US07882071B2
In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. In one embodiment, previous versions of a file or directory are stored only in response to a request to modify the file or directory. The system creates and updates a snapshot tracking data structure which provides information regarding each file or directory governed by the snapshot that was modified or deleted after the snapshot was taken. The snapshot tracking data structure may be used by the system to perform functions related to the snapshot, including deleting the snapshot.
US07882065B2
Provided are a method, system, and program for processing a request to update a file in a file system with update data. The update request to a target file that is directed to the file system is processed, wherein the target file is in a mirror copy relationship with a mirror file. A determination is made as to whether a copy operation from the target file to the mirror file is in progress and whether bytes to update in the target file have been copied to the mirror file in response to determining that the copy operation is in progress. The update data is copied to the bytes to update in the target file in response to determining that the bytes to update have not been copied to the mirror file, wherein the update data is subsequently copied to the mirror file during subsequent progress of the copy operation.
US07882060B2
A method for storing data includes establishing a space efficient storage system including a virtual repository, a staging repository and a remote repository. The virtual repository includes a first pointer to the staging repository, and the staging repository includes a second pointer to the remote repository. The method further includes receiving data at the virtual repository, storing the received data in the staging repository based on the first pointer, and transferring the stored data to the remote repository based on the second pointer.
US07882058B1
A method and system of computer-assisted business resource automation that is applicable to a variety of business enterprise requirements including, but not limited to customer relationship management and sales force automation. The system provides improved an apparatus and method for automating the production of business resources such as documents and presentations. The system further provides an apparatus and method for analyzing the associated processes of the enterprise and providing business intelligence such as sales analytics. In particular, aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to: a hierarchical architecture that simplifies customization and maintenance of enterprise software, the encapsulation of data within reusable intelligent advisor objects, and the flexible integration of a variety of expert systems functionality and other apparatus and means of artificial intelligence therein.
US07882057B1
A configuration model dividing and configuration sub-model inference processing system and procedure addresses the issue of configuration model and query complexity by breaking a configuration problem down into a set of smaller problems, solving them individually and recombining the results into a single result that is equivalent to a conventional inference procedure. In one embodiment, a configuration model is divided into configuration sub-models that can respectively be processed using existing data processing resources. A sub-model inference procedure provides a way to scale queries to larger and more complicated configuration models. Thus, the configuration model dividing and configuration sub-model processing system and inference procedure allows processing by a data processing system of configuration models and queries whose collective complexity exceeds the complexity of otherwise unprocessable conventional, consolidated configuration models and queries.
US07882056B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for recommending activities to a user. During operation, the system determines an activity-type distribution based on the user's personal profile and/or population prior information, thereby facilitating prediction of future activities for the user. The system further searches for and receives one or more activities based on the activity-type distribution. The system then scores each received activity and recommends a number of activities to be performed by the user in the future and a number of corresponding venues, based on the activity-type distribution and the weight distribution.
US07882053B2
Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program apparatus, provide techniques for designing a set of experiments to be performed with a set of resources. A plurality of experimental configurations are generated based on a set of parameters describing factors to be varied in the experiments and a set of constraints representing limitations on operations that can be performed with the set of resources. A set of experiments is defined based on a selected configuration. The constraints can be represented as patterns defining an application of a parameter to a set of one or more points of an experimental lattice.
US07882045B1
An ad system is described for providing ad selections in response to an ad presentation opportunity. The ad system can use multiple content providers to generate multiple sets of ad candidates. The content providers can apply different ad selection paradigms in generating their sets of ad candidates. The paradigms may act on different aspects of a context pertaining to the ad presentation opportunity. A chooser module and filtering module can cull the set of ad selections from among the plural sets of ad candidates. At least one content provider uses machine learning functionality in generating ad candidates, such as a Naïve Bayesian approach, an affiliate similarity approach, etc. Various content providers also find application in a stand-alone mode.
US07882044B2
A method of manufacturing an information handling system having at least one hardware component, e.g. motherboard, bearing a unique identifier (component ID) in software-readable form. The method includes generating a digital identifier (system trackcode) which defines the hardware and software configuration of the item and storing the system trackcode in association with the component ID in a manufacturing database such that the component ID can be used as a key to retrieve the associated system trackcode. During manufacture the component ID is read from the motherboard and used to retrieve the associated system trackcode from the database.
US07882029B2
Disclosed is an electronic transaction recording system for accumulating data from printer devices comprising a mobile access unit containing content which is to be printed, a printer device which receives the content from the mobile access unit and prints the content in response to a authorization process, a billing manager coupled to the printer device and the mobile access unit for determining the amount of printer usage and associating a predetermined amount of token values with the costs of printing and generates an accounting of usage based on a predetermined measure of usage and a billing system for maintaining accounting records of user and associating user account information with the predetermined measure of usage and stores account information in an account records database.
US07882027B2
The present invention generally relates to financial data processing, and in particular it relates to lender credit scoring, lender profiling, lender behavior analysis and modeling. More specifically, it relates to rating lenders based on data derived from their respective consumers. Also, the present invention relates to rating consumer lenders based on the predicted spend capacity of their consumers.
US07882020B1
A system and method is provided for the gathering of and manipulation of shareholder data, including information on individual shareholders and related custodians of shares, and comparing the shareholder/custodian data to a set of rules and/or a set of marketing analysis data to identify securities compliance issues and/or evaluate a securities marketing plan.
US07882015B2
In a trading system for trading securities or the like, Contra Targeting is performed by enabling users to expose the liquidity within their order management system without divulging order management system information to a central trading server. Also, virtual orders can be placed and executed which give users price-time priority on an order without reserving the shares until the moment of execution.
US07882008B2
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for computerized transaction execution and processing
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for n-tier transaction execution and processing are shown. The first layer comprises a presentation layer in the form of a user interface for entering instrument orders, modifying orders, and monitoring orders, instruments and markets. The second layer comprises an intermediate component layer for information transfer, and the third layer comprises an information source layer for feeding information to and accepting information from the first two layers.
US07882007B2
A platform supports multiple processes, including market processes having respective market methodologies, trading processes having trading methodologies, platform processes providing services to the market processes and trading processes, and representation processes for coupling the market processes to external markets. The trading processes interact with each other and with external markets through the market processes.
US07881996B1
Efficiently screening ACH items and providing an indicator of the screening result. Electronic files, which can be in the NACHA file format, comprise ACH items. A gateway operator or an originating financial institution can screen each ACH item using a screening software module. For each ACH item, an indicator associated with the screening can be inserted into the ACH file before the ACH item is forwarded to a receiving financial institution. The indicator can identify whether the screening produced a match against an interdiction list and/or whether the screening produced a false positive. If the screening produced a match, processing of the ACH item can be suspended, and the ACH item can be returned to the originating financial institution. Notification of the match can be transmitted to the originating financial institution, the receiving financial institution, and/or law enforcement authorities.
US07881991B2
A method of presenting an image of a receipt to a consumer includes electronically capturing a receipt and storing the receipt at a host computer system. The method further includes receiving a request at the host computer system from a computer of the consumer to display the image of the receipt and transmitting an electronic file comprising the image of the receipt for display at the customer computer.
US07881989B2
An information model for a party and property records management system includes a legal party role object for maintaining relationships between objects, such as legal party objects and revenue-object objects, within the information model. A legal party object could have several associated objects, such as an identification number object or a legal party communication object.
US07881986B1
A method and system for event-driven inventory disposition are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include detecting a disposition event associated with a given one of a number of inventory items. The method may further include evaluating each of a number of disposition channels with respect to the given item in response to detecting the disposition event, and dependent upon the evaluation, selecting a particular disposition channel through which to dispose of the given item. In one particular implementation of the method, detecting the disposition event may include detecting an indication that an expected profitability of the given item is less than a threshold value.
US07881978B2
Methods, computer executable program instructions, and systems including program instructions are provided for use with quotes. A method embodiment includes providing a website that receives a request for quotes (RFQ) from a buyer-business. The method also includes providing control to a seller-business via the website to authorize the buyer-business to receive quotes on behalf of the seller-business. The method further includes charging a fee to the seller-businesses for quotes delivered to the buyer-business on behalf of the seller-businesses.
US07881975B2
The embodiments of the present system include a review engine that is connected to support modules and databases that receive, store, and retrieve reviews, based upon the subject and the users' relationship to the authors of the reviews. The review engine comprises a social network engine, a rate and rank engine, a credentials engine and a privacy engine. These engines allow reviews to be sorted, filtered and ordered in terms of relevance when presented to the user. Numerous methods are also provided by the system that receive, store and retrieve reviews.
US07881969B2
A unique system and method that facilitates trust-based interaction within an online social marketplace is provided. The system and method involve allowing users of the marketplace to selectively interact with one another according to a trustworthiness factor. Users can be deemed trustworthy depending on which email groups they belong to with respect to one another. For example, sellers can limit who can view their listings and when based on trust levels associated with their social groups, communities, or networks. Notifications of new or modified listings can also be sent to potentially interested users based on the users' trust levels. A ratings system can be employed as well to facilitate boosting or diminishing a user's or group's trust level. The social marketplace can include such activities as a listing service to buy, sell, or give items to others, dating and other personal listings, and job searching.
US07881968B2
A method for distributing a digital image of a customer includes receiving a request from a customer for an image to be taken of the customer at a site. The request can be received, for example, via a remote signal from a customer's communication device. Payment data are obtained from the customer, and a location of the site is determined. The request is relayed to a remote imaging device that is positioned to image the customer at the site. An image is automatically captured of the customer at the site, and the image is relayed as a proof image to the customer's communication device. Finally, if the image is desired by the customer, an approval is received from the customer to purchase the image.
US07881962B2
An Early Payment Discount (EPD) mechanism that enables customers to automatically receive an early payment discount for paying their invoice electronically, e.g., via electronic funds transfer (EFT), through an e-Billing system within a designated number of days from on-line invoice post date.
US07881956B2
Determining a risk/reward model for a service provided by a service provider to a serviced entity where a value function for the service is dependent on at least one value parameter, and comprises provision of a serviced entity base case being characteristic for at least one serviced entity value parameter without provision of a service and provision of a set of projects and their interdependencies being eligible for providing the service, each project having and impact on a subset of one or both of the at least one serviced entity value parameter and at least one service provider value service. The risk/reward model is determined by way of performing a selection of the sets of projects resulting in a selection set, further the model provides a risk/reward line, the risk/reward line is characteristic for whether a reward or penalty is accredited to the service provider depending on achieved results.
US07881952B2
A competitive, availability prediction system for predicting relative, competitive availability of seating on an airline flight is described. The system includes an availability predictor that predicts seating availability on a competitive flight, an availability system that produces an actual availability response for a flight and decision logic that compares the predicted answer from the availability predictor and the potential answer from the availability system to establish a decision with respect to actual availability.
US07881950B2
A method for adjudicating and reimbursing a care provider for services provided for a clinical event is provided. The method includes the step of receiving a transaction having a number of clinical data elements. The method also includes the steps of accessing a data store including payer information and determining whether the transaction is eligible for reimbursement by at least one payer. The method also includes the steps of accessing a first knowledge base comprising evidence-based standards for providing medically appropriate care and selectively performing analysis of the clinical data elements of the transaction against at least one standard to determine if the care provided is medically appropriate. The method further includes the steps of accessing a second knowledge base containing at least one criterion for assessing quality of care and selectively performing analysis of the clinical data elements of the transaction against the at least one criterion to determine if the care provided is medically appropriate. Also, the method includes determining a level of reimbursement based on the medical appropriateness and quality of the care provided and authorizing reimbursement of the care provider from at least one payer.
US07881945B2
A method and system are disclosed that enable a seller of equipment to dispatch service personnel and parts to a remote location while taking into account geographic-specific conditions. The geographic-specific conditions can include, for example, inclement weather, planned activities and unplanned events that affect traffic to/from the remote location. The system includes, among other things, telecommunication facilities that link sellers, purchasers and third party service vendors. The system may also include data repository facilities to persist data that is received from external sources, generated from within, or sent outside the system. Persistent and/or transient data can be correlated with geographic-related externalities in order to modify the dispatch activities in order to meet ongoing commitments.
US07881943B2
The method adjusts the playback speed of an audio recording such that the pitch of the playback is substantially the same as the pitch at the time of the original recording. Assuming tuned instruments were used for the recording, the method alters the playback speed of the recording to bring the pitch back to the original. The method should produce accurate results when correcting speed changes that were causing pitch errors less than or more than a semitone. The method can be used to correct pitch even when the first machine used for the recording had an incorrect recording speed. This method can be used to correct the speed of a nonmusical recording by referencing known frequencies or frequencies in the recording.
US07881942B2
An input signal is quantized into a quantization-resultant signal. The quantization-resultant signal is compressed into a compression-resultant signal. The compression-resultant signal is formatted into a formatting-resultant signal corresponding to a predetermined format for a digital recording disc. The formatting-resultant signal includes segments corresponding to user data areas prescribed in the predetermined format. The compression-resultant signal is placed in the segments of the formatting-resultant signal. The formatting-resultant signal is encoded into an encoding-resultant signal of a CD format. The encoding-resultant signal is recorded on a recording medium.
US07881940B2
A system has a speech control interface operable to provide a speech sequence to which a user response is required before system functionality is operational. A user response can be provided via a spoken command. The system is operable, in response to interruption of the speech sequence to permit a non-verbal user response using an alternative interface.
US07881935B2
A speech recognition apparatus in which the accuracy in speech recognition is improved as the resource is prevented from increasing. Such a word which is probable as the result of the speech recognition is selected on the basis of an acoustic score and a linguistic score, while word selection is also performed on the basis of a measure different from the acoustic score, such as the number of phonemes being small, a part of speech being a pre-set one, inclusion in the past results of speech recognition or the linguistic score being not less than a pre-set value. The words so selected are subjected to matching processing.
US07881929B2
A method of ambient noise injection for use with speech recognition in a production vehicle. The method includes the steps of monitoring audio including user speech, receiving an utterance from the user speech, retrieving vehicle-specific ambient noise, and prepending the vehicle-specific ambient noise to the utterance before pre-processing and decoding the utterance.
US07881927B1
Systems and methods for adaptive sidetone and adaptive voice activity detect (VAD) threshold for speech processing are disclosed. The VAD system generally includes an adaptive VAD threshold generator configured to generate a VAD threshold based on an increase in voice level resulting from sidetone attenuation and a comparator for comparing received signals to the adaptive VAD threshold to determine the existence of voice activity. The sidetone attenuation is based on an average ambient noise energy level determined from a noise energy amplitude during periods of no voice activity and a comparator for comparing received signals to the adaptive VAD threshold to determine existence of voice activity.
US07881918B2
A profiler which spatially profiles a hydrophobicity distribution for the transmembrane protein based on a scaled hydrophobicity value, includes an identifier for identifying a residue external to a membrane and removing the residue to obtain a truncated structure comprising plural residue side-chains, and a calculator which calculates plural residue centroids for the plural residue side-chains, calculates a distribution of the plural residue centroids, and obtains a geometric center for the distribution.
US07881915B2
A system and method for collecting and modeling simulated movement data on a graphical display is provided. Simulated movement data from a simulation is accessed from a database. The simulated movement data comprises each location of a object on a graphical display for multiple points in time of the simulation. A three-dimensional representation is associated with the object and the three-dimensional representation is displayed at each location on the graphical display for each point in time of the simulation.
US07881912B2
A known analytical physical quantity of an analysis subject and an element level consistent mass matrix of each element are obtained by acquiring units. A bubble function is integrated for each element, and the element level diagonal mass matrix of each element is computed by substituting the value that is integrated for the element level consistent mass matrix of each element. The diagonal mass matrix for the entire analysis region is computed by the summation (superposition) of the element level diagonal mass matrices of each element and inverse matrix thereof is computed. A motion of the analysis subject is analyzed based on the known analytical physical quantity, the diagonal mass matrix for the entire analysis region, and the inverse matrix thereof.
US07881911B2
The method for 4-D inversion of geophysical data for calculating distribution of subsurface material properties from geophysical data includes (a) defining measured data into space-time coordinates, and defining a reference space-time model vector (U) composed of many reference space model vectors (U) for a plurality of pre-selected reference times to simulate a space-time model vector (P) that is a geologic structure continuously changing in time; (b) approximating a numerical modeling for a geologic structure space model at an arbitrary time using Taylor series of numerical modeling for the reference space models, defining an objective inversion function to constrain each inversion in space and time domains, and obtaining a reference space-time model vector (U) from the measured data defined in space-time coordinates using the objective inversion function; and (c) obtaining a space-time model vector (P) from the reference space-time model vector (U) to calculate distribution of subsurface material properties changing in time.
US07881910B2
Systems and methods are provided for determining data center cooling and power requirements and for monitoring performance of cooling and power systems in data centers. At least one aspect provides a system and method that enables a data center operator to determine available power and cooling at specific areas and enclosures in a data center to assist in locating new equipment in the data center.
US07881908B2
A method is disclosed for determining individual quantum absorption events in a radiation converter which counts quanta. In at least one embodiment of the method, temporally continuous analog-to-digital conversion of electrical signals generated by a quantum absorption event to a digital signal is carried out first of all by the radiation converter. The digital signal is then processed to determine the number of quanta of the underlying quantum absorption event absorbed in the radiation converter.
US07881900B2
A reference point defined on a two dimensional or three dimensional orthogonal coordinate space and scale reference of respective axes are estimated based on a distribution on the three dimensional orthogonal coordinate space at the time when respective axial components of an acceleration data group comprised of plural acceleration data including multi-axial components and a importance group pertaining to the acceleration data group, and the respective acceleration data are corrected based on the estimated reference point and scale reference of the respective axes.
US07881898B2
Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing the processing of standardized tests. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for processing completed standardized tests. In one embodiment, test-processing priority information is received, and is associated with machine-readable identifiers for standardized tests. Completed standardized tests are received, and are identified by reading machine-readable identifiers. The identified standardized tests are processed according to the associated test-processing priority information such that higher priority tests are automatically processed before lower priority tests. Other aspects are provided herein.
US07881896B2
A portable coordinate measurement machine for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume comprises includes an a positionable articulated arm having a plurality of jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner mounted thereon. The laser may be a fiber coupled laser. Wireless data transfer and communication capability for the CMM is also possible.
US07881895B2
A method of calibrating a first clock signal using a second clock signal and a plurality of calibration periods may include generating incremented counter values at a counter responsive to edges of the second clock signal. For at least two of the plurality of calibration periods, an initial incremented counter value from the counter may be stored in memory at an initial edge of the first clock signal for the respective calibration period, a final incremented counter value may be stored in memory at a final edge of the clock signal for the respective calibration period, and the at least two of the plurality of calibration periods may be overlapping with different initial and final edges of the first clock signal. For each of the plurality of calibration periods, a number of edges of the second clock signal occurring during the respective calibration period may be determined using the initial and final incremented counter values stored in memory. A relationship between the first and second clock signals may be determined using a sum of a number of edges of the second clock signal occurring during each of the plurality of calibration periods and using a sum of a number of first clock signal cycles occurring during each of the plurality of calibration periods.
US07881889B2
A computer-based system, computer-implemented method and computer program product facilitate determining energy cost savings in an energy-consuming facility, such as a commercial building, using an artificial intelligence model, for example a neural network model, that projects or estimates the amount of energy that would have been consumed by the facility but for the implementation of energy efficiency or conservation measures. Energy savings are represented by the difference between the estimate of energy that would have been consumed but for the measures and the actual amount of energy consumed by the facility under actual conditions during a time interval after the measures have been implemented.
US07881886B1
A method for determining an actual gas flow rate as gas flows through a gas flow delivery system is provided. The method includes sending the gas through the gas flow delivery system into a gas conduit, wherein a section of the gas conduit is widened to form an orifice. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice of the gas conduit. The method further includes measuring upstream pressure of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes calculating the actual flow rate based on the upstream pressure of the orifice of the gas conduit.
US07881884B2
Methods and apparatus enable sensing flow of a fluid inside a conduit with an array of pressure or strain sensors. Inputs for a curve fit routine include power correlation values at one of multiple trial velocities or speeds of sound and several steps on either side utilizing data obtained from the sensors. The velocity at which a curve fit routine returns a max curvature result corresponds to an estimate value that facilitates identification of a speed of sound in the fluid and/or a velocity of the flow. Furthermore, a directional quality compensation factor may apply to outputs from the curve fit routine to additionally aid in determining the velocity of the flow.
US07881883B2
A method for detecting occlusions including providing a signal that characterizes a conveying status of a fluid, and determining from a difference between two such signals whether an occlusion has occurred. The invention encompasses a device for detecting an occlusion including a sensor for sensing a fluid flow parameter and/or an operational parameter of the device and an evaluation unit for processing the output of the sensor.
US07881875B2
The invention relates to the selection of a collection of relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms across a genome to design a nucleic acid probe array. As such, the invention relates to diverse fields impacted by the nature of genetics, including biology, medicine, and medical diagnostics.
US07881868B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates warning of collision between a primary principal and one or more non-primary principals. The system includes a triggering mechanism and a preliminary assessment mechanism. During operation, the triggering mechanism determines whether a trigger condition is met based on the state of the primary principal. When the trigger condition is met, the preliminary assessment mechanism generates one or more collision scenarios associated with the trigger condition, assesses a preliminary probability of collision in a collision scenario, and, based on the preliminary probability of collision in the collision scenario, activates a specialized assessment mechanism to assess a refined probability of collision in the collision scenario.
US07881847B2
An EEPROM of an ECU (engine control unit) stores regulation maps corresponding to a plurality of running modes (e.g., normal mode, swift mode and gentle mode). The regulation maps regulate the relationship between the clutch rotational speed difference and the target clutch position. When any one of the running modes is selected according to user intentions, the target clutch position is uniformly changed according to the running mode.
US07881836B2
There is provided a tire state monitoring apparatus including transponders mounted on a plurality of tires possessed by a vehicle, and ECUs provided on a vehicle body repeatedly transmit address electric waves for acquiring data showing tire states to the transponders at fixed intervals. The ECUs transmit estimates of the transmission timing of the address electric waves at the predetermined transmission cycle so that the transponders can transmit the address electric waves within a communicable range, maintain the predetermined transmission cycle if the estimated transmission timing satisfies a predetermined condition, and adjust the predetermined transmission cycle if the transmission timing does not satisfy the predetermined condition.
US07881835B2
The invention concerns a method and a system for controlling start-up of a motor vehicle by dialogue of the engine controlling computer with the piloted mechanical gearbox, during a restart of the vehicle in stop and start mode. A “start-up authorization” is transmitted to the gearbox at a time t when the following three conditions are fulfilled: a) verifying the position of the accelerator pedal relative to a predetermined “threshold” position; b) the engine is in sequential injection phase; c) verifying a so-called “autonomous condition”, calculated on the basis of the engine speed and of an engine speed gradient compared to a predetermined threshold value. The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.
US07881832B2
A system and method which implement automatic speech recognition (ASR) and text-to-speech (TTS) programs to permit pilots, co-pilots, and other persons to more quickly and easily perform control and monitoring tasks on aircraft. The system may be used to automatically change the frequency of an aircraft radio when a pilot or co-pilot is instructed to do so by ATC.
US07881827B2
The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method of operating the same. The air conditioner includes a human body detection unit configured to rotatably operate and to detect a person within an indoor area, a position determination unit configured to determine a position of the person using data detected by the human body detection unit and to set a reference area to which a current of air will be provided according to a frequency of detection on the person, and a control unit configured to control the human body detection unit so that the human body detection unit detects the person by a reference frequency or more and to control the current of air based on the determination results by the position determination unit so that the current of air is discharged toward the reference area.
US07881824B2
The lumbar part of a robot as a controlled-object point where the mass amount becomes maximum is set as the origin of a local coordinate, an acceleration sensor is disposed at the controlled-object point to directly measure the attitude and acceleration at that position to control the robot to take a stable posture on the basis of a ZMP. Further, at each foot which touches the walking surface, there are provided a floor reaction force sensor and acceleration sensor to directly measure a ZMP and force, and a ZMP equation is formulated directly at the foot nearest to a ZMP position. Thus there can be implemented a stricter and quick control of the robot for a stable posture.
US07881821B2
A media storage system includes a disc input element for receiving a media disc, a disc output element for ejecting a disc, and a media reader for reading information from a disc. If insufficient information is readable from a disc, it may be obtained through a computer network. The system includes a disc transporter for moving received discs to respective internal storage locations. The system includes a data input device for entering disc catalogue data and a data output device such as a display for displaying disc catalogue data. The data input and output devices may be input buttons and a display on a remote control. Each disc and related information is associated with an identifier such that access to disc data may be by restricted by user identifier or content ratings.
US07881818B2
A method to aid designing flexible packaging for wrapping around a solid object and finalizing the packaging. The method includes accepting a description of the surface of a sheet of packaging material after wrapping around the solid object and finalizing, using a mapping of points in the 2D plane of the sheet of the packaging material to the corresponding points in the 3D surface of the wrapped and finalized packaging. The method further includes displaying the surface of the wrapped and finalized packaging or displaying graphic elements on the surface of wrapped and finalized packaging. A version includes pre-distorting graphics to correct for any distortions to graphics that occur during the wrapping and finalizing process, and generating press-ready graphics from the pre-distorted graphics for printing onto the surface of the sheet of packaging material.
US07881807B2
The present invention relates to an anchor device comprising an elongated tubular body having an expandable member disposed on its distal end portion. The invention also relates to a system adapted to position and anchor the distal end of an ablation device at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from the atrium.
US07881805B2
A method for transitioning electrical energy in steps between electrodes implanted within a patient to stimulate tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) is provided. The method comprises determining a maximum comfortable step size, determining a minimum step size, selecting one or more step sizes between the maximum comfortable step size and the minimize step size, and transitioning the electrical energy between the electrodes using the selected one or more step sizes.
US07881792B1
Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and method for use therein, that can detect T-wave alternans. In accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention, intrinsic premature contractions of the ventricles are detected, and at least one metric of T-waves is measured in a specified number of beats that follow each detected intrinsic premature contraction of the ventricles. A determination of whether T-wave alternans are present is made based on the measured T-wave metrics. In alternative embodiments, rather than waiting for intrinsic premature contractions of the ventricles, premature contractions of the ventricles are caused on demand by inducing premature atrial contractions. In still other embodiments, a patient's vagus nerve is stimulated to simulate premature contractions of the ventricles. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention.
US07881787B1
An exemplary method includes implementing a cardiac pacing therapy capable of delivering bi-ventricular stimulation, deciding if the therapy calls for bi-ventricular stimulation and, if the therapy calls for bi-ventricular stimulation, comparing an interventricular conduction delay to a threshold and based on the comparing, deciding whether to enable a capture detection algorithm. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc. are also disclosed.
US07881777B2
Method for assessing the patency of a patient's blood vessel, advantageously during or after treatment of that vessel by an invasive procedure, comprising administering a fluorescent dye to the patient; obtaining at least one angiographic image of the vessel portion; and evaluating the at least one angiographic image to assess the patency of the vessel portion. Other related methods are contemplated, including methods for assessing perfusion in selected body tissue, methods for evaluating the potential of vessels for use in creation of AV fistulas, methods for determining the diameter of a vessel, and methods for locating a vessel located below the surface of a tissue.
US07881763B2
An implantable sensor for use in measuring a concentration of an analyte such as glucose in a bodily fluid, including a body with a sensing region adapted for transport of analytes between the sensor and the bodily fluid, wherein the sensing region is located on a curved portion of the body such that when a foreign body capsule forms around the sensor, a contractile force is exerted by the foreign body capsule toward the sensing region. The body is partially or entirely curved, partially or entirely covered with an anchoring material for supporting tissue ingrowth, and designed for subcutaneous tissue implantation. The geometric design, including curvature, shape, and other factors minimize chronic inflammatory response at the sensing region and contribute to improved performance of the sensor in vivo.
US07881752B1
A system and method for utilizing a multi link antenna array for wireless links in conjunction with fiber MAN's is disclosed. The fiber MAN's are coupled to one or more multi-link antenna arrays. Each multi-link antenna array forms a plurality of point-to-point wireless links.
US07881744B2
A media transfer and control system that includes a handheld device and an audio/visual system. The media transfer and control system provides for: (i) the transfer of media files between the handheld device and the audio/visual system, (ii) the transmission of control commands from the handheld device to the audio/visual system for controlling the function and operation of the audio/visual system through a user interface provided on the handheld device, and (iii) the unsolicited transfer of media descriptive data between the handheld device and the audio/visual system to create a synchronized global view on the handheld electronic device and/or the audio/visual system of all of the media content currently stored on and/or available through both the handheld device and the audio/visual system.
US07881741B2
A mobile station wherein the power consumption can be suppressed. In a frame 3, this mobile station (100) transmits, to both a base station (200) and a relay station (150), a multicarrier signal comprising a plurality of subcarriers that have been controlled in transmission power on the basis of reception quality information 1 (Processes (3) and (3)′: first transmission). In a frame 4, the mobile station (100) transmits, only to the base station (200), a multicarrier signal comprising a plurality of subcarriers that have been controlled in transmission power on the basis of reception quality information 2 (Process (5): second transmission). In this case, the mobile station (100) selects subcarriers in which reception qualities indicated by the reception quality information 2 are lower than a target quality, and the mobile station (100) then transmits, to the base station (200), a multicarrier signal comprising only those subcarriers in which the reception qualities are lower than the target quality.
US07881739B2
A method and apparatus for adaptively controlling the power level of transmissions from a remote station by determining the velocity of the remote station. A general classification of the velocity of the remote station can be used to selectively implement a closed loop power control scheme. Power level parameters are used to determine velocity. In accordance with a classification of stationary, low speed, or high speed, the closed loop power control is selectively operated. Velocity can be determined by either the base station or the remote station through various methods. One method is the use of power control bits and/or average power to determine level crossings and excursion times.
US07881732B2
A communication system for providing high-speed wireless access to mobile processing systems a stationary transceiver defining an information portal in its immediate vicinity. A local server in communication with this stationary transceiver is configured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within the information portal.
US07881726B2
Efficient frequency spectrum sharing between at least one incumbent communication system(s) (102, 152) and at least one cognitive radio (CR) system (105) is provided. The incumbent system's system parameters and CR system's operational requirements are copied to a mirrored database (106B). The mirrored database (106B) is controlled by a either a central authority (108) or a database manager having delegated authority (508). The mirrored database (106B) is accessed by the CR system (105). The mirrored database (106B) can be modified and updated by the central authority (108) or delegated database manager (508) to correct for interference detected in the incumbent system caused (152) by the cognitive radio system (105). The cognitive radio system (105) utilizes the updated mirrored database (106B) to avoid interfering with the incumbent system (102, 152) to determine CR system operating parameters thus enhancing the ability to share spectrum.
US07881722B2
Random access coverage is assured while at the same supporting high uplink data rates in a same service area served by a base station. The service area includes first and second co-sited cells. The first co-sited cell is associated with a first uplink frequency, and the second co-sited cell is associated with a second uplink frequency. The first cell allows a lower uplink load and provides a greater coverage than the second cell. The second cell allows a higher rise over thermal (RoT) value than the first cell. Random access channel requests are initially directed to the first cell using the first uplink frequency. One of the co-sited cells is selected for supporting the connection depending on one or more factors. Example factors include a priority associated with the mobile terminal, a capability associated with the mobile terminal, a load situation in the second cell, or radio channel conditions associated with the mobile radio terminal.
US07881716B2
When acquiring a PRL, a mobile phone judges whether the newly acquired PRL contains a base station satisfying a selection condition specifying (i) a communication mode, (ii) whether a base station available via a roaming service is selectable, and (iii) a data communication mode. On judging that such a base station is contained, the mobile phone retains the current selection condition. On judging, on the other hand, that such a base station is not contained, the mobile phone changes the selection conditions so that all the base stations contained in the PRL are made selectable for communication.
US07881714B2
Techniques for synchronization of stored service parameters are disclosed. In one aspect, a configuration identifier is transmitted from a mobile station to a base station, and compared with an identifier generated in the base station. If the identifiers match, the configuration is used for communication. In another aspect, the identifier is generated by selecting an identifier associated with a configuration from a configuration table. In yet another aspect, the identifier is generated by computing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the configuration. Various other aspects are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of preventing attempted use of unsynchronized stored service parameters and associated call setup failures and subsequent renegotiation, with the net effect of reducing call setup time and more efficient use of system resources.
US07881713B2
The present invention provides for a system and method of wirelessly triggering portable devices to provide a user with audio and/or visual information related to a show or attraction, for example, or for the purposes of captioning, language translation, assistive listening, and descriptive audio. As a person moves about a venue, a portable device receives signals from transmitters at venue locations. Transmissions may be via infrared or radio signals. The receiving device decodes each signal as a venue location, event time, or device trigger. The receiving device processes the signal and its memory to start a presentation on the device. The portable device memory contains audio, text, graphics, and/or visual content; device playback may contain one or many of these stored contents. The stored content may be synchronized with the user's location, time of travel, time of day, time of a show, or an event in a show. Stored content may be in one or many languages. Presentation of stored content on the portable device may also be altered by user preference, stored logic constraints, automatic learning of user behavior, or user interaction with other devices.
US07881711B2
Methods and apparatus are presented for dynamically decoding acknowledgment signals. A source receives an acknowledgment signal and starts monitoring an energy value associated with the acknowledgment signal. If the energy value exceeds a predetermined threshold amount before the end of the acknowledgment signal, then the source is confident that the portion of the acknowledgment signal received up to that point could be decoded successfully. Hence, the source decodes that portion of the acknowledgment signal and disregards the remainder of the acknowledgment signal.
US07881706B2
The communications terminal comprises: a playback device which playbacks content; a reading device which reads in access information recorded on a prescribed recording medium, the access information being necessary for downloading the content which can be played back by the playback device, via a network; a communications device which downloads via communications the content corresponding to the access information according to the access information read in; a storage device which stores the downloaded content, the storage device storing details of the access information in association with the content, the details of the access information being used in downloading the content; a judging device which judges whether or not the content corresponding to the read access information is present in the storage device, according to information which is stored in the storage device, when the access information is read in by the reading device; and a control device which controls the playback device, the reading device, the communications device, the storage device, and the judging device, wherein: if the judging device judges that the content is present in the storage device, the control device controls for acquiring the content corresponding to the access information read in from the storage device, and for playing back the content; and if the judging device judges that the content is not present in the storage device, the control device controls for downloading the content corresponding to the access information read in, and for playing back the content.
US07881697B2
A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the allocation of electronic wallets that are associated with one or more devices and various controls that enable at least two entities to manage how the device is utilized for various activities and to pay for goods and services. Each device is associated with at least two electronic wallets, a user wallet and an administrator wallet. The administrator can establish rules that designate how and when the device can be used and which wallet will be used to pay for goods and services desired by the user, but in the event the user wallet is depleted or low on funds, the administrator wallet can serve as a backup funding source for specified types of goods and/or services. Additional wallets can also be associated with the device to authorize and pay for goods and services, under the control of the administrator wallet, such as a promotional wallet that could be designated for use with the device before a primary or administrative wallet was used, or a dynamic wallet that could be associated for use with multiple different devices as well as other wallets, but acts in conjunction with the user and administrator wallets. Additional rules can be established to perform many other functions, such as manage the movement of value between wallets and from other sources to the wallets.
US07881696B2
A method for managing a point-to-point call initiated (702) between a wireless mobile station (114, 400) and a remote party while the mobile is receiving broadcast content via one or more multi-user forward-link broadcast channels (508). The mobile station notifies (704) the network (110) of preferences as to prescribed categories of operating conditions, such as whether to continue receiving the broadcast content, and election between the point-to-point call and the broadcast content should network resources be unable to conduct the point-to-point call and broadcast content concurrently. In accordance with the preferences, communications are conducted (706) in one of the following operating modes: (1) conducting the point-to-point call and discontinuing reception of the broadcast, (2) conducting the point-to-point call and continuing reception of the broadcast, (3) aborting completion of the point-to-point call and continuing reception of the broadcast.
US07881685B2
The present invention discloses an automatic gain controller with an amplifier (10) having an amplifier output connected to a mixer (20) and a receiver signal strength indicator (100) connected to the amplifier output and to a first counter (60). The first counter (60) is adapted to produce a signal to control gain of the amplifier (10) and receives its input from the receiver signal strength indicator (100) which causes the first counter (60) to count up or down depending on the strength of the signal output from the amplifier (10). The automatic gain controller also includes a second counter (70) which is connected to an applications circuit and is adapted to produce a signal to control gain of the mixer (20). The second counter (70) receives its input from a gain control signal from the applications circuit (50) and also from the first counter (60).
US07881683B2
RF signal generators (1) are disclosed, having an amplitude-modulated amplifier (80) whose supply voltage (70) is a signal non-linearly filtered (33) dependent on a signal (30) being representative to an envelope signal of a desired output RF signal (81). The non-linear filtering (33) is performed preferably using an envelope-dependent boundary. An input RF signal (65) to the amplifier (80) is amplified using the supply voltage (70) to produce the desired output RF signal (81). The present invention also presents methods for driving such generators (1).
US07881677B2
A chip comprises and operational section and an input/output section. The operational section includes a controller. The input/output (I/O) section is coupled to the operational section. The I/O section comprises a transformer and a switching device. The transformer includes a primary side connected to first and second I/O ports and a secondary side connected to the operational section. The switching device is coupled to the controller and between the first and second I/O ports and a bias port, such that, under control of the controller, the switching device connects one of the first and second I/O ports to the bias port.
US07881672B2
A digital demodulating apparatus comprises a tuner constituted by circuit elements to perform channel select processing to a signal; a demodulator that performs demodulation processing to a signal output from the tuner; a power supply unit that supplies a normal power to each circuit element, and supplies to the circuit element a test power different from the normal power, over a first time period in place of the normal power; a test noise measuring unit that measures the intensity of test noise contained in a signal to be output from the tuner, when the power supply unit supplies the test power over the first time period; a comparing unit that compares the intensity of the test noise measured by the test noise measuring unit with a noise reference value as a reference for updating of the normal power; and a power updating unit that updates the intensity of the normal power on the basis of a result of the comparison by the comparing unit.
US07881659B2
A radio frequency repeater equipment in a radio communication system is disclosed. An indoor space exists under a radio base station of the radio communication system, and a mobile terminal in the indoor space performs radio communications with the radio base station via the radio frequency repeater equipment, the radio frequency repeater equipment includes: a first antenna for receiving a DOWN LINK signal from the radio base station; a first attenuator for attenuating an output of the first antenna; a second antenna for outputting an output of the first attenuator, and for receiving a signal from the mobile terminal; and a second attenuator for attenuating an output of the second antenna.
US07881654B2
A document is made which consists of a large number of recording sheets whose originality can be certified with reliability. Different specific images are respectively formed on a plurality of recording sheets of recording sheets outputted in constant order. Confirmation holes are formed on recording sheets at higher levels than the recording sheets with the specific images formed thereon, in positions in conformity with the positions of the specific images. When a document made by stacking those recording sheets is seen from the top, and the specific images are visible through the confirmation holes, the originality of the document can be certified. When the specific image is invisible through the confirmation hole, it is found that the document has been changed due to missing of part of the recording sheets, a change in order of the recording sheets, or the like, and hence the originality of the document cannot be certified.
US07881652B2
A modular duplexing housing for an all-in-one device which may be added at a final stage of assembly in order to convert a simplex printing unit into a duplex printing and duplex ADF scanning unit. The modular duplexing unit includes a duplexing feedpath which may be positioned for feeding communication with a simplex printing feedpath in the all-in-one device. The modular duplexing unit may also comprise a secondary input tray in feeding communication with the simplex printing unit and duplexing ADF scanning unit.
US07881645B2
A toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a container body for containing toner; and a sealing member. The sealing member includes a sealing portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes a supporting portion provided on the sealing portion and an engaging portion provided at a free end of the supporting portion. The engaging portion includes a rotational force receiving portion and a locking portion. The rotational force receiving portion is capable of being abutted in a circumferential direction of a hollow cylindrical driving member of the image forming apparatus. The locking portion is capable of being abutted in an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical driving member to prevent the sealing member from moving in the axial direction of the container body when the container body moves away from the hollow cylindrical driving member.
US07881636B2
A plurality of supporting rollers over which the endless belt member is supported includes at least a driving roller that drives the endless belt member and a driven roller that is driven by a rotation of the endless belt member. A detecting unit detects a plurality of marks provided on the driven roller at a predetermined position. A control unit controls a speed at which a driving unit drives the endless belt member based on a result of detecting the marks. The driven roller functions as a tension roller that applies a tension to the endless belt member. The detecting unit is held by the tension roller.
US07881626B2
An image formation apparatus has a waste toner accommodation unit including a toner transporting rotation member covered with a fixed pipe. As the member rotates, waste toner in the pipe is transported downstream A fin involved in detecting an amount of toner moves upward and downward with a predetermined amplitude as the member rotates. The pipe has a projection secured by an elastic member to a bottom of the waste toner accommodation unit, and when waste toner reaches the level of the pipe, the waste toner is compressed in the pipe downstream and thus increases in density, and together with the waste toner the pipe starts to rotate. As a result, the projection rotates to a position allowing it to interfere with the fin, and the fin decreases in amplitude. Such variation in amplitude is detected by a sensor and a state full of toner is thus detected.
US07881617B2
An optical packet processor includes one or more optical packet inputs that receive asynchronous optical packets. An optical packet interconnect directs the optical packets from the different optical packet inputs to different optical packet outputs. The optical packets are buffered either before or after being directed from the inputs to the different outputs. Problems associated with optical buffering are overcome by synchronizing the asynchronous optical packets with the optical packet buffers. The novel optical buffer architectures described also reduce or eliminate the use of certain high cost optical components.
US07881616B2
An operational optical transceiver configured to initiate operation in loop back mode. The optical transceiver includes transmit and receive signal paths, a memory capable of having microcode written to it, and a configurable switch array that is used to connect and disconnect the two signal paths as appropriate for a desired loop back mode. The microcode is structured to cause the optical transceiver to control the configurable switch array. This allows for analysis and diagnostics of the signal data.
US07881614B2
A central component of a processor based system, the central component including a processor and an optical interface to transmit data encoded as an optical signal to an optical interface of an external component of the processor based system, and to receive data encoded as an optical signal from the optical interface of the external component, the external component being one or more of an external peripheral device, a docking station, and a port replicator.
US07881608B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for performing jitter measurements in a transceiver module. Accordingly, there is no need to use expensive test equipment that must be inserted into and removed from the network in order to obtain these measurements. In addition, because the measurements can be obtained at any time without any interruption in communications over the network, jitter performance can be monitored more closely and more frequently to facilitate better and earlier diagnosis of problems that can lead to failures in the network.
US07881592B2
A digital audio/video playback system capable of controlling audio and video playback speed for decoding a digital audio/video signal and then outputting such signal. The system includes: a loader configured to receive the digital audio/video signals, a parser configured to resolve the digital audio/video signals into a video bitstream and an audio bitstream, a video decoder and an audio decoder respectively configured to receive and decode the video bitstream and the audio bitstream, and a playback speed controller configured to adjust the sound frequency of the decoded audio based on a set playback speed and output the decoded video/audio at the set playback speed.
US07881590B2
Disclosed herein are a method for reproducing contents information in an interactive optical disc device and a method for providing contents information in a contents provider server. The interactive optical disc device is connected with the contents provider server via the Internet to receive a variety of contents information provided from the contents provider server. When the sending of the contents information from the contents provider server to the interactive optical disc device is suspended or delayed due to a network connection loss on the Internet or an insufficient storage capacity of a buffer memory in the interactive optical disc device, contents information re-sent from the contents provider server and a data stream read from an interactive DVD are re-synchronized and reproduced. Therefore, a user of the interactive optical disc device can normally watch more various contents information.
US07881588B2
A reproducing apparatus includes: a reproducing unit for reproducing, from a recording medium on which main image for normal reproduction data and specific reproduction image data made up of a plurality of blocks each including first data and second data are recorded, the main image data and the specific reproduction image data; a detecting unit for detecting an error in the first data and an error in the second data in the respective blocks of the specific reproduction image data that is reproduced by the reproducing unit, independently; and an interpolation processing unit for interpolating independently the first data and the second data in which the error is detected by the detecting unit, by selectively using a plurality of interpolating methods.
US07881584B2
A reproducing apparatus and method includes a reproducing unit to reproduce mainstream data and sub audio data separately added in the mainstream data, wherein the reproducing unit comprises a counter used in reproducing the sub audio data. Accordingly, it is possible to more naturally reproduce still image data, such as a browsable slide show, to which sub audio data is additionally included, thus preventing an interruption in reproduction of the sub audio data even during a forward or reverse play.
US07881583B2
A playback apparatus is capable of playing back video data at a variable speed ranging from a forward normal speed to a reverse normal speed, the video data having been encoded for compression through inter-frame compression based on predictive coding and recorded on a recording medium that allows random access. The playback apparatus includes a frame buffer configured to temporarily store video data of a plurality of frames; a target-pattern generator configured to generate a target pattern of the frame buffer for a target playback frame to be played back next; a comparator configured to compare a current state of the frame buffer with the target pattern; and a frame-buffer controller configured to extract a frame to be newly decoded and a frame no longer used in the current state of the frame buffer, on the basis of a result of the comparison by the comparator.
US07881581B2
An optical termination unit is provided for allowing an optical cable to be easily projected straight in any of five directions, including upward, downward, rightward, leftward, and rearward directions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of cable laying or the like. An end securing box 150 of the optical termination unit 100 includes a two-stage multi-tiered box structure separable to two bodies, the first stage including a clamp tray 120 and the second stage including a fusion tray 130 which is provided with a lid (lid 140) thereupon. An inlet Im (m=1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for introducing the end of a second optical cable to be embedded in a wall or a pillar is provided at each face of the enclosure. Holes H1 and H2 formed on the rear face 115 are provided for securing the end securing box 150 with a nylatch n. The end securing box 150 having a rectangular solid shape has multiple holes formed therein. This allows the end securing box 150 to be secured to a rear face 115 so as to be arbitrarily oriented on a right angle basis.
US07881576B2
A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aids in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.
US07881573B2
This document discusses, among other things, a connector for an optical imaging probe that includes one or more optical fibers communicating light along the catheter. The device may use multiple sections for simpler manufacturing and ease of assembly during a medical procedure. Light energy to and from a distal minimally-invasive portion of the probe is coupled by the connector to external diagnostic or analytical instrumentation through an external instrumentation lead. Certain examples provide a self-aligning two-section optical catheter with beveled ends, which is formed by separating an optical cable assembly. Techniques for improving light coupling include using a lens between instrumentation lead and probe portions. Techniques for improving the mechanical alignment of a multi-optical fiber catheter include using a stop or a guide.
US07881571B2
The invention relates to a coupling device comprising a support substrate; a first layer arranged on the support substrate and comprising first patterns produced within the thickness of said first layer, said first patterns being arranged in parallel and periodic rows; a second layer arranged on the first layer and comprising second patterns passing through the thickness of said second layer, said second patterns being arranged in parallel and periodic rows. The direction of periodicity of the rows of the first patterns is perpendicular to the direction of periodicity of the rows of the second patterns. The rows of the first patterns extend over a distance greater than or equal to the wavelength in the void of the optical wave intended to be coupled. The first patterns have a width less than or equal to a tenth of the wavelength of the optical wave intended to be coupled, and the period of these patterns is between 50 nm and 1 μm. The second patterns are arranged so as to form a periodic diffraction grating.
US07881569B2
The present invention connects two independent plastic optical fiber channels simultaneously, in which optic signals can be transmitted along two optic passes through a single mechanical rotational interface. The first channel of light path consists of a pair of plastic optic fibers with larger-core, co-axially fixed in 2 holders respectively. The light signal from one of the fiber can be directly coupled into another fiber. A number of smaller-core plastic optic fibers for second channel of light path are circumferentially arranged in the peripheral space of the first channel fibers. They are blind-spot free during rotation and are ideal for machine control applications such as SERCOS Interfaces. The rugged design permits underwater usage. Damaged fibers can be easily replaced without costly repairs of the device itself.
US07881568B2
An interconnect element incorporates a plurality of smaller, substantially identical, interconnect modules. Multiple identical elements can in turn be combined to form larger interconnect networks. Signal paths in the elements can be implemented with optical fibers or electrical conductors.
US07881567B2
An optical device for monitoring a rotatable shaft is disclosed. The optical device has an optical waveguide arranged on the rotatable shaft and an optical sensor. The optical device further has a transmitting unit transmit the light signal, a transfer device to transmit the light signal between the transmitting unit and the optical waveguide and an evaluation unit for determining a physical variable from a light signal coming from the optical sensor and transferred by the transfer device, the evaluation unit being associated with the transmitting unit. The transfer device has an optical ‘multimode’ waveguide associated with a coupling device, the waveguide being associated with the transmitting unit and a further optical ‘multimode’ waveguide, with an associated coupling device associated with the optical waveguide and arranged on the rotatable shaft eccentrically to its axis.
US07881564B2
Methods and system for transferring images between devices are disclosed. For example, differently scaled images by a host device may automatically and/or selectively be transferred to a media player for display. In turn, appropriately scaled images may be transferred automatically and/or selectively to another display device for example a TV, camera or printer. The selectivity may occur either at the host level or at the player level.
US07881559B2
A method for taking a panorama mosaic photograph includes displaying a partial image of a previously taken image as a guide image on a viewer of an image to be currently taken and taking a number of images constituting the panorama mosaic photograph according to a photography operation; projecting the taken images onto a common cylindrically curved surface; and joining the projected images into a single image.
US07881557B2
An image correction method able to avoid error image. According to opposite properties of black and white, only the last few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted for black correction, while only the first few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted for white correction. Further, the most significant bit of the digital signal is 1 for white correction. Therefore, the unwanted LBB effect on the scanned image caused by dust or spots on the correction document is avoided. In addition, as only a few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted, the requirement in memory capacity is reduced.
US07881554B2
A luminance intensity of pixels of an input digital image is corrected for generating a corrected digital image. A luminance of each pixel is calculated as a function of the luminance of a corresponding pixel in an original image according to a parametric function. A mask of the input digital image to be corrected is generated according to a bilateral filtering technique. For each pixel of the input digital image, a respective value of at least one parameter of the parametric function is established based upon the luminance of a corresponding pixel of the mask.
US07881549B2
A visual processing device, display device, visual processing method, program, and integrated circuit that change a strength of visual processing of an image in real-time. A spatial processing portion (2) creates an unsharp signal US from an input signal IS. A target level setting portion (4) sets a predetermined target level value L for setting a range according to which the strength of the visual processing is adjusted. An effect adjustment portion (5) creates a synthesized signal MUS by synthesizing the predetermined target level value L and the unsharp signal US in accordance with an effect adjustment signal MOD that has been set externally. A visual processing portion (3) outputs an output signal OS in accordance with the input signal IS and the synthesized signal MUS, making it possible to change the strength of the visual processing.
US07881548B2
Contents of manual retouching performed on a portion of an input image are reflected to the entire portion of the image. Weighting parameters, each representing pre- and post-retouching state of a manually retouched area of a predetermined structure in a retouching target image, and pre-retouching state of the entire portion of the structure, are obtained by applying the area in pre- and post-retouching state, and the entire portion of the structure in pre-retouching state to a model that represents at least the shape of the area or the entire portion of the structure. Then, a parameter representing the entire portion of the structure after the contents of the manual retouching are reflected to the entire portion of the structure is determined based on the obtained weighting parameters, and an image of entirely reconstructed structure is generated based on the determined parameter and the model.
US07881532B2
An improved image segmentation algorithm is provided that identifies each object in an image. Pixels of the image are sorted based on a range of attribute values of the image. These pixels are then added to a labeling image one by one starting with an extreme point in the range of attribute values. Features are calculated for each object located and these features are matched with pre-defined acceptance criteria. If there is a match, the object is output to an output image. The steps of adding pixels to the image, evaluating the features of the resulting objects and outputting the objects are repeated until a stopping point is reached.
US07881514B2
A method for imaging, including counting quanta of energy emitted into a range of angles from particles of an energy emitter distributed over a volume in a body, thereby generating a set of counts. The method further includes defining a probability distribution expression that specifies a local concentration of the particles of the energy emitter over the volume as a function of the set of counts, the function being defined in terms of respective coefficients of a plurality of different scales of the local concentration, including at least a first and a second scale. A dependence of the coefficients of the first scale on the coefficients of the second scale is specified, and the local concentration over the volume is computed by applying the probability distribution expression to the set of counts subject to the specified dependence.
US07881512B2
At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and/or an apparatus for determining the spatial profile of a vessel axis in volume data records for medical imaging, in particular for producing slice images of vessels which are obtained by curved planar reformation CPR and can be rotated freely. In at least one embodiment of the method, the vessel axis is marked interactively on the displayed MPR or MIP images by marking points using a two-dimensional coordinate system. Depth information is derived automatically for each marking point from the known position of the respective image in the stack or using the known calculation procedure for MIP images, and the marking points are extended in dimension on the basis of the depth information in order to obtain extended marking points using a three-dimensional coordinate system. The three-dimensional profile of the vessel axis, which is used for producing CPR images which can be rotated freely, is then obtained by linking the extended marking points. The method makes it possible, in at least one embodiment, to determine the profile of the vessel axis with less time and computation effort.
US07881511B2
Disclosed is a high-resolution image reconstruction method using a focal underdetermined system solver (FOCUSS) algorithm. The method comprises the steps of: outputting data for an image of an object; downsampling the outputted data; transforming the downsampled data into low-resolution image frequency data; and reconstructing a high-resolution image from the transformed low-resolution image frequency data by applying focal underdetermined system solver (FOCUSS) algorithm.
US07881509B2
A method of imaging one or more biological objects using imaging apparatus capable of capturing an image across an imaging area. The method includes: placing the one or more biological objects (236) in an environment; providing in the environment, outside of the one or more biological objects, a contrast enhancing agent which provides contrast in an image between the one or more biological objects and the environment; and recording an image (240) of the one or more biological objects and the environment using the imaging apparatus, whereby a spatial definition for said one or more biological objects is derivable using contrast in the image which is provided by the contrast enhancing agent.
US07881508B2
Notice is given when a medical image does not include an appropriate region imaged therein. At least one anatomical structure is extracted from a medical image obtained by an imaging apparatus. Whether a diagnostic region imaged within the medical image is appropriate for conducting diagnosis is judged, employing the at least one extracted anatomical structure as a reference. Further, display is performed on a console, based on the obtained judgment results.
US07881507B2
An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition comprises a touch surface, a processor coupled to the touch surface, and instructions stored on the apparatus. The touch surface comprises a first region and a second region. The first region has a first sensor resolution, and the second region has a second sensor resolution that is greater than the first sensor resolution. The instructions configure the processor to selectively operate the touch surface in one of a touch input mode and a fingerprint mode. In the touch input mode, the processor detects a touch input anywhere on the touch surface by sampling the first and second regions at the first sensor resolution. In the fingerprint mode, the processor reads a fingerprint on the second region by sampling the second region at the second sensor resolution.
US07881506B2
An image pickup scheme capable of always providing an optimum quality of a blood vessel pattern, in image pickup of a blood vessel pattern of a finger using transmitted light, without being affected by a difference, if any, in an external environment. A personal identification apparatus includes light sources for irradiating light to be transmitted by a finger, an image pickup unit for picking up an image using light transmitted by the finger, finger detection unit for detecting that the finger exists in a predetermined position, finger region extraction unit for extracting a region occupied by the finger from an image picked up by the image pickup unit, and gain changing unit for changing an amplification factor of image pickup elements in the image pickup unit on the basis of a picture quality of a specific region within the extracted region.
US07881501B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for processing multi-dimensional signal data to determine frequency dependent features therefrom. The multi-dimensional signal data are transformed into space-frequency or time-space-frequency domain, providing second signal data. At predetermined locations of at least a portion of the one of space and time-space of the second signal data a dominant feature corresponding to a largest value of the second signal data is determined. This is followed by the determination of a wave-vector corresponding to the dominant feature at each of the predetermined locations. Finally, a dip map, a frequency map, and an amplitude map are generated using the wave-vectors. The method and system for processing multi-dimensional signal data to determine frequency dependent features therefrom according to the present invention provide a powerful tool for improved and more detailed evaluation of seismic data using dip, frequency, and amplitude maps, resulting in substantially more accurate geophysical surveys.
US07881490B2
A speaker device includes a magnetic circuit, a vibration system, a frame and a terminal. The frame is formed into a frame shape, and an inner wall thereof holds the magnetic circuit. Particularly, the frame has an opening for ventilation, which makes a rear surface positioned on a side opposite to a sound output direction and a side surface curved to a direction of the sound output direction from a peripheral end of the rear surface communicate with each other, and the terminal covers the opening on the rear surface of the frame. Therefore, the opening is provided on the side surface of the frame, and ventilation performance of the speaker device is ensured. In addition, by such amount that no opening is provided on the rear surface of the frame, a setting space of the terminal can be enlarged on the rear surface of the frame.
US07881489B2
An ultrasonic transducer includes: a fixed electrode having corrugations on the surface; a vibrating film having an electrode layer and disposed on the surface of the fixed electrode; and a holding member which holds the fixed electrode and the vibrating film. The ultrasonic transducer is driven by applying an AC signal between the electrode layer of the vibrating film and the fixed electrode, and generates a sound pressure of at least 120 dB within a frequency range from 20 kHz to 120 kHz.
US07881486B1
A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors having selected resistance values are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.
US07881485B2
The apparatus for determining an impulse response in an environment in which a speaker and a microphone are placed works using an audio signal. Means for spectrally coloring a test signal, which preferably is a pseudonoise signal, works using a psychoacoustic masking threshold of the audio signal to obtain a colored test signal, which is embedded in the audio signal to obtain a measuring signal, which can be fed to the speaker. Means for determining the impulse response preferably performs a cross-correlation of a reaction signal received via the microphone from the environment and the test signal or the colored test signal. With this, an impulse response of an environment may also be determined during the presentation of an audio piece to provide an optimal description of environment for a wave-field synthesis.
US07881480B2
A system for detecting noise in a signal received by a microphone array and a method for detecting noise in a signal received by a microphone array is disclosed. The system also provides for the reduction of noise in a signal received by a microphone array and a method for reducing noise in a signal received by a microphone array. The signal to noise ratio in handsfree systems may be improved, particularly in handsfree systems present in a vehicular environment.
US07881443B2
System and methods for real-time, interactive transmission of information about travel schedules and creation of travel schedules are provided. A user defines desired travel parameters, such as dates, times, costs and the like related to a travel component. Travel components are reviewed to determine if traveler parameters are triggered. If a travel component triggers traveler parameters, options for other travel components may be determined. A user may be contacted and communicated information about the travel component and options, thereby allowing a user to interactively create a travel schedule.
US07881438B2
A self-learning and/or self-adjusting communication controller and/or optimizer uses operational data collected from a communication system to adjust operation of the communication system to changing operational, environmental, etc. conditions and, in some embodiments, to customize operation of the communication system's lines and components so that their performance can be controlled, improved and/or optimized. In various embodiments, operational parameters and/or rules are established and/or adjusted based on information obtained from the system concerning the system's operation; information regarding margins used by a DSL system and code violation counts reported by the DSL system are used to set margin levels for one or more line sets (each line set including an individual line, a group of lines, a binder, etc.) and/or other users and/or components of the DSL system; and, the controller and/or optimizer forces a small number of test lines into as yet un-experienced and/or unimplemented operational conditions so that new knowledge can be obtained.
US07881437B2
A method for developing a primary collimator is described. The method includes placing a primary collimator element at an intersection of a first set of at least two beams.
US07881435B2
A portable detector panel includes an X-ray detector assembly having an X-ray detecting surface on its surface, a box-like case that houses the X-ray detector assembly therein and whose upper part that is opposite to the X-ray detecting surface is X-ray transmissive, and a buffer member that is arranged between the inner side wall of the case and the X-ray detector assembly, is made of a hard material, and has a flexible shape with respect to the movement of the X-ray detector assembly in the direction generally parallel to the X-ray detecting surface.
US07881425B2
An x-ray source is disclosed comprising: an anode disk with first and second beveled annuli at a periphery of the anode disk, the anode disk rotatably coupled to a housing structure via a support shaft; first and second cathodes mounted to a yoke support structure, the yoke support structure configured to direct cathode emissions at x-ray generating material disposed on the beveled annuli; and a high-voltage insulator configured to electrically insulate the yoke support structure from the housing structure.
US07881421B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an accumulator including a flow damper which is capable of performing a control so that a vortex may not be formed in a vortex chamber at the time of a large flow injection without requiring huge labors and fabrication costs. The flow damper is configured of a colliding jet controller (a bevel or a projection) for controlling a colliding jet composed of a jet from a large flow pipe and a jet from a small flow pipe flowing into a vortex chamber at the time of a large flow injection so that the colliding jet may proceed directly to an outlet without forming a vortex in the vortex chamber. The colliding jet controller is provided at a junction of an inner surface of the small flow pipe and an inner surface of the vortex chamber.
US07881419B2
A semiconductor device, a spread spectrum clock generator and method thereof are provided. The example semiconductor device may include a frequency dividing unit receiving an output signal, generating a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal by dividing a frequency of the received output signal, and a phase offset unit outputting the output signal having a predetermined or desired phase difference with a reference signal in response to the second feedback signal, wherein the second feedback signal having a higher frequency than the first feedback signal. The example spread spectrum clock generator may include a plurality of frequency dividers which are connected in series and a selector selecting and outputting one of a plurality of output signals, each of the plurality of output signals having a different phase difference with respect to a reference signal, in response to at least one output from one or more of the plurality of frequency dividers. The example method may include receiving a reference signal with a first frequency, generating a feedback signal having a second frequency, the second frequency higher than the first frequency and outputting at least one of a sequentially selected set of output signals in response to the generated feedback signal.
US07881414B2
A bit-rate discrimination circuit for determining which bit-rate an input signal has, a first bit-rate or a second bit-rate higher than the first bit-rate, is disclosed. The circuit is characterized by a frequency selection unit configured to filter out a signal having the second bit-rate, and allow at least a fraction of the low frequency component of a signal having the first bit-rate to pass through; a determination unit configured to determine whether the fraction of the low frequency component of the signal having the first bit-rate has passed through said frequency selection unit; a smoothing unit configured to smooth the output of said determination unit; and a level conversion unit configured to convert the output of said smoothing unit to a logic level. According to the above arrangements, the bit-rate of the input signal can be discriminated based on the low frequency component thereof.
US07881408B2
A digital broadcast system is disclosed. The digital broadcast system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a method for transmitting and receiving a DTV signal comprising main service data and mobile service data multiplexed with the main service data. The DTV signal results from generating a second data by de-interleaving a first data group by a DTV transmitter.
US07881400B2
A pulse modulation type transmitter apparatus and a pulse modulation type receiver apparatus wherein both a fast synchronization establishment and a low power consumption of a synchronizing part can be achieved at the same time and wherein the data transmission/reception can be performed soon after a commencement of communication, and further a fast data transmission and a low power consumption can be achieved. A first template signal (1006), which is generated based on a separately transmitted RF frame synchronization signal (1005), is used to generate a frame synchronization signal (1009), and a second frame synchronization timing adjusting part (150) is used to synchronize the frame synchronization signal (1009) with a received RF data signal (1004). Then, a synchronization detection is performed, whereby a prompt pulse acquisition and a prompt pulse phase acquisition can be achieved. After the establishment of frame synchronization, a template switching part (142) is used to switch from the first template signal (1006) to a second template signal (1007) that has been already synchronized with the first template signal (1006). Then, a synchronization detection is performed, whereby the frame synchronization can be maintained.
US07881389B2
A reception quality notifying method improves upstream-line throughput by reducing the data amount of reception quality data of downstream multicarrier signals to be transmitted in the upstream line. A low-power consumption base station apparatus and a wireless communication terminal apparatus may employ the reception quality notifying method. When a wireless communication terminal apparatus receives a downstream multicarrier signal and then notifies a base station apparatus of a subcarrier having a desirable reception quality for the downstream multicarrier signal, the wireless communication terminal apparatus produces reception quality data of a plurality of formats, then selects, from among the produced reception quality data, one having the lowest data mount. The selected reception quality data is transmitted to the base station apparatus by use of an upstream multicarrier signal subcarrier designated by the base station apparatus.
US07881388B2
A water ring scanning apparatus configured to process an initial data set, such as a video frame, is disclosed. The water ring scanning apparatus is configured to write a portion of data from the initial data set into a data string. The initial data set is organized with at least one initial origin enveloped by a plurality of nested initial environs successively surrounding each other in the initial data set. The scanner is configured to write a portion of the data from the initial data set into the data string by starting at the RC grouping corresponding to the initial origin (initial water ring (0)) and by sequentially progressing outwardly from the family of RC groupings corresponding to the nearest nested initial environ (initial water ring (1)) towards the family of RC groupings corresponding to a furthest nested initial environ (initial water ring (n)).
US07881386B2
Methods and apparatus are presented for reducing the computational complexity of coding mode decisions by exploiting the correlations across spatially and/or temporally close coding mode decisions. A mode decision for a current macroblock is based on the mode decisions of spatially and/or temporarily close macroblocks.
US07881380B2
A video encoding apparatus includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included.
US07881375B2
A moving picture coding method for coding a picture when switching between frame coding and field coding adaptively on a block-by-block basis. The method including determining the maximum number of reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, using the maximum number of reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding, and assigning to fields the reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, within a range of the determined maximum number thereof, using the reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding.
US07881370B2
The invention relates to a method of selecting among N “Spatial Video CODECs” where N is an integer number greater than 1, the optimum “Spatial Video CODEC” for a same input signal I. “Spatial Video CODEC” is understood as the combination of any transform of the input signal, followed by a quantization of the transform coefficients and a corresponding entropic coder. Firstly from all the N “Spatial Video CODECs” for the same input signal I and a same quality parameter Q, the rate R and the distortion measures D are obtained. Q is an integer value between 0 and 100, defined by any rate-distortion algorithm to provide a compression of the input sequence with constant rate or with constant distortion. Further an optimality criterion is calculated. The optimality criterion is defined as the minimization of the value Ln=f(Rn,Dn) calculated for all the n from 1 to N. n is the index of the “Spatial Video CODEC”, where f(Rn,Dn) is a function of Rn and Dn. The function f may be defined as as f(Rn,Dn)=Rn+1Dn, , 1 being the Lagrange multiplier that weights the relative influence of the rate R and of the distortion D.
US07881368B2
A method is provided for parsing the size of contents to be reproduced in a mobile communication device in order to accurately determine an actual size of the contents. By utilizing information related to the size of a video codec that is part of the file format of the contents, the size of the contents may be accurately determined, thereby enhancing reliability of the reproduction operation and preventing malfunction of the mobile communication device.
US07881363B2
A data transmission rate adjustment system and method thereof comprise a driving module and a control module. The driving module performs a predetermined mathematical calculation based on a transmission rate request to generate a divisor. The control module then performs a division that divides a reference frequency by the divisor to generate a first transmission rate so that a data receiving terminal can receive data sent from a data sending terminal through the driving module based on the first transmission rate. The driving module monitors a transmission error rate of the data received by the data receiving terminal. If the transmission error rate exceeds a predetermined value, the divisor is automatically adjusted to generate a second transmission rate. The second transmission rate is also provided to replace the first transmission rate.
US07881361B2
A system (10) for communicating a direct sequence spread spectrum signal, a related transmitter (12), a related receiver (14), and methods associated therewith are provided in various embodiments. A data rate vector, a processing gain vector, a frequency separation vector, and a bit energy vector may be associated with transmitting and/or receiving a direct sequence spread spectrum signal. Each vector has a value associated with each of a plurality of channels associated with subcarriers in the direct sequence spread spectrum signal. A value for at least one of the data rate vector, processing gain vector, frequency separation vector, and bit energy vector for at least one channel is different from another value for the corresponding data rate vector, processing gain vector, frequency separation vector, or bit energy vector for another channel. Having one or more vectors with different values provides a spectrally-shaped generalized multitone (or multicarrier) direct sequence spread spectrum (SSG-MT-DS-SS) modulation scheme.
US07881353B2
Provided is a surface emitting laser element array of low cost and high reliability. The surface emitting laser element array has a substrate having a semiconductor of a first conduction type; and a plurality of surface emitting laser elements each having, above the substrate, an active layer sandwiched between a first conduction type semiconductor layer area and a second conduction type semiconductor layer area and disposed between a upper reflective mirror and a lower reflective mirror, the surface emitting laser elements being separated from each other by an electric separation structure formed having such a depth as to reach the substrate. The first conduction type semiconductor layer area is arranged between the substrate and the active layer. The surface emitting laser element array further has a current blocking layer arranged between the substrate and the first conduction type semiconductor layer area; and two electrodes connected to the first conduction type semiconductor layer area and the second conduction type semiconductor layer area, respectively, and arranged on a side of the current blocking layer opposite to the substrate.
US07881347B2
Methods and systems for hybrid gain guiding in laser resonators that combines the features of gain guiding and fiber or other types of lasers into a single system. Hybrid gain guiding in laser resonators is not limited to conventional fiber lasers. Any type of gain guided fiber, index guided or anti-guided, is used as an intracavity element to induce loss on high order modes in an otherwise multimode laser system. The gain guided element contributes little gain to the laser oscillator but allows only the lowest order mode to transmit without loss. When the gain guiding fiber length is selected so the loss for a particular cavity mode is greater than the gain, the cavity mode does not lase. Since the gain guiding fiber induces loss for all laser modes other than the lowest order mode it makes sure that the mode one higher than the lowest order mode does not lase and as a result, no other cavity modes lase.
US07881345B2
Symbol timing synchronization in OFDM communication systems where multiple wireless terminals communicate with a single base station is described. Base station transmitter and receiver symbol timing is fixed. Each wireless terminal operates to independently adjust its transmitter timing. Transmitter timing synchronization at the wireless terminal is slaved to the terminal's receiver timing synchronization. Each wireless terminal first corrects its receiver symbol timing based on a signal received from the base station. The wireless terminal then adjusts its transmitter symbol timing as a function of its receiver symbol timing. When the receiver symbol timing is to be advanced or delayed by some amount, the transmitter symbol timing is also advanced or delayed, respectively, by the same, or substantially the same, amount. Symbol timing adjustment can be made by adding or deleting digital samples from the first or last symbol in a dwell.
US07881335B2
The embodiments of the invention relate to client-side bandwidth allocation or rate-lowering processes, systems, and devices. In general, a received continuous stream is received at a lower rate while a discrete media stream is also being received by the client, and having the received continuous stream be received at a previous higher rate when the client is no longer receiving the discrete media stream.
US07881334B2
There is provided a network system, comprising: a communication device communicating with an external device via a first network, an output device, and a first storage device stored with first data. The communication device, the output device and the first storage device communicate with each other via a second network. The communication device includes a first communication unit to communicate with the external device, a conversion unit which converts the first data into second data to be processed by the output device, a second communication unit which communicates with the output device, a second storage unit stored with information indicating correspondence between the first data and the second data, a first control unit to transmit the first data to the external device according to a transmission instruction, and a second control unit to transmit the second data. The output device includes a third communication unit which communicates with the communication device, a selection unit to select data to be outputted, an output unit which outputs the selected data, an instruction unit which issues the transmission instruction, and a third control unit to transmit the transmission instruction to the communication device.
US07881310B2
The present invention provides a method and system for providing quality-of-service to VoIP over a wireless local access network by providing periodic, contention-free access to a wireless link for voice packets. This is achieved by coupling Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”) signaling for call setup with the Point Coordination Function mode of operation of the 802.11 medium access control. The result is that VoIP call signaling via SIP is tied with availability of periodic time-slots on the wireless medium. The periodic time-slots are used to guarantee contention-free access to the wireless link for voice packets. Accordingly, the present invention, in effect, merges two networking technologies: SIP-based VoIP and 802.11-based wireless LANs.
US07881308B2
An intelligent router takes the place of a conventional SCCP relay in a wireless network. The intelligent router automatically provisions and updates subscriber information in a network file.
US07881305B2
Provided is a network system for relaying communication between devices communicating with the Internet using different communication networks. The network system includes a first home network controller which controls first home network devices within a household; a repeater that is connected to the Internet via a first communication network and which relays communication between the Internet and the first home network controller; a second home network controller that is connected to the Internet via a second communication network and which relays communication between the Internet and each of second home network devices within the household; and a management server that is connected to the Internet and relays communication between the first and second home network devices within the household, wherein the first and second home network devices communicate using the first and second communication networks, respectively.
US07881304B2
One or more distributed aspect servers modify a sequence of online services provided by an application server that is remote from the aspect servers. A client sends a request to the application server. An aspect service is invoked if the request satisfies a criterion. The aspect service modifies the sequence of online services by performing at least one of adding a new online service, deleting one of the online services, or reordering the sequence of online services. The modified sequence of online services is provided to the client without incurring a change to the application server.
US07881298B2
Provided is a method of segmenting a packet using a tree structure in order to reduce headers in the packet when the packet is transmitted or received in a wireless communication system using an adaptive modulation and coding (AMC), and a method of transmitting/receiving a packet using the same. The method includes the steps of: determining whether a transmitting processing data unit (PDU) is a retransmitted PDU; determining whether a size of the retransmitted PDU is a transmittable size allowed by a corresponding adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) option if the transmitting PDU is the retransmitted PDU; and segmenting the retransmitting PDU, inserting a header and a sub header with identification information for reassembling into each of the segmented PDUs and transmitting the segmented PDUs.
US07881294B1
The present invention enables the network to provide enhanced processing of the media stream before and/or during the call establishment. In one embodiment, the network can use the Session Description Header information to provide service support such as mid call Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) detection, transcoding, and media conversion within the network instead of between two intelligent endpoint devices.
US07881290B2
A serial interface circuit includes a plurality of serial transmitters for a plurality of channels, respectively; and a plurality of serial receivers provided for said plurality of channels and connected with said plurality of serial transmitters, respectively. Each of said plurality of serial transmitters transmits a serial signal. Each of said plurality of serial receivers includes a receiver circuit configured to convert the serial signal into a data sequence; n (n is an integer more than 1) register groups configured to shift the data sequence; a data processing circuit configured to perform a data process on said data sequence based on n outputs of said n register groups and a detection result; and a header detecting circuit configured to detect a header of the data sequence when said b register groups from a first register group to a bth register group among said n register groups shift the data sequence, and to output the detecting result to said data processing circuit.
US07881284B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the playout delay for audio signals, which mainly includes three parts of dynamic adjustment, i.e., playout delay, silence length, and jitter buffer size. In the invention, the time for playout delay is real-time adjusted according to the probability distribution of the number of packets buffered in a jitter buffer. A voice active detection mechanism is taken to detect silence within a voice packet. By dynamically adjusting the silence length in the voice packets, the present invention reduces the network variation impact on the voice quality. It also overcomes the drawback of conventional techniques for estimating playout delay, and reduces the whole computation complexity of the playout delay for the voice packets.
US07881281B1
A communication network comprising a plurality of border controllers, a first packet voice network, a second packet voice network coupled to the first packet network by the plurality of border controllers, and a master border controller coupled to the plurality of border controllers and coupled to the first packet voice network and the second packet voice network. The master border controller, responsive to receiving a query from a switch in the first packet voice network for a call between the first and second packet voice networks, processes the query to determine a first border controller for the call of the plurality of border controllers, and transfers a response to the switch in the first packet network wherein the response indicates the first border controller.
US07881276B2
A data communication system includes a mobile station capable of receiving data communications directed to the mobile station, at least one relay station capable of relaying data between a base station and the mobile station, and the base station capable of assigning a connection identifier to the mobile station and each of the at least one relay station and sending a protocol data unit through the at least one relay station to the mobile station, the protocol data unit being capable of identifying the connection identifier assigned to the mobile station without identifying the connection identifier assigned to the at least one relay station.
US07881257B2
A control method allocates to a base station, at a control member of the base station, a list of channels shared by several terminals containing several sets of shared channels. For a communication session between the base station and a specific terminal, the method indicates to the terminal the list of shared channels allocated to the base station. At the base station, the method selects for the terminal one of the sets of shared channels, and independently of the control member, indicates the selected set to the terminal via a dedicated channel.
US07881251B2
A lightweight communications protocol optimized for wireless transfer of data across a TCP/IP network that connects a vehicle communications device to a remote entity, such as a call center. The lightweight protocol utilizes messages that include header, trailer, and payload elements, where the payload element is optimized for the transmission of SOAP content as a default content type, but is capable of transmitting other types of non-SOAP MIME content as well. The lightweight protocol also reduces session overhead and thus data traffic by maintaining sessions in an open status so that numerous messages can be transferred within a single session, without having to shut the session down and rebuild it each time.
US07881247B2
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) scheme uses precoding and feedback in a wireless communication system including a transmitter and a receiver. The system may use either a single codeword (SCW) or a double codeword (DCW). The precoding scheme is based on transmit beamforming (TxBF). Combined differential and non-differential feedback with periodic resetting is considered.
US07881241B2
Multiplexers are basic components widely used in VLSI designs. Switching activities of a multiplexer are one of the most important factors of power consumption. A multiplexer may have some sub-multiplexers. An extra dynamic controller is applied in the present invention to reconfigure control signals for decreasing switching activities of the composed sub-multiplexers. Thus, the power consumption of the multiplexer is reduced to achieve higher power efficiency.
US07881238B2
An ad hoc network identifier may be received, for example, at an ad hoc network convergence module. One or more ad hoc network parameters may be generated as a function of the ad hoc network identifier. Each of a group of computers attempting to form an ad hoc network identified by the ad hoc network identifier may generate the one or more ad hoc network parameters. Two or more of the group of computers may perform an ad hoc network formation protocol parameterized with the generated one or more ad hoc network parameters. An instruction to join the network may be received, for example, at a networking service. If it is detected that the network is an ad hoc network, an ad hoc network address acquisition mode featuring accelerated ad hoc network address acquisition may be activated. Efficient formation of the ad hoc network may thus be facilitated.
US07881236B2
A mobile communication technology, and, more particularly, a method for efficiently transmitting data stored in a message 3 (Msg3) buffer and a user equipment for the same is disclosed. The method of transmitting data by a user equipment in uplink includes receiving an uplink (UP) Grant signal from a base station on a specific message, determining whether there is data stored in a message 3 (Msg3) buffer when receiving the UL Grant signal on the specific message, determining whether the specific message is a random access response message, and transmitting the data stored in the Msg3 buffer to the base station using the UL Grant signal received on the specific message, if there is data stored in the Msg3 buffer when receiving the UL Grant signal on the specific message and the specific message is the random access response message.
US07881228B2
A system and method for delivering multicast/broadcast data frames, originating in a service virtual local area network (S-VLAN), to a plurality of locations on a customer network is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for delivering multicast/broadcast data frames includes analyzing ingress data frames, including customer virtual local area network identifiers (C-VIDs) associated with one or more divisions within one of a plurality of locations assigned by a customer network, received via incoming ports of each Ethernet switch associated with one of the plurality of locations and learning the C-VIDs of the ingress data frames, storing the learnt C-VIDs in the Ethernet switch, and forwarding the multicast/broadcast data frames to the one or more of the plurality of locations, via one or more outgoing ports of one or more of multiple Ethernet switches associated with the plurality of locations, based on the learnt and stored C-VIDs by each Ethernet switch.
US07881222B2
A method for allocating a physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH) includes allocating a CDM group according to a cyclic prefix type in consideration of a ratio of the numbers of necessary CDM groups according to spreading factors, and allocating a PHICH to the allocated CDM group. The PHICH includes an ACK/NACK signal multiplexed by code division multiplexing (CDM). Therefore, resources for PHICH transmission are efficiently allocated and a transmission structure can be maintained irrespective of a spreading factor.
US07881218B2
Disclosed herein is a method of analyzing portable Internet signals in a measuring instrument. The method includes the steps of (a) acquiring synchronization using a preamble included in a currently received frame, (b) acquiring the access parameters of a DL_MAP included in the frame, and checking the validity of the DL_MAP, (c) if, as a result of the check at step (b), the DL_MAP is determined to be valid, acquiring downlink parameters and burst configuration information by interpreting the DL_MAP, and (e) performing a variety of diagnoses, including evaluation of signal quality for each burst, using the parameters and the burst configuration information.
US07881215B1
The present invention provides systems and methods enabling network nodes to process data in a more efficient manner. In one aspect, the present invention analyzes data processed in a network node and determines whether the data requires processing in a stateful mode. If the data does not require processing in a stateful mode, the present invention processes the data in a stateless mode thereby saving processing resources. Embodiments of the present invention permit selection of processing modes in both manual and dynamic manners. Further, the determination of whether to process data in a stateful or a stateless mode may be made in response to various stimuli.
US07881209B2
A method and system for protecting a packet switched network from compromised communications due to a physical intrusion in the network are disclosed. The network includes at least one network element having a detection device operable to detect a possible physical intrusion in a data communication path connected to the network element. The method includes receiving a notification from the detection device that the detection device has identified a physical intrusion in the data communication path, generating an alert, and transmitting the alert over the packet switched network. The alert may include instructions on how to remediate the physical intrusion that can be automatically implemented by a given network-connected device or manually addressed by a network user or network administrator.
US07881204B2
A node implementing an RLC (Radio Link Control) entity and being for use in a mobile communications system transmits a sequence of RLC SDUs (SDU=Service Data Unit) towards a peer node. As a result of re-establishment of an RLC entity not all SDUs may have been received. The peer notifies the node which is the next SDU that the peer expects to receive (by transmitting the next SDU number to the node). The node resumes transmission from that SDU onwards. This may or may not lead to re-transmission of SDUs transmitted before the RLC re-establishment. As an alternative, the peer does not notify the node of the next SDU that it expects to receive, but instead the node re-transmits any unacknowledged SDUs, together with the SDU number of the first re-transmitted SDU. The peer then discards any duplicate SDUs. Both variants enable lossless data transfer whilst avoiding duplication.
US07881202B2
A method for dropping lower priority packets for transmission over a wireless communication medium is provided. A central device receives one or more packets to be transferred to one or more data providers, each packet having a priority. Then, based on the priority, a media access controller stores each of the packets in one or more priority queues in a fixed shared memory space in such a way as to maintain the order in which the packets were received in each of the priority queues. The media access controller monitors the number of packets in each of the priority queues and signals an interrupt when a packet threshold is exceeded in one or more of the priority queues. The media access controller then drops lower priority packets in the fixed shared memory space based on the order received to guarantee that there is enough memory to store higher priority packets in the fixed shared memory space.
US07881196B2
Resource reservation in a packed switched telecommunications network is provided. System and method are directed to make resource reservation especially in an Internet Protocol (IP) network for achieving Quality of Service (QoS) requirements controlling traffic preferable in a Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications Network (UMTS). A sub-object of source statistics description characterizes the statistical behavior of a traffic source for example the average length of ON and OFF periods. The sub-object is used to reserve resources in a per-flow reservation method or for calculation of the number of resource units in edge nodes in case of an aggregated reservation method.
US07881188B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing link redundancy in a media gateway are provided according to one method, a media gateway link protection group is provisioned to associate with a common VLAN a common virtual local area network (VLAN) primary and secondary links associated with at least one line card in a media gateway. The primary and secondary links are connected using a cross connection between ports associated with the at least one line card. At run time, traffic is automatically bridged between the primary and secondary links using the common VLAN and the cross connection.
US07881187B2
The present invention provides a transmission apparatus including transmitting side line interfaces which convert packet format data sent from an asynchronous network to a SONET/SDH frame format and then transmit the data, multiple receiving side line interfaces which receive the SONET/SDH frame format data and convert the data to packet format data and a circuit switching section which performs circuit switching. The transmitting side line interfaces include a variable length frame mapping section which converts the packet format data to variable length frame format data and a time division multiplexing mapping section which converts the variable length frame format data to the SONET/SDH frame format data. The receiving side line interfaces include a variable length frame demapping section which reconverts the SONET/SDH frame format data to variable length frame format data.
US07881181B2
Systems and methods for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing are provided. In one embodiment, a multi-carrier modem comprises: a receiver configured to receive a waveform comprising a plurality of spectrally overlapping carrier signals from at least two of a plurality of remotes, the carrier signals are modulated using an inverse Fourier transform; a transmitter; a processor coupled to the transmitter, the processor outputs data for transmission to the transmitter, the processor applies an inverse Fourier transform to the data provided to the transmitter; a controller programmed to instruct the transmitter to transmit timing adjustments to the at least two of the plurality of remotes, the timing adjustments instruct the at least two of the plurality of remotes to adjust transmission timing so that transmitted symbols associated with frames of a predetermined multiframe structure are received in sequence from the at least two of the plurality of remotes based on the structure.
US07881170B2
Correction of recording power is appropriately performed to an optical disk. The recording power correction method includes a step of temporarily stopping data recording into an optical disk, reproducing a result of the relevant data recording, and specifying a detection pattern including a predetermined code in a reproduction signal; a step of detecting a signal state in the reproduction signal corresponding to the detection pattern; and a determination step of determining at least a correction direction of recording power in the data recording based on the detected signal state and a reference state specified from the detection pattern. Processing is performed on the basis of the detection pattern in this way, thereby the method can cope with even a recording and reproduction system for optical disk employing the PRML signal processing method.
US07881169B2
An information recording medium, a method of recording and/or reproducing data to/from the medium, and a recording/reproducing apparatus using the medium, the medium having a data area including a user data area to record user data, and a spare area to record replacement blocks that replace defect blocks occurring in the user data area, wherein defect list entries include status information of the defect blocks and the replacement blocks, and the status information of the defect blocks in the user data area is changed, and the status information of the replacement blocks in the spare area is changed, in response to the spare area being newly allocated to re-initialize the medium.
US07881157B2
A pressure wave generator is provided, which has excellent output stability over time. This pressure wave generator comprises a substrate, a heat generating layer, and a heat insulating layer formed between the substrate and the heat generating layer. A pressure wave is generated in a surrounding medium (air) by a change in temperature of the heat generating layer, which is caused upon energization of the heat generating layer. The heat insulating layer comprises a porous layer and a barrier layer formed between the porous layer and the heat generating layer to prevent diffusion of reactive substances such as oxygen and moisture in the air and impurities into the porous layer. By the formation of the barrier layer, it is possible to prevent a reduction in output of the pressure wave generator caused by a change over time of the porous layer.
US07881153B2
A paravane for a seismic acquisition system includes a float, a frame suspended from the float, deflectors affixed to the frame, and means for coupling a tow rope to a lead-in functionally extending between a forward end and an aft end of the frame. The paravane includes means for selectively changing an effective position along the lead-in of the means for coupling the tow cable.
US07881147B2
Techniques for generating clock and control signals to achieve good performance for read and write operations in memory devices are described. In one design, a clock and control signal generator within a memory device includes first and second clock generators, first and second control signal generators, and a reset circuit. The first clock generator generates a first clock signal used for read and write operations. The second clock generator generates a second clock signal used for write operations. The reset circuit generates at least one reset signal for the first and second clock generators. The reset signal(s) may have timing determined based on loading due to dummy cells. The first control signal generator generates control signals used for read and write operations based on the first clock signal. The second control signal generator generates control signals used for write operations based on the second clock signal.
US07881139B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a thermosensor that senses present temperatures of the device and confirms whether the temperature values are valid. The thermosensor includes a temperature sensing unit, a storage unit and an initializing unit. The temperature sensing unit senses temperatures in response to a driving signal. The storage unit stores output signals of the temperature sensing unit and outputs temperature values. The initializing unit initializes the storage unit after a predetermined time from an activation of the driving signal. A driving method includes driving the thermosensor in response to the driving signal, requesting a re-driving after a predetermined time from the activation of the driving signal, and re-driving the thermosensor in response to the driving signal input again.
US07881138B2
A memory has a pre-amplifier for generating an output signal and a reference signal. The memory includes a comparator for comparing the output signal to the reference signal. The comparator includes a bias stage for generating a bias signal, wherein the bias signal is an average of the output signal and the reference signal. The comparator further includes a first output stage for generating a first comparator output signal by comparing the output signal and the bias signal. The comparator further includes a second output stage for generating a second comparator output signal by comparing the reference signal and the bias signal.
US07881133B2
One embodiment of the method includes determining a type of cells in a block of the flash memory if an error is detected in at least a portion of the block, and selectively changing one of a cell type indicator and a bad block indicator associated with the block based on the determined type of cells in the block. The cell type indicator indicates a type of the cells in the associated block, and the bad block indicator indicates whether the associated block is a usable block.
US07881131B2
A semiconductor device includes a first memory unit, a second memory unit, and a determination unit receiving a first signal permitting a write operation to one of the first memory unit and the second memory unit, and a second signal indicating whether the write operation of information to the first memory unit is finished, wherein the determination unit outputs a signal prohibiting a write operation to the second memory unit, if the second signal indicates the write operation of the information is finished.
US07881129B2
A high voltage regulator may include a first regulating unit, a second regulating unit, and an output node. The first regulating unit regulates the program voltage in a voltage-level-up interval of a program voltage of a memory cell. The second regulating unit regulates the program voltage in a voltage-level-down interval of the program voltage. The output node outputs the regulated program voltage.
US07881123B2
Disclosed are various embodiments that program a memory array with different carrier movement processes. In one application, memory cells are programmed with a particular carrier movement process depending on the pattern of data usage, such as code flash and data flash. In another application, memory cells are programmed with a particular carrier movement process depending on particular threshold voltage state to be programmed, in a multi-level cell scheme.
US07881119B2
To provide a current sensing circuit that detects a difference between a cell current and a reference current. The current sensing circuit includes: current mirror circuits of which the input terminal is connected with a reference current source; a differential amplifier of which the one input terminal is supplied with a potential of an electrical connection point between an output terminal of the current mirror circuit and a memory cell and of which the other input terminal is supplied with a reference potential; and an equalizing circuit that short-circuits the both input terminals of the differential amplifier in response to an equalizing signal. Thereby, the both input terminals can be kept at the same potential immediately before a sensing operation starts, and thus, even when the cell current is weak, a highly sensitive sensing operation can be performed at high speed.
US07881118B2
A method and apparatus for protecting a sense transistor in a sense amplifier during memory programming and erase operations, and for increasing the coupling efficiency of the memory device during the programming and erase operations may include floating a first terminal and a second terminal of the sense transistor while programming and erasing the memory device.
US07881115B2
According to a method of programming a nonvolatile memory device, a program operation is performed on a first page by applying a program pulse to the first page. A verification operation is performed on the program operation by applying a verification voltage to the first page. If the program operation for the first page has not been completed, a voltage selected from threshold voltages of the first page is set as a highest threshold voltage. The program operation for the first page is completed by repeatedly performing a program operation and a verification operation on the first page while a voltage level of the program pulse is increased. The sum of a program start voltage for the first page and a difference between the verification voltage and the highest threshold voltage is set as a program start voltage for a second page.
US07881114B2
A NAND flash memory device includes a control circuit configured to apply, during a program operation, a first word line voltage to non-selected ones of a plurality of serially-connected memory cells, a second word line voltage greater than the first word line voltage to a selected one of the plurality of memory cells, and a third word line voltage lower than the first word line voltage to a dummy memory cell connected in series with the plurality of memory cells. In other embodiments, a control circuit is configured to program a dummy memory cell before and/or after each erase operation on a plurality of memory cells connected in series therewith. In still other embodiments, a control circuit is configured to forego erasure of a dummy memory cell while erasing a plurality of memory cells connected in series therewith.
US07881106B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a nonvolatile memory including a first area which stores data for every n bits (n is a natural number of not less than 2), and a second area which stores data for every 1 bit, each of the first area and the second area including a plurality of memory cells each configured to store n-bit data on the basis of a threshold voltage, and a controller which sets 2n threshold voltages corresponding to n bits when writing n-bit data to a first memory cell included in the first area, and executes the n-bit data write operation when writing 1-bit data to a second memory cell included in the second area.
US07881095B2
Apparatus and associated method for asymmetric write current compensation for resistive sense memory (RSM) cells, such as but not limited to spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) or resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells. In accordance with some embodiments, an RSM cell includes an RSM element coupled to a switching device. The switching device has a plurality of terminals. A control circuit compensates for asymmetric write characteristics of the RSM cell by limiting a range of voltage differentials across the terminals so as to be equal to or less than a magnitude of a source voltage applied to the switching device, thereby providing bi-directional write currents of substantially equal magnitude through the RSM element.
US07881094B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and associated method for generating a reference voltage for a resistive sense memory (RSM) cell, such as an STRAM cell. A dummy reference cell used to generate a reference voltage to sense a resistive state of an adjacent RSM cell. The dummy reference cell comprises a switching device, a resistive sense element (RSE) programmed to a selected resistive state, and a dummy resistor coupled to the RSE. A magnitude of the reference voltage is set in relation to the selected resistive state of the RSE and the resistance of the dummy resistor.
US07881087B2
An output voltage command signal for outputting a specified three-phase ac output voltage is generated by a line voltage control command signal generating section, and a signal representing a current flow ratio is generated by a current flow ratio generating section based on a specified input current command signal. The output voltage command signal is corrected by a command signal computing section based on the output voltage command signal generated by the line voltage control command signal generating section and the signal representing the current flow ratio generated by the current flow ratio generating section. A PWM conversion signal is generated by a PWM conversion signal generating section based on the corrected output voltage command signal and a carrier signal. Based on the generated PWM conversion signal, a three-phase ac input voltage is converted into a specified three-phase ac input voltage by a conversion section.
US07881084B2
A DC/AC cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) inverter circuit includes a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding for providing increased voltage to a CCFL, a first and second MOSFET switches for selectively allowing direct current of a first polarity and a second polarity to flow through the transformer respectively. The primary and secondary windings of the transformer are electrically coupled to ground. A capacitor divider is electrically coupled to the CCFL for providing a first voltage signal representing a voltage across the CCFL. A first feedback signal line receives the first voltage signal. A timer circuit is coupled to the first feedback signal line for providing a time-out sequence of a predetermined duration when the first voltage signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. A protection circuit shuts down the first switch and the second switch when the first voltage signal exceeds the predetermined threshold after the predetermined duration.
US07881080B2
An apparatus and method for controlling an inverter capable of enhancing reliability of current measurement by ensuring an optimal time for which effective voltage vectors are applied to detect a three-phase current according to a phase current and sizes of the effective voltage vectors, the apparatus comprising a space voltage modulator that generates and outputs effective voltage vectors based upon a voltage command value, and a low modulation determiner that determines whether the effective voltage vectors are located within a low modulation region, and outputs a low modulation switching control signal or a normal modulation switching control signal according to the determination.
US07881079B2
Systems and methods disclosed herein monitor and control input to a converter in one or more of a UPS, a frequency converter, or a line conditioner. Distortion due at least in part to ripple voltage can be removed from a control signal that controls input current to the converter. The systems and methods described herein afford a simple and effective way to reduce or eliminate one or more of subharmonic oscillation and total harmonic distortion from a converter input current during synchronous and asynchronous modes of operation. The converter may include one or more of a rectifier and an inverter.
US07881078B2
A device for transmitting electric power between alternating voltage networks includes converters interconnected by direct current lines and provided each with several six-pulse conversion bridges. The six-pulse conversion bridges of one same converter are capable of being connected to an alternating voltage network associated with the converters via inductances differently phase-shifted. A control unit is provided to energize the valves of the six-pulse conversion bridges. The device is more economical and the converters are interconnected by a plurality of direct current circuits, each direct current circuit being galvanically separated from at least an alternating voltage network.
US07881077B2
A PWM controller with output current limitation makes the over-current limitations almost the same even though the input voltages are different. The designer does not need to use high specification components or add an output current limiting circuit against the over-current condition. Costs are reduced and the layout is simplified. The switch power supply includes a transformer, a power switch, a first detecting circuit for generating a first detecting signal, a second detecting circuit for generating a second detecting signal, and a controller. The transformer converts the power and outputs the power to the secondary side. The power switch has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a controlled terminal. The controller has a control terminal, a first detecting terminal for receiving the first detecting signal, and a second detecting terminal for receiving the second detecting signal. The controller performs a protecting operation according to the received signals.
US07881069B2
A chip capacitor is provided in a core substrate of a printed circuit board. This makes it possible to shorten a distance between an IC chip and the chip capacitor and to reduce loop inductance. Since the core substrate is constituted by provided a first resin substrate, a second resin substrate and a third resin substrate in a multilayer manner, the core substrate can obtain sufficient strength.
US07881067B2
A circuit board assembly (100) includes a circuit board (10) and at least one electrical element (20). The circuit board includes a dielectric substrate (12) including a supporting surface (13), and at least one connecting part (14) formed on the supporting surface. The at least one electrical element is electrically connected to the at least one connecting part via a connecting media (28). At least one air-exhaust hole (16) extends through the connecting part and the dielectric substrate. The at least one air-exhaust hole is configured for exhausting air from the connecting media.
US07881064B2
Flexible paddle cards for installation on a motherboard of a computing system are disclosed that are oriented parallel with the motherboard when installed in the computing system and include: a printed circuit board; and three card connectors that correspond to three motherboard connectors mounted on the motherboard, two of the card connectors mounted on a first rigid region of the printed circuit board, the remaining third card connector mounted on a second rigid region of the printed circuit board, and the first rigid region and the second rigid region separated by a flexible region of the printed circuit board, the flexible region having a width that allows the printed circuit board to flex when the card connectors mate with the motherboard connectors.
US07881062B2
An extension bracket module is used for mounting an outer switch board of a computer system. The extension bracket module comprises a top plate and a panel perpendicular to each other. The top plate is levelly disposed and the outer switch board is configured facing downward and mounted onto a bottom surface of the top plate in parallel. An upper side of the panel is connected to a front edge of the top plate. Therefore, the deficit that the switch board in the prior art requires an extra longitudinal or transverse space of the computer system can be overcome through the design of the extension bracket module.
US07881059B2
In one example, an electronic module includes a printed circuit board and a housing at least partially enclosing the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a heat-generating component. The housing includes a first case and a second case attached to the first case. The first and second cases cooperatively define a sealed cavity containing a fluid. The second case includes a thermal contact structure positioned proximate to the heat-generating component.
US07881057B2
A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
US07881054B2
A computing device including a first computer portion pivotally connected to a second computer portion by a hinge. The computing device further includes an element moveable between a first position, in which the hinge is free to rotate, and a second position, in which the hinge is substantially prevented from rotating. A lock selectively controls movement of the element between the first and second positions.
US07881036B2
An electrostatic chuck electrode sheet which allows the difference in capacitance between electrodes due to the presence or absence of a substrate to be increased to a level which can be accurately detected using a known substrate detection device, and allows an electrostatic chuck to exhibit an excellent attraction force, and an electrostatic chuck using the electrode sheet, are disclosed. The electrode sheet has a layered structure in which a first insulating layer, a first electrode layer, an inter-electrode insulating layer, a second electrode layer, and a second insulating layer are stacked and attracts a substrate on the first insulating layer, the first electrode layer having a plurality of openings in a specific planar area, and the second electrode layer having opening equivalent portions provided at positions at which the openings in the first electrode layer are projected onto the second electrode layer in a depth direction of the electrode sheet and having almost the same area as the projected openings, and connection portions that connect the opening equivalent portions. The electrostatic chuck is formed using the electrode sheet.
US07881030B1
The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp circuit that is used to protect other circuitry from high voltage ESD events. The ESD clamp circuit may include a field effect transistor (FET) element as a clamping element, which is triggered by using a drain-to-gate capacitance, a drain-to-gate resistance, or both of the FET element, and a resistive element as a voltage divider to divide down an ESD voltage to provide a triggering gate voltage of the FET element. In its simplest embodiment, the ESD clamp circuit includes only an FET element and a resistive element. Therefore, the single FET element ESD clamp circuit may be small compared to other ESD protection circuits. The simplicity of the ESD clamp circuit may minimize parasitic capacitances, thereby maximizing linearity of the ESD clamp circuit over a wide frequency range.
US07881016B2
A latching mechanism for a flex cable bracket. The latching mechanism includes a position limiter. The position limiter prevents movement of an actuator assembly installed thereon. The latching mechanism also includes a spring clip. The spring clip has spring functionality and a cantilever beam to retain the actuator assembly when installed thereon. The latching mechanism further includes an orientation position limiter. The orientation position limiter prevents a rocking motion of the actuator assembly. The position limiter and the spring clip and the orientation position limiter are integrated into structure of the flex cable bracket.
US07881015B2
A printed circuit that connects a head to a pre-amplifier circuit of a hard disk drive. The head has a pair of write bond pads and a pair of read bond pads. The printed circuit has a pair of read traces located in a first layer and connected to the read bond pads. The printed circuit also has a pair of write traces that are located in a second layer and connected to the write bond pads. The write traces cross with the read traces so that a head fabricated from a single head wafer can be used as a Up head in a hard disk drive.
US07881012B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a magnetic head in which broadening of the write-field distribution in the track-width direction can be decreased without reducing the write-field intensity. A main pole includes a pole tip having a part which provides the write track-width and a yoke part recessed from the air bearing surface in the element height direction, the pole tip including at least two magnetic films having different track-width directions, and the throat height at the trailing side being made smaller than the throat height at the leading side.
US07881010B2
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole with a flared step feature that defines a secondary flare point. The method involves depositing a magnetic write pole material on a substrate and then depositing a magnetic material over the write pole material followed by a non-magnetic material. A first mask is formed having a front edge to define the location of the secondary flare point, and one or more material removal processes are used to remove portions of the magnetic layer and non-magnetic layer that are not protected by this first mask. The first mask is replaced by a second mask that is configured to define a write pole, and an ion milling is performed to define the write pole. Shadowing from the magnetic layer and non-magnetic layer form a flared secondary flare point.
US07881009B2
Apparatus is provided for fast-adjustment of the position of a plant in a servo system in which a servo output indicative of the plant position is provided to a positioning system for positioning the plant in dependence on the servo output. The apparatus includes an adjustment signal generator, operable in a fast-correction mode and a shock-compensation mode, for generating an adjustment signal for supply to the positioning system to effect fast positional adjustment of the plant. The apparatus also has an adjustment controller for receiving the servo output. The adjustment controller is adapted to detect from the servo output occurrence of a disturbance affecting positioning of the plant and, in response, to initiate the shock-compensation mode of the adjustment signal generator. The adjustment controller is further adapted to initiate the fast-correction mode of the adjustment signal generator in response to indication of an error in positioning of the plant. On initiation of each mode, the adjustment controller supplies an input signal dependent on the servo output to the adjustment signal generator. The adjustment signal generator processes the input signal to generate the adjustment signal such that, in the fast-correction mode the adjustment signal effects adjustment of the plant position to correct the positioning error, and in the shock-compensation mode the adjustment signal effects adjustment of the plant position to counter the effect of the disturbance.
US07881008B2
A servo pattern, including stripes arranged in servo bursts for use in position error signal (PES) generation, is provided in which a stripe width is narrower than 1.7 μm and in which the stripes are oriented at an azimuth angle which in absolute value is equal to or larger than 6 degrees.
US07881005B1
A servo control system includes an input that receives spiral signals generated by reading spirals that are prewritten on a magnetic medium. The servo control system further includes a control module that generates spiral correction values for the spirals based on the spiral signals and that determines positions of the spirals based on the spiral correction values.
US07881003B1
A write driver system includes a logic circuit including first switching devices which receive input write signals and generate control signals. A plurality of predriver circuits includes second switching devices and generates drive signals based on the control signals. A write drive circuit includes third switching devices and generates write drive signals based on the drive signals. The third switching devices have higher threshold voltages than the first and second switching devices.
US07880993B2
The present invention provides a technique for detecting a defect in a tape medium within a relatively short or narrow range. A tape defect detection device includes: a read unit for reading data from a tape medium; an error correction unit for performing error corrections for the data read by the read unit; a correction number counting unit for counting the number of the error corrections, made by the error correction unit, for each of multiple divided areas of the tape medium; a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing, for each of the areas, the number of the error corrections counted by the correction number counting unit; and a detection unit for detecting a defect in the tape medium, on the basis of a distribution of divided areas each having a larger number of error corrections than other divided areas on the tape medium.
US07880988B2
A hard disk drive which can maintain a write property at a constant level by reflecting a temperature effect during a write parameter set process even when the hard disk drive is used under a condition different from one intended during manufacturing of the disk. The hard disk drive includes a disk, a thermister and a controller. The disk stores data and the thermister measures the temperature around the disk. The controller is coupled to the thermister and selects a parameter to be optimized from parameters related to a disk write operation. The controller writes arbitrary data to a test track on the disk to obtain a first bit error rate of the test track. The controller repeatedly writes arbitrary data to at least one track adjacent to the test track indicated by as many times as an adjacent track write count is based on an associated temperature measured by the thermister to obtain a second bit error rate of the test track. The controller sets a value of the selected parameter to determine a difference between the first bit error rate and the second bit error rate which is less than a predetermined criteria corresponding to an optimized value of the selected parameter in a disk zone to which the test track is located.
US07880986B1
A phase interpolator is provided that, in one implementation, includes an output node, a plurality of phase input circuits, and a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of phase input circuits. Each phase input circuit is operable to receive a given phase signal. Each switch is in communication with a given phase input circuit and is operable to couple a given phase signal to the output node.
US07880985B2
A lens barrel includes a first member which has a first sliding-contact surface and an opening formed in the first sliding-contact surface; a second member which has a second sliding-contact surface and moves relative to the first member, the second sliding-contact surface being placed in sliding contact with the first sliding-contact surface; a photodetector provided in the opening of the first member, facing the second sliding-contact surface, to detect relative movement between the first member and the second member; and a lubricant sump portion which, being provided in the first member, has a lubricant sump space on opposite sides of the opening interposing the opening therebetween in a direction of the relative movement.
US07880984B2
An exemplary lens module includes a barrel and a first lens. The barrel includes a cylindrical sidewall. The sidewall defines an accommodating space therein and has an opening defined therein. The opening communicates with the accommodating space. The first lens is received in the accommodating space of the barrel. The first lens has a first adjusting notch defined at a periphery thereof. The first adjusting notch is exposed at the opening of the barrel.
US07880983B2
A lens driving device is provided to reduce a number of required high-accuracy components and also eliminate the unevenness of maximum displacement of a lens holder with respect to a base. An outer edge of a lower spring plate is clamped by a lower casing served as a base and a lower spacer. A first protrusion is formed on a sidewall of the lens holder and protruding outward therefrom. A second protrusion protruding toward the lens holder is formed on an inner circumference of the lower spacer and extends to a position above and separating from the first protrusion by a distance S. The first protrusion props against the second protrusion when the lens holder is moved toward an imaged-object side and reaching a displacement of the distance S.
US07880981B2
The present invention is an imaging lens of which optical performance does not deteriorate even in a high temperature environment, various aberrations are well corrected, optical length is short, and back focus is sufficiently secured, the imaging lens comprising a first lens 14, an aperture stop S, a second lens 16, and a third lens 18, which are arranged in this sequence from an object side to an image side. For the first lens, a single lens is used. The second lens comprises a first sub-lens L1, a second sub-lens L2 and a third sub-lens L3, arranged in this sequence from the object side to the image side. The third lens comprises a fourth sub-lens L4, a fifth sub-lens L5 and a sixth sub-lens L6, arranged in this sequence from the object side to the image side. The first lens is formed of a transparent curable silicone resin, and the first, third, fourth and sixth sub-lenses are also formed of the transparent curable silicone resin. The second sub-lens and the fifth sub-lens are formed of a high softening temperature glass material.
US07880965B2
In a projection-type image display device, a driven member of a screen is displaced in a plane parallel to the screen. The driven member can be a Fresnel lens or a diffusing member. An elastic retaining unit holds the driven member in such a manner as to be capable of moving in the plane parallel to the screen, and a pair of driving sources applies driving forces in mutually intersecting directions to the driven member. A control circuit drives the pair of driving sources with driving waveforms having a prescribed phase difference therebetween so that the driven member makes continuous motion in a plane parallel to the screen when an image is projected.
US07880963B2
It is an object to provide a zoom microscope of a simple structure which can expand a variable-power range. In order to achieve the object thereof, the zoom microscope includes a replaceable infinity correction objective lens, an aperture stop, an afocal zoom system, and an imaging optical system which are arranged in this order from a specimen side. Further, the aperture stop is disposed on or near a rear focal plane of the objective lens.
US07880955B2
An electrophoretic dispersion solution includes a nonpolar solvent and plural kinds of electrophoretic particles. At least one kind of the electrophoretic particles has, on surfaces, a copolymer including a first monomer that has a charged group and a second monomer expressed by a first formula represented as R denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R′ denotes a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with a carbon number of 1 through 4, n is a natural number, and x denotes an integer of 1 through 3. At least another kind of the electrophoretic particles include, on surfaces, a polymer including a third monomer expressed by a second formula represented as a component of the polymer. R denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R″″ denotes an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 or larger.
US07880954B2
A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.
US07880950B2
This invention provides a display element having a reduced white color tone variation during repeated drive. This display element contains an electrolyte between opposed electrodes. The electrolyte contains silver or a compound containing silver in its chemical structure. The opposed electrodes are driven so that silver is dissolved and precipitated. The display element is characterized in that the electrolyte contains a compound represented by general formula (A) and a compound represented by general formula (1) or (2).
US07880934B2
A form of stochastic random distribution is used to print an invisible watermark using a typical, e.g., 600 dpi, printer. The watermark contains such information as “Do Not Copy,” or other such information. Although the watermark is not visible on a first generation version of a document that is printed, various techniques are used to print the watermark in such a way that it becomes readily apparent when the first generation document is photocopied. The preferred embodiment of the invention is concerned with a technique for improving such techniques, for example so that gray levels are improved to address variations from printer to printer. Another preferred embodiment of the invention is also concerned with a technique for performing error diffusion watermarking without the need for performing a calibration step.
US07880931B2
An ICC profile includes brief gloss information indicating glossy/matte attribute as attribute information, however, gloss matching cannot be performed with the 2 options. In a case where embedding of glossiness information into the ICC profile is designated, glossiness information is obtained from a color chart placed on an original plate of a color copier, and the obtained glossiness information is described in a private tag of the ICC profile.
US07880920B2
In a system in which a print controller and an image forming apparatus are communicably connected, a first paper information to be used by the print controller and a second paper information to be used by the image forming apparatus are both held in the print controller and the image forming apparatus. The first paper information and the second paper information include a common ID for paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information. In response to a restore instruction, both sets of the first paper information or both sets of the second paper information are merged. ID duplication is eliminated by changing the IDs in regard to paper data in which IDs are duplicated as a result of merging. The first and second paper information to be used by the print controller and the image forming apparatus are updated based on the result of merging.
US07880913B2
Methods, systems, and software products are disclosed for transforming print jobs. A transform system of the invention includes a segmenting system and a plurality of compute systems. The segmenting system receives a print job comprising logical pages in a first encoding, and segments the print job of logical pages into work units. A plurality (some or all) of the work units each includes multiple logical pages. The segmenting system then transmits the work units to the compute systems. Responsive to receiving a work unit, a compute system converts the logical pages in the work unit to a second encoding thus performing the transform.
US07880912B2
A network printing system is provided having a plurality of network printers, a plurality of computer terminals, and at least one processor in operative communication with the plurality of printers and the plurality of computer terminals. The at least one processor executes application software for receiving a print data request having a print job from at least one of the plurality of computer terminals. The at least one processor includes an automated selection service module for analyzing printer-related data corresponding to each of the plurality of printers, selecting at least one of the plurality of printers in accordance with the analysis and transmitting the print data request to the at least one selected destination printer. The at least one processor further includes a printer notification module for generating and transmitting a notification message to a user specifying the at least one selected destination printer.
US07880911B2
A system for printing a position on a print medium, that has a mobile telephone with an inbuilt printer module to print the position on the print medium; and, a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium.
US07880902B2
The probe comprises a light source (20), means for shaping (24, 25, 21) the beam emitted by said light source and the beam coming from a surface arranged close to a target distance, an optical detector unit (22), comprising a pinhole diaphragm (26) and a photoelectric detector (28), providing a voltage peak (31) when said surface is at said target distance and further comprising a diaphragm (27) with a hole larger than said pinhole and a photoelectric detector (29), providing a voltage greater than that produced by said detection sensor (28), except when said surface is a the target distance. The method uses the probe to measure the thickness of an optical lens.
US07880890B2
An interferometer system includes an optical bench and at least two mirror structures, being patterned from one or more layers on the optical bench and erected to extend substantially perpendicularly to the bench to define two interferometer arms to provide a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) interferometer. The MEMS interferometer is further implemented in a Fourier transform spectrometer, which includes a common housing containing the interferometer and a gas cell, possibly including a preconcentrator.
US07880889B2
An inspection method is provided to determine a value related to a parameter of a target pattern printed on a substrate by a lithographic process used to manufacture a device layer on a substrate. The inspection method can include using an optical system with a high-NA objective lens, where the high-NA objective lens includes an object plane and a pupil plane. The inspection method can also include providing an aperture member to define at least one obscuration, determining a radial distance between a radially innermost point of each dark area and a nominal center of an image in a pupil plane, and determining an axial distance between the target and an object plane from the determined radial distance.
US07880878B2
The Nebulized Airborne Biohazard Stage Alert (NABSA) is a method utilizing an optical particle counter in conjunction with a fluorometer as triggers to detect and assess potential biohazard threats infused into surrounding air. In the first stage an optical particle counter is constantly passing sampled air in front of an energy source, in turn scattering light. This scattered light is evaluated to establish if the particles are above one micrometer in concentrations, and thus potentially an aerosolized threat. Such detection triggers the secondary stage in which the sample particles are tested for viability via processing through a dye with fluorescent properties affected when bonded with an entity universally found in all biological substances and a UV light source. The detection of concentrations of oversized, viable particles triggers the third stage to compare a sample of the particles to known biowarfare agents to delineate the specific agent species.
US07880875B2
An apparatus is described for scanning a circuit structure. The apparatus has a linear sensor (16) for detecting light intensity as a function of position along the sensor. A transport mechanism (12) moves a circuit structure (10), such as a PCB or a wafer relative to the sensor. The circuit structure is illuminated with an illumination system (14) that comprises a hollow cylinder (144) with a mainly diffusively and/or specularly reflecting inner wall surface. The cylinder is arranged in parallel with the sensor and has a first slit (40) and a second slit (42) located so that a virtual plane runs through the sensor, the first and second slit to a location for the circuit structure under inspection. The illumination system furthermore comprises a linear light source (146) in the cylinder or the inner wall of the cylinder. In an embodiment the illumination system comprises a splitting mirror (22) in the cylinder to reflect light to the circuit structure.
US07880874B2
A surface particle-counting device where the scanner element and the particle counting element have been combined so to reduce the number of lost particles and increase the overall efficiency of the particle-counting device. By removing the conventional tube that connects the scanner element and the particle counting element accuracy is increased.
US07880871B2
A recording sheet moving device includes: a moving unit that moves a recording sheet; a recording sheet specifying unit that specifies a length in the transport direction and a weight per unit area of the recording sheet; a first memory configured to record, for each of plural recording sheets, a threshold for a length in the transport direction in association with a weight per unit area; and a movement control unit that retrieves a threshold for a length on the basis of the specified weight per unit area from the first memory, and compares the retrieved threshold for a length and the specified length, to determine whether to cause the moving unit to move the recording sheet, and if it is determined that the recording sheet should be moved, causes the moving unit to move the recording sheet.
US07880866B2
Erroneous measurement in distance measurement using a TOF technique is prevented. Intensity-modulated light being modulated with a constant cycle is emitted toward a subject. Reflected modulated light from the subject is received by a light receiving unit, and four types of (first to fourth) detection signals with different phases are obtained. Then, whether a difference between a first sum of the first and third detection signals and a second sum of the second and fourth detection signals is smaller than a set value is determined. If it is the case, a phase difference between the modulated light and the reflected modulated light is detected using the four detection signals. Then, a distance to the subject is calculated using the phase difference. In contrast, for any block in which the difference is not less than the set value, the phase difference is not detected and the distance is not calculated.
US07880865B2
In a laser radar apparatus, a laser beam generator that generates a laser beam and an optical detector that detects reflected light that has been reflected by an object in a field to be observed. A deflection performing means, provided with one or more deflection means each rotatable on a given central axis thereof, for enabling the deflection means to deflect the laser beam to the field and to deflect the reflected light toward the optical detector. A drive means driven to rotate the deflection means. A direction changing means changes a direction of the laser beam from the deflection means is changed in a direction of the central axis. A control means controls an operation of the direction changing means.
US07880862B2
An exposure apparatus comprising a projection optical system configured to project a pattern image of an original onto a substrate, and a sensor configured to detect light emerging from the projection optical system, the sensor including a light receiving element having a light receiving surface, and an optical member having a reflection surface which reflects the light emerging from the projection optical system toward the light receiving surface, wherein the reflection surface forms an acute angle with respect to the light receiving surface.
US07880852B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate includes: a plurality of gate lines extending in one direction, a plurality of data lines extending in a direction intersecting the gate lines, a pixel electrode formed in a pixel region defined by an intersection of the gate line and the data line, and with one side of the pixel electrode overlapping a portion of one data line and another side of the pixel electrode overlapping a portion of another data line. The TFT further includes a storage electrode line having a storage electrode disposed in a central portion of the pixel region.
US07880848B2
It is an object of the present invention to apply a sufficient electrical field to a liquid crystal material in a horizontal electrical field liquid crystal display device typified by an FFS type. In a horizontal electrical field liquid crystal display, an electrical field is applied to a liquid crystal material right above a common electrode and a pixel electrode using plural pairs of electrodes rather than one pair of electrodes. One pair of electrodes includes a comb-shaped common electrode and a comb-shaped pixel electrode. Another pair of electrodes includes a common electrode provided in a pixel portion and the comb-shaped pixel electrode.
US07880839B2
There is provided a liquid crystal display which includes: a liquid crystal cell containing a pair of transparent substrates and a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules, sandwiched between the pair of the transparent substrates; and a polarizing plate, disposed on an outside of each transparent plate, and comprising at least a polarizer and an optical film containing at least first, second and third optical anisotropic layers, wherein the liquid crystal display device satisfies the following conditions (1) to (7).
US07880835B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, comprising an array substrate and a color filter substrate, the array substrate comprises a first substrate, shielding bars, gate lines, data lines, and pixel electrodes, the color filter substrate comprises a second substrate, wherein the array substrate and color filter substrate are divided into at least a left side region and a right side region; a plurality of first BMs are provided on the second substrate in the left side region of the color filter substrate, with respect to a central line of the data line corresponding to each of the first BMs, a length of a right side portion is longer than that of a left side portion for each of the first BMs; a plurality of second BMs are provided on the second substrate in the right side region of the color filter substrate, with respect to a central line of the data line corresponding to each of the second BMs, a length of a left side portion is longer than that of a right side portion for each of the second BMs. In the LCD panel of the present invention, the length of a side of the BM on the second substrate in different regions of the color filter substrate is increased to increase the critical dimension, so that the occurrence of light leakage can be effectively avoided when the LCD panel is flapped.
US07880829B2
A flat panel display device includes a folded bezel formed in a multi-layer structure. The flat panel display device is formed so that an electronic component of a flexible printed circuit board may be inserted into at least one opening formed at a location where the layers of the bezel correspond to one another. Thus, the electronic component inserted into the opening of the bezel has improved durability against external interference and impact, and the number of components and the number of processes can be reduced.
US07880827B2
A display device and a manufacture method thereof are provided. The display device includes a base, a display panel, and a shielding adhesive layer. The display panel is disposed on the base. The display panel includes an active area and a border area enclosing the active area, wherein the border area has a corner portion. The shielding adhesive layer is disposed between the base and the display panel and distributed on the border area. The shielding adhesive layer does not extend to the corner portion and therefore directly exposes the corner portion to the base.
US07880825B2
A backlight assembly of an LCD device which is capable of securing a enough space to mount a light guide plate by guiding lamp wires in the direction of a rear surface of the backlight assembly includes a lamp, a light guide plate configured to guide light emitted from the lamp, an optical sheet formed at an upper surface of the light guide plate, a mold frame accommodating the lamp, the light guide plate, and the optical sheet, a back cover formed at one side of a rear surface of the mold frame to protect the lamp and light guide plate, lamp wires connected at both ends of the lamp, and a wire outlet penetrating the back cover.
US07880820B2
An assembly for converting a microscope into a phase contrast microscope includes a first optical Fourier element that Fourier transforms light from a coherent light source, a cell in the Fourier plane arranged to receive light from the first optical Fourier element, a second optical Fourier element arranged to receive light from the cell and inversely Fourier transform the received light to provide an image, an image sensor that detects the image and generates an electronic representation of the image, and an adaptor capable of coupling the first and second Fourier elements, the cell, and the image sensor to the microscope such that the first Fourier element Fourier transforms light collected by the microscope objective. The cell includes liquid crystal molecules having a phase transition temperature, wherein at temperatures exceeding the phase transition temperature, light transmitting through the liquid crystal molecules obtains a different phase than light transmitting through the liquid crystal molecules at temperatures below the phase transition temperature.
US07880818B2
We describe a device and an associated method that includes an EHT signal processing module to generate a compensated gain signal responsive to a first EHT signal. A field fly-back processing module generates a first correcting signal responsive to a first VFB signal. A horizontal scanning correction module generates a predistortion signal responsive to the compensated gain signal. A first digital to analog conversion module converts the predistortion signal into a corresponding analog predistortion signal. A field scanning correction module generates a correcting wave responsive to the compensated gain signal and the first correcting signal. A pulse width modulated module generates a modulated correcting wave by pulse width modulating the correcting wave. A power amplification module generates an amplified modulated correcting wave by amplifying the modulated correcting wave. And a cathode ray tube displays an image responsive to the analog predistortion signal and the amplified modulated correcting wave.
US07880816B2
On a display unit, icons representing types of video signals supplied to respective ones of a plurality of input terminals are displayed. When a user operates a remote and selects an icon representing the type of desired video signal, a video image derived from the video signal of the desired type supplied to the input terminal that corresponds to the selected icon is displayed on the display unit. In such a situation, arrangement of icons on the display unit can be changed by a user instruction given by an operation of the remote. Further, the icons also show shapes of the input terminals, and therefore, the user can easily confirm to which input terminal of which shape the device supplying the video signal of the type indicated by the icon is to be connected.
US07880810B2
An apparatus for processing an informational signal includes a first processing section for receiving the informational signal, executing a first processing on the informational signal, and outputting the processed informational signal. The apparatus also includes a second processing section, which is located at a posterior stage of the first processing section, for receiving the processed informational signal and executing a second processing on the processed informational signal. The apparatus further includes transmitting device for transmitting meta-information corresponding to each predetermined period of time in the informational signal from the first processing section to the second processing section. The processing in the second processing section is controlled based on the meta-information transmitted by the transmitting device.
US07880809B2
A system and method that produces a spatial average for interlaced video in a deinterlacer. The system detects edges in the video images and determines the angle at which the edges are oriented based on the gradient in the x-direction and the gradient in the y-direction. The direction of the edge is determined using the angle information of the edge. The system may also determine the strength of the edge. Based on the determined characteristics of the edge a filter may be selected to produce a spatial average of the edge in the image.
US07880807B2
A camera assembly that generates a high-quality self portrait may include a plurality of reflecting surfaces, such as an array of mirrors or a multi-faceted reflecting element. Each reflecting surface may be arranged so as to assist the user align the camera by rotational movement and/or translated movement to achieve a different field of view for the camera assembly for each reflecting surface. In this manner, the user may sequentially use the various reflecting surfaces to capture an image corresponding to each reflecting surface so that each image corresponds to a different portion of a scene. These portions of the scene may have some overlap and may be stitched together to form a panoramic self portrait that includes the user and portions of the scene behind the user.
US07880795B2
A lens apparatus includes an optical system having an aperture unit and a plurality of extender lenses that are selectively locatable in an optical axis. The lens apparatus is mountable on a camera having an image pickup element. To maintain the brightness of the image when changing the extender lens, the lens apparatus has a memory in which correction data associated with aperture values for each extender lens, and the aperture unit is driven using the correction data according to information on the extender lens.
US07880793B2
A camera includes a housing, a camera lens, a video camera recorder, a display, and a mounting rail. The housing is elongated and sealed. The camera lens is located at a front end of the housing. The video camera recorder is located within the housing for recording images captured by the camera lens. The display is configured for viewing the recorded images. The mounting rail extends along an exterior surface of the housing and mounts the camera to the weapon.
US07880787B2
A MOS image sensor comprises: a semiconductor substrate that has a surface including an image area; a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on the image area; and lines formed over the image area in a manner avoiding the photoelectric conversion elements and connected to a signal-read circuit provided corresponding to each of the photoelectric conversion elements, wherein a predetermined one of the lines is formed by a conductive polysilicon film.
US07880786B2
A CMOS color image sensor, which is a solid-state image pickup device, includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each of the plurality of pixels converting the incident light intensity into an electrical signal; a pixel array including the plurality of pixels; row-selection lines; and column-reading lines. Two column-reading lines are provided for each column of the pixel array. Pixels in even rows of each column are connected to one column-reading line and pixels in odd rows of each column are connected to the other column-reading line.
US07880785B2
An imager having color sensitivity in any lighting condition is provided by replacing at least one of the green color filtered pixels in a Bayer pattern array with an non-color filtered pixel and providing a different integration period for each color channel. When replacing a color filtered pixel with a non-color filtered pixel, the benefits of both color sensitivity and light sensitivity may be harnessed by providing the color filtered pixels with a longer integration period than the non-color filtered pixels. Color information may be interpolated by performing subtraction logic using non-color and color filter information from adjacent pixels in back-end processing. Integration times for each color channel can be adapted to minimize filter transmission and sensor absorption differences within each frame of data. Temporal displacement of colors of moving objects by having different integration periods may be corrected in back-end processing. Back-end processing may also correct motion blur.
US07880783B2
A digital still camera has a CCD image sensor, which includes an active pixel area for image pickup of an image to produce image data. A black pixel area is disposed outside the active pixel area, and produces black pixel data. The image pickup apparatus includes an amplifier for adjusting white balance of the image data. A smear detection unit detects a smeared portion of a smear phenomenon in the image according to the black pixel data. A tone correction unit reduces chroma of the image in a predetermined hue area according to a smear level of the smear phenomenon determined from the black pixel data, to carry out color correction of the smeared portion for the image data after adjusting the white balance.
US07880779B2
The method and circuit corrects errors in an active pixel sensor which generates an output indicative of illumination intensity and which may experience an error in the output as a result of artifacts which produce an erroneous output. The approach includes determining the output from the pixel, comparing the output with a threshold value, and if the output is lower that the threshold value identifying the existence of an erroneous output and storing a value in a latching device in response thereto. A maximum value is generated in response to the latching device to replace the erroneous output, thereby correcting the error. The present invention switches the system from the analog to digital domain with respect to the issue of artifacts by using a latch to store a value which is then used to replace the actual output if the output is wrong.
US07880777B2
Methods and systems for correcting fixed pattern noise (FPN) in infrared (IR) imaging cameras. The methods and systems include correcting IR sensor data different strength levels of FPN data and selecting the particular strength level that produces corrected data with the least amount of FPN. The correction may occur over several frames of IR sensor data in order to find an optimal strength level for correction.
US07880766B2
A detection area adjustment apparatus automatically detects the entire target detection area without producing any dead areas and without requiring cameras to be previously fixed at regular intervals, even in the case where a camera is broken. The detection area adjustment apparatus includes plural camera terminals. Each of the plural camera terminals includes a camera whose detection area is adjustable, an adjustment unit that adjusts the position of the detection area by controlling the camera, and a communication unit that communicates the detection area information indicating the detection area of the camera. The adjustment unit adjusts the position of the detection area of the camera in the current camera terminal so that the total area of the detection areas of the plural camera terminals covers the entire target detection area based on the detection area of the camera in the current camera terminal and the detection areas of the cameras in the other camera terminals.
US07880764B2
Provided is a three-dimensional (3D) image display apparatus, which can sense a displacement of a display using a gyroscopic sensor and control a 3D image displayed on the display using the sensed result. The 3D image display apparatus includes a body, a display displaying a 3D image, a gyroscopic sensor mounted on the body and sensing the displacement of the display, and a controller selecting one of at least two-viewpoint three-dimensional image data according to the displacement of the display sensed by the gyroscopic sensor and providing the selected data to the display. Multi-viewpoint three-dimensional image data can be provided according to the displacement of the display relative to a viewer's position.
US07880763B2
A semiconductor device is obtained, in which excellent characteristics are achieved, the reliability is improved, and an SiC wafer can also be used for the fabrication. A plurality of Schottky-barrier-diode units 10 is formed on an SiC chip 9, and each of the units 10 has an external output electrode 4 independently of each other. Bumps 11 (the diameter is from several tens to several hundreds of μm) are formed only on the external output electrodes 4 of non-defective units among the units 10 formed on the SiC chip 9, meanwhile bumps are not formed on the external output electrodes 4 of defective units in which the withstand voltage is too low, or the leakage current is too much. Because the bumps are not formed on the defective units, Schottky-barrier-side electrodes 3 are connected in parallel to the exterior of the device through the bumps 11, and a wiring layer 13 and an external lead 13a of a wiring substrate 12; thus, only the external output electrodes 4 of the non-defective units 10 are connected in parallel with each other.
US07880755B1
A thermal print head assembly comprising a thin ceramic substrate, a thermal insulating glaze layer, an electrically conducive layer, an electrically resistive element layer, and a glass over-coating protective layer, plus an energizing schema that eliminates the need for a heat-sink is disclosed. A method of making this thermal print head assembly is also disclosed.
US07880753B2
The present invention provides a driving method for a display device which includes a display part having pixels of M columns×N rows and a memory, wherein each pixel includes a light emitting element and a driving transistor for driving the light emitting element. At times other than a usual light emitting time, a driving voltage is applied to the driving transistor of each pixel so as to turn on the light emitting element of each pixel, a value of current which flows in the light emitting element of each pixel is detected, correction data for each pixel is calculated based on the detected value of current, and the calculated correction data for each pixel is stored in the memory. At the usual light emitting time, a driving voltage which is based on data which is obtained by adding the correction data stored in the memory to video signal data is applied to the driving transistor of each pixel.
US07880746B2
A system and method for controlling lighting conditions in a user environment whereby bandwidth consumption may be managed is disclosed. An inner frame area and an outer frame area adjust certain lighting conditions in the user environment in response to certain lighting conditions detected by the image capture device as those conditions affect bandwidth consumption during transmission of the image capture data. The frame areas may be dynamically controlled as to affect the brightness and/or color of the particular user environment.
US07880735B2
In a display device that displays by allowing external light to be incident from outside, and reflecting the incident external light so as to output the incident external light from a display surface, a porous body having a front face that is provided on the display surface side is used. Moreover, a colorless and transparent material is used for this porous body, an one-end opening is formed on the front face side in the porous body, and plural small pores that are independent of one another are provided inside the porous body.
US07880734B2
A comprehensive control system and method of great flexibility. Submodules include the specialized circuitry needed to interface to particular types of field inputs and outputs, but present standardized interfaces to modules or other devices on which they are mounted, reducing overall system cost. Modules can be mounted on backplanes, which suppress outputs to module connectors when modules are absent. An extension to the IEEE 1284 Enhanced Parallel Port standard allows units to be connected in a flexible manner. Submodules include a current-limiting universal digital input submodule able to sense AC signals or DC signals regardless of polarity, and an analog input module offering great flexibility in choice of input signals.
US07880728B2
Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, provides a touch screen interface for computer system which allows intuitive switching between several applications. In one approach to this technology, a touch screen display is used to display an interface for an application. A touch sensitive border region is defined at the edge of this display, and is associated with another application. Receiving input at the touch sensitive border region causes the touch screen display to display the interface for the second application.
US07880713B2
A method of increasing efficiency of video display includes receiving a first frame signal, where the first frame signal includes a first blank signal and a first image data, where the first blank signal includes a first sync signal, a first front-porch signal and a first back-porch signal. The method also includes separating the first blank signal and the first image data, performing image processing for the first image data for generating a second image data, and adding a second blank signal to the second image data for generating a second frame signal, where the second blank signal includes a second sync signal, a second front-porch signal and a second back-porch signal.
US07880697B2
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel includes a plurality of pixels displaying a plurality of colors. Each pixel has an OLED element. A gamma voltage-generating section generates a reference gamma voltage based on a gamma curve in which the lowest gradation of the total number of gradations is mapped as a negative data voltage with respect to a reference voltage. A data conversion section converts a first data signal into a second data signal that includes data corresponding to the lowest gradation. A source drive section converts the second data signal into a third data signal by using the reference gamma voltage to provide the OLED display panel with the third data signal.
US07880686B2
A portable terminal capable of display of high luminance with low power consumption and configured to be provided with an LED display panel having a plurality of light-emitting diodes matrix-arranged in a display window formed on the surface of a casing accommodating electronic components and to control display of the light-emitting diodes of the LED display panel with a display control unit. The portable terminal performs display of high luminance with low power consumption with the matrix-arranged light-emitting diodes.
US07880685B2
Controlled phase shift in the operation of an RF antenna element is achieved by selectively choosing between different modes of antenna element resonance. Additional phase control resolution is achieved by combining this with other types of phase shifters. Such phase shifters are especially useful within a phased array of RF antenna radiator elements.
US07880684B2
The present invention is directed to a small aperture broadband localizing system, comprising one or more systems for ascertaining angle-of-arrival of an electromagnetic signal and a transmit tag. A system for ascertaining angle-of-arrival of an electromagnetic signal further comprises a compact antenna array and an evaluation apparatus, and an electromagnetic signal is preferentially a broadband or ultra-wideband (UWB) signal.
US07880682B2
Antenna systems include adjustment mechanisms to adjust the position of dish antennas. The adjustment mechanism includes a clip, a bracket, and a cam mechanism. The clip is fixedly coupled to and projects outwardly from a mast. The bracket is pivotally coupled to the mast and is between the stationary clip and cam mechanism. The cam mechanism is pivotally coupled to the clip and positioned to rotate the bracket and the dish antenna as the cam mechanism rotates. The clip is made of a lightweight material to reduce the overall weight of the antenna system to enhance performance.
US07880676B2
The present invention provides a method and system for positioning one or more anchor nodes or one or more non-anchor nodes in one or more communication networks. A non-anchor node may be in communication with two or more anchor nodes. The method comprises determining two or more distance measurements, corresponding to raw distances of the non-anchor node from the two or more anchor nodes, at predetermined intervals of time. An estimated distance is then calculated between the two or more anchor nodes based on the two or more distance measurements. Estimated distances between a plurality of anchor nodes in the one or more communication networks is calculated in a similar manner. A partial distance matrix is then populated using the estimated distance between the plurality of anchor nodes. A plurality of geographic coordinates of the plurality of anchor nodes is reconstructed based on the partial distance matrix. The plurality of geographic coordinates is reconstructed based on one or more of a geometric build-up algorithm, a shortest-path algorithm and a multidimensional scaling algorithm.
US07880662B2
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) generates an output digital value equivalent to the difference between two analog signal values. The ADC 30 receives a first analog signal level, a second analog signal level and a ramp signal. A counter 32 is operable to count in a single direction. A control stage is arranged to enable the counter 32 based on a comparison 19 of the ramp signal with the first analog signal and the second analog signal. A digital value accumulated by the counter during a period when it is enabled forms the output. The ADC can perform the conversion during a single cycle of the ramp signal. The counter 32 can be loaded with a starting digital value representing an exposure level accumulated during a previous exposure period. Techniques are described for reducing the conversion time.
US07880654B2
Apparatus are provided for continuous-time sigma-delta modulators. A sigma-delta modulator comprises a quantizer configured to convert an analog signal to a digital value. A main feedback arrangement is coupled to the quantizer, and the main feedback arrangement delays the digital value by a first delay period and generates a main feedback signal based on the delayed value. A compensation feedback arrangement is coupled to the quantizer, and compensation feedback arrangement delays the digital value by a second delay period and generates a compensation feedback signal based on the delayed value. A forward signal arrangement produces the analog signal at the quantizer based on an input signal, the main feedback signal, and the compensation feedback signal. The second delay period is independent of and is not influenced by the first delay period, and the second delay period is chosen such that the compensation feedback signal compensates for the first delay period.
US07880652B2
This invention relates to adjusting a filter of a time-continuous Sigma-Delta converter arranged to convert an analog input signal (Sin) to a digital output signal. A control signal indicative of a gain of the filter is provided, and the gain of the filter is adjusted in dependence of the control signal. The control signal is provided from the digital output signal of the Sigma-Delta converter. In this way the performance of the Sigma-Delta converter can be improved in a simple way that requires no or few additional analog components, and the Sigma-Delta converter itself is used to adjust its performance. Using a signal from the digital domain of the Sigma-Delta converter is advantageous in that it is typically easier, faster and more precise to process signals in the digital domain.
US07880643B2
A method for tracking objects, especially for monitoring traffic, wherein a sensor measuring in an essentially horizontal and radial manner detects metrical data on moving objects in the form of raw data and transmits said data to a computer unit. The raw data is processed in the computer in such a way that the objects are tracked and the geometric properties thereof are determined. The static background is autonomously recognized and adapted or updated if changes occur. Objects in a present scene are tracked and current parameters are determined and correlated with the parameters of the objects of previous scenes. The method is particularly suitable for the detection and recognition of non-static traffic infractions which can only be recognized by analyzing the tracking of an object. The invention can be used in conjunction with several sensors in existing traffic control systems. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the above-mentioned method.
US07880641B2
The invention relates to a meter box for housing a utility meter and configured for associating a customer service line to a utility service line. The meter box may be configured to fit within an existing meter box and may be configured with side sections in a telescopic arrangement. Flow control components at an input of the meter box prevent backflow.The meter box comprises an electronic module that includes a variety of selectable features including datalogging, AMR, environmental monitoring, and resource monitoring. A remote monitor is provided for allowing a customer to view selected data including consumption data, pressure, pH, temperature, warnings, remote turnoff, and provide secured bill paying services. Imaging/audio components provide visual and audio data which may include an image of an analog readout for a meter register, images of the metering environment, and sound data for metering environment.
US07880636B2
In current passenger aircraft, signs are used to represent specific information, which reproduce the information as writing or a pictogram. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an information display system for aircraft is specified, comprising a light source, a projection unit, and a housing. For this purpose, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the projection unit is implemented in the form of a liquid crystal display, so that, in combination with a high-performance light-emitting diode and a suitable lens, static and dynamic information may be presented on arbitrarily shaped projection surfaces. The flexibility of the onboard information display is thus advantageously increased.
US07880627B2
A fan detecting apparatus for detecting at least two fans includes a processing unit, at least two airflow switches, and at least two indicating units. The processing unit includes a first terminal configured to output a driving signal, a second terminal configured to receive the driving signal, and a third terminal, the processing unit alarming when the second terminal does not receive the driving signal from the first terminal. The at least two airflow switches are serially coupled between the first and second terminals, monitor airflow from at least two fans in a computer room, and turn on or off according to strength of airflow from the at least two fans. The indicating units are respectively coupled between corresponding airflow switches and the third terminal of the processing unit, and indicate status of corresponding fans according to on or off status of the airflow switches.
US07880616B2
A wireless system suitable for use as a radio frequency (RF) locationing or presence detection system includes at least one wireless access device and at least wireless device, such as an active RF tag, corresponding to an item or asset of interest. A method of managing RF transmissions by the wireless devices is provided. The method involves the wireless device receiving keep-alive beacons during a first period of time. During this first period of time, the wireless device is operated in a transmit mode. During a second period of time that follows the first period of time, the wireless device receives no keep-alive beacons. During this second period of time, the wireless device is operated in a standby mode such that RF transmissions are disabled.
US07880614B2
An RFID interposer has conductive material that includes an impedance matching structure. The impedance matching structure aids in matching impedance between a chip that is to be mounted to the interposer, and an antenna that the interposer is to be coupled to. The impedance matching structures may allow different chips, with slightly different electrical characteristics, to be impedance matched to the same antenna configuration, using the same type of interposer. The impedance matching structure may have any of a variety of configurations in the electrically conductive material of the interposer. The structure may be parts of the chip mounting bond pads, may be part of the conductive electrical connection between the chip bond pads and antenna bond pads, may be part of connections between the chip bond pads and the antenna bond pads, and/or may be only indirectly electrically coupled to the antenna bond pads (such as by capacitive coupling).
US07880611B2
Unpackaged bulk material is made up of components that have been laced with RFID tags. By interrogating the RFID tags, the different components are identified and quantified, thus providing a quick assay of the bulk material.
US07880609B2
A system and method are disclosed for real-time management of mobile resources. The management system includes an on board system, a processor, and a data center. The on board system is provided with the mobile resource to be managed and includes a number of sensors to monitor various conditions. Each sensor collects information independently and asynchronously with respect to the other sensors. The processor collects the information from the sensors and saves it in the form of synchronous data. A continuous two-way connection is established between the on board system and the data center across a wireless communication network. The data center monitors at least one sensed state from the sensors based on receipt of the synchronous data from the on board system. The data center can also provide instructions to the on board system in response to the state that is being monitored.
US07880608B2
A System and Method for Person or Object Position Location Utilizing Impulse Radio, comprising a plurality of reference impulse radios; an object or person to be tracked having a mobile impulse radio associated therewith; an architecture with an associated positioning algorithm associated with said plurality of impulse radio reference radios and said mobile impulse radio; and display means for displaying the position of the person or object whose position is to be determined.
US07880607B2
A risk management system (100) for first responders (102) equips first responders with physiological and environmental sensors (104) in order to track the stress conditions and stress responses of the first responders. Data from the sensors is digitized and filtered and processed through a feature extraction system (202, 704) that may include noise filters, (710) derivative filters (706), integrators (708) and derived signal generators (712) that use stored data on first responders, before being fed into a pattern recognition system (402, 900) that assesses the risk state of the first responder. Data from multiple first responders in a team can be aggregated to obtain team risk assessments.
US07880605B2
A security system and method of monitoring a portable device. The security system has a first sensor, a controller, and an alarm signal generator. The controller is capable of detecting that the first sensor, with the security system in an armed state, has changed from the secured state, and as an incident thereof, causing a signal to be generated by the alarm signal generator. The controller and first sensor are configured so that under certain conditions the first sensor must be changed from the unsecured state into the secured state and maintained in the secured state for a predetermined time period before the controller, first sensor and alarm signal generator can thereafter interact to produce a detectable signal in the event of a security breach.
US07880603B2
The present invention is directed to a method and system for controlling operation of an anti-masking system that detects tampering with a motion detection system. The control system may include a selective adjustment mechanism for adjusting a sensitivity level of the anti-masking system and a trigger mechanism for triggering the selective adjustment mechanism upon occurrence of an event to raise the sensitivity level of the anti-masking system. The control system may additionally include a timer for extending the raised sensitivity level for a predetermined time period beyond the occurrence of the event. The control system may operate in conjunction with a motion detection system that includes at least one motion detection sensor for detecting motion.
US07880600B2
A capacitive pressure sensor comprises a pair of conductive plates surrounding a compressible dielectric to form a capacitor. Changes in pressure create changes in the capacitance of the capacitor, which in turn may be measured to determine the changes in pressure. The pressure sensor may be constructed to be temperature and centripetal force compensated so that it may be positioned in a tire. A further embodiment uses the conductive plates to form a radiating element for the sensor such that it may wirelessly communicate with a remote interrogator.
US07880595B2
A vehicle monitoring system which can readily identify information transmitted from each detecting device without requiring registration of identifying information of the detecting device is to be provided. Detecting devices transmit vehicle information including at least the result of detection and self-identifying information; a tractor relaying device and a trailer relaying device add their self-identifying information to vehicle data received on the basis of the identifying information of the detecting devices and transmit the vehicle data, and transmit registration data including their own relaying device IDs and types indicating the registration of the relaying device IDs; the tractor relaying device stores the relaying device ID of the registration data transmitted from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the type information and transmits that registration data, and transmits vehicle data received from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the relaying device ID. The display device receives the registration data and the vehicle data transmitted from the tractor relaying device, and stores the relaying device ID of the registration data on the basis of type information.
US07880592B2
This invention realizes an incoming call notification operation for portable equipments in which the amplitude of vibration matches the rhythm of the melody, by electrically connecting an electromagnetic induction actuator that produces melody and vibration to an integrated circuit that outputs the melody generation signal and the vibration signal, and by applying to the electromagnetic induction actuator either the melody generation signal from the integrated circuit or a signal created by mixing the melody generation signal and the vibration generation signal.
US07880586B2
The present invention relates to a cooling system for a mobile terminal for wireless communication comprising a rotating fan (1) for reducing the heat generated by the mobile terminal and at least one weight (3) for causing an unbalance of the rotation of the fan (1) in order to cause vibration of the fan, whereby said weight is activated when the rotational speed of the fan (1) exceeds a predefined level.
US07880578B2
A conductor assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. A helical wiring pattern is positioned along an axis a radial distance R from the axis. The wiring pattern is formed about an aperture region extending from the axis toward the wiring pattern, the distance R varying along a portion of the axis.
US07880576B2
An electromagnetic noise absorber to be attached around an electric cable to attenuate noise transmitted through the electric cable. The electromagnetic noise absorber comprises a strip-like base material and a plurality of ferrite pieces fixed to the strip-like base material. The plurality of ferrite pieces are formed by fixing a sheeted ferrite sintered body to the strip-like base material, and subsequently splitting the sheeted ferrite sintered body along split lines oblique with respect to a longitudinal direction of the strip-like base material. The electromagnetic noise absorber is wound around a circumference of the electric cable such that the split lines are parallel to an axial direction of the electric cable, thereby being attached in a spiral manner around the circumference of the electric cable.
US07880567B2
Provided is an electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure, and particularly, an overlay EBG structure in which a plurality of vias and a plurality of plates are formed at intervals on a central signal line in such a manner that the vias and plates extend vertically from a substrate in order to reduce leakage loss of an electromagnetic wave through the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an electromagnetic wave passing through a transmission line from being lost through the substrate, to obtain desired frequency characteristics by adjusting the dimensions of the vias and plates, and to manufacture the overlay EBG structure using an existing CMOS process without having to perform any additional process.
US07880566B2
A lattice-type filter circuit includes first and second balanced signal terminals; first and second balanced signal terminals; a first resonator connected to a series arm between the first balanced signal terminal on the input side and the first balanced signal terminal on the output side; a second resonator connected to a series arm between the second balanced signal terminal on the input side and the second balanced signal terminal on the output side; a first resonant circuit including impedance elements, being connected to a lattice arm between the first balanced signal terminal on the output side and the second balanced signal terminal on the input side; and a second resonant circuit including impedance elements, being connected to a lattice arm between the second balanced signal terminal on the output side and the first balanced signal terminal on the input side.
US07880563B2
An acoustic wave device comprising a piezoelectric layer on an omnidirectional acoustic mirror and excitation and/or reception means on a surface of said piezoelectric layer, capable of exciting waves in a band gap of the acoustic mirror.
US07880561B2
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter device includes first and second longitudinally coupled SAW filter units. The first and second filter units are cascade-connected to each other. A phase of a signal flowing through a first signal line electrically connecting second IDTs of the first and second SAW filter units is different by about 180° from a phase of a signal flowing through a signal line electrically connecting third IDTs of the first and second SAW filter units. A SAW resonator is connected between the first and second signal lines. A resonance point of the SAW resonator is set in an attenuation region in the vicinity of the edge of a low frequency side of a filter passband or an anti-resonance point of the SAW resonator is set in an attenuation region in the vicinity of the edge of a high frequency side of the filter passband.
US07880555B2
Fundamental interconnect systems for connecting high-speed electronics elements are provided. The interconnect systems consists of signal line, dielectric system with open trench or slot filled up with air or lower dielectric loss material, and the ground plane. The signal line could be for example, microstripline, strip line, coplanar line, single line or differential pairs. The interconnect system can be used for on-chip interconnects or can also be used for off-chip interconnects. The fundamental techniques provided in this invention can also be used for high-speed connectors and high-speed cables.
US07880549B1
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a circuit comprising a unit cell including an input and an output, and a harmonic trap, intrinsic to the unit cell, implemented on one of the input and the output. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07880545B1
The present invention provides compensation for circuits. In one embodiment, a compensation circuit has a first terminal coupled to an output terminal of the circuit and a second terminal coupled to feed back the output voltage to an internal node. A damping circuit may also be coupled to the output terminal. The damping circuit adds a pole and a zero to the transfer function of the circuit. In one embodiment, the damping circuit modifies the effect of the output impedance of a load on the transfer function to increase the phase margin of the circuit such that the circuit remains stable over an increased range of output capacitor values.
US07880543B2
A data transmitting circuit includes a reflection suppressive component generating circuit for generating a reflection suppressive component for suppressing the reflection caused by the discontinuity in the characteristic impedance on a transmission line, and a data output circuit for amplifying the reflection suppressive component and the data to be currently transmitted to a receiving side and outputting them to the transmission line.
US07880537B2
An operational amplifier capable of offset cancel in a shorter period, as well as a line driver capable of shortening one horizontal period and a liquid crystal display device are provided. In the operational amplifier of the invention, a time necessary for feed back control can be shortened than usual by a constitution that an output voltage VO in one horizontal period H1 which is one horizontal period before is defined as a reference voltage in an offset cancel preparatory period HC2, thereby changing the output voltage VO(2) only by the offset voltage VO(2) by the feed back control. In the line driver of the invention, the operational amplifier not used for the output of display data D1 to D6 conducts offset cancel operation and it is successively shifted on every one horizontal period. Since it is no more necessary to incorporate the offset cancel preparatory period in the output period, one horizontal period can be shortened further.
US07880536B2
Circuits, methods and devices for providing low-pass filtering are implemented according to a number of different embodiments. In one such embodiment a Sallen-Key low-pass filter circuit is implemented that comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series, the first resistor being connected between the second resistor and an input of the circuit. The second resistor is directly connected between the first resistor and an output of the circuit.
US07880535B2
A semiconductor device 2 has a plurality of elements. It also has an F-V table storing unit for low voltage threshold cells 31 for storing an F-V table TB11 of an oscillation frequency f1 relying on the plurality of elements and a power supply voltage EV to be supplied to the plurality of elements. It has a process sensor block 12 having at least one of the plurality of elements, for monitoring the oscillation frequency f1 relying on at least one element. It further has a selector 33 for setting the power supply voltage EV associated with the oscillation frequency f1, as the supply voltage to be supplied to the semiconductor device 2 by selecting according to the F-V table TB11. The F-V table TB11 is obtained by mutually relating the combinations of random number models ξn between an F-ξ table TB20 and an ξ-V table TB30.
US07880529B2
A coupling system may include first and second magnetic flux inductors communicatively coupled to a Josephson junction of an rf SQUID. The coupling system may allow transverse coupling between qubits. A superconducting processor may include at least one of the coupling systems and two or more qubits. A method may include providing first, second and third coupling structure to control the coupling system.
US07880523B2
An apparatus and method of providing a pulse width modulated signal that is responsive to a current are disclosed. A circuit according to aspects of the present invention includes a capacitor to convert a first current to a first voltage on the capacitor during a first time duration and to discharge a second current from the capacitor to change the first voltage to a second voltage during a second time duration. A comparator is also included and is coupled to an output of the capacitor to compare a voltage on the capacitor to a reference voltage during the second time duration to change a pulse width of a periodic output signal in response to an input current.
US07880520B2
During a period of preparation for actual operation, a reference clock is supplied to both a comparison clock input portion and a feedback clock input portion of a phase comparator while a feedback loop of a PLL (phase-locked loop) is interrupted, and a delay of a reset signal within the phase comparator is adjusted so as to reduce a detection dead zone of phase differences in the phase comparator.
US07880518B2
A method and circuit for static phase error measurement includes a reference clock delay chain having a selectable number of delay elements. A number of the delay elements are enabled in accordance with a select length signal to delay a reference clock signal. A feedback signal delay chain also has a selectable number of delay elements. A number of the delay elements are enabled in accordance with a select length signal to delay a feedback signal. A latch tests phase alignment between the delayed reference clock signal and the delayed feedback signal and outputs a measurement of static phase error.
US07880512B2
In an output driver circuit, a replica circuit includes seventh and eighth transistors corresponding to first and second transistors, respectively, ninth and tenth transistors corresponding to third or fifth, and fourth or sixth transistors in a driver circuit, respectively, and a resistor corresponding to a termination resistor. A reference voltage and a voltage of a node between the ninth transistor and the resistor are input to an operational amplifier, and an output signal of the operational amplifier is input to gates of the first and seventh transistors.
US07880510B2
A semiconductor device includes a reference voltage generating unit configured to produce a reference voltage by dividing a voltage difference between a positive clock terminal and a negative clock terminal, and a logic determination unit configured to determine a logic level of an external signal based on the reference voltage.
US07880507B2
A circular edge detector on an integrated circuit including a plurality of edge detector cells, each of the plurality of edge detector cells having an input select block operable to receive a data signal and a previous cell signal and to generate a present cell signal, and a state capture block operably connected to receive the present cell signal. The present cell signal of each of the plurality of edge detector cells is provided to a next of the plurality of edge detector cells as the previous cell signal for the next of the plurality of edge detector cells, and the present cell signal from a last edge detector cell is provided to a first edge detector cell as the previous cell signal for the first edge detector cell.
US07880505B2
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a circuit includes a semiconductor device including a plurality of logic blocks and a plurality of programmable interconnects. A delay detector generates a delay signal responsive to a measured delay of an output signal, wherein the output signal is from at least one of the plurality of logic blocks. A biasing circuit responsive to the delay signal to adjust subsequent measured delays toward a predetermined value.
US07880503B2
A method of driving gate lines is used to activate the gate lines by outputting output signals of stages to the gate lines. A first node is boosted up based upon a carry signal or the vertical start signal from a previous stage. A gate signal that is pulled up is outputted through an output terminal of a present stage based upon a first clock signal which is boosted up. An off-voltage is outputted through the output terminal of the present stage in response to an output signal from a next stage or the vertical start signal. The first node is discharged in response to the output signal from the next stage or a carry signal from a last stage. A positive ripple voltage at the first node is removed by providing a negative ripple voltage to the first node.
US07880502B2
A logic circuit with a simple configuration and good current efficiency is provided. The logic circuit includes a two-terminal bistable switching element (1) having characteristics which maintain states, a first switching element (25) one end of which is connected to one terminal of the two-terminal bistable switching element (1), a second switching element (29) one end of which is connected to the other terminal of the two-terminal bistable switching element (1) via a resistance element (27), and first and second pulse input terminals (33, 37) respectively connected to the one terminal and the other terminal of the two-terminal bistable switching element (1). A bias voltage is applied across the other end of the first switching element (25) and the other end of the second switching element (27), and a trigger pulse is input from the first and second pulse input terminals (33, 37).
US07880501B2
Level shifting circuits generate multiple tracking signals that are in-phase with an input signal, but are also level-shifted with wider voltage swings relative to the input signal. These input tracking signals are provided as separate inputs to an inverter having at least one PMOS pull-up transistor and at least one NMOS pull-down transistor therein. A level shifting circuit may include a differential input circuit, which is responsive to true and complementary input signals. A first load circuit is electrically coupled to the differential input circuit. This first load circuit is configured to generate first and second tracking signals at respective first and second nodes therein. These first and second tracking signals are in-phase, level-shifted versions of each other, and have respective voltage swings that are greater than a voltage swing of the complementary input signals. The inverter includes a pull-up transistor responsive to the first tracking signal and a pull-down transistor responsive to the second tracking signal.
US07880498B2
A method and apparatus are provided for storing a value in a process register of an electrical circuit, which indicates a strength of a process in which the circuit was fabricated, and adjusting an input delay applied to data signals received by a synchronous storage element of the electrical circuit based on the stored value.
US07880494B2
Test structures and methods for measuring contact and via parasitic capacitance in an integrated circuit are provided. The accuracy of contact and via capacitance measurements are improved by eliminating not-to-be-measured capacitance from the measurement results. The capacitance is measured on a target test structure that has to-be-measured contact or via capacitance. Measurements are then repeated on a substantially similar reference test structure that is free of to-be-measured contact or via capacitances. By using the capacitance measurements of the two test structures, the to-be-measured contact and via capacitance can be calculated.
US07880489B2
A probe substrate for use in testing semiconductor devices can include a base substrate that can have first electrical terminals at a first pitch. One or more redistribution layers on the base substrate can include droplets of a conductive material that form redistribution traces extending from the first terminals to second electrical terminals at a second pitch different from the first pitch.
US07880487B2
The present invention is directed to a test probe having an indexable probe tip. In one embodiment, an insulative sleeve extends from the test probe and surrounds a portion of the exposed probe tip. The insulative sleeve is moveable relative to the probe tip and may be indexable to at least two positions. For instance, the insulative sleeve locks into a first position to provide a first length of the probe tip exposed from the insulative sleeve, and the insulative sleeve locks into a second position to provide a second length of the probe tip exposed from the insulative sleeve.
US07880474B1
A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring appropriate full/half-duplex mode operation or detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. The distributed and/or modular repeater facilitates accommodating various switching or repeater needs as a network grows or contracts.
US07880471B2
An adapter for a potentiometric sensor having a sensor shaft, which has a reference liquid opening in its exterior surface. The adapter comprises an annular chamber member having a sensor opening for receiving the sensor shaft. Arranged in the sensor opening are first and second sealing rings for the sensor shaft. The axial position of the reference liquid opening lies between the first and second sealing rings. Formed between the sealing rings and the sensor shaft is an annular chamber, which is in communication with the reference liquid opening. The annular chamber member further includes a duct extending between the annular chamber and a reference feed opening. The adapter further includes a process connection member having a process connection opening, which surrounds the sensor shaft, and whose axis is aligned with the axis of the sensor opening. The axial position of the process connection member is fixed relative to the annular chamber member, and the process connection member is freely rotatable relative to the annular chamber member.
US07880463B2
A mechanism for placing and removing a vacuum clamping device for a magnetic disk on a spinstand, comprised of automated vertical and horizontal movement arranged such that a vacuum disk chuck, comprised of a base (9) and cap (6), can be used without operator interaction. Linear actuators provide the horizontal (2) and vertical (3) movement forces to accurately move a chuck cap (6) over a magnetic disk (7) that has been placed on a chuck base (9). The same actuators remove the cap and move it away from the disk to allow quick replacement of the disk. The interface between the mechanism and disk chuck cap is designed such that the cap is securely held during motion, and does not create particles.
US07880461B2
A system and method is provided for transferring multiple test trays within a test handler. The system includes at least one moving member having a pushing member that pushes a first test tray and a pulling member that pulls on a projection on a second test tray to move the first and second test trays simultaneously with the moving member. The system also includes a second plate to which the at least one moving member is fixed, and a first plate to which the second plate is movably fixed. A handler may be equipped with this system so that two test trays may be moved at the same time to decrease overall processing time and improve efficiency and productivity of the handler.
US07880459B2
Provided herein are circuits and methods to generate a voltage proportional to absolute temperature (VPTAT) and/or a bandgap voltage output (VGO). A circuit includes a group of X transistors. A first subgroup of the X transistors are used to produce a first base-emitter voltage (VBE1). A second subgroup of the X transistors are used to produce a second base-emitter voltage (VBE2). The VPTAT can be produced by determining a difference between VBE1 and VBE2. Which of the X transistors are in the first subgroup and used to produce the first base-emitter voltage (VBE1), and/or which of the X transistors are in the second subgroup and used to produce the second base-emitter voltage (VBE2), change over time. Additionally, a circuit portion can be used to generates a voltage complimentary to absolute temperature (VCTAT) using at least one of the X transistors. The VPTAT and the VCTAT can be added to produce the VGO.
US07880458B2
A device and method for driving a converter circuit that supplies a charge via a first electronic switch and a second electronic switch alternately turned on and off. A generator module generates a memory signal, indicating the duration of a first dead-time interval. A delay module, sensitive to the memory signal controls turning-on of the first electronic switch with a delay, with respect to turning-off of the second electronic switch, so that a second dead-time interval has a duration substantially equal to the duration of the first dead-time interval.
US07880456B2
A switch-mode DC/DC converter and a linear low drop out (LDO) DC/DC regulator are connected in parallel to drive a single load. Both regulators share a common voltage reference, feedback network, input supply and output such that the regulated voltage is identical during each mode of operation. During heavy loads the switch-mode regulator is in operation and the linear regulator is disabled for the highest efficiency possible. Conversely at light loads the linear regulator is in operation with the switch-mode regulator disabled, also maximizing the efficiency. Each regulator senses load current to automatically transition between the appropriate voltage regulators at fixed load current levels. The presented invention also includes a make before break transition scheme of the voltage regulators to minimize the voltage transients.
US07880445B2
In one embodiment the present invention includes a system and method of charging a battery using a switching regulator. In one embodiment, a switching regulator receives an input voltage and input current. The output of the switching regulator is coupled to a battery to be charged. The switching regulator provides a current into the battery that is larger than the current into the switching regulator. As the voltage on the battery increases, the current provided by the switching regulator is reduced. The present invention may be implemented using either analog or digital techniques for reducing the current into the battery as the battery voltage increases.
US07880441B2
In a DC-DC converter using, as an input source, a fuel cell, a solar cell, or the like, having a relatively large output impedance in a power-supply mode, an arbitrary load and secondary battery based on magnetic coupling in which voltage values are determined by a turns ratio between those wound around a winding, are provided as outputs, a second converter is connected between an output of the secondary battery and the load. In addition, a current control circuit connected to the secondary battery is configured to perform control so that, when a current in the load decreases due to an operation of the magnetic coupling, by increasing a charging current which flows into the secondary battery, and, when the current in the load increases, by decreasing the charging current to the secondary battery, an output voltage of the secondary battery is maintained at a set drooping voltage.
US07880440B2
To provide a smaller and more efficient switching power supply, the switching power supply includes: a high frequency transformer; a primary side switching circuit adapted to switch a current flowing through a primary winding of the high frequency transformer to thereby generate predetermined voltages in a secondary winding and an auxiliary winding of the high frequency transformer; a secondary side rectifier adapted to rectify a voltage generated in the secondary winding to supply the rectified voltage to a load; a charging circuit adapted to rectify a current flowing through the auxiliary winding and to switch the rectified current to thereby charge a secondary battery at a constant current; and a switch, provided between the secondary battery and the load, which supplies, when the voltage supplied to the load is interrupted, the voltage of the secondary battery to the load without going through the high frequency transformer.
US07880431B2
A battery pack for powering a portable electronic device is disclosed. The battery pack includes means for connecting the battery pack to the portable electronic device such that a main power terminal of the battery pack engages a main power input port of the portable electronic device. An auxiliary power output terminal is located on an outer surface of the portable electronic device that is capable of receiving a power cord for powering the portable electronic device through an auxiliary power input port located on the portable electronic device. A charger input terminal is also included on the outer surface of the battery pack for receiving the power cord for recharging the battery pack.
US07880416B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for providing a torque boost in an electric motor system at low speeds. The electric motor system comprises an alternating current (AC) synchronous electric motor, an inverter and a controller. The inverter is coupled to the AC synchronous electric motor and provides electric control therefore. The controller is coupled to the inverter and provides operational control signals thereto for operation of the electric motor. The controller includes a torque command gain block which modifies a torque command to generate a boosted torque signal in response to a detected speed of the electric motor, the torque command modified to define the boosted torque signal defined in accordance with a torque dependent scaling factor calculated in response to the torque command.
US07880409B2
A removable power supply is provided for use with a motor of a shutter assembly. The removable power supply may include a base housing a battery, a shaft, and a flexible conductor coupled between the base and the shaft. The end of the shaft opposite of the flexible conductor has an electrical interface that is configured to supply power to the motor. The electrical interface is configured for removable coupling to the motor. The shaft may comprise a plurality of telescoping sections, or may be a unitary member. The telescoping sections may be a series of interlocking hallow tubes. The removable power supply may supply power to the motor, thereby allowing a shutter curtain of the assembly to be raised or lowered. Once the shutter curtain is at the desired position, the removable power supply may be removed from the shutter assembly.
US07880401B2
A lighting controlling device of vehicle lighting equipment includes switching regulators for supplying a current to a plurality of semiconductor light sources respectively; a plurality of current driving portions, having switching elements connected to the semiconductor light sources for controlling ON/OFF of the semiconductor light sources, for current-driving the semiconductor light sources at a maximum current value or a current value smaller than the maximum current value in response to respective operating states of the switching elements; current setting portion for setting a maximum current value applied in current-driving the current driving portion or a maximum current value of currents fed from the switching regulators to the semiconductor light sources separately in plural stages in response to respective assignments; and a controlling portion for controlling the current driving portion and the current setting portion in response to a plurality of lighting modes based on communication information from an external device. The controlling portion assigns the maximum current value corresponding to each lighting mode to the current setting portion for every lighting mode, and assigns ON/OFF periods of the switching elements to the current driving portion for every lighting mode.
US07880382B2
An organic EL panel is provided which enables transparent sealing accompanied by low moisture permeability, and can be used also for sealing a top emission panel without deterioration for a long period of time even in the case of a panel having a narrow frame area. In an organic EL panel produced by covering the face of a supporting substrate 1, which is provided with an organic EL element 101, via an adhesive layer 8 by a sealing substrate 9 to permit sealing, a first partition 4 that protrudes toward the sealing substrate 9 is formed on one face of the supporting substrate 1 so as to surround the circumference of the organic EL element 101, and further, a second partition 10 that protrudes toward the supporting substrate 1 is formed on the face of the sealing substrate 9 opposing to the one face of the supporting substrate 1 so as to surround the circumference of the organic EL element 101.
US07880380B2
A display device in which variations in luminance due to variations in characteristics of transistors are reduced, and image quality degradation due to variations in resistance values is prevented. The invention comprises a transistor whose channel portion is formed of an amorphous semiconductor or an organic semiconductor, a connecting wiring connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor, a light emitting element having a laminated structure which includes a pixel electrode, an electro luminescent layer, and a counter electrode, an insulating layer surrounding an end portion of the pixel electrode, and an auxiliary wiring formed in the same layer as a gate electrode of the transistor, a connecting wiring, or the pixel electrode. Further, the connecting wiring is connected to the pixel electrode, and the auxiliary wiring is connected to the counter electrode via an opening portion provided in the insulating layer.
US07880375B2
A triode type cathode structure of an FED screen arranged in rows and columns, including a first lower metallization level forming cathodes, an electrical insulating layer, a second higher metallization level forming extraction grids, openings formed in the second metallization level and in the electrical insulating layer, and lines of electron emission arranged in the openings, which lines are parallel to the direction of the rows of the screen.
US07880369B2
A mold having a piezoelectric power generating arrangement, includes first and second die halves having a molding cavity therein for forming a molded product when a molding material is poured therein, piezoelectric elements positioned beneath at least one die half for generating electrical power when a load is applied on the piezoelectric elements from the molding material poured into the molding cavity and in response to removal of a load of the molded product from the molding cavity, and a first arrangement for retrieving the generated electrical power and for supplying the retrieved electrical power output to an electrical storage device and/or using the retrieved electrical power output to power an external powered device.
US07880365B2
An actuator 100 includes: a pair of driving portions 1, 11 spaced apart from each other; a movable portion 2 provided between the pair of driving portions 1, 11; a pair of supporting portions 3, 3 for supporting the pair of driving portions 1, 11 and the movable portion 2; a pair of first elastic connecting portions 4, 4 which respectively connect the pair of driving portions 1, 11 to the pair of supporting portions 3, 3 so that each of the driving portions 1, 11 can rotate with respect to the supporting portions 3, 3; and a pair of second elastic connecting portions 5, 5 which respectively connect the movable portion 2 to the pair of driving portions 1, 11 so that the movable portion 2 can rotate in accordance with the rotation of the pair of driving portions 1, 11.
US07880364B2
A resonator includes a vibrator that performs mechanical vibration, an exciting unit that applies an exciting force to the vibrator, and a modulating unit that modulates a spring property of the vibrator. The vibrator vibrates when the exciting force is applied to the vibrator from the exciting unit. The modulating unit modulates the vibrator according to the exciting force.
US07880358B2
A permanent magnet rotating electric machine has a stator provided with a plurality of windings, and a rotor in which magnets are disposed in slots formed in a rotor core along an outer circumference thereof. The rotor core is fixed on a rotary shaft rotating inside the stator, and one magnetic pole is constituted by each group of three or more of the magnets. A total angle occupied by the group of magnets constituting one magnetic pole is in the range of 150 to 165 degrees in terms of an electrical angle.
US07880357B2
A sintered magnet and a rotating machine equipped therewith are disclosed, which include: crystal grains of a ferromagnetic material consisting mainly of iron, and a fluoride compound or an oxyfluoride compound, containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal element, an alkaline earth metal element, and a rare earth element, the fluoride compound or the oxyfluoride compound being formed inside some of the crystal grains or in a part of a grain boundary part. The oxyfluoride compound or the fluoride compound contains carbon, and a grain boundary width of the ferromagnetic material is smaller than a grain boundary width of the ferromagnetic material in which the fluoride compound or the oxyfluoride compound is formed.
US07880356B2
A first member (40a) has a magnet assembly (20) that includes a plurality of permanent magnets (10) held with their homopoles contacting one another. A second member (50a) includes magnet coils (30), and is designed to be changeable in position relative to the first member. The magnet assembly (20) generates the strongest magnetic field in a magnetic field direction lying in the homopolar contact plane at which the homopoles contact one another, the magnetic field direction being oriented outward from the magnet assembly (20) along the magnetic field direction.
US07880353B2
Disclosed herein is a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotating shaft, a rotor cover which is secured to the rotating shaft and rotates the rotating shaft, a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft, a holder for holding the bearing, and a holding magnet which is directly mounted to an inner wall of the rotor cover. In this case, the holding magnet is positioned above the bearing to prevent oil from being discharged from the bearing to the outside.
US07880351B2
A drive with an electric motor, a housing and a direction-dependent brake, which includes a driver splined to a motor shaft, a drive output coupled freely pivotable around a small angle and shape-mated with the driver, several clamping devices and a clamping ring, in which the clamping devices cooperate with the clamping ring so that the brake conveys a torque from the electric motor to the driver output and brakes a back-driving torque of the drive output. The task of the invention is to present a brake in which no static redundancy occurs, which is simple to construct and in which no abrupt blocking is possible. This task is solved according to the invention in that the clamping ring is connected radially movable to the housing, a gearbox or a part attached to the housing so that the clamping ring after overcoming a defined force can be moved at least slightly radially by a clamping device.
US07880343B2
A transformer controller for a drive isolation transformer is provided. The transformer may include multiple sets of primary windings as an input, and the transformer controller may include multiple branches coupled between a power source and the transformer. Each branch may be coupled to its own primary winding on the transformer, and may include one or more components, such as an isolation switch, a fuse, contactor, or circuit breaker. One or more of the branches may include a pre-charge reactor to limit inrush or capacitor charging current occurring during startup, and may include a pre-charge contactor to remove the pre-charge reactor from the circuit when the startup process has reached a certain level (e.g., the charging or inrush current has dissipated, or a DC bus reaches a charged state).
US07880340B2
An integrated circuit includes a radiation-triggered shutdown circuit that disables a critical aspect of the integrated circuit rendering the integrated circuit non-functional when the integrated circuit receives a predetermined radiation dose. That ensures integrated circuits including the radiation-triggered shutdown circuit are ITAR compliant.
US07880338B2
A power transmission control device used for a non-contact power transmission system includes a power-transmitting-side control circuit that controls power transmission to a power receiving device, a calculation circuit that calculates the position of a secondary coil by performing given calculations, and an actuator control circuit that controls the operation of an actuator, the actuator moving the position of the primary coil in an XY plane, the actuator control circuit scanning the primary coil for detecting the position of the secondary coil L2, the calculation circuit performing the given calculations based on data acquired by the scan for detecting the position of the secondary coil L2 to determine the position of the secondary coil L2, and the actuator control circuit moving the primary coil L1 so that the position of the primary coil coincides with the calculated position of the secondary coil.
US07880334B2
A system (100) for connecting a fuel cell stack to an A.C. grid to provide power thereto is disclosed in which a voltage regulated D.C. bus (110) is provided to be coupled to the fuel cell stack, a bidirectional inverter (120) is coupled to the D.C. bus (110), and is to be coupled between the D.C. bus (110) and the A.C. grid. At least one D.C. auxiliary load (130) of the fuel cell stack is provided coupled to the D.C. bus (110). A D.C. to D.C. converter (140) is provided between the fuel cell stack and the D.C. bus (110).
US07880320B2
A method for controlling an operation of a wind turbine. A plurality of operating specifications, each of which corresponds to a season, is defined. A current season is determined. An operating specification corresponding to the current season is selected. An operation of a wind turbine is controlled based at least in part on the selected operating specification. The current season may be determined, for example, based on a schedule of seasons and/or meteorological conditions.
US07880312B2
A plurality of semiconductor memory chips are stacked on a first main surface of a wiring board, and an interposer chip is stacked on the plurality of semiconductor chips, and a semiconductor controller chip is stacked on the interposer chip. The plurality of semiconductor memory chips are independently and electrically connected with inner connecting terminals formed on the wiring board, respectively, and independently controlled by the semiconductor controller chip which is electrically connected with another inner connecting terminals formed on the wiring board via the interposer chip.
US07880300B2
A semiconductor chip (1) has a metal coating structure (2) which has on an active upper side (3) of the semiconductor chip (1) at least one lower metal layer (8) with copper or copper alloy, on which a central metal layer (9) with nickel is arranged. The metal coating structure (2) is terminated by an upper metal layer (10) of palladium and/or a precious metal. The central metal layer (9) with nickel and/or nickel phosphide has a rough interface (11) with respect to the plastic package molding compound surrounding the metal coating structure (2).
US07880298B2
A semiconductor device thermal connection used to remove heat from a semiconductor device, such as an integrated circuit, includes a metallic barrier layer on the semiconductor device, and a high thermal conductivity material on the metallic barrier layer that joins the semiconductor device to a thermal heat spreader. The metallic barrier layer may be one or more sputtered layers, and the high thermal conductivity material may be a metallic material, for instance including indium, that is soldered onto the sputtered material. The high thermal conductivity material may form a primary thermal connection in conducting heat away from the semiconductor device. A secondary thermal connection may be made between the heat spreader and a heat sink. The secondary thermal connection may include a compressible solid carbon fiber material. A diaphragm may be used to contain the carbon fiber material, to prevent carbon fibers from coming into contact with the semiconductor device.
US07880293B2
A semiconductor device has a wafer for supporting the device and a conductive layer formed over a top surface of the wafer. A carrier wafer is permanently bonded over the conductive layer. Within the wafer and the carrier wafer, an interconnect structure is formed. The interconnect structure includes a first via formed in the wafer exposing the conductive layer, a second via formed in the carrier wafer exposing the conductive layer, a first metal layer deposited over the first via, the first metal layer in electrical contact with the conductive layer, and a second metal layer deposited over the second via, the second metal layer in electrical contact with the conductive layer. First and second passivation layers are deposited over the first and second metal layers. The first or second passivation layer has an etched portion to expose a portion of the first metal layer or second metal layer.
US07880292B2
A semiconductor device that allows an image sensor (in an upper area of a SiP semiconductor device) to exchange signals with a device in a lower area of a SiP semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes at least one of: A semiconductor substrate having a photodiode area and a transistor area. A PMD (Pre Metal Dielectric) layer formed on and/or over the semiconductor substrate. At least one metal layers formed on and/or over the PMD layer. A first penetrating electrode penetrating the PMD layer and the at least one metal layers. A second penetrating electrode penetrating the semiconductor substrate and connected to the first penetrating electrode.
US07880287B1
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a package having stud bumps for die alignment. A package may include a package substrate, and a plurality of stud bumps coupled to the package substrate. The stud bumps may define a die region of the package substrate in which movement of a die disposed within the die region is restricted prior to attachment of the die to the package substrate, wherein the plurality of stud bumps comprise a profile that is less than a profile of the die when attached to the package substrate. Other embodiments may be described.
US07880278B2
Warpage and breakage of integrated circuit substrates is reduced by compensating for the stress imposed on the substrate by thin films formed on a surface of the substrate. Particularly advantageous for substrates having a thickness substantially less than about 150 μm, a stress-tuning layer is formed on a surface of the substrate to substantially offset or balance stress in the substrate which would otherwise cause the substrate to bend. The substrate includes a plurality of bonding pads on a first surface for electrical connection to other component.
US07880276B2
A wiring board where an electronic component is mounted on a main surface via a bump and at least a part of the periphery of the electronic component is covered with resin, the wiring board includes a dam provided at least at a part of the periphery of an area where the electronic component is mounted, on the main surface of the wiring board; wherein a surface of the dam contacting the resin has a configuration where a curved line is continuously formed.
US07880275B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a peripheral region around the die. A first insulating material is deposited in the peripheral region. A conductive via is formed through the first insulating material. A conductive layer is formed over the semiconductor die. The conductive layer is electrically connected between the conductive via and a contact pad of the semiconductor die. A second insulating layer is deposited over the first insulating layer, conductive layer, and semiconductor die. A profile is formed in the first and second insulating layers in the peripheral region. The profile is tapered, V-shaped, truncated V-shape, flat, or vertical. A shielding layer is formed over the first and second insulating layers to isolate the semiconductor die from inter-device interference. The shielding layer conforms to the profile in the peripheral region and electrically connects the shielding layer to the conductive via.
US07880271B2
Emitter contact holes formed under emitter electrodes in a first layer and emitter through holes formed thereon are arranged so as not to overlap each other, and, for each emitter electrode, the multiple emitter contact holes and the multiple emitter through holes are provided so as to be separated from each other. Thereby, the top surface of an emitter electrode in a second layer is influenced by at most only a level difference of each emitter through hole formed in an insulating film having a larger thickness, and thus the flatness of the top surface of the emitter electrode in the second layer is improved. Accordingly, fixation failure of a metal plate can be avoided.
US07880269B2
An integrated circuit including a capacitor and a method of fabricating an integrated circuit. The capacitor has a first electrode. A plurality of conductive lines is separated from each other and is configured to be held at a potential being the same for all conductive lines. A second electrode encloses individual ones of the conductive lines at a top side and at least one lateral side and is separated from the first electrode by a dielectric layer. The second electrode includes a polycrystalline semiconductor material, a metal or a metal-semiconductor compound.
US07880268B2
A method for forming a MIM-type capacitor by filling of trenches by conformal depositions of insulating materials and of conductive materials, two successive electrodes of the capacitor including on either side of a thin vertical insulating layer at least one conductive layer of same nature, including the step of lowering the level of the conductive layers with respect to the level of the insulating layer separating them.
US07880265B1
A packaged integrated circuit includes an integrated circuit and a package substrate. A trace in the package substrate includes a first portion and a second, high-inductance, portion. The high-inductance portion of the trace is proximate to a port of the integrated circuit and provides a selected inductance operating in cooperation with the capacitance of the port to reduce return loss from the port. The first portion of the trace is part of a transmission line having a characteristic impedance.
US07880264B2
A memory circuit arrangement and a fabrication method are disclosed. The memory circuit arrangement has a memory cell area. The memory cell area contains memory cell transistors, one column of which are selected using a triple gate area selection transistor. The transistor has gate area that extends into isolating trenches. The isolating trenches isolate the memory cell in different columns of the memory cell array.
US07880262B2
An active barrier structure has a p-type region and an n-type region, each of which is in contact with a p-type impurity region and which are ohmic-connected to each other to attain a floating potential. A trench isolation structure is formed between an active barrier region and the other region (an output transistor formation region and a control circuit formation region). The trench isolation structure has a trench extending from the main surface of the semiconductor substrate through the n− epitaxial layer to reach the p-type impurity region. Therefore, a semiconductor device is obtained which allows the chip size to be reduced easily and is highly effective in preventing movement of electrons from the output transistor formation region to the other element formation region.
US07880257B2
An image sensor includes a semiconductor layer, and first and second photoelectric converting units including first and second impurity regions in the semiconductor layer that are spaced apart from each other and that are at about an equal depth in the semiconductor layer, each of the impurity regions including an upper region and a lower region. A width of the lower region of the first impurity region may be larger than a width of the lower region of the second impurity region, and widths of upper regions of the first and second impurity regions are equal.
US07880252B2
A solid-state image capturing device is provided. In the solid-state image capturing device, at least any of openings of electrode wiring layers, color filters and microlenses are provided on a light incident side above light receiving elements as a light receiving region in which the plurality of light receiving elements are disposed on a semiconductor substrate or a semiconductor region provided on a substrate, wherein a shift amount of at least any of the openings of the electrode wiring layers, the color filters and the microlenses in relation to the light receiving elements or in relation to a standard position where a light flux is desired to pass through is calculated by Snell's law based on an incident angle θ0 of a light flux entering the light receiving region to a surface of the solid-state image capturing device.
US07880243B2
FET device structures are disclosed with the PFET and NFET devices having high-k dielectric gate insulators and metal containing gates. The metal layers of the gates in both the NFET and PFET devices have been fabricated from a single common metal layer. Due to the single common metal, device fabrication is simplified, requiring a reduced number of masks. Also, as a further consequence of using a single layer of metal for the gates of both type of devices, the terminal electrodes of NFETs and PFETs can be butted to each other in direct physical contact. Device thresholds are adjusted by the choice of the common metal material and oxygen exposure of the high-k dielectric. Threshold values are aimed for low power consumption device operation.
US07880237B2
A semiconductor device including a SRAM cell may include a data holding unit including a driver transistor and a load transistor, and receiving and holding data; and a data transferring unit including a transfer gate transistor whose source and drain are connected between the data holding unit and one of a pair of bit lines, and whose gate is connected to a word line, the data transferring unit either transferring the data transferred from the one of the pair of bit lines to the data holding unit or receiving the data held in the data holding unit and transferring the data to the one of the pair of bit lines, wherein at least one of the driver transistor and the load transistor has higher capacitance between the gate and the source and between the gate and the drain than the transfer gate transistor.
US07880236B2
A semiconductor circuit is provided that includes a short channel device, and a long channel device that is electrically isolated from the short channel device. The long channel device comprises a plurality of first gate electrodes, a first source region adjacent one of the plurality of first gate electrodes, a first drain region adjacent another of the plurality of first gate electrodes, and a plurality of common source/drain regions positioned between adjacent ones of the plurality of first gate electrodes. The first gate electrodes each overlie portions of a layer of high-dielectric constant (k) gate insulator material. Each of the first gate electrodes are electrically coupled to at least one of the other first gate electrodes.
US07880234B2
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a metal-oxide semiconductor transistor having a first terminal connected to an input end, and a gate connected to a supply voltage; a first bipolar junction transistor having a first terminal connected to the input end, and a base connected to a second terminal of the metal-oxide semiconductor transistor; a second bipolar junction transistor having a first terminal connected to the input end, a second terminal connected to the supply voltage, and a base connected to the second terminal of the first bipolar junction transistor; a first resistive device having a first end connected to the second terminal of the metal-oxide semiconductor transistor, and a second end connected to the supply voltage; and a second resistive device having a first end connected to the second terminal of the first bipolar junction transistor, and a second end connected to the supply voltage.
US07880229B2
A body tie test structure and methods for its manufacture are provided. The transistor comprises a body-tied semiconductor on insulator (SOI) transistor formed in a layer of semiconductor material, the transistor comprising a cross-shaped gate structure with a substantially constant gate length L. An insulating blocking layer enables formation of a spacer region in the layer of semiconductor material separating the source and drain regions from the body tie region. A conductive channel with substantially the same inversion characteristics as the intrinsic transistor body connects the body tie to the intrinsic transistor body through the spacer region.
US07880226B2
An integrated circuit device with a semiconductor body and a method for the production of a semiconductor device a provided. The semiconductor body comprises a cell field with a drift zone of a first conduction type. In addition, the semiconductor device comprises an edge region surrounding the cell field. Field plates with a trench gate structure are arranged in the cell field, and an edge trench surrounding the cell field is provided in the edge region. The front side of the semiconductor body is in the edge region provided with an edge zone of a conduction type complementing the first conduction type with doping materials of body zones of the cell field. The edge zone of the complementary conduction type extends both within and outside the edge trench.
US07880215B2
A diffusion layer (102) is formed in the surface region of a semiconductor substrate (101). A control gate electrode (103) is formed on the substrate. An interlayer dielectric film (108) covers the entire surface of the substrate. A drain leader line (104) made of a semiconductor such as n-type polysilicon is led from the drain region, and a source leader line (107) is led from the source region through the interlayer dielectric film. The drain leader line is surrounded by an annular floating gate (105). In erase, for example, the control gate is set to a ground potential, and a positive voltage is applied to the drain leader line to remove electrons in the floating gate to the drain leader line. In write, positive voltages are applied to the control gate electrode and drain leader line to generate CHE and inject hot electrons into the floating gate. This allows to thin the gate insulating film of a flash memory, increase the degree of integration of a nonvolatile memory, and lower the driving voltage.
US07880206B2
Provided is a CMOS image sensor with an asymmetric well structure of a source follower. The CMOS image sensor includes: a well disposed in an active region of a substrate; a drive transistor having one terminal connected to a power voltage and a first gate electrode disposed to cross the well; and a select transistor having a drain-source junction between another terminal of the drive transistor and an output node, and a second gate electrode disposed in parallel to the drive transistor. A drain region of the drive transistor and a source region of the select transistor are asymmetrically arranged.
US07880202B2
A semiconductor field effect transistor can be used with RF signals in an amplifier circuit. The transistor includes a source region and a drain region with a channel region interposed in between the source and drain regions. The transistor is structured such that the threshold voltage for current flow through the channel region varies at different points along the width direction, e.g., to give an improvement in the distortion characteristics of the transistor.
US07880189B2
A light-emitting semiconductor component comprising a substrate which has a first interface between a first and a second silicon layer, whose lattice structures which are considered as ideal are rotated relative to each other through a twist angle about a first axis perpendicular to the substrate surface and are tilted through a tilt angle about a second axis parallel to the substrate surface, in such a way that a dislocation network is present in the region of the interface, wherein the twist angle and the tilt angle are so selected that an electroluminescence spectrum of the semiconductor component has an absolute maximum of the emitted light intensity at either 1.3 micrometers light wavelength or 1.55 micrometers light wavelength.
US07880188B2
An illumination device is specified which comprises an optoelectronic component having a housing body and at least one semiconductor chip provided for generating radiation, and a separate optical element, which is provided for fixing at the optoelectronic component and has an optical axis, the optical element having a radiation exit area and the radiation exit area having a concavely curved partial region and a convexly curved partial region, which at least partly surrounds the concavely curved partial region at a distance from the optical axis, the optical axis running through the concavely carved partial region
US07880186B2
In a device, a III-nitride light emitting layer is disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A first spacer layer, which is disposed between the n-type region and the light emitting layer, is doped to a dopant concentration between 6×1018 cm−3 and 5×1019 cm−3. A second spacer layer, which is disposed between the p-type region and the light emitting layer, is not intentionally doped or doped to a dopant concentration less than 6×1018 cm−3.
US07880177B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device having high reliability is obtained while suppressing separation between a support substrate and a semiconductor element layer. This semiconductor light-emitting device includes a support substrate (1), a first bonding layer (2a) formed on the support substrate (1), a second bonding layer (2b) formed on the first bonding layer (2a), a third bonding layer (2c) formed on the second bonding layer (2b), and a semiconductor element layer (3) formed on the third bonding layer (2c). The melting point of the second bonding layer (2b) is lower than the melting points of the first bonding layer (2a) and the third bonding layer (2c).
US07880168B2
An imager having layers of light trapping material to reduce optical crosstalk and a method of forming the same.
US07880159B2
A phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having active regions and an isolation structure; gate lines extending in a direction perpendicular to the active regions; a source region and a drain region formed in a surface of each active region; a dot type lower electrode including a first contact plug formed in the drain region; second contact plugs formed in the source region and the isolation structure forming a line parallel to the gate line; a lower electrode contact formed on the lower electrode; a phase change layer and an upper electrode formed on the lower electrode contact; an upper electrode contact formed on the upper electrode; contacts for ground lines, formed between the active regions to come into contact with the second contact plugs; a bit line formed in the active region; and ground lines formed between the active regions.
US07880157B2
Reconfigurable devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a reconfigurable device is provided. The reconfigurable device comprises a substrate; a first dielectric layer on the substrate; a conductive layer recessed into at least a portion of a side of the first dielectric layer opposite the substrate; at least one second dielectric layer over the side of the first dielectric layer opposite the substrate, so as to cover the conductive layer; a heater within the second dielectric layer; at least one programmable via extending through the second dielectric layer, extending through and surrounded by the heater and in contact with the conductive layer, the programmable via comprising at least one phase change material; a capping layer over the programmable via; a first conductive via and a second conductive via, each extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the heater; and a third conductive via extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive layer.
US07880150B2
For the high spatial resolution imaging of a structure of interest in a specimen, a substance is selected from a group of substances which have a fluorescent first state and a nonfluorescent second state; which can be converted fractionally from their first state into their second state by light which excites them into fluorescence, and which return from their second state into their first state; the specimen's structure of interest is imaged onto a sensor array, a spatial resolution limit of the imaging being greater (i.e. worse) than an average spacing between closest neighboring molecules of the substance in the specimen; the specimen is exposed to light in a region which has dimensions larger than the spatial resolution limit, fractions of the substance alternately being excited by the light to emit fluorescent light and converted into their second state, and at least 10% of the molecules of the substance that are respectively in the first state lying at a distance from their closest neighboring molecules in the first state which is greater than the spatial resolution limit; and the fluorescent light, which is spontaneously emitted by the substance from the region, is registered in a plurality of images recorded by the sensor array during continued exposure of the specimen to the light.
US07880145B2
As a radiation imaging apparatus which can easily and effectively correct line noise, there is provided a radiation imaging apparatus having: a conversion unit having a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels each having a conversion element (202) for converting radiation into an electric charge and a switching element (201) for outputting an electric signal based on the electric charge are arranged in a matrix; a capacitor element (301) arranged outside the pixel region; a reading out circuit unit (108) for reading out the electric signals from the pixels row by row and reading out, in parallel, a signal from the capacitor element and the electric signal from the pixel; and a correction unit for correcting the electric signal based on the signal from the capacitor element.
US07880139B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for depositing solvent-free molecules on surfaces of samples, with particular application to imaging mass spectrometry. A vacuum chamber is configured to have controllable matrix translation apparatus for controlling the position of one or more solvent-free matrices within the chamber. Sublimation apparatus is used to sublimate molecules from the solid phase matrices. One or more samples are placed separately from the solvent-free matrices within the chamber. Condensation apparatus individually cools the samples to deposit sublimated molecules on the samples. Controllable sample translation apparatus is used to control the position of the samples within the chamber. Rotatable sample holding apparatus may be used to hold and move the samples to allow deposition of molecules on multiple samples at substantially the same time. Rotatable matrix holding apparatus may also be used to hold and move a plurality of matrices to create a homogenous mixture of molecules that are deposited onto one or more samples. As surface characterization system may be used to monitor deposition of the molecules to determine their thickness and roughness. A computer may be configured to control the matrix translation apparatus, the sublimation apparatus, the condensation apparatus, and the sample translation apparatus to provide for automated deposition of solvent-free molecules on the samples.
US07880137B2
Apparatuses and method are provided. For example, in one embodiment, a ring electrode includes a plurality of sub-rings adapted to provide an electric field inside a spectrometer. The sub-rings have an internal sub-ring radius. There is a ring insulator between adjacent sub-rings. Each said ring insulator has substantially the same internal radius as the sub-rings. In another embodiment, a method is provided for insertion of the ring electrode inside the spectrometer.
US07880136B2
This invention relates to mass spectrometry that includes ion trapping in at least one of the stages of mass analysis. In particular, although not exclusively, this invention relates to tandem mass spectrometry where precursor ions and fragment ions are analysed. A method of mass spectrometry is provided comprising the sequential steps of: accumulating in an ion store a sample of one type of ions to be analysed; accumulating in the ion store a sample of another type of ions to be analysed; and mass analysing the combined samples of the ions; wherein the method comprises accumulating the sample of the one type of ions and/or the sample of another type of ions to achieve a target number of ions based on the results of a previous measurement of the respective type of ions.
US07880131B2
An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes are penetrated in a light-transmissive pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.
US07880129B2
The PD converts the light into a current signal and supplies the converted a current signal to a TIA and a light intensity measuring unit. The TIA converts the current signal into a voltage signal. The CDR circuit identifies whether the voltage signal is 1 data or 0 data for reproduction. The counter counts the 1 data and 0 data, calculates their ratio. The control unit refers to light intensity data from the light intensity measuring unit and a ROM, acquires an optimum ratio, and determines whether the ratio supplied from the counter is the optimum ratio. When the ratio is not the optimum one, the control unit controls the threshold voltage setting unit to set the threshold voltage so that the ratio is the optimum one.
US07880127B2
An imaging device and a method for aligning an image sensor within the imaging device are disclosed. The imaging device comprises a housing and an image sensor assembly including a header and an image sensor mounted to the header. The header of the image sensor assembly is coupled to the housing. Means for aligning the image sensor with respect to the header are provided. Means for aligning the header with respect to the housing of the imaging device are also provided. A distance separating the image sensor alignment means and the header alignment means is pre-determined such that a distance between the image sensor and the housing of the imaging device is pre-determined.
US07880123B2
A dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is formed by depositing a resistive material. The heater material is then exposed to an implantation or plasma which increases the resistance of the surface of the heater material relative to the remainder of the heater material. As a result, the portion of the heater material approximate to the phase change material region is a highly effective heater because of its high resistance, but the bulk of the heater material is not as resistive and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and the current usage of the device.
US07880121B2
An apparatus, system, and method provide radiant heat. A planar electrical heating element converts electrical energy to heat energy. A planar heat spreading layer is in contact with the planar electrical heating element, drawing the heat energy out of the planar electrical heating element and distributing the heat energy. A finishing layer is disposed to one side of the planar heat spreading layer. A thermal isolation layer is disposed to an opposite side of the planar heat spreading layer as the finishing layer. Heat from the planar heat spreading layer conducts away from the thermal isolation layer and toward the finishing layer. An electric power coupling is connected to the electrical heating element to supply electrical power.
US07880119B2
A process whereby a one sided electrode is allowed to discharge to essentially its own potential field is presented. The process may be utilized for joining by discharging particles as well as for spot welding or other heating purposes. Examples of several uses are given and the electrical diagram for such a discharger is also shown.
US07880116B2
A laser head is adapted to irradiate an interaction region of an inhabitable structure with laser light to remove material from the structure. The laser head includes a housing. The laser head further includes a connector coupled to the housing and optically coupled to a laser generator. The connector is adapted to transmit laser light from the laser generator. The laser head further includes at least one optical element contained in the housing and optically coupled to the connector. The optical element is adapted to receive laser light from the connector. The laser head further includes a containment plenum coupled to the housing. The containment plenum is optically coupled to the optical element to receive the laser light from the optical element. The containment plenum is adapted to confine the material and remove the material from the interaction region resulting from irradiating the structure with the laser light.
US07880112B2
A method is provided for attaching a fastener to the inside wall of a member. The fastener may be a bolt or a nut having a shank and a shaped head with head portions radiating from the shank. A hole is made in the member and has a shape closely corresponding to the shape of the head. The head of the fastener is inserted into the shaped hole and the fastener is reoriented so that the head engages with the inside walls of the member and therefore the fastener cannot be withdrawn. Electric current is applied to the fastener and the member to bond the head to the inside wall of the member either by heat curing an adhesive coating the head or by creating an electric resistance projection weld between the fastener head and the member.
US07880111B2
A switchgear including a vacuum valve which prevents partial discharges infallibly and whose reliability is high, and a method of fabricating the same are obtained.In a vacuum valve 1 wherein a stationary electrode 1a and a movable electrode 1b are disposed within a vacuum vessel 2 which is constituted by a metal flange 2a as well as a metal tube 2e and an insulating tube 2b, and wherein a resin mold 3 is applied onto the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum vessel 2; coiled metal-made shields 4a and 4b, in each of which a coiled metal wire is brought into an annular shape, are retained on the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum vessel 2 so as to relax the electric fields of the electric field relaxation-requiring parts 21d of the vacuum vessel 2.
US07880097B2
A fire and/or water resistant enclosure is provided for housing an operable digital data storage device. The enclosure is a low cost, preferably molded gypsum enclosure having various embodiments for providing resistance to fire occurring outside said enclosure and/or to water. In one embodiment, a fan cooperates with one or more hatchless ventilation passageways to cool the digital data storage device. Another embodiment provides a water resistant pouch surrounding the data storage device which may be made of flexible foil or of finned relatively robust and non-flexible thermal conductor. The enclosure in some embodiments utilizes a fan and in some embodiments operates without a fan. Similarly, the enclosure in some embodiments utilizes movable hatches and in other embodiments is hatchless in design.
US07880096B2
A shielding device with a replaceable top, comprising: a metallic frame 1 having side walls interconnected with a top portion having a top surface 10 thereon; a removable top surface 12 attached to the top surface 10; and a metallic cap 2 attached to the frame when the removable top surface 12 is removed from the metallic frame 1.
US07880093B2
A substrate for embodying multi-package comprises an underlying layer has a polymer material containing a conductive filler and provided with a step-like groove divided into step part and bottom part; a coating layer formed over the underlying layer, the coating layer is formed so that it may define a metal-wire forming area on the step part and the bottom part of the step-like groove and the conductive filler in the metal-wire forming area is exposed; and a metal wire formed via a plating process using the exposed conductive filler in the metal-wire forming area defined by the coating layer as a seed layer.
US07880089B1
A metal-clad cable assembly includes a conductor assembly having at least two conductors and a binder disposed around the at least two conductors. The cable assembly also includes a bare grounding conductor disposed externally to the conductor assembly and at least partially within at least one interstice formed between the at least two conductors. A metal sheath is disposed around the conductor assembly and the bare grounding conductor. The binder exerts a force on the bare grounding conductor to position the bare grounding conductor against an interior surface of the metal sheath.
US07880083B2
The present invention discloses a container or bag with several types of compartments with different forms of electromagnetic/wireless shielding. The types of compartments include a) an electromagnetic/wireless shielded compartment useful for line-of-site type shielding, b) an electromagnetic/wireless shielded compartment useful when a complete shielding enclosure is needed, and c) an unshielded compartment. The line-of-site shielded compartment prevents wireless access to the contents contained within when a complete shielding enclosure is not required, for example, for objects containing RFID tags, such as passports, books, and clothing. The compartment with a complete shielding enclosure prevents wireless access to devices that require a complete Faraday type cage, such as mobile phones, PDAs, or computers. Placing these and other devices within the shielded compartments protects them from remote access, and the data within is shielded from unscrupulous individuals. Objects placed within the unshielded compartment, such as workplace entrance badges, can continue to be accessed wirelessly. In this way, the user of the bag may select which objects to shield (and how to shield them) and which not to shield, so for example, one can use a workplace badge to enter without credit card data being skimmed. This may be done with the comfort and ease of a single bag or container.
US07880082B2
The present invention relates to a solid electrolyte having superior conductive properties and reliability, a photovoltaic device using this electrolyte, and manufacturing methods thereof. The solid electrolyte of the present invention is a solid electrolyte having an electrolyte composition and a matrix polymer. The matrix polymer is formed by polymerization of a first compound having at least two isocyanate groups and a second compound having at least two nucleophilic groups containing active hydrogen in accordance with a polyaddition reaction, and the polymerization is performed after a precursor for the matrix polymer is brought into contact with a surface on which the solid electrolyte is to be formed.
US07880068B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV468110. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV468110, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV468110 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV468110 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV468110.
US07880065B2
A soybean cultivar designated S070150 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S070150, to the plants of soybean S070150, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S070150 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S070150 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S070150, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S070150 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S070150 with another soybean cultivar.
US07880064B2
A soybean cultivar designated 6540220 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 6540220, to the plants of soybean 6540220, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 6540220 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 6540220 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 6540220, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 6540220 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 6540220 with another soybean cultivar.
US07880063B2
A soybean cultivar designated 6342078 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 6342078, to the plants of soybean 6342078, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 6342078 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 6342078 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 6342078, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 6342078 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 6342078 with another soybean cultivar.
US07880059B2
The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased proanthocyanidin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content. The invention may also be used to modify plant pigmentation, and for nutraceutical and food colorant production.
US07880053B2
Methods of using genetically-transformed plants in the phytoremediation of lead are described. Unlike many organisms in which only 10-kDa ACBPs have been identified, there exists a family of six ACBPs in the model plant Arabidopsis. Other than a function in mediating the transfer of acyl-CoA esters in plant lipid metabolism, all six Arabidopsis ACBPs can bind the heavy metal lead and are therefore applicable for phytoremediation. These methods of phytoremediation will provide a cheap, simple and efficient method in the removal of contaminating lead from soil/water/environment by the growth of the ACBP-overexpressing genetically-transformed plants in the contaminated environment. There is also provided a method to remove lead from contaminated water.
US07880043B2
A hydrotreatment method of treating feedstocks coming from renewable sources, so as to produce gas-oil fuel bases of excellent quality feedstocks, for example, vegetable oils, whether unprocessed or having undergone beforehand a prerefining step, animal fats, or mixtures of such feedstocks. The feedstocks are subjected to a multistep treatment including hydrodehydrogenating and hydroisomerizing catalysts.
US07880042B2
The invention relates to multiply substituted tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives of the formula (Ia) to processes for preparing them and to their use as antiinflammatory agents.
US07880037B2
There are provided compounds of formulas (VA), (VIA), (VIIA) (IXA), (XIA), (XIIA), (XIIIA), and (XIVA): wherein A, Z, R2, X−, and L2 represent various different possibilities.
US07880036B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing an ethylene amine mixture, which comprises hydrogenating an amino nitrile mixture comprising at least two α-amino nitriles in an amount of at least 5% by weight in each case in the presence of a catalyst and, if appropriate, a solvent.
US07880035B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing an ethylene amine mixture, which comprises hydrogenating an amino nitrile mixture comprising at least 30% by weight of aminoacetonitrile (AAN) and at least 5% by weight of iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN) in the presence of a catalyst. Ethylenediamine (EDA) and/or diethylenetriamine (DETA) and, if appropriate, further ethylene amines can be isolated from the ethylene amine mixtures obtained.
US07880032B2
Disclosed is a process and apparatus for treating a purge stream in a carboxylic acid production process. The process employs a purge process that allows for the separation of oxidation byproducts into benzoic acid and non-benzoic acid oxidation byproducts, thus providing flexibility in the treatment and use of such oxidation byproducts.
US07880017B2
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of imidazoles by reacting a cyano compound with a silylalkylisocyanide compound. Such imidazoles are useful pharmacologically-active compounds and/or intermediates for the preparation of pharmacologically-active compounds.
US07880011B2
A method of making a compound of formula II comprising the reaction of a compound of formula RCONH2 with a compound of formula III R being a moiety having between 1 and 15 carbon atoms and optionally from 1 to 5 heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and X and Y being independently selected front the group consisting of H, methyl, ethyl, OMe, OEt, and mixtures thereof; the reaction being performed in a solvent in the presence of a base. The method is useful for the inexpensive manufacture of certain commercially-valuable compounds, including some that have desirable cooling properties.
US07880010B2
The invention relates to crystalline free base forms of biphenyl-2-ylcarbamic acid 1-[2-(4-{[(R)-2-(3-formylamino-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethylamino]methyl}-2,5-dimethylphenylcarbamoyl)ethyl]piperidin-4-yl ester or a solvate thereof. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing or prepared from such crystalline forms; processes and intermediates useful for preparing such crystalline forms; and methods of using such crystalline forms to, for example, treat a pulmonary disorder.
US07880002B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as Chemokine Receptor antagonists. Compounds of general formula I are provided: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compounds and compositions for the inhibition of Chemokine Receptors and also for the treatment of various diseases, conditions, or disorders, including acute or chronic inflammatory disease, cancer or osteolytic bone disorders.
US07879996B2
Provided is a compound and methods for preparation thereof according to formula (I) where A1, A2, A3, and A4 are each a group containing 1 to 40 carbon atoms and at least one carboxylic group, R, R′ and R″ are each hydrogen or a group containing 1 to 80 carbon atoms, M is bivalent or an element capable of complexing with a pyrrole nitrogen atom, L is a linking group, B is a fullerene, and the compound is soluble in water.
US07879993B2
This invention discloses a method for preparing a complex comprised of a PDGF Nucleic Acid Ligand and a Non-Immunogenic, High Molecular Weight Compound or Lipophilic Compound by identifying a PDGF Nucleic Acid Ligand by SELEX methodology and associating the PDGF Nucleic Acid Ligand with a Non-Immunogenic, High Molecular Weight Compound or Lipophilic Compound. The invention further discloses Complexes comprising one or more PDGF Nucleic Acid Ligands in association with a Non-Immunogenic, High Molecular Weight Compound or Lipophilic Compound. The invention further includes a Lipid construct comprising a PDGF Nucleic Acid Ligand or Complex and methods for making the same.
US07879992B2
Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of MyD88. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding MyD88. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of MyD88 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of MyD88 are provided.
US07879991B2
The invention relates to an antagonist for CGRP and amylin, whereby the antagonist is a nucleic acid and said nucleic acid binds to CGRP or amylin. Said nucleic acid preferably comprises an L-nucleotide.
US07879990B2
The present invention relates to a novel human gene that is differentially expressed in human carcinoma. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a novel human polypeptide named C35 that is overexpressed in human breast and bladder carcinoma. This invention also relates to C35 polypeptide, in particular C35 peptide epitopes and C35 peptide epitope analogs, as well as vectors, host cells, antibodies directed to C35 polypeptides, and the recombinant methods for producing the same. The present invention further relates to diagnostic methods for detecting carcinomas, including human breast carcinomas. The present invention further relates to the formulation and use of the C35 gene and polypeptides, in particular C35 peptide epitopes and C35 peptide epitope analogs, in immunogenic compositions or vaccines, to induce antibody or cell-mediated immunity against target cells, such as tumor cells, that express the C35 gene. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of C35 activity.
US07879984B2
A human antibody or antigen-binding fragment of an antibody that specifically binds human CD20 and is capable of inducing complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and is capable of increasing symptom free survival time between about 2-fold to about 9-fold or more, relative to control-treated animals in a mouse model of human lymphoma. The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is useful in a therapeutic method for treating a CD20-mediated disease or condition, such as for example, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn's disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and inflammatory diseases.
US07879977B2
It has been determined that allergens, which are characterized by both humoral (IgE) and cellular (T cell) binding sites, can be modified to be less allergenic by modifying the IgE binding sites. The IgE binding sites can be converted to non-IgE binding sites by masking the site with a compound that prevents IgE binding or by altering as little as a single amino acid within the protein, most typically a hydrophobic residue towards the center of the IgE-binding epitope, to eliminate IgE binding. The method allows the protein to be altered as minimally as possible, other than-within the IgE-binding sites, while retaining the ability of the protein to activate T cells, and, in some embodiments by not significantly altering or decreasing IgG binding capacity The examples use peanut allergens to demonstrate alteration of IgE binding sites. The critical amino acids within each of the IgE binding epitopes of the peanut protein that are important to immunoglobulin binding have been determined. Substitution of even a single amino acid within each of the epitopes led to loss of IgE binding. Although the epitopes shared no common amino acid sequence motif, the hydrophobic residues located in the center of the epitope appeared to be most critical to IgE binding.
US07879974B2
Methods, apparatus, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to biologically assembling and/or synthesizing peptides and/or proteins are disclosed.
US07879973B2
Methods, apparatus, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to biologically assembling and/or synthesizing peptides and/or proteins are disclosed.
US07879954B2
A resin composition contains (A) an aliphatic polyester as a first polymer, (B) a second polymer having a higher glass transition temperature than the first polymer, and (C) a silicone oil.
US07879951B2
An organic insulator composition according to example embodiments may include an organic insulating polymer and an epoxy-based crosslinking agent. The epoxy-based crosslinking agent may have an alkyl group or a fluorine-based side chain. The organic insulator composition may be used to form an organic insulating layer having increased chemical resistance. The organic insulating layer may be used in an organic thin film transistor as a gate insulating layer. Consequently, the occurrence of hysteresis may be reduced or prevented during the operation of the organic thin film transistor, thus resulting in relatively homogeneous properties.
US07879944B2
Thermoplastic compositions which are painted (coated) have improved adhesion to the paint when these compositions comprise a hydrophilic polyether or polyester modified siloxane. These thermoplastic compositions are particularly suited for use with aqueous based paints, in uses such as automobile and appliance bodies and parts.
US07879940B2
The present invention is directed to aryl halide (such as aryl bromide) functionalized carbon nanotubes that can be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials with improved dispersion ability in polymer matrices. In this process the aryl halide is reacted with an alkyllithium species or is reacted with a metal to replace the aryl-bromine bond with an aryl-lithium or aryl-metal bond, respectively. It has further been discovered that other functionalized carbon nanotubes, after deprotonation with a deprotonation agent, can similarly be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials. Additionally or alternatively, a ring opening polymerization process can be performed. The resultant materials can be used by themselves due to their enhanced strength and reinforcement ability when compared to their unbound polymer analogs. Additionally, these materials can also be blended with pre-formed polymers to establish compatibility and enhanced dispersion of nanotubes in otherwise hard to disperse matrices resulting in significantly improved material properties. The resultant polymer-carbon nanotube materials can also be used in drug delivery processes due to their improved dispersion ability and biodegradability, and can also be used for scaffolding to promote cellular growth of tissue.
US07879934B2
A rubber composition is disclosed wherein the rubber composition contains at least an effective amount of at least one substituted or unsubstituted diaryl amine-containing compound having at least one substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or partially saturated C5-C30 ring structure optionally containing one or more heteroatoms fused to at least one of the aryl rings.
US07879929B2
Quinophthalone compound of Formula (1) or (2), mixed colorant, laser ray transmitting colored resin composition containing thereof, and laser-welded product. in each of Formulas (1) and (2), X: —O-L; L: hydrogen atom, alkyl, aryl; Y represents hydrogen atom, hydroxyl, mercapto, alkoxy, aryloxy, heterocyclic oxy, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyloxy, arylsulfonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic thio; R1 to R8 and R1 to R4 and R9 to R14: hydrogen atom, nitro, hydroxyl, mercapto, carboxyl, cyano, thiocyano, halogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, amino, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heterocyclic oxy, acyloxy, alkylsulfonyloxy, arylsulfonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heterocyclic oxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic thio, alkoxysulfonyl, cycloalkyloxysulfonyl, aryloxysulfonyl, heterocyclic oxysulfonyl; at least one of R5 to R8 in Formula (1) is carboxyl, at least one of R9 to R14 in Formula (2) is carboxyl.
US07879908B2
The use of L-carnitine, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, is described in combination with glucose for the preparation of a medicament useful for diminishing the number of deaths caused by acute myocardial infarction, for reducing the number of days infarction patients spend in intensive care in hospital, and for reducing the number of episodes of post-infarction heart failure, in which the L-carnitine is administered intravenously within only a few hours of the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction at an initial dose of 9 grams a day in combination with 1000-1500 mL of a 5% glucose solution for 5 days, after which the L-carnitine treatment is continued at a dose of 4 grams a day administered orally.
US07879904B2
The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of cancer in a cancer patient. In particular, the invention provides a method for the treatment comprising administering a taxane compound to a cancer patient, wherein the taxane compound is made by a process comprising treating a first compound represented by either Formula G′ or Formula M′: with a second compound of generalized formula R8R9C(OCH3)2 and an acid selected from the group consisting of camphor sulfonic acid (CSA), p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and acetic acid (AcOH), wherein R1 and R2 are each selected from H, an alkyl group, an olefinic group, an aromatic group, an O-alkyl group, an O-olefinic group, or an O-aromatic group; R7 is an alkyl group, an olefinic group, or an aromatic group; P1 is a hydroxyl protecting group; P5 is H or an acid labile protecting group at the 7-O position; R8 is H, alkyl group, olefinic or aromatic group; and R9 is: H, alkyl group, olefinic or aromatic or is as defined in the specification.
US07879889B2
The present invention discloses and claims therapeutic uses of a compound corresponding to the general formula (I): Wherein, X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R5′, R6 and n are as described herein.
US07879875B2
Compounds described by the chemical formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: (I) are inhibitors of p38 and are useful in the treatment of inflammation such as in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic conditions; inflamed joints, eczema, psoriasis or other inflammatory skin conditions such as sunburn; inflammatory eye conditions including conjunctivitis; pyresis, pain and other conditions associated with inflammation.
US07879873B2
Disclosed are compounds of the formula (I), useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of CCR1 including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Also disclosed are methods of making and methods of using same.
US07879872B2
In part, the present invention is directed to compositions having a FabI inhibitor and at least one other bioactive agent. In another part, the present invention is directed to antibacterial compositions having a compound of formulas I-III and at least one other antibacterial agent.
US07879856B2
Diaminothiazoles and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the diaminothiazoles in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl activity are also disclosed.
US07879854B2
A compound comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof is disclosed herein. Y, A, and B are as described herein. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related to these compounds are also disclosed.
US07879852B2
The present invention relates to a compound of the following formula 1, pharmaceutically acceptable salt and isomer thereof effective as agonist of melanocortin receptor, and an agonistic composition of melanocortin receptor comprising the same as active ingredient.
US07879851B2
An enantiomer, diastereoisomer or tautomer of a compound, represented by formula I: wherein A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are as defined herein, or a salt or ester thereof, as an inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase.
US07879842B2
β-Crystalline form of ivabradine of formula (I): characterised by its powder X-ray diffraction diagram. Medicinal products containing the same which are useful as bradycardics.
US07879831B2
A composition for transdermal administration resulting from an admixture includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically active agent that includes a corresponding steroid and a steroid derivative; and a carrier for the pharmaceutically active agent. The steroid and the corresponding steroid derivative are present in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 steroid:corresponding steroid derivative. In a preferred embodiment ratio is 6:1 to 1:6. In a preferred embodiment, the corresponding steroid derivative is a steroid ester. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is a polymer that includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
US07879830B2
Hormone compositions including bioidentical hormones dispersed in a lipid-based cream are provided in syringes for dispensation and self-administration by a user. The compositions, which are topically applied by the user, are percutaneously delivered to the vascular system of the user in accordance with a dosage protocol that causes a rhythmic and cyclic variation in the serum hormone levels that mimics the temporal variation in hormone levels present in the serum of a normal premenopausal woman.
US07879817B2
A hyaluronic acid derivative in which an anti-inflammatory drug is bound to hyaluronic acid through a covalent bond via a spacer having a biodegradable region, and a production process thereof.
US07879812B2
The present invention is drawn a new class of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) that inhibit ODN-activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)9. Particular 4-5 base extensions at the 5′ and of the previously described core inhibitory ODN sequence enhances their inhibitory activity against human cells expressing human TLR9. Methods of use also are provided.
US07879800B2
A process suitable for processing scaled-up amounts of source material in the range of tens of kilograms for the purification of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (API) from a mixture of unpurified proteins is provided. More particularly, a process for the purification of API from blood plasma or from plasma fractions to obtain pharmaceutical grade API on a commercial scale is provided. The API produced by the process is highly pure (at least 90% API out of the total protein) and highly active (at least 90% active API). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the purified API and methods of using same are also described.
US07879798B1
A topical ointment is described for use in the treatment of indolent wounds composed of fat-soluble vitamins, namely, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and a subantimicrobial amount of polypeptide antibiotic, which, in turn, acts as a proteinase inhibitor. The active ingredients are combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier of lanolin, white petrolatum, mineral oil, and admixtures thereof. In treating these difficult to heal wounds, the selection of the level of the antibiotic at near trace amounts was surprisingly found to be above the proteinase inhibiting threshold and below the wound irritation level. The formulation hereof produced unexpected healing results not found in vitamin-enriched ointments or in antibiotic ointments.
US07879797B2
The present invention relates to macrocyclic compounds of formula (I) that are useful as inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, their synthesis, and their use for treating or preventing HCV infections.
US07879791B2
A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment. Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO. Similarly, increasing tryptophan degradation (thereby, decreasing tryptophan concentration and increasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), for example, by increasing IDO concentration or IDO activity, can suppress T cells. Although described particularly with reference to IDO regulation, one can instead manipulate local tryptophan concentrations, and/or modulate the activity of the high affinity tryptophan transporter, and/or administer other tryptophan degrading enzymes. Regulation can be further manipulated using cytokines such as macrophage colony stimulating factor, interferon gamma, alone or in combination with antigen or other cytokines.
US07879782B2
An aqueous-based composition and method comprising same for removing residues such as without limitation post-ashed and/or post-etched photoresist from a substrate is described herein. In one aspect, there is provided a composition for removing residues comprising: water; at least one selected from a hydroxylamine, a hydroxylamine salt compound, and mixtures thereof; and a corrosion inhibitor wherein the composition is substantially free of an added organic solvent and provided that the corrosion inhibitor does not contain a water soluble organic acid.
US07879781B2
The invention comprises a liquid lamellar composition comprising surfactant, a specific lamellar structuring system, emollient, and specific structurant.
US07879779B2
The objective of this invention is to provide an oil-based cleansing composition which retains high performance capability for cleansing, is free from the occurrence of cloudiness in the appearance and does not cause the reduction of the performance capability for massaging, even when water is interfused therein, and further is reduced in the irritation to an eye and is of good safety.An oil-based cleansing composition of this invention is characterized in that comprising (A) a nonionic surfactant having a HLB of 6 to 14, and (B) an oil component, and said oil-based cleansing composition satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2): (1) the amount of water in the composition is less than 5% by mass, and (2) a micellar aqueous solution phase or a bicontinuous microemulsion phase is formed when said oil-based cleansing composition and water are mixed in the ratio of 4:6.
US07879775B2
A lubricant composition comprising a phosphorus-containing compound and a base oil comprising less than about 3% by weight of tetracycloparaffins is disclosed. Methods of making and using the lubricant composition are also disclosed.
US07879772B2
Particles each of which consists of an inorganic polyvalent metal compound as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the nucleus (coated particles); products and preparation processes using the particles; a lubricating coating forming agent wherein particles each of which consists of a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the surface of the nucleus are suspended in an aqueous solution of a water soluble inorganic salt and/or a water soluble organic acid salt; and a lubricating coating. The coated particles are novel particles which can be used as an ingredient of coating-type lubricating coating; are excellent in seizure resistance; can inhibit wear of tools at the time of plastic working since the friction coefficient of the surface of the particles is low; and are slow to cause pollution of working oils. Lubricating coating obtained by applying the lubricating coating forming agent onto the surface of a metallic material gives excellent cold plastic working properties, namely lubricity and seizure resistance to the metallic material.
US07879770B2
Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Oxidizing agents such as air, oxygen, persulfates, bromates, peroxides, and others are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger. In certain brines, for example bromide brines, certain zwitterionic viscoelastic fluid systems that can decarboxylate and that require an anion-containing co-surfactant undergo delayed degradation if oxygen is present, for example from fluid preparation or in a foam.
US07879769B2
Viscoelastic compositions are disclosed herein containing an effective amount of one or more random or structurally defined polycationic quaternary ammonium compounds for controlling the viscoelasticity of the composition. In one aspect, the present technology provides polycationic quaternary ammonium compounds that comprise bis-quaternary compound. The bis-quaternary compounds of the present technology can be symmetric or dissymmetric. In another aspect, the present technology provides viscoelastic well bore treatment fluids comprising water, and at least one polycationic quaternary ammonium compound that comprises a bis-quaternary compound. In another aspect, the present technology provides polycationic carboxylates. Preferred viscoelastic compositions of the present technology maintain viscoelasticity at a temperature greater than about 80° C., preferably greater than about 100° C. or 110° C. when the amount of the one or polycationic quaternary compounds is less than about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
US07879757B2
A photocatalytic titanium oxide sol presents antibacterial properties in a dark place, and, in particular, relates to a photocatalytic titanium oxide sol which is stable and causes no discoloration by light even though containing silver, and relates to a coating composition and a member using the same. The photocatalytic titanium oxide sol includes silver, copper and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, may be dispersed in a binder, and may be coated on the surface of a substrate.
US07879748B2
Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a catalyst composition. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a catalyst can comprise: forming a catalyst composition from a catalyst precursor and a volatile compound, disposing the catalyst composition on a substrate to form a supported composition, treating the supported composition with electromagnetic radiation, and removing at least a portion of the volatile compound to form the catalyst. In another embodiment, the method for manufacturing a catalyst can comprise: forming a catalyst composition comprising a volatile compound and a catalyst precursor, disposing the catalyst composition onto a substrate, and drying the catalyst composition at a temperature greater than or equal to a dew point of the volatile compound and less than or equal to a decomposition temperature of the catalyst precursor.
US07879747B2
An elastic laminate having fragrance releasing microcapsules embedded within a nonwoven web layer of the laminate is generally disclosed. The elastic laminate is configured to release the encapsulated fragrance upon stretching the laminate. The elastic laminate can continue to release fresh fragrance even after the first stretching force is applied, effectively extending the life of the elastic laminate. The resulting elastic laminate is useful for many applications, and is particularly useful in the construction of an absorbent article.
US07879746B2
Polypropylene fibers and devices that include a fatty acid monoglyceride added to the polypropylene as a melt additive are described. A hydrophilic enhancer material can be advantageously added to the polypropylene as a melt additive to enhance the hydrophilicity of the fibers and devices. An antimicrobial enhancer material can be added to the fibers to enhance the antimicrobial activity.
US07879743B2
Disclosed in this specification is an aqueous dispersion for treating a textile. The dispersion generally includes surface-functionalized inorganic oxides in combination with a fluorochemical. Significantly lower concentrations of fluorochemicals are present in comparison to prior art dispersions.
US07879740B2
Disclosed are a ferrocene-containing conductive polymer, an organic memory device using the conductive polymer and a method for fabricating the organic memory device. The conductive polymer may include a fluorenyl repeating unit, a thienyl repeating unit and a diarylferrocenyl repeating unit. The organic memory device may possess the advantages of rapid switching time, decreased operating voltage, decreased fabrication costs and increased reliability. Based on these advantages, the organic memory device may be used as a highly integrated, large-capacity memory device.
US07879735B2
Cleaning solution for silicon surface and methods of fabricating semiconductor device using the same
A cleaning solution and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices using the same are provided. A cleaning solution used for cleaning a silicon surface and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same are also provided. The cleaning solution may include 0.01 to 1 wt % of fluoric acid, 20 to 50 wt % of oxidizer and 50 to 80 wt % of water. The cleaning solution may further include 1 to 20 wt % of acetic acid. The cleaning solution may be used to clean a silicon surface exposed during fabrication processes of a semiconductor device. The cleaning solution may reduce damage of other material layers (e.g., a tungsten layer or a silicon oxide layer) and enable the silicon surface to be selectively etched.
US07879732B2
A method for etching a thin film and fabricating a semiconductor device includes etching the thin film on a substrate, while monitoring the removal of an endpoint detection layer remotely located from the substrate, such that precise control of the thin film etching is provided by monitoring the removal of the endpoint detection layer. The endpoint detection layer is formed on a surface of an etching apparatus that is exposed to the same etching conditions as the thin film to be etched. The etching of the thin film is stopped when a predetermined amount of the endpoint detection layer has removed from the surface of the etching apparatus.
US07879725B2
In a stripping composition for easily removing a photoresist without an adverse effect and a method of manufacturing a TFT substrate for an LCD device using the same, the stripping composition includes acetic acid and ozone gas contained in the acetic acid as a bubble form to remove the photoresist including novolak. A photoresist pattern including novolak is formed on a predetermined layer (24) formed on a substrate (10). The layer is etched using the photoresist pattern as a mask to form a pattern of the layer. The photoresist pattern is removed using the stripping composition. The stripping composition is cheap and more effectively protects the environment in comparison with the conventional stripping compositions. Additionally, an O2 ashing process performed before or after a stripping process may be omitted to thereby simplify a stripping process.
US07879723B2
In an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor layer having regions into which a p-type impurity, an n-type impurity and a (p+n) impurity are respectively introduced is formed as a surface layer by being heat-treated. An impurity segregation layer on these regions is removed, and a film of a metallic material is thereafter formed on the regions and is heat-treated, thereby forming a silicide film on the semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, an impurity is introduced into the impurity segregation layer, and a film of a metallic material is thereafter formed on the impurity segregation layer and is heat-treated to form a silicide film.
US07879720B2
Methods of forming electrical interconnects include forming a copper pattern on a semiconductor substrate and then forming an electrically insulating capping layer on the copper pattern and an interlayer insulating layer on the electrically insulating capping layer. A contact hole is then formed, which extends through the interlayer insulating layer and the electrically insulating capping layer and exposes an upper surface of the copper pattern. An electroless plating step is then performed to form a copper pattern extension onto the exposed upper surface of the copper pattern. The copper pattern extension may have a thickness that is less than a thickness of the electrically insulating capping layer, which may be formed as a SiCN layer.
US07879719B2
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the device that minimizes a line width while maximizing integration density of the semiconductor device. The method includes forming an interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, and then forming a first via hole in the interlayer insulating film, and then forming a resin material in the first via hole, and then forming a plurality of second via holes in the interlayer insulating film laterally, and then forming a resin material in the second via holes, and then simultaneously forming a plurality of third via holes in the interlayer insulating film and a trench spatially above and corresponding to the first via hole, and then removing the resin formed in the first via hole and the second via holes, and then simultaneously forming metal layers in the first via hole and the second and third via holes and the trench.
US07879712B2
A method for patterning polycrystalline indium tin oxide by using a Gaussian laser beam focused on an amorphous indium tin oxide layer is disclosed to pattern the non-crystalline amorphous indium tin oxide layer and transfer part of the amorphous indium tin oxide layer into polycrystalline indium tin oxide while the remaining amorphous indium tin oxide layer is etched due to etching selectivity of an etching solution. The method comprises: providing a substrate with an amorphous indium tin oxide layer thereon on a carrier; transferring the amorphous indium tin oxide layer in a predetermined area into a polycrystalline indium tin oxide layer by emitting a Gaussian laser beam focused on the amorphous indium tin oxide layer in the predetermined area; and removing the remaining amorphous indium tin oxide layer on the substrate by an etching solution to form a patterned polycrystalline indium tin oxide layer.
US07879711B2
A method includes: forming a transistor gate over a first substrate and at least one first dummy structure within the first substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the gate transistor, the ILD layer including at least one contact structure formed therein and making electrical contact with the transistor gate and at least one first conductive structure formed therethrough at least partially over a surface of the dummy structure; forming a passivation layer over the ILD layer, the passivation layer comprising at least one first pad structure formed therein and making electrical contact with the conductive structure; bonding the first substrate with a second substrate; removing at least a portion of the first dummy structure, thereby forming a first opening; and forming a conductive material within the first opening for formation of a second conductive structure, the second conductive structure being electrically coupled to the first conductive structure.
US07879698B2
The present invention generally relates to an integrated processing system and process sequence that may be used for thin film transistor (TFT) fabrication. In fabricating TFTs, numerous processes may be performed on a substrate to ultimately produce the desired TFT. These processes may be performed in numerous processing chambers that may be coupled to a common transfer chamber. The arrangement of the processing chambers and the sequence in which the substrate may pass through the processing chambers may affect the device performance. By placing specific processing chambers around a common transfer chamber, multiple processes may be performed without undue exposure of the TFT to atmosphere. Alternatively, by passing the substrate sequentially through specific processing chambers, multiple processes may be performed without undue exposure of the TFT to atmosphere.
US07879692B2
A memory device has a first electrode, a second electrode, and memory material defining an inter-electrode current path between the first electrode and the second electrode. A gap is formed by shrinkage of the shrinkable material between the memory material and a shrinkable material next to the memory material.
US07879688B2
A method of making an electronic device comprises solution depositing a dielectric composition onto a substrate and polymerizing the dielectric composition to form a gate dielectric. The dielectric composition comprises a polymerizable resin and zirconium oxide nanoparticles.
US07879685B2
Methods for forming a patterned layer from common layer in a photovoltaic application are provided. The patterned layer is configured to form one or more portions of one or more solar cells on a rigid substrate. A first pass is made with a first laser beam over an area on the common layer. A second pass is made with a second laser beam over approximately the same area on the common layer. The first pass provides a first level of electrical isolation between a first portion and a second portion of the common layer. The second pass provides a second level of electrical isolation between the first portion and the second portion of the common layer. The second level of electrical isolation is greater than the first level of electrical isolation.
US07879684B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer structure on the semiconductor substrate, including an active layer and a waveguide ridge; an electrode in contact with all of a top surface of the waveguide ridge; and an insulating film coating side faces of the waveguide ridge, side faces of the electrode, and ends, but not a center portion, of an upper face of the electrode.
US07879670B2
A method of manufacturing a nonvolatile storage device having memory cell arrays according to an embodiment of the present invention includes forming, in a memory cell array forming region above a processed film, first columnar members arrayed at substantially equal intervals in the first direction and the second direction, forming, concerning at least arrays as a part of arrays of the first columnar members in the first direction, second columnar members long in section having major axes longer than sections of the first columnar members outside of the memory cell array forming region such that the major axes are set in the first direction and the second columnar members continue to ends of the arrays, and forming, in the same manner as above, third columnar members, which continue to arrays of the first columnar members in the second direction.
US07879666B2
A semiconductor process and apparatus fabricate a metal gate electrode (30) and an integrated semiconductor resistor (32) by forming a metal-based layer (26) and semiconductor layer (28) over a gate dielectric layer (24) and then selectively implanting the resistor semiconductor layer (28) in a resistor area (97) to create a conductive upper region (46) and a conduction barrier (47), thereby confining current flow in the resistor semiconductor layer (36) to only the top region (46) in the finally formed device.
US07879663B2
A semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor layer. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor layer. A layer of gate material is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The layer of gate material is patterned to form a gate structure. Using the gate structure as a mask, an implant into the semiconductor layer is performed. To form a first patterned gate structure and a trench in the semiconductor layer surrounding a first portion and a second portion of the semiconductor layer and the gate, an etch through the gate structure and the semiconductor layer is performed. The trench is filled with insulating material.
US07879657B2
An insulating film layer is formed between a channel region of an MOS element formed in a monocrystal silicon layer of an SOS substrate in which the monocrystal silicon layer is laminated on a sapphire substrate, and the sapphire substrate, thereby to bring a stress state of the monocrystal silicon layer on the insulating film layer into a tensile stress state.
US07879655B2
A semiconductor device is disclosed wherein first wiring lines in a first row extend respectively from first connecting portions toward one side of a semiconductor chip, while second wiring lines extend respectively from second connecting portions toward the side opposite to the one side of the semiconductor chip. The reduction in size of the semiconductor device can be attained.
US07879650B2
In a method of fabricating a CMOS structure, a bulk device can be formed in a first region in conductive communication with an underlying bulk region of the substrate. A first gate conductor may overlie the first region. An SOI device can be formed which has a source drain conduction path in a SOI layer, i.e., a semiconductor layer that is separated from the bulk region by a buried dielectric region. The crystal orientations of the SOI layer and the bulk region can be different. A first diode can be formed in a second region of the substrate in conductive communication with the bulk region. The first diode may be connected in a reverse-biased orientation to a first gate conductor above the SOI layer, such that a voltage on the gate conductor that exceeds the breakdown voltage can be discharged through the first diode to the bulk region of the substrate. A second diode may be formed in a third region of the substrate in conductive communication with the bulk region. The second diode may be connected in a reverse-biased orientation to a source region or a drain region of an NFET.
US07879647B2
A technique for mounting two semiconductor chips over a wiring substrate including mounting a first chip having first bonding pads over a surface of the wiring substrate having electrodes and stacking the second chip having second bonding pads over the first chip; connecting each of the first bonding pads to an associated one of the electrodes of the wiring substrate via an associated first wire; and connecting each of the second bonding pads to an associated one of the electrodes of the wiring substrate via an associated second wire. The bondings being carried out using a reverse bonding method in which at least one of the first and second wires are first bonded to an associated one of the electrodes of the wiring substrate followed by the bonding thereof to an associated one of the bonding pads of the first or second semiconductor chip.
US07879642B2
A sensor having photodiodes whose sensitivity and storage capacity can be increased is provided. The sensor is formed by arranging the photodiodes in an array with first region of second conductivity type is formed on the principal surface of a substrate of a first conductivity type. A pixel separating region of the first conductivity type is formed to penetrate through the first semiconductor region to separate the regions of the adjacent photodiodes. A second region of the second conductivity type used to drain excess charge is formed in substrate at a position away from the junction surface between substrate and the first region and below the junction surface.
US07879640B2
A Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and methods for fabricating the same. In one example embodiment of the invention, a method for manufacturing a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes several acts. First, a metal pad is formed over a semiconductor substrate. Next, a protection film is formed over the semiconductor substrate and the metal pad. Then, the protection film is selectively removed to expose a surface of the metal pad. Next, a first planarization film is formed over the protection film. Then, a color filter layer is formed over the first planarization film. Next, a second planarization layer is formed over the color filter layer. Then, a first material layer is formed over the second planarization layer. Next, a second material layer is formed over the first material layer. Then, a micro lens is formed out of the first and second material layers.
US07879638B2
A structure and method for fabricating imagers that detect light from the backside of the wafer. The structure may have less complex focusing, reduced crosstalk, tighter pixel packing density, increased quantum efficiency, and wafer-level packaging. The fabrication of the imager includes forming an imaging device on a silicon wafer, adhering an interconnect wafer to the device wafer, forming interconnects on the interconnect wafer, etching away the substrate of the device wafer, and patterning additional layers such as nitrides, color filter arrays, and lenses on the backside of the device wafer.
US07879635B2
A method for manufacturing a laser diode includes: providing a semiconductor structure in which semiconductor layers are laminated; forming a waveguide ridge in the layers; forming an SiO2 film over the entire surface; forming a second resist pattern covering the SiO2 film in channels adjacent the waveguide ridge such that top surfaces of the second resist pattern in the channels are higher than the top surface of a p-GaN layer in the waveguide ridge and lower than the top surface of the SiO2 film on the top of the waveguide ridge, the second resist pattern exposing the top surface of the SiO2 film on the top of the waveguide ridge; removing the SiO2 film, using the second resist pattern as a mask, to expose the top surface of the p-GaN layer in the waveguide ridge; and forming an electrode layer on the top surface of the p-GaN layer.
US07879634B2
A process for easy production of a liquid crystal cell substrate having a TFT driver element which contributes to reducing viewing angle dependence of color of a liquid crystal display device is provided: a process using a transfer material, more preferably, a process which comprises the following steps [1] to [4] in this order: [1] transferring on a TFT substrate a transfer material having a photosensitive polymer layer and an optically anisotropic layer on a temporary support; [2] separating the temporary support from the transfer material on the TFT substrate; [3] subjecting the transfer material to light exposure on the TFT substrate; and [4] removing unnecessary parts of the photosensitive polymer layer and the optically anisotropic layer on the substrate.
