US07676490B1
A computer implemented system for project prediction is provided. The system includes a data manager to obtain historical project data. The system also includes an analyzer to analyze the historical project data to generate models for a proposed project cycle time. Additionally, the system includes a user interface to select one model for the proposed project cycle time, wherein the selected model includes linear sub-models corresponding to a historical data range, and apply proposed project data to one linear sub-model corresponding to a proposed data range to predict the proposed project cycle time. Furthermore, the system captures proposed project data and obtains additional project data to update the selected model. The models provide for the accurate prediction of cycle times, or project costs, in an enterprise development environment.
US07676481B2
A system and method for serialization and/or de-serialization of file system item(s) and associated entity(ies)is provided. A file system “item” comprises a core class which can include property(ies). Through serialization, a consistent copy of the item and associated entity(ies), such as fragment(s), link(s) with other item(s) and/or extension(s),if any, can be captured. The serialization system includes an identification component that identities entity(ies) associated with an item and a serialization component that serializes the item and associated entity(ies). The serialization component can further serialize a header that includes information associated with the item and associated entity(ies). The header can facilitate random access to the item and associated entity(ies). The serialization system can expose application program interface(s) (API's) that facilitate the copying, moving and/or transfer of an item and its associated entity(ies) from one location to another location.
US07676479B2
A system and method for updating versions of content stored in a storage device. The system includes an update module for obtaining a conversion element and a small delta, and a converted old items generator for generating converted old items by applying the conversion element to items of an old version. The system further includes a data entries generator for generating data entries based on the modified data entries and on the converted old item, and a new version generator for generating a new version of content by applying the commands and the data entries to the old version.
US07676476B2
The subject invention pertains to a system and method of incorporating collation information into data types. In particular, the subject invention provides for parameterizing data types with collation information such that a comparison between two different collations generates a static-type error rather than a run-time error. Additionally, the invention affords for conveniently working with localized data types to allow generic parameterization over collations as well as ordinary types. In the context of strings, the present invention enables concurrent use of strings in multiple languages and facilitates the correct handling thereof.
US07676474B2
Systems and methods are provided for finding a log file generated by an application during an execution of the application on at least one computer node. The computer node is one of a plurality of computer nodes of a distributed computer that has a computer-readable storage medium that contains therein both a plurality of log files and meta data describing attributes of the log files. In one implementation, a method includes receiving at least one attribute describing a log file that has been generated by the computer node of the distributed computer. The meta data is searched to identify one or more log files described by the received attribute. Locations of the identified log files in the computer-readable storage medium are presented based on the results of the searching step.
US07676469B1
A system and method for updating a source copy of an ordered list (the source list) comprising a plurality of list items according to modifications made to the order of the list items in a local copy of the ordered list (the local list) is provided. Each list item includes an order value. The order of the list items is determined according to the order values. To update the source list, the list items that have been moved in the local list are identified and placed on a temporary list, retaining the ordinal position in the local list. For each list item in the temporary list, the list item is placed back in the local list and its order value is set according to the average of the previous list item's order value and the subsequent list item's order value. The list item is then written to the source list.
US07676468B2
An apparatus to identify patterns in a multi-dimensional database is described. In particular, a computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner is provided. The computer-readable medium comprises instructions to automatically identify a plurality of patterns associated with data comprising the multi-dimensional database and instructions to indicate the plurality of patterns that are identified. Exemplary patterns that can be identified include an outlier pattern, a step pattern, a random pattern, a trend pattern, and a periodic pattern.
US07676461B2
Creating and executing a distributed stream processing operator graph based on a query. The operator graph includes movable stream algebra operators for processing events received from high volume data streams. The operators are partially compiled and distributed to computing devices for completion of the compilation and subsequent execution. During execution, the operators maintain minimal state information associated with received events via an expiration time assigned to each of the event instances. Additional events are generated and aggregated by the operators for communication to a service responsible for the query.
US07676459B2
A computer system creates and maintains an index for tracking information relating to individuals. Such information can include, but is not limited to, social security numbers, names, address information, credit bureau identification numbers, and credit history information on individuals. The invention employs logical rules to this information in order to create and maintain a set of files for each individual. The logical rules can include social security rules, geography rules, and address ranking rules. The invention is designed to evaluate slight variations in information very carefully in order to insure that appropriate files are assigned the same index identification number or that appropriate records are assigned separate and different index identification numbers as a situation warrants. The present invention is designed to maintain numerous files for each individual being tracked instead of merging and purging files as is done in the conventional art.
US07676448B2
A method for controlling the update installation behavior of a computing device according to installation attributes is presented. When present, a mandatory installation attribute associated with a software update causes the installation process executed on the computing device to disallow a user to selectively not install the software update. A priority installation attribute causes the computing device to request a higher amount of network bandwidth for obtaining the software update's content for installation on the client computing device. A deadline installation attribute associated with the software update causes the computing device to permit a user to selectively not install the software update until an associated deadline passes, at which time the software update is installed without further user interaction. A zero system interruption (ZSI) installation attribute causes the computing device to automatically install the software update without user interaction if the computing device is properly configured.
US07676441B2
In a hierarchical neural network having a module structure, learning necessary for detection of a new feature class is executed by a processing module which has not finished learning yet and includes a plurality of neurons which should learn an unlearned feature class and have an undetermined receptor field structure by presenting a predetermined pattern to a data input layer. Thus, a feature class necessary for subject recognition can be learned automatically and efficiently.
US07676426B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for managing Risk by associating a biometric profile with other data relevant to a Risk subject. Computerized systems can receive informational data that relates generally to Risk variables and relate the information to known biometric profiles. Compiled information can be situated and conveyed to a compliance department and be able to demonstrate to regulators that a financial institution has met standards relating to Risk containment.
US07676406B2
A guaranteed physical delivery futures contract and method and system for consolidating same are disclosed. The method includes guaranteeing physical delivery for future positions of market participants having open first-nearby time positions of a particular size, making additions to or subtractions from open first-nearby time positions of market participants that are less than the particular size and offsetting the additions to and subtractions from market participants' open first-nearby time positions with opposite positions in a second-nearby time. The system includes one or more servers and communications links, the communications links for receiving position data, including open positions, and the servers are configured to make additions to or subtractions from open first-nearby time positions less than a certain size and adjust market participant second-nearby time positions based on the additions to or subtractions from open first-nearby time positions. In certain embodiments, the underlying commodity is crude oil and the particular size is the size of a cargo shipment, about 600,000 barrels.
US07676405B2
Systems and methods are described for forecasting media play on a broadcast station. The technique involves collecting media play data from a broadcast station for a period just ended. The collected media play data is used to update historical media play data for the broadcast station. The updated historical media play data is then used to forecast spot inventory for the broadcast station for a next time period.
US07676404B2
This invention concerns an improved forecasting and routing system for scheduling propane and other consumable deliveries as well as service deliveries to end consumers by one or more trucks in a multi-stop environment. The invention utilizes information regarding weather history and the consumption history of individual consumers to calculate their future expected demand, and the variability on that demand when sufficient delivery history is available. Customers lacking sufficient delivery history use the consumption of similar customers as a surrogate. This information serves to determine the near optimal set of successive days within which to replenish or service each customer. Knowing this demand the system assembles deliveries into daily truck delivery routes that maximize the consumables delivered per hour. The system is designed for use in cooperation with a computer having memory and incorporates item, customer, weather, and routing information databases.
US07676401B2
A data distribution system includes a plurality of data sources each capable of transmitting a data item, and a data vending machine capable of receiving the data item from the plurality of data sources and selling the received data item to a user. The data vending machine includes a data selecting apparatus operated by a user to select a desired data item, a data source selecting apparatus connected to the data selecting apparatus for selecting, among the plurality of data sources, one that holds the data item selected by the data selecting apparatus, in accordance with a specific standard, a data receiving apparatus connected to the data source selecting apparatus for receiving selected data item from the data source selected by the data source selecting apparatus, and a data updating apparatus to which an external storage device is detachably mounted, for writing the data item received by the data receiving apparatus to the external storage device.
US07676394B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for receiving data associated with a mobile content, calculating an expected value of the mobile content based at least in part on the data received, and determining a bid amount for a sponsorship of the mobile content based at least in part on the expected value.
US07676389B2
A computerized method for natural gas distribution compliance management is provided. The method includes maintaining a database identifying a plurality of compliance events and a plurality of resources. A computer system is provided including a main computer and a remote computer adapted to communicate with the main computer. The main computer retains at least a portion of a main program and the database. The remote computer retains a remote program operative to display and modify a remote portion of the compliance events and a remote portion of the resources of the database. The database is periodically scanned to identify at least one of the compliance events requiring a response and to identify at least one of the resources to respond to the compliance event requiring the response. Compliance events are matched and scheduled with the resource to respond to the compliance event.
US07676377B2
A system, method, and software product analyzes transportation infrastructure that includes roadways and bridges. Condition indicators are associated with each roadway and bridge, and costs involved with first repairing each bridge and roadway at different points in time considering the condition indicators are determined and compared. Costs involved with maintaining the bridges and roadways are determined and compared. Priority values are associated with each roadway and bridge. Predetermined condition parameters and secondary predetermined condition parameters associated with the priority values are compared to the condition indicators to determine if the roadways and bridges are in need of repair or in definite need of repair. Aggregate costs are determined and compared to current and projected budgets.
US07676373B2
Displays a character string representing content of speech in synchronization with reproduction of the speech. An apparatus includes: a unit for obtaining scenario data representing the speech; a unit for dividing textual data resulting from recognition of the speech to generate pieces of recognition pieces of recognition data; a unit for detecting in the scenario data a character matching each character contained in each piece of recognition data for which no matching character string has been detected to detect in the scenario data a character string that matches the piece of recognition data; and a unit for setting the display timing of displaying each of character strings contained in the scenario data to the timing at which speech recognized as the piece of recognition data that matches the character string is reproduced.
US07676369B2
The present invention is a conversation control apparatus for carrying out conversation control based on both speech content and conversation state and information acquired from outside, and carrying out natural responses. This apparatus comprises a conversation database storing a plurality of items of conversation topic specifying information, a conversation control unit for selecting a reply sentence using conversation topic specifying information determined using the conversation history and conversation information, and an environment recognition unit for acquiring environment recognition information, wherein the environment recognition unit generates event information based on acquired environment recognition information, and the conversation control unit selects a reply sentence based on the event information.
US07676368B2
The present invention is intended to perform text-to-speech conversion by replacing URLs and electronic mail addresses included in the text data of electronic mail by registered predetermined words. A mail watcher application control section executes the processing for converting electronic mail received by a MAPI mailer into speech data. The mail watcher application control section outputs URLs and electronic mail addresses included in the text data of electronic mail supplied from the MAPI mailer to a URL and mail address filter to replace them by registered predetermined names. Of the entered texts, the URL and mail address filter compares the URL or mail address included in the entered text with those registered in the URL and mail address table. If a the URL or mail address of the entered text is found matching, the URL and mail address filter replace it by the registered name and outputs it to the mail watcher application control section.
US07676364B2
For improving the accuracy of a speech recognition system, for the specific task of speech-to-text (dictation style speech) translation, a constrained dictation methodology using speak-and-spell mode is disclosed. The invention is perfectly suited for modern day “text-messaging” applications wherein the number of words being dictated is very small (limited by the 140-160 characters message length constraint). Additionally, the invention adds a control on the way users interact with machines, thereby making the speech recognition task easier and improving system accuracy.
US07676350B2
In an optimum design method comprising a first solution determining step of solving an optimization problem of a first evaluation function for a state variable vector with a design variable vector being as a parameter, and a second solution determining step of solving an optimization problem of a second evaluation function for the design variable vector and the state variable vector thus obtained, the second solution determining step includes the steps of computing a gradient vector of the second evaluation function for the design variable vector, computing a first coefficient based on a value of a norm of the gradient vector, computing a search vector based on the first coefficient, computing a second coefficient, and updating the design variable vector based on the second coefficient. The second coefficient computing step includes the first solution determining step, the first solution determining step is executed as an iterative method based on the gradient vector, and the state variable vector is not initialized during iteration. The optimum design method is precisely adaptable for structural changes.
US07676343B2
A transfer circuit that transmits a signal includes an electrical signal sending section that sends a sending signal, a current to light converting section that converts the sending signal to an optical signal, an optical signal transmitting section that transmits the optical signal, a photo-electric converting circuit that converts the optical signal to an electrical signal, and an electrical signal receiving section that detects a data value of the electrical signal. The photo-electric converting circuit includes a level measuring section that compares the intensity of the electrical signal and a predetermined reference level to detect a data value of the electrical signal, and a measurement controlling section that controls the reference level. The electrical signal receiving section includes a receiving circuit that detects a data value of the electrical signal, and a timing controlling section that controls latch timing at which the receiving circuit detects the data value.
US07676341B2
A magnetic sensor control device has an input section, a selection section, a calculation section, and a setting section. The input section inputs a plurality of magnetic data each having 3 components sequentially output from a 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic sensor. The selection section selects 4 magnetic data satisfying a predetermined 4-point selection condition from the plurality of the input magnetic data. The calculation section calculates a center point equally distant from 4 points corresponding to the 4 selected magnetic data. The setting section sets 3 components representing the center point as an offset of the magnetic data.
US07676335B2
A method includes monitoring the voltage of a power source connector for charging a battery. A determination is made that the battery has entered a transition phase based on sensing an abrupt change in the voltage. In response to determining that the battery is in the transition phase, a capacity of the battery is determined based on a transition phase battery capacity model that defines the battery's capacity as a function of the battery's voltage.
US07676331B2
A compressor drive torque estimating device suppresses a discrepancy between an estimated drive torque, which is based on a torque estimating device of a compressor, and an actual drive torque of the compressor. The discrepancy is due to delay in switching between employment of the torque estimating device and the actual drive torque of the compressor in judging the compressor torque. Thus, even in a transitional state immediately after the start of compression, the idling speed of an engine driving the compressor is controlled based on an accurate estimate of the compressor torque, to improve the stability of the engine idle speed.
US07676319B2
The present invention provides an intake air amount control apparatus for an engine and a control method of an intake air amount of an engine, in which, when the atmospheric pressure exceeds a threshold value, a target lift amount of an intake valve is determined based on a target intake air amount and an electronically controlled throttle is controlled to generate a target boost pressure. On the other hand, when the atmospheric pressure does not exceed the threshold value because of a vehicle traveling at a high altitude, the target lift amount of the intake valve is fixed to a maximum lift amount and the opening angle of the electronically controlled throttle is determined in response to the target intake air amount. Consequently, an actual intake air amount is controlled to be brought to the target intake air amount thereby generating negative pressure necessary for exhaust gas recirculation.
US07676317B2
The invention relates to a method for the cylinder-selective control of an air/fuel mixture to be burnt in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in which the lambda values for different cylinders or groups of cylinders are separately sensed and controlled, and also relates to a multi-cylinder internal engine suitable for carrying out the method. In accordance with the invention, the lambda values of the individual cylinders or groups of cylinders are simultaneously controlled to different required values using an integrating I-control proportion with variable integrator slope and/or a differentiating D-control proportion.
US07676307B2
A control system for a vehicle (10) is described for use in conjunction with the safety system (44) of the vehicle (10). A tire sensor or plurality of tire sensors generates tire force signals. The tire force signals may include lateral tire forces, longitudinal (or torque) tire forces, and normal tire forces. Based upon the tire force signals, a safety system (44) may be activated. The tire force sensors may be used to monitor various conditions including but not limited to sensing a roll condition, wheel lift detection, a trip event, oversteering and understeering conditions, pitch angle, bank angle, roll angle, and the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle.
US07676301B2
Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).
US07676299B2
The present disclosure provides a medication dispenser having a refrigerated compartment and a plurality of access doors that provide access to a limited portion of the refrigerated compartment. A plurality of turntables are rotatably disposed within the refrigerated compartment. The turntables receive at least one medication in a predetermined location, and each turntable aligns with an access door. The dispenser further includes a computer system that receives input selecting a first medication to be dispensed and outputs a first signal in response to the input. A controller is operably coupled to the refrigerated compartment and receives the first signal from the computer system. The controller outputs a second signal to rotate a turntable such that the first medication is positioned adjacent an access door, and the controller outputs a third signal to unlock the adjacent access door.
US07676291B2
A hand microphone and an adaptor module form an assembly which is a peripheral device for a personal computer. The hand microphone is used to control dictation functions to be carried out by the PC. Two separate analog control signal channels are output from the hand microphone and applied, respectively, as X- and Y-axis inputs for the game port on the PC. Control signals carried in the two signal channels are generated by actuating control switches mounted on the hand microphone.
US07676278B2
First and second mobile carriers are accessible to individual cells defined in a storage. The first and second mobile carriers move along overlapped paths. First and second controller circuits are connected to the first and second mobile carriers, respectively. The second controller circuit is also connected to the first mobile carrier. Even when a defect occurs in the first controller circuit, the transport mechanism allows the second controller circuit to take over the control on the first mobile carrier from the first controller circuit. The control on the first mobile carrier serves to avoid interference between the first mobile carrier and any obstacle on the path. If the first mobile carrier is removed from the path of the second mobile carrier, the second mobile carrier is allowed to keep operating. The operation of the transport mechanism can be kept without any interruption.
US07676265B1
An implantable cardiac stimulation device provides bichamber pacing and dynamic bichamber and single chamber sensing. The device includes a sensing circuit that senses activity of a heart, a lead system coupled to a plurality of chambers of the heart, and a cardiac rate circuit that determines a cardiac rate of the heart. A control circuit causes the lead system to couple the sensing circuit to corresponding chambers of the heart to enable bichamber trigger pacing when the cardiac rate is below a given rate and to a single chamber of the heart when the cardiac rate is above the given rate to enable enhanced tachycardia sensing.
US07676261B2
A method for enhancing pace pulses is presented. The method includes providing a set of digital electrocardiogram data comprising a plurality of pulses, wherein each pulse is of a generally constant width. Furthermore, the method includes differentiating the plurality of pulses to generate a plurality of pairs of differentiated pulses, wherein each pair of differentiated pulses is separated by the generally constant width of the corresponding pulse. In addition, the method includes enhancing the plurality of pairs of differentiated pulses. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method are also provided by the present technique.
US07676256B2
A combined imaging apparatus having a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with at least one transmitting coil for exciting the matter of a body under examination or of a part thereof and at least one coil for receiving the signals transmitted by the body under examination or a part thereof, as well as an electronic unit for processing the received signals to create a diagnostic image and including a device for supporting and/or guiding at least one diagnostic and/or therapeutic tool. The combined apparatus further including an echographic imaging apparatus.
US07676254B2
A system and method identifies different components of the pain experience (nociceptive (tissue damage), neuropathic (nerve damage) and psychological) and their relative contributions by the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure absolute and relative concentrations of metabolites in specific brain regions in the central nervous system or brain. The system and method can be used as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of the relative contribution of different aspects of the pain experience as well as monitoring of response to interventions directed at modifying these components.
US07676252B2
A filter circuit includes an input terminal configured to input an input signal; first to ith blocks which have first to ith resonators as transmission lines having first to ith resonance frequencies; a power divider configured to distribute the input signal to the first to ith blocks; a power combiner configured to combine signals which have passed through the first to ith blocks to obtain a combined signal; and an output terminal configured to output the combined signal, wherein a jth block includes a phase adjustment unit which provides a signal of the jth block with a phase difference within a range of {(180±30)+(360×n)} degrees from a signal of a (j+1)th block, and a resonator having a large amount of group delay has a greater line width than a resonator having a small amount of group delay.
US07676241B2
A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange point-to-point transmission power control parameters. The wireless access point gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the wireless terminals. Each wireless terminal gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the other wireless terminals and from the wireless access point. In one operating mode, the parameters gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received and local parameters, the wireless access point adjusts its own transmission power and sends control signals to the wireless terminals directing transmission power adjustment. In another mode, all parameters are exchanged between every wireless terminal and the access point so that each can independently or cooperatively make transmission power control decisions. Transmission power control parameters include received signal strength, error rates, estimated battery life, availability of unlimited power, active versus sleep mode ratios, anticipated bandwidth utilization, coding schemes available, deterministic/non-deterministic requirements, encryption and security requirements, quality of service requirements, mobility, etc. Gathering of parameters involves both retrieval of preset parameters from memory and generating parameters based on received transmissions (including test packets).
US07676238B2
Mobile radio equipment and a transmission rate controlling method thereof for reducing the rate of transmission between the mobile radio equipment and a base station when the transmission rate is beyond the capability of the application function of the mobile radio equipment to thereby use the resources of the radio base station effectively. A radio transmitter/receiver receives data or radio signals via an antenna. A transmission system function CPU converts or customizes the data to a data format acceptable to an application function CPU. Subsequently, the transmission system function CPU inputs the data via a data input/output section into a data input/output section of the application function CPU. A decoder 16 is fed with the data input to the data input/output section. After that, the data is decoded by the decoder, and output from an input/output section according to the format of the decoded data.
US07676237B2
Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products route communication based on an urgency priority associated with a sender of the communication. The method involves receiving incoming communication, identifying the sender, determining an urgency priority designation associated with communication, and routing the incoming communication according to routing instructions associated with the urgency priority designation. Prior to receiving the incoming communication, the method may further involve receiving a selection to configure routing of communication based on one or more urgency priority designations, rendering urgency priority options and routing options that provide routing instructions, receiving routing instructions associated with each urgency priority designation, and receiving and recording the urgency priority designation associated with the sender. Still further, the method may involve offering the sender routing options based on the urgency priority designation and receiving a selection of one of the routing options from the sender.
US07676236B2
An ad hoc network with distributed hierarchical scheduling is disclosed. In one aspect, stations in a network mesh detect interfering neighbor stations and form interference lists. Stations transmit their interference lists. Scheduling stations schedule allocations for child stations in response to interference lists, received remote allocations, or a combination thereof. Coordination messages are transmitted including frame structure, allocations, and interference lists, among others. In another aspect, an ad hoc mesh network may be organized into a tree topology. In an example wireless backhaul network, this matches traffic flow. Distributed, hierarchical scheduling is provided where parents schedule communication with children while respecting already scheduled transmissions to/from interferers and to/from interferers of their respective children. Procedures to construct interference constraints for distributed, hierarchical scheduling are described, resulting in efficient scheduling and reuse in an ad hoc wireless network, without centralized scheduling. Various other aspects are also disclosed.
US07676234B2
Methods (200, 400) and systems (300, 500) in a wireless communication network for routing a short message to a local destination are provided. A wireless communication network (104) has a list of predefined short message destinations, receives a short message having a message destination from a wireless mobile communication device (102), compares the message destination with the list of predefined short message destinations, and if the message destination matches a predefined short message destination of the list of predefined short message destinations, routes the short message to a local destination (106) corresponding to the matching predefined short message destination of the list of predefined short message destinations.
US07676228B2
A method, system and memory are provided for enabling interoperability. A communication session between different communication systems, such as radio systems, operating using different protocols is initiated by receiving a scenario identifier from one of the user devices. An interoperability server receives the scenario identifier and accesses interoperability data to obtain the connection information corresponding the scenario matching the scenario identifier. The data includes scenarios for communication sessions and the connections required for each scenario. Once the interoperability server obtains the connection information, the communication session is initiated.
US07676223B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a communications session with a mobile device is provided. The method comprises selecting a plurality of base stations, where at least a portion of the base stations are adapted to operate as a secondary agent, and wherein the secondary agent is capable of communicating with a mobile device. Substantially similar data is then delivered to a plurality of the secondary agents, and a first one of the secondary agents is selected as a first serving secondary agent to communicate with the mobile device. The first serving secondary agent transfers the data to the mobile device during the communications session.
US07676218B2
System and method for detection of a rouge wireless access point in a wireless communication network
Described are a system and method for detecting an unauthorized access point accessing a communication network. An authorized access point and/or an authorized mobile unit detects a beacon generated by a transmitting access point. The beacon includes identification information of the transmitting access point. A computing arrangement verifies the identification information of the transmitting access point with a preexisting database of the communication network. The preexisting database includes data corresponding to identification information of a plurality of authorized access points. The computing arrangement initiates a tracking procedure to determine a location of the unauthorized access point where the verification of the transmitting access point identification information with the preexisting database fails.
US07676208B2
An exemplary automatic gain control device includes: a radio frequency receiver for receiving a plurality of first signals through a plurality of antennas, respectively controlling gains of the plurality of first received signals, and outputting the plurality of the first signals having the controlled gain as a plurality of second signals; a signal saturation detecting unit for outputting a saturation index determination value when the number of plurality of second signals that are greater than a threshold value is greater than a predetermined number; and a gain controlling unit for comparing power values of the plurality of second signals to detect one power value, and outputting a gain value determined based on a detected power value and a saturation index determination value to the radio frequency receiver.
US07676197B2
A computing platform includes a wireless interface and other devices that may cause interference to the wireless interface. The other devices may change frequencies of operation or data rates to steer signal spectrum away from current wireless channels and reduce interference to the wireless interface.
US07676196B2
A telecommunications system provides service to a cellular device located within a radio-frequency (RF) shadow of a communication station. The system may include a line-of-sight (LOS) antenna located in a line of sight of the station and a shadow antenna in communication with the LOS antenna and located within a line of sight of the RF shadow. The LOS antenna receives a transmitter signal from the station, and the shadow antenna receives a cellular signal from the cellular device. The LOS antenna also receives the cellular signal from the shadow antenna and, in turn, transmits the cellular signal to the station. Similarly, the shadow antenna receives the transmitter signal from the LOS antenna and, in turn, transmits the transmitter signal to the RF shadow. Accordingly, the cellular device is able to receive the transmitter signal T, and the station is able to receive the cellular signal. The telecommunication system may include a plurality of shadow antennas each for receiving the transmitter signal from the LOS antenna and for transmitting the transmitter signal to the RF shadow along a respective and unique transmission axis.
US07676193B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for tuning a broadcast processing system by using channel data from an interactive information source. The broadcast processing system interfaces with a broadcast medium and may include an interfacing apparatus that interfaces to the broadcast medium for extracting an appropriate broadcast signal and for tuning the broadcast processing system. The viewer uses a mobile terminal that communicates with the interactive information source over a first wireless communications path. The viewer may interact with the web site by navigating through the associated web pages in order to obtain broadcast information about the selected program, in which the broadcast information may be sent to the mobile terminal over the first wireless communications path. The broadcast information is processed by the wireless terminal in order to obtain the channel data. Consequently, the channel data may be sent to the broadcast processing system in order to tune the broadcast processing system to the selected program.
US07676192B1
A scanning radio and method using a receiver, a channel memory and a display in conjunction with a frequency and linked descriptor database. The frequency and linked descriptor database is queried using a geographic reference to produce a list of local radio channels that includes a list of frequencies with linked descriptors. The list of radio channels is transferred into the channel memory of the scanner, and the receiver is sequentially tuned to the listed frequencies recalled from the list of radio channels while the corresponding linked descriptors are simultaneously displayed.
US07676187B2
An improved fuser includes a fuser member, a pressure member that forms a nip with the fuser member through which copy sheets pass to have images fused thereon and an air knife to assist in peeling copy sheets from the fuser member. The air knife has a device connected to it that blocks entrained airflow between the fuser and air knife to reduce fuser cooling and power loss.
US07676186B2
In accordance with a replacing mechanism of the present invention, a toner cartridge is replaced from a main body of an image forming apparatus by performing, in a substantially same timing, an operation of closing a toner pouring opening with a cover by a levering action; and an operation of displacing the toner cartridge from the main body of the image forming apparatus to an operator side, the toner cartridge being provided with a flange portion. The toner cartridge cannot be pulled out unless the toner pouring opening is fully closed by the shutter member.
US07676171B2
A method for printing images on at least one substrate using an apparatus having a plurality of print modes, wherein at least one of the print modes is a monochrome printing mode and another of the print modes is a color printing mode, the method comprising: printing a first portion of the images in a first of the print modes; determining whether the images being printed in the first mode meet a predetermined criteria; switching the apparatus into a second of the print modes when the images then being printed in the first print mode meet the predetermined criteria; and printing a second portion of the images using the apparatus in the second of the print modes after the switching.
US07676168B2
A fixing device of the invention switches ON a heater lamp of the press roller in a fixing device in a color print mode. In a monochromatic mode, power comparable to the power consumption of the heater lamp can be supplied additionally to an exciting coil on the heat roller side when a heater lamp 3 stays OFF. An amount needed for the heat roller can be therefore added flexibly to the exciting coil. During a warm-up, power comparable to power consumption of the option can be supplied additionally to the exciting coil on the heat roller side.
US07676167B2
An apparatus for forming an image according to the present invention includes a coverage rate finder, a developing unit, and a control unit. The coverage rate finder finds the coverage rate of the image. The developing unit holds developer in it and includes a stirring means for stirring the held developer at a stirring speed. The developing unit supplies the stirred developer to a surface of an image carrier. When the apparatus forms the image consecutively on sheets of paper, the control unit changes the stirring speed in proportion to the coverage rate. When the apparatus forms an image with a higher coverage rate consecutively on sheets of paper, the control unit makes the stirring speed higher.
US07676159B2
A process for all-optically switching an incoming optical signal having at least a data packet is provided. The data packet including at least an address bit in its header, and the process includes receiving the data packet; processing the header optically; storing the decision made during the processing of the header; and switching the whole incoming data packet dependent upon the decision.
US07676158B2
Certain aspects of a method and system for optimum channel equalization between a host Serializer-Deserializer (SerDes) and an optical module may compensate and reduce dispersion loss along an electrical transmit path of a transmitter and an optical transmit path coupled to the transmitter via pre-emphasis. The data degradation as a result of the dispersion loss along the electrical transmit path of the transmitter and the optical transmit path coupled to the transmitter may be recovered by equalizing signals received via an electrical receive path of a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter.
US07676155B2
In a wavelength allocation method in a wavelength division multiplexing network, a 3R wavelength converter having a limited wavelength conversion range is disposed according to a wavelength conversion band of each node, at least one path set between transmitting/receiving nodes is selected, routing paths corresponding to the number of the selected at least one path set between the transmitting/receiving nodes having a request for a new optical path generation are extracted, it is determined whether there is a wavelength consecutive segment set that satisfies a maximum transmission distance for guaranteeing transmission quality of an optical signal and that includes one consecutive wavelength among the extracted routing paths, and a path using a first-fit wavelength is selected from paths of each wavelength consecutive segment and the wavelength is allocated when determining that there is a wavelength consecutive segment set.
US07676153B1
A digitally controlled optical delay apparatus providing optical signal delays electrically selectable in the picosecond to nanosecond range by way of selectable signal path lengths. Path lengths are incremented in physical length and path delay time according to digital ratios. The delay element includes micro-miniature path changing mirrors controlled in path length selecting positioning by input signals of logic level magnitude. Fiber optic coupling of signals to and from the delay element and a combination of fixed position and movable mirror included optical signal path lengths are included.
US07676151B2
A film cartridge type digital camera is provided and includes: a film cartridge type case having a compatible shape with a film cartridge into which a film camera is loaded; and an imaging device loaded into the film cartridge type case in a curved state.
US07676149B2
System for backlight detection using brightness values of subareas in focus area and method therefor
A system for backlight detection using the brightness values of the subareas in a focus area and method therefor are provided, which are applicable to an image capture device. The focus area is divided into a plurality of subareas and the brightness values of each of the subareas are calculated. Then, the brightness values of each of the subareas are converted into 0 and 1 codes, and then the codes are combined to generate the codes representing the entire focus area. The status values corresponding to each of the codes are determined with reference to a backlight detection table established in advance, so as to determine whether an object to be shot is in a backlight condition.
US07676142B1
The invention is related to methods and apparatus that can advantageously alter a playback rate of a multimedia presentation, such as a video clip. One embodiment of the invention permits a multimedia presentation to be sped up or slowed down with a controlled change in pitch of the sped up or slowed down audio. In one embodiment, this controlled change in the pitch permits the sped up or slowed down audio to retain a same sounding pitch as at normal playback speeds. In one embodiment, a duration is specified and playback of the video clip is advantageously sped to complete playback within the specified duration. In another embodiment, a finish by a time is specified, and the playback of the video clip is advantageously sped to complete playback by the specified time.
US07676127B2
In a PON system, an OLT periodically transmits a channel resource information block specifying a carrier wavelength and a spreading code on a first downstream channel to which a spread-spectrum spreader having a first spreading code is applied; one of ONUs receives the channel resource information block with a spread-spectrum despreader having the first spreading code and transmits a connection request to the OLT, using the carrier wavelength and the spreading code specified by the channel resource information block; the OLT having received the connection request transmits a new channel resource information block specifying a carrier wavelength and a spreading code to be used on an upstream data channel to the requester ONU through the first channel; and the requester ONU transmits data, using the carrier wavelength and the spreading code specified by the new channel resource information block.
US07676117B1
A system analyzes multiple images to identify similar images using histograms, image intensities, edge detectors, or wavelets. The system retrieves labels assigned to the identified similar images and selectively concatenates the extracted labels. The system assigns the concatenated labels to each of the identified similar images and uses the concatenated labels when performing a keyword search of the plurality of images.
US07676116B2
An information processing system stores image files formed by an image forming apparatus in a desired storage position in an information processing terminal through simple operations. The information processing terminal, in accordance with an instruction to incorporate an image file, sends to the image forming apparatus information that includes at least identification information by which to identify a storage destination for the image file, a file name for the data file corresponding to a selected icon and storage position information that indicates the storage position in a folder of a directory in the storage destination in which the data file is to be stored. The image forming apparatus registers the information, and causes a selection key for the registered information to be displayed. A new selection key is created for information to be displayed when new settings information is registered based on the information sent from the information processing terminal.
US07676110B2
A method of automatically determining a need to service a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly includes analyzing pixels within one or more acquired digital images according to probability determinations that such pixels correspond to blemish artifacts. It is automatically determined whether a threshold distribution of blemish artifacts is present within one or more of the digital images. A need for service is indicated when at least the threshold distribution is determined to be present.
US07676105B2
According to some embodiments, a set of images may be determined, including at least one training image and at least one image to be provided to a viewer. A reduced training image may be created based on the training image, and at least one enlarging parameter may be calculated based on a portion of the training image and a corresponding portion of the reduced training image. The enlarging parameter may then be used to facilitate an enlargement of a reduced image to be provided to the viewer.
US07676104B2
A Bezier curve constituting outline font data represents a curve by four coordinate values of a start point, an end point, and two control points. The curve is represented by two coordinates of the start point and the end point in collinear approximation, and by three coordinates of the start point, an intersecting point of two lines, and the end point in bi-linear approximation. In curve pattern approximation, when 32 curve patterns are prepared, the curve is represented by 5-bit data of two coordinates of the start point and the end point, and a pattern number. By effectively employing these three kinds of processes, it is possible to represent a Bezier curve constituting the outline font data with a reduced data volume.
US07676102B2
An image compression apparatus is provided which includes an image dividing section that divides 3D image data into a plurality of units of data, 3D image data being composed of a plurality of frames, a pixel selection section that sequentially selects a pixel in one of the plurality of units as a target pixel in a predetermined order and selects pixels located within a predetermined range near the target pixel as reference pixels, a prediction error calculation section that calculates a prediction value of a target pixel value which is a pixel value of the target pixel, according to the pixel values of the reference pixels and calculates a prediction error which is a difference between the prediction value and the target pixel value, and an entropy coding section that performs entropy coding of the prediction error in each of the plurality of units.
US07676101B2
A process burden for code processing is reduced by the present system and method while possibly avoiding the lowering of image quality. When compensating for motion prediction by using a multi-reference frame while sequentially changing the pixel-based sizes of motion compensating blocks, a size-reduced block is generated depending upon a motion compensating block having the greatest pixel-based size to be taken as the uppermost layer among the pixel-based sizes. Thereafter, motion vector search ranges are determined respectively within the reference frame images, on the basis of a plurality of size-reduced reference images reduced in size respectively corresponding to the size-reduction ratios of the size-reduced blocks and the size-reduced blocks. Using the determined search range, an optimal motion vector is detected while sequentially changing the pixel-based sizes of the motion compensating blocks. This can detect a motion vector by only a limited search range within the reference frame image.
US07676097B2
A digital image encoding device, which encodes digital image data using a discrete wavelet transform, includes a coefficient bit shift processing unit that performs bit shift processing on a wavelet coefficient after the discrete wavelet transform. The coefficient bit shift processing shifts the wavelet coefficient to a lower bit side by a predetermined number of bits to truncate a lower bit, and reduces the number of effective bits to create a new wavelet coefficient.
US07676093B2
An image reading and processing method which is capable of automatically obtaining image data with high resolution along the proper contour of an original. First image reading is carried out on the original at a first resolution to obtain image data. The contour area of an image of the original 7 is detected based on the image data obtained by the image reading. Second image reading is carried out on the original at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, over an area 51 having outer edges thereof shared by the contour area 41, to obtain image data. The contour of the image of the original is detected in the contour area 41, based on the image data obtained by the second image reading. Image data of an image portion inside the detected contour of the image of the original is extracted from the image data obtained by the second reading.
US07676092B2
An apparatus is disclosed for providing data into a template document, the template document having a number of portions for completion by a user. The apparatus comprises: a verbal input device (72) arranged to receive and record a verbal passage, the verbal passage including information for a specific one of the portions of the template document; and a handwriting input device (70) arranged to decode handwritten information corresponding to the verbal passage, the handwritten information including identification of the specific portion of the template document. The apparatus also includes a data processing and storage device (78,82) arranged to: associate the verbal passage with the handwritten information based on the timings of the verbal passage and the handwritten information; determine from the verbal passage and the handwritten information the data to be provided into the specific portion of the template document; and associate the data with the specific portion of the template document.
US07676091B2
A method of improving an image or a set of images, by transforming an intensity histogram thereof is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) fitting the intensity histogram to a sum of a plurality of localized functions; (b) using the plurality of localized functions to define a plurality of localized intensity histograms; (c) for each localized intensity histogram, performing at least one image enhancement procedure, thereby providing a plurality of improved localized intensity histograms; and (d) combining the plurality of improved localized intensity histograms, thereby transforming the intensity histogram of the image. In various exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises detecting clutter and/or an outline of at least one region in the image or set of images.
US07676086B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for modifying images characterized in that it includes the ability to assign colour intensity values to pixels exposed during image manipulation operations comprising: means for using the color intensity values of remaining pixels in the original image, and means for assigning color values to the exposed pixels that are similar to those of the surrounding pixels so that the exposed regions blends smoothly with the surrounding region. The instant invention also provides a configured computer program product for carrying out the above method.
US07676077B2
Various methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data are provided. One computer-implemented method for determining a position of inspection data in design data space includes aligning data acquired by an inspection system for alignment sites on a wafer with data for predetermined alignment sites. The method also includes determining positions of the alignment sites on the wafer in design data space based on positions of the predetermined alignment sites in the design data space. In addition, the method includes determining a position of inspection data acquired for the wafer by the inspection system in the design data space based on the positions of the alignment sites on the wafer in the design data space. In one embodiment, the position of the inspection data is determined with sub-pixel accuracy.
US07676075B2
Disclosed is a system and method for generating quantitative imagery of demyelination in the spinal cord. The method includes acquiring a magnetization transfer weighted (MTw) MR image of the spinal column, identifying a reference region of interest within the image corresponding to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), averaging the signal intensity corresponding to the reference region of interest, and computing a ratio, on a voxel-by-voxel basis, of the signal intensity of each voxel by the averaged reference signal intensity. In doing so, normalized MTw images are obtained such that detrimental artifacts such as motion-induced errors, coil loading, and RF coil sensitivity variations are obviated.
US07676071B2
A method for illuminating a specimen or a region of the specimen (region of interest, ROI), the information indicating whether and in what manner a specific point on the specimen is to be illuminated, being stored in a data memory under a specific address. A change in the position, orientation, and/or shape of the specimen is captured, and a transformation of the coordinates of the image points to be illuminated is derived therefrom; memory addresses are uniquely assigned to the transformed coordinates; and, on the basis of the memory addresses, the data memory is accessed, and its contents is read out in order to control the light source.
US07676063B2
A real-time low frame-rate video compression system and method that allows the user to perform face-to-face communication through an extremely low bandwidth network. The system and method employs novel eye tracking and blink detection techniques in order to select images for transmission. Experimental results show that the system is superior to more traditional video codecs for low bit-rate face-to-face communication.
US07676062B2
Vehicle including a compartment receivable of an object and a system for tracking the object includes at least one imaging device each arranged to receive an image of a portion of the compartment containing the object and a control unit coupled to each imaging device and which controls the imaging device to obtain a first set of images without the object and at least one second image including the object. The control unit analyzes the second image(s) in consideration of the first set of images to derive information about the object. This information may be the type, size and/or position of the object or a part thereof. The information may be used to control vehicular components which have a variable use based on the type, size or position of the object or part thereof.
US07676061B2
A laser safety system providing a system for checking the presence, focus and integrity of a laser beam focusing lens is disclosed. The laser safety system checks the focusing lens properties by capturing an image of a target by viewing the target through the focusing lens from along the laser beam path. An initial, known good, image is compared to an image captured immediately before enablement of the laser beam source to determine if the focusing lens is present, focused and is not damaged. The system may also utilize a mask projected onto the target as well as a low-power visible light laser directed along the path of the processing laser to determine the focusing lens properties. The system can also provide target recognition.
US07676050B2
Protective facilities in microphone inputs of a hearing device should be able to be exchanged in a more user-friendly manner. For this purpose, provision is made for a cover fixture for at least one microphone input of a hearing device with an essentially acoustically permeable protective facility to protect the at least one microphone input against solid particles. The cover fixture can be fixed to the surface of the hearing device in a friction-fitted or form-fitted manner. The cover fixture can however also be designed in one piece with the upper shell of the hearing device.
US07676049B2
A reconfigurable audio-video surround sound receiver (AVR) and method provide flexible surround speaker placement and a low cost simulated surround sound implementation. A processing circuit within an audio device or audio/visual (AV) device such as an audio-video receiver (AVR) generates signals for surround and main channel speakers that provide selectable operation between speaker placement in ordinary surround sound installation, or in a simulated surround sound installation with speakers placed at one end of a listening room. An electronic network within the audio device selects between a normal surround sound mode, in which the surround information is provided to surround channel outputs and main channel information is supplied to main channel outputs, or a simulated surround mode in which the main and surround channel outputs receive surround channel information in a phase-controlled relationship, directing the surround information away from a direct path toward the listening area, to diffuse the surround information.
US07676040B2
A method, a system and a computer program for changing an encryption key of data encrypted by a first key and stored on an archive server (40), wherein a conversion is applied to the data, generating recrypted data decryptable by means of a second key, the conversion being generated on a second server (30) and associated with the first key and the second key via a functional operation and transferred from the second server (30) to the archive server (40) via a transfer channel (38).
US07676035B2
The solution described herein provides an innovative use of remote services technology integrated with service personnel onsite at the point of service, such as a consumer repair outlet, to provide a pool of technical support resources to service a widely distributed resource need, such as support and repair resource needs of a chain of consumer outlets or an aggregated group of single proprietor consumer outlets. With this solution, qualified technical resources are provided from a central location to service a widely distributed retail environment. This is on-demand online remote support service is called or referred to as “support from a spigot.” The distribution method enables the delivery of higher quality, more reliable and overall lower cost services. Instead of requiring dedicated technical resources at each location, lower skilled labor may be deployed at the location to enable the remote technical support services process.
US07676034B1
A communications management system comprising an input for receiving a communications classification; a database of skill weights with respect to the communications classification; a database of agent skill scores; and a processor, for computing, with respect to the received communication classification, an optimum agent selection, the processor directly controlling a routing of the information representing the received call.
US07676024B2
An apparatus includes: an imaging unit 7, an X-ray detecting unit 90, outputting, upon irradiation of X-rays, an X-ray detection signal over the irradiation period; an operation controlling unit 13, generating a trigger indicating an imaging start timing based on the X-ray detection signal and using the trigger to perform operation controlling of the imaging unit 7; and a signal cable L1, containing, within a tube 11, one or a plurality of each of a detection signal line L11, transmitting the X-ray detection signal, a controlling signal line L12, transmitting a controlling signal for drive control of the imaging unit 7, and an image signal line L13, transmitting image signals, resulting from imaging by the imaging unit 7, and in the signal cable L1, the detection signal line L11 is disposed at an inner central portion of the tube 11 and the other signal lines are disposed so as to surround the detection signal line L11. The occurrence of malfunctions in the X-ray imaging apparatus is thereby reduced.
US07676017B2
A vacuum actuated and sustained ammonia feed system for the pH adjustment of power plant condensate and boiler feed water is described. This system can provide a safe means of providing anhydrous ammonia for pH adjustment to the condensate/feed water system of a power plant.
US07676015B2
Methods and systems for reactor lattice depletion are disclosed. One exemplary method, among others, comprises the steps of defining a reactor eigenvalue, the reactor eigenvalue being a specified ratio of actual neutron production to loss in the reactor; producing a lattice eigenvalue, the lattice eigenvalue being an estimated ratio of neutron production to loss in the lattice; and adjusting a boundary condition of the lattice to cause convergence of the lattice eigenvalue and the reactor eigenvalue in order to produce at least one physics parameter.
US07676013B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer system capable of maintaining synchronization of the data during the operation of apparatus by performing the periodical adjustment for a DLL circuit without using a method of 8B10B. In a transmitting apparatus, a control portion switches a selector to start a readjustment for the DLL circuit in a receiving apparatus, if a counter indicates a readjustment interval time. In performing there adjustment for the DLL circuit, a pattern generator sends a pattern making a signal waveform a stationary wave through the selector for a certain time, and if the signal is made stationary, a readjustment pattern is sent to the DLL circuit. The DLL circuit resets the sampling timing, based on this readjustment pattern. The selector switches the normal data A and the readjustment pattern to be sent to the DLL circuit.
US07676011B2
A data recovery apparatus and method for receiving at least an original clock and at least an original data stream output from a transmitter to output at least one recovery data are provided. The original data stream and the recovery data respectively include N steps in a period T of the original clock, wherein N is an integer larger than 0. The data recovery apparatus includes a sampling unit and a processing unit. The sampling unit samples the original data stream according to the original clock, wherein the sampling unit samples the corresponding data of the original data stream at least three times with T/(4N) sample period in each step. The processing unit receives and compares the sampled result output from the sampling unit, and recovers the sampled result to the recovery data according to the compared result.
US07676008B2
A system and method for obtaining a frequency error estimate representing the difference between a reference frequency and the frequency of a space-time transmit diversity signal is disclosed herein. The method includes taking the correlation of total sums, comprised of partial sums taken in defined first and second intervals, to represent the frequency error as the imaginary component of the correlation function.
US07675999B2
Various embodiments of methods and apparatus to remove or reduce phase noise in a baseband signal at a receiver are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07675998B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the sampling instant of a clock signal (ti) for a circuit for determining symbols (Se) from a digitized signal (sd, S) which is coupled to at least one quadrature signal pair of a modulation method (QAM), wherein the digitized signal is converted to polar signal coordinates (R, α) with a radial component (R).
US07675995B2
A device for transmitting information in a communications signal is envisioned. The information is modulated, at least in part, with a first angle-related characteristic. The device has a digital conversion circuit operable to convert information to be broadcast into a digital form. A constellation mapper is coupled to the digital conversion circuit, and is operable to convert the digital information into information associated with a constellation. A trajectory generation circuit generates samples denoting a trajectory within the constellation for the information. A transition analysis circuit determines a change in value of an angle-related characteristic in a transition between two samples, and a threshold detection circuit detects whether the change in value fails to meet a particular threshold. An angle-related characteristic distribution circuit can then distribute a portion of the change in value associated with the transition to at least one other transition.
US07675994B2
A flexible digital transmission system that improves upon the ATSC A/53 HDTV signal transmission standard. The system includes a digital signal transmitter for generating a first Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard encoded 8-VSB bit stream and, for generating an encoded new robust bit stream for transmitting high priority information bits, wherein symbols of the new bit stream are capable of being transmitted according to a transmission mode including: a 2-VSB mode and a 4-VSB transmission mode. The standard 8-VSB bit stream and new bit stream may be simultaneously transmitted over a terrestrial channel according to a broadcaster defined bit-rate ratio. The transmission system includes a control mechanism for generating information needed for encoding robust packets at a transmitter device. It also includes a mechanism for encoding control parameters and multiplexes the generated information with the standard and robust bit-streams for transmission. A receiver architecture is additionally provided to decode standard and robust bit-streams transmitted by the transmitter device.
US07675985B1
A digital channelizer unit is proposed for a satellite digital payload capable of processing multiple digital input signals. The input signals are downsampled and converted to complex baseband signals for processing with the digital channelizer unit. Each complex baseband signal is then channelized into multiple channels. A routing module rearranges the channels, which are then reconstructed as new complex baseband signals. The new complex baseband signals are upsampled to a higher data rate and converted to digital passband signals.
US07675969B2
A system and method for adaptively controlling the encoded data rate in a data compression system. The system and method sets up alternative encoded bit streams for each segment of data and selects the alternative that would produce the bit rate closest to a predetermined target bit rate for transmission. Each segment of video input is quantized based on a set quantization settings to produce a plurality of quantized segments. Each quantized segment is then variable rate encoded to produce an alternative encoded bit stream. The data rate that would be required to transmit each alternative encoded bit stream is determined and compared with a predetermined target bit rate, which is set according to the transmission rate buffer status. The selected encoded bit stream is provided to the transmission rate buffer in preparation for transmission. Having processed one segment of data, the system and method then updates its parameters for processing the next segment of data. An updated target bit rate is determined based on the rate buffer status at this point. A rate versus quantization index model is derived according to the data rates of the encoded streams and the corresponding quantization indices. A new set of weighting mask functions is then produced in accordance with the model and the quantization indices. The new set of quantization indices is to be used for processing the next segment of data.
US07675967B2
A data communication transceiver, such as a PCM or xDSL modem, is operable in a training-while-working mode in which it both trains and communicates user data. In some embodiments, upon initiation of a data communication session, the transceiver operates in a startup training mode in which partial training occurs that is sufficient to enable low rate data communication; the transceiver then enters the training-while-working mode in which it communicates user data and completes training. When training is completed, the transceiver enters a data mode in which it communicates user data but does not train. In some embodiments, if in the data mode conditions arise requiring retraining or making retraining desirable, the transceiver enters the training-while-working mode and retrains while continuing to communicate user data.
US07675960B2
A method for generating code sequences having good correlation properties comprising steps of selecting a code length comprising a number of chips, selecting a ruler which defines the position of non-zero values within the chips, and overlaying the non-zero values with an amplitude pattern.
US07675959B2
Thus, as shown by an exact electrodynamic computation of EMBF and the estimations described above of the velocity of turbulent flows arising due to their effect, application of amplitude- and frequency-modulated helically traveling (rotating and axially traveling) electromagnetic fields in metallurgical and chemical technologies and foundry can considerably increase the hydraulic efficiency of MHD facilities, intensify the processes of heat and mass transfer in technological plants, significantly increase their productivity, considerably decrease energy consumption for the production of metals, alloys, cast articles, and chemical products, and improve their quality.
US07675951B2
A semiconductor laser driving apparatus controls a semiconductor laser to output a prescribed intensity of laser light. The semiconductor laser driving apparatus includes at least two semiconductor laser driving circuits each outputting a prescribed amount of current to the semiconductor laser when operated, and a control circuit selectively transmitting a control signal and controlling one or more semiconductor laser driving circuits to operate in accordance with a prescribed intensity of laser light to be irradiated from the semiconductor laser.
US07675943B2
A media source, including a sending unit that sends out time-stamped media data packets to one or more receiving media sinks. A timestamp of one of the time-stamped media data packets indicates a time of creation of the one of the time-stamped media data packets. The media source also includes a determining unit that determines a play-out time offset. The media source additionally includes a transmission unit that sends out the play-out time offset to the one or more receiving media sinks once for all time-stamped media data packets of a session.
US07675939B2
The present invention is intended to realize high-speed and stable communication. A multi-flow RTP divides the data of one RTP session into pieces that can be transmitted through UDP ports through respectively and supplies the divided pieces of data to these ports. An RTCP controls the UDP ports through to transmit the divided data and controls a TCP port to transmit control information for reconstructing the divided data. UDP ports through receive the divided data and supplies the received data to a multi-flow RTP. An RTCP obtains the control information from the TCP port and supplies it to the multi-flow RTP. The multi-flow RTP reconstructs the divided data according to the control information and supplies the reconstructed data to the player, which reproduces the reconstructed data. The present invention is applicable to a stream data distribution system, for example.
US07675935B2
An apparatus is provided for facilitating communication between, for example, a configuration tool in a process control system and a wireless field device (such as a wireless sensor or actuator). The configuration tool and the wireless field device use different protocols, and the apparatus converts between the different protocols. The protocol used by the configuration tool could include HART. From the perspective of the wireless field device, the apparatus could appear to support the application protocol of the wireless field device. From the perspective of the configuration tool, the apparatus could simulate a HART multiplexer. This may allow a user to use the configuration tool to configure, commission, and monitor the wireless field device, even when the user does not know or understand the protocol used by the wireless field device.
US07675914B2
The present invention improves the reliability and safety of communication in a communications system wherein communication is relayed. When an on-premise terminal 100 sets relay information, such as NAT information or the setting information of a packet filter, in a gateway 110, the relay information is set after confirming whether the NAT information for which a setting attempt is being made duplicates the NAT information of another on-premise terminal 101. The same applies to the case of deleting relay information. If the NAT information is duplicate, then interference with the communication of the other on-premise terminal 101 is prevented by modifying the relay information for which a setting attempt is being made, specifically the port number of the gateway 110 on a global network 001.
US07675913B2
A packet, cell or other data segment received in a physical layer device from a link layer device via an interface bus is processed to determine a port address for the data segment in the physical layer device. The port address, which may be an MPHY address, is determined using a combination of a first address value obtained from a link layer address portion of the data segment and a second address value obtained from a payload portion of the data segment. The data segment is stored in a memory location identified by the port address. The memory location may comprise a particular queue of the physical layer device.
US07675909B2
A method and apparatus are provided for horizontally slicing a multi-stage switching fabric having transmission inputs and transmission outputs to and from the switch fabric. The switching fabric includes switch elements arranged in at least first and second stages, each switch element having element inputs and outputs with each switch element being configured to join one of the element inputs with an associated one of the element outputs. The switch fabric includes a first logic device that contains a stage-1subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage. The first logic device also contains a stage-2 subset of the switch elements arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the second stage. The switch fabric includes a second logic device that contains a stage-1 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage. The second logic device also contains a stage-2 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the second stage. The first and second logic devices are physically discrete from one another.
US07675893B2
A physical frame is constructed, the physical frame including a medium access control super-frame payload which in turn includes a plurality of medium access control frames. With respect to the constructed physical frame, virtual carrier sense information is set in the plurality of medium access control frame so that a result of carrier sense is identical to another by virtual carrier sense based on the plurality of medium access control frames in the medium access control super-frame payload. The physical frame in which the virtual carrier sense information has been set is transmitted to a destined communication apparatus.
US07675892B2
A sub-access point (AP), system, and method for adjusting a power level of a transmission signal, and more particularly, in which the power level of a transmission signal output from the sub-AP is adjusted based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) readings and frame error rate (FER) of a main AP, thereby eliminating shadow areas and minimizing interference between the main AP and the sub-AP. The sub-AP includes a reception unit which receives a beacon frame and a data frame from a main AP, a RSSI checking unit which checks an RSSI of the main AP, a FER checking unit which checks an FER, and a control unit which determines a power level at which a transmission signal is to be transmitted based on the identified RSSI and the identified FER and causes a transmission signal to be output at the determined power level.
US07675890B2
A load balancing method for a wireless local area network (LAN) which has a plurality of access points is provided in the present invention. The load balancing decision is made by a load balancing module according to traffic conditions and bandwidth availability of each traffic priority class based on a corresponding class of service. The load balancing module is a centralized module which the load balancing decision is determined by the centralized module, or is determined through information exchanges among distributed load balancing modules of the access points. The load balancing decision also takes into consideration of VLANs per VLAN tag basis. Each of the VLANs is defined with the corresponding traffic priority class.
US07675887B2
On the basis of a spreading factor obtained by despreading a control channel of received data by a control channel despreading unit, a spreading factor determination unit determines a transmission rate of the received data. User data subjected to despreading processing at a user data despreading unit is demodulated by a demodulator and temporarily stored in a demodulated data memory. The user data read from the demodulated data memory is decoded by a decoder, whereas the result of decoding by the decoder is supplied to a delay measurement unit, where a delay time relative to the above processing, of the user data is detected. A channel resource management unit manages the number of available resources at all times or in a constant cycle on the basis of transmission rates of respective radio channels detected by the spreading factor determination unit and delay processing times of the respective radio channels detected by the delay measurement unit.
US07675881B2
An interface for connecting networks includes an interworking function provided between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a public mobile land network (PLMN) to provide communication interactions between the PLMN and the WLAN. The interworking function includes a dual-protocol stack, which interfaces the WLAN protocols and PLMN protocols to provide seamless communications between the WLAN and the PLMN such that an increase in available service bandwidth provided for users of the PLMN is maintained.
US07675878B2
This application describes an enhanced passive scanning method for a wireless local area network, including the steps of transmitting at least one of a beacon signal or a gratuitous probe response in a WLAN channel by an access point. The gratuitous probe response is a supplemental beacon signal that is transmitted at intervals between the occurrence of regular beacon signals, but contains only essential information to allow mobile station manage roaming and timing.
US07675877B2
An apparatus and a method for performing a time shift function according to a current call connection state are disclosed. If a user enters a call connection mode with another party while viewing digital broadcast signal, received digital broadcast signal is recorded. If the call connection mode is terminated, the digital broadcast signal stored from a start time of the call connection mode is reproduced and displayed. Therefore, although the user loses specific broadcast signal received during a call connection time, the user can continuously view the lost broadcast signal without any loss after the lapse of the call connection time.
US07675872B2
Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for displaying pictures. In one embodiment, there is presented a decoder system for decoding video data. The decoder system comprises a port and a transport processor. The port receives packets carrying encoded video data from a plurality of video streams. The transport processor adds a header to encoded video data from at least one of the packets. The header identifies a particular one of the plurality of video streams, wherein the at least one packet is from the particular one of the plurality of video streams.
US07675871B2
A method of and apparatus for communicating between a host and an agent. The method includes the step of performing a first transaction between a host controller and a hub. The hub is operable to perform a single transaction with an agent based on the first transaction. The method then includes the step of performing a second transaction between the host controller and the hub. The second transaction is based on the single transaction.
US07675870B2
An Internet Protocol Television (IP-TV) broadcasting service system and method using a physical layer multicast switch are provided. The system comprises: a head end which converts an Ethernet signal to a virtual concatenation group (VCG) signal of a synchronous digital hierarchy/synchronous optical network (SDH/SONET); a multicast switch which multicasts the VCG signal in a physical layer; and a tail end which receives the multicasted VCG signal through a Synchronous Transmission Module level n (STM-N) optical link and restores the VCG signal to the Ethernet signal. Therefore, high quality TV broadcasting can be provided in an IP multicast network.
US07675868B2
Systems and methods are described for enabling routers to coordinate via a back-channel communication medium. The information exchanged over the back-channel is used to increase the number of paths considered for the routers during route optimization. The Decision Makers may assert routes and prefixes to the routers under their control. This may be done via a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) feed. The Decision Makers, in turn, communicate separately with one another, in order to coordinate routing policy amongst themselves. This coordination may be performed over a back-channel, which may take the form of physical or logical connections between the Decision Makers.
US07675866B1
A method and system for analyzing resource needs for a configurable computing system representing the configuration in a tree structure. The tree structure has a plurality of nodes representing stored data. A first set of the nodes comprises childless nodes and a second set of the nodes comprises parent nodes. Each parent node has at least one child node. The method for analyzing comprises the steps of: (a) determining the worst case resource needs of the childless nodes during an execution cycle by evaluating the worst case values of any selected attributes that the childless node may have; (b) determining the worst case resource needs of the parent nodes during an execution cycle; and, (c) recursively applying the rules used for evaluating the worst case resource needs of the individual nodes, above, starting with a root node of the plurality of nodes, to determine the worst case resource needs of the entire tree structure.
US07675858B2
A communications system is arranged to provide a service to user equipment in accordance with mobility management information. The system comprises a session protocol server (S-CSCF) operable to control the state of a communications session for at least one user equipment in accordance with user profile data, a subscriber information database (HSS) for providing the user profile data for the session protocol server (S-CSCF), and a mobility server. The mobility server comprises a mobility manager operable to receive mobile dependent evaluation reports providing an indication of a current state for communicating with the user equipment and to form the mobility management information based on the evaluation reports. The mobility server includes an application programmer's interface operable to communicate call control signalling data between the mobility manager and the session protocol server (S-CSCF). The mobility manager is operable to notify the application program providing the service to the user equipment of the mobility management information in response to a subscription for the information from the application program, the subscription being provided via the session protocol server (S-CSCF) using the call control signalling data. By integrating the mobility server within the system, mobility management information provided by the mobility server can be integrated with other services provided by the system. As such, mobile users deploying application programs within the system, which subscribe to the mobility server, can benefit from added value provided by established system components and re-using established interfaces.
US07675853B2
To ensure an effective mechanism for disaster recovery, system migration and network enlargement, a communication system (FIG. 6) comprises a narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) having a plurality of network adaptors (302-306) interconnected to a switch (314-316) that provides access to a plurality of virtual channels (318-321) supported by a broadband network. The plurality of network adaptors (302-306) are also coupled to a plurality of trunks (308-312) that each support at least one of a plurality of different communication functions. At least two call servers (324-326) are independently coupled to the narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) and are arranged to control interconnection of trunks to virtual channels, while each of the at least two call servers is responsible for controlling interconnections of group of trunks that share a common communication function within each group. Communication system functionality is therefore separated between the at least two call servers.
US07675837B2
The present invention provides data storage devices, systems and methods. An example device includes: a storage medium for storing data in the form of marks; and at least one probe. The probe(s) and storage medium are operable to move relative to each other, with each probe comprising a tip facing the storage medium and having a force creating unit associated thereto. The force creating units are operable to create a force acting between the tip and said storage medium. The data storage device is operable to erase an indentation mark in the storage medium by way of controlling the force creating unit for creating at least one erase force pulse with a force rise time being less than or equal to the order of 1 microsecond.
US07675833B2
An optical disk apparatus includes an optical pickup and a disk-rotation driving unit configured to rotationally drive the optical disks. The optical pickup includes a first emission unit configured to emit a first wavelength beam; a second emission unit configured to emit a second wavelength beam; a third emission unit configured to emit a third wavelength beam; an objective lens configured to focus the first to third wavelength beams emitted from the first to third emission units, respectively, at a signal recording surface of an optical disk; a light-path combining unit configured to combine an optical path of the first wavelength beam emitted from the first emission unit and an optical path of the second and third wavelength beams emitted from the second and third emission units, respectively; and an aberration correcting unit provided on the optical path of the second and third wavelength beams.
US07675826B2
A write strategy calibration system for an optical media playback device comprises memory for storing a write strategy table. A control module generates a write signal to write a training pattern to an optical storage medium according to calibration data stored in the write strategy table. A write strategy analysis module receives a read signal indicative of the training pattern written to the optical storage medium and adjusts the calibration data according to the read signal.
US07675825B2
An optical disk unit of this invention includes a defocus detecting system for detecting a defocus of an objective lens, a thickness unevenness detecting system for detecting a thickness unevenness of a transparent resin layer provided nearest the objective lens of a recording medium, and a thickness unevenness correcting mechanism for changing the focusing characteristic of light impinging upon the objective lens based on a change in the thickness of the transparent resin layer detected by the thickness detecting system.
US07675814B2
A method and apparatus for generating an acoustic signal having a single mode of propagation along borehole walls. The method includes generating an n-pole (monopole, dipole, quadrupole, and so on) acoustic signal and calculating the tool position and borehole shape from the signals received at one or more receivers. If the tool contains matched sources and balanced receivers, is in the center of the borehole, and the borehole is circular, the pure, single mode acoustic signal will propagate along the borehole walls with a single mode of propagation. If the acoustic signal traveling along borehole walls does not have a single mode of propagation, the signal's amplitudes and time delays are adjusted to produce a second acoustic signal. The second acoustic signal's amplitudes and time delays are further adjusted until the signal traveling along the borehole walls has a single mode of propagation.
US07675812B2
A method for attenuating multiple reflections in seismic signals includes coherency filtering the seismic signals. The seismic signals are low pass filtered and high pass filtered seismic signals at a frequency selected such that substantially only multiple reflections exist in the seismic signals above the frequency. A mask is generated having unity value where the high pass filtered signal amplitude exceeds a selected threshold. The mask has unity zero value for all other filtered signals. The mask value is multiplied by the low pass filtered signals. The multiplied signals are added to the high pass filtered signals and a coherency filter is applied to remove remaining primary energy to generate a model of the multiple reflections. The multiple reflection model is subtracted from the coherency filtered seismic signals.
US07675809B2
An improved redundancy architecture for embedded memories in an ASIC chip includes one or more compiler-generated embedded memory instances. Each embedded memory instance has a universal register for storing an address of a defective subunit of the memory instance from a variety of sources. A control block is located on the ASIC chip outside of the memory instances. The control block has a defective memory register for storing an address of a defective memory subunit. The address of a defective memory subunit from the defective memory register in the control block is transferred to the universal interface register in the memory instance. In one embodiment, the control block includes fuses for storing a defective subunit address in binary form. A fuse array is located outside of the memory instances and contains laser fuses that represent address of defective subunits for each memory instance. Alternatively, the control block includes a BISTDR (built-in, self-test, diagnostic, and repair) system that provides an address of a defective memory subunit. Means are provided in the memory instances for comparing incoming memory addresses to address bits for defective memory subunits stored in each memory-instance register.
US07675808B2
An object is to realize high-capacity of a memory while reducing power consumption and making the power consumption even throughout the memory. A memory includes a plurality of memory block arranged to be symmetrically to each other. Also, a specific combination of signals among address signals supplied to the memory, a memory block including a memory cell to be read from or written to is specified. Further, signals supplied to other memory blocks than the above memory block is maintained at a constant value. Consequently, a wiring length of a bit line in a memory array can be shortened, and current consumption can be made to be even among data reading or writing from/to memory cells of a variety of addresses within the memory, at the same time as reducing load capacitance.
US07675804B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first semiconductor circuit, a second semiconductor circuit, a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The first and second semiconductor circuits are formed on a semiconductor substrate and operate using a voltage provided by an external power supply circuit as a power supply voltage. The first control circuit is formed on the semiconductor substrate and holds control information used to control the voltage generated by the external power supply circuit in accordance with operating performance of the first and second semiconductor circuits. The second control circuit controls a property of the first semiconductor circuit in accordance with the control information held by the first control circuit.
US07675800B2
When a main block address held in a memory refresh address counter coincides with an access block address corresponding to an access request, its counter value is transferred to a sub refresh address counter. Thereafter, a sub refresh address counter operates with priority over a main refresh address counter until its counter value reaches a final value. Consequently, an access operation and a refresh operation can be simultaneously executed without interfering with each other. As a result, it is possible to execute the refresh operation with a minimum increase in circuit scale and without any deterioration in access efficiency.
US07675796B2
Information stored in a nonvolatile storage device mounted to a semiconductor device is read by inputting an address signal or the like and by using a sense amplifier or the like. At this time, since a prescribed period of time is required, it is necessary to design a semiconductor device taking that delay into consideration. Also, a sense amplifier consumes an enormous amount of current. Further, since the number of reading bits is set, it is also necessary to read other unnecessary information when only 1 bit is to be read. A nonvolatile storage circuit is formed by a memory element that is formed by an electrical element having an electrically conducting or insulating means, a reset element, and a latch element. In the storage element, different information is stored in the latch element depending on whether the electrical element is electrically insulated or conductive, when the wireless chip is reset. With such a structure, a low power consumption wireless chip mounted with a nonvolatile storage device can be provided a low cost.
US07675790B1
A novel method and circuit are disclosed for providing an alternate function to a semiconductor device having a normal operating voltage range and an input pin for receiving an input signal of a voltage level within a normal signal voltage range, for selecting an alternate function, whose steps consist of determining, when a voltage is received at the input pin, whether the voltage is within a normal signal voltage range, enabling the performing of a primary function if the signal voltage is within a normal signal voltage range, and initiating an alternate function when the voltage is outside of the normal signal voltage range.
US07675788B2
A non-volatile electronic memory device may be monolithically integrated on a semiconductor and be of the Flash EEPROM type having a NAND architecture and including at least one memory matrix organized in rows and columns of memory cells. Advantageously, the matrix may include at least one portion having a different data storage capacity and a different access speed than another portion.
US07675784B2
The invention provides a semiconductor memory device which realizes high speed reading by automatically adjusting and optimizing charge and discharge timings even when a change in an operation environment such as a variation in an operation voltage, an operation temperature, a process parameter and so on occurs. First and second dummy bit lines are provided for a bit line, each having a wiring load twice the wiring load of the bit line. A first sense circuit sensing the voltage of the first dummy bit line is provided to control a charging time according to a first sense signal. A second sense circuit sensing the voltage of the second dummy bit line is further provided to control a discharging time according to a second sense signal. A sense amplifier sensing the voltage of the bit line is activated in response to the second sense signal.
US07675778B2
There is provided a memory array and methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, there is provided a string comprising a plurality of transistors. Each of the plurality of transistors includes: a charge storage node, a control gate, and at least one resistive element coupled to the string. The control gate of at least one of the plurality of transistors can be selectively coupled to a reference potential via a corresponding one of the at least one resistive element.
US07675769B2
In a semiconductor integrated circuit having a register file of a multiport configuration, a first holding circuit 20A is dedicated to a first functional block having one first write port section 21AW and two first read port sections 21AR1 and 21AR2. A second holding circuit 30B is dedicated to a second functional block having one second write port section 31AW and one second read port section 31BR. When it is necessary to read data held in the first holding circuit 20A from the second read port section 31BR, for example, a data interchange operation is performed as follows. After the data of the second holding circuit 30B is latched in a latch circuit 40, the data of the first holding circuit 20A is transferred to the second holding circuit 30B, and then the data of the second holding circuit 30B latched in the latch circuit 40 is transferred to the first holding circuit 20A. Thus, the area necessary to provide a register file is significantly reduced.
US07675760B2
A power supply (V1) for an electrical device comprising a transformer (X1) having primary and secondary windings. The primary winding is connectable to an AC voltage supply and circuitry on the secondary side is arranged to provide a DC output voltage for the electrical device. The power supply also comprises a switch (111—transistors Q1 & Q2) between the primary winding of the transformer and the AC supply, and a rectifier (Diode D6) for rectifying the AC voltage. The switch is arranged to switch on at some point as the rectified AC voltage increases, once it has reached a non-zero value, thereby providing a current flow through the primary winding and hence through the secondary winding when the switch (111—transistors Q1 & Q2) is switched off. The switch is further arranged to switch off before the rectified AC voltage starts to increase again.
US07675756B2
Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board with an embedded thin-film capacitor, and a method of manufacturing the same.Specifically, the present invention relates to a printed circuit board with an embedded thin-film capacitor, comprising a lower electrode formed on an insulating substrate; an amorphous paraelectric film formed on the lower electrode; a metal seed layer formed on the paraelectric film; and an upper electrode formed on the metal seed layer and having a surface roughness (Ra) of more than 300 nm; anda method of manufacturing a printed circuit board with an embedded thin-film capacitor, comprising forming a lower electrode on an insulating substrate; forming an amorphous paraelectric film on the lower electrode, using a low-temperature film formation process; forming a metal seed layer on the paraelectric film; and forming an upper electrode having a surface roughness (Ra) of more than 300 nm on the metal seed layer, using an electroplating method.
US07675749B2
A heat dissipating structure of a 1U power supply is installed in an industrial computer host system of a universal standard specification 1U for supplying electric power, and at least one wall of the power supply differentiates a retaining plane and a heat dissipating plane having a heat dissipating hole with a height difference, and a horizontal plane of the heat dissipating plane is lower than the retaining plane and forms an airflow passage with the computer host system for guiding a heat dissipated airflow through the airflow passage to improve the poor heat dissipation at both distal ends of the traditional 1U power supply due to the same height of the power supply and the computer host system or the proximity of both sides of the power supply with an installed electronic device such as a hard disk.
US07675731B2
A tunable and aimable artificial lightning producing device for tetanizing human voluntary muscle, disabling vehicular electronic ignition systems, and for pre-detonating wired explosives. A spark gap shaping apparatus controls a spark generated by a Tesla coil. A first stage directionalizer warps a normally spherical plasma field from the Tesla coil into an oval plasma field for confining the spark to within that shape. A second stage directionalizer converges multiple beams to successive points just ahead of a plasma field created by the first stage directionalizer without ionizing the beams, thereby maintaining ionization of a path of the spark. The spark is progressively arced to these points, thereby maintaining the path of the spark.
US07675725B2
A constant voltage output circuit has an output power transistor supplied with electric power form a first input power source and a control circuit supplied with electric power from a second input power source. Here, when the voltage from the first input power source is equal to or higher than a predetermined level Va, an overcurrent protection circuit and a short-circuiting protection circuit operate. Furthermore, yet another protection circuit is provided that operates even when the voltage from the first input power source is lower than the predetermined level Va.
US07675719B2
The present invention provides a current limiting module and a hybrid current limiter using different kinds of superconducting wires. The current limiting module includes a first superconducting wire that is wound in a predetermined direction, and a second superconducting wire that has quench characteristic different from the first superconducting wire and is wound to generate magnetic flux in a direction opposite to magnetic flux induced by the first superconducting wire. According to the present invention, inductance is generated due to unequal supply of fault current. Therefore, it is possible to prevent current from being suddenly increased, and to reduce the number of superconducting wires required to manufacture the current limiting module. Further, the hybrid current limiter does not need to include a separate coil for operating a fast switch.
US07675709B2
A magnetic write head structure that maximizes write field strength while minimizing stray fields. The write pole structure maximizes write field strength by minimizing saturation of the magnetic pole tips, and minimizes stray field writing by preventing magnetic fields from extending laterally from the sides of the magnetic pole. The write head structure includes a write pole having a pole tip configured with a stair notched shape and a steep shouldered base beneath the stair notched portion. This configuration maximizes the amount of flux that can be delivered to the pole tip while also avoiding stray fields. The magnetic pole can also be configured with wing shaped extensions that extend laterally from the pole tip region but which are recessed from the ABS by a desired amount. The magnetic write head structure can be manufactured by forming a magnetic pole with a raised portion, depositing a write gap material over the magnetic pole and then forming a magnetic pedestal over the magnetic pole and write gap, the pedestal having a width significantly smaller than the width of the raised portion of the magnetic pole, a first ion mill can then be performed to notch and trim the magnetic pole. Then a non-magnetic layer such as alumina can be deposited and a second ion mill performed to form a stair notched configuration. An alumina bump can be formed prior to ion milling to provide a mask for forming the laterally extending, recessed wings in the pole tip of the magnetic pole.
US07675708B2
A thin-film magnetic head substrate includes a ceramic base, an undercoat film of an aluminum oxide, and an intermediate layer, which is sandwiched between the ceramic base and the undercoat film and which is made of a material other than the aluminum oxide and an Al—Ti—O compound.
US07675706B2
Methods and apparatus for proximity detection of hard disk drive read heads are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises forming a first signal having a frequency, a first amplitude, and a first offset voltage, forming a second offset voltage substantially equal to the first offset voltage from the first signal, amplifying the amplitude of the first signal to cause the resonant signal to have a second amplitude greater than the first, and forming a second signal having a frequency indicative of the location of a read head relative to a platter of a hard disk drive.
US07675704B2
A preamplifier circuit for a disk drive system is disclosed. The preamplifier circuit has first and second inputs that sense the voltage on either side of a magnetoresistive (MR) head element, which presents a varying resistance according to the localized magnetic field at a nearby disk surface. The preamplifier circuit includes a programmable input impedance circuit, which presents an impedance in parallel to feedback impedance at each of the first and second inputs. The parallel impedance presented by the programmable input impedance circuit is controlled by controlling a current source in the programmable input impedance circuit; a higher current results in a lower input impedance.
US07675691B2
A zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lens units, in order from an object side to an image side, including at least: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein magnification change is performed by changing an interval between the individual lens units, wherein the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a lens element A having negative optical power; a lens element B that has an aspheric surface and has negative optical power; and a lens element C having positive optical power, and wherein the second lens unit satisfies the following conditions (1): 1.85
US07675682B2
An optical film and a backlight unit having the same are disclosed. The optical film includes a base film and a first prism disposed on the base film, the first prism having a first peak height and a second prism disposed on the base film, the second prism having a second peak height. A difference between the first peak height and the second peak height is substantially 1 μm to 10 μm.
US07675681B2
A display device includes a lens array unit, a display unit which is configured such that a first substrate is attached to a second substrate that is disposed between the first substrate and the lens array unit, the display unit having a display area composed of matrix-arrayed pixels, a gap control layer which forms a predetermined gap between the display unit and the lens array unit, and a support member which fixes the display unit and the lens array unit on an outside of the display area of the display unit.
US07675667B2
Devices including EC monomers polymerized using chronoamperometry to deposit a very thin homogeneous layer followed by cyclic voltammetry to increase the density of the EC polymer film. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to specific web like configurations for a grid of conductive material deposited onto a transparent substrate. The web like configuration is based either on concentric circles, or on concentric ellipses. Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to an imaging system including a digital window that is disposed between a prism and a patterned analytic layer.
US07675662B2
In a system for authenticating information, a holographic element, including a first layer of optical information in a first coded pattern and a second layer of optical information in a second coded pattern is inserted into a reader. The reader includes an opening into which the holographic element may be positioned, a light source, a first detector positioned at a first predetermined distance from the location of the holographic element when the holographic element is positioned in the opening, and a second detector positioned at a second predetermined distance from the location of the holographic element when the holographic element is positioned in the opening.
US07675660B2
The first color difference between the second color space value showing the second color tone and the first color space value showing the first color tone is found when the first color tone is a target of color adjustment and the second color tone is a output of the target, the first color space value is corrected by a predetermined correction amount, the moved ratio of the predetermined correction amount to a moved amount which is derived from the second color space value and the third color space value showing the third color tone is found when the third color tone is a output of the first color space value with the predetermined correction amount, and the color adjustment is conducted based on the first color space value with a amount obtained correcting the first color difference with the moved ratio.
US07675650B2
A method of creating an ornamental representation of a natural flower or foliage, by digitally scanning one or more surfaces of one or more pieces of a natural flower or foliage and directly printing the scanned images on respective one or more surfaces of a medium. The printed pieces are then cut out of the medium, shaped to create the contour of a natural petal or foliage and composited to create an ornamental representation of the natural flower or foliage.
US07675646B2
Methods for evaluating whether to compress data sent to a print device receive bands of printing data. Each band of printing data comprises a plurality of lines of printing data. A subset of lines of printing data comprising less than all of the lines of printing data is selected and a compression methodology is applied to the subset of lines of printing data to produce a partial compression ratio. The partial compression ratio is extrapolated to a full compression ratio based on a previously performed hardware compression. Then, an evaluation of whether to use the compression methodology on all of the lines of printing data can be performed based on the full compression ratio.
US07675645B2
A print control apparatus carrying out a print control processing for print data undergoing a print processing in a print apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives print data; a processing unit that carries out image processing for the received print data, thereby generating image data; an image data analyzing unit that analyzes at least one draw object in the generated image data; a display control unit that displays object information relating to the draw object analyzed by the image data analyzing unit on a display unit; an object information change instruction receiving unit that receives a change instruction for the object information; an object information changing unit that changes object information relating to the draw object according to the change instruction for the object information received by the object information change instruction receiving unit; and a storage unit that stores image data and object information.
US07675638B2
Methods and systems are provided for a printer controller in a printing system to flexibly define conditions for notification to one or more recipients of intervention states of the printing system. The time delay for transmitting escalated intervention notification message may be dynamically determined in accordance with present operating parameters of the printing system. Other aspects provide that the recipients of such messages and the form of such messages may be dynamically determined in accordance with present operating parameters of the printing system. Policy rules may define the predicate conditions for determining the timeout values for escalation and for determining the message format and recipients.
US07675631B2
A method of measuring a dimension and/or position of an object located in a measuring field, includes projecting a fan-shaped reference wave onto a holographic optical element having a first interference pattern and a second interference pattern; forming a first parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the first interference pattern, the first parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; and forming a second parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the second interference pattern, the second parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; wherein the measuring field is located behind the holographic optical element, and the first parallel partial wave front and the second parallel partial wave front intersect in the measuring field. A method of making a holographic optical element is also disclosed.
US07675630B2
A system and method for selectively setting an optical navigation resolution utilizes a comparison of a comparison displacement value to a threshold value to set the optical navigation resolution to an effective resolution selected from a plurality of effective resolutions. The comparison displacement value is based on at least one of a first displacement value in a first direction and a second displacement value in a second direction, which were derived for estimating motion.
US07675624B2
This specification discloses various improvements in the field of SPR sensing systems. One improvement relates to a portable SPR sensing system, e.g., a system contained within a suitcase that can be hand-carried to a monitoring site. Another improvement relates to a portable, cartridge-based SPR sensing system. In this system, selected portions of the system's electrical and fluidics systems are allocated between a base unit and a removable/disposable cartridge. Other improvements relate to methods or protocols for operating an SPR sensing system. Such methods provide for the elimination of false positives and increased sensitivity, e.g., by using secondary antibodies with specificity for different target epitopes and by sensor element redundancy. In addition, protocols are provided for the detection of small molecules. Such protocols may employ a competition type assay where the presence of the analyte inhibits the binding of antibodies to surface immobilized analyte, or a displacement assay, where antibodies bound to the analyte on the sensor surface are displaced by free analyte.
US07675623B2
A device for origin of light absorbance used in an optical measuring instrument for measuring light absorption characteristics of a light diffusion sample. The device includes a light transmission terminal configured to irradiate a measurement light onto the light diffusion sample at a point of incidence of the light diffusion sample and a light diffusion plate through the interior of which the measurement light can be diffused and transmitted. A light receiving terminal is configured to receive the measurement light from the light diffusion sample for measurement at a point of detection of the light diffusion sample that is separate from the point of incidence. Optionally, the device can include a cleaning unit that cleans the light transmission terminal and light receiving terminal.
US07675618B2
A multiplexing spectrometer measures at least one parameter, such as temperature, pressure or stress. The system multiplexes the outputs of Bragg stack sensors deposited at the distant ends of optical fibers brought in contact or in close proximity to objects. The spectrometer detects the peaks of the optical signals returned from the Bragg stacks and converts them into corresponding values of the parameters of interest. The spectrometer includes an optical system that comprises an entrance slit, a diffraction grating as a light dispersing means. Multiplexing occurs on a two-dimensional solid state matrix photo detector detects and converts the light signals returned from the Bragg stack sensing elements into corresponding electrical signals, and a built-in look-up table to provides the values of the parameters of interest that correspond the spectral characteristics of the returned light signals.
US07675612B2
A laser measuring device (50) including a housing (56) with a laser device present therein for generating and projecting at least one laser beam (52, 54), perpendicular to an alignment surface (34) of the housing, or to a mount (14) that is connected to the housing. In order to enable an exceedingly precise alignment of a laser beam to the center point of an opening in a room boundary, such as the floor, without requiring costly adjustment operations, it is proposed that the alignment surface (34) be equipped with at least three synchronously adjustable positioning elements, which lie in a circle, through the center point of which the laser beam (54), which extends perpendicular to the alignment surface (34), or its extension, passes.
US07675607B2
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed having a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, the support including a support clamp constructed to clamp the patterning device to the support, and a bending mechanism constructed to apply a bending torque to the clamped patterning device, the bending mechanism comprising a force/torque actuator configured to act on the clamped patterning device without substantially reducing the clamping force exerted on the patterning device by the support clamp.
US07675598B2
An image display device includes a display panel, and a barrier including a plurality of transmissive portions and a plurality of blocking portions on the display panel, wherein the plurality of transmissive portions and the plurality of blocking portions are arranged in a matrix, wherein 3Nth rows and (3N−1)th rows include the plurality of transmissive portions and the plurality of blocking portions, N being a positive integer, (3N−2)th rows include the plurality of transmissive portions excluding the plurality of blocking portions, , and the transmissive and blocking portions are alternately arranged.
US07675595B2
A liquid crystal display panel (LCD) panel is provided. The LCD panel includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode layer and a plurality of liquid crystal domain arranging layers. The pixel electrode layer has a plurality of slits. The liquid crystal domain arranging layers are disposed near the pixel electrode layer. Each pixel is divided into a plurality of essentially closed liquid crystal domain fields by the arranging layers and the slits. Each liquid crystal domain field is formed by encircling at least one arranging layer and at least one slit.
US07675594B2
An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device, comprising first and second substrates attached to face each other; a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates; a first polarization film and a second polarization film on the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively, each of the first and second polarization films simultaneously performing an A-plate compensation film function and a polarization function, the first and second polarization films prevent light leakage in a horizontal direction; and a C-plate compensation film positioned on the second substrate, the C-plate compensation film prevents light leakage in a vertical direction.
US07675576B2
A video processing apparatus includes: a line-based data encoder for performing line-based data encoding on an input signal to generate a line-based data encoded signal; and a video signal controller coupled to the line-based data encoder for receiving a first video signal and the line-based data encoded signal, decoding the line-based data encoded signal to generate a second video signal, and choosing one of the first and second video signals to generate an output signal.
US07675564B2
A digital camera with a lens being automatically retractable and an automatic retraction method thereof are provided. After the digital camera is turned on, it can continuously capture images from the outside at a predetermined time interval, and convert the images into corresponding image characteristic values and then compare them. When the characteristic values of the current image differ from the previous one and reach a predetermined difference, the lens exposed outside is automatically retracted, so as to reduce damage to the lens due to falling or heavy shaking of the digital camera.
US07675563B2
A digital camera is characterized by an optical system for forming an optical image of a subject, conversion means for converting the formed optical image of the subject into a digital image, selection means for selecting a layout at the playback time of the digital image output by the conversion means, a display, determination means for determining the playback orientation of the digital image output by the conversion means with respect to the selected layout, display control means for combining an object indicating how to hold the digital camera at the ready in response to the determined playback orientation and a digital moving image output by the conversion means into one for display on the display in a state in which a still image record command can be entered, and image record means for storing a digital still image output by the conversion means in nonvolatile memory in association with the selected layout when a still image record command is entered.
US07675562B2
The image senor includes a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines crossing the plurality of row lines. A pixel is formed at respective crossings of the row and column lines. Each pixel generates a charge based on light incident thereon and selectively transfers the charge to an associated column line based on a signal received from an associated row line. Each column line has a column driver circuit associated therewith. The column driver circuit is configured to generate an output voltage based on the charge on the associated column line.
US07675558B2
An image capturing apparatus represented by digital camera 200 is capable of accessing at least two storage media. Each time one of the storage media becomes full, the image capturing apparatus switches the image data recording destination to the other storage medium. While one of the storage media is serving as the image data recording destination, image data in the other storage medium is transferred to a host unit by communication.
US07675557B2
An external storage device is connected to an image pickup apparatus provided with a first image storage medium capable of storing plural taken images and image display means, and adapted for backup of image information stored in the first image storage medium. The device includes a second image storage medium, a connection detecting unit, a reception unit, a transfer means, a conversion unit, and a second transfer unit. The transfer unit writes predetermined taken image information read from the first image storage medium into the second image storage medium and erases the predetermined taken image information from the first image storage medium according to a detection output of the connection detecting unit and an output of the reception unit. The conversion unit converts the predetermined taken image information into an image matching a display ability of the image display means. The second transfer unit writes the converted image information in the first image storage medium.
US07675550B1
A method for processing a source frame is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an intermediate frame by digitally processing the source frame, wherein the intermediate frame has an intermediate resolution and has an intermediate color space, (B) generating a video frame by down-sampling the intermediate frame, wherein the video frame has a video resolution lower than the intermediate resolution and has a video color space different than the intermediate color space, (C) generating a video stream by compressing the video frame with a video encoding technique and (D) generating a still picture by formatting the intermediate frame with a picture formatting technique, wherein (i) the still picture has the intermediate resolution and (ii) generating the still picture occurs substantially simultaneously with generating the video stream.
US07675547B2
An image pickup apparatus which is capable of enhancing the accuracy of shake correction. A shake-detecting sensor detects a shake of an apparatus body. A microcomputer computes a shake amount based on an output from the shake-detecting sensor. A camera signal processing circuit corrects motion of an image due to camera shake based on an output from the microcomputer. A rest-determining device determines, based on the output from the shake-detecting sensor, whether or not the apparatus body is at rest. A recorder records a picked-up image. A recorder vibration-determining device determines whether or not the apparatus body is vibrating due to vibration of the recorder. A cutoff frequency-setting device changes characteristics of the microcomputer based on a result of determination by the rest-determining device and a result of determination by the recorder vibration-determining device.
US07675545B2
A camera module of image processing and a method for integrating the camera module with a host are described. The camera module has a display control interface, an image sensor, and a camera control circuit. The display control interface is used to control at least one display module. The image sensor is used to capture image and provide image data signals. The camera control circuit is used to control the camera module. The camera module bypasses the display data signals of a host to display control modules according to a bypass signal. The camera module also performs image processing according to the bypass signal and a command set.
US07675540B2
A sender produces a background video image 4 from a reference video image 1 and a depth map 3 and synthesizes the background video image 4 in a background buffer 5. A projection converting matrix 6 for synthesizing is calculated. A receiver receives the reference video image 1, the depth map 3 and the projection converting matrix 6. The receiver produces a free viewpoint video image 11 and a background video image 12. The background buffer 13 is dynamically renewed. The free viewpoint video image 11 and the image in the background buffer 13 are synthesized with each other, and the background video image in the concealed regions in the free viewpoint video image are complemented to obtain the complemented image 14.
US07675536B2
Multi-functional image forming devices that may include a base color laser printer comprising a front side, a back side, a top, and a bottom. The color laser printer may further include a media path, a laser printhead, and a plurality of image forming units. A scanning mechanism comprising a scan bed may be mounted on the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the media path includes a first section positioned within the base color laser printer and a second section that extends between the scanning mechanism and the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the scanning mechanism is pivotally mounted to the base color laser printer and movable to access the second section of the media path.
US07675535B2
A visible light characteristic changing layer formed from photosensitive or heat-sensitive material is formed in a location which can be viewed from a part of a label surface of an optical disk. The optical disk is set on a turntable of an optical disk unit while the label surface of the optical disk is directed downward. The optical disk and an optical pickup are moved mutually along the plane of the optical disk. In synchronism with the relative movement, the power of a laser beam output from the optical pickup is modulated in accordance with image data, such as characters or graphic images to be printed, and the laser beam is emitted onto the visible light characteristic changing layer. As a result of the visible light characteristic changing layer being exposed to the laser beam, a visible-light reflectivity of the visible light characteristic changing layer is changed, thereby forming a image corresponding to the image data on the label surface.
US07675529B1
Methods and apparatuses to scale components of user interfaces. To scale a view component according to an arbitrary transformation, which may be represented by a scaling factor, a coordinate transformation, or other parameters, at least one embodiment of the present invention determines a new transformation for the view component so that, when the new transformation is used, the boundaries of the view components are aligned with pixel lines (and/or, other conditions are satisfied). In one aspect of the invention, a method to scale a view component of a Graphical User Interface includes: adjusting first layout parameters (e.g., coordinates of an origin, a width, a height, a coordinate of a boundary, and others), which correspond to a first transformation to scale the view component, to generate second layout parameters for the view component; and computing a second transformation from the second layout parameters to scale the view component. In one example according to this aspect, the view component is scaled using the second transformation; and a Current Transformation Matrix (CTM) is set according to the second transformation. According to the second layout parameters, the boundaries of the view component are aligned with pixel lines.
US07675525B2
A method, graphics card, system, and data stream for generating a deep pixel display on a display device are provided. A first set of data relating to a region associated with a display is provided. The first set of data is processed to define a pixel definition. A second set of data relating to the first pixel is determined. At least one portion of the first set of data is rearranged to form at least a portion of the second set of data. A deep pixel is defined based upon the second set of data. The present invention also includes a system that includes a display controller that is adapted to define a deep pixel based upon rearranging the portion of the first set of data.
US07675524B1
A system and method for performing convolutions on image data using pre-computed acceleration data structures is disclosed. The method may include calculating intermediate convolution values for each of a plurality of blocks of pixels by performing an associative operation on the pixel values in each block. Each intermediate value may be associated with the block and indexed dependent on index values of pixels in the block. An image pyramid may include intermediate convolution values for multiple levels of acceleration by calculating intermediate convolution values for multiple block sizes. A convolution result for a kernel of an image may be produced by performing the associative operation on intermediate convolution values for non-overlapping blocks enclosed within the kernel and on pixel values associated with pixels in the kernel but not in one of the non-overlapping blocks. The methods may be implemented by program instructions executing in parallel on CPU(s) or GPUs.
US07675520B2
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system, method and computer program product for creating at least a two dimensional or three dimensional (3D) datastream from a video with moving objects is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of creating animated objects in 2D or 3D from video, may include: receiving video information which may include a plurality of frames of digital video; receiving and adding metadata to the video information, the metadata relating to at least one object in motion in the digital video; and interpreting the metadata and the video information and generating a datastream in at least 2D. In an exemplary embodiment, 2D, 3D or more dimensional data may be used to provide an animation of the event of which the video was made. In an exemplary embodiment, a 2D or 3D gametracker, or play reviewer may be provided allowing animation of motion events captured in the video.
US07675515B2
An apparatus for generating an analytical model of an object shape model including: a detail-mesh-model generating section generating a detail mesh model of the object shape model based on the object shape model; a maximum outer shape mesh model generating section generating a maximum outer shape mesh model corresponding to an outline of the object shape model based on the object shape model; a wall-thickness-region generating section generating a basic wall-thickness region, which extends inside the maximum outer shape mesh model from at least a part of surfaces of the maximum outer shape mesh model and which has a predetermined thickness; and an overlaying section generating said analytical model by using a result of overlaying the detail mesh model with the basic wall-thickness region. Easy simplification of an analytical model can reduce time required for numerical analysis to realize an effective designing process.
US07675505B1
A computer mouse accessory that rests on top of a computer mouse and holds the user's finger while working with the computer mouse and its buttons. The accessory has a body that fits the user's palm and finger support for user's finger while using a computer mouse.
US07675504B1
The invention herein primarily concerns computer interfaces, particularly those that may be used by senior citizens or others who are not familiar and even adverse to computers as they are utilized today. Applications of use to such persons are also disclosed, particularly in the areas of most concern to large segments of the population such as Health Maintenance and Medical, Home Control, and Communication (email and telephony). It is primarily based on TV cameras interfaced to computers via common interfaces such as USB2, Fire wire, or WiFi, which are used to sense common, and familiar paper pages and books of pages.
US07675499B2
In a display device with a buffer amplifier which receives an input signal on a positive input terminal, has an output terminal connected to a negative input terminal, and outputs a stabilized output signal, a switch for connecting the positive input terminal and the output terminal is provided. By switching the switch ON, the output of the buffer amplifier is set close to the input.
US07675497B2
A driving unit for a LCD device, including: a ramp signal generating unit for dividing a ramp signal into a first ramp signal and a second ramp signal; an input register unit for sequentially storing N-bit image data; a counter unit for outputting control signals by receiving bits of image data except for the most significant bit and counting based upon the received bits; a ramp signal selecting unit for selecting the first ramp signal or the second ramp signal according to the most significant bit and outputting the selected ramp signal upon receiving the most significant bit from the input register unit; and a switching unit for sampling the first ramp signal or the second ramp signal provided from the ramp signal selecting unit by the control signals of the counter unit and outputting the sampled ramp signal to data lines.
US07675496B2
An exemplary liquid crystal display (600) includes a liquid crystal panel, a scanning driving circuit (61), a compensation circuit (68), a control circuit (67), and a signal line driving circuit (62). The liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes a plurality of scanning lines (63) that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a first direction, and a plurality of signal lines (64) that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The scanning driving circuit is connected to the scanning lines, and continuously scans the same scanning lines twice in a frame time. The compensation circuit generates first signals. The control circuit generates gradation signals corresponding to the second frame image data.
US07675492B2
A display device includes: a plurality of pixels; a signal controller generating data accumulations for current image data for the pixels based on an accumulation of input image data, calculating modification coefficients according to the data accumulations, and modifying the current input image data based on the modification coefficients to generate modified image data; and a data driver generating data voltages corresponding to the modified image data and supplying the data voltages to the pixels.
US07675488B2
The present invention discloses a shift register circuit comprising a plurality of shift register units and a bus, wherein the bus couples to each shift register unit. Each shift register unit comprises a shift register, a first selector circuit, and a second selector circuit. The shift register has an input and an output. The first selector circuit is coupled to the input, while the second selector circuit is coupled to the output. The first selector circuit and the second selector circuit selectively couple to the bus or the next shift register unit.
US07675472B2
A vehicle-mounted antenna system includes a combined antenna apparatus that has a GPS antenna and a short-range wireless communication antenna. The GPS antenna is directional in a vertical direction and the short-range wireless communication antenna is directional in a horizontal direction. The combined antenna apparatus is mounted below an instrument panel of the vehicle by a mounting bracket in such a manner that the short-range wireless communication antenna is directional in the horizontal direction toward an interior of a vehicle. This approach ensures adequate performance of the short-range wireless communication antenna and standardizes a manner in which the short-range wireless communication antenna is mounted to the vehicle.
US07675469B2
An antenna device configured to be fed at a feed portion included in a printed board of a radio apparatus is provided. The antenna device has a feed element connected to the feed portion. The antenna device has a first parasitic element at least a portion of which is arranged close and electrically coupled to at least a portion of the feed element. The first parasitic element is loaded with a first frequency shifter. The antenna device has a second parasitic element at least a portion of which is arranged close and electrically coupled to at least a portion of the feed element. The second parasitic element is loaded with a second frequency shifter.
US07675466B2
Improved feed line networks for antenna arrays operating at millimeter wave frequencies are provided for constructing planar antenna arrays printed on the surface of a dielectric substrate. A planar antenna array includes an array of planar radiator elements interconnected through a feed line network of planar coplanar transmission lines that enable high-efficiency operation, at millimeter wave operating frequencies. For example, a feed network may be formed with a network of coplanar strip line transmission lines including one or more coplanar strip line (CPS) and one or more coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line, which are interconnected using balun structures, to enable high efficiency operation at millimeter wave frequencies.
US07675462B2
There is described a method for the alignment of an earth station antenna with a satellite antenna, wherein a reference signal, emitted by the earth station antenna is analyzed in a monitoring station, wherein the reference signal is used as a carrier for authentication information about the earth station.
US07675450B1
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to operate in high frequency and/or high resolution environments. The DAC has a segmented architecture comprising one or more least significant bit (LSB) thermometer sub-converters and one or more most significant bit (MSB) thermometer sub-converters. A binary converter can also be added. The LSB and MSB thermometer sub-converters include cell pairs with a main cell and a dummy cell. The main cell switches according to actual data, drawing power from a voltage source at each transition. To maintain a consistent voltage level at the output, the dummy cell creates a transition to draw power from the voltage source responsive to a lack of transition in the main cell. Each cell pair has a dedicated voltage source. Also, the MSB thermometer sub-converter can include a load matching circuit to match the parasitic capacitance of the LSB thermometer sub-converter at an output.
US07675449B2
A current steering digital-analog converter for converting a digital code into an analog signal, the converter including a substrate of semiconductor material, an array of current generators integrated in the substrate, a common summation node and switches controllable on the basis of the digital code for connecting and disconnecting the current generators to and from the common summation node. The current generators are adapted to provide the common summation node with currents having a multiple value according to a power of two compared to a unit current value provided to the summation node by a current generator of the array of generators. The current generator is divided into a base number of modular current generation elements in parallel to one another at least equal to two.
US07675447B1
A microcontroller has a compact 8-bit processor and a differential input sigma-delta ADC (SDADC). In a low-cost pyroelectric sensor motion detector application, a sensor output signal is supplied onto a second differential input of the SDADC. A first programmable internal reference voltage source supplies VREF1 via an internal signal path onto a first differential input of the SDADC. A second programmable internal reference voltage source supplies VREF2 onto a reference voltage input of the SDADC. VREF1 sets the center of the SDADC input sample window, thereby avoiding the need to provide an external AC blocking capacitor. VREF2 sets the size of the window. Proper window sizing and sample averaging and the high-resolution SDADC obviate the need for input signal amplification. Throughput requirements on the 8-bit processor are reduced by providing a hardware averager and associated DMA controller, thereby making the overall solution a low-cost, noise-insensitive, solution.
US07675436B1
An encoder includes a mapping module that receives input words including first input words and second input words. The mapping module maps the first input words to first output words that are run-length limited and have a digital sum that is equal to zero. The mapping module maps the second input words to second output words that are run-length limited and have one of a positive and a negative digital sum. An inverter module selectively inverts the second output words based on a cumulative digital sum of the second output words.
US07675425B2
A liquid discharging device includes: a discharge head mounting unit having first and second electrical terminals; a power source; a switch controlling connection between the power source and the electrical terminals; and a control unit controlling the switch; wherein a driving circuit driving a liquid discharge head is closed by attachment thereof to the mounting unit; the power source can selectively output multiple voltages; and the control unit selectively effects a state for supply of a discharge electrical power, in which electric power sufficient for a discharging actuator of the discharge head to discharge liquid is supplied thereto by controlling the switch, and a state for diagnosis, in which, wherein electric power insufficient for the discharging actuator to discharge liquid is supplied thereto by controlling the switch, and in which the voltage of at least one of the terminals is measured, and information of the state of the power source, discharging actuator, and driving circuit, is obtained.
US07675418B2
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates providing communication channels within a radio frequency identification (RFID) infrastructure. A radio frequency identification (RFID) network can include at least one device that can receive data from a tag. A mixed mode component can employ a synchronous command and an asynchronous event processing with the device.
US07675407B2
The instant invention includes a central security and alarm system that operates to protect a home or business and includes a personal safety device to communicate with a hearing-challenged end-user at the protected home or business. The system includes at least one alarm event detection device, and a central panel in communication with the personal safety device and the at least one alarm event detection device, the central panel comprising a processor for carrying out a method of communicating to the hearing-challenged end-user at the detection of alarm events via the personal safety device. The method includes detecting an alarm event at the home or business and notifying a designated, hearing-challenged end-user that the alarm event has occurred by causing a life safety device in the possession of the hearing challenged end-user to communicate the detected event by a mechanical communication signal.
US07675406B2
A field device in an industrial environment comprises a clock that is synchronized with a clock of at least one other field device. A timestamp generator component creates a timestamp for at least one of an alarm and an event created within the field device, the timestamp accords to the synchronized time. An alarm generator component analyzes data produced and/or consumed by the field device and generates an alarm and/or event based at least in part upon the analysis.
US07675405B2
Disclosed is a method and device for testing the measuring value of at least one filling level sensor arranged in a fuel tank. A plurality of measurements are taken by the filling level sensors and are each compared with a physical variable to determine whether the measurements are plausible. If, based on the comparison, the measurements from the sensors are not plausible, a warning signal is fed to a warning device and a warning information item is triggered by the warning device.
US07675397B2
A transformer includes: a multilayer board; one or more input conductive lines formed on the multilayer board, whose both ends connected to input terminals of a positive signal and a negative signal, respectively; one output conductive line formed adjacent to the one or more input conductive lines to form an electromagnetic coupling with the one or more input conductive lines, whose one end is connected to an output terminal and another end is connected to a ground; a power supply pad formed in an area of the one or more input conductive lines; and a harmonics remover formed between the one end and the another end of the output conductive line to remove harmonics components of a signal outputted from the output conductive line.
US07675391B2
A vertical coupling structure for non-adjacent resonators is provided to have a first and a second resonators, a dielectric material layer, a first and a second high-frequency transmission lines and at least one via pole. The first and the second resonators respectively have a first and a second opposite metal surfaces. The dielectric material layer is disposed between the opposite second metal surfaces of the first and the second resonators. The first and the second transmission lines are respectively arranged at sides of the first metal surfaces of the first resonator and the second resonator. The first high-frequency transmission line is vertically connected to the second high-frequency transmission line by the via pole.
US07675389B2
Three or more piezoelectric resonators having resonance frequencies different from one another are realized on the same substrate. First through third frequency adjustment layers of first through third piezoelectric resonators, respectively, provided on the same substrate 101 are formed by varying, among the frequency adjustment layers, the ratio of area (depressions 109 and 110) to be etched to area not to be etched.
US07675388B2
An acoustic resonator includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a barium strontium titanate (BST) dielectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the acoustic resonator is switched on as a resonator with a resonant frequency if a DC (direct current) bias voltage is applied across the BST dielectric layer. The acoustic resonator is also switched off in no DC bias voltage is applied across the BST dielectric layer. Furthermore, the resonant frequency of the acoustic resonator can be tuned based on a level of the DC bias voltage, with the resonant frequency increasing as the level of the DC bias voltage applied to the BST acoustic resonator increases.
US07675383B2
A switch circuit includes: a first input and output terminal; a first inductor connected with the first input and output terminal; a capacitor connected with the first inductor; a second input and output terminal connected with the capacitor; a first MEMS switch connected with one end of the capacitor; a second MEMS switch connected with the other end of the capacitor; and a second inductor connected between the first MEMS switch and the second MEMS switch, and satisfies a relationship of f=1/(2π√CL1)=1/(2π√CL2), where L1 is an inductance of the first inductor, L2 is an inductance of the second inductor, C is a capacitance of the capacitor, and f is a use frequency.
US07675382B2
A transistor single-pole-single-throw circuit device includes at least a transistor single-pole-single-throw circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, and an inductor capacitor (LC) resonator having an inductor and a capacitor connected in series, allowing two ends of the LC resonator connected to the first source and the first drain of the first transistor, respectively. The transistor single-pole-single-throw circuit device adopts an LC resonator having an inductor and a capacitor connected in series to connect with the first source and the first drain of the first transistor. The inductor couples and resonates with a parasitic capacitance of the transistor, to reduce signal loss due to emerged parasitic capacitance when the conventional single-pole-single-throw circuit selects a switch transistor with a larger width.
US07675381B2
A wave filter is installed in a multimedia wideband router, and includes a circuit board having a first low-pass wave-filtering circuit, and a band-pass wave-filtering circuit; the band-pass wave-filtering circuit consists of a high-pass wave-filtering circuit and a second low-pass wave-filtering circuit; the first low-pass wave-filtering circuit is connected to the high-pass wave-filtering circuit; the circuit board further includes an input terminal, and a first switching component, which is movable to such a position as to electrically connect the input terminal and a joint between the first low-pass wave-filtering circuit and the high-pass wave-filtering circuit; the circuit board further includes two output terminals, which are connected to the first and the second low-pass wave-filtering circuits respectively; a second switching component is provided on the circuit board, which is movable to such a position as to electrically connect the high-pass wave-filtering circuit and the second low-pass wave-filtering circuit.
US07675379B1
Linear wideband phase modulation system. Apparatus is provided for linear phase modulation utilizing a phase-locked loop. The apparatus includes a limiting circuit that restricts a range of a modulation signal that is coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) associated with the phase-locked loop, and a linearizing circuit that reshapes the modulation signal to improve linearity.
US07675377B2
The present invention provides a voltage controlled oscillator having a wide frequency variation range and an oscillation frequency that shows favorable linearity with respect to control voltage. The present invention includes an amplifier circuit 21, a piezoelectric element 22 connected in parallel to the amplifier circuit 21 and forming a feedback loop, variable capacitive elements 24 and 25 respectively connected to an input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier circuit 21 and having a capacitance value that is dependent on control voltage, and an analog operation circuit 26 that generates a control voltage Vcs based on an inputted control voltage Vc. In this arrangement, the control voltage Vc is applied to the variable capacitive element 24 and the control voltage Vcs generated by the analog operation circuit 26 is applied to the variable capacitive element 25.
US07675376B2
A voltage-controlled oscillator has a tuned circuit for controlling the oscillation frequency. The tuned circuit has a variable-capacitance element whose capacitance varies in response to a control voltage and a negative capacitance circuit whose impedance frequency characteristics have opposite characteristics to those of a normal capacitance, and which is connected to the variable-capacitance element. The configuration enables increasing the variation ratio corresponding to the control voltage of the combined capacitance composed of the variable-capacitance element and negative capacitance circuit, thereby broadening the oscillation frequency band.
US07675373B2
The voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit comprises a tank circuit, a first tuning section comprising first capacitor elements wherein each one of the first capacitor elements is individually utilizable for the tank circuit, and a second tuning section comprising second capacitor elements wherein each one of the second capacitor elements is individually utilizable for the tank circuit and the capacitance of each one of the second capacitor elements is continuously adjustable in a predetermined capacitance range in dependence on a tuning voltage.
US07675372B2
A configurable ring oscillator is operated in a first configuration so that an oscillating signal passes from a first node to a second node through a first signal path. A first measurement of an operational characteristic is made. The ring oscillator is operated in a second configuration where an oscillating signal passes from the first node to the second node through a second signal path. A second measurement is made. The first and second measurements are used to determine a circuit simulator parameter. If the first path has little interconnect and the second path has substantial interconnect, then the effect on circuit operation due to interconnect loading can be isolated from the effects on circuit operation due to variations in transistor performance. If the first and second paths are laid out to be identical, then the first and second measurements are usable to determine a circuit simulator mismatch parameter.
US07675368B2
A novel hybrid stochastic gradient adaptation apparatus and method for calibrating the gain of an RF or non-RF digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The adaptation algorithm determines a true stochastic gradient between a forcing function and its corresponding system measure to estimate the system parameters being adapted. A momentum term is generated and injected into the adaptation algorithm in order to stabilize the algorithm by adding inertia against any large transient variations in the input data. In the case of adaptation of DCO gain KDCO, the algorithm determines the stochastic gradient between time varying calibration or actual modulation data and the raw phase error accumulated in an all digital phase locked loop (ADPLL). Two filters preprocess the observable data to limit the bandwidth of the computed stochastic gradient providing a trade-off between sensitivity and settling time.
US07675367B2
A design structure for an integrated circuit including a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit responsive to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) frequency band selection circuit that provides automatic frequency band selection in real time to account for run-time variations, such as power supply and temperature variations over time. The PLL includes a charge pump and an LC tank circuit that provides the automatic frequency band selection based on a VCO control voltage signal supplied by the charge pump.
US07675363B2
PMOS transistors are interposed parallel to each other between a node, which is a first output part, and a power supply; and PMOS transistors are interposed in parallel to each other between a node, which is a second output part, and the power supply. Output voltages in time of a balanced state in which an input potential difference between an input voltage and a reference voltage is “0” are both set to a reference output common voltage by a replica circuit and a comparator. The reference output common voltage of the replica circuit is set so that the potential difference between the power supply voltage and the output common voltage becomes a value lower than a threshold voltage of the diode connected PMOS transistors.
US07675361B2
A class-D amplifier and a method of generating a multi-level output signal thereof are provided. The class-D amplifier includes a controlling logic circuit and an output module. The controlling logic circuit analyzes the amplitude of an input signal to generate a voltage modifying signal. A power supply provides a voltage according to the voltage modifying signal. The controlling logic circuit generates controlling signals according to the input signal. The output module generates an output signal to drive a load according to the voltage and the controlling signals. In other words, the resolution of the amplitude of the output signal is increased by modifying the voltage, and a signal to noise ratio is then increased.
US07675357B2
A multi-system module having a functional substrate includes a substrate comprising therein at least one control circuit units, and a plurality of main circuit units provided on one side surface of the substrate. The main circuit units are electrically connected to the control circuit unit, whereby the control circuit unit is used to manage the operation of the main circuit units. Via the above module structure, the substrate can improve the function of controlling multiple systems.
US07675353B1
A compact constant current generator that can operate with a positive supply voltage of 1.22 V (or lower) and minimize noise is provided. The constant current generator can include a bandgap reference circuit and a single gain stage. Notably, the bandgap reference circuit can advantageously generate differential node voltages. The gain stage can amplify those differential node voltages and generate a constant current having a temperature coefficient substantially equal to zero. Advantageously, this single gain stage can minimize the number of components, thereby resulting in a compact and efficient current generator.
US07675352B2
Systems and methods for generating reference voltages are provided. A representative system comprises a resistor circuit; a first switch coupled between a first end of the resistor circuit and a first power source; a second switch coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and a second power source; a third switch coupled to a second end of the resistor circuit; a fourth switch coupled to the second end of the resistor circuit; a first resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the first switch; a second resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the second switch; a third resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the third switch; a fourth resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the fourth switch; and a control circuit for controlling the switches.
US07675348B2
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus capable of controlling the substrate voltage of a MOSFET so that the drain current for an arbitrary gate voltage value in a subthreshold region or a saturated region will be free from temperature dependence and process variation dependence, thereby enhancing the stable operation thereof. The semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus includes: an integrated circuit main body having a plurality of MOSFETs on a semiconductor substrate; a monitor unit for monitoring at least one of the drain currents of the plurality of MOSFETs; and a substrate voltage regulating unit for controlling the substrate voltage of the semiconductor substrate so as to keep constant the drain current. The monitor unit includes a constant current source and a monitoring MOSFET formed on the same substrate as the plurality of MOSFETs, the substrate voltage regulating unit includes a comparison unit for comparing the source potential of the monitoring MOSFET with a predetermined reference potential with the drain terminal of the monitoring MOSFET and the drain terminals of the plurality of MOSFETs connected to ground, and the substrate voltage regulating unit feeds back the output voltage output based on the comparison result by the comparison unit to the substrate voltage of the monitoring MOSFET.
US07675340B2
A multiphase clock generator circuit for generating a plurality of output clock pulses that differ in phase on the basis of a reference clock pulse, has first and second divider circuits for dividing first and second reference clock pulses that differ in phase to generate output clock pulses, and a switch for forming an intermittent short between predetermined nodes of the first and second divider circuits, wherein the switch forms a short between the predetermined nodes with timing in which the predetermined nodes are brought to the same level in a normal operating state.
US07675338B2
A Duty Cycle Correction (DCC) circuit is provide in which pairs of field effect transistors (FETs) in known DCC circuit topologies are replaced with linear resistors coupled to switches of the DCC circuit such that when the switch is open, the input signal is routed through the linear resistors. The linear resistors are more tolerant of process, voltage and temperature (PVT) fluctuations than FETs and thus, the resulting DCC circuit provides a relatively smaller change in DCC correction range with PVT fluctuations than the known DCC circuit topology that employs FETs. The linear resistors may be provided in parallel with the switches and in series with a pair of FETs having relatively large resistance values. The linear resistors provide resistance that pulls-up or pulls-down the pulse width of the input signal so as to provide correction to the duty cycle of the input signal.
US07675323B2
A differential signal receiver according to the present invention includes a waveform shaping circuit selectively outputting an upper limit value having a first potential difference from a first power supply potential, and a lower limit value having a second potential difference from the upper limit value, from a first and a second output terminals according to a differential signal input, and an amplifier comparing voltages of the first and the second output terminals and outputting one of a voltage almost the same as the first power supply potential or a voltage almost the same as a second power supply potential.
US07675315B2
A low-impedance output stage which operates from a low voltage power supply. In an embodiment, the output stage contains an operational amplifier and two PMOS transistors used in a feedback configuration resulting in low output impedance. The output stage may also include a capacitor connected between the output terminal of the output stage and the input of the PMOS transistor providing the output, resulting in an overall output impedance which remains low even at higher frequencies, thus enabling use of the output stage to drive capacitive loads without causing resonance.
US07675312B2
A method and apparatus for performing on-chip voltage sampling of a weakly-driven node of a semiconductor device are disclosed. In some embodiments, the node is a floating node or is capacitively-driven. In some embodiments, it is involved in proximity-based communication. Sampling the node may include isolating the signal to be sampled using a source-follower amplifier before passing it to the sampling circuit. Sampling the node may include biasing the node to a desired voltage using a leaky transistor or other biasing circuit. In some embodiments, the biasing circuit may also be used to calibrate the sampler by coupling one or more calibration voltages to the node in place of a biasing voltage and measuring the sampler output. The sampler may be suitable for sub-sampling high frequency signals to produce a time-expanded, lower frequency version of the signals. The output of the sampler may be a current communicated off-chip for testing.
US07675303B2
Disclosed are a connector for measurement of electric resistance, by which necessary electrical connection is surely achieved even when a circuit board to be inspected is large in area and has a great number of small-sized electrodes to be inspected, and measurement is surely performed with high precision, and which can be produced at a low cost, and an electric resistance-measuring apparatus and an electric resistance-measuring method for circuit boards, which make use of this connector. The connector for measurement of electric resistance has a first electrode sheet, an anisotropically conductive elastomer sheet arranged on a back surface of the first electrode sheet and having through-holes formed corresponding to the electrodes to be inspected, and a second electrode sheet arranged on a back surface of the anisotropically conductive elastomer sheet. The first electrode sheet has an insulating sheet having through-holes formed corresponding to the electrodes to be inspected, a plurality of ring-like electrodes each formed on a front surface of the insulating sheet so as to surround the through-hole, and junction electrodes formed on a back surface of the insulating sheet, and the second electrode sheet has a plurality of core electrodes for inspection arranged corresponding to the electrodes to be inspected, and a plurality of core electrodes for connection arranged corresponding to the junction electrodes.
US07675289B1
A system for detection of linear underground anomalies passing under surface roads comprises an electromagnetic (EM) gradiometer mounted on a vehicle trailer. A transmitter is mounted to the front bumper of a car or vehicle towing the trailer and provides carrier synchronization information to the EM-gradiometer. An opportunistic radio station can be used as an illuminator. The transmitter or ground wave from an opportunistic radio station directs radio waves down into the ground where objects like linear underground anomalies and their equipment will produce reflections and scattered waves. These reflections will have phase angles and magnitudes that can be interpreted for characterizing information about the linear underground anomalies. Each EM-gradiometer measurement is tagged with GPS location information and then stored in a database. Subsequent passes over the same roadways and tracks are compared (change detection) to the earlier stored data. New linear underground anomalies and features become very obvious in these comparisons.
US07675284B2
A rotation angle detecting device includes a permanent magnet member, a pair of magnetic sensor elements disposed in a magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet member to provide a pair of output voltage signals when the magnetic field changes as the rotating object rotates; and a rotation angle calculating unit. The rotation angle calculating unit calculates a phase difference between the pair of output voltage signals from a magnitude of the output signal of one of the magnetic sensor elements when detecting a specific magnitude of the output signal of the other magnetic sensor elements whose phase angle is known.
US07675282B2
A circuit arrangement for voltage regulation including a first transistor coupled between a first node and a third node, a second transistor coupled between a second node and the third node, a third transistor coupled between the third node and an output node, and a control unit that can be coupled to the first transistor, that can be coupled to the second transistor, and is coupled to the third transistor, wherein the control unit is configured to steer the transistors such that a predetermined output voltage is provided at the output node when a supply voltage is provided at one of the first node and the second node.
US07675268B2
A battery maintenance system including a battery, an electrical pulsation device configured to supply electrical pulsation energy to the battery during at least one pulsation period, a battery charger configured to transfer electrical energy to the battery during at least one charging period and a schedule configured for scheduling operation of the electrical pulsation device and the battery charger such that there is substantially no overlap between the pulsation period and the charging period.
US07675262B2
Disclosed is a voltage regulator having input terminals for connection to a voltage supply, output terminals for supplying power to a circuit at a predetermined maximum supply voltage, and a voltage regulator circuit connecting the input and output terminals. The voltage regulator circuit has a first supply path connecting first input and output terminals, a second supply path connecting the other input and output terminals, and an active component arranged between the first input and output terminals. A feedback control loop connected to a control terminal of the active component is arranged to sense the voltage on the output side of the active component and, when the voltage is above the maximum supply voltage, limit the output voltage to the maximum supply voltage, and, when the voltage is below the maximum supply voltage, signal the active component to pass power from the input terminals to the output terminals.
US07675255B2
A storage drive implements a method for a BEMF voltage reduction during a deceleration period of an electric motor of the storage drive. In operation, the electric motor is disconnected from a power supply during an entirety of the deceleration period of the electric motor to prevent any flow of a BEMF current into the power supply, and the electric motor is connected to a power return during a segment or an entirety of the deceleration period of the electric motor to dissipate any BEMF voltage within the electric motor.
US07675246B2
A driving circuit includes at least one light-emitting device, a voltage regulator circuit, an analysis and decision circuit, and a selecting circuit. The voltage regulator circuit is coupled to the light-emitting device for providing a driving voltage to drive the light-emitting device. The analysis and decision circuit is coupled to the light-emitting device for determining whether the light-emitting device is open-circuited to generate a decision result. The selecting circuit is coupled between the analysis and decision circuit and the voltage regulator circuit for selecting a maximum forward bias voltage corresponding to the light-emitting device to generate a feedback signal according to the decision result and for transmitting the feedback signal to the voltage regulator circuit. The voltage regulator circuit adjusts the driving voltage according to the feedback signal.
US07675243B2
A two-end driven lamp controlling device includes a direct-current (DC) power supply, square wave switches, a square wave controller, a plurality of lamps, a plurality of starting transformers and a plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers, wherein the plurality of starting transformers or the plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers are disposed besides the plurality of lamps and the square wave switches are connected to the sides of the plurality of starting transformers or the plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers and to the DC power supply and can receive signals from the square wave controller. The present invention utilizes a circuitry design of a plurality of lamps, a plurality of starting transformers and a plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers so as to make the brightness of the plurality of lamps effectively homogenized and balanced and, moreover, to solve the problem of high cost for conventional devices, which use too many components for maintaining the brightness of the lamps.
US07675237B2
The subject of the present invention is a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD-) lamp (1) for generating and emitting an ultraviolet radiation with ignition aid comprising: a discharge gap (2) being at least partly formed and/or surrounded by at least an inner wall (5) and an outer wall (4), whereby at least one of the walls (4, 5) is a dielectric wall and at least one of the walls (4, 5) has an at least partly transparent part, a filling located inside the discharge gap (2), at least two electrical contacting means, a first mean for electrical contacting associated with the outer wall (4) and a second mean for electrical contacting associated with the inner wall (5), whereby at least one multifunctional means (3) is arranged adjacent to the discharge gap (2) functioning as guiding aid and as ignition aid.
US07675236B2
A discharge lamp disposed in a projecting device is provided. The discharge lamp includes a housing, a discharge vessel and an ultraviolet (UV) source. The discharge vessel having a first axis is filled with a gas and disposed in the housing. The ultraviolet source disposed at a predetermined distance from the first axis for exciting the gas so as to generate a beam.
US07675234B2
A plasma display panel and a manufacturing method of barrier ribs thereof are provided. The plasma display panel is divided into a display area and a non-display area located in the periphery of the display area. When discharge space is formed in the display area by barrier ribs, a plurality of honeycomb supporting structures are formed in the non-display area at the same time. The honeycomb supporting structures can increase the yield factor of assembling the substrates, and then the display quality of the plasma display panels can be improved.
US07675232B2
A self-luminescence display device, in which dispersion in display among a plurality of pixels, caused by dispersion in characteristics among drive thin-film transistors, is decreased and uniform display free of unevenness can be obtained. The device includes a plurality of pixels having current drive type luminescent elements, and parallel-connected n (n≧2) thin-film transistors to feed a drive current to the respective current drive type luminescent elements. The transistors are arranged in different pixels, respectively, for example, in a first region of pixels adjacent to one another along a first direction. A second region of dummy pixels can be provided on at least one side of said first region along said first direction.
US07675229B2
The objects of the present invention are to provide a self-emission panel capable of achieving low electrical resistance of upper electrodes by a simple configuration, and to provide a method of fabricating a self-emission panel capable of achieving low electrical resistance of upper electrodes by a simple process. A self-emission panel includes one or more self-emission elements, each of the self-emission elements has a first electrode (lower electrode) formed on a substrate directly or through other layers, a deposition layer (luminescent functional layer) including a luminescent layer formed on the first electrode (lower electrode), and a second electrode (upper electrode) formed on the deposition layer. A sealing member for sealing the self-emission elements has an opposing substrate with protrusions formed toward the substrate on the side facing the substrate. Conductive layers (wiring patterns) are formed on the protrusions as auxiliary wirings and electrically connected with the second electrodes (upper electrode.
US07675226B2
A high-frequency, high-voltage electron switch includes an electron source, a steering mechanism, a mask or anode plate, and a target. The electron source produces a beam of electrons with a voltage of at least about 1 kV that impinges upon the anode plate. The steering mechanism scans the electron beam across the anode plate at a scanning frequency of at least about 10 MHz. A hole or aperture is provided in the anode plate that allows the electron beam to pass through and produce a pulsed, high-voltage current in the target with a very high-frequency repetition rate and a very fast rise time. The pulsed, high-voltage current produced in the target can be used to cause a high-voltage source to turn on and off.
US07675222B2
A thin film piezoelectric actuator comprises a driving part at least one end of which is supported by an anchor portion. The driving part includes: a piezoelectric film, a first lower electrode provided under a first region of the piezoelectric film, a second lower electrode provided under a second region different from the first region of the piezoelectric film, a first upper electrode provided opposite to the first lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a second upper electrode provided opposite to the second lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a first connection part that electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via a first via hole formed in the piezoelectric film, and a second connection part that electrically connects the second lower electrode and the first upper electrode via a second via hole formed in the piezoelectric film.
US07675218B2
An electronic device comprising a power source, a piezoelectric actuator A, and a drive control apparatus 100 for controlling the driving of the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive control apparatus 100 is provided with a drive circuit 111 for supplying a drive signal SDR to the piezoelectric element of the vibrating body 12, a phase difference detection means 120 for detecting the phase difference indicating the vibration state of the vibrating body 12, a comparison voltage setting circuit 133 for correcting the target phase difference to be the target for the vibration state, and a drive frequency setting means 140 for comparing the phase difference with the target phase difference; and the piezoelectric actuator A can be driven with high efficiency independent of the drive voltage by modifying the drive frequency of the drive signal SDR so that the phase difference approaches the target phase difference based on the results of the above comparison.
US07675192B2
A control system for a vehicle powered by a fuel cell includes a voltage conversion device that communicates with the fuel cell through a voltage bus and a propulsion system that is selectively powered by the fuel cell through the voltage bus and that selectively generates a ripple current in the voltage bus. The voltage conversion device is regulated to selectively generate a counter-ripple current that reduces the ripple current.
US07675191B2
A device for the feeding of auxiliary operating facilities for a fuel-electrically driven vehicle with a combustion engine is stated, which device comprises a generator driven by the combustion engine and a rectifier connected with a generator on the AC voltage side, wherein the rectifier on the DC voltage side is connected with a first and a second connection of a DC voltage circuit. Alternatively, first and second rectifiers connected with the generator on the AC voltage side can be provided, wherein the first rectifier is connected on the DC voltage side with a first and a second connection of a first DC voltage circuit and the second rectifier on the DC voltage side with a first and a second connection of a second DC voltage circuit. Saving of space required and increased robustness and resistance to faults are achieved in that a first and a second step-down converter each is connected with the first and second connection of the DC voltage circuit, and that the first step-down converter is connected with a first DC voltage rail system for the feeding of first auxiliary operating facilities and that the second step-down converter is connected with a second DC voltage rail system for the feeding of second auxiliary operating facilities. As an alternative to the second step-down converter a further rectifier connected with the generator on the AC voltage side can also be provided, wherein then the first step-down converter is still connected with the first DC voltage rail system for the feeding of first auxiliary operating facilities and the further rectifier is connected with the second DC voltage rail system for the feeding of second auxiliary operating facilities.
US07675190B1
A coupling apparatus for facilitating communications of data signals over a low voltage electric power network is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a mains terminal configured to be connected to a low voltage electric power network carrying alternating current (AC) power and an appliance terminal configured to receive a male electric plug. The two terminals may be housed in a housing and connected via one or more inductive elements that attenuate high frequencies while allowing the AC power to pass through substantially unimpeded. Thus, interference caused by an appliance connected to the appliance terminal is filtered to prevent such interference from being conducted onto the low voltage electric power network. The apparatus also may include a third terminal that in some embodiments is electrically connected to the mains terminal to thereby output the data signals and AC power. In other embodiments, a modem may connect the third terminal to the mains terminal in which case the third terminal may communicate demodulated data to a communication device without outputting the AC power.
US07675188B2
A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
US07675186B2
An IC package mainly includes a substrate having slot(s), a chip, a protective encapsulant, a stiffening encapsulant, and a plurality of external terminals. The Young's modulus of the stiffening encapsulant is greater than the one of the protective encapsulant and the curing shrinkage of the stiffening encapsulant is smaller than the one of the protective encapsulant. The protective encapsulant is formed on one of the surfaces of the substrate for encapsulating the chip. The stiffening encapsulant protrudes from the other surface of the substrate where the external terminals are disposed. Moreover, the stiffening encapsulant is formed inside the slot and is contacted with the chip. Since the stiffening encapsulant is embedded and formed inside the slot, therefore, the contact area of the stiffening encapsulant with the substrate is increased to enhance the warpage resistance of the IC package.
US07675183B2
A semiconductor device, which is comprised of a copper wiring layer which is formed above a semiconductor substrate, a pad electrode layer which conducts electrically to the copper wiring layer and has an alloy, which contains copper and a metal whose oxidation tendency is higher than copper, formed to extend to the bottom surface, and an insulating protective film which has an opening extended to the pad electrode layer, is provided.
US07675172B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a printed circuit board includes a printed wiring board having a component mounting surface, a semiconductor package which is mounted on the component mounting surface of the printed wiring board by solder bonding using solder balls, and reinforcement portions which locally reinforce portions of the solder bonding of the semiconductor package at a plurality of locations on the component mounting surface of the printed wiring board, the reinforcement portions being formed of a resin material having parts entering the solder balls of the portions of the solder bonding.
US07675166B2
An integrated circuit package comprising an enclosure including a dielectric housing, a first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact. The dielectric housing, the first electrical contact, and the second electrical contact are configured to form a contact side of the enclosure. In addition, the first and second electrical contacts are sized to be substantially alignment insensitive for electro-mechanical connection to corresponding contacts of an end-use equipment. The enclosure encapsulates an integrated circuit die which is electrically coupled to the first and second electrical contacts. The alignment insensitive first and second electrical contacts may be electro-mechanically connected to corresponding contacts of an end-use equipment (e.g., a printer). Further, the integrated circuit package may be hosted by a peripheral device (e.g., a printer cartridge).
US07675164B2
A heat sink apparatus having a plurality of chips attached to a first surface of a flexible carrier and a plurality of heat sink fins. One or more additional chips may be attached to a second surface of the flexible carrier. The flexible carrier has at least one complementary fold, the complementary fold having a counterclockwise fold and a clockwise fold as seen from the side. A first chip back surface of a first chip and a second chip back surface of a second chip are in thermal contact with a particular heat sink fin, that is, sharing the same heat sink fin. Thermal contact between the chips and heat sink fins is effected by force, by thermally conducting adhesive, by thermal grease, or by a combination of force and/or thermally conducting adhesive and/or thermal grease.
US07675160B2
In some embodiments, an individual sub-assembly containing a ceramic interposer, silicon voltage regulator, and array capacitor is presented. In this regard, an apparatus is introduced having a table-shaped ceramic interposer containing conductive traces, a silicon voltage regulator coupled with contacts on a first surface of the ceramic interposer, and an array capacitor coupled with contacts on a second surface of the ceramic interposer. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US07675157B2
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit package. The method includes attaching a first surface of a semiconductor die to a thermally and/or electrically conductive substrate, forming a plurality of die connectors on a second surface of the semiconductor die, and encapsulating the semiconductor die and the plurality of die connectors in an encapsulant material. The method also includes removing a portion of the encapsulant material to expose one or more of the plurality of die connectors, thereby forming a routing surface. The method further includes forming a plurality of conductive traces on the routing surface. Each of the plurality of conductive traces is characterized by a first portion in electrical communication with one of the plurality of die connectors and a second portion in electrical communication with a package connector.
US07675155B2
The present invention provides a system and method for selectively stacking and interconnecting leaded packaged integrated circuit devices with connections between the feet of leads of an upper IC and the upper shoulder of leads of a lower IC while conductive transits that implement stacking-related intra-stack connections between the constituent ICs are implemented in multi-layer interposers or carrier structures oriented along the leaded sides of the stack, with selected ones of the conductive transits electrically interconnected with other selected ones of the conductive transits.
US07675152B2
Disclosed are methods and devices for providing improved semiconductor packages and POP IC assemblies using the improved packages with reduced warping. According to disclosed embodiments of the inventions, a packaged semiconductor device for use in a POP assembly includes an encapsulated region generally defined by the substrate surface. The encapsulant is provided with contact apertures permitting external communication with contacts on the substrate and coupled to an encapsulated chip. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in which the contact aperture sidewalls are angled within the range of approximately 10-30 degrees or more from vertical and in which the contact aperture is provided a gas release channel to permit gas to escape during reflow.
US07675144B2
A method of making a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a semiconductor chip is mounted on a lower conductor, with first solder material applied between the chip and the lower conductor. Then, an upper conductor is placed on the chip, with second solder material applied between the chip and the upper conductor. Then, the first and the second solder materials are heated up beyond their respective melting points. Finally, the first and the second solder materials are allowed to cool down, so that the first solder material solidifies earlier than the second solder material.
US07675139B2
A thin film capacitor including a substrate, a capacitor portion having an upper conductor, a lower conductor, and a dielectric thin film, and a resin protective layer for protecting the capacitor portion. A barrier layer is interposed between the capacitor portion and the resin protective layer. The barrier layer includes a crystalline dielectric barrier layer formed in contact with the capacitor portion and having the same composition system as the dielectric thin film, and an amorphous inorganic barrier layer formed on the surface of the crystalline dielectric barrier layer and composed of silicon nitride having non-conductivity. The inorganic barrier layer prevents deterioration in the properties of the dielectric thin film by blocking diffusion of the constituent elements of the inorganic barrier layer toward the capacitor portion.
US07675138B2
A first capacitor is formed on a substrate and connected to a first differential node of a differential circuit, and a second capacitor is formed on the substrate and connected to a second differential node of the differential circuit. A third capacitor is connected between the first differential node and the second differential node, and is formed at least partially above the first capacitor. In this way, a size of the first capacitor and/or the second capacitor may be reduced on the substrate.
US07675125B2
In a NAND type nonvolatile memory device, a first insulating layer covers a common drain region formed in a string active region and a peripheral active region. A second insulating layer covers the first insulating layer. A bit line plug penetrates the first and second insulating layers and is connected to the common drain region. A peripheral lower plug penetrates the first insulating layer and is connected to the peripheral active region. A peripheral upper plug penetrates the second insulating layer and is stacked on the peripheral lower plug.
US07675122B2
A contact connected to a word line is formed on a gate electrode of an access transistor of an SRAM cell. The contact passes through an element isolation insulating film to reach an SOI layer. A body region of a driver transistor and that of the access transistor are electrically connected with each other through the SOI layer located under the element isolation insulating film. Therefore, the access transistor is in a DTMOS structure having the gate electrode connected with the body region through the contact, which in turn is also electrically connected to the body region of the driver transistor. Thus, operations can be stabilized while suppressing increase of an area for forming the SRAM cell.
US07675115B2
A semiconductor device includes a Si substrate, an insulating film formed on onepart of the Si substrate, a bulk Si region grown on other part of the Si substrate other than the insulating film, Si1-xGex (0
US07675112B2
The semiconductor device includes a device isolation structure, a surrounded channel structure, and a gate electrode. The device isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. The surrounded channel structure connecting source/drain regions is separated from the semiconductor substrate under the active region by a given distance. The gate electrode surrounds the surrounded channel structure.
US07675109B2
A method for fabricating a vertical channel transistor device is provided. An opening is formed in a dielectric stack comprised of a pad nitride layer and a pad oxide layer. A plurality of epitaxial silicon growth and dry etching processes are carried out to form drain, vertical channel and source in the opening. Subsequently, sidewall gate dielectric and sidewall gate electrode are formed on the vertical channel. The present invention is suited for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices, particularly suited for very high-density trench-capacitor DRAM devices.
US07675107B2
A semiconductor memory device, firstly, has both the thickness of a tunnel film and that of a top film provided thereon and configured to be in the FN tunneling region (4 nm or more). The data retention characteristics can be improved by configuring both the thickness of a tunnel film and that of a top film to have a thickness of in the FN tunneling region. Secondly, a high-concentration impurity region of a conductivity type the same as that of the substrate is provided in a substrate region arranged between assist gates provided adjacently to each other. The aforementioned high-concentration impurity region makes a depletion layer extremely thin when bias is applied to the assist gates. Hot holes generated between bands in the depletion region are injected into a charge storage region and the holes and electrons make pairs and disappear, enabling easy data erasing.
US07675102B2
Embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing an image sensor. According to embodiments, the method may include preparing a semiconductor substrate formed with a plurality of photodiodes, forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, forming a color filter layer on the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a planar layer on the color filter layer, and forming micro-lenses coated with fat-soluble polymer on the planar layer. Since the micro-lens is uniformly formed due to the fat-soluble polymer coated on the micro-lens, the photo-sensitivity and color reproduction of the image sensor are improved, resulting in the high-quality image sensor.
US07675093B2
Apparatus, systems and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. A potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.
US07675091B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor wafer and method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor wafer is comprised of a semiconductor layer formed on an insulation layer on a base substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a surface region organized in a first crystallographic orientation, and another surface region organized in a second crystallographic orientation. The performance of a semiconductor device with unit elements that use charges, which are activated in high mobility to the crystallographic orientation, as carriers is enhanced. The semiconductor wafer is completed by forming the semiconductor layer with the second crystallographic orientation on the plane of the first crystallographic orientation, growing an epitaxial layer, forming the insulation layer on the epitaxial layer, and then bonding the insulation layer to the base substrate.
US07675087B1
A surface mount light emitting device includes a substrate, a chip set, a wire set and an encapsulator. The substrate includes a base plate with four corners and four electrode layers arranged on the corners, each electrode layer has a top electrode extended to the top surface of the base plate, a bottom electrode extended to the bottom surface of the base plate and a trace extended toward the center of the top surface of the base plate. The chip set includes two resistor chips and two light emitting chips, the resistor chips arranged on two of the traces extended from two diagonal corners, the light emitting chips respectively arranged on the other two traces extended from the other two diagonal corners. The wire set includes two fuse wires electrically connected the resistor chips to the light emitting chips. The encapsulator is encapsulating the chip set and the wire set.
US07675085B2
A radiation-emitting component (1) comprising a radiation source, a housing body (6), a radiation exit side (16), an underside (17) which is opposite the radiation exit side (16), a side surface (18) which connects the radiation exit side (16) and the underside (17), and at least one first contact region (2a, 3a). The first contact region (2a, 3a) extends along the side surface (18) and is in the form of a partial region of a carrier (23) that runs outside the housing body (6).
US07675083B2
An oxynitride-based fluorescent material is formed of what results from substituting Eu for part of M of a general formula M3Si2N2O4, wherein M denotes one or more elements selected from among Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba. The oxynitride-based fluorescent material can be produced by a method comprising mixing an oxide of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Eu, or a compound of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Eu enabled by heating to form an oxide, silicon nitride or a compound enabled by heating to form silicon nitride, and silicon oxide or a compound enabled by heating to form silicon oxide to obtain a mixture and firing the mixture in a vacuum or a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 1200 to 1900° C.
US07675071B2
Provided is a light emitting transistor comprising a first conductivity-type collector layer formed on a substrate; a second conductivity-type base layer formed on the collector layer; and a first conductivity-type emitter layer formed on the base layer. At least one of the collector layer, the base layer, and the emitter layer has a nanorod structure with a plurality of nanorods.
US07675069B2
For the purpose of emitting light in an ultraviolet short-wavelength region having a wavelength of 360 nm or shorter, it is arranged in InAlGaN in such that a ratio of composition of In is 2% to 20%, a ratio of composition of Al is 10% to 90%, and a total of ratios of composition in In, Al, and Ga is 100%.
US07675065B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) array panel includes a substrate, a first signal line formed on the substrate, a gate insulating layer formed on the first signal line and having a first contact hole exposing a portion of the first signal line, a first semiconductor formed on the gate insulating layer, a second signal line formed on the first semiconductor and the gate insulating layer and a drain electrode formed on the first semiconductor and separated from the second signal line. The TFT array panel further includes a conductor formed on the gate insulating layer and connected to the first signal line through the first contact hole, a passivation layer formed on the second signal line, the drain electrode, and the conductor, and having a second contact hole exposing the drain electrode and a pixel electrode formed on the passivation layer and connected to the drain electrode through the second contact hole.
US07675059B2
Disclosed herein is a copolymer, which may include side chains which may decrease the surface energy of an insulating layer, thereby improving the alignment of a semiconductor material, and side chains including photoreactive functional groups having an increased degree of cross-linking, thereby improving the characteristics of an organic thin film transistor manufactured using the same, an organic insulating layer composition including the copolymer, an organic insulating layer, an organic thin film transistor, an electronic device including the same and methods of fabricating the same. According to the copolymer of example embodiments, the surface energy of an insulating layer may be decreased, so that the alignment of a semiconductor material may be improved, thereby improving the threshold voltage and charge mobility and decreasing the generation of hysteresis at the time of driving the transistor.
US07675040B2
A radiation detector device can include a photosensor and a scintillation device coupled to the photosensor. The scintillation device can include a scintillator crystal enclosed within a casing. The scintillator crystal can be optically coupled to a window at an end of the casing. The scintillation device can include a dielectric gas inside at least part of the casing. The dielectric gas can be adapted to reduce or prevent static discharge within the scintillation device.
US07675030B2
A method for optically sampling characteristics of subsurface fluids within a wellhole using continuous, non-pulsed light transmitted downhole in optical fibers for both sampling and reference light channels for accurate attenuation compensation.
US07675024B2
Color filter arrays, methods of assembling color filter arrays, and systems containing color filter arrays. Color filter arrays are formed such that light entering through certain regions of the color filter array passes through multiple color filters to help prevent optical crosstalk and allow for tuning spectral responses.
US07675023B2
An image sensor and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes color filter layers having a photonic crystal for color separation. Since transmittance of the color filter layers is higher than that of a pigment or dye of an organic material and can easily be controlled in an unnecessary wavelength region, the image sensor having high sensitivity and good color reproduction can be fabricated.
US07675020B2
Input apparatus and methods are described. An object is illuminated with output light. Diffuse reflections of the output light from the object are captured. Diffuse reflection optical data is produced from the captured diffuse reflections. Specular reflections of the output light from the object are captured. Specular reflection optical data is produced from the captured specular reflections. A first set of motion measures indicative of movement in relation to the object is produced from the diffuse reflection optical data. A second set of motion measures indicative of movement in relation to the object is produced from the specular reflection optical data.
US07675017B2
Provided is an image capturing system, including an image capturing section that includes a plurality of first light receiving elements that receive light in a specified wavelength region and light in a first wavelength region, which is different from the specified wavelength region, and a plurality of second light receiving elements that receive light in a second wavelength region, which is different from the specified wavelength region; and a control section that controls a spectrum of the light received by the plurality of first light receiving elements. The control section, at a first timing, causes the plurality of first light receiving elements to receive light in a wavelength region including the first wavelength region from a subject and causes the plurality of second light receiving elements to receive light in the second wavelength region and, at a second timing, causes the plurality of first light receiving elements to receive light in a wavelength region including the specified wavelength region from the subject and causes the plurality of second light receiving elements to receive light in the second wavelength region.
US07675015B2
Provided is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The CMOS image sensor includes a pixel array unit having a matrix-type array of unit pixels, each unit pixel including a charge transfer element transferring charge collected in a photoelectric conversion element to a charge detection element. The charge transfer element also receives a boosted voltage signal higher than an external power voltage.
US07675002B2
A laser beam processing machine comprising a chuck table for holding a workpiece, a laser beam application device for applying a laser beam to the workpiece held on the chuck table, a processing-feed device for moving the chuck table and the laser beam application device relative to each other in a processing-feed direction (X-axis direction), and an indexing-feed device for moving the chuck table and the laser beam application device relative to each other in an indexing-feed direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the processing-feed direction (X-axis direction), wherein the laser beam application device includes a laser oscillation device for oscillating a laser beam, a first acousto-optic deflection device for deflecting the optical axis of a laser beam oscillated by the laser beam oscillation device in the processing-feed direction (X-axis direction), and a second acousto-optic deflection device for deflecting the optical axis of a laser beam oscillated by the laser beam oscillation device in the indexing-feed direction (Y-axis direction).
US07674996B2
A gassing insulator for the arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a number of insulating members. The arc chute assembly includes first and second opposing sidewalls, and arc plates having first and second ends and first and second legs. Each insulating member includes a first side coupled to one of the first and second opposing sidewalls of the arc chute assembly, a second side disposed generally opposite the first side, a first end disposed at or about the first ends of the arc plates, and a second end disposed distal from the first end of the insulating member and extending toward the second ends of the arc plates. The first side of the insulating member overlays at least one of the first and second legs of the arc plates, in order to electrically insulate them. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.
US07674992B2
A mobile device operable with keys 14 having characters 16 engraved onto the surface of the keys. To provide back illumination, visual traces of the characters are provided by a plurality of holes 18 made to the keys to provide spot light outlets adapted to collectively define the traces. The holes can be drilled and the key caps can be made of steel or other metals. The grooves 16 can be closed by a translucent material such as resin to block the ingress of dirt into the holes 18.
US07674990B2
One aspect of the present invention provides a poke-through assembly for installation in a hole in a floor structure. The floor structure defines a floor in a first working environment and a ceiling in a second working environment. The poke-through assembly includes at least one intumescent member, a base plate and an intumescent enclosure. The intumescent member is disposed at least partially between the floor of the first working environment and the ceiling of the second working environment. The base plate supports and is disposed below the intumescent member for limiting the expansion of the intumescent member toward or into the second working environment. Another aspect of the present invention provides a poke-through assembly including an upper frame, at least one intumescent member and an intumescent cover. The intumescent member is disposed below the upper frame. The intumescent cover supports the intumescent member and circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the intumescent member, wherein expansion of the intumescent member is impeded by the cover.
US07674989B2
A wiring board for mounting a semiconductor element or electronic component having a plurality of wiring layers, an insulating layer provided between these wiring layers, and a via which is provided to the insulating layer and which electrically connects the wiring layers. In this wiring board, the cross-sectional shape of the via in the plane parallel to the wiring layers is obtained by the partial overlapping of a plurality of similar shapes (circles). Stable operation can be obtained in a semiconductor element by minimizing obstacles to increased density, effectively increasing the cross-sectional area of the via, and preventing the wiring resistance from increasing by making the cross-sectional shape of the via into a shape obtained by the partial overlapping of a plurality of similar shapes.
US07674985B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a printed wiring board assembly composed of a printed wiring board having a first component mounting portion provided on one surface of the printed wiring board, a second component mounting portion provided on the other surface of the printed wiring board having the second component mounting portion overlapped partially with the first component mounting portion, a large-scaled ball grid array component mounted on the first component mounting portion, a circuit component mounted on the second component mounting portion, and a supplementary component which is provided on the second component mounting portion of the printed wiring board having a first portion functioning as a heat-sink to remove heat generated from the circuit component and a second portion functioning as a reinforcement portion to reinforce the first component mounting portion.
US07674981B1
A geometrically-structured coaxial cable may prevent infiltration of water vapor and other contaminants by using a closed cell structure. The cable may be fabricated by wrapping bubble tape around its central conductor. Alternatively, plastic may be extruded through channels to create a plurality of layers. In either case, these layers are staggered in a zig-zag pattern to ensure that no radial spokes connect the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial cable without passing through a plurality of dielectric layers.
US07674979B2
The invention relates to a synthetic material end for a DC electric cable. In the invention, the synthetic material end includes a composite insert that is placed between the inner insulator and the outer insulating sleeve of the cable, the insert generally being in the form of a sheath surrounding the inner insulator over a partially-stripped portion of the cable, and being made up of a resistive portion of high resistivity, and of a semi-conductive portion of lower resistivity, the interface between said resistive and semi-conductive portions forming a deflector, the end of the resistive portion that is remote from the deflector being electrically connected to the central conductor of the cable, and the end of the semi-conductive portion that is remote from the deflector being electrically connected to the outer semi-conductor of the cable. Application to making connections to high-voltage electric cables.
US07674973B2
A conductor includes a central element having a length, a plurality of insulated strands disposed about the central element in at least first and second concentric layers, a layer of a dielectric material having a velocity of propagation disposed around the plurality of insulated strands. Each of the plurality of insulated strands has a conductive element and a layer of insulative material disposed around the conductive element and a length approximately equal to an inverse of the velocity of propagation of associated dielectric materials multiplied by the product of the length of the central element and the number one hundred.
US07674942B2
A zeolite catalyst is prepared by treating a zeolite with a phosphorus compound to form a phosphorus-treated zeolite. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. or higher and combined with an inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. The zeolite-binder mixture is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound zeolite catalyst. The bound zeolite may exhibit at least two 31P MAS NMR peaks with maxima at from about 0 to about −55 ppm, with at least one peak having a maximum at from about −40 to about −50 ppm. Zeolites containing 10-oxygen ring pores that have been prepared in such a way may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the bound zeolite catalyst with an aromatic alkylation feed of an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
US07674933B2
A method for modernizing a urea production plant including a urea synthesis reactor, a stripping unit and at least one condensation unit. The method includes providing: means in the condensation unit for substantially condensing at least a portion of a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase leaving the stripping unit; a second stripping unit; means for feeding a first portion of a reaction mixture flow comprising urea, carbamate and free ammonia in aqueous solution leaving the reactor to the first stripping unit; means for feeding a second portion of the reaction mixture flow leaving the reactor to the second stripping unit; and means for feeding at least a portion of a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase leaving the second stripping unit directly to the synthesis reactor. A de-bottlenecking of the high-pressure section downstream of the synthesis reactor may be achieved, improving production capacity.
US07674932B2
Disclosed is a method for the production of urea from natural gas, wherein a) natural gas undergoes partial oxidation or autothermal reformation with a gas containing oxygen in a first step and the raw synthesis gas thus arising, consisting essentially of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen, can be transformed by catalytic conversion of CO and H2O to form CO2 and H2, whereupon carbon monoxide and methane are removed in a multistep gas cleaning process and the hydrogen is converted into ammonia upon addition of nitrogen, and subsequently, b) the ammonia is recombined with the previously separated carbon dioxide in a second step and the ammonia is thus fully converted into urea.
US07674931B1
A method for maximizing the yield of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol di-2-ethylhexanoate (TMPD di-2-ethylhexanoate) from the reaction of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD Glycol) and 2-ethylhexanoic acid through the intermediate compound 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol-2-ethylhexanoate (TMPD mono-2-ethylhexanoate) is disclosed. The method involves maintaining a water level in the reactor of at least 0.10 weight %, and preferable above 0.20 weight %, thereby reducing formation of 2,2,4-trimethylpent-3-enyl-2-ethylhexanoate, an undesirable by-product.
US07674926B1
Dopant-group substituted (cyclo)silane compounds, liquid-phase compositions containing such compounds, and methods for making the same. Such compounds (and/or ink compositions containing the same) are useful for printing or spin coating a doped silane film onto a substrate that can easily be converted into a doped amorphous or polycrystalline silicon film suitable for electronic devices. Thus, the present invention advantageously provides commercial qualities and quantities of doped semiconductor films from a doped “liquid silicon” composition.
US07674923B2
The preparation of atorvastatin calcium epoxide dihydroxy (AED) is described. AED can be used as a standard or marker in determining the amount of AED in a sample. AED can therefore be used as a tool in preparing atorvastatin calcium substantially free of AED.
US07674916B2
The invention includes methods of processing an initial di-carbonyl compound by conversion to a cyclic compound. The cyclic compound is reacted with an alkylating agent to form a derivative having an alkylated ring nitrogen. The invention encompasses a method of producing an N-alkyl product. Ammonia content of a solution is adjusted to produce a ratio of ammonia to di-carboxylate compound of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. An alkylating agent is added and the initial compound is alkylated and cyclized. The invention includes methods of making N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP). Aqueous ammonia and succinate is introduced into a vessel and ammonia is adjusted to provide a ratio of ammonia to succinate of less than 2:1. A methylating agent is reacted with succinate at a temperature of from greater than 100° C. to about 400° C. to produce N-methyl succinimide which is purified and hydrogenated to form NMP.
US07674910B2
Process for preparing diimine compounds, in which a discarbonyl compound is reacted with primary amines in the presence of phosphorus pentoxide.
US07674906B2
The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, to methods for their preparation, to compositions containing them, and to methods and use for clinical treatment of medical conditions which may benefit from immunomodulation, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, asthma, transplantation, systemic lupus erythematosis and psoriasis. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, which are CD80 antagonists capable of inhibiting the interactions between CD80 and CD28.
US07674903B2
Compounds represented by the following structure (I) are disclosed: as are methods for making such compounds, wherein said methods comprise reacting a diacyldiketopiperazine with a first aldehyde to produce an intermediate compound; and reacting the intermediate compound with a second aldehyde to produce the class of compounds with the generic structure, where the first aldehyde and the second aldehydes are selected from the group consisting of an oxazolecarboxaldeyhyde, imidazolecarboxaldehyde, a benzaldehyde, imidazolecarboxaldehyde derivatives, and benzaldehyde derivatives, thereby forming the above compound wherein R1, R1′, R1″, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6, X1 and X2, Y, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 may each be separately defined in a manner consistent with the accompanying description. Compositions and methods for treating cancer and fungal infection are also disclosed.
US07674899B2
This invention relates to novel azacyclic derivatives and their use as pharmaceuticals. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US07674895B2
RNA interference using small interfering RNAs which are specific for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and the VEGF receptor genes Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR inhibit expression of these genes. Diseases which involve angiogenesis stimulated by overexpression of VEGF, such as diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration and many types of cancer, can be treated by administering the small interfering RNAs.
US07674881B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for synthesizing a polypeptide using kinetically controlled reactions involving fragments of the polypeptide for a fully convergent process. In more specific embodiments, a ligation involves reacting a first peptide having a protected cysteyl group at its N-terminal and a phenylthioester at its C-terminal with a second peptide having a cysteine residue at its N-termini and a thioester at its C-termini to form a ligation product. Subsequent reactions may involve deprotecting the cysteyl group of the resulting ligation product and/or converting the thioester into a thiophenylester.
US07674880B2
Isolated peptides of the Bacillus anthracis Anthrax Toxin Lethal factor Protein pX01-107, antibodies specific for the peptides and methods of stimulating the immune response of a subject to produce antibodies to the Bacillus anthracis Anthrax Toxin Lethal factor Protein pX01-107 are disclosed. Also disclosed are isolated peptides of the Small Pox Virus Surface Antigen S Precursor Protein, antibodies specific for the peptides and methods of stimulating the immune response of a subject to produce antibodies to the Small Pox Virus Surface Antigen S Precursor Protein.
US07674879B2
The invention provides a sterically hindered polymer that comprises a water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having at least one terminus covalently bonded to an alkanoic acid or alkanoic acid derivative, wherein the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group of the acid or acid derivative group has an alkyl or aryl group pendent thereto. The steric effects of the alkyl or aryl group allow greater control of the hydrolytic stability of polymer derivatives. The polymer backbone may be poly(ethylene glycol).
US07674877B2
A process for thermally crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing pellets into a liquid medium having a temperature of at least 140° C. within a liquid medium zone and crystallizing the submerged pellets at or above the vapor pressure of the liquid medium without increasing the molecular weight of the pellets, and while the pressure on at least a portion of the pellets is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium, separating at least a portion of said pellets and at least a portion of the liquid medium from each other. The crystallization is desirably conducted in the liquid medium zone without mechanically induced agitation. Optionally, the pellets are wormed by an underfluid pelletizer. There is also provided a process for thermally crystallizing solid pellets in a pipe by directing a flow of solid pellets in a liquid medium through a pipe having an aspect ratio L/D of at least 50:1, wherein the solid pellets are crystallized in the pipe at a liquid medium temperature greater than the Tg of the polyester polymer.
US07674869B2
A random copolymer having improved mechanical toughness and properties suitable for thin wall thermoforming applications is provided. The random copolymer exhibits the following physical properties: a flexural modulus profile having a 2% flexural modulus of about 168,000 psi, a 1% flexural modulus of about 190,000 psi, and a 0.4% flexural modulus of about 199,000 psi; a melt flow rate of at least about 2.0 g/10 min.; and a haze of less than about 40%. The random copolymer preferably comprises a copolymer of ethylene and propylene, wherein the ethylene content is in the range of from about 0.2% to about 0.8% ethylene by weight of the copolymer. The random copolymer also preferably includes a stabilizer and a clarifying agent such as a sorbitol based clarifier or a nucleator. Various articles of manufacture such as thermoformed containers and packaging may be formed from the random copolymer.
US07674859B2
An adhesive sheet which can actualize a high package reliability wherein there is no separation at the adhesive interface and no package cracking, in a package in which a semiconductor chip being reduced in thickness is mounted under severe reflow conditions after exposure to a hot and humid environment. The adhesive sheet includes a base material and, formed thereon, an adhesive layer having an adhesive composition including an acrylic copolymer (A) containing 20 to 95% by weight of a structural unit derived from a benzyl (meth)acrylate, an epoxy thermosetting resin (B), and a thermosetting agent (C).
US07674856B2
A process for the production of a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is provided comprising (1) forming an elastomer composition by mixing in the form of a solution, 33.5 to 95% by weight of an aromatic vinyl-isoprene block copolymer (a) having two or more poly(aromatic vinyl) blocks, 0 to 47.5% by weight of an aromatic vinyl-isoprene diblock copolymer (b), and 5 to 33% by weight of isoprene homopolymer (c) having a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, wherein the elastomer composition has a content of aromatic vinyl monomer unit of 14 to 50% by weight, (2) separating the elastomer composition from the solvent, (3) drying the elastomer composition, and (4) blending a petroleum resin with the elastomer composition made by steps (1)-(3), wherein the amount of the petroleum resin is 10 to 500 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the elastomer composition.
US07674853B2
Process for preparing a polyol comprising particulate material in dispersed form by reacting an MDI-based polyisocyanate and a polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 400 in a relative amount such that the number of NCO-groups is 70-100% of the number of OH-groups in said polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 400, the reaction being carried out in a polyol having an equivalent weight of 500 or more. The polyols are claimed as well.
US07674846B2
As a paint composition of cationic electrodeposition and a method preparing thereof, the paint composition of cationic electrodeposition comprises about 42 to about 47 percent by weight of a cationic electrodeposition resin composition, about 6 to about 13 percent by weight of a pigment paste composition, and about 40 to about 48 percent by weight of ion exchange water. An electronic part film coated by utilizing the paint composition of cationic electrodeposition on alloy such as an iron, an aluminum, etc. does not include a lead and a tin. In addition, when assembling electronic parts, an error rate is minimized by inhibiting frictional static electricity through anti-static capacity, and the probability of a fire is dirninished by inhibiting static electricity.
US07674845B2
Laser writable composition comprising a polymeric laser light absorber dispersed in a matrix polymer, the absorber comprising carbonizing particles that comprise a core and a shell, the core comprising a carbonizing polymer having a first functional group, and the shell, comprising a compatibilizing polymer having a second functional group that can react with the first functional group of the carbonizing polymer, further comprising a reflector.
US07674838B2
A two-part curable foaming composition comprising: (A) A first part comprising: (i) an alkoxysilyl capped prepolymer; and (ii) a polyhydrogen siloxane; (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; and (B) A second part comprising: (i) a nitrogen-containing compound having an active hydrogen; (ii) water; and (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; provided that at least one of the parts contain a catalyst and wherein after mixing together the first and second parts a cured elastomeric foam is formed.
US07674828B2
The present invention provides novel pyridyl or phenyl ureas and analogues thereof, which are selective inhibitors of the human P2Y1 receptor. The invention also provides for various pharmaceutical compositions of the same and methods for treating diseases responsive to modulation of P2Y1 receptor activity.
US07674825B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds of the formula (I) and to their salts and stereoisomers, for the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
US07674823B2
The invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) and isomers, salts, solvates, chemically protected forms, and prodrugs thereof, in the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting the activity of DNA-PK, wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted C1-7 alkyl group, C3-20 heterocyclyl group, or C5-20 aryl group, or may together form, along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having from 4 to 8 ring atoms; X and Y are selected from CR4 and O, O and CR′4 and NR″4 and N, where the unsaturation is in the appropriate place in the ring, and where one of R3 and R4 or R′4 is an optionally substituted C3-20 heteroaryl or C5-20 aryl group, and the other of R3 and R4 or R′4 is H, or R3 and R4 or R″4 together are —A—B—, which collectively represent a fused optionally substituted aromatic ring. The compounds also selectively inhibit the activity of DNA-PK compared to PI 3-kinase and/or ATM.
US07674816B2
The invention provides 2 aryl substituted derivatives of melatonin. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives, methods for preparing such derivatives, and methods of using such derivatives to induce general anesthesia, sedation, and/or hypnotic or sleep effects in a patient, and to treat conditions affected by melatonin activity in a patient.
US07674811B2
The present invention relates to 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Compounds disclosed herein can be useful in the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, arthritis, type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, acne, atherosclerosis, cancer, pruritis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, other inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Processes for the preparation of disclosed compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing the disclosed compounds and their use as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors are also provided.
US07674803B2
The present invention relates to thiazolylpiperidine derivatives of the general formula (I): in which: A represents a radical chosen from the radicals a1 and a2 below: G represents a bond or a divalent radical chosen from the groups g1, g2 and g3 below: and R1, R2, R2′, R3, R4, R5, Y and Z are as defined in the description. Application of the compounds of the formula (I) to the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and dyslipidaemia.
US07674802B2
The present invention relates to a chemical genus of biaryl nitrogen-attached heterocycles that are inhibitors of LTA4H (leukotriene A4 hydrolase). The compounds have the general formula: They are useful for the treatment and prevention and prophylaxis of inflammatory diseases and disorders.
US07674801B2
Compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described. Processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, their use as medicaments and their use in the treatment of bacterial infections are also described.
US07674799B2
In certain embodiments the invention is directed to a process for preparing an oxycodone hydrochloride composition having less than 25 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone.
US07674794B2
Compounds of formula (I) wherein n is 0, 1, or 2; X is O, S, —NH—, and —N-alkyl-; Ar1 is a 6-membered aromatic ring; and Ar2 is a fused bicycloheterocycle. The compounds are useful in treating conditions or disorders prevented by or ameliorated by α7 nAChR ligands. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions having compounds of formula (I) and methods for using such compounds and compositions.
US07674792B2
Invented is the compound (5Z)-5-(6-quinoxalinylmethylidene)-2-[(2,6 -dichlorophenyl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and pro-drugs thereof. Also invented are pharmaceutical compositions containing this compound, methods of preparing this compound and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and pro-drugs thereof. Also invented are methods of using this compound as an inhibitor of hYAK3 proteins.
US07674788B2
The invention relates to new pteridines which are suitable for treating respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints or diseases, inflammatory diseases of the joints, skin or eyes, diseases of the peripheral or central nervous system and cancers. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
US07674785B2
Disclosed are topical compositions for the treatment of microbial infections on the skin or scalp which include a polyvalent metal salt of pyrithione and include a metal ion source. Also disclosed are methods for treating microbial infections of the skin or scalp using such compositions.
US07674781B2
Hyaluronic acid-retaining biopolymer is provided which exhibits low levels of protein adsorption and surface friction. The biopolymer is useful for incorporation in products, such as contact lenses, used in biological environments.
US07674778B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprising at least one ligand. In certain embodiments, a ligand is bound to only one of the two oligonucleotide strands comprising the double-stranded oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, both of the oligonucleotide strands of the double-stranded oligonucleotide independently comprise a bound ligand. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide strands comprise at least one modified sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, a phosphate linkage in one or both of the strands of the oligonucleotide has been replaced with a phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkage. In a preferred embodiment, the ligand is cholesterol or 5β-cholanic acid. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a single-stranded oligonucleotide comprising at least one ligand. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, a phosphate linkage of the oligonucleotide has been replaced with a phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkage. In a preferred embodiment, the ligand is cholesterol or 5β-cholanic acid. The ligand improves the pharmacokinetic properties of the oligonucleotide.
US07674777B2
Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.
US07674775B2
The present invention relates to a compound according to Formula (I): A-(L-Y)p, wherein A comprises at least one substantially cell-membrane impermeable pendant group; L comprises any suitable linker and/or spacer group; Y comprises at least one arsenoxide or arsenoxide equivalent; p is an integer from 1 to 10; and the sum total of carbon atoms in A and L together, is greater than 6.
US07674766B2
The invention provides a method to C-terminally label proteins in a complex sample and identify those proteins, e.g., using mass spectrometry.
US07674762B2
A particulate detergent composition or component therefor which comprises a bi- or tri-valent carboxylic acid salt, preferably magnesium stearate, which, without the carboxylic acid salt being present, has a hygroscopicity value of greater than 25%.
US07674760B2
Floor finishes are stripped or deep scrubbed using a floor stripper/cleaner composition containing sparingly water-soluble floor finish solvent; water; sulfonic acid, sulfate acid, phosphonic acid, phosphate acid or aromatic acid coupler in an amount sufficient to provide a homogenous aqueous liquid phase and no or low foaming during shaking; and sufficient organic amine so that the composition pH is about 2 to about 11.
US07674754B2
A water-based metalworking fluid is comprised of a polymeric boron species which includes at least B, N and H, together with a surfactant operable to provide an emulsion of the boron species with water. The polymeric boron species may be a polyborane or a borazine polymer and may be configured as a polyborane or borazine polymer backbone having side chains pendent thereupon. The side chains may include silicon and/or phosphorous. The silicon may be in the form of a silane or a siloxane species, including polymeric species. Disclosed are specific compositions as well as methods for using the compositions and methods for making the compositions.
US07674750B2
A synergistic herbicidal mixture comprising A) picolinafen; or one of its environmentally compatible salts; and B) a synergistically effective amount of at least a triazolopyrimidine herbicide selected from the triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilides and penoxsulam; or one of its environmentally compatible salts or esters; and, if desired, C) at least a safener. Compositions comprising these mixtures, processes for the preparation of these compositions and their use for controlling undesired plants.
US07674748B2
(1) A 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer dispersion characterized by being obtained by wet grinding a 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer in the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-cyclohexylphenyl)butane and 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane, or in the presence of 1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanuric acid; (2) a method for wet grinding a 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer, characterized by wet grinding a 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer in the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-cyclohexylphenyl)butane and 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane, or in the presence of 1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanuric acid; and (3) a heat-sensitive recording material having a heat-sensitive recording layer containing the developer dispersion.
US07674746B2
A purification catalyst for exhaust gas enhances the activities of the precious metals, preventing drop of activities at high temperature, and exhibiting a sufficient performance even during low temperature (below 400° C.) operation when starting a vehicle or during idling. The Pd oxide is supported on the Al oxide, and the Al oxide is LnAlO3 (Ln: rare-earth element).
US07674743B2
This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap-enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.
US07674733B2
In one embodiment, a breathable, incrementally stretched elastic composite material comprises an inner elastomeric film extrusion-laminated to an outer nonwoven web at each film surface. The inner elastomeric film has a random pattern of incremental stretch-formed macroholes therein and is substantially free of pore-forming filler. In another embodiment, a breathable, incrementally stretched elastic composite material comprises an elastomeric film extrusion-laminated to a nonwoven web at one or both of the film surfaces. The elastomeric film has a random pattern of incremental stretch-formed macroholes therein and is substantially free of pore-forming filler. Methods of manufacturing the composite materials comprise extrusion laminating and incremental stretching. Garments and disposable articles are formed at least in part from the composite material.
US07674717B2
A method of fabricating a two dimensional nano-structure array of features comprising the steps of providing a substrate (10); forming an intermediate layer on said substrate (20), said intermediate layer having at least two selectively located regions (21, 22) of different uniform thickness; placing at least one layer of elements (30) over said intermediate layer, said elements placed in a close-packed arrangement forming an array of voids (33) between said elements; etching the intermediate layer through said voids, and so forming the array of features (51, 52) in said intermediate layer corresponding to the voids.
US07674716B2
Disclosed is an adjuvant for use in simultaneous polishing of a cationically charged material and an anionically charged material, which forms a adsorption layer on the cationically charged material in order to increase the polishing selectivity of the anionically charged material to cationically charged material, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polyelectrolyte salt containing: (a) a graft type polyelectrolyte that has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000˜20,000 and comprises a backbone and a side chain; and (b) a basic material. CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) slurry comprising the above adjuvant and abrasive particles is also disclosed.
US07674714B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment may include forming an isolation layer defining an active region in a semiconductor substrate, forming a silicon pattern and a sacrificial pattern on the active region, the sacrificial pattern including a semiconductor material different from the silicon pattern, forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the silicon pattern and a sidewall of the sacrificial pattern, removing the sacrificial pattern to expose a top surface of the silicon pattern, and/or forming a gate silicide on the silicon pattern.
US07674711B2
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a flash memory device. The method may include forming a first and a second interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate having a cell region, etching the second and first interlayer insulating films, thus forming a contact hole through which a junction region of the cell region is exposed, forming a contact plug within the contact hole, the contact plug having a height lower than that of an interface of the first and second interlayer insulating films, and forming a spacer on sidewalls of the contact hole over the contact plug.
US07674710B2
A method for integrating a metal-containing film in a semiconductor device, for example a gate stack. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate in a process chamber, depositing the tungsten-containing film on the substrate at a first substrate temperature by exposing the substrate to a deposition gas containing a tungsten carbonyl precursor, heat treating the tungsten-containing film at a second substrate temperature greater than the first substrate temperature to remove carbon monoxide gas from the tungsten-containing film, and forming a barrier layer on the heat treated tungsten-containing film. Examples of tungsten-containing films include W, WN, WSi, and WC. Additional embodiments include depositing metal-containing films containing Ni, Mo, Co, Rh, Re, Cr, or Ru from the corresponding metal carbonyl precursors.
US07674707B2
Devices and methods are presented to fabricate diffusion barrier layers on a substrate. Presently, barrier layers comprising a nitride layer and a pure metal layer are formed using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process that requires multiple ignition steps, and results in nitride-layer thicknesses of no less than 2 nm. This invention discloses devices and process to produce nitride-layers of less than <1 nm, while allowing for formation of a pure metal layer on the nitride-layer without re-igniting the plasma. To achieve this, the flow of nitrogen gas is cut off either before the plasma is ignited, or before the formation of a continuous-flow plasma. This ensures that a limited number of nitrogen atoms is deposited in conjunction with metal atoms on the substrate, thereby allowing for controlled thickness of the nitride layer.
US07674697B2
A process is described for forming a fully multiple silicided gate for complementary MOSFET (CMOS) devices. A silicidation process is performed on a gate structure, which includes a gate material overlying a gate dielectric disposed on a substrate. A layer of insulating material is formed which covers the gate structure; the thickness of this layer is less at sidewalls of the gate structure than on a top surface of the gate structure. A portion of the layer of insulating material is then removed, so that the sidewalls of the gate structure are exposed. A layer of metal is formed which covers the gate structure so that the metal is in contact with the sidewalls of the gate structure. The silicidation process is then performed, in which a metal silicide is formed from the gate material and the metal; the gate material is thereby fully silicided.
US07674695B1
An electromegasonic wafer cleaning system is disclosed that is extremely important, if not essential, in the fabrication of advanced microelectronic devices having a line width or feature size of from 0.05 to 0.10 micron. A unique synergistic combination is provided wherein piezoelectric transducer means are operated at a tolerable power level, such as from 1 to 2 watts per square centimeter, to minimize the risk of harm to the extremely delicate microcircuits and wherein the face of each wafer is negatively charged to a temperate voltage, such as from 5 to 20 volts, sufficient to cause effective removal of colloidal or sub 0.4-micron contaminant particles.This unique wafer cleaning system supersedes and replaces the standard megasonic-assisted RCA-type wet wafer cleaning systems which have never been able to eliminate or provide efficient purging of harmful sub 0.1-micron particles.
US07674693B2
A method forming a semiconductor device includes forming a domed gate oxide film to relieve stress resulting from a thermal expansion rate difference of an oxide film and silicon film during a subsequent thermal process and preventing leakage current between source/drain regions through thickness regulation of the gate oxide film to improve refresh characteristics.
US07674685B2
Disclosed are methods for fabricating semiconductor devices incorporating a composite trench isolation structure comprising a first oxide pattern, a SOG pattern and a second oxide pattern wherein the oxide patterns enclose the SOG pattern. The methods include the deposition of a first oxide layer and a SOG layer to fill recessed trench regions formed in the substrate. The first oxide layer and the SOG layer are then subjected to a planarization sequence including a CMP process followed by an etchback process to form a composite structure having a substantially flat upper surface that exposes both the oxide and the SOG material. The second oxide layer is then applied and subjected to a similar CMP/etchback sequence to obtain a composite structure having an upper surface that is recessed relative to a plane defined by the surfaces of adjacent active regions.
US07674681B2
Disclosed are a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including first and second well areas doped with second conductive ions, a third well area in the first well and doped with the second conductive ions, a base area in the third well and doped with first conductive ions, an emitter area in the third well and doped with the second conductive ions, an emitter electrode on the emitter area, a first contact plug in contact with the emitter electrode, a second contact plug in contact with the base area, a collector area in the second well and doped with the second conductive ions, and a third contact plug in contact with the collector area.
US07674676B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with diffused layers by impurity implantation includes forming a first mask including an opening, implanting a channel impurity for threshold voltage control using the first mask, forming a first diffused layer using the first mask by implanting a first impurity, forming a first gate wiring layer and a second gate wiring layer after removing the first mask, and forming a second diffused layer and a third diffused layer using the first gate wiring layer and the second gate wiring layer as a second mask by implanting a second impurity.
US07674671B2
Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.
US07674670B2
The invention includes methods of forming channel region implants for two transistor devices simultaneously, in which a mask is utilized to block a larger percentage of a channel region location of one of the devices relative to the other. The invention also pertains to methods of forming capacitor structures in which a first capacitor electrode is spaced from a semiconductor substrate by a dielectric material, a second capacitor electrode comprises a conductively-doped diffusion region within the semiconductor material, and a capacitor channel region location is beneath the dielectric material and adjacent the conductively-doped diffusion region. An implant mask is formed to cover only a first portion of the capacitor channel region location and to leave a second portion of the capacitor channel region location uncovered. While the implant mask is in place, dopant is implanted into the uncovered second portion of the capacitor channel region location.
US07674664B2
A fabricating method of an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device including forming a polycrystalline silicon film on a substrate having a display region and a peripheral region, the polycrystalline silicon film having grains of square shape, forming a first active layer in the display region and a second active layer in the peripheral region by etching the polycrystalline silicon film, forming a first gate electrode over the first active layer, a second gate electrode over the second active layer and a gate line connected to the first gate electrode, and forming first source and drain electrodes connected to the first active layer, second source and drain electrodes connected to the second active layer and data line connected to the first source electrode. Further, the second gate electrode overlaps the first active layer to form a first channel region, and the first channel region is formed inside one of the grains.
US07674663B2
In a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, when harmonic of CW laser is irradiated to a semiconductor film with relatively scanning the harmonic, several long crystal grains extending in a scanning direction are formed. In the scanning direction, thus formed semiconductor film is substantially close to a single crystal in characteristic. However, the output of the harmonic of the CW laser is small to cause a low annealing efficiency. In the present invention, aid for the output is performed by irradiating second harmonic of CW laser and a fundamental wave of CW laser at the same time to the same portion. In general, the fundamental wave has a wavelength band around 1 μm, and is not well absorbed in a semiconductor film. When the harmonic with a wavelength of visible light or a shorter wavelength than visible light is irradiated at the same time as the fundamental wave to a semiconductor film, the annealing efficiency is remarkably increased since the fundamental wave is well absorbed in the semiconductor film melted by the harmonic.
US07674661B2
In a memory device and a method of manufacturing the memory device, a pair of channel layers included in the memory device may be formed on a sidewall of the sacrificial single crystalline layer pattern located on a protrusion of a semiconductor substrate. Accordingly, an etch damage may be reduced at the channel layer. The sacrificial single crystalline layer pattern may be removed to generate a void between the pair of the channel layers. As a result, a generation of a coupling effect may be reduced between the channel layers.
US07674660B2
A method of fabricating a multilevel semiconductor integrated circuit is provided, comprising: forming on a first active semiconductor structure a first plurality of transistors with respective gate structures disposed on a first substrate and source or drain regions disposed within the first substrate; depositing a first insulation layer on the first substrate and the gate structures; etching the insulation layer to form a plurality of openings exposing portions of the first substrate contacting the bottoms of the openings; forming a semiconductor seed layer filling the openings; forming an amorphous layer on the seed layer and the insulation layer; subjecting the first active semiconductor structure to at least one application of laser irradiation to transform the amorphous layer to a crystalline semiconductor layer having a protrusion region with a peak at or near the middle of two adjacent openings; forming on a second active semiconductor structure a second plurality of transistors with respective gate structures disposed on the crystalline semiconductor layer and forming a contact structure to electrically connect a transistor of the first active semiconductor structure to a transistor of the second active semiconductor structure.
US07674658B2
A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method can form a structure of a thin film transistor (TFT) having a symmetric lightly doped region, and thus provide superior operation reliability and electrical performance. In addition, the manufacturing method forms gate patterns of different TFTs by the same mask process and thereby avoids the misalignment of masks so as to improve the processing yield and reduce the manufacturing cost.
US07674657B2
There is provided a method of making an encapsulated component package, including providing a support for supporting the components of the package during encapsulation, the support including legs extending beyond the perimeter of the final package, rupturing the support legs, and covering the exposed ends of the legs with an insulating material. There is also provided a package formed in accordance with the method.
US07674655B2
Semiconductor devices and assemblies including interconnects and methods for forming such interconnects are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of first side trenches to an intermediate depth in a molded portion of a molded wafer having a plurality of dies arranged in rows and columns. The method also includes removing material from a second side of the molded portion at areas aligned with the first side trenches, wherein removing the material forms openings through the molded portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of electrical contacts at the second side of the molded portion at the openings and electrically connecting the second side contacts to corresponding bond-sites on the dies.
US07674650B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device of which a manufacturing process is not complicated and by which cost can be suppressed, by forming a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film typified by zinc oxide, and a manufacturing method thereof. For the semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a substrate; a gate insulating film is formed covering the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the gate insulating film; and a first conductive film and a second conductive film are formed over the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film has at least a crystallized region in a channel region.
US07674635B2
The present invention supplies a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, which includes a non-contact inspection process capable of confirming if a circuit or circuit element formed on an array substrate is normally performed and can decrease a manufacturing cost by eliminating wastes to keep a defective product forming.An electromotive force generated by electromagnetic induction is rectified and shaped by using primary coils formed on a check substrate and secondary coils formed on an array substrate, whereby a power source voltage and a driving signal are supplied to circuits or circuit elements on a TFT substrate so as to be driven.
US07674634B2
A semiconductor device incorporating a capacitor structure that includes a ferroelectric thin film is obtained by forming, on a single crystalline substrate 10 having a surface suited for growing thereon a thin film layer of ferroelectric single crystal having a plane (111), a ferroelectric single crystalline thin film 12′ containing Pb and having a plane (111) 11 in parallel with the surface of the substrate (or a ferroelectric polycrystalline thin film containing Pb and oriented parallel with the plane (111) in parallel with the surface of the substrate) and part 16 of a circuit of a semiconductor device, to thereby fabricate the single crystalline substrate 10 having said ferroelectric thin film containing Pb and said part of the circuit of the semiconductor device; and bonding said single crystalline substrate 10 to another substrate on which the other circuit of the semiconductor device has been formed in advance, to couple the two circuits together.The capacitor in the semiconductor device thus obtained includes a ferroelectric thin film having a large amount of polarizing charge. The semiconductor device can be used as a highly reliable nonvolatile memory.
US07674632B1
A method and composition for detecting and measuring analytes, such as antibodies, which are capable of binding with certain binding partners such as antigens. A homogenous assay is performed in the presence of free unbound antibodies. Such a homogeneous assay testing for specific antibodies is herein possible by defining of test subsets of microparticles having specific antigens thereon which are capable of binding with specific target antibodies. The microparticle suspension also includes at least two calibration subsets of microparticles having a binding partner thereon with at least two known levels of concentration which is capable of binding with human antibodies for the purpose of assay calibration. A verification subset of microparticles is included with another binding partner thereon at a known concentration, capable of binding with anti-human antibodies. This suspension is incubated with a human sample and then is incubated with a tagging component.
US07674622B2
A method for enumerating white blood cells and nucleated red blood cells. The steps of the method are as follows: (a) providing a lysed sample of whole blood; (b) introducing the lysed sample to a light-scattering multi-angle depolarizing flow cytometer; (c) removing depolarizing interference, e.g., lipid droplets and other measured particles; (d) differentiating nucleated red blood cells and noise from white blood cells in the absence of depolarizing interference; (e) differentiating nucleated red blood cells from noise in the absence of depolarizing interference and white blood cells; and (f) differentiating possible platelet clumps.
US07674620B2
The present disclosure is directed to improved methods for efficiently producing neuroprogenitor cells and differentiated neural cells such as dopaminergic neurons and serotonergic neurons from pluripotent stem cells, for example human embryonic stem cells. Using the disclosed methods, cell populations containing a high proportion of cells positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, a specific marker for dopaminergic neurons, have been isolated. The neuroprogenitor cells and terminally differentiated cells of the present disclosure can be generated in large quantities, and therefore may serve as an excellent source for cell replacement therapy in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
US07674614B2
An optical resolving reagent comprising at least one of compounds represented by the following formulae (1) and (2) (1) (2) (wherein R1 to R8 each represents hydrogen or C1-20 alkyl; R9 represents optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-20 alkenyl, formyl, or acyl; and R10 represents C1-6 alkyl; provided that the molecule represented by the formula (1) is of the cis configuration with respect to R9 and OR10); and a method of optically resolving with the optical resolving reagent an alcohol having an asymmetric carbon atom in the molecule and represented by the formula (3): (R11)(R12)(R13)COH (wherein R11, R12, and R13 each represents hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, provided that at least one of R11, R12, and R13 is not hydrogen). The method of optical resolution is highly suitable for general purposes. By the method, a mixture of optical isomers of any of various alcohols can be optically resolved easily and industrially advantageously.
US07674609B2
Crypthecodinium cohnii, or microorganisms derived from Crypthecodinium cohnii, are grown in a culture medium including propionic acid. The propionic acid increases the production of one or more of dry cell weight, total lipid and docosahexaenoic acid.
US07674598B2
Methods for differentially identifying cells in an instrument employ compositions containing a combination of selected antibodies and fluorescent dyes having different cellular distribution patterns and specificities, as well as antibodies and fluorescent dyes characterized by overlapping emission spectra which form non-compensatable spectral patterns. When utilizing the compositions described herein consisting of fluorescent dyes and fluorochrome labeled antibodies with overlapping spectra that cannot be separated or distinguished based upon optical or electronic compensation means, a new fluorescent footprint is established. This new fluorescent footprint is a result of the overlapping spectra and the combined cellular staining patterns of the dyes and fluorochrome labeled antibodies chosen for the composition. The new fluorescent footprint results in histogram patterns that are useful for the identification of additional cell populations or subtypes in hematological disease.
US07674596B2
The present invention relates to a cell line in which a potassium channel is introduced. More specifically, it is a cell line capable of activating the T-type α1H calcium channel by depolarization wherein a vector encoding a potassium channel is introduced. Since the cell line of the present invention is available for a high throughput screening of candidate T-type α1H calcium channel inhibitors, it may accelerate the development of therapeutic agents for diseases related to T-type α1H calcium channels.
US07674593B2
The present invention presents construction of a detection method requiring no step of removing free biotin during preparation of a biotinylated protein having a biotin tag, in a detection method of a substance interacting with a protein, and studied various preparation methods of the biotinylated protein. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present inventor has found that in a cell-free protein synthesizing system, in particular, a wheat embryo cell-free protein synthesizing system, when biotinylation is performed during or after protein's synthesis, the biotinylation of the protein can be attained in an remarkably lower concentration of the biotin than that in the conventional biotinylation operations, and has accomplished the present invention by using the protein having the biotin tag in each detection system.
US07674591B2
Polynucleotides encoding the IL-13 receptor and fragments thereof are disclosed. IL-13 receptor proteins, methods for their production, inhibitors of binding of IL-13 and its receptor and methods for their identification are also disclosed.
US07674584B2
The invention provides a method for measuring binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR). The invention also provides a method for identifying and measuring the effect that an agent has upon modulating the binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor.
US07674582B2
The invention relates to methods of monitoring the amplification of one or more nucleic acid sequences of interest. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of monitoring the amplification of sequences of interest in real time. The methods disclosed herein provide methods for monitoring the amplification of one sequence or two or more sequences from a single sample, as well as methods for monitoring the amplification of one or more than one sequence from two or more samples. The monitoring methods of the invention permit improved determination of the abundance of one or more target nucleic acids, especially target RNA species, in one or more original samples.
US07674575B2
A silver halide color photosensitive material for being subjected to a color development within nine seconds of being imagewise exposed, and comprising a support and a photograph constitution layer provided on the support, the photograph constitution layer containing at least one layer that comprises a yellow dye-forming coupler, at least one layer that comprises a magenta dye-forming coupler, at least one layer that comprises a cyan dye-forming coupler, and at least one non-photosensitive hydrophilic colloid layer. The coupler-comprising layers respectively include silver halide emulsions, and at least one of the silver halide emulsions has the characteristics of: (i) a silver chloride content of 90 mol % or more; and (ii) containing at least one specific metal complexes. The color development is preferably completed within 28 seconds.
US07674565B2
A photoconductive having an overcoat layer that includes a cured or substantially crosslinked product of at least a melamine-formaldehyde resin and a charge transport compound, and an optional phenol compound.
US07674563B2
A phase shift mask manufacturing method comprises the steps of processing a light-shielding layer over a transparent substrate into a predetermined light-shielding pattern, forming a resist film on the predetermined light-shielding pattern, performing writing on the resist film based on writing data and developing the resist film, thereby forming a resist pattern, and etching an underlying layer using the predetermined light-shielding pattern and the resist pattern as a mask, thereby forming recesses, that serve as phase shift portions, in the underlying layer. The writing data includes a portion where pattern data corresponding to at least the two recesses adjacent to each other through a light-shielding portion in the predetermined light-shielding pattern are combined into one pattern data.
US07674561B2
A method of producing a mask blank has a resist film forming (resist coating) process of dispensing a resist solution containing a resist material and a solvent onto a square-like substrate, and rotating the substrate to spread the dispensed resist solution over the substrate and to dry the resist solution on the substrate, thereby forming a resist film on the substrate. While the substrate is rotated in the resist film forming (resist coating) process, an exhausting member performs an exhausting operation to cause an airflow along an upper surface of the substrate from the center of the substrate towards an outer peripheral portion of the substrate so that a puddle of the resist solution formed at a peripheral end portion of the substrate is prevented from being moved towards the center of the substrate by the rotation of the substrate.
US07674557B2
An electrode active material further comprising an amphoteric compound, an alkali metal sulfide or an alkali metal oxide, and lithium secondary batteries using the electrode active material, are disclosed. The lithium secondary batteries neutralize acids generating around electrode active material so that it can inhibit the reduction in battery capacity. In addition, the lithium secondary batteries are excellent in its charge-discharge characteristics, cycle life and thermal stability. A method for preparing the electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries is also provided.
US07674549B2
A fuel cell system is provided in which the amount of a reaction product discharged outside the system can be reduced, the reaction product, such as water, being formed by the electrochemical reaction of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell power generation apparatus and a fuel cartridge which is detachable from a fuel cell. The fuel cell power generation apparatus includes a case containing a fuel cell therein, an air intake port provided in the case, and an emitted material discharge port provided in the case. The air intake port and the emitted material discharge port are arranged in different positions of the case. The fuel cartridge includes a fuel storage unit storing fuel, a fuel supply port supplying the fuel to the fuel cell, and a removal unit which removes water discharged from the fuel cell.
US07674545B2
The invention relates to a new micro power cell applying the microfluidic-chip with multi-channel type. The streaming potential is the main thrust, which is created by Helmholtz-Smoluchowski's electrokinetic principle when electrolytic solution flows through a microchannel. The microfluidic-chip comprises an inflow port, a distributor, a multi-channel, a collector, an outflow port, and a pair of electrodes. The present invention could be applied to a new power source of clean energy.
US07674542B2
A fuel cell system includes a stack for generating electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, a fuel supply unit for supplying fuel to the stack, an air supply unit for supplying air to the stack, and a vaporizing unit connected with the stack and for vaporizing moisture discharged from the stack.
US07674538B2
Apparatus and method for operating a fuel cell system including a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer and close-coupled fuel cell stack by recycling anode syngas into the reformer in a range between 60% and 95% of the total syngas. At equilibrium conditions, oxygen required for reforming of hydrocarbon fuel is derived from endothermically reformed water and carbon dioxide in the syngas. Reforming temperature is between about 650° C. to 750° C. The stack exit temperature is about 800° C. to 880° C. such that the required endotherm can be provided by the sensible heat of the recycled syngas. The stack has approximately equal anode and cathode gas flows in opposite directions, resulting in cooling from both the anodes and cathodes.
US07674532B2
Security films that are useful for pharmaceutical packaging. In particular, anti-counterfeiting security films having a luminescent composition on or in a fluoropolymer layer, which luminescent composition luminesces upon the application of ultraviolet radiation in the 200 nm to 300 nm range, in which the luminescent component is optionally and preferably not viewable to the unaided eye. The films are particularly useful for the formation of anti-counterfeiting blister packaging in compliance with FDA regulations.
US07674526B2
This invention describes a process for producing a nanoscale zero-valent metal, including reduction of a metal ion solution with a dithionite compound, wherein the reduction is carried out under alkaline conditions under substantially an inert atmosphere. A nanoscale zero-valent metal obtainable by this process, and having a new crystalline form, is also described. The nanoscale zero-valent metal produced by the process of the invention is preferably iron, and is advantageously used for the remediation of contaminated water.
US07674522B2
The invention relates to wood fiber insulating material boards and mats, in which the wood fibers and the binder fibers are aligned three-dimensionally. The fleece of wood fibers and binder fibers can alternatively have synthetic resin granules scattered on it. Likewise, a woven fabric or a film can be applied to one or both sides. The product obtained in this way is heated in a heating/cooling oven, calibrated and/or compacted to the desired final thickness.
US07674508B2
A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes two components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-1) and (1-2), and the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds having a group represented by formulas (2-1) and (2-2): wherein R1 is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons; Z1 and Z2 are each independently a single bond or ethylene; X1 is independently fluorine, chlorine, OCF3 or OCF2H; Y1 is independently hydrogen or fluorine; and n is independently 1 or 2.
US07674506B2
There is provided a direct backlight type liquid crystal display device having high light diffusability, keeping excellent color and having high brightness.The direct backlight type liquid crystal display device comprises: a backlight source, a light diffusion sheet which may have a protective film on a surface thereof which faces the backlight source or both surfaces thereof as desired, a light ray adjusting film, and a liquid crystal panel, wherein the light diffusion sheet is formed from a composition comprising predetermined amounts of (C) at least one heat stabilizer (component C) selected from the group consisting of a phosphate compound (component C-1), a phosphate compound (component C-2) and a phosphonite compound (component C-3), (D) an ultraviolet absorber (component D) and (E) a fluorescent whitening agent (component E), based on 100 parts by weight of the total of (A) an aromatic polycarbonate resin (component A) and (B) polymeric fine particles (component B) having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 50 μm.
US07674502B2
The invention relates to a radiation-curable precious-metal preparation, in particular a bright-gold preparation, that contains—in addition to a gold compound, which in particular is soluble in the printing medium, and further customary organometallic compounds—a radiation-curable, in particular UV-curable, printing medium, the polymerisation being initiated by the UV radiation and proceeding in accordance with a cationic mechanism which may optionally be assisted by y process that takes place simultaneously in accordance with a radical mechanism. The invention also relates to a transfer picture containing the precious-metal preparation, and to a process for decorating substrates that are suitable for decoration firing by direct application/printing and indirect printing (decalcomania).
US07674496B2
The invention concerns a method for making granules which comprises coating, in a rotary drum, a core with at least a coating layer comprising at least of a solution and then drying the coated core, after each new coating. Drying is carried out in the rotary drum and comprises the following phases: mild drying by spraying a lukewarm gas stream corresponding to a temperature between 25° C. and 35° C.; strong drying by spraying a hot gas stream corresponding to a temperature between 40° C. and 50° C.; final drying by spraying a lukewarm gas stream corresponding to a temperature between 25° C. and 35° C. The invention is applicable in particular to granules for aromatic, cosmetic, food or dietetic use.
US07674478B2
The present invention is directed to a coated biomedical device said micelle having a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic inner core, or a hydrophobic outer shell and a hydrophilic inner core said micelle comprised of a block copolymer having a HLB value ranging from about 1 to about 40. The medical device may have one coating thereon or multiple coatings. The present invention is also directed to the use of the micelle as a drug carrier.
US07674461B2
The present invention relates to blocking the activity of IL-TIF polypeptide molecules. IL-TIF is a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes anti-IL-TIF antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-TIF using such antibodies and binding partners in IL-TIF-related human inflammatory diseases, amongst other uses disclosed.
US07674457B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing the neuroprotective effect of umbilical cord blood cells. More particularly, the present invention provides methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders by administering umbilical cord blood cells and a substance capable of permeabilizing the blood brain barrier. In one embodiment, the blood brain barrier permeabilizer is mannitol. In another embodiment, the blood brain barrier permeabilizer is Cereport.
US07674447B2
An electrical connection structure that is able to electrically connect wiring to a biopolymer, a production method of the electrical connection structure, and an electric wiring method which is able to perform wiring on a nanometer-scale. A first aspect of the production method of the present invention uses a carbon nanotube as an electrode, and makes the carbon nanotube contact the biopolymer. A second aspect of the production method applies electric current between the electrode and the biopolymer of the first aspect. The electrical connection structure of the present invention comprises at least the electrode formed by the carbon nanotube and the biopolymer, wherein the electrode is in contact with the biopolymer. In the electric wiring method of the present invention, the electrode formed by the carbon nanotube contacts the biopolymer to complete an electrical connection.
US07674443B1
A system involving a two-step gasification of a carbonaceous source to produce bulk hydrogen that avoids the early formation of CO2 and obviates the traditional water gas shift (WGSR) step, carbochlorination of a metallic ore the production of metals found in the ore that utilizes carbon monoxide as an oxygen sink, rather than the traditional coke, and carbon oxides management that eliminates major impediments to emission-neutral power generation and the reduction of major metals. The gasification uses a rotary kiln reactor and gas-gas cyclonic separation process to separate synthesis gas into purified hydrogen and purified carbon monoxide. Purified bulk carbon monoxide issued in metallurgical reduction, and purified bulk hydrogen as fuel for an emission-neutral hydrogen combined cycle (HCC) turbine power generation station. The carbochlorination is integrated with: a) the concurrent separation and purification of all metal-chlorides (metchlors) and capture of CO2 for passage to the carbon oxides management system; b) the direct reduction of metchlors to nanoscale metallurgical powders and/or to dendritically-shaped particles, including metchlor reduction for the ultrahigh-performance semiconductor metals of the III-V group; and, c) the reforming of metal-oxides with improved crystalline structure from metchlors. The carbon oxides management collects, stores and directs to points of usage, carbon oxides that arise in various processes of the integrated system, and captures carbon monoxide for process enhancement and economic uses and captures carbon dioxide as a process intermediate and for economic uses.
US07674442B2
Processes and compositions are provided for decreasing emissions of mercury upon combustion of fuels such as coal. Various sorbent compositions are provided that contain components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon burning of coal. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; are added partially to the fuel before combustion and partially into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone. In preferred embodiments, the sorbent compositions comprise a source of halogen and preferably a source of calcium. Among the halogens, iodine and bromine are preferred. In various embodiments, inorganic bromides make up a part of the sorbent compositions.
US07674437B2
An anion generating device includes an outer housing formed with air inlet and outlets as well as a heat exchanging space, a fan unit disposed in the heat exchanging space, an anion generator operable so as to generate anions near a discharge electrode unit thereof disposed between the air outlet of the outer housing and an air outlet of the fan unit, and a power control unit disposed in a receiving space in the outer housing for supplying electrical power to each of the fan unit and the anion generator by means of electrical energy converted from solar power by a solar power collecting plate mounted on a heat conductive top wall of the outer housing. The anions are impelled by air expelled by the fan unit to move outwardly of the outer housing via the air outlet of the outer housing.
US07674436B1
An indoor air purification system and method of same includes a case which removably attaches to an exhaust of cleaning equipment. An air purification chamber housed within the case includes an intake and exhaust wall and side walls, including a first side wall having an outside and inside surface. The intake and exhaust walls of the chamber are covered by aluminum metal mesh filters with a titanium dioxide coating. An ultraviolet-A blacklight blue is mounted to the inside surface of the first side wall of the chamber and includes an elongated u-shaped lamp for activating the titanium dioxide coating. An ultraviolet-C germicidal light for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation is mounted above the ultraviolet-A blacklight blue within the chamber and includes an elongated u-shaped lamp. A solid state high frequency electronic ballast powers and activates the lamps and converts voltage.
US07674427B2
By using a rare earth metal having a minimal content of impurity metal element, machining it into a member and cleaning with an organic acid-base capping agent, there is obtained a rare earth metal member composed entirely of a rare earth metal and containing not more than 100 ppm of impurity metal element in a sub-surface zone, which member is characterized by a high surface purity, a large grain size, minimized grain boundaries, and improved halogen resistance or corrosion resistance.
US07674424B2
The method and the device serve for the blow moulding of containers (2). Preforms (1) of a thermoplastic material are heated in the region of a heating path (24) and then transferred to a blowing device (25). The blowing device (25) is provided with at least one blowing station (3) for moulding the preforms (1) into the containers. The preforms (1) are retained along at least a section of the transport path thereof by a support element (46) which is at least partly loosely introduced into a mouth section (21) of the preform (1) and tightened in the mouth section (21) after the introduction thereof.
US07674422B2
A method and a system for forming a polymeric resin mold for molding plastic items, wherein the method includes: (a) using a rapid-prototyping process to create a polymeric resin shell having a configuration in the form of the mold; (b) introducing a reinforcing material into the shell; and (c) curing the shell. The system includes a rapid-prototyping apparatus that creates a plurality of the polymeric resin shells on a platform; a reinforcing material introduction apparatus that introduces a reinforcing material into each of the shells while the shells are on the platform to form a plurality of uncured molds on the platform; and a curing apparatus that cures the shells while they are on the platform.
US07674419B2
A method and apparatus for the making of an impression of a person's foot in foam to be used in the manufacture of orthotics comprising in combination a box of foam that will be deformed by the person's foot during the making of a foot impression, placed in foam box receptacle that is supported on a base and which can adjustably swivel or rotate so that the person's knee, ankle and foot will be put in a neutral position and when in use the person is placed in a seated position and a box of foam is placed in the receptacle and a strap assembly is used to exert a downward force on the person's lower leg, the strap being secured to a lever arm used to exert a downward pressure and engage with a block arm which correspondingly exerts a downward force on a block situated above the box of foam and which pushes the foot down into the foam and wherein the block is slideable transversely to the box of foam to align with the arch of the person's foot and to insure that the block exerts its downward pressure evenly and directly on the person's foot.
US07674417B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a window having at least one of a radio wave stealth property and an electromagnetic wave shield property comprising: a step for forming a thin-film composed of a conductive material on the surface of a transparent window member having a curved surface, and a step for forming the thin-film into a mesh shape. As a result, it is, possible to manufacture, at lower cost, a window having a radio wave stealth property that scatters radio waves in various directions so as not to be detected by radar, while transparency to visible light is improved, as well as a window having an electromagnetic wave shield property that effectively prevents harmful electromagnetic waves, except for visible radiation, from invasion into an aircraft.
US07674392B2
The present invention provides a method of fabricating a hinge. First, a wafer is provided, and a hinge region and at least two through regions are defined on the wafer. The wafer in the hinge region is partially removed from a bottom surface of the wafer. Subsequently, the wafer in the through regions is completely removed from a top surface of the wafer, and the hinge is formed. Thereafter, a wafer level test is performed on the hinge of the wafer. Next, an etching process is performed to adjust the shape of the hinge. According to the method of the present invention, the thickness of the hinge is no longer limited by the thickness of the wafer, and the hinge can accept the wafer level test.
US07674389B2
Methods of shape modifying a nanodevice by contacting it with a low-energy focused electron beam are disclosed here. In one embodiment, a nanodevice may be permanently reformed to a different geometry through an application of a deforming force and a low-energy focused electron beam. With the addition of an assist gas, material may be removed from the nanodevice through application of the low-energy focused electron beam. The independent methods of shape modification and material removal may be used either individually or simultaneously. Precision cuts with accuracies as high as 10 nm may be achieved through the use of precision low-energy Scanning Electron Microscope scan beams. These methods may be used in an automated system to produce nanodevices of very precise dimensions. These methods may be used to produce nanodevices of carbon-based, silicon-based, or other compositions by varying the assist gas.
US07674387B2
An oil filtration system includes three separate tanks. A first of these tanks is to receive oil from a wheel motor of the mining or construction vehicle. A second of these tanks is to receive the oil from the first tank after the oil in the first tank has been sufficiently heated so as to remove moisture therefrom. And, a third of these tanks is to receive the oil from the second tank after the oil has been sufficiently filtered so as to remove particles and debris therefrom. The third tank can hold the filtered oil therein until it is ready to be supplied back to the wheel motor.
US07674386B2
A slurry filtration system and apparatus with peripheral elements for conditioning a slurry prior to entry into a pressure filter (32) and the control of fluid and liquid introductions into the filter (32) to produce a desired filter cake or filtrate. The system includes a controller (16) for controlling the operation of the peripheral treatment for the introduction of coagulants, flocculants and polymers to treat or condition a slurry introduced into the filter (32) and the control of additional peripheral equipment for treatment of the slurry with liquid clearing or cake forming gas, steam, or drying or conditioning gas within the filter chamber (40) for the production of both filtrate and filter cake from the filter (32) to a form desired.
US07674379B2
Wastewater treatment systems and processes for removal of solids, pathogens, nitrogen, and phosphorus from municipal and agricultural wastewater include the simultaneous separation of solids and phosphorus from wastewater and industrial effluents.
US07674360B2
A lift mechanism for and a corresponding use of a magnetron in a plasma sputter reactor. A magnetron rotating about the target axis is controllably lifted away from the back of the target to compensate for sputter erosion, thereby maintaining a constant magnetic field and resultant plasma density at the sputtered surface, which is particularly important for stable operation with a small magnetron, for example, one executing circular or planetary motion about the target axis. The lift mechanism can include a lead screw axially fixed to the magnetron support shaft and a lead nut engaged therewith to raise the magnetron as the lead nut is turned. Alternatively, the support shaft is axially fixed to a vertically moving slider. The amount of lift may be controlled according a recipe based on accumulated power applied to the target or by monitoring electrical characteristics of the target.
US07674359B2
The invention relates to a cylindrical electrode for gas evolution comprising a non-activated conductive core whereto an easily detachable and replaceable component provided with catalytic activation is secured, for instance an undulated sheet or a mesh.
US07674357B2
There are provided: (1) a process for producing an InSbO4-containing transparent electroconductive film, which comprises the step of sputtering simultaneously: (i) a target (A) for sputtering, which comprises In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 0.9 to 1.1, and (ii) a target (B) for sputtering, which comprises Sb, (2) a transparent eletroconductive film, which contains In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 0.8 to 1.5, and (3) a target for sputtering, which contains In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 1.2 to 2.0.
US07674349B2
There is provided a method for continuous production of a functional membrane whereby a functional membrane in which a functional polymer is filled into the micropores of a porous resin sheet can be obtained both continuously and efficiently.The method for continuous production of a functional membrane of the present invention comprises a step for impregnating and depositing a polymer precursor having a functional group on a continuously conveyed porous resin sheet; a polymerization step for continuously feeding and bringing into contact first and second resin films to one side and the other side, respectively, of the precursor-impregnated/deposited sheet comprising the porous resin sheet into which the polymer precursor is impregnated and deposited, and polymerizing the polymer precursor in a state in which the sheet is sandwiched between the two resin films; a film peeling step; and a polymer removal step.
US07674348B2
When an air bag is prepared by laying a pair of silicone rubber-impregnated and/or coated base fabric pieces one on the other, with the coated surfaces of the pieces inside, and joining peripheral portions of the pieces together to form a bag, an addition curable silicone rubber composition which is loaded with aluminum hydroxide powder and cures into a silicone rubber having an elongation at break of at least 1000% is used as a sealer and applied to the peripheral portions of the base fabric pieces, thereby achieving improved adhesion therebetween.
US07674341B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for more thoroughly cleaning internal combustion engines, fuel systems and emission systems and that operate with reduced toxic emissions. The invention provides an apparatus that contains at least one vessel for receiving a cleaning fluid and an electrode in a cleaning fluid flow path configured to apply a charge to a cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluids are unique fuel derived products which do not contain detergents. The apparatus is unique in that it can provide any of several cleaning processes including a pre-combustion cleaning process, a post-combustion cleaning process or a combined pre-combustion and post-combustion cleaning process. The method is particularly effective at cleaning oxygen sensors in exhaust systems.
US07674339B2
The invention relates to a method of cleaning the surface of a material (4) that is coated with an organic substance. The inventive method is characterised in that it comprises the following steps, consisting in: introducing the material (4) into a treatment chamber (2), having a pressure of between 10 mbar and 1 bar therein, which is supplied with a gas stream containing at least 90 volume percent of oxygen; and generating a plasma by passing an electric discharge between the surface of the material and a dielectric-covered electrode (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) in order to break down the organic substance under the action of the free radicals O thus produced. The invention also relates to an installation (1) that is used to carry out said method.
US07674337B2
The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparatus for epitaxial film formation that includes an epitaxial chamber adapted to form an epitaxial layer on a substrate; a deposition gas manifold adapted to supply at least one deposition gas and a carrier gas to the epitaxial chamber; and an etchant gas manifold, separate from the deposition gas manifold, and adapted to supply at least one etchant gas and a carrier gas to the epitaxial chamber. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.
US07674332B2
An embodiment of the present invention includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing an extended settable composition comprising hydraulic cement, cement kiln dust, water, and a set retarding additive, wherein the extended settable composition is capable of remaining in a pumpable fluid state for at least about 1 day; adding a cement set accelerator to the extended settable composition; introducing the extended settable composition into a well bore; and allowing the extended settable composition to set. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing an extended settable composition comprising hydraulic cement, cement kiln dust, water, and a set retarding additive; storing the extended settable composition; adding a cement set accelerator to the extended settable composition; introducing the extended settable composition into a well bore; and allowing the extended settable composition to set.
US07674330B2
An ink used in an ink-jet recording process in which ink droplets are ejected from a recording head by the action of thermal energy to record images on a recording medium; the ink containing at least (a) a pigment, (b) a dispersing agent, (c) a liquid medium and (d) an alkali metal salt of a malonic acid derivative, represented by the following Formula (1): wherein R represents an alkyl group, and M represents an alkali metal.
US07674328B2
A dye-based ink includes a dye and a solvent. The dye-based ink has a high print quality on plain paper. The dye-based ink may have a print quality similar to pigment-based inks. This may be particularly relevant for black inks.
US07674325B2
An absorber (110) in a gas treatment plant (100) produces a rich solvent (116) that is flashed to produce flashed rich solvent (134D) and recycle gas (132D), wherein the recycle gas (132D) is not mixed with the absorber feed gas (112) as commonly practiced, but mixed with the rich solvent (116). Such configurations exhibit superior rich solvent loading, thereby reducing solvent circulation. Further contemplated gas treatment plants (100)may also include a regenerator (150) in which carbon dioxide from atmospheric flashed vapor (142) of the rich solvent (144) is employed as a stripping gas in a regenerator (150) to strip hydrogen sulfide from the rich solvent (144), and wherein sweet gas (114) is employed to strip the carbon dioxide from the rich solvent (144).
US07674323B2
An apparatus for filtering particulate matter from a gas. The apparatus includes at least one tube with a substantially axially located ionizer structure, and a fan for propelling the gas through the at least one tube. The ionizer structure includes a flat blade extending axially along at least a substantial part of the tube and having a saw tooth shape with a high number of sharp teeth placed regularly along the blade edges. The blade is twisted about its own longitudinal centerline to provide rotation for a gas stream flowing along the tube.
US07674317B2
A method of using scrap rubber and other scrap materials, such as tires or parts or pieces of tires, to manufacture or melt steel and other metals in a furnace is disclosed. The scrap rubber may be used as a carbon source for the manufacture of steel and other metals, and may be used as an energy source to melt the scrap metal used to make the steel and other metals. The net benefit of this method includes reducing the amount of scrap rubber, such as tires, to be sent to a waste disposal facility or landfill, thereby improving the environment. In addition, by increasing the use of scrap rubber as a source of energy for steel or metal production, less energy is required from other sources.
US07674316B2
A hearth material is laid in the form of a layer on the hearth prior to supply of a mixture containing a carbonaceous reducing agent and iron oxides onto a hearth of a reduction melting furnace, thereby forming a renewable hearth capable of being renewed, and the metallic iron is produced while renewing a part or the whole of the renewable hearth, which has deteriorated during operation, with the hearth material.
US07674315B2
A metallurgical process involves providing an ingredient enclosure and placing a plurality of granules of a first material in the ingredient enclosure. The first material contains a first ingredient in a metallurgical process. A metallurgical process furnace having a chamber in which ingredients for the metallurgical process are added is provided and the ingredient enclosure and the first material are added to the chamber. The chamber is heated after the addition of the ingredient enclosure and the first material to the chamber, although it may also be heated prior to such addition. In one form, the granules comprise mill scale and the metallurgical process furnace is a blast furnace.
US07674314B2
Agglomerates with a carbonaceous material incorporated therein and a process for producing reduced metal using the agglomerates are provided. The agglomerates are prepared with high-VM coal, which is widely and abundantly produced and is less expensive, and they provide high strength after reduction without the need for finer metal oxide particles. The agglomerates are made of a carbonaceous material and a raw material to be reduced that contains a metal oxide, such as iron ore. The carbonaceous material used is a high-VM coal containing 35% or more by mass of volatile matter. The agglomerates are formed at a pressure of at least 2 t/cm2 so that the porosity thereof is reduced to 35% or less. The reduction in porosity is effective in promoting heat transfer inside the agglomerates in a rotary hearth furnace in a high-temperature reduction step so that the sintering of reduced metal proceeds efficiently in the overall regions of the agglomerates to produce a reduced metal having high crushing strength.
US07674311B2
A method is provided for manufacturing a liquid nitrogen fertilizer from organic wastes and manures, in which nitrogen is extracted as an aqueous ammonia, and further concentrated, and eventually converted to nitrate in a biological reactor. The method may utilize nitrogen rich organic wastes and manures, such as wastewater sludge, slaughter house wastes, broiler layer, and guano, and it is especially suitable for providing a nitrogen fertilizer in organic farming.
US07674302B1
A method of manufacturing carpet provides for an old art dyeing effect. Specifically, acid and cationic dyes are provided in a solution to a carpet tufted with cationic and acid dye fibers. The carpet is preferably tufted in such a way that there is a relative scarcity of one of the cationic and acid dye fibers at a first width. An abundance of the other dye accumulates in higher concentration than in surrounding areas at the first width. This higher concentration tends to diffuse and/or be moved by other mechanisms to the surrounding areas or widths where the dye attaches to appropriate contacts. This creates at least one of the dark band, a fade and/or a old art dye effect at that location. By precisely controlling the carpet fiber location at the upper surface, the dye solution and the dyeing process, fades and other process can be precisely controlled for repeatable performance as has not been experienced in the prior art.
US07674297B2
A spinal fusion system includes a cage with a fillable volume and removable locking gate, thereby enabling the fillable volume to be packed with graft, biologic or other materials prior to the gate being closed and locked. In the preferred embodiment, the locking gate is positioned anteriorally, though lateral, posterior, and combinations thereof are also possible. The cage is preferably radiolucent, being composed of a carbon fiber, but with one or more radiopaque markers to provide a certain degree of visualization. Some or all of the walls of the cage may include superior and/or inferior surface features to enhance positioning and/or minimize back-out, and the posterior wall may be indented to prevent neurocompression. The sidewalls of the cage may further include a recessed face with nipple indents and locking fasteners. According to a system aspect of the invention, multiple cages are provided, each being shaped differently for use at different spinal levels. For example, the cage may be larger and more trapezoidally-pronounced for the L5-S1 levels, or smaller and less trapezoidally pronounced for the T and L2 levels. The system may further including an implant introducer instrument geometrically matched to the cage, and the matched implant introducer instruments and cages may be color-coded to expedite the procedure.
US07674296B2
The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US07674295B2
A vertebral defect device includes a housing having a convexly tapered distal end, a convexly tapered proximal end, a top, a bottom, an anterior side, a posterior side and an outer surface having generally rounded edges thereby facilitating insertion into an intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebrae. The length of the housing as measured from the distal end to the proximal end is greater than the width of the housing as measured between the anterior and posterior sides and is greater than the height of the housing as measured between the top and bottom.
US07674292B2
Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes an insertion plate comprising a base, a first mounting element of the base operable to engage a first member of an intervertebral disc replacement device and a second mounting element of the base operable to engage a second member of the intervertebral disc replacement device, the first and second mounting elements cooperating to engage and orient the first and second members of the intervertebral disc replacement device for simultaneous insertion into an intervertebral disc space of a spinal column. The invention also comprises a method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column, comprising the steps of removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column and simultaneously inserting first and second members of an intervertebral disc replacement device into an intervertebral disc space of the spinal column, the first and second members being engageable with and operable to permit adjacent vertebral bones defining the intervertebral disc space to articulate with respect to one another, and the first and second members being detachably coupled to an insertion plate that is operable to orient the first and second members with respect to one another for such insertion.
US07674290B2
A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
US07674284B2
An endoluminal graft includes a unitary tube of graft material forming two adjacent legs that are integral and monolithic to each other. The graft can be part of a prosthesis assembly for treatment of branched vascular systems and can function as an integral bifurcated leg extension prosthesis in combination with a main bifurcated prosthesis. In treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, the graft can be deployed within both iliac arteries.
US07674278B2
An apparatus and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces is provided. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted using a wafer insertion apparatus between the two tissue surfaces to create a column of wafers. A detachable wafer assembly is provided that includes a base wafer initially associated with a track assembly of a wafer insertion apparatus. The base wafer is dislodged from the track assembly so that the base wafer is left within the distraction site as the track assembly is removed. A top cap wafer is provided that is situated at the top of the wafer stack, in which the top cap wafer is larger than the remaining wafers to form a gap surrounding the stack to receive biologic material.
US07674262B2
A high-frequency treatment tool for an endoscope including a flexible sheath being made of electrically insulating material to be inserted through an insertion channel of the endoscope, a conductive operation wire, which is adapted to be advanced and retracted inside the flexible sheath, and a partially elongated electrode being arranged at a distal end of the high-frequency treatment tool separately from the operation wire, to which high-frequency electrical current is supplied for high-frequency treatment, is provided. The electrode is adapted to be protruded and retracted in an axial direction thereof from the distal end of the high-frequency treatment tool by an operation to the operation wire. The electrode is allowed to be removed from the high-frequency treatment tool independently from the operation wire.
US07674260B2
A method and system for achieving hemostasis (the stoppage of bleeding) is described. RF (radio frequency) energy is used to ablate the surface of tissue to stop bleeding. The depth of destruction of the tissue can be controlled so as to desiccate and coagulate the tissue. In one implementation, an electrode carrier including bipolar electrodes is applied to the tissue, and RF energy transmitted through the bipolar electrodes to ablate the tissue. A layer of desiccated tissue can be created as well as coagulation of the tissue to achieve hemostasis.
US07674259B2
A surgical instrument for thermally-mediated therapies in targeted tissue volumes and for causing thermal effects in polymer tissue-contacting members. In one embodiment, the instrument has a working end with an interior chamber that is supplied with a biocompatible liquid. An energy source causes a liquid-to-vapor phase change within the interior of the instrument. The vapor phase media then is ejected from the working surface of the instrument, and a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue applies thermal energy substantially equal to the heat of vaporization to ablate tissue. The vapor-to-liquid phase transitions, or internal energy releases, can be provided about thin-film flexible structures for engaging body lumens and cavities. An exemplary embodiment can be used for shrinking, sealing, welding or creating lesions in tissue—while causing limited collateral thermal damage and while totally eliminating electrical current flow in the engaged tissue.
US07674257B2
A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.
US07674255B2
A surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft to the distal end portion of which an instrument head is linked so as to be inclinable, in which instrument head, in turn, an effector including at least one pivotable engaging element is rotatably supported. The instrument handle comprises a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms designed for operating the instrument head and/or the effector. One of the manipulators consists of an operating element in the form of a rotary knob with respect to its function, the operating element being rotatably supported on the instrument handle.
US07674254B2
A connector (10) is provided for sterile connection to a complementary connector (12). The connector (10) has a housing (14) with an engagement device (16) to engage a complementary engagement device (18) of the complementary connector (12) along an engagement direction (44). The connector (10) is displaceable relative to the complementary connector (12) along the engagement direction (44) after the engagement device (16) engages the complementary engagement device (18). The housing (14) has a feed-through opening (24) for receiving a sensor (34) and a cover (22). The cover (22) is displaced relative to the connector (10) along the engagement direction (44) to close the feed-through opening (24) in a sterile manner. The connector (10) also has a sterile sensor (34) that is movable along a sensor displacement direction (52) that differs from the engagement direction (44).
US07674234B2
The present invention provides a cervical collar with a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism. The rack moves a chin support member, which raises and lowers a chin piece. Independently, the present invention provides methods and mechanisms in which the chin support can angulate independently of the collar body. Such angulation is preferably accomplish by pivotally supporting the chin piece on the racks, or on the left and right chin support pieces. Thus, in a preferred class of embodiments, the collar has a pivot for the chin support pieces relative to the collar body, and an other pivot for the chin piece relative to the chin support pieces.
US07674231B2
An apparatus and methods for performing a circulatory measurement on an extremity, such as a hand, of a subject. The circulatory measurement results in the derivation of an output circulatory metric that may encompass blood pressure or various other circulatory metrics. An indicator of an input circulatory metric at a locus on the extremity is measured, such as a pulse transit time, and calibrated to account for the hydrostatic component of blood pressure arising due to vertical displacement of the extremity with respect to the heart.
US07674222B2
Devices and methods are described herein which are directed to the treatment of a patient's heart having, or one which is susceptible to heart failure, to improve diastolic function.
US07674214B2
The invention relates to methods and an apparatus used to lift a barbell. In some embodiments, the invention relates to an apparatus having a centralized handle and opposing hooks extending away from and attached to opposing ends of said handle. In other embodiments, the invention relates to methods for attaching said hooks to a barbell to assist in the performance of weight-bearing exercise and lifting.
US07674208B2
An apparatus and method for changing barbell weights. The apparatus includes at least one stand having a ramp sloping upwards to a first cradle and a second cradle. The first cradle is sized to hold a circular barbell weight. The height of the first cradle exceeds the height of the second cradle by at least the difference between a weight bore diameter and a bar diameter. When a barbell is supported in the stand, only an innermost weight at each barbell end rests against the cradle floor; the other weights all depend from the bar and are easily slid off of, and onto, the bar. Method steps include rolling the barbell onto one or more stands, changing weights as desired, and rolling the barbell off of the stand(s).
US07674207B1
A coupling assembly is adapted to removably couple an associated bucket to an associated foot of a user. The coupling assembly includes a lower component. The lower component is adapted to encompass an associated bucket. The coupling assembly also includes an upper component. The upper component is formed as a strap. The upper component is adapted to couple with respect to a foot of a user. The coupling assembly also includes an intermediate component. The intermediate component is formed as a plurality of vertical straps. The straps couple the upper and lower components.
US07674204B2
A control device for an automatic gearbox, coupled to the engine or a motor vehicle, by a torque converter, including a locking device for a fixed connection of the output shaft of the engine to the input shaft of the automatic gearbox, to produce a lock-up and conversely to release the lock-up. The device further includes an engine control unit, for providing an order for the engine, such as a demand for torque, and a control unit for the gearbox for transmitting to the engine control unit an order such as a torque request. The gearbox control unit may transmit to the engine control unit a torque request as a function of slip and the torque value as demanded by the driver of the vehicle such that the speed of the engine may approach the speed of a turbine of the torque converter so that a lock-up or lock-up release can be carried out.
US07674203B2
Method of operating a drivetrain, comprising at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving a speed of successive upshifts or successive downshifts in an overlap manner so that, during a first upshift or downshift, at least one shift element, required for a subsequent second upshift or downshift, is prepared during the first upshift or downshift and, when a synchronization point is reached, the subsequent second upshift or downshift can be carried out immediately. Two successive respective upshifts or downshifts can be carried out as an overlapping single shift by actuating first, second and third shift elements. Implementing the first and the second upshifts or downshifts so that actuation of the second shift element, from the first upshift or downshift to the subsequent second upshift or downshift, occurs via a minimum selection of a first alternative or by a maximum selection of a second alternative.
US07674197B2
A continuously variable transmission driven-pulley cam having a third cam surface which decreases the travel distance of the roller preventing the drive belt from dropping to a lower radius, thus preventing the transmission from going into a higher gear ratio upon inversion of torque transmitted to the driven pulley. The cam further includes a locking surface which prevents the roller from travelling axially to the cam, thus prevents the inner sheave from moving away from the outer sheave when the driven pulley is operating in the reverse direction. A continuously variable transmission driven-pulley cam roller assembly includes an inner roller and an outer roller wherein the diameters of the inner and outer rollers are different.
US07674171B2
Products and processes are disclosed for receiving a lottery record associated with a sale of a lottery ticket. The lottery record includes a plurality of lottery numbers, and a condition for creating at least one entry that includes the lottery numbers in a lottery drawing. It is determined if the condition is satisfied. The at least one entry in the lottery drawing is created only if the condition satisfied.
US07674166B2
The present invention provides a server device for net games which can improve the excitement of watching net games. The lobby server 13 transmits the game watching information to watch a game which a user to be a player plays using the client computer 2A to the client computer 2B of another member to be a spectator of this game, and receives a message transmitted from the client computer 2B of one spectator, and transmits the received message to the client computer 2B of the other spectator.
US07674164B2
An air-conditioning system for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The air-conditioning system includes an air-treatment unit and with a series of ventilation outlets distributed inside the passenger compartment and connected to the air-treatment unit. Some of the ventilation outlets are mounted on the side surface of a tubular body, which is set in a bottom portion of the passenger compartment. An internal pipe communicates with the air-treatment unit, and is mounted to oscillate about a longitudinal axis thereof.
US07674163B2
A fillet board for filleting fish having spines or horns on their pectoral fins extending outwardly from the sides of the fish body. The board defines apertures each sized to receive the horn of a fish laid flat on one side with the horn secured by the board. A plurality of apertures are sized and spaced along a portion of the length of the board to accommodate fish of different sizes. The fillet board has a spacer element to elevate the board above a supporting surface to provide clearance for fish horns to extend below the board. The fillet board includes a tail clamp for securing the tail of a fish.
US07674162B1
An apparatus for spitting whole poultry mid-wing sections into a first radius portion that includes the radius bone of the mid-wing and its surrounding muscle, tissue, and skin and a second ulna portion that includes the ulna bone of the mid-wing and its surrounding muscle, tissue, and skin. The apparatus is provided with a rotatably driven carrier wheel having a plurality of product carrier slots formed therein for accepting mid-wings and moving them along a predetermined arcuate path. A splitting blade is mounted in the arcuate path for engaging and splitting the mid-wings into the desired portions. The apparatus is additionally provided with a retention fender for preventing mid-wings from exiting the carrier slots while the mid-wings are being split, and an ejector comb for forcing the mid-wings out of the carrier slots after they have been split.
US07674161B2
A method and apparatus for tenderizing meat by electrical stimulation is characterized by a portable device supplying an electrical current through an electrode or electrodes.
US07674159B1
A board for opening an oyster has a cradle consisting of a support wall and a cradle portion sloping upwardly therefrom. The outer wall supports and anchors first end portions of the oyster which rest in abutment against, while the second end portions are disposed and elevated slightly on the cradle portion for opening of the oyster at the second end portions.
US07674157B2
In effecting two-sided surface grinding for surface-grinding the opposite surfaces of a workpiece simultaneously by a pair of oppositely disposed grinding wheels, infeed grinding is performed by oscillating the workpiece within the range where the surfaces to be ground of the workpiece do not protrude from the inner and outer peripheries of the grinding wheel surfaces of the grinding wheels, and then through-grinding is performed by feeding the workpiece to allow the surfaces to be ground to pass along the inner and outer peripheries of the grinding wheel surfaces. As an effect, worn wheel edges or the like can be prevented from being formed in the inner and outer peripheral edges, that grinding wheel surfaces can be maintained in proper shape for a prolonged time, that the grinding accuracy is better, and that dress interval can be prolonged, thus improving the life of grinding wheels.
US07674150B2
A toy. The toy includes a body and a plurality of tethers moveably coupled to the body. The toy also includes a corresponding plurality of tethered pieces coupled to the plurality of tethers and moveable between a retracted state in which the plurality of tethers hold the tethered pieces proximate the body and an extended state in which the plurality of tethers hold the tethered pieces away from the body. A triggering mechanism operatively is adapted to move the plurality of tethered pieces from the retracted state to the extended state responsive to a triggering event.
US07674146B2
A propeller thrust transmission device includes a taper portion of a propeller shaft that is fitted in a spacer divided into a first half and a second half. A thrust force acting on a propeller is received by the taper portion of the propeller shaft through the spacer. The first half includes a taper hole having an inner surface which corresponds in shape to an outer surface of the taper portion and in which the taper portion is fitted. The second half has a smaller diameter portion extending from one side of a ring-shaped wall portion closer to the propeller and fitted in a hole of an attachment device spaced from the propeller shaft, and a larger diameter portion extending from the other side of the ring-shaped wall portion and fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the first half.
US07674136B2
Modular electrical jack connector system comprising at least one jack connector housing and at least one therein inserted jack connector subassembly wherein each jack connector housing comprises a front coupling side having at least two openings which openings are disposed one above the other to receive a variety of electrical plug connectors through the front coupling side and an oppositely disposed rear side for insertion of at least one jack connector subassembly wherein further each jack connector subassembly comprises a longitudinal strip-like carrier having a substantially right-angled profile and further on the upper side and on the lower side respectively a series of extrusion-coated or injection-molded jack terminals which at a front end of the strip-like carrier form uncoated, bent-back cantilevered contact portions.
US07674128B2
The present invention improves reliability of an in-vehicle electronic device against corrosive gases. A trapping agent that has trap performances (adsorptive performance, suction performance, absorption performance, chemical reactivity, etc.) that are higher than that of water vapor with respect to corrosive gases other than water vapor is held within a connector having a terminal that is insert-molded in a case housing an electronic circuit. Here, the trapping agent may be held in a counterpart connector of the connector integrally formed in the case.
US07674120B2
A hand held electronic device, such as a flash memory drive, includes a mechanism for extending and withdrawing a connector, such as a USB plug, that is adapted for engaging a mating connector of a host device. A positive latch holds the connector with respect to an outer shell when in the extended and withdrawn positions. Movement of a separate housing portion unlatches the connector and outer shell, and also provides movement of the connector. A protective door closes over a connector opening when the connector is withdrawn into the device, and the door is withdrawn into the device when the connector is extended, thereby not interfering with the extended connector.
US07674112B2
Embodiments of resilient contact elements and methods for fabricating same are provided herein. In one embodiment, a resilient contact element for use in a probe card includes a lithographically formed resilient beam having a first end and an opposing second end; and a tip disposed proximate the first end of the beam and configured to break through an oxide layer of a surface of a device to be tested to establish a reliable electrical connection therewith; wherein at least a central portion of the beam has a continuous sloped profile defining, in a relaxed state, a height measured between the beam and a plane representing an upper surface of a device to be tested that is greater near the second end of the beam than near the first end of the beam.
US07674110B2
Low profile self-ligating orthodontic brackets and methods of using such orthodontic brackets. The bracket includes a bracket body, a latching member, and a hinge pin pivotally coupling a hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body. The hinge pin, which is made of a resilient material, is configured to flex so that a portion of the latching member can be engaged with a recess defined in the bracket body to couple the non-hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body.
US07674104B2
A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a mold having a pattern to be transferred to the workpiece, with the pattern including recesses, a first support member for supporting the mold, and a second support member, arranged opposite to the first support member, for supporting the workpiece. A pressing mechanism brings the first and second support members close to each other and presses the mold and the workpiece together so as to transfer, to the workpiece, the pattern on the mold. Recessed portions are provided on at least one of a surface of the mold on the first support member side, a region of the first support member, and a region of the second support member. The recessed portions correspond to recesses in the pattern of the mold.
US07674103B2
Durable seamless replication tools are disclosed for replication of seamless relief patterns in desired media, for example in optical recording or data storage media. Methods of making such durable replication tools are disclosed, including preparing a recording substrate on the inner surface of a support cylinder, recording and developing a relief pattern in the substrate, creating a durable negative relief replica of the pattern, extracting the resulting durable tool sleeve from a processing cell, and mounting the tool sleeve on a mounting fixture. Apparatus are disclosed for fabricating such seamless replication tools, including systems for recording a desired relief pattern on a photosensitive layer on an inner surface of a support cylinder. Also disclosed are electrodeposition cells for forming a durable tool sleeve having a desired relief pattern. The replication tool relief features may have critical dimensions down to the micron and nanometer regime.
US07674102B2
An extruder system and a cutting assembly for cutting a material extruded from an extruder plate.
US07674100B2
A pump is formed by a housing (10) having an inlet (11) for connection to a source of fluid and an outlet (12) for pumped fluid. A rotor (15) is rotatable within the housing and the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) are spaced apart around the path of the rotor (15) in the housing. The rotor (15) has surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) that form, with the housing (10), closed chambers (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) which travel around the housing (10) to convey fluid from the inlet (11) to the outlet (12). The housing (10) carries a seal (14) that is located between the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) in the direction of travel of the rotor (15). The seal (14) co-operates with the rotor surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) as the surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) pass between the outlet (12) and the inlet (11) to prevent the formation of a chamber during said passage and so prevent fluid flow from the outlet (12) to the inlet (11). Such a pump is easily and cheaply produced and is particularly useful in medical applications.
US07674084B2
A system is used with a boom pivoted on a frame about a horizontal pivot axis between raised and lowered positions by a first fluid ram joining the frame and the boom. A releasable locking mechanism locks the boom relative to the frame to prevent pivotal movement of the boom about its horizontal pivot axis. A second fluid ram is disposed between the frame and the boom, the second fluid ram compressed between the frame and the boom when the boom is adjacent the raised position, but prior to the boom achieving a latched position substantially coinciding with the raised position. A fluid circuit of the second fluid ram has two selectable pressure levels. The first level substantially prevents the boom from achieving the latched position, the second level permits the boom to achieve the latched position while providing fluid cushioning to dissipate impact forces between the boom and frame.
US07674077B2
A method of transporting tuberous vegetables from a storage facility that is remote from a processing facility to a processing facility includes providing a pipeline from the storage facility to the processing facility. A sufficient amount of water is continuously fed into a pump inlet along with a continuous selected amount of tuberous vegetables such that a pump, located proximate the storage facility, forces the water along with the tuberous vegetables through the pipeline and discharges the water and tuberous vegetables to the processing facility where the processing facility separates the water from the tuberous vegetables.
US07674074B2
The present invention discloses a vortex induced vibration inhibitor (“VIVI”) comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having an elongated opening defined by locking edges. The housing is operable between an open and a closed position. Connecting assemblies include barbed connector pins received in grooved housings. Connector slots are provided in the connector and receptor housings. Retainer pins provide for release of connecting assemblies. Spacers are provided to limit movement of the housing in relation to the surrounded structure. An alignment stub is provided.
US07674073B2
A concrete section of an offshore platform substructure comprises a concrete body with a central opening and at least one guidepost hole extending through a height of the concrete body, wherein a width of the concrete body is greater than the height. An offshore platform substructure comprises a base portion resting on the ocean floor, and a plurality of concrete support sections stacked one on top of another on the base portion. A method of assembling an offshore platform with a concrete substructure comprises locating a guidepost in the ocean floor at a well site, towing a plurality of concrete sections to the well site, sequentially engaging each of the plurality of concrete sections with the guidepost, and sequentially sinking each of the plurality of concrete sections, thereby forming a stack of concrete sections on the ocean floor.
US07674062B2
The invention relates to a ring binder mechanism comprising a housing (10) for receiving two carrier rails (20), wherein the carrier rails are positioned adjacent one another with at least a portion of their inner longitudinal edges (23) facing each other to form a linkage axis (22) and at least a portion of their outer longitudinal edges (24) engaging the housing (10). The carrier rails (20) have at least two half-rings (16) rigidly connected with the carrier rails, which together form a ring (14). The carrier rails (20) are limitedly pivotable relative to each other about the linkage axis (22), taking along the half-rings (16), between an open position and a closed position. A locking rod (31) having at least one locking element (32) is movable parallel to the linkage axis (22) relative to the housing (10) and the carrier rails (20) via an actuating element (18). The locking rod is provided adjacent the bottom or exterior surface of the carrier rails (i.e. the surface facing away from the housing). The locking element (32) engages a portion of the carrier rails and blocks the pivot path of the carrier rails (20) in the closed position. Abutments or bearings are provided on the carrier rails (20) or on the housing flanks (28) for receiving locking forces, against which the locking element (32) is supported in the closed position.
US07674058B2
A wipe includes a substrate with a pouch configured on an application side thereof. An access opening is provided into an internal space of the pouch. A composition delivered by the wipe upon use of the product is stored in a container that is inserted into the pouch through the access opening. Upon use of the wipe, the container within the pouch releases the composition, which is delivered through the pouch for application by the wipe.
US07674057B2
An image forming apparatus includes a cover member that is capable of being opened and closed, wherein the cover member includes a discharge tray that is capable of holding printed recording medium, and an automatic document reader that is provided above the discharge tray, wherein when the cover member is opened to a predetermined position, the automatic document reader supports the printed recording medium placed on the discharge tray so that the printed recording medium does not fall therefrom when the cover member is open.
US07674048B2
A polarity checking apparatus for multi-fiber connectors includes a body, a diverging lens attached to the body and a screen attached to the body, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine test and/or determine polarity of the multi-fiber connector. The screen may be translucent or may be opaque in part and rotatable for checking whether a signal is being transmitted on an individual optical fiber position of the multi-fiber connector. The invention is also directed to a method for checking the polarity of an optical assembly.
US07674040B2
A reclosable bag having two spaced-apart flexible closures and external finger guide ridges and/or pressure distribution ridges to facilitate their closure. The ridges lie in a region between the double closures and they extend generally parallel to each other and to the closures when the bag is in an empty and flat state. The pressure distribution ridges improve the finger pressure distribution by moving the applied forces closer to the closure profiles. When used in conjunction with external finger guide ridges, the pressure distribution ridges also improve the bearing surface of the external finger guide ridges with the thumb and forefinger of the person closing the bag.
US07674038B2
To measure and regulate temperature, a temperature measuring resistor and a control element are accommodated in one layer as metallization on a substrate. The printed or otherwise manufactured conductors of the temperature measuring resistor and of the control element are arranged in close proximity to one another.
US07674032B2
An apparatus (10) for surface treating particulate material (M) with surface treatment particles (S) includes a substantially cylindrical body (12) having a top (18), bottom (16) and sidewall (14). A mixing chamber (42) is defined within the body (12). At least one injector inlet (36) and at least one process air inlet (32) are in communication with the mixing chamber (42). At least one outlet (34) is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (42).
US07674026B2
A vehicle lamp can include LEDs configured to be a light source of the lamp, where the LEDs can be controlled to be turned on in part or in whole for a predetermined period and in a configuration that is different from the originally intended display purpose configuration of the lamp. The configuration can be controlled to be different when the vehicle is stopped and when a driver (or other person) initiates a predetermined operation on the vehicle. Contents such as color and pattern that are displayed by the LEDs on this occasion can be different from the contents associated with the original display purpose configuration of the vehicle lamp, resulting in an additional new display function, and new design.
US07674017B2
An optical module according to the present invention comprises an electric wiring substrate, a first optical element mounted on the electric wiring substrate so that a heat generation section of the first optical element is positioned relatively close to a substrate surface of the electric wiring substrate and a heat sink mounted on the same plane as the mounting plane of the first optical element on the electric wiring substrate, the heat sink being mounted on the electric wiring substrate so that an area of electric wiring on the electric wiring substrate overlaps the heat sink. This improves the efficiency of heat radiation of the optical module.
US07674002B1
Portable solar powered light sources, devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching and using the light source. The light sources can have a single small housing having an upper roof portion with an exposed solar cell, a photocell activator, and small housing. The housing can have two parts that pivot with one another so that a front end of the housing can be biased together by a spring, and the rear side having edges that are spaced apart. An operator can press the rear spaced apart edges together, to open the front end to slide about a support structure, such as an open umbrella fabric edge. The housing allows for the light source powered by batteries to be activated by the photocell during dark(night) conditions), with the light direction being adjustable underneath. During daylight, the solar cell receives sunlight to charge the batteries within the housing.
US07674001B1
The present invention is for an apparatus and method for using a special effects drinking lid which can be used to create movement in a moveable object, produce light, and/or produce a distinctive aroma or odor from a drinking container lid. The special effects drinking lid comprises: a container lid; a straw hole; an attaching means for connecting said container lid to a drinking container; an electrical circuit assembly; at least one activating mechanism for triggering at least one special effect; said activating mechanism is connected to said special effects; and said special effects are connected to said container lid.
US07673998B2
An enclosure assembly allows a hinge bracket to realize establishment of the opened attitude or the closed attitude of a second enclosure relative to a first enclosure. The second enclosure rotates relative to the hinge bracket around the second rotation axis. The second enclosure in this manner changes its attitude relative to the first enclosure. The hinge bracket stays where it is. The hinge bracket does not rotate. The position of the light sources is thus kept unchanged. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the second enclosure around the second rotation axis. The enclosure for an electronic apparatus is thus allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. This leads to an enhanced appearance of the electronic apparatus.
US07673990B2
An individual eyeglass lens in which the vertical distance from the near reference point to the far distance point amounts to max. 18 millimeters, the progressive length is max. 14 millimeters, the main progressive length is max. 10 millimeters and the increase in refractive index, starting from the effect of the eyeglass lens at the far reference point up to a point 2 millimeters below the centering point amounts to less than 10% of the addition. The progressive length corresponds essentially to the vertical distance between the far reference point and a point essentially on the main line at which, starting from the far reference point, the value of the effect of the eyeglass lens corresponding the first time essentially to the near value.
US07673987B2
A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.
US07673986B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a belt transporting apparatus, a nip roller nipping a recording medium in cooperation with an outer peripheral face of a transport belt at a predetermined position, a nip-roller moving mechanism, an inkjet head, an applying unit which applies cleaning fluid to the outer peripheral face, a blade which is in contact with the outer peripheral face on a downstream side of a position where the cleaning fluid is applied to the outer peripheral face to scrape off the cleaning fluid and ink that adhere to the outer peripheral face, a travel controlling unit which controls the transport belt driving unit to cause the transport belt to travel, and a nip-roller movement controlling unit which causes the nip roller to be contacted with the outer peripheral face after an initial contact place passes the predetermined position.
US07673983B2
An inkjet printer containing a print zone and an inkjet printhead for printing on a substrate in the print zone, a supply unit for storing and delivering the substrate for printing, and a transport unit for transporting the substrate from the supply unit to the print zone, in which printer the supply unit contains a number of substrate holders, each holding a roll on which a substrate web is wound, each substrate holder being operatively connected to a sensor for detecting the end of the web in the substrate holder corresponding to that sensor, wherein the transport unit includes a first transport means for engaging and transporting the substrate emerging from the supply unit, a downstream, second transport means for further transporting the substrate and positioning the same in the print zone, and a guide element rotatably disposed between the first transport means and the second transport means.
US07673982B2
A print media stacker assembly comprises a housing having an opening therein. A tray, disposed within the housing downstream of a feeder, has a front lip, a collecting portion, and a back wall. A stopper lever is in operative relationship with the tray a distance upstream from the back wall. The stopper lever has a first position in which the stopper lever prevents media sheets from passing beyond the stopper lever and a second position in which the stopper lever permits media sheets to pass beyond the stopper lever.
US07673981B2
An image formation apparatus with a plurality of laser diodes that form color-component images, which correspond to a plurality of color components, onto a plurality of corresponding photosensitive drums respectively, and a transfer belt onto which the color-component images that are formed on the respective photosensitive drums are transferred. The image formation apparatus adjusts the image formation timing based on the positions of the color-component images that are transferred to the transfer belt; and when adjusting the image formation timing, the respective laser diodes form color-component images at formation intervals that correspond to an integral multiple of the period of a periodic noise.
US07673978B2
A droplet ejection apparatus has an ejection unit that ejects a droplet of liquid onto a target. The ejection unit is arranged in a multi-joint robot. The robot moves the ejection unit in a two-dimensional direction above the target. The ejection unit includes a droplet ejection head, a liquid tank, and an auto-seal valve. The auto-seal valve adjusts the pressure of the liquid supplied from the liquid tank to the droplet ejection head to a predetermined pressure. The auto-seal valve has a valve body that is movable between a closing position and an opening position in correspondence with the difference between the pressure of the liquid in the droplet ejection head and the pressure of the liquid in the liquid tank. The valve body is arranged such that the direction of acceleration that produces force capable of moving the valve body from the closing position to the opening position differs from the direction of acceleration of the ejection unit moving in the two-dimensional direction.
US07673977B2
There is disclosed an ink cartridge including a cylindrical member having an ink port at one axial end thereof, a piston, a piston rod, and a thrusting portion. The piston rod is fitted in the cylindrical member air-tightly and slidably, and partially defines an ink chamber within the cylindrical member. The ink chamber is in communication with the ink port. The piston rod is connected to the piston on the side opposite to the ink chamber, and extends in the cylindrical member along an axial direction of the cylindrical member. The thrusting portion is at least partially positioned in the cylindrical member and configured to apply a thrust force to the piston rod and thereby move the piston along the axial direction. The thrusting portion comprises a driven portion drivable from the exterior of the cylindrical member.
