Document Document Title
US08045604B2 Estimation of log-likelihood using constrained markov-chain monte carlo simulation
Log likelihood ratios for data bits transmitted in a multi-dimensional signal are estimated using multiple Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations (MCMC). The MCMC simulations can include constraining symbols based on a most-likely symbol to improve the likelihood of finding distances for non-most-likely symbols. The log likelihood ratios can be calculated based on distances of the most-likely symbol and the non-most-likely symbols.
US08045603B2 Method and a multi-carrier transceiver supporting dynamic switching between active application sets
A transceiver and method for communicating over a communications channel having a plurality of subchannels are described. In particular, the transceiver is capable of dynamically switching between communicating data for a first active application set and communicating data for a second different active application set. An active application set is defined as the set of one or more active applications for which the transceiver is currently communicating data. As part of communicating data for the first active application set, the transceiver allocates the subchannels to the one or more applications in the first application set. The transmission requirements of the first active application set defines a first communication state of the transceiver. When the transceiver dynamically transitions to communicating data for the second different application set, the transceiver reallocates the subchannels to the one or more applications in the second different application set. The transmission requirements of the second different active application set defines a second communication state of the transceiver. In one embodiment the transceiver modifies the data rates of subchannels in the Bit Allocation Table according to the transmission requirements of the application whose data is being transmitted on the particular subchannel. In another embodiment, the transceiver is capable of dynamically switching from transmitting data for an Internet access application to transmitting data for a voice telephony application in addition to the Internet access application. In a further embodiment, the ABCD voice telephony signaling bits can be transmitted with either the data from the Internet access application or the data from the voice telephony application.
US08045591B2 Broadcasting signal receiver and method for transmitting/receiving broadcasting signal
A broadcasting signal receiver and a method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal are disclosed. An identifier of a cell is set in the broadcasting signal and, if the cell is changed, channel information of the changed cell can be obtained from program table information having the channel information of the cell. Accordingly, the broadcasting signal receiver can continuously output a program although the cell is changed.
US08045590B2 Radio communications system, radio network controller and base station
The present invention relates to a radio communications system which transmits same downlink information to a plurality of cells by using downlink common channels. The radio communications system includes a radio network controller and a base station. The radio communications system is configured to measure delays between the time when the radio network controller transmits the downlink information and the time when the base station transmits the downlink information to each of the plurality of cells; and to control timing for transmitting the downlink information to each of the plurality of cells by the base station in accordance with measured delays.
US08045584B2 Method and system for utilizing a tag to optimize portion of data transfer
A method for utilizing a tag to optimize portion of data transfer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage location is provided on a single node for storing at least one portion of data received from at least one data stream. The header containing information about the portion of data coupled with the portion of data is accessed. A database entry is generated at the node based on the information contained on the header. A tag pointing to the database entry is also generated. The tag pointing to the database entry is then correlated with the portion of data. In so doing, when the portion of data is processed, the processing is based on the context information of the database pointed to by the tag without requiring access to the header or other data within the portion of data.
US08045577B2 Method and apparatus for allocating wireless resource and wireless network system
A wireless resource allocation apparatus and method which maintain quality of service (QoS) in a wireless communication network are provided. The wireless resource allocation method includes calculating the number of medium access slots (MAS) to be allocated to at least one of a plurality of divided zones of at least one superframe, designating a reference location for MAS allocation to divided zones out of the plurality of divided zones of the superframe based on the calculated number of medium access slots, and allocating the medium access slots to the divided zones based on the designated reference location. Accordingly, more uniform service intervals can be supported, and thus efficient MAS resource allocation can be performed to satisfy media access control (MAC) based QoS requirements.
US08045575B2 Network access mechanism and method
A communications system includes a network that is coupled to a number of terminals, at least some of which are capable of audio or other forms of real-time interactive data communications over the network. Each of the terminals includes a network adapter that is capable of detecting a collision with another terminal on the network. If a collision is detected, transmission of a data frame is aborted, and a backoff time delay is selected. The backoff time delay is selected from a group of delay periods that vary at a rate different than exponentially with a number of collisions. The group of one or more delay periods can contain delay periods that increase linearly with the number of collisions, delay periods that increase according to some power of n, where n is the number of collisions, or a delay period that is selected at random based on a predetermined mean backoff delay. Alternatively, the selected backoff time delay is selected from a group of delay periods that increases exponentially with the number of collisions, but with a maximum value set that is less than the maximum set according to conventional backoff algorithms.
US08045572B1 Adaptive jitter buffer-packet loss concealment
A packet loss concealment system includes first and second buffers that stores audio samples prior to and subsequent to a missing section of audio samples. A forward propagation module generates a forward propagated waveform by propagating a first waveform period that is based on the first buffer. The forward propagation module increases periodicity of the first waveform period nonlinearly when propagating the first waveform period. A backward propagation module generates a backward propagated waveform by propagating a second waveform period that is based on the second buffer. A ratio control module selectively determines a ratio between a first periodicity of the audio samples in the second buffer and a second periodicity of the audio samples in the first buffer. The forward propagation module selectively propagates the first waveform period using the ratio, and the backward propagation module selectively propagates the second waveform period using an inverse of the ratio.
US08045571B1 Adaptive jitter buffer-packet loss concealment
An audio decoding system comprises a buffer module that receives packets including encoded audio frames that each store audio parameters. A packet loss concealment module that selectively extracts the audio parameters from ones of the encoded audio frames, determines recovered audio parameters based on the extracted audio parameters, and encodes the recovered audio parameters into recovered audio frames. An audio decoding module that decodes the encoded audio frames and the recovered audio frames and outputs decoded audio samples.
US08045564B2 Protocol-level filtering
Mechanisms are disclosed for detecting protocols independently of the ports used by streams associated with the protocols or applications that may send out such streams. The detecting may entail using a content filter that is hosted on a networking stack, where the content filter may be composed of a stream buffer and handlers for detecting the protocols. The handlers may be further used to modify streams incoming to a port or streams outgoing from an application. The handlers can modify the streams in a variety of ways, including reading, inserting, replacing, deleting, and completing data in the streams according to some policy criteria, such as those set by parental controls. Individual handlers may be selected from a plurality or set of handlers so that they can be matched up to the appropriate streams.
US08045561B1 Two stage traffic scheduling
A first traffic flow directed to a first wireless device is received. A second traffic flow directed to a second wireless device is received. These traffic flows comprise at least a first service flow classification and a second service flow classification. The first traffic flow and the second traffic flow are scheduled based on the first service flow classification and the second flow classification. This produces first and second device scheduled flows. The first and second device scheduled flows are classified into a plurality of flow classes. The plurality of flow classes comprises at least a first flow class and a second flow class. The first scheduled flow and the second scheduled flow are scheduled based on the first flow class and the second flow class. This produces an aggregate traffic flow.
US08045547B2 Method and apparatus for routing and forwarding between virtual routers within a single network element
A method and apparatus for routing and forwarding between virtual routers is described. A method in a single network element comprises peering a first virtual router to a second virtual router, wherein the first and second virtual routers have separate address spaces and separate routing tables, distributing a set of one or more routes from the first virtual router to the second virtual router, wherein a first of the set of routes identifies the first virtual as a next hop of the first route, said first route including a destination, and downloading to a set of one or more forwarding tables, the destination and the next hop.
US08045541B2 IP telephone system, IP telephone apparatus and method for identifying destination user
An IP telephone system includes a source IP telephone apparatus, a destination telephone apparatus, a Web server and an ENUM server. The IP telephone apparatuses are connected to an IP network. The Web server stores call reception screen information corresponding to a telephone number assigned to the source or destination IP telephone apparatus. The ENUM server stores a NAPTR resource record in which a URI specifies link information related to the call reception screen information stored on the Web server. In the IP telephone system, the IP telephone apparatus that has received a call transmits, to the ENUM server, a query for a NAPTR record corresponding to an intended recipient's telephone number. The IP telephone apparatus then transmits, to the Web server, a request for the call reception screen information corresponding to the intended recipient's telephone number according to the obtained NAPTR resource record, and displays a call reception screen according to the obtained call reception screen information.
US08045538B2 Wireless communication method, receiving method, and wireless communication device
In a wireless communication method, a base station device allocates elements of a sequence having an index indicative of a communication parameter to synchronization channel symbols generates a synchronization channel while maintaining symmetry of the sequence, and transmits signals including the synchronization channel. A mobile station device restores synchronization of the signals which are faded corrects the signals based on the symmetry of the sequence, and extracts the communication parameter.
US08045534B2 Method for proactive coordinator appropriation for wireless personal area network
Provided is a method for switching a piconet device to a coordinator in a piconet. The method receives the latest order of precedence as the next PNC information from the current PNC. Thereafter, the method detects a P-CTA allocated to devices of the piconet using a beacon of a superframe received from the PNC. On failing to receive a beacon from the PNC, the method detects whether “beacon non-receipt” indicating information that is transmitted between piconet devices during the detected P-CTA. If the “beacon non-receipt” indicating information is not detected, the method does not perform a PNC appropriation operation. If the “beacon non-receipt” indicating information is detected, the method determines that the PNC has left the piconet without performing a normal PNC handover procedure and thus performs a PNC appropriation operation according to the order of precedence information.
US08045531B2 System and method for negotiation of WLAN entity
A method for negotiations between various entities of a wireless local area network (WLAN) including negotiations between controlling nodes (CNs) and wireless access points (WAPs) and negotiations between WAPs is disclosed. These negotiations are used for the purpose of establishing the capabilities of the various entities, determining how such capabilities may be optimally divided among the negotiating entities and then dividing the capabilities among the entities based on this determination. The capabilities include those required for the operation, control and management of the WLAN entities and the encompassing WLAN. The disclosed method introduces means for flexibly accommodating the varying degrees of differences in capabilities among the WLAN entities between the WLAN entities including dynamic changes in WLAN topologies.
US08045520B2 Downlink power control for multiple downlink time slots in TDD communication systems
The present invention is a method and system for controlling downlink transmission power levels in a spread spectrum time division communication system having frames with time slots for communication, which receives at a user equipment (UE) a downlink communication from a base station and determines an error rate of the received communication. The UE then produces power level adjustments for each of the time slots based in part on the error rate and transmits an uplink communication to the base station which includes the power level. In response to the power level adjustments and (or) other information, transmission power level is set for each time slot in the downlink communication.
US08045518B2 Method of deactivating high-speed downlink operation in CELL—FACH state for a wireless communications system and related apparatus
To avoid degrading the packet transmission performance, a method for improving a determining procedure of stopping a high speed downlink operation corresponding to a CELL_FACH state for a user equipment, also called UE, in the CELL_FACH state in a wireless communications system is provided. The method includes changing a setting of a dedicated variable corresponding to a dedicated HS-DSCH radio network transaction identifier, hereinafter called H-RNTI, from a use state to a close state; and determining that the setting of the dedicated variable and a setting of a common variable corresponding to a common H-RNTI are valid configuration if the setting of the common variable is a close state.
US08045517B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system using multiple frequency bands
A method for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system using multiple frequency bands. The transmission method includes fragmenting a desired transmission Service Data Unit (SDU) in units of Packet Data Units (PDUs); and transmitting the fragmented PDUs over at least two frequency bands among the multiple frequency bands. Each of the multiple frequency bands is supported by a system having backward compatibility with a legacy system. The reception method includes decrypting a wireless resource (MAP) allocated separately for each of the frequency bands to extract fragment information therefrom; and receiving PDUs over the frequency bands separately, and restoring the SDU according to fragment information corresponding to the corresponding frequency band.
US08045513B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving downlink control information in a mobile communication system supporting uplink packet data
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving downlink control information in a mobile communication system supporting an uplink packet data service are provided. To transmit packet data in an HARQ mobile communication system, a second transceiver receives an RG as rate control information from a first transceiver. The second transceiver sets the allowed maximum data rate of an HARQ process to which the RG is applied to the allowed maximum data rate of an HARQ process previous to the HARQ process, if the RG indicates hold. The second transceiver transmits packet data within the set allowed maximum data rate to the first transceiver.
US08045512B2 Scalable frequency band operation in wireless communication systems
To support mobile stations that are not capable of demodulating the entire bandwidth or that can be made to demodulate less than the entire bandwidth, a system, apparatus and method are provided to schedule users on less than all of the bandwidth. Further, certain users can be scheduled on more of the bandwidth than others.
US08045511B2 Method and apparatus for collaborative sensing based on an allowed error range of a sensor in a wireless sensor node
A method and an apparatus for transmitting sensor data by using AER sensing and collaborative sensing in order to increase the energy efficiency in a wireless sensor network. The method includes calculating an AER for each of said at least one sensor using sensor data measured from said at least one sensor and sensor profile information corresponding to said at least one sensor, and determining sensor data to be transmitted to a higher node from among sensor data provided by the sensor module based on the AER.
US08045510B2 Method for paginating a document structure of a document for viewing on a mobile communication device
A process for transmitting a document from a server to a mobile device on a per page basis, comprising building a graph structure within the server representing a map of the document, transmitting a page size limit from the mobile device to the server indicative of the size of a single page of the document to be displayed by the mobile device, traversing and paginating the graph structure into successive pages based on the page size limit, caching the pages within the server, and transmitting the successive pages from the server to said the mobile device for display by said the mobile device.
US08045507B2 Method and apparatus for processing uplink data by DRX-mode terminal in mobile telecommunication system
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmitting uplink data by a terminal performing a DRX operation in a mobile telecommunication system. According to the method and apparatus, when a UE transmits the uplink data, the UE variably controls given active and sleep periods in consideration of whether or not retransmission for the uplink data is performed, thereby more flexibly operating in the DRX mode.
US08045491B1 Signal handling for wireless clients
An apparatus having a corresponding method and computer program comprises an input circuit to receive packets of data from a network; a memory to store packet filter criteria for one or more wireless clients; a filter circuit to drop one or more of the packets of data according to the packet filter criteria; and a wireless output circuit to wirelessly transmit, to the one or more wireless clients, only the packets of data that are not dropped by the filter circuit.
US08045478B2 Performance measurement in a packet transmission network
A data packet transmission network comprises a stream of packets of data sent by a first terminal passes in transit through at least one network equipment with which there is associated a stream measurement unit; wherein the first terminal and the measurement unit are connected to a collection unit. The measurement method comprising the following steps: the first terminal sends a specific stream of packets, each having a different determined size, the sizes being such that in a set of r packets, r being a positive integer less than or equal to the number of packets of the stream, there are not any two subsets of the set of r packets comprising the same number of packets and having the same cumulative total size; the measurement unit analyzes at least one packet and at most r packets of the stream passing in transit through the network equipment.
US08045471B2 Method and apparatus to inspect wireless traffic and mitigate packet elimination for wireless saturation avoidance
A method for controlling packet flow in a packet transmission network. The method includes determining a parameter representative of packet congestion on the network, and adjusting a flow of packets onto the network in accordance with such parameter. The adjusting is a function of the time history of the parameter and the time average of such parameter relative to predetermined threshold levels. The adjusting selects one of a plurality of states, transitions between the states being a function of the time history of the parameter and the time average of such parameter relative to predetermined threshold levels.
US08045470B2 Method and monitoring system for sample-analysis of data comprising a multitute of data packets
The invention is related to a method and a monitoring system for sample-analysis of data comprising a multitude of data packets. Defined parent population numbers (N) of data packets are sampled by an out of N sampling and classified or vice versa. Classification is done by classification rules to create sample-flow-groups of specific flows. Each sample-flow-group consists of a sample-flow-quantity of data packets having a sample-flow-size. According to the invention in each sample-flow-group sample-flow-variances and sample-flow ratios defined by the sample-flow-quantity in proportion to the sample number (n) are determined. Furthermore, an estimated flow size defined by an estimated sum of data sizes of data packages in a flow of the parent population number of data packets and its variance are calculated. For the calculation the parent population number, the sample number and at least one of the sample-flow-ratios, the sample-flow-mean-sizes and the sample-flow-variances are used, comprising the step of determination of at least one of parent population flow-ratios parent population flow-mean-sizes and parent population flow-variances for each flow in the parent population number of data packets.
US08045468B2 Apparatus and method of displaying power line communication channel information
Provided is an apparatus and method of displaying power line communication (PLC) channel information. The apparatus for displaying PLC channel information includes a channel information determining unit which performs channel estimation of a PLC channel, and, based on the channel estimation, determines channel information on the PLC channel including a bandwidth of the PLC channel which is available for a user in a PLC network; and a channel information displaying unit which displays the channel information to the user.
US08045461B2 Method and device for implementing virtual-switch
The present invention provides a method and a device for implementing a V-Switch. Through setting up a V-Switch correlation with respect to at least two VLAN tags, a DRE performs a V-Switch transmission on an Ethernet frame received according to the V-Switch correlation with respect to at least two VLAN tags. The invention can expand the number of V-Switch connections carried on a local link to 4096×4096, or even to 4096×4096×4096 . . . Therefore, the problem of insufficient VLAN tag resources is solved, and the requirements for the scale of V-Switch technology is met. Moreover, a more effective V-Switch method is provided, the switching capability of V-Switch is improved, and the application scale of V-Switch technology is enlarged.
US08045457B1 Dropping packets to prevent unauthorized data transfer through multimedia tunnels
Intentionally dropping packets to prevent unauthorized transfer of data through multimedia tunnels is disclosed. A stream of media transport protocol packets is received. One or more packets are dropped intentionally from the stream to render unusable at the destination a file or other data transported through the multimedia tunnel without authorization.
US08045454B2 Multimedia data flow dropping
The present invention introduces a congestion control mechanism for constant bit rate (CBR) multimedia data flows in cable operator IP networks. A flow drop method within a congestion control unit of the present invention chooses a subset of multimedia data flows to drop, in whole, to alleviate a congestion condition. After the congestion condition is detected and the congestion control unit begins dropping multimedia data flows, the remaining multimedia data flows are no longer degraded for the end user, as compared to conventional congestion management systems.
US08045453B2 Methods and systems for alleviating congestion in a connection-oriented data network
Congestion in connection-oriented data networks is alleviated by simulating the rerouting of circuits to uncongested parts of the network and then rerouting such circuits in a manner that causes little, or no, disruption to other parts of the network.
US08045440B2 Optical disk cleaning device
An optical disk polishing device which includes: a disk holder for rotatably holding an optical disk, the disk holder installed in a lower fixed portion; a cylindrical buff disposed in parallel with the surface of the optical disk and perpendicular to a rotary shaft of the disk holder in an offset manner; a drive motor to rotate the buff; and an upper opening-and-closing portion normally urged to an open state to the lower fixed portion by a spring or other member. The device makes it possible to clean a readout surface of the optical disk in a short period of time, and to be offered at a low price owing to the simple and small-sized structure thereof.
US08045438B2 High frequency modulation of a light beam in optical recording
An optical storage system modulates a laser beam based on a high frequency modulation (HFM) signal and a pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium. At least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted when using the light beam to record the pattern on the optical storage medium or read data from the medium.
US08045422B2 Near-field light generating element comprising surface plasmon antenna and waveguide with groove
Provided is a near-field light generating element in which as much amount as possible of waveguide light can be coupled with a plasmon antenna. The element comprises a light waveguide and a plasmon antenna comprising a surface or edge for propagating surface plasmon excited by waveguide light, extending to a near-field light generating end. A groove is formed in a waveguide side surface. And at least a portion of the surface or edge is embedded in the groove or located directly above the groove, being opposed to a wall or bottom surface of the groove with a predetermined distance, so as for waveguide light to be coupled with the plasmon antenna in surface plasmon mode. This configuration enables the surface or edge to be located at the position in which the surface or edge can be coupled with more amount of light, thereby to improve the light use efficiency.
US08045421B2 Watch with planar light diffusion channel
Structures are disclosed that can improve the visibility of instrument displays. With some implementations, an instrument is provided with an illumination system having a light source and a light diffusion device proximal to the light source. The light diffusion device has at least one surface parallel to a primary plane of the display of the instrument. When the light source is activated, light propagates through the light diffusion device toward the display of the instrument.
US08045419B1 Method for mitigating spatial aliasing
The invention as disclosed is a method for mitigating spatial aliasing that takes advantage of the forward motion of towed array elements to overcome the frequency constraints imposed on beam forming by the spatial separation of the array elements. The method employs the motion of a towed array of hydrophones to generate at least one synthetic array element to compensate for spatial under sampling.
US08045416B2 Method and memory device providing reduced quantity of interconnections
Methods, devices and systems for reducing the quantity of external interconnections of a memory device are disclosed. Implementation of one such method, device and system includes inputting over an address bus a first portion of an address of a next row of memory cells to be activated. The first portion of the address of the next row of memory cells to be activated is embedded in a command related to the previously activated row of memory cells. The next row of memory cells is subsequently activated according to a concurrently received second portion of the address of the next row of memory cells also received over the address bus. The portioning of the address signals can reduce the width of the address bus and, therefore, the number of required respective external interconnections.
US08045412B2 Multi-stage parallel data transfer
Apparatus and associated method for transferring data to memory, such as resistive sense memory (RSM). In accordance with some embodiments, input data comprising a sequence of logical states are transferred to a block of memory by concurrently writing a first logical state from the sequence to each of a first plurality of unit cells during a first write step, and concurrently writing a second logical state from the sequence to each of a second non-overlapping plurality of unit cells during a second write step.
US08045410B2 Memory cell array
A complementary field-effect (CMOS) circuit is provided which includes a current-limiting device arranged along a power-supply bus or a ground bus of the circuit The current-limiting device is configured to prevent latch up of the CMOS circuit. More specifically, the current-limiting device is configured to maintain a junction of the parasitic pnpn diode structure as reverse-biased. A method is also provided which includes creating a current-voltage plot of a pnpn diode arranged within a first CMOS circuit which is absent of a current-limiting device arranged along a power bus of the circuit. In addition, the method includes determining a holding current level from the current-voltage plot and sizing a current-limiting device to place along a power bus of a second CMOS circuit comprising similar design specifications as the first CMOS circuit such that the current through the second CMOS circuit does not exceed the holding current level.
US08045405B2 Memory system, memory device and command protocol
A memory system, memory, and memory system command protocol are disclosed. Within the memory system, a memory controller communicates a command to the memory, the command being selected from a set of commands including a write command and a plurality of non-write commands. A Hamming distance value calculated between a digital value indicating the write command and a digital value indicating any one of the plurality of non-write commands is greater than 1.
US08045399B2 Data output circuit in a semiconductor memory apparatus
A data output circuit in a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a pre-driver configured to receive input data and then produce a pull-up signal and a pull-down signal, a pull-up driver configured to pull-up drive a first node in response to the pull-up signal and provide an additional pull-up drive when a voltage level on the first node transitions, a pull-down driver configured to pull-down drive a second node in response to the pull-down signal and provide an additional pull-down drive when a voltage level on the second node transitions, and a pad coupled to the first and second nodes to generate output data.
US08045397B2 Semiconductor memory device having common circuitry for controlling address and data mask information
A semiconductor memory device is capable of controlling an address and data mask information through the use of a common part, thereby reducing chip size. The semiconductor memory device for receiving the addresses and data mask information via a common pin includes a buffer unit and a shift register unit. The buffer unit receives the addresses and data mask information. The shift register unit is comprised of a plurality of latch stages connected in series, for sequentially latching the addresses and data mask information being inputted in series, and an address output unit and a data mask information output unit for outputting information from different latch stages.
US08045389B2 Semiconductor memory device
A dummy cell array is provided in a memory cell array, and an intermediate buffer is provided between input/output circuits, whereby control signals to the input/output circuits can be operated at high speed and with a high frequency while the area increasing effect is reduced even in a memory with a large bit width.
US08045382B2 Flash memory devices and erasing methods thereof
Disclosed is an erasing method for a flash memory device that includes erasing memory cells of a selected memory block and post-programming the erased memory cells to have a threshold voltage distribution with the lowest level that is at or near 0V. The post-programming includes first post-programming the memory block in the unit of memory block and second post-programming the memory block in the unit of word line.
US08045381B2 Device for protecting a memory against attacks by error injection
A memory is secured against an error injection during the reading of a datum. The memory includes: means for reading a reference datum in the memory during a phase of reading a datum stored in the memory; means for comparing the reference datum read with an expected value; and means for generating an error signal if the datum read is different from the expected value. Application is provided particularly but not exclusively to the protection of memories integrated into smart cards.
US08045375B2 Programming non-volatile memory with high resolution variable initial programming pulse
Multiple programming processes are performed for a plurality of non-volatile storage elements. Each of the programming processes operate to program at least a subset of the non-volatile storage elements to a respective set of target conditions using program pulses. At least a subset of the programming processes include identifying a program pulse associated with achieving a particular result for a respective programming process and performing one or more sensing operations at one or more alternative results for the non-volatile storage elements. Subsequent programming process are adjusted based on a first alternative result and the identification of the program pulse if the one or more sensing operations determined that greater than a predetermined number of non-volatile storage elements achieved the first alternative result. Subsequent programming process are adjusted based on the identification of the program pulse if the one or more sensing operations determined that less than a required number of non-volatile storage elements achieved any of the alternative results.
US08045373B2 Method and apparatus for programming memory cell array
Disclosed are a method and device for programming an array of memory cells.
US08045361B2 Non-volatile memory cell with complementary resistive memory elements
A non-volatile memory cell and method of writing data thereto. In accordance with some embodiments, the memory cell includes first and second resistive memory elements (RMEs) configured to concurrently store complementary programmed resistive states. The first RME is programmed to a first resistive state and the second RME is concurrently programmed to a second resistive state by application of a common write current in a selected direction through the memory cell.
US08045360B2 Semiconductor device having single-ended sensing amplifier
A sense amplifier in a semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell for storing information on the basis of the size of the resistance value between a signal input/output terminal and a power supply terminal, the semiconductor storage device having a structure in which the bit line capacitance during signal reading from the memory cell is reduced, wherein the amplifier amplifies a signal outputted from an input/output terminal through the use of a single MOS transistor that has a single-ended structure.
US08045352B2 Power converter
A power converter includes a switching device composed of parallel-connected semiconductor chips evenly divided into two groups. The power converter includes a positive conductor, a capacitor and an output electrode. The positive conductor includes first and second terminal portions. The output electrode includes an end portion joined to a base portion having first and second connecting portions. The output electrode is formed so as to reduce or cancel a difference existing between an inductance L1 of a current path from a positive terminal of the capacitor to the first terminal portion and an inductance L2 of a current path from the positive terminal to the second terminal portion, by providing a difference between an inductance L3 of a current path from the first connecting portion to the end portion and an inductance L4 of a current path from the second connecting portion to the end portion.
US08045351B2 Method and apparatus of providing a biased current limit for limiting maximum output power of power converters
A biased current-limit circuit for limiting a maximum output power of a power converter includes an oscillator for generating a pulse signal. A waveform generator generates a waveform signal in response to a switching signal and a second-sampling signal. A sample-hold circuit is used to sample the waveform signal to generate a hold signal in response to a first-sampling signal. The sample-hold circuit further samples the hold signal to generate a current-limit threshold in response to the second-sampling signal. A current comparator is utilized to compare a current-sensing signal with the current-limit threshold to limit a maximum on-time of the switching signal.
US08045340B2 Data processing system
The invention relates to a data processing system with a main board, in which main board has at least one multipoint connector, in which at least one riser card is accommodated, and a first daughter card is accommodated in first riser card in such a manner that first daughter card is arranged parallel to main board. The data processing system further comprises a second multipoint connector, wherein a second riser card is accommodated in second multipoint connector, and a second daughter card is accommodated in second riser card in such a manner that second daughter card is arranged parallel to main board. The First multipoint connector and the second multipoint connectors are arranged on opposite outer sides of the main board. Each daughter card comprises a respective I/O interface which each cooperates with a common rear panel and is pointed towards the common rear panel. Relative to second daughter card, first daughter card is arranged rotated by 180° about an axis running parallel to main board.
US08045335B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes first and second assembled bodies (12A, 12B). The first assembled body is provided with a first semiconductor chip, a high voltage bus bar (21) connected to one surface of the first semiconductor chip, a first metal wiring board (24-1) connected to the other surface of the first semiconductor chip with a bonding wire, and a third metal wiring board (24-3) connected to the first metal wiring board. The second assembled body is provided with a second semiconductor chip, a low voltage bus bar (23) connected to one surface of the second semiconductor chip with a bonding wire, a second metal wiring board (24-2) connected to the other surface of the second semiconductor chip, and a fourth metal wiring board (24-4) connected by being returned from an end portion of the second metal wiring board and arranged in parallel to the second metal wiring board. The first assembled body and the second assembled body are arranged in a stacked structure wherein the assembled bodies are being separated. Inductance of a main circuit is reduced by the semiconductor module structure.
US08045331B2 Printed circuit board, method of fabricating the same, and electronic apparatus employing the same
A printed circuit board includes a core layer, an insulation layer formed on the core layer and having a cavity formed on a part of the insulation layer, and a circuit pattern formed on the insulation layer, wherein the circuit pattern comprises one or more external terminals positioned above the cavity.
US08045329B2 Thermal dissipation mechanism for an antenna
According to one embodiment, a heat dissipation system includes an elongated radar absorbing member configured with a thermal dissipation mechanism. The radar absorbing member extends proximate a junction of a microwave antenna enclosure that houses an antenna and a radome that covers an opening in the microwave antenna enclosure. The radar absorbing member absorbs electro-magnetic energy incident upon the junction. The thermal dissipation mechanism absorbs heat generated by the absorbed electro-magnetic energy.
US08045328B1 Server and cooler moduel arrangement
A server and cooler module arrangement includes a server accommodating a stack of an operating system and an electronic device in an accommodation chamber therein at one side and an access device unit in the accommodation chamber at an opposite side, and a cooler module, which comprises a rack mounted in a partition way in the accommodation chamber between the stack of operating system and electronic device and the access device unit and a plurality of fans respectively adjustably mounted in respective open frames at different elevations and adapted for drawing air or sending air toward different heat sources in the operating system, the electronic device and the access device unit for quick dissipation of waste heat.
US08045326B1 Hard disk drive bracket
A bracket for holding a disk drive or other subassembly in a chassis may have a pair of rails that lie under the disk drive when the disk drive is coupled to the bracket. A bracket assembly may include an injector pivotably coupled to a base of the bracket. The injector may include a pin that engages a slot in the chassis to urge the bracket assembly into the chassis. The injector and base may, include latch elements for latching the injector to the base. A latch element of the base may be integrally formed with a body of the base.
US08045317B2 Current limited voltage source with wide input current range
An integrated electronic device includes circuitry for providing a regulated output supply voltage level at an output node from an adjustable current. The circuitry includes an adjustable current source for providing the adjustable current and for adjusting the adjustable current to a magnitude of a target value in response to a configuration signal, an auxiliary adjustable current source providing an auxiliary adjustable current having a magnitude corresponding to the target value, and an output supply voltage level regulating loop coupled to the output node and adapted to keep the output supply voltage level at a preset value. A current selecting stage is adapted to receive the adjustable current and the auxiliary current. The current selecting stage is further adapted to supply a selected current corresponding to a lesser value of the adjustable current and the auxiliary adjustable current. Further, a current limiting stage is coupled to the output node for limiting the selected current to a predefined magnitude.
US08045315B2 Electronic device with ion cooling system
An electronic device includes an ion cooling system for cooling system components of the device. Through an arrangement, ionization of an air flow caused by the ion cooling can be determined and the electrostatic charge on the components that are located within the air flow can be measured.
US08045305B2 Protection circuit
A first transistor is an N-channel MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) with a first terminal of the conduction channel, the gate, and the back gate thereof connected to a terminal to be protected. A second transistor is an N-channel MOSFET with a first channel of the conduction channel, the gate, and the back gate thereof connected to a fixed voltage terminal, and with a second terminal of the conduction channel thereof connected to the second terminal of the conduction channel of the first transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor are floating MOSFETs formed in a common N-type well formed in a P-type semiconductor substrate, and are provided in the form of separate devices. A common connection node which connects the first transistor and the second transistor is connected to an N-type well for device separation.
US08045294B2 Slider, integrated slider, and hybrid storage device
An opening (3) is formed on a surface of a metal film (2), a plurality of axes (4, 5, 6, 7) cross each other substantially perpendicularly at the opening (3), a plurality of periodic grooves (8, 9, 10, 11) are provided for respective axes (4, 5, 6, 7), and each of the periodic grooves (8, 9, 10, 11) includes a plurality of grooves (8-n, 9-n, 10-n, and 11-n) substantially perpendicular to the axis for which each periodic groove is provided, and the periodic grooves (8, 9, 10, 11) is positioned point-symmetrically with respect to the opening (3).
US08045284B2 Bit patterned magnetic media data format
In an implementation, a media drive comprises bit patterned magnetic media and one or more modules. The one or more modules are to cause data to be written on the bit patterned magnetic media in a data sector that includes a synchronization mark disposed between data blocks of the data sector.
US08045283B2 Amplitude-based approach for detection and classification of hard-disc defect regions
In a hard-disc drive, a defect region on the hard disc is classified as corresponding to either thermal asperity (TA) or media defect (MD) by generating two statistical measures. A first measure (e.g., α1) is based on (i) the magnitudes of one or both of signal values (e.g., equalizer input or output signal values) and the corresponding expected values of those signal values and (ii) the signs of one or both of the signal values and the expected signal values. A second measure (e.g., α2) is based on the magnitudes of one or both of the signal values and the expected signal values, but not the signs of either the signal values or the expected signal values. The two measures are then compared to determine whether the defect region corresponds to TA or MD.
US08045282B2 Measurement of track eccentricity on bit patterned media
The eccentricity of tracks defined on a rotating bit patterned media are measured using a readback signal, and the measured eccentricity may be used to control centering of the disk relative to a rotational spindle and/or to control movement of a read/write head relative to a selected track on the disk.
US08045279B2 Molded lens and molding tool
A lens is manufactured by hardening soft material filled inside a molding tool by cooling. The lens includes a convex lens portion having an optical axis, and a marking portion located outside of an effective diameter of the lens portion. The shape or the position of the marking portion is set to prevent deformation of the marking portion by contact with the molding tool due to shrinkage of the material during cooling.
US08045274B2 Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit with a positive refractive power in order from the object side to the image side. The first lens unit includes a negative lens and a positive lens. When the curvature radius of the object side surface and that of the image side surface of the negative lens are respectively defined as R11 and R12 and the curvature radius of the object side surface and that of the image side surface of the positive lens are respectively defined as R21 and R22, the following conditional expression is satisfied: −5.6<(R12+R21)/(R12−R21)<−4.7 and 1.5<(R11+R22)/(R11−R22)<2.3.
US08045273B2 Light projection apparatus and light-mixing module thereof
A projection apparatus includes a first, a second and a third light sources, a first reflective element, a first and a second dichroic mirrors, a light-homogenizing element, a light valve and a projection lens. The first reflective element is configured to reflect the first light beam, and the first dichroic mirror is configured to reflect the second light beam and to transmit the first light beam transmitted from the first reflective element. The second dichroic mirror is configured to reflect the first and the second light beams transmitted from the first dichroic mirror and to transmit the third light beam. The light-homogenizing element is used for homogenizing the combined light beam, and the light valve is used for modulating the combined light beam to form an image beam. The projection lens is used for receiving and then projecting the image beam.
US08045259B2 Active optical fibers with wavelength-selective filtering mechanism, method of production and their use
The invention relates to optical fibers for use in optical amplification of light, such as in optical fiber amplifiers and lasers and for use in delivery of high power light, in particular to a scheme for reducing amplified spontaneous emission at undesired wavelengths. The invention further relates to articles, methods and use. An object of the invention is achieved by a micro-structured optical fiber, which is adapted to guide light by the photonic bandgap effect and to have one or more pass bands and at least one stop-band over a wavelength range from λstop1 to λstop2. In an aspect of the invention, the at least one stop-band provides filter functions that suppress nonlinear effects. In another aspect, the core region is actively doped, and the active material has an emission spectrum with a higher value of the emission cross section σE at a wavelength λASE between λstop1 and λstop2 than outside said wavelength range such that amplified spontaneous emission and lasing within the wavelength range from λstop1 to λstop2 is reduced. In still another aspect, the optical fiber exhibits photonic bandgaps at different wavelength ranges in different radial directions of a cross section of the optical fiber.
US08045256B2 Method and device for compensating for color shift as a function of angle of view
In one embodiment of the invention, a display is provided and includes a plurality of interferometric display elements. The display further includes at least one diffuser. Optical properties of the diffuser are selected to reduce color shift of the display when viewed from at least one angle.
US08045254B2 Structure body electrically connected via semiconductor material layer
The present invention discloses an image display system implemented with a spatial light modulator (SLM) having a plurality of pixel elements wherein each of the pixel elements further comprises an electrode having a structural body comprising: a first electrically conductive layer; a second electrically conductive layer; and a semiconductor layer disposed adjacently to the first electric conductive layer and second electric conductive layer and the semiconductor layer further comprises a doped conductive area for electrically connecting the first electric conductive layer and second electric conductive layer.
US08045252B2 Spatial light modulator with integrated optical compensation structure
A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may include one or more of a supplemental frontlighting source, a diffuser, a black mask, a diffractive optical element, a color filter, an anti-reflective layer, a structure that scatters light, a microlens array, and a holographic film.
US08045244B2 Holographic projection method and holographic projection device
Video image data is converted into spatial frequency information using Fourier transformation. The spatial frequency information is provided to an information display unit. The spatial frequency information as a phase distribution is displayed on the information display unit, light is irradiated onto the information display unit using a light source, and the amount of light that is irradiated by the light source is adjusted based on the video image data. And diffraction light, which is irradiated by the light source and modulated as the spatial frequency information by the information display unit, is projected onto a projecting unit.
US08045230B2 Image processing apparatus, method, computer program product, and image forming apparatus, detecting a halftone area based on a rearranged halftone dot detection result
A halftone pixel detection unit detects pixels near center pixels of halftone pixels by comparing a density difference between a target pixel and each of neighboring pixels of image data with a predetermined threshold. A halftone pixel rearranging unit rearranges the halftone pixels detected by the halftone pixel detection unit relative to the target pixel and a halftone-area detection unit detects a halftone area based upon a pattern of the halftone pixels that is rearranged.
US08045229B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and medium
An image processing apparatus comprises an extraction unit configured to extract areas having predetermined attributes from image data of a document; a calculation unit configured to calculate skew angles of the areas extracted by the extraction unit; a selection unit configured to select necessary elements by determining, as unnecessary elements, the areas having the calculated skew angles not less than a threshold and by determining, as the necessary element, the areas having the calculated skew angles less than the threshold; and a processing unit configured to apply image processing to the necessary elements selected by the selection unit.
US08045227B2 Print controlling device, image forming device, print controlling method, and computer readable recording medium storing control program
Disclosed is a print controlling device including a control unit to control printing according to an instruction which relates to the printing, wherein the control unit analyzes a page description language which relates to the printing, determines whether the printing is practically monochrome printing or color printing, and changes a first command of the page description language to a second command for monochrome printing when it is determined that the printing is monochrome printing.
US08045226B2 Multi-module device including a printer module
A multi-module device having first and second modules is disclosed. The first and second modules communicate through a serial bus. The first module has a memory for storing image data in a RGB format and a processing unit for converting the image data from the RGB format to a L*a*b* format, before outputting image data in the L*a*b* format through the serial bus. The second module receives the image data in the L*a*b* format, converts the image data to a CMY format and prints the image data in the CMY format.
US08045215B2 Printer object list resolutions
A printer contains a list of objects to be printed under control of a controller. Different resolutions for the objects are included in the list of objects to be printed. In one embodiment, each item has an associated resolution indicating a minimum resolution for printing the item, unless the item before it has the same resolution. In such a case, the previous resolution is used to render ensuing objects for printing until an object requires a different resolution. A rendering module renders the object for printing as a function of the listed resolutions and resolutions supported by the printer. If the desired resolution is lower than that supported by the printer, the lowest resolution of the printer is used to render the object.
US08045208B2 Method of translating printed text using handheld display device
A method of translating printed text using a handheld display device having a touch-sensitive screen and a transceiver for sending and receiving digital information. The method comprises the steps of: imaging an area of the substrate containing printed text in a first language and generating image data using an optical sensor; determining interaction data using the image data, the interaction data identifying a substrate identity, the substrate identity being indexed with a page description corresponding to the printed substrate; retrieving display data using the interaction data and the page description, the display data identifying the printed text translated into a second language; and displaying, on the touch-sensitive screen, display information based on the display data. The display information comprises displayed text corresponding to the printed text translated into the second language.
US08045204B2 Methods and apparatus for facsimile transmissions to electronic storage destinations including tracking data
A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of data associated with an e-mail address, determining the data optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address.
US08045188B2 Method for automated document selection
Provided is a method for the automated selection of sample documents or pages from a large collection, and more particularly an application of the method in a proof presentment environment—where the method is employed for selection and review of representative or extreme pages from a large document, such as one scheduled for printing. The method characterizes pages or documents in a multi-dimensional vector space based upon a set of characteristics, and then uses clustering techniques to group the pages, enabling the selection of typical pages from the groups, outlier pages from extremes lying outside of the groups, or both typical and outlier pages.
US08045185B2 Image processing apparatus and method of controlling same
In an image processing apparatus that is capable of setting desired image processing conditions for each of images that have been shot, an image of interest for which number of prints is to be set is specified and it is determined whether image processing conditions have been set for the specified image of interest. If image processing conditions have not been set for the specified image of interest, a number of prints for the image of interest is allowed to be set. If setting of number of prints has been allowed, then the setting of number of prints is accepted and the set number of prints is stored in correlation with the image of interest.
US08045182B2 Location detection apparatus
A location detection apparatus is disclosed that includes: a light source; a light output side reflector having a reflecting surface for reflecting light from the light source to a space; a rotation mechanism for rotating the light output side reflector; a first light receiving element for receiving the light reflected from an object existing in the space; a light reception side reflector for reflecting the light from the object to the first light receiving element; a second light receiving element for receiving the light from the light output side reflector; a light conductor for conducting the light reflected from or transmitted through the reflecting surface toward the second light receiving element when the light output side reflector is in a predetermined position; and a rotational position detector that detects rotational position of the light output side reflector based on a detection result of the second light receiving element.
US08045176B2 Methods for mapping tissue with optical coherence tomography data
Various methods are disclosed for mapping optical coherence tomography (OCT) data to facilitate review and diagnosis. In one aspect, high resolution 2D line scans are obtained along with lower density 3D cube scans and displayed in a manner to provide context to the clinician. In another aspect, OCT data is analyzed to provide information about non-uniformities of the tissue. Binary image maps of maps useful for determining tautness of membranes are also disclosed.
US08045169B2 Method and device for measuring reflected optical radiation
The present invention provides an optics assembly, a reflectometer, and a diagnostic device for providing quantitative measurement of optical radiation reflected from a sampling area on an assay matrix. The reflectometer includes an optical radiation source and a detector. The optical radiation source and the detector are mounted in a single plane. An optics assembly is configured to direct the illumination from the optical radiation source to the sampling area on the assay matrix and to direct the radiation diffusely reflected from the sampling area to the detector. The optics assembly is positioned over the face of the circuit board having the optical radiation source and detector mounted directly thereto. The present invention also provides a method for determining the presence of one or more selected analytes in a sample employing a plurality of sampling areas on one or more assay matrixes.
US08045165B2 Method and apparatus for determining a focal position of an imaging device adapted to image a biologic sample
A method and apparatus for focusing a device for imaging a biologic sample is provided. A method aspect of the disclosure includes the steps of: 1) disposing lenslets within a field of a biologic sample, which lenslets have a height, and have a refractive index and which refractive index is different from that of the sample, wherein one or both of the imaging device and the sample are relatively locatable so a focal position of the imaging device can be moved along the height of the lenslets; 2) imaging at least a portion of the sample including a plurality of lenslets using transmittance at one or more predetermined wavelengths; 3) determining an average light transmittance intensity of the sample at the wavelengths; 4) determining an average light transmittance intensity of a region of each lenslet at the wavelengths; and 5) determining the focal position of the imaging device using the average light transmittance intensity of the sample and the average light transmittance intensity of the region of the lenslets.
US08045161B2 Robust determination of the anisotropic polarizability of nanoparticles using coherent confocal microscopy
A coherent confocal microscope for fully characterizing the elastic scattering properties of a nanoparticle as a function of wavelength. Using a high numerical aperture lens, two-dimensional scanning and a simple vector beam shaper, the rank-2 polarizability tensor is estimated from a single confocal image. A computationally efficient data processing method is described and numerical simulations show that this algorithm is robust to noise and uncertainty in the focal plane position. The measurement of the polarizability removes the need for a priori assumptions regarding the nanoparticle shape.
US08045139B2 Exposure apparatus capable of asymmetrically adjusting light intensity
An exposure apparatus of a semiconductor device may include an exposure light source; an asymmetric adjustment filter for asymmetrically adjusting intensity of a light which passes through the exposure light source; a photomask for passing the light of which intensity is adjusted by the asymmetric adjustment filter; a projection lens for projecting the light passing through the photomask; and a wafer stage for mounting a wafer on which an image is formed by the light from the projection lens.
US08045138B2 Support plate, exposure apparatus having the support plate, and a device manufacturing method using the exposure apparatus
An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate through a liquid. The apparatus includes a stage that holds the substrate and moves, and a support plate disposed on the stage and around the periphery of the substrate and supporting the liquid together with the substrate. The support plate includes a liquid-repellent structure portion on the surface of which is formed a texture repellent to the liquid, and a flat portion on the surface of which is formed a film repellent to the liquid.
US08045128B2 Backlight unit and display device having the same
A backlight unit includes a light source, an optical member for adjusting a traveling path of light exiting from the light source, a frame accommodating and fixing the optical member and including a plane portion, a sidewall portion vertically extending from the plane portion and at least one frame fastening portion downwardly extending from the sidewall portion and a lower receiving member for accommodating and fixing the frame. The lower receiving member includes a bottom portion having at least one hole formed therein to be fastened to the frame fastening portion and a side surface portion upwardly extending from edges of the bottom portion.
US08045116B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes a pair of transparent substrates opposed to each other with liquid crystal therebetween, and one of the substrates has a plurality of drain signal lines, gate signal lines, and pixel regions defined by the drain signal lines and the gate signal lines. The pixel regions include a semiconductor region which constitutes a channel of a TFT element, a first electrode formed of a transparent electrode, and a second electrode formed of a transparent electrode. The second electrode is disposed between the first electrode and the one of the substrates, the second electrode is overlapped with the first electrode in the pixel region, the second electrode is overlapped with the gate signal line, and the second electrode is connected with the second electrode of an adjacent pixel region. The second electrode is not formed at a position on the TFT element.
US08045113B2 Thin film transistor substrate, liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device using the same
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate including a base, a plurality of scan lines and data lines and a pixel unit is provided. The scan lines are disposed on the base. The data lines are disposed above the scan lines and are perpendicular to the scan lines to define a plurality of pixel areas. The pixel unit is disposed on the base and inside one of the pixel areas. The pixel unit comprises a TFT and a pixel electrode. The TFT comprises a source and a drain. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the drain. The pixel electrode comprises a first main electrode, a second main electrode and a plurality of branch electrodes. The first main electrode is perpendicular to the second main electrode. The branch electrodes are connected to the first main electrode and/or the second main electrode. The first main electrode substantially divides the pixel area evenly.
US08045108B2 Liquid crystal display device
To provide a liquid crystal display device in which it is possible, with a simple configuration, to avoid a bright spot defect caused by a polishing flaw, called a dimple, formed in a surface of an observer side substrate of a liquid crystal display panel.A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate disposed on an observer side of the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a transparent cover affixed by means of a first bonding member to a surface of the liquid crystal display panel on the observer side, wherein the transparent cover has an optical member affixed by means of a second bonding member to a surface of the transparent cover facing the second substrate, the second substrate has a chemically polished surface on the observer side, the first bonding member, as well as making direct contact with both the polished surface of the second substrate and the optical member, covers all of a surface portion of the second substrate facing a display area, and the first bonding member is 30 to 200 μm in thickness, while the second bonding member is 10 to 25 μm in thickness.
US08045106B2 Substrate for liquid crystal device, electro-optic apparatus and electronic equipment
A substrate for a liquid crystal device includes: an electrode film provided on a display area on the substrate; an alignment film which covers at least the display area and is subjected to an alignment process by rubbing; and a band-shaped projection provided in a peripheral area outside the display area so as at least to intersect the rubbing direction and extend along the display area, in which the height of the band-shaped projection on the substrate is higher than the height of the surface of the electrode film.
US08045104B2 In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same, comprising first and second black matrix lines
A liquid crystal display and a method of manufacturing the same that can reduce the increase in the black level due to light leakage, without reducing the aperture ratio while improving the contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display includes a TFT array substrate comprising a data line, a pixel electrode and a common electrode, and the data line, the pixel electrode and the common electrode have at least one bent structure; a color filter array substrate opposite to the TFT array substrate, the color filter array substrate comprising a black matrix covering an area corresponding to at least the data line and the common electrode; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the TFT array substrate and the color filter array substrate, wherein the black matrix comprises a first black matrix line covering an area where light leakage is minimal, and a second black matrix line covering an area where light leakage is excessive, the second black matrix having a line width larger than a line width of the first black matrix.
US08045101B2 Liquid crystal display and display
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate disposed on an observer side with respect to the first substrate and opposed to the first substrate, a liquid crystal held between the first substrate and the second substrate, an upper polarizing plate disposed on the observer side with respect to the second substrate, and a resin film disposed on the observer side with respect to the upper polarizing plate and affixed in contact with the upper polarizing plate. The resin film is higher in surface hardness than the upper polarizing plate and has a surface hardness of at least 3H in terms of surface pencil hardness. Each of the first and second substrates have a thickness of no greater than 0.5 mm, and a total thickness of the liquid crystal display panel is no greater than 2 mm.
US08045098B2 Liquid crystal display device
A LCD device includes first and second LCD panels stacked one on another. Each of the first and second LCD panels includes a pair of transparent substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and a pair of polarizing films sandwiching therebetween the pair of transparent substrates. A light diffusion layer having light diffusion function is interposed between the first LCD panel and the second LCD panel. The light diffusion layer reduces the intensity of the light passed by the first LCD panel, thereby alleviating the periodicity of the arrangement of dark areas and bright areas to alleviate the moire caused by light interference.
US08045094B2 Backlight device, display device, and television receiver
A backlight device capable of preventing or reducing, even when an optical sheet bends, occurrence of luminance nonuniformity and/or shades due to the bend. The backlight device 1 controls the properties of light emitted by a light source 12 using two upper and lower diffusion sheets 16, 20 and a lens sheet 18 placed between the diffusion sheets and illuminates the back side of a display panel with the light, in which a space 24 for expansion is provided between the lens sheet 18 and the upper diffusion sheet 20, the space for expansion accommodating a bend of the lens sheet 18 which is caused by expansion due to heat from the light source 12.
US08045093B2 Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit for slimmed structure and exhibiting uniform brightness through the improvement of its luminance efficiency and the quality in appearance of which is improved by the removal of bright lines, and a liquid crystal display device having the same are disclosed. The backlight unit includes a plurality of light emitting lamps disposed above a cover bottom such that the light emitting lamps are arranged at regular intervals, a diffusion plate disposed above the light emitting lamps, the diffusion plate including a substrate, a light control part formed on the bottom surface of the substrate corresponding to the light emitting lamps, and lens parts mounted on the top surface of the substrate, and an optical film disposed above the diffusion plate.
US08045088B2 Liquid crystal display device having metal shield with fixing unit and shielding unit
An exemplary liquid crystal display device (20) includes a rear frame (25) including a plurality of first through holes (251) and a shield (24) including a back frame (241). The back frame includes a plurality of second through holes (244) corresponding to the first through holes, respectively. The back frame further includes a plurality of fixing units (245), and the shield further includes a plurality of shielding units (240) corresponding to the fixing units respectively. Each of the shielding units is fixed to a corresponding one of the fixing units by insert directly into the fixing unit.
US08045086B2 Lamp guide with optical member holder and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit having a decreased thickness includes at least one lamp which emits light; and at least one light-diffusion plate which diffuses the light emitted from the light, and is positioned above each lamp, wherein the lamp and the light-diffusion plate are fixed and supported by a lamp guide.
US08045083B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate; a common voltage line formed on the substrate and transmitting a common voltage; a pixel electrode formed on the common voltage line and including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode; a first thin film transistor connected to the first subpixel electrode, and including a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode; a second thin film transistor connected to the second subpixel electrode, and including a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode; a boosting capacitor connected to the first subpixel electrode; a third thin film transistor connected to the common voltage line and the boosting capacitor, and including a third gate electrode, a third source electrode, and a third drain electrode; and a fourth thin film transistor connected to the second subpixel electrode and the boosting capacitor, wherein the common voltage line is formed in the same layer as the third source electrode, and is electrically connected to the third source electrode.
US08045076B2 Active matrix substrate, display device, television receiver, and method for repairing defects of active matrix substrate
An active matrix substrate includes a transistor, a pixel electrode connected with one of the current-flowing electrodes of the transistor, a storage capacitor wiring, a lead wiring extending from one of the current-flowing electrodes of the transistor, and a repair wiring extending from the storage capacitor wiring. The repair wiring overlaps a portion of the lead wiring with an insulating layer interposed therebetween. As a result, TFT defects (for example, a short circuit between a source electrode and a drain electrode) can be repaired, and performance of fast display and reduction in electric power consumption can be realized.
US08045073B2 Liquid crystal display device having spacer provided in red pixel(s)
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can more improve a luminance when the liquid crystal display device includes a column spacer. The present invention is a liquid crystal display device including a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates, and the liquid crystal display device having a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel, wherein a column spacer structure is arranged in the red pixel among three pixels of the red, green, and blue pixels, and the red pixel has the smallest aperture ratio of the three pixels.
US08045070B2 Electronic display device
An electronic display device using a barrier includes a display unit displaying an image corresponding to a two dimension (2D) or a three dimension (3D), and a barrier facing the display unit and providing a 2D image or 3D image to a user. The barrier includes first and second substrates facing each other. First and second electrodes are alternately formed on the first substrate and having first gaps therebetween. A third electrode is formed on the second substrate. A dark colored layer is formed to correspond to the first gap. A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and second substrates.
US08045067B2 Method and apparatus of locating channels in a frequency band
A method for searching a frequency band to locate a channel. The method includes the steps of setting an initial frequency and a first frequency step; determining a frequency point based on the initial frequency and the first frequency step; determining whether the frequency point satisfies a first condition, which is continuously detecting a horizontal signal a predetermined number of times. When the first condition is satisfied, the frequency point is recorded as an entrance point. A second frequency step based on the entrance point determines a second frequency point, wherein the second frequency step is less than the first frequency step. It is then determined if a channel exists at the second frequency point. The entrance point is recorded as the updated initial frequency for the next search. The described steps are repeated for the entire frequency band.
US08045065B2 SOG signal detection circuit
A Sync On Green signal detection circuit includes a clamping circuit for clamping a voltage of a video graphics signal within a default range and then outputting a clamped input signal; a first PGA (programmable gain amplifier) for receiving and amplifying the clamped input signal by a first gain to generate a first gain signal; a first low-pass filter for receiving the first gain signal and then generating a first filtered signal; a second PGA for receiving and amplifying the clamped input signal by a second gain to generate a second gain signal, wherein the second gain is different from the first gain; a second low-pass filter for receiving the second gain signal and then generating a second filtered signal; a programmable voltage shifter for receiving and adjusting the first filtered signal and then outputting a level shifted signal; and a comparator for receiving the level shifted signal and the second filtered signal and then generating a comparison signal as a SOG signal.
US08045059B2 Gain control circuit and method of controlling gain
A gain control circuit includes an automatic gain controller (AGC), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a saturation field detecting block, a sync detector and a gain control block. The AGC controls amplitude of an analog image signal including a luminance signal, a color signal and a sync signal. The ADC converts the amplitude-controlled analog image signal to a digital image signal. The saturation field detecting block determines on a per field basis whether the digital image signal is saturated. The sync detector is configured to detect the sync signal in the digital image signal. The gain control block provides a gain control signal to the AGC based on an output signal of the saturation field detecting block and an output signal of the sync detector. Therefore, the gain control circuit may prevent saturation of the analog image signal by controlling gain of the analog image signal.
US08045058B2 Method of determining input port status in television receiver and television receiver using the same
A method of determining the status of a plurality of input ports in a television receiver having a plurality of signal input ports, and including a main-screen signal processor and a sub-screen signal processor, automatically verifies the presence or absence of an input signal at each signal input port. The port status determining method includes detecting signal presence at each of the plurality of signal input ports via the sub-screen signal processor to determine whether the corresponding input signal exists, by sequentially setting an input mode in correspondence to each of the plurality of signal input ports; and recognizing as a valid input port each signal input port at which signal presence is detected.
US08045057B2 Synchronization detector of video signal processor and synchronization selector including the synchronization detector
A synchronization detector of a video signal processor includes a line buffer, a parameter extraction unit and synchronization detection unit. The line buffer sequentially stores a digital video signal corresponding to an input analog video signal, line by line of the input analog video signal. The parameter extraction unit continuously extracts horizontal synchronization parameters from the digital video signal stored line by line and continuously extracts vertical synchronization parameters from a portion of the digital video signal stored line by line. The synchronization detection unit generates horizontal and vertical synchronization signals of the input analog video signal using time information related to local minimum values of the horizontal synchronization parameters and time information related to local minimum values of the vertical synchronization parameters.
US08045053B2 Video image deinterlacing apparatus and methods of performing video image deinterlacing
A video image deinterlacing apparatus includes intrafield and interfield processors therein. The intrafield processor is responsive to field data (e.g., sequence of video image fields) depicting a time-varying video image. The intrafield processor is configured to determine edge and edge steepness characteristics for a plurality of omitted pixels within fields of the time-varying video image. The interfield processor, which is also responsive to the field data, is configured to identify pixels possessing time-invariant properties.
US08045046B1 Four-dimensional polynomial model for depth estimation based on two-picture matching
Camera depth estimation is performed in response to picture matching based on blur difference computed between images captured at different focal positions. A blur difference model is stored in the camera based on characterization of the camera with a series of matching curves in which blur difference varies depending on the focal length, aperture, subject distance, and lens focus position. A four-dimensional polynomial model is created to fit the matching curves for use in estimating subject distance. During operation, images are captured for use in estimating subject distance. Motion compensation is applied and blur difference is determined. Blur difference is utilized in the polynomial model to estimate subject distance. Subject distance estimates can be output or utilized within an auto focus process to provide accurate focus adjustments.
US08045036B2 Apparatus and method for sorting raw data with horizontal division
An apparatus for sorting a raw data with horizontal division is provided. The apparatus includes a frame memory and a frame data sorting device coupled to the frame memory. The frame memory stores a frame data having m vertical fields, and each of the vertical fields has n horizontal fields. The frame data sorting device sorts at least one first data block having Vstripe rows of the frame data according to the value n to generate a sorted first data block and overwrites the first data block with the sorted first data block. The frame data sorting device also sorts at least one second data block having Hstripe columns of the frame data according to the value m to generate a sorted second data block and overwrites the second data block with the sorted second data block.
US08045029B2 CMOS image sensor for high speed signal processing
A CMOS image sensor includes: a plurality of CDS/PGAs (correlating double sampling/programmable gain amplifiers) for processing output signals of pixels corresponding to same colors on different paths; and an offset difference removing part for removing offset difference that occurs when the same color signals are processed on the different paths, wherein the offset difference removing part includes: a dummy pixel array where light is shielded; a unit for reading signals of the dummy pixel array through the CDS/PGAs and storing average offset values for each path; and a signal synthesizing unit for synthesizing the average offset values and signals of an effective pixel array, which are read through the respective CDS/PGAs, and outputting signals of which offset difference is removed.
US08045020B2 Imaging apparatus having specific mode switching sequence and hard disk drive appearance to externally-connected devices
An imaging apparatus, comprising: a first recording module, which has a first initialization time from initialization to coming into a recordable condition; a second recording module which has a second initialization time from initialization to coming into a recordable condition, being longer than the first initialization time; a mode switching module, which is configure to switch over a power OFF mode, a mode for recording into the first recording module, and a mode for recording into the second recording module, wherein the mode exchange switch, which is configured to exchange the mode in an order from the power OFF mode to the mode for recording into the first recording module, and to the mode for recording into the second recording module, whereby shortening an apparent initializations time of the recording module having a long initialization time, while using a high-speed initialization characteristic of the recording module having a short initialization time effectively, thereby obtaining an improvement on the operability for a user.
US08045018B2 Picture recording device
An imaging processing unit signal-processes main picture data outputted from an imaging device. A zoom processing unit subjects the signal-processed main picture data to picture resize processing. A display picture management unit subjects the signal-processed main picture data to resize processing by the zoom processing unit to generate display picture data, aside from the main picture data recorded onto a recording medium at the time of photographing, and temporarily stores the display picture data in a memory area set inside or outside the integrated circuit. A display picture processing unit subjects the main picture data and the display picture data to display processing.
US08045016B2 Video camera with flicker reduction function, and method for flicker reduction
To reduce flicker appropriately according to illumination condition of an imaging subject, a video camera is provided. The video camera includes an imaging unit for generating a subject image; a superimposing image generator for generating a superimposing image; an image synthesizer for synthesize the subject image and the superimposing image to generate a synthesized image; a video signal generator for generating a video signal from the synthesized image so as to display the synthesized image. The video camera also includes a flicker reduction unit to reduce flicker caused by luminance fluctuation of a light source. The flicker reduction unit has a plurality flicker reduction modes. The mode setting unit makes the superimposing image generator to generate a settings screen as the superimposing image for assisting selection of one of the flicker reduction modes.
US08045014B2 Auto white balance correction value calculation device, method, program, and image pickup device
A normal AWB (auto white balance) correction value is calculated based on inputted image data. Further, a face area is identified from the inputted image data and a face AWB correction value is calculated based on image data in the face area. Then, first feature data and second feature data are extracted from the inputted image data and image data in the face area, respectively. A total AWB correction value is calculated in accordance with at least one of the face AWB correction value and the normal AWB correction value based on a comparison result of the first feature data and the second feature data. Thus, an erroneous correction can be prevented in an AWB correction using a face detection function.
US08045012B2 Image-pickup apparatus
An image-pickup apparatus includes: an image-pickup device for converting light into an electric signal and outputting a first image data; a transmitting unit for successively transmitting the first image data to an apparatus in the exterior of the image-pickup apparatus; and a storage unit for storing a second image data extracted from the first image data per frame unit under a predetermined condition.
US08045002B2 Systems and methods for controlling strobe illumination
Various exemplary embodiments may provide systems and methods for strobe illumination of a workpiece. The systems may include an illumination source, an image acquisition device and a control system. The illumination source may emit visible, UV, or near-IR light as a transient flash to the workpiece, the transient flash occurring in response to a lamp trigger. The illumination source may emit the light at an illumination intensity that rises from a begin threshold to a peak and afterwards diminishes to an end threshold during a flash duration. The image acquisition device may capture the light associated with the workpiece for an exposure duration starting from an exposure trigger. The control system may control the illumination source and the image acquisition device to synchronize the lamp trigger so that the exposure duration ends during the flash duration, such that a remaining portion of the flash does not affect the image exposure.
US08044998B2 Sensing apparatus and method for vehicles
A sensing apparatus for a host vehicle or the like, the apparatus comprises sensing means arranged to capture a first dataset of digital data comprising a set of data points representative of an image of a scene around the host vehicle, said image including at least one salient feature; first data processing means arranged to identify a subset of the data points which correspond to the at least one salient feature, and second data processing means arranged to apply a transformation to the subset of data points to produce a processed subset which corresponds to a digital image of the salient features in the scene that has been corrected for at least one type of distortion in the image.
US08044993B2 Image recording apparatus, image recording method and image recording program
There is provided an image recording apparatus including an image-capturing section that captures an image of the observed person, an observation result input section that inputs a result of the observation done by the observer, an input detecting section that detects the input of the observation result by the observation result input section, and an image storing control section that stores the image of the observed person which is captured by the image-capturing section when the input detecting section detects the input of the observation result.
US08044990B2 Camera controller and teleconferencing system
A teleconferencing system includes: a camera system for imaging a plurality of persons; a voice collector for capturing voices generated by a plurality of persons; and a transmitter for multiplexing an image signal acquired from the camera system and a voice signal acquired from the voice collector and transmitting a multiplexed signal via a communication line. The camera system includes: a camera; a driver for changing the viewing direction of the camera; and a camera controller for controlling the driver. The camera controller includes: a face position detection unit; a registration unit; a timing unit; a drive control unit; and a hold time control unit.
US08044978B2 Image display apparatus and high quality image providing method thereof
An image display apparatus and a method of providing a high quality image are provided. The image display apparatus includes an image signal processing unit which analyzes an input image signal and outputs an average picture level (APL) and histogram information of one frame; and a controlling unit which calculates contrast control information and average signal level (ASL) information corresponding to the APL and the histogram information. The image signal processing unit enhances the contrast of the input image signal based on the contrast control information output from the controlling unit, and outputs a resulting image signal. Accordingly, a high quality image can be provided to users.
US08044973B2 Auto sorting of geometry based on graphic styles
Embodiments of the invention provide an auto layer sorting feature for a computer aided drawing (CAD) application where drawing elements are sorted into different drawing layers based on the graphic style associated with each individual drawing element. Objects added to the drawing may be automatically associated with a layer such that all objects on the layer have the same graphic style. If the user changes the properties of a given graphics style associated with one of the auto-sort layers, the updated style may be applied to each objects on that layer.
US08044972B2 Synchronized viewing of tomosynthesis and/or mammograms
Systems and methods that visualize medical data having image rendering circuits configured to substantially concurrently display a first image view of breast tissue using a stack of primary tomosynthesis image data and a second image view of breast tissue using a reference image data set, the second image view rendered from at least one of a 2D X-ray mammogram reference image data set or a reference stack of tomosynthesis image data. The first view is visualized based on: (a) anatomical and/or geometric position properties of the reference image data set of the patient; (b) properties of a current view of the reference image data set of the patient; or (c) anatomical and/or geometric position properties of the reference image data set and properties of a current view of the reference image data set.
US08044967B2 Converting a three-primary input color signal into an N-primary color drive signal
A method of converting a three-primary input color signal (IS) comprising three input components (R, G, B) per input sample into an N-primary color drive signal (DS) comprising N≧4 drive components (D1, . . . , DN) per output sample for driving N sub-pixels (SP1, . . . , SPN) of a color additive display. The N sub-pixels (SP1, . . . , SPN) have N primary colors. The method comprises adding (10), to three equations defining a relation between the N drive components (D1, . . . , DN) and the three input components (R, G, B), at least one linear equation defining a value for a combination of a first subset of the N drive components (D1, . . . , DN) and a second subset of the N-drive components (D1, . . . , DN) to obtain an extended set of equations. The first subset comprises a first linear combination (LC1) of 1≦M1
US08044964B2 Data processor
A data processor that includes a central processing unit, a graphic controller, a display controller, an image recognizing module, a memory controller and image data input units is disclosed. The components can be formed on a single semiconductor substrate. The display controller can perform display control on image data. The image data input unit stores the image data into a first area in the external memory. The image recognizing module or central processing unit executes an image process on the image data in the first area or image data in a second area, and stores a result of the process in a third area of the external memory.
US08044961B2 Automatic synthesis of font tables for character layout
Data tables that are required for the proper processing of font glyphs are automatically synthesized if they do not form part of an original font definition. The synthesized tables are stored in an annex file that is associated with the font, rather than being incorporated into the font definition. As a result, the integrity of the original font data is maintained, and does not adversely affect font protection systems that are based upon font data.
US08044953B2 System for interactive 3D navigation for proximal object inspection
A system that transitions from freeform camera motion to surface following motion as a surface of an object is approached by clipping the vectors for closest point and look-at point. When the surface is reached and while following the surface the user can designate an up model that sets an up vector to conform the view to a users expectations while the system operates using a local up vector for computations. A restricted surface field of view along with an obstacle field of view can be used by the system to allow the view to traverse cavities and maintain a specified surface following distance from an obstacle, from a wall and from a floor.
US08044947B2 Method to transmit a coded information and device therefore
A method for transmitting a coded information to a user via a graphical display. The method comprises the step of obtaining coded information by a scanner, which has to be positioned near the graphical display. The coded information is transmitted to a number of code points that are arranged in the direction of the fast refresh rate of the display.
US08044938B2 Input device with improved touch panel surface and electronic device having the input device
To provide a thin input device capable of preventing foreign materials from entering into a gap between an input panel and a chassis and thus preventing malfunctioning of the input panel. A first detection base 3 is made of a thin material and has a planar size larger than a second detection base 4. A chassis 8 includes a side portion 9 opposed to a side surface of a touch panel 2 and a supporting portion 10 opposed to a bottom surface. The touch panel 2 is received in the inside of the chassis 8 in a state where an inner surface 3a of the first detection base 3 is opposed to a top surface 9a on an input side of the side portion 9 of the chassis so as to cover a gap 14 between the side portion 9 of the chassis 8 and a side surface of the touch panel 2 with the first detection base 3 from the input side of the chassis 8. The inner surface 3a of the first detection base 3 is attached to the top surface 9a of the side portion 9.
US08044923B1 Backlight dimming and LCD amplitude boost
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide m Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption of backlit displays are described. Power consumption is reduced by dimming backlighting by a first scale factor and boosting pixel values by a second scale factor to compensate for the dimming. The scale factors may be constant values. Alternately, one or both of the scale factors may be determined based on pixel values for one or more frames to be displayed and/or one or more frames that have been displayed. For example, scale factors may be calculated based on an average linear amplitude of one or more frames of pixel values or from a maximum pixel value of one or more frames of pixel values. A graphical processing system is described including an integrated circuit capable of transforming a pixel value from a gamma-compensated space to a linear space.
US08044922B1 Backlight dimming and LCD amplitude boost
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide m Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption of backlit displays are described. Power consumption is reduced by dimming backlighting by a first scale factor and boosting pixel values by a second scale factor to compensate for the dimming. The scale factors may be constant values. Alternately, one or both of the scale factors may be determined based on pixel values for one or more frames to be displayed and/or one or more frames that have been displayed. For example, scale factors may be calculated based on an average linear amplitude of one or more frames of pixel values or from a maximum pixel value of one or more frames of pixel values. A graphical processing system is described including an integrated circuit capable of transforming a pixel value from a gamma-compensated space to a linear space.
US08044920B2 Backlight control circuit with low brightness variation when light emitting devices not operating
The present invention discloses a backlight control circuit, and a method for controlling light emission devices. The method comprises: providing a plurality of light emission device paths connected in parallel; and setting a total current of the paths connected in parallel to a constant.
US08044903B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes a data voltage generating circuit supplied with a data signal and generating a data voltage. The data voltage generating circuit includes a gamma reference voltage generator generating first and second gamma reference voltages and a gray level voltage generator including a plurality of gray level voltage dividers generating a plurality of 2k gray level voltages. The gray level voltage dividers use the first and second gamma reference voltages, wherein one of the plurality of gray level voltage dividers is selected and supplied with the first and second gamma reference voltage. The data voltage is one of the selected 2k gray level voltages corresponding a gray level of a data signal. A display panel displays images using the data voltage.
US08044896B2 Organic electroluminescent display and pixel driving circuit thereof for reducing the kink effect
A pixel driving circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a forth transistor, a switching circuit, a first voltage generator, a second voltage generator, and a light emitting element. The source of the first transistor is electrically connected to the drain of the second transistor. The gate of the third transistor is electrically connected to the gate of the first transistor. The drain of the forth transistor is electrically connected to the source of the third transistor, and the gate of the forth transistor is electrically connected to the gate and the drain of the second transistor. The first voltage generator is coupled to the source of the second transistor and of the forth transistor. The light emitting element is coupled to the drain of the first transistor via a first electrode, and to the second voltage generator via a second electrode. The switching circuit is electrically connected to the drain and the gate of the third transistor.
US08044882B1 Method of driving active matrix displays
A method is applied on an active matrix display. A pixel element includes at least one switching transistor, at least one nonlinear element, and at least one capacitive element. The method includes the following steps: (1) creating multiple rows of enabled pixel elements during a predetermined time period; (2) selecting a row of pixel elements in the multiple rows of enabled pixel elements to create a plurality of selected pixel elements during a sub-time-period that is a fraction of the predetermined time period; and (3) charging the at least one capacitive element in a selected pixel element. The step of creating includes driving a semiconductor channel of the at least one switching transistor in an enabled pixel element into a conducting state. The step of selecting includes driving the at least one nonlinear element in a selected pixel element into a conducting state.
US08044881B2 Stereoscopic display device and driving method thereof
A system and method for driving a stereoscopic image display device includes, during a first period wherein no image is displayed, writing a first data signal corresponding to a first image on a first display cell and writing a second data signal corresponding to a second image on the second display cell. During a second period, the first image and the second image are displayed by driving the barrier to become a first format. During a third period in which no image is displayed, the second data signal is written on the first display cell and the first data signal is written on the second display cell. During a fourth period, the first and second images are displayed by driving the barrier to become a second format. The barrier intercepts and transmits light at different angles in the first format than in the second format.
US08044872B2 ODU alignment procedure using circularly polarized signals allocated to specific satellites
A method and system for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises pointing the reflector to an orbital slot used in the satellite configuration, wherein only one satellite in the orbital slot transmits first circularly polarized signals, and adjusting the reflector to maximize reception of the first circularly polarized signals from the orbital slot. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a reflector, a power meter coupled to the reflector, wherein the power meter and reflector are tuned to receive first circularly polarized signals, and an alignment mechanism, coupled to the reflector, wherein the alignment mechanism is manipulated to point the reflector at an orbital slot wherein only one satellite in the orbital slot transmits the first circularly polarized signals, and to adjust the reflector to maximize reception of the first circularly polarized signals from the orbital slot.
US08044870B2 Antenna apparatus
An antenna apparatus includes an antenna, and a resin material provided between the antenna and a reflector (windshield). The resin material includes portions, and the thickness (or dielectric constant) of each portion of the resin material is determined in accordance with a length of a straight line connecting a feeding point of the antenna, each portion of the resin material, and the reflector. Therefore, a phase of a reflected wave can be easily adjusted, thereby improving a performance of the antenna.
US08044869B2 Stealth wireless communications facility
A system for mounting a wireless antenna and equipment to a stealth communication tower in coastal areas and inland waterways, camouflaged as a sailboat. The Cellboat is retrofitted to securely and discreetly store wireless transceiver equipment, and an antenna is attached at the top of the mast. Access doors are disposed in the side of the Cellboat to provide access to the equipment for maintenance purposes. The Cellboat is stored at drydock, allowing for access and protection from flooding of the equipment. Alternatively, when the Cellboat is deployed in the water, the access doors will be located on the top deck of the Cellboat.
US08044868B2 PCB type dual band patch antenna and wireless communication module incorporating the same PCB type dual band patch antennna
The invention provides a PCB type dual band patch antenna and a wireless communication module incorporating the antenna. The antenna includes a substrate. A ground pattern is formed on the substrate. A radiating patch is formed on the substrate to be spaced apart from the ground pattern at a predetermined distance. The radiating patch includes an input arm and a main radiator which are divided by a slot with ‘L’ and inverse ‘L’ shapes combined. The main radiator has an open terminal opposing the input arm across the slot. Also, a feeding part is connected to the input arm of the radiating patch to apply an electrical signal to the radiating patch. Further, wireless devices are integrally mounted on the PCB substrate used for the antenna, thereby achieving a high efficiency and wide-bandwidth dual band patch antenna and a minimal-sized and low-cost wireless communication module.
US08044857B2 System and method for correcting global navigation satellite system pseudorange measurements in receivers having controlled reception pattern antennas
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) pseudorange measurements are compensated for receiver hardware and directionally dependent antenna errors to obtain desired accuracies for high precision GNSS positioning applications using a multiple element controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA). Pseudorange errors are calibrated and stored in a sky map by azimuth, elevation, radio frequency (RF) channel, and frequency. Corrections are applied in real time to each pseudorange measurement by applying a combination of the stored errors. The coefficients of the errors in the combination are computed as a function of steering vectors and CRPA filter weights. This implements a generalized pseudorange correction able to compensate a GNSS CRPA sensor for channel dependent errors such as group delay for both the case of uniform weights for all frequencies and the more complex case of frequency-dependent weights.
US08044856B1 Dual LO receiver
A selectable frequency source for use in GPS receivers. A device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises at least one reference frequency source, a circuit, coupled to the at least one reference frequency source, and a mixer, coupled to an output of the circuit, for mixing a GPS signal with the output of the circuit, wherein a frequency output of the mixer is changed based on an input to the circuit.
US08044850B2 Method and apparatus for determining the position and orientation of a missile
A system for determining the position and orientation of a flying object such as a missile includes a ground segment having at least one pseudolite station located on the earth's surface which transmits into space a navigation signal that uniquely identifies the pseudolite station, and a user segment having at least one sensor which is situated in the missile and is designed to receive the navigation signal from the at least one pseudolite station and to determine its absolute position and orientation in space on the basis of the received navigation signal.
US08044846B1 Method for deblurring radar range-doppler images
A method for displaying information relating to the range and Doppler of a remote target includes transmitting electromagnetic energy toward the target, and receiving reflected signals defining a two-dimensional (range-Doppler) radar image. The reflected signals are matched-filtered, which tends to blur the image. The image is deblurred while the features of thermal noise enhancement and irregularity of the deconvolved output are constrained to produce a single point deblurring output.
US08044836B2 Continuous time sigma-delta A/D converter and electrical system comprising the A/D converter
A continuous time sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter comprising: a summator of an input analog signal and a feedback signal; a feed-forward integrator path connected to the summator and configured to provide a digital signal; a feedback digital-to-analog converter to convert the digital signal into a feedback analog signal; a feedback low pass filter structured to filter the feedback analog signal and provide the feedback signal to the summator.
US08044830B2 Method and an apparatus for processing a signal
A method of processing a signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving a maximum number of band and a code value of at least one section length, calculating a bit number corresponding to the code value of the at least one section length using the maximum number of the band, and obtaining the section length information by decoding the code value of the section length based on the bit number. A method of processing a signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving factor information of a current frame, receiving flag information indicating whether a coding mode of the factor information is an absolute value mode or a relative value mode, and obtaining factor data of the current frame using factor data of a previous frame and the received factor information based on the flag information.
US08044828B2 Method and system for encoding communications between wireless and other devices
A method for encoding a message communicated between devices, the message having at least one field, the method comprising: if the field is not optional and contains a value, writing the value to one or more data bytes in a byte buffer; and, if the field is optional and contains a default value, marking a bit in a reserved byte in the byte buffer to indicate that the field contains a default value.
US08044827B2 Communication device and method for inputting and predicting text
A communication device comprising an input device for inputting text character-by-character from a sequence of characters, a memory device for storing a plurality of reference character sequences of characters and a prediction device for comparing individual ones of the input characters with the reference character sequences and for proposing at least one of the reference character sequences after the inputting of individual input characters of the sequence of characters to be input in the case of a corresponding comparison result. The prediction device compares the input characters with not-immediately-adjacent characters of the reference character sequences. The input device may further a number of syllables or vowels between two input characters of the sequence of characters to be input and the prediction device compares the number of input syllables or vowels with corresponding numbers of syllables or vowels of the reference character sequences.
US08044825B2 Aircraft security
An aircraft has a passenger cabin security alert system for alerting authorized personnel (flight crew) in the flight deck to a problem in the passenger cabin. The system employs portable wireless transmitter units suitable to be carried or worn on the person of authorized personnel (cabin crew) in the passenger cabin. Each transmitter unit is adapted to transmit a warning signal when actuated that is received by detector units that communicate with control means operable to determine the position P in the passenger cabin of the transmitter unit that has been actuated. The control means activates an alert unit in the flight deck to indicate the existence and position of the problem to authorized personnel (flight crew) in the flight deck.
US08044811B2 Sensing device and method
The invention relates to a method and sensing device capable of determining a temperature of a liquid and an electrical conductivity of the liquid at the temperature. The sensing device comprises at least one temperature sensor for providing temperature measurement data arranged such that the temperature sensor is physically isolated from the liquid when the sensing device is immersed in the liquid. The device further comprises an electrical conductivity sensor, storage means containing temperature characteristics and a processor. The processor is arranged for instantly measuring an electrical conductivity of a liquid and for evaluating temperature measurement data for determining the temperature of the liquid on the basis of the temperature characteristics.
US08044802B2 Method and apparatus for optimized workflow monitoring
A method and apparatus for monitoring work flow of a resource is disclosed. The method accounts for the expected work flow of the resource in determining the location of the resource as well as dwell times at each work zone. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by determining if subsequent work zones sequentially follows the first work zone in the expected sequence of work zones.
US08044798B2 Passive microwave speed and intrusion detection system
A passive microwave receiver, receiving a WARC protected frequency of 1420 MHz may be used for fire, temperature speed detection and intrusion detection. One or more receiver arrays can be used to provide a plurality of frequency ranges that can be detected. In an interior installation, one or more receiver arrays can be placed inside a wall made of non-metallic substance and capable of passively receiving frequencies at less than 3 GHz. In other embodiments, the receiver and array can be in the form of a hand-held or wearable device. This method and apparatus achieves high performance by exploiting conventional low noise amplification block conversion circuits and provides the detection of thermal signals through clear, smoky, misty, or environmentally untenable conditions as well as the detection of automobiles and intruders via black box emission. A passive microwave detector may be used at a highway where the highway intersects an associated antenna lobe for a distance, mounted on a wall or pole and have line-of-sight view of an intruder or automobile.
US08044790B2 Retrofit circuitry for enhanced vehicle hazard warning lights
A third light is added above the lower two rear turn signal lights of an automotive vehicle Detection hardware is included which senses when both lower lights begin flashing simultaneously due to activation of the vehicle's 4-way hazard warning system. Such detection also introduces current pulses to the third light which flashes simultaneously with the lower two lights to generate a triangular configuration of the three flashing lights. Retrofit circuitry is described to enable installing the modified triangular signal into existing vehicles.
US08044786B2 Systems and methods for diagnosing battery voltage mis-reporting
Systems and methods for diagnosing battery voltage misreporting is described. According to various embodiments, battery voltage may be monitored with respect to a state of charge and/or time. Based on this monitored information, battery charge state data may be generated by computing time derivatives of the monitored battery voltage across a voltage range. This battery charge state data may be compared with an expected set of charge state data if substantial differences exist, an error may be generated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08044785B2 Oil quantity monitoring system for motorcycle
The degradation of a feeling of ride is prevented by preventing engagement/disengagement (sudden engagement/disengagement) of a motorcycle hydraulic clutch due to a lack of hydraulic pressure. Before a hydraulic sensor issues a hydraulic pressure-lowering detection signal Sx, an oil level sensor issues an oil level-lowering warning signal Sf in a state wherein a sufficient oil quantity is such so as not to bring an neutral drive switching clutch into a disengagement state is present even if hydraulic pressure lowers resulting from an inclined oil level due to sudden deceleration, sudden start, drive in a slope, or the like. Thus, the neutral drive switching clutch can be prevented from disengaging or engaging (suddenly disengaging or engaging).
US08044783B2 Tire condition detection system and induction feed method thereof
An external solenoid positioned external to a tire, and an internal solenoid provided inside a valve of the tire, which transmits and receives power by an alternating magnetic field in a predetermined high frequency band that generates an induced alternating current in the internal solenoid, is used as a new source of power for a tire pressure/temperature detection device instead of a battery. If the alternating magnetic field in a predetermined high frequency band is well matched to the physical structure and electrical structure of the tire, then, in the space between the tire and a wheel, an induced alternating magnetic field component is distributed that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire. If the internal solenoid is matched to the direction of maximum magnetic field reception, when the tire rotates, and when the position of the wheel is stopped, substantially stable power may be received.
US08044778B2 Injection device and case with reporting ability
A container for a product uses a location circuit for determining the location of the container, a storage element for storing a container identification code, a plurality of data acquisition components for acquiring status of at least two characteristics of at least one of the container, the product and a user of the product, and a communication interface for generating and sending a communication signal including (a) the container identification code from the storage element, (b) the location of the container from the location circuit, and (c) the status of the at least two characteristics from the data acquisition components. The container may be an auto-injector for containing a medicament, or a case for containing an item such as an auto-injector. Generally, the location circuit uses the global positioning system (GPS). The data acquisition components are chosen from a camera, and at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a thermal image, vibration, temperature, humidity, a chemical and an audio signal. The characteristic may be use of the product, or lack of use of at least one of the container and the product.
US08044777B2 Vehicular rearview mirror system
A vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior electrochromic reflective element that assumes an interior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal. The mirror assembly includes a control that has circuitry operable to provide the drive signal to the reflective element. The control includes a bus interface that interfaces with a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle. The control is in communication with at least one other vehicle accessory via the vehicle bus. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a forward-facing camera. The control may control at least two of (a) dimming of the interior electrochromic reflective element, (b) operation of a video display, (c) operation of the forward-facing camera and (d) operation of a headlight control for controlling a headlight of the equipped vehicle.
US08044776B2 Rear vision system for vehicle
A rear vision system includes a video camera for capturing video images and a video display disposed in the cabin of the vehicle for displaying the video images captured by the camera. The camera has a field of view that at least encompasses a vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle. The display displays the video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle to assist the driver in connecting the vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle to a tow hitch connector of a trailer. The camera may have an adjustable zoom, an adjustable iris and/or an adjustable field of view. A graphic overlay may be superimposed on the displayed video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle to guide the driver during a reversing maneuver and/or to assist the driver in connecting a tow hitch connector of a trailer to the vehicle hitch connector of the vehicle.
US08044772B1 Expert system assistance for persons in danger
Methods and systems using one or more expert systems to quickly assist (e.g., advise and/or rescue) persons in danger at a location (e.g., buildings, tunnels, bridges, factories, refineries, recreational areas, such as parks, golf courses, ski-slopes, public transportation vehicles, such as buses, subways, trains, planes, ships, and equivalents), to screen and selectively test the location and/or person and assist the person if danger to the person is determined. One embodiment is a method to advise a person in danger, possibly having an impairment, using one or more expert systems. A second embodiment is a method to assist people in danger, possibly having an impairment, such as chemical impairment, physical impairment, medical impairment, or emotional impairment, using one or more expert systems. A third embodiment is a system to assist a person, if the system determines a danger at a location and/or if the system determines if a person has an impairment, such as chemical impairment, physical impairment, medical impairment, or emotional impairment, using one or more expert systems.
US08044766B2 Tongue operated magnetic sensor based wireless assistive technology
An assistive apparatus and method for remote control of an appliance by a subject are provided. The apparatus can comprise a tracer unit affixed to the tongue of the subject such that a change in position of the tongue changes position of the tracer; at least one sensor for detecting a position of the tracer unit; and a transmitter for transmitting a sensor signal to an appliance based on the detected position of the tracer unit, wherein the sensor signal effects control of the appliance. A method for tracking movement, position, or both of a tongue in a subject using the assistive apparatus is also provided.
US08044763B2 Surface-mounted over-current protection device
A surface-mounted over-current protection device with positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior is disclosed. The surface-mounted over-current protection device comprises a first metal foil, a second metal foil corresponding to the first metal foil, a PTC material layer stacked between the first metal foil and the second metal foil, a first metal electrode, a first metal conductor electrically connecting the first metal foil to the first metal electrode, a second metal electrode corresponding to the first metal electrode, a second metal conductor electrically connecting the second metal foil to the second metal electrode, and at least one insulated layer to electrically insulate the first metal electrode from the second metal electrode. The surface-mounted over-current protection device, at 25° C., indicates that a hold current thereof divided by the product of a covered area thereof and the number of the conductive composite module is at least 0.16 A/mm2.
US08044744B2 Time modulation with cosine function
A method and apparatus is described for a time modulated signal. A cosine function is used as the basis for the signal with time intervals at the maximum and minimum values of the cosine function defining the encoded data. The received waveform is twice differentiated to provide a cosine function from which zero crossings are detected and the time intervals determined.
US08044743B2 Method and apparatus for pulse position modulation
A method for reducing the transition rate of a pulse width modulated signal representing an original signal having a predetermined frequency range of interest and producing an output signal, the method including the steps of: combining pulses from a predetermined number of consecutive frames into a combined pulse; and positioning the combined pulse within the predetermined number of consecutive frames, such that the output signal has substantially the same Fourier Transform phase as the pulse width modulated signal, for at least the predetermined frequency range of interest of the original signal.
US08044736B2 Timing oscillators and related methods
Timing oscillators as well as related methods and devices are described. A timing oscillator may include a mechanical resonating structure with major elements and minor elements coupled to the major element. The timing oscillator can generate stable signals with low phase noise at very high frequencies which allows a timing oscillator to be used effectively in a number of devices including computers and mobile phones for time and data synchronization purposes. The signal generated by the timing oscillator can be tuned using a driver circuit and a compensation circuit.
US08044734B2 Method and apparatus for mitigating VCO pulling
Techniques for mitigating VCO pulling are described. In an aspect, VCO pulling may be mitigated by (i) injecting an oscillator signal, which is a version of a VCO signal from a VCO, into a transmitter and (ii) using coupling paths from the transmitter to the VCO to re-circulate the oscillator signal back to the VCO. In one design, an apparatus includes a VCO and a coupling circuit. The VCO generates a VCO signal at N times a desired output frequency. The coupling circuit receives an oscillator signal generated based on the VCO signal and injects the oscillator signal into a transmitter to mitigate pulling of the frequency of the VCO due to undesired coupling from the transmitter to the VCO. The apparatus may include a phase adjustment circuit that adjusts the phase of the oscillator signal and/or an amplitude adjustment circuit that adjusts the amplitude of the oscillator signal.
US08044726B2 Systems and methods for self testing a voltage controlled oscillator
A method for self testing a multiband voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is described. A first frequency band in a VCO is selected. An N value is selected for a frequency divider that produces a tuning voltage for the VCO that is between a low tuning voltage limit and a high tuning voltage limit for the VCO. The N value is adjusted in one direction until the tuning voltage reaches one of the tuning voltage limits. This N value at the tuning voltage is a first limit value. The frequency bands are switched from the first frequency band to a second frequency band that is adjacent to the first frequency band.
US08044725B2 Signal generator with directly-extractable DDS signal source
A signal generator including a DDS-signal source that is configured to operate according to the principle of direct digital synthesis (DDS), and a PLL signal synthesizer that is configured to operate according to the principle of phase locked loop (PLL) using an output signal from the DDS-signal source as a reference signal. The DDS-signal source can be connected via a direct connection, without further frequency division or mixing, directly to an output of the signal generator or directly to a level-adjustment device of the signal generator in order to generate a portion of an overall frequency range of an output signal of the signal generator.
US08044711B1 Clock signal noise shaping
A method and apparatus for clock signal noise shaping are described. Embodiments of a clock circuit include a filter coupled to receive an input clock signal and to provide an output clock signal. The filter filters noise of the input clock signal to shape the noise to provide the output clock signal. In a method for adjustment of phase noise, input clock signaling having the phase noise is obtained, and the input clock signal is filtered to adjust the phase noise to provide output clock signaling.
US08044710B2 Filter cut-off frequency correction circuit
A filter cut-off frequency correction circuit, inputted with a step function increasing from a first voltage to a second voltage, comprises a linear passive filter, for integrating the step function to obtain a third voltage; a first comparator, outputting a first high-level signal when the third voltage is greater than a first predetermined reference voltage; a second comparator, outputting a second high-level signal in a first period from the time that the second voltage is applied to the time that the first comparator outputs the first high-level signal; a counter, for counting a number of clock pulses of a reference clock inputted in the first period; a digital block, for calculating a variation rate of time constant according to the number of clock pulses of the reference clock, and generating a correction code; and a filter, for correcting the cut-off frequency according to the correction code. The correction circuit can improve the speed of cut-off frequency adjustment.
US08044700B2 Systems including level shifter having voltage distributor
An exemplary embodiment of such a system includes: a level shifter operative to transform an input signal into an output signal, the level shifter includes: a voltage distributor operative to receive the input signal and distribute potential levels at a first node and a second node to respectively output a first signal and a second signal, and the voltage distributor includes: a current limiter, operative to provide a limited current passing through the first node; a switch, operative to selectively establish an electrical connection between the first node and the second node; and a first transistor having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first control electrode, wherein the first electrode is connected to the second node, the second electrode is utilized to receive the input signal, and the first control electrode is coupled to the first node; and an output circuit, operative to generate the output signal.
US08044699B1 Differential high voltage level shifter
A level-shift circuit translates a control signal to a level-shifted output. The level-shift circuit includes a pulse generator circuit for providing Set and Reset pulses based on the control signal and a level-shift circuit for translating the Set and Reset pulses to level-shifted Set and Reset pulses. First and second differential detectors are connected to monitor the level-shifted Set and Reset pulses to provide detection of communicated Set and Reset pulses despite the presence of transients in the level-shift circuit. A gate drive circuit employs the Set and Reset pulses communicated by the differential detectors to generate a gate drive signal.
US08044697B2 Per die temperature programming for thermally efficient integrated circuit (IC) operation
Methods and apparatus to provide per die temperature programming for thermally efficient integrated circuit (IC) operation are described. In some embodiments, the junction temperature of an IC component is determined, e.g., to reduce power consumption and/or improve performance. Other embodiments are also described.
US08044691B2 Method for detecting minimum operational frequency
A method of detecting a minimum operational frequency includes: generating a signal that becomes an oscillating signal at a first predetermined frequency; and generating a logic signal to provide a level transition when a frequency of the oscillating signal reaches a second predetermined frequency corresponding to the minimum operational frequency. The logic signal is generated by: providing a transistor that is activated at the second predetermined frequency; providing a capacitor; storing charges in the capacitor when the oscillating signal is below the second predetermined frequency; discharging the capacitor when the transistor is activated by the oscillating signal; and outputting the logic signal when the capacitor discharges.
US08044677B2 Electrical system, voltage reference generation circuit, and calibration method of the circuit
A voltage generation circuit that includes: a voltage generator integrated in a semiconductor chip and structured to generate an output voltage in accordance with a calibration parameter; a heater operable to heat the voltage generator; a control device configured to receive the output voltage, activate the heater and provide the calibration parameter to the voltage generator.
US08044676B2 IDDQ testing
Embodiments of the invention relate to device-embedded IDDQ testing in the field to detect defects, aging, and other reliability reducing problems. Methods of testing integrated circuits and integrated circuit devices are disclosed. For example, an integrated circuit device can comprise an integrated circuit, a buffer capacitor coupled to the integrated circuit; and IDDQ test circuitry coupled to the buffer capacitor and configured to suspend normal operation of the integrated circuit and measure a discharge time of the buffer capacitor, wherein the discharge time is related to a leakage current of the integrated circuit.
US08044670B2 Apparatus and method for determining a resonant frequency of a wind turbine tower
An apparatus for determining a resonant frequency of a wind turbine tower is provided. The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to receive an acceleration measurement value, the acceleration measurement value representative of the acceleration of the wind turbine tower in the direction parallel to a rotor rotational axis of the wind turbine and/or in the direction perpendicular to both the rotor rotational axis and the tower axis of the wind turbine. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store a series of acceleration measurement values, and the processing unit includes a Fourier transform module configured to calculate a spectral vector based on calculating a convolution-based fast Fourier transform of the series of acceleration measurement values, and includes a resonant frequency calculation module configured to calculate the tower resonant frequency based on the calculated spectral vector.
US08044661B2 Method for determining a three-dimensional reconstruction of an examination object
A provisional three-dimensional reconstruction of an examination object is determined based on two-dimensional original projection images. Provisional metal volumes are determined on the reconstruction by segmentation and mapped into the original projection images to define provisional metal areas. Edge points on edge zones of the provisional metal areas are selected. Data values of the original projection images within the provisional metal areas are modified as a function of data values of the selected edge points to determine modified projection images. Differential images are determined based on the original projection images and the corresponding modified projection images. Definitive metal areas are determined in the differential images by segmentation. The differential images are added to the modified projection images with the definitive metal areas deducted. A definitive three-dimensional reconstruction of the examination object is determined based on the modified projection images including the added differential images.
US08044660B2 Arrangement and method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action
An arrangement for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles, and/or calibrating such an arrangement includes generating a magnetic selection field having a magnetic field strength pattern such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strength are formed in the region of action. A driver changes the position in space of the two sub-zones in the region of action by magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic particles changes locally. The arrangement includes a drive signal chain, a detection signal chain, and a receiver for acquiring detection signals that depend on the magnetization in the region of action. The magnetization is influenced by the change in the position in space of the first and second sub-zones. A compensation controller provides a compensation signal to the drive signal chain and/or to the detection signal chain by a coupler.
US08044653B2 Low drop-out voltage regulator
A low drop-out DC voltage regulator regulates a voltage from a DC supply and includes: a pass device controllable to maintain a voltage at an output of the regulator and arranged to provide a first current from the DC supply, at least part of said first current being provided to a load coupled to the output of the regulator; and a current regulator coupled to said pass device and to the output of the regulator. The current regulator is arranged to conduct a second current controllable such that the first current through said pass device remains constant irrespective of variations in a load current to said load.
US08044651B2 Efficient PWM controller
This patent discloses an efficient PWM controller for generating a pulse signal in response to a feedback signal, capable of operating in a normal mode or a green mode, comprising: a capacitor for building a saw-tooth signal by current integration, the saw-tooth signal having a ramp-up period and a ramp-down period; a first composite current source for the ramp-up period, detachable into a first constant current source and a first variable current source; and a second composite current source for the ramp-down period, detachable into a second constant current source and a second variable current source; wherein, the first variable current source is attached to the first constant current source and the second variable current source is attached to the second constant current source respectively in the green mode.
US08044650B2 Methods and apparatus for current sensing in mutually coupled inductors
Methods and apparatus for current sensing in mutually coupled inductors according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a control system adapted to control current through the inductors and multiple current sensors connected to the control system. Each current sensor may comprise a series combination comprising a capacitor and a resistor. The series combination may be connected in parallel with one of the inductors, and may be adapted to generate branch inductor current signals according to a sensed current in the connected inductor. In addition, a coupling capacitor may be coupled between at least two of the current sensors to compensate a time constant of the current sensor for mutual coupling inductance between the inductors.
US08044648B1 Start mode in switching regulation
A voltage regulator is operated by, during a finite period of a voltage regular start mode having a plurality of current pulses, monotonically increasing the maximum current of the current pulses and a target voltage.
US08044641B2 Step-down switching regulator with turn off undershoot prevention
A step-down switching regulator prevents an output voltage undershoot and enables a quick lowering of an output voltage immediately after turning off of power supply. The step-down switching regulator includes an NMOS transistor connected between an output terminal and a ground voltage and another NMOS transistor connected in parallel with a synchronous rectification transistor. Upon reception of an on/off signal for terminating the operation of the switching regulator, the NMOS transistors are turned on into an on-state.
US08044636B2 Battery operated LED lamp and control
An LED lamp adapted for use as a bicycle light includes a lamp/switch module and a power supply/control module. The control includes a microcontroller that performs both light operating functions and battery charging control functions. A low battery warning is provided as a non-repeating, short sequence of flashes of the lamp.
US08044635B2 Charger alignment indicator with adjustable threshold
Electrical energy is transmitted to charge the implanted medical device, and an electrical parameter (e.g., a steady-state voltage) indicating a rate at which the implanted medical device is charged by the electrical energy is detected. A threshold (e.g., by modifying a stored threshold value) at which the charge strength indicator generates a user-discernible signal is adjusted based on the detected electrical parameter.
US08044627B2 Device for controlling the movement of furniture parts which can be moved with respect to one another, and a piece of furniture
The invention relates to a piece of furniture and to a device for controlling the movement of furniture parts which can be moved with respect to one another, having a drive unit by means of which a first furniture part can be moved relative to a second furniture part, in a driven manner, via a monitoring unit for monitoring the movement of said first furniture part. According to the invention, the monitoring unit is designed such that, after an initiating action by the monitoring unit, the first furniture part is moved to a predetermined position and is stopped there, with the predetermined position differing from a final position of the first furniture part.
US08044623B2 Drive control circuit for electric motor
The drive control circuit for an electric motor is provided. The drive control circuit includes: an original drive signal generator that generates an original drive signal; an excitation interval setter that is able, for each half cycle of respective length π in each 2π excitation cycle of the original drive signal, to arbitrarily set excitation intervals during which to excite coils of the electric motor to any one of a plurality of intervals which include at least either one of a symmetrical interval centered on a center of each half-cycle and an unsymmetrical interval; and a drive signal shaping circuit that generates a drive signal for driving the electric motor, by validating the original drive signal during the excitation intervals and invalidating the original drive signal during non-excitation intervals other than the excitation interval.
US08044612B2 Method and apparatus for networked illumination devices
An intelligent light source converts color and luminous flux data to luminous flux levels of individual color sources and automatically compensates for variations in operating conditions.
US08044593B2 Methods and systems for controlling the activation of agricultural vehicle lighting
An agricultural vehicle lighting system includes a plurality of HID lamps and a lighting controller. The HID lamps are configured to be mounted to the agricultural vehicle and powered by an existing electrical circuit of the agricultural vehicle. The lighting controller controls activation of the lamps and is configured to initially activate a first set of the lamps and to subsequently activate a second set of the lamps once it determines that the electrical circuit has the capacity to safely handle both the first and second sets of the lamps. The lighting controller may determine that the electrical circuit has sufficient capacity by determining when current drawn from the first set of the lamps drops below a threshold current level. Alternatively, the lighting controller may determine that the electrical circuit has sufficient capacity by delaying activation of the second set of the lamps for a time period corresponding to a current decay characteristic of the lamps.
US08044592B2 Lamp heat dissipating structure
A heat dissipating structure for a lamp includes at least an illuminating element, a lamp base, a metal housing, a ring-shaped coil and a metal base. The metal housing has a great heat conducting capability, and the illuminating element is mounted on the lamp base, which is engaged with the metal housing. The ring-shaped coil which includes a primary winding and a secondary winding wound on a ring iron core is mounted between the metal housing and lamp base, wherein the ring iron core further includes an inner space for accommodating plural electronic components connected with the secondary winding, and the ring-shaped coil is electrically connected with the illuminating element and metal base. And, the metal base is electrically connected to a power source, so that through a conduction of the metal base, the ring-shaped coil can acquire and transform electricity to provide to the illuminating element for operation.
US08044583B2 Organic electroluminescent device without cap and getter
An organic electroluminescent device is provided. The structural components of the organic electroluminescent device can be excluded from external conditions without using a cap and whose thickness can be remarkably reduced without installing a getter. The organic electroluminescent device as embodied has the structure that a protective layer with a multi-layered structure is formed on the entire structure of the structural components to exclude the structural components completely from external conditions. The protective layer is consisted of an organic material layer formed on the structural components of the device, an inorganic material layer formed on the organic material layer, and a coating layer formed on the inorganic material layer. The coating layer formed on the inorganic material layer is made from titanium aluminum nitride (TiN).
US08044568B2 Light emitter substrate with different gaps between metal backs and image displaying apparatus using the same
To provide a light emitter substrate which is characterized in that discharge current reduction performance is excellent, plural phosphors are arranged in an X direction and a Y direction on a substrate, metal backs are arranged on the phosphors, ribs extending in the Y direction are arranged between the phosphors adjacent in the X direction, first resistors to electrically connect the metal backs adjacent in the Y direction are formed on the ribs respectively, and second resistors to electrically connect the metal backs adjacent in the X direction are formed under the ribs respectively.
US08044566B2 Fluorescent mixture for fluorescent lamp, fluorescent lamp, backlight assembly having the same and display device having the same
A fluorescent lamp includes a lamp body, a fluorescent layer and a discharge electrode. The lamp body has a discharge space in which ultraviolet light is generated. The fluorescent layer is formed on an inner surface of the lamp body to change the ultraviolet light into visible light. The discharge electrode is on an end portion of the lamp body to apply a voltage to the discharge space. A ratio of intensities of the visible light at wavelengths of about 545 nm and about 516 nm is about 1.32:1 to about 1.71:1. Therefore, color reproducibility and luminance may be improved.
US08044560B2 Sparkplug with precision gap
The invention is a spark plug having multiple precise spark gaps (G} with a donut shaped electrode (20) attached to the firing end of the central electrode (32), as well as a cylindrical ground sleeve (40) that is pressed on to the primary shell (36) of the spark plug. The electrode donut (20) is generally flat and laded out in a radial direction towards the ground prongs (42) that protrude up towards the firing end from the ground sleeve (40). In conjunction with their structure, allow for the generation of a spark from every single ground prong (42) on the ground sleeve (40). This is spark potential area (G). Such multiple spark potential area along with the electrode donut (20) and ground sleeve (40) relation provides a more rapid and complete combustion of the air-fuel mixture within the internal combustion engine, which, in turn, results in more torque and more horse power.
US08044557B2 Piezoelectric device and its manufacturing method
An upper adhesion layer 35 formed between a piezoelectricity layer 32 and an upper electrode layer 34 so as to abut on the piezoelectricity layer 32 and the upper electrode layer 34 is included. The upper adhesion layer 35 includes a first tungsten layer 47 made of tungsten in which an α phase and a β phase coexist and a second tungsten layer 48 made of α-phase tungsten. The first tungsten layer 47 is configured so as to abut on the piezoelectricity layer 32. It is possible to obtain a piezoelectric device which is capable of improving the adhesion property of both the piezoelectricity layer and the electrode layer and reducing a basic point voltage fluctuation at the time of high-temperature operation so as to improve reliability.
US08044551B2 Stator for electric motor and manufacturing method thereof
A stator for an electric motor is provided. The stator includes segmented cores each having one yoke and at least one pole protruding from the yoke in a radial direction, bobbins formed to receive the at least one pole therein, having blocking walls that extend from one side of ends of the at least one pole in a circumferential direction thereby to block a space between the at least one pole, and coupled to the at least one pole, and stator coils wound on the bobbins. A temperature of the segmented cores and the stator coils are prevented from rising and a noise occurrence is reduced.
US08044549B2 Spool assembly for an electric machine
An electric machine includes a housing, a stator mounted within the housing, and a rotor including a spool assembly. The spool assembly includes a spool having a main body portion having a first end portion that extends substantially uninterrupted to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. The spool further includes a first plurality of mounting elements provided on the first end portion and a second plurality mounting elements provided on the first end portion. A star member is secured to the first end portion of the spool.
US08044548B2 Permanent-magnet-type rotating electrical machine
An object of the present invention is to provide a permanent-magnet-type rotating electrical machine capable of realizing a variable-speed operation at high output in a wide range from low speed to high speed and improving efficiency and reliability. The permanent-magnet-type rotating electrical machine of the present invention includes a stator provided with a coil and a rotor in which there are arranged a low-coercive-force permanent magnet whose coercive force is of such a level that a magnetic field created by a current of the stator coil may irreversibly change the flux density of the magnet and a high-coercive-force permanent magnet whose coercive force is equal to or larger than twice that of the low-coercive-force permanent magnet. At the time of high-speed rotation with a voltage of the permanent-magnet-type rotating electrical machine being around or over a power source maximum voltage, the low-coercive-force permanent magnet is magnetized with a magnetic field created by a current in such a way as to decrease total linkage flux of the low- and high-coercive-force permanent magnets, thereby adjusting a total linkage flux amount.
US08044544B2 Rolling bearing, spindle support structure of main motor for railway vehicle, and bearing structure
A cylindrical roller bearing 41 comprises an inner ring 42, an outer ring 43 having the same axial width as the inner ring 42 and having an insulation layer 43a formed on an outer diameter surface and both end faces thereof, cylindrical rollers 44 arranged between the inner ring 42 and the outer ring 43, a retainer 45 retaining intervals of the cylindrical rollers 44, and a sealing seal 46 as a sealing member having a roughly channel-shaped configuration in cross section projecting from both end faces of the inner ring 42 and the outer ring 43. Thus, a relation between a length L3 of the roller 44 and an axial width W3 of the inner ring 42 and the outer ring 43 satisfies L3/W3≧0.4, and a relation between a bearing volume V3 of the cylindrical roller bearing 41 and an internal space capacity C3 of the cylindrical roller bearing 41 satisfies 0.25≦C3/V3≦0.55.
US08044537B2 Modular HVDC converter
A modular HVDC converter system including a high voltage direct current network, and at least two DC/AC converters being connected in series to the HVDC network. Each of the DC/AC converters is arranged to provide AC to a separate AC load.
US08044527B2 Electric power generation with magnetically geared machine
A power generation system includes: a prime mover; an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover and configured for converting mechanical power to electrical power, the electrical machine having a power factor of less than or equal to 0.7; a reactive power supply assembly coupled to the electrical machine and configured to supply reactive power to the electrical machine; and a power electronic converter coupled to the reactive power supply assembly and configured for transferring power from the electrical machine to a grid.
US08044525B2 Substrate with check mark and method of inspecting position accuracy of conductive glue dispensed on the substrate
The invention relates to a substrate with a check mark and a method of inspecting position accuracy of conductive glue dispensed on the substrate. The method is implemented on the substrate having at least one transfer pad and at least one check mark arranged near the border of the transfer pad. After the conductive glue spot is dispensed on the transfer pad, the method includes first capturing an image by a video capturing element, then determining whether the conductive glue spot exist in the image and determining whether the conductive glue spot from the image matches a predetermined standard, if not, generating a report and a warning.
US08044505B2 Prepreg, method for manufacturing prepreg, substrate, and semiconductor device
A prepreg which can meet a demand for thickness reduction is provided. The prepreg has first and second resin layers having different applications, functions, capabilities, or properties, and allows an amount of a resin composition in each of the first and second resin layers to be set appropriately depending on a circuit wiring portion to be embedded into the second resin layer. Further, a method for manufacturing the above prepreg, and a substrate and a semiconductor device having the prepreg are also provided. The prepreg according to the present invention includes a core layer including a sheet-shaped base member and having one surface and the other surface which is opposite to the one surface, the first resin layer provided on the one surface of the core layer and formed of a first resin composition, and the second resin layer provided on the other surface of the core layer and formed of a second resin composition, wherein at least one of a requirement that a thickness of the first resin layer is different from that of the second resin layer and a requirement that a constitution of the first resin composition is different from that of the second resin composition is satisfied.
US08044502B2 Composite contact for fine pitch electrical interconnect assembly
An electrical interconnect assembly for electrically interconnecting terminals on a first circuit member with terminals on a second circuit member. The electrical interconnect includes a housing having a plurality of through openings extending between a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of composite contacts are positioned in a plurality of the through openings. The composite contacts include a conductive member having a central portion and at least first and second interface portions. One or more polymeric layers extend along at least the central portion conductive member. One or more coupling features on the composite contacts engage with the housing. At least one engagement feature formed in the polymeric layers proximate the first interface portion mechanically couples with the terminals on the first circuit member.
US08044482B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a contact wiring formed in the insulating film, a protective film formed on the contact wiring and the insulating film, an opening portion formed in the protective film, the contact wiring being exposed through the opening portion, and an electrode pad formed in the opening portion, the electrode pad being electrically connected to the contact wiring. A region where the contact wiring is not provided is present below the opening portion.
US08044479B2 Transistors, semiconductor devices, assemblies and constructions
Embodiments disclosed herein include methods in which a pair of openings are formed into semiconductor material, with the openings being spaced from one another by a segment of the semiconductor material. Liners are formed along sidewalls of the openings, and then semiconductor material is isotropically etched from bottoms of the openings to merge the openings and thereby completely undercut the segment of semiconductor material. Embodiments disclosed herein may be utilized in forming SOI constructions, and in forming field effect transistors having transistor gates entirely surrounding channel regions. Embodiments disclosed herein also include semiconductor constructions having transistor gates surrounding channel regions, as well as constructions in which insulative material entirely separates an upper semiconductor material from a lower semiconductor material.
US08044470B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
Provided is a semiconductor device including a transistor that has a silicide layer formed over a semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode of each transistor is composed of a polysilicon electrode and the silicide layer formed thereon. Each transistor further has source/drain impurity-diffused layers composed of low-concentration doped regions and high-concentration doped regions, and silicide layers formed over the source/drain impurity-diffused layers. The surface of each silicide layer is positioned above the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The silicide layers contain a silicidation-suppressive metal, and have a concentration profile of the silicidation-suppressive metal over a region of the silicide layers ranging from the surface to a predetermined depth, such as increasing the concentration from the surface of each silicide layer in the depth-wise direction of the semiconductor substrate.
US08044469B2 Semiconductor device and associated methods
A semiconductor device and associated methods, the semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate with a first well region, a first gate electrode disposed on the first well region, and a first N-type capping pattern, a first P-type capping pattern, and a first gate dielectric pattern disposed between the first well region and the first gate electrode.
US08044468B2 Semiconductor device
The present invention enhances voltage conversion efficiency of a semiconductor device. In a non-isolated DC-DC converter that includes a high-side switch power MOSFET and a low-side switch power MOSFET, which are series-connected, the high-side switch power MOSFET and driver circuits for driving the high-side and low-side switch power MOSFETs are formed within one semiconductor chip, whereas the low-side switch power MOSFET is formed in another semiconductor chip. The two semiconductor chips are sealed in a single package.
US08044465B2 Method for producing partial SOI structures comprising zones connecting a superficial layer and a substrate
The invention relates to a method for producing a semiconductor structure comprising a superficial layer, at least one embedded layer, and a support, which method comprises: a step of forming, on a first support, patterns in a first material, a step of forming a semiconductor layer, between and on said patterns, a step of assembling said semiconductor layer with a second support.
US08044461B2 Planar TMBS rectifier
A monolithically integrated trench FET and Schottky diode includes a plurality of trenches extending into a FET region and a Schottky region of a semiconductor layer. A trench in the Schottky region includes a dielectric layer lining the trench sidewalls, and a conductive electrode having a top surface that is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the semiconductor layer adjacent the trench. An interconnect layer electrically contacts the semiconductor layer in the Schottky region so as to form a Schottky contact with the semiconductor layer.
US08044459B2 Semiconductor device with trench field plate including first and second semiconductor materials
In one embodiment, a field effect transistor has a semiconductor body, a drift region of a first conductivity type and a gate electrode. At least one trench extends into the drift region. A field plate is arranged at least in a portion of the at least one trench. A dielectric material at least partially surrounds both the gate electrode and the field plate. The field plate includes a first semiconducting material.
US08044456B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and producing method thereof
A cell array includes a memory cell region in which memory cells are formed and a peripheral region that is provided around the memory cell region. In the memory cell region, first lines are extended in parallel with a first direction, and the first lines are repeatedly formed at first intervals in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. In the peripheral region, each of the first lines located at (4n−3)-th (n is a positive integer) and (4n−2)-th positions in the second direction from a predetermined position has a contact connecting portion on one end side in the first direction of the first line. In the peripheral region, each of the first lines located at (4n−1)-th and 4n-th positions in the second direction from the predetermined position has the contact connecting portion on the other end side in the first direction of the first line. The contact connecting portion is formed so as to contact a contact plug extended in a laminating direction.
US08044444B2 CMOS image sensor and fabricating method thereof
A fabricating method of a CMOS image sensor includes the steps of: forming a transfer gate on a semiconductor substrate where a device isolation layer is formed; forming a first n-type ion implantation region for a photodiode beneath a surface of the semiconductor substrate, the first n-type ion implantation region being aligned at one side of the transfer gate and having a first width and a first ion implantation depth; forming a second n-type ion implantation region aligned at one side of the transfer gate, the second n-type ion implantation region enclosing the first n-type ion implantation region and having a second width wider than the first width and a second ion implantation depth deeper than the first ion implantation depth and a second depth; forming a p-type ion implantation region between a surface of the semiconductor substrate and the first n-type ion implantation region, the p-type ion implantation region being aligned at one side of the transfer gate and partially overlapped with the first n-type ion implantation region; forming spacers on both sidewalls of the transfer gate; and forming a floating diffusion region at the other side of the transfer gate.
US08044442B2 Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) switching devices
A gated nano-electro-mechanical (NEM) switch employing metal-insulator-metal (MIM) technology and related devices and methods which can facilitate implementation of low-power, radiation-hardened, high-temperature electronic devices and circuits. In one example embodiment a gate electrode is configured as a cantilever beam whose free end is coupled to a MIM stack. The stack moves into bridging contact across a source and drain region when the applied gate voltage generates a sufficient electrostatic force to overcome the mechanical biasing of the cantilever beam. A second set of contacts can be added on the cantilever beam to form a complementary switching structure, or to a separate cantilever beam. The switching can be configured as non-volatile in response to stiction forces. NEM circuits provide a number of advantages within a variety of circuit types, including but not limited to: logic, memory, sleep circuits, pass circuits, and so forth.
US08044438B2 Liquid crystal display and substrate thereof
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display and a substrate for the same. The substrate comprises first wires formed in one direction on the substrate; second wires intersecting and insulated from the first wires; pixel electrodes formed in pixel regions defined by the first wires and the second wires; and switching elements connected to the first wires, the second wires and the pixel electrodes, wherein an interval between two adjacent second wires has a predetermined dimension that repeatedly varies from one set of adjacent second wires to the next, and a side of the pixel electrodes adjacent to the second wires is shaped in a pattern identical to the second wires such that the pixel electrodes have a wide portion and a narrow portion. The liquid crystal display comprises a first substrate; first wires formed in one direction on the first substrate; second wires intersecting and insulated from the first wires; pixel electrodes formed in pixel regions defined by the crossing of the first wires and the second wires, and a side of the pixel electrodes adjacent to the second wires is shaped in a pattern identical to the second wires such that the pixel electrodes have a wide portion and a narrow portion; switching elements connected to the first wires, the second wires and the pixel electrodes; a second substrate provided opposing the first substrate; a black matrix formed on the second substrate; common electrodes formed on the second substrate; and domain controlling means for controlling the formation of domains of the pixel electrodes.
US08044433B2 GaN-based high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with an embedded gate electrode having a first recess portion and a second recess portion to improve drain breakdown voltage
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a GaN-based semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, a gate electrode embedded in the GaN-based semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on both sides of the gate electrode, a first recess portion formed between the gate electrode and the source electrode, and a second recess portion formed between the gate electrode and the drain electrode. The first recess portion has a depth deeper than that of the second recess portion.
US08044431B2 Microdisplay packaging system
Some embodiments provide a microdisplay integrated circuit (IC), a substantially transparent protective cover coupled to the microdisplay IC, and a base coupled to the microdisplay IC. Thermal expansion characteristics of the base may be substantially similar to thermal expansion characteristics of the protective cover. According to some embodiments, at least one set of imaging elements is fabricated on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a base is affixed to a lower surface of the semiconductor substrate to generate substantially negligible mechanical stress between the semiconductor substrate and the base.
US08044429B2 Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A light-emitting device including a light-emitting element and a substrate where the light-emitting element is arranged. A housing part housing the light-emitting element and having a shape that is tapered upward from the substrate and a metal frame surrounding the light-emitting element and including the side face of the housing part made into an almost mirror-polished surface are provided on the substrate.
US08044420B2 Light emitting diode package structure
The present invention relates to a method for forming a package structure for a light emitting diode (LED) and the LED package structure thereof. By employing the same sawing process to cut through the trenches of the leadframe, the package units are singulated and different lead portions are simultaneously separated from each other in each package unit. Therefore, the overflow issues of the encapsulant can be avoided without using extra taping process.
US08044415B2 Lighting structure comprising at least one light-emitting diode, method for making same and uses thereof
A luminous structure based on light-emitting diodes, which includes: a first dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a first electrode; a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces the first electrode and lies in a different plane; at least a first light-emitting diode including a semiconductor chip including, on first and second opposed faces, first and second electrical contacts, the first electrical contact being electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrical contact being electrically connected to the second electrode, and at least the first element at least partly transmitting radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible.
US08044413B2 Loudspeaker system for motor vehicles utilizing cavities formed by supporting structures
In order to produce a powerful bass, bass boxes require a relatively large installation volume, for which insufficient space is frequently available in the interior of a motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger motor vehicle. When drivers and front-seat passengers require the sound installation to have a powerful bass, a bass box requires a volume in the order of magnitude of at least 10 to 15 liters. In order to restrict the physical space which is required for this purpose in the vehicle interior, the active sound transducer of the loudspeaker system is acoustically coupled on its rear face to a resonant area which is formed at least in parts by the cavity within a supporting structure of the vehicle. In this case, the sound transducer is acoustically coupled in the area surrounding an area of the vehicle in which at least two elements of the supporting structure meet one another, such that at least a portion of the resonant area is jointly formed by the cavities in these at least two elements of the supporting structure.
US08044410B2 White light-emitting diode and its light conversion layer
The present invention discloses a white light-emitting diode based on In—Ga—N nitride heterojunction is characterized by that the light-emitting diode has primary blue light emission of a specific wavelength and a light conversion layer so as to generate white light. Further, the present invention also discloses a light conversion layer and its fluorine oxygen garnet phosphor powder.
US08044409B2 III-nitride based semiconductor structure with multiple conductive tunneling layer
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a conductive carrier-tunneling layer over and contacting the substrate. The conductive carrier-tunneling layer includes first group-III nitride (III-nitride) layers having a first bandgap, wherein the first III-nitride layers have a thickness less than about 5 nm; and second III-nitride layers having a second bandgap lower than the first bandgap, wherein the first III-nitride layers and the second III-nitride layers are stacked in an alternating pattern. The semiconductor structure is free from a III-nitride layer between the substrate and the conductive carrier-tunneling layer. The semiconductor structure further includes an active layer over the conductive carrier-tunneling layer.
US08044402B2 Amorphous insulator film and thin-film transistor
An amorphous insulator film is provided which is composed of silicon (Si) oxide, in which the amorphous insulator film includes Ar and an amount of Ar included therein is equal to or larger than 3 at. % in terms of atomic ratio with respect to Si.
US08044397B2 Semiconductor device having light emitting element, integrated circuit and adhesive layer
To realize a high-performance liquid crystal display device or light-emitting element using a plastic film. A CPU is formed over a first glass substrate and then, separated from the first substrate. A pixel portion having a light-emitting element is formed over a second glass substrate, and then, separated from the second substrate. The both are bonded to each other. Therefore, high integration can be achieved. Further, in this case, the separated layer including the CPU serves also as a sealing layer of the light-emitting element.
US08044383B2 Thin P-type gallium nitride and aluminum gallium nitride electron-blocking layer free gallium nitride-based light emitting diodes
A light emitting diode (LED) having a p-type layer having a thickness of 100 nm or less, an n-type layer, and an active layer, positioned between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, for emitting light, wherein the LED does not include a separate electron blocking layer.
US08044376B2 Devices and methods for protection against exposure to electromagnetic radiation
The present invention provides devices and methods that protect against exposure to remote sources of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). As such, the devices provide protection against a plurality of electrical equipment used in ordinary households and employment settings. The device includes a housing, a solenoid operably connected to a driver and a polymer. The solenoid generates incident radiation which results in the polymer emitting electromagnetic oscillations at frequencies that counter adverse effects associated with the subject's exposure to the electromagnetic radiation.
US08044373B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed having a projection system housing supporting internally one or more lens elements, and a movement damper connected to the projection system housing, the movement damper configured to damp movement of the projection system housing at an eigenfrequency of at least one of the one or more lens elements and/or of the projection system housing.
US08044368B2 Lens coil cooling of a magnetic lens
A magnetic lens for a charged particle beam device and a charged particle beam device are provided. The magnetic lens includes a coil with coil windings to be excited for generation of a magnetic field, a pole piece to guide the magnetic field, a heat shield, which is connected to a cooling system, and a thermal insulation layer provided between the heat shield and the coil.
US08044363B2 UV detection devices and methods
A portable UV detection apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the UV detection apparatus includes a UV detection device integrated with a skin type measuring device. A controller can be included in the apparatus that is in communication with the skin type measuring device and the UV detection device. The controller can provide information to the user regarding the amount of ultraviolet radiation present in the environment. In an alternative embodiment, the UV detection apparatus includes a UV detection device in conjunction with a light sensor. The light sensor can be configured to activate the UV detection device should light at a particular intensity be present in the environment. The UV detection device as described above can be configured to measure UVA radiation, UVB radiation, and/or UVC radiation.
US08044360B2 Radiation detector
The present invention provides a radiation detector that can suppress a deterioration of image quality of a radiation image while suppressing the size of the radiation detector. Namely, a conductive layer configured by a conductive member is disposed at a portion that corresponds to at least the back side of the peripheral edge portion of a bias electrode, on the surface of an insulating substrate.
US08044355B2 System and method for viewing an area using an optical system positioned inside of a dewar
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for viewing an area includes a dewar and an optical system positioned within the dewar. The dewar permits operation of the flux detector at cryogenic temperatures, in some embodiments. The optical system includes an infrared radiation system capable of focusing one or more light beams. The inclusion of the optical system within the cryogenic space of the dewar allows reduction of the overall system length and weight, if desired.
US08044349B2 Mass spectrometer
A mass spectrometer includes a linear multipole electrode, an auxiliary electrode that applies a DC potential on the center axis of the linear multipole electrode, and a DC power supply that supplies a DC power to the auxiliary electrode. The DC potential slope formed on the center axis of the multipole electrode is changed according to the measuring condition. The ejection time of ions can be adjusted optimally by adjusting the potential slope so as to satisfy the measuring condition. If the ejection time of ions is shortened, confusion of different ion information items that might otherwise occur on a spectrum can be avoided. If the ejection time of ions is lengthened, detection limit exceeding can be avoided and ions can be measured efficiently, thereby highly efficient ion measurements are always assured.
US08044343B2 Gas analyzer
A plurality of molecule components included in a gas are to be ionized at the same time by PI method. For instance, a plurality of molecule components included in a gas generated at a certain instance are accurately analyzed in real time based on PI method. A gas analyzer is provided with a gas transfer apparatus for transferring a gas generated from a sample in a sample chamber to an analyzing chamber; an ionizer for ionizing the gas; a quadruple filter for separating ions by mass/charge ratio; and an ion detector for detecting the separated ions. The ionizer is provided with an ionizing region arranged in the vicinity of a gas exhaust of the gas transfer apparatus, and a lamp for applying light on the ionizing region. Since the lamp outputs light which has light directivity lower than that of a laser beam and travels by spreading, the gas entered the ionizing region in the ionizer receives light in a wide range, and the gas components inside are ionized at the same time.
US08044340B2 Encoder and light receiving device for encoder
An encoder is provided in which the absolute angle can be detected with high accuracy even when the irradiated position of light to be detected with respect to a scale is displaced from a reference, and a photodetecting device for an encoder used for such an encoder. In the encoder 1, by passing light to be detected through a straight-line light transmitting portion 17, a bright portion 19 to which the light to be detected is irradiated is formed in an area of a scale plate 11 containing mutually separate parts of arranged lines L1 and L2 and also a dark portion 20 to which no light to be detected is irradiated is formed in the other area.
US08044332B2 Hybrid architecture active wavefront sensing and control system, and method
According to various embodiments, provided herein is an optical system and method that can be configured to perform image analysis. The optical system can comprise a telescope assembly and one or more hybrid instruments. The one or more hybrid instruments can be configured to receive image data from the telescope assembly and perform a fine guidance operation and a wavefront sensing operation, simultaneously, on the image data received from the telescope assembly.
US08044327B2 Dynamic temperature sensor device
Temperature sensor device inserted into a radiant heater (1) that incorporates at least one heating resistance (2) and is adapted to a glass ceramic cooking hob (4), comprising a film-type resistive sensor element (11) with metal wires (12) for its connection to terminals (18) and a support element (13) that passes through the radiant heater (1), at least in part. The sensor element (11) is inserted into the free end of said support element (13) so that the top and bottom faces are exposed in relation to said support element (13), and the sensor device also comprises an insulating element (14) disposed beneath the sensor element (11), separated from the support element (13) at least in the area in which the sensor device passes through the radiant heater (1).
US08044325B1 Wet wipe heating system
A wet wipe heating system includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall. An inner compartment is positioned within the housing and includes a lower wall and a peripheral wall. The inner compartment is spaced from the housing and a receiving space having water therein is defined between the inner compartment and housing. A heat emitter is positioned within the receiving space and heats the water. A thermostat is in thermal communication with the receiving space and is electrically coupled to the heat emitter to turn the heat emitter on when the water is less than the selected temperature. A cover is hingedly coupled to the housing and is selectively positionable in an open position exposing the inner compartment or in a closed position covering the inner compartment. A plurality of wet wipes is positioned in the inner compartment and heated by the water.
US08044324B2 Solid wire
A solid wire contains C of 0.020 to 0.100 mass percent, Si of 0.25 to 1.10 mass percent, Mn of 1.20 to 1.65 mass percent, P of 0.008 to 0.017 mass percent, S of 0.045 to 0.150 mass percent, O of 0.0050 mass percent or less, N of 0.0050 mass percent or less, wherein P*(O+N)*105≦15 is satisfied, and the remainder including Fe and impurities, wherein the relevant impurities contain Ti of 0.15 mass percent or less, B of 0.0050 mass percent or less, and Cr, Ni, Al, Nb, V, Zr, La and Ce of 0.20 mass percent or less respectively. According to such a configuration, a solid wire is provided, in which while increase in welding cost is controlled to the minimum, stability of wire feed, burn-through resistance, undercut resistance, and crack resistance are excellent, slag and spatter are hardly produced, hardness of weld metal is equal to or higher than that of base metal, and brittle fracture hardly occurs.
US08044310B2 Combination pressure switch
A combination switch including a pressure switch moveable between closed and open positions in response to a working pressure of a fluid, an unloader valve moveable between open and closed positions, a mechanical interconnection between the pressure switch and the unloader valve and operable to move the unloader valve in response to movement of the pressure switch, and a mechanical lever selectively operable to move the pressure switch between the closed and the open position.
US08044309B2 Isolating apparatus for electric power lines and methods for forming and using the same
An isolating apparatus for an electric power line includes an elongate insulator having opposed insulator ends and a pair of electrically conductive end members each secured to a respective one of the insulator ends. At least one of the end members includes a mounting slot that receives its respective one of the insulator ends.
US08044308B2 Electronic balance including linking member connected between fulcrum and electromagnetic force generating apparatus
An electronic balance is provided where precise correction can be carried out by using incorporated weight and the weight and the size can both be reduced. The electronic balance is provided with a main Roberval mechanism R1 for conveying the load of an object to be measured mounted on a scale 16, a first beam 14 to which the main Roberval mechanism R1 is connected, and at the same time, a connection means 43 is connected, a second beam 42 to which the first beam 14 is connected via the connection means 43, and at the same time, an electromagnetic force generating apparatus 17 for generating an electromagnetic force which is balanced with the load of the object to be measured that is conveyed from the first beam 14 is connected, incorporated weight 18 for correction, a sub-Roberval mechanism R2 for conveying the load of the incorporated weight in the vertical direction, and a linking member 44 for conveying the load of the incorporated weight to the second beam 42 via the sub-Roberval mechanism R2, and characterized in that the linking member 44 is connected the second beam 42 on the electromagnetic force generating apparatus 17 side relative to the second fulcrum 41.
US08044293B2 High performance thermoelectric nanocomposite device
A thermoelectric device includes a nanocomposite material with nanowires of at least one thermoelectric material having a predetermined figure of merit, the nanowires being formed in a porous substrate having a low thermal conductivity and having an average pore diameter ranging from about 4 nm to about 300 nm.
US08044292B2 Homogeneous thermoelectric nanocomposite using core-shell nanoparticles
A thermoelectric material comprises core-shell particles having a core formed from a core material and a shell formed from a shell material. In representative examples, the shell material is a material showing an appreciable thermoelectric effect in bulk. The core material preferably has a lower thermal conductivity than the shell material. In representative examples, the core material is an inorganic oxide such as silica or alumina, and the shell material is a chalcogenide semiconductor such as a telluride, for example bismuth telluride. A thermoelectric material including such core-shell particles may have an improved thermoelectric figure of merit compared with a bulk sample of the shell material alone. Embodiments of the invention further include thermoelectric devices using such thermoelectric materials, and preparation techniques. The use of core-shell nanoparticles allows highly uniform nanocomposites to be formed, and embodiments of the invention also includes other materials and devices using core-shell particles.
US08044273B2 Pepper hybrid E 499526
Hybrid pepper cultivar designated ‘E 499526’ which is a Sweetbite type and suitable for covered cultivation and open field, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid pepper cultivar ‘E 499526’ and to the plants of hybrid pepper cultivar ‘E 499526’. The invention also relates to methods for producing a pepper plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the hybrid cultivar ‘E 499526’ with itself or another pepper cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing other pepper cultivars derived from the hybrid ‘E 499526’.
US08044266B2 AXMI-008, a delta-endotoxin gene and methods for its use
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin and delta-endotoxin-associated polypeptides are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin and delta-endotoxin-associated nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS:3, 5, and 7, and the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, 4, and 6, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US08044263B2 Cytokinin oxidase promoter from maize
The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions and methods include expression cassettes and transformed plants and provide for downregulation of cytokinin oxidase in a plant.
US08044262B2 Generation of plants with improved drought tolerance
The present invention is directed to plants that display a pathogen resistance and increased drought tolerance phenotype due to altered expression of a PRDT1 nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with a pathogen resistance and increased drought tolerance phenotype.
US08044261B2 Glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GAT) genes
Proteins are provided herein, including proteins capable of catalyzing the acetylation of glyphosate and other structurally related proteins. Also provided are polynucleotides capable of encoding these proteins, compositions that include one or more of these proteins and/or polynucleotides, recombinant cells and transgenic plants comprising these compounds, diversification methods involving the compounds, and methods of using the compounds. Some of the methods and compounds provided herein can be used to render an organism, such as a plant, resistant to glyphosate.
US08044256B2 Absorbent article having a stable skin care composition
The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a stable skin care composition disposed on its skin-contacting surface. The skin care composition is readily transferable to the skin via normal contact, wearer motion, and/or body heat. Importantly, the skin care composition contains at least one skin care ingredient imparting visible skin benefits to the skin upon transfer to the skin and at least one theological agent for stabilizing the composition such that agglomeration, stratification and/or settling of the composition are minimized. The present invention also relates to a process for making the absorbent articles having a stable skin care composition disposed thereon.
US08044254B2 Process for enhanced olefin production
A processing scheme and arrangement for enhanced olefin production involves cooling or treating an olefin cracking reactor effluent stream by contacting the olefin cracking reactor effluent stream with a quench oil stream in a single contact cooler contact zone to produce a cooled vapor stream and to form a heated quench oil stream. A pressure differential across the single contact cooler is less than about 3.5 kPa. The heated quench oil stream can be subsequently cooled and returned to the single contact cooler.
US08044251B2 Process for the preparation of halo-olefins
Described is a process for preparing a halo-olefin comprising contacting a halogenated hydrocarbon with a metal dehalogenating agent, in a solvent, in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, under conditions sufficient to dehalogenate said halogenated hydrocarbon to produce a product stream comprising said halo-olefin. In one embodiment, the halogenated hydrocarbon is trifluorotrichloroethane and the halo-olefin is chlorotrifluoroethylene.
US08044248B2 Treatment of bisphenol-A residue streams
In a method of reducing the viscosity of a residue stream from the production of bisphenol-A, the residue stream is combined with at least one of (a) a bottoms stream comprising polyalkylaromatic compounds and remaining after the fractionation of an effluent from an aromatics alkylation process to remove monoalkylaromatic compounds, (b) a stream containing at least 90 wt % phenol and (c) a mixture of phenol and said bottoms stream (a) to produce a combined stream.
US08044247B2 Process for the preparation of fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethyl ether
The present invention refers to a process for the preparation of fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl ether (sevoflurane) which includes a step that consists of reacting hexafluoroisopropanol with a formaldehyde equivalent selected among paraformaldehyde or 1,3,5-trioxane, a chlorinating agent selected from the group consisting of oxalyl chloride, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus oxychloride, sulfuryl chloride and thionyl chloride, and a strong acid selected from the group consisting of concentrated or fuming sulfuric acid resulting in the formation of the intermediate sevochlorane which is converted to sevoflurane in a second step which consists of reacting sevochlorane with an alkali metal fluoride, or a linear or branched chain tetra-alkyl quarternary ammonium fluoride in the presence of a sub-stoichiometric quantity of an alkali metal iodide, or a linear or branched alkyl chain tetra-alkyl quarternary ammonium iodide, preferably in a solvent.
US08044245B2 Method for the preparation of optically active 2-sulfonyloxy-1-phenylethanol derivatives
Optically active 2-sulfonyloxy-1-phenylethanol derivative of formula (II) can be prepared easily and selectively by the method of the present invention using an asymmetric reduction of an α-sulfonyloxy acetophenone compound with a rhodium catalyst having petamethylcyclopentadienyl group and a hydrogen donor, and the compound of formula (II) obtained in the inventive method exhibits a higher e.e. (enantiomer excess) value than that of the products in the conventional methods.
US08044244B2 Process for preparing aromatic amines in a fluidized-bed reactor
A process for preparing aromatic amines by catalytic hydrogenation of the corresponding nitro compound in a fluidized-bed reactor, in which a gaseous reaction mixture comprising the nitro compound and hydrogen flows from the bottom upward through a heterogeneous particulate catalyst forming a fluidized bed, wherein the fluidized bed is provided with internals which divide the fluidized bed into a plurality of cells arranged horizontally in the fluidized-bed reactor and a plurality of cells arranged vertically in the fluidized-bed reactor, with the cells having cell walls which are permeable to gas and have openings which ensure an exchange number of the heterogeneous, particulate catalyst in the vertical direction in the range from 1 to 100 liters/hour per liter of reactor volume, is proposed.
US08044236B2 Carboxilic acid derivatives
A compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof or a solvate thereof having an inhibitory action against plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1): wherein R1 represents a C6-10 aryl group; or a substituted C6-10 aryl group, R2 represents a C6-10 aryl group; or a C6-10 aryl group substituted with a group or groups selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, nitro group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a halogenated C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group, a halogenated C1-6 alkoxy group, a phenyl group and carboxy group, X represents —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH— or —N(R3)—C(═O)—, Y represents carboxy group or a bioisostere of carboxy group, R3 represents hydrogen atom, a C1-4 alkyl group or a C7-12 aralkyl group, m represents 0 or 1.
US08044226B2 Process for production of high-purity diaryl carbonate
A high-purity diphenyl carbonate, wherein the diphenyl carbonate is unsubstituted or substituted with a lower hydrocarbon, and has a halogen content of not more than 0.1 ppm, a content of an intermediate boiling point material of not more than 100 ppm, and a content of by-products having a higher boiling point than that of said diphenyl carbonate of not more than 100 ppm. A specific industrially useful process for the production of a high-purity diaryl carbonate in which a diaryl carbonate having low contents of intermediate boiling point and high boiling point impurities is produced is disclosed. As a starting material, a reaction mixture containing an alkyl aryl carbonate obtained through a transesterification reaction between a dialkyl carbonate and an aromatic monohydroxy compound is used. The process in which separation by distillation is carried out uses three distillation columns in a specified order.
US08044224B2 Chiral iridium aqua complex and method for producing optically active hydroxy compound by using the same
The invention relates to a chiral iridium aqua complex of formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each is an aryl group optionally having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a haloalkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carboxyl group and a cyano group, or the like; and wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and each is an alkyl group or the like, as well as the use of such a chiral iridium aqua complex for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation.
US08044213B2 Thiazolyl-benzimidazoles
The invention is directed to compounds of formula (1) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, methods for the preparation thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US08044211B2 P38 MAP kinase inhibitors
Compounds of formula (I) are inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, and are therefore of utility in the treatment of, inter alia, inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and COPD: wherein: G is —N═ or —CH═; D is an optionally substituted divalent mono- or bi-cyclic aryl or heteroaryl radical having 5-13 ring members; R6 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C3 alkyl; P represents hydrogen and U represents a radical of formula (IA); or U represents hydrogen and P represents a radical of formula -A-(CH2)z—X1-L1-Y—NH—CHR1R2 wherein A represents an optionally substituted divalent mono- or bicyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic radical having 5-13 ring members; z, Y, L1, and X1 are as defined in the specification; R1 is a carboxylic acid group (—COOH), or an ester group which is hydrolysable by one or more intracellular esterase enzymes to a carboxylic acid group; and R2 is the side chain of a natural or non-natural alpha amino acid.
US08044209B2 Pyrrolydine derivatives as IAP inhibitors
The present invention relates to novel IAP inhibitor compounds of: Formula (I).
US08044208B2 Imidazole derivatives as inhibitors of TAFIa
The present invention is directed to a compound of formula I: or any stereoisomeric form of the compound of the formula I or a mixture of these forms in any ratio or a physiologically acceptable salt of the compound of the formula I which inhibit the enzyme TAFIa (activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor), and to a process for their preparation and to their use to treat described diseases where the substituents are as described in the specification.
US08044205B2 Process for manufacturing 3(R)-(2-hydroxy-2,2-dithien-2-ylacetoxy)-1-(3-phenoxypropyl)-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide
This present disclosure relates to a process for manufacturing 3(R)-(2-hydroxy-2,2-dithien-2-ylacetoxy)-1-(3-phenoxypropyl)-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide by reacting 2-hydroxy-2,2-dithien-2-ylacetic acid 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3(R)yl ester and 3-phenoxypropyl bromide, wherein the reaction takes place in a solvent or mixtures of solvents having a boiling point from 50° C. to 210° C. and chosen from ketones and cyclic ethers.
US08044204B2 8-methoxy-9H-isothiazolo[5,4-b]quinoline-3,4-diones and related compounds as anti-infective agents
The invention provides compound and salts of Formula I and II, disclosed herein, which includes compounds of Formula A and Formula B: Such compounds possess useful antimicrobial activity. The variables R2, R3, R5, R6, R7, and R9 shown in Formula A and B are defined herein. Certain compounds of Formula I and Formula II disclosed herein are potent and/or selective inhibitors of bacterial DNA synthesis and bacterial replication. The invention also provides antimicrobial compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, containing one or more compounds of Formula I or Formula II and one or more carriers, excipients, or diluents. Such compositions may contain a compound of Formula I or Formula II as the only active agent or may contain a combination of a compound of Formula I or Formula II and one or more other active agents. The invention also provides methods for treating microbial infections in animals.
US08044202B2 Azaspiro derivatives
The present invention is concerned with novel indol-3-yl-carbonyl-azaspiropiperidine derivatives as V1a receptor antagonists, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders and other diseases. In particular, the present invention is concerned with compounds of the general formula (I) wherein R1 to R6, U, V, W, X, Y and Z are as defined in the specification.
US08044199B2 N-formyl hydroxylamines compounds
Novel N-formyl hydroxylamine compounds of formula I: wherein R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or cycloalkyl; R3 is hydrogen, halogen or alkoxy; R4 is pyridazinyl; n is 0 to 3; and wherein one or more of the ring nitrogen heteroatoms of said pyridazinyl is optionally oxidized and their derivatives are disclosed. These N-formyl hydroxylamine compounds inhibit peptidyl deformylase (PDF), an enzyme present in prokaryotes. The compounds are useful as antimicrobials and antibiotics. The compounds of the invention display selective inhibition of peptidyl deformylase versus other metalloproteinases such as MMPs. Methods of preparation and use of the compounds are also disclosed.
US08044198B2 Sirtuin modulating compounds
Provided herein are novel sirtuin-modulating compounds and methods of use thereof. The sirtuin-modulating compounds may be used for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, diseases or disorders related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer, and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benefit from increased mitochondrial activity. Also provided are compositions comprising a sirtuin-modulating compound in combination with another therapeutic agent.
US08044179B2 Methods and compositions for modulating tumor cell activity
Antibodies which target clusterin, a protein involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of carcinoma cells, are identified and characterized. The antibodies may be used to modulate tumour cell activity through binding to clusterin.
US08044178B2 Anti-5T4 antibodies and uses thereof
Anti-5T4 antibodies, anti-5T4 antibody/drug conjugates, and methods for preparing and using the same.
US08044176B2 Carbon nanotube binding peptides
Peptides have been generated that have binding affinity to carbon nanostructures and particularly carbon nanotubes. Peptides of or the invention are generally about twelve amino acids in length. Methods for generating carbon nanotube binding peptides are also disclosed.
US08044171B2 Polyamide molding compound and its use for producing transparent, hot-steam-sterilizable molded parts and extrudates
The invention relates to a polyamide molding material or copolyamide molding material and the use of such a polyamide molding material or copolyamide molding material for producing steam-sterilizable transparent moldings and extrudates. This polyamide molding material is characterized in that it comprises at least one copolyamide formed from 35-42 mol % of bis(4-amino-3-methylcyclohexyl)methane (MACM), 35-42 mol % of isophthalic acid (IPS) and 16-30 mol % of laurolactam (LC12). MACM may be replaced up to 50% by bis(4-aminocyclohexyl)-methane (PACM) and IPA up to 50% by terephthalic acid (TPA). The polyamide molding material may also be a blend of copolyamides or a blend of copolyamides with polyamide 12. The relative viscosity (RV) of the polyamide molding material or copolyamide molding material is in any case adjusted to a value which is greater than 1.45. Steam-sterilizable and transparent standard specimens which are produced from such polyamide molding materials or copolyamide molding materials and whose composition corresponds to the transparent moldings and extrudates have a tensile strain at break which, after undergoing at least 140 and especially preferably at least 350 steam sterilization cycles, is above the stretching limit.
US08044155B2 Titanocene-based catalyst system
A catalyst system obtainable by the process comprising the steps of contacting an adduct of formula (I) MgT2.yAlQj(OR″)3-j  (I) wherein T is chlorine, bromine, or iodine; R″ is a linear or branched C1-C10 alkyl radical; y ranges from 1.00 to 0.05; and j ranges from 0.01 to 3.00; with at least one metallocene compound having titanium as central metal and at least one ligand having a cyclopentadienyl skeleton.
US08044148B2 Modified styrene-maleic acid copolymer and use thereof
The present invention relates to a modified styrene-maleic acid copolymer obtained by reacting a carboxylic acid group in a styrene-maleic acid copolymer with a halogen and/or epoxy compound. The modified styrene-maleic acid copolymer is useful as a low profile additive for a thermosetting resin, a water-absorbing material, etc.
US08044129B2 Aqueous binder for inorganic fiber and thermal and/or acoustical insulation material using the same
Provided is an aqueous binder for inorganic fibers, which is formaldehyde-free, has excellent strength, and is suitable for use under conditions of weakly acidic to weakly basic, and by which a cured product composed of the binder having excellent strength is obtained, and an thermal and/or acoustical insulation material made of inorganic fiber using the same. The thermal and/or acoustical insulation material is molded by using an aqueous binder for inorganic fibers including: an acrylic resin with an acid value of 350 to 850 mgKOH/g; a crosslinking agent containing at least one dialkanolamine; and a curing accelerator, in which a molar ratio of the total number of the hydroxyl groups and imino groups in the crosslinking agent to the total number of carboxyl groups in the acrylic resin is 0.8:1 to 1.5:1, and in which pH of the binder is adjusted to 6.0 to 8.0 with a volatile basic compound.
US08044120B2 Ionic liquids for solubilizing polymers
The present invention relates to a liquid composition which comprises at least one polymer and at least one ionic liquid, the cations of which are derived from polycyclic amidine bases, and a process for isolating cellulose from cellulose-containing sources using at least one such ionic liquid.
US08044108B2 Porous polymer blend structures
A porous polymer blend, and a method of producing a porous polymer blend from at least two immiscible polymers. The at least two immiscible polymer being blended together and exhibiting the absence of complete phase separation. The method of producing a porous polymer blend comprising: forming a liquid composition comprising at least two immiscible polymers dissolved in a common solvent; subjecting the liquid composition to a reduction in temperature to cause at least two immiscible polymers to phase separate into a common polymer rich phase and a common polymer poor phase; solidifying the at least two immiscible polymers in the common polymer rich phase so as to avoid complete phase separation of the at least two immiscible polymers; and removing the common polymer pore phase to provide a blend of the at least two immiscible polymers having a porous morphology.
US08044107B2 Method of producing an embedded recycled container sheet
A method of producing an embedded recycled container sheet includes: (a) providing a plurality of empty recycled plastic containers; (b) flattening the plurality of empty recycled plastic containers to reduce their width by at least 80%; (c) providing a base substrate of plastic; (d) placing the plurality of flattened, empty recycled plastic containers on the base substrate; and, (e) applying a molten top layer of plastic on the plurality of flattened, empty recycled plastic containers and on the base substrate, and cooling the molten top layer, so as to embed the plurality of empty recycled plastic containers between the top layer and the base substrate. A method of producing product from the resulting sheet involves creating the product using a processing step selected from the group consisting of molding, casting, cutting, machining, and combinations of these.
US08044103B2 Cyclic dipeptides and azetidinone compounds and their use in treating CNS injury and neurodegenerative disorders
The present invention provides 4-substituted-2-azetidinone compounds, bicyclic 2-5-diketopiperazine compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that are potent, safe and effective neuroprotective agents. Due to their strong central nervous system (CNS) activity, the compounds can be used to enhance memory and to treat a variety of neurological disorders. The compounds are particularly useful for treating neurological disorders caused by, or associated with, CNS trauma.
US08044087B2 Hepatitis C virus inhibitors
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors having the general formula are disclosed. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit HCV are also disclosed.
US08044085B2 Active agent combinations with insecticidal and acaricidal properties
The invention relates to novel active compound combinations of certain having very good insecticidal and acaricidal properties and containing (a) cyclic ketoenols having the formula in which the groups W, X, Y, Z, A, B, D, and G have the meanings given in the disclosure, and (b) the active compounds (1) to (29) listed in the disclosure.
US08044081B2 Aminoderivative of biotin and their conjugates with macrocyclic chelating agents
Formula (I) compounds are described where the groups are as defined here below, processes for their preparation, and their uses for the preparation of conjugates with radionuclides for use in human and animal therapy and diagnostics, particularly for the diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions such as tumours.
US08044079B2 Substituted oxindole derivatives, medicaments containing said derivatives and use thereof
The invention relates to novel oxindole derivative of general formula (I), wherein the substituents R1, R2, A, B, and Y are defined as in Claim 1. The invention further relates to medicaments containing said derivatives, and use thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of vasopressin-dependent diseases.
US08044078B2 Amino-alkyl amide derivatives as CCR3 receptor ligands
The invention relates to a compound of the general formula (I), as defined herein which is useful for the treatment of a pathology in a patient wherein a CCR3 receptor plays a role in the development of the pathology, and pharmaceutical preparations containing such compound. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing the compound of the general formula (I), and intermediate useful in the preparation.
US08044077B2 Alpha-(N-sulfonamido)acetamide compounds incorporating deuterium as inhibitors of beta amyloid peptide production
The present disclosure provides novel deuterated alpha-(N-sulfonamido)acetamide compounds, their pharmaceutical composition, processes thereof and a method for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, head trauma, traumatic brain injury, and/or dementia pugilistica and/or other conditions associated with β-amyloid peptide.
US08044075B2 IL-8 receptor antagonists
This invention relates to novel compounds, compositions and combinations thereof, useful in the treatment of disease states mediated by the chemokine, Interleukin-8 (IL-8).
US08044072B2 Pyrrole derivatives, preparation thereof and therapeutic use thereof
The invention relates to compounds having the formula (I): Wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 and A-R9 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are the preparative methods for the compounds of formula (I) and their use in therapy.
US08044067B2 Isoquinolines as IGF-1R inhibitors
Compounds of the formula (I): were synthesized. In at least one embodiment, they were found to down-regulate or inhibit the expression or function of the IGF-1 receptor.
US08044064B2 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.
US08044063B2 Quinazoline derivatives useful as anti-tumor medicament
The present invention relates to quinazoline derivatives of the formula (I) useful as anti-tumor medicaments, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the definition of the substituents R1, R1′, R2, R2′ are as defined in the description. It also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing same, and a method for the preparation of quinazoline derivatives of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08044061B2 8-alkynylxanthines and derivatives
Disclosed are novel compounds of the general formula (Ia), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, isomers, diastereomers or enantiomers thereof and their use as medicines, for example in the treatment of dopamine-related movement disorders.
US08044055B2 2-phenyl-6-aminocarbonyl-pyrimidine derivatives and their use as P2Y12 receptor
The invention relates to 2-phenyl-6-aminocarbonyl-pyrimidine derivatives and their use as P2Y12 receptor antagonists in the treatment and/or prevention and/or treatment of peripheral vascular, of visceral-, hepatic- and renal-vascular, of cardiovascular and of cerebrovascular diseases or conditions associated with platelet aggregation, including thrombosis in humans and other mammals. Formula (I).
US08044052B2 Biaryl ether urea compounds
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; processes for the preparation of the compounds; intermediates used in the preparation of the compounds; compositions containing the compounds; and uses of the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity.
US08044047B2 5-substituted benzoxazines
The present invention is concerned with 5-substituted benzoxazine derivatives of formula (I) wherein X, R1 and R2 are as described herein, as well as their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them. Compounds of the present invention are 5-HT5A receptor antagonists, and are useful in the prevention and/or treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, panic disorders, agoraphobia, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, pain, memory disorders, dementia, disorders of eating behaviors, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders, abuse of drugs, motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disorders or gastrointestinal disorders.
US08044045B2 Indazole-carboxamide compounds as 5-HT4 receptor agonists
The invention provides novel indazole-carboxamide 5-HT4 receptor agonist compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat diseases associated with 5-HT4 receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08044042B2 Thienotriazolodiazepine compound and medicinal use thereof
A thienotriazolodiazepine compound of the following formula (I) a pharmaceutical agent containing the compound as an active ingredient, and a production intermediate and a production method of the thienotriazolodiazepine compound. Since this compound has an inhibitory action on costimulatory signal from CD28 on T cell, it is useful for the prophylaxis or suppression of rejection reaction in transplantation of organ or bone marrow and the like, and the prophylaxis or treatment of autoimmune diseases or allergic diseases.
US08044040B2 N-heterocyclic inhibitors of TNF-alpha expression
N-heterocyclic compounds that block cytokine production via inhibition of p38 kinase are disclosed. In one embodiment, compounds of the present invention are represented by Formula (I): Methods of production, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating conditions associated with inappropriate p38 kinase activity or TNF-α expression utilizing compounds of the present invention are also disclosed.
US08044029B2 Sulfatides for treatment of autoimmune disorders
Disclosed herein are methods for the treatment of autoimmune or immune related diseases or disorders. Also disclosed are methods for treating such autoimmune or immune related diseases or disorders with the administration of sulfatides. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating autoimmune or immune related diseases or disorders by administering an amount of a sulfatide to the body of a patient effective to reduce or prevent the symptoms of the autoimmune or immune related disease or disorder.
US08044026B2 Composition for promoting cartilage formation or repair comprising a NELL gene product and method of treating cartilage-related conditions using such composition
Provided herein are a composition for promoting cartilage formation or regeneration comprising a NELL gene product and a method of treating cartilage-related conditions using such a composition.
US08044015B2 3-chloro 1,1,1,6,6,6-hexafluoro-2,4-hexadiene and solvent compositions containing the same
Disclosed are compositions and systems having utility in numerous situations, including in particular solvent cleaning systems, as well as refrigerant lubricants and/or compatibilizing agents, and to methods which utilize such compositions and systems. More particularly, the present invention in preferred aspects is directed to solvents, blowing agents, heat transfer fluids and compatibilizing agents comprising the compound 3-chloro-1,1,1,6,6,6-hexafluoro-2,4-hexadiene.
US08044014B2 Liquid and stable oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion with a vegetable oil or mineral oil base
A water-in-oil (w/o) or oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion consists of an oily phase that includes one or more oils of vegetable and/or mineral origin, and/or synthesis oils, at least one non-ionic and/or anionic emulsifying surfactant, and an aqueous phase that includes water, characterized in that the aqueous phase includes at least one phyllosilicate, so as to obtain a fluid and stable emulsion over time. The use, the process for preparation, a concentrate of the above-mentioned emulsion as well as its process for production are also described.
US08044013B2 Use of metal complex compounds as oxidation catalysts
The present invention relates to the use of metal complex compounds with terpyridine ligands as oxidation catalysts. The present invention relates also to formulations comprising such metal complex compounds, to novel metal complex compounds, and to novel ligands. The metal complex compounds are used especially tor improving the action of peroxides, for example in the treatment of textile material, without at the same time causing any appreciable damage to fibres and dyeings.
US08044010B2 Azeotropic compositions comprising fluorinated compounds for cleaning applications
The present invention relates to compositions comprising fluorinated olefins or fluorinated ketones, and at least one alcohol, halocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon, or fluoroether and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, these compositions are azeotropic or azeotrope-like. In another embodiment, these compositions are useful in cleaning applications as a degreasing agent or defluxing agent for removing oils and/or other residues from a surface.
US08044006B2 Composition comprising perfluoropolyether
A composition is disclosed which comprises an aryl perfluoropolyether, optionally a halogenated oil, and further optionally a thickening agent. The composition can be used as a lubricant itself or as an additive to an oil or grease lubricant and can withstand temperatures higher than 300° C. without decomposition. The halogenated oil can be a perfluoropolyether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, or combinations of two or more thereof. The thickening agent can be finely divided silica, boron nitride, clay, soap, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), clay, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof.
US08044005B2 Lubricant composition and sealed bearing thereof
A rolling bearing, for use in household appliances, having a high degree of quietness, an excellent durability at high temperatures and rotational speeds, a low torque, and excellent fretting property; and a lubricant composition which can be sealed into the rolling bearing. The lubricant composition includes a base oil and a thickening agent. The base oil is a mixed oil having the following characteristics of (a) to (c): (a) The base oil consists essentially of a synthetic hydrocarbon oil and an ester oil; (b) A kinematic viscosity of the mixed oil at 40° C. is 40 to 70 mm2/second; (c) A mixing weight ratio between the ester oil of the mixed oil and the synthetic hydrocarbon oil thereof is 30:70 to 70:30. The thickening agent comprises a diurea compound shown by a formula (1): where R1 and R3 are a straight-chain alkyl groups having 9 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, and R2 is an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms. The lubricant composition is sealed into the rolling bearing.
US08044001B2 Solid zirconium-based cross-linking agent and use in oil field applications
A solid zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared comprising zirconium and hydroxyalkylated ethylene diamine ligand. Use of the cross-linking agent in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones is also disclosed.
US08043999B2 Stabilizing biphasic concentrates through the addition of small amounts of high molecular weight polyelectrolytes
This invention relates to compositions and methods of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore including providing a treatment composition comprising a rheological polymer, a partitioning agent, a charged polyelectrolyte, and a first liquid medium, forming a stabilized heterogeneous mixture comprising a dispersed rheological polymer-rich phase and a partitioning agent-rich phase, and injecting the treatment fluid into the well bore. The invention relates to methods and compositions for preparing a well treatment fluid, including mixing polyethylene glycol partitioning agent, a charged polyelectrolyte, a first aqueous medium, and one or more rheological polymers selected from the group consisting of guar, modified guar, cellulose, modified cellulose, heteropolysaccharide, heteropolysaccharide derivative, or polyacrylamide, to hydrate the one or more polymers and form a water-in-water emulsion, and mixing the water-in-water emulsion with a second aqueous medium to form a well treatment fluid.
US08043998B2 Method for treating a fractured formation with a non-ionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant
The present invention includes compositions and methods of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the formation having at least one fracture, by contacting the fracture with a composition that includes a solvent and a nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant, wherein the composition interacts with at least a portion of the proppants in the fracture.
US08043997B2 Lost circulation material formulation and method of use
A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging small fissures and large fractures and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The material has an optimized bimodal particle distribution and optionally has a polymer flocculent or water swellable polymer.
US08043993B2 Two-sided thermal wrap around label
In an embodiment, an image element having a thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof is provided. The image element may further include an adhesive for attaching to an object such as a pharmaceutical container. Information about the object may be thermally printed on the image element.
US08043985B2 Crystallized glass, and method for producing crystallized glass
Provided are SiO2—Al2O3-based or Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2-based crystallized glass which has various properties intrinsic to the crystallized glass of the type and which contains an arsenic component or an antimony component in an amount as small as possible or does not contain an arsenic component and an antimony component; and a method for producing the crystallized glass. The crystallized glass contains components of SiO2 and Al2O3 (as oxides) and contains an SnO2 component (as oxide) and/or a CeO2 component (as oxide). Preferably, the glass contains from 0.01 to 5.0% (as oxide) of an SnO2 component and/or from 0.01 to 5.0% (as oxide) of a CeO2 component.
US08043973B2 Mask overhang reduction or elimination after substrate etch
A method of forming IC devices includes providing a substrate and forming a patterned masking layer including at least one masked region having at least one masking layer, and a feature region bounded by the masking layer. Etching forms an etched feature in the substrate, wherein undercutting during the etching forms at least one mask overhang region over a surface portion of the etched feature that is recessed relative to an outer edge of the masking layer. A pullback etch process exclusive of any additional patterning step laterally etches the masking layer. The conditions for the pullback etch retain at least a portion of the masking layer and reduce a length of the mask overhang region by at least 50%, or eliminate the mask overhang region entirely. The etched feature is then filled after the pullback etch process to form a filled etched feature.
US08043971B2 Plasma processing apparatus, ring member and plasma processing method
[Problem to be Solved] In a plasma processing apparatus for executing a process using plasma, promoting the sharing of an apparatus in executing a plurality of different processes and plasma states amongst apparatuses in executing same processes in a plurality of apparatuses are provided.[Solution] A ring member formed of an insulating material is disposed to surround a to-be-treated substrate in a processing vessel and an electrode is installed in the ring member for adjusting a plasma sheath region. For example, a first DC voltage is applied to the electrode when a first process is performed on the to-be-treated substrate and a second DC voltage is applied to the electrode when a second process is performed on the to-be-treated substrate. In this case, the plasma state can be matched by applying an appropriate DC voltage according to each process or each apparatus executing the same process. Therefore, the sharing of an apparatus can be promoted and the plasma state can be readily adjusted.
US08043966B2 Method for monitoring patterning integrity of etched openings and forming conductive structures with the openings
Disclosed are embodiments of a method that both monitors patterning integrity of etched openings (i.e., ensures that lithographically patterned and etched openings are complete) and forms on-chip conductive structures (e.g., contacts, interconnects, fuses, anti-fuses, capacitors, etc.) within such openings. The method embodiments incorporate an electro-deposition process to provide both the means by which pattern integrity of etched openings can be monitored and also the metallization required for the formation of conductive structures within the openings. Specifically, during the electro-deposition process, electron flow is established by applying a current to the back side of the semiconductor wafer, thus, eliminating the need for a seed layer. Electron flow through the wafer and into the electroplating solution is then monitored and used as an indicator of electroplating in the etched openings and, thereby, as an indicator that the openings are completely etched.
US08043958B1 Capping before barrier-removal IC fabrication method
Methods of forming a capping layer on conductive lines in a semiconductor device may be characterized by the following operations: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a dielectric layer having (i) exposed conductive lines (e.g., copper lines) disposed therein, and (ii) an exposed barrier layer disposed thereon; and (b) depositing a capping layer material on at least the exposed conductive lines of the semiconductor substrate. In certain embodiments, the method may also involve removing at least a portion of a conductive layer (e.g., overburden) disposed over the barrier layer and conductive lines to expose the barrier layer.
US08043956B2 Wire bonding on reactive metal surfaces of a metallization of a semiconductor device by providing a protective layer
In semiconductor devices having a copper-based metallization system, bond pads for wire bonding may be formed directly on copper surfaces, which may be covered by an appropriately designed protection layer to avoid unpredictable copper corrosion during the wire bond process. A thickness of the protection layer may be selected such that bonding through the layer may be accomplished, while also ensuring a desired high degree of integrity of the copper surface.
US08043943B2 Low-temperature formation of polycrystalline semiconductor films via enhanced metal-induced crystallization
A method for forming polycrystalline semiconductor film from amorphous semiconductor film at reduced temperatures and/or accelerated rates. The inclusion of a small percentage of semiconductor material, such as 2% within the metal layer, reduces the temperatures required for crystallization of the amorphous semiconductor by at least 50° C. in comparison to the use of the metal layer without the small percentage of semiconductor material. During a low temperature isothermal annealing process adjacent Al-2% Si and a-Si films undergo a layer exchange resulting in formation of a continuous polycrystalline silicon film having good physical and electrical properties. Formation of polycrystalline-semiconductor in this manner is suitable for use with low temperature substrates (e.g., glass, plastic) as well as with numerous integrated circuit and MEMs fabrication devices and practices.
US08043942B2 Method for producing core-shell nanowires, nanowires produced by the method and nanowire device comprising the nanowires
Disclosed is a method for producing core-shell nanowires in which an insulating film is previously patterned to block the contacts between nanowire cores and nanowire shells. According to the method, core-shell nanowires whose density and position is controllable can be produced in a simple manner. Further disclosed are nanowires produced by the method and a nanowire device comprising the nanowires. The use of the nanowires leads to an increase in the light emitting/receiving area of the device. Therefore, the device exhibits high luminance/efficiency characteristics.
US08043933B2 Integration sequences with top surface profile modification
Embodiments of the present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for processing semiconductor substrates. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for forming shallow trench isolations having recesses with rounded bottoms. One embodiment of the present invention comprises forming a recess in a filled trench structure by removing a portion of a material from the filled trench structure and rounding bottom corners of the recess. Rounding bottom corners is performed by depositing a conformal layer of the same material filled in the trench structure over the substrate and removing the conformal layer of the material from sidewalls of the recess.
US08043916B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor device having multiple gate insulating layer
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having first and second regions, forming a mask layer pattern on the second region, growing an oxidation retarding layer on the first region and removing the mask layer pattern. The method further includes growing a silicon oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate to form gate insulating layers having different thicknesses from one another on the first and second regions.
US08043915B2 Pitch multiplied mask patterns for isolated features
Crisscrossing spacers formed by pitch multiplication are used as a mask to form isolated features, such as contacts vias. A first plurality of mandrels are formed on a first level and a first plurality of spacers are formed around each of the mandrels. A second plurality of mandrels is formed on a second level above the first level. The second plurality of mandrels is formed so that they cross, e.g., are orthogonal to, the first plurality of mandrels, when viewed in a top down view. A second plurality of spacers is formed around each of the second plurality of mandrels. The first and the second mandrels are selectively removed to leave a pattern of voids defined by the crisscrossing first and second pluralities of spacers. These spacers can be used as a mask to transfer the pattern of voids to a substrate. The voids can be filled with material, e.g., conductive material, to form conductive contacts.
US08043914B2 Methods of fabricating flash memory devices comprising forming a silicide on exposed upper and side surfaces of a control gate
Provided are methods of fabricating flash memory devices that may prevent a short circuit from occurring between cell gate lines. Methods of fabricating such flash memory devices may include forming gate lines including a series of multiple cell gate lines and multiple selection gate lines. Each gate line may include a stacked structure of a tunnel insulating layer, a floating gate, a gate insulating layer, and/or a polysilicon layer operable to be a control gate, all formed on a semiconductor substrate. Methods may include forming a first insulating layer that selectively fills gaps between the cell gate lines from the bottom up and between adjacent ones of the cell gate lines and the selection gate lines, and does not fill a space located on outer sides of the selection gate lines that are opposite the plurality of cell gate lines. A spacer may be formed on the outer sides of the selection gate lines that are opposite to the cell gate lines, after forming the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer may be formed in a space where the spacer is formed.
US08043909B2 Porous semiconductive film and process for its production
The present invention provides a porous semiconductive structure, characterized in that the structure has an electrical conductivity of 5·10−8 S·cm−1 to 10 S·cm−1, and an activation energy of the electrical conductivity of 0.1 to 700 meV, and a solid fraction of 30 to 60% by volume, and a pore size of 1 nm to 500 nm, the solid fraction having at least partly crystalline doped constituents which are bonded to one another via sinter necks and have sizes of 5 nm to 500 nm and a spherical and/or ellipsoidal shape, which comprise the elements silicon, germanium or an alloy of these elements, and also a process for producing a porous semiconductive structure, characterized in that A. doped semimetal particles are obtained, and then B. a dispersion is obtained from the semimetal particles obtained after step A, and then C. a substrate is coated with the dispersion obtained after step B, and then D. the layer obtained after step C is treated by means of a solution of hydrogen fluoride in water, and then E. the layer obtained after step D is treated thermally to obtain a porous semiconductive structure.
US08043906B2 Method of forming a III-nitride selective current carrying device including a contact in a recess
A III-nitride device includes a recessed electrode to produce a nominally off, or an enhancement mode, device. By providing a recessed electrode, a conduction channel formed at the interface of two III-nitride materials is interrupted when the electrode contact is inactive to prevent current flow in the device. The electrode can be a schottky contact or an insulated metal contact. Two ohmic contacts can be provided to form a rectifier device with nominally off characteristics. The recesses formed with the electrode can have sloped sides. The electrode can be formed in a number of geometries in conjunction with current carrying electrodes of the device. A nominally on device, or pinch resistor, is formed when the electrode is not recessed. A diode is also formed by providing non-recessed ohmic and schottky contacts through an insulator to an AlGaN layer.
US08043903B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to the following processes. A first recess is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region on the semiconductor substrate. The active region includes a protruding portion of the semiconductor substrate surrounded by the first recess. The protruding portion has a sloped side surface. A first insulating film that fills the first recess is formed. A gate recess is formed in the active region to form a thin film portion that upwardly extends. The thin film portion is positioned between the gate recess and the first insulating film. The thin film portion is a part of the protruding portion. An upper part of the thin film portion is removed by wet-etching to adjust a height of the thin film portion.
US08043900B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of manufacturing the same
To provide a circuit layout design method that can prevent degradation of the circuit reliability even in highly miniaturized circuit cells.In order to prevent noise from a power supply potential or a reference potential with a large potential difference from affecting a gate electrode and causing a malfunction, a first plug connected to the gate electrode and a second plug to which the power supply potential or the reference potential is supplied are required to be spaced from each other by a distance sufficient for the noise from the power supply potential or the reference potential not to affect the first plug. To this end, among the second plugs placed at equal intervals under the wiring, only the second plug placed at a layout position that is not sufficiently spaced from the first plug is deleted at the time of planar layout design.
US08043899B2 Photosensitive resin composition
A photosensitive resin composition comprising a photosensitive silicone compound of specified molecular weight having any of specified photosensitive substituents and a photopolymerization initiator in any of specified proportions is used. Thus, there can be obtained a resin composition containing a photosensitive silicone compound that provides a material suitable for a rewiring layer or a buffer coat material of LSI chip, less in a film loss between before and after curing and improved in the stickiness of pre-exposure stage. Further, there can be obtained a resin insulating film utilizing the resin composition.
US08043893B2 Thermo-compression bonded electrical interconnect structure and method
An electrical structure and method for forming electrical interconnects. The method includes positioning a sacrificial carrier substrate such that a first surface of a non-solder metallic core structure within the sacrificial carrier substrate is in contact with a first electrically conductive pad. The first surface is thermo-compression bonded to the first electrically conductive pad. The sacrificial carrier substrate is removed from the non-solder metallic core structure. A solder structure is formed on a second electrically conductive pad. The first substrate comprising the non-solder metallic core structure is positioned such that a second surface of the non-solder metallic core structure is in contact with the solder structure. The solder structure is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the solder structure to melt and form an electrical and mechanical connection between the second surface of the non-solder metallic core structure and the second electrically conductive pad.
US08043888B2 Phase change memory cell with heater and method therefor
A method for forming a phase change memory cell (PCM) includes forming a heater for the phase change memory and forming a phase change structure electrically coupled to the heater. The forming a heater includes siliciding a material including silicon to form a silicide structure, wherein the heater includes at least a portion of the silicide structure. The phase change structure exhibits a first resistive value when in a first phase state and exhibits a second resistive value when in a second phase state. The silicide structure produces heat when current flows through the silicide structure for changing the phase state of the phase change structure.
US08043886B2 Methods for manufacturing a contact grid on a photovoltaic cell
Processes for fabricating a contact grid for a photovoltaic cell generally includes providing a photovoltaic cell having an antireflective coating disposed on a sun facing side, the photovoltaic cell comprising a silicon substrate having a p-n junction; soft stamping a pattern of a UV sensitive photoresist and/or polymer onto the antireflective coating; exposing the UV sensitive photoresist and/or polymer to ultraviolet radiation to cure the UV sensitive photoresist and/or polymer; etching the pattern to form openings in the antireflective coating that define the contact grid; stripping the UV sensitive photoresist and/or polymer; and depositing a conductive metal into the openings defined by the pattern. The metal based paste can be aluminum based, which can be annealed at a relatively low temperature.
US08043880B2 Microelectronic device
One embodiment of a microelectronic component system includes a base adapted for supporting a microelectronic component, a membrane sealed to the base, and a glass lid built-up on the membrane and hermetically sealing the membrane.
US08043879B2 Semiconductor light emitting device manufacture method
A semiconductor light emitting device manufacture method is provided which can manufacture a semiconductor light emitting device of high quality. A first substrate of an n-type ZnO substrate is prepared. A lamination structure including an optical emission layer made of ZnO based compound semiconductor is formed on the first substrate. A p-side conductive layer is formed on the lamination structure. A first eutectic material layer made of eutectic material is formed on the p-side conductive layer. A second eutectic material layer made of eutectic material is formed on a second substrate. The first and second eutectic material layers are eutectic-bonded to couple the first and second substrates. After the first substrate is optionally thinned, an n-side electrode is formed on a partial surface of the first substrate.
US08043874B2 Method for coating semiconductor device using droplet deposition
Methods and systems for coating of semiconductor devices using droplets of wavelength conversion or phosphor particles in a liquid medium. A plurality of nozzles delivers a controlled amount of the matrix material to the surface of the semiconductor device, with each of said nozzles having an opening for the matrix material to pass. The opening has a diameter wherein the diameter of the phosphor particles is less than or approximately equal to one half the diameter of the opening. The phosphor particles are also substantially spherical or rounded. The nozzles are typically arranged on a print head that utilizes jet printing techniques to cover the semiconductor device with a layer of the matrix material. The methods and systems are particularly applicable to covering LEDs with a layer of phosphor materials.
US08043870B2 CMP pad thickness and profile monitoring system
In one embodiment a method is provided for maintaining a substrate processing surface. The method generally includes performing a set of measurements on the substrate processing surface, wherein the set of measurements are taken using a displacement sensor coupled to a processing surface conditioning arm, determining a processing surface profile based on the set of measurements, comparing the processing surface profile to a minimum profile threshold, and communicating a result of the profile comparison.
US08043868B2 Method and apparatus for detecting an analyte
A method for determining a concentration of an analyte is provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a conductive region and a recognition layer where the conductive region has a first surface operatively coupled with the recognition layer; The method also includes contacting the substrate with the sample to bind at least some of the analyte that may present in the sample with the recognition layer; The method further includes directing radiation through the conductive region and the recognition layer, where the conductive region comprises at least one particle and a combination of the at least one particle effect when the radiation is directed through the conductive region and the recognition layer; The method still further includes measuring at least a part of a spectrum of the radiation that is absorbed or transmitted by or through the substrate, the at least part of the spectrum being related to one or more of the at least one particle effects; The method further includes determining a change of the at least part of the spectrum as compared with a reference spectrum and determining the concentration of the analyte from the change.
US08043865B2 Metering doses of sample liquids
A device and method of metering and mixing a dose of a sample liquid with a diluent liquid includes introducing a sample liquid into a channel defined in a housing. The housing defines a pocket open to the channel and sized to both collect a metered dose of the sample liquid, and to retain the collected dose by capillary force when the channel is emptied. The sample liquid is then removed from the channel under conditions that enable retention of the collected, metered dose of the sample liquid in the pocket. Following a cleaning step, a volume of diluent liquid is introduced into the channel to induce diffusion and mixing of the diluent liquid with the dose of sample liquid to form a mixture.
US08043862B2 Sample cup for use with x-ray spectroscopy with internal overflow reservoir
A sample cup for retaining a sample material to be subjected to an x-ray spectrochemical analysis. The sample cup comprises a cell body of a cylindrical configuration having an open top end and an open bottom end and defining a hollow between the two open ends, the open top end having an outer wall and an inner wall encircling the open top end. The outer wall and the inner wall extend axially and are positioned in concentric relationship with one another and form an internal reservoir space therebetween.
US08043859B2 Quality control mixture for glycine tablets, a method for preparing the mixture and a method for identifying the mixture
A method is described for preparing a mixture for quality control of 0.1 g glycine tablets for sublingual application. The mixture for quality control includes a 100:0.5 ratio of ethanol to porphyrized tablets, each tablet containing 0.1 g microcapsules of non-agglomerated crystals of amino-acetic acid covered with a polymeric film of water-soluble methylcellulose, each tablet further containing 0.001 g of magnesium stearate. The process for preparing the mixture includes dissolution of the tablet in ethanol for 20 minutes and is carried out at a temperature of 40° C. in an apparatus using a paddle rotation speed of 200 revolutions per minute. After the mixture is dissolved, it is allowed to stand for 10 minutes at room temperature, and then a light transmission coefficient is measured at 700±2 nm for a 10 mm thick layer of the mixture. A transmission value within the limits of 90% to 100% compared with 50% ethanol corresponds to the proper quality.
US08043854B2 Method of decellularizing tissues
In the transplant of a living organism tissue, such as a heart valve, taken from an animal, etc. into a human body, a cell removing solution for removing original cells from the living organism tissue is provided with flow approximately equal to the bloodstream of transplant recipient living body, and the living organism tissue is placed in the flow so as to effect immersion of the living organism tissue in the cell removing solution. In the immersion, it is preferred that the living organism tissue placed in the cell removing solution, while being rotated, be irradiated with microwave. As a result, original cells can be removed from the living organism tissue uniformly and reliably, so that the biocompatibility of living organism tissue after transplant can be enhanced.
US08043850B2 Fluorescent protein and gene encoding the same
The present invention provides a novel fluorescent protein the wavelength of the maximum of the fluorescence of which exists in a wavelength side longer than 510 nm, and which exhibits yellow fluorescence or yellowish green fluorescence and can be expressed in a heterogeneous cell, and a gene encoding the same, wherein the fluorescent protein has an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and it is a fluorescent protein derived from a copepod taxonomically classified to Chiridius Poppei.
US08043846B2 Device and method for contacting picoliter volumes of fluid
The invention features devices for mixing fluids, e.g., for lysing cells, and methods of use thereof. One device is based on the ability to control the flow of fluids, e.g., by contact angle and channel size. Fluids in this device can be divided to form segments of controlled volume, which are then brought together to initiate mixing. An exemplary use of the device is for the lysis of single cells. Another device is based on the ability to two mix two fluids in a channel and affinity capture of analytes. The devices can be integrated on the same chip with other devices, for example, for cell handling or analysis of DNA, mRNA, and proteins released from the lysis of a cell.
US08043829B2 DNA encoding chimeric toxin peptide fusion proteins and vectors and mammalian cells for recombinant expression
Disclosed is a composition of matter comprising a ShK toxin peptide analog, and in some embodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises the composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are DNAs encoding the inventive composition of matter, an expression vector comprising the DNA, and host cells comprising the expression vector. Methods of treating an autoimmune disorder and of preventing or mitigating a relapse of a symptom of multiple sclerosis are also disclosed.
US08043819B2 Method for discrimination of metaplasias from neoplastic or preneoplastic lesions
The present invention relates to a method for discrimination of p16INK4a overexpressing metaplasias from neoplastic or preneoplastic p16INK4a overexpressing lesions by determination of the level of high risk HPV encoded gene-products such as e.g. HPV E2 and/or HPV E7 molecules in biological samples in the course of cytological testing procedures. The method thus enables for reduction of false positive results in the p16INK4a based detection of anogenital lesions in cytological testing procedures.
US08043818B2 Methods for detecting expression of human protease molecules
The invention provides human protease molecules (HUPM) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HUPM. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of HUPM.
US08043808B2 CpG-amplicon and array protocol
The invention can be summarized as follows. There is provided a method for amplifying hypomethylated genomic nucleotide sequences and/or hypermethylated genomic nucleotide sequences and comparing the methylation state between different samples, for example control and test samples. Also disclosed is a microarray based method for analyzing hypo and/or hypermethylated genomic nucleotide sequence. Further, kits comprising reagents for practicing the method are provided.
US08043789B2 Photosensitive compound and photoresist composition including the same
A photosensitive compound whose size is smaller than conventional polymer for photoresist, and which has well-defined (uniform) structure, and a photoresist composition including the same are disclosed. The photosensitive compound represented by the following formula. Also, the present invention provides a photoresist composition comprising 1 to 85 wt % (weight %) of the photosensitive compound; 0.05 to 15 weight parts of a photo-acid generator with respect to 100 weight parts of the photosensitive compound; and 10 to 5000 weight parts of an organic solvent. In the formula, n is 0 or 1, x is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, y is 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, z is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R, R′ and R″ are independently hydrocarbon group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and R′″ is a hydrogen atom or hydrocarbon group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms.
US08043785B2 Carrier, method for producing the same, developer, and image forming method
The present invention provides a method for producing a carrier that includes dissolving at least a coating material in carbon dioxide in a liquid state, and forming a coating layer on a core material surface by reducing the solubility of the liquid with at least the coating material dissolved therein through control of at least any one of the pressure and temperature. The present invention also provides a carrier produced by the method for producing a carrier.
US08043783B2 Process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to imaging members for use in electrostatographic, including digital, apparatuses. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to processes for preparing the substrate of such imaging members that use laser technology.
US08043782B2 Toner for electrophotography
A toner for electrophotography is provided including a binder resin, a coloring agent, a charge controlling agent, and a releasing agent, wherein when the temperature of the toner is in the range from a temperature 40° C. lower than a fixing temperature of the toner to a temperature 10° C. lower than the fixing temperature of the toner, the D Log η*/DT absolute value is 0.02 or more, when the temperature of the toner is in the range from a temperature 10° C. lower than the fixing temperature of the toner to a temperature 10° C. higher than the fixing temperature of the toner, the D Log η*/DT absolute value is 0.005 or less, and the complex viscosity (η*) of the toner at a fixing temperature and an angular velocity of a fixing heat roller is in the range from about 5.0×101 Pa·s to 1.0×102 Pa·s. The toner has excellent fixing properties so that the quality of an image can be stabilized, and cause less contamination.
US08043776B2 Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive support and a photosensitive layer provided on or above the conductive support, the photosensitive layer having an outermost layer comprising a cured product of a composition comprising a curable resin, a surfactant containing a fluorine atom, and a charge transporting organic compound having a specific structure.
US08043773B2 Image bearing member, image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An image bearing member including an electrostatic substrate, a photosensitive layer located overlying the electrostatic substrate, a surface layer located overlying the photosensitive layer, and the surface layer is a cross-linking resin layer in which particulates having a needle form are dispersed and which is formed by curing a monomer having at least three radical polymerizable functional groups without a charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure.
US08043769B2 Direct methanol fuel cell
According to one embodiment, a direct methanol fuel cell includes an anode having a current collector and a catalyst layer formed on the current collector, a cathode having a current collector and a catalyst layer formed on the current collector, and an electrolyte membrane placed between the catalyst layers of the anode and the cathode. The anode-side catalyst layer includes a catalyst and a sheet-like organic compound consisting of a plurality of molecules having an aliphatic cyclic skeleton in which two carbon atoms are bonded to a cationic functional group and an anionic functional group, respectively. The sheet-like organic compound has a layered branch structure in which the molecules are layered by bonding different ions of the aliphatic cyclic skeleton to one another so that the molecules are displaced from one another, and a plurality of units each having the layered branch structure are present in the catalyst layer.
US08043767B2 Multi-layer fuel cell diffuser
An electrochemical fuel cell includes a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) having a cathode face and an anode face. The MEA is between a cathode fluid flow field plate and an anode fluid flow field plate. A diffusion structure is between the MEA and a corresponding fluid flow field plate, which is either the cathode fluid flow field plate or the anode fluid flow field plate. The diffusion structure has a first face in contact with, or adjacent to, the MEA and a second face in contact with, or adjacent to, the corresponding fluid flow field plate. The diffusion structure includes a first layer having a first level of hydrophobicity and a second layer that is hydrophilic. The second layer is adjacent to the corresponding fluid flow field plate, and includes a hydrophilic binder material.
US08043760B2 Electrochemical cell stacks
An electrochemical apparatus having a plurality of ceramic electrochemical cells, a plurality of gas feed members and a plurality of gas discharge members. The electrochemical cell has a first electrode contacting with a first gas, a solid electrolyte layer and a second electrode contacting with a second gas. A gas flow channel for flowing the first gas therethrough, a first through hole and a second through hole are provided in the electrochemical cell. The gas feed member is inserted into the first through hole, the gas discharge member is inserted into the second through hole. The adjacent gas feed members are airtightly coupled to each other thereby forming a gas feed channel, and the adjacent gas discharge members are airtightly coupled to each other thereby forming a gas discharge channel.
US08043759B2 Hydrogen chamber enclosed fuel cell stack and related fuel cell shutdown operation
A product includes a fuel cell stack, and an enclosure apparatus sealingly enclosing the fuel cell stack to define a hydrogen chamber between the fuel cell stack and the enclosure apparatus. An operation of the product may include maintaining a positive pressure of hydrogen in the hydrogen chamber.
US08043758B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a fuel cell system
A method of operating a fuel cell includes the step of selectively connecting and disconnecting the fuel cell to at least one electrical load dependent at least in part upon at least one of a fuel cell voltage, a fuel cell current and a fuel cell temperature.
US08043756B2 Electronic apparatus having fuel cell
An electronic apparatus having a fuel cell which sufficiently supplies air to the fuel cell without a separate air pump or fan. In the electronic apparatus, a cooling fan cools heat-generating parts of an external device having the fuel cell mounted thereon. A guide bracket guides wind of the cooling fan, upon having cooled the heat-generating parts, toward a fuel cell.
US08043749B2 Electrolyte for lithium ion secondary battery and lithium ion secondary battery comprising the same
An electrolyte for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery comprising the electrolyte. The electrolyte comprises a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and at least one aromatic phosphate compound. Exothermic reactions are inhibited in the battery upon overcharge or during high-temperature storage to prevent an increase in the temperature of the battery, resulting in an improvement in safety. In addition, the battery exhibits good swelling stability during high-temperature storage as well as improved cycle life characteristics. The electrolyte further comprises an ethylene carbonate-based compound. The presence of the ethylene carbonate-based compound leads to further improvements in the overcharge safety, high-temperature safety and cycle life characteristics of the battery.
US08043748B2 Pasted nickel hydroxide electrode for rechargeable nickel-zinc batteries
Active material for a positive electrode of a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell is made with nickel hydroxide particles or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles treated with strongly oxidizing reagents such as alkali metal persulfate in alkaline solution. The active material also may be made with cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles having a high percentage of cobalt(III) on a surface or an average cobalt oxidation state of about 3 measured across the particles. The treated nickel hydroxide or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide decreases the cobalt solubility in the alkaline electrolyte and increases the high-rate charge and discharge capability. The lower cobalt solubility decreases cobalt migration that can increase self discharge and lead to premature failure.
US08043738B2 Liquid action substance battery
A liquid action substance battery having its external terminal welded after assembling the battery in which safety of the battery is enhanced by protecting an explosion-proof valve against being torn apart in the subsequent welding work of the external terminal even if the position of a negative pole action substance being press-bonded to the inner surface of the battery can is shifted and that substance is extruded to the bottom face of the battery can. The liquid action substance battery employing an alkaline metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium or its alloy as the negative pole action substance, and an oxyhalide such as thionyl chloride, sulfuryl chloride or phosphoryl chloride in a liquid state at normal temperature as the positive pole action substance, and storing and sealing the negative pole action substance and the positive pole action substance in the bottomed battery, wherein a metal plate is welded to the inner surface at the bottom part of the battery can to form a partial space between them so that welding heat is not transmitted directly to the negative pole action substance when the external terminal is welded.
US08043737B2 Secondary battery and method with electrode tap positioned at short side portion of secondary battery can
A secondary battery and method, with the secondary battery including a can having a polygonal section, and with the can having an opening portion of which one end is opened, and having a short side portion and a long side portion. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly constructed by stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator and a positive electrode plate, with the electrode assembly being wound up in a jelly roll shape, pressed in a predetermined direction, and received in the can. The secondary battery further includes at least one electrode tap connected to a corresponding electrode plate of the electrode assembly and protruded toward an opening portion of the can from an outer circumferential portion of the electrode assembly, at the short side portion of the can.
US08043734B2 Oxidized conformal capping layer
The invention relates to granular perpendicular magnetic recording media with a capping layer comprised of a material having high surface mobility and low surface energy. The capping layer surface is oxidized to produce a passivating surface that is impervious to corrosion.
US08043722B2 Oligomers and polymers
An optionally substituted oligomer or polymer comprising a repeat unit of formula (I); wherein each Ar1 and Ar3 is the same or different and independently represents an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl; n is at least 1; Ar2 represents an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl comprising a linking ring to which the two nitrogen atoms are both directly linked; and at least one of Ar2 and either or both of Ar1 is substituted with at least one substituent.
US08043718B2 Combustion turbine component having rare earth NiCrAl coating and associated methods
A combustion turbine component (10) includes a combustion turbine component substrate (16) and an alloy coating (14) on the combustion turbine component substrate. The alloy coating (14) includes nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), and yttrium (Y). Furthermore, the alloy coating includes at least one of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), and rhenium (Re). The alloy coating also includes at least one rare earth element, and an oxide of at least one of the yttrium (Y) and the at least one rare earth element.
US08043713B2 Compositions and aqueous dispersions
An aqueous dispersion including (A) at least one base polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based co-polymer and a propylene-based co-polymer; (B) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent; and at least one filler; wherein the polymeric stabilizing agent is different from the at least one base polymer and is compatible with the at least one base polymer and the at least one filler, and wherein the dispersion has filler in the range of greater than 0 to about 600 parts per hundred parts of a combined amount of the at least one base polymer and the polymeric stabilizing agent is disclosed.
US08043710B2 Ultra-hydrophilic and antibacterial thin film coated metal product, and it's manufacturing method
The present invention discloses a ultra-hydrophilic and antibacterial thin film coated metal product, and its manufacturing method. In order to easily produce an air conditioning metal material having excellent hydrophilic performance, aging property, corrosion resistance and antibacterial property on an industrial production scale without a special preprocess or postprocess, an anticorrosive thin film is selectively formed on both surfaces of a metal substrate sheet, and an ultra-hydrophilic and antibacterial Ti—(Ag, Cu and/or Co)—O—C group compound thin film is coated on both surfaces of the metal substrate sheet on which the anticorrosive thin film has been or not been formed. The metal substrate sheet is mechanically processed into a target shape.
US08043693B2 Solution containing flame-resistant polymer and carbon molding
A flame-resistant polymer excels in moldability capable of providing a flame-resistant molded item of novel configuration; a relevant flame-resistant polymer solution; a process for easily producing them; a carbon molding from the flame-resistant polymer; and a process for easily producing the same. A flame-resistant polymer is modified with an amine compound. Further, a flame-resistant polymer solution has the polymer dissolved in a polar organic solvent. A flame-resistant molding whose part or entirety is constituted of the flame-resistant polymer modified with an amine compound. A carbon molding was part or entirety constituted of a carbon component resulting from carbonization of the flame-resistant polymer modified with an amine compound. From the solution containing the flame-resistant polymer, moldings of various configurations can be obtained through further work.
US08043675B2 Packaged glass sealants
A packaged glass sealant product, is formed of a sealant composition having a processing temperature in the range of from greater than 70° C. up to 220° C. and a skin of thermoplastic polymeric material around said sealant composition. The skin constitutes no more than 10 wt % of the total weight of said product, and said polymeric material has a minimum film forming temperature of at least 50° C. and a softening point which is lower than the processing temperature for application of said sealant composition by a difference of more than 10° C. The product alleviates the necessity of disposing of non-recyclable, silicone coated packaging by environmentally unfriendly methods in particular land-fill.
US08043671B2 Liquid-crystalline medium and liquid crystal display
Disclosed are a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of dielectrically negative polar compounds of each of formulae I and II and the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in a display with passive matrix addressing, based on a VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect, and such displays.
US08043661B2 Decorative laminate and corresponding production method
A method is described for producing a decorative laminate including: providing a decorative layer, applying a mixture of a thermohardening synthetic resin and hard particles to said layer, pressing the decorative layer and the mixture in a hot press at a press temperature in order to obtain a laminate, the mixture also containing a wax whose melting point is less than approximately 140° C. and/or by more than approximately 50° C. lower than the press temperature. A decorative laminate, a decorative laminate board and a method for producing a decorative prepreg sheet are also disclosed.
US08043650B2 Treatment of animal carcasses
Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C2–C4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C8–C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C2–C4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C8–C12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.
US08043645B2 Method of making beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas
The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present application are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.
US08043638B2 Mutant ILV5 gene and use thereof
The present invention relates to a mutant acetohydroxy-acid reductoisomerase gene (mutant ILV5 gene) and use thereof, in particular, a brewery yeast for producing alcoholic beverages with superior flavor, alcoholic beverages produced with said yeast, and a method for producing said beverages. According to the method for producing alcoholic beverages of the present invention, because of reduction of the production of VDKs, especially DA, which are responsible for off-flavors in products, alcoholic beverages with superior flavor can be produced.
US08043635B2 Bioactive compositions from Theacea plants and processes for their production and use
The present invention relates to isolated bioactive compositions containing bioactive fractions derived from Theacea plants. The present invention also relates to bioactive topical formulations containing the bioactive compositions. The present invention further relates to methods of using the bioactive compositions of the present invention, including, for example, methods for inhibiting inflammatory activity in skin tissue of a mammal, for protecting skin tissue of a mammal from ultraviolet light-induced damage, and for normalizing skin disorders in skin tissue of a mammal. The present invention also relates to methods for isolating bioactive fractions derived from cell juice or a cell walls component a Theacea plant.
US08043627B2 Osteogenic composite matrix, method for the production thereof and implant and scaffold for tissue engineering provided with a coating formed by said osteogenic composite matrix
The invention relates to an osteogenic composite matrix consisting of collagen and non-collagen components of an extracellular matrix (ECM-components), to a method for producing said matrix, to a method for producing an implant or a scaffold for tissue engineering which is provided with a coating formed by said osteogenic composite matrix and is used for stimulating and accelerating a hard tissue formation such as, for example. The implant osseointegration in bones. The inventive osteogenic composite matrix comprises a collagen and at least one non-collagen ECM component or the derivatives thereof, wherein the collagen component consists of non-crosslinked collagen fibers produced by fibrillogenesis and the non-collagen ECM component or the derivatives thereof are integrated into said collagen fibers.
US08043613B2 Podoviriedae bacteriophage having killing activity specific to Staphylococcus aureus
The present invention relates to a novel bacteriophage, more precisely a Podoviridae bacteriophage having killing activity specific to Staphylococcus aureus which is the causing agent of infectious disease in human and animals, a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of the disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus, an antibiotic and a disinfectant containing the bacteriophage as an active ingredient.
US08043604B2 Ultrasonography using time- and temperature-sensitive variable adhesion coupling gels
One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of ultrasonography, utilizing a gel comprising a reverse phase polymer which facilitates the transmission of high-frequency sound waves. Further, the inherent properties of the reverse phase polymer result in increased adhesion at higher temperatures, thereby helping to maintain the desired position of the ultrasound probe until the user intends to adjust the probe's position. In certain embodiments, the method is utilized in a medical procedure in which stability of an ultrasound probe or transducer in an intended desired position can improve the outcome or increase the efficiency of the procedure. In certain embodiments, the gel further comprises an additive to increase the ultimate adhesion of the gel. In still other embodiments, the gel can be used on the skin, on a protective sheath encasing an ultrasound probe, or between the sheath and the probe, or any or all of them.
US08043598B2 Synthesis of rare earth element-containing alumina nanowires
Rare earth element(s) doped alumina nanowires are formed by a thermal evaporation method in which vapor from aluminum powder and vapor from a rare earth element compound (such as an halide) are reacted in an oxygen-containing inert gas stream to form alumina which deposits as alumina nanowires and as a rare earth element and oxygen-containing material that deposits with and/or on the alumina nanowires. Where the RE-doped alumina nanowires are to be used as catalyst supports, a catalyst material, such as platinum, may be deposited as small particles on the nanowires.
US08043594B2 Systems and methods for generating sulfuric acid
Methods and systems for generating sulfuric acid are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes combusting a sulfur-containing material with a gas including oxygen to produce a first stream of sulfur dioxide, mixing water with the first stream of sulfur dioxide to produce a mixed stream, using an energy, electrolytically converting the mixed stream of sulfur dioxide and water into sulfuric acid and hydrogen, generating a source of energy from the hydrogen, and providing the source of energy as at least a portion of the energy for electrolytically converting the first stream of sulfur dioxide and water into sulfuric acid and hydrogen. In some embodiments, the system includes a first chamber for combusting a sulfur-containing material to produce a first stream of sulfur dioxide, an electrolytic cell for converting the first stream into sulfuric acid and hydrogen, and a fuel cell for generating an energy source from the hydrogen.
US08043590B2 Catalytic reduction of NOx
A system for NOx reduction in combustion gases, especially from diesel engines, incorporates an oxidation catalyst to convert at least a portion of NO to NO2, a particulate filter, a source of reductant such as NH3 and an SCR catalyst. Considerable improvements in NOx conversion are observed.
US08043588B2 Method and plant for removing carbon dioxide from flue gas
This invention relates to a method and plant for energy-efficient removal of CO2 from a gas phase by means of absorption. The invention is particularly suitable for use in connection with thermal power plants fired by fossil fuels, and is also well-suited for retrofitting in existing thermal power plants. A processing plant according to the invention comprises three sections: a primary CO2-generating process that serves as main product supplier; a CO2-capture and separation plant based on absorption and desorption of CO2 respectively by/from at least one absorbent; and a second CO2-generating process where combustion of carbonaceous fuel in pure oxygen atmosphere serves as energy supply to at least a part of the thermal energy necessary to drive the regeneration of the absorbent in the desorption column(s).
US08043586B2 Methods of using adsorption media for separating or removing constituents
Methods of using an adsorption medium to remove at least one constituent from a feed stream. The method comprises contacting an adsorption medium with a feed stream comprising at least one constituent and removing the at least one constituent from the feed stream. The adsorption medium comprises a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix and at least one metal hydroxide homogenously dispersed therein. The adsorption medium may comprise from approximately 15 wt % to approximately 90 wt % of the PAN and from approximately 10 wt % to approximately 85 wt % of the at least one metal hydroxide. The at least one metal hydroxide may be selected from the group consisting of ferric hydroxide, zirconium hydroxide, lanthanum hydroxide, cerium hydroxide, titanium hydroxide, copper hydroxide, antimony hydroxide, and molybdenum hydroxide.
US08043584B2 Method of recycling Cd-112 isotope
Cd-112 isotope is recycled from a Cd-112 chemical separated solution or a remainder of an electroplating solution having a Cd-112 target. The present invention recycles Cd-112 isotope with a low cost, a high purity and a high recycle rate. The recycled Cd-112 isotope can be easily stored. And, the Cd-112 isotope can be used as an imaging agent in nuclear medicine.
US08043573B2 Electro-kinetic air transporter with mechanism for emitter electrode travel past cleaning member
Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
US08043559B2 System for temperature control within an automatic biological analyzer
The present invention relates to a system for temperature control within an automatic biological analyzer, the automatic analyzer essentially comprising: support, guidance, and step-by-step transport means for reaction cuvettes on a path comprising a predetermined number of positions, a support turntable for analyte samples, a support turntable for reactants, means for taking defined quantities of samples and reactants and for injecting the same into the reaction cuvettes, means for washing the cuvettes, means for optical reading of the determination results and a computerized control system which permits carrying out pre-programmed analysis cycles. It consists in the fact that the temperature control system is connected to the lower part of the support turntable for the analyte samples, said system comprising within itself: at least one inlet air deflector, at least one outlet air deflector, a circular air transfer path positioned between the inlet deflector and the outlet deflector, and means for generating circulating air in the circular path, thereby permitting a reduction in the thermal variation between the inlet air and outlet air temperatures within the temperature control system. The invention finds a preferential application in the diagnostic field.
US08043555B2 Cemented tungsten carbide rock bit cone
An earth-boring bit has a steel body and bearing pin for rotatably supporting a cone. The cone has an exterior surface containing rows of cutting elements. The cone and cutting elements are formed of cemented tungsten carbide. The cone may be manufactured by applying pressure to a mixture of hard particles and metal alloy powder to form a billet, then machining the billet to a desired over-sized conical shaped product. Then the conical-shaped product is liquid-phase sintered to a desired density, which causes shrinking to the desired final shape.
US08043545B2 Methods and apparatus to evenly clamp semiconductor substrates
Methods and apparatus to evenly clamp semiconductor substrates in a transfer mold process are disclosed. A disclosed split mold base includes a first plate having a first surface, a second plate having a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of springs that are disposed between the first and second plates to distribute a clamping pressure applied by a mold press.
US08043541B2 Systems and methods of installing hook fastener elements in a mold assembly
Various embodiments of a mold assembly system include a mold defining at least one trench along a surface of the mold and two or more hook fastener elements disposed on the surface of the trench in an end-to-end relationship. Each hook fastener elements includes: (1) an elongated base, (2) a plurality of hooks extending upwardly from an upper surface of the base, and (3) a magnetic material disposed within the base. The hook fastener elements are unattached to each other and are separately disposed within the trench, and the magnetic portion of the trench is configured to attract the hook fastener elements toward the magnetic portion and hold the hook fastener elements adjacent thereto in an end-to-end relationship substantially along the length of the trench. In one embodiment, the hook fastener elements are substantially the same length and are usable in straight trenches, curved trenches, or trenches having various lengths.
US08043539B2 Process for producing biodegradable molded item and molding dies therefor
Using a metal mold (20a) consisting of a convex mold part (21a) and a concave mold part (22a), a molding material (14) is placed between a pair of coating films (12), and after clamping, the molding material (14) and the coating film (12) are heated and molded to make a biodegradable expanded molded article, and at the same time, the coating film (12) is softened and pressure-bonded to a surface of the biodegradable expanded molded article. An exhaust hole (31a) and (32a) are provided on the convex mold part (21a) and the concave mold part (22a), respectively. At the time of heating and molding, gaseous matter existing between the coating film (12) and a surface of the metal mold (20a) is discharged out of the metal mold (20a) through the exhaust holes (31a) and (32a). Accordingly, it is possible to provide a method and a mold to manufacture a biodegradable expanded molded article easily and with excellent accuracy of dimension, having enough strength, enough water resistance, very excellent biodegradability and excellent surface smoothness even if the biodegradable molded article has a complicated shape.
US08043536B2 Silver-palladium alloy containing conductor paste for ceramic substrate and electric circuit
A conductor paste for a ceramic substrate contains a) a conductive metal powder comprising a silver powder and a palladium powder; b) a glass powder; and c) an organic solvent, wherein the conductive metal powder has an average particle diameter of not more than 1.2 μm, and the glass powder is a Bi2O3—SiO2—B2O3 type glass powder, and the content of the glass powder is in a range of from 1 to 6 wt % based on the weight of the paste.
US08043533B2 Diamond sintered compact having high electrical conductivity and production method thereof
The present invention is to provide a diamond sintered compact having good conductivity together with the characteristics, such as hardness, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, chemical stability, almost equal to those of a natural diamond. A boron-doped diamond sintered compact having good conductivity and high thermal resistance is produced by a sintering process, in which 90 to 99.9 wt. % of a boron-doped diamond powder and 0.1 to 10% wt. % of a powder comprising, one or more of carbonates including Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba, and/or one or more of composite carbonates composed by two or more of these elements, as a bonding phase component, are sintered together under Ht/HP conditions, and the bonding phase component melts and then fills into the space between the boron-doped diamond powder particles.
US08043532B2 Composition for electrodes comprising aluminum powder having controlled particle size distribution and size, and electrodes made using the same
Disclosed herein is a composition for electrodes that enables a firing process in air at a temperature of 600° C. or less and does not cause an increase in absolute resistance and a substantial variation of the resistance even when the composition is repeatedly subjected to the firing process. The composition for electrodes comprises: about 5 to about 95% by weight of aluminum powder, the aluminum powder having a particle size distribution of about 2.0 or less as expressed by the following Equation (1) and having D50 in the range of about 0.1 μm≦D50≦about 20 μm; about 3 to about 60% by weight of an organic binder; and the balance of a solvent: Particle size distribution=(D90−D10)/D50  (1) wherein D10, D50, and D90 represent particle diameters at 10%, 50% and 90% points on an accumulation curve of a particle size distribution when the total weight is 100%.An electrode and a PDP fabricated using the composition are also disclosed.
US08043530B2 Fuel reformer catalyst
A fuel reformer catalyst includes a substrate, and disposed thereon a carrier and combination of at least two metals selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ni, Ir, Pd, Pt, Au, and combinations thereof. Rh is present in the catalyst in an amount not exceeding about 0.5 wt. %, based on the total combined weight of the metals and carrier.
US08043519B2 Thin film support substrate for use in hydrogen production filter and production method of hydrogen production filter
In a through hole closing process, a metal plate is attached to one surface of a conductive base member having a plurality of through holes by the use of a magnet, in a copper plating process, a copper plating layer is formed on the conductive base member and the metal plate exposed within the through holes, from the side of the conductive base member where the metal plate is not attached, thereby to fill up the through holes, in a film forming process, a Pd alloy film is formed by plating on the surface of the conductive base member after removal of the metal plate, and in a removal process, the copper plating layer is removed by selective etching, thereby to produce a hydrogen production filter that is used in a reformer a fuel cell so as to be capable of stably producing high purity hydrogen gas.
US08043517B2 Method of forming openings in substrates and inkjet printheads fabricated thereby
A method of forming an opening through a substrate includes defining an area on a first surface of the substrate where the opening is to be formed, the area having a center region flanked by edge regions. A top layer having a substantially closed space located over the area is formed on the first surface. Structure for promoting etching of the center region is provided, and the first surface of the substrate is etched in the area. In one embodiment, the method can fabricate an inkjet printhead having a substrate having an ink feed hole formed therethrough and an orifice plate formed thereon. A plurality of particle tolerance elements located over a center region of the ink feed hole promoted etching during the fabrication of the printhead.
US08043515B2 Thin film magnetic head and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film magnetic head has a configuration in which a main magnetic pole film having a magnetic pole end portion on a medium opposing surface (ABS) side facing a magnetic disk, a write shield film facing the magnetic pole end portion so as to form a recording gap film on the medium opposing surface side, and a thin film coil wound around at least a part of the write shield film are laminated. Further, the thin film magnetic head has an upper yoke magnetic pole film whose size is larger than that of the main magnetic pole film at a part more distant from the ABS than the recording gap film, and this upper yoke magnetic pole film is bonded to the side of the main magnetic pole film close to the thin film coil. In the upper yoke magnetic pole film, an end portion on the ABS side is retracted in a direction apart from the ABS in accordance with an increase in film thickness which is measured from the surface of the main magnetic pole film.
US08043512B2 Fluid treatment arrangements and methods
Fluid treatment arrangements and methods involve a spirally wound fluid treatment pack. The fluid treatment pack includes a fluid treatment medium, a feed region, and a permeate region. The feed region extends along a feed surface of the fluid treatment medium and the permeate region extends along a permeate surface of the fluid treatment medium. The fluid treatment pack is spirally wound around a core assembly to form a plurality of windings of the feed region, a plurality of windings of the fluid treatment medium, and a plurality of windings of the permeate region.
US08043510B2 Mercury removal with sorbents magnetically separable from treated fluids
Methods and apparatus relate to treatment of fluids to remove mercury contaminants in the fluid. Contact of the fluid with active outer surfaces of particles magnetically separable from the fluid loads the particles with the mercury contaminants. Magnetic separation then removes from the fluid the particles loaded with the mercury contaminants such that a treated product remains.
US08043509B2 Water purification system
Devices and methods for water purification are provided. An improved demister (70) for removing liquid or other particles from steam is disclosed. The demister can have adjustable outlets. In other embodiments, a demister apparatus is placed, at least partially, inside a boiler apparatus (310). Additionally, a filter flow indicator (401) that provides an optical indication of the efficiency of a water filter is also provided. The filter flow indicator has a viewable side passage that connects the input and output sides of a filter unit. A weighted object, such as a ball (440), can move up and down the side passage in response to the pressure differential in the filter system. The user can determine the status of the filter by viewing the location of the weighted object in the side passage. Additionally, a device and method of adding various minerals back to purified water in order to improve the flavor of the water is described. The device and method involve the use of a ground mineral mixture, typically chosen from minerals (230,240,250) that are common in natural springs. Pure water that runs through the mineral filter apparatus can take up some of the minerals, thus creating water that, although free from unhealthy contaminants, tastes like natural spring water.
US08043503B2 Filter with quick attachment features
A quick attachment feature for a filter includes i) a pair of radially-outward projecting pivots on opposite sides of the filter canister toward a lower end thereof; and ii) a pair of flexible retaining clips also located on opposite side of the canister toward the upper end thereof, each clip in substantial axial alignment along the canister with a respective pivot. The filter can be supported in a bracket including a pair of side walls, each of the side walls including i) a hook-shaped opening dimensioned to receive a respective pivot on the filter, and allow the filter to pivot from an orientation at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bracket, to an orientation where the filter is substantially axially-aligned with the bracket; and ii) a catch dimensioned to engage and retain a respective retaining clip, when the filter is substantially aligned with the bracket.
US08043498B2 Storm drain protector
A storm drain protector with a top layer having a generally horizontal surface in which there is at least one hole that allows water to pass vertically through the surface. The horizontal surface also has several vertical projections emanating from the surface that permit the passage of water over the surface while impeding the passage of debris.
US08043489B2 Multi-layer strip for use in measuring biological material and system for measuring biological material
The multi-layer strip for use in measuring biological material and the system for measuring a biological material are provided, wherein the multi-layer strip includes a stack of a plurality of strips, each having a flow channel and a reaction unit, and the strips may react with specific materials contained in a biological material injected into the multi-layer strip. Thus, it is possible to quantitatively analyze various materials contained in a biological material and to optically and electrochemically measure and quantitatively analyze various materials in a biological material.
US08043484B1 Methods and apparatus for resputtering process that improves barrier coverage
Conductive or barrier material is deposited on a semiconductor substrate having recessed features by a method that has at least two operations. The first operation involves depositing a layer of the material on at least a portion of the field regions of the wafer. The second operation involves resputtering at least the layer residing on the field region of the wafer under high pressure. If the pressure is sufficiently high, momentum transfer reflection of the resputtered material will take place, such that at least some of the resputtered material is placed in the recessed features of the wafer. This approach can, among other advantages, offer improved step coverage and better utilization of the material.
US08043472B2 Substrate processing apparatus and focus ring
A substrate processing apparatus that can reliably improve the efficiency of heat transfer between a focus ring and a mounting stage. A housing chamber with the interior thereof evacuated houses a substrate. The substrate is mounted on a mounting stage that is disposed in the housing chamber. An annular focus ring is mounted on the mounting stage such as to surround a peripheral portion of the mounted substrate. A heat transfer film is formed on a surface of the focus ring which contacts the mounting stage by printing processing.
US08043470B2 Electrode/probe assemblies and plasma processing chambers incorporating the same
The present invention relates generally to plasma processing chambers and electrode assemblies used therein. According to one embodiment, an electrode assembly comprises a thermal control plate, a silicon-based showerhead electrode, and a probe assembly comprising an electrically conductive probe body and a silicon-based cap. The electrode assembly is configured such that the handedness of a threaded engagement of the silicon-based cap and a head section of the probe body and the handedness of the threaded engagement of the thermal control plate and a mid-section of the probe body have a common direction of rotation. Thereby, an application of torque to the silicon-based cap in a tightening direction of rotation tightens both threaded engagements. Further, the electrode assembly is configured such that the threaded engagement of the silicon-based cap and a head section of the probe body permits repetitive non-destructive engagement and disengagement of the silicon-based cap and the probe body.
US08043464B2 Systems and methods for assembling lightweight RF antenna structures
Systems and methods for assembling lightweight RF antenna structures are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a process for forming a lightweight antenna including a process for forming a first feed assembly for the antenna, the process for forming the first feed assembly including providing a flat flexible circuit substrate, providing a formed flexible circuit substrate, applying an adhesive to a plurality of locations on a surface of the flat substrate or the formed substrate, joining the flat substrate and the formed substrate using the adhesive, and heating the joined flat substrate and the formed substrate to bond the substrates.
US08043461B2 Method for manufacturing fiber reinforced cement board
A method for manufacturing fiber reinforced cement board includes the steps of preparing a formed sheet from slurry containing cement and reinforcing fiber material, cutting off the formed sheet so that each cut-off formed sheet has the same length equal to the circumference of a making roll, forming a laminated sheet by winding the cut-off formed sheet around the making roll a plurality of times so that every layer of the laminated sheet has a cut-off mark wherein the making roll is equipped with a cutting-off wire accommodated in a lateral groove formed in the periphery of the roll, producing a mat by separating the laminated sheet from the making roll by cutting off the laminated sheet by jumping out the cutting-off wire into the cut-off mark portion so that the cut-off section of the cut-off laminated sheet is inclined to the bottom surface of the laminated sheet, and hardening and curing the produced mat.
US08043449B1 Apparatus and method for fabricating shear test coupons
An apparatus for adhering coupons together for adhesive shear testing may include a first member, a second member, at least one alignment device, and at least one separation device. The first member may have at least one first member cavity for holding at least one first member coupon. The second member may have at least one second member cavity for holding an overlapping area of at least one second member coupon adjacent to and separate from the at least one first member coupon. The overlapping area of the at least one second member coupon may be adhered to the at least one first member coupon. The at least one alignment device may control a size of the overlapping area. The at least one separation device may control a separation distance between the overlapping area of the at least one second member coupon and the at least one first member coupon.
US08043444B2 Steel wire for cold-formed spring excellent in corrosion resistance and method for producing the same
A steel wire for a cold-formed spring according to the present invention contains a prescribed chemical component composition, wherein: a martensitic transformation start temperature MS1 shown by the following expression (1) is in the range from 280° C. to 380° C.; the austenite grain size number N of austenite grains is No. 12 or more; the grain boundary share of carbide precipitated along the austenite grain boundaries is 50% or less; the amount of retained austenite after austenitized and tempered is 20 vol. % or less; and the tensile strength is 2,000 MPa or more; MS1=550−361[C]−39[Mn]−20[Cr]  (1), where [C], [Mn] and [Cr] represent the contents (mass %) of C, Mn and Cr, respectively. Such a steel wire can: secure hot-rolling formability and subsequent drawability while aiming at higher strength and higher stress; moreover exhibit excellent corrosion resistance; and obtain a spring (mainly a suspension spring for an automobile) excellent also in fatigue strength which is a basic required characteristic.
US08043442B2 Counterbalance devices for a closure
Counterbalance devices are provided for a closure mounted with respect to a container. The devices can include a stationary friction member, an elongated flexible member, and a biasing member. The stationary friction member can be comprised of a mounting portion and a friction portion. An intermediate portion of the elongated flexible member can also slidingly engage the friction surface of the stationary friction member.
US08043441B2 Method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate using non-Newtonian fluids
A method for cleaning a substrate is provided. In this method, a flow of non-Newtonian fluid is provided where at least a portion of the flow exhibits plug flow. To remove particles from a surface of the substrate, the surface of the substrate is placed in contact with the portion of the flow that exhibits plug flow such that the portion of the flow exhibiting plug flow moves over the surface of the substrate. Additional methods and apparatuses for cleaning a substrate also are described.
US08043440B2 Cleaning apparatus and method and computer readable medium
A control mechanism of a cleaning apparatus is preset to control the apparatus for a cleaning process or a rinsing process to include delivering a process liquid, which is corresponding one of a cleaning liquid and a rinsing liquid, from a back surface liquid supply nozzle through a liquid delivery port, thereby forming a liquid film on the back surface of a substrate, and then once stopping and then re-starting delivery of the process liquid from the back surface liquid supply nozzle, thereby forming a liquid film also on a portion around the liquid delivery port, so as to process the portion around the liquid delivery port as well as the substrate.
US08043435B2 Cleaning liquid and cleaning method for electronic material
A cleaning liquid for an electronic material, in particular, a silicon wafer, uses ultra-pure water or hydrogen water as raw material water, and performs cleaning in combination with ultrasonic irradiation under the presence of hydrogen micro-bubbles. The method enables efficient cleaning and removal of particle components and the like on the wafer surface and prevention of re-contamination.
US08043434B2 Method and apparatus for removing photoresist
A method and apparatus remove photoresist from a wafer. A process gas containing sulfur (S), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) is provided, and a plasma is generated from the process gas in a first chamber. A radical-rich ion-poor reaction medium is flown from the first chamber to a second chamber where the wafer is placed. The patterned photoresist layer on the wafer is removed using the reaction medium, and then the reaction medium flowing into the second chamber is stopped. Water vapor may be introduced in a salvation zone provided in a passage of the reaction medium flowing down from the plasma such that the water vapor solvates the reaction medium to form solvated clusters of species before the reaction medium reaches the wafer. The photoresist is removed using the solvated reaction medium.
US08043426B2 Method for treating cement kiln dust
A method for treating cement kiln dust containing alkaline metal salts includes the steps of hydration (formation of calcium hydroxide), dehydration i.e. drying, fractionation by sieving and carbonation (reaction of the fractionated moistened cement kiln dust) with CO2 gas in a fluidized bed reactor.
US08043424B2 Aqueous coating composition
Aqueous coating composition comprising an oxidatively drying resin and an alkali-soluble acrylate having an acid number of at least 15 mg KOH/g in a content of at least 1.5 wt. %. Optionally a second acrylate can also be used, such as a polyurethane acrylate.
US08043412B2 High volume, multiple use, portable precipitator
A portable high air volume electrostatic collection precipitator for analyzing air is provided which is a relatively small, self-contained device. The device has a collection electrode adapted to carry a variety of collecting media. An air intake is provided such that air to be analyzed flows through an ionization section with a transversely positioned ionization wire to ionize analytes in the air, and then flows over the collection electrode where ionized analytes are collected. Air flow is maintained at but below turbulent flow, Ionizable constituents in the air are ionized, attracted to the collection electrode, and precipitated in the selected medium which can be removed for analysis.
US08043402B2 Method for the production of a foamed slag in a metal bath
A method for producing a foamed slag (1) on a metal bath (2) in a metallurgical furnace (3), in which a mixture (4) containing at least one metal oxide and carbon is introduced into the furnace (3), the metal oxide is reduced by the carbon below the slag (1) that is located there, and the gases produced during the reduction process form bubbles such that the slag is foamed. In order to optimize the formation of foamed slag, the mixture (4) is delivered into the furnace (3) in such a way that a desired height (h) or a desired section of the height (h) of the layer of foamed slag (1) is generated or maintained.
US08043400B1 System and method for the thermal processing of ore bodies
The Inventive System disclosed herein relates to an improved system for extracting metals from ore.
US08043393B2 Bonded abrasive article and method of making
A bonded abrasive article is provided that includes abrasive grains within a bond matrix, the abrasive grains including cubic boron nitride (cBN) and the bond matrix including a polycrystalline ceramic phase. The bonded abrasive may have a Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of not less than about 40 MPa. Certain embodiments may have porosity, such as greater than about 5.0 vol %.
US08043366B2 Overlapping stent
A medical device may comprise a body portion and an outwardly deployable side branch structure, and may be formed from a first stent and a second stent. In some embodiments, the first stent and second stent may be connected by at least one connection. At least a portion of the second stent may be oriented within the first stent and may be coaxially aligned with the first stent. Either stent may include the side branch structure, and the stent not having side branch structure may include a side branch opening. The first and second stents may overlap at various locations to provide additional vessel support.
US08043364B2 Implant with attached element and method of making such an implant
A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant; and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form fit of the element onto the implant.
US08043359B2 Medical devices having superhydrophobic surfaces
According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided, which have at least two superhydrophobic surface regions which engage one another when the medical device is deployed in vivo.
US08043354B2 Thoracic deployment device and stent graft
A stent graft introducer for intraluminal deployment of a stent graft (26), the introducer comprising a stent graft release mechanism (6) to allow partial release of the stent graft (26) when carried on the introducer, whereby control of the stent graft can be maintained while allowing access into the lumen of the stent graft from at least one end of the stent graft. The partial release can comprise partial release of one end of the stent graft.
US08043352B2 Medical device delivery system with captive inner member
Delivery systems for delivering and deploying expandable intraluminal medical devices at a desired point of treatment within a body vessel are provided. The delivery systems comprise a sheath member and an inner member slideably disposed within a cavity formed by the sheath member. An expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed about the inner member and is initially positioned within the delivery system. A means for preventing axial movement of the inner member holds the inner member in position so that, while the delivery system and medical device are positioned at a desired point of treatment, the sheath member can be retracted while an axial position of the inner member is substantially maintained.
US08043335B2 Percutaneous spinal implants and methods
A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.
US08043332B2 Surgical cable providing visual indication of tension
A cable in accordance with the invention includes at least one core filament having a visually distinctive appearance; and a jacket, wrapped around at least a portion of said core filament. The jacket is adapted to change its opacity in response to tensile stress, thereby modulating the visibility of the core filament in relation to such stress. As a result, the overall appearance of the cable responds to stress, by changing at least one of chroma, hue, or value (visual appearance) quantifiably in response to tension.
US08043329B2 Method of implanting an adjustable occlusion device
Disclosed is an adjustable occlusion device for use in a body lumen such as the left atrial appendage. The occlusion device is removably carried by a deployment catheter. The device may be enlarged or reduced to facilitate optimal placement or removal. Methods are also disclosed.
US08043328B2 Medical instrument
A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The shaft may be capable of an angled configuration where at least a portion of the shaft is manually movable to a direction in which it extends at an angle to another portion of the shaft. The end effector is not limited to a linear configuration and at least a portion of an elongated end effector extends at an angle relative to another portion of the end effector as is needed or desirable for the particular procedure to be performed.
US08043325B2 Loading device for delivering an embolization coil into a microcatheter
In one embodiment of the present invention, a device for delivering an embolization coil into a microcatheter for deployment of the embolization coil from the microcatheter into a body vessel of a patient is provided. The device comprises a cannula that has a proximal portion extending to a distal portion. The cannula has a lumen formed through the proximal and distal portions. The distal portion has a distal tip that is formed from metal and is configured to interface with the microcatheter for advancing the embolization coil from the lumen into the microcatheter. The proximal portion is at least partially formed of a transparent material for viewing into the lumen to facilitate delivery of the embolization coil into the microcatheter.
US08043321B2 Embolic coil
An embolic coil comprises an elongated core element formed of a shape memory material treated to define a memorized secondary coil shape and an elongated outer element wound around the elongated core element to define a primary coil shape of the embolic coil. A method of forming an embolic coil, comprises the steps of imparting a memorized shape to a core element formed of a shape memory material, wherein the memorized shape defines a secondary coil of the embolic coil and straightening the core element in combination with the steps of winding an elongated outer element around the straightened core element to form a primary coil of the embolic coil and releasing the straightened core element when the device has been positioned at a deployment location to form the secondary coil of the embolic coil.
US08043315B2 Osteochondral repair using plug fashioned from partial distal allograft femur or condyle
A method and apparatus for repairing isolated chondral defects using allograft implants. Lesions in articular tissue are corrected by forming a recipient socket in the tissue. A donor graft of a size corresponding to the recipient socket is harvested from a partial tissue specimen obtained from allograft material. The donor graft is implanted into the recipient socket.
US08043314B2 Guidewire for crossing occlusions or stenoses
Systems and methods for crossing stenosis, partial occlusions, or complete occlusions within a body lumen. The systems generally include an elongate member such as a hollow guidewire that houses a rotatable and translatable drive shaft. The drive shaft typically has a distal portion that is advanced to create a path in the occlusive material that is large enough to allow the hollow guidewire to cross the occlusive material.
US08043312B2 Guidewire for crossing occlusions or stenoses
Systems and methods for crossing stenosis, partial occlusions, or complete occlusions within a body lumen. The systems generally include an elongate member such as a hollow guidewire that houses a rotatable and translatable drive shaft. The drive shaft typically has a distal portion that is advanced to create a path in the occlusive material that is large enough to allow the hollow guidewire to cross the occlusive material.
US08043310B2 Endoluminal fundoplication device and related method
A distal assembly of an endoscopic surgical device, and a related method, having a first arm and a second arm pivotal relative to the first arm. Each arm is configured to hold a part of a two-part fastener at a distal end of the arm. A closing mechanism is positioned proximate a proximal end of each of the first and second arms opposite the distal end of each of the first and second arms. The closing mechanism is configured to move in relation to the first and second arms so as to close over at least one of the first and second arms to cause the distal ends of the arms to come together. An actuation member is also attached to the closing mechanism actuable to cause the closing mechanism to move in relation to the first and second arms.
US08043308B2 Bone suture
Devices and methods useful for suturing soft tissue to bone are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bone-suturing device is provided and can include a delivery needle, a delivery needle driving element, a capture needle, and a capture needle driving element. The delivery needle driving element and capture needle driving element can advance the delivery needle and the capture needle through soft tissue and into bone, respectively, and the paths of the delivery needle and the capture needle can intersect therein. The delivery needle can be adapted for holding a suture and the capture needle can be adapted for receiving the suture held by the delivery needle. In another embodiment, an injection device can be provided to deliver an adhesive material into bone. The devices and methods disclosed herein can provide simple and minimally invasive ways to suture soft tissue to bone with a high resistance to pullout and reduced recovery time, and may be used as part of percutaneous, arthroscopic, or open surgical procedures.
US08043292B2 Surgical sagittal saw blade including a guide bar, a blade head and drive rods for pivoting the blade head
A surgical sagittal saw blade that including a guide bar shaped to be releasably secured in a static position to a complementary surgical sagittal saw. A blade is mounted to the guide bar to pivot around a pivot point. The blade has teeth located outside of the guide bar. Drive rods extend from the blade. The drive rods connect to a complementary driver integral with the saw. When the saw driver is actuated, the drive rods undergo reverse reciprocation. The reciprocation of the driver rods cause the blade to oscillate around a pivot point.
US08043274B2 Disposable undergarment with stretch areas for optimal fit
A disposable incontinent underwear product can comprise areas having different stretch characteristics and thereby fit persons of varying body shape in a more comfortable and/or visually appealing manner. Additionally, in some embodiments, the different areas of stretch can aid in positioning absorbent components, such as an absorbent insert or core that is included in the undergarment to absorb body exudates. For example, a garment may feature at vertical stretch in an area above the crotch and below the waist while featuring horizontal stretch at the hip areas at its front and back sides. As another example, a garment may feature horizontal stretch across the front of the garment and vertical stretch across the back of the garment in areas above the crotch and below the waist. In some embodiments, the crotch also features horizontal, vertical, or biaxial stretch.
US08043273B2 Disposable undergarment with a stretchable absorbent insert and method for the use thereof
A disposable undergarment includes a body panel and an absorbent insert having a back sheet connected to a top sheet and a retention portion disposed between the back sheet and the top sheet. At least one of the back sheet and the top sheet is stretchable and includes an elastic material. At least one of the back sheet and the top sheet is connected to the body panel. A method of using a disposable undergarment includes stretching at least one of the back sheet and the top sheet. A method of instructing a user on the use of the disposable undergarment is also provided.
US08043272B2 Collection and testing of infant urine using an absorbent article
A collection insert for use in a diaper for the testing of the urine of a baby is generally disclosed. The collection insert is configured to collect and temporarily retain the urine, allowing the urine to be later tested for the presence of absence of an analyte. The collection insert is fluidly isolated from the absorbent core of the diaper, and can be positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover or located in a pocket defined by the bodyside liner. The collection insert can include an insert cover and a collection core, such as a sponge, cellulosic material, polymeric nonwoven material, and the like. Additionally, the collection insert can be substantially free of superabsorbent material.
US08043269B2 Cap for a fluid product dispensing head
A dispenser head for mounting on a fluid dispenser, said dispenser head comprising a body (1) provided with a dispenser orifice (10), said head being provided with a cap (2) that is displaceable between a closed position, in which it covers said dispenser orifice (10), and an open position, in which it does not cover said dispenser orifice, said cap (2) being connected in permanent manner to said body (1), regardless of the position of said cap.
US08043267B2 Prefilled syringe
The prefilled syringe filled with a drug in advance, leaking of liquid from the cap is prevented, gas barrier properties are given to the whole of the barrel filled with the drug and the shoulder section so that degradation of the drug is prevented, permeation of microbial contaminants is prevented to a high extent, and efficiency of packing as a compact container can be increased. The prefilled syringe includes a guard-shaped extension projecting from the outer periphery of a shoulder section of the syringe barrel on the nozzle side, and a range from a part where a gasket of the plunger is positioned on the outer surface of the syringe barrel filled with the drug to the guard-shaped extension is covered with barrier packaging.
US08043266B2 Indwelling needle assembly
An indwelling needle assembly has an inner needle having a sharp point at its tip, an inner needle hub fixed to a base section of the inner needle, a hollow outer needle into which the inner needle is inserted, an outer needle hub fixed to a base section of the outer needle, and a tube inserted into the inner needle hub and connected to the base section of the outer needle hub such that the inner cavity of the tube communicates with the inner cavity of the outer needle. The center axis of the outer needle and the center axis of the tube at its head section are substantially parallel with each other with the inner needle inserted into the outer needle.
US08043265B2 Internal needle
An indwelling needle is provided which has a simple structure and is capable of securely mounting a needle tip protective tool on the tip portion of an internal needle. The indwelling needle A consists of an external needle 10 including a cannula 11 and a housing 12, an internal needle 20 including a metal needle 21 and a hub 22 and a needle tip protective tool 30. The needle tip protective tool 30 is mounted on the housing 12 with the metal needle 21 inserted into an inner section so that the metal needle 21 can be removed together with the internal needle 20 from the external needle 10. A main body 31 of the needle tip protective tool 30 has a cylindrical shape. Window sections 34a, 34b are provided on opposing circumferential surfaces of the main body 31. On a rear end marginal section of window section 34a, a movable gripped section 32 is provided whose outer section 32b extends toward the outside of the main body 31 and whose end consists of a grip section 32c. The gripped section 32c and the grip section 33c are latchable with each other within main body 31.
US08043262B2 Injection device with controlled needle retraction
An injection device, in some embodiments an autoinjector, which includes a housing, an actuating sleeve carried by the device to be movable relative to the housing and which can be placed at a point of injection in a position of insertion, an injection needle extendable from the end of the injection device when the injection device is in the position of insertion and moveable into the interior of the injection device, and an actuating cam arranged in an axially fixed manner relative to the injection needle and engageable in a locking recess when the injection device is in the position of insertion to prevent the injection needle from being moved into the interior of the injection device, said actuation cam being releasable from engagement with the locking recess by the actuating sleeve, thereby releasing the injection needle for movement into the injection device.
US08043257B2 Agent delivery catheter having an inflation bridge between two axially spaced balloons
An agent delivery catheter having two or more axially spaced balloons and an inflation bridge providing fluid communication between the two balloons. The catheter generally has a proximal balloon, a distal balloon, and a tube defining an inflation bridge lumen which is located in part within the inflatable interiors of the balloons, and which extends therebetween, and which has a proximal port within the proximal balloon interior and a distal port within the distal balloon interior to thereby provide for inflation of the distal balloon by placing the distal balloon interior in fluid communication with the proximal balloon interior of the shaft.
US08043251B2 Ultrasound catheter and methods for making and using same
Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, ultrasound catheters include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and, in some embodiments, a guidewire tube extending through the lumen. A distal head for disrupting occlusions is coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. Some embodiments include improved features such as a bend in the catheter body for enhancing positioning and/or advancement of the catheter.
US08043248B2 Method for securing a barrier device within the gastrointestinal tract and integral component for same
A method is disclosed for creating an anchor within the gastrointestinal tract for supporting a barrier device therein. The gastrointestinal tract has a first wall, a second wall and a body lumen. The method comprises advancing an anchoring device through the first wall and the second wall, threading the barrier device over the anchoring device and advancing the barrier device into the body lumen, and forming a closed loop with the anchoring device for supporting the barrier device.
US08043245B2 Orthopedic device having a patient compliance system
An orthopedic device includes a strut assembly having a resilient shell defining opposed first and second sides, and a patient compliance system. The patient compliance includes a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the shell. The tightening strap has first and second end portions arranged for incremental uni-directional adjustment relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly. The tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another.
US08043239B2 External counterpulsation (ECP) device for use in an ambulance or the like for heart attack patients to limit heart muscle damage
A method and system for treating a patient having an acute myocardial infarction. Such system may comprise at least one tank having a pressurized gas contained therein, at least one housing having a shell and being adapted to at least partially surround a body segment of the patient, a hose/valve device for supplying the compressed gas from the tank to the housing; and a control device for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the tank to the housing in accordance with cardiac systole and cardiac diastolic of the patient to vary the pressure in synchronization with the patient's heart function. The system may be arranged within a moving vehicle, such as an ambulance, an airplane, or a ship.
US08043235B2 Ultrasonic treatment of glaucoma
A method of treating glaucoma is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic energy, holding the ultrasonic device at a location external to the trabecular meshwork, transmitting the ultrasonic energy at a frequency to a desired location for a predetermined time, causing biochemical changes to be initiated within the eye that may include triggering a presumed integrin response that initiates biochemical changes typified by but not limited to cytokines, enzymes, macrophage activity and heat shock proteins, and dislodging material built up in the trabecular meshwork.
US08043231B2 Lancing unit and lancing apparatus
A lancing unit (U1) includes a lancing member (2), an auxiliary part (3) which is separate from the lancing member (2), and a supporter (1) detachably supporting these. Preferably, the lancing unit (U1) further includes a cap (29) which covers a needle (21) of the lancing member (2) and which is detachable from the lancing member (2), and the lancing member (2) is supported by the supporter (1) via the cap (29).
US08043225B2 Active implantable medical device equipped with means for the diagnosis of respiratory disorders, with sophisticated detection of respiratory cycles with artifacts
An active implantable medical device comprising circuits for measuring trans-thoracic impedance and delivering an impedance signal varying with respiratory activity of a patient. A signal representative of the respiratory activity of the patient is delivered starting from the impedance signal, and circuits for diagnosing respiratory disorder analyze variations of the respiratory signal on a plurality of successive cycles to detect there a profile of predetermined variation in relation to a given respiratory disorder. The device also includes circuits for automatically controlling respiratory cycles with artifacts, able to identify in the impedance signal a jump of static impedance, and/or to identify in a respiratory cycle or in a sequence of respiratory cycles a predetermined singularity representative of a cycle with artifact.
US08043223B2 Method and apparatus for automated vascular function testing
A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction utilizing flow mediated dilation and determining arterial health of a patient. The system includes a non-invasive blood pressure monitor, an ultrasound system and a pulse oximeter monitor that all communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter sensor are positioned on an arm of the patient. The blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining a parameter of the artery, such as diameter, and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. At the same time, the pulse wave velocity PWV is calculated between the ultrasound transducer and the finger probe of the pulse oximeter following the occlusion period. Based upon the detected characteristics of the artery before and after occlusion, as well as the PWV, the system can determine the endothelial dysfunction and arterial health of the patient.
US08043216B2 Method of displaying elastic image and diagnostic ultrasound system
To carry out objective or definitive diagnosis on the basis of an elastic image regardless of experience and proficiency, a method of displaying an elastic image includes the steps of measuring ultrasound cross-section data of a cross-section region of a subject by applying pressuring to the subject, determining a physical value correlating with the elasticity of tissue in the cross-section region on the basis of the ultrasound cross-section data, generating an elastic image of the cross-section region on the basis of the physical value and displaying the elastic image on a display device, determine compression state information relating to the compression state of the cross-section region on the basis of the pressure applied to the subject, and displaying the compression state information together with the elastic image on the display device.
US08043212B1 Methods for treating cervical vertebrae through an access device
A method for providing treatment at or near a cervical region of the spine of a patient is provided. An incision is formed in the skin of a patient above the cervical region. An elongate body is inserted into the patient through the incision, the elongate body having a distal portion, a proximal portion, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body. The elongate body is advanced until a distal end thereof resides at or near the cervical region of the spine. The size of the passage in the distal portion is increased relative to the size of the proximal portion.
US08043211B2 Endoscope device with a heat removal portion
This endoscope device includes: an LED adaptor that has a plurality of LED chips and that can be removably fitted onto a distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity of an endoscopy subject; an LED supporting block that is provided on the LED adaptor and that supports the plurality of LED chips; and a heat removal portion that removes heat from the LED supporting block.
US08043210B2 Endoscope tube with image inversion system
An endoscope tube having at least one image inversion system consisting of two rod lenses, in which the first rod ends, pointing to an intermediate image plane, have a marginal cylinder, which is mounted in the endoscope tube, in which the second rod ends, which lie symmetrical to an aperture plane, have a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the endoscope tube, so that the end surfaces associated with the first rod lenses are convex in configuration, the end surfaces associated with the second rod ends can be cemented together with a lens element, and a distance holder that defines the aperture area is inserted between the two rod lenses, is characterized in that the rod diameter in each case continually decreases from the marginal cylinder toward the second rod end.
US08043209B2 System and method for transmitting the content of memory storage in an in-vivo sensing device
A method and system for in-vivo sensing includes transmitting data that relates to data stored in a memory area located in the sensing device. The data that relates to data stored in a memory area may be transmitted in a data block, and the data block may include sensory data. The data that relates to data stored in a memory area may be received, recorded, displayed, processed or used in any suitable way, for example, to generate commands to the sensing device.
US08043196B1 Jump rope assembly having enhanced strength
A jump rope assembly includes a rope body having two ends each connected with a connecting unit and a handle unit. The rope body has an inner portion provided with a through hole. The connecting unit includes a connecting sleeve mounted on the rope body, a fixing plug inserted into the through hole of the rope body, and a retaining ring mounted in the connecting sleeve and compressing the rope body to press the rope body toward the fixing plug so that the rope body is fixed between the fixing plug and the retaining ring. The handle unit includes a handle having an enlarged end portion mounted in the connecting sleeve, and a locking ring mounted on the enlarged end portion of the handle and locked onto the connecting sleeve.
US08043187B2 Automatic transmission for vehicles
An automatic transmission for vehicles, whose weight, length, and manufacturing cost are reduced as a consequence of simplifying a structure thereof by removing a torque converter. The automatic transmission for vehicles may include a first shift portion outputting three intermediate rotational speeds of a same rotational speed as an input rotational speed, an increased rotational speed, and a reverse rotational speed by using torque received through first and second variable input pathways, and a second shift portion including first, second, third, and fourth gears that respectively achieve first, second, third, and fourth gear ratios, changing each intermediate rotational speed received from the first shift portion into four final rotational speeds, and outputting the same.
US08043179B2 Drive chain adjustment mechanism of chain-driven vehicle
A drive chain adjustment mechanism for simplifying the tension adjustment work of a drive chain of an all terrain vehicle. The drive chain is wound around a driven sprocket connected to the rear wheels of the vehicle. The mechanism includes a case to which the driven sprocket is coupled; a cam which moves the case in a fore and aft direction with respect to a vehicle body frame; and a bolt which is located rearward of a shaft portion of the driven sprocket, and which attaches the cam and the case to the vehicle body frame. When the case is moved in the fore and aft direction of a vehicle body, the tension of the drive chain is adjusted.
US08043170B2 Saturated polyurethane compositions and their use in golf balls
The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a saturated polyurethane composition. The polyurethane is the product of a reaction between an H12MDI/PTMEG-based prepolymer and a polycaprolactone curing agent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, multi-layer, and wound golf balls. The composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.
US08043165B2 Sole for iron golf club head
The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head in which the sole portion has a main surface and a stepped surface. Further, the sole portion comprises a chromium coating. The invention creates a unique combination of head shape and surface friction coefficients that minimize the bad effects of turf impact.
US08043163B2 Practice aid for golfers
A practice aid (22) for golfers (10), which is formed by a jacket-shaped textile upper part (24) with at least one tubular-shaped sleeve (26, 28). The sleeve (26, 28) comprises a stiffening and follows the motion sequence of the golfer (10) when hitting with the golf club (14). The stiffening is formed as a frame (30) and is provided in the tubular sleeve (26, 28). Furthermore, the invention relates to a practice aid (22) for golfers (10) designed as a stiffening frame (30).
US08043160B2 Downloadable operating system for wager gaming systems
This disclosure describes embodiments of a wagering game machine that includes a wager gaming operating system including downloadable components. This disclosure also describes methods for downloading such components. In one embodiment, the method includes booting the wagering game machine for operation, wherein the booting is performed in-part by core operating system components. The method can also include downloading, over a network, a non-core operating system component, wherein the downloading is performed with assistance from the core operating system components. The method can also include installing the non-core operating system component on the wagering game machine, wherein the installing is performed by the core operating system components. The method can also include presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered, wherein the presenting is performed in-part by the non-core operating system component.
US08043158B2 Game device and image processing device
To provide an image processing device, image processing method, and data processing method for a game device providing novel game features. In a multiple-player game device 1 comprising mutually coupled input mechanisms 31, it is possible for a game to be played by fewer people than the aforementioned number of players, by using a portion of the input mechanisms 31, the coupling of the input mechanisms other than the input mechanisms used by the fewer number of players being disengaged in cases where a game is played by a fewer number of players.
US08043156B2 Interactive installation for interactive gaming
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems for providing an interactive experience to game participants.
US08043136B2 Arrangement for and method of providing cooling energy to a cooling medium circuit of a marine vessel
Arrangement for providing cooling energy to a cooling medium circuit of a marine vessel having a storage of liquefied gas, the arrangement having a gas feeding system being provided with gas evaporation/heating apparatus. The gas evaporation/heating apparatus is arranged in heat transfer connection with the cooling medium circuit of the vessel through an intermediate flow circuit.
US08043134B2 Human powered watercraft
A watercraft having a deck is configured with a first rocker having graspable input arm above-deck and a lower output arm, the first rocker being pivoted to the craft, the output arm connecting a push-bar at a first end and the push-bar having a second end connecting a second rocker, the second rocker having input and output arms, the output arm of the second rocker having a propelling fin, the second rocker being pivoted to the watercraft. The watercraft may have a third rocker, fin, and pivot, and more. Users stand upon deck, grasp the first rocker's input arm and vertically thrust the rocker to propel.The invention further comprises a device for human powered propulsion remove-ably attachable to watercrafts, especially small boats, and surfboards, and for propelling them from a standing position by human power.
US08043133B2 Wave power
A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle.
US08043116B2 Replaceable module for socket and socket having replaceable module
A socket having a replaceable module includes a socket panel and a replaceable module. The socket panel is provided with socket units. The replaceable module is detachably provided on the socket panel. The replaceable module is provided with socket subunits. The edge of the replaceable module is provided with a trough located between the replaceable module and the socket panel. The present invention further provides a replaceable module for a socket. The replaceable module can be replaced according practical demands, which makes it more versatile. Further, the replaceable module has a better safety.
US08043111B2 Connector
Either of first and second corrugated tubes having different groove (or ridge) pitches can be mounted on a connector 10. In this case, the distance between a first retaining projection 32 and a second retaining projection 34 is a common multiple of these pitches, and therefore either of the two different corrugated tubes can be properly retained on both of the first and second retaining projections 32 and 34. Furthermore, either of the first and second corrugated tubes 50 and 52 of different diameters can be properly fixed to a tube insertion portion 20 by a binding band passed through binding band passage holes 30.
US08043108B2 High voltage plug-connector for motor vehicles
A high voltage plug-connector for the detachable electric connection of high voltage components, particularly an electric drive system of a motor vehicle, has a plug with electric power contacts, a socket with a mating contacts for mating with the power contacts, and a signal plug that interacts with signal contacts for activating the high voltage. The signal plug locks the plug and the socket mechanically in their plug-in position. The mechanical plug-connector has a pre-latching position in which the signal plug is guided to a releasing position and the electric contact between the power contacts and mating contacts can be released. The mechanical lock is released only when the electric contact between the power contacts and the mating contacts is opened and the signal plug is guided to a cover position in which the signal plug covers the power contacts.
US08043093B2 Dental root canal-filling composition
To provide a dental root canal-filling composition which is generally formed in a point shape, has high strength, is properly deformed so as to afford easy operativity for filling in a root canal, has improved wetting and adhering properties with a root canal-filling sealer and is less deteriored by sterilization or chemical disinfection, the dental root canal-filling composition comprises one or more kinds of polyolefin resins selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, and a copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene, a styrene block copolymer, one or more kinds of thermoplastic resins selected from the group of ester gum, rosin, an alicyclic saturated hydrocarbon resin, a terpene resin, and an aliphatic petroleum resin, and one or more kinds of inorganic fillers selected from the group of zinc oxide, barium sulfate, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, ytterbium fluoride, a barium glass, and an aluminosilicate glass.
US08043092B2 Demonstration dental template and matching temporary overlay
A dental prosthesis or template (10) simulates the front surfaces of a patient's teeth and is positioned to overlay over a patient's natural teeth (40) to provide an indication of what a dental porcelain overlay may look like once applied to the patient's teeth. A matching temporary veneer overlay (110) with simulated matching teeth sized and shaped to the template is constructed to be installed over the patient's prepared teeth.
US08043089B2 One piece dental implant and use thereof in prostodontic and orthodontic applications
The specification describes one-piece dental implants comprising a threaded shaft, optionally a non-circular abutment and a head having a shape which is capable of accepting a keeper cap or an O-ring, or which is capable of accepting and retaining a dental wire. The implants have dimensions that permit their use in a non-surgical method of insertion into bone, and are useful in both prosthodontic and orthodontic applications.
US08043087B2 Methods and apparatus for thermal development of large area solids
Methods and apparatus to rotate a sample about first and second axes in a heat chamber to obtain a desired homogeneous modification of properties of the sample and maintain a surface figure.
US08043083B2 Movable platen support mechanism
An injection molding machine is provided with a linear guide block configured to be guided on a linear guide rail and a guide mounting block which is secured to the linear guide block and supports the movable platen. Two mounting bolts and two adjust bolts are disposed individually at two positions, spanning between the movable platen and the guide mounting block. The size of a gap between the movable platen and the guide mounting block is adjusted by independently tightening the adjust bolts, whereby the horizontal tilt of the movable platen is adjusted.
US08043077B2 Micropump
A micropump that includes: a tube frame including an elastic tube, and a tube guide groove; a cam drive wheel which moves in response to a motor that can be rotated in forward and reverse directions; a first cam is provided with a finger depression section at a circumferential portion thereof; a second cam is provided with a finger depression section at a circumferential portion thereof; and a plurality of fingers provided between the tube and the respective finger depression sections of the first and second cams. The micropump can be in a first state of continuously feeding a fluid by when the first cam is rotated in the forward direction, the first cam pushing and rotating the second cam in the same direction, a second state of rotating only the first cam in the reverse direction, and a third state of stopping the first cam from rotating.
US08043075B2 Progressive cavity propagation pump
A pump is provided that includes a body made at least partially of an elastomeric material and an inlet port and an outlet port, with each port being coupled to the body. The pump further includes a flow passage formed in the body and extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, with at least a portion of the flow passage being normally closed and with the inlet port being fluidicly uncoupled with the outlet port when the pump is in a free-state condition. An actuating device is coupled to the body and is operable for sequentially deforming the body to create a cavity within the normally closed portion of the flow passage, the cavity being in fluid communication with the inlet port, thereby drawing a packet of fluid from the inlet port into the cavity and propagating the cavity and the packet of fluid contained therein toward the outlet port.
US08043069B2 Water removal from a sump using pump and switching mechanism
A water removal system for removing water from an elevator pit that includes a sump, a pump, a pump input tube, a pump output tube and a switching mechanism. The sump at least partially extends below a lower surface of the elevator pit. The plump mounted outside of the elevator pit. The pump input line is operably connected to the sump and the pump. The pump output line is operably connected to the pump. The switching mechanism is mounted outside of the sump and is operably connected to the pump and the sump.
US08043067B2 Wind turbine blade with sufficiently high strength and light weight
A wind turbine blade is provided with an outer skin layer formed of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a plurality of main structural members formed of fiber-reinforced plastic integrally with the outer skin layer to extend in a blade length direction. The main structural members include a plurality of main dorsal structural members positioned on a dorsal side of the wind turbine blade, and a plurality of main ventral structural members positioned on a ventral side of the wind turbine blade.
US08043058B1 Turbine blade with curved tip cooling holes
A turbine blade with single tip rail located on the suction side of the tip, and a plurality of curved diffusion holes to discharge cooling air onto the pressure side wall and the tip floor or tip corner of the blade to provide cooling and to limit leakage of the hot gas flow through the tip gap. The curved diffusion holes are curved in an upward direction toward the tip, and each includes a metering hole with an inlet axis normal to the cooling supply cavity surface. A suction side tip rail is flush with the backside wall and slants outward toward the front edge on the inner side. A first curved diffusion hole opens onto the pressure side wall just below the tip corner, a second curved diffusion hole opens adjacent to the tip corner, and a third curved diffusion holes opens onto the tip floor adjacent to the tip corner and at a midpoint between the tip corner and the tip rail. The second diffusion hole provides a layer of film cooling air to the forward side of the tip corner where the first layer of film cooling air does not come into contact so that the entire tip floor is covered by layers of film cooling air.
US08043048B2 Systems and methods for monitoring a structural health of a wind turbine
A method for monitoring a structural health of a wind turbine. The method includes transmitting, from a sensor to a controller, at least one monitoring signal indicative of a structural discontinuity, the sensor operatively coupled to a structural component of the wind turbine. A first notification signal is transmitted from the controller to a user computing device upon receiving the monitoring signal.
US08043045B2 Actuator
Actuators utilising shape memory alloy materials are known with regard to gas turbine engines. Such shape memory alloys have been used with respect to deformation provided in vanes and blades as well as nozzle elements in order that variations can be made in engine configuration dependent upon thermal cycling. Unfortunately, pedestals in order to provide spacing between the shape memory alloy and an antagonistic bias has resulted in uneven stress distribution as well as a higher thermal mass for the shape memory alloy. An uneven stress distribution will limit operational life whilst a higher thermal mass will result in slower reaction times. By separation of the shape memory alloy or material from its antagonistic bias through use of a slide element, a reduction in thermal mass is achieved and, more importantly, stress differentiation across the actuator is reduced.
US08043044B2 Load pin for compressor square base stator and method of use
A load pin has an end portion, and a vane has a base with a cutout in the base, wherein the end portion of the load pin engages a wall portion of the cutout in the base of the vane, thereby inhibiting any movement of the vane in a particular direction.
US08043038B2 Anchor
A pin having a head and a plurality of legs extending from that head, and a bushing having a flange and a shank extending from that flange, are comprised. In the flange, holes for accepting a plurality of legs are provided in a plurality corresponding to the number of legs, and in the shank, corresponding spaces for accepting each of the legs which have passed through the holes are provided in a plurality corresponding to the number of legs. The cross-section of the shank is polygonal, spaces are disposed on the surfaces of the shank capable of forming that polygon, and elastic latching pieces extending outward in lateral directions are provided at positions adjacent to the flange in a plurality corresponding to the spaces. By inserting the legs into the spaces, the elastic latching pieces are prevented from being displaced in directions whereby they would approach the spaces.
US08043035B2 Coated drill and method of making the same
The present invention relates to a drill comprising a cemented carbide or high speed steel substrate and a coating wherein the coating comprises: a first layer system having a multilayered structure covering substantially the whole active part of the drill, a second layer system having a multilayered structure covering only the tip area of the drill.Drills according to the present invention have good wear resistance and improved properties when reconditioning the drill.The present invention also relates to a method of making a drill according to the present invention.
US08043031B2 Multi function cutting tool
A multi-function cutting tool is disclosed. The multi-function cutting tool includes a cutting insert (200) and a cutter body (300). The cutting insert has an upper surface (201), a lower surface (205), and first and second cutting edge corner parts (210) and (220), which are provided on the upper surface such that the upper surface has a symmetrical structure with respect to a diagonal direction. The cutting insert further has a major cutting edge part (230), a first minor cutting edge part (240), and a lowered cutting edge part (250). The major cutting edge part has a downwardly inclined angle ranging from 3° to 10°, and extends from the first cutting edge corner part towards the corresponding second cutting edge corner part. When seen in the front view of the cutting insert, the major cutting edge is defined by a convex curved line, which has a curvature radius of 1000 mm or more.
US08043025B2 Mats for use in paved surfaces
A paving mat for use in a paved surface includes a fibrous mat in the form of a paving mat. The fibrous mat includes a fibrous matrix containing a mixture of polymer fibers, first mineral fibers having a first median length, and second mineral fibers having a second median length that is different from the first median length. In another embodiment, the paving mat includes a fibrous mat including a fibrous matrix which is bonded together by a binder. In one embodiment, the binder is a mixture of different binders. The fibrous matrix includes a mixture of mineral fibers in an amount within a range of from 61 wt % to 85 wt % and polymer fibers in an amount within a range of from 15 wt % to 39 wt %. The polymer fibers have a melting point greater than 320° F. (160° C.). The mat has a stiffness in the machine direction within a range of from 65 g-cm to 110 g-cm. The mat has a load-elongation behavior such that when the mat is subject to tensile stress, the mat achieves at least 90% of its ultimate load at an elongation not greater than 5% of the specimen length in the direction of applied stress. Another embodiment of the paving mat is made with a carboxy-modified acrylic binder.
US08043017B2 Cosmetic unit comprising two coupled partial units
The cosmetic unit has two partial units, each including a receptacle for receiving a cosmetic substance and a closure cap for allowing the closure of the receptacle. The two partial units are inter-connectable by a coupling member engaging with the two closure caps. Each closure cap has a cap recess, extending in the direction of a central axis, on the axial front end facing away from the receptacle of the corresponding partial unit. The coupling member including a central portion with two axial coupling projections being formed thereon wherein each coupling projection engages with one of the two cap recesses when in an assembled state.
US08043014B2 Printer with cantilevered first guide arm and second guide arm moveable along the first guide arm
A printer includes a supporting device, a cantilevered first guide arm, a second guide arm, and a printer head. The supporting device is configured to support a material to be printed. The cantilevered first guide arm has a longitudinal direction. The second guide arm is connected to the first guide arm to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the first guide. The second guide arm extends along a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The printer head is configured to print on the material supported by the supporting device and provided on the second guide arm to be movable along the lateral direction.
US08043013B2 Spliced-on connector system and method, splicer, and connector holder for producing the same
Provided is a spliced-on connector system which includes a connector body, an incoming fiber which is spliced to the connector body, a splice sleeve which covers a splice point at which the incoming fiber is spliced to the connector body, and an extender tube which covers the splice sleeve. Also provided is a method of producing the spliced-on connector system; a holder including a depression which holds a connector body in a position in which the connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the holder being disposed inside a splicer which splices the connector body to the incoming fiber; and a splicer including a tube heater which heat-shrinks a splice sleeve over a splice point at which a connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the tube heater accommodating the connector holder which holds the connector body.