US08682270B2
An FM receiver includes a receiving unit that receives a signal from a broadcasting station and outputs a receiving signal, an equalizer that equalizes the receiving signal by using a calculated weight, and obtains an equalized output signal, a demodulator that demodulates the equalized output signal to reproduce the signal from the broadcasting station, a detection unit that observes size of the calculated weight to detect a capture state with respect to an undesired broadcasting station and generates a capture detection signal, and a weight setting unit that sets the calculated weight with respect to the equalizer at a steady state, and sets a specific weight for temporarily setting the equalizer in a through state when the capture detection signal is generated.
US08682268B2
The present invention relates to a method of suppressing noise in a communication device. The idea consists in forwarding to a noise suppression module some information regarding the radio transmission in terms of radio activity and/or in terms of radio transmission power. The module then advantageously uses this information to suppress radio path noise.
US08682259B2
A wireless communication apparatus is provided that performs wireless communication using a specified wireless channel and forms part of an ad hoc wireless network. The device includes a recording portion that records country ID information and recording-time information in to a storage medium, where the recording-time information indicates the time at which the country ID information was recorded in to the storage medium, a time determination portion that uses the recording-time information to determine whether a predetermined time period has elapsed from the time at which the country ID information was recorded, and a channel setting portion that, when the predetermined time period has not elapsed from the time at which the country ID information was recorded in the storage medium, sets a wireless channel to a frequency channel that can be used in the country indicated by the country ID information recorded in the storage medium.
US08682257B2
A method and apparatus for detecting a heterogeneous communication system is provided. The apparatus include a radio frequency (RF) signal reception unit configured to receive a signal from a particular communication system, a silent duration evaluation unit configured to evaluate a silent duration between frames on the basis of the received signal, and a system type decision making unit configured to determine the type of the particular communication system on the basis of the evaluated silent duration.
US08682254B2
Techniques are generally described related to modeling a wireless communication system that includes multiple communication connections. Example systems, apparatuses, methods and processes may include one or more of identifying a first parameter and a first operational characteristic of interest of a first one of the communication connections, activating the first one of the communication connections based on the first parameter, collecting data associated with the first parameter and the first operational characteristic of interest when the first one of the communication connections is active; applying a statistical technique to the collected data to establish a model, and validating the model.
US08682253B2
The invention provides a radio communication system allowing a user to readily set a delay time. The controller determines whether the test button was depressed and then determines how long the test button has been kept depressed. The depressed time is set as a delay time and stored in a memory. After a lapse of the set delay time, the controller starts a communication with a master unit, determines whether the installation site of the slave unit 10 is appropriate and notifies the determination. If a normal communication is recognized from the determination result, the user decides to install the slave unit to the tested installation site and terminates the test.
US08682249B2
An input device for switchable use between first and second computer systems. A controller of the input device can execute switching logic to direct a radio transceiver of the input device to switch an operating channel of the radio transceiver to a first channel monitored by the first computer system in response to a first event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the first computer system. The controller can execute switching logic to direct the radio transceiver to switch the operating channel to a second channel monitored by the second computer system in response to a second event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the second computer system.
US08682248B2
A content reproducing method and system for performing seamless playback of contents between devices is provided. The contents reproducing system includes a portable device which, when a short distance communication with a remote control which is configured to control an electronic device occurs during reproducing of contents, generates data required by the electronic device for reproducing the contents that are being reproduced, and which transmits the generated data to the remote control; the remote control which receives the data from the portable device and which transmits the received data to the electronic device, in conjunction with the occurrence of the short distance communication with the portable device; and the electronic device for receiving the contents from a contents provider and reproducing the contents.
US08682239B2
An image forming apparatus has an intermediate transfer member to which an image on an image bearing member is primarily transferred. The image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred to a recording medium. The velocity at which the recording medium is conveyed is switched to a velocity different from the image forming velocity before the recording medium is conveyed to the transfer position.
US08682238B2
A grounding structure includes a rotation shaft and a grounding member. The rotation shaft has a non-circular cross section, and rotates. The grounding member is attached to the rotation shaft to electrically communicate with the rotation shaft, and rotates together with the rotation shaft. The grounding member includes a first grounding portion, a grounding retainer and a second grounding portion. An outer shape of the first grounding portion is a circular shape. The grounding retainer is provided on a side of the first grounding portion in a shaft direction of the rotation shaft, and has an outside diameter being larger than an outside diameter of the first grounding portion. The second grounding portion is elastically held in contact with the first grounding portion.
US08682237B2
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a stationary member, a metal member, flanges, a first heater, and a second heater. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip therebetween. The metal member is fixedly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member over an area other than the nip. The flanges are disposed at axial edges of the metal member in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the metal member. The first heater is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat an axial middle portion of the metal member. The second heater is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the metal member to heat axial end portions of the metal member. The first heater is disposed farther from the nip than the second heater.
US08682235B2
A sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention includes a curved sheet conveying path provided between an upstream rotating member pair and a downstream rotating member pair, an elastic member, provided between the upstream rotating member pair and the downstream rotating member pair, configured to guide the sheet and to deform by being pressed by a rear end portion of the sheet conveyed by the downstream rotating member pair, a fixing portion configured to fix the elastic member, and a supporting portion, provided downstream of the fixing portion in the conveying direction, configured to support the elastic member from an opposite side of a guide surface of the elastic member guiding the conveyed sheet so that a portion of the elastic member between the fixing portion and the support portion is deflected along the curved sheet conveying path.
US08682226B2
A development device mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a photoconductive drum in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface thereof, the development device comprising: a developer tank; a development roller that is provided in the developer tank; first and second developer conveying paths; and first and second developer conveying spiral members that conveying the developer in the circulating manner in the first and second developer conveying paths, wherein at least one of the first and second developer conveying spiral members further includes an end blade that is provided at one end of the rotary shaft, the end blade includes: a spiral blade portion that is fixed to the circumferential surface of the rotary shaft; and a circumferential agitating plate portion that is fixed to a circumferential portion of the spiral blade portion.
US08682224B2
A method for transporting developer in an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers includes transporting developer from a first channel to a development roller across at least a portion of the development roller; releasing spent developer from the development roller to a second channel; wherein the second channel has a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a second region having a second cross-sectional area; wherein the first region is a mixing region the second region is a transport region; and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross sectional area.
US08682217B2
An image forming apparatus include a main body and a conveyance unit. The main body includes an image carrier forming a toner image on a surface, a roller locating portion formed on both axial ends of the image carrier, and a guide locating portion formed in proximity to the roller locating portion. The conveyance unit is mounted to open and close on the main body, and includes a transfer roller unit, a conveyance guide, and a biasing member. The transfer roller unit has a transfer roller forming a transfer nip portion with the image carrier, and a separation lever configured to provide pivotal support for the transfer roller and being disposed to rotate. The conveyance guide is configured to guide a sheet of paper to the transfer nip portion, includes a regulating portion. The biasing member is configured to bias the conveyance guide toward the guide locating portion.
US08682207B2
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to transfer an image onto a transfer medium in an image transfer range, a seamless belt to move along a predetermined conveying direction, a pair of belt rollers to support the belt in a flattened condition, a tensile force applier to become in contact with the belt and apply tensile force to the belt in the image transfer range, a controller to apply the tensile force during an imaging period, in which operations including an image transfer operation are executed, and reduce or clear the tensile force being applied to the belt during a non-imaging period, which is other than the imaging period.
US08682205B2
A cooling device to cool an apparatus includes a heat receiver to receive heat from a hot portion of the apparatus using a coolant while contacting the hot portion, a heat releaser to cool the heat-received coolant to release the heat from the hot portion to outside the apparatus, the heat releaser having a variable-speed fan of multiple operation speed modes including an off mode, a coolant circulation system through which the coolant is circulated between the heat receiver and the heat releaser, a variable-speed pump to move the coolant through the coolant circulation system, whose operation speed modes include an off mode and relate to a coolant flow rate of the pump, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature in the hot portion, and a controller to control the operation modes of the fan and the pump in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
US08682193B2
An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.
US08682192B2
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a fixing member; a pressure member to press against the fixing member; and a halogen lamp to heat the fixing member, and a controller to control the halogen lamp. The controller controls an ON duty of the halogen lamp according to a control cycle, and sets the ON duty including two thresholds consisting of a first ON duty and a second ON duty that is larger than the first ON duty. The controller calculates an ON duty of the halogen lamp, judges whether the calculated ON duty is equal to or more than the first duty and less then the second duty, and changes the calculated ON duty when the calculated ON duty is equal to or more than the first duty and less then the second duty.
US08682176B2
The invention provides an optoelectronic processing apparatus and methods for processing constraint information. The optoelectronic processing apparatus is applied to the optical transport network OTN device, and comprises: a 3R regeneration unit for reamplifying, reshaping and retiming a signal; a wavelength conversion unit for performing wavelength conversion to the signal; an interlayer adapting unit for converting the signal between the OCh layer and the ODUk layer; and a dispatching unit for dispatching the 3R regeneration unit, the wavelength conversion unit and the interlayer adapting unit according to a function identification parameter of the optoelectronic processing apparatus so as to process the signal. By the present invention, the management of the OTN device is simplified, and the 3R regeneration, wavelength conversion and optoelectronic interlayer adaptation information are managed uniformly.
US08682158B2
The present disclosure provides line flapping detection systems and methods for optical networks using, for example, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Optical Transport Network (OTN), and the like. Line flapping includes conditions, failures, etc. on a particular line going in and out of failure without raising an alarm or the like. The line flapping detection systems and methods provide configurable settings to set an alarm when it has been determined that a line is indeed flapping. First, there is a two level hierarchical control mechanism used to determine whether to report the alarm. Additionally, the line flapping detection systems and methods are configured to correlate events to count as single line failures instead of a plurality of distinct events.
US08682152B2
A camera body is mountable with an intermediate lens which is mountable to an interchangeable lens. The intermediate lens has a first lens and a first drive controller operable to control drive of the first lens. The interchangeable lens has a second lens and a second drive controller operable to control drive of the second lens. The camera body includes an operation unit operable to receive an operation performed by a user, and a body controller operable to control the first drive controller and the second drive controller. The body controller sends a signal for driving the first lens to the first drive controller and/or sends a signal for driving the second lens to the second drive controller, according to the user operation performed on the operation unit.
US08682143B2
Provided is a moving image processing apparatus including a cut transition detection unit configured to detect inter-cut transition from a moving image including a plurality of cuts; a cut pair specifying unit configured to specify cut pairs repeated as a series of different cuts based on a feature amount of each cut; and a cut structure image generation unit configured to generate a cut structure image including a representative image of each cut arranged in an order of the cut transition and indicating a boundary between the cut pairs.
US08682142B1
A system and method may allow editing of an image stream, which may be produced by, for example, an ingestible capsule. A workstation accepts images acquired by the capsule and displays the images on a monitor as a moving image. The editing method may include, for example, selecting images which follow or conform to a combination of a plurality of predetermined criteria. A shortened movie may thus be created.
US08682131B2
A recording medium, a method of creating a file of the recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing the same are disclosed, wherein position change and transition of random playback points among title recorded within the recording medium can be easily performed, thereby providing an apparatus having more convenient title playback functions to the users. The method of creating a file of the recording medium includes forming a PlayList file including playback control information of a set of recorded data, forming an object file including an execute command of the PlayList file, and forming an index file including a set of Normal Title information designating a specific object within the object file, and a set of auxiliary Title information designating a random point of data being reproduced by the Normal Title information.
US08682129B2
A photonic device and methods of formation that provide an area providing reduced optical coupling between a substrate and an inner core of the photonic device are described. The area is formed using holes in the inner core and an outer cladding. The holes may be filled with materials which provide a photonic crystal. Thus, the photonic device may function as a waveguide and as a photonic crystal.
US08682126B2
A method for arranging a high power fiber laser system includes spiraling an active fiber in a housing with a diameter of spiral gradually decreasing towards the center of the housing. The method further includes coupling the opposite free ends of the spiraled active fiber to respective passive fibers providing optical communication between the active fiber and discrete components. Thereafter, the passive fibers with the discrete components are arranged next to inner spirals of the active fiber.
US08682125B2
A gain medium operable to amplify light at a gain wavelength and having reduced transverse ASE includes an input surface and an output surface opposing the input surface. The gain medium also includes a central region including gain material and extending between the input surface and the output surface along a longitudinal optical axis of the gain medium. The gain medium further includes an edge cladding region surrounding the central region and extending between the input surface and the output surface along the longitudinal optical axis of the gain medium. The edge cladding region includes the gain material and a dopant operable to absorb light at the gain wavelength.
US08682123B2
The present invention relates to optical-fiber cables having a tape enclosing one or more optical fibers. A plurality of discrete deposits of adhesive material are typically used to couple the optical fibers to the enclosing tape. A buffer tube may enclose the optical fibers and the tape. The buffer tube typically has a buffer-tube adhesive filling coefficient of between about 0.001 and 0.05.
US08682115B2
An optical sensor for detecting a substance includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide optically coupled via a directional coupler to the first waveguide. The sensor has a functional surface in a region of the directional coupler for accumulating or storing the substance to be detected so that an intensity of a coupling arranged by the directional coupler between the first waveguide and the second waveguide can be changed by the accumulating or storing of this substance. The first waveguide extends in a freely floating manner over a coupling path covered by the directional coupler or rests on a swellable material. The first waveguide is guided in a vicinity of the coupling path so that a spacing between the first waveguide and the second waveguide can be changed there by a deformation or movement of the first waveguide or of a carrier of the first waveguide.
US08682099B2
An image correction method comprises the steps of: median-processing the original image in a direction normal to a direction in which the streak unevenness extends to produce a median-processed image, subtracting the median-processed image from the original image to produce a subtraction image, threshold-processing a part of the subtraction image having a density exceeding a given threshold to reduce the density and produce a threshold-processed image, frequency-processing the threshold-processed image using a one-dimensional low-pass filter in the direction in which the streak unevenness extends to produce a processing image, and subtracting the processing image from the original image to remove the streak unevenness from the original image.
US08682083B2
A regression testing system comprises an automatic test tool configured to capture a first web screen shot and a second web screen shot of a webpage, where the webpage has undergone an update or edit. The regression testing system also comprises a visual comparator configured to identify similar areas in the first web screen shot and the second web screen shot. The visual comparator receives, and compares characteristics of, the web screen shots. Furthermore, the regression testing system generates a report with marked different characteristics between the first and second web screen shots. The regression testing system identifies similar areas in the first and second web screen shots shot even if the similar areas are at different locations within the web screen shots. The comparison performed by the visual comparator includes performing a pixel comparison combined with a marking algorithm to group differences in smaller, related but separate areas.
US08682077B1
The invention is a method for omnidirectional recognition of recognizable characters in a captured two-dimensional image. An optical reader configured in accordance with the invention searches for pixel groupings in a starburst pattern, and subjects located pixel groupings to a preliminary edge crawling process which records the pixel position of the grouping's edge and records the count of edge pixels. If two similar-sized pixel groupings are located that are of sizes sufficient to potentially represent recognizable characters, then the reader launches “alignment rails” at pixel positions substantially parallel to a centerline connecting the center points of the two similarly sized groupings. A reader according to the invention searches for additional recognizable characters within the rail area, and subjects each located pixel grouping within the rail area to a shape-characterizing edge crawling process for developing data that characterizes the shape of a pixel grouping's edge. After adjusting the orientation representation of the shape-characterizing data the reader compares the developed shape-characterizing data to previously stored shape-characterizing data to determine the character represented by the grouping on the basis of the best fit data.
US08682075B2
Data representing an image of text is received, as is data representing the text in non-image form. A valid content boundary within the image of the text is determined. For each character within the text in the non-image form, a location of the character within the image of the text is determined. Where the location of the character within the image of the text falls outside the valid content boundary, the character is removed from the data representing the text in the non-image form.
US08682070B2
Restoration of edges in rasterized, continuous tone images includes selection of a pair of neighboring pixels that exchange a restoration value to make a steeper transition from a low value on one side of a boundary between the two pixels to a high value at the other side thereof. Although any pair of neighboring pixels is selected, this operation is only performed when four pixels in a direction perpendicular to the boundary, of which the selected pair form the two center pixels, have a monotonely increasing value. The restoration value is based on a difference value of nearest neighboring pixels on the same side of the boundary. This avoids overshooting around edges in an image. The method is advantageous when resealing an image to a higher resolution which occurs when a low resolution image is embedded in a page that is to be printed with a high addressability printer system.
US08682062B2
The 3-dimensional tracking system according to the present disclosure includes: a photographing unit for photographing an object; a recognizing unit for recognizing a marker attached to the object by binarizing an image of the object photographed by the photographing unit; an extracting unit for extracting a 2-dimensional coordinate of the marker recognized by the recognizing unit; and a calculating unit for calculating a 3-dimensional coordinate from the 2-dimensional coordinate of the marker by using an intrinsic parameter of the photographing unit.
US08682059B2
A method for determining an image of a mask pattern in a resist coated on a substrate, the method including determining an aerial image of the mask pattern at substrate level; and convolving the aerial image with at least two orthogonal convolution kernels to determine a resist image that is representative of the mask pattern in the resist.
US08682058B2
According to the embodiments, a plurality of positional relationships between a coordinate system for indicating a defect position on a wafer that is used by an inspection device and a coordinate system that is used in design data on a pattern is set, the defect position output by the inspection device and the design data are aligned by using each of the set positional relationships, and a local pattern of a portion in which the defect position is aligned is extracted from the design data for each positional relationship. Then, the extracted local pattern is classified based on a degree of matching of graphical feature. The number of classification patterns is calculated for each positional relationship. Then, a pattern dependence degree of the detected defect group is calculated by using the calculated number of classification patterns of each positional relationship.
US08682056B2
A method and apparatus for identifying a media item. The apparatus includes a module for receiving media items and capturing an image of a received media item. The method involves ascertaining external dimensions of the media item from the captured image; creating a monochromatic image based on high contrast boundaries within the captured image; matching the monochromatic image to one of a plurality of templates of media items of approximately the same external dimensions as the media item; and providing details of the matched template, including type and orientation of the media item corresponding to the matched template.
US08682049B2
According to one embodiment, a cloud server receives over a network a request for accessing three-dimensional (3D) medical image data from a first user, where the cloud server provides image processing services to a plurality of users using a plurality of image processing tools provided by the cloud server. The cloud server determines user privileges of the users for accessing the 3D medical image data, where the user privileges are related to the 3D medical image data. The 3D medical image data was captured by a medical imaging device and stored in a storage associated with the cloud server. The availability of the image processing tools is limited to the user to process the 3D medical image data based on the user privileges.
US08682045B2
A system, and computer implemented method are provided for interactively displaying three-dimensional structures. Three-dimensional volume data (34) is formed from a series of two-dimensional images (33) representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure, such as a body organ having a lumen. A wire frame model of a selected region of interest is generated (38b). The wireframe model is then deformed or reshaped to more accurately represent the region of interest (40b). Vertices of the wire frame model may be grouped into regions having a characteristic indicating abnormal structure, such as a lesion. Finally, the deformed wire frame model may be rendered in an interactive three-dimensional display.
US08682041B2
A computer implemented method comprising acquiring a three-dimensional (3D) range image containing one or more 3D landmarks; rendering the 3D range image into a rendered visible image containing intensity patterns related to the one or more 3D landmarks; and localizing at least one of the one or more 3D landmarks in the rendered visible image to provide at least one localized 3D landmark. is provided. Such methods, and related systems, and devices, are useful in biometric identification applications.
US08682036B2
A method and a system for identifying a vehicle in a parking area includes receiving video data from a video camera observing a parking area from a first field of view over duration of time and receiving image data from a still camera observing a second field of view overlapping the first field of view. The method includes tracking a location of a vehicle across a sequence of frames. The tracking includes determining a time instant at which each frame was captured. The method includes comparing a select frame captured by the video camera with an image captured by the still camera. Based on the comparing, the method includes matching the vehicle in the image with the vehicle in the frame. The method includes determining a license plate number of the vehicle by locating a license plate on the vehicle in the image.
US08682029B2
A method of labeling pixels in an image that represent human skin are detected and one or more regions in the image are identified. Each region may include all or a portion of a human face. Pixels that represent each face in the image are identified using the pixels that represent skin and the regions that include faces of the people, thereby identifying a position of each face in the image. A face mask and a torso map corresponding to each face is determined using determined face positions. The extracted face masks and the torso maps are used to refine a skin map. A person or people map is determined using the skin map and the rough body map.
US08682028B2
A target tracking method includes representing a human target with a machine-readable model including a plurality of skeletal points. The plurality of skeletal points are adjustable into a plurality of different legal poses. The method further includes receiving an observed depth image of the human target from a source and determining proposed positions for one or more of the skeletal points of the machine-readable model based on the observed depth image. The proposed positions of the skeletal points are then adjusted to comply with one or more rules if one or more of the proposed positions violates any of the one or more rules.
US08682026B2
Methods, devices and computer program products facilitate the extraction of embedded watermarks in the presence of content distortions. Coarse estimates of a distortion or combination of distortions, present in the host content are obtained by detecting a tentative watermark, or a portion thereof, utilizing coarse pre-distorted watermark templates. Supplementary pre-distorted watermark templates are then selected in the neighborhood of the coarse distortion estimate to further re-evaluate the tentative watermark. The use of coarse and supplementary pre-distorted watermark templates results in obtaining better estimations of content distortions, and improved reliability of watermark detections in an efficient manner.
US08682025B2
A method is provided for constructing a composite image having an authentication image formed therein. The authentication image is viewable using a decoder lens having one or more decoder lens frequencies. The method comprises generating a first plurality of component images in which corresponding tonal areas are tonally balanced around at least one tonal value. At least one of the component images is configured to include a representation of the authentication image. The method further comprises determining a pattern of component image elements for each of the component images. The pattern having at least one element frequency that is equal to or a multiple of a decoder lens frequency. At least a portion of the content of each component image element is extracted and used to construct a composite image element.
US08682018B2
Microphone arrays (MAs) are described that position and vent microphones so that performance of a noise suppression system coupled to the microphone array is enhanced. The MA includes at least two physical microphones to receive acoustic signals. The physical microphones make use of a common rear vent (actual or virtual) that samples a common pressure source. The MA includes a physical directional microphone configuration and a virtual directional microphone configuration. By making the input to the rear vents of the microphones (actual or virtual) as similar as possible, the real-world filter to be modeled becomes much simpler to model using an adaptive filter.
US08682013B2
In digital hearing devices, it is common to reduce the preamplifier gain when very loud signals are received in order to avoid clipping. It is known to temporarily reduce the preamplifier gain with fast attack and release times when a clipping of the input signal in the digitizer is expected. Perceived signal quality of the audible signal provided to the user of the hearing device is herein improved by simultaneously providing relatively fast and relatively slow temporary reductions of the amplifier gain such that the slow gain reductions reduce the occurrences of fast gain reductions. This allows the hearing device to provide a high quality sound to the user where clipping is reduced due to the fast gain reductions and where signal artifacts, such as pumping and switching noise, produced by the fast gain reductions is reduced due to the slow gain reductions.
US08682007B2
This invention provides a condenser microphone unit having a diaphragm assembly in which a diaphragm does not attach to a fixed electrode even if a polarization voltage is increased. A condenser microphone unit is provided having a diaphragm assembly 1 in which a diaphragm 12 is stretched over a diaphragm support 10 and a fixed electrode 20 arranged to face the diaphragm assembly 1 through a spacer. An opening 10a over which the diaphragm 12 is stretched so as to be able to vibrate is formed in the diaphragm support 10, the diaphragm 12 is stretched over the diaphragm support 10 in a situation where a central part of the diaphragm is dented to be concave, and the concave is arranged to face the fixed electrode 20.
US08681994B2
Systems and methods for document control using public key encryption are provided. An interface program serves as a software interface between user applications used to create and access documents and a data storage system that stores the documents in an encrypted form. When a document is saved for the first time, information corresponding to the destruction of that document is obtained either from a user or in accordance with predefined criteria. The document is encrypted and stored with a pointer to an encryption key on a token/key server. When the document is subsequently accessed, the interface program will read the pointer and attempt to retrieve the key. If the key has expired in accordance with the destruction policy, the document is inaccessible. Otherwise, the document is decrypted using the key. Multiple documents may be saved according to the same destruction policy and even the same key, thereby greatly enhancing the ability to “destroy” documents regardless of their location with minimal process.
US08681993B2
A method and system for distributed security for a plurality of devices in a communication network, each of the devices being responsible for generating, distributing and controlling its own keys for access to the communication network and using the keys to establish a trusted network, each device's membership to the communication network being checked periodically by other devices by using a challenge response protocol to establish which devices are allowed access to the communication network and the trusted network.
US08681990B2
A system, method apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing renewal of a dynamic set of data items. Each data item has an associated renewal deadline, in a data item management system. A renewal schedule allocates to each data item a renewal interval for renewal of the data item. On addition of a new data item, if a potential renewal interval having a duration required for renewal of the data item, and having an ending at the renewal deadline for that item does not overlap a time period in the schedule during which the system is busy, the renewal schedule is automatically updated by allocating the potential renewal interval to the new data item. If the potential renewal interval does overlap a busy period, the renewal schedule is automatically updated by selecting an earlier renewal interval for at least one data item in the set.
US08681986B2
A method for initializing encrypted communications using a common reference string and a shared password, includes determining a secret key of a peer using a first message, a second message and the common reference string, wherein the first message and the second message each comprise a tuple of elements of a cyclic group G of prime order p, a blinding encryption of the shared password, and a hash projection key.
US08681971B2
An intelligent interactive call handling system is provided that typically includes a central office, a call-handling device, and an internet call routing system. The central office typically triggers a query responsive to receiving a call request. The call-handling device is coupled to the central office, receives the query, and triggers an internet call routing query. The internet call routing system, which is coupled to the call-handling device, typically receives the internet call routing query, determines presence of the called party with respect to at least one registered communication device, sends a prompt to the called party at said at least one registered communication device responsive to the presence determination, receives a reply from said at least one registered communication device, and routes the call responsive to the reply. Methods and other systems are also provided.
US08681970B2
A method for providing continuity over a series of transactions is provided, comprising the steps of (a) creating a Portable Continuity Object (PCO) as a defined digital package by an instance of PCO software executing on a computerized appliance also capable of communication transaction; (b) providing identity of a person, an address of a communication device and a continuity context in the PCO; (c) sharing the PCO in related transactions, with the PCO updated with information concerning individual transactions by digital equipment enhanced with an instance of PCO software; and (d) providing context continuity in succeeding transactions by accessing the PCO by one or both parties to a transaction.
US08681956B2
Automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber account of a telecommunications network is obtained. Thereafter, first reference subscriber data associated with a subscriber is obtained. The first reference subscriber data is different from the ANI data or the BTN data. A first database location is accessed using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine second reference subscriber data. A second database location is accessed using the ANI data or BTN data to determine that the subscriber account associated with the ANI data or BTN data is billable. The first reference subscriber data and the second reference subscriber data are compared, and the identity of the subscriber verified if the first reference subscriber data corresponds to the second reference subscriber data.
US08681949B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for automated non-sound operations by interactive voice response commands. In use, a command from an interactive voice response application is received. Additionally, a non-sound operation requested to be performed via the command is identified. Further, the identified non-sound operation is automatically performed.
US08681942B2
Fluoroscopy imaging systems including an X-ray generator, a detector, and control circuitry coupled to the detector are provided. The control circuitry may be adapted to receive a digital signal from the detector, to process the digital signal, and to communicate the processed digital signal to a monitor for display during a fluoroscopy imaging operation. The fluoroscopy imaging systems may also include a user interface having at least one configurable adjustment configured to enable a user to adjust one or more imaging parameters affecting the digital signal during the fluoroscopy imaging operation. The control circuitry is adapted to set at least one of a range of the configurable adjustment, a step size of the configurable adjustment, or a default value of the configurable adjustment based on input from the user via the user interface.
US08681941B2
A method for visualizing a dose of X-ray radiation applied to a surface of a patient in a defined time period by an X-ray apparatus is proposed. The X-ray apparatus is adjustable to different angular positions. A model of the surface of the patient is provided. The dose of X-ray radiation applied to the surface of the patient in the defined time period is calculated. The model and the calculated dose on the model is visualized. The visualization of the model and the calculated dose on the model is effected in an angular position coupled to the angular position in which the X-ray apparatus is currently disposed.
US08681939B2
A device for detection and identification of carbon- and nitrogen-containing materials is described. In particular, the device performs the detection and identification of carbon- and nitrogen-containing materials by photo-nuclear detection. The device may comprise a race-track microtron, a breaking target, and a water-filled Cherenkov radiation counter.
US08681928B2
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes a pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core disposed in the pressure vessel. A baffle plate is disposed in the pressure vessel and separates the pressure vessel into an internal pressurizer volume disposed above the baffle plate and an operational PWR volume disposed below the baffle plate. The baffle plate comprises first and second spaced apart plates and includes a pressure transfer passage having a lower end in fluid communication with the operational PWR volume and an upper end in fluid communication with the internal pressurizer volume at a level below an operational pressurizer liquid level range. A vent pipe has a lower end in fluid communication with the operational PWR volume and an upper end in fluid communication with the internal pressurizer volume at a level above the operational pressurizer liquid level range.
US08681919B1
A phase detection system can include a phase detector configured to determine a phase difference between a data stream and a first control signal and a numerically controlled oscillator configured to generate the first control signal responsive to a second control signal. The system can include a memory device having memory cells correlated with a cycle of the data stream. The memory device can be configured to increment the current memory cell according to a clock signal synchronized with the data stream. The system also can include an attenuator configured to attenuate the phase difference and generate an attenuated phase difference and an adder. The adder can be coupled to the memory device and be configured to generate a first sum of the attenuated phase difference and a value read from a current memory cell of the plurality of memory cells.
US08681914B2
A device comprises a transmitter, a receiver and a clock generator that generates a clock signal having a local clock phase. A clock recovery circuit communicates with the receiver and recovers a host clock frequency from data received from a host by the receiver. A frequency offset circuit communicates with the clock recovery circuit and the clock generator and generates a frequency offset based on the local clock phase and the recovered host clock frequency. A frequency compensator compensates a frequency of the transmitter using the frequency offset.
US08681907B2
Iterative demapper. Demodulation and/or demapping of a signal (e.g., based on a constellation whose points have a corresponding mapping with associated labels) is performed such that each dimension is processed separately without accounting for influences from the other dimension. For example, the demapping process operates on each respective dimension separately and independently. In some instances, the processing operates iteratively, in that, information identified from processing one of the dimensions is employed in directing the processing in another of the dimensions. Such operation may be performed iteratively by updating/modified information associated with one or more of the dimensions as well. Moreover, decoding may operate in accordance with iterative demapping (e.g., error correction code (ECC) and/or forward error correction (FEC) code by which information bits are encoded) to make estimates of bits within a signal sequence, and those estimates may be used in a subsequent iteration of demapping.
US08681886B2
The communication apparatus includes: a processing unit 52 configured to determine a data modulation scheme for each stream based on first signal quality q1 for each stream determined by the MMSE method; a processing unit 54 configured to determine second signal quality q2 corresponding to the first signal quality q1; a processing unit configured to determine third signal quality q3(1) of a stream by adding first signal quality q1(1) of the stream and a correction value Δq(1) derived from second signal quality q2(2) of equal to or more than 1 stream other than the stream; and a processing unit 58 configured to determine channel coding rate Rk corresponding to third signal quality q3(1) for each stream. The determined data modulation scheme and channel coding scheme are used for transmission of a following stream.
US08681879B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for displaying video data without displaying delay in a video decoder which cannot judge the end of a picture. The method includes receiving video data including a picture formed of blocks; extracting an address of a current block in the received video data; and selectively displaying the picture based on the extracted address of the current block.
US08681876B2
In one embodiment, a method that provides plural representations of a single video signal that comprises a successive sequence of pictures, one or more of the plural representations including a respective sequence of latticed pictures, each latticed picture in the one or more plural representations originating from a corresponding respective picture of the video signal, the order of successive latticed pictures in the one or more of the plural representations of the video signal corresponding to the order of successive pictures in the video signal; processes the plural representations based on a predetermined encoding strategy, the predetermined encoding strategy targeting an appropriate respective amount of bits to each of a plurality of the processed latticed pictures, each of the plurality of the processed latticed pictures having a respective picture importance; and provides the plurality of processed latticed pictures in plural successive, non-overlapping, ordered segments in a single video stream.
US08681872B2
Provided is a video coding method and a video decoding method increasing the resolution and quality of images while suppressing an amount of data required for increasing the resolution. A video coding apparatus includes a first orthogonal transformation unit performing discrete cosine transform on an input picture signal, a low-pass filter performing low-pass filtering on the input picture signal, a downsampling unit downsampling the resolution of a low-frequency image signal, a coding unit compressing and coding a reduced image signal, a local decoding unit decoding a coded bit stream, a second orthogonal transformation unit performing discrete cosine transform on a decoded image signal, and a modification information generation unit generating, based on input image DCT coefficients and decoded image DCT coefficients, coefficient modification information used for modifying orthogonal transformation coefficients obtained by performing orthogonal transformation on a decoded video signal obtained from a coded bit stream.
US08681863B2
A method of decoding a video signal is disclosed. The present invention includes obtaining identification information indicating whether a coded picture of a current NAL unit is an inter-view picture group, obtaining interview reference information of the inter-view picture group, and constructing a reference picture list for inter-view prediction using the inter-view reference information according to the identification information, wherein the inter-view reference information includes view identification information of an inter-view reference picture.
US08681862B2
A moving picture decoding apparatus (10) that decodes moving picture data including a coded picture which has been coded according to a coding scheme of performing inter-frame prediction with reference to a maximum of n pictures, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, the moving picture decoding apparatus (10) comprising: an H.264 decoder (100) which decodes the coded picture included in the moving picture data using the inter-frame prediction; an external memory (107) which stores a decoded picture for external output thereof; an internal memory (106) which stores n decoded pictures which can be referred to for the inter-frame prediction; and a second transfer unit (102) which transfers the decoded picture from the external memory (107) to the internal memory (106) so that the n decoded pictures are stored in the internal memory (106) before decoding of one coded picture starts.
US08681847B2
Provided is a channel equalizing apparatus and method for improving channel equalization performance in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) reception system applied to digital broadcasting or a communication system. The apparatus, includes: a channel estimating unit for performing channel estimation by using a pilot signal of a frequency domain; a digital filtering unit for changing a characteristic of a channel in a time domain based on an estimated channel estimation result; and a channel equalizing unit for performing channel equalization of a frequency domain on the signal after changing the channel characteristic.
US08681846B2
Systems and methods for measuring transmitter and/or receiver I/Q impairments are disclosed, including iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using shared local oscillators, iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using intentionally-offset local oscillators, and methods for measuring receiver I/Q impairments. Also disclosed are methods for computing I/Q impairments from a sampled complex signal, methods for computing DC properties of a signal path between the transmitter and receiver, and methods for transforming I/Q impairments through a linear system.
US08681845B2
Systems and methods for measuring transmitter and/or receiver I/Q impairments are disclosed, including iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using shared local oscillators, iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using intentionally-offset local oscillators, and methods for measuring receiver I/Q impairments. Also disclosed are methods for computing I/Q impairments from a sampled complex signal, methods for computing DC properties of a signal path between the transmitter and receiver, and methods for transforming I/Q impairments through a linear system.
US08681837B2
An equalizer provided in a digital transmitter compensates for attenuation in a signal channel to a digital receiver. The equalizer generates signal levels as a logical function of bit history to emphasize transition signal levels relative to repeated signal levels. The preferred equalizer includes an FIR transition filter using a look-up table. Parallel circuits including FIR filters and digital-to-analog converters provide a high speed equalizer with lower speed circuitry. The equalizer is particularly suited to in-cabinet and local area network transmissions where feedback circuitry facilitates adaptive training of the equalizer as logic level sequences are transmitted at different frequencies.
US08681823B2
A network element that has a broadcast interface to a broadcast network becoming operational determines whether at least one alternate path exists to the broadcast network. The broadcast interface is to carry traffic on a label switched path. If an alternate path exists, the broadcast interface will not be advertised to the broadcast network until label distribution protocol (LDP) is operational with all neighbors on the broadcast interface.
US08681811B2
Techniques for use within computer systems that communicate with multiple different terminal systems using multiple different terminal protocols are disclosed. In one embodiment, a partial protocol converter module is installed in a computer server system to enable the computer server system to communicate with terminal systems that use terminal protocol other than the terminal protocol used natively by the computer server system. The partial protocol converter module directly accesses a screen buffer in the computer server system that is associated with the terminal systems that use terminal protocol other than the terminal protocol used natively by the computer server system. The partial protocol converter module detects updates to the screen buffer and encodes these display screen updates into a message using the native protocol used by the terminal system and then transmits that encoded message to the terminal system.
US08681805B2
A method, a device and a system for interconnecting a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network and an Ethernet are provided. A packet sent by a node located at the Ethernet is received, the packet is parsed, the parsed packet is re-encapsulated by means of MPLS, and the re-encapsulated packet is sent to a node located at the MPLS network, so as to implement interconnection between the MPLS network and the Ethernet. A reverse solution is similar to this. An intermediate node in the solution adopts a manner of parsing a packet and then re-encapsulating the packet when the packet is sent from one network to another network, instead of transparent transmission only. Therefore, it is unnecessary to configure a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a remote node on a node located at the Ethernet and to configure Ethernet information on a node located at the MPLS network.
US08681802B2
Embodiments herein achieve proxy FHRP for anycast routing services through the coordination of L2MP edge switches to allow load balancing for the use of routing services. Such embodiments may avoid duplicity and coordinate control planes between the edge switches to present a proxy interface to the rest of the network for the routing services. As such, multipathing and load-balancing for efficient use of crucial services may be provided for client nodes inside the network.
US08681800B2
A system, method and apparatus for providing multiple access modes in a data communications network includes a network access device having a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a switching fabric for routing data received on the plurality of input ports to at least one of the plurality of output ports. Control logic within the network access device is adapted to determine whether a user device coupled to one of the plurality of input ports supports a user authentication protocol used by a host network. If the user authentication protocol is not supported, then the input port to which the network access device is coupled is placed in a semi-authorized access state that limits access to a pre-configured network accessible via the host network.
US08681790B2
A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a list digest request operation by generating a start slice name field of the payload section to include a start slice name of a slice name range, generating an end slice name field of the payload section to include an end slice name of the slice name range, and generating a maximum response count field of the payload section to include a maximum slice name response count. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section, generating an operation code field to indicate the list digest request operation, and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.
US08681773B2
A method for routing data between at least one guided vehicle and a ground network, wherein said vehicle moves on a track between at least a first and a second communication terminal arranged on the ground along the track. The terminals are capable of exchanging data streams between a ground network and at least one routing module onboard the vehicle. A transmission quality measurement for a first signal between the first terminal and the routing module is carried out periodically, a transmission quality measurement for a second signal between the second terminal and the routing module is carried out periodically, a measurement of the available data flow rate for the first signal between the ground network and the routing module is carried out periodically, a measurement of the available data flow rate for the second signal between the ground network and the routing module is carried out periodically, a routing path for at least a portion of the data between the ground network and the routing module is also periodically determined via at least one of the communication terminals if it has a measured signal quality higher than a predetermined threshold and a data flow rate higher than a predetermined threshold.
US08681769B2
An Access Point (AP) advertises the availability of notifications, and this advertisement may be received and interpreted by stations (STAs), both by associated STAs and by non-associated STAs. Upon being informed of the availability of the notification message, a STA may be able to identify the notification message by analyzing the advertisement. If the contents of the notification message comprise a control message, the STA may act on the control message in a way that influences the STA's behavior. If the contents of the notification message indicate restrictions imposed by the AP, the STA may determine, in view of the restrictions, not to attempt association with the AP.
US08681755B2
Provided is a method of generating a data frame used in a wireless personal area network (WPAN). The method of generating a data frame used in a wireless personal area network (WPAN), the method including: generating a plurality of sub frames by using one or more MAC service data units (MSDUs); and generating sub headers including information about each sub frame; generating a PHY service data unit (PSDU) by using the plurality of sub frames, the sub headers, and a MAC header, wherein each sub frame includes a frame check sequence (FCS) field for detecting an error of a corresponding sub frame.
US08681749B2
Techniques for sending control information in a wireless communication system are described. A control segment may include L≧1 tiles, and each tile may include a number of transmission units. A number of control resources may be defined and mapped to the transmission units for the control segment. For symmetric mapping, multiple sets of S≧1 control resources may be formed, and each batch of L consecutive sets of S control resources may be mapped to S transmission units at the same location in the L tiles. For localized mapping, S>1, and each set of S control resources may be mapped to a cluster of S adjacent transmission units in one tile. For distributed mapping, S=1, and each control resource may be mapped to one transmission unit in one tile. For diversity, each control resource may be mapped to multiple (e.g., three) transmission units in at least one tile.
US08681744B2
The present invention is a receiver which includes a blind code detection device for determining the identity of a plurality of channels over which information is to be transmitted when the identity of all channels is not known by the receiver. The blind code detection device generates a candidate channel list filled with the identify of selected channels out of the plurality of channels. A multi-user detection device, responsive to the blind code detection device, processes those channels in the candidate code list.
US08681740B2
A network monitoring system captures data packet from LTE/SAE network interfaces using passive probes. The monitoring system identifies context data associated with a first user on an S1-MME interface. Next hop parameters, such as a Next Hop Key and/or a Next Hop Chaining Counter, are derived for the first user equipment. The monitoring system creates a first context entry for the first user comprising of the next hop parameters. The monitoring system also identifies second context data associated with a second user on a second S1-MME interface. Next hop parameters are also identified for the second context data. The second context next hop parameters are compared to the first context next hop parameters. If they match, it is possible to track the user even in case of mobility, binding its activity on the two legs and retrieving the security parameters to be used for deciphering.
US08681738B2
In a wireless communication system, signals within a connection on a wireless interface are transmitted exclusively in a packet-switched manner between a user station and an access device located on the network. The user station signals a need to measure signals to the access device, the access device sends measurement signaling to the user station, and the user station measures signals of at least one additional access device located on the network at a second frequency range while receiving data packets within the connection at a first frequency range based on the received measurement signaling, the second frequency range being disjunct from the first frequency range.
US08681734B2
The present invention relates to a method in which a terminal transmits a ranging signal in a wireless communication system. The method comprises a step of acquiring cell identification information using the preamble received from a base station, a step of determining frequency resource allocation information using the cell identification information and information on the number of allocated subbands, and a step of transmitting a ranging signal using the sub-band indicated by the frequency resource allocation information.
US08681732B2
The present invention relates to a method of changing a frequency assignment (FA) status in an improved broadband wireless access system where terminals and base stations communicate with each other by using a plurality of FAs. The base station changes the status of one of secondary FA into the status of the pFA in order to adjust a load of the primary FA, and communicates with the terminal through the pFA of which status is changed. When a response is received from the terminal, the base station changes the status of the pFA and communicates with the pFA of the terminal through a new pFA. The status of a previous pFA between the base station and the terminal is changed into the status of the sFA, and a previous sFA is changed into the pFA, so that communication is performed through new FAs.
US08681730B2
A mobile device receives a signal, from a base station, comprising a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The received PSS and SSS are used to acquire cell-specific parameters so as to ensure communicates between the mobile device and the base station. The mobile device correlates the received signal in time domain using signs of each of a plurality of correlation reference sequences (reference PSSs). The mobile device generates sign based correlation reference PSSs using signs of the corresponding reference PSSs, which are generated based on a variety of Zadoff-Chu sequences. The received PSS is detected based on the correlation. No multiplication operations are used in the correlation process. Symbol timing is identified according to the detected PSS. The mobile device uses the identified symbol timing to baseband process the received signal. The received signal is an OFDM signal received over a 3GPP LTE/E-UTRA air interface.
US08681719B2
Systems and methods for frequency reuse on downlink control channels (DLCCs) are provided. One method can include determining a first number of symbols to support transmission of control information on a DLCC, and configuring a second number of symbols for transmission of the control information on the DLCC, wherein the second number of symbols is greater than the first number of symbols. The method can also include assigning a number of DLCCs based on the second number of symbols, and transmitting control information over an assigned number of DLCCs to achieve an effective reuse factor less than one. Another method can include identifying fractions of bandwidth in a system having cells, and allocating at least one of the cells to at least one of the fractions of bandwidth in a system. Resource element groups allocated to the fractions of bandwidth can be coordinated across cells to provide frequency reuse.
US08681718B2
A method of transmitting an ACK/NACK signal via an ACK/NACK channel including one or more tiles comprised of a plurality of OFDM symbols in a time domain and a plurality of subcarriers in a frequency domain in a wireless communication system includes generating a first codeword by applying a first spreading code to data symbols and pilot symbols, wherein the tile includes a plurality of data subcarriers and a plurality of pilot subcarriers, the data symbols are allocated to the plurality of data subcarriers and the pilot symbols are allocated to the plurality of pilot subcarriers, generating a second codeword by allocating data symbols applied a second spreading code to the plurality of data subcarriers, and transmitting the first and second codewords.
US08681715B2
When the SC-FDMA method is used in combination with the multi-antenna transmission technique, a radio transmission method effectively improves the frequency use efficiency by performing appropriate frequency allocation to a plurality of antennas while suppressing degradation of the reception quality caused by interference. In the radio transmission method of the SC-FDMA type, according to the number of terminals simultaneously accessing a base station within a usable frequency band, it is possible to allocate all the transmission signals (transmission stream) to be transmitted by different antennas to different frequency bands or to use the MIMO transmission in combination. Moreover, according to the number of terminals making an access, the number of terminals which perform the MIMO transmission can be varied.
US08681714B2
An apparatus and method for improving a HARQ combining gain in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a seed information generator and a subcarrier allocator. The seed information generator randomly generates a seed value for changing a channel of a subcarrier and an interference pattern in a frame unit when a HARQ combining gain is not generated because an interference pattern is the same during a retransmission period. The subcarrier allocator allocates a subcarrier using the generated seed value.
US08681713B2
The threshold value of the cell center is increased or decreased depending on the communication quality of a mobile station in the cell center. For example, if the block error rate in the communication of a mobile station in the cell center is high, the threshold value of the cell center is increased so that the mobile station in the cell center is limited to mobile stations closer to the base station.
US08681711B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate adjusting allocation of carriers based on inactivity in wireless communications. An inactivity and dormancy timer are provided to allow carrier deallocation in periods of communicative inactivity (after expiration of the inactivity timer) without terminating the connection until expiration of the dormancy timer. Upon expiration of the inactivity timer, carriers can be deallocated from communication to conserve resources and reduce interference while still allowing requests to be made over the connection. If such requests are made, carriers can be reallocated to efficiently transmit a response. The timers are reset when communications are active. In addition, the timers can have expiration times related to aspects of connection, such as a protocol utilized thereover, connection quality, and/or the like.
US08681695B1
In general, techniques are described for single prefix address allocation within computer networks. Typically, a network device that allocates addresses within a computer network implements the techniques. The network device comprises an interface and a control unit. The interface receives first and second messages from a subscriber network. The first message requests at least one address be allocated to the subscriber network according to a first address allocation mechanism. The second message requests at least one address be allocated to the subscriber network in accordance with a second address allocation mechanism. The control unit automatically determines a topology of the subscriber network based on the second message. Based on the determined topology, the control unit selectively allocates either a single network address prefix or one or more addresses of the network address prefix in response to the second message without allocating an address in response to the first message.
US08681690B2
A technique for enabling multiple terminals to simulate data traffic of a single virtual terminal includes transmitting from a first transmitting terminal a request to establish a communication session between the first transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal, where the first transmitting terminal is one a plurality of transmitting terminals. The first transmitting terminal receives at least one message from the receiving terminal to establish the communication session. Once the communication session is established between the first transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, data traffic is transmitted from the plurality of transmitting terminals to the receiving terminal within the communication session such that the receiving terminal is unaware that more than one transmitting terminal is transmitting within the communication session. The communication session is maintained by transmitting maintenance messages from at least one of the plurality of transmitting terminals to the receiving terminal throughout the communication session.
US08681687B2
Aspects of a method and system for channel estimation for interference suppression are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits and/or processors of a mobile communication device may generate and/or receive a first set of channel estimates and a second set of channel estimates. The one or more circuits and/or processors may modify the second set of channel estimates based on a comparison of a measure of correlation between the first set of channel estimates and the second set of channel estimates with a threshold. The first set of channel estimates and/or the modified second set of channel estimates may be utilized for cancelling interference in received signals. The first set of channel estimates may be associated with a first transmit antenna of a base transceiver station and the second set of channel estimates may be associated with a second transmit antenna of the base transceiver station.
US08681686B2
When a terminal (200) is capable of connecting to two relay devices that are adjacent to the terminal, from among a plurality of relay devices, a receiving unit (208) receives signals in a first period and a second period for communication among the plurality of relay stations, which are transmitted from the higher order device to the lower order device toward other terminal devices. An interference removal unit (209) obtains a signal transmitted toward the terminal (200) from the higher order relay device by employing the signals toward the other terminal devices that are received in the first period and the second period and removing a signal toward other terminal devices that is transmitted in a third period for communication between the plurality of relay devices and the terminal device from the lower order device from a signal that is received in the third period.
US08681684B2
A method of transmitting data across an electronic data communication system comprising a plurality of terminals that can send and receive data in the form of electromagnetic waves to and from at least one of the terminals, which method comprises the steps of: (a) identifying at least one control terminal, at least one target terminal and at least two relaying terminals from the plurality of terminals; and (b) using the control terminal to instruct the at least two relaying terminals to receive and relay data intended for the at least one target terminal, so that the at least one target terminal can receive data directly from at least one terminal and from the at least two relaying terminals, thereby increasing capacity of the system.
US08681672B2
In a WCDMA mobile communication system, when the amount of packet traffic transmitted to or received from a UE decreases during a predetermined time in a CELL_DCH state in which a WCDMA packet data connection has been established, the UE transitions to a CELL_FACH state by a radio network controller (RNC). Thereafter, it is determined if there is no transmitted or received packet traffic during a certain time in the CELL_FACH state (which is an RRC state in which an RRC connection has been connected, and the dedicated physical channel has been released). When it is determined that there is no transmitted or received packet traffic during the certain time, the UE requests a network to release the RRC connection by utilizing a Signaling Connection Release Indication (SCRI) message. The invention enables a UE to check a packet transmission or reception flow, and to directly transmit the SCRI message to the network.
US08681670B2
A communication apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires a size of free space provided in each of a plurality of data transmission units of a first layer; and an allocation unit that allocates to each of a plurality of pieces of data of a second layer a contiguous sequence of free space from among the free space whose size is acquired by the acquisition unit, the contiguous sequence of free space being equal in size to each piece of data and provided in one of the data transmission units among the plurality of data transmission units. The apparatus also includes a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the plurality of pieces of data of the second layer into the plurality of data transmission units of the first layer according to the allocation of the free space by the allocation unit.
US08681668B2
A method including receiving in a first network interface of a router a first request for a first type of multicast traffic in a first multicast routing protocol, storing in the router a second type of multicast traffic, transmitting from the router using a second multicast routing protocol requests for the first and second types of multicast traffic, receiving in the router the first and second types of multicast traffic comprising first and second IP packets, respectively, modifying in the router the IP source address and/or the IP multicast destination address of the second IP packets so that the addresses of the second IP packets are the same as the first IP packets of the first type of multicast traffic and transmitting the first IP packets and the modified second IP packets via the first network interface, where the router transmits in a first time interval the first IP packets, transmits in a second time interval the modified second IP packets, and transmits in a third time interval the remaining portion of the first IP packets.
US08681660B2
Systems and methods for detecting and mitigating interference between from a wireless time division duplex (TDD) communications device and a wireless frequency division duplex (FDD) communications device includes processing quality-indicator reports received from the FDD device to determine if the FDD device has experienced interference from the TDD device. Such interference may be mitigated by adjusting a downlink configuration of the FDD base station in communication with the FDD device. To detect and mitigate interference from an FDD device to a TDD device, it is determined if a monitored value of an operational parameter of the FDD device is within a fixed range of a maximum value of the operational parameter, and if so, a specific time interval or frequency of the FDD device is assigned for communication purposes. Similar interference detection and mitigation techniques may also be used for interference scenarios between two TDD systems including TDD devices.
US08681658B2
Systems and methods of automatically determining a set of route targets is provided. The method includes receiving network topology data specifying configuration of a network. The method also includes automatically converting the network topology data into route targets to be assigned to virtual routing and forwarding elements. The route targets are grouped into sets and duplicate sets of route targets are removed. The method further includes generating a data record including information related to the set of route targets.
US08681654B2
Methods and apparatus to design a survivable Internet Protocol link topology are disclosed. An example method to generate a network topology is described, which includes identifying a plurality of potential express links based on a first subset of a plurality of physical links coupling a plurality of communication network nodes, wherein one or more of the potential express links includes a network layer link traversing more than one of the physical links, determining an amount of network layer traffic that may be carried on a first potential express link, selecting the first potential express link as a chosen express link based on at least one of the traffic or a first number of network layer links on the physical links, adding the chosen express link to a list of express links, generating a plurality of network topologies by selecting one or more different numbers of express links from the list of express links, and selecting one of the generated network layer topologies based on a cost of the generated network layer topologies.
US08681650B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for packet classification previewing are disclosed. Packet classification previewing is performed by a reserved preview packet classifier and initiated by a user. According to one aspect, a method for packet classification previewing includes providing a preview packet classifier. User input is received to classify packets using the preview packet classifier. In response to the user input, classification of packets is initiated using the preview packet classifier. Preview packet classification results are generated and displayed to the user, providing feedback as to whether the classifier configuration is correct or not as the user changes the configuration dynamically.
US08681626B1
A base station system comprises a processing system, an IP communication interface, and a wireless communication interface. The processing system is configured to direct the IP communication interface to establish communication connectivity over a communication link to a service node on a communication network, register with the service node over the communication link and the communication network, and establish a tunnel with the service node, direct the wireless communication interface to exchange user communications with a plurality of wireless communication devices in a wireless protocol, direct the IP communication interface to exchange the user communications with the service node over the tunnel and receive an IP layer three congestion notification indicator over the tunnel, process the IP layer three congestion notification indicator to generate a layer two congestion notification indicator in the wireless protocol, and direct the wireless communication interface to transfer the layer two congestion notification indicator in the wireless protocol to at least one wireless communication device.
US08681624B2
A network node for reserving resources for data flows in a communication network. The node detects a request for resource reservation for a new data flow and computes an admission test count based on descriptors of the new data flow and reservation counts, which represent reservation functions of descriptors of previously admitted data flows and which specify resources of the admitted data flows. The new data flow is admitted if the admission test count is smaller than a maximum allowable count. The reservation counts are then updated based on the descriptors of the new data flow. A plurality of admission formulas may thus be used to maintain aggregated reservation counts for data flows, the number of counts being independent from the number of flows.
US08681622B2
A system for congestion control in a mobile communications network includes a monitoring module configured to monitor message traffic associated with a cell in a mobile communications network. The message traffic includes control plane and user plane messages. The monitoring module determines, based on the message traffic, whether a predetermined congestion threshold associated with the cell in the mobile communications network has been crossed. In response to the threshold being crossed, the monitoring module generates a cell congestion notification message that includes the identity of subscribers that are contributing to the congestion. A policy server receives the cell congestion notification message and generates a PCC rule that modifies the policy of the one or more identified subscribers and for communicating the PCC rule to a PCEF.
US08681618B2
A packet retransmission control system has: a network control block configured to perform packet retransmission control in an upper layer; and a packet retransmission control block configured to perform packet retransmission control with a shorter retransmission timeout than the upper layer in a lower layer that is lower than the upper layer. If the network control block receives a duplicate acknowledge packet being an acknowledge packet notifying a same sequence number for a predetermined number of times, the network control block performs packet retransmission. The packet retransmission control block determines whether or not retransmission of a same packet is performed earlier in the upper layer than in the lower layer. If retransmission of the same packet is performed earlier in the upper layer than in the lower layer, the packet retransmission control block prohibits retransmission of the same packet in the lower layer.
US08681613B2
A mechanism and protocol are provided in a digital communication system having a plurality of nodes in a shared media domain in order to establish a tunneled service flow between an originating node and a hidden endpoint node via at least one relay node by using a tunnel mechanism to enforce the service flow requirement for Quality Of Service required parameters wherein a domain master determines service flow via relay nodes between the originating node and the hidden endpoint node, calculates needed bandwidth resources and reserves the needed bandwidth resources in order to later allocate them to support the service flows required by Quality of Service parameters embodying the tunneled service flow. Procedures are also provided for termination of a tunneled service flow by an application entity or by the originating node or by the domain master.
US08681604B2
A method and a system for refreshing addresses are disclosed. Said method includes: when state switching between a link fault and a fault recovery occurs in a link, a node where a port related to this link is situated refreshing an address forwarding list, and configuring a flag PF for suspending an operation of refreshing an address forwarding list on other ports of this node, and sending protocol message with address refreshing information to other nodes; and when ports of other nodes receive said protocol message, refreshing the address forwarding list only when identifier information included in this protocol message is inconsistent with identifier information stored in this port and this port is not configured with said PF flag. Said method and system judge whether to refresh the address forwarding list according to said PF flag, and determine whether to refresh the address forwarding list according to the judgment result.
US08681603B1
A network switch including first, second, and third stack units. The first stack unit includes a first interface configured to communicate, via a first link, with a second stack unit of the network switch; a second interface configured to communicate, via a second link, with a third stack unit of the network switch; and a forwarding engine configured to transfer a first packet to the first interface, and in response to the first link being inoperative, to (i) receive the first packet from the first interface, and (ii) transfer the first packet received from the first interface to the second interface.
US08681599B2
A method for mapping a physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH) is described. The method for mapping a PHICH includes determining an index of a resource element group transmitting a repetitive pattern of the PHICH, according to a ratio of the number of available resource element groups in a symbol in which the PHICH is transmitted and the number of available resource element groups in a first or second OFDM symbol, and mapping the PHICH to the symbol according to the determined index. In transmitting the PHICH, since efficient mapping is performed considering available resource elements varying with OFDM symbols, repetition of the PHICH does not generate interference between neighbor cell IDs and performance is improved.
US08681596B2
Embodiments of a process comprising forming one or more micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) probe on a conductive metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) wafer, wherein each MEMS probe comprises a cantilever beam with a fixed end and a free end and wherein the CMOS wafer has circuitry thereon; forming an unsharpened tip at or near the free end of each cantilever beam; depositing a silicide-forming material over the tip; annealing the wafer to sharpen the tip; and exposing the sharpened tip. Embodiments of an apparatus comprising a conductive metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) wafer including circuitry therein; one or more micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) probes integrally formed on the CMOS wafer, wherein each MEMS probe comprises a cantilever beam with a fixed end and a free end and a sharpened tip at or near the free end, the sharpened tip formed by a process comprising forming an unsharpened tip at or near the free end of each cantilever beam, depositing a silicide-forming material over the unsharpened tip, annealing the wafer to sharpen the unsharpened tip, and exposing the sharpened tip.
US08681592B2
An objective lens element having improved diffraction efficiency at least one of used wavelengths is provided. The objective lens element includes one surface including: a first region including an optical axis; and a second region surrounding the first region. A periodic first diffraction structure is formed on the first region, and a periodic second diffraction structure different from the first diffraction structure is formed on the second region. The objective lens element satisfies the following conditions. |A1−B1|<|A2−B2| (1) |B1|≧|B2| (2) Here, A1 and B1 are diffraction orders at the first region to converge light of a first wavelength and light of a second wavelength on a recording surface, respectively, and A2 and B2 are diffraction orders at the second region to converge the light of the first wavelength and the light of the second wavelength on a recording surface, respectively.
US08681590B2
In accordance with certain embodiments, a magnetic head has a coil, which has a lead coil turn positioned between a yoke and an air-bearing surface. In certain embodiments, a magnetic head has a coil, which has a lead coil turn minimally spaced from a main write pole.
US08681584B2
The transmission system combines a self-contained, wireless seismic acquistion unit and a wireless, line of site, communications unit to form a plurality of individual short-range transmission networks and also a mid-range, line of sight transmission network.
US08681575B2
A semiconductor device controls read-out operation of a semiconductor memory that outputs a parallel data signal and a strobe signal at a timing in synchronism with each other. The semiconductor device has a first phase control circuit configured to output a delay strobe signal which delays the strobe signal for a variable delay time, a second phase control circuit configured to output a re-delay strobe signal which delays the delay strobe signal for a variable delay time, a first hold circuit configured to hold the parallel data signal at an edge of the delay strobe signal, a second hold circuit configured to hold the parallel data signal at an edge of the re-delay strobe signal, and a control circuit configured to adjust a delay time of the first phase control circuit so that the second hold circuit performs a hold operation at a signal transition timing of the parallel data signal.
US08681574B2
A memory system that includes a first bit line coupled to a first set of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells, a second (complementary) bit line coupled to a second set of DRAM cells, and a sense amplifier coupled to the first and second bit lines. The sense amplifier includes a pair of cross-coupled inverters (or a similar latching circuit) coupled between the first and second bit lines, as well as a first select transistor coupling the first bit line to a first global bit line, and a second select transistor coupling the second bit line to a second global bit line. The first and second select transistors are independently controlled, thereby enabling improved read and write access sequences to be implemented, whereby signal loss associated with bit line coupling is eliminated, ‘read bump’ conditions are eliminated, and late write conditions are eliminated.
US08681572B2
Decoding blocks, memories, and methods for decoding pre-decoded address information are disclosed. One such decoding block includes a first latch and voltage shift circuit configured to receive first pre-decoded address information at first voltage levels and further configured to latch the first pre-decoded address information and shift the voltage levels of the same to second voltage levels. An address decoder includes a second latch and voltage shift circuit configured to receive second pre-decoded address information at the first voltage levels and latch and shift the voltage levels of the same to the second voltage levels. The address decoder is further configured to select control gates of the memory cells of the memory based at least in part on the first and second pre-decoded address information.
US08681559B2
The voltage of a selected word line is increased beyond the voltage to which a respective string driver transistor is capable of driving the word line by capacitively coupling a voltage to the selected word line from adjacent word lines. The voltage is capacitively coupled to the selected word line by increasing the voltages of the adjacent word lines after a programming voltage has been applied to a string driver transistor for the selected word line and after a string driver voltage has been applied to the gates of all of the string driver transistors in an array.
US08681557B2
Methods, systems, and devices include a system for sequentially writing to a data locations coupled to one another in series. The system includes a plurality of data locations and a controller. The controller is configured to sequentially write data values to the plurality of data locations, starting with the data location at an end of the series and then sequentially writing to each adjacent data location.
US08681549B2
A method for data storage includes storing first data bits in a set of multi-bit analog memory cells at a first time by programming the memory cells to assume respective first programming levels. Second data bits are stored in the set of memory cells at a second time that is later than the first time by programming the memory cells to assume respective second programming levels that depend on the first programming levels and on the second data bits. A storage strategy is selected responsively to a difference between the first and second times. The storage strategy is applied to at least one group of the data bits, selected from among the first data bits and the second data bits.
US08681540B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatus, and system configurations for tile-level snapback detection through a coupling capacitor in a phase-change memory array. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08681533B2
A signal processing circuit using a nonvolatile memory circuit with a novel structure is provided. The nonvolatile memory circuit is formed using a transistor including an oxide semiconductor and a capacitor connected to one of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the transistor. A high-level potential is written to the memory circuit in advance, and this state is kept in the case where data to be saved has a high-level potential, whereas a low-level potential is written to the memory circuit in the case where data to be saved has a low-level potential. Thus, a signal processing circuit with improved writing speed can be provided.
US08681532B2
A memory includes memory cells each includes a resistance change element and a diode, and each memory cell between one of row lines and one of column lines, a first decoder which selects one of the row lines as a selected row line, a second decoder which selects one of the column lines as a selected column line, a voltage pulse generating circuit which generates a voltage pulse, a voltage pulse shaping circuit which makes a rise time and a fall time of the voltage pulse longer, and a control circuit which applies the voltage pulse outputting from the voltage pulse shaping circuit to unselected column lines except the selected column line, and which applies a fixed potential to unselected row lines except the selected row line, in a data writing to a memory cell which is provided between the selected row line and the selected column line.
US08681531B2
Some embodiments include methods in which a memory cell is formed to have programmable material between first and second access lines, with the programmable material having two compositionally different regions. A concentration of ions and/or ion-vacancies may be altered in at least one of the regions to change a memory state of the memory cell and to simultaneously form a pn diode. Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material with two compositionally different regions, and having ions and/or ion-vacancies diffusible into at least one of the regions. The memory cell has a memory state in which the first and second regions are of opposite conductivity type relative to one another.
US08681525B2
Such a device is disclosed that includes a first semiconductor chip including a plurality of first terminals, a plurality of second terminals, and a first circuit coupled between the first and second terminals and configured to control combinations of the first terminals to be electrically connected to the second terminals, and a second semiconductor chip including a plurality of third terminals coupled respectively to the second terminals, an internal circuit, and a second circuit coupled between the third terminals and the internal circuit and configured to activate the internal circuit when a combination of signals appearing at the third terminals indicates a chip selection.
US08681521B2
Provided are improvements for systems and methods of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power regulation. The system improvements include a regulation circuit having a microprocessor that controls a silicon controlled rectifier circuit. Method improvements include one or more of SCR load sharing, adaptive voltage droop compensation, and/or voltage rebound compensation.
US08681512B2
According to some preferred embodiments, power converter includes a comparator circuit with feedback from current-fed PI or PID control to select one of two regeneration times of at least one active clamp: i) wherein at low loads a regeneration circuit is turned ON for substantially an entire current-transfer cycle such as to avoid output of current-fed converter continuing to rise; and ii) wherein at high loads the regeneration period is reduced to between about ¼ to ½ of a resonance-frequency cycle so that a resonance between the regeneration capacitance and the transformer's leakage inductance avoids excessive ringing currents and/or lost efficiency.
US08681503B2
An electronic apparatus having a heat-dissipating structure capable of efficiently releasing heat generated at electronic components to the outside, superior in work efficiency at the time of assembly, and capable of avoiding misalignment in the electronic components. The electronic apparatus comprising a substrate, an electronic component mounted thereon, a heat-dissipating member for releasing heat generated by the electronic component to the outside, a heat-conducting sheet having flexibility, a first portion thereof being in contact with a rear surface of the electronic component between the substrate and the electronic component, a second portion thereof being in contact with the heat-dissipating member, a hard member disposed between the first portion of the heat-conducting sheet and the substrate, a material of the hard member being harder than that of the heat-conducting sheet, and a pressing unit disposed between the hard member and the substrate and configured to press the heat-conducting sheet against the rear surface of the electronic component.
US08681492B2
A fixing device and an electronic device using the same are disclosed, wherein the fixing device is mounted in the electronic device's case for fixing the electronic device on a plane. The fixing device includes a suction cap, a cap cover, an elastic element, and a pressing element. The suction cap includes a suction section and a suction cap main body. The suction section has a suction surface and the body contains an accommodating area for accommodating the elastic element. The cover portion has a bottom part which is connected to a cover portion main body of the cap cover. The pressing element includes a pressing part and of which the shape matches the accommodating area. When the pressing element is pressed, the air flow within the accommodating area is blocked by the pressing part substantially.
US08681491B1
A mobile phone case system having a case divided into a first half case having a top portion and side edges and a second half case having a bottom portion and side edges, together the first half and second half case form an inner cavity adapted to hold a mobile phone, with a first stand component pivotally attached to an outer surface of the bottom portion of the second half case via a hinge component, the hinge component allows the first stand component to pivot between an extended position wherein bottom edges of the first stand component are pivoted away from the outer surface of the bottom portion of the second half case and a retracted position wherein the first stand component is flush with the outer surface of the bottom portion of the second half case.
US08681479B2
A method, apparatus, and system are described for a pre-wired and pre-engineered integrated platform for power supply and distribution that is pre-assembled, scalable, and modular. The skeletal framework of the integrated platform acts as an equipment support structure as well as a cable routing support system. A set of cables having wiring is routed along the skeletal framework of the integrated platform and goes to two or more cabinet enclosures mounted onto the skeletal framework. The skeletal framework acts as a National Electric Code approved raceway system to support and route the set of cables to the electrical equipment in the mounted cabinet enclosures. The integrated platform supports the weight of the one or more cabinet enclosures mounted onto the skeletal framework.
US08681478B2
A container 11 of a surface mounting electrochemical device according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a first metal component 11a having a recess 11a1, a second metal component 11b directly welded to the first metal component 11a to close the opening of the recess 11a1. A first electrode 16a of an electric storage element 16 is electrically insulated from the container 11, and a second electrode 16b electrically conducts thereto. A first terminal 14 is electrically insulated from the container 11 and electrically conducts to the first electrode 16a of the electric storage element 16 via a relaying element 13. A second terminal 15 electrically conducts to the container 11 and the second electrode 16b of the electric storage element 16 via the container 11.
US08681472B2
Techniques for reducing particle contamination on a substrate are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized with a ground pin that extends two regions of a platen that support the substrate. The ground pin may comprise a pin body; and a sleeve comprising an upper portion, a side portion, and a lower portion, the sleeve being configured to fit around the pin body, the sleeve including a fluid channel configured to transport fluid between the upper portion and the lower portion of the sleeve.
US08681468B2
A method of solenoid valve control includes measuring voltage across the solenoid valve and current through the solenoid valve, and using the results to aid in controlling the solenoid valve. For instance, one or both of the measured values may be used to determine when actual engagement of the solenoid valve occurs. An initial lower voltage and lower current can be used, and then as conditions change, the changes in condition can be accounted for by increasing voltage and current to maintain the desired response time of the solenoid valve. By measuring and controlling voltage and current less of a margin can be used, both in setting voltage/current levels and in selecting the time over which a pull voltage/current is utilized. This reduces the wasted energy in the system, as well as reducing the temperature rise in the solenoid valve.
US08681467B2
A surge protection apparatus is provided. The surge protection apparatus includes a non-linear element unit, a signal generation unit, and a switching element unit. The non-linear element unit enables an electrical surge to pass therethrough by rapidly decreasing resistance of the non-linear element unit when the difference in voltage between two ends of the non-linear element unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The signal generation unit generates a control signal in response to current which passes through the non-linear element unit. The switching element unit switches the status thereof in response to the control signal.
US08681464B2
A voltage suppressor component including a semiconductor layer; a first port mounted on the semiconductor layer and configured to receive electrical power; a second port mounted on the semiconductor layer and configured to provide the electrical power, and a fuse in electrical series between the first port and the second port and mounted on the semiconductor layer.
US08681455B2
A slider includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a transducer adjacent to the trailing edge, and an air bearing surface. The air bearing surface includes a forward pad, a rearward pad, and a center rail pad feature disposed along a longitudinal axis of the slider. The center rail pad feature includes a first shallow recess finger and a second shallow recess finger diverging from the longitudinal axis toward the trailing edge.
US08681451B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic tape comprising a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the ferromagnetic powder is a hexagonal ferrite powder, squareness in a vertical direction without demagnetizing field correction of the magnetic layer ranges from 0.6 to 1.0, and the magnetic layer further comprises a compound in which a substituent selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group is directly substituted into a ring structure comprising a double bond and having a ClogP falling within a range of 2.3 to 5.5.
US08681442B2
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and a fly height transducer operable to generate a fly height signal for the head. The disk drive further comprises control circuitry comprising a current sensor operable to detect a current flowing through the fly height transducer. The current sensor comprises a differential amplifier operable to amplify the current flowing through the fly height transducer over a first range using a first gain, and amplify the current flowing through the fly height transducer over a second range using a second gain less than the first gain, wherein at least part of the second range is different than the first range.
US08681431B2
The zoom lens includes a first lens unit being disposed closest to an object and having a positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit being disposed closer to an image than the first lens unit. The first lens unit is moved toward the object during variation of magnification from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. The first lens unit is constituted by at least three lenses including a positive meniscus lens being disposed closest to the image among the at least three lenses and having an image side concave surface, and a negative lens being disposed on an object side next to the positive meniscus lens. A condition of 1.55
US08681427B2
A dichroic beam splitter module is disclosed for separating a main pulse laser beam from a pre-pulse laser beam each traversing a common beam path. In one embodiment, two dichroic elements are physically aligned along the beam path and are configured to pass the pre-pulse, a laser light having a first wavelength, to target material located near an irradiation site yet reflect the main pulse, a laser light having a second wavelength. The reflected main pulse is then further reflected by two reflective elements or mirrors from the first dichroic element to the second dichroic element and then on to the irradiation site. In alternative embodiments, the first mirror is deformable to alter beam characteristics of the reflected main pulse beam and the second mirror is adjustable to align the main pulse beam to the irradiation site.
US08681425B2
An optical sheet and a method of manufacturing the same, and more specifically an optical sheet to use for back light units of Liquid Crystal Devices (LCD's), lighting devices of billboards and the like, and a method of manufacturing the same, is disclosed.
US08681422B2
An optical arrangement includes an actuatable optical element and a compensating optical element. The actuatable optical element is provided to receive an optical beam having a plurality of spatially separated wavelength components and diffract the plurality of wavelength components in a wavelength dependent manner. The compensating optical element directs the optical beam to the actuatable optical element. The compensating optical element compensates for the wavelength dependent manner in which the wavelength components are diffracted by the actuatable optical element.
US08681420B2
An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitter that sends signal light to a transmission path, an optical receiver that receives the signal light from the transmission path, and an optical amplifier that is provided on the transmission path and that amplifies the signal light, the optical amplifier being configured to control a gain characteristic of the optical amplifier such that a power of signal light having a wavelength included within a wavelength range in which polarization hole burning occurs is higher than a power of another signal light having a wavelength outside the wavelength range.
US08681410B2
There is provided an optical scanner, and an image forming apparatus and an image display apparatus which have the optical scanner. The optical scanner includes a mirror portion having a base plate portion, and a reflective portion which is adhered to a surface of the base plate portion; and a torsion beam portion which is connected to the mirror portion, made of a same material as the base plate portion and integrally formed with the base plate portion, and which is configured to be torsionally vibrated. The reflective portion includes a reinforcement portion and a reflective surface. The reinforcement portion is made of material having a density lower than that of the base plate portion and a Young's modulus greater than that of the base plate portion. The reflective surface is formed on a surface of the reinforcement portion and is configured to reflect the incident light.
US08681408B2
An optical scanning device includes a substrate, a frame, a torsion beam, and a cantilever. The substrate has a three-layer structure including an oxide film sandwiched between two silicon substrates. The torsion beam swingably supports a mirror portion which deflects a light beam projected from a light source. The cantilever is supported by the frame to connect to the torsion beam and applies torque to the torsion beam. The cantilever and the torsion beam are formed on the same silicon substrate. The cantilever has a thickness substantially thinner than the thickness of the torsion beam. An image forming apparatus includes the optical scanning device. An image projection device includes the optical scanning device.
US08681406B2
A scanning optical apparatus includes a light source, a deflecting element for deflecting a beam of light emitted from the light source, an optical device for causing the beam of light emitted from the light source to be imaged into a linear shape long in the main scanning direction on the deflecting surface of the deflecting element. The optical device is comprised of a first optical element and a second optical element, and a third optical element for causing the beam of light deflected by the deflecting element to be imaged into a spot-like shape on a surface to be scanned. The third optical element includes a single lens, the opposite lens surfaces of which both include a toric surface of an aspherical surface shape in the main scanning plane, the curvatures of the opposite lens surfaces in the sub scanning plane being continuously varied from the on-axis toward the off-axis in the effective portion of the lens.
US08681402B2
An image processing apparatus includes a document conveying unit, an image reading unit, a gradient calculating unit, a gradient comparing unit and a document discriminating unit. The image reading unit scans a document conveyed by the document conveying unit in a scanning direction orthogonal to a conveying direction and detects pixel values of color components of each pixel. The gradient calculating unit calculates a gradient of the pixel value of each color component in the conveying direction for each pixel based on the detected pixel values. The gradient comparing unit compares differences of gradients among color components for each pixel and extracts the pixel where the graduent difference is below a threshold value. The document discriminating unit discriminates whether each pixel is color or black-and-white based on pixel values using discrimination criteria different for the specific pixels extracted by the gradient comparing unit and other pixels.
US08681398B2
A protruding locking pawl is provided at an end of a light guide which corresponds to a first light input surface. A recessed locking portion is formed in a frame so that the locking pawl can be locked in the locking portion. A light blocking member is slidably loosely inserted into a position where the light blocking member covers a longitudinal end of the light guide which corresponds to a second light input surface. Even if expansion and contraction occurs in the longitudinal direction of the light guide, the design dimensions of a first gap A and a second gap B can be maintained; the first gap A is formed between the first light input surface and a first light source, and the second gap B formed between the second light input surface and a second light source. Therefore, possible leakage current can be prevented.
US08681391B2
An information processing apparatus capable of combining images using a ticket in order to lighten user's load concerning operations for setting an image composition process and for selecting a target process definition. The information processing apparatus processes an image read by an image reading unit according to a process definition described by combining one or more information processes. A first addition unit adds a process setting for combining images to the process definition. A combination unit combines the images according to the process definition that is added by the first addition unit.
US08681390B2
In an optical scanner, when an emission control unit varies a period at which image data is output from an output buffer of the emission control unit in order to correct a sub scan magnification of a LED array and a vacant region of an input buffer of the emission control unit ceases to exist, a buffer control unit temporarily stores the image data in a vacant region of a memory of an image correcting unit, and transfers the image data temporarily stored in the memory to the input buffer when the vacant region is generated in the input buffer.
US08681386B2
Acquiring image data for each color component by guiding the reflected light from a read position on a contact glass, to a line sensor for each color component, detecting a provisional foreign matter region in one image data, determining a first condition on the basis of the number of pixels constituting the provisional foreign matter region, determining a second condition on the basis of the average value of the density values of all of the pixels within the provisional foreign matter region when the first condition is satisfied, and determining whether or not foreign matter is present at a read position corresponding to the one color component when the second condition is satisfied on the basis of the density value of the pixel corresponding to the provisional foreign matter region in one other image data and the fourth reference value that has been set in advance.
US08681384B2
For image processing for printing an original, first and second ground patterns are generated. The first ground pattern can be recognized with naked eyes in the original but cannot be recognized with naked eyes in a reproduction of the original obtained by an image forming apparatus, while the second ground pattern has a latent image which cannot be recognized in the original but can be recognized in the reproduction of the original. The first ground pattern and the second ground pattern are synthesized, and print data to be printed by the image forming apparatus is created. The print data has an image of the original, and the synthesized first and second ground patterns.
US08681382B1
A contone source image is processed to create halftone outputs by identifying intensity thresholds based on the coordinates of the pixels of the source image. The halftone output corresponding to a particular pixel of the contone image in a particular color plane is determined by comparing the intensity of the pixel and any previously accumulated output error to the intensity threshold corresponding to the pixel.
US08681379B2
A image processing apparatus includes a transformation unit that reproduces a color tone of a first output data of an original image data output from a first image output apparatus by using a second output data of the original image data output from a second image output apparatus, an estimating unit that estimates first and second geometric transformation parameters, an associating unit that generates first and second color component value association data, and a determining unit that generates a color tone transformation parameter based on a combination of pixel values in which a pixel value of the first image output data is substantially equivalent to a pixel value of the second image output data.
US08681365B2
A display control device includes: an accepting unit that accepts part-designation information for designating plural parts to be printed included in data and processing-designation information for designating print processing that performs predetermined processing on every K parts of the plural parts, where K is an integer not less than 2; a generating unit that generates plural specific images for specifying contents of the plural respective parts designated by part-designation information accepted by the accepting unit; and a controller that, when the accepting unit accepts the processing-designation information, exerts control so that a process for performing an operation to select K specific images from the plural specific images generated by the generating unit and to change a state of the K specific images in accordance with the predetermined process in order while changing the K specific images to be selected is displayed on a display screen.
US08681360B2
An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores therein print data and first converted data obtained by reflecting a first print condition in the print data and converting the print data into a printable form; an input receiving unit that receives an input of a reprint instruction to reprint the first converted data; an acquiring unit that acquires a second print condition for reprinting the first converted data; a determining unit that determines whether the first converted data is printable in the second print condition by comparing the acquired second print condition against the first print condition; a converting unit that converts, when it is determined that the first converted data is unprintable in the second print condition, the print data into second converted data by reflecting the second print condition in the print data; a print control unit prints out the second converted data.
US08681349B2
An image processing apparatus including: a job reception section which accepts a job to output an image; a job execution section which executes the job accepted by the job reception section and outputs the image; and a control section which, in cases where the job accepted by the job reception section is a job which requires an approval for outputting the image, makes the job under an approval waiting state, and transmits an approval request notice requiring the approval of an approver for outputting the image by the job, and in cases of receiving an approval notice indicating the approval, switches whether to execute a first execution operation that automatically executes the job, or to execute a second execution operation that executes the job after receiving an execution instruction operation, according to an attribute of the job.
US08681345B2
A system for determining a thickness of a photovoltaic module may include a first displacement sensor and a second displacement sensor along a shared axis. The system may also include a support structure that supports the first and second displacement sensors and locates the sensors on either side of the photovoltaic module.
US08681327B2
Proposed is a technique for detecting a damaged VCSEL in a short time and at low cost. It shows the light emission spectrum of a multi-mode VCSEL before an ESD damage, and the light emission spectrum which shows several peaks corresponding to the structure of the active layer (MQW) and the upper and lower reflectors (DBR) is obtained. On the other hand, when the VCSEL which has an ESD damage has a damage in the active layer, the light emission spectrum which shows fewer peaks than the original number of peaks is obtained. Accordingly, the light spectrum analyzer analyzes the light emission spectrum, and it is determined that ESD damage has occurred when the number of peaks is equal to or smaller than a predetermined number, e.g., two peaks.
US08681325B2
A verification apparatus for security documents having at least one diffractive and/or reflective security feature, includes a support device having a support surface or plane for receiving the security documents, an optical capturing device, an illuminating device for illuminating the security document, and an evaluation device which evaluates information detected by the capturing device to perform a verification of the at least one security feature. A screen is disposed between the support surface or plane and the capturing device. Light diffracted or reflected by the at least one security feature can be imaged on the screen for detection by the capturing device. The screen can be controlled with regard to at least one optical property, particularly the opacity thereof. A verification method, wherein the opacity of the screen is varied, is also provided.
US08681323B2
A laser scanning sensor includes a laser range finder, a scanning mechanism, a data acquisition portion, a dirt determination portion, an alert output control portion and a memory. The laser range finder is arranged inside a housing having an opening portion, and the opening portion is covered with a lens cover that can transmit laser light. In the dirt determination portion, a predetermined threshold to be compared with a received light level is changed based on maximum detection distance information in each measurement direction.
US08681321B2
A camera for determining distances to a scene, the camera comprising: a light source comprising a VCSEL controllable to illuminate the scene with a train of pulses of light having a characteristic spectrum; a photosurface; optics for imaging light reflected from the light pulses by the scene on the photosurface; and a shutter operable to gate the photosurface selectively on and off for light in the spectrum.
US08681319B2
In a laser radar, a first scanning member scans a laser beam in a virtual plane passing through an axis. A control means controls displacements of the first scanning member to change a scan beam angle in the plane. A second scanning member deflects the scanned laser beam and again scans the deflected laser beam toward an external space. A light collecting means collects reflected light. A driving means rotates both the second scanning member and the light collecting means about the axis. The second scanning member has a deflecting surface to deflect the laser beam. The deflecting surface is formed around the axis and has a plurality of reflecting surfaces coaxially arranged centering on the axis. The reflecting surfaces have different inclinations with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the axis.
US08681315B2
A two-beam interference lithography system offers large-area nanopatterning with tunability of pattern periodicities. The tunable feature is achieved by placing two rotatable mirrors in the two expanded beam paths which can conveniently be regulated for the designed pattern periodicities. While the effective interference pattern coverage is mainly determined by the optical coherence length and mirror size, the minimum pattern coverage area is as large as the effective coherence length of the laser and the selected mirror size over a wide range of periodicities.
US08681306B2
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display device, including: a first substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of spacers disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate supported by the plurality of spacers; wherein each of the plurality of spacers has a multiple step structure having one or more steps.
US08681300B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 μm can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.
US08681283B2
A liquid crystal on silicon display device (LCOS) has a semiconductor substrate comprising a surface region and a gate dielectric layer overlying the surface region. The device also has a word line formed overlying the gate dielectric layer and a first source/drain region coupled to the word line. The device has a bottom electrode structure formed overlying an interlayer dielectric. A capacitor dielectric is formed overlying the bottom electrode. A top electrode structure is formed overlying the capacitor dielectric to form a capacitor structure including the bottom electrode structure, the capacitor dielectric, and the top electrode structure. The device has a mirror surface formed overlying the top electrode structure to form a pixel electrode structure and a liquid crystal material provided overlying the mirror surface. In an embodiment, the LCOS described above is in an integrated circuit chip that also includes a DRAM device.
US08681281B2
A grounding structure for a display device is provided. The grounding structure includes a substrate, a first connecting pad, a second connecting pad, a connecting structure and a grounding line. The first and second connecting pads are disposed on the substrate. The connecting structure electrically connects the first and second connecting pads. The first grounding line is disposed on the substrate, and has a length larger than two thirds of the projected length of the connecting structure on the surface of the substrate.
US08681280B2
A stereoscopic image display and a method for driving the same are disclosed. The stereoscopic image display includes a display element to which data of a left eye image is written during a data scanning time of the left eye image and data of a right eye image is written during a scanning time of the right eye image, an active retarder cell positioned on a display surface of the display element, and shutter glasses including a left eye shutter and a right eye shutter that are electrically controlled and are alternately opened and closed. The active retarder cell converts a polarization characteristic of light from the display element during an active retarder scanning time.
US08681279B2
With an improved light use efficiency, the light detection sensitivity of a thin film diode is increased even if the semiconductor layer of the thin film diode has a small thickness. On one side of a substrate (101), a thin film diode (130) including a first semiconductor layer (131) that has at least an n-type region (131n) and a p-type region (131p) is provided. A light-shielding layer (160) is disposed between the substrate and the first semiconductor layer. The surface of the light-shielding layer facing the first semiconductor layer has depressions and protrusions formed thereon. The surface of the first semiconductor layer facing the light-shielding layer is flatter than the surface of the light-shielding layer on which the depressions and protrusions are formed. The light that falls on the light-shielding layer is diffusely reflected and enters the first semiconductor layer. As a result, more light enters the first semiconductor layer at larger incident angles, and the light, therefore, travels longer distances inside the first semiconductor layer. Consequently, more light is absorbed by the first semiconductor layer, and the light detection sensitivity improves accordingly.
US08681278B2
An application for a system for controlling speaker volume of externally amplified speakers connected to a television includes a television with one or more external amplifiers, each driving one or more speakers. There is a channel for connecting the external amplifiers to the television providing an audio signal to the external amplifiers and a channel for communicating commands from the television to the externally amplifiers, which in some embodiments is the same channel. Responsive to a signal (e.g. remote control command) to the television indicating a request to change the volume of one or more of the external amplifiers, a volume change command is sent to one or more of the external amplifiers over the channel for communicating.
US08681277B2
An image display apparatus, a server, and methods for operating the same are disclosed. The method for operating an image display apparatus includes entering channel scan mode, receiving a broadcast signal of a detected broadcast channel in the channel scan mode, extracting, in the presence of an image representing a channel name in a broadcast image of the broadcast signal, the image representing a channel name from the broadcast image, determining channel number information and channel name information about the broadcast channel based on the extracted image, and storing the channel number information and the channel name information about the broadcast channel in a channel map.
US08681276B2
In a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, a multiplexing part multiplexes a video signal and a time-base-compressed audio signal on the basis of a multiplexing control signal to transmit the multiplexed signal through a data line in the signal transmitter. Further, a demultiplexing part demultiplexes a video/audio multiplexed signal received through the data line into the original video signal and audio signal by a demultiplexing control signal in the signal receiver. According to the so-configured signal transmitter and signal receiver, it is possible to realize a signal transmission system compliant with the DVI standard, in which the audio signal as well as the video signal can be transmitted.
US08681275B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element mounting unit, a first conductor, a semiconductor element, a first connection and a second connection. The first conductor is provided around the semiconductor element mounting unit. The semiconductor element is provided on the semiconductor element mounting unit and includes a first switch element and a second switch element provided parallel to the first switch element. The first connection and the second connection are provided on the first switch element side of an imaginary boundary line obtained by extending a boundary between the first switch element and the second switch element. The first connection and the second connection are electrically connected to the first switch element and the second switch element, respectively, and electrically connected to the first conductor.
US08681273B1
A self configuring distribution amplifier for digital video signals comprises a number of signal processing circuits disposed on a bus along a signal propagation direction. Each signal processing circuit has an input and an output, as well as an input detection circuit controlling three different switches. The positions of the switches determines whether a signal from a particular input is present on a particular output and on the bus. This allows the self configuring distribution amplifier to distribute digital video signals from a number of inputs to a number of outputs in desired combinations.
US08681269B2
A video reproduction apparatus according to the present invention includes a decoding unit configured to decode a plurality of frames constituting compressed and encoded video information, a display control unit configured to display the plurality of frames decoded by the decoding unit on a display unit, an interpolation unit configured to generate an interpolation frame from the plurality of frames constituting the video information, and a selection unit configured to select the frame to be decoded by the decoding unit based on a reproduction speed of the video information and a driving speed of the display unit, wherein the display control unit displays the frame selected by the selection unit and the interpolation frame generated by the interpolation unit on the display unit.
US08681267B2
A multi-purpose lens cap 10 which functions as a storage device and camera lens protector is disclosed. The lens cap 10 storage device provides a readily accessible place to store memory cards 20, pre-moistened lens cleaning wipes or other accessories that may be integral to the operation of a camera. Because the lens cap 10 is capable of storing these, and other accessories, efficiency and artistic freedom is achieved that wasn't previously possible. In the case of failure or loss, a memory card 20 can immediately be replaced from a reserve in the lens cap 10. Additionally, a pre-moistened wipe can be accessible from the lens cap 10 storage device, providing a way to safely and easily clean a lens while on location.
US08681261B2
In an image sensor having a plurality of pixels which photoelectrically convert a subject image, a plurality of pairs of focus detection pixels including first focus detection pixels (SHA) and second focus detection pixels (SHB) are arranged while being distributed. The first focus detection pixel (SHA) and the second focus detection pixel (SHB) of each pair of focus detection pixels are arranged at a distance shorter than the pitch of the pairs of focus detection pixels. This reduces focus detection errors generated when the pixels included in the pairs of focus detection pixels receive light fluxes from different portions of the subject.
US08681240B1
A software routine detects a user selection of an icon on a touch screen of a portable digital image capturing device to communicate a digital image over a wireless network to a destination, and detects a selection of the digital image. The software routine further filters the digital image, identifies a user, and communicates the filtered digital image over the wireless network to the destination.
US08681238B2
An image processing device includes a recording control unit that controls recording of an image of a predetermined frame among images of a plurality of consecutive frames, a trim box setting unit that sets a plurality of trim boxes containing a subject area which is an area of a subject of interest in the image of the predetermined frame recorded by the recording control unit, and a generation control unit that controls generation of the plurality of trim images from the image of the predetermined frame recorded by the recording control unit, based on the plurality of trim boxes set by the trim box setting unit.
US08681234B2
Still images can be captured during capture of video frames at different resolutions. Still image data and video data at different resolutions and in different data formats can be combined into a single file and stored in a memory. Storing the video data and still image data in a single file simplifies the process of displaying video in conjunction with display of representative still images.
US08681233B2
Images stored in a camera are edited using a television. Television remote control output signals are received at the camera. The television remote control output signals are converted to camera image editing commands. An image stored in a memory associated with the camera is edited based upon the camera image editing commands. The edited image is output to the television. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08681231B2
A camera according to the present invention is equipped with an image sensor; an A/D converter that converts analog image-pixel signals read from the image sensor to digital image-pixel signals; an image stabilizer that comprises a coil and a movable member configured to move in a given direction while supporting the image sensor; an image stabilization controller that controls a position of the movable member at given time intervals by sending pulse drive signals through the coil; and a timing adjustment processor that shifts at least one of a rise timing and fall timing of the pulse drive signals from a signal-processing interval associated with an A/D conversion process.
US08681223B2
A method and apparatus including a camera collecting video images of a secured area, extracting objects; for each extracted object determining an object size, correcting the object size, for each extracted object determining, an object size, an object aspect ratio, an object speed and object motion path track, comparing the distance corrected object size with a statistical bell curve tuned to nominal human size, comparing aspect ratio to a statistical bell curve tuned to nominal aspect ratio of human proportions, comparing object speed to a statistical bell curve tuned to nominal travel speed of a typical human and comparing object motion path track against ramp function of absolute distance traveled over time, determining a respective threat probability for each of the extracted object signatures based upon the corrected object size, summing the respective threat probabilities and generating an motion alert upon detecting the summed threat probabilities exceeding a threshold value.
US08681217B2
An inspection apparatus including: an insertion portion which is inserted into a device under inspection; a projection unit which projects light which forms a striped pattern onto an object inside the device, the striped pattern includes a plurality of linear patterns used to measures the object by a phase shift method; an imaging unit which is provided in the insertion portion and images the object onto which the striped pattern is projected and generates image data; a generation unit which generates first image data forming a first image not including the striped pattern and second image data forming a second image including the striped pattern from the image data generated by the imaging unit; a designation unit which designates a position in the first image based on an instruction input through an input device; a display unit which displays the first image and the second image and displays a mark at the position in the first image designated by the designation unit; and a measurement unit which measures the object using the second image data with the phase shift method based on the position indicated by the mark.
US08681212B2
The present invention relates to a process for shooting an entire scene on a single large format film camera and recomposing the filmed scene into a video stream suitable for transfer to conventional formats.
US08681210B2
A mounting head is provided with suction nozzles, image capturing cameras, and a movable mirror unit. When the mirror unit is placed at an advance position, mirrors advance into a viewing field of the image capturing cameras and refract an optical axis for image capturing, so that the image capturing cameras can capture images of tips of the suction nozzles and/or held components. When the mirror unit is placed at a retreat position, the mirrors retreat from the viewing field of the image capturing cameras, so that the image capturing cameras can capture images of component supplying positions and mounting positions.
US08681207B2
An image pickup device mounted at a distal end portion of an endoscope is provided that can make joining work more efficient and simplified, improve maintenance performance and reduce the size and diameter. A distal end portion 44 of an endoscope is provided with an objective optical system 54, a prism 62 continuing to the objective optical system 54, a solid-state image pickup element 66 receiving observation light through the prism 62, a circuit board 68 electrically connected to the solid-state image pickup element 66, and a signal cable having a plurality of cable cores 78, and the circuit board 68 and the signal cable are electrically connected through a connection portion 74 and a joining member 76.
US08681201B2
The device for videoconferencing between a local user (1) and at least one remote user (3) comprises a screen (7) capable of displaying to the local user (1) an image of the remote user (I3), and an image sensor (9) capable of receiving an image from the local user (I1) to be transmitted to the remote user (3). The device further comprises a delaying unit (14) capable of applying a chosen delay (R) to the image (I1) of the local user (1) coming from the local image sensor, the screen (7) being capable of showing the local user (1) the image of the local user thereby delayed, such that the image of the local user thereby delayed is shown locally at the same time as the image of the local user shown remotely.
US08681177B2
Upon receiving a communication switching instruction from a first wireless access point used for communication with an image processing apparatus, an image display apparatus disconnects communication with the first wireless access point. Simultaneously, the image display apparatus transmits, to a second wireless access point, a link request to establish communication with the second wireless access point of a new communication destination included in the switching instruction. The image display apparatus displays, on a display unit, a captured image continuously acquired from am image capturing unit until switching from the first wireless access point to the second wireless access point finishes as communication destination switching.
US08681174B2
Provided are a high density multi-view image display system and method based on active sub-pixel rendering. The image display system may perform a rendering with respect to a viewpoint image in a pixel unit, using a viewpoint varying based on a position of left/right eyes of a user.
US08681156B2
Embodiments facilitate the production of a B-spline curve that approximates a set of N-dimensional (position, pressures, tilt, etc.) discrete input samples recorded by a digital input device. Iterative noise filtering and B-spline subdivision processes are performed within a dynamic window of recent samples. A vector representation is produced at interactive rates after each new sample is captured, thus producing results that are comparable to what the same artist would expect if drawing on paper.
US08681150B2
A modeling method, medium, and system. The modeling method may include specifying an object in a plurality of 2 dimensional (2D) images expressed from different view points, considering an edge and contents of each component of each 2D image, generating a 3 dimensional (3D) model of each specified object, and matching the generated 3D models considering relative locations of each generated 3D model. Accordingly, a realistic 3D model of an object expressed in an image can be accurately generated.
US08681147B1
In various embodiments, an interactive multi-mesh garment modeling system may allow a user to employ solid modeling techniques to create one or more representations of garment objects whose motions are typically determined by computer simulations. Accordingly, in one aspect, the interactive multi-mesh garment modeling system may automatically generate one or more meshes that satisfy the requirements for computer simulations from a source mesh modeled by a user using solid modeling techniques. For each polygon associated with a UV mapping of one of these meshes, gradients of U and V for the polygon can be determined with respect to a 3D representation of an object that are substantially orthogonal and of uniform magnitude and that approximate the original gradients of U and V for the polygon. In another aspect, each polygon in a plurality of polygons of a 2D parameterization of an object can be reshaped based on individually corresponding polygons in a 3D representation of the object.
US08681146B2
A method for managing a display space for a 3D environment is provided. A 3D scene having at least one scene object is displayed and the visible surfaces of the scene objects are represented as visible space in a 2D view plane representation. Controllable objects that are to be placed in the scene are defined by parameters such as size, placement priority, proximity relationships and the like. The available space for placing controllable objects, which can include empty space and low priority background and foreground regions, is determined for each controllable object. The placement for controllable objects in the 3D space is then determined in accordance with at least placement parameter and one of the visible space and available space of the view-plane representation such that view management objectives, such as not occluding important scene objects, are accomplished.
US08681144B2
An invention for prioritized rendering of objects in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a prioritization tool including a value component configured to assign a value to each of a set of items within an inventory of an avatar. A priority component is configured to compare a set of objects in the virtual universe to the value assigned to each of the set of items within the inventory of the avatar to determine a priority of each of the set of objects in the virtual universe. A rendering component is configured to render the set of objects in the virtual universe based on the priority of each of the set of objects in the virtual universe.
US08681135B2
A photo sensor capable of reducing the distortion of signals output from the photo sensor to output a correct measured value and an organic light emitting display using the same. The organic light emitting display includes a pixel unit formed on a transparent substrate to display an image in response to scan signals and data signals, a scan driver generating the scan signals to transmit the scan signals to the pixel unit, a data driver generating the data signals to transmit the data signals to the pixel unit, and a photo sensor including a sensing unit sensing brightness of ambient light to output a sensing signal and a control unit for receiving the sensing signal to output a brightness control signal for controlling brightness of the image. The sensing unit disposed in a predetermined region of the transparent substrate and includes a first photo diode receiving a first driving power source to generate optical current so that a magnitude of the optical current is controlled in response to the brightness of the ambient light, a first capacitor for storing the optical current, and a first switch coupled between the first driving power source and the first photo diode to perform a switching operation.
US08681122B2
A touch sense controller configured to be coupled to a touch sense array is disclosed. The touch sense controller includes programmable logic that includes programmable logic elements configured to manage measurement of capacitance associated with the touch sense array.
US08681119B2
A touch-sensitive input device includes a first set of conductors and a second set of conductors. The first set of conductors include a first conductor including a plurality of first fingers extending from a first spine, and a second conductor including a plurality of second fingers extending from a second spine, wherein the first fingers are interleaved with the second fingers. The second set of conductors are separated from the first set of conductors by a dielectric material and include a third conductor including a plurality of third fingers extending from a third spine, and a fourth conductor including a plurality of fourth fingers extending from a fourth spine, wherein the third fingers are interleaved with the fourth fingers.
US08681117B2
A flexible slide-touch controlling device is disclosed. The device includes first and second flexible substrates, and a spacer is interposed therebetween to form a gap between the first and second flexible substrates. A first electrode layer covers an inner surface of the first flexible substrate in the gap. A plurality of second electrode layers and a plurality of third electrode layers are respectively disposed on inner and outer surfaces of the second flexible substrate and correspond to each other. Each third electrode layer is electrically connected to a corresponding second electrode layer. A sensing material layer is disposed on the outer surface of the second flexible substrate and covers the plurality of third electrode layers to form a series of sensing segments. A position determination method for the flexible slide-touch controlling device is also disclosed.
US08681108B2
An input apparatus 10 has a display unit 11 for displaying a screen composed of a plurality of layers including a first layer for displaying an input area and a second layer for displaying an input area, wherein the second layer is different from that of the first layer, a touch panel 12 arranged in association with the display unit 11 and for detecting an input to an input area, a determination unit 17 for determining an input mode to the touch panel 12, a detection unit 16 for detecting an input to a superimposed area of input areas displayed on the first and second layers and a processing unit 19 for processing, when the input is determined as an input of a first input mode, the input as an input to the input area displayed on the first layer and when the input is determined as an input of a second input mode, the input as an input to the input area displayed on the second layer.
US08681107B2
An organic light emitting display apparatus includes a substrate; a display unit formed on the substrate and comprising an organic light emitting device; and a touch panel formed on the display unit, wherein the touch panel further includes a sealing substrate, a ground layer formed on a surface of the sealing substrate, a first pattern layer formed on a surface of the sealing substrate opposite to the surface of the sealing substrate on which the ground layer is formed, a first insulating layer formed on the first pattern layer, a second pattern layer formed on the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer formed on the second pattern layer.
US08681101B1
A finger-mounted input device with an integrated accelerometer that functions as a computer input device capable of transmitting manipulation signals controlled by a touch pad, track ball, or joystick and switching signals controlled by buttons. It can be used in place of a mouse input device when used with a computer or as a supplementary input device in conjunction with a mouse. It can also substitute for hands free controls, remote controls, and other electronic input accessories to extend the versatility of these other electronic tools. The device frees up the user from having to reach and manipulate a detached mouse or similar input device in order to enter commands into a computer or other electronic device.
US08681100B2
There is provided a 3D human machine interface (“3D HMI”), which 3D HMI may include: (1) an image acquisition assembly, (2) an initializing module, (3) an image segmentation module, (4) a segmented data processing module, (5) a scoring module, (6) a projection module, (7) a fitting module, (8) a scoring and error detection module, (9) a recovery module, (10) a three dimensional correlation module, (11) a three dimensional skeleton prediction module, (12) an output module and (13) a depth extraction module.
US08681095B2
Unintended motion of a displayed object is prevented by rapidly detecting a state in which an operator becomes unable to operate an operating unit. Provided is an operation input unit including a display; a head-mounted unit; an operating unit to which an operating signal for a displayed object displayed on the display is input; a relative-position detecting section that detects the relative position between the head-mounted unit and the operating unit; and a control unit that controls the displayed object by switching between a first control mode in which the motion of the displayed object is controlled in accordance with an operating signal input to the operating unit and a second control mode in which the motion of the displayed object is controlled by limiting an operating signal input to the operating unit on the basis of the relative position detected by the relative-position detecting section.
US08681094B2
A display apparatus and a method for controlling the display apparatus are provided. If a display apparatus is in a power off state and an interface is connected to a cable, an output of a cable connection sensing signal is blocked. Accordingly, the display apparatus may be able to report its power off state to an external device.
US08681091B2
A bistable display device comprises a substrate, a display film, a display circuit, an electromagnetic sensing layer, a shielding layer and a protection layer. The substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The display film is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The display circuit is formed on the upper surface of the substrate. The electromagnetic sensing layer is formed on the lower surface of the substrate. The shielding layer is disposed under the electromagnetic sensing layer. The protecting layer is disposed under the shielding layer.
US08681087B2
An image display device which performs area-active drive suppresses occurrence of flickering that is caused when displaying dynamic images due to the emission luminance of each area being determined on the basis of a maximum or mean value of pixel luminances within that area.An emission luminance calculation section (151) divides an input image (31) into a plurality of areas, and obtains luminances upon emission of LEDs (first emission luminances) (32) in the areas. A maximum luminance position eccentricity coefficient calculation section (152) obtains maximum luminance position eccentricity coefficients (33) indicating maximum luminance positions in the areas. An emission luminance correction section (153) corrects the first emission luminances (32) on the basis of the maximum luminance position eccentricity coefficients (33) and contribution ratios (34) stored in an LED filter (156). At this time, luminances of areas positioned in the same direction as the maximum luminance positions are set to be relatively high, and luminances of areas positioned in the opposite direction to the maximum luminance positions are set to be relatively low.
US08681081B2
In an active matrix display device including pixels of three colors having a stripe arrangement or a delta arrangement, n (n denotes a multiple of 3 that is 6 or larger) adjacent data lines form one group and are connected to a source signal output line. The ON/OFF of a selection switch provided for each data line is controlled so that, among the n data lines forming one group, data lines corresponding to pixels of a color with a contribution to brightness smaller than a contribution of at least another color among the three colors are connected first and last with the source signal output line during one horizontal period.
US08681080B2
A liquid crystal display device (1) includes a plurality of source bus lines (14), a plurality of gate bus lines (11) that cross the plurality of source bus lines (14), and a plurality of auxiliary capacitance lines (29) that extend in parallel with the gate bus lines (11). The liquid crystal display device (1) also includes a plurality of pixels (30) to (32) that respectively include TFTs (5), pixel electrodes (19), a common electrode (24), and a liquid crystal layer (4) and that are arranged in a matrix so as to correspond to the respective intersections of the gate bus lines (11) and the source bus lines (14). A pixel electrode (19a) for the pixel (31) is disposed in the pixel (30) that is adjacent to the pixel (31), and in a plan view, the gate bus line (11b) disposed in the pixel (31) and the pixel electrode (19a) for the pixel (31) are arranged apart from each other so as not to overlap.
US08681068B1
A technique for suppressing backwaves employs a photonic approach. In one aspect, the technique includes an apparatus, including: a radiating element; and a microwave-photonic device for suppressing backwaves from the radiating element. In a second aspect, the technique includes a method for removing unwanted radiation from a radiating device, comprising: receiving unwanted radiation from the radiating device; communicating the received radiation to an electro-optically active material; communicating laser light to the electro-optically active material; communicating electromagnetic products of interactions between the radiation and the laser light to a photodiode; and communicating photodiode outputs to a termination.
US08681063B2
An antenna device includes a loop-shaped element radiating a radio wave of at least wavelength λ and having an electrical length of m×λ; a first power feeder exciting the loop-shaped element via voltage or current coupling by using a first electrical signal for radiating the radio wave; and a second power feeder exciting the loop-shaped element via a coupling method that is the same type as the first power feeder by using a second electrical signal for radiating a radio wave of wavelength λ/(2×p−1) at a portion that becomes a node of a standing wave that is formed with the first power feeder as an anti-node and that is based on the first electrical signal, here, “m” and “p” are natural numbers.
US08681061B2
A radio communications device includes a base unit having an enclosure and a radio system inside the enclosure. The device also includes an antenna unit detachably connected to the enclosure of the base unit. The antenna unit includes one or more antennas, each having an electrical radio frequency (RF) connection to the radio system via a non-conductive coupling through the enclosure.
US08681056B2
A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.
US08681051B2
Provided is a multiband printed antenna for receiving and emitting multiple electromagnetic wave signals of different bands. The multiband printed antenna includes a substrate and a conductive layer formed on a positive surface of the substrate. The conductive layer includes a grounding portion, a plurality of radiating portions controlling different bands and a single feeder point used to transmit electromagnetic wave signals. The multiband printed antenna of the present invention can separately control multiple radiating portions, which have different bands and are together formed on one same substrate, to emit the electromagnetic wave signals at one same feeder point, thereby realizing the object of the single printed antenna controlling multiple bands and greatly reducing the manufacture cost to satisfy the demand of 4G communication industry.
US08681049B2
A built-in FM transmitting antenna applied to a mobile device, includes a substrate unit, a first antenna unit, a conducting unit and a second antenna unit. The substrate unit has a circuit substrate, at least one grounding layer disposed on the circuit substrate, and a plurality of conducting pads disposed on the circuit substrate. The first antenna unit is disposed above the substrate unit and substantially parallel to the substrate unit. The conducting unit is electrically connected between the substrate unit and the first antenna unit. The second antenna unit is directly disposed on the edge of the top surface of the circuit substrate. The second antenna unit has two ends electrically connected between two of the conducting pads, respectively. The two ends of the second antenna unit are electrically connected to an FM chip module and the conducting unit through the two of the conducting pads, respectively.
US08681046B2
This invention relates to a system for emitting electromagnetic beams, comprising a network of elements for the far-field emission of electromagnetic beams, the signals coming from and/or arriving towards each element weighted by excitation coefficients digitally determined by calculation means. According to the invention, the system comprises: a second separate network of sensors arranged close to the network of radiating elements in order to measure the near field radiated by the elements, means for calculating the far field radiated by the network from the near field actually measured by the sensors, and means for calculating the correction of the excitation coefficients of the elements from the difference between the far field calculated from the measurement of the near field and a pre-determined nominal far field.
US08681045B2
A hybrid satellite positioning receiver architecture is provided with a first receive path and a second receive path. The first receive path downconverts received satellite positioning signals of a first type to an intermediate frequency range, and the second receive path downconverts received satellite positioning signals of a second type to the same intermediate frequency range.
US08681041B2
An angle-only tracking filter includes: a target angle discriminant unit configured to receive sensor signal outputs and form angle only observations of a target relative to an ownship; an ownship navigation filter configured to receive and filter ownship inertial navigation measurements; a model analyzer configured to receive and analyze the ownship inertial navigation measurements and select the order of target kinematics to be determined; and a target kinematics generator coupled to the angle discriminant unit, the navigation filter unit, and the model analyzation unit, including: a first-order filter unit configured to generate a target position from the target angle measurements and the ownship inertial navigation information; a second-order filter unit configured to generate a target velocity from the target angle measurements and the ownship inertial navigation information; and a third-order filter unit configured to generate a target acceleration from the target angle measurements and the ownship inertial navigation information.
US08681036B2
A system that detects damage on or below the surface of a paved structure or pavement is provided. A distributed road assessment system includes road assessment pods and a road assessment server. Each road assessment pod includes a ground-penetrating radar antenna array and a detection system that detects road damage from the return signals as the vehicle on which the pod is mounted travels down a road. Each road assessment pod transmits to the road assessment server occurrence information describing each occurrence of road damage that is newly detected on a current scan of a road. The road assessment server maintains a road damage database of occurrence information describing the previously detected occurrences of road damage. After the road assessment server receives occurrence information for newly detected occurrences of road damage for a portion of a road, the road assessment server determines which newly detected occurrences correspond to which previously detected occurrences of road damage.
US08681030B1
Apparatuses for composing LC resonators in a continuous-time RF bandpass delta-sigma modulator are provided. A plurality of resonator inductors are shaped and strategically positioned on an integrated circuit die to minimize the resonant couplings. The resonator inductors can be also constructed from pairs of bond wires connected to a ground paddle, or to a set of lead frame pins. The inductance in each resonator can be increased by appending a specifically shaped planer inductor constructed from the PCB metal track to the bond wire pair via two lead frame pins.
US08681023B2
A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event.
US08681017B2
A visible light communication apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The visible light communication apparatus for the vehicle includes a vehicle optical receiver for receiving a visible light signal including a tunnel light node ID, a front passing vehicle node ID, and tunnel environment data, from a tunnel light and converting the visible light signal to an electric signal; and a vehicular visible light emitting diode unit arranged to face the optical receiver for converting vehicle speed and location information calculated by counting tunnel light node IDs received over a certain time, to a visible light signal and sending the visible light signal to the tunnel light. Using the vehicular visible light communication apparatus and the tunnel light having the visible light communication function, an efficient vehicular communication system can be built in the tunnel.
US08681014B2
The invention relates to a display device (1, 20) in a motor vehicle, consisting of a display (3, 25), a transilluminatable screen (4, 21) disposed behind the display (3, 25), a lighting means (6, 23) and a reflector (7, 24), wherein the lighting means (6, 23) is attached in the display device (1, 20) between the screen (4, 21) and the reflector (7, 24) and the light (L) of the lighting means (6, 23) can be parallelized and directed towards and through the screen (4, 21) onto the display (3, 25) by means of the reflector (7, 26), so that symbols that can be changed by means of the screen (4, 21) can be shown on the display (3, 24), and wherein the reflector (7, 24) is a facetted reflector.
US08681012B2
A detector (101) for detecting smoke from a fire and generating an alarm has a detection chamber (105) in which a light source (111) and a light detector (113) are arranged. In normal use, the light detector (113) only receives light from the light source that has been scattered by the presence of smoke in the chamber (105). When testing the detector (101), the light detector (113) receives light from the light source (111) by presenting a reflecting surface (129a) of a rotor member (129) to reflect light from the light source (111) towards the light detector (113). In normal use, the rotor member (129) is positioned so that the reflecting surface (129a) no longer reflects light from the light source (111) towards the light detector (113).
US08681008B2
A personal care implement or toothbrush includes a sensor for detecting a position of the toothbrush and orientation display for providing content to a user. The display may be configured to present content in a mirror-image format. The personal care implement may be configured to operate in one or more modes of operation. One or more components may be included for setting variables associated with the modes of operation, for changing an orientation of the displayed content between a mirror-image format and forward-facing format, and for changing the particular mode of operation.
US08680992B2
Implementations and techniques for measuring and improving the quality of a user experience are generally disclosed.
US08680990B1
A system for facilitating the location of a first item of a set of items, as well as a wireless communication device and a related method of operation, are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the system includes a first wireless device associated with the first item of the set, the first wireless device including an output device and a receiver, and a second wireless device associated with a second item of the set, the second wireless device including an input device and a transmitter. The second wireless device in response to an input signal transmits a wireless signal to the first wireless device, which in response provides a first output signal that is either sufficiently visible or sufficiently audible so as to facilitate the location of the first item of the set. In some embodiments, the wireless devices are aftermarket devices capable of being attached to the items.
US08680987B1
Techniques are provided to streamline the distribution of global positioning system (GPS) assistance data to a plurality of devices, such as radio access point devices. A provisioning server generates GPS assistance data from satellite positioning data obtained by periodically querying a satellite positioning data server for the satellite positioning data for a plurality of satellites. The provisioning server assigns the GPS assistance data a configurable expiration time. The provisioning server automatically refreshes the GPS assistance data prior to its expiration and makes it available through for download by the radio access point devices.
US08680976B2
A system, an apparatus, and methods are provided for data communications associated with a vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes at least one electronic subsystem associated with the vehicle and a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the at least one electronic subsystem and associated with the vehicle. A vehicle data communications protocol converter is preferably connected to the plurality of electrical conductors for converting a first data communications protocol associated with data communications along the plurality of electrical conductors to a second data communications protocol such as an infrared, an RF data, an Internet, or other network communications protocol. The apparatus also preferably includes a transceiver connected to the data communications protocol converter for transmitting the second data communications protocol from the vehicle and receiving the data communications protocol from another portion of the vehicle, a remote data communications terminal, another vehicle, or another communications network.
US08680969B2
A control device, such as a digital ballast controller, is adapted to be coupled to an electronic ballast, such as a DALI ballast, via a communication link, and is operable to determine whether the ballast is operating within the specifications of a predefined protocol standard, e.g., the DALI standard. For example, the control device may measure the bit times of a digital message received from the ballast and to determine if the bit times fall within the limits set by the standard. The control device may also determine the minimum delay time required between two digital messages received by the ballast and determine if the minimum delay time falls within the limit set by the standard. The control device may adapt its normal operation (e.g., how digital messages are received and transmitted) or may provide feedback (e.g., by flashing a lamp) in response to determining that the ballast is operating outside of the specifications of the standard.
US08680966B2
A method, apparatus and system for radio frequency identification provides a modulated illumination signal containing a sequence of bits configured to illuminate a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, The illumination signal is received at the RFID tag, rectified to generate a wake signal for waking a processor which is subsequently powered by a battery. The received illumination signal is sampled and subjected to a thresholding process. Mobile telephone band interference is countered by correlating the sampled illumination signal to determine its bit sequence and then correlating the bit sequence against a predetermined key. An identification signal from the RFID tag is sent in response to a match.
US08680957B2
An electromagnetic relay (1) is formed by assembling a drive part (30), mobile body (50) that moves when the drive part (30) is driven, and a plurality of contact mechanisms (60, 70) that switch the contact and separation of contacts (61d, 62d, 71d, 72d) by the movement of the mobile body (50) in a body (40). Furthermore, a partition wall (21) is provided inside a case (20), which is fitted over the body (40), and a latching part (42) is provided in a location on the body (40) corresponding to the partition wall (21). In the state where the case (20) is fitted over the body (40), the front end of the partition wall (21) is latched to the latching part (42).
US08680949B2
A network filter for connecting a converter to a 3-phase supply network includes in each phase a toroidal inductor which is connected in series with a commutation inductor at a respective first connection point, and a capacitor circuit having at least four capacitances, wherein first terminals of a first, a second and a third capacitance is connected in one-to-one correspondence to a respective one of the first connection points. Second terminals of the first, second and third capacitance are connected at a common second connection point, with a fourth capacitance being connected between ground and the common second connection point. The windings of the toroidal inductors can be formed of the connecting lines which connect the corresponding first terminals to the three phases of the supply network.
US08680928B2
A power amplifier includes first and second amplification stages. The first amplification stage is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) input signal. The second amplification stage includes at least one transistor configured to amplify an output of the first amplification stage, the second amplification stage being configured to have a capacitance between a gate of the at least one transistor and a first power supply voltage. The capacitance automatically varies with amplitude of the output of the first amplification stage.
US08680927B2
An apparatus for implementing a front end circuit for a transimpedance amplifier includes a front end core that receives an input signal from a photo diode. The front end core responsively generates a balanced output signal to downstream devices. A power supply provides a supply voltage to the front end circuit. In accordance with the present invention, a current source is located between the supply voltage the front end core to thereby isolate the front end core from disturbances on the power supply. This biasing arrangement advantageously provides an improved power supply rejection ratio for the front end circuit.
US08680919B2
A circuit that includes an amplifier circuit with an input impedance due to an input resistance and an input capacitance of the amplifier circuit. The input impedance of the amplifier circuit may vary with frequency. The amplifier circuit may include an amplifier and a feedback circuit configured to provide feedback to the amplifier and to maintain the input impedance at a specified value at a selected frequency by increasing the input resistance of the amplifier circuit at the selected frequency.
US08680918B2
A high-voltage driver amplifier for piezo haptics comprises an input amplifier having a gain greater than one, a first amplifier of an amplifier pair coupled to an output of the input amplifier, a second amplifier of the amplifier pair coupled to the output of the input amplifier, a first impedance coupled between an output of the first amplifier of the amplifier pair and an input of the input amplifier, and a second impedance coupled between the output of the first amplifier of the amplifier pair coupled to an output of the second amplifier of the amplifier pair. A substantially capacitive load is coupled to the output of the second amplifier. The substantially capacitive load is a piezo-capacitance, wherein the piezo-capacitance is employed in haptics. The second impedance, a shunt impedance, allows for a feedback of output variations between the first amplifier and the second amplifier over the first impedance.
US08680917B2
The invention provides an analog circuit that decreases an effect of variation of a transistor. By flowing a bias current in a compensation operation, a voltage between the gate and source of the transistor to be compensated is held in a capacitor. In a normal operation, the voltage stored in the compensation operation is added to a signal voltage. As the capacitor holds the voltage according to the characteristics of the transistor to be compensated, the effect of variation can be decreased by adding the voltage stored in the capacitor to the signal voltage. Further, an analog circuit which decreases the effect of variation can be provided by applying the aforementioned basis to a differential circuit, an operational amplifier and the like.
US08680915B1
An amplifier system and method that eliminates memory effects due to amplifier sharing. The amplifier has a plurality of input stages. An input to be amplified is applied to one of the input stages of the amplifier, while the other input stages are turned off and reset. The inputs of the unused input stages are thus reset and equalized while the other input stage is turned on to receive the input to be amplified. An explicit reset phase is not needed.
US08680914B2
A controlled current source comprises a signal input to receive a control input bus signal (D0, . . . , D[n−1]), a mapping unit (MU) with an input coupled to the signal input and an output to provide an internal control bus signal (d0, . . . , dn, Hc), a reference generator (RG) with an input coupled to the output of the mapping unit (MU) and with a low reference output to provide a low reference potential (Vgl) and with a high reference output to provide a high reference potential (Vgh), a current generating unit (CG) with a first input coupled to the output of the mapping unit (MU), a second input coupled to the output of the reference generator (RG) and an output to provide an output current (Iout) controlled by the control input bus signal (D0, . . . , D[n−1]) and the low and high reference potentials (Vgh, Vgl). Furthermore, a method for sourcing a current is provided.
US08680913B1
In a programmable logic device having high-speed serial interface channels, a clock distribution network for providing one or more high-speed clocks to dynamic phase alignment circuitry of those high-speed serial interfaces includes at least one bus that is segmentable (e.g. using tristatable buffers). This allows the bus to be divided into different portions that can be connected to different clock sources when the high-speed serial interfaces are running at different speeds. In one embodiment, the segmenting elements (e.g., the aforementioned buffers) are located between selected channels (e.g., every fourth channel), limiting the size of the different segments. In another embodiment, segmenting elements are located between each channel, allowing complete user freedom in selecting the sizes of the segments. Thus, instead of providing a bus for every clock source, multiple clocks can be made available to different channels by segmenting a single bus.
US08680911B2
A clamp-point active circuit is provided. The clamp-point active circuit includes a rate amplifier configured to receive an output from a device transitioning between at least two levels. The clamp-point active circuit has at least one switching device configured to receive an output from the rate amplifier. The at least one switching device is in at least one respective feedback loop of the rate amplifier. A switching of the at least one switching device causes the rate amplifier to amplify with high linearity in a desired operating range and to clamp outputs received from the transitioning device that are outside the desired operating range to a fixed level.
US08680907B2
A delay circuit having reduced duty cycle distortion is provided. The delay circuit includes a plurality of delay elements connected together in a series configuration. Each of the delay elements has a prescribed delay associated therewith. The delay circuit further includes a controller connected to respective outputs of the delay elements. The controller is configured such that signal paths between the respective outputs of the delay elements and an output of the controller have delays that are substantially the same relative to one another. Each of the signal paths has a tri-statable switching element associated therewith.
US08680903B2
A locked loop circuit having a clock hold function. The locked loop circuit includes a select circuit, phase mixing circuit, hold signal generator and latch circuit. The select circuit selects one of a plurality of phase values in response to a select signal, and the phase mixing circuit generates a first clock signal having a phase angle according to the selected phase value. The hold signal generator asserts a hold signal in response to a transition of the select signal, and the latch circuit latches the state of the first clock signal in response to assertion of the hold signal.
US08680883B2
A time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) test structure of a semiconductor device includes: a first test cell having a first test pattern in which a dielectric layer is formed between two electrodes; a second test cell spaced apart from the first test cell and having a second test pattern in which a dielectric layer is formed between two electrodes; and a barrier region configured to prevent electrical interference from occurring between the first test cell and the second test cell during a TDDB test.
US08680880B2
An embodiment of a method for testing an integrated circuit comprises a first step for determining at least one of a group selected from whether or not the chuck top receiving the integrated circuit exists near a probe card which transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the integrated circuit, whether or not the integrated circuit is under testing, and whether or not the probe card has a given temperature, and a second step for adjusting power for heating to be supplied to a heating element provided in the probe card according to the determination result in the first step.
US08680865B2
An apparatus and related methods are described for detecting features of a reservoir surrounding a borehole, the apparatus being capable of emitting an electromagnetic wave signal and receiving a signal representing a response of the reservoir to the electromagnetic wave signal, wherein the emitted signal is a broadband signal selected from within the range of 1 Hz to 1000 Ghz and the received signal includes a directional characteristic to provide an azimuthal determination of the direction of a discontinuity within the formation as the discontinuity reflects or scatters at least part of the broadband signal; azimuthally scanning the surrounding formation; and inverting the received signal for deriving at least a distance of the reflecting discontinuity from the borehole using simultaneous inversion of the reflected or scattered wavefield at multiple frequencies.
US08680861B1
Through advancing the phase of radio frequency (RF) excitation with each phase-encoding level, a method, apparatus and article thereof increases the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by correcting for main magnetic field inhomogeneities without noticeably decreasing the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. Increased effectiveness of fast imaging with steady precession (FISP) scans and using FISP scans to image multiple slices. In an MRI device, a patient is subjected to a constant magnetic field, and RF pulses are used to excite the nuclei in the patient's body, which release a corresponding RF signal as the nuclei relax, which is measured and mapped into a visual display. The RF pulses used to excite the nuclei cooperate with a slice select gradient and a phase-encoding gradient. When the RF pulse is phase shifted with each phase-encoding gradient level, improved SNR ratios are observed.
US08680844B2
A force compensated probe for electrical measurement is provided and includes a support structure having a back plate and sidewalls, a probe for electrical measurement of an article and an elastic base disposed to supportively couple the probe to the back plate such that the probe normally protrudes away from the back plate beyond distal edges of the sidewalls, and, when the probe is applied to the article for the electrical measurement such that components of the support structure contact the article, a predefined load is consistently applied to the elastic base.
US08680841B2
A semiconductor apparatus includes a comparison voltage generation unit configured to generate a plurality of different comparison voltages, a reference voltage generation unit configured to receive a generation code from an external system, select one of the plurality of the different comparison voltages according to the generation code, and generate a reference voltage, and a reference voltage determination unit configured to receive the generation code and an expected reference voltage from the external system, check whether a level of the expected reference voltage is in a target range, and output a check result to the external system.
US08680838B2
A method of controlling a photovoltaic system includes providing a photovoltaic device having a variable DC voltage output and a variable DC current output. The photovoltaic device has a combination of a voltage output level and a current output level corresponding to a maximum power point. A DC power supply is connected in a parallel and/or series combination with the photovoltaic device. A DC load is connected in series to the combination of the DC power supply and the photovoltaic device such that the load is powered by the combination. A characteristic of the DC power supply is adjusted such that the voltage output and the current output of the photovoltaic device substantially match the voltage output level and the current output level corresponding to the maximum power point or other desired power point.
US08680832B2
A DC-DC converter or the like capable of generating a stable output voltage is provided. A control circuit 11 of a current mode step-down DC-DC converter 1 includes a slope compensation circuit SC and an offset circuit IF1. The slope compensation circuit SC adds an increase gradient m2 due to slope compensation to an increase gradient of a coil current waveform Vsense in a range wherein an ON period Ton of a switch SW1 exceeds ½ of an operating cycle T. An offset circuit IF1 applies an offset voltage Voffset which becomes smaller depending on the ON period Ton in excess of ½ of an operating cycle T, to a coil current waveform Vsense.
US08680830B2
Miniaturization of a multiphase type power supply device can be achieved. A power supply control unit in which, for example, a microcontroller unit, a memory unit and an analog controller unit are formed over a single chip, a plurality of PWM-equipped drive units, and a plurality of inductors configure a multiphase power supply. The microcontroller unit outputs clock signals each having a frequency and a phase defined based on a program on the memory unit to the respective PWM-equipped drive units. The analog controller unit detects a difference between a voltage value of a load and a target voltage value acquired via a serial interface and outputs an error amp signal therefrom. Each of the PWM-equipped drive units drives each inductor by a peak current control system using the clock signal and the error amp signal.
US08680825B2
A DC-DC voltage converter operating in zero-voltage switching mode with a switching threshold includes a plurality of interlaced cells, each cell having at least two controlled switches that are configured to be alternately closed and open, and each cell having an inductor in which an output current from the cell flows. The converter also includes a clock with a given switching period configured for triggering the switching of the switches between upper and lower control thresholds. A method for closed-loop control of the converter includes measuring, for each cell, an overrun period, determining a correction time corresponding to a minimum overrun period measured for the plurality of cells during an interlacing cycle, calculating an optimized switching period for the clock, and applying the optimized switching period to the clock to provide closed-loop control of the interlacing of the output currents from the plurality of cells of the converter.
US08680822B2
A boost converter comprises an inductance that receives an input signal. A switch controls current supplied by the inductance to a load. A power factor control module comprises a mode control module that selects an operating mode of the boost converter and a switch control module that switches the switch at a frequency. The frequency is equal to a first frequency when the mode control module selects a continuous mode and equal to a second frequency when the mode control module selects a discontinuous mode. The first frequency is greater than the second frequency.
US08680811B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device which is capable of conducting a proximity noncontact communication even if charging of a secondary battery is not fully completed and also whose secondary battery never falls into an overdischarge state during the proximity noncontact communication. An electronic device (2) employs a secondary battery (28), which is rechargeable by a charger (3) that gives a charge of electricity in a noncontact manner, as a power source, and is capable of conducting a proximity noncontact communication with the charger (3). The electronic device (2) repeats a charging process, in which this equipment charges the secondary battery (28) for a predetermined period (Tb1) by receiving a supply of an electric power from the charger (3) via a noncontact power-receiving secondary coil (22), and a communication process, in which this equipment conducts a data communication for a predetermined period (Ta1) when a voltage of the secondary battery (28) at a time of charging start is below a predetermined value (Va), and also repeats a charging process, in which this equipment charges the secondary battery (28) for a predetermined period (Tb2) by receiving a supply of the electric power from the charger (3) via the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil (22), and a communication process, in which this equipment conducts the data communication for a predetermined period (Ta2)(>Ta1) when the voltage of the secondary battery (28) at a time of charging start is more than a predetermined value (Va).
US08680796B2
To provide an upper limit of a generated voltage or generated torque, to thereby prevent the occurrence of an overvoltage or excessive torque during power generation, a control selection section (308) chooses and outputs a minimum value between a control output of a generated voltage control section (306) for controlling a field current so that a B-terminal voltage of a polyphase AC generator-motor coincides with a generated voltage command and a control output of a generated torque control section (307) for controlling, based on the B-terminal voltage and a rotation speed, the field current so that generated torque of the polyphase AC generator-motor coincides with a generated torque command.
US08680784B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for controlling the amplitude of a current from a diode bridge into an EMI filter and LED array. Due to the manner in which certain dimmers (i.e., leading edge dimmers) operate, there is a delay on its output in transmitting a voltage when the voltage crosses zero.
US08680777B2
A power system for a dielectric barrier discharge system, such as used for generating ozone, can include a full bridge inverter stage and parallel resonant tank outputting a signal for powering a dielectric barrier discharge cell stack. The inverter stage is controlled using a combination of pulse width modulation (PWM) and frequency modulation (FM) to enable soft switching through all load conditions—from full load to light load. A current control loop error amplifier compensator can provide a duty cycle adjustment signal to a phase shift PWM controller chip that generates the switching signals for the inverter stage. A feedback signal is also used to adjust a clock frequency time constant of the PWM controller chip to provide the FM. In one embodiment, the feedback signal is an output of an inverting amplifier connected at an output of the current control loop error amplifier compensator.
US08680773B2
The present disclosure provides a decorative light string system comprising a light string comprising a plurality of lighting bulbs arranged electrically in series, wherein each light bulb comprises at least two LED chips, wherein half of said LED chips are connected in parallel and wherein half of said LED chips are connected in reverse parallel; and an adapter comprising a rectifier, wherein when the plug of the light string is plugged into the outlet adapter in a first orientation, the rectifier allows passage of a half-rectified wave lighting the LEDs connected in parallel, and wherein when the plug of the light string is plugged into the outlet adapter in a second orientation, the rectifier allows passage of a half-rectified wave lighting the LEDs connected in reverse parallel. Also included are methods of using said adapter and said decorative light string system.
US08680771B2
A controller is configured to generate one or more power control signals for a lamp to supply power to the lamp from a supply voltage. The controller is further configured to receive customization data encoded in the supply voltage. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the controller receives the customization data via one or more power terminals of the lamp. Phase cut angles in the supply voltage provided to the controller encode the customization data, and each phase cut angle encodes N symbols of data. N is an integer greater than or equal to one (1). In at least one embodiment, the customization data alters the controller from one state to another state in accordance with data represented by phase cuts in the supply voltage that encode the customization data. Examples of customization data include calibration data and configuration data.
US08680762B2
It is presented a method for producing a lighting device (1) comprising an Organic Light Emitting (abbreviated OLED) device (1) and a transparent image (I), the OLED device (2) comprising a first portion (P1) with reduced light output capacity. A portion of the transparent image, having a first tone (T1), is at least partially overlapping the first portion (P1) of the OLED device (2). It is also presented a lighting device (1).
US08680761B2
An organic electroluminescence display device is provided. The organic electroluminescence display device includes plural organic electroluminescence elements. Each organic electroluminescence element includes: a lower electrode; an insulating layer having an opening, in which a lower electrode is exposed at the bottom of the opening; an auxiliary wiring; a stacked structure provided from a portion over the lower electrode exposed at the bottom of the opening to a portion of the insulating layer surrounding the opening, including a light emitting layer made of an organic light-emitting material; and an upper electrode. At least one layer of the stacked structure partially contacts the auxiliary wiring. The insulating layer and the auxiliary wiring are provided in common to the plurality of organic EL elements. The upper electrode covers the whole surface of the stacked structures and the auxiliary wiring.
US08680759B2
A light emitting module has a flat light emitting panel including a transparent substrate and a light emitting part formed on the substrate. The flat light panel includes: electrode pads which are formed on the substrate outward of the light emitting part and are electrically connected to the light emitting part; and a transparent or light reflective sealing member which is provided to cover the electrode pad.
US08680757B2
A method for producing a spark plug which contains an inner conductor, an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, a spark plug body surrounding the insulator, and two electrodes forming an ignition gap. The first electrode is a center electrode connected to the inner conductor in an electrically conducting manner and the second electrode is a ground electrode connected to the spark plug body in an electrically conducting manner. An iridium component which contains more than 95 percent by weight of iridium is welded onto one of the electrodes. An iridium component that is punched out of an iridium sheet and has a thickness that is less in size than its diameter is also employed.
US08680754B2
An LED light bulb has a hollow LED support/heat sink (222, 602, 702, 900, 802, 1002, 1102, 1216, 1404, 1502, 1606, 1906) with fins (234, 406, 604, 706, 804, 904, 906, 1008, 1106, 1620) extending internally and openings at two ends (230, 232, 1522). Heat generated by the LEDs (238, 908, 1242, 1624, 2504) is conducted through the heat sink fins and is removed by a convectively driven air flow that flows through the LED support/heat sink. LEDs are mounted on multiple external faces (236, 404, 910, 1524, 1622) of the LED support/heat sink thereby providing illumination in all directions. Lenses (1246, 2102, 2104) are provided for the LEDs to make the illumination highly uniform.
US08680753B2
A low voltage spot light for use as substitute for a mains voltage PAR38 reflector lamp which comprises a chamber for LED clusters with reflectors and an enclosure for an electronic power supply to step down the incoming mains voltage. The LED clusters are mounted in the central area of the heat sink within the chamber and are accessible via a removable window. The LED chamber is weatherproof ventilated to prevent condensation. The spotlight is designed for outdoor use in conjunction with the PAR38 style weather proof lamp holder but can be operated indoors from any standard E 27 lamp holder.
US08680751B2
A generator includes a bio-compatible substrate onto which one mechanical generating unit is disposed. A plurality of elongated piezoelectric fibers each have a first end that is in electrical communication with a first electrode and an opposite second end that is in electrical communication with a second electrode. An insulative layer covers the first electrode, the second electrode and the elongated piezoelectric fibers. A third electrode and a fourth electrode are each disposed on the bio-compatible substrate opposite from the mechanical generating unit. A proton conducting member is in contact with both the third electrode and the fourth electrode. A glucose catalyzing enzyme is electrically coupled to the third electrode. An oxidase enzyme is electrically coupled to the fourth electrode. The third electrode is in electrical communication with each first electrode and the fourth electrode is in electrical communication with each second electrode.
US08680749B2
A novel full piezoelectric multilayer stacked hybrid actuation/transduction system. The system demonstrates significantly-enhanced electromechanical performance by utilizing the cooperative contributions of the electromechanical responses of multilayer stacked negative and positive strain components. Both experimental and theoretical studies indicate that for this system, the displacement is over three times that of a same-sized conventional flextensional actuator/transducer. The system consists of at least 2 layers which include electromechanically active components. The layers are arranged such that when electric power is applied, one layer contracts in a transverse direction while the second layer expands in a transverse direction which is perpendicular to the transverse direction of the first layer. An alternate embodiment includes a third layer. In this embodiment, the outer two layers contract in parallel transverse directions while the middle layer expands in a transverse direction which is perpendicular to the transverse direction of the outer layers.
US08680747B2
An ultrasonic transducer device component changes a transducer with another one having the same frequency or a different frequency without adjustment inside a generator main body or a change of the generator main body. The ultrasonic transducer device component includes a connection unit for use in applying ultrasonic transducer to cleaning fluid for cleaning objects, and for connection with a generator main body that generates an ultrasonic vibration signal; and a transducer connected to a connection unit. The connection unit includes an output transformer for adjusting an output of the ultrasonic vibration signal; a coil capacitor electrically connected to the output transformer; and a current detector electrically connected to the coil capacitor.
US08680746B2
Provided is a small-size thin piezoelectric actuator which can be mounted on a mobile electronic device and operate with a low power consumption also provided is an electronic device which uses the piezoelectric actuator to provide a function to give a contact feeling of a three dimensional movement to a users hand palm. The piezoelectric actuator (1) includes: a piezoelectric ceramic oscillator having a piezoelectric ceramic thin plate (5) bonded to at least one surface of a shim member (6); at least one holder (7) for holding the shim member (6); and a sheet-shaped elastic body (2). Vibration generated by the piezoelectric ceramic oscillator is transmitted via the holder (7) and the sheet-shaped elastic body (2) to a case (3) of the electronic device.
US08680740B2
A stator for an electrical machine, the stator including a plurality of stator teeth distributed in a non-uniform pattern with a short and long tooth spans along a circumference of the stator, wherein each stator slot between two stator teeth distanced by a long tooth span including an intermediate tooth for carrying a magnetic flux.
US08680738B2
A universal motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatably installed in the stator. The stator includes a stator core having a yoke, n primary poles with windings wound thereon and n auxiliary poles. The primary poles and auxiliary poles are alternately arranged on the radially inner side of the yoke in a circumferential direction thereof. When the windings are electrified, n primary magnetic poles and n auxiliary magnetic poles are formed at the primary poles and auxiliary poles respectively, n being an integer greater than 1. All the primary magnetic poles have the same polarity and the polarity of each auxiliary magnetic poles is opposite the polarity of the primary magnetic poles.
US08680732B2
A rotary electric machine includes a rotor core, and a permanent magnet embedded in proximity to an outer circumferential portion of the rotor core, in which gaps for reducing irreversible demagnetization of the permanent magnet are provided on portions on an inner circumference side of the permanent magnet, the portions being of the rotor core in proximity to an inner circumferential surface of the permanent magnet.
US08680729B2
A motor drive, particularly for submersed electric pumps, has a jacket closed hermetically by a bottom and a head in order to form a first hermetic chamber, which contains an electric motor that is immersed in a bath of dielectric cooling liquid; the jacket is associated with an enclosure in order to form a second hermetic chamber, which contains a power supply and control unit connected to the electric motor. The motor drive includes a compensation means that balances the variations in volume of the dielectric cooling liquid and generates an overpressure within the first hermetic chamber, the first hermetic chamber is substantially independent of the second hermetic chamber.
US08680728B2
A thermal shield for a system for generating electric power may include a sheet of material configured to be operably associated with an engine of the system for generating electric power such that heat from the engine is deflected back toward the engine. The sheet of material may define a generally rectangular shape defining a length dimension and a width dimension, and the length dimension may be configured to generally correspond to a length defined by the engine.
US08680718B2
A method and device for automatic activation of a backup supply is provided that measures the positive-phase-sequence voltage of the busbars in a backup power source, the linear voltages at the busbars in the primary power source and the angle between the vectors of the positive-phase-sequence voltages of the busbars in both power sources. The method and device also measures the value of the rms current in a phase and the value of the angle between the vector of the complex rms current in the same phase and of the vectorial sum of the complex rms voltage between the two other phases at the busbars in the primary power source and the received portion. The power supply to the busbars is switched from the primary source to the backup source in the event of any of the above-mentioned magnitudes departing from the range of permissible values for these magnitudes.
US08680710B2
Supply voltage sequencing circuitry includes a first sequencer (10-1) that produces an active level of a Power Good signal PG if a first supply voltage VOUT1 exceeds an upper threshold V90% while a control signal EN_PG is active, and produces an inactive level of PG if EN_PG is inactive. The PG level is latched when a control signal EN is inactive. A Power Down signal PD is produced if VOUT1 is less than a lower threshold V10% while EN is inactive. An active level of PD is produced when EN is active. A power-up sequence of supply voltages VOUT1, VOUT2, and VOUT3 monitored by the first sequencer and similar second (10-2) and third (10-3) sequencers, respectively, is determined by connection of PG of each of the first and second sequencers to control the supply voltage monitored by the next sequencer. A desired power-down sequence of the supply voltages is determined by connections of the PDs of the first and second sequencers in the power-down sequence to EN_PG inputs and EN inputs of other sequencers, respectively, in accordance with a predetermined power-down algorithm.
US08680698B1
A self-contained mechanism for the conversion of vertical motion to rotational/transitional motion includes a substrate having at least one interior compartment, at least one nonconductive tube, at least one permanent magnet, and at least one coil of wire. The coil of wire is a solenoid. The nonconductive tube, permanent magnet, and solenoid are configured to fit in the interior compartment.
US08680696B2
A system and method for generating power, comprises providing a fuel stream and an oxygen stream to a magnetohydrodynamic generator so as to generate electric power and a first exhaust stream comprising CO2 and water; and providing the first exhaust stream to an expansion generator so as to generate electric power and a second exhaust stream comprising CO2 and water at a lower temperature and pressure than the first exhaust steam. The system and method may include the step of separating air upstream of the magnetohydrodynamic generator so as to generate the oxygen stream and may include the step of condensing the second exhaust stream so as to generate water and a wet CO2 stream. The wet CO2 stream may be condensed so as to generate water and a dry CO2 stream, which may be stored underground.
US08680695B2
A method of harvesting energy from the environment includes providing an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The energy harvesting device is configured so that the compliant membrane is set into oscillation by excitations produced external to the energy harvesting device. The MEMS transducing member is caused to move into and out of the cavity by the oscillating compliant membrane. The motion of the MEMS transducing member is converted into an electrical signal.
US08680694B2
A vibration energy harvester for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the vibration energy harvester comprising a device for generating electrical energy when subjected to mechanical vibration, and a current control circuit electrically connected to the device for providing a substantially constant output current at an electrical output of the vibration energy harvester.
US08680690B1
In one embodiment, a device includes a first IC having a differential signal driver and a first isolation circuit configured to provide differential signals transmitted by the differential signal driver to a first pair of bond pads of the first IC. First and second bond wires are configured to provide differential signals from the first pair of bond pads to a second pair of bond pad included in a second IC. The second IC includes a second isolation circuit configured to provide differential signals from the second pair of bond pads to a differential receiver circuit of the second IC. The bond wires are specifically arranged such that a distance between the first and second bond wires varies by at least 10% as measured at two points along a length of the first bond wire.
US08680688B2
A stack package includes a first package having a first semiconductor chip and a first encapsulation member which seals the first semiconductor chip. A second package is stacked on the first package, and includes a second semiconductor chip and a second encapsulation member which seals the second semiconductor chip. Flexible conductors are disposed within the first encapsulation member of the first package in such a way as to electrically connect the first package and the second package.
US08680684B2
A microelectronic assembly includes a first microelectronic package having a substrate with first and second opposed surfaces and substrate contacts thereon. The first package further includes first and second microelectronic elements, each having element contacts electrically connected with the substrate contacts and being spaced apart from one another on the first surface so as to provide an interconnect area of the first surface between the first and second microelectronic elements. A plurality of package terminals at the second surface are electrically interconnected with the substrate contacts for connecting the package with a component external thereto. A plurality of stack terminals are exposed at the first surface in the interconnect area for connecting the package with a component overlying the first surface of the substrate. The assembly further includes a second microelectronic package overlying the first microelectronic package and having terminals joined to the stack terminals of the first microelectronic package.
US08680682B2
A system and a method for protecting vias is disclosed. An embodiment comprises forming an opening in a substrate. A barrier layer disposed in the opening including along the sidewalls of the opening. The barrier layer may include a metal component and an alloying material. A conductive material is formed on the barrier layer and fills the opening. The conductive material to form a via (e.g., TSV).
US08680678B2
A conductive electrode paste or ink formulation including a getter removes or reduces the concentration of the unwanted impurities in an electronic device. These reductions may happen during or immediately after the fabrication or sealing of the device, or they may occur after some activation time or event. Water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and residual solvents are gettered.
US08680677B2
Electrical connection in an integrated circuit arrangement is facilitated with carbon nanotubes. According to various example embodiments, a carbon nanotube material (120, 135) is associated with another material (130, 125) such as a metal. The carbon nanotube material facilitates the electrical connection between different circuit components.
US08680672B2
A semiconductor package is provided for carrying a sleeve member and a fan wheel axially coupled to the sleeve member so as to provide a heat dissipating function. The semiconductor package includes: a substrate; a coil module and at least an electronic component disposed on the substrate; and an encapsulant formed on the substrate for encapsulating the coil module and the electronic component so as to prevent the coil module and the electronic component from disturbing air flow generated by the fan wheel during operation, thereby avoiding generation of noises or vibrations.
US08680667B2
A package stack structure may an upper package include an upper package substrate having a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge. The upper package substrate has a first region arranged near the first edge and a second region arranged near the second edge. A first upper semiconductor device is mounted on the upper package substrate. The package stack structure may also include a lower package having a lower package substrate and a lower semiconductor device. The lower package is connected to the upper package through a plurality of inter-package connectors. The plurality of the inter-package connectors may include first inter-package connectors configured to transmit data signals; second inter-package connectors configured to transmit address/control signals; third inter-package connectors configured to provide a supply voltage for an address/control circuit; and fourth inter-package connectors configured to provide a supply voltage for a data circuit.
US08680663B2
Methods and apparatus for package on package structures. A structure includes a first integrated circuit package including at least one integrated circuit device mounted on a first substrate, a plurality of package on package connectors extending from a bottom surface and arranged in a pattern of one or more rows proximal to an outer periphery of the first substrate; and a second integrated circuit package including at least another integrated circuit device mounted on a second substrate and a plurality of lands on an upper surface coupled to the plurality of package on package connectors, and a plurality of external connectors extending from a bottom surface of the second substrate; wherein the pattern of the external connectors is staggered from the pattern of the package on package connectors so that the package on package connectors are not in vertical alignment with the external connectors. Methods for forming structures are disclosed.
US08680658B2
A clip for a semiconductor device package may include two or more separate electrically conductive fingers electrically connected to each other by one or more electrically conductive bridges. A first end of at least finger is adapted for electrical contact with a lead frame. The bridges are adapted to provide electrical connection to a top semiconductor region of a semiconductor device and may also to provide heat dissipation path when a top surface of the fingers is exposed. A semiconductor device package may include the clip along with a semiconductor device and a lead frame. The semiconductor device may have a first and semiconductor regions on top and bottom surfaces respectively. The clip may be electrically connected to the top semiconductor region at the bridges and electrically connected to the lead frame at a first end of at least one of the fingers.
US08680657B2
In a lead frame for a semiconductor apparatus 10, including plural terminals 13, one portions of the terminals 13 being sealed with a resin, a resin-sealed portion 16 of the terminal 13 has a polygonal columnar shape that is pentagonal or more or a deformed columnar shape having at least one notch or groove part extending vertically in a periphery. This resin-sealed portion 16 is formed by etching processing or press processing, and an exposed portion 18 of lower half of the terminal 13 is formed by the etching processing.
US08680655B2
A process for producing a semiconductor device comprises the following process steps: provision of a semiconductor substrate (1); formation of a functional layer (2) on a semiconductor surface (11) of the semiconductor substrate (1); and production of at least one doped section (3) on the semiconductor surface (11) by driving a dopant into the semiconductor substrate (1) from the functional layer (2). The functional layer (2) is formed in such a way that it passivates the semiconductor surface (11), acting as a passivation layer upon completion of the semiconductor device.
US08680650B2
Semiconductor structures including a plurality of conductive structures having a dielectric material therebetween are disclosed. The thickness of the dielectric material spacing apart the conductive structures may be adjusted to provide optimization of capacitance and voltage threshold. The semiconductor structures may be used as capacitors, for example, in memory devices. Various methods may be used to form such semiconductor structures and capacitors including such semiconductor structures. Memory devices including such capacitors are also disclosed.
US08680649B2
A multi-layer capacitor of staggered construction is formed of one or more layers having tapered sidewall(s). The edge(s) of the capacitor film(s) can be etched to have a gentle slope, which can improve adhesion of the overlying layers and provide more uniform film thickness. The multi-layer capacitor can be used in various applications such as filtering and decoupling.
US08680646B2
A device and method for device fabrication include forming a buried gate electrode in a dielectric substrate and patterning a stack having a high dielectric constant layer, a carbon-based semi-conductive layer and a protection layer over the buried gate electrode. An isolation dielectric layer formed over the stack is opened to define recesses in regions adjacent to the stack. The recesses are etched to form cavities and remove a portion of the high dielectric constant layer to expose the carbon-based semi-conductive layer on opposite sides of the buried gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited in the cavities to form self-aligned source and drain regions.
US08680642B2
A device with increased photo-sensitivity using laser treated semiconductor as detection material is disclosed. In some embodiments, the laser treated semiconductor may be placed between and an n-type and a p-type contact or two Schottky metals. The field within the p-n junction or the Schottky metal junction may aid in depleting the laser treated semiconductor section and may be capable of separating electron hole pairs. Multiple device configurations are presented, including lateral and vertical configurations.
US08680640B2
A solid-state imaging device includes semiconductor substrate; a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections of n-type that are formed at an upper part of semiconductor substrate and arranged in a matrix; output circuit that is formed on a charge detection surface that is one surface of semiconductor substrate and detects charges stored in photoelectric conversion sections; a plurality of isolating diffusion layers of a p-type that are formed under output circuit and include high concentration p-type layers adjacent to respective photoelectric conversion sections; and color filters formed on a light incident surface that is the other surface opposing the one surface of semiconductor substrate and transmit light with different wavelengths. Shapes of respective photoelectric conversion sections correspond to color filters and differ depending on the high concentration p-type layer configuring isolating diffusion layer.
US08680639B1
A photodetector with a bandwidth-tuned cell structure is provided. The photodetector is fabricated from a semiconductor substrate that is heavily doped with a first dopant. A plurality of adjoining cavities is formed in the semiconductor substrate having shared cell walls. A semiconductor well is formed in each cavity, moderately doped with a second dopant opposite in polarity to the first dopant. A layer of oxide is grown overlying the semiconductor wells and an annealing process is performed. Then, metal pillars are formed that extend into each semiconductor well having a central axis aligned with an optical path. A first electrode is connected to the metal pillar of each cell, and a second electrode connected to the semiconductor substrate. The capacitance between the first and second electrodes decreases in response to forming an increased number of semiconductor wells with a reduced diameter, and forming metal pillars with a reduced diameter.
US08680634B2
Method and apparatus providing a wafer level fabrication of imager modules in which a permanent carrier protects imager devices on an imager wafer and is used to support a lens wafer.
US08680630B2
A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) pixel for sensing at least one selected from a biological, chemical, ionic, electrical, mechanical and magnetic stimulus. The CMOS pixel includes a substrate including a backside, a source coupled with the substrate to generate a background current, and a detection element electrically coupled to measure the background current. The stimulus, which is to be provided to the backside, affects a measurable change in the background current.
US08680624B2
Methods and devices are provided for fabricating a semiconductor device having barrier regions within regions of insulating material resulting in outgassing paths from the regions of insulating material. A method comprises forming a barrier region within an insulating material proximate the isolated region of semiconductor material and forming a gate structure overlying the isolated region of semiconductor material. The barrier region is adjacent to the isolated region of semiconductor material, resulting in an outgassing path within the insulating material.
US08680618B2
An integrated circuit having a replacement HiK metal gate transistor and a front end SiCr resistor. The SiCr resistor replaces the conventional polysilicon resistor in front end processing and is integrated into the contact module. The first level of metal interconnect is located above the SiCr resistor. First contacts connect to source/drain regions. Second contacts electrically connect the first level of interconnect to either the SiCr resistor or the metal replacement gate.
US08680617B2
Disclosed is an SOI device on a bulk silicon layer which has an FET region, a body contact region and an STI region. The FET region is made of an SOI layer and an overlying gate. The STI region includes a first STI layer separating the SOI device from an adjacent SOI device. The body contact region includes an extension of the SOI layer, a second STI layer on the extension and a body contact in contact with the extension. The first and second STI layers are contiguous and of different thicknesses so as to form a split level STI.
US08680608B2
According to one embodiment, a power semiconductor device includes a second semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type periodically disposed repeatedly along a surface of the first semiconductor layer on a first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type. A first main electrode is provided to electrically connect to the first semiconductor layer. A fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type is provided to connect to the third semiconductor layer. Fifth semiconductor layers of the first conductivity type are selectively provided in the fourth semiconductor layer surface. A second main electrode is provided on a surface of the fourth and fifth semiconductor layers. A control electrode is provided on a surface of the fourth, fifth, and second semiconductor layers via a gate insulating film. First insulating films are provided by filling a trench made in the second semiconductor layer.
US08680603B2
A process for fabricating a transistor may include forming source and drain regions in a substrate, and forming a floating gate having electrically conductive nanoparticles able to accumulate electrical charge. The process may include deoxidizing part of the floating gate located on the source side, and oxidizing the space resulting from the prior deoxidation so as to form an insulating layer on the source side.
US08680602B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, a gate group disposed in the first region of the substrate, the gate group including a plurality of cell gate patterns and at least one selection gate pattern, a first gate pattern disposed in the second region of the substrate, a group spacer covering a top surface and a side surface of the gate group, the group spacer having a first inflection point, and a first pattern spacer covering a top surface and a side surface of the first gate pattern, the first pattern spacer having a second inflection point.
US08680597B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a first surface, forming an isolation structure disposed partly in the substrate and having an second surface higher than the first surface by a step height, removing a portion of the isolation structure to form a recess therein having a bottom surface disposed below the first surface, and forming a contact engaging the gate structure over the recess. A different aspect involves an apparatus that includes a substrate having a first surface, an isolation structure disposed partly in the substrate and having a second surface higher than the first surface by a step height, a recess extending downwardly from the second surface, the recess having a bottom surface disposed below the first surface, a gate structure, and a contact engaging the gate structure over the recess.
US08680594B2
Some embodiments include methods in which first insulative material is formed across a memory region and a peripheral region of a substrate. An etch stop structure is formed to have a higher portion over the memory region than over the peripheral region. A second insulative material is formed to protect the lower portion of the etch stop structure, and the higher portion is removed. Subsequently, at least some of the first and second insulative materials are removed. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions having a first region with first features, and a second region with second features. The first features are closer spaced than the second features. A first insulative material is over the second region and an insulative structure is over the first insulative material. The structure has a stem joined to a bench. The bench has an upper surface, and the stem extends to above the upper surface.
US08680585B2
There is provided a light emitting diode package and a method of manufacturing the same. A light emitting diode package according to an aspect of the invention may include: an LED chip; a body part having the LED chip mounted thereon; a pair of reflective parts extending from the body part to face each other while interposing the LED chip therebetween, and reflecting light emitted from the LED chip; and a molding part provided between the pair of reflective parts to encapsulate the LED chip and having a top surface whose central region is curved inwards.
US08680584B2
A transistor device structured such that the bulk, gate, drain, and source are all accessible from all four edges of the device and such that current distribution is uniform over the device is provided. The transistor is created with a four-metal CMOS process. A bulk connection can be made with Metal 1, which is all around the device. A gate connection can be made with Metal 2, which is all around the device. Additionally, a drain/source connection can be made with Metal 3, which is all around the device. A source/drain connection can be made with Metal 4, which is all around the device. Source/drain connections are made with two or more evenly distributed via stripes to connect the source/drain parts of the transistor fingers. The transistor structure may be used to create an array of transistors for a high power output stage, with the transistors arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The connections of each transistor are automatic by abutting edges of the transistors.
US08680580B2
A field effect transistor includes: a channel layer 103 containing GaN or InGaN; a first electron-supplying layer 104 disposed over the channel layer 103 and containing InxAlyGa1-x-yN (0≦x<1, 0
US08680575B2
Embodiments of the present invention describe a semiconductor device having an buffer structure and methods of fabricating the buffer structure. The buffer structure is formed between a substrate and a quantum well layer to prevent defects in the substrate and quantum well layer due to lattice mismatch. The buffer structure comprises a first buffer layer formed on the substrate, a plurality of blocking members formed on the first buffer layer, and second buffer formed on the plurality of blocking members. The plurality of blocking members prevent the second buffer layer from being deposited directly onto the entire first buffer layer so as to minimize lattice mismatch and prevent defects in the first and second buffer layers.
US08680572B2
Some embodiments provide a microdisplay integrated circuit (IC), a substantially transparent protective cover coupled to the microdisplay IC, and a base coupled to the microdisplay IC. Thermal expansion characteristics of the base may be substantially similar to thermal expansion characteristics of the protective cover. According to some embodiments, at least one set of imaging elements is fabricated on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a base is affixed to a lower surface of the semiconductor substrate to generate substantially negligible mechanical stress between the semiconductor substrate and the base.
US08680568B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a lead frame, a semiconductor light-emitting element mounted on the top surface of the bonding region, and a case covering part of the lead frame. The bottom surface of the bonding region is exposed to the outside of the case. The lead frame includes a thin extension extending from the bonding region and having a top surface which is flush with the top surface of the bonding region. The thin extension has a bottom surface which is offset from the bottom surface of the bonding region toward the top surface of the bonding region.
US08680557B2
A method for producing a light emitting diode device includes the steps of preparing a phosphor layer formed in a sheet state; forming a light semiconductor layer on one surface in a thickness direction of the phosphor layer; forming an electrode portion on one surface of the light semiconductor layer; forming an encapsulating resin layer containing a light reflecting component so as to cover the light semiconductor layer and the electrode portion; producing the light emitting diode element by partially removing the encapsulating resin layer so as to expose one surface of the electrode portion; and allowing the electrode portion to be electrically connected to the terminal, so that the light emitting diode element is flip-chip mounted on the base board.
US08680550B2
A wavelength-converted light emitting diode (LED) chip is provided. The wavelength-converted LED chip includes an LED chip and a wavelength-converted layer. The LED chip emits light in a predetermined wavelength region. The wavelength-converted layer is formed of a resin containing phosphor bodies of at least one kind which convert a portion of the light emitted from the LED chip into light in a different wavelength region. The wavelength-converted layer is formed on an upper surface of the LED chip, and has a convex meniscus-shaped upper surface.
US08680542B2
An organic light-emitting element includes a reflective anode, a first functional layer, an organic light-emitting layer that emits blue light, a second functional layer, a transparent cathode, and a coating layer. An optical thickness of the first functional layer is greater than 0 nm but not greater than 316 nm. A difference in refractive index between the transparent cathode and either a layer adjacent to the transparent cathode within the second functional layer or a layer adjacent to the transparent cathode within the coating layer is from 0.1 to 0.7 inclusive. The transparent cathode has a physical thickness greater than 0 nm but not greater than 70 nm, a refractive index from 2.0 to 2.4 inclusive, and an optical thickness greater than 0 nm but not greater than 168 nm.
US08680541B2
Disclosed is a light-emitting diode structure comprises a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting diodes on the substrate, and a conductive layer laid on the surface thereof. Each light-emitting diode comprises at least an electrical coupling side close to another electrical coupling side of an adjacent light-emitting diode. Each light-emitting diode comprises at least a first and a second electrode on the surface along the electrical coupling side, so that two close first or second electrodes can be soldered at the same time in wire soldering process, so as to make the light-emitting diodes connect in parallel. One end of the conductive layer is connected to the first electrode of a light-emitting diode and the other end is close to the second electrode of another light-emitting diode, so that the second electrode and the conductive layer can be soldered at the same time in wire soldering process, so as to make the light-emitting diodes connect in series.
US08680535B2
A HEMT includes a silicon substrate, an unintentionally doped gallium nitride (UID GaN) layer over the silicon substrate, a donor-supply layer over the UID GaN layer, a gate structure, a drain, and a source over the donor-supply layer, and a passivation material layer having one or more buried portions contacting or almost contacting the UID GaN layer. A carrier channel layer at the interface of the donor-supply layer and the UID GaN layer has patches of non-conduction in a drift region between the gate and the drain. A method for making the HEMT is also provided.
US08680534B2
A vertical light-emitting diode (VLED) includes a metal substrate, a p-electrode coupled to the metal substrate, a p-contact coupled to the p-electrode, a p-GaN portion coupled to the p-electrode, an active region coupled to the p-GaN portion, an n-GaN portion coupled to the active region, and a phosphor layer coupled to the n-GaN portion.
US08680533B2
A light-emitting device operating on a high drive voltage and a small drive current. LEDs (1) are two-dimensionally formed on an insulating substrate (10) of e.g., sapphire monolithically and connected in series to form an LED array. Two such LED arrays are connected to electrodes (32) in inverse parallel. Air-bridge wiring (28) is formed between the LEDs (1) and between the LEDs (1) and electrodes (32). The LED arrays are arranged zigzag to form a plurality of LEDs (1) to produce a high drive voltage and a small drive current. Two LED arrays are connected in inverse parallel, and therefore an AC power supply can be used as the power supply.
US08680530B2
An array substrate for a display device includes: a substrate; first and second gate electrodes of impurity-doped polycrystalline silicon on the substrate; a gate insulating layer on the first and second gate electrodes; first and second active layers of intrinsic polycrystalline silicon on the gate insulating layer, the first and second active layers corresponding to the first and second active layers, respectively; an interlayer insulating layer on the first and second active layers and including first to fourth active contact holes, the first and second active contact holes exposing side portions of the first active layer, the third and fourth active contact holes exposing side portions of the second active layer; first and second ohmic contact layers of impurity-doped amorphous silicon on the interlayer insulating layer, the first ohmic contact layer contacting the first active layer through the first and second active contact holes, the second ohmic contact layer contacting the second active layer through the third and fourth active contact hole; first source and drain electrodes on the first ohmic contact layer and second source and drain electrodes on the second ohmic contact layer; a data line on the interlayer insulating layer, the data line connected to the first source electrode; a first passivation layer on the first source and drain electrodes, the second source and drain electrodes and the data line; a gate line on the first passivation layer, the gate line connected to the first gate electrode and crossing the data line to define a pixel region; a second passivation layer on the gate line; and a pixel electrode on the second passivation layer, the pixel electrode connected to the second drain electrode.
US08680526B2
An electronic device includes: a substrate; a lower electrode which is provided on the substrate and has an edge portion cross-section having a taper angle of 60° or less; a SiO2 film which is provided on the lower electrode, the SiO2 film including hydrogen atoms in a ratio of 3 atomic % or less, and having a refractive index n of 1.475 or less at a wavelength of 650 nm; and an upper electrode which is provided on the SiO2 film and has an overlapping portion with the lower electrode.
US08680523B2
The present invention provides in-situ positioning of a sensor within each functional block, as well as at critical locations, of a semiconductor system. Sensor quantity and location is optimized for maximum sensitivity to known process variations. The sensor models a behavior of the location in which it is positioned and comprises a plurality of stages connected as a network and a self-digitizer. Each sensor has a mode selection input for selecting a mode thereof and an operational trigger input for enabling the sensor to model the behavior. The model selection input and operation trigger enable the sensor to have an operational mode in which the plurality of sensors are subject to an aging process, as well as a measurement mode in which an age of the plurality of sensors is outputted. Based on the output, one or more functional blocks are modified to reduce semiconductor system gradation in real-time.
US08680522B2
An oxide semiconductor film which has more stable electric conductivity is provided. Further, a semiconductor device which has stable electric characteristics and high reliability is provided by using the oxide semiconductor film. An oxide semiconductor film includes a crystalline region, and the crystalline region includes a crystal in which an a-b plane is substantially parallel with a surface of the film and a c-axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the film; the oxide semiconductor film has stable electric conductivity and is more electrically stable with respect to irradiation with visible light, ultraviolet light, and the like. By using such an oxide semiconductor film for a transistor, a highly reliable semiconductor device having stable electric characteristics can be provided.
US08680519B1
A cuttable organic light emitting diode (OLED) light source device is provided, including a lower substrate, a plurality of OLED modules disposed on the lower substrate and arranged in a matrix, a plurality of sensing electrodes disposed on respective OLED modules for sensing an external magnetic field in order to provide power to the OLED modules, and an upper substrate disposed on the OLED modules and the sensing electrodes. The present disclosure independently provides power to each OLED module through the sensing electrodes, and allows the cuttable OLED light source device with wireless transmission to arbitrarily cut into different shapes, so that the service life and light emitting performance are not affected by the cutting.
US08680516B2
The present invention discloses a packaging structure and method for organic light emitting devices, in which the packaging structure comprises a substrate; an OLED device, which disposing on the substrate; a first transparent protection layer, which forming on the OLED device; and a second transparent protection layer, which forming on the first transparent protection layer.
US08680514B2
An electric energy generator may include a semiconductor layer and a plurality of nanowires having piezoelectric characteristics. The electric energy generator may convert optical energy into electric energy if external light is applied and may generate piezoelectric energy if external pressure (e.g., sound or vibration) is applied.
US08680512B2
A transistor structure is provided which includes a graphene layer located on an insulating layer, a first metal portion overlying a portion of the graphene layer, a second metal portion contacting and overhanging the first metal portion, a first electrode contacting a portion of the graphene layer and laterally offset from a first sidewall of the first metal portion by a lateral spacing, and a second electrode contacting another portion of the graphene layer and laterally offset from a second sidewall of the first metal portion by the lateral spacing.
US08680511B2
A silicon nitride layer is provided on an uppermost surface of a graphene layer and then a hafnium dioxide layer is provided on an uppermost surface of the silicon nitride layer. The silicon nitride layer acts as a wetting agent for the hafnium dioxide layer and thus prevents the formation of discontinuous columns of hafnium dioxide atop the graphene layer. The silicon nitride layer and the hafnium dioxide layer, which collectively form a low EOT bilayer gate dielectric, exhibit continuous morphology atop the graphene layer.
US08680509B2
A nitride semiconductor device is provided, in which a superlattice strain buffer layer using AlGaN layers having a low Al content or GaN layers is formed with good flatness, and a nitride semiconductor layer with good flatness and crystallinity is formed on the superlattice strain buffer layer. A nitride semiconductor device includes a substrate; an AlN strain buffer layer made of AlN formed on the substrate; a superlattice strain buffer layer formed on the AlN strain buffer layer; and a nitride semiconductor layer formed on the superlattice strain buffer layer, and is characterized in that the superlattice strain buffer layer has a superlattice structure formed by alternately stacking first layers made of AlxGa1-xN (0≦x≦0.25), which further contain p-type impurity, and second layers made of AlN.
US08680507B1
A DBR/gallium nitride/aluminum nitride base grown on a silicon substrate includes a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) positioned on the silicon substrate. The DBR is substantially crystal lattice matched to the surface of the silicon substrate. A first layer of III-N material is positioned on the surface of the DBR, an inter-layer of aluminum nitride (AlN) is positioned on the surface of the first layer of III-N material and an additional layer of III-N material is positioned on the surface of the inter-layer of aluminum nitride. The inter-layer of aluminum nitride and the additional layer of III-N material are repeated n-times to reduce or engineer strain in a final III-N layer.
US08680504B2
A method of forming a phase-change random access memory (PRAM) cell, and a structure of a phase-change random access memory (PRAM) cell are disclosed. The PRAM cell includes a bottom electrode, a heater resistor coupled to the bottom electrode, a phase change material (PCM) thrilled over and coupled to the heater resistor, and a top electrode coupled to the phase change material. The phase change material contacts a portion of a vertical surface of the heater resistor and a portion of a horizontal surface of the heater resistor to form an active region between the heater resistor and the phase change material.
US08680495B1
Techniques are described that enhance power from an extreme ultraviolet light source with feedback from a target material that has been modified prior to entering a target location into a spatially-extended target distribution or expanded target. The feedback from the spatially-extended target distribution provides a nonresonant optical cavity because the geometry of the path over which feedback occurs, such as the round-trip length and direction, can change in time, or the shape of the spatially-extended target distribution may not provide a smooth enough reflectance. However, it may be possible that the feedback from the spatially-extended target distribution provides a resonant and coherent optical cavity if the geometric and physical constraints noted above are overcome. In any case, the feedback can be generated using spontaneously emitted light that is produced from a non-oscillator gain medium.
US08680488B2
A system and method for using electron beams with engineered phase dislocations as scanned probes in electron probe beam instruments such as scanning transmission electron microscopes. These types of electron beams have unique properties and can provide better information about a specimen than conventional electron beams. Phase dislocations may be created based on a pattern disposed on a nanoscale hologram, which may be placed in the electron optical column of the electron probe beam instrument. When an electron beam from the instrument is directed onto the hologram, phase dislocations may be imprinted onto the electron beam when electrons are diffracted from these holograms. For example, electron probe beams with spiral phase dislocations may occur. These spiral phase dislocations are formed using a hologram with a fork-patterned grating. Spiral phase dislocations may be used to provide magnetic contrast images of a specimen.
US08680487B2
A simulation device includes an input unit which receives an input of simulation data including material information of the irradiation target and irradiation information of a charged particle beam, and an arithmetic unit which calculates the dose distribution of the charged particle beam in the irradiation target on the basis of simulation data received by the input unit and the dose distribution kernel. The arithmetic unit segments the charged particle beam spread to a predetermined range at an intermediate portion in the traveling direction of the charged particle beam, hypothesizes a plurality of virtual shapes having conical spread with a segmented position as a start point, and calculates the dose distribution of the charged particle beam in the irradiation target on the basis of simulation data received by the input unit and a plurality of virtual shapes of the charged particle beam.
US08680485B2
There is provided a method of avoiding deterioration of the accuracy in the number of detected light-emitting particles due to that two or more light-emitting particles are encompassed at a time in the light detection region in the scanning molecule counting method using an optical measurement with a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope. In the inventive optical analysis technique, in the detection of an individual signal indicating light of a light-emitting particle by selectively detecting a signal having an intensity beyond a threshold value as a signal indicating light of a light-emitting particle in light intensity data produced through measuring light intensity during moving the position of a light detection region in a sample solution, the threshold value is set so that a signal indicating light from a light-emitting particle encompassed in a region narrower than the light detection region will be detected selectively.
US08680476B2
A beta radiation monitor (70,90), comprising a gas flow proportional detector (60) for detecting beta radiation emitted by a beta emitter external to the detector; a fill gas supply (51) configured to supply a fill gas to the detector, wherein the fill gas comprises nitrogen; a temperature sensor (72) for measuring temperature; and a controller (64) in communication with the temperature sensor for adjusting an operational parameter of the monitor in accordance with the measured temperature. The operational parameter may comprise a voltage applied across the fill gas, which may be thermistor controlled, or a beta radiation detection threshold of the detector. The fill gas is supplied by a nitrogen generator. The gas flow proportional detector may be a large-area detector.
US08680475B2
Portable digital X-ray detectors are provided. One X-ray detector includes an outer assembly and a detector assembly disposed within the outer assembly. The detector assembly includes an imager having a scintillator that converts radiographic energy to light and a detector array having one or more detector elements that detect the light from the scintillator. The detector assembly also includes electronic circuitry mounted on at least one printed circuit board and adapted to control operation of the imager during data acquisition and readout. Further, an elastomeric assembly is disposed between the imager and the electronic circuitry, and the elastomeric assembly is configured to absorb backscattered X-rays that pass through the imager or deflect off of a portion of the outer assembly during an X-ray exposure.
US08680470B2
The present invention provides a radiographic imaging device, a computer-readable medium storing a program for controlling a radiographic imaging device, and a method for controlling a radiographic imaging device, that may suppress feed-through without narrowing a dynamic range. Namely, a control section outputs control signals via scan lines to gates of TFT switches to perform control in such a way that the timing when a TFT switch n−1 of a pixel n−1 is switched to an OFF state and the timing when a TFT switch n of a pixel n is switched to an ON state become simultaneous timings, or timings that can be regarded substantially simultaneous even though the time period in which the TFT switch n is in an ON state and part of the time period in which the TFT switch n−1 is in an ON state overlap.
US08680469B1
A neutron irradiation history sensor and detection method for detection of thermal neutrons exploit transmutation of 164Dy into 165Ho and 166Er and significant differences in optical properties of Dy, Ho, and Er in order to enable detection of relative fractions of Dy, Ho, and Er and thus the degree and timing of prior thermal neutron exposure that has occurred, providing a tamper-proof forensic record of the prior thermal neutron exposure. The irradiation history sensor and detection method advantageously employ Dy-containing nanocrytals (NCs) residing in a transparent host.
US08680464B2
A mass spectrometer having a resolution improved by introducing ions into a mass spectrometry part with a high efficiency is provided with a small-sized, simple configuration. The mass spectrometer includes an opening/closing mechanism provided between a sample introducing piping part for introducing a sample into the mass spectrometry part and the mass spectrometry part to conduct gas introduction intermittently and control sample passage. The mass spectrometer further includes a pump mechanism to evacuate a high pressure side of the sample introducing piping part, that is, an opposite side of the opening/closing mechanism to the mass spectrometry part to have a pressure in a range of 100 to 10,000 Pa.
US08680461B2
A sample analysis apparatus (10) includes processing circuitry (22) coupled to a data set device (20) and a storage device (24) to acquire one data set from an analysis component (14) according to one analysis parameter set and to prepare another analysis parameter set using another previously acquired data set.
US08680460B2
A disruptor apparatus comprises a nozzle comprising: a converging section; a diverging section; and a throat between the converging section and the diverging section. The disruptor apparatus also comprises a holder configured to receive a fluid conduit, which comprises an outlet located in the converging section; and a channel disposed about the holder and configured to guide a gas past the outlet of the fluid conduit, through the converging section, through the throat and into the diverging section where the gas travels at supersonic speed and establishes a standing shock wave in the diverging section. A mass spectrometer and a method are also described.
US08680444B2
A soldering apparatus for connecting solar cells includes an induction heat source to connect cell conducting tracks, provided with soldering medium, with electric conductors. The heat source has a high-frequency generator and an inductor loop in which the flow of a high-frequency current causes a high-frequency magnetic field to induce in the conducting track and in the electric conductor arranged along the conducting track eddy currents that generate the heat that is necessary for the soldering operation. The U-shaped inductor loop has narrowings and widenings that serve to optimize the heat development in the soldering zone and thus also save energy. Each widening affords access to the soldering point for a magnetic-field-neutral pressure foot that presses the conductor onto the conducting track. The inductor loop extends the entire length of the conducting track of the cell upper and lower sides to solder to the conductor in one soldering operation.
US08680439B2
Apparatus for and methods of rethermalizing a package of refrigerated or frozen food are disclosed. In general, heating mechanisms are brought into conductive heat transfer contact with the package of food and operated for a duration of rethermalization time to rethermalize the package of food by heating the food to a rethermalized temperature, and then, if desired, to hold the rethermalized package of food at a desired holding temperature for a duration of holding time. The rethermalization time can be relatively short (e.g., thirty minutes or less), and the holding time can range from a very short period of time to a very long period of time (e.g., four, six, eight or more hours) without significant loss of food quality. Other features of the apparatus and methods are disclosed.
US08680430B2
A method of accomplishing high-throughput laser processing of workpiece features arranged in a densely spaced pattern minimizes workpiece feature processing inaccuracy and quality degradation that result from dynamic and thermal loads on laser beam positioning and optical components directing the laser beam during workpiece feature processing. A preferred embodiment is implemented with a laser beam positioning system composed of a zero-inertia optical deflector of an acousto-optic beam deflector (AOD) or an electro-optical deflector (EOD) type, a galvanometer head, and a linear stage cooperating to position the laser beam among the workpiece features.
US08680424B2
A microwave plasma processing device includes a fixing device for fixing a substrate as a processing target on a central axis in a plasma processing chamber, a exhausting device for depressurizing an inside and outside of the substrate, a metal processing gas supply member which is present in the substrate and forms a reentrant cylindrical resonating system along with the plasma processing chamber, and a microwave introducing device for introducing a microwave into the plasma processing chamber to perform processing. A microwave sealing member is provided at a substrate-holding portion of the fixing device, and a connection position of the microwave introducing device is located at a node of an electric field intensity distribution formed on the processing gas supply member by introducing the microwave.
US08680413B2
An illuminating push-button device includes a key-top part having a key-top surface and a first protrusion that protrudes from a back side of the key-top surface. The device also includes a key rubber part made of a transparent or semi-transparent elastic material and having a second protrusion that receives the first protrusion, the second protrusion being oriented in a common direction as the first protrusion. A switching device is included that opposes the second protrusion and is configured to be actuated in response to the key-top part being depressed. A light-source element emits light from a light-emitting surface and cooperates with a light-blocking sheet disposed between the light-source element and key rubber part and covers at least a portion of the light-emitting surface of the light-source element and has a loose hole through which the second protrusion of the key rubber part is passed.
US08680407B1
A modular enclosure assembly comprising: an upper and lower enclosure subassemblies, interconnected by a partial interpenetration, and a pair of hinged panel subassemblies for opening/closing the inner space of the enclosure subassemblies. Each of the enclosure subassemblies incorporates a back base plate having a first interpenetrating zone, located at an end of a lower left side of the back base plate, and a second interpenetrating zone, located at an end of a lower right side of the back base plate and juxtaposed with the first interpenetrating zone. The second interpenetrating zone incorporates a slat partially superposed on a rear surface of the back base plate where and with which this second interpenetrating zone forms a monoblock structure and from which the slat extends downwardly, beyond the rear surface of the back base plate.
US08680405B2
The present invention relates to a circuit board. The circuit board includes: a first path is routed on a first layer of the circuit board for transferring a first signal; a second path is routed on a second layer of the circuit board for transferring a second signal; a third path is routed on third layer of the circuit board; a first via is coupled to the first and third paths, and the first via is removed when the second signal is transferred by the second path; a second via is coupled to the second and third paths, and the second via is removed when the first signal is transferred by the first path.
US08680404B2
The present invention provides a printed circuit board including: a circuit pattern formed on a first insulating layer; a via pad disposed on the first insulating layer by being spaced apart from the circuit pattern, formed on a lower surface, where a via hole is formed, to have a cross section larger than that of the via hole, and having concavo-convex patterns; a second insulating layer formed on the via pad where the via hole is not formed and on the circuit pattern; and a copper foil layer formed on the second insulating layer and the via hole, and a method of manufacturing the same.
US08680402B2
A multi-layer Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) for an electronic device, in which a plurality of components are provided alternately on a top surface and a bottom surface of a base layer and the components are removed from the other region. The multi-layer FPCB includes a base layer, a first circuit pattern provided on a side region on a top surface of the base layer, a first adhesive layer provided in the first circuit pattern, a second circuit pattern provided on a bottom surface of the base layer and in an other-side region opposite to the side region, a second adhesive layer provided in the second circuit pattern, a first insulating/protecting layer provided on a top surface of the first adhesive layer, and a second insulating/protecting layer provided on a bottom surface of the second adhesive layer.
US08680398B2
A composition for a flame-retardant silane-crosslinked olefin resin, an insulated wire including the same, and a method for producing a flame-retardant silane-crosslinked olefin resin. The composition contains silane-grafted polyethylene made by graft polymerization of very low-density polyethylene having a density of 0.880 to 0.895 g/cm3 with a silane coupling agent, a polypropylene elastomer, metal hydroxide, and a silane crosslinking catalyst. The method includes the steps of kneading a batch containing silane-grafted polyethylene, a batch containing a polypropylene elastomer and metal hydroxide, and a batch containing an olefin resin and a silane crosslinking catalyst, molding a composition of the kneaded batches, and subjecting the molded composition to water crosslinking.
US08680395B2
A high speed video cable carries signals according to the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), and includes a raw cable and may include a boost device. The raw cable includes coaxial lines which are covered by an outer metallic braid. Each of four high speed video signals is carried on the inner conductors of a pair of coaxial lines. Lower speed signals are carried on the galvanically or capacitively coupled shields of a pair of coaxial lines, as well as the braid of the cable.
US08680394B2
A cover plate assembly and an electrical box are provided for mounting one or more electrical wiring devices. The cover plate assembly can be modified to provide a single gang, double gang or triple gang assembly for mounting the wiring devices. The cover plate assembly includes a collar forming a mud ring having at least one removable portion which can be removed to form an open side of the collar. An adapter is attached to the cover plate assembly at the open side of the collar to enlarge the dimensions of the collar to receiving a plurality of electrical wiring devices.
US08680391B2
A solar concentrator comprises a pair of concentric reflectors having a spindle toroid geometry for focusing the collected solar radiation into a ring-shaped focal area, as opposed to the “point” or “line” focus of prior art configurations. In a preferred embodiment, each reflector is formed of a plurality of curved petals that are disposed in a contiguous, keystone arrangement that requires no additional fixturing to hold the petals in place. Such an arrangement reduces the weight, complexity and cost of the final solar concentrator structure.
US08680374B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP44003 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP44003, cells from soybean variety XBP44003, plants of soybean XBP44003, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP44003. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP44003 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP44003, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP44003, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP44003. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP44003 are further provided.
US08680365B2
The present invention relates to novel brassica plants, in particular to novel cauliflower plants. In one embodiment, the novel cauliflower plants provided herein comprise a long stem and are suitable for mechanical harvesting. The application also further discloses seeds the cauliflower plants of the present invention and parts thereof, for example pollen, ovules and curds. The application also further discloses methods of using a plant of instant invention, such as methods of producing a cauliflower curd of the instant invention, and methods of harvesting the curds of plants of the instant invention.
US08680359B2
A reduced pressure tissue treatment system includes an applicator having an aperture, a first pad section, and a second pad section substantially covering the aperture and positioned substantially adjacent the first pad section. A fabric layer is located at least partially between the second pad section and the drape, and the fabric layer includes a woven or non-woven fabric made from a fiber material. A drape substantially covers the first pad section, the second pad section, the fabric layer, and the applicator. A reduced pressure source is in fluid communication with at least one of the first pad section and the fabric layer for providing reduced pressure to the aperture.
US08680358B1
A method for cross connecting the lean solvent supply lines between the liquid liquid extraction (LLE) and the extractive distillation (ED) processes thereby using the LLE column as the outlet for removing accumulated heavy hydrocarbons (HCs) and polymeric materials from the solvent loop of both processes to maintain their solvent performance. The unique capabilities of the LLE column in rejecting heavy HCs from the solvent into a raffinate product stream that leaves the system enable the removal of the accumulated heavy HCs and polymeric materials from the closed solvent loop of the ED process when their lean solvent loop are cross connected. Cross connection requires minimum equipment change. In the revamped system, the solvent recovery column (SRC) in LLE process supplies lean solvent for the extractive distillation column while the SRC of the ED process supplies lean solvent for LLE column.
US08680331B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a process for production of (meth)acrylic acid with improved production efficiency by efficiently shifting from heating procedure to cooling procedure for a crystallizer. A process for production of (meth)acrylic acid according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the steps of crystallizing (meth)acrylic acid from a crude (meth)acrylic acid solution by using a batch type crystallizer, and melting the obtained (meth)acrylic acid crystal to obtain a (meth)acrylic acid melted liquid; wherein preliminary cooling of the crystallizer for the next crystallization step is started during transferring the (meth)acrylic acid melted liquid from the crystallizer.
US08680328B2
A process for producing an optically active cyclopropanecarboxylic acid ester compound represented by the formula (4): (wherein R5, R6 and * each represents the same meaning as defined below), comprising reacting a diazoacetic acid ester represented by the formula (2): N2CHCO2R5 (2) (wherein R5 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or the like) with a compound represented by the formula (3): (wherein R6 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or the like), in the presence of an asymmetric copper complex obtained by reacting a copper compound and an optically active salicylideneaminoalcohol compound represented by the formula (1): (wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or the like, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and * represents an asymmetric center).
US08680310B2
New (E)-styryl-alkynylsubstituted silicon compounds having the generalized formula 1 and A new method of obtaining (E)-styryl-alkynylsubstituted silicon compounds having the generalized formula 1. A denotes: phenylmethylsilyl, 1,4-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene, 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)ethane, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, R′ denotes: tri(isopropyl)silyl, 1-pentyl, 2-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-butyl, 1-(trimethylsiloxy)-1-cyclohexyl, triethylgermyl, R′ denotes: H or Cl and when A denotes phenylmethylsilyl then R″ denotes also methyl or a methoxy group. A method of obtaining (E)-styrylalkynylsubstituted silicon compounds having the generalized formula 1 where A, R′ and R″ denote the same as stated above by way of a silylative coupling reaction between a suitable substituted styrene and a suitable vinyl-alkynylsubstituted silicon compound in the presence of a ruthenium(II) complex as catalyst.
US08680307B2
Novel group 6 organometallic compounds, supported on anions by means of at least one covalent metal-oxygen bond, are obtained by reaction of at least one borate or aluminate comprising at least one hydroxy group with at least one compound of a group 6 transition metal. These compounds are used in a catalytic composition utilized in an olefin metathesis method.
US08680302B2
Disclosed is a practical method for efficiently producing an alcohol compound by hydrogenating an aldehyde by using a homogeneous copper catalyst which is an easily-available low-cost metal species. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing an alcohol compound, which is characterized in that a hydrogenation reaction of an aldehyde compound is performed in the presence of a homogeneous copper catalyst and a diphosphine compound.
US08680294B2
Processes useful for the preparation of a Compound of Formula I: Formula (I). Intermediates useful for the preparation of the compound of Formula I, and processes useful for preparing said intermediates are disclosed.
US08680292B1
The invention demonstrates the synthesis of a new pyrazole-containing monomer by means of an easily implemented two-step process. This monomer can be electropolymerized to yield a stable n-doping polymer that may easily be electrochemically characterized. It is demonstrated that the electrochemical behavior of the polymer films produced is dependent upon the conditions applied during electrodeposition. Films deposited by cycling only at relatively positive potentials (0 to 2000 mV) show less intense n-doping responses than those films obtained by scanning the applied potential throughout a wider range (−2000 mV to 2000 mV).
US08680289B2
Metal imidazolate complexes are described where imidazoles ligands functionalized with bulky groups and their anionic counterpart, i.e., imidazolates are described. Compounds comprising one or more such polyalkylated imidazolate anions coordinated to a metal or more than one metal, selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, transition metals, lanthanide metals, actinide metals, main group metals, including the chalcogenides, are contemplated. Alternatively, multiple different imidazole anions, in addition to other different anions, can be coordinated to metals to make new complexes. The synthesis of novel compounds and their use to form thin metal containing films is also contemplated.
US08680283B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 5-substituted 1-alkyltetrazolyl oxime derivatives.
US08680279B2
Provided are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment or prophylaxis of certain neurologic disorders, including disorders related to NMDA receptor activation, neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and other neurologic diseases, disorders and related conditions. The compounds are of the Formulas I and Ia-Ij as described herein.
US08680275B2
Disubstituted 3,8-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.0]octane and 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane compounds are described, which are useful as orexin receptor modulators. Such compounds may be useful in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of diseased states, disorders, and conditions mediated by orexin activity, such as insomnia.
US08680274B2
Stable, bent allenes, organometallic complexes of bent allenes are provided along with methods of conducting chemical processes such as olefin metathesis, comprising contacting an olefin substrate with an organometallic complex as described herein, under suitable conditions.
US08680272B2
The present invention provides 3-arylethynyl substituted quinazolinone compounds of formula (A) as potential anticancer agents against sixty human cancer cell lines. R1═H, OH, OCH3; R2═H, OH, CH3, OCH3, NO2; R3═H, OH, OCH3, F, Cl; R2+R3=—OCH2O—; R4═H, OH, CH3, OCH3; R5═H, OH, CH3, OCH3; R6═H, OCH3.
US08680271B2
A process for the preparation of the compound of Formula (I) is described.
US08680270B2
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to metallo-oxidoreductase inhibitors having metal binding moities linked to a targeting moiety through a linking group or a direct bond, methods for screening for metallo-oxidoreductase inhibitors, and methods of treating an oxidoreductase related disorder by administering a metallo-oxidoreductase inhibitor to a subject in need of treatment thereof.
US08680265B2
Processes are disclosed for the preparation of a compound having the formula: (I) and intermediate compounds wherein M is a single-photon-emission tomography imageable radiometal and/or a paramagnetic metal, R is hydrogen or a halogen provided that at least one R is halogen and Y is selected from ortho, meta or para O(CH2)nC2HB9H10 or O(CH2)nC2HB10H10 wherein n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 20 and O(CH2)nC2HB9H10 is nido ortho-, meta- or para-carborane and O(CH2)nC2HB10H10 is ortho-, meta- or para-carborane.
US08680250B2
The present invention is one that, in a pollen protein extracting method, enables mass production, and while improving production efficiency, achieves a reduction in workload such as a reduction in man-hours, reductions in equipment cost and running cost, and an improvement of a work environment. Specifically, a pollen protein extracting method for extracting water-soluble protein from pollen is characterized by including: mixing the pollen and PBS; adding an aggregating agent including a natural inorganic component to a resultant mixed solution and performing stirring; and after formation of a pollen aggregate, performing filter filtration to perform solid-liquid separation.
US08680242B2
The invention relates to C9orf46 homolog, a novel murine membrane protein, and its orthologs in human, mouse and all other species, termed Plg-RKT, or analogs, thereof and the isolation method. The function of this molecule is to bind to plasminogen, plasminogen fragments such as angiostatin1 and other plasminongen fragments having angiostatic activity, tissue plasminogen activator and Lipoprotein(a). Plasminogen receptors function to modulate cell surface proteolysis and physiological and pathophysiological processes requiring cell migration, including, but not limited to, cell migration during inflammation, tissue remodeling, wound healing, tumor cell invasion and metastasis, skeletal myogenesis, neurite outgrowth. Plasminogen receptors also modulate apoptosis and cell death. The invention also relates to antibodies that inhibit plasminogen, plasminogen fragments such as angiostatin1 and other plasminongen fragments having angiostatic activity, tissue plasminogen activator or Lipoprotein(a) binding to Plg-RKT and/or immunoreact with Plg-RKT.
US08680239B2
The present invention relates to the use of a modulator of a polypeptide having or comprising an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein or of a functional fragment or derivative thereof or of a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide or fragment or derivative for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing, alleviating or treating diseases or conditions associated with the degeneration or injury of vertebrate nervous tissue, associated with seizures or associated with angiogenic disorders or disorders of the cardio-vascular system.
US08680231B2
The present invention relates to an alternating or statistical conjugated copolymer comprising: at least one benzotriazole unit B having general formula (Ia) or (Ib): wherein the group R is selected from alkyl, aryl, acyl or thioacyl groups, possibly substituted; at least one conjugated structural unit A, wherein each unit B is connected with at least one unit A in any of the positions 4, 5, 6 or 7, preferably in positions 4 or 7.
US08680228B2
Methods for making P4HB polymers and copolymers thereof that are useful for preparing controlled release systems, medical devices and as intermediates in chemical synthesis, have been developed. These methods avoid the use of organic solvents, and basic conditions that can cause transesterification reactions with polymer terminal end groups or elimination reactions. A preferred embodiment is a method for producing polymers of P4HB with weight average molecular weight less than 250,000, and more preferably, less than 100,000, and a Pd of less than 3, which are useful in controlled release. A particularly preferred embodiment utilizes aqueous acetic acid to hydrolyze pellets of P4HB polymers and copolymers while in suspension.
US08680225B1
The present invention is directed toward a series of polyglycerol polyesters that have silicone terminal groups with tunable ascetics and performance in cosmetic formulation. These novel silicone containing polyglycerol polyesters are designed to be multidimensional. Multidimensional is meant that the polymer contains a variety of groups containing different chemical and physical properties covalently bonded together. The physical properties of the current invention can be tuned rapidly by controlling the ratio of fatty groups, as well as the cross-linker used. Tuned here is meant the ability to adjust the physical properties to a desired value. The resulting polyglycerol polyesters have outstanding aesthetics and physical properties.
US08680220B2
The present invention relates to a ligand and its use in a catalyst for the oligomerization of olefinic monomers, the ligand having the general formula (VI): (R9)(R10)P—N(R3)—P(R4) (VI) wherein: the R9 and R10 groups are independently selected from optionally substituted alkyl or heteroalkyl groups; the R3 group is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; the R4 group is an optionally substituted alkylenedioxy or alkylenedimercapto structure which is bound to the phosphorus atom through the two oxygen or sulphur atoms of the alkylenedioxy or alkylenedimercapto structure or an optionally substituted arylenedioxy or arylenedimercapto structure which is bound to the phosphorus atom through the two oxygen or sulphur atoms of the arylenedioxy or arylenedimercapto structure.
US08680211B2
A process for preparing a hybrid polyester-polyether polyol comprises contacting a carboxyl group-containing component and an epoxide, optionally in the presence of one or more of a double metal cyanide catalyst, a superacid catalyst, a metal salt of a superacid catalyst and/or a tertiary amine catalyst, under conditions such that a hybrid polyester-polyether polyol is formed. The hybrid polyester-polyether polyol offers the advantages of both ester and ether functionalities when used in a polyurethane formulation, thus enhancing physical properties. The process results in products having narrow polydispersity, a low acid number and unsaturation, and reduced byproduct formation, particularly when the double metal cyanide catalyst is employed.
US08680205B2
A method for improving flow of a two-component urethane system by adding a hydroxy-functional acrylic polymer.
US08680196B2
A halogen-free and phosphorus-free resin formulation, prepared by the following method, is provided. The method includes mixing a carboxy anhydride derivative, diisocyanate, a styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer derivative and a solvent to form a mixture, and heating the mixture to form a resin formulation. The disclosure also provides a halogen-free and phosphorus-free composite material with a low dielectric constant and flame resistance prepared from the resin formulation.
US08680195B2
The present invention relates to an elastomeric thermoplastic composition characterized in that it has compression resistance at temperatures between 20° C. and 100° C., comprising hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymers, and to the copolymers that form said composition. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a product that has been obtained by means of the molding or extrusion of the composition described above.
US08680187B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to modified rosin mildly activated (RMA) fluxes and methods of soldering components on printed circuit boards. The modified RMA flux includes a RMA flux material and a randomizing additive. The randomizing additive causes misalignment of the hydrogen bonds between terpine polymer chains created from the RMA flux material during soldering. The resulting modified RMA flux performs as well as, or better than traditional RMA fluxes, but the flux residue remaining after soldering can be removed with a highly polar solvent, such as soapy water.
US08680167B2
The invention relates to a composition comprising (a) from 5 to 99 wt % of a modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and (2) has at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component, and (b) at least 1 wt % of a filler component. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an article molded from the above-mentioned molding composition. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for making and methods for using the molding composition.
US08680157B2
The invention relates to the use of at least one amine oxidase inhibitor for modulating the activity of the lysine-specific demethylase (LSD1) in a mammal and to pharmaceutical compositions for controlling the androgen receptor-dependent gene expression, comprising an effective dose of at least one amine oxidase inhibitor suitable for modulating the activity of the lysine-specific demethylase (LSD1) in a mammal. The invention also relates to assay systems allowing to test LSD1 inhibitors for their ability to inhibit LSD1 function.
US08680153B2
The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of a disease or condition associated with lipid imbalance, comprising (a) decreasing arachidonic acid (AA) levels, (b) increasing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels, (c) increasing DHA/AA ratio or (d) any combination of (a)-(c) in a subject using fenretinide. The invention also relates to diagnostic and screening methods based on the determination of lipid levels.
US08680147B2
The present invention relates to novel composition for the treatment, co-treatment or prevention of inflammatory disorders comprising an effective amount of carnosic acid 12-methylether.
US08680146B2
The present invention relates to salts, polymorphs and hydrates of 2-Amino-2-[2-(4-C2-20-alkyl-phenyl)ethyl]propane-1,3-diol, and to the use thereof, in particular in the treatment or prevention of various autoimmune conditions.
US08680144B2
The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, methods of treating mixed dyslipidemia with ethyl eicosapentaenoate.
US08680142B2
The combination of compounds of the hydroxytolan family with ascorbate plus naphthoquinone (Vitamin K3; VK3), or a quinone or semiquinone analogue of VK3, kill tumor cells, inhibit tumor growth and development, and treat cancer in subjects in need thereof.
US08680131B2
The present invention provides novel, diastereomeric pyrazolines that are useful as cannabinoid receptor blockers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, hepatic disorders, and/or cancers.
US08680121B2
This document discloses molecules having the following formula (Formula One) and processes related thereto.
US08680116B2
The present invention is directed to quinolinone compounds which are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of central nervous system disorders associated with phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2). The present invention also relates to the use of such compounds for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, psychosis or Huntington's disease, and those associated with striatal hypofunction or basal ganglia dysfunction.
US08680102B2
The subject of the invention is compounds of formula (I): in which R1-R10 are as defined within, the method of preparation and therapeutic application as cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists.
US08680099B2
Provided herein are PAK inhibitors and methods of utilizing PAK inhibitors for the treatment of CNS disorders.
US08680088B2
A gonadotropin is administered within a surprisingly effective narrow range for the purpose of treating chronic pain or other central sensitization sequelae. In one aspect, a recipient is provided with at least one of human chorionic gonadotropin (uHCG and/or rHCG), a pharmaceutically active HCG analogue, and a pharmaceutically active metabolite of the HCG or analogue at a dosage selected to provide, or be equivalent to, a human subcutaneous dosage of between 120 IU/day and 170 IU/day of HCG, and more preferably between 140 IU/day and 160 IU/day of HCG. A kit is also described, which includes a supply of the HCG-related drug, a delivery device, and a label that identifies chronic pain or central sensitization as an indication of the drug.
US08680087B2
Macrocyclic amide WH-21091 with antibacterial and antitumor activities, its analogs, preparation methods and uses thereof. The said macrocyclic amides are prepared by microbes of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, or they can be prepared by other living beings through transgenic techniques. The compositions of the said macrocyclic amide and its analogs can be used as drugs and/or agricultural chemicals for treatment of microbial infections, especially for treatment of infectious diseases of Staphylococcus aureus with drug resistance. The said compositions can also be used as drugs for treatment of cancers of human beings or animals.
US08680081B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for the prophylactic or targeted prophylactic treatment of migraine. In one embodiment a patient is regularly given a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and acetylsalicylic acid or active derivative, for prophylactic treatment of migraine. In another embodiment, a patient, at a time prior to a determined time window, is administered a therapeutically effective amount of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, either alone or in combination with acetylsalicylic acid or active derivative, to prevent or reduce migraine symptoms during the time window. Representative compositions include a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and acetylsalicylic acid or salicylate salt.
US08680075B2
A method for inhibiting cellular proliferation of fibroblasts and/or glioma cells in a mammal includes administering a composition to a mammal wherein the composition includes an amount of an anionic polymer and an anti-platelet agent effective to inhibit cellular proliferation of fibroblasts and gliomas in the mammal.
US08680072B2
The invention provides a method for combating biofilm, said method comprising contacting a biofilm with an alginate oligomer. The biofilm may be on an animate or inanimate surface and both medical and non-medical uses and methods are provided. In one aspect the invention provides an alginate oligomer for use in the treatment or prevention of a biofilm infection in a subject. In another aspect the method can be used to combat biofilms, on abiotic surfaces, e.g., for disinfection and cleaning purposes.
US08680065B2
Described herein are oligonucleotides that target the human endogenous retrovirus-9 (ERV-9) long terminal repeat (LTR). The ERV-9 LTR oligonucleotides specifically hybridize with either the coding strand or non-coding strand of ERV-9 LTR. It is disclosed herein that ERV-9 LTR oligonucleotides inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, including breast cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, fibrosarcoma and myeloid cancer cells. Also described herein are methods of treating a subject diagnosed with cancer comprising administering to the subject an ERV-9 LTR oligonucleotide. In some examples, the methods further comprise administering a second therapeutic agent, such as an antisense compound or a chemotherapeutic agent.
US08680060B2
Biosurfactants produced by microbes are used to control pests. The biosurfactants can be produced by cultivating a biosurfactant-producing microbe, producing a fermentation broth, and obtaining the biosurfactant from the fermentation broth. Alternately, the biosurfactants can be produced in situ in the environment of the pests by applying a carbon substrate to the pests' environment, which permits naturally-occurring biosurfactant-producing microbes to grow and to generate the biosurfactants. The biosurfactants have pesticidal qualities, and can be used to control a variety of pests, while being biodegradable and otherwise avoiding adverse environmental effects that have often been associated with conventional synthetic pesticides.
US08680055B2
The present invention discloses compositions and methods for treating diseases such as cancer by targeting luteinizing hormone (LH) or its receptor (LHR) involved in androgen synthesis or testosterone production.
US08680052B1
Methods of treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising cangrelor. The method may further comprise administering an additional therapeutic agent to the patient, the additional therapeutic agent comprising a P2Y12 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise cangrelor. Methods of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating, reducing the incidence of, and/or preventing an ischemic event in a patient undergoing PCI, comprising admixing cangrelor with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. An ischemic event may include stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, and mortality.
US08680050B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising growth hormone linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of making and using such compositions in administration to animals.
US08680043B2
The present invention refers to compounds of formula (I) as useful melanoma vaccines' active ingredients. As a matter of fact, compounds of formula (1) are immunogenic artificial antigens, mimetics of GM3 and GM3 lactone, well known tumor associated antigens (TAAs). In addition, the present invention refers to specific antibodies for compounds of formula (I) which are able to bind to the TAAs. The hereinabove reported compounds and antibodies are therefore potentially useful respectively for the active and passive immunization against tumors over-expressing GM3 ganglioside, in a preferred embodiment melanoma and colon cancer, and for their diagnosis and prognosis.
US08680040B2
Silicic acid esters to which fragrances are bound, preferably as 1-aza-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3,3,0]octane compounds or as monocyclic oxazolidines and that are suitable for adding fragrance to detergents and cleaning agents because they release the bound fragrances in hydrolysis.
US08680039B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a fabric softener and to a fabric softener prepared thereby, and more particularly, to a method of preparing a fabric softener containing an esterquat by performing a two-step transesterification reaction on oil and tertiary hydroxyalkyl amine at a low temperature in a high vacuum state under specific conditions, and then quaternizing the resultant product. The method of preparing a fabric softener containing an esterquat according to the present invention can reduce the content of unconverted glyceride, glyceryl ester, or a mixture thereof, and can provide a fabric softener with excellent long-term stability.
US08680038B2
The present invention provides a new copolymer comprising zwitterionic units and other units, a new composition comprising the copolymer, and the use of the copolymer or the compositions for treating or modifying surfaces.
US08680031B1
Exfoliating compositions, such as soaps, scrubs, and muds, for conditioning skin. The compositions include a carrier and particles that are insoluble in the carrier. The carrier may include one of more of a surfactant and an emollient, among other ingredients. The particles preferably include calcium carbonate, one or more phyllosilicates, and a quartz group tectosilicate, preferably have a calcium carbonate equivalent of less than 90%, and preferably embody a schistose texture. The exfoliating compositions with such particles have unexpected moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
US08680028B2
A method for the treatment of rock formations which may or may not be underground and, more particularly, of oil or gas production wells, water-injection wells intended to flood hydrocarbon (oil or gas) reservoirs or gas mines or gas storage wells includes a step of injecting, into the rock formation or well, a microgel obtained by dilution in water of a self-invertible inverse latex or of a self-invertible inverse microlatex of a crosslinked polyelectrolyte, obtained by copolymerization, in the presence of a crosslinking agent of partially- or totally-salified free 2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]-1-propanesulfonic acid, with at least one cationic monomer chosen from: 2,N,N,N-tetramethyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propanammonium chloride; N,N,N-trimethyl-3-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propanammonium chloride; diallyldimethylammonium chloride; N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)]ethanammonium chloride; N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-methyl-2-propenyl)]ethanammonium chloride; or N,N,N-trimethyl-3-[(1-oxo-2-methyl-2-propenyl)amino]propanammonium chloride; and with at least one neutral monomer chosen from: acrylamide; N,N-dimethylacrylamide; N-[2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)-ethyl]propenamide; or 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate.
US08680018B2
The present invention concerns a method for the selection of a virus comprising the steps of: (a) providing a virus encoding and displaying a fusion polypeptide, said fusion polypeptide comprising a heterologous polypeptide inserted into the sequence of a viral coat protein polypeptide, wherein said virus comprises a cleavable site located within a displayed polypeptide; (b) exposing the virus to a cleaving agent; (c) propagating the virus comprising intact fusion protein.
US08680014B2
Disclosed herein are methods for improving fruit production or fruit quality in fruit trees, such as decreasing cold damage, increasing fruit size, increasing fruit quality, and/or increasing fruit set. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods include methods of decreasing cold damage to a fruit tree including applying an effective amount of a composition including DL-β-aminobutyric acid to the fruit tree, thereby decreasing cold damage, for example as compared to a control. In other embodiments, the disclosed methods include methods of increasing fruit size or fruit quality of fruit from a fruit tree, including applying an effective amount of a composition including prohexadione-calcium to the fruit tree after anthesis, thereby increasing fruit size or fruit quality, for example as compared to a control. In further embodiments, the disclosed methods include methods of increasing fruit size of fruit from a fruit tree or increasing fruit set of a fruit tree including applying an effective amount of a composition including 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid to the fruit tree, thereby increasing fruit size or fruit set, for example as compared to a control.
US08680012B2
4-phenyl-pyrane-3,5-diones,4-phenyl-thiopyrane-3,6-diones and cyclohexanetriones as novel herbicides
Pyrandione, thiopyrandione and cyclohexanetrione compounds, which are suitable for use as herbicides.
US08680001B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst solid for olefin polymerization, comprising a finely divided support, an aluminoxane and a metallocene compound, which comprises: a) firstly combining the finely divided support with the aluminoxane and subsequently b) adding the reaction product of a metallocene compound with at least one organometallic compound to the modified support, catalyst solids obtainable by this process, catalyst systems comprising these catalyst solids, their use for the polymerization of olefins and a process for the polymerization of olefins.
US08679995B1
The present application is directed to a zirconia toughened alumina body and process for making the body. The process involves combining tetragonally stabilized ZrO2 nanoparticles, Mg(OH)2 particles and alumina powder into a mixture. All particles of the mixture are milled, formed into a green compact and then sintered. The final composition of the body includes α-Al2O3 toughened with 0.5 to 2.5 weight percent ZrO2 in a stabilized tetragonal form and 0.03 to 0.10 weight percent MgO. The composition results in an Al2O3 body with a density less than 4.0 g/cc and strength greater than 50 kpsi.
US08679987B2
Embodiments described herein relate to a method for processing a substrate. In one embodiment, the method includes introducing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon source and a diluent gas into a deposition chamber located within a processing system, generating a plasma from the gas mixture in the deposition chamber at a temperature between about 200° C. and about 700° C. to form a low-hydrogen content amorphous carbon layer on the substrate, transferring the substrate into a curing chamber located within the processing system without breaking vacuum, and exposing the substrate to UV radiation within the curing chamber at a curing temperature above about 200° C.
US08679984B2
An example embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing an array of electric devices that includes attaching a platform including a micro-channel structure to a substrate. The method includes injecting first and second solutions into the micro-channel structure to form at least three liquid film columns, where the first and second solutions include different solvent composition ratios and the liquid columns each, respectfully, include different solvent composition ratios. The method further includes detaching the platform the substrate, removing solvent from the liquid film columns to form thin film columns, and treating the thin film columns under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns. The solvent is removed from the thin film columns and the thin film columns are treated under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns.
US08679980B2
(A) solid polymer particles being finely dispersed in the aqueous phase and containing pendant functional groups (a1) capable of strongly interacting and forming strong complexes with the metal of the surfaces to be polished, and pendant functional groups (a2) capable of interacting less strongly with the metal of the surfaces to be polished than the functional groups (a1); and (B) an organic non-polymeric compound dissolved in the aqueous phase and capable of interacting and forming strong, water-soluble complexes with the metal of the surfaces to be polished and causing an increase of the material removal rate MRR and the static etch rate SER of the metal surfaces to be polished with increasing concentration of the compound (B); a CMP process comprising selecting (A) and (B) and the use of the CMP agent and process for polishing wafers with ICs.
US08679979B2
A method of controlling the polishing of a substrate includes polishing a substrate on a first platen using a first set of parameters, obtaining first and second sequences of measured spectra from first and second regions of the substrate with an in-situ optical monitoring system, generating first and second sequences of values from the first and second sequences of measured spectra, fitting first and second linear functions to the first and second sequences of values, determining a difference between the first linear function and the second linear function, adjusting at least one parameter of a second set of parameters based on the difference, and polishing the substrate on a second platen using the adjusted parameter.
US08679964B2
In using Ni(P) and Sn-rich solders in Pb free interconnections, the prevention and control of the formation of intermetallic compound inclusions, can be achieved through a reaction preventive or control layer that is positioned on top of an electroless Ni(P) metallization, such as by application of a thin layer of Sn on the Ni(P) or through the application of a thin layer of Cu on the Ni(P).
US08679963B2
A chip scale package has a semiconductor die having an array of die bond pads arranged with a bond pad density per unit area, embedded in a molded die support body having a surface supporting an array of conducting contacts, each of the contacts connected by an electrical lead to a corresponding one of the die bond pads.
US08679959B2
The present invention relates generally to methods for high throughput and controllable creation of high performance semiconductor substrates for use in devices such as high sensitivity photodetectors, imaging arrays, high efficiency solar cells and the like, to semiconductor substrates prepared according to the methods, and to an apparatus for performing the methods of the invention.
US08679955B2
A method for forming an epitaxial wafer is provided as one enabling growth of a gallium nitride based semiconductor with good crystal quality on a gallium oxide region. In step S107, an AlN buffer layer 13 is grown. In step S108, at a time t5, a source gas G1 containing hydrogen, trimethylaluminum, and ammonia, in addition to nitrogen, is supplied into a growth reactor 10 to grow the AlN buffer layer 13 on a primary surface 11a. The AlN buffer layer 13 is so called a low-temperature buffer layer. After a start of film formation of the buffer layer 13, in step S109 supply of hydrogen (H2) is started at a time t6. At the time t6, H2, N2, TMA, and NH3 are supplied into the growth reactor 10. A supply amount of hydrogen is increased between times t6 and t7, and at the time t7 the increase of hydrogen is terminated to supply a constant amount of hydrogen. At the time t7, H2, TMA, and NH3 are supplied into the growth reactor 10.
US08679954B2
A schottky diode includes a SiC substrate which has a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, a semiconductor layer which is formed on the first surface of the SiC substrate, a schottky electrode which is in contact with the semiconductor layer, and an ohmic electrode which is in contact with the second surface of the SiC substrate. The first surface of the SiC substrate is a (000-1) C surface, upon which the semiconductor layer is formed.
US08679952B2
A method is provided in order to manufacture a silicon carbide epitaxial wafer whose surface flatness is very good and has a very low density of carrot defects and triangular defects arising after epitaxial growth. The silicon carbide epitaxial wafer is manufactured by a first step of annealing a silicon carbide bulk substrate that is tilted less than 5 degrees from <0001> face, in a reducing gas atmosphere at a first temperature T1 for a treatment time t, a second step of reducing the temperature of the substrate in the reducing gas atmosphere, and a third step of performing epitaxial growth at a second temperature T2 below the annealing temperature T1 in the first step, while supplying at least a gas including silicon atoms and a gas including carbon atoms.
US08679948B2
An improved method for singulation of electronic substrates into dice uses a laser to first form cuts in the substrate and then chamfers the edges of the cuts by altering the laser parameters. The chamfers increase die break strength by reducing the residual damage and removes debris caused by the initial laser cut without requiring additional process steps, additional equipment or consumable supplies.
US08679942B2
Composite substrates are produced that include a strained III-nitride material seed layer on a support substrate. Methods of producing the composite substrate include developing a desired lattice strain in the III-nitride material to produce a lattice parameter substantially matching a lattice parameter of a device structure to be formed on the composite substrate. The III-nitride material may be formed with a Ga polarity or an N polarity. The desired lattice strain may be developed by forming a buffer layer between the III-nitride material and a growth substrate, implanting a dopant in the III-nitride material to modify its lattice parameter, or forming the III-nitride material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) on a growth substrate with a different CTE.
US08679925B2
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices and transistors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece comprising a plurality of fins, and forming a semiconductive material over a top surface of the plurality of fins. An etch stop layer is formed over the semiconductive material, and an insulating material is disposed over the etch stop layer. The insulating material and a portion of the etch stop layer are removed from over the plurality of fins. Forming the semiconductive material or forming the etch stop layer are controlled so that removing the portion of the etch stop layer does not remove the etch stop layer between a widest portion of the semiconductive material over the plurality of fins.
US08679922B2
The method includes a step of forming a mask having an opening, for forming an opening in multiple insulating films, above a semiconductor substrate on which a member becoming a first insulating film, a member becoming a second insulating film being different from the member becoming the first insulating film, a member becoming a third insulating film, and a member becoming a fourth insulating film being different from the member becoming the third insulating film are stacked in this order; a first step of continuously removing the member becoming the fourth insulating film and the member becoming the third insulating film at a portion corresponding to the opening of the mask; and a second step of removing the member becoming the second insulating film, after the first step, at a portion corresponding to the opening of the mask.
US08679918B2
Disclosed is a multiple-gate transistor that includes a channel region and source and drain regions at ends of the channel region. A gate oxide is positioned between a logic gate and the channel region and a first insulator is formed between a floating gate and the channel region. The first insulator is thicker than the gate oxide. The floating gate is electrically insulated from other structures. Also, a second insulator is positioned between a programming gate and the floating gate. Voltage in the logic gate causes the transistor to switch on and off, while stored charge in the floating gate adjusts the threshold voltage of the transistor. The transistor can comprise a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET), where the channel region comprises the middle portion of a fin structure and the source and drain regions comprise end portions of the fin structure.
US08679916B2
In device isolation trenches, a first device-isolation insulator film is formed to have recesses thereon and a second device-isolation insulator film is formed in the recesses. The uppermost portions at both ends of the first device-isolation insulator film are located higher than the uppermost portions at both ends of the second device-isolation insulator film.
US08679914B2
A method of forming a chalcogenide material on a surface of a substrate comprising exposing a surface of a substrate to ionized gas clusters from a source gas, the ionized gas clusters comprising at least one chalcogen and at least one electropositive element. A method of forming a resistive random access memory device is also disclosed. The method comprises forming a plurality of memory cells wherein each cell of the plurality of memory cells is formed by forming a metal on a first electrode, forming a chalcogenide material on the metal by a gas cluster ion beam process, and forming a second electrode on the chalcogenide material. A method of forming another resistive random access memory device and a random access memory device including the chalcogenide material are also disclosed.
US08679912B2
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first plurality of nanocrystals over a surface of a substrate having a first region and a second region, wherein the first plurality of nanocrystals is formed in the first region and the second region and has a first density; and, after forming the first plurality of nanocrystals, forming a second plurality of nanocrystals over the surface of the substrate in the second region and not the first region, wherein the first plurality of nanocrystals together with the second plurality of nanocrystals in the second region result in a second density, wherein the second density is greater than the first density.
US08679907B2
A method of manufacturing a thin-film transistor array includes: forming a gate insulating layer on gate electrodes; forming an amorphous silicon layer on the gate insulating layer; generating a crystalline silicon layer by crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer; and forming source electrodes and drain electrodes. The thicknesses of the gate insulating layer on the gate electrode is within a range in which there is a positive correlation between light absorbances of the amorphous silicon layer above the gate electrodes for the laser light and equivalent oxide thicknesses of the gate insulating layer on the gate electrodes. The thicknesses of the amorphous silicon layer above the gate electrodes is within a range in which variation of the light absorbances according to variation of the thicknesses of the amorphous silicon layer is within a predetermined range from a first standard.
US08679903B2
A method is provided for fabricating a vertical insulated gate transistor. A horizontal isolation region is formed in a substrate to separate and electrically isolate upper and lower portions of the substrate. A vertical semiconductor pillar with one or more flanks and a cavity is formed so as to rest on the upper portion, and a dielectrically isolated gate is formed so as to include an internal portion within the cavity and an external portion resting on the flanks and on the upper portion. One or more internal walls of the cavity are coated with an isolating layer and the cavity is filled with a gate material so as to form the internal portion of the gate within the cavity and the external portion of the gate that rests on the flanks, and to form two connecting semiconductor regions extending between source and drain regions of the transistor.
US08679892B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing silicon thin-film solar cells, including: providing a substrate; forming a first electrode on the substrate; forming a first doped semiconductor layer on the first electrode by chemical vapor deposition; forming an intrinsic layer on the first doped semiconductor layer by chemical vapor deposition, where the intrinsic layer includes a plurality of amorphous/nanocrystalline silicon layers, and the intrinsic layer has various energy bandgaps formed by varying average grain sizes of the amorphous/nanocrystalline silicon layers; forming a second doped semiconductor layer on the intrinsic layer by chemical vapor deposition, where one of the first doped semiconductor layer and the second doped semiconductor layer is a p-type amorphous silicon layer and the other is an n-type amorphous/nano-microcrystalline silicon layer; and forming a second electrode on the second doped semiconductor layer. Accordingly, the present invention can achieve broadband absorption in a single junction structure.
US08679881B1
A growth method for reducing defect density of GaN includes steps of: sequentially forming a buffer growth layer, a stress release layer and a first nanometer cover layer on a substrate, wherein the first nanometer cover layer has multiple openings interconnected with the stress release layer; growing a first island in each of the openings; growing a first buffer layer and a second nanometer cover layer on the first island; and growing a second island to form a dislocated island structure. Thus, through the first nanometer cover layer and the second nanometer cover layer, multiple dislocated island structures can be directly formed to reduce manufacturing complexity as well as increase yield rate by decreasing manufacturing environment variation. Further, the epitaxial lateral over growth (ELOG) approach also effectively enhances characteristics of GaN optoelectronic semiconductor elements.
US08679874B2
This invention provides an optoelectronic semiconductor device having a rough surface and the manufacturing method thereof. The optoelectronic semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor stack having a rough surface and an electrode layer overlaying the semiconductor stack. The rough surface comprises a first region having a first topography and a second region having a second topography. The method comprises the steps of forming a semiconductor stack on a substrate, forming an electrode layer on the semiconductor stack, thermal treating the semiconductor stack, and wet etching the surface of the semiconductor stack to form a rough surface.
US08679866B2
A light emitting device comprises: an LED chip having a quantum well structure and a light emitting layer made of a gallium nitride compound semiconductor; a first transparent material covering the LED chip; a second transparent material for protecting the LED chip and the first transparent material; and a phosphor for absorbing a part of the light from the LED chip and emitting a light having a wavelength different from the light from the LED chip; wherein the phosphor is included in second transparent material, and the light from the LED chip and the light from said phosphor are mixed to make a white light.
US08679865B2
A resin application apparatus includes: an optical property measurement unit measuring an optical property of light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) chip which is mounted on a package body and to which transparent resin is not applied; and a resin application unit applying light conversion material-containing transparent resin to the LED chip in accordance with a resin application amount which is decided depending on the optical property measured by the optical measurement unit.
US08679852B2
A particulate matter generator implemented as a “mini-burner”, and used in conjunction with a larger test system for the specific purpose of enhancing the particulate matter content of exhaust gas. The exhaust stream of the larger system is supplemented with exhaust from the mini-burner to produce exhaust with desired particulate matter characteristics. The exhaust gas may then be used for various test purposes, such as testing emissions control devices.
US08679850B2
The present invention concerns a method of detecting cationic polymers comprising: obtaining a target water sample containing a cationic polymer; adding a polymer dispersant solution and a phosphate solution to the target water sample, the polymer dispersant solution is comprised of a polymer dispersant with calcium and magnesium hardness and the phosphate solution is comprised of a phosphate; standing the target water sample; and measuring the turbidity of the target water sample; comparing the turbidity of said target water sample with a calibration curve of the turbidity of samples containing known concentrations of cationic polymers to determine the concentration of cationic polymers in said target water sample.
US08679848B2
A collection device for use in connection with off-device testing of collected samples. The device includes a first panel having one or more apertures for receiving samples, a second panel opposite the first panel, and a removable tab having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is aligned with at least one of apertures on the first panel and constructed such that depositing the sample through the at least one aperture causes the sample to be directly deposited on the first portion of the tab, and the second portion includes a sample-free grasping area accessible from an exterior of the device for removing the tab. A method of obtaining a sample is also disclosed.
US08679845B2
The present invention relates generally to mutagenesis of target genes that takes advantage of the natural mutagenic capabilities of B cells, and enhances those capabilities by bringing the process of diversification under control. The invention provides a method for rapidly and inducibly generating point mutations and other types of diversification in expressed genes, such as antibody genes. This method can be coupled with selection to identify B cell clones that produce, for example, antibodies of high affinity or specificity. The diversification process can be modulated, accelerated, halted, switched between methods of mutagenesis and the like. The modulation of diversification in accordance with the invention is both inducible and reversible. The invention provides a means of rapid and feasible development of a repertoire of variant immunoglobulins and other polypeptides.
US08679843B2
A microfluidic cell culture apparatus includes a cell retention chamber and a perfusion channel. The cell retention chamber has a structured surface. The structured surface includes a major surface from which a plurality of projections extends into the chamber. The plurality of projections are arranged to suspend cells cultured in the chamber above the major surface. The first perfusion channel is configured to provide laminar flow of a fluid through the channel and forms a plurality of openings in communication with the cell retention chamber. The openings are configured to prevent cells from the retention chamber from entering the perfusion channel.
US08679840B2
The invention relates to a method for in vitro maturation of at least one immature dendritic cell, comprising stimulating said immature dendritic cell with TNFα, IL- 1β, IFNγ, a TLR7/8 agonist and prostaglandin E2 (PG). Furthermore, the invention relates to a composition comprising these factors as well as to mature dendritic cells produced by a method of the invention.
US08679836B2
This disclosure relates to fluorescent cell lines and to the use of such cell lines in monitoring cellular activity, such as angiogenesis. This disclosure further relates to the use of such cell lines in a three-dimensional cell culture to monitor angiogenic and metastatic potential of tumor cells and selecting personalized therapeutics for treatment of cancer.
US08679831B2
A microfluidic device includes an input port for inputting a particle-containing liquidic samples into the device, a retention member, and a pressure actuator. The retention member is in communication with the input port and is configured to spatially separate particles of the particle-containing liquidic sample from a first portion of the liquid of the particle containing fluidic sample. The pressure actuator recombines at least some of the separated particles with a subset of the first portion of the liquid separated from the particles. The device can also include a lysing chamber that receives the particles and liquid from the retention member. The lysing chamber thermally lyses the particles to release contents thereof.
US08679828B2
The sample container has a two-layer membrane filter comprising a first layer as an upper layer serving as a hydrophilic membrane filter and a hydrophobic membrane filter as an underlying second layer capable of filtering an aqueous solution without the use of a wetting agent and by means of a formed negative pressure. Using this sample container, a large amount of an aqueous sample solution is filtered by means of a negative pressure formed by a suction portion to capture microbes in the aqueous sample solution by the hydrophilic membrane filter. Then, the negative pressure is restored to normal pressure, and a microbial dissolution solution is then added to the membrane filter to retain the microbial dissolution solution for a given time on the hydrophobic membrane filter. Then, the microbial dissolution solution is dispensed to a reaction container containing a luminescent reagent, and luminescence is detected to detect the microbes.
US08679826B2
A method for recycling a paper product sized, coated, or both sized and coated with a polymer, including: pulping an aqueous wastepaper suspension including a paper product in the presence of a hydrolase, the paper product being a paper product sized and/or coated with a polyester to obtain an aqueous solution, which is a waste paper suspension including a mixture of paper fibers and the polyester, and separating the polyester from the wastepaper suspension to recycle the paper fibers of the paper product, wherein the polyester is a polyester having a melt flow rate according to EN ISO 1133 (190° C., 2.16 kg weight) of from 2 to 50 cm3/10 min, and the hydrolase includes at least one of a carboxyesterase [3.1.1.1], a lipase [3.1.1.3], and a cutinase [3.1.1.74].
US08679821B2
Compositions and methods for protection against bacterial contamination are disclosed Antibacterial proteins and methods of use thereof are also disclosed.
US08679819B2
The invention provides cells useful to propagate influenza virus mutants having reduced sialidase activity.
US08679817B2
Described herein are variants of H. jecorina CBH I, a Cel7 enzyme. The present invention provides novel cellobiohydrolases that have improved thermostability and reversibility.
US08679816B2
The present disclosure relates to cellulase variants. In particular the present disclosure relates to cellulase variants having improved expression, activity and/or stability. Also described are nucleic acids encoding the cellulase variants, compositions comprising the cellulase variants, and methods of use thereof.
US08679815B2
The present invention relates to filamentous fungal host cells and particularly Trichoderma host cells useful for the production of heterologous granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes having glucoamylase activity.
US08679814B2
A method of preparing a cold adapted xylanase by use of recombinant DNA techniques. A nucleic acid and corresponding amino acid sequences of a cold adapted xylanase, isolated from antarctic marine origin, preferably from an Antarctic bacteria (Psychrobacter sp.) are provided. These can be used in a variety of industrial contexts and for a variety of commercial purposes including more complete hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass into simple sugars that can then be fermented to products, such as liquid fuels and chemical feedstocks. The enzymes are also useful in the production methods of other industries, such as the animal feed, baking, and paper industries. Nucleic acids, corresponding amino acid sequences, constructs, expression vectors or integration vectors containing the DNA molecule, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides for producing and using the Psychrobacter-derived cold adapted family GH10 xylanase-like protein are also described.
US08679811B2
The present invention generally relates to treatments involving glutaredoxins. In one aspect, systems and methods of the invention can be used to treat a subject having an oxidative stress condition, for example, airway inflammation or asthma. In some embodiments, a glutaredoxin may be used to treat a subject. Also provided in certain aspects of the present invention are kits for therapies involving glutaredoxins, methods for promoting such therapies, and the like.
US08679809B2
A method has been developed to produce stable cell-matrix microspheres with up to 100% encapsulation efficiency and high cell viability, using matrix or biomaterial systems with poor shape and mechanical stability for applications including cell therapeutics via microinjection or surgical implantation, 3D culture for in vitro expansion without repeated cell splitting using enzymatic digestion or mechanical dissociation and for enhanced production of therapeutic biomolecules, and in vitro modeling for morphogenesis studies. The modified droplet generation method is simple and scalable and enables the production of cell-matrix microspheres when the matrix or biomaterial system used has low concentration, with slow phase transition, with poor shape and mechanical stability.
US08679807B2
There is provided a method for covalent immobilization of at least one molecule comprising at least one amino group, said method comprising the sequential steps of: a) providing a surface comprising —SH groups, b) oxidizing the surface comprising —SH groups using redox reactions in the presence of noble metal ions, and c) contacting the surface with at least one molecule comprising at least one amino group to obtain a covalent binding of the at least one molecule to the surface, wherein said at least one amino group is involved in obtaining said covalent bond. The immobilized molecules are immobilized via stable covalent bonds. The method is more versatile since it can be performed as a one step method. All reaction steps are performed in aqueous solution. All steps can be performed at room temperature. The chemicals used are less expensive and less toxic compared to the prior art.
US08679804B2
The present invention relates to a modified yeast strain which is prepared by introducing a vector that expresses HMG-CoA reductase (hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase) and farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, and a method for producing squalene using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y2805 modified yeast strain that is transformed with a vector including the HMG1 gene, and ispA or Erg20 gene, and a method for producing squalene with high efficiency by culturing the modified yeast strain.
US08679803B2
The present invention is directed to the enhanced production of ethanol from fermentation using an ethanol producing microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the enhanced growth and metabolism of an ethanol producing microorganism (e.g., yeast), for the purpose of increasing or enhancing ethanol production, both in terms of total ethanol produced and in terms of the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products (i.e., ethanol). In accordance with this invention bicarbonate ions are used to enhance ethanol fermentation and/or reduce the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products, i.e., ethanol. The present invention can also be used for enhancing fermentation end products in, for example, the fuel ethanol, industrial, cheese, brewing, and wine making industries.
US08679800B2
The present invention provides: a lactic acid-producing Escherichia coli comprising at least one gene of a sucrose non-PTS gene group, including at least a sucrose hydrolase gene, provided that a combination of a repressor protein (cscR), a sucrose hydrolase (cscA), a fructokinase (cscK) and a sucrose permease (cscB) and a combination of a sucrose hydrolase (cscA), a fructokinase (cscK) and a sucrose permease (cscB) are excluded, wherein the lactic acid-producing Escherichia coli comprises a lactic acid production enhancing system provided by genetic recombination; and a lactic acid production method including producing lactic acid from a plant-derived sucrose-containing raw material by using the lactic acid-producing Escherichia coli.
US08679797B2
The present invention provides a method for extracting glucan and mannan from the cell wall of a microorganism. Specifically, the method of the present invention in one embodiment comprises the steps of: a) treating the cells of the microorganism with an alkaline protease and an mannanase; b) separating the mixture from step a) into a heavy phase and a light phase; c) drying the heavy phase obtained from step b), obtaining the glucan preparation; and d) drying the light phase obtained from step b), obtaining the mannan preparation. Optionally, in the step c), the heavy phase obtained from step b) may be treated sequentially with an alkali and an acid, and separated again into a heavy phase and a light phase. The heavy phase is dried, obtaining the glucan preparation. The present invention further relates to the glucan preparation and mannan preparation produced thereby, and the uses thereof.
US08679795B2
The present invention relates to polypeptides having xylanase activity and nucleic acid sequences encoding such polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. One specific application of the xylanase is the selective hydrolysis of pentose sugar components of hemicellulose-containing plant biomass. The nucleotide sequence may be used for the production of the xylanase or optimized mutants thereof.
US08679789B2
This invention relates to oligonucleotides comprising a molecular switch which may exist in an “open” or “closed” position. The molecular switch portion of the probe is particularly sensitive to the identity of sequences complementary to the molecular switch. Oligonucleotides containing a molecular switch are applicable to all kinds of hybridization processes. Due to the sensitivity of the switch domain of the oligonucleotide, probes containing a molecular switch are particularly useful in the identification of single point mismatches. More specifically, a portion, but not all, of the oligonucleotide becomes unbound from a mismatched target. The invention further relates to methods of using said oligonucleotides for research reagents, and clinical diagnostics. An exemplary oligonucleotide comprises a first hybridizable domain, a second bridging block domain, and a third binding domain.
US08679782B2
The invention relates to production of triacylglycerols in cells.
US08679781B2
The invention provides a method for making in vitro peptide expression libraries, and for the isolation of nucleotide sequences encoding peptides of interest, wherein the peptides or proteins are specifically associated with the DNA encoding them through non-covalent protein:DNA binding. The method describes ways of making the library itself, DNA molecules encoding the library and uses of the expression library.
US08679779B2
The present invention relates to a method of forming an implantable medical device comprising: culturing polymer-producing bacteria preferably Acetobacter xylinum in the presence of a degradable support; and removing the degradable support to recover an implant having pores of a configuration determined at least in part by the configuration of the degradable support. The invention also relates to a medical device obtained by such a method.
US08679768B2
The present inventors screened peptides having a specific sequence specifically binding to amyloid-beta antibody and accordingly confirmed that Aβ22(pE)-42 peptide showed higher reactivity to amyloid-beta antibody in serum of Alzheimer's disease patients. Therefore, the said Aβ22(pE)-42 peptide can be used as an active ingredient for the kit for diagnosing dementia and thus it can be said that the peptide can be effectively used for the diagnosis of dementia whose early diagnosis is hardly possible.
US08679767B2
Methods are disclosed to detect, characterize, measure, and quantitate human and humanized antibodies, and their conjugates, present in pre-clinical animal biological samples, including plasma/serum and tissue samples.
US08679758B2
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.
US08679757B2
This disclosure relates to methods of determining the presence and position of AGG or interruptor elements within a trinucleotide (for example, CGG) repeat region, and to methods of determining the number of repeats present in this region, by amplifying a set of products with a set of primers of which at least one comprises a portion of the CGG repeat region, and resolving the products to produce a representation of product size and abundance.
US08679748B2
This disclosure features, inter alia, methods for determining at least one property of a nucleic acid. The methods include: (a) fixing the nucleic acid on a planar surface; (b) digesting the nucleic acid into fragments with at least one enzyme; (c) imaging the nucleic acid; and (d) analyzing the imaged nucleic acid to determine the property of the nucleic acid, wherein no internal nucleic acid standard is added during the method.
US08679744B2
The present invention relates to a method for cleaning and isolating nucleic acids using cationic detergents with the general formula (I): Y+R1R2R3R4X− (I) where Y can represent nitrogen or phosphorus R1, R2, R3 and R4 can represent independently from one another an unbranched or branched C1-C20-alkyl residue, C3-C6-alkenyl residue, C3-C6-alkinyl residue and/or a C6-C20-aryl residue as well as a C6-C26-aralkyl residue, and X— can represent an anion of an inorganic or organic single or multi-basic acid.
US08679743B2
This document relates to the activity of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) in T-cell lymphomas. For example, methods and materials involved in reducing the expression of an IRF4 polypeptide in T-cell lymphoma cells and identifying agents having the ability to reduce expression of an IRF4 polypeptide in T-cell lymphoma cells are provided. This document also relates to reducing DUSP22 or FLJ43663 polypeptide activity in T-cell lymphomas. For example, methods and materials involved in reducing the expression of DUSP22 polypeptides and/or FLJ43663 polypeptides in T-cell lymphoma cells and identifying agents having the ability to reduce expression of DUSP22 polypeptides and/or FLJ43663 polypeptides in T-cell lymphoma cells are provided.
US08679741B2
Provided herein are methods, compositions and kits to extract and relatively enrich by physical separation or amplification short base pair nucleic acid in the presence of a high background of genomic material (e.g., host or maternal nucleic acids).
US08679739B2
A method for diagnostic analysis, in particular to identify pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria or other micro-organisms present in a biological sample, comprises a first step of measuring and continuously monitoring the turbidity and/or the concentration of the pathogens, by means of an instrumental reading technique, of a liquid culture medium into which the sample to be analyzed has been inoculated and in which the replication of the pathogens possibly present occurs, said measuring and monitoring being carried out dynamically during the replication of the pathogens growing in the culture medium; and a second step of identifying the pathogens, carried out by taking at least an aliquot of the liquid culture medium containing the biological sample directly obtained from the first step, which has reached a desired value of turbidity according to a standardized value scale, such as the McFarland turbidity scale, and/or of concentration of the pathogens, and using said aliquot directly in mass spectrophotometric identification means (15) in order to identify the pathogens, which means are calibrated in their functioning depending on the measurement results of the first step. The desired values of turbidity and/or of concentration of the pathogens are preliminarily selected, during the first step, on the basis of the specific needs which, on each occasion, are identified in order to carry out the second identification step.
US08679737B2
A microfluid device for producing diffusively built gradients comprising a bottom plate and a cover plate, wherein the cover plate has recesses and is connected to the bottom plate in a liquid-tight manner so that the recesses form at least two reservoirs and one observation chamber, which connects the reservoir, a reservoir can be filled particularly through an inlet/outlet through the cover plate, and the cross-sectional surface of the observation chamber is at least 5 times, preferably at least 200 times smaller at the aperture of the observation chamber into one of the reservoirs than the maximum cross-sectional surface of the reservoir in parallel to this cross-sectional surface of the observation chamber.
US08679730B2
The invention relates azide functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene)s. Various azide functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene)s and intermediates are disclosed and described, as well as method for making novel monomers that are synthesized and transformed into P3HT-Nmp for use as organic conducting polymers in organic photovoltaic devices.
US08679726B2
Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor a negative-working imagable layer and an outermost water-soluble overcoat layer that is disposed directly on the negative-working imagable layer. The outermost water-soluble overcoat layer comprises: (1) one or more film-forming water-soluble polymeric binders, and (2) organic wax particles dispersed therein. The organic wax particles have an average largest dimension of at least 0.05 μm and up to and including 0.7 μm, as determined from a scanning electron micrographic of the dried outermost water-soluble overcoat layer. Useful organic wax particles include fluorinated or non-fluorinated hydrocarbon wax particles.
US08679705B2
An electrode for fuel cells including a catalyst layer containing a benzoxazine monomer, a catalyst and a binder, and a fuel cell employing the electrode. The electrode for the fuel cells contains an even distribution of benzoxazine monomer, which is a hydrophilic (or phosphoric acidophilic) material and dissolves in phosphoric acid but does not poison catalysts, thereby improving the wetting capability of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) within the electrodes and thus allowing phosphoric acid to permeate first into micropores in electrodes. As a result, flooding is efficiently prevented. That is, liquid phosphoric acid existing in large amount within the electrodes inhibits gas diffusion which; this flooding occurs when phosphoric acid permeates into macropores in the electrodes. This prevention of flooding increases the three-phase interfacial area of gas (fuel gas or oxidized gas)-liquid (phosphoric acid)-solid (catalyst). Therefore, the fuel cell employing the electrode can operate under conditions of high-temperature and a dry environment and demonstrate improved cell performance.
US08679701B2
A liquid electrolyte fuel cell comprises means to define an electrolyte chamber, and electrodes on opposite sides of the electrolyte chamber. The electrode comprises an electrically conductive sheet (10) through which are defined a multiplicity of through-pores or holes (14). These may be formed by laser drilling through the sheet. The electrode would normally also include a layer (16) of catalytic material. The margin (15) of the sheet is not perforated or porous, to simplify sealing.
