US08041641B1
One implementation of a method for providing backup storage services for encrypted data includes receiving signatures of convergently encrypted portions of data from client computers, determining whether the encrypted portions are already present on a backup storage, and obtaining only the needed portions. Users unassociated with a particular user account are denied access to information backed up in that account. The backup storage also stores password protected key files holding signatures of the unencrypted portions of data. One implementation of a system includes a memory, a single-instance storage circuit, a user account management circuit, and a signature index. The memory holds a user-account database and backup copies of convergently encrypted portions of data. The single-instance storage circuit uses the signature index to prevent duplicative backup copies. The user account management circuit responds to download requests after authenticating the user information associated with the requested data.
US08041632B1
The present invention relates to a method and system for assessing the risks and/or exposures associated with financial transactions using various statistical and probabilistic techniques. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for identifying plausible sources of error in data used as input to financial risk assessment systems using Bayesian belief networks as a normative diagnostic tool to model relationships between and among inputs/outputs of the risk assessment system and other external factors.
US08041629B2
A method of and system for terminating or assigning outstanding OTC derivative transactions between a plurality of financial institutions (banks). The system comprises: a processing station arranged to receive transaction data describing a plurality of transactions from a plurality of banks via the Internet. The processing station comprises: a linking module for linking different versions of the same transaction received from different parties to that transaction; an analysis module for determining a set of linked transactions between a plurality of different banks, wherein each bank has debts and claims towards other banks in the set; a calculation module arranged to calculate an aggregated value of each set of linked transactions and select the set of linked transactions which has an aggregated value within bank-specified tolerance limits acceptable for executing a termination; and an execution module for executing a termination or assignment of the selected set of linked transactions.
US08041628B2
Preferred embodiments of the subject invention comprise: (a) electronically receiving securities order-related data regarding a set of securities market participants; (b) electronically storing the received order-related data regarding the set of securities market participants; (c) electronically receiving a securities order-related query (or order parameters) from a first securities market participant; (d) based on the order-related query (or order parameters) received from the first securities market participant and on the securities order-related data regarding the set of securities market participants, computing a dissemination list of securities market participants based on ranking likely contras by probability of execution; and (e) transmitting that dissemination list to an entity who has been granted the privilege of receiving such lists in exchange for being contractually bound to respect confidentiality of the dissemination list and to use the list only for the purpose of sending securities-related information to members of the list.
US08041627B2
Transferring spectrum use rights may include ascertaining information regarding available spectrum for use in wireless communications. A request for spectrum use from a spectrum user system may be matched with available spectrum. A spectrum certificate may be issued to the spectrum user system, where the spectrum certificate contains at least one spectrum-related variable under which the spectrum user system is to engage in wireless communications.
US08041622B1
When a trading application on a client terminal receives a trade order, a randomizer application may automatically randomize one or more order parameters to generate a randomized order. For example, an order quantity, a price level, and/or a time period between sending any two consecutive orders may be randomized. The randomized order is then automatically placed on the market.
US08041620B2
Methods and systems for detecting fraud based on velocity counts are disclosed.
US08041618B2
A computer-implemented method for evaluating an investment employs primary entries and associated impact groups to represent financial outflows and inflows over the investment period. During a calculation phase, the primary entries are processed to generate data the represents such financial inflows and outflows in a form suitable for discounting into a net present value. Distribution factors can be used to allocate the value of the primary entry over corresponding user-defined budgeting periods. Annual entries can be defined and allocated during the calculation phase into corresponding primary entries. Calculations pertaining to conditional inflows and outflows can also be carried out in the calculation phase. In addition, rules-based logic can be used to adjust dates pertaining to the inflows and outflows (such as shifting days ahead in manner that accommodates for non working days). The user can apply variation factors to numeric values used in the calculation phase. Such variation factors permit the methodology to quickly and conveniently model scenarios that affect a primary entry or item or other calculation.In another aspect of the invention, the data generated by the computer-implemented method can be password protected by a user and forwarded on to other user(s). In the protected state or mode, the other user(s) can manipulate the data by a set of permitted actions, while another set of actions are not permitted to be carried out by the other user(s).
US08041612B1
A system is provided that allows a photographer to take images for a customer and provide those images to order servicing equipment with which the images are placed on-line for the customer to view. The customer may place orders for the images and products and services related to the images. The order servicing equipment may credit the photographer when the customer orders images, products, or services. Images may be manipulated before images, products, or services are ordered. Images may be taken using film-based cameras or digital image acquisition equipment. Image presentation options may be selected. Content may be appended to the images. Web sites and digital albums may be created using the images. The photographer may check the status of assignments that have been submitted to the order servicing equipment and may check on account status. Different rights levels may be established for different parties. Loyalty rewards may be awarded for frequent use of the system.
US08041611B2
A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information.
US08041610B1
Things are distributed through a personalized network of trusted parties specified by a member. A specific implementation of the invention is for distributing unused tickets, but the principles of the invention are applicable to other things besides tickets. A system of the invention drives or increases attendance by enabling consumers to push their seats (i.e., unused tickets) to members of a trusted network (created by the consumer themselves) rather than making the seats available for sale to the public or manually locating an interested party and transferring them. Additionally, the system performs the time consuming work of contacting members of the trusted network to find out if they are interested in using the tickets for a particular event while receiving and recording their responses.
US08041606B2
According to the invention, a process for authorizing an online purchase between a customer and a vendor site is disclosed. In one step, transaction information is received from the vendor site. A new web browser window is automatically opened for the customer. A transaction amount is presented in a new browser window. The customer is capable of assenting to the transaction amount through interaction with the new web browser window. Authorization is received from the customer of a debit for the transaction amount to cover the online purchase. The vendor site is notified of the authorization.
US08041598B1
A method of defining, monitoring, and managing performance, influencing behavior, and aligning behaviors to strategic objectives involves determining with clarity, simplicity and materiality the why, the expectations, the levels of performance, and the projected response, to a set behaviors, accomplishments, and results. For individuals or groups, important behaviors, accomplishments and results are identified, prioritized, and a certain number selected and placed on an RPM matrix and weighted. The RPM matrix lists the weighting as well as specifying levels of performance. After completion of a measurement period, the RPM matrix calculates an RPM score for the individual or group. This RPM score is then used to determine an appropriate reward or response, and can be fed into web-based reporting software.
US08041589B1
The present invention provides a communication monitoring and analysis method and system. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for determining the health and overall satisfaction of employees in an organization. The determination may be made by monitoring communications generated by employees for their tone and other parameters related to their satisfaction with various decisions made within the organization.
US08041588B2
System and method for displaying information regarding a business process. A diagram of the business process may be displayed on a display. The diagram may include a plurality of icons connected by lines, where each of the icons represents a respective step in the business process and the lines indicate flow paths between the steps. Historical data regarding the business process may be received. The historical data may be analyzed to determine information regarding steps and/or flow paths in the business process. Graphical indications associated with one or more icons and/or lines in the diagram may be displayed. The graphical indications may visually indicate characteristics of corresponding steps and/or flow paths in the business process. For example, the graphical indications may indicate lengths of time, costs, or other characteristics associated with various ones of the steps. The graphical indications may indicate path traversals of ones of the flow paths.
US08041583B2
The invention is a system and method for managing patient care workflow, staff and resource allocation in real time in an ambulatory health care (clinic) setting providing the clinic with improved operating efficiencies. The system can stand alone or integrate seamlessly with enabling Electronic Health Record (EHR) applications by presenting the most relevant EHR view and form to the user at appropriate times in the workflow. Embodiments of the invention provide users with enhanced clinical practice functionality, efficiency and effectiveness.
US08041576B2
An information processing apparatus performs a process in accordance with a command. The information processing apparatus includes a first selection unit configured to refer to a storage unit that stores a plurality of recognition commands for inputting the command by speech, recognize input speech and select a command based on the recognized input speech, and a second selection unit configured to sequentially select a plurality of commands that correspond to a plurality of recognition commands stored in the storage unit. The information processing apparatus further includes a process determination unit configured to select either the first selection unit or the second selection unit based on an operation performed on a predetermined operation unit, and an execution unit configured to execute a command which is selected by one of the selection units that is selected by the process determination unit.
US08041563B2
Activity is determined for each frequency band in a frame, and when it is determined that an activity-OFF state has not continued for a predetermined number of times for preceding frames, normal coding processing is performed for the frequency band. When it is determined that the activity-OFF state has continued for the predetermined number of times or more, DTX coding is performed for the frequency band. After this processing has been performed for all of the bands of one frame, a total power of the one entire frame and the power of the band or bands to which the DTX coding is applied are calculated. Subsequently, a new target bit value is calculated based on a ratio of the total power of the one entire frame and the power of the band or bands to which the DTX coding is applied.
US08041562B2
A technique is described herein for reducing audible artifacts in an audio output signal generated by decoding a received frame in a series of frames representing an encoded audio signal in a predictive coding system. In accordance with the technique, it is determined if the received frame is one of a predefined number of received frames that follow a lost frame in the series of the frames. Responsive to determining that the received frame is one of the predefined number of received frames, at least one parameter or signal associated with the decoding of the received frame is altered from a state associated with normal decoding. The received frame is then decoded in accordance with the at least one parameter or signal to generate a decoded audio signal. The audio output signal is then generated based on the decoded audio signal.
US08041555B2
A method, information processing system, and wireless communication device that translate text within an image captured by a wireless device. At least one image (114) is received image from a wireless device (104). A location where the image (114) was captured by the wireless device (104) is determined. A set of text characters is identified (414) within the image (114). A language associated with the set of text characters is determined (416) based on at least the location that has been determined. The set of text characters is translated (418) into a language that is different than language that has been determined.
US08041550B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for computing two-way rigid body coupling in a two-dimensional height field simulation, such as a shallow water simulation. Coupling from a rigid body to a fluid is computed using fluid displacement of the body in each grid cell. The body is projected onto a simulation plane to determine which grid cells are covered by the body. Fluid displacement from the body is computed for each grid cell based on displacement within a corresponding vertical column of fluid. Fluid displacement is distributed to neighboring grid cells prior to a height field computation. Coupling from the fluid to the rigid body is computed by integrating forces imparted on the body by the fluid at each grid cell. The integrated forces are used to compute a new position for the body in a subsequent simulation time step.
US08041549B2
An analyzation apparatus which performs an analysis simulation in accordance with analysis condition data. An analysis condition modeling unit generates an analysis condition model data by assigning an analysis condition to each region of a three-dimensional model represented with analysis object model data of the analysis simulation based on analysis condition data set for the analysis simulation. A rendering unit renders the three-dimensional model represented with the analysis condition model data and displays the three-dimensional model on a display device.
US08041543B2
A system and method of input/output (I/O) workload analysis of the components in a storage area network (SAN) are disclosed. In one embodiment, I/O workloads of components in the SAN are analyzed by determining host bus adapter (HBA) port to storage port oversubscription ratios as well as HBA port to inter-switch link (ISL) oversubscription ratios. A subset of the components for monitoring based on the HBA port to storage port oversubscription ratios and the HBA port to ISL oversubscription ratios is selected. The subset of the components is continuously monitored and the I/O statistics of the subset of the components are stored. Expected I/O workloads of the subset of the components are forecast based on current I/O workloads associated with the I/O statistics of the subset of the components and respective I/O workload threshold values of the subset of the components.
US08041540B2
A method for monitoring a wind turbine. A monitoring signal, including an audio signal and/or an image signal, is received from a monitoring device. Operating data are calculated based on the received monitoring signal. An operating condition and/or a deviation is determined by comparing the operating data to baseline data.
US08041535B1
The present invention is a targeting system for tracking angle changes from a reference azimuth. The system includes a mount. The mount may be configured for supporting a sighting scope. The system further includes an angle encoder which is integrated within the mount and is configured for tracking angle changes from the reference azimuth. The system further includes an inertial sensor which is communicatively which is also integrated within the mount and is configured for tracking angle changes from the reference azimuth. The system may be configured for selectively relying on angle change tracking provided by either the angle encoder or the inertial sensor.
US08041528B2
An arrangement for calibrating a vector network analyzer (VNA) is substantially secure against operating errors and offers cost-effective calibration by connecting calibration components. Each calibration component includes a transponder and a non-volatile memory which contains, as non-changeable data, at least the type of the component and an individual identification number and, as changeable data, at least the number of calibration processes performed with this calibration component. The VNA includes a wireless interface for reading at least the non-changeable data of a respective calibration component and for incrementing the stored number of the calibration processes performed with this calibration component.
US08041527B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for consistently translating or converting between geometric dimensioning and tolerancing information and variation parameters for a three dimensional variation analysis tool. The methods and systems may receive geometric dimensioning and tolerancing information; translate, with a computer, the received geometric dimensioning and tolerancing information into variation parameters for a three dimensional variation analysis tool; and output the variation parameters.
US08041526B2
A production system includes at least one production component having a production cycle which is interruptible by a detected production failure, at least one detector configured to monitor an output of the at least one production component, the detector configured to detect a production failure and to generate a signal indicative of the production failure, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to, in response to the signal from the detector, cause the respective production component to reject production material for a first predetermined duration of time, and in response to the expiration of the first predetermined duration of time, to slow down production for at least a second predetermined duration of time. The control unit can further return the production system to a normal production state in response to receiving a restart signal before the expiration of the first or second predetermined duration of time.
US08041525B2
In the present invention, for measurement of line widths, for example, at 36 locations within a substrate processed in a coating and developing treatment system, the 36 measurement points are divided and, for example, six substrates are used to measure the line widths at all of measurement points. In this event, the line widths at six measurement points are measured in each of the substrate, which exist in substrate regions different for each substrate. Then, the measurement results of the line widths at the measurement points of the substrates are combined, so that the line widths at 36 measurement points are finally detected. According to the present invention, the measurements of product substrates can be performed without decreasing the throughput of processing of the product substrates.
US08041523B2
The battery charge/discharge current detection apparatus has a power supply circuit powered by a battery mounted on a vehicle and configured to detect a charge/discharge current of the battery by use of a current detecting resistor connected between a negative terminal of the battery and a ground. The battery charge/discharge current detection apparatus includes a first function of detecting a voltage across the voltage detecting resistor, a second function of detecting a charge/discharge current of the battery on the basis of the voltage detected by the first function, a third function of detecting presence of an abnormality of the current detecting resistor, and a fourth function of informing an abnormality detected by the third function to the outside. The battery-side negative terminal of the power supply circuit is connected to the negative terminal of the battery.
US08041514B2
A method for judging feature of malignant tumor is described. The method comprises obtaining step, first comparing step, second comparing step and judging step. The obtaining step comprises obtaining a first parameter based on activity and expression level of a first cyclin dependent kinase (first CDK) contained in a tumor cell of the malignant tumor, a second parameter based on activity and expression level of a second cyclin dependent kinase (second CDK) contained in the tumor cell, a third parameter based on the first parameter and the second parameter, and a fourth parameter based on expression level of a cyclin contained in the tumor cell. The first comparing step comprises comparing a first threshold value with the third parameter. The second comparing comprises comparing a second threshold value with the fourth parameter. The judging step comprises judging the feature of the malignant tumor based on the comparison results of the first comparing step and the second comparing step.
US08041509B2
Collision probability analysis for spherical objects exhibiting linear relative motion is accomplished by combining covariances and physical object dimensions at the point of closest approach. The resulting covariance ellipsoid and hardbody are projected onto the plane perpendicular to relative velocity by assuming linear relative motion and constant positional uncertainty throughout the brief encounter. Collision potential is determined from the object footprint on the projected, two-dimensional, covariance ellipse. To accommodate nonlinear motion in accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the dimension associated with relative velocity is reintroduced by segmenting the collision tube volume into a plurality of mitered tube sections modeled as bundles of parallelepipeds in Mahalanobis space. Disclosed embodiments compute the probability of each parallelepiped as the combined object passes through the space, and sums. The method is not dependent on a specific motion propagator and is designed to handle any object shape by using pixel files of the object images.
US08041506B2
A computer-implemented mapping method is disclosed and includes displaying a first map view of a geographic area on a display of a computing device, receiving a voice or key-press zoom command and generating a first zoom box of a predetermined size on the display relative to the first map view in response to the zoom command, and displaying a second map view of a zoomed geographic area corresponding to the zoom box.
US08041497B2
Methods are provided for operating an engine with a variable fuel blend in a cylinder, where the variable fuel blend varies a peak achievable engine torque for a given operating condition. One example method comprises selectively operating an engine actuator that affects engine torque and engine fuel economy at the given operating condition, and extending operation of the actuator to higher engine torques as a peak engine torque for the given operating condition increases.
US08041495B2
A method is disclosed for managing power in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple components, including at least two of a group comprising an engine, a motor, a generator and a high voltage battery. Power losses in the individual components are computed. An engine operating speed and torque for a given vehicle speed and total power command is determined so that total power losses for powertrain components are minimized.
US08041484B2
There are provided an abnormality reporting device that can generate vibration which can be easily perceived by a driver even when the driver is in a vibrating vehicle during running, and a control program therefore. The abnormality reporting device is equipped with a detector 2 for detecting the state of a driver 10 or the state of a vehicle 20 as a prescribed state when the vehicle 20 is moving, a judging unit 4 for judging on the basis of the detection result of the detector 2 whether it is under an abnormal state, and a vibrating unit 8 for applying vibration of a predetermined vibration pattern to the driver 10 when the abnormality state is judged, and the vibrating unit 8 can apply the vibration while varying the vibration pattern when the abnormality state is continued.
US08041480B2
A future yaw rate γ(t) is estimated according to a current yaw rate γ(t) and a steering angular velocity. As compared with directly detecting the yaw rate γ(t) from a vehicle body, calculating the yaw rate γ(t) from a steering operation can attain a yaw rate having a phase advanced by a time lag Δt, whereby the future yaw rate γ(t) can be estimated accurately.
US08041477B2
One embodiment is directed to providing access between external systems and embedded vehicle electronic systems. That is, an interface module may receive information from a system external to the vehicle, determine an embedded system of the vehicle to which to provide the information, and provide the information to the embedded system. Similarly, the interface module may receive information a embedded electronic systems of a vehicle, determine a system external the vehicle to which to provide the information, and provide the information to the external system.
US08041476B2
A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing information relating to the diagnostic tool and information relating to the configuration of the diagnostic tool and the configuration of the communication with the unit being tested, and an output unit connected to the processor indicating information according to the received and processed information relating to the diagnostic tool and information relating to the diagnosing of the vehicle.
US08041460B2
A user interface for adjusting a plurality of parameters of a climate control system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The user interface includes an input element having a system of coordinates having multiple dimensions, wherein each of the dimensions of the system of coordinates is associated with at least one of the parameters of the climate control system; and a program means to perform at least one of an absolute evaluation of the parameters and an incremental evaluation of changes to the parameters between an adjusted point range and an original point range of the parameters, and transmit a data representing the evaluation to at least one of a control device and a regulation device of the climate control system in order to adjust a value of the parameters.
US08041451B2
A method for providing bin-based control when manufacturing integrated circuit devices is disclosed. The method comprises performing a plurality of processes on a plurality of wafer lots; determining a required bin quantity, an actual bin quantity, and a projected bin quantity; comparing the determined required bin quantity with the determined actual bin quantity and determined projected bin quantity; and modifying at least one of the plurality of processes on the plurality of wafer lots if the determined actual bin quantity and determined projected bin quantity fail to satisfy the determined required bin quantity.
US08041446B2
A post-process sizing control device is provided with origin compensation means for controlling a size measuring device to measure an actual size of a workpiece portion and for compensating the origin of a wheel head by a position compensation amount which corresponds to a difference between the actual size and a theoretical size derived from calculation and size measuring interval setting means for setting the number of workpieces which should be ground during the next size measuring interval which begins after the preceding origin compensation operation and ends with the next origin compensation operation. The size measuring interval setting means sets the number of workpieces which should be ground during the next size measuring interval, based on an average position compensation amount derived by dividing a position compensation amount for the last workpiece ground during the present size measuring interval by the number of workpieces ground during the present size measuring interval.
US08041444B2
One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacturing products that include technology in skilled areas is configuring a production station for use by an operator without specialized skills. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station configurable to perform one or more of incoming inspection, assembly, testing, and branding. A preferred approach includes verifying data associated with units prior to accepting them for incorporation, preventing incorporation of an incorrect unit, and guiding an operator in possible remedial action. This approach includes storing data in a server and making such data substantially instantly accessible to production stations once written in the server. Such data preferably includes software to configure the production station such that the operator need not have specialized skills. A production station designed using this approach is particularly useful in the manufacture of an outdoor unit of a split-mount microwave radio system.
US08041439B2
A 3D virtual model of an intra oral cavity in which at least a part of a finish line of a preparation is obscured is manipulated in virtual space by means of a computer or the like to create, recreate or reconstruct finish line data and other geometrical corresponding to the obscured part. Trimmed virtual models, and trimmed physical models, can then be created utilizing data thus created. The virtual models and/or the physical models may be used in the design and manufacture of copings or of prostheses.
US08041436B2
Controller scaling and parameterization are described. Techniques that can be improved by employing the scaling and parameterization include, but are not limited to, controller design, tuning and optimization. The scaling and parameterization methods described here apply to transfer function based controllers, including PID controllers. The parameterization methods also applies to state feedback and state observer based controllers, as well as linear active disturbance rejection controllers.
US08041435B2
An object can be used in an industrial control configuration in relation to performing a function or task. Matching can occur such that an object with operational requirements can bind with a host that has capabilities that meet those operational requirements—matching can occur automatically as well as through user operation. Once matched, different functionality can be presented to a user pertaining to the object. To assist the user, the object can include external references, logic, local or private data, as well as others in addition to resources. To facilitate operation, capabilities and resources can be published in a directory that can be accessed by different entities—sometimes with security constraints in order to protect configuration integrity. Likewise, a subscription system can be employed such that when a change to a related entity is made, a notice can transfer to related entities and operation can alter based upon the change.
US08041431B2
A system and method for in situ trimming of oscillators in a pair of implantable medical devices is provided. Each frequency over a range of oscillator trim frequencies for an initiating implantable medical device is selected and a plurality of commands are sent via an acoustic transducer in situ over the frequency selected. Each frequency over a range of oscillator trim frequencies for a responding implantable medical device is selected and a response to each of the commands received is sent via an acoustic transducer in situ over the frequency selected. The responses received by the initiating implantable medical device are evaluated and a combination of the oscillator trim frequencies for both implantable medical devices that together exhibit a strongest acoustic wave is identified. Oscillators in both implantable medical devices are trimmed to the oscillator trim frequencies in the combination identified.
US08041427B2
An implantable medical device having a case with therapeutic componentry contained with the case. A module has a rail around at least a portion of a perimeter of the module and is adapted to be mechanically secured to the case. The case has a rigid fastening channel adapted to receive the rail of the module. The rigid fastening channel has an opening allowing the rail of the module to drop into the rigid fastening channel through the opening and then slide along the rigid fastening channel to be mechanically secured to the case.
US08041423B2
Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulator, a premature ventricular contraction (PVC) event detector, a heart rate detector, an analyzer, and a controller. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a stimulation signal adapted to stimulate an autonomic neural target. The analyzer is adapted to, in response to a PVC event signal from the PVC event detector, generate an autonomic balance indicator (ABI) as a function of pre-PVC heart rate data and post-PVC heart rate data. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08041416B2
A method of assessing a patient's susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia obtaining data by applying electrodes to detect electrocardiographic signal. A plurality of synchronized subthreshold electrical stimuli are delivered into the patient's body to present stimulated cardiac cycles to the electrodes and unstimulated reference cardiac cycles to the electrodes the signals are analyzed by creating a matrix of vectorized time-phase data representing a plurality cardiac cycles contained in the electrocardiographic signals that are recorded the method includes processing the matrix to generate spectral analytic representation of the matrix, analyzing at least the spectral analytic representation to determine at least one alternans index for the patient; and displaying the at least one alternans index as an indicator of the patient's susceptibility to arrhythmia.
US08041415B2
An ultrasonic diagnosis system and strain distribution display method utilizing an ultrasonic probe for performing transmission/reception of ultrasonic signals to/from a subject, a storage arrangement for storing the properties of signals detected with the ultrasonic probe, a correlation computer for calculating a correlation coefficient between the properties with and without pressure applied to the subject, and a phase difference between the received signals with and without application of pressure, based upon the properties stored in the storage arrangement with and without pressure applied to the subject, a computer for calculating a displacement of each measurement point, and a strain distribution of tissue of the subject due to application of pressure, based upon the correlation coefficient and phase difference calculated by the correlation computer, and a display for displaying the strain distribution.
US08041404B2
A system and method for managing messaging in a mobile communication system (e.g., having power-save capability) in a multiple network environment. For example, the mobile communication system may operate in a power-save mode (e.g., a mode in which the mobile communication system does not communicate messages). The mobile communication system may exit the power-save mode. After exiting from the power-save mode, the mobile communication system may determine to establish communication with a second system (e.g., a message server) over a second communication path instead of a first communication path. Communication with the second system may be established over the second communication path, and message-related information may be communicated between the mobile communication system and the second system. Such message-related information may, for example, comprise message information, information regarding message availability, or information regarding the communication of message information.
US08041398B2
In one aspect, a method for realizing a presence service with a buddy list that can be displayed on a display device of a terminal is provided. In an activated state, the buddy list itself is displayed, and in a deactivated state, the buddy list itself is not visible. The buddy list is updated by a control device during a change in state of at lest one subscriber to be monitored and/or of at least one device assigned to the subscriber. According to the invention, the updating of the buddy list ensues in the deactivated state by means of the control device while using a method other than one used in the activated state.
US08041390B2
A mobile communication terminal, a computer program product and a data uploading method by which data stored in a mobile terminal can be shared in a manner of uploading the data to websites. The mobile communication terminal includes a camera for capturing an image, a memory for storing data, a display for displaying the stored data, an input unit for selecting one of the stored data to upload to a website, the input unit for inputting an upload information on the selected data, a wireless communication unit for transmitting the selected data to upload to the website, and a control unit, if the selected data is completely uploaded, the control unit causing access to the website to be automatically released.
US08041373B2
The present invention relates to a method in a first communications device for sharing an application with a second communication device. The method comprises the steps of: Sending a first short message service (SMS) to the second device. The first SMS comprises a link to a place from where the application can be downloaded into the second device. The first SMS comprises an identity for the second device to use for initiating an IP connection between the first device and the second device and the second device. The method comprises the further step of being connected by the second device for setting up an IP connection between the first device and the second device. The method comprises the further step of communicating with the second device in an IP connection sharing the application.
US08041365B1
A system and method are provided for obtaining information on inquiries related to location dependent facts utilizing mobile networked communication devices and preselected respondents who obtain information on the requested facts. The system includes a call center comprising a communication server and one or more work stations manned by call center agents. A plurality of respondents act as information gatherers to find answers to inquiries forwarded to the respondents by the call center. Customers first contact the call center, and inquiries are parsed for location and subject matter. The inquiry is then allocated to a qualified respondent within the area of the location of interest. The respondent gathers information necessary to answer the inquiry and forwards the answer to the call center, preferably by use of the mobile networked communication device carried by the respondent. Respondents log in to the system indicating availability for servicing inquiries. Location tracking is provided so that the call center is aware of the locations of respondents. Global position satellite techniques as well as phone triangulation techniques may be used to track the respondents' locations.
US08041355B2
A method, terminal, and system for cell reselection are disclosed. The method includes: a terminal obtains a dedicated priority list from a first system; and performs cell reselection according to the dedicated priority list when the terminal camps on a cell of a second system. The corresponding terminal and system are also provided in other embodiments of the invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, the terminal performs cell reselection by using the dedicated priority list obtained from the first system so as to free the second system from establishing the dedicated priority list. Problems in the prior arts that establishment of the dedicated priority list causes too much increased signaling and too high costs for network upgrade are solved.
US08041354B2
A mobile unit transmits a request for position registration to a network when moving from a first area to a second area. When the number of incoming calls does not exceed a threshold and the number of movements between the first area and the second area exceeds a threshold, a mobile switchboard combines the first area and the second area into an extended area, and informs the mobile unit of the extended area.
US08041348B1
The communication device which implements a voice communicating function, an attached file emailing function, a geographic location function, a dictionary function, a schedule notifying function, a multiple type TV program function, a multiple TV screen displaying function, a touch panel function, and a communication device finding function.
US08041341B1
An information fulfillment system provides information to a caller having a wireless communication device. Upon manual or automatic input of access codes to the wireless communication device, the caller's identity and the input access code are verified. Thereafter, the call is connected through the wireless network to the system messaging or fulfillment center for automatic or live-operator delivery of the requested information. Automatic verification, connection, and billing modification processes are provided for implementation of the system and method.
US08041340B2
A personal information protecting method of this invention protects personal information saved in a software program installed on a mobile terminal or in a module insertable into and removable from the mobile terminal. The software program installed on the mobile terminal or the module inserted in the mobile terminal is locked or unlocked depending on a state of the mobile terminal.
US08041337B2
When a service providing server receives, from a mobile phone or the like owned by a user, a request to modify a parameter defining the performance of a control device provided in an automobile, the service providing server transmits a requested modification command to the control device. The control device modifies the parameter thereof in accordance with the modification command received from the service providing server. Further, the service providing server records a history of the modification command having been transmitted on a user-by-user basis, and settles an account of the user every predetermined period of time, by requesting the user to pay a fee for the modification. Thus, a service provider is able to charge the user for modifying various parameters defining performance of the control device.
US08041336B2
A technique for determining the time of arrival of a signal involves correlating a received signal with a correlation function to produce a stream of correlation samples including a peak sample, pre-peak samples, and post-peak samples. A curve matching table includes sets of values, where each set of values represents discrete points of a correlation function having a peak at a respective different time shift relative to the timing of the peak sample. The sets of values include first sets of values that are matched with a first set of samples having no post-peak samples from the correlation samples, and second sets of values that are matched with a second set of samples having at least one post-peak sample. The time of arrival of the signal is determined from the timing of the peak of the correlation function represented by the set of values that produces the best match.
US08041335B2
Some embodiments are implemented in a communication system that includes a first communication system comprised of a licensed wireless radio access network and a core network, and a second communication system comprising a plurality of user hosted access points and a network controller. In some embodiments, each access point operates using short range licensed wireless frequencies to establish a service region. In some embodiments, the network controller communicatively couples the core network to the plurality of access points. The method enables an unauthorized user equipment to call from an access point it is not allowed to use for emergency purposes. The method receives at an access point a service request from an unauthorized user equipment with an establishment cause of emergency call. The method sends a registration request to the network controller. The method sends a message to the core network indicating the location of the user equipment.
US08041328B2
The disclosure provides a circuit and method for activating an electronic device from a low power state. The activation circuit comprises: a first accelerometer located in the device to detect a movement of the device along a specific axis; a second accelerometer which is activated upon receiving a movement signal from the first accelerometer indicating a movement of the electronic device along the specific axis; an input device; and a monitoring circuit connected to the input device and an output of the second accelerometer, the monitoring circuit providing power to the input device when the second accelerometer indicates movement of the device that surpasses a threshold and then generating an activation signal to operate the electronic device in a higher power state utilizing a notable signal received from the input device.
US08041327B2
A radio frequency (RF) mixing circuit including a quadrature mixer that receives non-overlapping in-phase and quadrature local oscillator (LO) signals, and a plurality of low noise amplifiers (LNAs) operatively connected to the quadrature mixer, the plurality of LNAs presenting an input impedance at a baseband. A first voltage at an input node of the quadrature mixer is equal to a second voltage across the impedance up-converted to a frequency of a LO signal received by the quadrature mixer. The second voltage across the LNA input impedance includes a frequency of an input signal of the quadrature mixer down-converted by a frequency of the in-phase and quadrature LO signals and filtered by the impedance. The quadrature mixer down-converts an input signal by a frequency of the in-phase and quadrature LO signals and transfers the noise cancelled impedance to a RF to achieve a noise cancelled match.
US08041321B1
Various embodiments for providing multi-band operation in a mobile computing device are described. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may be arranged to support quad-band GSM communication in the GSM-850, GSM-900, GSM-1800, and GSM-1900 frequency bands. The mobile computing device may be arranged to determine a starting frequency band based on the home country and home network. By using the determined starting frequency band associated with the home country and home network of the user, fewer and/or shorter delays may be experienced when searching for and acquiring an available frequency. Once a network search is completed, the mobile computing device may be arranged to determine whether a network can be found in current frequency band pair for normal service, to disconnect from the acquired network if normal service is not supported, and to intelligently search for an available frequency in a different frequency band. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08041309B2
In a multi-core semiconductor device, a data bus between CPUs or the like consumes a larger amount of power. By provision of a plurality of CPUs which transmit data by a backscattering method of a wireless signal, a router circuit which mediates data transmission and reception between the CPUs or the like, and a thread control circuit which has a thread scheduling function, a semiconductor device which consumes less power and has high arithmetic performance can be provided at low cost.
US08041301B2
An ultra wide band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) communication includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first indicator of a multi-radio band transmission, and a receiver configured to receive a second indicator of a multi-radio band transmission.
US08041297B2
A method for supporting a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) communication in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes identifying whether a Mobile Station (MS) is in a wireless communication active state, a P2P active state, or a P2P previous active state, and transiting to the P2P active state if a P2P connection request occurs in the P2P previous active state and transiting to the P2P previous active state if a P2P communication termination occurs in the P2P active state.
US08041294B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a transceiver with a receiver, a transmitter, a local oscillator (LO) generator, a controller, and a self-testing unit. All of these components can be packaged for integration into a single IC including components such as filters and inductors. The controller for adaptive programming and calibration of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. The self-testing unit generates is used to determine the gain, frequency characteristics, selectivity, noise floor, and distortion behavior of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08041292B2
An apparatus includes a network receiver for receiving an over-the-air in-band on-channel broadcast signal and extracting broadcast content from the broadcast signal, and an output for delivering the content by way of a first receiver output signal to a plurality of network player devices. A method performed by the apparatus is also included.
US08041291B2
Methods, apparatuses, and machine readable media relating to content delivery are described herein. A method, according to one embodiment described herein, includes delivering content to a mobile electronic communications device, such as a cell phone, wherein the content is delivered as a predetermined group of images. A server may store various groups of images of wallpapers for a cell phone, and a cell phone user may download a specific group of wallpapers or background images for the cell phone. Apparatuses, media and other methods are also described.
US08041284B2
An automatic document feeder device 100 has a device body 110 disposed on a platen 210 of a document reading device 200 and pivotably openable relative to the device 200 by being hingedly connected thereto. The device 100 includes detectors 130, 140 for detecting a document-stack state of at least one of a feeder and an output tray 111, 112 provided on the body 110, a driver 160 for driving the body 110 to be pivotably opened in an upward direction from the platen 210, an instructor 179 for giving an instruction for the driving, and a controller 172 for, based on a detection result of the detectors 130, 140 in priority to the instruction, to permit or forbid the driving, or to control an amount of the driving. When the device body is automatically opened, documents in the feeder or the output tray are unlikely to fall off.
US08041279B2
An iso-thermalizing printer structure can be used to provide temperature uniformity across a width of a printer fuser roll or fuser belt. Various embodiments are contemplated, including a solid natural graphite shaft, a solid natural graphite core having a sleeve of metal such as aluminum, and other flexible and rigid structures which can comprise natural or synthetic graphite.
US08041278B2
A heating device includes: a magnetic field generating unit that generates a magnetic field; a heat-generating member that is disposed so as to face the magnetic field generating unit, and generates heat due to electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and having a heat-generating layer of a thickness that is thinner than a skin depth; and a temperature-sensitive member that is disposed so as to face a side of the heat-generating member opposite a side at which the magnetic field generating unit is located, a magnetic permeability of the temperature-sensitive member starting to decrease continuously from a magnetic permeability change start temperature that is in a temperature region that is greater than or equal to a set temperature and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature. A convex portion, that projects-out toward the heat-generating member from a surface that faces the heat-generating member, is provided at the temperature-sensitive member.
US08041277B2
An image forming apparatus includes a guide member configured to guide a sheet to a nip section between a heating roller and a pressing roller disposed close to the upstream side of the rollers and on the pressing roller side. A downstream end of the guide member is disposed on the heating roller side with respect to the nip surface between the rollers so that a header of the sheet to be printed is in contact with the heating roller first, and a downstream end of the fixing device introduction guide member is concavely curved.
US08041272B2
Various embodiments and methods adjust and maintain a relative positioning and/or pressure between a first drum and a second drum using first and second bearers coupled to the first and second drums, respectively, and at least one spacer mechanism between the first and second bearers.
US08041269B2
A development apparatus includes a first developer chamber configured to store and supply the developer, a first developer bearer configured to convey the developer supplied from the first developer chamber to a first development domain, defined by a portion of the first developer bearer facing a latent image bearer, to develop the latent image, a second developer bearer configured to convey the developer passed through the first development domain to a second development domain, defined by a portion of the second developer bearer facing the latent image bearer, to develop the latent image, a second developer chamber configured to recover the developer passing through the second development domain and store the recovered developer, and a transfer prevention member provided between the second developer chamber and the second developer bearer to reduce a transfer of the developer from the second developer chamber to the second developer bearer.
US08041268B2
A developing device comprises a latent image carrier that carries a latent image, a toner carrier opposing the latent image carrier while carrying toner to develop the latent image, and plural electrodes arranged in a prescribed direction insulated from each other on the surface of the toner carrier to create an electric field therebetween. An alternating voltage supplying device is provided to supply n number of phases (n ≧2) of an alternating voltage to the plural electrodes, respectively. The alternating voltage changes the electric field to cause the toner to hop and form toner cloud on the surface of the toner carrier. The toner hopping is halted at a prescribed time period during the toner cloud formation.
US08041255B2
An image forming apparatus includes a main body casing, a device that is positioned within a main body casing and having a function, a displacement member positioned in a main body casing and capable of displacement between an initial position and a stop position which causes the device to perform an action, a string-like connection that is connected between the displacement member and a cover member and that displaces the displacement member from the initial position to the stop position in synchronization with the opening operation of the cover member. The string-like connection, and the displacement member in the stop position, constitute an opening restricting device capable of restricting the opening angle of a cover member to a prescribed angle.
US08041254B2
An image forming apparatus may include a sheet conveyance path having a generally U-shaped portion. The U-shaped portion may be formed by inner and outer guides, and the guides may be arranged such that they may be sequentially removed from the apparatus in a common direction, and through a common opening in the apparatus. For example, to remove a fixing portion from within the apparatus, the outer guide may first be removed, followed by the removal of the inner guide, and then followed by the removal of the fixing portion. The guides may overlap one another when viewed from the common direction.
US08041245B2
Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of controlling the temperature of surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a belt including a first surface; at least one heat source for heating the first surface; a roll including a second surface; a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of the second surface; and a roll positioning device coupled to the roll for positioning the second surface of the roll in contact with the first surface of the belt to form a nip and increase the temperature of the second surface, and for positioning the second surface out of contact with the first surface to decrease the temperature of the second surface, in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.
US08041238B2
A patch-pattern forming unit causes an image forming unit to form a patch pattern including a plurality of patches on a conveying member. A detecting unit detects the patch pattern formed on the conveying member. An adjusting unit adjusts an image forming condition of the image forming unit based on a result of detection by the detecting unit. The patch pattern has a length substantially equal to a distance between a patch-pattern start position, which is located at a space corresponding to at least a predetermined margin of a recording medium from a position of the image, and a position of the detecting unit.
US08041231B2
The present invention aims at providing a technique capable of supervising and controlling optical repeaters, without affecting transmission characteristics and wavelength bands of signal lights, by utilizing the Raman effect. To this end, the present invention provides a supervisory controlling system of an optical repeater, in an optical amplifying-and-repeating transmission system for amplifying and repeatingly transmitting signal light propagated through an optical transmission path by the optical repeater, wherein the supervisory control signal light is amplified due to the Raman effect by the signal light acting as excitation light in an optical transmission path (Raman amplifying medium), to thereby supervise and control the optical repeater in accordance with the thus Raman amplified supervisory control signal light.
US08041230B2
A method for upgrading an optoelectrical system includes securing a transmitter to a line card, wherein the line card comprises an optoelectrical connector. It also includes coupling the transmitter to the connector, wherein the connector comprises an embedded fiber configured to be coupled to the transmitter. In addition, the method includes inserting a pluggable form factor module comprising a receiver, an input port, and an output port into a cage secured to the line card. Further, the method includes coupling the pluggable form factor module to the connector such that an optical signal transmitted by the transmitter propagates in an optical line of sight between the embedded fiber of the connector and the output port. The connector comprises electrical contacts that are configured to be coupled to the module such that the receiver can convert optical signals received at the input port into electrical signals and transmit the electrical signals to the line card via the connector.
US08041229B2
A system for optoelectrical communication includes a transmitter configured to transmit optical signals. It also includes a pluggable form factor module. The module includes an input port, an output port, and a receiver configured to convert optical signals received at the input port into electrical signals. The system further includes an optoelectrical connector coupled to the module and the transmitter. The connector includes an embedded fiber coupled to the transmitter and configured to transmit the optical signals from the transmitter to the output port of the module. The connector also includes electrical contacts configured to receive the electrical signals from the receiver. The system includes a cage in a pluggable form factor configured to house the module and the connector, wherein the transmitter is positioned outside the cage.
US08041227B2
A communication device is disclosed having optical and near-field communication capability. The device includes an optical transceiver circuit fabricated on an integrated circuit die and configured to transmit and receive far field signals. A near field transceiver circuit is also fabricated on the integrated circuit die and is configured to transmit and receive near-field electro-magnetic signals. Control circuitry is provided to selectively enable the optical transceiver circuit and the near field transceiver circuit responsive to an external control signal.
US08041224B2
A non-line of sight (NLOS) communications system and method are provided that implement orthogonal frequency, division multiplexing. A data generator produces a digital data stream, which is converted into M parallel frequency sub-carrier digital data streams (where M is an integer), each sub-carrier is encoded with data and an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform operation is applied, and an output signal is converted to an analog signal, which is imposed onto an optical beam generated by a light source. The beam is transmitted skywards at an elevation angle above the horizon in at least one direction. The beam is scattered due to Mie and Raleigh effects, forming a scattered waveform. At least a part of the scattered waveform is received by a receiver outputting an electrical signal, which enters a DSP unit. The DSP unit digitizes the electrical signal, performs Fourier transformation and recovers data from M sub-carrier signals.
US08041222B2
A radio over fiber link apparatus for transmitting/receiving radio frequency up/downlink signals in a TDD mobile communication system. The radio over fiber link apparatus includes a center site for receiving radio frequency signals from an access point of the mobile communication system. The center site has a first electro-optic converter for converting the radio frequency signals into optical signals, bias control of the first electro-optic converter being performed based on the switching of TDD signals; and a remote for transmitting the radio frequency signals to a mobile communication terminal through an antenna. The remote site has a first photoelectric converter for converting the optical signals transmitted through an optical fiber from the center site into radio frequency signals.
US08041210B2
An optical transmission system includes more optical channels than electrical channels. If an optical channel is not functioning, the signals may be diverted to another optical channel since there are more optical channels than electrical channels. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to switches for switching the electrical channels to particular optical channels on either or both of the transmission and reception side. The switches include switching elements and selector elements for routing the electrical signals between the electrical channels and optical channels. In one embodiment, the multiple optical channels are incorporated into a single cable. The single cable may have the electrical interface for a number of electrical channels exposed for mechanical and electrical coupling with an external port, whereas the optical channels may be hidden within the cable coating.
US08041209B2
A door mirror which includes a camera for checking the side of a vehicle which is in a blind spot of a driver, has a door mirror body having a through hole formed for lens side part of the camera to be inserted therein, and a camera cover having an opening part for exposing the lens part formed, and the camera cover has the first abutting surface which abuts on the outer surface of the door mirror body with elasticity.
US08041204B2
An optical element position control mechanism includes an optical element holding member which holds an optical element of a photographing system; an advancing/retracting movement guide member which guides the optical element holding member in an optical axis direction of the photographing system to be movable in the optical axis direction; and a biasing device including an arm, the arm being swingable about a swing axis which is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis and being engaged with the optical element holding member. The biasing device simultaneously exerts via the arm both a biasing force in a direction of movement of the optical element holding member that is guided by the advancing/retracting movement guide member and a biasing force in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the optical element holding member on the optical element holding member.
US08041201B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing, a first magnet member, a lens holder, and a second magnet member. The first magnet member is connected to the housing. The first magnet member includes a first surface. The lens holder is in the housing. The lens holder includes a lens. The second magnet member is connected to the lens holder. The second magnet member includes a second surface. The second surface is opposite the first surface of the first magnet member. The second magnet member is configured to move in a direction substantially normal to the first surface of the first magnet member when a magnetic force is generated between the first magnet member and the second magnet member.
US08041198B2
In photo-irradiation heating with a total photo-irradiation time of one second or less, after initial photo-irradiation of a semiconductor wafer is performed while increasing an emission output to a target value, succeeding photo-irradiation of the semiconductor wafer is performed while maintaining the emission output within a range of plus or minus 20% from the target value. The photo-irradiation time for the initial photo-irradiation ranges from 0.1 to 10 milliseconds, and the photo-irradiation time for the succeeding photo-irradiation ranges from 5 milliseconds to less than one second. This allows the temperature of the semiconductor wafer even at a somewhat greater depth below the surface to be raised to some extent while allowing the surface temperature to be maintained at a generally constant processing temperature, thus achieving both the activation of implanted ions and the repair of introduced defects without any thermal damage to the semiconductor wafer.
US08041194B2
A decode control apparatus for decoding encoded data and generating reverse playback image data is provided. The apparatus includes a unit for controlling the reading of the encoded data at a specified playback speed and a unit for generating, from the encoded data read under the control of the read control unit, a plurality of shortened encoded data groups. The apparatus also includes a unit for distributing the plurality of shortened encoded data groups among a plurality of decoders and a unit for generating the reverse playback image data responsive to the specified playback speed, based on decoding the plurality of shortened encoded data groups by the plurality of decoders.
US08041193B2
In the data structure for managing reproduction of text subtitle data, a recording area stores at least one subplayitem. The subplayitem identifies more than one clip information file name, and each clip information file named by the subplayitem indicates an associated clip of auxiliary presentation data to reproduce from the recording medium. The auxiliary presentation data in each clip is associated with at least a portion of main presentation data recorded on the recording medium, and the subplayitem indicates a single presentation interval for the associated clips.
US08041190B2
According to one embodiment, A nonlinear editing system comprises a video encoder, an audio compressor and an engine unit. The engine unit is adapted to synchronize the video with the first alternate video and to synchronize the audio with the first alternate audio so that, where the scene of the program includes objectionable content, either (i) the video is substituted with the first alternate video, (ii) the audio is substituted with the first alternate audio, or (iii) both the video and the audio are substituted with the first alternate video and the first alternate audio.
US08041189B2
The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium for said program, which are designed to facilitate the editing process and permit the recording medium to be used conveniently. The edit list editing unit 55 generates the edit list (which is information about the result of editing) according to information of various kinds which has been generated by editing in the clip data editing unit 54. The resulting edit list is stored in the memory unit 63. At this time, the edit list editing unit 55 generates the clip metadata for the edit list according to the clip metadata of the clips to be edited, which do not need to be in real time. The edit list editing unit 55 generates the discontinuous point of the LTC corresponding to the video data of the clip to be edited and also generates the conversion table for the frame number. The present invention will be applied to the assistance system for video program production.
US08041187B2
An information processing apparatus includes a generating unit for generating a ClipMark formed by a mark specifying a characteristic picture extracted from an input AV stream for providing management information for supervising the AV stream and for generating a PlayListMark. The PlayListMark is formed by marks pointing to a picture optionally specified by a user, from a reproduction domain corresponding to the PlayList defining the combination of preset domains in the AV stream. The information processing apparatus further includes a recording unit for recording the ClipMark and PlayListMark as respective independent tables on a recording medium.
US08041178B2
A loop back connector and methods for testing lines in a fiber optic network are disclosed. The loop back connector includes a ferrule having an interface side constructed for optical connection to a multifiber optical cable. The loop back connector also includes first and second optical loop back paths, each having first and second terminal ends positioned at the interface side. The terminal ends of each loop back path are adapted to be aligned to fibers in the multifiber optical cable. The method includes injecting a signal on a first optical path at a first location, looping back the signal at a second location onto a second optical path, and receiving the signal on the second optical path at the first location.
US08041172B2
The present invention relates to a transmission optical fiber. The optical fiber includes, from its center to its periphery a central core, an intermediate cladding, and a depressed cladding. The optical fiber has an effective area (Seff) of at least about 120 μm2 at a wavelength of 1550 nm and an effective cutoff wavelength (λCeff) of less than 1600 nm. The optical fiber has an effective area of more than 120 μm2 with a cutoff wavelength limited to less than about 1600 nm without degradation of other optical parameters (e.g., attenuation losses and dispersion).
US08041170B2
A photonic bandgap optical fiber and a method of manufacturing said fiber is disclosed. The photonic bandgap fiber comprises a core region surrounded by cladding region. The cladding region includes a background optical material having a first refractive index, and elements of optical material having a second refractive index higher than said first refractive index. The elements are arranges periodically in the background optical material. At the drawing temperature of the fibered, the background optical material has a viscosity lower than the viscosity of the optical material of the elements.
US08041163B2
Optical gratings that perform a number of functions at various wavelengths are formed by various methods that preserve spectral information within a wavelength band, the functions including: coupling radiation from one waveguide to another, controllable gratings that operate on different wavelengths in response to external control signals.
US08041158B2
An apparatus comprising an electronic-photonic device. The device includes a planar substrate having a top layer on a middle layer, active electronic components and active photonic waveguide components. The active electronic components are located on first lateral regions of the top layer, and the active photonic waveguide components are located on second lateral regions of the top layer. The second-region thickness is greater than the first-region thickness. The top layer has a higher refractive index than the middle layer.
US08041148B2
An image processing program causes a computer to execute the following steps. A first step reads data of a first image and data of a second image which are generated by imaging a common object under natural light and have different contents of specular reflection components. A second step generates an output image which gives a different visual impression of the object than the first image and the second image, based on difference data of the specular reflection components extracted from the first image and the second image.
US08041142B2
A method for reconstruction of an image function (r), which represents an object function (ƒ) of an object (1) imaged with periodically structured illumination, from optical section images (gc, gs), which are formed following convolution operations on the object function (ƒ) with a modified illumination point spread function (hI), comprises the steps of generating (S1) corrected optical section images (gc′, gs′), wherein predetermined filter operators are applied to the optical section images (gc, gs), said filter operators being the inverse of the convolution operations, and demodulation (S2) of the corrected optical section images (gc′, gs′) in order to generate the image function (r). In addition, an imaging method and an imaging apparatus are described, by means of which the aforementioned reconstruction method is applied.
US08041140B1
Techniques for modifying an image may be applied to heal texture areas within the image. A region to be healed in an original image may be identified, and a differential representation may be calculated for at least a portion of a texture source image that provides sample texture. Samples of the texture source image differential representation may be copied to a location corresponding to the identified modification region to generate a new differential representation for the modification region. The new differential representation for the modification region may be integrated to produce a modified image. In some implementations, a differential representation may be calculated of boundary pixels that are outside of and adjacent to the region to be healed in the original image. Copying samples of the texture source image differential representation may be performed so as to obtain substantial smoothness between the copied samples and the differential boundary pixel values.
US08041139B2
A method, device and computer readable storage media for enhancing an image for optical character recognition by detecting the edges of the image to create an edge detected image, binarizing the edge detected image to create a binary edge image for processing, dilating the binary edge image to create a dilated binary edge image, taking the XOR difference between the binary edge image and the dilated binary edge image to obtain a text boundary, superimposing the text boundary on the image and determining the pixels of the image that are covered by the text boundary, calculating the average grayscale value of the pixels of the image that are covered by the text boundary, and setting background pixels of the image to the calculated average grayscale value of the pixels of the image that are covered by the text boundary. The method optionally includes the steps of performing edge filling and hole filling on the binary edge image to create an updated binary edge image and filling holes in the dilated binary edge image to create an updated dilated binary edge image, whereby the XOR difference is taken between the updated binary edge image and the updated dilated binary edge image. The image may be binarized for optimal results after the background images have been set to the calculated average grayscale value of the pixels that are covered by the text boundary.
US08041137B2
Methods and systems for a tiled output mode for image sensors are disclosed and may comprise receiving tiled image data from an image sensor that generates output in a tiled format, and sequentially processing the received tiled image data. The received tiled image data may comprise a plurality of lines. A tile received from the image sensor may overlap at least one neighboring tile. The neighboring tiles may be above, below, to the left and/or to the right of the current tile. The size of the received tiled image data may vary dynamically, and may vary based on, for example, a compression format and/or a desired resolution of the image sensor. The method may also comprise generating the tiled image data from an image sensor, and sequentially processing the generated tiled image data.
US08041135B2
An apparatus and method encodes into block units an image in which halftone images and character and/or line images are mixed, and makes a substitution value, substituting for pixels in which pixels of a character and/or line image exist, a value whereby the occurrence of quantization errors of direct current components after frequency conversion is substantially zero, thereby minimizing block distortion of images when decoding. Therefore, a blocking unit inputs images in 8×8 pixel blocks. An acquisition unit acquires pixel data of character and/or line images as acquisition color information and acquires identification information identifying character and/or line image pixel positions. A substitution unit substitutes pixel data acquired as character and/or line images in image data of input blocks with a substitution value determined based on pixel data having halftone attributes.
US08041132B2
Sequential video data frames are encoded using cores including a first core and a second core. A first beginning frame is divided into slices. The first core is assigned to process a first slice. The second core is assigned to process a second slice. The first beginning frame is processed using the cores which results in a first ending frame in which the first slice was partitioned into a third slice and a fourth slice. The third slice was processed by the first core. The fourth slice and the second slice were processed by the second core. A second beginning frame, which immediately follows the first ending frame, is divided into a second plurality of slices. The first core is assigned to the third slice. The second core is assigned to a fifth slice which has a size equal to a sum of the second and fourth slices.
US08041130B2
A compressive overdrive circuit includes: a compression unit for compressing a current frame to generate compressed data for buffering, where the compressed data comprises pixel values of a plurality of non-encoded pixels and a plurality of index values associated with the non-encoded pixels; and a decompression unit for decompressing according to the pixel values of the non-encoded pixels and the index values to generate data of a previous frame. The overdrive circuit performs overdrive processing according to the current frame and the previous frame.
US08041118B2
In an exemplary embodiment, a pattern is recognized from digitized images. A first image metric is computed from a first digitized image and a second image metric is computed from a second digitized image. A composite image metric is computed as a function of the first image metric and the second image metric, and a pattern is identified by comparing the composite image metric against a reference image metric. The function may be a simple average or a weighted average. The image metric may include a separation distance between features, or a measured area of a feature, or a central angle between two arcs joining a feature to two other features, or an area of a polygon whose vertices are defined by features, or a second moment of a polygon whose vertices are defined by features. The images may include without limitation images of friction ridges, irises, or stars.
US08041107B2
A method and apparatus for inspecting defects and attachment position of an attached OVD without any influence of a change in the pattern of the OVD due to fluttering or undulation during conveyance of the printed product. Image input means and illumination means are arranged at positions where mirror reflected light and diffracted light from the OVD have values equal to or less than a threshold value upon a binarization process by image processing means. The image processing means executes the binarization process, compares the image data with the reference image data or the image data with the reference image data and the data indicating the reference position, and determines the acceptability of at least one of the form, area, and position of the OVD attached to the base material on the basis of a comparison result.
US08041096B2
The invention relates to a method for creating scatter-corrected mass density image in dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mass density image is created using additional information provided by attenuation images at different energy levels in an inhomogeneous correction image area. A multi-dimensional mass density is found that is consistent for a plurality of the attenuation images by inverting a primary radiation function. A scatter fraction is determined on the basis of the multi-dimensional mass density.
US08041094B2
In a method for the 3D viewing of tomosynthesis images in mammography, an algorithm is proposed for the viewing of radiology signs in series of 3D data. When the digital volume is being viewed by a practitioner, the disclosed algorithm is used to provide a dynamic indication of the position of the radiology signs on the 3D image by means of markers. The use of dynamic viewing draws the practitioner's attention to the zones of clinical interest. The disclosed algorithm thus highlights all the radiology signs in the 3D image of the breast.
US08041080B2
A method recognizes a set of traffic signs in a sequence of images acquired of a vehicle environment by a camera mounted in a moving vehicle by detecting in each image, a region of interest (ROI) using a parameter space transform. The ROI is tracked and classified as a particular one of the signs. The classifier only uses a same class and a different class, and a regression function to update the classifier.
US08041074B2
A method of indexing content for network searching comprises obtaining media content signals stored on a computer network; deriving content identifiers from the content signals; using the content identifiers to obtain metadata used to classify the media content signals; and creating a searchable index of the media content signals based on the metadata, wherein users access the searchable index on the distributed computer network to submit a search query for the searchable index to retrieve links to the media content signals.
US08041070B2
The invention relates to a small speaker. A speaker 1 comprises: a magnetic circuit 3 having a yoke 7, a magnet 15, and a pole piece 16; a vibration system 4 having a voice coil 18 and diaphragm 19 which are joined to each other through a voice coil bobbin 23; and a frame 2 which holds the magnetic circuit 3 and the vibration system. The voice coil is placed in a magnetic gap 17. In the speaker, dampers 26 which are extended respectively from a plurality of places of an opening side end portion of the voice coil bobbin are disposed, and tip end portions of said dampers are bonded and fixed to the frame. The voice coil bobbin is supported from the lower side. The resistance to input is improved without impairing the thinness of the speaker 1, and while suppressing the increase of the production cost.
US08041069B2
A high efficiency loudspeaker without a damper is provided. The loudspeaker includes magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap and a voice coil member, which has movable coil, disposed in the magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit. The loudspeaker also includes a diaphragm, whose inner peripheral part is linked with the voice coil member, outside the magnetic gap and a frame linked with an outer peripheral part of the diaphragm via a first edge. An inner peripheral part of a suspension holder is linked with the voice coil member at a linked position which is closer to the magnetic circuit than a linked position of the diaphragm and the voice coil member. An outer peripheral part of the suspension holder is linked with a frame via a second edge. The first edge and the second edge are substantially symmetrical with each other about a median of a first edge and a second edge.
US08041067B2
An earphone structure including one or more composite chambers is described. Each of the composite chambers includes sub-speakers. The sounds generated by these sub-speakers are uniformly distributed in the composite chamber and a composite sound field is generated by these sub-speakers. The sound field generated by each of these sub-speakers can be adjusted by re-locating the position of the sub-speaker, for example, by re-locating the sub-speaker, or by re-locating the sub-speaker in different angles, to generate the composite sound field. The sound field generated by the main speaker and the composite sound field generated by these sub-speakers can form a spatial sound with very good quality. By using of its physical characteristics of locations of these sub-speakers, the sound generated by the earphone has an uniformly diffusion sound pressure and a surround effect, which allows a user of the earphone to enjoy a sound field similar to that in a theater.
US08041063B2
A hearing aid that can reflect setting change of the hearing aid responsive to a sound environment by the user as intended, prevent the user from feeling inconvenience or displeasure caused by changing setting of the hearing aid, and enable the user to easily change the setting is provided.A hearing aid of the invention includes a microphone 101 configured to generate an input signal from an input sound, a signal processing unit 120 configured to process the input signal and generating an output signal, and a receiver 103 configured to play an output sound from the output signal. The signal processing unit 120 determines a time response of the input signal based on a contact sound generated when the hearing aid is contacted in a predetermined time period, and changes setting of the hearing aid based on the time response.
US08041062B2
A personal sound system is described that includes a wireless network supporting an ear-level module, a companion module and a phone. Other audio sources are supported as well. A configuration processor configures the ear-level module and the companion module for private communications, and configures the ear-level module for a plurality of signal processing modes, including a hearing aid mode, for a corresponding plurality of sources of audio data. The ear module is configured to handle variant audio sources, and control switching among them.
US08041060B2
There is provided a surround-sound system in which the output direction of a sound beam of each channel in a speaker array can be optimized without requiring a user to make any troublesome operation. A parameter setting control portion 6 controls to output sound beams from a speaker array 1 and rotate the output directions of these sound beams. In addition, based on change of sound pressure sensed by a microphone 7 when the output directions of the sound beams are rotated, the parameter setting control portion 6 determines the output directions of sound beams of at least a part of a plurality of channels in the speaker array 1. The parameter setting control portion 6 determines the output directions of sound beams of the other channels based on the output directions of the channels determined based on the change of sound pressure.
US08041050B2
When a PC (a transmission device) transmits an externally taken-in audio file to an electronic dictionary (a receiving device), the PC encodes the audio file and stores the compressed audio file into its own memory temporarily. On the basis of the file management data created by a file management system when the compressed audio file was stored in the memory, the PC generates a file list for the audio files to be transferred. The file list is encrypted using an encryption key. Then, the encryption key, encrypted file list, and compressed audio file are transmitted to the electronic dictionary. The electronic dictionary stores the encrypted file list and compressed audio file into an SD card and decrypts the encrypted file list using the encryption key. When the decrypted file list corresponds to the compressed audio file, the process of expanding the compressed audio file into an audio file is permitted.
US08041049B2
The invention maintains optimum sound quality even when a listener changes his/her angle formed between a sound wave emitting axis of an ultrasonic transducer and a front direction axis of the listener with respect to the sound wave emitting axis. An ultrasonic speaker system of the invention includes an angle measuring unit that measures a listener angle as an angle formed between a sound wave emitting axis of the ultrasonic transducer and an axis indicating a listener's front direction; a control information transmitting unit that transmits control information including listener angle information obtained by the angle measuring unit; a control information receiving unit that receives the control information; and a control unit that controls the signal processing performed by a signal processing unit based on the listener angle information included in the control information.
US08041040B2
A sound image control apparatus and sound image control method capable of increasing the accuracy, in particular, in the distance direction while keeping fixed intervals of transmission characteristic filters, without increasing the number of the transmission characteristic filters. Sound image control apparatus 100 is provided with distance gain control section 101 that performs gain control of the sound pressure of an input monaural audio signal of one channel in the distance direction from a head to a sound image before input to virtual sound field 1 sound image localization section 120 and virtual sound field 2 sound image localization section 130, and reflected sound gain control section 102 that performs gain control by distance of a reflected sound of the sound pressure of the input monaural audio signal of one channel before input to virtual reflected sound generating section 150 that controls the sound image to be localized outside the head when the sound is listened to with headphones.
US08041039B2
A secret communications system realizes point-to-multipoint or multipoint-to-multipoint connections of both quantum channels and classical channels. Multiple remote nodes are individually connected to a center node through optical fiber, and random-number strings K1 to KN are individually generated and shared between the respective remote nodes and the center node. Encrypted communication is performed between each remote node and the center node by using the corresponding one of the shared random-number strings K1 to KN as a cryptographic key. The center node is provided with a switch section for quantum channels and a switch section for classical channels. Switching control on each of these switch sections is performed independently of the other by a controller.
US08041035B2
Automatic configuration of devices upon introduction into a networked environment, can be implemented, for example, by having a device randomly generate a series of letters and/or numbers, e.g., generate a PIN (Personal Identification Number) that encodes temporary credentials that, in addition to proving ownership and/or control over the device by virtue of having access to the PIN, also allows creating a temporary secure communication channel based on the PIN over which permanent security credentials may be transferred to the device to facilitate provisioning it to securely communicate in the networked environment. In a wireless scenario, a unique SSID and encryption key (WEP or WPA) may be determined as a function of the PIN, where both the device and its access point utilize the PIN to establish a temporary secure communication channel. Various techniques may be used to establish ownership and/or control over the device to prevent inadvertent association of the device with a wrong networked environment.
US08041034B2
Disclosed are a method of multi-streaming encrypted contents stored in a storage medium to a second player during streaming the contents to a first player, and an apparatus using the same. The method includes: temporarily storing the encrypted contents streaming to the first player in a temporary storage medium; and streaming the stored contents to the second player in response to a multi-streaming command input by a user to the second player, wherein key generation information required to decrypt the encrypted contents is not stored in the temporary storage medium. It is possible to provide a multi-streaming with a copy protection through temporary storage, and also to reduce noise caused by rotation of the disc in the streaming apparatus.
US08041032B2
A method, apparatus, and system of encryption, including embedding reconfiguration information within a ciphertext block destined for a decryptor. The decryptor identifies the reconfiguration information, extracts such information, and uses it to alter a pre-cipher, which is used for decryption. The encryptor alters its pre-cipher synchronously with the decryptor.
US08041031B2
Stream ciphers, including synchronous stream ciphers, self-synchronizing stream ciphers, and totally asynchronous stream ciphers, employ a working key and a quasigroup transformation, where the quasigroup used is based on an initial secret key. Error-correction and pseudo-random number generation improver methods also employ quasigroup transformations.
US08041029B2
A mounting device comprises a base for placement on a vehicle dashboard or other surface; an attachment mechanism positioned on the base for removably coupling with the electronic device; a battery system including a rechargeable battery positioned within the base or the attachment mechanism for providing power to the electronic device when it is coupled to the attachment mechanism; and at least one solar cell positioned on or incorporated into the base or the attachment mechanism for charging the rechargeable battery.
US08041023B1
A system and method of using voice to access information in a call center is disclosed. Providing a voice response server to handle requests from local and remote administrators allows a call center to be managed even when administrators are physically distant from the call center. The voice response server may adhere to VoiceXML to process requests for call center information from administrators.
US08041004B2
An interferometer for x-rays, in particular hard x-rays, for obtaining quantitative x-ray images from an object, includes: a) an x-ray source, preferably a standard polychromatic x-ray source, b) a diffractive beam splitter grating other than a Bragg crystal, preferably in transmission geometry, c) a position-sensitive detector with spatially modulated detection sensitivity having a number of individual pixels; d) means for recording the images of the detector in a phase-stepping approach; and e) means for evaluating the intensities for each pixel in a series of images in order to identify the characteristic of the object for each individual pixel as an absorption dominated pixel and/or an differential phase contrast dominated pixel and/or an x-ray scattering dominated pixel.
US08040995B2
A jitter detection circuit includes an oscillation circuit, a measurement period setting circuit for outputting a measurement period signal based on a measurement period specifying signal, the measurement period setting circuit receiving the output clock from a PLL circuit, a counter for counting the number of clock cycles output from the oscillation circuit over the period during which the measurement period signal is being output, a reference count value determining circuit for setting a reference count value for the number of clock cycles output from the oscillation circuit over the period during which the measurement period signal is being output, and an error detection circuit for detecting the jitter error of the PLL circuit based on the maximum count value and minimum count value counted by the counter, and the reference count value.
US08040994B1
A method and apparatus is provided for synchronizing a clock signal by generating time varying PLL phase coefficients which approximate optimal PLL phase coefficients. An acquisition mode phase coefficient is determined by adding an error signal (A) to the sample counter (k) and finding the reciprocal of the result (1/(A+k)). The reciprocal can be calculated in hardware or determined by using a lookup table. A tracking mode phase coefficient is determined based on the error signal for use in the PLL during a track a tracking period. The tracking period begins when the tracking mode coefficient is greater than the acquisition mode coefficient.
US08040991B2
A method and an apparatus for synchronizing a data stream are disclosed. The method comprises: decoding the data stream to generate a decoded data stream and program clock references; generating a local clock reference; generating a simulated clock reference according to the program clock references and the local clock reference; comparing the local clock reference with the simulated clock reference; adjusting a processing timing of the decoded data stream according to the comparison result; and processing the decoded data stream according to the processing timing.
US08040982B1
The disclosed technology relates to estimating the frequency response of a frequency division multiplexed (FDM) channel. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a channel estimation circuit of a receiver can compute initial estimates of the frequency response of sub-channels in the FDM channel. A phase adjustment circuit can adjust the phase components of the initial estimates to provide phase-adjusted estimates. A smoothing circuit can apply a smoothing operation to the phase-adjusted estimates to provide smoothed phase-adjusted estimates. When necessary, a reverse phase adjustment circuit can reverse the phase adjustment by adjusting the phase components of the smoothed phase-adjusted estimates to provide final channel estimates.
US08040979B2
A method of generating a phase value representative of a phase of a complex signal that includes an in-phase component and a quadrature-phase component includes determining a first sign for a first value and a second sign for a second value based on a quadrant occupied by the complex signal. The in-phase component is multiplied by the first value with the first sign, thereby generating a first multiplication result. The quadrature-phase component is multiplied by the second value with the second sign, thereby generating a second multiplication result. The first multiplication result, the second multiplication result, and a bias value are added, thereby generating the phase value for the complex signal.
US08040952B2
Scalable multi-view image encoding and decoding methods and apparatuses are provided. The scalable multi-view image encoding and decoding methods and apparatuses filter multi-view images input from a plurality of cameras in spatial-axis and in temporal-axis directions using motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTF) or hierarchical B-pictures and scalably code the filtered multi-view.
US08040936B2
The present invention describes a spread spectrum communication system wherein the frequency of carriers and the code channels of the carriers or both for transmission to a given remote station user vary in time. This provides for a direct sequence spectrum communications system which changes frequency or code channel according to a predetermined pattern. The code channels and frequencies can be determined in accordance with a deterministic function or based upon a subset of the data to be transmitted. A receiver structure is also described for receiving the same.
US08040932B2
The present application relates to a semiconductor laser, in particular such a laser which operates with substantially single longitudinal mode emission. The laser comprising a laser cavity, the laser further comprising a slot having an interface, characterized in that the slot is substantially filled with a reflective material having a large imaginary index relative to the laser cavity material. The interfaces of the slot may be inclined or may have a step for introducing a quarter wave phase shift.
US08040928B2
A semiconductor laser is provided capable of generating very narrow laser beams and having stable characteristics, a method for generating the laser beams and a method for reducing a spectral line-width of the laser beams. The semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor active layer, a photonic crystal optical waveguide forming a periodic structure of two-dimensional refractive index within a plane perpendicular to a semiconductor laminate direction directly or indirectly connected to the semiconductor active layer; and an optical cavity that contains the semiconductor active layer and the photonic crystal optical waveguide and oscillates light that is generated from the semiconductor active layer and is guided through the photonic crystal optical waveguide as laser.
US08040927B2
A ring-cavity or linear-cavity all-fiber-based ultra short pulse laser system and method of operating the same are provided. The all-fiber-based ultra short pulse laser system includes a pulse pump light source, a gain fiber, a first fiber signal pump combining unit, a broadband optical isolator, a fiber saturable absorber, an assistant light source, a second fiber signal pump combining unit, and a light coupling output. The first fiber signal pump combining unit is respectively connected to the pulse pump light source and the gain fiber to emit broadband amplified spontaneous emission, then the broadband amplified spontaneous emission passes through the broadband optical isolator. The second fiber signal pump combining unit is respectively connected to the assistant light source and the fiber saturable absorber. An ASE signal actively provides passive mode locking of the cavity, and the light coupling output partially outputs the laser. A dispersion fiber controls the temporal width.
US08040926B2
A multi-core fiber for an optical pumping device is provided. The multi-core fiber includes a plurality of optical fibers that are inserted into holes of an alignment member. The optical fibers and the alignment member are integrated by heating. The alignment member includes a material that has a lower softening temperature than a softening temperature of the optical fibers.
US08040924B2
A digital broadcast transmitting/receiving system and a method for processing data are disclosed. The method for processing data may enhance the receiving performance of the receiving system by performing additional coding and multiplexing processes on the traffic information data and transmitting the processed data. Thus, robustness is provided to the traffic information data, thereby enabling the data to respond strongly against the channel environment which is always under constant and vast change.
US08040923B2
Communication methods and apparatuses are provided.
US08040921B2
Methods and systems for selectively transferring confidential or private information to a user of a communication device are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a trigger event is detected at a first communication device, resulting in the retrieval of a data object for transmission to a second communication device. If the data object includes private or confidential information, consent of a user of the first communication device is required before the data object may be sent to the second communication device. In some embodiments, consent is obtained by explicitly requesting consent from a user. In others, consent may be deemed under pre-determined circumstances.
US08040918B2
A method of allocating upstream bandwidth in a passive optical access network includes associating a first timer to a first upstream traffic flow and associating a second timer to a second upstream traffic flow. During a given frame period, if the first timer is at its expiration value and the second timer is not at its expiration value, then a first portion of the upstream bandwidth is allocated to the first upstream traffic flow. If a second portion of the upstream bandwidth is left, at least part of that second portion is allocated to the second upstream traffic flow before the second timer expires. If the first and second timers have not expired, then at least part of the upstream bandwidth is allocated to at least one of the first and second upstream traffic flows.
US08040916B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to provision a first customer interface to a service instance, and identifying a resource capacity for a resource associated with a service controller of a system. A determination is made as to whether a sum of resource requirements for a first set of customer interfaces that does not include the first customer interface exceeds the resource capacity. The method further includes provisioning the first customer interface to the service instance if it is determined that the sum of the customer instance resource requirements does not exceed the resource capacity.
US08040914B2
A system and method for creating and enforcing meta-zones that cross the interface between different network protocols are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of enforcing meta-zones comprises: (a) receiving an Infiniband (IB) packet destined for a Fibre Channel (FC) target device; (b) comparing a partition key in the IB packet to a partition key associated with the FC target device; and (c) converting the IB packet to a FC frame only if the partition keys match. The method may further comprise receiving FC frames destined for an IB target device and converting the FC frame into an IB packet having a partition key associated with the source of the FC frame. Also disclosed are a gateway configured to create and enforce meta-zones, and computer networks having such a gateway.
US08040911B2
A method and apparatus for allocating upstream channel resources in a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network are provided. A cable modem termination system (CMTS) previously provides cable modems (CMs) with a plurality of burst profiles through an extended interval usage code (IUC) of an upstream channel descriptor (UCD) message, and allocates resources to CMs by using an optimized burst profile according to an upstream channel status, thereby increasing transmission efficiency of an upstream channel.
US08040906B2
A set of critical nodes or links is identified on the network through which most of the shortest paths on the network occur. Each node compares their distance to end points on the network with a distance between the end points and each of the distinct critical nodes. Where the distance between the end points and the critical nodes is shorter than the distance between the end points and the node, the node is not on the shortest path and does not install forwarding state. Where the distance between the end points and the critical node is larger than or equal to the distance between the end points and the node, the node may be on the shortest path between the pair of end nodes and installs forwarding state. Installation of forwarding state may cause packet duplication, but determining forwarding state is dramatically simplified. The level of duplication may be reduced by selecting a larger number of critical nodes on the network.
US08040898B2
A wireless LAN communications system with high transmission efficiency is provided. When a first wireless terminal normally receives a Data1 signal from an access point, the wireless terminal transmits an ACK signal. In the case where the wireless terminal has transmission data, the client transmits a Data2 signal to the access point after an SIFS interval. Meanwhile, when the access point or a second wireless terminal receives the ACK signal from the first wireless terminal, the second client waits a (DIFS+random number) interval, in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. As a result, the first wireless terminal is able to transmit the Data2 signal with priority, without interference from signals from other devices.
US08040895B2
Methods and systems have been provided for removing dead Access Control Entries (ACEs) in an Access Control List (ACL). In one embodiment, the dead ACEs can be detected for an egress as well as an ingress ACL. The ACEs that have a hit count above a user-specified hit count are checked for their validity. The validity of the ACE is checked, using the information based on a Forwarding Information Base (FIB). If an ACE is found to be invalid, it is considered dead. The dead ACEs are referred as candidates for removal from the ACL. If the ACE is found to be a candidate for removal, a system administrator can either warn the network administrator about the candidate for removal or delete the ACE from the ACL after a pre-defined time limit.
US08040884B2
A method, system, computer program product and apparatus are presented to enable a L2 network device, such as a bridge or switch, to control the flow of a multicast data stream to a connected router in response to control messages received from the router by the L2 network device. By controlling the flow of multicast data streams in this manner, there will be a corresponding reduction in wasted bandwidth due to unnecessary transmission of these multicast data streams and a reduction in processing overhead by the router due to analysis and dropping of unnecessary multicast frames. In one aspect of the present invention, the router can generate the control messages in response to receiving a data frame in a multicast data stream from the L2 network device. The router can determine whether a subscriber to that multicast data stream is connected downstream of the router and then transmit an appropriate control message to the upstream L2 network device, indicating whether the router does or does not have a downstream subscriber. In response to such a control message, the L2 network device can cease transmitting the multicast data stream to the router, if appropriate.
US08040877B2
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network is described in which session state is maintained in access switches, but not signaling gateways which maintain transaction state only during pendency of a related transaction. The signaling gateway further provides transparent inter-operation between the VoIP network and non-IP networks, such as the PSTN, by means of a translator which directly translates messages between the networks.
US08040862B1
An apparatus for routing in a network environment, is provided that includes an application manager residing in a home network and being operable to interface with an access terminal that makes an emergency call. When the call is placed, a call establishment message is transmitted and is marked as an emergency call, the home network recognizing an identity of a visited network emergency services application server that resides in a visited network. If the access terminal cannot reach the home network at the time the emergency call is made, the access terminal can make the emergency call directly through the visited network emergency services application server. In more particular embodiments, the home network knows the identity through configuration or through dynamic means. Alternatively, the home network knows the identity through a registration mechanism via the access terminal.
US08040859B2
A location of node i in a network having a plurality of nodes is identified by intersecting regions that are guaranteed to contain the node i with respect the other nodes that are neighbors of the node i and iteratively minimizing the size of the intersection region containing the node i.
US08040840B2
A method of merging cells in cognitive radio is provided. The method includes: requesting base stations to merge cells, measuring service ranges of the merged cells using the base stations, and exchanging cell-merging information between the base stations.
US08040837B2
When communicating with a second wireless station, a first wireless station judges, based on link-related information received form the second wireless station and link-related information extracted from a signal transmitted by a fourth wireless station, whether a transmission link from the third wireless station to the fourth wireless station and a transmission link from the first wireless station to the second wireless station can be concurrently established without interference with each other. If judging affirmatively, the first wireless station transmits a signal to the second wireless station in synchronization with a signal transmitted by the third wireless station to the fourth wireless station. Preferably, when the first wireless station having a concurrent transmission control function communicates with the second wireless station having a interference reduction function, the first wireless station controls the interference reduction function of the second wireless station based on the link-related information received from the second wireless station and interference information, such that the transmission link from the third wireless station to the fourth wireless station and the transmission link from the first wireless station to the second wireless station can be established at the same time without interference with each other. If judging that the concurrent transmission is available, the first wireless station transmits a signal to the second wireless station according to a timing that overlaps transmission of a signal from the third wireless station to the fourth wireless station.
US08040836B2
A local network coding framework and method including techniques to improve efficiency in a wireless network by reducing overhead. The local network coding method includes exchanging data availability between nodes on the wireless network by sending Bloom filters of lists of packets to neighboring nodes. Based on data availability, optimized mixing of pure packets is performed to form mixture packets for output. A separate acknowledgement buffer keeps track of the pure packets transmitted but not acknowledged. If an acknowledgement does not arrive after a certain time period, the packet is assumed to be lost and is retransmitted. An optimized packet mixing process generates mixture packets and decides which nodes to send the mixture packets. The local network coding framework and method also includes methods for representing the composition of a mixture packet and using mixing at a wireless access point to improve the performance of the wireless local area network.
US08040835B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to facilitating troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues in a wireless network. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, either a diagnostic supplicant in the wireless client or a diagnostic manager initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic supplicant and the diagnostic manager over a diagnostic link in response to one or more events. In one embodiment, after the diagnostic supplicant establishes a link to a diagnostic manager via a diagnostic link, the diagnostic supplicant generates and transmits a problem report to the diagnostic manager. The problem report initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic manager and the diagnostic supplicant.
US08040834B2
A wireless communication method and apparatus for reporting traffic volume measurement (TVM) information used to support enhanced uplink (EU) data transmissions between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), i.e., a mobile station, and a Node-B. After storing EU data in a buffer, the WTRU sends an initial TVM information request message to the Node-B indicating that the WTRU has EU data available to send to the Node-B. In response, the Node-B schedules one or more allowed EU data transmissions. The WTRU transmits at least a portion of the stored EU data to the Node-B via the allowed EU data transmissions. In one embodiment, the initial TVM information request message is sent by the WTRU only after the quantity of EU data stored in the buffer of the WTRU exceeds an established threshold. Otherwise, all of the stored EU data is transferred to the Node-B without requiring scheduling by the Node-B.
US08040833B2
A method, system and computer program product for the transmission of data from a transmitter to a receiver according to the standard universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS standard). The present invention is directed to improving data transmission according to the UMTS standard. To this end, the transmission of data is accelerated, and an inband-signaling of information is carried out on an MAC-layer plane, wherein the information is particularly relevant to the UMTS base station (BS).
US08040831B2
A system and method for managing control information in a wireless communications system. The method comprises broadcasting a predetermined number of preambles through beamforming from a base station, detecting, by a subscriber station, a predetermined frame associated with one selected preamble that has the highest power level, and identifying one or more subcarriers for carrying control information through the selected preamble.
US08040830B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for negotiating a frame offset between a Base Station (BS) and a Relay Station (RS) in a wireless communication system using a multi-hop relay scheme. A communication method of a superordinate station includes, upon detecting an initial access of an relay station, determining an offset value between a frame number used in the superordinate station and a frame number to be used in the relay station; generating a message including RS frame offset information corresponding to the offset value; and transmitting the generated message to the relay station. Accordingly, since the base station and the relay station share the frame offset, the base station can transmit a specific broadcast message in advance to the relay station by considering the frame offset, and the relay station can transmit data, which has to be transmitted in synchronization with the base station at the same time point or at the same frame number, to a Mobile Station (MS) at an exact time point.
US08040829B2
A method of establishing wireless communications between an interrogator and individual ones of multiple wireless identification devices, the method comprising combining tree search and Aloha methods to establish communications between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices without collision. A system comprising an interrogator, and a plurality of wireless identification devices configured to communicate with the interrogator in a wireless fashion, the respective wireless identification devices having a unique identification number, the interrogator being configured to employ tree search and Aloha techniques to determine the unique identification numbers of the different wireless identification devices so as to be able to establish communications between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices without collision by multiple wireless identification devices attempting to respond to the interrogator at the same time.
US08040826B2
An apparatus and method for configuring a subframe to support a relay service in a multi-hop relay BWA communication system are provided, in which a first zone of a subframe is configured for at least one of communication between a BS and a first MS within the coverage area of the BS and communication between at least one RS and a second MS within the coverage area of the at least one RS, and a second zone of the subframe is configured for at least one of communication between the BS and the at least one RS and communication between the at least one RS and another RS.
US08040825B2
A multiparty calling method, which includes initiating a multiparty call between at least a first, second and third terminal, and setting a flag in the first terminal to inform a processor of the first terminal to skip a process of closing an existing communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal, when the first terminal is disconnected with the third terminal. Further, the set flag is released when the multiparty call between the at least first, second and third terminals has been established for a predetermined time period. In addition, the first terminal preferably sets the flag when the multiparty call join command is transmitted to the network.
US08040824B2
A method for constructing an overlay multicast tree to deliver data from a source to an identified group of nodes is provided in which a plurality of nodes are identified and mapped into multidimensional Euclidean space. A geometric region is constructing having a size that is the minimum size necessary to contain the source and all the nodes. Once constructed, a tree is created beginning at the source and including all of the nodes within the geometric region.
US08040823B2
A method and system for network data transmitting in a communication system includes transmitting a data from at least one transmission node to at least one receiving node of a transmission-receiving group among the plurality of communication nodes by utilizing a node ID, the node ID of communication node in the group is being assigned by a N-carry operation of a determined number N.
US08040812B1
A system is provided for network outage assessment. An outage tool retrieves a scheduled site list from a network management interface for a data network. The scheduled site list specifies sites associated with the network management interface that are scheduled to be active and sites that are scheduled to be inactive. The outage tool retrieves communication site lists from gateways associated with the network management interface. Each of the communication site lists is associated with a corresponding gateway and specifies sites that are in communication with the corresponding gateway. The outage tool identifies sites that are listed as the sites associated that are scheduled to be active and absent from the sites that are in communication with the corresponding gateway as a list of outage sites. The outage tool outputs outage site data based on the list of outage sites to the user interface to enable a management action.
US08040808B1
An intermediate network device performs service aware path selection. For example, the intermediate network device comprises a network interface that receives network traffic and a control unit that couples to the network interface. The control unit comprises a storage medium that stores a first set of cost factors for a first path from the intermediate network device to another intermediate network device. The first set of cost factors includes at least one optimization cost factor corresponding to intermediate optimization capabilities available to the intermediate network device that offset other cost factors of the first set. The storage medium also stores a second set of cost factors for a second path between the devices. The control unit selects either the first path or the second path over which to forward the network traffic based on the first and second sets of cost factors.
US08040804B2
A method of flow control for an IUB-interface, an apparatus, and a base station are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: a frame loss rate of a service is acquired according to the number of lost frames in a predetermined period. A congestion condition at the IUB-interface is determined according to the frame loss rate. A total bandwidth allocated to users' IUB-interface is adjusted according to a bandwidth reservation margin. It is determined whether congestion occurs at the IUB-interface or not by calculating the frame loss rate in the predetermined period, and a maximum available bandwidth for the users' IUB-interface is adjusted in real time according to the congestion condition. Therefore, congestion can be controlled effectively and the bandwidth of the IUB-interface can be used sufficiently.
US08040803B1
Methods and systems are provided for using packet-transport metrics for call-admission control. In an embodiment, a base station provides packet-data service to mobile stations, which comprises (a) providing wireless service over an air interface in a wireless coverage area and (b) providing transport service over a packet-data network. The base station measures, over at least the packet-data network, each packet-transport metric in a set of one or more packet-transport metrics. The base station conducts call-admission control in the wireless coverage area based at least in part on the one or more measured packet-transport metrics.
US08040799B2
A network on chip (‘NOC’) with guaranteed minimum bandwidth for virtual communications channels, the NOC including: integrated processor (‘IP’) blocks, routers, memory communications controllers, and network interface controllers, each IP block adapted to a router through a memory communications controller and a network interface controller, each memory communications controller controlling communications between an IP block and memory, each network interface controller controlling inter-IP block communications through routers, each router coupled for data communications with at least one other router through at least one link, each link including a wire bus wide enough to accommodate simultaneously, for transmission in one direction on the link, all or part of a data switching packet, each router implementing two or more virtual communications channels, each virtual communications channel characterized by a communication type, each virtual communications channel guaranteed at least a minimum bandwidth for data transmissions over a link between routers.
US08040794B2
The subject application is directed to a system and method for rapid switching between anycast multicast sources. Multiple streams of data are received by a server. The server associates a separate source address to each of the received streams and sources the multiple streams of data with the associated addresses to a recipient. The server determines whether each of the multiple streams of data is up or down. The server periodically sends status information with the associated address for each of the multiple streams of data to the recipient indicating whether each of the multiple streams of data is up or down.
US08040792B2
Techniques for configuring a local repair connection for a protected connection including determining a path for the local repair connection. The path traversed by a local repair connection starts at a node in the path associated with the protected connection and ends at a merge point node in the path associated with the protected connection that is downstream from the start node. In one embodiment, the merge point node may even be more than two hops downstream from the start node in the path associated with the protected connection. The local repair path may include zero or more nodes that are not included in the path associated with the protected connection. Techniques are also described for optimizing the path associated with a local repair connection.
US08040791B2
A coordinated channel change system. In particular implementations, a method includes receiving a prepare-to-change message, wherein the prepare-to-change message indicates instructions to prepare to change channels and includes a designated channel, and forwarding the prepare-to-change message to one or more child nodes. The method also includes receiving a ready-to-change message from the one or more child nodes, and transmitting a change-to-channel message to the one or more child nodes, wherein the change-to-channel message indicates instructions to switch to the designated channel. The method also includes receiving an acknowledgement message from the one or more child nodes, and changing to the designated channel.
US08040787B2
Methods and/or systems for reducing peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) may utilize rotation among transmit channels and/or inversion of polyphase sequences of sub-blocks of an orthogonal frequency-division multiplex (OFDM) sequence in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) scheme.
US08040786B2
According to one embodiment, an information storage medium includes an organic dye material which records information with a light beam having a wavelength equal to or smaller than 620 nm.
US08040785B2
An optical disc includes a reflective film formed on concave and convex marks after the concave and convex marks are synchronized with the integral multiple of a channel bit length and formed in accordance with modulated main information. Thereafter, continuous or intermittent laser light synchronized with the integral multiple of the channel bit length is irradiated at intervals longer than the longest one of the concave and convex marks in accordance with a spiral track formed in a circumferential direction of the concave and convex marks, whereby an optical characteristic of the reflective film is changed to form a recordable mark and sub-information necessary to reproduce the main information is recorded in a superimposition manner.
US08040784B2
The invention concerns a reading/writing tip configured in the shape of a needle consisting of a core of refractory material covered with a coating of electrically conductive material, and having an outer microscope needle geometry by tunnel effect, to obtain an information concerning a surface through tunnel-effect microscopy The needle emits a charged particle from the layer of electrically conductive material, to form the surface. The tip comprises a reservoir capable of being liquefied to flow along the tip.
US08040775B2
An optical disc apparatus capable of discriminating swiftly and accurately a dual disc from other discs and an optical disc discriminating method, wherein the optical disc apparatus irradiates laser beams having a different wavelength onto the optical disc, detects the reflected light obtained by the irradiation of the laser beams having the individual wavelengths, determines amplitude of an error signal according to the detected results of the individual reflected lights, and discriminates the optical disc based on a ratio of amplitudes of the individual reflected lights.
US08040773B2
When writing on a recordable medium the recorder can encounter write errors. When a write error occurrs the record carrier is discarded. By ignoring write errors in sections of the record carrier comprising unused information, for instance sections of the lead-in or lead-out the record carrier no longer needs to be discarded.
US08040769B2
An optical disc reproducing apparatus includes: a decode processing circuit configured to generate decoded data by decoding encoded data read out from an optical disc such that the decoded data is written into a buffer memory, and to output a write signal to indicate a data rate when the decoded data is written in the buffer memory. A data processing circuit converts the decoded data read out from the buffer memory into an output data, and outputs a read signal to indicate a data rate when the decoded data is read out from the buffer memory. An optical disc rotation control circuit controls a number of rotations of the optical disc based on the write signal and the read signal.
US08040764B2
An optical disc apparatus includes an objective lens that converges a light beam emitted from a light source and irradiates an optical disc having recording marks formed in a uniform recording layer with it, a detection signal generation section that receives a return light beam from the recording mark and generates a detection signal, a servo control signal generation section that generates a servo control signal representing relative displacement between the recording mark and a focus of the light beam from the detection signal and a servo signal correction section that generates a correction servo control signal by connecting peaks or neighborhoods of the peaks of servo control signals, the peaks being produced according to the recording marks.
US08040755B2
A method and apparatus for estimating a change in length of a wellbore conveyance device in a wellbore. A reference signal is sent along a first path and a wellbore signal having a phase relationship with the reference signal is sent along a wellbore path. A change in length of the wellbore conveyance device is estimated from a phase shift between the reference signal and the wellbore signal. The frequency of the wellbore signal may be changed downhole. The wellbore conveyance device may have at least one conductor under a maintained tension. A length of the wellbore conveyance device is estimated from the estimated change in the length. For a drill string composed of a plurality of wellbore tubulars, a phase shift of the drill sting is determined upon adding a wellbore tubular to the drill string.
US08040747B2
A circuit for controlling precharge in a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a read clock driver configured to drive an internal clock signal and generate a read burst clock signal; a read precharge control unit configured to generate a read auto precharge signal in response to the read burst clock signal, a burst end signal, and a read write mode signal; a write clock driver configured to drive the internal clock signal and generate a write burst clock signal in response to the read write mode signal and a data input off signal; a write precharge control unit configured to generate a write auto precharge signal in response to the write burst clock signal, the burst end signal, a write latency signal, and a write address combination signal; and a precharge signal generation unit configured to combine the read and write auto precharge signals and generate an auto precharge signal.
US08040746B2
A memory device for efficient word line, bit line and precharge tracking is provided. The memory device includes a memory array, one or more address decoders, a word line driver, a plurality of sense amplifiers, a reference word line column, a reference bit line column, and a control circuit. The control circuit generates a control signal to perform read and write operations on the memory device. The address decoder selects a bit line and a word line. The selected word line is activated by the word line driver. While the reference word line column is used for vertical tracking of the word line, the reference bit line column is used for vertical tracking of the bit line. The sense amplifiers are activated to read the bit line.
US08040737B2
A technique for performing read operations with reduced errors in a memory device such as flash memory. An automatic gain control approach is used in which cells which have experienced data retention loss are read by a fine M-level quantizer which uses M-1 read threshold voltage levels. In one approach, M-quantized threshold voltage values are multiplied by a gain to obtain gain-adjusted threshold voltage values, which are quantized by an L-level quantizer, where L
US08040735B2
A memory cell array has a plurality of memory cells arrayed in row and column directions. A plurality of sense amplifier units includes a plurality of sense amplifiers detecting write completion of each of the memory cells selected for each row. A plurality of detection units is arranged correspondingly to the sense amplifier units, and forms a transfer path for transferring potential in accordance with a detection output signal of each sense amplifier unit. The detection units detect a sense amplifier unit corresponding to a portion where the transfer path breaks off, as a sense amplifier unit including write incompletion bit.
US08040727B1
A system of Flash EEprom memory chips with controlling circuits serves as non-volatile memory such as that provided by magnetic disk drives. Improvements include selective multiple sector erase, in which any combinations of Flash sectors may be erased together. Selective sectors among the selected combination may also be de-selected during the erase operation. Another improvement is the ability to remap and replace defective cells with substitute cells. The remapping is performed automatically as soon as a defective cell is detected. When the number of defects in a Flash sector becomes large, the whole sector is remapped. Yet another improvement is the use of a write cache to reduce the number of writes to the Flash EEprom memory, thereby minimizing the stress to the device from undergoing too many write/erase cycling.
US08040720B2
A memory cell device is provided which includes a substrate, a plurality of unit memory cells connected between a word line and respective bit lines, where each memory cell including a resistance variable element, such a phase-change element, and a diode connected in series between the word line and the respective bit line, and a biasing circuit which applies a biasing voltage to the substrate to decrease a current flow in the word line.
US08040717B2
A static random access memory (SRAM) cell includes a first to a fourth semiconductor thin plate that are provided on a substrate and are arranged parallel to each other. On respective semiconductor thin plates, there is formed a first four-terminal double-gate field effect transistor (FET) with a first conductivity type, a second and a third four-terminal double-gate FET which are connected in series with each other and have a second conductivity type, a fourth and a fifth four-terminal double-gate FET which are connected in series with each other and have the second conductivity type, and a sixth four-terminal double-gate FET with the first conductivity type. The third and the fourth four-terminal double-gate FETs form select transistors, and the first, second, fifth and sixth four-terminal double-gate FETs form a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) inverter.
US08040714B2
A multilevel nonvolatile memory device using a resistance material is provided. The multilevel nonvolatile memory device includes at least one multilevel memory cell and a read circuit. The at least one multilevel memory cell has a level of resistance that varies according to data stored therein. The read circuit first reads first bit data from the multilevel memory cell by providing a first read bias to the multilevel memory cell and secondarily reads second bit data from the multilevel memory cell by providing a second read bias to the multilevel memory cell. The second read bias varies according to a result of the first reading.
US08040712B2
An information memory device using an electromagnetic-wave resonance phenomenon is provided to achieve both high density and long-period storage of stored data. Memory cells are three-dimensionally arranged in the inside of a solid-like medium which is not contacted with a surface of the medium, and the memory cell has resonance characteristics to electromagnetic waves depending on the space coordinates of the memory cell. For the medium, a material is selected so that an electromagnetic wave having the resonance frequency of the memory cell. By observing absorption spectra of the irradiated electromagnetic wave or emission spectra after the absorption, three-dimensional space coordinates of the memory cell are calculated.
US08040710B2
A semiconductor memory arrangement includes a circuit board having at least a first layer and a second layer, a plurality of memory units, and a first control device and a second control device adapted to receive command and address signals. A first bus system is disposed in the first layer of the circuit board and coupled to the first control device and to a first group of memory units of the plurality of memory units to transmit the command and address signals to the first group of memory units. A second bus system is disposed in the second layer of the circuit board and coupled to the second control device and to a second group of memory units of the plurality of memory units to transmit the command and address signals to the second group of memory units.
US08040709B2
A semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell array having memory cells positioned at respective intersections between a plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings, each of the memory cells having a rectifier element and a variable resistance element connected in series; and a control circuit selectively driving the first and second wirings. The plurality of first wirings that are specified and selectively driven at the same time by one of a plurality of address signals are separately arranged with other first wirings interposed therebetween within the memory cell array when a certain potential difference is applied to a selected memory cell positioned at an intersection between the first and second wirings by the control circuit.
US08040708B2
The reliability of a semiconductor device is improved.A package of a semiconductor device internally includes a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip in which power MOS•FETs are formed and a third semiconductor chip in which a control circuit controlling the first and second semiconductor chips is formed. The first to third semiconductor chips are mounted on die pads respectively. Source electrode bonding pads of the first semiconductor chip on a high side are electrically connected with a first die pad of the die pads via a metal plate. On a top surface of the die pad 7D2, a plated layer formed in a region where the second semiconductor chip is mounted, and another plated layer formed in a region where the metal plate is joined are provided and the plated layers are separated each other with a region where no plated layer is formed in between.
US08040707B2
A power converter includes a base plate having thereon a switching device, and positive and negative conductors respectively including main portions disposed parallel to the base plate. One of the main portions is placed over the other of the main portions. The main portions are disposed adjacent to and parallel to each other. The main portions are insulated from each other. The power converter includes a capacitor having positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the respective main portions of the positive and negative conductors. Each of the positive and negative conductors includes a side portion extending from the main portion toward the base plate, and a terminal portion extending from the side portion and joined to the base plate. The side portion is formed with a cutout extending from the end adjacent to the base plate to the opposite end connected to the main portion.
US08040700B2
A charge pump has circuitry and implements a method for monitoring a synchronous load by using a first voltage threshold below a target output voltage and a second voltage threshold above a target output voltage. An output terminal is coupled to the load. Charge is demanded by clocking the load. When the target output voltage passes below the first voltage threshold, a first value representing a present size of a charging capacitance is stored as a stored first value, and a second stored value representing a needed changed size of the charging capacitance is used. The present size of the charging capacitance is changed in response to the passing of the target output voltage below the first voltage threshold. When demand for charge from the load is reduced, a present value is saved and a prior value is restored to change the size of the charging capacitance.
US08040699B2
A low-cost integrated circuit is used as a secondary side constant voltage and constant current controller. The integrated circuit has four terminals and two amplifier circuits. A first amplifier circuit is used to sense a voltage on a FB terminal and in response to cause a first current to flow through an OPTO terminal. A second amplifier circuit is used to sense a voltage between a SENSE terminal and a SOURCE terminal and in response to cause a second current to flow through the same OPTO terminal. The FB terminal is used for output voltage feedback and is also used to supply power onto the integrated circuit. The SOURCE terminal is used for output current feedback and is also used as power supply return for the integrated circuit. The cost of the integrated circuit is reduced by having only four terminals.
US08040698B2
Disclosed a switching power source apparatus including: a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding; a switching element to intermittently apply a voltage to the primary winding by an on-off operation; and a synchronous rectifying element to rectify a current in the secondary winding, wherein the switching power source apparatus is a flyback system switching power source apparatus to receive input of electric power from a primary winding side to perform voltage output to a secondary wiring side, and the switching power source apparatus further comprises a load detection circuit to compare an output voltage to be output onto the secondary winding side with a voltage at a node between the synchronous rectifying element and the transformer by adding predetermined weighting to the voltages to be compared so as to generate a signal indicating a magnitude of an output load.
US08040690B2
An inner-connecting structure of a lead frame. The lead frame includes a metal frame having a plurality of leads. The inner-connecting structure of the lead frame includes an insulation film arranged on some of those leads, covering a portion of a first surface of the lead; a plurality of holes formed on the insulation film to expose some of those leads, wherein the hole exposes a portion of the first surface of the lead; and a conductive element selectively connecting the exposed portion of those leads electrically. Besides, an inner-connecting method of the lead frame is also disclosed herein. The insulation film is utilized to separate the conductive element from the lead frame so that the leads can be easily interconnected with each other.
US08040689B2
The present invention can relate to an electronic device having one or more support tabs that protect a circuit board disposed inside the device from externally applied compressive forces. In particular, when a force is applied to a housing of the device, the support tabs can buttress the housing of the device, either directly or through other intervening components disposed within the device, to reduce the likelihood that the housing or intervening components will contact and damage the circuit board. The present invention also can relate to methods for manufacturing such an electronic device.
US08040688B2
A circuit board unit includes: a circuit board; a connector mounted on and electrically connected to the circuit board via a cable; a support member which supports the connector on the circuit board; and an installation component mounted on the circuit board to support the support member. The circuit board has a pair of openings passing through front and rear surfaces of the circuit board on both sides of an area on which the connector is mounted. The support member has an upper plate adjoining an upper surface of the connector, a pair of side plates that are bent from the upper plate and extending along a pair of side surfaces of the connector and each have a leading edge inserted into each of the pair of openings, and a fixed section extending from the upper plate and fixed to the installation component.
US08040679B2
A display apparatus includes a display panel and a chassis base for supporting the display panel. The chassis base has a plurality of metallic plates on a common plane and an electrically insulating connector between edges of a pair of adjacent metallic plates.
US08040678B2
A connecting box for connecting to a solar panel includes a housing and a terminal assembly. The housing has an opening for introducing an electrical connecting element of the solar panel. The terminal assembly is disposed in the housing, which includes a first terminal having a first contact portion for contacting and applying an elastic force to the electrical connecting element and a first releasing portion extending from the first contact portion. The first releasing portion is non-obstructedly arranged in the housing to be operable to release the elastic force without assistance of any tools when the solar panel is inserted into or extracted from the connecting box.
US08040674B2
The present invention provides a heat dissipation module and a fan thereof. The heat dissipation module includes a heatsink and a frameless fan. The fan is disposed in the heatsink. The fan includes a motor base, an impeller, a motor and at least one engaging member. The impeller and the motor are disposed on the motor base. The motor drives the impeller to rotate, and the engaging member is extended radially from the motor base. The fan is directly assembled to the heatsink via the engaging member.
US08040672B2
An organic EL display formed by welding a lid body and a substrate is arranged in a recessed surface of a cabinet; and at least two cushions are arranged between a bottom surface of the recessed surface and the substrate, the cushions being spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the cabinet. A friction reducing layer, which friction with the substrate of the organic EL display is small, is formed on the cushion, and the substrate is slidable on the cushion.
US08040664B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for integrating directly within an electricity meter components corresponding to a high current switch. Line and load terminals forming a portion of the high current switch also correspond to line and load terminals configured for insertion into an electricity meter socket. Plural pairs of spring elements are connected at one end thereof to the meter load terminal while the opposite ends of the spring elements carry contacts configured to cooperate with matching contacts on a conductive support. The conductive support is coupled to the line terminal by a further conductive bar that is configured to support a flux-concentrating core for measurement of current flow through the high current switch. The present subject matter has to do with integrating a service disconnect switch directly into the base of a meter so as to provide a dual functionality component. The integrated switch is configured so as to cooperate with, for example, current sensing components to provide a fixture to secure the current sensing core which can then focus a flux field onto a Hall cell mounted on the metrology printed circuit board.
US08040660B2
Nb1-xTaxO powder wherein x is 0.1 to 0.5 is described. Further, this powder, as well as niobium suboxide powders, can be doped with at least one dopant oxide. Pressed bodies of the powder, sintered bodies, capacitor anodes, and capacitors are also described.
US08040658B2
A SrTiO3-based grain boundary insulation type semiconductor ceramic contains a donor element in solid solution in crystal grains, an acceptor element at least in crystal grain boundaries, an integral width of (222) face of the crystal face of 0.500° or less, and an average powder grain size of crystal grains of 1.0 μm or less. A semiconductor ceramic is obtained by firing this ceramic, and a monolithic semiconductor ceramic capacitor is obtained by using the semiconductor ceramic. The SrTiO3-based grain boundary insulation type semiconductor ceramic powder has a large apparent relative dielectric constant ∈rAPP of 5,000 or more even when the average ceramic grain size of crystal grains is 1.0 μm or less and which has an excellent insulating property. The monolithic semiconductor ceramic capacitor is capable of having a large capacity through reduction in thickness and multilayering.
US08040657B2
It is provided a ceramic multilayer substrate obtained by co-sintering a low dielectric constant layer made of an insulating material of a low dielectric constant and a high dielectric constant layer of a dielectric material of a high dielectric constant. The low dielectric constant layer includes a ceramic component of xBaO-yTiO2-zZnO (“x”, “y” and “z” represent molar ratios, respectively, and satisfy the relationship: x+y+z=1; 0.09≦x≦0.20; 0.49≦y≦0.61; 0.19≦z≦0.42) and 1.0 to 5.0 weight parts of a glass component comprising boron oxide with respect to 100 weight parts of the ceramic component. The high dielectric layer is made of a barium titanate based dielectric material with CuO and Bi2O3 added thereto.
US08040651B2
A method and a corresponding circuit protect a power MOSFET from overload when switching the MOSFET off. The current through the MOSFET is compared to a reference signal depending on the time since switching the MOSFET on.
US08040647B2
A system and method for protecting a reverse battery protected device during loss of battery are disclosed. An embodiment method includes biasing a substrate of a substrate switch of the reverse battery protected device to a lowest potential selected between a battery voltage and ground when the battery voltage is less than a magnitude of a first substrate clamping voltage during reverse battery, clamping the substrate to the first substrate clamping voltage when the battery voltage is greater than the magnitude of the first substrate clamping voltage during reverse battery, and clamping the substrate to a second substrate clamping voltage during loss of battery, where a magnitude of the second substrate clamping voltage is less than the magnitude of the first substrate clamping voltage.
US08040641B2
A magneto-resistance effect element comprises a stacked body which comprises a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a free layer having a magnetization direction that varies according to an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer which is interposed between the pinned layer and the free layer. The stacked body having a constricted shape in which at least one part of the spacer layer is constricted when viewed from at least one direction perpendicular to a stacked direction of the stacked body.
US08040640B2
A slider and micro-actuator assembly of the present invention comprises a substrate having a trailing edge and a leading edge opposite the trailing edge; a read/write transducer formed at the trailing edge of the substrate and a piezoelectric micro-actuator formed at the leading edge of the substrate. The piezoelectric micro-actuator connects with the leading edge of the substrate via two spaced insulation layers so as to form a space between the piezoelectric micro-actuator and the leading edge of the substrate, the substrate with the read/write transducer rotates against a center thereof when the piezoelectric micro-actuator is driven to generate a rotation torque to the substrate via the space. The structure of the slider and micro-actuator assembly prevents the read/write transducer from damaged and gets better operation performance when the piezoelectric micro-actuator is driven. The present invention also discloses a method for manufacturing a slider and micro-actuator assembly, a HGA with the slider and micro-actuator assembly and a disk drive unit having such HGA.
US08040629B2
A method of performing information storage comprises the steps of providing a medium comprising a plurality of concentric rings for storage of information. The medium is written to by a process comprising simultaneously writing and erasing elements in at least two adjacent rings, respectively a first ring and a second ring. Subsequent to simultaneously writing and erasing elements in at least the first and second rings, simultaneously writing and erasing elements in a third concentric ring, wherein the third ring is adjacent the second ring.
US08040622B1
An imaging system (400) includes an imaging lens (116) prone to temperature changes which leads to changes in the imaging focus position of the imaging lens. A temperature sensor (404) configured to monitor the temperature of the imaging lens. An imaging lens adjustment element (120) attached to the imaging lens configured to adjust the setting of the imaging lens. A controller (104) configured to process temperature readings and adjust the position of the imaging lens by activating the imaging lens adjustment element.
US08040612B2
Fluid lens system includes a container enclosing a fluid arranged to refract incoming waves. A pressure release mechanism is in contact with the fluid so as to compensate changes in its volume due to thermal variations. The pressure release mechanism is positioned within a pathway of incoming waves. The fluid container may be connected via a tube to the fluid as a reservoir which is arranged within or outside the container, such as beyond an image sensor. Alternatively, an easily compressible body such as a small closed metal bellows enclosing a gas, is positioned inside the fluid to absorb volume changes by compression. The container may have an inner container part that fits inside an outer container part, where the pressure release mechanism is positioned within the outer container part. A fluid filled cavity including a compressible body may be formed between the inner and outer container parts.
US08040610B2
A light guiding film has a film body and a micro-structured portion. The film body has a first side, a second side and a reference horizontal level vertical to the second side. The micro-structured portion is set on the second side and has a plurality of V-shaped grooves, and each one of the V-shaped grooves has a first sub-face and a second sub-face. The first sub-face has a first included angle between 16° and 22° with respect to said reference horizontal level, and the second sub-face has a second included angle between 8° and 17° with respect to said reference horizontal level. When an incident light beam injects downwardly on said micro-structured portion in a predetermined incident angle range, a predetermined percentage of said incident light beam emit an emissive light beam projected out in an included angle range between 0° and 90° with respect to said reference horizontal level.
US08040604B2
An imaging system is presented for imaging objects within a field of view of the system. The imaging system comprises an imaging lens arrangement, a light detector unit at a certain distance from the imaging lens arrangement, and a control unit connectable to the output of the detection unit. The imaging lens arrangement comprises an imaging lens and an optical element located in the vicinity of the lens aperture, said optical element introducing aperture coding by an array of regions differently affecting a phase of light incident thereon which are randomly distributed within the lens aperture, thereby generating an axially-dependent randomized phase distribution in the Optical Transfer Function (OTF) of the imaging system resulting in an extended depth of focus of the imaging system. The control unit is configured to decode the sampled output of the detection unit by using the random aperture coding to thereby extract 3D information of the objects in the field of view of the light detector unit.
US08040600B2
A binocular display device can include first and second display assemblies. A rail system can adjustably support the first and second display assemblies. The rail system can have a first rail slidably secured to a front region of the display assemblies, and second rail slidably secured to a rear region of the display assemblies. One rail can be at an upper region and the other rail can be at a lower region. Each display assembly can be slidably mounted to one rail along a bearing length L1 and to the other rail along a bearing length L2 that is less than the bearing length L1. A release/locking system can be included for releasing the display assemblies relative to the rail system to allow the position of the display assemblies relative to each other on the rail system to be adjusted, and for locking the display assemblies at a desired position.
US08040599B2
A microscope system is for sequential observation of different fluorescent dyes that are accumulated in a tissue in an object plane. An illumination system and an observation system have at least two operating states. In one operating state, illumination radiation has a spectrum that includes an excitation band of a first fluorescent dye and is partly free from an excitation band of another fluorescent dye. In one operating state of the observation system, observation radiation guided in the first observation optical path has a spectrum in sections of the first observation optical path, which includes a first fluorescence band of the first fluorescent dye, while in another operating state observation radiation has a spectrum in at least some sections which is partly free from the first fluorescence band. A controller is configured to selectively switch the illumination system and the observation system into the first and second operating states.
US08040596B2
The invention relates to an epi-illumination optical system for microscopes which relies upon a Köhler illumination system using a collective lens array, having simplified adjustment function capable of adjusting the image position of a light source to the back focal position of each microscope objective lens in operable association with microscope objective lens replacement. The invention provides an epi-illumination optical system for microscopes, with an objective lens serving as a condenser lens, which comprises a light source, a collimate lens, and a lens array. The epi-illumination optical system further comprises a projection optical system adapted to project an image of light source formed by collective lens array. The projection optical system comprises a partial optical system movable in an optical axis direction, so that the imaging position for the image array of light source is adjustable to the back focal position of the objective lens.
US08040587B2
A package structure and method for packaging a MEMS device is described. In one embodiment, the MEMS base device can include a substrate having a MEMS device formed thereon, a backplate, an exposed or activated desiccant disposed between the backplate and the transparent substrate, and a cover at least partially encapsulating said desiccant. In another embodiment, a MEMS display device can be manufactured by contacting the substrate and/or backplate with a cover which at least partially encapsulates a desiccant, joining the backplate and the substrate to form a package, and exposing or activating the desiccant.
US08040586B2
One exemplary metamaterial is formed from a plurality of individual unit cells, at least a portion of which have a different permeability than others. The plurality of individual unit cells are arranged to provide a metamaterial having a gradient index along at least one axis. Such metamaterials can be used to form lenses, for example.
US08040582B2
A beam delivery system for treating target tissue that includes an input for receiving a light beam, a variable attenuator for providing variable attenuation of the light beam, a power and wavelength detection assembly, a spot size adjustment assembly, and a controller. The power and wavelength detection assembly measures the power level of the beam, and detects when unwanted wavelengths are present in the light beam. The spot size adjustment assembly selectively feeds the beam through different optical fibers to achieve different spot sizes of the beam. The controller controls the variable attenuator, the power and wavelength detection assembly, and the spot size adjustment assembly to achieve the desired power and wavelength, and beam spot size.
US08040580B2
Attribute information accessory to a pixel can be used to determine whether to execute an interpolation process of less than one pixel at a scan line changing point in color misregistration compensation for a printout from an image forming apparatus having a characteristic shifted in the laser scanning direction for each color. When the attribute information is an attribute representing execution of the interpolation process of less than one pixel, it is enlarged in the sub-scanning direction. Attribute information of each color component can be generated from attribute information accessory to a pixel by using the attribute information accessory to the pixel, and each color component value which forms the pixel.
US08040576B2
An image reading apparatus includes an original-sheet support table and reading an image on an original sheet supported by the original-sheet support table. The original-sheet support table includes: (a) an original-sheet support surface on which the original sheet is supported; (b) a contact surface which stands up from the original-sheet support surface and is contactable with one side of the original sheet supported by the original-sheet support surface; and (c) at least one guide mark which is provided in the contact surface. The original sheet is positioned on the original-sheet support surface in a state in which the one side of the original sheet is held in contact with the contact surface of the original-sheet support table and one end of the one side of the original sheet is aligned with the at least one guide mark.
US08040573B2
A method of determining calibration test patterns to be utilized to calibrate a model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system. The method includes the steps of defining design rules associated with a given imaging process; defining a model equation representing the imaging performance of the optical imaging system; determining a boundary of an imaging signal space based on the design rules; selecting calibration patterns based on the boundary of the imaging signal space such that the calibration patterns are on the boundary or within the boundary of the imaging signal space; and storing the selected calibration test patterns, where the calibration test patterns are utilized to calibrate the model for simulating the imaging performance of the optical imaging system.
US08040572B2
A processing apparatus, method and medium storing a computer program that combine two or more designated images (S1254), and input the type of security process to be performed for the combined image (S1253). The security process is performed for the combined image using the information associated with the input type of security process (S1255).
US08040562B2
An image processing apparatus, including a color conversion part configured to conduct a color conversion of image data. The color conversion part extends an information amount of an output value in the color conversion based on a first minimum information amount possible to depict a gradation in a lattice point interval of an input value in a look up table used for the color conversion.
US08040557B2
An image processing apparatus includes a setting unit, a converting unit, and a transmitting unit. The setting unit sets a save-mode for image data to be output to reduce color of image data. When the save-mode is set for image data, the converting unit converts reduces color of the image data to convert the image data into save-mode image data. The transmitting unit transmits the save-mode image data to an external device.
US08040551B2
There is provided an image album creating system for creating an image album by receiving high image-quality images used for creating the image album after creating an image album sample by using low image-quality images, having a low image-quality image receiving section for receiving the low image-quality images of original images whose image quality has been lowered by an orderer of the image album from an image album orderer's apparatus, an image information receiving section for receiving image information concerning the original image that can be specified from the original image or in capturing the original image and cannot be specified from the low image-quality image by correlating with each one of the low image-quality images received by the low image-quality image receiving section, an image selecting section for selecting the low image-quality image to be allocated to the image album out of the low image-quality images received by the low image-quality image receiving section by analyzing the low image-quality image and the image information and a selected image notifying section for notifying the orderer of the image album of the low image-quality image selected by the image selecting section.
US08040548B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for automatically creating printed works. A subset of electronic publications from a collection of electronic publications is periodically selected in at least one computing system. The selecting is directed at least in part by at least one rule predefined by a user. The subset of electronic publications includes at least two distinct electronic publications. A printed work that includes the subset of electronic publications is encoded for printing.
US08040542B2
A display system is provided that can perform suitable procedure display in accordance with the respective operation statuses of a plurality of electronic devices. The display system is formed by connecting an electronic device, a portable terminal, and an information distributing apparatus through a network, and the electronic device has a description tool affixed to the device to indicate the electronic device information of the device and transmits the state information of the device to the information distributing apparatus. The portable terminal acquires the electronic device information of the electronic device from the description tool and transmits it to the information distributing apparatus and displays the returned operation procedure information. The information distributing apparatus registers the received state information of the electronic device and returns the specified procedure display information to the portable terminal based on the electronic device information received from the portable terminal and the registered state information.
US08040534B2
An image processing method in which a RIP process is performed on original image data to obtain raster data with a first resolution, and a smoothing process is performed through oversampling the obtained raster data to generate output image data with a second resolution which is smaller than the first resolution. The method is performed for recording an image on a recording medium by an inkjet recording device that performs the recording by discharging an ink drop on the recording medium from an inkjet head based on the output image data. Here, the first resolution in the RIP process for performing the smoothing process on the raster data is determined according to information that indicates the number of gradations corresponding to the number of ink drops selected in advance and the second resolution.
US08040524B2
The optical tomography imaging system includes a light source, a branching section which branches a light beam into a measuring light beam and a reference beam, an optical probe having an optical fiber, a measurement section which irradiates a measurement target with the measuring beam and picks up a reflected beam, and a sheath which encloses the optical fiber and the measurement section, a multiplexing section which combines the reflected beam with the reference beam to create an interference beam, an interference beam detecting section which detects the interference beam as interference signals, and a contact detecting section which detects a contact area in which the optical probe and the measurement target are in contact with each other. The contact detecting section calculates from the detected interference signals a distance between the optical probe and the measurement target, and uses the calculated distance to detect the contact area.
US08040520B2
A device for detecting the edges of a workpiece held on the chuck table of a processing machine, having a beam oscillation means for oscillating a detection beam, an objective lens for focusing the detection beam oscillated from the beam oscillation means, and a reflected light detection means for detecting the reflected light of the detection beam applied through the objective lens, wherein the beam oscillation means oscillates the detection beam in such a manner that the optical axis of the detection beam becomes parallel to the center axis of the objective lens at a position offset from the center axis; and the reflected light detection means detects the edge of the workpiece based on a positional difference between reflected light obtained when the detection beam applied through the objective lens is reflected on an area where the workpiece is not existent and refracted by the objective lens and reflected light obtained when the detection beam is reflected on the workpiece and refracted by the objective lens.
US08040515B2
In order to provide a fluorescence detection apparatus having a high sensitivity, a high processing capacity and a competitive edge in cost, the fluorescence detection apparatus according to this invention irradiate the sample with light so that the aspect ratio of the form of the irradiated region by light on the arrangement surface of the sample may be 1±0.1. The preferable form of irradiate region is not limited to one and varies to some extent depending on the item to be optimized. The form of irradiated region may be, for example, a circle, an equilateral triangle, a square, a regular hexagon and the like.
US08040512B2
An illuminating optical system of an inspection device selects an arbitrary wavelength region from the light source, and epi-illuminates the sample via the polarizer and the objective lens. A detecting optical system includes an analyzer having a polarization plane intersected with a polarization direction of the polarizer. Then, the detecting optical system detects light from the sample via the objective lens and the analyzer, and acquires a Fourier image of a sample surface based on this light. An imaging section images the Fourier image. An analyzing section performs computation for processing for determining a notable area to be affected by a state of the pattern more than other areas in the Fourier image.
US08040509B2
The invention concerns high sensitivity light scattering detection and its application to evaporative light scattering detection in liquid chromatography. The exemplary embodiment includes a detection cell to accept particles suspended in a gas stream and permit a polarized light beam to pass through a trajectory of the particles and gas stream. A sample light detector is disposed to detect light scattered in the detection cell. A light trap accepts the polarized beam after it passes through the detection cell. The light trap includes an elongated housing through which the polarized beam passes, and light absorptive material within the elongated housing. An absorptive filter is aligned such that the angle of incidence of the light beam upon the filter approximates Brewster's angle and the electric field vector of the beam is aligned with the plane of incidence between the beam and the filter. Other embodiments of the invention provide increased light collection. Embodiments of the invention include temperature-controlled entrance and exit ports that control particle trajectory. Embodiments of the invention include a reference cell disposed between a detection cell and a light trap, and the reference cell includes lensing and a spherical mirror to direct light toward a reference light detector. The reference light detector provides a reference signal that may be used with noise cancellation circuitry, operating in either voltage or current mode, to reduce light source noise in the sample signal.
US08040508B2
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for measuring mean particle size and concentration of a polydispersion of agglomerates are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a light source; a focusing lens to form a probe volume; a first light detector positioned at a first angular position from the beam of light; and a second light detector positioned at a second angular position from the first direction of the beam of light, the mean particle size and concentration being determined using nearly invariant functions of a ratio of the light scattered measured by the first and second detectors.
US08040506B2
A sensor for a spectrometer is provided, which includes at least one optical element onto which an excitation light source beam is directed and from which a target beam is emitted towards a sample to be analyzed. The at least one optical element can move, thereby enabling the direction of the target beam to be varied.
US08040502B2
The invention is directed at a method and system of detecting defects in a transparent media such as a piece of glass. The method comprises the steps of transmitting light from a light source towards the transparent media and then detecting defects in the transparent media by scanning the light as it is reflected or passes through the transparent media. The method and system may operate in any one of a dark field mode, a bright field mode for scanning or a bright field mode for inspecting.
US08040501B2
An image forming apparatus includes a carrier, a forming device forming a mark on the carrier, a sensor, a determiner, a changer, an evaluator and a controller. The sensor includes a light emitting device that emits light toward the carrier and the light receiving device that receives light reflected from the carrier or the mark and outputs a light reception signal corresponding to the received light quantity. The determiner determines a position of the mark based on the light reception signal. The changer changes sensor sensitivity by changing a quantity of light from the light emitting device or sensitivity of the light receiving device. The evaluator obtains the light reception signals multiple times and evaluates a degree of closeness between an average level of the light reception signals and a target level. The controller controls the changer to change the sensor sensitivity of the sensor according to an evaluation result.
US08040500B2
The present invention includes an illuminance adjustment step of setting an optimum illuminance of the illumination; and a defect inspection step of picking up the image of the substrate illuminated with the illumination at the optimum illuminance, wherein the illuminance adjustment step has: a first step of applying illuminations at different illuminances to a plurality of measurement regions on a front surface of the substrate and picking up an image of each of the measurement regions, while moving the substrate; a second step of making a luminance of the picked up image of each of the measurement regions into a histogram to find a reference luminance where an integral value from a maximum luminance side of the histogram is a predetermined value; and a third step of calculating a correlation between each of the reference luminances and the illuminance, and setting based on the correlation an illuminance at which the reference luminance coincides with a predetermined luminance, as the optimum illuminance.
US08040499B2
A transmitted light refractometer allows high measurement accuracy across a broad measurement range, even under difficult measuring conditions. The transmitted light refractometer can be connected to a process simply via a single access. In accordance with advantageous features, the transmitted light refractometer covers a measurement range for all practically relevant media and includes integrated temperature compensation. A reversing optics unit is arranged relative to an illumination optics unit such that the reversing optics unit deflects a parallel beam through the process liquid and a measurement prism into the transmitted light refractometer back to the side from which it was radiated. The illumination optics unit, an imaging optics unit, and a detector plane are arranged on the light radiation side such that only one process access is needed.
US08040497B2
By encoding process-related non-uniformities, such as different height levels, which may be caused by CMP or other processes during the fabrication of complex device levels, such as metallization structures, respective focus parameter settings may be efficiently evaluated on the basis of well-established CD measurement techniques.
US08040496B2
An endoscopic illumination tester is provided for testing illumination quality of a light source. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an optical bridge that is removably interlockable with the light source. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an integrating sphere that is removably interlockable with the optical bridge. The endoscopic illumination tester may further engage a light guide connectable between the optical bridge and the light source. An endoscope may be inserted between the optical bridge and the integrating sphere.
US08040495B2
The invention relates to a method and device for analyzing a tissue (70), which comprises: —irradiating the tissue (70) with light focused on a focal region (40); —collecting light coming back from the focal region (40) into a first detection device (100A), the first detection device (100A) being arranged to only collect the light coming back from the focal region (40), on a first detection area (140A), by confocal spectroscopy, in order to generate a first signal, containing information on an optical property of the tissue (70); —collecting light, scattered from the focal region (40) to at least a second region (60), coming back from the second region (60), into a second detection device (100B), the second detection device (100B) being arranged to only collect the light coming back from the second region (60), on a second detection area (140B), in order to generate a second signal, —using the first and second signals in order to get information on the scattering and/or absorption coefficients of the tissue (70) in the region between the focal region (40) and the second region (60). Thanks to the invention, information can be gathered on the scattering and/or absorption properties of the tissue.
US08040487B2
A method of manufacturing a transflective type liquid crystal display device includes forming an organic film having different film thicknesses on a passivation film covering a TFT, etching the passivation film to form a contact hole, etching a reflective electrode and a transmissive electrode formed on the organic film by using a resist pattern having different film thicknesses, removing, by ashing, a thin film portion of the resist pattern, and a thin film portion of the organic film exposed from the transmissive electrode to form an opening, etching the reflective electrode by using the resist pattern left after the removal of the thin film portion, and bonding substrates in such a manner that a sealing material in a shape of a frame is arranged in the opening of the organic film.
US08040478B2
A liquid crystal display device and method includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, first and second alignment films formed on respective ones of the substrates, at least one first projecting portion which is disposed between the first alignment film and one of the substrates, and at least one second projecting portion disposed between the second alignment film and the other of the substrates, facing the at least one first projecting portion. A height of the at least one first projecting portion is smaller than a height of the at least one second projecting portion, and an area of an upper surface of the at least one first projecting portion is smaller than an area of an upper surface of the at least one second projecting portion.
US08040474B2
A mold for a display device, comprising a supporting frame; at least one pattern forming part provided on a surface of the supporting frame; and a protrusion projecting from the supporting frame and disposed along the circumference of the pattern forming part, an inside wall of the protrusion toward the pattern forming part standing upright from the surface of the supporting frame.
US08040472B2
A multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display that does not require physical features on the substrate (such as protrusions and ITO slits) is disclosed. Each pixel of the MVALCD is subdivided into color components, which are further divided into color dots. The polarity of the color dots are arranged so that fringe fields from adjacent color dots causes multiple liquid crystal domains in each color dot. Specifically, the color dots of a pixel are arranged so that each color dot of a first polarity has four neighboring pixels of a second polarity. Thus, a checkerboard pattern of polarities is formed. Furthermore, the checkerboard pattern is extended across multiple pixels in the MVALCD. In addition, many display unit include multiple pixel designs to improve color distribution or electrical distribution.
US08040471B2
A liquid crystal display includes a first display panel including a first substrate, and first and second color filters disposed on the first substrate and adjacent to each other, a second display panel including a second substrate facing the first display panel and a first spacer disposed on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second display panels. The first color filter includes a first protrusion protruded toward and overlapped with the second color filter. The first spacer faces the first protrusion, and the first and second display panels contact each other at a location area of the first spacer.
US08040464B2
An image display device includes a display panel module, a middle frame which places the display panel module thereon, and an upper frame which is engaged with a side face of the middle frame in a state where the upper frame covers a periphery of the display panel module, wherein the engaging portion includes projecting portions on a side face of the middle frame, each projecting portion being smoothly raised in the direction opposite to the display panel module and forming a sharp stepped portion which follows a raised portion, and pawl portions which are formed on portions of the upper frame which face the projecting portions, the pawl portions being bent along side faces of the stepped portions of the projecting portions and, thereafter, being bent such that the pawl portions extend while having arcuate face which has a center thereof in the vicinity of bent portions.
US08040462B2
The present invention can provide an optical device, an optical uniform device, an optical sheet and a backlight unit and a display apparatus. In the present invention, a lamp image can be removed by uniformly emitting incident light from a plurality of light sources. Further, even if a distance between a light source and an optical device and between a light source and an optical uniform device are short, warpage due to heat generated from a light source does not occur.
US08040460B1
This present invention provides an electronic paper display device. The electronic paper display device includes a thin film transistor array substrate and a display panel disposed on one side of the thin film transistor array substrate. The thin film transistor array substrate comprises a first substrate, a first metal layer, a dielectric layer, a second metal layer, a channel layer, a pixel electrode layer, a protection layer, a first resin layer and a second resin layer. The display panel includes a second substrate, a transparent electrode layer disposed on the second substrate, and an electronic ink material layer between the transparent electrode layer and the thin film transistor array substrate.
US08040456B2
To sophisticate a portable electronic appliance without hindering reduction of the weight and the size, more specifically, to sophisticate a liquid crystal display apparatus installed in a portable electronic appliance without hindering the mechanical strength, a liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first plastic substrate, a light-emitting device which is disposed over the first plastic substrate, resin which covers the light-emitting device, an insulating film which is in contact with the resin, a semiconductor device which is in contact with the insulating film, a liquid crystal cell which is electrically connected to the semiconductor device, and a second plastic substrate, wherein the semiconductor device and the liquid crystal cell are disposed between the first plastic substrate and the second plastic substrate.
US08040437B2
A method and system for analog video noise detection are provided. A motion metric (MM) value may be determined for pixels in a video image. The MM values may be collected and accumulated for a number of noise level intervals to determine average noise levels for each interval. An early-exit algorithm (EEA) or an interpolation estimate algorithm (IEA) may be utilized to determine the noise level. The EEA may select the noise level based on a first noise level interval with a number of collected samples larger than a threshold. The IEA may determine the noise level based on an average of a plurality of noise levels associated with consecutive noise level intervals with collected samples that are larger than the threshold. A noise level indicator (NLI) may be the noise level of the current image or an average based on noise levels from the current and previous images.
US08040428B2
A camera or other optical system is focused by generating a plurality of digital images each obtained with a different focus setting of the optical system. These images are analysed to generate for each image a score (S) by comparing first groups of pixels chosen from the image with second groups chosen from the image such that the pixels of each second group have same respective positional relationships with respect to one another as the pixels of the first group with which it is compared have to one another, the score (S) being a function of the number of matches obtained with said comparisons. The focus setting that gives the score corresponding to the largest number of matches is chosen.
US08040425B2
An imaging apparatus includes one or a plurality of optical filters, an image sensor, an imaging signal processing part, a detecting part, and a control part. The one or the plurality of optical filters are selectively arranged in a path of an optical system for obtaining imaging light. The image sensor is provided for converting the imaging light obtained through the optical system into an imaging signal. The imaging signal processing part is provided for subjecting the imaging signal from the image sensor to a color-temperature correction processing. The detecting part is provided for detecting a type of the one or the plurality of optical filters arranged in the optical system. The control part is provided for adjusting a color temperature that is set at the imaging signal processing part to a color temperature defined for each filer detected by the detecting part.
US08040418B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a two-dimensional solid state imaging device which can realize speeding up of signal output. The two-dimensional solid state imaging device includes: a pixel region; a first capacitance element and a second capacitance element each of which is arranged for a different column of pixels and accumulates pixel signals of the corresponding column of pixels; a first horizontal signal line and a second horizontal signal line each of which transmits the pixel signals accumulated in a corresponding capacitance element; a common signal line connected to the horizontal signal lines; a scan timing generation unit and a switch unit which control readout of the pixel signals from the capacitance element to the horizontal signal line; and an external output timing unit and a switch unit which select the horizontal signal line and control output of the pixel signals from the selected horizontal signal line to the common signal line. Here, the scan timing generation unit and the switch unit, and the external output timing unit and the switch unit control the readout and the output of the pixel signals, respectively, so that a time period required for the readout of the pixel signals from the capacitance element to the signal line is longer than a time period required for the output of the pixel signals from the signal line to the common signal line.
US08040410B2
A camera capable of compensating for facial field of a person to a proper brightness, and maintaining the luminance scale of the background, comprising an imaging portion for generating the picture data of the person; a gamma compensator for performing gamma compensation for the picture data; a facial field detecting portion for detecting a facial field from the picture data; a photometric portion for exposure metering value of the facial field detected by the facial field detecting portion; an exposure controlling portion for calculating a target exposure amount in response to the output of the photometric portion and controlling exposure depending on the target exposure amount; and a gamma compensation controlling portion for determining a luminance scale characteristic in accordance with the target exposure amount, wherein the gamma compensating portion is controlled on the basis of the luminance scale characteristic determined by the gamma compensation controlling portion.
US08040406B2
A method of processing images from an imaging device corrects defective pixels in an image acquired with the imaging device. The method includes a step of acquiring position information about continuous defective pixels from the position information about the defective pixels, a first correcting step of correcting the defective pixels with at least one normal pixel adjacent at least one defective pixels based on the position information about the defective pixels and a second correcting step of correcting the continuous defective pixels with a plurality of normal pixels adjacent at least one continuous defective pixels based on the position information about the continuous defective pixels. The second correcting step relies upon a greater number of normal pixels than the first correcting step to correct the defective pixels in a higher precision than the first correcting step.
US08040404B2
The present invention provides an image pickup apparatus, including: an image pickup section of the plural channel output type configured to output signals individually corresponding to divisional regions of an image pickup device; a plurality of signal processing sections configured to individually receive the output signals of the plural channels of the image pickup device as inputs thereto to produce digital data corresponding to pixel values, and a digital signal processing section configured to receive the pixel value data produced by the signal processing sections as inputs thereto to execute an image correction process.
US08040392B2
An arithmetic processing section executes an arithmetic process on a flicker correction signal output from a flicker correction signal outputting section and corresponding to the flicker component contained in a video signal of each of specific periods and the video signal of each of the specific periods to form a corrected video signal of the specific period corrected for the flicker component of the specific period for the video signal of each of the specific periods formed as a succession of specific periods and containing a flicker component as supplied from a video signal generating section in response to a correction error signal of each of the specific periods supplied from a correction error detecting section.
US08040389B2
Chrominance image information is generated based upon input image information. A determination target area to undergo determination of a target object within a determination target image constituted with the chrominance image information is set. An average chrominance value for each of the determination target area and a plurality of peripheral areas set around the determination target area is calculated based upon the chrominance image information corresponding to each area. Color information expressed by the average chrominance value calculated for the determination target area is evaluated to determine whether or not the color information matches a characteristic color defined in advance in correspondence to the target object. A difference between the average chrominance value in the determination target area and the average chrominance values in the peripheral areas is evaluated to determine whether or not the determination target area is an image area separate from the peripheral areas. A decision is made as to whether or not the determination target area contains the target object based upon results of an evaluation indicating whether or not the average chrominance value in the determination target area matches the characteristic color and the result of an evaluation indicating whether or not the determination target area is an image area separate from the peripheral areas.
US08040387B2
An image processing apparatus includes a brightness fluctuation extraction section, a color difference fluctuation extraction section, a conversion section, and an addition section. The brightness extraction section extracts a local fluctuation component from brightness information (hereinafter, a brightness fluctuation) in the image data. The color difference fluctuation extraction section extracts a local fluctuation component from color difference information (hereinafter, a color difference fluctuation) in the image data. The conversion section weightedly adds the color difference fluctuation and the brightness fluctuation to generate a pseudo texture component. The addition section adds the generated texture component to the brightness information. In the above-described structure, the conversion section adjusts and changes a weighting ratio of the weighted addition so as to make ratios of noises of color components included in the texture component substantially equal.
US08040386B2
An image processing apparatus capable of automatically adjusting the enlargement ratio and the position of images and to display the noticed areas of all selected images is disclosed. When a two image display mode is selected, an image previously displayed (a first image) and an image to be displayed in the two image display mode (a second image) are loaded from a memory into a display controlling unit and a correction value calculating unit. The display controlling unit performs enlarging and moving operations with respect to the first image and the second image simultaneously. The correction value calculating unit searches for an area in the second image (a corrected area) most resembling an enlarged area in the first image so as to enlarge the corrected area in the second image. The images processed by the display controlling unit are transmitted to an image display memory.
US08040384B2
An image transmission apparatus (adaptor apparatus) is configured to transmit image data captured by an image pickup apparatus to an output apparatus. The adaptor apparatus is configured to obtain identification information of the image pickup apparatus and type information of the output apparatus. The adaptor apparatus selects a set of parameters corresponding to the identification information of the image pickup apparatus and the type information of the output apparatus. The adaptor apparatus outputs the selected set of parameters to the image pickup apparatus which converts image data into visible image data based on the selected set of parameters. The adaptor apparatus transmits visible image data received from the image pickup apparatus to the output apparatus.
US08040382B2
A method and apparatus for receiving motion data and determining acceleration vectors based on biomechanical data and the received motion data. The method further comprises creating an improved image based on the acceleration vectors.
US08040380B2
In response to a release button being pushed, a system control section informs a timing generation section of the number of images to be shot to carry out high-speed continuous shooting. A first image obtained by continuous shooting is stored in a frame memory of an imaging section. While a superimposed image based on continuously shot images is generated by a camera-shake correction section, the first image stored in the frame memory is output to a preprocessing section so that the preprocessing section generates a high-sensitivity image by increasing the gain of an amplifying circuit in the preprocessing section. A signal processing section reads the superimposed image generated by the camera-shake correction section and the high-sensitivity image generated by the preprocessing section and applies image processing to these two images. The system control section causes a recording/reproducing section to record the two images in a recording medium.
US08040376B2
To provide a vehicle monitor apparatus capable of acquiring more information through effective utilization of an image taking region of a camera on the occasion of taking interior and exterior images of a vehicle with the camera.A vehicle monitor apparatus 1 is provided with a drive recorder 11 and a reflecting mirror 12. The drive recorder 11 is provided with a camera 14 and the camera 14 is arranged to take a forward image of the vehicle 2. In an image taking region of the camera 14, the reflecting mirror 12 is located in a range where a hood 23 should be imaged if the reflecting mirror 12 were excluded, and the camera 14 takes an image of an exterior situation outside the vehicle viewed through a windshield 22, and an image projected by the reflecting mirror 12.
US08040367B2
An optical disc drive for marking a label side of a lightscribe disc is provided. The optical disc drive includes a spoke detecting device, a traverse assembly frame, a spindle motor PCB and an insulating base. The spoke detecting device is used for detecting spoke patterns on the lightscribe disc. The spindle motor PCB is communicated with the spoke detecting device through a flexible cable. The insulating base is coupled with the frame for supporting the spoke detecting device such that the spoke detecting device is separated from the lightscribe disc by a specified gap.
US08040365B2
An image forming apparatus includes a transport part which includes a transport belt to transport a printing medium, an image forming part which transfers a toner to form a color image, and a controller which controls the image forming part to form a test image for color registration of the image forming part on the transport belt while an image is formed for a plurality of printing media. Thus, both a test image and a plurality of printed media are formed during a single printing process.
US08040364B2
An imaging system including an image receiving structure including a tunable-resistivity material; and an energy source to emit an energy beam at the image receiving structure to pattern-wise program the tunable-resistivity material. A resistivity can be pattern-wise changed. Marking material can be pattern-wise adhered in response to the pattern-wise changed resistivity.
US08040361B2
Systems, methods and structures for combining virtual reality and real-time environment by combining captured real-time video data and real-time 3D environment renderings to create a fused, that is, combined environment, including capturing video imagery in RGB or HSV/HSV color coordinate systems and processing it to determine which areas should be made transparent, or have other color modifications made, based on sensed cultural features, electromagnetic spectrum values, and/or sensor line-of-sight, wherein the sensed features can also include electromagnetic radiation characteristics such as color, infra-red, ultra-violet light values, cultural features can include patterns of these characteristics, such as object recognition using edge detection, and whereby the processed image is then overlaid on, and fused into a 3D environment to combine the two data sources into a single scene to thereby create an effect whereby a user can look through predesignated areas or “windows” in the video image to see into a 3D simulated world, and/or see other enhanced or reprocessed features of the captured image.
US08040360B2
Methods to manipulate a screen space of a display device are disclosed. A plurality of application windows of a plurality of applications are displayed on a screen space. At least a first application and a second application are executing to display a plurality of windows. A user interface of system level applications may be displayed. A selection of a single application mode is received. In response to the receiving of the selection of the single application mode, all the windows are removed automatically from the screen space, except for a first application window. At least the first and second applications continue being executed. The user interface of the system level applications may continue to be displayed. Next, a request to display a second application window is received. The second application window is displayed while the first application window is removed from the screen space.
US08040359B2
Disclosed is a system for producing images including emulation techniques using multiple processors. The system provides for emulation of graphics processing resources such that a central processing unit may provide graphics support. Disclosed embodiments include emulation of selected graphics calls as well as emulation of a programmable graphics processor for compatibility with systems having no compatible GPU.
US08040356B2
Various embodiments described above provide a user interface system that can expose end users and others to color management information in an easy-to-understand manner. In one or more embodiments, the user interface system can provide information that allows the user to easily ascertain whether a device, component or application is color managed, and the status of the device, component or application. Further, the user interface system can enable the user to access links that provide additional information and/or diagnostic help in the event a color management issue is identified.
US08040354B2
There is provided an image processing device for controlling a display device to display a plurality of unit images making up a moving image at predetermined intervals, the image processing device including: 4×N (N: an arbitrary integer) quadrant memories; a separation section; a memory output control section; an assignment section; and an output control section.
US08040352B2
Sampling frequency of a ray casting for generating a projection image is varied in dependence of information derived from a 3D volume data during rendering. Furthermore, an interpolation is performed for skipped pixels for which no ray casting was performed in the projection image, based on this information.
US08040351B1
A system and method uses the capabilities of a geometry shader unit within the multi-threaded graphics processor to execute a geometry shader program and perform a Hough transform.
US08040350B2
An adaptive image volume rendering system first fragments a 3-D dataset into multiple sub-volumes and constructs an octree structure, wherein each sub-volume is associated with one node on the octree. The system then establishes a 2-D image plane and selectively launches a plurality of rays towards the 3-D dataset, each ray adaptively interacting with a subset of the sub-volumes. The ray energy reflected by each sub-volume is estimated using a modified Phong illumination model, constituting a pixel value at the ray origin on the 2-D image plane. Finally, the system interpolates pixel values at a plurality of selected locations and generates a 2-D image of the 3-D dataset.
US08040332B2
A light scan device which forces a beam light depending on an image signal to scan, including: a light source part for supplying the beam light; and a scanning part for forcing the beam light from the light source part to scan an illumination-target region in a first direction and a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the scanning part is driven so that a frequency with which the beam light is forced to scan in the first direction is higher than a frequency with which the beam light is forced to scan in the second direction, and a spot formed on the illumination-target region by the beam light has a form with a shorter size in the first direction than in the second direction.
US08040331B2
Embodiments related to dual mode rotatable input devices that permit both resistive and non-resistive rotation are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a stationary hub, a rotatable member rotatable around the stationary hub, and a resistive rotation mechanism forming an interface between the stationary hub and the rotatable member. The resistive rotation mechanism comprises a resistive surface and a movable interface member configured to selectively contact the resistive surface, wherein the resistive surface and the movable interface member move relative to one another with rotation of the rotatable member. The resistive mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism that urges the movable interface member into engagement with the resistive surface when a rotational velocity of the rotatable member is below a threshold velocity, and allows separation of the interface member and the resistive surface when the rotational velocity of the rotatable member is above the threshold velocity.
US08040329B2
An untethered device, configured to inductively couple to a source device, includes a tunable resonant circuit having a resonance frequency and configured to generate a supply voltage for the untethered device in response to a varying magnetic field produced by the source device. The tunable resonant circuit includes an inductive coil comprising a center tap and a capacitive circuit coupled to the inductive coil. The capacitive circuit includes an anti-series arrangement of varactor diodes that behave as a capacitance when placed in reverse bias. A frequency control circuit is coupled to the tunable resonant circuit and includes a control voltage source coupled to the center tap of the inductive coil. The control voltage source produces a control signal to place the varactor diodes in reverse bias and to change the capacitance of the capacitive circuit, thereby effecting a change in the resonance frequency of the tunable resonant circuit.
US08040328B2
Disclosed are simple easy to understand TV camera based input and programming devices for computers, as well as local or remote means to assimilate data or commands. The invention in one preferred embodiment, uses printed matter imaged by one or more TV cameras, which results in enhanced ease of comprehension, distribution and touch command input of programs. The printed matter may be for example, newspaper clippings, children's books, chess boards, or board games. Certain aspects of the invention share some characteristics of a touch screen, in the sense of additionally determining the location of objects positioned by a user, or portions of a user, such as fingers or hands.
US08040327B2
Each of transducers of a touch panel device includes a piezoelectric thin film, a plate electrode disposed at one surface of the piezoelectric thin film and a comb-like electrode disposed at the other surface of the piezoelectric thin film. The comb-like electrode has a plurality of comb-like electrode fingers and a linear bus electrode to which one end of each of the plural comb-like electrode fingers is connected. A plurality of wiring electrodes is provided at the outer side of any of the transducers in parallel with the bus electrode of the transducer and is connected to the bus electrode and the plate electrode of any of the transducers. Each of the wiring electrodes includes an electrode base portion formed by printing silver paste containing fine particles on the substrate and an electrode main body formed by printing silver paste containing large particles and fine particles in a mixed manner on the electrode base portion.
US08040321B2
A method and apparatus to implement a touch-sensor device using shared capacitive sensors. The apparatus includes a first plurality of sensor elements coupled together, a second plurality of sensor elements coupled together independently of the first plurality of sensor elements, and a third plurality of sensor elements coupled together independently of the first and second pluralities of sensor elements. The sensor elements of the first, second, and third pluralities of sensor elements are interspersed and disposed in a repetitive sequence along a movement path of a conductive object.
US08040311B2
A simplified pixel display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of storage elements, a single arbitrary voltage supply terminal, a second voltage supply terminal which may be either of the rail voltages of the display, a common electrode, and a plurality of externally controlled switches each selectively coupling an associated one of the pixel electrodes with one of the arbitrary voltage supply terminal and the second voltage supply terminal responsive to a value of a data bit stored in an associated one of said storage elements and to the state of the external control signal supplied to the switch.
US08040298B2
An OLED display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a gate line formed on the substrate and including a first control electrode, a data line intersecting the gate line, a switching TFT connected to the gate line and the data line, a driving TFT connected to the switching TFT, a first electrode connected to the driving TFT, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a light emitting member formed between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one of the switching TFT and the driving TFT includes a plurality of channels.
US08040289B2
The present invention relates to an RF antenna structure that includes a planar structure and a loading plate, such that the planar structure is mounted between a ground plane and the loading plate to form an RF antenna. The loading plate may be about parallel to the ground plane and the planar structure may be about perpendicular to the loading plate and the ground plane. The loading plate may allow the height of the RF antenna structure above the ground plane to be relatively small. For example, the height may be significantly less than one-quarter of a wavelength of RF signals of interest. The planar structure may include two conductive matching elements to help increase the bandwidth of the RF antenna structure.
US08040279B2
Techniques, systems and computer readable medium are disclosed for measuring a position of an object device. A position measuring apparatus includes a receiving unit designed to receive a signal transmitted from an object device for position measurement. The position measuring apparatus also includes a position computing unit designed to compute a position of the object device by applying Angle Of Arrival (AOA) and Time Of Arrival (TOA) techniques using the received signal. The position measuring apparatus also includes a medium channel estimating unit designed to estimate a channel of a medium, through which the received signal penetrates on a transmission path, using the received signal. The position measuring apparatus also includes a position correcting unit configured to compute a delay time caused by the received signal penetrating the medium using the estimated medium channel and correcting the position of the object device computed by the position computing unit using the delay time.
US08040275B2
Aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning transmitting stations, such as cell towers. Further, aspects of the disclosure provide a database for storing information of the transmitting stations. In addition, aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning a moving object having a receiver based on the database of the transmitting stations and wireless signals transmitted by the transmitting stations. The methods increase in-transit location visibility of shipment while reducing GNSS usage, and thus reduce power consumption. The methods allow positioning receiving stations when GNSS signals may not be available, such as due to interference.
US08040274B2
An apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring fill level of a medium in a container. The apparatus includes an antenna, which transmits and receives high frequency signals in a predetermined oscillatory mode in a bounded space in a predetermined radiation direction, wherein, in front of the antenna in the radiation direction, an antenna protection element of a material transmissive for the high frequency signals is provided, and wherein a control/evaluation unit is provided, which evaluates the received high frequency signals and ascertains the fill level.
US08040264B2
A pipeline analog to digital converter comprising: a first analog to digital converter for determining a first part of an analog to digital conversion result, and for forming a residue signal; an amplifier for amplifying the residue signal, the amplifier including at least one offset sampling capacitor for sampling an offset of the amplifier, wherein at least one resistance is associated with the at least one capacitor so as to form a filter, and the at least one resistor is variable such that an amplifier bandwidth can be switched between a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth less than the first bandwidth during sampling of the offset.
US08040248B2
A device is disclosed for detection of surface properties or conditions, in particular detection of water, snow and ice and in particular to road surfaces by means of detector means mounted on individual vehicles, and transmitting the data from the vehicle, preferably together with position data of the vehicle, to be used by drivers of other vehicles for warning of slippery road conditions ahead of the vehicle. According to a particular aspect, it has been realised that the fact that polarized light which is mirror reflected by e.g. ice or water on a surface, preserves its polarization, whereas polarized light which is diffuse reflected largely becomes depolarized, may be utilised to separate the two types of reflection and thus provide a much more compact sensor device for surface properties, in which the light may be emitted close to or parallel to the road surface normal.
US08040246B2
Systems and methods for facilitating a first response mission at an incident scene, such as an accident site, a natural or human-made disaster site, or any other first response site. One system comprises a plurality of portable modules for the incident scene and configured to transmit wireless signals. The system also comprises a processing system, which comprises: at least one receiver to receive the wireless signals; an environmental data processing engine configured to process data derived from the wireless signals to derive data indicative of an environment at the incident scene; a situational context processing engine configured to process the data indicative of the environment to derive data indicative of a situation deemed to have occurred in relation to the first response mission; and a decision making engine configured to process the data indicative of the situation and institutional data relevant to the situation to determine an action to be performed with respect to the situation, such as transmission of a message to a first responder at the incident scene, establishment of communication between a first responder at the incident scene and a clinician remote from the incident scene, or transmission of a message to initiate preparation of resources at a healthcare facility remote from the incident scene for arrival of at least one patient transported from the incident scene.
US08040243B2
Structural health monitoring apparatuses and methods are disclosed. One or more structural health sensors may be used to disconnect and/or connect one or more RFID chips to an antenna such that wireless communication with the one or more RFID chips (or the absence of wireless communication) through the antenna indicates the structural health status. Example structural health sensors may be moisture detecting or fracture detecting. A remote reader may be used to establish the wireless communication with the one or more RFID chips to determine the structural health. The sensors and RFID chips may be passive and powered through the wireless communication from the remote reader. Such apparatuses and methods may be applied to any large structures requiring regular inspection, such as aircraft, ships, automobiles or buildings.
US08040239B2
A lighting control system (1) comprises: a communication bus (2); at least one extension movement detector (30) issuing detection pulses (DOS) over said communication bus in response to detecting a movement, at first time intervals (T1) determined by a sensor timer (34); one master luminaire (10) comprising a lamp (11) and a master controller (13) issuing master command signals (MCS) over said bus in response to detection pulses (DOS) received over said bus; and at least one slave luminaire (20) comprising a lamp (21) and a slave controller (23) being responsive to the master control signals (MCS) received over said bus to switch the corresponding lamp ON and OFF. Whenever the master controller receives a detection pulse, it starts a master timer (15) and switches the lamps ON. If the master timer times out (T2) without the master controller receiving any detection pulses, the master controller switches the lamps OFF.
US08040236B2
The present invention relates to a medication delivery device comprising a reminder unit for reminding an individual having a medical diseases to take a medicament. The reminder unit comprises means for providing a reminder signal to the individual having the medical disease, the reminder signal being triggered by data associated with a previously occurred event, the associated data being stored in a storage means. Alternatively, the reminder signal may be triggered by a position signal generated by position determining means adapted to determine the position of the medication delivery device.
US08040227B2
A method for detecting moving objects in a blind spot of vehicle is provided, comprising: taking a sequence of images of said blind spot region, partitioning each of said images of said sequence into blocks, identifying moving blocks which have moved between consecutive images of said sequence, determining a direction and a distance of said movement of said moving blocks; grouping adjacent moving blocks, for which directions within a predetermined direction interval and distances within a predetermined distance interval have been determined, and determining said moving objects based on said step of grouping. A corresponding blind spot detection device is provided as well.
US08040226B2
A vehicle surveillance system has a plurality of side-light units mounted on opposite sides of a truck, bus, train or a similar long vehicle. The side-light units form an RF communication network on the vehicle. Each side-light unit comprises a day-running light source, a sensor for defining a surveillance zone on the side of said vehicle, said the sensor being arranged to detect an object or a movement of an object within the surveillance zone, and an RF transmitter which is controlled by said sensor and arranged to transmit an RF detection signal from said side-light unit. Existing day-running side-light units of a vehicle may be replaced with the inventive vehicle day-running side-light units.
US08040213B2
In order to provide a thin-film resistor and a manufacturing method thereof capable of restraining reduction of a Q-value of varactor by reducing a parasitic capacitance between the resistor and the substrate, the thin-film resistor includes a semiconductor substrate 10 including an integrated circuit 12 having a plurality of electrode pads 14 placed in a distance from each other in the most upper part of a plurality of stacked interconnections, and the integrated circuit 12 having a passivation film 16 formed between the plurality of electrode pads 14; a secondary interconnections 18 electrically connected to the electrode pads 14; an insulating film 20 formed in a place in between the secondary interconnections 18 on the passivation film 16; and a resistor 26 formed 18 in a predetermined place in between the secondary interconnections 18 on the insulating film 20.
US08040209B2
A divided armature for the trip mechanism of a circuit breaker especially useful for low trip current breakers allows for two independent adjustments: first of the magnetic air gap between the yoke and the armature and second of the clearance between the trip bar and the back plate of the armature. The divided armature allows the force of a return spring of the trip mechanism to be unchanged while adjusting the magnetic air gap to set the trip current point.
US08040206B2
An apparatus has an antenna configured to receive transmitted digital data, wherein the data comprises circular polarity (CP) and linear polarity (LP) format signals. The apparatus also has a waveguide coupled to the antenna and configured to propagate: 1) a first component of the CP format signal which is received; 2) a second component of the CP format signal which is received, said second component being substantially orthogonal to said first component; and 3) the LP format signal which is received. The apparatus further has one or more phase adjusters configured to allow adjustment to be made to match a phase of the first and second components of the CP format signal. The apparatus also has one or more amplitude adjusters configured to allow adjustments to be made to match an amplitude of the first and second components of the CP format signal.
US08040199B2
A surface mount circulator. The novel circulator includes a substrate, a predetermined number of microstrip lines disposed on a first surface of the substrate, a ground layer and a predetermined number of electrical contacts disposed on the second surface of the substrate, and a mechanism for coupling each microstrip line to one of the electrical contacts. In an illustrative embodiment, the circulator uses edge wrap metallization to wrap a microstrip line down a side of the substrate to connect with a corresponding contact. A ball grid array can then be used to connect the signal contacts and ground at the second surface of the substrate with a circuit board. The circulator also includes a magnet on first surface of the substrate over a resonator circuit connecting the microstrip lines and a pole piece on the second surface of the substrate beneath the ground to provide magnetic bias to the substrate.
US08040195B2
A current source device that cuts off an output current when stopped and obtains a desired output current upon start-up includes a first circuit having a first FET and resistors in series, a second circuit having second and third FETs in series with a point between the second and third FETs and a gate of the third FET connected, a drive circuit supplying a common drive voltage to gates of the first and second FETs, and first and second current source circuits responsive to first and second drive voltages that are gate voltages of the second and third FETs. The first and second current source circuits respectively include first and second current source FETs having the first and second drive voltages as gate voltages, and a start-up circuit changing the first and second drive voltages forcedly when the first and second current source FETs are made conductive.
US08040194B2
A frequency synthesizer is built using a phase locked loop incorporating a single side band mixer in the input. The single side band mixer is preferably realized with digital logic and FETs, and the resulting frequency synthesizer simultaneously improves control over the frequency resolution, noise floor and operating frequency range.
US08040189B2
A microwave system for driving a linear accelerator is provided. The inventive microwave system employs a plurality of magnetrons, at least one pulse generator to energize the magnetrons, means for synchronizing outputs from the magnetrons, and at least one waveguide for transmitting synchronized outputs or power from the magnetrons to a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator that is driven by the inventive microwave system demonstrates increased efficiency and dependability, higher energy and power outputs, as well as, different energy outputs that can take the form of successive pulses that alternate between at least two different energy levels.
US08040186B2
A bias circuit 12 includes: a transistor Q5 operable to supply, to an amplifier 11, a bias current in accordance with a base current supplied thereto; a transistor Q3 operable to pass a current in accordance with a reference voltage Vref; a transistor Q2 operable to correct, in accordance with the current passed by the transistor Q3, the base current to be supplied to the transistor Q5, so as to compensate a temperature characteristic represented by the transistor Q5; and a bias changing section (of a transistor Q4, and resistances R5, R6, and R7), connected to a base of the transistor Q5, operable to change, in accordance with a control voltage VSW, an amount of the base current to be supplied to the transistor Q5. The amplifier 11 amplifies, by using the bias current supplied by the bias circuit 12, a radio frequency signal having been inputted thereto.
US08040178B2
An oscillator unit is configured such that a frequency adjustment unit of a synthesizer used by a controller is smaller than a frequency variation tracking capability of a demodulator connected to an output side of a frequency converter. This structure successfully combines the temperature compensation control of an oscillator unit and the receiving process of a high-frequency receiving device. Accordingly, an oscillator unit with large temperature coefficient is applicable to high-frequency receiving devices.
US08040174B2
A charge pump with a MOS-type capacitor, where the MOS-type capacitor is operated in an inversion region in which capacitance varies as a function of the frequency of the applied signal. The charge pump is switched to transfer charge from an input node to the capacitor and from the capacitor to an output node. During a transition interval, a relatively high frequency switching signal is used to lower the capacitance and increase efficiency. During a settling interval, a relatively low frequency switching signal is used, in which case the capacitance is higher, but similar to a level which would be seen if the capacitor was operated in an accumulation region. MOS capacitor dimensions and switching intervals are mutually optimized to provide high efficiency and required throughput. The charge pump may be configured as a voltage multiplier, divider, inverter or follower, for instance.
US08040169B2
A delay locked loop circuit includes a delay locking unit configured to output a first internal clock and a second internal clock, a rising edge of which is synchronized with that of the first internal clock by delaying a compensated external clock for compensating a skew of a semiconductor memory device; a duty ratio compensation unit configured to generate the compensated external clock by compensating a duty ratio of an external clock of the semiconductor memory device and to compensate duty ratios of the first and second internal clocks; and a clock control unit configured to control an activation state of the second internal clock after the duty ratio compensation of the external clock.
US08040158B2
An apparatus having a complex sine wave generating circuit (3) that generates a complex sine wave, a multiplying circuit (4) that multiplies an input signal by the complex sine wave, a first integrating circuit (5) that integrates the product obtained by the multiplying circuit (4) in the time direction, a first squaring circuit (6) that takes the square of the absolute value of a complex signal output by the first integrating circuit (5), a second squaring circuit (7) that takes the square of the absolute value of the instantaneous amplitude of the input signal, a second integrating circuit (8) that integrates the results obtained by the second squaring circuit (7) in the time direction, and a frequency difference calculating circuit (9) that finds the difference between the frequency of the input signal and the oscillation frequency of the complex sine wave on the basis of the ratio between the output signal level of the first squaring circuit (6) and the output signal level of the second integrating circuit (8).
US08040156B2
Provided are a lock detection circuit and a lock detecting method. The lock detection circuit includes two delay devices, four flip-flops and two logic gates, and can accurately detect a lock state of a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. Therefore, the lock detection circuit can be implemented in a simple structure, and as a result, the lock detection circuit can be compact in size and can consume less electric power. Also, the lock detecting method enables lock detection process to be simpler, so that a lock state can be detected within a short time period.
US08040148B2
This invention relates to a system in package including a plurality of integrated circuit chips and a substrate on which the plurality of integrated circuit chips are mounted and characterized in that a testability circuit for facilitating a test on at least one of the integrated circuit chips is incorporated into the substrate. The testability circuit incorporated into the substrate is formed by embedding a so-called WLCSP integrated circuit chip into the substrate. Alternatively, the testability circuit is formed by using a transistor element formed by using a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate. By incorporating the testability circuit into the substrate as described above, it is possible to realize a system in package facilitated in test without increases in size and cost.
US08040135B1
A method for enhancing resolution and contrast in an MRI image is provided. A transient signal acquisition is applied to acquire a plurality of samples of data, comprising reducing transient signal oscillations and acquiring a plurality of MRI samples of data. Transient signal compensation is applied to the plurality of samples of data to provide data with signal compensation. A noise reduction technique is applied to the data with signal compensation. Data resulting from the applying the noise reduction is used to generate an MRI image.
US08040123B2
A reference voltage circuit that obtains a precisely constant voltage by compensating a temperature variation of a reference voltage circuit using band gap voltage. A p-type MOS transistor (PNP) outputs a reference voltage according to a control voltage, and provides respective PNPs having diode connections with currents corresponding to the reference voltage. A temperature compensation unit adds compensation currents proportional to the second power of absolute current to currents flowing in the respective PNPs, so that both voltages generated corresponding to the currents flowing in the respective PNPs become the same in the case where the band gap unit has temperature characteristics including a peak value. The band gap unit has a differential amplifier for outputting the control voltage. In the case where the band gap unit has a bottom value, the compensation unit subtracts the above compensation currents from the currents flowing in the respective PNPs.
US08040112B2
The vehicle-use power generation control device includes a first function of detecting a temperature around a generator mounted on a vehicle, a second function of setting a target control voltage in accordance with the temperature detected by the first function, and a third function of controlling an output voltage of the generator at the target control voltage set by the second function. The second function is configured to determine the target control voltage on the basis of a target power generation voltage defining the target control voltage to be set at a predetermined temperature, and a predetermined gradient of the target control voltage with respect to the temperature detected by the first function.
US08040105B1
Various portable electronic devices are respectively equipped so that manually provided mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy and stored there in. The stored electrical energy can be used to power the respective portable electronic device for at least a brief period. Suitably equipped portable electronic devices can thus be operated in emergency situations without external sources of electrical power, replacement batteries, or the like.
US08040102B2
A solar-powered LED street light that can immediately report its power data. The disclosed LED street light has a solar cell, a switch power supply unit, and a power cable data communicating unit. The mains power cable of the LED street light connects to the switch power supply unit for providing it with DC power. The solar cell has a solar board, a battery and a charge controller. The charge controller can also provide the LED street light with DC power. The charge controller has a power data digital output interface for connecting with the power cable data communicating unit, outputting the power data of the solar cell to the power cable data communicating unit. Through the mains power cable, the status of solar cell of each LED lamp is monitored.
US08040088B2
A power inverter comprises a power module connected at least to a rotating electric machine, a gate drive circuit board which supplies switching power to the power module, and a rotating electric machine control circuit board which supplies a signal for controlling the waveform of the switching power to the gate drive circuit board. A noise reduction board is formed on a board different from the rotating electric machine control circuit board. The configuration of the noise reduction board is such that various signals for forming a signal for controlling the waveform of the switching power by means of the rotating electric machine control circuit board are inputted through the noise reduction board to the rotating electric machine control circuit board.
US08040085B2
A brushless motor apparatus includes a fixedly arranged stator 14, a rotor 12 rotated in a manner sequentially excited by a plurality of excitation patterns, a magnetic-pole-position detecting magnet 16 fixed to the rotor and having twice the number of poles of the rotor, and a position detecting element 18 arranged opposite to the magnetic-pole-position detecting magnet and detecting the position of magnetic poles of the rotor, and further includes a motor drive circuit serving as a control such that when the stator is excited with a different excitation pattern between regular excitation patterns on normal operation at the time of phase matching carried out upon actuation of a power source, the rotation angle of the rotor is one-half the rotation angle corresponding to the regular excitation pattern.
US08040084B2
During braking, lower limits are set based on an input limit of a battery and a brake pedal position, and the set lower limits limit regenerative torques output from motors. This prevents an output of an excessive braking force and torque shock caused by a hydraulic brake being not able to follow sudden changes in the regenerative torques output from the motors when the vehicle speed is reduced.
US08040077B2
A starting circuit of a starting device for a high-pressure discharge lamp including an auxiliary light source has a diode placed in a forward direction in one of a pair of output lines which connect a main lighting circuit for generating AC voltage to the high-pressure discharge lamp and the auxiliary light source; a capacitor having one end connected to a cathode side of the diode; a boosting transformer including a primary winding, and a secondary winding having one end connected to an anode side of the diode or to the other output line and also having the other end connected to the other end of the capacitor; a high-frequency voltage generation circuit for continuously generating high-frequency voltage in combination with the primary winding; and a short-circuit switch for maintaining a short-circuit condition at both ends of the diode after the high-pressure discharge lamp is started.
US08040075B2
Disclosed are an illumination apparatus for adjusting a color temperature and brightness, which can determine duties of pulse width modulation (PWM) control pulses for driving two light sources having different color temperatures, and an illumination system including the same. The illumination apparatus includes first and second light source units emitting light of different color temperatures, first and second pulse width modulation (PWM) driving units respectively driving the first and second light source units by a PWM control method, and a duty control unit controlling respective duties of PWM control pulses of the first and second PWM driving units according to a color-temperature set value and a brightness set value input from the outside. The duty control unit controls the duties such that the color-temperature set value is reflected in the respective duties of the PWM control pulses of the first and second PWM driving units in a complementary relation.
US08040074B2
There is provided a discharge-lamp lighting device that, upon start-up of a high-intensity discharge lamp, alternately outputs a period A during which a starting circuit applies a high voltage to the high-intensity discharge lamp by resonance operation when a DC/AC inverter outputs a high-frequency voltage, and a period B during which the DC/AC inverter applies a low-frequency-square-wave voltage or a DC voltage to the high-intensity discharge lamp via the starting circuit. The period A for applying the high voltage by the resonance operation is set to about a time enough for a high-intensity discharge lamp in an initial aging stage to cause a dielectric breakdown, and a period C for alternately outputting the high-voltage generating period A and the period B for outputting the low-frequency-square-wave voltage or the DC voltage is set to about a time enough for a high-intensity discharge lamp in a life's last stage to cause a dielectric breakdown.
US08040072B2
A power supply including a transformer primary coil coupled to an input power source and a secondary coil coupled to an output terminal, a first switch coupled to the primary coil of the transformer, a duty cycle of the first switch controlling a voltage of the output terminal, first and second resistors coupled to the output terminal in series, a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to a node common to the output terminal and the first resistor, a second switch having a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the third resistor and having a second terminal coupled to a node common to the first and second resistors, the second switch controlled based on an accumulated driving time, and a switching controller configured to receive a feedback voltage varying according to an on/off of the second switch, and configured to control the duty cycle.
US08040069B2
A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current.
US08040064B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a plasma display panel with an improved panel structure for improving a discharge time-lag and, more particularly, to provide a plasma display panel with a new protective film structure, the plasma display panel having uniformed panel properties suitable for mass production with a high yield.A PDP of the present invention which provides a pair of substrate assemblies opposed to each other sandwiching discharge spaces formed to seal a discharge gas therein, wherein one of the pair of substrate assemblies comprises: display electrodes arranged on a substrate; a dielectric layer for covering the display electrodes; and a protective layer for covering the dielectric layer, the protective layer is configured so that a plurality of MgO single crystals are adhered to an MgO film in such a manner that crystal orientations of the plurality of MgO single crystals are aligned in one direction, and a value which is three times of a standard deviation of coverage factors of the MgO single crystals on the MgO film, divided by a mean value of the coverage factors is 20% or less.
US08040052B2
A light-emitting device includes a plurality of pixels constituting a screen, each of the plurality of pixels including four subpixels, which are a red subpixel, a green subpixel, a blue subpixel, and a white subpixel. The red subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of a red-light-emitting material that emits red light and extending along the screen, and a color filter provided above the light-emitting layer to transmit red light. The green subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of a white-light-emitting material that emits white light and extending along the screen, and a color filter provided above the light-emitting layer to transmit green light. The blue subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of a blue-light-emitting material that emits blue light and extending along the screen, and a color filter provided above the light-emitting layer to transmit blue light. The white subpixel has a light-emitting layer formed of the white-light-emitting material and extending along the screen.
US08040051B2
An organic light emitting display is capable of preventing or reducing a scratch and a short between the wire lines due to the scratch. The organic light emitting display includes a pixel substrate including an organic light emitting element formed on a pixel region and wire lines formed in a surrounding area of the pixel region; and a protrusion formed between the wire lines.
US08040050B2
An alternating current (AC) driven light emitting device includes a substrate, K number of first light emitting diode (LED) cells arranged in a row on a top surface of the substrate, where K is an integer satisfying K≧3, K number of second LED cells arranged in a row parallel to the row of the first LED cells on the top surface of the substrate, and (K−1) number of third LED cells arranged in a row between the respective rows of the first and second LED cells on the top surface of the substrate. The AC driven light emitting device has a connection structure between LED cells to be operable at an AC.
US08040041B2
A red nitride phosphor of formula (I) or (II), and two green phosphors of formulas (III) and/or (IV) are included. MwAlxSiyBzN((2/3)w+x+(4/3)y+z):Eu2+ (I) M is any of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and 0.5≦w≦3, x=1, 0.5≦y≦3 and 0≦z≦0.5, MpSiqN((2/3)p+(4/3)q):EU2+ (II) 1.5≦p≦2.5 and 4.5≦q≦5.5, MxMgSizOaXb:Eu2+ (III) M is any of Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and Mn, X is any of F, Cl, Br and I, and 6.5≦x<8.0, 3.7≦z≦4.3, a=x+1+2z−b/2 and 1.0≦b≦1.9, SicAldOfNg:Eu2+ (IV) c+d=6, 5.0≦c<6, 0
US08040039B2
A device and method for emitting composite output light uses multiple wavelength-conversion mechanisms to convert the original light generated by a light source of the device into longer wavelength light to produce the composite output light. One of the wavelength-conversion mechanisms of the device is a fluorescent substrate of the light source that converts the original light into first converted light. Another wavelength-conversion mechanism of the device is a wavelength-conversion region optically coupled to the light source that converts the original light into second converted light. The original light, the first converted light and the second converted light are emitted from the device as components of the composite output light.
US08040038B2
Disclosed herein is a high frequency, cold cathode, triode-type, field-emitter vacuum tube including a cathode structure, an anode structure spaced from the cathode structure, and a control grid, wherein the cathode structure and the anode structure are formed separately and bonded together with the interposition of spacers, and the control grid is integrated in the anode structure.
US08040036B2
Disclosed is an organic light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The organic light emitting device includes a base rod, and a plurality of organic light emitting units. Each of the plurality of organic light emitting units includes a first electrode formed on the base rod, an organic layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the organic layer. The plurality of organic light emitting units are formed in longitudinal direction of the base rod and come into continuous contact with each other. The first electrode of each of the organic light emitting units comes into contact with the second electrode of each of the organic light emitting units adjoining said first electrode of each of the organic light emitting units.
US08040023B2
A bending transducer device for generating electrical energy from deformations, and a circuit module which has such a bending transducer. The bending transducer includes at least one electrically deformable, vibration-capable, electrically conductive support structure, one piezoelectric element and a first contacting element, the conductive support structure having a first restraining area and a second restraining area for restraining the support structure, the piezoelectric element being designed and situated on the support structure in such a way that the piezoelectric element is deformable due to the deformation of the support structure caused by vibrations, and a first electrode for picking up the voltage generated by the deformation of the piezoelectric element is formed and contacted by the support structure, the first contacting element being connected electrically conductively to the support structure outside the first restraining area and the second restraining area.
US08040021B2
A device for damping of vibrations for an item of equipment comprising a structure to which a first element and a second fragile element having to be protected from the vibrations are coupled. The device comprises first piezoelectric transducer means inserted between the structure and the first element and charged with converting energy of vibration of the structure into electric energy, at least one sensor coupled to the structure and arranged to deliver measurement signals representative of vibrations, control means electrically supplied by the electric energy generated and charged with deducing at least one amplitude of movement to compensate at least partially for the vibration, and to deliver control signals representative of each determined amplitude, and second piezoelectric transducer means inserted between the structure and the second element and charged with converting the control signals into movement to damp at least partially for the second element the vibrations.
US08040018B2
A piezoelectric transformer high-voltage power source apparatus, in which a driving voltage determined by a value of a driving frequency is applied to a piezoelectric transformer, and thereby an output voltage output by the piezoelectric transformer is provided to a load, includes: an output voltage detection unit to compare an output voltage with a reference voltage for controlling the output voltage, in order to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined value, and based on the comparison result, detecting the change of the output voltage as a digital value; and a driving control unit to perform driving control of the piezoelectric transformer according to the detected digital value. The high-voltage power source apparatus performs stable frequency control without falling into an abnormal oscillation or uncontrollable state, and a high-voltage can be output within a short rise time.
US08040015B2
The invention relates to a rotor for an electric motor, comprising a rotor shaft, a rotor core stack that is attached to the rotor shaft, a ring member which surrounds the rotor core stack, and a gap located between the rotor core stack and the ring member. Adhesive is introduced into the gap for fastening the ring member to the rotor core stack. Molded articles that are used as spacers are admixed to the adhesive.
US08040013B2
A submersible pumping system for use downhole, wherein the system includes a pump and a pump motor for driving the pump. The pump motor includes a housing with corresponding stator and rotor lamination stacks disposed within the housing. Also included with the pump motor is an anchoring system for axially securing the stator lamination stack within the motor housing.
US08040012B2
An alternating current machine which generates a magnetic field or induces a voltage. In one embodiment the machine includes a stator and a rotor positioned about an axis. The stator includes three sets of coils, each set including at least a first pair of coil rows wired in series, with first and second members of the first pair configured to generate axial fields in opposite directions. Coil rows in the first pair of each set of coils are each arranged a different distance from the axis. A first member of the pair of the second set of coil rows is positioned between the first and second members of the pair of the first set of coil rows. The distance between the axis and the first member of the second pair of coil rows is intermediate the distances between the members of the first pair of coil rows and the axis.
US08040010B2
The present invention comprises a stator, and a rotor which is disposed oppositely to the stator with a gap interposed. The stator comprises a stator core, and a distributed stator winding mounted to the stator core. The stator core comprises a ring-like yoke core, and a plurality of teeth cores which protrude from the yoke core in the radial direction. The rotor comprises a rotor core, and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded in the rotor core. A pair of non-magnetic portions is created inside the rotor core and on both sides of the circumferential width of a permanent magnet for one magnetic pole. In the rotor core located on the stator side of the pair of non-magnetic portions, a pair of magnetic paths is created as the result of the creation of the pair of non-magnetic portions. Furthermore, a groove or hole is created on the outer circumferential portion of the rotor core and between the adjacent magnetic poles.
US08040002B2
A ventilated rotor of a high-power turbogenerator for the production of electricity has a shaft extending along an axis; a plurality of axial slots obtained in the shaft; a plurality of conductor bars arranged at least partly in the slots; a plurality of axial channels suitable for ventilating the conductor bars; a plurality of subslots, each of which is arranged below a slot to distribute a ventilating gas; a plurality of axial portions traveled over by respective flows of ventilating gas along each axial channel; and at least one radial channel, which is intended to convey directly the ventilating gas from the subslot to the outer surface of the rotor via the conductor bars and is arranged between two consecutive and adjacent axial portions of an axial channel.
US08039985B2
A wind turbine has a housing, multiple cross-flow fan assemblies, a turbine generator assembly, an air guide and multiple wind-driven fans. The housing has a chamber having top and bottom openings. The cross-flow fan assemblies are mounted on the housing and each has a casing, a cross-flow fan blade and a transmission shaft. The cross-fan blade rotates to provide airflow to the chamber. The turbine generator assembly is mounted in the chamber and has a generator, a generator shaft mounted on the generator and a turbine blade mounted on the generator shaft and driven by the airflow to activate the generator. The air guide is mounted on the transmission shafts and guides airflow outwards. The wind-driven fans are mounted respectively on the transmission shafts and are driven by outward airflow. The wind turbine derives energy from the airflow exiting out of the wind turbine for improved energy extraction efficiency.
US08039978B2
A renewable energy power system comprised of a controller that supervises wind turbines in either a building or vehicle. Vertical or horizontal turbine assemblies with clockwise and counter clockwise generator systems that produce AC & DC power. Batteries and battery charger that are used in conjunction with another controller to provide an emergency source of power.
US08039976B2
When the temperature of an engine and a main battery is low at the time of activating a vehicle system, an ECU starts the engine in advance and outputs a running permission signal after completion of engine startup. At this stage, the ECU suspends a defect diagnosis operation on a subsidiary load and feedback-controls the DC/DC converter by setting the voltage control value to a level lower than the output voltage from the subsidiary battery and at least the lower limit of the operating voltage of the ECU. The ECU feedback-controls the DC/DC converter by setting the voltage control value to a level of at least the output voltage of the subsidiary battery in response to completion of engine start-up. Then, the suspension of the defect diagnosis operation on the subsidiary load is canceled and a running permission signal is output.
US08039952B2
The system includes a circuit board, a semiconductor module, a heat dissipator, and at least one thermal via. The circuit board has substantially flat opposing first and second sides. The semiconductor module includes multiple semiconductor devices. The semiconductor module is oriented substantially parallel to the circuit board near the first side, while the heat dissipator is disposed near the second side. The thermal via extends through the circuit board to thermally couple the semiconductor module to the heat dissipator, which may be a heat spreader, heat sink, cooling fan, or heat pipe.
US08039949B2
Electrically and thermally enhanced die-up ball grid array (BGA) packages are described. A BGA package includes a stiffener, substrate, a silicon die, and solder balls. The die is mounted to the top of the stiffener. The stiffener is mounted to the top of the substrate. A plurality of solder balls are attached to the bottom surface of the substrate. A top surface of the stiffener may be patterned. A second stiffener may be attached to the first stiffener. The substrate may include one, two, four, or other number of metal layers. Conductive vias through a dielectric layer of the substrate may couple the stiffener to solder balls. An opening may be formed through the substrate, exposing a portion of the stiffener. The stiffener may have a down-set portion. A heat slug may be attached to the exposed portion of the stiffener. A locking mechanism may be used to enhance attachment of the heat slug to the stiffener. The heat slug may be directly attached to the die through an opening in the stiffener.
US08039943B2
A semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor chip and a resin section that molds the semiconductor chip and has a first through-hole. A through electrode that is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip, extends through the resin section, and extends between a top edge and a bottom edge of an inner surface of the first through-hole. A cavity which extends between planes corresponding to an upper surface and a lower surface of the resin section is formed inside the first through-hole.
US08039939B2
Provided are an embedded wiring board and a method of manufacturing the same. The embedded wiring board includes: a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a concave portion; through electrodes penetrating the PCB; a semiconductor device group embedded in the concave portion of the PCB, the semiconductor device group including bonding pads exposed in a direction of the first surface of the PCB; bumps disposed on the bonding pads, exposed in the direction of the first surface of the PCB; and a film substrate including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including connection electrode patterns that are electrically connected to the bumps and the through electrodes, the film substrate having penetrated openings.
US08039933B2
A QFN semiconductor package includes a die attach pad; a semiconductor die mounted on the die attach pad; an inner terminal lead disposed adjacent to the die attach pad; a first wire bonding the inner terminal lead to the semiconductor die; an extended, outer terminal lead disposed along periphery of the QFN semiconductor package, wherein the extended, outer terminal lead is disposed beyond a maximum wire length which is provided for a specific minimum pad opening size on the semiconductor die; an intermediary terminal disposed between the inner terminal lead and the extended, outer terminal lead; a second wire bonding the intermediary terminal to the semiconductor die; and a third wire bonding the intermediary terminal to the extended, outer terminal lead.
US08039932B2
A lead frame is provided which can prevent a short circuit between wires and the ends of adjacent leads, the short circuit being caused by wire sweep during the injection of molding resin, in a configuration where the electrodes of a semiconductor chip and the leads disposed around the semiconductor chip. The lead having sides substantially perpendicular to the direction of a resin flow has an end whose upstream side relative to the resin flow is constricted.
US08039930B2
A package structure for a wireless communication module is disclosed and includes: a substrate having an upper surface defining a supporting region, an annular ground pad surrounding the supporting region, and at least one auxiliary ground pad formed in the supporting region; at least one chip mounted on the supporting region and electrically connected to the substrate; and a shielding lid having a receiving space for receiving the chip, a ground end surface electrically connected to the annular ground pad of the substrate, and at least one auxiliary ground portion electrically connected to the auxiliary ground pad for forming at least one auxiliary ground pathway to adjust the characteristic of the enhanced peak generated by the cavity-resonance effect of the shielding lid. Thus, the enhanced peak can be shifted out of a regulated frequency range of the EMI shielding test, so that the yield thereof can be increased.
US08039926B2
The present invention provides a doped homojunction chalcogenide thin film transistor and a method of fabricating the same, comprising forming an N-type chalcogenide layer constituting a channel layer on a substrate, forming and patterning a diffusion prevention layer on the upper part of the N-type chalcogenide layer, and forming a P-type chalcogenide layer constituting source and drain regions by depositing and diffusing Te alloy on the N-type chalcogenide layer. With the present invention, a thin film transistor can be fabricated using chalcogenide material having N-type conductivity and chalcogenide material having P-type conductivity.
US08039924B2
A semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer which is provided above a semiconductor substrate and includes a first insulating film and a wiring buried in the first insulating film, a second insulating film provided above the first wiring layer, a third insulating film provided on the second insulating film, and a capacitor element provided on the third insulating film. The wiring includes an upper surface having a protruding portion. The capacitor element includes a lower electrode provided on the third insulating film, a capacitor insulating film provided on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode provided on the capacitor insulating film.
US08039915B2
A solid-state image sensor (1) includes: an imaging device wafer (2A); a plurality of imaging devices (3) which are formed on the imaging device wafer (2A); a spacer (5) which surrounds the imaging devices (3) on the imaging device wafer (2A) and is joined to the imaging device wafer (2A) with an adhesive (7); a transparent protection member (4) which covers the imaging devices (3) on the imaging device wafer (2A) and is attached on the spacer (5); and a plurality of electrostatic discharge protection devices (10A) which are formed on the imaging device wafer (2A), the electrostatic discharge protection devices (10A) being positioned under the spacer (5), each of the electrostatic discharge protection devices (10A) having diffusion layers (12, 13) and a well layer (11) between the diffusion layers (12, 13), the well layer (11) being provided with a channel stopper (20).
US08039914B2
A solid-state imaging device includes the following elements. A photoelectric conversion section is arranged in a semiconductor layer having a first surface through which light enters the photoelectric conversion section. A signal circuit section is arranged in a second surface of the semiconductor layer opposite to the first surface. The signal circuit section processes signal charge obtained by photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion section. A reflective layer is arranged on the second surface of the semiconductor layer opposite to the first surface. The reflective layer reflects light transmitted through the photoelectric conversion section back thereto. The reflective layer is composed of a single tungsten layer or a laminate containing a tungsten layer.
US08039908B2
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices and, more specifically, to damascene gates having protected shorting regions and related methods for their manufacture. A first aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a damascene gate with protected shorting regions, the method comprising: forming a damascene gate having: a gate dielectric atop a substrate; a gate conductor atop the gate dielectric; a conductive liner laterally adjacent the gate conductor; a spacer between the conductive liner and the substrate; and a first dielectric atop the gate conductor; removing a portion of the conductive liner; and depositing a second dielectric atop a remaining portion of the conductive liner, such that the second dielectric is laterally adjacent both the first dielectric and the gate.
US08039906B2
A high-voltage metal oxide semiconductor device comprising a main body of a first conductivity type, a conductive structure, a first well of a second conductivity type, a source region of the first conductivity type, and a second well of the second conductivity type is provided. The conductive structure has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is extended from an upper surface of the main body into the main body. The second portion is extended along the upper surface of the main body. The first well is located in the main body and below the second portion. The first well is kept away from the first portion with a predetermined distance. The source region is located in the first well. The second well is located in the main body and extends from a bottom of the first portion to a place close to a drain region.
US08039903B1
In various embodiments, a tiered gate structure transistor is provided including a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain. The tiered gate structure transistor including a gate foot having a top portion and sidewalls. A gate head is attached to the top portion of the gate foot. A passivation layer extends along and directly contacts an uppermost surface of the source, and extends along and directly contacts an uppermost surface of the drain, the passivation layer surrounds the sidewalls of the gate foot such that the top portion is not covered by the passivation layer and such that the passivation layer surrounding the sidewalls supports the gate head.
US08039894B2
A method is disclosed for fabricating a trench transistor, in which there are formed, within an epitaxial layer deposited above a substrate of a first conductivity type, a trench and, within the trench, a gate dielectric and a gate electrode and, in a body region of a second conductivity type adjoining the trench a source region of the first conductivity type, a drift region of the first conductivity type forming a drain zone being formed at the end of the junction between the substrate and the epitaxial layer by means of one or more high-energy implantations, the lower end of the trench projecting into said drift region, and to a trench transistor of this type formed as a low-voltage transistor.
US08039884B2
A semiconductor device includes: a ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode provided above a substrate, a ferroelectric film provided on the first electrode and a second electrode provided on the ferroelectric film; a hydrogen barrier film that covers a top surface and a side surface of the ferroelectric capacitor; an interlayer dielectric film that covers the ferroelectric capacitor and the substrate; a contact hole that penetrates the interlayer dielectric film and the hydrogen barrier film and exposes the second electrode; a barrier metal that covers a top surface of the second electrode exposed in the contact hole and an inner wall surface of the contact hole and is composed of a conductive material having hydrogen barrier property; and a plug conductive section that is embedded in the contact hole and conductively connects to the barrier metal, wherein the inner wall surface of the contact hole at the hydrogen barrier film includes a concave curved surface facing the interior of the contact hole, and the contact hole at the hydrogen barrier film has an inner diameter that gradually becomes smaller toward the second electrode.
US08039881B2
A pixel cell with a photo-conversion device and at least one structure includes a deuterated material adjacent the photo-conversion device.
US08039880B2
A switching circuit. The novel switching circuit includes an active device and a first circuit for providing a reactive inductive load in shunt with the active device. In an illustrative embodiment, the first circuit is implemented using a transmission line coupled between an output of the active device and ground, in parallel with the device, to minimize the parasitic effects of the device drain to source capacitance. In a preferred embodiment, the active device includes a silicon-germanium NFET optimized for operation at high frequencies (e.g. up to 20 GHz). The optimization process includes coupling a compact, low-parasitic polysilicon resistor to a gate of the NFET to provide gate RF isolation, and designing the gate manifold, drain manifold, and drain to source spacing of the NFET for optimal high frequency operation.
US08039874B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor IC that includes a plurality of standard cells arranged in a first direction on a semiconductor substrate, and a first diffusion layer connected to a first power source and a second diffusion layer connected to a second power source in the each standard cell, wherein the first diffusion layers as well as the second diffusion layers of neighboring standard cells are integrally formed.
US08039873B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including an element region having a polygonal shape defined by a plurality of edges, and an isolation region surrounding the element region, and a plurality of gate electrodes provided on the substrate, crossing the element region, arranged in parallel with each other, and electrically connected with each other, wherein at least one of the edges does not cross any of the gate electrodes, and is not parallel to the gate electrodes.
US08039862B2
A white light emitting diode (LED) package with multilayered encapsulation structure and the packaging methods are disclosed. The white LED package structure includes metal electrodes, a heat dissipation base, a PPA plastic for fixing the electrodes and the heat dissipation base together, at least one LED die, a die attaching material, gold wires for electrically connecting the LED die to the electrodes, a first type of silicone encapsulant, a second type of silicone encapsulant, and a phosphor containing layer. The invention utilizes a low-refractive index silicone (the second type of silicone encapsulant) to separate the phosphor containing layer away from the first type of silicone, which covers the LED die, to prevent/reduce emitted light going backward and hitting the LED die.
US08039860B2
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package having the same. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure layer including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer under the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer under the active layer; a conductive layer under the second conductive type semiconductor layer; an adhesive layer under the conductive layer; a support member under the adhesive layer; a contact electrode connected to the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a first lead electrode under the support member; a first electrode connecting the contact electrode to the first lead electrode on a first region of the support member; a second electrode connected to at least one of the conductive layer and the adhesive layer on a second region of the support member; a second lead electrode connected to the second electrode under the support member; and a first insulating layer between the contact electrode and the light emitting structure layer.
US08039855B2
A radiation-emitting semiconductor component, having a layer structure (30) which includes an active layer (32) which, in operation, emits radiation with a spectral distribution (60), and electrical contacts (36, 38, 40) for applying a current to the layer structure (30), includes a coating layer (44) which at least partially surrounds the active layer (32) and holds back a short-wave component of the emitted radiation (60).
US08039847B2
The present invention provides a high yield pathway for the fabrication, transfer and assembly of high quality printable semiconductor elements having selected physical dimensions, shapes, compositions and spatial orientations. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide high precision registered transfer and integration of arrays of microsized and/or nanosized semiconductor structures onto substrates, including large area substrates and/or flexible substrates. In addition, the present invention provides methods of making printable semiconductor elements from low cost bulk materials, such as bulk silicon wafers, and smart-materials processing strategies that enable a versatile and commercially attractive printing-based fabrication platform for making a broad range of functional semiconductor devices.
US08039846B2
Disclosed are a light emitting diode having a thermal conductive substrate and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting diode includes a thermal conductive insulating substrate. A plurality of metal patterns are spaced apart from one another on the insulating substrate, and light emitting cells are located in regions on the respective metal patterns. Each of the light emitting cells includes a P-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and an N-type semiconductor layer. Meanwhile, metal wires electrically connect upper surfaces of the light emitting cells to adjacent metal patterns. Accordingly, since the light emitting cells are operated on the thermal conductive substrate, a heat dissipation property of the light emitting diode can be improved.
US08039841B2
An organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display includes a first thin film transistor disposed on a substrate; a first insulating layer disposed on the first thin film transistor; a reflective electrode disposed on the first insulating layer; a common voltage line disposed on the first insulating layer and separated from the reflective electrode; a second insulating layer disposed on the reflective electrode and the common voltage line; a pixel electrode disposed on the second insulating layer and electrically connected to the first thin film transistor; an organic light-emitting member disposed on the pixel electrode; and a common electrode disposed on the organic light-emitting member, wherein the common voltage line is electrically connected to the common electrode.
US08039838B2
Systems and methods of fabricating silicon-based thin film transistors (TFTs) on flexible substrates. The systems and methods incorporate and combine deposition processes such as chemical vapor deposition and plasma-enhance vapor deposition, printing, coating, and other deposition processes, with laser annealing, etching techniques, and laser doping, all performed at low temperatures such that the precision, resolution, and registration is achieved to produce a high performing transistor. Such TFTs can be used in applications such as displays, packaging, labeling, and the like.
US08039835B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a transparent oxide layer disposed on one surface side of the substrate, a gate disposed apart from the transparent oxide layer, and a gate insulating layer disposed between the transparent oxide layer and the gate. The transparent oxide layer includes a source, a drain, and a channel formed integrally between the source and the drain, and is made of a transparent oxide material as the main material. The gate provides an electric field to the channel. The gate insulating layer insulates the source and the drain from the gate. The average thickness of the channel is smaller than the average thickness of the source and the drain so that the source and the drain function as conductors and the channel functions as a semiconductor.
US08039834B2
A semiconducting device includes a substrate, a piezoelectric wire, a structure, a first electrode and a second electrode. The piezoelectric wire has a first end and an opposite second end and is disposed on the substrate. The structure causes the piezoelectric wire to bend in a predetermined manner between the first end and the second end so that the piezoelectric wire enters a first semiconducting state. The first electrode is coupled to the first end and the second electrode is coupled to the second end so that when the piezoelectric wire is in the first semiconducting state, an electrical characteristic will be exhibited between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08039832B2
An liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material practical as an organic semiconductor is provided. The material is a liquid crystal composition having a smectic liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material has a distyrylbenzene structure of formula (1). When heated to a temperature range for the smectic liquid crystal phase followed by being cooled, the material takes on a solid state as a result of phase transition from the smectic phase. Wherein R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, each represent an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a group of general formula (2): Wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and B represents —(CH2)m—, —(CH2)m—O—, —CO—O—(CH2)m, —CO—O—(CH2)m—O—, —C6H4—CH2—O— or —CO—.
US08039826B2
A method of inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press comprises illuminating a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The method further comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate, and comparing the data representative of the printed substrate with stored reference data.
US08039825B2
This installation includes: a light source; means for storing film photoresist for exposure and exposed photoresist; a film carrier for positioning said film photoresist at an exposure plane; a projection lens capable of projecting the digital images at the exposure plane; a liquid crystal matrix where the various digital images to be exposed are displayed; a retractable mirror oriented at 45° to an optical axis of the projection lens; and an image analysis device positioned symmetrically to said exposure plane with regard to the plane containing said mirror when the latter is in place on the optical axis. When said mirror is positioned on the optical axis, the image analysis device is suitable for receiving the image transmitted by the liquid crystal matrix issuing from the projection lens. The signals thereby detected are processed using an associated software, for setting the characteristics of the optical members of the installation.
US08039823B2
There is provided a material activating device capable of being formed in any one of various shapes and having an improved material activating effect.A material activating device formed by superposing a plurality of polymer film 31 each having one surface coated with a metal film 32, and radioactive layer 33 of a radioactive means has a very small thickness and is very flexible. The metal films 32 are insulated from each other by the electrically insulating polymer films 31 and are spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the polymer films 31. Consequently, the material activating effect of the radioactive rays emitted by the radioactive layer 33 of the radioactive means is enhanced.
US08039821B2
An ion implantation apparatus of high energy is disclosed in this invention. The new and improved system can have a wide range of ion beam energy at high beam transmission rates and flexible operation modes for different ion species. This high energy implantation system can be converted into a medium current by removing RF linear ion acceleration unit.
US08039814B2
A luminescence sensor, such as a luminescence biosensor or a luminescence chemical sensor, includes a substrate having at least one aperture filled with a medium. The aperture has a first lateral dimension larger than the diffraction limit of excitation radiation in the medium, and a second lateral dimension smaller than the diffraction limit of the excitation radiation in the medium. A method is also provided for the detection of luminescence radiation, e.g. fluorescence radiation, generated by at least one optically variable molecule, e.g. fluorophore, in the at least one aperture. Beneficially, the excitation radiation is polarized to suppress the excitation radiation in the apertures. The luminescence sensor and the method are able to detect relatively low concentrations of optically variable molecules, e.g. fluorophores.
US08039805B2
A SPECT system which scans over multiple separate scans and individually motion compensates the information obtained from each of these scans. The separate scans may be over different angular extents and may be for different purposes. One of the scans for example may be a scout scan, and the other scans may then be scans which concentrate on areas identified during the scout scan. Alternatively, the scans may all being exactly the same and stitched together after the individual motion compensation. Since each of the scans are shorter, the patient will presumably have moved less during each individual scan, and the amount of motion is hence presumably less.
US08039789B2
A method of determining a relative condition of an ionizer in an ionization system includes placing the ionization system in a calibration mode, stepping the ionization system through one or more of a range of adjustments, collecting calibration data at each step and storing the calibration data in a memory, placing the ionization system in an operating mode, collecting real-time data regarding an output of the ionization system, comparing the real-time data to the calibration data and determining difference values therebetween, and using the difference values to determine the relative condition of the ionizer.
US08039788B2
An imaging target, suited for use in multi-modal imaging systems, includes test patterns for testing quality of both focus and co-registration for multiple magnifications and multiple modalities of operation of a multimodal imaging system.
US08039781B2
In a solid state imaging device to be included in an imaging device such as a digital camera, a ramp run-up AD conversion circuit for AD converting a pixel signal is provided corresponding to one or a plurality of pixel columns. A column counter provided in each ramp run-up AD conversion circuit holds an upper bit, and a clock signal is supplied to one or plural latches for holding a lower bit. Thus, fast and accurate AD conversion can be realized while suppressing increase of clock frequency.
US08039779B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, an operation area, at least one display, an input detector, a light source device, and a controller. The operation area is provided on an outer surface of the housing. The display is located in the operation area, and includes a first indicator and a second indicator made of a light transmissive material. The first indicator corresponds to a design that indicates operation content, while the second indicator is located in a position not covered by an operation tool with which operation is performed on the first indicator and indicates operation state. The input detector faces the operation area in the housing and detects electrostatic capacitance in the operation area. The light source device emits light to the display in the operation area. The controller controls the light source device based on a variation in electrostatic capacitance detected by the input detector to turn on or off at least the second indicator.
US08039777B2
The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure.
US08039765B2
In a leadthrough for an electrical high voltage conductor through a wall which separates a process area from an ambient area, comprising a body of a dielectric high voltage resistant material, two axially adjacent geometric base structures are provided, a cylinder and a truncated cone having a smaller diameter end adjacent the cylinder so that the cylinder has a radial annular surface area adjacent the truncated cone, and the cylinder includes axially extending gas supply bores arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the cylinder and having exit openings at the radial annular face of the cylinder such that gas supplied to the gas supply bores at the ambient area end of the cylinder is discharged from the gas supply bores onto the outer surface of the truncated cone to form a gas envelope around the truncated cone.
US08039763B1
The present invention provides a configuration of a computer-chassis containment or other electromagnetic device method for manufacture in which a “one-hit” solution may be implemented to provide adequate electromagnetic interference shielding (EMC shielding) and is configured such that shielding gaskets, “spoons” or other excessive structures may be reduced or eliminated completely. Patterned sinusoidal “patterns” that are stamped, molded, cut, or extruded into one or more sides of a “box” provide sufficient EMI shielding, such that the need for gaskets is reduced or eliminated.
US08039759B2
A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board with a capacitor embedded therein which has a dielectric film using laser lift off, and a capacitor manufactured thereby. In the method, a dielectric film is formed on a transparent substrate and heat-treated. A first conductive layer is formed on the heat-treated dielectric film. A laser beam is irradiated onto a stack formed, from below the transparent substrate, to separate the transparent substrate from the stack. After the transparent substrate is separated from the stack, a second conductive layer is formed with a predetermined pattern on the dielectric film. Also, an insulating layer and a third conductive layer are formed on the first and second conductive layers to alternate with each other in a predetermined number.
US08039755B2
A circuit board element and production thereof are disclosed, whereby a noble metal is applied to a structured conductor layer on a circuit board substrate, comprising said conductor layer. The conductor layer is roughened on the surface, preferably after the structuring thereof and the noble metal applied as a layer, essentially on all of the structured roughened conductor layer, whereupon the noble metal layer surface is given a corresponding roughness.
US08039747B2
A cable for transmitting high voltage electricity for use with an electric submersible pump has a plurality of solid conductors for conducting electricity along the length of the cable. The solid conductors are uniformly and firmly bonded to the surrounding insulation with a thin bonding layer applied directly over the conductor. A layer of conductive fabric tape surrounds the insulation to form an outer stress control layer. The insulated conductors are surrounded by an extruded layer of lead. A second layer of fabric tape surrounds the lead. An armored outer layer surrounds the insulated conductors and the lead. Space between the insulated and wrapped conductors and the armored outer layer is filled with a jacket material.
US08039746B2
An electrical connector includes a terminal (11) fixed to a connector housing (10). The electrical connector includes a conductor (23) exposed from a covering (22) and having a connection portion connected to a connection portion of the terminal (11). The electrical connector includes a foam element (31) at a predetermined foam ratio located around respective connection portions of the conductor (23) and the terminal (11).
US08039743B2
In a method for longitudinal sealing of electrical conductors that include one or more conductor elements disposed inside an external sheath, and include cavities between the individual conductor elements and between the individual conductor elements and the external sheath, in which the one end, requiring sealing, of the conductor is immersed in a liquid sealing compound, and the other end of the conductor has negative pressure applied to it. A sealing apparatus suitable for carrying out said method encompasses a supply reservoir for the liquid sealing compound into which the one end, requiring sealing, of the conductor is immersed, and a negative-pressure source to which the other end of the conductor is connected.
US08039737B2
The use of rare-earth (RE+O, N, P) based materials to transition between two semiconductor materials is disclosed. Rare earth based oxides, nitrides and phosphides provide a wide range of lattice spacings enabling, compressive, tensile or stress-free lattice matching with Group IV, III-V, and Group II-VI compounds. Disclosed embodiments include tandem solar cells.
US08039733B2
A construction method of solar battery modules by which solar battery modules are fixed using a fixing member, including: connecting a first frame body of a solar battery module between a pedestal and a to-be connected portion on a side opposite to a side of a plate-like portion extending outward farther than the pedestal with respect to an axis of the fixing member; sliding the fixing member to a position of a structural member such as a rafter along the first frame body; fixing the fixing member to a support member by the plate-like portion extending outward farther than the pedestal; and connecting a first frame body of a second solar battery module different from the first solar battery module between the pedestal and the to-be connected portion on a side identical to a side of the plate-like portion extending outward farther than the pedestal with respect to the axis.
US08039732B2
A solar energy trap (10) includes a chamber (11) having inlet post (12), such that solar energy (13) entering the chamber (11) through the inlet port (12) is absorbed and reflected within the chamber (11) means until substantially all the solar energy (13) is absorbed by the chamber (11). Preferably, the inlet port (12) is arranged to cause photons of the solar energy (13) entering the chamber (11) to circulate substantially in a single direction within the chamber (11) until absorbed, such that on re-passing the inlet port (12) substantially no photons emerge from the inlet port (12).
US08039727B2
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus with a first housing portion which is thermally conductive and which has a first case opening; a second housing portion which is thermally conductive and which has a second case opening, the second case opening being hermetically sealed to the first case opening, with the first housing portion and the second housing portion at least partially defining an interior volume; cardiac rhythm management electronics disposed in the interior volume; a thermal shunt disposed in the interior volume; and a thermoelectric energy converter disposed in the interior volume and adjacent the thermal shunt, the thermoelectric energy converter having a first pole and a second pole, with the first pole thermally connected to the first housing portion, and the second pole thermally connected to the shunt.
US08039723B2
A device is disclosed for converting guitar sounds to MIDI commands. The device has 7 microcontrollers. Each guitar string's oscillations are filtered and amplified with input filters and input amplifiers. The conditioned string signal is directed to an input of an associated microcontroller and converted to a MIDI command. Each string has an input filter and amplifier, and a microcontroller that converts the string oscillations into a MIDI command. MIDI commands from all six microcontrollers are received and processed by a main microcontroller that transmits the commands to the MIDI interface of a musical instrument with additional modification, if needed.
US08039720B2
A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, having components made from glass, and methods of manufacturing and assembling the same are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for manufacturing a glass fretboard, manufacturing glass frets, assembling the glass frets to the fretboard, and assembling the fretboard to the neck of the stringed instrument. In addition to the fretboard and frets, other components of the stringed instrument may also be made from glass. For example, the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing glass saddles and top nuts to allow the strings of the stringed instrument to substantially entirely contact glass. This produces a clean, crisp sound and overcomes the problem of generating an inferior sound that results from the imperfections found in natural wood components, for example.
US08039709B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH414517. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH414517, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH414517 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH414517.
US08039698B2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 779020G. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 779020G. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 779020G and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 779020G with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08039694B2
A soybean cultivar designated S080179 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080179, to the plants of soybean S080179, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080179 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080179 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S080179, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080179 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S080179 with another soybean cultivar.
US08039692B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated RJS18003. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety RJS18003, to the plants of soybean RJS18003 to plant parts of soybean variety RJS18003 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety RJS18003 with another soybean plant, using RJS18003 as either the male or the female parent.
US08039687B2
The present invention provides a method for selecting genomic DNA fragments which are useful for providing a plant with an agriculturally advantageous improvement. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: 1) preparing genomic DNA from a plant, which is then cloned into a cloning vector to form a genomic DNA library; 2) introducing a genomic fragment from each of the genomic clones constituting the genomic DNA library separately into a plant to produce transgenic plants; 3) cultivating the transgenic plants or progeny thereof to select a plant exhibiting an agriculturally advantageous phenotypic variation; and 4) selecting the genomic DNA fragment, which was introduced in step (2) into the plant selected in step (3), as a purposed genomic DNA fragment.
US08039682B2
A hydrocarbon product stream having hydrocarbons with boiling points in the aviation fuel range is produced from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal oils. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating, deoxygenating, isomerization, and selectively hydrocracking the feedstock to produce paraffinic hydrocarbons having from about 9 to about 16 carbon atoms and a high iso/normal ratio in a single reaction zone containing a multifunctional catalyst, or set of catalysts, having hydrogenation, deoxygenation, isomerization and selective hydrocracking functions.
US08039679B2
An improved process is provided for producing bisphenol-A (BPA) comprising steps of (1) contacting benzene and a C3 alkylating agent to produce an alkylation effluent comprising cumene; (2) oxidizing the cumene to produce the corresponding hydroperoxide; (3) cleaving the hydroperoxide to produce product comprising phenol and acetone; (4) reacting acetone with phenol to form a reaction product stream comprising crude bisphenol-A product; (5) distilling the reaction product stream, while sending downstream to a BPA-phenol adduct crystallization and purification step, the resulting concentrated BPA phenolic feed stream; (6) producing BPA-phenol adduct crystals by crystallization of the concentrated BPA phenolic feed stream; (7) separating the BPA-phenol adduct crystals by solid-liquid separationr; (8) cracking a stream comprising at least a portion of said final mother liquor to recover a product; and (9) recovering and feeding the phenol product of step (8) to step (4) and/or step (7).
US08039676B2
A process for producing a compound of the formula: including reacting of a compound of the formula: with diphenyl phosphine oxide using a binary phase reaction mixture including diphenyl phosphine oxide in an organic solvent, a basic aqueous solution, and a phase transfer catalyst, to obtain the compound of formula 1, wherein Ph is phenyl, X1 and X2 are both hydrogen or X1 and X2 taken together are CH2, R1 is a protecting group, R2 is fluorine, hydrogen, or OR3, wherein R3 is a protecting group, and the squiggly line represents a bond that results in the adjacent double bond being in either the E or Z configuration, is disclosed.
US08039675B2
Catalysts suitable for asymmetric hydrogenation reactions are described comprising the reaction product of a group 8 transition metal compound, a chiral phosphine and a chiral diamine of formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl or cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a urethane or sulphonyl group and R5, R6, R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl or cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group, at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is hydrogen and A is a linking group comprising one or two substituted or unsubstituted carbon atoms.
US08039674B2
Provided are: a compound represented by formula (I): (wherein ring A and ring D each represent a cyclic group which may have a substituent(s); E and G each represent a bond or a spacer having 1 to 8 atoms in its main chain; L represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; X represents amino which may have a substituent(s), or a heterocyclic group which contains at least one nitrogen atom and which may have a substituent(s); n represents 0 to 3, in which when n is 2 or more, a plurality of ring A's may be the same or different from one another); a salt thereof; an N-oxide form thereof; a solvate thereof, a prodrug thereof; and a medicament which includes those. The compound represented by formula (I) is capable of binding S1P receptors (in particular, EDG-1 and/or EDG-6), and useful for preventing and/or treating rejection in transplantation, autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases, etc.
US08039673B2
Described are antioxidant macromolecules and methods of making and using same.
US08039665B2
A method for producing a fluorine-containing carboxylic acid ester represented by the general formula R1HCFCOOR2 involves reacting a fluorine-containing ether represented by the general formula R1HCFCF2OR2 with water in the presence of a solid catalyst. The solid catalyst is at least one selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, sulfated zirconia, an activated carbon on which sulfuric acid is supported, a resin having acid sites, and aluminum phosphate. In the general formulas R1HCFCOOR2 and R1HCFCF2OR2, R1 represents a fluorine atom or a C1-4 perfluoroalkyl group, and R2 represents a monovalent organic group.
US08039660B2
The present invention relates to the manufacture of nitrile compounds from unsaturated organic compounds by reaction with hydrogen cyanide. It relates more particularly to the manufacture of nitrile compounds of use in the synthesis of adiponitrile, an important chemical intermediate in the manufacture of major chemical compounds, such as hexamethylenediamine and ε-caprolactam. The invention provides a process for the manufacture of organic compounds comprising at least one nitrile functional group by carrying out a hydrocyanation reaction between hydrogen cyanide and an organic compound comprising at least one ethylenic unsaturation. This reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a metal element chosen from the group consisting of nickel, platinum and palladium and an organophosphorus ligand, the reaction medium additionally comprising an ionic liquid in the liquid state at least at the temperature at which the hydrocyanation reaction is carried out.
US08039654B2
Disclosed is an esterification reaction product which is capable of gelling both an oil agent and a cyclic silicone or a volatile dimethylpolysiloxane, or both an oil agent and a nonvolatile dimethylpolysiloxane. Also disclosed are a gelling agent contacting the esterification reaction product, and a cosmetic preparation containing the esterification reaction product or the gelling product and having an excellent feeling of use. Specifically, the cosmetic preparation contains, as a gelling agent, an esterification reaction product which is obtained by esterifying a component A that is a polyhydric alcohol or a condensate thereof, a component B that is a saturated dibasic acid having 10-28 carbon atoms, a component C that is a linear saturated fatty acid having 16-28 carbon atoms, and a component D that is a branched saturated fatty acid having 8-28 carbon atoms at a blending ratio (component A:component B) of 1.0 mole:0.10-0.20 mole.
US08039642B2
The invention provides a novel class of reactive fluorescent agents that are based on a pyrene sulfonic acid nucleus. The agents are readily incorporated into conjugates with other species by reacting the reactive group with a group of complementary reactivity on the other species of the conjugate. Also provided are methods of using the compounds of the invention to detect and/or quantify an analyte in a sample. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides multi-color assays incorporating the compounds of the invention.
US08039636B2
Methods, composition, and intermediates are disclosed that are useful for making 4-Tetrazolyl-4-phenylpiperidine Compounds according to Formula I, where Ar1 is —C3-C8 cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl or -(5-7-membered) heteroaryl, each being unsubstituted or substituted with one or more R2 groups; Ar2 is phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl or -(5-7-membered) heteroaryl, each being unsubstituted or substituted with one or more R2 groups; Z1 and Z2 are each independently a —(C1-C4 alkyl) group; R1 is —(CH2)nC(O)N(R3)(R4) where R3 and R4 are each independently H or —(C1-C4 alkyl); R2 is halogen, —C1-C3 alkyl, —O—(C1-C3 alkyl), —NH(C1-C3 alkyl) or —N(C1-C3 alkyl)2; n is an integer ranging from 1 to 4; m is an integer ranging from 0 to 4; and, in certain embodiments, the phenyl moiety attached to the 4-position of the piperidine ring of a compound according to Formula I can be optionally substituted with one or more R2 groups.
US08039631B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing Crystalline Form A of Lansoprazole. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for preparing highly pure Crystalline Form A of Lansoprazole in a large scale without any additional conversion step, even by using ethanol in which Crystalline Form B is easily formed.
US08039630B2
The present invention relates to a cationic compound denoted by the general formula (I). In general formula (I), Ar1 and Ar2 each independently denote an optionally substituted aryl group or aromatic heterocyclic group, L1 denotes a single bond or a divalent linkage group, with at least one from among Ar1, Ar2 and L1 comprising one or more onium cations; R3 and R4 each independently denote a substituent and may form a ring with a benzene ring substituted; m3 and m4 each independently denote an integer ranging from 0 to 4, and plural R3s and R4s may be identical or different from each other when m3 and m4 are an integer ranging from 2 to 4.
US08039628B2
The present invention relates to a process for isolating (αS,βR)-6-bromo-α-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-methoxy-α-1-naphthalenyl-β-phenyl-3-quinolineethanol from a mixture of stereoisomeric forms of 6-bromo-α-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-methoxy-α-1-naphthalenyl-β-phenyl-3-quinolineethanol by optical resolution with chiral 4-hydroxydinaphtho[2,1-d:1′,2′-f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin 4-oxide or a derivative thereof, in particular (11bR)-4-hydroxydinaphtho[2,1-d:1′,2′-f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin 4-oxide, as resolution agent.
US08039626B2
The method of manufacturing of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin of formula I characterized in that 7-ethyl-1,2,6,7-tetrahydrocampotothecin of formula IV is oxidized with an oxidizing agent selected from the group comprising iodosobenzene, an ester of iodosobenzene, sodium periodate, potassium periodate, potassium peroxodisulfate and ammonium peroxodisulfate, in a solvent formed by a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic add containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and in the presence of water.
US08039618B2
The present invention is directed to a method for producing bicyclic guanidines comprising heating a cyclic urea to a temperature >200° C. to form the bicyclic guanidines.
US08039615B2
The invention provides a process for producing the crystals of difructose dianhydride III (DFA III), namely a indigestible disaccharide where two fructose molecules are bonded to each other at positions 1,2′ and 2,3′ (di-D-fructofuranose-1,2′,2,3′-dianhydride), where solutions containing DFA III are adjusted to and/or maintained at pH 5 or more, preferably pH 5 to 8, and more preferably 6 to 8. In accordance with the invention, DFA III can be produced industrially without lowering the crystal yield even when the crystallization thereof is done in a recycling system; additionally by adjusting the total fructose content in mother solutions for (crude) crystallization to 5% or less per a solid content basis and adjusting the fructose content to 1% or less, DFA III can more effectively be produced.
US08039614B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a 4′-C-substituted-2-haloadenosine derivative represented by the following formula [I], [II], or [III]: wherein X represents a halogen atom, R1 represents an ethynyl group or a cyano group, and R2 represents hydrogen or a phosphoryl group. The present invention also provides the derivative, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. The derivative is useful as a medicine for the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
US08039613B2
A formulation containing guanidine thiocyanate together with acetamide, one or more acetamide derivatives, or a combination of acetamide and one or more acetamide derivatives is used to purify one or more nucleic acids contained in a medium. In particular, a medium containing at least one nucleic acid is combined with a binding matrix and the formulation in order to cause the at least one nucleic acid to separate from its in vivo cellular environment and to bind to the binding matrix. The binding matrix with at least one nucleic acid bound thereto then is separated from substantially the rest of the combined medium and formulation, after which the at least one nucleic acid is eluted from the binding matrix to obtain the at least one nucleic acid in a substantially purified form. If different nucleic acids are to be selectively purified from a single medium, multiple binding matrices, each compatible with a different nucleic acid, can be used.
US08039607B2
A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 2 and mutated sequences thereof.
US08039606B2
The present invention relates to a novel RNA picornavirus that is called Seneca Valley virus (“SVV”). The invention provides isolated SVV nucleic acids and proteins encoded by these nucleic acids. Further, the invention provides antibodies that are raised against the SVV proteins. Because SVV has the ability to selectively kill some types of tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV and SVV polypeptides to treat cancer. Because SVV specifically targets certain tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV nucleic acids and proteins to detect cancer. Additionally, due to the information provided by the tumor-specific mechanisms of SVV, the invention provides methods of making new oncolytic virus derivatives and of altering viruses to have tumor-specific tropisms.
US08039596B2
The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, that specifically bind to integrin α5β1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the disclosure are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof are also provided. The disclosure also provides methods for treating various cancers using the anti-α5β1 antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof described herein.
US08039595B2
The present invention relates to a cell for the production of an antibody molecule such as an antibody useful for various diseases having high antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity, a fragment of the antibody and a fusion protein having the Fc region of the antibody or the like, a method for producing an antibody composition using the cell, the antibody composition and use thereof.
US08039590B2
Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R2 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R2 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or that of a different GPCR.
US08039581B2
A process for crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing a molten polyester polymer, such as a polyethylene terephthalate polymer, into a liquid medium at a liquid medium temperature greater than the Tg of the polyester polymer, such as at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 190° C., and allowing the molten polyester polymer to reside in the liquid medium for a time sufficient to crystallize the polymer under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium. A process flow, underwater cutting process, crystallization in a pipe, and a separator are also described.
US08039565B2
A catalytic system usable for the copolymerization of at least one conjugated diene and at least one monoolefin, a process for preparing this catalytic system, a process for preparing a copolymer of a conjugated diene and at least one monoolefin using said catalytic system, and said copolymer are described. This catalytic system includes: (i) an organometallic complex represented by the following formula: {[P(Cp)(Fl)Ln(X)(LX)}p (1) where Ln represents a lanthanide atom to which is attached a ligand molecule comprising cyclopentadienyl Cp and fluorenyl Fl groups linked to one another by a bridge P of the formula MR1R2, M is an element from column IVa of Mendeleev's periodic table and R1 and R2 each represent alkyl groups of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl or phenyl groups of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, X represents a halogen atom, L represents an optional complexing molecule, such as an ether, and optionally a substantially less complexing molecule, such as toluene, p is a natural integer greater than or equal to 1 and x is greater than or equal to 0, and (ii) a co-catalyst selected from alkylmagnesiums, alkyllithiums, alkylaluminums, Grignard reagents and mixtures of these constituents.
US08039561B2
To provide a highly efficient and stable method for the preparation of a silicon-containing polysulfide-type polymer, in particular, a polysulfide-type polymer with organosilyl groups, the method being carried out without generation of by-products that could have high impact on the environment. A method for the preparation of a silicon-containing polysulfide-type polymer characterized by mixing (A) a silicon-containing compound having a silicon atom-bonded monovalent organic group having an aliphatic unsaturated bond; (B) a polysulfide polymer with at least two mercapto groups in one molecule; and (C) an organic base or ammonia; the mixing being carried out in the presence of (D) sulfur.
US08039559B2
The present invention relates to a two-component composition comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component being a non-aqueous resin composition comprising an unsaturated polyester resin or vinyl ester resin, a transition metal compound selected from a copper, iron, manganese or titanium compound, a potassium compound, and the resin composition contains less than 0.01 mmol cobalt per kg primary resin system and less than 0.01 mmol vanadium per kg primary resin system; and the second component comprises a peroxide compound.
US08039557B2
A process for the preparation of vinylaromatic (co)polymers grafted on an elastomer in a controlled way, comprising the dissolving of an elastomer, such as polibutadiene, in a mixture consisting of a monomer and of a solvent in the presence of a polymerization catalytic system, which comprises an initiator of free radicals and a stable initiator of free radicals. The mixture obtained in this way is heated to a temperature of about 100° C. to functionalize the rubber, then more monomer is added and the temperature is raised to start the polymerization reaction.
US08039551B2
Modified epoxy resins comprising the reaction product of rosin and a linking molecule, further reacted with an epoxy resin, are disclosed. Aqueous dispersions and coatings comprising these resins are also disclosed.
US08039550B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer dispersion comprising polymerising one or more water soluble anionic monomers (m1) and one or more non-ionic vinyl monomers (m2) present in a reaction mixture further comprising a polymeric stabiliser (B) and a polymeric co-stabiliser (C). It further relates to a polymer dispersion, the use of the polymer dispersion and a process for producing paper.
US08039546B2
This invention provides a modified natural rubber latex formed by charging a polar group-containing mercapto compound into a natural rubber latex to add the polar group-containing mercapto compound to a natural rubber molecule in the natural rubber latex, a modified natural rubber formed by coagulating and drying the modified natural rubber latex, and the rubber composition using the modified natural rubber and being excellent in the low loss factor, wear resistance and fracture characteristics.
US08039543B2
A composition includes a first cylcoolefin substituted with at least one epoxy group and an aromatic amine. The composition is capable of bonding to a filler having a corresponding binding site. The composition is compatible with a metathesis catalyst capable of catalyzing a ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction when contacted with the first cycloolefin. An associated method is also provided.
US08039542B2
Disclosed is a pigment dispersion containing a polymer compound having a partial structure represented by the following formula (1) at a terminal end of a main chain of the polymer compound, and a pigment. In formula (1), R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent; R1 and R2 may form a ring by bonding with each other; and * represents a position that is directly or indirectly bonded to the main chain structure of the compound.
US08039536B2
The invention provides an interlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass, which are protected against a slump in TL value through attenuation of said coincidence effect and adapted to display an outstanding sound insulation performance over a broad temperature range. An interlayer film for a laminated glass comprising a plasticizer and a polyacetal resin, which is a blend of a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 1,000 to 3,000 and a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 3,000 to 5,000, and which has an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %. An interlayer film for a laminated glass which shows a temperature dependence of loss tangent in which the lowest-temperature side maximum of loss tangent appears at 30° C. or lower when examined for dynamic viscoelasticity.
US08039532B2
A compound represented by formula (I-1): wherein R21, R22, R23 and R24 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, with the proviso that compounds, in which R21, R22, R23 and R24 each are an alkylthio group, are excluded; R21 and R22 and/or R23 and R24 each may bond to each other to form a ring, with the proviso that compounds, in which the formed ring is a dithiol ring or a dithiolane ring, are excluded; R25 and R26 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent; X21, X22, X23 and X24 each independently represent a hetero atom; compounds, wherein R21, R22, R23 and R24 each represent a cyan group; X21, X22, X23 and X24 each represent a sulfur atom; and R25 and R26 each represent a hydroxyl group or a hydrogen atom, are excluded; and compounds, wherein R21 and R23 each represent a hydrogen atom; R22 and R24 each represent an arylcarbonyl group; X21, X22, X23 and X24 each represent a sulfur atom; and R25 and R26 each represent a hydroxyl group, are excluded; and an ultraviolet absorbent, which has molecular weight of 10,000 or less and molar extinction coefficient at the maximum absorption wavelength of the ultraviolet absorbent of 80,000 or more.
US08039531B2
Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers.
US08039529B2
The present invention relates to an industrially beneficial method of manufacturing golf balls which includes the steps of pre-preparing a masterbatch of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof by mixing an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof with a rubber material, preparing a rubber composition that contains the rubber material by using the masterbatch, and employing a material obtained by molding the rubber composition under heat as a golf ball component. The masterbatch is composed of: (A) from 20 to 100 wt % of a modified polybutadiene obtained by a modification reaction wherein a polybutadiene having a vinyl content of from 0 to 2%, a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 80% and an active end is modified at the active end with at least one type of alkoxysilane compound, and (B) from 80 to 0 wt % of a diene rubber other than ingredient A, such that ingredients A and B are included in a combined amount of 100 wt %, and (C) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof.
US08039525B2
The subject of the invention is a process for producing polyamide, copolyamide, polyolefin, copolyester amide or fluorocarbon resin powder particles on to the surface of which has been grafted at least one functionalized grafting monomer, characterized in that it comprises: a) a step of blending the polyamide or copolyamide powder particles with the functionalized grafting monomer; followed by b) a step of irradiating the powder impregnated with functionalized grafting monomer resulting from a) with photons (γ-radiation) or electrons (β-radiation), with a dose ranging from 0.5 to 15 Mrad. The invention also relates to the particles grafted in this way and to the compositions containing such particles.
US08039517B2
A method of preparing an organic sol of particles is provided. Steps include: a) providing a suspension of particles in an aqueous medium; b) adding an organic liquid to form an admixture where the concentration of particles in the admixture is less than or equal to 40 percent by weight; c) maintaining the admixture at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to reduce the water content to less than 30 percent by weight while simultaneously adding a water-compatible organic liquid at a rate sufficient to maintain a concentration of particles in the admixture at less than or equal to 50 percent by weight; and d) adding at least one polymer while maintaining the admixture at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to provide an organic sol of particles comprising 1 percent by weight or less of water.
US08039513B2
The present invention relates to cis-1,2-substituted stilbene derivatives, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, glucosides or solvates, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, and use of said compound for preparation of a drug for treatment and/or prevention of diabetes or improvement of diabetic complications.
US08039508B2
Pharmaceutical compositions that contain a lipase inhibitor having a melting point ≧37° C., a sucrose fatty acid ester wherein the sucrose fatty acid ester is a mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-ester, and optionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, are useful for treatment of obesity.
US08039506B2
The present invention provides novel bicyclic lactams derivatives, and analogues thereof, of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer, tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof, wherein the variables A, B, C, W, Y, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, R8, and R9 are as defined herein. These compounds are selective inhibitors of factor VIIa which can be used as medicaments.
US08039503B2
The present invention provides novel tricyclic spiro-oxathiine naphthoquinone derivatives, a synthetic method for making the derivatives, and the use of the derivatives to induce cell death and/or to inhibit proliferation of cancer or precancerous cells. The naphthoquinone derivatives of the present invention are related to the compound known as β-lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho(1,2-b)pyran-5,6-dione).
US08039502B2
A new class of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) inhibitors of Formula I: wherein X wherein X is —CF3, Ar is selected from and R is selected from where R′ is L-Lys, D-Lys, β-Ala, L-Lue, L-Ile, Phe, SO2CH2CH2NH2, SO2NH2, Asn, Glu or Gyl, and R″ is methyl, ethyl, allyl, CH2CH2OH, CH2CN, CH2CH2CN, CH2CONH2,
US08039495B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus.
US08039491B2
Compounds of the present invention and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”). The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using compounds of the present invention.
US08039490B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula as dual modulators of the 5-HT2a and D3 receptors useful against CNS disorders, wherein A, R1, R2, n, p, q and r are as defined in the specification.
US08039489B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1-3, R5-7, a, X, Y, Y′, Y″, and Z are as defined in the specification. These compounds are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US08039488B2
The present invention comprises a group of compounds that effectively inhibit angiogenesis. More specifically, thalidomide and various related compounds such as thalidomide precursors, analogs, metabolites and hydrolysis products have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and to treat disease states resulting from angiogenesis. Additionally, antiinflammatory drugs, such as steroids and NSAIDs can inhibit angiogenesis dependent diseases either alone or in combination with thalidomide and related compounds. Importantly, these compounds can be administered orally.
US08039482B2
A solid pharmaceutical preparation of solifenacin or a salt thereof, the preparation being stable and inhibited from decomposing with time when supplied to clinical fields. In a pharmaceutical preparation containing solifenacin or a salt thereof, the compound in an amorphous form was revealed to be causative of cardinal-drug decomposition with time. The composition for a solid pharmaceutical preparation of solifenacin or a salt thereof contains solifenacin or its salt each in a crystalline from, and the content provided are: a process for producing the composition; and a medicinal composition for solid pharmaceutical preparations which contains solifenacin and an amorphization inhibitor.
US08039478B2
The present invention relates to purinone derivatives which are agonists of the HM74a receptor. Further provided are compositions and methods of using the compounds herein, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts for the treatment of disease.
US08039476B2
The present invention relates to a novel polymorph of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide, processes for its preparation, its use as a medicament, its use in the manufacture of a medicament, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel polymorph.
US08039474B2
The invention relates to novel tetrahydro-1H-carbazole derivatives and their use as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concerns related aspects including processes for the preparation of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of those compounds and methods of treatment comprising administration of said compounds to patients.
US08039472B2
A compound of Formula I in free or salt or solvate form, where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, is useful for treating diseases which respond to the blockade of the epithelial sodium channel. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and processes for preparing the compounds are also described.
US08039471B2
The present invention provides a compound of Formula I or Formula II: enantiomer, diastereomer, prodrug, solvate, metabolite, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein constituent variables are provided herein. The compounds of Formula I and II are modulators of metalloproteases and are useful in treating diseases associated with metalloprotease activity such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, skin disorders, inflammation and allergic conditions.
US08039468B2
The invention is directed to a method for alleviating respiratory depression in a subject as a result of disease of pharmacological agents such as opiates, opioids or barbiturates. The invention also discloses pharmaceutical compositions for use with the method, the composition containing in combination, an analgesic, anaesthetic, or a sedative and a positive allosteric AMPA receptor modulator in an amount sufficient to reduce or inhibit respiratory depression caused by the analgesic, anaesthetic, or sedative.
US08039461B1
An amorphous form of imipramine pamoate, morphologically pure forms, and mixtures of amorphous and morphologically pure imipramine pamoate characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, fourier transform infrared, and powder x-ray diffraction, and pharmaceutical compositions formed therefrom.
US08039460B2
Compounds of Formula (I): and Formula (II): (where variables R2, R4, A, B, D, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US08039457B2
Method of stimulating the motility of the gastrointestinal system using growth hormone secretagogues
The present invention relates to a method of stimulating the motility of the gastrointestinal system in a subject in need thereof, wherein the subject suffers from maladies (i.e., disorders or diseases) of the gastrointestinal system. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a growth hormone secretagogue compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate thereof. The growth hormone secretagogue can be co-administered with a laxative, a H2 receptor antagonist, a serotonin 5-HT4 agonist, an antacid, an opioid antagonist, a proton pump inhibitor, a motilin receptor agonist, dopamine antagonist, a cholinergic agonist, a cholinesterase inhibitor, somatostatin, octreotide, or any combination thereof.
US08039454B2
The invention is drawn to novel macrolide compounds of formula I having antibiotic and antineoplastic activities, useful as medicaments and/or agrochemicals for microorganism infections, in particularly for infectious diseases involving drug-resistant Staphylococcus, and for treatment of human and animal cancers.
US08039444B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense oligonucleotide and a permeation enhancer that comprises a multi-carbon backbone having a functional group and also one or more side chains which have one or more carbon atoms and, optionally, one or more functional groups.
US08039439B2
The present invention relates to the field of medicine and biology. It concerns a novel test for screening and for therapeutic follow-up in oncology. More particularly, it relates to diagnostic and/or therapeutic tests in oncology and on neurodegenerative diseases. It is a diagnostic test and a prognostic test for various cancers (breast cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, glioblastoma, sarcoma, leukemia, etc.) and therapeutics solutions for specific neurodegenerative diseases. More particularly, the invention concerns the use of the LIV21 protein, LIV21 gene and of derivatives thereof as diagnostic and prognostic markers for cancers. The invention therefore concerns the detection of the LIV21 protein with a kit comprising LIV21-specific antibodies.
US08039438B2
Synthetic peptides derived from sucrose synthase, and having homology to actin and actin-related proteins, sharing a common motif, useful for causing acting bundling and preventing actin depolymerization. Peptides exhibiting the common motif are described, as well as specific synthetic peptides which caused bundled actin and inhibit actin depolymerization. These peptides can be useful for treating a subject suffering from a disease characterized by cells having neoplastic growth, for anti-cancer therapeutics, delivered to subjects solely, or concomitantly or sequentially with other known cancer therapeutics. These peptides can also be used for stabilizing microfilaments in living cells and inhibiting growth of cells.
US08039425B2
Provided is a skin or hair cleanser composition having an excellent foaming property and making a good feeling upon use available from cleansing until after drying, which comprises: from 0.2 to 20 wt. % of (A) a compound represented by the following formula (1): R1O-(AO)n—R2 (1) wherein R1 represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 10 carbon atoms, AO represents an alkyleneoxy group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, n is the number of the alkyleneoxy group and stands for a number from 0.5 to 3.5 on average, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, from 5 to 60 wt. % of (B) a surfactant other than the component (A), and from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of (C) at least one of silicones and monohydric alcohols having from 15 to 28 carbon atoms.
US08039416B2
The invention provides: a polycondensation catalyst for polyester production, which contains titanium atoms, alkaline earth metal atoms and phosphorus atoms, has high reactivity and excellent long-term storage stability, can be easily produced industrially, and has an advantage in cost; a polyester resin obtained with the catalyst; and a molded article. These are: a polymerization catalyst for polyester production containing titanium atoms, alkaline earth metal atoms and phosphorus atoms and having a specific constitution; a polyester resin obtained with the catalyst; and a molded article.
US08039413B2
According to one embodiment, a method for forming a transparent ceramic preform includes forming a suspension of oxide particles in a solvent, adding the suspension to a mold of a desired shape, and uniformly curing the suspension in the mold for forming a preform. The suspension includes a dispersant but does not include a gelling agent. In another embodiment, a method includes creating a mixture without a gelling agent, the mixture including: inorganic particles, a solvent, and a dispersant. The inorganic particles have a mean diameter of less than about 2000 nm. The method also includes agitating the mixture, adding the mixture to a mold, and curing the mixture in the mold at a temperature of less than about 80° C. for forming a preform. Other methods for forming a transparent ceramic preform are also described according to several embodiments.
US08039409B2
The present invention provides a TiO2-containing silica glass from which a transparent extremely low thermal expansion glass having excellent transparency and having a temperature region in which the coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially zero can be obtained. The present invention relates to a TiO2-containing silica glass for optical member for EUV lithography, having a TiO2 concentration of from 3 to 14% by mass; an internal transmittance per 1-mm thickness in a wavelength region of from 400 to 700 nm, T400-700, of 97% or more; and an internal transmittance per 1-mm thickness in a wavelength region of from 400 to 3,000 nm, T400-3,000, of 70% or more.
US08039408B2
The optical glass of the present invention has a refractive index nd of 1.70 or greater and an Abbé number of 50 or greater. Given as mole percentages, it comprises: B2O320 to 80 percent, SiO20 to 30 percent, Li2O1 to 25 percent; ZnO0 to 20 percent, La2O34 to 30 percent, Gd2O31 to 25 percent, Y2O30 to 20 percent, ZrO20 to 5 percent, MgO0 to 25 percent, CaO0 to 15 percent, SrO0 to 10 percent, with the combined quantity of the above components being 97 percent or greater. The molar ratio of {ZnO/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3)} is 0.8 or less and the molar ratio of {(CaO +SrO+BaO)/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3)} is 0.8 or less. Ta2O5 may be incorporated as an optional component, with the molar ratio {(ZrO2+Ta2O5)/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3)}being 0.4 or less. The present invention further relates to a preform for precision press molding comprised of this glass, an optical element comprised of this glass, and methods of manufacturing the same.
US08039400B2
A conductive barrier material of a metallization system of a semiconductor device may be formed on the basis of one or more deposition/etch cycles, thereby providing a reduced material thickness in the bevel region, while enhancing overall thickness uniformity in the active region of the semiconductor substrate. In some illustrative embodiments, two or more deposition/etch cycles may be used, thereby providing the possibility to select reduced target values for the barrier thickness in the die regions, while also obtaining a significantly reduced thickness in the bevel region.
US08039393B2
A semiconductor structure, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure and a semiconductor package are provided. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. Firstly, a silicon substrate is provided. Next, a part of the silicon substrate is removed to form a ring hole and a silicon pillar surrounded by the silicon pillar. Then, a photosensitive material is disposed in the ring hole, wherein the photosensitive material is insulating. After that, the silicon pillar is removed, such that the ring hole forms a through hole and the photosensitive material covers a lateral wall of the through hole. Lastly, the conductive material is disposed in the through hole, wherein the outer surface of the conductive material is surrounded by the photosensitive material.
US08039386B1
A method of forming a through silicon via includes forming a via opening in a substrate using a hard mask, wherein a polymer is formed in the via opening. A first wet clean removes a first portion of the polymer and forms a first carbon containing oxide along portions of the sidewalls. A first ash process modifies the first carbon containing oxide and removes a second portion of the polymer. A first wet etch removes the modified first carbon containing oxide and a third portion of the polymer. A second ash process forms a second carbon containing oxide along at least a portion of the sidewalls. A second wet etch process removes the second carbon containing oxide and a fourth portions of the polymer. A third ash process forms a third carbon containing oxide along portions of the sidewalls and removes any remaining portions of the polymer.
US08039385B1
A through substrate via (TSV) die includes a plurality of TSVs including an outer dielectric sleeve and an inner metal core and protruding TSV tips including sidewalls that emerge from the TSV die. A passivation layer lateral to the protruding TSV tips is on a portion of the sidewalls of the protruding TSV tips. The passivation layers is absent from a distal portion of the protruding TSV tips to provide an exposed portion of the inner metal core. The TSV tips include bulbous distal tip ends including a first metal layer including a first metal other than solder and a second metal layer including a second metal other than solder that covers the exposed tip portion. The bulbous distal tip ends cover a portion of the TSV sidewalls and are over a topmost surface of the outer dielectric sleeve, and have a maximum cross sectional area that is ≧25% more as compared to a cross sectional area of the protruding TSV tips below the bulbous distal tip ends.
US08039378B2
To provide a technique capable of improving the reliability of a semiconductor element and its product yield by reducing the variations in the electrical characteristic of a metal silicide layer. After forming a nickel-platinum alloy film over a semiconductor substrate 1, by carrying out a first thermal treatment at a thermal treatment temperature of 210 to 310° C. using a heater heating device, the technique causes the nickel-platinum alloy film and silicon to react with each other to form a platinum-added nickel silicide layer in a (PtNi)2Si phase. Subsequently, after removing the unreacted nickel-platinum alloy film, the technique carries out a second thermal treatment having the thermal treatment temperature higher than that of the first thermal treatment to form the platinum-added nickel silicide layer in a PtNiSi phase. The temperature rise rate of the first thermal treatment is set to 10° C./s or more (for example, 30 to 250° C./s) and the temperature rise rate of the second thermal treatment is set to 10° C./s or more (for example, 10 to 250° C./s).
US08039372B2
A phase changeable memory device is manufactured by forming at least one insulating layer on a substrate. A preliminary first electrode is formed on the insulating layer. The preliminary first electrode is partially etched to form a first electrode electrically connected to the substrate. After the preliminary first electrode is formed, both sidewalls of the preliminary first electrode are partially etched isotropically to form a first electrode having a uniform width and height. A phase changeable material layer pattern and a second electrode are subsequently formed on the first electrode. Related devices also are described.
US08039371B2
A semiconductor-on-insulator hetero-structure and a method for fabricating the semiconductor -on-insulator hetero-structure include a crystalline substrate and a dielectric layer located thereupon having an aperture that exposes the crystalline substrate. The semiconductor-on -insulator hetero-structure and the method for fabricating the semiconductor-on-insulator hetero-structure also include a semiconductor layer of composition different than the crystalline substrate located within the aperture and upon the dielectric layer. A portion of the semiconductor layer located aligned over the aperture includes a defect. A portion of the semiconductor layer located aligned over the dielectric layer does not include a defect. Upon removing the portion of the semiconductor layer located aligned over the aperture a reduced defect semiconductor-on-insulator hetero-structure is formed.
US08039370B2
A method for transferring a layer onto a support includes transferring the layer, assembled on an initial substrate, onto a liquid layer that has been previously deposited on the support. The layer is subsequently released from the initial substrate by chemical etching, and the liquid layer is evacuated to allow molecular adhesion of the layer to the support.
US08039347B2
A semiconductor device having vertically aligned transistors made from pillar structures that have flat side surfaces is presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, spacers, and gates. The semiconductor substrate has pillar structures that have flat side surfaces. The spacers are on sidewalls only on the upper portions of the pillar structures. The gates surround lower portions of the pillar structures.
US08039340B2
A method of forming a series of spaced trenches into a substrate includes forming a plurality of spaced lines over a substrate. Anisotropically etched sidewall spacers are formed on opposing sides of the spaced lines. Individual of the lines have greater maximum width than minimum width of space between immediately adjacent of the spacers between immediately adjacent of the lines. The spaced lines are removed to form a series of alternating first and second mask openings between the spacers. The first mask openings are located where the spaced lines were located and are wider than the second mask openings. Alternating first and second trenches are simultaneously etched into the substrate through the alternating first and second mask openings, respectively, to form the first trenches to be wider and deeper within the substrate than are the second trenches. Other implementations and embodiments are disclosed.
US08039336B2
A method includes the steps of: introducing insulation film into a trench to provide a trench isolation; planarizing the trench isolation to expose a passivation film; and removing the passivation film and depositing a second silicon layer on a first silicon layer and the trench isolation; and in the step of depositing the first silicon layer the first silicon layer is an undoped silicon layer and in the step of depositing the second silicon layer the second silicon layer is a doped silicon layer or an undoped silicon layer subsequently having an impurity introduced thereinto or the like and thermally diffused through subsequent thermal hysteresis into the first silicon layer.
US08039335B2
By forming a substantially continuous and uniform semiconductor alloy in one active region while patterning the semiconductor alloy in a second active region so as to provide a base semiconductor material in a central portion thereof, different types of strain may be induced, while, after providing a corresponding cover layer of the base semiconductor material, well-established process techniques for forming the gate dielectric may be used. In some illustrative embodiments, a substantially self-aligned process is provided in which the gate electrode may be formed on the basis of layer, which has also been used for defining the central portion of the base semiconductor material of one of the active regions. Hence, by using a single semiconductor alloy, the performance of transistors of different conductivity types may be individually enhanced.
US08039331B2
An opto-thermal annealing method for forming a field effect transistor uses a reflective metal gate so that electrical properties of the metal gate and also interface between the metal gate and a gate dielectric are not compromised when opto-thermal annealing a source/drain region adjacent the metal gate. Another opto-thermal annealing method may be used for simultaneously opto-thermally annealing: (1) a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicided gate; and (2) a source/drain region to form an annealed source/drain region. An additional opto-thermal annealing method may use a thermal insulator layer in conjunction with a thermal absorber layer to selectively opto-thermally anneal a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicide gate.
US08039329B2
A field effect transistor includes a nitride semiconductor layered structure that is formed on a substrate and includes a capping layer made of a compound represented by a general formula of InxAlyGa1−yN (wherein 0
