| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08773949B2 |
Removing noise from a seismic measurement
A technique includes spatially filtering a signal that is derived from a seismic acquisition. The filtering is associated with a filter length, and the filtering includes varying the filter length with frequency. The filtering may be used in connection with adaptive noise attenuation, which is applied to decomposed subbands. Furthermore, the filtering may be applied during the reconstruction of the signal from the subbands. |
| US08773947B2 |
Instrumentation probe for in situ measurement and testing of seabed
A probe assembly (1) suitable for use with apparatus for use in the investigation and/or analysis of an underwater floor of a body of water such as, for example, a seabed. The apparatus includes a depth penetration device (10), and an underwater floor testing tool (11, 12). The probe assembly (1) includes a first coupling for operatively connecting the probe to the depth penetration device (10) and a second coupling for operatively connecting the probe assembly (1) to the underwater floor testing tool (11, 12). The probe assembly (1) further includes a signal processing module (5) for processing information from the tool, a data transmission module (2) for the transmission of data from the signal processing module (5), a power source (3) for operating the data transmission module (2) and the signal processing module (5) and a switch module (4) for selectively connecting from the power source (3) to the data transmission module (2) and signal processing module (5). |
| US08773937B2 |
Memory refresh apparatus and method
An apparatus includes multiple first memory circuits, in which the multiple first memory circuits are positioned on at least one dual in-line memory module (DIMM). The apparatus includes an interface circuit operable to interface the first memory circuits with a system; present the first memory circuits to the system as one or more simulated second memory circuits; transmit, in response to receiving a first refresh control signal sent from the system to the one or more simulated memory circuits, multiple second refresh control signals to the first memory circuits; and apply a respective delay to each second refresh control signal transmitted to a corresponding first memory circuit. Each simulated second memory circuit has a corresponding second memory capacity that is greater than a first memory capacity of at least one of the first memory circuits. |
| US08773936B2 |
Semiconductor memory with sense amplifier
In an exemplary aspect, the present invention provides a semiconductor memory device including sense amplifiers that drive bit lines to which memory cells are connected, and driver transistors that supply a power supply to the sense amplifiers, wherein the sense amplifiers are arranged in rows and constitutes a first sense-amplifier row in which transistors of a first conductive type are arranged and a second sense-amplifier row in which transistors of a second conductive type are arranged, and the driver transistors constitutes at least one transistor row including a first driver transistor of the first conductive type corresponding to the first sense-amplifier row and a second driver transistor of the second conductive type corresponding to the second sense-amplifier row between the first sense-amplifier row and the second sense-amplifier row. |
| US08773932B2 |
Built-in self-test circuit applied to high speed I/O port
A built-in self-test circuit (BIST) applied to a high speed I/O port is provided. The BIST circuit includes a detecting unit, a flag unit and a selecting unit. The detecting unit has a first input terminal for receiving a serial output signal, a second input terminal for receiving a serial enable signal, and an output terminal for generating a detection signal. The flag unit receives the detection signal and generates a flag signal. The selecting unit receives the serial output signal, the serial enable signal and the flag signal. When a reset signal is at a first level, the selecting unit transmits the serial output signal and the serial enable signal to the I/O port. When the reset signal is at a second level, the serial output signal and the serial enable signal possesses a predetermined relationship. |
| US08773929B1 |
Single-event-upset resistant memory cell with triple well
A memory cell (300) having a plurality of transistors connected so as to restore a data value to a node of the memory cell to an initial value following an event upsetting the initial value. A first transistor (306) of a first type is in a first well (334) of a second type having a first well tap (342). A second transistor (308) of the first type is in a second well (336) of the second type having a second well tap (344). A third transistor (310) of the second type is in a third well (338) of the first type having a third well tap (346); and a fourth transistor (312) of the second type is in a fourth well (340) of the first type having a fourth well tap (348). The first well, second well, third well, and forth well are isolated from each of the other wells. |
| US08773927B2 |
Adjusting bit-line discharge time in memory arrays based on characterized word-line delay and gate delay
A memory tracking circuit controls discharge duration of a tracking bit-line based on (i) a signal received at the far end of a tracking row after a propagation delay and (ii) a signal applied to a transistor-based gate delay. The tracking circuit (i) extends the discharge duration when one or more of (a) the propagation delay and (b) the transistor-based gate delay is shorter than an uncontrolled discharge duration of the tracking bit-line, and (ii) does not extend the discharge duration otherwise. Based on the discharge duration, the tracking circuit activates a reset signal that resets a clock-pulse generator to switch the memory from an access operation to a recess state. Controlling the discharge duration, and consequently the reset signal, based on the propagation delay and the gate delay allows the clock-pulse generator to adjust access times to account for the memory array configuration and process, temperature, and voltage conditions. |
| US08773920B2 |
Reference generator with programmable M and B parameters and methods of use
A reference generator with programmable m and b parameters and methods of use are provided. A circuit includes a first generator operable to generate a first voltage including a fraction of a supply voltage. The circuit further includes a second generator operable to generate a second voltage. The circuit further includes a mixer and buffer circuit operable to output a reference voltage including a sum of the first and second voltages. |
| US08773918B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of writing into semiconductor memory device
The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell, a pair of bit lines and a cell power line connected to the memory cell, a first switch connected to the bit lines and a power voltage line, a second switch connected to the cell power line and a write assist cell power line, and a write control circuit configured to control the bit lines, the first switch and the second switch, wherein the write control circuit applies a first voltage of a high level to one bit line and a second voltage of a low level to the other bit line, connects one bit line to the power voltage line and disconnects the other bit line from the power voltage line by the first switch, and then connects the cell power line to the write assist cell power line lower which is than the first voltage by the second switch. |
| US08773914B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and related methods for performing read and verification operations
A semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array configured to store data, a sensing unit configured to perform a read operation the memory cell array by sensing a bitline in a plurality of reading steps in response to a single read command, and a sensing time controller configured to generate a control signal to control a variable reading time for each reading step of the sensing unit. |
| US08773913B1 |
Systems and methods for sensing in memory devices
Memory circuits and systems are provided. One memory circuit includes an active memory device, an inactive memory device, and a sense amplifier coupled between the active memory device and the inactive memory device. A reference current is coupled between the inactive memory device and the sense amplifier. The active memory device and the inactive memory device are the same type of memory device and the inactive memory device is a reference device with respect to the active memory device's current. A memory system includes a plurality of the above memory circuit coupled to one another. Methods for sensing current in a memory circuit are also provided. One method includes supplying power to a first memory device and comparing the amount of current in the first memory device and a reference current coupled to a second memory device that is the same type of memory device as the first memory device. |
| US08773912B2 |
Soft landing for desired program threshold voltage
Methods of programming memory cells are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, programming is accomplished by applying a first set of programming pulses to program to an initial threshold voltage, and applying a second set of programming pulses to program to a final threshold voltage. |
| US08773910B2 |
Programming to mitigate memory cell performance differences
Methods for programming and memory devices are disclosed. In one such method for programming, a first programming voltage applied to control gates of a group of memory cells generates a maximum threshold voltage of the group of memory cell threshold voltages. A voltage difference between the maximum threshold voltage and a maximum target voltage is used as a gate step voltage for a second programming voltage. Fast and slow programming memory cells are determined from the distribution resulting from the second programming voltage. An effective gate voltage applied to the control gates of the fast programming memory cells is less than an effective gate voltage applied to the control gates of the slow programming memory cells during the third programming voltage. |
| US08773907B2 |
Reading memory cell history during program operation for adaptive programming
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to write performance of a memory device. |
| US08773904B2 |
Optimized threshold search in analog memory cells
A method includes storing data in a group of analog memory cells. The memory cells in the group are read using first read thresholds to produce first readout results, and re-read using second read thresholds to produce second readout results. Third read thresholds, which include at least one of the first read thresholds and at least one of the second read thresholds, are defined. Readout performance of the first, second and third read thresholds is evaluated based on the first and second readout results. The first, second or third read thresholds are selected based on the evaluated readout performance, and data recovery is performed using the selected read thresholds. |
| US08773903B2 |
High speed high density nand-based 2T-NOR flash memory design
A two transistor NOR flash memory cell has symmetrical source and drain structure manufactured by a NAND-based manufacturing process. The flash cell comprises a storage transistor made of a double-poly NMOS floating gate transistor and an access transistor made of a double-poly NMOS floating gate transistor, a poly1 NMOS transistor with poly1 and poly2 being shorted or a single-poly poly1 or poly2 NMOS transistor. The flash cell is programmed and erased by using a Fowler-Nordheim channel tunneling scheme. A NAND-based flash memory device includes an array of the flash cells arranged with parallel bit lines and source lines that are perpendicular to word lines. Write-row-decoder and read-row-decoder are designed for the flash memory device to provide appropriate voltages for the flash memory array in pre-program with verify, erase with verify, program and read operations in the unit of page, block, sector or chip. |
| US08773901B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device preventing shift in threshold voltage of erase cell and program method thereof
A program method of a nonvolatile memory device includes programming data of a first bit into a target page of a plurality of pages in a memory cell array, sensing the programmed data and storing the sensed data in a page buffer coupled to the memory cell array, erasing data of the target page, inputting data of a second bit to the page buffer and generating program data by combining the data of the second bit and the data of the first bit stored in the page buffer, and programming the program data into the target page. |
| US08773899B2 |
Variable resistance memory programming
Some embodiments include a device having memory elements and methods of storing information into the memory elements. Such methods can include increasing a temperature of a portion of a memory element for a time interval during an operation to change a resistance state of the memory element. After the time interval, the methods can include decreasing the temperature of the portion of the memory element. Decreasing the temperature can be performed using a signal having a first negative slope and a second negative slope. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08773898B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing programming time of a memory cell
A method is provided for programming a memory cell having a first terminal coupled to a word line and a second terminal coupled to a bit line. During a first predetermined time interval, the word line is switched from a first standby voltage to a first voltage, the bit line is switched from a second standby voltage to a predetermined voltage, and a voltage drop across the first and second terminals is a safe voltage that does not program the memory cell. During a second predetermined time interval, the word line is switched from the first voltage to a second voltage, and a voltage drop across the first and second terminals is a programming voltage that is sufficient to program the memory cell. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US08773897B2 |
Writing circuit for a magnetoresistive memory cell, memory cell arrangement and method of writing into a magnetoresistive memory cell of a memory cell arrangement
A writing circuit for a magnetoresistive memory cell is provided. The writing circuit includes a first electrical connecting terminal, a second electrical connecting terminal, a third electrical connecting terminal, a fourth electrical connecting terminal, a first reference potential terminal, a second reference potential terminal, a first switch configured to couple one of the first electrical connecting terminal, the second electrical connecting terminal, the third electrical connecting terminal and the fourth electrical connecting terminal to the magnetoresistive memory cell, and a second switch configured to couple the first reference potential terminal to the magnetoresistive memory cell if the first electrical connecting terminal or the second electrical connecting terminal is coupled to the magnetoresistive memory cell, and to couple the second reference potential terminal to the magnetoresistive memory cell if the third electrical connecting terminal or the fourth electrical connecting terminal is coupled to the magnetoresistive memory cell. |
| US08773896B2 |
Nonvolatile latch circuit
One embodiment of a nonvolatile latch circuit comprises a latch circuitry configurated to temporarily hold data and comprising a first output terminal, the latch circuitry is coupled to a high voltage source at a first source terminal and to a low voltage source at a second source terminal, and a first nonvolatile memory element configurated to store said data and comprising a low resistance and a high resistance. The first memory element is connected in-series with a first transistor and coupled between the first output terminal and an intermediate voltage source. The resistance of the first memory element is changed by a bidirectional current running between the first output terminal and the intermediate voltage source, wherein an electrical potential of the intermediate voltage source is higher than that of the low voltage source but lower than that of the high voltage source. Other embodiments are described and shown. |
| US08773890B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first cell array includes memory cells and reference cells, a second cell array located adjacent to the first cell array in a first direction, a third cell array located adjacent to the first cell array in a second direction crossing the first direction, a fourth cell array located adjacent to the second cell array in the second direction, and a sense amplifier connected to the first to fourth cell array and configured to compare a current through a memory cell with a current through a reference cell to determine the data of the memory cell. A reference cell is selected from a cell array which is diagonally opposite to a cell array as a read target. |
| US08773888B2 |
Method of operating semiconductor device including variable resistance device
According to an example embodiment, a method of operating a semiconductor device having a variable resistance device includes: applying a first voltage to the variable resistance device to change a resistance value of the variable resistance device from a first resistance value to a second resistance value that is different from the first resistance value; sensing a first current flowing through the variable resistance device to which the first voltage is applied; determining a second voltage used for changing the variable resistance device from the second resistance value to the first resistance value, based on a dispersion of the sensed first current; and applying the determined second voltage to the variable resistance device. |
| US08773885B2 |
Semiconductor memory device featuring selective data storage in a stacked memory cell structure
A semiconductor device including: a first memory cell including a non-volatile first variable resistance element that stores data by varying a resistance value and a selection transistor that selects the first variable resistance element; a first memory layer provided with more than one such first memory cell arranged in a plane; a second memory cell including a non-volatile second variable resistance element that stores data by varying a resistance value and a selection diode that selects the second variable resistance element; and a second memory layer provided with more than one such second memory cell arranged in a plane; wherein more than one such second memory layer is stacked over the first memory layer. |
| US08773883B2 |
System and memory module
A system includes: a controller, a first memory module connected to the controller through a first data bus, and a second memory module connected to the controller through a second data bus, wherein the first memory module includes: first and second memory chips; a first data terminal connected to the first data bus, and a first switch unit that electrical connects the first data terminal with either the first memory chip and the second memory chip, and the second module includes: third and fourth memory chips; a second data terminal connected to the second data bus, and a second switch unit that switches over electrical connection of the second data terminal with either the third memory chip or the fourth memory chip. |
| US08773882B2 |
Mixed-scale electronic interfaces
Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of programming nanowire-to-conductive element electrical connections. The method comprises: providing a substrate including a number of conductive elements overlaid with a first layer of nanowires, at least some of the conductive elements electrically coupled to more than one of the nanowires through individual switching junctions, each of the switching junctions configured in either a low-conductance state or a high-conductance state; and switching a portion of the switching junctions from the low-conductance state to the high-conductance state or the high-conductance state to the low-conductance state so that individual nanowires of the first layer of nanowires are electrically coupled to different conductive elements of the number of conductive elements using a different one of the switching junctions configured in the high-conductance state. Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a nanowire structure including a mixed-scale interface. |
| US08773875B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
According to one embodiment, a power conversion apparatus includes a first LC circuit, a first switch, a second switch, a smoothing capacitor, a second LC circuit and a controller. The first switch is connected to the AC power supply through the first LC circuit. The second switch is connected in series to the first switch. The smoothing capacitor is connected in parallel to a series circuit of the first switch and the second switch. The second LC circuit is connected between a connection point between the first switch and the second switch and a load. The controller outputs a first pulse signal to the first switch when a voltage polarity of the AC power supply is positive, and outputs a second pulse signal to the second switch when the voltage polarity is negative. |
| US08773868B2 |
Holder for add-on card and circuit board assembly
A holder includes a main-body disposed on a main circuit-board, a moving-arm, a fixed metal piece, and a moving metal piece. A support portion protrudes from a front side of the main-body and provides a supporting surface. The moving-arm includes a support block and an extension block. The support block is disposed to the front side, and an upper edge of the support block and the supporting surface are arranged in the same plane. The moving-arm moves to make the extension block protrude from the main-body. The fixed metal piece extends to a location between the support block and the front side. A part of the moving metal piece is located between the supporting block and the front side, while the other part extends to the extension block, so that at the moving metal piece is partially exposed corresponding to the front side. |
| US08773867B2 |
Camera module for shielding EMI
A camera module is disclosed. The camera module in accordance with the present invention includes: a printed circuit board having a grounding pad formed on one surface thereof; a housing mounted on an upper side of the printed circuit board and including a lens inside thereof; a shield covering the housing in order to shield electromagnetic waves from an outside and having an opening cavity formed therein in correspondence with a location of the grounding pad; and a solder formed in the opening cavity and connecting the shield with the grounding pad. |
| US08773866B2 |
Radio-frequency packaging with reduced RF loss
A device includes an interposer and a radio-frequency (RF) device bonded to a first side of the interposer. The interposer includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The interposer does not have through-interposer vias formed therein. First passive devices are formed on the first side of the interposer and electrically coupled to the RF device. Second passive devices are formed on the second side of the interposer. The first and the second passive devices are configured to transmit signals wirelessly between the first passive devices and the second passive devices. |
| US08773862B1 |
High-definition multimedia interface tap device
Preferred embodiments of a radio-frequency and electrical power distribution duct are implemented with high-definition multimedia interface HDMI receptacles to deliver high-bandwidth digital signals to multiple signal receivers. |
| US08773859B2 |
Driver package
A driver assembly with an efficient mechanism for transferring heat away from an integrated circuit (IC) chip via a heat transfer member and conductive pattern lines formed on a substrate. The IC chip is mounted on connectors and is placed above the substrate. The IC chip operatively communicates with the display panel via at least a subset of the conductive pattern lines and a subset of the connectors. A heat transfer member is formed on the substrate and is configured to transfer heat generated by the integrated circuit to a component having a lower temperature than the IC chip. A heat transfer element is placed between the IC chip and the heat transfer member to transfer the heat generated by the IC chip to the heat transfer member. |
| US08773854B2 |
Thermosiphon systems for electronic devices
A thermosiphon system includes a condenser and an evaporator fluidically coupled to the condenser by a condensate line. The evaporator includes a housing having an opening to the condensate line, a wick located in the housing, and a flow restrictor located in the housing configured to restrict flow of a working fluid from the condensate line onto a portion of the wick. |
| US08773852B2 |
Air flow management device for use in an electronics system
A heat management system may include a generally planar printed circuit board extending in a first plane, heat-generating electrical components mounted on a first side of the PCB, and an air baffle coupled to the PCB and configured to direct air flow across some of the components. The air baffle may include a generally planar air baffle body extending in a second plane parallel to and offset from the first plane of the PCB such that at least one of the components is located in an area between the air baffle body and the PCB, an opening in the generally planar body, and a generally planar wing coupled to the air baffle body at a first side of the opening and extending toward the PCB at an askew angle relative to the first plane of the air baffle body, the wing being configured to facilitate air flow through the opening. |
| US08773846B2 |
Connecting assembly and electronic apparatus having same
A connecting assembly for connecting a first member and a second member, and the connecting assembly includes a resilient receiver and a securing plug. The second member defines a through hole. The resilient receiver is fixed to the first member and also defines a receiving space. A top of the resilient receiver passes through the through hole. The securing plug is configured to be inserted into the receiving space, which expands a part of the resilient receiver so as to fix the top of the resilient receiver on the second member thereby connecting the first member with the second member. Present disclosure also provides an electronic apparatus having the connecting assembly. |
| US08773841B2 |
Charge storage device
A supercapacitor capable of withstanding SMT manufacturing conditions includes at least one pair of electrodes having a mixture of carbon particles preferably in a CMC binder on facing surfaces of the at least one pair of electrodes; a porous separator, preferably polyimide, positioned between the facing surfaces of the at least one pair of electrodes; and an electrolyte for wetting the separator wherein the electrolyte includes an ionic liquid, such as EMITSFI, and optionally a solvent such as PC, GBL or glutaronitrile. |
| US08773838B2 |
Sterilization method, ion generating device, ion generating apparatus, and air conditioning apparatus
An ion generating device generates O2−(H2O)n (where n is a natural number) as negative ions and H+(H2O)m (where m is a natural number) as positive ions, and discharges those ions into the air so that airborne germs are killed through an oxidation reaction by hydrogen peroxide H2O2 or radical hydroxyl OH generated through as an active species a chemical reaction between the negative and positive ions. Satisfactory sterilization is achieved when the negative and positive ions are generated in such a way that the concentrations of the negative and positive ions are both 10,000 ion/cc at a distance of 10 cm from the point at which they are generated. |
| US08773833B2 |
Electronic control device including interrupt wire
An electronic control device includes a substrate, a plurality of component-mounted wires disposed on the substrate, a plurality of electronic components mounted on the respective component-mounted wires, a common wire disposed on the substrate and coupled with each of the electronic components, an interrupt wire coupled between one of the component-mounted wires and the common wire, a connection wire via which the interrupt wire is coupled with one of the common wire and the one of the component-mounted wires, and a solder disposed between each of the electronic components and a corresponding one of the component-mounted wires and having a lower melting point than the interrupt wire. The interrupt wire is configured to melt in accordance with heat generated by an overcurrent so as to interrupt a coupling between the one of the component-mounted wires and the common wire. |
| US08773828B2 |
Busbar differential protection method
The present invention relates to a busbar differential protection method. For each bay, firstly, zero-crossing point of voltage is determined according to sample values of voltage, then the current values are re-sampled on a current fitting curve by using zero-crossing point of voltage as a synchronous signal according to a given sampling time period to get a sample sequence. The sample sequence is comprised of current values of sampling points and sample serial numbers. The sample serial numbers of sampling points at the same time are same for the sample sequence of respective interval. Finally, computing is done to sample sequences of respective intervals, and differential protection is achieved. |
| US08773824B2 |
ESD protection device and manufacturing method therefor
An ESD protection device includes a ceramic base material including a glass component, a first opposed electrode on one side of the ceramic base material and a second opposed electrode on the other side of the ceramic base material, which are arranged so as to include ends that are opposed to each other on the surface of the ceramic base material, and a discharge auxiliary electrode disposed between the first and second opposed electrodes, which is connected to each of the first and second opposed electrodes, and arranged so as to provide a bridge from the first opposed electrode to the second opposed electrode, and a sealing layer to prevent the ingress of the glass component from the ceramic base material into the discharge auxiliary electrode is provided between the discharge auxiliary electrode and the ceramic base material. |
| US08773820B1 |
PZT microactuator for disk drive suspension having electrical via and wrap-around electrode
A PZT microactuator for a disk drive suspension has a first electrode on a majority of its top surface, a second electrode on a majority of its bottom surface, the first electrode extending to a small portion of the bottom surface through a via filled with a conductive material such as conductive epoxy. The microactuator may be cut near the via during manufacturing in order to separate it from the bulk PZT material. Alternatively, the microactuator may be cut through the via in which case the via becomes a conductive column at the side edge of the microactuator. The conductive column may be coated with an encapsulant in order to prevent particle shed from the cut material. |
| US08773819B2 |
Actuator mounting section of disk drive suspension, method of applying electrically conductive paste, and paste application device
Actuator elements are accommodated in openings formed in a conductive plate. These actuator elements are secured to the conductive plate by a resin bonding material. An electrode of each actuator element and the conductive plate are electrically connected to each other by a bridge junction consisting of an conductive paste. A paste application device discharges the conductive paste toward the bridge junction by air. A control unit configured to control the discharge of the conductive paste sets the air pressure according to the elapsed time of use of the conductive paste so that the height of the paste above the resin bonding material is not less than a target height. The target height is maintained by increasing the air pressure with increase of the elapsed time of use of the conductive paste. |
| US08773813B2 |
Manufacturing method of disk drive device capable of reducing amount of unbalance, disk drive device and subassembly thereof
A disk drive device is provided with a recording disk, a base member, a bearing unit, and a hub member. In a marking step, unbalance information indicating the displacement of the center of gravity of the hub member with respect to the rotation center of the hub member is acquired, and an information mark containing the unbalance information is applied to at least the hub member or the base member. In an installing and adjustment step, the unbalance information is read form the information mark, and the position for installing the recording disk in an outer cylinder part is determined in accordance with the unbalance information so as to install the recording disk on the hub member. |
| US08773812B1 |
Systems and methods for providing adsorptive surface coatings on internal components of a storage drive
Systems and methods for providing adsorptive surface coatings on internal components of a storage drive to adsorb contaminants are provided. One such system relates to a storage device including a magnetic media configured to store information, a head configured to read information from the media and to write information to the media, and at least one internal component selected from the group consisting of an internal surface of a housing of the storage device, a recirculation filter, an anti-disk, an actuator arm for moving the head, and a voice coil motor, where a contaminant adsorptive coating is disposed on a portion of the at least one internal component, where the contaminant adsorptive coating is configured to bond with preselected contaminants. |
| US08773808B2 |
Magnetic disk device and head-position control method
A magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk on which servo information is recorded, a head to read the servo information of the magnetic disk, and a position control module. When carrying out positioning control of the head, the position control module estimates frequency components of noise in a head positioning control process, using a high-order digital filter that includes first and second variable coefficients that are each based on position error information generated from the servo information read by the head. |
| US08773804B2 |
Disk drive internal temperature control system
A disk drive internal temperature control system is disclosed. The internal temperature control system includes a disk drive temperature monitor for determining a temperature of the disk drive and for providing a measure of the temperature of the disk drive and a disk drive temperature manager for managing the temperature of the disk drive based on the measure of the temperature of the disk drive. A temperature control component controls the temperature of the disk drive. |
| US08773798B2 |
Write synchronization in bit patterned media using auxiliary read head
A method for recording data to a magnetic media while simultaneously reading sync and or servo data with reduced noise from the write head affecting the reading of the sync and or servo data. The invention records data using a write head of a first slider and reads the sync and or servo data from a read head located on a different slider that is facing a different disk surface than the first slider. In this way, magnetic or thermal noise from the write head does not affect the reading of the sync and or servo data. |
| US08773797B2 |
Information recording apparatus and information writing method
According to one embodiment, there is provided an information recording apparatus that writes information onto a magnetic recording medium including a plurality of fine magnetic grains. The information recording apparatus includes a random number generation unit, a modulation unit, and a processing unit. The random number generation unit generates a random number bit value. The modulation unit modulates a period of a basic clock according to the random number bit value generated, and generates a modulated clock. The processing unit writes or reads information with respect to the magnetic recording medium in synchronization with the modulated clock generated. |
| US08773795B1 |
Products with tape formats having one or more spare areas and apparatuses configured for use with such products
An apparatus includes a magnetic head having an array of transducers. The apparatus is configured to read and/or write to a magnetic recording tape according to a format. The format specifies a number of active channels, locations of data tracks on the magnetic recording tape, and a contiguous spare area on the magnetic recording tape. The format also specifies backward compatibility with a second format. The second format specifies a smaller number of active channels than the number of active channels specified by the format. A product includes a magnetic recording tape and a cartridge memory. The cartridge memory has data stored therein specifying the aforementioned format. |
| US08773792B1 |
Systems and methods for inter-track interference cancellation in magnetic recording channels
A system including an analog front end module to receive a first signal generated by reading data from a storage medium storing the data in concentric tracks, sample the first signal, and output a second signal based on the sampling of the first signal. An equalizer module generates a first vector based on the second signal. The first vector represents the data in the first signal. A detector module generates a second vector based on the first vector. The second vector represents a noise-free vector corresponding to the first vector. A re-timing module re-samples a plurality of samples in the first vector based on the second vector and generates a third vector based on the re-sampling of the plurality of samples in the first vector. An inter-track interference cancellation module removes inter-track interference from the third vector. |
| US08773791B1 |
Systems and methods for X-sample based noise cancellation
Systems, methods, devices, circuits for data processing, and more particularly to cancelling noise while processing data. |
| US08773790B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic scaling in a read data processing system
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is disclosed that includes a decoder circuit providing a decoded output, and a dynamic scalar calculation circuit that determines a first dynamic scaling value and a second dynamic scaling value based at least in part on the decoded output. A first multiplier circuit multiplies the decoded output by the first dynamic scaling value and provides a first scaled output. A detector circuit receives the first scaled output and provides a detected output. A second multiplier circuit multiplies the detected output by the second dynamic scaling value and provides a second scaled output. |
| US08773786B1 |
System for correcting DC characteristics of a magnetic recording system
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for correcting for DC characteristics of a magnetic recording system includes: circuitry implementing at least a portion of a write channel of the magnetic recording system; and circuitry configured to process output data of the write channel circuitry in accordance with a read channel of the magnetic recording system and repeatedly trigger re-writing through the write channel circuitry using different ones of a plurality of available data scramblings until a measured baseline wander exceeds a target threshold. |
| US08773785B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator, lens-barrel, and camera
A piezoelectric actuator includes: a first piezoelectric device between a base member and a moving member, and that is capable of being expanded and contracted in a direction in which the first piezoelectric device intersects with a first face that opposes the moving member of the base member; a second piezoelectric device between the first piezoelectric device and the moving member, and that is capable of being expanded and contracted in a direction different from the intersecting direction; a transfer member between the first piezoelectric device and the moving member that includes a through hole piercing through in the intersecting direction, receiving amounts of expansion and contraction of the first piezoelectric device and the second piezoelectric device to transfer a driving force to the moving member; and a supporting member that pierces through the through hole, and that can support the moving member. |
| US08773781B2 |
Imaging lens
Disclosed herein is an imaging lens, including: a first lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a second lens having negative (−) power and being concave toward an image side; a third lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a fourth lens having positive (+) power and being convex toward the image side; and a fifth lens having negative (−) power and being concave toward the image side, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and the fifth lens are sequentially disposed from an object side. |
| US08773780B2 |
Imaging lens unit
Disclosed herein is an imaging lens unit, including: a first lens having a positive (+) power; a second lens having a negative (−) power; a third lens selectively having one of a positive (+) and negative (−) power; a fourth lens having a negative (−) power; and a fifth lens having a negative (−) power, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and fifth lens are arranged in order from an object to be formed as an image, and the fourth lens is concave toward an image side. |
| US08773778B2 |
Image pickup apparatus electronic device and image aberration control method
An optical system comprising an aberration control optical system is disclosed. An aberration control optical system is operable to produce an image aberration, and an aperture stop is operable to limit a light beam passing through the aberration control optical system. An image pickup device is operable to capture an object image passing through the aberration control optical system, and the aberration control optical system provides inflection points within a diameter of the aperture stop to obtain a depth extending effect. |
| US08773776B2 |
Emitting and negatively-refractive focusing apparatus, methods, and systems
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting and negatively-refractive focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing from an interior field region with an axial magnification substantially greater than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial. |
| US08773775B2 |
Emitting and negatively-refractive focusing apparatus, methods, and systems
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting and negatively-refractive focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing from an interior field region with an axial magnification substantially less than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial. |
| US08773771B2 |
Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same
An image pickup optical system having four lenses includes in order from an object side, a first lens having a biconvex shape, and a positive refractive power, a second lens having a biconcave shape, and a negative refractive power, a third lens having a meniscus shape with a concave surface thereof directed toward the object side, and a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens having a biconcave shape, and a negative refractive power, and a diaphragm is disposed nearest to the object side, and the surface on the object side of the fourth lens does not have a point of inflection as well as the optical system satisfying the recited numerical conditions. |
| US08773759B2 |
Microscope having an adjustment device for the focus range
A microscope with means for adjusting the focal range, comprising a first objective lens for transmitting the object light of an illuminated object in the direction of a detector, with a second objective lens being disposed in the direction of the light upstream of the detector, which second objective lens is followed by a first mirror that can be adjusted in the direction of the optical axis, with at least one second mirror for transmitting light from the first objective lens in the direction of the second objective lens and from the second objective lens to the detector being disposed in the optical path, which second mirror is a fully reflective mirror, or a microscope with means for adjusting the focal range, comprising a first objective lens for transmitting the object light of an illuminated object in the direction of a detector, with a second objective lens being disposed in the direction of light upstream of the detector, which second objective lens is followed by a first mirror that can be adjusted in the direction of the optical axis, with a polarizing beam splitter for splitting the object light into two components that are oriented perpendicular to each other being disposed between the first and the second objective lens for light transmission. |
| US08773758B2 |
Microscope apparatus with an imaging system including an astigmatic difference changing device
There is provided a microscope apparatus including: a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications; an imaging system that receives light, which is generated from a sample and emitted from the objective lens when excitation light is emitted to a sample including a fluorescent material that is activated when irradiated with activation light having a predetermined wavelength and fluoresces to be inactivated when irradiated with excitation light having a different wavelength from the activation light in the activation state and that images the light in a state where an astigmatic difference is given to the image of the sample; and an imaging device that captures the image of the sample from the imaging system. The imaging system includes an astigmatic difference changing device that changes the astigmatic difference according to the depth of focus of the objective lens. |
| US08773755B2 |
Optical amplifier and multicore fiber
An optical amplifier includes a pump light source that outputs pump light, and a multicore fiber that includes at least one pumping core, the pump light being input to the at least one pumping core by coupler, at least two signal light cores doped with an active substance for optical amplification, at least one signal light being input to at least one of the signal light cores, and a cladding, wherein the pump light propagating the at least one pumping core and exciting the active substance in the signal light cores, so as to amplify the at least one signal light propagating through the at least one of the signal light cores. |
| US08773743B2 |
Optically variable security device and method
A security device comprising at least first and second superposed optically variable effect generating structures (3-5, 31-51), each having a surface relief microstructure, the second optically variable effect generating structure being viewable through the first. |
| US08773741B2 |
Color reproduction predicting apparatus, color reproduction predicting method, and recording medium
A cell interior point group of a first lattice is determined by determining at least one interior point for each of cells defined based on the first lattice points. Colorimetric values for device values of second lattice points are predicted based on device values and colorimetric values corresponding to the first lattice points, as well as device values and colorimetric values corresponding to the cell interior point group. |
| US08773739B2 |
Image reading device capable of reading skew sheet without image loss
An image reading device includes a conveying unit, reading unit, detecting unit, and control unit. The conveying unit conveys two sheets of the original one by one. The reading unit reads a sheet passing past a reading position. The detecting unit detects a sheet passing past a detection position upstream of the reading position in a conveying direction. The control unit controls the reading unit to start a reading process when a leading edge of sheet reaching a position upstream of the reading position by a first distance, controls the reading unit to stop the reading process when a trailing edge of sheet reaching a position downstream of the reading position by a second distance, determines an interspace between the trailing edge of sheet and a leading edge of a subsequently-conveyed sheet, and updates the first distance and the second distance based on the interspace. |
| US08773729B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus that generates a pattern of a colorless recording material to form an image using the colorless recording material includes: a region dividing unit that divides an input image into a plurality of regions as divided regions using a designated algorithm and pixel values of pixels that form the image; a spatial-frequency calculating unit that calculates spatial frequencies in each of the divided regions into which the image has been divided using pixel values in the divided region; and a pattern generating unit that generates a pattern of the colorless recording material, which is set to each of the divided regions, using the calculated spatial frequencies and a line pattern having a preset line width. |
| US08773728B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method for automatically editing document data, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program
An image forming apparatus configured to store document data therein and to perform network communication is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a detection portion configured to detect, from a document to be saved, an unfinished part where a detection index and attribute data are described, the attribute data indicating an attribute of yet-to-be-written information to be written into the unfinished part; an obtaining portion configured to obtain information to be written into the unfinished part from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network based on the attribute data and information described in a vicinity of the unfinished part; and an editing portion configured to perform automatic editing by which the information obtained from the server is written into the unfinished part. |
| US08773727B2 |
Document scanning system using multiple image sensors and method of the same
A image generating apparatus and method for scanning documents using multiple image sensors are disclosed. The image generation apparatus comprises a glass plate configured to hold a document placed upside down on the glass plate; a calibration pattern placed on the glass plate; a plurality of image sensors arranged under the glass plate, wherein each of the plurality of image sensors is configured to capture and generate a raw image, the raw image covers a portion of the document and a portion of the calibration pattern through the glass plate; and a processing unit capable of combining all raw images generated by the plurality of image sensors based on the portion of the calibration pattern in the raw image captured by each of the plurality of image sensors, and the processing unit is further configured to generate a complete image of the document. |
| US08773725B2 |
Information processing apparatus, image generating method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes a latent image generating unit and a background image generating unit. The latent image generating unit generates a latent image using both of a first color component to be printed with a first color material and second color components to be printed with second color materials having an optical property different from an optical property of the first color material, or generates the latent image using only the second color components. The background image generating unit generates a background image, which serves as the background of the latent image, using only the second color components when the latent image generating unit uses both of the first color component and the second color components, or generates the background image using both of the first color component and the second color components when the latent image generating unit uses only the second color components. |
| US08773722B2 |
Hybrid halftone generation mechanism using change in pixel error
A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a Continuous Tone Image (CTI) with all pixel values same as a first gray level, generating an initial Half Tone Image (HTI) with all pixel values equal to minimum absorptance level and computing a change in pixel error for a first pixel. The change in pixel error is computed by identifying a first pixel indicated in a valid pixel map, toggling the first pixel with all the possible output states and swapping the first pixel with all neighbor pixels only if the stacking constraint is satisfied, updating the HTI with the maximum error decrease operation and continue to next pixel location till the end criteria is met. |
| US08773719B2 |
Power supply control device and method thereof, image processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing power supply control program
There is disclosed a power supply control device including a load that executes a predetermined process and operates when power is supplied; a power supply state transition controlling unit that allows at least the load to be transitioned to a power supply state, or a power interruption state; plural detection units that can operate within respective power-consumption ranges, and detects information related to the execution of the load; a power supply control unit for detection unit, which supplies power continuously to a minimum power-consumption type detection unit, and which supplies power to a detection unit having a relatively large power-consumption based on a detection result of a detection unit having a relatively small power-consumption; and a transition time determining unit that is executed when power is supplied with respect to a maximum power-consumption type detection unit, and that determines a transition time by the power supply state transition controlling unit. |
| US08773718B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium for measuring line width of lines
A line width is derived based on the number of black pixels counted in an area set so that in a case where a first line width is finer than a second line width, the area for the lines having a first line width is set larger than for the lines having a second line width. |
| US08773715B2 |
Color selection assisting method, image processing method, color selection assisting apparatus, image processing apparatus, and recording medium
At least one color patch, which is extracted as a candidate patch from within a color chart, is colorimetrically measured and a color value is acquired. Based on a color value of a designated color to be reproduced on a print and a color value of the candidate patch, a corresponding position on the color chart responsive to the color value of the designated color is calculated. Instruction mark images indicative of the calculated corresponding position are displayed respectively, together with a simulating image, in which a layout of multiple color patches on the color chart is simulated. |
| US08773714B2 |
Image forming apparatus
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a scanner, a setting unit, and a control unit. The scanner is configured to read a document. The setting unit is configured to receive an instruction to append a display image to a signature field of a PDF. The control unit is configured to generate the PDF by appending the display image to the signature field, for the document. |
| US08773712B2 |
Repurposing a word processing document to save paper and ink
A word processing document is repurposed to save paper and ink. An indication is received that a printout of a word processing document from a printer has been requested. Further, the content is segmented into one or more regions according to a set of grouping rules, the set of grouping rules defining a region has having at least one homogeneous characteristic. In addition, one or more potential transformations are filtered for each region to generate one or more filtered potential transformations based on a set of rules that restricts a transformation according to a region type. The region type is determined by the at least one homogeneous characteristic for each region. Further, a cost function is evaluated for each of the one or more filtered potential transformations according to one or more appearance attributes for the word processing document. |
| US08773709B2 |
Image generation system, method, and medium, generating plurality of images with different resolution and brightness from single image
Provided is an image generation system and method, more particularly, an image generation system and method which can generate a high dynamic range image from a plurality of images acquired in a single short exposure. The image generation system To includes an image generation system having an image acquisition unit to acquire an image, an image generation unit to generate, from the acquired image, a plurality of images with different resolution and brightness, and an image synthesis unit to synthesize the generated images. |
| US08773708B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the apparatus
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is capable of connecting a removable storage device that stores operation data controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus. When a shutdown instruction of the image forming apparatus is received from a user, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to execute an operation using the operation data stored in the removable storage device. In a case that it is determined that it is necessary to execute an operation using the operation data, the image forming apparatus stores the operation data stored in the removable storage device into an incorporated non-volatile storage unit and shots down, and then restart. After the restart is performed, it is controlled so that an operation using the operation data that has been stored in the incorporated non-volatile storage unit is executed. |
| US08773706B2 |
Apparatus, systems, and methods for dynamic language customization
Methods disclosed facilitate the dynamic addition of language support for peripherals. In some embodiments, peripherals may read in language strings in a previously unsupported language from a data file and populate memory locations with the strings. The memory locations may be logically addressed using an index value associated with the previously unsupported language and identifier associated with the string. In some embodiments, the identifier associated with the string in the previously unsupported language may correspond to the identifier associated with a translated equivalent of the string in a language that is natively supported by the printer. |
| US08773698B2 |
Printing control server and printing system
A printing control server includes a storage section which stores a printer identifier and a network identifier so as to be linked, a search response section which acquires the network identifier from a transmission origin of a search request when the search request has been received and transmits information, which is able to determine the printer identifier stored so as to be linked to the acquired network identifier, to the transmission origin of the search request, a printing request reception section which receives a printing request which includes a printing target and is linked to a printer identifier, a printing data preparation section which prepares printing data based on the printing target, and a printing data transmission section which transmits the printing data to the printer which corresponds to the printer identifier which is linked to the printing request. |
| US08773696B2 |
Method and system for generating document using speech data and image forming apparatus including the system
A document generation method and system using speech data, and an image forming apparatus including the document generation system. The method includes setting document editing information including at least one of document form information and sentence pattern information for editing a document when the speech data is generated as the document; converting the speech data into text; and generating the text as the document based on the document editing information. |
| US08773689B2 |
Resubmission to alternate printers to help efficient printing and space planning
A method starts when a print job is received from a workstation. The print job includes user printing options and an identification of an initial printer. The method ranks the abilities of the available printers to process the print job to identify the best printer for the print job according to, among other items, printer proximity. If the initial printer identification creates a print policy violation, the method presents a question/statement to the workstation (to the user through the workstation) regarding whether the print job should be redirected to the best printer and provides an automated resubmit option at the workstation. If the resubmit option is activated, the method automatically submits the print job to a different available printer, without requiring the user to manually input the printing options. |
| US08773687B2 |
Driverless architecture for printing systems
Techniques are provided for allowing an application program to print to a new or updated printing device on a network without the user having to perform any updates or reconfigurations that are required with conventional print drivers. The techniques include techniques for retrieving new or updated printing device capabilities data from the printing device on the network, converting the retrieved printing device capabilities to a printer description file, generating print job tickets based on the printer description file, and submitting the print job tickets to the printing device as part of the submission of print jobs to the printing device. |
| US08773686B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing method includes printing out a layout mark-sensing sheet indicating a plurality of different sample image layout options that graphically indicate different layouts of an image to be printed on a recording medium that has a specific shape. The layout mark-sensing sheet allows a user to mark the layout mark-sensing sheet to designate a specific image layout option from among the plurality of different sample image layout options. The layout mark-sensing sheet marked by the user is read and the image is printed on the recording medium based on the specific image layout option marked by the user on the layout mark-sensing sheet. |
| US08773683B2 |
Image forming system and control method thereof
When a user uses one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses from one of a plurality of terminals, an authentication server determines, on a user by user basis, whether he/she is permitted to use each image forming apparatus, and detects if any of the image forming apparatuses is in a troubled state and incapable of executing a prescribed function. If one image forming apparatus is in a troubled state and the user requests another, trouble-free image forming apparatus to execute a job utilizing a function of the trouble-free image forming apparatus, the authentication server permits execution of the job if the user is permitted to use the image forming apparatus in the troubled state. Thus, the user can get a print even if a usually used image forming apparatus is unavailable. |
| US08773680B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
The print output system obtains, when performing printing from a first application that is operated in a first execution environment, information regarding a printer driver, and determines whether or not settings of print functionality can fully be performed in the first execution environment. If it is determined that the settings of print functionality cannot fully be performed, then the print output system causes a second application that is operated in a second execution environment to display a user interface through which print settings are executed and to execute print output, allowing fully utilizing the print functionality. |
| US08773677B2 |
Information processing apparatus, PDL data conversion method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus that converts PDL data into PDL data having a hierarchical structure is provided. The information processing apparatus: acquires the number of records in PDL data and creates a template including nodes in a record layer, which correspond to records in a one-to-one relationship and are equal to the number of records, based on the number of records; inputs PDL data and acquires relational information indicating the relation between a page and a record both included in PDL data; adds nodes in a lower layer of the record layer, which are linked with the nodes in the record layer included in the created template, and sets attribute information about PDL data to each of the nodes in the lower layer of the record layer; and maps each page included in PDL data to each node in the lower layer of the record layer based on relational information. |
| US08773675B2 |
Providing an integrated, feature oriented printer selection system
Techniques are disclosed for providing and using an integrated printer driver that can be used to print to multiple printing devices. The printer driver executes on a client device. A user selects features and options, displayed in a user interface of the printer driver, for a print job without knowing which printing device will eventually process the print job. Based on the selected features and options, the printer driver determines the printing device to which the print job will be sent. In an embodiment, a printer server receives capabilities data from multiple printing devices and builds, based on the capabilities data, a database of printer description data, from which the user interface that is displayed to an end-user is generated. In an embodiment, the printer server applies an administrative policy that filters out capabilities data of one or more printing devices that are registered with the printer server. |
| US08773673B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer readable medium storing program
An image forming apparatus includes a print engine that forms an image on an image formation material, and an image data generating unit that generates bitmap image data of the image. The image data generating unit includes plural reconfigurable processing circuits that are capable of performing any of first image processing and second image processing, and a controller that controls the plural reconfigurable processing circuits. The controller changes a reconfigurable processing circuit among the plural reconfigurable processing circuits from a reconfigurable processing circuit that performs the first image processing to a reconfigurable processing circuit that performs the second image processing, or changes the reconfigurable processing circuit from a reconfigurable processing circuit that performs the second image processing to a reconfigurable processing circuit that performs the first image processing, in accordance with an amount of the first image processing. |
| US08773672B2 |
Multifunction peripheral and method for warming up the same
There is provided a multifunction peripheral which comprises a first storage unit configured to store a relationship between a state change and at least one function expected to be used in relation to the state change, a detection unit configured to detect the state change, a function extraction unit configured to firstly extract at least one function which is expected to be used in relation to the state change detected by the detection unit in accordance with the relationship stored in the first storage unit and to secondly extract at least one function for which a predetermined condition concerning availability of each function is satisfied from among the firstly extracted at least one function, and a warm-up operation control unit configured to execute a warm-up operation of at least one device used to execute the at least one function secondly extracted by the function extraction unit. |
| US08773668B2 |
Displacement sensor
A signal processing unit (C1, C2, C3) for processing a light reception signal from an imaging element (12) at different magnifications is provided in a light receiving unit (102) in a displacement sensor (1). This sensor (1) measures a displacement by using light receiving amount data generated by the signal processing unit (C1) for each detection processing by a light projecting unit (101) and the light receiving unit (102), and further adjusts sensitivity for next detection processing. In sensitivity adjustment processing, when a peak value in the light receiving amount data generated by the signal processing unit (C1) approximates to 0, a peak value extracted by the signal processing unit (C2) to which higher magnification is applied is employed. Alternatively, when a peak value in the light receiving amount data generated by the signal processing unit (C1) is saturated, a peak value extracted by the signal processing unit (C3) to which 1-fold magnification is applied is employed. |
| US08773667B2 |
Sphere bar probe
Exemplary embodiments include a sphere bar probe apparatus, including a holder, a retroreflector disposed in the holder, a member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the holder and an end plate attached to the second end of the member. |
| US08773665B1 |
Compact fiber optic gyroscope
A compact fiber optic gyroscope including a first housing; a transceiver module disposed in the first housing, the transceiver module including a second housing; a non-coherent light source disposed in the second housing for producing a first beam of light; a single lens for focusing the first beam of light; an optical circulator disposed in the second housing and in the path of the first beam of light to produce polarized second and third beams respectively, with polarization orthogonal to each other; and first and second photodiodes disposed in the second housing and coupled to the optical circulator, wherein the first photodiode is a transmit monitor photodiode coupled to the second beam, and the second photodiode is a receiver photodiode. The first housing further includes a planar optical fiber loop having a first end and a second end; a phase modulator coupled to the third beam emitted from the transceiver module to produce fourth and fifth beams coupled to the first and the second end respectively of the optical fiber loop respectively, and for receiving the return sixth and seventh beams from the second and the first ends respectively of the optical fiber loop. |
| US08773664B1 |
Method and system for aligning substrates for direct laser coupling in an energy assisted magnetic recording head
A method and system align a laser diode on a first substrate to a waveguide on a second substrate. The first substrate includes an edge and a first surface adjoining the edge. The laser diode has an emission exit on the edge. The second substrate includes a back side and a side edge. The waveguide has a waveguide input on the back side and directs light along the side edge. A first alignment mark set on the first substrate is aligned to a second alignment mark set on the second substrate. The first alignment mark set corresponds to the emission exit, is formed on the first surface and is visible from the edge. The second alignment mark set corresponds to the waveguide input, is formed on the side edge, and is visible from the back side. The first substrate's edge is affixed to the second substrate's back side. |
| US08773661B2 |
Virtual core flow cytometry
A sheathless flow cytometry system is disclosed wherein a fluid containing particles of interest is illuminated in the sensing region with a light source. Light resulting from the interaction of the particles with the illumination is received by a lens, and focused toward a field stop having an aperture comprising relatively large end portions and a relatively small center portion. Light deflectors are disposed over the relatively large end portions of the aperture. The system is arranged such that light from particles in focus in the sensing region is focused on the relatively small center portion of the aperture. Peripheral detectors receive light from the light deflectors, and a center light detector receives light passing through the center portion. The detector signals may be used to identify which of the detector signals correspond to particles in focus as they passed through the sensing region. |
| US08773659B2 |
Anastigmatic imaging spectrograph
An apparatus and method are disclosed for producing spectrographic images free of SI, SII, and SIII field aberrations. The apparatus includes a focusing element placed at a distance from a dispersing element equal to the radius of curvature of the focusing element. The apparatus further includes at least one correcting plate for adding or subtracting abberations. |
| US08773657B2 |
Method to determine the value of process parameters based on scatterometry data
A method according to an embodiment includes obtaining calibration measurement data, with an optical detection apparatus, from a plurality of marker structure sets provided on a calibration substrate. Each marker structure set includes at least one calibration marker structure created using different known values of the process parameter. The method includes obtaining measurement data, with the optical detection apparatus, from at least one marker structure provided on a substrate and exposed using an unknown value of the process parameter; and determining the unknown value of the process parameter from the obtained measurement data by employing regression coefficients in a model based on the known values of the process parameter and the calibration measurement data. |
| US08773654B2 |
Satellite tracking system and method of controlling the same
A satellite tracking system and a method of controlling the same, in which the satellite tracking system comprises an ARGO-M Operation System (AOS) and a Tracking Mount System (TMS). The AOS comprises a time & frequency system configured to include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and to receive Universal Time Coordinated (UTC), and an Interface Control System (ICS) configured to calculate the orbital position data of a satellite using the UTC and per-satellite estimated orbit data by means of Lagrangian interpolation, and to send a command to track the position of the satellite. The TMS comprises a tracking mount configured to support a telescope that measures distance to the satellite, and to operate in accordance with the position of the satellite, and a servo controller configured to receive the orbital position data of the satellite, to receive the UTC, and to send a command to track the satellite. |
| US08773653B2 |
Attitude correction apparatus including opposing laser emitters
An attitude correction apparatus includes a pair of opposing laser emitters that face each other. Each of the laser emitters includes a laser oscillator to generate a laser beam, a condenser lens to emit the laser beam toward the head suspension, and galvanomirrors to adjust the directivity of an optical axis of the laser beam from a standby state toward a spot on the head suspension. The condenser lens of each laser emitter is positioned so that the directivity of the optical axis of the laser beam in the standby state disagrees with an optical path that passes through the condenser lens and laser oscillator of the other laser emitter. |
| US08773647B2 |
Device for measuring speed of material
A device for measuring a speed of a material includes a body unit disposed at an exit side of a rolling stand and placed below a material which is transferred from the rolling stand; and a speed measuring unit installed on the body unit and constructed to measure a speed of the material transferred from the rolling stand. |
| US08773637B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method of applying a pattern to a substrate using sensor and alignment mark
A lithographic apparatus includes at least one image alignment sensor for receiving radiation projected from an alignment mark on a reticle. Processor processes signals from the sensor(s) to resolve spatial information in the projected alignment mark to establish a reference for measuring positional relationships between a substrate support and the patterning location. Examples of the sensor include line arrays of photodetectors. A single array can resolve spatial information in a plane of the sensor (X, Y direction) and in a perpendicular (Z) direction. At least a final step in establishing the reference position is performed while holding the substrate support stationary. Errors and delays induced by mechanical scanning of prior art sensors are avoided. Alternatively (not illustrated) the sensor is moved for mechanical scanning relative to the substrate support, independently of the main positioning systems. |
| US08773636B2 |
Optical lithography using graphene contrast enhancement layer
Technologies are generally described for methods, systems, and structures that include patterns formed by optical lithography. In some example methods, a photoresist layer is applied to a substrate, and a grapheme layer can be applied to the photoresist layer. Light can be applied through a mask to the graphene layer, where the mask includes a pattern. The light can form the pattern on the graphene layer such that the pattern forms on the photoresist layer. |
| US08773634B2 |
Method for producing liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal panel, and repair apparatus
Provided is a method for producing a liquid crystal panel capable of repairing a defective portion of an alignment film more easily. Provided is a method for producing a liquid crystal panel, including the step of repairing a defective portion 50 of an alignment film 30 formed on a substrate 12 by use of a repair stamp 60 having repair ink 61 attached thereto. The step of repairing includes step (a) of locating the repair stamp 60 in a zone (repair zone) 55 including the defective portion 50; step (b) of moving the repair stamp 60 from the position (60a) at which the repair stamp 60 has been located in step (a); and step (c) of moving the repair stamp 60 again from a position (60b) to which the repair stamp 60 has been moved in step (b) to the position (60a) at which the repair stamp 60 was located in step (a). |
| US08773633B2 |
Expanded heat sink for electronic displays
A system for cooling various components of an electronic display. One or more heat-generating components are preferably placed in thermal communication with a plate and ribs. One or more fans are placed to draw cooling air along the ribs to remove the heat removed from the component. Some embodiments may place the electronic image assembly in thermal communication with the ribs to remove heat from the electronic image assembly. Exemplary embodiments have power modules and the electronic image assembly in thermal communication with the ribs. Conductive thermal communication is established between the ribs and the components in the exemplary embodiments. |
| US08773629B2 |
Liquid crystal optical apparatus and image display device having particular electrodes
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical apparatus includes a first substrate unit, a second substrate unit, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate and a plurality of first electrodes. The first electrodes are provided on the first substrate to extend in a first direction. Each of the first electrodes has a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The second substrate unit includes a second substrate and an opposing electrode. The second substrate opposes the first substrate. The opposing electrode is provided on the second substrate to oppose the first electrodes. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first substrate unit and the second substrate unit. The first side surface has a first protruding portion and a first recessed portion arranged with the first protruding portion in the first direction. |
| US08773626B2 |
Display substrate and display panel having the same
A display substrate includes a gate line, a data line and a pixel electrode. The gate line is extended in a first direction on a base substrate. The data line is extended in a second direction crossing to the first direction. The pixel electrode is disposed on a pixel area of the base substrate. The pixel electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode spaced apart by an opening portion, and receives a voltage having a same polarity. The opening portion includes a straight line portion extended in the first direction, a diagonal line portion extended in a third direction crossing the first and second directions, and a protrusion portion disposed in a length direction of the straight line portion at a portion of the pixel electrode where the straight line portion and the diagonal line portion meet. |
| US08773620B2 |
Optical film, surface light source device, and liquid crystal display device
An optical film in accordance with one embodiment comprises a stack having a plurality of basic pairs each constructed by stacking first and second layers. The number of stacks, the refractive index difference |Δni| in a predetermined direction between the first and second layers, the thicknesses of the first and second layers, and the number of basic pairs are set such that a reflection spectrum formed by the optical film conforms to a target reflection spectrum. The target reflection spectrum is a spectrum having a reflection peak region including a spectrum region having a reflectance of at least 50% within a predetermined wavelength width, in a reflection spectrum of a first polarized light in a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm, while exhibiting a reflectance of 20% or less in a reflection spectrum of a second polarized light within the wavelength range. |
| US08773619B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing polarizer plate
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a first polarizer plate stacked on an upper surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a second polarizer plate stacked on a lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. The first polarizer plate may have an absorption axis inclination of +0.1 to +0.2 degrees, or the second polarizer plate may have an absorption axis inclination of −0.04 to less than 0 or greater than 0 to +0.1 degrees. |
| US08773618B2 |
Light emitting unit and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A light emitting unit and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the same are provided. The light emitting unit includes a light source unit which generates light, and a driving board which drives the light source unit. The light source unit includes a light source which generates the light, a container member which forms an opening therein and which contains the light source within the opening, and a fluorescent member mounted in the opening of the container member. The light source and the florescent member are spaced apart. |
| US08773617B2 |
Liquid crystal display and LED module thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a cover assembly; a liquid crystal panel; a light guide plate configured to guide light to the liquid crystal panel; a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the light guide plate is mounted; and a light emitting diode (LED) package which is mounted on the PCB and emits light to a lateral side of the light guide plate. The PCB includes a base substrate; a connecting hole which is formed in the base substrate to couple the base substrate to the cover assembly with a connecting member; an insulating layer which is coated on the base substrate while avoiding a head part of the connecting member; and a spacer tape which is provided on an upper side of the insulating layer so that the light guide plate is evenly mounted on the PCB. |
| US08773611B2 |
Angled backlight device and liquid crystal display apparatus
Disclosed is a backlight device comprising: a light emitting section including a plurality of surface light emitters which are arranged and disposed so as to have a predetermined gap; and a diffuser plate which is disposed in front of the light emitting section to diffuse a light irradiated from the light emitting section, wherein an angle between two light irradiation surfaces in the adjacent surface light emitters is smaller than 180 degrees. |
| US08773607B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display
The patent application relates to a backlight module and a liquid crystal display. Such backlight module includes a front casing, a back casing and a light source. The front casing includes a first clamping part and a second clamping part externally and vertically extended from the first clamping part. The second clamping part is fixedly connected with the back casing. The light source is positioned between the first clamping part and the back casing, and the back side of the light source is contacted with the inner side face of the second clamping part. The inside of the second clamping part corresponding to the back of the light source is provided with a fin heat-dissipation structure. The patent application directly fixes an LED light source on the front casing of the all-in-one machine of the liquid crystal display, which simplifies the heat transmission way, reduces the thermal contact resistance and increases the effective heat-dissipation area of the front casing Thereby, the heat caused by the LED light source can be synchronously transmitted to the front casing and to the back casing. Besides, the utility model installs a fin heat-dissipation structure on the front casing corresponding to the back of the LED light source, which can improve the heat-dissipation efficiency to a large extent. Moreover, the utility model installs a honeycomb-structured buffer component on the front casing where the liquid crystal panel is clamped for enhancing the buffering performance of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08773605B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes first and second gate lines and first and second data lines, on a first substrate, a first thin film transistor connected to the first gate and data lines and including a first source and drain electrode, a second thin film transistor connected to the second gate and data lines and including a second source and drain electrode, first and second pixel electrodes contacting a portion of the first and second drain electrodes, respectively, a passivation layer on the first and second pixel electrodes and the first and second thin film transistors, and a reference electrode on a passivation layer and overlapping the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode. The reference electrode includes a plurality of branch electrodes. The first thin film transistor is right of the first data line and the second thin film transistor is left of the second data line. |
| US08773603B2 |
Liquid crystal display with integrated touch screen panel
An LCD with an integrated touch screen panel includes a first substrate having a plurality of pixels formed thereon, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels is provided with a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. A second substrate faces the first substrate and has a plurality of common electrodes formed inside thereof. The plurality of common electrodes is arranged in a first direction to correspond to the plurality of pixels. A plurality of sensing electrodes is outside of the second substrate and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A liquid crystal layer is between the first and the second substrates. A common electrode driver sequentially supplies a driving signal to the common electrodes and supplies a compensation signal having a phase opposite to the driving signal to the common electrodes. |
| US08773602B2 |
Stereoscopic image display
A stereoscopic image display according to an embodiment includes: a main display section including a first liquid crystal cell connected to a data line through a first switch TFT and connected to a common line supplied with a common voltage and a first storage capacitor; and an auxiliary display section including a second liquid crystal cell connected to the data line through a second switch TFT and connected to the common line through a discharge control TFT and a second storage capacitor. |
| US08773600B2 |
Liquid crystal lens and display device
A liquid crystal lens is provided and includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode, and a liquid crystal layer, including liquid crystal molecules having refractive anisotropy, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal molecules being changed in alignment depending on voltage applied by the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby to form such a phase difference distribution that phase difference with respect to an incident beam of a fundamental wavelength varies from 0 to 2πβ along the predetermined direction, β being an integer of 2 or more, and to yield such a lens effect that focal lengths for a plurality of incident beams of different wavelengths including the fundamental wavelength are equal to one another. |
| US08773591B1 |
Method and apparatus for interacting with television screen
A method of interacting with a television screen using a remote control having a viewing screen. The method includes the following: (1) displaying a boundary-identifier, on the viewing screen that is substantially transparent, to specify the boundary of a quadrilateral having a shape thereof dynamically depending upon at least one of the location of the viewing screen and the surface orientation of the viewing screen, wherein the surface orientation of the viewing screen is the orientation of the normal vector perpendicular to the viewing screen; and (2) detecting one or more positions being touched on the viewing screen after the boundary-identifier is displayed on the viewing screen. |
| US08773583B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including: a first semiconductor chip having an electronic circuit section and a first connecting section formed on one surface thereof; a second semiconductor chip having a second connecting section formed on one surface thereof, the second semiconductor chip being mounted on the first semiconductor chip with the first and the second connecting sections connected to each other by a bump; a dam formed to fill a gap between the first and the second semiconductor chips on a part of an outer edge of the second semiconductor chip, the part of the outer edge being on a side of a region of formation of the electronic circuit section; and an underfill resin layer filled into the gap, protrusion of the resin layer from the outer edge of the second semiconductor chip to a side of the electronic circuit section being prevented by the dam. |
| US08773576B2 |
Image pickup system, including measuring unit
An image pickup system includes: an optical system including a focus lens unit; a camera platform apparatus driving the optical system to pan and tilt; a measuring unit measuring a distance to an object, the measuring unit operable to be driven independently from the pan/tilt-driving of the optical system; and a controller storing panning/tilting positions of the optical system as pre-set positions, and controls driving of the optical system to the pre-set positions, wherein upon input of a drive command for driving the optical system to the stored pre-set positions, the controller drives the measuring unit so that a panning position of the measuring unit and the stored panning position correspond to each other and starts measurement by the measuring unit before completion of the driving of the optical system to the stored panning/tilting positions. |
| US08773575B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera includes an image sensor, a display device which displays a live-view display of an object image, an autofocus adjuster which detects a focal state and brings a specified object image into an in-focus state by moving a focal-adjusting lens group of a photographing lens, a focus lock-on device which prohibits the focal-adjusting lens group from moving and enters a focus locked-on state when the autofocus adjuster brings the specified object image into an in-focus state, a focus lock-on detector, and a distinguishing-display controller. When the focus lock-on detector detects a focus locked-on state, the distinguishing-display controller performs image processing on part or the entirety of the specified object image, and a peaking display of the specified object image is displayed on the display device. |
| US08773573B1 |
Adjustable lens array with variable optical power
A camera system includes an image sensor, an aperture, and an adjustable lens. The adjustable lens is disposed in an optical path of the image sensor to focus image light received through the aperture onto a pixel array of the image sensor. The adjustable lens includes first and second lens members and blackout regions. The first lens member includes a first corrugated surface and a first flat surface opposite the first corrugated surface. The first corrugated surface includes a periodic structure of alternating ridge and groove sections. The second lens member includes a second corrugated surface and a second flat surface opposite the second corrugated surface. The second flat surface faces the first flat surface. The blackout regions are disposed between the first and second corrugated surfaces and positioned to block the image light passing through either the ridge or the groove sections of the first lens member. |
| US08773570B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an imaging unit which captures an image, and a focal range control unit which changes a focal position and a depth of field of a captured image by controlling an imaging device or a focus lens in the imaging unit. Further, the image processing apparatus includes a distance measurement unit which measures a distance to a subject, from a degree of blur in each of n images (where n ≧2) captured by the imaging unit controlled by the focal range control unit and having focal ranges different from each other. |
| US08773569B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and image capturing apparatus control method
An image capturing apparatus has either one of a first display mode for continuously displaying a captured image on an image display unit and a second display mode for not displaying the captured image on the image display unit and displays an image according to the detection result on the image display unit when the second display mode is set. |
| US08773566B2 |
Photographing condition setting apparatus, photographing condition setting method, and photographing condition setting program
Provided is a photographing condition setting apparatus including: a display unit; an image capturing unit which generates image data by capturing a photographing object; a photographing situation determination unit which determines based on the image data generated by the image capturing unit which type of the photographing object is photographed in a photographing situation; and a display controller which displays on the display unit one or a plurality of photographing condition icons indicating the photographing condition settable to the determined photographing situation if the photographing situation is determined by the photographing situation determination unit. |
| US08773565B2 |
Reproducing apparatus and method
A displaying unit displays an indicator by superimposing it on the selected representative image, the indicator indicating a reproduction start position in a segment of moving image data corresponding to a selected representative image; and a reproduction controller adapted to determine a reproduction start position in the segment of moving image data corresponding to the selected representative image on the basis of the display position of the indicator within the display region corresponding to the selected representative image, and the total reproduction time of the segment of moving image data corresponding to the selected representative image. |
| US08773557B2 |
Solid-state imaging element, method of driving the same, and camera system
Provided is a solid-state imaging element including pixel signal read lines, and a pixel signal reading unit for reading pixel signals from a pixel unit via the pixel signal read line. The pixel unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, each pixel including a photoelectric conversion element. In the pixel unit, a shared pixel in which an output node is shared among a plurality of pixels is formed, and a pixel signal of each pixel in the shared pixel is capable of being selectively output from the shared output node to a corresponding one of the pixel signal read lines. The pixel signal reading unit sets a bias voltage for a load element which is connected to the pixel signal read line and in which current dependent on a bias voltage flows in the load element, to a voltage causing a current value to be higher than current upon a reference bias voltage when there is no difference between added charge amounts, when addition of pixel signals of the respective pixels in the shared pixel is driven. |
| US08773556B2 |
Signal processing device, imaging device, and signal processing method for color interpolation
A signal processing device includes a preprocessing unit interpolating a G color component to positions of a pixel of interest and a pixel having the same color component as the pixel of interest so as to produce a first G interpolation signal; a proximity G pixel G color difference and R/B pixel producing unit producing a first R-G/B-G color difference signal on the positions of the pixel of interest and the pixel having the same color component, producing a second R-G/B-G color difference signal on a position of a proximity G pixel, and interpolating the R/B color component to the position of the proximity G pixel; a G color difference re-constitution processing unit re-constituting a third R-G/B-G color difference signal on the position of the pixel of interest; and a G color difference interpolation processing unit interpolating an R-G/B-G color difference signal to a position of a predetermined pixel. |
| US08773554B2 |
Imaging apparatus, lens unit, and methods for controlling the same
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention can generate an image from an output of an image sensor to record the image as an image file, and record first information and second information onto the image file as additional information. Accordingly, the imaging apparatus can provide a user or a staff person of a repair center with useful information regarding a failure, repair, and replacement that conventionally could not be provided. |
| US08773549B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image pickup apparatus, and display device
An image processing apparatus generates a plurality of parallactic images having a relationship that the magnitude of an amount of image shift between parallactic images increases with an increase of a defocus amount, generates, through plural selections of the generated parallactic images permitting a repeated same selection, a series of parallactic images in which the selected parallactic images are arranged in a selection order; repeatedly applies interpolation processing to each pair of adjacent parallactic images included in the series of parallactic images to generate a plurality of interpolation images; and arranges the interpolation images between the adjacent parallactic images to output the interpolated parallactic images as an output image of a moving image. |
| US08773546B2 |
Photographing control method and apparatus for capturing image data at a moment in time when booting
Provided are a photographing control method and apparatus for capturing image data at a moment in time when booting. According to the photographing control method, booting and photographing are simultaneously performed by combining use of a power supply button and a certain key button or by pressing a certain key button for a predetermined time without pressing a power supply button. |
| US08773545B2 |
Image processing method for executing color conversion processing, image processing program, image processing device and camera
An image processing method for executing color conversion processing on input image data by taking into consideration chromatic adaptation, includes: executing color conversion processing by taking into consideration an adaptation factor indicating an extent of adaptation to an illumination condition under which a scene where an input image is obtained is illuminated or an adaptation factor indicating an extent of adaptation to a viewing condition where the input image is observed; and altering the adaptation factor in correspondence to a color of a conversion target pixel. |
| US08773538B2 |
Calibration method and apparatus for optical imaging lens system with double optical paths
This invention provides a calibration method and a corresponding apparatus for optical imaging lens system with double optical paths. The apparatus for optical imaging lens system with double optical paths comprises a first optical subsystem, a second optical subsystem and a calibration module. The calibration module receives a first image data from the first optical subsystem and a second image data from the second optical subsystem. The calibration module calibrates the first image data according to at least one selected optical parameter of the second optical subsystem, and calibrates the second image data according to at least one selected optical parameter of the first optical subsystem. The selected optical parameters of the first optical subsystem and the second optical subsystem are different. |
| US08773537B2 |
Night vision system
A night vision system includes an image sensor and circuitry coupled to a digital storage medium or transmitter that periodically samples a signal provided by the image sensor and stores the sampled image to be viewed in near real time or at a later date by a data analyst. The night vision system includes an imaging assembly with a casing surrounding an image intensifier and the associated circuitry along with a port for accepting a power and/or signal cable for providing power to the image assembly and image signal data to the digital storage medium. The system may further include a daytime camera and a switch for toggling the image signal data input to the digital storage medium between the daytime camera and the low light image sensor, as well as a transmission system for wirelessly transmitting signals. |
| US08773535B2 |
Adaptation for clear path detection using reliable local model updating
A method and system for vehicular clear path detection using adaptive machine learning techniques including reliable local model updating. Digital camera images are segmented into patches, from which characteristic features are extracted representing attributes such as color and texture. The patch features are analyzed by a Support Vector Machine (SVM) or other machine learning classifier, which has been previously trained to recognize clear path image regions. The SVM classifier is adaptively updated using reliable local test samples, such as positive clear path samples which just passed by the vehicle. The resultant classifier, being continuously and adaptively updated with recent, reliable training samples, exhibits improved performance and accuracy in analyzing subsequent image regions or patches for the existence of a clear driving path. |
| US08773534B2 |
Image processing apparatus, medium recording image processing program, and image processing method
A device has a unit acquires photograph images taken by a first and a second camera; a unit sets correspondences between positions in a first photograph image, in a first display image, in a second photograph image, and in a second display image on the basis of a first photographic line-of-sight from the first camera, a line-of-sight in the first display image based on the first photograph image, a second photographic line-of-sight from the second camera, and a line-of-sight in the second display image based on the second photograph image; and a unit generates the first display image based on correspondence with the first photograph image, generates a third display image by interpolating between the first display image and the second display image based on correspondence with the first photograph image or the second photograph image, and generates the second display image based on correspondence with the second photograph image. |
| US08773533B2 |
Detection system, signal processing method of detection system, and smoke sensor
A detection system on detecting a light source or an object irradiated by the light source serving as an object to be photographed with high accuracy and capturing a vivid image of the object to be photographed and a signal processing method and a smoke sensor. A detection system includes an image pickup unit, a light source, a first computing unit, a second computing unit, a third computing unit, a detecting unit, and a correction instructing unit. The correction instructing unit outputs a correction instructing signal when the absolute value of a computation result A or that of a computation result B exceeds a permissible decrement. The third computing unit corrects the computation result of which absolute value is reduced between the computation results such that the decrement is less than or equal to the permissible decrement when receiving the correction instructing signal, and performs computation. |
| US08773529B2 |
Projector with automatic focusing and illustration procedure
A projector (1) for imaging an original image on a projection area (5) includes projection optics (2) having an adjustable image width (L) for imaging the original image on the projection area (5). A camera device (6) is used for imaging the projection area (5) and generating a projection area image. A comparison device (12) compares the original image with the projection area image and adjusts the image width (L) of the projection optics (2) as a function of the comparison such that the comparison device (12) is configured to determine the position of the original image in the projection area image. The position of the original image in the projection area image is then used as a measure for determining the image width of the projection optics (2). |
| US08773526B2 |
Edge detection using structured illumination
A machine vision inspection system (MVIS) and a related light stripe edge feature location method are disclosed. The MVIS comprises a control system, a light stripe projection system, an imaging system, and a user interface. In a region of interest including the edge feature, the light stripe projection system focuses a light stripe transverse to the edge direction and across the edge feature, such that the light stripe has a changing stripe intensity profile along the light stripe. The imaging system acquires an image of the light stripe and the control system analyzes the image to determine the location of the edge feature based on a changing light intensity profile along the stripe. The method may be implemented in an edge detection video tool. The method may be advantageous for inspecting highly textured, beveled, chamfered, rounded or damaged edges, for example. |
| US08773523B2 |
Gesture-based remote control
A remote control based on user's gesture includes an infrared emission unit, a storage unit, a gesture sensing unit, a processing unit and a code chip. The gesture sensing unit is configured to capture images and identify hand gestures in the images and output the gesture signals corresponding to the hand gestures to the processing unit; The storage unit stores a first relationship table of gesture signals and associated function instructions. The storage unit also stores a second relationship table of the function instructions and associated infrared remote control codes. The processing unit parses the gesture signal into the corresponding function instruction according to the first relationship table, and then outputs the function instruction to the encode chip, the encode chip chooses an infrared remote control code according to the function instruction and the second relationship table and drives the infrared emission unit to emit infrared rays carrying the infrared remote control code to the device. |
| US08773514B2 |
Accurate 3D object reconstruction using a handheld device with a projected light pattern
A camera has a lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. A projector projects an optical pattern toward a surface. The camera has at least two off-axis apertures thereon, arranged to obtain an image of the projected pattern including defocused information. The camera is movable between different positions to image the surface from said different positions, and the projector is at a specified angle of at least 5° relative to said camera. A processor carries out a first operation using information received through the apertures to determine a pose of said camera, and to determine three dimensional information about the object based on a degree of deformation of said optical pattern on said surface indicative of a three dimensional surface. An embodiment projects a grid of laser dots and uses laser-dot defocusing for approximate Z and thus grid correspondence, which can greatly increase the working depth of the system. |
| US08773507B2 |
Defocusing feature matching system to measure camera pose with interchangeable lens cameras
A lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. An SLR camera has a lens and aperture that allows the SLR camera to determine defocused information. |
| US08773498B2 |
Background compression and resolution enhancement technique for video telephony and video conferencing
An image processing system processes images such that a proportion of area of regions of interest within the image can be increased at the expense of regions of lesser interest. First, regions of interest, such as portions of the image including participants, are determined. Then compressible background regions are determined and compressed. This results in the proportion of the area of the regions of interest to increase. After the image is stored or transmitted, the regions of interest can be seen more clearly both because they are larger and because any loss of detail caused by down-sampling or lossy image compression needed to limit the amount of image information is reduced due to the smaller image size. The process also preserves more of the relative spatial relationship between various regions of interest than prior methods. |
| US08773495B2 |
Integrated system for telepresence videoconferencing
An integrated videoconferencing system has a credenza that houses three displays at predefined angles with respect to one another. A table positions in from the credenza for seating participants across from the credenza's displays. The table has three seating sections that are angled at another predefined angle with respect to one another. Three cameras are positioned in the top of the credenza, and each has a view angle directed perpendicularly at one of the seating sections. The table can also have a portion that interconnects with the credenza. In use, the integrated system allows the participants to conduct a telepresence videoconference in which the near-end participants can interact with the far-end participants as if they were all seated at the same conference table in the room together. |
| US08773494B2 |
Techniques for managing visual compositions for a multimedia conference call
Techniques for managing visual compositions for a multimedia conference call are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor to allocate a display object bit rate for multiple display objects where a total display object bit rate for all display objects is equal to or less than a total input bit rate, and decode video information from multiple video streams each having different video layers with different levels of spatial resolution, temporal resolution and quality for two or more display objects. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08773493B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for converting mode of multiparty video call thereof
A mobile communication terminal having a multiparty video call function and a method for converting a mode of a multiparty video call are disclosed. The terminal includes an input unit that receives a command for selecting one of phone call modes and a controller that displays a menu for selecting a phone call mode on the display, when a request for a video call or video chatting with the third terminal is wirelessly transmitted or received while the mobile communication terminal is performing video call communication or video chatting, and maintains an established call mode or converts the established call mode to a different phone call mode according to a phone call mode selected through the input unit to perform multiparty video call communication. |
| US08773492B2 |
Video call terminal, mobile phone and control method thereof
A video call terminal, a mobile phone and a control method thereof are provided. The video call terminal includes a first communication unit configured to conduct a video call with a second terminal through an Internet protocol (IP) network; a second communication unit configured to communicate with a mobile phone; and a controller configured to transmit first network information of the video call terminal to the mobile phone, receive second network information of the second terminal from the mobile phone, and control the video call with the second terminal using at least one of the first and second network information. |
| US08773490B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for identifying and selecting data images in a video stream
Systems, methods, and media for identifying and selecting data images in a video stream are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, methods for identifying and selecting data images in a video stream are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a video bit stream representing a plurality of images; identifying, using a processor programmed to do so, sets of data images in the plurality of images, wherein each of the data images provides an image representation of data and each of the data images in any of the sets of data images corresponds to a single data image; and selecting at least one best data image from the sets of data images using a processor programmed to do so. |
| US08773487B2 |
Image forming apparatus with plurality of optical scanning devices
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a plurality of optical scanning devices, first temperature detectors for detecting the temperatures of the optical scanning devices, a second temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the apparatus main body, a first condition judger, a second condition judger and a temperature adjuster. The temperature adjuster performs a total motor drive process for driving the motors of all the optical scanning devices if a predetermined first condition is satisfied and a predetermined second condition is satisfied. On the other hand, the temperature adjuster drives the motor of the one optical scanning device and does not drive the motors of all the optical scanning devices excluding the one optical scanning device if the first condition is satisfied, but the second condition is not satisfied. |
| US08773484B2 |
Method and apparatus for marking a laboratory sample cassette
In order to mark a laboratory sample cassette (2), dye marks (40, 41) are printed by an inkjet printer head (7) onto a tape (11). Rollers (17) move the tape (11) from a first location (13) adjacent to the printer head (7) to a cassette receiving location (15). A cassette clamp marker (8) at the cassette receiving location (15) has a shaped member (10) arranged to fold the tape (11) when a laboratory sample cassette (2) is in the cassette receiving location (15) so that part of the tape (11) covers a marking surface (6) of the cassette (2) and another part of the tape (11) covers a side surface (4) of the cassette (2). The shaped member (10) also has heating pads (26, 29) and when an actuator (32) applies the shaped member (10) to the tape (11) in the cassette receiving location (15), the heating pads (26, 29) are heated so that dye of the dye marks (40, 41) on the tape (11) ingresses into the marking surface (6) and the side surface (4) of the cassette (2) to mark these surfaces. |
| US08773482B2 |
Exposure apparatus
In an exposure apparatus employing an over filled optical system, the light quantity distribution on a scanning plane is kept nearly constant for a plurality of scanning light quantities. It selects the light quantity of the light beam irradiated onto the photosensitive body from a plurality of levels, and sets the light quantity selected. According to the light quantity, it selects one of a plurality of correction current profiles, and supplies a light source with a current passing through the correction based on the correction current profile selected. Since the light quantity of the light beam irradiated onto the photosensitive body is corrected by the correction current, the light quantity of the light beam on the photosensitive body becomes nearly constant in the scanning direction. |
| US08773476B2 |
Image display system and image display device
The present invention provides a technique for supplying appropriate image quality to a user. Upon executing an application, a PC1 outputs an automatic adjustment start signal s1 which is information relating to image quality required for the application, and on the basis of the automatic adjustment start signal s1, a display device 4 adjusts the image quality. Thus, it is possible to display an image with image quality suitable for each of the applications without causing any time-consuming manual operations by the user. Consequently, it is possible to provide appropriate image quality to the user. |
| US08773466B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and image processing system
There is provided an image processing apparatus including: an input image acquisition unit for obtaining an input image generated by taking an image of a real space; an image recognition unit for recognizing, when a first user-input representing a start of manipulation is detected, a manipulator used for manipulating a virtual object, wherein the manipulator appears in the input image; a calculation unit for calculating, according to a result of the recognition of the manipulator provided by the image recognition unit, a position on a screen of a display device at which the virtual object is to be displayed; a display control unit for displaying the virtual object at the position of the screen of the display device calculated by the calculation unit; and a communication unit for transmitting, when the first user-input is detected, a first notification signal for notifying the start of manipulation to another apparatus displaying the same virtual object. |
| US08773465B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing navigational information associated with locations of objects
An apparatus for providing navigational information associated with locations of objects includes an imaging device configured to acquire image data, a visual display coupled to the imaging device and configured to display the image data, a position measuring device configured to determine position information associated with the imaging device, and an orientation device configured to determine orientation information associated with the imaging device. The apparatus may also include a rendering system coupled to the visual display, the position measuring device, and the orientation device. The rendering system may be configured to determine image coordinates associated with a location of an object and provide a navigational graphic on the visual display oriented relative to the image coordinates. |
| US08773459B2 |
3-D clipping in a graphics processing unit
A graphics processing unit (GPU) efficiently performs 3-dimensional (3-D) clipping using processing units used for other graphics functions. The GPU includes first and second hardware units and at least one buffer. The first hardware unit performs 3-D clipping of primitives using a first processing unit used for a first graphics function, e.g., an ALU used for triangle setup, depth gradient setup, etc. The first hardware unit may perform 3-D clipping by (a) computing clip codes for each vertex of each primitive, (b) determining whether to pass, discard or clip each primitive based on the clip codes for all vertices of the primitive, and (c) clipping each primitive to be clipped against clipping planes. The second hardware unit computes attribute component values for new vertices resulting from the 3-D clipping, e.g., using an ALU used for attribute gradient setup, attribute interpolation, etc. The buffer(s) store intermediate results of the 3-D clipping. |
| US08773458B2 |
Method of and computer implemented system for generating a junction view image
A method of generating a junction view is disclosed. The method includes, in at least one embodiment:—acquiring a first junction from a map database;—acquiring a second junction from the map database, wherein the first and second junction are connected by way of an intermediate road segment;—determining a characteristic of the intermediate road segment between the first and second junction from the map database; and—if the characteristic of the road segment applies to a predefined condition:—adjusting the road geometry resulting in a shorter intermediate road segment; and—generating the junction view image visualizing the first and second junction using the shorter intermediate road segment. At least one embodiment of the method provides a solution to visualize in one image two decision points which will follow each other in a short time when traveling through the two decision points, i.e. two junctions. |
| US08773455B2 |
RGB-out dither interface
A display controller may include an RGB Interface module and a display port module, which may both use a target-master interface, in which the data receiving module pops pixels from the data sourcing module, and generates the HSync, VSync, and VBI timing signals. A dither module may be instantiated between the RGB interface module and display port module to perform dithering. The dither module may use a source-master interface, in which data signals and data valid signals are issued by the data sourcing module. In order to avoid having to use a large storage capacity FIFO with the dither module, a control unit may issue interface signals to the RGB Interface module and display port module, and clock-gate the dither module, to allow the data signals and data valid signals to properly interface with the RBG interface module and display port module, and provide data flow from the RGB interface module to the dither module to the display port module. |
| US08773451B2 |
Color correction method and apparatus for displays
Method and apparatus for adjusting the display characteristics of an electronic display, such as a computer or television display. The display is color corrected, e.g., at the factory, to measure its white point correction, gamma and gray tracking correction, and the gain correction over time as the display warms up. Moreover the white point correction and the gamma correction are performed on a per unit basis for each individual display to be manufactured. The resulting correction parameters are stored in memory or firmware associated with the display. Thereby when the display is in use, it performs compensation for white point, gray tracking and gain correction as the display warms up, each time it is powered up or when its thermal operation conditions change. |
| US08773447B1 |
Tag logic scoreboarding in a graphics pipeline
A method for tag logic score boarding in a graphics pipeline of a graphics processor. The method includes receiving a graphics primitive for rasterization in a raster stage of a graphics processor and rasterizing the graphics primitive to generate a plurality of pixels of pixels related to the graphics primitive. The method further includes accounting for an initiation of parameter evaluation for each of the plurality of pixels as the pixels are transmitted to a subsequent stage of the graphics pipeline and accounting for a completion of parameter evaluation for each of the plurality of pixels as the pixels complete processing in the subsequent stage of the graphics pipeline. Respective tag memory is allocated to track the initiation of parameter evaluation and the completion of parameter evaluation for each of the plurality of pixels. |
| US08773445B2 |
Method and system for blending rendered images from multiple applications
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of generating a first rendered image associated with a first application, independently generating a second rendered image associated with a second application, applying a first set of blending weights to the first rendered image to establish a first weighted image, applying a second set of blending weights to the second rendered image to establish a second weighted image, and blending the first weighted image and the second weighted image before scanning out a blended result to a first display device. |
| US08773443B2 |
Compression for co-processing techniques on heterogeneous graphics processing units
The graphics co-processing technique includes rendering a frame of red, green, blue (RGB) data on a graphics processing unit on an unattached adapter. The frame of RGB data are converted on the graphics processing unit on the unattached adapter to luminance-color difference (YUV) data. The YUV data is copied from frame buffers of the graphics processing unit on the unattached adapter to buffers in system memory. The YUV data is copied from the buffers in the system memory to texture buffers of a graphics processing unit on a primary adapter. A frame of RGB data is recovered from the YUV data in the texture buffer of the graphics processing unit on the primary adapter. The recovered frame of RGB data may then be presented by the graphics processing unit on the primary adapter on the primary display. |
| US08773442B2 |
Aligning animation state update and frame composition
An event, such as a vertical blank interrupt or signal, received from a display adapter in a system is identified. Activation of a timer-driven animation routine that updates a state of an animation and activation of a paint controller module that identifies updates to the state of the animation and composes a frame that includes the updates to the state of the animation are aligned, both being activated based on the identified event in the system. |
| US08773437B1 |
Weighting paths in a social graph based on time
A system gathers information on important and influential people and builds a social graph. The social graph can be processed to determine the influence of a node in the graph or a subsection of the graph. For the influence in a subsection of the graph, only nodes with a specific type of relationship or concept is included in the influence calculation. For example, for the concept art, only relationship that have to do with art are included in the influence calculation (e.g., museum, artists, musician). In an implementation, the edge-weight of edges of the system change according to time. |
| US08773434B2 |
Directing indirect illumination to visibly influenced scene regions
A method, apparatus, system, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to conduct global illumination. A 3D model of a scene is obtained in a computer graphics application. A camera location in the scene is identified and paths emitted from the camera location are traced into the scene (by recording hit points along the paths). The paths are filtered by selecting those paths that can receive light from a light source (i.e., paths whose next path segment hits the light source). Targets are identified based on the hit points. Photons are generated from the light source and follow a corresponding photon path. Each photon path is evaluated to determine if it intersects with a target, in which case it is recorded. A view of the scene is rendered based on the recorded photons. |
| US08773432B2 |
Triangulation for accelerated multi-resolution rendering of stroked paths
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for generating a multi-resolution triangulation of a stroked path. In one embodiment, one or more core triangles in a triangulation of a stroked path may be generated. A plurality of refinement triangles in the triangulation of the stroked path may be generated until a refinement threshold is met. The plurality of refinement triangles may include a plurality of sets of triangles, wherein each set is generated for a particular level of refinement. The stroked path may be rendered to an imaging device based on the one or more core triangles and the plurality of refinement triangles. The triangulation may be generated in a manner that is efficient and computationally stable. |
| US08773429B2 |
Method and system of virtual touch in a steroscopic 3D space
Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting parallax for a 3D object appearing on a display. One such method includes selecting a target 3D object, calculating an adjusted parallax position, calculating a z-axis offset based at least in part on the adjusted parallax position, adjusting a first z-axis position of the target 3D object by the z-axis offset, and rendering the target 3D object on the display at the adjusted first z-axis position. The adjusted parallax position is based at least in part on a maximum user reach, a comfortable viewing distance, and a distance between a user and the display. The z-axis offset is set to a difference between the adjusted parallax position and a parallax for a 3D object which is farthest from the user. |
| US08773428B2 |
Systems and methods for visually previewing variable information 3-D structural documents or packages
Systems and methods are presented for previewing 3-D images of produced 3-D variable information structural documents or packages in which still images and/or animations are provided showing the text, data, graphics and/or images of 3-D structural documents or packages defined by a variable information print job file allowing a user to preview the produced 3-D structural documents or packages as a sequence of still images and/or as animations showing different forms of the 3-D produced structures. |
| US08773427B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiview image generation using depth map information
A method and apparatus for multiview image generation using depth map information is described. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises converting a input image and an input depth map into a projected image and a projected depth map using values from physical pixel locations that map to projected pixel locations, wherein the projected image and the projected depth map are associated with a particular view of the input image, inpainting the projected image and the projected depth map and producing an output image in a direction of the particular view using the inpainted projected image and the inpainted projected depth map. |
| US08773424B2 |
User interfaces for interacting with top-down maps of reconstructed 3-D scences
Technologies are described herein for providing user interfaces through which a user may interact with a top-down map of a reconstructed structure within a 3-D scene. An application provides one or more user interfaces allowing a user to select a camera pose, a reconstruction element, a point, or a group of points on the top-down map. The application then determines at least one representative photograph from the visual reconstruction based on the selection of the user, and the displays a preview of the representative photograph on the top-down map as a thumbnail image. The provided user interfaces may further allow the user to navigate to the representative photograph in the local-navigation display of the visual reconstruction. |
| US08773422B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for grouping linearly ordered primitives
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for grouping linearly ordered primitives. In operation, a plurality of primitives are linearly ordered. Additionally, the primitives are grouped. Furthermore, at least one intersection query is performed, utilizing the grouping. |
| US08773421B2 |
Multiplexer for differential signal
A multiplexer receives multiple differential signals, selects one differential signal, and outputs, via an output port, the differential signal thus selected. The multiple differential signals are respectively input to multiple differential input ports. Multiple buffers are respectively provided to the multiple differential input ports. Each buffer includes a differential input terminal connected to a corresponding differential input port, and a differential output terminal connected to an output port. Each buffer is configured to be capable of switching states, according to the control signal, between an enable state in which a differential signal that corresponds to a differential signal input to the differential input terminal is output, and a disable state in which current consumed by the buffer becomes substantially zero, and the differential output terminal thereof is set to a high-impedance state. |
| US08773418B2 |
Display panel driving circuit, display panel, and driving method thereof
By following properties that there is coupled noise, which is coupled from a display panel, within at least one common voltage used on the display panel, the at least one common voltage is fed-back into a pixel electrode driving module, and driving voltages are generated accordingly, so that the generated driving voltages carry noises closes to coupled noises of the display panel. As a result, while the driving voltages carrying noises from the at least one common voltage, the pixel electrode driving module is capable of driving a corresponding pixel electrode with a stable voltage difference, and thereby capable of relieving horizontal crosstalk and raising a display quality of the display panel. |
| US08773417B2 |
System and method for transmitting and receiving signals
A system for transmitting and receiving a signal includes a transmitter that switches a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage and generates first and second voltage signals, and a receiver the receives the first and second voltage signals. The transmitter includes a reference voltage generator that generates the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, and a switch block that switches the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage and outputs the first and second voltage signals. The receiver includes a resistor having two terminals to which the first and second voltage signals are applied. |
| US08773413B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel, liquid crystal display device, and gate driving method of liquid crystal display panel
An LCD panel includes multiple gate lines, and a gate drive circuit connected with the gate lines. The gate drive circuit includes multiple shift register units which are used for outputting shifting signals to sequentially drive all gate lines; each shift register unit includes a first output interface and a second output interface which are connected with adjacent two gate lines. The first output interface outputs a first gate signal, the second output interface outputs a second gate signal; and a duration of the second gate signal is two times of a duration of the first gate signal in a scanning period. |
| US08773410B2 |
Method for driving a display and related display apparatus
A display includes a panel, a timing controller, and a source driver. A method for driving the display includes the steps of sending a transfer signal asserted for a first period to the source driver initially at a line period; sending a driving control signal asserted for an asserted period to the source driver by the timing controller initially at a line period, utilizing a large driving capability of the source driver to drive the panel during the asserted period within the line period, and utilizing a small driving capability of the source driver to drive the panel beyond the asserted period within the line period. |
| US08773407B2 |
Driving device of display device and driving method thereof
A driver for pixels of a display, having pixels arranged into a plurality of pixel blocks including at least two pixels in a row and at least two pixels in a column is presented. The driver includes a first converter, a second converter, and a frame memory. The first converter receives input image signals for a pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks and generates compressed image signals by compressing the input image signals based on compression reference image signals. The frame memory stores the compressed image signals. The second converter reads the compressed image signals from the frame memory, and restores the compressed image signals based on compression reference image signals to generate restoration image signals. A compression reference image signal for a first pixel of the pixel block is the restoration image signal for a second pixel of a neighboring pixel block. Compression reference image signals for the remaining pixels in the pixel block are restoration image signals for different pixels in the pixel block. |
| US08773406B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display
An organic electroluminescent display that can prevent decreases in an average luminance of an organic electroluminescent element thereof includes: a data line to supply a data signal; a scan line to supply a scan signal; a first switching element having a control electrode electrically coupled to the scan line, to transfer the data signal from the data line; a first driving transistor having a control electrode electrically coupled to the first switching element, to control a driving current of a first voltage line; a first capacitive element having a first electrode electrically coupled to the first voltage line and having a second electrode electrically coupled to a control electrode of the first driving transistor; an organic electroluminescent element, electrically coupled to the first driving transistor and a third voltage line, to display an image in response to a current supplied from the first driving transistor; and a second voltage line to supply a reverse bias voltage of a second voltage line to the organic electroluminescent element. |
| US08773399B2 |
Touch display device
A touch display device includes a display panel, a touch panel, a plurality of first light sources, a plurality of light sensors and at least one second light source. The display panel has a display surface. The touch panel is disposed above the display panel and includes a transparent part, a plurality of light guide parts configured to protrude from the surface of the transparent part thereby corporately forming a touch region on the surface. The first light sources and first light source is reflected by the light guide parts so as to emit above the touch region and be received by the light sensors. The second light source is configured to emit visible light beams, which is emitted out via the touch panel. |
| US08773396B1 |
Detecting touchdowns and liftoffs of touch objects
A system comprises a processing device and a capacitive sense array that includes a plurality of electrodes is disclosed. When a touchdown of a touch object is detected, the change in a touch area (e.g., an area where the touch object is in contact with the touch panel) caused by the touchdown may not be reported as a movement of the touch object. When a liftoff of the touch object is detected, the change in the touch area caused by the liftoff may not be reported as a movement of the touch object. |
| US08773395B2 |
Touch-responsive capacitor with polarizing dielectric method
A method of making a touch-responsive capacitive apparatus, includes providing a polarizing dielectric structure having a first surface and a second opposed surface, first and second conductive precursor material layers on the first and second surfaces, respectively; exposing the first conductive precursor material layer with first patterned polarized light having an orientation that is absorbed by the polarizing dielectric substrate so that the second conductive precursor material layer is not exposed; exposing the second conductive precursor material layer with second patterned polarized light having an orientation that is absorbed by the polarizing dielectric substrate so that the first conductive precursor material layer is not exposed; processing the exposed first conductive precursor material layer to form a first conductive material pattern on the first surface; and processing the exposed second conductive precursor material layer to form a second conductive material pattern on the second surface. |
| US08773382B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium, coordinate processing apparatus, coordinate processing system, and coordinate processing method
A following coordinate which follows an input coordinate late is calculated. Then, an inference moving amount is calculated on the basis of a moving amount of an input coordinate, and an inference moving direction is calculated on the basis of a moving direction of the following coordinate. An inference movement vector is set on the basis of the inference moving amount and inference moving direction calculated thus. The following coordinate has low correlation with an actual moving amount of a finger of an operator, and the moving direction of the input coordinate has low correlation with an actual moving direction of the finger of the operator due to fluctuation of the input coordinate. Thus, the inference movement vector which is set as described above more accurately reflects the actual moving amount and moving direction of the finger of the operator. |
| US08773380B2 |
Display interface updating method for touch screen and multimedia electronic device
An interface updating method for touch screen and a multimedia electronic device are provided, which are used for solving the problem of how to update a display interface of a touch screen according to the slide operating characteristics of a controller. When the controller slides on the touch screen, the operating characteristics of the controller are determined based on the predetermined number of pixel point samples that the slide trail of the controller goes through at last. The interface is updated according to the operating characteristics of the controller. The interface adjustment visually obtains an effect corresponding to the movement of the controller. |
| US08773379B2 |
Signal-to-noise ratio enhancing touch sensing apparatus using charge sharing method
A touch sensing apparatus is disclosed. The touch sensing apparatus includes a logic control module, at least one storage control module, and at least one decoding control module. The logic control module is used to generate a plurality of control signals having different control timings. The plurality of control signals includes a storage control signal and a decoding control signal. Each storage control module includes a plurality of storage capacitors, and respectively stores each of sensed voltages in different storage capacitors at different times according to a storage control timing of the storage control signal. The sensed voltages are analog data sensed from scan lines of an ITO sensor. The decoding control module is used to decode the sensed voltages stored in the storage capacitors according to a decoding control timing of the decoding control signal to output the decoded analog data. |
| US08773374B2 |
Identification of touch point on touch screen device
A system and method of determining a target touch point on a touch screen is presented. A touch down event at a first time and a first location on a touch screen is detected and a touch up event at a second time and a second location on the touch screen is detected. A mode of operation using at least one of the touch down event and the touch up event is characterized. A target touch point is determined using at least one of the touch down event, the touch up event, and the characterization of the mode of operation. |
| US08773370B2 |
Table editing systems with gesture-based insertion and deletion of columns and rows
Computing equipment may display tables of data that contain rows and columns. Touch gestures such as hold and flick gestures may be detected using a touch screen or other touch sensor. In response to a detected hold portion of a hold and flick gesture, a row or column in a table may be selected. In response to detection of a simultaneous flick portion, columns or rows may be inserted or deleted. A column may be inserted after a selected column using a hold and right downflick gesture. A hold and left downflick gesture may be used to insert a column before a selected column. Rows may be inserted before and after selected rows using hold and upper rightflick and hold and lower rightflick gestures. One or more columns or rows may be deleted using upflick or leftflick gestures. |
| US08773369B2 |
Sensoring apparatus of proximity and contact, and display devices
A sensor apparatus for detecting contact or proximity of an object includes a calculation section for separating a plurality of points of the contact or the proximity that are generated simultaneously, and calculating individual sets of positional coordinates, and the calculation section includes an analysis section for determining, based on a spatial distribution of signal intensity obtained through detection, a condition for separating the spatial distribution of the signal intensity into a plurality of regions. |
| US08773359B2 |
Method and apparatus pertaining to dynamically determining entered telephone numbers
As keys of the keyboard of a portable communication device are asserted, the device dynamically determines at least a portion of a corresponding telephone number to present on the device's display by, at least in part, considering likelihoods of differing explicit and implicit interpretations of these key assertions. By one approach this can comprise according a likelihood advantage to an explicit interpretation of one or more of the key assertions and/or implicit interpretations of such key assertions. These likelihood advantages need not be necessarily dispositive with respect to the resultant interpretation. |
| US08773356B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations
Systems and methods for providing tactile sensations are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of outputting a display signal configured to display a graphical object on a touch-sensitive input device; receiving a sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor signal indicating an object contacting the touch-sensitive input device; determining an interaction between the object contacting the touch-sensitive input device and the graphical object; and generating an actuator signal based at least in part on the interaction. |
| US08773355B2 |
Adaptive cursor sizing
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for controlling a computing environment with one or more gestures by sizing a virtual screen centered on a user, and by adapting the response of the computing environment to gestures made by a user and modes of use exhibited by a user. The virtual screen may be sized using depth, aspects of the user such as height and/or user profile information such as age and ability. Modes of use by a user may also be considered in determining the size of the virtual screen and the control of the system, the modes being based on profile information and/or information from a capture device. |
| US08773351B2 |
User input apparatus, computer connected to user input apparatus, method of controlling computer connected to user input apparatus, and storage medium
A user input apparatus is provided with user input means for the user to input data or a command by using the user's human body, and use-form detection means for detecting a form in which the user uses the user input means by the user's human body. A computer connected to the user input apparatus changes the operation of the application being executed by application execution means, according to a detection result obtained by the use-form detection means. Therefore, input operations can be performed without inconvenience even if the user cannot use one hand due to another work. |
| US08773341B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel including liquid crystal sealed between a pair of substrates; a plurality of gate signal lines and a plurality of drain signal lines formed to cross each other on one of said pair of substrates; a pixel region surrounded by a pair of adjacent gate signal lines and a pair of adjacent drain signal lines; a thin film transistor provided in the pixel region and connected to at least one of the pair of adjacent gate signal lines and at least one of the pair of drain signal lines; a pixel electrode provided in the pixel region and supplied with a video signal via the thin film transistor; and a counter electrode provided in the pixel region and supplied with a reference signal via a counter voltage signal line, the reference signal being a reference for the video signal. |
| US08773339B2 |
Method of driving display panel and display apparatus for performing the same
A method of driving a display panel includes applying a common voltage to the display panel, sensing a frequency of the display panel to generate a frequency signal, adjusting a gain of an operational amplifier based on the frequency signal, receiving a feedback common voltage from the display panel, and compensating the common voltage using an input resistor, the operational amplifier and a feedback resistor based on the feedback common voltage to apply the compensated common voltage to the display panel. The operational amplifier includes an inverting input terminal connected to the input resistor, a non-inverting input terminal to which a reference common voltage is applied and an output terminal. The feedback resistor is between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal. |
| US08773338B2 |
Method for driving liquid crystal display device
In an image signal writing period, a first image signal is supplied to a first liquid crystal element and a first capacitor from a first signal line. In a backlight lighting period, display is performed in a light-transmitting pixel portion in response to the first image signal. In a black grayscale signal writing period, a signal for black display is supplied to a second liquid crystal element and a second capacitor from a second signal line. In a still image signal writing period, a second image signal is supplied to the first liquid crystal element, the first capacitor, the second liquid crystal element, and the second capacitor from the first signal line. In a still image signal holding period, display is performed in the reflective pixel portion in response to the second image signal. |
| US08773335B2 |
Display device and electronic equipment
A display device is disclosed. The display device includes: a pixel array unit and a driving unit which drives the pixel array unit. The pixel array unit includes rows of first scanning lines and second scanning lines, columns of signals, pixels in a matrix state arranged at portions where the scanning lines and the signal lines cross each other and power supply lines and ground lines supplying power to respective pixels. The driving unit includes a first scanner performing line-sequential scanning to pixels by each row by supplying a first control signal to each first scanning line sequentially, a second scanner supplying a second control signal to each second scanning line sequentially so as to correspond to the line-sequential scanning and a signal selector supplying a video signal to rows of signal lines so as to correspond to the line-sequential scanning. |
| US08773332B2 |
Driving circuit for pixels of an active matrix organic light-emitting diode display and method for driving pixels of an active matrix organic light-emitting diode display
A method for driving pixels of an active matrix organic light-emitting diode display is disclosed. The method includes charging a first terminal and a second terminal of a first capacitor with a reference voltage and a reset voltage respectively, and turning on a third switch simultaneously, floating the second terminal of the first capacitor, charging the first terminal of the first capacitor according to a data voltage, floating the first terminal of the first capacitor and turning on the third switch. Thus, determine a driving current independent of process variances of the N-type thin film transistor and a voltage drop of an OLED according to a difference voltage across the first capacitor. |
| US08773329B2 |
Head-up display device
A head-up display device placed on an upper surface of a dashboard, includes: an object of view arranged in an inside space of the dashboard; an imaging optical system of real specular image for defining a space where a viewer exists and the inside space of the dashboard, the imaging optical system of real specular image including a semitransparent substrate with a plane of symmetry, the imaging optical system of real specular image forming a real image of the object of view in the space of the viewer with light passing through the substrate; and a reflective screen arranged in the space of the viewer, the reflective screen reflecting light beams of the real image of the object of view supplied from the imaging optical system of real specular image to guide the reflected light beams to the viewer, while allowing formation of an image to be seen by the viewer. |
| US08773328B2 |
Intelligent DMA in a mobile multimedia processor supporting multiple display formats
Methods and systems for processing video data are disclosed herein and may include determining a first video format associated with video data to be displayed on a first video display communicatively coupled to a single mobile multiple media processor that supports a plurality of display formats. The single mobile multiple media processor may be integrated within a mobile device. An amount of the video data that is transferred from memory to the first video display, by a DMA controller, may be restricted based on the determined first video format associated with the video data to be displayed on a first video display. Only the restricted amount of the video data that is to be displayed by the first video display may be transferred from the memory to the first video display by the DMA controller. |
| US08773326B2 |
Terminal device and recording medium with control program recorded therein
In a terminal device, when an opening angle of two display section housings is detected by an opening angle detecting section 17, and the opening angle is smaller than a predetermined angle (such as 90°), a control section 11 controls luminance of at least one of display sections 4 and 5 included in the display section housings, based on the opening angle. In a case where the display sections 4 and 5 are display devices that use backlights 8 and 9, the control section 11 controls luminance of at least one of the backlights 8 and 9 illuminating the display sections 4 and 5. |
| US08773324B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program for wireless communication
An apparatus including: a first antenna operable in a first resonant frequency band; a second antenna operable in a second resonant frequency band; a first filter coupled to the second antenna; and a first phase shifter configured to provide the combination of at least the first filter and the second antenna with an impedance at the first resonant frequency band which substantially suppresses coupling between the first antenna and the second antenna. |
| US08773322B2 |
High performance HDTV antenna design and fabrication
This invention discloses a design and fabrication of a high performance HDTV Antenna to receive public airwave signals. The subject antenna consists of a high efficient broadband element and a pair of reflecting surfaces. The reflecting surfaces produce a focusing effect. The backside radiation of the antenna is redirected, making it more energized to receive signals from the front side. This is a very desirable feature in a weak signal environment. The reflecting surfaces provide additional benefits in reducing unwanted multiple reflecting signals which often cause unstable pictures. The broadband radiating element composed a pair of triangular shape radiators which is excited by a new art infinite balun. With this design, it is unnecessary to reposition the antenna in order to receive all available public channels. A fixed location is generally adequate to provide good reception to all stations. |
| US08773320B2 |
Planar CRLH antenna
The present invention relates to a planar composite right/left handed (CRLH) antenna, comprising: a substrate body which is made of dielectric materials, and which has a planer structure; a radiation line which is disposed on one side of the substrate body, and which is bent to form a slot for exposing a predetermined width of the substrate body through both ends thereof, and which resonates at a predetermined frequency band when fed; and a feeder line which is disposed on the outer side of the substrate body, which extends across the slot, and which feeds electric power to the radiation line. The planar CRLH antenna of the present invention is small in size, and expands a radiation area, thereby expanding an available frequency band, or using a dual frequency band. |
| US08773319B1 |
Conformal lens-reflector antenna system
A conformal lens-reflector antenna system in which a radio frequency (RF) reflector is disposed in a depression in a raised portion of a dielectrical RF lens. The RF reflector can be shaped to reflect RF signals between an RF feed path to the lens and a body of the lens that extends generally laterally away from the raised portion. RF signals having a frequency within a resonant frequency range of the lens can be directed along the RF feed path to the reflector, which can reflect the RF signals into the body of the lens from which the RF signals can radiate. Similarly, RF signals in the resonant frequency range of the lens in space near the lens can resonate in the lens, and the reflector can reflect those signals down the RF feed path. |
| US08773317B2 |
Antenna apparatus including multiple antenna portions on one antenna element operable at multiple frequencies
An antenna apparatus includes a slit provided on an antenna element between first and second feed ports; and a series resonant circuit provided at a location along the slit, with a distance from an opening of the slit. When the antenna apparatus operates at a first isolation frequency identical to a resonance frequency of the series resonant circuit, the series resonant circuit is short-circuited, and only a section of the slit from its opening to the series resonant circuit resonates, thus providing isolation between the feed ports at the first isolation frequency. When the antenna apparatus operates at a second isolation frequency lower than the first isolation frequency, the series resonant circuit is open, and the entire slit resonates, thus providing isolation between the feed ports at the second isolation frequency. |
| US08773313B2 |
Non-planar metamaterial antenna structures
Antennas for wireless communications based on metamaterial (MTM) structures to arrange one or more antenna sections of an MTM antenna away from one or more other antenna sections of the same MTM antenna so that the antenna sections of the MTM antenna are spatially distributed in a non-planar configuration to provide a compact structure adapted to fit to an allocated space or volume of a wireless communication device, such as a portable wireless communication device. |
| US08773303B2 |
Position tracking device and method
The present application relates to tracking a position of a device, e.g. for detecting slow and rapid earth deformation, by making use of a recursive filter having the filter characteristic adapted to a detected type of motion. If the motion of the position tracking device is rapid, the filter characteristic is set such that the rapid motion can be tracked with the necessary speed. On the other hand, if the motion is slow, e.g. during times of a normal tectonic drift, the filter characteristic is set such that the motion is slowly tracked with the advantage of efficient noise reduction, i.e. noise in the input signal is effectively barred and does not pass through the filter to the output signal. Thus, in times of rapid motion the convergence speed of the filter output signal to the input signal is set high for fast convergence and in times of slow motion the convergence speed of the filter output signal to the input signal is set low for a slow convergence. The filter may be a Kalman filter. |
| US08773302B2 |
Multi-channel radar level gauge
A level gauge for detecting process variables related to a distance to a surface of a content in a tank, comprising a first and second functionally independent circuitry arrangements comprising transceiver circuitry and processing circuitry. The gauge further comprises a transmission line probe connected to the circuitry arrangements, the transmission line probe extending into the content in the tank and being adapted allow propagation of first and second transmission modes, and a feeding arrangement connected to couple electromagnetic signals into the probe in first and second propagation modes. |
| US08773299B1 |
System and method for actively determining obstacles
An exemplary embodiment relates to an aircraft system for detecting wires. The system includes a processor configured to actively sense a presence of a first object and a second object. The processor determines a location of the first object and the second object. The processor determines a potential location of a wire between the first object and the second object. The processor actively senses the wire by providing electromagnetic energy to the potential location. |
| US08773298B2 |
Integrated circuit
A successive approximation register A/D converter that obtains an output of N bits interrupts operation at a timing when the operation of the successive approximation register A/D converter is affected on the basis of circuit timing in an integrated circuit. The A/D converter performs a comparison between a sampling signal and a comparison reference voltage by a sampling period in which an analog signal is sampled, a comparison period of N states in which the sampled signal is sequentially compared with a comparison voltage for each bit, and a reserve period of M states following the comparison period. When an operation is temporarily interrupted, the A/D converter performs a comparison operation of a bit, whereas the comparison is not performed in the reserve period. |
| US08773296B1 |
Interleaved digital to analog conversion
A method and apparatus for interleaving high-speed, delta-sigma based over-sampled DACs. A delta-sigma modulator is decomposed into a parallel poly-phase block-filter running at a lower rate. The generated parallel digital data is then fed directly to the analog DAC output stage where it is directly combined to form the full-rate signal using a 1-hot-of-N output stage. By using a poly-phase implementation, the complexity of the high-speed parallel digital-analog timing interface is simplified, along with the timing requirements of the delta-sigma modulator which normally would have to run at the full-oversampled rate. The 1-hot-of-N signal encoding is directly generated from the parallel delta-sigma modulator, and efficiently encodes the data in such a way to minimize signal-dependent supply noise. The architecture disclosed is advantageous for the practical implementation of high-speed over-sampled DACs, such as those used in stringent wireless applications. |
| US08773294B2 |
Background techniques for comparator calibration
A method and a corresponding device for performing a background calibration of a comparator in a circuit having a plurality of stages that are connected in a pipelined fashion to an input signal. A digital value of a residue signal, which is output from a first stage in the plurality of stages to a subsequent stage in the plurality of stages, is calculated. The value of the residue signal is compared to at least one threshold. Based on the comparison, a triggering threshold of a selected comparator in the first stage may be adjusted. |
| US08773290B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing and using public transportation information
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for providing traffic information of public transportation means, such as a bus, and utilizing the provided information. A method of encoding public traffic information according to the present invention creates an identifier of bus information system, an ID of bus route, and location information of each in-service bus pertaining to the bus route. The location information is expressed in a stop ID that is uniquely allocated to all of bus stops within coverage of BSI (Bus Service Information) service. The created information is organized to status information that is in turn incorporated into a transfer message. A sequence of transfer messages, each being constructed as described above, is wirelessly transmitted. |
| US08773286B1 |
Operator assistance system
A system having a controller is provided. The controller receives a signal indicative of an actual position and an actual orientation of a machine on a worksite, from a position detection module. The controller determines a first view of the machine on the worksite. The first view shows the actual position of the machine and a target position of the machine. The controller determines a second view of the machine on the worksite. The second view has a first and a second indicator. The first indicator is indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine. The second indicator is indicative of the target position and a target orientation of the machine. The controller displays any one of the first view and the second view based, at least in part, on the actual position of the machine relative to the target position on a display unit. |
| US08773276B2 |
Dual mode LED strobe
A strobe device that operates in multiple modes is disclosed. The strobe device may include an LED-based strobe element and a controller. In response to receiving a command to generate an output, the controller determines in which of at least a first mode and second mode to operate, and sends one or more signals to the LED-based strobe element based on the determination. The first mode and the second mode may differ from one another in at least one aspect, such as duration, luminosity, current supplied to LED, or wavelength range. The controller may select both of the first mode and the second mode (such as alternating between the first mode and the second mode). Or, the controller may select one of the first mode and the second mode. For example, depending on the ambient light at or near the strobe device, the controller may select either the first mode or the second mode. |
| US08773275B1 |
Method and system for alerting and retrieving lost device
A method for displaying point-of-interest (“POI”)-related content on an electronic map, comprising: providing a first and a second electronic devices, wherein each of the electronic devices includes an application that is coupled to a digital service on the internet; logically pairing the first and second devices by the digital service; receiving a set of unique identification and GPS coordinates from the two electronic devices; computing physical distance between the electronic devices; and, in response to determining the physical distance exceeds an allowed threshold, transmitting an alarm to the electronic devices. |
| US08773274B2 |
Metering apparatus with damage monitoring
Packaging installation with a metering apparatus and method for monitoring damage in a packaging installation in which packs (19) which are to be filled can be charged with the contents in each case by means of a metering apparatus (01) designed according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein —the vibrations of the wall of the dispensing container (02) are measured at least during operation of the stirrer (06) and/or of the metering screw (05), —the measured values are evaluated by the vibration evaluator (10), —deviations in the vibration behavior are detected and compared with limit values stored in the vibration evaluator (10), —when the limit values are exceeded, this indicates with sufficient probability, that the stirrer (06) or the metering screw (05) is in contact with the dispensing container (02), —an alarm is triggered by means of the vibration evaluator (10). |
| US08773268B2 |
Hygiene monitoring system
A system and method is provided for monitoring hygiene compliance. |
| US08773267B2 |
Cable wrap security device
A security device may include a spool, locking mechanism, button, plug, and latch. The spool is configured to either wind or unwind a cable for wrapping around an object. The locking mechanism is configured to partially lock the spool. The button may be used to move the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions. The button may be blocked by inserting a plug into a housing of the device such that the button can not be activated to unlock the spool. The plug may be secured to the housing through the latch that prevents the unauthorized removal of the plug. For an enhanced locking feature, the latch and the plug may be configured to require at least two forces to move the latch and free the plug. The spool, locking mechanism, and button may be stacked along a common axis to provide a more compacted design. |
| US08773256B2 |
Fall prevention system having a sensor for determining an indication of the risk of a fall
There is provided a fall prevention system that is suitable for being worn by a user, comprising a sensor for determining an indication of the risk of the user falling; two or more feedback devices for attachment to respective parts of the user's body, each feedback device being controllable to apply feedback to said respective part; and a controller configured to control the two or more feedback devices such that feedback is applied to a particular part of the user's body in response to the determined indication. |
| US08773254B2 |
Automatic configuration of initiating devices
A method and system for configuring initiating devices in a fire alarm system is provided. Groupings of the initiating devices in the fire alarm system are determined entirely automatically (or partially automatically). For example, the fire alarm control panel may communicate with the initiating devices to receive grouping information from the initiating device (which may be input at the initiating device), and determine the grouping based on the communication. As another example, the fire alarm control panel may communicate with the initiating devices in order to determine some aspect of the fire alarm system (such as the wiring), and automatically determine the grouping based on the communication. Moreover, labels for the initiating devices in the fire alarm system may be generated entirely automatically (or partially automatically). Further, reporting of the alarm events by the fire alarm control panel may be based on grouping. For example, the fire alarm control panel may determine the grouping information for the one or more initiating devices that sent an alarm communication, organize presentation of the indication of the alarm event based on the determined grouping information, and present, on an output device, the organized presentation of the indication of the fire alarm event. |
| US08773252B2 |
Gear lever locking device
A gear lever locking device to be installed inside a gear lever cover panel is characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary connector transverse stud and a gear lever connector which is slidable in accordance with the movement of a gear lever. On an auxiliary connector, there is provided a plurality of stud holes for use with a gear lever transverse stud having a stud end pushing mechanism. The stud end pushing mechanism receives the force exerted from a locking mechanism by a pressing means. The gear lever locking device according to the present invention includes screw guards and a cover wall that have been designed to cover a locking mechanism installation portion to prevent any removal of fastening screws or a gear sling, to prevent disassembling or breaking of the locking mechanism of the gear lever locking device to improve safety. |
| US08773251B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing operation of an automotive vehicle
Methods and systems are described for managing operation of an automotive vehicle. Vehicle information, about an automotive vehicle, is received. The automotive vehicle has a current operational configuration for constraining an operation of the automotive vehicle. Device information, about a portable electronic device, is received. A detection is made, based on the vehicle information and the device information, that an operator of the automotive vehicle is a device user of the portable electronic device. In response to the detection, change information is sent to change the current operational configuration to alter a constraint on the operation of the automotive vehicle. |
| US08773249B2 |
Car alarm apparatus
A car alarm apparatus includes a first horn; a second horn; an electrical source; a theft detection section; a horn switch; a first relay closed when the horn switch is operated; a first fuse connected to the electrical source in series with the first relay and the first horn; a second fuse connected to the electrical source separately from the first fuse; and a second relay connected to the electrical source in series with the second fuse and the second horn, wherein the second relay includes a first contact that connects the second horn to an electrical source through the first fuse and the first relay in parallel with the first horn and a second contact that connects the second horn to the electrical source through the second fuse, and closes the second contact when the occurrence of the theft is detected. |
| US08773248B2 |
Vehicle control device, portable device, portable device search system
A vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle has a search signal transmission unit that transmits a search signal for searching a position of a portable device, which remotely operates the control device, a determination unit that determines a bright and dark state of outside of the vehicle, and a storage unit that stores a determination result of the determination unit. When searching for the portable device, a first search signal for causing the portable device to perform an informing operation of visually informing the position of the portable device is transmitted from the search signal transmission unit if the determination result in which the outside of the vehicle is determined as the dark state by the determination unit is stored in the storage unit, and a second search signal for not causing the portable device to perform the informing operation of visually informing the position of the portable device is transmitted from the search signal transmission unit if the determination result in which the outside of the vehicle is determined as the bright state by the determination unit is stored in the storage unit. |
| US08773247B2 |
Haptic feedback device using standing waves
Haptic output devices and related systems and methods are described in the present disclosure. In various implementations, a haptic output device includes a reservoir filled with a liquid. At least one side of the reservoir includes a flexible membrane. The haptic output device also includes a first actuator in physical contact with the reservoir and configured to impart pressure waves to the liquid. The pressure waves interact with the flexible membrane to supply a haptic effect to a user. |
| US08773245B2 |
Method and system for performing affinity transactions
There is provided a physical token for use in a defined venue with a server having communication with the physical token. The physical token may comprise an identification data and a transmitter configured to transmit the identification data. The physical token is configured to transmit the identification data to the server to cause the server to initiate a sensory interaction with a user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may comprise a character in the defined venue interacting with the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may also comprise a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may further comprise an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user possessing the physical token. The physical token may represent an affinity comprising an experience, entitlement, or characteristic of the user possessing the physical token. |
| US08773243B1 |
Battery assisted RFID tag receiver training and synchronization methods
Embodiments of the present invention provide for enhanced RFID tag receiver training and synchronizing methods suited to the high tag sensitivity that results from use of transistor detector based square law tag receivers and tag hibernation to maximize battery life. These enhancements may employ pseudo-random sequence based receiver training, activation signaling, and frame synchronizing. Embodiments of the present invention also provide RFID systems having battery-assisted, Semi-Passive RFID tags that operate with sensitive tag receivers utilizing a plurality of tag receiver dynamic range states. Further enhancement is achieved via design of system command sets and tag state machine behavior that control system interference and allow maximum usage of high sensitivity. Command set design also allows for convenient expansion to active transmitters and receivers in tags operating within the same system. Additional system performance support is attained via power leveling methods that optimize the amount of transmitted power and interference from a reader in relation to the sensitivity of the RFID tags, their ranges from the reader, and the unique physics of the backscatter RFID radio link. |
| US08773241B2 |
Device for the secure contactless data exchange between a reader and a card
A transponder of a contactless data exchange system includes a unit to receive and transmit data provided with at least one first antenna loop and at least one second antenna loop in order to carry out a coupling with a reader. The transponder includes a phase shifter to shift a signal coming from the second loop by a phase shift of K*π, K being an odd integer greater than 0, to produce a phase shifted signal. The transponder includes an adder, to add a signal coming from said first loop and the phase shifted signal to produce a sum signal. The transponder also includes a unit to authorize or prevent a data transmission, depending on the sum signal. A reader of a contactless data exchange system includes a data sending/receiving unit provided with at least one antenna loop, at least one other antenna loop, and a phase shifter. |
| US08773238B2 |
Media recognition and synchronisation to a motion signal
The present document describes a device and method for synchronizing a motion signal corresponding to a media content with a media signal for the media content, the motion signal being for controlling a motion feedback system. The method comprises: receiving a portion of the media signal; obtaining a fingerprint corresponding to the received portion of the media signal; from reference fingerprints associated with time positions of at least one reference media content, identifying a reference time position of the media content corresponding to the obtained fingerprint; obtaining the motion signal associated with the identified reference time position of the media content; and outputting the motion signal synchronized with the media signal using the identified reference time position of the media content for controlling the motion feedback system. |
| US08773237B2 |
Door closer with teach mode
A door closer with a teach mode is disclosed. The door closer that can be self powered and includes a control unit to intelligently control a valve within the door closer to vary the operating characteristics of the door closer as needed. The control unit includes a teach mode that can be invoked at installation time, or any other time, so that appropriate information can be stored in memory regarding an installation configuration, relative jamb position, swing (right or left handed) and other parameters. These values can be accessed by control circuitry in the controller for use in controlling the door closer during operation. |
| US08773233B2 |
Integrated inductors
Multiple-inductor embodiments for use in substrates are provided herein. |
| US08773230B2 |
Assembly of magnetised coaxial structures inducing a longitudinal homogeneous field in the centre thereof
The magnetized structure that induces in a central area of interest a homogeneous magnetic field oriented along a longitudinal axis (z) of the structure comprises first and second magnetized rings (111, 121) disposed symmetrically relative to a plane (P) that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (z) and that contains said central area of interest, and one median annular magnetized structure (330) disposed between the first and second magnetized rings (111, 121) and also disposed symmetrically relative to the plane (P) of symmetry. The first magnetized ring (111) is magnetized radially relative to the longitudinal axis (z) with divergent magnetization, the second magnetized ring (121) is magnetized radially relative to the longitudinal axis (z) with convergent magnetization, and the median annular magnetized structure (330) is magnetized along the longitudinal axis (z). The median annular magnetized structure (330) is divided into at least two slices (331A, 331B, 332A, 332B) along the longitudinal axis (z) and the first and second magnetized rings (111, 121) and the various slices (331A, 331B, 332A, 332B) of the median magnetized structure (130) are each divided into identical components in the form of regularly distributed sectors. |
| US08773228B2 |
Actuator which can be actuated electromagnetically, particularly for an adjustable damping valve of a vibration damper
Actuator which can be actuated electromagnetically includes a coil, a magnetically conductive actuator sleeve being fixed in the magnetic field thereof. The magnetic field passes radially from the actuator sleeve to an axially movable armature and passes axially in the area of a pole plane from the armature to a return member which is stationary with respect to the actuator and, in so doing, generates a magnetic force which displaces the armature. The actuator sleeve for the magnetic flux of the coil has at least two functionally parallel passage areas having different cross sections for receiving the armature which has a conducting profile complementary to the actuator sleeve. |
| US08773225B1 |
Waveguide-based apparatus for exciting and sustaining a plasma
An apparatus includes: an electromagnetic waveguide and an iris structure providing an iris in the electromagnetic waveguide. The iris structure defines an iris hole. The apparatus further includes an electric field rotation arrangement configured to establish a 2N-pole electric field around a circumference of the iris hole, wherein N is an integer which is at least two. The electric field rotation arrangement may include at least four iris slots, each in communication with the iris hole, wherein a first one of the iris slots is further in disposed at a first side of the iris hole and a second one of the iris slots is disposed at a second side of the iris hole which is opposite the first side. |
| US08773221B2 |
Band rejection filter
An inexpensive compact band rejection filter realizes a high sharpness of a filter characteristic at ends of passbands and has a large attenuation. In the band rejection filter, at least one of a plurality of elastic wave resonators, which contributes to formation of a transition band, has a propagation angle larger than those of the other elastic wave resonators. Accordingly, the at least one of the plurality of elastic wave resonators which contributes to the formation of the transition band has an electromechanical coupling coefficient that is smaller than electromechanical coupling coefficients of the other elastic wave resonators. |
| US08773220B2 |
Radio frequency front end module and multi band module using the radio frequency front end module
Disclosed are a radio frequency (RF) front end module and a multi-band communication module using the RF front end module. The RF front end module may use a plurality of bandpass filters and at least one diplexer being connected to at least one of front ends or rear ends of two bandpass filters of the plurality of bandpass filters. |
| US08773217B2 |
Integrated bidirectional coupler
A distributed-line directional coupler including: a first conductive line between first and second ports intended to convey a signal to be transmitted; and a second conductive line, coupled to the first one, between third and fourth ports, the second line being interrupted approximately at its middle, the two intermediary ends being connected to attenuators. |
| US08773214B2 |
Saw device, saw oscillator, and electronic apparatus
A SAW device includes a SAW chip formed of a piezoelectric substrate and an IDT formed thereon, a base substrate that supports the SAW chip, and a fixing member that fixes the SAW chip to the base substrate. The SAW chip that forms a cantilever is supported by the base substrate via the fixing member in a position where the IDT does not overlap with the fixing member in a plan view of the SAW chip. The length W of the SAW chip in a y-axis direction and the length D of the fixing member in the y-axis direction satisfy 1 |
| US08773209B2 |
Frequency generating system, voltage-controlled oscillator module and method for adjusting signal frequency
A voltage controlled oscillator module including a VCO unit and a gain adjustment unit is provided. The VCO unit is configured to generate a frequency signal based on a control voltage. The gain adjustment unit is coupled to the VCO unit and configured to receive a first adjustment voltage, a second adjustment voltage, and a reference voltage and accordingly adjusts the control voltage to adjust a frequency value of the frequency signal. The gain adjustment unit includes an adjustment circuit unit and a reference circuit unit. A first voltage-frequency curve of the frequency value of the frequency signal and a voltage value of the first adjustment voltage changes in response to a structure characteristic of the adjustment circuit unit. Furthermore, a frequency generating system and a method for adjusting a signal frequency of the VCO module are provided. |
| US08773206B2 |
Power amplifier apparatus and power amplifier circuit
The present invention relates to a power amplifier apparatus and a power amplifier circuit thereof, the power amplifier circuit uses Doherty circuit structure, and it uses a high voltage heterojunction bipolor transistor (HVHBT) power amplifier to achieve a Carrier amplifier with the Doherty circuit structure, and uses a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) power amplifier to achieve a Peak amplifier with the Doherty circuit structure. The power amplifier apparatus and a power amplifier circuit thereof in the present invention improves the efficiency of the power amplifier. |
| US08773205B2 |
Doherty power amplifier and implementation method thereof
The present invention discloses a Doherty power amplifier and an implementation method thereof. A peak amplifying circuit of the Doherty power amplifier comprises a radio frequency switching circuit configured to control turn-on of the peak amplifying circuit; wherein a last stage carrier amplifier of a carrier amplifying circuit of the power amplifier uses a HVHBT device, and a last stage peak amplifier of the peak amplifying circuit of the power amplifier uses a GaN device. The present invention avoids the shortcoming when the peak branches in the Doherty power amplifier are turned on ahead of time, decreases power consumption of the peak amplifier and improves the batch efficiency of the whole Doherty power amplifier. |
| US08773199B2 |
Compensation technique for feedback amplifiers
Compensation methods and systems for voltage-feedback amplifiers provide improved dynamic performance (i.e., increased bandwidth and the elimination or alleviation of a slew limitation) at various gains by self-adaptively changing the Miller effect with respect to the gain setting. |
| US08773192B2 |
Overshoot suppression for input/output buffers
Disclosed is a diode clamping circuit that is used in an I/O buffer to suppress noise. Diode-connected CMOS transistors or PN junction transistors are utilized, which are native to the CMOS process. Switching circuitry is also disclosed to isolate the diodes and prevent current drain in the circuit. Switching circuitry is also used to switch between two different power supply voltages. |
| US08773186B1 |
Duty cycle correction circuit
A duty cycle correction circuit comprises a duty cycle detector, a filter, a comparator, a SAR DAC, an equalization device, a pass gate circuit, and a duty cycle corrector. The duty cycle detector generates control signals in response to internal clock signals. The equalization device equalizes voltage levels of the control signals, and the pass gate circuit applies the control signals to the duty cycle corrector. The filter obtains average voltages of the control signals. The comparator compares output signals from the filter to generate a comparison result. The SAR DAC performs a SAR algorithm to generate analog output signals based on the comparison result. The duty cycle corrector receives external clock signals, the analog output signals, and output signals from the pass gate circuit to generate the internal clock signals with a corrected duty cycle. |
| US08773184B1 |
Fully integrated differential LC PLL with switched capacitor loop filter
A circuit comprising a loop filter, wherein the filter comprises an active integrator configured to generate one or more tuning signals, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) coupled to the loop filter and configured to generate a feedback signal based on the one or more tuning signals, wherein generating the one or more tuning signals is based on the feedback signal. |
| US08773183B2 |
Fractional PLL circuit
A fractional PLL circuit includes: a phase comparator for detecting a phase difference, and which outputs a controlled voltage; a voltage-controlled oscillator for generating and outputting an output clock signal; a phase-selection circuit for selecting any one of a predetermined number of phases into which one period of a clock of the output clock signal is equally divided, generating a phase-shift clock signal having a rising edge in the selected phase, and outputting the phase-shift clock signal to the phase comparator; and a phase controller for determining a phase of the rising edge of the phase-shift clock signal selected by the phase-selection circuit such that a period of the phase-shift clock signal is a length that is changed by a predetermined phase-shift amount from a period of the output clock signal, and controlling the phase-selection circuit so as to select the determined phase. |
| US08773176B2 |
Driving method and driving circuit of schottky type transistor
A driving circuit of a schottky type transistor includes an input terminal supplied with an input signal, and an output terminal connected to a gate of the schottky type transistor. The driving circuit outputs a first voltage lower than a breakdown voltage of the schottky type transistor to the output terminal at the time of rising of the input signal, and thereafter supplies a second voltage higher than the breakdown voltage to a resistance connected to the output terminal. |
| US08773173B2 |
Semiconductor device, image display device, storage device, and electronic device
To provide a semiconductor device with reduced power consumption that includes a selection transistor. To provide a semiconductor device capable of high-speed operation without increasing a power supply potential. A buffer circuit connected to a gate line has a function of generating a potential higher than a high power supply potential by using the high power supply potential and outputs the potential in response to a selection signal. Specifically, a bootstrap circuit boosts a high power supply potential that is input to an inverter that is the closest to an output side in the buffer circuit. Further, the bootstrap circuit boosts the potential when the gate line is selected, and does not boost the potential when the gate line is not selected. |
| US08773172B2 |
Driver circuit with tight control of gate voltage
A driver circuit includes a driver output stage and an operational amplifier. The driver output stage has a high-level voltage input and a low-level voltage input, and is operable to generate an output voltage responsive to a gate voltage applied to the driver output stage. The operational amplifier is operable to regulate the gate voltage applied to the driver output stage so that the output voltage corresponds to a control signal input to the operational amplifier. A first supply voltage connected to the high-level voltage input of the driver output stage is higher than a maximum value of the control signal, and a second supply voltage connected to the low-level voltage input of the driver output stage is lower than a minimum value of the control signal. |
| US08773169B2 |
High frequency signal comparator for SHA-less analog-to-digital converters
A high frequency input signal comparator for optimizing group delay, reducing input frequency dependent offset and an offset auto-zeroing latch core are described. The comparator may include an isolation switch stage, and a latch core. The isolation switch stage may isolate latch core depending upon a control signal, thereby reducing input frequency dependent offset. The latch core may include a pair of inverters cross coupled via an impedance to one another. The latch core may include latch switches selected to attain a certain gain across the individual inverters comprising the latch core while resetting the latch core. The gain across the individual inverters during the acquire/reset phase may bootstrap the coupling impedances, thereby reducing loading and group delay at the input of the latch core. The coupling impedances may be designed to minimize or auto-zero statistical offset, thereby minimize input referred offset. |
| US08773166B1 |
Self-timed single track circuit
An apparatus includes a first output stage and a first input stage of a first single track buffer, as well as a second output stage and a second input stage of a second single track buffer. The second single track buffer is downstream from the first single track buffer. The first output stage and the second input stage are coupled to one another via bidirectional rails. The first output stage and the second input stage in combination provide a first pulse generator. |
| US08773165B2 |
Logic circuit performing exclusive or operation and data processing system including the same
Disclosed herein is a logic circuit that includes a transistor T1 coupled between VPERI and a node n1, a transistor T2 coupled between VPERI and a node n2, a transistor T3 coupled between VSS and a node n3, a transistor T4 coupled between VSS and a node n4, transistors T5 and T7 coupled in series between the nodes n1 and n3, transistors T9 and T11 coupled in series between the nodes n1 and n3, transistors T6 and T8 coupled in series between the nodes n2 and n4, and transistors T10 and T12 coupled in series between the nodes n2 and n4. An output signal Y is output from a connection point of the transistors T5 and T7 and a connection point of the transistors T6 and T8. |
| US08773156B2 |
Measurement of insulation resistance of configurable photovoltaic panels in a photovoltaic array
Methods for measuring insulation resistance in a photovoltaic (PV) array may include partitioning the PV array into groups of PV panels, isolating a group of PV panels selected for an insulation resistance measurement from other groups of panels by setting bypass selectors on each PV panel in the PV array, and making an insulation resistance measurement for the selected group. If a measured value of insulation resistance for a selected group corresponds to an insulation problem in a PV array component, a separate measurement of insulation resistance may be made for each PV panel in the selected group. Insulation resistance measurements may be made accurately and rapidly for large PV arrays without disconnecting and reconnecting cables between panels. Measurements may be made at frequent, regular intervals to permit changes in insulation resistance to be detected before damage from dielectric breakdown occurs. |
| US08773155B2 |
MUT for testing memory modules
An MUT unit for testing memory modules includes a first circuit board; a second circuit board coupled to the first circuit board in a vertical orientation; a socket on a top surface of the first circuit board; and a resilient member electrically connecting the first and second circuit boards at an joint there between, wherein the resilient member comprises a horizontal segment that is welded to a bottom surface of the first circuit board, a vertical segment that is welded to a surface of the second circuit board, and a curved buffer segment connecting the horizontal segment and the vertical segment. |
| US08773154B2 |
Mounting structure for a continuity testing unit
A mounting structure for a continuity testing unit is provided in which the plurality of continuity testing units can easily be mounted to or removed from a test board without using the bolt or the intricately-shaped pin, and which improves the efficiency of restoring the mounting arrangement of the continuity testing units. The mounting structure for a continuity testing unit includes a plurality of parallely-arranged rails arranged at a frame, a joint block arranged on the respective rails and a plurality of continuity testing units each including a plate portion and a pin portion arranged at the plate portion. The joint block includes a plurality of holes into which the pin portion is fitted in a disengageable manner. The plurality of holes is arranged in two lines. The plate portion is placed on the joint blocks on the two adjacent rails. |
| US08773153B2 |
Method of correcting overlay and semiconductor device manufacturing method using the same
A method of correcting an overlay includes setting a reference map having information relating to predetermined positions of a substrate. An overlay value is measured at each of the predetermined positions to obtain a plurality of overlay measurement values. The plurality of overlay measurement values is applied to a polar coordinate function to calculate a correlation coefficient of the polar coordinate function. The polar coordinate function uses coordinate values of the predetermined positions as parameters. |
| US08773147B2 |
Capacitive touch sensing device by detecting induced electric field
A capacitive touch sensing device by detecting induced electric field includes a differential amplifier, a resistor and a signal judgment circuit. The differential amplifier is electrically connected to a touch sensor. The resistor is electrically connected to a first input end and a second input end of the differential amplifier. The signal judgment circuit is electrically connected to an output end of the differential amplifier. As the touch sensor receives an induced electric field signal, the induced electric field signal is amplified by the differential amplifier and the signal judgment circuit determines whether the amplified induced electric field signal is a touch input. |
| US08773144B2 |
Avalanche breakdown test apparatus
To detect whether energy accumulated in an inductive load section has been discharged. Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a power supply section that generates a power supply voltage to be supplied to the device under test; an inductive load section that is provided in a path between the power supply section and the device under test; a housing section that houses a substrate that includes at least the inductive load section; and a lock maintaining section that keeps an opening/closing section, which allows an operator to access the substrate within the housing section, in a locked state when a voltage at a predetermined position on the substrate is greater than a set voltage. |
| US08773142B2 |
Electronic part and method of detecting faults therein
An electronic component includes an oscillator element, a driving circuit outputting a driving signal to the oscillator element, a clock frequency generator outputting a clock signal to the driving circuit, a clock frequency controller controlling a frequency of the clock signal, a consumption-current detection unit detecting a consumption current of the driving circuit, and a fault detection unit electrically connected to the consumption-current detection unit and the clock frequency controller. When the clock frequency controller changes the frequency of the clock signal, the detected consumption current changes, and allows the consumption-current detection unit to detect the change of the consumption current. The fault detection unit detects a fault based on the change of the frequency of the clock signal and the change of the consumption current. This electronic component can have a fault detection function and a small size. |
| US08773139B2 |
High sensitivity differential current transformer for insulation health monitoring
A current transformer is provided. The current transformer comprises an inner magnetic core having a central opening, an outer sense core circumscribing the inner magnetic core, at least one pair of conductors extending through the central opening and positioned symmetrically with respect to a center point of the inner magnetic core, and one or more coils disposed on the inner magnetic core, the outer sense core, or both, in a magnetically balanced configuration relative to a magnetic neutral axis of the inner magnetic core. |
| US08773138B2 |
Discharge ionization current detector
A discharge ionization current detector using a low-frequency barrier discharge is provided to improve the linearity of detection sensitivity with respect to a sample introduction amount. From a lower end of a lower gas passage connected to a lower end of an upper gas passage, a dilution gas is supplied upward against a downward flow of a plasma gas. A gas discharge passage for discharging a plasma gas, the dilution gas and a sample gas is arranged between an ion-collecting electrode and a bias voltage application electrode. The sample gas introduced through a capillary tube is mixed with the plasma gas and the dilution gas due to a disturbed flow generated by collision of the plasma gas and the dilution gas. The sample component is efficiently ionized by light from the plasma without undergoing light-shielding effect of concentrated sample components. |
| US08773131B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and RF coil
A receiving RF coil includes a coil element group having a figure-eight coil, a first loop coil arranged at the center of the figure-eight coil, and a second loop coil partially overlaid on the first loop coil. Furthermore, a path switching control unit switches the transmitting paths of a signal so that the signal can be received and/or transmitted with a combination of the first loop coil and the second loop coil or a combination of the figure-eight coil and the first loop coil. |
| US08773129B2 |
Combined correlation parameter analysis
Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with combined correlation parameter estimation are described. One example method includes accessing data associated with a magnetic resonance (MR) signal produced by relaxation of nuclei in an item that has experienced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) excitation. The MR signal is a function of two or more NMR parameters. The example method also includes accessing data associated with a set of comparative signal evolutions and computing a value for an NMR parameter based on a combined correlation of the data associated with the MR signal to the data associated with the set of comparative signal evolutions. The combined correlation will depend on at least two correlations between the data associated with the MR signal and two different members of the set of comparative signal evolutions. |
| US08773123B2 |
Two-terminal linear sensor
A magnetic field sensor includes a linear magnetic field sensor to produce a voltage proportional to a sensed magnetic field and an interface having only two terminals for external connections. The two terminals of the interface include a power supply terminal and a ground terminal. The interface includes a voltage-controlled current generating device that is connected between the two terminals and is controlled by the voltage to provide a current signal that is proportional to the sensed magnetic field. |
| US08773119B2 |
System for fiber DC magneto-optic detection and method thereof
A system for fiber DC magneto-optic detection and method thereof are provided. The system comprises a power supply and signal processing module (400), an optical fiber device (200), a magneto-optic probe (100) and a reference device (300). The reference device (300) is mounted in the system, and the measured signal can be corrected via a reference magnetic field pulse signal generated by the reference device (300) so as to eliminate the influence that the environmental factors caused on the measurement, and to obtain accurate measurement data, thus improving measurement accuracy of the system. |
| US08773113B2 |
Measurement of a cyclic motion of a ferromagnetic part
Cyclic motion of a ferromagnetic part in an environment made noisy by at least one electric source with an A.C. component is measured using at least one first magnetometer sensitive to the moving part and a sensor of an image of current in the electric source. An estimate is calculated of noise linked to the electric source on a signal measured by the first magnetometer and then subtracted from the measured signal. |
| US08773111B2 |
Current estimation circuit
A current flowing through a switching element (5) of a power supply is detected by an AC current transformer (8), and a capacitor (201) is charged by a voltage corresponding to the current. A reduction factor of the terminal voltage of the capacitor in an off period of the switching element (5) is calculated based on an amplification factor of the terminal voltage of the capacitor, an absolute value of an instantaneous value of an input power supply voltage, and an instantaneous value of a direct current output voltage, and the capacitor is discharged so that the terminal voltage of the capacitor decreases by the reduction factor in an off period of the switching element (5). A current flowing through an inductor (4) is estimated from the terminal voltage of the capacitor. |
| US08773107B2 |
Electromagnetic field detection systems and methods
A method and apparatus configured to detect electromagnetic field events are disclosed. One apparatus includes an antenna and a circuit electrically connected to the antenna. The circuit includes electronics communicatively connected to the antenna via a direct current isolation circuit and an equalizer compensating for the differentiating frequency response of the antenna. The circuit also includes a logarithmic amplifier electrically connected to the equalizer and configured to generate a range of signals based on signals received at the antenna. The circuit further includes a peak detector receiving signals from the equalizer and configured to capture a peak value of the signals. The electromagnetic field event is detected at least in part based on the peak signal value. |
| US08773106B2 |
Capacitance detection in electrochemical assay with improved sampling time offset
A method and a system are provided to determine fill sufficiency of an electrochemical biosensor test cell by determining capacitance of the electrochemical test cell. In particular, the system samples an output signal from the chamber at a second sampling-time interval different than a first sampling-time interval such that a magnitude of each sampled output signal is measured at each succession of the second sampling-time interval instead of at the first time interval. The system determines a phase angle between an output signal and the oscillating input signal from the chamber based on the sampled output signal of the sampling step. The system calculates a capacitance of the chamber from the phase angle. A method is also provided to perform similar functionalities of the system. |
| US08773104B2 |
On-time control module and on-time control method for compensating switching frequency in switching regulator
The present invention discloses an on-time control module for compensating a switching frequency in a switching regulator. The on-time control module includes an average voltage generating circuit, for generating an average voltage related to a duty according to an input voltage and the duty, and an on-time controller, for generating a control signal of an on-time related to the duty according to the input voltage and the duty voltage. |
| US08773101B2 |
Power management for loads supplied with power from wild sources
A solid-state power regulator (SSPR) regulates power delivered to a frequency tolerant load from a wild-source generator. The SSPR includes a solid-state switching device and a controller. The solid-state switching device is turned On to deliver power from the wild-source generator to the frequency-tolerant load and Off to prevent the delivery of power to the frequency-tolerant load. The controller monitors the power delivered to the frequency-tolerant load and selectively modulates the solid-state switching device to regulate the power delivered. |
| US08773095B2 |
Startup circuit for an LDO
A startup circuit in an LDO includes an operational amplifier having an inverting terminal and a non-inverting terminal and an output node. The non-inverting terminal receives a reference voltage. The startup circuit further includes a feedback capacitor coupled between an output node and the inverting terminal and a current source coupled between the inverting terminal and ground such that the current source and the feedback capacitor together control rate of change of an output voltage of the operational amplifier. A comparator is used to stop the rate of change of output voltage after the output voltage reaches a desired value. |
| US08773093B2 |
Method for converting a high voltage level to a low voltage level
In a method, a high voltage level is converted to a low voltage level by using a high side driver and a low side driver electrically coupled with the high side driver. The high side driver is substantially turned off upon a detection that the high side driver leaves a cutoff region of the high side driver during a tri-state mode. |
| US08773086B1 |
Circuits and methods for dynamic voltage management
In one embodiment the present invention includes a circuit comprising a voltage adjust circuit and an input terminal of an electronic system. The voltage adjust circuit is coupled to receive an input voltage. The input terminal of the electronic system is coupled to receive a supply voltage from an output terminal of the voltage adjust circuit. The voltage adjust circuit makes an adjustment to the supply voltage based on a minimum voltage requirement of the electronic system. Accordingly, the leakage current supplied to the electronic system reduces, thereby saving power. |
| US08773078B2 |
Universal serial bus (USB) charging system and method thereof
A USB charging system and the method thereof are disclosed. The USB charging system includes a hub device having a charging function module and a plurality of connection ports. The charging function module dynamically distributes the charging current to the connection ports based on power supply ability of a power unit for providing the charging current to at least one chargeable device wherein the charging current is greater than USB protocol current. |
| US08773075B2 |
Battery monitoring circuit and battery monitoring system
The battery monitoring circuit includes a first switch element, a second switch element, a third switch element. The battery monitoring circuit includes a first output capacitor connected to the second end of the first switch element at a first end. The battery monitoring circuit includes a first output controlling switch element connected between a second end of the first output capacitor and the ground. The battery monitoring circuit includes an AD converter that analog-to-digital converts a signal responsive to a voltage at an output terminal between the second end of the first output capacitor and the first output controlling switch element. The battery monitoring circuit includes a controlling circuit that controls turning the first to third switch elements and the first output controlling switch element and controls the AD converter. |
| US08773074B2 |
Battery, battery system and method for detecting abnormal state of battery
There is provided a battery system including a battery having a luminescent layer on surfaces of an exterior member, the luminescent layer containing a stress luminescent material that emits light in response to application of mechanical stress, a photodetector device that detects light emission by the stress luminescent material, and abnormality detection means for monitoring the light emission detected by the photodetector device and thus detecting an abnormality in the battery. |
| US08773068B2 |
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery modules coupled between a plurality of terminals, wherein the rechargeable battery modules individually comprise a plurality of rechargeable battery cells and charge balancing circuitry configured to implement, for individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, first charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery cells of individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, and to implement second charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery modules with respect to one another. |
| US08773065B2 |
Power supply system for electric powered vehicle, control method thereof, and electric powered vehicle
A charger converting electric power from an external power supply into charging power for a power storage device converts AC power on a power line into charging power for an auxiliary battery. A CHR connects or disconnects a path between the charger and the power storage device. A DC/DC converter converts DC power on a power line connected to a smoothing capacitor into charging power for the auxiliary battery and outputs the power onto a power line. An ECU discharges the smoothing capacitor even if the voltage on the power line is lower than a determination voltage by causing the DC/DC converter to operate to charge the auxiliary battery in a discharging mode where the CHR is set OFF. |
| US08773059B2 |
Controller chip with signal swapping capability for controlling motor device and related method thereof
A controller chip for controlling a motor device includes a first input port, a first output port, a controller, and a signal processing circuit. The first input port is arranged to receive a motor control input. The first output port is arranged to generate a motor control output. The controller is arranged to generate an output signal according to an input signal, and has a second input port for receiving the input signal and a second output port for outputting the output signal. The input signal is derived from the motor control input, and the motor control output is derived from the output signal. The signal processing circuit has a target interconnection configuration selected from a plurality of candidate interconnection configurations each including an interconnection between the first input port and the second input port and an interconnection between the first output port and the second output port. |
| US08773056B2 |
FPDA closed loop electric drives controls
A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit that is operatively coupled to the SR machine, and a controller in communication with the converter circuit. The controller may be configured to execute two or more processes in parallel, wherein the processes include generating a torque command based on one or more of bus voltage, machine current, rotor speed and rotor position, determining a first set of current control parameters based on the torque command and the rotor speed, determining a second set of current control parameters based on one or more of the torque command, the rotor speed and the rotor position, selecting one of the first and second sets of current control parameters based on the rotor speed, and operating the gates according to the selected set of current control parameters. |
| US08773055B2 |
One-phase electronically commutated motor
An electronically commutated one-phase motor (20) has a stator having at least one winding strand (30, 32) and a permanent-magnet rotor (22). The rotor, as it rotates, induces a voltage (uind) in the at least one winding strand (30, 32). The motor has an electronic calculation device (26), preferably a microcontroller μC, which is configured to execute, during operation, the steps of a) sensing the value of the instantaneous operating voltage (Ub); (b) using the operating voltage value (Ub) and optionally further parameters, adjusting a time duration (TON) of a switch-on current pulse (i30) for the motor, in order to apply a consistent amount of electrical energy to the windings during start-up attempts, thereby maximizing the probability of successful start-up, regardless of possible fluctuations in motor operating voltage and related operating parameters. The switch-on current pulse duration (TON) can be adjusted longer or shorter, as a function of operating experience. |
| US08773051B2 |
Power converter
A synchronization detection PLL section generates an ON synchronized signal formed as a result of synchronization control based on a diode ON synthesized signal. The synchronization detection PLL section also generates an OFF synchronized signal formed as a result of synchronization control based on a diode OFF synthesized signal. A stator gate instruction generator PWM section generates a gate instruction signal for controlling the switching of a switching element on the basis of the ON synchronized signal and the OFF synchronized signal. |
| US08773048B2 |
Fan control system and air conditioner that includes the same
A fan control system includes a first fan, a second fan adjacent to the first fan, a first motor that rotates the first fan, a second motor that rotates the second fan, and a control unit. The control unit controls the rotational speeds of the first motor and the second motor. The control unit decreases the rotational speed of the first motor and increases/decreases the rotational speed of the second motor when the rotational speed of the first motor must be decreased. The control unit can decrease the rotational speed of the second motor when the rotational speed of the first motor whose rotational speed has been decreased is lower than a prescribed rotational speed, and increase the rotational speed of the second motor when the rotational speed of the first motor whose rotational speed has been decreased is higher than the prescribed rotational speed. |
| US08773047B2 |
Controlling circuit for an LED driver and controlling method thereof
The present invention relates to a controlling circuit and controlling method for an LED driver implemented as a flyback topology. The controlling circuit may be at a primary side of a transformer of the LED driver, and include a sampling circuit, an on time sensing circuit of an output diode, a regulating signal generator, and a PWM controller. The sampling circuit may generate a sampling signal indicating output current by sampling at the primary transformer side. The on time sensing circuit can detect an on time of the output diode. The regulating signal generator can generate a regulating signal by regulating the sampling signal, a voltage reference, and the on time of the output diode. The PWM controller may generate a controlling signal to control operation of a switching device of the LED driver to maintain a substantially constant output current in accordance with the regulating signal. |
| US08773046B2 |
Driving circuit having voltage dividing circuits and coupling circuit for controlling duty cycle of transistor and related circuit driving method thereof
A driving circuit includes: a first voltage dividing circuit arranged to generate a first voltage-divided signal according to a supply voltage; a second voltage dividing circuit arranged to generate a second voltage-divided signal according to specific voltage; a coupling circuit coupled between the first voltage dividing circuit and the second voltage dividing circuit, and arranged to couple the first voltage-divided signal into the second voltage-divided signal to generate a coupling signal; and a control circuit arranged to generate a control signal at least according to the coupling signal and a feedback signal to control a duty cycle of a transistor, wherein the feedback is generated by the transistor. |
| US08773044B2 |
Anti-collision aircraft light
An anti-collision aircraft light comprises at least one LED and a control unit for operating the at least one LED in a pulsed manner. In this anti-collision aircraft light, the control unit comprises an ambient temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature and an adjustable current control for setting an LED operating current depending on the sensed ambient temperature. The control unit further includes a light intensity sensor for sensing the intensity of the light emitted from the at least one LED, an integrator connected to the light sensor for integrating the sensed light intensity, and a comparator for comparing the integrated light intensity to a threshold value. The operating current for the at least one LED is interrupted as soon as the integrated light intensity is equal to the threshold value. |
| US08773043B2 |
Integrated circuit for illumination device, and illumination device
According to the present invention, anode-side ends of LED arrays (1011) and (1012) are connected to an identical point. A constant current circuit (1003) drives the LED array (1011) by a constant current, whereas, a constant current control circuit (3) drives the LED array (1012) by a constant current and by pulses. |
| US08773042B2 |
LED lighting device
The present invention relates to a multiple LED driver circuit in which each LED (15, 17) is controlled by a bypass switch (19, 21). The LEDs are supplied by a switched mode power supply (8) and are connected to a constant current source to draw a predetermined current through the LEDs. The switched mode power supply is arranged to output different voltages depending on the number of switched-on LEDs. This is carried out by supplying the control signals (sw1, sw2) of the bypass switches to the switched mode power supply. In this way, the power dissipation of the constant current source can be kept at a low level. |
| US08773038B2 |
Driver circuit for efficiently driving a large number of LEDs
A circuit can be used for controlling a plurality of LEDs coupled in series. A switching converter operates as a current source coupled to the plurality of LEDs to provide a constant load current thereto. The switching converter includes an inductor coupled in series with the plurality of LEDs such that the same load current flows through the inductor and the plurality of LEDs. No substantial capacitance is coupled between the inductor and the plurality of LEDs. A floating driver circuit is coupled in parallel with each individual LED of the plurality of LEDs. The floating driver circuit is configured to fully or partially take over the load current thereby bypassing the respective LED in accordance with a respective modulated input signal to control the intensity of the light emitted by the LED. |
| US08773037B2 |
Ballast configured to compensate for lamp characteristic changes
A ballast (4) for providing power to a high intensity discharge lamp (8) includes a first sensor (32) and a control subsystem (16). The first sensor (32) generates a first signal indicative of a current level in the ballast (4). The control subsystem (16) computes a real time power level of the ballast (4) based at least upon the first signal, compares the computed real time power level to a specified power level, and modifies a frequency of operation of the ballast (4) in response to the comparison. The first sensor (32) can measure the current level at an output of the ballast (4). The ballast (4) can also include a second sensor (32) that generates a second signal indicative of a voltage output of the ballast (4). The control subsystem (16) can compute the real time power level of the ballast (4) based upon the second signal. The control subsystem (16) can be configured to read a lamp specified maximum power level, receive an input indicative of a dimming level, and/or compute the specified power level based upon the lamp specified maximum power level and the dimming level. The control subsystem (16) can incrementally decrease the frequency when the comparison indicates that the computed real time power level is less than the specified power level and/or incrementally increase the frequency when the comparison indicates that the computed real time power level is greater than the specified power level. |
| US08773032B2 |
LED light source with multiple independent control inputs and interoperability
An LED lighting control system incorporating a control IC for fast control of LED current in a switching Buck-type power supply through dedicated power supply control hardware with slow changing signals of temperature and input under control of firmware. The control IC optimizes the use of power from the source and optimizes the operating efficiency of the LED output while providing for a plurality of LED devices to be powered in parallel by a single controller. |
| US08773031B2 |
Dimmable timer-based LED power supply
Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an input current path, a switch in the input current path, an energy storage device connected to the input current path, a load output connected to the energy storage device, and a timer-based variable pulse generator connected to a control input of the switch. The timer-based variable pulse generator is adapted to generate a stream of pulses having a variable on-time and off-time. The dimmable power supply is adapted to vary the on-time and off-time to control a current at the load output. |
| US08773030B2 |
Low voltage outdoor lighting power source and control system
A power source and control system is particularly suited for use in an outdoor landscape lighting system. The power source and control system includes at least one switching mode AC-to-DC power supply having an additional output stage for efficiently converting the DC output signal into another relatively low frequency AC signal for transmission to a plurality of buried power conductors. A Manchester encoded control signal is encoded at a relatively high frequency onto the AC signal sent over the buried power conductors so that intelligent LED lighting fixtures can be powered by the AC signal and selectively have their intensity changed when they decode the control signal. |
| US08773018B2 |
Tuning a dielectric barrier discharge cleaning system
Apparatus and methods for generating and optimizing a plasma discharge are provided. The device includes a plasma generating device, one or more sensors, and at least one controller for adjusting the plasma in light of the sensed characteristics. Methods for optimizing a plasma, particularly a spatially disoriented plasma discharge include generating a plasma, sensing one or more plasma characteristics, modifying one or more plasma generating properties to optimize the plasma. |
| US08773013B2 |
Three dimensional OLED lamps
Novel three dimensional OLEDs are provided. The OLEDs have two configurations, and are self supporting in the three dimensional configuration without the need for any external supports. |
| US08773012B2 |
Phosphor, method for preparing and using the same, light emitting device package, surface light source apparatus and lighting apparatus using red phosphor
Disclosed are a phosphor, a method for preparing and using the same, a light emitting device package, a surface light source apparatus, a lighting apparatus using the phosphor, and a display apparatus. The phosphor includes an inorganic compound represented by an empirical formula (Sr, M)2SiO4-xNy:Eu, where M is a metallic element, 0 |
| US08773011B2 |
Light source device and endoscope apparatus comprising the same
A light source device includes a first semiconductor light source, a second semiconductor light source, and a wavelength converter. The first semiconductor light source emits light in a first wavelength range. The second semiconductor light source emits light in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. The wavelength converter absorbs the light in the first wavelength range to emit light in a third wavelength range different from either of the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range, and transmits the light in the second wavelength range substantially entirely. |
| US08773007B2 |
Lighting devices that comprise one or more solid state light emitters
Light engine modules comprise a support member and a solid state light emitter, in which (1) the emitter is mounted on the support member, (2) a region of the support member has a surface with a curved cross-section, (3) the emitter and a compensation circuit are mounted on the support member, (4) an electrical contact element extends to at least two surfaces of the support member, and/or (5) a substantial entirety of the module is located on one side of a plane and the emitter emits light into another side of the plane. Also, a module comprising means for supporting a light emitter and a light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising a housing member and a light emitter mounted on a removable support member. Also, a lighting device comprising a module mounted in a lighting device element. Also, a method comprising mounting a module to a lighting device element. |
| US08773006B2 |
Light emitting device package, light source module, and lighting system including the same
Disclosed is a light emitting device package. The light emitting device includes a package body having a cavity defined by a sidewall and a bottom surface, a light emitting device disposed in the cavity, a radiator inserted into the package body and disposed below the light emitting device, and a second electrode pattern disposed around the radiator and electrically connected to the light emitting device via wire bonding. The second electrode pattern includes a first region to which a wire is bonded, and a second region connected to the first region, and a width of the first region differs from a width of the second region. |
| US08773002B2 |
Probe for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
The present disclosure provides a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The probe includes a backing layer, a piezoelectric layer disposed on one side of the backing layer, a matching layer disposed on one side of the piezoelectric layer, a signal connector disposed inside the backing layer to transfer a signal to the piezoelectric layer, and a ground connector disposed outside the signal connector. The backing layer, the piezoelectric layer and the matching layer are sequentially disposed and the signal connector is electrically connected to the piezoelectric layer at the other side of the piezoelectric layer. The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a stack of the backing layer, the piezoelectric layer and the matching layer, in which the piezoelectric layer is formed to have a certain curvature, thereby achieving performance improvement through minimization of interference from a signal connector and a ground connector. |
| US08773001B2 |
Rotating transducer mount for ultrasonic surgical instruments
In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that operably supports an electrical contact assembly therein that is in electrical communication with a signal source. An acoustic assembly is supported within the handpiece housing in rotatable contact with the electrical contact assembly. In various embodiments, the signal source produces at least one of an ultrasonic signal and a radio frequency signal. |
| US08772999B2 |
Signal amplification by hierarchal resonating structures
An electromechanical resonating structure, including: first level major elements coupled to each other to form a second or higher level hierarchy; and first level sub-micron size minor elements with a characteristic frequency and coupled to each of the first level major elements to form a second level hierarchy in which a signal is effectively amplified by vibrating each of the plurality of major elements in at least one mode determined by the geometry and dimensions of the first level sub-micron minor elements. |
| US08772997B2 |
Electrical submersible pump system having high temperature slot, end bell and phase-to-phase insulation
Electric submersible well pumping systems operable in well temperatures of above about 180° C. (356° F.) utilize high temperature electrical insulation. The electrical insulation includes E-base polyimide films or perfluoropolymer TE films on various components. The insulation films are employed around magnet wires that are threaded through slots in the stator. Slot insulation of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film surrounds the magnet wires in the stator slots. Sheets of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film extend around and between phase loops of the magnet wire at the lower end of the stator. The motor contains a PAO oil having additives to dissipate acid generated by epoxy used in the motor. |
| US08772996B2 |
Stator for electric rotating machine
A stator for an electric rotating machine is provided which includes a stator winding made up of a plurality of conductor segments. Each of the conductor segments has a leg which includes an in-slot portion into one of slots of a stator core and a protrusive end extending outside the slot. The protrusive ends of the conductor segments are welded together to form a stator winding. The conductor segments are broken down into first conductor segments and second conductor segments. The protrusive ends of the first and second conductor segments include outwardly-oriented bends and inwardly-oriented bends for increasing an interval between every pair of adjacent two of the protrusive ends to be welded, thus ensuring a required degree of electrical insulation between the pairs of the protrusive ends and permits the height of a coil end of the stator winding to be decreased. |
| US08772995B2 |
Stator for electric rotating machine
A stator includes a stator coil that is formed of electric conductor segments welded to one another. Each of the electric conductor segments includes at least one joining portion that is welded to another one of the electric conductor segments. The joining portion includes a first part and a second part that are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the electric wire segment. The second part includes a distal end of the electric wire segment, and the first part is on the opposite side to the distal end. The first part extends with its cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction continuously decreasing at a first predetermined rate toward the second part. The second part extends with its cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction continuously decreasing at a second predetermined rate toward the distal end. The second predetermined rate is less than the first predetermined rate. |
| US08772991B2 |
In-wheel motor driven device
An object of the present invention is to maintain a predetermined positional relationship between an outer pin holder and a housing in a speed reducer section B, to prevent damage to such components as revolving members, outer circumferential engagers, and motion conversion mechanism upon a large axial load due to turning or sudden acceleration/deceleration, and to eliminate rattling noise caused by a housing and the outer pin holder. An elastic member is disposed on one or both axial end surfaces of the outer pin holder, between the outer pin holder and the housing. As a result, even if there is an axial load exerted on the outer pin holder, the outer pin holder is always held at a predetermined position by restoring force from the elastic member(s), in a proper positional relationship with the housing. |
| US08772990B2 |
Stator system with a cooling arrangement
A stator system for a generator is provided. The stator system includes a housing element, a conductor, a cooling box and a cooling arrangement. The conductor forms at least one winding of the stator system. The winding includes two central sections and an end section. The end section connects the two central sections, wherein each of the two central sections are mounted at a surface of the housing element. The end section projects from the housing element. The cooling box is mounted to the housing element in such a way that the cooling box encloses the end section, so that the end section runs inside an interior space of the cooling box. The cooling arrangement is located in and/or at the cooling box, wherein the cooling arrangement is adapted for cooling the end section. |
| US08772985B2 |
Self-diagnosing transmission system
A system transmits electric signals, electric energy or media over short distances between units movable relative to each other. The system has at least one first unit disposed along the trajectory of the movement and at least one second unit disposed for movement relative to the first unit. A diagnosis unit is associated with at least one of the units to detect the condition of at least one of said movable units and signals that detected condition to a central control unit. |
| US08772984B2 |
Fitness equipment energy regenerating and saving system
A fitness equipment energy regenerating and saving system is provided. The system includes a bidirectional power converter, a bidirectional power drive, a generator, and an energy managing circuit. The energy managing circuit activates the bidirectional power converter so as to enable the bidirectional power drive to feedback the power generated by the generator to an electrical grid when the generator is operated in a generator mode. The energy managing circuit sets the bidirectional power converter to a current-regulating mode so as to enable the bidirectional power drive to obtain the power required for driving from the electrical grid when the generator is operated in a motor mode. |
| US08772979B2 |
Method for power self-regulation in a high-power induction type power source
The present inventions relates to a method for power self-regulation in a high-power induction type power source, wherein the PS module includes a PS microprocessor that is electrically connected to a PS driving unit, signal analysis circuit, coil voltage detection circuit, display unit, PS unit and earthing terminal respectively, and further connected with a resonance circuit and PS coil electrically through the PS driving unit, while the PR module contains a PR microprocessor electrically connected with a voltage detection circuit, breaker protection circuit, voltage stabilizing circuit, AM carrier modulation circuit, DC step-down transformer, rectifying filter circuit and resonance circuit respectively. While transmitting electric power, the PS module receives and analyzes data signals and then regulates the transmitted power through self-regulation programs in the microprocessor, thus achieving the purpose of power self-regulation for the PR module. |
| US08772975B2 |
Apparatus and method for implementing a differential drive amplifier and a coil arrangement
Exemplary embodiments are directed to differentially driving a load. An apparatus includes a differential drive amplifier including a switching device coupled with a first output node and a second output node. The first output node and the second output node drive a load network including primary coils. The differential drive amplifier also includes a drive circuit configured to drive the switching device. The drive circuit may be configured to provide a drive signal to the switching device to alter a conductive state of the switching device to produce a first output signal at the first output node and a second output signal at the second output node. The first and second output signals may be substantially equal in magnitude but opposite in polarity relative to a reference voltage. |
| US08772974B2 |
Wireless transmission of energy through concentric laser-induced plasma channels in atmosphere
A method and apparatus for transmission of charged particles along a laser-induced conduction path of concentric plasma channels in atmosphere. The apparatus comprises a high power laser array in operable communication with a high energy output means to accomplish initiation of at least two concentric plasma channels in atmosphere, a second energy source for outputting the charged particles to be transmitted, and means for introducing the charged particles to be transmitted into the wall of at least one of the laser-induced conduction channels. Other embodiments further include means for inducing the energy across the conduction path to a target capable of receiving and storing the energy, and a plurality of charging rods bearing a negative or positive charge and in communication with each conductive channel for shaping and stabilizing the charge transmitted therethrough. |
| US08772972B2 |
Wireless energy transfer across a distance to a moving device
Described herein are embodiments of a first resonator coupled to an energy source generating an oscillating near field region, and a second resonator optionally coupled to an energy drain and moving freely within the near field region of the first resonator. The first resonator and the second resonator may be coupled to transfer electromagnetic energy from said first resonator to said second resonator as the second resonator moves freely within the near field region, and where the region may include distances greater than the characteristic size of the smaller of the first resonator and the second resonator. |
| US08772969B2 |
Static transfer switch device, power supply apparatus using the switch device and switching method thereof
Disclosed is a static transfer switch with a modified structure that can selectively supply power from power sources to a load stably and continuously, a power supplying apparatus employing the same, and a switching method thereof. The present invention includes mechanical/electrical contact point switches in parallel to semiconductor switches, and minimizes operation time of the semiconductor switches by turning on/off the mechanical or electrical contact point switches together when the semiconductor switches are turned on/off to reduce a failure rate of the semiconductor switch. Also, the static transfer switch makes a switching unit electrically/mechanically separable from a power source with failure to switch a power supply path and thereby prevent superposition caused by the switching unit. This prevents a problem caused when electrical or mechanical contact point switches simply in parallel, that is, a problem that power sources are turned on simultaneously when the power supply paths are switched. |
| US08772966B1 |
System and method for selecting a power supply source
A power supply source selection circuit is provided with a comparator and a switch. The comparator has an input to accept a first reference voltage directly proportional to a bandgap reference voltage. For example, the bandgap voltage may be derived from a battery voltage. The comparator has an input to accept a second reference voltage directly proportional to a first supply voltage (e.g., a line voltage), and an output to supply a switch signal in response to comparing the second reference voltage to the first reference voltage. The switch has an input to accept the first supply voltage, an input to accept a second supply voltage, and input to accept the switch signal. The switch has an output to supply a third supply voltage to a regulator. The third voltage has a voltage potential less than or equal to a maximum voltage value. The switch selects between the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage in response to the switch signal. |
| US08772964B2 |
Parallel control and protection for UPS
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a UPS system having a first UPS, the method comprising powering on the first UPS, detecting a first signal at a first I/O of the first UPS using a first detection circuit of the first UPS, detecting a second signal at a second I/O of the first UPS using a second detection circuit of the first UPS, based on a status of the first signal and a status of the second signal, configuring the first UPS to operate in one of a master mode of operation and a controlled mode of operation. |
| US08772963B2 |
Device for supplying uninterruptible power
The invention relates to uninterruptible power supply devices which make it possible to supply emergency power to a load, which is to be supplied, in the event of mains failure. The invention is based on the object of providing a device for supplying uninterruptible power, which device can be operated in a more energy-saving manner and in which the emergency power can be controlled in a rapid and safe manner. To this end, the uninterruptible power supply device has a power transistor which can be rapidly switched and can be used to connect a standby power source to the output connections during emergency power operation. The output current can also be dynamically limited by driving the power transistor, which can be rapidly switched, in a corresponding manner. In addition, the input and output of the UPS device are decoupled using a field effect transistor that acts as a power transistor. |
| US08772957B2 |
Power generating floating vessel
The present invention pertains to hydroelectric generation devices, and more particularly pertains to a fixed or floating paddlewheel electric generation device that may be placed in any flowing liquid source in order to generate power. Such an overall power generating system includes a paddlewheel component that is situated within an artificial channel properly configured to increase the velocity of the flowing liquid therethrough, thereby providing a manner of generating paddlewheel rotation at a speed greater than that relative to the main body of the fluid itself. Such an efficient process thus allows for effective conversion of such hydrokinetic power into mechanical energy in order to couple to a device to produce electricity from such captured power. The resultant electrical energy can then be supplied to a user's individual location or into an electrical grid in order to supply a clean, efficient, power source. |
| US08772955B2 |
Collapsible horizontal axis wind generator
A low wind, lightweight horizontal axis wind generator with two adjustable rotor assemblies that include at least one set of lightweight blades that can be manually or automatically unfurled or furled in low, moderate and high winds. In one embodiment, each blade has an airfoil shape in cross-sectional with a rounded leading edge and a thin tailing edge. In a second embodiment, each blade is sail shaped made of one thin cover or panel that assumes a concave cup-like configuration in the wind. In both embodiments, the blade are made of lightweight flexible material supported by an inner frame. In one embodiment, the cover moves longitudinally over the inner frame. In the second embodiment, the cover moves laterally over the inner frame. The unfurling and furl of the blades are controlled by a voltage sensor that constantly measures the voltage output of the generator and/or by wind sensors. |
| US08772954B1 |
Power balancing for a dual generator single DC link configuration for electric drive propulsion system
A machine is described that includes an electric drive for propelling the machine along a ground surface. The machine includes an electric power system having a first generator and a second generator. The electric power system also includes a first rectifier coupled to the first generator and having a first direct current (DC) power output and a second rectifier coupled to the second generator and having a second DC power output. Both the first DC output and the second DC output are coupled to the single DC bus, thereby providing an arrangement for the first rectifier and the second rectifier to simultaneously provide power to the single DC bus. A power balancer control receives power commands from both the first and the second ECMs and issues a corrective voltage adjustment to at least one of the first and second ECMs. |
| US08772951B1 |
Ultra fine pitch and spacing interconnects for substrate
Some novel features pertain to a substrate that includes a first dielectric layer, a first interconnect embedded in a first surface of the first dielectric layer, and a second interconnect on the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first interconnect is offset from the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first interconnect being offset towards an inner portion of the first dielectric layer. In some implementations, the substrate further includes a third interconnect embedded in the first surface of the first dielectric layer, and a fourth interconnect on the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first interconnect and the second interconnect are adjacent interconnects. In some implementations, the substrate further includes a first pad on the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first pad is coupled to the first interconnect. |
| US08772949B2 |
Enhanced capture pads for through semiconductor vias
Method of forming a capture pad on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having an active side and an inactive side and having a plurality of unfilled TSVs extending between the active side and the inactive side; filling the TSVs with a metal such that the metal is recessed with respect to at least one of the active side and the inactive side and does not entirely fill the TSVs; defining capture pad areas on the at least one of the active side and inactive side adjacent to the recessed TSVs; filling the capture pad areas and recessed TSVs with the same metal to form a capture pad in direct contact with each of the TSVs, each of the capture pads having an all metal portion that follows an outline of each of the TSVs. Also disclosed is a semiconductor substrate having a capture pad. |
| US08772945B2 |
Through silicon via with embedded barrier pad
A system and method are disclosed for providing a through silicon via (TSV) with a barrier pad deposited below the top surface of the TSV, the top surface having reduced topographic variations. A bottom TSV pad is deposited into a via and then polished so the top surface is below the substrate top surface. A barrier pad is then deposited in the via, and a top TSV pad deposited on the barrier pad. The top TSV barrier pad is polished to bring the top surface of the top TSV pad about level with the substrate. The barrier pad may be less than about 1 microns thick, and the top TSV pad may be less than about 6 microns thick. The barrier pad may be a dissimilar metal from the top and bottom TSV pads, and may be selected from a group comprising titanium, tantalum, cobalt, nickel and the like. |
| US08772944B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor substrate includes a via-hole that extends from a first surface to a second surface. An electrode pad layer that serves as the bottom of the via-hole is disposed on the second surface. An insulating layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and the sidewall of the via-hole. A metal layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and the sidewall of the via-hole with the insulating layer interposed therebetween and is directly formed on the bottom of the via-hole. An inclined surface is formed on the sidewall of the via-hole such that the bottom of the via-hole has a smaller opening size than the open end of the via-hole. The inclined surface has asperities. |
| US08772942B2 |
Interconnect structure employing a Mn-group VIIIB alloy liner
A metallic liner stack including at least a Group VIIIB element layer and a CuMn alloy layer is deposited within a trench in a dielectric layer. Copper is deposited on the metallic liner stack and planarized to form a conductive interconnect structure, which can be a metal line, a metal via, or a combination thereof. The deposited copper and the metallic liner stack are annealed before or after planarization. The Mn atoms are gettered by the Group VIIIB element layer to form a metallic alloy liner including Mn and at least one of Group VIIIB elements. Mn within the metallic alloy liner combines with oxygen during the anneal to form MnO, which acts as a strong barrier to oxygen diffusion, thereby enhancing the reliability of the conductive interconnect structure. |
| US08772941B2 |
Circuit structure with low dielectric constant regions
A method for manufacturing a circuit includes the step of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material. A first dielectric layer with a plurality of interconnect openings and a plurality of gap openings is formed above the first wiring level. The interconnect openings and the gap openings are pinched off with a pinching dielectric material to form relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes in the gap openings. Metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors and interconnects to the first wiring level conductors are formed at the interconnect openings while maintaining the relatively low-k volumes in the gap openings. The gap openings with the relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductor structures formed by the conductors and interconnects. |
| US08772939B2 |
Polishing systems and methods for removing conductive material from microelectronic substrates
Polishing systems and methods for removing conductive material (e.g., noble metals) from microelectronic substrates are disclosed herein. Several embodiments of the methods include forming an aperture in a substrate material, disposing a conductive material on the substrate material and in the aperture, and disposing a fill material on the conductive material. The fill material at least partially fills the aperture. The substrate material is then polished to remove at least a portion of the conductive material and the fill material external to the aperture during which the fill material substantially prevents the conductive material from smearing into the aperture during polishing the substrate material. |
| US08772933B2 |
Interconnect structure and method of making same
An interconnect structure and method of fabricating the same is provided. More specifically, the interconnect structure is a defect free capped interconnect structure. The structure includes a conductive material formed in a trench of a planarized dielectric layer which is devoid of cap material. The structure further includes the cap material formed on the conductive material to prevent migration. The method of forming a structure includes selectively depositing a sacrificial material over a dielectric material and providing a metal capping layer over a conductive layer within a trench of the dielectric material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material with any unwanted deposited or nucleated metal capping layer thereon. |
| US08772932B2 |
Electronic device package
A chip package is disclosed. The package includes a carrier substrate, at least two semiconductor chips, a fill material layer, a protective layer, and a plurality of conductive bumps. The carrier substrate includes a grounding region. The semiconductor chips are disposed overlying the grounding region of the carrier substrate. Each semiconductor chip includes at least one signal pad and includes at least one grounding pad electrically connected to the grounding region. The fill material layer is formed overlying the carrier substrate and covers the semiconductor chips. The protective layer covers the fill material layer. The plurality of conductive bumps is disposed overlying the protective layer and is electrically connected to the semiconductor chips. A fabrication method of the chip package is also disclosed. |
| US08772930B2 |
Increased surface area electrical contacts for microelectronic packages
A multilayer microelectronic device package includes one or more vertical electrical contacts. At least one semiconductor material layer is provided having one or more electrical devices fabricated therein. An electrical contact pad can be formed on or in the semiconductor material layer. Another material layer is positioned adjacent to the semiconductor material layer and includes a conductive material stud embedded in or bonded to the layer. A via is formed through at least a portion of the semiconductor material layer and the electrical contact pad and into the adjacent layer conducting material stud. The via is constructed such that the via tip terminates within the conducting material stud, exposing the conducting material. A metallization layer is disposed in the via such that the metallization layer contacts both the electrical contact pad and the conducting material stud exposed by the via tip. |
| US08772926B2 |
Production method of cooler
The production method of a cooler includes a laminated material production step S1 and a brazing joining step. In the laminated material production step, a laminated material is formed by integrally joining a Ni layer made of Ni or a Ni alloy having an upper surface to which a member to be cooled is to be joined by soldering, a Ti layer made of Ti or a Ti alloy and arranged on a lower surface side of the Ni layer, and an Al layer made of Al or an Al alloy and arranged on a lower surface side of the Ti layer in a laminated manner. In the brazing joining step, a lower surface of the Al layer of the laminated material and a cooling surface of a cooler main body are joined by brazing. |
| US08772922B2 |
Chip structure having redistribution layer
A chip structure having a redistribution layer includes: a chip with electrode pads disposed on an active surface thereof; a first passivation layer formed on the active surface and the electrode pads; a redistribution layer formed on the first passivation layer and having a plurality of wiring units, wherein each of the wiring units has a conductive pad, a conductive via and a conductive trace connecting the conductive pad and the conductive via, the conductive trace having at least a first through opening for exposing a portion of the first passivation layer; and a second passivation layer disposed on the first passivation layer and the redistribution layer, the second passivation layer being filled in the first through opening such that the first and second passivation layers are bonded to each other with the conductive trace sandwiched therebetween, thereby preventing delamination of the conductive trace from the second passivation layer. |
| US08772920B2 |
Interconnection and assembly of three-dimensional chip packages
In a chip package, semiconductor dies in a vertical stack of semiconductor dies or chips (which is referred to as a ‘plank stack’) are aligned by positive features that are mechanically coupled to negative features recessed below the surfaces of adjacent semiconductor dies. Moreover, the chip package includes an interposer plate at approximately a right angle to the plank stack, which is electrically coupled to the semiconductor dies along an edge of the plank stack. In particular, electrical pads proximate to a surface of the interposer plate (which are along a stacking direction of the plank stack) are electrically coupled to pads that are proximate to edges of the semiconductor dies by an intervening conductive material, such as solder balls or spring connectors. Note that the chip package may facilitate high-bandwidth communication of signals between the semiconductor dies and the interposer plate. |
| US08772919B2 |
Image sensor package with trench insulator and fabrication method thereof
The invention provides a chip package and a fabrication method thereof. In one embodiment, the chip package includes: a substrate having a semiconductor device and a conductive pad thereon; an insulator ring filling a trench formed in the substrate, wherein the insulator ring surrounds an intermediate layer below the conductive pad; and a conductive layer disposed below a backside of the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive pad. |
| US08772913B1 |
Stiffened semiconductor die package
A stiffened semiconductor die package has a semiconductor die including an integrated circuit. The die has an active side with die bonding pads and an opposite inactive side. A conductive frame that acts as a ground plane surrounds all edges of the die and a mold compound covers the conductive frame and the edges of the die. A thermally conductive sheet is attached to the inactive side of the die. A dielectric support structure with external connector pads with solder deposits is attached to the active side of the die. The external connector pads are selectively electrically coupled to the die bonding pads. |
| US08772912B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a heat sink, a substrate mounted on the heat sink, a coating layer formed on the substrate, a lead frame fixed to the heat sink, and a mold resin sealing the substrate and the lead frame. The coating layer is made of one of a polyimide-based resin and a polyamideimide-based resin. The lead frame has a fixing terminal fixed to the heat sink through an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is made of the same material as the coating layer. |
| US08772906B2 |
Thermally insulated phase change material cells
Memory cell structures for phase change memory. An example memory cell structure comprising includes a bottom electrode comprised of electrically conducting material, and phase change material disposed above the bottom electrode. A layer of thermally insulating material is disposed, at least partially, between the bottom electrode and the phase change material. The thermally insulating material is comprised of Tantalum Oxide. A top electrode is comprised of electrically conducting material. |
| US08772905B2 |
Integration of resistors and capacitors in charge trap memory device fabrication
A semiconductor device structure and method to form the same. The semiconductor device structure includes a non-volatile charge trap memory device and a resistor or capacitor. A dielectric layer of a charge trap dielectric stack of the memory device is patterned to expose a portion of a first conductive layer peripheral to the memory device. A second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer and on the exposed portion of the first conductive layer is patterned to form resistor or capacitor contacts and capacitor plates. |
| US08772903B2 |
Semiconductor device with reduced potential between adjacent floating regions
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of floating regions, an insulating layer and a capacitance forming portion. The plurality of floating regions are arranged on a surface of a semiconductor substrate in a row, wherein the plurality of floating regions are provided with insulating regions therebetween. The plurality of floating regions include a first floating region and a second floating region. The second floating region is located farther than the first floating region from an island region of a predetermined potential on the semiconductor substrate. The insulating layer is interposed between each of the plurality of floating regions and a semiconductor material layer of the semiconductor substrate. The capacitance forming portion forms an external capacitance in parallel with the capacitance of the insulating region between the first floating region and the island region of the predetermined potential. |
| US08772898B2 |
Lateral light shield in backside illuminated imaging sensors
A backside illuminated image sensor includes a semiconductor layer and a trench disposed in the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has a frontside surface and a backside surface. The semiconductor layer includes a light sensing element of a pixel array disposed in a sensor array region of the semiconductor layer. The pixel array is positioned to receive external incoming light through the backside surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer also includes a light emitting element disposed in a periphery circuit region of the semiconductor layer external to the sensor array region. The trench is disposed in the semiconductor layer between the light sensing element and the light emitting element. The trench is positioned to impede a light path between the light emitting element and the light sensing element when the light path is internal to the semiconductor layer. |
| US08772897B2 |
Thin-film transistor, array substrate having the same and method of manufacturing the same
A thin-film transistor includes a semiconductor pattern, a first gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a second gate electrode. The semiconductor pattern is formed on a substrate. A first conductive layer has a pattern that includes the first gate electrode which is electrically insulated from the semiconductor pattern. A second conductive layer has a pattern that includes a source electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor pattern, a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode, and a second gate electrode electrically connected to the first gate electrode. The second gate electrode is electrically insulated from the semiconductor pattern, the source electrode and the drain electrode. |
| US08772895B2 |
Dark current reduction for back side illuminated image sensor
Provided is a semiconductor image sensor device that includes a non-scribe-line region and a scribe-line region. The image sensor device includes a first substrate portion disposed in the non-scribe-line region. The first substrate portion contains a doped radiation-sensing region. The image sensor device includes a second substrate portion disposed in the scribe-line region. The second substrate portion has the same material composition as the first substrate portion. Also provided is a method of fabricating an image sensor device. The method includes forming a plurality of radiation-sensing regions in a substrate. The radiation-sensing regions are formed in a non-scribe-line region of the image sensor device. The method includes forming an opening in a scribe-line region of the image sensor device by etching the substrate in the scribe-line region. A portion of the substrate remains in the scribe-line region after the etching. The method includes filling the opening with an organic material. |
| US08772893B2 |
Pixel structure having pixel electrode disposed on color filter pattern and electrically connected to underlying active device
A pixel structure including an active device, a capacitor electrode line, a light shielding layer, a color filter pattern and a pixel electrode is provided. The active device and the capacitor electrode line are disposed on a substrate. The light shielding layer is disposed on the substrate, and the dielectric constant of the light shielding layer is less than 6. The light shielding layer defines a unit area on the substrate, and a contact hole is formed in the light shielding layer above the active device. A color filter pattern is disposed in the unit area, wherein the dielectric constant of the color filter pattern is less than 6, and the color filter pattern does not fill into the contact hole. The pixel electrode is disposed on the color filter pattern, in which the pixel electrode fills into the contact hole so as to electrically connect with the active device. |
| US08772884B2 |
Integrally molded die and bezel structure for fingerprint sensors and the like
A biometric sensor device, such as a fingerprint sensor, comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die on which is formed a sensor array and at least one conductive bezel. The die and the bezel are encased in a unitary encapsulation structure to protect those elements from mechanical, electrical, and environmental damage, yet with a portion of the sensor array and the bezel exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation or other coating material structure. |
| US08772881B2 |
Semiconductor device
The object to provide a highly-integrated SGT-based SRAM is achieved by forming an SRAM using an inverter which comprises a first island-shaped semiconductor layer, a first gate dielectric film in contact with a periphery of the first island-shaped semiconductor layer, a first gate electrode having one surface in contact with the first gate dielectric film, a second gate dielectric film in contact with another surface of the first gate electrode, a first arc-shaped semiconductor layer in contact with the second gate dielectric film, a first first-conductive-type high-concentration semiconductor layer arranged on a top of the first island-shaped semiconductor layer, a second first-conductive-type high-concentration semiconductor layer arranged underneath the first island-shaped semiconductor layer, a first second-conductive-type high-concentration semiconductor layer arranged on a top of the first arc-shaped semiconductor layer, and a second second-conductive-type high-concentration semiconductor layer arranged underneath the first arc-shaped semiconductor layer. |
| US08772876B2 |
High-voltage silicon-on-insulator transistors and methods of manufacturing the same
In a first aspect, a first method of manufacturing a high-voltage transistor is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) providing a substrate including a bulk silicon layer that is below an insulator layer that is below a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer; and (2) forming one or more portions of a transistor node including a diffusion region of the transistor in the SOI layer. A portion of the transistor node is adapted to reduce a voltage greater than about 5 V within the transistor to a voltage less than about 3 V. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US08772875B2 |
Semiconductor on glass substrate with stiffening layer
A semiconductor-on-glass substrate having a relatively stiff (e.g. relatively high Young's modulus of 125 or higher) stiffening layer or layers placed between the silicon film and the glass in order to eliminate the canyons and pin holes that otherwise form in the surface of the transferred silicon film during the ion implantation thin film transfer process. The new stiffening layer may be formed of a material, such as silicon nitride, that also serves as an efficient barrier against penetration of sodium and other harmful impurities from the glass substrate into the silicon film. |
| US08772871B2 |
Partially depleted dielectric resurf LDMOS
An partially depleted Dieler LDMOSFET transistor (100) is provided which includes a substrate (150), a drift region (110) surrounding a drain region (128), a first well region (107) surrounding source region (127), a well buffer region (106) separating the drift region and first well region to at least partly define a first channel region, a gate electrode (118) formed over the first channel region having a source-side gate edge aligned with the first well region (107), an LDD extension region (120) extending from the source region to the channel region, and a dielectric RESURF drain extension structure (161) formed at the drain of the gate electrode (118) using the plurality of STI stripes (114). |
| US08772870B2 |
LDMOS device with minority carrier shunt region
A device includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, a gate structure supported by the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions, a well region in the semiconductor substrate, having a second conductivity type, and in which a channel region is formed under the gate structure during operation, and a shunt region adjacent the well region in the semiconductor substrate and having the second conductivity type. The shunt region has a higher dopant concentration than the well region to establish a shunt path for charge carriers of the second conductivity type that electrically couples the well region to a potential of the source region. |
| US08772868B2 |
Superjunction structures for power devices and methods of manufacture
A power device includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of alternately arranged pillars of first and second conductivity types. At least one of the plurality of pillars of second conductivity type includes a first trench epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type disposed on a trench sidewall of the second trench and a trench bottom surface of the second trench, a second trench epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type disposed on the first trench epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type, and an insulating material layer disposed on the second trench epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type. |
| US08772864B2 |
Trench MOSFET device and method for fabricating the same
A trench Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) device is disclosed. The trench MOSFET device includes a substrate, a body region, a source region, a dielectric layer, a metal layer, a contact hole, and a trench structure. The substrate includes a substrate layer and an epitaxial layer formed on the substrate layer; the body region is formed in the epitaxial layer; and the source region is formed in the body region of the epitaxial layer. Further, the dielectric layer is formed on the epitaxial layer; the metal layer is formed on the dielectric layer; and the contact hole is formed in the dielectric layer to connect the source region with the metal layer. In addition, the trench structure is formed in the epitaxial layer, and the trench structure includes a first trench that is a pectinate trench including a plurality of tooth trenches and a bar trench interconnecting the plurality of tooth trenches. |
| US08772861B2 |
Field effect trench transistor having active trenches
One embodiment of the invention relates to a field effect trench transistor with a multiplicity of transistor cells that are arranged like an array and whose gate electrodes are arranged in active trenches formed in a semiconductor body. Inactive trenches are arranged in the array of the transistor cells, there being no gate electrodes situated in said inactive trenches, and a series of polysilicon diodes are integrated in one or more of the inactive trenches which diodes, for protection against damage to the gate oxide through ESD pulses, are contact-connected to a source metallization at one of their ends and to a gate metallization at their other end, and/or alternatively or additionally one or more polysilicon zener diodes connected in series is or are integrated in the inactive trench or trenches and contact-connected to the gate metallization by one of its or their ends and to drain potential by its or their other end. |
| US08772859B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a first stacked body, a second stacked body, a memory film, a gate insulating film, and a channel body. The first stacked body has a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of first insulating layers. The second stacked body has a selector gate and a second insulating layer. The memory film is provided on a sidewall of a first hole. The gate insulating film is provided on a sidewall of a second hole. The channel body is provided on an inner side of the memory film and on an inner side of the gate insulating film. A step part is provided between a side face of the selector gate and the second insulating layer. A region positioned near a top end of the selector gate of the channel body is silicided. |
| US08772857B2 |
Vertical memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A vertical memory device includes a channel, a ground selection line (GSL), word lines and a string selection line (SSL). The channel extends in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a top surface of a substrate, and a thickness of the channel is different according to height. The GSL, the word lines and the SSL are sequentially formed on a sidewall of the channel in the first direction and spaced apart from each other. |
| US08772855B2 |
Semiconductor device including resistor and method of fabricating the same
Embodiments of a semiconductor device including a resistor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a mold pattern disposed on a semiconductor substrate to define a trench, a resistance pattern including a body region and first and second contact regions, wherein the body region covers the bottom and sidewalls of the trench, the first and second contact regions extend from the extending from the body region over upper surfaces of the mold pattern, respectively; and first and second lines contacting the first and second contact regions, respectively. |
| US08772853B2 |
All graphene flash memory device
A Graphene Flash Memory (GFM) device is disclosed. In general, the GFM device includes a number of memory cells, where each memory cell includes a graphene channel, a graphene storage layer, and a graphene electrode. In one embodiment, by using a graphene channel, graphene storage layer, and graphene electrode, the memory cells of the GFM device are enabled to be scaled down much more than memory cells of a conventional flash memory device. More specifically, in one embodiment, the GFM device has a feature size less than 25 nanometers, less than or equal to 20 nanometers, less than or equal to 15 nanometers, less than or equal to 10 nanometers, or less than or equal to 5 nanometers. |
| US08772850B2 |
Embedded DRAM memory cell with additional patterning layer for improved strap formation
A method of forming a memory cell including forming trenches in a layered semiconductor structure, each trench having an inner sidewall adjacent a section of the layered semiconductor structure between the trenches and an outer sidewall opposite the inner sidewall. The trenches are filled with polysilicon and the patterning layer is formed over the layered semiconductor structure. An opening is then patterned through the patterning layer, the opening exposing the section of the layered semiconductor structure between the trenches and only a vertical portion of the polysilicon along the inner sidewall of each trench. The layered semiconductor structure is then etched. The patterning layer prevents a second vertical portion of the polysilicon along the outer sidewall of each trench from being removed. |
| US08772845B2 |
Technique for smoothing an interface between layers of a semiconductor device
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor memory device. The device includes a pinning layer having an anti-ferromagnetic material and disposed over a first electrode; a pinned layer disposed over the pinning layer; a composite layer disposed over the pinned layer, the composite layer having a magnetic material randomly distributed in a non-magnetic material; a barrier layer disposed on the composite layer; a free layer disposed over the barrier layer; and a second electrode disposed over the free layer. |
| US08772844B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
Capacitance between a detection capacitor and a reset transistor is the largest among the capacitances between the detection capacitor and transistors placed around the detection capacitor. In order to reduce this capacitance, it is effective to reduce the channel width of the reset transistor. It is possible to reduce the effective channel width by distributing, in the vicinity of the channel of the reset transistor and the boundary line between an active region and an element isolation region, ions which enhance the generation of carriers of an opposite polarity to the channel. |
| US08772833B2 |
Power semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
Disclosed are a power semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same which can increase a breakdown voltage of the device through a field plate formed between a gate electrode and a drain electrode and achieve an easier manufacturing process at the same time. The power semiconductor device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on a substrate; a dielectric layer formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode to have a lower height than heights of the two electrodes and including an etched part exposing the substrate; a gate electrode formed on the etched part; a field plate formed on the dielectric layer between the gate electrode and the drain electrode; and a metal configured to connect the field plate and the source electrode. |
| US08772831B2 |
III-nitride growth method on silicon substrate
A circuit structure includes a substrate and a patterned dielectric layer over the substrate. The patterned dielectric layer includes a plurality of vias; and a number of group-III group-V (III-V) compound semiconductor layer. The III-V compound semiconductor layers include a first layer in the vias, a second layer over the first layer and the dielectric layer, and a bulk layer over the second layer. |
| US08772825B2 |
Stacked semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
A stacked semiconductor device and an associated manufacturing method are disclosed. A first semiconductor unit having a first surface, which is defined as being not a polar plane, is provided. At least one pit is formed on the first surface, and the pit has a second surface that lies at an angle relative to the first surface. A polarization enhanced tunnel junction is formed on the second surface, and a second semiconductor unit is formed above the tunnel junction. |
| US08772822B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a first light emitting element mounting unit including: a first substrate; a first light emitting element on a first surface of the first substrate; and a first substrate holder which includes a first column, and a first protrusion which extends from the first column toward the first light emitting element and bonded to the first surface of the first substrate; and a second light emitting element mounting unit including: a second substrate; a second light emitting element mounted on a first surface of the second substrate; and a second substrate holder which includes: a second column, and a second protrusion which extends from the second column toward the second light emitting element and bonded to the first surface of the second substrate. The second light emitting element mounting unit is stacked on the first light emitting element mounting unit. |
| US08772819B2 |
Multi-layer array type LED device
A multi-layer array type LED device is provided, which includes a substrate, an encapsulation body, two lead frames, a plurality of LED dices, and a set of optical lens. The outer circumferential edge and the upper and lower periphery of the substrate are completely encapsulated by the encapsulation body so that the multi-layer array type LED device can be tightly packaged. In the present invention, a fluorescent layer is disposed between an optical grease layer and a silica gel protection layer, and thereby the fluorescent layer is protected, and is capable of preventing moisture from permeating therein. On the other hand, in the present invention, the reflection coefficient of the optical grease layer is at least larger than a certain value so that the probability of the light emitted out of the optical chamber can be increased. |
| US08772809B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a light emitting layer, a first electrode, a first conductivity type layer, a second conductivity type layer, and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a reflection metal layer. The first conductivity type layer is provided between the light emitting layer and the first electrode. The second conductivity type layer has a first surface on the light emitting layer side and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The second electrode is provided on the second surface of the second conductivity type layer. A plurarity of interfaces, provided between the first conductivity type layer and the reflection metal layer, has at least first concave-convex structures. A region of the second surface of the second conductivity type layer, where the second electrode is not provided, has second concave-convex structures. |
| US08772807B2 |
Light emitting diode package structure and manufacturing method thereof
In one aspect, an LED package structure comprises a fluorescent substrate, a first electrically conductive pattern, a second electrically conductive pattern, at least one electrically conductive element, and an LED chip. The fluorescent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The fluorescent substrate comprises a mixture of a fluorescent material and a glass material. The first electrically conductive pattern is disposed on the first surface. The second electrically conductive pattern is disposed on the second surface. The electrically conductive element passes through the fluorescent substrate and connects the first and second electrically conductive patterns. The LED chip is disposed on the second surface and has a light extraction surface that connects the second electrically conductive pattern. The LED chip is electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive pattern via the electrically conductive element. |
| US08772806B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device of the embodiment includes a light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer; a first cavity passing through the first semiconductor layer and the active layer to expose the second semiconductor layer; a first electrode extending to the outside of the first cavity from the second semiconductor layer in the first cavity; a second electrode disposed on an outer peripheral region of a bottom surface of the first semiconductor layer and spaced apart from the first electrode while surrounding a lateral side of the first electrode; and a first insulating layer between the first electrode and the light emitting structure. |
| US08772804B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting diode and method for producing a semiconductor light-emitting diode
A semiconductor light-emitting diode (10) is proposed having at least one p-doped light-emitting diode layer (4), an n-doped light-emitting diode layer (2) and an optically active zone (3) between the p-doped light-emitting diode layer (4) and the n-doped light-emitting diode layer (2), having an oxide layer (8) consisting of a transparent conductive oxide, and having at least one mirror layer (9), wherein the oxide layer (8) is disposed between the light-emitting diode layers (2, 4) and the at least one mirror layer (9), and comprises a first boundary surface (8a) which faces the light-emitting diode layers (2, 4) and a second boundary surface (8b) which faces the at least one mirror layer (9), and wherein the second boundary surface (8b) of the oxide layer (8) has less roughness (R2) than the first boundary surface (8a) of the oxide layer (8). |
| US08772801B2 |
Light emitting element and optical device
An active layer having a type 2 multi-quantum well structure includes a plurality of pair thickness groups having different thicknesses, including a first pair thickness group and a second pair thickness group. The first pair thickness group g1 includes 10 to 100 pairs, each monolayer of the pairs having a thickness of 1.5 nm or more and less than 3.5 nm. The second pair thickness group g2 includes 10 to 100 pairs, each monolayer of the pairs having a thickness of the minimum thickness (a second group minimum thickness) or more and 7 nm or less, the minimum thickness being larger than the maximum monolayer thickness 3.5 nm of the first pair thickness group. |
| US08772800B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light-emitting device includes: a first conductivity type first semiconductor layer containing a nitride semiconductor crystal and having a tensile stress in a (0001) surface; a second conductivity type second semiconductor layer containing a nitride semiconductor crystal and having a tensile stress in the (0001) surface; a light emitting layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, containing a nitride semiconductor crystal, and having an average lattice constant larger than the lattice constant of the first semiconductor layer; and a first stress application layer provided on a side opposite to the light emitting layer of the first semiconductor layer and applying a compressive stress to the first semiconductor layer. |
| US08772797B2 |
Display device with step configuration in the insulating layer
A display device includes: a substrate; a plurality of light-emission elements arranged, on the substrate, in a first direction and a second direction intersecting each other, each of the light-emission elements having a first electrode layer, an organic layer including a luminous layer, and a second electrode layer which are laminated in that order; and a separation section disposed, on the substrate, between the light-emission elements adjacent to each other in the first direction, the separation section having two or more pairs of steps. The first electrode layers in the light-emission elements are separated from each other, and the organic layers as well as the second electrode layers in the light-emission elements adjacent to each other in the first direction are separated from each other by the steps included in the separation section. |
| US08772794B2 |
Light emitting device package having LED disposed in leadframe cavities
Disclosed are a light emitting device package and a lighting system in which the light emitting device package includes a first cavity in a first region of the body, a second cavity in a second region of the body, first and second lead frames spaced apart from each other in the first cavity, a third lead frame spaced apart from the second lead frame in the second cavity, a first light emitting device on the first and second lead frames in the first cavity, a second light emitting device on the second and third lead frames in the second cavity, and a molding member in the first and second cavities. |
| US08772789B2 |
Light-emitting device and electronic apparatus
A light-emitting device includes a drive transistor that controls a current to be supplied to a light-emitting element from a power supply line, an electrical continuity portion that electrically connects the drive transistor with the light-emitting element, an initializing transistor that is turned ON to diode-connect the drive transistor, and a connecting portion that electrically connects the drive transistor with the initializing transistor. The power supply line including a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction that crosses the first direction. The connecting portion being positioned in an area between the first and second power supply lines in plan view. |
| US08772788B2 |
Semiconductor element and method of manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor device disclosed in the present application includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first silicon carbide semiconductor layer located on a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate, the first silicon carbide semiconductor layer including a drift region of a first conductivity type, a body region of a second conductivity type, and an impurity region of a first conductivity type; a trench provided in the first silicon carbide semiconductor layer so as to reach inside of the drift region; a second silicon carbide semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type located at least on a side surface of the trench so as to be in contact with the impurity region and the drift region; a gate insulating film; a gate electrode; a first ohmic electrode; and a second ohmic electrode. The body region includes a first body region which is in contact with the second silicon carbide semiconductor layer on the side surface of the trench, and a second body region which is in contact with the drift region and has a smaller average impurity concentration than the first body region. |
| US08772787B2 |
Prepared and stored GaN substrate
A GaN substrate is stored within an atmosphere in which the oxygen concentration is not greater than 15 vol. % and the water-vapor concentration is not greater than 20 g/m3. The GaN substrate (1) has a planar first principal face (1m), and in an arbitrary point (P) along the first principal face (1m) and separated 3 mm or more from the outer edge thereof, the GaN substrate's plane orientation has an off-inclination angle Δα of −10° or more, 10° or less with respect to the plane orientation of an arbitrarily designated crystalline plane (1a) that is inclined 50° or more, 90° or less with respect to a plane (1c), being either the (0001) plane or the (000 1) plane, through the arbitrary point. This enables storing GaN substrates whose principal-face plane orientation is other than (0001) or (000 1), making available GaN substrates with which semiconductor devices of favorable properties can be manufactured. |
| US08772785B2 |
Semiconductor device, schottky barrier diode, electronic apparatus, and method of producing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes semiconductor layers, an anode electrode, and a cathode electrode. The semiconductor layers include a composition change layer, the anode electrode is electrically connected to one of principal surfaces of the composition change layer through a formation of a Schottky junction between the anode electrode and a part of the semiconductor layers, the cathode electrode is electrically connected to the other of the principal surfaces of the composition change layer through a formation of a junction between the cathode electrode and another part of the semiconductor layers, the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are capable of applying a voltage to the composition change layer in a direction perpendicular to the principal surface. |
| US08772781B2 |
Wiring structure, thin film transistor array substrate including the same, and display device
On each of wiring conversion parts connected to a first conductive film and a second conductive film each functioning as a wiring, a first transparent conductive film does not cover an end surface of the second conductive film in proximity to a corner of the first transparent conductive film, and has a portion covering the end surface of the second conductive film on a portion other than the proximity of the corners. A second transparent conductive film as an upper layer of the first transparent conductive film is connected to the first conductive film and the second conductive film, so that the first conductive film and the second conductive film are electrically connected. |
| US08772780B2 |
Array substrate structure of display panel and method of making the same
An array substrate structure of a display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of first wirings, a first patterned insulating layer, a plurality of second wirings, a plurality of first protective patterns, and a plurality of second protective patterns. The substrate has a wiring region. The first wirings are disposed in the wiring region. The first patterned insulating layer is disposed on the first wirings. The second wirings are disposed on the first patterned insulating layer. The first protective patterns are disposed in the wiring region and disposed on the corresponding second wiring, respectively, where the first protective pattern includes a semiconductor material. The second protective patterns are disposed on the corresponding first protective pattern, respectively, where the second protective pattern includes an inorganic insulating material. |
| US08772779B2 |
Display substrate for driving an electroluminescent element
A display substrate includes a driving element, a switching element, a gate line, a data line, a driving voltage line and an electroluminescent element. The driving element includes a driving control electrode formed from a first conductive layer, and a driving input electrode and a driving output electrode formed from a second conductive layer. The switching element includes a switching control electrode formed from the second conductive layer, and a switching input electrode and a switching output electrode formed from a third conductive layer. The gate and data lines are formed from the second and third conductive layers, respectively. The driving voltage line is formed from the third conductive layer. Thus, misalignment between upper and lower patterns may be prevented to improve the reliability of a manufacturing process and increase an aperture ratio, thereby enhancing display quality. |
| US08772777B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
In an organic light-emitting display device and a method of manufacturing the same, the organic light-emitting display device comprises: a substrate in which a light-emitting region and a thin-film transistor (TFT) region are defined; and a plurality of insulating films formed on the substrate. A refractive index changes at only one of the interfaces between insulating films, which correspond to the light-emitting region and are formed between the substrate and a first electrode of an organic electroluminescence display element, and a refractive index changes at two or more of the interfaces between insulating films which correspond to the TFT region. |
| US08772776B2 |
Electro-optic device and method for manufacturing the same
An electro-optic device may include a substrate that supports a first and a second electrode, a functional structure including at least one functional layer that is electrically coupled to the electrodes, and an etched metal structure electrically coupled to at least one of the electrodes. |
| US08772775B2 |
Display device and method for manufacturing the same
A display device includes a substrate; a gate wire including a gate electrode and a first capacitor electrode formed on the substrate; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate wire; a semiconductor layer pattern formed on the gate insulating layer, and including an active region overlapping at least a part of the gate electrode and a capacitor region overlapping at least a part of the first capacitor electrode; an etching preventing layer formed on a part of the active region of the semiconductor layer pattern; and a data wire including a source electrode and a drain electrode formed over the active region of the semiconductor layer from over the etching preventing layer, and separated with the etching preventing layer therebetween, and a second capacitor electrode formed on the capacitor region of the semiconductor layer. |
| US08772770B2 |
P-type semiconductor material and semiconductor device
An oxide semiconductor material having p-type conductivity and a semiconductor device using the oxide semiconductor material are provided. The oxide semiconductor material having p-type conductivity can be provided using a molybdenum oxide material containing molybdenum oxide (MoOy (2 |
| US08772768B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing
A semiconductor device in which fluctuation in electric characteristics due to miniaturization is less likely to be caused is provided. The semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor film including a first region, a pair of second regions in contact with side surfaces of the first region, and a pair of third regions in contact with side surfaces of the pair of second regions; a gate insulating film provided over the oxide semiconductor film; and a first electrode that is over the gate insulating film and overlaps with the first region. The first region is a CAAC oxide semiconductor region. The pair of second regions and the pair of third regions are each an amorphous oxide semiconductor region containing a dopant. The dopant concentration of the pair of third regions is higher than the dopant concentration of the pair of second regions. |
| US08772764B2 |
Electro-chemical sensors, sensor arrays and circuits
An electro-chemical sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a semiconductor channel in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes. The semiconductor channel includes a trapping material. The trapping material reduces an ability of the semiconductor channel to conduct a current of charge carriers by trapping at least some of the charge carriers to localized regions within the semiconductor channel. The semiconductor channel includes at least a portion configured to be exposed to an analyte to be detected, and the trapping material, when exposed to the analyte, interacts with the analyte so as to at least partially restore the ability of the semiconductor channel to conduct the current of charge carriers. |
| US08772761B2 |
Light emitting device
The light emitting device includes an organic electroluminescent element (20) and a diffractive optical element (30). The organic electroluminescent element (20) includes an anode layer (21), a cathode layer (22), and plural light emitting layers (231 and 232) interposed between the anode layer (21) and the cathode layer (22) and configured to emit light rays with different wavelengths. The diffractive optical element (30) is positioned in paths of light rays emitted from the organic electroluminescent element (20). The diffractive optical element (30) is designed to have different grating patterns (311 and 312) diffracting the light rays respectively emitted from the light emitting layers (231 and 232) for reducing chromatic aberration. |
| US08772758B2 |
Suppression of inclined defect formation and increase in critical thickness by silicon doping on non-c-plane (Al,Ga,In)N
A method for fabricating a III-nitride based semiconductor device, including (a) growing one or more buffer layers on or above a semi-polar or non-polar GaN substrate, wherein the buffer layers are semi-polar or non-polar III-nitride buffer layers; and (b) doping the buffer layers so that a number of crystal defects in III-nitride device layers formed on or above the doped buffer layers is not higher than a number of crystal defects in III-nitride device layers formed on or above one or more undoped buffer layers. The doping can reduce or prevent formation of misfit dislocation lines and additional threading dislocations. The thickness and/or composition of the buffer layers can be such that the buffer layers have a thickness near or greater than their critical thickness for relaxation. In addition, one or more (AlInGaN) or III-nitride device layers can be formed on or above the buffer layers. |
| US08772756B2 |
Nanowires, method of fabrication the same and uses thereof
A method of forming a nanowire structure is disclosed. The method comprises applying on a surface of carrier liquid a layer of a liquid composition which comprises a surfactant and a plurality of nanostructures each having a core and a shell, and heating at least one of the carrier liquid and the liquid composition to a temperature selected such that the nanostructures are segregated from the surfactant and assemble into a nanowire structure on the surface. |
| US08772754B2 |
Semiconductor storage device comprising a memory cell array including a rectifying element and a variable resistor
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment includes: stacking a first wiring layer; stacking a memory cell layer on the first wiring layer; and stacking a stopper film on the memory cell layer. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor storage device also includes: etching the stopper film, the memory cell layer, and the first wiring layer; polishing an interlayer insulating film to the stopper film after burying the stopper film, the memory cell layer, and the first wiring layer with the interlayer insulating film; performing a nitridation process to the stopper film and the interlayer insulating film to form an adjustment film and a block film on surfaces of the stopper film and the interlayer insulating film, respectively; and forming a second wiring layer on the adjustment film, the second wiring layer being electrically connected to the adjustment film. |
| US08772753B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a word line, a first electrode, a high resistance ion diffusion layer, a second electrode, and a bit line. The word line is made of a conductive material extending in a first direction. The first electrode is provided on the word line. The high resistance ion diffusion layer is provided on the first electrode. The second electrode is provided on the ion diffusion layer and configured to supply a metal into the ion diffusion layer upon application of a positive voltage relative to the first electrode. The bit line is provided on the second electrode and made of a conductive material extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The ion diffusion layer contains oxygen at a higher concentration on the word line side than on the bit line side. |
| US08772750B2 |
Non-volatile memory elements and memory devices including the same
A non-volatile memory element includes: a memory layer disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; and a buffer layer disposed between the memory layer and the first electrode. The memory layer includes a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer and the second material layer are configured to exchange ionic species to change a resistance state of the memory layer. |
| US08772749B2 |
Bottom electrodes for use with metal oxide resistivity switching layers
In a first aspect, a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack is provided that includes (1) a first conductive layer comprising a silicon-germanium (SiGe) alloy; (2) a resistivity-switching layer comprising a metal oxide layer formed above the first conductive layer; and (3) a second conductive layer formed above the resistivity-switching layer. A memory cell may be formed from the MIM stack. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US08772742B2 |
Radiation therapy system and method for adapting an irradiation field
A radiation therapy system for irradiating a target volume with a particle beam is provided. The radiation therapy system includes a radiation source that is operable to output an adjustable irradiation field that includes a particle beam that is scanned point by point over the target volume. A 3D imaging device may obtain a 3D radiation treatment data set in a radiation treatment phase. An adaptation unit adapts the irradiation field to a change in position and/or shape of the target volume in the radiation treatment phase. The adaptation unit compares the 3D radiation treatment data set with a 3D planning image data set furnished and obtains a transformation that describes the change in position and/or shape of the target volume. The adaptation unit transforms an irradiation field based on the transformation. |
| US08772739B2 |
Fluorescence detection device and fluorescence detection method
A fluorescence detection device generates a modulation signal for modulating the intensity of the laser light and modulates the laser light using the modulation signal. The detection device obtains a fluorescent signal of the fluorescence emitted by the measurement object irradiated with the laser light, and calculates, from the fluorescent signal, a fluorescence intensity and the phase delay of the fluorescence with respect to the modulation signal. At the time, the detection device controls the operation amounts of the signal level of a DC component of the modulation signal and the gain of amplification just after the output of the fluorescent signal so that the value of a fluorescence intensity signal falls within a preset range. After the operation amounts are settled, the detection device calculates the fluorescence intensity and then calculates the fluorescence relaxation time of the fluorescence emitted by the measurement object using the phase delay. |
| US08772732B2 |
Scanning charged particle beam device and method for correcting chromatic spherical combination aberration
Disclosed is a scanning charged particle beam apparatus equipped with an aberration corrector, contrived to eliminate resolution degradation in tilt observation by a chromatic third-order aperture aberration without relying on a specific optical system. A controller of the scanning charged particle beam apparatus provides a chromatic third-order aperture aberration measurement method relevant to tilt observation of a specimen. Further, the controller has a chromatic aberration control function relevant to tilt observation of a specimen. By means of the chromatic aberration control function, the controller controls a chromatic aberration to be positive or negative, rather than remaining at 0, in order to eliminate an image blur which occurs in a direction parallel to the specimen surface due to a chromatic third-order aperture aberration and a chromatic aberration at a tilt angle (t1) under observation and another tilt angle (−t1) axially opposite to the tilt angle. |
| US08772727B2 |
X-ray detector
The application describes an X-ray detector for use in a medical equipment, wherein the detector comprises an unit for transforming X-ray radiation into electrical charge, a first capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, wherein the first capacitor is electrically connected to the unit for transforming, a second capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, and a first gain switching gate, wherein the second capacitor is electrically connected with the unit for transforming if the first gain switching gate is in on-state, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods. Further the application describes an X-ray system comprising a detector according to the invention, wherein the system is adapted for gain selection, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods. Further, the application describes a method for using a detector according to the inventive concept, wherein the first gain switching gate is switched on only for short periods of time for redistribution of electrical charge between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. |
| US08772722B2 |
Temperature sensor and living body detector using temperature sensor
Disclosed is a temperature sensor using a work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element that outputs, as a detecting signal of radiant rays, a work function difference between gate electrodes of first and second field-effect transistors sensing the radiant rays. The temperature sensor includes at least a pair of a first work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element having a positive output temperature coefficient; and a second work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element having a negative output temperature coefficient of which an absolute value is equal to an absolute value of the output temperature coefficient of the first work-function-difference-based radiant-ray detecting element. |
| US08772721B2 |
Operating device
The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle having a movable activation element for activating at least one switch element for generating a switch signal. The operating device comprises a sensor face which is arranged on the activation element and an optical reflection sensor device, which has at least one light emitting diode and at least one photodiode for optical radiation. A signal can be generated when the sensor face is approached and/or the sensor face is touched, in particular by means of a finger of a user. |
| US08772714B2 |
Transmission electron microscope and method of observing TEM images
A transmission electron microscope (TEM) includes an electron beam source (2), an illumination lens (4), a first objective lens (6), a second objective lens (8), a selected area aperture (16), a projector lens (10), a detector (12), and a control portion (22). A first plane (17) is located between the second objective lens (8) and the projector lens (10). The control portion (22) performs first sets of processing for controlling the illumination lens (4) such that an electron beam (L) hits the sample (S), controlling the second objective lens (8) such that a diffraction pattern of the sample (S) is imaged onto the first plane (17), and controlling the projector lens (10) such that a TEM image of the sample (S) formed by the second objective lens (8) is focused onto a second plane where the light-sensitive portion (13) of the detector (12) is disposed. |
| US08772713B1 |
Flight time based mass microscope system for ultra high-speed multi mode mass analysis
The present invention aims to provide a time-of-flight based mass microscope system for an ultra-high speed multi-mode mass analysis, for using a laser beam or an ion beam simultaneously to enable both a low molecular weight analysis such as for drugs/metabolome/lipids/peptides and a high molecular weight analysis such as for genes/proteins, without being limited by the molecular weight of the object being analyzed, and for significantly increasing the measuring speed by using a microscope method instead of a microprobe method. |
| US08772712B2 |
Analysis apparatus and analysis method
A compound contained in a sample is analyzed more accurately. Provided is an analysis method using TOF-SIMS in which first spectral data is obtained by irradiating the sample with a first primary ion, second spectral data is obtained by irradiating the sample with a second primary ion, and a surface of the sample is etched by an ion and then the surface of the sample is irradiated with the first primary ion or the second primary ion. The first primary ion is more likely to break a molecular structure of a molecule contained in the sample than the second primary ion. |
| US08772707B2 |
Quadrupole mass spectrometer
As a control parameter given to a direct-current (DC) voltage generator which generates a DC voltage for ion selection, a “mass-related offset” for allowing an adjustment of the offset for each mass-to-charge ratio is provided in addition to the “gain” and “common offset” which respectively determine the gradient and position of a scan line drawn on a stability diagram during a mass-scan operation. In an automatic adjustment operation using a standard sample, under the control of an automatic regulator, the “gain” and “common offset” are initially set, after which the “mass-related offset” for each mass-to-charge ratio is determined so that the mass-resolving power will be substantially uniform, and these data are stored in a control data memory. In an analysis of a sample of interest, a quadrupole voltage controller controls the DC voltage generator and a radio-frequency (RF) voltage generator according to the control parameters read from the memory. |
| US08772701B2 |
Photodetector and display device with light guide configured to face photodetector circuit and reflect light from a source
Influence of external light is suppressed. With a photodetector including a photodetector circuit which generates a data signal in accordance with illuminance of incident light and a light unit which overlaps with the photodetector circuit, a first data signal is generated by the photodetector circuit when the light unit is in an ON state, a second data signal is formed by the photodetector circuit when the light unit is in an OFF state, and the first data signal and the second data signal are compared, so that a difference data signal that is data of a difference between the two compared data signals is generated. |
| US08772700B2 |
Photon detection system and method of photon detection for determining the number of photons received at a photon detector
According to one embodiment, a photon detection system determines the number of detected photons. The detection system includes an avalanche photodiode and a measuring unit. The measuring unit measures an avalanche signal induced by illumination before the avalanche current through the device has saturated. |
| US08772698B2 |
CCD-based multi-transistor active pixel sensor array
A floating electrode is used to detect ions in close proximity to the electrode. The electrode is charge coupled to other electrodes and to other transistors to form a pixel that can be placed into an array for addressable readout. It is possible to obtain gain by accumulating charge into another electrode or onto a floating diffusion (FD) node or directly onto the column line. It is desirable to achieve both a reduction in pixel size as well as increase in signal level. To reduce pixel size, ancillary transistors may be eliminated and a charge storage node with certain activation and deactivation sequences may be used. |
| US08772697B2 |
Photodetector device
Provided is a photodetector device for detecting light intensity based on a detection signal of a difference circuit, the photodetector device including: a first light receiving element which generates an electric charge based on incident light; a second light receiving element, which includes a light blocking part for blocking incident light and generates an electric charge being a reference; and a storage detection circuit for detecting that an output voltage of the first light receiving element or the second light receiving element has reached a predetermined potential and outputting the detection signal when the difference does not reach a predetermined value even though sufficient incident light is provided. |
| US08772696B2 |
Solid-state imaging device having an amplification transistor shared by pixels of a cell and a plurality of reset transistors for resetting read out signals from the pixels
While a drain power source of a reset transistor and a drain power source of an amplifying transistor are separated, the load of drain power source can be reduced by sharing a drain diffusion layer of the reset transistor and a drain diffusion layer of the amplifying transistor and a pixel amp transistor by adjacent cells in sharing pixel units. Further, it is possible to perform layout setting for the floating diffusions such that parasitic capacitances between the floating diffusions are equal to each other. It is possible to prevent step-like noise from occurring among the pixels while improving sensitivity. |
| US08772694B2 |
Image sensor provided with plural pixel circuits arranged in plural rows and plural columns
An image sensor with a small circuit area is provided. In the image sensor, a TX decoder which generates transfer signals TX<3:0> includes a latch circuit. The latch circuit is set when a corresponding row group is selected and when a set signal is set to an “H” level, and is reset when a reset signal is set to an “L” level. The latch circuit serves also as a voltage level shift circuit which converts the “H” level of a signal from a first power supply voltage into a second power supply voltage. Therefore, plural row groups can be selected by setting plural latch circuits. It is not necessary to provide a voltage level shift circuit separately. |
| US08772693B2 |
System and method for Hilbert phase imaging
Hilbert phase microscopy (HPM) as an optical technique for measuring high transverse resolution quantitative phase images associated with optically transparent objects. Due to its single-shot nature, HPM is suitable for investigating rapid phenomena that take place in transparent structures such as biological cells. A preferred embodiment is used for measuring biological systems including measurements on red blood cells, while its ability to quantify dynamic processes on the millisecond scale, for example, can be illustrated with measurements on evaporating micron-size water droplets. |
| US08772684B2 |
Heating cooker having touch control
Operability of a heating cooker having a heating unit in a top plate is improved. After power-on, a light emission control unit causes the operation unit light-emitting element of an operable operation inhibition releasing key to be lit so that only the key is displayed and the other keys are less visible. Thus, the heating cooker is changed into a lock state. When the operation inhibition releasing key is operated in the lock state, at least one electrostatic touch key other than the operation inhibition releasing key is made operable and the operation unit light-emitting element is lit. Alternatively, in the above structure, the operation unit light-emitting element of the operable operation unit is lit in a first light-emission color, and the operation unit light-emitting elements of the inoperable operation units are lit in a second light-emission color different from the first light-emission color. Thus effective operation can be guided. |
| US08772683B2 |
Apparatus and method for heating of hydrocarbon deposits by RF driven coaxial sleeve
An apparatus for radiating RF energy from a well structure that provides a circuit through which RF power may be driven to heat a hydrocarbon deposit that is susceptible to RF heating. The apparatus includes a source of RF power connected at one connection to a conductive linear element, such as a well bore pipe, and at a second connection to a conductive sleeve that surrounds and extends along the linear conductive element. The sleeve extends along the linear conductive element to a location between the connection of the source of RF energy to the linear conductive element and an end of the linear conductive element where the sleeve is conductively joined near to the linear conductive element. The apparatus may include a transmission section that extends from a geologic surface to connect to a radiating apparatus according to the invention. |
| US08772681B2 |
Method and apparatus for forced air heater measurement and control
A blower urges an airflow, at a rate according to a user-controlled flow rate command, through an electric heater and the electrical heater heats the airflow at a heater power based on a user-input temperature command, the user-input flow rate command, and a measured mass flow rate of the airflow. The heater power is calculated based on the heat energy required to heat air to the given reference temperature, at a flow rate corresponding to the measured mass flow rate. Optionally, the temperature of the air entering the electric heater is measured, and the heater power is calculated based on the heat energy required to heat air from the measured temperature to the given reference temperature, at a flow rate corresponding to the measured mass flow rate. |
| US08772675B2 |
Electrical lighting and heating modules, assemblies and scent warmers comprising such modules, and related methods
Modular assemblies for use with a scent warmer configured to heat a scented material and emit light comprise a lighting module and a heating module. The lighting module comprises at least one electrical light source. A male electrical connector is in electrical communication with and disposed on a first side of the at least one electrical light source. A female electrical connector is disposed on another side of the at least one electrical light source and in electrical communication with the male electrical connector. The heating module comprises a male electrical connector threadedly engaged and in electrical communication with the female electrical connector of the lighting module. A heating element is located at an end of the heating module opposing the male electrical connector and in electrical communication with the male electrical connector. |
| US08772674B2 |
Method of heating plated steel plate
When applying a current to a plated steel plate, plating often biases. In the present invention, when applying a current, the current is applied with a flux guiding member arranged in proximity to a side surface of the plated steel plate. The direction of the magnetic flux at the side surface of the plated steel plate is corrected, and the bias of the plating is efficiently suppressed. |
| US08772671B2 |
Precision laser ablation
Methods and systems for precisely removing selected layers of materials from a multi-layer work piece using laser ablation are disclosed. Precise removal of one or more selected layers of materials of a work piece may be performed by irradiating at least one location on a multi-layer work piece with a laser beam, ablating material at the at least one location, detecting one or more characteristics of the material ablated at the at least one location and analyzing the one or more characteristics to identify a change in at least one of the one or more characteristics that indicates a change in the type of material being ablated. Related systems are also described. |
| US08772669B2 |
Laser appartus with digital manipulation capabilities
The present invention aims to rapidly and easily create processed data for scan controlling a laser light beam, and to create the processed data for the laser processing apparatus at high precision. A setting plane corresponding to a scanning region of a laser marker is displayed on a processed data generating device. A user operates the processed data generating device to arrange the processing pattern on the setting plane. Here, a marker head coincides an optical axis of the laser light beam L on a position corresponding to the reference point of the processing pattern, and photographs a work W with a camera which light receiving axis is coaxial with the optical axis of the laser light beam L. A photographed image monitor displays the photographed image along with a symbol indicating the position of the light receiving axis of the camera. |
| US08772660B2 |
Input device with swing operation
An input device with swing operation includes a supporting frame, a flexible printed circuit installed on the supporting frame for outputting a signal, a supporting base fixed on the supporting frame, a cap pivoted to the supporting base, and a hook respectively pivoted to the supporting base and the cap. An inclined angle is formed between the hook and the supporting frame when the cap is not pressed down. The hook and the cap pivots relative to the supporting base when the cap is pressed down. The input device further includes a resilient component disposed between the flexible printed circuit and the cap for being pressed by the cap to actuate the flexible printed circuit when the cap is pressed down. |
| US08772658B2 |
Electrically conductive structure of micro switch
An electrically conductive structure of a micro switch capable of letting users know about the reciprocal movement of a switch button, comprising a base, having an electrode module installed in a containing groove formed at the top of the base; an axis cylinder slidably installed in the containing groove; a conical sleeve made of a soft high temperature resisting material and disposed between the axis cylinder and the electrode module; a metal conductive bump formed at the top of the conical sleeve and driven by the axis cylinder to compress and release the conical sleeve to connect and disconnect the electrode module, and the axis cylinder moves reciprocally to produce a hand-pressing feeling, and the containing groove has as sheathe made of a soft high temperature resisting material to block external liquid from entering into the containing groove to improve the service life of the switch. |
| US08772655B2 |
Receptacle structure and power adapter with the same
The receptacle includes an insulated body, a pair of pins and a micro switch. The insulated body has a recess. The pair of pins is fixed in the insulated body and located in the recess. The pair of pins includes a first pin and a second pin. The second pin electrically connects a wire. Each of the first and second pins has a free end. The recess is divided into an inner region and an outer region by the two free ends. The micro switch is movably connected in the insulated body and disposed correspondingly to the wire. The micro switch has a contact sheet which can selectively be in contact with the wire. The micro switch is located in the inner region of the recess. |
| US08772654B2 |
Audio jack that enables electrical and optical connectivity
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide for reliable detection of electrical and optical audio plugs. One example may detect an optical audio plug by employing one or more mechanical detect switches. These switches may include a first contacting portion and a second contacting portion that are separated from each other when an audio plug is inserted into the audio jack. The second contacting portion may include one or more arms to contact a surface portion of the first contacting portion. The first contacting portion and the second contacting portion may be biased such that they tend to stay in contact with each other as the first contacting portion begins to be deflected by the insertion of an audio plug, thereby wiping dust or debris from between the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion. |
| US08772648B2 |
Method for manufacturing printed wiring board and printed wiring board
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board, in which filled vias with a reduction in faulty connections are formed, and providing such a printed wiring board. After an electroless plated film is formed on an inner wall of a via opening, electrolytic plating is performed on insulative resin base material; the via opening is filled with plating metal and a filled via is formed. Therefore, during electrolytic plating, a plating metal is deposited from electroless plated film on the side wall of the via opening as well as from the bottom of the via opening. As a result, the via opening may be completely filled through electrolytic plating, forming a filled via with a reduction in faulty connections. |
| US08772647B1 |
Single-cap via-in-pad and methods for forming thereof
Methods for the formation of single-cap VIPs in a substrate are described herein. The methods may include initially providing a substrate having a first and a second side, the first side being opposite of the second side. A via may then be constructed in the substrate, the via being formed within a via hole that extends from the first side to the second side of the substrate, the formed via having a first end located at the first side of the substrate, and a second end opposite the first end located at the second side of the substrate. A selective deposition may be performed of a conductive material on the second end of the via to form a conductive pad directly on the via on the second side of the substrate without depositing the conductive material onto the first side of the substrate. |
| US08772646B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board includes preparing a metal sheet having metal members and connectors joining the metal members, forming a structure having core substrates which are connected through the connectors and which have insulation structure portions covering the metal members, respectively, cutting the connectors in the structure such that an independent core substrate having a recessed portion is formed and a respective one of the connectors is removed from the independent core substrate, and covering the recess portion of the independent core substrate with a resin. The covering of the recess portion includes either forming an interlayer insulation layer on a surface of the independent core substrate or forming interlayer insulation layers on opposing surfaces of the independent core substrate. |
| US08772645B2 |
Touch panel and display device including same
The present invention relates to a touch panel, comprising a screen part, a router part, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) part, a first pad part comprising two or more router connection regions connecting the screen part and the router part, and a second pad part comprising two or more FPCB connection regions connecting the router part and the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) part, in which at least some regions of the two or more FPCB connection regions comprise a conductive pattern having opening regions. |
| US08772641B2 |
Cable strain relief device for cable closures and cable closure having at least one such cable strain relief device
Cable strain relief device for a cable closure, having at least one cable guiding element, whereby a cable to be restrained can be fixed at a respective cable guiding element via a cable tie surrounding the cable to be restrained and the respective cable guiding element, whereby on both sides of the at least one cable guiding element there are positioned cable tie guiding elements providing guiding surfaces, whereby the guiding surface of a first cable tie guiding element being positioned at a first side of the cable guiding element, namely at the cable tie entry side of the same, has a smaller distance from the cable guiding element than the guiding surface of a second cable tie guiding element being positioned at a second side of the cable guiding element, namely at the cable tie exit side of the same. |
| US08772639B2 |
Maintenance of electric cables by self-repairing
A method is provided for maintaining an electric cable, said electric cable comprising at least one electric conductor surrounded by an outer sheath, said outer sheath containing an insulating oil distributed around said electric conductor, such as a fluid-oil cable or an oil-filled cable. A drying oil, selected so as to solidify upon contacting the air, is added to the oil of the cable for sealing off any accidental oil leak through an outer sheath of the electric cable. |
| US08772632B2 |
Compound for organic photoelectric device, organic photoelectric device including the same, and display device including the same
A compound for an organic photoelectric device, an organic photoelectric device including the same, and a display device including the same the compound being represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: |
| US08772631B2 |
Solar cell
A solar cell with an electrode lead-out structure that a unitary cell to be easily mounted on and removed from a connection side substrate is provided. A solar cell has a power generation electrode including a transparent electrode, a collector electrode, and a power generation layer formed on a translucent substrate and is arranged opposite an opposite electrode so that the power generation layer is sandwiched between the power generation electrode and the opposite electrode. A through-hole is formed in a substantially central portion of the translucent substrate. Another through-hole is formed in another substrate and its periphery forms an annular exposed portion that does not overlap the opposite electrode. A lead-out portion for the collector electrode is formed on the exposed portion. Metal thin films are connected together to form lead-out portions. Thus, a positive electrode and a negative electrode are led out in the same direction. |
| US08772629B2 |
Fiber photovoltaic devices and applications thereof
The present invention relates to organic optoelectronic devices and, in particular, to organic photovoltaic devices having a fiber structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device comprises a first electrode comprising an indium tin oxide fiber, at least one photosensitive organic layer surrounding the first electrode and electrically connected to the first electrode, and a second electrode surrounding the organic layer and electrically connected to the organic layer. |
| US08772627B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device and manufacturing method thereof
To provide a photoelectric conversion device whose characteristics are sufficiently improved. The photoelectric conversion device includes: a first electrode; a unit cell having a semiconductor layer exhibiting a first conductivity type, a semiconductor layer having an effect of photoelectric conversion, and a semiconductor layer exhibiting a second conductivity type; and a second electrode. In the semiconductor layer having an effect of photoelectric conversion, crystal grains each grain diameter of which is smaller than a thickness of the semiconductor layer having an effect of photoelectric conversion are aligned in the thickness direction of the semiconductor layer having an effect of photoelectric conversion from the semiconductor layer exhibiting the first conductivity type to the semiconductor layer exhibiting the second conductivity type. |
| US08772622B2 |
Doped tin tellurides for thermoelectric applications
The p- or n-conductive semiconductor material comprises a compound of the general formula (I) SnaPb1-a-(x1+ . . . +xn)A1x1 . . . Anxn(Te1-p-q-rSepSqXr)1+z (I) where 0.05 |
| US08772615B2 |
Adjustment drive for adjusting the string tension of a stringed instrument
A combined manual and motorized adjustment drive for adjusting the string tension of a stringed instrument having a tuning peg, a drive motor, a force-transmitting member for transmitting a drive force to the tuning peg and a manually operable adjustment element which couples with the force-transmitting member for manual adjustability of the rotary position of the tuning peg wherein said adjustment drive is improved in that in allows a compact design in addition to reliable self-retention and good adjustability of the manual drive. The force-transmitting member is an at least three-stage reduction gear having a first gear stage on which the drive motor acts with an output shaft and a last gear stage which acts on the tuning peg in order to rotate the latter, and the adjustment element acts on a gear stage of the reduction gear between the first and the last gear stages to introduce the force. |
| US08772612B2 |
Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633
A Zantedeschia variety designated 110167-55633 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, to the plants of Zantedeschia 110167-55633, to plant parts of Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, and to methods for producing a Zantedeschia plant produced by crossing Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633 with itself or with another Zantedeschia variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a Zantedeschia plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and to the transgenic Zantedeschia plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to Zantedeschia varieties, or breeding varieties, and plant parts derived from Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, to methods for producing other Zantedeschia varieties, hybrids, or plant parts derived from Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, and to the Zantedeschia plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid Zantedeschia seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the Zantedeschia 110167-55633 with another Zantedeschia variety. |
| US08772610B1 |
Wheat variety W010684M1
A wheat variety designated W010684M1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W010684M1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W010684M1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W010684M1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W010684M1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W010684M1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods. |
| US08772604B2 |
Cotton variety 10R011B2R2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 10R011B2R2. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 10R011B2R2. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 10R011B2R2 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 10R011B2R2 with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08772600B1 |
Soybean cultivar 29140711
A soybean cultivar designated 29140711 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 29140711, to the plants of soybean cultivar 29140711, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 29140711, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 29140711. 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 29140711. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 29140711, 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 29140711 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08772599B1 |
Soybean cultivar 01373542
A soybean cultivar designated 01373542 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 01373542, to the plants of soybean cultivar 01373542, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 01373542, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 01373542. 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 01373542. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 01373542, 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 01373542 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08772597B2 |
Soybean variety A1026857
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026857. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026857. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026857 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026857 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08772596B2 |
Soybean variety A1026832
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026832. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026832. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026832 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026832 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08772594B2 |
Soybean variety A1026823
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026823. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026823. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026823 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026823 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08772593B2 |
Soybean variety A1026813
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026813. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026813. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026813 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026813 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08772590B2 |
Soybean variety A1026330
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026330. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026330. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026330 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026330 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08772585B1 |
Soybean variety XB50S12
A novel soybean variety, designated XB50S12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB50S12, cells from soybean variety XB50S12, plants of soybean XB50S12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB50S12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB50S12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB50S12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB50S12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB50S12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB50S12 are further provided. |
| US08772584B2 |
Soybean variety D6235241
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D6235241. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D6235241. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D6235241 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D6235241 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08772578B2 |
Lettuce variety 41-53 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam seed designated as 41-53 RZ, which has leaves with a solid main vein, narrow base leaves, and exhibits resistance against downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel), currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) and lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam plant produced by growing the “41-53 RZ” seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-53 RZ. |
| US08772571B2 |
Compositions and methods for osteogenic gene therapy
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing bone growth and/or enhancing wound healing, for example, fracture repair. The disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids useful for promoting bone growth. For example, the disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids that encode a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) analog. The disclosure also provides vectors and cells incorporating these nucleic acids, as well as FGF-2 analogs encode by them. The disclosure also provides a mouse system of bone marrow transplantation and methods for producing as well as methods for using the system. Methods for inducing division and/or inducing differentiation of a hematopoietic stem cell are also provided, as are methods for enhancing bone growth and/or wound repair (for example, fracture repair). |
| US08772570B2 |
Liquid-absorbent structure for wearing article
A liquid-absorbent structure configured to prevent a liquid-absorbent core material from being unevenly distributed and thereby to assure that bodily fluids can be smoothly absorbed by the liquid-absorbent structure. According to one embodiment the present invention provides a panty liner that includes a topsheet lying on a side facing the wearer's body, a backsheet facing the wearer's garment and a liquid-absorbent structure sandwiched between these sheets. A first inner surface of a first sheet forming the liquid-absorbent structure is coated with adhesives to form a plurality of first bonding regions and a second inner surface of a second sheet is coated with adhesives to form a plurality of second bonding regions. Each of the first non-bonding regions lies between each pair of the first bonding regions, and each of the second non-bonding regions lies between each pair of the second bonding regions. The first inner surface and the second inner surface face each other, the first bonding regions face the second non-bonding regions via the liquid-absorbent core material, and the second bonding regions face the first non-bonding regions via the liquid-absorbent core material. |
| US08772568B1 |
Incontinence detection system
A system for detecting incontinence is configured to discern when a patient has eliminated and communicate a signal to a control center. The system includes an undergarment that is sufficiently sized to be worn around a waist of the patient. A disposable sensor assembly is mechanically coupled to the undergarment. The disposable sensor assembly can transmit the signal when the patient has eliminated. A wireless transmitter is communicatively coupled to the disposable sensor assembly which receives the signal from the disposable sensor assembly and communicates the signal. A wireless receiver is communicatively coupled to the wireless transmitter which receivers the signal and communicates the signal to the control center. In this manner, personnel in the control center can treat the patient upon receipt of the signal. |
| US08772567B2 |
Use of a polyurethane foam as a wound dressing in negative pressure therapy
A device for negative pressure wound therapy having a cover material for air-tight sealing of the wound space connected to a negative pressure source; and a wound dressing having an open-cell polyurethane foam. The open-cell polyurethane foam has special properties, in particular a tensile strength after three days of storage in bovine serum, measured in accordance with DIN 53571, between 80 kPa and 300 kPa. The open-cell polyurethane foam may be used as a wound dressing in negative pressure wound therapy. |
| US08772564B2 |
Method of producing synthetic zeolite catalyst and method of producing high-purity paraxylene with a catalyst produced by such a method
This invention relates to a method wherein a high-purity paraxylene can be produced efficiently by using a catalyst having a molecular sieving action (or shape selectivity) and being excellent in the catalytic activity without isomerization and adsorption-separation steps. More particularly, it relates to a method of producing a high-purity paraxylene, characterized in that MFI type zeolite having a primary particle size of not more than 100 μm, a structure defining agent and silica material having an average particle size of not less than 10 nm but less than 1.0 μm are used as a starting material, and a synthetic zeolite catalyst produced by subjecting the MFI type zeolite to a coating treatment with an aqueous solution obtained by mixing so as to satisfy X×Y<0.05 (wherein X is a concentration of the silica material (mol %) and Y is a concentration of the structure defining agent (mol %)) is used in the alkylation or disproportionation of at least one of benzene and toluene as a starting material. |
| US08772563B2 |
Process for the conversion of ethane to aromatic hydrocarbons
A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises (a) contacting ethane with a dehyroaromatization aromatic catalyst which is comprised of about 0.005 to about 0.1 wt % platinum, an amount of gallium which is equal to or greater than the amount of the platinum, from about 10 to about 99.9 wt % of an aluminosilicate, and a binder, and (b) separating methane, hydrogen, and C2-5 hydrocarbons from the reaction products of step (a) to produce aromatic reaction products including benzene. |
| US08772559B2 |
Biochar generator and associated methods
A biochar generator may include a pyrolysis chamber, a heater connected to the pyrolysis chamber and a biochar collection chamber in communication with the pyrolysis chamber. A biochar collection chamber sensor may sense a composition of the biochar collected in the biochar collection chamber to define a sensed composition of the biochar. A controller in electrical communication with the biochar collection chamber sensor may utilize the sensed composition of the biochar to dynamically alter conditions in the pyrolysis chamber to alter the composition of the biochar. |
| US08772557B2 |
Aromatic hydrocarbons from depolymerization and deoxygenation of lignin
Processes are disclosed that achieve a high conversion of lignin to aromatic hydrocarbons, and that may be carried out without the addition of a base. Depolymerization and deoxygenation, the desired lignin convention steps to yield aromatic hydrocarbons, are carried by contacting a mixture of lignin and a solvent (e.g., a lignin slurry) with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. A preferred solvent is a hydrogen transfer solvent such as a single-ring or fused-ring aromatic compound that beneficially facilitates depolymerization and hinders coke formation. These advantages result in favorable overall process economics for obtaining fuel components and/or chemicals from renewable sources. |
| US08772556B2 |
Bio-oil production with optimal byproduct processing
A process and system for the conversion of biomass under high severity in the presence of a catalyst to produce a bio-oil, olefins, methane, and carbon monoxide (CO). The methane and/or CO can be used to generate hydrogen and the generated hydrogen can be used for hydrotreating the bio-oil. Additionally, or alternatively, a syngas stream, a carbon dioxide-rich stream, and/or a methane-rich stream can be recovered for use in the bio-oil production process and/or for use in a conventional petroleum refinery and/or petrochemical plant. |
| US08772551B2 |
Mixed oxide catalysts for catalytic gas phase oxidation
Disclosed herein are mixed oxide catalysts for the catalytic gas phase oxidation of alkanes, or mixtures of alkanes and olefins, for the production of aldehydes and carboxylic acids with air or oxygen in the presence of inert gases at elevated temperatures and pressure, and a method for the production of catalysts. |
| US08772550B2 |
Catalysed phenol hydrogenation
The invention relates to a method for hydrogenating an aromatic compound. The invention in particular relates to a method for preparing cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol or a mixture thereof in a continuous way by catalytically hydrogenating phenol fed into a reactor comprising a supported hydrogenation catalyst, comprising a dopant selected from the group of alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal oxides, carbonates of alkali metals and carbonates of alkaline earth metals, and in which process during the hydrogenation of phenol continuously or intermittently water is fed into the reactor, the weight to weight ratio of water fed into the reactor to phenol fed into the reactor on average being 0.1 or less. |
| US08772549B2 |
Highly selective process for producing organodiphosphites
Disclosed is a method for making a diphosphite of Structure I, |
| US08772538B2 |
Process for producing formic acid by hydrothermal oxidation reaction with glycerol and their equipment
A process for producing formic acid by hydrothermal oxidation reaction with glycerol and their equipment, wherein glycerol and oxidant are subjected to a hydrothermal oxidation reaction, air, oxygen or H2O2 as oxidant, at a temperature in the range of 150 to 450° C. and under pressure equal to or more than the saturated vapor pressure at the temperature. The glycerol produced from plant fats, animal fats or the like or pure product synthesized chemically or a discharge containing glycerol generated at the production of diesel fuel oil from fats, in which the fats are subjected to a transesterification with alcohol in the presence of an alkali catalyst in order to obtain fatty acid ester is preferably used as a starting material. |
| US08772533B1 |
Organoleptic compound
The present invention is directed to a novel compound, but-2-enoic acid 1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl ester, and a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of but-2-enoic acid 1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl ester. |
| US08772532B2 |
Process for preparing (meth)acrylic esters of polyols
Provided are processes for the production of (meth)acrylic esters of polyols, in which for 80 mol % or more of the esters, all of the OH groups of the polyols are esterified. Certain processes relate to reaction of polyols with acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid in the presence of acidic esterification catalysts and in the presence of polymerization inhibitors, operating with reaction mixtures which are liquid at reaction temperature and are free from nonreacting solvents and/or azeotropic entrainers, the resultant water of condensation being stripped from the gas phase of the reaction space, and the (meth)acrylic acid is metered in three or more portions. |
| US08772531B2 |
Neopentyl glycol diester
A neopentyl glycol diester which is a mixed ester of neopentyl glycol and carboxylic acids is provided, wherein the carboxylic acids consisting of isobutyric acid as well as 2-ethylhexanoic acid and/or 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid. The neopentyl glycol diester may be used in a refrigerant oil or the like which exhibits excellent miscibility with a difluoromethane refrigerant among other properties. |
| US08772530B2 |
Pentaerythritol tetraester
A pentaerythritol tetraester which is a mixed ester of pentaerythritol and carboxylic acids is provided, wherein the carboxylic acids consist of isobutyric acid and 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid and the molar ratio of isobutyric acid to 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid in the carboxylic acids is 36/64 to 80/20. The pentaerythritol tetraester may be used in a refrigerant oil or the like which exhibits excellent miscibility with a difluoromethane refrigerant among other properties. |
| US08772527B2 |
Process for isomerization of cis-2-pentenenitrile to 3-pentenenitriles
The present invention relates to an improved process for batchwise or continuous isomerization of cis-2-pentenenitrile to 3-pentenenitriles in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane as catalyst. |
| US08772526B2 |
Method for preparing dithiocarbamates in particular from polyols of the glycerol type
The present invention concerns a method for the synthesis of glycerol dithiocarbamates or bis-dithiocarbamates (GDTCs) in which a reaction medium comprising (1) a carbonate selected from diethyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and ethylene or propylene carbonate associated with a glycerol type polyol in the presence of a basic catalyst or (2) a cyclic carbonate comprising five ring members, in a solvent medium, is supplemented with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of carbon disulphide, and the GDTC formed is recovered. In particular, a glycerol type polyol is brought into the presence of diethyl carbonate in the presence of a catalyst, then a primary or secondary amine is added to the reaction medium in the presence of carbon disulphide, and the GDTC formed is recovered. The invention can be used for one-step synthesis of glycerol dithiocarbamates directly from glycerol as the starting material and solvent. This method involves glycerol, diethyl carbonate, carbon disulphide (CS2) and a primary or secondary amine to produce glycerol dithiocarbamates; the glycerol/NaOH phase can be recycled 6 times without a noticeable drop in yield; the ethyl acetate is also recycled after each extraction. |
| US08772524B2 |
CVD precursors
A method of producing silicon containing thin films by the thermal polymerization of a reactive gas mixture bisaminosilacyclobutane and source gas selected from a nitrogen providing gas, an oxygen providing gas and mixtures thereof. The films deposited may be silicon nitride, silicon carbonitride, silicon dioxide or carbon doped silicon dioxide. These films are useful as dielectrics, passivation coatings, barrier coatings, spacers, liners and/or stressors in semiconductor devices. |
| US08772522B2 |
Salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid and method of making same
This invention relates to methods for the production of various metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid including those where the metal cation is selected from the group consisting of silver (I), sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, manganese (II), iron (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), copper (I), copper (II), zinc, yttrium, and cadmium. The methods utilize a solvent system that comprises acetic acid or water or a mixture of both. The invention also encompasses the various metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid. |
| US08772517B2 |
Method of producing a product based on vegetable oil
A composition, which is suitable for the production of stilbene compounds, can be separated from tall oil. It contains esters of pinosylvin or pinosylvin derivatives and it is concentrated in relation to these. Preferably, the composition contains esters of pinosylvin monomethyl ethers, the acid part of which is formed of an inorganic acid or an organic acid, in particular an organic acid, which is present in the crude tall oil or which is generated from this oil during the process of refining it. Typically, such acids are fatty and resin acids and lower alkane acids. With the invention, it is possible to generate, at an industrial scale, product fractions, and the pinosylvin compounds which are separated from the fractions can be used as such or they can be further modified by means of different chemical methods. |
| US08772515B2 |
Method to convert biomass to 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furfural (HMF) and furfural using lactones, furans, and pyrans as solvents
Described is a process to produce hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) from biomass-derived sugars. The process includes the steps of reacting a C5 and/or C6 sugar-containing reactant derived from biomass in a monophasic or biphasic reaction solution comprising water and a co-solvent. The co-solvent can be beta-, gamma-, and/or delta-lactones derived from biomass, tetrahydrofuran (THF) derived from biomass, and/or methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) derived from biomass. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst and a dehydration catalyst for a time and under conditions such that at least a portion of glucose or fructose present in the reactant is converted to HMF. |
| US08772512B2 |
Crystallisation process for 1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl] benzene
The present invention relates to a crystallization procedure to obtain 1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl] benzene hemihydrate crystals having a narrow particle size distribution and improved flowability, bulk and tap density properties. |
| US08772509B2 |
Indole compounds as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic receptor
In one aspect, the invention relates to indole compounds, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (mAChR M1); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. |
| US08772506B2 |
1,3-diiodohydantoin compound and production method thereof
The present invention provides a means which can inhibit release of I2 in production or storage of 1,3-diiodohydantoin compound, and thereby solve decrease in purity of the compound and various problems caused by I2. The present invention provides a production method for 1,3-diiodohydantoin compound comprising a step to prepare a wet body containing a 1,3-diiodohydantoin compound, and (1) a step to dry the wet body by contacting the wet body with heated gas or (2) a step to lyophilize the wet body, a storage method for 1,3-diiodohydantoin compound comprising a step to store a 1,3-diiodohydantoin compound under a temperature condition of 15° C. or lower, and a 1,3-diiodohydantoin compound wherein content of released I2 is 1% by mass or less. |
| US08772504B2 |
Substituted benzoxazole, benzimidazole, oxazolopyridine and imidazopyridine derivatives as gamma secretase modulators
The present invention is concerned with novel substituted benzoxazole, benzimidazole, oxazolopyridine and imidazopyridine derivatives of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X, A1, A2, A3, A4, Y1, Y2, Y3 and Z have the meaning defined in the claims. The compounds according to the present invention are useful as gamma secretase modulators. The invention further relates to processes for preparing such novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds as an active ingredient as well as the use of said compounds as a medicament. |
| US08772503B2 |
Processes for the preparation of deferasirox, and deferasirox polymorphs
The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of deferasirox, an oral iron chelator developed to treat iron overload due to e.g. multiple blood transfusions. The present invention further provides novel deferasirox pseudopolymorphs and a novel amorphous form of deferasirox, processes for their preparation, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, and use thereof in treating iron overload. |
| US08772502B2 |
Alkylsulfinyl-substituted thiazolide compounds
A new class of alkylsulfinyl thiazolides is described. These compounds show strong activity against hepatitis viruses. |
| US08772501B2 |
Fluorescent dyes and uses thereof
The present invention provides fluorescent dyes that are based on firefly luciferin structure. These dyes are optimally excited at shorter wavelengths and have Stokes shift of at least 50 nm. The fluorescent dyes of the invention are useful for preparation of dye-conjugates, which can be used in detection of an analyte in a sample. |
| US08772499B2 |
TRPV3 modulators
Disclosed herein are modulators of TRPV3 of Formula (I) wherein p is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and G1, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, G2, Z1, Ra, Rb, and u are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also presented. |
| US08772498B2 |
Alkylamine-substituted dicyanopyridine and amino acid ester prodrugs thereof
The present application relates to novel 6-alkylamino-substituted dicyanopyridines, to their amino acid ester prodrugs, to processes for their preparation, to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, preferably for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disorders. |
| US08772496B2 |
Intermediate and process useful in the preparation of {2-[1-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-(2-chlorophenyl)-methanone
The present invention relates to novel compounds, (2-chlorophenyl)-[2-(2-hydroxy-2-pyridin-4-yl-vinyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanone benzoate, and (2-chlorophenyl)-[2-(2-hydroxy-2-pyridin-4-yl-vinyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanone toluate, which are useful intermediates for the preparation of the compound of Formula I: (I) The present invention further relates to novel processes for preparing a crystalline compound, which is {2-[1-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-(2-chlorophenyl)-methanone, Form IV. |
| US08772495B2 |
5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor
Described herein is the FLAP inhibitor 3-[3-tert-butylsulfanyl-1-[4-(6-ethoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-benzyl]-5-(5-methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-1H-indol-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also described are methods of preparing the FLAP inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, including solvates, and polymorphs thereof. Also described herein are pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration to a mammal that include the FLAP inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods of using such pharmaceutical compositions for treating respiratory conditions or diseases, as well as other leukotriene-dependent or leukotriene mediated conditions or diseases. |
| US08772489B2 |
Optically active 2-hydroxy tetrahydrothienopyridine derivatives, preparation method and use in manufacture of medicament thereof
Optically active 2-hydroxytetrahydrothienopyridine derivatives represented by Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, preparation method and use in the manufacture of a medicament thereof are disclosed. The pharmacodynamic experiment results show that the present compounds of Formula I are useful for inhibiting platelet aggregation. The pharmacokinetic experiment results show that the present compound of Formula I can be converted in vivo into pharmacologically active metabolites and are therefore useful for inhibiting platelet aggregation. Therefore, the present compounds are useful for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating thrombosis and embolism related diseases. |
| US08772486B2 |
Iridium-based complexes for ECL
Novel iridium-based Ir (III) luminescent complexes, conjugates comprising these complexes as a label and their application, for example in electrochemiluminescence based detection of an analyte. |
| US08772485B2 |
Palladium complexes for organic light-emitting diodes
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a series of palladium based materials, their preparation method and their applications in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). |
| US08772483B2 |
Solid forms of (S)-2-amino-3-(4-(2-amino-6-((R)-1-(4-chloro-2-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)phenyl)propanoic acid
Solid forms of (S)-2-amino-3-(4-(2-amino-6-((R)-1-(4-chloro-2-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)phenyl)propanoic acid and salts thereof are disclosed. Pharmaceutical dosage forms and methods of their use are also disclosed. |
| US08772479B2 |
Oligomer-containing substituted aromatic triazine compounds
The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-containing substituted aromatic triazine compounds. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits one or more advantages over corresponding compounds lacking the oligomer. |
| US08772478B2 |
Benzenesulfonamide compounds, method for synthesizing same, and use thereof in medicine as well as in cosmetics
Benzenesulfonamide compounds having a structure of the following general formula (I) are described. Also described, are methods for synthesizing the compounds, and to the use thereof in pharmaceutical compositions for human or veterinary medicine and in cosmetic compositions. |
| US08772476B2 |
Gas and liquid phase catalytic Beckmann rearrangement of oximes to produce lactams
Methods for producing lactams from oximes by performing a Beckmann rearrangement using a silicoaluminophosphate catalyst are provided. These catalysts may be used in gas phase or liquid phase reactions to convert oximes into lactams. High conversion of oxime and high selectivity for the desired lactams are produced using the disclosed methods, including high conversion and selectivity for ε-caprolactam produced from cyclohexanone oxime and high conversion and selectivity for ω-laurolactam produced from cyclododecanone oxime. |
| US08772471B2 |
Targeted delivery of siRNA
The present invention provides a method of delivering RNA interference molecules to a cell or a cell in a subject, which comprises contacting the cell with a protein-double stranded RNA complex, the complex comprising the double stranded RNA segment containing a double stranded RNA of interest and a protein, the protein comprising (1) a targeting moiety, which will specifically bind to a site on a target cell, and (2) a binding moiety linked thereto, which will bind to the double stranded RNA, wherein the double stranded RNA segment is delivered to a cell and effects RNA interference of the target RNA in the cell. |
| US08772468B2 |
Splice variant specific messenger RNA transcripts as biomarkers of parkinson's disease
The present invention provides a method and a diagnostic kit for diagnosing the presence of Parkinson's disease in a human subject. The method includes the steps of: (1) extracting RNA molecules from a blood sample of the human subject to define a test sample; (2) measuring the amount of each RNA molecule having Sequence ID Nos. 1-14 in the test sample; (3) comparing the amount of each of the RNA molecules having Sequence ID Nos. 1-14 to the amount of RNA molecules having Sequence ID Nos. 1-14 present in a control sample to determine how many of the RNA molecules of Sequence ID Nos. 1-14 are present in a significant amount in the test sample greater or less than in the control sample to define a number of biomarkers; and (4) diagnosing the presence of Parkinson's disease in the human subject if the number of biomarkers is equal to or greater than five. |
| US08772467B2 |
Methods and apparatus for screening and detecting multiple genetic mutations
An assay system and methods are described where patient samples containing genomic DNA are analyzed for the presence of known genetic polymorphisms using a universal reporter strategy. In a preferred embodiment, the amplified DNA is localized at test sites in an array of sites on a microchip followed by a series of hybridization reactions that screen for the presence of a single mutation from among a number of mutations, and allow the identification of specific mutations. In addition to universal reporters, the assay may use blockers and discriminators for screening and identification of known polymorphisms. |
| US08772464B2 |
Aptamer regulated nucleic acids and uses thereof
The invention relates to aptamer-regulated, ligand-responsive nucleic acids, or “ampliSwitches,” and uses thereof. Particular embodiments include a ligand-responsive nucleic acid that comprises a primer sequence domain and an aptamer domain that is responsive to a ligand. |
| US08772462B2 |
Removal of serine proteases by treatment with finely divided silicon dioxide
The present invention provides novel methods for reducing the serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content of a plasma-derived protein composition. Also provided are methods for manufacturing plasma-derived protein compositions having reduced serine protease and\or serine protease zymogen content. Among yet other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and lyophilized compositions of plasma-derived proteins having reduced serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content. Yet other aspects include methods for treating, managing, and/or preventing a disease comprising the administration of a plasma-derived protein composition having a reduced serine protease or serine protease zymogen content. |
| US08772461B2 |
Two-stage ultrafiltration/diafiltration
The present invention provides a method for concentrating a protein, in particular a method for concentrating a plasma product, in particular IgG, using glycine in a (two-stage ultrafiltration/diafiltration approach. |
| US08772455B2 |
Markers for identifying tumor cells, methods and kit thereof
The present disclosure relates to a combination of biological markers for identification of prognosis of cancer. The present disclosure further relates to a method of identifying the said markers, a method of predicting prognosis and a method of planning personalized treatment for cancer. The present disclosure further relates to a kit/test comprising the antibodies against/other methods of detecting said markers for the said prediction. |
| US08772446B2 |
Bifunctional chelating agents
A bifunctional chelating agent of the formula (I): wherein the variables R1, R1′, Q1, Q2 and M are as defined in the description of the present application. Also described is a complex of the above chelating agent to an ion of a stable or radioactive metal; a conjugate of the complex covalently attached to a biological carrier; and a pharmaceutical composition containing the conjugate. |
| US08772443B2 |
Water soluble near infrared sensing polymers with low band gaps
The present invention is directed to polymeric materials including a copolymer of at least a first and second monomer that have desirable electrical and optical properties, such as a low band gap and near infrared (NIR) absorption, respectively. More specifically, the present invention is directed to polymeric materials with charge neutrality that display increased solubility in aqueous media while retaining their electrical and optical properties. The polymeric materials in accordance with the present invention can be modified with any desired functional group to tailor the polymer materials for a specific application. Also described are methods of making the polymeric materials in accordance with the present invention. |
| US08772441B2 |
Polyurethanes polymerizable composition and method for producing optical resin of the same
A resin composition for an optical material that has excellent balance of refractive index of resin, Abbe number, heat resistance, specific gravity, and resin strength, a resin obtained by curing the resin composition, and an optical material are provided.A polymerizable composition comprising the following is used: An alicyclic isocyanate compound represented by the formula (1) and/or the formula (2): (In the formula (1), n represents integer of 0 to 3) and (a) at least one compound of the polythiol compound having at least two thiol groups in one molecule and/or the polythiol compound having at least two thiol groups and at least one (poly)sulfide bond other than the thiol group in one molecule, and (b) at least one compound of the polyhydroxy compound having at least two hydroxy groups in one molecule and/or the (poly)hydroxy(poly)mercapto compound having at least one hydroxy group and at least one thiol group. |
| US08772439B2 |
Production of solutions of diacid/diamine salts
Solutions of a salt of a diamine and of a diacid, more particularly concentrated solutions of hexamethylene diammonium adipate salt (“nylon salt”), useful starting materials for the production of polyamides, more specifically of PA66, are prepared by mixing a diacid and a diamine, at a salt concentration by weight of from 50% to 80%, in a first stage, to provide aqueous solutions of diacid and diamine having a diacid/diamine molar ratio of greater than 1.1 and, in a second stage, adjusting the diacid/diamine molar ratio, by adding diamine, to a value of from 0.9 to 1.1, preferably from 0.99 to 1.01, and in fixing the salt concentration by weight by, optionally, adding water thereto. |
| US08772431B2 |
Silanol condensation catalyst, heat-curable silicone resin composition for sealing photosemiconductors and sealed photosemiconductor using same
A silanol condensation catalyst including at least the zirconium metal salt expressed by Formula (I) below (wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3; each R1 is a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 16 carbons; and each R2 is a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 18 carbons.) A heat-curable silicone resin composition for sealing optical semiconductors includes 100 parts by mass of a polysiloxane containing two or more silanol groups in the molecule; from 0.1 to 2,000 parts by mass of a silane compound containing two or more alkoxy groups that are bonded to a silicon atom in the molecule; and a zirconium metal salt expressed by Formula (I). A sealed optical semiconductor is formed by sealing a LED chip by applying the heat-curable silicone resin composition to the LED chip, heating the LED chip, and curing the heat-curable silicone resin composition. |
| US08772428B2 |
RTV-organopolysiloxane compositions and novel organopolysiloxane polycondensation catalysts therefor
RTV-organopolysiloxane compositions are crosslinkable by polycondensation and are devoid of alkyltin-based catalysts; novel organopolysiloxane polycondensation catalysts are useful therefor. |
| US08772427B2 |
Continuous counter-current organosolv processing of lignocellulosic feedstocks
A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into one or more of a de-lignified cellulose stream, a sugar stream, small-chain alcohol streams and four structurally distinct classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for recovering small-chain alcohols and optionally a first class of lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for recovering from the liquid fraction at least one of a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof, and waste stream comprising a fourth class of lignin derivatives. The fourth processing module may optionally recover the fourth class of lignin derivatives. |
| US08772426B2 |
Polymers
Copolymers of ethylene and α-olefins having (a) a density (D) in the range 0.900-0.940 g/cm3, (b) a melt index MI2 (2.16 kg, 190° C.) in the range of 0.01-50 g/10 min, (c) a melt index MI2 (2.16 kg, 190° C.) and Dow Rheology Index (DRI) satisfying the equation [DRI/MI2]>2.65, and (d) a Dart Drop Impact (DDI) in g of a blown film having a thickness of 25 μm produced from the copolymer satisfying the equation DDI≧1900×{1−Exp [−750(D−0.908)2]}×{Exp [(0.919−D)/0.0045]}. The copolymers may be prepared using metallocene catalysis and are preferably prepared in multistage processes carried out in loop reactors in the slurry phase. The copolymers exhibit long chain branching as defined by Dow Rheology Index (DRI) and exhibit unexpected improvements in mechanical properties, in particular dart drop impact, when extruded into blown films. |