermoelectric conversion module and method of manufacturing thereof
The invention provides a thermoelectric conversion module, which can implement a high power generation capacity and high reliability of electric connection between thermoelectric conversion elements and meet various diameters and lengths of a tube as a heat source. The thermoelectric conversion module includes a straight-chain module unit. In the module unit, plural P-type elements and plural N-type elements, which are alternately arrayed, are electrically connected in series by a braided wire A and a braided wire B. The braided wire A connects one end surface of the P-type element and one end surface of the N-type element. The braided wire B connects the other end surface of the P-type element and the other end surface of the N-type element. The braided wire B is shorter than the braided wire A. The thermoelectric conversion module including only the module unit is spirally wound around a tube as a heat source.
US08742242B1 Drum tuning processor
A processor of a tuning apparatus receives a desired fundamental frequency or note and determines a frequency or note of at least one drumhead of a drum in response to the received desired fundamental frequency or note. An output at the processor outputs a value corresponding to the determined frequency or note of the drumhead.
US08742238B1 Inbred corn line UTM31
An inbred corn line, designated UTM31, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line UTM31, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line UTM31 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line UTM31 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line UTM31, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line UTM31 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08742234B1 Maize hybrid X13C714
A novel maize variety designated X13C714 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13C714 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13C714 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13C714, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13C714. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13C714.
US08742232B1 Maize hybrid X08C908
A novel maize variety designated X08C908 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08C908 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08C908 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08C908, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08C908. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08C908.
US08742226B2 Cotton variety FM 9103GT
The cotton variety FM 9103GT is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 9103GT with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 9103GT and to plants of FM 9103GT reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 9103GT.
US08742225B2 Cotton variety ST 5288B2F
The cotton variety ST 5288B2F is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety ST 5288B2F with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of ST 5288B2F and to plants of ST 5288B2F reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from ST 5288B2F.
US08742224B2 Soybean variety A1026645
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026645. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026645. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026645 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026645 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08742223B2 Soybean variety A1035813
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035813. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035813. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035813 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035813 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08742222B2 Soybean variety A1035754
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035754. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035754. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035754 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035754 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08742220B2 Soybean variety XB31N12
A novel soybean variety, designated XB31N12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB31N12, cells from soybean variety XB31N12, plants of soybean XB31N12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB31N12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB31N12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB31N12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB31N12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB31N12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB31N12 are further provided.
US08742218B2 Soybean variety XB003A12
A novel soybean variety, designated XB003A12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB003A12, cells from soybean variety XB003A12, plants of soybean XB003A12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB003A12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB003A12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB003A12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB003A12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB003A12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB003A12 are further provided.
US08742217B1 Soybean variety 20538R2Y
Disclosed is the seed of a novel soybean variety, designated 20538R2Y, a sample of which is deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-120553. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the variety, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the 20538R2Y variety, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in a soybean breeding program.
US08742216B2 Soybean cultivar S100005
A soybean cultivar designated S100005 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100005, to the plants of soybean cultivar S100005, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S100005, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S100005. 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 S100005. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100005, 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 S100005 with another soybean cultivar.
US08742215B2 Soybean cultivar S090082
A soybean cultivar designated S090082 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S090082, to the plants of soybean cultivar S090082, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S090082, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S090082. 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 S090082. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S090082, 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 S090082 with another soybean cultivar.
US08742211B2 Soybean cultivar S070140
A soybean cultivar designated S070140 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S070140, to the plants of soybean S070140, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S070140, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S070140 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S070140, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S070140, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S070140 with another soybean cultivar.
US08742210B2 Soybean cultivar 7535357
A soybean cultivar designated 7535357 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 7535357, to the plants of soybean 7535357, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7535357 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7535357 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 7535357, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7535357 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 7535357 with another soybean cultivar.
US08742204B2 Metabolic regulators
The present invention provides metabolic regulators, which are proteins (such as fusion proteins, truncated proteins or full-length proteins) that bind to specific metabolites and which can be used to control the availability of the metabolites in cells, particularly plant cells. Proteins of the invention include one or more metabolic regulator proteins, can be truncated or full length, can further comprise a transmembrane domain or lipoylation site or can further comprise a transit peptide. Metabolic regulators of the invention can be soluble, e.g., cytosolic soluble, can be anchored to a biological membrane or can be organelle targeted or apoplastic targeted. The present invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the metabolic regulators, methods of making the nucleic acid molecules, methods for making transformed organisms, including plants, photosynthetic organisms, microbes, invertebrates, and vertebrates, and methods for controlling availability of metabolites to a host cell.
US08742202B2 Transformation of sugar cane
Methods for the transformation of sugar cane are provided. The methods comprise utilizing sugar cane immature shoots as the source of plant material for transformation. Segments of the immature shoot are excised and transformed by any suitable transformation methodology. In some embodiments, the segments are cultured in embryogenic culture induction medium prior to transformation. Transformation can be performed via Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery, biolistic transformation, and the like. Transgenic plants are regenerated from plantlets grown under conditions favoring growth of transformed cells while substantially inhibiting growth of non-transformed cells.
US08742201B2 Nitrogen-regulated sugar sensing gene and protein and modulation thereof
The present invention relates to a nitrogen-regulated GATA transcription factor gene required for sugar sensing and the modulation of the expression of this gene to modulate a characteristic in a plant. The GATA transcription factor of the present invention is involved in regulating sugar sensing in plants and its expression is influenced by nitrogen status. Increased expression of this or substantially similar genes can produce plants with improved nitrogen utilization and increased yield.
US08742195B2 Aluminum phosphate ceramics for waste storage
The present disclosure describes solid waste forms and methods of processing waste. In one particular implementation, the invention provides a method of processing waste that may be particularly suitable for processing hazardous waste. In this method, a waste component is combined with an aluminum oxide and an acidic phosphate component in a slurry. A molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the slurry is greater than one. Water in the slurry may be evaporated while mixing the slurry at a temperature of about 140-200° C. The mixed slurry may be allowed to cure into a solid waste form. This solid waste form includes an anhydrous aluminum phosphate with at least a residual portion of the waste component bound therein.
US08742187B2 Variations on prins-like chemistry to produce 2,5-dimethylhexadiene from isobutanol
The method of the present invention provides a high yield pathway to 2,5-dimethylhexadiene from renewable isobutanol, which enables economic production of renewable p-xylene (and subsequently, terephthalic acid, a key monomer in the production of PET) from isobutanol. In addition, the present invention provides methods for producing 2,5-dimethylhexadiene from a variety of feed stocks that can act as “equivalents” of isobutylene and/or isobutyraldehyde including isobutanol, isobutylene oxide, and isobutyl ethers and acetals. Catalysts employed in the present methods that produce 2,5-dimethylhexadiene can also catalyze alcohol dehydration, alcohol oxidation, epoxide rearrangement, and ether and acetal cleavage.
US08742186B2 Batch process and system for the production of olefins
Described herein is a process for producing an alpha olefin by obtaining a feed stream of internal olefins having a first carbon number and alpha olefins having a first carbon number. The olefins are isomerized to increase the quantity of the alpha olefins. The olefins are then fractionated, subjecting the overhead material to catalytic metathesis to produce a mixed olefin effluent of internal olefins having a second carbon number and other hydrocarbons. The first isomerization reactor and fractionator are prepared to receive the olefins having a second carbon number, where the internal olefin intermediate is isomerized in the prepared first isomerization reactor. The second isomerization effluent is fractionated in the prepared first fractionator to separate the alpha olefins having the second carbon number from the internal olefins having the second carbon number. A corresponding system is also described, along with a heat pump that may be incorporated into the process.
US08742185B2 Use of renewable oil in hydrotreatment process
The use of bio oil from at least one renewable source in a hydrotreatment process, in which process hydrocarbons are formed from said glyceride oil in a catalytic reaction, and the iron content of said bio oil is less than 1 w-ppm calculated as elemental iron. A bio oil intermediate including bio oil from at least one renewable source and the iron content of said bio oil is less than 1 w-ppm calculated as elemental iron.
US08742182B2 Method of operating a distillation column for purifying 1,2-dichloroethane and for coupled sodium hydroxide solution evaporative concentration
Process for operating a distillation column for the removal of water and lower-boiling components than 1,2-dichloroethane from 1,2-dichloroethane in which at least part of the heat from condensation of the aqueous vapors from the distillation column is used to concentrate caustic soda solution by evaporation; furthermore, at least part of the 1,2-dichloroethane formed when chlorine and ethylene react in a direct chlorination unit is used to heat said distillation column and can subsequently also be used as a heat transfer fluid to concentrate caustic soda solution by evaporation.
US08742181B2 Process for isomerizing A (hydro)fluoroalkene
A process for isomerizing a (hydrohalo)fluoroalkene, the process comprising contacting the (hydrohalo)fluoroalkene with a catalyst a catalyst which is a chromia-containing catalyst supported on AlF3 or fluorinated alumina.
US08742178B2 Process for synthesis of acrolein
An object of the present invention is to provide a technology which can suppress the blockage and abrasion of pipes and devices caused by the production of by-products and stably synthesize acrolein at a high yield, under a condition in which energy efficiency is improved by an elevated concentration of glycerol in a reaction liquid, in a process for synthesis of acrolein by reacting supercritical water and an acid with glycerol. An embodiment of the present invention includes: setting a concentration of glycerol in the reaction liquid at 30% by weight or lower; also cooling the reaction liquid to a temperature between a temperature (300° C. or lower) at which the reaction stops and a temperature (100° C. or higher) at which tar contained in the reaction liquid can keep a state in which its viscosity is sufficiently low; then separating and removing carbon particles from the reaction liquid; subsequently cooling the reaction liquid to a temperature which is a boiling point of water or lower and at which the tar component in the reaction liquid does not adhere to devices; and then decompressing the cooled reaction liquid.
US08742176B2 Process for producing optically active 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanal compound
The invention relates to a method of producing optically active 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanal compound (2) by reacting chloroacetaldehyde with aldehyde compound (1) in the presence of optically active pyrrolidine compound (5). wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
US08742175B2 Para—or meso-functionalized aromatic ketone compounds, preparation methods thereof, and photopolymerization initiators comprising the same
The present invention discloses novel aromatic ketone compounds with functional substitution groups at para- or meta positions which can be used as photo-initiators or effective components of photo-initiator mixtures for the photopolymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated systems. The preparation of these compounds is also disclosed.
US08742173B2 Phenolic hydrazone macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibitors
Provided are various compounds of Formula (I): Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above compounds. Additionally, methods of inhibiting macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activity in a mammal are provided, as are methods of treating or preventing inflammation in a mammal. Further provided are methods of treating a mammal having sepsis, septicemia, and/or endotoxic shock. Also provided are methods of treating a mammal having an autoimmune disease, and methods of treating a mammal having a tumor.
US08742168B2 Process for the production of acetic acid
The disclosure relates to a process in which methanol is carbonylated in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture (A) comprising acetic acid, hydrogen iodide, methyl iodide, water and the catalyst. At least a part of the reaction mixture (A) is withdrawn from the reaction zone. The withdrawn part of the reaction mixture (A) is introduced into a flash zone where it is brought into contact with an alkylimidazolium iodide to form a secondary mixture (B), and where the secondary mixture (B) is separated to obtain a vapor stream (BV) which comprises the acetic acid, water and methyl iodide, and a liquid stream (BL) which comprises the catalyst, the alkylimidazolium iodide and hydrogen iodide. The vapor stream (BV) is processed to purify the acetic acid, and the liquid stream (BL) is recycled to the reaction zone. The reaction mixture (A) is brought into contact with the alkylimidazolium iodide in the flash zone 1) by introducing to the flash zone separately from the withdrawn part of the reaction mixture (A) an extraneous alkylimidazolium iodide; or 2) by introducing to the flash zone separately from the withdrawn part of the reaction mixture (A) an alkylimidazole and forming the alkylimidazolium iodide in situ by reacting the alkylimidazole with the hydrogen iodide or the methyl iodide.
US08742162B2 Method for producing optically active 1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid ester
1-Amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid ester, which is useful as a synthetic intermediate of pharmaceuticals, can be produced by a process of producing 1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid ester represented by formula (4): including a step of hydrolysis of an optically active 1-N-(arylmethylene)amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid ester represented by formula (3): which is obtained by reacting an N-(arylmethylene)glycine ester represented by formula (1): with a compound represented by formula (2): in the presence of a base and an optically active quaternary ammonium salt.
US08742161B2 Process for producing optically active bicyclo [3.1.0] hexane derivative using enzyme
There is provided a process for producing a bicyclo [3.1.0] hexane derivative represented by the formula (I) and a salt thereof including; causing an enzyme to act on an optically inactive compound represented by the formula (II) causing an asymmetric acylation reaction and a highly-stereoselective conversion to an optically active compound represented by the formula (III); and converting the compound represented by the formula (III) to the compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof.
US08742160B2 Method for preparing tricyclic derivatives
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a tricyclic derivative, and more particularly, to a method for preparing a tricyclic derivative intermediate with high yield and purity, the method including: introducing a hydroxy group by esterifying and substituting 2-fluoroisophthalic acid compound; introducing a piperidyl group; introducing a hydroxy group through reduction reaction; and then hydrolyzing the resultant compound, and to a method for preparing the tricyclic derivative using said intermediate. According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to provide a tricyclic derivative and an intermediate thereof with high productivity and economic feasibility as well as high purity and yield, by purifying a compound using re-crystallization unlike typical methods of using column chromatography. In addition, the method of the present invention can be usefully used for industrial mass production because sodium borohydride or lithium aluminum hydride with low risk of a fire is used unlike typical methods of using lithium borohydride which is not industrially applicable due to high risk of a fire.
US08742157B2 Method of preparing biphenyl-4-yl diphenyl phosphate composition
Provided is a method of preparing a biphenyl-4-yl diphenyl phosphate composition for use as a flame retardant or a plasticizer for resin, including mixing phosphoryl chloride (POCl3), 4-phenylphenol, and a catalyst, so that first dehydrochlorination occurs; and further adding phenol, so that second dehydrochlorination occurs.
US08742156B2 Anti-viral carbamimidothioic acid esters
Carbamimidothioic acid esters of formula (I) and 2-nitro-N-[4-(pyridin-4-ylamino)phenyl]-4-(quinolin-4-ylamino)benzamide are used for the treatment of influenza, and for the inhibition of a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Formulae (I), (II).
US08742153B2 Ruthenium complex mixture, method of producing the same, composition for film formation, ruthenium-containing film, and method of producing the same
For forming a thin ruthenium film of good quality by CVD method, it is necessary to form the thin film at low temperature. There hence is a desire for a ruthenium compound having a high reactivity to heat. This invention relates to a method of producing a ruthenium-containing film by CVD or the like using, as a raw material, a ruthenium complex mixture containing (2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)(ethyl-cyclopentadienyl)ruthenium and bis(2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)ruthenium, the amount of the latter compound being 0.1 to 100% by weight based on the weight of (2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium, and the like.
US08742152B2 Preparation of metal-catecholate frameworks
The disclosure provides for metal catecholate frameworks, and methods of use thereof, including gas separation, gas storage, catalysis, tunable conductors, supercapacitors, and sensors.
US08742151B2 Esters with antimicrobial, bioresistant and fungal resistant properties
A bromine/nitro moiety linked into the backbone of an ester or other compound over a wide range of occurrence rates provides antimicrobial, bio-resistant and fungal resistant properties for metal working fluids (MWF)s and other coatings. The moiety can be have the bromo and nitro groups linked to the same or different carbon atoms. The present invention also relates to urethanes, urea, amides, imides, carbonates, ethers, siloxanes, and many other types of linkages essential to MWF bases.
US08742149B2 Metalworking fluid base oil
A water-insoluble cutting fluid base oil or grinding fluid base oil for metalworking includes a fatty acid polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by the following formula (I-A), wherein a hydroxyl value of the fatty acid polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is less than or equal to 2.0 mgKOH/g. R1—CO-(OA)n-OR3  (I-A) (In the formula (I-A), R1 represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon group having 15 to 21 carbon atoms and R3 represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. In addition, A represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, OA represents alkylene oxide, and n represents 1 to 6 which is an average mole number of added alkylene oxide (AO)).
US08742148B1 Oligomerization of jojoba oil in super-critical CO2 for different applications
Dimers of jojoba oil wax esters are prepared by reacting the wax esters in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an acid catalyst in supercritical CO2. In the reaction, the double bonds of the wax esters are opened and cross link or polymerize two wax esters as dimers. The jojoba ester dimers which are produced are of the formula: wherein R1 and R1′ are independently selected from the group consisting of C15-C23 monounsaturated hydrocarbons, R2 and R2′ are independently selected from the group consisting of C8-C14 saturated hydrocarbons, and R3 and R3′ are independently selected from the group consisting of C6-C8 saturated hydrocarbons.
US08742131B2 7-azoniabicyclo [2.2.1] heptane derivatives, methods of production, and pharmaceutical uses thereof
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists and methods of using them for the treatment of muscarinic acetyl-choline receptor-mediated diseases, such as pulmonary diseases, are provided.
US08742129B2 Crystalline forms of febuxostat
New forms of Febuxostat have bean, prepared and characterized. These forms are useful for examples in the chronic management of hyperuricemia in patients with gout.
US08742127B2 Production method of 6-halogeno-3-arylpyridine derivative
[Problem]The present invention provides an industrially advantageous production method of a 6-halogeno-3-arylpyridine derivative in which cryogenic condition is not required, production step is short, and an isomer difficult to be separated is not produced as a by-product,[Solution]A production method of a 6-halogeno-3-arylpyridine derivative represented by the general formula (III) comprising: the first step reacting a 2,5-dihalogenopyridine derivative represented by the general formula (I) with a magnesiation reagent; and the second step reacting the product obtained from the above-described first step, in the presence of a palladium compound, with a halogenoaryl derivative represented by the general formula (II).
US08742126B2 Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase inhibitor
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): The compound has apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (“ASK1”) inhibitory activity, and is thus useful in the treatment of diseases such as kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy and kidney fibrosis.
US08742125B2 Process for the preparation of 2-trifluoromethyl-5-(1-substituted)alkylpyridines
2-Trifluoromethyl-5-(1-substituted)alkylpyridines of formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 independently represent H, C1-C4 alkyl, or either of R1 or R2 taken together with R3 represent a 4- to 6-membered saturated ring, or R1 taken together with R2 represents a 3- to 6-membered saturated ring optionally substituted with an O or a N atom, R3 represents C1-C4 alkyl or R3 taken together with either of R1 or R2 represent a 4- to 6-membered saturated ring, and X represents CH2, O or S, are produced efficiently and in high yield from an 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one (II) wherein R represents a C1-C4 alkyl by condensation with an enamine (III) wherein R1, R2, R3 and X are as previously defined, and R4 and R5 independently represent C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C1-C8 arylalkyl, C1-C8 haloalkyl, C1-C8 alkoxyalkyl, C1-C8 alkylaminoalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl or R4 and R5 taken together with N represent a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring, to provide an intermediate of the formula (IV) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and X are as previously defined followed by cyclization in the presence of ammonia or a reagent capable of generating ammonia. Both reactions are performed in the same nonpolar solvent without isolation and purification of intermediates.
US08742123B2 HIV integrase inhibitors from pyridoxine
The present invention relates to pyridoxine (vitamin B6) derived compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2, R4, A, L B1 and B2 are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. Compounds of formula (I) inhibit Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-integrase enzyme and are useful for preventing and treating HIV infection and AIDS.
US08742120B2 Methods of preparing factor xa inhibitors and salts thereof
The present invention provides for methods of preparing compounds of Formula I or a salt of the compound or a hydrate of the compound or salt thereof that are factor Xa inhibitors. Specifically the present invention provides a method of preparing the compound 5-chloro-N-((1-(4-(2-oxopyridin-1(2H)-yl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxamide, or a salt of the compound or a hydrate of the compound or salt thereof.
US08742109B2 Synthetic methods for spiro-oxindole compounds
This invention is directed to methods of preparing certain spiro-oxindole derivatives, which are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of sodium channel-mediated diseases or conditions, such as pain.
US08742099B2 Compounds
Compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 is 2-indanyl, R2 is 1-methylpropyl, R3 is a group selected from 2,6-dimethyl-3-pyridyl or 4,6-dimethyl-3-pyridyl, R4 represents methyl and R5 represents hydrogen or methyl or, R4 and R5 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent morpholino and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof are described, as are processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine, particularly their use as oxytocin antagonists.
US08742092B2 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.
US08742091B2 Method of promoting nucleic acid transfer
Means for transferring efficiently a desired nucleic acid into a cell is provided.The present invention comprises using a complex comprising a collagen or a collagen derivative, and a desired nucleic acid.
US08742084B2 Bioreactive agents
This invention relates to agents and conjugates that can be used to detect and isolate target components from complex mixtures such as nucleic acids from biological samples, cells from bodily fluids, and nascent proteins from translation reactions. The invention also relates to targets isolated with conjugates which may be useful as pharmaceutical agents or compositions that can be administered to humans and other mammals. The invention further relates to kits comprised of agents and conjugates that can be used for the detection of diseases, disorders and individual substances in a complex background of substances.
US08742083B1 Panel of micrornas that silence the MCL-1 gene and sensitize cancer cells to ABT-263
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that sensitize cancer cells to Bcl-2 family protein inhibitors are identified and described. Oligonucleotide panels, arrays and methods using the sensitizing miRNAs are also disclosed.
US08742080B2 Process for the glycosidation of colchicine and thiocolchicine
A process for the preparation of compounds having formula (I) is disclosed, wherein: —R1 is a methoxy or methylthio group; —R2 is a O-glycosyloxy residue. Compounds having formula (I) are prepared by reacting the corresponding precursor having R2═OH and the suitably protected 1-acetyl-glycose.
US08742075B2 Monoclonal antibodies against ANGPTL3
Monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to ANGPTL3 are provided. Monoclonal antibodies that neutralize at least one activity of ANGPTL3 are provided. Methods of treating a disorder of lipid metabolism using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are provided.
US08742073B2 Method for the preparation of a high-temperature stable oxygen-carrier-containing pharmaceutical composition and the use thereof
A high temperature-stable and highly purified α-α cross-linked tetrameric hemoglobin suitable for use in mammals without causing renal injury and vasoconstriction is provided. The dimeric form of hemoglobin is degenerated and purification processes are performed on red blood cells obtained from whole blood. Controlled hypotonic lysis in an instant cytolysis apparatus prevents the lysis of white blood cells. Nucleic acids from white blood cells and the phospholipids impurities are not detected. The blocking of reactive sulfhydryl groups in hemoglobin by a sulfhydryl reagent is performed in an oxygenated environment. Flowthrough column chromatography is used to remove different plasma protein impurities. N-acetyl cysteine is added to the α-α cross-linked tetrameric hemoglobin solution to maintain a low level of met-hemoglobin. The stabilized hemoglobin is preserved in an infusion bag with aluminum overwrap to prevent formation of inactive met-hemoglobin from oxygen intrusion. The product finds use in tissue oxygenation and cancer treatment.
US08742072B2 Bone growth particles and osteoinductive composition thereof
A biocompatible synthetic bone growth composition comprising a fibrillar collagen component and a calcium phosphate component. The composition is formed into particles, and then formed into a unitary article that may be provided at the site of a skeletal defect. An osteoinductive component may be further added, either before or after forming the unitary article. The composition may be formulated as a paste or putty and facilitates bone growth and/or repair.
US08742071B2 Lipolytic enzyme LIP2
The present invention provides a novel nucleic acid sequence, designated LIP2, encoding a lipolytic enzyme and the corresponding encoded amino acid sequences. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one novel lipolytic enzyme, recombinant lipolytic enzyme proteins and methods for producing the same.
US08742069B2 Concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solution and use thereof
The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.
US08742067B2 Anti-tumor drug, medicament, composition, and use thereof
An active polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, having an anti-tumor activity, and compositions and methods including the active polypeptide.
US08742065B2 Oxymethylene polymers, process for the preparation thereof and use thereof
Oxymethylene polymers having a bimodal distribution or having a distribution of higher modality and having a targeted content of a low molecular weight fraction of from 1 to 5 percent by mass are described. Moldings of these polymers are distinguished by high low-temperature notched impact strength associated with a high modulus of elasticity.
US08742064B2 Medical tubings made of a polymer material
Medical tubing (T), such as a guidewire, a stent, a catheter or a hollow needle, made of a kinked rigid-rod polyarylene exhibiting a outstanding characteristics including high torqueability, high pushability and high flexibility and which can be easily thin-wall extruded under especially harsh conditions.
US08742063B2 Polymer bonded redox molecules and methods of making the same
A non-leaching mediator may include a polymer having a polymeric backbone, and a plurality of phenothiazine groups bonded to the polymeric backbone. The plurality of phenothiazine groups may include at least one of a phenothiazine group having the general formula (IV): and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and “R” represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded, and a phenothiazine group having the general formula (V): and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and “R” represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded.
US08742062B2 Polyphenyl sulfone ketone copolymers
A polymer comprising sulfone groups, ketone groups and optionally substituted polyarylene groups, wherein the number of moles of sulfone groups over the number of moles of ketone groups ratio is greater than 1. A process for making such polymer, a composition comprising such polymer, and articles made therefrom.
US08742057B2 Polycarbonate resin composition
A polycarbonate resin composition (X), comprises: (A) a polycarbonate resin containing (a) a structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound having a moiety represented by the following formula (1) in a part of a structure; and (B) an aromatic polycarbonate resin, wherein a reduced viscosity of the aromatic polycarbonate resin (B) is 0.55 dl/g or less, a proportion of the aromatic polycarbonate resin (B) in the polycarbonate resin composition (X) is 30 wt % or more, and a total light transmittance of the polycarbonate resin composition (X) is 90% or less: CH2—O  (1).
US08742055B2 Production of epoxy resins using improved ion exchange resin catalysts
Use a modified, amine-functionalized anion exchange resin as a catalyst to produce a bishalohydrin ether and then dehydrohalogenate the bishalohydrin ether with an aqueous inorganic hydroxide mixture to yield a liquid epoxy resin.
US08742050B2 Two part hybrid adhesive
Provided are two part hybrid adhesives that comprise an organoborane amine complex, a polyamine, a component polymerizable by free radical polymerization, and a polyisocyanate component. An isocyanate terminated prepolymer can advantageously be used in the practice of the invention. The adhesive is particularly well suited for low surface energy plastic bonding.
US08742045B2 Polymerization initiator for living radical polymerization
Provided is a method of living radical polymerization which does not necessitate complicated and intricate synthesis of a dormant species and which is highly efficient. A halogenated derivative compound is used as a dormant species for initiating living radical polymerization. The derivative compound is obtained by halogenating an alcohol compound having a non-conjugated structure or an amine compound having a non-conjugated structure with a halogenating agent capable of halogenating an alcohol or amine. A radical produced by elimination of halogen from the halogenated derivative compound is allowed to react with the unsaturated bond of the monomer. Thus, the monomer, which has a radical-reactive unsaturated bond, is polymerized by living radical polymerization. Preferably, the halogenating agent is a compound (NIS or the like) which also has a function as a catalyst.
US08742043B2 Transition metal catalytic systems and methods for preparing ethylene homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene and olefins using the same
Disclosed herein is a group IV transition metal catalyst for producing an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene-olefin copolymers, having high catalytic activity, which includes a cyclopentadiene derivative and one or more anionic ligands having an aryl group substituted with an aryl derivative at an ortho-position thereof around a transition metal, the ligands not being crosslinked to each other, a catalyst system including the group IV transition metal catalyst and an aluminoxane cocatalyst or a boron compound cocatalyst, and a method of producing ethylene homopolymers or ethylene-olefin copolymers using the catalyst system.
US08742041B2 Processes for the polymerization of olefins with extracted metal carboxylate salts
Processes for the polymerization of olefins with extracted metal carboxylate salts are provided. The polymerization processes have increased productivity and/or increased resin bulk density.
US08742034B2 Method for the homogeneously catalyzed production of terminal group-capped polyethers
The invention provides an improved method for the production of terminal group-capped polyethers using homogeneous catalysis in the presence of Brönstedt acids.
US08742032B2 Medical appliance having a slidable coating layer and syringe
A medical appliance having a slidable coating layer that moves in contact with an inner surface of a medical member or that of a lumen and has the slidable coating layer formed at a part thereof which contacts the medical member or the lumen. The slidable coating layer is formed of a composition which does not contain solid fine particles and contains a silicone-based resin which is a product of an addition reaction between silicone having a vinyl group and silicone having a hydrogen group bonded to a silicon atom.
US08742027B2 Method for making comb polymers by drying then functionalization of the meth(acrylic)polymer backbone, resulting polymers and uses thereof
The present invention relates to processes for manufacturing comb polymers having a principal (meth)acrylic chain and polyoxyalkylated lateral groupings, obtained by drying of a solution containing at least one homopolymer of (meth)acrylic acid and/or at least one copolymer of (meth)acrylic acid with at least one other monomer, followed by functionalisation of the intermediate dry product by esterification with at least one alkoxy polyoxyalkylene glycol, and/or amidification with at least one alkoxy polyoxyalkylene amine, or ethoxylation with at least one alkylene oxide.
US08742023B2 Absorbent resin particle, process for producing the same, absorber containing the same, and absorbent article
There is provided an absorbent resin particle having an absorption rate pattern where the rate is slow in the initial stage, moderate in the middle stage, and fast in the late stage, and there is also provided an absorbent article free from problems such as skin irritation by using the absorbent resin particle.The present invention relates to an absorbent resin particle comprising a crosslinked polymer (A1) including, as an essential constituent unit, a water-soluble vinyl monomer (a1) and/or a hydrolyzable vinyl monomer (a2), and a crosslinking agent (b), wherein, in a measurement method of swelled volume per 1 g of the absorbent resin particle against physiological saline, a ratio (t2/t1) of the time (t2) until swelled volume reaches 40 ml to the time (t1) until the swelled volume reaches 5 ml is 5 to 20.
US08742020B2 Impact modifier composition, an impact resistant composition, method of producing the same, and articles made therefrom
The instant invention is an impact modifier composition and method of producing the same. The impact modifier composition comprises (a) less than 30 percent by weight of high-density polyethylene, based on the weight of the impact modifier composition; and (b) at least 70 percent by weight of chlorinated polyethylene, based on the weight of the impact modifier composition.
US08742005B2 Acrylate-based compounds and photosensitive composition comprising the same
The present invention relates to an acrylate-based compound that includes an organic acid having two or more acrylate groups and one or more phenolic acid structures in one molecule, and a photosensitive composition including the same. It is possible to shorten a developing time in a photolithography process without damaging photosensitivity by using the photosensitive composition according to the present invention.
US08742000B2 Preparation method of hot dip galvanized sheet anti-corrosive treatment agent of environmental protective
A coating composition is provided, the starting materials of which comprise nano SiO2, film-forming substance, film-forming aid, accelerator, acid, and water. The composition has pH of 3-9. A passivated zinc-plated material is also provided. The zinc-plated material comprises zinc-plated substrate and passivated coat adhered to the surface of the zinc-plated substrate, wherein the passivated coat is formed by curing the coating composition. The coating composition can impart to the zinc-plated material excellent corrosion resistance, water resistance, high temperature resistance, surface conductivity, and adhesion to the zinc-plated substrate. Additionally, the coating composition contains no Cr6+, and satisfies the requirement of EU RoHS Directive.
US08741996B2 Self-lubricating surface coating composition
A bearing having a surface and a self-lubricating surface coating composition deposited on the surface, wherein the self-lubricating surface coating composition includes a curable acrylate composition having a metallic composition. The metallic composition having a metallic acrylate compound according to Formula I: The metallic composition further includes a metallic oxide.
US08741992B2 Polycarbonate compositions with phenolically substituted triazine derivative
Disclosed is a composition comprising polycarbonate and from 0.0001 weight % to 0.1000 weight % of 2-(2,4-dihydroxy)phenyl-4,6-di(4-phenyl)phenyl-1,3,5-triazine.
US08741991B2 Fiber-reinforced polyamide[5,10] molding compounds
The present relates to nylon-5,10 molding compositions comprising A) from 40 to 90% by weight of a nylon-5,10, B) from 10 to 60% by weight of fiber-containing or mineral-containing fillers, C) from 0 to 20% by weight of further additives, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to C) is 100%. The present invention moreover relates to a process for the preparation of these molding compositions, to the use of these molding compositions for the production of moldings of any type, and to the resultant moldings, preferably motor vehicle bodywork parts or electronics components of any type, foils, and fibers.
US08741988B2 Use of cyclic carbonates in epoxy resin compositions
The present invention relates to the use of cyclic carbonates of the formula I or a mixture thereof in epoxy resin compositions and also to epoxy resin compositions which comprise such cyclic carbonates. in which R1 and R2 independently of each other are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, C5-C6-cycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl, or R1 and R2 together are a C3-C11-alkylene group; R3 and R4 independently of each other are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, C5-C6-cycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl or C2-C6-alkynyl, or R3 and R4 together are a C4-C6-alkylene group; or mixtures thereof, as additives in epoxy resin compositions.
US08741982B2 Bioactive bone cement and method for the production thereof
A bioactive and osteoconductive bone cement is produced from polyacrylates or polymethylacrylates by addition of small amounts of polymerizable monomers containing anionic groups which cause the cement surface to mineralize after being incubated in simulated body fluid. The obtained mineralized layers contain calcium phosphate phases such that the formation of fibrous intermediate layers is prevented once the bone cement has been implanted in bones. Optionally, other additives, e.g. biocompatible calcium salts, biocompatible buffering substances, or x-ray contrast agents, antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, and/or anti-inflammatory agents can be added in order to improve the properties of the cement for individual purposes. The bone cement can be used for anchoring prosthesis components in the bone, stiffening bones, filling and reconstructing all types of bone defects, as dowels for bone screws, or as an implant material for anchoring screws and other implants used for osteosynthesis.
US08741981B2 Contact lenses
The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.
US08741977B2 Foam compositions and articles including cyclodextrin crosslinked with polyurethane prepolymer and preparation thereof
An odor-absorbing foam composition comprising a cyclodextrin crosslinked with a polyurethane prepolymer. In one embodiment, the foam includes a ratio of the cyclodextrin to the polyurethane prepolymer selected to result in formation of the foam. The odor-absorbing foam may be used in a personal care product or wound care. A process for preparing a foam, including providing a cyclodextrin; providing a polyurethane prepolymer; combining the cyclodextrin with the polyurethane prepolymer; and allowing the polyurethane prepolymer to react with water and crosslink the cyclodextrin to form the foam. A process for preparing an odor-absorbing foam article such as a personal care product, including preparing the foam and applying it or the components thereof to a suitable substrate.
US08741975B2 Vulcanizable rubber composition
The present invention provides a vulcanizable rubber composition containing (A) an ethylene/α-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber, (B) a polyolefin resin and (C) a blowing agent, wherein the polyolefin resin (B) is microdispersed in a melted state in the ethylene/α-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), the polyolefin resin (B) having an average dispersed particle diameter of 2 μm or less, the polyolefin resin (B) is present in an amount of from 5 to 15 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ethylene/α-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), the blowing agent (C) is present in an amount of from 2 to 6 parts by mass per 10 parts by mass of the ethylene/α-olefin/nonconjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A), and the vulcanizable rubber composition has a specific gravity of from 1.05 to 1.15 and a Mooney viscosity (Vm) at 125° C. of from 25 to 55.
US08741973B2 Elastic expanded polymer foam based on polyolefin/styrene polymer mixtures
The invention relates to elastic expanded polymer foams and also a process for producing expanded polymer foams by sintering a mixture comprising foam particles P1 and P2 composed of different thermoplastic polymers or polymer blends, wherein the foam particles P1 are obtained by prefoaming expandable, thermoplastic polymer particles comprising A) from 45 to 97.9 percent by weight of a styrene polymer, B1) from 1 to 45 percent by weight of a polyolefin having a melting point in the range from 105 to 140° C., B2) from 0 to 25 percent by weight of a polyolefin having a melting point below 105° C., C1) from 0.1 to 25 percent by weight of a styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene block copolymer, C2) from 0.0 to 10 percent by weight of a styrene-ethylene-butylene block copolymer, D) from 1 to 15 percent by weight of a blowing agent, E) from 0 to 5 percent by weight of a nucleating agent, where the sum of A) to E) is 100% by weight.
US08741971B2 Method for operating a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
The invention relates to a method and a system for operating a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, wherein a feed gas comprising CO and H2 from coal gasification (1) is desulfurized and subsequently fed into a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis as an input gas, wherein hydrocarbons are formed from carbonic oxides and hydrogen by catalytic reactions. The hydrocarbons are separated as liquid products (4), and a gas flow comprising CO and CO2 exiting the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit (3) is compressed and fed into a conversion stage, wherein CO and steam are transformed into H2 and CO2. In the method according to the invention, the gas exiting the conversion stage is fed back into the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit as a gas rich in H2, together with the desulfurized input gas, after the gas is prepared in that CO2 and/or further components other than H2 are removed.
US08741969B2 Anti-adhesion membrane
An object of the present invention is to provide an anti-adhesion membrane that has no toxicity to a living body, has flexibility allowing itself to fit an affected part as a hydrated gel, is uniformly crosslinked, and is immediately absorbed in a living body after maintaining its shape in the living body for a certain period of time.The present invention provides anti-adhesion material, which comprises a thermally crosslinked gelatin film, and has a water content of 60 to 85% calculated by the following formula (1): water content (%)=[(Ws−Wd)/Ws]×100(%)  (1), in the formula (1), Ws representing a weight (wet weight) of the anti-adhesion material immersed in a phosphate buffered saline solution at a temperature of 25° C. for one hour, and Wd representing a weight (dry weight) of the anti-adhesion material dried completely using a vacuum drying apparatus.
US08741967B2 Use of unsaturated sphingosine compounds as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer
The present invention is directed to unsaturated sphingosine compounds which are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and for the treatment of other diseases including diabetes and infection with intracellular bacteria. This invention is also directed to methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds in treating these diseases.
US08741965B2 Method of administering a pheromone composition to an animal to modify the animals behavior over an extended period of time
A device or collar having a matrix into which an interomone is incorporated in an amount from between about 0.001% and about 5% by weight of the device is described for the modification of undesirable or harmful stress-related behaviors or other behaviors of physiology in a variety of vertebrate species over an extended period of time, as well as methods of using the device to modify behaviors of a variety of vertebrate species over an extended period of time.
US08741964B2 Uses of nonenal
The present invention relates to a method for preventing or treating dyslipidemia or fatty liver, comprising: administering to a mammalian subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising nonenal. The present composition containing nonenal as an active ingredient is very effective in preventing or treating obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, fatty liver or insulin resistance syndrome (preferably, dyslipidemia or fatty liver, more preferably hyperlipidemia or fatty liver). The composition of the present invention useful as pharmaceuticals compositions or functional food compositions has therapeutic efficacies for obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia or fatty liver, and also induces significant decrease in fasting glucose level and blood insulin level to improve type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders.
US08741953B2 Topical formulation for diabetic foot ulcers
This invention relates to a new topical gel formulation of the drug Esmolol hydrochloride for treatment of chronic wounds such as diabetic wounds, burn wounds, venous ulcers and pressure ulcers.
US08741952B2 Polymorphs of 4-[2-dimethylamino-1-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethyl]phenyl 4-methyl-benzoate hydrochloride, methods for preparing the same and use of the same
The present disclosure relates to polymorphs of 4-[2-dimethylamino-1-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethyl]phenyl 4-methylbenzoate hydrochloride, methods for preparing the same and use of the same.
US08741950B2 Methods for treating or preventing fatigue
The present invention relates to the use of compounds of the invention for treatment and/or prevention of fatigue, including fatigue associated with diseases or treatments.
US08741948B2 Oral antimicrobial pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to oral pharmaceutical compositions with controlled and/or programmed release containing at least one active ingredient having antimicrobial and/or anti-infectious activity for the treatment of infections of the large intestine, in particular the colon.
US08741941B2 Antifungal medicinal compositions
An object of the present invention is to provide a medicinal composition useful for external application in the treatment of a fungal infection reaching the lower part of a thick keratin layer. Provided is an antifungal medicinal composition, comprising: (1) a film-forming agent; (2) a water-soluble plasticizer in a form of a solid or a paste at 20° C. at 1 atm; and (3) an antifungal compound represented by a general formula (1) and/or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
US08741936B2 Method of modulating stress-activated protein kinase system
Disclosed are methods of modulating a stress activated protein kinase (SAPK) system with an active compound, wherein the active compound exhibits low potency for inhibition of at least one p38 MAPK; and wherein the contacting is conducted at a SAPK-modulating concentration that is at a low percentage inhibitory concentration for inhibition of the at least one p38 MAPK by the compound. Also disclosed are derivatives of pirfenidone. These derivatives can modulate a stress activated protein kinase (SAPK) system.
US08741933B2 Modulators of ATP-binding cassette transporters
Compounds of the present invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”). The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using compounds of the present invention.
US08741932B2 Imidazopyridine derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re and Rf are as defined in the specification, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of diseases mediated by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT 3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) or a combination thereof particularly in the treatment of cancer and inflammation.
US08741931B2 Kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds having formula: which are useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08741923B2 Oxadiazole fused heterocyclic derivatives useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other diseases.
US08741919B2 Pyrido[4,3-B]indoles and methods of use
New heterocyclic compounds that may be used to modulate a histamine receptor in an individual are described. Pyrido[4,3-b]indoles are described, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of therapeutic applications, including the treatment of a cognitive disorder, psychotic disorder, neurotransmitter-mediated disorder and/or a neuronal disorder.
US08741918B2 Parenteral formulations of dopamine agonists
This invention relates to stable pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration comprising dopamine agonists and peripheral acting agents useful for treatment of metabolic disorders or key elements thereof. The parenteral dosage forms exhibit long stable shelf life and distinct pharmacokinetics.
US08741916B2 1,3,8-trisubstituted-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decan-4-one derivatives as ligands of the ORL-1 receptor
The present invention is directed to novel 1,3,8-trisubstituted-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decan-4-one derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions mediated by the ORL-1 G-protein coupled receptor.
US08741915B2 Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one compounds as S-nitrosoglutathione reductase inhibitors
The present invention is directed to novel dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one compounds useful as S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of making and using the same.
US08741910B2 Soluble guanylate cyclase activators
Compounds of Formula I are capable of modulating the body's production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (“cGMP”) and are generally suitable for the therapy and prophylaxis of diseases which are associated with a disturbed cGMP balance. The invention furthermore relates to processes for preparing compounds of the Formula I, to their use for the therapy and prophylaxis of the abovementioned diseases and for preparing pharmaceuticals for this purpose, and to pharmaceutical preparations which comprise compounds of the Formula I.
US08741909B2 PI3 kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) and to compositions comprising the same and to the use of the compounds and their compositions in treatment, for example in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, in particular respiratory inflammatory disease. The invention also extends to methods of making the compounds.
US08741906B2 [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-D]pyrimidine derivatives
The invention relates to a compound of formula (I) wherein A, R1 and R2 are defined as in the description and in the claims. The compound of formula (I) can be used as a medicament.
US08741905B2 Compounds and methods for treating autoimmune diseases
The invention relates to a compound of Formula I:
US08741903B2 Organic compound for use in the treatment of hepatocellular cancer (HCC)
The present invention relates to the method of treating hepatocellular cancer (HCC) with 4-amino-5-fluoro-3-[6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-1H-quinolin-2-one or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a tautomer thereof, or a hydrate or a solvate.
US08741900B2 Phenyl-heteroaryl derivatives and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides phenyl-heteroaryl derivatives of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof These compounds are useful in the treatment of RAGE-mediated diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. The present invention further relates to methods for the preparation of compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions in treating RAGE-mediated diseases.
US08741899B2 (4-chloro-2-fluoro-N-(2-fluorophenyl)-5-[(8aR)-hexahydropyrrolo-[1,2-a]pyrazin-2(1H)-ylcarbonyl]-benzenesulfonamide, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof
The present application relates to calcium channel inhibitors comprising compounds of formula (I), formula (II), formula (III), or formula (IV), wherein L1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and Rc are as defined in the specification. The present application also relates to compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions.
US08741896B2 Pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives
Compounds of the formula (I), in which X, R1 and R2 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are PI3K inhibitors and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and tumors.
US08741892B2 Compounds
This invention relates to compounds of formula I their use as positive allosteric modulators of mGlu5 receptor activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of using the same as agents for treatment and/or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction such as schizophrenia or cognitive decline such as dementia or cognitive impairment. A, B, X, R1, R2, R3 have meanings given in the description.
US08741889B2 Method of treating non-small cell lung cancer and colon cancer with gamma-secretase inhibitor
The present invention provides a method for treating a patient having cancer comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of compound (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the formula: The present invention also provides a kit containing the above compound.
US08741883B2 Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of amyloid associated diseases
The invention is in general directed to compounds and methods for diagnosing, preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, for example, neuronal diseases, such as, for example, Alzheimer's disease, methods of screening for compounds useful in preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, methods of diagnostic imaging of A-beta fibrils, and compounds and methods useful for studying normal or disease-associated cellular mechanisms relating to amyloid proteins.
US08741878B2 Petroleum jelly-free unguent compositions comprising vitamin D compounds and optionally steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
Novel compositions in petroleum jelly-free unguent form, in particular for topical application, contain a vitamin D compound and optionally an active agent of the family of steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
US08741874B2 Insecticidal compositions with disinfectant
Insecticidal compositions having insecticide and disinfectant activity are provided. Preferably, the insecticidal composition contains both an insect control agent and a disinfectant. Particularly low levels (i.e., below 20%) of at least one hydrocarbon are introduced as a solvent. The insecticidal compositions further comprise an emulsifier, buffer and antifoaming agent. These insecticidal compositions are particularly suitable for delivery in a spray for non-industrial environments. In use, the present insecticidal compositions may be applied directly to or in or around any area where it is desired to control pestiferous insects and the fungi, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants associated with them.
US08741869B2 Oligodeoxynucleotide and its use to induce an immune response
A substantially pure or isolated oligodeoxynucleotide of at least 10 nucleotides is disclosed, wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide comprised a sequence represented by either formula: 5′ N1N2N3T-CpG-WN4N5N6 3′ wherein the CpG motif is unmethylated, W is A or T, and N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, and N6 are nucleotides, or the formula: 5′ RY-CpG-RY 3′ wherein the central CpG motif is unmethylated, R is A or G, and Y is C or T, as well as an oligodeoxynucleotide delivery complex and a pharmacological composition comprising the present inventive oligodeoxynucleotide, and a method of inducing an immune response by administering the present inventive oligodeoxynucleotide to a host. In some embodiments, the oligodeoxynucleotide includes the nucleic acid sequences set forth as SEQ ID NO: 137.
US08741866B2 Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of transthyretin
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a transthyretin (TTR) gene, and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of TTR.
US08741863B2 Compound and method for treating myotonic dystrophy
An antisense compound for use in treating myotonic dystrophy DM1 or DM2, a method of enhancing antisense targeting to heart and quadricep muscles, and a method for treating DM1 or DM2 in a mammalian subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotide has 8-30 bases, with at least 8 contiguous bases being complementary to the polyCUG or polyCCUG repeats in the 3′UTR region of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA in DM1 or DM2, respectively. Conjugated to the oligonucleotide is a cell-penetrating peptide having the sequence (RXRR(B/X)R)2XB, where R is arginine; B is β-alanine; and each X is —C(O)—(CH2)n—NH—, where n is 4-6. The antisense compound is effective to selectively block the sequestration of muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1) and/or CUGBP, in heart and quadricep muscle in a myotonic dystrophy animal model.
US08741861B2 Methods of novel therapeutic candidate identification through gene expression analysis in vascular-related diseases
The present invention discloses multiple treatment regimens for vascular-related diseases and disorders. The present invention provides for methods of treating vascular-related disorders based on gene expression studies from samples collected from individuals having symptoms of vascular-related disorders. Additionally, methods are disclosed involving diagnostic techniques to focus treatment regimens. Finally, methods of treating vascular-related disorder involving targeting microRNAs are also disclosed.
US08741858B2 Oligomer-nucleoside phosphate conjugates
The invention provides small molecule drugs that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water soluble, non-peptidic oligomer. The conjugates of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over previously administered compounds.
US08741848B2 Pharmaceutical composition of microspheres for preventing diabetic foot amputation
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition that comprises polymeric microspheres containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) for the application, by the parenteral route, into the lower limbs of diabetic patients with cutaneous chronic ischemic ulcerative wounds. The pharmaceutical composition described herein, in contrast with the state of the art, is useful because reduce the administration frequency during the treatment and allows for the healing of the ulcerative wounds in a shorter time interval with respect to the injection of equivalent quantities of non-encapsulated EGF.
US08741845B1 Lyophilized fibrin sealant for high volume hemorrhage
ClotBlock is a lyophilized fibrin hemostatic designed for use an adjunct or primary treatment in moderate to severe hemorrhage. It can be applied directly to the wound in a laparotomy procedure or as non-invasive sealant. Its crosslinking technology generates a strong and safe adhesive fibrin sealant required for high volume hemostasis. The attachment properties of the cake as well as the rapid formation of and stability of the fibrin clot ensures that a strong stable fibrin clot is formed within 1 to 5 minutes depending on the grade of the wound. The agent is safe, biocompatible, biodegradable and can be stored at room temperature for one year.
US08741843B2 Compositions and methods for inducing angiogenesis
An isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence HWRR as set forth by SEQ ID NO:5, the peptide consists of 4 or 5 amino acids, is provided. Also provided are methods of treating angiogenesis-related pathologies using the peptide of the invention or pharmaceutical compositions comprising same.
US08741837B2 HCV protease inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.
US08741834B2 Dipeptoid prodrugs and the use thereof
The present application relates to dipeptide-like prodrug derivatives of 2-amino-6-({[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-oxazol-4-yl]methyl}sulfanyl)-4-(4-{[2,3-dihydroxypropyl]oxy}phenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile, processes for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially of cardiovascular disorders.
US08741832B2 Pegylated albumin and uses thereof
The present invention provides PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated to hemoglobin or to albumin, wherein the PEG is a maleimide PEG, an alkylamide PEG, an iodoacetamide PEG, a p-nitro thio-phenyl PEG, a vinyl sulfone PEG, or a mixed disulfide PEG; and PEGylated albumins and PEGylated hemoglobins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to a thiolated amino group of albumin or hemoglobin, wherein the amino group is thiolated using dithio sulfo succinimidyl propionate (DTSSP) or dithiosuccinimidyl propionate (DTSP) or dithiobispropionimidate. The invention also provides methods of preparing PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising a) reacting hemoglobin or albumin with a thiolating agent and with a PEGylating agent, and b) capping unPEGylated reactive thiols of hemoglobin or albumin with N-ethyl maleimide.
US08741831B2 Amphoteric polymer for treating hard surfaces
The present invention is directed to the use of hydrophilic terpolymers in hard surface cleaners which provide easier cleaning for surface soils such as hard water stains, soap scum, limescale, mud, food, toilet stains, oil, grease, particulates and the like as well as anti-fog effects on hard surfaces such as glass, mirrors, ceramic and plastic by causing water droplets to coalesce into a film.
US08741827B2 Multi-purpose cleaner
A multi-purpose cleaning compound comprising about 4.50% to about 16.50% by volume isopropyl alcohol; about 4.50% to about 16.50% by volume vinegar; about 2.00% and about 8.50% by volume ammonia; about 2.00% by volume of at least one pre-selected surfactant; between about 0.009% and about 0.05% by volume rosemary oil; and about 56.50% and about 86.90% by volume water.
US08741824B2 EGR equipped diesel engines and lubricating oil compositions
Soot induced kinematic viscosity increase of lubricating oil compositions for diesel engines, particularly heavy duty diesel engines, equipped with EGR systems, particularly EGR systems operating in a condensing mode, can be ameliorated by addition of a phenylenediamine compound.
US08741817B2 Water-based fluid loss additive containing an amphiphilic dispersant for use in a well
A well treatment composition comprises: an aqueous liquid; a fluid loss additive, wherein the fluid loss additive comprises a high molecular weight, water-swellable polymer; and an amphiphilic dispersant, wherein the well treatment composition has an activity of at least 10%. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, the cement composition comprising: (i) cement; (ii) water; and (iii) the well treatment composition; and allowing the cement composition to set.
US08741813B2 Composition, device and associated method
A composition includes a first probe capable of binding to a first analyte and a first initiator bonded to the first probe. The composition further includes a second probe capable of binding to a second analyte and a second initiator bonded to the second probe. At least one of the first initiator or the second initiator is capable of initiating a controlled polymerization reaction. An associated kit, device, and method are provided.
US08741811B2 Detection of genetic or molecular aberrations associated with cancer
Biological samples including cell-free DNA fragments are analyzed to identify imbalances in chromosomal regions, e.g., due to deletions and/or amplifications in a tumor. Multiple loci are used for each chromosomal region. Such imbalances can then be used to diagnose (screen) a patient for cancer, as well as prognosticate a patient with cancer, or to detect the presence or to monitor the progress of a premalignant condition in a patient. The severity of an imbalance as well as the number of regions exhibiting an imbalance can be used. A systematic analysis of non-overlapping segments of a genome can provide a general screening tool for a sample. Additionally, a patient can be tested over time to track severity of each of one or more chromosomal regions and a number of chromosomal regions to enable screening and prognosticating, as well as monitoring of progress (e.g. after treatment).
US08741809B2 Liquid pyraclostrobin-containing crop protection formulations
The present invention relates to a novel liquid formulation for crop protection which comprises a) pyraclostrobin; b) at least one organic solvent S1 with a water solubility of less than 2 g/l at 20° C.; c) at least one organic solvent S2 with a water solubility of at least 2 g/l at 20° C., where S2 comprises at least one solvent S2.1 with a water solubility of more than 200 g/l at 20° C. and optionally at least one solvent S2.2 with a water solubility of 2 to 200 g/l at 20° C.; d) at least one anionic surface-active substance SA1; e) at least one nonionic surface-active substance SA2; and f) water. The invention also relates to the use of the crop protection formulation for treatment of plants and seed, and to corresponding methods.
US08741806B2 Herbicides
Compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as herbicides.
US08741803B2 Pesticidal composition and method for controlling pest
To provide a pesticidal composition which controls a pest undesirable for cultivation of a useful crop plant or a useful plant. A pesticidal composition comprising the following (component A) and the following (component B) as active ingredients:(component A): one or more compounds selected from 3-arylphenyl sulfide derivatives represented by the formula [I]:(component A): wherein R is a C2-C6 alkyl group which may be substituted, or the like, each of B0, B1, B2 and B3 which are independent of one another, is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a haloalkyl group, n is an integer of from 0 to 2, and Ar is a phenyl group, a pyrazolyl group or a triazolyl group, (component B): one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of triazamate, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, chromafenozide, halofenozide, cyflumetofen, prallethrin, acetoprole, ethiprole, methamidophos, flonicamid, pyridalyl, flufenerim, flubendiamide, tebufenozide, fenazaquin and cyenopyrafen.
US08741802B2 Method for producing an oil binding agent
A method is disclosed for producing an oil binding agent, using highly porous natural siliceous material and organic-containing remaining material, wherein the highly porous natural siliceous material having an initial grain size of between 4 and 10 mm is mixed with the organic-containing remaining material and the mixture is calcined at a temperature between 520° C. and 550° C. and then comminuted to a grain size spectrum substantially ranging between 4 and 0.125 mm.
US08741798B2 Catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation
Embodiments of the invention provide catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation. One embodiment of the invention provides a catalyst for hydrocarbon oxidation comprising: a liquid medium including aromatic hydrocarbon 150; bis(2,4-pentanedionato)platinum; bis(2,4-pentanedionato)palladium; ferrocene; magnesium 2-ethylhexanoate; and cerium (III) 2-ethylhexanoate, rhenium in an organo-metallic compound, or both.
US08741797B2 Composite body including a nitride material, a carbide material, and an amorphous phase material
A composite article having a body including a first phase that includes a nitride material, a second phase that includes a carbide material, and a third phase having one of an amorphous phase material with a nitrogen content of at least about 1.6 wt % or an amorphous phase material comprising carbon.
US08741796B2 Optical glass
A high-refractivity low-dispersion optical glass that can be stably supplied and has excellent glass stability and that has coloring reduced, composed of in mass %, 5 to 32% of total of SiO2 and B2O2, 45 to 65% of total of La2O2, Gd2O2 and Y2O2, 0.5 to 10% of ZnO, 1 to 20% of total of TiO2 and Nb2O5, and optionally other components. The optical glass has a refractive index nd of 1.89 to 2.0, an Abbe's number νd of 32 to 38 and a coloring degree λ70 of 430 nm or less.
US08741792B2 Glass composition and sealing material
Provided is a glass composition that has a low reactivity with the constituent materials forming a solid oxide fuel cell while having a thermal expansion coefficient suitable for sealing a solid oxide fuel cell, and a glass composition and sealing material that are suitable for sealing a solid oxide fuel cell. The present invention, which relates to a sealing glass composition, is a sealing glass composition used for sealing a solid oxide fuel cell, characterized by having a composition ratio of, expressed in terms of oxide, 40 to 55% by mass of SiO2, 0 to 5.0% by mass of Al2O3, 0 to 8.0% by mass of B2O3, 20 to 30% by mass of MgO, and 10 to 24% by mass of CaO, wherein a total of the MgO and the CaO is 40 to 54% by mass.
US08741782B2 Charging-free electron beam cure of dielectric material
An ultra low-k dielectric material layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, a grid of wires is placed at a distance above a top surface of the ultra low-k dielectric material layer and is electrically biased such that the total electron emission coefficient becomes 1.0 at the energy of electrons employed in electron beam curing of the ultra low-k dielectric material layer. In another embodiment, a polymeric conductive layer is formed directly on the ultra low-k dielectric material layer and is electrically biased so that the total electron emission coefficient becomes 1.0 at the energy of electrons employed in electron beam curing of the ultra low-k dielectric material layer. By maintaining the total electron emission coefficient at 1.0, charging of the substrate is avoided, thus protecting any device on the substrate from any adverse changes in electrical characteristics.
US08741780B2 Reduced corner leakage in SOI structure and method
A structural alternative to retro doping to reduce transistor leakage is provided by providing a liner in a trench, undercutting a conduction channel region in an active semiconductor layer, etching a side, corner and/or bottom of the conduction channel where the undercut exposes semiconductor material in the active layer and replacing the removed portion of the conduction channel with insulator. This shaping of the conduction channel increases the distance to adjacent circuit elements which, if charged, could otherwise induce a voltage and cause a change in back-channel threshold in regions of the conduction channel and narrows and reduces cross-sectional area of the channel where the conduction in the channel is not well-controlled; both of which effects significantly reduce leakage of the transistor.
US08741777B2 Substrate processing method
A substrate processing method for forming a space extending along a predetermined line in a silicon substrate includes a first step of converging a laser light which is an elliptically-polarized light having an ellipticity other than 1 at the substrate so as to form a plurality of modified spots within the substrate along the line and construct a modified region including the modified spots, and a second step of anisotropically etching the substrate so as to advance an etching selectively along the modified region and form the space in the substrate. In the first step, the light is converged at the substrate such that a moving direction of the light with respect to the substrate and a direction of polarization of the light form an angle of less than 45° therebetween, and the modified spots are made align in a plurality of rows along the line.
US08741775B2 Method of patterning a low-K dielectric film
Methods of patterning low-k dielectric films are described. For example, a method includes forming and patterning a mask layer above a low-k dielectric layer, the low-k dielectric layer disposed above a substrate. Exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer are modified with a plasma process. The modified portions of the low-k dielectric layer are removed selective to the mask layer and unmodified portions of the low-k dielectric layer.
US08741771B2 Reducing wire erosion during damascene processing
A damascene process incorporating a GCIB step is provided. The GCIB step can replace one or more CMP steps in the traditional damascene process. The GCIB step allows for selectable removal of unwanted material and thus, reduces unwanted erosion of certain nearby structures during damascene process. A GCIB step may also be incorporated in the damascene process as a final polish step to clean up surfaces that have been planarized using a CMP step.
US08741765B2 Controlled electroplated solder bumps
The uniformity of the composition of plated solder bumps from one batch of wafers to another is improved by controlling the rotational speed of the wafers based on the particular solder bump pattern. Embodiments include sequentially horizontal fountain electroplating a pattern of solder bumps, e.g., SnAg solder bumps, on a plurality batches of wafers and controlling the rotational speed of each batch of wafers during electroplating based on a calibration plot of the concentration of a solder bump component, e.g., Ag, as a function of rotational speed for each solder bump pattern, such that the uniformity of the Ag concentration in the patterns of solder bumps is greater than 95%, e.g., greater than 98%. Embodiments further include electroplating in the same plater sequential batches of wafers having both different patterns and different solder bump compositions at the same high throughput.
US08741762B2 Through silicon via dies and packages
A method for preparing a die for packaging is disclosed. A die having first and second major surfaces is provided. Vias and a mask layer are formed on the first major surface of the die. The mask includes mask openings that expose the vias. The mask openings are filled with a conductive material. The method includes reflowing to at least partially fill the vias and contact openings to form via contacts in the vias and surface contacts in the mask openings.
US08741761B2 Methods of manufacturing three-dimensional semiconductor devices
Methods of manufacturing three-dimensional semiconductor devices that may include forming a first spacer on a sidewall inside a first opening formed in a first stack structure, forming a sacrificial filling pattern on the spacer to fill the first opening, forming a second stack structure including a second opening exposing the sacrificial filling pattern on the first stack structure, forming a second spacer on a sidewall inside the second opening, removing the sacrificial filling pattern and removing the first spacer and the second spacer.
US08741753B2 Use of band edge gate metals as source drain contacts
A device includes a gate stack formed over a channel in a semiconductor substrate. The gate stack includes a layer of gate insulator material, a layer of gate metal overlying the layer of gate insulator material, and a layer of contact metal overlying the layer band edge gate metal. The device further includes source and drain contacts adjacent to the channel. The source and drain contacts each include a layer of the gate metal that overlies and is in direct electrical contact with a doped region of the semiconductor substrate, and a layer of contact metal that overlies the layer of gate metal.
US08741752B2 Borderless contacts in semiconductor devices
A method includes depositing a dummy fill material over exposed portions of a substrate and a gate stack disposed on the substrate, removing portions of the dummy fill material to expose portions of the substrate, forming a layer of spacer material over the exposed portions of the substrate, the dummy fill material and the gate stack, removing portions of the layer of spacer material to expose portions of the substrate and the dummy fill material, depositing a dielectric layer over the exposed portions of the spacer material, the substrate, and the gate stack, removing portions of the dielectric layer to expose portions of the spacer material, removing exposed portions of the spacer material to expose portions of the substrate and define at least one cavity in the dielectric layer, and depositing a conductive material in the at least one cavity.
US08741749B2 Semiconductor and an arrangement and a method for producing a semiconductor
The present invention relates generally to semiconductors, material layers within semiconductors, a production method of semiconductors, and a manufacturing arrangement for producing semiconductors. A semiconductor according to the invention includes at least one layer with a surface, produced by laser ablation, wherein the uniform surface area to be produced includes at least an area 0.2 dm2 and the layer has been produced by employing ultra short pulsed laser deposition wherein pulsed laser beam is scanned with a rotating optical scanner including at least one mirror for reflecting the laser beam.
US08741747B2 Method for processing a glass substrate
A method for processing a glass substrate is disclosed. A glass substrate including a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface between the first surface and the second surface is provided. An opaque conductive layer is formed on the second surface and a part of the side surface close to the second surface. Thereafter, a semiconductor process is performed on the first surface. Thereafter, the opaque conductive layer on the second surface and the part of the side surface close to the second surface is removed. The problem of transporting a transparent glass substrate by some semiconductor tools is solved without increasing tool cost by enabling the sensing and transportation of glass substrates with optical sensor and/or electrical chuck. The fabrication of devices with a glass substrate is also achieved.
US08741745B2 Method of controlling amount of adsorbed carbon nanotubes and method of fabricating carbon nanotube device
Provided are a method of controlling an amount of adsorbed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and a method of fabricating a CNT device. The method of controlling an amount of adsorbed CNTs includes adsorbing CNT particles onto a semiconductor structure, and removing some of the adsorbed CNTs by performing an oxygen plasma treatment on the adsorbed CNT particles.
US08741743B2 Integrated assist features for epitaxial growth
A method for making a semiconductor device is provided which comprises (a) creating a first mask for the epitaxial growth of features in a semiconductor device, said first mask defining a set of epitaxial tiles (219); (b) creating a second mask for defining the active region of the semiconductor device, said second mask defining a set of active tiles (229); and (c) using the first and second masks to create a semiconductor device.
US08741738B2 Method of fabrication of a semiconductor apparatus comprising substrates including Al/Ge and Cu contact layers to form a metallic alloy
The disclosure relates to integrated circuit fabrication, and more particularly to a semiconductor apparatus with a metallic alloy. An exemplary structure for an apparatus comprises a first silicon substrate; a second silicon substrate; and a contact connecting each of the first and second substrates, wherein the contact comprises a Ge layer adjacent to the first silicon substrate, a Cu layer adjacent to the second silicon substrate, and a metallic alloy between the Ge layer and Cu layer.
US08741731B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A high-k capacitor insulating film stable at a higher temperature is formed. There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method comprises: forming a first amorphous insulating film comprising a first element on a substrate; adding a second element different from the first element to the first amorphous insulating film so as to form a second amorphous insulating film on the substrate; and annealing the second amorphous insulating film at a predetermined annealing temperature so as to form a third insulating film by changing a phase of the second amorphous insulating film. The concentration of the second element added to the first amorphous insulating film is controlled according to the annealing temperature.
US08741730B2 Bi-directional self-aligned FET capacitor
A method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) capacitor includes forming a channel region; forming a gate stack over the channel region; forming a first extension region on a first side of the gate stack, the first extension region being formed by implanting a first doping material at a first angle such that a shadow region exists on a second side of the gate stack; and forming a second extension region on the second side of the gate stack, the second extension region being formed by implanting a second doping material at a second angle such that a shadow region exists on the first side of the gate stack.
US08741729B2 Dual contact trench resistor and capacitor in shallow trench isolation (STI) and methods of manufacture
A resistor and capacitor are provided in respective shallow trench isolation structures. The method includes forming a first and second trench in a substrate and forming a first insulator layer within the first and second trench. The method includes forming a first electrode material within the first and second trench, on the first insulator layer, and forming a second insulator layer within the first and second trench and on the first electrode material. The method includes forming a second electrode material within the first and second trench, on the second insulator layer. The second electrode material pinches off the second trench. The method includes removing a portion of the second electrode material and the second insulator layer at a bottom portion of the first trench, and filling in the first trench with additional second electrode material. The additional second electrode material is in electrical contact with the first electrode material.
US08741726B2 Reacted layer for improving thickness uniformity of strained structures
Methods are disclosed of forming and removing a reacted layer on a surface of a recess to provide mechanisms for improving thickness uniformity of a semiconductor material formed in the recess. The improved thickness uniformity in turn improves the uniformity of device performance.
US08741722B2 Formation of dividers between gate ends of field effect transistor devices
A method includes defining active regions on a substrate, forming a dummy gate stack material over exposed portions of the active regions of the substrate and non-active regions of the substrate, removing portions of the dummy gate stack material to expose portions of the active regions and non-active regions of the substrate and define dummy gate stacks, forming a gap-fill dielectric material over the exposed portions of the substrate and the source and drain regions, removing portions of the gap-fill dielectric material to expose the dummy gate stacks, removing the dummy gate stacks to form dummy gate trenches, forming dividers within the dummy gate trenches, depositing gate stack material inside the dummy gate trenches, over the dividers, and the gap-fill dielectric material, and removing portions of the gate stack material to define gate stacks.
US08741713B2 Reliable physical unclonable function for device authentication
The present disclosure relates to a secure device having a physical unclonable function and methods of manufacturing such a secure device. The device includes a substrate and at least one high-k/metal gate device formed on the substrate. The at least one high-k/metal gate device represents the physical unclonable function. In some cases, the at least one high-k/metal gate device may be subjected a variability enhancement. In some cases, the secure device may include a measurement circuit for measuring a property of the at least one high-k/metal gate device.
US08741712B2 Leakage reduction in DRAM MIM capacitors
A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current involves the use of a first electrode that serves as a template for promoting the high-k phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. The high-k dielectric layer includes a doped material that can be crystallized after a subsequent annealing treatment. An amorphous blocking is formed on the dielectric layer. The thickness of the blocking layer is chosen such that the blocking layer remains amorphous after a subsequent annealing treatment. A second electrode layer compatible with the blocking layer is formed on the blocking layer.
US08741710B2 Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices using a plasma process with non-silane gas including deuterium
Semiconductor devices are fabricated using a plasma process with a non-silane gas that includes deuterium, and which may result in improved device reliability and/or other improved device operational characteristics. One such method can include forming a gate oxide layer on a transistor region, which is defined on a substrate, and forming a gate electrode on the gate oxide layer. An etch stop layer is formed on the gate oxide layer and the gate electrode. A plasma process is performed on the interface between the gate oxide layer and the substrate using a non-silane treatment gas including deuterium. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A bottom metal line is formed on the interlayer dielectric layer.
US08741703B2 Method for manufacturing FinFET with improved short channel effect and reduced parasitic capacitance
The present application discloses a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method may comprise providing a fin in a semiconductor layer of a SOI substrate, and providing a stack of gate dielectric and gate conductor on only a first side of the fin. The gate conductor may extend laterally away from the first side of the fin in a gate extending direction. The method may comprise doping the fin at its other two opposing sides so as to provide a source region and a drain region. Each of the source and drain regions may have a portion extending laterally away from a second side, opposite to the first side, of the fin in a source/drain extending direction. The gate extending direction and the source/drain extending direction can be parallel to the main surface of the SOI substrate, while being opposite to each other. The method may comprise providing a channel region at a central portion of the fin.
US08741702B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to manufacture a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor at low cost with high productivity in such a manner that a photolithography process is simplified by reducing the number of light-exposure masks. In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a channel-etched inverted-staggered thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film and a conductive film are etched using a mask layer formed with the use of a multi-tone mask which is a light-exposure mask through which light is transmitted so as to have a plurality of intensities. In etching steps, a first etching step is performed by dry etching in which an etching gas is used, and a second etching step is performed by wet etching in which an etchant is used.
US08741700B1 Non-volatile graphene nanomechanical switch
Methods for making non-volatile switches include depositing gate material in a recess of a substrate; depositing drain metal in a recess of the gate material; planarizing the gate material, drain metal, and substrate; forming sidewalls by depositing material on the substrate around the gate material; forming a flexible conductive element between the sidewalls to establish a gap between the flexible conductive element and the gate material, such that the gap separating the flexible conductive element and the gate material is sized to create a negative threshold voltage at the gate material for opening a circuit; and forming a source terminal in electrical contact with the flexible conductive element.
US08741699B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
Techniques capable of improving the yield of IGBTs capable of reducing steady loss, turn-off time, and turn-off loss are provided. Upon formation of openings in an interlayer insulting film formed on a main surface of a substrate, etching of a laminated insulating film of a PSG film and an SOG film and a silicon oxide film is once stopped at a silicon nitride film. Then, the silicon nitride film and the silicon oxide film are sequentially etched to form the openings. As a result, the openings are prevented from penetrating through an n-type source layer and a p+-type emitter layer having a thickness of 20 to 100 nm and reaching the substrate.
US08741698B2 Atomic layer deposition of zirconium oxide for forming resistive-switching materials
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be used to form a dielectric layer of zirconium oxide for use in a variety of electronic devices. Forming the dielectric layer includes depositing zirconium oxide using atomic layer deposition. A method of atomic layer deposition to produce a metal-rich metal oxide comprises the steps of providing a silicon substrate in a reaction chamber, pulsing a zirconium precursor for a predetermined time to deposit a first layer, and oxidizing the first layer with water vapor to produce the metal-rich metal oxide. The metal-rich metal oxide has superior properties for non-volatile resistive-switching memories.
US08741694B1 Placing heat sink into packaging by strip formation assembly
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe semiconductor device packaging techniques and devices that incorporate a heat spreader into the insulating material of a packaged semiconductor device. In one embodiment, a device comprising a semiconductor device is coupled to a substrate, and insulating material covers (i) a portion of the semiconductor device and (ii) a portion of the substrate. The device also comprises a heat spreader embedded in the insulating material and the heat spreader is isolated from the substrate at least in part by the insulating material.
US08741692B1 MEMS wafer-level packaging
A method for forming semiconductor devices with wafer-level packaging (WLP) includes providing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, forming a mask on a silicon layer of the SOI substrate, etching the silicon layer through openings in the mask to form elements initially bonded to but later released from an insulator layer of the SOI substrate, bonding a support substrate to the silicon layer, depositing metal over through holes in the support substrate to contact the silicon layer, and singulating the semiconductor devices from the bonded SOI substrate and the support substrate. The support substrate defines depressions opposite the elements so the elements are not bonded to the support substrate. Each semiconductor device includes a hermetically sealed package having a portion of the SOI substrate and a portion of the support substrate.
US08741691B2 Method of fabricating three dimensional integrated circuit
A method of fabricating a three dimensional integrated circuit comprises forming a redistribution layer on a first side of a packaging component, forming a holding chamber in the redistribution layer, attaching an integrated circuit die on the first side of the packaging component, wherein an interconnect bump of the integrated circuit die is inserted into the holding chamber, applying a reflow process to the integrated circuit die and the packaging component and forming an encapsulation layer on the packaging component.