| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08526744B2 |
Document processing apparatus and computer readable medium
A document processing apparatus includes a comparison source data acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of comparison source data each including a plurality of comparison source descriptions that are acquired from a comparison source document and ordered; a comparison target acquisition unit that acquires one or more comparison target data respectively acquired from comparison target documents; and a comparison result output unit that outputs a comparison result based on a minimum difference between one datum of the comparison source data and one data of the comparison target data corresponding to one of a plurality of combinations in each of which one of the comparison source data is combined with one of the comparison target data. |
| US08526733B2 |
System and method for improved computational processing efficiency in the HSEG algorithm
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for processing image information using a more computationally efficient version of a previously developed HSEG (Hierarchical Segmentation) algorithm. The HSEG algorithm includes iterations intertwining two forms of region growing to produce a set of hierarchically related image segmentations. The first form is a commonly used approach in which regions are grown by merging the most similar spatially adjacent regions. The second form is a unique approach in which regions are grown by also merging spatially non-adjacent regions that are at least as similar as the spatially adjacent regions merged by the first form in the same iteration. The improved HSEG algorithm limits the regions considered for non-adjacent region merging in the second form of operation to regions having at least a minimum number of pixels. This minimum is dynamically controlled to optimize processing efficiency and image segmentation quality. |
| US08526731B2 |
Hough transform method for linear ribbon and circular ring detection in the gradient domain
A method for converting a portion of an image from a first domain to a second domain. The method may apply a Hough transform on the converted portion of the image, including calculating a range of angles for each tested pixel q relative to a center pixel p, quantizing the range of angles into a plurality of bins, voting each tested pixel q using a range of bins using a weighted voting schema; and detecting one or more features in the portion of the image. The methods may be implemented by program instructions executing in parallel on CPU(s) or GPUs. |
| US08526730B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of processing color image data that perform overdrive
Image processing apparatuses and methods of processing color image data that perform overdrive are provided. The apparatuses include a restoration block that restores R-, G-, and B-element values of respective pixels of previous one of successive frames based on Y-element values of the respective pixels of the previous one of the successive frames and the color image data of a current one of the successive frames. The apparatus further includes a correction block that compares the R-, G-, and B-element values of the respective pixels of the previous one of the successive frames that the restoration block restored and R-, G-, and B-element values of corresponding pixels of the current one of the successive frames and generates the corrected color image data. |
| US08526729B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a histogram calculation unit configured to calculate a histogram of a luminance value for each spatial block obtained by dividing an input image in a spatial direction, a gray scale correction coefficient calculation unit configured to calculate a gray scale correction coefficient used for correction of the gray scale of a luminance value for each bin of the histogram, and a gray scale correction unit configured to perform gray scale correction of a luminance value of a target pixel based on the gray scale correction coefficient of the bin to which the target pixel of the input image belongs and the gray scale correction coefficient of a bin adjacent to the bin to which the target pixel belongs in the spatial direction and a luminance direction. |
| US08526728B2 |
Establishing clusters of user preferences for image enhancement
An image enhancement system may match images to a matrix having various enhancements of images for groups of users. The matrix may define image enhancement settings for the particular images and groups of users, and the matching may apply enhancements to a new image that closely matches a user's preferences. After the matrix is initially populated, new users and new images may be added to increase the matrix's accuracy. The image enhancement system may be deployed as a cloud service, where images may be enhanced as a standalone application or as part of a social network or image sharing website. In some embodiments, the image enhancement system may be deployed on a personal computer or as a component of an image capture device. |
| US08526726B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing data
The invention provides a method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing electronic image data, and in particular texture data. The compressed data comprises at least two sets of reduced size data, modulation data and modulation and discontinuity flags. The modulation and discontinuity flags determine how the modulation data is used, in combination with the reduced size data sets, in a decompression process. The invention allows for data decompression of textures including large color discontinuities. |
| US08526725B2 |
Image processing apparatus including a division-conversion unit and a composing unit, image processing method, computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes a division-conversion unit and a composing unit. The division-conversion unit extracts data representing N pixels (N is an integer of two or greater) from image data, divides the extracted data into k (2≦k≦N) divided data elements such that at least one pixel is described in each of the k divided data elements, and converts each of the k divided data elements into a single piece of data by using a conversion table. The conversion table is provided in accordance with the number of pixels described in each of the k divided data elements and is used for converting the corresponding k divided data element into the single piece of data by performing conversion processing. The composing unit combines the single pieces of data so as to generate one-pixel output data which is reduced from the extracted N-pixel data with a reduction ratio of 1/N. |
| US08526722B2 |
Apparatus and method for enhancing image quality of image captured by using multiple color-filter aperture
Provided are an apparatus and method for enhancing image quality of an input image captured by an image capturing device having an aperture with a plurality of openings employing different color filters. The image quality enhancing apparatus includes an ROI (region of interest) classifying unit classifying ROIs according to distances from the image capturing device of a captured input image by using a cluster-based image segmentation algorithm, a color channel registering unit determining motion vectors of color channels corresponding to the respective ROIs by analyzing a high frequency component of image data included in the ROIs, and moving the color channels based on the determined motion vectors to obtain a registered image of the respective ROIs, and an image fusing unit fusing the registered images of the respective ROIs to obtain a fused image. |
| US08526715B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional images
A three-dimensional sense adjusting unit displays three-dimensional images to a user. If a displayed reaches a limit of parallax, the user responds to the three-dimensional sense adjusting unit. According to acquired appropriate parallax information, a parallax control unit generates parallax images to realize the appropriate parallax in the subsequent stereo display. The control of parallaxes is realized by optimally setting camera parameters by going back to three-dimensional data. Functions to realize the appropriate parallax are made into and presented by a library. |
| US08526708B2 |
Measurement of critical dimensions of semiconductor wafers
A semiconductor wafer critical dimension measurement method comprising receiving an image of a site of the semiconductor wafer comprising a plurality of features, processing the image to measure at least one critical dimension of at least some of the features, analyzing the critical dimension of each feature and determining the feature to be a non-defective feature or a defective feature, and using the critical dimension of at least some of any non-defective features as a measure of the critical dimension of features of the semiconductor wafer. |
| US08526696B2 |
Medical imaging apparatus, medical image processing apparatus, ultrasonic imaging apparatus, ultrasonic image processing apparatus and method of processing medical images
Based on medical image data acquired in each time phase included in a one-cycle interval, first tracking part tracks the position of a first region of interest set in a first time phase in each time phase and tracks the position of a second region of interest set in a second time phase in each time phase. Based on position information of the first region of interest and the second region of interest in each time phase, position correction part obtains position information of a region of interest in each time phase so that it passes through the position of the first region of interest in the first time phase and the position of the second region of interest in the second time phase. Motion-information calculator obtains motion information of a tissue based on the obtained position information. |
| US08526689B2 |
Method of supporting the differentiation of corneocytes
On the methods of creating corneocyte specimen for providing useful information for appropriate selection of cosmetic products or assessment of the skin condition, it is intended to provide a method of indicating an unstained image of corneocytes or the like in an observable pseudocolor in a method of creating corneocyte specimen, without resorting to staining the corneocyte specimen. The state of corneocytes of skin is input into a computer as an enlarged image by using, for example, a digital microscope. Then, the RGB values of the individual pixels in the image are converted with the use of a conversion system such as a conversion formula, a conversion table or a conversion chart and an image is indicated in a pseudocolor by using the individual RGB values converted. |
| US08526688B2 |
Methods and systems for registration of surgical navigation data and image data
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for correlating data including: receiving from a tracking subsystem a first data set including a tracked position of an object; receiving from an imaging subsystem a second data set including an image of the object; and comparing automatically at least a portion of the first data set with at least a portion of the second data based at least in part on the tracked position of the object and the image of the object. In an embodiment, the comparing automatically the first data set with the second data set is performable in real-time. In an embodiment, the method further includes registering the first data set with the second data set. In an embodiment, the tracking subsystem tracks the object electromagnetically, at least in part. In an embodiment, the imaging subsystem includes an x-ray imaging subsystem. In an embodiment, the first data set is generatable by the tracking subsystem substantially in real-time. In an embodiment, the method further includes determining an offset between at least a portion of the first data set and at least a portion of the second data set. In an embodiment, the method further includes performing an adjustment based at least in part on the offset on at least one of: the tracking subsystem, the imaging subsystem, and a data processing subsystem. |
| US08526680B2 |
Image processing method, image processing program, image processing device, and imaging device
An image-processing method is characterized by including a searching operation of searching for a local motion vector from each of blocks in the plural images, an electing operation of electing a representative motion vector from the local motion vectors of the respective blocks, and an approximating operation of approximating a motion vector distribution on the images based on the representative motion vector in order to detect motion between plural images with high precision without increasing the number of blocks made by dividing an image. In addition, when an approximate surface thereof is a plane, the operation amount for approximating the motion vector distribution and the information amount for representing the motion vector distribution can be minimized. |
| US08526650B2 |
Frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping in hearing assistance devices
Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping in hearing assistance devices. The present subject matter relates to improved speech intelligibility in a hearing assistance device using frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping. The system described herein implements an algorithm for performing frequency translation in an audio signal processing device for the purpose of improving perceived sound quality and speech intelligibility in an audio signal when presented using a system having reduced bandwidth relative to the original signal, or when presented to a hearing-impaired listener sensitive to only a reduced range of acoustic frequencies. |
| US08526643B2 |
Speaker
A speaker includes a base, a diaphragm, a separating module, a first electrode set and a second electrode set. The base and a porous structure are formed a cavity. The diaphragm is disposed in the cavity and includes a first part and a second part. The separating module is located in the cavity and contacts the diaphragm to separate the cavity into the first and the second chambers. The first electrode set disposed in the first chamber is connected to a first sound source signal, such that the first part of the diaphragm is vibrated and the first sound source signal is exported from the first chamber. The second electrode set disposed in the second chamber is connected to a second sound source signal, such that the second part of the diaphragm is vibrated and the second sound source signal is exported from the second chamber. |
| US08526632B2 |
Microphone array for a camera speakerphone
A camera speakerphone having a microphone array may be used for videoconferencing. Example microphone array designs described herein may be used to perform Sound Source Localization (SSL) and improve audio quality of captured audio. In one example, an omni-directional camera speakerphone includes a base having a speaker and at least one microphone. A neck is coupled to the base which is coupled to a head. The head includes an omni-directional camera and at least one microphone. |
| US08526631B2 |
Audio device
An audio device 100 which replays audio on the basis of an external audio signal PAS outputted from a portable audio device (500) includes: a power supply unit 170, that is a power supply element which supplies power at a predetermined voltage to the portable audio device 500; a control unit 110, that is a control element which, along with notifying to the portable audio device 500 function setting information FRP that is operability information specifying whether or not inherent actuation input is possible using an inherent actuation input element provided to the portable audio device, also controls the details notified; and speakers 130L and 130R, that are audio replay element for replaying audio on the basis of the external audio signal PAS. As a result, an audio device 100 is implemented which can enhance the convenience to the user, in cooperation with the portable audio device 500. |
| US08526629B2 |
Audio output apparatus and compensation method thereof
An audio output apparatus including a digital operation unit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a left channel unit, a right channel unit and a common unit is provided. During an initial setting, the digital operation unit detects a cross talk voltage on a left channel earphone unit in the left channel unit or a right channel earphone unit in the right channel unit, calculates a first ratio and a second ratio, and then performs an arithmetic operation on a left and a right channel signals according to the first and the second ratios, so as to obtain a compensated left channel signal and a compensated right channel signal respectively for eliminating a cross talk phenomenon. |
| US08526627B2 |
Noise reduction device
A noise reduction device of the present invention comprises a control filter unit for generating a control sound signal to cancel out a noise, a control speaker for outputting a control sound according to the control sound signal from the control filter unit, an error microphone for detecting a residual sound by superimposing the noise upon the control sound output from the control speaker, and an obstacle detector for detecting an obstacle around the error microphone, wherein the control filter unit generates the control sound signal according to data from the error microphone and the obstacle detector. |
| US08526625B2 |
Stereo microphone
A stereo microphone includes a supporter that is made of an elastic material. The supporter fixes two unidirectional microphone units at certain angles. A moving part is used to apply external force to a part of the supporter so that an angle formed by main axes of the respective unidirectional microphone units is changed by deformation of the supporter. |
| US08526622B2 |
Configurable filter for processing television audio signals
Television audio signal encoders include a matrix that sums a left channel audio signal and a right channel audio signal to produce a sum signal. The matrix also subtracts one of the left and right audio signals from the other to produce a difference signal. The encoders also include a configurable infinite impulse response digital filter that selectively uses one or more sets of filter coefficients to filter the difference signal and/or the sum signals. Each selectable set of filter coefficients is associated with a unique filtering application to prepare the difference signal for transmission. Decoders with the matrix are also disclosed. |
| US08526616B2 |
Method for payload encryption of digital voice or data communications
A process using code segment which is installed over a transport medium, using a device, such as a network, for transmitting real-time end-to-end encrypted voice or data communications between at least a first digital device and a second device in real time is disclosed. The network includes a network portal for Registration, Key Management, Authentication, and Authorization of the first digital device and the second device. Accordingly, the devices are capable of securely communicating with each other in real-time by providing each digital device with at least first and second keys, and receives requests to communicate, provides authorization to set up a secure session, and encrypts and decrypts the voice and data messages sent to and received from the portal. The intent is to provide a low cost, COTS, real-time software voice and data encryption upgrade solution which is scalable, interoperable, and agnostic for all communications. |
| US08526615B2 |
Storage system executing encryption and decryption processing
A storage system includes a channel interface (IF) unit having an interface with a server, a disk IF unit having an interface with a hard disk group, a memory unit for storing data to be read/written from/to the server or the hard disk group, a switching unit, and the hard disk group. The channel IF unit, the disk IF unit, and the memory unit are connected to each other through the switching unit, and an encryption and decryption processing unit is provided between a host IF unit and a transfer controller in the channel IF unit. |
| US08526611B2 |
Utilizing data reduction in steganographic and cryptographic systems
The present invention relates to methods for protecting a data signal using the following techniques: applying a data reduction technique to reduce the data signal into a reduced data signal; subtracting the reduced data signal from the data signal to produce a remainder signal; embedding a first watermark into the reduced data signal to produce a watermarked, reduced data signal; and adding the watermarked, reduced data signal to the remainder signal to produce an output signal. A second watermark may be embedded into the remainder signal before the final addition step. Further, cryptographic techniques may be used to encrypt the reduced data signals and to encrypt the remainder signals before the final addition step. |
| US08526608B2 |
Printing system and printer with electronic signature capability and method thereof
A printing system and printer with an electronic signature capability, and a method thereof are provided. To print security documents using an electronic signature stored in a portable memory, the printing system of the invention includes a portable memory for storing an electronic signature. A memory interface connects detachably to the portable memory. A printer receives the electronic signature from the memory interface, composes the received electronic signature with print data, and executes a print operation. Accordingly, a stamping or signature process on numerous documents can be facilitated, and excessive stamping or signature execution can be prevented. Moreover, the electronic signature of the invention can be executed on various types of forms or documents. |
| US08526604B2 |
Enabling wireless clients for low-power operation when clients require control messages from external sources for communication
A wireless station (A) is operated in a power-save mode, in which the station is alternately in power-ON and power-OFF states to reduce power consumption. Wireless station (A) computes at least some future time instances at which another wireless station (B) is expected to start transmitting control messages. Wireless station (A) is ensured to be in the power-ON state in corresponding time intervals encompassing durations of at least some of such future transmissions of control messages by wireless station (B), and is thereby enabled to receive the control messages. In an embodiment, the control messages correspond to group key message updates in which values of a decryption key are transmitted, wireless station (A) being a wireless client, wireless station (B) being an access point, with wireless stations (A) and (B) operating in a wireless network consistent with IEEE 802.11 specifications, and communication between wireless stations (A) and (B) being encrypted. |
| US08526602B2 |
Adjustment-value-attached block cipher apparatus, cipher generation method and recording medium
There is provided an adjustment-value-attached block cipher apparatus realizing block cipher processing that the amount of processing is small in adjustment-value-attached block cipher. The adjustment-value-attached block cipher apparatus includes: an encryption section performing encryption by a block cipher system; an input section accepting plaintext, an adjustment value and instruction information indicating first or second cipher processing; and a generator dividing the adjustment value into first and second adjustment values, encrypting the first adjustment value using the encryption section to generate cipher for offset, determining an offset value according to the cipher for offset and the second adjustment value, determining the sum of the offset value and the plaintext, and encrypting the sum using the encryption section to generate first ciphertext when the instruction information indicates the first cipher processing, and encrypting the plaintext using the encryption section to generate second ciphertext when the instruction information indicates the second cipher processing. |
| US08526597B2 |
Proactive system and method for monitoring and guidance of call center agent
A system and a computer-implemented method for monitoring and guiding agents of call centers are described. The method includes receiving during an interaction call between an agent and a and a customer, real-time data associated with the interaction; retrieving by the call analysis system, a performance profile of the agent; using the performance profile of the agent and the real-time data associated with the interaction to determine whether a corrective action alert should be sent to the agent and generating and transmitting the alert to a terminal of the agent during the interaction if so determined. |
| US08526593B2 |
System and method for generating and utilizing organically grown content in a directory assistance environment
A method for providing directory assistance includes receiving a communication from a requestor for a desired contact listing and retrieving a requester profile relating to the requester where the profile including a calling history of the requester. At least one listing is retrieved in response to the communication for a desired contact listing, where the retrieving of the desired listing includes reviewing the calling history of the requester and including, among the at least one retrieved response, a predictive listing. |
| US08526586B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining targeted content to provide in response to a missed communication
Targeted content is provided to at least one communication device responsive to a notification of a missed communication. Responsive to a notification of the missed communication, a selection of one of a plurality of different pricing options is received for a return communication. Targeted content is provided, in addition to content of the return communication, based on the selected pricing option. |
| US08526584B2 |
Device and method for preventing ion build-up in liquid crystal displays
A desktop network protocol telephone set has a network interface for connecting the telephone set to a local area network. An audio interface provides audio signals to and from a handset of the telephone set. A processing circuit is responsive to communications from the network interface. A control circuit coupled to the processing circuit is used for changing a driving frequency of the LCD panel. |
| US08526581B2 |
Internet protocol text relay for hearing impaired users
IP text relay or phone captioning is described herein, to facilitate communication through the use of traditional phone or VOIP or internet telephone system between people of hearing impaired and those who can hear. This service and device will enable users to communicate with users of hearing via assistance of an operator who will transcribe the call, while also receiving the Caller ID of the calling party and not the relay center. |
| US08526574B2 |
Capacitor AC power coupling across high DC voltage differential
A circuit providing reliable voltage isolation between a low and high voltage sides of a circuit while allowing AC power transfer between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit to an x-ray tube filament. Capacitors provide the isolation between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit. |
| US08526545B1 |
Phase shift keying wireless communication apparatus and method
A baseband processor including an analog to digital converter configured to convert a baseband signal from an analog format into a corresponding digital format, wherein the baseband signal comprises a data packet having i) a preamble portion, ii) a header portion, and iii) a payload portion, wherein the payload portion of the data packet is in accordance with either i) a first format or ii) a second format. The baseband processor further includes a first demodulation pathway configured to recover i) the preamble portion of the data packet, ii) the header portion of the data packet, and iii) the payload portion of the data packet in response to the payload portion of the data packet being of the first format; and a second demodulation pathway configured to recover the payload portion of the data packet in response to the payload portion of the data packet being of the second format. |
| US08526543B2 |
Quadrature imbalance estimation using unbiased training sequences
A system and method are provided for removing quadrature imbalance errors in received data. The method accepts an unbiased training sequence in a quadrature demodulation receiver. An unbiased training sequence has a uniform accumulated power evenly distributed in a complex plane, and includes predetermined reference signals (p) at frequency +f and predetermined mirror signals (pm) at frequency −f. The unbiased training sequence is processed, generating a sequence of processed symbols (y) at frequency +f, representing complex plane information in the unbiased training sequence. Each processed symbol (y) is multiplied by the mirror signal (pm), and an unbiased quadrature imbalance estimate Bm is obtained at frequency (−f). Using quadrature imbalance estimates, channel estimates, and processed symbols, an imbalance-corrected symbol can be generated. |
| US08526535B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device with separate in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) phase power amplification and power amplifier pre-distortion and IQ balance compensation
A communications device, in one aspect as a portable wireless communications device, includes an in-phase modulator and power amplifier that receives a baseband I signal and modulates and amplifies the I signal. A quadrature modulator and power amplifier receives a baseband Q signal and modulates and amplifies the Q signal. A power combiner sums and outputs the I and Q signals. An I demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the I power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated I signals. A Q demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the Q power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated Q signals. A processor compares the digital, baseband I and Q signals with a demodulated I and Q signals to compensate for amplitude, frequency and phase modulation errors. |
| US08526527B2 |
Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method
A radio communication apparatus and an associated method are provided. The apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive first data and second data, which are transmitted from a plurality of antennas for spatial-multiplexing using a plurality of blocks, into which a plurality of consecutive subcarriers in a frequency domain are divided. The apparatus further includes a calculating unit configured to calculate a first absolute CQI value per each of the blocks for the first data and a second absolute CQI value per each of the blocks for the second data, and calculate a relative value of the second absolute CQI value with respect to the first absolute CQI value, per each of the blocks. The apparatus still further includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the first absolute CQI value and the relative value of the second absolute CQI value in the same block. |
| US08526525B2 |
Interference avoiding MIMO
Method and apparatus for communicating a radio signal between a first station and a second station, including estimating at least one characteristic of a radio channel from the first station including a first plurality of weightable transceiving elements, to the second station including a second plurality of weightable transceiving elements; calculating a receive weighting of at least one weightable transceiving element at the second station, responsive to the estimate; calculating a transmit weighting of at least one weightable transceiving element at the first station; and then communicating the radio signal by transmitting from the transmit-weighted transceiving elements at the first station, over the radio channel, to the receive-weighted transceiving elements at the second station, while reducing the response to unwanted interfering signals. |
| US08526505B2 |
System and method for transmitting digital video stream using SVC scheme
Disclosed is a system for transmitting a digital video stream, which supports decoding of a scalable video coding (SVC) scheme, the system includes a transmission terminal and a reception terminal, wherein the transmission terminal includes an encoder for encoding a high-definition digital video stream and a division transmission unit for dividing the high-definition video stream having a predetermined time unit into a first divided high-definition video stream and a second divided high-definition video stream by reducing a frame rate and for transmitting the first and second divided high-definition video streams, and the reception terminal includes a transmission coupling unit for receiving the first and second divided high-definition video streams transmitted from the transmission terminal, coupling the received streams according to validity thereof, and transmitting the received streams as a reception high-definition digital video stream; and a decoder for decoding the reception high-definition digital video stream transmitted from the transmission coupling unit. |
| US08526498B2 |
Video coding apparatus, video coding method, and video decoding apparatus
A video coding apparatus is provided to reduce pulsing artifacts. The video coding apparatus includes a correlation calculation unit calculating a correlation value indicating a correlation degree of correlation between: a first block; and a second block or a third block. The first block includes pixels included in a first original picture in an original picture sequence of original pictures, the second block includes pixels included in a second original picture which precedes the first original picture, and the third block is obtained by coding and reconstructing the second block. The video coding apparatus also includes a correlation judgment unit judging whether the correlation value exceeds a first threshold, and judging that the correlation is high when the correlation value exceeds the first threshold, and includes a blending unit blending the first block and the third block when the correlation judgment unit judges that the correlation is high. |
| US08526495B2 |
Apparatus and method of constrained partition size for high efficiency video coding
An apparatus and method for video coding and decoding with constrained PU partition are disclosed. In the High Efficient Video Coding (HEVC) system, rate-distortion function or other performance criterion usually is evaluated for various CU partition and PU partition during the encoding process in order to select a configuration with best possible performance. The PU design in the current HEVC development results in some redundancy that causes rate-distortion function or other performance criterion repeatedly evaluated for same PU configuration. Accordingly, constrained PU partition is developed to eliminate or reduce the redundancy in processing. Furthermore, necessary syntax to convey the information related to constrained PU partition between an encoder and a decoder is developed. Systems embodying the present invention has been shown to result in sizeable reduction in encoding and decoding time while the performance in terms of RD-rate remains approximately the same or slightly higher than a conventional HEVC system. |
| US08526493B2 |
Double register array buffer for motion compensation
Provided are a method and apparatus for buffering image data for motion compensation. One of two buffers of a double register array buffer, i.e., a first buffer, is selected as a buffer in which data corresponding to a row of a block of an image is to be written and the other of the double register array buffer is selected as a buffer from which data corresponding to another row of the block is to be read, thereby speeding up motion compensation processing when compared with the use of a single register array buffer. |
| US08526492B2 |
Encoding method, decoding method, and encoding apparatus for a digital picture sequence
Rate control mechanisms for video encoding aim to provide the best possible video quality while keeping given conditions on transmission rate and decoding delay. In order to achieve a constant video quality, the anchor and non-anchor frames of different frame types are encoded using a different number of bits. However, since video sequences generally contain widely varying picture content and previously coded frames are used to predict a given frame, a suitable assignment of frame target bit rates is hard to determine, especially for non-anchor frames. According to the invention, non-anchor frames are coded using a fixed quantization parameter. Since the quantization parameter used for the encoding of non-anchor frames is directly derived from the average quantization parameter of the previously encoded anchor frame, such approach ensures a constant video quality. Beside of that, the complexity of the rate control strategy is reduced, because no macroblock-level rate control is applied for the encoding of non-anchor frames. |
| US08526483B2 |
Power line channel-adaptive communications system and method
Disclosed herein is a power line channel-adaptive communications system and method. The power line channel-adaptive communications system includes a transmitting end, a channel-adaptive controller, and a receiving end. The transmitting end generates an adaptive chirp symbol signal of a preset type for transmission data according to a channel state of the power line, modulates the generated adaptive chirp symbol signal in any one of first and second transmission modes, and transmits the modulated adaptive chirp symbol signal via the power line channel. The channel-adaptive controller controls the type and transmission mode of the adaptive chirp symbol signal. The receiving end restores the transmission data by demodulating the adaptive chirp symbol signal, received via the power line channel, in any one of the first and second transmission modes according to the channel state of the power line. |
| US08526481B2 |
Extendable electrode for gas discharge laser
A movable electrode assembly for use in a laser system, includes a first electrode having a first discharge surface, a second electrode having a second discharge surface. The second electrode being arranged opposite from the first electrode. The second discharge surface being spaced apart from the first discharge surface by a discharge gap. A discharge gap adjuster interfaced with at least one of the second electrode or the first electrode, the discharge gap adjuster configured to adjust the discharge gap. A method of adjusting a discharge gap is also disclosed. |
| US08526480B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device comprising an optically pumped surface emitting vertical emitter which emits in a vertical main radiation direction, and at least one monolithically integrated pump radiation source for optically pumping the vertical emitter, wherein the pump radiation source emits pump radiation in a pump main radiation direction extending transversely with respect to the vertical main radiation direction. In accordance with the invention, suitably dimensioned vertical sections are provided such that modes of the pump radiation are forced completely or at least partly in a vertical direction from this section to reduce absorption losses of the pump radiation at conductive layers. |
| US08526479B2 |
Laser tube with distributed taps for a gas discharge RF-excited laser
A laser device is provided. The laser device includes a laser tube, and power devices distributed uniformly along the length of the laser tube. |
| US08526478B2 |
Semiconductor optical integrated element
A semiconductor optical integrated element includes: a substrate; and a laser diode and a modulator which are integrated on the substrate. The laser diode includes an embedded waveguide having a core layer, both sides of which are embedded in a semiconductor material. The modulator includes a high-mesa ridge waveguide having a core layer, neither side of which is embedded in the semiconductor material. The core layers in the laser diode and the modulator are stripe-shaped. |
| US08526470B2 |
Synchronized commands for network testing
Methods and test systems for testing a network. A test system may emulate a plurality of users, each emulated user executing a user activity. Each emulated user activity may include one or more commands. At least some emulated user activities may include a first command associated with a first protocol synchronized with a second command associated with a second protocol different from the first protocol. The test system may report a result of emulating the plurality of users. |
| US08526469B2 |
Packet filtering based on dynamic usage information
A receiver of network data dynamically filters packets by packet type from a network device CPU based on usage information, such as time, day, location, and feature (e.g., “video” or “application”) selection. |
| US08526468B1 |
Method and system for quality-of-service-differentiated reverse activity bit
The disclosure generally relates to service-tier-based regulation of reverse-link activity at an access terminal operating in a wireless access network. An exemplary method involves (a) receiving one or more reverse activity bits from a wireless access network; (b) based 5 at least in part on the received reverse activity bits, determining a Quick Reverse Activity Bit (QRAB) and/or a Filtered Reverse Activity Bit (FRAB); (c) applying a first service-tier filter to the determined QRAB, wherein the first service-tier filter corresponds to a service tier for which the access terminal is authorized; and (d) based at least in part on the service-tier filtered QRAB, determining an adjustment to reverse-link activity of the access terminal. The method may further involve applying a second service-tier filter to the determined FRAB and using the service-tier filtered QRAB in determining the adjustment to reverse-link activity. |
| US08526467B2 |
Facilitating transition of network operations from IP version 4 to IP version 6
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to facilitating transitions from IPv4 to IPv6 networks. In particular implementations, the invention facilitates or enables accessibility of network application services between IPv4 and IPv6 hosts, or traversal of network paths including both IPv6 or IPv4 domains. Particular implementations of the invention are directed to selective mapping of network layer addresses between IPv6 and IPv4 protocols and Domain Name System records under one or more policy controls. Other implementations of the invention are directed to a proxy-to-proxy based tunnel architecture allowing hosts implementing a first network layer protocol, such as IPv4, to traverse a network implementing a second network layer protocol, such as IPv6. |
| US08526460B2 |
Systems and methods for scheduling asynchronous tasks to residual channel space
Systems (100)/methods (1000) for allocating performance of data service tasks (DST-1, . . . , DST-30) of a defined duration or data volume among time frames (2021-1, 2021-2, . . . , 2021-N, . . . , 20217-1, 20217-2, . . . , 20217-N) defined in separate communication channels (2001, . . . , 20017). Each time frame has a predetermined duration and number of time chips (3021-1, 3021-2, . . . , 3021-26624). The methods involve allocating portions of the time frames to synchronous type data service tasks (STDSTs). STDSTs (DTS-1, . . . , DST-14, DST-16, . . . , DST-18, DST-20, . . . , DST-30) must be communicated in consecutive time chips of a single channel. The methods also involve allocating residual channel space portions of the time frames to asynchronous type data service tasks (ATDSTs). ATDSTs (DST-15, DST-19) do not require data to be communicated in consecutive time chips of a single channel. |
| US08526453B2 |
Linecard and method for telecommunication
Linecards and methods for processing signals are provided. |
| US08526447B1 |
H.323 to SIP fax interworking
A network device has a H.323 interface to communicate under a H.323 standard of the International Telecommunications Union. The device also has a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface. A processor converts signaling messages between H.323 and Session Initiation Protocol to establish a fax session for communication of packetized fax signals and data. |
| US08526445B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing domain information
An apparatus for providing domain information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a storage module that stores domain information regarding a domain, and a control module that transmits a response message including the stored domain information to the device through the communication-interface module in response to a domain-information-request message received from the device. |
| US08526443B2 |
Automated VLAN assignment to domain in ring network
In general, the disclosure describes network techniques that may automatically assign virtual local area networks (VLANs) to domains in a ring network. In one example, a method includes receiving, by a control node in a ring network, a plurality of data units transmitted by a plurality of transport nodes on the ring network, each data unit comprising profile information, and automatically assigning a VLAN to one of a plurality of domains established on the ring network based on the profile information. |
| US08526441B2 |
System and method for handling out-of-order frames
A system for reordering frames may include at least one processor that enable receiving of an out-of-order frame via a network subsystem. The at least one processor may enable placing data of the out-of-order frame in a host memory, and managing information relating to one or more holes resulting from the out-of-order frame in a receive window. The at least one processor may enable setting a programmable limit with respect to a number of holes allowed in the receive window. The out-of-order frame is received via a TCP offload engine (TOE) of the network subsystem or a TCP-enabled Ethernet controller (TEEC) of the network subsystem. The network subsystem may not store the out-of-order frame on an onboard memory, and may not store one or more missing frames relating to the out-of-order frame. The network subsystem may include a network interface card (NIC). |
| US08526435B2 |
Packet node for applying service path routing at the MAC layer
A packet node and corresponding methods are provided for providing services to packets received at the packet node. At an ingress card, a packet is classified and a virtual media access control (VMAC) address is attached to the packet. The VMAC address identifies a service component for providing a service to the packet. Layer two switching of the packet is made within the packet node, based on the VMAC address. After processing of the packet by the service component, a new VMAC address is attached to the packet. Further layer two switching of the packet, based on the new VMAC address, may lead to further processing by another service component or to forwarding of the packet beyond the packet node. |
| US08526424B2 |
Enhancing voice QoS over unmanaged bandwidth limited packet network
An improved telephony adapter compresses voice data, creates IP packets, and prioritizes the voice IP packets over the data IP packets. Preferably, the compression and packetization interval is such that the bandwidth occupied by the voice IP packets is approximately half of the minimum average available bandwidth in the upstream direction, thereby maintaining acceptable latency and voice quality of the speech. Further enhancement is achieved by causing the ISP to also give priority to voice packets that are destined to the telephony adapter, over the data packets that are destined to the telephony adapter. |
| US08526422B2 |
Network on chip with partitions
A network on chip (‘NOC’) that includes integrated processor (‘IP’) blocks, routers, memory communications controllers, and network interface controllers, with each IP block adapted to a router through a memory communications controller and a network interface controller, where each memory communications controller controlling communications between an IP block and memory, and each network interface controller controlling inter-IP block communications through routers, with the network organized into partitions, each partition including at least one IP block, each partition assigned exclusive access to a separate physical memory address space and one or more applications executing on one or more of the partitions. |
| US08526421B2 |
Arrangement and approach for time slot index synchronization for wireless communications
The time slot index for wireless signals is synchronized using an approach that facilitates rapid synchronization acquisition and tracking synchronization recovery. According to an example embodiment, a synchronization circuit (e.g., 300) uses data in symbols of a particular signal frame (e.g., 120) to set a time slot index synchronization characteristic for an acquired wireless signal, and further to track time slot index synchronization during processing of the signal. |
| US08526418B2 |
Power line communication network
A media access control (MAC) controller is disclosed for a network providing communication for network stations located at a plurality of customer premises and sharing a communication medium, each of the premises having a plurality of network stations. The MAC controller includes a virtual local area network (vLAN) controller, providing access to the communication medium for and communication among the stations located at a single customer's premises, to define a vLAN between them. A group local area network (gLAN) controller provides access to the communication medium for and communication among interfering vLANs, two vLANs being considered to be interfering when one can sense communications over the medium from a station in the other. A MAC controller is provided in at least one station in a vLAN. The MAC controller is preferably connected to use as the communication medium the portion of a power line at the output of the last step down transformer and utilizes a token passing protocol to control access to the medium. |
| US08526414B2 |
Method for physical control format indicator channel mapping
A method of mapping symbols of a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH) is described. A start position of a resource element to map the symbols for the PCFICH is determined by flooring a value, obtained by multiplying the number of resource blocks by a variable proportional to a symbol index for the PCFICH and then dividing the multiplied result by 2, wherein the resource blocks are transmitted in downlink. The symbols are mapped in the start position. Therefore, a problem of wasting resource elements or not being able to implement mapping can be solved by applying a simple mapping rule while mapping symbols of the PCFICH. |
| US08526400B2 |
Radio access system and method using OFDM and CDMA for broadband data transmission
A method and system for wireless data communication using a first wireless communication technology and a second wireless communication technology. The second wireless communication technology being different from the first wireless communication technology. A transmitter is arranged to transmit data using frame structures based on the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology in which the frame structure based on the second wireless communication technology has a timing structure, MAC and pilot that are also used with the frame structure of the first wireless communication technology. The transmitter is arranged to selectively change transmission on a frame by frame basis between the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology. |
| US08526398B2 |
Communication terminal and communication method
An object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal and a communication method that can reduce power consumption while securing a communication state by a first communication means or a second communication means.A mobile device includes a radio communication part that communicates and connects with a mobile communication network and a WLAN communication part that communicates and connects with a WLAN. In the mobile device, a communication state monitoring part judges whether or not a radio communication using the radio communication part can be performed based on a preset reference value. When the communication state monitoring part judges that the communication using the radio communication part can be performed, a control part causes the WLAN communication part to transit to a sleep state. |
| US08526387B2 |
Method for transmitting control information and device therefor
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for transmitting uplink control information and a device therefor, and the method comprises the steps of: selecting, from a plurality of uplink control channel resources, one uplink control channel resource corresponding to a plurality of HARQ-ACKs; and transmitting bit values corresponding to said plurality of HARQ-ACKs by using the selected uplink control channel resource. |
| US08526380B1 |
Dynamic transmission mode selection based on wireless communication device data rate capabilities
A communication system comprises a wireless access node having a plurality of ports and a control system. The wireless access node is configured to exchange wireless communications over the ports with wireless communication devices that are individually identified by device identifiers. The control system is configured to individually allocate the wireless communication devices into categories based on the device identifiers and determine one of the categories having a majority of the wireless communication devices. The control system is configured to configure the ports of the wireless access node to utilize a MIMO 2T2R mode for exchanging the wireless communications if the one category having the majority of the wireless communication devices comprises a first data rate capability, and to configure the ports of the wireless access node to utilize a MIMO 4T4R mode for exchanging the wireless communications if the one category having the majority of the wireless communication devices comprises a second data rate capability. |
| US08526369B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for IP-femtocell provisioned radio access network
A system, method, and computer readable medium for provisioning radio access via a femtocell system that includes integrated BTS and BSC functions are provided. The femtocell system is coupled with a packet switched backhaul and provides an IP-accessible radio access network. The femtocell system includes a session initiation protocol adapter that supports a SIP client pool and provides conversion of call set-up functions to SIP client set-up functions for provisioning of radio access to a user equipment. The user equipment may have a session initiation protocol client associated with the user equipment. The session initiation protocol client is hosted and registered with a registrar service by the femtocell system. Accordingly, telecommunication services may be directed to and from the user equipment over the packet-switched backhaul to the user equipment via the femtocell system. |
| US08526361B2 |
Mobile communication system and method of data dispersion in said system
In a mobile communication system, which has a plurality of radio network controllers and a number of radio base stations connected to each of the radio network controllers, for sending and receiving user data between a host network and mobile stations via the radio network controllers and radio base stations, a plurality of transmission paths that pass through one or more radio network controllers are set up between a base station, which sends and receives radio signals to and from a mobile station, and the host network. When data is being sent and received using one transmission path from the host network to a base station through a radio network controller, traffic conditions on this transmission path are monitored. When traffic has increased, the user data is dispersed by being passed through a plurality of transmission paths. |
| US08526360B1 |
Reverse buffering a stream of media content
A method, system, and medium are provided for optimizing a stream of a media content through a wireless telecommunications network. A catalog receives a request from a mobile communication device for a particular media content. The catalog identifies that the media content is not available as reverse buffered media content. The request is then directed to a host of the media content where the host communicates the media to the mobile communications device. The media content is reverse buffered at a reverse buffer. The catalog updates to indicate that the media content is available as reverse buffered media content at the reverse buffer. The catalog receives a second request for the media content. The catalog determines that the media content is available and directs the request to the reverse buffer. The reverse buffered media content is communicated to the second mobile communication device. |
| US08526358B2 |
System and method of doppler and local oscillator compensation in a TDMA system
System and method for determining an optimal transmission center frequency for a traffic station (30) in a satellite communication system (100) includes transmitting, by the traffic station (30) in a first uplink channel, a first burst of information in a first uplink TDMA frame to a satellite (10) and receiving, by the traffic station (30) in a first downlink channel, a downlink TDMA frame including a reference burst (210) and the first burst of information. A Doppler offset ratio is calculated based on a measured frequency shift of the received first burst of information. A local oscillator offset ratio is calculated based on a measured frequency shift of the reference burst and the Doppler offset ratio. An adjusted transmission frequency of a second uplink channel is calculated based on the Doppler offset ratio and the local oscillator offset ratio. |
| US08526357B2 |
Methods and arrangements for handling unreliable scheduling grants in a telecommunication network
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for handling unreliable scheduling grants in a WCDMA-communication system. A user equipment detects that a received scheduling grant is unreliable and adjust its serving grant based on that information. The user equipment is also able to report continuously received unreliable grants as an event to the network, allowing the network to adapt its operation to reduce the unreliable grants. |
| US08526351B2 |
Channel characterization and training within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications
Channel characterization and training within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within such communication systems, there can be a number of devices (e.g., STAs) that communicate with a single device (e.g., AP). A multi-cast sounding frame may be transmitted from a transmitting device to a number of receiving devices. Appropriate scheduling or ordering of feedback signals from some or all of the receiving devices may be performed explicitly (e.g., sounding frame sent from the transmitting device to a receiving device) or implicitly (e.g., control information sent from the transmitting device to the receiving device, sounding frame sent to the transmitting device from the receiving device). Such characterization and training is with respect to a channel or path in which data will subsequently follow. Such characterization and training can be performed in accordance with group membership (e.g., with respect to only some of the receiving devices). |
| US08526347B2 |
Peer-to-peer communication with symmetric waveform for downlink and uplink
Techniques for supporting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication are disclosed. In an aspect, P2P communication may be supported with a symmetric waveform for a P2P downlink and a P2P uplink. In one design, a first UE generates a first signal based on a particular waveform (e.g., a downlink waveform or an uplink waveform for a wireless network) and transmits the first signal to a second UE for P2P communication. The first UE also receives a second signal generated by the second UE based on the particular waveform and transmitted to the first UE for P2P communication. In another aspect, a proximity detection signal may be transmitted in a portion of a subframe instead of the entire subframe. The remaining portion of the subframe may be used to transmit control information and/or other information to support P2P communication. |
| US08526346B1 |
Power save communication mechanism for wireless communication systems
A power saving communication mechanism can be implemented on an access point and on a connected WLAN device in a wireless communication network so that the connected WLAN device transmits uplink data frames in response to receiving a trigger frame from the access point. The access point determines a number of connected wireless network devices in the wireless communication network and a number of power save intervals to be implemented in each beacon interval. Additionally, the access point can vary a trigger frame transmission sequence according to which trigger frames are transmitted to connected WLAN devices. The access point transmits the trigger frame to each connected WLAN device to request transmission of uplink data frames based on the trigger frame transmission sequence. The power saving communication mechanism can improve throughput, facilitate conservation of radio resources, and reduce power consumption. |
| US08526344B2 |
Method of power information reporting for enhancing uplink power control
A method of power information reporting for enhancing uplink power control in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises reporting a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) power headroom report (PHR) on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in a reporting subframe for each of at least one PUCCH transmission in a first subframe. |
| US08526343B2 |
Operation frequency setting method, network device and radio base station
A mobile communication method includes an operation frequency setting method for setting an operation frequency of a radio base station including measuring by the radio base station a received power level of a common control signal transmitted by each of neighboring radio base stations, and comparing each of the measured received power levels of the common control signals with a prescribed threshold and determining an operation frequency of the radio base station from among operation frequency candidates from which a frequency of a common control signal having a received power level higher than the prescribed threshold is excluded. |
| US08526338B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for determining uplink transmission power in time division duplex system
A method for determining uplink transmission power in time division duplex system is disclosed: a base station determines the current distribution manner of uplink and downlink sub-frames, acquires the frame correspondence information that corresponds to the distribution manner of said uplink and downlink sub-frames, selects, based on said frame correspondence information, downlink sub-frames to transmit to a terminal the power control (TPC) commands that correspond to the uplink sub-frames. Before using the uplink sub-frames to transmit data, the terminal determines the current distribution manner of uplink and downlink sub-frames, acquires the frame correspondence information that corresponds to the distribution manner of said uplink and downlink sub-frames, determines, based on the frame correspondence information, the downlink sub-frames that are used for transmitting the TPC commands; acquires the TPC commands received by the downlink sub-frames, and determines the data transmission power of the uplink sub-frames based on said TPC commands. The present invention also discloses a time division duplex data transmission system and an apparatus therefor. With the present invention, a time division duplex system can transmit and receive TPC commands based on the frame correspondence information, thereby enabling correct and effective uplink power control performance. |
| US08526336B2 |
Conference resource allocation and dynamic reallocation
In one embodiment, a system for conducting a conference session among a group of participants includes a server for establishing communication channels over a network connected with endpoint devices of the participants. The server operates to allocate initial resources on the network to conduct the conference session, the initial resources including the communication channels and at least one conferencing bridge. Code running on the server selects one or more different resources currently available during the conference session. The one or more different resources is selected to optimize a quality of service (QoS) criteria. Execution of the code causes the server to move the conference session to the one or more different resources responsive to a triggering event. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US08526334B2 |
Choosing connectable end points for network test
Methods and apparatus for conducting a test of a network including a plurality of endpoints, each endpoint including a software agent for conducting network tests. Candidate endpoints pairs to conduct the test may be identified from the plurality of endpoints. The candidate endpoints pairs may be ranked in accordance with stored connectivity data. The connectivity of the candidate endpoint pairs may be checked in rank order until a connectable endpoint pair is located. The connectable endpoint pair may be instructed to conduct the test. |
| US08526332B2 |
Method and apparatus of detecting resource assignment information in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of detecting resource assignment information by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is provided. The UE detects a number of Assignment Advanced-MAP (A-A-MAP) groups and a number of a plurality of A-A-MAP Information Elements (IEs) included in each of the A-A-MAP groups, extracts type and flag of each of the plurality of A-A-MAP IEs; and performs blind detection of resource assignment information on the basis of the type and flag of each of the A-A-MAP IEs. |
| US08526328B2 |
Pointing, acquisition and tracking in a networked communications system
A system for pointing, acquisition, and tracking in a networked communications system is disclosed. A first communications device of the networked communications system may include a PAT module for establishing PAT links with other communications elements in the networked communications system. A second communications device may also include a PAT module for establishing PAT links with other communications elements in the networked communications system. A communications node may also include a PAT module for establishing PAT links with other communications elements in the networked communications system. A first PAT link is formable between the first communications device and the communications node. A second PAT link is formable between the second communications device and the communications node, and a third PAT link is formable between the first communications device and the second communications device through the communications node. |
| US08526317B2 |
Methods and apparatus for preemptive backoff for medium access in wireless peer-to-peer networks
A method of operating a wireless device is provided in which a number of neighboring nodes is estimated, a medium access priority to access a communication resource in a current timeslot is determined, and whether to transmit a scheduling control signal in the current timeslot is determined based on the number of neighboring nodes and the medium access priority. |
| US08526315B2 |
Flow state attributes for producing media flow statistics at a network node
A method in one embodiment includes allocating, by a node of a network, a flow label attribute identifying a media flow associated with a Session Description Protocol (SDP) media session. The media flow is between a sender and receiver nodes over a media transmission path of the network. The node further specifying a flow state attribute to generate media flow information and communicating the flow label and the flow state attribute to downstream nodes in the media transmission path. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US08526309B2 |
Mobile communication system, mobile station apparatus base station apparatus, method for managing mobile station apparatus, method for managing base station apparatus and processing section
Provided are a communication system and a mobile station apparatus which can effectively manage setting information held in a base station apparatus and a mobile station apparatus in a system having a plurality of component carriers. The mobile communication system is formed by the base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus. The system manages specific system information elements used by a plurality of component carriers occupying a part of the bandwidth in the system band as unique information. |
| US08526308B1 |
Interruption of wireless reverse link data transfer based on power change instructions
What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication device, where a wireless access node provides wireless access to communication services over a wireless link for the wireless communication device. The method includes transferring data in a series of frames to the wireless access node over a reverse link portion of the wireless link, where each frame comprises a series of subframes, and transferring a present frame at a first power level. The method also includes, during transfer of the present frame at the first power level, monitoring control information transferred by the wireless access node on a forward link portion of the wireless link, and in response to receiving a power change instruction in the control information, interrupting transfer of the subframes of a present frame at the first power level and restarting transfer of the subframes of the present frame at a second power level. |
| US08526306B2 |
Identification of patterns in stateful transactions
A system for the identification of patterns in stateful transactions may include a message interceptor, a message pattern processor, a message handler, and a memory. The message interceptor may be operative to intercept messages transmitted by a first device over a network to a recipient. The message interceptor may be operative to intercept the messages before the messages are received by the recipient. The message pattern processor may be operative to add the message to a message pattern and store the message pattern in a memory. The message pattern processor may compare the message pattern to a plurality of exemplary message patterns and identify when the message pattern matches at least one of the exemplary message patterns. The message handler may be operative to determine an action to take with respect to the message based on the at least one matching exemplary message pattern identified by the message pattern processor. |
| US08526287B2 |
Optical disk apparatus
Provided is an optical disk apparatus capable achieving stable focus control or tracking control. A first detector receives reflected light from an object lens optical system, a second detector receives reflected light from a prescribed information layer, a positional deviation determination unit determines positional deviation between a focal point of a light beam and a point where information on the prescribed information layer is recorded or reproduced, on the basis of a signal from the second detector, a stray light determination unit determines a surface stray light component which is reflected light from the surface of an optical disk and is included in the signal from the positional deviation determination unit, on the basis of the signal from the first detector, and a stray light correction unit corrects the signal output from the positional deviation determination unit on the basis of the surface stray light component thus determined. |
| US08526278B2 |
Recording method, recording device, optical disc, optical disc manufacturing method, and optical disc drive device
In a recording system (1), a personal computer (20) reads out boot information from an optical disc (31) in a predetermined order and records elements of the boot information in contiguous areas on the optical disc (32). In order to thus operate, the personal computer (20) refers to access records before reading out the boot information from the optical disc (31). The access records are generated by a protocol analyzer (11) at a start-up of a personal computer (10). Further, for each of the elements indicated by the access records, the personal computer (20) records, on the optical disc (32), an address conversion table in which that area on an optical disc (31) in which the element is recorded and that area on the optical disc (32) in which the element is recorded are correlated with each other. |
| US08526276B2 |
Optical disk drive capable of reducing power consumption
The present invention provides an optical disc drive and computer. The optical disc drive comprises: a tray for laying a disc therein; a drive means connected to the tray; and a control circuit for connecting the drive means and a power supply of a computer connected to the optical disc drive, wherein the drive means establishes an electrical connection with the power supply via the control circuit. The control circuit comprises: a determination unit for determining whether a optical disc drive power-off condition is valid and acquiring a determination result; and a power supply control unit for transmitting a power-off instruction to a computer host when the determination result indicates that the optical disc drive power-off condition is valid. The power-off instruction is configured for instructing the computer to control the power supply to stop supplying power to the control circuit and the drive means. The present invention enables complete power-off of the optical disc drive so that electrical power consumption is reduced to a maximum degree. |
| US08526271B2 |
Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer with voltage feedback
Implementations of a capacitive micromachined ultra-sonic transducer (CMUT) include a feedback component connected in series with the CMUT. The feedback component applies a feedback on a voltage applied on the CMUT for affecting the voltage applied on the CMUT as a capacitance of the CMUT changes during actuation of the CMUT. |
| US08526269B2 |
Methods and systems for deploying seismic devices
Methods and systems for acoustically determining reservoir parameters of subterranean formations. A tool comprising at least one seismic source or seismic receiver mounted thereon; a conveyance configured for movement of the acoustic tool in a borehole traversing the subterranean formations; and a source retainer configured or designed for permanent deployment in the borehole to removably retain the acoustic tool in the borehole. The source retainer when deployed provides acoustic coupling with the borehole and removably retains the acoustic tool in the borehole so that, over multiple deployments, the acoustic tool is repeatedly deployed at the same predetermined location and orientation relative to the subterranean formation, and with the same acoustic coupling to the borehole. |
| US08526268B2 |
Method for deghosting and water layer multiple reflection attenuation in marine seismic data
A method is disclosed for deghosting and water surface multiple reflection attenuation in marine seismic data. The method includes decomposing data acquired at two water depths with sensors that measure the same parameter into upgoing and downgoing wavefield components. The decomposing includes, in one embodiment, transforming the data into the spatial Fourier domain and separating the upgoing and downgoing wavefield components in the transformed data. A substantially multiple-free wavefield is then determined from the decomposed wavefield components. |
| US08526265B2 |
Three state word line driver for a DRAM memory device
A memory bank includes an array of memory cells, word lines for accessing the memory cells, and word line drivers coupled to the word lines. When the memory bank is being accessed, the word line drivers are coupled to receive a first supply voltage, which is applied to the non-selected word lines of the memory bank. The first supply voltage turns off access transistors of the memory cells coupled to the non-selected word lines. When the memory bank is not being accessed, the word line drivers are coupled to receive a second supply voltage, which is applied to each of the word lines of the memory bank. The second supply voltage turns off the access transistors of the memory cells coupled of the word lines. The first and second supply voltages are selected such that the first supply voltage turns off the access transistors harder than the second supply voltage. |
| US08526263B2 |
Multi-layered memory devices
A multi-layered memory device is provided. The multi-layered memory device includes two or more memory units and an active circuit unit arranged between each of the two or more memory units. The active circuit includes a decoder. Each memory unit includes one or more memory layers. Each memory layer includes a memory array. |
| US08526261B2 |
Integrated circuit memory power supply
An integrated circuit memory 2 is provided with an array of memory cells 4 and power supply circuitry 10, 12. Detected operating errors in malfunctioning memory cells 14 are identified using a built-in-self-test controller 34. The power supply circuitry 10, 12 is then configured to alter the voltage supply to the malfunctioning memory cells 14 in an attempt to correct their operation. The voltage supply of the row containing the malfunctioning memory cell and the column containing the malfunctioning memory cell may both be altered. The voltage alteration may be an increase or a decrease in voltage supply depending upon the nature of the malfunction detected. |
| US08526260B2 |
Dynamic random access memory and boosted voltage producer therefor
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is selectively operable in a sleep mode and another mode. The DRAM has data storage cells that are refreshed in the refresh mode. A boosted voltage is provided for the operation of the DRAM. A boosted voltage provider includes a group of charge pump circuits that are selectively activated by a pump control circuit based on a refresh time for refreshing data in the DRAM cells in the sleep mode. |
| US08526257B2 |
Processor with memory delayed bit line precharging
A processor includes an array of memory cells, a control module, a precharge circuit, and an amplifier module. The control module generates a clock signal at a first rate, reduces the first rate to a second rate for a predetermined period, and adjusts the second rate back to the first rate at an end of the predetermined period. The precharge circuit: based on the first rate, precharges first bit lines connected to memory cells in a first row of the array of memory cells; based on the second rate, refrains from precharging the first bit lines; and precharges the first bit lines subsequent to the end of the predetermined period. The amplifier module: based on the first rate, access first instructions stored in the first row; and based on the second rate, accesses second instructions stored in the first row or a second row of the array. |
| US08526252B2 |
Quiescent testing of non-volatile memory array
A method and apparatus for testing an array of non-volatile memory cells, such as a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM). In some embodiments, an array of memory cells having a plurality of unit cells with a resistive sense element and a switching device has a row decoder and a column decoder connected to the plurality of unit cells. A test circuitry sends a non-operational test pattern through the array via the row and column decoders with a quiescent supply current to identify defects in the array of memory cells. |
| US08526239B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory string coupled to a bit line, a page buffer configured to sense a sensing current of the bit line in an erase verification operation or a program verification operation, and a sensing control circuit configured to differently set a level of the sensing current in the erase verification operation and the program verification operation in order to sense the threshold voltage level of a selected memory cell of the memory string. |
| US08526235B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing read disturb in memory
Various aspects of a NAND memory include have multiple versions of a high threshold voltage distribution—a version with a reduced maximum, and another version. The version with a reduced maximum has a reduced word line pass voltage. |
| US08526233B2 |
Ramping pass voltage to enhance channel boost in memory device, with optional temperature compensation
In a non-volatile storage system, one or more substrate channel regions for an unselected NAND string are boosted during programming to inhibit program disturb. A voltage applied to one or more unselected word lines associated with at least a first channel region is increased during a program pulse time period in which a program pulse is applied to a selected word line. The increase can be gradual, in the form of a ramp, or step-wise. The boosting level of the first channel region can be maintained. The increase in the voltage applied to the one or more unselected word lines can vary with temperature as well. Before the program pulse time period, the voltage applied to the one or more unselected word lines can be ramped up at a faster rate for a second, adjacent channel region than for the first channel region, to help isolate the channel regions. |
| US08526220B2 |
Complementary SOI lateral bipolar for SRAM in a low-voltage CMOS platform
An example embodiment is a memory cell including a SOI substrate. A first and second set of lateral bipolar transistors are fabricated on the SOI substrate. The first and second set of lateral bipolar transistors are electrically coupled to form two inverters. The inverters are cross coupled to form a memory element. |
| US08526213B2 |
Memory cells, methods of programming memory cells, and methods of forming memory cells
Some embodiments include methods of programming a memory cell. A plurality of charge carriers may be moved within the memory cell, with an average charge across the moving charge carriers having an absolute value greater than 2. Some embodiments include methods of forming and programming an ionic-transport-based memory cell. A stack is formed to have programmable material between first and second electrodes. The programmable material has mobile ions which are moved within the programmable material to transform the programmable material from one memory state to another. An average charge across the moving mobile ions has an absolute value greater than 2. Some embodiments include memory cells with programmable material between first and second electrodes. The programmable material includes an aluminum nitride first layer, and includes a second layer containing a mobile ion species in common with the first layer. |
| US08526208B2 |
Electrical circuit, in particular used for generating electrical power
An electrical circuit, in particular a circuit used for generating electric power, wherein this circuit comprises a generator with n phases, a converter and a transformer to which a p-phase load can be connected. The converter comprises m partial converters, each of the partial converters is composed of p units and each of these units is provided with n/m switching circuits. The switching circuits of the individual units are connected symmetrical to the generator. |
| US08526204B2 |
Power converter with electrical switching element
A power converter is preferably mounted in a vehicle. The converter has a power converting unit including an electrical switching element electrically switched on and off selectively in response to a duty ratio of PWM (pulse-width modulation) signal given to the switching element. The converter further has a controller including a drive unit that generates the PWM signal, in addition to a controlling unit and a limiting unit. The controlling unit controls the duty ratio of the PWM signal such that a voltage inputted to the power converter is converted to a voltage to be outputted depending on the duty ratio. The limiting unit limits at least one of a time change amount of the duty ratio of the PWM signal and a maximum duty ratio of the PWM signal. |
| US08526201B2 |
Switching power unit having switching controller controlling PFC voltage by changing on-duty of first and second switching elements
There is provided switching power unit comprising: a PFC voltage detector that detects PFC voltages of the power-factor improvement unit; an output voltage detector that is provided in a current resonance converter unit; a switching controller into which output signals from the PFC voltage detector and output signals from the output voltage detector are input, wherein the switching controller in a full-bridge circuit of first to fourth switching elements, based on output signals from the PFC voltage detector and the output voltage detector, controls the PFC voltages by changing on-duty of the first and second switching elements, and also controls the output voltages by changing switching frequencies of the full-bridge circuit. |
| US08526196B2 |
Method for receiving an electric/electronic component and corresponding mounting method and covering for said type of device
An apparatus is provided for receiving, at least partially, an electric/electronic component in an internal housing area, in particular for commercial vehicles. A first housing component at least partially forms the internal housing area and a cover at least partially surrounds the internal housing area. The cover is designed such that at least one electrically conductive connecting element for electrically coupling the electric/electronic component to at least one additional electric/electronic component provided outside of the internal housing area is fixed by the cover. A method for assembling the apparatus is also provided. |
| US08526187B2 |
Server rack blanking panel and system
The present invention provides a system that allows for a single panel of the invention to be easily modified, preferably without the use of tools, to fit on a server rack, where the single panel is so modified as to cover the desired amount of open space on a server rack as a single piece, where the panel is preferably fire-rated, and where the modified panel may be easily installed onto the server rack to as to cover any open space thereon, and prevents the circular flow of warm air output from entering the cooler air input of the servers housed on the server rack. |
| US08526185B2 |
Collar for electrically grounding a heat sink for a computer component
To reduce the impedance of the ground path from a heat sink to a ground pad on a printed circuit board, and thus reduce electromagnetic interference, an electrically conductive collar is arranged around an opening in the heat sink. The electrically conductive collar may include an internal extension, such that the internal extension abuts the conducting member passed through the electrically conductive collar and the opening in the heat sink to electrically ground the heat sink to the ground pad on the printed circuit board. |
| US08526177B2 |
Fan for cooling multiple processors housed in a sub-chassis
A chassis comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) and a sub-chassis housing multiple processors that couple to the PCB. The sub-chassis is disposed above and parallel to the PCB. The multiple processors are cooled by a fan disposed on the sub-chassis. |
| US08526170B2 |
Electronic equipment capable of wireless communication
Electronic equipment is provided with a board 24a that includes an antenna circuit for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal and a ground pattern 24c for electrically grounding the antenna circuit, and a second casing 23 formed integrally with an antenna holding portion 23f for holding the board 24a. At least the antenna holding portion 23f in the second casing 23 is formed of a conductor. A clip 40 sandwiches the antenna holding portion 23f and the board 24a in a state where the ground pattern 24c and the antenna holding portion 23f are in contact with each other. |
| US08526167B2 |
Porous amorphous silicon-carbon nanotube composite based electrodes for battery applications
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for forming an energy storage device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming electric batteries and electrochemical capacitors. In one embodiment a method of forming a high surface area electrode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises forming an amorphous silicon layer on a current collector having a conductive surface, immersing the amorphous silicon layer in an electrolytic solution to form a series of interconnected pores in the amorphous silicon layer, and forming carbon nanotubes within the series of interconnected pores of the amorphous silicon layer. |
| US08526163B2 |
Multilayered ceramic electronic component and fabrication method thereof
A multilayered ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic element having a plurality of dielectric layers laminated therein; first inner electrodes formed on the dielectric layers disposed in upper and lower portions in the ceramic element, the width of a portion of each of the first inner electrodes exposed from one end face of the ceramic element being less than that of a portion thereof disposed within the ceramic element; and second inner electrodes formed on the dielectric layers disposed in the middle portion in the ceramic element, the width of a portion of each of the second inner electrodes exposed from one end face of the ceramic element being equal to that of a portion thereof disposed within the ceramic element. |
| US08526155B2 |
Phase-control switchgear and phase-control method for switchgear
A phase-control switchgear includes a circuit breaker, a phase difference detection unit, a storage unit, and a circuit breaker control unit. The phase difference detection unit detects a phase difference between voltages of a specific phase (U-phase) of buses to which three-phase generators are respectively connected, at a plurality of time points. The storage unit stores the detected phase differences. When the three-phase generators are out of synchronization, the circuit breaker control unit estimates a breaking time point at which the phase difference between the voltages of the U-phase of the buses will be in the range of not less than −80° and not more than 80°, based on the phase differences at the plurality of time points stored in the storage unit. The circuit breaker control unit opens the circuit breaker to break a current at the estimated breaking time point. This makes it possible to suppress a transient voltage generated between electrodes of the circuit breaker after the current is broken. |
| US08526154B2 |
Current transformer assembly and electromechanical switching device
A current transformer assembly includes input connections, output connections, current transformers placed between the input connections and the output connections, with at least one transformer output being electrically connected to the transformers. In at least one embodiment, the current transformer assembly includes an integrated wiring arrangement wherein a plurality of input connections is electrically connected to a plurality of output connections by way of the integrated wiring arrangement such that the wiring arrangement functions as an alternating wiring system. |
| US08526153B2 |
Auxiliary tripping unit for a circuit breaker
In an undervoltage tripping unit of at least one embodiment, an armature acts on a tripping slide via a drum. During tripping, an auxiliary switch is closed. In order to reset the under-voltage tripping unit after tripping, a latching mechanism of an associated circuit breaker acts on the drum via a driver bolt. At the same time, a projecting element is formed on the drum and closes the auxiliary switch when the drum is rotated back. The auxiliary switch therefore need not itself be directly coupled to the latching mechanism. |
| US08526151B2 |
Shared memory architecture for protection of electrical distribution equipment
A power equipment protection system includes a plurality of trip units including at least a first trip unit and a second trip unit, wherein each of the plurality of trip units is configured to monitor operation data. The system also includes a shared memory device coupled to the plurality of trip units via a network, wherein the shared memory device is configured to transmit a synchronization request to at least the second trip unit, receive a response from the second trip unit, including operation data associated with the second trip unit, receive a data request from the first trip unit, and transmit the operation data associated with the second trip unit to the first trip unit via the network. |
| US08526146B2 |
Electrical wiring device
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a circuit coupled to the line terminals and configured to conduct a predetermined current flow when the line terminals are connected to a source of AC power, the predetermined current flow does not simulate a fault condition. An interrupting contact assembly includes four sets of interrupting contacts that are configured to provide electrical continuity between the line terminals, the load terminals and the at least one receptacle in a reset state and configured to interrupt the electrical continuity in tripped state. The interrupting contact assembly is energized to effect the tripped stated and substantially deenergized otherwise, the interrupting contact assembly being substantially prevented from effecting the reset state absent the predetermined current flow. |
| US08526144B2 |
Reset lockout with grounded neutral test
There is a fault circuit interrupter comprising at least one grounded neutral sensor and at least one test circuit configured to test the grounded neutral sensor. A further embodiment can also include at least one fault circuit which is configured to detect a current sent from the grounded neutral sensor. The device can also include a line side phase line, a line side neutral line, and a test line coupled to the line side neutral line and extending from a first region on the line side neutral line to a second region on the line side neutral line, with the grounded neutral sensor being positioned between the first region and the second region on the line side neutral line. This test circuit can comprise a switch, such as a manually operatable switch or it can comprise any one of solid state circuitry, a transistor, and/or a silicon controlled rectifier. |
| US08526138B2 |
Tandem magnetic writer with independently addressable coils
A magnetic head in one embodiment includes a pole; a first write gap in the pole; a first coil for generating a magnetic flux across the first write gap; a second write gap in the pole having at least a portion thereof aligned with the first write gap in a direction parallel to a direction of media travel thereover; and a second coil for generating a magnetic flux across the second write gap, the second coil being addressable independently of the first coil. A method in one embodiment includes forming a first write coil; forming a first write gap; forming a second write gap; forming a second coil for generating a magnetic flux across the second write gap, the second coil being addressable independently of the first coil; and forming one or more write poles, wherein a write pole region adjacent the first and second write gaps is formed concurrently. |
| US08526128B2 |
Image-forming lens, and camera device and portable information terminal device with the image-forming lens
An image-forming lens includes: from an object side to an image side in order, a first group with a positive refractive power which includes less than or equal to five lens elements of two negative lenses and equal to or more than two positive lenses and in which a first lens element on a most object side is a negative meniscus lens a convex surface of which faces the object side; an aperture; and a second group with a positive refractive power which includes less than or equal to five lens elements including at least one cemented lens of a positive lens and a negative lens; wherein each of the first group and the second group shifts independently to perform focusing to a limited object distance, and an interval between the first lens element and a second lens element close to a surface on the image side of the first lens element: d11-2 and an interval between the second lens element and a third lens element close to a surface on the image side of the second lens element: d12-3 satisfy Conditional Expression A: 0.0 |
| US08526124B2 |
Optical system with long focal length and optical apparatus having the same
An optical system, in order from an object side to an image side, includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive or negative refractive power. The first lens unit is configured by a first partial lens unit and a second partial lens unit each having a positive refractive power. The first partial lens unit is configured by a positive single lens, and has at least one aspherical surface. The second partial lens unit is configured by a positive lens and a negative lens, and has a diffraction optical surface of a diffraction optical element rotationally symmetric with reference to an optical axis direction. The second lens unit is a focus lens unit that is movable in the optical axis direction. And a paraxial lateral magnification βasph meets a predetermined condition. |
| US08526112B2 |
Capsule endoscope
A capsule endoscope is provided with an imaging lens, capsule body, and a transparent cover. The capsule body is formed hollow, and has an opening at an end. The imaging lens is provided such that a part thereof is positioned inside the capsule body and the rest is protruded from the opening. The transparent cover is formed into a dope shape, and is attached to the end of the capsule body to cover the imaging lens protruded from the opening. The inside of a patient's body is captured using the transparent cover and the imaging lens designed to satisfy the following condition: |fD|/fL≦70 where fD is a focal length of the transparent cover, and fL is a focal length of the imaging lens. |
| US08526101B2 |
Method of manufacturing display medium, display medium, and display apparatus
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a display medium, including preparing a first substrate on which a gap retaining member that retains a gap between substrates is disposed in a protruded form; applying an adhesive to a top surface of the gap retaining member; disposing a particle dispersion liquid on an area surrounded by the first substrate and the gap retaining member; and adhering the first substrate and a second substrate together via the gap retaining member, by contacting the second substrate with the adhesive applied to the top surface of the gap retaining member and drying the solvent of the adhesive so as to adhere the second substrate to the top surface of the gap retaining member by the adhesive component of the adhesive. The display medium and a display apparatus including the display medium and an electrical field-generating unit are also provided. |
| US08526097B2 |
Tunable detection system
A tunable bandwidth selector is disclosed. The tunable bandwidth selector may include a plurality of spaced apart electron sheets which selectively separate a first bandwidth from an input spectrum. |
| US08526094B2 |
Control device for at least one electrochromic window and method for activating the same
The invention relates to a control device for at least one electrochromic window with—means for generating a charging current, to bring the window from a first state into a second state, wherein the window is darker in the second state than in the first state,—means for discharging the window, to bring the window from the second state into the first state, wherein the discharging of the window can be triggered by an emergency signal. |
| US08526088B2 |
Device for holographic reconstruction of three-dimensional scenes
A device for holographic reconstruction of three-dimensional scenes includes optical focusing means which directs sufficiently coherent light from light means to the eyes of at least one observer via a spatial light modulator that is encoded with holographic information. The device has a plurality of illumination units for illuminating the surface of the spatial light modulator; each unit comprises a focusing element, and a light means that emits sufficiently coherent light such that each of these illumination units illuminates one separate illuminated region of the surface, whereby the focusing element and the light means are arranged such that the light emitted by the light means coincides close to or at the observer eyes. |
| US08526087B2 |
Hologram recording medium
Disclosed herein is a hologram recording medium, wherein in a volume hologram, the hologram recording medium is covered with a partially patterned optical functional film on the side closer to the viewer than a hologram recording layer without the medium of air, and wherein the hologram recording medium maintains its appearance approximately unchanged irrespective of the presence or absence of the optical functional film. |
| US08526083B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and computer program product specifying a color difference between converted image data defined by a color space depending on different environmental lighting
Image processing in which image data is input. The input image data is converted into first image data defined by a color space depending on a characteristic of a first environment light and into second image data defined by a color space depending on a characteristic of a second environment light. A color is specified which has a color difference between the first image data and the second image data, the color difference of the specified color being larger than a predetermined value. Information is output indicating the specified color. |
| US08526081B2 |
Image recording device
A first feeder contacts a first surface of a first sheet held in a first tray and feeds the first sheet toward a recording unit. A second feeder contacts a first surface of a second sheet held in a second tray and feeds the second sheet toward the recording unit. An inner member is disposed above a standing plate. An outer member comprises an upstream portion opposing the standing plate, and a downstream portion opposing the inner member. The inner member guides the first surface of the first sheet and the first surface of the second sheet. The standing plate guides the first surface of the second sheet. The upstream portion of the outer member guides a second surface of the second sheet, and the downstream portion guides a second surface of the first sheet and the second surface of the second sheet. The standing plate moves relative to the outer member. |
| US08526075B2 |
Tray for image reading device
A tray used to place granular materials on a reading surface of an image reading device has provided thereto a transparent bottom plate, a background vertically upstanding relative to the bottom plate, and reflective elements arranged at predetermined intervals parallel to the background. In order to enable an imaging means of the image reading device to receive a side view image of the granular materials in the thickness direction thereof with the granular materials placed on the bottom plate of the tray, the tray is provided with a technical means for bending and guiding, by the reflective elements, light from the granular materials in the thickness direction thereof to the direction of the optical axis of the imaging means. |
| US08526063B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method, and system for encrypting or decrypting portion of image
An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus includes a pattern detection unit to detect whether an input image includes a specific pattern as a portion of the image, a conversion unit to convert the specific pattern into data in a predetermined format, an encryption unit to encrypt the data in the predetermined format and to generate an encryption pattern from the encrypted data, and an output unit to output an image that is similar to the input image except for the portion of the image, which includes the encryption pattern rather than the specific pattern in the output image. |
| US08526057B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a selecting unit selecting a reference image from input images, a calculating unit calculating brightness ratios of the remaining input images as gains, a calculating unit calculating first weights for the remaining input images and calculating a second weight based on a brightness of image data as a synthesized image of the input image with the first weights, a generating unit generating a high-contrast image by performing weighting synthesis on the input images using the first weights and the second weight, a preparing unit preparing a tone conversion curve based on a brightness distribution of the high-contrast image and a brightness distribution as conversion target, and a generating unit performing the tone conversion on the high-contrast image based on the tone conversion curve, and generating the output image having the narrow tonal range. |
| US08526051B2 |
Network file processing system for sending multicast acceptance requests for transmission of image data via a network
A network file processing system comprising: a scanner device connected to a network, for reading a document and generating image data; and a plurality of file servers connected to the network, each having an area to save data to, in which: the scanner device comprising: an acceptance request issuance unit for sending multicast acceptance requests for the image data to the plurality of file servers across the network after generating the image data; a data transmission unit for transmitting the image data to at least one of the plurality of file servers that has returned a reading response; and a related information saving unit for saving related information associated with the image data. |
| US08526049B2 |
Systems and methods for display list management
Systems and methods consistent with some embodiments of the present invention provide data structures and methods for the automatic storing, manipulating and processing of a intermediate printable data generated from a first printable data are presented. In some embodiments, the first printable data may take the form of a PDL description of a document and the intermediate printable data may take the form of a display list of objects generated from the PDL description.In some embodiments, a data structure for storing a intermediate printable data generated from a first printable data may comprise at least one memory pool, which may further comprise a plurality of uniformly sized segments to store the intermediate printable data; at least one global structure for storing information related to the one or more memory pools; and buffers for performing operations on the first printable data and the intermediate printable data. |
| US08526038B2 |
Transmitting a print job, including destination information, from a network terminal to a printing apparatus through a print server
The present invention provides a technique capable of preventing, in a system that transmits a print job from a network terminal to a printing apparatus through a print job managing server, useless consumption of a storage area of the printing apparatus and an unnecessary increase in traffic in a network. A print job managing server includes: a transmission-destination-information acquiring unit configured to acquire job transmission destination information for specifying at least one printing apparatus that is a job transmission destination associated in advance with information concerning a transmission source of a print job; and a job transmitting unit configured to transmit the print job to the printing apparatus, which is the job transmission destination, on the basis of the acquired job transmission destination information. |
| US08526035B2 |
Push-type pull printing system, pull printing method, and image forming apparatus
A push-type pull printing system comprising a server and an image forming apparatus, the server sending, to the image forming apparatus, a print job including print data and a print condition instruction command for the print data, and the image forming apparatus executing a print process based on the print job. Here, the image forming apparatus comprises an input receiver operable to receive an input of a print condition, a converter operable to convert the inputted print condition, before being transmitted to the server, to an instruction command in a description language interpretable by the image forming apparatus, and a transmitter operable to transmit the converted instruction command to the server; and the server comprises a job transmitter operable to receive the converted instruction command from and send the print job to the image forming apparatus, the print job including the instruction command as the print condition instruction command. |
| US08526032B2 |
Concurrent IPDS and non-IPDS print processing
Concurrent IPDS and non-IPDS print processing is provided. Because an IPDS print session may not usually be interrupted, non-IPDS print data is received through a separate, non-IPDS channel in the printer control unit. The non-IPDS data is rasterized (“ripped”) using spare processing cycles and stored in a rip spool. At an appropriate time, such as when fully rasterized, an interrupt request may be submitted to the IPDS host then controlling the printer. When the IPDS host relinquishes control of the printer, such as when the IPDS print job has been completed, the rasterized non-IPDS print data may be de-spooled to the print engine and printed. |
| US08526028B2 |
Avoiding redundant printing
A method, system, and computer usable program product for avoiding redundant printing are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An application executing in a data processing system receives a request to print a document. A determination is made whether a valid shared print of the document is available, the valid shared print being a hard-copy of the document that is currently within a validity period and is available for sharing among multiple entities. The shared valid print is requested from a current owner of the shared valid print. If the request is successful, possession of the shared valid print is changed in a prints repository from the current owner to a new owner and a new printing of the document according to the request to print the document is suspended. |
| US08526023B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method image processing apparatus and control method for synchronizing an image data signal with a discrete effective pixel signal and continuous effective pixel signal
In an image processing apparatus having a first image processing unit for operating at a first clock signal and a second image processing unit for operating at a second clock signal having a second frequency which is higher than the first frequency, if image data is supplied from the first image processing unit to the second image processing unit, the second clock signal is supplied to the second image processing unit when intra-line image data of the image data is being transmitted and pixel data to be processed in the image data exists. If the intra-line image data is being transmitted and no pixel data to be processed in the image data exists, no clock signal is supplied to the second image processing unit. |
| US08526018B2 |
Method and system to automatically convert a file format and image forming apparatus used in the same
A method to automatically convert a format of a file through an image forming apparatus, the method including displaying list of tasks executable by the image forming apparatus and a list of files stored in the image forming apparatus, selecting a task to be executed from the list of tasks and a file from one or more files stored in the image forming apparatus that is an object of the selected task, converting a format of data of the selected file into a bitmap format and converting the bitmap format of the data into a format that is compatible with the selected task, and executing the selected task using the converted file. |
| US08526008B2 |
Interferometer with paraboloidal illumination and imaging optic and tilted imaging plane
A Fizeau interferometer incorporates an off-axis paraboloidal reflector that forms virtual images of reference and test surfaces and a camera lens that converts the virtual images into real images on a camera detector surface. The camera detector surface is arranged together with the camera lens to accommodate tilting of the virtual images by the off-axis paraboloidal reflector. |
| US08526003B2 |
Interferometric system with spatial carrier frequency capable of imaging in polychromatic radiation
In the interferometric system, the image plane is imaged by an output imaging setup via a transmission system of reflectors to the output plane and a reflection type diffraction grating is located in the image plane of an imaging setup of a reference branch. The transmission systems of reflectors are adjusted so that axes of both branches coincide at an entrance to the output plane and parallel with a normal line of the output plane, and an axial beam, diffracted by the reflection type diffraction grating at an angle α, enters into the output plane at an angle β, and the relation between angle β and α is sin(β)=sin(α)/m, where m is a magnification of the output imaging setup. The system enables the achievement of a holographic imaging of an object by low-coherence waves. Incoherent waves allow the imaging of objects immersed in scattering media. |
| US08526000B1 |
Atomic sensor physics package with integrated transmissive and reflective portions along light paths
In one embodiment, a block for a physics package of an atomic sensor is provided. The block comprises one or more sections of optically transparent material defining a vacuum sealed chamber, and including a plurality of transmissive and reflective surfaces to define a plurality of light paths intersecting the vacuum sealed chamber. The one or more sections of optically transparent material include a first monolithic section defining at least a portion of the vacuum sealed chamber. The first monolithic section includes a first portion disposed across a first light path of the plurality of light paths such that light in the first light path is incident on the first portion of the first monolithic section. |
| US08525996B2 |
Light emitting component measuring system and the method thereof
The invention discloses a light emitting component measuring system and the method thereof which is capable of measuring the optical proprieties of a plurality of the devices under test (DUT). Each DUT is capable of receiving electricity so as to output an initial ray, wherein each initial ray has a first wavelength range. The light emitting component measuring system comprises a filtering device and a sensing device. The filtering device comprises a first filtering portion which can filter a corresponding third wavelength of the said initial rays and output a plurality of first filtered rays simultaneously. Each first filtered ray has a second wavelength range respectively. The said sensing device receives the ray outputted from the filtering device and generates an optical data accordingly. |
| US08525991B2 |
Method to measure particle mobility in solution with scattered and unscattered light
A method is disclosed for measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of particles in solution. A sample is placed in a cell containing two electrodes that apply an alternating electric field. A monochromatic light beam passes through the sample. Light scattered by the particles, along with the unscattered beam, is collected and collimated as it exits the cell. This beam is combined in free space with a phase modulated reference beam. The interference forms a frequency modulated speckle pattern, which is detected by a photodetector array. Each array element collects a narrow range of well-defined scattering angles. The signal from each is demodulated to provide a first-principle measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of the scattering particles. Each detector element provides a simultaneous independent measurement increasing the amount of information which results in increased sensitivity, extending mobility measurements to particles below one nanometer while reducing the required concentration and electric field. |
| US08525986B2 |
Method for hydrocarbon well completion
A method of completing a hydrocarbon lateral well in a target shale formation. The method uses a data log generated from an optical flow cell assembly to identify areas in the lateral well of high free gas porosity. By evaluating such data, an operator can group “like” rock, determine stage length and variation in stage length, and determine perforation cluster spacing and location. The flow cell assembly can also be used in a completion program to assist in the steering of a lateral well being drilled below the target formation. |
| US08525984B2 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method
An inspection apparatus includes a wafer stage for carrying a wafer, an illumination module which irradiates an inspection beam on the wafer carried on the wafer stage, a detection module which detects scattering rays or reflection rays from the wafer on the wafer stage and outputs an image signal, a coordinates control module which stores information about the arrangement of individual inspection areas on the wafer, and an imperfect area recognition module which recognizes, on the basis of the inspection area arrangement information stored in the coordinates control module, an imperfect inspection area interfering with a wafer edge. |
| US08525982B2 |
Refractive index distribution measuring method and refractive index distribution measuring apparatus
A method includes the steps of measuring a first transmitted wavefront in a first medium having a first refractive index and a second transmitted wavefront in a second medium having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index, and obtaining a refractive index distribution projected value of the object in each orientation by removing a shape component of the object utilizing measurement results of the first transmitted wavefront and the second transmitted wavefront and each transmitted wavefront of a reference object that has the same shape as that of the object and a specific refractive index distribution and is located in one of the first medium and the second medium with the same orientation as that of the object, and calculating a three-dimensional refractive index distribution of the object based on a plurality of refractive index distribution projected values corresponding to the plurality of orientations. |
| US08525979B2 |
Monitoring device for detecting stress strain and method for using same
The present invention provides a monitoring device for detecting stresses and strains in structural components and a method of using the monitoring device. The monitoring device comprises a base material, one or more attachment points for attaching the monitoring device to a structure to be monitored, a detection zone on the monitoring device, and a means for detecting the presence of stress and strain in the detection zone. The dimensions and material of the monitoring device are chosen such that a predetermined level of strain transmitted to the monitoring device from the structure will result in a known level of stress and strain in the detection zone. Detection of stress and strain in the detection zone can be correlated to a level of stress and strain experienced by the structure at the point of attachment of the monitoring device. |
| US08525971B2 |
Lithographic apparatus with cleaning of substrate table
There is provided an exposure apparatus capable of accurately performing an exposure process and a measurement process based on a liquid immersion method. The exposure apparatus (EX), which forms a liquid immersion area (AR2) of a liquid (LQ) on an image surface side of a projection optical system (PL), and exposes a substrate (P) via the projection optical system (PL) and the liquid (LQ) of the immersion area (AR2), is provided with a measuring device (60) which measures at least one of a property and composition of the liquid (LQ) for forming the liquid immersion area (AR2). |
| US08525968B2 |
Liquid crystal panel substrate, liquid crystal panel, and electronic device and projection display device using the same
In a liquid crystal substrate in which a matrix of reflecting electrodes is formed on a substrate, a transistor is formed corresponding to each reflective electrode and a voltage is applied to the reflective electrode through the transistor. A silicon oxide film having a thickness of 500 to 2,000 angstroms is used as the passivation film and the thickness is set to a value in response to the wavelength of the incident light to maintain a substantially constant reflectance. |
| US08525967B2 |
Process for producing liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device
A process for producing a liquid crystal display device enabling to produce with simple process, and such a liquid crystal display device, are provided.A process for producing a liquid crystal display device comprising: a step of forming transparent electrodes (41, 42) on first and second substrates (11, 12); a step of applying an uncured raw seal material; a step of dropping a first functional material; a step of dropping a second functional material; a step of sandwiching the raw seal material (13a, 14a), the first functional material (32a) and the second functional material (31a) between the first and second substrates under a predetermined reduced pressure atmosphere, and thereby forming a sealed product wherein the first functional material is isolated from the second functional material by the raw seal material and sealed between the first and the second substrates; a step of exposing the sealed product to a normal atmospheric pressure; and a step of curing at least the raw seal material. |
| US08525966B2 |
Non-rectangular pixel array and display device having same
There is provided a display area made up of a pixel array with a non-rectangular shaped outer circumference and the pixel array is made up of a plurality of non-rectangular pixels wherein a first conductor line group including a plurality of first conductor lines and a second conductor line group including a plurality of second conductor lines, and a third conductor line group including a plurality of third conductor lines are arranged so as to intersect with one another. Thus, without sacrificing brightness, viewability, and fidelity of an image, pixel array (display device) with the non-rectangular outer circumferential shape being excellent in design characteristics is realized. |
| US08525956B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates. The method includes disposing between the pair of substrates a liquid crystal composition including liquid crystal molecules and a polymerizable compound that is polymerizable by active energy rays or a combination of active energy rays and heat, and polymerizing the polymerizable compound by active energy ray irradiation, or by both active energy ray irradiation and heat with and/or without applying voltages to the liquid crystal layer, so that a polymer formed by the polymerizing process decides an alignment of the liquid crystal molecules when no voltage is applied. The amount of active energy ray irradiation is decided so that at least some of the polymerizable compound remains in the liquid crystal layer after the polymerization process. Further the amount of the polymerizable compound that remains is not more than a predetermined value. |
| US08525950B2 |
Light guide panel, backlight unit and display apparatus
A light guide panel, a backlight unit and a display apparatus are provided. A display apparatus includes a light guide panel including a first surface having a first pattern that increases luminance of backlight emitted from a light emitting unit, and a second surface having a second pattern that increases uniformity of luminance of the backlight emitted from the light emitting unit. |
| US08525949B2 |
Back light module and liquid crystal display device
The present invention discloses a back light module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. A back light module comprises a light guide plate; both sides of the light guide plate are respectively provided with multiple notches; the back light module is provided with riveted nut studs in the notches; and buffer parts are arranged between the riveted nut studs and the notches. In the present invention, because buffer material such as silicone, rubber and the like is arranged between each notch and each riveted nut stud of light guide plate, the buffer material can provide effective buffer function when the light guide plat is affected by impact force to avoid damage caused by direct impact between the light guide plate and the riveted nut studs. Thus, low cost is achieved because of simple process and economic material. In addition, the tight contact of the light guide plate and the riveted nut stud is kept by the buffer part, and the shake of the light guide plate is avoided. |
| US08525948B2 |
Liquid crystal display module having a semi-spherical shape protrusion formed in a light guide disposed within a semi-spherical shape hole formed within a support main
A liquid crystal display module for preventing noise caused by friction between a support main and a light guide plate is provided. In the module, a hole is defined at a support main having at least one of a polygonal shape or a circular shape. A light guide plate is disposed on the support main. A protrusion which protrudes from a side surface of the light guide plate is inserted into the hole. The protrusion has at least one of said polygonal shapes and said circular shape. |
| US08525946B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus having different size and amount of patterns formed on different areas of bottom surface of a light guide panel of a backlight unit
A backlight unit, light guide panel, and liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus having the same are provided. The backlight unit includes a light guide panel which comprises a plurality of patterns to scatter light forward on a bottom surface, and one or more fixing grooves on an edge area; a light source unit which is disposed on a side surface of the light guide panel, and emits light towards the light guide panel; and a supporting member which supports the light guide panel, and comprises one ore more fixing protrusions being inserted into the fixing groove, wherein the amount of patterns formed on a darkness occurring area adjacent to the fixing groove is increased compared to that on an adjacent area, and the amount of patterns formed on a bright line occurring area adjacent to the fixing groove is decreased compared to that on an adjacent area. |
| US08525943B2 |
Optically addressed light valve
An optically addressed light valve suitable for selectively limiting the transmission of radiation from high intensity light sources independent of wavelength using a TN liquid crystal cell and a photoconductive material (vanadium doped silicon carbide). |
| US08525934B2 |
Video display apparatus for adjusting the degree of amplification of the input image according to image characteristics
Brightness expression without solid white pattern is enabled, and video expression with an improved black level is achieved. A distortion module (5) reduces the luminance of a backlight source according to the histogram of the video signal so that the contrast may be a predetermined target one. A configuration design unit (13) sets the gain according to the luminance level (BLreduced) of the backlight source selected by the distortion module (5). When setting the gain, the luminance level (BLref) for reference of the backlight source preset according to the video feature value is referenced. If the video feature value meets a predetermined condition, the input video signal is always amplified with the gain. If not, depending on the relation between the BLreduced and the BLref, the input video signal is amplified or not. |
| US08525928B2 |
Signal transmission system
A signal transmission system includes a transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus, the transmission apparatus including: a first portion that converts a video signal into differential signals, converts a vertical synchronization signal into a common mode signal, and transmits the converted signals to the reception apparatus via three pairs of signal lines; and a second portion that converts a horizontal synchronization signal into differential signals, converts a first console signal into a common mode signal, transmits the converted signals to the reception apparatus via a single pair of signal lines; the reception apparatus including: a third portion that restores the differential signals to the video signal, and restores the common mode signal to the vertical synchronization signal; and a fourth portion that restores the differential signals to the horizontal synchronization signal, and restores the common mode signal to the first console signal. |
| US08525922B2 |
Imaging device capable of reducing power consumption
An electronic camera is provided with a power-saving S-AF mode and a C-AF mode as focus adjustment modes. In the S-AF mode, focus adjustment is performed upon half depression of a release button. In the C-AF mode, the focus adjustment is repeated during a shooting mode regardless of the half depression of the release button to simplify the focus adjustment of a shooting time so that shooting is smoothly performed. When the electronic camera is set to the shooting mode, an AF controller obtains an Ev value representing subject brightness. The Ev value is compared with a threshold value stored in a memory. When the Ev value exceeds the threshold value, the focus adjustment mode is changed to the S-AF mode. When the Ev value falls below the threshold value, the focus adjustment mode is changed to the C-AF mode. |
| US08525916B2 |
Imaging apparatus using different driving methods according to estimation results
An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation. |
| US08525910B2 |
Suspending column readout in image sensors
An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixels having multiple column outputs and an output circuit connected to each column output. Each output circuit is configured to operate concurrent sample and read operations. An analog front end (AFE) circuit processes pixel data output from the output circuits and an AFE clock controller transmits an AFE clocking signal to the AFE circuit to effect processing of the pixel data. A timing generator outputs a column address sequence that is received by a column decoder. During one or more sample operations the AFE clock controller suspends the output of the AFE clocking signal and the timing generator suspends the output of the column address sequence during the sample operation. The output of the AFE clocking signal and the column address sequence resume at the end of the sample operation. |
| US08525905B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, color filter arrangement method therefor and image recording apparatus
According to one embodiment, in a solid-state imaging device having color pixels in which color filters are arranged for respective pixels, two blocks of two pixels in the row direction×two pixels in the column direction of an X1 color are arranged on one diagonal line, and a block of two pixels in the row direction×two pixels in the column direction of one of an X2 color and an X3 color and a block of two pixels of the other color and two pixels of an X4 color arranged diagonally are arranged on the other diagonal line, and magnitudes of wavelengths satisfy the following relationship: X3 color |
| US08525903B2 |
System for and method of taking image and computer program
In an image taking system such as digital camera, especially when a predetermined objective body such as a face is included, an objective body detecting portion detects a predetermined objective body from an image taken by the image taking system. A storage portion stores a detection history including a past result of detection of the objective body and a newest result of detection of the objective body. A determination portion refers to the detection history and determines whether the objective body is to be handled as detected in the image obtained newest. |
| US08525900B2 |
Multiple exposure high dynamic range image capture
Techniques for creating a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image within a consumer grade digital camera from a series of images of a scene captured at different exposure levels, and displaying the HDR image on the camera's built-in display are provided. The approach employs mixing images of the series to incorporate both scene shadow and highlight details, and the removing of “ghost” image artifacts appearing in the mixed HDR image resulting from movement in the scene over the time the series images are captured. The low computational resource utilization of the image mixing and ghost removal processing operations, along with the ability to commence image mixing and ghost removal prior to the acquisition of all series images, can significantly reduce the time required to generate and display a tone mapped HDR image. |
| US08525895B2 |
Binning compensation filtering techniques for image signal processing
Various techniques for applying binning compensation filtering to binned raw image data acquired by an image sensor are provided. In one embodiment, a binning compensation filter (BCF) includes separate digital differential analyzers (DDA) for vertical and horizontal scaling. A current position of an output pixel is determined by incrementing the DDA based upon a step size. Using the known output pixel position, a center source input pixel and an index corresponding to the between-pixel fractional position of the output pixel position relative to the input pixels may be selected for filtering. Using the selected center input pixel, one or more same-colored neighboring source pixels may be selected. The number of selected source pixels may depend on the number of taps used by the scaling logic, and may depend on whether horizontal or vertical scaling is being applied. Using the selected index, a set of filter coefficients may be selected from a filter coefficient lookup table, applied to the selected source pixels, and the results may be summed to determine a value for an output pixel having a position corresponding to the current position of the DDA. This process may be repeated for each input pixel and may be performed in both vertical and horizontal directions, thus ultimately producing a re-sampled set of image data that is spatially evenly distributed. |
| US08525894B2 |
Camera and camera control method
A camera according to the present invention, which is capable of continuous shooting before and after a still image shot according to photographer's operation, comprises: an imaging section converting an object image into image data; a still image shooting section obtaining image data of the still image according to release operation; a continuous shooting section obtaining the image data by continuous shooting before and after the obtaining of the still image in the still image shooting section; an image processing section performing image processing which is different from that of the image data obtained by the still image shooting section and changed sequentially, on the image data obtained by the continuous shooting section; and a recording section recording the image data image-processed by the image processing section. |
| US08525891B2 |
Digital camera which detects a connection to an external device
An electronic camera and method of operating an electronic camera which detects whether an external device such as a personal computer is properly connected to the camera and in a state which permits communication. The camera monitors a data terminal ready (DTR) signal of an RS-232 connection in order to determine that the external device is properly connected and in a state which permits communication. Once the proper connection is detected, the camera can either transmit or receive images and/or audio from the external device. Accordingly, a specific switch which places the camera in a communication mode can be eliminated. Further, a single switch may be utilized for both controlling whether the camera records or plays images when there is no device connected, and which controls whether the camera transmits or receives images and/or audio when an external device is determined to be connected. |
| US08525886B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus for achieving the exchange of pieces of image data between a plurality of image processing apparatuses includes: a feature value extraction unit for extracting a feature value included in image data; a feature value transfer unit for transferring to another image processing apparatus a feature value extracted from image data to be exchanged; a feature value reception unit for receiving a feature value transferred from the other image processing apparatus; a first determination unit for determining whether the received feature value matches a feature value included in image data of a captured image; an image data transfer unit for transferring the image data of the captured image to the other image processing apparatus when there is a match between the feature values; and an image data reception unit for receiving image data of a captured image transferred from the other image processing apparatus. |
| US08525885B2 |
Systems and methods for metering audio and video delays
A system to perform automated audio visual (AV) delay measurement for a system under test (SUT) includes a test pattern generator to generate a dynamic AV test pattern and connected to a source display device and to one or more destination video display devices; at least one light sensor coupled to the one or more destination video display devices; an AV capture device having video inputs connected to the light sensors; and an AV delay analyzer coupled to the AV capture device to perform multi-channel delay parameters analysis. |
| US08525882B2 |
Vehicle-mounted camera
A vehicle-mounted camera includes a camera module mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and further includes a mirror occupying at least a part of an imaging range of the camera module. The camera module may be arranged to face a forward vehicle traveling direction. The mirror may occupy a lower part of the vertical direction in the imaging range. The camera module and the mirror may both be disposed in the vehicle. |
| US08525880B2 |
Security system including modular ring housing
A modular building system arrangement includes a plurality of electrical building systems. Each electrical building system has a housing with a mechanical connector that is connectable with a like connector of each other building system housing. Members of any subset of the building system housings are connectable with each other to form a building system assembly. The building systems of the building system assembly conjointly define an electrically conductive pathway interconnecting each of the building systems of the building system assembly. The pathway carries power and/or data. |
| US08525879B2 |
Depth detection method and system using thereof
A depth detection method includes the following steps. First, first and second video data are shot. Next, the first and second video data are compared to obtain initial similarity data including r×c×d initial similarity elements, wherein r, c and d are natural numbers greater than 1. Then, an accumulation operation is performed, with each similarity element serving as a center, according to a reference mask to obtain an iteration parameter. Next, n times of iteration update operations are performed on the initial similarity data according to the iteration parameter to generate updated similarity data. Then, it is judged whether the updated similarity data satisfy a character verification condition. If yes, the updated similarity data is converted into depth distribution data. |
| US08525877B2 |
Apparatus and method for conducting remote video inspection from above
An apparatus for conducting remote subsurface inspections from above is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a support structure, a telescoping mast held by a coupling and born by the support structure, an imaging system held by an extendable portion of the telescoping mast and an offsetting mechanism. The apparatus may further comprise an articulating radial arm with pivots for locating the telescoping mast. The support structure of the apparatus may also include an adaptor section for fitting to a receiver of a hitch of a vehicle. A method for conducting remote subsurface inspections from above is also disclosed. The method of inspection comprises the steps of locating an access point on a working surface, positioning an apparatus for conducting remote subsurface inspections from above, manipulating the telescoping mast above the access point, lowering it and reviewing images from the imaging system. |
| US08525869B2 |
Method for video telephony communication and a terminal using the same
A terminal and a method for video telephony communication using the terminal are provided. The method for video telephony communication includes executing video telephony communication for transmitting and receiving a video signal and a voice signal, determining a power saving mode set in the terminal, measuring at least one environmental value corresponding to the determined power saving mode, and transmitting and receiving the voice signal when the environmental value is less than a critical value. The terminal and the method for video telephony communication enable a reduction of power consumption even in a poor video telephony communication environment. |
| US08525868B2 |
Variable beamforming with a mobile platform
A mobile platform includes a microphone array and is capable of implementing beamforming to amplify or suppress audio information from a sound source. The sound source is indicated through a user input, such as pointing the mobile platform in the direction of the sound source or through a touch screen display interface. The mobile platform further includes orientation sensors capable of detecting movement of the mobile platform. When the mobile platform moves with respect to the sound source, the beamforming is adjusted based on the data from the orientation sensors so that beamforming is continuously implemented in the direction of the sound source. The audio information from the sound source may be included or suppressed from a telephone or video-telephony conversation. Images or video from a camera may be likewise controlled based on the data from the orientation sensors. |
| US08525847B2 |
Enhancing images using known characteristics of image subjects
A method performed by one or more computers programmed to enhance images, the method including receiving an image and a face region associated with the image, sampling pixels from the face region, generating, based on the sampled pixels, a face-region evaluation, identifying a modification to the image based on the face-region evaluation, and modifying the image in accordance with the identified modification. |
| US08525833B2 |
Dynamic biplane roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis
A method of generating a three-dimensional volumetric representation of a subject. The method includes capturing a first image of the subject with a first capture device from a first perspective, accessing a stored volumetric model of the subject, and approximating a first orientation of the stored volumetric model that corresponds to the first perspective. A digitally simulated radiograph is generated from the stored volumetric model and compared to the captured first image. A second image is also captured at the same time as the first picture, but from a different perspective. A second orientation of the stored volumetric model is approximated that corresponds to the second image. A second digitally simulated radiograph is generated and compared to the second image. Based on the approximated orientations, a three-dimensional volumetric representation of the subject is generated by positioning the stored volumetric model according to the first orientation and the second orientation. |
| US08525832B2 |
Mesh formation for multi-element volumes
A method of forming mesh data for three-dimensional (3-D) data is provided. Inside/outside (IO) functions are generated based on indicator functions to identify element interfaces between a plurality of elements identified in the 3-D data. An indicator function is defined to represent a volume identified for an element within the 3-D data. A cell indicator function is defined for each element interface based on the IO functions to identify a plurality of types of element interfaces. The cell indicator function identifies points in the 3-D data where a plurality of the generated IO functions evaluate to approximately zero. The types of element interfaces are identified based on a number of elements that coincide at a point in the 3-D data. 3-D point locations are distributed on the identified element interfaces based on the plurality of types of element interfaces and the IO functions. Surface mesh data is generated based on the distributed 3-D point locations. |
| US08525830B2 |
Point cloud generation system
A method, apparatus, and point cloud generation system for managing a point cloud. Vertices for a model of an object are identified. The object comprises a plurality of parts. Identifiers for the plurality of parts are associated with points in the point cloud using the vertices for the model of the object. |
| US08525829B2 |
Transparent multi-view mask for 3D display systems
A multi-view mask apparatus for creating a three-dimensional (3D) display. The apparatus includes a relay lens assembly that is non-inverting of images passed through the relay lens assembly including images of background objects. The apparatus includes a mask display device concurrently displaying first and second mask content via the relay lens assembly. The first mask content is viewable from a first point of view (POV) and the second mask content is viewable from a second POV or the first mask content is apparent from a first light source direction and the second mask content is apparent from a second light source direction. The relay lens assembly includes four lenticular sheets arranged into first and second pairs with adjacent back sides. The mask display device is disposed in one pair between two lenticular sheets and operated to display the first and second mask content as interlaced images under the lenticules. |
| US08525827B2 |
Integrated GIS system with interactive 3D interface
An integrated GIS system in which a 3D visualization system is integrated with a 2D GIS system using interfaces that map 2D components for 3D visualization and map 3D components for processing by the 2D GIS system. A 2D GIS system and a 3D visualization system are integrated through interfaces that provide for 3D visualization of 2.5D GIS data as well as interactive control of the 2D GIS system from 3D windows containing 3D renderings produced by the 3D visualization system. User selections made in a 3D window are mapped to 2D geo-location coordinates for to use by the 2D GIS system components. Changes made via the 3D window to 3D graphic indicia and/or metadata are used to modify GIS data in a GIS database, and the modified GIS data is used to update the 3D rendering to reflect the user changes. |
| US08525826B2 |
System for iterative interactive ray tracing in a multiprocessor environment
A method comprises receiving scene model data including a scene geometry model and a plurality of pixel data describing objects arranged in a scene. The method generates a primary ray based on a selected first pixel data. In the event the primary ray intersects an object in the scene, the method determines primary hit color data and generates a plurality of secondary rays. The method groups the secondary packets and arranges the packets in a queue based on the octant of each direction vector in the secondary ray packet. The method generates secondary color data based on the secondary ray packets in the queue and generates a pixel color based on the primary hit color data, and the secondary color data. The method generates an image based on the pixel color for the pixel data. |
| US08525824B2 |
Liquid crystal display driver device and liquid crystal display system
There is provided a display driver device (liquid crystal driver) causing no degradation in display image quality even when a plurality of signal lines (source lines) of a display panel are divided into a plurality of groups as a countermeasure against EMI. With a liquid crystal display driver device (the liquid crystal driver) for generating image signals to be impressed to respective signal lines of a display panel upon receiving display image data, and outputting the image signals in a lump, corresponding to every one line, according to an output timing signal inputted from outside, output amplifiers, in the last stage of the liquid crystal driver, for outputting the image signals, respectively, are divided into a plurality of groups, and the output amplifiers of respective groups are caused to undergo a periodical change in output sequence while the respective image signals are slightly staggered in output timing by the group. |
| US08525822B2 |
LCD panel driving circuit having transition slope adjusting means and associated control method
A driving circuit on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and associated control method is provided. The LCD panel connected to a display control circuit via a flexible print circuit (FPC) includes a master source driver, for inputting a digital image signal in compliance with a first electrical specification via an FPC board and converting the digital image signal to a gate driving signal and a slave source driving signal, which are in compliance with a second electrical specification; a gate driver, for receiving the gate driving signal in compliance with the second electrical specification; and a slave source driver, for receiving the slave source driving signal in compliance with the second electrical specification. The master source driver, the slave source driver and the gate driver drive a thin-film transistor (TFT) on the LCD panel. |
| US08525819B2 |
Driving method of a semiconductor device
A horizontal scanning period is divided into n parts (n is a natural number), so that horizontal scanning can be performed (n×y) times in one frame period. That is, n signals can be outputted from each pixel, and storage times of the n signals are different from one another. Then, since a signal suited to the intensity of light irradiated to each pixel can be selected, information of an object can be accurately read. |
| US08525815B2 |
Optical touch system with display screen
An optical touch system includes a display screen having a contact surface, an infrared light source emitting infrared light to cover the contact surface, a linear infrared sensor having a sensing surface with a lengthwise direction thereof parallel to the contact surface, a processor, and a controller. The linear infrared sensor captures an image of the contact surface with an infrared portion representing a touch area of a contact object, the image having an aspect ratio greater than that of the contact surface. The processor determines the touch location of the contact object based on the aspect ratios of the image and the contact surface, the location of the infrared portion on the image, the area of the infrared portion and the area of the touch portion of the contact object on the contact surface. The controller executes an instruction according to the determined location of the contact object. |
| US08525814B2 |
System and method of distinguishing multiple touch points applied to an optical touch system
The invention discloses a method of distinguishing multiple touch points applied to an optical touch system which includes a panel for indicating a first touch point and a second touch point thereon and a camera unit for capturing an image relative to the first touch point and the second touch point. The image has a first dark area and a second dark area corresponding to the first touch point and the second touch point respectively. In the method, if it is observed that the first dark area and the second dark area merge into a first single dark area and a second single dark area at current time and previous time respectively, the respective positions of the first dark area and the second dark area are determined and the respective coordinates of the first touch point and the second touch point are also determined. |
| US08525813B1 |
Multi-point interface for a graphical modeling environment
A graphical model is displayed. A location of a portion of a user in relation to the displayed graphical model is sensed to obtain a sensed location of the portion of the user. A movement of the portion of the user in relation to the displayed graphical model and the sensed location of the portion of the user is sensed to obtain a sensed movement. The displayed graphical model is adjusted in response to the sensed movement of the portion of the user to obtain a displayed adjusted graphical model. |
| US08525811B2 |
Capacitive touch panel
A capacitive touch panel consists of a touch panel having a plural conductive wires, a multiplex selector electrically connected to the plural conductive wires of the touch panel, a first switch electrically connected to the multiplex selector, a first resistor having a first resistor value, a second switch electrically connected to the resistor and the first switch, a capacitor having a capacitance value, the capacitor electrically connected to the first switch and the second switch, a third switch electrically connected to the capacitor, an Analogue to Digital converter, a fourth switch electrically connected to the Analogue to Digital converter and the third switch, and an integrating circuit electrically connected to the second switch and the fourth switch. |
| US08525807B2 |
Flat display, touch device and touch detecting method
A touch device is disposed on a substrate having a plurality of scan lines. The touch device comprises a plurality of readout lines and a plurality of sensors. The readout lines and the scan lines are intersected with each other, and the sensors are electrically coupled to the corresponding scan lines and the corresponding readout lines respectively. A scan signal is introduced into the scan lines in sequence to control whether turning on the sensors, and the scan signal comprises at least one first turn-on pulse and a second turn-on pulse to simultaneously turn on at least two sensors which are electrically coupled to different scan lines. |
| US08525802B2 |
Portable terminal capable of sensing proximity touch and method for providing graphic user interface using the same
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a touch screen for generating input signals in response to a proximity touch or a direct touch of an input medium and displaying a first menu and a controller for determining the proximity touch of the input medium on the touch screen for a predetermined period of time and displaying on the touch screen a second menu for providing a function associated with the first menu. |
| US08525801B2 |
Equalized capacitive touchpad and touch positioning method
An equalized capacitive touchpad and a touch positioning method for a capacitive touchpad use an equalizer to correct a sensed value detected from a sensing line of the capacitive touchpad, to thereby offset the attenuation of the sensed value due to the impedance of the sensing line. Thus, the sensed values generated from different positions along a sensing line are equalized, and the touch positioning accuracy of the capacitive touchpad is improved. |
| US08525798B2 |
Touch sensing
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a plurality of capacitors, each having a first electrode and a second electrode. The apparatus includes charging circuitry coupled to the first electrodes and sensing circuitry coupled to the second electrodes, the sensing circuitry configured to detect changes in capacitance across the capacitors responsive to movement of an input object relative to the apparatus. Interpolating circuitry identifies which one of the capacitors is nearest to the input object according to the detected capacitance changes. |
| US08525796B2 |
Self-healing and diagnostic screen
A method, system, and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s). |
| US08525791B2 |
Miniature keyboard for a hand held computer
A miniature keyboard for a palm held computer is disclosed. The miniature keyboard includes a plurality of keys for providing input to a hand held computing device. The keyboard includes a platform supporting the plurality of keys. The platform is configured to be sized for use by a single hand and the platforms is selectively foldable to substantially conceal the plurality of keys from view. The keyboard also includes a support structure that couples the platform to the hand held computing device body. The support structure is configured to prevent substantial movement of the platform relative to the hand held computing device body. |
| US08525790B2 |
Non-contact selection device
A non-contract selecting device is disclosed. The non-contract selecting device include a light source, emitting light to an outside; a camera unit, generating and outputting a video signal corresponding to an external video; a video data generating unit, generating video data corresponding to the video signal; and an identity unit, detecting a location of a detected area formed by light, reflected by pointing-means and inputted, of the light emitted from the video data in units of each frame, recognizing a moving locus of the detected area by comparing at least two continuous frames and generating and outputting corresponding change information. With the present invention, the function-selecting can be more quickly and easily and increase making the most use of elements. |
| US08525788B2 |
Method of controlling an object by eye motion for electronic device
The present invention provides a method of controlling a virtual object or instruction for a computing device comprising: detecting a user eye motion by a detecting device; generating a control signal in responsive to the user eye motion detection; controlling an object displayed on a display in responsive to the control signal to execute the instruction. The user eye motion is detected by CMOS or CCD. |
| US08525785B1 |
Multi-directional remote control system and method with highly accurate tracking
A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality. The remote control system and method images the controller to detect relative motion between the controller and screen. This position information is used for control of a cursor or other GUI interface. |
| US08525777B2 |
Tracking motion of mouse on smooth surfaces
Embodiments are disclosed herein that are related to computer mice configured to track motion on smooth surfaces. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an optical mouse comprising a light source configured to illuminate a tracking surface, an image sensor, and an array of lenses configured to superimpose a plurality of images of spatially different areas of the tracking surface onto the image sensor. The optical mouse further comprises a controller configured to receive a plurality of time-sequenced frames of image data from the image sensor, to detect motion of the mouse on the tracking surface from movement of one or more tracking features in the plurality of time-sequenced frames of image data, and to output a motion signal. |
| US08525772B2 |
LCOS spatial light modulator
The display area selection circuit selects a desired display area. The signal generating circuit sets a period of each shift signal generated while the selection position of the pixel diode is between the shift start position and the display start position shorter than a period of each shift signal generated while the selection position of the pixel diode is between the display start position and the display end position. |
| US08525758B2 |
Method for driving display element and method for driving display device
Disclosed herein is a method for driving a display element including a current-driven light emitting part and a drive circuit, the drive circuit including a write transistor, a drive transistor, and a capacitive part, the method including the steps of: executing threshold voltage cancel processing of changing potential of the second node toward potential obtained by subtracting threshold voltage of the drive transistor from potential of the first node in a state in which the potential of the first node is kept; and executing write processing of applying a video signal from the data line to the first node via the write transistor turned to an on-state by a scan signal from the scan line. |
| US08525751B1 |
Tapered direct fed bifilar helix antenna
A tapered direct fed bifilar helix antenna comprises bifilar antenna elements which helically spiral around an antenna axis to define an outer cylindrical shape of the direct fed bifilar helix antenna. The width of the bifilar antenna elements at the feed end of the antenna is sized to provide the antenna with an approximately fifty ohm characteristic impedance. The individual filar elements taper at a predetermined axial position from a maximum width at the feed end to a minimum width at the end furthest from the feed end. A fifty ohm coaxial cable directly feeds the tapered bifilar antenna elements. |
| US08525749B2 |
Ground structure of antenna of mobile terminal
An antenna ground structure of a mobile terminal is disclosed. The antenna ground structure of a mobile terminal is arranged to provide the ground pattern on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) adjacent to the antenna and to electrically connect the ground pattern to the ground unit of the antenna, so that the area of the ground of the antenna may be expanded to improve Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and communication performance. |
| US08525747B2 |
Scanning antenna
An antenna has an antenna body having a plurality of first antenna elements situated along a first straight line. The antenna body includes a first conductive grounded surface and a second conductive grounded surface, the first and second grounded surfaces being situated essentially parallel to one another. A dielectric is situated between the first and second grounded surfaces. A signal conductor is also situated between the first and second grounded surfaces. The first antenna elements are designed as apertures situated above the signal conductor in the first grounded surface. Furthermore, the antenna is designed to emit a signal in a direction in space, depending on a frequency of the signal. At least two of the first antenna elements differ from one another in such a way that their power emissions are different. |
| US08525741B2 |
Multi-loop antenna system and electronic apparatus having the same
A multi-loop antenna system includes: a plurality of loop antennas disposed on a substrate and arranged such that each of extending lines extending respectively from geometric centers of the loop antennas to a center point that is bounded by the loop antennas has a predetermined length, and that each of the loop antennas is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the same by a predetermined distance; and a system module facing toward and being spaced apart from and parallel to the substrate such that the grounding plane is able to reflect radiation from the loop antennas. Each of the loop antennas includes first and second radiator portions operable in respective frequency bands; the former having opposite ends that respectively serve as signal-feed and grounding sections; the latter having opposite ends that are connected respectively to the signal-feed and grounding sections. |
| US08525738B2 |
Wireless communication device and method thereof
A wireless communication device including a system ground plane and a retractable antenna is provided. The system ground plane includes a feed point. When the retractable antenna is configured to be a first length, the wireless communication device transceives a first signal of a first bandwidth through the retractable antenna for a first radio frequency system. When the retractable antenna is configured to be a second length, the wireless communication device transceives the first signal and a second signal of a second bandwidth through the retractable antenna respectively for the first radio frequency system and the second radio frequency system. A center frequency of the first bandwidth range is substantially a first odd multiple of a reference frequency, and a center frequency of the second bandwidth range is substantially a second odd multiple of the reference frequency, and the first odd multiple is different to the second odd multiple. |
| US08525734B2 |
Antenna device
An antenna device for a portable electronic device and an electronic device provided with such an antenna are disclosed. The antenna device is configured to provide in a combination a tuning element for tuning at least one electrical dimension of the portable electronic device and an antenna radiator element of the portable electronic device. |
| US08525728B2 |
Method of detecting object in the vicinity of a vehicle
A system for detecting objects in the vicinity of a vehicle, comprising: a sensor for gathering data relating to objects in the vicinity of the vehicle; and a processor operable to: detect objects, from the sensor data, based on one or more detection criteria, the detection being regulated by one or more detection parameters; analyze the detected objects; and in response to the number of detected objects, vary one or more of the detection parameters. |
| US08525722B2 |
Ad converting device, dial-type input device, and resistance-voltage conversion circuit
An AD converting device includes a resistance-voltage conversion circuit which changes a first integrated voltage in proportion to a product of a varied resistance of a variable resistance and an electrical current applied to the variable resistance and changes a second integrated voltage and a reference voltage in proportion to a product of a total resistance of the variable resistance and the electrical current. |
| US08525716B2 |
Isolation circuit for a digital-to-analog converter
An electronic circuit comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) core circuit having a current source device and a digital input bit. An isolation circuit is also provided and is connected to the DAC core circuit. The isolation circuit is configured to selectively provide a source bias signal to the current source device. The isolation circuit also is configured to isolate the source bias signal from the current source device based on a state of the digital input bit. |
| US08525712B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and method of operating the same
To improve resolution of a built-in A/D converter by reducing the area occupied by a chip of the built-in A/D converter in a semiconductor integrated circuit that is mounted in an on-vehicle millimeter wave radar device and which incorporates an A/D converter and an MPU. In the semiconductor integrated circuit, a plurality of reception signals of the radar device is A/D-converted by a single digital correction type A/D converter. The digital correction type A/D converter of the single A/D converter is a foreground digital correction type A/D converter that sequentially A/D-converts the reception signals output from a multiplexer of a receiving interface. The single A/D converter includes a pipeline type A/D converter having a plurality of cascade-coupled converters. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a correction signal generating unit, a digital correction D/A converter, and a digital correction unit for digital correction. |
| US08525709B2 |
Systems and methods for designing ADC based on probabilistic switching of memories
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a probabilistic analog to digital converter (ADC). The probabilistic ADC may be configured to convert an analog input to a variable-length or variable-amplitude pulse, apply the pulse to a plurality of memory elements as a switching pulse, and determine a digital value based on a number of memory elements that store a value after the switching pulse is applied. |
| US08525706B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding data
The method for encoding data includes: receiving data; determining one quantizer from among a plurality of quantizers having a same quantization step size and different offset values; and transmitting an indicator and a quantized coefficient related to the determined quantizer. The method for decoding data includes: receiving an indicator and a quantized coefficient related to a quantizer; determining one de-quantizer from among a plurality of de-quantizers by using the indicator; and acquiring reconstructed data by de-quantizing the quantized coefficient by using the determined de-quantizer. |
| US08525697B2 |
Exterior mirror reflective element sub-assembly with signal indicator
A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a blind spot indicator. The mirror back plate has a generally planar portion and an indicator mounting portion. The indicator mounting portion of the mirror back plate is angled relative to the generally planar portion, and an aperture is established through the mirror back plate generally at the indicator mounting portion. A heater pad is disposed at the rear of the mirror reflective element, and a light transmitting portion of the heater pad is generally aligned with the aperture of the mirror back plate. With the light source of the blind spot indicator activated, light emitted by the light source transmits through an indicia element, the aperture and the light transmitting portion and exits the mirror reflective element at an angle relative to the generally planar portion of the mirror back plate. |
| US08525696B2 |
Vehicle-mounted device and audio reproduction method
Upon reception of content information (step S1), a control unit decides a different notification sound in accordance with an identifier attached to the received content information (step S4). The control unit causes a reproduction unit (5) to reproduce the decided notification sound. Thus, the user can guess the content of the received content information. |
| US08525694B2 |
Radio frequency identification object tracking
A computer-implemented method includes detecting, through an RF transceiver in communication with a vehicle computing system, the proximate presence of one or more RFID tags. The method also includes determining, via the vehicle computing system, a type of potential hazard to which the detected tag corresponds. The method further includes notifying, via the vehicle computing system, a driver of the presence of the determined type of potential hazard. |
| US08525692B2 |
Techniques for limiting demand from an electricity meter with an installed relay
An electricity meter capable of performing a method for limiting an electricity load in communication with the electricity meter is disclosed. The electricity meter includes at least one load control and the electricity meter has one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers. Each of the one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers has a corresponding time-of-use demand threshold. The method comprises determining a present time-of-use tier; determining a present time-of-use demand for the electricity load in the present time-of-use tier; comparing the present time-of-use demand to the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier; and setting the at least one load control to a de-energize mode when a de-energize condition is satisfied. The de-energize condition may include sub-conditions such as the present time-of-use demand exceeding the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier. |
| US08525691B2 |
Electric equipment with digital interface and method for controlling the same
In electric equipment that has a digital interface, an operation that is normally performed by an output terminal during authentication processing is executed on equipment connected to an input terminal of the digital interface by the input terminal as an erroneous connection detection operation. When there is a proper response from the equipment connected to the input terminal of the digital interface in response to the erroneous connection detection operation, the electric equipment detects that the connected equipment has been erroneously connected. When an erroneous connection is detected, the electric equipment gives notice of the detection of the erroneous connection. |
| US08525688B2 |
Proximity detection alarm for an inductively charged mobile computing device
Illustrated is a system and method to activate an alarm where a mobile computing device is no longer proximate to a docking station that provides inductive charging and data transfer capabilities for the mobile computing device. The computer system includes at least one coil to provide inductive charging for a mobile computing device. Further, the computer system includes a processor to control the inductive charging of the mobile computing device. Additionally, the computer system includes a proximity sensor operatively connected to the processor, the proximity sensor to determine that the mobile computing device is proximate to the computer system. Moreover, the computer system includes an alarm logic module to activate an alarm when the mobile computing device is no longer proximate to the computer system. |
| US08525679B2 |
Sensor control for apparatuses for supporting and monitoring a person
A person support apparatus includes a frame and a support surface cooperating with the frame to support a person. The person support apparatus also has a sensor coupled to one of the frame and the support surface. The sensor detects at least one characteristic associated with the person. A controller is coupled to the sensor. In response to at least one of a condition of the frame, a condition of the support surface, a position of the person, or a condition of the person, the controller operates to control the sensor by at least one of changing a gain of the sensor and changing a manner in which a signal from the sensor is filtered. In some instances, the controller turns the sensor off. |
| US08525674B2 |
Collective objects management system with object identification using addressable decoder units
A collective objects management system for objects such as documents contained in file folders in drawers of file cabinets. Each file folder has an electrical circuit with a visible indicator mounted on the file folder. Each folder circuit has an address decoder with a unique system address which enables generation of a VALID signal whenever an incoming address from a source is a match, and a circuit for deriving operating power for the address decoder from an incoming address signal. A local microcomputer and optional encoder receive incoming object identification signals from the source and supplies the desired object address to all the file folders in the cabinet. To aid the user, each file drawer has a visible indicator mounted on the front panel, the panel indicator being illuminated when the sought folder is contained in that drawer. The invention can be applied to a wide variety of collective objects management systems, such as supermarkets, automobile parts distributors, and various manufacturing operations. |
| US08525669B2 |
Interaction analyzer
A method of analyzing participant activity includes providing an identification unit to a participant, receiving signals from the identification unit, determining location of the participant based on the received signals, storing the location information and the associated timestamp and analyzing the stored information. |
| US08525668B1 |
Driver monitoring apparatus and method
A monitoring device and method is utilized to monitor certain individuals. A processor receives input from at least one if not a plurality of sensors. In preferred embodiments, if multiple sensors reach certain milestones relative to certain limits, an alarm condition is provided to alert a predetermined recipient of the alarm condition, such as the authorities in the case of a person going above a certain speed limit and moving at least one of his feet to correspond to braking and/or accelerating events. Another sensor such as near the wrist of an individual could be utilized to coordinate with directional headings of the individual to create a condition appearing to be steering of a car wheel. |
| US08525645B2 |
Method of recognizing RFID tag for the purpose of preventing throughput inversion and RFID reader performing the same
A method of recognizing a tag in an RFID reader includes: obtaining a predetermined frame size in the case where throughput obtained by reflecting a slot length based on the remaining number of tags except for recognized tags within a frame progressing current tag recognition that substantially has a maximum value; and when the current frame size is different from the predetermined frame size, stopping the current progress of frame and changing the current frame size into the expected frame size. The method of recognizing a tag may further include when the current frame size is equal to the expected frame size, changing the current frame size into the frame size that does not cause a throughput inversion phenomenon for the remaining number of tags to be recognized within the frame progressing the current tag recognition. By the throughput inversion phenomenon, the occurrence of throughput loss can be prevented and the tag recognition time is reduced to recognize the tags at high speed. |
| US08525643B2 |
Medical system with identification patch
A medical system that includes an identification patch having a memory that stores identification information associated with the patch. A monitoring device to be used with the identification patch interrogates the patch to obtain the identification information stored within the memory of the patch. The monitoring device determines whether the identification information is valid and, if so, measures values representing one or more parameters of the patient. If the identification information is not valid, monitoring device does not measure values representing the one or more parameters of the patient. |
| US08525639B2 |
Controller having reduced control key set and method for operating same in a learning, macro, or cloning mode
In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode. |
| US08525626B2 |
Interlocking magnetic coupling members
A magnetic coupling member, method, and system including a housing and a first arrangement of a plurality of magnets housed within the housing is disclosed. The first arrangement of magnets is selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement with a second arrangement of a plurality of magnets. |
| US08525593B2 |
Circuit and method for amplifying a digital signal
An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier unit that is configured to receive an input signal and generate a switching output signal. A level shifter is configured to shift the amplitude of the input signal to have a shifted amplitude that is proportional to a peak-to-peak amplitude of the switching output signal. |
| US08525588B1 |
Vacuum electronic device
Various apparatuses and methods for a vacuum electronic device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vacuum electronic device includes a vacuum housing, an array of slow wave structures inside the vacuum housing sharing a common electron beam tunnel, an electron beam input port at a first end of the common electron beam tunnel, and an electron beam output port at a second end of the common electron beam tunnel. |
| US08525586B2 |
Gain stage with DC offset compensation and method thereof
A gain stage with DC offset compensation includes a gain amplifier and a compensation device. The gain amplifier is arranged to amplify an input signal according to a gain control signal. The compensation device is arranged to perform a DC offset compensation applied to the gain amplifier with an operating configuration based on the gain control signal. |
| US08525580B2 |
Semiconductor circuit and constant voltage regulator employing same
A semiconductor circuit includes a voltage regulator and a buffer transistor. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage input to an input terminal thereof into an output voltage output to an output terminal thereof. The buffer transistor is an n-channel depletion-mode metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, disposed between the power supply terminal and the voltage regulator with a gate terminal thereof connected to the power supply terminal, a drain terminal thereof connected to the power supply terminal, and a source terminal thereof connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator. |
| US08525579B2 |
Electronic trimming circuit with reduced number of dedicated trimming pins
An electronic trimming circuit carries out a trimming operation on portions of an integrated device. The circuit includes N trimmable interconnected resistances, each connected in parallel to a respective shunt fuse. N trimming transistors are each connected to a respective one of the shunt fuses to force therethrough substantially the whole current flowing in the respective trimming transistor. N bias networks are each functionally connected to a control terminal of a respective one of the trimming transistors to directly bias an active junction thereof. An externally driven heating device is thermally coupled with the active junctions of the trimming transistors adapted to raise the temperature thereof. |
| US08525569B2 |
Synchronizing global clocks in 3D stacks of integrated circuits by shorting the clock network
There is provided a clock distribution network for synchronizing global clock signals within a 3D chip stack having two or more strata. On each of the two or more strata, the clock distribution network includes a clock grid having a plurality of sectors for providing the global clock signals to various chip locations, a multiple-level buffered clock tree for driving the clock grid and including at least a root and a plurality of clock buffers, and one or more multiplexers for providing the global clock signals to at least a portion of the buffered clock tree. Inputs of at least some of the plurality of clock buffers on each of the two or more strata are shorted together using chip-to-chip interconnects to reduce skewing of the global clock signals with respect to the various chip locations. |
| US08525551B2 |
Semiconductor device
As semiconductor devices including semiconductors, logic circuits are given. Logic circuits include dynamic logic circuits and static logic circuits and are formed using transistors and the like. Dynamic logic circuits can store data for a certain period of time. Thus, leakage current from transistors causes more severe problems in dynamic logic circuits than in static logic circuits. A logic circuit includes a first transistor whose off-state current is small and a second transistor whose gate is electrically connected to the first transistor. Electric charge is supplied to a node of the gate of the second transistor through the first transistor. Electric charge is supplied to the node through a plurality of capacitors. On/off of the second transistor is controlled depending on a state of the electric charge. The first transistor includes an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region. |
| US08525549B1 |
Physical unclonable function cell and array
A function cell comprising a first field effect transistor (FET) device, a second FET device, a first node connected to a gate terminal of the first FET device and a gate terminal of the second FET device, wherein the first node is operative to receive a voltage signal from an alternating current (AC) voltage source, an amplifier portion connected to the first FET device and the second FET device, the amplifier portion operative to receive a signal from the first FET device and the second FET device, a phase comparator portion having a first input terminal connected to an output terminal of the amplifier and a second input terminal operative to receive the voltage signal from the AC voltage source, the phase comparator portion operative to output a voltage indicative of a bit of a binary value. |
| US08525544B2 |
Quantum computing circuits
A system for performing digital operations, including a first device configured to transform a digital input into one or more signals, at least one AB ring, the at least one AB ring irreducibly-coupled and configured to include at least three terminals, a second device configured to read a portion of a signal expressed upon two or more of the at least three terminals, and a third device configured to transform the portion of the signal expressed upon two or more of the at least three terminals into a digital output, the third device operationally connected to the second device. |
| US08525536B2 |
Load testing circuit
A load testing circuit a circuit tests the load impedance of a load connected to an amplifier. The load impedance includes a first terminal and a second terminal, the load testing circuit comprising a signal generator providing a test signal of a defined bandwidth to the first terminal of the load impedance, an energy-storing element being connected to the second terminal of the load impedance and providing an output signal, and a measuring unit that measures the output signal or compares the output signal with a reference. |
| US08525534B2 |
Salinity independent multiphase measurements
Method and device for measuring the content of a fluid flow, the fluid containing a combination of at least two of gas, oil and/or water. The method comprising the steps of:—repeatedly measuring the electrical properties of a cross section of the fluid and detecting time sequences identified by low gas content, especially characterized in that a gas bubble is not present,—in said periods of low gas content measuring the density of the fluid in the flow, wherein the density measurements are performed in at least one period of low gas content and the a fluid density is calculated based on the measured densities over said period or periods. |
| US08525529B2 |
Impedance detection circuit and adjustment method of impedance detection circuit
According to the present invention, a small impedance detection circuit capable of accurately detecting the impedance of an object to be measured and an adjustment method of an impedance detection circuit can be provided. In the impedance detection circuit according to the present invention, an AC signal generator outputs an AC signal. A detection circuit, which is connected to a circuit to be measured, applies an AC signal to the circuit to be measured. Further, the detection circuit outputs a first signal corresponding to the composite impedance of the impedance of the circuit to be measured and a parasitic impedance. A correction circuit outputs a second signal in synchronization with the first signal. A subtraction circuit outputs a detection signal obtained by subtracting the second signal from the first signal. |
| US08525521B2 |
Detector circuit and semiconductor device using same
A detector circuit for detecting degradation in the distortion characteristics of a power amplifier based on signals from both ends of a coupled line of a directional coupler. The detector circuit includes a phase shifter/attenuator for phase shifting and attenuating a signal from a coupled terminal of the coupled line, a differential amplifier for outputting difference between an output signal from the phase shifter/attenuator and a signal from the isolated terminal of the coupled line, a wave detector circuit for converting the difference into a DC signal, and a comparing circuit for determining whether the voltage level of the DC signal exceeds a predetermined level. When degradation in the distortion characteristics of the power amplifier arises, the phase shifter/attenuator phase shifts the signal from the coupled terminal and outputs a signal 180° out of phase with the signal from the isolated terminal. |
| US08525520B2 |
System and method for low battery detection
Systems and methods for monitoring a voltage pump to determine the status of a battery connected to the voltage pump are provided. The operation of the voltage pump is monitored during at least one monitoring period which corresponds to a period of relatively heavy consistent load. The operation of the voltage pump can be monitored by sampling a control signal that corresponds to the operation of the voltage pump. |
| US08525515B2 |
Equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs, antenna coil and method for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs
Equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs comprises a means for generating high-frequency pulses, an antenna coil which irradiates an object of inspection with the generated high-frequency pulses working as a radio wave and receives a nuclear quadrupole signal which is generated from the object of inspection when the object of inspection is excited by the radio wave, and a means for detecting explosives and/or illicit drugs in the object of inspection based on the nuclear quadrupole signal thus received, wherein the antenna coil is formed in the shape of a figure of “8” by using a high-frequency coaxial cable so that two solenoid coil portions wound reversely to each other can be provided, and is used while facing the object of inspection. Various explosives and/or illicit drugs can be inspected compactly and surely by the equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs and an inspecting method using such equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs. |
| US08525510B2 |
Railway positioning system
A railway positioning system provides an on-board speed measurement device (6) inducing eddy currents in the wayside structure at two spots along the travelling direction, measuring the variations of the magnetic field emitted by the wayside structure and determining position and speed by correlating the 2 measured signals known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,177 and a wayside coded tag (1) providing a coding recognizable by the onboard speed measurement device (6). The coded tag (1) consists of a bar (4) with several slots (3) in which metal blocks (2) of different sizes are mounted. The block sizes and positions are selected to represent a coding according to Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. |
| US08525507B2 |
Method and system for monitoring external excitation on a surface using nanocomposite paint
The present invention provides a method and system for monitoring external excitation on a surface using nanocomposite paint. The method comprises applying the nanocomposite paint on the surface, wherein the nanocomposite paint comprises a mixture of a plurality of carbon nanotubes and an epoxy resin along with a plurality of electrically conductive patterned electrodes. The electrical properties of the nanocomposite paint changes in response to the external excitation of the surface. The change in the electrical properties of the nanocomposite is measured by a measuring instrument, wherein the change in the electrical properties of the nanocomposite paint is directly proportional to the external excitation experienced by the surface. |
| US08525506B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes constant current circuit, starter circuit and power supply start-up circuit. In the constant current circuit, first current mirror circuit includes first and second transistors, and second current mirror circuit includes third and fourth transistors that are connected to first and second nodes. In the starter circuit, a potential of first node controls sixth transistor, seventh transistor is connected to third node, gate electrode of the seventh transistor is at ground potential, a capacitance element is connected to fourth node, and a potential of fourth node controls fifth transistor, which supplies start-up current to the constant current circuit via second node. In the power supply start-up circuit, source electrode of eighth transistor is fixed at power supply voltage, gate electrode is at ground potential, and drain electrode supplies power to the other circuits. |
| US08525503B2 |
Hybrid rectifier
A hybrid voltage rectifier enables a switch mode DC-DC power converter to safely power an external dynamic load by way of a substantially lossless conductive coupling between an output filter of the converter and the load. The rectifier is controlled so as to permit net average current through an inductor of the output filter to be approximately equal to, but not less than, zero by permitting very low loss conduction in the first quadrant and, selectively, cycle by cycle, in the third quadrant during load operation. The converter has a first switch, an output filter, a second switch, and a controller. The output filter is conductively coupled with the first switch, and has an inductor in series with the load. The controller sets state conditions of the second switch, such that the inductor operates in a continuous current mode. |
| US08525502B2 |
Digital pulse-frequency modulation controller for switch-mode power supplies with frequency targeting and ultrasonic modes
A digital pulse controller uses digital logic to send pulses to a high side and low side switches of a switch-mode power supply converter. The digital logic uses a pulse frequency mode which includes a frequency targeting mode and an ultrasonic mode. The frequency targeting mode dynamically adjusts the size of the pulses in order to achieve a switching frequency within a desired band. The ultrasonic mode is switched into when the frequency of the pulses are at or below a threshold and the time of the pulses reaches a minimum threshold. |
| US08525499B2 |
Constant current switching power supply
There is provided a switching power supply circuit which receives a voltage from a direct current voltage source and supplies a direct current power to a load part. The circuit includes a switching element, a current detection circuit which is serially connected to the switching element, and which converts a current flowing in the switching element into a voltage, a control circuit which outputs a switch driving signal to control an ON/OFF operation of the switching element such that a current flowing in the load part becomes constant, a reference voltage generation circuit which generates a reference voltage proportional to an ON duty of the switch driving signal, and an error amplification circuit which outputs error information between a voltage output from the current detection circuit and the reference voltage. The control circuit adjusts the ON duty of the switch driving signal based on the error information. |
| US08525498B2 |
Average input current limit method and apparatus thereof
The embodiment of invention discloses an average input current limit method and apparatus thereof. The apparatus comprises a switching circuit, a current average circuit and a current limit circuit. The current average circuit samples the input current of the switching circuit and generates a signal representative of the average value of the input current. The current limit circuit limits the signal so as to limit the average value of the input current. |
| US08525496B2 |
DC-DC converter and semiconductor chip
A DC-DC converter including a first inductor connected between a second end of a first MOS transistor and an output terminal, a second inductor connected between a second end of a third MOS transistor and the output terminal, a first capacitor connected between the second MOS transistor and the third MOS transistor, a second capacitor connected between the fourth MOS transistor and the first MOS transistor and a third capacitor connected between the first MOS transistor and the third MOS transistor. Also included in the converter is a first resistor connected to a gate of the second MOS transistor, a second resistor connected to a gate of the fourth MOS transistor, and a first bias adjustment circuit which compares the output voltage with a preset first reference voltage and applies a first bias voltage to the resistors to make the output voltage equal to the first reference voltage. |
| US08525492B2 |
Electric power generation system with multiple alternators driven by a common prime mover
An apparatus includes a vehicular electric power generation system comprising a variable speed internal combustion engine, a first variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a second variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a first inverter to receive electric power from the first generator a provide a first controlled electric output, a second inverter to receive electric power from the second generator and provide a second controlled electric output, and a controller coupled to the engine. The controller is responsive to variation in electrical loading of the first inverter and the second inverter and a degree of electrical load imbalance between the first inverter and second inverter to provide one or more engine control signals. The engine is responsive to the one more engine control signals to change rotational operating speed to adjust for the variation in electrical loading and the degree of electrical load imbalance. |
| US08525490B2 |
Power supply device
A power supply device includes: a magneto generator with a rotor having a magnet; a torque supplying device supplying torque to the rotor; a rectifier circuit supplying electric power to a electrical load device by rectifying an output of the magneto generator; a short circuit electrically shorting an output end of the magneto generator; a voltage detection circuit detecting a terminal voltage of the electrical load device; and a control circuit controlling a voltage of the electrical load device to be a first set value by controlling the short circuit to switch ON (short operating mode) and OFF (rectification operating mode) according to the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit and allowing the short circuit to operate while making a switching between the two operating modes according to a operating state relating to a rotation of the rotor of the magneto generator. |
| US08525489B2 |
System and method for directly and instantaneously controlling exciter of generator
A system for directly and instantaneously controlling the exciter of a generator. A voltage error calculator calculates a voltage error of output voltage of the generator which is regulated by an instruction voltage and a time constant. A switching signal generator generates switching signals in response to the voltage error. An exciter controller controls the exciter in response to the switching signals. Thus, the system can induce the maximum response characteristic of a power converter only by setting the time constant of a controller without a complicated design for determining gains of the controller. Further, the system can considerably inhibit overshoot from occurring in a transient response state. |
| US08525488B2 |
Method and device for charging a capacitive element
A method and device for charging and/or discharging a capacitive element. A controllable switch is driven to interrupt the charging current when the charging current exceeds a predetermined charging-current threshold. The charging-current threshold is altered while the capacitive element is being charged to the predefined charging voltage. The controllable switch is driven again for coupling the charging current into the capacitive element if a predefined period of time after a previous activation of the controllable switch has elapsed, and/or in case the charging current drops below the predetermined charging-current threshold. A discharging process is carried out correspondingly. |
| US08525487B1 |
Circuit and method for regulating discharge of a capacitor
Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for regulating discharge of a capacitor. In one embodiment, the circuit may be used to store power on a capacitor and regulate the discharge of the capacitor to power a load, such as system electronics, circuitry, or electronic devices. In one embodiment, a first capacitor is charged from a power source and stores energy for powering an electronic device. A second capacitor is coupled to the electronic device for providing power to the electronic device. Switched capacitors are configured to transfer charge from the first capacitor to the second capacitor. A control circuit controls switching of the switched capacitors in response to voltage on the first capacitor. The switching frequency may be increased as the voltage on the first capacitor decreases so that a steady flow of charge is provided across all capacitor voltage levels. |
| US08525481B2 |
Device for measuring battery voltage
A device is used for measuring an output voltage of a battery. The device includes a detecting circuit, an encoding circuit, a control circuit, and a processing circuit. The detecting circuit is configured for detecting the output voltage of the battery and generating a first signal, a second signal, and a third signal accordingly. The encoding circuit is configured for generating a first code and a second code according to the first signal and the second signal. The control unit is configured for modifying the second code when the third signal indicates that the output voltage is lower than a predetermined value. The processing unit is configured for generating and outputting display control signals according to the first and second codes. The display control signals are used to control a display panel to display information of the output voltage of the battery. |
| US08525480B2 |
Method and system for charging a vehicle high voltage battery
A method and a system for charging a battery in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are provided. An amount of energy consumption for charging a battery is calculated by taking the sum of a first amount of energy for charging a high voltage battery and a second amount of energy for use by a low voltage auxiliary system during charging. An optimal charge current for a charger is determined based on a charging option. The charging option provides a set of desired charging parameters for a charger controller. A state of charge of the battery is determined within a state of charge range. The charger controller provides a charge current to the battery. The charge current is the optimal charge current up to a maximum charge current for the state of charge range of the battery. |
| US08525475B2 |
Management system for exchange electric storage devices and management method for exchange electric storage devices
A PC executes a program including a step of selecting an exchange electric storage device with the shortest charging history when a charging request is present, inventory of exchange electric storage devices with completed charging is available, the number of inventory days is equal to or less than A days, and the sufficient number of storage locations is ensured, a step of selecting an exchange electric storage device with the longest charging history when the sufficient number of storage locations is not ensured, and a step of executing charging control when the selected exchange electric storage device is connected to a charger. |
| US08525472B2 |
Inductive charging system in communications with objects being charged and with microprocessor controlled diagnostics
A method for wirelessly charging and/or re-charging at least one sports object embedded with a battery and circuitry is provided. The method includes positioning the sports object proximate to a charging system, the charging system containing circuitry for wirelessly communicating with the sports object, whereby information is bi-directionally transferred by radio frequency and electric power is transferred to the sports object by induction. The sports object circuitry is adapted for determines a charging requirement of the power cell therein. |
| US08525466B2 |
Inverter device and control method thereof
This inverter device includes a power portion performing PWM control on a voltage command to a motor for each set time period, converting direct-current power into alternating-current power, and outputting the same, a voltage command generation portion generating a voltage command in synchronization with a period N-times (N≧1) longer than the time period, an interval determination portion generating an interval determination signal which is ON during a half period of the time period and OFF during the next half period, a current detection portion detecting the current of the motor at timing of change in the interval determination signal, and a voltage correction portion generating a voltage correction value such that the amount of change in the detected current when the interval determination signal is ON becomes equal to the amount of change in the detected current when it is OFF and correcting the voltage command. |
| US08525463B2 |
Malfunction determination device for motor control system
A malfunction determination device for a motor control system, outputs a position signal that indicates a moved position of a movable member of a motor and a direction signal that indicates a movement direction of the movable member. The malfunction determination device determines a malfunction has occurred if a relationship between the position signal and the direction signal differs from that when the motor control system is operating normally. The malfunction determination device outputs a pulse signal that varies periodically along with variations in the moved position of the movable member as the position signal; outputs a periodic pulse signal in the same phase with the position signal as the direction signal if the movable member is moving in one direction; and outputs a periodic pulse signal in an opposite phase to the position signal as the direction signal if the movable member is moving in the other direction. |
| US08525455B2 |
Motor actuation control device
A triangle wave generator (4) measures the phase difference between a triangle wave (CA) and the rotor electrical angle (θm) during a first cycle in which the rotation rate of a rotor (7) is detected, and changes the frequency of the triangle wave (CA) when the value of the phase difference between the triangle wave (CA) and the rotor electrical angle (θm) exceeds a threshold value, thereby allowing rapid response to changes in rotor rotation when PWM control is performed. |
| US08525453B2 |
Damper system for vehicle
A damper system for a vehicle including an electromagnetic damper, wherein the electromagnetic damper includes: (i) an electromagnetic motor; (ii) a motion converting mechanism; and (iii) an external circuit including (A) a first connection passage, (B) a second connection passage, (C) a first-connection-passage-current adjuster, and (D) a second-connection-passage-current adjuster, wherein the damper system comprises an external-circuit controller including: (a) a main-adjuster control portion configured to perform, on one of the first-connection-passage-current adjuster and the second-connection-passage-current adjuster that is designated as a main adjuster, a first control for mainly damping the relative vibration of the sprung portion and the unsprung portion; and (b) an auxiliary-adjuster control portion configured to perform, on one of the first-connection-passage-current adjuster and the second-connection-passage-current adjuster that is designated as an auxiliary adjuster, a second control for assisting the damping of the relative vibration of the sprung portion and the unsprung portion by the first control. |
| US08525442B2 |
Operating circuit for LEDs
An operating circuit is provided for an LED, which receives a voltage, and which supplies a voltage for the LED via a coil, having a first switch clocked by a control/regulating unit. Power is stored temporarily in the coil when the first switch is activated so that the power is discharged via a diode and via the LED when the first switch is turned off. A capacitor is arranged in parallel to the LED and maintains current through the LED during the demagnetization of the coil. A first switch generates a first sensor signal dependent on the current flowing through the first switch, and/or a second sensor unit, which detects whether demagnetization of the coil unit has occurred and generates a sensor signal. The signals are fed to the control/regulating unit and processed. The control/regulating unit reactivates the first switch when the coil is demagnetized and/or the diode is blocking. |
| US08525439B1 |
Apparatus and method for discretionary adjustment of lumen output of light sources having lamp lumen depreciation characteristic compensation
A method, apparatus, and system for compensating for lamp lumen depreciation and providing selective discretionary lamp power adjustment, e.g., for lamp dimming. The method includes operating the lamp under rated wattage for a period towards the first part of operating life of the lamp. Operating wattage is increased at one or more later times. Energy savings are realized. The increases also restore at least some light lost by lamp lumen depreciation. The apparatus uses a timer to track operating time of the lamp. A few wattage changes made at spaced apart times can be made in a number of ways, including changing capacitance to the lamp, or using different taps on the lamp ballast. A component allows selective discretionary adjustment of electrical power or some other controlling factor to adjust light output (e.g. dim) the lamp. |
| US08525438B1 |
Load driver with integrated power factor correction
Methods and apparati for forcing the current through a load (11) in a variable DC electrical circuit to be proportional to the input voltage (V(in)). A circuit embodiment of the present invention comprises a source (27) of input AC; a rectifier (23) coupled to the input AC source (27), said rectifier (23) producing a variable DC input voltage; coupled to the rectifier (23), a load (11) having a variable direct current flowing therethrough; and means (12-16) for forcing the current through the load (11) to be proportional to the variable DC input voltage. |
| US08525434B2 |
Method and apparatus for power driving
Aspects of the disclosure provide a power circuit to provide electric energy with control and protection for driving a load, such as a light emitting diode (LED) array, and the like. The power circuit includes a converter, a voltage feedback module, a current feedback module and a controller. The converter is configured to receive electric energy from an energy source and to deliver the electric energy for driving the load. The voltage feedback module is configured to generate a first feedback signal based on a voltage of the delivered electric energy. The current feedback module is configured to generate a second feedback signal based on a current of the delivered electric energy. The controller is configured to receive the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal, and to control the converter to receive and deliver the electric energy based on the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal. |
| US08525430B2 |
Helical structure and method for plasma lamp
A plasma lamp apparatus includes a post structure with a material overlying a surface region of the post structure, which has a first end and a second end. The apparatus also has a helical coil structure configured along the post structure. The apparatus includes a bulb with a fill material capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation. A resonator coupling element configured to feed radio frequency energy to at least the helical coil causes the bulb device to emit electromagnetic radiation. |
| US08525426B2 |
Lighting apparatus and controlling method thereof
A lighting apparatus includes a first lighting module, a second lighting module, a rectifier, and a controller. The rectifier is used to rectify the AC power into an input power. The controller is coupled to the rectifier, the first lighting module, and the second lighting module for receiving the input power. When the input power is less than a reference value, the controller controls the first lighting module, the second lighting module, and the rectifier to form a first connection state. When the input power is greater than the reference value, the controller controls the first lighting module, the second lighting module, and the rectifier to form a second connection state. Also, a controlling method of the lighting apparatus is disclosed. |
| US08525425B1 |
LED lighting system
An LED lighting system has an LED circuit that includes a first LED having an anode and a cathode, and a second LED having an anode and a cathode. The anode of the second LED is electrically coupled to the cathode of the first LED, and the cathode of the second LED is electrically coupled to the anode of the first LED. The first and second LEDs are in an inverse-parallel arrangement, the first LED acting as a reverse-voltage clamp for the second LED and the second LED acting as a reverse-voltage clamp for the first LED. |
| US08525424B2 |
Circuitry and method for driving LED display
This disclosure provides a circuit and a method for driving an LED display. The driving circuit comprises a selection circuit for selecting a first light emitter from the plurality of light emitters, a pre-charging circuit for charging an equivalent capacitor of the display panel with respect to the selected first light emitter, and a power circuit for supplying power to the first light emitter after the first light emitter is selected, wherein the power circuit is configured to supply a driving current to the first light emitter in one or more stages. The driving circuit and method of this disclosure can be used to significantly increase the refresh rate and resolution of the LED display. |
| US08525417B2 |
Discharge electrode array for thin-film solar cell deposition
A discharge electrode array for a silicon-based thin film solar cell deposition chamber is provided, relating to solar cell technologies. The discharge electrode array includes a signal feed component having a rectangular-shaped end, a flat waist corresponding to a feed-in port located in a hallowed rectangular area on a center region of a cathode plate having a shielding cover, connecting a feed-in power supply signal by surface contact. The electrode array includes at least a set of cathode plates and an anode plate, with two cathode plates sharing or surrounding one anode plate. Uniform large area and stable discharge driven by the RF/VHF power supply signal can be achieved, and the standing wave and the skin effect can be effectively removed. The production efficiency can be improved and the cost can be reduced. |
| US08525413B2 |
Magnetron for microwave oven
A magnetron for microwave oven has an anode cylinder, vanes (height: H (mm)), a cathode spirally extending along the central axis, a pair of end hats (outer diameter: DEH1 (mm), DEH2 (mm)) fixed to both ends of the cathode, and a pair of pole pieces. Vanes extend from an inner surface of the anode cylinder to the central axis. Free ends of the vanes form a vane inscribing circle (diameter: Da (mm)). Pole pieces expand like funnels from through-holes (inner diameter: DPP1 (mm), DPP2 (mm)) facing to the end hats and pinch the cathode. The shape of the magnetron satisfies, H≦8.5, H/Da≦0.95, DEH1/DPP1≦0.8, DEH1/DPP2≦0.8, DEH2/DPP1≦0.8, DEH2/DPP2≦0.8, 0.92≦Da/DPP1≦0.95, and 0.92≦Da/DPP2≦0.95. |
| US08525402B2 |
Illumination devices and methods for making the same
The present disclosure is generally directed to illumination devices, and methods for making the same. The device, in particular, includes a first conductor layer, a first insulator layer disposed on the first conductor layer and having at least one first aperture defined therein through the first insulator layer, a second conductor layer disposed on the first insulator layer and having at least one second aperture defined therein through the second conductor layer and positioned to align with the at least one first aperture, and a light manipulation layer disposed on the second conductor layer and having at least one pair of apertures defined therein through the light manipulation layer including a third aperture and a fourth aperture, where the third aperture is positioned to align with the at least one second and first apertures. |
| US08525394B2 |
Mesa-type AT-cut quartz-crystal vibrating piece and quartz-crystal device
To provide an AT-cut quartz-crystal vibrating piece in which size of the vibrating unit is adjusted to appropriate value, so that the unnecessary vibration is inhibited and degradation of its characteristics is prevented. A mesa-type AT-cut quartz-crystal vibrating piece for vibrating at 38.400 MHz comprising a rectangular excitation unit (31) and a peripheral region (32) formed on the periphery of the excitation unit and having a thickness less than the thickness of the excitation unit, is represented by the following equation: Mx/Gx=0.09×n−0.06 (n: natural number) . . . (1). Length of a crystallographic x-axis direction of the excitation unit is defined as Mx (mm) and length of the crystallographic x-axis direction of the peripheral region and excitation unit is defined as Gx (mm). |
| US08525385B2 |
Boundary acoustic wave device
In a boundary acoustic wave device, a silicon oxide layer and a dielectric layer exhibiting a higher acoustic velocity than the silicon oxide layer are stacked on a LiTaO3 piezoelectric substrate, and IDT electrodes are disposed in grooves in an upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate. Each of the IDT electrodes includes a main electrode layer made of a metal having a density of about 16 g/cm3 or higher, and an auxiliary electrode layer made of a metal having a density within a range of about 3 g/cm3 to about 16 g/cm3. Further, θ of Euler angles (0°, θ, 0°) of the piezoelectric substrate is set within a range of about (θ0−20°) to about (θ0+20°) with respect to θ0 expressed by the formula: θ0=65.53G+0.7568F+0.8454E+7.091D+1.609C−0.03789B−3.535A+60.85. |
| US08525375B2 |
Cooling arrangement for end turns and stator in an electric machine
An electric machine includes a stator having an outer circumference. Spaced apart first walls are arranged about the outer circumference and provide generally parallel first channels. A second wall adjoins the first wall and is arranged about the outer circumference providing a second channel in fluid communication with the first channels, thus, providing a tortuous fluid flow path about the circumference. The first and second channels have an inner surface. A structure is provided within at least one of the first and second channels. The structure has an outer surface spaced radially outward from the inner surface and at least partially defines the tortuous flow path between the outer and inner surfaces. The stator includes an end turn. An end cap extends axially and radially outward from the stator and provides an enclosure about the end turn in fluid communication with the exit associated with the flow path. |
| US08525372B2 |
Feather-touch dimming switch
A dimming switch comprises an enclosure with a mounting surface, a flat plate button mounted on the mounting surface, a dimming button, a tripping button, a dimmer mounted inside the enclosure, a resetting/tripping device, a dimming control circuit, a power input end configured to connect to a live wire of a power supply, and a power output end configured to connect to an electrical load. Pressing the flat plate button resets the resetting/tripping device, thereby electrically connecting the power input end with the power output end through the dimming control circuit. The dimming button is configured so that rotating the dimming button and pressing the dimming button up and down regulates the output voltage of the dimming control circuit. The tripping button and resetting/tripping device trip so that the electrical connection between the power input end and the power output end will be cut off. |
| US08525371B2 |
Discharge control apparatus arranged in power conversion system
A discharge control apparatus arranged in a power conversion system having high-side switching element and low-side switching element to convert the DC power from the battery to a predetermined type of power. The discharge control is performed to discharge a capacitor connected in parallel to the switching elements when an abnormal event occurs. The discharge control apparatus is configured to simulate the operation of the switching elements assuming occurrence of the abnormal event, and transmits a plurality of signals representing the simulation result to a control device via a common photocoupler that isolates the switching elements side and the control device side. The control device diagnoses whether or not a fault occurs in the discharge control or the like by the simulation result. |
| US08525367B2 |
Control unit and method for controlling passenger-protection means for a vehicle
A method and a control unit are provided for controlling a passenger-protection arrangement for a vehicle, at least one switching converter being used to convert voltage. A modifying circuit is provided for the at least one switching converter, the switching converter being disposed on an integrated circuit. The modifying circuit determines a thermal load as a function of at least one physical parameter for the integrated circuit. Rise and/or fall times of at least one output signal of the at least one switching converter are modified as a function of this thermal load. |
| US08525358B2 |
Power module and electronic device using the same
A power module is configured to provide power to an electronic device. The module includes a rechargeable battery, an electrical generator, and a driving member. The electrical generator includes a rotor. The driving member is used to drive the rotor to rotate, and includes a mainspring, a receiver to receive the mainspring, and a shaft including one end connected to the mainspring and an opposite end connected to the rotor, enabling the rotor to rotate in union with the shaft. A cable includes one end attached to the shaft with a portion of the cable wound around the shaft. When an opposite end of the cable is pulled, the shaft rotates in a first direction, compressing the mainspring, when the mainspring rebounds, the shaft rotates back in a second direction, and the unwound part of the cable is wound back onto the shaft. |
| US08525355B2 |
Semiconductor device, electronic apparatus and semiconductor device fabricating method
There is provided a semiconductor device which includes a primary semiconductor chip 11, a secondary semiconductor chip 12 stacked on the primary semiconductor chip 11, primary external connecting terminals 16 which are electrically connected with the primary semiconductor chip 11 via wires 21, secondary external connecting terminals 17 which are electrically connected with the secondary semiconductor chip 12 via wires 22 and primary and secondary low-elasticity resins 13, 15 which seal the primary and secondary semiconductor chips 11, 12 in such a manner as to cover them. |
| US08525353B2 |
Microspring structures adapted for target device cooling
In a system for providing temporary or permanent connection of an integrated circuit die to a base substrate using electrical microsprings, a thermal element is provided that assists with cooling of the pad structure during use. The thermal element may be formed of the same material and my similar processes as the microsprings. The thermal element may be one or more block structures or one or more thermal microsprings. The thermal element may be provided with channels to contain and/or direct the flow of a thermal transfer fluid. Cooling of components associated with the pad structure (e.g., ICs) may be provided. |
| US08525345B2 |
Chip package and method for forming the same
According to an embodiment of the invention, a chip package is provided. The chip package includes a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of conducting pads located in the substrate or under the lower surface thereof, a dielectric layer located between the conducting pads, a hole extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface of the substrate and exposing a portion of the conducting pads, and a conducting layer located in the hole and electrically contacting the conducting pads. |
| US08525344B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming bond wires between semiconductor die contact pads and conductive TOV in peripheral area around semiconductor die
A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die with contact pads. An organic material is deposited in a peripheral region around the semiconductor die. A portion of the organic material is removed to form a plurality of vias. A conductive material is deposited in the vias to form conductive TOV. The conductive TOV can be recessed with respect to a surface of the semiconductor die. Bond wires are formed between the contact pads and conductive TOV. The bond wires can be bridged in multiple sections across the semiconductor die between the conductive TOV and contact pads. An insulating layer is formed over the bond wires and semiconductor die. The semiconductor wafer is singulated through the conductive TOV or organic material between the conductive TOV to separate the semiconductor die. A plurality of semiconductor die can be stacked and electrically connected through the bond wires and conductive TOV. |
| US08525343B2 |
Device with through-silicon via (TSV) and method of forming the same
A device with through-silicon via (TSV) and a method of forming the same includes the formation of an opening in a silicon substrate, the formation of a first insulation layer on the sidewalls and bottom of the opening, the formation of a second insulation layer on the sidewalls and bottom of the opening. A first interface between the first insulation layer and the silicon substrate has an interface roughness with a peak-to-valley height less than 5 nm. A second interface between the second insulation layer and the conductive layer has an interface roughness with a peak-to-valley height less than 5 nm. |
| US08525340B2 |
Flexible electronic devices and related methods
A packaged electronic device includes a flexible circuit structure and a die. The flexible circuit structure includes a first structural layer and electrical conductors. The die is bonded to the flexible circuit structure by a flexible attachment layer. The die includes interconnects in electrical contact with die circuitry and extending through the die, through the flexible attachment layer, and into electrical contact with respective electrical conductors at first ends. A flexible second structural layer is disposed on the die and exposed portions of the electrical conductors, wherein the die and the electrical conductors are encapsulated by the first structural layer and the second structural layer. The first structural layer and/or the second structural layer include a plurality of openings defining respective exposed areas on the electrical conductors at second ends. |
| US08525334B2 |
Semiconductor on semiconductor substrate multi-chip-scale package
Some exemplary embodiments of a multi-chip semiconductor package utilizing a semiconductor substrate and related method for making such a semiconductor package have been disclosed. One exemplary embodiment comprises a first semiconductor device including, on a surface thereof, a first patterned dielectric layer, a conductive redistribution layer, a second patterned dielectric layer, and a second semiconductor device. The conductive redistribution layer connects to a first and a second patterned conductive attach material for connecting the first and second semiconductor devices to provide coplanar electrical connections for mounting on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the first semiconductor device is a diode having anode and cathode contacts on an upper surface thereof, and the second semiconductor device is an IGBT. |
| US08525331B2 |
Chip design having integrated fuse and method for the production thereof
A chip design (1) comprising an external supply connection (VBAT), an internal supply connection (VDD), an integrated circuit (2) that is coupled to the internal supply connection (VDD) for voltage supply, and a fuse (3) that electrically connects the internal supply connection (VBAT) and is arranged within the chip design (1). |
| US08525329B2 |
Component stacking for integrated circuit electronic package
Component stacking for increasing packing density in integrated circuit packages. In one aspect of the invention, an integrated circuit package includes a substrate, and a plurality of discrete components connected to the substrate and approximately forming a component layer parallel to and aligned with a surface area of the substrate. An integrated circuit die is positioned adjacent to the component layer such that a face of the die is substantially parallel to the surface area of the substrate. The face of the die is aligned with at least a portion of the component layer, and terminals of the die are connected to the substrate. |
| US08525325B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with leads and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a lead; forming an interior conductive layer having an interior top side and an interior bottom side, the interior bottom side directly on the lead; mounting an integrated circuit over the lead, the integrated circuit having an inactive side and an active side; forming an encapsulation directly on the inactive side and the interior top side; and forming an insulation layer directly on the active side and a portion of the interior bottom side. |
| US08525320B2 |
Microelectronic die packages with leadframes, including leadframe-based interposer for stacked die packages, and associated systems and methods
Microelectronic die packages, stacked systems of die packages, and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a microelectronic device includes stacking a first die package having a first dielectric casing on top of a second die package having a second dielectric casing, aligning first metal leads at a lateral surface of the first casing with second metal leads at a second lateral surface of the second casing, and forming metal solder connectors that couple individual first leads to individual second leads. In another embodiment, the method of manufacturing the microelectronic device may further include forming the connectors by applying metal solder to a portion of the first lateral surface, to a portion of the second lateral surface, and across a gap between the first die package and the second die package so that the connectors are formed by the metal solder wetting to the individual first leads and the individual second leads. |
| US08525318B1 |
Semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof
Disclosed are a semiconductor device capable of efficiently radiating heat of a semiconductor die and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device efficiently radiates the heat by preventing an encapsulant from reaching the semiconductor die by an encapsulant dam so that an upper surface of the semiconductor die is exposed out of the encapsulant. In addition, the semiconductor device is configured to expose a pre-solder ball or a conductive pattern of a substrate through a via of the encapsulant. Therefore, electrical connection between the pre-solder ball and a solder ball of another semiconductor device stacked thereon is easily achieved. |
| US08525314B2 |
Stacked packaging improvements
A plurality of microelectronic assemblies (60) are made by severing an in-process unit including an upper substrate (40) and lower substrate (20) with microelectronic elements (36) disposed between the substrates. In a further embodiment, a lead frame (452) is joined to a substrate (440) so that the leads project from this substrate. Lead frame (452) is joined to a further substrate (470) with one or more microelectronic elements (436, 404, 406) disposed between the substrates. |
| US08525309B2 |
Flip-chip QFN structure using etched lead frame
A microelectronic unit can include a lead frame and a device chip. The lead frame can have a plurality of monolithic lead fingers extending in a plane of the lead frame. Each lead finger can have a fan-out portion and a chip connection portion extending in the lead frame plane. The fan-out portions can have first and second opposed surfaces and a first thickness in a first direction between the opposed surfaces. The chip connection portions can have a second thickness smaller than the first thickness. The chip connection portions can define a recess below the first surface. The device chip can have a plurality of at least one of passive devices or active devices. The device chip can have contacts thereon facing the chip connection portions and electrically coupled thereto. At least a portion of a thickness of the device chip can extend within the recess. |
| US08525307B2 |
Semiconductor device, lead frame assembly, and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a lead frame, a semiconductor element mounted on the lead frame, and a frame-like member formed on the lead frame, surrounding the semiconductor element, and covering a side surface of the lead frame and exposing a lower surface of the lead frame. The frame-like member has at least one concave portion in a side surface thereof. The concave portion has a ceiling portion located at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the lead frame, and a bottom portion located higher than the lower surface of the lead frame. |
| US08525306B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
To suppress a short circuit between neighboring wires which is caused when the loop of a wire is formed into multiple stages in a semiconductor device in which a wiring board and one semiconductor chip mounted over a main surface thereof are electrically coupled with the wire. In a semiconductor device in which a chip is mounted on an upper surface of a wiring board and a bonding lead of the wiring board and a bonding pad of the chip are electrically coupled with wires, a short circuit between the neighboring wires is suppressed by making larger the diameter of the longest wire arranged in a position closest to a corner part of the chip than the diameter of the other wires. |
| US08525304B2 |
Semiconductor device
An insulating layer containing a silicon peroxide radical is used as an insulating layer in contact with an oxide semiconductor layer for forming a channel. Oxygen is released from the insulating layer, whereby oxygen deficiency in the oxide semiconductor layer and an interface state between the insulating layer and the oxide semiconductor layer can be reduced. Accordingly, a semiconductor device where reliability is high and variation in electric characteristics is small can be manufactured. |
| US08525303B2 |
Photovoltaic device including semiconductor nanocrystals
A photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor nanocrystal and a charge transporting layer that includes an inorganic material. The charge transporting layer can be a hole or electron transporting layer. The inorganic material can be an inorganic semiconductor. |
| US08525302B2 |
Bipolar punch-through semiconductor device and method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device
A bipolar diode is provided having a drift layer of a first conductivity type on a cathode side and an anode layer of a second conductivity type on an anode side. The anode layer includes a diffused anode contact layer and a double diffused anode buffer layer. The anode contact layer is arranged up to a depth of at most 5 μm, and the anode buffer layer is arranged up to a depth of 18 to 25 μm. The anode buffer layer has a doping concentration between 8.0*1015 and 2.0*1016 cm−3 in a depth of 5 μm and between 1.0*1014 up to 5.0*1014 cm−3 in a depth of 15 μm (Split C and D), resulting in good softness of the device and low leakage current. Split A and B show anode layer doping concentrations of known diodes, which have either over all depths lower doping concentrations resulting in high leakage current or enhanced doping concentration resulting in bad softness. |
| US08525298B2 |
Phase change memory device having 3 dimensional stack structure and fabrication method thereof
A phase change memory device having a 3-D stack structure and a fabrication method for making the same are presented. The phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a word line structure and one or more phase change structures. The word line structure extends in one first direction on the semiconductor substrate. The one or more phase change structures extend mutually in parallel from one sidewall of the word line structure. The, the memory cell including a switching device, one side of the switching device contacted with the one sidewall of the word line structure, a heating electrode formed on the other side portion of the switching device, and a phase change pattern, one sidewall of the phase change pattern contacted with the heating electrode. |
| US08525296B1 |
Capacitor structure and method of forming the same
The present invention provides a capacitor structure, comprising a substrate, a TSV, a dielectric layer and a doped region. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface, which are disposed oppositely to each other. The TSV penetrates through the first surface and the second surface. The dielectric layer is disposed in the substrate and encompasses the TSV. The doped region is disposed between the dielectric layer and the substrate. The present invention further provides a method of forming the same. |
| US08525294B2 |
Semiconductor device
A package-on-package includes a semiconductor package, and a coil provided at the semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes a bottom face, and a solder ball protruded from the bottom face. An axis of the coil is inclined with respect to the normal line of the bottom face. |
| US08525289B2 |
Adjusting threshold voltage for sophisticated transistors by diffusing a gate dielectric cap layer material prior to gate dielectric stabilization
Sophisticated gate electrode structures may be formed by providing a cap layer including a desired species that may diffuse into the gate dielectric material prior to performing a treatment for stabilizing the sensitive gate dielectric material. In this manner, complex high-k metal gate electrode structures may be formed on the basis of reduced temperatures and doses for a threshold adjusting species compared to conventional strategies. Moreover, a single metal-containing electrode material may be deposited for both types of transistors. |
| US08525287B2 |
Materials, systems and methods for optoelectronic devices
A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer. |
| US08525286B2 |
Method of making wafer structure for backside illuminated color image sensor
An integrated circuit device is provided. The integrated circuit device can include a substrate; a first radiation-sensing element disposed over a first portion of the substrate; and a second radiation-sensing element disposed over a second portion of the substrate. The first portion comprises a first radiation absorption characteristic, and the second portion comprises a second radiation absorption characteristic different from the first radiation absorption characteristic. |
| US08525284B2 |
System for reducing sensor area in a back side illuminated CMOS active pixel sensor
The present invention relates to a backside illuminated (BSI) imager having a plurality of layers. A plurality of pixel sensors are positioned on a first layer of a substrate. Pixel select conductors are positioned on the substrate in front of the first layer. Pixel readout conductors including a plurality of output lines, pixel power conductors, and a ground conductor are positioned on the substrate in front of the pixel select conductors. A plurality of sample and hold capacitors coupled to the pixel output lines are positioned vertically and/or horizontally on the substrate in front of the ground conductor. |
| US08525281B2 |
Z-axis semiconductor fluxgate magnetometer
A z-axis fluxgate magnetometer is formed in a semiconductor wafer fabrication sequence, which significantly reduces the size and cost of the fluxgate magnetometer. The semiconductor wafer fabrication sequence forms a vertical magnetic core structure, a first wire structure wound around the magnetic core structure, and a second wire structure wound around the magnetic core structure. |
| US08525269B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a plurality of divided elements which are formed over a substrate, each of which containing a film having a predetermined pattern with the long-axis direction and the short-axis direction definable therein, and are arranged in a distributed manner in the same layer in the in-plane direction of the substrate, wherein the plurality of divided elements are arranged so that every adjacent divided element in a first direction has the long-axis direction thereof aligned differently from those of the neighbors, or, so that every adjacent divided element in the first direction is shifted in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction, by an amount smaller than the length of the divided element in the second direction. |
| US08525268B2 |
Vertical discrete device with drain and gate electrodes on the same surface and method for making the same
The present technology discloses a vertical discrete device with gate and drain electrodes on the same surface and method for making the same. The vertical discrete device comprises a deep gate contact that couples the buried gate to a gate electrode which is formed on the same surface as the drain electrode. The discrete device according to the present technology can be used in co-packaging power management applications and the source electrode of the discrete device may be attached to the leadframe of the package. |
| US08525263B2 |
Programmable high-k/metal gate memory device
A method of fabricating a memory device is provided that may begin with forming a layered gate stack overlying a semiconductor substrate and patterning a metal electrode layer stopping on the high-k gate dielectric layer of the layered gate stack to provide a first metal gate electrode and a second metal gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate. In a next process sequence, at least one spacer is formed on the first metal gate electrode overlying a portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer, wherein a remaining portion of the high-k gate dielectric is exposed. The remaining portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer is etched to provide a first high-k gate dielectric having a portion that extends beyond a sidewall of the first metal gate electrode and a second high-k gate dielectric having an edge that is aligned to a sidewall of the second metal gate electrode. |
| US08525244B2 |
Germanium compound, semiconductor device fabricated using the same, and methods of forming the same
A germanium (Ge) compound is provided. The Ge compound has a chemical formula GeR1xR2y. “R1” is an alkyl group, and “R2” is one of hydrogen, amino group, allyl group and vinyl group. “x” is greater than zero and less than 4, and the sum of “x” and “y” is equal to 4. Methods of forming the Ge compound, methods of fabricating a phase change memory device using the Ge compound, and phase change memory devices fabricated using the Ge compound are also provided. |
| US08525240B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, electronic apparatus, and method for manufacturing the same
A solid-state imaging device includes photoelectric conversion elements on an imaging surface of a substrate, receiving light incident on a light receiving surface and performing photoelectric conversion to produce a signal charge. Electrodes are interposed between the photoelectric conversion elements and light blocking portions are provided above the electrodes and interposed between the photoelectric conversion elements. The light blocking portions include an electrode light blocking portion formed to cover the corresponding electrode, and a pixel isolation and light blocking portion protruding convexly from the upper surface of the electrode light blocking portion. The photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at first pitches on the imaging surface. The electrode light blocking portions and the pixel isolation and light blocking portions are arranged at second and third pitches on the imaging surface. At least the third pitch increases with distance from the center toward the periphery of the imaging surface. |
| US08525235B2 |
Multiplying pattern density by single sidewall imaging transfer
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes patterning a mandrel over a layer to be patterned. Dopants are implanted into exposed sidewalls of the mandrel to form at least two doped layers having at least one undoped region adjacent to the doped layers. The doped layers are selectively etched away to form pillars from the undoped regions. The layer to be patterned is etched using the pillars as an etch mask to form features for an integrated circuit device. A semiconductor device is also disclosed. |
| US08525231B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a base substrate; a semiconductor layer having a receiving groove, a protrusion part, a first carrier injection layer, at least two insulating patterns, and a second carrier injection layer provided on the base substrate, the insulating patterns being disposed to traverse the first carrier injection layer and the second carrier injection layer being spaced apart from the first carrier injection layer and disposed on a lower portion of the protrusion part; a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed to be spaced apart from each other on the semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode insulated from the source electrode and the drain electrode and having a recess part recessed into the receiving groove, wherein a lowest portion of the receiving groove contacts an uppermost layer of the first carrier injection layer or is disposed above the uppermost layer thereof, and an insulating pattern, disposed at an innermost portion of the semiconductor layer among the insulating patterns, traverses the first carrier injection layer and is disposed at the outside of both sides of the receiving groove in a thickness direction thereof. |
| US08525230B2 |
Field-effect transistor with compositionally graded nitride layer on a silicaon substrate
A field effect transistor including a compositionally graded group-III nitride layer on a silicon substrate. |
| US08525223B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device
A SiC semiconductor device includes: a SiC substrate including a first or second conductive type layer and a first conductive type drift layer and including a principal surface having an offset direction; a trench disposed on the drift layer and having a longitudinal direction; and a gate electrode disposed in the trench via a gate insulation film. A sidewall of the trench provides a channel formation surface. The vertical semiconductor device flows current along with the channel formation surface of the trench according to a gate voltage applied to the gate electrode. The offset direction of the SiC substrate is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the trench. |
| US08525215B2 |
Light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same, light emitting device package, and lighting system
Provided are a light emitting device, a method of manufacturing the same, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device includes: a light emitting structure layer including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer; an oxide protrusion disposed on at least a portion of the second conducive semiconductor layer; and a current spreading layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer and the oxide protrusion. |
| US08525192B2 |
Die package including substrate with molded device
A package is disclosed. The package includes a premolded substrate having a leadframe structure, a first device attached to the leadframe structure, and a molding material covering at least part of the leadframe structure and the first device. It also includes a second device attached to the premolded substrate. |
| US08525186B2 |
Method of forming a planar field effect transistor with embedded and faceted source/drain stressors on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, a planar field effect transistor structure and a design structure for the planar field effect transistor
Disclosed are embodiments of a method of forming, on an SOI wafer, a planar FET with embedded and faceted source/drain stressors. The method incorporates a directional ion implant process to create amorphous regions at the bottom surfaces of source/drain recesses in a single crystalline semiconductor layer of an SOI wafer. Then, an etch process selective to different crystalline planes over others and further selective to single crystalline semiconductor material over amorphous semiconductor material can be performed in order to selectively adjust the shape (i.e., the profile) of the recess sidewalls without increasing the depth of the recesses. Subsequently, an anneal process can be performed to re-crystallize the amorphous regions and an epitaxial deposition process can be used to fill the recesses with source/drain stressor material. Also disclosed are embodiments of a planar FET structure and a design structure for the planar FET. |
| US08525181B2 |
Thin-film transistor array substrate, organic light-emitting display device comprising the thin-film transistor array substrate, and method of manufacturing the thin-film transistor array substrate
A thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate includes an active layer on a substrate and a lower electrode of a capacitor on the same level as the active layer, a first insulation layer on the active layer and the lower electrode and having a first gap exposing an area of the lower electrode; a gate electrode of the TFT on the first insulation layer, and an upper electrode of the capacitor on the lower electrode and the first insulation layer, the upper electrode having a second gap that exposes the first gap and a portion of the first insulation layer; a second insulation layer disposed between the gate electrode and source electrode and drain electrodes, and not disposed on the upper electrode, in the first gap of the first insulation layer, or in the second gap of the lower electrode. |
| US08525178B2 |
Flexible semiconductor device and method for producing the same
A flexible semiconductor device includes an insulating film on which a semiconductor element is formed. The top and bottom surfaces of the insulating film have a top wiring pattern layer and a bottom wiring pattern layer, respectively. The semiconductor element includes a semiconductor layer formed on the top surface of the insulating film, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the top surface of the insulating film so as to contact the semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode formed on the bottom surface of the insulating film so as to be opposite the semiconductor layer. A first thickness, which is the thickness of the insulating film facing the source electrode, the drain electrode, the top wiring pattern layer, and the bottom wiring pattern layer, is greater than a second thickness, which is the thickness of the insulating film between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer. |
| US08525172B2 |
Flexible semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a flexible semiconductor device includes (i) forming an insulating film on the upper surface of metal foil, (ii) forming an extraction electrode pattern on the upper surface of the metal foil, (iii) forming a semiconductor layer on the insulating film such that the semiconductor layer is in contact with the extraction electrode pattern, (iv) forming a sealing resin layer on the upper surface of the metal foil such that the sealing resin layer covers the semiconductor layer and the extraction electrode pattern, and (v) forming electrodes by etching the metal foil, the metal foil being used as a support for the insulating film, the extraction electrode pattern, the semiconductor layer, and the sealing resin layer formed in (i) to (iv) and used as a constituent material for the electrodes in (v). The metal foil need not be stripped, and a high-temperature process can be used. |
| US08525171B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and fabrication method of the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device capable of preventing deterioration due to penetration of moisture or oxygen, for example, a light-emitting apparatus having an organic light-emitting device that is formed over a plastic substrate, and a liquid crystal display apparatus using a plastic substrate. According to the present invention, devices formed on a glass substrate or a quartz substrate (a TFT, a light-emitting device having an organic compound, a liquid crystal device, a memory device, a thin-film diode, a pin-junction silicon photoelectric converter, a silicon resistance element, or the like) are separated from the substrate, and transferred to a plastic substrate having high thermal conductivity. |
| US08525169B1 |
Reliable physical unclonable function for device authentication
The present disclosure relates to a secure device having a physical unclonable function. The device includes an integrated circuit having a semiconducting material in at least one via in a backend of the integrated circuit. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a secure device having a physical unclonable function. The method includes providing an integrated circuit and adding a semiconducting material to at least one via in a backend of the integrated circuit. In some instances a property of the semiconducting material in the at least one via is measured to derive a signature. |
| US08525167B2 |
Laminated chips package, semiconductor substrate and method of manufacturing the laminated chips package
In a laminated chip package, a plurality of semiconductor plates each having a semiconductor device and a wiring electrode connected to the semiconductor device are laminated. On a side surface for wiring of the laminated chip package, an end face of an inner electrode for examination formed inside the side surface for wiring in the semiconductor plate is formed. The laminated chip package further has an outer electrode for examination connecting the end faces of the inner electrodes for examination along a lamination direction of the semiconductor plates, only for two adjacent semiconductor plates among the semiconductor plates. |
| US08525165B2 |
Active matrix display device with bottom gate zinc oxide thin film transistor
To provide a semiconductor device in which a defect or fault is not generated and a manufacturing method thereof even if a ZnO semiconductor film is used and a ZnO film to which an n-type or p-type impurity is added is used for a source electrode and a drain electrode. The semiconductor device includes a gate insulating film formed by using a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film over a gate electrode, an Al film or an Al alloy film over the gate insulating film, a ZnO film to which an n-type or p-type impurity is added over the Al film or the Al alloy film, and a ZnO semiconductor film over the ZnO film to which an n-type or p-type impurity is added and the gate insulating film. |
| US08525163B2 |
Organic EL device, method for fabricating organic EL device, and organic EL illumination system
An organic EL device 1, for example, excellent in productivity and performance with reduced influence of a voltage drop can be provided at low fabrication cost. The organic EL device 1 includes band-shaped organic EL strips 3 arranged at spacings on a first substrate 2. Each of the organic EL strips 3 includes a second substrate 31, a negative electrode 32b, a positive electrode 32a, and an organic layer 33. The pair of the electrodes 32a and 32b and the organic layer 33 are stacked on the second substrate 2 with the organic layer 33 sandwiched between the electrodes 32a and 32b. The first substrate 2 includes a connection terminal electrode 5 and an auxiliary terminal electrode 6. For example, negative electrode 32b is electrically connected to the connection terminal electrode 5, and the positive electrode 32a is electrically connected to the auxiliary terminal electrode 6. |
| US08525162B2 |
Method of isolating nanowires from a substrate
A method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of nanowires on a top surface of a substrate and forming an oxide layer adjacent to a bottom surface of each of the plurality of nanowires, wherein the oxide layer is to isolate each of the plurality of nanowires from the substrate. |
| US08525155B2 |
Phosphonium ionic liquids, compositions, methods of making and electronic devices formed there from
The invention generally encompasses phosphonium ionic liquids and compositions and their use in many applications, including but not limited to: as electrolytes in electronic devices such as memory devices including static, permanent and dynamic random access memory, as battery electrolytes, as a heat transfer medium, fuel cells and electrochromatic devices, among other applications. In particular, the invention generally relates to phosphonium ionic liquids, compositions and molecules possessing structural features, wherein the molecules exhibit superior combination of thermodynamic stability, low volatility, wide liquidus range and ionic conductivity. The invention further encompasses methods of making such phosphonium ionic liquids, compositions and molecules, and operational devices and systems comprising the same. |
| US08525150B2 |
Semiconductor light emission device for preventing a regional concentration phenomenon of a current flow and improving the reliability
A semiconductor light emission device is disclosed. The semiconductor light emission device includes: a substrate; a current concentration preventing pattern formed in a mesh net shape on the substrate; an n-type clad layer formed on the substrate loaded with the current concentration preventing pattern; an active layer and a p-type clad layer sequentially formed on the n-type clad layer; an n-type electrode formed on a part of the n-type clad layer which is exposed by partially etching the p-type clad layer and active layer; and a p-type electrode formed on the p-type clad layer. The current concentration preventing pattern is formed in a double layer structure which includes a first layer formed from one material of SiO and SiN and on the substrate, and a second layer formed from a metal material and on the first layer. |
| US08525143B2 |
Method and system of using nanotube fabrics as joule heating elements for memories and other applications
Methods and systems of using nanotube elements as joule heating elements for memories and other applications. Under one aspect, a method includes providing an electrical stimulus, regulated by a drive circuit, through a nanotube element in order to heat an adjacent article. Further, a detection circuit electrically gauges the state of the article. The article heated by the nanotube element is, in preferred embodiments, a phase changing material, hi memory applications, the invention may be used as a small-scale CRAM capable of employing small amounts of current to induce rapid, large temperature changes in a chalcogenide material. Under various embodiments of the disclosed invention, the nanotube element is composed of a non-woven nanotube fabric which is either suspended from supports and positioned adjacent to the phase change material or is disposed on a substrate and in direct contact with the phase change material. A plurality of designs using various geometric orientations of nanotube fabrics, phase change materials, and drive and detection circuitry is disclosed. Additionally, methods of fabricating nanotube heat emitters are disclosed. |
| US08525142B2 |
Non-volatile variable resistance memory device and method of fabricating the same
A non-volatile variable resistance memory device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The non-volatile variable resistance memory device may include a lower electrode, a buffer layer on the lower electrode, an oxide layer on the buffer layer and an upper electrode on the oxide layer. The buffer layer may be composed of an oxide and the oxide layer may have variable resistance characteristics. |
| US08525138B2 |
Laser-driven light source
An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light. |
| US08525136B2 |
Work piece with concealed surface defects
Methods for concealing random or uncontrolled surface defects from a work piece surface are provided, by applying a plurality of induced controlled defects over the random defects to alter the surface texture. |
| US08525131B2 |
Phosphorescent organic compounds
Compositions providing metal-independent phosphorescence due to a directed heavy atom effect are provided. Methods of providing a phosphorescent composition are also provided where a directed heavy atom effect is maintained to cause the composition to be phosphorescent. Manufacture of phosphorescent compositions using intermolecular and intramolecular directed heavy atom effects are disclosed. |
| US08525128B2 |
Method for the inactivation of pathogens in donor blood, blood plasma or erythrocyte concentrates in flexible containers under agitation
The invention relates to a method for the inactivation of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses in donor blood, blood plasma and erythrocyte concentrates by photodynamic treatment and/or irradiation with ultraviolet light in flexible irradiation bags under intense movement. |
| US08525127B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting sample surface
Provided is a method and an apparatus for inspecting a sample surface with high accuracy. Provided is a method for inspecting a sample surface by using an electron beam method sample surface inspection apparatus, in which an electron beam generated by an electron gun of the electron beam method sample surface inspection apparatus is irradiated onto the sample surface, and secondary electrons emanating from the sample surface are formed into an image toward an electron detection plane of a detector for inspecting the sample surface, the method characterized in that a condition for forming the secondary electrons into an image on a detection plane of the detector is controlled such that a potential in the sample surface varies in dependence on an amount of the electron beam irradiated onto the sample surface. |
| US08525119B2 |
Detector array with pre-focused anti-scatter grid
A radiation sensitive detector array includes a plurality of detector modules (118) extending along a z-axis direction and aligned along an x-axis direction with respect to the imaging system (100). At least one of the detector modules (118) includes a module backbone (124) and at least one detector tile (122). The at least one detector tile (122) is coupled to the module backbone (124) through a non-threaded fastener (142). The at least one detector tile (122) includes a two-dimensional detector (126) and a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid (128) that is focused at a focal spot (112) of an imaging system (100). |
| US08525116B2 |
MR/PET imaging systems
An imaging system includes positron emission tomography (PET) detectors (30) shrouded by broadband galvanic isolation (99) and coincidence detection electronics (50, 50ob), or other radiation detectors. A magnetic resonance scanner includes a main magnet (12, 14) and magnetic field gradient assembly (20, 20′, 22, 24) configured to acquire imaging data from a magnetic resonance examination region at least partially overlapping the examination region surrounded by the PET detectors. A radio frequency coil (80, 100) has plurality of conductors (66, 166) and a radio frequency screen (88, 188, 188EB, 188F) substantially surrounding the conductors to shield the coil at the magnetic resonance frequency. The radiation detectors are outside of the radio frequency screen. Magnetic resonance-compatible radiation collimators or shielding (60, 62) containing an electrically non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic heavy atom oxide material are disposed with the radiation detectors. |
| US08525113B2 |
Portable radiometric imaging device and a corresponding imaging method
The invention relates to a portable radiometric imaging device and to a corresponding method, finding a particular application in detecting articles carried by passengers or contained in baggage, for example in airports and train stations. The device includes a plurality of receiver antennas for picking up electromagnetic radiation from a plurality of parts of a body or an article and converting them into a plurality of signals representative of said radiation, a plurality of receiver modules associated with the antennas for receiving the signals representative of the radiation and converting them into a plurality of electrical signals, and a digital processor unit for responding to the electrical signals to create one or more digital signals representative of the electromagnetic radiation for display on a display as an image of the body or article. A correlator module is provided for correlating the electrical signals in order to form a signal representative of the electromagnetic radiation from the intersection of the two parts of the body or article. |
| US08525108B2 |
Mass spectrometer
The mass spectrometer is characterized in that a linear ion trap, that consists of electrodes for mass-selective discharge, is provided with a mechanism that excites ions in a first direction that is perpendicular to the rod axes and a mechanism that simultaneously generates an electric field on the axes in a second direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction in order to generate an electric field on the central axis. Highly efficient, high-speed scanning can be achieved using this configuration. |
| US08525106B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting ions in a mass spectrometer maintained in a sub-atmospheric pressure regime
A method and apparatus for transmitting ions in a mass spectrometer from an ion source to a mass analyzer extracts analyte ions from the ion source in such a manner that the number of extracted analyte ions is maximized. The ions are then transmitted through an ion guide to the mass analyzer. The ion guide is filled with an interaction gas and its operating parameters are adjusted so that, as the ions pass through the ion guide, the analyte ion energy distribution width is narrowed and the analyte ions are collimated within the ion guide to improve the resolution and sensitivity of the mass analyzer. |
| US08525105B2 |
Atmospheric pressure ion source performance enhancement
Electrospray ionization sources interfaced to mass spectrometers have become widely used tools in analytical applications Processes occurring in Electrospray (ES) ionization generally include the addition or removal of a charged species such as II+ or other cation to effect ionization of a sample species. Electrospray includes ionization processes that occur in the liquid and gas phase and in both phases ionization processes require a source or sink for such charged species. Electrolyte species, that aid in oxidation or reduction reactions occurring in Electrospray ionization, are added to sample solutions in many analytical applications to increase the ES ion signal amplitude detected by a mass spectrometer (MS). Electrolyte species that may be required to enhance an upstream sample preparation or separation process may be less compatible with the downstream ES processes and cause reduction in MS signal. A new set of Electrolytes has been found that increases positive and negative polarity analyte ion signal measured in ESMS analysis when compared with analyte ESMS signal achieved using more conventional electrolytes. The new electrolyte species increase ES MS signal when added directly to a sample solution or when added to a second solution flow in an Electrospray membrane probe. The new electrolytes can also be added to a reagent ion source configured in a combination Atmospheric pressure ion source to improve ionization efficiency. |
| US08525102B2 |
Optical encoding system and optical encoder having an array of incremental photodiodes and an index photodiode for use in an optical encoding system
An optical encoder is disclosed. Specifically, a three-channel encoder is disclosed which utilizes a single track for all three channels. An index channel is provided on the same optical track as the first and second channels which are used to determine incremental angular position. Thus, a more compact and simple three-channel encoder is provided. |
| US08525097B2 |
Wireless laser system for power transmission utilizing a gain medium between retroreflectors
An optical power beam transmission systems, with a directional light transmitter and receiver. The transmitter contains an amplifying laser medium, and this together with a retroreflector in the receiver, forms a laser resonator. When lasing sets in, the receiver can extract optical power through an output coupler and convert it to electrical power. The gain medium may be a disc having a thickness substantially smaller than its lateral dimensions. The laser resonator is operated as a stable resonator to ensure safe operation. This is achieved by use of an adaptive optical element, for reducing the diameter of the energy beam impinging on the gain medium, thereby increasing the overlap between the energy beam and the gain medium. As the transmitter-receiver distance is changed, such as by movement of the receiver, the adaptive optical element focal length changes to ensure that the cavity remains within its stability zone. |
| US08525091B2 |
Wavefront imaging devices comprising a film with one or more structured two dimensional apertures and their applications in microscopy and photography
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wavefront sensor comprising a film and a photodetector. The film has one or more structured two dimensional apertures configured to convert a phase gradient of a wavefront into a measurable form. The photodetector is configured to receive the wavefront through the one or more 2D apertures and measure the phase gradient of the wavefront. |
| US08525090B1 |
Pneumatically actuated control surface for airframe body
A projectile may include a body having an external surface, a stagnation port on the external surface, and a cavity. A spoiler may be translatable in the cavity between a retracted position, wherein the spoiler is substantially completely disposed in the cavity, and an extended position, wherein the spoiler projects from the external surface of the body. A pair of ports may be formed in the walls of the cavity. The pair of ports may be selectively fluidly communicable with the stagnation port. The spoiler may be translatable by pressurizing one of the pair of ports with compressed air and venting the other of the pair of ports. In the extended position, the spoiler may disturb an airstream around the projectile to induce a guidance maneuver for the projectile. |
| US08525088B1 |
View-point guided weapon system and target designation method
A passive guidance system including a viewpoint capture system (VCS) including a first processor in communication with first memory and a first SWIR imager for creating a viewpoint image database having a plurality of images, at least one of the images having a target point. A weapon guidance module is in communication with the VCS and coupled to a weapon. The weapon guidance module includes a second processor in communication with second memory and a second SWIR imager for storing the viewpoint image database and correlating in-flight images from the second SWIR imager to provide guidance commands directing the weapon to the target point. |
| US08525083B2 |
Water heater with power consumption reporting
A hot water heater and method that includes power consumption reporting to enable consumers to better understand and control the energy usage and/or efficiency of the hot water heater. Monitoring energy consumption of an electric hot water heater having at least one electrical load that is selectively activated by a controller of the hot water heater includes sensing the amount of time the at least one electrical load is activated multiplying the amount of time by a known value corresponding to a power rating of the electrical load to determine energy consumed, and displaying on a display device an indicator corresponding to the energy consumed. |
| US08525080B2 |
Oven, especially domestic oven and method for operating such an oven
The invention relates to an oven (1), especially to a domestic oven, with a cooking cavity (2), wherein means (3, 4, 5, 6) are arranged for supplying hot air to the cavity (2). To improve the cooking result the invention is characterized in that the means (3, 4, 5, 6) comprise at least two heating elements (3, 4), wherein air is ventilated along or through the heating elements (3, 4) by at least one fan (5, 6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such an oven. |
| US08525076B2 |
Method and device for machining a workpiece
The invention relates to a method for machining a workpiece by means of a laser beam, wherein a laser beam is guided by a beam guiding device over the surface of the workpiece within a working window. The beam guiding device and the workpiece are arranged in such a way that they are movable relative to one another in a direction of displacement along a displacement section and that they can occupy a first and a second relative working position to one another. According to the invention, a point on the workpiece can be machined from the second relative working position, said point being located behind the point which is machined from the first relative working position when viewed in the direction of displacement. |
| US08525073B2 |
Depth and breakthrough detection for laser machining
A system comprises a working laser beam, a sensing laser beam, first and second optical elements, an optical sensor, an aperture and a controller. The first optical element generates a coaxial beam from the working laser beam and the sensing laser beam. The second optical element focuses the coaxial beam onto a workpiece, such that the working laser beam machines the workpiece and the sensing laser beam reflects from the workpiece. The optical sensor senses an intensity of the reflected sensing beam. The aperture determines a focus position by translating along the reflected sensing beam, such that the reflected intensity is maximized. The controller determining a machining parameter of the working laser beam, based on the focus position. |
| US08525071B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object layer by layer
An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3) by applying and solidifying a powdery constituent material (3a) layer by layer at positions corresponding to the respective cross sectional area of the object (3) in the respective layer by exposure to a laser (7) or another energy source comprises a heating or cooling element (22) supplying heat to or removing heat away from the constituent material (3a) applied layer by layer. For smoothing the temperature distribution, an intermediate layer (23) having a highly anisotropic heat conductivity is provided. |
| US08525067B2 |
Process of jet cutting arcuate openings
A process for the jet cutting of arcuate openings in a metal workpiece such as steel, by means of creating a jet along a predetermined axis, applying the jet to the workpiece, with the axis of the jet offset from the perpendicular, and rotating the jet around to describe the arc desired while maintaining the non perpendicular axis and terminating the cutting path just prior to completion of the opening. |
| US08525064B2 |
Electric discharge machine and method of producing nozzle body using the same
An electric discharge machine to process a work piece includes a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of discharge power supply units. The plurality of electrodes generate a plurality of discharges with the work piece, respectively. The plurality of discharge power supply units apply voltages for the plurality of electrodes, respectively and independently. |
| US08525061B2 |
Self-pressurized arc diverter
A self-pressurized arc diverter includes a vessel configured to enclose a fusible member disposed in a conductor and a pressure-activated arc diverter. The pressure-activated arc diverter is configured to provide access to a preferred arc path when actuated by pressure in the vessel caused by an arc that is created when the fusible member opens. |
| US08525058B2 |
Snorkel for venting a dome switch
To prevent debris from entering the volume between a dome and contacts of a dome switch, a dome can include a channel providing a remote path through which air can be vented. In particular, the channel can extend from the dome to a location within an electronic device that is known to be or expected to be contaminant free (e.g., a region of the device that does not include any interfaces communicating with the device environment). The channel can be defined from components of the dome switch including, for example, as a channel bound by spacer walls between a flex circuit and a film layer. The channel can include an opening for venting the dome switch. In some embodiments, the dome switch can include a protective film applied over the opening in the channel. The protective film can be selected to allow air to flow through, but to prevent contaminants or particles from reaching the channel opening. |
| US08525053B2 |
Electrical switchgear
An electrical switchgear comprises a front, a back and a switch arrangement. The switch arrangement comprises a terminal arrangement comprising an electrical contact for a bus and an electrical contact for a load connection which are spaced apart along an axial direction; and a device that is driveable into said terminal arrangement to a service position to make an electrical connection between said electrical contact for said load connection and said electrical connection for said bus. The electrical contact for said load connection is located closer to said back of said switchgear than is said electrical contact for said bus. |
| US08525048B2 |
Combination weigher having improved combination hopper access
A combination weigher capable of performing a high-speed operation regardless of a characteristic of a weighed object comprises plural weighing units and a lower collecting chute and a lower collecting hopper which collect the objects which have been discharged from upper collecting hoppers of weighing units and discharge them, and a control unit. The control unit repetitively performs a process for determining a discharge combination from weighing hoppers in all weighing units, a process for causing weighing hoppers making up the discharge combination to discharge the objects, a process for causing all of the upper collecting hoppers to discharge the objects; and a process for causing the lower collecting hopper to discharge the objects. |
| US08525045B2 |
Faraday cage and device having same
A Faraday cage includes a casing structured by a first housing having a first outer cover made of a conductive material, and a first inner cover made of a conductive material, which is accommodated in the first outer cover and is electrically insulated from the first outer cover, and a second housing having a second outer cover made of a conductive material, which fits the first outer cover, and a second inner cover made of a conductive material, which is accommodated in the second outer cover and is electrically insulated from the second outer cover, the first and second housings being separable from each other; and a filter cartridge disposed inside the casing configured to be separable into two pieces, which accommodates therein a first filter for collecting fine particles sucked in from the outside the casing. |
| US08525043B2 |
Printed substrate through which very strong currents can pass and corresponding production method
On a printed circuit or substrate board (10) designed to receive electronic components and having conductive tracks (12) printed on said board, one or more conductive bars (18) are provided that are mounted one after another between conductive link surfaces (140, 142, 144), the conductive bars (18) being electrically interconnected during a subsequent soldering process that is either a wave soldering process or a soldering process in a reflow oven. |
| US08525042B2 |
Printed circuit board and printed circuit board unit
A printed circuit board on which a surface mount electronic device is mounted. The printed circuit board includes a substrate on which land arrangements are disposed in an array. Each land arrangement includes a core portion and drawing portions. The drawings are disposed along diagonal directions relative to the core portions of the array of the land arrangements. |
| US08525033B2 |
Stranded composite cable and method of making and using
Stranded composite cables include a single wire defining a center longitudinal axis, a first multiplicity of composite wires helically stranded around the single wire in a first lay direction at a first lay angle defined relative to the center longitudinal axis and having a first lay length, and a second multiplicity of composite wires helically stranded around the first multiplicity of composite wires in the first lay direction at a second lay angle defined relative to the center longitudinal axis and having a second lay length, the relative difference between the first lay angle and the second lay angle being no greater than about 4°. The stranded composite cables may be used as intermediate articles that are later incorporated into final articles, such as overhead electrical power transmission cables including a multiplicity of ductile wires stranded around the composite wires. Methods of making and using the stranded composite cables are also described. |
| US08525027B2 |
Modular lead interconnector
An end interconnector for one or both ends of a lead body of an electrical lead for an implantable medical device. The interconnector has an insulative body having a receptacle at its first end for each of a plurality of wire filars from the lead body, and a receiver at its second end for each of a plurality of connection wires extending from the medical device, such as an electrode tip. The interconnector provides electrical connection between the plurality of wire filars and the plurality of connection wires. |
| US08525022B2 |
High efficiency multi-layer photovoltaic devices
A photovoltaic device includes a heterojunction between different semiconductor materials which are present in charge transporting layers. The device can include laterally-arranged electrodes. |
| US08525021B2 |
Photovoltaic devices including heterojunctions
A photovoltaic cell can include a heterojunction between semiconductor layers. The first semiconductor layer can include a III-V compound semiconductor, the first semiconductor layer positioned over a transparent conductive layer. A second semiconductor layer can include a II-VI compound semiconductor, the second semiconductor layer positioned between the first semiconductor layer and a back metal contact. |
| US08525011B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for instructing a keyboardist
Disclosed is player module that includes an outer frame and a signal receiver configured to receive a plurality of note-on signals, each corresponding to a musical pitch and a plurality of note-off signals, each corresponding to a musical pitch. The player module includes a plurality of LEDs extending along the outer frame. Each LED is located above a key of a keyboard when the elongated outer frame is placed above the keys of the keyboard. Each of the plurality of LEDs is controlled by a corresponding note-on signal and a corresponding note-off signal, such that each of the plurality of LEDs is configured to illuminate when the processor receives the corresponding note-on signal and each of the plurality of LEDs is configured to stop illuminating when the processor receives the corresponding note-off signal. |
| US08525010B2 |
Portable drum
A portable drum that includes a drum head and a detachable dram shell, where the drum head may include an upper drum head and a detachable lower dram head and the dram shell may include one or more detachable sections. Once assembled, the upper drum head, the detachable lower dram head, and the sections of the dram shell may be held in place by a tensioning system that may include vertical straps and a waist belt strap. The portable dram may be disassembled and placed in a travel mode by nesting the sections of the dram shell in the lower dram head, and then placing the lower dram head into the upper dram head. |
| US08525005B1 |
Inbred sunflower (Helianthus annuus) line, designated ON7321R
The present invention relates to an inbred sunflower line, designated ON7321R. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred sunflower line ON7321R, to the plants of inbred sunflower line ON7321R and to the methods for producing a sunflower plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the inbred line ON7321R with itself or another sunflower line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a sunflower plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred sunflower lines derived from the inbred ON7321R. |
| US08524999B1 |
Maize variety inbred PH1CN8
A novel maize variety designated PH1CN8 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1CN8 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1CN8 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1CN8 or a locus conversion of PH1CN8 with another maize variety. |
| US08524980B2 |
Composition and method to alleviate joint pain
Beneficial and synergistic effects for alleviating joint pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis have been found with krill oil and/or marine oil in combination with other active constituents, including astaxanthin and polymeric hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan) in an oral dosage form. |
| US08524971B2 |
Catalyst for higher production rates in hydrocarbon dehydrogenation
A process is presented for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons in a radial flow reactor. The process includes the continuous feeding of catalyst into the reactor and the continuous withdrawal of catalyst from the reactor, where the catalyst is modified to increase the increased density. The catalyst is a layered structure with a dense core and an active catalytic outer layer. |
| US08524958B2 |
Process for preparation of oligomeric or polymeric compounds using selective Michael addition
A method of preparing an oligomeric or polymeric compound in a liquid solution is disclosed which consists of reacting a Michael donor compound with a Michael acceptor compound in the presence of a first catalyst and a Group IA and/or Group IIA metal ion catalyst. |
| US08524954B2 |
Hydrogenation of ethanoic acid to produce ethanol
The present invention relates to a process for producing methanol and ethanol, wherein the methanol is produced from synthesis gas and the ethanol is produced via the hydrogenation of an ethanoic acid feed; characterized in that the hydrogenation of the ethanoic acid feed is carried out within the same alcohol synthesis unit and in the presence of the same catalyst(s) that is used to produce the methanol from the synthesis gas and wherein the feed introduced to the alcohol synthesis unit comprises synthesis gas and ethanoic acid. |
| US08524950B2 |
Preparation of chiral amides and amines
This invention provides a convenient method for converting oximes into enamides. The process does not require the use of metallic reagents. Accordingly, it produces the desired compounds without the concomitant production of a large volume of metallic waste. The enamides are useful precursors to amides and amines. The invention provides a process to convert a prochiral enamide into the corresponding chiral amide. In an exemplary process, a chiral amino center is introduced during hydrogenation through the use of a chiral hydrogenation catalyst. In selected embodiments, the invention provides methods of preparing amides and amines that include the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-alkyl-1-naphthalenamine or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine substructure. |
| US08524940B2 |
Nitro group-containing ether compound and method for producing same
It is possible to produce oseltamivir safely and stably in large quantities by using as a starting material tartaric acid, mannitol or arabinose, via dihydroxyhexenoic acid ester of the formula (4c): (wherein R1, R2 and R6 are same or different and are each alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl or aromatic heterocyclic group, and R1 and R2 are not methyl simultaneously). |
| US08524937B2 |
Process for preparing polyol esters
The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms by partial recycling of the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid removed into the esterification reaction or into subsequent esterification batches. |
| US08524936B2 |
Manufacturing process for sitagliptin from L-aspartic acid
The present invention relates to a novel manufacturing process of pharmaceutically active compound of formula I used as oral anti-diabetic drug. Starting from L-aspartic acid derivate of formula IV the invention describes preparation of the chiral (R)-β-amino acid of formula II known as a precursor in the synthesis of Sitagliptin (formula I). |
| US08524933B2 |
Beta-ketoester group-containing organopolysiloxane compound
A novel organosilicon compound is provided as an organosilicon compound containing a β-ketoester structure that has minimal volatile components and generates a minimal amount of alcohol when used as a component within all manner of treatment agents. The organopolysiloxane is represented by an average composition formula shown below: YaR1bR2cSi(OR3)d(OH)eO(4-a-b-c-d-e)/2 (1) (wherein Y represents an organic group containing a β-ketoester group that may be at least partially enolized, R1 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group that may optionally include a functional group such as a mercapto group, an epoxy group or a (meth)acryloyloxy group, R2 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group that contains no functional groups, R3 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group, and a, b, c, d and e are numbers that satisfy 0.01≦a≦1, 0≦b<1, 0≦c≦2, 0≦d≦2, and 0≦e≦1 respectively, provided that 2≦a+b+c+d+e≦3). |
| US08524930B2 |
Class of olefin metathesis catalysts, methods of preparation, and processes for the use thereof
This invention relates to a metathesis catalyst comprising a Group 8 metal complex represented by the formula: wherein: M is a Group 8 metal; each X is independently an anionic ligand; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1 to C30 hydrocarbyl, and a C1 to C30 substituted hydrocarbyl; R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1 to C12 hydrocarbyl groups, substituted C1 to C12 hydrocarbyl groups, and halides; and L is a neutral donor ligand. This invention also relates to processes for performing a metathesis reaction, in particular ring opening cross metathesis reactions and ring opening metathesis polymerization reactions, using the Group 8 metal complexes. |
| US08524925B2 |
Production of furfural from biomass
Processes for producing furfural from biomass are provided. The processes use a metal halide in aqueous solutions of water-miscible and can provide a furfural yield of greater than 70%. |
| US08524922B2 |
Process and plant for recovering solid reaction products from solutions
A process for recovering solid reaction products during partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in a liquid solvent as a reaction medium by multi-stage evaporative crystallization includes determining a final temperature of the multi-stage evaporative crystallization based on a melting point of the solvent. The pressure and temperature of the solvent is reduced in steps via successive crystallization stages until the final temperature is reached. Each of the crystallization stages includes a compressor configured to perform the reducing of the pressure and to withdraw vapors formed. The vapors from the compressor of a lower expansion pressure crystallization stage are introduced into a vapor discharge conduit of a next successive higher expansion pressure crystallization stage upstream of the compressor of the higher expansion pressure crystallization stage. |
| US08524911B2 |
3-arylamino pyridine derivatives
The invention provides novel, substituted 3-arylamino pyridine compounds pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrug compounds thereof, wherein W, R1, R2, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer, restenosis and inflammation. Also disclosed is the use of such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals, especially humans, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. |
| US08524910B2 |
Pyridyl derivatives as CFTR modulators
The present invention relates to modulators of Formula I and the accompanying definitions herein of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases such as cystic fibrosis using such modulators. |
| US08524908B2 |
Process for manufacturing 5-(2-{[6-(2,2-difluoro-2-phenylethoxy)hexyl]amino}-1-hydroxyethyl)-8-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-one
A process for preparing a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which process comprises: a) reacting, in a xylene solvent, a compound of formula (V) having P1 and P2 protecting groups, with a compound of formula (IV), to give a compound of formula (III); and b) effecting a P1 deprotection step and a P2 deprotection step to give a compound of formula (I); and optionally c) preparing a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula (I); wherein the compounds of formulas III, IV, and V are described in the specification. |
| US08524900B2 |
Fused heterocyclic derivatives and methods of use
Selected compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as HGF mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes. |
| US08524899B2 |
Alternative heterocycles for DNA recognition
Methods and compositions are provided for forming complexes between dsDNA and novel oligomers comprising fused six-membered rings. By appropriate choice of target sequences and oligomers, complexes comprising oligomer-DNA are obtained with high association constants. The formation of complexes can be used for identification of specific dsDNA sequences, for inhibiting gene transcription, and as a therapeutic for inhibiting proliferation of undesired cells or modulation of expression of specific genes. |
| US08524872B2 |
Nucleic acids and corresponding proteins entitled 158P3D2 useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene 158P3D2 and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 158P3D2 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 158P3D2 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 158P3D2 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 158P3D2 can be used in active or passive immunization. |
| US08524864B2 |
Method for producing conjugate of thyroxine and albumin
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a conjugate of thyroxine and albumin with higher purity. The present invention provides a method for producing a conjugate of thyroxine and albumin which comprises: step (a) of converting a carboxyl group in thyroxine having a carboxyl group to be linked to albumin into an active ester and allowing the thyroxine to react with albumin, so as to prepare a conjugate of thyroxine and albumin; and step (b) of purifying the conjugate with the use of an acidic mixed aqueous solvent in which the thyroxine having a carboxyl group to be linked to albumin is dissolved but albumin is not precipitated. |
| US08524861B2 |
Treatment of bacterial infections
The invention relates to polypeptides, comprising repeats of peptides derived from apolipoproteins, which exhibit antibacterial activity and to nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention further provides the use of such polypeptides, derivatives, analogues or nucleic acids as medicaments, and also their use in methods of preventing or treating bacterial infection or objects and surfaces. The invention further extends to objects, such as contact lenses, coated with the polypeptides. |
| US08524860B2 |
Peptides with capacity to bind to scurfin and applications
The invention relates to peptides of general formula (I), wherein X is absent or X is present and is X14 or X14-X15, wherein X14 and X15, independently from one another, represent an amino acid; their functional variants and fragments, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, having the capacity to bind to scurfin and inhibit its biological activity, therefore they regulate or block the activity of regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes. They are applicable in the treatment of infectious and neoplastic diseases. (I) Arg-Asp-Phe-Gln-Ser-Phe-Arg-Lys-Met-Trp-Pro-Phe- Phe-X |
| US08524856B2 |
PHA compositions comprising PBS and PBSA and methods for their production
Compositions of PHAs with PBS and PBSA are described and methods of making the same. |
| US08524853B2 |
Segmented polyarylene ether block copolymers
The present invention relates to polyarylene ether block copolymers according to the general formula A-K—X—K-A, where —X— is a polyarylene ether segment with number-average molar mass of at least 5000 g/mol, and A- is a segment of the general structure R2NH—(R1—NH—CO—Ar—CO—NH)n—R1—NH—, in which R1 is a linear or branched alkylene group having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and Ar is an arylene group having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and R2 is selected from aryloyl, alkyloyl, and H, and in which the number average of n is from 1 to 3, and there is a coupling group K of the structure —CO—Ar3—CO— linking each A to X, in which Ar13 is an aromatic group having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of the polyarylene ether block copolymers of the invention, to polymer compositions comprising the polyarylene ether block copolymers of the invention, and also to the use thereof for the production of moldings, of films, of fibers, or of foams. |
| US08524847B2 |
Organic insulating material, varnish for resin film using the same, resin film and semiconductor device
An organic insulating material includes a prepolymer of a cage structure compound having a polymerizable unsaturated bond-containing group and a cage structure with an adamantane structure as the minimal unit. The prepolymer has a number-average molecular weight of between 2,000 and 500,000 based on polystyrene and measured by gel permeation chromatography. The prepolymer includes unsaturated bonds produced by reaction between the polymerizable unsaturated bonds and the unreacted polymerizable unsaturated bonds. The prepolymer has a residue rate of unreacted polymerizable unsaturated bonds of between 20% and 80%. |
| US08524842B2 |
Silicone compositions crosslinkable into adhesive gels
Gels having viscoelastic qualities, physical stability and adhesive properties, well suited for a wide variety of end applications, are prepared by crosslinking, by hydrosilylation, silicone compositions which contain: a polyorganosiloxanes POS (I) of SiH type; a polyorganosiloxanes POS (II) of SiVi type (Vi=vinyl); a polyorganosiloxanes POS (III) of monofunctional SiVi type; a platinum-based catalyst (D); and optionally, a polyorganosiloxanes POS (IV) of polydimethylsiloxane type. |
| US08524841B2 |
Curable resin composition, optical material, and method for controlling optical material
To provide: a curable resin composition which can be continuously produced without gelling during production, and has excellent basic performances such as heat resistance and moisture resistance; an optical member which has excellent optical characteristics such as high transparency and exhibits excellent performances in a harsh use environment; and a method for controlling an optical material. A curable resin composition including an organic resin component and a metalloxane component, wherein the organic resin component includes a resin component having an Abbe number of 45 or more and the metalloxane component has a metalloxane bond; an optical material comprising the above-mentioned curable resin composition; an optical member produced by curing the optical material; and a method for controlling an Abbe number and/or a refractive index of an optical material. |
| US08524840B2 |
Polyurethane sealant compositions having primerless to paint and glass properties
In one aspect, this invention is a composition comprising a urethane prepolymer having isocyanate moieties; a catalytic amount of a compound which catalyzes the reaction of isocyanate moieties with water or an active hydrogen containing compound; alpha hydrocarbyl silane compound; and a catalytic amount of a compound which catalyzes silanol condensation. The composition of the invention can be used to bond a window into a structure without the need to prime the window or the window flange of the structure. |
| US08524820B2 |
Golf balls containing ionomers and polyamines or tertiary polyamides
Provided herein are compositions comprising an ionomer and a polyamine or a tertiary polyamide. The polyamine and the tertiary polyamide have a molecular weight of greater than 500 Da and do not contain an ester moiety or a primary amine moiety. The polyamine comprises at least three moieties that are tertiary amines or hindered secondary amines, and the polyamide comprises tertiary amide moieties and no secondary or primary amide moieties. The compositions may optionally include a filler. Further provided are articles such as golf balls and films containing these compositions. |
| US08524813B2 |
Flame-retarded compositions of styrene-containing polymers
A flame-retarded styrene-containing polymer composition, which comprises a styrene-containing polymer, tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-s-triazine, 0.5-1.7 wt % antimony trioxide, and an anti-dripping agent. The bromine content of the composition is generally in the range between 8 and 18 wt %. Additional brominated flame retarding agents may also be included in the composition. |
| US08524808B2 |
Radiation curable compositions
The invention is a radiation curable coating composition containing epoxyacrylate formed by ring opening reaction between (meth)acrylic acid and a self-dispersing epoxy resin in an aqueous system. |
| US08524806B2 |
Profile extrusion method, article, and composition
A glass fiber-filled poly(arylene ether)/polyamide composition exhibits reduced die build-up during profile extrusion. The composition includes specific amounts of polyamide, poly(arylene ether), glass fibers, and polypropylene. The reduced die build-up means that the profile extrusion equipment needs to be shut down and cleaned less often, resulting in a substantial productivity improvement. |
| US08524804B2 |
Surface-treated fiber, resin composition, and molded article of the composition
A resin composition includes a fiber and a polyolefin resin and can provide a molded article having excellent mechanical strength such as flexural strength and impact resistance. The resin composition includes (i) a surface-treated fiber (A) which comprises 100 parts by weight of a fiber (A-I) comprising a polyalkylene terephthalate and/or a polyalkylene naphthalene dicarboxylate and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a sizing agent (A-II) adhered to the surface of the fiber (A-I), and (ii) a polyolefin resin modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or an unsaturated carboxylic acid derivative (a modified polyolefin resin (B)) as a resin component. |
| US08524800B2 |
Actinically curable silicone hydrogel copolymers and uses thereof
The present invention provides inks and methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The ink of the invention comprises an actinically-curable binder copolymer comprising fluorine-containing segments and is characterized by having capability to be cured actinically or thermally to form a colored film on a molding surface of a mold or a silicone hydrogel contact lens and by having an increased durability in a solvated state in a silicone-hydrogel lens formulation in relation to a control colored film obtained from a control ink including an actinically-curable fluorine-free binder copolymer. The invention also provides methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses based on print-on-mold processes for producing colored contact lenses. |
| US08524799B2 |
Biofilm growth prevention
A biostatic coating comprising a coating composition which on drying produces an intrinsically hydrophobic film. The coating composition includes a biocidal complex A-B in which A is a phenolic biocide and B is selected from polyvinylpyrrolidone (“PVP”), PVP polymers, PVP copolymers and mixtures thereof. The coating composition for example is selected from acrylic and methacrylic polymer based compositions, acrylic and methacrylic copolymer based compositions, vinyl polymer based compositions, vinyl copolymer based compositions, epoxy resins, epoxy esters, and mixtures thereof. Suitable biocides for use in the invention include, but are not limited to complexes of PVP or PVP copolymer with triclosan; diclosan; dichlorophen; orthophenylphenol; orthobenzylparachlorophenol, cresols, xylols, and substituted diphenyl ethers. |
| US08524786B2 |
Process for producing fine silver particle colloidal dispersion, fine silver particle colloidal dispersion, and conductive silver film
A process for producing a fine silver particle colloidal dispersion which can simply form conductive silver layers and antimicrobial coatings by screen printing or the like. The process is characterized by having a reaction step of allowing an aqueous silver nitrate solution to react with a mixed solution of an aqueous iron(II) sulfate solution and an aqueous sodium citrate solution to form an agglomerate of fine silver particles, a filtration step of filtering the resultant agglomerate of fine silver particles to obtain a cake of the agglomerate of fine silver particles, a dispersion step of adding pure water to the cake to obtain a first fine silver particle colloidal dispersion of a water system in which dispersion the fine silver particles have been dispersed in the pure water, and a concentration and washing step of concentrating and washing the first fine silver particle colloidal dispersion of a water system. |
| US08524784B2 |
Polymer micelles containing anthracylines for the treatment of cancer
The present invention provides micelles having an anthracycline encapsulated therein, the micelles comprising a multiblock copolymer. The invention further provides methods of preparing and using said micelles, and compositions thereof. |
| US08524780B2 |
Deuterium-enriched bupropion
The present application describes deuterium-enriched bupropion, pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, and methods of treating using the same. |
| US08524773B2 |
Utilization of dialkylfumarates
The present invention relates to the use of certain dialkyl fumarates for the preparation of pharmaceutical preparations for use in transplantation medicine or for the therapy of autoimmune diseases and said compositions in the form of micro-tablets or pellets. For this purpose, the dialkyl fumarates may also be used in combination with conventional preparations used in transplantation medicine and immunosuppressive agents, especially cyclosporines. |
| US08524752B2 |
Thiazolidin-4-one derivatives
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one thiazolidin-4-one derivative to prevent or treat disorders associated with an activated immune system. Furthermore, the invention relates to novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives notably for use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act also as immunosuppressive agents. |
| US08524750B2 |
(Pyrazol-3-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine and (pyrazol-3-yl)-1,3,4-thiazol-2-amine compounds
A compound of Formula (I) wherein: either X is N and Y is CR5 or X is C and Y is S; Z is selected from N and CH; R1 is selected from H and Me; R2 is selected from H, OH, OMe and Me; each R3 is independently selected from C1-3alkyl, F, Cl, Br, CF3 and NH2; R4 is selected from Me, CF3, NO2 and CHF2; R5 is selected from H, Me and CHF2; R6 is selected from H and Me; and p is 0-3, compositions containing them, their use in therapy, for example in the treatment of tuberculosis, and methods for the preparation of such compounds, are provided. |
| US08524744B2 |
Arylamine ketones, their preparation methods, the pharmaceutical composition containing them and their use
Disclosed Arylamine ketones of formula (I), their preparation methods, the pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in preventing and/or treating the diseases related to the plaque-activating factors, especially in anti-inflammation and immunization, more especially in the treatment of the acute or chronic inflammation, such as, osteoarthritis, oarthritis deformans, etc. |
| US08524740B2 |
Synthesis and anticancer activity of aryl and heteroaryl-quinolin derivatives
A compound of Formula I is disclosed as follows: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, solvate, or metabolite thereof, wherein R is hydrogen, P(═O)(OH)2, P(═O)(O(C1-C18)alkylene(C6-C20)aryl)2, P(═O)(OH)(OM), P(═O)(OM)2, P═O(O2M), S(═O)(OH)2, S(═O)(O(C1-C18)alkylene(C6-C20)aryl)2, S(═O)(OH)(OM), S(═O)(OM)2; M is a monovalent or divalent metal ion, or alkylammonium ion; W is (C6-C20)aryl, (C6-C20)heteroaryl, (C1-C18)alkyl(C6-C20)aryl, (C1-C18)alkyl(C6-C20)heteroaryl, hydroxy(C6-C20)aryl, hydroxy(C6-C20)heteroaryl, (C1-C18)alkoxy(C6-C20)aryl, (C1-C18)alkoxy(C6-C20)heteroaryl, (C1-C18)alkylenedioxy(C6-C20)aryl, (C1-C18)alkylenedioxy(C6-C20)heteroaryl, halo(C6-C20)aryl, halo(C6-C20)heteroaryl, (C1-C18)alkylamino(C6-C20)aryl, (C1-C18)alkylamino(C6-C20)heteroaryl, (C1-C18)cycloalkylamino(C6-C20)aryl, or (C1-C18)cycloalkylamino(C6-C20)heteroaryl, and their OR8 substutes; R5 is (C1-C18alkoxy, hydrogen, hydroxyl, O—(C1-C18)alkyl(C6-C20)aryl, halo or OR8, or R5 and R6 are (C1-C18)dioxy provided that R7 is hydrogen; R6 is hydroxyl, O—(C1-C18)alkyl(C6-C20)aryl, halo or OR8, (C1-C18)alkoxy, (C1-C18)alkylamino, or (C1-C18)cycloalkylamino, or R6 and R7 are (C1-C18)dioxy provided that R5 is hydrogen; R7 is hydrogen, halo or OR8, hydroxyl, or O—(C1-C18)alkyl(C6-C20)aryl; and R8 is P(═O)(OH)2, P(═O)(O(C1-C18)alkyl(C6-C20)aryl)2, P(═O)(OH)(OM), or P(═O)(OM)2, P═O(O2M). |
| US08524733B2 |
Benzoquinoline inhibitors of vesicular monoamine transporter 2
The present invention relates to new benzoquinoline inhibitors of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof. |
| US08524726B2 |
Amido derivatives and their use as positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors
The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (I), wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, Am and Bn are defined as in Formula (I); invention compounds are modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors—subtype 4 (“mGluR4”) which are useful for the treatment or prevention of central nervous system disorders as well as other disorders modulated by mGluR4 receptors. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and the use of such compounds in the manufacture of medicaments, as well as to the use of such compounds for the prevention and treatment of such diseases in which mGluR4 is involved. |
| US08524724B2 |
Alkynylpyrimidines and salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, methods of preparing same and uses of same
The invention relates to alkynylpyrimidines according to the general formula (I): in which A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are as defined in the claims, and salts, N-oxides, metabolites, solvates, tautomers and prodrugs thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said alkynylpyrimidines, to methods of preparing said alkynylpyrimidines, as well as to uses thereof for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases of dysregulated vascular growth or of diseases which are accompanied with dysregulated vascular growth, wherein the compounds effectively interfere with Tie2 and VEGFR2 signalling. |
| US08524723B2 |
Polymorphs of methyl 3-(E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy) pyrimidin-4-yloxy] phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate
The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphic and amorphous forms of the compound methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxy-acrylate (azoxystrobin). Infrared Raman spectra, X-ray powder diffraction pattern and differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of two polymorphs “A” and “B” are provided. Further, the present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphic forms “A” and “B”, as well as processes for producing mixtures of the polymorphs, and a process for preparing amorphous azoxystrobin. Yet further, the present invention provides anti-fungal compositions comprising the novel crystalline polymorphs “A” and “B” or amorphous azoxystrobin, which are useful for controlling and combating fungi grown on agricultural and horticultural crops and up-land, and methods of using the same as pesticidal agents for combating fungi on agricultural and horticultural crops. |
| US08524722B2 |
Substituted tricyclic compounds and methods of use thereof
This invention relates to novel compounds and processes for their preparation, methods of treating diseases, particularly cancer, comprising administering said compounds, and methods of making pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of disorders, particularly cancer. |
| US08524721B2 |
Platelet ADP receptor inhibitors
Novel compounds of formulae (I) and (VIII), which more particularly include sulfonylurea derivatives, sulfonylthiourea derivatives, sulfonylguanidine derivatives, sulfonylcyanoguanidine derivatives, thioacylsulfonamide derivatives, and acylsulfonamide derivatives which are effective platelet ADP receptor inhibitors. These derivatives may be used in various pharmaceutical compositions, and are particularly effective for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular diseases, particularly those diseases related to thrombosis. The invention also relates to a method for preventing or treating thrombosis in a mammal comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formulae (I) to (VIII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US08524720B2 |
Substituted N-(pyrazol-5-yl)-pyrrolo[3,2-D]pyrimidin-4-amine useful as protein kinase inhibitors
This invention describes novel pyrazole compounds of formula IV: wherein Ring D is a 5-7 membered monocyclic ring or 8-10 membered bicyclic ring selected from aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or carbocyclyl; Rx and Ry are independently selected from T-R3, or taken together with their intervening atoms to form a fused, unsaturated or partially unsaturated, 5-8 membered ring having 1-3 ring heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen; and R2, R2′, T, and R3 are as described in the specification. The compounds are useful as protein kinase inhibitors, especially as inhibitors of aurora-2 and GSK-3, for treating diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. |
| US08524719B2 |
Therapeutic compounds for blocking DNA synthesis of pox viruses
This invention provides methods of inhibiting replication of a poxvirus by contacting a poxvirus with a compound having formula I, formula XXI, formula XXXII, or formula XLI which in turn reduce, inhibit, or abrogate poxvirus DNA polymerase activity and/or its interaction with its processivity factor. Formula I, formula XXI, formula XXXII, or formula XLI can be utilized to treat humans and animals suffering from a poxvirus infection. Pharmaceutical compositions for treating poxvirus infected subjects are also provided. |
| US08524715B2 |
Phenoxyacetic acid derivatives useful for treating respiratory diseases
The invention relates to substituted phenoxyacetic acids as useful pharmaceutical compounds for treating respiratory disorders, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and processes for their preparation. |
| US08524713B2 |
Substituted spirocyclic piperidine derivatives as histamine-3 (H3) receptor ligands
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): their use as H3 antagonists/inverse agonists, processes for their preparation, and pharmaceuticals compositions thereof. |
| US08524709B2 |
Kinase inhibitor compounds
The invention relates to compounds, compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compound compositions. The compounds, compositions, and methods described herein can be used for the therapeutic modulation of kinase-mediated processes, and treatment of disease and disease symptoms, particularly those mediated by certain kinase enzymes. |
| US08524692B2 |
Ocular compositions containing dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol and uses thereof
The present invention provides a method of treating a corneal disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a composition containing pharmaceutically effective amount of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol and/or palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylglycerol and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| US08524679B2 |
In vivo delivery of double stranded RNA to a target cell
The invention encompasses methods of delivering nucleic acids, including dsRNA, to mammalian target cells in vivo via intercellular transfer, wherein the dsRNA is delivered to or expressed in a first cell different from the target cell, wherein the first cell facilitates delivery of the dsRNA to the target cell. |
| US08524678B2 |
Method for delivering genes
Methods of delivering transgenes to target cells using plasmids comprising viral inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences are described. Such plasmids are capable of directing sustained transgene expression in target cells in rats provided that at least one adeno-associated virus (AAV) ITR sequence is present in the plasmid, regardless of whether that ITR is located upstream or downstream of the transgene. In a particular embodiment, plasmids comprising one or more AAV ITR sequence and an IL-10 transgene are shown to be effective in sustained reversal of pain in an animal model of neuropathic pain. |
| US08524676B2 |
Method for treating enterovirus or rhinovirus infection using antisense antiviral compounds
The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Picornaviridae family and in the treatment of a viral infection. The compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of Enterovirus and/or Rhinovirus infection in a mammal. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged, morpholino oligonucleotides have a sequence of 12-40 subunits, including at least 12 subunits having a targeting sequence that is complementary to a region associated with viral RNA sequences within a 32 nucleotide region of the viral 5′ untranslated region identified by SEQ ID NO:7. |
| US08524674B2 |
Method of improving the conditioned reflex habit, the muscle tonus, or the motion coordination of a patient after suffering trauma to the brain cortex
Disclosed is a method of improving the conditioned reflex habit, the muscle tonus, or the motion coordination of a patient after suffering trauma to the brain cortex that involves administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition containing peptide glutamyl-aspartyl-arginine of the formula H-Glu-Asp-Arg-OH as its active base. |
| US08524665B2 |
Use of secretin in treatments of disorders associated with the amygdala
In general, the present invention provides methods for treating disorders associated with the amygdala. The methods of treatment are based on the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of secretin to an individual suffering from a disorder associated with the amygdala, e.g., bipolar disorder or a substance use disorder. |
| US08524661B2 |
Inhibiting serum response factor (SRF) to improve glycemic control
Described are methods of improving glycemic control/improving insulin sensitivity by administering an inhibitor of serum response factor (SRF) activity, and methods of identifying new compounds for use in the described methods of treatment. |
| US08524651B2 |
Method of therapy
Numerous diseases have been linked to the production of regulator cells. The present invention relates to the observation that the immune system is cycling in these diseases. Based on these observations, the present invention provides methods for treating diseases such as cancer and a HIV infection. The present invention also relates to methods of determining when a therapy to treat a disease characterized by the production of regulator cells should be administered to a patient. |
| US08524650B2 |
Encapsulates
The present application relates to perfume compositions, delivery systems comprising such perfumes products comprising such perfumes and/or delivery systems, and processes for making and using same. Such perfumes and delivery systems provide improved perfume performance under high soil conditions and in cold water washing and a shell that at least partially surrounds said core. |
| US08524642B2 |
Multicomponent viscoelastic surfactant fluid and method of using as a fracturing fluid
There is a viscoelastic fluid. The fluid has one or more cationic surfactants selected from the group consisting of certain quaternary salts, certain amines, and combinations thereof; one or more anionic polymers/anionic surfactants; one or more of certain zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants; and water. There is also a method of fracturing a subterranean formation. The viscoelastic fluid is pumped through a wellbore and into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation. There is also a method for gravel packing a subterranean formation. |
| US08524640B2 |
Fluid loss additive for oil-based muds
A composition that includes a product resulting from a condensation reaction of quebracho with at least one organophilic species that includes a reactive amine is disclosed. |
| US08524625B2 |
Compositions and methods for improving the hydrothermal stability of mesostructured zeolites by rare earth ion exchange
Compositions and methods for preparing mesostructured zeolites having improved hydrothermal stability. Such mesostructured zeolites can be prepared by subjecting a zeolite to rare earth ion exchange prior to and/or subsequent to introducing mesoporosity into the zeolite. |
| US08524619B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device including performing oxygen plasma treatment
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device including performing oxygen plasma treatment to a surface of a nitride semiconductor layer, a power density of the oxygen plasma treatment being 0.2 to 0.3 W/cm2. |
| US08524618B2 |
Hafnium tantalum oxide dielectrics
A dielectric layer containing a hafnium tantalum oxide film and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer produce a dielectric layer for use in a variety of electronic devices. Embodiments include structures for capacitors, transistors, memory devices, and electronic systems with dielectric layers containing a hafnium tantalum oxide film structured as one or more monolayers. |
| US08524608B1 |
Method for fabricating a patterned structure of a semiconductor device
The present invention provides a method for fabricating a patterned structure in a semiconductor device, which includes the following processes. First, a target layer, a first mask and a first patterned mask are sequentially formed on a substrate. Then, a first etching process is performed to form a plurality of characteristic structures on the substrate, wherein each of the characteristic structures comprises a patterned first mask and a patterned target layer. A second patterned mask is formed on the substrate, wherein the second patterned mask covers a portion of the characteristic structures and exposes a predetermined region. A second etching process is performed to fully eliminate the characteristic structures within the predetermined region. Finally, a third etching process is performed to fully eliminate the target layer not covered by the patterned first mask. |
| US08524606B2 |
Chemical mechanical planarization with overburden mask
Planarization methods include depositing a mask material on top of an overburden layer on a semiconductor wafer. The mask material is planarized to remove the mask material from up areas of the overburden layer to expose the overburden layer without removing the mask material from down areas. The exposed overburden layer is wet etched and leaves a thickness remaining over an underlying layer. Remaining portions of the mask layer and the exposed portions of the overburden layer are planarized to expose the underlying layer. |
| US08524602B2 |
Method for forming vias in a substrate
The present invention relates to a method for forming vias in a substrate, including the following steps: (a) providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; (b) forming a groove on the substrate; (c) filling the groove with a conductive metal; (d) removing part of the substrate which surrounds the conductive metal, wherein the conductive metal is maintained so as to form an accommodating space between the conductive metal and the substrate; (e) forming an insulating material in the accommodating space; and (f) removing part of the second surface of the substrate to expose the conductive metal and the insulating material. In this way, thicker insulating material can be formed in the accommodating space, and the thickness of the insulating material in the accommodating space is even. |
| US08524594B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
A method for manufacturing a solid-state imaging device includes: forming pixels that receive incident light in a pixel array area of a substrate; forming pad electrodes in a peripheral area located around the pixel array area of the substrate; forming a carbon-based inorganic film on an upper surface of each of the pad electrodes including a connection surface electrically connected to an external component; forming a coated film that covers upper surfaces of the carbon-based inorganic films; and forming an opening above the connection surface of each of the pad electrodes to expose the connection surface. |
| US08524591B2 |
Maintaining integrity of a high-K gate stack by passivation using an oxygen plasma
In semiconductor devices, integrity of a titanium nitride material may be increased by exposing the material to an oxygen plasma after forming a thin silicon nitride-based material. The oxygen plasma may result in an additional passivation of any minute surface portions which may not be appropriately covered by the silicon nitride-based material. Consequently, efficient cleaning recipes, such as cleaning processes based on SPM, may be performed after the additional passivation without undue material loss of the titanium nitride material. In this manner, sophisticated high-k metal gate stacks may be formed with a very thin protective liner material on the basis of efficient cleaning processes without unduly contributing to a pronounced yield loss in an early manufacturing stage. |
| US08524590B2 |
Memory device and method for manufacturing memory devices
Provided are a method for manufacturing a memory device and a memory device manufactured by the method. The memory device may be a flash memory device. The method for manufacturing the memory device may include sequentially stacking a tunnel dielectric, a floating gate conductive layer, an inter-gate dielectric, and a control gate conductive layer on a semiconductor substrate; anisotropically etching the floating gate conductive layer, the inter-gate dielectric, and the control gate conductive layer to form gate structures. The gate structures may be separated by regions where top surfaces of the tunnel dielectric are exposed, the exposed top surfaces being damaged during formation of the gate structures. The method includes reacting the exposed top surfaces of the tunnel dielectric damaged during the formation of the gate structures with a reaction gas comprising ammonium fluoride to form a reaction by-product on the exposed top surfaces of the tunnel dielectric, and removing the reaction by-product. |
| US08524586B2 |
Semiconductor overlapped PN structure and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a semiconductor overlapped PN structure and manufacturing method thereof. The method includes: providing a substrate; providing a first mask to define a P (or N) type well and at least one overlapped region in the substrate; implanting P (or N) type impurities into the P (or N) type well and the at least one overlapped region; providing a second mask having at least one opening to define an N (or P) type well in the substrate, and to define at least one dual-implanted region in the at least one overlapped region; implanting N (or P) type impurities into the N (or P) type well and the at least one dual-implanted region such that the at least one dual-implanted region has P type and N type impurities. |
| US08524585B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a MOSFET includes the steps of preparing a substrate with an epitaxial growth layer made of silicon carbide, performing ion implantation into the substrate with the epitaxial growth layer, forming a protective film made of silicon dioxide on the substrate with the epitaxial growth layer into which the ion implantation was performed, and heating the substrate with the epitaxial growth layer on which the protective film was formed to a temperature range of 1600° C. or more in an atmosphere containing gas including an oxygen atom. |
| US08524580B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor substrate and substrate processing apparatus
A first processing gas containing a first element and a second processing gas containing a second element are alternately supplied to a surface of a substrate placed in a processing chamber, to thereby form a first thin film, and a second processing gas and a third processing containing the first element and different from the first processing gas are alternately supplied, to thereby form a second thin film on the first thin film, having the same element component as that of the first thin film. |
| US08524578B1 |
Method and surface morphology of non-polar gallium nitride containing substrates
An optical device, e.g., LED, laser. The device includes a non-polar gallium nitride substrate member having a slightly off-axis non-polar oriented crystalline surface plane. In a specific embodiment, the slightly off-axis non-polar oriented crystalline surface plane is up to about −0.6 degrees in a c-plane direction, but can be others. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a gallium nitride containing epitaxial layer formed overlying the slightly off-axis non-polar oriented crystalline surface plane. In a specific embodiment, the device includes a surface region overlying the gallium nitride epitaxial layer that is substantially free of hillocks. |
| US08524575B2 |
Group III nitride crystal and method for producing the same
A method for producing a group III nitride crystal in the present invention includes the steps of cutting a plurality of group III nitride crystal substrates 10p and 10q having a main plane from a group III nitride bulk crystal 1, the main planes 10pm and 10qm having a plane orientation with an off-angle of five degrees or less with respect to a crystal-geometrically equivalent plane orientation selected from the group consisting of {20-21}, {20-2-1}, {22-41}, and {22-4-1}, transversely arranging the substrates 10p and 10q adjacent to each other such that the main planes 10pm and 10qm of the substrates 10p and 10q are parallel to each other and each [0001] direction of the substrates 10p and 10q coincides with each other, and growing a group III nitride crystal 20 on the main planes 10pm and 10qm of the substrates 10p and 10q. |
| US08524573B2 |
Method for separating a semiconductor layer from a substrate by irradiating with laser pulses
A method for producing a semiconductor component, in which a semiconductor layer is separated from a substrate by irradiation with laser pulses, the pulse duration of the laser pulses being less than or equal to 10 ns. The laser pulses have a spatial beam profile with a flank slope is chosen to be gentle enough to prevent cracks in the semiconductor layer that arise as a result of thermally induced lateral stresses during the separation of semiconductor layer and substrate. |
| US08524568B2 |
Semiconductor device having capacitor capable of reducing additional processes and its manufacture method
A first capacitor recess and a wiring trench are formed through an interlayer insulating film. A lower electrode fills the first capacitor recess, and a first wiring fills the wiring trench. An etching stopper film and a via layer insulating film are disposed over the interlayer insulating film. A first via hole extends through the via layer insulating film and etching stopper film and reaches the first wiring, and a first plug fills the first via hole. A second capacitor recess is formed through the via layer insulating film, the second capacitor recess at least partially overlapping the lower electrode, as viewed in plan. The upper electrode covers the bottom and side surfaces of the second capacitor recess. A capacitor is constituted of the upper electrode, etching stopper film and lower electrode. A second wring connected to the first plug is formed over the via layer insulating film. |
| US08524567B2 |
Semiconductor fuse with enhanced post-programming resistance
Post programming resistance of a semiconductor fuse is enhanced by using an implantation to form an amorphous silicon layer and to break up an underlying high-κ/metal gate. Embodiments include forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region in a silicon substrate, forming a high-κ dielectric layer on the STI region, forming a metal gate on the high-κ dielectric layer, forming a polysilicon layer over the metal gate, performing an implantation to convert the polysilicon layer into an amorphous silicon layer, wherein the implantation breaks up the metal gate, and forming a silicide on the amorphous silicon layer. By breaking up the metal gate, electrical connection of the fuse contacts through the metal gate is eliminated. |
| US08524566B2 |
Methods for the fabrication of integrated circuits including back-etching of raised conductive structures
Embodiments of a method for fabricating an integrated circuit are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes producing a partially-completed semiconductor device including a substrate, source/drain (S/D) regions, a channel region between the S/D regions, and a gate stack over the channel region. At least one raised electrically-conductive structure is formed over at least one of the S/D regions and separated from the gate stack by a lateral gap. The raised electrically-conductive structure is then back-etched to increase the width of the lateral gap and reduce the parasitic fringing capacitance between the raised electrically-conductive structure and the gate stack during operation of the completed semiconductor device. |
| US08524547B2 |
Fin-type field effect transistor
Disclosed herein are improved fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) structures and the associated methods of manufacturing the structures. In one embodiment FinFET drive current is optimized by configuring the FinFET asymmetrically to decrease fin resistance between the gate and the source region and to decrease capacitance between the gate and the drain region. In another embodiment device destruction at high voltages is prevented by ballasting the FinFET. Specifically, resistance is optimized in the fin between the gate and both the source and drain regions (e.g., by increasing fin length, by blocking source/drain implant from the fin, and by blocking silicide formation on the top surface of the fin) so that the FinFET is operable at a predetermined maximum voltage. |
| US08524545B2 |
Simultaneous formation of FinFET and MUGFET
A method and structure comprise a field effect transistor structure that includes a first rectangular fin structure position on a substrate. The first rectangular fin structure has a bottom contacting the substrate, a top opposite the bottom, and sides between the top and the bottom. The structure additionally includes a second rectangular fin structure position on the substrate. Similarly, the second rectangular fin structure also has a bottom contacting the substrate, a top opposite the bottom, and sides between the top and the bottom. The sides of the second rectangular fin structure are parallel to the sides of the first rectangular fin structure. Further, a trench insulator is positioned on the substrate and is positioned between a side of the first rectangular fin structure and a side of the second rectangular fin structure. Additionally, a gate conductor is positioned on the trench insulator, positioned over the sides and the top of the first rectangular fin structure, and positioned over the sides and the top of the second rectangular fin structure. The gate conductor runs perpendicular to the sides of the first rectangular fin structure and the sides of the second rectangular fin structure. Also, a gate insulator is positioned between the gate conductor and the first rectangular fin structure and between the gate conductor and the second rectangular fin structure. The structure further includes a first cap on the top of the first rectangular fin structure. The first cap separates the gate conductor from the first rectangular fin structure. |
| US08524530B2 |
Flexible semiconductor package and method for fabricating the same
A flexible semiconductor package includes a flexible substrate. A data chip is disposed over the flexible substrate. The data chip includes a data storage unit for storing data and first bonding pads that are electrically connected to the data storage unit. A control chip is disposed over the flexible substrate. The control chip includes a data processing unit for processing the data in the data chip and second bonding pads that are electrically connected to the data processing unit. Wirings are formed in order to electrically connect the first bonding pads to the second bonding pads. |
| US08524529B2 |
Brace for wire bond
An electrical connection includes a first wire having one end stitch bonded to a surface, such as the lead finger of a lead frame or the connection pad of a substrate. A second wire has a first end attached to the surface on a first side of the first wire and a second end attached to the surface on a second, opposing side of the first wire. The second wire acts as a brace that prevents the first wire from lifting off of the surface. If necessary, a third wire can be added that, like the second wire, acts as a brace to prevent the first wire from lifting off of the surface. |
| US08524528B2 |
Methods for forming resistive-switching metal oxides for nonvolatile memory elements
Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed from resistive-switching metal oxide layers. Metal oxide layers may be formed using sputter deposition at relatively low sputtering powers, relatively low duty cycles, and relatively high sputtering gas pressures. Dopants may be incorporated into a base oxide layer at an atomic concentration that is less than the solubility limit of the dopant in the base oxide. At least one oxidation state of the metal in the base oxide is preferably different than at least one oxidation sate of the dopant. The ionic radius of the dopant and the ionic radius of the metal may be selected to be close to each other. Annealing and oxidation operations may be performed on the resistive switching metal oxides. Bistable metal oxides with relatively large resistivities and large high-state-to-low state resistivity ratios may be produced. |
| US08524523B2 |
Square pillar-shaped switching element for memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A switching element for a memory device includes a base layer including a plurality of line-type trenches. First insulation patterns are formed on the base layer excluding the trenches. First diode portions are formed on the bottoms of the trenches in the form of a thin film. Second insulation patterns are formed on the first diode portions and are spaced apart from each other to form holes in the trenches having the first diode portions provided therein. Square pillar-shaped second diode portions are formed in the holes over the first diode portions. |
| US08524512B2 |
Method for repairing copper diffusion barrier layers on a semiconductor solid substrate and repair kit for implementing this method
Method for repairing copper diffusion barrier layers on a semiconductor solid substrate and repair kit for implementing this method.One subject of the present invention is a method for repairing a surface of a substrate coated with a discontinuous copper diffusion barrier layer of a titanium-based material.According to the invention, this method comprises: a) the contacting of the surface with a suspension containing copper or copper alloy nanoparticles for a time of between 1 s and 15 min; and b) the contacting of the thus treated surface with a liquid solution having a pH of between 8.5 and 12 and containing: at least one metal salt, at least one reducing agent, at least one stabilizer at a temperature of between 50° C. and 90° C., preferably between 60° C. and 80° C., for a time of between 30 s and 10 min, preferably between 1 min and 5 min, in order to thus form a metallic film having a thickness of at least 50 nanometers re-establishing the continuity of the copper diffusion barrier layer. |
| US08524505B2 |
Blood analyzer and blood analyzing method
The present invention provides a blood analyzer and a blood analyzing method capable of obtaining information regarding B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes without using a fluorescence-labeled antibody. The blood analyzer of the present invention includes a blood specimen supplying portion, a sample preparation portion that prepares a measurement sample without using a fluorescence-labeled antibody by mixing a blood specimen supplied from the blood specimen supplying portion, a hemolyzing agent, and a fluorescent dye that stains nucleic acid, a light source, a first detector that detects fluorescence, a second detector that detects scattered light, and information processing portion that classifies lymphocytes based on the intensity of fluorescence and scattered light, and based on the fluorescence intensity of the classified lymphocytes, obtains information regarding B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. |
| US08524504B2 |
Sensor
This invention relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising the steps of exposing the sample to a transducer which is capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal, the transducer having at least one tethered reagent on or proximal thereto, the at least one tethered reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte; introducing a labelled reagent into the sample, wherein the labelled reagent contains a binding site for the analyte or the tethered reagent and a label which is capable of absorbing electromagneticradiation generated by a radiation source to generate energy; allowing the labelled reagent to bind to the analyte or tethered reagent in a first period in which the transducer is oriented such that the labelled reagent is caused to settle, at least in part, on the transducer; subsequently, in a second period, causing the labelled reagent to become unsettled; irradiating the sample with electromagnetic radiation during the first and second periods, transducing the energy generated into an electrical signal; detecting the electrical signal. A device for performing the method is also provided. |
| US08524497B2 |
Animal protein free media for cultivation of cells
The present invention relates to animal protein free cell culture media comprising a combination of non-animal derived peptides derived from soy hydrolysate and yeast hydrolysate. The invention also provides an animal protein free culture process, wherein cells are cultivated, propagated and passaged without animal-derived components. This process is useful for cultivating cells, such as recombinant cells or cells infected with a virus, and for production biological products by cell culture processes under conditions devoid of animal protein components. |
| US08524491B2 |
Compounds for eliciting or enhancing immune reactivity to HER-2/neu protein for prevention or treatment of malignancies in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated
Compounds and compositions for eliciting or enhancing immune reactivity to HER-2/neu protein are disclosed. The compounds include polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding such peptides. The compounds may be used for the prevention or treatment of malignancies in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated. |
| US08524488B2 |
Methods and devices for determining a cell characteristic, and applications employing the same
The present invention provides methods of determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, and biological state. The method generally involves detecting membrane movement in a cell to determine a characteristic of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening and diagnostics. The invention further provides databases of cell characteristics, as determined by the instant methods. The invention further provides systems for determining the characteristic of a cell. |
| US08524477B2 |
Methods to obtain recombinant proteins with increased sialylation from cells that express adenovirus E1A protein, and proteins obtained thereby
Provided are compositions comprising one or more isoforms of an erythropoietin (“EPO”) comprising glycans linked thereto, wherein the glycans have Lewis x structures and on average at least six sialic acid moieties per EPO molecule. Further provided are methods for obtaining a composition comprising one or more isoforms of EPO comprising glycans linked thereto, wherein the glycans comprise on average at least six sialic acids per EPO molecule and from zero to two Lewis x structures, the method comprising: a) providing a eukaryotic cell containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adenoviral E1A protein in expressible format and a nucleic acid encoding EPO in expressible format, wherein the cell further contains a nucleic acid sequence encoding a sialyltransferase, e.g., an α-2,6-sialyltransferase or an α-2,3-sialyltransferase, under control of a heterologous promoter; b) culturing the cell in a serum-free culture medium and allowing expression of EPO in the cell; c) harvesting the expressed EPO from the cell and/or from the culture medium; and d) purifying and fractionating the EPO to obtain fractions that have an increased average sialic acid content of the N-linked glycans per EPO molecule, to obtain a composition comprising one or more isoforms of an EPO comprising glycans linked thereto, wherein the glycans comprise on average at least six sialic acids per EPO molecule and from zero to two Lewis x structures. |
| US08524466B2 |
Microvesicle membrane protein and application thereof
Microvesicles play essential roles in disease progression. The present invention provides a microvesicle membrane protein and application thereof. Disclosed is method comprises phosphorylated CSE1L (cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein- or CSE1L-binding agents for microvesicle isolation, analysis, or binding for disease diagnosis or treatment. |
| US08524451B2 |
Method for real-time detection of Salmonella in food using a cleavable chimeric probe
A method is described for the real-time detection of Salmonella species in foods and on surfaces. Salmonella are enriched in media to increase their cell density prior to analysis. DNA is recovered by lysis in the presence of azide, proteinase K, and detergent. Real-time detection of Salmonella species is performed in a PCR reaction using gene specific primers and a cleavable chimeric fluorescent probe. The method also describes an internal control to confirm the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification and detection. The method is amenable to medium and high throughput analysis. |
| US08524448B2 |
Method and substances for isolating miRNAs
A capture probe suitable for use with a method for isolating miRNAs. A method for isolating an miRNA of interest from a sample comprising the miRNA of interest comprising providing the capture probe. A method for identifying an miRNA of interest. |
| US08524439B2 |
Silsesquioxane resin systems with base additives bearing electron-attracting functionalities
A silsesquioxane-based composition that contains (a) silsesquioxane resins that contain HSiO3/2 units and RSiO3/2 units wherein; R is an acid dissociable group, and (b) 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin. The silsesquioxane-based compositions are useful as positive resist compositions in forming patterned features on substrate, particularly useful for multi-layer layer (i.e. bilayer) 193 nm & 157 nm photolithographic applications. |
| US08524437B2 |
Particle producing method, particle, toner, developer, process cartridge, image forming method, image forming apparatus, and particle producing method
A particle producing method is provided including bringing a material into contact with a compressible fluid to prepare a melt of the material, and discharging the melt from a vibrated through hole to form particles of the melt. A particle producing apparatus is also provided including a discharger to discharge the melt. The discharger includes a storage to store the melt, at least one through hole disposed on the storage, and a vibrator to vibrate the through hole. The particle producing apparatus further includes a particle forming member defining a space within which the discharged melt is formed into particles and a pressure controller controlling a pressure difference between the space and an inside of the storage so that the discharged melt is formed into a columnar melt and the columnar melt is constricted and separated into particles. |
| US08524435B2 |
Liquid developer and wet-type image forming apparatus
A liquid developer containing an electrically insulating carrier fluid and colored particles dispersed in the carrier fluid and a wet-type image forming apparatus using this liquid developer are provided, with the colored particles being pigments and this liquid developer containing at least one selected from a group consisting of styrene elastomer, polyvinyl butyral, cyclic olefin copolymer and cellulose ether. Additionally, a liquid developer containing an electrically insulating carrier fluid, colored particles dispersed in the carrier fluid, and an organic macromolecular compound for fixing the colored particles to a recording medium and a wet-type image forming apparatus using this liquid developer are provided, with the organic macromolecular compound being dissolved in the carrier fluid and the colored particles being pigments. |
| US08524434B2 |
Toner and method for manufacturing toner
A toner having a toner particle including a core particle obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer composition containing at least a polymerizable monomer, a colorant, a release agent, a polar resin, and a crystalline polyester in an aqueous medium and an outer shell formed by fixing resin fine particles to the surface of the core particle, wherein the resin constituting the resin fine particles is an amorphous resin and the acid value of the resin fine particles is 4.0 to 50.0 mgKOH/g. |
| US08524432B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate, and at least a photosensitive layer on the conductive substrate, a layer located at a surface of the photosensitive layer side of the electrophotographic photoreceptor contains fluorine containing resin particles and a fluoro graft polymer having a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and an area for a polystyrene equivalent molecular weight of 700,000 or more is from about 5% to about 20% of the total area in a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) chart for the fluoro graft polymer. |
| US08524419B2 |
Electrode support for fuel cells
An electrode support for fuel cells, the electrode support being made of a porous material having a Ni phase of Ni or NiO and an inorganic skeletal material phase, wherein an oxidation/reduction expansion-suppressing metal M of at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Mn is solidly dissolved in the Ni phase or is biasedly distributed on the grain boundaries between the Ni phase and the inorganic skeletal material phase. The electrode support has its volume very little expanded or contracted even in an environment in which it is exposed to the reducing atmosphere and the oxidizing atmosphere alternately. The fuel cell having the fuel electrode, electrolyte layer and oxygen electrode formed on the electrode support effectively prevents the occurrence of cracks or exfoliation caused by expansion and the like when the reduction/oxidation cycle is repeated accompanying the generation of electricity and stop of generation, and maintains reliability very excellently over extended periods of time. |
| US08524418B2 |
Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a power generation part as an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly formed of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a fuel electrode arranged in contact with one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and an oxygen electrode arranged in contact with the other side of the membrane, and a fuel supply part for storing and supplying an alcohol fuel to the fuel electrode. The fuel supply part is composed of a high-concentration fuel tank for storing and supplying a highly-concentrated fuel and a water fuel tank for storing and supplying a water fuel. The fuel is gasified and supplied to the power generation part through a fuel gasification/supply layer provided between at least the high-concentration fuel tank and the fuel electrode. |
| US08524412B2 |
Fuel cell fabrication using photopolymer based processes
A fuel cell component is provided, including a substrate disposed adjacent at least one radiation-cured flow field layer. The flow field layer is one of disposed between the substrate and a diffusion medium layer, and disposed on the diffusion medium layer opposite the substrate. The flow field layer has at least one of a plurality of reactant flow channels and a plurality of coolant channels for the fuel cell. The fuel cell component may be assembled as part of a repeating unit for a fuel cell stack. A method for fabricating the fuel cell component and the associated repeating unit for the fuel cell is also provided. |
| US08524408B2 |
Stack operation method aimed at cell reversal prevention
A method for preventing a fuel cell voltage potential reversal including determining a relationship between the cell resistance and the current of a fuel cell stack at which a fuel cell voltage potential reversal will occur, operating the fuel cell stack according to a power demand requested, and determining the maximum cell resistance of the fuel cells in the stack. If the maximum cell resistance exceeds a threshold value for the current at which the fuel cell stack is being operated, the operation of the fuel cell stack is restricted to prevent the fuel cell voltage potential from reversing. |
| US08524407B2 |
Gas supply device
A gas supply device for use in a fuel cell system, comprises: a first injector configured to have a first maximum valve-openable pressure; a second injector arranged in parallel with the first injector and configured to have a lower flow rate than the first injector and a greater second maximum valve-openable pressure than the first maximum valve-openable pressure; a first pressure sensor located upstream of the first and second injectors; and a controller configured to control open/close operation of the first and second injectors, wherein at a start of the fuel cell system, (i) when pressure in the upstream of the first and second injectors is greater than the first maximum valve-openable pressure but is less than or equal to the second maximum valve-openable pressure, the controller opens the second injector, and (ii) when the pressure in the upstream of the first and second injectors is less than or equal to the first maximum valve-openable pressure, the controller opens the first injector or the second injector. |
| US08524375B2 |
Thermal spray coated work rolls for use in metal and metal alloy sheet manufacture
This invention relates to thermally spray coated work rolls for use in metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet manufacture comprising a cylindrical-like structure having an outer peripheral surface and a thermally sprayed coating on the outer peripheral surface of said cylindrical-like structure, said thermally sprayed coating comprising from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of one or more Group VI metal carbides, and from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of one or more transition metals selected from chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel. This invention also relates to a process for preparing the work rolls for use in metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet manufacture, a method for manufacturing metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet using the thermally spray coated work rolls, and a thermal spray powder for coating the outer peripheral surface of the work rolls for use in metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet manufacture. |
| US08524370B2 |
Multilayer films including thermoplastic silicone block copolymers
A multilayer film includes a first layer of a first polymeric material and a second layer of a second polymeric material. The first material has a first index of refraction and the second material has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction. In one embodiment, the second material includes a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide block copolymer. In another embodiment, the second material includes a polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymer. |
| US08524367B2 |
Organometallic films, methods for applying organometallic films to substrates and substrates coated with such films
Organometallic coatings or films, substrates coated with such films and methods for applying the films to the substrates are disclosed. The organometallic film or coating is derived from a transition metal compound containing both halide ligands and alkoxide ligands. Coated articles comprising polymer substrates and adhered to the substrate surface an organometallic film in which the metal comprises halide and alkoxide ligands are also disclosed. |
| US08524366B2 |
Graphene wafer, method for manufacturing the graphene wafer, method for releasing a graphene layer, and method for manufacturing a graphene device
A method is used for releasing a graphene layer from a substrate. A graphene layer is first formed on a surface of a first substrate. A metal layer is then formed on a surface of the graphene layer. A pulling force is then applied to the metal layer to detach the graphene layer from the first substrate. The released graphene layer is bonded by intermolecular force onto a surface of a second substrate separate from the first substrate or onto a surface of a bonding layer formed on the surface of the second substrate. The metal layer is then removed, by for example, etching. |
| US08524352B2 |
Self-stabilised stiffener enabling element recovery
A stiffener for a structure submitted to tensile and/or compression and/or shear stresses, that includes a shaped section including: a contact area with an element to be stiffened having a closed cross-section and providing stability, the aforementioned area including first and second legs; and a core normal to the element to be stiffened that provides a support surface capable of element recovery, the aforementioned core being formed by one of the two legs. Application in aircraft structures. |
| US08524347B2 |
Optical information recording medium and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a manufacturing method of an optical information storage medium irradiated with laser beams to optically record or reproduce information. A method of manufacturing an optical information storage medium according to the present invention includes forming asperity patterns for guiding laser beams on both sides of a second substrate 12, forming information recording layers 41 and 42 in the asperity patterns, bonding a first substrate 11 to a surface where one information storage layer 41 is formed in the second substrate 12 with an ultraviolet curable resin 22 formed therebetween, and bonding a third substrate 13 to a surface where another information storage layer 42 is formed in the second substrate 12 with an ultraviolet curable resin 22 formed therebetween. |
| US08524342B2 |
Plastic composite moulded bodies obtainable by welding in an electromagnetic alternating field
The invention relates to plastics composite moldings obtainable via welding in an alternating electromagnetic field, in which the weld is obtained with the aid of a plastics material which comprises nano-scale, magnetic oxidic particles, which are composed of aggregated primary particles, and where the primary particles are composed of magnetic metal oxide domains whose diameter is from 2 to 100 nm in a non-magnetic metal oxide matrix or non-magnetic metalloid oxide matrix. |
| US08524338B2 |
Impact energy attenuation system
A new and novel impact energy attenuation material, impact energy attenuation module employing the material and a fit system for optimizing the performance thereof is provided. Non-linear energy attenuating material consisting of a plurality of loose particles is employed for impact energy dissipation. The loose particles are preferably spherical elastomeric balls. An impact energy attenuation module includes a container that holds the loose particles. The impact energy attenuation module can be provided in a wide range of sizes and shapes and the loose particles can be provided in different materials, sizes, density, compaction and hardness to suit with the application at hand. A matrix of impact energy attenuation module are provided about the surface of a shell to provide the required impact energy attenuation. The material, impact energy attenuation module and system of the present invention are well suited for protection of body parts and other cushioning and protection needs. |
| US08524334B2 |
Optical film, retardation plate, elliptica polarizing plate, liquid crystal display device and compound
An optical film comprising at least one compound represented by formula (1) is disclosed. In the formula, Y11, Y12 and Y13 each independently represent methine or a nitrogen atom; R11, R12 and R13 each independently represent formula (A), (B) or (C) or a hydrogen atom, provided that at least two of R11, R12 and R13 each independently represent formula (A), (B) or (C). In the formulae, L12, L22, and L32 each represent a 5-membered heterocyclic group. |
| US08524329B2 |
Electroless copper deposition
A method for providing electroless plating is provided. An amorphous carbon barrier layer is formed over the low-k dielectric layer by providing a flow a deposition gas, comprising a hydrocarbon, H2, and an oxygen free diluent, forming a plasma from the deposition gas, and stopping the flow of the deposition gas. The amorphous carbon barrier layer is conditioned by providing a flow of a conditioning gas comprising H2 and a diluent, forming a plasma from the conditioning gas, which conditions a top surface of the amorphous carbon barrier layer, and stopping the flow of the conditioning gas. The amorphous carbon barrier layer is functionalized by providing a flow of a functionalizing gas comprising NH3 or H2 and N2, forming a plasma from the functionalizing gas, and stopping the flow of the functionalizing gas. An electroless process is provided to form an electrode over the barrier layer. |
| US08524327B2 |
Liquid adhesive dispensing system
A liquid adhesive dispensing system operable for more uniformly applying liquid adhesive foam onto moving substrates, notwithstanding changes in line speed, adhesive liquid flow rates, or foaming/atomizing air pressures. The illustrated liquid adhesive system includes a header having a plurality of air atomizing spray guns; the spray guns each having a respective variable speed positive displacement pump for directing a metered quantity of liquid adhesive from a liquid adhesive supply to the respective spray gun; and a control for controlling the operating speed of the positive displacement pumps in relation to the speed of the moving substrate and the foaming/atomizing air pressure to the spray guns in relation to the operating speed of the positive displacement pumps. The control further is operable for monitoring pressures across the positive displacement pumps for insuring the accurate direction of metered quantities of liquid to the spray guns. The spray guns are adapted for enhanced liquid adhesive foaming and atomization, and the header is convertible into a closed housing structure effective for containing cleaning and purge liquids during an automatically operable cleaning cycle of operation. |
| US08524324B2 |
Complex oxide film and method for producing same, dielectric material including complex oxide film, piezoelectric material, capacitor, piezoelectric element, and electronic device
The invention relates to a method for a complex oxide film having a high relative dielectric constant formed on a substrate surface by wet-treatment method and a production process of the complex oxide film comprising a step of washing the complex oxide film with an acid solution of pH 5 or less to thereby reduce salts in the film. Further, the invention relates to a dielectric material and a piezoelectric material containing the complex oxide film, a capacitor and a piezoelectric element including the material, and a electronic device comprising the element. |
| US08524317B2 |
Composite article and method therefor
A composite article includes a substrate and a multilayer coating on the substrate. The multilayer coating includes an inner layer near the substrate, and outermost layer on the inner layer, and an intermediate layer between the inner layer and the outermost layer. The inner layer and outermost layer are boron-containing materials, and the intermediate layer is a silicon-containing ceramic material. |