US08494233B2
A feature point detection unit (153) and feature amount extraction unit (154) extract a plurality of features of an object from input image data. When there are unextracted features of the plurality of features, a weight setting unit (155) sets weights for the extracted features. A facial expression determination unit (156) executes recognition processing of the object based on the features weighted by the weight setting unit (155).
US08494232B2
An image processing technique includes acquiring a main image of a scene and determining one or more facial regions in the main image. The facial regions are analyzed to determine if any of the facial regions includes a defect. A sequence of relatively low resolution images nominally of the same scene is also acquired. One or more sets of low resolution facial regions in the sequence of low resolution images are determined and analyzed for defects. Defect free facial regions of a set are combined to provide a high quality defect free facial region. At least a portion of any defective facial regions of the main image are corrected with image information from a corresponding high quality defect free facial region.
US08494231B2
The subject disclosure relates to face recognition in video. Face detection data in frames of input data are used to generate face galleries, which are labeled and used in recognizing faces throughout the video. Metadata that associates the video frame and the face are generated and maintained for subsequent identification. Faces other than those found by face detection may be found by face tracking, in which facial landmarks found by the face detection are used to track a face over previous and/or subsequent video frames. Once generated, the maintained metadata may be accessed to efficiently determine the identity of a person corresponding to a viewer-selected face.
US08494230B2
An image processing apparatus includes an area setting unit, an image deformation unit, and a face deformation unit. The area setting unit sets, in a target image that includes a face image, an area including the face image as a compression area. The image deformation unit compresses the compression area in a specific direction at a predetermined compression rate. The face deformation unit deforms the face image by expansion amount determined on the basis of the compression rate in such a manner that at least a part of the face image is expanded in the specific direction.
US08494211B2
It is an object to improve the accuracy of a house change judgment based on images and the like acquired by an airplane. A terrain altitude is subtracted from an attitude value of a digital surface model (DSM) acquired from an airplane or the like to generate a normalized DSM (NDSM). A judgment target region is segmented into a plurality of regions of elevated part for each elevated part with a size corresponding to a house appearing on the NDSM. An outline of the house is extracted from each region of elevated part and a house object containing three-dimensional information on the house is defined by the outline and NDSM data within the outline. The house objects acquired at two different time points, respectively, are compared to detect a variation between the two different time points, and a judgment as to a house change is made based on the variation.
US08494210B2
An apparatus, method and system for facilitating visual identification of a prohibited object in an image during security screening are provided. Data derived from an apparatus that scans the receptacle with penetrating radiation conveying an image of the contents of a receptacle is received. Information from an automated threat detection processor is also received and indicates an area of interest in the image potentially containing a prohibited object. The image is then processed to generate an enhanced image. In a first example, portions of the enhanced image outside the area of interest are visually de-emphasized. In a second example, features appearing inside the area of interest are visually emphasized. The enhanced image is then displayed on a display device. Optionally, thumbnail images associated with previously screened receptacles are displayed and a user is enabled to select one or more thumbnail images. An enhanced image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is then displayed. In alternative implementations, an apparatus, method and system for use in screening a person for facilitating visual identification of a prohibited object thereon is provided.
US08494209B2
An armature apparatus includes a first tine member, a second tine member, a center tine member, and a connecting portion. The first tine member has a first length and a first width and these define a first surface. The second tine member has a second length and a second width and these define a second surface. The first surface generally faces the second surface and the first surface is generally parallel relation to the second surface. The center tine member has a third length and the third length is generally parallel to the first length and the second length. The connecting portion couples the center tine member to the first surface along the first length and to the second surface along the second length. The center tine member is generally disposed in a plane extending between the first tine member and the second tine member and the plane divides the first surface of the first tine member and the second surface of the second tine member.
US08494196B2
The invention relates to a system and a method for configuring a hearing device by means of an external configuration unit, the hearing device comprising a microphone, an A/D-converter, a processing unit with a memory, a D/A-converter and a receiver, the external configuration unit comprising a programming host, an external processing unit, an interface and a playing device, the method including the steps of processing a sound recording from the playing device with a parameter setting externally, feeding the processed sound recording to the receiver of the hearing device via the interface and the D/A-converter, emitting the processed sound recording through the receiver, repeating steps a) to c) with varying parameter settings until a match between the quality of the signal and the requirements of the user is reached, and transmitting and storing the chosen parameter setting in the memory of the hearing device.
US08494188B2
A piezoelectric ceramic loudspeaker headphone structure includes a positioning frame having an open front end and an open rear that form a circumferential step extending along an inner circumference of the positioning frame. A steel sheet having an area approximately equal to the open front end of the positioning frame is mounted to and closes the open front end of the positioning frame. A vibrating member is received in and positioned by the circumferential step so as to close the rear open end of the positioning frame. The positioning frame with the steel sheet and the vibrating member respectively closing the front and rear ends thereof forms a closed chamber. A sound-making member that is formed by stacking multiple ceramic layers has a surface area less than that of the steel sheet and is attached to an outside surface of the steel sheet to constitute a sound-making module.
US08494184B2
An electro-acoustic transducer or a device into which an electro-acoustic transducer is incorporated has at least two audio signal conductors through which the electro-acoustic transducer or device may be coupled to another device to convey analog audio signals representing sounds at a time when the other device places a relatively low DC bias voltage across the at least two audio signal conductors, and to be operated as a digital serial bus to exchange pieces of digitally-encoded data concerning the electro-acoustic transducer at a time when the other device places a relatively high DC bias voltage across the at least two audio signal conductors.
US08494178B1
Methods and techniques to implement a digital signal processor for avoidance of audio feedback are disclosed, in particular, audio signal processing systems that reduce the requirement for physical segregation of sound acquisition and diffusion zones. In a more general aspect, the components and techniques described herein provide a for a sound space and sound processing equipment such that sound travelling electronically in a loop through the sound processing equipment that is output into a physical sound diffusion zone, received at the input to the sound processing equipment, and then re-amplified, etc. is attenuated over that loop by frequency modification. The frequency modification is such that, at least for some signals, on each pass through the loop, the sound processing equipment will attenuate or amplify individual sub-bands of the frequency spectrum of the audio signal that is received at the input of the sound processing equipment. The frequency range of each individual sub-band is modified as it passes through the sound processing equipment, transformed into sound in the physical space, picked up again by the sound processing equipment, and then passes through again, so that the sub-band is attenuated on at least one of those passes through the sound processing equipment. The attenuation can be performed by configuring the sound processing equipment to amplify some input frequencies and shift those frequencies to other frequencies that the sound processing equipment is configured to attenuate.
US08494165B1
A method of establishing secure communication between a first mobile computing device and a second mobile computing device includes receiving a first request from the first mobile computing device to securely communicate with the second mobile computing device via a Wi Fi hot spot, verifying that the first mobile computing device is trusted, generating a public key and a private key based on a trusted certificate, sending the private key to the first mobile computing device via the Wi-Fi hot spot, receiving a second request from the second mobile computing device to securely communicate with the first mobile computing device, verifying that the second mobile computing device is trusted, and sending the public key to the second mobile computing device.
US08494164B2
A method for connecting wireless communications, a wireless communications terminal and a wireless communications system are provided. The method includes receiving a first signal including assumed configuration data; determining an availability of a wireless communications connection using the assumed configuration data; sending an association request message, if it is determined that the wireless communications connection is available; and receiving a second signal including connection configuration data, which is different from the assumed configuration data, in response to the association request message.
US08494155B1
An encryption device can include a tweaking value manager that is configured to generate an array of tweaking values corresponding to the array of data blocks based on a tweaking encryption key, a first encryption unit that is configured to encrypt a first portion of the array of data blocks into a first portion of encrypted data blocks based on corresponding tweaking values and a data encryption key, a second encryption unit that is configured to encrypt a second portion of the array of data blocks into a second portion of encrypted data blocks based on corresponding tweaking values and the data encryption key, and a data block combiner that is configured to combine the first portion of encrypted data blocks and the second portion of encrypted data blocks into an array of encrypted data blocks.
US08494143B2
A system, method and program product for delivering to an invitee of a teleconference an electronic file attached to or referenced by a meeting notice for the teleconference. The teleconference hosted by a server computer, the invitee has a telephone to call-in to the teleconference via a telephone connection, and an invitee computer downloads the electronic file from the server computer via a first network in response to selection by the invitee of a representation of the electronic file from the meeting notice. The server computer receives a notification that a predetermined combination of keys has been pressed by the invitee on the telephone. In response, the server computer determines an e-mail address or instant message address for the invitee. The server computer attaches and sends the electronic file to an e-mail or instant message with the attached electronic file to the e-mail address or instant message address.
US08494142B2
An embodiment of the invention includes a method for detecting fraudulent use in a conference calling system. One or more time duration thresholds are received for a conference call. The conference call is monitored to determine an attendee duration, a participants duration, and/or a conference call duration. The attendee duration represents the call duration of an attendee of the conference call; the participants duration represents the total call duration of all of the attendees combined; and, the conference call duration represents the call duration of the conference call. The time duration thresholds are compared to the attendee duration, participants duration, and/or conference call duration. Actions are performed by a processor if the attendee duration, participants duration, and/or conference call duration exceeds the time duration thresholds.
US08494139B2
A method for providing an interactive voice response service is provided. The method uses a VoiceXML interpreter in cooperation with a voice/audio application. The voice/audio application uses scripts coded in VoiceXML with embedded Java Server Pages (JSP). The use of VoiceXML along with JSP allows the present invention to provide an implementation that minimizes interaction between the voice/audio application and the VoiceXML server.
US08494134B2
A method for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier. The method comprises: obtaining information regarding an origin of the call; identifying a group of identities that is associated with the telephony identifier, each identity designating a party reachable by calling the telephony identifier; determining, based on the information regarding the origin of the call, that the call is intended for a particular identity among the group of identities; and causing routing of the call based on information associated with the particular identity. The party designated by each identity may be a different person. Also provided a system for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier.
US08494132B2
The present invention relates to a tethered digital butler consumer electronics product and method. The tethered digital butler, of a price and form factor suitable for consumer electronics markets of developed and developing countries, includes a communications and multi-media console and a wireless remote. The remote may resemble a handheld personal computer (HPC), a palm-held personal computer (PPC or PDA) or a smart phone, but has a low cost and feature set supported by the console that is novel in the consumer electronics market. In particular, this disclosure relates to combining telephone service, device control and, optionally, a fingerprint reader for easy user identification/authorization and personalization. As another option, a camera can be incorporated into the remote, thereby enabling video conferencing and other visual features. Alternatively, the remote may be packaged separately from a console and sold to interact with capabilities of a communications and console, set-top box, multi-media PC or other consumer electronics device from a different source, such as one running on a Windows, OS X or Linux platform, with or without telephone capabilities. The remote may include a media reader and remote USB port.
US08494127B2
An audio splitting system for sharing speech data associated with the same utterance between multiple speech technologies (consumers). In one aspect, the system comprises one or more queues for storing data, a plurality of consumers each sharing the data stored in the one or more queues and a scheduler for managing the storage of the data in the one or more queues and the consumption of the data in the one or more queues by each of the plurality of consumers. The consumers will register their data requirements and priority requests with the scheduler. The scheduler assigns each of the plurality of consumers to one or more of the queues based on the registered data requirements.
US08494124B2
Notification systems and methods receive a call from a caller and prompt the caller to identify an event. A response is received from the caller which identifies a particular event. The notification systems and methods select an advertisement related to the particular event, the selected advertisement being associated with a second event of the same type as the particular event. The caller is prompted whether a reminder message associated with the second event is desired. A response is received from the caller regarding the reminder message. If the caller desires to receive a reminder message, that reminder message is scheduled.
US08494118B2
A radiographic apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation detecting device for detecting the radiation, a radiation grid placed to cover a radiation detecting plane of the radiation detecting device, a pattern storage device for storing a plurality of patterns of shadows of the radiation grid falling on the radiation detecting device, an image generating device for generating an original image showing the object under examination and the shadows of the radiation grid, based on detection signals outputted from the radiation detecting device, a grid shadow estimating device for estimating a pattern of superimposed grid shadows, which are the shadows of the radiation grid appearing on the original image, from the patterns of shadows stored in the pattern storage device, and a removing device for removing the shadows of the radiation grid from the original image based on the superimposed grid shadows estimated.
US08494113B2
A method of operating an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to automatically suppress sum-peaks is disclosed. The method includes irradiating a sample to acquire an initial energy spectrum. The energy spectrum is processed to identify a sum-peak that interferes with a characteristic fluoresced peak of an element of interest. A filter is positioned in the emitted radiation path to attenuate radiation that contributes to the identified sum-peak, and a filtered energy spectrum is acquired. In certain embodiments, the filtered energy spectrum is acquired only when a limit of detection (LOD) of an element of interest calculated from the initial energy spectrum does not satisfy a targeted objective.
US08494112B2
In a method and system for data transfer in a computed tomography apparatus having a gantry with a rotatable part and a stationary part, at least one device is provided for energy transfer between the rotatable part and stationary part of the gantry and at least one PLC (Power Line Communication) component is provided for data transfer between the rotatable part and the stationary part of the gantry via at least one device for energy transfer.
US08494110B2
X-ray imaging method, in which the data (c(a), ρ(b)) are processed by a programmed computer using the following formula: C = ρ ( b ) n + c ( a ) n - 1 2 n 2 ( ∑ k = 1 n c k ( a ) + ∑ u = 1 n ρ u ( b ) ) to calculate a value (C) of the attenuation coefficient at a point (P0) of a set of points {P0}, for a given pair of said angular positions θa and θb, in order to obtain an image representing an X-ray attenuation coefficient for said set of points {P0} of the body (3). According to the invention, the computer is programmed to perform the following stages: (1) pre-calculate the positions on the detector (9) of a first impact point T(a) of a ray i and a second impact point R(b) of a ray j, (2) pre-calculate the positions on the detector of first and second load calculation lines, along detection points Tp,k; k=1→n; p=1→m and Rq,u; u=1→n; q=1→m, and (3) calculate the value of the attenuation coefficient at point P0 in the volume irradiated by using the pre-calculated positions of the first and second impact points T(a); R(b) and the pre-calculated first p and second q load calculation lines Tp,k(a); k=1→n; Rq,u(b); u=1→n that pass closest to the first and second impact points (T(a); R(b)) respectively.
US08494108B2
A shift register circuit includes plural shift register stages for providing plural gate signals. Each shift register stage includes an input unit and a pull-up unit. The pull-up unit is utilized for pulling up a gate signal according to a system clock and a driving control voltage. The input unit is employed for outputting the driving control voltage according to a control signal and an input signal. The input unit includes a switch device having a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a first end for receiving the input signal, a gate end for receiving the control signal, and a second end. The second transistor has a first end electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor, a gate end electrically connected to the first end of the first transistor, and a second end for outputting the driving control voltage.
US08494102B2
Methods and corresponding systems for providing and demodulating an orthogonal modulated signal where demodulation includes separating a sampled orthogonal modulated signal into in phase and quadrature samples, deriving first and second equalizer coefficients based on corresponding in phase and quadrature samples and further, respectively, based on a first and second training sequence, programming a first plurality of equalizer filters with the first equalizer coefficients and a second plurality of equalizer filters with the second equalizer coefficients; and processing, after programming with first and second coefficients, the in phase samples and the quadrature samples through a first and second plurality of equalizer filters to provide demodulated symbols.
US08494101B2
The present invention provides a method of characterizing a frequency response of a transmission channel between a transceiver and a subscriber unit. The method includes once per predetermined interval of time, the transceiver transmitting a signal including multiple carriers, a plurality of the carriers including training symbols, a plurality of the carriers including information symbols. The subscriber unit generates frequency response estimates at the frequencies of the carriers including training symbols, each interval of time. The frequency response estimates are converted into a time domain response generating an impulse response once per interval of time. The impulse responses are filtered over a plurality of intervals of time. A channel profile is determined from the filtered impulse responses. The channel profile is converted to the frequency domain generating a channel interpolator. The characterized frequency response is generated from the channel interpolator and the frequency response estimates. The filtering can include averaging the impulse responses over a plurality of intervals of time, accumulating the impulse responses over a plurality of intervals of time, or weighted averaging of the impulse responses over a plurality of intervals of time. The weighted averaging can be dependent upon a phase error between the impulse responses, and/or an amplitude error between the impulse responses.
US08494096B2
A multi-channel receiver (200) comprises: an input (111) for receiving a wideband signal potentially comprising multiple channels, a tuner stage (110), a wideband amplifier (201) connected between the input (111) and the tuner (110), a controllable switch (202) bridging the amplifier (201) and a switch controller (203) designed to generate a switch control signal (BSC).For controlling the switch, the switch controller (203) is designed to measure at least one signal quality parameter and to generate its switch control signal (BSC) on the basis of the measured parameter. The decision of switching the switch (202) to its open state (amplifier active) is exclusively taken during at least one time interval when the receiver is switched to a channel.
US08494093B1
Channel state information (CSI) for a single data stream transmitted via a plurality of antennas is determined in a hardware device. Cophasing angles for the plurality of antennas are determined in the hardware device using the CSI. The cophasing angles are transferred from the hardware device to a controller coupled to the hardware device. When steering vector feedback is to be transmitted, the steering vector feedback is generated in the controller based on the cophasing angles. When explicit CSI feedback is to be transmitted, the explicit CSI feedback is generated in the controller using the cophasing angles.
US08494091B2
Certain aspects of a method and system for satellite communication are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a receiver that handles digital broadcasting. The receiver may be enabled to dynamically vary spacing between two or more pilots and/or the size of one or more pilots within at least one frame based on a determined symbol rate. The size of each of a plurality of received programs may be determined and the spacing between two or more pilots may be dynamically varied based on the determined size of each of the plurality of received programs.
US08494078B2
A data transmission method in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes allocating a plurality of pilot resources for supporting pilot transmission through a plurality of antennas, and if there are residue pilot resources not used in the pilot transmission among the plurality of pilot resources, transmitting data by using the residue pilot resources.
US08494076B2
In a MIMO wireless communication system, the transformation process synthesizes the eigenmodes having a large singular value (i.e. a high effective SNR) and the eigenmodes having a small singular value (i.e. a low effective SNR). Thereby, the former eigenmodes are converted into modes having suppressed effective SNR which do not require a large number of levels of modulation, and the latter eigenmodes are converted into modes having increased effective SNR instead. In a MIMO wireless communication system for eigenmode transmission, a large communication capacity is realized without increasing the number of levels of modulation even in a communication environment capable of achieving a high SNR.
US08494072B2
Aspects relate to a flexible interleaving scheme that provides frequency diversity to randomizes interference Frequency diversity groups can be utilized, wherein control channel elements (CCEs) gain greater frequency diversity for a given number of mini-CCEs (e.g., subset of CCEs). A frequency diversity group index is permuted according to a bit reversed scheme to facilitate control channel elements with a small number of mini-CCEs to also gain sufficient frequency diversity.
US08494059B1
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a buffer controller are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a buffer to buffer data. The apparatus further includes a status register and control logic. The control logic at least processes write commands. When the buffer is full and a write command to write data to the buffer is received, the control logic is configured to: accept the data without writing the data to the buffer, send an acknowledgment that the buffer was written, and set an overflow bit in the status register.
US08494057B2
A video encoding apparatus includes a motion estimation module, an information providing module, a filtering module, a motion compensation module, and a converting module. The motion estimation module performs a plurality of modes of motion estimations on macro-blocks included in an input frame and provides a motion-estimated frame which conforms to a predetermined standard. The information providing module receives motion vectors and mode information of the plurality of modes of motion estimations to provide an encoding information signal. The filtering module filters the motion-estimated frame to provide a filtered frame based on the encoding information signal. The motion compensation module performs motion compensation on the filtered frame to provide a motion-compensated frame. The converting module performs a spatial conversion on the motion-compensated frame.
US08494052B2
Techniques and tools for selecting search ranges and/or motion vector ranges during motion estimation are described. For example, a video encoder performs motion estimation constrained by a first search range, which results in multiple motion vectors. The encoder computes motion vector distribution information for the motion vectors. To compute the distribution information, the encoder can track the motion vectors in a histogram and count how many of the motion vectors fall within each of multiple intervals for the distribution information. The encoder then selects a second search range and performs motion estimation constrained by the second search range. Selecting the second search range can include selecting a motion vector range, which in some cases in effect determines the second search range.
US08494050B2
Provided is a moving picture coding device which makes it possible to suppress deterioration in coding efficiency caused by flickers occurring at a time of high-speed capturing under fluorescent lamp lighting or the like. A moving picture coding device which codes a plurality of pictures obtained by capturing an object, the moving picture coding device including: a luminance information acquisition unit which acquires luminance information which indicates a luminance level of light in an environment where the object is captured; and a coding unit which codes the pictures, using a prediction coding method in which a picture type is applied in the coding of the pictures according to a flicker state of the light obtained from the luminance information.
US08494041B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for performing equalization of communication channels. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one tap can be selected from a set of feedforward taps of feedforward filter circuitry, where each tap of the selected at least one tap has a magnitude that is greater than or substantially equal to a magnitude of any tap of the set of feedforward taps that is not in the selected at least one tap. In addition, at least one tap can be added to a set of taps of feedback filter circuitry in communication with the feedforward filter circuitry. The invention advantageously allows for more efficient and reliable equalization of communication channels.
US08494037B2
A Complex Adaptive Phase Discriminator (PD), as presented in some concepts of the present disclosure, is an adaptive filter that accurately estimates the instantaneous frequency of a dynamic complex signal. The PD can demonstrate accurate instantaneous frequency estimation and rapid convergence in dynamic complex signal environments, even when the frequency of its input may change rapidly. A direct PD architecture can estimate the instantaneous frequency of a complex primary signal, iteratively adapting a phase of a complex exponential by minimizing the mean squared error of a complex error signal. Instantaneous frequency can be directly estimated from the phase of the complex exponential. In contrast, an indirect PD architecture can estimate the instantaneous frequency of a complex primary signal, iteratively adapting a complex coefficient by minimizing the mean squared error of a complex error signal. Instantaneous frequency can be indirectly estimated by extracting the phase of the complex coefficient.
US08494035B2
A circuit for adaptive feedback equalization is disclosed. In one aspect, the circuit includes a frequency-domain feedforward filtering section and a feedback filtering section, a slicer to slice a block of equalized symbols, a summing module for summing outputs of the filtering sections thereby yielding the block of equalized symbols. First and second updating modules provide coefficient updates to the filtering sections. The updating modules are fed with a frequency-domain converted block of error signals indicating the difference between the block of equalized symbols at the slicer input and the block of sliced symbols at the slicer output and for computing updates using the frequency-domain converted block of error signals. A time-domain compensation module receives a time-domain version of the updated filter coefficients of the feedback filtering section and symbols of the block of sliced symbols. It adds a feedback error compensation signal to the block of equalized symbols.
US08494024B1
A monoblock laser cavity incorporates optical components for a short-pulse laser. These optical components are ‘locked’ into alignment forming an optical laser cavity for flash lamp or diode laser pumping. The optical laser cavity does not need optical alignment after it is fabricated, increasing the brightness of the monoblock laser.
US08494023B2
A composite optical waveguide 1 includes a first optical waveguide 9 comprising a silica-based core and a second optical waveguide 11 comprising an Si-based core. The second optical waveguide 11 is joined to the first optical waveguide 9. The length of the first optical waveguide 9 corresponds to a permissible propagation loss of the second optical waveguide 11. The second optical waveguide 11 includes a sharply curved portion 13 having a radius smaller than the minimum bend radius of the first optical waveguide 9.
US08494000B1
A network monitor that segments data packets at variable locations of data packets and stores a subset of the segments for troubleshooting or analysis. The network monitor selects data packets to be stored based on a set of user-defined classifier rules and discards other data packets. Each data packets selected for storage are analyzed up to an application protocol layer to determine start locations and/or end locations of data fields in the data packet. A set of user-defined slice rules are applied to each analyzed data packets to segment the data packets at the determined locations of the data fields. A subset of the data packet segments is stored in the network monitor. By storing relevant portions of data packets and discarding other portions of the data packets, the amount of data of data to be stored in the network monitor can be significantly reduced.
US08493997B2
Service reference information is added to an IP telephony signaling protocol message and the IP telephony signaling protocol message is then sent to the network node in order to provide a network node using the IP telephony signaling protocol, e.g., SIP, with service reference information needed for billing purposes.
US08493995B2
Communicating between stations in a network is described. A plurality of stations coordinate according to a distributed protocol to select a first station to transmit over a shared medium. The communication includes transmitting between the first station and a second station over the shared medium during a time period in which stations other than the first and second stations refrain from transmitting over the shared medium. The first station transmits information that grants permission to the second station to transmit during the time period.
US08493991B2
A master node (12) sends an identification signal for designating a communication channel in an identification signal time slot. When the own node matches the node in which the communication channel designated by the identification signal sent from the master node (12) is set in the identification signal time slot, the master node (12) and slave nodes (131 to 13n) each perform data transmission via the communication channel, based on the set contents of the communication channel, in the data transmission time slot corresponding to the identification signal time slot in which the identification signal has been sent.
US08493982B2
The invention relates to a method to discover Optical Network Units (ONU) with different speed capabilities in an Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) by an Optical Line Termination (OLT), where logical links in the network are identified by Logical Link IDs, and the OLT can transmit and receive data with 1 Gbit/s-speed (1 G) and 10 Gbit/s-speed (10 G), and the discovery process is handled in the OLT by a Multi Point Control Process (MPCP), which exchanges messages as Data Units (MPCPDU) with the ONUs. This is achieved by extending the standard MPCPDUs in a way, that backward compatability is assured.
US08493980B2
A layer 2 transport network, and components thereof, supporting virtual network functionality among customer edge devices. Virtual private network configuration can be accomplished with merely local intervention by preprovisioning extra channel (or circuit) identifiers at each customer edge device and by advertising label base and range information corresponding to a list of channel (or circuit) identifiers.
US08493972B2
A method for detecting malicious packets includes comparing a sequence number of an input packet with sequence numbers of one or more previously input packets and detecting a malicious packet when the sequence number of the input packet matches at least one of the sequence numbers of the previously input packets.
US08493971B2
A network management system (NMS) maintains topology information of a network allowing coexistence of PDH network and SDH network. The network management system (NMS) generates a topology data for path calculation in a path calculation device in accordance with the topology information of the network after converting topology information of the PDH network into topology information of an SDH network. The path calculation device calculates the optimum path in answer to a path calculation request from the network management system (NMS) on the basis of the topology data for path calculation generated therein, and returns the calculation result. The network management system (NMS) reverts the SDH network topology information generated through conversion from the PDH network topology information among the SDH network topology information included in the calculation result received from the path calculation device to the PDH network topology information before the conversion.
US08493961B2
A wireless communication method for improving the transmission efficiency in an upstream communication in OFDMA-TDD system or the like. An upstream transmission timing control part (108), which employs this method, controls, based on the OFDMA-TDD scheme, the transmission timings of a mobile station (#p) and a mobile station (#M) communicating with a base station (100). The upstream transmission timing control part (108) acquires information about the propagation delay times τp and τM of the mobile station (#p) and mobile station (#M). When the propagation delay time τp is shorter than the propagation delay time τM, the upstream transmission timing control part (108) decides the transmission timings of the mobile station (#p) and mobile station (#M) such that the timing at which the base station (100) starts receiving symbols from the mobile station (#p) in an upstream section is earlier, by αp times an OFDM symbol length (L) (where αp is a natural number), than the timing at which the base station (100) starts receiving symbols from the mobile station (#M) in the same section.
US08493954B2
A method and an apparatus for reducing Digital-to-Analog Conversion (DAC) bits at a transmitter of a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system reduces a number of the bits for conversion so as to save power and reduce the cost of operation. The method can include generating a digital signal gain control value and an analog signal gain control value using subcarrier allocation information, a required Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), and a Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR); controlling a gain of a signal input to a digital-to-analog converter using the digital signal gain control value; converting a digital signal of the controlled gain to an analog signal using the digital-to-analog converter; and restoring an original signal by controlling a gain of a signal output from the digital-to-analog converter using the analog signal gain control value.
US08493952B2
Systems and methods for determining a location based on historical data are disclosed. Generally, a location determination component receives a request for information from a wireless device, where the request is associated with at least two network access points (NAPs). The location determination component determines which of the at least two NAPs has a greater precedence and estimates a current location of the wireless device based on a known location of the current NAP and a known location of a previously-current NAP associated with the wireless device.
US08493951B2
A technique for combining transmission bandwidths of several mobile stations (MS1, MS2) is disclosed. A master mobile station (MS1) establishes (7-0) a WLAN base station communicating with WLAN client terminals (CT). One or more slave mobile stations (MS2) may detect a predefined network identifier and join the WLAN network. The master (MS1) assigns IP addresses for the client terminals (CT) and slave mobile stations (MS2). The master also resolves DNS queries in cooperation with external DNS servers. Traffic, including internet packets (IP1-IP4), between the client terminals and various internet hosts (HO) is tunneled over multiple simultaneous transmission paths between the master (MS1) and a multiplexing/demultiplexing computer (SM). The inventive bandwidth combination technique is transparent to the client terminals (CT) and the internet hosts (HO).
US08493941B2
A mobile terminal is controlled via over-the-air feedback so as to enable its data transmissions to be independently and successfully decoded at each of the base stations in its active set absent a transmit power limitation or data retransmission limit. Using the decoded data, the channel is re-estimated and the waveform received from the mobile terminal is reconstructed and subtracted from the total interference at each base station in the active set where decoding has been successful. As a result, transmissions from other mobile terminals, which have yet to be successfully decoded at such a base station, will experience a higher signal-to-noise ratio and thus an increased likelihood of being successfully decoded.
US08493939B2
A mobile station is configured to transmit a sequence of data packets over a wireless network. The station includes a data sequence expander. The expander receives an indication of a pending hand-off for the mobile station from a first network access point to a second network access point and estimates an amount of time prior to occurrence of the hand-off. The expander inserts a number of delay packets into the sequence of data packets in response to receiving the indication of the pending hand-off. The number of delay packets is determined based on the estimated amount of time prior to the occurrence of the hand-off such that the insertion of the delay packets into the sequence of data packets will cause a delay that corresponds to the amount of time prior to occurrence of the hand-off.
US08493934B2
The present invention discloses a method, system and device for processing circuit switched (CS) services in an evolved packet network. The method includes: by a mobility management entity (MME), receiving a mobile terminated (MT) service indication from a mobile switching center (MSC); sending the MT service indication to user equipment (UE); and receiving an MT service response returned by the UE and performing subsequent operations according to the MT service response. In the method of the present invention, when an MT service arrives, the MME does not trigger the evolved NodeB (eNodeB) to hand over the packet switched (PS) services of the UE but notifies the UE of the MT service and performs subsequent operations according to the MT service response returned by the UE, thus avoiding the waste of network resources caused by a meaningless handover of PS services.
US08493933B2
A method for communication includes, during a call conducted among two or more subscribers in a circuit-switched network, which operates in accordance with a first communication protocol that manages calls among the subscribers by exchanging discrete events among elements of the circuit-switched network, receiving from the circuit-switched network an incomplete subset of the events related to the call. Based on the incomplete subset of the events, at least one emulated communication session is generated in a packet-switched network that operates in accordance with a second communication protocol. Using the emulated session, a service platform in the packet-switched network is caused to provide a communication service to the call conducted in the circuit-switched network.
US08493927B2
In a control apparatus which transmits/receives data from a central processing unit via a serial transfer channel to a communication control unit, and groups/distributes data of input/output units from the communication control unit via a parallel transfer channel, the control apparatus initiates a diagnosing unit of the parallel transfer channel in response to an instruction issued from the central processing unit, and diagnosis the input/output units subsequent to the diagnosis of the transmission channel. Data input/output timing of the input/output unit is also instructed from the central processing unit, so that the central processing unit can suppress lowering of response speeds caused by the diagnoses, and can maintain the periodicity of the data input/output.
US08493926B2
A cellular communication system comprises a first base station serving at least a first user equipment. The base station comprises functionality for transmitting a base station duplex capability message to user equipments using a transmission format which is common to a plurality of duplex modes. A first user equipment comprises a transceiver which receives the base station duplex capability message. A RACH characteristics processor determines at least one transmit characteristic for an access message in response to the base station duplex capability message and a RACH transmit controller controls the transmission of an access message to the first base station in response to the at least one transmit characteristic.
US08493914B2
A PMI combination ratio (PCR) being used for generating a uplink precoding matrix W is transmitted by a base station to a mobile station. Using the PCR, a PMI maximizing transmission performance and PMIMin minimizing interference to a neighboring base station are combined into the uplink precoding matrix W. Overall operations of a system can be simplified and the load of calculation for generating the uplink precoding matrix W in the mobile station can be reduced, because the PCR is provided by the base station.
US08493902B2
A system and method for using multiple peer listeners in order to improve the ability to receive a transmitted signal. A peer link is established between the peer listeners. At least some of the peer listeners also have a data link to a sender communicating with an outside source. In the simplest embodiment, a peer listener receiving data over the sender data link communicates that data to one or more other peers which may have an impaired ability to presently utilize its own data link to the sender. In more complex embodiments, multiple peer listeners can receive and process portions of needed data over the data link to the sender, then communicate portions of the data to other peer listeners on an as-needed basis.
US08493901B2
A wireless communication apparatus, which is capable of operating in an active mode and a sleep mode, comprises an antenna control unit, which controls a half-value angle and a directivity angle of an antenna for communication, and a mode control unit, which controls a change between the active mode and the sleep mode. When the wireless communication apparatus is in the sleep mode, the antenna control unit sets the half-value angle of the antenna to be a larger half-value angle than the half-value angle with respect to the active mode, and sets the directivity angle of the antenna to a predetermined angle.
US08493899B2
A sleep mode entry of a terminal in a broadband wireless communication system is provided. A base station includes an adjuster for, when a first terminal requests a sleep mode entry and lengths of requested sleep interval and listening interval do not meet a certain condition, adjusting the lengths of the sleep interval and the listening interval; and a determiner for setting a distribution of the sleep interval and the listening interval according to the adjustment of the adjuster and determining a sleep mode entry time of a second terminal which enters a sleep mode after the distribution of the sleep interval and the listening interval is set.
US08493898B2
Macro diversity is managed at the edge in a mobile data network with edge data Macro diversity is managed at the edge in a mobile data network with edge data breakout with a component in a Mobile Internet Optimization Platform (MIOP) referred to as MIOP@NodeB. A set of NodeBs that are in simultaneous communication with user equipment are defined as an active set. One of the MIOP@NodeBs of the active set is selected as a master, with the remaining MIOP@NodeBs in the active set being designated slaves. During uplink of signaling data, the signaling data is sent from the UE to all the NodeBs in the active set, which send the signaling data to each of their corresponding MIOP@NodeBs. Each slave MIOP@NodeB sends its data to the master MIOP@NodeB, which combines the data from all into a best packet.
US08493894B2
A radio frequency (RF) front-end circuit includes a multiband antenna, an antenna switch, a duplexer, a communication mode selection switch, and a processor. The processor selectively connects the antenna switch or the duplexer to the multiband antenna using the communication mode selection switch. When the multiband antenna is connected to the antenna switch, the processor directs the antenna switch to transmit wireless signals used in a first wireless communication system received by or sent from the multiband antenna; when the multiband antenna is connected to the duplexer, the duplexer transmits wireless signals used in a second wireless communication system received by or sent from the multiband antenna.
US08493892B1
A method for resolving conflicts between conference bridges in a distributed conferencing system includes determining that a conflict exists between a first conference bridge and a second conference bridge. The conflict may arise from the first conference bridge and the second conference bridge independently providing a meeting resource for a first meeting. The method also includes determining at the first conference bridge and at the second conference bridge that the meeting resource is to be provided by the first conference bridge. In determining that the meeting resource is to be provided by the first conference bridge, there is a probability of determining that the meeting resource is to be provided by the second conference bridge. The method also includes, providing the meeting resource for the first meeting at the first conference bridge and stopping providing the meeting resource for the first meeting at the second conference bridge.
US08493889B2
A managed surface-space network fabric is presented. The surface-space network fabric can include a spaced-based network fabric and a surface-based network fabric integrated together to form a single fabric managed by a global fabric manager. The global fabric manager cooperates with other fabric managers local to each fabric to establish a communication topology among all the nodes of the fabric. Preferred topologies include paths from any port on a node to any other port on another node in the fabric. The surface-space fabric, and each individual fabric, can function as a distributed core fabric operating as a single, coherent device.
US08493880B2
The network system includes a controller and a plurality of terminals. The controller repeats transmitting a request signal indicative of a predetermined probability. Upon receiving the request signal, the terminal sends, at the probability indicated by the request signal, a response signal including the identification information uniquely allocated to the terminal. Upon receiving the response signal, the controller sends a notification signal with reference to the identification information included in the response signal. The terminal judges whether or not a response has been completed, on the basis of the received notification signal. The terminal sends no response signal in response to receiving the request signal once after judging that the response has been completed. The controller prepares the next request signal indicative of the probability not less than that indicated by the previous request signal.
US08493879B2
A node apparatus wherein when a topology change occurs on a network used for packet transfer between node apparatuses, the node apparatus performs dynamic route control for establishing a new normal route. The node apparatus has a device that receives, from another node apparatus, a route control message which includes information required for route determination; a device that computes a route on the network based on the received route control message; a device that sends another node apparatus a route control message which includes information required for said another node apparatus to determine a route on the network; a device wherein when receiving the route control message, this device computes an operation start time for route control operation by the route computation and the message sending, based on a distance between a topology change part and said node apparatus of oneself; and a device that controls the execution of the route control operation based on the computed operation start time.
US08493876B2
A method for realizing a test is provided. The method includes receiving a test signaling and a planning parameter of an internet protocol (IP) bearer network; initiating a test service on the IP bearer network according to the test signaling and the planning parameter of the IP bearer network; and obtaining a performance indicator of the IP bearer network according to the running situation of the test service. An apparatus for realizing a test is also provided. A test service is initiated on the IP bearer network according to the planning parameter of the IP bearer network; and a performance indicator of the IP bearer network is obtained according to a running situation of the test service. According to the performance indicator, it is determined whether the current IP bearer network satisfies the performance requirements of the communication network planning model.
US08493871B2
In a network that includes intermediary nodes, such as WAN accelerators, that transform messages between nodes, an end-to-end path of the messages is determined. The determined end-to-end path is used in subsequent analysis of message traces, to identify timing and other factors related to the performance of the network relative to the propagation of these messages, including the propagation of the transformed messages. A variety of techniques are presented for determining the path of the messages, depending upon the characteristics of the collected trace data. Upon determining the message path, the traces are synchronized in time and correlations between the connections along the path are determined, including causal relationships. In a preferred embodiment, a user identifies an application process between or among particular nodes of a network, and the system provides a variety of formats for viewing statistics related to the performance of the application on the network.
US08493870B2
A method and apparatus for determining a path supporting a mobile session to identify the underlying transport elements supporting the path. In various embodiments mobile session tracing is implemented within a network such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network by determining elements in a path supporting a mobile session of a user equipment (UE) having an specific identifier, such as an IP address or terminal identification number.
US08493864B1
An apparatus including: a first port configured to receive a first end of a cable to provide a communication link between (i) the first port, and (ii) a second port coupled to a second end of the cable. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to, during a time that the first end of the cable is coupled to the first port and the second end of the cable is coupled to the second port, (i) receive a command to identify the second port to which the second end of the cable is coupled, and (ii) in response to the command, repeatedly change the state of the communication link at the first port in accordance with a pattern.
US08493862B2
Devices and techniques for overcoming lost packets and avoiding congestion when conducting media conferences over packet switched networks are described herein. To avoid the problem of lost packets, redundant information is inserted into the media stream that permits the receiver to reconstruct any lost packets from the redundant information. Congestion avoidance techniques include adjusting the bitrate of the media stream to find the highest bitrate that can be supported without packet loss due to congestion. When increasing the bitrate to a higher rate, the additional bits can come from the redundant information used for lost packet recovery so that any lost packets caused by network congestion will not adversely affect the bitstream.
US08493860B2
Congestion is detected in a radio access transport network including one or more radio network controllers each coupled to one or more radio base stations. Multiple data packet flows are each associated with a mobile radio terminal communication, and each flow is controlled in the radio access transport network by a corresponding flow control entity. They are monitored for congestion in the transport network. If a congestion area in the transport network is detected for one of the monitored data packet flows, then a determination is made whether other monitored data packet flows share the detected congestion area. Congestion notification information is communicated to the flow control entities corresponding to the other monitored data packet flows that share the detected congestion area. Based on the congestion notification information, the informed flow control entities may take a flow control action, e.g., to enable fair sharing of communications resources in the transport network.
US08493855B2
One embodiment relates to a method for communicating over a transmission medium shared between a plurality of nodes including a source node, a proxy node, and other nodes. In the method, a transmission data unit is transmitted from the source node to the proxy node and to the other nodes. A confirmation is selectively transmitted from the proxy node to the other nodes based on whether a reception data unit corresponding to the transmission data unit is correctly received at the proxy node. Based on whether the confirmation is received at one of the other nodes, a negative acknowledgement is selectively transmitted from the one of the other nodes to the source node. Other methods and devices are also disclosed.
US08493854B2
A method for avoiding collision among transmissions from user equipment in a mobile network is provided. The method includes transmitting a preamble to a base station via a random access channel (RACH) and transmitting a response signal including an identifier of the user equipment to the user equipment in response to the RACH. It is possible to transmit/receive reliable data while reducing collision among transmissions from user equipment by efficiently using the identifier of the user equipment when the user equipment uses the RACH.
US08493844B2
A method for reconfiguring a communication network is provided. A first network uses a first network protocol and a second network uses a second network protocol, the two networks being connected by two data links. A first data link is initialized as activated and a second data link is initialized as deactivated. A failure of the first data link is detected by a first bridge of the second network, the first bridge being connected to the first data link. A first data packet is generated by the first bridge and is transmitted to a second bridge of the second network, the second bridge being connected to the second data link. The first data packet is received and processed by the second bridge. The first data packet contains information which initiates a partial implementation of the first network protocol on a port of the second bridge and an activation of the second data link.
US08493838B2
When the alternate unit detects the failure of the area unit, the alternate unit obtains the program corresponding to the program type of the area unit having the failure. The alternate unit sets the IP address of the area unit, and obtains the setting information from the management unit belonging to the area same as the area including the area unit having the failure. Then, the alternate unit collects the data from the units which previously communicate with the area unit having a failure and previously communicating with the area unit. The alternate unit performs the initialization and starts the management of the unit. Consequently, it is possible to continuously manage the sub unit being previously managed by the main unit, now having a failure, without stopping the management of the sub unit, even if the main unit is failed.
US08493823B1
An optical tape drive system includes n total optical pickup units and a controller. The controller writes readable data in logical wraps each having less than n physical tracks to the optical tape via at least some of the optical pickup units such that for each of the logical wraps that contain readable data, all physical tracks within the logical wrap contain readable data.
US08493822B2
Methods, systems, and program products for controlling the playback of music are disclosed. In an embodiment a method for controlling the playback of music includes the steps of: initiating the playback of a first music track; stopping the playback of the first music track; initiating the playback of alternative audio content; stopping the playback of the alternative content; and determining whether to initiate the playback of the first music track or to initiate the playback of a second music track.
US08493811B2
A memory circuit is disclosed. The memory circuit includes memory cells and asynchronous read decode logic configured to decode a received address and to select particular ones of the memory cells for reading. The read decode logic may be comprised of static, combinational logic, and thus the decoding of the received address may be conducted without the use of a clock signal or a cycle of a clock signal. Accordingly, a read operation may be conducted responsive to receiving the read address, without waiting for a subsequent clock edge. Furthermore, read output logic may also be asynchronous, and thus may provide data read from the memory cells without having to wait for a clock edge. The read output logic may include push-pull driver circuits coupled to global bit lines. The push-pull driver circuits may drive their corresponding global bit lines based on the data read from corresponding memory cells.
US08493807B2
A system includes a first circuit and a second circuit that are constituted by a semiconductor device, the second circuit controlling the first circuit. The first circuit includes an interface unit that performs communication with the second circuit, a plurality of sense amplifiers including a first sense amplifier, each of the plurality of sense amplifiers performing communication with the interface unit, a first global bit line, a dummy global bit line, a plurality of first memory blocks, each of the first memory blocks including a first hierarchy switch that is connected to the first global bit line, a dummy memory block including a dummy hierarchy switch that is connected to the dummy global bit line, and a first dummy local bit line connected to the dummy global bit line, and a control circuit that controls the first hierarchy switches and the dummy hierarchy switch.
US08493805B2
A semiconductor apparatus includes: odd and even sub word line driving units configured to selectively drive odd sub word lines and even sub word lines among a plurality of sub word lines; a bit line sense amplifier including a plurality of sense amplifier driving lines which are electrically connected with bit lines; a first sense amplifier driving unit formed on one side of the bit line sense amplifier which extends in the same direction as the bit lines, and configured to drive odd sense amplifier driving lines among the plurality of sense amplifier driving lines; and a second sense amplifier driving unit formed on another side of the bit line sense amplifier which extends in the same direction as the bit lines, and configured to drive even sense amplifier driving lines among the plurality of sense amplifier driving lines according to driving of the even sub word lines.
US08493798B2
An apparatus for outputting data in a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a clock generation block configured to activate a first clock signal for outputting a data signal and a second clock signal for outputting a data strobe signal based on a predetermined timing, and a data output block configured to latch a pre-data signal and a pre-data strobe signal in response to the first clock signal and the second clock signal, respectively.
US08493795B2
Integrated circuit memory devices include multiple voltage regulators configured to generate respective boosted voltages, which are provided to a memory cell block. A first voltage regulator is configured to increase a well voltage (Vwell) from a first level to an elevated second level during a pull-up time interval when a boosted well voltage level is required within a memory cell block. The increase in the level of the well voltage occurs in response to a transition of a trim signal (Trim) received at an input of the first voltage regulator. A second voltage regulator is also provided. The second voltage regulator is configured to increase a word line voltage (Vwl) from a third level to an elevated fourth level during the pull-up time interval, in response to the transition of the trim signal and in response to the well voltage. A memory cell block is provided, which is configured to receive the well voltage and the word line voltage during the pull-up time interval.
US08493784B2
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device comprises applying a program voltage to a selected wordline to program selected memory cells, and performing a verify operation by applying a verify voltage to the selected wordline to determine the programming status of the selected memory cells. The verify operation applies the verify voltage to the selected wordline at least two different times to divide the selected memory cells into at least three regions corresponding to different threshold voltage ranges.
US08493782B2
Provided are a flash memory system and a driving method thereof. A flash memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, and a control logic. The control logic performs control for one-bit information to be stored in the plurality of memory cells. The control logic controls storing data in the plurality of memory cells multiple times without an erasion operation. Accordingly, the flash memory device does not execute an erasion operation, increasing an operation speed.
US08493780B2
A non-volatile magnetic memory element includes a number of layers one of which is a free layer which is graded. The graded free layer may include various elements with each element having a different anisotropy or it may include nonmagnetic compounds and magnetic regions with the non-magnetic compounds forming graded contents forming a unique shape such as cone shaped, diamond shaped or other shapes and whose thickness is based on the reactivity of the magnetic compound.
US08493779B2
A non-volatile magnetic memory element includes a number of layers one of which is a free layer which is graded. The graded free layer may include various elements with each element having a different anisotropy or it may include nonmagnetic compounds and magnetic regions with the non-magnetic compounds forming graded contents forming a unique shape such as cone shaped, diamond shaped or other shapes and whose thickness is based on the reactivity of the magnetic compound.
US08493778B2
A non-volatile magnetic memory element includes a number of layers one of which is a free layer which is graded. The graded free layer may include various elements with each element having a different anisotropy or it may include nonmagnetic compounds and magnetic regions with the non-magnetic compounds forming graded contents forming a unique shape such as cone shaped, diamond shaped or other shapes and whose thickness is based on the reactivity of the magnetic compound.
US08493771B2
An ion barrier layer made from a dielectric material in contact with an electronically insulating layer is operative to prevent mobile ions transported into the electronically insulating layer from passing through the ion barrier layer and into adjacent layers during data operations on a non-volatile memory cell. A conductive oxide layer in contact with the electronically insulating layer is the source of the mobile ions. A programming data operation is operative to transport a portion of the mobile ions into the electronically insulating layer and an erase data operation is operative to transport the mobile ions back into the conductive oxide layer. When the portion is positioned in the electronically insulating layer the memory cell stores data as a programmed conductivity profile and when a substantial majority of the mobile ions are positioned in the conductive oxide layer the memory cell stores data as an erased conductivity profile.
US08493770B2
A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array including memory cells arranged at respective intersections between first wirings and second wirings. Each of the memory cells includes a rectifier element and a variable resistance element connected in series. A control circuit is configured to apply a first voltage to a selected first wiring and a second voltage lower than the first voltage to a selected second wiring so that a certain potential difference is applied to a selected memory cell positioned at an intersection between the selected first wiring and the selected second wiring. The control circuit performs a concurrent read operation to perform a read operation from plural memory cells concurrently by applying the first voltage to a plurality of the first wirings concurrently. It is possible to switch the number of the first wirings to be applied with the first voltage concurrently in the concurrent read operation.
US08493764B2
An integrated circuit having a CAM array includes a plurality of CAM cells organized in rows and columns where each row corresponds to an address word and each column corresponds to a bit position, and a match line for each row connected to be shared by CAM cells in that row. The CAM array also includes a feedback circuit for each row connected to limit a discharge voltage for a corresponding match line in that row. In another aspect, a method of operating an integrated circuit having a CAM array includes organizing a plurality of CAM cells in rows and columns where each row corresponds to an address word and each column corresponds to a bit position, and sharing a match line with CAM cells in each row. The method also includes limiting a discharge voltage for the match line.
US08493753B2
A photovoltaic powered system and an alternating current (AC) module thereof are disclosed. The photovoltaic powered system provides a direct current (DC) power through a photovoltaic module and converts the DC power into an AC power, which is grid-connected to an AC utility power. The AC module of the photovoltaic powered system produces a continuous quasi-sinusoidal current and the quasi-sinusoidal current is converted into a sinusoidal current. The high-frequency harmonic components of the sinusoidal current are filtered to produce a sinusoidal output current in phase with the AC utility power, thus realizing the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the photovoltaic module and feeding unity-power-factor power into the AC utility power.
US08493749B2
This is directed to an EMI shield constructed from a conformal coating. A circuit board can include electronic components for which EMI shielding is required. To provide such shielding in a space-efficient manner, a first non-conductive conformal coating can be placed over the circuit board and the electronic components. A second conductive conformal coating can then be placed over the first such that at least portions of the second coating around the periphery of the electronic components are electrically coupled to the circuit board.
US08493737B2
According to one embodiment, a pressing member includes: a band-like pressing portion placed on a heat receiving block arranged on an element mounted on a substrate, the pressing portion configured to press the heat receiving block against the element; a first arm, one end of the first arm being connected to one longitudinal end of the pressing portion, other end of the first arm being connected to the substrate; and a second arm, one end of the second arm being connected to other longitudinal end of the pressing portion, other end of the second arm being connected to the substrate, wherein the first arm and the second arm are connected to the pressing portion in a bent shape as seen in a planar view from above a surface of the substrate.
US08493733B2
A mobile measurement device, particularly for temporary use in or on vehicles, on stationary engines, or on test benches, consists of individual components (2) that might have different working temperatures, disposed in a common housing (1). Furthermore, at least one fan (6) is provided. In order to allow a very broad range of use with regard to the outside temperature range, at the smallest and lightest possible construction, in order to guarantee simple transport and great mobility, and reliable measurements within this range, the housing (1) is structured essentially in gastight manner. Furthermore, compartments for the individual components (2) that are separated from one another by means of air baffles (3) and a conditioning drawer (4) that extends over an entire housing side are provided, which conditioning drawer (4) is provided with the single air inlet (5) and in which at least one fan (6), preferably having a variable throughput, at least one conditioning block (7), and at least one temperature sensor (8) are disposed. Outlets (9) having defined cross-sections lead from the conditioning drawer (4) to at least some compartments for the individual components (2), and the conditioning block (7), the fan (6), and the temperature sensor (8) are connected with a control system integrated into the measurement device, which system controls the conditioning block (7) and the fan (6) in accordance with the desired working temperature of the individual components (2).
US08493732B2
A lap cushion, for supporting an electronic device on a users lap, provides thermal insulation and cooling airflow between the electronic device and the user. The cushion further includes a shield positioned between the top surface and the electronic device where the shield is electrically-conductive and electrically-grounded so as to provide radiation absorption of RF electromagnetic radiation emanating from the electronic device.
US08493731B2
There is provided a first accommodating chamber that accommodates a cooling unit frame that supports a cooling unit. The cooling unit includes a cooler that cools heat generated from a snubber circuit component and a semiconductor device utilizing cooling air from an air blower, a conductor bar that electrically connects the semiconductor device and a capacitor with each other, the snubber circuit component, and the semiconductor device. There is also provided a second accommodating chamber that accommodates the capacitor. The cooling unit and the capacitor can be separated from each other by detaching one of a connecting portion between a laminated bus bar and the conductor bar and a connecting portion between the laminated bus bar and the capacitor.
US08493727B2
An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding.
US08493726B2
The invention relates to an electronic device 60 comprising a flexible display arranged to be alternated between a collapsed state and an extended state, said flexible display comprising edge portions, the flexible display being further provided with an edge protector cooperating with the edge portions, wherein the edge protector is conceived to be alternated between a collapsed state and an extended state. In the electronic device 60a the flexible display 65 is conceived to be wound about a roller 61. The edge protector comprises rigid segments 63a, 63b, 63c, 62a, 62b, 62c, 62c interconnected by suitable means 64a, 64b, 64c. Wiring, pins, bars may be used for interconnecting means 64a, 64b, 64c. In the embodiment 60a an extended position of the edge protector is shown. In the embodiment 60b a collapsed state of the edge protector is shown comprising aggregations of segments 62′, 62″. The bars 64a, 64b, 64c partly protect the back surface of the display. The invention further relates to the electronic device comprising a flexible display wherein the flexible display is provided with an edge protector attached at least partially to the edge portions of the flexible display.
US08493725B2
A sliding module includes a first section, a second section, a hinge module, a sliding member and a pivot plate. The first section includes a connecting member. The hinge module is positioned on the second section. The sliding member is slidably engaged with the second section, and is rotatably connected to the connecting member of the first section. Two ends of the pivot plate are respectively connected to the first section and the hinge module. When the sliding member slides relative to the second section, the pivot plate brings the first section to move and rotate relative to the second section in a tilted orientation.
US08493714B2
An electronic device is disclosed comprising a housing (1) and a retractable display (3) conceived to be alternated between an at least partially extended state and a retracted state, the device comprising a cleaning unit (6) integrated in the housing and being arranged for removing contamination from at least a front surface of the display. The flexible display (3) can be retracted by sliding the side members (4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 5c) into the housing using, for example, a grip (7). Preferably, in the electronic device 10 the display is provided with edge members 8a, 8b for guiding the bar (6).
US08493712B2
Provided are a solid electrolytic capacitor capable of reducing leakage current and a method of manufacturing the same. An aspect of the invention provides a solid electrolytic capacitor that comprises: an anode including any one of niobium and a niobium alloy; a dielectric layer formed on the anode; a cathode layer formed on the dielectric layer, the cathode layer having a work function of 5 eV or larger; and a cathode lead layer formed on the cathode layer.
US08493708B2
The disclosure relates generally to capacitor structures and more particularly, to capacitor structures having interdigitated metal fingers. Metal finger capacitors may have at least one layer, the at least one layer including: a first set of fingers, wherein each finger of the first set includes an end integrally connected to a bus segment of a first bus; a second set of fingers interdigitated with the first set of fingers, wherein each finger of the second set includes an end integrally connected to a bus segment of a second bus; an in port integrally connected to the first bus and an out port integrally connected to the second bus; and wherein a width of the first and second bus is non-uniform across a length of the first and second bus.
US08493705B2
A representative electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) that is electrically coupled to the output of a power amplifier; an ESD detection circuit that triggers the SCR responsive to detect an electrostatic discharge on an ESD bus; and an ESD clamp circuit that is coupled to the first voltage line.
US08493701B2
An overvoltage protection circuit includes a connection jack, a path connection module, a voltage response module, and a control module. The connection jack is connected to a power supply. The path connection module is connected between the connection jack and a load. The voltage response module is to output a first signal in response to an overvoltage, and output a second signal in response to a constant voltage. The control module is to output a corresponding potential according to the first signal to turn off the path connection module, and output a corresponding potential according to the second signal to turn on the path connection module. When the path connection module is turned off, the connection between the connection jack and the load is disabled, when the path connection module is turned on, the connection between the connection jack and the load is enabled.
US08493699B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a cable comprising a plurality of leads and an ESD dissipating adhesive coupled to the plurality of leads in a coverage area for providing ESD protection to an element of an electronic device. The ESD adhesive comprises a mixture of a polymeric thin film and electrically conductive fillers dispersed in the film, and the ESD adhesive has a resistivity from about 50 to 100 MΩ. In another embodiment, a method for providing ESD protection to an element of an electronic device includes applying an ESD adhesive across exposed leads of a cable and evaporating the solvent from the ESD adhesive. At least some of the leads are coupled to an element of an electronic device. The ESD adhesive comprises a polymeric thin film, electrically conductive fillers dispersed in the polymeric thin film, and a solvent for controlling a viscosity of the ESD adhesive.
US08493697B2
The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for ground fault monitoring of an AC circuit between, on one hand, a neutral conductor (N′) of the AC circuit and, on the other hand, a protective ground wire (PE) or a ground wire with a series connection of ohmic resistors (R1, R2, R3), which has a first terminal (101) for the neutral conductor (N′) and a second terminal (102) for the protective ground wire (PE) or ground wire, wherein the arrangement includes at least one means for detecting a break of one of the resistors (R1, R2, R3) of the series connection.
US08493687B2
A magnetic head includes a shield, and first and second return path sections. The shield has an end face that is located in a medium facing surface to wrap around an end face of a main pole. The shield includes a bottom shield, two side shields, and a top shield. The first return path section includes a yoke layer, and first and second coupling layers that magnetically couple the bottom shield and the yoke layer to each other. The first coupling layer is magnetically connected to the bottom shield. The second coupling layer magnetically couples the first coupling layer to the yoke layer. No end faces of the second coupling layer are exposed in the medium facing surface. The second return path section magnetically couples the top shield and the main pole to each other.
US08493679B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk including a plurality of tracks, a head actuated over the disk, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is operable to: write a target track including a plurality of data wedges; determine optimization metrics for the data wedges of the plurality of data wedges as the data wedges are read; store the optimization metrics for the data wedges from the target track; and remove a first portion and a second portion of the optimization metrics such that a remaining portion of the optimization metrics remains. Further, the control circuitry is operable to calculate an average optimization metric value for the remaining portion of optimization metrics for use in read channel optimization.
US08493678B2
An exemplary piezoelectric actuator includes a fixed barrel defining a first receiving cavity, a movable barrel in the first receiving cavity for receiving a lens module, a piezoelectric driving module driving the movable barrel to move relative to the fixed barrel along an optical axis of the lens module, and a preloading module. The movable barrel defines a second receiving cavity for receiving the lens module. The piezoelectric driving module includes a piezoelectric member attached on the sidewall of the fixed barrel, and a friction member attached on the sidewall of the movable barrel. The piezoelectric member is opposite to the friction member. The preloading module is arranged between the fixed barrel and the movable barrel. The preloading module is opposite to the piezoelectric driving module for exerting a pressure to the movable barrel, thereby making the friction member resist against the piezoelectric member.
US08493677B2
A lens unit includes a lens holder of stainless steel and a converging lens fixed to a lens holding hole of the lens holder. The lens holder is formed by pressing, or stamping from a metal plate, made of a compressed stainless steel plate material, having a predetermined thickness with a narrow tolerance. Upon stamping, the metal plate is fractured, thus forming an outer tapered surface at one end of the outer surface of the lens holder. When the outer surface and the rear end surface of the lens holder are allowed to abut against a positioning recess in order to position the lens holder, the outer tapered surface is opposed to the corner of the positioning recess.
US08493676B2
A camera lens assembly is provided, including a holder, a lens module, and a metal frame. The lens module is fixed in the holder by an adhesive and includes a lens, a substrate connected to the lens, and a plurality solder balls disposed on the substrate. The metal frame is disposed around the lens module and fixed to the holder, wherein the metal frame forms an opening with the solder balls exposed thereto, and the lens module and the metal frame form a gap there between.
US08493662B2
A waveguide 60 formed of material 62 allows propagation of image bearing light along a light pathway 64 by total internal reflection of the image bearing light. The layer of material 62 is a light transparent material arranged to allow an observer, not illustrated, to look through the layer of material 62 whilst also arranged to carry image bearing light. A grating element 66 carried within the layer of material 62 is arranged such that impinging image bearing light following the light pathway 64 is either diffracted out of the layer of material 62 as a pupil of image bearing light 68a to 68n or is reflected by either surface 70 or surface 72. The efficiency of the grating element 66 is varied along the length of the layer of material 62 to achieve the desired pupils of image bearing light 68a to 68n along the length of the layer of material 62. This results in a more even brightness of pupils of image bearing light 68a to 68n, as perceived by the observer looking through the layer of material 62.
US08493659B2
A viewer for authenticating a birefringent pattern having at least two regions having a different birefringence from each other, wherein the viewer contains a polarizing plate and at least one optically anisotropic layer laminated on the polarizing plate, a front retardation of the at least one optically anisotropic layer is 5 nm or more and the total of the front retardation of the at least one optically anisotropic layer and a maximum value of front retardation of the birefringent pattern is greater than λ/2.
US08493658B2
A polarizer in which parallel transmittance TP is increased and crossed transmittance TC is provided. Instead of arranging a plurality of all metal wires on one plane, a plurality of metal wires is separately formed on at least two different parallel planes, and adjacent meal wires among the plurality of metal wires are staggered in the polarizer. The heights of a first group of metal wires formed on a first plane and a second group of metal wires formed on a second plane, from a surface of the light-transmitting substrate are different. Further, a metal wire of the second group is provided to be more distant from the light-transmitting substrate than the first group of metal wires by distance D, and the distance D is smaller than the thickness of the first group of metal wires.
US08493657B2
A light source switching device for use in a projection system is provided. The light source switching device comprises at least two light guiding devices and at least one phase switching device. The phase switching device is disposed between the two light guiding devices and adapted to be in one of a first status and a second status. When the first light travels into the light source switching device, the phase switching device is capable of being in the first status such that the first light is adapted to emit out from the outlet surface. When the second light travels into the light source switching device, the phase switching device is capable of being in the second status such that the second light is adapted to emit out from the outlet surface. With the switching operation of the phase switching device, the plural lights provided by plural light sources would be selected and uniformized by the light source switching device.
US08493656B2
An objective changer for a microscope includes a changing device configured to pendulously swing each of a plurality of objectives into a respective operating position near a focal position.
US08493655B2
An optical module for increasing magnification of a microscope includes an objective and an eyepiece between which is an optical path for light to travel. The optical includes light diverging elements for dividing the optical path into two parallel light paths after leaving the objective; and several orthonormally-arranged reflective elements including at least a first and a last reflective element, each reflective element having a reflective surface diagonal relative to the orthonormal arrangement of the elements, and also arranged to successively reflect the parallel light paths, from element to element, from the objective when the module is inserted in the optical microscope, beneath the eyepiece. Also included are light converging elements for converging the parallel paths into a single path before producing an image at the eyepiece.
US08493654B2
An interband cascade gain medium is provided. The gain medium can include at least one thick separate confinement layer comprising Ga(InAlAs)Sb between the active gain region and the cladding and can further include an electron injector region having a reduced thickness, a hole injector region comprising two hole quantum wells having a total thickness greater than about 100 Å, an active gain quantum well region separated from the adjacent hole injector region by an electron barrier having a thickness sufficient to lower a square of a wavefunction overlap between a zone-center active electron quantum well and injector hole states, and a thick AlSb barrier separating the electron and hole injectors of at least one stage of the active region.
US08493651B1
An apparatus and method that provides management and cooling of an optical fiber by looping the optical fiber around the inner surface of a heat-conductive cylinder and around the outer surface of the heat-conductive cylinder, such that the optical fiber enters and exits the heat-conductive cylinder on substantially the same plane. Some embodiments use a continuous groove on the inside and outside of the cylinder for guiding and managing the optical fiber. Some embodiments use a plurality of protruding fiber guides for guiding and managing the optical fiber. Some embodiments use an integrated tube for guiding and managing the optical fiber. In some embodiments, the optical fiber looped on the inner surface and outer surface are spaced apart substantially equally. In some other embodiments, the optical fiber loops are spaced further apart for portions of the fiber carrying higher power.
US08493647B2
An optical modulation system has a function to compensate an operating point drift, which occurs in an MZ optical modulator, by carrying out feedback control with use of a low frequency signal. A judgment section judges stability of feedback control. In a case where the feedback control is determined to be unstable, a low frequency signal generating section switches a frequency of the low frequency signal from a first frequency to a second frequency.
US08493628B2
Systems and methods of reproducing images onto surfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an image file that digitally produces a planar surface normal to a surface of a master model. The planar surfaces are referenced to a coordinate system of the master model through a series of points. A tracker surfacing system, comprising a tracking instrument, generates and emits a signal as the tracking instrument crosses the planar surface. An output device is actuated by the tracking device as it crosses the planar surface, reproducing the series of points as an image onto a surface, including a flat, curved or compound surface. Both the spatial position and orientation of the output device are detected and adjustments are made so that the image is precisely applied to intended locations on the surface being imaged.
US08493627B2
A method for the digital screening of a halftone image by using a first screen having an arbitrary desired screen width and an arbitrary desired screen angle. For the method, the threshold value matrix of a second screen with a different screen angle and width is read out and compared with the color values of a halftone image presented. In order also to approximate screens having a particular irrational tangent and to avoid unpleasant sudden exposed device pixels in clear regions, it is proposed to provide at least one second threshold value matrix having X3Y3 addresses, the X3Y3 addresses of the second threshold value matrix are displaced by a factor 1/B in relation to the X2Y2 addresses of the first threshold value matrix, and to read out the second threshold value matrix as soon as an error D between the first and the second screen exceeds a predefined limiting value.
US08493625B2
Methods (200), apparatuses, and computer readable storage mediums for determining a composite color for a region of overlap between a dithered object and a contone object (210) are disclosed. A reconstructed contone object is determined from the dithered object (202). Errors are corrected for (205) in the reconstructed contone color of the dithered object. The corrected contone object and the contone object are composited (206) to determine the composite color for the region of overlap.
US08493620B2
An image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data, a generation unit configured to generate a histogram based on a signal value of each pixel in the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, a derivation unit configured to derive the number of pixels matching a first condition in the histogram generated by the generation unit, and a selection unit configured to select, according to the number of pixels derived by the derivation unit, one of a fixing processing adjustment mode for increasing a degree of gloss of a print product by adjusting fixing processing and a transparent toner mode for increasing a degree of gloss of a print product by using a transparent toner.
US08493619B2
Methods for mapping color data having at least one color associated therewith to an output device based on an input-device profile and an output-device profile, each profile having a tone curve and a color matrix, are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving color data from an input device and determining whether the color data is in a linear space. If it is determined that the color data is not in a linear space, the method further includes applying the tone curve of the input device profile to the color data to convert it into a linear space. The method further includes converting the color(s) associated with the color data from the input linear space to an output linear space by applying the color matrix of the input device profile and the inverse color matrix of the output device profile to create color-converted image data.
US08493607B2
An apparatus has an external memory control apparatus for controlling rewriting of a memory. The external memory control apparatus allows the memory to store the number of formed monochromatic images and changes a rewriting frequency of the memory according to the number of formed monochromatic images.
US08493597B2
An image processing apparatus (MFP) stores a print job received from a terminal apparatus even after printing (S201 to S203), setting change operations received from the operation section of the image processing apparatus for the stored print job (S204). Whether the image processing apparatus carries out the processing of updating the data of the print job corresponding to those setting changes in that image processing apparatus itself or makes the printer driver in the terminal apparatus carry it out is judged based on the contents of the setting changes and the processing capacity of the image processing apparatus (S205, S206), and the execution is done in one of them.
US08493596B2
Update initial set values set by a manager are able to be obtained each time a printer driver is activated and changing of a setting such as changing of printing conditions due to ecology-printing etc., and changing of an option configuration such as a large capacity cassette is reflected promptly and reliably. The printer driver includes an access portion which accesses an MFP storing initial set values of the printer driver in each activation, a set value comparing portion which compares initial set values set to the printer driver and initial set values stored in the MFP, and a set value selecting portion which selects either initial set values of the printer driver or initial set values of the MFP based on a comparison result.
US08493592B2
In an image forming apparatus serving as one embodiment, a large-format display that has a display screen visible from a rear face or a side face is disposed on at least one side face of a case of the image forming apparatus, and is formed such that the large-format display and the image forming apparatus are separable. The large-format display is provided with a pair of legs disposed so as to have a predetermined space L between the legs, and this space between the legs is formed so as to be no more than the lateral width of the image forming apparatus, and no more than the depth-wise width of the image forming apparatus.
US08493586B2
An image processing apparatus capable of executing a work flow according to setting information indicating a processing content for combining a plurality of functions and executing the functions as a series of processings, includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain function restriction information indicating a function whose execution is restricted among a plurality of functions provided to the image processing apparatus; a function identification unit configured to identify a function executed by the image processing apparatus and a function executed by the other apparatus on the basis of the setting information; and a decision unit configured to decide whether execution of the work flow based on the setting information is restricted on the basis of the function restriction information and the function executed by the image processing apparatus and the function executed by the other apparatus identified by the function identification unit.
US08493582B2
An image processor comprising: a user information storage unit for storing information of a plurality of users; a plurality of different user information input units for inputting user information; a user information matching unit for determining whether or not user information inputted by said respective user information input units matches any of the user information registered in said user information storage unit; a job processing unit for executing jobs instructed by a user, whose user information is determined to match any of the registered user information by said user information matching unit; and a job processing control unit for restricting jobs that are processed by said job processing unit, depending on which user information input unit is used.
US08493577B2
In order to reduce power consumption and shorten the waiting time until printing, the PC, controlling the MFP that is maintained in a sleep mode instead of being switched to a standby mode when a print job having a printing method set to confidential printing is received while it is in the sleep mode, includes a setting accepting portion to accept setting for printing, a job generating portion to generate a print job based on the accepted setting, a job transmitting portion to transmit the generated print job to the MFP, and a command transmitting portion to transmit a wake-up command to switch the MFP to the standby mode when the setting of the confidential printing as the printing method is accepted and when there is a wake-up instruction.
US08493575B2
Disclosed is a method of forming characters for microprint and an image forming apparatus using the same. The method of forming characters for microprint includes determining for every image character a size font taking into account the rules to create small prints, rasterizing a character into a bitmap, skeletonizing the bitmap, reformatting the bitmap maintaining a character legibility, storing the bitmap, and forming halftoning cells from the reformatted bitmap.
US08493570B2
The three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus includes a light source; a beam splitter to split illumination light from the light source; a target object to be measured, having a height difference between the highest point and the lowest point; a reference mirror, on which another beam emitted from the beam splitter is irradiated; a light detecting element to detect an interference pattern generated by the interference of an object beam reflected by the surface of the target object and a reference beam reflected by the surface of the reference mirror; and a control computer to process an image detected by the light detecting element, wherein a subsidiary reference beam generating unit to change the optical path of the beam from the beam splitter to generate a subsidiary reference beam is provided between the beam splitter and the reference mirror.
US08493566B2
A method and an apparatus to position translatable mirrors in a laser gyrometer device is provided. For example, the method includes prepositioning three mirrors at an initial triplet of predetermined respective positions, simultaneously moving in translation the three mirrors within ranges having an amplitude that is lower than or equal to an intermode of an optical cavity, to ensure that the amplification medium provides a maximum gain. The intensities of the laser waves flowing respectively through each of the optical cavities are measured for each triplet of positions. The method includes determining, from the three triplets of mirror positions, the length of each of the three cavities at which the cavity provides a maximum intensity. The method includes determining a single final triplet of mirror positions for simultaneously imparting to the three lengths at which they provide a maximum intensity. The method includes positioning the mirrors according to the final position triplet.
US08493553B2
A lithographic apparatus including a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate; a metrology frame supported by a vibration isolation support device; an object movable with respect to the metrology frame; and a displacement determining unit to determine positions, speeds and/or accelerations of the object with respect to the metrology frame and/or the projection system. At least one actuator is provided for applying correcting forces and/or torques on the metrology frame, and a controller is provided which is configured to calculate the correcting forces and/or torques to be applied to the metrology frame based on the determined positions, speeds and/or accelerations of the object in order to compensate for pressure pulses exerted on the metrology frame due to movements of the object with respect to the metrology frame.
US08493548B2
A lithographic system includes a source configured to generate a radiation, the source including a cathode and an anode, the cathode and the anode configured to create a discharge in a fuel located in a discharge space so as to generate a plasma, the discharge space including, in use, a substance configured to adjust radiation emission by the plasma so as to control a volume defined by the plasma; a pattern support configured to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to pattern the radiation to form a patterned beam of radiation; a substrate support configured to support a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate.
US08493547B2
An exposure apparatus is equipped with an encoder system which measures positional information of a wafer stage by irradiating a measurement beam using four heads installed on the wafer stage on a scale plate which covers the movement range of the wafer stage except for the area right under a projection optical system. Placement distances of the heads here are each set to be larger than width of the opening of the scale plates, respectively. This allows the positional information of the wafer stage to be measured, by switching and using the three heads facing the scale plate out of the four heads according to the position of the wafer stage.
US08493545B2
An immersion lithography apparatus and cleanup method used for the immersion lithography apparatus in which an immersion liquid is supplied to a gap between an optical element of a projection optics and a workpiece during an immersion lithography process. A surface of an object, which is different from the workpiece, is provided below the optical element, a supply port and a recovery port. During a cleanup process, a cleaning liquid is supplied onto the object such that the cleaning liquid covers only a portion of the surface of the object.
US08493543B2
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate which faces the first substrate; and a liquid crystal which is interposed between the first and second substrates. A plurality of scanning lines and signal lines arranged in a matrix shape, a plurality of switching elements arranged in the vicinities of intersections of the scanning lines and the signal lines in a display area, a plurality of pixel electrodes electrically connected to the switching elements, and a plurality of dummy pixels formed in a non-display area located in the periphery of the display area are formed on the first substrate close to a liquid crystal layer. Each of the plurality of dummy pixels is provided with a plurality of switching elements connected to the scanning line or the signal line, the plurality of switching elements are connected to each other in parallel, and one electrode of each of the switching elements is connected to a wiring to be supplied with a common potential.
US08493542B2
Techniques for successively fabricating liquid crystal cells at low cost, using two resinous substrates wound on their respective rolls. A color filter and an electrode pattern are formed by printing techniques. Furthermore, an orientation film is printed. These manufacturing steps are carried out successively by rotating various rolls.
US08493535B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device with a good display quality, and a manufacturing method of such a liquid crystal display device.A liquid crystal display device (10) includes a liquid crystal display panel (11) with a display surface (20) defining a recessed curved surface having curvature of 1/500- 1/50 (1/mm), and with a scattering section which is arranged parallel to the display surface (20), which defines a recessed curved surface having curvature of 1/500- 1/50 (1/mm), and in which a plurality of elongated regions (A-C) having different haze values are arranged in parallel with each other from a middle section of the curved surface toward both end sections in the curving direction. The haze values of the plurality of elongated regions (A-C) arranged in parallel with each other vary in a step-wise manner from the middle section of the curved surface toward the both end sections in the curving direction.
US08493522B2
Image display device having an electrode forming layer which includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of drain lines, a plurality of switching elements and the a plurality of pixel electrodes, and having reference electrode layer between the electrode forming layer and a substrate where the electrode forming layer formed thereon, and the reference electrode layer and the electrode forming layer are insulated by insulating layer.
US08493510B2
A simple, cost-effective, and robust method and system to obstruct crawls, logos, and other annoying and distracting images overlaid on a video signal and displayed on a TV set or monitor is provided. The method and system may detect the presence of the unwanted images and block them automatically, or they may accept manual input from the user via a handheld control device to block or obstruct these images.
US08493494B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit operable to capture a subject to generate an image, a subject detector operable to detect the subject from the generated image, a display unit operable to display the generated image and a mark indicating the subject detected by the subject detector, an operation unit operable to receive an operation for setting an operating mode to a subject selecting mode in which any position on a screen of the display unit can be selected, and a controller operable to control the display unit to cause the mark to disappear, when the operation unit receives the operation for changing the operating mode into the subject selecting mode in a state that the mark is displayed on the display unit.
US08493475B2
An imaging apparatus includes an image recording unit configured to record captured image data on a first recording medium with no wireless communication function and a second recording medium with a wireless communication function, which is detachable, a recording destination setting unit configured to set a recording destination on which to record the image data by the image recording unit, and a transmission setting unit configured to set whether to transmit the image data to an external apparatus by the wireless communication function of the second recording medium. If the transmission setting unit sets the image data to be transmitted to the external apparatus, the recording destination setting unit automatically sets the second recording medium as the recording destination of the captured image data.
US08493469B2
A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a spectrum of light not following characteristics of a blackbody source of light with a camera module programmed for use with light sources following characteristics of blackbody sources of light, wherein a white-balance patch is transmitted to the camera module to cause the camera module to accept color coordinates representing a point on a chromaticity chart that partly defines a region of color coordinates on the chromaticity chart into which color coordinates of the light source fall and to which color coordinates of a reference white color derived by a white-balance routine of the camera module are constrained.
US08493466B2
A digital image acquisition system having no photographic film, such as a digital camera, has a flash unit for providing illumination during image capture and a red-eye filter for detecting a region within a captured image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon, the detection being based upon a comparison of the captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene taken without flash. In the embodiment the reference image is a preview image of lower pixel resolution than the captured image, the filter matching the pixel resolutions of the captured and reference images by up-sampling the preview image and/or sub-sampling the captured image. The filter also aligns at least portions of the captured image and reference image prior to comparison to allow for, e.g. movement in the subject.
US08493465B2
A color processing method which sets viewing conditions easily and properly from shooting conditions added to an image. Shot image data and shooting conditions of the image data are obtained. Input side viewing conditions from the obtained shooting conditions are set. The image data with a color appearance model based on the set input side viewing conditions are converted.
US08493460B2
An image registration method involves computing horizontal and vertical integral projection vectors for first and second distorted or partially distorted images. The images are registered by applying a scale factor estimation between the first and second images on the horizontal and vertical integral projection vectors.
US08493459B2
An image registration method involves computing horizontal and vertical integral projection vectors for first and second distorted or partially distorted images or distortion-corrected images, or both. The images are registered by applying a translation, rotation and/or scale factor estimation between the first and second images on the horizontal and vertical integral projection vectors.
US08493455B2
A lens assembly alignment apparatus for a camera lens module is provided. The lens assembly alignment apparatus includes a position alignment apparatus that moves a lens assembly in a direction of an optical axis of the lens assembly and on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The apparatus also includes a slant alignment apparatus having first and second rotary axes which extend perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens assembly, respectively. The lens assembly is received in a housing, and the slant alignment apparatus aligns an optical axis of an image sensor, which is mounted in the housing, parallel to the optical axis of the lens assembly by rotating the housing about each of the first and second rotary axes.
US08493454B1
An apparatus including one or more motion sensors, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The one or more motion sensors may be configured to generate motion samples representing motion of a camera. The first circuit may be configured to record a plurality of the motion samples from the one or more motion sensors while capturing image data with the camera. The second circuit may be configured to transfer information about the motion of the camera based on the plurality of motion samples. The information about the motion of the camera may be transferred within a bitstream carrying the image data captured by the camera.
US08493439B2
A three-dimensional image display apparatus having improved resolution and an expanded elementary three-dimensional space is disclosed. The three-dimensional image display apparatus includes a display device (22) sampling, multiplexing and displaying a plurality of parallax images so as to implement a three-dimensional image and a lenticular lens plate (24) provided on the front surface of the display device (22) and having a vertical axis (25) tilted from a vertical axis of the display device by a predetermined angle α, wherein the number of parallax images included in an elementary three-dimensional image of the three-dimensional image is a multiple of 7.
US08493437B2
Systems and methods for marking stereo pairs of images include an imaging device for retrieving a collection of images that are representative of a volume, where the images can be representative of a physical volume or a volumetric set of data. A computing machine identifies image elements within the retrieved collection of images representative of a volumetric set of data, and further generates image element values that are based in part on the identified image elements. The computing machine further generates a stereoscopic pair of projection images having two members, where each member of the pair is based in part on at least one image element value generated by the computing machine. A viewing apparatus displays either the calculated stereoscopic pair of projection images or a pair of stereo images selected from images representative of a physical volume, such that when the pair of images are viewed through a portion of the viewing apparatus, the resultant display is a perceived three dimensional image. An input device or computer application is further used to position a marker within the stereoscopic pair of projection images to identify a location within the stereo pair of images.
US08493435B2
A data modulation method, comparing left eye image data during a (4N+1)-th frame period with previous frame data, selecting a preliminary modulation value for a left eye image, preliminarily modulating the left eye image data during the (4N+1)-th frame period to reach the preliminary modulation value for the left eye image, and secondarily modulating left eye image data during a (4N+2)-th frame period to reach the preliminary modulation value for the left eye image or a modulation value smaller than the preliminary modulation value.
US08493431B2
Disclosed is a processing method used in a video conference system having a local terminal device and at least one remote terminal device, comprising a feature detection step of carrying out a feature detection in the local terminal device and the remote terminal device, respectively; a conference mode setting step of setting a conference mode for the local terminal device and the remote terminal device, respectively; and a video encoding step of dividing a video frame in the local terminal device and the remote terminal device, and then pre-processing the divided areas so as to encode the pre-processed areas, respectively.
US08493429B2
A method and a terminal for synchronously recording voices and images of an opposite end based on a circuit domain videophone are provided. The method includes receiving, by a terminal used by a party in a video call, a recording instruction sent by a user, taking a local time as a reference time, and performing frame analyzing for received audio and video code-streams; and writing the audio and video frames obtained by analyzing and the duration corresponding to each frame into a 3GP file. The terminal includes an audio and video frame analysis module, an audio frame write-in module, a video frame write-in module and a frame duration calculation module. With the present invention, the user can experience that the time when the user starts the recording and the actual recording time are basically the same, thus the user satisfaction is improved.
US08493425B2
An image forming apparatus capable of reducing density variation that occurs in an output image when the rotational speed of a polygon mirror is changed. A light source emits a light beam for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum. The polygon mirror deflects the light beam such that the light beam moves on the photosensitive drum in a predetermined direction. A polygon mirror control circuit controls the polygon mirror such that when the toner image is to be formed at a first magnification, the rotational speed of the polygon mirror is made higher than when the toner image is to be formed at a second magnification that is larger than the first magnification. When the toner image is to be formed at the first magnification, the light beam becomes smaller in light amount than when the toner image is to be formed at the second magnification.
US08493422B2
A method is provided to manufacture displays such as, for example, reflective displays, electrophoretic displays or liquid crystal displays. In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for aligning a patterned layer of color filter elements with a display assembly. The method includes activating a first set of addressable pixel elements to change an activation state of each pixel element in the first set of the pixel elements. A required alignment of the patterned layer of color filter elements with the display assembly can be determined based at least on the activated first or a second set of the pixel elements. The patterned layer of color filter elements is aligned with the display assembly according to the required alignment.
US08493418B2
An LCD has a drive power supply structure simplified to simplify manufacturing processes of LCDs and to reduce manufacturing costs thereof. The LCD includes a liquid crystal panel, a drive unit, a controller, a backlight drive unit, and a drive voltage generator. The liquid crystal panel includes image display regions. The drive unit drives gate and data lines in the panel. The controller controls the drive unit using image data and synchronization signals from outside. The drive voltage generator is provided on a system or at least one source printed circuit board on which at least one of the drive unit or the controller is formed and converts a voltage level of a drive power provided from outside to generate drive powers of different voltage levels and provides the drive powers to the drive unit, the controller, and the backlight drive unit.
US08493413B2
An apparatus and a method for changing a screen mode depending on a posture and movement of a terminal are provided. A motion sensor measures a value of a three-axis sensor that changes depending on the posture or movement of the terminal, and transfers the measured value to the controller. A storage stores a plurality of screen modes corresponding to the posture or movement of the terminal. A controller determines the posture or movement of the terminal using the value of the three-axis sensor transferred from the motion sensor, and maintains the current screen mode a change in one of three axes is greater than the other two axes which indicates a user did not intended to switch the screen mode.
US08493411B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for generating displays based on a layout. A layout is received that specifies a set of rectangular components within a container rectangle. Each rectangular component has a size. A plurality of grid lines is determined from the layout. Each rectangular component is associated with at least two grid lines that are based on the size of the rectangular component. A system of constraints is generated that includes a minimum constraint and a maximum constraint. Each constraint is related to at least two grid lines of the plurality of grid lines. The minimum and maximum constraints respectively specify a minimum and a maximum value between at least two grid lines. The system of constraints is solved to determine a location for each grid line. A display of the rectangular components is generated based on the locations of the grid lines.
US08493399B1
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for rendering application content are disclosed. In one embodiment a content receiver receives application content for rendering on a display unit of a computing device. A first processing unit renders the application content onto a first frame of a plurality of frames, and a second processing unit sequentially renders the plurality of frames onto the display unit. A counter counts of a number of outstanding frames as provided by the first processing unit to the second processing unit relative to corresponding acknowledgement messages indicating that one of the outstanding frames has been rendered onto the display unit. If the count is less than a threshold, the first processing unit renders the application content onto the first frame, otherwise the first processing unit waits to render the application content until the count is less than the threshold.
US08493397B1
A method for using a state machine to control a pipelined L2 cache to implement memory transfers for a video processor. The method includes accessing a queue of read requests from a video processor, and tracking each of a plurality of cache lines stored within the cache using a least recently used variable. For each a cache line hit out of the plurality of cache lines and corresponding to one of the read requests, the least recently used variable is adjusted for a remainder of the plurality of cache lines. A replacement cache line is determined by examining the least recently used variables for each of the plurality of cache lines. For each cache line miss, a cache line slot corresponding to the replacement cache line is allocated to store a new cache line responsive to the cache line miss.
US08493395B2
A method and system for overriding state information programmed into a processor using an application programming interface (API) avoids introducing error conditions in the processor. An override monitor unit within the processor stores the programmed state for any setting that is overridden so that the programmed state can be restored when the error condition no longer exists. The override monitor unit overrides the programmed state by forcing the setting to a legal value that does not cause an error condition. The processor is able to continue operating without notifying a device driver that an error condition has occurred since the error condition is avoided.
US08493384B1
Placement by one or more input mechanisms of a touch point on a multi-touch display device that is displaying a three-dimensional object is detected. A two-dimensional location of the touch point on the multi-touch display device is determined, and the touch point is matched with a three-dimensional contact point on a surface of the three-dimensional object that is projected for display onto the image plane of the camera at the two-dimensional location of the touch point. A change in applied pressure at the touch point is detected, and a target depth value for the contact point is determined based on the change in applied pressure. A solver is used to calculate a three-dimensional transformation of the three-dimensional object using an algorithm that reduces a difference between a depth value of the contact point after object transformation and the target depth value.
US08493383B1
Adaptive sampling alleviates aliasing by partitioning the field of view of an image sample point into depth regions. Portions of the scene are sampled within a depth region using sample rays. If a sample ray is not completely occluded in the depth region, corresponding sample rays are evaluated in adjacent depth regions. Sample rays can be recursively evaluated in further depth regions until all the subsamples intersect opaque objects or a depth limit or transparency threshold is reached. The value of an image sample point is the weighted combination of sample rays. The number of sample rays in each depth region may increase monotonically with distance along a line of sight from an image sample point for effects such as reflection, refraction, and illumination. The number of sample rays in each depth region may increase monotonically with distance from a focal plane for effects such as depth of field.
US08493381B1
Methods and systems for geometry compression. In an embodiment, the present invention compresses three dimensional geometry by (1) extracting at least one primitive from the three dimensional geometry, where each extracted primitive includes vertices and property indices that associate properties with the vertices; (2) quantizing, for each extracted primitive, the properties to a fixed grid; (3) converting, for each extracted primitive, the properties from a first data type to a second data type; and (4) encoding property indices, where the encoded property indices and quantized and converted properties are transmitted via a communication network in order to display the three dimensional geometry.
US08493379B2
A method and device for generating and/or displaying 3D images include temporarily increasing the depth of content of an image or a part of an image to a high level and afterward the depth of content is decreased to a low level. This temporary increase of the depth of content renders a large 3D effect to the image or the part of the image to which it has been applied. The actual average depth of content can be made relatively low thus reducing fatigue, while the perceived depth of content is relatively high.
US08493369B2
A stylus includes a housing, a stylus body and a first rotating member. The stylus body includes a tip. The first rotating member is coupled between the housing and the stylus body so the stylus body rotatably engages with the housing. The tip moves from one side of the first rotating member to another side of the first rotating member, when the stylus body rotates relative to the housing.
US08493366B2
A dynamic projected user interface device is disclosed, that includes a projector, a projection controller, and an imaging sensor. The projection controller is configured to receive instructions from a computing device, and to provide display images via the projector onto display surfaces. The display images are indicative of a first set of input controls when the computing device is in a first operating context, and a second set of input controls when the computing device is in a second operating context. The imaging sensor is configured to optically detect physical contacts with the one or more display surfaces.
US08493349B2
A touch screen panel to provide a type touch screen panel that can prevent or reduce a damage of the touch screen panel caused by electrostatic electricity, includes a plurality of first electrode patterns which are separated from each other, and connected by at least one of a plurality of first connection patterns that includes a first portion exposed through at least two first contact holes and a second portion exposed through at least two second contact holes.
US08493347B2
A touch display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a light shielding pattern layer, a touch sensing layer and a display medium is provided. The light shielding pattern layer is disposed on the first substrate or the second substrate. Pixel units are defined by the light shielding pattern layer, each pixel unit has a pixel edge length, and each pixel unit is disposed corresponding to one of the pixel structures. The touch sensing layer is disposed on the second substrate and has a plurality of first touch series and a plurality of second touch series. Each first touch series and each touch series respectively have mesh touch pads serially connected to each other. Each mesh touch pad has a plurality of grid patterns, each grid pattern has a grid edge length, and the grid edge length is ⅛˜⅗ of the pixel edge length.
US08493339B1
A multi-region interactive display is provided. In some embodiments, a multi-region interactive display includes a display including a plurality of display regions, the display configured to provide content in at least a first display region and a second display region; a processor configured to select content for display in at least one of the display regions; and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions, in which the first display region and second display region are configured so that when a first user interacts with the first display region, a second user's view of the second display region is at least partially visible.
US08493338B2
A mobile terminal is provided with a touch screen for displaying and inputting data, a detection unit for detecting the input path of the diagonal line upon input through the touch screen, a set unit for setting the user's operating hand based on the input path, and the display control unit for displaying the display mode determined based on the operating hand.
US08493332B2
A method for calibrating an Acoustic Pulse Recognition (APR) touchscreen comprises touching an APR touchscreen at N comparison touch points. N audio profiles are acquired, and each of the N audio profiles are associated with one of the N comparison touch points. A predetermined calibration file is selected based on the N audio profiles. The predetermined calibration file comprises audio profiles associated with coordinate locations on the touchscreen.
US08493329B2
A keypad assembly includes an optical shutter configured to shield or transmit light according to a voltage applied thereto; a light guide panel configured to guide an internal light generated inside of the keypad assembly and coupled to the interior of the light guide panel; and a symbol pattern layer including at least one symbol pattern illuminated by both the internal light irradiated from the light guide panel and an external light from outside of the keypad assembly that has passed through the optical shutter.
US08493323B2
The invention relates to a system, method and device for changing a notional viewing location for a moving image on a device, depending on an orientation of the device. For the moving image management system, it comprises: a sensor; a movement detection module connected to the sensor providing movement data registering a notable signal from the sensor; and a moving image adjustment module determining a new viewing location of the moving image utilizing the movement data and generating a replacement moving image for the moving image representing the moving image as viewed from the new viewing location.
US08493321B2
An image display device having an image display panel includes: as a casing, a base part mountable on a horizontal surface, a rising part rising from the base part at a predetermined angle, and a panel retaining part connected to an upper part of the rising part, the panel retaining part retaining the image display panel; a first circuit board for processing an image signal to be displayed on the image display panel, the first circuit board being disposed in the base part; and a second circuit board for generating a driving signal for driving the image display panel for display on a basis of the image signal processed by the first circuit board, the second circuit board being disposed in the rising part; wherein the driving signal generated by the second circuit board is supplied to the image display panel, and the image display panel displays an image.
US08493318B2
A method and apparatus for driving an Electrophoretic Display (EPD) where the apparatus includes a controller for controlling an overall operation of the apparatus for driving the EPD, determining data to be displayed on the EPD, and outputting a drive signal; a driver for generating a driving voltage pulse for moving black particles and white particles to display the data on the EPD according to the drive signal output from the controller, thereby controlling the EPD; and the EPD for displaying a representation of the data in white or black according to the driving voltage pulse, wherein the driver generates the driving voltage pulse for moving the black particles or the white particles in such a manner that the driving pulse is divided into a predetermined number of subpulses, and an idle period during which a voltage is not applied intervenes between the respective divided subpulses.
US08493314B2
Disclosed are a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display capable of improving viewing angle dependency of tint of a liquid crystal display image, thereby obtaining a high-quality liquid crystal display image with no tint when viewed from a slanting direction. A backlight unit 200 of a just-beneath type with a plurality of light sources arranged below a light emission surface 38 includes a light emission spectrum controlling unit 53 for controlling separately light emission spectra in a front direction which becomes a normal direction to the light emission surface 38 and a slanting direction inclined at a predetermined angle from the front direction. The plurality of light sources are a plurality of LED light sources which are different in a light emission color, and each LED light source includes a first LED element with the front direction as an optical axis of emission light and a second LED element with the slanting direction as an optical axis of emission light for each light emission color. The light emission spectrum controlling unit 53 changes light emission intensity of the second LED element for each light emission color.
US08493311B2
A display device includes a plurality of shift register sections, each being configured to sequentially generate a sampling pulse for writing a video signal into a pixel, wherein each of the plurality of shift register sections includes an even number of shift registers, and wherein one sampling pulse is generated by each of the plurality of shift register sections, and substantially all of the sampling pulses are generated on the basis of either the rising edges of a clock signal or the falling edges of a clock signal, whichever is selected in advance.
US08493302B2
The present invention aims to reduce flickers of the liquid crystal display device and enable the use of liquid crystal material exhibiting a high response speed, and to enhance light usage efficiency of the field sequential type liquid crystal display device. After writing the video signal to all the pixels in each sub-frame period, a correction voltage signal or an alternating signal having a frequency of greater than or equal to a certain frequency is input to the data line, so that the magnitude of the leakage current of each pixel TFT caused by the difference in polarity of the video signal with respect to the opposing electrode written to the pixel electrode is equalized, and the flickers are greatly reduced.
US08493285B2
There is described a display system which is used, in particular, in an industrial automation device. This display system has a first display panel which can be electrically operated and is transparent at least in parts and/or at times. The display system also has a second display panel, wherein the first display panel is positioned with respect to the second display panel in such a manner that the second display panel can be viewed through the first display panel. The second display panel is, in particular, a nameplate.
US08493283B2
An image of an area smaller than the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels of an external image display apparatus is extracted from a display area if the number of horizontal pixels of a part of a display area designated by a designation unit is greater than the number of horizontal pixels of the external image display apparatus acquired by an acquisition unit and/or if the number of vertical pixels of the part of the display area designated by the designation unit is greater than the number of vertical pixels of the external image display apparatus acquired by the acquisition unit.
US08493278B2
GPS reception on helicopters and ground vehicles may be subject to varying near-ground interference. A compact antenna includes vertically spaced arrays of radiating elements. The first array provides a basic reception pattern. The second array provides a pattern having a distinctive low elevation angle phase reversal. By combining signals for these patterns an antenna pattern with a low angle onmidirectional elevation null characteristic is provided to suppress near-ground interference. Prior to combining, signals from the second array may be modified in amplitude or phase, or both, on a semi-permanent basis, or may be adaptively modified on an active basis, in order to adjust the null characteristic. Antennas and methods are described.
US08493275B2
The invention relates to a waveguide radiator comprising: A slotted waveguide (10) with a plurality of slots (14) inserted in the waveguide (10); and An additional inner conductor (12) installed inside the waveguide (10), which inner conductor is shaped in a polarization-dependent manner such that all of the slots (14) of the waveguide (10) can be excited with identical phase and amplitude.
US08493271B2
An electromagnetic radiation measuring device includes a test antenna module and a main processor electrically connected to the test antenna module. The test antenna module includes a plurality of pre-test antennas and at least one final test antenna, which have predetermined polarities and are positioned at predetermined heights, respectively. The pre-test antennas and the final test antenna respectively receive wireless signals sent from an electronic device. The main processor measures and records a frequency of the strongest wireless signal received by selected ones of the pre-test antennas that have the same polarity, and further determines whether power of wireless signals at the recorded frequency received by the final test antenna polarized to have the same polarity as that of the selected ones of the pre-test antennas exceeds a predetermined acceptable range.
US08493269B2
A magnetodielectric substrate includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, conductive patterns, and a plurality of air vias. The first dielectric layer has a predetermined height, and the second dielectric layer is stacked on the first dielectric layer. Conductive patterns are coated on an upper surface and a lower surface of one of the first and second dielectric layers. A plurality of air vias is formed with a predetermined diameter and a predetermined interval such that they pass through up to the conductive patterns of the upper and lower surfaces from the dielectric layer on which the conductive patterns are coated.
US08493243B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device is described. In one implementation, there is provided a keyboard emulator; a first keyboard interface configured to receive an operative connection to a host computer, and operatively connected to the keyboard emulator; and a controller configured to receive data from at least one RFID tag; and transfer the data through the keyboard emulator and then the first keyboard interface in response to a user-initiated route instruction received by the controller, wherein the keyboard emulator converts the data to corresponding keystroke codes.
US08493236B2
A motor vehicle is equipped with a parking assistance system for monitoring a vehicle environment for the presence of obstructions, a horizontal longitudinal extension of a mobile vehicle part protruding beyond a vehicle body being able to be considered. In order to reliably avoid damage to the mobile vehicle part, a complete pivot area of the mobile vehicle part can be monitored for the presence of an obstruction. Furthermore, a corresponding method is disclosed.
US08493228B2
An approach to cable management is presented. A bi-stable liquid crystal display that requires no power to maintain an image is attached to a communications cable. A bi-stable liquid crystal display may be attached to each end of the cable. The bi-stable liquid crystal displays may be built into the connectors. A display module connects to the bi-stable liquid crystal display and receives signals associated with a message about the communications cable. The display module causes messages to be shown on the bi-stable liquid crystal display in response to receiving the signal. The signal may be generated by a user with a hand held driver. The signal may also be generated automatically by computing devices (such as switches) that are attached to the communications cable. Users may easily determine information about the communications cable by looking at the messages on the bi-stable liquid crystal displays.
US08493226B2
A reminder system for a portable-device charger is designed for determining when it is likely that the charger is about to be left behind. Detection which may be in real time can pertain, depending on the embodiment, to disconnection of a portable device from the charger, and/or movement of a portable device out of wireless range of the charger or a charger adaptor. In some versions, the onset of reminding is, upon detecting disconnection, tentatively postponed until a predetermined criterion is met, such as expiry of a predetermined time period. Or the criterion can be detection of an out-of-range condition based on distance between the portable device and an adaptor or charger. In some embodiments detection and reminder issuance are incorporated in a unit, such as a plug-in wall adaptor or the charger itself. The adaptor can be generalized rather than specialized for a charger of a particular make or model. The system can be unobtrusive, and sensitive to the charger connection status, power saving and power outages.
US08493220B2
Intelligent alarm clock arrangement adapted into an electric device and utilizing the microphone, loudspeaker or other alarming device, memory unit, processor and timer feature thereof. The apparatus is located near a sleeping subject so as to sample and analyze the statistical properties of sound signals produced by the movements of the sleeping subject and to classify the sleep states according to the analyzed signals into a peaceful calm deep sleep, a light sleep with arousals and awake periods associated with the movements. An alarm wakes up the subject during a pre-programmed time window, if there are arousals, awake state and movements present at that time to induce the awakening at a biologically advantageous instant. Instead of the local alarm function, the device may perform a remote alarm using a call or sending a message to a pre-programmed phone number when the awakening of the sleeping subject is detected.
US08493215B2
A communication antenna has a rectangular radiating section, and has a structure that emits an electric field of linear polarized waves only in a vicinity of the radiating section of the antenna. An RFID tag has an IC chip and a tag antenna that is long in a predetermined direction. The tag antenna has a main antenna portion that is rectilinear and extends over substantially an entire length in a longitudinal direction of the tag antenna, and folded-over antenna portions at which currents induced by an external electric field offset one another due to portions that extend in mutually different orientations in the longitudinal direction. A parallel interval between the main antenna portion and a first folded-over antenna portion exceeds a width of the radiating section of the communication antenna.
US08493210B2
A computer health monitoring server may distribute several alerts to client devices within a network. The client devices may filter the alerts to identify alerts that apply to the client device, based on the hardware and software configuration of the device. The alerts may monitor various items and collect data defined in the alerts. A local user interface may display the alerts and any results from the alerts, and the results may be transmitted to the server. Some users having network privileges may be able to view local alerts as well as alerts from other devices in the network. Other users may be only able to view a subset of alerts. The alerts may be defined with repair processes so that a user may launch a repair activity or, in some cases, the repairs may be performed automatically as defined in the alerts.
US08493208B2
Provided are a wireless communication device and a communication device control method that include a set of templates corresponding to a plurality of potential environmental circumstances. The templates may be stored in a database in the computer readable memory of the communication device. At predetermined intervals, a suite of environmental sensors integral to the communication device may periodically sample the user's environment. The user's environmental circumstances may be derived or inferred by an analysis module based on the output of the suite of environmental sensors and then may be compared to the templates to determine a matching template. An action script is then executed based at least partially on the matching template which may include the contacting of a responding party.
US08493203B2
An alarm device includes: a wireless circuit section which wirelessly exchanges event signals with an other alarm device; an alert section which outputs an alarm; an operation section which accepts predetermined operations; a sensor section which issues an abnormal condition detection signal when an abnormal condition occurred is detected within a monitoring area; an abnormal condition monitoring section which, upon receiving the abnormal condition detection signal from the sensor section, outputs an abnormal condition alarm as a linkage source from the alert section, and transmits an event signal indicating an abnormal condition to the other alarm devices, and conversely, upon receiving an event signal indicating an abnormal condition from the other alarm device, outputs an abnormal condition alarm as a linkage destination from the alert section; a communication test transmission processing section which, at a predetermined timing, transmits an event signal indicating a communication test to the other alarm device and; a communication test reception processing section which, upon receiving an event signal indicating a communication test from the other alarm device, announces the reception status of this event signal.
US08493202B1
Techniques are described for handling an event where a control panel or an alarm signaling device is tampered with or destroyed by a disablement tactic, e.g., a “crash and smash intrusion.”
US08493201B2
A safety arrangement for alerting an operator of a parked vehicle having an ignition and rear doors that a rear occupant, e.g., a child, is still present in a rear of the vehicle, includes door sensors for detecting when either rear door is open or closed, an ignition sensor for detecting when the ignition is activated or deactivated, a programmed controller responsive to each door sensor and the ignition sensor, for automatically activating the arrangement when either rear door has been opened for a predetermined time period, and for generating an alert signal in response to detection that the ignition has been activated, followed by subsequent detection that the ignition has been deactivated, and an alarm responsive to generation of the alert signal for alerting the operator to remove the rear occupant from the parked vehicle.
US08493193B2
An anti theft locking system for the cargo carrying portion of a truck, trailer, shipping container, and/or railcar having at least one access door. The anti theft locking mechanism and associated signal processing means for locking the access door are all located entirely within the cargo carrying portion and cannot be accessed from outside. The locking mechanism can be locked in response to a coded locking signal generated from the exterior of the cargo carrying portion. The locking mechanism can be unlocked in response to a coded unlocking signal generated from a remote location.
US08493192B2
An immobilizer device is configured for communicating with a base station. The immobilizer device includes an antenna circuit including three orthogonally-oriented antennas configured to receive a signal from a field generated by a base station. A power circuit is configured to draw power via the field on each of the antennas, and a communications circuit is configured to communicate with the base station via any of the antennas. The strength of the signals received via the antennas is evaluated and used to select one of the antennas for use in data communications and, if appropriate, as a power supply.
US08493188B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a device and a method for providing a haptic motion feedback to user interacting with a simulated three-dimensional (“3D”) environment. In one embodiment, the device includes a base and a belt assembly, coupled to the base. The belt assembly includes a housing having an opening and a belt adapted to rotate within the housing for conveying a motion of an object moving in the simulated 3D environment. To indicate a horizontal component of object's motion, in one embodiment, the base is rotated, thus causing the belt assembly to rotate around its central axis. To indicate a vertical component of the object's motion, in one embodiment, the belt assembly is tilted. Optionally, the belt may include a plurality of protrusions and/or indentations on its surface for indicating to the user distances covered by the object within the simulated 3D environment.
US08493187B2
A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits a narrowband, fixed frequency excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The ring signal corresponds to the value of the physical parameter being sensed. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined. The low power, simple circuitry required to generate the excitation pulse allows the reader to be a small, battery operated unit. Alternative methods of frequency determination are also disclosed.
US08493180B2
A radio system for sensing the spatial configuration of a physical object comprising a transmitter (102) which sends a query message to a transponder (104) having at least one antenna (106). A radio frequency shield (108) is moveably interposable between the transmitter and one or more antennas and thereby attenuates the signal strength of the query message received at an antenna. In any state of spatial configuration of the physical object, the transponder is able to receive the query message and, in reply, send a response message containing data determined according to the signal strength of the query message received at the one or more antennas.
US08493175B2
A vehicle authentication control device has a first, second, and third determination units, and a registration unit. When identification information unique to a vehicle is registered in both a portable device and an authentication device on the vehicle, the first determination unit matches first identification information returned from the portable device in response to a request from the authentication device and second identification information registered in the authentication device to determine whether a combination of the portable device and the authentication device is legitimate. When third identification information is registered in a part different from the authentication device, the part performing a predetermined operation when the first determination unit is legitimate, the second determination unit matches the third identification information registered in the part and the second identification information registered in the authentication device to determine whether a combination of the part and the authentication device is legitimate. The second determination unit determines that the part is a non-used article if the third identification information is not registered in the part. If the determination results of the first determination unit and the second determination unit are both positive, then the third determination unit determines that a combination of the part, the portable device, and the authentication device is legitimate. If the second determination unit determines that the part is a non-used vehicle, the registration unit registers the second identification information registered in the authentication device as third identification information.
US08493168B2
An asymmetric differential inductor includes first and second conductive wirings spirally disposed on a substrate having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a ground terminal, and a central conductive wiring. The central conductive wiring has a central contact connecting the ground terminal and a central end away from the ground terminal. The first conductive wiring extends across the central conductive wiring and has a first contact connecting the first input terminal and a first end connecting the central end. The second conductive wiring extends across the central conductive wiring and interlaces with the first conductive wiring and has a second contact connecting the second input terminal and a second end connecting the central end. Corresponding portions of wiring sections of the first and second conductive wirings at opposite sides of the central conductive wiring are asymmetrical to one another to thereby save substrate space and facilitate circuit layout.
US08493166B2
An electromagnetic actuating apparatus having an electromagnetic actuating unit which can be operated in order to exert an actuating force for an elongated plunger unit, wherein the actuating unit is provided in a housing along its actuating direction. The actuator unit forms an engagement surface which is planar in places and can be moved axially in the actuating direction, at an engagement end facing the plunger unit, an end surface of the plunger unit on the engagement side interacts detachably with the engagement surface, and the plunger unit is seated by magnetic attraction with its end surface on the engagement side on the engagement surface of the actuator unit, wherein the plunger unit is preferably designed to be soft-magnetic and furthermore preferably composed of soft iron, in the area of the end surface.
US08493164B2
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic relay body having an electromagnet and a contact part, the contact part opening and closing along with movement of the electromagnet, a terminal member supporting the electromagnetic relay body, and a base member supporting the terminal member. The terminal member has a connecting part electrically connected to the electromagnetic relay body, the electromagnetic relay body is supported by the connecting part while providing a clearance between the base member and the electromagnetic relay body.
US08493159B2
A radio frequency device is disclosed, which includes an isolation substrate, a ground layer, a first signal end, a second signal end, a radio frequency circuit, and an impedance unit. The isolation substrate includes a first plane and a second plane. The ground layer is disposed on the second plane of the isolation substrate for providing grounding. The first signal end is formed on the first plane of the isolation substrate. The second signal end is formed on the first plane of the isolation substrate and coupled to the ground layer. The radio frequency circuit is disposed on the first plane of the isolation substrate and coupled to the first signal end. The impedance unit is disposed on the first plane of the isolation substrate and coupled to the first signal end and the second signal end.
US08493154B1
A cascode amplifier circuit having substantial linearity, while maintaining other advantages of cascode amplifiers such as relatively high input-to-output isolation and relatively high gain. The cascode amplifier circuit also provides substantially matched impedance between input and output, at least within a selected frequency band, with the effect of providing a circuit that is well-suited for use in a communication system. The cascode amplifier circuit includes feedback loops, such as for example DC feedback loops and AC feedback loops, and bias optimization, with the effect of improving linearity, maintaining gain, minimizing return loss, and providing a relatively high dynamic range.
US08493153B2
A radio signal is input to a first terminal and output after amplification at a second terminal. There is a third terminal which is common to both the first and the second terminal. There is an inductance interfacing the second terminal to a direct current power supply; and a radio frequency filter connected in shunt with the inductance. In an exemplary embodiment the first, second and third terminals are respective base, collector and emitter terminals of a bipolar transistor. Such a bipolar transistor is characterized in that voltage from the power supply passes to the second terminal through the inductance but not through the radio frequency filter; and the signal output passes from the second terminal through the radio frequency filter but not through the inductance. The illustrated embodiments show the radio frequency filter as a surface acoustic wave filter in direct connection with the second terminal.
US08493151B2
A programmable gain controller (PGC) useful with a digital to analog converter is coupled to an input node providing a current source that is variable with a level of an input signal such as time sampled audio data, and multiple switches controlled to function as a digital gain control. Each switch is configured to selectively steer a variable fraction of the current provided by a current source to either a current sink node or to an output node of the PGC to provide at least one scaled current. An amplifier is coupled to an output of the PGC. The amplifier is configured to convert scaled current(s) to at least one output signal having an amplitude that is a function of both the input signal level and the digital gain input signal. Controlling the gain by steering current at the analog portion of the apparatus conserves circuit space and reduces noise.
US08493142B2
An amplifier includes an envelope detection unit that detects an envelope of a transmission signal; a comparing unit that compares a voltage of the envelope with a reference voltage; a selecting unit that selects, in accordance with a comparison result obtained by the comparing unit, an amplifying element that amplifies the transmission signal from among a plurality of amplifying elements each having different operating power; a voltage control unit that controls, in accordance with the envelope, a voltage that is used to amplify the transmission signal in the amplifying element that is selected by the selecting unit; a current measuring unit that measures a current of a power supply that supplies the voltage that is controlled by the voltage control unit; and a reference voltage control unit that controls the reference voltage such that the current measured by the current measuring unit decreases.
US08493136B2
A driver circuit for supplying a drive signal to a mixer circuit comprising a first and second circuit branch and an operational amplifier. The first circuit branch receives an input signal and a bias signal. The second circuit branch receives the input signal. The operational amplifier has a first input connected to a junction node of the first circuit branch and a second input connected to a junction node of the second circuit branch. The operational amplifier is arranged to provide an operational amplifier output signal a second component of the second circuit branch so that a voltage at the junction node of the second circuit branch is equal to a voltage at the junction node of the first circuit branch. The voltage is dependent on the input signal and providing the drive signal.
US08493135B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a pre-charge signal generator configured to pre-charge a plurality of oscillation signals to a certain voltage level in a pre-charge mode, wherein the pre-charge signal generator includes: a first storage unit for storing a first pre-charge oscillation signal in response to a reference oscillation signal, a feedback unit for feeding back a second pre-charge oscillation signal, a second storage unit for storing the second pre-charge oscillation signal corresponding to an output signal of the first storage unit in response to the reference oscillation signal, and a pre-charge signal output unit for outputting a pre-charge signal in response to the first pre-charge oscillation signal and the second pre-charge oscillation signal.
US08493133B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus that generates a voltage by performing a pumping operation in response to an oscillator signal includes a driving voltage detecting unit configured to control the cycle of the oscillator signal in accordance with the level of a driving voltage that is used to perform the pumping operation.
US08493124B2
A level shifter includes one PMOS and two NMOS transistors. A source of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a low power supply voltage. An input signal is coupled to a gate of the first NMOS transistor and a source of the second NMOS transistor. The input signal has a voltage level up to a first power supply voltage. A source of the PMOS transistor is coupled to a second power supply voltage, higher than the first power supply voltage. An output signal is coupled between the PMOS and the first NMOS transistors. The first NMOS transistor is arranged to pull down the output signal when the input signal is a logical 1, and the second NMOS transistor is arranged to enable the PMOS transistor to pull up the output signal to a logical 1 at the second power supply voltage when the input signal is a logical 0.
US08493116B2
A digital delay line includes a plurality of delay cells therein. The delay line is configured to delay a periodic signal received at a first input thereof by passing the periodic signal through a selected number of the plurality of delay cells, in response to a discontinuous thermometer code that encodes the selected number. A code converter is provided, which includes a group bit decoder, a shared bit decoder and a code output cell array, which are collectively configured to generate the discontinuous thermometer code in response to a binary control code.
US08493110B2
A device in which a clock generation circuit is connected to a counter circuit for controlling operation timing of a DLL circuit or the like, and the counter circuit is intermittently operated by intermittently supplying a clock signal to the counter circuit from the clock generation circuit.
US08493109B2
A system and method to control a power on reset signal is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a power on reset circuit includes a first linear feedback shift register and a second linear feedback shift register. The first linear feedback shift register is configured to operate at least partially in parallel with the second linear feedback shift register.
US08493098B1
Systems and methods of actively compensating for the input offset voltage of a comparator are provided. A compensation circuit may include a compensation comparator for comparing the comparison signal generated using the output signal of a comparator, to a reference voltage. A first voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator and produces a first voltage that is related to a first amount of time that the comparison signal spends above the reference voltage. A second voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator, and produces a second voltage that is related to the second amount of time that the comparison signal spends below the reference voltage. The first voltage and/or the second voltage may be used to provide one or more compensation signals to one or more of the two input terminals of the comparator.
US08493095B2
A stop of a detection object clock is detected by inverting a signal level of an output signal of a level output unit at a count completion time at a counter unit operated by a detection clock and of which count value is changeable, and by determining whether or not a signal level change passes through a clock detection unit operated by the detection object clock by comparing signal levels of an output signal of a level output unit and an output signal of a clock detection unit.
US08493087B2
A probe card transmitting electrical test signals between a tester and a semiconductor device includes a main circuit board configured to receive and transmit electrical signals from the tester, an interface unit electrically connected to the main circuit board, the interface unit including a signal line and a signal connection terminal, and at least one probe unit connected to the interface unit, the probe unit being detachable and including a plurality of probe needles arranged in a pattern corresponding to a pattern of electrode pads of the semiconductor device.
US08493086B2
An electrical signal connector which may be used for testing narrow-pitched chips or multi-chips, and causes no faulty connections between probes and pads or between probes and a circuit board even in a high temperature environment such as in a burn-in test is provided. The electrical signal connector has a probe unit in which a plurality of resin-made film probes, corresponding to one or more pads on a semiconductor chip to be tested, are supported in parallel on a plurality of support plates; a first probe holder of grid structure provided with a plurality of openings; and a second probe holder of the same configuration as that of the first probe holder, the second probe holder having projections at intersection points in the grid structure. The first and second probe holders are fastened to the circuit board with the projections of the second probe holder inserted in corresponding holes of the circuit board and the first probe holder being fastened to the circuit board with screws. No or very little difference exists between an outer diameter of an inserting section of the projection and an inner diameter of the corresponding hole in the circuit board in the vicinity of the center of the circuit board and larger difference exists therebetween in the rest of areas of the circuit board.
US08493081B2
A resistive pinch sensor utilizing electrically conductive wires encapsulated in a resiliently deformable casing. A pinch is detected when one of the wires, which is normally separated by an air gap within the casing, contacts another wire lowering the electrical resistance therebetween. The described pinch sensors have wide activation ranges or angles. Tri-lobed designs provide wide activation range by incorporating at least three electrically-conductive conduits that are substantially equidistantly spaced circumferentially along the inner wall of a tubular casing. One of the conduits, or optionally an axially arranged electrically-conductive core may function as the reference element. Coaxial designs provide wide activation range by incorporating a central electrically-conductive core and a coaxial electrically-conductive tubular outer sheath that are normally spaced apart by at least one non-conductive spacer.
US08493079B2
A vehicle seat is provided in combination with a seat heater and a capacitive occupant detection system. The seat heater comprises a seat heating element disposed in the vehicle seat while the capacitive occupant detection system comprises a measurement circuit and an electrode arrangement, which is also disposed in the vehicle seat. The electrode arrangement includes a sensing electrode and a shielding electrode. The measurement circuit is operatively connected to the sensing electrode and to the shielding electrode and configured to keep the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode at substantially the same electric potential during the capacitive measurement. Of the seat heating element, the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode, the seat heating element is closest to a seating region of the vehicle seat and the sensing electrode is arranged between the seat heating element and the shielding electrode.
US08493068B2
A airborne geophysical electromagnetic (EM) survey tow assembly system for use with a fixed wing aircraft, including receiver coil assembly comprising a substantially rigid tubular receiver coil frame forming a continuous internal passageway that extends around a central open area, and a receiver coil housed within the internal passageway; a winch system having a tow cable secured to the receiver coil assembly for extending the receiver coil assembly into a survey position; and a latch system for mounting to an underside of the aircraft having releasable latch members for engaging the receiver coil assembly when the receiver coil assembly is in a retracted position.
US08493050B2
A control circuit which switches a power supply circuit includes: a first control circuit to suspend a switching operation based on an output voltage of the switching power supply circuit; and a second control circuit to change a magnitude of a first load coupled to an output of the switching power supply circuit based on a suspension period of the switching operation, wherein the second control circuit changes the magnitude of the first load in a first suspension period based on a second load, which is updated in a second suspension period prior to the first suspension period.
US08493048B2
A control circuit for a switching regulator implements constant on-time control scheme with synchronous rectification and applies an integrated standard and light load control loop to improve light load efficiency and enhance transient response. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a reference voltage selection circuit configured to select, based on a low-side current signal, a first reference voltage for standard load condition and a second reference voltage for light load condition as a selected reference voltage. The second reference voltage is greater than the first reference voltage. The control circuit further includes a control loop configured to generate a control signal to turn on the main switch when the feedback voltage is below the selected reference voltage and the minimum off-time duration has expired.
US08493041B2
An apparatus and method for supplying power to the peripheral circuits of a transmitter circuit, especially an HDMI transmitter circuit, is disclosed. In an HDMI transmitter, the termination resistors of the output driver are part of the receiver. DC power for the driver is supplied through these termination resistors. In prior art implementations, power supplied by the receiver circuit is wasted in the DC set-up circuit of the differential line driver. In various embodiments, this wasted power may be recovered from the remote termination to power selected peripheral circuits of the transmitter. The use of this wasted power may reduce the total system power consumption.
US08493039B2
A cascade-connected boost circuit is disclosed. The cascade-connected boost circuit includes a first-stage boost circuit, a second-stage boost circuit, an output terminal and a regulation filtering capacitor. The first-stage boost circuit includes an input terminal, a PWM generator, a first inductor and a first switch. The second-stage boost circuit includes a second inductor and a second switch. The PWM generator controls the first switch and the second switch to turn on or turn off simultaneously. A power supply from the input terminal respectively charges the two inductors via two paths when the two switches are turned on. The two inductors release energy when the two switches are turned off. The two switches share the voltage of the output terminal. The cascade-connected boost circuit according to the present invention solves the issues that the withstand voltage limit of a single switch and the limit of a duty cycle.
US08493038B2
The vehicle-use power generation control apparatus includes a first section to control an excitation current of a vehicle generator driven by a vehicle engine such that a power generation voltage of the vehicle generator is kept at a first set value, a second section to perform gradual excitation control in order to gradually increase the excitation current, a third section configured to inhibit the gradual excitation control when the power generation voltage falls below a second set value lower than the first set value while the gradual excitation control is performed, a fourth section to detect a rotational speed of the vehicle engine or the vehicle generator, a fifth section to determine a limit value of the excitation current based on the detected rotational speed, and a sixth section configured to limit the excitation current below the limit value when the power generation voltage falls below the second set value.
US08493035B2
The present invention relates to a charging circuit and method for generating a charging current supplied to an output terminal (15) to which a battery (40) to be charged is connected. The charging current is indirectly sensed to generate a sensing current having a predetermined relation to the charging current. This sensing current is then compared to a generated predetermined reference current, wherein the charging current is controlled in response to the result of the comparison. Thereby, accuracy, system costs and power efficiency can be increased as a low-ohmic precision resistor is no longer required in the charge current branch of the circuit. Furthermore, the proposed solution enables a simple implementation of the circuit as an integrated circuit.
US08493012B2
A protection relay for an electrical switching apparatus for a load includes a number of voltage sensors structured to sense voltage applied to the load, a number of current sensors structured to sense current flowing to the load, and a processor cooperating with the number of voltage sensors and the number of current sensors. The processor determines a fault current available at the load. An output cooperates with the processor. The output is structured to output the determined fault current and a number of: incident energy at the electrical switching apparatus, and a personal protective equipment level operatively associated with the electrical switching apparatus. The processor determines from the determined fault current the number of: the incident energy at the electrical switching apparatus, and the personal protective equipment level operatively associated with the electrical switching apparatus.
US08493011B2
The invention relates to a method of controlling the run-up of an electronically commutated electric motor (1) to drive a tool. A rotor (7) rotates in the rotating field (21) of the stator (2). The field windings (3, 4, 5) alternately have a supply voltage applied thereto via an actuation unit (10) in order to obtain an advancing motor rotating field. For advancing the rotating field in the rotational direction (29) of the rotor (7), the inductance of the arrangement of the field coils (3, 4, 5), which is ascertained via a changing measuring current (IM), is evaluated and the advancement is carried out upon reaching a maximum.
US08493010B2
A quiet motor control system is described. This system digitally determines modulated voltages applied to motor phases in a manner that compensates for winding torque distortions, which reduces acoustic emissions.
US08493008B2
A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The system includes an integrated motor including a plurality of operating speeds and an input for selecting one of the plurality of operating speeds. The system further includes a system controller and an adjustment module. The adjustment module includes a plurality of operating modes each associated with one of the plurality of operating speeds and the ability to manually vary associations between the plurality of operating modes and the plurality of operating speeds. The adjustment module selects one of the plurality of operating modes on the basis of control commands received from the system controller and setting programmed or manually entered into and stored in the adjustment module and controls the integrated motor according to the operating speed associated with the selected operating mode.
US08493004B2
A light generating device (20) comprises: —a rectifier (23) rectifying an AC input voltage and providing a rectified AC output voltage (Vin); —a controllable current source (40); —a switch matrix (30) comprising a plurality of controllable switches (S1-SN); —a plurality of n LEDs (D1, D2, . . . Dn) connected to output terminals of the switch matrix (30); —a controller (50) controlling said switches and controlling the current generated by the current source dependent on the momentary value of the rectified voltage (Vin). The controller is capable of operating in at least three different control states. In a first control state all LEDs are connected in parallel. In a second control state all LEDs are connected in series. In a third control state at least two of said LEDs are connected in parallel while also at least two of said LEDs are connected in series.
US08492998B2
A driver circuit is configured to drive light-emitting elements. The driver circuit includes a light-emitting element, a power switching element, a control circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The power switching element includes a first terminal connected to the light-emitting element and turns on and off the light-emitting element. The control circuit is connected to a second terminal of the power switching element and controls a switching operation of the power switching element. The charge pump circuit is connected between the control circuit and a power source for the light-emitting element and supplies current to the control circuit for driving the control circuit.
US08492993B2
A power converting circuit having the function of circuit detecting is provided. The power converting circuit has a transistor, a controller and a detecting circuit. The transistor receives an input voltage. The controller is coupled to a control end of the transistor to control the conducting state of the transistor so as to stabilize the output of the power converting circuit. The detecting circuit detects at least one of the control end and the low voltage end of the transistor, and generates a state signal when the detected voltage of any one of the control end and the low voltage end does not fall within a corresponding predetermined voltage range. The state signal is utilized for stopping a power circuit which provides the input voltage providing the input voltage. In addition, a light emitting diode driving circuit having the function of circuit detecting is also provided.
US08492989B2
The present invention is related to a switched-mode power supply. It is also related to a LED lighting system and driver which comprise such a switched-mode power supply. In addition, the present invention is related to a method for electrically driving a load. According to the present invention, the switched-mode power supply is switched from a charging state, in which an energy storage is charged, to a discharging state, in which the energy storage feeds a load, when a current limit has been exceeded. This current limit is set proportional to an instantaneous voltage outputted by the rectifier.
US08492984B2
The present invention relates to a dimmer control circuit (100) capable to detect whether a phase-cut dimmer is connected using an average signal (VDCI) derived from the mains voltage. The average signal (VDCI) or a signal (VDCI_ls) derived from (VDCI), ranging from a minimum value to a maximum value, is compared to a dimming threshold (Vdim_th) through a phase-cut detecting unit (20). The comparison result is used to control the state diagram of a dimmer control logic (40) by selecting the step dimming mode (STD) or the phase-cut dimming mode (PCD). The output (OUT) of a switching unit (30) is determined by the state diagram of the dimmer control logic (40) in such a manner that the phase-cut dimming mode (PCD) is prioritized above the step-dimming mode (STD) and the maximum level of the STD states is depending on the mains voltage and application adjustable.
US08492975B2
An OLED display includes a pixel substrate including a pixel area at which an organic light emitting member is located, and a peripheral area surrounding the pixel area, a pixel protective layer located in the pixel area, a peripheral protective layer separated from the pixel protective layer and located in the peripheral area, a sealing substrate opposite to the pixel substrate, a moisture absorbent between the pixel substrate and the sealing substrate, and on and overlapping the peripheral protective layer, and a sealing member between the pixel substrate and the sealing substrate, and located at an outer side of the moisture absorbent.
US08492974B2
In a flat panel display device and a method of manufacturing the same, the flat panel display device is manufactured by forming a display unit on a substrate, forming a hydrophobic barrier layer for preventing a material of an organic layer from flowing around the display unit, and forming a thin film sealing layer by alternately stacking an inorganic layer and the organic layer on the display unit. Accordingly, formation of an edge tail of the organic layer is prevented, thereby preventing penetration of external moisture.
US08492966B2
Field emission devices utilizing capacitive ballasting are described with possible uses in industry. The preferred device utilizes opposing electrodes, each with a dielectric layer and a plurality of conductive islands which serve to exchange electrons, generating an oscillatory current. Ideally these islands are dome-shaped and made of a refractory metal such as tungsten of molybdenum. Through proper use and selection of materials, electrical fields with densities of 1014 A/m2 are capable of being generated.
US08492965B2
In a spark plug in which one end of a ground electrode 9 is welded to a front end surface (7a) of a tubular metallic shell (7), the following relations (1) and (2) are satisfied: K≧1.1A (1) K≧(D−d)/2 (2) where A represents the wall thickness of the metallic shell in the radial direction measured on the front end surface at a position where the wall thickness becomes the minimum; d represents the maximum inner diameter of the front end surface; D represents the minimum outer diameter of the front end surface; and K represents the wall thickness in a region of the front end surface where the ground electrode is welded to the front end surface.
US08492958B2
A device for converting thermal power into electric power including a plurality of bimetallic strips disposed between a rigid support and a plate of a resilient plastic material; and on the side of the plate of a resilient plastic material opposite to the strips, a layer of a piezoelectric material connected to output terminals, wherein the rigid support is capable of being in contact with a hot source, and the plate of a resilient plastic material is capable of transmitting to the piezoelectric layer the mechanical stress due to the deformations of the bimetallic strips.
US08492956B2
A method and apparatus generates kinetic and electrical energy using sound waves and is believed to be particularly useful in high efficiency motors and electrical generators. In particular, the method and apparatus uses sound waves as a catalyst to convert ambient heat energy into kinetic and/or electrical energy. In one embodiment, sound waves at particular frequencies are propagated across one side of a plate or other barrier element, causing flow of fluid (e.g. air) across the surface of the plate which, in turn, causes a reduction in the ambient fluid (air) pressure near the surface of the plate. The difference in fluid pressure on opposite sides of the plate results in net positive thrust on the plate, thereby causing movement of the plate. This movement can be harnessed using, for example, a windmill type of rotor and stator arrangement to generate useful kinetic and electrical energy.
US08492955B2
A piezoelectric component with a monolithic stack has piezoceramic layers and electrode layers arranged alternately one on top of the other, at least one porous security layer arranged in the stack for the formation of a crack if mechanical overload of the stack occurs, at least one outer electrode arranged at a lateral surface section for electric contacting of the electrode layers and a plastic sheath of the stack for protecting the stack, wherein the plastic sheath has silicon. The piezoelectric component is characterized in that a coating of the outer electrode, has silicon-free polymer, is arranged between the outer electrode and the plastic sheath. By coating the plating of the outer electrode, the area of the security layer present directly under the plating is protected from silicon component deposits. The piezoelectric component is used for the control of valves, particularly of injection valves of internal combustion engines.
US08492953B2
A small PMDC motor has a wound salient pole armature. The armature 22 has a winding guide 38 disposed within each winding tunnel 36 formed between adjacent salient poles of the armature. The winding guide 38 is arranged to separate the radially inner portion of the respective winding tunnel whereby windings 30 wound about the adjacent salient poles of the armature are restrained from entering into the opposite radially inner portion of the winding tunnel 36.
US08492944B2
Provided is a step motor including a rotor in which a lead screw is coupled with a magnet; a stator in which the rotor is rotatably inserted and which applies a magnetic field to the rotor; a thrust bearing which supports an end of the lead screw; a housing in which the stator is received, and a guide part opened at one side thereof is protruded, and the thrust bearing is inserted into the guide part; a plate spring which is provided at an opened portion of the guide part so as to apply elastic force to the thrust bearing and thus inhibit deviation of the lead screw and the thrust bearing; and a plate spring guide which is fixed to an outside of the guide part of the housing so that the plate spring is inserted therein.
US08492942B2
A spindle motor is provided, the motor including a bearing assembly including an upper surface-opened cylindrical bearing housing and a bearing accommodated in the bearing housing and formed with a rotation shaft hole; a stator including a core coupled to a periphery of the bearing housing and a coil wound on the core; a rotation shaft inserted into the rotation shaft hole; a rotor including a disk-shaped yoke coupled to the rotation shaft and a magnet coupled to the yoke to face the core; and a suction magnet arranged at the yoke facing the core, wherein the bearing housing includes a body coupled to the core and a core fixture bent from the body to face the core, and the suction magnet is so arranged as to face the core fixture corresponding to an external side of a bent unit bent from the body for forming the core fixture.
US08492941B2
A motor generator serving as a rotating electric machine includes: a rotor; a rotor shaft rotating with the rotor; and end plates and provided at opposite ends, respectively, of the rotor. The rotor shaft has oil channels and provided independently of each other and passing oil therethrough. The end plates and have oil channels and communicating with the oil channels and, respectively, and guiding oil to the rotor. The oil channels and are formed so as to avoid passing oil in a stream having vector components facing one another, as seen in the axial direction of a center axis, on the route of the channels. The oil channels and are formed so as to avoid passing oil in a stream having vector components facing one another, as seen in the axial direction of the center axis, on the route of the channels. The rotating electric machine thus allows the rotor to be cooled uniformly.
US08492937B2
An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising a housing, an electrically conductive coil assembly movably mounted in the housing, the coil assembly having radially inner and outer sides, and upper and lower edges, thereof, a mount for the coil assembly extending inwardly of the radially inner side for mounting the coil assembly for linear vibrational motion along an axis about, a first biasing device mounted between the housing and the mount to bias the electrically conductive coil assembly in opposed directions along the axis towards a central coil position, a magnetic core assembly movably mounted in the housing for linear vibrational motion along the axis, and a second biasing device mounted between the housing and the magnetic core assembly to bias the magnetic core assembly in opposed directions along the axis towards a central magnet position, wherein the magnetic core assembly encloses the electrically conductive coil assembly on the radially outer side and on the upper and lower edges, and on a part of the radially inner side, the magnetic core assembly having a gap on a radially inner portion thereof through which the mount extends, and the radially inner portion including two opposed magnets spaced along the axis.
US08492929B2
A method utilizing a device and/or system presented herein for generating alternating current (a/c) electricity directly from photovoltaic cells utilize an array of photovoltaic cell pairs that are each connected in anti-parallel to form an a/c junction. The system, device and method mechanically gradually exposes and shades photovoltaic cell pairs to sunlight to generate alternating current electricity at an a/c junction of the solar cell pairs. Gradually and alternately exposing and shading the two anti-parallel connected solar cells of each solar cell pair causes the amplitude and polarity of the electricity at the a/c junction to gradually rise and fall to produce alternating current electricity. The gradual, alternating exposure and shading of the two anti-parallel solar cells is accomplished by mechanically covering and exposing the solar cell pairs. This is efficiently accomplished by a rotating segmented disc positioned over an array of solar cell pairs.
US08492927B2
A universal power supply system is used for at least one electric consumer. The supply system comprises at least one AC source and a cable connection connecting said AC source to said electric consumer. The AC source has associated therewith an AC/DC converter for converting the AC voltage into DC voltage. The DC voltage generated in this way is adapted to be transmitted to the electric consumer via the cable connection. To improve such a universal power supply in such a way that it is possible to provide a high and stable voltage without any additional components (such as additional heat dissipation components), the AC/DC converter comprises a plurality of AC/DC converter components which, on the input side thereof, are connected in parallel with the AC source and which, on the output side thereof are connected serially to the electric consumer.
US08492926B2
A photovoltaic power system can include a photovoltaic array, an inverter, and a battery.
US08492920B2
An electrical architecture for an aircraft providing power for the aircraft by generating power from a high pressure spool and a low pressure spool of a turbine engine. The spools can be used to drive corresponding generators; the power from which can be used to supply the various loads of the aircraft.
US08492918B1
A hybrid water pressure energy accumulating, tower assembly used to directly propel water pumps to raise water from low elevation reservoir(s) to high elevation reservoir(s) where it is used as a potential energy. The tower is electrically connected and positioned next to or close to a wind turbine or a wind or solar power plant. The tower includes in-tower storage reservoirs configured for storing water. The in-tower storage reservoirs could be defined by lower and upper water storage containers attached to the inner or outer surface of the tower that might be connected to other neighboring reservoir(s). The lifted water is used to generate electricity utilizing a hydropower generator.
US08492917B2
An electrical system for generating electrical energy from the wave motion in a body of water includes a lower tower disposed in a body in a body of water and an adjustable upper portion rising upwardly above the surface of the body of water. A rotatable fuselage includes a floating base fixed to the upper portion of the tower and rotatable about a vertical axis for facing into the wind. A downwardly extending arm is fastened to the fuselage and moves back and forth in response to wave motion. The system also includes a mechanism for raising and lowering the fuselage to accommodate tidal changes. In addition, the forward and backward motion of the downwardly projecting arm rotates a pair of generators for generating electrical energy and transmitting it to a land station.
US08492914B2
Featured is a starter/generator to start a reciprocating engine or generate electrical energy using the engine. The starter/generator includes a plurality of magnetic elements that establish a magnetic flux, each magnetic element being attached to a surface of the crankshaft so the element moves in a prescribed path as the crankshaft rotates; a plurality of stator elements being arranged within the engine so as to be maintained in fixed relation to a corresponding magnetic element as it moves in the prescribed path, and control circuitry being configured and arranged to control the functionality of each stator element. In one mode a stator element is controlled so that movement of the magnetic element by the stator element cause electrical energy to be generated in the respective stator element and so in another mode each stator element/magnetic element combination operates the motor/generator as a motor.
US08492907B2
The present invention relates to a film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface to be formed on a back surface of a semiconductor element flip chip-connected onto an adherend, the film having a light transmittance at a wavelength of 532 nm or 1064 nm of 20% or less, and having a contrast between a marking part and a part other than the marking part after laser marking of 20% or more.
US08492901B2
A structure includes a wafer having a top wafer surface. The wafer defines an opening. The top wafer surface defines a first reference direction perpendicular to the top wafer surface. The wafer has a thickness in the first reference direction. The structure also includes a through-wafer via formed in the opening. The through-wafer via has a shape, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the first reference direction and parallel to the top wafer surface, of at least one of a spiral and a C-shape. The through-wafer via has a height in the first reference direction essentially equal to the thickness of the wafer in the first reference direction. Manufacturing techniques are also disclosed.
US08492896B2
A semiconductor apparatus including: a substrate 12; a plurality of electrode pads 20 formed on a surface of the substrate 12; and a protection film 14 having a plurality of through holes 16 formed in one-to-one correspondence with the electrode pads 20, and covering circumferential edge portions of the electrode pads 20 and the surface of the substrate 12 except for areas under the electrode pads 20. An inner wall of each through hole 16 is a slant surface 22 slanted toward outside of the through hole 16. A plurality of metal layers 24 have been formed, each covering an exposed part of each electrode pad 20 not covered by the protection film 14 and an area of each slant surface extending from the exposed part up to a middle of the slant surface. A plurality of bumps 18 have been connected one-to-one with the metal layers 24.
US08492887B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a leadframe strip system, having a stress relief slot and a leadframe unit, the stress relief slot is at a frame corner of the leadframe strip system and spans adjacent sides of the leadframe unit, the leadframe unit includes a paddle, a tie bar therefrom, and a lead finger; connecting an integrated circuit and the lead finger; forming an encapsulation covering the integrated circuit; and singulating the integrated circuit in the encapsulation from the leadframe strip system with a package corner of the encapsulation free of micro-cracks with an inspection of the package corner at least 50× view.
US08492886B2
An integrated circuit including a first layer of logic circuits, and a second layer of logic circuits overlaying the first layer, wherein the first layer includes a multiplicity of flip-flops wherein each of the flip-flops has at least one connection to the second layer, and wherein the second layer includes at least one logic circuit with inputs including the connection and with at least one output connected to the first layer.
US08492883B2
A semiconductor package and related methods are described. In one embodiment, the package includes a die pad, a plurality of leads, a chip, and a package body. The die pad includes: (1) a peripheral edge region defining, a cavity with a cavity bottom including a central portion; (2) an upper sloped portion; and (3) a lower sloped portion. Each lead includes an upper sloped portion and a lower sloped portion. The chip is disposed on the central portion of the cavity bottom and is coupled to the leads. The package body is formed over the chip and the leads, substantially fills the cavity, and substantially covers the upper sloped portions of the die pad and the leads. The lower sloped portions of the die pad and the leads at least partially extend outwardly from a lower surface of the package body.
US08492879B2
On a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of terraces formed stepwise by an atomic step are formed in the substantially same direction. Using the semiconductor substrate, a MOS transistor is formed so that no step exists in a carrier traveling direction (source-drain direction).
US08492871B2
A semiconductor fuse and methods of making the same. The fuse includes a fuse element and a compressive stress liner that reduces the electro-migration resistance of the fuse element. The method includes forming a substrate, forming a trench feature in the substrate, depositing fuse material in the trench feature, depositing compressive stress liner material over the fuse material, and patterning the compressive stress liner material.
US08492864B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: a substrate; a wiring layer formed on a front side of the substrate in which pixels are formed; a surface electrode pad section formed in the wiring layer; a light-shielding film formed on a rear side of the substrate; a pad section base layer formed in the same layer as the light-shielding film; an on-chip lens layer formed over the light-shielding film and the pad section base layer in a side opposite from the substrate side; a back electrode pad section formed above the on-chip lens layer; a through-hole formed to penetrate the on-chip lens layer, the pad section base layer, and the substrate so as to expose the surface electrode pad section; and a through-electrode layer which is formed in the through-hole and connects the surface electrode pad section and the back electrode pad section.
US08492862B2
One object is to provide a deposition technique for forming an oxide semiconductor film. By forming an oxide semiconductor film using a sputtering target including a sintered body of a metal oxide whose concentration of hydrogen contained is low, for example, lower than 1×1016 atoms/cm3, the oxide semiconductor film contains a small amount of impurities such as a compound containing hydrogen typified by H2O or a hydrogen atom. In addition, this oxide semiconductor film is used as an active layer of a transistor.
US08492860B2
A STTMRAM element includes a magnetization layer made of a first free layer and a second free layer, separated by a non-magnetic separation layer (NMSL), with the first and second free layers each having in-plane magnetizations that act on each other through anti-parallel coupling. The direction of the magnetization of the first and second free layers each is in-plane prior to the application of electrical current to the STTMRAM element and thereafter, the direction of magnetization of the second free layer becomes substantially titled out-of-plane and the direction of magnetization of the first free layer switches. Upon electrical current being discontinued to the STTMRAM element, the direction of magnetization of the second free layer remains in a direction that is substantially opposite to that of the first free layer.
US08492856B2
An electronic component includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing to the first surface; a trans-substrate conductive plug that penetrates the semiconductor substrate from the first surface to the second surface; an electronic element provided in the vicinity of the first surface of the semiconductor; and a sealing member that seals the electronic element between the sealing member and the first surface, wherein the electronic element is electrically connected to the trans-substrate conductive plug.
US08492850B2
A method for producing a silicon substrate, including the steps of providing a silicon substrate having an essentially planar silicon surface, producing a porous silicon surface having a plurality of pores, in particular having macropores and/or mesopores and/or nanopores, applying a filling material that is to be inserted into the silicon, which has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the pores, inserting the filling material into the pores and removing the excess filling material form the silicon surface, if necessary, and tempering the silicon substrate that is furnished with the filling material that has been filled into the pores, at a temperature between ca. 1000° C. and ca. 1400° C., in order to close the generated pores again and to enclose the filling material.
US08492849B2
A high side semiconductor structure is provided. The high side semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first deep well, a second deep well, a first active element, a second active element and a doped well. The first deep well and the second deep well are formed in the substrate, wherein the first deep well and the second deep well have identical type of ion doping. The first active element and the second active element are respectively formed in the first deep well and the second deep well. The doped well is formed in the substrate and is disposed between the first deep well and the second deep well. The doped well, the first deep well and the second deep well are interspaced, and the type of ion doping of the first deep well and the second deep well is complementary with that of the doped well.
US08492842B2
A method of forming an electrical device is provided that includes forming at least one semiconductor device on a first semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate. A handling structure is formed contacting the at least one semiconductor device and the first semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor layer and at least a portion of the dielectric layer of the SOI substrate are removed to provide a substantially exposed surface of the first semiconductor layer. A retrograded well may be formed by implanting dopant through the substantially exposed surface of the first semiconductor layer into a first thickness of the semiconductor layer that extends from the substantially exposed surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein a remaining thickness of the semiconductor layer is substantially free of the retrograded well dopant. The retrograded well may be laser annealed.
US08492838B2
Shallow trenches are formed around a vertical stack of a buried insulator portion and a top semiconductor portion. A dielectric material layer is deposited directly on sidewalls of the top semiconductor portion. Shallow trench isolation structures are formed by filling the shallow trenches with a dielectric material such as silicon oxide. After planarization, the top semiconductor portion is laterally contacted and surrounded by the dielectric material layer. The dielectric material layer prevents exposure of the handle substrate underneath the buried insulator portion during wet etches, thereby ensuring electrical isolation between the handle substrate and gate electrodes subsequently formed on the top semiconductor portion.
US08492828B2
In a semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing thereof, the device includes a substrate of single-crystal semiconductor material extending in a horizontal direction and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers on the substrate. A plurality of gate patterns are provided, each gate pattern being between a neighboring lower interlayer dielectric layer and a neighboring upper interlayer dielectric layer. A vertical channel of single-crystal semiconductor material extends in a vertical direction through the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of gate patterns, a gate insulating layer being between each gate pattern and the vertical channel that insulates the gate pattern from the vertical channel.
US08492824B2
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device includes: forming a stacked body including insulating films stacked alternately with electrode films, a memory hole is made in one portion of the stacked body to extend in a stacking direction, a charge storage layer is provided on an inner surface of the memory hole, a semiconductor member is provided in the memory hole; forming a hard mask on the stacked body, the hard mask has a plurality of holes of mutually different sizes; plugging the smallest of the holes while shrinking the other holes by depositing a mask material; making contact holes by removing a prescribed number of the insulating films and a prescribed number of the electrode films in regions directly under the other holes by performing etching using the mask material and the hard mask as a mask; and filling conductive material into the contact holes.
US08492819B2
A structure and method of making a field effect transistor (FET) embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM) cell array, which includes: a buried silicon strap extending into a buried oxide (BOX) layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate; a recessed trench capacitor extending down into the substrate layer of the SOI substrate; a lateral surface of a conductive top plate formed on the recessed trench capacitor that contacts a first lateral surface of the buried silicon strap; a dielectric cap disposed above the conductive top plate; a first FET formed from the silicon layer of the SOI substrate, in which a source/drain region of the first FET contacts a second lateral surface of the buried silicon strap; and a passing wordline disposed on a portion of the dielectric cap opposite to and separate from the buried silicon strap and connected to a gate of a second FET in an adjacent row of the FET eDRAM cell array.
US08492818B2
A dual node dielectric trench capacitor includes a stack of layers formed in a trench. The stack of layers include, from bottom to top, a first conductive layer, a first node dielectric layer, a second conductive layer, a second node dielectric layer, and a third conductive layer. The dual node dielectric trench capacitor includes two back-to-back capacitors, which include a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The first capacitor includes the first conductive layer, the first node dielectric layer, the second conductive layer, and the second capacitor includes the second conductive layer, the second node dielectric layer, and the third conductive layer. The dual node dielectric trench capacitor can provide about twice the capacitance of a trench capacitor employing a single node dielectric layer having a comparable composition and thickness as the first and second node dielectric layers.
US08492811B2
After forming a planarization dielectric layer in a replacement gate integration scheme, disposable gate structures are removed and a stack of a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer is formed within recessed gate regions. Each gate electrode structure is then recessed below a topmost surface of the gate dielectric layer. A dielectric metal oxide portion is formed above each gate electrode by planarization. The dielectric metal oxide portions and gate spacers are employed as a self-aligning etch mask in combination with a patterned photoresist to expose and metalize semiconductor surfaces of a source region and an inner electrode in each embedded memory cell structure. The metalized semiconductor portions form metal semiconductor alloy straps that provide a conductive path between the inner electrode of a capacitor and the source of an access transistor.
US08492807B2
A tiltable micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) system lens comprises a microscopic lens located on a front surface of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a semiconductor rim surrounding the periphery of the microscopic lens. Two horizontal semiconductor beams located at different heights are provided within a top semiconductor layer. The microscopic lens may be tilted by applying an electrical bias between the lens rim and one of the two semiconductor beams, thereby altering the path of an optical beam through the microscopic lens. An array of tiltable microscopic lenses may be employed to form a composite lens having a variable focal length may be formed. A design structure for such a tiltable MEMS lens is also provided.
US08492793B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device including a tunnel FET, includes a gate electrode, which is formed on a first semiconductor layer formed of Si1−XGeX (0
US08492791B2
The present invention relates to an optical semiconductor device including: a substrate having mounted thereon an LED chip; an encapsulation resin layer embedding the LED chip; an inorganic high-heat conductive layer; and a wavelength conversion layer containing an inorganic phosphor powder, in which the encapsulation resin layer, the inorganic high-heat conductive layer and the wavelength conversion layer are laminated in this order on the substrate either directly or indirectly.
US08492790B2
An LED package includes a substrate, an LED chip, a bounding dam, and a first encapsulation. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The LED chip is mounted on the first surface of the substrate. The bounding dam is formed on the first surface of the substrate and surrounds the LED chip. The bounding dam and the substrate cooperatively define a receiving space. The bounding dam is made of thermoset resin. The first encapsulation is formed in the receiving space and encloses the LED chip.
US08492787B2
This application discloses alight-emitting diode device, comprising an epitaxial structure having a light-emitting layer, a first-type conductivity layer, and a second-type conductivity layer wherein the thicknesses of the first-type conductivity confining layer is not equal to the second-type conductivity confining layer and the light-emitting layer is not overlapped with the portion of the epitaxial structure corresponding to the peak zone of the wave intensity distribution curve along the direction of the epitaxy growth.
US08492786B2
A light emitting device package is disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a light emitting device disposed on a first lead frame, the light emitting device having an electrode pad on an upper surface thereof, a first wire to electrically interconnect a second lead frame spaced apart from the first lead frame and the electrode pad, and a first bonding ball disposed on the second lead frame, the first bonding ball spaced apart from a first contact point, which is in contact with the first wire and the second lead frame, wherein the first bonding ball is disposed between the first wire and the second lead frame to electrically interconnect the first wire and the second lead frame.
US08492780B2
A light emitting device and a method of fabricating thereof are provided. The method of fabricating the light emitting device comprises: providing a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface; forming a plurality of light-emitting stacks on the first major surface; forming an etching protection layer on each of the light emitting stacks; forming a plurality of holes by a discontinuous laser beam on the substrate; etching the plurality of holes; and slicing off the substrate along the plurality of holes to form a light emitting device. The light emitting device has a substrate wherein the sidewall of the substrate comprising a first area with a substantially flat surface and a second area with substantially textured surface.
US08492772B2
A wafer including a SiC substrate having a surface that is inclined relative to a (0001) basal plane at an angle higher than 0.1 degree but less than 1 degree, a SiC homoepitaxial device layer, and a SiC homoepitaxial boundary layer having a thickness up to 1 μm arranged between the substrate and the device layer. The boundary layer has been grown on the substrate under an atmosphere of lower supersaturation than when forming the device layer and at a C/Si ratio above 1.
US08492760B2
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film containing indium (In), gallium (Ga), and zinc (Zn), in which the contact resistance between the oxide semiconductor layer and a source and drain electrodes is reduced, and to provide a method for manufacturing the thin film transistor. An ohmic contact is formed by intentionally providing a buffer layer having a higher carrier concentration than the IGZO semiconductor layer between the IGZO semiconductor layer and the source and drain electrode layers.
US08492753B2
Implementations and techniques for producing substrates suitable for growing graphene monolayers are generally disclosed.
US08492750B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an organic semiconductor composition capable of forming an organic film having high carrier transportability. A preferable organic semiconductor composition contains a lower molecular weight compound and a higher molecular weight compound having carrier transportability, and the solubility parameter of the higher molecular weight compound and the solubility parameter of the lower molecular weight compound differ by 0.6 to 1.5.
US08492744B2
Preferred embodiments of the invention provide semiconducting microcavity plasma devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention are microcavity plasma devices having at least two pn junctions, separated by a microcavity or microchannel and powered by alternate half-cycles of a time-varying voltage waveform. Alternate embodiments have a single pn junction. Microplasma is produced throughout the cavity between single or multiple pn junctions and a dielectric layer isolates the microplasma from the single or multiple pn junctions. Additional preferred embodiments are devices in which the spatial extent of the plasma itself or the n or p regions associated with a pn junction are altered by a third (control) electrode.
US08492735B2
Radiation doses are optimized by providing a model of the set of beams and a target dose in normalized forms. A Gram matrix is determined from the model. The target dose is subsampled to determine initial intensity values for the set of beams. Then, the following steps are iterated until convergence. A very small positive value, 0<ε<<1, is added to each intensity value to ensure the intensity value is greater than zero. Each intensity value is multiplied by the Gram matrix to determine a product, which is divided element-wise into the normalized target dose to determine corresponding ratios. If the ratios are all close to 1, within a numerical error tolerance, the intensity values of the set of beam are output. Otherwise, the intensity values are multiplied by the ratios before a next iteration.
US08492734B2
In certain embodiments, the invention relates to systems and methods for altering an image to compensate for variation in one or more physical and/or supervenient properties (e.g., optical absorption and/or scattering) in heterogeneous, diffuse tissue, thereby attenuating the effects of tissue waveguiding. The methods enable the proper identification of emission image regions that evidence waveguiding of electromagnetic radiation, and enables compensation of emission images for such waveguiding. The methods preserve the depth localization accuracy of the FMT approach and improve optical reconstruction in the targeted areas while eliminating spurious components of fluorescence from the acquired data set. Calibration methods for probe concentration mapping are also presented.
US08492733B1
A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transportions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.
US08492731B2
A charged particle lithography system for transferring a pattern onto the surface of a target. The system comprises a beam generator for generating a plurality of charged particle beamlets, the plurality of beamlets defining a column, a beam stop array having a surface for blocking beamlets from reaching the target surface and an array of apertures in the surface for allowing the beamlets to reach the target surface, and a modulation device for modulating the beamlets to prevent one or more of the beamlets from reaching the target surface or allow one or more of the beamlets to reach the target surface, by deflecting or not deflecting the beamlets so that the beamlets are blocked or not blocked by the beam stop array.
US08492728B2
A radiation sensor including a scintillation layer configured to emit photons upon interaction with ionizing radiation and a photodetector including in order a first electrode, a photosensitive layer, and a photon-transmissive second electrode disposed in proximity to the scintillation layer. The photosensitive layer is configured to generate electron-hole pairs upon interaction with a part of the photons. The radiation sensor includes pixel circuitry electrically connected to the first electrode and configured to measure an imaging signal indicative of the electron-hole pairs generated in the photosensitive layer and a planarization layer disposed on the pixel circuitry between the first electrode and the pixel circuitry such that the first electrode is above a plane including the pixel circuitry. A surface of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode at least partially overlaps the pixel circuitry and has a surface inflection above features of the pixel circuitry. The surface inflection has a radius of curvature greater than one half micron.
US08492706B2
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for measuring the density of a material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge includes a nuclear density gauge for measuring the density of a material. A radiation source adapted to emit radiation into a material and a radiation detector operable to produce a signal representing the detected radiation. A first material property calculation function may calculate a value associated with the density of the material based upon the signal produced by the radiation detector. The material property gauge includes an electromagnetic moisture property gauge that determines a moisture property of the material. An electromagnetic field generator may generate an electromagnetic field where the electromagnetic field sweeps through one or more frequencies and penetrates into the material. An electromagnetic sensor may determine a frequency response of the material to the electromagnetic field across the several frequencies.
US08492705B2
A radiation detector can include a photosensor to receive light via an input and to send an electrical pulse via an output in response to receiving the light. The radiation detector can also include a pulse analyzer to send an indicator to a pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse and to not send the indicator to the pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a noise pulse. The pulse analyzer can be coupled to the output of the photosensor. A method can include receiving an electrical pulse at a pulse analyzer from an output of a photosensor and determining whether the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse or a noise pulse, based on a pulse shape of the electrical pulse. The method can also include sending the electrical pulse to a pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse.
US08492700B2
A photodetector receiver circuit, including: a photodetector for receiving an optical signal and converting the optical signal into a current; and a dynamic impedance circuit connected to the photodetector; wherein the dynamic impedance circuit is configured to have a first impedance during a charging phase and a second impedance during a discharging phase, the first impedance comprising a slower decay time than the second impedance.
US08492697B2
A hybrid analog-to-digital converter includes a plurality of converting circuits. Each converting circuit is configured to provide a digital signal based on an analog input signal by performing a successive approximation conversion to obtain, as a result of the successive approximation conversion, a first number of bits of the digital signal, and by subsequently performing a slope conversion based on a common variable reference voltage to obtain a second number of bits of the digital signal, the second number of bits corresponding to a residual between the analog input signal and the result of the successive approximation conversion. The hybrid analog-to-digital converter further includes a common variable reference voltage provider configured to provide to each converting circuit of the plurality of converting circuits the common variable reference voltage.
US08492682B2
A micro heater includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first carbon nanotube, and a second carbon nanotube. The first carbon nanotube extends from the first electrode. The second carbon nanotube branches from the second electrode. The first carbon nanotube and the second carbon nanotube intersect with each other to define a node therebetween.
US08492681B2
A cooking appliance includes a cabinet defining an oven cavity, a door attached to the cabinet for selectively exposing and sealing the oven cavity, a cooking element mounted to the cabinet for heating the oven cavity, a control system for controlling the cooking appliance and a display. The display is adapted to show a first series of images corresponding to a first operating stage and a second series of images corresponding to a second operating stage, wherein the first series of images is distinct from the second series of images such that a user may readily identify a current operating stage of the cooking appliance, even from a distance, based on the series of images being displayed.
US08492678B2
A method and apparatus for short circuit welding includes providing welding power suitable for short circuit welding, sensing the stick out length, and adjusting the welding speed, such as wire feed speed or travel speed, adjusting a welding parameter, or adjusting the gas mixture in response thereto. Stick out is preferably determined by measuring a welding parameter, and performing an FFT on the parameter, and then calculating stick out, in one embodiment. Stick out can be either CTTWD or CPTPD. The system can determine when a short is about to clear by calculating a value Vc defined by Vc=d/dt(k1*dp/dt), and comparing Vc to a Vthreshold, which varies in response to welding cycle history.
US08492677B2
The present invention provides a process for laser cutting a metal plate that comprises a) providing at least a laser cutting device, b) providing a metal plate to be cut from a metal coil, c) providing at least a holding apparatus holding and maintaining the metal plate, d) cutting said metal plate by means of at least a laser beam delivered by said at least one laser cutting device In this process, during step d), the metal plate is first cut by a first line comprising at least a first cutting machine, into at least one peripheral blank, and at least one peripheral blank is subsequently fed to at least a second line comprising at least a second cutting machine, to be cut into several smaller individual final blanks. With regard to this process, the first line produces peripheral blanks faster than at least one second cutting machine of the second line can cut them into several smaller individual final blanks. During laser cutting in the second line, said peripheral blank is held and maintained in position by said at least one holding apparatus.
US08492669B2
A key device includes a plate body, a positioning seat having a through hole, a circuit unit mounted on the plate body, a keycap disposed above the circuit unit, and an elastic member disposed between the circuit unit and the keycap. The circuit unit includes a multi-layered structure, and a resilient tongue provided on one layer of the multi-layered structure and having a free end proximate to the through hole. A support rod is connected to and supports the keycap on the substrate, and has a lower end extending through the through hole. The free end of the resilient tongue extends beneath and abuts against the lower end of the support rod, and pushes upwardly the lower end of the support rod to abut against an edge confining the through hole.
US08492657B2
A board interconnection structure having a first printed wiring board in which a first conductive circuit is arranged on a first insulating layer, the first conductive circuit having, on an end portion thereof, a first connection terminal in which an upper surface width is narrower than a bottom surface width; a second printed wiring board in which a second conductive layer having a second connection terminal is arranged on a second insulating layer; and a connection layer that forms fillets along longitudinal side surfaces of the first connection terminal, and interconnects the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal. The first connection terminal may have a projection portion.
US08492653B2
Provided is a connector (200; 700) for establishing an electrical connection with a conductive tape (100). The conductive tape comprises at least a first conducting layer (104) and an insulating layer (102). The connector comprises a first conductive region (204; 710) and a first connection region (712). The first connection region (712) is adapted to establish an electrical connection between the first conducting layer (104) of the conducting tape and the first conductive region (204; 110) when a perturbation is applied. The perturbation may be the application of pressure or temperature to the connector.
US08492650B2
A partitioned electrical junction box includes at least three partitioned junction box main bodies slidingly joined together to form a main cover, a lower cover and upper cover fitted into the main cover. The lower cover is fitted into a recess groove of the main cover, and the upper cover is fitted into an outside of the main cover. The three partitioned junction box main bodies respectively receive different functional components. First fitting parts are adjacently provided on any two of the partitioned junction box main bodies, and a first bracket is slidingly fitted into the first fitting parts simultaneously to join the two partitioned junction box main bodies.
US08492646B2
The invention relates to an electrolyte composition, comprising a polyether polymer, a polyethylene oxide, and a redox pair and optionally nano-particles.
US08492641B2
The invention provides a music controller, in the form of a bowing sensor. The music controller includes a musical bow member (4) movable over a guide (2). Associated with the guide (2) is at least one optical flow sensor (6) for monitoring the speed and/or angle of the musical bow member (4) when it is moved longitudinally in contact with the guide, and optionally a pressure sensor (14) for monitoring the pressure of the bow member on the guide. That monitored data, combined with input from a keyboard or ribbon controller (16) enables an attached sound generating device (12) to generate sound that emulates the sound of a real bowed performance or other desired output.
US08492632B1
Disclosed is a tuned harmonic bell musical instrument. The harmonic bell consists of a thin walled circular base, and a contiguous dome. The base is open at the bottom. The dome has a plurality of tongues cut into the surface thereof, thereby enabling notes with bell like harmonics to be generated when the tongues are struck with a mallet or other device.
US08492631B1
A stringed instrument plectrum that includes a second edge disposed perpendicularly with respect to a first edge, a rounded top portion disposed endwise opposite the first edge, a protruding pick portion disposed over a third edge, and a plurality of indentations disposed along the third edge, whereby said stringed instrument plectrum is more easily grasped within the hand of a musician, while yet enabling dexterous manipulation of a striking edge disposed upon a tip of the protruding pick portion, for rendering melody upon the relevant strings of a stringed instrument to which the present stringed instrument plectrum is applied when making music.
US08492628B2
A violin shoulder cradle is provided which provides for compact storage and for adjustment of the position of the violin to which the cradle is clamped relative to the shoulder of the wearer. The shoulder cradle hereof includes a base including a pair of clamping legs which are pivotally mounted to the base for movement between a retracted storage position and an extended violin-clamping position. It further includes a connection between the base which may include an array of studs and a corresponding grid pattern or matrix of tubes in a receiver, and/or at least one magnet which magnetically holds the foundation to the base.
US08492625B2
A wheat variety designated 25R40, the plants and seeds of wheat variety 25R40, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety 25R40 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety 25R40 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety 25R40. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety 25R40 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
US08492621B1
A novel maize variety designated PH12JY and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH12JY with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH12JY through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH12JY or a locus conversion of PH12JY with another maize variety.
US08492607B2
The present invention relates generally to the destruction of chemical weapons. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for treating hydrolysates of chemical agents. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for heating solids resulting from precipitation of organophosphorus compounds to make them un-recombinable. In another embodiment, the invention relates to solidification of hydrolysate into a solid with or without the presence of an oxidizer.
US08492603B2
A process for the dimerization of isoolefins, including: contacting an isoolefin with a solid catalyst composition passivated with at least one of an ether, an alcohol, and water; wherein the solid catalyst composition comprises at least one of a solid phosphoric acid catalyst and a resin of a macroporous matrix of polyvinyl aromatic compound crosslinked with a divinyl compound and having thereon from about 3 to 5 milli equivalents of sulfonic acid groups per gram of dry resin; and wherein at least 50% to less than 100% of acid groups in the solid catalyst composition are neutralized with a metal of Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, or mixtures thereof. The catalyst may be metalized prior to placement in a reactor or may be metalized in situ.
US08492596B2
The present invention provides a method for producing ditrimethylolpropane including reacting n-butyraldehyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a base catalyst to thereby produce trimethylolpropane and ditrimethylolpropane, wherein the method includes (I) a step of reacting n-butyraldehyde with formaldehyde (1) in the presence of a base catalyst (1), to thereby produce a reaction mixture containing trimethylolpropane, ditrimethylolpropane, and 2-ethyl-2-propenal; (II) a step of recovering 2-ethyl-2-propenal through distillation of the produced reaction mixture; and (III) a step of adding, to a distillation residue obtained through recovery of 2-ethyl-2-propenal, the recovered 2-ethyl-2-propenal and formaldehyde (2), and optionally a base catalyst (2), to thereby allow reaction for production of ditrimethylolpropane to proceed, wherein the amounts of formaldehyde (I) and the base catalyst (1) supplied in step I and formaldehyde (2) and the base catalyst (2) supplied in step II are controlled to specific amounts, to thereby effectively produce ditrimethylolpropane. According to the present invention, the yield of di-TMP is considerably increased, and the amount of bis-TMP by-produced can be considerably reduced with respect to the amount of di-TMP (i.e., a product of interest) produced; that is, di-TMP can be effectively produced in an industrially advantageous manner.
US08492595B2
Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
US08492592B2
The invention provides a method of transaminating a reactant with a catalyst composition comprising support and catalyst portions. The support includes an acidic mixed metal oxide including a transitional alumina and a second metal oxide. The transitional alumina can comprise delta or theta alumina, in combination with other transitional phases, or an alpha or gamma alumina. The second metal oxide has a weight percentage less than the weight percentage of alumina. The catalyst portion is 25 weight percent or less of the catalyst composition and is composed of nickel and rhenium. The catalyst portion includes nickel in an amount in the range of 2 to 20 weight percent, based upon total catalyst composition weight, and there is no boron in the catalyst portion. The method provides high activity and selectivity for reactant transamination to a desired product while minimizing the formation of unwanted cyclic products.
US08492586B2
Processes for the recovery of formate salt from biomass and the product obtained thereof generally include subjecting an aqueous liquid mixture containing levulinic acid, formic acid and possibly furfural to a liquid-liquid extraction process, followed by the recovery of the furfural, the formate salt and the levulinic acid or the levulinate salt.
US08492583B2
Impure aromatic carboxylic acids such as are obtained by liquid phase oxidation of feed materials comprising aromatic compounds with substituent groups oxidizable to carboxylic acid groups, or comprising aromatic carboxylic acid and one or more aromatic carbonyl impurities that form hydrogenated species more soluble in aqueous solvents or with less color or color-forming tendencies than the aromatic carbonyl impurity, are purified to an aromatic carboxylic acid product with lower levels of impurities by a process comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising the impure aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure with an attrition-resistance, acid stable catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst metal and a support comprising relatively high surface area silicon carbide.
US08492578B2
The present invention relates to photosensitizer compounds for use in cosmetic and therapeutic applications of photodynamic therapy. The compounds of the present invention are designed for topical application and are characterized by a low permeability to the stratum corneum (the outer skin layer of an individual) and/or a low allergenic potential. Surprisingly, such compounds have beneficial properties in the treatment of certain diseases and lack the undesired damages to healthy skin entailed by prior art compounds. ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid)-esters of body-owned, natural compound such as aminoacids, steroids, carbohydrates, alcohols are preferred examples of photosensitizers of the present invention. The compounds of the present invention are used in the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis, sebaceous glands related conditions including acne, seborrhoic dermatitis, rosacea, skin cancer and precancer, as well as in cosmetic hair removal.
US08492577B2
The present invention provides a process for preparation of a key intermediate of valsartan in a pure form and use of this intermediate for the preparation of valsartan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt in pure form.
US08492576B2
Carboxylate terminated thiocarbonates are reacted with a polyfunctional alcohol to form a hydroxyl-terminated thiocarbonate compound.
US08492571B2
A chemical composition of a molecular species mixture of phospholipids, purified to at least 85% purity through chromatography purification, the chemical composition contains enriched both sn-1-acyl fatty chains/sn-2-docosahexaenoic acid molecular species and sn-1-ether fatty chains/sn-2-docosahexaenoic acid molecular species, the phospholipids are selected from the group consisting of: phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Methods using the above disclosed composition in mammals to treat various conditions.
US08492568B2
The present invention provides chromane derivatives as transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) modulators. In particular, the compounds described herein are useful for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3. Also provided herein are processes for preparing compounds described herein, intermediates used in their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3.
US08492566B2
What is described is a process for starting up a gas phase oxidation reactor for oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride, said reactor comprising at least one catalyst layer and being temperature-controllable by means of a heat carrier medium, wherein a) the catalyst layer is interrupted by a moderator layer which is less catalytically active than the catalyst layer or is catalytically inactive, b) a gas stream is passed through the reactor with an initial loading of o-xylene and at an initial temperature of the heat transfer medium, c) the loading of the gas stream is increased to a target loading and, in parallel, the temperature of the heat transfer medium is lowered to an operating temperature. The introduction of the moderator layer allows the loading to be increased more rapidly and the startup time to be shortened.
US08492564B2
The invention features salvinorin compositions that are selective for kappa opioid receptors; methods of treating mania by using a selective kappa receptor agonist; and methods of treating mood disorders, such as depressive disorders and manic disorders, using salvinorin compositions.
US08492563B2
The present invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity towards the sigma (σ) receptor, and more particularly to some 4, 5, 6, 7 tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivatives, wherein n is selected from 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; m is selected from 0, 1 or 2; the dotted line represents either a single or a double bond; to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use in therapy and prophylaxis, in particular for the treatment of psychosis.
US08492561B2
The present invention relates to novel azetidine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08492555B2
The invention relates to crystalline salts of isobutyric acid (1R*,2R*,4R*)-2-(2-{[3-(4,7 -dimethoxy-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-propyl]-methyl-amino}-ethyl)-5-phenyl-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-yl ester, processes for the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing said crystalline salts, and their use as medicaments, especially as calcium channel blockers.
US08492552B2
The present invention generally relates to materials and methods for catalytic reactions, including transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The materials may be stable metal complexes that do not require special handling or processing conditions. In some cases, materials of the invention advantageously may be synthesized in one synthetic step without the need for isolation of intermediate compounds. Also, materials of the invention may be synthesized from inexpensive and readily available starting materials, under relatively mild reaction conditions that do not require the exclusion of air, water, and the like. In some embodiments, the material is a N-heterocyclic carbene metallacycle complex. Such materials and methods may be useful in the production of fine chemicals, advanced materials and specialty polymers.
US08492545B2
The present invention relates to an industrial process of preparing pharmaceutical compounds having the formula I: which are useful as certain tyrosine kinase inhibitors and more particularly as c-kit and bcr-abl inhibitors. The groups R1 and R2, identical or different, represent each a hydrogen, halogen atom, an alkyl, an alkoxy, a trifluoromethyl, an amino, an alkylamino, a dialkylamino, a solubilising group; m is 0-5 and n is 0-4; the group R3 represents an aryl or an heteroaryl group as described in claims herein.
US08492537B2
The invention relates to special nucleosides, for example, a nucleoside of the formula I, wherein R1-R5 are as described herein, and also to drugs which contain these nucleosides. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such nucleosides in a method for suppressing or reducing the formation of resistance in the case of cytotstatic treatment of a cancer patient.
US08492527B2
Anti-VEGF antibodies and variants thereof, including those having high affinity for binding to VEGF, are disclosed. Also provided are methods of using phage display technology with naïve libraries to generate and select the anti-VEGF antibodies with desired binding and other biological activities. Further contemplated are uses of the antibodies in research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US08492522B2
Compositions comprising matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP-11) or stromelysin-3 (ST-3) or the nucleic acid encoding the MMP-11 for use in vaccines for treating tumors and cancers, which overexpress MMP-11, are described. In particular embodiments, the compositions comprise a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide that includes the catalytically inactivated MMP-11 linked at the C-terminus to an immunoenhancing element wherein the codons encoding the MMP-11 and the immunoenhancing element have been optimized for enhanced expression of the fusion polypeptide in human cells. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise the catalytically inactivated MMP-11 linked at the C-terminus to an immunoenhancing element. The compositions can be used alone or in synergy with vaccines against other tumor associated antigens as well as with conventional therapies such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
US08492511B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of crosslinked polymers bearing nitroxide groups, which are prepared by a method frequently called atom transfer radical addition polymerization (ATRA). A further aspect of the invention is the use of such polymeric crosslinked nitroxides as stabilizers for polymers against the detrimental influences of heat and UV light, as stabilizers against premature polymerization of vinyl aromatic monomers and as active electrode materials in secondary batteries.
US08492507B2
Disclosed is an acetylenic polyamide and a composition comprising said acetylenic polyamide, which acetylenic polyamide. Said acetylenic group is suitably obtained by subjecting at least one acetylenic compound to reaction with either at least one polyamide, or at least one amino functional monomer and/or carboxylic acid, yielding a corresponding acetylenic amide monomer, oligoamide or polyamide. Amide monomers and/or oligoamides can subsequently be used in production of the acetylenic polyamide.
US08492502B2
The present invention relates to a process of producing polyarylene sulfide (PAS) and PAS resin produced therefrom, and more specifically, to a process of preparing polyarylene sulfide with better thermal properties and luminosity than conventional PAS and the PAS resin produced therefrom, including the steps of: a) melting and mixing a composition including solid sulfur, iodinated aryl compounds, and a polymerization terminator; b) polymerizing the molten mixture of step a) for 1 to 30 hours while increasing the temperature and decreasing the pressure from initial reaction conditions of a temperature of 180 to 250° C. and a pressure of 50 to 450 Torr to final reaction conditions of a temperature of 270 to 350° C. and a pressure of 0.001 to 20 Torr; and c) heating the reaction product of step b) at a temperature of 270 to 350° C. for 1 to 25 hours. The process of polyarylene sulfide resin further includes a step of heating the polymerized product at a high temperature following the polymerization step, and uses the polymerization terminator in a suitable amount to control the molecular weight of polyarylene sulfide, thereby producing polyarylene sulfide with excellent thermal properties and luminosity.
US08492495B2
The present invention relates to a salified copolymer that can be obtained by salification, in an aqueous medium, using at least one amine containing at least one nitrogenous heterocyclic group, of a copolymer obtained from at least one cyclic anhydride-based or carboxylic acid-based monomer and from at least one styrene-based monomer, such as a styrene/maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer. It also relates to the process for producing this salified copolymer, to a composition containing same, and also to the use of this composition for surface-treating, in particular coating, sizing and finishing, paper or cardboard.
US08492488B2
Disclosed are water soluble polymeric conjugates comprising the structure POLY-[Y—S—S-A]x, where POLY is a water soluble polymer; Y is a hydrocarbon-based spacer group, x is 1 to 25, S—S is a disulfide group attached to an sp3 hybridized carbon of Y; and A is a covalently linked residue of a pharmacologically active molecule. Preferably, the water soluble polymer is a PEG polymer. Also disclosed are polymeric reagents useful to prepare such conjugates, and methods of their formation and use.
US08492483B2
To provide a novel ABA-type triblock copolymer of vinyl ether series, comprising polyvinyl ether and an oxystyrene-series unit, and a process of producing the ABA-type copolymer at a series of steps. The invention relates to a novel ABA-type triblock copolymer comprising Segment A comprising an oxystyrene-series repeat unit (a) and Segment B comprising a vinyl ether-series repeat unit (b), in which the Segment A and the Segment B are bonded together with a single bond, and to a simple process of producing the same. The triblock copolymer can be produced at a series of steps in a simple manner, comprising living cationic polymerization of a vinyl ether-series monomer such as ethyl vinyl ether in the presence of a bifunctional initiator and a Lewis acid, and subsequently adding an oxystyrene-series monomer such as p-hydroxystyrene for living cationic polymerization.
US08492480B2
A block copolymer composition comprising an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having a high-level balance between a high elastic modulus and a small elongation set is provided. The block copolymer composition comprises a block copolymer A represented by formula (A) and a block copolymer B represented by formula (B), where the weight ratio of the block copolymer A to the block copolymer B, A/B, is from 36/64 to 85/15 and the ratio of the aromatic vinyl monomer units relative to all polymer components in the block copolymer composition is 27-70 wt %. Ar1a-Da-Ar2a (A). Ar1b-Db-Ar2b (B). (In the formulae, Ar1a, Ar1b and Ar2b each represent an aromatic vinyl polymer block having a weight-average molecular weight of from 6,000 to 18,000; Ar2a represents an aromatic vinyl polymer block having a weight-average molecular weight of from 40,000 to 400,000; Da and Db each represent a conjugated diene polymer block having a vinyl bond content of from 1 to 20% by mol; and Db has a weight-average molecular weight of from 60,000 to 400,000).
US08492475B2
A subject-matter of the present invention is a rubber composition intended for the manufacture of tires or of tire semi-finished products, based on at least one isoprene elastomer, an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler and a polyfunctional organosiloxane coupling agent capable of providing the bonding between the reinforcing inorganic filler and the isoprene elastomer, comprising per molecule, grafted to its silicon atoms, on the one hand at least one hydroxyl or hydrolysable functional group allowing it to be grafted to the reinforcing inorganic filler and, on the other hand, at least one group bearing at least one azodicarbonyl functional group —CO—N═N—CO— allowing it to be grafted to the isoprene elastomer.
US08492466B2
A friction material including: an amorphous resin that has a chain-like polymer structure; and other components that constitute the friction material and that are components other than the amorphous resin, wherein dispersion treatment is preliminarily carried out in which the amorphous resin is dispersed in at least one of the other components, and a manufacturing method of the friction material.
US08492460B2
A fluorine-containing polymer segment includes at least one substituent for proton transfer that has one or more fluorine atoms. The fluorine-containing polymer segment is useful for forming hydrophilic polymer blocks that are used in block copolymers. Block copolymers useful for fuel cell applications incorporate the hydrophilic polymer blocks formed from the fluorine containing polymer segments.
US08492449B2
Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition that provides an excellent water developability, drying property, and image reproducibility. The photosensitive resin composition comprises a water-dispersible latex (A), a rubber (B), a surfactant (C), a photopolymerizable monomer (D), and a photopolymerization initiator (E). A ratio of a mass of the component (C) to a total mass of the components (A), (B), and (C) is within a range of 0.1 to 20%. A ratio of a mass of the component (A) to a total mass of the components (A) and (B) is within 20 to 90%. A size of a dispersed phase consisting mainly of the component (B) is 10 μm or smaller.
US08492448B2
Systems and methods for performing photoreactions in a photoreactive material using scattered actinic light from at least one light-diffusing optical fiber are disclosed. The systems and methods include disposing a light-diffusing optical fiber relative to the photoreactive material. The light-diffusing optical fiber has a glass core, a surrounding cladding, and nano-sized structures situated either within the glass core or at the core-cladding boundary. The nano-sized structures are configured to scatter guided actinic light that travels in the light-diffusing optical fiber from an actinic light source. The scattered actinic light is provided throughout the photoreactive material and causes a photoreaction throughout the photoreactive material.
US08492445B2
An emulsifying composition, characterised in that it contains by weight, excluding impurities, (i) 1 to 98% by weight of a mixture of alkyl glycosides R1O(G1)g1(G2)g2(G3)g3(G4)g4(G5)g5, (ii) 1 to 90% by weight of a mixture of alcohol esters R2OZ, (iii) 1 to 90% of an alcohol R3OH, and (iv) 4 to 90% of a mixture of alkyl glycoside esters R4O(X1)x1(Z)z1(X2)x2(Z)z2(X3)x3(Z)z3(X4)x4(Z)z4(X5)x5(Z)z5, is disclosed In accordance with the composition, R1 is a hydrocarbon radical, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, having 10 to 22 carbon atoms. G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 are identical or different residues of -oses selected from glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, ribose, xylose and arabinose, g1, g2, g3, g4 and g5 being equal to 0 or 1, the sum of g1, g2, g3, g4 and g5 being at least equal to 1. The composition has emulsifying capacity in the presence of electrolytes or in the case of paraffin-based emulsions.
US08492428B2
Small-molecule inhibitors of Botulinum toxin, including BoNTA, BoNTD and BoNTE are provided, as well as methods of using the inhibitors.
US08492421B2
The invention relates to a therapeutic agent for fungal dermatitis, containing luliconazole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a composition for the treatment of fungal dermatitis, containing luliconazole or lanoconazole in a substantially dissolved state as an active ingredient.
US08492408B2
The present application discloses novel benzimidazole derivatives and their use as modulators of the GABAA receptor complex. In other aspects the application discloses the use of these compounds, in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds.
US08492407B2
The invention provides compounds of the formula: in salt or zwitterionic form or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1-6, a, Z and Q are as defined in the specification. These compounds are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US08492403B2
Bicyclic derivatives useful as ion channel antagonists are disclosed herein. The compositions thereof are useful for treating or relieving pain-related conditions.
US08492398B2
The present invention relates to spiroazaindole compounds useful as HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors to treat anemia and like conditions.
US08492395B2
Provided are quinazolinone compounds of formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and stereoisomers thereof. Methods of use, and pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds are disclosed.
US08492383B2
The invention relates to a combination which comprises (a) a nitrogen mustard analogue selected from chlorambucil, chlornaphazine, estramustine, mechlorethamine, mechlorethamine oxide hydrochloride, navembichin, phenestrine, prednimustine, trofosfamide or uracil mustard and (b) 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-benzamide of formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the invention pertains to the use of said combination for the treatment chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
US08492381B2
Provided herein are Heteroaryl Compounds having the following structure: wherein R1-R4 are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound and methods for treating or preventing cancer, inflammatory conditions, immunological conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, obesity, neurological disorders, age-related diseases, or cardiovascular conditions, comprising administering an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound to a patient in need thereof.
US08492377B2
The present invention concerns the compounds of formula the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein Y represents —C3-9alkyl-, —C1-5alkyl-NR6—C1-5alkyl- or —C1-5alkyl-NR7—CO—C1-5alkyl-; X1 represents —O —; X2 represents NR5—C1-2alkyl-; R1 represents hydrogen, halo or Het3-O—; R2 represents hydrogen; R3 represents hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy- or C1-4alkyloxy substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from Het4, hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy-, C1-4alkyloxy-C1-4alkyloxy and NR9R10; R5 represents hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; R6 represents hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; R7 represents hydrogen; R9 and R10 each independently represent hydrogen; C1-4alkyl-S(═O)2—C1-4alkyl-C(═O)—; C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyl substituted with hydroxy; Het3 represents pyridinyl optionally substituted with C1-4alkyl; Het4 represents morpholinyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl wherein said Het4 is optionally substituted with hydroxy-C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyl-S(═O)2—C1-4alkyl-.
US08492372B2
The present invention relates to novel 1-(4H-1,3-benzodioxin-2-yl)methanamine derivatives, useful as modulators of dopamine neurotransmission, and more specifically asdopaminergic stabilizers. In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
US08492364B2
The invention relates to the compositions of synthetic oligo-β-(1→6)-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosides conjugated to carriers, and methods for making and use same.
US08492362B1
The present invention relates to prodrug forms of β-L-1-[5-(E-2-Bromovinyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)]uracil (L-BHDU) and their use to treat viral infections of Varicella Zoster Virus, including recurrent VZV (shingles), especially including drug resistant Varicella Zoster Virus and related complications of this viral infection such as rash or post-herpetic neuralgia.
US08492361B2
The present disclosure provides methods for treating subjects having non-small cell lung cancer, wherein the methods comprise administering to the subject a cytidine analog, such as 5-azacytidine. Also provided are methods relating to identification and treatment of particular non-small cell lung cancer types sensitive to particular cytidine analogs.
US08492360B2
A major object of the present invention is to provide a creamy O/W emulsion composition containing an adenosine phosphate ester, more specifically, to provide a creamy O/W emulsion composition containing an adenosine phosphate ester, which ensures emulsification stability and a superior feel during use. Specifically, the present invention provides a creamy O/W emulsion composition containing the following Components (A) to (F) at the following proportions based on its total amount: (A) not less than 0.1 wt. % of adenosine phosphate ester selected from at least one member selected from the group consisting of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate, adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and salts thereof; (B) 0.5 to 6 wt. % of polyglycerin fatty acid ester; (C) 0.05 to 0.7 wt. % of acrylic acid-alkyl methacrylate copolymer; (D) 0.5 to 10 wt. % of amphiphilic lipid; (E) 0.5 to 20 wt. % of polyhydric alcohol; and (F) 0.3 to 5 wt. % of self-emulsifiable glycerin fatty acid ester.
US08492357B2
The present invention relates to the modulation of immunoregulatory proteins, including cytokines, such as colony stimulatory factors (CSF) via the use of microRNA-155 modulators.
US08492353B2
The present invention provides an antiaging composition capable of efficiently retarding skin aging skin aging, particularly, alleviating skin pigmentation. The present invention also provides a method for potentiating the antiaging action of ascorbic acids. The invention provides an antiaging composition containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, a derivative of ascorbic acid, and a salt thereof (A), and a purine nucleic acid-related substance (B). The invention provides a method for potentiating the antiaging action of such component (A) by the combined use of at least one member selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, a derivative of ascorbic acid, and a salt thereof (A), with a purine nucleic acid-related substance (B).
US08492351B2
The present invention provides novel compounds with hypocholesteremic activity from crude Embilica officinialis (EO) extracts and methods of use. The invention also provides nutraceuticals.
US08492350B2
A method for treating neuropathic pain by administering a pharmaceutical preparation containing N-acetylneuraminic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a person in need of treatment of neuropathic pain. Examples of neuropathic pain include trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, strangulated neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), diabetic neuropathy, neuropathy caused by trauma, phantom limb pain, central pain, and neuropathic pain caused by drug therapy or radiation therapy.
US08492349B2
A composition and method are disclosed that utilize an isolated polypeptide or analog thereof to inhibit the interaction of a mu-opioid receptor with filamin A. A contemplated polypeptide has an amino acid residue sequence illustrated by the formula: W—[X1X2X3− . . . X43X44X45]nValAlaX48GlyLeu[X51X52X53 . . . X94X95X96]m—Y, wherein the various elements are defined elsewhere. A contemplated method can be used to select a VAKGL-binding compound.
US08492342B2
The present invention is related to Preprocalcitonin antigen T epitopes, presented by the Major Histocompatibility Complex I (MHC I). These peptides can be used in cancer immunotherapy.
US08492339B2
The present disclosure relates to controlling the release of growth factors for the promotion of angiogenesis. The growth factors or a polymer matrix are modified by photoactive compounds, such that the growth factors are not released into an active form until they are irradiated with light. The disclosure also relates to tissue engineering scaffolds comprising one or more polymers and at least two growth factors.
US08492338B2
Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.
US08492328B2
IGF1R biomarkers useful in a method for identifying and monitoring a mammal that will respond therapeutically to a method of treating cancer comprising administering an IGF1R modulator, wherein the method comprises (a) exposing the mammal to the IGF1R modulator and (b) measuring in the mammal the level of the at least one biomarker, wherein a difference in the level of the at least one biomarker measured in (b) compared to the level of the biomarker in a mammal that has not been exposed to the IGF1R modulator indicates that the mammal will respond therapeutically to the method of treating cancer and (c) wherein the level of the biomarker in a mammal after exposure to a IGF1R modulator indicates that the mammal has responded therapeutically to the method of treating cancer.
US08492317B2
Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations. Methods and compositions that include a latex strength enhancer for enhancing the compressive strength of slag compositions.
US08492305B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst for hydrocarbon steam cracking for the production of light olefin, a preparation method of the catalyst and a preparation method of olefin by using the same. More precisely, the present invention relates to a composite catalyst prepared by mixing the oxide catalyst powder represented by CrZrjAkOx (0.5≦j≦120, 0≦k≦50, A is a transition metal, x is the number satisfying the condition according to valences of Cr, Zr and A, and values of j and k) and carrier powder and sintering thereof, a composite catalyst wherein the oxide catalyst is impregnated on a carrier, and a method of preparing light olefin such as ethylene and propylene by hydrocarbon steam cracking in the presence of the composite catalyst. The composite catalyst of the present invention has excellent thermal/mechanical stability in the cracking process, and has less inactivation rate by coke and significantly increases light olefin yield.
US08492295B2
A semiconductor structure fabrication method. A provided structure includes: a semiconductor substrate, a transistor on the semiconductor substrate, N interconnect layers on the semiconductor substrate, and a temporary filling region within the N layers. N is at least 2. The temporary filling region is heated at a high temperature sufficiently high to result in the temporary filling material being replaced by a cooling pipes system that does not include any solid or liquid material. A first portion and a second portion of the cooling pipes system are each in direct physical contact with a surrounding ambient at a first interface and a second interface respectively such that a first direction perpendicular to the first interface is perpendicular to a second direction perpendicular to the second interface. A totality of interfaces between the cooling pipes system and the ambient consists of the first interface and the second interface.
US08492293B1
Methods for selectively placing carbon nanotubes on a substrate surface by using functionalized carbon nanotubes having an organic compound that is covalently bonded to such carbon nanotubes. The organic compound comprises at least two functional groups, the first of which is capable of forming covalent bonds with carbon nanotubes, and the second of which is capable of selectively bonding metal oxides. Such functionalized carbon nanotubes are contacted with a substrate surface that has at least one portion containing a metal oxide. The second functional group of the organic compound selectively bonds to the metal oxide, so as to selectively place the functionalized carbon nanotubes on the at least one portion of the substrate surface that comprises the metal oxide.
US08492283B2
At least a first reticle is stored in a housing of a stocker. A first gas is delivered to the housing. At least one reticle pod having an additional reticle is delivered into a enclosure within the housing of the stocker. A second gas different from the first gas is delivered to the enclosure. The reticle pod is automatically retrieved from the enclosure. The delivery and retrieval of the reticle pod and delivery of the first gas and the second gas are automatically controlled.
US08492275B2
Methods form an integrated circuit structure by forming at least a portion of a plurality of devices within and/or on a substrate and patterning trenches in an inter-layer dielectric layer on the substrate adjacent the devices. The patterning forms relatively narrow trenches and relatively wide trenches. The methods then perform an angled implant of a compensating material into the trenches. The angle of the angled implant implants a greater concentration of the compensating material in the regions of the substrate at the bottom of the wider trenches relative to an amount of compensating material implanted in the regions of the substrate at the bottom of the narrower trenches. The methods then deposit a metallic material within the trenches and heat the metallic material to form silicide from the metallic material.
US08492269B2
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, superior contact resistivity may be accomplished for a given contact configuration by providing hybrid contact elements, at least a portion of which may be comprised of a highly conductive material, such as copper. To this end, a well-established contact material, such as tungsten, may be used as buffer material in order to preserve integrity of sensitive device areas upon depositing the highly conductive metal.
US08492267B1
Pillar interconnect chip to package and global wiring structures and methods of manufacturing are discloses. The method includes forming a resist directly over at least one landing pad and at least one wiring layer, and forming a first pattern in the resist over the landing pad and a second pattern over the wiring layer, using a single lithography step. The method further includes forming metal in the first pattern in electrical contact with the landing pad. The method further includes removing remaining resist over the wiring layer to deepen the second pattern. The method further includes forming a pillar interconnect in the first pattern and a wiring in the second pattern by adding additional metal on the metal in the first pattern and over the at least one wiring layer in the second pattern, respectively. The method further includes removing any remaining resist.
US08492261B2
A method for manufacturing a III-V CMOS device is disclosed. The device includes a first and second main contact and a control contact. In one aspect, the method includes providing the control contact by using damascene processing. The method thus allows obtaining a control contact with a length of between about 20 nm and 5 μm and with good Schottky behavior. Using low-resistive materials such as Cu allows reducing the gate resistance thus improving the high-frequency performance of the III-V CMOS device.
US08492253B2
Methods of forming contacts for back-contact solar cells are described. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a thin dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a polysilicon layer on the thin dielectric layer, forming and patterning a solid-state p-type dopant source on the polysilicon layer, forming an n-type dopant source layer over exposed regions of the polysilicon layer and over a plurality of regions of the solid-state p-type dopant source, and heating the substrate to provide a plurality of n-type doped polysilicon regions among a plurality of p-type doped polysilicon regions.
US08492252B2
A method includes patterning a photoresist layer on a structure to define an opening and expose a first planar area on a substrate layer, forming doped portions of the substrate layer in the first planar area, removing a portion of the photoresist to form a second opening defining a second planar area on the substrate layer, and etching to form a first cavity having a first depth defined by the first opening to expose a first contact in the structure and to form a second cavity defined by the second opening to expose a second contact in the structure.
US08492249B2
Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based devices and technology for their fabrication are disclosed. The planar, multiple layer deposition technique and simple methods of change of the nanotube conductivity type during the device processing are utilized to provide a simple and cost effective technology for large scale circuit integration. Such devices as p-n diode, CMOS-like circuit, bipolar transistor, light emitting diode and laser are disclosed, all of them are expected to have superior performance then their semiconductor-based counterparts due to excellent CNT electrical and optical properties. When fabricated on semiconductor wafers, the CNT-based devices can be combined with the conventional semiconductor circuit elements, thus producing hybrid devices and circuits.
US08492248B2
A surface of a single crystal semiconductor substrate is irradiated with ions to form a damaged region, an insulating layer is formed over the surface of the single crystal semiconductor substrate, and a surface of a substrate having an insulating surface is made to be in contact with a surface of the insulating layer to bond the substrate having an insulating surface to the single crystal semiconductor substrate. Then, the single crystal semiconductor substrate is separated at the damaged region by performing heat treatment to form a single crystal semiconductor layer over the substrate having an insulating surface, and the single crystal semiconductor layer is patterned to form a plurality of island-shaped semiconductor layers. One of the island-shaped semiconductor layers is irradiated with a laser beam which is shaped to entirely cover the island-shaped semiconductor layer.
US08492247B2
Programmable field effect transistors (FETs) are provided using high-k dielectric metal gate Vt shift effect and methods of manufacturing the same. The method of controlling Vt shift in a high-k dielectric metal gate structure includes applying a current to a gate contact of the high-k dielectric metal gate structure to raise a temperature of a metal forming a gate stack. The temperature is raised beyond a Vt shift temperature threshold for providing an on-state.
US08492240B2
The invention relates to a solar-cell marking method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate with a substrate surface for producing a solar cell (1) that comprises an active zone (5); and producing at least one indentation (21, 31) in the substrate surface with the use of laser irradiation, wherein the at least one indentation (21, 31) forms a marking (2, 3) for marking the solar cell (1), and producing the indentation (21, 31) is carried out prior to carrying out a solar-cell manufacturing process or during carrying out a solar-cell manufacturing process. According to the invention the substrate is designed as a semiconductor wafer with a wafer surface, and the marking (2, 3) is positioned on the wafer surface such that the marking (2, 3) is in the active zone (5) of the solar cell (1) formed by the semiconductor wafer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a semiconductor-wafer solar cell (1) whose marking is easily recognizable and thus positioned so as to be reliably readable, without this impeding the functionality of the solar cell (1).
US08492238B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fabricating piezoresistive polysilicon on a substrate by low-temperature metal induced crystallization by: (1) providing the substrate having a passivation layer; (2) performing, at or near room temperature in a chamber without breaking a vacuum or near-vacuum within the chamber, the steps of: (a) creating a metal layer on the passivation layer, and (b) creating an amorphous silicon layer on the metal layer, wherein the metal layer and the amorphous silicon layer have approximately the same thickness; (3) annealing the substrate, the passivation layer, the metal layer and the amorphous silicon layer at a temperature equal to or less than 600° C. and a period of time equal to or less than three hours to form a doped polysilicon layer below a residual metal layer; and (4) removing the residual metal layer to expose the doped polysilicon layer.
US08492233B2
An integrated circuit containing a configurable dual n/p-channel 3-D resurf high voltage MOS field effect transistor (MOSFET) is disclosed. An n-channel drain is coterminous with a p-channel source in an n-well, and a p-channel drain is coterminous with an n-channel source in a p-well. A lateral drift region including n-type drift lanes and p-type drift lanes extends between the n and p wells. A resurf layer abuts the lateral drift region. The n-channel MOS gate is separate from the p-channel MOS gate. The p-channel MOS gate may be operated as a field plate in the n-channel mode, and vice versa. An n-channel MOS transistor may be integrated into the n-channel MOS source to provide an n-channel cascode transistor configuration, and similarly for a p-channel cascode configuration, to debias parasitic bipolar transistors under the MOS gates. Circuits using the MOSFET with various loads are also disclosed.
US08492222B2
A method is provided for forming a pixel of an electroluminescence device. The method provides a substrate; defines at least a first area for capacitors, a second area for a transistor on the substrate and a third area for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) on the substrate; forms first conductive, first dielectric, second conductive, second dielectric, and third conductive layers over the first area; forming a third conductive layer over the second dielectric layer over the first area; wherein the first conductive layer over the first area is directly connected to a power supply voltage, wherein the second conductive layer is electrically connected to a fourth conductive layer and wherein the first conductive layer, the first dielectric layer, and the second conductive layer over the first area collectively form a first one of the capacitors over the first area, the second conductive layer, the second dielectric layer.
US08492221B2
A method for fabricating a power semiconductor device is provided. A substrate with a first conductivity type is prepared. A semiconductor layer with a second conductivity type is formed on the substrate. A hard mask pattern having at least an opening is formed on the semiconductor layer. A first trench etching is performed to form a first recess in the semiconductor layer via the opening. A first ion implantation is performed to vertically implant dopants into the bottom of the first recess via the opening, thereby forming a first doping region. A second trench etching is performed to etch through the first doping region, thereby forming a second recess.
US08492207B2
A method and an eFuse circuit for implementing with enhanced eFuse blow operation without requiring a separate high current and high voltage supply to blow the eFuse, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The eFuse circuit includes an eFuse connected to a field effect transistor (FET) operatively controlled during a sense mode and a blow mode for sensing and blowing the eFuse. The eFuse circuit is placed over an independently voltage controlled silicon region. During a sense mode, the independently voltage controlled silicon region is grounded providing an increased threshold voltage of the FET. During a blow mode, the independently voltage controlled silicon region is charged to a voltage supply potential. The threshold voltage of the FET is reduced by the charged independently voltage controlled silicon region for providing enhanced FET blow function.
US08492201B2
A semiconductor device is made by providing a first semiconductor wafer having semiconductor die. A gap is made between the semiconductor die. An insulating material is deposited in the gap. A portion of the insulating material is removed to form a first through hole via (THV). A conductive lining is conformally deposited in the first THV. A solder material is disposed above the conductive lining of the first THV. A second semiconductor wafer having semiconductor die is disposed over the first wafer. A second THV is formed in a gap between the die of the second wafer. A conductive lining is conformally deposited in the second THV. A solder material is disposed above the second THV. The second THV is aligned to the first THV. The solder material is reflowed to form the conductive vias within the gap. The gap is singulated to separate the semiconductor die.
US08492192B2
A composition for forming a semiconducting device includes an organic semiconducting material, an agent capable of inhibiting and/or preventing dewetting, and an additional substance, wherein the additional substance is provided in an amount capable of preventing initial crystallization of the composition and reducing the melting point or glass transition temperature of the composition below the melting point or glass transition temperature of the organic semiconducting material. The additional substance may be naphthalene, phenylnaphthalene, anthrance, or diphenylanthrance.
US08492188B2
A method for producing a micromechanical component is described. The method includes providing a substrate having a layer system including an insulating material situated on the substrate, a conductive layer section and a protective layer structure connected to the conductive layer section, which borders a section of the insulating material. The method furthermore includes carrying out an isotropic etching process for removing a part of the insulating material, the conductive layer section and the protective layer structure preventing the removal of the bordered section of the insulating material; and a structural element being developed, which includes the conductive layer section, the protective layer structure and the bordered section of the insulating material.
US08492179B2
A method of mounting a light emitting diode (LED) module (100) to a heat sink (102), the method comprising the steps of placing the LED module (100) in a hole (120) in the heat sink (102); and expanding a portion of the LED module (100) such that the LED module (100) is secured to the heat sink (102). The method provides a cost efficient way of securing an LED module to a heat sink where the mount has a high reliability over time.
US08492165B2
The method for making microfluidic connections includes the steps of providing a system including a base, a movable device in communication with the base, and a sealing component attached to the movable device; delivering a microfluidic device to the base; aligning the sealing component and the microfluidic device, wherein the moveable device is capable of adjustably positioning the sealing component and capable of optical alignment, to bring the sealing component and the microfluidic device into fluid communication; and compressing the sealing component and the microfluidic device into contact thereby forming a microfluidic connection by creating a leak-resistant seal between at the interface of the sealing component and the microfluidic device.
US08492157B2
A microfluidic device and a method for measurement of biomaterials using the same. The microfluidic device includes a microfluidic structure including: a sample chamber which receives and accommodates blood; a reagent chamber which contains a luminescent reactant; a first detection chamber which contains a first material that is positively charged; a second detection chamber which is connected to the first detection chamber, and contains a second material having a boronate moiety; and at least one channel which connects the sample chamber, the reagent chamber and the first and second detection chambers.
US08492155B2
An automated immunoassay apparatus is disclosed comprising a single optical reading device (2a, 2b) for reading two microtitre plates (9, 14). A first microtitre plate (9) is loaded into an upper plate holder (8) which is linearly translated at a fixed height. A second microtitre plate (14) is loaded into a lower plate holder (13). The lower plate holder (13) runs along a contoured track which varies the vertical height of the second microtitre plate (14).
US08492135B2
An apparatus and method is described for seeding and culturing cells on a sample. The apparatus includes a chamber in which the volume of the chamber may be adjusted without compromising the seal or sterility of the chamber. The apparatus enables the seeding of cells in a reduced volume and culturing of cells in an increased volume. Further, the apparatus enables application of forces, strains and torques to a sample during seeding, culturing or transportation of the sample.
US08492117B2
Compositions and methods are provided for expression of a toxic protein in a host cell preferably a bacterial host cell where at least one T7 RNA polymerase gene Is contained on the host cell chromosome and one or more genes encoding a T7 RNA polymerase inhibitor is located on an F′ plasmid or on the chromosome.
US08492114B2
A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product. Further provided are methods of converting biomass into products comprising: placing the genetically modified organism and/or enzymatic extracts thereof in fluid contact with polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, and/or xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups.
US08492110B2
The present invention discloses novel mechanisms in the aging process and describes novel methods for high-throughput screening to identify, detect, and purify agents to be used for improving mitochondrial function, maintaining the cell cycle-arrested state in senescent and post mitotic cells, and thus preventing or treating age-related diseases or disorders associated with accelerated mitochondrial function loss, telomere dysfunction, and/or deterioration of the growth-arrested state. The present invention also discloses a number of compounds or compositions identified from this method. The present invention further provides the use of low doses of rapamycin or its analogs as a mimic of caloric restriction in preventing age-related diseases or disorders.
US08492108B2
Disclosed are methods for treating conditions characterized by anemia or red blood cells dysfunction by administering an agent that increases the level of endogenous LCAT or LCAT activity. Additionally disclosed are methods of treating conditions wherein red blood cells have reduced function in relation to deformability, oxygenation, increased adhesion and aggregability, reduced nitric oxide function, or decreased life-span, increased free cholesterol, or abnormal phospholipid content. Also disclosed are methods for treating conditions characterized by an abnormal concentration of free cholesterol in red blood cells and methods of normalizing the free cholesterol content of red blood cells.
US08492107B2
The present invention identifies biomarkers that are diagnostic of nerve cell injury and/or neuronal disorders. Detection of different biomarkers of the invention are also diagnostic of the degree of severity of nerve injury, the cell(s) involved in the injury, and the subcellular localization of the injury.
US08492106B2
The transporter that translocates ergothioneine has been identified. Described are methods for identifying and obtaining compounds capable of modulating ergothioneine transport as well as the use of such compounds for the treatment of diseases ergothioneine may be involved in such as autoimmune diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other diseases arising from cell damage caused by radiation, radicals and relative oxidant species. Furthermore, diagnostic means and methods for determining the presence or susceptibility to such a disease are provided.
US08492101B2
A chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method for quantifying antigen or antibody using 1,1′-oxalyldiimidazole (ODI) derivative or 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivative chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed. Also, various enzymes were quantified using ODI derivative or DOB derivative CL detection. Fluorescent compound formed from a substrate (non-fluorescent compound) through the enzyme assay methods emitted CL when the fluorescent compound received energy from high-energy intermediate formed in ODI derivative or ODB derivative CL reaction.
US08492099B2
The invention relates to a method of measuring the immunological activity of a vaccine preparation in the form of a mixture of one or more allergenic enzyme(s) and an oxygen-containing metal salt adjuvant, wherein the mixture comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, and wherein at least a part of the allergenic enzyme(s) is adsorbed to the solid phase, the method comprising the steps of measuring the enzymatic activity of the mixture in an enzyme activity assay, and using the measurement obtained as an indication of the immunological activity of the vaccine preparation, or using the measurement obtained for quantifying the amount of allergenic enzyme.
US08492098B2
Methods are described for detecting reaction components with affect a reaction. Biomolecules such as enzymes can be addressed at the single molecule level in order to discover function, detect binding partners or inhibitors, and/or measure rate constants.
US08492092B2
A region of the Chlamydia trachomatis pmpA gene has been identified which is useful for performing amplification assays to determine specifically whether C. trachomatis is present in the sample being tested. Oligonucleotides useful for performing thermal Strand Displacement Assay (tSDA) reactions on this gene are disclosed. The disclosed oligonucleotides can be used in an assay which is specific for multiple strains of C. trachomatis and which does not show cross reactivity with the genomes of other microorganisms or with human DNA.
US08492079B2
A second photoresist having a second photosensitivity is formed on a substrate. A first photoresist having a first photosensitivity, which is greater than second photosensitivity, is formed on the second photoresist. Preferably, the first photoresist is a gray resist that becomes transparent upon exposure. At least one portion of the first photoresist is lithographically exposed employing a first reticle having a first pattern to form at least one transparent lithographically exposed resist portion, while the second photoresist remains intact. The second photoresist is lithographically exposed employing a second reticle including a second pattern to form a plurality of lithographically exposed shapes in the second photoresist. The plurality of lithographically exposed shapes have a composite pattern which is the derived from the second pattern by limiting the second pattern only within the area of the at least one transparent lithographically exposed resist pattern.
US08492074B2
A method of controlling the shape of a plurality of relief dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a digital platemaking process is provided. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer. The method comprises the steps of: a) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable mask layer; b) applying a barrier membrane to the photosensitive printing blank; c) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the in situ negative; and d) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots.
US08492072B2
A description is given of methods and devices for product marking of objects using a light-sensitive layer applied to the objects and a light source. The invention may be used, for example, to simultaneously mark or label a first plurality of objects at a first time with individual marks or labels, and to mark or label a second plurality of objects at a second time with individual marks or labels.
US08492069B2
A lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising a support having thereon an image-recording layer containing (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a radical polymerizable compound, (D) a polymer compound containing a polyoxyalkylene structure and (E) an ultraviolet absorbing agent and being capable of forming an image by supplying at least one of printing ink and dampening water on a printing machine after imagewise exposure to remove an unexposed area of the image-recording layer.
US08492053B2
A flow field plate having a low resistance coating for fuel cell applications is described. In one embodiment, the flow field plate includes a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plurality of channels for directing flow of a first gaseous composition; and an activated carbon coating disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the plate, the activated carbon coating having a surface resistance of less than about 20 mΩ·cm2, the surface resistance being stable. Fuel cells incorporating the flow field plates and methods of making the flow field plates are also described.
US08492051B2
The present invention provides a novel integrated valve system for a fuel cell stack, in which an air shut-off valve for preventing the inflow of air when a fuel cell shuts down and a dry gas purge valve for improving cold startability are coaxially coupled to each other so that the air shut-off valve and the dry gas purge valve simultaneously open or close.
US08492043B2
A fuel cell of the present invention includes cell blocks (101, 102) each formed by stacking cells (51, 52) and a cooling medium connecting channel (103) connecting a cell block internal cooling medium channel (153A) of the cell block (101) and a cell block internal cooling medium channel (153B) of the cell block (102) in series. A catalyst layer includes a catalyst support and polymer electrolyte adhered to the catalyst support, the catalyst support containing an electrode catalyst and carbon powder supporting the electrode catalyst. The catalyst layer in the cell 52 of the cell block (102) located downstream of the cooling medium connecting channel (103) is higher or larger in at least one selected from the group consisting of a density of an ion exchange group per unit volume of the catalyst layer, an electrode catalyst supporting amount of the catalyst support of the catalyst layer, and a catalyst supporting rate of the catalyst layer, than the catalyst layer of the cell 51 of the cell block 101 located upstream of the cooling medium connecting channel 103.
US08492040B2
A fuel cell system is equipped with a drive motor, a fuel cell, and a controller. The controller performs normal electric power generation under a condition that the fuel cell is not warmed up, warm-up electric power generation with lower electric power generation efficiency than normal electric power generation, and controls performance of warm-up electric power generation on a basis of a predetermined index on a necessity to warm up the fuel cell. The controller controls an operation state of the fuel cell during warm-up electric power generation on a basis of a correlation between the system loss required for warm-up of the fuel cell and a warm-up output required for driving of a load including the drive motor during warm-up of the fuel cell.
US08492035B2
A polymer composition for a rechargeable lithium battery including a polymer of a first monomer selected from methylmethacrylate (MMA), acrylonitrile (AN), or a combination thereof, and a second monomer of ethylene oxide (EO), as well as a lithium salt.
US08492026B2
A rechargeable battery including a battery cell, and a battery case housing the battery cell, the battery case including a silane-based compound.
US08492022B2
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly in a battery case, and a buffer sheet between the electrode assembly and the battery case, the buffer sheet contacting the electrode assembly and the battery case.
US08492016B2
Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack including a module assembly constructed in a structure in which a plurality of battery modules, each of which includes a plurality of battery cells or unit modules mounted in a module case while the battery cells or unit modules are connected in series to each other, are arranged such that the battery modules are disposed in contact with each other in the lateral direction, and a coolant flow channel is vertically formed, a plurality of support members for supporting opposite sides and the bottom of the module assembly and maintaining the arrangement state of the module assembly, and a pack housing for surrounding the module assembly and the support members, wherein the battery pack is constructed in a cooling structure in which a coolant is introduced through one side upper end (or lower end) of the module assembly along a hermetically sealed space defined by the support members, flows vertically through the module assembly, and is discharged through the other side lower end (or upper end) of the battery assembly.
US08492011B2
In a magnetic disk that has at least a magnetic layer, a carbon-based protective layer, and a lubricating layer formed in this order over a substrate, the lubricating layer contains a lubricant compound including a compound which has a perfluoropolyether main chain in a structure thereof, an aromatic group located at a position except each end of a molecule thereof, and a polar group at each end of the molecule.
US08492010B2
A silicon/gold (Si/Au) bilayer seed structure is located in a film stack between an amorphous or crystalline lower layer and an upper layer with a well-defined crystalline structure. The seed structure includes a Si layer on the generally flat surface of the lower layer and a Au layer on the Si layer. The Si/Au interface initiates the growth of the Au layer with a face-centered-cubic (fcc) crystalline structure with the (111) plane oriented in-plane. The upper layer grown on the Au layer has a fcc or hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) crystalline structure. If the upper layer is a fcc material its [111] direction is oriented substantially perpendicular to the (111) plane of the Au layer and if the upper layer is a hcp material, its c-axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the (111) plane of the Au layer.
US08492004B2
The invention provides a friction joining structure comprising steel products, a friction joining steel plate inserted there between, and a fastening device, which are mutually friction joined by a compressive force derived from the fastening device. A portion of projected streaks on the friction joining steel plate is designed to have a Vickers hardness at least 3 times greater than the surface of the steel products, which allows the projected streaks to more easily enter the steel products thereby increasing the friction coefficient between the steel products. The friction joining structure is constituted by a slip resistance mechanism which can be easily validated from a theoretical or an experimental point of view and is also small in variance of the friction coefficient. Therefore, a friction coefficient used in design can be set at a high value with high accuracy to realize a rational design.
US08491997B2
Disclosed herein are polysiloxane/polyimide block copolymer blends and the application of these blends in conductive wires.
US08491983B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a glass substrate having plural through-holes which is not likely to peel from a silicon wafer, even though laminated on and jointed to a the silicon wafer and then subjected to heat treatment. The above object is accomplished by a glass substrate having an average thermal expansion coefficient of from 10×10−7 to 50×10−7/K within a range of from 50° C. to 300° C., having plural through-holes with a taper angle of from 0.1 to 20° and having a thickness of from 0.01 to 5 mm.
US08491979B2
Flexlock non-textile fabrics use intimately linked elements that are formed from formable, preferably solid phase forgeable materials into generally triangular shapes with hinging connection features along edges of a generally triangular overall shape. These hinging connection portions permit other elements to rotate about axes that intersect at intersections. Buttressing portions are located near these intersections and include cylindrical or conical shapes that abut the buttressing portions of adjacent formed elements. This abutting can occur even when adjacent elements are rotated or twisted out of a common plane. Connection portions include direct formed engagements with knuckles of the other elements. These connection portions and the engaged knuckles can include headed pintles, axles, or oppositely facing conical protrusions, and may be configured to permit the non-textile fabric to bend on itself within its own thickness without undue strain on the connection features.
US08491957B2
In a method for production of a polycrystalline ceramic film on a substrate: a) the substrate is prepared with the substrate surface and preparation of at least one source for the ceramic particles of the ceramic film and b) a particle stream of the ceramic particles is generated from the source of ceramic particles in the direction of the substrate surface on the substrate, with deposition of the ceramic particles on the substrate surface on the substrate with formation of the ceramic film. At least one screen is arranged within the gap, for adjusting an average incidence angle of the ceramic particles relative to a plane normal of the substrate surface, such that the ceramic particles are deposited on the substrate surface at a preferred direction and a relative position of the substrate surface and the screen is altered while the gap remains essentially the same.
US08491949B2
An ice confection is provided comprising: 1 to 8 wt % fat; a total solids content of from 10 to 25 wt %; an ice structuring protein (ISP); and at least 0.1 wt % aerating agent; the confection being obtainable by a process comprising aerating a mix with an aerating gas which contains at least 50% by volume of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide or mixtures thereof. A process for producing the ice confection is also provide.
US08491948B2
Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, filtering means delimiting at least one filtering side of the enclosure, beverage flow guiding means for guiding the beverage to a beverage outlet of the capsule, a shell and a protective cover that is attached to the shell in order to form a gas tight container for the beverage ingredients. The capsule further comprises an overflow wall that is positioned in the path of the brewed liquid after the filtering means and comprises at least one overflow aperture. The capsule further comprises opening means comprising an opening element configured to open the gas-tight container in order to create the beverage outlet. The beverage flow guiding means and the opening element are integrally housed in the gas-tight container.
US08491946B2
An elastase inhibitor that contains as active ingredients thereof raspberry extract and hydroxyproline, and optionally further contains yeast extract.
US08491939B2
This document provides dietary supplements. For example, compositions having a combination of ingredients useful in providing a broad scope of antioxidant protection for human or animal consumption are provided.
US08491930B2
The invention consists of a new formulation of ibuprofen and codeine in the form of a tablet, which comprises L-leucine in a concentration ranging between 4%-15% as a lubricant, in order to prevent the formulation mixture from adhering to the punches and to other elements of the compression machine during the compression process. The new formulation additionally comprises talc (0.5%-5.0%) and silicified microcrystalline cellulose (30%-80%). The formulation is preferably arranged in the form of a core that comprises the active principles and, amongst others, the L-leucine, part of the talc and the silicified microcrystalline cellulose; this core is coated with a composition that contains a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate. The tablets of the invention do not exhibit flaking problems, have an adequate hardness with a convenient attrition to allow for subsequent coating, offer disintegration values of less than 5 minutes, with dissolution values for both active principles in accordance with those specified for rapid-release tablets.
US08491928B2
Compositions and nanoemulsions containing lipid nanocapsules dispersed in a hydrophilic phase, such nanocapsules including at least one avermectin compound, are useful for the treatment of dermatological pathologies, e.g., rosacea.
US08491919B2
Naturally occurring lecithins and/or oleic acid stimulate the growth and lactic acid producing activity of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species of probiotic bacteria, and replace polysorbate 80 for those products. They can be used in naturally occurring form, or where they are to be combined with probiotics in a carrier, or they can be treated to yield a stable powdered form of these naturally oily compounds. They can be sold as combined prebiotic/probiotic formulations in the same carrier, or sold as separate dietary supplements, e.g., in capsule or tablet form, to be used with the probiotic formulation as desired.
US08491904B2
Disclosed herein are methods for the isolation and purification of anti-IL-13 antibodies wherein the use of an affinity chromatographic step results in an antibody composition sufficiently pure for pharmaceutical uses. The methods described herein comprise pH viral reduction/inactivation, ultrafiltration/diafiltration, affinity chromatography (e.g., Protein A affinity chromatography), ion exchange chromatography, and hydrophobic chromatography. Further, the present invention is directed toward pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more antibodies of the present invention.
US08491903B2
Isolated, monoclonal, human, anti-β-amyloid antibodies are provided which bind to dimeric forms of Ab with higher affinity than to monomeric forms of Ab and when bound to an Aβ polypeptide comprising Aβ(21-37) shield Aβ(21-37) from proteolytic digestion. The antibodies were shown to inhibit fibril formulation and reduce plaque size in vivo and to not bind brain vessel walls. Accordingly, the antibodies are useful in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment and prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodementing diseases. Methods of detecting or measuring the progression of a neurodementing disease also are provided.
US08491902B2
A medicament having a higher therapeutic effect than that provided by administration of a recombinant antibody against human CC chemokine receptor 4 or an antibody fragment thereof or an agent alone is provided.
US08491901B2
The present invention relates to novel humanized, chimeric and murine antibodies that have binding specificity for the human CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20). The present invention further relates to heavy chains and light chains of said antibodies. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, recombinant vectors and host cells that comprise a sequence which encodes a heavy chain and/or a light chain of said antibodies, and to a method of preparing said antibodies. The anti-CCL20 antibodies of the invention can be used in therapeutic applications to treat, for example, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders and cancer.
US08491896B2
Described herein are compositions and methods of use of anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies or fragments thereof, such as murine, chimeric, humanized or human PAM4 antibodies. The subject antibodies show a number of novel and useful therapeutic characteristics, such as binding with high specificity to pancreatic and other cancers, but not to normal or benign pancreatic tissues and binding to a high percentage of early stage pancreatic cancers. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies bind to pancreatic cancer mucins. The antibodies and fragments are of use for the detection, diagnosis and/or treatment of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer. The antibodies, such as PAM4 antibodies, bind to a PAM4 antigen that shows unique cell and tissue distributions compared with other known antibodies such as CA19.9, DUPAN2, SPAN1, Nd2, B72.3, and Lea and Le(y) antibodies that bind to the Lewis antigens.
US08491892B2
The invention relates to the use of a particulate active carbon, in particular in the form of active carbon particles, preferably active carbon beads, for the field of medicine and/or for the production of a medicament, wherein the active carbon employed has a large micropore volume content, based on the total pore volume of the active carbon. A microporous active carbon of this type if particularly suitable for medicinal use.
US08491891B2
A number of human beta-glucuronidase variants having higher enzymatic activity at physiological pH as compared with wild-type beta-glucuronidase and uses thereof in prodrug therapy. Also disclosed herein is a method for identifying enzyme variants having elevated enzymatic activity using a mammalian surface display system.
US08491873B2
Provided is a dentifrice which exhibits sufficient shape retentivity even when a polymer-based binder is not incorporated, which does not leave a taste or white residues even when the amount of powder incorporated is small, and which has satisfactory dispersibility in the oral cavity and a light feeling of use.A dentifrice containing the following components (A), (B) and (C): (A) 0.1 to 10% by mass of a thickening silica having an oil absorption of 150 to 500 mL/100 g, (B) 0.1 to 8 % by mass of heavy calcium carbonate, and (C) 40 to 70 % by mass of water at a mass ratio (B:A) of the component (B) and the component (A) of 2:1 to 0.5:99.5.
US08491871B2
A method of determining risk of heart failure in a mammal is provided comprising the steps of measuring in a biological sample obtained from a mammal the level of each of IL-6, MCP-1, IL-10, VEGF, and EGF biomarkers in the sample, wherein a positive result of at least three of said biomarkers is indicative of a risk of heart failure in the mammal.
US08491863B2
A method for forming a carbon nanotube array is related. A substrate with a catalyst layer on a surface of the substrate is provided and placed into a reaction device. At least two kinds of carbon source gases including different kinds of single carbon isotope are introduced into the reaction device at the same time. The reaction device is heated to different reaction temperatures to react the carbon source gases under different temperatures to grow a carbon nanotube array on a surface of the catalyst layer.
US08491862B2
An apparatus and a method for producing trichlorosilane are provided, which effectively suppresses the reaction converting trichlorosilane to tetrachlorosilane and the formation of polymers, thereby achieving a high recovery ratio of trichlorosilane. The apparatus for producing trichlorosilane includes: a converter reactor for converting a raw material gas containing tetrachlorosilane and hydrogen into a reaction product gas; a cooler for cooling the reaction product gas fed from the converter reactor; and a plurality of provided in the cooler for spraying cooling liquids. Average droplet diameters of the cooling liquids sprayed from a plurality of the nozzles are different from each other, and a cooling liquids volume sprayed from each of the plurality of nozzles is able to be individually adjusted.
US08491858B2
In some embodiments, the invention provides systems and methods for removing carbon dioxide and/or additional components of waste gas streams, comprising contacting the waste gas stream with an aqueous solution, removing carbon dioxide and/or additional components from the waste gas stream, and containing the carbon dioxide and/or additional components, in one form or another, in a composition. In some embodiments, the composition is a precipitation material comprising carbonates, bicarbonates, or carbonates and bicarbonates. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises carbonate and/or bicarbonate co-products resulting from co-processing SOx, NOx, particulate matter, and/or certain metals. Additional waste streams such as liquid, solid, or multiphasic waste streams may be processed as well.
US08491853B2
A substrate for bioassay comprises a substrate and a group of reaction regions serving as a field where interaction between substances proceeds and formed in the substrate, and a group of information pits used to obtain positional information of individual reaction regions and/or substance information used in the reaction regions. The group of reaction regions and the group of information pits are not formed in the same substrate surface. A bioassay apparatus using the substrate and a method for making the substrate are also provided.
US08491852B2
An indicator device adapted give a detectable signal when the antioxidant capacity of a sample of a mammalian wound fluid exceeds a predetermined minimum level which is characteristic of an infected wound. Also provided system for use in the diagnosis and treatment of wounds comprising the inventive diagnostic device and a wound dressing comprising at least one antimicrobial agent for selective application to infected wounds. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment by means of the inventive device and system.
US08491845B2
According to one embodiment, described herein is an exhaust gas after-treatment system that is coupleable in exhaust gas stream receiving communication with an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas after-treatment system includes a low temperature SCR catalyst configured to reduce NOx in exhaust gas having a temperature below a temperature threshold. The system also includes a normal-to-high temperature SCR catalyst configured to reduce NOx in exhaust gas having a temperature above the temperature threshold.
US08491840B2
Provided are a microfluidic device, a method of analyzing a sample using the microfluidic device, and a method of measuring dilution ratios. The microfluidic device includes: a sample chamber which accommodates a sample to be tested; a dilution chamber which accommodates a diluent, receives the sample from the sample chamber, and provides a sample diluent; a first concentration detecting chamber which receives the sample from the sample chamber; and a second concentration detecting chamber which receives the sample diluent from the dilution chamber.
US08491839B2
Manufacturing execution systems (MES) are disclosed herein. The MES and methods described herein provide an ability to control and monitor manufacturing processes (for example, chemical and pharmaceutical) and can ensure data and product integrity and ultimately minimize overall manufacturing cost.
US08491837B2
A Ni-based brazing composition at least containing, in mass %, 1.0% or more and 1.3% or less of B, 4.0% or more and 6.0% or less of Si, and the balance consisting of Ni and unavoidable impurities, wherein the brazing composition forms wherein the brazing composition forms dispersed phase containing B or Si in a metal texture after the brazing, and a maximum length of the dispersed phase is 30 μm or less.
US08491834B2
A laminate type ceramic electronic component includes a thick film resistor and an overcoat layer so as to prevent defects such as delamination from being caused and to prevent the thick film resistor from being cracked after laser trimming, even when a method is adopted in which an unfired composite laminate is subjected to firing in such a way that an unfired ceramic laminate, an unfired thick film resistor, and an unfired overcoat layer are each integrally sintered. The unfired overcoat layer includes a glass ceramic material containing a ceramic and glass having substantially the same constituents and compositional ratio as those of the glass contained in the unfired ceramic layer. The respective glass ceramic materials constituting the unfired ceramic layer and the unfired overcoat layer are adjusted so that the ratio of a crystalline phase with a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fired ceramic layer is higher in the overcoat layer than in the ceramic layer.
US08491823B2
To obtain a water-resistant polarizing film free from deterioration in dichroic ratio caused by water-resistant treatment, it is critical that adjacent sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups in the organic dyes to be used for the polarizing film are spaced at moderate intervals. In a process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention, the polarizing film before water-resistant treatment includes an organic dye which comprises an azo compound 20 represented by the following general formula (1) or (2)
US08491822B2
A tin oxide particle having at least two diffraction peaks at 2θ (deg) of 9±1° and 28±1° in XRD measurement by Cu/Kα radiation. The tin oxide particle preferably shows diffraction peaks at 2θ (deg) of 19±1°, 48±1°, and 59±1°. The tin oxide particle preferably has electroconductivity. The tin oxide particle is preferably produced by mixing an aqueous solution containing tin (II) and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound in a heated condition with an alkali.
US08491820B2
An organic light emitting functional device with organic electron injection layer to improve the injection of electrons from the cathode in an organic light emitting diode. In particular, the device relates to the use of electron transport layer 4,7-di phenyl-1,10 phenanthroline (herein after called as BPhen) and another organic semiconductor Tetracyano quino dimethane (herein after called as TCNQ) and optimizing the thickness and doping percentage of the composition in an organic light emitting device. The main use of the composed injection layer is to balance the injection of holes from the anode side and the injection of electrons from cathode side and thus increase the efficiency of Organic light emitting diodes.
US08491819B2
Provided are compositions having high conductivity and high work-function. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion or solution of an electrically conducting polymer and a perfluorinated polymeric acid. The conductive polymers may be made from conjugated monomers or comonomers and a non-fluorinated polymeric acid, and the perfluorinated polymeric acides may be derived from perfluoroolefins having perfluoro-ether-sulfonic acid side chains. Devices embodying such compositions are also provided.
US08491810B2
The present invention provides a lubricating oil for a compression type refrigerator including a polyvinyl ether-based compound containing an alkylene glycol or polyoxyalkylene glycol unit and a vinyl ether unit in a molecule and having a molecular weight in a range of 300 to 3,000; and an organic carboxylic acid ester of a polyhydric alcohol in which the ester contains two or more free hydroxyl groups. The lubricating oil for a compression type refrigerator of the present invention has high miscibility and high viscosity index, and is excellent in wear resistance and also corrosion prevention property under carbon dioxide atmosphere.
US08491809B2
A process for producing an aluminum wheel includes a cleaning step, in which the surface of the aluminum wheel is chemically etched with an alkali cleaning liquid which contains an alkali builder, an organic builder, and a chelating agent to such an extent that the Si atomic ratio of metal Si to oxide Si is from 0.01 to 9, and a shot blast treatment step can be omitted for cleaning the surface of the aluminum wheel.
US08491796B2
An emulsion treating unit and process. A subcooled boiling zone in the unit comprises a heat transfer surface to contact an emulsion at a temperature in excess of the saturation temperature of an aqueous phase in the emulsion, wherein the boiling zone is atmospherically vented. The unit also provides means for recovering an oil-rich layer from adjacent a vapor-liquid interface; and means for recovering an aqueous-rich layer from below the oil-rich layer. The process provides operation of the treating unit to heat an emulsion in the subcooled boiling zone, wherein the boiling zone is atmospherically vented, recovering an oil-rich layer and recovering an aqueous-rich layer from below the oil-rich layer. In one embodiment the boiling zone comprises a heat transfer surface having a temperature in excess of the saturation temperature of the aqueous-rich layer, wherein the vapor-liquid interface is subcooled with respect to the saturation temperature of the aqueous layer.
US08491784B2
A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The catalyst is prepared by mixing a first salt and a second salt in an aqueous mixture under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of from 15° C. to 150° C., where the first salt comprises a cationic component in any non-zero oxidation state selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ag, Co, Mn, Ru, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Dy, Ni, Zn, Bi, Sn, Pb, and Sb, and where the second salt comprises an anionic component selected from the group consisting of MoS42−, WS42−, SnS44−, and SbS43.
US08491781B2
The present invention describes a reaction zone comprising at least two fluidized reactors, a principal reactor for cracking a heavy hydrocarbon cut, the other, additional, reactor for cracking one or more light cuts, the effluents from the two reactors being treated in a common gas-solid separation and quench zone. Performance is enhanced because the thermal degradation reactions in the reaction zone are controlled in an optimum manner.
US08491776B2
A flowcell 2 is constituted of insulating substrates 2a and 2b. The two substrates 2a and 2b have been directly bonded to each other by a bonding method for attaining tenacious bonding, for example, anodic bonding or hydrofluoric acid bonding. A channel 6 has been formed at the interface between the substrates 2a and 2b. Part of the substrate 2a which faces the channel 6 has a carbon electrode 4a formed thereon by sintering a pasty carbon material, the electrode 4a extending along the channel 6. On the other hand, the substrate 2b has a groove 6a serving as the channel 6, and has an electrode 4b made of a metal film formed on a bottom surface of the groove 6a.
US08491773B2
Methods of replenishing indium ions in indium electroplating compositions are disclosed. Indium ions are replenished during electroplating using indium salts of certain weak acids. The method may be used with soluble and insoluble anodes.
US08491771B2
A three-electrode electrolyzer cell is described that can produce either alkaline water or acid water, by selecting polarity and ion exchange membrane type. The cell has a middle chamber and two side electrolysis chambers bordering the middle chamber. Each of the side electrolysis chambers is separated from the middle chambers by a membrane, which is the same on both sides. Porous electrodes are placed on the electrolysis side of each membrane. The electrolysis chamber electrodes are placed next to the membranes, and they are both charged with either positive or negative polarity at the same time. The electrode in the middle chamber is charged with the opposite polarity to the electrolysis chamber electrodes. Each of the electrolysis chambers has inlets and outlets for flowing a solution to be electrolyzed through the cells. The electrolyte solution is in the middle chamber. It is not circulated, or is only circulated to replenish electrolytes or remove gases. The electrolyzer of the invention is significantly more efficient than prior art electrolyzers, when only one type of water (acid or alkaline) is required.
US08491770B2
Disclosed herein are functionalized polymers comprising ethylene and substituted ethylene segments. These functionalized polymers are useful as film forming resins in cathodic electrocoating compositions. Also disclosed herein are aqueous dispersion compositions comprising the functionalized polymers and a process for coating various electrically conductive substrates.
US08491766B2
The invention at hand concerns a novel class of gas sensors, in particular for hydrogen or hydrogen-containing fluids (gases or liquids), such as hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphides or more complex gas mixtures or gas compositions which contain hydrogen or hydrogen compounds.
US08491765B2
A microlectrode comprising a diamond layer formed from electrically non-conducting diamond and containing one or more pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond extending at least partially through the layer of non-conducting diamond presenting areas of electrically conducting diamond.
US08491756B2
A device is provided for determining the water content of a target (1), the device having at least one source of target radiation (2), at least one source of reference radiation (4) directed to a target surface (10), and at least one detecting element (3) for measuring the intensity of radiation reflected back by the target surface. During use the at least one source of target radiation (2), the at least one source of reference radiation (4), and the at least one detecting element (3) are arranged immediately opposite the target surface (10). A pressurizing device using air or gas is provided, by which an artificial movement of the air or gas atmosphere can be created in the area of the optical paths between the at least one source of target radiation (2) and the target surface (10), and/or between the at least one source of reference radiation (4) and the target surface (10), and/or between the target surface (10) and the at least one detecting element (3).
US08491753B2
A composition and method for improving retention and drainage in a papermaking process is disclosed. An unexpected synergistic effect has been observed when certain amounts of a promoter are used in conjunction with a microparticle. Optionally, a flocculent is also used to further improve the observed synergism. The microparticle includes an inorganic anionic or cationic siliceous material. The promoter includes a modified diallyl-N,N-disubstituted ammonium halide polymer. The flocculant includes one or more high molecular weight, water-soluble cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, or amphoteric polymers.
US08491748B1
Provided is a gluing method for assembling an optical transceiver module. In the gluing method, a substrate, a lens and a lens barrel are provided. The lens barrel is mounted on the substrate and includes a top surface and an inner surface. The lens includes an upper surface. A rotatable platform is provided to hold the substrate. The lens is positioned in the lens barrel, with the upper surface being lower than the top surface relative to the substrate. A gluing syringe containing glue is positioned above the upper surface. The gluing syringe is moved toward the lens such that a syringe needle of the gluing syringe is closer to the substrate and is yet spaced from the upper surface. The syringe needle is then moved to contact the inner surface. The rotatable platform is rotated and the glue is output to glue the lens to the inner surface.
US08491736B2
The present invention relates to a method for crystallizing ammonium dinitramide (ADN), through spontaneous nucleation and crystal growth, from a solution containing said ammonium dinitramide (AND) dissolved in a solvent. Said solvent characteristically has a viscosity greater than or equal to 0.25 Pa s (250 cP) when said spontaneous nucleation is implemented. The ADN crystals obtained by said method have a median shape factor of 1 to 1.5 and are perfectly suitable for placement in the composition of energy materials.
US08491731B2
An alloy composition of FeaBbSicPxCyCuz. Parameters meet the following conditions: 79≦a≦86 atomic %; 5≦b≦13 atomic %; 0≦c≦8 atomic %; 1≦x≦8 atomic %; 0≦y≦5 atomic %, 0.4≦z≦1.4 atomic %; and 0.08≦z/x≦0.8. Or, parameters meet the following conditions: 81≦a≦86 atomic %; 6≦b≦10 atomic %; 2≦c≦8 atomic %; 2≦x≦5 atomic %; 0≦y≦4 atomic %; 0.4≦z≦1.4 atomic %, and 0.08≦z/x≦0.8.
US08491730B2
A magnetic material includes a main alloy having a rhombohedral crystal structure and a composition represented by CoyCuxPtz, wherein x ranges from 3 to 32, y ranges from 18 to 47, and z ranges from 40 to 60, with the proviso that x+y+z=100. The rhombohedral crystal structure of the main alloy includes a magnetic Co—Pt alloy region and a nonmagnetic Cu—Pt alloy region.
US08491726B2
A liquid processing apparatus includes: a processing part 80 configured to process an object to be processed by a process liquid; a supply path 1 connected to the processing part 80, the supply path 1 being configured to guide the process liquid to the processing part 80; a solvent supply part 7 configured to supply a solvent to the supply path 1; and a chemical-liquid supply part 5 configured to supply a chemical liquid to the supply path 1 through a chemical-liquid supply path so as to generate a chemical liquid diluted with the solvent. A measuring part 10, which is configured to measure a conductivity of the chemical liquid diluted with the solvent, is disposed in the supply path at a position downstream from a connection points 25a, 35a, 45a, to which the chemical-liquid supply path 6 is connected. An additional chemical-liquid supply part 1, which is configured to supply an additional chemical liquid different from the chemical liquid through an additional chemical-liquid supply path 3, is connected to the supply path at a position downstream from a measuring point 10a on which the measuring part 10 is disposed.
US08491722B2
A method of monitoring a tube or pipeline, wherein an IP comprising an electronics module arrangement, is driven along the interior of the tube or pipeline by fluid pressure, wherein the IP transmits monitoring signals through the fluid that provides the pressure to the wall of the tube or pipeline, receives signals returned from the wall, analyzes the returned signals and stores data relating to the condition of the wall of the pipeline.
US08491719B2
The present invention provides a high resistivity, high quality, large size SiC single crystal, SiC single crystal wafer, and method of production of the same, that is, a silicon carbide single crystal containing uncompensated impurities in an atomic number density of 1×1015/cm3 or more and containing vanadium in an amount less than said uncompensated impurity concentration, silicon carbide single crystal wafer obtained by processing and polishing the silicon carbide single crystal and having an electrical resistivity at room temperature of 5×103 Ωcm or more, and a method of production of a silicon carbide single crystal.
US08491714B2
An ink composition contains a water-soluble copper compound and an anthrapyridone dye represented by the following formula: wherein M1 represents a hydrogen atom, NH4, or Na; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substitutable alkyl group, a substitutable aryl group, or a substitutable benzoyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a substitutable alkyl group; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substitutable alkyl group; R4 represents a hydrogen atom, NH4 which may be substituted, or a substitutable sulfo group; and R5 represents an acyl group or a group represented by the following formula: where X and Y independently represent a chlorine atom, hydroxy group, amino group, monoethanolamino group, diethanolamino group, morpholino group, anilino group, or phenol group in which hydrogen atoms may be substituted by one or more substituents.
US08491711B2
A moving granular bed includes a filter granule channel, an inlet unit of gas, an outlet unit of gas, a first detecting unit and a feedback control unit. The inlet unit of gas is disposed at one side of the filter granule channel, and the dirty gas is fed into the filter granule channel through the inlet unit of gas. The inlet unit of gas has a first flow-guiding plate. The outlet unit of gas is disposed at the other side of the filter granule channel. The first detecting unit detects the gas velocity at the inlet unit of gas site. The feedback control unit is electrically connected with the first detecting unit, and controls the angle of the first flow-guiding plate and flow rate of filter granules according to a detecting result of the first detecting unit. A gas guiding system used in the moving granular bed is also disclosed. The moving granular bed and gas guiding system can make the dirty gas have different velocity or distribution while passing through the filter granule channel so as to improve the usage of the filter granules.
US08491705B2
A method for capturing CO2 from the ambient air by the use of solid tethered amine adsorbents, where the amine adsorbents are tethered to a substrate selected from the group of silica, metal oxides and polymer resins. The tethered amines are joined to the substrate by covalent bonding, achieved either by the ring-opening polymerization of aziridine on porous and non-porous supports, or by the reaction of mono-, di-, or tri-aminosilanes, with silica or a metal oxide having hydroxyl surface groups. The method includes the adsorption of CO2 from ambient air, the regeneration of the adsorbent at elevated temperatures not above 120° C. and the separation of purified CO2, followed by recycling of the regenerated tethered adsorbent for further adsorption of CO2 from the ambient atmosphere.
US08491701B2
A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap.
US08491698B2
The present invention is directed to a method for producing novel metal nanoparticles and nanomaterials. The method involves mixing one or more metal halide starting materials, one or more lithium reducing agent and one or more solvents. In an exemplary embodiment, the resultant metal nanoparticles are substantially free from impurities and have a novel porous and substantially hollow structure.
US08491694B2
An efficient phosphate fertilizer composition is provided, comprising organic material such as lignite treated with ammonia and phosphoric acid in various proportions to derive direct phosphate fertilizer or ammoniated phosphate.
US08491692B2
A water-dispersible particle is provided that includes organic origin potash in an amount ranging from 5% to 99.9% by weight of the total dry weight of the particle. A binder component is present in an amount from 1% to 95% by weight. The organic origin potash and the binder component on that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces.A process for making a water-dispersible particle includes mechanical aggregation of the potash into a pellet. A binder component is present in the particle in an amount ranging from 1% to 95% by weight. The potash and the binder component are present in a form such that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. The pellet is then dried and ready to be applied.
US08491685B2
A dust collection arrangement employs a variable frequency drive to supply AC to its fan motor. A current sensor measures the current drawn by the motor, and this is compared with a preset value. The variable frequency drive adjusts the frequency of the AC applied to the motor to maintain the motor current at the preset level. This keeps the flow of air in the system optimal as dust producing tools are added or taken off.
