最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US07673074B1 Avoiding port collisions in hardware-accelerated network protocol
The avoidance of port collisions in a hardware-accelerated network protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP), is disclosed. In one example, a hardware-accelerated host bus adaptor (HBA) offloads protocol processing from a host computer's operating system. However, a port collision occurs if a non-accelerated host TCP/IP stack and a hardware accelerated host bus adapter TCP/IP stack choose the same port for establishing a network connection. In a double-ended TCP/IP acceleration connection, a unique TCP port is bound to the accelerated TCP/IP stack. In a single-ended TCP/IP acceleration connection, either the host TCP/IP stack is prevented from using that port or a non-accelerated connection is associated with an accelerated connection without binding a port.
US07673072B2 Fast-path apparatus for transmitting data corresponding to a TCP connection
A system for protocol processing in a computer network has an intelligent network interface card (INIC) or communication processing device (CPD) associated with a host computer. The INIC provides a fast-path that avoids protocol processing for most large multi-packet messages, greatly accelerating data communication. The INIC also assists the host for those message packets that are chosen for processing by host software layers. A communication control block for a message is defined that allows DMA controllers of the INIC to move data, free of headers, directly to or from a destination or source in the host. The context is stored in the INIC as a communication control block (CCB) that can be passed back to the host for message processing by the host. The INIC contains specialized hardware circuits that are much faster at their specific tasks than a general purpose CPU. A preferred embodiment includes a trio of pipelined processors with separate processors devoted to transmit, receive and management processing, with full duplex communication for four fast Ethernet nodes.
US07673071B2 Apparatus, system, and method for generating a name for a system of devices
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for generating a name for a system of devices. An identifier identifies each component in the system. Once each component is identified, information such as the World Wide Name (WWN) of each component is stored in a database. Additional information such as the IP address of each component may also be stored within the database. A comparator then compares a name such as the WWN of each component and selects the name of a selected component based on specified parameters provided by a user. The selected name is modified and then assigned as an identifier of the entire system of devices. The system of devices is thus assigned a unique identifier that remains the same each time those components form a system of devices.
US07673069B2 Strong routing consistency protocol in structured peer-to-peer overlays
A structured peer-to-peer overlay performs a key-based routing (KBR) that achieves a strong routing consistency guarantee as well as reasonable scalability. The key space of the structured overlay is partitioned into zones, each separately managed by a group membership service that provides total ordering of membership query and change actions. The strongly consistent KBR has two phases: first, a key value is routed to a contact node in its zone via a weakly consistent KBR protocol; and then performing a lookup of the destination node for the key value by the contact node using the group membership service of the zone. By appropriately tuning the zone size, the strongly consistent KBR balances the trade-off between scalability and routing liveness. The KBR can maintain this balance by merging and splitting zones to account for system chum and scale changes.
US07673066B2 File transfer protocol for mobile computer
A method is disclosed for communicating using a device having a Palm OS. SMB is preferentially used to communicate with a node, and if use of SMB is not possible, FTP is used, and if use of FTP is not possible, Bluetooth is used. If FTP or Bluetooth is selected as the protocol, file sharing between the device and node that entails a read or write is executed by temporarily copying a file to an internal Palm OS memory of the device, performing the read or write on the file, and then copying the file back to the node to overwrite a previous version of the file at the node. For non-Palm OS file transfer to the internal memory, the file is wrapped in a Palm OS stream in the internal memory for executing reads or writes. For file transfer to an expansion Palm OS memory card, byte-to-byte copying of the file is executed using the FAT of the expansion memory, with the file being transferred through an internal Palm OS memory of the device.
US07673063B2 Methods for streaming media data
In the present technique of streaming a main media stream that has been requested, an anti-shadow stream (36) that represents a backup copy of the main media stream (24) is sent along with an output media stream (34) that represents an output copy of the main media stream. The content of the anti-shadow stream (36) is preferably forward-shifted in time from the output media stream (34) so as to provide replacement of loss data of the output stream. Put differently, sequenced data frames of the output stream (34) are delayed by order compared to that of the anti-shadow stream (36).
US07673050B2 System and method for optimizing server resources while providing interaction with documents accessible through the server
A system and method for optimizing server resources while providing interaction with documents accessible through the server. The system allows a user to open and interact with a document without opening a session. Aspects of the present invention relate to a computer-implemented method having steps for determining whether a document is static in response to a request to open the document, and opening the document in a sessionless mode when the document is static. Other aspects of the present invention relate to a computer-implemented method having steps for determining whether a trigger has occurred and transitioning to a session mode for the document when a trigger has occurred.
US07673047B2 Determining a user's groups
The present invention is directed to technology for determining the set of groups of which a user is a member. A user can be a static member, dynamic member or nested member of a group. A user is a nested member of a first group if that user is a member of a second group and the second group is a member of the first group. There can be multiple levels of nesting. For example, an entity can be a nested member of a first group if that entity is a member of a second group, which is a member of a third group, which is a member of a fourth group, which is a member of the first group. The present invention can determine the groups of which the user is a static member, dynamic member or nested member.
US07673037B2 Cable telephony monitoring system
A method and system for monitoring the statuses of components within a telephony system, especially a cable-based telephony system, and to monitor quality issues within such system. By determining how components with the system are behaving, a network administrator may be able to troubleshoot problems remotely using a known set of problem resolution techniques. Such techniques may be applied stepwise by the administrator or may be automated through computer intervention.
US07673034B1 Self service data interface
A self service data interface includes communications logic providing communications with a personal data device and a data infrastructure, such as the computer resources in a department or building. A processor executes a data interface management process that communicates with the data infrastructure to obtain information about available data services, where the information includes information about how the available data services are accessed. The data interface management process also communicates with the personal data device to provide the information about the available data services to the user. The information is used by the personal data device to invoke the services directly via the self service data interface. The self service interface can have multiple communications links to the personal data device, such as a wire link and a wireless link. The information from the self service data interface can be provided as a hypertext page that is accessed and handled by a browser within the personal data device.
US07673025B2 Controlling access message flow
Techniques are provided for controlling access message flow. The techniques include receiving one or more access messages; determining one or more sets of features, one for each access message; receiving a particular access message; determining a particular set of one or more features for the particular access message; determining whether the particular access message satisfies a particular condition based on the particular set of one or more features and the one or more sets of features; and if the particular access message satisfies the particular condition, performing a responsive action based on the particular condition.
US07673021B2 Automated provisioning of phones in packet voice networks
Approaches for provisioning phones in packet voice networks are disclosed. One approach provides determining that an Internet Protocol (IP) phone has registered in a network; receiving a unique identifier of the IP phone; determining, based on the unique identifier of the IP phone, a user identifier of an individual user associated with the IP phone; generating a configuration for the IP phone based on the user identifier; and providing the configuration to the IP phone. Various approaches for deriving a user identifier based on the unique identifier of the phone are disclosed.
US07673017B2 Systems and methods for integrating XML syndication feeds into online advertisement
A system for providing XML syndication content to an Internet advertisement panel rendered in a web browser is disclosed. The system includes a web content server, an Internet advertisement server, and a XML syndication content feed site server. Both the web content server and the Internet advertisement servers are in communication with the web browser. The web content server is configured to respond to requests from the web browser for a web page and to deliver the web page to the web browser. The Internet advertisement server is configured to choose and deliver an Internet advertisement panel, having embedded XML syndication content, to the web browser. The XML syndication content feed site server is in communication with the Internet advertisement server and is configured to send XML syndication content updates to the Internet advertisement server upon receipt of an update request from the Internet advertisement server.
US07673014B2 Product information for supporting operations of an electronic product via the web
A product information providing apparatus for providing, via a network, product information for supporting operations of a product, comprises an electronic product information storage that stores electronic product information which contains a group of hierarchized files having a file format browsable through a Web browser; a table holder that holds an event table in which an event indicating a change in the state of the product is associated with address information of the product information corresponding to the event; an event detector that detects occurrence of the event; an address information acquisition unit that acquires address information corresponding to the event detected by the event detector by referring to the table holder; an accessing unit that accesses the corresponding electronic product information based on the address information acquired by the address information acquisition unit; and a display that displays the electronic product information accessed by the accessing unit.
US07673008B2 Network system and device
A network system includes devices connected to a network each of which is assigned an ordinal rank in the system, in which a device of the highest ordinal rank functions as a master device and devices of the other ordinal ranks function as general devices. In the network system, each device includes: a master device checking unit configured to operate when the device is functioning as a general device to check that a device functioning as the master device exists in the system; an ordinal rank judging unit configured to judge the ordinal rank of the device when no device functioning as the master device exists; and a first control unit configured to control the device to function as the master device when the ordinal rank of the device is judged to be the highest by the ordinal rank judging unit.
US07673006B2 Collaborative email with delegable authorities
Writing a collaborative email document with hierarchical authorities including establishing a collaborative email document on an administrator's computer, identifying one or more signatories for the document, identifying one or more collaborators who are authorized to view and edit the document, providing to the collaborators copies of the document for viewing and editing, where the collaborators' copies reside on collaborators' computers, updating the copies of the document on collaborators' computers with revisions from the collaborators, and sending the collaborative email document from the administrator's computer to addressees when the document bears valid digital signatures from all signatories. Typical embodiments also include providing at least one user authority to delegate signature authority, establishing a hierarchy of delegation authority for signatures, establishing at least one authority delegation policy including at least one rule for automated delegation of signature authority among signatories and delegating signature authority from at least one signatory to another.
US07673005B2 Method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium comprising program element for electronic mail communication
A computer-readable storage medium comprising a program element for execution by a processing device to implement an electronic mail processing entity. The program element comprises program code for receiving an indication of an electronic mail message selected by a user, the electronic mail message including a header portion, a body portion, and an attachment. The program element also comprises program code for providing the user with an opportunity to select an option to exclusively transmit the attachment of the electronic mail message. Also provided are an apparatus for processing electronic mail, a method for processing electronic mail, and a graphical user interface for interacting with a user to provide electronic mail communication capability to the user.
US07673004B1 Method and apparatus for secure IM communications using an IM module
Techniques for enabling secure communications between IM modules are provided. An IM is received from a first IM client for a second IM client at a first IM module. It is determined if the second IM client can receive IMs through a second IM module that is capable of receiving secure communications from the first IM module. If the second IM module is capable of receiving secure communications from the first IM module, an encrypted IM is sent from the first IM module to the second IM client. The encrypted IM is received at the second IM module, which decrypts the IM and sends the decrypted IM to the second IM client.
US07673003B2 Social network email filtering
A user's address book includes a first group of email addresses. Those email addresses are used to identify address books that include another group of email addresses. Multiple iterations may be used to identify several groups of email addresses, representing a user's social network. When an email message addressed to the user is received, the message is trusted if the sending email address is within the user's social network. Otherwise, the message is flagged as junk mail. Varying trust levels may be applied to messages that are received based on a distance within a social network between the sending email address and the user and/or how often the sending email address appears within the social network.
US07672999B2 Transmitting common and unique information selectively to different recipients
A system for enabling the transmission of a prepared message to multiple intended recipients, wherein the information contained in the message is substantially the same as received for all the recipients but differs in parts or portions for certain recipients comprising: a module containing the entire message which includes both the common and unique information to be transmitted and the instructions for selectively providing the information to different recipients; and scheme for sending together from the module all the parts or portions of the information to all recipients, but including means responsive to the instructions, for having selectively different parts or portions of the information received by the different recipients.
US07672998B1 Apparatus and methods for controlling the transmission of messages
The invention provides systems, mechanisms and techniques for controlling transmission of outbound messages, such as e-mail or other types of messages, onto a computer network from an originator computer system. Connection equipment can authenticate and authorize the connection for the computer user and can capture and map originator network address information assigned to the originator computer system. A quota server can then determine if the message count exceeds the message limit for the originator identity associated with the outbound message Embodiments of the invention control message transmission from a sending or origination point prior to the messages being transmitted on the computer network, resources of a computer network are conserved and these embodiments prevent computer users from transmitting large amounts of outbound messages in excess of the message limits.
US07672985B2 Automated creation and delivery of database content
A method and apparatus are disclosed which automatically build a database by automatically identifying a term of interest and building a term database with supplemental content from an assigned source for that term. A term can be selected by applying various rules. An advertiser can sponsor the term, for example, by having an advertisement window automatically pop-up on a keyword search. Content windows can be attached to the term, the content window containing information such as definitions, related products or services, sponsorship information, information from content syndicators, translations and reference works. Data objects that represent the contents of the database and templates are syndicated to remote servers running a processing engine. The processing engine uses these data objects to execute linking rules without requiring a connection to the database.
US07672982B2 Systems, methods, and computer-usable medium for defragmenting a windows NT file system volume
A method of defragmenting a Windows NT file system volume includes the step of selecting a file record which is stored in a master file table associated with the Windows NT file system volume, in which one or more non-resident attributes are associated with the file record, and data associated with one or more non-resident attributes is stored outside the file record in one or more data extents. The method also includes the step of querying the one or more data extents without opening the one or more non-resident attributes. For example, the one or more data extents may be queried using a FSCTL_GET_NTFS_FILE_RECORD command. Moreover, the method includes the step of determining whether to defragment the one or more non-resident attributes based on information obtained from querying the one or more data extents. For example, the information may include a location of the one or more non-resident attributes.
US07672976B2 Method for the reduction of image content redundancy in large image databases
A method of increasing information content for content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems includes the steps of providing a CBIR database, the database having an index for a plurality of stored digital images using a plurality of feature vectors, the feature vectors corresponding to distinct descriptive characteristics of the images. A visual similarity parameter value is calculated based on a degree of visual similarity between features vectors of an incoming image being considered for entry into the database and feature vectors associated with a most similar of the stored images. Based on said visual similarity parameter value it is determined whether to store or how long to store the feature vectors associated with the incoming image in the database.
US07672969B1 Context based configuration management system
A computer-based system for configuring and displaying information on changes in, and present status of, a collection of events associated with a project. Classes of icons for decision events, configurations and feedback mechanisms, and time lines (sequential and/or simultaneous) for related events are displayed. Metadata for each icon in each class is displayed by choosing and activating the corresponding icon. Access control (viewing, reading, writing, editing, deleting, etc.) is optionally imposed for metadata and other displayed information.
US07672964B1 Method and system for dynamically initializing a view for a streaming data base system
A method for dynamically initializing a view for a streaming database system. The method includes accessing a stream of events. An initial view is materialized from the stream, wherein the initial view comprises a dynamically defined view of the stream of events from the streaming database system. The method also includes processing a plurality of recent view snapshots from the initial view. A view state derived from each of the recent view snapshots is generated. An updated view is subsequently maintained in accordance with the view state, wherein the updated view incorporates new events of the stream.
US07672956B2 Method and system for providing a search index for an electronic messaging system based on message threads
When a message having at least one attachment is obtained for indexing, it is indexed as N+1 separate documents, where N is the number of attached documents. If the message is part of a message thread, then information regarding the last message in the thread is retrieved, and search index attachment meta data for the last message is extracted. A unique identifier is computed for the newly obtained attachments, and used to search for matches in the attachments for the last message in the thread. If there is a match, then the newly obtained attachment is not indexed, but the unique identifier of the previously indexed matching attachment is added to a body index document for the new message. A unique identifier associated with the new message is also added to a list of parent identifiers associated with the attachment.
US07672955B2 Method and system for platform-independent file system interaction
A method and system are disclosed for platform-independent file system interaction that can abstract the system-level idiosyncrasies associated with multi-platform, multi-language, multi-encoding file system interactions. One embodiment of the method of this invention can comprise instantiating a string object via a development environment coded calling process and setting a file name and a file path, having an easily-identifiable format, for the string object with the calling process. The string object can determine the encoding of the file name and the file path and the calling process can forward the string object and an associated file operation to an operating system level file system interface handler. The operating system level file system interface handler can call an operating system naming function to format the string object. The string object naming function can be compiled along with an encoding marker indicating the target operating system for the desired file operation. The file name and the file path can be transcoded, based on the encoding marker value, to the encoding of the target operating system. The transcoded file name and file path can be returned to the development environment (e.g., to a developer's application) by the string object naming function. The operating system level file system interface handler can then execute the file operation.
US07672953B2 Publishing work activity information key tags associated with shared databases in social networks
Communications, such as emails or other information, in a work setting can be retained in a shared database that operates similar to an Internet social network. As work activities are performed, the content of the work activities can be associated with one or more shared databases based on the individual performing the activities, a common topic or theme associated with the activity and/or a manual entry. As various individuals review information contained in the shared database, notifications relating to who reviewed the content and a time of review can be sent to a contributor of the content to provide for accountability issues.
US07672949B2 Connection manager having a common dispatcher for heterogeneous software suites
A connection manager includes a dispatcher that dispatches requests to two or more heterogeneous software suites. The connection manager receives client requests and dispatches the request to either of the software suites coupled by a request/response shared memory to the connection manager.
US07672943B2 Calculating a downloading priority for the uniform resource locator in response to the domain density score, the anchor text score, the URL string score, the category need score, and the link proximity score for targeted web crawling
A web crawler system as described herein utilizes a targeted approach to increase the likelihood of downloading web pages of a desired type or category. The system employs a plurality of URL scoring metrics that generate individual scores for outlinked URLs contained in a downloaded web page. For each outlinked URL, the individual scores are combined using an appropriate algorithm or formula to generate an overall score that represents a downloading priority for the outlinked URL. The web crawler application can then download subsequent web pages in an order that is influenced by the downloading priorities.
US07672935B2 Automatic index creation based on unindexed search evaluation
A method and apparatus for maintaining indices for a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving requests for data from a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) repository. The method further includes evaluating queries performed for the requests and generating an LDAP index based on an evaluated query.
US07672933B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium
In an information processing apparatus which can encrypt a file and can store the encrypted file at a predetermined location, an input file is separated into a header field and data field, and the separated data field is encrypted and saved in association with information included in the header field. In the meantime, a keyword required to specify the file is extracted from the separated data field, and the extracted keyword is converted into a hash value. The obtained hash value is stored in association with the information included in the header field. Upon storing a file, the contents of the file after storage can be prevented from being easily recognized by a third party.
US07672930B2 System and methods for facilitating a linear grid database with data organization by dimension
A system and methods for organizing and querying data within a linear grid management system. Data having multiple dimensions is associated with physical locations, where a first dimension is associated with a node and a second dimension is associated with a data storage identifier of a memory storage device. The data may have a third dimension which provides a field for ordering data within the memory storage device. Metadata may be used to map a logical table to data stored in the memory storage device. The data query may be divided into multiple subqueries, wherein each subquery is related directly to one node associated with a data storage identifier related to a memory storage device. A preSQL and postSQL process may be generated to access an external database. A dispatcher may manage data subrequests and a node may generate a unique and efficient parsing process from the received data subrequest.
US07672929B2 Database modification history
A database system including an encoder module and a revision control archive module is disclosed. The encoder module receives signals representing a database access request, generates database access commands, and executes the database access command against a revision control archive module if the database access command causes a change to a data record in the database.
US07672928B2 Query forced indexing
A searchable index is created using a query process and an indexing process. The query process cooperates with the indexing process to catalogue items that are located within a specified search scope. Previously indexed items are evaluated to ensure that their indexes are up-to-date. Items that are out-of-date have unreliable indexes that should be updated. Items to be indexed within the specified search scope are grouped in batches for processing. As processing of each batch is completed their respective indexing results become available such that partially indexed search scopes are useable while the indexing process continues. Since indexing results trickle in on an ongoing basis, users are permitted to process and/or view indexing results without waiting for the complete indexing process to be completed.
US07672902B1 System and method for pre-funding interest for early termination of client account having funds in one or more aggregated accounts
A method, program product and system for pre-funding interest in the process of managing a group of aggregated accounts, each aggregated account held in a different one of a plurality of deposit institutions, each of the aggregated accounts associated with at least one financial entity and holding funds of a plurality of clients of the at least one financial entity, each of the clients having a client asset balance in a respective client account associated with the at least one financial entity, the method comprising: (a) receiving or calculating a pre-funding amount for interest for one or more client accounts; (b) receiving access to or obtaining control over funds for the pre-funding amount; (c) receiving information about a termination of a given client account with funds held in the one or more aggregated accounts prior to an end of an interest period; (d) receiving or calculating an interest payment due to the client account for the client asset balance; and (e) transferring before the end of the interest period an amount from the funds for the pre-funding amount to satisfy the interest payment due for the one or more aggregated accounts.
US07672899B2 Hedge transactions using variable order prices
Systems and methods are provided for executing a hedge transaction in connection with the execution of a derivative product order in which the price of the derivative product is defined by one or more variables. The hedge transaction may be executed at an exchange or match engine that is different from the exchange or match engine executing the derivative product order. The execution of derivative product transaction may be contingent on the existence of an appropriate hedge transaction. Alternatively, a best efforts approach may be used to fill the hedge transaction order after executing the derivative product transaction.
US07672894B2 Automated bidding system for use with online auctions
A computer implemented bidding method for use in bidding on auction items that allows for a desired optimization of bid amounts. The method includes selecting a set of one or more biddable items offered at auction wherein for a biddable item the auction offers a ranking for one or more received bids according to bid amounts, determining the current bids for a set of the biddable items, determining a bid amount for a selected biddable item based on a given utility function to determine a set of rankings for achieving a desired optimized outcome from the bidding, and submitting a set of bid amounts.
US07672889B2 System and method for providing customizable investment tools
Computer-implemented methods and systems to help investors determine the fair value and ratings of assets (such as equity or debt instruments, etc.), and thereby make better informed investment decisions, through: automatically consolidating selected asset historical performance, forecasting and rating information; automatically computing asset valuations based on default and/or customized valuation parameters; and automatically determining asset under or over valuation.
US07672886B2 Systems and methods for managing client accounts
Providing interest to clients' deposited funds without limitation on the number of demand withdrawals from deposit accounts is accomplished by an administration system that keeps all of the records for the clients' deposits and withdrawals, calculates the total of the deposits and withdrawals for all clients, and uses the calculation to determine whether funds are deposited to or withdrawn from one or more deposit accounts in which all clients' deposit funds are kept. Clients can make unlimited withdrawals, such as by check, credit card, debit card, or electronic transfer, through the administrator. By placing the administrator as the holder of the deposit account(s), exemptions to the limitation on earning interest in demand accounts is facilitated; additionally, dispersing the deposit account funds among multiple banks allows the client to obtain FDIC insurance for all of the deposited funds, which may amount to insurance in excess of the statutory maximum allowed (presently $100,000.00).
US07672883B2 System and method for matching an offer with a quote
Described is a system and method that satisfies offers from customers with quotes from suppliers in a way that increases the likelihood of achieving an acceptable match. The system of the present invention is configured to receive from a customer an offer for a product. The system queries in parallel multiple suppliers for rate quotes on the desired product. Each of the suppliers is ranked according to the lowest rate quoted by each supplier. The supplier quoting the lowest rate is selected as the winner of the offer. The system may then evaluate any other rate quotes provided by the winning provider. The system may satisfy the customer's offer with the winning provider at a higher rate (if one was provided) than the winning rate quoted, up to the customer's offer (perhaps adjusted for a reasonable profit). In this way, even though the provider provides low rate quotes to win the offer, the provider may still realize a much higher rate for the goods or services by quoting additional, higher rate quotes as well.
US07672880B2 Automated accounting system, method and computer-readable medium for MFP devices
The present invention is directed to a system and method for automated accounting of document reading device usage. The system and method include a configurable accounting agent adapted to automatically generate usage reports of the document generating device and transmit the reports to one or more destinations.
US07672872B2 Point-of-purchase display with RFID inventory control
A point-of-purchase (“POP”) display employing RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology for inventory control is provided. The POP is preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard material, and incorporates one or more shelves and/or cover layers. An RF antenna structure is applied to the surfaces of, or built into, the one or more shelves and/or cover layers. Suitable RF transmitter/receiver circuitry may also be built into the POP, or the POP may simply have suitable connections built in, to permit such transceiver apparatus to be plugged into the POP. The transceiver circuitry is connected in any suitable manner to an inventory control computer, such as the retail store's computer. Each article that is to be displayed in the POP is provided with an RFID tag. Removal of an article from the POP, results in a signal being transmitted to the inventory control computer, corresponding to the removal of the article from the POP, and corresponding adjustment of the inventory records in the inventory control computer.
US07672861B2 Systems, program products, and methods of human resource planning and development
Systems, program products, and methods of human resources planning and development are provided. An embodiment of a system includes a server in communication with a communication network and having a human resource database associated therewith, a plurality of client computers, and a computer medium associated with the server and having program code responsive to preselected manning assumptions to process human resource information from the human resource database for predicting a future number of employees desired within the organization for a preselected period of time, program code responsive to preselected employment development assumptions to process the human resource information for assigning a plurality of employment development activities to participating employees in the organization, and program code responsive to information generated by the employment development plan to revise the human resources manning plan and responsive to revisions in the human resources manning plan to revise the employment development plan.
US07672857B2 Health services delivery system with incentives
A system of health care service and an associated method of the administration thereof to a plurality of subscribers including a providing entity organizationally structured to implement a health care program which includes categorizing subscribers desirous of health care service, including preventative services, into a plurality of predetermined profiles. The profiles are defined by personal characteristics including age, gender, clinical history, etc. and each profile is associated with a predetermined curative or preventative treatment regimen with which a respective subscriber is expected to comply. An incentive system is implemented to motivate the subscribers into compliance with the assigned treatment regimen and comprises the assignment of credits and penalties based on a degree of compliance with the treatment regimen. Valuable consideration is awarded to the subscriber evidencing a satisfactory degree of compliance.
US07672855B2 Transportation planning with drop trailer arrangements
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with transportation planning in light of drop trailer arrangements are described. One exemplary computer-implemented method embodiment includes receiving orders that describe items to be delivered to facilities as controlled by order requirements. The method may also include accessing a transportation planning model that includes information concerning shipping modes and carriers by which an order can be delivered to a facility. The transportation planning model may also include data concerning drop trailer arrangements between facilities and the carriers. The method may also include selectively consolidating orders into shipments based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer arrangement. The method may also include selectively assigning shipments to loads based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer action. The method may output an actionable plan of loads stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium.
US07672853B2 User interface for processing requests for approval
A facility for presenting approval requests is described. The facility simultaneously displays information describing both a first approval request and a second approval request, where the first approval request is generated using a first application program, and the second approval request is generated using a second application program that is distinct from the first application program.
US07672849B2 Systems and methods for voice control of a medical imaging device
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing voice control of a device, an ultrasound device for example. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for providing voice control of the ultrasound device having a plurality of features. The apparatus comprises a memory device adapted to store a plurality of voice commands for controlling the ultrasound device, where the plurality of voice commands has at least two different voice commands that active a single feature of the ultrasound device; a selection module adapted to selecting at least one of the at least two different voice commands; and a translator module adapted to derive a signal from the selected voice command and transmit it to the ultrasound device.
US07672841B2 Method for processing speech data for a distributed recognition system
Speech signal information is formatted, processed and transported in accordance with a format adapted for TCP/IP protocols used on the Internet and other communications networks. NULL characters are used for indicating the end of a voice segment. The method is useful for distributed speech recognition systems such as a client-server system, typically implemented on an intranet or over the Internet based on user queries at his/her computer, a PDA, or a workstation using a speech input interface.
US07672839B2 Detecting audio signal activity in a communications system
A method for detecting the presence or absence of an audio signal in a communications system in which an audio signal is encoded by a delta modulation encoding algorithm, and in which a step size parameter is adapted according to characteristics of the encoded signal, the method comprising determining based on the magnitude of the step size parameter whether the encoded signal represents audio activity, and adapting the operation of the communication system based on that determination.
US07672832B2 Standardized natural language chunking utility
A method is disclosed for providing a chunking utility that supports robust natural language processing. A corpus is chunked in accordance with a draft chunking specification. Chunk inconsistencies in the corpus are automatically flagged for resolution, and a chunking utility is provided in which at least some of the flagged inconsistencies are resolved. The chunking utility provides a single, consistent global chunking standard, ensuring compatibility among various applications. The chunking utility is particularly advantageous for non-alphabetic languages, such as Chinese.
US07672823B2 Computerized method for adherence to physical restriction in the construction of an ITE hearing aid
In a computerized method for adherence to physical restrictions in the construction of an ITE hearing aid, each component to be placed in the shell of the hearing aid has a collision plot associated therewith. The collision plot is generated as a scatter plot by measurement and simulation, and represents the physical extent of the influence of a particular property of the component on other components. When virtual representations of the respective components are moved relative to another in the e-detailing software for determining the physical positions of the components in the ITE hearing aid, the collision plot for a given component is visually displayed, so that it can easily be seen when another component invades that collision plot, thereby representing an unacceptably close relative position of the two components.
US07672822B2 Automated three-dimensional alternative position viewer
Computer-implemented method and apparatus for processing data representing a three-dimensional object model includes generating an image of a modeled object. The modeled object is formed from a number of different components that can be arranged in different positions, and the generated image depicts a change in a position of a first one of the components with respect to a second one of the components.
US07672811B2 System and method for production system performance prediction
Disclosed herein are a system, method and apparatus for reporting, making alerts and predicting fault codes generated by machines in a line. Historical fault code data is received and filtered according to particular criteria to generate filtered fault code data. Classification of the filtered fault code data into physical groups and into logical groups is followed by sorting the groups to produce fault trend data. Processing the fault trend data with a plurality of analyzers generates output including reports, alerts, and predictions of future fault code occurrences.
US07672800B2 Method and system for controlling a delay circuit for generation of signals up to extremely high frequencies
Aspects of a method and system for generation of signals up to extremely high frequencies using a delay circuit are provided. In this regard, a variable delay circuit may be adjusted such that an output signal generated by the delay circuit may be twice the frequency of a signal input to the delay circuit. The adjustment may be via an variable capacitance and/or a variable number of delay elements utilized to generate the output signal. Moreover, the adjustment may be based on a signal strength of the output signal. In this regard, the delay may be adjusted to maximize the signal strength of the output signal. The input signal may be delayed to generate a second signal that is 90° phase shifted relative to the input signal. The second signal and the input signal may be mixed to generate the output signal. The output signal may be filtered by a bandpass filter centered at twice the frequency of the input signal. Accordingly, the center frequency of the bandpass filter may be tunable.
US07672797B2 Flow measurement in partially filled pipes using pulsed peak velocity doppler
The present invention relates to a system and method for measurement of flow velocity using the transmission of a sequence of coherent pulsed ultrasonic signals into the flow, and sampling the received response signal at a predetermined delay time relative to the pulse transmission that does not correspond to the signal transmission time. The sampling may be coherent with a frequency offset from the coherency frequency of the pulses. The received signal samples are then spectrally processed, typically by a Fourier process, to generate a frequency domain data set. A threshold technique is used on the frequency domain data set to determine a peak Doppler shift. Average velocity is then obtained by multiplying the peak Doppler shift by a factor, for example, 0.90. In one embodiment, the transmit pulse and receive samples are interleaved by alternating between transmitting a pulse and, after a delay, sampling the received signal.
US07672792B1 Methods and systems for classifying mass spectra
Methods and systems are disclosed for classifying mass spectra to discriminate the absence or existence of a condition. The mass spectra may include raw mass spectrum intensity signals or may include intensity signals that have been preprocessed. The method and systems include determining a first or higher order derivative of the signals of the mass spectra, or any linear combination of the signal and a derivative of the signal, to form a mass spectra data set for training a classifier. The mass spectra data set may be provided as input to train a classifier, such as a linear discrimination classifier. The classifier trained with the derivative-based mass spectra data set then classifies mass spectra samples to improve discriminating between the absence or existence of a condition.
US07672783B2 System and method for recording, transmitting and analyzing data and information accrued from electromagnetic radiation
A system and a method for recording, transmitting and analyzing data and information accrued from, low-frequency, electromagnetic radiation, where the electromagnetic radiation originates from at least one impulse source of natural and/or artificial origin, from at least one atmospheric discharge or from at least one transmitter, a precise characterization of the impulse source, a reliable differentiation between cloud-ground lightning and cloud-cloud lightning within a cloud or between clouds is provided for, including localize the altitude of the impulse source, the emission altitude or the broadcast altitude, and/or the directionality, the spatial direction path of the impulse emission or impulse broadcast caused by the impulse, by determining the difference between the arrival time of the signal at the measuring station located closest to the impulse source and the arrival time of the signal at at least one, preferably two, measuring stations which are not located closest to the impulse source.
US07672781B2 Miniaturized wireless inertial sensing system
A system includes a moveable body and a first device for mounting on the movable body. The first device includes an orientation sensor, an inertial position sensor, a first processor, a frequency agile RF transceiver, and a memory device.
US07672778B1 Navigation system with downloaded map data
A system and method are disclosed for providing geographic data to mobile units from a remotely located navigation-services provider. When a mobile unit requests route information, the navigation-services provider transmits an initial set of geographic data representing an area around a current position of the mobile unit. The navigation-services provider calculates a route to the destination and then identifies an intermediate exit point along the route that is located within the initial set of data. The mobile unit calculates an initial portion of the route to the intermediate exit point. The navigation-services provider determines a list of geographic-data groups needed to represent the remainder of the route and transmits this list to the mobile unit. Each geographic-data group is transmitted to the mobile unit along with an intermediate exit point. Using the received data, the mobile unit provides route guidance to a local end user.
US07672774B2 Method and system for determining traffic information traffic profiles
A method of determining traffic information for a mobile vehicle includes receiving a plurality of service requests at a call center from a telematics unit via a wireless connection. The service request includes time, date, and vehicle location data. A database of the received service requests is compiled. A plurality of eligible service requests is determined based on the time and date of the received service requests in the database. A traffic profile is determined based on a comparison of digital map data to vehicle location data of the eligible service requests.
US07672767B2 Method and device for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle
A method for triggering an occupant protection device in a vehicle including the steps: detecting a first measured variable and simultaneously generating a corresponding first signal for indicating a necessity for triggering at least one occupant protection device; detecting an acceleration value in the z direction and simultaneously generating a corresponding second signal; calculating a trigger signal for triggering at least one occupant protection device as a function of the first and second signals, and triggering the at least one occupant protection device as a function of the calculated trigger signal. An appropriate device is also described.
US07672762B2 Hybrid vehicle and control method thereof
In an OFF condition of an ECO switch, a stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W1 (step S420). In an ON condition of the ECO switch, the stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W2 (step S430). When an output limit Wout of a battery set according to a battery temperature and a state of charge of the battery is not less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is permitted to stop (step S450). When the output limit Wout is less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is prohibited from stopping (step S460). The value W1 is specified as a value of electric power required for a smooth restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle. The value W2 is specified to be close to a value of minimum electric power required for a restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle and is set to be smaller than the value W1.
US07672753B1 Optimized library device management
Various embodiments of a system and method for optimizing storage library operations. In one embodiment a method may comprise storing a plurality of efficiency values indicative of relative efficiencies of storage targets in a storage library, and executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. Efficiency values may include, for example, information on a physical layout of the storage library. In one embodiment storage targets may include at least the following classes: a slot class, a portal class, a drive class, a picker class, and a media class. In one embodiment, executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values may comprise selecting one or more storage targets to implement the storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. For example, a drive closest to a given media unit may be selected to read the media unit.
US07672746B1 Systems and methods for automatic scheduling of a workforce
Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling overtime and time-off for a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a workforce schedule including assignments of workers to shifts; receiving a template describing alterations to shifts; and applying schedulable objects to the workforce schedule in accordance with a workload forecast and schedule constraints. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a user interface and a scheduler. The user interface allows creation of shift alteration templates and associating templates with workers. The scheduler uses the shift alteration templates to modify an existing schedule of assignments of workers to shifts.
US07672745B1 Manufacturing process analysis and optimization system
Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. The present invention, in one implementation, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to facilitating the optimization or improvement of manufacturing processes relative to one or more criteria. In some implementations, the present invention facilitates the optimization of manufacturing processes relative to one or more attributes—such as cycle time, cost, and performance—while still optimizing process output relative to design specifications for a given article characteristic.
US07672744B2 Method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal
A method of decoding for an audio signal comprises the step of receiving a downmix of an audio signal, an object information, and a mix information, the object information including an object level information, an object correlation information, and an object gain information, generating a downmix processing information using the object information and the mix information, and processing the downmix of the audio signal using the downmix processing information. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for decoding multi-object audio signals fast and efficiently by reducing process time, computer resource, thereby relieving the resource requirement like the wide bandwidth. The object parameters according to the embodiments of the present invention can provide backward compatibility in the view of the channel-oriented decoding process.
US07672734B2 Non-linear electrode array
A system for stimulation includes an implantable pulse generator, a lead, and conductors. The lead includes an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body. A center electrode may also be disposed on the array body. The electrodes may be arranged in more than one concentric ring. A method of using an implantable stimulator includes implanting an implantable stimulator and providing an electrical signal to at least one electrode of the implantable stimulator to stimulate a tissue. The electrical signal may be provided between diametrically opposed electrodes or between electrodes that are not diametrically opposed. If the implantable stimulator has a center electrode, the electrical signal may be provided between the center electrode and at least one concentrically arranged electrode.
US07672730B2 Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient
Methods and apparatus for treating an impaired neural function in a brain of a patient. In one embodiment, a method for treating a neural function in a brain of a patient includes determining a therapy period during which a plurality of therapy sessions are to be performed to recover functional ability corresponding to the neural function. The method continues by identifying a stimulation site in or on the brain of the patient associated with the neural function, and positioning an electrode at least proximate to the identified stimulation site. The patient is then treated by providing electrical stimulation treatments to the stimulation site. The treatment can comprise delivering electrical stimulation signals to the electrode during the therapy sessions. After expiration of the therapy period, the method includes preventing electrical stimulation signals from being delivered to the stimulation site.
US07672722B1 Hardware-based state machine for use in discriminating near field signals from far field signals for use in an implantable cardiac stimulation device
A hardware-based state machine is provided for use in a pacemaker or other implantable cardiac stimulation device for use in discriminating near field signals sensed in the atria from far field signals emanating from the ventricles. The state machine is interposed between atrial/ventricular channel sense amplifiers and a main microcontroller of the device. The state machine operates to quarantine each P-wave interrupt received from the atrial channel sense amplifier to determine whether the P-wave interrupt corresponds to a true P-wave (i.e. a near field P-wave) as opposed to a false P-wave (i.e. a far field R-wave). Interrupts corresponding to true P-waves are forwarded by the quarantine circuit to the microcontroller after a short time delay. Interrupts corresponding to false P-waves are not forwarded. Hence, the microcontroller receives only true P-wave interrupts and therefore does not need to devote processing resources to distinguishing between true P-waves and false P-waves.
US07672716B1 QT-based system and method for detecting and distinguishing dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure using an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for detecting dilated cardiomyopathy within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. Briefly, values representative of QT duration and QT dispersion are detected within the patient and then the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy is evaluated based on the values of QT duration and QT dispersion. In one particular example, the implanted device calculates an index representative of the extent to which individual QT duration and QT dispersion values deviate from a daily mean. The device then compares the index against a threshold indicative of a substantial likelihood of the presence of dilated cardiomyopathy within the patient. Additional techniques described herein relate to distinguishing dilated cardiomyopathy from heart failure within patients that may have one or both conditions.
US07672711B2 Method and system for providing tomographic pictures of a patient by using contrast medium injections
A method is disclosed for providing tomographic pictures of a patient with the aid of a tomographic system by using contrast medium injections. The patient is firstly injected with a defined test bolus, while the temporal concentration profile of the contrast medium in at least one body region is determined in at least one scanning plane. The functional parameters of a prediction model that maps or at least approximates the relationship between the profile of a contrast medium injection and the temporal profile of the contrast medium concentration in the body region are determined from the measured profile of the contrast medium concentration in relation to the profile of the test bolus injection. After the specification of a desired contrast in the body region, the profile of a contrast medium injection that is required therefore is automatically calculated in temporal relationship with the scan, and the start of the tomographic scan and the start of the contrast medium injection and the profile thereof are started automatically in a fashion temporally tuned to one another.
US07672706B2 Systems and methods for measuring pulse wave velocity with an intravascular device
The systems and methods described herein allow measurement of the velocity of a pulse wave propagating within a body lumen using an intravascular elongate medical device. The elongate medical device can include a data collection device configured to collect pulse wave data at a location within the lumen. The data collection device is communicatively coupled with a velocity measurement system and configured to output the collected data to the velocity measurement system. The velocity measurement system is configured to calculate the velocity of the pulse wave based on the collected data. The velocity of a pulse wave over a region of the lumen can be used for tissue characterization, diagnosis and the like.
US07672705B2 Weighted surface-to-surface mapping
A displacement of a lesion within a patient is determined for the purpose of administering radiation treatment by generating sets of surface elements from three-dimensional images of the lesion taken at different times. Weights are assigned to the surface elements, and based on weights and the proximity of corresponding elements in one set to elements in another set, a displacement is determined.
US07672703B2 Electrode for measuring electrocardiogram and electrocardiogram device including the same
An electrode for measuring an electrocardiogram. The electrode comprises a signal detector operable to detect an electrocardiogram signal. An electrolytic gel is coated onto a first surface of the signal detector. The gel is electrically conductive and operable to adhere to a skin. A connector is electrically connected to the signal detector.
US07672695B1 Wearable access point
A portable access point comprises a wireless LAN transceiver that selectively establishes a plurality of Ethernet wireless links with a plurality of wireless client devices, respectively. A wireless WAN transceiver establishes an Ethernet data connection with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), receives and forwards Ethernet data packets from at least one of said wireless client devices to said ISP and receives and forwards Ethernet data packets from said ISP to said one of said wireless client devices. A routing device routes Ethernet data packets between said wireless LAN transceiver and said wireless WAN transceiver. A control module controls operation of said wireless LAN transceiver and said wireless WAN transceiver. A first storage device stores operating system and application instructions for said control module.
US07672689B2 Multipath communications receiver
A multipath wideband communications receiver (100) having a plurality of RF signal paths (116, 136) covering different but overlapping frequency bands and a plurality of baseband signal paths (140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190), the paths being re-configurable for sharing of the first and second paths in different ways in order to facilitate processing of received signals in different modes.Also, a rake receiver (800) employs a sigma-delta modulator arrangement (810) and programmable delays to provide fine delay adjustment. The sigma-delta modulator (810) may use sigma-delta circuitry from a sigma-delta A/D converters in a baseband paths of the receiver (100), that this may be achieved with no loss of functionality if in a particular reception configuration that sigma-delta A/D converter is not being utilized.
US07672687B2 Wireless signal transceiver unit with turning mechanism for adjusting antenna direction thereof
A wireless signal transceiver unit with turning mechanism for adjusting antenna direction includes a base, a rotatable antenna assembly, and a pivot mechanism provided between the antenna assembly and the base for rotatably supporting and connecting the antenna assembly to the base. The antenna assembly includes a plate-shaped body upright located on a circular disk, and is manually turned about the pivot mechanism relative to the base toward a selected direction for best receiving a wireless signal.
US07672685B2 Transmitter and transmission control method, and receiver and reception control method
A base station carries out training for obtaining correlation information that correlates the reception quality of a packet channel transmitted from a terminal and the transmission power of an associated channel, and based on the correlation information, uses the transmission power of the associated channel to obtain a predicted value of the reception quality of the packet channel, and controls the transmission of data through the packet channel based on that predicted value. The base station transmits through the associated channel transmission control information for controlling the transmission of the reception quality of the packet channel by the terminal. The terminal controls the transmission of the reception quality of the packet channel based on the transmission control information included in the data of the associated channel transmitted from the base station.
US07672681B1 Method of renaming soft switch controls in all participant's cell phones by an administrator
A method, a combined cellular phone, PDA, GPS communication device and system having specialized software applications for allowing a plurality of combined cellular phone/PDA device users to monitor each other's locations and status, to initiate cellular phone calls by touching a symbol on the touch screen display with a stylus which can also include point to call conferencing calling. Each participant's cellular phone/PDA device includes a GPS navigation receiver with application software for point to call cellular phone initiation to participants and geographical entities including vehicles, persons or events, conference calls and video transfers. An administrator can: (a) create and remotely install new symbology and modify the symbols and nomenclature used in each participant's cell phone screen display for a specific environment such as police and military; (b) create and remotely install screen drawn soft switches used in each participant's cell phone, the activation of which accesses application software; and (c) create and remotely install screen drawn soft switches used in each participant's cell phone, the activation of which accesses a URL address.
US07672673B2 Mobile communication system, relief method of competition between downlink RRC message and inter-cell movement of user equipment, and radio network controller
The present invention provides a relief method of competition between a Down Link RRC message and inter-cell movement of user equipment which can continue communication even when acknowledgment of the Down Link RRC message cannot be performed. An RLC layer of the radio network controller (RNC) divides a Down Link RRC message into RLC AMD_PDU and transmits them, and gives an RLC error notice to an RRC layer from the RLC layer when a number of RLC AMD_PDU resending is exceeded because RLC ACK cannot be received from user equipment (UE). An RRC layer of the radio network controller activates a timer. When receiving CELL UPDATE within a fixed period, the RRC layer regards the RLC error as competition with inter-cell movement of the user equipment to reset the RLC layer of the radio network controller. The RRC layer of the radio network controller makes RLC RESET INDICATOR be TRUE in RRC:CELL UPDATE CONFIRM from the radio network controller so as to reset the RLC layer of the user equipment.
US07672668B2 Calibration system architecture for calibrating multiple types of base stations in a wireless network
A method of calibrating a base station that comprises an adaptive antenna array is provided. The method includes selecting one operational mode from a plurality of operational modes for the base station. An operational mode component set corresponding to the selected operational mode is selected from a plurality of operational mode component sets in the base station. The base station is calibrated using the selected operational mode component set.
US07672659B2 Mixer with feedback
A method and system for increasing the compression point of a receiver by deriving a feedback signal from mixer output signals. The feedback signal prevents the receiver from going into compression on strong out-of-band or blocking signals, while enhancing the receiver gain at the desired frequency. The desired frequency coincides with the local oscillator (LO) signal and is therefore particularly applicable for, but not limited to, homodyne receivers where selectivity can be made quite narrowband. Since the selectivity is coupled to the LO, a tunable receiver may be achieved that enables selectivity over a wide range of input frequencies.
US07672658B2 Frequency-converting circuit and down converter with the same
A frequency-converting circuit and a down converter with the frequency-converting circuit are disclosed. The above-mentioned frequency-converting circuit is used for converting an RF signal into a first baseband signal according to a poly-phase LO signal. The frequency-converting circuit includes a coupler, a first transduction unit and a first switching unit. The coupler is for receiving and splitting the RF signal and delivering a first RF signal via the first output terminal thereof. The first transduction unit is for amplifying the first RF signal. The first switching unit is for performing switching operations on the output signal of the first transduction unit and producing the first baseband signal.
US07672656B2 Systems and methods to provide wideband magnitude and phase imbalance calibration and compensation in quadrature receivers
Systems and methods for passively calibrating and correcting for I/Q mismatch in a quadrature receiver without the necessity of modifying the analog portion of the receiver by adding calibration signals or correction circuitry are presented. The passive I/Q mismatch calibration system proceeds using normally received incoming transmitted data signals to obtain statistical information on which to base I/Q mismatch compensation factors. The I/Q mismatch compensation factors can be used to adjust the magnitude and phase response in the time domain or the frequency domain, the analog or the digital portion of the receiver. Depending on the embodiment, the passive I/Q mismatch calibration system can calibrate frequency dependent gain or magnitude imbalance, frequency independent magnitude imbalance, frequency dependent phase imbalance, and frequency independent phase imbalance or combinations or these.
US07672648B1 System for linear amplitude modulation
System for linear amplitude modulation. Apparatus is provided for linear amplitude modulation of an amplifier. The apparatus includes a processing circuit that receives an amplitude modulation signal and produces one or more amplifier control signals that are coupled to the amplifier. The apparatus also includes a feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal from an output of the amplifier that is input to the processing circuit; and a network that controls a bias of the amplifier in response to the feedback signal to linearize the amplifier's amplitude control.
US07672634B2 Addressable fusing for an integrated printing system
A printing system (10) includes at least one marking device (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D). Each of the marking devices is configured for applying images to print media. A primary fusing device (24A, 24B, 24C, 24D) is associated with each of the marking devices for applying a primary fusing treatment to the applied images to form printed media. A portion of the printed media may be only partially fused in the primary fusing treatment. A secondary fusing device (26) receives the printed media from the at least one marking device. The secondary fusing device and/or primary fusing device is addressable. A control system (90) may be operably coupled with the secondary fusing device. The control system evaluates whether the printed media is only partially fused and instructs the secondary fusing device to apply a further fusing treatment to the printed media evaluated as being only partially fused.
US07672629B2 Sheet processing apparatus, fixing unit and image forming apparatus provided with the fixing unit
A fixing unit includes a heating rotary member for heating a sheet, a pressing rotary member that is pressed against the heating rotary member with a specific pressure, forming a nip in between, and at least one separating member having a far end directed toward a surface of one of the rotary members with a narrow gap (d) on a downstream side of the nip so that the far end of the separating member hooks on and separates the sheet which is going to turn with the one rotary member. The gap (d) between the far end of said separating member and the surface of the one rotary member and a minimum width (L) of a top margin of the sheet along a leading edge thereof where the toner image is not formed are set to satisfy a relationship expressed by the inequality: d+1.5≦L≦3d+1.5.
US07672626B2 Developing roller and image forming method employing the same
An objective is to provide a developing roller in which increase of residual potential is inhibited during repetitive operation without deteriorating interlayer adhesion, and prepared is a layer immediately below the surface capable of preventing fog caused by toner scattering, accompanied with a surface layer capable of preventing stains formed from foreign matters adhered to the surface, as well as preventing image unevenness since toner electrification is even under the presence of appropriate elasticity, and also to provide a image forming method employing the developing roller. Disclosed is a developing roller possessing an elastic layer made of silicone rubber provided around a conductive shaft, and a plurality of resin layers further provided on the elastic layer, wherein an outermost surface layer among the resin layers comprises silicone copolymerization polyurethane; and a layer immediately below the surface layer comprises a polyurethane resin-silica hybrid.
US07672624B2 Bearing and locating member for a toner cartridge for use with an image forming device
The present application is directed to toner cartridges with a bearing plate to locate and provide a bearing surface to one or more rotational members. The bearing plate may be positioned on an outer wall of a body of a toner cartridge. The bearing plate may include apertures to receive shafts of a series of rotational members. The bearing plate may locate the shafts relative to the body such that each is operatively connected together through a gear train. Bearing plate may also provide a bearing surface for the rotating shafts.
US07672617B2 Image apparatus with toner replenishing
An imaging apparatus has an image carrier, an exposure unit to irradiate the image carrier; a developing part; a rotator on which a plurality of such developing parts is provided; a color toner replenishing part which moves from a retracted position where light emitted from the exposure unit is not obstructed, to a replenishing position where light emitted from the exposure unit is obstructed, and with which the color toner of the color developing part in the replenishing position is replenished; and a black toner replenishing part which is disposed in a position where light emitted from the exposure unit is not obstructed and with which the black toner is replenished to the black developing part in the replenishing position.
US07672609B2 Toner container and toner supply device unit using the same
A toner bottle that is composed of a main body filled with toner and a bottle-side toner discharges port for discharging toner from the main body is adapted to discharge the toner in the main body out of the container whilst the toner bottle is being rotated in the toner bottle's peripheral direction. The toner bottle has a sealing element that seals the bottle-side toner discharge port. This sealing element is formed of a flexible member, and is peeled off the main body of the toner bottle as the toner bottle is rotated so as to open the bottle-side toner discharge port.
US07672594B2 Optical communication system with light guide having variable slidable point of entry or exit
An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via a light guide associated with each communication path, where an optical signal produced by the optical light source and received by the optical detector travels a path where at least a first light redirection unit redirects the optical signal between an angle in which the optical signal travels along at least a portion of the length of the light guide, and an angle which allows the optical signal to exit the light guide. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, one or more of the light redirection units are diffractive optical elements. In some instances, one or more of the light redirection units are reflectors.
US07672590B2 Data center with mobile data cabinets and method of mobilizing and connecting data processing devices in a data center using consolidated data communications and power connections
Data processing devices in a data center are more easily relocated by consolidating the data and power connections to the data processing devices within a mobile data cabinet. The mobile data cabinet includes an access switch to consolidate communications and connections among computing devices in the mobile cabinet and to consolidate communications to a central communication service through a main communication cable. A single data communication connection through the main communication cable and a single electrical power connection through a power delivery cable to the mobile cabinet reduces and simplifies number and difficulty of the disconnections and connections that must be made to move the mobile cabinet.
US07672586B2 Allocating connections in a communication system
Dynamic allocation of connections is performed in a communication network. When a new connection request is received by the network management system this request can be accepted or rejected. In case it is accepted, the connection can be set up by allocating new or reconfiguring existing connection resources. The reconfiguration options are constrained to a set of allowed reconfigurations which is a subset of the set of all possible reconfigurations of the existing connections on the network.
US07672585B2 Optical switch system
Each of a plurality of semiconductor optical amplifiers operates as an optical gate switch and selects an optical signal indicated by a gate control signal from an optical gate switch control unit. A plurality of photodetectors monitor the power of an optical signal input through a corresponding input port. A VOA control unit calculates an amount of attenuation corresponding to each input port based on the power of each optical signal. A variable optical attenuator attenuates the selected optical signal according to the calculated amount of attenuation in synchronization with the gate control signal.
US07672584B2 Digital device
A digital device which can accommodate a large display yet still have a small overall size is provided. The digital device includes a first body with a lens and a display, and a second body with at least one operation button. The first and second body slide with respect to each other between a first position and a second position. The lens of the first body and the at least one operation button of the second body are exposed as the first body and the second body are slid into the first position.
US07672582B2 Portable electronic device with attachable camera module
A portable electronic device is described that includes a main body 1, an attachable camera module 2 and a connecting mechanism 12. The attachable camera module 2 comprises a sleeve barrel 20, a lens module 22, a focusing mechanism 24, an image sensor module 26, and a signal linker 212 that transfers image signal from the image sensor module 26 to the main body 1. The connecting mechanism 12 connects to the main body 1 and the attachable camera module 2; the connecting mechanism 12 is installed on one side of the main body 1 to support the attachable camera module 2.
US07672577B2 Lock mechanism for stage apparatus
A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, includes a movable stage provided on a stationary member which is movable in a reference plane; a pair of engaging members which are provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members which are positioned between the engaging members and are movable so as to move toward and away from corresponding the engaging members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members to an engaged position wherein the lock members mutually move away from each other and engage with the corresponding engaging members; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members to a disengaged position wherein the lock members mutually move toward each other so as to disengage with the corresponding engaging members.
US07672576B2 Water dispenser with sabbath function
Water dispensers are disclosed which include a Sabbath function. When activating the Sabbath function, water refill of the hot water reservoir tank is prevented and the heating of the water in the hot reservoir tank is modified to provide a constant heating at a less than boiling temperature.
US07672567B2 Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of multiple reproduction path video data for at least a segment of a title recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The recording medium includes a path management area storing path management information. The path management information identifies clips of video data associated with each reproduction path of at least a segment of a title.
US07672564B2 Information processing apparatus for automatically recording video data from a first recording medium in a first format to a second recording medium in a second format
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program for executing a sequence of processing operations including the recording of video data recorded to a first recording medium in a first format to a second recording medium in a second format without user's manual intervention. If the information processing apparatus determines that the recording time of a frame just reproduced by a predetermined reproduction device is earlier than the recording time of a frame reproduced by said reproduction device immediately before the above-mentioned frame (step S89) or an unrecorded area has been reproduced by the reproduction device for more than a predetermined period of time (step S90), the information processing apparatus stops the acquisition of the data recorded to a digital video tape reproduced by the reproduction device (step S92), thereby stopping the reproduction of the digital video tape (step S93). The present invention is applicable to information processing apparatus for recording data from digital cassette video tape to DVD, for example.
US07672562B1 Optical cable having an enlarged section to facilitate pulling
An optical fiber cable includes a stopper, an enlarged section, around a portion of its outside surface that is adapted to engage a tool, which is used for pulling the cable through a conduit or the like. The stopper may be an integrated part of the cable, or it may be applied to the cable as a shrink tube or an adhesive tape.
US07672550B2 Illumination light source and image display apparatus
A coherent light source includes a plurality of light emitting points arranged in one-dimensional array. A beam shaping unit shapes a light beam so that a diameter of a light emitted from the coherent light source in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the light emitting point array is larger than a diameter in the direction of the light emitting point array, and an intensity distribution of the light emitted from each of the light emitting points is uniform. A magnification of a focusing optical system is set such that a light emitted from the beam shaping unit is coupled to an optical fiber based on a maximum diameter of the light emitted from the beam shaping unit.
US07672548B2 Light emitting diode structures
Light emitting diode (LED) structures are described that include a first layer and a light-generating layer, wherein light generated in the light-generating layer generally emerges from the LED structure through the upper surface of the first layer. The coupling out of light generated by spontaneous emission is enhanced by the presence of patterning in the first layer, which may take the form of an embedded photonic quasicrystal, a photonic structure comprising an amorphous array of subregions, or a zone plate structure. The invention provides the benefit of improved light extraction from the LED without undesirable far field illumination patterns.
US07672541B2 Registration of separations
Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in, a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining, distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.
US07672540B2 Nonrigid registration of cardiac perfusion MR images using adaptive local template matching
Motion of the heart during contrast enhancement is modeled at two hierarchical levels: global translation and local deformation. Large-scale, i.e., global, translational motion is identified using global template matching, while the local deformation of a portion of the object (e.g., the left ventricle where the object is a heart) is obtained using an adaptive local template matching scheme which adapts to the local edge distributions by varying the height and the width of the template as well as the location of the template followed by spatial regularization. To address the difficulty of rapid intensity changes across the image sequence as the contrast agent perfuse into the tissue, an edge-based similarity measure is used for template matching.
US07672530B2 Method and system for identifying illumination flux in an image
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining an illumination boundary in an image. The method comprises the steps of performing dynamic sampling in preselected local areas of the image to determine spectral ratio information for the image at each of the preselected local areas, and utilizing the spectral ratio information to identify an illumination boundary.
US07672526B2 Signal processing device, signal processing method, program, and recording medium
The present invention relates to a signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. With regard to an input image of dimensions fewer than the dimensions of actual world light signals, wherein actual world light signals have been projected and a part of the continuity of the actual world light signals has been lost, actual world signals are estimated at an actual world signal estimating unit 10003 from the input image within a processing region set at a processing region setting unit 10001, corresponding to continuity set at a continuity setting unit 10002. On the other hand, information relating to at least one of processing region, continuity, and actual world signals, is supplied from a user I/F 10006 to the processing region setting unit 10001, continuity setting unit 10002, or actual world signal estimating unit 10003, according to user operations. The present invention can be applied to, for example, cases of removing movement blurring from an image, for example.
US07672524B2 Quality control for image transcoding
A method and apparatus transcode an image. An encoded input bitstream of the image is analyzed to obtain a structure of the encoded input bitstream, in which the image includes a region-of-interest and a background region, and in which the encoded input bitstream is a stream of packets. A first quality value for the region-of-interest and a second quality value for the background region are determined. An encoded output bitstream is composed from a subset of the packets selected from the encoded input bitstream according to the structure, in which the subset of packets includes a first set of packets corresponding to the region-of-interest having the first quality value, a second set of packets corresponding to the background region and having second quality value, and empty packets.
US07672522B2 Image decoding device and image decoding method
This invention realizes an image decoding apparatus and an image decoding method capable of correctly performing a decoding process in short time with a simple construction. In an image decoding apparatus and an image decoding method for performing a decoding process under a prescribed coding method, simple playback frames comprising an I-picture and following prescribed pieces of P-pictures on the basis of the I-picture existing at a desired position in picture data encoded with the coding method are extracted in a fast playback mode.
US07672520B2 Method and device for coding and decoding a sequence of images
The invention relates to a method for coding N+1 images comprising a step of temporal analysis of these images generating a low-frequency image and N high-frequency images. It furthermore comprises the following steps: dividing each of the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images into N+1 parts; interleaving the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images so as to generate N+1 interleaved images and so that the N+1 parts of the low-frequency image are distributed between the N+1 interleaved images, each of the N+1 interleaved images comprising a single part of the low-frequency image; and coding the N+1 interleaved images independently of one another, each of the interleaved images being coded with one and the same number of bits.
US07672519B2 Use of frequency transforms in the analysis of image sensors
A method for detecting and removing noise from an image, the method includes the steps of applying a frequency transform to the image for obtaining a magnitude image; applying a threshold value to values of the magnitude image for obtaining threshold values; setting one or more threshold values to a predetermined value; and reconstructing the image from the magnitude image having the predetermined values for removing noise from the image.
US07672516B2 Statistical priors for combinatorial optimization: efficient solutions via graph cuts
Methods of statistical learning for Bayesian inference in the context of efficient optimization schemes for image restoration are presented. Second and third order priors that may be learned while maintaining graph representability are identified. A framework to learn and impose prior knowledge on the distribution of pairs and triplets of labels via graph cuts is presented. The disclosed methods optimally restore binary textures from very noisy images with runtimes in the order of seconds while imposing hundreds of statistically learned constraints per node.
US07672515B2 Opposing edge trapping
Apparatus are provided, which include a color image processor, an edge distinguisher, and an edge trapping mechanism. The color image processor processes color images, including a given color image. The given color image includes plural color separations each having a set of color values for respective image pixels. The edge distinguisher distinguishes some edges of the given color image as opposing edges. An edge is a transition in the color separation of the given color image from a non-white color intensity value, at one side of the edge, to a white intensity value, at the other side of the edge. A given edge is an opposing edge when a transition of the given edge goes, for a separation of the given color image, in one direction from a non-white color value to a white value, and goes, for another separation of the given color image, in the same direction from a white value to a non-white color value.
US07672512B2 Forms for completion with an electronic writing device
Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, an article of manufacture includes a display surface that includes a machine-distinguishable form identifier keyed to an electronic version of the form and at least two fields. Each field of the at least two fields respectively includes a unique machine-distinguishable field identifier keyed to a field of the electronic version of a form, a content area that accepts a hand-formed entry, and a unique user-understandable field identifier.
US07672509B2 Fast image and video data propagation and blending using intrinsic distances
Images are colorized, recolorized, or otherwise manipulated by adding scribbles of a blending medium (such as chrominance) to a measurement medium (such as luminance) of the image. The blending medium propagates from the scribbles according to an intrinsic or geodesic distance that is a function of the measurement medium. Intrinsic distances may be weighted. An effect scribble may produce an effect, such as result data, in the blending medium according to a predefined function. A preprocessing scribble may be converted to one or more effect scribbles which are then propagated. A measurement scribble may propagate so as to alter the intrinsic distances of other scribbles.
US07672504B2 Method and system for obtaining high resolution 3-D images of moving objects by use of sensor fusion
A system to scan 3D images applies sensor fusion of a passive triangulation sensor in combination with an active triangulation sensor to obtain high resolution 3D surface models from objects undergoing arbitrary motion during the data acquisition time.
US07672499B2 Method and apparatus for currency discrimination and counting
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. According to one embodiment the device comprises an input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated and at least one output receptacle positioned to receive bills after evaluation. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the at least one output receptacle. The device also comprises a denomination discriminating unit adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations. According to some embodiments, the device is adapted to deliver any bill that has been denominated to one and only one of the at least one output receptacle. According to some embodiments, the device has a single output receptacle.
US07672497B2 Computer aided disease detection system for multiple organ systems
A computer aided disease detection system and method for multiple organ systems. The method performs computer aided examination of digital medical images. A patient exam type of a digital medical image is determined. Based on the patient exam type, one or more of a plurality of knowledge based anatomical segmentation blocks are invoked, each block performing image segmentation for a single organ or organ system present in the image. Based on the patient exam type, for each successfully segmented organ or organ system, one or more of a plurality of knowledge based computer aided detection blocks are invoked, each block of which is designed to search for and locate potential disease foci in a particular organ or organ system.
US07672494B2 Processing medical image information to detect anatomical abnormalities
A method, system, and related computer program products are provided for processing a medical image of a body part according to a computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm, the medical image having an image border, the body part comprising imaged tissue appearing inside the image border and outlying tissue not appearing in the medical image, wherein likely anatomical abnormalities in the outlying tissue near the imaged tissue border are detected by the CAD algorithm. In one example, the detected likely abnormalities in the outlying tissue are located within a first distance from the imaged tissue border, wherein the first distance corresponds to a spatial ambit of a neighborhood-based feature computed by the CAD algorithm.
US07672493B2 Method for analyzing medical image data using level set
A method for analyzing medical image includes obtaining a plurality of surface fronts on an object, such points being disposed in a three dimensional volume in the object; varying the volume of each one of the points such volumes combining into a common volume; and terminating the process when the common volume reaches boundaries of the object.
US07672489B2 Method and apparatus for offender supervision using digital encoding of images of skin-covered body parts
Apparatus that includes a communication interface capable of communication with a management entity over a network; a biometric module adapted to acquire an image of a skin-covered body part submitted thereto; an output device; and a processing unit. The processing unit is adapted for releasing a prompting signal via the output device, the prompting signal prompting submission of a skin-covered body part at the biometric module. Furthermore, responsive to acquisition of an image by the biometric module further to releasing the prompting signal, the processing module is adapted for producing a candidate code based on geometric measures of respective combinations of pixels taken from a plurality of subsets of like-shaded pixels in the image. Finally, the processing module is adapted for releasing the candidate code via the communication interface for comparison at the management entity with an expected code, thereby to verify presence of a person associated with the expected code.
US07672486B2 Method for evaluating the quality of a printed matter, provided by a printing machine
The quality of printed matter, which is one of several copies of the same printed matter produced by a printing machine, is evaluated. An amount of copies of the printed matter is selected from the total production of this printed matter. The selected amount of these copies are evaluated with regard to at least one error type which belongs to an amount of different error types or with regard to at least one feature of the error. Within the selected amount of copies, an error of a defined error type or of a defined feature, which is detected on at least one of the copies, is evaluated in relation to at least one error of another type or feature detected on the same copy, or another copy of the selected amount. The printed matter is classified as having good or bad quality based on that evaluation. A common reading, producing image data, is obtained by an image sensor from the selected copies. All of the errors to be evaluated in relation to each other are detected from image data gathered during the same common recording.
US07672475B2 Method and apparatus for verifying a hologram and a credit card
A method for verifying a hologram, comprising the steps of reading at least two images of the hologram, the images being representative of images derived at respective different viewing angles, comparing a characteristic derived from the respective images with a reference characteristic to establish if the hologram is authentic, and outputting a signal indicative of the authenticity or otherwise of the hologram.
US07672473B2 Loudspeaker
In a loudspeaker, a lead wire of a voice coil is fastened to a diaphragm, and is extended along the diaphragm. A bottom surface of a frame supporting the diaphragm is placed so as to face against a rear surface of the diaphragm. A protrusion is formed on the bottom surface so as to protrude toward the rear surface of the diaphragm. Therefore, the loudspeaker can prevent the lead wire of the voice coil, which is extending along the diaphragm, from being broken. Further, the loudspeaker can prevent the forward protruding diaphragm from being crushed and damaged.
US07672463B2 Apparatus to control temperature of audio amp
A temperature control apparatus used with an audio amp to prevent the audio amp from overheating and noise from being generated by effectively controlling a cooling fan of the audio amp includes a power supply to supply an electrical power, a power amp to amplify an input audio signal using the electrical power supplied from the power supply, a signal detector to detect the amount of the current flowing from the power supply during a predetermined time, a temperature sensor to sense a temperature over a predetermined level generated from the power amp, and a micro controller to control a cooling fan according to the amount of current output from the signal detector and/or the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.
US07672462B2 Method and system for acoustic shock protection
An acoustic shock protection method and device are provided. A pattern analysis-based approach is taken to an input signal to perform feature extraction. A parameter space is identified, which is corresponding to the signal space of the input signal. A rule-based decision approach is taken to the parameter space to detect an acoustic shock event. The device may be advantageously implemented using a weighted overlap-add approach to provide low group delay, high-fidelity and a high degree of protection from acoustic shock events.
US07672456B2 Anti-pirate method for the distribution of digital content by pro-active diversified transmission, associated transmitting device and portable receiving object
The invention concerns an anti-pirate method for the distribution of digital content by pro-active diversified transmission, associated transmitter device and portable receiving object. The method, designed to make the same information (Kc) available to several receivers (1) belonging to a group (G) of receivers, each receiver storing information (SAi) specific to it, is characterized in that it includes the following steps: define a relation Kc=f(K, bi, SAi) where (f) is a given function, (K) is information common to all the receivers, and (bi) is information different for each receiver and for each value of the information (K); —enable each receiver to access information (bi) before making (Kc) available; and transmit the information (K) to all receivers, just before making (Kc) available; so that each receiver can calculate information (Kc) using said relation.
US07672454B2 Method for copy protection of digital content
A method for copy protection of digital content, wherein at least a part of the digital content is an active part enabling the execution of the digital content, includes steps of storing digital content in a storage, choosing reference storage blocks from the storage, creating dependencies between the digital content and the chosen reference storage blocks and executing by way of the active part the digital content only after verification of the dependencies in order to verify the presence of the chosen reference storage blocks. A storing medium also includes a digital content being copy protected according to the method and to a reproducing apparatus executes the steps of the above-described method.
US07672442B2 Signal relay device, method thereof, and system using the same
A signal relay device, method thereof, and system using the same. The system utilizes SCTP with multiple transmission addresses to share communication layers above the transmission layer in signal gateway cluster, automatically switching to an available signal gateway for maintaining online status and increasing availability of signal transmission.
US07672440B2 Single point of contact personal communication system
A computer/telephony integrated single-point-of-contact system (CISS) enabling a user to contact another using multiple devices with a single contact attempt is disclosed. A plurality of computer programs residing in a computer use a subscriber database, authorization database, priority list database, and device attributes database to determine how to respond to a request to contact a subscriber. If the request is an emergency, the computer repeatedly contacts all of the subscriber's devices until a response is received. Otherwise, the computer contacts the subscriber's devices in a sequential order determined by the subscriber. The computer can also delete redundant un-received messages from a subscriber's devices and create a real-time connection between the requester and the subscriber, if it is technically possible, at the subscriber's request.
US07672437B2 System and method for processing traffic study requests
A system and method for processing traffic study requests in a communications network. The system provides a log-in window for a user identification validation. If a user is an authorized user of the system, the system provides a window for displaying a CPNI disclaimer. The system provides a new order request window for receiving customer information and input parameters. The system provides a new study request window for receiving a telephone number to be studied. Once the traffic study is completed, the system receives a report of the traffic study. The system then forwards the report to the user.
US07672436B1 Voice rendering of E-mail with tags for improved user experience
Tags, such as XML tags, are inserted into email to separate email content from signature blocks, privacy notices and confidentiality notices, and to separate original email messages from replies and replies from further replies. The tags are detected by a system that renders email as speech, such as voice command platform or network-based virtual assistant or message center. For example, the system can detect the signature block or privacy notice tags and not render the signature block or privacy notice as speech. The system can render an original email message in one voice mode and the reply in a different voice mode. The tags can be inserted to identify a voice memo in which a user responds to a particular portion of an email message. Preferably, an email server that receives and stored the email message inserts the tags into the email. Alternatively, the tags could be inserted by an email client application. The tags are detected by an email parser, which can be incorporated into the system rendering email as speech, or, alternatively implemented in a separate logical entity.
US07672435B2 Radiation therapy apparatus
A radiation therapy apparatus has a multi-leaf collimator device, a driving gear, a torque wire and a driving unit. The multi-leaf collimator device has a pair of collimator components which respectively comprise a plurality of leaves arranged close to one another such that the leaves face one another across an irradiation axis, and configured to set a desired irradiation field by individually moving the leaves. The driving gear is engaged with a gear tooth of the each leaf, respectively. The torque wire is connected to a shaft center of the driving gear, respectively. The driving unit is configured to drive the driving gears through the torque wire.
US07672413B2 Reception data synchronizing apparatus and method, and recording medium with recorded reception data synchronizing program
A synchronism pattern detecting timing recorder (20) records a synchronism pattern detecting timing at which a synchronism pattern is detected in reception data, a synchronism decider (12) collates the reception data with reference data to decide whether or not the reception data is consistent in phase with the reference data, and a timing generator (22) operates, when the synchronism decider (12) gives a decision for inconsistency in phase, for a match between the synchronism pattern detecting timing recorded in the synchronism pattern detecting timing recorder (20), as a subsequent one, and a timing of a synchronism pattern of the expectation data, and the subsequent synchronism pattern detecting timing in record is used to render the phases consistent, allowing for a rapid synchronization to be obtained, without the need of waiting a detection of synchronism pattern, even with an inconsistency in phase due to a false synchronism pattern.
US07672409B2 Base station software for multi-user detection uplinks and downlinks and method thereof
A method of multi-user detection in a given uplink and downlink time slot in a software-defined receiver which includes filtering and sampling a received signal; forming a block-banded matrix A of the sampled signals; and solving {circumflex over (d)}=T−1y, where T=(AHA), y=AHx. The methods of solving for the matrix T includes a) computing Cholesky factors of the matrix T by approximating using the block-banded property of the matrix T and A; b) Schur decomposition for Cholesky factors of the matrix T and approximating the lower triangular Cholesky factor matrix R using block Toeplitz property of matrix T; or c) Fourier Transformation.
US07672406B2 Clock and data recovery circuit and SERDES circuit
Disclosed is a clock-and-data recover circuit in which a data sampling circuit, a phase comparator, a phase controller and a phase interpolator make up a loop. The data sampling circuit samples serial input data, and the phase comparator receives an output from the data sampling circuit to detect the phase relationship between clock and the data. The phase controller outputs a phase control signal based on the result of phase comparison of the phase comparator to output a phase control signal. The phase interpolator receives a multi-phase clock composed of plural clock signals with different phases and supplies a clock signal having the phase interpolated based on the phase control signal, to the data sampling circuit. The clock and data recovery circuit further includes a second phase interpolator and a second data sampling circuit. The phase controller generates and outputs a second phase control signal to the second phase interpolator. The second phase interpolator receives the multi-phase clock and outputs a second clock signal having the phase interpolated based on the second phase control signal and supplies the second clock signal to the second data sampling circuit. The second data sampling circuit samples the input data based on the second clock signal from the second phase interpolator. Preferably, the second phase interpolator has a variably set threshold level for sampling the data.
US07672403B2 Radio receiver, system on a chip integrated circuit and methods for use therewith
A system on a chip integrated circuit includes a first in-phase digital submodule and a first quadrature phase digital submodule such that the first in-phase digital submodule and the first quadrature phase digital submodule are operable to produce at least one output signal based on at least one input signal. A digital clock generator generates a first in-phase digital clock signal having a plurality of first in-phase digital clock cycles over a predetermined period and a first quadrature phase digital clock signal having a plurality of first quadrature phase digital clock cycles over the predetermined period. The plurality of first in-phase digital clock cycles are substantially interleaved with the plurality of first quadrature phase digital clock cycles over the predetermined period.
US07672396B2 Reducing image spectral leakage due to I-Q imbalance
Methods of reducing spectral leakage due to I-Q imbalance within a transmitter are disclosed. The method includes the transmitter receiving a data stream of coefficients of a multi-carrier modulation signal. The data stream is pre-processed by processing a set of the coefficients that correspond with selected notch frequencies to reduce the effects of I-Q imbalance of the transmitter, wherein at least a portion of the set of coefficients corresponds to non-symmetrical notch frequencies. The pre-processed data stream is multi-carrier modulated. The multi-carrier modulated pre-processed data stream is I-Q modulated before transmission.
US07672393B2 Single-wire asynchronous serial interface
The present invention discloses a single-wire asynchronous serial interface, and a method for transmitting commands and data through one transmission wire, wherein the transmission wire is capable of transmitting signals of three level states. The disclosed interface comprises a signal level extraction circuit receiving signals transmitted through the wire and outputting logic or functional bits according to the received signals; a clock extraction circuit generating clock signals according to the functional bits, and a memory circuit controlled by the clock signals and storing the logic bits. The disclosed method comprises: using two of the level states to represent logic 0 and, logic 1, and the third of the states as a functional bit; and determining whether a group of signals is a command or data by the existence of a functional bit within the group.
US07672384B2 Bandwidth and power efficient multicarrier multiple access
Techniques are described for multicarrier multiple access wireless transmission, e.g. orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) transmissions, over frequency selective fading channels. The techniques are designed to maintain constant modulus transmissions for uplink while effectively mitigating intersymbol interference. Specifically, the techniques utilize non-redundant unitary precoding across OFDMA subcarriers to maintain constant modulus transmissions for uplink communications. For example, the techniques involve precoding a block of information symbols and assigning a different subcarrier for each symbol of the block. The subcarriers are selected to be equi-spaced and may be selected, for example, from a phase-shift keying constellation. The number of symbols per block is equal to the number of subcarriers assigned per user. Importantly, even with multiple subcarriers per user, the techniques enable constant modulus transmissions for uplink. Consequently, the techniques may achieve high power and bandwidth efficiency as well as improved performance over conventional OFDMA and GMC-CDMA transmissions.
US07672368B2 PHY control module for a multi-pair gigabit transceiver
A control module for controlling convergence of cancellers, a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and a timing recovery module. The control module includes a state machine operable to decouple the timing recovery module from the cancellers and the DFE while converging the cancellers and the DFE at the same time.
US07672353B2 Semiconductor laser device and method for its production
A semiconductor laser device has an optically pumped, surface-emitting vertical emitter with a radiation-generating vertical emitter zone comprising a layer containing an organic material and a monolithically integrated pump radiation source for the optical pumping of the vertical emitter. The pump radiation source is designed to emit pump radiation in a main radiation direction transverse to the main radiation direction of the vertical emitter.
US07672348B2 Semiconductor laser and method of manufacture
Disclosed is a laser (10) comprising a lasing cavity with a lasing medium and primary optical feedback means in the form of a facet (17) at either end of the cavity, the laser cavity defining a longitudinally extending optical path; and secondary optical feedback means formed by a plurality of refractive index perturbations (16, 22) in the laser cavity, each perturbation defining two interfaces (20, 21); characterized in that, for at least one perturbation, only one of the two interfaces contributes to optical feedback along the optical path. The present invention relaxes the lithographic tolerances for making single longitudinal mode devices and improves performance characteristics.
US07672347B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device includes: a substrate; a laminate structure including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer; and a current confinement part for limiting a current injection region of the active layer in the second semiconductor layer, or between the active layer and the second semiconductor layer, on the substrate, wherein the current confinement part includes a current confinement layer having a conductive region corresponding to the current injection region of the active layer and a nonconductive region corresponding to a region other than the current injection region of the active layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the current confinement layer and the second semiconductor layer or the active layer in order to prevent a mixed crystal from being formed between the current confinement layer and the second semiconductor layer or the active layer.
US07672338B2 Passive optical network and ultrawide band adapter
An ultra wideband adapter and a system including the ultra wideband adapter are disclosed. The ultra wideband adapter includes a first input to receive video from a passive optical network element, a second input to receive data from the passive optical network element, an ultra wideband modulator to modulate the received data, a diplexer to diplex the received video with the modulated ultra wideband data to provide a diplexed video, and an output to transmit the diplexed video.
US07672329B2 Method and apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing data, and computer product
A generating unit generates an apparatus reference frame phase that becomes a reference in a data multiplexing/demultiplexing apparatus, based on a reception frame phase of the data input to a predetermined reception buffer and a predetermined delay amount. A multiplexing/demultiplexing unit reads data from the reception buffer based on the apparatus reference frame phase generated by the generating unit, and multiplexes or demultiplexes the data.
US07672320B2 IP communications system for notifying a gateway controller of an IP address allocated to a gateway and a method therefor
A gateway device in an IP communications system can be controlled by a gateway controller even when an IP address of the gateway device is not fixed. The IP communications system includes a gateway device having a subscriber terminal interconnected thereto, a gateway controller for controlling the gateway device, provided on a subscriber side in accordance with a protocol conforming to the master-slave architecture, a database for providing subscriber information to the gateway controller, and an IP address allocator for dynamically allocating IP addresses. The gateway device requests the IP address allocator to allocate an IP address to acquire an IP address, and notifies the gateway controller of that IP address to get the IP address stored in the database.
US07672315B2 Methods and apparatus for deskewing VCAT/LCAS members
Write logic and read logic are coupled to SDRAM and a frame status table. VCG members are written into SDRAM by the write logic and an entry (based on the MFI and SQ) in the frame status table is maintained by the write logic for each member. The read logic scans the frame status table to identify the earliest frame number for which data is available in SDRAM. Based on the frame status and the address pointer offset, the read logic maintains a state table entry for each VCG member and a state for each VCG. According to the preferred embodiment, the read logic is provided in two parts separated by a temporary buffer. The first part of the read logic performs the functions described above and writes chunk data into the temporary buffer. The second part of the read logic reads byte data from the temporary buffer according to a selectable leak rate.
US07672312B1 Connection release in a two-layer communication network
The present invention is a method for releasing at least a part of a connection in a two-layer communication network that includes a first communication network layer adapted to establish or which establishes a communication channel to a terminal, and a second communication network layer adapted to establish or which establishes an application layer connection. The method includes deciding in one of the first and second communication network layers that at least the part of the connection associated with the terminal is to be released, and forwarding the decision from the one of the communication network layers in which the decision has been taken, to the other of the communication network layers via an interface between the first and second communication network layers.
US07672309B1 System and method for providing dynamic bandwidth on demand
A system and method to adjust dynamically network speed or bandwidth allocation. A network connection is established at some initial speed. The bandwidth usage through the connection is monitored, and when the connection speed becomes congested with data, the connection is dropped and a higher-speed connection is established.
US07672307B2 Apparatus and method for transparent layer 2 routing in a mobile ad hoc network
For use in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), a first MANET node for routing data packets using Layer 2 information. The first MANET node comprises: 1) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for wirelessly communicating with other MANET nodes; and 2) a controller for receiving incoming data packets from the RF transceiver and sending outgoing data packets to the RF transceiver. The controller receives a first data packet from an Internet protocol (IP) layer associated with the first MANET node, determines a first medium access control (MAC) layer address associated with the first data packet, and adds the first MAC layer address to the first data packet.
US07672306B2 Method for secure reliable point to multi-point bi-directional communications
Systems and methods for sending secure reliable point to multi-point communication on any communication infrastructure. The infrastructure is not required to conform to any specifications of this inventions other that be capable point to point communications. The system consists of a protocol that allows for Secure Reliable point to multi-point communications irregardless of the support for such communications. This invention does not rely on the Internet or ATM or any other point to point or point to multi-point communications infrastructure.
US07672302B2 Router using switching-before-routing packet processing and method of operation
A router comprising: i) a switch fabric; and ii) N Layer 2 modules coupled by the switch fabric, each of the N Layer 2 modules capable of receiving data packets in Layer 2 frames and forwarding the received data packets using Layer 2 addresses associated with the Layer 2 frames, wherein a first one of the Layer 2 modules comprises a Layer 3 routing engine capable of forwarding a first received data packet through the switch fabric directly to a second one of the Layer 2 modules using a Layer 3 address associated with the first received data packet if the first Layer 2 module does not recognize a Layer 2 address associated with the first received data packet.
US07672301B2 Distribution stage for enabling efficient expansion of a switching network
A distribution stage is disclosed comprising a plurality of inputs coupled to a plurality of first stage switching devices, a plurality of outputs coupled to a plurality of second stage switching devices, and a distribution configuration. The distribution configuration is configured to receive a plurality of bandwidth units (BU's) from each first stage switching device, and to distribute at least one BU from each first stage switching device to each second stage switching device, such that each second stage switching device is assured of receiving at least one BU from each first stage switching device. In effect, the distribution stage ensures that each first stage switching device has a logical link to each second stage switching device. In one embodiment, the distribution stage is configured in accordance with a distribution configuration that is static. Because the distribution configuration of the distribution stage is static, it does not add complexity to the overall switching determination of a switching network. Thus, the distribution stage enables the switching network to be expanded without degrading the switching performance of the network.
US07672295B1 Method and system for design for run-time control of voice XML applications
A method and system for implementing run-time control over voice application behavior. The method includes identifying a plurality of control point locations within a given voice application and a plurality of corresponding required responses to the control points. A design-for-control methodology is used to instrument the control points of voice application. A control agent is configured with web-based controls to manage the control points. The control points are used to alter the voice application's behavior during run-time.
US07672293B2 Hardware throttling of network traffic sent to a processor based on new address rates
In an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus for hardware throttling of network traffic, includes: receiving a packet; and preventing the packet from being copied, based on a rate field value associated with a new address in the packet information in the packet. The packet is not copied even if a copy rule is triggered.
US07672283B1 Detecting unauthorized wireless devices in a network
Computer implemented techniques for detecting the presence and identity of unauthorized wireless devices (“UWD”) on a network. The technique is capable of detecting the presence and existence UWDs irrespective whether the UWDs implements encryption in their communication. Furthermore, it is unnecessary for the computer-implemented method to access the management console of a wireless access point for the purpose of determining the identity of the wireless client devices that currently employ the access point to accomplish the wireless communication. The computer-implemented method also does not require any software agent to be installed on the wireless client devices for the purpose of detecting unauthorized wireless communication.
US07672277B2 Method and device for estimating carrier frequency offset of subscriber terminal
The invention discloses a method of estimating carrier frequency offset for subscriber terminal, including: determining number of effective base stations from which more than one signals are received by a subscriber terminal; combining the signals of each station corresponding to said number of effective base stations; calculating a rough estimation value of the carrier frequency offset based on combined signal. The invention also discloses a device of estimating carrier frequency offset for subscriber terminal, including: decision module, used to determine the number of effective base stations from which more than one signals received by subscriber terminal, combining module, used to combine the signals of the effective base station and output the combined signal to the carrier frequency offset acquiring module; carrier frequency offset acquiring module, used to estimate the carrier frequency offset of the merged signal. According to the invention, the carrier frequency offset for the subscriber terminal will meet system requirement, and improve cell searching success probability.
US07672276B2 Base station apparatus and mobile communication system
Disclosed is a handover method in radio communication. A base station apparatus monitors the receiving state of a terminal, detects, based upon the receiving state, whether the terminal is one in which there is a possibility that loss of a call or a decline in quality will occur or one in which loss of a call or a decline in quality has occurred, and hands over the terminal to another base station apparatus having a carrier frequency different from that of the present base station apparatus.
US07672275B2 Caching with selective multicasting in a publish-subscribe network
Packet routing via payload inspection at routers in a core of a distributed network. Packets include subjects and attributes in addition to routing information. The subjects correspond with particular types of content for subscriptions, and the attributes encapsulate the data or content. The routers store filters corresponding with subscriptions to content. Upon receiving a packet, a router inspects the payload section of the packet containing the attributes in order to retrieve the attributes and apply them to the filters for the subscriptions. If an attribute satisfies a filter, the packet is routed to the next link. If the attributes do not satisfy the filters, the router discards the packet. These routing decisions are distributed among routers in the network core. The router locally caches the data in the network core.
US07672271B2 Method of constructing wireless high speed backbone connection that unifies various wired/wireless network clusters by means of employing the smart/adaptive antenna technique and dynamically creating concurrent data pipelines
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a high-speed wireless backbone connection, Backbone Connection Facilitator (BCF), to create a wireless home network, which may consist of many short-range wired/wireless networks. BCF dynamically creates concurrent data pipelines to meet the data bandwidth demand to transfer packets from one short-range wired/wireless network to another. BCF employs the newly developed antenna technologies (ex. MIMO, SDMA) to minimize the transmit power, to reduce the interferences, and to support the real time communication.BCF contains the BCF-PHY layer, the BCF-Data-Link-Layer, and the BCF-Network-Layer. The BCF-PHY layer consists of antenna array, a PHY Base Band controller, and a digital beam former. The BCF-Data-Link-Layer provides the MAC functionality. The BCF-Network-Layer assembles the packet, provides the source and destination address, and provides the BCF-PHY beam forming information. The BCF-Network-Layer is also responsible for parsing and assembling the packet payloads for the high-speed backbone connection.
US07672263B2 Adaptive power save mode for short-range wireless terminals
The invention relates to a method for controlling power consumption in a short-range wireless terminal. In order that the power save mode could be adapted to the traffic pattern of the terminal, the data traffic of the terminal is monitored and at least one parameter describing the data traffic is defined. Based on said at least one parameter and the beacon interval information received in beacon frames, the power state of the terminal is dynamically controlled so that the terminal is maintained in one of at least two power states including an active state and a power save state.
US07672260B2 Method of addressing messages and communications system
A target radio frequency identification (RFID) device may include a receiver to receive valid bits common to a first set of random numbers and to receive a signal indicating a change in a number of time slots from a first number of a plurality of time slots to a second number of a plurality of time slots in which the target device may respond. The target device may include processing circuitry to generate a random number, to determine if the random number is in the first set, to generate a random value, and to randomly select a time slot. The target device may further include a transmitter to communicate a response if the random number is determined to be in the first set, and to communicate the random value during the randomly selected time slot.
US07672252B2 Method and system for resolving switch number conflicts in a stackable switch system
A method for resolving switch number conflicts in a stackable switch system includes communicating a message between switches in the stackable switch system and determining, based on the communicated message, that two or more switches in the stackable switch system have the same switch number. The method also includes, in response to the determination that two or more switches have the same switch number, determining whether any of the switches should keep the switch number or select a new switch number.
US07672250B2 Multi-carrier wireless communication access terminal and data transmission method
A method, apparatus, and system permits an access terminal (“AT”) for a multi-carrier CDMA wireless communication system to concurrently receive data on N different-frequency carriers while restricting one or more parameters that affect data reception rate, so that limited resources of the AT will be sufficient to properly process data packets on the N carriers. The data rate controlling parameter may be “I,” the number of supported H-ARQ channels for one or more of the N carriers. A relationship may be defined between the number of supported forward and/or reverse link carriers, versus the number of supported H-ARQ channels and/or other data rate controlling parameters. Messages may enable identification of AT characteristics, and configuration and/or dynamic re-configuration of AT data communication capabilities that are related to different values of N and corresponding different data rate controlling parameters.
US07672249B2 Configurable network appliance
An Internet appliance accesses an HTML page on a Web site containing configuration information for the appliance, such as an Internet compatible telephone. Data from the HTML page are downloaded to the appliance to modify its options or settings automatically upon accessing the HTML page, or as directed by the user. The data may be downloaded to a programmable memory in the Internet appliance and the stored data may be used to upgrade the appliance. The upgrade HTML page may include information to alert the user when the new information is available regarding changes to options and settings of the appliance. Alternatively, data from the Internet appliance are placed in an HTML page and the data are then uploaded to the Web site. Additional embodiments provide other functions that may be placed in an HTML page to effect some internal action in the Internet appliance, such as checking e-mail.
US07672245B2 Method, device, and system for detecting layer 2 loop
A request-packet transmitting unit transmits a predetermined number of request packets having a non-unicast destination address that can be received by a target network including a network identified by a first network address, from a monitoring network identified by a second network address different from the first network address through a layer 3 relay device. A layer 2 loop detecting unit receives response packets corresponding to transmitted request packets through the layer 3 relay device, and detects a layer 2 loop in the target network based on number of received response packets and number of transmitted request packets.
US07672234B2 Congestion avoidance within aggregate channels
Network congestion avoidance within aggregated channels is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method first transmits a packet associated with a first channel of a plurality of related channels from a source protocol layer (e.g., a source IP layer) of a source through a network (e.g., the Internet). Next, the method triggers an ECN event by the packet at the network. Finally, at least one channel is determined to have decreased packets transmitted therethrough, in response to the triggering of the ECN event (e.g., based on a congestion pricing criteria).
US07672228B1 System and method for network loop detection and recovery
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a system and method of network loop detection and recovery. In one embodiment of the invention, a networked node contains a loop detection and recovery agent. The loop detection and recovery agent may include a loop detection module and a loop recovery module. The loop detection module may be independent of a redundancy protocol implemented by the networked node. In contrast, the loop recovery module may be embedded in the redundancy protocol implemented by the networked node.
US07672223B2 Method and apparatus for replicating a transport layer protocol stream
Network connection switchover is accomplished through a method comprising receiving information defining a first connection between a first network device and a computer; establishing a replication channel between the first network device and a backup device; storing backup control information at the backup device; communicating a message flow between the first network device and the computer on the first transport connection; in response to unavailability of the first network device, communicating messages on the replication channel that cause (a) establishing a second connection between the backup device and the computer; (b) continuing communication of the message flow between the backup device and the computer based on the backup control information. TCP connections, for example, can be switched from an active device to a backup device without reset or re-transmission.
US07672221B2 Radio receiver and radio signal receiving method
An OFDM receiver includes a timing error detection unit that determines error information based on a difference between receiving timing of a desired signal from a counterpart transmitter and receiving timing of an undesired signal from a non-counterpart transmitter. The timing error detection unit includes a pilot signal detection unit configured to detect a pilot signal of the desired signal and a pilot signal of the undesired signal from an FFT-processed received signal; a first converting unit configured to convert a frequency-domain channel estimate derived from the pilot signal of the desired signal to a first time-domain channel impulse response; a second converting unit configured to convert a frequency-domain channel estimate derived from the pilot signal of the undesired signal to a second time-domain channel impulse response; and an error information determination unit configured to determine the error information based on the first and second channel impulse responses.
US07672218B1 Orthogonal code division multiplexing for twisted pair channels
A plurality of data signals are separated into parallel bit streams with each parallel stream having a bandwidth characteristic such that the combined cumulative effect of all the individual bandwidths produces a spectral characteristic of the data signals that match the spectral high speed data characteristic of a twisted pair.
US07672216B2 Optical information recording medium, and substrate and manufacturing method for the optical information recording medium
In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.
US07672201B2 Diffraction grating, light-receiving element, and optical head and optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them
The invention relates to a diffraction grating, a light-receiving element, and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them and provides a diffraction grating and a light-receiving element capable of detecting a signal of high quality and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them. A diffraction grating includes a diffracting region which is formed only on a light exit surface and which diffracts and separates first laser light or second laser light emitted by a two-wavelength semiconductor laser to generate a main beam and positive and negative first order sub beams. The depth of concavity formed on the diffracting region is 220 nm. The irregularities are formed such that the pitch length thereof is 22 μm and such that a convexity thereof has a width of 17.6 μm. The ratio of the width of the convexity to the pitch length of the irregularities is 0.8.
US07672199B2 Close focus algorithm in a digital focus servo system
A focus servo system with a focus close algorithm is disclosed. The focus close algorithm provides a bias control effort to the focus servo system when focus is closed. A method of closing focus includes positioning an optical pick-up unit at a first position away from an optical medium, moving the optical pick-up unit towards a second position by altering a focus control effort, monitoring a sum signal obtained from signals received from the optical pick-up unit, and setting the bias control effort to the focus control effort when a closure criteria is satisfied. In some embodiments, the closure criteria includes that a sum signal exceeds a threshold value. In some embodiments, the closure criteria includes that a focus error signal is below a FES threshold.
US07672197B2 Optical pickup device and manufacturing method thereof
An optical pickup device having a lens through which light transmits, a holder to which the lens is mounted, a position adjusting member which is mounted on the holder, and a housing to which the holder is mounted has a structure to allow adjustment of a mounting position of a lens assembly formed by mounting the lens and the position adjusting member on the holder when the lens assembly is assembled in the housing. In this manner, the lens can be mounted to the housing with high precision.
US07672181B2 Semiconductor memory, test method of semiconductor memory and system
Each sub word line is coupled to a gate of a transfer transistor of a memory cell. A first switch of a sub word decoder couples the sub word line to a high level voltage line when a main word line is in an activation level. A second switch couples the sub word line to a low level voltage line when the main word line is in an inactivation level. A third switch couples the sub word line to the low level voltage line when a word reset signal line is in an activation level. A reset control circuit disables the inactivation of the main word line or the activation of the word reset signal line during a test mode. One of the second and third switches is forcibly turned off, and thereby, an operation failure of a sub word decoder can be detected easily.
US07672177B2 Memory device and method thereof
A memory device and a method thereof. The memory described includes a control module and a single-port memory array. The control circuit generates control signals according to a clock signal, a read command signal and a write command signal. The single-port memory array is accessed according to the control signals.
US07672171B2 Non-planar flash memory array with shielded floating gates on silicon mesas
A first plane of memory cells is formed on mesas of the array. A second plane of memory cells is formed in valleys adjacent to the mesas. The second plurality of memory cells is coupled to the first plurality of memory cells through a series connection of their source/drain regions. Wordlines couple rows of memory cells of the array. Metal shields are formed between adjacent wordlines and substantially parallel to the wordlines to shield the floating gates of adjacent cells.
US07672170B2 Flash memory device and program method thereof
A method for programming a flash memory device with a plurality of memory cells. A selected memory cell is programmed under a condition where a bulk area is biased with a high voltage. A program pass/fail of the memory cell is verified with the high voltage applied to the bulk area.
US07672167B2 Non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device may include at least one string, at least one bit line corresponding to the at least one string, and/or a sensing transistor. The at least one string may include a plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series. The sensing transistor may include a gate configured to sense a voltage of the corresponding bit line. A threshold voltage of the sensing transistor may be higher than a voltage obtained by subtracting a given voltage from a voltage applied to read the corresponding bit line connected to a memory cell transistor to be read of the plurality of memory cell transistors.
US07672146B2 Switching mode power supply and driving method
A switching mode power supply includes a switching transistor, coupled to a primary coil at a primary side of a transformer for converting an input DC voltage, supplying power to a secondary and a tertiary coil at a secondary side of the transformer according to an operation of the switching transistor; a switching controller receiving a feedback voltage corresponding to a first voltage generated in the secondary coil and receiving a detection signal corresponding to a current of the switching transistor to generate a switching control signal for controlling the turn on/off of the switching transistor; and a feedback signal generator receiving the first voltage and the switching control signal to set a sampling period, and storing the first voltage, sampled with a last pulse of the first pulse string within the sampling period as a feedback voltage. The output voltage is thereby accurately detected without opto-couplers or shunt regulators.
US07672145B2 Electronic component module
An electronic component module includes a module body including a substrate having components mounted thereon. A metal case is attached to the substrate to cover the components of the module body. The metal case includes a top-plate portion arranged substantially parallel to the main surface of the substrate and claw portions arranged at both edges thereof. The claw portions each include a claw body defined by a rectangular portion that is bent at an edge of the top-plate portion and extends in the direction of the substrate and a holding claw. In addition, contacting portions are bent at both ends of the rectangular portion to extend towards the inner portion of the main surface of the substrate. The contacting portions come into contact with the main surface of the substrate, and the holding claws are soldered to the side surfaces of the substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an electronic component module in which the proportion of a mounting area, in which components can be mounted, to a main surface of a substrate is increased, and in which positioning of a metal case can be easily performed.
US07672142B2 Grounded flexible circuits
Electronic devices may be provided with one or more electrical components that may be coupled to one or more circuit boards by flexible circuits that can have reduced ground lengths. Each flexible circuit can include at least one ground conductor that may run along its length and that may have at least one portion exposed for coupling to a grounding element that may also be coupled to a ground plane.
US07672127B2 Information processing device and manufacturing method of the information processing device
An information processing device includes a housing part; a heating part arranged in the housing part; a cooling unit configured to cool the heating part; an airflow supplying member configured to supply an airflow to the cooling unit; and an airflow limitation member configured to limit the airflow supplied by the airflow supplying member. A part of the cooling unit, the airflow limitation member, and the airflow supplying member are arranged in series. An air intake part is provided in one surface of the housing part so as to intake air into the airflow limitation member. An air discharge part is provided in another surface of the housing part so as to discharge air cooling the part of the cooling unit. An air discharge unit is provided at an air discharge opening provided at one side surface of the airflow limitation member.
US07672125B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic component generates heat in an electronic apparatus. The heat of the electronic component is transferred to a thermal conductive plate of a heat receiver in a liquid cooling unit. The heat is transferred to coolant from the thermal conductive plate. The temperature of the coolant rises. The heat exchanger absorbs heat of the coolant. The coolant gets cooled. The heat of the electronic component is also transferred to the printed wiring board. The heat spreads over the printed wiring board through a wiring pattern in the printed wiring board. Since the tank or/and pump is placed at a position outside the printed wiring board, the heat cannot be transferred to the tank or/and the pump. This results in prevention of rise in the temperature of the coolant in the tank or/and the pump. The efficiency of heat radiation can thus be enhanced.
US07672122B2 Flash memory disk with rotatable and telescopic protection structure and method using the same
A flash memory disk includes a holder, a plug, a housing and a pulling ring. The plug is joined with the holder and exposed out of the holder. The housing has a containing space for accommodating the holder and the plug, wherein two sides opposite to each other respectively have a through sliding groove and the third side of the housing there has an opening. The two arms of the pulling ring have sliding blocks, and the sliding blocks are moveable and matched with the through sliding grooves, wherein the pulling ring is rotated about the axis connecting both the sliding blocks, and when the sliding blocks of the pulling ring is moved, the holder would be located between a first position where the plug is entirely accommodated in the containing space and a second position where the plug is entirely protruded out of the opening.
US07672115B2 Inverter
The subject matter of the invention is an inverter including a casing (1), said casing (1) including at least two casing chambers (2, 3) that are each closable through a separate cover (2a, 3a).
US07672105B2 Production of limited lifetime devices achieved through E-fuses
An apparatus for disabling a circuit when the circuit is in a first preselected condition includes a critical element that has an enable state and a disable state. The critical element is configured in relation to the circuit such that the circuit cannot operate normally if the critical element is in the disable state. A trigger generates a state signal that causes the critical element to enter the disable state when a comparison of a current condition to a stored value indicates that the circuit is in the first preselected condition. In a method of controlling operation of a circuit, a current condition is sensed. Whether the current condition corresponds to a stored value is determined. If the current condition corresponds to the stored value, then a critical element is caused to enter a disable state so that the circuit is prevented from operating normally.
US07672096B2 Switching apparatus and method
An improved switching apparatus and method are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes first and second ports, a first switching device such as a contactor coupled between the ports, and a second switching device coupled in parallel with the contactor between the ports, where the second switching device can be or include a solid-state semiconductor device. The second switching device is operated to become conductive at a first time prior to a second time when the contactor switches between a conductive state and a non-conductive state, and remains conductive up to a third time subsequent to the second time. In at least some further embodiments, the apparatus also includes one or both of a voltage sensing capability and a current sensing capability and switches the second switching device to become conductive based upon voltage and/or current information.
US07672094B2 TMR sensor having an under-layer treated with nitrogen for increased magnetoresistance
A tunnel junction TMR magnetoresistive sensor formed on layers having nitrogen interspersed therein. The nitrogenation of the layers on which the sensor is deposited allows the sensor layers to have very smooth, uniform surfaces. This greatly improves sensor performance by, for example, providing a very uniform barrier layer thickness.
US07672091B2 Reset device for biasing element in a magnetic sensor
A device resets a biasing magnetization of a biasing element in a magnetic sensor. The device includes a magnetic structure that is magnetically coupled to the biasing element. A conductive element is disposed around at least a portion of the magnetic structure. When a current is passed through the conductive element, a magnetic field is produced that resets the biasing magnetization of the biasing element.
US07672089B2 Current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor with dual keeper layers
This invention provides a CPP TMR or GMR sensor with an amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer and a crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer. The amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer strongly exchange-couples to an underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer and planarizes its rough surface. The crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer strongly antiparallel-couples to an adjacent ferromagnetic reference layer across a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer is preferably made of a Co—Fe—B alloy film with an Fe content high enough to ensure strong exchange-coupling to the underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer, and with a B content high enough to ensure the formation of an amorphous phase for planarizing an otherwise rough surface due to the underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer. The crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer is preferably made of a Co—Fe alloy film with an Fe content low enough to ensure strong antiparallel-coupling to the adjacent ferromagnetic reference layer across the nonmagnetic spacer layer. The sensor is annealed at temperatures low enough to prevent the amorphous phase from transforming into a polycrystalline phase, but also high enough to maximize TMR.
US07672080B1 Laminated perpendicular writer head including amorphous metal
A writer pole for perpendicular recording and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The writer pole comprises a laminated structure of a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic amorphous metal spacer layer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers. Additional ferromagnetic and non-magnetic layers can be added, in an alternating fashion, to produce other laminated structures. Forming a perpendicular writer element includes forming a first magnetic layer, forming a spacer layer on the first magnetic layer, and forming a second magnetic layer on the spacer layer. Forming the perpendicular writer element can further include trimming the writer pole.
US07672079B2 Pole width control on plated bevel main pole design of a perpendicular magnetic recording head
A main pole layer is deposited within an opening in a patterned photoresist layer on a substrate. The photoresist is thinned to expose an upper portion of a pole tip region that is then trimmed to a rectangular shape while a lower portion retains an inverted trapezoidal shape. Thereafter, a second trimming process forms a pole tip with a first width in the upper rectangular portion and a second thickness and second width which is less than the first width in the lower portion. A CMP step subsequently thins the upper portion to a first thickness of 0.04 to 0.08 microns while the second thickness remains at 0.16 to 0.32 microns. The bottom surface of the lower portion along the ABS becomes the trailing edge in a recording operation. The pole tip has a consistent first width (track width) that is not influenced by CMP process variations.
US07672077B2 Auto loading device for data storage cartridges
A vertical autoloader design enables multiple data cartridges to be selectively loaded into a drive while minimizing the device footprint. The structure of the vertical autoloader incorporates Geneva steps into the walls of the autoloader. The Geneva steps interface with gearing on a drive carriage to move the drive vertically. The data cartridges are inserted into slots on the front of the vertical autoloader, and the data cartridges not currently loaded into the drive can be removed and replaced while the autoloader is in operation. Further, the vertical autoloader includes prevent devices in the cartridge slots to ensure the data cartridges are loaded correctly.
US07672071B2 Servo field preamble detector and methods for use therewith
A servo field preamble detector includes an upsampling module that generates a plurality of upsampled read samples by upsampling a read signal by an upsampling factor. An interpolation filter module generates a plurality of interpolated read samples from the plurality of upsampled read samples. A peak detection module identifies a plurality of peak samples from the plurality of interpolated read samples. A magnitude estimation module generates a magnitude estimation signal from the plurality of peak samples. A comparison module compares the magnitude estimation signal to a magnitude threshold and asserts a servo preamble detection signal when the magnitude estimation signal compares favorably to the magnitude threshold.
US07672065B2 Lens system and projector utilizing the same
A high-performance lens system includes lens elements of small diameters for projecting enlarged images from light valves (mainly Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs))for forming images by changing reflecting directions of light. The lens system includes, sequentially in order from a magnifying side, a first lens group which makes up a substantially afocal optical system as a whole and a second lens group having a positive refractive power as a whole. Depending on the application a third lens group made up of a single positive lens element is provided in the vicinity of the light valve on a contracting side of the second lens group.
US07672064B2 Optical element and optical unit
An optical unit includes one or more optical elements 15 and 25. At least one of the one or more optical elements has an optical functional surface that refracts incident light and rough surfaces 19 and 29 formed on an outer side with respect to the optical functional surface. The rough surfaces scatter the incident light which has been internally reflected. With this configuration, the rough surface formed on the surface located on the outer side with respect to the optical functional surface scatters the light which is incident on the optical element and which may generate ghost due to its internally reflection by the surface located on the outer side with respect to the optical functional surface. Therefore, generation of the ghost is suppressed. Also, since the optical unit includes the optical element having the rough surface, the generation of the ghost is suppressed.
US07672061B2 Zoom lens and imaging device
A zoom lens comprises: a stationary group that is stationary at the time of variable power; and a variable power group, disposed on an image side of the stationary group, that makes a variable power operation by moving in an optical axis direction at the time of variable power, wherein the stationary group comprises: a first lens group including a negative meniscus lens and a positive lens and having a positive refractive power as a whole; and a second lens group, disposed on the image side of the first lens group, including: a negative lens group including a negative meniscus lens and a positive lens; and a positive lens group including at least one positive lens, in order from an object side, the second lens group having a positive refractive power as a whole.
US07672060B2 Lens unit
A lens unit includes a lens having a focal length variable responsive to an applied electrical field, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector is a flexible circuit element that connects the lens to an electrical power supply.
US07672056B2 Wavefront correction system
A wavefront correction system using a dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator to vary phase relationships of a wavefront is disclosed. A light beam from the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be split into a reference beam and a plurality of measurement beams to enhance a speed and/or accuracy of phase measurement. A temperature of the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be sensed to facilitate temperature control and/or temperature compensation, so as to enhance the accuracy associated with use of the crossover frequency used to control the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator.
US07672050B2 Refractive index controlled diffractive optical element and its manufacturing method
A refractive index controlled diffractive optical element having a two-dimensional refractive index distribution to be written on a transparent material, wherein a first refractive index region with a refractive index n1 and width d1 is formed in a transparent material, and the ith refractive index region with a refractive index ni (assuming ni≠ni−1) and a width di is formed adjacent to the (i−1)th refractive index region and opposite to the (i −2)th refractive index region (at an arbitrary side of the (i−1)th refractive index region when i=2) where i is an integer within a range of 2≦i≦x. Accordingly, a diffractive optical element simultaneously having high diffraction efficiency to a particular order and thinness of the element itself can be obtained.
US07672048B2 Positioning mechanism and microscope using the same
A positioning mechanism capable of decreasing width and size and a microscope using the positioning mechanism are provided.The positioning mechanism is provided with a supporting shaft possessing a spherical surface part at a prescribed position and guides disposed substantially parallel to the supporting shaft and is characterized, on the assumption that of the three-dimensional directions, the axial direction of the supporting shaft constitutes the z direction, by the fact that the supporting shaft is nipped by the guides at the position of the spherical surface part and enabled to oscillate on the spherical surface part as a fulcrum in the xy directions and as well slide in the z direction.
US07672043B2 Catadioptric imaging system exhibiting enhanced deep ultraviolet spectral bandwidth
A relatively high spectral bandwidth objective employed for use in imaging a specimen and method for imaging a specimen is provided. The objective includes a lens group having at least one focusing lens configured to receive light energy and form an intermediate image, at least one field lens oriented to receive the intermediate image and provide intermediate light energy, and a Mangin mirror arrangement positioned to receive the intermediate light energy and apply light energy to the specimen. The objective may provide, in certain instances, a spectral bandwidth up to approximately 193 to 266 nanometers and can provide numerical apertures in excess of 0.9. Elements are less than 100 millimeters in diameter and may fit within a standard microscope. The field lens may include more than one lens and may be formed of a material different from at least one other lens in the objective.
US07672034B2 Method for manufacturing optical modulator, optical modulator, and optical modulation system
A manufacturing method is provided for a light modulation device that improves utilization efficiency of light. After forming a first reflective layer using a metallic material such as Pt or the like, on a substrate, a light modulating film is formed using an electro-optic material in which refractive index changes in accordance with an applied electrical field. After that, planarization is carried out so that irregularities on an upper surface of the light modulating film are less than or equal to 1/100 of the wavelength of light incident on the light modulation device. A transparent electrode is then formed using ITO, ZnO, or the like, on the light modulating film, and a second reflective layer including a dielectric multilayer is formed.
US07672017B2 Color reproducing device
A multi-spectral camera is provided which includes an image pickup optical system which forms an image of a subject. A wavelength selecting device receives light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs a light beam having a selected wavelength. A wavelength switching device selectively switches the selected wavelength of the wavelength selecting device. An image pickup element receives the light beam output from the wavelength selecting device and outputs image data. A spectroscope receives the light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs spectral data. And a subject characteristic calculating unit calculates a spectral data characteristic of the subject from the spectral data output from the spectroscope.
US07671989B2 Information maintenance during intensity attenuation in focused beams
Maintenance of information content in a focused beam of electromagnetic radiation when the intensity thereof is attenuated by application of an aperture-like element.
US07671987B2 Optical detection system for flow cytometry
An optical detection system for flow cytometry that uses light sources positioned laterally at different distances from the central axis of the flow stream for providing light through different parts of the flow stream. By using two or more light sources, the particle position can be detected, and the alignment and width of the core stream can be monitored and controlled.
US07671982B2 Systems, circuits and methods for reducing thermal damage and extending the detection range of an inspection system
Inspection systems, circuits, and methods are provided to enhance defect detection by reducing thermal damage to large particles by dynamically altering the incident laser beam power level supplied to the specimen during a surface inspection scan. In one embodiment, an inspection system includes an illumination subsystem for directing light to a specimen at a first power level, a detection subsystem for detecting light scattered from the specimen, and a power attenuator subsystem for dynamically altering the power level directed to the specimen based on the scattered light detected from the specimen. The power attenuator subsystem may reduce the directed light to a second power level, which is lower than the first, if the detected scattered light exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The systems and methods described herein may also be used to extend the measurement detection range of an inspection system by providing a variable-power inspection system.
US07671964B2 Exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to light via a reticle. A cooling device cools first water supplied from a facility by use of second water supplied for the facility, in which a temperature of the second water to be supplied from the facility is lower than a temperature of the first water to be supplied from the facility, a first supply path supplies the first water from the facility to the cooling device, a second supply path supplies the second water from the facility to the cooling device, and a third supply path supplies the first water cooled by the cooling device from the cooling device to a heat source inside the exposure apparatus.
US07671963B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus includes a liquid supply system member configured to contain a liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and the substrate and a liquid supply system member compensator arranged to compensate an interaction between the liquid supply system member and substrate table.
US07671961B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, column spacers at designated areas of the second substrate, protrusions having a first height on the first substrate corresponding to portions of the column spacers, compensation patterns having a second height on the first substrate corresponding to the edges of the column spacers, the second height being lower than the first height, and a liquid crystal layer filling a gap between the first and second substrates.
US07671954B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes an array substrate; a gate line formed on the array substrate; a data line formed on the array substrate crossing the gate lines; a thin film transistor formed on the array substrate, the thin film transistor being formed at an intersection between the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode formed on the array substrate and connected to the thin film transistor; an insulating interlayer formed on an entire surface of the array substrate; a common electrode formed on the insulating interlayer and having a plurality of slits; a metal line formed on the insulating interlayer overlapping the data line and the common electrode; a color filter substrate attached to the array substrate; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate.
US07671950B2 In-plane switching liquid crystal display comprising compensation film for angular field of view using positive biaxial retardation film
Disclosed is an in-plane switching liquid crystal display, which uses a positive biaxial retardation film while adjusting an optical axis direction and the retardation value of the positive biaxial retardation film. The in-plane switching liquid crystal display improves the contrast characteristic at a predetermined angular position as well as at a front position thereof, so a color shift according to the viewing angle in the black state is minimized.
US07671946B2 Electronically compensated LCD assembly
The invention relates to a method of electronic contrast enhancement for an LCD panel for use in an imaging device. The method comprises the step of coupling the LCD panel with a trim retarder in a pre-determined azimuthal orientation for at least partially compensating the residual in-plane retardance, followed by the step of non-mechanical fine-tuning of a dark state of the LCD panel. In the preferred embodiment, the fine-tuning of the dark state of the LCD panel is realized by adjusting the dark-state magnitude of the LC voltage. The method can be used in batch, e.g. wafer-level manufacturing of integrated trim retarder/LCD panels assemblies that can be electronically tuned to provide high on/off contrast.
US07671933B2 Liquid crystal display module
A liquid crystal display module for preventing noise caused by friction between a support main and a light guide plate is provided. In the module, a hole is defined at a support main having at least one of a polygonal shape or a circular shape. A light guide plate is disposed on the support main. A protrusion which protrudes from a side surface of the light guide plate is inserted into the hole. The protrusion has at least one of said polygonal shapes and said circular shape.
US07671932B2 Active matrix substrate and pixel defect correcting method therefor
An active matrix substrate facilitates correction of a pixel defect and a pixel defect correcting method. A laser target portion of a drain electrode extension portion is irradiated with laser light so as electrically disconnect a TFT from a subpixel electrode. Laser target portions are irradiated with laser light so as to melt an insulating layer, thereby establishing electrical connection between a drain electrode extension portion and a corrective connecting electrode and between a data signal line (13(m+1)) and the corrective connecting electrode. Laser target portions are irradiated with laser light, thereby establishing electrical connection between a drain electrode extension portion of a pixel P(n+1, m) and a corrective connecting electrode and between the data signal line (13(m+1)) and the corrective connecting electrode. Laser target portions are irradiated with laser light so as to separate part of the data signal line (13(m+1)) and use the separated part of the data signal line (13(m+1)) as a detour conductor.
US07671924B2 Method and device for scaling a two-dimensional image
A scaling device for video displays includes a limited number of line buffers and produces stable output frames by using a stable clock source to produce the output image clock. The scaling device further includes an error counter for determining an error between an ideal output line length and an actual line length and an error accumulator for keeping a running total of all output line length errors. The error accumulator can signal when the total line error for a given frame is greater than one, indicating that an additional output point should be added to the blanking area of that output line.
US07671923B2 Digital processing system and method for tracking subcarrier included in video signal
A digital processing system and method for tracking a subcarrier included in a video signal are provided, where a phase comparator tracks the phase of a color burst signal based on predetermined supposed phases, Y/C separation and demodulation are carried out based on a compensation phase that is updated by a phase compensator in response to the tracked phase, and the Y/C separation and demodulation are performed based on a compensation frequency determined by a frequency compensator by checking short-term and long-term variations in the updated compensation phase.
US07671921B2 Image pickup apparatus having a movable grip portion
An image pickup apparatus comprises: an image pickup unit for picking up an object image; an image display unit for displaying an image; a grip portion to be grasped by an operator; a moving portion for allowing the grip portion to move between a first position in which the grip portion overlaps part of the image display unit and a second position in which the grip portion does not overlap the image display unit.
US07671917B2 Image taking apparatus, image taking system, and lens apparatus
The present invention discloses an image taking apparatus which can control image deterioration caused by the image size of an attached lens apparatus and image generating region of an image pickup element not corresponding. The image taking apparatus has an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by the attached lens apparatus; an image producing section which produces recording image data to be recorded based on an output from the image pickup element; and a controller which judges an image size of the attached lens apparatus and changes an image producing region for producing the recording image data within a light receiving region of the image pickup element based on the judged image size.
US07671910B2 Interpolator, method, and digital image signal processor for adaptive filtering of Bayer pattern color signal
An interpolator and method for high image resolution by interpolation with adaptive filtering of Bayer pattern color signals, and a digital image signal processor implementing the same. The digital image signal processor can generate interpolation data close to actual pixel data by applying a nonlinear low pass filter (LPF) that reflects the change rate of the data centered around a center pixel and the data of the center pixel, and by simultaneously applying a LPF, a band pass filter (BPF), and a high pass filter (HPF) having linear characteristics, and can generate interpolation data that reduces aliasing (at “edges”) and emphasizes a high frequency component.
US07671899B2 Electronic camera having a focusing circuit for performing a plurality of focusing operations on the basis of an in-focus level and/or an image area
In an electronic camera, during a photographing operation for photographing a white sheet of paper or the like to obtain white balance data, a plurality of distance measuring points provided in an automatic focusing mechanism are restricted to only the one that is located at a central portion of the image plane. Further, a determination level used for determining an in-focus state in the automatic focusing mechanism is set lower than where an ordinary object is photographed. Accordingly, the photographing operation for obtaining white balance data can be completed for a short time. Furthermore, if the automatic focusing operation itself is inhibited during the photographing operation for photographing a white sheet of paper or the like to obtain white balance data, that photographing operation can be completed for a very short time.
US07671883B2 Image recording apparatus
A laser beam emitted from each semiconductor laser 27 is guided by a step index type multi-mode optical fiber, a graded index type multi-mode optical fiber deformable and movable with movement of a recording head, and a step index type multi-mode optical fiber, to be emitted from a light emitter toward an imaging optical system.
US07671878B2 Thermal printer and paper recognition method
A thermal printer has a first thermal head, a second thermal head, and a feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism feeds one of thermal papers which include a double-sided thermal paper having thermosensitive layers formed on both sides thereof and a single-sided thermal paper having a thermosensitive layer formed on one side thereof. The first thermal head is so provided as to be brought into contact with a first side of the thermal paper fed by the feeding mechanism. The second thermal head is so provided as to be brought into contact with a second side of the thermal paper fed by the feeding mechanism. The thermal printer determines whether a mark has been printed at least one of the first and second sides of the thermal paper and controls print operation based on a determination result.
US07671872B2 Method and apparatus for determining chrominance space
A method for determining which one of regions in a chrominance space an input point belongs to. The regions are defined by boundary lines. The method includes generating in the chrominance space a first line, extending through the input point and the origin of the chrominance space, and a second line, connecting a point on the Cb axis of the chrominance space and a point on the Cr axis of the chrominance space. The method further includes comparing coordinates of a first intersection point, at which the first line and the second line intersect, and coordinates of second intersection points, at which the second line and the boundary lines intersect, to determine the region to which the input point belongs.
US07671867B2 Method for locating underground deposits of hydrocarbon including a method for highlighting an object in a three dimensional scene
A method of highlighting a selected object in a 3D scene comprises: executing an off screen rendering software and, responsive thereto, generating a texture image containing an image of the visible parts of a selected object over a background color, and, in response to said texture image, executing an on screen rendering software in combination with a fragment shader software thereby drawing a silhouette of the selected object.
US07671865B2 Refresh of display
A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium for sending to a display device only those regions of the display screen that change. A frame buffer is divided into tiles, which may be composed of one or more regions, and data in the frame buffer represents pixels on the display screen. When data representing a pixel is modified in the frame buffer, the region or tile associated with the pixel is marked as dirty, and those tiles or regions that are dirty in the frame buffer are written to the display.
US07671861B1 Apparatus and method of customizing animated entities for use in a multi-media communication application
A method of creating an animated entity for delivering a multi-media message from a sender to a recipient comprises receiving from the sender an image file to a server, the image file having associated sender-assigned name, gender, category and indexing information. The server presents to the sender the image file and a group of generic face model templates. After the sender selects one of the generic face model templates, the server presents the image file and the selected model template to the sender and requests the sender to mark features on the image file. After the sender marks the image file, the server presents to the sender a preview of at least one expression associated with the marked image file. If the user does not accept the image file after the preview, the server presents again the image file and selected model template for the sender to redo or add marked features on the image file. If the user accepts the image file after the preview, the server presents the image file as an optional animated entity when the sender chooses an animated entity to deliver a multi-media message.
US07671831B2 Output buffer with improved output deviation and source driver for flat panel display having the output buffer
An output buffer with an improved output deviation and a source driver of a flat panel display which employs the output buffer wherein the output buffer includes a first input terminal to which a first differential input signal is applied, a second input terminal to which a second differential input signal is applied, an output terminal that generates an output signal based on the second differential input signal and feeds back the output signal to the first input terminal as the first input signal, a first power supply terminal to which a first power supply voltage is applied, a second power supply terminal to which a second power supply voltage is applied, and an amplification unit that amplifies a difference between the first differential input signal and the second differential input signal, pulls up the output signal to the first power supply voltage or pulls down the output signal to the second power supply voltage, and includes a plurality of transistors.
US07671827B2 Electro-optical device
An electro-optical device comprising a display drive system with the display timing related to the unit time t for writing-in a picture element and to the time F for writing-in one picture is disclosed. In the device, a gradated display corresponding to the ratio of the division can be obtained by time-sharing the signal during a write-in of time t without changing the time F.
US07671826B2 Semiconductor device, display device, and electronic device
A display device includes a load, a transistor for controlling a current value supplied to the load, a capacitor, a first wiring, a second wiring, and first to fourth switches. Variations in the current value caused by variations in the threshold voltage of the transistor can be suppressed through the steps of: (1) holding the threshold voltage of the transistor in the storage capacitor, (2) inputting a potential in accordance with a video signal, and (3) holding a voltage that is the sum of the threshold voltage and the potential in accordance with the video signal, in the storage capacitor. Accordingly, a desired current can be supplied to the load such as a light emitting element.
US07671820B2 Luneberg dielectric lens and method of producing same
A hemispherical Luneberg dielectric lens including a hemispherical center layer having a hemispherical outer surface, and a plurality of hemispherical dome-shaped layers each having concentric hemispherical inner and outer surfaces, the outer surfaces of the center layer and dome-shaped layers having different diameters and the inner surfaces of said dome-shaped layers having different diameters. The center layer and dome-shaped layers are successively concentrically fitted into one another and integrated into a hemispherical shape. The center layer is a foam molding of ceramic-containing thermoplastic resin expanded beads, while each of said dome-shaped layers is a foam molding of thermoplastic resin expanded beads containing 0 to 80% by weight of a ceramic. The ceramic content per unit volume of the center and dome-shaped layers decreases from the center layer to the outermost dome-shaped layer, and the standard deviation of the apparent density of each of the center and dome-shaped layers is 0.07 g/cm3 or lower.
US07671817B2 Wideband antenna
An antenna arrangement for a communication device is provided that may include a monopole antenna element having a bottom side joined to a first lateral side and joined to a second lateral side. The bottom side may be joined to each lateral side at an angle less than 90 degrees for forming an antenna element area defined at least by the bottom side and the first and second lateral sides. The antenna element area may include an central part arcuate around a longitudinal axis in a conical fashion, so that at least a part of the bottom side is provided half a turn around the longitudinal axis.
US07671807B2 High-directional wide-bandwidth antenna
A high-directional wide-bandwidth antenna is disclosed. The high-directional wide-bandwidth antenna includes a first element, a first radiating body, a second radiating body, a third radiating body, and a fourth radiating body. The first element has a first feeding point, wherein its equivalent reactance is inductive. One end of the first radiating body is connected to the first element and the other end of the first radiating body is a coupling surface. The second radiating body has a second feeding point and is extended through the second feeding point to the coupling surface so that the energy is transferred between the first radiating body and the second radiating body through the coupling surface. The first resonant frequency is attained by the first radiating body and the second radiating body, and the second resonant frequency is attained by the third radiating body and the fourth radiating body.
US07671799B1 Antenna calibration method and system
A phased array antenna system includes an RF front end, a radome, and an optical calibrator embedded in the radome for enabling in-situ calibration of the RF front end. The optical calibrator employs an optical timing signal generator (OTSG), a Variable Optical Amplitude and Delay Generator array (VOADGA) for receiving the modulated optical output signal and generating a plurality of VOADGA timing signals, and an optical timing signal distributor (OTSD). The in-situ optical calibrator allows for reduced calibration time and makes it feasible to perform calibration whenever necessary.
US07671780B2 Method and device for processing an incident signal, in particular for frequency transposition
A method is for processing an incident signal, in which the incident signal is delivered to a transconductor stage, and a current output of the transconductor stage is coupled to an output capacitor so as to deliver to the output capacitor a current signal lasting for at least part of the first half-period of each period of a periodic signal and to thus obtain a frequency-transposed signal at the output capacitor. Upon the occurrence of each part of the first half-period, the voltage of the current output, seen from the output capacitor, is reset to a value equal to that of the voltage of the output capacitor.
US07671775B2 Digital-to-analog converter
A converter of 6-bit input includes a reference voltage generating circuit generating 17 reference voltages, a first switch circuit having 19 switch pairs each including MOS transistors for selecting two adjacent reference voltages in accordance with the four most significant bits, a second switch circuit including a series circuit of MOS transistors for dividing the selected two reference voltages into four to obtain three intermediate voltages, and a third switch circuit for selectively outputting the lower of the selected two reference voltages or one of the three intermediate voltages. In a second mode in which a gray level having a smaller ON-resistance of a MOS transistor than that in the first mode is selected, the number of MOS transistors used in the first and second switch circuits for voltage division is increased.
US07671774B2 Analog-to-digital converter with integrator circuit for overload recovery
Apparatus and methods are provided for overload recovery in high order sigma-delta feedback topologies. An apparatus is provided for an analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter comprises a first integrator having a first input, wherein the first integrator is configured to produce a first integrated output. A first switched resistance element is coupled between the first input and the first integrated output, wherein the first integrated output is altered when the first switched resistance element is activated. A quantizer is coupled to the first integrated output, the quantizer having a digital output wherein the quantizer converts the first integrated output to a digital value. A digital-to-analog converter is coupled between the digital output and the first input, wherein the digital-to-analog converter converts the digital value to an analog value.
US07671767B2 LIFO radix coder for electrical computers and digital data processing systems
Embodiments described herein may include example embodiments of a method, article and/or apparatus for coding data which may be used for communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium (e.g., a bus) within a single computer or digital data processing system, and/or for communication between computing platforms via a network or other interconnection medium.
US07671764B2 Method and system for using traffic flow data to navigate a vehicle to a destination
Methods and systems are provided for selectively using traffic flow data to provide routing options for a vehicle traveling to a destination point. There is provided a method comprising setting a threshold traffic flow data availability level, receiving traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along one or more routes to the destination point, and determining whether the traffic flow data for each route meets the threshold availability level. The method further comprises enabling a flow-based route guidance for those routes for which the traffic flow data meets the threshold availability level. In one embodiment, the flow-based route guidance comprises utilizing the traffic flow data to calculate an estimated time of arrival at the destination point along each route.
US07671762B2 System and method for transceiving motor vehicle data
A system and method for transceiving vehicle data is provided. The system and method provide for transceiving situation data to or from a vehicle. The system includes a situation data generator for generating the situation data and a transceiver for transmitting the situation data. The system also includes a database for storing the transmitted situation data and a display for displaying the transmitted situation data. Further, a system for storing situation and/or vehicle identification data for real time or later analysis is also disclosed.
US07671761B2 Method and system for calculating altitude above runway for an aircraft
The system contains a receiver in communication with a programmable device. The receiver receives a first horizontal distance from the aircraft to a threshold of the runway, an angle of a glide path, and a threshold crossing height. The programmable device determines a projected ground distance from the aircraft to the threshold. The programmable device determines a projected ground distance from the threshold to a glide path intercept point. The programmable device determines a vertical value along the glide path relative to a projected ground distance between the aircraft and the glide path intercept point. The programmable device determines a synthetic altitude above runway for the aircraft.
US07671753B2 Slurry monitoring system and method
System and method are disclosed for monitoring slurry from a central location and replenishing the slurry as needed. The method/system allows a slurry supplier to track various properties of the slurry, as well as monitor various aspects of the slurry storage and delivery system. When the volume of slurry at the remote location falls below a predetermined point, the slurry supplier can schedule both the production of the appropriate slurry and its timely delivery to the customer. Changes in the condition of existing slurry, as well as leaks and other malfunctions in the slurry storage system, may be promptly detected and the slurry supplier immediately notified so that corrective actions may be taken. Multiple slurry storage systems at several remote locations may be monitored simultaneously from the central location. Such an arrangement offers a complete, one-stop solution to customers whose businesses depend on a reliable supply of “field ready” slurry.
US07671751B2 System and method for conducting pet death, and other pet related transactions over a computer network
A business method for conducting pet, death, DNA and other related transactions over a computer network is disclosed. A one-stop site on the Internet permits remote users to establish accounts, run user sessions, obtain information, and order pet, death, DNA and other related products and services from a variety of sources and vendors. The one-stop site performs multiple services that are ordinarily done by many both for the initial user and for subsequent related users that are referenced to the site. Charges for all transactions are made to user accounts and payments need only be made to the one-stop site.
US07671741B2 Anti-theft security device and perimeter detection system
A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.
US07671736B2 Wireless electromagnetic parasitic power transfer
A wireless system including an antenna, an electrical energy storage unit connected to the antenna, the energy storage unit receiving power via electromagnetic coupling of the antenna with an RF field generated by a master unit, and an electronics package. The electronics package is powered by the energy storage unit, and it includes a sensor, a processor that is capable of acquiring data from the sensor, and a transmitter connected to the processor and to the antenna, wherein the energy storage unit is capable of storing sufficient energy to supply power for the processor to format a message containing data acquired from the sensor and for the transmitter to transmit the message wirelessly via the antenna.
US07671734B2 Footprint location system
A footprint location system installed on footwear is disclosed. A user simply has to wear the shoes to track his/her locations without any setup or calibration efforts. The footprint location system measures and tracks the displacement vectors along a trail of footprints. The position of a user can be determined by summing up the current and all previous displacement vectors. In addition to being infrastructure-free, the footprint location method does not have problems found in existing indoor location systems, such as obstacles, multi-path effects, signal noises, signal interferences, and dead spots.
US07671732B1 Emergency alert notification for the hearing impaired
An indication of an emergency alert message is provided to a user, potentially having a disability, via a networked enabled portable device. The emergency alert message is provided via sign language video images indicative of the emergency alert. A notification makes the user aware when broadcast emergency alerts are issued. In various embodiments, the portable device is enabled to receive information about an emergency alert broadcast of which the potentially disabled user should be aware, e.g., from the EAS, and to notify the user of the emergency alert. The user can be automatically taken to the emergency alert information by having the portable device automatically tune to the emergency broadcast information, the user can optionally retrieve the emergency information by tuning to the emergency broadcast channel, and/or the user can otherwise be presented with a reference to the emergency data, such as a link to the information.
US07671729B2 System and a method for remote monitoring customer security systems
There is provided a system for remote monitoring a plurality of security systems connected to the Internet, the security systems being assigned dynamic IP addresses, each of the security systems comprising a remote monitoring server module, the system comprising a central alarm monitoring service connected to the Internet for periodically communicating with the plurality of security systems and determining a status thereof to generate an alarm signal as a function of the status, the alarm monitoring service storing a current IP address of the plurality of security systems in an IP address database, and a remote monitoring gateway providing authenticated or unauthenticated dynamic domain name service (DDNS) server functionality to connect a given remote monitoring client to a desired one of the security systems, the gateway being connected to the IP address database and to the Internet. There is further provided a method of remote monitoring a security system.
US07671725B2 Vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus, vehicle surroundings monitoring method, and vehicle surroundings monitoring program
A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus, a vehicle surroundings monitoring method, and a vehicle surroundings monitoring program which can rapidly determine an object such as a pedestrian to be avoided which must be avoided from coming into contact with the vehicle from an image of the surroundings of the vehicle and can provide information to a driver or control the vehicle behaviors. The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus includes an object extraction process unit (11) which extracts objects existing around a vehicle (10) from images taken by infrared cameras (2R, 2L), a pedestrian extraction process unit (12) which extracts a pedestrian from the extracted objects, a posture determination process unit (13) which determines the posture of the extracted pedestrian, an object-to-be-avoided determination process unit (14) which determines whether the extracted object is an object to be avoided which must be avoided from coming into contact with the vehicle (10) by executing a determination algorithm including at least a first determination process on the posture of the pedestrian determined by the posture determination process unit (13), and a vehicle equipment control process unit (15) which controls equipment of the vehicle (10) at least according to the determination result of the object-to-be-avoided determination process unit (14).
US07671715B2 Magnetic element and method for manufacturing the same
A magnetic element having an excellent direct-current saturation characteristic by effectively utilizing a size of a core is provided. The magnetic element has cores 11, 7, 8 and 17 formed of a magnetic material, buried conductor parts 21, 31 and 41 in the magnetic material, and a plurality of branch conductor parts 22, 23, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42 and 43 branching from the buried conductor parts 21, 31 and 41 to be a plurality of parts and separately turning around the magnetic material.
US07671709B2 Substrate and substrate module
A substrate module includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate comprises a base material; a transmission line in which a signal line is sandwiched between two ground patterns, on the surface of the base material; a ground pattern on the rear surface of the base material; and an exposed portion in which the ground pattern on the substrate surface is exposed by partially cutting out the base material and the ground pattern on the substrate rear surface. The second substrate comprises a base material and a transmission line in which a signal line is sandwiched between two ground patterns, on the surface of the base material. In connecting a transmission line of the first substrate and that of the second substrate, the ground patterns of the first and second substrates are fused with each other at the exposed portion and fixed.
US07671708B2 Mechanical temperature-compensating device for a phase-stable waveguide
The present invention relates to a mechanical compensating device for a waveguide (1). More precisely, the present invention provides a technology for ensuring phase stability in a waveguide (1) subject to expansions and contractions owing to temperature changes. To do this, actuators, which may consist of pairs of prongs (8-9, 10-11), connected to longitudinal ribs (2, 3) cut in the body of the waveguide (1) and integral therewith, cause, because of a large difference between the respective coefficients of thermal expansion of the waveguide (1) and of the actuators, a rotation of the longitudinal ribs (2, 3) about themselves, deforming the short sides (4, 5) of the waveguide (1) when said waveguide (1) expands or contracts according to the changes in temperature.
US07671704B2 LC resonant circuit
An LC resonant circuit. The LC resonant circuit comprises an inductor and a conductor. The inductor is an electrode plate of a capacitor. The conductor is over, under, or on both sides of the inductor and used as the other electrode plate of the capacitor.
US07671702B2 2D transmission line-based apparatus and method
A power combiner comprising an LC lattice structure is shown, together with a method for generating a planar wave front. The LC structure can comprise constant or voltage dependent capacitors. Either the delay or the characteristic impedance of the two-dimensional transmission line formed by the LC lattice structure are kept constant. A planar wave propagating along one direction of the transmission line gradually experiences higher impedances at the edges, creating a lower resistance path for the current in the middle. This funnels more power to the center as the wave propagates.
US07671687B2 Electron beam RF amplifier and emitter
RF field is sensed to produce an incoming voltage that drives a microarray of electron guns in a sweep pattern towards a detector array. The electron guns emit a beam current that may amplify the incoming voltage signal, and the detector material may be selected to amplify the beam current at the detector, for example, by avalanche and/or cascade in a Schottky material, to provide a low current, high gain amplification. The microarrays may be arranged in various combinations to produce successive amplifications, frequency multipliers, transmit-receive amplifiers, crossbar switches, mixers, beamformers, and selective polarization devices, among other such devices.
US07671682B2 Variable gain power amplifier
A variable gain power amplifier includes a power amplifying unit and a signal generating unit. The power amplifying unit includes a control terminal, and a gain of the power amplifying unit is variable by a control signal provided through the control terminal. The signal generating unit generates the control signal to be provided to the control terminal. The signal generating unit includes a switching circuit to be turned on and off by a binary signal, a constant current source that generates a constant current, and a variable current source that generates a variable current. Also, the signal generating unit generates, when the switching circuit is on, a control signal of a magnitude that turns on the power amplifying unit and depends on a magnitude of a sum of the constant current and the variable current. When the switching circuit is off, the signal generating unit generates a control signal of a magnitude that turns off the power amplifying unit.
US07671681B2 Gigabit ethernet transceiver with analog front end
Circuitry to remove switches from signal paths in integrated circuit programmable gain attenuators. Programmable gain attenuators and programmable gain amplifiers commonly switch between signal levels using semi-conductor switches. Such switches may introduce non-linearities in the signal. By isolating the switches from the signal path linearity of the PGA can be improved.
US07671680B2 Electronic circuit
An electronic circuit includes an input terminal, a transimpedance amplifier connected to the input terminal and including an amplifier and a feedback resistor, a first time constant circuit smoothing an output from the transimpedance amplifier, a gain control circuit arranged between the input terminal and ground potential and controlling current flowing between the input terminal and the ground potential on the basis of the output from the first time constant circuit, and a safeguard circuit controlling the gain control circuit and blocking the current flowing between the input terminal and the ground potential, when a signal to be input into the input terminal is stopped.
US07671667B2 Rapidly activated current mirror system
One embodiment of the invention includes a current mirror system. The system comprises a master circuit configured to conduct a first current in response to an activation state of an activation signal. The system also comprises a slave circuit configured to generate at least one second additional current in response to the activation state of the activation signal. Each of the at least one additional current can be proportional to the first current. The system further comprises a current path circuit that is configured as a substantial copy of the master circuit, the current path circuit being configured to conduct the first current in response to a deactivation state of the activation signal.
US07671666B2 Methods to reduce threshold voltage tolerance and skew in multi-threshold voltage applications
A circuit and a method for adjusting the performance of an integrated circuit, the method includes: comprising: (a) measuring the performance of a first monitor circuit having at least one field effect transistor (FET) of a first set of FETs, each FET of the first set of FETs having a designed first threshold voltage; (b) measuring the performance of a second monitor circuit having at least one field effect transistor (FET) of a second set of FETs, each FET of the second set of FETs having a designed second threshold voltage, the second threshold voltage different from the first threshold voltage; and (c) applying a bias voltage to wells of the FETs of the second set of FETs based on comparing a measured performance of the first and second monitor circuits to specified performances of the first and second monitor circuits.
US07671654B2 Device having clock generating capabilities and a method for generating a clock signal
A method for generating a clock signal and a device having clock generating capabilities, the device includes: (i) a first divider, adapted to receive an input clock signal and divide the input clock signal to provide a first clock signal; (ii) a second divider, adapted to receive an input clock signal and divide the input clock signal to provide a second clock signal; wherein the first clock signal is phase shifted in relation to the second clock signal by half an input clock cycle; wherein a delay period of the first divider substantially equals a delay period of the second divider over a large range of delay affecting parameter values; (iii) a reconstruction circuit, connected to the first and second divider circuits, adapted to receive the first and second clock signals and apply a logical operation on the first and second clock signals to provide a reconstructed clock signal; and (iv) a selection circuit, connected to the first divider, second divider and reconstruction circuit, adapted to output an output clock signal in response to a selection signal that indicates whether to output the first clock signal, the second clock signal or the reconstructed clock signal.
US07671649B2 Apparatus and method for generating multi-phase clocks
An apparatus for generating multi-phase clocks in accordance with the present invention includes a clock delay configured to delay a source clock by a delay time corresponding to a control signal to generate a plurality of clocks; a clock multiplexer configured to output a first clock for a first locking region and a second clock for a second locking region sequentially as a selected clock in response to a locking detection signal; a phase detector configured to detect a phase of the selected clock in comparison to a phase of the source clock to output a phase detection signal; and a control voltage signal generator configured to generate the control signal corresponding to the phase detection signal.
US07671647B2 Apparatus and method for trimming static delay of a synchronizing circuit
A system and method for trimming an unadjusted forward delay of a delay-locked loop (DLL) and trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals provided by a DLL. For trimming an unadjusted forward delay, delay is added to one of a feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal path and a feedback clock signal is provided from the feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal is provided from the input clock signal path for phase comparison. For trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals, one of a first delayed input clock signal and a second delayed input clock signal is delayed. The first and second delayed input clock signals are complementary. The delayed clock signal and the other clock signal are provided as the first and second output clock signals.
US07671635B2 Frequency synthesizer, coupled divide-by-N circuit, current-reuse multiply-by-M circuit
A frequency synthesizer is provided in the present invention. The frequency synthesizer includes a single phase-locked loop having a reference frequency signal input, a first output, a second output and a pair of divide-by-N circuits coupled with each other and electrically connected to the second output; a multiply-by-M circuit having a first input electrically connected to the first output and a third output; and a combination of a buffer and a mixer having a second input electrically connected to the second output and a third input electrically connected to the third output generating a frequency signal output.
US07671630B2 USB 2.0 HS voltage-mode transmitter with tuned termination resistance
A high-speed universal serial bus (USB) transceiver includes a voltage-mode architecture for generating a USB signal. The voltage mode architecture reduces power consumption by reducing the current requirements for high-speed USB communications. The USB transceiver can include a reference voltage generator, a resistive element, and a switching element for completing and breaking a circuit including the reference voltage generator, the resistive element, and a data pin of a USB port to generate half of the differential USB signal (e.g., the D+ signal). A similar circuit can be used to generate the other half of the differential USB signal (i.e., the D− signal). The resistive element can be a set of parallel resistors in the transceiver, with the set of parallel resistors being specifically selected from a larger population of resistors to provide the specified resistance (45 Ω±10%) in the USB transceiver.
US07671628B2 Bus interface and method for conveying multi-level communication signals between a communication bus and a device coupled to a communication bus
A bus interface and corresponding method is provided for conveying communication signals supporting multiple modes, where at least two of the modes have distinct operational communication signal levels. The bus interface is adapted to convert the communication signals between communication signals having distinct signal levels, and communication signals having compatible signal levels. Where in at least some instances, the conveyed communication signals are converted from communication signals having distinct signal levels to communication signals having compatible signal levels, and then back to communication signals having distinct signal levels, after the communication signals having compatible signal levels are transmitted and received via one or more associated communication paths.
US07671627B1 Superscale processor performance enhancement through reliable dynamic clock frequency tuning
In the case of a pipelined processor, a performance gain is achievable through dynamically generating a main clock signal associated with a synchronous logic circuit and generating at least one backup register clock signal, the backup register clock signal at the same frequency as the main clock signal and phase shifted from the main clock signal to thereby provide additional time for one or more of the logic stages to execute. Error detection or error recovery may be performed using the backup registers. The methodology can further be extended, to design a system with cheaper technology and simple design tools that initially operates at slower speed, and then dynamically overclocks itself to achieve improved performance, while guaranteeing reliable execution.
US07671626B1 Versatile logic element and logic array block
An embodiment of this invention pertains to a versatile and flexible logic element and logic array block (“LAB”). Each logic element includes a programmable combinational logic function block such as a lookup table (“LUT”) and a flip-flop. Within the logic element, multiplexers are provided to allow the flip-flop and the LUT to be programmably connected such that either the output of the LUT may be connected to the input of the flip-flop or the output of the flip-flop may be connected to the input of the LUT. An additional multiplexer allows the output of the flip-flop in one logic element to be connected to the input of a flip-flop in a different logic element within the same LAB. Output multiplexers selects between the output of the LUT and the output of the flip-flop to generate signals that drive routing lines within the LAB and to routing lines external to the LAB. These output multiplexers are constructed such that the combinational output (output from the LUT) is faster than the output from the flip-flop. A collection of routing lines and multiplexers within the LAB are used to provide inputs to the LUTs. Each of the input multiplexers for each logic element is connected to a subset of the routing lines within the LAB using a specific pattern of connectivity of multiplexers to associated wires that maximizes the efficiency of use of the routing wires. Control signals for the set of logic elements within the LAB are generated using a secondary signal generation unit that minimizes contention for shared signals. One of the control signals is an “add-or-subtract control signal” that allows all of the LEs in a LAB to perform either addition or subtraction under the control of a logic signal. In a PLD supporting redundancy, the carry chain for the LABs is arranged in the same direction that redundancy shifts to remap defective LABs and a multiplexer on the carry input of a LAB is used to select the appropriate carry output from another LAB depending on whether redundancy is engaged.
US07671621B2 Closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits
Systems and methods for closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits. In one embodiment a plurality of controllable inputs to an integrated circuit is adjusted to achieve a predetermined value of a dynamic operating indicator of the integrated circuit. An operating condition of an integrated circuit is controlled via closed loop feedback based on dynamic operating indicators of the integrated circuit's behavior.
US07671619B2 Measuring system and method
A measuring system comprises a pulse generator, an under test device, a variable resistor and a detecting control system. The pulse generator provides pulse signals with different voltage peaks to the under test device and the variable resistor. The variable resistor adjusts its resistance value according to a control signal. The detecting control system detects the voltage ringing ranges of the first terminal of the under test device at different resistance values. The detecting control system generates the control signal to adjust the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the voltage ringing ranges.
US07671607B2 System and method for measuring air bearing gap distance
A method of determining the air gap distance between an air bearing pad and an apparatus floating on the air bearing pad comprises coupling a first probe to the air bearing pad; coupling a second probe to the apparatus floating on the air bearing pad, wherein the first and second probes provide the capacitance level between the air bearing pad and the apparatus; converting the capacitance level to a frequency; converting the frequency to a voltage level proportional to the air gap distance; and calculating the air gap distance based on the voltage level.
US07671605B2 Large signal scattering functions from orthogonal phase measurements
The invention measures the X-parameters (or large-signal S and T scattering functions, sometimes called linearized scattering functions, which are the correct way to define “large-signal S-parameters”) with only two distinct phases for small-signals on a frequency grid established by intermodulation frequencies and harmonics of the large-tones, with guaranteed well-conditioned data from which the X-parameter functions can be solved explicitly, without the need for regression, and not limited by performance limits of the reference generator or phase-noise.
US07671603B2 Screening of electrolytic capacitors
A method for screening electrolytic capacitors places a capacitor in series with a resistor in series with a resistor, applying a test voltage and following the charge curve for the capacitor. A high voltage drop indicates high reliability and a low voltage drop is used to reject the piece. The leakage current is not adversely affected during the test.
US07671593B2 RF body coil with acoustic isolation of conductors
A system for isolating vibration and reducing acoustic noise in the RF coil of an MR imaging apparatus is presented. The system positions an RF conductor in its operative position proximate to an RF support form. The RF conductor is sandwiched between a vibration decoupling layer and a mass loading layer. The vibration decoupling layer is affixed to the RF support form so that the vibration decoupling layer is positioned between the RF conduit and the RF support form while the mass loading layer is located exterior of the RF conductor. By this arrangement, the acoustic energy is decoupled from the RF support form by the vibration decoupling layer while the vibration is reduced by the mass loading layer located exterior of the RF conductor.
US07671591B2 Method and system for comparing micro-electronic devices using magnetic resonance imaging
A method of comparing micro-electronic devices. The method includes: placing a first micro-electronic device in a sample chamber of a magnetic resonance imaging machine, subjecting the first micro-electronic device to a magnetic field and a radio frequency pulse, turning off or adjusting the magnetic field and detecting a first returned RF pulse from the first micro-electronic device and storing first data relating to the first returned RF pulse; placing a second micro-electronic device in the sample chamber, subjecting the second micro-electronic device to the magnetic field and the radio frequency pulse, turning off or adjusting the magnetic field and detecting a second returned RF pulse from the second micro-electronic device and storing second data relating to the second returned RF pulse; and comparing the first data to the second data and determining if the second micro-electronic device is essentially identical to the first micro-electronic device based on the comparing.
US07671584B2 Rotation angle detection device
The present invention attains downsizing of a permanent magnet with a simple structure to reduce a manufacturing cost thereof. Provided is a rotation angle detection device, including: a cylindrical magnetic circuit mounted to a shaft; and non-contact sensors provided in an inner void of the magnetic circuit, in which the magnetic circuit is composed of a first yoke and a second yoke formed of a magnetic material and having a pair of flat portions parallel and opposed to each other, and a pair of permanent magnets whose magnetic poles are aligned in the same direction so that magnetic fields whose magnetic fluxes are parallel to each other are generated in the void between the flat portions, and the non-contact sensor detects a rotation angle of the shaft by detecting a change in the direction of the magnetic fluxes.
US07671582B2 Magnetic encoder and roller bearing unit having magnetic encoder
The magnetic encoder is constituted by integrally bonding a magnet portion obtainable by forming a magnetic material containing a magnetic powder and a binder for the magnetic powder in a circular ring shape to a slinger. The binder contains at least a thermoplastic resin and an impact resistance-improving agent.
US07671580B2 Integrated current sensing transformer and current sensing circuit using such transformer
An integrated current sensing transformer includes a bobbin, a magnetic core assembly, a first primary winding element, a second primary winding element, a secondary winding element. The bobbin has a receptacle therein. The magnetic core assembly is partially embedded into the receptacle for providing a closed path of magnetic flux. The first primary winding element is wound around the bobbin for inputting a first test current therein. The second primary winding element is wound around the bobbin for inputting a second test current therein. The secondary winding element is wound around the bobbin for outputting a sensing current when either the first test current or the second test current is sensed. The magnitude of the sensing current is directly proportional to the magnitude of the first test current or the second test current.
US07671569B2 Arrangement and method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of series-connected capacitors
A method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of series-connected capacitance, wherein at least during the discharge of the capacitances, there is determined a voltage of every capacitance, and in the instance of a drop-off of a voltage of one of the capacitances below a first threshold voltage of this capacitance, the capacitance is bridged over to at least the end of the discharge. Also provided are devices for determining every voltage of every capacitance, devices for symmetrizing voltages among the capacitances, and devices for the deactivation of at least one of the capacitances.
US07671568B2 Method of charging a lithium-ion battery comprising a negative electrode
The present invention relates to a method for charging a lithium-ion accumulator with a negative electrode at an operating potential larger than 0.5 volts relatively to the Li+/Li pair, which comprises a first charging step at a constant voltage between 2 volts and 5 volts.
US07671553B2 Servo controller
In a servo controller according to the invention, a position feedback correction unit (3) calculates a first-axis position feedback signal (pmfb1) based on a first-axis position (pm1) as a self-axis position, and a second-axis position (pm2) as an other-axis position; and a deviation between a model position (pa1) and the first-axis position feedback signal (pmfb1) is inputted from a subtracter (5) to a position control unit (4), which performs positional control to output a velocity command. A velocity feedback correction unit (6) calculates a first-axis velocity feedback signal (wmfb1) from a first-axis velocity (wm1) as the self-axis velocity, and a second-axis velocity (wm2) as the other-axis velocity; and the velocity control unit (8) adds a model velocity (wa1) and the velocity command outputted from the position control unit (5), and subtracts the first-axis velocity feedback signal (wmfb1) therefrom, and outputs a feedback torque command (Tfb1) based on the corrected velocity command.
US07671545B2 Device and method for operating a high-pressure discharge lamp
The invention is a device for operating a high-pressure gas discharge lamp, which is provided with a starting auxiliary electrode, with a current of alternating polarity. The device has a series resonance circuit with a resonance inductive resistor, through which flows the lamp current when the lamp is in operation, and a starting device for subjecting the starting auxiliary electrode to the starting voltage required for starting the gas discharge in the high-pressure gas discharge lamp. There is also a capacitive component, which is connected in series to the resonance inductive resistor and is dimensioned in such a manner that the capacitive component effects, after the gas discharge in the high-pressure gas discharge lamp has been started, at least a partial compensation for the inductance of the resonance inductive resistor, through which the lamp current flows.
US07671533B2 Self-emission unit with integrally formed module and protecting frame
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of manufacturing a self-emission unit including a self-emission module having self-emission elements formed on a substrate, and a frame for protecting the self-emission modules, without carrying out some troublesome steps, thus making it possible to manufacture the self-emission unit in a shortened time. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-emission unit capable of being attached to an attachment base with a high precision. The self-emission unit has a self-emission module and a frame. The frame is provided to cover a part or the whole of the self-emission module so as to protect the same. Further, the frame has fastening sections for attaching the self-emission module to an attachment base. The frame is formed integrally with the self-emission module so that it is possible to avoid some troublesome steps and thus shorten manufacturing time. The foregoing structure also makes it possible to improve an attachment precision when attaching the self-emission unit to an attachment base.
US07671532B2 Organic electroluminescent device and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a thin organic electroluminescent device capable of preventing permeation of oxygen or moisture. The organic electroluminescent device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of pixels and a planarization layer. The substrate has grooves formed at the periphery of an active area. The pixels are formed in the active area. The planarization layer covers the pixels on the substrate. The passivation layer covers the planarization layer and the grooves. Since the organic electroluminescent device includes the grooves or path extending sections, oxygen (O2), water (H2O), etc. are not permeated into the inside of a passivation layer.
US07671525B2 Electron emission device and electron emission display having the same
An electron emission device and display including the same include a substrate; a cathode electrode including a first electrode portion formed on the substrate and having opening portions, and second electrode portions placed within respective ones of the opening portions such that the second electrodes are separated from the first electrode; a resistance layer electrically interconnecting the first electrode portion and the second electrode portions of the cathode electrode; and electron emission regions electrically connected to the second electrode portions. A width of the second electrode portions or of the resistance layer between the first and second electrode portions varies along a longitudinal direction of the cathode electrode.
US07671522B2 Large-area shower electron beam irradiator with field emitters as an electron source
An electron beam irradiator capable of performing electron beam irradiation in a wide area at a high current density with a field emitter tip. The electron beam irradiator comprises: a vacuum chamber having a beam irradiation window formed longitudinally in an outer periphery of the vacuum chamber; a cathode placed centrally and longitudinally inside the vacuum chamber, and having a field emitter tip formed on the cathode, corresponding to the beam irradiation window; and a high voltage supply placed at one end of the vacuum chamber, and adapted to apply high voltage toward the cathode. The electron beam irradiation can be made in a wide area without using an electromagnet as well as in a high current density without using a heater such as a filament or an additional power supply, thereby to ensure a simplified structure as well as a reduced size.
US07671520B2 Display device with birefringent substrate
A display device comprising at least one substrate(1, 2), a first and a second electrode(7, 8), a display medium (12) and an optically active layer(3, 5), wherein said optically active layer comprises a polarizer (3) and is arranged between said substrate and said display medium, and wherein said substrate is made of a birefringent material.
US07671515B2 Microelectromechanical devices and fabrication methods
There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a MEMS device, and technique of fabricating or manufacturing a MEMS device, having mechanical structures encapsulated in a chamber prior to final packaging. An embodiment further includes location of a piezoelectric material as part of a semiconductor sensing structure. The semiconductor sensing structure, in conjunction with the piezoelectric material, can be used as a sensing device to provide an output signal associated with a sensed event.
US07671512B2 Impact drive actuator
An impact drive actuator comprises a vibrating base plate configured to be slightly displaced in a reciprocating manner by a vibrator in first and second directions, a first slider disposed on the vibrating base plate, a first electrode formed on the vibrating base plate, a second electrode so formed on the first slider as to face the first electrode through an insulation film, and a potential difference generator configured to generate a potential difference between the first and second electrodes to allow a first electrostatic attractive force to act between the vibrating base plate and first slider. When the vibrator reciprocates the vibrating base plate, the time needed to displace the vibrating base plate in the first direction is different from that in the second direction. The first slider is displaced relative to the vibrating base plate in the direction where the time needed for displacement is larger.
US07671509B2 Rotor and stator assemblies for permanent magnet electric generator
A permanent magnet electric generator includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The rotor assembly has axially disposed annular outer and inner rings concentric with an axis of rotation. A plurality of magnets is disposed on the outer ring, each magnet having a north pole and a south pole. The permanent magnets are aligned with the axis of rotation, and adjacent magnets have alternating polarity. The stator assembly includes a plurality of stator blocks aligned to form an annular ring-shaped stator member retained by a stator frame. The stator member is configured to be at least partially disposed inside the rotor assembly and is circumferentially encircled by the rotor assembly.
US07671502B2 Driving apparatus
A rotating electric machine comprises a stator having stator salient poles, three-phases windings would around said stator salient poles, a rotor rotatable held inside the said stator, and permanent magnets inserted into said rotor and positioned opposite to said stator salient poles. The three-phase windings are concentratively wound around each of the stator salient poles, with windings of each phase wound around at more than one stator salient pole. The windings of each phase have a phase difference of voltage between at least one of the windings and the other.
US07671500B2 Motor using working fluid distributed into chambers, which are provided for rotating rotors in opposite relative rotation directions
A motor includes inner-peripheral and outer-peripheral rotors which rotate coaxially and have permanent magnets along a circumference of each rotor; and a phase varying device for relatively rotating the rotors so as to vary a relative phase therebetween. The device has a forward-angle working chamber for relatively rotating the inner-peripheral rotor forward with respect to the outer-peripheral rotor, by using pressure of supplied working fluid; a backward-angle working chamber for relatively rotating the inner-peripheral rotor backward with respect to the outer-peripheral rotor, by using pressure of supplied working fluid; a passage switching valve for performing distribution with respect to supply and drainage of the working fluid between the working chambers in accordance with the position of a spur; and an electromagnetic pressure control valve for controlling pressure of the working fluid, and for controlling the position of the spur in the passage switching valve based on the controlled pressure.
US07671499B2 Fan, motor and bearing structure thereof
A bearing structure, which is cooperated with a shaft, includes a housing, a bearing, an elastic element and a blocking element. The shaft passes through the bearing. The elastic element presses against the bearing to provide a pre-stress to the bearing. The blocking element is apart from the bearing by a predetermined distance.
US07671497B2 Hobby servo adapter
Embodiments of hobby servo motor devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a hobby servo motor having a rotatable splined output shaft and a rotational enhancement mechanism that is rotatably engaged to the hobby servo motor splined output shaft. The rotational enhancement mechanism has an auxiliary shaft that is in-line with the hobby servo motor output shaft. Embodiments also include a support panel that is rigidly connected to the hobby servo motor and displaced from the hobby servo motor. The support panel has an aperture that receives and supports the auxiliary shaft.
US07671492B1 Repelling magnetic field engine
A repelling magnetic field engine. An illustrative embodiment of the engine includes a cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder and emitting a static magnetic field, a magnet assembly provided in the cylinder and emitting a dynamic magnetic field having the same magnetic polarity as the static magnetic field and a crankshaft drivingly engaged by the piston.
US07671487B2 Uninterruptible power supply and method for controlling same
An uninterruptible power supply and method for controlling same are disclosed. The controlling method includes the steps of bypassing the first AC power to the output terminal via the bypass loop and the switch and converting a second AC power having a voltage, phase and frequency substantially equal to that of the first AC power by an inverter when the first AC power is normal; and switching the second AC power to the output terminal via the switch when the phase or frequency of the first AC power is changed so as to generate a difference value between the first AC power and the second AC power and the difference value is larger than a predetermined difference value.
US07671483B2 Remote isolator interface
A remote isolator interface uses a vehicle's OEM remote (or aftermarket remote door lock) entry signal to interface between the battery and aftermarket electrical equipment, electronically separating the OEM systems/battery from aftermarket systems such that a short or power spike in the aftermarket system does not damage the OEM system. The invention also shuts off power to the aftermarket systems when the vehicle doors are locked by OEM remote entry or electric door locks, and can be combined with a magnetic battery disconnect to allow electrical current to reach the aftermarket systems when the doors are unlocked. The invention can also be combined with a fused distribution panel to become a single source of power for any aftermarket equipment, thereby eliminating the need for an installer to cut into the OEM systems for a power source and thereby void the manufacturer's warranty.
US07671474B2 Integrated circuit package device with improved bond pad connections, a lead-frame and an electronic device
A semiconductor device package (10) with a substantially rectangular shape comprising: a die attach pad (12) having a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of contact pads (26i-26n) provided in at least four rows that correspond to the rectangular shape of the package, each contact pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; at least two tie bars (18) for supporting the die attach pad until the singulation of the package during manufacturing thereof the tie bars having a top surface and a bottom surface and extending from the die attach pad towards a corner of the package; —a semiconductor die (20) mounted on the top surface of the die attach pad (12) and having bonding pads (44) formed thereon; a plurality of electrical connections between selected ones of the bond pads (44) and corresponding ones of the contact pads (26i-26n); an encapsulation encapsulating the semiconductor die (20), the top surface of the die attach pad (12), the electrical connections, the top surface of the tie bars (18) and the top surfaces of the contact pads (26^2On), and leaving the bottom surface of the die attach pad and the bottom surface of the contact pads exposed; characterized in that, at least one strip (30) having a top surface and a bottom surface is disposed between the die attach pad (12) and a corresponding row of contact pads, the strip having at least one lateral part (36) that is connected to at least one of the contact pads in said row, electrical connections being provided between the strip and selected bond pads (44) on the semiconductor die (20) adjacent to the strip.
US07671462B2 Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device, having a first semiconductor region, and a second semiconductor region; mounted with a first electrode pad on a semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region, mounted in the second semiconductor region, and a multilayer substrate having first and second wiring layers, to take out an electrode of the semiconductor chip; joining the first wiring layer part for the first electrode, mounted on the multilayer substrate, in a region opposing to the semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region, and the first electrode pad, by a conductive material; joining the first wiring layer part for the first electrode, and the second wiring layer at a conductive part; and extending the second wiring layer to the outside of a region opposing the semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region.
US07671460B2 Buried via technology for three dimensional integrated circuits
A three dimensional integrated circuit and method for making the same. The three dimensional integrated circuit has a first and a second active circuit layers with a first metal layer and a second metal layer, respectively. The metal layers are connected by metal inside a buried via. The fabrication method includes etching a via in the first active circuit layer to expose the first metal layer without penetrating the first metal layer, depositing metal inside the via, the metal inside the via being in contact with the first metal layer, and bonding the second active circuit layer to the first active circuit layer using a metal bond that connects the metal inside the via to the second metal layer of the second active circuit layer.
US07671457B1 Semiconductor package including top-surface terminals for mounting another semiconductor package
A semiconductor package including top-surface terminals for mounting another semiconductor package provides a three-dimensional circuit configuration that can provide removable connection of existing grid-array packages having a standard design. A semiconductor die is mounted on an electrically connected to a circuit substrate having terminals disposed on a bottom side for connection to an external system. The die and substrate are encapsulated and vias are laser-ablated or otherwise formed through the encapsulation to terminals on the top surface of the substrate that provide a grid array mounting lands to which another grid array semiconductor package may be mounted. The bottom side of the vias may terminate and electrically connect to terminals on the substrate, terminals on the bottom of the semiconductor package (through terminals) or terminals on the top of the semiconductor die. The vias may be plated, paste-filled, filled with a low melting point alloy and may have a conical profile for improved plating performance.
US07671453B2 Semiconductor device and method for producing the same
A semiconductor device in which chips are resin-molded, including: frames having front and back surfaces and die pads; power chips mounted on the surfaces of the die pads; an insulation resin sheet having a first and a second surfaces which are opposed against each other, the resin sheet being disposed such that the back surfaces of the die pads contact the first surface of the resin sheet; and a mold resin applied on the first surface of the resin sheet so as to seal up the power chips. The thermal conductivity of the resin sheet is larger than that of the mold resin.
US07671451B2 Semiconductor package having double layer leadframe
A leadframe chip scale package includes a double leadframe assembly. The first leadframe has a central die paddle and peripheral leads, and the second leadframe, superimposed over the first leadframe in the package, has peripheral leads. The peripheral leads of both leadframes are situated in at least one row along an edge of the package, and in some embodiments in a row along each of the four edges of the package. The leads are patterned such that when the second leadframe is superimposed over the first leadframe, the leads do not contact each other; in a plan view, the leads of the first leadframe appear to be interdigitated with the leads of the second leadframe.
US07671447B2 Bipolar transistor and method of manufacturing the same
The invention relates to a semiconductor device (10) with a semiconductor body (12) comprising a bipolar transistor with an emitter region (1), a base region (2) and a collector region (3) of, respectively, a first conductivity type, a second conductivity type, opposite to the first conductivity type, and the first conductivity type, wherein, viewed in projection, the emitter region (1) is positioned above or below the base region (2), and the collector region (3) laterally borders the base region (2). According to the invention, the base region (2) comprises a highly doped subregion (2A) the doping concentration of which has a delta-shaped profile in the thickness direction, and said highly doped sub-region (2A) extends laterally as far as the collector region (3). Such a lateral bipolar transistor has excellent high-frequency properties and a relatively high breakdown voltage between the base and collector regions (2, 3), implying that the device is suitable for high power applications. The doping concentration lies preferably between about 1019 and about 1020 at/cm3, and the thickness of the sub-region (2A) lies between 1 and 15 nm and preferably between 1 and 10 nm. The invention also comprises a method of manufacturing such a device (10).
US07671446B2 Semiconductor capacitor and manufacturing method
A capacitor can prevent a problem of step coverage in semiconductor device, caused by a thickness of an insulator film and an upper metal film included a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, between the MIM capacitor region and its circumferential region. A capacitor in a semiconductor device includes a first metal film provided with a recess having a predetermined depth over a semiconductor substrate. An insulator film and a second metal film may be formed in the recess with a thickness corresponding to a depth of the recess. The insulator and second metal films are disconnected from an inner lateral side of the recess. A dielectric film including a plurality of plugs is in contact with the first and second metal films and the insulator film. A plurality of metal electrodes is in contact with the plugs over the dielectric film.
US07671436B2 Electronic packages
Assemblies involving integrated circuit dies (e.g. packaged integrated circuits) and packaged dies electrically connected to circuit boards at times mechanically fail at conducting pads used for electrical interconnection. Such failure is mitigated by underlying appropriate pads with a compliant region having specific characteristics.
US07671435B2 Pixel having two semiconductor layers, image sensor including the pixel, and image processing system including the image sensor
An image sensor having pixels that include two patterned semiconductor layers. The top patterned semiconductor layer contains the photoelectric elements of pixels having substantially 100% fill-factor. The bottom patterned semiconductor layer contains transistors for detecting, resetting, amplifying and transmitting signals charges received from the photoelectric elements. The top and bottom patterned semiconductor layers may be separated from each other by an interlayer insulating layer that may include metal interconnections for conducting signals between devices formed in the patterned semiconductor layers and from external devices.
US07671431B1 Cloverleaf microgyroscope with through-wafer interconnects and method of manufacturing a cloverleaf microgyroscope with through-wafer interconnects
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cloverleaf microgyroscope containing an integrated post comprising: attaching a post wafer to a resonator wafer, forming a bottom post from the post wafer being attached to the resonator wafer, preparing a base wafer with through-wafer interconnects, attaching the resonator wafer to the base wafer, wherein the bottom post fits into a post hole in the base wafer, forming a top post from the resonator wafer, wherein the bottom and top post are formed symmetrically around the same axis, and attaching a cap wafer on top of the base wafer.
US07671429B2 Micro-mechanical device comprising suspended element which is connected to a support by means of a pier and producing method thereof
A cavity is etched in a substrate and opens out onto the surface of the substrate facing the suspended element (1). The cavity has at least one broader zone having a cross-section which is greater than the cross-section of the cavity at said surface. A base (4) of the pillar (2), of complementary shape to the cavity, is buried in the cavity. The base (4) of the pillar (2) can form a dovetail assembly with the cavity of the substrate. This assembly is obtained by deposition, on a surface of the substrate, of a sacrificial layer and etching, in the sacrificial layer, of a hole passing through the sacrificial layer and reaching the surface of the substrate. The substrate is then etched, in the extension of the hole, so as to form the cavity of the substrate. Then a material designed to form the pillar (2) is deposited in the cavity and on the walls of the hole.
US07671428B2 Methods for depositing, releasing and packaging micro-electromechanical devices on wafer substrates
A method for forming a MEMS device is disclosed, where a final release step is performed just prior to a wafer bonding step to protect the MEMS device from contamination, physical contact, or other deleterious external events. Without additional changes to the MEMS structure between release and wafer bonding and singulation, except for an optional stiction treatment, the MEMS device is best protected and overall process flow is improved. The method is applicable to the production of any MEMS device and is particularly beneficial in the making of fragile micromirrors.
US07671421B2 CMOS structure and method for fabrication thereof using multiple crystallographic orientations and gate materials
Methods for fabricating a CMOS structure use a first gate stack located over a first orientation region of a semiconductor substrate. A second gate material layer is located over the first gate stack and a laterally adjacent second orientation region of the semiconductor substrate. A planarizing layer is located upon the second gate material layer. The planarizing layer and the second gate material layer are non-selectively etched to form a second gate stack that approximates the height of the first gate stack. An etch stop layer may also be formed upon the first gate stack. The resulting CMOS structure may comprise different gate dielectrics, metal gates and silicon gates.
US07671413B2 SOI device with reduced junction capacitance
An SOI FET comprising a silicon substrate having silicon layer on top of a buried oxide layer having doped regions and an undoped region is disclosed. The doped region has a dielectric constant different from the dielectric constant of the doped regions. A body also in the silicon layer separates the source/drains in the silicon layer. The source/drains are aligned over the doped regions and the body is aligned over the undoped region. A gate dielectric is on top of the body and a gate conductor is on top of the gate dielectric.
US07671407B2 Embedded trap direct tunnel non-volatile memory
The cell comprises a substrate having a drain region and a source region. An oxynitride layer is formed over the substrate. An embedded trap layer is formed over the oxynitride layer. An injector layer is formed over the embedded trap layer. A high dielectric constant layer is formed over the injector layer. A polysilicon control gate formed over the high dielectric constant layer. The cell can be formed in a planar architecture or a two element, split channel, three-dimensional device. The planar cell is formed with the high dielectric constant layer and the control gate being formed over and substantially around three sides of the embedded trap layer. The split channel device has a source line in the substrate under each trench and a bit line on either side of the trench.
US07671401B2 Non-volatile memory in CMOS logic process
A method, apparatus, and system in which an embedded memory fabricated in accordance with a conventional logic process includes one or more electrically-alterable non-volatile memory cells, each having a programming transistor, a read transistor and a control capacitor, which share a common floating gate electrode. The under-diffusion of the source/drain regions of the programming transistor and control capacitor are maximized. In one embodiment, the source/drain regions of the programming transistor are electrically shored by transistor punch-through (or direct contact).
US07671398B2 Nano memory, light, energy, antenna and strand-based systems and methods
An apparatus includes a plurality of wash durable clothing strands; an array of nano electronic elements fabricated in the strands; and an array of memory elements coupled to the nano electronic elements. The nano electronic elements can include solar cells, display elements, or antennas, among others.
US07671391B2 Time-of-light flight type distance sensor
A lower cost range-finding image sensor based upon measurement of reflection time of light with reduced fabrication processes compared to standard CMOS manufacturing procedures. An oxide film is formed on a silicon substrate, and two photo-gate electrodes for charge-transfer are provided on the oxide film. Floating diffusion layers for taking charges out from a photodetector layer are provided at the ends of the oxide film, and on the outside thereof are provided a gate electrode for resetting and a diffusion layer for providing a reset voltage.
US07671390B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacture
A semiconductor device is formed with a lower field plate (32) and optional lateral field plates (34) around semiconductor (20) in which devices are formed, for example power FETs or other transistor or diode types. The semiconductor device is manufactured by forming trenches with insulated sidewalls, etching cavities (26) at the base of the trenches which join up and then filling the trenches with conductor (30).
US07671389B2 SRAM devices having buried layer patterns
An SRAM device includes a substrate having at least one cell active region in a cell array region and a plurality of peripheral active regions in a peripheral circuit region, a plurality of stacked cell gate patterns in the cell array region, and a plurality of peripheral gate patterns disposed on the peripheral active regions in the peripheral circuit region. Metal silicide layers are disposed on at least one portion of the peripheral gate patterns and on the semiconductor substrate near the peripheral gate patterns, and buried layer patterns are disposed on the peripheral gate patterns and on at least a portion of the metal silicide layers and the portions of the semiconductor substrate near the peripheral gate patterns. An etch stop layer and a protective interlayer-insulating layer are disposed around the peripheral gate patterns and on the cell array region. Methods of forming an SRAM device are also disclosed.
US07671387B2 Lateral junction field effect transistor and method of manufacturing the same
A lateral junction field effect transistor includes a first gate electrode layer arranged in a third semiconductor layer between source/drain region layers, having a lower surface extending on the second semiconductor layer, and doped with p-type impurities more heavily than the second semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode layer arranged in a fifth semiconductor layer between the source/drain region layers, having a lower surface extending on a fourth semiconductor layer, having substantially the same concentration of p-type impurities as the first gate electrode layer, and having the same potential as the first gate electrode layer. Thereby, the lateral junction field effect transistor has a structure, which can reduce an on-resistance while maintaining good breakdown voltage properties.
US07671385B2 Image sensor and fabrication method thereof
An image sensor contains a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of pixels defined on the semiconductor substrate, a photo conductive layer and a transparent conductive layer formed on the pixel electrodes of the pixels in order, and a shield device positioned between any two adjacent pixel electrodes. The shield device has a shield electrode and an isolation structure surrounding the shield electrode so that the shield electrode is isolated from the pixel electrodes and the photo conductive layer by the isolation structure.
US07671377B2 Silicon based light emitting diode
Provided is a highly efficient silicon-based light emitting diode (LED) including a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR), an n-type doping layer, and a p-type substrate structure. The silicon-based LED includes: a substrate having a p-type mesa substrate structure; an active layer that is formed on the substrate and has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first reflective layer facing the first surface of the active layer; a second reflective layer that is located on either side of the p-type substrate structure and faces the second surface of the active layer; an n-type doping layer sandwiched between the active layer and the first reflective layer; a first electrode electrically connected to the n-type doping layer; and a second electrode electrically connected to the p-type substrate structure.
US07671375B2 Nitride-based semiconductor device of reduced voltage drop, and method of fabrication
A light-emitting diode is built on a silicon substrate which has been doped with a p-type impurity to possess sufficient conductivity to provide part of the current path through the LED. The p-type silicon substrate has epitaxially grown thereon a buffer region of n-type AlInGaN. Further grown epitaxially on the buffer region is the main semiconductor region of the LED which comprises a lower confining layer of n-type GaN, an active layer for generating light, and an upper confining layer of p-type GaN. In the course of the growth of the buffer region and main semiconductor region there occurs a thermal diffusion of gallium and other Group III elements from the buffer region into the p-type silicon substrate, with the consequent creation of a p-type low-resistance region in the substrate. Interface levels are created across the heterojunction between p-type silicon substrate and n-type buffer region. The interface levels expedite carrier transport from substrate to buffer region, contributing to reduction of the drive voltage requirement of the LED.
US07671374B2 LED chip package structure with a plurality of thick guiding pins and a method for manufacturing the same
An LED chip package structure with thick guiding pin includes a plurality of conductive pins separated from each other, an insulative casing, a plurality of LED chips, and a packaging colloid. The insulative casing covers a bottom side of each conductive pin to form an injection concave groove for exposing a top surface of each conductive pin. Two lateral sides of each conductive pin are extended outward from the insulative casing. The LED chips are arranged in the injection concave groove, and each LED chip has a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side respectively and electrically connected with different conductive pins. In addition, the packaging colloid is filled into the injection concave groove for covering the LED chips.
US07671372B2 Digital signal transfer device
A digital signal transfer device generates from a modulating section (100) a modulated signal responsive to a digital input signal and transfers this to a demodulating section (200) through a pulse transformer (6). The demodulating section (200) generates from the modulated signal an output signal in which the digital input signal waveform is restored.
US07671371B2 Semiconductor layer structure and method of making the same
A semiconductor layer structure includes a donor substrate and a detach region carried by the donor substrate. A device structure is carried by the donor substrate and positioned proximate to the detach region. The device structure includes a stack of crystalline semiconductor layers. The stack of crystalline semiconductor layers includes a pn junction.
US07671360B2 Semiconductor device and method of producing the same
A phase change memory includes a sidewall insulation film and a heater electrode which are formed in a contact hole formed in an interlayer insulation film on a lower electrode. The heater electrode has a recessed structure. In a recessed area surrounded by the sidewall insulation film, the heater electrode and a phase change film are contacted with each other. A phase change region is formed only in an area contacted with the sidewall insulation film. The sidewall insulation film is an anti-oxidizing insulation film. The phase change region and the heater electrode which are heated to a high temperature upon rewriting are not contacted with the interlayer insulation film as an oxidizing insulation film.
US07671359B2 Thin film transistor, a method for preparing the same and a flat panel display employing the same
Provided are a thin film transistor, a method for preparing the same and a flat panel display employing the same. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, source and drain electrodes insulated from the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer insulated from the gate electrode and electrically connected to the source and drain electrodes, an insulating layer, and a carrier blocking layer interposed between the semiconductor layer and the insulating layer and preventing electrons or holes moving through semiconductor layer from being trapped in the insulating layer. Since the thin film transistor is constructed such that the carrier blocking layer is interposed between the semiconductor layer and the insulating layer, the electrons or holes injected into the semiconductor layer can be prevented from being trapped in the insulating layer, thereby suppressing hysteresis characteristic. In addition, a reliable flat panel display device can be manufactured using the thin film transistor.
US07671358B2 Plasma implantated impurities in junction region recesses
A transistor device having a conformal depth of impurities implanted by isotropic ion implantation into etched junction recesses. For example, a conformal depth of arsenic impurities and/or carbon impurities may be implanted by plasma immersion ion implantation in junction recesses to reduce boron diffusion and current leakage from boron doped junction region material deposited in the junction recesses. This may be accomplished by removing, such as by etching, portions of a substrate adjacent to a gate electrode to form junction recesses. The junction recesses may then be conformally implanted with a depth of arsenic and carbon impurities using plasma immersion ion implantation. After impurity implantation, boron doped silicon germanium can be formed in the junction recesses.
US07671357B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having high output power and excellent long-term reliability by preventing thermal adverse influence exerted at the time of window structure formation is provided. The method comprises a 1st step of forming predetermined semiconductor layers 2 to 9 containing at least an active layer 4b consisting of a quantum well active layer on a semiconductor substrate 1; a 2nd step of forming a first dielectric film 10 on a first portion of the surface of the semiconductor layers 2 to 9; a 3rd step of forming a second dielectric film 12 made of the same material as that of the first dielectric film 10 and having a density lower than that of the first dielectric film 10 on a second portion of the surface of the semiconductor layers 2 to 9; and a 4th step of heat-treating a multilayer body containing the semiconductor layers 2 to 9, the first dielectric film 10, and the second dielectric film 12 to disorder the quantum well layer below the second dielectric film 12.
US07671356B2 Electrically rewritable non-volatile memory element and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile memory element comprising a bottom electrode 12, a top electrode 17 provided on the bottom electrode 12, and a recording layer 18 containing phase change material connected between the bottom electrode 12 and the top electrode 17. In accordance with this invention, the top electrode 17 is in contact with a growth initiation surface 18a of the recording layer 17. This structure can be obtained by forming the top electrode 17 before the recording layer 18, resulting in a three-dimensional structure. This decreases heat dissipation to the bit line without increasing the thickness of the recording layer 18.
US07671353B2 Integrated circuit having contact including material between sidewalls
An integrated circuit includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, resistivity changing material between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and a contact contacting the top electrode. The contact includes a bottom and sidewalls. The integrated circuit includes first material between the sidewalls of the contact.
US07671352B2 Film scanner and detection apparatus therefor
A detection apparatus for detecting perforation holes of a cinematographic film comprises at least one light source, at least one scanning sensor, which is arranged so as to receive light emitted by the light source after interaction with a perforation zone of the film, and an evaluation circuit for detecting, by means of an output signal of the scanning sensor, when an edge of a perforation hole passes through between light source and scanning sensor. The light source emits light which is polarized with a first polarization and the scanning sensor is sensitive selectively to light with a second polarization.
US07671349B2 Laser produced plasma EUV light source
A device is disclosed which may comprise a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, the plasma producing EUV radiation and ions exiting the plasma. The device may also include an optic, e.g., a multi-layer mirror, distanced from the site by a distance, d, and a flowing gas disposed between the plasma and optic, the gas establishing a gas pressure sufficient to operate over the distance, d, to reduce ion energy below a pre-selected value before the ions reach the optic. In one embodiment, the gas may comprise hydrogen and in a particular embodiment, the gas may comprise greater than 50 percent hydrogen by volume.
US07671333B2 Apparatus for observing a sample with a particle beam and an optical microscope
An apparatus for observing a sample (1) with a TEM column and an optical high resolution scanning microscope (10). The sample position when observing the sample with the TEM column differs from the sample position when observing the sample with the optical microscope in that in the latter case the sample is tilted towards the light-optical microscope. By using an optical microscope of the scanning type, and preferably using monochromatic light, the lens elements (11) of the optical microscope facing the sample position can be sufficiently small to be positioned between the pole faces (8A, 8B) of the (magnetic) particle-optical objective lens (7). This is in contrast with the objective lens systems conventionally used in optical microscopes, which show a large diameter. Furthermore the optical microscope, or at least the parts (11) close to the sample, may be retractable so as to free space when imaging in TEM mode.
US07671325B2 Biological Agent Signature Detector With an Optical Fiber Cladding Combined With a Bio-Indicator
A biological agent detector for detecting predetermined biological agents. The biological agent detector includes an optical fiber, a cladding that clads a length of the optical fiber and a bioindicator disposed within the cladding. The biological agent detector also includes a coherent light source that excites the optical fiber and a biological agent signature detector that detects the presence of a biological agent based upon a change in a resonance characteristic of the optical fiber caused by absorption of the predetermined biological agent into the cladding of the fiber.
US07671322B2 Optoelectronic security system for object detection in a monitored zone
An optoelectronic security system includes a plurality of light transmitters in a light grid arrangement for the transmission of light signals into a monitored zone, at least one spatially resolving light reception unit for the reception of the light signals transmitted by the light transmitters and a read-out circuit for the reading out of the signals of the at least one light reception unit. The optoelectronic security system has an evaluation device which is configured such that it can split the surface of the at least one light reception unit into at least two processing regions in dependence on a predetermined selection criterion and can further process the signals of the at least two processing regions differently.
US07671316B2 Imaging device camera system and driving method of the same
An imaging device includes: a pixel array part in which a plurality of pixels with different characteristics of spectral sensitivity are arranged in an array and which converts light transmitted through the pixel into an electric signal, wherein in the pixel array part, among a first color filter pixel, a second color filter pixel, and a third color filter pixel, each including a color filter, at least a plurality of the first color filter pixels and the second color filter pixels is arranged in an oblique pixel array system, and a clear pixel having a high transmittance is arranged in an oblique pixel array system at a given position of a given row and a given column in the oblique pixel array with respect to the first color filter pixel, the second color filter pixel, and the third color filter pixel.
US07671304B2 Multiple zone temperature controller for injection molding system
A multiple zone temperature controller for a hot runner injection molding system. The temperature controller includes inputs for signals from two or more thermocouples corresponding to two or more heating zones. The thermocouple inputs are time-division multiplexed and the output is amplified and input to a microcontroller. The microcontroller manages and controls operation of power switching stages for controlling the power supplied to heating elements corresponding to each of the heating zones. The multiplexer is a low impedance switch.
US07671302B1 Thermal treatment system instrument rack and method of selectively thermally treating medical instrument portions
A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.
US07671300B2 Fuser assembly having heater element with spaced-apart features
A heater element is provided adapted to heat a belt in a fuser assembly. The heater element comprises laterally spaced-apart features extending beyond a center section provided between the features. The features and center section are adapted to face an inner surface of the belt.
US07671297B2 Method and apparatus for laser drilling workpieces
A method and apparatus for laser drilling a vibrating workpiece. A laser is mounted to a stationary frame. A separate machine having a separate machine frame has a spherical lens mounted to the top of the machine frame in proximity to a workpiece engaged by the machine. The vibrations of the machine caused by operation are transmitted to the lens and workpiece. A laser beam emitted by the laser is transmitted thought the lens and focused on the workpiece. The apparatus and method provides for precisely drilled and located holes or openings in the workpiece.
US07671287B2 Automatic timing control device case
An automatic timing control device case which is used for accommodating a timing control rotation shaft and a plurality of switches. A motor is disposed on the case for driving a gear set connected to the timing control rotation shaft to rotate, thereby controlling on or off of the switches through the timing control rotation shaft. The automatic timing control device case includes a body and a gear box. The body has an accommodation space for accommodating the timing control rotation shaft and the plurality of switches. The gear box is integrally formed in the body for accommodating the gear set. The gear box has at least one through-hole communicating the gear box and the accommodation space, such that the gear set is connected to and drives the timing control rotation shaft.
US07671285B2 Dome switch assembly and mobile communication terminal having the same
A dome switch assembly that can reduce the SAR value and improve radiation performance of a mobile communication terminal and a mobile communication terminal having the same are provided. The ground layer of the dome switch assembly is connected to a hinge by a hinge contact unit. The hinge contact unit extends through a groove formed in the ground layer towards the inside area of the ground layer and is connected to a bottom surface of the groove. The position and length of the connection of the hinge contact unit to the ground layer may be adjusted so that the SAR value can be reduced and radiation performance can be improved.
US07671279B2 Current-seen cable
A current-seen cable, includes a main cord as a power cord or a signal cord and a plurality of electroluminescence cords, said a plurality of electroluminescence cords are arrayed abreast and are intertwisted helically in sequence to be a electroluminescence cable which is insulated from the main cord and emit light section by section, in which every electroluminescence cord is controlled by a driver working in synchronization with the main cord to emit light in sequence. Said current-seen cable is driven to emit light by a plurality of output drivers controlled by the program-operated chip. When the main cord is live, the drivers work synchronously, then each electroluminescence cord emits and dies light periodically under the control of program-operated chip of the driver, and as each electroluminescent cord is intertwisted helically and people can only see one side of the cable visually, said whole cable is shown as a kind of lighting phenomenon in which a lighting section (or a lighting dot) of said cable goes after another section (or another dot) next to it. The visual direction for going after light is same as the direction of the current flowing in the main cord, so it can indicate the direction of power input and output.
US07671273B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating signal transmission using differential transmission lines
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide an apparatus and method for facilitating signal transmission using differential transmission lines. The apparatus includes a first differential transmission line. The first differential transmission line includes a first plurality of conductors. The first plurality of conductors includes a set of conductors. The apparatus also includes a second differential transmission line. The second differential transmission line includes a second plurality of conductors. The second plurality of conductors includes a first conductor and a second conductor. A first noise produced by the first conductor on the set of conductors is balanced by a second noise produced by the second conductor on the set of conductors. The first differential transmission line and the second differential transmission line facilitate signal transmission.
US07671270B2 Solar cell receiver having an insulated bypass diode
A solar cell receiver comprising a solar cell having one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers, a diode coupled in parallel with the solar cell and operable to be forward-biased in instances when the solar cell is not generating above a threshold voltage, a coating substantially encapsulating the diode, an undercoating that substantially eliminates any air gap between the anode and cathode of the diode, and a connector adapted to couple to other solar cell receivers.
US07671269B1 Methods and systems for graphical actuation of a velocity and directionally sensitive sound generation application
Methods and systems for graphical actuation of a velocity and directionally sensitive sound generation application are disclosed. An identifier of a graphical element or elements that are traversed is received wherein the graphical element or elements are located on a coded surface. In one embodiment, the traversal has a velocity and a direction. Moreover, the traversal can be performed with an optical pen on a graphical representation of a sound generation system. The velocity and the direction of the traversal are determined and an identifier of the velocity and the direction of the traversal is used to actuate a directionally sensitive sound generation application.
US07671245B2 Jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using same
Provided herein are, among other things, jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the fuel compositions comprise at least a fuel component readily and efficiently produced, at least in part, from a microorganism. In certain embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise a high concentration of at least a bioengineered fuel component. In further embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise amorphane.
US07671243B2 Method and device for using reaction heat during the production of 1,2-dichloroethane
The invention relates to a method for using reaction heat produced by reaction during the production of 1,2-dichloroethane from ethylene and chlorine in a direct chlorination reactor. The chlorine is produced in a sodium chloride electrolysis and the reaction heat, during the formation of 1,2-dichloroethane is used at least partially for the evaporation of NaOH, which is produced during NaCl-electrolysis for producing the required chlorine for direct chlorination, as a coupling product. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method, comprising a multi-tube heat exchanger comprising two fixed tubular plates and a NaOH-liquid phase part, and the caustic soda passes through the inside of the tube and 1,2-dichloroethane passes the outside of the tube. The heat exchanger also comprises devices for feeding and distributing the caustic soda in the inside of the tube.
US07671242B2 Isolation of aflatoxin-free lutein from aflatoxin-contaminated plants and plant products
An efficient method is disclosed for extracting lutein from corn, sweet potato, and other plant products, and for extracting aflatoxin-free lutein from aflatoxin-contaminated plant grains and other plant products safely without any toxic by-products. The lutein is extracted using acetone, and either chilled or saponified to separate from the lipids. If contaminated with aflatoxin, the extracted aflatoxin-contaminated lutein is treated with lipoxidase. This method may be used in producing aflatoxin-free lutein from other contaminated grains or plant oils, or other plant products, including corn, cotton, soybean, rice, barley, wheat, maize, millet, and peanut.
US07671234B2 Method for producing methylglycine-N,N-diethanoic acid-trialkali metal salts with a low by-product content
The invention relates to a process for preparing low-by-product, light-color methylglycine-N,N-diacetic acid tri(alkali metal) salt by alkaline hydrolysis of methylglycinediacetonitrile (MGDN), comprising the steps in the sequence (a) to (f): (a) mixing of MGDN with aqueous alkali at a temperature of ≦30° C.; (b) allowing the aqueous alkaline MGDN suspension to react at a temperature in the range from 10 to 30° C. over a period of from 0.1 to 10 h to form a solution; (c) allowing the solution from step (b) to react at a temperature in the range from 30 to 40° C. over a period of from 0.1 to 10 h; (d) optionally allowing the solution from step (c) to react at a temperature in the range from 50 to 80° C. over a period of from 0.5 to 2 h; (e) optionally allowing the solution from step (c) or (d) to react at a temperature in the range from 110 to 200° C. over a period of from 5 to 60 min; (f) hydrolysis and removal of ammonia of the solution obtained in step (c), (d) or (e) by stripping at a temperature of from 90 to 105° C.
US07671229B2 Method for the production of pentene nitriles from n-butane
A process is described for hydrocyanating 1,3-butadiene over at least one nickel(0) complex having phosphorus ligands as a catalyst, wherein the 1,3-butadiene is used in a mixture with n-butane and the mixture contains from 60 to 90% by volume of 1,3-butadiene and from 40 to 10% by volume of n-butane.
US07671215B2 Process for the preparation of compounds having an ace inhibitory action
The present invention relates to the process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) having an ACE inhibitory action wherein carboxy group of stereospecific amino acid is activated with an uranium salt in the presence of an aprotic solvent and an activated amino acid is further transformed with appropriate amine into ACE inhibitor or its precursor.
US07671214B2 Modified carbocyanine dyes and their conjugates
Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes incorporating an indolium ring moiety that is substituted at the 3-position by a reactive group or by a conjugated substance, and their uses, are described. Conjugation through this position results in spectral properties that are uniformly superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar dyes wherein attachment is at a different position. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
US07671211B1 Substrates for thioredoxin reductase
A substrate for thioredoxin reductase which comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or (I′): wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group and the like; R3 represents an aryl group, an aromatic heterocyclic group and the like; R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a —S-α-amino acid group and the like; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group; Y represents oxygen atom or sulfur atom; n represents an integer of from 0 to 5; and the selenium atom may be oxidized, whose example includes 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one or a ring-opened form thereof. The substrate is reduced by thioredoxin reductase in the presence of NADPH and enhances peroxidase activity of thioredoxin reductase.
US07671205B2 6-aminoisoquinoline compounds
6-Amino isoquinoline compounds are provided that influence, inhibit or reduce the action of a kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions including therapeutically effective amounts of the 6-aminoisoquinoline compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided. Various methods using the compounds and/or compositions to affect disease states or conditions such as cancer, obesity and glaucoma are also provided.
US07671204B2 N-demethylation of N-methyl morphinans
The present invention provides a synthetic process for the N-demethylation of N-methyl morphinans. In particular, the invention provides improved synthetic methods for the preparation of N-demethylated morphinan compounds that may be employed as starting materials, for example, commonly available N-methyl opiates such as oripavine and thebaine, and C(3)-protected hydroxy derivatives of oripavine.
US07671194B2 Method of preparing naphthalocyanines
A method of preparing a naphthalocyanine is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride; (ii) converting said tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride to a benzisoindolenine; and (iii) macrocyclizing said benzisoindolenine to form a naphthalocyanine.
US07671185B2 Monomeric red fluorescent proteins
Disclosed are nucleotide sequences encoding monomeric variants of DsRed fluorescent proteins and methods of use thereof.
US07671177B2 Leucine-based motif and clostridial neurotoxins
Modified neurotoxin comprising neurotoxin including structural modification, wherein the structural modification alters the biological persistence, preferably the biological half-life, of the modified neurotoxin relative to an identical neurotoxin without the structural modification. The structural modification includes addition or deletion of a leucine-based motif or parts thereof. In one embodiment, methods of making the modified neurotoxin include using recombinant techniques. In another embodiment, methods of using the modified neurotoxin to treat biological disorders include treating autonomic disorders, neuromuscular disorders or pains.
US07671173B2 Purification methods and purified polymers
Metal complexing agents are used to purify polymers including conducting polymers to provide very low metal content. The process comprises precipitating the polymer in solution into a solvent system comprising the metal complexing agent. Very low levels including undetectable levels of metals such as nickel and magnesium can be achieved. High purity polymers are used in electronics and photovoltaic applications.
US07671170B2 Film-forming material containing phosphorous
Film-forming materials include resins having a covalently bonded phosphorous atom, the phosphorous atom having at least one covalently bonded oxygen atom. Film-forming resins containing phosphorous can include epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polysiloxane, polyvinyl, polyether, aminoplast, and polyester resins. A process to produce a film-forming resin includes reacting various polymers to incorporate a pendent group comprising a covalently bonded phosphorous atom.
US07671162B2 Control of polymer surface molecular architecture via amphipathic endgroups
Polymers whose surfaces are modified by endgroups that include amphipathic surface-modifying moieties. An amphipathic endgroup of a polymer molecule is an endgroup that contains at least two moieties of significantly differing composition, such that the amphipathic endgroup spontaneously rearranges its positioning in a polymer body to position the moiety on the surface of the body, depending upon the composition of the medium with which the body is in contact, when that re-positioning causes a reduction in interfacial energy. An example of an amphipathic surface-modifying endgroup is one that has both a hydrophobic moiety and a hydrophilic moiety in a single endgroup. For instance, a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) terminated with a hydrophilic hydroxyl group is not surface active in air when the surface-modifying endgroup is bonded to a more hydrophobic base polymer. If the hydroxyl group on the oligomeric poly(ethylene oxide) is replaced by a hydrophobic methoxy ether terminus, the poly(ethylene oxide) becomes surface active in air, and allows the poly(ethylene oxide) groups to crystallize in the air-facing surface. In this example, immersion in water destroys the crystallinity as the poly(ethylene oxide) sorbs water and the hydrophobic methoxy group retreats below the surface of the polymer. Also disclosed are methods and articles of manufacture that make use of these polymers.
US07671159B2 Process for the preparation of a shaped part of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a shaped part of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) comprising melt processing, wherein a) the UHMWPE has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 1*106 g/mol, b) during the shaping the storage plateau modulus of the UHMWPE (G*) is kept at a value of at most 1.5 MPa, c) whereafter, before the cooling, the G* is raised to its final value. The invention further relates to a shaped part obtainable with the process and the use of the shaped part in a medical application.
US07671146B2 Epoxy resin composition for encapsulating semiconductor and semiconductor device
This invention provides an epoxy resin composition for encapsulating a semiconductor exhibiting higher flame resistance, good flowability and adequately higher solder-reflow resistance to allow for the use of a lead-free solder without a flame retardant, as well as a highly reliable semiconductor device in which a semiconductor element is encapsulated with a cured product from the composition.
US07671145B2 Epoxy-capped polythioethers by reacting dithiol, diolefin and monoepoxy olefin
Epoxy-capped polythioethers and curable compositions of epoxy-capped polythioethers are disclosed.
US07671144B2 Pressure sensitive adhesive composition
The present invention has its object to provide a pressure sensitive adhesive composition which can be applied using no organic solvent or using almost no organic solvent and which manifests excellent pressure sensitive adhesion characteristics. This object can be achieved by a pressure sensitive adhesive composition which comprises, as essential constituents, the following: (A) an oxyalkylene polymer containing 0.3 to 0.7 equivalent of a hydrolyzable silyl group in each molecule and having a number average molecular weight of 15,000 to 100,000 (hydrolyzable silyl group-containing polymer); (B) a tackifier resin; (C) a curing catalyst.
US07671128B1 Tire with a component made of a rubber composition comprised of rubbers having pendant hydroxyl groups
The present invention is directed to a tire comprising at least one component comprising (A) a first copolymer rubber comprised of repeat units derived from (1) 10 to 99 weight percent of a conjugated diene monomer which contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms; (2) 0 to 70 weight percent of a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer; and (3) 1 to 20 weight percent of at least one co-monomer selected from the group consisting of the following general formulas I: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; wherein R1 represents a saturated alcohol group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and (B) a second copolymer rubber comprised of repeat units derived from (1) 10 to 99 weight percent of a conjugated diene monomer which contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms; (2) 0 to 70 weight percent of a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer; and (3) 1 to 20 weight percent of at least one co-monomer selected from the group consisting of the following general formulas I: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; wherein R1 represents a saturated alcohol group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; wherein the first and second copolymer have a difference in glass transition temperatures ranging from 30° C. to 60° C.
US07671121B2 Thermally curable resin composition with extended storage stability and good adhesive property
This invention provides a thermally curable resin copolymer (A), composed mainly of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-1), which produces an acid via decomposition at 150° C. or more, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-2) containing an epoxy group copolymerizable with the ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-1), and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (a-3) having a reactive silyl group; a thermally curable resin composition including the thermally curable resin copolymer; a cured film formed from the composition; and a liquid crystal display including the cured film. The thermally curable resin composition has extended storage stability and can be formed into the cured film having good adhesion to a substrate.
US07671116B2 Composition for forming ink-receiver layer, method of producing the same, and printing base
The composition for forming an ink-receiver layer according to the invention comprises (A) a monomer component containing a monofunctional monomer; (B) a powder containing an egg white component; and (C) eggshell powder. The component (A) may further contain a polyfunctional monomer with two or more functions.
US07671112B2 Method of making fluoropolymer dispersion
A method of making a fluoropolymer dispersion by first providing a fluoropolymer dispersion comprising fluoropolymer particles and one or more fluorinated surfactants selected from fluorinated carboxylic acids or salts thereof having the general formula: [Rf—O-L-COO−]iXi+  (I) wherein L represents a linear partially or fully fluorinated alkylene group or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, Rf represents a linear partially or fully fluorinated aliphatic group or a linear partially or fully fluorinated aliphatic group interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms, Xi+ represents a cation having the valence i and i is 1, 2 or 3; then adding one or more non-fluorinated surfactants selected from anionic and non-ionic surfactants followed by reducing the total amount of the one or more fluorinated surfactants to an amount of not more than 500 ppm, for example not more than 250 ppm based on the total weight of the dispersion while maintaining or increasing the amount of solids in the dispersion.
US07671110B2 Method for uniformly distributing a substance in a substrate
The invention relates to a new method for improved distribution of a substance or mixture of substances in a carrier or substrate or in a mixture of different carriers or substrates. The invention likewise relates to the raw, multicomponent compositions, semi-finished products or end articles obtained by this method and also to the micropowders of the substance or mixture of substances that are used in the method. The invention relates in particular to the application of this method to the incorporation of additives into plastics and to the plastics additives micropowders prepared for that purpose.
US07671106B2 Cap liners, closures and gaskets from multi-block polymers
A polymer composition comprises at least an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer and at least one other polymer. The other polymer can be selected from a second ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer, an elastomer, a polyolefin, a polar polymer, and an ethylene/carboxylic acid interpolymer or ionomer thereof. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block interpolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. Also provided are gaskets, bottle cap liners, and closures that comprise or obtained from a compositon comprising at least one ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer and at least one polyolefin. The gaskets are capable of compression sealing various containers, without contaminating the contents. Liquid containers particularly benefit from the use of the novel gasket materials disclosed herein.
US07671099B2 Method for spearation crude oil emulsions
A method for breaking an emulsion of oil and water comprising contacting the emulsion with a demulsifier comprising a terpene alkoxylate is disclosed.
US07671097B2 Stable phenolic resin polymer dispersions having low free aldehyde content
Stable dispersions of phenolic resins, particularly bisphenol-A/formaldehyde resins, for use in e.g., baking enamels, coatings, adhesives, binders, etc., are disclosed. The dispersions have low levels (e.g., <0.1% by weight) of free aldehyde, thereby reducing environmental harms associated with aldehyde emissions. Low free aldehyde levels are achieved using melamine as an aldehyde scavenger during preparation. It has now been discovered that melamine, in contrast to other scavengers of aldehydes, does not adversely affect dispersion stability, interfere with later processing operations, or negatively impact the final resin product quality (e.g., after curing).
US07671095B2 Films and particles
Described herein are compounds and processes that can be used to prepare polymer-based films, particles, gels and related compositions, and processes for delivery of agents, and other uses.
US07671090B2 Inhibitors of α4 mediated cell adhesion
The present invention relates to a phenylalanine derivative of Formula (I) wherein X1 is a halogen atom, X2 is a halogen atom, Q is a CH2R— is a carboxyl group which may be esterified; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US07671086B2 Pharmaceutical compositions comprising flavonoids and menthol
The present invention relates to use of certain antiviral fragrances for reduction of viruses, in particular vira causing common cold. In one embodiment, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antiviral fragrance, preferably menthol. Said compositions preferably also comprise one or more flavonoids. The invention also relates to treatment of common cold using said compositions.
US07671078B2 Isothiourea derivatives of imadazo[2,1-b]Thiazoles and 5,6-dihydro derivatives thereof useful as CXCR4 chemokine receptor inhibitors
The invention relates to isothiourea derivatives of formula I: wherein R1 is a residue of one of the following structures: where the variables are as defined in the claims of the invention, as well as processes for production of these compounds.
US07671071B2 Polymorphic Form XVI of fexofenadine hydrochloride
Provided is a crystalline (polymorphic) form of fexofenadine hydrochloride, denominated fexofenadine hydrochloride Form XVI.
US07671069B2 Tricyclic, heteroaromatic compounds modulating CXCR4 and/ or CXCR7
The present invention is directed to novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that inhibit the binding of the SDF-1 chemokine to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and/or the binding of the SDF-1 or I-TAC chemokines to the chemokine receptor CCXCKR2 (CXCR7). These compounds are useful in preventing tumor cell proliferation, tumor formation, metastasis, inflammatory diseases, treatment of HIV infectivity, treatment of stem cell differentiation and mobilization disorders, and ocular disorders.
US07671068B2 N-(alkoxyalkyl) carbamoyl-substituted 6-phenyl-benzonaphthyridine derivatives and their use as PDE ¾ inhibitors
Compounds of the formula I in which the substitutents have the definitions provided in the specification, are novel, effective PDE 3/4 inhibitors.
US07671064B2 Fused pyrrolocarbazoles
The present invention relates generally to selected fused pyrrolocarbazoles, including pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of treating diseases therewith. The present invention is also directed to intermediates and processes for making these fused pyrrolocarbazoles.
US07671062B2 Modulators of chemokine receptor activity, crystalline forms and process
The present invention provides a novel antagonist or partial agonists/antagonists of MCP-1 receptor activity: N-((1R,2S,5R)-5-(isopropyl(methyl)amino)-2-((S)-2-oxo-3-(6-(trifluoromethyl)quinazolin-4-ylamino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)cyclohexyl)acetamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug, thereof, having an unexpected combination of desirable pharmacological characteristics. Crystalline forms of the present invention are also provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and methods of using the same as agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, allergic, autoimmune, metabolic, cancer and/or cardiovascular diseases is also an objective of this invention. The present disclosure also provides a process for preparing compounds of Formula (I), including N-((1R,2S,5R)-5-(isopropyl(methyl)amino)-2-((S)-2-oxo-3-(6-(trifluoromethyl)quinazolin-4-ylamino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)cyclohexyl)acetamide: wherein R1, R8, R9, R10, and are as described herein. Compounds that are useful intermediates of the process are also provided herein.
US07671049B2 Pyrrole based inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3
New pyrrole based compounds, compositions and methods of inhibiting the activity of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3) in vitro and of treatment of GSK3 mediated disorders in vivo are provided. The methods, compounds and compositions of the invention may be employed alone, or in combination with other pharmacologically active agents in the treatment of disorders mediated by GSK3 activity, such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, essential hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, syndrome X, ischemia, traumatic brain injury, bipolar disorder, immunodeficiency or cancer.
US07671043B2 Cycloalkylamino acid derivatives
The invention relates to compounds of formula I and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates or hydrates thereof; wherein B, D, E, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R8, m, n, p, q, r, s, t and u are as defined herein. This invention also relates to a method of using such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases and autoimmune diseases in mammals, especially humans, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US07671042B2 Pharmaceutical compositions containing cyclodextrins and taxoids
The present invention relates to water-soluble solid pharmaceutical compositions and their solutions in aqueous solvents, said compositions containing a) as an active ingredient a finely dispersed large surface area amorphous preferably lyophilized taxoid such as paclitaxel or docetaxel, their salts or their polymorphic hydrates or solvates such as solvates formed with ethanol and b) finely dispersed large surface area amorphous preferably lyophilized acetyl-γ-cyclodextrin or hydroxy-propyl-β-cyclodextrin (cyclodextrin) whereby the weight ratio of said taxoid:said cyclodextrin ranges between 1:25 and 1:400; c) and optionally other water-soluble auxiliary materials usual in pharmaceuticals for parental purposes.
US07671040B2 Chemotherapeutic antineoplastic treatment
Chemotherapeutic antineoplastic method comprising administration of an effective amount of an antineoplastic agent in conjunction with an effective amount of a β-1,3 glucan.
US07671031B2 Abuse-resistant amphetamine prodrugs
The invention describes compounds, compositions, and methods of using the same comprising a chemical moiety covalently attached to amphetamine. These compounds and compositions are useful for reducing or preventing abuse and overdose of amphetamine. These compounds and compositions find particular use in providing an abuse-resistant alternative treatment for certain disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADD, narcolepsy, and obesity. Oral bioavailability of amphetamine is maintained at therapeutically useful doses. At higher doses bioavailability is substantially reduced, thereby providing a method of reducing oral abuse liability. Further, compounds and compositions of the invention decrease the bioavailability of amphetamine by parenteral routes, such as intravenous or intranasal administration, further limiting their abuse liability.
US07671026B2 Cytomodulating peptides for treating interstitial cystitis
The methods and compositions relate to treatment of disorders of the bladder. In particular, the methods provide for treatment of interstitial cystitis and related disorders. The methods further comprise treatment to affect various manifestations associated with interstitial cystitis, including, reducing histamine release, modulating Substance P expression, modulating nerve growth factor expression, modulating levels of various cytokines, and maintaining integrity of the urine/blood barrier.
US07671024B2 OBG3 globular head and uses thereof
The present invention relates to the field of obesity research. Obesity is a public health problem that is serious and widespread. The application is related to OBG3 polypepide fragments and compositions comprising these fragments. It also discloses methods of reducing free fatty acid levels with the polypeptide fragments of the invention.
US07671018B2 Delivery system for heparin-binding growth factors
New uses of proteoglycans to bind and present growth factors, methods of accelerating wound, tissue or bone repair using such proteoglycans, pharmaceutical compositions of such proteoglycans, and scaffolds coated with such proteoglycans are disclosed. The proteoglycan of the invention is derived from domain I or perlecan.
US07671014B2 Flowable carrier matrix and methods for delivering to a patient
A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.
US07671009B2 Dermopharmaceutically and cosmetically active oligopeptides
Oligopeptides and derivatives thereof, peptide analogs and derivatives thereof as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these compounds, which correspond to general formula (I) wherein R1 represents H, —C(O)—R7, —SO2—R7, —C(O)—OR7 or —C(O)—N(R7)2 R2 represents, independent of one another, H or —(C1-C4)-alkyl, R3 and R6 represent, independent of one another, —(CH2)q—N(R1)R8 R4 and R5 represent, independent of one another, —CH2—OR2, —CH(CH3)OR8 or —CH2—CH2—OR8 R7 represents hydrogen, optionally substituted (C1-C19)-alkyl; optionally substituted (C1-C19)-alkenyl; phenyl-(C1-C4)-alkyl whose phenyl radical is optionally substituted with amino in the para position R8 represents H, —(C1-C4)-alkyl, —C(O)—R7, —C(O)—OR7, —C(O)—N(R7)2 or —SO2—R7 X represents oxygen (—O—) or —NH—; or XR7, with X=O, also represents the esters of α-tocopherol, tocotrienol or retinol or the carboxylic acid (with R7=H) m, n, p represent, independent of one another, zero or 1 and q in R3 and R6 represent, independent of one another, an integer from 1 to 4, with the provision that the following conditions do not simultaneously occur: R4=—CH(CH3)—OH and R5=—CH(CH3)—OH and R6=—(CH2)4—NH2; dermopharmaceutically and/or cosmetically active compositions containing at least one compound of formula (I).
US07671003B2 Unit dose detergent product comprising silicone oil
The present invention relates to a unit dose detergent product comprising a liquid fabric treatment composition and a water-soluble material, whereby the unit dose of the liquid composition is contained within the water-soluble material, wherein the liquid composition is a non-Newtonian, shear-thinning liquid having a low shear viscosity of at least 3,000 cps, when measured at a shear rate of 0.5 s−1 and 20° C., and wherein the liquid composition comprises silicone oil, the silicone oil being emulsified in the liquid composition so that the mean particle diameter of the emulsified silicone oil droplets is from 5 to 50 micrometers.
US07671002B2 Composition and method for removing copper-compatible resist
A composition for removing a copper-compatible resist includes: about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an alkylbenzenesulfonic compound; about 10% to about 99% by weight of a glycolether compound; and about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of a corrosion inhibitor.
US07671001B2 Alkaline, post plasma etch/ash residue removers and photoresist stripping compositions containing metal-halide corrosion inhibitors
The invention provides alkaline compositions useful in the microelectronics industry for stripping or cleaning semiconductor wafer substrates by removing photoresist residues and other unwanted contaminants. The compositions contain (a) one or more bases and (b) one or more metal corrosion inhibiting metal halides of the formula: WzMXy where M is a metal selected from the group Si, Ge, Sn, Pt, P, B, Au, Ir, Os, Cr, Ti, Zr, Rh, Ru, and Sb; X is a halide selected from F, Cl, Br and I; W is selected from H, to an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and a metal ion-free hydroxide base moiety; y is a numeral of from 4 to 6 depending on the metal halide; and z is a numeral of 1, 2 or 3.
US07671000B2 Stable liquid cleansing compositions comprising fatty acyl isethionate surfactant products with high fatty acid content
The invention provides liquid cleanser compositions which can use fatty acyl isethionates surfactant products, regardless of free fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt content of isethionate mixture or chain length distribution of isethionates mixture. The key is to insure a specific combination of liquid crystal inducer (of surfactant phase) and of modifier so that the isethionates will be stable at low and high temperatures.
US07670995B2 Viscoelastic wellbore treatment fluid
A viscoelastic wellbore treatment fluid comprises an effective amount of an oligomeric surfactant for controlling the viscoelasticity of the fluid.
US07670990B2 Fungicidal composition comprising a pyridylethylbenzamide derivative and a compound capable of inhibiting mitosis and cell division
A composition comprising at least a pyridylethylbenzamide derivative of general formula (I) (a) and a compound capable of inhibiting mitosis and cell division (b) in a (a)/(b) weight ratio of from 0.01 to 20.A composition further comprising an additional fungicidal compound.A method for preventively or curatively combating the phytopathogenic fungi of crops by using this composition.
US07670988B2 Nanostructured anode PT-RU electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cells
An aerosol-assisted method for synthesis of nanostructured metallic electrocatalysts and the electrocatalysts formed thereby. The electrocatalyst may be formed from metals such as, but not limited to, platinum, platinum group metals, and binary and tertiary compositions thereof such as, for example, platinum-ruthenium and platinum-tin. The resulting unsupported electrocatalyst is homogenous and highly disperse.
US07670987B2 Reforming catalyst for hydrocarbon, method for producing hydrogen using such reforming catalyst, and fuel cell system
A hydrocarbon reforming catalyst which maintains carrier strength even after a long-term thermal history and which exhibits high catalytic activity is prepared by causing at least one noble metal component selected from among a ruthenium component, a platinum component, a rhodium component, a palladium component, and an iridium component to be supported on a carrier containing manganese oxide, alumina, and at least one compound selected from among lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, and zirconium oxide, or a carrier containing silicon oxide, manganese oxide, and alumina. By use of the reforming catalyst, hydrogen is produced through steam reforming (1), autothermal reforming (2), partial-oxidation reforming (3), or carbon dioxide reforming (4). A fuel cell system is constituted from a reformer employing the reforming catalyst, and a fuel cell employing, as a fuel, hydrogen produced by the reformer.
US07670985B2 Activated carbon supported cobalt based catalyst for directly converting of synthesis gas to mixed linear alpha-alcohols and paraffins
The invention provides an activated carbon supported cobalt based catalyst for directly converting of synthesis gas to mixed linear alpha-alcohols and paraffins, comprising cobalt, an activated carbon carrier, a metal promoter which is at least one selected from the group consisting of a zirconium component, a lanthanum component, a cerium component, a chromium component, a vanadium component, a titanium component, a manganese component, a rhenium component, a potassium component, a ruthenium component, a magnesium component and a mixture thereof, wherein the cobalt and the promoter are deposited on the activated carbon carrier or substantially uniformly dispersed therein, and the metal promoter is present in the form of a metal, an oxide or a combination thereof.
US07670984B2 Hydrocarbon-soluble molybdenum catalyst precursors and methods for making same
Hydrocarbon-soluble molybdenum catalyst precursors include a plurality of molybdenum cations that are each bonded with a plurality of organic anions to form an oil soluble molybdenum salt. A portion of the molybdenum atoms are in the 3+ oxidation state such that the plurality of molybdenum atoms has an average oxidation state of less than 4+, e.g., less than about 3.8+, especially less than about 3.5+. The catalyst precursors can form a hydroprocessing molybdenum sulfide catalyst in heavy oil feedstocks. The oil soluble molybdenum salts are manufactured in the presence of a reducing agent, such as hydrogen gas, to obtain the molybdenum in the desired oxidation state. Preferably the reaction is performed with hydrogen or an organic reducing agent and at a temperature such that the molybdenum atoms are reduced to eliminate substantially all molybdenum oxide species.
US07670983B2 Oxygenate treatment of dewaxing catalyst for greater yield of dewaxed product
Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis using a noncobalt catalyst is used to produce waxy fuel and lubricant oil hydrocarbons from synthesis gas derived from natural gas. The waxy hydrocarbons are hydrodewaxed, with reduced conversion to lower boiling hydrocarbons, by contacting the waxy hydrocarbons, in the presence of hydrogen, with an unsulfided hydrodewaxing catalyst that has been reduced and then treated by contacting it with a stream containing one or more oxygenates.
US07670981B2 C0G multi-layered ceramic capacitor
A dielectric ceramic composition in a multilayer ceramic capacitor with a composition of formula: {[(CaO)t(SrO)1-t]m[(ZrO2)v(TiO2)1-v]}1-s-xAsEx wherein: A is a transition metal oxide; E is an oxide of an element selected from the group consisting of Ge, Si, Ga and combinations thereof; m is 0.98 to 1.02; t is 0.50 to 0.90; v is 0.8 to 1.0; s and x are selected from the group consisting of: a) 0≦x≦0.08, 0.0001≦s≦0.043 and x≧1.86s; and b) 0≦x≦0.0533, 0.0001≦s≦0.08 and x≦0.667s.
US07670974B2 Optical glass, press molding preform, method of manufacturing same, optical element, and method of manufacturing same
A low dispersion optical glass comprising, given as molar percentages, 28 to 50 percent of P2O5; more than 20 percent but not more than 50 percent of BaO; 1 to 20 percent MgO; a sum of Li2O, Na2O, and K2O exceeding 3 percent (with 0 to 25 percent of Li2O, greater than or equal to 0 percent and less than 10 percent of Na2O, and 0 to 12 percent of K2O); more than 0 percent but not more than 15 percent of ZnO; 0 to 25 percent of B2O3; 0 to 5 percent of A12O3; 0 to 8 percent of Gd2O3; 0 to 20 percent of CaO; 0 to 15 percent of SrO; and 0 to 1 percent of Sb2O3; with a sum of oxide contents of P, Ba, Mg, Li, Na, K, Zn, B, Al, Gd, Ca, Sr, and Sb being greater than or equal to 98 percent. The optical glass comprises no La2O3. The press molding preform is comprised of the optical glass.
US07670973B2 Lead and arsenic free optical glass with high refractive index
Lead and arsenic free, and preferably gadolinium and further preferably also fluorine free, optical glasses for the application fields mapping, projection, telecommunication, optical communication engineering, mobile drive, laser technology and/or micro lens arrays have a refractive index of 1.91≦nd≦2.05, an Abbe number of 19≦νd≦25 and have a low transformation temperature, namely of less than or equal to 470° C. and preferably of less than or equal to 450° C., as well as good producability and processability and crystallization stability.
US07670962B2 Substrate having stiffener fabrication method
An integral plated semiconductor package substrate stiffener provides a low-cost and space-efficient mechanism for maintaining substrate planarity during the manufacturing process. By patterning and plating the stiffener along with the other substrate fabrication process steps, the difficulty of attaching a separate stiffener is averted. Also, the stiffener pattern can be provided around other substrate elements such as the circuit patterns and terminals, while maintaining requisite spacing. The stiffener is a two-layer metal structure, the first layer is a thin film metal layer on which a thicker outer metal layer is plated up. The two metal layers may be of different metals or alloys and the thin film metal layer may be the same layer plane that provides one of the substrate interconnect layers or may be the metal layer removed from other areas of the substrate during isolation of an embedded circuit layer.
US07670960B2 Substrate processing method
Disclosed is a substrate processing method that dissolves and deforms a photoresist film having a first pattern formed on a substrate to reshape the resist film into a second pattern. The method includes: evacuating a processing chamber, thereby reducing an internal pressure of the processing chamber from a standard pressure to a first target pressure lower than the standard pressure; introducing a solvent vapor-containing atmosphere into the processing chamber, thereby bringing the internal pressure back to the standard pressure; dissolving the resist film by a solvent contained in the solvent vapor-containing atmosphere; and evacuating a processing chamber, thereby reducing the internal pressure to a second target pressure higher than the first target pressure and lower than the standard pressure and discharging the solvent vapor-containing atmosphere from the processing chamber. Owing to the relatively low second target pressure, undesirable deformation of the resist film or defects in the resist film due to rapid evaporation of the solvent penetrated in the resist film can be prevented.
US07670957B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes sequentially forming etch target layers, a hard mask layer and an anti-reflective coating layer, selectively etching the anti-reflective coating layer and the hard mask layer using a gas generating polymers, thereby increasing a line width of a bottom portion of the hard mask layer due to the polymers, and etching the etch target layers using a patterned hard mask layer with the increased line width.
US07670954B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including at least two processes. Under an atmosphere comprising hydrogen and oxygen, a sacrificial oxide film is formed on a silicon substrate that is provided with at least one nitride region. Then, the sacrificial oxide film and the nitride region are removed from the silicon substrate.
US07670949B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a first photosensitive material pattern having an opening hole on a work target layer formed on an active surface of a substrate; performing a first etching by performing an etching treatment to the work target layer using the first photosensitive material pattern as a mask, and forming one of a concave and a groove in a tapered shape with a wide opening to the work target layer while enlarging the opening hole, by performing the etching treatment so as to enlarge the opening hole; and filling a metal film into one of the concave and the groove.
US07670946B2 Methods to eliminate contact plug sidewall slit
A method to form a barrier layer and contact plug using a touch up RIE. In a first embodiment, we form a first barrier layer over the dielectric layer and the substrate in the contact hole. The first barrier layer is comprised of Ta. A second barrier layer is formed over the first barrier layer. The second barrier layer is comprised of TaN or WN. We planarize a first conductive layer to form a first contact plug in the contact hole. We reactive ion etch (e.g., W touch up etch) the top surfaces using a Cl and B containing etch. Because of the composition of the barrier layers and RIE etch chemistry, the barrier layers are not significantly etched selectively to the dielectric layer. In a second embodiment, a barrier film is comprised of WN.
US07670941B2 Method for production of semiconductor devices
A method for production of semiconductor devices which includes the steps of forming, on an interlayer insulating film formed on a substrate, a copper-containing conductive layer in such a way that its surface is exposed, performing heat treatment with a reducing gas composed mainly of hydrogen on the surface of the conductive layer, performing plasma treatment with a reducing gas on the surface of the conductive layer, thereby permitting the surface of the conductive layer to be reduced and the hydrogen adsorbed by the heat treatment to be released, and forming an oxidation resistance film that covers the surface of the conductive layer such that the surface of the conductive layer is not exposed to an oxygen-containing atmospheric gas after the plasma treatment.
US07670940B2 Plating method, semiconductor device fabrication method and circuit board fabrication method
The plating method comprises the step of forming a resin layer 10 over a substrate 16; the step of cutting the surface part of the resin layer 10 with a cutting tool 12; the step of forming a seed layer 36 on the resin layer 10 by electroless plating; and the step of forming a plating film 44 on the seed layer 36 by electroplating. Suitable roughness can be give to the surface of the resin layer 10, whereby the adhesion between the seed layer 36 and the resin layer 10 can be sufficiently ensured. Excessively deep pores are not formed in the surface of the resin layer 10, as are by desmearing treatment, whereby a micronized pattern of a photoresist film 40 can be formed on the resin layer 10. Thus, interconnections 44, etc. can be formed over the resin layer 10 at a narrow pitch with high reliability ensured.
US07670932B2 MOS structures with contact projections for lower contact resistance and methods for fabricating the same
MOS structures with contact projections for lower contact resistance and methods for fabricating such MOS structures have been provided. In an embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, fabricating a gate stack on the substrate, and forming a contact projection on the substrate. Ions of a conductivity-determining type are implanted within the substrate using the gate stack as an ion implantation mask to form impurity-doped regions within the substrate. A metal silicide layer is formed on the contact projection and a contact is formed to the metal silicide layer. The contact is in electrical communication with the impurity-doped regions via the contact projection.
US07670928B2 Ultra-thin oxide bonding for S1 to S1 dual orientation bonding
A multi-layered substrate with bulk substrate characteristics and processes for the fabrication of such substrates are herein disclosed. The multi-layered substrate can include a first layer, a second layer and an interfacial layer therebetween. The first and second layers can be silicon, germanium, or any other suitable material of the same or different crystal orientations. The interfacial layer can be an oxide layer from about 5 Angstroms to about 50 Angstroms.
US07670926B2 Method for forming shallow trench isolation utilizing two filling oxide layers
A method for forming shallow trench isolation in a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a trench in a predetermined depth on a semiconductor substrate, filling the trench with a first filing oxide, injecting an impurity into a portion of the first filling oxide inside the trench, removing the portion of the first filling oxide by wet etching, and filling the trench with a second filling oxide.
US07670921B2 Structure and method for self aligned vertical plate capacitor
A method of forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes forming a first planar dielectric layer with a first metallization layer therein; forming a first passivation layer on top thereof; forming a planar conductive layer above the first passivation layer; patterning and selectively removing the conductive layer up to the first passivation layer in designated areas to form a set of conductive features; patterning and conformally coating the set of conductive features and the exposed first passivation layer with a high strength dielectric coating; disposing a second dielectric layer above the first passivation layer and enclosing the set of conductive features; patterning and selectively removing portions of the second substrate to form channels and trenches; performing a dual-Damascene process to form a second metallization layer in the trenches and channels and to form an upper conductive surface above the high strength dielectric coating.
US07670915B1 Contact liner in integrated circuit technology
A method of forming an integrated circuit with a semiconductor substrate is provided. A gate dielectric is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a gate is formed on the gate dielectric. Source/drain junctions are formed in the semiconductor substrate. A silicide is formed on the source/drain junctions and on the gate. An interlayer dielectric having contact holes therein is formed above the semiconductor substrate. Contact liners are formed in the contact holes, and contacts are then formed over the contact liners. The contact liners are nitrides of the contact material, and formed at a temperature below the thermal budget for the silicide.
US07670905B2 Semiconductor processing methods, and methods of forming flash memory structures
Some embodiments include methods of reflecting ions off of vertical regions of photoresist mask sidewalls such that the ions impact foot regions along the bottom of the photoresist mask sidewalls and remove at least the majority of the foot regions. In some embodiments, trenches may be formed adjacent the photoresist mask sidewalls in a material that is beneath the photoresist mask. Another material may be formed to have projections extending into the trenches. Such projections may assist in anchoring said other material to the material that is beneath the photoresist mask. In some embodiments, the photoresist mask is utilized for patterning flash memory structures. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions having materials anchored to underlying materials through fang-like projections.
US07670904B2 Nonvolatile memory device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating a nonvolatile memory device comprises providing a substrate, forming an insulating layer and a conductive layer on the substrate, forming an electrical connection path out of a portion of the conductive layer, through which the conductive layer is electrically connected to the substrate, and gate patterning the insulating layer and the conductive layer.
US07670902B2 Method and structure for landing polysilicon contact
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device. A plurality of MOS transistor devices are formed overlying a semiconductor substrate. Each of the MOS transistor devices includes a nitride cap and nitride sidewall spacers. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed overlying the plurality of MOS transistor devices. A portion of the interlayer dielectric material is removed to expose at least portions of three MOS transistor devices and expose at least three regions between respective MOS transistor devices. The method deposits polysilicon fill material overlying the exposed three regions and overlying the three MOS transistor devices. The method performs a chemical mechanical planarization process on the polysilicon material to reduce a thickness of the polysilicon material exposing a portion of the interlayer dielectric material until the cap nitride layer on each of the MOS transistors has been exposed using the cap nitride layer as a polish stop layer.
US07670896B2 Method and structure for reducing floating body effects in MOSFET devices
A field effect transistor (FET) device includes a bulk substrate, a gate insulating layer formed over the bulk substrate, source and drain regions formed in an active device area associated with the bulk substrate, the source and drain regions each defining a p/n junction with respect to a body region of the active device area, and a conductive plug formed within a cavity defined in the source region, across the p/n junction of the source region and into the body region, wherein the conductive plug facilitates a discharge path between the body region and the source region.
US07670890B2 Silicide block isolated junction field effect transistor source, drain and gate
An junction field effect transistor (JFET) is fashioned with a patterned layer of silicide block (SBLK) material utilized in forming gate, source and drain regions. Utilizing the silicide block in this manner helps to reduce low-frequency (flicker) noise associated with the JFET by suppressing the impact of surface states, among other things.
US07670884B2 Manufacturing method of substrate having conductive layer and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
The manufacturing method of a substrate having a conductive layer has the steps of: forming an inorganic insulating layer over a substrate; forming an organic resin layer with a desired shape over the inorganic insulating layer; forming a low wettability layer with respect to a composition containing conductive particles on a first exposed portion of the inorganic insulating layer; removing the organic resin layer; and coating a second exposed portion of the inorganic insulating layer with a composition containing conductive particles and baking, thereby forming a conductive layer.
US07670883B2 Method for manufacturing pixel structure
A method for manufacturing a pixel structure includes providing a substrate having an active device thereon and forming a dielectric layer covering the active device. Then, an uneven first photoresist layer having an opening is formed over the active device. After an etching process is implemented to form a contact hole in the dielectric layer through said opening, a thickness of the first photoresist layer is reduced so as to expose a portion of the dielectric layer. A transparent conductive layer covering the exposed dielectric layer and the remained first photoresist layer is formed and electrically connected to the active device via the contact hole. Thereafter, the transparent conductive layer on the remained first photoresist layer is removed, while the transparent conductive layer on the exposed dielectric layer forms a pixel electrode. Then, the remained first photoresist layer is removed. With fewer photomasks, the method reduces the manufacturing costs.
US07670881B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
At present, a forming process of a base film through an amorphous silicon film is conducted in respective film forming chambers in order to obtain satisfactory films. When continuous formation of the base film through the amorphous silicon film is performed in a single film forming chamber with the above film formation condition, crystallization is not sufficiently attained in a crystallization process. By forming the amorphous silicon film using silane gas diluted with hydrogen, crystallization is sufficiently attained in the crystallization process even with the continuous formation of the base film through the amorphous silicon film in the single film forming chamber.
US07670880B2 Method and structure for forming an integrated spatial light modulator
A method of fabricating an integrated spatial light modulator. The method includes providing a first substrate including a bonding surface and processing a device substrate to form at least an electrode layer. The method also includes depositing a first portion of a multi-layer standoff layer on the electrode layer, depositing a second portion of the multi-layer standoff layer on the first portion of the multi-layer standoff layer, and forming electrically insulating standoff structures from the multi-layer standoff layer. The method further includes joining the bonding surface of the first substrate to the standoff structures on the device substrate, thinning the first substrate, patterning the first substrate to form a mask, and forming a plurality of moveable structures from the first substrate. The moveable structures are aligned with at least one of the plurality of electrodes and adapted to rotate with respect to the standoff structures.
US07670878B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor package
Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor package. In the method, a wafer for a cap substrate is provided. The wafer for the cap substrate includes a plurality of vias and via electrodes on a lower surface. A wafer for a device substrate is provided. The wafer for the device substrate includes a circuit unit and a connection electrode on an upper surface. The wafer for the cap substrate and the wafer for the device substrate are primarily bonded by a medium of a primary adhesive. A trench is formed to expose the upper surface of the wafer for the device substrate to an outside along an outer edge of the primary adhesive. A secondary bonding operation is performed by a medium of a secondary adhesive to electrically connect the via electrode and the connection electrode. The wafer for the device substrate is diced along a virtual cut line.
US07670870B2 Method of manufacturing organic thin film transistor and organic thin film transistor
A method of manufacturing an organic thin film transistor characterized by low costs and high performances, the method in which the self-assemble monolayer is formed in a short period of time, and the organic thin film transistor are provided. A method of manufacturing an organic thin film a transistor having a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode on a substrate, wherein a semiconductor solution as a mixture of the self-assembled monolayer material and organic semiconductor material is coated between the source electrode and drain electrode, whereby a semiconductor layer is formed.
US07670857B2 Inspection method, manufacturing method of piece for analysis, analysis method, analyzer, manufacturing method of SOI wafer, and SOI wafer
An inspection method is provided for accurate measurement of conductive materials as defects within a silicon oxide film base material embedded in a SOI wafer sample. In the method, the internal state of a sample 2 is inspected by measuring an conductive material within an insulating base material 11 formed upon the sample 2. Ions or electrons are irradiated upon the surface of the inspection region of the base material 11. A surface image is imaged with secondary electrons emitted from the surface 11a and the vicinity of the surface. The inspection region is etched and a surface image is imaged successively with secondary electrons emitted from a surface 11b and from its vicinity, renewed successively at the etched depth. The conductive material within the base material 11 is measured based upon the accumulated surface images.
US07670853B2 Assay device, system and method
A system for treating a blood sample (700) having an analyte of interest comprises a strip (200) having a membrane (218), respective portions (216, 220 and 222, or 300) which are provided for receiving the sample, for lysing cells of the sample to liberate hemoglobin, and for capturing glycated hemoglobin. The latter two portions (220 and 222, or 300) of the membrane are treated with lysing and capture agents, respectively. A portion of the strip (214 or 230 or 240) is provided for holding an eluting agent and for releasing the agent upon a release condition. A system for detecting analyte comprises an optical subsystem (550) that is aligned with the strip to provide a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte, and an electronic subsystem (650) for processing the signal (560) to provide a result, such as an amount or percentage of glycated hemoglobin. To use these systems, the user simply applies a small sample (700) to the membrane (218) and closes a door (10) of the detection system over the strip (200) such that the door triggers the release of the eluting agent. No sample pre-treatment is required. The preferably handheld system (100) is a simple and convenient monitoring tool for the user, such as a diabetic patient who must monitor blood glucose on an on-going basis. While the systems are useful in the monitoring of blood glucose, they may be used for treating a sample other than blood and detecting an analyte other than an analyte in blood.
US07670852B2 Assays for preimplantation factor and preimplantation factor peptides
The present invention relates to assay methods used for detecting the presence of PIF, and to PIF peptides identified using this assay. In particular, the present invention relates to flow cytometry assays for detecting PIF. It is based, at least in part, on the observation that flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled anti-lymphocyte and anti-platelet antibodies demonstrated an increase in rosette formation in the presence of PIF. It is further based on the observation that flow cytometry demonstrated that monoclonal antibody binding to CD2 decreased in the presence of PIF. The present invention further relates to PIF peptides which, when added to Jurkat cell cultures, have been observed to either (i) decrease binding of anti-CD2 antibody to Jurkat cells; (ii) increase expression of CD2 in Jurkat cells; or (iii) decrease Jurkat cell viability. In additional embodiments, the present invention provides for ELISA assays which detect PIF by determining the effect of a test sample on the binding of anti-CD2 antibody to a CD2 substrate.
US07670839B2 Process for coating cell-culture support
The invention relates to a support for culturing cells, in particular to microcarriers coated with gelatine or gelatine-like proteins. Such microcarriers serve as support for culturing anchorage dependent cells. In particular the invention relates to a process for the preparation of a cell culture support comprising the step of coating a microcarrier bead with gelatine or gelatine-like protein, said gelatine or gelatine-like protein having a molecular weight of about 40 kDa to about 200 kDa.
US07670826B2 Confluence regulated adhesion molecules useful in modulating vascular permeability
The invention relates to new polypeptides in isolated form belonging to a subfamily of the human immunoglobulin superfamily, which polypeptide shows at least 70% sequence homology with the amino acid sequence of the murine Confluency Regulated Adhesion Molecules 1 or 2 (CRAM-1 or CRAM-2) as depicted in FIG. 3, upper and second row, respectively, and antibodies thereto as well as their use in treatment of inflammation and tumors.
US07670823B1 Compositions for use in recombinational cloning of nucleic acids
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for use in recombinational cloning of nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding one or more recombination sites or portions thereof, to nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more of these recombination site nucleotide sequences and optionally comprising one or more additional physical or functional nucleotide sequences. The invention also relates to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, to host cells comprising the vectors or nucleic acid molecules of the invention, to methods of producing polypeptides using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, and to polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid molecules or produced by the methods of the invention. The invention also relates to antibodies that bind to one or more polypeptides of the invention or epitopes thereof. The invention also relates to the use of these compositions in methods for recombinational cloning of nucleic acids, in vitro and in vivo, to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have particular characteristics and/or DNA segments.
US07670821B2 Method for the purification of microbial protease
The invention disclose a method for purifying microbial protease, comprising:(i) providing an aqueous liquid sample containing a microbial protease, and a separation medium comprising a base matrix and a plurality of attached ligands that are capable of binding to microbial protease;(ii) contacting separation medium with the sample under conditions permitting binding of microbial protease to the separation medium; and (iii) desorbing microbial protease from the separation medium, wherein the base matrix is hydrophilic and the plurality of ligands are hydrocarbon groups in which all carbon atoms are sp3-hybridised.
US07670812B2 Method of producing glycogen
A method of producing glycogen comprising a step of: allowing a branching enzyme having the ability to synthesize glycogen to act on a substrate in a solution to produce a glycogen, wherein the substrate is an α-glucan being linked mainly with α-1,4-glucosidic bonds and having a degree of polymerization of 4 or more, and the number-average molecular weight of saccharides in the solution before initiation of the reaction is more than 180 but not more than 150,000. (The branching enzyme activity of the branching enzyme)/(the molecular-weight-decreasing activity of the branching enzyme) can be 500 or less. The branching enzyme can be a thermostable branching enzyme.
US07670811B2 Process for preparing isomalto-oligosaccharides with elongated chain and low glycemic index
The invention relates to a process for preparing isomalto-oligosaccharides with elongated chain length. Isomalto-oligosaccharides are directly converted to isomalto-oligosaccharides with elongated chain length in the presence of glucansucrase. Said products can be applied in food, feed, beverages, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products and are particularly useful as slow or non-digestible oligosaccharides, low calorie providers, prebiotics, mineral absorption promoting agents, non-cariogenic agents and/or low glycemic index regulating syrups.
US07670792B2 Biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer
Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules.
US07670789B2 Methods and devices for diagnosis of appendicitis
A method is provided for diagnosing appendicitis in a patient that includes identifying at least one symptom of appendicitis in the patient and identifying the presence of at least one molecule differentially associated with appendicitis in a fluid or tissue sample of said patient. MRP-8/14 and haptoglobin are examples of molecules differentially associated with appendicitis. Devices and kits for performing the appendicitis assays of this invention are also provided. In one embodiment, the device is in a flow-through immunoassay format for testing blood samples. Further, methods for screening for molecules differentially associated with appendicitis are provided that include the use of samples from patients being operated on for suspected appendicitis.
US07670788B2 Determining and reducing immunoresistance to a Botulinum toxin therapy using Botulinum toxin B peptides
The present invention provides BoNT/B peptides, BoNT/B peptide compositions, tolerogizing compositions, immune response inducing compositions, as well as methods of determining immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of treating immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of reducing anti-botulinum toxin antibodies in an individual and methods of inducing a BoNT/B immune response an individual.
US07670784B2 β-Benzyloxyaspartic acid derivatives having two substituents on their benzene rings
The present invention provides a β-benzyloxyaspartic acid derivative having two substituents on its benzene ring, wherein the derivative has L-glutamate uptake inhibitory effect. More specifically, the present invention provides a compound of Formula (1) having an inhibitory effect against the glutamate uptake activity of L-glutamate transporters (wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted aromatic group, and substituent R2 represents a group selected from an optionally substituted linear or branched C1-C30 aliphatic group whose chain may contain nitrogen or oxygen, and an optionally substituted aromatic group) or a salt thereof, and a method for obtaining the above compound, as well as a method for purifying or detecting L-glutamate transporters using the above compound.
US07670781B2 Activation and expansion of T-cells using an agent that provides a primary activation signal and another agent that provides a co-stimulatory signal
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for activating and expanding T-cells. The T-cells are induced to proliferate by providing a primary activation signal and a co-stimulatory signal to the T cells.
US07670771B2 Mutant sodium channel Nav1.7 nucleic acid methods
Described are mutant Nav1.7 sodium channel alpha-subunits and nucleic acid sequences encoding such mutants. Further described are methods for characterizing a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a Nav1 sodium channel alpha-subunit, methods for determining a Nav1.7 haplotype, methods for determining a subject's predisposition to a neurologic disorder associated with a sodium channel mutation, and methods of identifying a compound that modulates mutant Nav1.7 sodium channels. Other materials, compositions, articles, devices, and methods relating to mutant Nav1.7 sodium channels are also described herein.
US07670769B2 IL1RL-1 as a cardiovascular disease marker and therapeutic target
This invention pertains to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that can be used to diagnose and/or treat cardiovascular conditions including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and heart failure.
US07670767B1 Genetic alterations associated with cancer
The present invention provides new probes for the detection of chromosomal alterations associated with cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. The probes bind selectively with target nucleic acid sequences at 3q26.
US07670759B2 Micro pattern forming method and semiconductor device manufacturing method
Photosensitive resist material is coated on a substrate and exposed and developed to form a resist pattern. The surface layer of sidewalls and a top wall of the resist pattern is etched by plasma of a mixture gas of a first gas and an SO2 gas, the first gas being at least one gas selected from a group consisting of He, Ne, Ar, Xe, Kr, CO, CO2 and N2. Resist pattern deformation and pattern collapse can be prevented while the resist pattern shrinks.
US07670748B2 Cyclic compound, photoresist composition and method of forming a photoresist pattern using the same
A photoresist composition includes a cyclic compound, a photoacid generator, and an organic solvent. The cyclic compound includes any one selected from the group consisting of moieties having chemical structures represented by the formulae (1), (2), (3) and (4) set forth herein, and at least one moiety having the chemical structure represented by the formula (9) set forth herein.
US07670743B2 Image forming method
An image is formed by projecting an image by way of an image irradiating device onto an image bearing member configured to operate at a linear velocity of at least 300 mm/sec, and which is constructed of(i) an electroconductive substrate having an image bearing surface that has an established surface charge having an electric field intensity of at least 32.1 V/μm which is defined as the ratio of the absolute value (V) of the surface voltage of a non-irradiated portion of the image bearing member at a developing position to the layer thickness of the photosensitive layer (μm), (ii) a charge blocking layer overlying the electroconductive substrate, (iii) a moiré prevention layer overlying the charge blocking layer and (iv) a photosensitive layer overlying the moiré prevention layer consisting essentially of a titanyl phthalocyanine; charging the image bearing member by means of a charging device; irradiating said surface of the image bearing member with plural irradiation beams; developing the latent electrostatic image with a developing device; transferring the developed image by a transfer device configured; and cleaning the image bearing member.
US07670736B2 Photoconductors
A photoconductor containing a first layer, a supporting substrate thereover, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer comprised of at least one charge transport component, and wherein the first layer is in contact with the supporting substrate on the reverse side thereof, and which layer contains a semi-penetrating polymer network formed from crosslinking a suitable fluoropolymer, and within which network structure is penetrated with a polycarbonate.
US07670722B2 Cathode active material and lithium secondary battery containing the same
Provided is a non-aqueous electrolyte-based, high-power lithium secondary battery having a long service life and superior safety at both room temperature and high temperature, even after repeated high-current charging and discharging. The battery comprises a cathode active material composed of a mixture of lithium/manganese spinel oxide and lithium/nickel/cobalt/manganese composite oxide wherein at least one of two oxides has an average particle diameter of more than 15 μm.
US07670720B1 Electrochemical energy storage means
A solid polymer electrolyte composite for an electrochemical reaction apparatus that possesses satisfactory ion conduction properties and has excellent mechanical strength and heat resistance, is provided. The solid polymer electrolyte composite is characterized in that a solid polymer electrolyte is contained in the continuous pores of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene sheet which has continuous pores and in which the inner surfaces defining the pores are covered with a functional material such as a metal oxide. An electrochemical reaction apparatus containing an electrolyte, wherein said electrochemical reaction apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte composite is used as this electrolyte is also provided.
US07670716B2 Electrochemical cells employing expandable separators
An electrochemical cell is provided comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. A separator, which includes an expansion joint, surrounds and seals the first electrode. The separator may comprise a first major surface and a second major surface substantially opposite the first major surface, and the expansion joint may be coupled between the first major surface and the second major surface.
US07670705B2 Fuel cell system with purifying apparatus
A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode; and a purifying apparatus including a catalyst layer that purifies an effluent discharged from the anode. The purifying apparatus has a porous sheet including the catalyst layer and two flow paths disposed on both sides thereof. One of the flow paths has an inlet into which the effluent discharged from the anode is introduced, and the other flow path has an inlet into which air is introduced and an outlet. The effluent discharged from the anode is passed through the porous sheet for purification and then discharged from the outlet.
US07670698B2 Silicide fueled power generators and methods related thereto
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a power generator comprising one or more fuel cells and a fuel, wherein the fuel comprises an alkali metal silicide.
US07670692B2 Cyclometalated transition metal complex and organic electroluminescent device using the same
A cyclometalated transition metal complex very efficiently emits phosphorescent light and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. The transition metal complex is suitable for an organic layer of an organic electroluminescent device, can emit light with a wavelength of 400 to 650 nm, and can emit white light when used with a red emissive material or a green emissive material.
US07670686B2 Long-term hydrophilic modification of PDMS substrate and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a hydrophilic surface structure of the non-hydrophilic substrate and the manufacturing method for using the same. The hydrophilic substrate surface structure is fabricated by forming an amphiphilic polymer layer, a cross-linked stacking layer, and a hydrophilic layer in sequence on the surface of a non-hydrophilic substrate. For example, the hydrophobic surface of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) can be made from hydrophobic to hydrophilic and the hydrophilicity can be retained for a long period of time and resist protein adsorption. The hydrophilic thin films give long term stability to the PDMS surface by resisting hydrophobicity recovery, which is the major problem with PDMS. The disclosed method can further be used in the immobilization of protein and other molecules. This method can also be used for modifying other substrates which suffer problems of surface instability.
US07670685B2 Low loss visible-IR transmitting glass-ceramic spinel composites and process
This invention pertains to a composite of Spinel and BGG glass substrates and to process for bonding Spinel to BGG glass. The composite includes a Spinel and a BGG glass bonded together and having transmission in the visible and mid-infrared wavelength region. The process includes the step of heating them together above the softening temperature of the BGG glass, the composite having excellent, i.e., typically in excess of about 80%, transmission in the 0.5-5 wavelength region.
US07670678B2 Fibers comprising hemicellulose and processes for making same
Hemicellulose fibers, more particularly to non-naturally occurring fibers incorporating hemicellulose, processes for making same and fibrous structures incorporating same are provided.
US07670676B2 Pharmaceutical raw material
There are provided a pharmaceutical raw material capable of exhibiting a uniform functionality and producing magnetic particle-containing drugs for diagnosis and medical treatments with a high reproducibility. The pharmaceutical raw material comprises a monodisperse colloid sterile aqueous solution of magnetic iron oxide fine particles having an average particle diameter of 5 to 30 nm, a saturation magnetization of 50 to 90 Am2/kg and a coercive force of 0.1 to 1.6 kA/m. The pharmaceutical raw material can be produced by forming magnetic iron oxide fine particles in the form of a colloid aqueous solution, purifying the resultant colloid aqueous solution of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles by water-washing and removing water-soluble salts by-produced upon the reaction from the reaction solution by an ordinary method, and replacing a dispersing medium of the purified colloid aqueous solution with ultrapure water.
US07670672B2 Multilayer ceramic substrate and method for producing same
In a multilayer ceramic substrate having a cavity, base-material layers are arranged on a base side with respect to an interface between the base and a wall defining a cavity, and a constraining interlayer is arranged on the wall side. A conductive film is arranged between the base-material layers and the constraining interlayer, the base-material layers and the constraining interlayer sandwiching the interface. The effect of the first conductive film results in an increase in the adhesion of the constraining interlayer to the substrate layers, thus enhancing a shrinkage-inhibiting effect of the constraining interlayer.
US07670670B2 Surface-covering system and methods for making and using the same
A surface-covering system and methods for making and using the same. The system includes a plurality of components each being a substantially planar portion having plurality of edges and an upper surface and an under surface. A second portion is attached to the under surface of the planar portion along a predetermined one of the edges, forming a thickened edge that has a predetermined cross-section. The plurality of components are placed edge-to-edge to cover a surface. If desired, the edges can be straight and/or the upper and lower surfaces of the components can be rectangular. Also, the cross-section of the thickened edge can be an arc of a circle. The second portion can be attached to the under surface of the planar portion by an adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive. The component can be made from a quarry material such as granite.
US07670668B2 Roof coverings made without roofing granules
A roof covering includes a coated roofing mat comprising a roofing mat coated with an organic-based coating material. A reflective layer comprising a layer of an infrared reflective material covers an upper surface of the coated roofing mat. A weatherable layer comprising a layer of a weatherable material covers an upper surface of the reflective layer. The roof covering does not include roofing granules.
US07670636B2 Method for the production of a metallic substrate having a biocompatible surface and substrate produced using same
The invention relates to a method for the production of a metallic substrate having a biocompatible surface and to the substrate that is produced by means of said method. The method comprises treatment of a metal, i.e., Ti, Ti alloys with Al, V, Ta, Nb, Ni, Fe, Mo or mixtures thereof, Ta, Ta alloys with Fe, Al, Cr, stainless steel, with a melt of calcium nitrate and an additional component which is an oxygen salt of Na, K, Li, Mg and mixtures thereof, said treatment being effected at 180-480 ° C. for 0.1 to 12 hours. A substrate is obtained, wherein the overall layer thickness ranges from 10 to below 1600 nm and the fatigue strength of the substrate is in the same fatigue strength range as that of an untreated substrate at equal number of vibrations N.
US07670620B2 Topical composition for the treatment of psoriasis and related skin disorders
Compositions and methods of use thereof for the treatment of psoriasis and related skin ailments are disclosed. The compositions include topical skin formulations of glucosamine in an emollient base such as moisturizing cream. In addition to glucosamine, the formulations may include keratolytic substances such as coal tar extract or salicylic acid. The formulations may also include glucosamine and antioxidant anti-inflammatory herbal extracts such as oleuropein and berberine in an emollient base.
US07670617B2 Sequential drug delivery systems
The invention relates to methods and composition for improving absorption and dissolution of active ingredients of drugs. The invention provides a method of administration of an active ingredient to a mammal through a transmucosal route that includes delivering the active ingredient to a desired site in a body of the mammal, and, sequentially, at the desired site, promoting dissolution and absorption of the active ingredient. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the localized environment of the active ingredient is sequentially modified to promote dissolution and absorption.
US07670611B2 Cancer immunotherapy with semi-allogeneic cells
The present invention relates to improved semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells which act to stimulate and induce an immunological response when administered to an individual. In particular, it relates to cells which express both allogeneic and syngeneic MHC determinants and which also express at least one antigen recognized by T lymphocytes. The invention is also directed to methods of inducing an immune response and methods of treating tumors by administering the semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells to an individual.
US07670610B2 Recombinant BCG vaccine
A recombinant BCG vaccine being transformed with an expression vector that has a polynucleotide encoding a foreign antigenic protein, wherein the polynucleotide is a modified one in which the third position of each codon is substituted with G or C without a change of an amino acid. This recombinant BCG vaccine has an excellent expression rate of antigenic protein and, as a result, capable of inducing a sufficient immune response against target infectious disease, cancer, or the like at the same dose as that of the typical BCG vaccine.
US07670604B2 Vimentin directed diagnostics and therapeutics for multidrug resistant neoplastic disease
Disclosed are methods for treating or preventing a neoplastic or a multidrug resistant neoplasm in a subject using cell surface vimentin targeted therapeutic agents.
US07670602B2 Concatameric immunoadhesion molecule
Disclosed are concatameric proteins comprising two soluble domains, in which the C-terminus of a soluble domain of a biologically active protein is linked to the N-terminus of an identical soluble domain or a distinct soluble domain of a biologically active protein. Also, the present invention discloses dimeric proteins formed by formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds at the hinge region of two monomeric proteins formed by linkage of a concatamer of two identical soluble extracellular regions of proteins involving immune response to an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin molecule, their glycosylated proteins, DNA constructs encoding the monomeric proteins, recombinant expression plasmids containing the DNA construct, host cells transformed or transfected with the recombinant expression plasmids, and a method of preparing the dimeric proteins by culturing the host cells. Further, the present invention discloses pharmaceutical or diagnostic compositions comprising the dimeric protein or its glycosylated form.
US07670601B2 Diagnostic and therapeutic methods based on the L1 adhesion molecule for ovarian and endometrial tumors
A method is described for the diagnosis of an ovarian or endometrial tumor or for a prognosis, characterized in that the L1 level is determined in a patient sample, preferably via an anti L1 antibody, the presence of L1 being an indication of the presence of an ovarian or endometrial tumor or a predisposition for such a tumor. Furthermore, methods for treating of ovarian or endometrial tumors are provided.
US07670596B2 Multi-lineage progenitor cells
Fetal blood multi-lineage progenitor cells that are capable of a wide spectrum of transdifferentiation are described.
US07670592B2 Polyvinyl alcohol microspheres, injectable solutions and therapeutic uses of the same
The present invention relates to microspheres useful for embolization which comprises polyvinylalcohol. The present invention also relates to an injectable suspension suitable for embolization which comprises the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. The present invention further relates to a method for prophylactic or therapeutic embolization which comprises administering to a mammal an injectable suspension containing the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. Finally, the present invention relates to a process for producing the polyvinylalcohol microspheres.
US07670590B2 Perturbed membrane-binding compounds and methods of using the same
The present invention relates to compounds that selectively bind to cells undergoing perturbations and alterations of their normal plasma membrane organization, such as cells undergoing apoptosis or activated platelets. The invention further provides methods for utilizing said compounds in medical practice, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
US07670589B2 Synthesis of chabazite-containing molecular sieves and their use in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins
The synthesis of a crystalline material, in particular, a high silica zeolite, comprising a chabazite-type framework molecular sieve is conducted in the presence of an organic directing agent having the formula: [R1R2R3N—R4]+Q− wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrocarbyl groups and hydroxy-substituted hydrocarbyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 may be joined to form a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure, R3 is an alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and R4 is selected from a 4- to 8-membered cycloalkyl group, optionally, substituted by 1 to 3 alkyl groups each having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and a 4- to 8-membered heterocyclic group having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms, said heterocyclic group being, optionally, substituted by 1 to 3 alkyl groups each having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and the or each heteroatom in said heterocyclic group being selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S, or R3 and R4 are hydrocarbyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms joined to form a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure; and Q− is a anion.
US07670588B2 Hydrogen storage using porous carbon nanospheres
Hydrogen is stored by adsorbing the hydrogen to a carbon nanomaterial that includes carbon nanospheres. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow carbon nanostructures with a maximum diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The nanospheres have an irregular outer surface and an aspect ratio of less than 3:1. The carbon nanospheres can store hydrogen in quantities of at least 1.0% by weight.
US07670587B2 Fuel steam reformer system and reformer startup process
A hydrogen generation system is disclosed that has a vaporization section receiving and vaporizing fuel along with water and passing the vapor to a reformer catalyst section heated by a combustor section which generates reformate gas and is fueled by off-gas from a H2 purification unit along with a combustion air source. The off-gas outlet feeds the combustor section in the reformer assembly to heat the catalyst section and the vaporization section. An H2 storage unit connected to the H2 purification unit pure H2 outlet receives the pure H2. The storage unit has an outlet selectively connectable to the reformer assembly process inlet during startup without the need for a spark igniter. The startup process includes generating heat in the combustor section of the reformer assembly by passing H2 from the H2 storage unit through the vaporization section, the reformer catalyst section, the H2 purification unit and through the off-gas connection to the combustor section, then introducing water and fuel through the vaporization section and reformer catalyst section to generate reformate gas when the system is warmed, passing the reformate gas through the H2 purification unit to the off-gas connection to the combustor section, and establishing a back pressure on the reformer catalyst section and vaporizer section to decrease the hydrogen flow from the H2 storage unit until the system is fully sustainable without addition of H2 from the H2 storage unit.
US07670581B2 Light-emitting nanoparticles and methods of making same
A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
US07670580B2 Dental resin materials, method of manufacture, and uses thereof
A filler for a dental resin composition is disclosed, comprising silica particles derived from a nanoparticulate silica sol, the filler material having at least one crystalline phase. The filler material provides improved wear resistance and other properties.
US07670572B2 Multi-phase fluid distributor for a bundled-tube reactor
A distributor includes first and second liquid distribution systems for two liquid phases for an upright tube-bundle reactor. The first system is arranged directly above or on a tubesheet and is connected to at least one outer feed device and contains an annular weir. The second system is connected to at least one other outer feed device and contains one upper and one lower distribution tray which contains a plurality of openings which are arranged flush above the inlet sleeves of the first system, and has at least one device for setting a uniform liquid level above the openings. The upper distribution tray is connected to the feed device for liquid, and contains a plurality of overflow weirs from which the liquid is able to discharge into the lower distribution tray. Each of the overflow weirs is assigned to a plurality of openings of the lower distribution tray.
US07670571B2 Apparatus for photocatalytic reaction
An exemplary apparatus for photocatalytic reaction includes a light-permeable substrate, a photocatalytic layer, and one or more converging lenses. The light-permeable substrate includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The photocatalytic layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate. The lenses are movably formed on the second surface of the substrate and are configured for converging light onto the photocatalytic layer. The apparatus further includes one or more optical filters. The optical filters each include at least one layer assembly. The layer assembly is formed on one of a topside and an underside of the respective lens. Alternatively, the layer assembly can be formed on one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate. The optical filters are configured for allowing light of at least one predetermined band to pass therethrough.
US07670568B2 System for reactivating catalysts
A method of reactivating a catalyst, such as a solid catalyst or a liquid catalyst is provided. The method comprises providing a catalyst that is at least partially deactivated by fouling agents. The catalyst is contacted with a fluid reactivating agent that is at or above a critical point of the fluid reactivating agent and is of sufficient density to dissolve impurities. The fluid reactivating agent reacts with at least one fouling agent, releasing the at least one fouling agent from the catalyst. The at least one fouling agent becomes dissolved in the fluid reactivating agent and is subsequently separated or removed from the fluid reactivating agent so that the fluid reactivating agent may be reused. A system for reactivating a catalyst is also disclosed.
US07670563B2 Centrifuge and a support for use in a centrifuge
A centrifuge has a bucket for receiving the product to be centrifuged, and a support which is configured to be inserted in the bucket and receive microtiter plates and the like. The support has substantial stability and comprises a generally planar base and four upstanding lateral walls which are integrally formed with the base and which are coupled together at their upper edges to form a substantially self-contained enclosure.
US07670555B2 Parallel gripper for handling multiwell plate
A parallel gripper for handling multiwell plates in an automated analysis system, moves individual multiwell plates between a plate storage array unit (i.e., plate hotel) and an imaging station. More particularly, the gripper has two parallel plate-gripping arms that move in equal, but opposite linear directions and are controlled using a stepper motor. Each of the arms has a shelf that provides support for the corresponding side edge of a multiwell plate.
US07670554B2 Automated analyzer
An automated analyzer for analyzing patient samples. The analyzer includes a plurality of cuvettes, which allow the samples to be mixed with various reagents. The analyzer includes one or more detectors, including a detector adapted to detect luminescence of the reaction mixture in the cuvettes. The analyzer allows for various diagnostic assays to be performed on a single system, and provides for high-sensitivity analysis at faster speeds.
US07670543B2 Method of forming microstructures with a template
A method of making a microstructured article such as barrier ribs for a display panel is described. The method employs a template to provide a discrete coating of a curable material.
US07670537B2 Apparatus and methods for active mold decompression and melt accumulation in a shooting pot reservoir of an injection molding machine
Active decompression to prevent melt drool from a mold (12, 14) or runner system (20) is achieved through the selective coupling and de-coupling of an injection piston (34) to a plunger (38). Following successive injection (FIG. 5a) and hold phases (FIG. 5b) of an injection molding process (FIG. 5), the runner and channel system is partially de-compressed (FIG. 5c) by drawing back together, over a short distance, the plunger (38) and the injection pressure (34) as one unit. The injection piston is then mechanically de-coupled from the plunger (FIG. 5e), with the injection piston (34) withdrawn to essentially its final shot position, but minus a customary packing distance (δ). Plastic melt (100), extruded into a shooting pot (28) positioned in front of the plunger (38), is permitted to push the plunger backwards, but now with minimal work expenditure. When the plunger again contacts (FIG. 5f) the injection piston (34), melt pressure now causes both units to be moved back to reach a final shot size volume. Finally, the injection piston (34) drives the plunger (38) forward to eject melt accumulated within the shooting pot (28).
US07670532B1 Golf club head and method of making the same
A golf club head and a method of making a golf club head are disclosed. The method provides for winding a single continuous filament multiple times about a soluble core. The wound core is located in a mold and pressure coated with a pure or non-continuous fiber filled resin. The resin is allowed to cure to form a filament and resin shell about the core. The soluble core is removed leaving the continuous filament in the shell.
US07670528B2 High flow fluid filtration systems and methods for manufacturing same
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of manufacturing filter cartridges are disclosed, the system including a tube of laminated and seamed filter media, a media unwind mechanism, a mandrel having a starting point operatively positioned proximate the media unwind mechanism, structure, operatively positioned proximate the mandrel, for feeding the tube of laminated and seamed filter media into the starting point of the mandrel, structure, operatively positioned in the mandrel, for pressurizing the tube of laminated and seamed filter media with a gas, structure, operatively positioned in the mandrel, for expanding the tube of laminated and seamed filter media into a substantially cylindrical shape as the tube of laminated and seamed filter media passes over the mandrel, a pleater mechanism, operatively positioned proximate the mandrel, a blade mechanism, operatively associated with the pleater mechanism, for alternately engaging the tube of laminated and seamed filter media with the blade mechanism, structure, operatively positioned proximate the pleater mechanism, for moving newly formed pleated filter media downstream; and structure for compressing the tube of laminated and seamed filter media radially toward the mandrel. Methods of manufacturing filter cartridges are also disclosed.
US07670527B2 Failsafe injected adhesive joint
A composite member is joined to another composite or noncomposite member, using liquid or paste adhesive resin that cures in the joint. The joint is configured in such a way that the adhesive forms an interlocking key within recesses in the joined members that prevents joint disassembly once the adhesive has cured and hardened. Both of the members are provided with recesses extending along their lengths in the joint. The recesses register with each other to define a cavity and may undulate. The recessed are designed in such a way as to take the full load capability if the joint, even if there is no adhesion to the joined members. Adhesive is injected into the cavity through injection ports spaced periodically along the length of the joint.
US07670523B2 Impact strength improvement of regrind
Regrind is mixed with at least one low density metallocene polyethylene to increase the amount of regrind that can be used in a thermoformed article.