US08032455B2
The invention relates to a method and a system providing floor-planning of consignment financing involving transaction interfaces between a provider of goods (16), financing provider (14), dealer of the goods (12), and a banking provider (44) through a network for at least one of a telecommunication and data communication. Hence, providing a web interface which keeps track on financial transactions on a real time basis day by day to involved parties (12, 14, 16) in the transactions taken place.
US08032449B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to detect fraud by displaying on a buyer's computer a high value item next to one or more commonly purchased items to attract a fraudster; analyzing customer purchasing behavior on the high value item for an indication of fraud; and indicating fraud if the buyer buys the high value item without prior history.
US08032445B2
A system and methods for dynamically changing a trade order quantity in an electronic trading environment are described herein. According to one example embodiment, an automated trading tool determines if a leaned on quantity of a trading strategy has increased or decreased and if so, dynamically changing a desired order quantity to reflect the change in the leaned on quantity. Dynamically changing an order quantity may be more profitable for a trader as order queue position may be maintained and portion of the desired order quantity may get filled; rather than a trader losing their order queue position and/or taking a chance of not getting any of their order quantity filled.
US08032444B2
A system and method of trading option contracts, such as foreign currency option contracts, is described. In one embodiment, a system and method for web-based or network-based interactive trading of currency options is described. Users of the system provide volatility runs of currency options, deal on existing offers to sell or bids to buy, or may improve on existing offers to sell or bids to buy. The system and method provide automatic price quotations for a requested option contract by polling internal volatility surfaces of users for prices on the requested contract, and ensure a more orderly pattern of trades by categorizing the users into discrete tiers which determine a user's obligations to provide offers and bids to the system and which determine a user's opportunities and rights to trade on the system.
US08032430B2
A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for mapping a content description to a container. The process identifies a container placed in a storage unit to form an identified container. The identified container includes an unidentified content. The process displays a set of predictive content descriptions for the unidentified content. In response to receiving a selection of a content description from the set of predictive content descriptions, the process maps the selected content description to the unidentified container.
US08032425B2
Behavior-based associations are extrapolated to items for which the quantity of collected user activity data is insufficient to create meaningful or reliable behavior-based associations (“behavior-deficient” items). The behavior-based associations are extrapolated based on content-based associations, or another type of “substitutability” association, between the behavior-deficient items and other items. The items can be any type of item for which user behaviors (e.g., purchases, accesses, downloads, etc.) can be monitored and analyzed to detect behavior-based associations, and for which item content or other available information can be used to assess item substitutability. For example, the items can be products represented in an electronic catalog, web pages or other documents accessible on a network, or web sites.
US08032418B2
A search engine at a service provider is configured to identify commercial suppliers in response to a keyword specified by a user. Keywords are received and searches are performed on an index database to identify displayable text items. Images are stored in the form of commercially relevant graphical images such as logos. A logo is linked to each item of displayable text and an output list is produced in which each text item includes a displayable graphical image. The system may store different image formats to allow the graphical images to be displayed on a variety of platforms.
US08032410B2
A coupon system includes a coupon identification code, a database, and a point-of sale terminal. The database stores at least a portion of the coupon identification code linked to a plurality of offers for commercial advantages. The point-of-sale terminal is in communication with the database. During use, the coupon identification code is entered into the point-of-sale terminal, and of the point-of-sale terminal is adapted to determine the plurality of offers linked with the coupon identification code and terms for redeeming one or more of the plurality of offers based at least in part on reference to the database such that the point-of-sale terminal discounts a current purchase based upon the terms for redeeming the one or more plurality of offers. Other coupons and related systems and methods also disclosed.
US08032404B2
A system for calculating financial benefit estimations and generating reports for multi-dimensional project plans for implementing packaged software applications, the system includes: a view layer configured to act as a user interface for user inputs and system outputs; a model and control layer configured to implement rules based on a series of estimation and implementation models, and to perform calculations to determine financial benefits of implementing multi-dimensional project plans; an estimation knowledge base layer configured to hold and derive the series of estimation and implementation models; and wherein the system for generating financial benefit estimations and reports for the implementation of packaged software applications is carried out over networks comprising: the Internet, intranets, local area networks (LAN), and wireless local area networks (WLAN).
US08032396B2
A system and method are described whereby a healthcare consumer purchases a suspendable plan while having group coverage and is able to suspend the benefits until group coverage becomes unavailable. When group coverage is not desired or is not available, the consumer can activate the benefits under the suspendable plan. Similarly, a healthcare consumer can buy a suspendable plan while not covered by a group plan and activate the benefits under the plan when not employed. The health plan organization, in turn, guarantees renewal of one or more benefits suspended under the plan throughout the life of the policy at the underwriting status determined when the consumer initially applied for suspendable coverage and, most likely, was in better health. When the consumer chooses to suspend one or more benefits under the plan, the healthcare plan organization reduces the plan premium to a residual premium reflecting the risk associated with providing a renewal guarantee.
US08032391B2
Automated techniques for identifying packaging solutions, where a dynamic, automated decision is made as to whether items are to be bulk packed and/or whether particular containers are to be bulk cased (that is, consolidated within casing such as pallets). Factors considered may comprise customer-specific requests, order destination, type of items, quantity of items, size of items, quantity of grouped orders, size of grouped orders, and so forth. Orders may contain items that are alike as well as items that are different from one another. A particular order or orders may be assembled as the items of the order(s) arrive for packaging, without requiring a fixed timing or sequence of item arrival, thereby providing a dynamic, real-time packaging solution.
US08032387B2
A receiver in an audio coding system receives a signal conveying frequency subband signals representing an audio signal. The subband signals are examined to assess one or more characteristics of the audio signal including temporal shape. Spectral components are synthesized having the one or more assessed characteristics, integrated with the subband signals and passed through a synthesis filterbank to generate an output signal.
US08032385B2
A coded signal conveys encoded audio information and metadata that may be used to control the loudness of the audio information during its playback. If the values for these metadata parameters are set incorrectly, annoying fluctuations in loudness during playback can result. The present invention overcomes this problem by detecting incorrect metadata parameter values in the signal and replacing the incorrect values with corrected values.
US08032377B2
Grapheme-to-phoneme alignment quality is improved by introducing a first preliminary alignment step, followed by an enlargement step of the grapheme-set and phoneme-set, and a second alignment step based on the previously enlarged grapheme /phoneme sets. During the enlargement step, grapheme clusters and phoneme clusters are generated that become members of a new grapheme and phoneme set. The new elements are chosen using statistical information calculated using the results of the first alignment step. The enlarged sets are the new grapheme and phoneme alphabet used for the second alignment step. The lexicon is rewritten using this new alphabet before starting with the second alignment step that produces the final result.
US08032375B2
A generic predictive argument model that can be applied to a set of shot values to predict a target slot value is provided. The generic predictive argument model can predict whether or not a particular value or item is the intended target of the user command given various features. A prediction for each of the slot values can then be normalized to infer a distribution over all values or items. For any set of slot values (e.g., contacts), a number of binary variable s are created that indicate whether or not each specific slot value was the intended target. For each slot value, a set of input features can be employed to predict the corresponding binary variable. These input features are generic properties of the contact that are “instantiated” based o n properties of the contact (e.g., contact-specific features). These contact-specific features can be stored in a user data store.
US08032370B2
Encoding audio signals for Discontinuous with selecting an encoding mode for encoding the signal categorizing the signal into active segments having voice activity and non-active segments having substantially no voice activity by using categorization parameters depending on the quality of the selected encoding mode and encoding at least the active segments using the selected encoding mode that for a low quality encoding produce a lower number of “active” temporal section detections than for a high quality encoding mode, with comfort noise parameters producing less contrast from background noise for low quality encoding than for high quality modes.
US08032369B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for achieving an arbitrary average data rate for a variable rate coder. One method includes selecting a set (e.g., a pair) of initial composite rates surrounding the arbitrary average data rate. A reallocation fraction is then calculated based on the initial composite rates. The reallocation fraction is used to reassign a number of frames from one component rate of an initial composite rate to another in order to achieve the arbitrary average data rate. Such a method may be configured such that selecting an initial composite rate on one side of (e.g., less than) the arbitrary average data rate implicitly selects the initial composite rate on the other side of the arbitrary average data rate.
US08032358B2
An assignment device (1) assigns word class information (WKI) to one or more words of text information (ETI). Based on word-class sequence information (WK-AI) formed from this assigned word class information (WKI), actions (A) are executed in order to notify the user of conflicts or to provide the user with background information (HI) relating to words in the text information (TI).
US08032349B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an automated, fast and efficient method of generating a customized compact model that represents a semiconductor device at the chip, wafer or multi-wafer level in a specific manufacturing environment. Specifically, measurement data is collected from a specific manufacturing environment and sorted by channel lengths. Then, an optimizer is used to generate customized modeling parameters based on the measurement data. The optimization processes is a multi-step process. First, a first set of modeling parameters is generated based on measurement data associated with a long channel length. Second, a second set of modeling parameters is generated based on the first set and on measurement data associated with a short channel length. Finally, the customized modeling parameters are generated based on both the first set and the second set. The customized modeling parameters are used to generate a customized compact device model representative of the specific manufacturing environment.
US08032339B2
An element grouping method for Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis is implemented in a computer to group elements forming an analyzing mode. The method automatically obtains nodes of specific elements having a common parameter from the elements forming the analyzing model which is an analyzing target, and automatically groups nodes having a referring number which is a predetermined value or less. The specific elements belonging to the grouped nodes are automatically grouped as edge elements. A check is made to determine whether or not all specific elements in an edge portion of the analyzing model are grouped as the edge elements. Specific elements, other than the specific elements in the edge portion which are grouped as the edge elements, are automatically grouped as the in-plane elements.
US08032332B2
A semiconductor inspecting apparatus includes: a buffer memory whose width is matched to the greater of parallel bus width and the width of the number of serial lanes; a preceding stage bus switching unit that fills the buffer memory with input data without making a free space; equivalent transmission capacity conversion including a following stage bus switching unit that fills read data to the width of an arbitrary number of serial lanes without making a free space; a preceding stage bus switching unit that fills a buffer memory with input data without making a free space; and equivalent transmission capacity inverse conversion including a following stage bus switching unit that fills a parallel bus of arbitrary width with data read from a buffer memory without making a free space.
US08032327B2
A method for obtaining three-dimensional surface points of an object in an object coordinate system having two groups of steps. The method includes providing a set of target positioning features on the object. In a first group of steps, acquiring 2D first images of the object, extracting 2D positioning features; calculating a first set of calculated 3D positioning features; computing first transformation parameters, cumulating the first set of transformed 3D positioning features to provide and augment the set of reference 3D positioning features. In a second group of steps, providing a projected pattern on a surface of the object; acquiring 2D second images of the object, extracting 2D surface points and second sets of 2D positioning features; calculating a set of 3D surface points; calculating a second set of calculated 3D positioning features; computing second transformation parameters, transforming the 3D surface points into transformed 3D surface points.
US08032326B2
A magnetic data processing device sequentially receives magnetic data samples each of which is three-dimensional vector data represented by a linear combination of fundamental vectors and which are outputted from a three-dimensional magnetic sensor. The magnetic data processing device defines a statistical population which includes a plurality of the magnetic data samples sequentially inputted and which signifies a rotation of the three-dimensional magnetic sensor of a predetermined range, and operates when a distribution of the magnetic data samples of the statistical population is flat, for deducing a direction perpendicular to a plane which approximates the flat distribution of the statistical population, as vertical-direction data representing a vertical direction.
US08032322B2
Apparatus for measuring a frequency-domain optical coherence tomography power spectrum from a sample
An apparatus is provided for measuring a frequency-domain optical coherence tomography power spectrum from a sample. The apparatus includes a broadband light source, an optical spectrum analyzer, and a partially reflective element optically coupled to the light source, to the optical spectrum analyzer, and to the sample. A first portion of light from the light source is reflected by the partially reflective element and propagates to the optical spectrum analyzer. A second portion of light from the light source propagating through the partially reflective element, impinging the sample, reflecting from the sample, and propagating to the optical spectrum analyzer.
US08032319B1
Methods for signal processing employ instantaneous frequency analysis through quadrature genometric measurement of streaming signal data. Such methods may include the analysis of any composite analog periodic signal, including but not limited to audio, video, radio, seismic, light, radar, sonar, EKG, where signal data is streaming, stationary or non-stationary, and represents either linear or non-linear processes.
US08032317B2
System and methods to determine the energy consumption per event type from usage data of portable devices are described. A disclosed example method includes receiving data associated with events on a portable device, analyzing the received data to determine an energy consumption per an event type of the portable device, and reporting the energy consumption per the event type for the portable device.
US08032310B2
A computer-implemented biological sequence identifier (CIBSI) system and method for selecting a subsequence from biological sequence data according to at least one selection parameter. The at least one selection parameter corresponds to a likelihood of returning a meaningful result from a similarity search.
US08032304B2
A system and method approximate a set of wave equations describing the propagation of seismic waves of one or more frequencies through a seismic volume of interest. In one embodiment, a ray-based initial beam solution is determined that describes the propagation of seismic waves at a first frequency through the seismic volume of interest as a set of one or more beams. Based on the ray-based initial beam solution, a refined finite-element beam solution is determined that describes the propagation of the seismic waves at the first frequency through the seismic volume of interest by approximating the two-way wave equation with a one-way wave equation.
US08032300B2
In a position determining system that includes a position determining component such as a GPS receiver, and a controller, the system is made geographically dependent by providing a memory with geographic information to which position information from the position determining component is compared to determine whether the system is being used outside the permissible geographic region.
US08032293B2
In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel internal combustion engine, at least one variable is formed on a cylinder-specific basis, which variable characterizes a respective profile of a combustion in an associated combustion chamber, and the control of cylinder-specific fuel injection parameters is influenced as a function of said at least one variable which characterizes the combustion profile.
US08032287B2
A control apparatus for a vehicle that decreases shift shock generated by full engagement of a clutch at completion of an inertia phase. The apparatus includes a driving source, a step automatic transmission arranged to attain a predetermined shift stage by engagement of frictional engagement elements, a rotational speed control to control the driving source so that an input rotational speed of the transmission becomes a predetermined target value during the inertia phase, a torque control to control the driving source so that the input torque of the transmission becomes a predetermined target value during the non-inertia phase, and a torque correction to correct the engagement torque of the engagement element or the input torque of the transmission so that the engagement torque of the engagement element before completion of the inertia phase is substantially identical to the input torque of the transmission after completion of the inertia phase.
US08032283B2
An angle measuring device for measuring an absolute angular position is described herein. The angle measuring device comprises a flexible pulling element guided directly or indirectly via a shaft whose angle of rotation (φ) is to be detected, with different circumferential speeds (v1, v2) developing at the inner circumference of the flexible pulling element during a rotational movement of the shaft. A change in position of the flexible pulling element relative to the rotational movement occurs, and the angle of rotation (φ) of the shaft is inferred from this change in position.
US08032279B2
A wheel alignment head and system use advanced power management to reduce non-essential power consumption, to extend operation time between charges. The wheel alignment head is operable in a first operation state and a second operation state that consumes less power than the first operation state. In response to an occurrence of at least one of preset events, the wheel alignment head switches its operation from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.
US08032278B2
A multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit is for a vehicle including a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a multi-vehicle compatible controller for cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information. The multi-vehicle compatible controller may be coupled to the vehicle data bus for communication thereover with at least one vehicle device using at least one corresponding vehicle device code from among a plurality thereof for different vehicles. A downloading interface may be included for permitting downloading of enabling data related to the at least one corresponding vehicle device code for use by the multi-vehicle compatible controller.
US08032277B2
A method for logging and reporting driver activity and vehicle operation includes identifying a driver of a vehicle, recording operating data with an on-board recorder that is hard-wired to an engine control module, coupled to a mileage sensing system, and linked to a global navigation satellite system, and recording duty status of the driver. An hours of service log and a fuel tax log are created from the operating data. The method includes comparing the driver's hours of service log to an applicable requirement, indicating to the driver whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement, automatically uploading the logs to a receiver external to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunications network, and emitting a compliance signal representative of whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement to a second receiver external to the vehicle and under control of authorities.
US08032263B2
A method includes providing an adjustable bed flame including one or more articulating portions; providing an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed flame to form an adjustable bed, said air inflatable mattress including flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress can flex; regulating air pressure in the air inflatable mattress with an air pump; and storing user preferences in a remote memory, said user preferences representing recall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of the adjustable bed, said remote memory disposed apart from both the adjustable bed frame, the air inflatable mattress, and the air pump, and said storing user preferences comprising: storing a plurality of values that define a range of available parameters for the adjustable bed, said storing the plurality of values including storing a table having a plurality of entries.
US08032262B2
Systems, methods, and program product to synthesize a grass-roots heat exchanger network for a plurality of hot process streams to be cooled and a plurality of cold process streams to be heated according to a plurality of utilities targets, are provided. An exemplary system includes a heat exchange network synthesizing computer and heat exchange network synthesizing program product configured to analyze the waste heat recovery problem without decomposition to produce a result having an optimal number of network heat exchanger units through application of advanced process-to-process matching schemes for both non-constrained and non-thermodynamically constrained problems.
US08032256B1
A system that control levels of liquids in reservoirs may include a control component that causes a compressor to pump gas through a tube extending in a liquid in a reservoir to an air bell for a predetermined amount of time responsive to a pump pumping portions of a liquid from the reservoir. The control component may also cause the compressor to pump gas through the tube for a predetermined amount of time responsive to the control component determining that a predetermined amount of time has passed since the compressor was previously operated. The control component may also cause the compressor to pump gas through the tube for a predetermined amount of time, responsive to the control component determining that a pressure sensor component in fluid communication with the tube indicates a possible decrease in the liquid level to at least a predetermined level.
US08032238B2
A mechanical system selectively imparts a prescribed motion to an output load using two or more actuators, including at least one having an active material element. The output load can be a locking member when the system is a vehicle transmission, a shuttle car of a linear system, or another device. A controller determines a total motive force required for imparting the prescribed motion, and selectively commands a combination of the actuators to provide the total motive force, apportioning the total motive force between the various actuators to optimize the performance of the system. An algorithm determines which combination of the actuators is the most suitable in moving the output load, and continuously modified this combination as needed as the output load is moved. The other actuator or actuators are then selectively energized as needed to provide the total motive force depending on this suitability determination.
US08032236B2
A technique is disclosed for asymmetrically controlling a process parameter based upon the direction of a prediction error between a predicted value determined using an inferential model and a laboratory measurement of the parameter. The present technique provides for the adaptive biasing of the predicted value based upon the direction of the prediction error. In one embodiment, a biasing factor may be determined by filtering the prediction error, such that the prediction error is emphasized more heavily in the biasing factor if the prediction error is in a less tolerable direction and emphasized less heavily if the prediction error is in the opposite direction. The biasing factor may further be determined as a function of a previous biasing factor computed during the process. Asymmetric control of the process parameter may be performed by controlling the parameter using model predictive control techniques based on the biased predicted values of the parameter.
US08032230B1
In one embodiment, a percutaneous stimulation lead for applying electrically stimulation pulses to tissue of the patient comprises: a plurality of electrode assemblies electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals through a plurality of conductors of the stimulation lead, wherein each electrode assembly is disposed in an annular manner around the lead body and each electrode assembly comprises (i) an electrode adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to tissue of a patient, (ii) an interior conductive layer, and (iii) a dielectric layer disposed between the electrode and the interior conductive layer; the electrode and interior conductive layer being capacitively coupled, the dielectric layer further comprising an inductor, the inductor being electrically connected to one of the plurality of conductors through the interior conductive layer, and the inductor being electrically coupled to the electrode.
US08032229B2
Systems and methods for adjusting a therapy delivered to a patient include detecting a value of at least one sensed patient parameter and adjusting a therapy parameter value to accommodate different patient parameter values. A data structure including a plurality of patient parameter values and associated therapy parameter values may be stored within a medical device or a programming device. Upon detecting a patient parameter value, an associated therapy parameter value from the data structure may be selected. If no therapy parameter value is associated with the detected patient parameter value, an intermediate therapy parameter value may be generated by interpolating between the most recently implemented therapy parameter value and a stored therapy parameter value. In some embodiments, the rate of shifting between parameters of two stored or interpolated therapy parameter values may be based on the rate of change of the patient parameter value over time.
US08032219B2
Endocardial or intravascular cardiac pacemaker having a sealed housing, in which a battery and a pacemaker controller connected to the battery, as well as at least one stimulation pulse generator, are situated, the housing being oblong and having a length of less than 70 mm and a cross-sectional area of less than 100 mm2 and carrying at least two electrodes, each of which has an outwardly directed, electrically conductive surface and is implemented as a stimulation electrode and is at least sometimes electrically connected to the stimulation pulse generator via an electrical connection situated in the interior of the housing.
US08032216B2
An atrial based pacing protocol promotes intrinsic conduction. An entire cardiac cycle is monitored for ventricular activity and permitted to lapse with ventricular activity. Ventricular pacing is available in a cardiac cycle immediately subsequent to such a skipped beat. When monitoring for intrinsic ventricular events, an event is expected within a given window. If no such event is detected, the cardiac cycle is truncated, leading to a shorter cycle that is devoid of ventricular activity. The subsequent cycle has a high likelihood of a ventricular sensed event and a greater than normal AV interval is provided prior to pacing.
US08032204B2
This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imageable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imageable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.
US08032202B2
There are provided a function image display method and device capable of performing analysis of biological function information by acquiring from a single image, information obtained from a tomogram and information obtained from a plurality of function images without need of observing the plurality of function images and the tomogram by successively moving the eye line, and easily making judgment about the danger degree of the biological function abnormality.A plurality of function images each displayed by a unique and arbitrary gradation color scale are combined with an arbitrary weight or an image obtained by calculating the inter-function images is displayed or these are combined with the tomogram with an arbitrary weight.Furthermore, an operator can arbitrarily set and modify the range to which weight is applied, the range for displaying the gradation color scale, and the range to be combined.
US08032201B2
The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a pulse sequence that applies an RF magnetic field and a magnetic field gradient to a subject placed in a static magnetic field and detects a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject, and a calculation unit for processing the signal, and the control unit performs the process including the steps of; (1) obtaining first images at different positions in a first direction, (2) obtaining images after the first images are subjected to correction of brightness distortion, (3) obtaining images after the images as to which the brightness distortion has been corrected are further subjected to correction of positional distortion, and (4) synthesizing by a weighting calculation, overlapping areas of the images, after the positional distortion thereof has been corrected. According to this magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the positional distortion and the brightness distortion can be corrected upon connecting the images, in the multi-station imaging.
US08032199B2
A garment preferably in the form of a body suit which carries one or more sensors for sensing bodily functions of a wearer of the body suit. The body suit preferably has stretchable sections or belts upon which the sensors are carried such that the sensors are maintained in proper position on the body for reliable detection of the body functions.
US08032198B2
The methods and apparatus for detecting an analyte in blood are useful for detecting an analyte in tissue of a subject. The apparatus comprises a sensor, which comprises an elongated conductive material having a protrudent end, the protrudent end comprising an electrode that detects the presence of an analyte; a substrate affixed to the conductive material; and a support having an external surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. The conductive material is positioned on the support and the protrudent end of the conductive material protrudes beyond the distal end of the support. Optionally, the sensor is suspended within the lumen of a venous flow device. Typically, only a portion of the sensor is suspended within the lumen of the venous flow device, said portion comprising the protrudent end of the conductive material. Alternatively, the conductive material is positioned on the external surface of the intravenous infusion catheter.
US08032194B2
A housing (10) of a portable electronic device includes an upper housing (11), a lower housing (12) and a protecting component (13). The upper housing defines a first latching member (1112) therein. The lower housing defines a second latching member (121) therein. The protecting component is assembled between the upper housing and the lower housing for preventing dust and vapor from entering the electronic device and defines a first latching portion (1313) corresponding to the first latching member and a second latching portion (1314) corresponding to the second latching member. The first latching portion and the second latching member respectively cooperate with the first latching member and the second latching member to assemble the upper housing, the lower housing and the protecting component together.
US08032193B2
A device with a base housing part and two slidably suspended cover parts that can move in opposite directions between a retracted position in which they substantially abut one another and conceal an operating face and an extended position in which they do not conceal the operating face. At least one of the covers can also assume an intermediate position between the retracted position and the extended position in which in which a portion of the operating face is not concealed.
US08032165B2
A disclosed enterprise instant messaging (IM) service aggregator enables validation of mobile stations and/or users for enterprise IM service through a wireless communication network; and in the examples, the enterprise IM service provides a secure messaging environment that allows IM traffic to/from wireless mobile stations. The security offered may be unique to and controlled by each enterprise, for example, by enabling each enterprise to generate its own encryption key for distribution through the aggregator and by allowing mobile stations to generate their own keys for distribution back through the aggregator to the enterprise IM servers. As disclosed, the login credentials are encrypted from the mobile station to the enterprise IM server. The use of standard encryption methods within the call flows allows a simple method of ensuring that only authorized users can access the enterprise servers and that the messages will be encrypted by the strongest possible means.
US08032150B2
A method for configuring a mobile device including a plurality of communication interfaces is provided. A first network configuration identifying communication networks accessible through the communication interfaces of the mobile device is identified. The first network configuration is compared to a plurality of previously encountered network configurations. A location of the mobile device associated with the first network configuration is designated responsive to the first network configuration being included in the plurality of previously encountered network configurations. Usage patterns of the communication interfaces at the designated location are tracked. Connectivity is established for the mobile device to a remote network through the communication interfaces based on the usage patterns.
US08032146B2
The embodiments balance wireless communication bandwidth capacity in a channel one or more cascading wireless communication links in a wireless communication cell, and manage the wireless communication bandwidth capacity in the channel across two or more virtual cells within the wireless communication cell.
US08032134B2
A wireless communication system for transmitting signals having a wireless positioning system being responsive to incoming signals for processing the same to generate coordinate information for determining the position of said wireless communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system further includes a phase controller module being responsive to said coordinate information for controlling the phase of the output signals for transmission in a specified direction by performing beamforming, said wireless communication system for performing beamforming to increase the range of transmission of said output signals.
US08032120B2
A voice message transmission system and method which includes a sending terminal (MS) for registering a voice message and for receiving a notice of a message regarding the registered voice information; a base station controller (BSC) carrying out a call connection of the mobile communication network in response to a request for registering the voice message of the sending terminal (MS) received from a plurality of base stations(BTS); a mobile switching station (MSC/VLR) for carrying out a channel management and control connected from the base station controller (BSC) and carrying out a signal processing function according to the call connection; and an IP server interlocked with the mobile switching station (MSC/VLR), storing the voice message and outdialing on the basis of sender information, and then reproducing and outputting the voice message to the receiving terminal in the case that a receiving signal of the receiving terminal is recognized wherein the IP server includes a voice mailbox server (VMS) and a voice message management server for generating receiving information corresponding to a message identification of the receiving terminal.
US08032115B1
A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for providing wireless services to an uncertified device. The system comprises a front-end component for receiving a hardware identifier attributes for a plurality of devices. The system further comprises a database for associating and storing the hardware identifier and the attributes for each of the devices. Additionally, the system includes a network operator for receiving a request from a requesting device to access a wireless network, accessing the database to determine if the requesting device is authorized to access the wireless network, formatting data according to the attributes of the requesting device, and providing the formatted data to the requesting device.
US08032106B2
An embodiment of a method for switching to an operating mode a device comprising a counter counting the pulses number of a first clock and a date synchronized with an external reference date.The embodiment comprising at least: step A: at a first pulse edge of the first clock, storing corresponding first pulses number and first date synchronized with a first reference date; step B: at a second pulse edge of the first clock, storing corresponding second pulses number and second date synchronized with a second reference date; step C: computing a frequency error of the first clock by using at least the values stored; step D: according to the frequency error, computing a third pulses number; and step E: switching the device to the second operating mode at the occurrence of the third pulses number.
US08032105B2
A receiver for frequency down converting a radio frequency signal (10) using a multistage frequency (down) conversion. The radio frequency signal (10) having a center frequency that is comprised in one of at least two frequency bands, comprises oscillating means (20) for generating a first mixing signal (11) having a first frequency. And also a frequency divider (22) arranged to derive a second mixing signal (13) from the first mixing signal. The receiver further comprising a first mixer (12) arranged to down-convert the radio frequency signal (10) to a first lower frequency signal (15) using the first mixing signal (11) and a second mixer arranged to down-convert the first low frequency signal to a second lower frequency signal (18) using the second mixing signal (13). Wherein the division factor of the frequency divider and a ratio between the center frequency and the first frequency are determined by the one of at least two frequency bands. Similarly a transmitter can transmit a radio frequency signal (53) by using multistage frequency (up) conversion.
US08032103B2
A tuning control system and associated method is provided for continuously and automatically tuning a lobed amplitude slope matching filter (ASMF) to a band center of an interfering signal to provide improved rejection of an interfering signal coupled from a transmission antenna into a local receive antenna in the presence of local multi-path, thereby providing improved adaptive control loop performance. The tuning control system is provided as an element of an adaptive control loop.
US08032099B2
An AGC circuit includes a low noise RF amplifying module with an adjustable gain, a frequency converter, an IF/Baseband amplifying module with an adjustable gain, an A/D converter, an AGC module and a gain distribution module. The AGC module is configured for detecting a level of a digital IF/Baseband signal outputted from the A/D converter, comparing the detected level with a reference level and generating a digital AGC signal and a digital gain distribution control signal based upon the comparison result. The gain distribution module is subject to control of the digital AGC signal and digital gain distribution control signal and configured for generating digital gain control signals to selectively adjust at least one of the gains of the low noise RF amplifying module and the IF/Baseband amplifying module in a digital manner to keep an IF/Baseband signal outputted from the IF/Baseband amplifying module at a desired level.
US08032097B2
A power amplifier controller circuit controls a power amplifier based upon an amplitude correction signal indicating the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the input signal and an attenuated amplitude of the output signal. The power amplifier controller circuit comprises an amplitude control loop and a phase control loop. The amplitude control loop adjusts the supply voltage to the power amplifier based upon the amplitude correction signal. The RF power amplifier system may reduce the corrective action of the amplitude loop during periods of relatively rapid changes in amplitude, and thus distortion can be further reduced.
US08032087B2
A method of detecting at least a radar signal in an incoming signal received by a wireless communication system, comprising the steps of obtaining a measurement of said incoming signal during a measurement duration proportional to a known pulse duration of a known radar signal, performing a first comparison between said measurement and a first threshold, performing an intermediate test if said measurement exceeds said first threshold, characterized in that it further includes the step of performing a second comparison between said measurement and a second threshold if said measurement exceeds said first threshold, said second threshold being greater than said first threshold, and in that said intermediate test is only conditionally performed if said measurement exceeds said second threshold.
US08032080B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system (C) comprising at least one base station (1) in a communication cell (2), from which base station (1) at least two essentially uncorrelated antenna radiation lobes (7, 8, 9, 10) are formed. Each antenna radiation lobe (7, 8, 9, 10) communicates a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) communication stream. The system (C) further comprises at least one repeating transmitter/receiver (repeater) (18, 19, 20, 21), which is arranged for communicating one of the MIMO communication streams to and/or from at least one UE (user equipment) (12). The present invention also relates to a repeater that is a part of the system (C), and a method for communicating at least two MIMO communication streams to and/or from at least one UE (user equipment) (12), using at least one repeater (18, 19, 20, 21).
US08032073B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to enable a fixed or a mobile ground based slave stations (VSAT: Very Small Aperture Terminal) in a communication network to receive TDM transmissions from and transmit TDMA burst transmissions to one or more ground-based gateway stations in a networking system that employs one or more geosynchronous satellites. Each gateway station transmits on one or more forward TDM channels to the slave stations; however, one primary gateway acts as the master station at any given time which transmits the network control messages to the slave stations (VSATs) that control their TDMA transmission behavior on the network.
US08032068B2
A fixing device includes: a heating section; and a press section which presses the heating section and thereby forms a fixing nip section, wherein at least one of the heating section and the press section comprises, an endless fixing belt; a press member which presses the fixing belt to the fixing nip; and a sliding sheet covering the press member, wherein the sliding sheet is wider than the fixing belt; projections are provided at a first area which is inside of an end part of the press member of a surface of the sliding sheet in the width direction; and projections lower than the projections provided at the first area are provided at a second area which is near the end of the fixing belt of the surface of the sliding sheet, or projections are not provided at all at the second area.
US08032048B2
An image forming apparatus, for which a heated roller fixing device is employed but for which a savings in power can still be obtained, is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device, which is a heated roller fixing device that requires pre-heating in a stand-by state; an operation panel, with which a power-saving mode transition time period can be changed; and a control part, which selects pre-heating or does not select pre-heating of the heated roller fixing device. The control part employs the power-saving mode transition time period, entered at the operation panel, to change the pre-heating or to not change the pre-heating of the heated roller fixing device.
US08032047B2
A fixing device includes a non-contacting thermistor (54) disposed in the vicinity of the surface of a heat roller (21) and an upper cover temperature thermistor (60) for detecting the temperature of a pressure roller (22). The calculated surface temperature (T) of the heat roller 21 is calculated based on the detected temperature (T1) detected by the non-contacting thermistor (54), the detected temperature (T2) detected by the upper cover temperature thermistor (60), the distance (L1) from the non-contacting thermistor (54) to the surface of the heat roller (21) and the distance (L2) from the non-contacting thermistor (54) to the upper cover (51).
US08032046B2
To control a temperature of a rotating member for fixing an image during standby, an image forming device can suppress overshoot of the temperature of the rotating member occurred when a fixing state is switched to a standby state. Determining the standby temperature is higher than the fixing temperature (Step S103: YES), a CPU 61 controls a temperature of a heating roller 51 to be kept substantially at a first temperature (Step S104). After a lapse of first given time (Step S105: YES), the CPU 61 stops rotation of the heating roller 51, a fixing roller 52 and the pressure roller 54 (Step S107). The CPU 61 controls the temperature to be kept substantially at the second temperature (Step S108). After a lapse of second given time (Step S109: YES), the CPU 61 controls the temperature to be kept substantially at the standby temperature, and switches to the standby state.
US08032042B2
Upon receiving a request to control developing bias voltage, first and second square-wave signal output units output first and second square-wave signals, respectively. When a rising edge of the first square-wave signal coincides with a rising edge of the second square-wave signal, the rising edge of the second square-wave signal is advanced with respect to the rising edge of the first square-wave signal. When a falling edge of the first square-wave signal coincides with a falling edge of the second square-wave signal, the falling edge of the second square-wave signal is delayed with respect to the falling edge of the first square-wave signal. Subsequently, a voltage-controlling square-wave signal for controlling developing bias voltage is generated based on the first and second square-wave signals.
US08032036B2
An optical receiver includes a first interferometer having a plurality of arms. The optical receiver further includes first tunable optical filters connected in series with the arms of the first interferometer, where each first tunable optical filter is tuned to filter a region of overlap in the optical frequency spectrum between adjacent optical channels.
US08032031B2
A fiber optic GPS signal device and method comprising a VCSEL multimode transmitter having a gain that, together with the GPS antenna gain, is greater than the VCSEL multimode transmitter noise. When in operative communication, via a long length of multimode fiber, i.e., up to 2000 feet and greater, with a fiber optic receiver, the GPS signals are transmitted at, inter alia, L1 and L2 frequencies with minimal degradation over the length of multimode fiber. The present invention may be used in a variety of GPS transmission applications requiring long lengths of cabling. For example, the invention is particularly useful when the GPS antenna is located on top of an office building or cell phone tower and remotely from the GPS receiver and for use in high-volume commercial telephone synchronizing (DTMF) applications.
US08032019B2
A camera body is provided, to which an interchangeable lens is mountable, the interchangeable lens including a diaphragm and capable of sending driving speed information of the diaphragm. The camera body has a receiving unit operable to receive the driving speed information of the diaphragm from the interchangeable lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the interchangeable lens to generate image data, a controller operable to set an imaging condition for the imaging unit, and a sending unit operable to send a control signal for changing brightness information of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens. The controller sets the imaging condition for a period from a start to an end of a driving of the diaphragm according to the received driving speed information of the diaphragm when the sending unit sends the control signal to the interchangeable lens.
US08032017B2
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.
US08032009B2
A backup processor for backing up data stored on a first storage medium to a second storage medium includes an obtaining unit that obtains, from the first storage medium, backup reference data for referring to directory data included in the data to be backed up; a memory that stores the backup reference data; a recording position determining unit that refers to the directory data on the first storage medium on the basis of the backup reference data stored in the memory, determines recording positions on the second storage medium for recording the directory data and a file belonging to a directory indicated by the directory data, and stores the recording positions in the memory; and a write unit that obtains the directory data from the first storage medium, refers to the memory, writes the directory data at the recording position of the directory data on the second storage medium, reads file data from the first storage medium, and writes the file data at the recording position of the file on the second recording medium.
US08032001B2
A closure device for receiving a fiber optic cable includes an enclosure defining a splice chamber configured to accommodate splices to the plurality of optical fibers. The enclosure has a clamp receiving section therein. The closure device further includes a clamping device configured to concurrently secure the remaining portion of the jacket and the strength member at a same clamp interface of the clamping device. The clamping device is configured to be removably inserted into the clamp receiving section of the enclosure. The clamp receiving section is configured to fixedly limit movement of the clamping device relative to the enclosure when the clamping device is installed therein to secure the remaining portion of the jacket and the strength member secured in the clamping device to the enclosure.
US08031998B2
An illumination fiber optic ribbon includes optically-transmissive fibers which are adjacent to each other. At least two of the optically-transmissive fibers are twisted together to form a twisted segment. Where the two optically-transmissive fibers are not twisted forms a non-twisted segment. The twisted segments and non-twisted segments alternate along the length of the ribbon. Bends are disposed along the twisted segment and are formed by twisting adjacent optically-transmissive fibers. A light source is connected to one or both ends of the optically-transmissive fibers. The light source emits a light flux into the ribbon so that light emits from the bends in the twisted segment.
US08031996B2
A method for making a flexible fibrous continuous tape containing 60 to 98 wt % fiber based on the weight of the tape, from multifilament yarn selected from aramid, glass, aromatic polyester, and rigid rod polymer, comprising the steps: a1) spreading the filaments of the yarn to obtain a filament layer having a cross sectional aspect ratio (w/h) of 2 to 2000; and b1) treating the spread filaments with a curable resin, or a liquid thermoplastic resin or wax; or a2) treating the yarn with the curable resin, or the liquid thermoplastic resin or wax; and b2) spreading the filaments of the yarn to obtain a filament layer having a cross sectional aspect ratio (w/h) of 2 to 2000; followed by c) fixating the filaments by curing or solidifying the resin to obtain the tape, wherein steps a1-b1, respectively a2-b2, and c are performed in-line.
US08031994B2
An optical waveguide for a touch panel in which the intensity of light beams emitted from light-emitting portions of a plurality of light-emitting cores in the form of branches is substantially uniform independently of the branch position of the light-emitting cores, and a touch panel using the same. An optical waveguide for a touch panel is provided in which a plurality of light-emitting cores 33 are formed by dividing a tip portion of a single original core into branches. A portion extending from a basal portion 32b of the original core to a branch point 32c at which the division into the branches serving as the light-emitting cores 33 starts is an isosceles triangular portion 32 gradually widened from the basal portion 32b into the shape of an isosceles triangle. The isosceles triangle has a taper angle θ in the range greater than 0 degrees and less than 15 degrees.
US08031987B2
An optical modulator suppresses a radiation mode of a microwave generated in a connection substrate or termination substrate from entering a signal electrode of the optical modulator and suppresses modulation properties from being degraded. The optical modulator includes an optical modulation element (1) having a substrate with an electro-optic effect, an optical waveguide formed on the substrate, and a modulating electrode (or a signal electrode (2)) for modulating light passing through the optical waveguide; and a connection substrate (4), arranged outside the substrate, for supplying the optical modulation element with a microwave signal operating the optical modulation element. A signal input terminal (22) and a signal output terminal (23) are formed on the connection substrate (20). A recombination suppression unit suppresses a radiation mode (24) of the microwave signal input to the signal input terminal (22) from being recombined with the signal output terminal (23) provided on the connection substrate.
US08031983B2
The present invention is directed to provide a light modulation device capable of not only restricting the faint light propagating in the adhesive layer from being re-incident on the thin substrate but also increasing an adhesive strength of the thin substrate and the supplementing plate. The invention is characterized in a light modulation device having a thin substrate 1 made of material with an electro-optical effect and with a thickness of below 20 μm; an optical waveguide 2 formed on a surface of the thin substrate or the other surface thereof; and a modulation electrode 3 formed on the surface of the thin substrate and for modulating light passing through the optical waveguide, comprising: a supplementing plate 5 adapted to be bonded to the thin substrate via an adhesive layer 4, wherein a bonding surface of the supplementing plate is formed as a rough surface 10 relative to a bonding surface of the thin substrate. A roughness of the rough surface is preferred to be over 1/10 of a wavelength of faint light propagating in the adhesive layer.
US08031981B2
A system and method for enabling analysis of enrolled biometric data is presented. A plurality of vectors each having a plurality of score values representative of the relationship between individual ones of the enrolled biometrics with a plurality of biometric representations forming a filter set are described. Judicious use of the vectors enables a filtering of the enrolled biometric data on a dynamic basis.
US08031974B2
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device; a first storage section storing image data including an image obtained by the imaging device; a display section displaying the image data stored in the first storage section; an image-effect specification section specifying a type of image effect to be produced on the image data displayed in the display section; a scaling operation section capable of specifying expansion and contraction of the image data displayed in the display section and specifying a range of an image edit area on the displayed image data; and an image processing section performing image processing on the image edit area specified by the scaling operation section in accordance with the specification from the image-effect specification section.
US08031961B2
Systems and methods of face and skin sensitive image enhancement are disclosed. In one aspect, a face map that includes for each pixel of an input image a respective face probability value indicating a degree to which the pixel corresponds to a human face is calculated. A skin map that includes for each pixel of the input image a respective skin probability value indicating a degree to which the pixel corresponds to human skin is ascertained. The input image is enhanced with an enhancement level that varies pixel-by-pixel in accordance with the respective face probability values and the respective skin probability values. In another aspect, a facial content measurement value indicating a degree to which an input image contains human face content is ascertained. A tone-correction process is tuned in accordance with the facial content measurement value. The input image is enhanced in accordance with the tuned tone-correction process.
US08031954B2
According to this invention, encoded data are generated by sorting pixel data in a block according to different scan start positions and different scan routes upon generating encoded data for respective blocks, and encoded data with a smallest data amount of these encoded data is outputted. To this end, a block generation unit inputs blocks each defined by 8×8 pixels from image data to be encoded. Four encoding processing units respectively sort inputted 8×8 pixels according to the information stored in scan start position information storage units and scan route information storage units. The respective encoding processing units generate encoded data based on the sorted pixel data. A selector selects and outputs encoded data with a smallest data size from those generated by the encoding processing units.
US08031953B2
An encoding method to encode image data comprising a sequence of blocks with a predetermined compression rate in one pass is disclosed. The blocks are divided into two sets, a first set and a second set. The blocks in the first set are encoded within the sum of an available bit length and a predetermined lending bit length. The blocks are encoded in the second set within the available bit length. A lending bit length is updated when the current bit length is larger than the available bit length. The left bit length is updated when the current bit length is not larger than the available bit length. The left bit length and the lending bit length are adjusted when the current block is in the second set, the lending bit length is positive and the left bit length is larger than a predetermined threshold.
US08031952B2
A method and digital camera avoiding the use of delay lines for block processing within the camera, such as compressing images, demosaicing, or the like. Processing is done for a block comprising a single newly received line, together with previously acquired information. In one preferred embodiment, the block processing is performed for the single line using previous lines as retrieved from the results of previous processing. In another embodiment, the processing results for the current block are determined by the processing results of the previous block together with the newly received line. Saving delay lines provides for lower memory requirements, and enables the production of smaller and lower cost cameras.
US08031947B2
Techniques for managing video stream data and portions of video stream data are disclosed. In particular, the present invention enables the user to match portions of video streams against stored, previously characterized video streams using Canny edge detection filtering coupled with Hu invariant third moments of those edges. According to one aspect of the present invention, the video stream data is encoded with the following technique, which selects specific frames from the video stream, finds the edges of objects within these selected frames using Canny edge detection, separates each edge into a distinct object, calculates Hu invariant third moments for each edge, and stores each edge together with the video stream and frame identification and it's Hu invariant third moments in a database for later comparison. Similar encoding can then be performed for a query video stream to compare against the previously identified video streams stored in the database to identify a unique video stream. It is emphasized that the present invention applies to video stream data but can also be used for imagery data in any other form or taken in any spectrum.
US08031945B2
An image-processing device including a pulverization-core unit configured to divide input-image data into blocks, generate basic blocks by reducing each of the blocks in size, and arrange the basic blocks into the blocks so that processed-image data including at least one noise particle of the input-image data is generated, where the noise particle included in the processed-image data is reduced in size, an edge-detection unit configured to detect an edge degree from the input-image data, and an edge-blend unit configured to subject a pixel value of the input-image data and a pixel value of the processed-image data to load addition and output output-image data based on the detection result so that a weight to the pixel value of the input-image data increases as the edge degree increases is provided.
US08031941B2
An image display apparatus is disclosed that includes an image projecting unit that projects a projection image on a projection screen, a written image capturing unit that captures a written image of a writing screen that is arranged opposite the projection screen, a written image area extracting unit that extracts a written image area from the captured written image captured by the written image capturing unit, an image compositing unit that composites the written image area extracted by the written image area extracting unit and the projection image projected by the image projecting unit. The written image area extracting unit includes an external light value detecting unit that detects an external light value and an image processing unit that performs an image correction process on the captured written image based on the external light value detected by the external light detecting unit.
US08031932B2
A pattern inspection apparatus includes a stage configured to mount thereon a target workpiece to be inspected where patterns are formed, at least one sensor configured to move relatively to the stage and capture optical images of the target workpiece to be inspected, a first comparing unit configured to compare first pixel data of an optical image captured by one of the at least one sensor with first reference data at a position corresponding to a position of the first pixel data, and a second comparing unit configured to compare second pixel data of an optical image captured by one of the at least one sensor at a position shifted by a sub-pixel unit from the position where the optical image of the first pixel data is captured, with second reference data at a position corresponding to the position of the second pixel data.
US08031929B2
According to one embodiment, a method for processing one or more X-ray images includes: receiving at least one image of the one or more X-ray images, the one or more X-ray images being of an assembly extending along a plane; based on the at least one image, autonomously determining a respective displacement value for each of portions of the assembly with respect to one or more directions of the plane, each of the displacement values being determined relative to a respective actual value; storing the displacement values; and applying a rule to the stored displacement values, the rule being for determining a defect status of the assembly.
US08031924B2
Method and systems for removing any inherent autofluorescence associated with a biological material, comprising: acquiring a first reference image of the biological material; acquiring a first set of one or more images of the biological material using one or more filters corresponding to one or more information dyes; applying the one or more additional dyes to the biological material and then acquiring a second set of one or more images comprising a separate image of the biological material with each of the filters corresponding to the information dyes and a second reference image of the biological material; coregistering the first and second reference images; and then removing any inherent autofluorescence exhibited in the informational images acquired.
US08031907B2
A device is provided for monitoring surroundings of a vehicle with at least one camera, an image processing unit, and an image display unit. The image processing unit is operatively configured for reducing noise components in the images, recorded by the camera. The reducing of the noise components is accomplished by image grading, during which an averaging of a number of images occurs. The number of images, processed for the image grading, is variable.
US08031906B2
A system for estimating orientation of a target based on real-time video data uses depth data included in the video to determine the estimated orientation. The system includes a time-of-flight camera capable of depth sensing within a depth window. The camera outputs hybrid image data (color and depth). Segmentation is performed to determine the location of the target within the image. Tracking is used to follow the target location from frame to frame. During a training mode, a target-specific training image set is collected with a corresponding orientation associated with each frame. During an estimation mode, a classifier compares new images with the stored training set to determine an estimated orientation. A motion estimation approach uses an accumulated rotation/translation parameter calculation based on optical flow and depth constrains. The parameters are reset to a reference value each time the image corresponds to a dominant orientation.
US08031898B2
There is provided a dynamic microphone in which the output impedance does not increase and also the failure rate does not increase though using a microphone unit and a vibration detecting unit to reduce handling noise. In the dynamic microphone including a microphone unit 20 that includes a first diaphragm 24 and a first magnetic circuit 26 and delivers sound signals and a vibration detecting unit 30 that includes a second diaphragm 32 and a second magnetic circuit 33 and detects vibrations applied to a microphone case, whereby the output signal of the vibration detecting unit 30 being delivered as an opposite phase with respect to the output signal of the microphone unit 20, a field coil 41 excited by the output signal of the vibration detecting unit 30 is provided on the first magnetic circuit 26 side of the microphone unit 20.
US08031897B2
A system and method for reducing baffle vibration includes balancing an inertial force generated by two or more moving diaphragms and balancing an acoustic pressure acting on a housing supporting the two or more moving diaphragms such that a net force acting on the baffle is substantially zero. The acoustic force acting on the housing may be balanced independently of the inertial force balance. In another configuration, the acoustic force acting on the housing may be balanced by a non-zero net inertial force.
US08031894B2
An ear module with an interior lobe (200) housing a speaker (58) and adapted to fit within the Concha (103) of the outer ear, and an exterior lobe (300) housing data processing resources, includes a compressive member (202) coupled to the interior lobe (200) and providing a holding force between the anti-helix (101) and the forward wall (108) of the ear canal (102) near the tragus (104). The interior lobe (200) extends into the exterior opening (110) of the ear canal (102), and includes a forward surface (210) adapted to fit against the forward wall (108) of the ear canal (102), and a rear surface (211) facing the anti-helix (101). The width of the extension (201) (in a dimension orthogonal to the forward surface (210) of the extension (201)) between the forward surface (210) and the rear surface (211) from at least the opening of the ear canal (102) to the tip (203) of the extension (201) is substantially less than the width of the ear canal (102), leaving an open air passage (250).
US08031890B2
An electroacoustic transducer serving as a speaker or a microphone is reduced in size and weight and is capable of generating sound with relatively high sound pressure. It is constituted of a housing having a cavity having an opening in the exterior, a fixed electrode positioned opposite to the opening of the housing, a diaphragm having an electrode positioned between the opening and the fixed electrode, and an elastic deformation portion for supporting the diaphragm with respect to the housing and for allowing the diaphragm to vibrate in the thickness direction. The fixed electrode is electrically insulated from the electrode of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is distanced from the fixed electrode by means of the elastic deformation portion placed in the balanced state. When the elastic deformation portion is subjected to elastic deformation, the diaphragm vibrates with relatively large amplitude such that it comes in contact with the fixed electrode.
US08031889B2
An acoustoelectric transformation chip for a ribbon microphone includes a diaphragm that has a vibrating region and two fixing regions disposed on two opposite sides of the vibrating region, and a voice coil film formed on the diaphragm. The voice coil film includes two rectangular voice coils, each of which has a plurality of first and second connection segments parallel to a direction of a magnetic field. A plurality of first and second transverse segments are perpendicular to the first and second connection segments and are connected between the first and second connection segments. The second transverse segments of each voice coil are disposed on one of the fixing regions. The first transverse segments of the two voice coils are disposed in the vibrating region.
US08031887B2
In a mixer system having a digital mixer having functions processing waveform data in plural input channels and outputting the data via an ST bus, and a PC executing a DAW application realizing a function of plural tracks to record and reproduce waveform data, it is made possible to set a first mode instructing the digital mixer to process waveform data inputted from outside the system in all input channels and the DAW application to mix the waveform data in all tracks to supply to the ST bus of the digital mixer, and a second mode instructing the digital mixer to process waveform data received from the DAW application in all input channels and the DAW application to send the waveform data in all tracks to corresponding input channels of the digital mixer.
US08031883B2
A crosstalk cancellation system for preserving quality of sound and the parameter determining method thereof. The system can cancel a two-channel audio signal without compensating a frequency response of an ipsilateral HRTF. The method includes providing an audio signal input device for inputting the two-channel audio signal, modeling a relation between parameters of the crosstalk cancellation system and a head related transfer function (HRTF) to thereby obtain an output transfer impulse response, setting contralateral parts of the output transfer impulse response approximate to zero, setting ipsilateral parts of the output transfer impulse response equal to a delay of ipsilateral head related impulse responses (HRIRs) corresponding to the HRTF, and performing an inverse operation to compute the parameters of the crosstalk cancellation system.
US08031882B2
A speaker feedback system has a linear current feedback derived from a current sensing resistor. A linear motional feedback from the active speaker driver is derived from a sensing coil mechanically coupled with the driver coil of the speaker, the driver coil receiving electrical energy from the power amplifier. A motional signal correction circuit extracts the motional signal from the sensing coil and feeds to input B of the multiplier. A current filter circuit filters out higher-frequency signals from the current feedback signal and then feeds to input A of the multiplier. A multiplier performs the multiplication function of its two inputs and produces an output. Post-multiplier equalization circuitry that control the feedback gain of the nonlinear feedback system such that it can effectively compensate for the effect of flux modulation over the targeted frequency range. A feedback network feeds the output from post multiplier equalization to the power amplifier.
US08031873B2
The present invention discloses a free-space quantum communication device with atomic filters which are used in the field of quantum cryptography. The free-space quantum communication device of the present invention includes a beam splitter (2), two λ/2 wave plates (3,10), a λ/4 wave plate (4), two polarization beam splitters (5,11), two atomic filters (6,12), two light couplers (7,13), two optical fibers (8,14) and two single-photon detectors (9,15). In the present invention, the interference filter used in the conventional quantum communication device is replaced by ultra-narrow line-width atomic filters. As the pass-band width of atomic filter is narrower than that of the interference filter in magnitude order of 3 and a light noise rejection ratio of 10−5 can be obtained, error rate generated by background light noise can be reduced by magnitude order of 2-3. Further, the distance for carrying out free-space quantum communication can be increased. Moreover, the free-space quantum cryptography communication device can normally operate in a good manner under background light noise with sunlight or moonlight.
US08031869B2
A digital work (102) and copyright management information (103) for the digital work are recorded on an information recording medium (101) by altering a shape, a position or a pattern (104, 105) of recording mark edges of the digital work. Alternatively, a decryption key for the right management information is recorded on an information recording medium on which the copyright management information has been recorded encrypted, by altering the recording mark edges of the copyright management information. Alternatively, a check code for the copyright management information is recorded on the information recording medium by altering the recording mark edges. The check code is checked when the copyright management information is read, thus detecting illegal use of the copyright management information.
US08031862B2
According to one embodiment, a voice mail apparatus is connectable to a telephone exchange, records a voice message sent from a caller telephone terminal in a mail box corresponding to each telephone terminals, and reproduces the voice message in response to a reproduction instruction. The voice mail apparatus stores in a memory an audio file having approximately the same signal level as the voice message. The voice mail apparatus inputs the audio file in a voice processing device when a request for processing the voice message is given from a request source telephone terminal. The voice mail apparatus controls the processing gain such that the signal level output from the voice processing device becomes a prescribed level, while performing muting for the request source telephone terminal. The voice mail apparatus inputs the voice message to the voice processing device after completing controlling of the processing gain.
US08031857B2
Methods and systems are described for changing a communication quality of a communication session based on a meaning of speech data. Speech data exchanged between clients participating in a communication session is parsed. A meaning of the parsed speech data is determined for identifying a service quality indicator for the communication session. An action is performed to change a communication quality of the communication session based on the identified service quality indicator.
US08031854B2
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing a ring back to a calling party's communications device. A first call is placed to a called number. An identification sequence is received during the first call. When the first call ends, a second call is placed to a server. The identification sequence is sent to the server during the second call, and the ring back associated with the identification sequence is received. The ring back is stored in memory of the calling party's communications device and retrieved when subsequent calls are made to the called number. The ring back is then presented on the calling party's communications device to indicate the called number is ringing.
US08031853B2
This disclosure describes a multi-pod conferencing system for local conference participants to communicate with remote conference participants that includes a plurality of pods for local conference participants where an individual pod connects to one or more plurality of pods through a data communication means. The individual pods further include the following: pod processor means; an input device and a display; a loudspeaker that couples to a digital to analog converter; 3 physical bi-polar microphones positioned at 120 degree intervals in the horizontal resting plane of the pod, each individual physical microphone connects to a pair of audio ports with each audio port being equal distance from the loudspeaker, the physical microphones couple to analog to digital converting mean and pod processor means; 3 virtual microphones; pod echo cancellation means; and microphone gating means. The disclosed system further includes a base unit that couples to the plurality of pods through the data communication means. The base unit further includes base controller means, where the base controller means couples to the converting means. The system further includes the command input and display information from the individual pod that distributed to the plurality of pods such that the plurality of pods can be operated in tandem and where the computed values of the pod gating means is distributed to other pods to gate the pods on and or off.
US08031840B2
The invention relates to a beam filter (10) that can particularly be used in spectral CT-applications for producing a desired intensity profile of a radiation beam without changing its spectral composition. In a preferred embodiment, the beam filter (10) comprises a stack of absorbing sheets (111) that are separated by wedge-shaped spaces (112) and focused to a radiation source (1). Furthermore, the absorbing sheets have a varying width in direct ion of the radiation. Different fractions of the radiation source (1) area are therefore masked by the beam filter (10) at different points (A, B) on a detector area (2). The absorbing sheets preferably comprise a material that is highly absorbing for the radiation to be filtered.
US08031839B2
According to one embodiment, a distance from an X-ray tube central axis to an outer side surface of a cathode electron gun in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a filament coil is made less than a distance from the X-ray tube central axis to an outer side surface of the cathode electron gun in the longitudinal direction of the filament coil, and a distance from the X-ray tube central axis to an X-ray radiation window in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the filament coil is made less than a distance from the X-ray tube central axis to an X-ray radiation window in the longitudinal direction of the filament coil.
US08031837B2
For a simplified and particularly flexible control of an x-ray system having an x-ray source, an x-ray detector and a control and monitoring unit, the control and monitoring unit is designed to be mobile and portable and has means for controlling and monitoring the x-ray system. In particular, the portable control and monitoring unit has a computing unit, a data storage device, means for image processing, means for outputting and displaying imaging and/or system data and means for inputting data and/or instructions.
US08031834B2
A tomosynthesis apparatus has an x-ray source that generates an x-ray beam emanating from a focus, which is received by a flat panel detector. To set a tomosynthesis angle, the position of the central axis of the x-ray beam of the x-ray source is variable. A collimator diaphragm has a diaphragm aperture that limits the expansion of the x-ray beam at the location of the flat panel detector. The collimator diaphragm is arranged in the beam path between the focus and the flat panel detector. The shape and size of the diaphragm aperture are dynamically varied (adjusted) dependent on the changing tomosynthesis angle, such that the expansion of the x-ray beam at the location of the flat panel detector always essentially corresponds to the detector dimensions.
US08031827B2
A shift register comprises a plurality of stages, {Sn}, n=1, 2, . . . , N, N being a positive integer. In one embodiment, each stage Sn includes a pull-up circuit having an input for receiving one of a first clock signal, CK1, and a second clock signal, XCK1, an output for responsively outputting an output signal, On, and an input node Qn, a pull-up control circuit electrically coupled to the input node Qn and configured such that when receiving a first input signal, the pull-up control circuit responsively generates a signal that is provided to the input node Qn to turn on the pull-up circuit, a pull-down circuit electrically coupled to the input node Qn and configured to provide a first voltage to one of the input node Qn and the output of the pull-up circuit, and a pull-down control circuit configured to receive one of a third clock signal, CK2, and a fourth clock signal, XCK2, and responsively generate the first voltage to turn on the pull-down circuit of the stage Sn and the pull-down circuit of one of the stage Sn−1 and the stage Sn+1.
US08031826B2
The present invention provides a gray rod control assembly (GRCA) containing an improved neutron absorber comprised of a porous matrix of refractory metal infused with a neutron absorbing metal or metal alloy for a nuclear reactor. The reactor has a plurality of fuel assemblies, each including numerous elongated fuel rods supported in an organized array by substantially transverse support grids, and a plurality of guide thimbles disposed through the support grids and along the fuel rods. The GRCA includes a spider assembly structured to provide controlled insertion of gray rod assemblies within the thimbles of the fuel assembly, thereby controlling the rate of power produced by the reactor. Each gray rod assembly includes an elongated tubular member, a first end plug, a second end plug and the improved neutron-absorber disposed within the tubular member. Delta-power of the reactor is improved by the relatively small percentage of neutron absorbing metal infused in the porous matrix of the refractory metal of the neutron absorber and by distributing the neutron absorber in segments among a plurality of rods of the GRCA.
US08031821B1
A pipelined analog to digital converter that includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is configured to (i) receive a first phase component and a second phase component and (ii) generate a first integrated component and a second integrated component. The second stage is configured to sample and integrate the first integrated component and the second integrated component. The first stage is configured to: sample the first phase component to generate a first sampled component; sample the second phase component to generate a second sampled component; during a first portion of a first clock phase, (i) sample the first phase component and (ii) integrate the second sampled component to generate the second integrated component; and during a second portion of the first clock phase, (i) sample the second phase component and (ii) integrate the first sampled component to generate the first integrated component.
US08031816B2
A method for determining boundaries of information elements for a PRN code modulated signal is provided. The method of the present invention measures a symbol phase of the received signal and correlation values of different durations to determine the information element boundary. By the method of the present invention, the determination of the information element boundary can be more effective especially in the common dump receiver architecture, wherein a reference wave used in the correlation measurement of the receiver cannot match the received waveform exactly.
US08031815B2
A system for processing a received signal having at least one code applied thereto, the received signal having a frequency, the system comprising: first correlator circuitry arranged to correlate the received signal with a first code to provide an output; second correlator circuitry arranged to correlate the received signal with a second code to provide an output, wherein the first code and the second code are different; and processor for processing together the outputs of the first and second correlator circuitry to cancel the frequency.
US08031806B2
A preamble of a frame for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication for a first transmit antenna of the MIMO communication includes a legacy preamble portion in accordance with a legacy wireless communication protocol. The preamble of the frame for the MIMO wireless communication for the first transmit antenna also includes a current protocol preamble portion in accordance with a protocol of the MIMO wireless communication. The preamble of a frame for at least a second antenna of the MIMO communication includes a cyclically shifted legacy preamble portion for the frame. The preamble of the frame for the MIMO wireless communication for the second transmit antenna also includes a second current protocol preamble portion in accordance with a protocol of the MIMO wireless communication.
US08031802B2
A data transmission circuit comprises a plurality of data preparation circuits and a combiner. Each data preparation circuit receives a respective data stream and generates a respective sub-channel signal. Each respective data stream has a respective symbol rate and a respective Nyquist bandwidth. The combiner combines the respective sub-channel signals to generate a data transmission signal having an associated bandwidth. The bandwidth associated with the data transmission signal is greater than or equal to the sum of the Nyquist bandwidths for the respective data streams. Each data preparation circuit comprises a programmable linear equalizer that equalizes the respective sub-channel signal across the bandwidth of the data transmission signal.
US08031798B2
A method for decoding and rate assignment in a wireless channel, where all dominant transmitter sources use inner codes from a particular set, comprising the steps of: i) estimating channel matrices seen from all dominant transmitter sources in response to a pilot or preamble signal transmitted by each such source; ii) converting each estimated channel matrix into an effective channel matrix responsive to the inner code of the corresponding transmitter source; iii) obtaining the received observations in a linear equivalent form (linear model) whose output is an equivalent of the received observations and in which the effective channel matrix corresponding to each dominant transmitter source inherits the structure of its inner code; iv) processing the transmitter sources according to the specified (or pre-determined) order of decoding; v) for each transmitter source, assuming perfect cancellation of signals of preceding transmitter sources; vi) computing a signal-to-interference-noise-ratio SINR responsive to the effective channel matrix of the transmitter source and the covariance matrix of the noise plus signals from remaining transmitter sources; and vii) feeding back all computed SINRs to respective transmitter sources.
US08031793B2
A system for transmitting data over a MIMO channel has a transmitter and a receiver. In the transmitter, the input data is encoded over at least two pipes by a concatenation of at least two constituent signal-space encoders. Each constituent encoder is used to generate, in response to the input data, a sequence of symbols from a channel alphabet having at least one dimension. Each symbol of the channel alphabet includes at least one complex symbol having real and imaginary coordinates. The transmitter interleaves the coordinates of the sequence of channel alphabet symbols, and transmits (from at least two transmit antennas) the interleaved coordinates. Preferably, each constituent encoder maximizes a minimum coordinate-wise Hamming distance between members of all valid pairs of symbol sequences, maximizes a minimum Euclidean distance between members of all valid pairs of different codewords, and obeys an equal eigenvalue criterion.
US08031789B2
Various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may be used to compute a minimum variance unbiased estimator by receiving a first OFDM signal at a pilot tone, receiving a second OFDM signal sent in the same frequency band and determining a differential phase metric between the first OFDM signal and the second OFDM signal. In some embodiments, the differential phase metric may be used to diversity combine synchronization statistics. In various embodiments, the differential phase metric may be used to detect a narrow-band interference.
US08031788B2
A signal is received by P antennas. It includes frames having symbols occupying respective positions distributed along an axis of time and of frequency, a frame including M blocks having N reference symbols M groups of P weighting coefficients are determined, each one of the groups relating to one of the blocks emitted, with the coefficients of a group being associated to the blocks which are received on the P antennas and which correspond to the block emitted relating to the group. The coefficients are determined so as to increase via a threshold value, an error value for each block emitted, between the reference symbols of the block emitted, and the symbols obtained using the symbols received on each antenna at the positions of reference symbols corresponding to the block emitted and the associated coefficients. Then, weighting coefficients are obtained for the other symbols of the frame Finally, a composite signal is generated by summing up the symbols received respectively weighted by the associated weighting coefficients.
US08031785B2
Methods and apparatus for use in a multi-band OFDM wideband transmission systems are disclosed. A frame of source data is mapped by a transmitter for transmission using a first mapping. The frame of source data is then mapped by the transmitter for retransmission using a second mapping to increase frequency diversity. A receiver may identify source data that experiences fading and communicate the tone/frequency on which the fading occurred to the transmitter so that the transmitter may map the source data that experienced fading during transmission to another tone/frequency for retransmission.
US08031782B2
Embodiments of this invention include computer-implemented mathematical methods to develop software and/or hardware implementations that use wavelet transforms (WT) to pre-process video frames that can then be compressed using a variety of codecs to produce compressed video frames. Such compressed video frames can then be transmitted, decompressed, post-processed using the post-processing methods disclosed in the invention and displayed in their original size and quality using software and/or hardware implementations of embodiments of the invention, thereby producing real-time high-quality reproduction of video sequences. Embodiments include computer devices and computer readable media to implement these methods.
US08031774B2
A frame-layer rate control method, and a video encoding method and system. In a first-step encoding stage, a QP of a previous frame is used to determine MVs and MB modes for all MBs in a current frame through R-D optimization, and the residual signal is encoded and then decoded for intra prediction. The residual signal is stored and the number of header bits is estimated from the determined MB modes and MVs. Given a target bit-rate for the current frame, a new QP is determined by a rate model. In a second-step encoding stage, the residual signal is encoded and reconstructed for both intra-prediction of subsequent MBs and inter prediction of subsequent frames using the new QP.
US08031770B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for evaluating video quality. The systems include a video transmitter and a video receiver. The transmitter generates feature parameters from a reference video to be transmitted and transmits the generated feature parameters along with compressed video data via a network. The video receiver receives the feature parameters and the compressed video data via the network, evaluates the video quality of the received video using the feature parameters and transmits video quality evaluation results to the video transmitter via the network.
US08031769B2
According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling quantization scales when encoding video signals is disclosed, which comprises: (a) generating a new quantization scale; and (b) comparing the new quantization scale with a prior quantization scale, and if the difference between the new quantization scale and the prior quantization scale exceeds a predetermined range, replace the prior quantization scale with the new quantization scale.
US08031765B1
A system includes a first filter that receives an input signal and comprises N taps to filter postcursor inter-symbol interference (ISI) of the input signal. S taps of the N taps have a coefficient that is limited between −1 and 0. S and N are integer values greater than or equal to 1. N is greater than or equal to S. A decision feedback equalizer includes a decision circuit that communicates with the first filter. A second filter communicates with an input and an output of the decision circuit.
US08031760B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for reconfiguring a modem. In an embodiment, fast reconfiguration of a modem occurs when a first modem determines there is a need for fast reconfiguration. The first modem signals its transition from showtime to fast reconfiguration. The first modem waits for acknowledgement from a second modem before transitioning to showtime. Once transitioned from showtime, the first modem estimates a signal to noise ratio and then exchanges parameters with the second modem. The first and second modems then transition to showtime.
US08031757B2
A method for operating a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver of a wireless terminal. During a first time interval, an RF front end is enabled and the RF receiver receives and processes an RF signal, e.g., a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) signal, to produce a baseband signal and to store samples of the baseband signal. During a second time interval that differs from the first time interval, the RF front end is disabled and the RF receiver processes the plurality of samples of the baseband signal of the first time interval to measure signal strengths of a plurality of pilot signals present in the baseband signal of the first time interval. Finally, during a third time interval that differs from the first time interval and the second time interval, the RF front end is enabled and the RF receiver receives and processes an RF signal of the third time interval to extract data there from. Memory is shared between the first, second, and third time intervals for different uses.
US08031752B1
A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is optimized for longer life of the VCSEL by controlling the distance of doped and undoped layers near an active region. In addition, the VCSEL optimized for reduced parasitic lateral current under an oxide of the VCSEL by forming a high Al confinement region and placing the oxide at a null in a standing optical wave. Further, the VCSEL is optimized to reduce resistance.
US08031747B2
An apparatus and method are described for compensating for frequency and phase variations of electronic components by processing packet delay values. In one embodiment, a packet delay determination module determines packet delay values based on time values associated with a first and a second electronic component. A packet delay selection module selects a subset of the packet delay values based on the maximum frequency drift of the first electronic component. A statistical parameter determination module evaluates a first and a second parameter based on portions of the subset of packet delay values A validation module validates the parameters when each portion the subset of packet delay values includes a minimum of at least two packet delay values. An adjustment module compensates for at least one of a frequency variation and a phase variation of the first electronic component based on the parameters if the parameters are both validated.
US08031737B2
A method of changing channels of a first device in a wireless network, which includes a first coordinator and at least one device, comprises searching whether another channel other than a first channel which is currently used in the wireless network is available, changing the first channel to a second channel among at least one or more available channels as a result of the searching step, and transmitting data to a second device or receiving data from the second device through the second channel.
US08031734B2
A method for in-place, lightweight Ack packet promotion is provided. The method includes receiving a new Ack packet via a network; searching through a transmit queue for an old Ack packet that corresponds to the new Ack packet; and replacing the data in a number field, a checksum field, a window size field, and a timestamp options field of the old Ack packet with data in a number field, a checksum field, a window size field, and a timestamp options field of the new Ack packet.
US08031728B2
A method of controlling provision of audio communication on a network comprising at least two endpoints (1, 3), at least one acting as a source and at least one acting as a destination, comprises setting a desired maximum and minimum packet size at the source; setting a desired maximum and minimum packet size at the destination; determining a minimum send packet size as the greater of the desired minimum set by the source and the desired minimum set by the destination; setting a jitter buffer at the destination to an appropriate size for the determined minimum send packet size; and transmitting audio packets of a size greater than or equal to the determined minimum send packet size.
US08031721B2
A method and system for profile-marking and scheduling of packets are disclosed. Using a dual-rate scheduler, the profile state of a packet being scheduled for transmission by a flow traffic descriptor is determined based on the traffic rate of the flow traffic descriptor, which is associated with the queue that the packet belongs to. The profile state of the packet is marked prior to the transmission of the packet.
US08031717B2
When stored stream data is deleted/edited, the packet sequence completely included in a deletion range is deleted from the stream data, and the stream data is segmented into first stream data before the start point of the deletion range and second stream data after the end point of the deletion range. First and second stream management data corresponding to the first and second stream data are generated. The index value of the packet including the start point of the deletion range is written in the header of the first stream management data. The index value of the packet including the end point of the deletion range is written in the header of the second stream management data. In addition, an index base value for correcting the index value is written in the header of the second stream management data.
US08031710B2
A system and method for introducing in-band network management packets (INMPs) in a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. MPLS is an emerging technology, which integrates Internet Protocol (IP) routing with label switching techniques. MPLS intends to provide new capabilities in the area of traffic engineering for IP networks. These traffic engineering capabilities will have to be combined with a set of complementary operation, administration and maintenance (OA&M) functions for effectively managing and operating MPLS-based networks. This invention uses INMPs for carrying OA&M information to label switching routers (LSRs) for effectively managing and operating MPLS-based networks. This invention also includes techniques for distinguishing INMPs from user packets in an MPLS network. This invention further includes using a predetermined code in a shim header of an MPLS packet to determine whether an MPLS packet is an INMP or a user packet. The predetermined code may be provided in an experimental field or a time-to-live field in the shim header of the packet. Alternatively, a label may be reserved for distinguishing an INMP from a user packet.
US08031709B2
An integrated circuit has a hardware decoder that parses a frame to identify a type of encapsulation. The integrated circuit also has a number of hardware parsers, each parser being coupled to the decoder by an enable line. During packet processing, one of the parsers is enabled by the decoder, based on the value which identifies the encapsulation type. The enabled parser retrieves one or more attributes from the frame, depending on the encapsulation. The integrated circuit also has a register, coupled to each parser. The register holds the attributes retrieved by the parser. The integrated circuit also has a key generation hardware which creates a key, by concatenating from the attributes register, certain attributes that are pre-selected by a user for forming the key. The integrated circuit supplies the key to a memory to look up a set of user-specified actions to be performed on data in the frame.
US08031703B2
A networking device includes a port, and a management module that identifies fabric subsets that include networked devices that can exchange information with each other, detects that a networked device was uncoupled from the networking device, and modifies the fabric subsets. A Fibre Channel switch includes ports, zones and a management module. Each zone includes subsets of devices coupled to the ports, and permits the subset of devices to exchange information with each other. The management module detects when a device becomes uncoupled from a port and automatically updates the zones to restrict the device from exchanging information with other devices. A method includes identifying fabric subsets in a network, selecting a fabric subset that includes networked devices that are permitted to exchange information with each other, detecting that one of the networked devices has become uncoupled from the network, and automatically modifying a portion of the network fabric.
US08031701B2
The Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and its related standards define a retransmission packet format and a way to give feedback via Negative ACKnowledge (NACK) packets for data that has been lost. In one embodiment, a unicast RTP repair session is associated with a main Source Specific Multicast (SSM) multicast session. Real-time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) NACK packets are then used for feedback to a SSM feedback target address. This dynamically instantiates unicast RTP repair for multicast sessions. The repair scheme can be used for repairing multicast channels or joining new multicast channels. In another embodiment, a media transmission device shares an IP address with one or more other media transmission devices. The shared IP address can also be used to route multiple identical multicast media streams to different media stream receivers.
US08031699B2
A call processing method and a mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal includes a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver including a first input terminal connected to a first incoming signal line and a second input terminal connected to a second incoming signal line, a first RF switch arranged on the first incoming signal line for switching the first incoming line between the first input terminal and an inter-switch line, a second RF switch arranged on the second incoming signal line for switching the second input terminal between the second incoming signal line and the inter-switch line, and a controller for controlling, in a data call session, the first RF switch and the second RF switch to establish a connection of the first incoming signal line and the second incoming signal line during a first period and during a second period.
US08031694B2
A system and method for flexible data provision to mobile communication devices, which enables the user to selectively download data to the mobile communication device from a remote computer. The selective data download may optionally apply to one or more of a single item of data, to multiple items of data, one or more categories of data and the like. Preferably, the user interface provided through the remote computer comprises a mark-up language document, such as a Web page for example.
US08031691B2
A system and method for wireless communication of uncompressed video data are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a wireless communication device. The device includes a receiver configured to receive a data packet, and a transmitter configured to send an acknowledgment (ACK) signal upon receiving a data packet. The ACK signal includes a physical layer preamble, a physical layer header including a plurality of bits indicative of the status of the data packet, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field. The ACK signal optionally includes a payload field containing beam-tracking data.
US08031690B2
An ultra wide band communication network is provided. One embodiment ultra wide band network includes a master device and a plurality of slave devices structured to communicate with the master device using a plurality of ultra wide band pulses. The ultra wide band network also includes a medium access control protocol comprising a time division multiple access frame, the time division multiple access frame comprising a first mode for protocol exchange and a second mode for data exchange. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08031689B2
A method for handling re-establishment of a radio link control entity having a transmitting side and a receiving side in a wireless communications system includes storing a plurality of control protocol data units, and reserving a poll super field in the plurality of control protocol data units when only the receiving side is re-established.
US08031684B2
A method of operating an ad hoc network comprising a plurality of devices (11-16). Each device includes communication means for communicating with other ones of the plurality of devices when they are in range. The method involves storing on each device one or more nodal policies (1-6) which specify rules for determining how a device should behave in response to various prevailing circumstances and controlling each device to operate in accordance with one or more of the stored nodal policies. Additionally, each device stores a fitness parameter and adjusts the value of the fitness parameter in dependence upon the level of activity of the device (in particular, activity which is consistent with its stored policies). Additionally, each device monitors the value of its stored fitness parameter and the activity of its communication means and transmits (46, 48, 49), to other ones of the devices which are in range (13, 15, 16) one or more of its stored nodal policies (5) in the event that its fitness parameter exceeds a threshold of value and its communication means is not required for other purposes.
US08031673B2
A handover or cell change procedure in a cellular radio communications system starts with mobile user terminal present in a serving cell and having multiple radio resources simultaneously allocated for communication with a base station of the cell. When there is a need for a cell change, the multiple radio resources are sequentially replaced with radio resources allocated to the terminal for communication with at least one base station having an associated cell different from the serving cell. This cell change procedure provides macro diversity without requiring the complexity of soft handover and has enhanced service coverage and handover robustness compared to hard handover.
US08031667B2
There is a provided a method for managing a multiple frequency assignment using a terminals RX performance in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless regional area network (WRAN) system, including: a) measuring a bit energy/noise power spectral density (Eb/No) and a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) which are received in the terminal; b) informing the measured Eb/No and RSSI of a base station; c) calculating a round trip delay (RTD) in the base station; d) determining a terminal performance level based on the measured Eb/No, RSSI and the calculated RTD; and e) determining a frequency channel and modulation scheme based on the determined performance level.
US08031654B2
An apparatus for use in allocating resource in a wireless communication system employing transfer communication protocol (TCP) based data transfer between a network and a wireless subscriber communication unit comprises a scheduler located in the network, wherein the scheduler buffers a TCP data segment for downlink (DL) transmission. A transmitter is arranged to transmit the buffered TCP data segment to the UE; wherein the message indicates an allocation of DL resources plus sufficient uplink resources to transfer a stand-alone ACK data segment. In this manner, for example in large bulk data transfer cases, a reduced latency may be achieved that may lead to improved throughput, due to the fact that the overall throughput may be limited by the window size (i.e. number of unacknowledged segments) rather than the throughput possible across the air interface.
US08031653B2
A wireless communication device includes a wireless transmitting section, a distance measuring section, a transmission method sorting section, a link quality determining section, and a wireless transmission method determining section. The wireless transmitting section performs communication using one of a plurality of predetermined wireless transmission methods. The distance measuring section measures a distance between the wireless communication device and a communication partner device. The transmission method sorting section sorts out one or more suitable wireless transmission methods from the plurality of wireless transmission methods on the basis of the distance measured by the distance measuring section. The link quality determining section determines a link quality of the communication. The wireless transmission method determining section determines the wireless transmission method to be employed by the wireless transmitting section according to the link quality from the wireless transmission methods sorted by the transmission method sorting section.
US08031652B2
A system and method for dynamic traffic load balancing with a multiple physical layer modes of an air interface protocol architecture, the protocol architecture residing in a base station and/or an access network that includes a base station and access gateway that include distributed and centralized components of the air interface protocol architecture. The traffic load balancing supports various multiplexing scenarios for scheduling communication data under time division multiple access and frequency division multiple access techniques for use in the multi-carrier wireless network.
US08031651B2
Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for minimizing power consumption in a communication system. Exemplary aspects of the invention may comprise configuring a supply voltage of an amplifier to enable communication of data using a first communication protocol during a first timeslot in a TDM frame, reconfiguring the supply voltage of the amplifier to enable communication of data using a different communication protocol, and adjusting the supply voltage of the amplifier in proportion to the envelope of a baseband signal conforming to one of the communication protocols. The first and second communication protocols may conform to various communication protocols, such as WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUDPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WiMAX, OFDM, UWB, ZigBee, and Bluetooth. The baseband signal may be delayed by a number of samples before being input into the amplifier.
US08031644B2
A method and device of sending and receiving encoded media over a CDMA channel. A plurality of speech frames are output by a media codec, and the plurality of encoded media frames are encapsulated into a packet of a first type. The packet of the first type is encapsulated into a datagram of a second type. The datagram of the second type is encapsulated into a datagram of a third type. The datagram of the third type is divided into a plurality of equal-sized pieces, such that each of the equal-sized pieces fits to a specific CDMA channel frame. Each of the CDMA channel frames is sent over a CDMA air interface, and received at a receive end over the CDMA air interface.
US08031643B2
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for multiplexing and transmitting/receiving an ACK/NACK resulting from use of a HARQ scheme in an OFDMA system. Frequency and code multiplexing methods are combined with regard to the ACK/NACK to reduce signaling overhead. Frequency multiplexing is conducted by using the MCS level adopted by scheduling channels to improve the ACK/NACK transmitting performance, and code multiplexing is conducted to allocate ACK/NACK resources by using the index of the scheduling channels.
US08031641B2
Provided is a method and system for streaming multimedia data between hetero UPnP networks configured of a private network. The method comprises establishing a communication channel with a relay peer; establishing a virtual communication channel with a specific extensible home connector selected from a plurality of extensible home connectors connected with the relay peer; searching multimedia data to play from multimedia data in the specific extensible home connector which exists on the UPnP network through the virtual communication channel; establishing a communication environment through the UPnP internet gateway of the specific extensible home connector in case of demanding play of the searched multimedia data; and receiving multimedia data from the specific extensible home connector through the communication environment.
US08031639B2
In order to solve the problem of the detection of the arrival of duplicate data packets in an interconnected, multinode data processing system, each data packet is provided with a field of r bits that are randomly generated for each data packet. However, one of the packets is provided with a field that is computed from the other randomly generated field entries in a checksum computation which yields a selected nonzero checksum value. A running checksum at the receiver is used to determine whether or not, after the receipt of the specified number, k, of data packets, a duplicate packet has been received.
US08031638B2
The invention relates to the field of modular analytical systems. The invention enables the topology of a modular analytical system to be determined without requiring additional complicated measures such as a system reset. The method/system is also adapted to industry standards such that CAN-busses can be used.
US08031635B2
A method and apparatus for provide highly efficient traffic routing for a wide range of possible traffic matrices (TM) in an intra-domain network. That routing optimally balances the traffic loads over a range of traffic matrices so as to minimize the deviation for any particular traffic matrix from the optimal routing. Such a routing provides a guaranteed performance ratio against the best possible network routing. The invention utilizes a method of optimally configuring a traffic network based on solving a linear program to obtain the optimal routing, and then configuring the routing on the network accordingly.
US08031623B2
Streaming media network transportation streams are created using an electronic system and transmitted via an electronic interface such as an existing system network conduit (i.e. Ethernet, USB, or other packet-based architectures). A scalable hardware and/or software compute engine modifies an initial stream's identifier(s) while replicating the stream content to economically create streams. Hence, an entire network's capacity of active streams may be created from a single initial stream. In one examples, an initial stream is stored in advance of transmission for such use. In other examples, an initial stream is received and processed to dynamically create streams from the initial stream as the initial stream is being received.
US08031622B2
In a communication system (100) for decoding a quick paging channel (QPCH), a receiver (200) determines a channel condition of a pilot channel received at a mobile station (102-104). A control system (210, 401) determines receive diversity at the receiver (200) by determining a number of a plurality of receiver chains (290) in the receiver (200) for receive diversity based on the determined channel condition. The receiver (200) determines a first data bit of the QPCH in accordance with processing of one or more signals produced based on the determined receive diversity. The control system (210, 401) is configured for reducing the number of selected receiver chains (290) when the determined channel condition is above a first channel condition threshold (601) and increasing the number of selected receiver chains (290) when the determined channel condition is below a second channel condition threshold (602).
US08031611B2
A method of generating IP traffic flow based on a time bucket divides, in order to generate flows using all IP packets arriving in a preset time bucket, a previous time bucket flow table (PTBFT) and a current time bucket flow table (CTBFT) with reference to a current time when the flows are generated using IP packets collected from a high-speed line in a flow generating unit. Accordingly, the method allows real-time analysis of flows.
US08031609B2
The invention allows data originating according to a first communications standard to be transmitted over a physical layer using a second communications standard. According to an embodiment of the invention, a data stream is received from a physical transmission medium that uses particular first communications standard. Next, a data type identification (DTID) is appended to each byte in the data stream, thereby creating a technology independent data stream having a particular bit rate. This bit rate is then matched to a different bit rate that corresponds to a second communications standard. The technology independent data stream is then transmitted over a physical transmission medium that uses the second communications standard.
US08031608B2
It is an object to provide a flow control method in which a packet round trip time is not excessively calculated out and its performance is not unnecessarily deteriorated even at the time of continuously connected packet transfers through relays of a plurality of receiving terminal devices. This method is directed to a flow control method in which the delivery of packets are carried out through relays of a plurality of receiving terminal devices. The method is comprised of steps (S501-S517) for acquiring a packet round trip time for every pair of neighboring terminal devices in a path of the delivery, a selection step for selecting one from the acquired round trip time in accordance with a predetermined standard, and a step (S518) for calculating a packet transmission rate on the basis of the selected round trip time, so that the round trip time of each receiving terminal device is measured and the transmission rate is calculated in accordance with the measured result. Thus, a packet round trip time is not excessively calculated out, and data transmission performance can be improved.
US08031602B2
The present invention may be used to estimate operational characteristics of devices that transmit and receive streams of information in a communication system. In one application, the level of occupancy of a FIFO buffer in a processing device such as a router or wireless access point is estimated by monitoring packets transmitted by the processing device. Estimates of the operational characteristics can be used to control communications in the system so that the overall performance is improved. Techniques that can be used to mitigate effects of low signal-to-noise ratio conditions are also disclosed.
US08031596B2
The invention concerns a router associated to a secure device (DC) and included in a communication network (RC), comprising an interface (IRT) to communicate with the secure device following an authentication of the router by the secure device, and comprising a protocol interpreter (INT) to command the execution of the critical operations of one or more routing protocols by the secure device. The sensitive or critical portions of a routing protocol are executed in a secure and reliable manner in the secured device, for example of a chip card type.
US08031591B2
A method and a device for providing services for a user are provided. The method includes receiving, by an interrogating call session control function (I-CSCF), a failure response returned by a first serving call session control function (S-CSCF) after the I-CSCF selects the first S-CSCF for the user according to a capability set of an S-CSCF returned by a home subscriber server (HSS) and forwards a service request to the first S-CSCF; obtaining, by the I-CSCF, information of a second S-CSCF, and forwarding the service request from the user to the second S-CSCF.
US08031587B1
To synchronize symbol timing in a communication system, time-domain signals are generated by performing an IFFT on frequency-domain signals. Positions of power peaks are detected by analyzing a channel impulse response (CIR) of the time-domain signals. Channel state informations are provided by analyzing a channel state, such that each channel state information corresponds to each position of the power peaks. A proper symbol start position is determined based on the channel state informations.
US08031585B2
A communication apparatus includes: a transmitter having a plurality of transmitting units configured to perform data transmission, each transmitting unit including a synchronization unit configured to synchronize the transmitting units, an STBC test unit configured to divide an input signal to produce a plurality of STBC signals in order to perform an STBC test, and a controlling unit configured to perform a setting to test mode, wherein in the test mode, the transmitting units are combined to allow transmission of an STBC signal; and a receiver capable of receiving the STBC signal.
US08031584B2
Subchannel allocation apparatus for allocating subchannels of a MIMO radio channel to a plurality of users, the MIMO radio channel having a first number of subchannels, each subchannel having a transmission capacity. The subchannel allocation apparatus includes a subspace determiner for determining a subspace of the MIMO radio channel, the subspace having a second number of subchannels, the second number being lower than the first number and each subchannel of the second number of subchannels having a higher transmission capacity than the subchannel with the lowest transmission capacity of the first number of subchannels. The subchannel allocation apparatus further includes a subchannel allocator responsive to the subspace determiner for allocating a subchannel from the second number of subchannels of the subspace to a user based on an allocation metric.
US08031583B2
During operation radio frames are divided into a plurality of subframes. Data is transmitted over the radio frames within a plurality of subframes, and having a subframe type selected from a plurality of subframe types. Each subframe type having a same time duration and being distinguished by having a differing number of OFDM symbols or a differing number of single carrier FDMA symbols.
US08031581B2
Provided herein is an optical disc having: an optical plotting layer 17 which is formed at a label surface B-side and on which an image is formed by heat change with a laser beam 28 emitted from a recording surface A-side; a protective layer 18 which is formed at the label surface B-side of the optical plotting layer 17, protects the optical plotting layer 17, and through which the image can be viewed from the label surface B-side; a substrate 15 which supports the protective layer 18 and the optical plotting layer 17; and a guide track 24 which is formed on the optical plotting layer 17 so as to be intermittent in a guide direction.
US08031574B2
An optical disk compliant with both a conventional optical disk such as a BD, HD DVD, and the like and a next-generation high-density optical disk according to a near-field light recording system and the like is provided.An information recording medium includes a first information recording layer and a second information recording layer, to/from which information is recorded or reproduced using laser beam. The first information recording layer is formed at a laser beam entrance surface, and is configured so that information can be recorded thereupon and/or reproduced therefrom using a first objective lens having a first numerical aperture NA1 and laser beam of a first wavelength λ1. The second information recording layer is formed so as to have a distance to the laser beam entrance surface is 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and is configured so that information can be recorded thereupon and/or reproduced therefrom using a second objective lens having a second numerical aperture NA2 and laser beam of a second wavelength λ2. When a diffraction limit δ2, determined by the numerical aperture NA2 and the second wavelength λ2, is taken as δ2=0.61×λ2/NA2, a track pitch Tp1 of a track formed on the first information recording layer is Tp1<δ2.
US08031566B2
A gap servo control method and apparatus for increasing a disturbance cancellation capability and decreasing the occurrence of an overshoot in a near-field optical disc drive include: generating an actuator driving signal of a transient response process by using a signal obtained by removing a disturbance contained in the gap error signal using a first band when a level of a gap error signal reaches a first level; and generating the actuator driving signal of the transient response process by using a signal obtained by removing the disturbance contained in the gap error signal using a second band when the level of the gap error signal reaches a second level.
US08031560B1
The open eyes alarm clock consists of a sleeping mask that wraps around an end user's head, which includes speakers located in the general vicinity of an end user's ears as well as light emitting means affixed along interior surfaces covering the eyes. The open eyes alarm clock is designed to emit an audio and/or visual alarm in order to awake persons that have either a hearing impairment or that are deep sleepers.
US08031556B2
An obstacle detection apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor and a controller. The ultrasonic sensor detects a presence of an obstacle around the vehicle and a distance to the obstacle by transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by the obstacle. The controller controls the ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic wave element. The ultrasonic wave element has multiple resonance modes. The ultrasonic sensor changes a directivity of the ultrasonic sensor by selecting one of the multiple resonance modes of the ultrasonic wave element in accordance with a command signal output from the controller.
US08031555B2
A method and system for determining the location of miners trapped in an underground mine that includes recording a reference seismic signature for each of a plurality of underground base stations in the mine in advance of an emergency. The reference seismic signatures are created by generating first a seismic signal with a high signal-to-noise ratio at each base station, monitoring the signal with a permanent array of surface seismic sensors, and recording each unique signature on a central computer. In the event of an emergency, trapped miners can generate a second seismic signal at any of the underground base stations which can be easily identified with the central computer by using the pre-recorded reference seismic signature to overcome a weak signal-to-noise ratio.
US08031552B2
A multi-port memory device includes ports, banks, a global data bus, an input/output (I/O) controller, mode register set (MRS), a clock generator, and a test I/O controller. The I/O controller transmits a test signal to the global data bus in response to a mode register enable signal. The MRS generates a test enable signal in response to the mode register enable signal and outputs a mode selection signal which determines a data transmission mode of a test I/O signal in response to the test signal. The clock generator receives an external clock and generates an internal clock based on the external clock in response to the mode selection signal. The test I/O controller inputs/outputs the test I/O signal in synchronism with the internal clock. The mode register enable signal active during a test operation mode for testing a core area of the banks.
US08031544B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a three-dimensional (3D) cell array, a column selection circuit and a fuse block. The 3D cell array includes multiple cell arrays located in corresponding stacked substrate layers, the cell arrays sharing a bit line. The column selection circuit selects a memory unit included in the 3D cell array. The fuse block controls the column selection circuit to repair defective columns with one of multiple redundant bit lines located in the 3D cell array.
US08031541B1
Read only memory (ROM) with minimum leakage is provided. The ROM includes a read only memory array. The read only memory array includes a first transistor, wherein a drain, a source, a gate, and a bulk of the first transistor is electrically connected to a logic zero in the idle state for ensuring zero junction and sub-threshold leakage current. Another ROM includes a first transistor comprising a gate, electrically connected to a word line to provide a read signal, a drain, electrically connected to a main bit line through a second transistor. The second transistor includes a gate, electrically connected to a first decoding circuit, a drain, electrically connected to the main bit line. A first reference bit line is electrically connected to a drain of a third transistor, wherein gate of the third transistor is electrically connected to a second decoding circuit for generating a stop read signal. A second reference bit line, electrically connected to the first decoding circuit through a first sensing unit for generating a stop pre-charge signal. Further, a reference word line is electrically connected to a gate of a fourth transistor.
US08031539B2
In an embodiment, a memory device comprises a clock generating unit being configured to generate a read clock signal, the clock generating unit being connected to a first clock signal contact configured to send the read clock signal, and the clock generating unit being connected to data signal contacts being configured to send data signals, the memory device being configured to send the data signals in a phase and frequency accurate (source synchronous) manner with regard to the read clock signal.
US08031535B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes an input buffering block configured to buffer an input signal transmitted from an input pin, a latch block configured to latch the input signal buffered by the input buffering block, a defect discriminating block configured to discriminate whether or not the input signal latched by the latch block is defective signal in response to a test mode signal, and a data output buffer configured to buffer an output signal of the defect discriminating block to transmit it to a data output pin, wherein the input signal is one of an input command signal and an input address signal.
US08031527B2
A semiconductor device includes a first reference cell used for programming or reading non-volatile memory cells, and an adjustment circuit adjusting a first reference level of the first reference cell when the first reference level is changed.
US08031526B1
A memory integrated circuit (IC) includes an input that receives data for programming a target cell to a state. The memory IC further includes a programming module that determines a programming value for programming the target cell to the state based on the state and states of C cells that are adjacent to the target cell. The target cell and the C cells each store K bits per cell, where C and K are integers greater than or equal to 1.
US08031521B1
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to non-volatile memory. The systems and techniques can include accessing a threshold value that is associated with a data area of a non-volatile memory structure, performing a comparison using the threshold value and a first value associated with the data area, and selectively reprogramming data of the data area based on the comparison. A programming operation on the data area can trigger a reset of the first value. Accessing a threshold value can include accessing a second value that reflects a count of programming operations on the data area or a time between programmings and using the second value to select the threshold value.
US08031519B2
A memory unit with one field line; at least two thermally-assisted switching magnetic tunnel junction-based magnetic random access memory cells, each cell comprising a magnetic tunnel junction having an insulating layer disposed between a magnetic storage layer and a magnetic reference layer; wherein a selection transistor is connected to the magnetic tunnel junction; the one field line is used for passing a field current for switching a magnetization of the storage layer of the magnetic tunnel junctions of the cells. A magnetic memory device can be formed by assembling an array of the memory units, wherein at least two adjacent magnetic tunnel junctions of the cells can be addressed simultaneously by the field line. The memory unit and magnetic memory device have a reduced surface area. Magnetic memory devices with an increased density of memory units can be fabricated resulting in lower die fabrication cost and lower power consumption.
US08031518B2
Methods of forming and operating phase change memory devices include adjusting an activation energy barrier between a metastable phase and a stable phase of a phase change material in a memory cell. In some embodiments, the activation energy barrier is adjusted by applying stress to the phase change material in the memory cell. Memory devices include a phase change memory cell and a material, structure, or device for applying stress to the phase change material in the memory cell. In some embodiments, a piezoelectric device may be used to apply stress to the phase change material. In additional embodiments, a material having a thermal expansion coefficient greater than that of the phase change material may be positioned to apply stress to the phase change material.
US08031512B2
Provided herein is an MV DRAM device for storing multiple value levels using an SET device. The device includes one or more word lines; one or more bitlines; a DRAM cell connected to intersections of the word lines and the bitlines; a current source transistor having a source connected to a power supply voltage and a gate and a drain connected to the bitlines; an SET (single electron transistor) device having a gate connected to the bitlines and a source connected to the ground voltage; and a transistor connected between the bitlines and the drain of the SET device, where the gate of the transistor is connected to the ground voltage.
US08031503B1
The power consumption of a search engine such as a CAM device is dynamically adjusted to prevent performance degradation and/or damage resulting from overheating. For some embodiments, the CAM device is continuously sampled to generate sampling signals indicating the number of active states and number of compare operations performed during each sampling period. The sampling signals are accumulated to generate an estimated device power profile, which is compared with reference values corresponding to predetermined power levels to generate a dynamic power control signal indicating predicted increases in the device's operating temperature resulting from its power consumption. The dynamic power control signal is then used to selectively reduce the input data rate of the CAM device, thereby reducing power consumption and allowing the device to cool.
US08031496B2
A driving circuit includes a generation unit configured to generate a driving signal for turning on and off a power switching device, the driving signal having plural levels of voltage at which the power switching device is turned on. The driving circuit also includes a switching control unit configured to switch between the plural levels of voltage at which the power switching device is turned on, depending on a status of the power switching device.
US08031483B2
A fixing structure and a backlight module using the same are provided. The fixing structure is used for fixing a circuit board. The circuit board with several openings has an upper surface and a lower surface. The fixing structure includes a back plate and several hooks. The back plate has a contact surface. These hooks are disposed on the contact surface. The hooks go through the openings so that the contact surface contacts the lower surface. The hooks move toward the walls of the openings and press against the upper surface so as to fix the circuit board onto the back plate.
US08031478B2
A power conversion apparatus comprising a base 110 which includes a first fixation portion 110a and a second fixation portion 110b that are coupled to each other at a desired angle, wherein power modules IPM1, IPM2 and IPM3 are fixed on the first fixation portion 110a of the base 110, a control circuit board 10 is fixed with its first principal surface 10a held in direct or indirect touch with the second fixation portion 110b of the base 110, and components constituting a control circuit are packaged on the second principal surface 10b of the control circuit board 10. Owing to the configuration, a versatility for the installation of the power conversion apparatus on a vehicle becomes high, the vibration-proofness of the control circuit board is enhanced, and heats generated by the electronic components, etc. packaged on the control circuit board are sufficiently emitted.
US08031469B2
According to one embodiment, the electronic device includes a housing, the first to third printed circuit boards, and a fan unit. The first printed circuit board includes the first heat-generating part secured to the first wiring board. The second printed circuit board includes the second and third heat-generating parts, has an amount of heat generation larger than that of the first printed circuit board, and is located between the first printed circuit board and the second wall. The third printed circuit board includes the fourth heat-generating part, has an amount of heat generation smaller than that of the first printed circuit board, and is located between the first printed circuit board and the first wall.
US08031466B2
A method and system are provided for thermal management of a portable computing apparatus. Accelerometers are provided to detect changes in attitude, and temperature sensors are provided to detect changes in temperature. A fan is used to cool the internal temperature of the electronic components of the computer. In response to lift of the computer from a stationary surface, the computer may transition to an alternative state of operation. The transition may include the change of the speed of the fan and/or adjustment of the processor clock.
US08031465B2
The invention discloses an electronic apparatus comprising a motherboard, a connector, a card member and a first holder. The connector is disposed on the motherboard and the card member is disposed on the connector. The motherboard comprises a first fixing portion and the card member comprises a second fixing portion. The first holder comprises a third fixing portion fixed to the first fixing portion of the motherboard and a fourth fixing portion fixed to the second fixing portion of the card member. Accordingly, once the motherboard or the card member is hit or pulled by an external force, since two ends of the first holder respectively fix the card member and the motherboard, the card member will not be detached from the connector, such that the card member can be connected to the connector well.
US08031462B2
A molded component includes: a primary molded layer including a boxlike base portion that has a width direction in a first direction, a length direction in a second direction, and a height direction in a third direction and includes a first surface protruding in the third direction and a second surface that forms a spatial portion on the other side of the first surface, and a pedestal portion protruding outwardly in parallel to the first direction and the second direction from a circumferential edge of the base portion; a secondary molded layer formed of an optically-transparent resin material, that is laminated on the primary molded layer and has the same width and length as the primary molded layer; and an in-mold layer formed between the primary molded layer and the secondary molded layer.
US08031461B2
A device (100) having a first housing (101) and a second housing (102) may be selectively opened with a multi-axis coupling mechanism (500). The multi-axis coupling mechanism (500) works as an opening mechanism that is configured to cause the first housing (101) and the second housing (102) to rotate angularly about an opening axis (105) due to a preloaded tensioning device (401). The first housing (101) and second housing (102) are held in a closed position by retaining devices. The multi-axis coupling mechanism (500) is actuated when the first housing (101) is rotated about an actuation axis (106) that, in one embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to the opening axis (105). Opposing members may be employed to assist the multi-axis opening mechanism (500) during initial actuation.
US08031441B2
A CPP-GMR spin valve having a composite spacer layer comprised of at least one metal (M) layer and at least one semiconductor or semi-metal (S) layer is disclosed. The composite spacer may have a M/S, S/M, M/S/M, S/M/S, M/S/M/S/M, or a multilayer (M/S/M)n configuration where n is an integer ≧1. The pinned layer preferably has an AP2/coupling/AP1 configuration wherein the AP2 portion is a FCC trilayer represented by CoZFe(100-Z)/FeYCo(100-Y)/CoZFe(100-Z) where y is 0 to 60 atomic %, and z is 75 to 100 atomic %. In one embodiment, M is Cu with a thickness from 0.5 to 50 Angstroms and S is ZnO with a thickness of 1 to 50 Angstroms. The S layer may be doped with one or more elements. The dR/R ratio of the spin valve is increased to 10% or greater while maintaining acceptable EM and RA performance.
US08031436B2
When performing writing on a substrate applied with a resist by rapidly vibrating electron beam in a direction orthogonal to a radial direction of the substrate and X-Y deflecting the electron beam while rotating the substrate in one direction, a long element is written by scanning the electron beam with the middle position of a 2-bit signal length as the center position of the electron beam so as to completely fill the area of the writing length reduced by a predetermined ratio and an unwritten portion of predetermined width remaining on each side of the long element with respect to a final 2-bit signal length on a magnetic disk medium.
US08031430B2
A lightweight spoiler wing design for depopulated disk drives reduces unnecessary weight from the spoiler while maintaining the aerodynamic function and structural rigidity required. The invention includes spoiler designs having U-shapes with leading edge or trailing edge treatments, hollow boxes, L-shapes, vertical wall designs, and different bar support designs having upper and lower horizontal walls.
US08031426B2
A thin-film magnetic head having microwave magnetic exciting function, includes a write magnetic field production unit for producing, in response to a write signal, a write magnetic field to be applied into a magnetic recording medium, a line conductor of a microwave radiator of a plane-structure type, formed independent from the write magnetic field production means, for radiating, by feeding there through a microwave excitation current, a microwave band resonance magnetic field with a frequency equal to or in a range near a ferromagnetic resonance frequency FR of the magnetic recording medium, and two conductors separated from the line conductor in a direction perpendicular to a track-width direction of the thin-film magnetic head and parallel to an ABS of the thin-film magnetic head. The microwave radiator is an inverted micro strip waveguide having the line conductor and a ground conductor constituted by the magnetic recording medium. A section of the line conductor, perpendicular to the track-width direction has a rectangular shape. An aspect ratio B/A is within a region from 0.15 to 1.2 or within a region of 7 or more, where A is a length in a lateral direction of the line conductor, which is in parallel with the ABS and perpendicular to the track-width direction, and B is a length in a longitudinal direction of the line conductor, which is perpendicular to the air bearing surface.
US08031420B2
In a hard-disc drive read channel, frequency-based measures are generated at two different data frequencies (e.g., 2T and DC) by applying a transform, such as a discrete Fourier transform (DFT), to signal values, such as ADC or equalizer output values, corresponding to, e.g., a 2T data pattern stored on the hard disc. The frequency-based measures are used to detect defect regions on the hard disc and/or to classify defect regions as being due to either thermal asperity (TA) or drop-out media defect (MD).
US08031415B2
An imaging lens (LN) includes one or two lens blocks (BK), and an aperture stop (ape). The lens block (BK) includes a plane-parallel lens substrate (LS) and a lens (L) formed of different materials. In the imaging lens (LN), a first lens block (BK1) disposed at the most object-side exerts a positive optical power, and a conditional formula defined by the absolute difference between the index of refraction of a first lens substrate (LS1) and the index of refraction of a lens (L[LS1o]) contiguous with an object-side substrate surface of the first lens substrate (LS) is fulfilled.
US08031414B1
A single lens bullet-shaped laser beam shaper capable of redistributing an arbitrary beam profile into any desired output profile comprising a unitary lens comprising: a convex front input surface defining a focal point and a flat output portion at the focal point; and b) a cylindrical core portion having a flat input surface coincident with the flat output portion of the first input portion at the focal point and a convex rear output surface remote from the convex front input surface.
US08031412B2
An imaging optical system O supported by a lens barrel 3 includes a second lens group G2. The second lens group G2 includes a fourth lens 54 and a black light shielding portion 54d formed by printing. The light shielding portion 54d is a film-shaped portion formed on the surface of the fourth lens 54, and blocks harmful light in the imaging optical system O. The light shielding portion 54d includes a synthetic resin. The light shielding portion 54d is disposed in a non-effective optical area of the fourth lens 54. The effective light path of the imaging optical system O is determined by the light shielding portion 54d.
US08031410B2
A zoom lens includes, in order from its object side, a first lens unit having a negative refracting power, a second lens unit having a positive refracting power, and a third lens unit having a refracting power. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit decreases, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit changes. The first lens unit includes, in order from the object side, a first lens element, which is a negative lens element, and a second lens element, which is a positive lens element. The negative lens element and the positive lens element satisfy specific conditions.
US08031400B2
The present invention relates to a retractable frame of projection screen comprises, a receiving case; a cylinder; a supporting arm; a main retractable arm; and an upper support; when folding, the upper support is downwardly pressed, then the cylinder retractable arm is forced to inwardly retract by the cylinder and the driven retractable arm is inwardly retracted toward the main retractable arm until the cylinder retractable arm is fully received in the cylinder and the driven retractable arm is fully received in the main retractable arm, so the projection screen, the upper support, the supporting arm, the connecting member and the main retractable arm are received in the accommodating space.
US08031366B2
A problem of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus, a controlling method, a program, and a recording medium which can print by using at least one or more special colors in addition to four colors of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. To solve the above problem, the control apparatus according to the present invention includes analyzing unit that provides command analysis for a CMYK plate and a clear toner plate, generating unit that generates image data of the CMYK plate based on a result of the command analysis by the analyzing unit, and embedding unit that embeds a clear toner attribute obtained by analyzing the clear toner plate in an attribute flag accompanying each of pixels of the image data of the CMYK plate, which is generated by the generating unit.
US08031357B2
A handheld display device for displaying and interacting with information corresponding to a printed substrate. The device comprises: a transceiver for sending and receiving digital information; an optical sensor for imaging an area of the printed substrate and for generating image data; a processor for determining interaction data using the image data, the interaction data identifying a substrate identity; and a touch-sensitive screen for displaying display information based on retrieved display data. The touch-sensitive screen enables user interaction with the display information.
US08031348B2
An approach is provided for securely printing electronic documents using a portable media. The approach is applicable to a wide variety of contexts and implementations and includes secure direct printing of electronic documents, secure direct printing of electronic documents with remote user authentication and secure printing of electronic documents with remote data management. The particular information provided on the portable media varies, depending upon the implementation. Furthermore, the approach provides varying degrees of security and may be used in conjunction with conventional printing of electronic documents.
US08031338B2
The present invention provides improved methods for assessing Förster resonance energy transfer using polarized light. Specifically, the methods rely on measuring depolarized light emitted by fluorescent acceptor molecules.
US08031333B2
A method of determining a distance to an object is presented. A first photon and a second photon are simultaneously generated. The first photon is reflected off an object. The second photon is directed to an optical cavity. An arrival of the first photon is correlated with an arrival of the second photon, and the distance to the object is at least partially determined using the correlation.
US08031332B2
The location of one of a series of construction points at an indoor construction site is established using a robotic total station and a handheld device. Construction data is inputted into the handheld device with the construction data defining a plurality of construction points at the construction site. One of the plurality of construction points is selected with the handheld device. Data regarding the selected construction point is then transmitted wirelessly from the handheld device to a robotic total station. The robotic total station generates a beam of laser light, and directs the beam of laser light from the robotic total station to the construction point. The construction point is defined by x and y coordinates, and by an assumed z coordinate. The actual z coordinate is that of a point on a horizontal surface, such as a ceiling or floor, having the same x and y coordinates. Through an iterative process, the location of the construction point is established.
US08031331B2
A coordinate measurement instrument includes an optical distance measurement device (200, 300) for measuring the distance from an auxiliary measurement means (5) which can move in space, a zoom camera (106), which can rotate with respect to at least two axes, with a zoom lens, and an overview camera (104) for coarse localization of the auxiliary measurement means (5). A light exit and light receiving optical system (101, 102) of the distance measurement device (200, 300), the zoom camera (106) and the overview camera (104) are arranged on a shared carrier (1) which can rotate with respect to at least two axes (A, Z). The optical axis (111) of the distance measurement device (200, 300) and the optical axis of the overview camera (104), preferably extend coaxially outside the coordinate measurement instrument. Sub-units of the distance measurement devices (200, 300) are, preferably, arranged on the carrier (1) and on the rotatable intermediate unit (2) and are connected to each other by means of optical waveguides (501-508).
US08031328B2
A positioning apparatus includes a moving member, an actuator, and a controller. The moving member can move in at least a first direction. The actuator is provided along the first direction. The controller controls a current applied to the actuator in order to support the weight of the moving member. The bending rigidity of the moving member in the first direction is greater than the bending rigidity of the moving member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08031327B2
The disclosure relates an illumination system that has an optical axis and a polarization-influencing arrangement. The arrangement can include a first wedge plate with a first wedge direction which extends perpendicularly to the optical axis in the direction of a maximum change in thickness of the first wedge plate, and a second wedge plate with a second wedge direction which extends perpendicularly to the optical axis in the direction of a maximum change in thickness of the second wedge plate. The first wedge plate and the second wedge plate can be arranged rotatably about the optical axis. The first wedge plate and the second wedge plate can be respectively made from birefringent crystal material having a respective optical crystal axis. In a starting position of the arrangement in which the first wedge direction and the second wedge direction extend in mutually parallel relationship, the optical crystal axis of the first wedge plate and the optical crystal axis of the second wedge plate can be oriented at an angle of 45°±3° relative to each other. One of the two crystal axes can be oriented perpendicularly or parallel to the preferred polarization direction of the light impinging on the arrangement.
US08031325B2
A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.
US08031314B2
A color liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate having data lines and scan lines arranged in a matrix, a second substrate having four-color filter segments to provide four sub-pixels forming a pixel, a frame-shaped sealing material through which the first and second substrates are bonded together, and a liquid crystal sealed in a gap surrounded by the first and second substrates and the sealing material. The data lines and the scan lines are drawn out of the sealing material and arranged as inspection data lines having a predetermined length. Among the inspection data lines LR, LG, LB, LC corresponding to the four-color filter segments, at least one pair of the inspection lines for two colors sandwich one inspection data line for one color and have identical lengths. According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a color liquid crystal display panel such that, even when the number of color filter segments per pixel is increased, the space where the inspection lines are provided to inspect the wiring condition on the display panel is not increased.
US08031305B2
A transflective liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and liquid crystal intercalated between the first and second substrates in which each pixel includes a reflection area and a transmission area. The second substrate includes pixel electrodes and common electrodes to drive the liquid crystal. In the reflection area, a reflective layer is arranged between the pixel and common electrodes and the second substrate, and a polarizing layer is disposed between the pixel and common electrodes and the reflective layer.
US08031302B2
A directional diffusion film with diffusion properties that vary depending on the incidence angle is characterized in that a diffusion axis direction is in the range of 20° to 50° with respect to a normal direction of the film, and a diffusion half-value angle is at least 20° and lower than 90°. The diffusion axis direction is a light irradiation direction in which the strongest diffusion light is obtained when the film is irradiated with light. The diffusion half-value angle is a diffusion angle at which intensity of outgoing diffusion light at a plane A is 50% of the peak intensity, with the plane A containing the normal direction and the diffusion axis direction of the directional diffusion film, when collimated light is incident at an incidence angle of 30° from the normal direction of the directional diffusion film in the plane A. A polarizing plate containing the directional diffusion film. An LCD device containing the directional diffusion film.
US08031300B2
Provided is a liquid crystal device including: a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines which cross each other; switching elements which are provided in correspondence with intersections between the data lines and the scanning lines; pixel electrodes connected to the switching elements; pixels configured in correspondence with the pixel electrodes; an image display region configured by the plurality of pixels; a first substrate having at least the switching elements; a second substrate which faces the first substrate; and liquid crystal interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein light incident from the first substrate is modulated by the liquid crystal, a light-shielding film is provided on a light incident side of at least the switching elements of the first substrate, and at least a portion corresponding to the image display region of the second substrate includes only a transparent layer which transmits light incident to the liquid crystal.
US08031297B2
The present invention provides a color filter comprising a transmission area and reflection area in which at least one color pixel of red, green and blue pixels is formed of the same material, wherein a transparent area having no color layer is formed in a part of the reflection area, at least one sub-area is formed in the transparent area, and the size of the sub-area is 20 μm or more and 2,000 μm or less. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display for both transmission display and reflection display with a cheap manufacturing cost, wherein the difference of chromaticity between the transmission display and reflection display is small, and the surface of the transmission area and reflection area have small step heights.
US08031293B2
An exemplary backlight module (1) includes a light guide plate (10) and at least one light source assembly (16). Each of the light source assembly includes a plurality of point light sources (163) and a light source holder (160). The light source holder accommodates the point light sources and an end portion (12) of the light guide plate, with a distance between the end portion and the point light sources.
US08031288B2
A prism sheet is bonded to the bottom faces of rectangular prisms constituting a polarization beam splitter array. In the front face of the prism sheet, a plurality of rectangular prism elements are arranged in parallel to each other and a phase difference compensation film is formed on the surface. The edge lines of the rectangular prism elements are inclined at 45 degrees relative to the edge lines of the rectangular prisms. Linear polarized light of S-polarization component reflected by a polarized light separation film is reflected twice sequentially in a phase difference compensation film formed in a pair of oblique faces of the rectangular prism elements, so that the polarization direction is rotated by 90 degrees and then the light reenters the rectangular prism. Then, the light is transmitted through the polarized light separation film and then extracted from the rectangular prism.
US08031287B2
The present invention relates to a display panel and a liquid crystal display including the same. The display panel includes a pixel electrode, which includes a first subpixel electrode, a second subpixel electrode, and a third subpixel electrode insulated from each other, a first thin film transistor connected to the first subpixel electrode, a second thin film transistor connected to the second subpixel electrode, a third thin film transistor connected to the third subpixel electrode, a gate line connected to the first, second, and third thin film transistors, a data line connected to the first, second, and third thin film transistors, and a voltage differentiating member to change voltages of the first, second, and third subpixel electrodes, the voltages of the first, second, and third subpixel electrodes being different from each other.
US08031286B2
A liquid crystal display includes a first insulating substrate, and a second insulating substrate facing the first insulating substrate. Gate lines are formed on the first insulating substrate while extending in a horizontal direction. A gate insulating layer is formed on the gate lines. A semiconductor layer and data lines are formed on the gate insulating layer. The data lines extend in a vertical direction. Source electrodes are formed on the semiconductor layer while being connected to the data lines. Drain electrodes face the source electrodes. A protective layer is formed on the data lines, and pixel electrodes are formed on the protective layer such that the pixel electrodes are connected to the drain electrodes while having a plurality of slits and horizontal opening portions. A common electrode is formed on the second insulating substrate with a plurality of opening portions. The horizontal opening portions of the pixel electrode and the opening portions of the common electrode partition the pixel region into left and right domains as well as upper and lower domains. The slits are positioned at the left and right domains.
US08031279B2
Disclosed is an in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device having an increased aperture ratio by overlapping a storage capacitor on a lower end of an electrode. The (IPS) mode liquid crystal display device (LCD) device includes first and second substrates; a gate line and a data line arranged horizontally and vertically to define a plurality of pixel regions on the first substrate; a switching device, having a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer and source and drain electrodes, at a crossing of the gate line and the data line; a passivation film on an entire surface of the first substrate including the switching device; a common electrode and a pixel electrode alternately disposed at an upper portion of the passivation film and generating an in-plane electric field, wherein at least one of the common and pixel electrodes has a first storage capacitor at its lower end; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.
US08031275B2
An upper substrate for a touch screen panel includes an upper base substrate, a plurality of conductive spacers disposed on the upper base substrate, a height of the conductive spacers substantially adjacent to a center of the upper base substrate being smaller than a height of the conductive spacers substantially adjacent to a periphery of the upper base substrate, a common electrode disposed on the upper base substrate, and a plurality of supporting spacers disposed between the conductive spacers on the common electrode, the supporting spacers having a height greater than the height of the conductive spacers.
US08031263B2
An image capturing apparatus that commences a pre-shooting operation on a first stroke of a release button, executes a shooting operation on a second stroke of the release button, and stores generated image data in a connected storage medium. The image capturing apparatus includes a power supply unit adapted to supply power to the storage medium, and a controller configured to control the power supply unit so that the power supply to the storage medium is started in response to the first stroke of the release button going ON.
US08031262B2
An embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a final exposure setting, including, (a) selecting one of a number of predetermined exposure settings as a current exposure setting for a solid state camera having a camera imager, (b) generating a captured scene by the camera imager using the current exposure setting, (c) selecting according to an automated search methodology another one of the exposure settings to be the current setting in response to the captured scene being underexposed or overexposed, and, (d) repeating (b) and (c) until the captured scene is neither underexposed or overexposed.
US08031260B2
An active pixel sensor (APS) that includes circuitry to eliminate artifacts in digital images. The APS includes a comparator for comparing a signal level from a pixel to an adjusted saturation voltage to determine if the pixel is saturated. If the pixel is saturated, an associated saturation flag is stored and used to replace the signal from the pixel with a maximum value corresponding to a brightest pixel in the image.
US08031256B2
Disclosed herein is a zoom lens formed by arranging a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power in order from an object side to an image side, wherein at a time of varying power from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens group is moved, the second lens group is moved to the object side, and the third lens group is moved to the image side such that an air interval between the first lens group and the second lens group is decreased and such that an air interval between the second lens group and the third lens group is increased.
US08031253B2
An image sensor having micro-lenses is disclosed. The image sensor comprises a plurality of pixels formed in a semiconductor substrate, each pixel including a light sensitive element. A micro-lens is formed over each of the light sensitive elements. Finally, a raised ridge structure surrounds each of the micro-lenses.
US08031249B2
An active pixel sensor (APS) comprises a regular repeating pattern of geometrically similar pixel regions, active pixels of which have photodiodes formed therein. A remainder of the geometrically similar regions has electrical components shared amongst neighboring photodiodes, such as for collecting and amplifying signals from the photodiodes. A 4-way sharing arrangement is shown, with four active pixel regions aligned in a column and the shared electrical components in a pixel region, the pixel region being shaped and sized similarly to the active pixel regions, in an adjacent column.
US08031246B2
An image sensor that has a pixel array section in which pixels are arrayed in a two-dimensional manner in vertical and horizontal directions and that controls an exposure time of each pixel in a rolling shutter method is disclosed. The sensor includes control means for determining an electronic shutter occurrence number within one horizontal scanning period, which is the number of rows where electronic shutters are simultaneously performed in one horizontal scanning period, by an operation based on an address addition amount (P1, P2, P3, . . . , PN) when a vertical address movement amount of the pixel array section for every one horizontal scanning period in an exposure regulation shutter, which is an electronic shutter for regulating exposure, executed corresponding to electric charge reading in each pixel is expressed as repetition of the address addition amount (P1, P2, P3, . . . , PN).
US08031245B2
An imaging apparatus and method using a line memory controller for writing first image region data of an amount less than the total storage capacity of a line memory among image data output on a line-by-line basis from an imaging device, to the line memory and reading the first image region data from the line memory, an SDRAM controller for writing a second image region data besides the first image region data among image data output from the imaging device on a line-by-line basis to a storage medium and reading the second image region data from that storage medium after image data output from the imaging device is ended, and a line memory controller for writing the second image region data read from the storage medium to the line memory. Thus, the size of and power consumption by the storage medium can be reduced.
US08031241B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit configured by arranging plural unit pixels including charge generating units and output transistors that output processing object signals corresponding to charges generated by the charge generating units, an imaging-condition determining unit that determines whether a large light-amount imaging condition, when an amount of light larger than that of light representing a saturation level is made incident on the charge generating units, is satisfied, and a control unit that performs control, on condition that the imaging-condition determining unit determines that the large light-amount imaging condition is satisfied, to correct an output signal based on processing object signals outputted from the unit pixels such that a harmful effect due to the large light-amount imaging condition is suppressed in the output signal.
US08031235B2
An imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units having plural first photoelectric conversion units and plural second photoelectric conversion units, a drive section and a signal processing section. The drive section controls the solid-state imaging device to read first pixel signals that are accumulated over an exposure period, from the first photoelectric conversion units, respectively, to read low-sensitivity pixel signals from the second photoelectric conversion units, respectively, to read second pixel signals that are accumulated in at least a part of the exposure period, from the second photoelectric conversion units, to mix the first pixel signals and the second signals for producing a high-sensitivity pixel signals. The signal processing section combines the low-sensitivity pixel signals and the high-sensitivity pixel signals and produces an image.
US08031234B2
An imaging apparatus is provided and includes: an imaging device including a first color pixel, a second color pixel, a third color pixel, and the luminance-detecting pixels; a controlling section that generates first complementary color information by adding data of the first color pixel and data of the second color pixel adjacent to the first color pixel, generates second complementary color information by adding data of the second color pixel and data of the third color pixel adjacent to the second color pixel, and generates luminance information by adding respective data of luminance-detecting pixels adjacent to each other, when data of a reduced image having a reduced resolution as compared with a resolution for the whole pixels of the imaging device is generated, and a signal processing section that signal-processes the first complementary color information, the second complementary color information, and the luminance information to reproduce a taken image.
US08031231B2
In a video system of the invention, control means is provided for a terminal input apparatus which is connected by a communication network of a camera on the partner side and which comprises an image display apparatus having a multiwindow display function for selecting and displaying the camera. An image pickup operation which is required to the camera on the partner side, for example, the image pickup direction, focal distance, panning, exposure amount, white balance, automatic focusing, and the like of the designated camera are inputted by using an image display and a window display of the image display apparatus. The operation of the camera on the partner side and the operations of a tripod, a movable arm, and the like to hold the camera are controlled through communicating means. A photographed image is displayed by the display apparatus.
US08031215B2
A thermal head which forms an image on a recording medium by pressing a protruding portion on which heating elements are arranged on the recording medium while driving the heating elements to be heated includes a support substrate in which a concave gap portion facing the protruding portion is formed and a glaze layer provided on the support substrate and in which the protruding portion is formed, in which the glaze layer has a base layer stacked on the support substrate as well as forming a ceiling surface of the gap portion and a heat resistant layer stacked on the base layer and on which the heating elements are arranged.
US08031201B2
A method for obtaining and analyzing information objects including generating, collecting or discovering information objects. The information objects are signified at least in part using deliberately ambiguated signifier prompts, for example, linear scale opposing negatives or positives, and/or multi-dimensional signifier prompts. The information objects may comprise text or non-text fragments, and may be generated or selected. The responses to the signifier prompts are stored with the fragments to provide a dataset of signified fragments. The signified fragments may be analyzed based on the signifiers and can be utilized as part of an explorable knowledge repository, or objective measures can be created to aid in mass opinion capture or human attitude auditing. The fragments may be represented on a graphical template. In one embodiment, fragment exemplars are identified that exemplify significant locations on the template, and the exemplar signifiers are used to automatically locate other signified fragments on the template.
US08031198B1
An apparatus and method for servicing multiple graphics processing channels are described. In one embodiment, a graphics processing apparatus includes a scheduler configured to direct servicing of a graphics processing channel by issuing an index related to the graphics processing channel. The graphics processing apparatus also includes a processing core connected to the scheduler. The processing core is configured to service the graphics processing channel by: (i) correlating the index with a memory location at which an instance block for the graphics processing channel is stored; and (ii) accessing the instance block stored at the memory location.
US08031195B2
An interactive data analysis system is disclosed. The interactive data analysis system has a computer-generated user interface which includes a plurality of histogram elements having data band controls. The data band controls allow modification of subjective parameters related to the data analysis and produce realtime updates to data forms which present the analyzed data to the user.
US08031194B2
An apparatus and method to dynamically regulate system bandwidth in a graphics system includes receiving vertex data from an application by way of an application programming interface. The rate that the vertex data is received from the application is then determined. In the event the rate is greater than a selected threshold, the graphics system is configured to operate in immediate mode, wherein vertex data is rendered immediately upon reception. In the event the rate is less than the selected threshold, the graphics system is configured to operate in retained mode, wherein vertex data is stored prior to being rendered. The apparatus and method switches between each of the modes on-the-fly in a manner that is transparent to the application.
US08031190B2
A computing system translates two-dimensional (2D) graphical input by a user who is selecting one or more 2D images in a three-dimensional (3D) scene of 3D models created by model 3D objects. The computing system comprises a viewport module, a retrieve module, set ray module and, a hit detection module. The viewport module defines 2D boundaries of the 3D scene and a view point location in 3D space for viewing the 3D scene. The retrieve module retrievies a selection point location in 2D space for the 2D graphical input. The set ray module sets a pick ray in 3D space based on the view point location and the selection point location. The hit detection module detects a hit by the pick ray on a 3D model in the 3D scene. In this computing system there is a method of processing a hierarchy of computer program visual objects for detecting a hit by 2D input on 2D and 3D images displayed by a computing system. The method begins by traversing branches of a first tree hierarchy of visual objects to leaf objects. Next the method detects whether the next unprocessed leaf object is a visual 2D object with 2D geometry or a model 3D object with 3D geometry. Lastly the method calls a 2D process to detect a hit on the 2D geometry of a visual object if a visual 2D object is detected and calls the 3D process to detect a hit on the 3D geometry of a visual object if a model 3D object is detected.
US08031184B2
An electronic device and a method for receiving an input of information through a touch input device of the electronic device is provided. The method includes receiving information including at least one of symbols and characters through the input generated by touching of a screen displayed on the touch input device, and executing a specific application to process the received information.
US08031175B2
Sensors around the periphery of the remote control unit detect contact with the user's hand. A trained model-based pattern classification system analyzes the periphery sensor data and makes a probabilistic prediction of the user's hand size. The hand size is then used to control a mapping system that defines how gestures by the user's thumb upon a touchpad of the remote control unit are mapped to the control region upon a separate display screen.
US08031173B2
The present invention provides a computer switching device that can easily monitor a plurality of computers for errors. A keyboard connection switch distributes the input operation information of keyboard over the plurality of computers in accordance with an instruction of a switching control device. A mouse connection switch distributes the input operation information of mouse over the plurality of computers in accordance with an instruction of the switching control device. A frame buffer buffers a screen from the VGA output of each computer. An image synthesis device forms an image by synthesizing the screens from the VGA outputs of the computers in accordance with an instruction of the switching control device.
US08031169B2
Disclosed is a high-frequency boost circuitry for use with a computer management system. Detection circuitry at the receiving end of a video signal measures the amplitudes of various frequency components of the video signal. If the amplitudes of the high-frequency components of the video signal are substantially lower than the amplitudes of the low frequency components of the video signal, the detection circuitry sends the amplitude information to analysis circuitry located at the transmitting end of the video signal. The analysis circuitry utilizes this information to determine the appropriate level of amplification needed for the video signal. This results in improved signal to noise ratio at the receiver in the computer management system.
US08031140B2
A pixel circuit of display device for realizing a certain color during a display period of time comprising. The pixel circuit includes at least two light emitting elements, each said light emitting element for emitting a corresponding one of colors during the display period of time. An active element is commonly connected to the at least two light emitting elements to drive the at least two light emitting elements in response to at least one emission control signal. The active element time-divisionally drives the at least two light emitting elements using the at least one emission control signal during the display period of time per a sub display period of time. The at least two light emitting elements realize the certain color in the display period of time by time-divisionally emitting the corresponding ones of the colors, one of the corresponding ones of the colors being emitted per the sub display period of time.
US08031133B2
A method and device for manipulating color in a display includes a display in which one or more of the pixels includes one or more display elements, such as interferometric modulators, configured to output colored light and one or more display elements configured to output white light. Other embodiments include methods of making such displays. In addition, embodiments include color displays configured to provide a greater proportion of the intensity of output light in green portions of the visible spectrum in order to increase perceived brightness of the display.
US08031132B2
The present invention provides a display device capable of automatically adjusting display orientation and the display segment arrangement thereof. The display device is provided for an electronic product. The display device includes: a segment display device, a position detection device and a decoding circuit. The segment display device has plural display segments arranged on the electronic device. The position detection device is arranged on the electronic product for generating a first status signal or a second status signal based on the electronic product being positioned horizontally or vertically. The decoding circuit connects to the segment display device and the position detection device for receiving a numerical signal and displaying the numerical signal on the segment display device based on the first status signal or second status signal.
US08031125B2
An antenna system may include a first antenna having a helical shaped portion, and configured to receive signals over a first frequency range. A second antenna may be positioned in proximate distance from the first antenna, and be configured to receive signals over a second frequency range. A splitter may be configured for separating signals received from radio and remote keyless entry antennas and may include a first branch including a first filter to filter AM band signals from communications signals received from an antenna, a second branch including a second filter to filter FM band signals from communications signals received from the antenna, a third branch including a third filter to filter remote keyless entry signals from communications signals received from the antenna, and an amplifier to amplify the remote keyless entry signals. The filters may be passive filters. The antenna may be a whip antenna or roof antenna.
US08031122B2
A protective circuit module including a layered insulating substrate, a printed circuit pattern disposed within the insulating substrate, and a loop antenna electrically connected to the printed circuit pattern. Ends of the loop antenna can be inserted into the insulating substrate and connected to the printed circuit pattern. Portions of the printed circuit pattern may extend out of the insulating substrate, and may be connected to the loop antenna. The protective circuit module can be included in a secondary battery pack comprising a secondary battery. The loop antenna can be adhered to the secondary battery.
US08031105B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for providing an enhanced data link using overlaid modulation. Through embodiments of the present invention, existing ATC (or other) modulated signals using existing standard frequencies may be utilized to transmit (e.g., from an aircraft transponder) additional information in a manner that does not render the transmitted signal unrecognizable by legacy ATC equipment. Legacy equipment will be able to demodulate and decode information that was encoded in the transmitted signal in accordance with preexisting standard modulation formats, and updated equipment can also extract the additional information that was overlaid on transmitted signals.
US08031101B2
A technique to mitigate in-band spurs introduced into a signal due to various board/SiP layout issues at a receiver is disclosed. The spurs can be approximated as sinusoids at different known frequencies with unknown amplitudes and phases. The technique is applicable to both single and multiple spur cancellation.
US08031097B2
A multiplying digital-to-analog converter includes an operational amplifier (OP-amp) operated under a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage; an OP-amp input switch block coupled to a common mode voltage for selectively coupling the common mode voltage to input nodes of the OP-amp, wherein the common mode voltage is substantially equal to the first power supply voltage; a capacitor block coupled to the OP-amp input switch block; a sampling switch block coupled to the input signal for selectively coupling the input signal to the capacitor block; a reference voltage switch block coupled to the capacitor block for selectively coupling the reference signal to the capacitor block; and a feedback switch block coupled between the capacitor block and output nodes of the OP-amp.
US08031096B2
A circuit for a delta-sigma digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a first stage with a delta-sigma noise-shaping loop. The first stage is capable of receiving an input signal, includes a first quantizer that has a first quantization error, and provides a first stage output. A first DAC receives the first stage output and provides a first analog output. A second stage receives the first quantization error. The second stage provides a second stage output to the digital differentiator. A second DAC receives a digital differentiator output and provides a second analog output. An adder adds the first analog output and the second analog output to provide a third analog output, so that the first quantization error is cancelled out and the inband noise is suppressed in the third analog output.
US08031092B1
Methods and systems are described relating to dual-mode based digital background calibration of pipelined ADCs, for gain variations and device mismatches. Errors caused by gain insufficiency, nonlinearity, and capacitor mismatches are corrected by operating one ADC in two circuit configurations. These two modes are so arranged that their digital outputs differ in the presence of gain nonlinearity, gain insufficiency, and capacitor mismatches. The output difference is measured by randomly choosing one of the two operation modes at each sampling clock and digitally correlating the resulting digital output sequence. The measured output difference, which represents ADC errors, is used to remove the errors.
US08031084B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for vehicle speed acquisition and citation. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, multiple different imaging systems can be placed individually at different locations along a route of travel, such as a highway, byway or waterway. Images of different vehicles can be captured at each of the locations and different ones of the different vehicles can be image-recognized. A time of travel between pairs of the locations can be determined for selected ones of the different vehicles in order to compute a rate of travel for the selected ones of the different vehicles. A citation signal is generated when a speed of a vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed limit such that the vehicle owner may be automatically cited for speeding.
US08031083B2
Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node comprises a transducer, which generates a signal in response to an external signal. The ad-hoc network communication is supported in part by static communication nodes, which defined an organized infrastructure network in order to achieve the various functions of the transducers. In another embodiment, the communication node for use with a wireless ad-hoc network does not include a transducer. Such communication nodes are preferred for use with a less structured network with virtually no infrastructure and allow for being used with expanding and contracting networks. Mobile communication nodes mostly support the propagation of signals. However, pseudo-static or static communication nodes are also used in wireless communication ad-hoc networks.
US08031081B2
An embodiment of a wireless telemetry system for providing signal communication across a wired-communication gap in a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”), the BHA having an upper portion and a lower portion separated by the wired-communication gap, includes an upper transceiver positioned in the upper portion and in signal communication with a surface telemetry system and a lower transceiver positioned in the lower portion and in signal communication with a drilling tool, the upper and the lower transceivers in signal communication with one another via wireless induction telemetry. Each transceiver may include an antenna that is positioned within the bore of a drill collar adjacent to a thinned wall section in the drill collar. The thinned wall section may include one or more of increasing an inside diameter relative to a base inside diameter of the bore and decreasing an outside diameter relative to a base outside diameter of the drill collar.
US08031076B2
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for predicting heart failure decompensation using within-patient diagnostics. A method comprises detecting an alert status of each of one or more sensors; calculating an alert score by combining the detected alerts; and calculating a composite alert score, the composite alert score being indicative of a physiological condition and comprising a combination of two or more alert scores.
US08031072B2
An apparatus including an enclosure for an RFID reader to be affixed to a storage container; an RFID reader that scans a first storage container using a first antenna and a second storage container using a second antenna; and a networked system of RFID apparatuses including a primary RFID apparatus and secondary RFID apparatuses that are controlled by the primary RFID apparatus.
US08031063B2
A method and an apparatus for driver assistance, in which a distinction is made, with the aid of operating variables and a classifier, between an intentional and unintentional lane change by the vehicle.
US08031062B2
The present invention includes a number of embodiments for improving vehicle situational awareness at intersections. A first embodiment may comprise a lens fitted at the top of the windshield or outside the vehicle, for refracting the light to the driver, so the driver may more easily see signals, signage and other features of an intersection, as well as other traffic. A second embodiment of the invention is used as an aid to prompt the driver that a light has changed. In a third embodiment, the light change sensor may be combined with other vehicle status information. As the car comes to a stop, the route guidance system may determine if the vehicle is at or in the vicinity of an intersection. Depending on the route guidance database, the system may also know whether or not there are traffic lights at the intersection. Using the vehicle's on board forward-looking radar sensor, the system may then determine if it is first in line at the intersection. In a fourth embodiment the system may be part of a portable after-market routing device. In a fifth embodiment the system, either portable or fixed, may be used to detect changes in the intensity of the brake lights of the vehicle ahead.
US08031058B2
A sound-emitting device (10, FIG. 1) may be mounted to a wall near places which will be unsuitable for the congregation of young person, such as outside shops and on street corners. The device generates sound waves at a frequency that is detectable by one or more subgroups of individuals within a group of individuals.
US08031053B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for radio frequency identification (RFID) label time synchronization. A method includes, in a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator having an antenna, transceiver, a clock, a memory and a central processing unit (CPU), initializing a RFID tag with a label start time and a time to record data, the label start time representing an actual start time indicated by the clock, receiving a label stop time, a label time and logged data from an interrogation of the RFID tag, and compensating the label time for a drift between the label stop time and an actual stop time.
US08031052B2
Systems and methods providing radio frequency identification (RFID) of individuals, as may be implemented with respect to a controlled environment facility, using RFID transducer technology deployed in association with a user terminal, such as telephone or multimedia kiosk, are shown. Embodiments operate to identify residents of a controlled environment facility and control one or more transactions associated with the residents and/or actions of the residents using a RFID system in which a user presents a RFID transponder in proximity to a RFID transducer for identification. RFID tags of embodiments comprise data which identifies an individual, data which may be used to identify an individual, or a combination of both. RFID systems of embodiments are adapted to utilize existing communication links for identification of individuals using RFID and/or for controlling transactions, such as calls, using RFID.
US08031050B2
Situational location dependent information is transmitted from a server data processing system to a receiving data processing system. The server data processing system communicates with the receiving data processing system in a manner by pushing content when appropriate. A candidate delivery event associated with a current positional attribute of the receiving data processing system is recognized and a situational location of the remote data processing system is determined. The candidate delivery event may be a location and/or direction change, device state change, or movement exceeding a movement tolerance. The situational location of the remote data processing system may be its location, direction, location and direction, proximity to a location, state change, or location and/or direction relative to a previous location and/or direction, or combinations thereof. A set of delivery content from a deliverable content database is transmitted from the server data processing system to the receiving data processing system according to the situational location of the receiving data processing system, and according to delivery constraints. The delivery content is configurable by authorized administrators on an instant activation basis for proactive delivery.
US08031049B2
The present invention provides a means for secure communication between an electrical utility company and an electricity customer, such that the customer is able to shed one or more loads in response to a load shed command from the utility company. A system server of the customer periodically connects to a utility server of the utility company using a standard computer protocol, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The system server sends a request message via the Internet to the utility server. The request message provides data on the total possible load, the present power consumption, and the present load shed state of the electricity customer. The utility server receives the request message and responds to the request message by transmitting to the system server a response message, which includes a load shed command.
US08031038B2
The magnetic fixing device comprises a clamping plate having a fixing surface to which a clamping object is fixed and plural magnetic force generation mechanisms. The magnetic force generation mechanisms each comprise a magnetic material member facing the fixing surface, plural permanent magnets arranged around the outer periphery of the magnetic material member, a first Alnico magnet placed on the back of the magnetic material member, and a first coil for switching the polarity of the first Alnico magnet, and can be switched between the absorption state in which the clamping object is adsorbed and the non-absorption state in which the clamping object is not adsorbed. An operation state indication mechanism capable of presenting an indicator indicating that the plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are in the absorption state or in the non-absorption state is provided on the fixing surface or outer periphery of the clamping plate.
US08031035B2
A ceramic multilayer construction includes three resonators designed as parallel strip lines that are capacitatively or magnetically coupled to each other. All circuit components are implemented in the form of metallizations in multilayer construction. Capacitative couplings are implemented by coupling capacitors. The strip line resonators are shortened by shunt arms to ground having grounding capacitors arranged therein.
US08031033B2
A printed solenoid inductor delay line system comprises discrete delay sections, where the inductor is implemented in the form of a printed, spiraling solenoid, with the solenoid axis in the plane of the multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB).
US08031022B2
Provided are an MIT device-based oscillation circuit including a power source, an MIT device and a variable resistor, in which a generation of an oscillation and an oscillation frequency are determined according to a voltage applied from the power source and a resistance of the variable resistor, and a method of adjusting the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit. The MIT device includes an MIT thin film and an electrode thin film connected to the MIT thin film, and generates a discontinuous MIT at an MIT generation voltage, the variable resistor is connected in series to the MIT device, and the power source applies a voltage or an electric current to the MIT device. The generation of an oscillation and an oscillation frequency are determined according to the voltage applied from the power source and the resistance of the variable resistor.
US08031017B2
Described herein is the method and apparatus for determining frequency of an oscillator coupled with one or more analog devices, and for determining within-die or across-die variations in an analog property associated with the one or more analog devices, the determining based on the oscillator frequency. The analog property includes output signal swing, bandwidth, offset, gain, and delay line linearity and range. The one or more analog devices include input-output (I/O) buffer, analog amplifier, and delay line. The method further comprises updating a simulation model file based on the determining of the within-die and/or across-die variations of the analog property.
US08031016B2
An object of the invention is to provide a multiplying oscillator capable of generating a high frequency signal by small circuit scale and power consumption in an oscillator for generating a signal with a frequency of a microwave band or more, and a local oscillator using this multiplying oscillator. A multiplying oscillator of the invention obtains a frequency signal four times or more a fundamental wave by adding a frequency adjusting unit 40 having a function of suppressing second harmonic of the fundamental wave to a resonance unit 20 in a multiplying oscillator which constructs an oscillator for connecting two negative resistance units 10 to 11 to the resonance unit 20 and generating a signal A and a signal B of mutually opposite phases in the fundamental wave and synthesizes the signal A and the signal B in phase in a synthetic unit 30 and obtains an oscillation signal output.
US08031009B2
A frequency calibration loop circuit having a pre-set frequency channel word (FCW) command value, a bit inputted to obtain a target frequency in an oscillator and a pre-set minimum division ratio n (n is a constant) of a programmable divider, includes: an oscillator adjusting an oscillation frequency of an oscillation signal according to a control value; a programmable divider dividing the oscillation signal according to a division ratio to output a divided signal; a counter counting the number of clocks of the divided signal for one cycle of a reference signal to output a count value; and a frequency detector obtaining the control value by subtracting the count value from a reference comparison value, wherein the reference comparison value is obtained by dividing a Frequency Channel Word (FCW) command value by a minimum division ratio of the programmable divider.
US08031005B2
Techniques for designing a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for operation over a wide range of input power levels. In an exemplary embodiment, a first gain path is provided in parallel with a second gain path. The first gain path includes a differential cascode amplifier with inductor source degeneration. The second gain path includes a differential cascode amplifier without inductor source degeneration. The cascode transistors of the gain paths may be selectively biased to enable or disable the first and/or second gain path. By selectively biasing the cascode transistors and input transistors, various combinations of the first and second gain paths may be selected to provide an optimized gain configuration for any input power level.
US08030996B1
A circuit and method for automatic level control is provided. The circuit includes an amplifier including a variable resistance circuit that is connected between a first node and a second node. The circuit also includes a first resistance circuit that is connected between a first input node and the first node, and a second resistance circuit that is connected between the first input node and a first op amp node. The first and second resistance circuits are at least approximately linear elements. The circuit also includes an op amp having at least a first input that is connected to the first op amp input node.
US08030983B2
A clock receiver (301) on an integrated circuit (202) includes a programmable AC voltage divider (502) for receiving, through an input capacitor (406), a clock signal (206) from a clock generator (204) off the integrated circuit and for outputting a modified signal that has a reduced voltage swing, an inverter (440) coupled to the programmable voltage divider, and a common mode setting circuit (506), coupled to an input and an output of the inverter. The common mode setting circuit sets and maintains a common mode at the input of the inverter in response to a voltage at the input of the inverter and a voltage at the output of the inverter. The strength of transistors in the common mode tracking circuit tracks the strength of transistors in the inverter such that the common mode at the input to the inverter tracks a trip point of the inverter.
US08030980B2
A delay locked loop (DLL) is provided. Within this DLL is a watchdog circuit that determines whether harmonic lock is present. Based on this measurement, the watchdog circuit can provide adjustments to the DLL so as to change the length of the delay of the delay line to bring it within a predetermined range.
US08030976B2
A triangle wave generating circuit comprising: a pulse generating circuit configured to generate a plurality of pulse signals with the same period and with phases different from one another; and a plurality of charge/discharge circuits configured to be supplied with the plurality of pulse signals, respectively, the plurality of charge/discharge circuits each including: a current supply circuit configured to supply to a capacitor a first current for charging at a predetermined current value or a second current for discharging at a predetermined current value; and a charge/discharge control circuit configured to switch between the first current and the second current when the pulse signals are supplied thereto and when a voltage across the capacitor reaches a predetermined reference voltage, the first current and the second current supplied from the current supply circuit to the capacitor.
US08030967B1
A circuit has a programmable mode control section, and a receiver section with first and second input terminals and an output terminal. The method and apparatus involve setting the mode control section to one of first and second states in response to user input, and operating the receiver section in first and second operational mode when the mode control section respectively has the first and second states, wherein in the first operational mode the receiver section provides higher performance and consumes more power than in the second operational mode.
US08030964B1
A level shifter circuit includes an input circuit, an inverter, a pull-up circuit, and a pull-down circuit. The input circuit generates a pull-up signal in response to an input signal using charge from a supply voltage. The inverter inverts the input signal to generate a pull-down signal. The inverter comprises complementary transistors that receive charge from the supply voltage. The pull-up circuit pulls a level shifted output signal of the level shifter circuit to the supply voltage in response to the pull-up signal. The pull-down circuit pulls the level shifted output signal to a low voltage in response to the pull-down signal.
US08030963B2
In one embodiment, a cell of an integrated circuit includes a master-slave flip-flop and comparator logic having inputs adapted to receive an input signal of the master-slave flip-flop, an inverted input signal of the master-slave flip-flop, an output signal of the master-slave flip-flop, and an inverted output signal of the master-slave flip-flop. The master-slave flip-flop comprises a master flip-flop and a slave flip-flop. The slave flip-flop includes a first inverting element and a second inverting element. An output of the first inverting element is connectable to an input of the second inverting element and an output of the second inverting element to an input of the first inverting element. To output the output signal and the inverted output signal of the master-slave flip-flop, the output and the input of the second inverting element are connectable to the inputs of the comparator logic.
US08030956B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit that includes a circuit block having a predetermined function, a power switch capable of supplying an operating power to the circuit block, and a current measuring circuit for obtaining a current flowing to the circuit block based on a voltage between terminals of the power switch in a state in which the power switch is turned on and an on-resistance of the power switch. Thus, it is possible to measure a current of the circuit block in a state in which a chip is normally operated.
US08030942B2
An electrochemical cell has two terminals. One of the terminals is connected to a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) power supply and to a voltmeter. The other terminal is connected to circuitry capable of switching between amperometric and potentiometric measurement modes. A sequence of successive approximations permits selection of a PWM duty cycle giving rise to a desired voltage at the terminal connected with the power supply. In this way a stable excitation voltage is supplied to the cell even in the face of supply voltage instability or drift or instability in electronics coupled with the cell.
US08030937B2
Oil-based mud imaging systems and methods having leakage current compensation. In some embodiments, disclosed logging systems include a logging tool in communication with surface computing facilities. The logging tool is provided with a sensor array having at least two voltage electrodes positioned between at least two current electrodes that create an electric field in a borehole wall, and is further provided with electronics coupled to the current electrodes to determine a differential voltage between the voltage electrodes in response to different current frequencies from the current electrodes. From the voltage measurements at different frequencies, the computing facilities determine borehole wall resistivity as a function of depth and azimuth, and may display the resistivity as a borehole wall image.
US08030933B2
The present invention is a double-suspension receiver coil apparatus and system for conducting electromagnetic surveys including, both ground-based and airborne measurements. The present invention includes at least one receiver coil suspended by way of first suspension members within an inner frame and said inner frame being suspended by second suspension members within an inner ring which is further enclosed within an outer frame. The double-suspension receiver coil apparatus functions so as to maintain the receiver coil position while minimizing vibrations in order to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio and enable accurate measurements. The receiver coil may be in an airborne system in a near-horizontal position or in a ground system in a vertical position.
US08030931B2
An upconversion stage for a wireless magnetic resonance imaging system local coil array has a number of upconversion circuits. Each upconversion circuit includes a parametric amplifier, an antenna and a delay line between the amplifier and the antenna. The path length of the delay line in one upconversion circuit differs from the path length of the delay line in an adjacent upconversion circuit by a predetermined amount.
US08030929B2
A coil includes a coil element to receive MR signals with a first frequency from a subject. The coil element includes a main current path section in which an MR current arising due to electromagnetic induction of the MR signals with said first frequency flows, and a current blocking section that makes smaller than said MR current an electromagnetic current flowing in said main current path section due to electromagnetic induction of electromagnetic waves with a second frequency different from said first frequency.
US08030927B2
A magnet temperature control device, for use in a magnetic resonance system having a magnet, includes a pipeline and a temperature regulator. The pipeline is connected to a liquid or gas circulation, and the temperature regulator is connected in series in the pipeline to regulate the temperature of the liquid or gas. A part of the pipeline is arranged inside the magnet, while the rest of the pipeline is arranged outside said magnet; the part of said pipeline which is arranged inside said magnet is distributed uniformly within the magnet, and its cross-sectional shape is in an annular, helical, radicalized or network form, or a combination thereof. Compared to the use of a heater that is distributed only on the surface of the magnet, the pipeline distributed inside the magnet can control the magnet temperature more directly and effectively, so as to smooth and eliminate the temperature change of the magnet promptly by the liquid or gas flow therein, thereby making the magnet temperature more stable.
US08030920B2
Methods and systems are provided for modifying a pulse sequence. In one embodiment, a determination is made whether an estimated peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) associated with a pulse sequence exceeds a PNS limit. If the estimated PNS exceeds the PNS limit, a slew rate associated with one or more axes of the pulse sequence may be reduced and the maximum gradient amplitudes for each axis of the pulse sequence may be adjusted. In one embodiment, adjustment of the maximum gradient amplitudes or local slew rate may be based upon a cost analysis performed on the pulse sequence.
US08030918B2
Magnetic field sensors have a magnetic field sensing element and also a feedback circuit to provide a gain-adjustment signal to affect a sensitivity associated with the magnetic field sensing element. In some arrangements, the feedback circuit can include piezoresistors to sense a strain of a substrate over which the magnetic field sensor is disposed. With these arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate the gain-adjustment signal in accordance with the sensed strain. In other arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate pulsed magnetic fields proximate to the magnetic field sensing element in order to directly measure the sensitivity of the magnetic field sensing element. With these arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate the gain-adjustment signal in accordance with the sensed sensitivity.
US08030895B2
In one embodiment, a cell balancing system includes a first controller for controlling cell balancing of a first set of cells coupled in series, and a second controller for controlling cell balancing of a second set of cells coupled in series. There is at least one common cell in the first set of cells and the second set of cells.
US08030889B2
A docking device for receiving a portable computer is disclosed. The docking device includes a device housing and a charging connector that is provided on a side surface of the device housing and is connected to a battery connector of a battery pack in order to charge the battery pack. The charging connector is connectable to the battery connector in a state where the battery pack and the device housing are disposed on the same plane. When the charging connector and the battery connector are in a connected state and the device housing is being moved to a position within a predetermined height from the plane, the connection state between the charging connector and the battery connector is maintained. When the device housing is being moved to a position that exceeds the predetermined height from the plane, the battery connector will be separated from the charging connector due to the weight of the battery pack.
US08030884B2
An apparatus comprises a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the first energy storage device, and a charge bus coupled to the first energy storage device and to the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly. The apparatus also comprises high-impedance voltage source coupleable to the charge bus and a controller configured to monitor a transfer of charging energy supplied from the high-impedance voltage source to the first energy storage device. The controller is also configured to compare the monitored transfer of charging energy with a threshold value and, after the threshold value has been crossed, control the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly to modify one of a voltage and a current of the charging energy supplied to the first energy storage device.
US08030867B1
A microcontroller determines the position of the rotor of a brushless, direct-current motor by determining the time of zero crossing of back electromotive force (EMF) emanating from the non-driven phase winding. The zero crossing point is determined by interpolating voltage differentials that are time stamped. Each voltage differential is the difference between the phase voltage of the phase winding and the motor neutral point voltage. The time of zero crossing is determined without using a comparator and without interrupting the processor at each zero crossing point. The processor interpolates the time of zero crossing independently of when the zero crossing point occurs. A hold signal conductor is connected both to a sample and hold circuit and to the load input lead of a time stamp register. The microcontroller simultaneously captures a phase voltage in the sample and hold circuit and a timer count in the time stamp register.
US08030865B2
A brushless DC motor configured to drive a driven member includes a rotor having a magnet, a stator having a coil configured to provide a rotational force to the magnet, a position detector configured to output a first signal that is periodic, in accordance with a rotating position of the rotor, a signal generator configured to generate a second signal by adding a lead angle to a phase of the first signal output from the position detector, an excitation switch configured to select an excitation to the coil in accordance with the second signal, and a phase change part configured to change the lead angle in accordance with at least one of a position and a moving direction of the driven member.
US08030861B2
The invention is directed to a method for controlling a deceleration process of a DC motor (20), wherein the DC motor (20) is driven by a bridge driver (18) coupled to a power supply (12) intended to provide a supply voltage VDD at a power supply output (14), the method comprising the following steps: applying a deceleration PWM signal to the bridge driver (18) for decelerating the DC motor (20), and controlling the bridge driver (18) such that a motor-induced back current is reduced, if the voltage at the power supply output (14) exceeds a voltage threshold which is higher than VDD. In accordance with the invention the step of controlling the bridge driver (18) such that a motor-induced back current is reduced, if the voltage at the power supply output (14) exceeds a voltage threshold which is higher than VDD comprises: if the voltage at the power supply output exceeds the voltage threshold, changing stepwise the pulse width of the deceleration PWM signal in a first direction until the voltage at the power supply (14) output reaches or falls below the voltage threshold, and then, if the voltage at the power supply output (14) has fallen below the voltage threshold, changing stepwise the pulse width of the deceleration PWM signal in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the voltage at the power supply output (14) again reaches or exceeds the voltage threshold. The invention is also directed to a controller suitable to carry out the above method.
US08030837B2
A field emission cathode device includes an insulative substrate, a plurality of cathode electrodes, and a plurality of electron emission units. The insulative substrate has a top surface and a bottom surface. The insulative substrate defines a plurality of openings. The cathode electrodes are located on the bottom surface. Each of the electron emission units has a first portion secured between the insulative substrate and one corresponding cathode electrode and a second portion received in one corresponding opening.
US08030834B2
Provided are a phosphor paste composition, a flat display device including the same, and a method of manufacturing the flat display device. The phosphor paste composition contains a phosphor with at least a heat-resistant material selected from a Group II atom-containing material, a Group III atom-containing material, and a Group IV atom-containing material, a binder, and an organic solvent. By using the phosphor paste composition, the deterioration of the phosphor can be prevented during a heat treating process. The flat display device includes a phosphor layer containing the phosphor coated with the heat-resistant material such that lifetime of the flat display device is increased and a permanent residual image phenomenon, the adsorption of water by the phosphor, and the like can be prevented.
US08030828B2
A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric film, and electrodes through which an electric field can be applied to the piezoelectric film along the thickness direction of the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric film contains a ferroelectric phase in which the thickness direction and a normal of a plane determined by the spontaneous-polarization axis and the axis makes an angle θm satisfying the condition that −45 degrees<θm<+45 degrees and θm≠0 degrees. Further, the spontaneous-polarization axis or the axis may be perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric film.
US08030822B2
An ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic oscillators each having first and second electrodes, a first transmitting circuit that is connected to the first electrode to transmit an electrical signal to the ultrasonic oscillator, and a second transmitting circuit that is connected to the second electrode to transmit an electrical signal to the ultrasonic oscillator.
US08030814B2
The present invention provides a device and a method to enhance thrust load capacity in a rotor-bearing system. The load-enhancing device comprises a stator and a rotor arranged in such as way as to achieve a magnetic thrust load capacity enhancement by employing at least one permanent magnet, which produces an attracting force or an expulsing force between the rotor and the stator.
US08030809B2
A stator for a DC brushless motor includes an annular insulating ring integrally formed from an insulating material. The annular insulating ring includes an outer peripheral face and an inner peripheral face. A plurality of winding portions extends from at least one of the outer and inner peripheral faces. A coil unit is wound around each of the plurality of winding portions. The stator can be utilized in various DC brushless motors. Since the stator does not include conventional silicon steel plates and is comprised of an annular insulating ring and a coil unit, advantages including low manufacturing costs, assembling convenience, possible reduction in the axial height, and high rotational stability are obtained.
US08030808B2
An external rotor for a direct current drive motor with a side wall, an end cover, a cavity, an opening, a base, a magnetic tile, a center hole, and a magnetic yoke shell. A method for producing an external rotor for a direct current drive motor by integrally forming by injection molding a magnetic yoke shell and multiple magnetic tiles; forming a side wall on said magnetic yoke shell and an end cover at the bottom of said side wall; forming a base at the center of said end cover; and integrally forming by injection molding said base and a rotating spline.
US08030806B2
Provided are a lens driving motor and an elastic member of the lens driving motor. The elastic member of a lens driving motor, the elastic member includes a first spring and a second spring. The second spring is different from the first spring and disposed together with the first spring on one side of a carrier to support the carrier. A first lead line of a coil and a first external power source are connected to the first spring, and a second lead line of the coil and a second external power source are connected to the second spring to supply power to the coil. Since the carrier can be assembled to other part after a (+) lead line and a (−) lead line of the coil are connected to the first and second springs, respectively, using solder, a process is simple and convenient.
US08030802B2
An apparatus for metered supply of a liquid medicament having a power supply which not only allows the primary battery to be replaced without interrupting the insulin supply, but also makes it possible to bridge uncontrolled short-term interruptions in the current supply or voltage supply resulting from bouncing of the battery contacts, while also providing an adequate emergency power reserve is disclosed.
US08030799B1
A combination switch and circuit breaker is operative as both a switch and circuit breaker when connecting a load to an auxiliary power supply, but is only operative as a switch when connecting the load to a main power supply. The combination switch and circuit breaker has a switch component for selectively connecting a load center branch circuit to either a main power supply or an auxiliary power supply. During main power interruption, for example, the switch component of the combination switch and circuit breaker may electrically connect a branch circuit of the load center to an auxiliary power supply, with a circuit breaking component providing current overload protection. However, during normal main power operation, the switch component electrically connects the load center branch circuit to main power, with a branch breaker and a main breaker providing current overload protection for the branch circuit.
US08030783B2
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit package includes: forming a substrate that includes: forming a core layer, forming vias in the core layer, and forming a conductive layer having a predetermined thickness on the core layer and having substantially twice the predetermined thickness in the vias; and forming connections between an integrated circuit die and the conductive layer.
US08030779B2
A multi-layered metal interconnection includes a diffusion barrier directly formed on a conductive layer, an etching stop layer directly formed on the diffusion barrier, at least one dielectric layer formed over the etch stop layer, at least one of a via formed in the at least one dielectric layer and a trench formed in the at least one dielectric layer.
US08030778B2
An integrated circuit structure is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a dielectric layer, a conductive structure, a low-k dielectric layer and a plug. The conductive structure is disposed in the dielectric layer, having a recess portion. The low-k dielectric layer is disposed on the dielectric layer. The plug is disposed in the low-k dielectric layer and has a protruding bonding portion on the bottom of the plug. The bonding portion is extended into the dielectric layer and connected to the recess portion of the conductive structure.
US08030774B2
A microelectronic device may include a substrate, a plurality of components on the substrate, an insulating layer adjacent the substrate, and a plurality of metallic interconnection levels within the insulating layer and for the plurality of components. The plurality of metallic interconnection levels may include at least one given metallic level including a plurality of conductive lines of a first metallic material, and at least one other metallic level adjacent the at least one given metallic level. The at least one other metallic level may include at least one conductive zone of the first metallic material and coupled to at least one of the plurality of conductive lines of the at least one given metallic level, and at least one other conductive zone of a second metallic material and coupled to at least one other of the plurality of conductive lines of the at least one given metallic level.
US08030773B2
A third interconnection layer is disposed near a first interconnection layer and a second interconnection layer disposed above the first interconnection layer. The first interconnection layer and second interconnection layer are connected to each other by a regular via plug and a via plug for redundancy. The via plug for redundancy is disposed by the side of the regular via plug and between the regular via plug and the third interconnection layer. An extended portion of the second interconnection layer is extended from a portion connected to the via plug for redundancy on the second interconnection layer toward the third interconnection layer. The extended portion has a dimension smaller than the minimum dimension prescribed in the interconnection line design rule.
US08030767B2
A bump structure with an annular support suitable for being disposed on a substrate is provided. The substrate has at least one pad and a passivation layer that has at least one opening exposing a portion of the pad. The bump structure with the annular support includes an under ball metal (UBM) layer, a bump, and an annular support. The UBM layer is disposed on the passivation layer and covers the pad exposed by the passivation layer. The bump is disposed on the UBM layer over the pad, and a diameter of a lower surface of the bump is less than the diameter of an upper surface thereof. The annular support surrounds and contacts the bump, and a material of the annular support is photoresist. An under cut effect is not apt to happen on the bump structure.
US08030763B2
A semiconductor package (20) includes circuits (22, 24). The circuit (22) includes electrical devices (52, 54) interconnected by a bondwire array (62). Likewise, the circuit (24) includes electrical devices (58, 60) interconnected by a bondwire array (64). Signal wires (76) of the bondwire array (62) are proximate to signal wires (78) of the bondwire array (64). Ground wires (66, 68) are located on either side of, and close to, bondwire array (62). Ground wires (70, 72) are located on either side of, and close to, bondwire array (64). The ground wires (66, 68, 70,72) are electrically coupled to a ground region (74). The ground wires (66, 68, 70, 72) reduce a magnetic flux density (140) via induced return currents (126, 130) on the ground wires of opposite polarity to signal currents (124, 128) on the bondwire arrays (62, 64) to reduce inductive coupling between the adjacent bondwire arrays (62, 64).
US08030758B2
A semiconductor module (10) includes a heat sink (1), an electronic component (2), a semiconductor device (3), and a thermally-conductive sheet member (4). The thermally-conductive sheet member (4) covers a part of the semiconductor device (3) and has a lower part (4b) and a side part (4c). The lower part (4b) is in contact with a mounting face (11a) of the heat sink (1). The side part (4c) extends from the lower part (4b) and covers a first side surface (3c) of the semiconductor device (3). The electronic component (2) is disposed across the side part (4c) of the thermally-conductive sheet member (4) from the semiconductor device (3).
US08030755B2
An integrated circuit package system is provided forming a substrate having an integrated circuit die thereon, thermally connecting a heat slug and a resilient thermal structure to the integrated circuit die, and encapsulating the resilient thermal structure.
US08030745B2
The present invention provides an ID chip or an IC card in which the mechanical strength of an integrated circuit can be enhanced without suppressing a circuit scale. An ID chip or an IC card of the present invention has an integrated circuit in which a TFT (a thin film transistor) is formed from an insulated thin semiconductor film. Further, an ID chip or an IC card of the present invention has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element each using a non-single-crystal thin film for a layer conducting photoelectric conversion. Such a light-emitting element or a light-receiving element may be formed consecutively to (integrally with) an integrated circuit or may be formed separately and attached to an integrated circuit.
US08030738B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device with a resistor pattern and methods of fabricating the same. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of fabricating a resistor pattern having high sheet resistance by using a polycide layer for a gate electrode in a semiconductor device with the resistor pattern. Embodiments of the invention also provide a semiconductor device with a resistor pattern that is formed narrower than the minimum line width that can be defined in a photolithographic process so that sheet resistance thereof increases, and a method of fabricating the same.
US08030736B2
A method forms an anti-fuse structure comprises a plurality of parallel conductive fins positioned on a substrate, each of the fins has a first end and a second end. A second electrical conductor is electrically connected to the second end of the fins. An insulator covers the first end of the fins and a first electrical conductor is positioned on the insulator. The first electrical conductor is electrically insulated from the first end of the fins by the insulator. The insulator is formed to a thickness sufficient to break down on the application of a predetermined voltage between the second electrical conductor and the first electrical conductor and thereby form an uninterrupted electrical connection between the second electrical conductor and the first electrical conductor through the fins.
US08030719B2
There is provided a semiconductor package that includes a first semiconductor die mounted on a package substrate. The semiconductor package further includes a second semiconductor die mounted on the first semiconductor die and including a thermal sensing and reset protection circuit. The thermal sensing and reset protection circuit is configured to determine a temperature of the first semiconductor die and to provide a reset protection signal to the first semiconductor die when the temperature of the first semiconductor die is substantially equal to a preset temperature so as to protect the first semiconductor die from thermal runaway. The reset protection signal can cause the first semiconductor die to be in a sleep mode or a reset state.
US08030717B2
A disclosed semiconductor device includes a gate insulation film formed on a silicon substrate and a metal gate electrode formed in the gate insulation film, wherein the gate insulation film includes a first insulation film, a second insulation film that is formed on the first insulation film and has a greater dielectric constant than the first insulation film, and a third insulation film formed on the second insulation film.
US08030716B2
A method for fabricating a CMOS structure is disclosed. The method includes the blanket disposition of a high-k gate insulator layer in an NFET device and in a PFET device, and the implementation of a gate metal layer over the NFET device. This is followed by a blanket disposition of an Al layer over both the NFET device and the PFET device. The method further involves a blanket disposition of a shared gate metal layer over the Al layer. When the PFET device is exposed to a thermal annealing, the high-k dielectric oxidizes the Al layer, thereby turning the Al layer into a PFET interfacial control layer, while in the NFET device the Al becomes a region of the metal gate.
US08030703B2
A field-effect transistor and a method for manufacturing a field-effect transistor is disclosed. One embodiment includes a substrate having a surface along which a trench is implemented, wherein the trench has a trench bottom and a trench edge. A source area is implemented at the trench edge and a gate electrode at least partially implemented in the trench and separated from the substrate by an insulation layer. The field-effect transistor includes a drain electrode at a side of the substrate facing away from the surface. An additional electrode is implemented between the gate electrode and the trench bottom and electrically insulated from the substrate and an electrical connection between the additional electrode and the gate electrode, wherein the electrical connection has a predetermined ohmic resistance value.
US08030693B2
There is provide a divided exposure technology capable of restraining deterioration in the performance of a solid-state image sensor. A photoresist is formed over a semiconductor substrate and subjected to divided exposure. A dividing line for divided exposure is located at least over a region of a semiconductor substrate in which an active region in which a pixel is to be formed is defined. The photoresist is then developed and patterned. By utilizing the patterned photoresist, an element isolation structure for defining the active region in the semiconductor substrate is formed in the semiconductor substrate.
US08030680B2
Disclosed are a nitride semiconductor light emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same. The nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes a first nitride layer, an active layer including at least one delta-doping layer on the first nitride layer through delta-doping, and a second nitride layer on the active layer.
US08030676B2
Disclosed is a substrate structure for light-emitting diode (LED), including an upper layer substrate, a flexible printed circuit, a lower layer substrate, and an isolation substance. The upper layer substrate has forming a conductor pattern to provide a bonding zone and a plurality of electrode zones. The flexible printed circuit is bonded under the upper layer substrate. The lower layer substrate is bonded under the flexible printed circuit and has forming conductor lines. The isolation substance is coated on the top surface of the upper layer substrate and the bottom surface of the lower layer substrate. As such, a substrate structure comprised of upper and lower layers made of the upper-layer and lower-layer substrates interposing a core made of the flexible printed circuit is formed.
US08030674B2
An LED package including a lead-frame, at least an LED chip and an encapsulant is provided. The lead-frame has a roughened surface, the LED chip is disposed on the lead-frame and electrically connected to the lead-frame, and the roughened surface is suitable to scatter the light emitted from the LED chip. In addition, the encapsulant encapsulates the LED chip and a part of the lead-frame, and the rest part of the lead-frame is exposed out of the encapsulant.
US08030662B2
There is offered a switching resistance RAM that is very much reduced in an occupied area and is highly integrated. Memory cells CEL11-CEL14 are formed corresponding to four intersections of word lines WL0 and WL1 and bit lines BL0 and BL1. Each of the memory cells CEL11-CEL14 are composed of a switching layer 13 formed on a surface of an N+ type Si layer 11. The switching layer 13 is electrically connected to the bit line BL0 or BL1 thereabove through an electrode 14. The switching layer 13 is composed of a SiC layer 13A stacked on the surface of the N+ type Si layer 11 and a Si oxide layer 13B stacked on the SiC layer 13A. A top surface of the Si oxide layer 13B, that is the uppermost layer of the switching layer 13, is electrically connected to the corresponding bit line BL0 or BL1.
US08030660B2
A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer including AlXGa1-XN (0≦X≦1); a second semiconductor layer provided on the first semiconductor layer, including AlYGa1-YN (0≦Y≦1, X
US08030659B2
This invention provides a semiconductor device having high operation performance and high reliability. An LDD region 707 overlapping with a gate wiring is arranged in an n-channel TFT 802 forming a driving circuit, and a TFT structure highly resistant to hot carrier injection is achieved. LDD regions 717, 718, 719 and 720 not overlapping with a gate wiring are arranged in an n-channel TFT 804 forming a pixel unit. As a result, a TFT structure having a small OFF current value is achieved. In this instance, an element belonging to the Group 15 of the Periodic Table exists in a higher concentration in the LDD region 707 than in the LDD regions 717, 718, 719 and 720.
US08030654B2
A thin film transistor comprising a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, and source and drain electrodes is provided. The gate electrode overlaps with a channel region of the active layer, the gate insulating layer is provided between the gate electrode and the active layer, the source and drain electrodes overlap a source region and a drain region of the active layer, respectively, and a thin film of SiNx or SiOxNy through which electrons are allowed to tunnel is provided between the active layer and the source and drain electrodes.
US08030653B2
Embodiments relate to an image sensor that may include transistors, a first dielectric, a crystalline semiconductor layer on and/or over the first dielectric, a photodiode, a dummy region, via contacts, and a second dielectric. A photodiode may be formed by implanting impurity ions into a crystalline semiconductor layer to correspond the pixel region. A dummy region may be formed in the crystalline semiconductor layer excepting a region for the photodiode. Via contacts may penetrate the dummy region, and may be connected to the first metal interconnections. A second dielectric may include a plurality of second metal interconnections on and/or over the crystalline semiconductor layer. The plurality of second metal interconnections may electrically connect the via contacts to the photodiode.
US08030645B2
An electronic device of the present invention includes at least one electrode (Au electrode 65) and an organic molecule layer (semiconductor layer 14) formed adjacent to the electrode, and in which charge transfers between the layer and the electrode. The organic molecule layer includes a plurality of first organic molecules containing a conjugated π electron that composes a π conjugate plane (64). A plurality of second organic molecules is bonded chemically to a surface of the electrode at an interface between the electrode and the organic molecule layer. The second organic molecule contains a conjugated π electron that composes a π conjugate plane (67a). The second organic molecule is a molecule having a structure in which the π conjugate plane (67a) and the surface of the electrode form an angle within a predetermined range when the second organic molecule is bonded chemically to the surface of the electrode.
US08030644B2
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic insulator composition, an organic insulating film having the organic insulator composition, an organic thin film transistor having the organic insulating film, an electronic device having the organic thin film transistor and methods of forming the same. Other example embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic insulator composition including a fluorinated silane compound that may be used to improve the charge carrier mobility and hysteresis of an organic thin film transistor. An organic insulator composition including a fluorinated silane compound and an organic thin film transistor using the same is provided. The hysteresis and physical properties, e.g., threshold voltage and/or charge carrier mobility, of the organic thin film transistor may be improved by the use of the organic insulator composition. The organic thin film transistor may be effectively used in the manufacture of a variety of electronic devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and/or photovoltaic devices.
US08030641B2
A gallium nitride-based device has Å first GaN layer and Å type II quantum well active region over the GaN layer. The type II quantum well active region comprises at least one InGaN layer and at least one GaNAs layer, wherein the InGaN comprises Å graded molar In concentration.
US08030640B2
A nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate, a first conductivity type nitride semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of V-pits placed in a top surface thereof, a silicon compound formed in the vertex region of each of the V-pits, an active layer disposed on the first conductivity type nitride semiconductor layer and including depressions conforming to the shape of the plurality of V-pits, and a second conductivity type nitride semiconductor layer disposed on the active layer. The nitride semiconductor light emitting device, when receiving static electricity achieves high resistance to electrostatic discharge (ESD) since current is concentrated in the V-pits and the silicon compound placed on dislocations caused by lattice defects.
US08030637B2
An information storage element has a carbon storage material including hexagonally bonded carbon and tetrahedrally bonded carbon. The information is formed by a changeable ratio of hexagonally bonded carbon and tetrahedrally bonded carbon.
US08030636B2
A resistance variable memory cell and method of forming the same. The memory cell includes a first electrode and at least one layer of resistance variable material in contact with the first electrode. A first, second electrode is in contact with a first portion of the at least one layer of resistance variable material and a second, second electrode is in contact with a second portion of the at least one layer of resistance variable material.
US08030629B2
The invention relates to an adaptive optical device for the reflection of impinging radiation, the adaptive optical device comprising at least one actuator and at least one partially reflective volume. The at least one partially reflective volume has a first surface that is oriented to the impinging radiation. The at least one partially reflective volume is at least partially deformable by said at least one actuator such that the impinging radiation is reflected at the at least one partially reflective volume substantially in accordance with Bragg's law. Further, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the shape of an adaptive optical device.
US08030628B2
A pulse modifier, and associated lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device, is disclosed. The pulse modifier is configured to receive an input pulse of radiation and further configured to emit a plurality of corresponding output pulse portions of radiation, wherein the respective pulse portions are respectively mirrored about an axis transverse to the optical axis and mirrored about a point of the optical axis of the pulse portions.
US08030623B2
A method for measuring properties of an electromagnetic signal includes following steps. An electromagnetic signal measuring device that includes a carbon nanotube structure is provided. The carbon nanotube structure has a plurality of carbon nanotubes. An electromagnetic signal is received by the carbon nanotube structure in the electromagnetic signal measuring device. The intensity of the electromagnetic signal is measured by a sound produced by the carbon nanotube structure.
US08030617B2
A detector assembly for detecting radiation with angular resolution comprises at least one detector element, which comprises a front face and a rear face, a first detector material and a second detector material between the front face and the rear face, a space between the front face and the rear face of the detector element being filled by a plurality of regions of the first detector material and at least one region of the second detector material and each region connecting the front face to the rear face of the detector element; and radiation incident on the detector element through the front face being collimated by means of the detector materials.
US08030615B2
The present invention is a method of determining the presence of keratin, particularly hard keratin, such as exists in mammalian hair and feathers, and objects comprising such materials. The method of the present invention also includes displaying information derived from such a determination, as well as a measurement method followed by transmission of data to a remote processing site for analysis or display. The invention also includes devices for carrying out the determination, display and/or transmission.
US08030614B2
There is provided a charged particle beam apparatus which allows implementation of a high-reliability and high-accuracy dimension measurement even if height differences exist on the surface of a sample. The charged particle beam apparatus includes the following configuration components: An acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of SEM images whose focus widths are varied in correspondence with the focal depths, a determination unit for determining, from the plurality of SEM images acquired, a SEM image for which the image sharpness degree of the partial domain including a dimension-measuring domain becomes the maximum value, and a measurement unit for measuring the dimension of the predetermined domain from the SEM image whose image sharpness degree is the maximum value.
US08030606B2
An imager in which two adjacent pixels share row and reset lines and a row selection circuitry while the output transistors of the two pixels are configured as a differential amplifier. In operation, both pixels are reset at the same time, causing differential reset signals to be output from the amplifier. The charge from the first pixel is readout and a differential pixel signal for the first pixel is output from the amplifier. Because the reset and pixel signals are differential signals generated within the pixels, they are free from common-mode noise. Correlated double sampling can be used to obtain the pixel output value, which is also free from common-mode noise, from the differential reset and pixel signals. The second pixel may be readout in the same manner. Because the two pixels are sharing circuitry, the pixels have decreased fill factor and complexity as well.
US08030601B2
A heating device for an inductive cooking device is provided and includes a first resonant circuit, with at least one first and one second inductor, for the transmission of heat energy to a heating element for heating thereof and a first circuit for energising the first resonant circuit and introduction of the heat energy to the inductors. Differing cooking containers may be effectively heated, whereby the heating device has a switching device by which the heating energy is selectively supplied to only one of the inductors or simultaneously to both inductors in a parallel circuit.
US08030591B2
A cutting tool assembly using a machined tool operating in a plunge mode of electrical discharge machining to make microreplicated features in a work piece having a complex surface. The microreplicated features can be non-adjacent and can have any geometric configuration and micron-scaled dimensions, as determined by the microstructured features in the tool. The machined work piece can be used as a master tool in order to make microreplicated articles such as optical films, friction control films, plasma display panel molds, or micro-fasteners.
US08030585B2
A press-key structure is disclosed, which comprises: a keycap, configured with a bottom surface; a substrate, being disposed under the keycap; and a pressing part, being arranged between the keycap and the substrate. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressing part further comprising: a frame, disposed on the bottom surface to be used for sustaining a pressing force from the keycap directly; and a plurality of supporting legs, being arranged surrounding the edges of the frame while extending outwardly from the same; wherein by connecting the outward-extending ends of the plural supporting legs to the substrate, the frame is supported and propped up by a specific height.
US08030568B2
A method for improving the similarity of the volumes in different audio players is described. First player metrics for one or more Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) instruments may be determined. A digital music file that uses the MIDI protocol may be received. A note parameter or channel parameter may be adjusted for notes in the digital music file based on the first player metrics.
US08030561B2
The rice plant according to the present invention is a rice plant obtained by crossing the rice plant varieties “Koshihikari” with “Kasalath” and having improvement in both lodging resistance and decorticated grain size, wherein said rice plant has on the chromosome any one of base sequences selected from the groups consisting of: (i) a base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, (ii) a base sequence having at least 80% identity with the base sequence of (i) above, and (iii) the base sequence of (i) above, in which one or several bases have been deleted, substituted, inserted or added, and wherein the remaining region of the chromosome is composed of chromosomes derived from Koshihikari. According to the present invention is to provide a new rice plant which maintains the good eating quality as a characteristic of Koshihikari and has excellent lodging resistance and large grains is provided.
US08030559B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV986779. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV986779, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV986779 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV986779 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV986779.
US08030556B2
A novel double haploid maize line designated PH17AW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing double haploid maize line PH17AW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17AW 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 double haploid line PH17AW or a trait conversion of PH17AW with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PH17AW, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PH17AW and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by those methods.
US08030555B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB20A09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB20A09, to the plants of soybean XB20A09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB20A09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB20A09 with another soybean plant, using XB20A09 as either the male or the female parent.
US08030551B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated RJS23002. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety RJS23002, to the plants of soybean RJS23002 to plant parts of soybean variety RJS23002 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety RJS23002 with another soybean plant, using RJS23002 as either the male or the female parent.
US08030547B2
Disclosed is a gene coding for a protein (a) or (b) showing a high level of resistance to PC herbicides or sulfonylurea herbicides. The protein (a) consists of an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4, 6 and 8, and the protein (b) consists of an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4, 6 and 8 by substitution, deletion or addition of at least one or more amino acids, has resistance to a pyrimidinyl carboxy herbicide, and has acetolactate synthase activity.
US08030546B2
Transcription factor polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into nucleic acid constructs, including expression vectors, have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. Transgenic plants transformed with many of these constructs have been shown to be more resistant to disease (in some cases, to more than one pathogen), or more tolerant to an abiotic stress (in some cases, to more than one abiotic stress). The abiotic stress may include, for example, salt, hyperosmotic stress, water deficit, heat, cold, drought, or low nutrient conditions.
US08030543B2
The invention describes a highly improved, reproducible and a consistent method of transformation and regeneration that results in obtaining 12-15% transgenic plants. The present invention relates to a method of selecting genetically transformed Sunflower explants based on their ability to utilize Xylose as a sole carbohydrate source. Further disclosed is the nucleic acid sequence of the Xylose Isomerase gene, vector construction for incorporation of the selection marker gene and the process of Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of target host plant with the vector comprising the gene encoding the enzyme Xylose isomerase under the functional combination of the heterologous regulatory sequences. Also disclosed is the method of selecting the putative transformants post transformation with the said vector that possess a metabolic advantage of utilizing Xylose as a sole carbon source. Increased efficiency of regeneration, better growth and survival has been observed on subjection to the described method of positive selection. The subject invention alleviates the disadvantages of negative selection methods such as the undesired elimination of the transformed cells and the potential environmental harm caused due to the dispersal of the antibiotic and the herbicide resistant genes.
US08030539B2
The invention relates to a method for the stable expression of nucleic acids in transgenic plants, controlled by a parsley-ubiquitin promoter (PCUbi4-2). Said promoter, isolated from parsley (petroselinum crispum) exhibits in almost all transgenic plants an intensely constitutive expression in almost all vegetable tissue, including the seed. It also contains, among others, a potentially heat-shock inducible element (HSE). The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors and transgenic plants and to the use of the latter for producing foodstuffs, animal feed, seeds, pharmaceuticals or fine chemicals.
US08030491B2
The invention relates to new compounds of formula (III): wherein R is a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl group. The invention also relates to new compounds of formula (IV) wherein M is a metal. The invention also relates to methods of making compounds of formulas (III) and (IV) and to methods of making donepezil and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, such as donepezil hydrochloride, using the compounds.
US08030485B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing free-flowing, pulverulent alkoxycarbonylaminotriazine from an alkanolic reaction mixture which is obtained in the preparation of alkoxycarbonylaminotriazines and comprises at least one alkoxycarbonylaminotriazine, at least one cyclic and/or acyclic carbonic ester, at least one C1-C13-alkanol which optionally comprises one or two oxygen atoms in the form of ether bonds and is optionally substituted by C1-C4-alkyl and/or hydroxyl, and also at least one alkali metal or alkaline earth metal alkoxide, with or without melamine and with or without catalyst, by atomizing and drying the reaction mixture in a spray drier.
US08030483B2
The present invention provides stereoisomers and stereoisomeric mixtures of 3-amino carbonyl-bicycloheptene-2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds having antiproliferative activity, compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds to inhibit cellular proliferation and to treat proliferate diseases such as tumorigenic cancers.
US08030482B2
The present invention relates to free cholesterol analogs bearing a boron dipyrromethene difluoro (BODIPY) fluorophore in the side chain and methods of preparation. The compounds of the present invention can be used in fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy to visualize the exchange, distribution, and trafficking of free cholesterol between living cells and to monitor the movement of free cholesterol between ordered and disordered lipid domains in membranes.
US08030477B2
The synthesis of arrays of DNA probes sequences, polypeptides, and the like is carried out using a patterning process on an active surface of a substrate. An image is projected onto the active surface of the substrate utilizing reflective projection optics. The projection optics project a light image onto the active surface of the substrate to deprotect linker molecules thereon. A first level of bases may then be applied to the substrate, followed by development steps, and subsequent exposure of the substrate utilizing a different light image, with further repeats until the elements of a two dimensional array on the substrate surface have an appropriate base bound thereto.
US08030468B2
Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G Protein-Coupled Receptors and the genes encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T2R taste G Protein-Coupled Receptors that are believed to be involved in bitter taste sensation, and the genes encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating a novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes.
US08030463B2
A circular DNA is provided comprising endogenous DNA common to both genetically modified wheat and non-genetically modified wheat along with one or more pieces of DNA each having a sequence present specifically in a strain of genetically modified wheat. Also provided is a method for determining a mix rate of genetically modified wheat in a test sample.
US08030454B2
The invention relates to anti-hedgehog antibodies, their use in the detection of hedgehog expression in tissue, and to the use of such detection in the treatment of cancer.
US08030451B2
The claimed invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R61 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.
US08030430B2
A chemical composition comprises one or more urethane oligomers of at least two polymerized units selected from the group consisting of fluorine-containing urethane oligomers and long-chain hydrocarbon-containing urethane oligomers, wherein said oligomers comprise the reaction product of (a) one or more polyfunctional isocyanate compounds, (b) one or more polyols, (c) one or more monoalcohols selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbon monoalcohols, optionally substituted long-chain hydrocarbon monoalcohols, and mixtures thereof, (d) one or more silanes, and (e) one or more stabilizers comprising one or more reactive groups.
US08030429B2
In the present invention, when an organopolysiloxane is produced by a dealcoholization condensation reaction between a silicon atom-bonded hydroxy group and a silicon atom-bonded alkoxy group, a quaternary ammonium ion-containing compound such as an alkylammonium hydroxide compound or a silanolate thereof is used as a catalyst. The catalyst for the dealcoholization condensation reaction of the present invention is easily removed after use and is stable. For this reason, when an organopolysiloxane is produced using the aforementioned catalyst, it is not necessary to use complicated production steps or a large amount of the catalyst.
US08030428B2
To provide a curable composition which has a high curing rate and can provide a cured product having good durability.A curable composition comprising an oxyalkylene polymer (A) having a reactive silicon group represented by the following formula (1), and a quaternary ammonium salt (B): —SiX1aR13-a (1) wherein R1 is a C1-20 monovalent organic group which may have a substituent, X1 is a hydroxyl group or a hydrolyzable group, and a is an integer of from 1 to 3; provided that when plural R1s are present, they may be the same or different from one another, and when plural X1s are present, they may be the same or different from one another.
US08030416B2
There is provided an organic-inorganic hybrid vitreous material comprising a composite of a polycondensate of an organoalkoxysilane represented by R1nSi(OR2)4-n (R1 is an organic group, R2 is a C1-C5 alkyl group, and n is 1-2) and an organic polymer, wherein the polycondensate of the organoalkoxysilane is in 40-70 wt % and the organic polymer is in 30-60 wt % in case that the total weight of the composite is taken as 100 wt %.
US08030415B2
A moisture crosslinkable thermoplastic composition is produced by a process of grafting an unsaturated silane of the formula: G1R1SiZ where G1 is vinyl, R1 is methyl and Z is a divalent hydrolyzable group under reactive mechanical working conditions and in the presence of at least two peroxides and subsequently is converted into a crosslinked thermoplastic composition by exposure to moisture in the presence of a crosslinking catalyst.
US08030403B2
The present invention relates to a composition, in particular to a polypropylene composition, and articles thereof, having an optimal balance between mechanical properties and transparency and thus the composition is particular suitable for packaging applications.
US08030402B2
A polylactic acid resin composition is provided which contains a polylactic acid (A), an epoxy-modified silicone-acrylic rubber (B1) and a methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer rubber (B2). The polylactic acid resin composition is superior in impact resistance.
US08030401B1
The present invention is directed to photoinitiated cationic epoxy compositions including: (a) at least one substantially saturated epoxy material comprising at least two glycidyl ether groups; (b) about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent on a basis of total weight of the composition of at least one polymer comprising at least one vinyl chloride segment and at least one vinyl acetate segment; and (c) at least one cationic photoinitiator; and bonded substrates and methods of bonding including the same.
US08030397B2
This invention discloses a process for manufacturing an elastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprising the steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety, (2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curable composition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III) removing the elastomeric article from the mold.
US08030388B2
Provided is a vibration damping material, which includes a resin composition obtained by dispersing titanium dioxide (Y) and a mica flake (Z) in a polyester resin (X) containing dicarboxylic acid constitutional units an diol constitutional units, in which: (1) in the polyester resin (X), a ratio of a total of a number of the dicarboxylic acid constitutional units (A1) having an odd number of carbon atoms in a main chain and a number of the diol constitutional units (B1) having an odd number of carbon atoms in a main chain with respect to a total of a number of total dicarboxylic acid constitutional units (A0) and a number of total diol constitutional units (B0), i.e., [(A1+B1)/(A0+B0)] is in a range of 0.5 to 1; and (2) a mass ratio (X:Y:Z) of the polyester resin (X), the titanium dioxide (Y), and the mica flake (Z) is in a range of 15 to 40:5 to 30:30 to 80. The vibration damping material is light, has a high vibration damping ability, and exhibits a higher vibration damping ability in a particularly wide range of frequency. Because the vibration damping material does not require use of a carbon powder or the like, the material can also be used in applications and parts that require various color tones, and has high versatility.
US08030386B2
Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a free radical initiator, and a hydroquinone. A ratio of the amount of the hydroquinone present in the rubber composition, measured in parts by weight, to the amount of free radical initiator present in the rubber composition, measured in parts by weight, is generally from 0.05 to 2. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater.
US08030383B2
Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a quinhydrone. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater.
US08030382B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a polylactic acid composition having excellent crystallinity, wet heat stability and melt stability. It is another object of the present invention to provide a molded article which is obtained from the polylactic acid composition and excellent in appearance and color. The present invention is a composition and molded article thereof which comprises a polylactic acid (component A), a carbodiimide compound (component B) and a phosphoric acid ester metal salt (component C).
US08030372B2
The present disclosure provides antimicrobial compositions for use in textiles, as well as methods of preparing these compositions and treating textiles with these compositions.
US08030369B2
The invention relates to a biomedical molding, in particular a contact lens, which is obtainable by crosslinking, in a mold, an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) prepolymer comprising at least 0.5 weight-%, based on the entire formulation, of a non-reactive PVA, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the non-reactive PVA is higher than that of the crosslinkable PVA. A contact lens of the invention has an improved wearing comfort.
US08030368B2
Photoinitiated reactions especially in photopolymer technology, as well as photoinitiated color forming reactions are achievable by applying a reactive substrate selected from a polymerisable and/or crosslinkable composition and a color changing substance to a support, activating a latent photoinitiator applied with the reactive substance and subsequently exposing the reactive substrate with the resulting photoinitiator therein to photoreaction conditions wherein actinic radiation causes the substrate to undergo polymerization and/or crosslinking or color change respectively, the substrate being locally modified in its constitution as a result of its exposure to actinic radiation at least one stage of the method, so that the resulting polymerised and/or crosslinked composition or color changed substance corresponds in its distribution on the support to the locations of the modification of the substrate.
US08030367B2
The invention relates to the field of chemistry and relates to radically coupled PTFE polymer powders that can be used, for example, as tribomaterials, and a method for the production thereof. There is disclosed radically coupled PTFE polymer powders which, when incorporated into a matrix as PTFE polymer compound, exhibit improved wear resistance, and furthermore a simple and efficient method for the production thereof. There is provided radically coupled PTFE polymer powders comprising radiation-chemically and/or plasma-chemically modified PTFE powders, onto the particle surface of which homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers are radically coupled via a reaction in dispersion or in solid. There is also provided a method in which PTFE powders with reactive perfluoroalkyl-(peroxy) radical centers after a radiation-chemical and/or plasma-chemical modification are reacted in dispersion or in solid with the addition of polymerizable, olefinically unsaturated monomers, whereby during the reaction a polymer-forming reaction occurs.
US08030359B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) a CETP inhibiting compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (b) a concentration-enhancing polymer, and (c) optionally one or more surfactants; wherein the compound has the structure shown as Formula I below. The composition raises HDL-cholesterol and lowers LDL-cholesterol.
US08030348B2
A phospholipid extract from a marine or aquatic biomass possesses therapeutic properties. The phospholipid extract comprises a variety of phospholipids, fatty acid, metals and a novel flavonoid.
US08030343B2
Isoindolin-1-one and Isoindoline-1,3-dione substituted in the 2-position with an α-(3,4-disubstituted phenyl)alkyl group and in the 4- and/or 5-position with a nitrogen-containing group are inhibitors of, and thus useful in the treatment of disease states mediated by, TNFα and phosphodiesterase. A typical embodiment is 2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4,5-diaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione.
US08030337B2
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases related to the action of melatonin, or a salt thereof and the like.
US08030336B2
A compound of the general formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs, salts, hydrates, solvates, crystal forms or diastereomers thereof is described. A method of treating tyrosine kinase-associated disease states in a subject using a compound of formula (I) is also described.
US08030334B2
The present invention provides novel organic compounds of Formula I: methods of use, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08030330B2
This invention provides compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, characterized that the compound is in particulate form and having a specific size range. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions containing or formulated using compounds of formula I, and the use of such compounds for alleviating human pathologies, including osteoporosis, serum lipid lowering, and breast cancer.
US08030321B2
Benzofuro- and benzothienopyrimidine compounds are described, which are useful as H4 receptor modulators. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by H4 receptor activity, such as allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and pruritis.
US08030313B2
A controlled release sterile freeze-dried aripiprazole formulation is provided which is formed of aripiprazole of a desired mean particle size and a vehicle therefor, which upon constitution with water and intramuscular injection releases aripiprazole over a period of at least about one week and up to about eight weeks. A method for preparing the controlled release freeze-dried aripiprazole formulation, and a method for treating schizophrenia employing the above formulation are also provided.
US08030288B2
The present invention provides methods of identifying candidate compounds for the treatment of type I diabetes comprising contacting pancreatic β cells with an amount of apolipoprotein CIII (“apoCIII”) effective to increase intracellular calcium concentration, in the presence of one or more test compounds, and identifying those test compounds that inhibit an apoCIII-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration in the pancreatic β cells. The present invention also provides methods for treating patients with type I diabetes comprising administering to the patient an amount effective of an inhibitor of apoCIII to reduce apoCIII-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration in pancreatic β cells.
US08030286B2
Methods are provided to increase resistance to cell damage in a subject. The increase in resistance to cell damage in a subject in the subject is accomplished by decreasing activity of eEF2 kinase in the subject. The eEF2 kinase activity can be decreased by decreasing the amount of functional eEF2 kinase produced by the subject, including contacting the eEF2 kinase with a compound that inhibits phosphorylation of eEF2 kinase substrate or decreasing the amount of functional eEF2 kinase is decreased by reducing expression of a gene encoding the eEF2 kinase.
US08030280B2
The present invention provides an isolated or purified immunogenic peptide comprising 8-15 contiguous amino acids of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 121) and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use. The invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from gp100 which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use.
US08030278B2
Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for contributing to the treatment of cancers, including solid tumors, are disclosed. The methods, compositions and articles of manufacture can utilize an endothelin B agonist (ETB) to enhance the delivery and resulting efficacy of a chemotherapeutic agent.
US08030258B2
A process for preparing an overbased alkaline earth metal alkylhydroxybenzoate, said process comprising overbasing an alkaline earth metal alkylhydroxybenzoate or a mixture of alkaline earth metal alkylhydroxybenzoate and up to 50 mole % of alkylphenol, based on the total mixture of alkylhydroxybenzoate and alkylphenol, with a molar excess of alkaline earth metal base and at least one acidic overbasing material in the presence of at least one carboxylic acid having from one to four carbon atoms and a solvent selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoalcohols, and mixtures thereof.
US08030257B2
The present invention is directed to lubricating oils of improved antioxidancy comprising a base oil selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, synthetic oils and mixtures thereof containing an effective amount of one or more organometallic compound and/or coordination complex selected from the group consisting of (a) a metal or metal cation with more than one oxidation state, above the ground state, and two or more anions, (b) a metal or metal cation with more than one oxidation state above the ground state and one or more bidentate or tridentate ligands, (c) a metal or metal cation with more than one oxidation state above the ground slate, and one or more amines and one or more ligands, and (d) mixtures thereof, to a method for improving the antioxidancy of formulated lubricating oil compositions by the addition thereto of an effective amount of the aforementioned organometallic compound, and/or coordination complex, and to an additive concentrate containing the aforementioned organometallic compound and/or coordination complex.
US08030256B2
This invention relates to lubricating oil additives, and to lubricating oil compositions, their method of preparation, and use. More specifically, this invention relates to several novel lubricating oil additives and compositions which contain a tungsten compound and an antioxidant, namely aminic antioxidants such as a secondary diarylamine or an alkylated phenothiazine. The use of the tungsten compound with the secondary diarylamine and/or the alkylated phenothiazine provides improved oxidation and deposit control to lubricating oil compositions. The lubricating oil compositions of this invention are particularly useful as crankcase and transmission lubricants, gear oils and other high performance lubricant applications.
US08030254B2
A method includes providing a wellbore treatment fluid having a divalent brine and an amount of polymer and lowering a pH value of the treatment fluid. The method further includes retaining the treatment fluid at the lower pH value until the polymer achieves a primary hydration value. The method further includes adding a cross-linking agent and a cross-linking delay agent to the treatment fluid. The cross-linking agent includes zirconium and/or titanium, and the cross-linking delay agent is a polyol. The method further includes performing a wellbore treatment with the treatment fluid.
US08030248B2
This invention relates to drilling fluids and processes for making drilling fluids, such as for use in environmentally sensitive areas. The environmentally friendly drilling fluid includes a first fluid component having between about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent of olefins with a chain length in a range of between about C12 and about C48. The first fluid component includes at least about 50 weight percent trisubstituted olefin functionality. The environmentally friendly drilling fluid includes a second fluid component.
US08030244B2
Disclosed are a method, composition and kit for promoting plant growth and improving plant preservation. According to the invention, it is possible to improve qualities of agricultural products and preservation of crops after harvested as well as to increase production of crops by promoting plant growth without using toxic chemicals.
US08030221B2
Hydrophobicity of a low dielectric constant film comprising a porous silica film is improved by applying a raw material for forming a porous silica film onto a substrate, and performing vapor-phase transport treatment to expose the substrate to an atmosphere of organic amine vapor to which no water is added. Simultaneously, reduction in a dielectric constant, reduction in leakage current, and improvement in mechanical strength are attained by controlling a pore diameter in a predetermined range.
US08030219B1
A coated substrate product is described comprising a substrate and a dielectric coating material comprising carbon, hydrogen, silicon, and oxygen. According to the method, the substrate is processed by plasma cleaning the surface and then depositing a dielectric coating by a suitable plasma process. The coating may contain one or more layers. The substrate may be a rigid material or a thin film or foil. The coated products of this invention have superior dielectric material properties and utility as substrates for the manufacture of rolled or parallel plate capacitors with high energy densities.
US08030209B2
During the formation of metallization layers of sophisticated semiconductor devices, the damaging of sensitive dielectric materials, such as ULK materials, may be significantly reduced during a CMP process by applying a compressive stress level. This may be accomplished, in some illustrative embodiments, by forming a compressively stressed cap layer on the ULK material, thereby suppressing the propagation of micro cracks into the ULK material.
US08030207B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device has forming, in a dielectric film, a first opening and a second opening located in the first opening, forming a first metal film containing a first metal over a whole surface, etching the first metal film at a bottom of the second opening using a sputtering process and forming a second metal film containing a second metal over the whole surface, and burying a conductive material in the second opening and the first opening.
US08030206B2
A solar cell fabrication process is described that includes etching a cap layer into a front surface of a semiconductor structure, depositing an anti-reflective coating onto the front surface of the semiconductor structure, forming a front electrical contact on the front surface of the semiconductor structure, forming a first back metal contact on a back surface of the semiconductor structure, utilizing a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process to apply a dielectric layer to the first back metal contact, the PECVD process performed at within a temperature environment and for a duration that allows for the annealing of metal associated with the front electrical contact and the first back metal contact, and attaching at least one secondary electrical contact to the dielectric layer.
US08030197B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of fabricating logic transistors using replacement metal gate (RMG) logic flow with modified process to form recessed channel array transistors (RCAT) on a common semiconductor substrate. An embodiment comprises forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first recess in the ILD layer of a first substrate region, forming a recessed channel in the ILD layer and in the substrate of a second substrate region, depositing a first conformal high-k dielectric layer in the first recess and a second conformal high-k dielectric layer in the recessed channel, and filling the first recess with a first gate metal and the recessed channel with a second gate metal.
US08030196B2
A method of transistor formation using a capping layer in complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structures is provided, the method including: depositing a conductive layer over an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) and over a p-type field effect transistor (pFET); depositing a capping layer directly over the conductive layer; etching the capping and conductive layers to form a capped gate conductor to gates of the nFET and pFET, respectively; ion-implanting the nFET transistor with a first dopant; and ion-implanting the pFET transistor with a second dopant, wherein ion-implanting a transistor substantially dopes its source and drain regions, but not its gate region.
US08030195B2
An object of the invention is to provide a TFT substrate and a method for producing a TFT substrate which is capable of drastically reducing the production cost by decreasing the number of steps in the production process and improving production yield. A TFT substrate includes: a substrate; a gate electrode and a gate wire formed above the substrate; a gate insulating film formed above the gate electrode and the gate wire; a first oxide layer formed above the gate insulating film which is formed at least above the gate electrode; and a second oxide layer formed above the first oxide layer; wherein at least a pixel electrode is formed from the second oxide layer.
US08030186B2
A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
US08030183B2
The method includes: a first step of colliding ions implanted from a surface of a SIMOX wafer into a silicon layer underneath a BOX layer against crystal defects to destroy the crystal defects; and a second step of heating the wafer obtained in the first step to recrystallize the silicon layer. If the ions to be implanted into the silicon layer are oxygen ions, then the first step initiates ion implantation with the temperature of the SIMOX wafer being 50° C. or lower, and sets an ion dose to 5×1015 atoms/cm2 to 1.5×1016 atoms/cm2 and implantation energy to 150 keV or higher but not higher than 220 keV. Consequently, crystal defects present in the silicon layer underneath the BOX layer of the SIMOX wafer are reduced.
US08030178B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming a layer having functionality including a conductive layer and a colored layer and a flexible substrate having a layer having functionality with a high yield. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that is small-sized, thin, and lightweight. After coating a substrate having heat resistance with a silane coupling agent, a layer having functionality is formed. Then, after attaching an adhesive to the layer having functionality, the layer having functionality is peeled from the substrate. Further, after coating a substrate having heat resistance with a silane coupling agent, a layer having functionality is formed. Then, an adhesive is attached to the layer having functionality. Thereafter, the layer having functionality is peeled from the substrate, and a flexible substrate is attached to the layer having functionality.
US08030176B2
Provided is a method for easily preparing a substrate comprising a monocrystalline film thereon or thereabove with almost no crystal defects without using a special substrate. More specifically, provided is a method for preparing a substrate comprising a monocrystalline film formed on or above a handle substrate, the method comprising: a step A of providing a donor substrate and the handle substrate; a step B of growing a monocrystalline layer on the donor substrate; a step C of implanting ions into the monocrystalline layer on the donor substrate so as to form an ion-implanted layer; a step D of bonding a surface of the monocrystalline layer of the ion-implanted donor substrate to a surface of the handle substrate; and a step E of peeling the bonded donor substrate at the ion-implanted layer existing in the monocrystalline layer so as to form the monocrystalline film on or above the handle substrate; wherein at least the steps A to E are repeated by using the handle substrate having the monocrystalline film formed thereon or thereabove as a donor substrate.
US08030172B1
A semiconductor structure has a substrate having a trench, an isolation dielectric in the trench, and a stress buffer layer, between the substrate and the dielectric. Semiconductor devices containing the semiconductor structure may have higher reliability, and may have a reduced manufacturing costs per device.
US08030167B2
Methods are disclosed for forming a varied impurity profile for a collector using scattered ions while simultaneously forming a subcollector. In one embodiment, the invention includes: providing a substrate; forming a mask layer on the substrate including a first opening having a first dimension; and substantially simultaneously forming through the first opening a first impurity region at a first depth in the substrate (subcollector) and a second impurity region at a second depth different than the first depth in the substrate. The breakdown voltage of a device can be controlled by the size of the first dimension, i.e., the distance of first opening to an active region of the device. Numerous different sized openings can be used to provide devices with different breakdown voltages using a single mask and single implant. A semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US08030163B2
A method includes depositing a sacrificial gate electrode to one or more multi-gate fins. The sacrificial gate electrode is patterned such that it is coupled to a gate region and substantially no sacrificial gate electrode is coupled to source and drain regions. A dielectric film is formed that is coupled to the source and drain regions. The sacrificial gate electrode is removed and a spacer gate dielectric is deposited to the gate region wherein substantially no spacer gate dielectric is deposited to the source and drain regions. The spacer gate dielectric is etched to completely remove the spacer gate dielectric from the gate region area that is to be coupled with a final gate electrode except a remaining pre-determined thickness of spacer gate dielectric that is to be coupled with the final gate electrode that remains coupled with the dielectric film.
US08030162B2
A silicon carbide semiconductor device is fabricated by forming an amorphous layer in a semiconductor layer of a silicon carbide substrate at a boundary between a cell forming area and an outer peripheral area, forming an outer peripheral insulating film over the semiconductor layer in the outer peripheral area, and thermally oxidizing an upper surface of the semiconductor layer in the cell forming area and at least a portion of the amorphous layer exposed by the outer peripheral insulating film to form a gate oxide film including a stepped portion of increased thickness adjacent the outer peripheral insulating film. The gate electrode layer is then formed which extends from the gate oxide film to above the outer peripheral insulating film.
US08030158B2
Disclosed is a method for fabricating a contact in a semiconductor device, including: obtaining a pattern layout including bit lines arranged across a cell matrix region of a semiconductor substrate, cell storage node contacts arranged to pass through a portion of a first interlayer insulation layer between the bit lines, and dummy storage node contacts additionally arranged in an end of the arrangement of the cell storage node contacts; and forming the cell storage node contacts and the dummy storage node contacts using the pattern layout.
US08030151B2
A bipolar transistor (101) has a base (243) formed with an intrinsic base portion (2431), a base contact portion (245C), and a base link portion (243L) that extends between the intrinsic base portion and the base contact portion. An isolating dielectric layer (267-1 or 267-2) is provided above the base link portion. The length of the base link portion is determined, and thereby controlled, with a lateral spacing portion (269-1 or 269-2) of largely non-monocrystalline semiconductor material, preferably polycrystalline semiconductor material, provided on the dielectric layer above the base link portion. The lateral spacing portion is typically provided as part of a layer of non-monocrystalline semiconductor material used in the gate electrode of an insulated-gate field-effect transistor.
US08030149B2
Embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and in particular to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device capable of simplifying a silicide manufacturing process using a photo resist overhang structure. According to embodiments, a surface is subjected to a monochlorobenzene coating processing to cure the surface of the exposed photo resist so as not to react with developing solution and such a processed photo resist is developed to make the lower of the photo resist in the overhang structure so as to form an accurate pattern according to the clear removal of the oxide film, making it possible to simply manufacture the silicide and the non-silicide without performing an etching process by a subsequent cobalt deposition process.
US08030140B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming an insulating layer on a polymer substrate, growing a germanium layer on the insulating layer, forming a gate pattern on the germanium layer, forming a metal layer on the germanium layer including the gate pattern, annealing the metal layer to form a compound layer mixed with the metal layer and the germanium layer, and forming a contact by etching the metal layer.
US08030132B2
To simplify a peeling step in a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including the peeling step. A first layer having a metal film is formed over a substrate; a second layer having a transistor is formed over the first layer having the metal film; a resin material is applied over the layer having the transistor; the resin material is cured by a heat treatment at a first heat treatment temperature to form a resin layer; the layer having the transistor is peeled from the substrate by a heat treatment at a second heat treatment temperature which is higher than the first heat treatment temperature; and the resin layer is peeled from the layer having the transistor by a heat treatment at a third heat treatment temperature which is higher than the second heat treatment temperature.
US08030127B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to semiconducting carbon-containing devices and methods of making thereof. The semi-conducting carbon containing devices comprise an n-type semiconducting layer and a p-type semiconducting layer, both of which are positioned over a substrate. The n-type semiconducting layer can be formed by pyrolyzing a carbon- and nitrogen-containing polymer, and the p-type semiconducting layer can be formed by pyrolyzing an aromatic- and aliphatic-group-containing polymer. In some embodiments, the devices are solar cell devices.
US08030126B2
Exemplary embodiments provide materials and processes for forming organic semiconductor features by heating a liquid composition containing semiconductor particles into a Newtonian solution for a uniform deposition.
US08030122B1
A method and apparatus for a photoinduced electromotive force sensor. The sensor has an active substrate formed of a semi-insulating photoconductor with sufficient carrier trap density to form an effective charge grating and pairs of electrodes disposed on the active substrate, where the sensor is configured to reduce the photovoltaic effect caused by the incident light in the vicinity of the electrodes. The shape or composition of the electrodes may be selected to reduce the photovoltaic effect or the electrodes may be disposed on the substrate to average out the photovoltaic effect arising from each one of the electrodes.
US08030117B2
A method for manufacturing an image sensor includes forming first to third photodiodes and first to third color filters corresponding thereto; forming a photoresist film including photosensitive materials on the upper surfaces of the first to third color filters; forming a first exposed part by exposing the photoresist film with a first exposure energy using a first pattern mask with a first light transmitting part having a first width at boundaries between the individual color filters; forming a second exposed part overlapping a portion of the first exposed part by exposing the photoresist film with a second exposure energy smaller than the first exposure energy using a second pattern mask with a second light transmitting part having a second width wider than the first width; and forming microlenses by developing the photoresist film.
US08030112B2
A method for fabricating MEMS device includes: providing a single crystal substrate, having first surface and second surface and having a MEMS region and an IC region; forming SCS mass blocks on the first surface in the MEMS region; forming a structural dielectric layer over the first surface of the substrate, wherein a dielectric member of the structural dielectric layer is filled in spaces surrounding the SCS mass blocks in the MEMS region, the IC region has a circuit structure with an interconnection structure formed in the structural dielectric layer; patterning the single crystal substrate by an etching process on the second surface to expose a portion of the dielectric member filled in the spaces surrounding the SCS mass blocks; performing isotropic etching process at least on the dielectric portion filled in the spaces surrounding the SCS mass blocks. The SCS mass blocks are exposed to release a MEMS structure.
US08030109B2
A semiconductor light emitting device capable of realizing a long life, and a method of manufacturing the same. The impurity concentration of hydrogen in the active layer is 3×1019 cm−3 or less, and the impurity concentration of aluminum in the active layer is 1×1018 cm−3 or less. Thereby, the operating current is inhibited from increasing, and a long life can be realized.
US08030099B2
The present disclosure is related to a method for determining time to failure characteristics of a microelectronics device. A test structure, being a parallel connection of a plurality of such on-chip interconnects, is provided. Measurements are performed on the test structure under test conditions for current density and temperature. The test structure is arranged such that failure of one of the on-chip interconnects within the parallel connection changes the test conditions for at least one of the other individual on-chip interconnects of the parallel connection. From these measurements, time to failure characteristics are determined, whereby the change in the test conditions is compensated for.
US08030092B2
An electrophoresis apparatus is generally disclosed for sequentially analyzing a single sample or multiple samples having one or more analytes in high or low concentrations. The apparatus comprises a relatively large-bore transport capillary which intersects with a plurality of small-bore separation capillaries and includes a valve system. Analyte concentrators, having antibody-specific (or related affinity) chemistries, are stationed at the respective intersections of the transport capillary and separation capillaries to bind one or more analytes of interest. The apparatus allows the performance of two or more dimensions for the optimal separation of analytes. The apparatus may also include a plurality of valves surrounding each of the analyte concentrators to localize each of the concentrators to improve the binding of one or more analytes of interest.
US08030085B2
The present invention provides a method for accurately discriminating between prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia based on a glycan structure of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The method of the present invention includes the steps of: purifying PSA from a sample derived from a subject; preparing a PSA derivative from the PSA; labeling the PSA derivative; and analyzing the labeled PSA derivative by the mass spectrometry method, in which the subject is identified as having prostate carcinoma when the ratio of the signal intensity of fucose-unbound glycan to the signal intensity of fucose-bound glycan in the labeled PSA derivative is greater than 1.0, and identified as having benign prostatic hyperplasia when the ratio is 1.0 or less.
US08030081B2
A reagent for fractional measurement of small, dense LDLs without pretreatment of a specimen, which is adaptable to a rapid and convenient autoanalyzer, is provided. A method for quantitatively determining cholesterol in small, dense LDLs in a sample is further provided. The method includes first step of eliminating lipoproteins other than small, dense LDLs in a sample in the presence of cholesterol esterase and 0.05 g/L to 1.0 g/L of a surfactant that acts on the lipoproteins other than small, dense LDLs, and a second step of quantitatively determining cholesterol in small dense LDLs that remain after the first step.
US08030079B2
A hand-held video gaming device comprises a games console comprising a disc reader module configured to load a game stored on a disc; a printer module configured to print game information on print media, the printer module being hingedly mounted above the games console, and functioning as a pivotable cover for the game console; and a controller module releasably engaged with the printer module, and configured to communicate wirelessly with the games console to enable control of the games console.
US08030076B2
A method is disclosed for the Agrobacterium-mediated germline genetic transformation of soybean. The method is based on Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery to individual cells in a freshly germinated soybean meristem, which cells can be induced directly to form shoots that give rise to transgenic plants. This method does not involve callus-phase tissue culture and is rapid and efficient.
US08030074B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for in vivo incorporation of unnatural amino acids. Also provided are compositions including proteins with unnatural amino acids.
US08030067B2
The present invention relates to a novel isolated whitefly ecdysone receptor polypeptide. The invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid encoding the whitefly ecdysone receptor polypeptide, to vectors comprising them and to their uses, in particular in methods for modulating gene expression in an ecdysone receptor-based gene expression modulation system and methods for identifying molecules that modulate whitefly ecdysone receptor activity.
US08030066B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for recombinational cloning. The compositions include vectors having multiple recombination sites and/or multiple topoisomerase recognition sites. The methods permit the simultaneous cloning of two or more different nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments the molecules are fused together while in other embodiments the molecules are inserted into distinct sites in a vector. The invention also generally provides for linking or joining through recombination a number of molecules and/or compounds (e.g., chemical compounds, drugs, proteins or peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, etc.) which may be the same or different. The invention also provides host cells comprising nucleic acid molecules of the invention or prepared according to the methods of the invention, and also provides kits comprising the compositions, host cells and nucleic acid molecules of the invention, which may be used to synthesize nucleic acid molecules according to the methods of the invention.
US08030064B2
The present invention relates to a method for expressing a target protein on an exosporium forming the outermost surface of bacterial spores. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for expressing a target protein on the surface of cells and spores using an exosporium as a matrix for surface expression, and methods for the production of a protein array, the production of antibodies, the separation of a certain substance from a mixture, bioconversion, and the improvement of a target protein, which are characterized by using the cells or spores having the target protein that was expressed on the surface by the above expression method. The method for expressing the target protein on the surface of the spore outer membrane of the gene carriers according to the present invention has effects in that a variety of the target proteins can be expressed and the level of surface expression of the target protein is increased compared to the existing technology, and also the structural stability of the gene carriers having the target protein expressed on their surface, the viability of the host, and the rapidity of the screening method, are greatly increased.
US08030063B2
An apparatus for vitrifying a biological specimen includes a cap member, a tubular plunger, and a specimen chamber. The cap member includes a stem portion integrally formed with a receiving portion. The receiving portion has a disc-like shape and includes an outer surface. The outer surface includes a first skirt member comprised of a heat-sealable material. The first skirt member is attached along a circumferential portion of the outer surface. The specimen chamber has an open first end portion, a closed second end portion, and a cavity extending between the first and second end portions. The cavity is defined by oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces. The specimen chamber further includes a second skirt member comprised of heat-sealable material. The second skirt member is attached along a circumferential portion of the outer surface.
US08030057B2
Method and device for storing and/or delivering fluids, wherein at least a first and a second fluid, such as chemical or biochemical reagents or rinse solutions, are maintained separately from each other in a common vessel and transferred in series from the vessel to a reaction site to carry out a predetermined chemical or biochemical reaction. Separation may be achieved by interposing a third fluid, e.g., a gaseous fluid plug, between the first and second fluids.
US08030055B2
A method of biotreating and recovering metal values from metal-bearing refractrory sulfide ore using a nonstirred surface bioreactor is provided. According to the method, the surface of a plurality of coarse substrates is coated with a solid material to be biotreated to form a plurality of coated coarse substrates. The coarse substrates have a particle size greater than about 0.3 cm and the solid material to be biotreated has a particle size less than about 250 μm. A nonstirred surface reactor is then formed by stacking the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a heap or placing the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a tank so that the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 25%. The solid material is biotreated in the surface bioreactor until the undesired compound in the solid material is degraded to a desired concentration.
US08030052B2
A midecamycin hyper producing strain having improved productivity of midecamycin which is a member of macrolide antibiotics, and a method for producing midecamycins using the strain are provided. The midecamycin producing actinomycetes comprises a midecamycin biosynthesis gene or a homologue thereof, wherein at least one module in a polyketide synthase gene of a midecamycin biosynthesis gene or partial sequences of the at least one module, is substituted so as to encode the corresponding amino acid sequences of the other module.
US08030051B2
The present disclosure relates generally to polypeptides having improved alanine 2,3-aminomutase (AAM) activity, the polynucleotides encoding the AAM polypeptides, and expression vectors and host cells for expressing the AAM polypeptides.
US08030049B2
The present invention concerns a β-galactosidase with transgalactosylating activity isolated from Bifidobacterium bifidum. The β-galactosidase is capable of converting lactose to a mixture of oligosaccharides which are β-linked and unexpectedly produces the α-linked disaccharide galactobiose. The mixture may be incorporated into numerous food products or animal feeds for improving gut health by promoting the growth of bifidobacteria in the gut, and repressing the growth of the pathogenic microflora.
US08030047B2
The isolation and purification of two domains from a from a flavivirus is provided. Each domain can function independently. Moreover, one domain codes for a sequence that provide polymerase activity. A process for screening possible modulators of the polymerase activity of an isolated and purified polypeptide from flavivirus is also disclosed.
US08030041B2
A large amount of entrapping immobilization pellets with highly stable quality are produced inexpensively by high-speed treatment. There is provided a process for producing entrapping immobilization pellets in which microorganisms are entrapped and immobilized in an immobilizing agent, the process comprising polymerizing a mixture containing the microorganisms and a solution of the immobilizing agent in a forming frame into a gel to prepare a pellet block.
US08030040B2
A process of producing fermentation product comprising, forming an acidified suspension of particulate plant derived material comprising a first polysaccharide which is more readily hydrolysable and a second polysaccharide which is more difficult to hydrolyse; allowing the first polysaccharide to undergo hydrolysis under conditions such that the first polysaccharide is hydrolysed, thereby forming a mixture of an aqueous liquor containing dissolved sugar and a solid residue containing the second polysaccharide; subjecting the acidic mixture to one or more separation stages in which the solid residue and aqueous sugar liquor are substantially separated from each other; passing the aqueous liquor to a fermentation stage where the dissolved sugars are acted upon by a microorganism in a broth to produce a fermentation product; and separating the fermentation product from the broth, characterised in that the separation stage uses one or more flocculating agent(s) to form a waste by-product.
US08030031B2
This invention relates to the use of tumor-derived or associated extracellular ribonucleic acid (RNA) found circulating in the plasma or serum fraction of blood for the detection, monitoring, or evaluation of cancer or premalignant conditions. Specifically, this invention enables the extraction of circulating RNA from plasma or serum and utilizes nucleic acid amplification assays for the identification, detection, inference, monitoring, or evaluation of any neoplasm, benign, premalignant, or malignant, in humans or other animals, which might be associated with that RNA. Further, this invention allows the qualitative or quantitative detection of tumor-derived or associated extracellular RNA circulating in the plasma or serum of humans or animals with or without any prior knowledge of the presence of cancer or premalignant tissue.
US08030025B2
Disclosed are specific binding agents, such as fully human antibodies, that bind to angiopoietin 1 and/or angiopoietin-2. Also disclosed are heavy chain fragments, light chain fragments, and CDRs of the antibodies, as well as methods of making and using the antibodies.
US08030019B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids, in particular L-threonine.
US08030018B2
A method of measuring an enzymatic activity, includes measuring the quantity of a substrate metabolite produced upon metabolism of a substrate by an enzyme, through detecting a radiant wave generated from a multiple photon excitation process of the substrate or the substrate metabolite.
US08030017B2
Luciferase enzymes with greatly increased thermostability, e.g., at least half lives of 2 hours at 50° C., cDNAs encoding the novel luciferases, and hosts transformed to express the luciferases, are disclosed. Methods of producing the luciferases include recursive mutagenesis. The luciferases are used in conventional methods, some employing kits.
US08030011B2
Presented herein are novel blood plasma/serum biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease. These newly identified biomarkers create the basis for multiple (single) assays using traditional bioassay technologies and when used in combination yield exceptional clinical sensitivity and specificity in the determination of myocardial infarction (MI). A multiplexed, mass spectrometric immunoassay (MSIA) able to simultaneously assay for the new/novel biomarkers as well other MI markers is also presented. Means and methods for evaluating data generated using multiple biomarkers in order to validate findings and further the use of the multiplexed MI assay in clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic uses is also included.
US08030001B2
A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 4 and mutated sequences thereof.
US08029999B2
The presently claimed invention provides for novel methods and kits for analyzing a collection of target sequences in a nucleic acid sample. A sample is amplified under conditions that enrich for a subset of fragments that includes a collection of target sequences. The invention further provides for analysis of the above sample by hybridization to an array, which may be specifically designed to interrogate the collection of target sequences for particular characteristics, such as, for example, the presence or absence of one or more polymorphisms.
US08029996B2
A method for the detection of cytosine methylation in DNA samples is described. First, DNA is extracted from a sample and bound to a surface. In the second step, a genomic DNA sample is preferably treated with a bisulfite (=disulfite, hydrogen sulfite), such that all unmethylated cytosine bases are converted to uracil, while the 5-methylcytosine bases remain unchanged. In the third step of the method, one or more oligonucleotides is (are) hybridized to the treated DNA as primers. In the fourth step of the method, the hybridized primer(s) is or are elongated in a polymerase reaction. Here, labeled guanine nucleotides are preferably utilized which are essentially incorporated only if cytosine bases were still present in the treated DNA. Consequently, the extent of incorporation of guanine bases and thus also the number of incorporated labels is proportional to the methylation in the DNA sample under investigation. In the fifth step of the method, the labeled nucleotides that were not incorporated in the polymerase reaction are removed. In the sixth step of the method, the number of labels in the fragment generated by the primer extension is approximately determined by directly or indirectly measuring signal intensities emitted by these labels.
US08029991B2
The invention relates to a universal and greatly simplified method as well as a composition for isolating nucleic acids from different starting materials containing nucleic acids. The composition contains at least one buffer solution for proteolytically solubilizing biological samples, the buffer containing no chaotropic or antichaotropic component, at least one alcoholic component and/or a detergent, a solid phase, and a wash and elution buffer.
US08029980B2
Embodiments of the invention provides, among other things, methods for identifying agents that inhibit oncogenic transcription factors, induce apoptosis, inhibit the growth of transformed cells and cancer cells, and potentiate the effects of other agents that induce apoptosis and that inhibit the growth of transformed cells and cancer cells. Embodiments of the invention further provide compositions useful for the same comprising an agent the inhibits one or more oncogenic transcription factors and an agent that induces apoptosis, particular compositions wherein the apoptotic effect of the combination is greater than either agent by itself. Embodiments of the invention further provide for the use of such agents and compositions to treat cancer. In illustrative embodiments the agents that inhibit transcription factor activity are thiazole antibiotics, such as Siomycin and thiostrepton, and the apoptosis inducing agent is a member of the TNF ligand superfamily, such as TNF-alpha. In illustrative embodiments the cancers are those in which both the FoxM1 and the NF-kB oncogenic pathways are activated.
US08029974B2
There is disclosed a thermosetting metal oxide-containing film-forming composition for forming a metal oxide-containing film to be formed in a multilayer resist process used in lithography, the thermosetting metal oxide-containing film-forming composition comprising, at least: (A) a metal oxide-containing compound obtained by hydrolytic condensation of a hydrolyzable silicon compound and a hydrolyzable metal compound; (B) a thermal crosslinking accelerator; (C) a monovalent, divalent, or higher organic acid having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; (D) a trivalent or higher alcohol; and (E) an organic solvent. There can be provided a metal oxide-containing film-forming composition in a multi-layer resist process, in a manner that a film made of the composition allows for formation of an excellent pattern of a photoresist film, the composition is capable of forming a metal oxide-containing film as an etching mask having an excellent dry etching resistance, the composition is excellent in storage stability, and the film made of the composition is removable by a solution used in a removal process; a metal oxide-containing film-formed substrate; and a pattern forming process.
US08029970B2
The composition for a barrier rib of the present invention includes a metal oxide sol and a glass frit. The metal oxide sol includes a photoacid generator, and the difference between the average refractive index (N1) of the metal oxide sol and average refractive index (N2) of the glass frit satisfies the following Equation 1: −0.2≦N1−N2≦0.2. Equation 1
US08029961B2
There is provided a toner for developing a latent electrostatic image, obtained by a method containing: ejecting a toner composition fluid from an ejection hole so as to make the toner composition fluid into droplets; and solidifying the droplets in an atomizing space so as to form solid particles, wherein the toner composition fluid contains at least a colorant formed by reacting a polymer containing 10 mol % or more of a monomer unit having a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof, or a monomer unit having a sulfuric acid group or a salt thereof as a constitutional unit, and a basic dye.
US08029949B2
Disclosed is a photomask for forming a contact hole arranged on a wafer in a zigzag form along a transverse direction, including: a light transmitting substrate; a main pattern disposed on the light transmitting substrate with a zigzag form as an upper main pattern disposed in a relatively upper portion and a lower main pattern disposed in a relatively lower portion are arranged alternately along a transverse direction; a first lower auxiliary pattern extending in a vertical direction and disposed adjacently to a lower portion of the upper main pattern; a first upper auxiliary pattern extending in a vertical direction and disposed adjacently to an upper portion of the lower main pattern; a second lower auxiliary pattern extending in the transverse direction and connecting the first lower auxiliary patterns with each other; and a second upper auxiliary pattern extending in the transverse direction and connecting the first upper auxiliary patterns with each other.
US08029945B2
A method of preparing a metal catalyst including a conductive catalyst material and a coating layer formed of a water repellent material on the surface of the conductive catalyst material includes: obtaining a water repellent material solution by mixing a water repellent material and a first solvent; obtaining a conductive catalyst solution by mixing a conductive catalyst material and a first solvent; mixing the water repellent material solution and the conductive catalyst solution; casting the result onto a supporter, drying the cast result and then separating a metal catalyst in a solid state from the supporter; and pulverizing and sieving the product. Also provided is a method of preparing an electrode including the metal catalyst.
US08029944B2
The invention provides the use of silicon particles as redox catalyst, an electrochemical device and method thereof. As electrocatalyst, the silicon particles catalyze a redox reaction such as oxidization of the redox reactant such as renewable fuels e.g. methanol, ethanol and glucose. The device such as a fuel cell comprises a redox reactant and a catalytic composition comprising silicon nanoparticles. The silicon particles catalyze the redox reaction on an electrode such as anode in the device. In preferred embodiments, the electrocatalysis is dramatically improved under low illuminance such as in darkness. The invention can be widely used in applications related to for example a fuel cell, a sensor, an electrochemical reactor, and a memory.
US08029940B2
Provided is an MEA for fuel cell containing hygroscopic inorganic material such as TEOS (tetraethylorthosilicate), zirconium propoxide or titanium t-butoxide.
US08029939B2
An ejector for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the ejector includes an integrated check valve that supports hydrogen recirculation and militates against a backflow of hydrogen flowing through the ejector.
US08029937B2
The invention provides solid oxide fuel cell devices and a fuel cell system incorporating a plurality of the fuel devices, each device including an elongate substrate having a reaction zone for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone that remains at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the reaction zone is heated. An electrolyte is disposed between anodes and cathodes in the reaction zone, and the anode and cathode each have an electrical pathway extending to an exterior surface in a cold zone for electrical connection at low temperature. In one embodiment, the device is a multi-layer anode-cathode structure, and in another embodiment, the device is an electrode-supported device. The system further includes the devices positioned with their reaction zones in a hot zone chamber and their cold zones extending outside the hot zone chamber. A heat source is coupled to the hot zone chamber to heat the reaction zones to the operating reaction temperature, and fuel and air supplies are coupled to the substrates in the cold zones.
US08029935B2
A nonaqueous electrolyte which contains a nonaqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved therein is provided. Also provided is a lithium secondary battery employing the nonaqueous electrolyte.
US08029933B2
A negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery reversibly inserting and extracting lithium ions, and including current collector having concave portion and convex portion on at least one surface thereof; and columnar body formed on convex portion of current collector and including columnar body portions laminated in n stages (n≧2) in which a content ratio of an element sequentially changes in the longitudinal direction of the current collector. The content ratio of an element is different between in an odd stage and in an even stage of columnar body portions.
US08029928B2
The positive electrode active material powder of the present invention is a positive electrode active material powder, including primary particles and aggregated particles of primary particles, wherein an average particle diameter of primary particles and aggregated particles of primary particles in the powder is 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less on a volume basis, the percentage of [volumetric sum of particles having a particle diameter of 5 μm or more]/[volumetric sum of entire particles] is 10% or less, and a BET specific surface area of the powder is more than 2 m2/g and 7 m2/g or less. When this positive electrode active material powder is used for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, it becomes possible to exhibit a high discharge capacity and also exhibit a high output at a high current rate.
US08029922B2
Methods and associated structures of forming microelectronic devices are described. Those methods may include forming a magnetic material on a substrate, wherein the magnetic material comprises rhenium, cobalt, iron and phosphorus, and annealing the magnetic material at a temperature below about 330 degrees Celsius, wherein the coercivity of the annealed magnetic material is below about 1 Oersted.
US08029920B2
The invention provides a 1,3,5-tris(diarylamino)benzene represented by the general formula (I) wherein A and B are each independently a group represented by the general formula (II) in which R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 or 6 carbons and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, provided that the values of n of A and B are not the same to each other. Such a 1,3,5-tris(diarylamino)benzene is able to form an amorphous film by vacuum evaporation at a relatively low temperature with almost or substantially no thermal decomposition, and is preferably used as organo-electronic functional material, in particular, as a hole injecting agent or a hole transporting agent.
US08029919B2
The use of phenoxazine, phenothiazine, phenothiazine S-oxide or phenothiazine S,S-dioxide derivatives as emitter substances in organic light-emitting diodes, an organic light-emitting diode comprising a light-emitting layer, the light-emitting layer comprising at least one phenoxazine, phenothiazine, phenothiazine S-oxide or phenothiazine S,S-dioxide derivative as an emitter substance, and a light-emitting layer comprising or consisting of the aforementioned phenoxazine, phenothiazine-phenothiazine, phenothiazine S-oxide or phenothiazine S,S-dioxide derivative as an emitter substance, a hole- and exciton-blocking layer comprising or consisting of the aforementioned phenoxazine derivative, phenothiazine derivative, phenothiazine S-oxide derivative or phenothiazine S,S-dioxide derivative, and a device which comprises an inventive organic light-emitting diode. The present invention further relates to specific phenothiazine S,S-dioxide derivatives, phenothiazine S-oxide derivatives and phenothiazine derivatives and production processes thereof, and to their use in organic light-emitting diodes.
US08029916B2
A brazing filler metal capable of improving both of oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance is obtained. This brazing filler metal (1, 1d, 51 and 51a) consists of at least a three-layer structure of an Ni—Cr brazing layer (2 and 2a) consisting of an Ni—Cr alloy layer, a Ti brazing layer (3, 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d) consisting of a Ti layer or a Ti alloy layer and an Ni brazing layer (4, 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d) consisting of an Ni layer or an N alloy layer arranged between the Ni—Cr brazing layer and the Ti brazing layer.
US08029908B2
A resin composition comprises a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a nylon resin having a χ-parameter of 1.3 or more at 25° C., and has one glass transition temperature, and an image-forming apparatus comprises: a latent-image supporting member, and an intermediate transfer member that supports a toner image transferred thereon from the latent-image supporting member and transfers the supported toner image onto an image-receiving material, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a nylon resin having a χ-parameter of 1.3 or more at 25° C., and has one glass transition temperature.
US08029907B2
Disclosed is a method for producing wear-resistant layers on materials of barrier-layer-forming metals, such as aluminum, magnesium and titanium and their alloys and mixtures, preferably aluminum or its alloys, by means of laser treatment, the material surface being exposed to a laser irradiation in the presence of an atmosphere containing oxygen in such a way that the upper or outer layer of the material surface reacts with the oxygen to form an oxide of the metal constituting the material, preferably aluminum oxide, and the layer of the material lying under that is remelted without reacting with the atmosphere containing oxygen. This results in a multilayer structure with excellent wear-resistant properties, including excellent corrosion resistance, excellent abrasion resistance and extreme hardness that does not exhibit any brittleness as a result of the hardness gradient within the layer structure.
US08029903B2
Provided are a silicon nitride substrate and a silicon nitride circuit board with excellent electrical characteristics, and power control parts utilizing them.A silicon nitride substrate comprises a silicon nitride sintered body obtainable by sintering a silicon nitride powder in the presence of a sintering aid comprising MgO, Y2O3 and SiO2 in a proportion of (1) MgO/(MgO+SiO2)=34-59 mol %, and (2) Y2O3/(Y2O3+SiO2)=50-66 mol %, and a silicon nitride circuit board utilizes it.
US08029897B2
The invention relates to nanometric or mesoscopic dissymmetric particles, and to a method for preparing the same.The particles have an inorganic part A and a spherical organic part B bound by physicochemical or covalent interactions. Material A is a metal oxide, a metal or a metal chalcogenide. Material B is a polymer consisting of recurrent units derived from a vinyl compound. The particles are obtained by modifying the surface of material A particles with a coupling agent C having a function FC which exhibits affinity for the polymer, and contacting the modified inorganic particles with the precursor(s) of the polymer B, in the presence of a free radical initiator and of a surfactant in solution in a solvent.
US08029893B2
Non-shrink, forming and nonforming thermoplastic webs comprising a myoglobin blooming agent on a food contact surface are useful for packaging fresh meat and other products to fix a desirable color on the surface of the product.
US08029892B2
A breathable film includes at least one polymer (a) taken from the group comprising an ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer (a1), an optionally neutralized ethylene/ (meth)acrylic acid copolymer (a2), an ethylene/vinyl monomer copolymer (a3), the (a1)/(a2) blend, the (a1)/(a3) blend, the (a2)/(a3) blend and the (a1)/(a2)/(a3) blend, and/or includes at least one functionalized polyethylene (b); and at least one copolymer (c) having copolyamide blocks or polyester blocks and polyether blocks.
US08029884B2
Provided is an antistatic white polyester film for a surface illuminant reflector, which has practically adequate reflective performance in a visible light region, can form a film with stability even if inorganic fine particles are added in a high concentration, prevents dirt and dust from adhering to the surface of the film due to having an antistatic coat, can control the gloss levels of the front and back sides of the film, and thereby can control a diffusing property of light, and can be suitably used as a base material for a reflector used for a liquid crystal display or an internally illuminated electric ornament signboard. An antistatic white polyester film for a surface illuminant reflector, having a base material layer formed by using a polyester resin and an antistatic applied layer having the surface resistivity of 3×1012□/□ or less at a temperature of 23° C. and at a relative humidity of 50%, wherein an average reflectivity at a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm is 90% or more on one surface of the polyester film and a difference in a gloss level (60°) between one surface and the other surface of the polyester film is 5 to 80.
US08029881B2
An improved radio frequency wave attenuating wall (ceiling or floor) or door material comprises a laminated structure having as an integral part thereof one or more layers of a viscoelastic material which also functions as a glue and one or more electrically conducting layers. An electrically conducting material such as tape or a formed metal channel provides an electrical connection between the electrically conducting material and an exposed outer surface of the laminated structure. In one embodiment the electrically conducting material is paint. In one embodiment, standard wallboard, typically gypsum, comprises the external surfaces of the laminated structure and one or more conductive layers are constructed between the gypsum exterior. In one embodiment, the conducting layer material is selected to provide physical security in addition to radio frequency wave attenuation. The construction is such that acoustical attenuation is also achieved.
US08029877B2
There are provided: a curable resin composition having a high exposure sensitivity and a good developing property, and thereby capable of forming an accurate and precise pattern; a liquid crystal panel substrate on which a protective film for covering a color layer or spacers for a liquid crystal layer, by using the curable resin composition, hardly causing a color irregularity and contrast irregularity; and a liquid crystal panel using the liquid crystal panel substrate and having a superior display quality. The curable resin composition of the present invention comprises: a copolymer (a) having a molecular structure in which a constitutional unit including an acidic functional unit and a constitutional unit including a photocurable functional group are linked at least; a photopolymerization initiator (h) having a tertiary amine structure; and a photocurable compound (c) having at least one acidic functional group and at least three photocurable functional groups.
US08029872B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the formation of a coating on a substrate. The coating is formed by the deposition of a coating forming material onto the substrate in an atomised form via a nozzle, nebulizer or the like. The material is applied and directed to pass through an exciting medium such as a plasma. The exciting medium is generated and formed in a pulsed manner. The coating forming material passes onto the substrate which can be positioned within the exciting medium or externally of the same.
US08029866B2
Nano-sized particles of inorganic material, e.g. zinc oxide, cerium oxide or titanium oxide, can be dispersed to form a stable dispersion in a liquid medium, by using as the dispersant a compound of formula (I): in which: R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R2 represents a carboxy group, or a salified or esterified carboxy group; m is 1 or 2; and n is a number from 4 to 200.
US08029862B2
A composite fabric article includes multi-filament, interlaced yams forming a knit construction. The fabric article has an inner surface and an outer surface where the inner surface has at least one region of raised fibers or fleece formed thereupon, and the outer surface has an area upon which a non-continuous coating of discrete coating segments of coating material is applied to bind individual yarn fibers together in bound groupings and to enhance abrasion resistance of the outer surface.
US08029857B2
Disclosed are compaction resistant thin film composite membranes having a porous polymeric support; a semi-permeable polymer film polymerized on the porous polymeric support; and particles, of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles, dispersed in the porous polymeric support. Also disclosed are methods of making compaction resistant membranes by polymerizing a polymer film on a porous polymeric support with particles of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles dispersed therein, the particles having been selected to improve flux flow characteristics over time of the semi-permeable membrane. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08029856B2
A film formation method is arranged to react carboxylic acid with an oxygen-containing metal compound to produce carboxylate salt gas of a metal of the metal compound. The method then supplies the carboxylate salt gas of the metal onto a substrate. The method applies energy to the substrate to decompose the carboxylate salt of the metal supplied onto the substrate, thereby forming a metal film.
US08029852B2
Contact printing can be used to form electrically active micro-features on a substrate. An ink formulation containing an oxide precursor is used to form the micro-features, which are heat cured to form oxides. Various precursors are illustrated which can be used to form conducting, insulating, and semiconductor micro-features.
US08029841B2
The invention provides methods for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff which is suitable for human consumption, in particular from a mass of meat.The method comprises feeding the mass of foodstuff into a mold cavity, molding the mass of foodstuff into a molded product, and removing the molded product from the mold cavity using pressurized gas.
US08029840B2
According to this method, the products are produced by continuously co-extruding a bead coated with a starting base comprising hydrocolloids so as to form a skin by calcium gelation when the sausage passes into the elongated gelation bath, said bead then being shared out into portions placed in trays. Many beads are co-extruded by parallel co-extrusion heads, transit into a common gelation bath, are brought side by side so as to then be placed into portions by given means acting on all said beads so as to form batches of identical products perfectly grouped and aligned so as to be loaded into their packaging tray.
