US07664652B2
A system for producing content, the content depicting at least one person, includes: means for producing content; a first database; first input means for providing information pertaining to a person to be depicted in the content to the first database; and means for providing a signature of the person to the first database.
US07664650B2
The invention relates to speech speed conversion, and provides a speech speed converting device and a speech speed converting method for changing a speed of voice without degrading the voice quality, without changing characteristics, regarding a signal containing voice. The speech speed converting device includes: a voice classifying unit that is input with voice waveform data and a voice code based on a linear prediction, and that classifies the input signal based on the characteristic of the input signal; and a speed adjusting unit that selects either one of or both a speed conversion processing using the voice waveform and a speed conversion processing using the voice code, based on the classification, and that changes a speech speed of the input signal using the selected speed converting method.
US07664643B2
A method, and a system to execute this method is being presented for the identification and separation of sources of an acoustic signal, which signal contains a mixture of multiple simultaneous component signals. The method represents the signal with multiple discrete state-variable sequences and combines acoustic and context level dynamics to achieve the source separation. The method identifies sources by discovering those frames of the signal whose features are dominated by single sources. The signal may be the simultaneous speech of multiple speakers.
US07664642B2
A probabilistic framework for acoustic-phonetic automatic speech recognition organizes a set of phonetic features into a hierarchy consisting of a broad manner feature sub-hierarchy and a fine phonetic feature sub-hierarchy. Each phonetic feature of said hierarchy corresponds to a set of acoustic correlates and each broad manner feature of said broad manner feature sub-hierarchy is further associated with a corresponding set of acoustic landmarks. A pattern recognizer is trained from a knowledge base of phonetic features and corresponding acoustic correlates. Acoustic correlates are extracted from a speech signal and are presented to the pattern recognizer. Acoustic landmarks are identified and located from broad manner classes classified by the pattern recognizer. Fine phonetic features are determined by the pattern recognizer at and around the acoustic landmarks. The determination of fine phonetic features may be constrained by a pronunciation model. The most probable feature bundles corresponding to words and sentences are those that maximize the joint a posteriori probability of the fine phonetic features and corresponding acoustic landmarks. When the hierarchy is organized as a binary tree, binary classifiers such as Support Vector Machines can be used in the pattern classifier and the outputs thereof can be converted probability measures which, in turn may be used in the computation of the aforementioned joint probability of fine phonetic features and corresponding landmarks.
US07664640B2
A signal processing system is disclosed which is implemented using Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) based Hidden Markov Model (HMM), or a GMM alone, parameters of which are constrained during its optimization procedure. Also disclosed is a constraint system applied to input vectors representing the input signal to the system. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, related to speech recognition systems. The invention reduces the tendency, common in prior art systems, to get caught in local minima associated with highly anisotropic Gaussian components—which reduces the recognizer performance—by employing the constraint system as above whereby the anisotropy of such components are minimized. The invention also covers a method of processing a signal, and a speech recognizer trained according to the method.
US07664639B2
A telephone dialing speech recognition method includes determining a location associated with a cellular telephone from geographic indications provided by the cellular telephone, and selects associated search information as a function of the location. Speech based dialers operating in a car environment often have difficulty determining the digits said since some digits have similar sounding names in certain languages. To improve recognition performance, constraints are added to the recognition process, based on the natural constraints of the dialing process. The method utilizes the selected associated search information when recognizing the incoming speech signal. For speech dialing, if the user defines a location where the phone is used, then the “numbering plan” of that country may be used to constrain certain digits. Such constraining of the speech recognizer significantly improves the recognition results.
US07664637B2
An arrangement for yielding enhanced audio features towards the provision of enhanced audio-visual features for speech recognition. Input is provided in the form of noisy audio-visual features and noisy audio features related to the noisy audio-visual features.
US07664630B2
An information terminal device includes an acquisition unit acquiring language identification information concerning a language used on a display screen, a storage unit storing address information of a server, a language identification information synthesizer synthesizing the language identification information into the address information, and a transmitter transmitting the address information to the server.
US07664628B2
When two or more retrieval words are entered through an entry unit of an information display control device, illustrative sentences containing all the retrieval words are extracted from an illustrative sentence data table and illustrative sentences corresponding to source entry words identical to the retrieval words are displayed in the order in which the retrieval words are entered and when a source entry word is selected, explanatory information of the meaning number identical to the source meaning number is displayed on a display unit, whereby the appropriate meaning of a word contained in an retrieved sentence is displayed.
US07664626B1
A method and apparatus for ambiguous-state support in virtual machine emulators executes a suspect application in a core emulation model for all versions, variations, or generations of a given computer system component and then branches at the point where ambiguous behavior is detected, i.e., at the occurrence/request/trigger of a version variable behavior by the suspect application. The state of the emulation up to the version variable behavior branch point is then copied, and each variable behavior branch is further emulated using variable specific emulation models and only from the point of ambiguity, i.e., from the point of variable behavior, forward.
US07664622B2
A system that solves a parametric multi-objective optimization problem in a combined design space and parameter space using interval techniques is described. The design space contains design-space variables fixed for a selected design; the parameter space contains variable parameters for the selected design. Multiple-objective functions are specified for optimization. The system initializes a design-variable box spanning the design space and performs interval optimization process on the parameter space by subdividing the design-variable box into design-variable sub-boxes, and iteratively: (1) determining parametric Pareto fronts for a design-variable sub-box using an interval optimization technique; (2) comparing parametric Pareto fronts associated with a set of design-variable sub-boxes and determining the parametric Pareto fronts certainly dominated by other parametric Pareto fronts; (3) eliminating the design-variable sub-boxes associated with the certainly dominated Pareto fronts; and (4) subdividing remaining design-variable sub-boxes. An optimized solution is produced from the remaining design-variable sub-boxes and the associated parametric Pareto fronts.
US07664621B2
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for mapping system transfer functions. Accordingly, some operations may include receiving a first intermediate signal that is at least partially based upon a first reference signal. A second intermediate signal is received that is at least partially based upon a second reference signal. An output signal is generated that is based upon the difference between the first intermediate signal and the second intermediate signal. A first anticipated differential change in the output signal is determined, the first anticipated differential change to occur based upon a transition in the first reference signal. A second anticipated differential change in the output signal is determined, the second anticipated differential change to occur based upon a transition in the second reference signal. Numerous other operations are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
US07664620B2
A signal processing method that includes inputting sample values of a signal and considering the signal to have a plurality of portions. For each portion, a predetermined function is fitted to the sample values of that portion of the signal by calculating values of coefficients for that predetermined function. At least one statistical information function is evaluated for the signal to determine statistical information about the signal and the calculated coefficient values are used so that the form of the statistical information function has been determined for the predetermined function used to fit the signal portion and further includes using the statistical information obtained about the signal to process the signal.
US07664617B2
Apparatus and computer program products are provided to monitor and report performance data of a device such as a data storage drive. A plurality of quantitative values are obtained from feedback and measurement mechanisms in a data storage device of a first model during operation of the storage device. The plurality of quantitative values are normalized. Then, one or more qualitative values are generated from one or more normalized quantitative values and evaluated against corresponding baseline performance values established for the first model.
US07664599B2
A digital lane mark generation apparatus generates a highly accurate and inexpensive three-dimensional mathematical expression orbit map (a digital lane mark). The apparatus includes a GPS coordinate reception unit obtaining GPS coordinates (X, Y, Z), a gyro sensor calculating measurement values of a gradient (ψ, θ, φ), a camera device, a distance meter measuring a driving distance measuring point (l), a speed meter measuring a speed, a steering angle sensor measuring a steering angle (ρ), a road surface roughness sensor detecting a road surface roughness (δ), an IC tag information reception unit detecting IC tag position information, an internal timer, and a digital lane mark generation unit generating the digital lane mark by relating obtained information to a standard time, and by using a line segment, a circular arc, and/or a clothoid curve.
US07664596B2
Systems and methods for airspace demand prediction with improved sector level demand prediction are provided. In one embodiment, an air traffic demand prediction system (10) operable to predict demand within an airspace divided into sectors includes an expanded route predictor (14) operable to generate predicted two-dimensional expanded route information (40) associated with at least one requested flight (34), a trajectory modeler (16) operable to generate predicted four-dimensional expanded route information (46), a sector crossing predictor (18) operable to generate predicted sector crossing information (48), a departure time predictor (22) operable to generate predicted departure time information (54), and a demand modeler (62) operable to generate a demand model (28), the demand model (28) including predicted time intervals associated with the at least one requested flight indicating when it is expected to be present within one or more sectors of the airspace.
US07664593B2
A method for estimating temperature of an internal combustion engine exhaust gases, a system for estimating exhaust gas temperature, and an engine equipped with such a system. The method uses an estimator with a neural network provided with a feedback loop returning directly or indirectly in the network input one or more quantities of the network output.
US07664586B2
An engine output controller provided in a bulldozer includes an output curve storage device storing a plurality of output curves of an engine and an output curve changing device selecting and shifting to one of the plurality of output curves. The output curve changing device, when a pressure of a blade tilt cylinder is equal to or more than a predetermined value, calls and shifts to a higher output curve from the output curve storage device. When an oil pressure is supplied to the tilt cylinder to tilt a blade and an operation is performed without reducing a soil pressing speed in this condition, the output curve changing device shifts the current output curve to the higher output curve to drive the engine. However, in many other cases, the output curve is automatically switched to a lower output curve to reduce an output of the engine. Thus, the fuel consumption is improved.
US07664572B2
A control device of a legged mobile robot, wherein a state amount error (for example, an error of a vertical position of a body 3), which is a difference between an actual state amount and a state amount of a desired gait related to a translational motion in a predetermined direction (for example, a translational motion in a vertical direction) of a legged mobile robot 1, is determined, and then a desired motion of the desired gait is determined such that the state amount error approaches zero. The desired motion is determined using a dynamic model by additionally inputting a virtual external force determined on the basis of the state amount error to the dynamic model for generating desired gaits. At the same time, a desired floor reaction force of the robot 1 is corrected on the basis of a state amount error of zero, and compliance control is carried out to make the motion and the floor reaction force of the robot 1 follow the desired motion and the desired floor reaction force of the desired gait.
US07664561B1
A new Task Queue Methodology (TQM) is provided for reducing traffic jams and for controlling transportation priority in an Automatic Material Handling System (AMHS). A Stocker Resource Q, under control of TQM, maintains records of stockers that are under control of the AMHS and the availability thereof. For available stockers, a Task-Q under control of a Queue Manager (TQM) is accessed, extracting therefrom records that match available stocker resources. For the available stocker resources, the tasks that are scheduled against these resources are sorted by priority and by longest wait time, resulting in one selected task. For the in this manner selected task, a Move command is issued by the TQM to the Automatic Material Handling System.
US07664559B1
The MPEG2 Advanced Audio Coder (AAC) standard limits the number of filters used to either one filter for a “short” block or three filters for a “long” block. In cases where the need for additional filters is present but the limit of permissible filters has been reached, the remaining frequency spectra are simply not covered by TNS. Two solutions are proposed to deploy TNS filters in order to get the entire spectrum of the signal into TNS. The first method involves a filter bridging technique and complies with the current AAC standard. The second method involves a filter clustering technique. Although the second method is both more efficient and accurate in capturing the temporal structure of the time signal, it is not AAC standard compliant. Thus, a new syntax for packing filter information derived using the second method for transmission to a receiver is also outlined.
US07664558B2
Improved techniques for modifying a playback rate of an audio item (e.g., an audio stream) are disclosed. As a result, the audio item can be played back faster or slower than normal. The improved techniques are resource efficient and well suited for audio items containing speech. The resource efficiency of the improved techniques make them well suited for use with portable media devices, such as portable media players.
US07664554B2
To provide a line balance control method, a line balance control apparatus, and a component mounting machine, which do not require a higher-level device. A production line 100 is equipped with a printing machine 120, a coating machine 130, a component mounting machine 101, a component mounting machine 102, and a reflow machine 140, and they are connected through a communication line 110, respectively. In addition, a line balance control device, which is equipped with possibility inquiring means which makes an inquiry of whether or not it is possible to mount components to be allocated, among the components to be mounted, to the component mounting machines 101, 102, possibility obtaining means which obtains a response to the inquiry in the possibility inquiring means, and allocating means which allocates components to be mounted, to each component mounting machine 101, 102, in such a manner that mounting time at each component mounting machine is equalized, on the basis of the response obtained in the possibility obtaining means, is disposed in a device which configure the production line 100.
US07664551B2
Systems and methods are provided for modulating the autonomic nervous system by the electrical stimulation of the neuro-muscular system of a patient, and include an implantable electrical system for gastrointestinal stimulation which incorporates a heart rate sensor to indicate the neurovegetative patient condition, to initiate and terminate stimulation at specific locations, and an algorithm to automatically control electrical stimulation frequency, interval, amplitude, or a combination of such parameters for adaptive treatment of obesity, anorexia, other eating disorders, diseases related with the so called “metabolic syndrome” (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes type 2, GERD, systemic hypertension, early arterovascular degeneration, early senility, and the like), and disorders related to a pathologic imbalance of the autonomic nervous system.
US07664549B2
A system, method, or device classifies an arrhythmia according to the temporal order in which a depolarization wave associated with a particular heart contraction is received at a plurality of electrodes. One or more antiarrhythmia therapies is mapped to each arrhythmia classification. When a particularly classified arrhythmia is detected, the correspondingly mapped therapy list is selected and an appropriate antiarrhythmia therapy delivered. In one example, the particular therapy delivered in response to an arrhythmia depends at least in part on its historical success in treating arrhythmias of that classification.
US07664548B2
A distributed system is described that employs electrical neural stimulation to modulate autonomic activity and which allows titration of the neural stimulation therapy in accordance with physiological measurements reflective of autonomic activity and/or physiological variables affected by the neural stimulation. Such a system may include a plurality of implantable neuromodulation units that communicate with one another over a network.
US07664547B2
An active implantable medical device with biventricular pacing and automatic optimization of pacing configuration. The device collects and analyzes an endocardial acceleration signal (EA), and searches for an optimal pacing configuration based upon a performance index derived from at least one value relating to one and/or the other of the two endocardial acceleration peaks (PEA I, PEA II) over a given heart cycle. Optimization search operates through a scanning of a parameter, e.g., atrio-ventricular delay, and calculation of the surface area underneath the characteristic of the peak amplitude as a function of the scanned parameter (atrioventricular delay).
US07664542B2
The invention relates to a method for registering intra-operative image data set with pre-operative 3D image data set, including: spatially calibrating an optical 3D sensor system with an intra-operative imaging modality, intra-operatively detecting the surface of an examination area of interest with the 3D sensor system to produce an intra-operative surface mask, intra-operatively recording the area of interest for examination with the intra-operative modality at least partly containing the intra-operative surface mask to obtain an intra-operative image data set, computing the same surface from the pre-operative 3D image data set containing the detected surface to obtain a pre-operative surface mask, registering the intra-operative and pre-operative surface mask with each other, determining a mapping specification between pre-operative 3D image data set and intra-operative image data set based on the calibration and the registration, and overlaying the intra-operative image data set with the pre-operative 3D data set based on the mapping specification.
US07664539B2
A foldable portable terminal of the present invention includes a body cabinet 1 provided with a microphone 14 and a cover cabinet 2 provided with first and second speakers 41, 42, openably/closably coupled to each other. Any one or both of the cabinets are provided with closing means for closing a sound emitting hole 22a of the first speaker in a closed state of the both cabinets. Alternatively, a partition wall for partitioning the first speaker and the second speaker is formed inside the cover cabinet. Alternatively, the body cabinet has an inner surface provided with a transmission unit 6 incorporating a microphone 63 and being rotatable between a first rotational posture where the unit faces the inner surface side of the body cabinet and a second rotational posture where the unit faces a direction deviating from the cover cabinet in a closed position.
US07664535B2
A control method for a high-frequency radio equipment and a high-frequency radio equipment system in spread spectrum radio data communication are provided which are interference-tolerant and can maintain transmission quality with improved receiving sensitivity.A high-frequency radio equipment system provided with, in a base station, an antenna part comprised by a plurality of antennas, a radio part for amplifying a received signal, band-limiting and down-converting it to an intermediate frequency, a signal processing part for carrier-demodulating the signal inputted from the radio part, demodulating the signal which was despread-spectrum processed and synchronized and decoding the received data, an antenna control part for determining a code error rate for the received data inputted from the signal processing part, forming an appropriate antenna pattern based on the error rate and outputting a signal for controlling an antenna switching part according to the information of the antenna pattern.
US07664530B2
A portable device for collecting data at a geographic location and providing accurate, comprehensive, efficient and timely work prints. The portable device for collecting data at a geographic location, the device including a memory that stores preliminary site information associated with the geographic location; a receiver that receives geographic position data of at least one point at the geographic location; an interface that enables a user to input data corresponding to the received geographic position data; and a processor that supplements the preliminary site information with the received geographic position data and the corresponding input data.
US07664522B2
A device for adjusting a transmit power spectrum of a subscriber device of a communication network, having a means for receiving an attenuation measure for an attenuation, which a signal experiences on its way from a transmit/receive means to the subscriber device of the communication network connected to the transmit/receive means, from the subscriber device, a means for determining a modified attenuation measure and shaping coefficients for a frequency-dependent shaping of the transmit power spectrum based on the attenuation measure determined by and received from the subscriber device, and a means for transferring the modified attenuation measure and the shaping coefficients to the subscriber device.
US07664513B2
A positioning system capable of reducing the volume of data communication in a server positioning system is provided. A terminal device has the information for a positioning transmitting section and can transmit information for positioning containing the actually measured current positioning basic information and/or the estimated basic information to the positioning device. The amount of the estimated basic information is smaller than the amount of the current positioning basic information, thus, the amount of information that the terminal device transmits to the positioning device becomes smaller in the case where the terminal device transmits the estimated basic information with respect to the position information satellite having the difference within the allowable range compared to the case where it transmits only the actually measured current positioning basic information with respect to all of the position information satellites.
US07664503B2
A method of signaling bearer connection on Iu interface for MBMS service, includes the following steps: (a) RNC receives a MBMS Notification message for a certain MBMS service from SGSN; (b) RNC constructs a MBMS Service Request message according to the contents of the notification; (c) RNC sends a SCCP Connection Request message to SGSN, requests to establish a SCCP signaling connection, and then waits for a reply; (d) RNC receives a SCCP Connection Confirmation message from SGSN. This invention solves the problem of signaling connection on Iu interface after MBMS service is introduced into the existing mobile communication system. The connection mode provided in this invention can reasonably utilize network resources, effectively reduce signaling congestion on Iu interface and reduce modifications to the existing Iu interface message.
US07664501B2
In a telecommunications network in which a mobile handset is capable of communicating in both an IP domain and a non-IP domain, the handoff of an existing communications session between the mobile handset and a fixed user is facilitated by a handoff controller implemented in a service control point. The handoff controller implements different handoff methods depending on the status of the fixed user and the transition of the mobile user. Additionally 802.21 Media Independent Handover Function in conjunction with SIP is used to facilitate handover between IP and Non-IP points in the system.
US07664497B2
A method of timer-based registration prevents timer-based registrations that are not needed from being sent. A history is maintained of time instances of implicit registrations transmitted by a mobile station over a communications network. If an elapsed time between a pair of successive ones of the time instances in the history is not less than a registration period with the network, a timer-based registration of the mobile station with the communications network is initiated after the expiry of a random time value less than the registration period. Otherwise, a timer-based registration is initiated after the expiry of a time period equal to the registration period.
US07664491B2
A call forwarding user interface for a mobile communication device provides selective access to pre-stored identifying data (e.g., an address book) for a user to define one or more call forwarding destinations for predetermined call forwarding conditions. Call forwarding profiles of such identifying data may also be defined and stored for subsequent selective actuation. Such interface features facilitate user-defined call forwarding functions with reduced requirements for memorization and/or reference to written or printed records.
US07664490B2
A method, system and computer program product for establishing a call in a communication system including an Instant Messaging (IM) application provided by a Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) server connected to a number of IM clients, each associated with at least one conference endpoint managed by one or more management systems at least adapted to schedule and/or investigate possibilities for a conference between two or more individuals.
US07664487B2
In sending an e-mail to the mobile phone, the e-mail is first sent to the server apparatus. After the server apparatus identifies the sender, it sends a mail presence notice (MPN) to the mobile phone. When receiving the MPN, the mobile phone memorizes a mail ID included in the MPN in association with user identification of a SIM card. Then, the mobile phone sends a request for header data to the server apparatus based on the mail ID. When receiving the header data completely sent from the server apparatus upon the request, the mobile phone deletes the mail ID which it has memorized in association with the user identification data.
US07664483B2
A method for identification and registration of a moving object, entering a pre-determined area to be monitored. The identification operation has interaction between the moving object and an area access system associated with the predetermined area and including supplying identification information, while the registration operation is carried out over a wireless communication link to a control center. The method further includes identifying the moving object through a mutual interaction between the moving object and the area access system, the mutual interaction being performed over a wireless short range communication link, preferably a Bluetooth wireless link; and performing the registration operation by establishing a wireless communication link of the long-range type between the moving object and the control center upon activation of the mutual interaction on the wireless short range communication link. Preferred application is safety monitoring of tunnels.
US07664481B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for remote personnel tracking. A computer-implemented method of tracking a field-based employee includes, in a server system, receiving from a remote access device, a user identification (ID) representing the field-based employee, a first series of digits and a location code, generating a second series of digits in response to the received location code, a time representing receipt of the location code, and a remote access device ID associated with the location code, and storing the time and user ID associated with the location ID if the received first series of digits match the second series of digits.
US07664474B2
A method in a portable communication device for displaying information includes encoding data and transmitting the encoded data to a display associated with a vehicle. The encoded data is received by a receiver associated with the display, decoded and displayed.
US07664472B2
Reducing the peak-to-average power ratio of a signal comprises receiving the input signal, where the input signal is associated with at least one unacceptable frequency range. The input signal is clipped about an amplitude range to yield a clipped signal and clipped information, where the clipped information represents intermodulation products. The clipped information is filtered to yield an error signal. The error signal represents a subset of the intermodulation products, where an intermodulation product of the subset corresponds to the unacceptable frequency range. The error signal is subtracted from the input signal to yield an output signal.
US07664467B2
A method for coordinating control of radio resources for multicast/broadcast services in distributed radio resource management. The method includes communicating information between a plurality of units having radio resource management responsibilities. The communicated information is related to coordinating at least one multicast/broadcast service provided by the plurality of units.
US07664466B2
A transmission rate control method for controlling a transmission rate of a channel to which the transmission rate control method is applied, include: notifying, at a radio network controller, at a timing of a call setup or the like, a primary allowable transmission rate of the channel to which the transmission rate control method is applied; starting, at a mobile station, after the call setup, transmission at a transmission rate below the primary allowable transmission rate, when data to be transmitted is generated; and controlling, at the mobile station, the transmission rate of the channel to which the transmission rate control method is applied, based on an Relative Grant Channel transmitted from a radio base station.
US07664459B2
A distributed power train (10) communications system for sending and receiving signals between a lead locomotive (14) and remote locomotives (12A/12B/12C) in the train (10). A lead (14) initiated message is received by at least the remote locomotive (12A/12B) nearest to the lead unit (14). The receiving remote unit (12A/12B) retransmits the message for receiving by the next remote unit (12C) in the train. Thus the message leapfrogs down the train from the lead unit (14) to the remote units (12A/12B/12C). When the last remote unit (the nth remote unit) (12C) receives the message, the last remote (12C) transmits a status or other response message to the lead unit's message. The status message is received at the (n-1)th remote unit (12A/12B), which appends its status message and transmits the combined status messages toward the lead unit (14). Each successive remote unit receives the status messages of the other remote units and appends its status message, until the concatenated status message reaches the lead unit (14).
US07664457B2
A preset recording method through service linking according to movement from a first broadcasting area to a second broadcasting area in a terrestrial DMB terminal is provided. A preset recording for a predetermined broadcast program is checked to see if a current time is equal to a recording start time based on the specified preset recording; if so, extracting service linking information for the predetermined broadcast program; displaying that the DMB terminal has moved from the first broadcasting service area for the preset recording when the extracted service linking information corresponds to hard linking information, and recording a broadcasting program according to the hard linking information; and if they correspond, displaying that the DMB terminal has moved from the first broadcasting service area for the preset recording, and providing a list of broadcasting programs according to the soft linking information to enable a user to reset a preset recording function.
US07664448B2
An image heating apparatus includes a pressure roller, a belting film to circulate while partially connecting with the pressure roller, a support member to be provided in the belting film and comprises a guide to guide the circulating of the belting film, a nip spring to comprise a nip portion to form a nip between the belting film and the pressure roller, and a support portion to support the nip portion against the support member, and a heater to be provided adjacent to the nip spring and transfer heat to the image through the belting film.
US07664444B2
An image forming apparatus comprising first and second image bearing members, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer unit, a belt contacting and separating unit, a supporting member, and a separating unit, wherein, when the toner images are primarily transferred from the first and second image bearing members onto the intermediate transfer belt in a state where the intermediate transfer belt is in contact with the first and second image bearing members, the separating unit separates the supporting member from the intermediate transfer belt, and when the toner image is primarily transferred from the second image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer belt in a state where the intermediate transfer belt is away from the first image bearing member, the supporting member supports an inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt between the first and second image bearing members.
US07664425B2
A high-voltage circuit board and a main circuit board are arranged on the outer side surface of a left frame, and a conveyance path is provided so as to downwardly incline from a feed position near the uppermost part of the outer peripheral surface of a paper feed roller, toward an image formation position. Thus, the height position of an image forming section within a body casing can be lowered. As a result, the height of a laser printer can be made lower.
US07664424B2
A cleaning device includes a cleaning component that cleans the surface of a charging component that charges an image carrier that has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed. The cleaning component is a hollow body that cleans the surface of the charging component while being rotated by rotation of the charging component.
US07664423B2
An image forming device includes a photoconductive drum, a discharge electrode which discharges corona onto a surface of the photoconductive drum, and a cleaning member which cleans the discharge electrode by moving on the discharge electrode. The image forming device further includes a detection device, which is arranged on one of a first side and a second side in a moving direction of the cleaning member, and detects a current value of an electric current discharged from the discharge electrode.
US07664414B2
When the temperature of the liquid toner has fluctuated by T1 or more (Step S3: YES), the equation obtained by measuring the liquid toner is modified (Steps S4 through S7). This equation is obtained based on the output voltage value of the concentrated toner liquid sensor 27, which has the same specifications as those of the liquid toner sensor 24, and the output voltage value of the carrier liquid sensor 29, which has the same specifications as those of the liquid toner sensor 24 (S4 through S6). The output voltage value of the liquid toner sensor 24 is entered into the modified equation to calculate the toner solids content of the liquid toner of the storage tank 18 (Step S8). Control of the concentration of the liquid toner is carried out based on the calculated toner solids content (Step S9).
US07664412B2
An image forming apparatus and an image forming method, which are capable of forming images at stable image quality by executing adjustment of operating conditions at appropriate timings, are provided. When a Vsync count corresponding to an integrated value of a rotation count of an intermediate transfer belt reaches a predetermined value V1 or V2, a charging current Iw is increased by one level and an adjusting operation of a developing bias is executed (at a time t4 or t5), to thereby stabilize an image density. Further, when remaining service life of a developer reaches a predetermined value (50%) (at a time t6), if the Vsync count at that moment suggests that the time to change the charging current Iw is drawing near, the change thereof is executed ahead of the schedule, whereby the adjusting operation of the developing bias, which should otherwise be executed at the time t7, is omitted.
US07664410B2
An image forming apparatus including a main power supply unit, a chargeable auxiliary power supply unit, a fixing unit including a heater configured to receive power from at least one of the main power supply unit and the auxiliary power supply unit, and a voltage or temperature detecting part configured to detect a voltage input to the main power supply unit from a commercial power supply or to detect a voltage of the auxiliary power supply unit or to detect an environment temperature. Energy accumulated in the auxiliary power supply unit can be controlled to not be supplied to the fixing unit at a time of starting the fixing unit if the voltage or temperatures detected are less than predetermined values.
US07664405B2
The invention is directed to a pluggable module and mounting socket for use in an optical network terminal (ONT). In particular, the mounting socket accepts a pluggable module comprising either a dual-section triplexer card or a single-section diplexer card, thereby allowing a vendor to selectively change the type of PON transport by simply changing the diplexer/triplexer pluggable module to support either diplexer or triplexer applications. The ability to configure the ONT by swapping out the pluggable diplexer/triplexer module eliminates the need for a manufacturer to maintain two different versions of the ONT, i.e., with or without video.
US07664401B2
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for adjusting the operating characteristic of an optical signal transmitted by an optoelectronic device based on the operational data rate, as is indicated by a ‘rate select’ signal. The rate select can be generated automatically, or can be transmitted from a host device. One example of an operating characteristic that can be adjusted is the optical modulation level of the transmitted signal.
US07664395B2
To operate an optical device comprising an SLM with a two-dimensional array of controllable phase-modulating elements groups of individual phase-modulating elements are delineated, and control data selected from a store for each delineated group of phase-modulating elements. The selected control data are used to generate holograms at each group and one or both of the delineation of the groups and the selection of control data is/are varied. In this way upon illumination of the groups by light beams, light beams emergent from the groups are controllable independently of each other.
US07664391B2
An optical network includes an optical ring that is capable of transmitting, between two or more nodes, a plurality of working traffic streams that include traffic transmitted in one of a plurality of wavelengths. A node is capable of transmitting, in a first wavelength, a first protection traffic stream associated with a first working traffic stream, in response to an interruption of the first working traffic stream. A node is also capable of transmitting, in a second wavelength, a second protection traffic stream associated with a second working traffic stream, in response to an interruption of the second working traffic stream. The optical network also includes a regeneration element capable of selectively regenerating the first protection traffic stream. The regeneration element is also capable of tuning the regeneration element to receive traffic in the second wavelength and of selectively regenerating the second protection traffic stream.
US07664389B2
To improve the quality of photographs of people, the disclosure describes a system and method of photography using desirable feature recognition. The system and method recognize when the subject persons in a photograph possess one or more desirable features for a desirable photograph, such as when they are all smiling and/or not blinking. The system and method may be applied either to individual or group photographs. The system and method of the present invention may operate in a “Full Mode”, in which a picture is taken when all subject persons possess the desirable feature(s). The system and method also may operate in a “Proportional Mode”, in which a picture is taken when a set proportion of the subject persons possess the desirable feature(s). The system and method also may operate in a “Best Picture Mode”, in which multiple photographs are imaged, and the best photograph is selected for keeping, as measured by the photograph containing the highest proportion of subject persons who possess the desirable feature(s). The system and method also may operate in a timer mode, which permits the camera user to appear in the photograph.
US07664387B2
A communications apparatus is shown having an imaging device for capturing an image, and a flash for lighting an image to be captured. Also shown is the use of the apparatus. Software for matching a flash performance to other functions of a device is also shown. A radio communications apparatus embodiment is shown that comprises an imaging device including an image sensor and a rolling shutter, and a flash unit. The flash unit is operated at a certain flash frequency, and an exposure time is determined according to the flash frequency so that the image sensor is uniformly exposed by the rolling shutter during the determined exposure time.
US07664385B2
An image capture device includes a focusing unit, a focus driving unit and an autofocus control unit; the focusing unit is provided to focus on a subject. The focus driving unit is provided for driving the focusing unit to driving-target position. The autofocus control unit is provided to control driving of the focus driving unit according to a determination of executing or omitting a one-way-driving-control. One-way driving control controls driving direction of the focus driving unit into a predetermined direction at a peripheral range before driving-disactivation of the focus driving means, determined based on a shooting-condition.
US07664383B2
A device may determine whether a user input for capturing a view is triggered and automatically frame a plurality of images of the view when the user input is determined to be triggered by repeatedly determining a zoom value for an image, optically zooming the view based on the zoom value, and capturing the zoomed view as the image.
US07664378B2
A fan heater includes a heater body, an electric unit, a plurality of fan assemblies, and a heating element. Each of the fan assemblies is mounted with the adjacent fan assembly to form a fan unit within the receiving cavity, wherein the fan unit is operatively coupled with the electric unit for being driven to rotate by the electric unit. The heating element is mounted within the receiving cavity in a vicinity of the air outlet, and electrically connected with the electric unit for being heated up at an elevated temperature, wherein the fan assemblies are adapted to draw air flowing from an air inlet to an air outlet via the heating element, so as to heat up the air drawn by the fan unit, and deliver the heated air to a predetermined heating zone from the air outlet.
US07664371B2
The recording medium has an information file area that includes at least one information file. The information file is associated with a data file recorded on the recording medium, and the data file includes at least video data. The information file includes a type indicator indicating whether the video data in the data file is for at least one still image.
US07664370B2
An AV Clip generated by multiplexing video and graphics streams is recorded on a BD-ROM. The graphics stream is a sequence of PES packets. The PES packets include ODSs (Object Definition Segments) carrying graphics data and PCSs (Presentation Control Segments) carrying control information. A PCS indicates that graphics data in a preceding ODS in the arrangement is to be displayed at a predetermined time in a state of being overlaid on the video stream. The PCS and the preceding ODS belong to different DSs, and the graphics data in the preceding ODS may be non-referenced graphics data that is not referenced by a PCS which belongs to the same DS as the preceding ODS.
US07664358B2
An optical waveguide film includes a film including a clad layer and a core layer covered by the clad layer; an adhesive layer formed on at least one surface of the film; and a plurality of projection portions formed on a surface of the adhesive layer and arranged at spaced intervals to one another.
US07664350B2
A solar concentrator having a concentrator element for collecting input light, a redirecting component with a plurality of incremental steps for receiving the light and also for redirecting the light, and a waveguide including a plurality of incremental portions enabling collection and concentration of the light onto a receiver. Other systems replace the receiver by a light source so system optics can provide illumination.
US07664346B2
A waveguide-type broadband optical isolator according to the present invention, comprising: a reciprocal phase shifter which makes a phase difference 3π/2 between a first light wave propagating through a first waveguide and a second light wave propagating through a second waveguide, with a fundamental operating wavelength λ, and a nonreciprocal phase shifter which provides a phase difference π/2 for forward propagating waves and a phase difference −π/2 for backward propagating waves.
US07664345B2
A microelectromechanical systems device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate having grooves formed therein. A lower electrode is deposited over the substrate and separated from an orthogonal upper electrode by a cavity. The upper electrode is configured to be movable to modulate light. A semi-reflective layer and a transparent material are formed over the movable upper electrode.
US07664341B2
An index layout measurement method and apparatus measures a relative layout relationship between a first index or index group which exists in a given first region in a physical space and a second index or index group which exists in a second region. The method includes a first image sensing step of sensing an image so as to simultaneously include some or all of the first index/index group and an auxiliary index which is temporarily laid out in the physical space and a position and orientation in a three-dimensional space of which can be defined, a second image sensing step of sensing an image so as to simultaneously include some or all of the second index/index group and the auxiliary index, and a layout calculation step of calculating a relative layout relationship among the first index/index group, the auxiliary index, and the second index/index group from one or a plurality of images obtained by performing the first image sensing step once or repeating it a plurality of number of times, and one or a plurality of images obtained by performing the second image sensing step once or repeating it a plurality of number of times. The auxiliary index is removed after the layout relationship among the respective indices laid out in the physical space is calculated.
US07664340B2
An imaging device includes imagers each having an imaging element. An NP point is located downstream of the imaging element, and all NP points are collectively located within a predetermined radius region centered on one of the NP points. A lens closest to the object is cut along a plane not including the optical axis, and a>H is satisfied, where H is a distance from the optical axis to a center portion of an overlapping region with the adjacent imager when the imaging element is scanned from the optical axis toward the optical axis of the adjacent imager, and a is a distance from the optical axis to a position at which an illuminance ratio does not vary even if an aperture stop state is shifted, although the position is located in a region in which the illuminance ratio decreases as the distance from the optical axis increases.
US07664333B2
An image retrieval device and an image retrieval method are provided which are capable of improving performance of image retrieval, of retrieving images at higher speed with simplified configurations and of retrieving images by simplified calculating processes.The image retrieval device is composed of a first coefficient transforming section to transform a first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data accumulated in an image database and to generate a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity, second coefficient transforming section to transform the first group of image feature descriptors extracted from image data of an inquired image and to generate a second group of image feature descriptors to be used for calculating similarity and a similarity calculating section to compare the second group of image feature descriptors for each piece of image data produced by the coefficient transforming section with the second group of image feature descriptors for the inquired image transformed by the second coefficient transforming section.
US07664324B2
Methods and systems for detecting the presence of concealed objects. One embodiment of the method of these teachings for detecting the presence of concealed objects is passive, does not require any external radiation source, uses thermal radiation of a body as a source of radiation. Other embodiments include unique systems, devices, methods, and apparatus to determine the presence of a concealed object.
US07664316B2
The data interpolation section 6 includes: a direction data calculation section 61 for calculating a plurality of direction data, each of the plurality of direction date indicating a directional amount along a plurality of directions including at least one of an upper right direction and a lower right direction within the vicinity of a target pixel; a direction detection section 62 for detecting at least one direction of the edge within the vicinity of the target pixel by using the plurality of direction data calculated by the direction data calculation section 61; a direction color signal calculation section 63 for calculating at least one color signal corresponding to the at least one direction detected by the direction detection section 62; and a target pixel color signal calculation section 64 for calculating a color signal for the target pixel by using the at least one color signal calculated by the direction color signal calculating section 63.
US07664309B2
The present invention efficiently suppresses a false defect and realizes reticle inspection where a defect can be detected with high detection sensitivity. In a reticle inspecting method, reticle inspection data generated based on reticle design data is captured. Also, drawing position accuracy measurement data of the reticle is captured to obtain a first correction amount for correcting a position accuracy component of the reticle. Based on the first correction amount, the inspection data is corrected. Based on the corrected inspection data, a defect on the reticle is detected.
US07664301B2
The present invention relates a method and an apparatus for enhancing ultrasound image quality through a post-processing. A method for enhancing an image quality of a two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound image, comprises the steps of: a) decomposing the 2D ultrasound image into a plurality of images having a multi-resolution by N levels, wherein N is a positive integer; b) determining characteristics of each pixel in the decomposed image; c) performing an enhancement process for the decomposed image based on the pixel characteristics; d) performing 1st-level composition for the decomposed image; and e) repeatedly performing steps b) to d) until a size of the composed image is identical to that of the 2D ultrasound image.
US07664294B2
A system is provided for inspecting a printed image. The system is provided with at least one evaluation unit, a display device and an image scanner. That scanner takes an image that represents, at least partially, a printed image. The copied printed image belongs to a sequence of images printed on a print carrier by a printing machine. The evaluation unit receives data that is correlated to an image which has been taken, and evaluates that data by comparing it with recorded data of at least one preceding image, or with a reference image. The display device is provided with a graphic display surface that is comprised of several areas which are controlled, in a different manner, by the evaluation unit, and which are preferably simultaneously displayed. A first area displays several images, such as the just taken image, the preceding image and the reference image. The second area includes an input field or a control point for adjusting or controlling the evaluation unit or for adjusting or controlling the printing machine.
US07664285B2
There is provided an interface adapter for receiving a microphone, wherein the interface adapter has a receiving unit with a through hole for receiving a microphone and an arresting unit for arresting a received microphone. That permits the microphone to be easily fixed on a boundary surface or interface, such as for example on a table top, a glass plate, tiles, wooden floors, concrete floors and the like. In other words the use of the interface adapter defines an interface which plays an important part in audio recording.
US07664276B2
Multiple passes are executed in the setup of an equalizer, and modification of the equalization is performed after each pass of an analysis phase. After an initial pass, the equalization is adjusted, based upon the location of peaks and valleys in the system response. This initial adjustment of equalization may tend to flatten most of the peaks and valleys to produce the desired uniform linear response. Inexact application of equalization corrections may introduce other artifacts into the system response and/or may not sufficiently normalize equalization. A second pass is then performed to measure the system response using the new equalization settings. The new peaks and valleys are measured, and the equalization adjusted to try to flatten response further. A proximity range may be applied to each pass, to reduce the likelihood that adjustment of one equalizer coefficient will create artifacts in the resulting system response.
US07664274B1
A system to generate an enhanced acoustic transmission signal includes a carrier signal generator to generate a carrier signal. A data signal generator is provided to receive data and to generate a data signal representing the data. A signal modulator is also provided to modulate the carrier signal with the data signal to form a modulated carrier signal at a carrier frequency. The system includes a masking signal generator to generate a masking signal to mask the modulated carrier signal from being audible by a human ear. An audio input device is provided to receive audio and to generate an audio signal based on the audio, wherein a frequency band surrounding the carrier frequency is removed from the audio signal. A signal adder is also provided to combine the modulated carrier signal, the masking signal, and the audio signal to form the enhanced acoustic transmission signal.
US07664261B2
One chip encryption processor is disclosed, in which a password process unit for processing a data encryption and an interface for managing a password needed for an encryption are integrated into one chip. The encryption processor includes an encryption interface for connecting an externally connected apparatus and an internal data process apparatus, a password process unit for encrypting the inputted data, a memory unit for temporarily storing the data. The above elements are integrated into one chip, so that a desired data security, non-error operation and stable user verification are obtained.
US07664255B2
Disclosed is a hands-free holder for hands-free use of a device that is designed to be held up to a user's ear. The holder is connectable to the device and includes a sleeve that includes a transparent elastically stretchable material that defines an opening for receiving a portion of the device. The holder further includes a curved member that includes a first end and second end rotatably coupled to a first side of the sleeve and to an opposite side of the sleeve, respectively. The curved member defines an opening for receiving the top of a user's ear and is configured to rest on and behind the user's ear when the top of the user's ear is received in the opening such that the device connected to the holder is supported by the user's ear, thereby allowing hands-free use of the device.
US07664250B1
A method for distributing incoming telephone calls among inbound links of a service platform is provided. First information is accumulated regarding routing of the incoming telephone calls during a previous time period to the inbound links of the service platform by a network call processor. Second information including a number of the inbound links of the service platform allocated to the network call processor for a future time period is generated based on the first information. A number of the incoming telephone calls are routed to the inbound links of the service platform during the future time period based on the second information.
US07664243B2
Disclosed herein is a three-way call detection system and method for detecting the addition of a third party to a pre-existing telephonic connection between a first party and a second party. The system includes a meter for measuring the amplitude of a line voltage of a telephonic connection between two parties, a first filter to remove a frequency band from the line voltage, a white noise generator for generating a low level white noise signal in the removed frequency band, a coupler for combining the white noise signal with the filtered signal, to create an additive line voltage, a second filter that passes only a portion of the additive line voltage including at least a portion of the white noise signal, and a processor for monitoring the passed signal for a shift in amplitude level associated with the addition of a third party to the connection.
US07664240B2
Telecommunications customers must frequently utilize the facilities of many different telecommunications service providers in order to transmit data from one location to another. When a telecommunications customer encounters a network problem, that customer usually must navigate a complicated web of service providers and equipment owners in order to receive meaningful technical assistance from a human technician. The present invention is designed and intended to facilitate human interactions for technical support and administrative tasks by associating customer, contract, circuit, equipment, key personnel, billing, and telco information in a database for efficient data presentation and information retrieval. Resolution of the logistical problem of tracking circuit information is achieved by organizing the information and displaying important data concurrently. Toward that end, the system modules comprising the invention share all of the circuit inventory data available, and graphical user interfaces for each module display relevant information together. Examples of features in the present invention include: simultaneous display of circuit and contact information for key personnel, a reminder function for tracking changes in important service characteristics, and customer-specific formatting for billing.
US07664239B2
Methods are provided for managing and configuring voice services the notification and disposition of voice services, such as telephone calls, in a cable television services system. In response to receiving a notification of an incoming voice service in the cable television services system, a voice services banner is generated for displaying options for managing the incoming voice service. Options for managing the incoming voice service are selected from the voice services banner. An on-screen user interface is generated for configuring voice services options on a display device in communication with a set-top box. The user interface receives selections for configuring the voice services options. In response to receiving a selection, a determination is made whether to display a menu for configuring the voice services options based on a subscriber profile. If it is determined that the configuration of voice services is authorized, then the menu is displayed for configuring the voice services options.
US07664237B1
A method and apparatus for enabling calling parties to request the VoIP network to provide a special ring tone to be signaled as the occurrence of an urgent call to called parties are disclosed. Alternatively, a high frequency intercept tone or call waiting tone is also provided when the called parties are already engaged in conversation when an urgent call is incoming.
US07664236B2
A system for customizing a communications network, the system including a first communications station associated with a calling party, a second communication station associated with a called party, a storage device containing at least one announcement, and a communications device for initiating a forked or forwarded call to locate the called party at the second communications station. The forked or forwarded call is initiated by the calling party whereby at least a portion of a call signal is replaced with at least a portion of the announcement. The announcement is associated with the calling party and is chosen by the called party and played to the calling party after initiation of the call but prior to active communication with the called party. Also, the call signal is selected from one of ringback signals, busy signals, network redirect signals, call progress signals, network announcement signals, or dial tone signals.
US07664235B2
A novel method and apparatus for recording an audio note for a voice message stored on a messaging platform are disclosed.
US07664224B2
One aspect can relate to detecting a presence of an at least one chemical, compound, or biological material contained in an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an at least one individual based at least partially on addition of an at least one chemical identifying additive to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the at least one individual based at least partially on a generation of an at least one induced X-ray fluorescing photon within the at least one chemical identifying additive responsive to a single input energy event in which an at least some input energy is being applied proximal to the at least one chemical, compound, or biological material contained in the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the at least one individual.
US07664219B2
A flip-flop is provided. The flip-flop is used in a shift register in a source driver. The flip-flop is used to receive a first clock signal, an input signal and output an output signal. The output signal is fed back to the flip-flop. The flip-flop includes a flop core for receiving the input signal and output the output signal. When the input signal and the output signal are all disabled, the flop core is disabled to function. When the input signal or the output signal is enabled, the flop core is enabled to function to output the output signal.
US07664215B2
Alignment of a receiver clock signal with a transmitter clock signal based upon a received data signal is disclosed. Some embodiments generate, based upon of phase bits and valid phase bits, a phase signal having a voltage level selected from at least three voltage levels. One voltage level corresponds to shifting the receiver clock signal in a first direction. Another voltage level corresponds to shifting the receiver clock signal in a second direction. The other voltage level corresponds to repeating a previous shift of the receiver clock signal.
US07664211B2
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method of receiving an input signal. The method, in various embodiments, includes detecting a peak of the input signal and detecting an envelope of the input signal. In various embodiments, the peak and envelope are used to identify out-of-band blocking signals and to adjust gain control. The method also includes comparing the peak to a first threshold Tp and comparing the envelope to a second threshold Te. In the method, if the peak is above the first threshold and the envelope is below the second threshold, then ignoring the input signal. If the envelope is above the second threshold, the method includes applying automatic gain control to decode information encoded in the input signal.
US07664208B2
An evaluating device including: a Viterbi detector to perform bit detection by Viterbi detection from a reproduced signal in which bit information is reproduced; a metric difference calculator to calculate a metric difference between values of path metrics for a second path and a maximum likelihood path when at least an error pattern between the maximum likelihood path as a path surviving as a result of path selection by the Viterbi detector and the second path compared finally with the maximum likelihood path corresponds to one of a predetermined plural error patterns; and an evaluation value calculator to compare each of values of metric differences calculated by the metric difference calculator for each error pattern, with an individual threshold value obtained by dividing a Euclidean distance between the maximum likelihood path and the second path in each error pattern by a common value, and calculate a total number of values of the metric differences less than the threshold value as an evaluation value.
US07664206B2
A radio frequency integrated circuit for a global positioning system (GPS) application mixes radio frequency GPS signals from an external source with a predetermined intermediate frequency that is less than 4fo. In one embodiment, the intermediate frequency is selected to be 1.5fo. An intermediate frequency filter then band-limits the intermediate frequency GPS signals, rolling off at a frequency in the vicinity of 2.5 MHz to achieve substantial attenuation at 3.5-4.0 MHz. An automatic gain control circuit amplifies the filtered intermediate frequency GPS signals to proper voltage levels. The amplified intermediate frequency GPS signals is then digitized by an analog-to-digital converter at a predetermined sampling rate more than twice the intermediate frequency to provide samples of a predetermined number of bits, which are then provided for base band processing by a general purpose microprocessor over an industry-standard serial bus.
US07664202B2
In a first mode in which the power level of a transmission output signal (S6) is to be high, an output from the multiplier (2) is input to an amplitude modulation signal amplifier (4), and a radio frequency power amplifier (5) performs amplitude modulation on a radio frequency phase modulated signal (S4) using a nonlinear area with a supply voltage from the amplitude modulation signal amplifier (4). In a second mode in which the power level of a transmission output signal (S6) is to be low, the output from the multiplier (2) is input to a variable gain amplifier (7), and the variable gain amplifier (7) performs amplitude modulation on the radio frequency phase modulated signal (S4). The amplitude modulated signal is output without passing through the radio frequency power amplifier (5).
US07664195B2
Disclosed is a method and a device to increase the bit rate in a communications system comprising N transmitters (2N) and M receivers (3M), with M greater than or equal to N. The method comprises the following steps. a) simultaneously sending different messages on several of the N (2N) transmitters, b) simultaneously receiving the superimposition of the messages sent during the step a) on several of the M (3M) receivers or reception sensors, c) estimating the characteristics of the transmission channel for each pair constituted by a transmission sensor and a receiver sensor, d) jointly estimating all or at least the majority of the messages received in taking account of the signals as well as the characteristics of the transmission channel. Application to GSM signals and to systems of unicast transmission and multicast transmission, namely multipoint-to-point and multipoint-to-multipoint transmission.
US07664184B2
A method of compressing an image formed of pixels. The method includes providing a pixel of the image, to be encoded, selecting at least two pixels of the image, other than the encoded pixel, defining a straight line including the encoded pixel, to serve as prediction pixels, calculating a prediction value for the encoded pixel using at least the selected pixels, determining a difference between the calculated prediction value and the actual value of the encoded pixel, encoding the determined difference, such that the encoding error is bounded; and repeating for at least 5% of the pixels of the image.
US07664182B2
A frame coding unit generates individual picture signal information from a moving picture signal, and outputs a frame code value which is a numeric value to be obtained as a result of coding picture signal information of each frame. A variable length coding unit decomposes the frame code value into unit frame code values which are basic units of coding, converts the unit frame code values into frame code words using only a single code table, and constructs a frame stream by combining the converted frame code words. A multiplexing unit multiplexes a header stream which is constructed through a method equivalent to a conventional method and the frame stream, and constructs a picture coded signal.
US07664173B2
A method and apparatus for cached adaptive transforms for compressing data streams, computing similarity, and recognizing patterns have been disclosed.In one embodiment of the invention an encoder and decoder begin with a baseline transform. As data is transferred an algorithm is arranged so that the encoder and decoder adapt toward a superior basis than the baseline, with a corresponding reduction in the encoding bit rate. That is the algorithm adapts to the incoming data stream and can use a custom basis. We deliberately avoid having to send the custom basis itself (when possible), because sending the basis vectors consumes precious bandwidth and may defeat the goal of compression. The encoder and decoder can bootstrap themselves into using one or more better bases.In one embodiment of the invention there is no beginning baseline transform shared between the encoder and the decoder.
US07664164B1
An apparatus and method for correlating a signal over a correlation interval while accommodating spreading code frequency offset is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of correlators, where each correlator forms a correlation result corresponding to a unique code frequency offset hypothesis. Each correlator selects samples from a tapped delay line at a tap position moved along the delay line at a rate corresponding to the correlator unique code frequency offset hypothesis.
US07664160B2
A transmitting device includes a continuous pulse generating unit, modulating unit, and output unit. The continuous pulse generating unit continuously generates multiple impulse waveforms at arbitrary time intervals but shorter than the pulse string repetition cycle. The modulating unit modulates continuous pulses generated by the continuous pulse generating unit, using transmission data. The output unit outputs a modulated pulse modulated by the modulating unit. The receiving device includes a modulated pulse receiving unit that receives a modulated pulse transmitted from the above-mentioned transmitting device; and a demodulating unit that receives transmission data by demodulating a modulated pulse received by the modulated pulse receiving unit.
US07664150B2
A system is provided that electrically isolates a diode laser when the health of the diode laser deteriorates past a preset value. In addition to the diode laser and its power supply, the system includes a monitoring system that monitors the voltage across the diode laser and/or the voltage across a series resistor and/or the operating temperature of the diode laser and/or one or more characteristics of the output beam of the diode laser and/or the temperature of the diode laser coolant and/or the flow rate of the diode laser coolant. The system also includes a power supply controller and associated control circuit that is activated upon receipt of a trigger signal from the monitoring system.
US07664145B2
When a beacon (n−1) that is transmitted from a piconet coordinator (PNC) is detected in a MAC layer of the PNC and a MAC layer of a device (DEV), a detection signal is immediately transmitted to a LINK layer. In the LINK layer, a count is made from the detection of the beacon to a predetermined timing to generate a cycle timer. The PNC adds the PNC cycle timer to the subsequent beacon (n) and transmits the beacon to the DEV. In the LINK layer of the DEV, a comparison is made between a DEV cycle timer generated according to the beacon (n−1) and the PNC cycle timer received from the PNC and uses the value of the difference therebetween to correct the DEV cycle timer to be matched with the PNC cycle timer.
US07664138B2
The system (50) has a subscriber digital filter system (54)connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). A subscriber controller (52) sends control signals to the subscriber digital filter system (54). An office digital filter system (58) is connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). An office controller (60) sends control signals to the office digital filter system (58).
US07664127B1
A method of resolving mutex contention within a network interface unit which includes providing a plurality of memory access channels, and moving a thread via at least one of the plurality of memory access channels, the plurality of memory access channels allowing moving of the thread while avoiding mutex contention when moving the thread via the at least one of the plurality of memory access channels is disclosed.
US07664124B2
Methods, systems, and products share content between a device and a media delivery device. The media delivery device includes a content sharing application stored in memory and a processor communicating with the memory. The processor sends a presence update message to indicate the media delivery device is active and available to receive content. The processor receives an invite, and the invite requests a session between the media delivery device and the device. The processor sends an accept message to accept the invitation. The processor receives the content and receives a message that terminates the session.
US07664121B2
A method is provided for switching data between appliances in a packet-oriented local area network and an external appliance connected to the local area network via a router. The appliances in the local area network, including the router, respectively have a network address and an appliance address. The external appliance has an associated network address. An appliance address request relating to the assigned network address is responded to with the appliance address of the router. The router forwards packets containing the assigned network address and the appliance address of the router as destination addresses from the local area network to the external appliance.
US07664120B2
In certain embodiments, a first node among a plurality of distributed nodes capable of forming or reforming a communication network between the nodes, each of the nodes including one or more transceivers, includes a memory for storing values for variables for the first node and includes a plurality of transceivers. The first node is operable to: (1) spontaneously and independent of a centralized controller associated with the network, transmit a probe message for purposes of forming or reforming a network; (2) receive a probe message from a second node for purposes of forming or reforming a network, the probe message including values for variables for the second node; (3) compare the values for the variables for the first node to the values for the variables for the second node within the probe message to determine, independent of a centralized controller associated with the network, whether the first node should set a home channel of one of its transceivers to a new channel; and (4) if so, set the home channel of a determined one of the transceivers of the first node to the new channel.
US07664119B2
A method and apparatus to route information over a network is described.
US07664113B2
Apparatus and methods for system multiplexing and program element identification is disclosed. A multiplexer generates a sequence of transport packets and associated program element information tables (PEIT). The header of a transport packet carrying the PEIT includes a unique PEIT indicator. A de-multiplexer first locates the PEIT by the unique PEIT indicator in the transport packet header. The de-multiplexer utilizes the corresponding program element identifier (PEID) of the program specific information (PSI) to search for the required transport packet that contains the PSI. The de-multiplexer then locates and extracts the needed elementary streams by searching for the associated PEID in the PEIT. The elementary streams are then sent to decoders for further processing.
US07664111B2
The network switching system is provided with a communication route management table for managing transmission path information of a wireless network including wireless access devices, and a connection device management table for managing, in common on the wireless network, the information on wireless network devices connected to the wireless access devices. The system is further provided with a signal transmitter for referencing the two tables, and generating a signal frame depending on the destination of communication signals received to transmit the signal frame generated. Communication is prevented from being interrupted when communication route information is updated, and from being invaded on a communication route in the network. The network system is more efficiently utilized.
US07664107B2
A self-stabilizing overlay maintenance protocol in structured peer-to-peer overlay system stabilizes any initially connected overlay topology to a correct topology. According to the protocol, a node in the overlay system periodically pings neighboring nodes in the leafset of its routing table, who respond with a pong message containing the recipient's view of the ping sender's leafset. The protocol further conserves connectivity when removing a directed link to another node, by first creating a link to a replacement node that in turn has a link to that node. The protocol uses a ping-pong-notify message exchange to track sink and source sets of the directed links between nodes. The protocol also achieves fast convergence, such as in the partition healing scenario, by leveraging the finger set in the routing table to establish and quickly spread healing points from which the protocol can stabilize the structure.
US07664106B2
A method and apparatus for providing emergency services, e.g., E911 services, for nomadic users by utilizing network announcements to remind customers to update location information used to provide services on packet networks, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks, are disclosed. For example, the method enables the VoIP or SoIP service provider to detect a change in the IP address associated with either the broadband modem or the router through which a terminal adaptor is used to access services when a customer is logging on from a new location. In turn, the method sends a reminder network announcement message to the terminal adaptor, e.g., to be played when the terminal adaptor goes off-hook.
US07664102B1
A system and method for processing a plurality of requests for multi-media services received at a call control element (CCE) defined on the system from a calling communication device. The system includes a Network Routing Element, a Service Broker (SB), at least a primary media severs (MS) and at least a secondary MS, a plurality of application servers (ASs) and a plurality of border elements, all of which are coupled to the CCE. The SB is adapted to receive a plurality of requests including parameters for requesting multi-media services, via the CCE, and to selectively redirect the requests to one or more ASs for providing feature processing for the requests. The ASs can instruct either the primary MS or secondary MS, via the CCE, to form a preliminary interactive communication path with the calling communication device for collecting caller-entered data, which can be validated prior to providing the feature processing.
US07664095B2
A two-way wireless communication system comprises a central authority in communication with a plurality of client devices via both a circuit switched data communication system and a packet switched data communication system. The packet switched communication system can assign packet switched network addresses to the client devices dynamically. Therefore, the central authority can be configured to send a circuit switched message, through the circuit switched data network, to a client device requesting the client device to register with the central authority through the packet switched data network.
US07664083B1
In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a monitoring portal configured to receive state information descriptive of usage of a plurality of communication services provided on a plurality of communication networks of different types and to make the state information available to a subscriber of the plurality of communication services, in substantially real time.
US07664079B2
A base station subsystem includes logic to change the modulation and coding scheme for radio communications, and logic to communicate with a switching GSM to cause a change in link layer control frame size to reflect the change in modulation and coding scheme.
US07664076B2
A random access apparatus for supporting a variety of access service classes includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitting/receiving unit for receiving a preamble introduction broadcasting signal from a base station and transmitting a random access preamble to the base station, an introduction broadcasting signal processing unit for extracting a random access usage relating to M-sequences and hadamard sequences from the received preamble introduction broadcasting signal, a selecting unit for selecting a plurality of M-sequences and a hadamard sequence corresponding to a random access purpose based on the extracted random access usage, and a preamble producing unit for generating the random access preamble using the selected plurality of M-sequences and the selected hadamard sequence.
US07664075B2
An architecture and methods for extending the depth of a WLAN to a four-level hierarchal access point structure including wireless access points. The wireless access points in the WLAN can be networked by scanning for a network, collecting one or more packets that identify the network from one or more access points, each packet including an address identifying an ancestry of the access points to an ancestral wired access point; and applying an access point selection algorithm to configure a parent access point. The architecture includes a scanning object configured to issue a scan request to a network interface and collect access point data; a selection object configured to filter and sort the collected access point data; an authentication state machine configured to perform authentication and validate; and an association state machine configured to compose a packet including hierarchical data indicative of access point ancestry to a conventional access point.
US07664072B1
A virtual stream (VS) in a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) that exists solely within the medium access control (MAC) sublayer of the WLAN. The VS includes a unidirectional path in the wireless network between a station sourcing a quality of service (QoS) session and at least one station receiving the QoS session in the same BSS. The VS is defined by a VS identifier (VSID) that is unique within and local to the BSS, an address of the sourcing station, and an address of the at least one receiving station. The VS can be a virtual down-stream (VDS), a virtual upstream (VUS) or a virtual side-stream (VSS). The VS can be a unitcast or a multicast VS.
US07664071B2
A method and system for assigning unique words in an SDMA communication system is disclosed. A base station has a set of available unique words from which to select and assign unique words. The base station prioritizes the unique words by determining which unique words are likely to interfere with adjacent base stations, and setting those words to a low priority. Thus, over time, the base station assigns unique words that have better cross correlation characteristics and improved communication sensitivity. The base station discovers the unique words likely to be used in adjacent base stations by direct communication with adjacent base stations, or by communicating with a central office facility. Alternatively, the base station may be made aware of the unique IDs for adjacent base stations, and use these IDs to determine a set of unique words likely to be used by these adjacent base stations.
US07664063B2
A receiver (FIG. 2), receives IP session announcement signals from a terrestrial digital video broadcasting system. Each IP session announcement (RM) includes information concerning announcements on an immediately lower level as well as information identifying the quantity of announcement data, such as the number of announcement messages, and a timeout value. The quantity data tells the receiver how many messages X1 to X3 it needs to receive (C) before it has received all the relevant announcement messages. The timeout value informs the receiver how long it can wait before again receiving the messages X1 to X3 (which may have changed in content by then). After initially receiving the messages X1 to X3, the receiver may sleep (E), or it may receive announcement messages from another channel Y (D).
US07664062B2
The present invention provides a method for dynamically adjusting the transmission rate of a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: setting an initial transmission rate; counting the number of successful or unsuccessful transmission; comparing the number with a predetermined threshold and obtaining a comparing result; and adjusting the transmission rate according to the comparing result. The present invention also provides a method that uses the strength of received signals to determine if the transmission rate needs adjusting.
US07664061B2
The present invention relates to a closed-loop signaling method for controlling multiple transmit beams, comprising the steps of receiving (S21) a plurality of at least two beams from a first transceiver (Node_B) via a plurality of transmission channels at a second transceiver (UE), evaluating (S22), at said second transceiver, characteristics of said plurality of beams received at said second transceiver, determining at least one dominant beam using said characteristic, deriving (S24) control information for being fed back from said second transceiver (UE) to said first transceiver (Node_B), based on said evaluated characteristics, wherein said control information for dominant characteristics is allocated a different quantization resolution as compared to a less dominant beam (S25, S26, S27). Also, the present invention relates to a transceiver device (UE), adapted for being used in such a closed-loop signaling method for controlling multiple transmit beams.
US07664054B2
Disclosed is a Neighbor Location Discovery Protocol (NLDP) that determines the relative locations of the nodes in a mesh network. In one embodiment, NLDP can be implemented for an ad-hoc wireless network where the nodes are equipped with directional antennas and are not able to use GPS. While NLDP relies on nodes having at least two RF transceivers, it offers significant advantages over previously proposed protocols that employ only one RF transceiver. In NLDP antenna hardware is simple, easy to implement, and readily available. Further, NLDP exploits the host node's ability to operate simultaneously over non-overlapping channels to quickly converge on the neighbor's location. NLDP is limited by the range of the control channel, which operates in a omni-directional fashion. However, by choosing a low frequency band, high power, and low data rate, the range of the control channel can be increased to match the range on the data channel.
US07664042B2
Information about an attribute of packets that are receivable corresponding to a command is registered. When a packet is received, information about an attribute of the packet received is acquired. Upon occurrence of a reception error that there is no information in the attribute registering unit corresponding to the information acquired by the attribute acquiring unit, a predetermined reception error handling routine is executed according to a type of the reception error.
US07664040B2
The solution to the shortest path between a source node and multiple destination nodes is accelerated using a grouping of nodes, where the nodes are grouped based on distance from the source node, and a corresponding set of memory locations that indicate when a group includes one or more nodes. The memory locations can be quickly searched to determine the group that represents the shortest distance from the source node and that includes one or more nodes. Nodes may be grouped into additional groupings that do not correspond to the set of memory locations, when the distance from the source node to the nodes exceeds the range of memory locations. Advantageously, the disclosed system and method provide the ability to reach asymptotically optimal performance.
US07664034B1
In an exemplary method, a computer system connects to a computer network that comprises one or more other computer systems. The computer system communicates with a remote system that is in electronic communication with the computer network via a communication link. The computer system coordinates its use of the communication link with the one or more other computer systems' use of the communication link such that a total bandwidth used by computer systems in the computer network does not exceed a defined maximum value.
US07664030B2
A radio communication system, a radio communication apparatus, a radio communication method, and a computer program allow networks to be operated without interference between contending networks. When plural piconets collide on the same frequency channel, a control station of one of the piconets temporarily sets a buffer super frame period to maintain a coexistent relationship between the piconets. When an apparatus other than a control station receives a beacon signal of the buffer super frame period, a shorter super frame period based on that super frame period is temporarily set to make fine adjustment of the next beacon signal transmission timing. An apparatus that has not received a beacon signal looks for a beacon signal of its own piconet for a redundant time so as to find a start timing of a new super frame period.
US07664006B2
A device for reading from or writing to optical recording media having an optical assembly and a laser diode coupled thereto is described. The laser diode is a twin laser diode which is coupled to the optical assembly by means of a translationally displaceable rotary joint.
US07663996B2
A method for track jumping for optical recording media exhibiting eccentricity, and to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media using such method is disclosed. The method for track jumping for optical recording media exhibiting eccentricity, whereby a sled and/or an actuator are moved from a start track to an end track, includes the steps of: determining the eccentricity of the optical recording medium, initiating the track jump at minimum eccentric acceleration, and completing the track jump at minimum eccentric acceleration.
US07663995B2
An evaluation pattern, for evaluating the extent of occurrence of thermal interference, is recorded with recording power being varied stepwise from a low recording power to a high recording power. This test-written evaluation pattern is played back, and levels of occurrence of thermal interference are quantified for each recording power level of the recording. Then, recording power is set to a value such that a quantified value therefor is smaller than a pre-specified slice level. For the slice level, a measured value of PI errors (correctable errors) for carrying out acceptable recording is found, and the slice level is determined by finding a variation amount that corresponds to this measured value of PI errors.
US07663989B2
An information recording apparatus that records information on an information recording medium includes a setting mechanism that sets defect management information including information with respect to a specific area in a recording area of the information recording medium in which a defect detection process need not be performed, a recording mechanism that records data in the recording area, and a determining mechanism that determines whether to perform the defect detection process in a recording target area in the recording area in which the data is recorded, based on the defect management information and information with respect to the recording target area. By setting an AV data area as a specific area and by setting a PC data area as a defect management area, the continuity of data recorded in the AV data area is achieved, and the reliability of data recorded in the PC data area is ensured.
US07663985B2
The focus offset FE0 corresponding to minimum jitter is learned in advance. When performing spherical aberration adjustment for each disk, the spherical aberration is adjusted so that the jitter reaches a minimum, while maintaining the focus offset at FE0. The invention provides a method for performing high-precision adjustment of the focus offset and spherical aberration, even in the case of a disk which does not have data recorded on it.
US07663982B2
A light delivery module, a method of fabricating the same, a heat-assisted magnetic recording head using the light delivery module are provided. The light delivery module delivers light emitted from a light source. The light delivery module includes an optical waveguide having an inclined plane of an angle Φ with respect to an incident light axis to deliver an incident light, and a nano aperture changing an energy distribution of the light delivered through the inclined plane to generate an enhanced near-field. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head is mounted on one end of a slider with an air bearing surface to perform a recording operation on a recording medium. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a magnetic path forming unit forming a magnetic field for recording, a light source emitting light for heating a predetermined region of a recording surface of the recording medium, and the light delivery module.
US07663978B2
In an electronic device 1 comprising a battery 200 and a piezoelectric actuator A, a power source voltage before drive control is started is maintained by a sample holding circuit 102, a reference voltage is set by a reference voltage generating circuit 103 on the basis of the power source voltage, and a control circuit 106 stops driving when the power source voltage falls below a drive stop voltage as compared by a second comparison circuit 105, and begins driving the piezoelectric actuator A again when the power source voltage exceeds the reference voltage as compared by a first comparison circuit 104. Therefore, the device can be more easily reduced in size by using a small power source, and the driving time can be markedly reduced using an intermittent driving procedure that corresponds to the conditions of the battery voltage.
US07663957B2
A microprocessor includes re-writeable non-volatile state (RNS) addressable by an instruction executed by the microprocessor that instructs the microprocessor to write a new value to the RNS. A plurality of fuses are each readable to determine whether the fuse is blown or unblown, in response to the microprocessor decoding the instruction. A Boolean logic unit performs Boolean operations on the values read from the plurality of fuses to determine a current RNS value. A fuse blowing device blows at least one unblown fuse to change the current RNS value to the new value when the new value is different than the current value. The microprocessor can read the plurality of fuses, perform the Boolean operations, and blow at least one unblown fuse to change the current value of the RNS to a new value multiple times in response to a program running on the microprocessor executing the instruction multiple times.
US07663954B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a shared transistor controlling coupling between a bit line pair in a memory cell array and a bit line pair in a sense amplifier. After a word line is activated and the sense amplifier amplifies the potential difference between the bit lines of the bit line pair in the sense amplifier, the shared transistor is tuned OFF and precharge/equalizing circuit is activated to precharge the bit lines in the sense amplifier to a potential which is half the internal power source potential.
US07663950B2
A memory has defective locations in its user portion replaceable by redundant locations in a redundant portion. Data latches in the user and redundant portions allow data sensed from or to be written to a memory to be exchanged with a data bus. A defective location latching redundancy scheme assumes the column circuits including data latches for defective columns to be still useable. The data latches for the defective columns are used to buffer corresponding redundant data that are normally accessible from their data latches in the redundant portion. In this way both the user and redundant data are available from the user data latches, and streaming data into or out of the data bus is simplified and performance improved.
US07663949B2
The present invention discloses a memory row architecture having memory row redundancy repair function. The memory row architecture includes a plurality of normal memory sections and a plurality of redundancy memory sections, wherein a number of the plurality of normal memory sections is more than two, a number of the plurality of redundancy memory sections is equal to the number of the plurality of normal memory sections, and a redundancy memory section is implemented in one side of each of the plurality of normal memory sections. In addition, the plurality of normal memory sections and the plurality of redundancy memory sections respectively having an odd serial number make up a first memory row redundancy repair module, and the plurality of normal memory sections and the plurality of redundancy memory sections respectively having an even serial number make up a second memory row redundancy repair module.
US07663946B2
A semiconductor memory device is capable of stably securing an on-die-termination (ODT) latency in spite of PVT variations and various operating speeds. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of termination resistors connected to an output pad in series and parallel, a drive controller, a delay path, and a delay control signal generator. The drive controller activates/inactivates the plurality of termination resistors in response to a driving control signal. The delay path delays a termination command by a delay time corresponding to an on-die-termination (ODT) latency to output the driving control signal, wherein the termination command is converted into a delay locked loop (DLL) clock domain signal. The delay control signal generator controls a conversion point of the termination command into the DLL clock domain signal.
US07663942B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cell columns each having a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell including being a static type, a plurality of local bit lines connected to the memory cell columns, a global bit line connected to the local bit lines via a plurality of sense amplifiers, a measurement terminal to which a measurement voltage is applied in a cell current measurement mode, and a plurality of switching circuits provided to correspond to the local bit lines, and configured to electrically connect the measurement terminal and one of the local bit lines in the cell current measurement mode.
US07663940B2
A semiconductor memory device is capable of reducing the current dissipation in a termination circuit and allowing a voltage level of a GIO line to rapidly reach a voltage level of a termination voltage when a termination operation is performed. The semiconductor memory device includes a global input/output line configured to transport data between a core region and an interface region, a main driving block configure to drive a voltage level of the global input/output line to predetermined termination voltage level in response to a termination enabling signal, and an auxiliary driving block configured to drive the is voltage level of the global input/output line to the predetermined termination voltage level in response to an over-driving signal, wherein the over-driving signal is enabled for a predetermined period of time during an initial period of an enabling interval for the termination enabling signal.
US07663934B2
A non-volatile memory device and programming process is described that increases the programming voltage of successive programming cycles in relation to the percentage of the data bits that failed programming verification during the previous programming cycle and were not correctly programmed into the memory array. This allows for a faster on average program operation and a more accurate match of the subsequent increase in the programming voltage to the non-volatile memory device, the specific region or row being programmed and any changes due to device wear. In one embodiment of the present invention the manufacturing process/design and/or specific memory device is characterized by generating a failed bit percentage to programming voltage increase profile to set the desired programming voltage delta/increase. In another embodiment of the present invention, methods and apparatus are related for the programming of data into non-volatile memory devices and, in particular, NAND and NOR architecture Flash memory.
US07663927B2
A reference voltage generator for a matrix of non-volatile memory cells of the EEPROM type, comprises at least one array enabled by an access transistor. The array comprises at least one reference cell associated with a relative select transistor, the transistors and the cell being realized on a semiconductor substrate and having active regions delimited by suitable field oxide regions and covered by a tunnel oxide layer and comprising at least one floating gate realized by a first polysilicon layer and covered by a dielectric layer and by a second polysilicon layer. Advantageously, the floating gate of the reference cells is contacted by a first contact terminal connected to a discharge transistor for the periodical discharge of possibly present charges. A process manufactures such a voltage generator.
US07663923B2
This invention provides a semiconductor memory device in which standby current is suppressed to a small level. A ROM device includes memory cells for reading data corresponding to impedance between a terminal connected to bit lines and a source terminal and source power lines connected to the source terminal. In this ROM device, bias voltage is applied between the terminals of selected memory cells.
US07663921B2
Systems and methods are disclosed including memory cells arranged in sectors. In one exemplary implementation, each memory cell may include a top gate, a source, a top gate line coupling memory cells in a sector, and a word line coupling memory cells together. Moreover, the top gate line may be dynamically coupled to the word line. Other exemplary implementations may relate to drivers for driving the word line and/or top gate line, multilevel memory cell, and/or floating gate line features.
US07663907B2
A method of customizing an integrated circuit chip, comprising the steps of: providing an electronic circuit on said chip; providing a phase-change memory on the chip; storing information about said electronic circuit in the phase-change memory. A method of operating an optical display.
US07663902B2
A memory device and a method for fabricating the same provide a device capable of increasing or maximizing the performance of a microstructure device. The device includes: a plurality of word lines formed with a gap therebetween and extending in parallel with each other in a first direction of extension; and a bit line insulated from the plurality of word lines, intersecting the plurality of word lines and extending in a second direction of extension, a transition electrode portion of the bit line positioned in the gap and spaced apart from the plurality of word lines by a predetermined distance, the transition electrode portion of the bit line configured and arranged to be bent toward any one of the plurality of word lines in response to an electrical signal applied to at least one of the plurality of word lines.
US07663895B2
A shielding enclosure (70) includes a cover (72) and a plurality of flanges (74) extending from the cover. At least one flange defines a fixing piece (76). The fixing piece has at least one retaining portion (764), and the retaining portion provides a space (78) allowing a tool is inserted in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the cover of the shielding enclosure.
US07663893B2
An electronic circuit, preferable as a sensor node, has a highly sensitive radio function and is capable of performing a low-power-consumption operation. The electronic device has a board; a connector for connecting a sensor; a first signal processor circuit receiving an input of sensor data from the sensor through the connector and forming transmission data; and a second signal processor circuit converting a transmission signal from the first signal processor circuit into a high-frequency signal. The connector and the first signal processor circuit are mounted on a first surface of the board, and the second signal processor circuit is mounted on a second surface of the board.
US07663888B2
A printed circuit board card comprising: a printed circuit board having a first thickness and having first and second edges for inserting into respective channels of card guides, the channels of the card guides for receiving printed circuit boards having a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness; and, first and second thickness adaptors each having a third thickness applied at the first and second edges, respectively, a sum of the first and third thicknesses approximating the second thickness, to thereby align the printed circuit board in the channels of the card guides.
US07663874B2
A second enclosure is coupled to a first enclosure for relative rotation around a rotation axis. The second enclosure rotates around the rotation axis in the opposite directions from a reference attitude. The second enclosure is prevented from further rotating in the first direction beyond the first rotation angle from the reference attitude. The second enclosure takes the first angular attitude. The second enclosure is also prevented from further rotating in the second direction opposite to the first direction beyond the second rotation angle from the reference attitude. The second enclosure takes the second angular attitude. The displaying unit indicates either of the first and second directions at least when the second enclosure takes the first angular attitude. The displaying unit in this manner enables the user to easily recognize an acceptable direction for the rotation of the second enclosure.
US07663867B2
A circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a circuit breaker, having a housing surface perpendicular to a plane of a front side of the circuit breaker and internal components, a terminal block structurally coupled to the housing surface, first terminal housings arrayed on the terminal block to each support first components and to be receptive of second terminal housings each of which supports second components, at least some of which are electrically coupled to the internal components, to be electrically coupled to at least some of the first components, and an access block. The access block is disposed on the terminal block and has apertures defined therein to provide for front-side access to the first terminal housings.
US07663856B2
A surge protector (1) has a spark gap (2) that is provided with two opposite electrodes (3), a circuit (5) for triggering the spark gap (2), and a light source connected to a protective device (13) on ground potential in order to generate a triggering light which can be delivered with the aid of at least one optical waveguide (15) of a receiver unit of the triggering circuit (5), the spark gap (2) and the triggering circuit (5) being on a high voltage potential. In order to make the surge protector (1) reliable and inexpensive, the receiver unit is provided with at least one power semiconductor component (16) that can be moved, with the aid of the triggering light, from a locked position in which current conduction via the power semiconductor component (16) is interrupted into an open position in which current conduction via the power semiconductor component (16) is made possible.
US07663853B2
An on-chip latch-up protection circuit. The lath-up protection circuit includes a core circuit, a power switch, and a current extractor. The power switch controls major current flowing through the core circuit. The current extractor detects amplitude of the major current. The power switch, the core circuit and the current extractor are coupled in series between a relatively-high power line and a relatively-low power line. When the major current surpasses a predetermined amplitude, the power switch is turned off, causing latch-up stops.
US07663851B2
The present invention discloses a tie-off circuit coupled between a first potential and a gate of a MOS device whose source is connected to a second potential. The tie-off circuit includes at least one resistor and at least on diode. The resistor is coupled between the gate of the MOS device and the first potential for preventing the gate of the MOS device from floating during a normal circuit operation. The diode is coupled between the gate of the MOS device and the first potential, in parallel with the resistor, for reducing a voltage difference across a gate oxide layer of the MOS device during an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event, thereby protecting the same from ESD damage.
US07663849B2
A fault protection system provides fault protection to a permanent magnet (PM) generator. The fault protection system includes one or more overload and short-circuit protection circuits, an unbalanced protection circuit and a thermal protection circuit. The overload and short-circuit protection circuit detects both overload and short-circuit conditions by monitoring current and voltage generated at a single phase by the PM generator. The unbalanced protection circuit monitors and compares current and voltage generated associated with at least two individual phases to determine unbalanced conditions between the phases. The thermal protection circuit detects a thermal overload condition by monitoring the temperature of the PM generator. If the overload and short circuit protection circuit, the unbalanced protection circuit, or the thermal protection circuit detects a fault signal, a control circuit causes a control device to reduce or prevent mechanical power from being supplied to the PM generator, preventing the PM generator from generating power and protecting it from damage.
US07663842B2
An actuator apparatus used with a hard disk drive. The actuator apparatus includes a pivotable actuator arm, a magnetic head mounted onto a first end of the actuator arm, an overmold connected to a second end of the actuator arm and including a metal piece, a voice coil motor (VCM) having a coil coupled to the overmold and at least one magnet positioned to face the coil, and a stopper positioned to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval from the overmold of the actuator arm when the magnetic head is positioned at a parked position, to limit pivoting of the actuator arm. Specifically, the stopper may be positioned to be spaced at the interval from the overmold of the actuator arm positioned at a position where a torque acting on the actuator arm due to the metal piece and the magnet is substantially 0. Accordingly, the torque acting on the actuator arm within the interval is in an opposite direction to a direction in which the actuator arm pivots to a parked position, thereby reducing the pivoting speed of the actuator arm. Thus, noise and impulse caused by the contact of the actuator arm and the stopper reduce.
US07663840B2
A method for fabricating a patterned recording medium includes providing a workpiece with a non-magnetic substrate and at least one overlying magnetic layer, laminating a thermal insulation barrier partially in a soft under layer of one of the at least one magnetic layers and forming a topographical pattern including a plurality of trenches in the soft under layer. Blocks of track triplets are formed between adjacent trenches that are magnetically and thermally insulated from other adjacent blocks of track triplets.
US07663837B2
A rotor blade and an HDD (hard disk drive) having the same, wherein the rotor blade is mounted together with a disk-shaped data storing medium on a spindle motor of the HDD to rotate coaxially with the disk-shaped data storing medium. The rotor blade includes a plurality of blades to increase a floating force applied to a slider that records or reads data on or from the disk-shaped data storing medium by increasing a speed of an airflow in an inner region of the disk-shaped data storing medium.
US07663826B2
A method and an apparatus for copying data of a disc drive are provided. The method includes: determining whether the first disc drive has a predetermined jumper pin connection by identifying which of a plurality of jumper pins in a jumper block of the first disc drive are connected, the jumper block being used to determine an operation mode of the first disc drive; transmitting a copy command from the first disc drive to the second disc drive if the first disc drive has the predetermined jumper pin connection; and copying data recorded in the first disc drive to the second disc drive in response to the copy command. Accordingly, it is possible to copy data recorded in a first hard disc drive (HDD) to a second HDD without the aid of an additional host.
US07663825B2
A lens barrel device that includes optical parts holding frames, which hold optical parts so that the optical parts holding frames can linearly move in the optical axis directions, respectively, and an image capture device.
US07663822B2
The invention relates to an actuating device comprising at least two coaxial bimetal disks and at least one axial strut arranged between the disks, the bimetal disks being mounted opposite each other and being deformable in opposite directions according to the thermal variations. The invention can be especially applied to the thermal compensation of an optical system.
US07663812B2
A lens module comprises a first lens, a second lens, a spacer, an adhesive and a lens barrel. The spacer is sandwiched between the first lens and the second lens, and includes a first surface, an opposite second surface, a lateral surface, a through hole and a plurality of cutouts. The lateral surface interconnects the first surface and the second surface. The through hole is defined in a central portion of the spacer. The cutouts are defined in the lateral surface. The adhesive is applied in the cutouts and interconnects the first lens with the second lens. The lens barrel receives the first lens, the second lens, the adhesive and the spacer therein.
US07663809B2
A compact zoom lens including in an order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group includes two lens, the second lens group includes three lens, and the third lens group includes a single lens, wherein, during zooming from wide angle to telephoto, the distance between the first and second lens groups decreases, the distance between the second and third lens groups increases, and the third lens group moves toward the image side, and wherein the following mathematical inequalities are satisfied: 0.85 < LII f ω × f t < 1.0 0.3 < tII f ω × f t < 0.4 , where LII indicates the distance the second lens group moves during zooming from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position, tII indicates the thickness of the second lens group from a vertex of the utmost object side of the second lens group to a vertex of the image side of the second lens group, on the optical axis, fw indicates the overall focal distance at the wide-angle position, and ft indicates the overall focal distance at the telephoto position.
US07663808B2
The invention provides a zoom lens including at least a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, in order from an object side, and an aperture stop between the second lens group and the third lens group, wherein, in changing magnification from a wide angle end toward a telephoto end, at least the first lens group and the third lens group move toward the object side so as to increase a spacing between the first lens group and the second lens group, and to decrease a spacing between the second lens group and the third lens group.
US07663806B2
A projection lens includes, in order form a magnification side: a first lens group having negative refractive power; and a second lens group having positive refractive power. An aspheric lens is arranged on the most magnification side of the first lens group. The conditional expressions 3
US07663800B2
In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, an electrophoreses display device includes a first electrode that is formed in each of a plurality of pixels. A second electrode is formed opposite to the first electrode. An electrophoresis element is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode and has electrophoresis particles that are charged electrically. An adhesive layer is interposed between the electrophoresis element and the first electrode. An insulation layer is formed at a region between each two of the first electrodes that are arrayed adjacent to each other.
US07663793B1
A wide angle display system, comprising a scanner having at least one reflective surface and an axis of rotation, a dome having a reflective inner surface, the inner surface having an axis of revolution which is coincident with the axis of rotation of the scanner, at least one linear arrangement of light sources producing beams of light. The reflective surface of the scanner reflects the beams of light towards the reflective inner surface of the dome which in turn collimates the beams of light and reflects them towards an observer positioned within the wide angle display system.
US07663791B2
A scanning system, including a main housing, and at least one optical wedge (12) rotatable about a shaft means (40) located within the main housing (26), wherein a laser beam having an optical axis and incident on the optical wedge (12), is refracted at least once by the wedge; characterized in that the shaft means (40) passes through the center of the at least one wedge (12) and that the optical axis of the incident laser beam is substantially parallel to, but laterally offset from, the shaft means (40).
US07663785B2
Provided are a light scanning unit and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the light scanning unit. The light scanning unit includes a light source, a polygonal mirror deflecting light emitted from the light source in a main scanning direction, an imaging lens transmitting the deflected light to a photoconductor for forming an image, and a synchronization detecting unit detecting a synchronization signal from the deflected light for synchronization in the main scanning direction. The light scanning unit has a total scanning rate, including a synchronization detecting optical path, ranging from about 60% to 75%.
US07663782B2
The disclosed system and method provide a binary image generation method. Used, for example, in a digital reprographic system, the method is suitable for eliminating printing artifacts for high addressable binary digital output, such as digital copies, using an optimized ordered error diffusion method with dynamically computable quantization error and dynamic binary output calculation.
US07663780B2
The invention relates to cartridges containing identifiers, and in particular to printer consumable cartridges containing identifiers which may be applied to printed media.
US07663767B2
An apparatus and a method are proposed for measuring displacement, surface profile and roughness of a moving object or an inner radius of a hollow cylinder. The apparatus includes a light emitting unit, a light dispersing unit for receiving light from the light emitting unit and focusing rays with different wavelengths into different focal points with different intervals, and a wavelength measuring unit for measuring wavelengths of the rays. When the moving object is moving within a dispersing range of the focal points, the rays with different wavelengths are reflected or scattered, and the displacement of the moving object is learned from variation of the wavelengths being measured by the wavelength measuring unit. Given that a reflecting component is disposed in the centre of an inner circle of the hollow cylinder, the inner radius of the hollow cylinder can be measured by the principle of the apparatus for measuring displacement.
US07663757B2
A method for obtaining a reflectance property indication of a sample which includes making a reflectance measurement of the sample and correcting the reflectance measurement in order to obtain the reflectance property indication. The reflectance measurement represents an observed reflectance of the sample, the reflectance property indication represents a standardized reflectance of the sample, and correcting the reflectance measurement accounts for a difference between the standardized reflectance and the observed reflectance. An apparatus for making a reflectance measurement of a sample which includes a housing defining a viewing port, a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature within the interior of the housing, and an optical reflectometer contained within the interior of the housing. The reflectometer has a measurement direction and is movable within the housing so that the measurement direction can be selectively aligned with the viewing port.
US07663751B1
The specific wavelength of 525 nm is described as a single monochromatic light source used in the determination of turbidity by nephelometry at 90° for particulate matter in raw water, water treatment, waste water treatment and industrial process streams. This wavelength improves the detection of smaller particle concentration in water where light scattering characteristics of shorter wavelengths are superior to light sources using longer wavelengths.
US07663749B2
A system and method to improve the accuracy of the measure of constituent element(s) in a sample containing domains potentially including the constituent element(s) are described herein. For each domain, the volume of the domain is estimated and the concentration of the constituent element(s) in the domain is determined using LIBS. When all the domains have been analyzed, the volumetric concentration of the domains is summed and divided by the total volume of the sample. Accordingly, by limiting the concentration analysis to separate domains, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the concentration analysis.
US07663746B2
A system for inspecting specimens such as semiconductor wafers is provided. The system provides scanning of dual-sided specimens using a damping arrangement which filters unwanted acoustic and seismic vibration, including an optics arrangement which scans a first portion of the specimen and a translation or rotation arrangement for translating or rotating the specimen to a position where the optics arrangement can scan the remaining portion(s) of the specimen. The system further includes means for stitching the scans together, thereby providing both damping of the specimen and the need for smaller and less expensive optical elements.
US07663743B2
In a first aspect according to the invention there is provided a sensing system 100, suitable for sensing the stage of processing of a wafer 200, said sensing system 100 comprising receiving means 110 in the form of a first photosensitive device 110a and a second photosensitive device 110b, detector 120, a comparator 130 and a control system in the form of a programmable logic controller (PLC) 140. The first photosensitive device 110a receives light from the wafer 200, while the second photosensitive device 110b receives ambient light. The light received by the first photosensitive device 110a can be incident ambient light reflected off the surface of the wafer 200, refracted light radiating through the wafer 200, filtered light radiating through the wafer 200 or translucent light radiating through the wafer 200. It is further envisaged that the received light may be filtered through filters (not shown) before being received by the photosensitive devices 110a&b. The detector 120 then generates a wafer control signal associated with the color(s) of the light received from the wafer 200. The wafer control signal produced by the detector 120 is then compared by a comparator 130. Once the comparator 130 has compared the wafer control signal to the predetermined values, this indirectly indicates the level of processing of the wafer 200. The PLC 140 then controls the further processing of the wafer 200 according to the result of the comparison.
US07663742B2
The present invention relates to an inspection system for the automatic inspection of ophthalmic lenses, preferably in an automated lens manufacturing line. The inspection system provides a phase contrast imaging unit and an inspection method using said phase contrast imaging unit designed to recognize defective lenses with an improved degree of reliability but that does not falsely sort out perfect lenses.
US07663740B2
The present invention provides an optical power measuring apparatus capable of monitoring the status, such as cleanness, of an optical fiber contact end face. The disclosed optical power measuring apparatus includes a microscope camera module, an illuminating module, an optical element, an optical power detection unit, a display unit and a central processing unit. The present invention may switch between optical fiber contact end status monitoring and optical power measurement. The apparatus can simplify the complicated steps for an optical fiber to insert to and pull from an optical microscope and then insert to an optical power meter. It can help a user to measure the correct optical power rapidly.
US07663729B2
This invention discloses a photo spacer material arrangement method. The method is used for a flat display apparatus that comprises at least one photo spacer, a panel, and a substrate. The photo spacer material provides a fixed distance between the panel and the substrate. The photo spacer material arrangement method comprises providing an area unit composed of N×N sub-area units with multiple columns and multiple rows. In order to provide P photo spacers for uniform distributing on sub-area units with an arrangement mode, there is only one photo spacer in each column, and there is only one photo spacer in each row in sub-area units.
US07663724B2
Provided is a Fringe Field Switching (FFS) mode Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). In the FFS mode LCD, a lower substrate, an upper substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrates are included, each pixel region is defined by gate lines and data lines formed to cross each other on the lower substrate, and switching devices are disposed at intersections of the gate lines and the data lines. The FFS mode LCD includes a transparent pixel electrode, and a transparent common electrode disposed apart from the transparent pixel electrode by an insulating layer interposed between the transparent pixel electrode and the transparent common electrode, in the pixel region to adjust transmittance by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the transparent common electrode has a plurality of bars having a predetermined width in a direction substantially parallel to the data lines, the transparent common electrode has a first bar formed to cover the data lines and a second bar formed adjacent to the first bar in a central area of the pixel region, a distance between the first bar and the second bar is larger than a distance between bars formed in the pixel region, and one end of the transparent pixel electrode is disposed between the first bar and the adjacent secondbar.
US07663717B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first polarizer provided on a surface of the first substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a second polarizer provided on a surface of the second substrate which is on the opposite side to the liquid crystal layer; a first phase compensation element provided between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal layer; and a second phase compensation element provided between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixel areas are provided for display. The first substrate includes at least one transmissive electrode, and the second substrate includes a reflective electrode region and a transmissive electrode region in correspondence with each of the plurality of pixel areas.
US07663714B2
Disclosed is a backlight device used for a color liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus. The red light, green light and blue light, generated by a light source, made up by a red light emitting diode (21R), a green light emitting diode (21G) and a blue light emitting diode (21B), respectively, are mixed together to generate white light. The red light has a half-value width hwr such that 15 nm≦hwr≦30 nm, and the green light has a half-value width hwg such that 25 nm≦hwg≦50 nm. The blue light has a half-value width hwb such that 15 nm≦hwb≦30 nm. The white light illuminates a transmissive color liquid crystal display panel (10) from its back side. The transmissive color liquid crystal display panel includes a color filter (19) made up by a tristimulus filter for wavelength-selecting and transmitting red light, green light and blue light.
US07663704B2
Disclosed is a television tuner for receiving television broadcast signals with an antenna, which is equipped with an auto-scan unit that causes a channel storing section, which stores a receiving channel at the time when the signal condition from a tuner section matches the predetermined signal condition, to automatically store the receiving channel, wherein the auto scan unit detects switches among the receiving channel sequentially in the tuner section to detect the signal condition, and, after signal condition is detected for every channel, performs a variable directivity control for the antenna, resulting in an increased auto-scan execution speed.
US07663694B2
A digital camera includes an image sensor unit which is fixed to a camera body, the image sensor incorporating an image sensor package including an image sensor, and a reference plate which serves as a positional reference when fixed to the camera body, the image sensor package being mounted to the reference plate; and an adjusting device, incorporated in the image sensor unit, for adjusting at least an inclination of the image sensor with respect to a reference surface of the reference plate.
US07663693B2
A camera module is provided. The camera module comprises: a lens; a holder having a lower portion, the holder holding the lens; a circuit board; and an image sensing and processing unit including an image sensing device and an optional signal processing device stacked on and electrically connected to the image sensing device, the image sensing and processing unit being packaged on one side of the circuit board; wherein the holder is fixed on the circuit board, the image sensing and processing unit inside the lower portion of the holder. Further, if the circuit board is a flexible circuit board, then a hard plate can be disposed on the other side of the flexible PCB corresponding to the image sensing and processing unit in order to enhance the mechanical strength.
US07663686B2
A lens module includes a barrel defining a through hole, at least one plastic lens accommodated in the through hole and a UV/IR cut filter mounted on the barrel and configured for preventing entry of both UV light and IR light into the barrel. The lens module has a UV/IR cut filter mounted on the barrel configured for preventing entry of both UV light and IR light into the barrel, so it can prevent UV light damaging plastic lenses, and accordingly can improve the useful life of the lens module.
US07663684B2
An electric charge transfer apparatus comprising a plurality of vertical charge transfer devices for transferring a signal electric charge, a plurality of charge-discharging circuit sets formed next to each of the plurality of vertical charge transfer device, and an output circuit for outputting the signal electric charge transferred by the plurality of charge-discharging circuits to outside of the electric charge transfer apparatus. Each of the plurality of charge-discharging circuit sets includes at least two charge-discharging circuits for discharging the signal electric charge transferred by at least one of adjacent vertical transfer devices consecutively to avoid an electrical barrier caused by left-behind electric charge.
US07663680B2
In an image sensing apparatus having a plurality of unit cells, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a common circuit shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arranged in either one or two dimensions, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at a predetermined interval.
US07663675B2
This invention prevents quality deterioration and positional shift of OSD when an image and the OSD are to be together displayed by LB display. An image processing apparatus having a function of superposing a second image on a first image includes a converter (103) which converts the length-to-breadth ratio of at least the first image, a first superposing unit (101) which superposes the second image on the first image before the length-to-breadth ratio is converted by the converter (103), and a second superposing unit (105) which superposes the second image on the first image after the length-to-breadth ratio is converted by the converter (103).
US07663667B2
A scan conversion device includes a first buffer unit, a pixel packing unit, a second buffer unit, and a scan output unit. The first buffer unit stores therein pixel signals of the input image on every line in a main scanning direction thereof. The pixel packing unit groups N (N≧2) pixel signals on each line into pixel signal packs according to a predetermined pixel combination rule, and outputs them sequentially. The second buffer unit stores therein the pixel signal packs and aligns them in a second main scanning direction different from the main scanning direction. The scan output unit sequentially outputs the pixel signal packs aligned in the second main scanning direction. According to this configuration, a scan pattern of the input image is changed into a scan pattern of outputting every N output lines in the second main scanning direction.
US07663655B2
A light-emitting device has a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in one direction, each of the plurality of pixel circuits having a light-emitting element that emits light according to the amount of driving current, a driving transistor that supplies the driving current to the light-emitting element, a holding transistor that supplies a data signal supplied via a data line to the driving transistor, and a connecting line that connects the driving transistor to the holding transistor. The holding transistor, the light-emitting element, and the driving transistor are arranged in a direction crossing the arrangement direction of the plurality of pixel circuits. The light-emitting element is provided between the holding transistor and the driving transistor.
US07663654B2
An image-forming device which is equipped with an image-holding member, an exposure section provided with plural light-emitting portions arranged in a first direction, a movement section that relatively moves the exposure section and the image-holding member in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and a light-emission control section. The light-emission control section causes the plural light-emitting portions to periodically emit light in accordance with image data representing an image that is to be formed on the image-holding member, to form the image on the image-holding member. The light-emission control section varies a light-emission period during formation of the image, so as to correct for periodic fluctuations within the image of at least one of density and magnification ratio in the second direction.
US07663643B2
An electronic album display system for displaying a plurality of images included in an electronic album having an image storing unit for classifying each of the plurality of images into a plurality of groups and storing each image, an image selecting unit for selecting an image to be displayed, an image display unit for displaying the image selected, an operation unit for receiving a display operation for said image display unit controlled by a viewer when one image is being displayed, an interest detecting unit for detecting an interest of the viewer in the one image on the basis of the display operation received by the operation unit, and an interest storing unit for storing the interest for each of the plurality of images, wherein the image selecting unit selects an image classified in a group including an image in which the viewer has an interest based on the interest stored in said interest storing unit.
US07663639B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing texture tiling. The disclosed systems and methods may include copying a source image into a texture of a size the same or larger than the source image. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include displacing texture coordinates corresponding to the texture into a desired range. A displacement map may be used in displacing the texture coordinates. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include rendering, within the desired range, an output image corresponding to the texture coordinates associated with the texture.
US07663638B2
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to display a stroked fill for an object. A computer-generated rendering is obtained that consists of vector geometry. Closed geometry is obtained in the computer-generated rendering. Lastly, a fill is automatically created. The fill consists of a series of two or more curves, wherein each curve in the series crosses an interior of the closed geometry.
US07663637B2
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for overriding layer display properties in computer-aided design (CAD) viewports. A method of generating a display representation of a CAD drawing includes identifying one or more layers of the CAD drawing to include in the display representation. Each of the one or more layers may be associated with a set of drawing elements and a set of layer display properties. The method also includes identifying a viewport display property for a first layer of the one or more layers and generating the display representation. The display representation may include the drawing elements associated with the one or more layers, and the appearance of the drawing elements associated with the first layer is based on the viewport display property.
US07663632B2
Multiple Video Graphic Adapters (VGAs) are used to render video data to a common port. In one embodiment, each VGA will render an entire frame of video and provide it to the output port through a switch. The next adjacent frame will be calculated by a separate VGA and provided to an output port through the switch. A voltage adjustment is made to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) of at least one of the VGAs in order to correlate the video-out voltages being provided by the VGAs. This correlation assures that the color being viewed on the screen is uniform regardless of which VGA is providing the signal. When a VGA is not providing information to the output port, a dummy switch can be selected to provide the video-output of the selected VGA a resistance path which matches the resistance at the video port.
US07663629B2
A collision determination area set for a dog as an object in a virtual three-dimensional space is, for example, a sphere having the center at the chest of the dog and having a radius of 30 in the “on all fours” state, a sphere having the center at the hip of the dog and having a radius of 10 in the “standing” state, and a sphere having the center at the head of the dog and having a radius of 10 in the state of the dog “trying to fawn with another dog” in the virtual three-dimensional space. Using the collision determination area set in this manner, it is determined whether or not the dog has collided against another object. Therefore, a collision determination suitable to individual situations can be realized while suppressing an increase in the amount of calculations required for the collision determination.
US07663619B2
A power supply circuit including: a high-potential-side voltage generation circuit which generates a high-potential-side voltage to be supplied to the common electrode; a low-potential-side voltage generation circuit which generates a low-potential-side voltage to be supplied to the common electrode; and a switch circuit which alternately supplies the high-potential-side voltage and the low-potential-side voltage to the common electrode as a common electrode voltage. The power supply circuit performs supply capability control of the common electrode voltage which changes at least one of current drive capability of the high-potential-side voltage generation circuit, an output voltage level of the high-potential-side voltage generation circuit, current drive capability of the low-potential-side voltage generation circuit, and an output voltage level of the low-potential-side voltage generation circuit according to line data including grayscale data for the number of dots of one scan line, each dot corresponding to voltage applied to the pixel electrode.
US07663604B2
An input device includes a touch panel with which a user performs an input operation of information by touching the touch panel. The input device further includes a vibration generation device for feeding back, to the user, various kinds of sense of touch in accordance with the type of the information through the touch panel. Additionally, the input device includes a vibration control circuit for allowing the vibration generation device to generate various forms of vibrations in accordance with the type of the information. The vibration generation device is a bimorph piezoelectric actuator including a first actuator unit and a second actuator unit stacked on the first actuator unit in which when one of the first and second actuator units expands, the other contracts. Further, each of the first and second actuator units has a multi-layered piezoelectric element layer.
US07663598B2
A backlight assembly driving apparatus for a liquid crystal display device includes a light emitting diode string of serially connected light emitting diodes, and switching devices connected in parallel to and in a one-to-one correspondence with the light emitting diodes to conduct or turn off current applied to a correspondingly parallel-connected light emitting diode.
US07663594B2
A liquid crystal display device with a charge sharing function is suitable for reducing the power consumption below a predetermined limit. In the liquid crystal display device, a pair of pixels adjacent along the data line is charged with pixel data voltages of polarity opposite to that of another pair of pixels adjacent to the pair of the pixels. A charge sharing unit selectively allows the data lines to share charges at intervals between periods in which the pixel data voltages are supplied to the pair of the pixels adjacent along the data line.
US07663590B2
A liquid crystal display has pixel electrodes, a common electrode, a liquid crystal layer provided between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, and a back light that supplies light transmitting through the liquid crystal layer, further has a control circuit that applies a drive voltage corresponding to image data between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode such that the polarity of the drive voltage is inverted for each predetermined period. Within a frame period, the control circuit applies a drive voltage of a first polarity in a first period, applies a drive voltage of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, which is the same voltage as the drive voltage of the first polarity, in a second period after the first period, and controls such that the back light is turned off in the first period and turned on in the second period.
US07663589B2
There is disclosed an electro-luminescence display device that is adaptive for preventing picture quality deterioration by operating a thin film transistor for an electro-luminescence cell drive at a non-saturation area to compensate a threshold voltage, and a driving method thereof.An electro-luminescence display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electro-luminescence cell connected between a first supply voltage source and a ground voltage source to emit light by a current supplied from the first supply voltage source; a cell driver formed every intersection of gate lines and data lines and connected between the first supply voltage source and the electro-luminescence cell to control a current flowing in the pixel cell; and a pulse supplier supplies to the electro-luminescence cell a pulse amplitude modulation signal which is divided to have N (N is a natural number) numbers of different voltage levels from each other, and wherein the driving thin film transistor operates at the non-saturation region.
US07663586B2
A reference voltage generation circuit, including: first to Jth (J is an integer greater than one) gamma correction data registers in which gamma correction data for generating a plurality of reference voltages is set; and a reference voltage select circuit which selects K select voltages from first to Lth (L is an integer greater than two, and K is a natural number smaller than L) select voltages arranged in potential descending order or potential ascending order and outputs the K select voltages as first to Kth reference voltages in potential descending order or potential ascending order, based on the gamma correction data set in one of the first to Jth gamma correction data registers, wherein the first to Kth reference voltages are output as the reference voltages.
US07663581B2
A light emitting display increases the lifetime of a light emitting element by reverse biasing the light emitting element without using an additional power source and a power source line. The light emitting element is reverse biased without using the power source and the power source line for the reverse bias because a low level light emitting scan signal is used. The aperture ratio, contrast ratio, and lifetime of the light emitting display are increased.
US07663578B2
A potential which is applied to a gate electrode of a driving transistor in accordance with an emission state or a non-emission state of a light-emitting element fluctuates due to noise or leakage from a selection transistor, or the like, which causes a problem in that the driving transistor cannot turn on or off normally and malfunctions. The present invention includes a transistor connected to a light-emitting element, a power source line, a scan line, a memory circuit, and a switching circuit, in which the transistor controls light emission or non light emission of the light-emitting element, and the switching circuit controlled by the scan line conducts switching between the transistor, and the memory circuit and the power source line, and applies an input potential to the transistor.
US07663564B2
The invention concerns a method for making smart cards capable of operating with or without contact called mixed cards and contactless smart cards. In order to avoid the risk of deteriorating the antenna the method consists in producing an antenna comprising at least two turns, on a support sheet, said antenna having its turns located outside the connecting pads, and in providing an insulating bridge so as to connect each of the antenna ends to a connection pad respectively.
US07663562B2
An antenna according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of parallel disposed linear conductors; two insulating films between which the plurality of linear conductors are sandwiched; at least one cut portion formed in at least one of the plurality of linear conductors; and a feed point connected to at least one of the plurality of linear conductors. With this configuration, the segment of the linear conductor connected to the feed point provides a driven element, while the other end of the linear conductor opposite to the feed point connected end is electrically open so that the segment of the linear conductor extending beyond the cut portion provides a parasitic element.
US07663557B2
A mobile terminal having a first body defining a holding portion, a second body slidable with respect to the first body, a display provided in one of the first and second bodies an input device provided in the other of the first and second bodies, a first circuitry supporting substrate provided in the holding portion and a second circuitry supporting substrate provided in the holding portion. The first and second circuitry supporting substrates are arranged in an overlapping arrangement.
US07663550B2
A distributed phase type circular polarized wave antenna is composed of a group of narrow conductor lines 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, and the group of the narrow conductor lines 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are laid out in a two-dimensional plane. Complex vectorial sums of respective projections of current induced in each point of the narrow conductor lines 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d in two directions orthogonal to each other in the two-dimensional plane are determined, such that amplitudes of the complex vectorial sums are equal to each other in the two directions and a phase difference between the complex vectorial sums in the two directions is 90°.
US07663542B1
The present invention provides a system and a method for improving spacecraft antenna pointing accuracy utilizing feedforward estimation. The present invention takes advantage of the fact that spacecraft antenna pointing error has periodic behavior with a period of 24 hours. Thus, unlike the prior art feedback systems which blindly correct antenna pointing error continuously reacting only to presently sensed error, the present invention takes an intelligent approach and learns the periodic behavior of spacecraft antenna pointing error. Then, an estimate of antenna pointing error at a particular time going forward is predicted based on the learned model of the periodic behavior of the antenna pointing error. The predicted estimate is then used to correct or cancel out the antenna pointing error at a particular time in the future. The result is more accurate correction of spacecraft antenna pointing error by more than a factor of two.
US07663538B2
Electromagnetic signal emitting and/or receiving device and corresponding integrated circuit. The electromagnetic signal emitting and/or receiving device defines a minimum operational bandwidth and includes one or several arrays of antennas, each having at least one antenna, and which generate an output signal corresponding to the output signal generated by an hypothetical antenna equal to this antenna, when the hypothetical antenna is performing a periodic movement, preferably a rotation or combination of rotations. The periodic movement must have a frequency higher than a minimum operational bandwidth. In this manner the directivity of the antennas can be affected by changing their radiation pattern, being possible to obtain high directivity devices. The periodic movement can be replaced by an array of fixed antennas oriented in space and sequentially connected by miniaturized relays.
US07663536B2
A ranging apparatus includes a reference pulse generator generating a reference pulse having a first frequency at a first point in time of transmitting a ranging signal from a first device; a delay pulse generator generating a delay pulse signal having a second frequency at a second point in time of receiving the a response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the ranging signal; an overlap detector detecting a third point in time that the reference and delay pulses overlap each other; a counter counting one of the reference and delay pulses until the third point; and a distance calculator calculating an amount of time from the first point to the second point by applying the first and second frequencies, and a count value of the counter and calculating the distance between the first device and the second device by using the amount of time.
US07663534B2
A method and a radar sensor for transmitting frequency-modulated transmitted signals and receiving partial waves reflected by objects in the sensor detection range. A frequency shift of the received signal relative to the transmitted signal is determined for each object reflecting in each frequency ramp, it being possible to determine the relative speeds and the distances of the detected objects from the combination of frequency shifts of a plurality of ramps. The objects detected in preceding measurement cycles are stored in a memory, their relative speed and their distance being computed in advance for a future measurement cycle. The expected frequency shifts are determined and the frequency shifts of a plurality of ramps are combined in order to determine the relative speeds and the distances for objects that have not yet been stored in the memory.
US07663505B2
A smart traffic control device transmits information to approaching vehicles regarding its current and future state enabling vehicles to control their speed to avoid arriving at the traffic control device until it permits the passage of traffic, thus avoiding stopping, idling and reaccelerating when reaching the traffic control device. In other embodiments the traffic control device or systems receives information from vehicles, transmitting it to other vehicles.
US07663496B2
In a pressure switch, a joint coupling holder is mounted via an opening in a case constituting a housing. A plurality of engagement pawls that make up the joint coupling holder engages with a bottom of the case. Further, by inserting a cap into a recess of the joint coupling holder, the engaged state of the engagement pawls is maintained, whereby the housing, which is made from a resin material, and the joint coupling holder are strongly and rigidly connected together.
US07663488B2
Embodiments include systems and methods of accessing multimedia content. One embodiment includes a system for accessing multimedia data. The system includes a tangible object comprising at least one proximity device embedded within the tangible object. The tangible object is configured to provide identification information of the tangible object. The system further includes a reader configured to wirelessly detect the tangible object based upon the proximity device and receive the identification information. The system further includes a device configured to receive a signal from the reader in response to detecting the tangible object and configured to access multimedia data based upon the provided identification information.
US07663485B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag based object position tracking apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a position recognizer including at least one radio frequency identification unit for reading information data on an object through a sensor; and a path analyzing and processing unit for allocating each unique coordinates to the radio frequency identification units based on a relative position in a space where a position recognizer is disposed and recognizing the position of the object and analyzing the path based on the object information data received by the sensor in the radio frequency identification unit corresponding to the unique coordinate. Thus, it is possible to track the path of an object with a low density of RFID tags.
US07663482B1
A method of tracking and processing at least one cargo container having an indefinite security status (ISS). In one embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises: (A) detecting at least one statistically significant threat (SST) signal associated with at least one cargo container while in transit; (B) if at least one such SST signal was detected, identifying each cargo container that generated at least one such SST signal and classifying the security status of each such cargo container as a Potential Threat (PT) cargo container; (C) substantially continuously checking at least one generated SST signal to verify the security status of at least one PT container while in transit; (D) if at least one SST signal is confirmed to be a false positive SST signal, changing the security status of at least one PT container associated with the false positive SST signal to an indefinite security status (ISS) cargo container; and (E) tracking and reporting position coordinates and security status of each ISS PT cargo container to an appropriate party.
US07663474B1
This is a method and apparatus for the detection of a noninvasive method by which illegal riders can be detected. This will save tremendous amounts of time and money with regard to the inspection of individual trains and also minimize the necessity of randomly stopping a train and randomly inspecting cars on the train.
US07663472B2
In an electronic key system for a vehicle which includes a control apparatus mounted on an actual vehicle and an electronic key for transmitting a response signal in response to receiving of a request signal transmitted from the control apparatus through a transmitting antenna, the transmitting antenna is installed on an instrument panel of the actual vehicle. In particular, the instrument panel has various instruments (a speedometer, a direction indicator (left), another direction indicator (right), and so forth) and a board for securing the instruments thereto. Accordingly, the transmitting antenna is installed at a position on the board rather near to a seat (a position of front side of the user when the user is seated on the seat).
US07663460B2
A planar transformer comprises a primary coil board including a primary coil, a secondary coil board including a secondary coil, a heat sink integrally having a spacer portion, and a magnetic core assembly mounted to the primary coil board and the secondary coil board. The spacer portion is inserted into a gap between and facing the primary coil board and the secondary coil board and at least a surface of the heat sink is electrical insulating.
US07663458B2
A magnetic body is displaceable in a contact-free manner in a working chamber by the use of a magnetic coil system composed of fourteen individually controllable coils. Three magnetic field components and five magnetic field gradients are produced. Apart from two individual coils in the coil system, the other coils, which may be saddle-shaped coils, are arranged on lateral tubular surfaces surrounding the working chamber.
US07663457B2
Magnetically latching and releasing a voice coil actuator for controlling electrical switchgear. The voice coil actuator includes a voice coil magnet disposed on a common longitudinal axis with respect to a voice coil assembly. A coil of the voice coil assembly exerts a magnetic force on the voice coil assembly, thrusting the voice coil assembly towards the voice coil magnet. At least one pair of latching members mounted to the voice coil assembly creates a permanent magnet circuit between the latching members and the voice coil magnet. The permanent magnet circuit maintains the position of the voice coil assembly relative to the voice coil magnet, even when power to the coil is removed. This latch can be released by applying a current in the coil or by applying an external, physical force to a member coupled to the voice coil assembly.
US07663456B2
A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch array for power switching includes an input node, an output node, and a plurality of MEMS switches, wherein the input node and the output node are independently in electrical communication with a portion of the plurality of MEMS switches, and wherein a failure of any one of the plurality of MEMS switches does not render ineffective another MEMS switch within the MEMS switch array.
US07663455B2
A high frequency module incorporates a layered substrate, a plurality of elements mounted on a top surface of the layered substrate, and a metallic casing that covers these elements. The plurality of elements mounted on the top surface of the layered substrate include a band-pass filter element. The band-pass filter element includes a plurality of conductor layers for band-pass filter and a plurality of dielectric layers for band-pass filter that implement a function of a band-pass filter, but does not include any conductor layer that functions as an electromagnetic shield. A conductor layer for grounding that the layered substrate includes and the casing are each opposed to the band-pass filter element, and thereby function as an electromagnetic shield for the band-pass filter element.
US07663453B2
A multilayer array electronic component includes a multilayer composite including a helical coil and a capacitor that are defined by stacking a coil conductor, a capacitor conductor, and a ceramic sheet on one another. External electrodes are arranged on the surface of the multilayer composite and electrically connected to the helical coil or the capacitor. A direction identification mark is arranged on the upper surface of the multilayer composite and electrically connected to any of the external electrodes through the helical coil or the capacitor.
US07663448B2
A dielectric member comprising a laminated balun and a matching circuit, wherein the matching circuit is integrally mounted within the laminated balun. The matching circuit comprises a patterned conductive film formed on a surface of an existing dielectric substrate in the balun such that the balun is not increased in size.
US07663446B1
Adjustable supply voltage in a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for wide range frequency coverage
Methods, algorithms, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for increasing voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) operational frequency ranges are disclosed. In one embodiment, a VCO can include 2n+1 transconductors configured to provide an oscillating signal, where n≧1; a selectable supply voltage coupled to each of the transconductors, where a frequency range of the oscillating signal is related to the selectable supply voltage; and an adjustable input voltage, where a frequency of the VCO depends on a value of the adjustable input voltage. Also, the VCO may include a voltage regulator configured to provide the supply voltage and/or a selecting circuit configured to select a reference voltage (e.g., from the voltage regulator can produce the supply voltage). Embodiments of the present invention can advantageously provide a cost effective approach for enhancing VCO frequency ranges from a singly VCO, suitable for phase-locked loop (PLL) applications.
US07663442B2
According to one embodiment, a system, apparatus, and method for receiving high-speed signals using a receiver with a transconductance amplifier is presented. The apparatus comprises a transconductance amplifier to receive input voltage derived from an input signal, a clocked current comparator to receive output current from the transconductance amplifier, and a storage element to receive a binary value from the clocked current comparator.
US07663438B2
A differential amplifier circuit of simple circuit configuration is disclosed, which is capable of releasing an output signal within a voltage range independent of the voltage range of a differential input signal. The differential amplifier circuit 1 includes: NMOS transistors N1, N2 that constitute a first differential pair configured to input a differential input voltage; a resistor element Ra connected to drain terminals X1, X2 of the NMOS transistors N1, N2; an op-amp OP having input terminals connected to the drain terminals X1, X2; and NMOS transistors N3, N4 that constitute a second differential pair configured to input an output voltage of the op-amp OP and a reference voltage. The drain terminals of the first differential pair are connected to drain terminals, respectively, of the second differential pair.
US07663427B2
A charge pump type booster circuit generates a positive or negative boosted output voltage by switching booster paths one by one. This charge pump type booster circuit includes a plurality of booster paths, each of the plurality of booster paths including at least one booster capacitor, wherein a number of the booster capacitor at each of the plurality of booster paths is different between one booster path and the other booster path. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in a number of an external capacitor for setting an output voltage of the booster circuit constant.
US07663424B2
A low charge injection, low clock feed-through switch (1) has an input signal (Vin) applied both to the sources of first (S1) and second (2) switching transistors. A first clock signal (P) having pulses of a first duration ts is applied to a gate of the first switching transistor, and a second clock signal (Pcoarse) having pulses of a second duration m×ts substantially less than the first duration is applied to a gate of the second switching transistor. A capacitor (C) is charged toward the input voltage through both the first and second switching transistors during the pulse of the second clock signal. The capacitor is charged further toward the input voltage during a remaining portion of the pulse of the first clock signal.
US07663418B2
An apparatus for compensating slew rate of a driving circuit includes: a first circuit, for receiving an edge transition from the driving circuit and generating a first pulse proportional to an actual slope of the edge transition; a second circuit, for receiving an ideal edge transition of the driving circuit and generating a second pulse proportional to an ideal slope of the ideal edge transition; a comparison circuit, coupled to the first circuit and the second circuit, for comparing an extreme value of amplitude of the first pulse with an extreme value of amplitude of the second pulse to produce a comparison signal; and a control circuit, coupled to the comparison circuit, for increasing or decreasing the slew rate of the driving circuit according to the comparison signal.
US07663416B2
An apparatus for generating an audio output clock is disclosed. The apparatus at least includes a plurality of dividers and a frequency synthesizer. The apparatus utilizes the dividers to achieve dispersive frequency-division operations such that the anti-noise ability of the apparatus can be improved. In addition, the apparatus also utilizes dynamic phase adjustment to increase accuracy of the frequency of the audio output clock.
US07663415B2
A phase locked loop (PLL) architecture provides voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) gain compensation across process and temperature. A simulator may be used to calculate the control voltages for the maximum and minimum output frequency of the VCO for each combination of the process and temperature corners. The maximum and minimum values of control voltage are then selected from these control voltages. Using a counter, the number of cycles of VCO in some cycles of the PLL input clock are counted in binary form and stored in latches for the extreme control voltages. The difference between them and the corresponding difference for typical process and temperature corner is used to modify the charge pump to change the current delivered to the loop filter. After the charge pump bits have been decided, the input control voltage of the VCO connects to the charge pump output to start the normal operation of the PLL.
US07663412B1
A circuit is provided that (in one implementation) includes a first transistor having a first drain terminal, first gate terminal, and a first source terminal. The first drain terminal is connected to the first gate terminal, the first source terminal is connected to a first voltage. The circuit further includes a second transistor having a second drain terminal, second gate terminal, and a second source terminal. The second gate terminal is connected to both the first gate terminal and the first drain terminal, and the second source terminal is connected to the first voltage. The circuit further includes a third transistor having a third drain terminal, a third gate terminal, and a third source terminal. The third drain terminal is connected to the first drain terminal, and the third source terminal is connected to both the third gate terminal and a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage.
US07663408B2
A dynamic circuit latch, having the functionality of a domino circuit and a transparent latch, without the delay associated with the inclusion of a separate series latch element. Embodiments include a fast scannable footed Domino dyanmic latch. Also described is a fast scannable delay reset Domino dynamic latch. A fast scannable compound Domino dynamic latch is also described.
US07663402B2
A high voltage stress test circuit includes an internal data generation unit for generating internal data and inverted internal data, and a level shifter for receiving the internal data and the inverted internal data and for generating digital data and inverted digital data. In a normal mode, the internal data and the inverted internal data have logic states corresponding to input data, while the digital data and the inverted digital data have logic states corresponding to the internal data and the inverted internal data. In a high voltage stress test mode, the internal data and the inverted internal data have predetermined logic states regardless of a logic state of the input data, while the digital data and the inverted digital data have predetermined logic states regardless of logic states of the internal data and the inverted internal data.
US07663400B1
A fast, flexible carry scheme for use in clustered field programmable gate array architectures is described. Each cluster has a cluster carry input node, a cluster carry output node, a cluster carry output circuit having an output coupled to the cluster carry output node, a first input coupled to the cluster carry input node, and a second input and a plurality of logic modules each comprising a logic function generator circuit coupled to a carry circuit. The logic modules are coupled in a series carry arrangement between the cluster carry input node and the second input of the cluster carry output circuit such that the least significant bit of an arithmetic logic circuit can be programmably placed in any of the logic modules.
US07663396B2
A substrate for an electro-optical device includes a plurality of scanning lines arranged in rows; a plurality of data lines arranged in columns and grouped into blocks, each of the blocks including n data lines, where n indicates an integer of 2 or more; a plurality of terminals that receive data signals for the corresponding blocks; a demultiplexer that selects a data line designated by a control signal from among the n data lines within each of the blocks and that supplies to the data line selected in the block the corresponding data signal received by the corresponding terminal for the block; a plurality of pixels disposed in association with intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, some or all of the plurality of pixels performing display in accordance with the data signals supplied to the data lines when selection of the corresponding scanning lines is performed; and a checking circuit. The checking circuit includes n read lines; a plurality of first switches each provided for a different data line, one end of each of the plurality of first switches being connected to a corresponding data line and the other end of each of the plurality of first switches being connected to one of the n read lines such that the other ends of the plurality of first switches corresponding to the n data lines belonging to an identical block are connected to different read lines; and a shift register that selects one of the blocks so as to allow conduction of first switches whose other ends are connected to the n data lines belonging to the selected block.
US07663390B2
There are provided an inspection apparatus and method that can locally perform sample temperature regulation, so that the sample drift can be suppressed. There are included a sample stage 109 that holds a semiconductor sample 118, multiple probes 106 used to measure electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device on the semiconductor sample 118, a power source that applies voltage and/or current to the probe 106, a detector that measures electrical characteristics of the semiconductor device on the sample with which the probe is brought into contact, and an electromagnetic wave irradiating mechanism that irradiates electromagnetic wave on a measurement section of the semiconductor sample 118.
US07663384B2
A simple method and apparatus for measuring the low area specific resistance of a metal plate, particularly in high temperature (<962° C.) environment, are provided. The metal plate, which may include a coating, is used in high temperature environment for electric conduction. Silver paste is applied on the metal surface. Paste sintering processes to minimize contact resistance are described. These sintering processes cause negligible change to the original metal condition, thus accurate and precise area specific resistivity of the metal plate can be obtained.
US07663378B2
A passenger seat device includes a detector electrode for detecting occupancy of the seat, a seat heater powered by an on-board electric power source, and a waterproof sheet for preventing water permeated into the seat from reaching the seat heater. Whether the seat is occupied or not is detected based on changes in an impedance coupled to the detector electrode. The impedance is affected by the water if it reaches the seat heater, and a sensitivity of the occupancy detection is adversely affected. A shielding electrode insulated from the detector electrode and disposed between the detector electrode and the seat heater may be provided to reduce an amount of parasitic capacitance formed between the detector electrode and the seat heater. An alternating voltage may be supplied to the detector electrode and the shielding electrode.
US07663377B2
Systems and methods are provided for sensing or measuring capacitive or inductive reactance or changes in reactance in which the sensed reactance is coupled with a known resistance in a sensor circuit and a start signal is provided to the sensor circuit, and a programmable delay line is used to generate a programmable delay signal. The outputs of the programmable delay and the sensor circuits are compared to ascertain which transitions first, and the programmable delay value is adjusted in successive approximation fashion to identify a programmable delay that best represents the delay time of the sensor circuit from which the sensed reactance value can be determined.
US07663375B2
A battery voltage detecting circuit includes: a first capacitor having one end connected to one input terminal of an operational amplifier; a second capacitor having one end connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier and the other end connected to the one input terminal of the operational amplifier; a third capacitor having one end connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a fourth capacitor having one end applied with a reference voltage and the other end connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; and a switching circuit configured to electrically connect the one input terminal of the operational amplifier to the one end of the first capacitor after the transient current has stopped flowing.
US07663373B1
A method and system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. A total magnetic field is measured during a calibration routine prior to a drilling procedure. During the drilling procedure, a magnetic field measurement is obtained. Using a ratio of the measured magnetic field and the calibrated field, a set of possible angles and distances is calculated. After the source is advanced a known distance, a second magnetic field measurement is obtained. A second ratio is calculated and a second set of possible angles and distances is calculated. The relative location of the source is then determined using the first set and second set of values, along with the known distance and a pitch angle of the source.
US07663372B2
A resistivity tool for use in a wellbore is provided. The resistivity tool, in one embodiment, may include a longitudinal tool member, a first set of slots at a selected location in the longitudinal tool member and a conductor associated with the first set of slots to form a first antenna having a first orientation, and a second set of slots substantially at the selected location of the longitudinal tool member and a second conductor associated with the second set of slots to form a second antenna having a second orientation, thereby forming co-located antennas having different orientations.
US07663369B2
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus provides a belt-tension varying unit including a belt winding mechanism that performs reeling and unreeling a belt, a belt driving unit that drives the belt winding mechanism, and belt controlling unit that varies a tension of the belt corresponding to any one of a body length, a body weight, and a part to be imaged of a subject. The belt controlling unit varies the tension of the belt in such a manner that the belt controlling unit makes the tension of the belt large under a circumstance having high possibility where the subject moves, and makes the tension of the belt small under a circumstance having low possibility where the subject moves.
US07663364B2
A sequence control unit reconstructs image data by performing predetermined image reconstruction including data synthesis processing on a plurality of k-space data collected for each receiver channel. An inverse reconstructing unit creates k-space data synthesized from the K-space data by performing predetermined inverse reconstruction on the reconstructed image data. A data compressing unit compresses the k-space data, and stores the compressed k-space data into a k-space data storing unit.
US07663359B2
An exemplary testing mechanism (100) is used for testing for a sufficiency of a casing 90. The testing mechanism includes a framework (20) and a testing module (40). The framework includes a base board (21) and a pillar (26). One end of the pillar is mounted on the base board. The testing module includes a main board (42) and at least one testing pin (44). The main board is slidably mounted on the pillar. A bottom end of the testing pin is slidably mounted to the main board. A top end of the testing pin is positioned adjacent to the base board of the framework. The at least one testing pin is located in a position corresponding to at least one mounting hole of a sufficient casing.
US07663358B2
A current sensor which can measure accurately current of a wide range, at low cost. A C-shaped shield plate is positioned around a flow direction of a current of the bus bar. When the current flows through the bus bar, magnetic flux density of a magnetic field is generated. A magneto-electronic conversion element detects the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field, and converts the magnetic flux density into an electric signal. Furthermore, the magneto-electronic conversion element is arranged near a position where the previously measured magnetic flux density of the magnetic field, which is generated when a current flows through the bus bar, is minimized between the conductor and the shield plate.
US07663357B2
A signal readout circuit for amperometric sensor for reading a readout signal of a sensor includes an amplifier, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a first resistor. A negative input end of the amplifier receives an input voltage, and a positive input end of the amplifier is connected to a reference electrode of the sensor. Gates of the first transistor and the second transistor are connected to an output end of the amplifier, a drain of the first transistor is connected to a counter electrode of the sensor, and a drain of the second transistor is connected to the first resistor.
US07663354B2
The present invention provides a voltage clamping circuit which is operated in a stable manner with the simple constitution and a switching power source device which enables a high-speed operation. In a switching power source device, one of source/drain routes is connected to an input terminal to which an input voltage is supplied, a predetermined voltage to be restricted is supplied to a gate, and using a MOSFET which provides a current source between another source/drain route and a ground potential of the circuit, a clamp output voltage which corresponds to the input voltage is obtained from another source/drain route. The switching power source device further includes a first switching element which controls a current which is made to flow in an inductor such that the output voltage assumes a predetermined voltage and a second switching element which clamps an reverse electromotive voltage generated in the inductor when the first switching element is turned off to a predetermined potential. In such a switching power source device, the voltage clamping circuit is used in a feedback route for setting a dead time.
US07663353B2
A circuit arrangement for voltage regulation comprises an output, a controllable output transistor connected to the output, an error detection circuit, and a monitoring control circuit. A voltage-regulated output potential can be tapped off the output, the controllable output transistor is connected to the output on a load side and the output transistor comprises a control terminal. The error detection circuit provides a regulating signal if a deviation between the output potential or a potential derived from the output potential and a desired value occurs. By means of the regulating signal the control terminal can be charged or discharged dependent on the deviation and the monitoring control circuit monitors the regulating signal and performs, if the regulating signal lies outside a predetermined range, an additional charging or discharging of the control terminal until the regulating signal lies within the predetermined range.
US07663324B2
A control circuit (1) for driving a gas discharge lamp, in particular a fluorescent lamp (FL), having a controllable converter (2) for converting a DC voltage to an AC voltage and having two feed lines (3, 4), which are connected on the AC-voltage side to the converter (2), and between which the gas discharge lamp can be connected, an inductor (L1), a first capacitance (C1) and a first controllable switching element (T1) being connected in series in the feed lines (3, 4). The feed lines (3, 4) are connected to one another via a second switching element (T2). A control unit (ST2) controls the switching elements (T1, T2, T3) in synchronism with the AC voltage of the converter (2) and is designed such that the second switching element (T2) is opened after a closed phase for the purpose of starting the gas discharge lamp at such a point in time that the AC voltage at the inductor (L1), which is set in the resonant circuit including the inductor (L1) and the parasitic capacitance (C4) of the second switching element (T2), and the AC voltage of the converter (2), approximately in-phase in terms of their extrema, are added to give a starting voltage. Furthermore, provided is a corresponding method for driving the gas discharge lamp.
US07663318B2
The restrike time for re-light up of an arc discharge lamp may be decreased by including at least one refractory bimetallic start up electrode that provides a shorter arc path intermediate the main arc path in a cool state, but when heated withdraws to have a relatively longer arc path. The longer arc path in the hot state results in a relatively higher path impedance that can be used by itself or in combination with a supplemental impedance device to extinguish the starting arc in favor of the main arc. The withdrawn bimetallic starting electrode then does not interfere with the main arc function.
US07663317B2
A plasma display panel includes first and second substrates having a predetermined gap therebetween. Barriers are disposed between the first and second substrates to partition discharge cells and fluorescent layers are formed in the discharge cells. Address electrodes corresponding to the discharge cells extend in a first direction, and pairs of first and second electrodes extend in a second direction to cross the first direction. The address electrodes are on one of the substrates to correspond to the discharge cells. A dielectric layer covers the first and second electrodes, wherein the dielectric layer is colored with a first color, the barriers are colored with a second color having a subtractive mixture relation with the first color, and wherein the fluorescent layers include first fluorescent layers on the barriers and the discharge cells, and second fluorescent layers on the first fluorescent layers in the second color.
US07663315B1
A bulb is adapted to fit over and around a light-emitting diode emitting a light of a first hue in a generally Lambertian radiation pattern. The bulb has a generally spherical shape and a substantially circular external cross-sectional geometry, and further defines an inner cavity with a substantially circular cross-sectional geometry for housing the light-emitting diode. The bulb is composed of a light-transmitting material and a light color-converting material, with the light color-converting material converting the light of the first hue into a light of a desired hue, which is then viewed along an external surface of said bulb.
US07663302B2
An Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) and its method of fabrication includes: a transparent substrate; a photochromatic layer formed on a first surface of the transparent substrate; at least one transparent Thin Film Transistor (TFT) formed on a first surface of the transparent substrate, and an organic light emitting device formed on and electrically connected to the transparent TFT.
US07663288B2
High aspect ratio micromachined structures in semiconductors are used to improve power density in Betavoltaic cells by providing large surface areas in a small volume. A radioactive beta-emitting material may be placed within gaps between the structures to provide fuel for a cell. The pillars may be formed of SiC. In one embodiment, SiC pillars are formed of n-type SiC. P type dopant, such as boron is obtained by annealing a borosilicate glass boron source formed on the SiC. The glass is then removed. In further embodiments, a dopant may be implanted, coated by glass, and then annealed. The doping results in shallow planar junctions in SiC.
US07663278B2
A fluid bearing that utilizes a variable width groove is described. The fluid bearing includes two surfaces that are rotatable relative to one another, with a groove on at least one of the surface. The borders of the groove are a non-constant width from one another.
US07663265B2
A power supply arrangement for a distributed entertainment system. The power supply arrangement comprises: first and second power supplies, which are floating in relation to each other; a first electrical connector having a distributed impedance for connecting zone apparatus to the first power supply; and a signal processor which is operative to draw power from the second power supply and to transmit electrical signals to the zone apparatus and/or receive electrical signals from the zone apparatus, and in which the zone apparatus is operative to draw current from the first power supply, thereby causing a potential drop across the distributed impedance of the first electrical connector which in turn changes a voltage of a power supply rail at the zone apparatus, characterized by a second electrical connector for connecting the power supply rail of the zone apparatus to a power supply rail of the second power supply.
US07663257B2
A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
US07663255B2
Disclosed are a compressed air energy-storing electricity generating system and an electricity generating method using the same, in which air of a high pressure is injected into a tank laid under the ground using midnight electricity and surplus produced electricity, and the air of the high pressure in the tank is uniformly discharged so as to drive a generator during a time period when the consumption of electric power is high, thus efficiently managing energy.
US07663248B2
A flip-chip component includes a chip with pads located on the chip and a chip frame, wherein the chip frame is arranged around the chip and is attached to the chip so that the active surface of the chip is substantially planar with a surface of the chip frame. A redistribution layer is attached to the chip and chip frame, and interconnections mechanically connect the redistribution layer and a board. Aspects of the invention improve the reliability of the flip-chip package by reducing shear stresses in the interconnections between the package and a board during changing temperatures. This is achieved by carefully selecting the material of the chip frame and designing the placement of the interconnections so that thermal expansion of the package matches that of the board during changing temperatures.
US07663243B2
A semiconductor memory device comprising a pseudo ground voltage pad and a method of making the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of pads that are respectively adjacent to one another in a first direction. The plurality of pads comprises a plurality of ground voltage pads and a plurality of data pads. The semiconductor memory device further comprises a first peripheral circuit ground line disposed adjacent to the pads and extending in the first direction, and an insulating layer formed on a portion of a first region of the semiconductor memory device comprising the plurality of pads and at least a portion of the first peripheral ground circuit line, wherein a region of the first peripheral circuit ground line is exposed to define a pseudo ground voltage pad, and the pseudo ground voltage pad is adjacent to one of the data pads.
US07663231B2
This invention provides an image sensor module with a three-dimensional die-stacking structure. By filling a conductive material into through silicon vias within at least one image sensor die, and into via holes within an insulating layer, vertical electrical connections are formed between the image sensor die and an image processor buried in the insulating layer. A plurality of solder bumps is formed on a backside of the image sensor module so that the module can be directly assembled onto a circuit board. The image sensor module of this invention is characterized by a wafer-level packaging architecture and a three-dimensional die-stacking structure, which reduces electrical connection lengths within the module and thus reduces an area and height of the whole packaged module.
US07663229B2
A lighting device contains a plurality of light emitting sources mounted on a thermally conductive housing and electrically connected to a circuit board. The housing includes a base portion which is spaced apart from the circuit board, and an intermediate heat dissipation structure which is disposed between the circuit board and the base portion of the housing, for promoting cooling by convection. The plurality of light emitting sources are in thermal communication with the intermediate heat dissipation structure.
US07663212B2
An electronic component includes at least one vertical MOSFET device, a leadframe and a contact clip. A source electrode and gate electrode are provided on a lower surface of the MOSFET device and are mounted on a source portion and a gate portion, respectively, of the leadframe. The contact clip is electrically connected between the drain electrode, which is positioned on the upper surface of MOSFET device, and a drain portion of the leadframe.
US07663192B2
A CMOS device includes NMOS (110) and PMOS (130) transistors, each of which include a gate electrode (111, 131) and a gate insulator (112, 132) that defines a gate insulator plane (150, 170). The transistors each further include source/drain regions (113/114, 133/134) having a first portion (115, 135) below the gate insulator plane and a second portion (116, 136) above the gate insulator plane, and an electrically insulating material (117). The NMOS transistor further includes a blocking layer (121) having a portion (122) between the gate electrode and a source contact (118) and a portion (123) between the gate electrode and a drain contact (119). The PMOS transistor further includes a blocking layer (141) having a portion (142) between the source region and the insulating material and a portion (143) between the drain region and the insulating material.
US07663187B2
An extension region is formed by ion implantation under masking by a gate electrode, and then a substance having a diffusion suppressive function over an impurity contained in a source-and-drain is implanted under masking by the gate electrode and a first sidewall spacer so as to form amorphous layers a semiconductor substrate within a surficial layer thereof and in alignment with the first sidewall spacer, to thereby form an amorphous diffusion suppressive region.
US07663186B2
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate, a surface portion thereof serving as a drain layer; a first main electrode connected to the drain layer; an epitaxial layer formed on the drain layer; a base layer formed on the epitaxial layer; a source layer formed in a base layer surface portion; an insulated trench sandwiched by base layers; a JFET layer formed on trench side walls; an LDD layer formed in a base layer surface portion and connected to the JFET layer around a top face of the trench; a control electrode formed on a gate insulating film formed on an LDD layer surface part, on surfaces of source layer end parts facing each other across the trench, and on a base layer region sandwiched by the LDD and source layers; and a second main electrode connected to the source and base layers sandwiching the control electrode.
US07663179B2
A semiconductor device having a rewritable nonvolatile memory cell including a first field effect transistor for memory, a circuit including a second field effect transistor and a circuit including a third field effect transistor, the transistors each including a gate insulating film formed over a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode over the gate insulating film and sidewall spacers over the sidewalls of the corresponding gate electrode. Sidewall spacers of the first field effect transistor are different from those of at least the second field effect transistors. Also, the gate insulating film of the third field effect transistor has a thickness larger than that of the second field effect transistor and the gate electrode of the third field effect transistor has a length different from that of either the first field effect transistor or second field effect transistor. The sidewall spacers of the first field effect transistor include a first silicon oxide film, a first silicon nitride film over the first silicon oxide film and a second silicon oxide film over the first silicon nitride film.
US07663176B2
For enhancing the high performance of a non-volatile semiconductor memory device having an MONOS type transistor, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is provided with MONOS type transistors having improved performance in which the memory cell of an MONOS non-volatile memory comprises a control transistor and a memory transistor. A control gate of the control transistor comprises an n-type polycrystal silicon film and is formed over a gate insulative film comprising a silicon oxide film. A memory gate of the memory transistor comprises an n-type polycrystal silicon film and is disposed on one of the side walls of the control gate. The memory gate comprises a doped polycrystal silicon film with a sheet resistance lower than that of the control gate comprising a polycrystal silicon film formed by ion implantation of impurities to the undoped silicon film.
US07663174B2
A first DRAM section including a first memory cell having a first capacitance and a second DRAM section including a second memory cell having a second capacitance different from the first capacitance are provided on the same semiconductor substrate.
US07663171B2
It is possible to reduce a current required for spin injection writing. A magneto-resistance effect element includes: a first magnetization pinned layer; a magnetization free layer; a tunnel barrier layer; a second magnetization pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is pinned to be substantially anti-parallel to the direction of magnetization of the first magnetization pinned layer, and; a non-magnetic layer. When the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Co, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Rh, Ag, and Au; when the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Fe, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pt, Ir, Al, Ag, and Au; and when the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Ni, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Au, and Ag.
US07663169B2
A photodiode array 1 is provided with an n-type silicon substrate 3. A plurality of photodiodes 4 are formed in array on the opposite surface side to an incident surface of light L to be detected, in the n-type silicon substrate 3. A resin film 6 for transmitting the light L to be detected is provided so as to cover at least regions corresponding to regions where the photodiodes 4 are formed, on the incident surface side of the light L to be detected, in the n-type silicon substrate 3.
US07663164B2
A protection diode is used in a CMOS integrated circuit device to direct charged particles to benign locations and prevent damage to the device. The protection diode includes a well region of a first conductivity type formed in a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a heavily doped P-type impurity region disposed within the well region, a heavily doped N-type impurity region disposed within the well region and an STI structure interposed therebetween. A top surface of the STI structure extends above the surface. A silicide resistant block-out layer is formed over the STI structure and extends laterally beyond the STI structure, covering any counterdoped sections that may undesirably be formed in the substrate adjacent the STI structure during implantation operations. The method for forming the structure utilizes processing operations and materials used in the formation of the CMOS integrated circuit device.
US07663148B2
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, strain is reduced in the light emitting layer of a III-nitride device by including a strain-relieved layer in the device. The surface on which the strain-relieved layer is grown is configured such that strain-relieved layer can expand laterally and at least partially relax. In some embodiments of the invention, the strain-relieved layer is grown over a textured semiconductor layer or a mask layer. In some embodiments of the invention, the strain-relieved layer is group of posts of semiconductor material.
US07663139B2
A side barrier is provided between columnar dots each constituted by directly stacking respective quantum dots in seven or more layers. Out of respective side barrier layers composing the side barrier, each of the lower side barrier layers (four layers of the undermost layer to the fourth layer from the bottom) is formed as a first side barrier layer into which a tensile strain is introduced, and each of the upper side barrier layers (three layers of the fifth layer to the uppermost layer from the bottom) is formed as a second side barrier layer which has no strain.
US07663138B2
A n-type layer, a multiquantum well active layer comprising a plurality of pairs of an InGaN well layer/InGaN barrier layer, and a p-type layer are laminated on a substrate to provide a nitride semiconductor light emitting element. A composition of the InGaN barrier included in the multiquantum well active layer is expressed by InxGa1-xN (0.04≦x≦0.1), and a total thickness of InGaN layers comprising an In composition ratio within a range of 0.04 to 0.1 in the light emitting element including the InGaN barrier layers is not greater than 60 nm.
US07663131B2
A MTJ that minimizes error count (EC) while achieving high MR value, low magnetostriction, and a RA of about 1100 Ω-μm2 for 1 Mbit MRAM devices is disclosed. The MTJ has a composite AP1 pinned layer made of a lower amorphous Co60Fe20B20 layer and an upper crystalline Co75Fe25 layer to promote a smoother and more uniform AlOx tunnel barrier. A “stronger oxidation” state is realized in the AlOx layer by depositing a thicker than normal Al layer or extending the ROX cycle time for Al oxidation and thereby reduces tunneling hot spots. The NiFe free layer has a low Fe content of about 8 to 21 atomic % and the Hf content in the NiFeHf capping layer is from 10 to 25 atomic %. A Ta hard mask is formed on the capping layer. EC (best) is reduced from >100 ppm to <10 ppm by using the preferred MTJ configuration.
US07663130B1
A system and method of determining fluid levels in containers is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a first value of infrared energy associated with an empty portion of a container is detected and the container is scanned to detect a second value of infrared energy that is different from the first value of infrared energy. The method also includes to store an upper limit value associated with a vertical location of an upper surface of a fluid level when the second value of infrared energy is detected and to scan the container to detect a third value of infrared energy that is different from the second value of infrared energy. In addition, a lower limit value associated with a vertical location of a lower surface of the fluid relative to the upper surface is stored when the third value of infrared energy is detected. A height of the fluid is determined using a difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value.
US07663129B1
The present invention provides an equipment for measuring the vertical distance or pitch between a plurality of thin substrates inside a container body, including an optical component to transmit a light beam to a thin substrate in the container body and receive light beam reflected from the thin substrate, a scanning device to drive the optical component to move along vertical direction of the thin substrates for measuring the vertical distance or pitch between the plurality of thin substrates in the container body, and a rotation base to carry and rotate the container body to a plurality of angles for the plurality of thin substrates inside the container body to be measured from different angular positions.
US07663106B2
An infrared sensor includes a first substrate made of a thermoelectric conversion material and a second substrate. The first substrate is supported by posts made of an electrode material while being spaced apart from the second substrate. A sensing electrode and lead portions connected thereto are provided on the first substrate. The sensing electrode and the lead portions are covered with an infrared-absorbing film. The posts are connected to the lead portions, and external terminal connection electrodes are connected to the posts.
US07663105B2
An imaging system includes a platform having mounted thereon a coded-aperture imaging device and positioned to receive radiation over a baseline. The imaging system includes a computer configured to acquire a plurality of far-field datasets over the baseline, the plurality of far-field datasets comprising data received via the coded-aperture imaging device. The computer is also configured to form a preliminary image based on the acquired plurality of far-field datasets, and apply an expectation maximization (EM) algorithm to the preliminary image; wherein the EM algorithm includes an ordered subset algorithm.
US07663101B2
A device, method and system for preparing and storing samples for microscopic analysis is disclosed. The device provides a reservoir that can be attached to a displacement pipette thereby filling the reservoir with reagents desired for preparing the samples for microscopic analysis. In some embodiments, the specimen may be contained on a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid. In other embodiments, the sample may be a light microscope (LM) specimen or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) specimen. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of preparing samples for microscopic examination including a device for preparing TEM grids with, a device for preparing TEM, SEM or LM specimens with and a device for storing both grids and specimens in. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a system for tracking the preparation, analysis and histological evaluation of multiple samples while also providing for their long term storage.
US07663097B2
A reflectometer calibration technique is provided that may include the use of two calibration samples in the calibration process. Further, the technique allows for calibration even in the presence of variations between the actual and assumed properties of at least one or more of the calibration samples. In addition, the technique utilizes a ratio of the measurements from the first and second calibration samples to determine the actual properties of at least one of the calibration samples. The ratio may be a ratio of the intensity reflected from the first and second calibration samples. The samples may exhibit relatively different reflective properties at the desired wavelengths. In such a technique the reflectance data of each sample may then be considered relatively decoupled from the other and actual properties of one or more of the calibration samples may be calculated. The determined actual properties may then be utilized to assist calibration of the reflectometer.
US07663096B2
Microelectronic imaging devices and associated methods for attaching transmissive elements are disclosed. A manufacturing method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes providing an imager workpiece having multiple image sensor dies configured to detect energy over a target frequency. The image sensor dies can include an image sensor and a corresponding lens device positioned proximate to the image sensor. The method can further include positioning standoffs adjacent to the lens devices while the image sensor dies are connected to each other via the imager workpiece. At least one transmissive element can be attached to the workpiece at least proximate to the standoffs so the lens devices are positioned between the corresponding image sensors and the at least one transmissive element. Accordingly, the at least one transmissive element can protect the image sensors while the image sensor dies are still connected. In a subsequent process, the image sensor dies can be separated from each other.
US07663091B2
A laser controller has a sensor input for each of a plurality of lasers which the controller may control using outputs. Each laser and sensor may form a laser beam. The controller may have timing start and stop inputs to control a timer, and the controller may calculate a score based on the timer as well as any tripped laser beams. The controller may be used for controlling a game system.
US07663088B2
Disclosed is a bolometer infrared imaging device including a plural number of readout circuits, each comprising a bias circuit that includes a bias transistor that supplies a constant voltage to a bolometer device, a bias cancellation circuit that includes a canceller transistor that removes offset current component of the bolometer device and an integrating operational amplifier that integrates the difference current between the current flowing in the bias transistor and that flowing in the canceller transistor. The bias circuit includes a source follower circuit that receives a first input voltage and supplies an output voltage to the gate of the bias transistor. The bias cancellation circuit includes a source follower circuit that receives a second input voltage and supplies an output voltage to the gate of the canceller transistor.
US07663082B2
For providing a photoelectric conversion device that can prevent radiation noise by a low-cost and simple mounting method, the photoelectric conversion device having a photoelectric conversion element is provided in which a conductive member such as a thin metal sheet is stuck on the photoelectric conversion element.
US07663079B2
A microscope apparatus comprises a focusing unit for changing the relative position between a specimen and the focus position of an object lens; and a setup unit for setting a plurality of import regions in the optical axis of the object lens, with a position at which a specimen is focused being established as a reference. It further comprises a control unit for obtaining a plurality of extended time exposure images by changing the relative positions from each respective start position to the end position of each of the plurality of import regions by means of the focusing unit under an import condition determined by desired exposure time and emission light volume; and an image generation unit for generating a focal-depth enlarged image by adding together the obtained plurality of extended time exposure images.
US07663077B1
An RF-induction heated side-pumped synthesis chamber for the production of carbon nanotubes. Such an apparatus, while capable of producing large volumes of carbon nanotubes, concurrently provides a simplified apparatus that allows for greatly reduced heat up and cool down times and flexible flowpaths that can be readily modified for production efficiency optimization.
US07663070B2
A rocker switch for a cell phone having a display mounted thereon. A five-position rocker switch, as is commonly used in cell phones, has a display device mounted directly thereon. The display indicates the function of the five switches, which may vary with time. Accordingly, different menus or levels of screens are possible. Contacts with the corner switches are disabled if movement is within 20 degrees of vertical to avoid erroneous inputs.
US07663068B2
A switch dome device for operating functions in electronic equipment includes a plurality of switch domes mounted in a circular pattern on a support structure. Outputs of adjacent switch domes are operatively connected to inputs of a common AND circuit.
US07663065B2
A shield box is composed of metal-made upper box and lower box, which are combined with each other. The shield box houses therein a plurality of shield connectors interconnecting shield wires, and thereby electromagnetically shields entirety of the shield connectors and the shield wires. On an upper surface of a lower surface plate of the lower box, clamp fittings capable of restraining the respective shield connectors in axial, axial rotation, left-and-right and up-and-down directions thereof are provided. On opposite surfaces of the upper and lower boxes, press fittings are provided to sandwich shield terminal portions from upper and lower sides and conduct the shield terminal portions to the upper and lower boxes when the upper and lower boxes are matched with each other. The shield terminal portions, which are electrically connected to shield conductors of respective shield wires and are exposed to both ends of the respective shield connectors, are grounded.
US07663064B2
Multilayer high speed flex printed circuit boards (FLEX-PCBs) are disclosed including a dielectrics systems with the back-side trenches, adhesives, signal lines and ground planes, wherein the signal line and ground plane lane are located on the dielectrics. Using of the open trenches in the substrate help to reduce the microwave loss and dielectric constant and thus increasing the signal carrying speed of the interconnects. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a simply constructed multiplayer high speed FLEX-PCB using the conventional material and conventional FLEX-PCB manufacturing which facilitates the design of circuits with controlled bandwidth based on the trench opening in the dielectrics, and affords excellent connection reliability. As the effective dielectric constant is reduced, the signal width is required to make wider or the dielectric thickness is required to make thinner keeping fixed characteristics impedance. The fundamental techniques disclosed here can also be used for high-speed packaging.
US07663062B1
A flexible circuit board uses a specific structure to alleviate mechanical stress thereof. The flexible circuit board has a flexible film, a plurality of inner leads, a plurality of outer leads, and a plurality of connection portion. Each of the connection portions a corresponding one of the inner leads with a corresponding one of the outer leads. A first width of the inner leads is greater than a second width of the outer leads. Due to rounded concave sections and rounded convex sections of the connection portions, if the flexible circuit board is bent, the mechanical stress around corners of joint portions of the connection portions with the inner leads and the outer leads could be alleviated.
US07663061B2
The present invention is for a high performance data cable which has an interior support or star separator. The star separator or interior support extends along the longitudinal length of the data cable. The star separator or interior support has a central region. A plurality of prongs or splines extend outward from the central region along the length of the central region. Each prong or spline is adjacent with at least two other prongs or splines. The prongs or splines may be helixed or S-Z shaped as they extend along the length of the star separator or interior support. Each pair of adjacent prongs or splines defines grooves which extend along the longitudinal length of the interior support. At least two of the grooves have disposed therein an insulated conductor. The interior support can have a first material and a different second material. The different second material forms an outer surface of the interior support.
US07663057B2
An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.
US07663054B2
Disclosed is a thermoelectric material comprising a main phase which is represented by the following composition formula and having an MgAgAs-type crystalline structure: (Ta1Zrb1Hfc1)xCoySb100-x-y wherein 0
US07663050B2
An automatic accompaniment apparatus that enables an external electronic musical instrument connected thereto to exhibit its accompaniment information generating capability to the maximum. Control information for causing an accompaniment information generator of the external electronic musical instrument to generate accompaniment information is generated and transmitted to the accompaniment information generator of the external electronic musical instrument via a control interface that connects to the external electronic musical instrument and performs transmission and reception of information to and from the external electronic musical instrument.
US07663047B2
System for generating musical sounds. Structure adapted for mounting within a vehicle includes a plurality of spatially separated, touch-sensitive sensors for activation by an occupant of the vehicle. A memory module stores a plurality of musical sounds and a microcontroller is interconnected with the plurality of touch-sensitive sensors and the memory module to generate a signal including one or more of the stored musical sounds. A transmitter interconnected with the microcontroller transmits the one or more musical sounds to the vehicle's sound system. In a preferred embodiment, the musical sounds are drum sounds.
US07663038B2
An integral saddle and bridge for stringed musical instruments, such as the electric guitar, having a bridge piece comprised of a bar with a slot formed in the top to receive a saddle piece. By pressure or adhesive the bridge and saddle are made solid and therefore, and by their materials, acoustically superior. The bridge is formed to mate with common mountings and the saddle is carved to achieve intonation.
US07663036B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH945822. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH945822, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH945822 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH945822.
US07663034B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV520536. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV520536, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV520536 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 CV520536 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 CV520536.
US07663033B1
A novel inbred maize line designated PHE67 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize line PHE67 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHE67 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred line PHE67 or a trait conversion of PHE67 with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHE67, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHE67 and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US07663031B1
A novel maize variety designated PHW2M and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHW2M with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHW2M through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHW2M or a trait conversion of PHW2M with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHW2M, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHW2M and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US07663027B2
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides able confer the trait of modulated plant size, vegetative growth, organ number, plant architecture and/or biomass in plants. The present invention further relates to the use of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides in making transgenic plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having plant size, vegetative growth, organ number, plant architecture and/or biomass that are altered with respect to wild type plants grown under similar conditions.
US07663017B2
The present invention relates to transgenic mice and isolated transgenic mouse cells, the mice and mouse cells comprising a disrupted H2 class I gene, a disrupted H2 class II gene, a functional HLA class I transgene, and a functional HLA class II transgene. In embodiments, the transgenic mouse or mouse cells are deficient for both H2 class I and class II molecules, wherein the transgenic mouse comprises a functional HLA class I transgene and a functional HLA class II transgene. In embodiments, the transgenic mouse or mouse cell has the genotype HLA-A2+HLA-DR1+β2m°IAβ°. The invention also relates to methods of using a transgenic mouse of the invention.
US07663015B2
An integrated and complete dressing for the care and treatment of traumatic amputations and wounds. The traumatic amputation and wound dressing includes an oversized wound pad, an elastic bandage, and fasteners in an integrated unit for quickly and effectively treating an amputation. The elastic bandage may be attached to the wound pad such that the bandage forms an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a vertical axis of the wound pad. The wound pad can be readily folded over an amputation and quickly wrapped with the elastic bandage. The fasteners may be attached to the periphery of the wound pad. When the dressing is applied to a stump of an amputated limb and the fasteners are engaged, the wound pad is relatively securely held in position and downward pressure is exerted on the stump. In some embodiments, the elastic bandage may also include brakes designed to prevent the bandage from unintentionally unraveling. The brakes also facilitate application of the dressing to the stump.
US07663009B2
An improved dehydrogenation process that comprises the dehydrogenation of dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons by the utilization of an iron oxide based dehydrogenation catalyst composition having a low titanium content under low steam-to-oil process conditions.
US07662998B2
In synthesis of hexaalkylborazine represented by the chemical formula 2 from a borazine compound represented by the chemical formula 1, a borazine compound represented by the chemical formula 1 is reacted with an alkene compound, in the presence of a catalyst. Wherein R1s may be the same or different and each R1 represents an alkyl group; and each R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and at least one of R2s represents a hydrogen atom; and R3s may be the same or different and each R3 represents an alkyl group.
US07662997B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives in which R represents a group chosen from COOH, COOR′, NH2, NHR′ or NR′R″, where R′ and R″ are chosen, independently of one another, from the group of linear or branched alkyl radicals having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl radicals having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, according to which process but-3-ene-1,2-diol (II) is catalytically and selectively oxidized to give 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III) and methyl mercaptan is selectively condensed with 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III). 2-Oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives are used as food supplement, in particular in animal nutrition.
US07662988B2
An ester compound represented by the formula (1): has excellent pest controlling activity and is useful as an active ingredient for a pest controlling agent.
US07662979B2
The present invention provides methods for preparing compounds having activity as dopamine autoreceptor agonists and partial agonists at the postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptor. These compounds are useful for treating dopaminergic disorders, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, Parkinson's disease, Tourette's syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, and drug addiction.
US07662965B2
Disclosed are novel anabaseine derivatives that act as agonists of the α7 nAChR. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, methods of treating CNS disorders, methods for inhibiting cytokine release from mammalian cells and methods for the preparation of the novel compounds.
US07662954B2
An outer layer having an entanglement comprising an intermingling of cloaked hydrophilic guest and a hydrophobic polymer host, wherein molecules of the guest have been crosslinked with each other. Under certain circumstances, using complexes of the guest may be desirable or even necessary. The intermingling of the guest and host includes a physical tangling, whether it also comprises crosslinking by primary bonding (e.g., chemical/covalent bonding) there-between. Also a method of producing an outer layer having such an entanglement, including the steps of: temporarily cloaking at least a portion of the hydrophilic groups of the guest; intermingling at least a portion of the cloaked groups with a porous polymeric structure by diffusing the guest with cloaked groups into at least a portion of the structure's pores; within the pores, crosslinking at least a portion of the molecules of the guest with the guest; and removing the cloaking. Cloaking may be performed by silylation or acylation. Intermingling may be performed by producing a mixture of guest and host (whether in solution, powdered, granular, etc., form); next, a crosslinking of the guest with itself is performed; then, the mixture is molded into the outer layer.
US07662948B2
Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides against VR1, corresponding nucleotide constructs, cells containing said nucleotide constructs, pharmaceutical and diagnostic substances, uses thereof in pain therapy, and methods for diagnosing symptoms related to VR1 and for identifying pain-modulating substances.
US07662942B2
Oligonucleotide probes containing two labels are provided and are useful in hybridization assays. The probes can also contain a minor groove binding group.
US07662937B2
A novel benzophenone type polymerizable dye containing a urethane bond and an ophthalmic lens containing the said polymerizable dye are disclosed. The benzophenone type polymerizable dye is shown by the following general formula (1) (wherein R1 and R2 are respectively and independently a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxylic group, a C1 to C8 alkyl group, a C1 to C8 alkoxy group, a sulfonic acid group or a benzyloxy group, and m and n are respectively and independently an integer of 0 to 18. R3 is any of a polymerizable functional group of a vinyl group, an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group).
US07662930B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to multi-step systems and methods for target-molecule purification that employ column-chromatography-based and/or membrane-filtration-based polishing steps. In one described embodiment of the present invention, a target-protein-containing eluate having a high residual salt concentration is collected from a first chromatography column prepared with an affinity-chromatography resin, loaded onto a second chromatography column prepared with a cation-exchange resin, and eluted from the second cation-exchange column using a buffer in which a time-dependent pH gradient is established. In another described embodiment of the present invention, a partially purified target-protein-containing eluate is collected from a chromatography column and further purified by passing the target-protein-containing eluate through a salt-tolerant anion exchanger.
US07662920B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing a fluorescent polypeptide complex characterized in that an isolated fluorescent polypeptide is inter-molecularly cross-linked with itself or one or more other polypeptides and wherein said complex is of 40 nm to 500 nm in size, it also relates to a complex obtainable by such method, to conjugates comprising such a fluorescent polypeptide complex and to the use of such complex or conjugate.
US07662919B2
This invention provides a method for treating a subject having a tumor and a method for inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, both comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition of matter comprising the extracellular domain of a Notch receptor protein operably affixed to a half-life-increasing moiety. This invention also provides a composition of matter comprising the extracellular domain of Notch4 receptor protein operably affixed to a half-life-increasing moiety. This invention further provides an article of manufacture. Finally, this invention provides a replicable vector which encodes a polypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of a Notch receptor protein operably affixed to a half-life-increasing moiety, a host vector system which comprises such replicable vector and a method of producing such polypeptide.
US07662917B2
The invention relates to sarcoma-associated antigens and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them. The invention further relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides and fragments thereof associated with sarcoma in methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, such as cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to the discovery of a novel cancer/testis (CT) antigen, NY-SAR-35.
US07662914B2
The invention provides a method of assembling oligopeptide intermediates in a native chemical ligation reaction that eliminates self-ligation of bi-functional intermediates. An important aspect of the invention is a bi-functional intermediate with an N-terminal cyclic thiazolidine protecting group which effectively prevents self-ligation in the chemical assembly process. The present invention is useful in methods for convergent synthesis of polypeptides and proteins and improves the efficiency of native chemical ligation reactions, particularly where three or more peptide fragments are used to assemble a polypeptide or protein product.
US07662910B2
Inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided that incorporate multiple pharmacophores and are useful in the treatment of diseases.
US07662908B2
A process for preparing activated polyethylene glycols is disclosed. In some embodiments, the process includes reacting a molten polyethylene glycol with an activator. In other embodiments, the process includes reacting a polyethylene glycol with an activator in the absence of a solvent. The process may be carried out in an inert gas atmosphere, at a temperature at least 10° C. above the melting point of polyethylene glycol, and/or with the activator provided in molar excess of the polyethylene glycol. The invention further provides activated polyethylene glycols produced by this process and their use in a variety of pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic and chemical applications.
US07662906B2
A polyfunctional phenylene ether oligomer (B) having 3 to less than 9 phenolic hydroxyl groups, obtained by reacting a polyfunctional phenol (A) having 3 to less than 9 phenolic hydroxyl groups per molecule and having alkyl groups and/or alkylene groups at 2- and 6-positions of at least one of the phenolic hydroxyl groups with a monohydric phenol compound of the formula (1), derivatives thereof, resin compositions containing the derivatives, curable films obtained therefrom and cured films thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and R3 and R4 are the same or different and represent a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms or a phenyl group.
US07662903B2
A thermoplastic polyimide having good processing characteristics, obtainable by polymerizing an acid component and a diamine component, wherein an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride represented by formula (I): or its derivative is used at least as a part of the acid component.
US07662900B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyisobutene by polymerizing isobutene using an inert diluent and a halogen-containing Lewis acid as a catalyst, wherein the isobutene in the form of droplets is contacted with the Lewis acid in a polymerization apparatus.
US07662895B2
Disclosed herein is an elastomeric composition comprising propylene, the composition further comprising a peak melting point temperature below about 110° C., a tensile set of 40% or less, and greater than or equal to about 60% [r]dyads, based on the total number of dyads present in the composition. A process to produce an elastomeric composition is also disclosed.
US07662891B2
To provide a compound which has a higher vulcanization efficiency and superior heat aging resistance compared to conventional compounding agents for rubber compositions and which is environmentally friendly.An amine salt compound of a carboxylic acid containing a thermal dissociation portion having the Formula (I): wherein R represents an organic group selected from a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C3 to C10 cycloalkyl group, a C6 to C20 aryl group and a C7 to C30 alkaryl group, R1, R2 and R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C20 organic group which may have a heteroatom and/or a substituent group and X represents a C2 to C20 organic group which may have a heteroatom and/or a substituent group and a compounding agent for rubber vulcanization and a rubber composition containing the same.
US07662882B2
A defoaming agent for cementitious compositions is provided, which has an excellent defoaming performance and does not segregate when mixed with a high performance AE water-reducing agent to form a single admixture or when diluted in water at the desired concentration, and which has excellent long term storage properties. The defoaming agent for cementitious compositions is obtained by mixing at least a polyethylene oxide derivative and a nonionic defoaming agent wherein the polyethylene oxide derivative has at one end a hydrophobic group with a branched structure and/or an unsaturated bond and at the other end an anionic group.
US07662881B2
A lubricant composition comprises a base oil and a viscosity modifier including an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block copolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. Such block copolymers offer the possibility of improved low temperature performance and flexibility in formulating motor oil, gear lubricants and greases, etc.
US07662878B2
The present invention is to provide an orange ink composition for inkjet recording high in color saturation and gloss, while having long storage stability and jet stability, and also to provide an aqueous pigment dispersion mainly composing the ink composition. The aqueous pigment dispersion which contains a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer containing 60% by mass or more of styrene-based monomer units with respect to total monomer components and having an acid value of 130 to 200 and a weight-average molecular weight of 6,000 to 40,000, an alkali metal hydroxide, a wetting agent and C. I. Pigment Red 168 is excellent in storage stability and high in gloss. Further, an ink composition for inkjet recording mainly composing the aqueous pigment dispersion reflects an excellent dispersibility of the aqueous pigment dispersion, thereby having a favorable jettability and excellent light fastness.
US07662863B2
A therapeutic method and associated compound for ameliorating alcohol intoxication and preventing and/or reducing hangover symptoms. Glucaric acid, any salt thereof, and/or any derivative or metabolized form thereof is provided in therapeutic dosage, before and/or after the intake of alcohol.
US07662862B2
The invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity towards the 5-HT7 receptor, and more particularly to some 2,2a,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-aza-acenaphthylen substituted sulfonamide compounds, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which 5-HT is involved, such as CNS disorders.
US07662859B2
The present invention relates to a class of compounds and to diagnostic compositions containing such compounds where the compounds are iodine containing compounds. More specifically the iodine containing compounds are chemical compounds containing an aliphatic central moiety allowing for the arrangement of three iodinated phenyl groups bound thereto.The invention also relates to methods of diagnosis and imaging employing such diagnostic compositions as contrast agents in particular in X-ray imaging, and to contrast media containing such compounds.
US07662855B2
Compositions for topical application for treating a skin disorder (e.g., acne) include a retinoid, which is solubilized completely in alcohol only with the aid of cosolvents such as esters (e.g., alkyl benzoate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, diisopropyl adipate and their derivatives). This completely solubilized retinoid can be used to formulate an emulsion system or liquid to powder suspension containing a second active, such as an antibiotic (e.g., clindamycin).
US07662851B2
The invention refers to the use of specific cyclolignans, wherein the carbon atoms in positions 9 and 9′ have cis configuration, for inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. Said compounds can be used for treatment of IGF-1R dependent diseases, such as cancer, psoriasis, atherosclerosis and acromegaly. A preferred compound is picropodophyllin.
US07662846B2
The present invention encompasses compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof, which are useful as selective glucocorticoid receptor ligands for treating a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases or conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included.
US07662844B2
Compounds of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein n1, n2, n3, n4, G1, Q1, Z, R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R5a, and R5b are defined herein, inhibit the cytochrome P450RAI enzyme and are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of various diseases and conditions which respond to treatment by retinoids and by naturally occurring retinoic acid.
US07662842B2
Substituted thiazolidinone carboxylic acid amides and substituted thiazolidine carboxylic acid amides according to formulae (I) and (II) are disclosed where the various substituent groups are as defined in the specification. Methods of making these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, and their use, particularly for treating or preventing cancer, are also disclosed.
US07662829B2
Methods, compositions, and kits are presented for local tissue protection during systemic administration of anticancer therapeutic agents.
US07662814B2
New 4-aminothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carbonitrile derivatives having the chemical structure of general formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed, as well as processes for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment, prevention or suppression of pathological conditions, diseases and disorders susceptible of being improved by inhibition of PDE7.
US07662807B2
The present invention provides photosensitizing agents obtained by reducing a single double bond in the porphyrin macrocycle of a sulphonated meso-tetraphenylporphyrin, preferably a disulphonated meso-tetraphenylporphyrin such as TPPS2a. The resulting sulphonated meso-tetraphenyl chlorins include compounds of formula (I) (wherein X is —SO3H; n, p, q and r are each independently 0 or 1; and the sum of n, p, q and r is an integer from 1 to 4, preferably at least 2, e.g. 2 or 4) isomers and isomer mixtures thereof. The compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts find particular use as photosensitizing agents in the photochemical internalization of molecules and in photodynamic therapy.
US07662792B2
A method employing a composition comprising a 2 to 10 base synthetic oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (GG)n, (GT)n, a(GT)nb, a(GA)nb, and a(GC)nb, wherein n is an integer between 1 and 3, and a and b are independently either none or one or more As, Cs, Gs, or Ts, or combinations thereof, for modulation of Fas and FasL expression or for modulation of the efficacy of therapeutic agents. The composition is administered to an animal or human with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and optionally with a therapeutic agent, in an amount effective to modulate Fas and FasL expression, to treat the disease, or to modulate efficacy of the therapeutic agent.
US07662785B2
This invention provides novel polydentate selective high affinity ligands (SHALs) that can be used in a variety of applications in a manner analogous to the use of antibodies. SHALs typically comprise a multiplicity of ligands that each bind different region son the target molecule. The ligands are joined directly or through a linker thereby forming a polydentate moiety that typically binds the target molecule with high selectivity and avidity.
US07662772B2
The invention features methods of treating or preventing congestive heart failure by administering a polypeptide containing an epidermal growth factor-like domain encoded by a neuregulin gene.
US07662767B2
A method of using modified xanthine molecules as a binding agent is disclosed. Xanthine molecules with at least one substitution of a methyl group at the N1, N3, N7, or N9 position bind to intercalating molecules efficiently. This method can be applied to inhibiting intercalating molecules from binding to nucleic acids, as well as removing intercalating molecules that have been bound to nucleic acids. This method can also be applied to synthesize an efficient drug delivery system for compounds that have low solubility in aqueous media, including anti-neoplastic agents. The method can also be applied to flurosecently labeling nucleic acids.
US07662762B2
A semiconductor wafer cleaning formulation, including 1-21% wt. fluoride source, 20-55% wt. organic amine(s), 0.5-40% wt. nitrogenous component, e.g., a nitrogen-containing carboxylic acid or an imine, 23-50% wt. water, and 0-21% wt. metal chelating agent(s). The formulations are useful to remove residue from wafers following a resist plasma ashing step, such as inorganic residue from semiconductor wafers containing delicate copper interconnecting structures.
US07662749B2
On a first intermediate layer provided on a substrate and having an excellent surface smoothness, are formed a second intermediate layer and an YBCO superconductor layer having excellent properties. An YBCO superconductor (10) having a critical current density (Jc) of 1 MA/cm2 or higher can be produced by forming a first intermediate layer (2), a second intermediate layer (3), an YBCO superconductor layer (4) and an Ag-stabilized layer (5) on the surface of a tape-shaped biaxially oriented Ni—W alloy substrate (1), wherein the first intermediate layer (2) has a thickness of 5 nm or less, has a surface smoothness, comprises A2Zr2O7, and is formed by repeating coating and provisional burning several times by the MOD method, the second intermediate layer (3) comprises a CeO2 film and is formed by the pulse plating method, the YBCO superconductor layer (4) is formed by the MOD method, and the Ag-stabilized layer (5) is formed on the YBCO superconductor layer (4).
US07662742B2
A method for producing a catalyst containing given atoms in a given atomic proportion for use in producing methacrylic acid through gas-phase catalytic oxidation of methacrolein with molecular oxygen comprising the steps of: (i) preparing a solution or slurry containing at least molybdenum, phosphorus, and vanadium (liquid I); (ii) preparing a solution or slurry containing ammonium radical (liquid II); (iii) preparing a mixture of the liquid I and the liquid II by introducing one liquid (liquid PR) of the liquid I and the liquid II into a tank (tank A) and pouring the other liquid (liquid LA) on a continuous region in the surface of the liquid PR, the continuous region occupying 0.01 to 10% of the whole area of the surface of the liquid PR; and (iv) drying and calcining the resultant solution or slurry containing a catalyst precursor comprising all the catalyst constituents.
US07662737B2
Disclosed is a bound phosphorus-modified zeolite catalyst. Zeolite is treated with a phosphorus compound to form the phosphorus-treated zeolite. Binder material is treated with a mineral acid prior to being bound with the phosphorus-modified zeolite. The binder material includes inorganic oxide materials, such as alumina, clay, aluminum phosphate and silica-alumina, in particular, a binder of alumina or clay or their combinations. The mineral acid includes hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is combined with the acid-treated inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. Water is added to form an extrudable paste which maybe shaped and is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound phosphorus-modified zeolite catalyst. For aromatic alkylation, the bound phosphorus-modified zeolite catalyst is contacted with an aromatic alkylation feed of an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
US07662735B2
Ceramic fibers comprising glass, and composites comprising such fibers. The glass comprises at least 35 percent by weight Al2O3, based on the total metal oxide content of the glass, a first metal oxide other than Al2O3, and a second, different metal oxide other than Al2O3. The glass contains not more than 10 percent by weight collectively As2O3, B2O3, GeO2, P2O5, SiO2, TeO2, and V2O5, based on the total weight of the glass. The first and the second metal oxides are each selected from the group consisting of Y2O3, REO, MgO, TiO2, Cr2O3, CuO, NiO, Fe2O3, ZrO2, HfO2 and complex metal oxides thereof. At least a portion of the glass may be converted to crystals.
US07662732B2
A method of preparing a patterned carbon nanotube array a patterned carbon nanotube array prepared thereby are provided. The method includes forming carbon nanotubes in channels of porous templates, arranging the templates in a predetermined pattern on a substrate and selectively removing the templates to expose the carbon nanotubes.
US07662721B2
A hard mask layer stack for patterning a layer to be patterned includes a carbon layer disposed on top of the layer to be patterned, a first layer of a material selected from the group of SiO2 and SiON disposed on top of the carbon layer and a silicon layer disposed on top of the first layer. A method of patterning a layer to be patterned includes providing the above described hard mask layer stack on the layer to be patterned and patterning the silicon hard mask layer in accordance with a pattern to be formed in the layer that has to be patterned.
US07662714B2
A method for forming a metal line of a semiconductor device uses a low dielectric constant material as an interlayer dielectric layer and treats a surface of the interlayer dielectric layer with plasma to prevent moisture and ammonia from being adsorbed in the low dielectric constant material. The method for forming a metal line of a semiconductor device includes forming a lower metal line layer on a semiconductor substrate, sequentially forming an etch stop layer and an interlayer dielectric layer on an entire surface including the lower metal line layer, forming a plasma layer by treating a surface of the interlayer dielectric layer with plasma, forming a photoresist pattern on the plasma layer, forming a via hole using the photoresist pattern as a mask to open the lower metal line layer, and forming a via contact by burying a metal material in the via hole.
US07662713B2
A semiconductor device provided with: a first interconnection layer provided on a semiconductor substrate; an interlevel insulation film provided over the first interconnection layer; a barrier layer provided between the first interconnection layer and the interlevel insulation film; and a second interconnection layer of gold provided as an uppermost interconnection layer on the interlevel insulation film. The barrier layer is formed in a region of the first interconnection layer including an interlevel connection opening region of the interlevel insulation, and the region is greater than the interlevel connection opening region. The second interconnection layer is electrically connected to the first interconnection layer via the barrier layer in the interlevel connection opening.
US07662705B2
Disclosed herein is a partial implantation method for manufacturing semiconductor devices. The method involves implantation of dopant ions at different densities into a plurality of wafer regions, including first and second regions, defined in a wafer by means of a boundary line. In the method, first, second and third implantation zones are defined. The first implantation zone is the remaining part of the first region except for a specific part of the first region close to the boundary line, the second implantation zone is the remaining part of the second region except for a specific part of the second region close to the boundary line, and the third implantation zone is the remaining part of the wafer except for the first and second implantation zones. Then, dopant ions are implanted into the first implantation zone at a first density, into the second implantation zone at a second density different from the first density, and into the third implantation zone at a third density that is a midway value between the first and second densities.
US07662704B2
An electro-optical device includes: a substrate; a plurality of pixel units provided in a display region on the substrate; and a driving circuit that is provided in a peripheral region surrounding the display region and includes semiconductor elements that drive the plurality of pixel units, each of the semiconductor elements having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer has an SOI (silicon on insulator) structure including a first single crystal silicon layer, and the second semiconductor layer is formed of a second single crystal silicon layer that is formed on the first semiconductor layer by epitaxial growth.
US07662698B2
A method for forming a transistor device having a field plate. The method includes forming a structure having a source, a drain, and a Tee gate. A photo-resist layer is formed on the structure with an opening therein only the one of two distal ends of the Tee gate. A metal is deposited over the photo-resist layer with portions of the metal being disposed on the photo-resist layer and with other portions of the metal passing through the opening onto the exposed portions of the dielectric layer and with distal end of the top of the Tee gate preventing such metal from being deposited onto portions of the dielectric layer disposed under it. The photo-resist layer is removed along with the portions of the metal deposited thereon while leaving portions of the metal from regions of the dielectric layer exposed by the opening to form the field gate.
US07662694B2
The capacitance of a capacitor is adjusted by forming openings in one of a pair of electrodes of the capacitor, the openings having different sizes d1, d2, d3, . . . , wherein d1>d2>d3> . . . and being arranged in numbers n1, n2, n3, . . . , respectively; and sequentially filling a necessary number of the openings with an electroconductive material in descending order of the size so as to adjust the capacitance gradually with an increasing degree of precision. The resulting capacitor is mounted to a printed wiring board.
US07662692B2
The formation of devices in semiconductor material is provided using an HF/HCL cleaning process. In one embodiment, the method includes forming at least one hard mask overlaying at least one layer of resistive material. Forming at least one opening to a working surface of a silicon substrate of the semiconductor device. Cleaning the semiconductor device with a diluted HF/HCL process. The HF/HCL process including, applying a dilute of HF for a select amount of time and applying a dilute of HCL for a specific amount of time. After cleaning with the diluted HF/HCL process, forming a silicide contact junction in the at least one of the opening to the working surface of the silicon substrate and forming interconnect metal layers.
US07662687B2
A semiconductor memory having charge trapping memory cells and fabrication method thereof. The direction of current flow of each channel region of the memory transistors runs transversely with respect to the relevant word line, the bit lines are arranged on the top side of the word lines and in a manner electrically insulated from the latter, and electrically conductive local interconnects of source-drain regions are present, which are arranged in sections in interspaces between the word lines and in a manner electrically insulated from the latter and connected to the bit lines, wherein gate electrodes are arranged in trenches at least partly formed in the memory substrate.
US07662685B2
A semiconductor device includes a Si substrate, a gate insulating film formed on the Si substrate, the gate insulating film being formed of an oxide film containing at least one selected from the group of Zr, Hf, Ti and a lanthanoid series metal, and having a single local minimal value on a high binding energy side of an inflection point in first differentiation of an O1s photoelectron spectrum, and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film.
US07662684B2
Disclosed is a method for reducing poly-depletion in a dual gate CMOS fabrication process. The method reduces the poly-depletion in a dual gate CMOS fabrication process by increasing the doping efficiency in a gate polysilicon film. In order to increase the doping efficiency, the method employs the following four technical principles. First, the doping efficiency is increased when the dose of N+ ion implantation is increased. Second, the doping efficiency is increased when the thickness of N+ polysilicon is reduced. Third, the increase of depletion caused by the reduction of the channel width is inhibited when the EFH is adjusted to be less than 0. Fourth, the overall doping efficiency is increased when each step of polysilicon deposition and ion implantation is divided into multiple steps.
US07662681B2
Disclosed herein is a method for fabricating a reverse-staggered polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor, and more specifically a method for fabricating a reverse-staggered polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor wherein a phosphosilicate-spin-on-glass (P-SOG) is used for a gate insulating film. The method comprises the steps of: forming a buffer layer on an insulating substrate; forming a gate metal pattern on the buffer layer; forming a planarized gate insulating film on the gate metal pattern; depositing an amorphous silicon layer on the gate insulating film; crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon layer; forming a n+ or p+ layer on the polycrystalline silicon layer; forming a source/drain metal layer on the n+ or p+ layer; and forming a passivation layer on the source/drain metal layer.
US07662679B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a mask layer on a first-conductivity-type semiconductor substrate, etching the semiconductor substrate using the mask layer as a mask, thereby forming a projecting semiconductor layer, forming a first insulating layer on the semiconductor substrate to cover a lower portion of the projecting semiconductor layer, doping a first-conductivity-type impurity into the first insulating layer, thereby forming a high-impurity-concentration layer in the lower portion of the projecting semiconductor layer, forming gate insulating films on side surfaces of the projecting semiconductor layer which upwardly extend from an upper surface of the first insulating layer, and forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating films and on the first insulating film.
US07662677B2
A semiconductor device is fabricated by forming a first crystalline region by irradiating a laser beam to a first region of an amorphous semiconductor film by relatively moving the laser beam with respect to the first region of the amorphous semiconductor film. A second crystalline region is formed by irradiating the laser beam to a second region of the amorphous semiconductor film including a portion of the first crystalline region by relatively moving the laser beam with respect to the second region of the amorphous semiconductor film. The wavelength of the laser beam falls in a range of 370 nm through 650 nm. In general, crystalline performance of the first crystalline region, the second crystalline region, and a region of overlap between the first crystalline region and the second crystalline region are the same.
US07662673B2
A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor substrate in which an integrated circuit is formed; an insulating layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a first surface and a second surface which is higher than the first surface; a first electrode formed to avoid the second surface and electrically connected to the inside of the semiconductor substrate; and a second electrode formed on the second surface and electrically connected to the inside of the semiconductor substrate.
US07662671B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed, which includes at least the steps of preparing a laminated structure including a single chip or a plurality of chips, and dividing the laminated structure into a plurality of sub-laminated structures. A laminated structure comprised of a silicon substrate and a single chip or a plurality of chips laminated on the silicon substrate is formed. Then, the laminated structure is divided into a plurality of sub-laminated structures. Each of the sub-laminated structures includes a semiconductor device.
US07662667B2
A die rearrangement package structure is provided, which includes a die that having an active surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of pads is disposed on the active surface; a package body is provided to cover a die and the active surface being exposed; a polymer material with at least one slit is provided to cover the active surface and the pads is exposed from said slits; one ends of a plurality of metal traces is electrically connected to each pads; a protective layer is provided to cover the active surface of the dies and each metal traces, and the other ends of the metal traces being exposed; a plurality of connecting elements is electrically connected other ends of the metal traces, the characterized in that: the package body is a B-stage material.
US07662665B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor package is provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor chip having a plurality of exposed conductive layers thereon is provided. A first substrate having a first surface and a second surface is provided, the first surface having a plurality of exposed via plugs thereunder. The semiconductor chip is bonded to the first substrate, wherein the plurality of exposed conductor layers are aligned and in contact with the surfaces of the exposed via plugs. A portion of the second surface of the first substrate is then removed to expose the opposite ends of the plurality of via plugs. A plurality of UBM layers is formed on the surfaces of the opposite ends of the plurality of via plugs. A plurality of solder bumps is formed and mounted on the UBM layers. A second substrate having a first surface and a second surface is provided, the solder bumps being mounted to the first surface of the second substrate. A plurality of solder balls is formed and mounted to the second surface of the second substrate. A third substrate is mounted to the solder balls.
US07662664B2
An electronic circuit in a package-on-package configuration includes: a lower subassembly with a first electronic element, a first wiring carrier, a first housing with a first redistribution layer and an arrangement of solder balls disposed on the first redistribution layer and an upper subassembly with a second electronic element mounted on the lower subassembly. A method for producing the electronic circuit in a package-on-package configuration includes: adhering an upper side of the first electronic element to an underside of the first redistribution layer via a radiation-crosslinking thermoplastic adhesive.
US07662662B2
A carrier substrate and a method for manufacturing the carrier substrate are disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of: providing a core substrate; forming a build-up material layer on the core substrate; forming a via in the build-up material layer; forming a patterned photoresist layer on the build-up material layer covering a portion of the via and exposing an opening from uncovered portion of the via, and a wiring slot connected to the opening; and forming a metal-electroplated layer on the via and the wiring slot. In forming a trace according to the present invention, the metal-electroplated layer is formed as the trace and directly connected to the via, striding or not striding over the via. Additionally, in the carrier substrate structure, there is no need an annular ring to connect the trace to the via, and thus the wiring space is increased.
US07662661B2
A method of manufacturing a substrate structure includes the steps of: (1) providing a metal substrate having a metal portion; (2) chemically etching a plurality of trenches in the metal substrate; (3) applying a polymer composite material into the trenches to form a substrate having a polymer composite portion abutted to the metal portion; (4) polishing a surface of the substrate to make a height of the polymer composite portion equal to that of the metal portion; (5) forming a covering material on the surface of the substrate; and (6) cutting the substrate via the polymer composite portion for decreasing cutting bur produced on the metal portion. Furthermore, the method is provided for combining the metal substrate and the polymer composite material, thereby to increase cutting precision and strength of the substrate structure.
US07662660B2
A thin film transistor array substrate is disclosed. A gate electrode is disposed overlying a substrate. A gate dielectric layer covers the substrate and the gate electrode. A semiconductor layer is disposed overlying the gate dielectric layer, wherein the semiconductor layer comprises a channel. A source electrode electrically connects a portion of the semiconductor layer on one side of the channel, and a drain electrode electrically connects a portion of the semiconductor layer on the other side of the channel, in which the drain electrode does not overlap the gate electrode.
US07662652B2
Indium oxide nanowires are used for determining information about different chemicals or Biologics. Chemicals are absorbed to the surface of the nanowires, and cause the semiconducting characteristics of the Nanowires to change. These changed characteristics are sensed, and used to determine either the presence of the materials and/or the concentration of the materials. The nanowires may be between 10 and 30 nm in diameter, formed using a comparable size particle of catalyst material. The nanowires may then be used as part of the channel of a field effect transistor, and the field effect transistor is itself characterized.
US07662650B2
Disclosed are methods for providing wafer photonic flow control to a semiconductor wafer (1700) having a substrate (1720), at least one active layer (1765) and at least one surface layer (1710). Photonic flow control can be achieved through the formation of trenches (1725) and/or insulating implants (1730) formed in said wafer (1700), whereby active regions (1760) are defined by trenches (1725) that operate as nonconductive areas (1750). Methods of and systems for wafer level burn-in (WLBI) of semiconductor devices are also disclosed. Photonic flow control at the wafer level is important when using WLBI methods and systems.
US07662637B2
Methods and apparatus (FIG. 4a) are disclosed for selective and very sensitive detection of certain hydrolyzable compounds, especially urea, in water by hydrolyzing said hydrolyzable compounds in a sample of the water to one or more carbon dioxide group compounds and determining the difference in the carbon dioxide content of the water and the hydrolyzed sample using conductivity measurements or other carbon dioxide detector outputs.
US07662636B2
A sensing element in which a dye that changes in the light absorption characteristic of the visible region upon reaction with ozone gas is deposited in the pores of a porous material is prepared. A change in dye before and after exposing the sensing element to a measurement environment for a predetermined time is measured. The ozone gas amount in measurement target air is measured on the basis of the change in dye.
US07662632B2
A non-invasive blood gas test is carried out by a method that utilizes a venous blood sample together with a pulse oximeter and a plurality of mathematical equations. The method generates the following data points of the blood: (i) the pH level; (ii) the [H+] concentration; (iii) the [HCO3−] concentration; (iv) the partial pressure of carbon dioxide; and (v) the oxygen saturation level. Mathematical formulas, tables, and chemical equations provide a simple method by which a doctor or other medical professional can easily calculate the blood gas data without the need for an arterial blood sample or specialized machines. Blood gas measurements are obtained from a patient in a faster, safer and less painful manner than tests that require an arterial blood sample. In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for locating a dysfunctional organ in a patient is disclosed.
US07662628B2
The present invention relates to human Akt3 proteins and polypeptides. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding human Akt3, to vectors containing them and to their therapeutic uses, in particular for gene therapy. Expression of Akt3 inhibits cell death associated with hypoxia, apoptosis or necrosis.
US07662627B2
The present invention provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) materials and methods which are useful for DNA delivery to cells. More particularly, the invention provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) genomes, methods for packaging rAAV genomes, stable host cell lines producing rAAV and methods for delivering genes of interest to cells utilizing the rAAV. Particularly disclosed are rAAV useful in generating immunity to human immunodeficiency virus-1 and in therapeutic gene delivery for treatment of neurological disorders.
US07662621B2
This invention pertains to BIV constructs encompassing BIV combination vectors, BIV vectors and BIV packaging vectors and particularly the invention pertains to a three vector system comprising: a) a BIV vector construct including a DNA segment from a BIV genome, a packaging sequence to package RNA into virions; a promoter operably linked to the DNA segment; and a transgene operably linked to a second promoter; b) a BIV packaging vector construct comprising a BIV DNA sequence fragment comprising at least a gag gene or pol gene of BIV; a promoter operably linked to the BIV DNA fragment; and a polyadenylation sequence located downstream of the BIV DNA fragment; and c) an expression vector construct comprising a gene encoding a viral surface protein. Also provided is a method for transferring a gene of interest into a mammalian cell.
US07662614B2
Provided are a biochip platform for biochemically analyzing a sample such as DNA or protein, including a dielectric particle layer, and an optical assay apparatus including the same. The biochip platform includes the dielectric particle layer uniformly formed on a substrate. The particle uniformity of the dielectric particle layer enables good wavelength separation of fluorescence signal, and the large surface area of the dielectric particle layer guarantees better amplifications efficiency of fluorescence signal. Furthermore, the biochip platform shows good economical efficiency due to easy fabrication process, and is particularly useful in an optical assay apparatus for analyzing a biochemical sample due to good assay efficiency.
US07662613B2
Provided is a disease diagnosis apparatus and method for detecting a specific disease. The disease diagnosis chip, includes: a light sensing layer; a probe molecule fixed on the light sensing layer; and an electrode connected to the light sensing layer to detect an electric signal corresponding to photoelectric charges of the light sensing layer.
US07662611B2
A fixture and method is provided for in vitro storage of a cornea. The fixture includes a platform having a corneal-sceral rim receiving surface, a clamp having a mating surface for the cornel-scleral rim and handles. A locking mechanism is provided to secure a donor cornea between the clamp and platform. The combination cornea, platform and clamp are placed in a storage unit having a fluid preservation media. In one embodiment, the storage unit includes a vial having an optically clear closed end and an opened end. A lid is secured to the open end of the vial and engages the handles in order to stabilize the clamped cornea within the vial.
US07662605B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-glucosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US07662595B2
The present invention provides a method for assessment of the Microsatellite Instability (MSI) status of medically relevant conditions associated with MSI phenotype such as e.g. neoplastic lesions. The method is based on the analysis of a monomorphic T25 (CAT25) mononucleotide repeat located in the 3′-UTR of the Caspase 2 (CASP2) gene. Based on the determination of the length of the named mononucleotide repeat the presence or absence of MSI may be assessed. Determination of the length is performed in a single PCR procedure. Alternatively an enhanced assessment could be performed by combining the CAT25 marker with further markers such as BAT25 and BAT26 in a single multiplex PCR process.
US07662592B2
Novel peptides produced by bacteriocin-producing bacteria stimulate the production of bacteriocins in vitro. The producer bacteria are cultured in the presence of a novel inducer bacteria and a peptide having a carboxy terminal sequence of VKGLT in order to achieve an increase in bacteriocin production.
US07662586B2
Synthetic polynucleotides encoding human HER2/neu or a truncated form thereof, are provided, the synthetic polynucleotides being codon-optimized for expression in a human cellular environment. The gene encoding hHER2 is commonly associated with the development of human carcinomas. The present invention provides compositions and methods to elicit or enhance immunity to the protein product expressed by the hHER2 tumor-associated antigen, wherein aberrant hHER2 expression is associated with a carcinoma or its development. This invention specifically provides adenoviral vector and plasmid constructs carrying codon-optimized human HER2 and codon-optimized truncated HER2, and discloses their use in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and treating cancer.
US07662583B2
Bioreactor containing cells expressing glycosyltransferase nucleic acids isolatable from Arabidopsis
We describe glycosyltransferase nucleic acids and proteins isolatable from Arabidopsis thaliana, transgenic cells expressing said glycosyltransferases, and bioreactors comprising said transgenic cells together with nutrient medium for supporting the growth of said cell that includes at least one exogenous substrate which is a substrate for said glycosyltransferase, and wherein said nutrient medium does not include an exogenous supply of UDP-glucose.
US07662582B2
An efficient method for identifying important cancer biomarkers and identifying progression of bladder cancer using pro-u-PA as a clinical tool is provided. Searching for biomarkers critical for bladder carcinoma diagnosis and prognosis, secreted proteomes of highly malignant U1 and pre-malignant U4 cell lines are first analyzed. Proteins in the cultured media of the U1 and U4 cell-lines were systematically examined by SDS-PAGE combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Expression of pro-u-plasminogen activator (pro-u-PA) was confirmed by Western blot analysis and further evaluated. A statistically significant relationship between the low level and absence of pro-u-PA in urine with high stages and grades of the tumor samples was established. Constitutive expression of Ras dominant negative protein led to increased expression of pro-u-PA in cultured media, indicating the loss of pro-u-PA is associated with oncogenic transformation. The loss of pro-u-PA in urine has been identified as a marker of more advanced bladder carcinoma.
US07662581B1
This invention provides methods of identifying an Eg5 binding ligand. The ligand is identified by using the atomic coordinates of an Eg5 crystal to generate a three dimensional structure. The three dimensional structure is used in molecular modeling techniques and docking experiments to identify ligands that bind to the binding pocket of Eg5. A novel binding pocket is identified. The invention also provides a crystallized Eg5 and ligand complex.
US07662579B2
The invention provides methods and materials for determining a prognosis for myeloma and myeloma-disposed patients. The methods include the use of FISH techniques. The identification of the chromosomal abnormalities t(4;14)(p16;q32), t(14;16)(q32;q23), or 17p13 deletion (p53) in plasma cells from a patient indicates a poor prognosis.
US07662578B2
A method and kit for identifying the presence of an early biomarker of impaired renal status following a renal event in a mammalian subject. The method typically comprises (a) providing a body fluid sample obtained from a mammalian subject following a renal event; and (b) detecting in the provided sample the presence of a protein selected from the group consisting of aprotinin, alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M), alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (A1AG), microalbumin, and combinations thereof, the presence thereof serving as an early biomarker of a change in renal status. The method can include a kit for point-of-care detection of the early biomarker of impaired renal status. Identification of the presence or absence of the early biomarker typically directs a caregiver's therapeutic decision regarding managing treatment of the subject for impaired renal status. The invention also includes a method of assessing the administration of aprotinin during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and provides for methods where the level of aprotinin in the subject's urine directs a caregiver's therapeutic decision regarding the intra-operative administration of aprotinin.
US07662571B2
Damage to tissue, such as ischemic damage, can cause the release of mitochondrial proteins. The released proteins can be detected in a sample taken from a subject, indicating that the subject has suffered damage.
US07662562B2
The present invention relates, in general, to probes, methods, and kits used to determine the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample. The probes, methods, and kits comprise at least one capture probe and/or at least one detector probe.
US07662561B2
Methods for identifying expression of markers indicative of the presence of esophageal, a squamous cell cancer, a squamous cell cancer of the head and neck, colon cancer and melanoma are provided. Also provided are articles of manufacture useful in such methods and compositions containing primers and probes useful in such methods.
US07662555B2
The present invention provides a method for detecting a biomolecule. The method includes reacting a biomolecule sample with an organic EL-dye and measuring the fluorescence of the biomolecule sample labeled with the organic EL-dye. The method provides a highly sensitive method of detecting a biomolecule at lower cost.
US07662554B2
The present invention is directed to novel methods for in vitro and in vivo detection of target nucleic acid molecules, including DNA and RNA targets, as well as nucleic acid analogues. The present invention is based on protein complementation, in which two individual polypeptides are inactive. When the two inactive polypeptide fragment are brought in close proximity during hybridization to a target nucleic acid, they re-associate into an active, detectable protein.
US07662550B1
The invention provides assays that can detect multiple genetic variants of a gene (e.g., a mycobacterial gene) in a sample using a pool (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or more) of oligonucleotide hybridization probes.
US07662546B2
A heating apparatus for a substrate to be processed with a coating film has a chamber with an inner space, a heating plate heating the substrate to be processed in the inner space, and a partition member. The heating plate has a support surface which supports the substrate to be processed within the chamber. The partition member is arranged in the chamber so as to face the support surface. The partition member partitions the inner space into first and second spaces, and has a plurality of pores which allow the first and second spaces to communicate with each other. The support surface of the heating plate is set in the first space. An air stream formation mechanism forming an air stream is arranged in the second space. This mechanism discharges a substance evaporated from the photoresist film.
US07662545B2
A method of making a microstructure includes selectively activating a portion of a surface of a silicon-containing elastomer, contacting the activated portion with a substance, and bonding the activated portion and the substance, such that the activated portion of the surface and the substance in contact with the activated portion are irreversibly attached. The selective activation may be accomplished by positioning a mask on the surface of the silicon-containing elastomer, and irradiating the exposed portion with UV radiation.
US07662541B2
A photosensitive resin composition and a photosensitive dry film which are excellent in both sensitivity and stability and are well-balanced in tent strength, resolution and plating non-staining are provided. The photosensitive resin composition comprises an alkali-soluble resin (A), a photopolymerizable compound (B) and a photopolymerization initiator (C), and the polymerization initiator (C) comprises a hexaarylbisimidazole based compound (C1) and a multifunctional thiol compound (C2) as essential components. The photosensitive dry film has at least a photosensitive resin layer formed from the photosensitive resin composition on a support film.
US07662540B2
The present invention aims to provide a pattern forming material that is capable of suppressing generation of wrinkles and static electric charge on a substrate in a lamination step in which the pattern forming material is laminated on the substrate as well as capable of forming a fine and precise pattern; a pattern forming apparatus provided with the pattern forming material; and a pattern forming process using the pattern forming material.To this end, the present invention provides a pattern forming material having a support, a photosensitive layer, and a protective film, the photosensitive layer and the protective film being formed in this order on the support, wherein the number of fish-eyes each having an area of 2,000μm2 or more and a maximum height measured from the film surface of 1μm to 7μm residing in the protective film is 50/m2 to 1,000/m2.
US07662538B2
A process for preparing a blocked derivatized poly(4-hydroxystryrene)-DPHS having a novolak type structure which comprises the steps of (i) supplying a solution of methanol containing 4-hydroxyphenylmethylcarbinol, (ii) subjecting said solution to an acid catalyzed displacement reaction for a sufficient period of time and under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to convert substantially all of said carbinol to 4-hydroxyphenylmethylcarbinol methyl ether in solution, (iii) polymerizing said ether containing solution in the presence of a suitable acid catalyst for a sufficient period of time and under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to form a novolak type polymer; and (iv) reacting said polymer with a vinyl ether, a dialkyl dicarbonate, or a mixture of vinyl ether and a dialkyl dicarbonate to form the blocked DPHS. New compositions of matter which comprise the blocked derivatized poly(4-hydroxystyrene) prepared in the above manner and which have application in the electronic chemicals market such as in a photoresist composition and MEMS, and in other areas such as in varnishes, printing inks, epoxy resins, copying paper, tackifiers for rubber, crude oil separators, toner resins for photocopying, antireflective coatings, and the like.
US07662534B2
To provide a method including processing electrophotographic toner constituent material to a fibrous fine precursor and pulverizing and cutting it to obtain a uniform fibrous toner with energy efficiency in an apparatus for producing electrophotographic toner including a nozzle unit containing a nozzle having a flow path tapering toward the nozzle hole at 2° to 20° and a gas nozzle unit containing a gas nozzle and gas flow path tapering toward the nozzle hole at 15° to 33° relative to a direction of a nozzle axis, wherein the toner constituent material containing a raw material A containing a resin and pigment, and a raw material B containing one of a low melting point resin, wax and organic solvent, is extruded from the nozzle at 150° C. to 320° C., and drawn by gas flow from the gas nozzles so as to be a fibrous fluid while controlling the flow rate.
US07662517B2
Disclosed is an organic/inorganic composite porous separator comprising: (a) a polyolefin-based separator substrate; and (b) an active layer formed by coating at least one region selected from the group consisting of a surface of the substrate and a part of pores present in the substrate with a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, wherein the inorganic particles in the active layer are interconnected among themselves and are fixed by the binder polymer, and interstitial volumes among the inorganic particles form a pore structure. A method for manufacturing the same separator and an electrochemical device including the same separator are also disclosed. An electrochemical device comprising the organic/inorganic composite porous separator shows improved thermal and electrochemical safety and quality, simultaneously.
US07662515B2
A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a negative electrode including a current collector and a negative electrode active material having a Li ion insertion potential not lower than 0.4V (vs. Li/Li+). The negative electrode has a porous structure. A pore diameter distribution of the negative electrode as determined by a mercury porosimetry, which includes a first peak having a mode diameter of 0.01 to 0.2 μm, and a second peak having a mode diameter of 0.003 to 0.02 μm. A volume of pores having a diameter of 0.01 to 0.2 μm as determined by the mercury porosimetry is 0.05 to 0.5 mL per gram of the negative electrode excluding the weight of the current collector. A volume of pores having a diameter of 0.003 to 0.02 μm as determined by the mercury porosimetry is 0.0001 to 0.02 mL per gram of the negative electrode excluding the weight of the current collector.
US07662512B2
A square-shaped storage battery including a rectangular accumulator element (16), a sealed case (30) that accommodates the accumulator element, and a resin plate (20) which is formed of a hard resin having insulating properties and interposed between the sealed case and the accumulator element for limiting movement of the accumulator element.
US07662511B2
A secondary battery includes an electrode unit having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, a separator interposed therebetween, and first and second electrode tabs respectively extending from the first and second electrode plates, a can adapted to accommodate the electrode unit and an electrolytic solution, and a cap plate adapted to seal the can and having an electrolytic solution inlet, wherein the electrolytic solution inlet has an area on one surface of the cap plate different from that on another surface of the cap plate.
US07662507B2
An HVAC controller includes a controller housing having an aperture and a battery tray removably disposed within the aperture. The battery tray can include an outer wall and a beam element fixed relative to the outer wall and extending away from the outer wall. The beam element can have a free end and an end element disposed on or adjacent to the free end.
US07662498B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a polymer electrolyte composition ensuring high durability even under high-temperature low-humidification conditions (for example, an operation temperature of 100° C. with 50° C. humidification (corresponding to a humidity of 12 RH %)), and a proton exchange membrane comprising the polymer electrolyte composition. The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte composition comprising (A) a polymer compound having an ion exchange group, (B) a polyphenylene sulfide resin, and at least one resin selected from (C) a polyphenylene ether resin and (D) a polysulfone resin, and a proton exchange membrane comprising the above polymer electrolyte composition.
US07662494B2
When an operation of a fuel cell system (100) is stopped, a flow of cathode off-gas into a circulation passage (28) is stopped. A stopped state of the flow of the cathode off-gas into the circulation passage (28) is held even after a start-up of the system (100) until the fuel cell (10) is brought into a predetermined state. Such structure prevents an outlet (52) of a three-way valve (50) from being frozen in an opened state. Accordingly the cathode off-gas that contains large amount of water and nitrogen hardly flows into the fuel cell (10) accidentally. This makes it possible to restrain various types of trouble, for example, generation of flooding upon start-up of the system, decrease in the oxygen partial pressure, and decrease in the power generation efficiency resulting therefrom.
US07662488B2
A nitride-based semiconductor substrate having a diameter of 25 mm or more, a thickness of 250 micrometers or more, and an optical absorption coefficient of less than 7 cm−1 to light with a wavelength of 380 nm or more. The nitride-based semiconductor substrate is made by the HVPE method that uses gallium chloride obtained by reacting a Ga melt with a hydrogen chloride gas. The Ga melt is contacted with the hydrogen chloride gas for one minute or more to produce the gallium chloride.
US07662485B2
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device produces white light, includes a) an anode; b) a hole-transporting layer disposed over the anode; c) a blue light-emitting layer disposed over the hole-transporting layer; d) an electron-transporting layer disposed over the blue light-emitting layer; e) a cathode disposed over the electron-transporting layer; wherein the hole-transporting layer comprises an entire layer or a partial portion of a layer in contact with the blue light-emitting layer and contains a light-emitting naphthacene compound having a specified formula.
US07662478B2
Provided is a polymer comprising a repeating unit represented by formula (1), wherein, A1 represents a divalent group in which the bond distance ratio (bond distance of C(α)-A1/bond distance of C(α)-C(β)) is 1.10 or more; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6, each independently represent a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkyloxy group, aryloxy group, arylalkyloxy group, etc. The polymer is useful as a light-emitting material, a charge transporting material, etc.
US07662476B2
A method for in-situ formation of surface modified mixed oxide material includes burning a titanium chloride comprising compound and a silicon chloride comprising compound in the presence of oxygen and hydrogen in a reactor to form a plurality of silica-titania mixed oxide particles, wherein a temperature during the burning step is from 700 to 1100° C. In embodiments of the invention a concentration of hydrogen is in a stoichiometric excess (H2:O2) to oxygen from 2.02:1 to 2.61:1 during the burning step. While the mixed oxide particles are still in the reactor, a metal is deposited on a surface of the mixed oxide particles at a temperature below the temperature of the burning step, such as in the form of randomly located nanoparticle clusters which only partially cover the surface of the mixed oxide particles. The titania can be non-stoichiometric TiO2-x, wherein 0.1
US07662471B2
A film comprising a matrix of transparent polymeric resin, and polymeric particles is disclosed. The particles are characterized in that their refractive index is different from that of the polymeric resin and in that their average particle size is 1 and 100 μm. One surface of the film is structured its 60° gloss value is greater than 0.5 and smaller than 20%, and its roughness is greater than 3 and lower than 25 μm. The other surface has a 60° gloss value greater than 50%. The film is suitable for use in flat screens.
US07662465B2
Disclosed is a wood composite material comprising: upper and lower surface layers and a core layer; wherein the core layer contains at least about 85 wt % paulownia strands; and the surface layers contain at least about 85 wt % of other, higher density, non-paulownia wood strands.
US07662459B1
A thermal protection system for atmospheric entry of a vehicle, the system including a honeycomb structure with selected cross sectional shapes that receives and holds thermally cured thermal protection (TP) blocks that have corresponding cross sectional shapes. Material composition for TP blocks in different locations can be varied to account for different atmospheric heating characteristics at the different locations. TP block side walls may be attached to all, or to less than all, the corresponding honeycomb structure side walls.
US07662454B2
A laminate hose comprising a laminate of a fluorocopolymer and a polyamide, wherein the fluorocopolymer comprises repeating units (a) based on tetrafluoroethylene and/or chlorotrifluoroethylene, repeating units (b) based on a cyclic hydrocarbon monomer having a dicarboxylic anhydride group and having a polymerizable unsaturated group in the ring, and repeating units (c) based on another fluoromonomer (excluding tetrfluoroethylene and chlorofluoroethylene) with contents of the repeating units (a) of from 50 to 99.89 mol %, the repeating units (b) of from 0.01 to 5 mol % and the repeating units (c) of from 0.1 to 49.99 mol % based on the total number of mols of the repeating units (a), (b) and (c), and has a flow coefficient of from 0.1 to 1,000 mm3/sec.
US07662447B2
An adhesive of the invention for polarizing plates used for forming an adhesive layer in a polarizing plate in which a polarizer and a transparent protective film is are adhering with each other via the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive for polarizing plates is an aqueous solution containing a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin having an acetoacetyl group and a crosslinking agent, and the aqueous solution has a pH of 4.3 or less. The adhesive of the invention for polarizing plates is good in durability and long in pot life.
US07662445B2
A copolymer contains 10 to 69 mol % of a structural unit derived from propylene, 1 to 50 mol % of a structural unit derived from at least one α-olefin having a carbon number of from 4 to 20 and 30 to 89 mol % of a structural unit derived from at least one cyclic olefin represented by the formula (1) as defined herein, and has a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000.
US07662434B2
A process for preparing a metal styrene polymer composite having nano metallic particles deposited thereon is disclosed, which includes a) undergoing free radical polymerization of styrene and an optional co-monomer in the presence of a persulfate initiator and a chain transfer agent; and b) contacting the resulting styrene oligomer or copolymer of styrene and the co-monomer from step a) with an aqueous solution containing a noble metal ion dissolved therein, so that the noble metal ion is reduced to element form particles and deposit on the styrene oligomer or copolymer of styrene and the co-monomer by sulfates on the oligomer or copolymer in the absence of a reducing agent.
US07662433B2
Processes for obtaining an impact resistant, abrasion and/or scratch resistant photochromic article comprising a substrate having two main faces, comprising: preparing a curable coating composition comprising at least one unblocked polyisocyanate terminated polyurethane pre-polymer, at least one polyol, and at least one photochromic agent; depositing the curable coating composition onto at least part of a main face of the substrate; curing the coating composition for 10 minutes or less, at a temperature lower than or equal to 100° C. to form an impact resistant photochromic coating; forming an abrasion and/or scratch resistant coating on the impact resistant photochromic coating or forming a protective coating on the impact resistant photochromic coating and then forming an abrasion and/or scratch resistant coating on said protective coating. Articles obtainable by such processes, including but not limited to ophthalmic lenses. Curable coating compositions involved in such processes.
US07662430B2
The present invention relates to a ceramic electronic component wherein via conductors that are embedded in through holes of dielectric layers formed from a sintered body of ceramic particles are made by firing a electrically conductive paste for via conductor that contains inorganic particles made of the same material as the ceramic particles that constitute the dielectric layer and having an average particle diameter smaller than that of the ceramic particles, and a method for manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, such a ceramic electronic component can be provided that the via conductors and the internal electrodes are electrically connected with each other satisfactorily without voids generated therein.
US07662426B2
The present invention discloses a method of fabricating organic light emitting diode array, which adopts a directional spin coating technology to grow different organic light-emitting materials on the same plane so as to control the color of the emitted light and accomplish monochrome or full color organic light emitting diodes.
US07662425B2
A method of manufacturing an organic EL element according to the present invention comprises the steps of forming pixel electrodes (801), (802), (803) on a transparent substrate (804) and forming on the pixel electrodes by patterning luminescent layers (806), (807), (808) made of an organic compound by means of an ink-jet method. According to this method, it is possible to carry out a high precise patterning easily and in a short time, thereby enabling to carry out optimization for a film design and luminescent characteristic easily as well as making it easy to adjust a luminous efficiency.
US07662417B2
This invention relates to compositions comprising cationic preservatives and anionic hydrocolloids, to methods of preparing them and their application in food microbiological protection. Due to their composition, food products are susceptible to act as a culture medium for microorganisms, and this constitutes a possible risk to human health. Thus, food products require good protection against microbiological contamination. The present invention relates to the interaction between cationic preservatives derived from the condensation of fatty acids and esterified dibasic amino acids and anionic hydrocolloids, such as pectins, xanthan gums, carrageenans, acacia gums or agars. The most preferred cationic preservative is the ethyl ester of the lauramide of arginine monohydrochloride (LAE). As a result of this interaction, some anionic hydrocolloids are able to absorb LAE and precipitate together by the enhancement of their lipophilic properties. These new solid compounds can be isolated by filtration and, surprisingly, retain the microbiological inhibitory activity of LAE. The solid compounds contain approximately stoechiometric amounts of LAE and the anionic hydrocolloid. The preferred solid compound is LAE/xanthan gum. The solid compounds are stable and can be stored under normal conditions of temperature and humidity for long periods of time. The invention relates to the method of preserving food products using the new solid compounds and the food products obtained as a result of the application of the method.
US07662414B1
The present invention is directed to an easily-digestible pet chew for promoting oral health and preventing malodorous breath in animals. The pet chew is formed with ingredients selected to promote mastication and ease digestibility, and additionally includes baking soda and abrasives to reduce tartar and plaque and eliminate malodorous breath. The pet chew has a soft, malleable texture that is easily chewed by animals and easily digested once swallowed. The pet chew also includes a white coloring interspersed with colored crystals formed in a bone-like shape that appeals to both animals and their owners.
US07662413B2
The present invention provides Nelumbo extract and a method thereof. The present invention further provides a composition comprising said extract and a method for treating subject suffering from breast cancer with the composition.
US07662402B2
The present invention provides a nitrile compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R represents C1-C4 fluoroalkyl, Q represents halogen, C1-C11 alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, C2-C6 alkenyl group optionally substituted with halogen, C2-C6 alkynyl optionally substituted with halogen, C3-C7 cycloalkyl optionally substituted with halogen or (C3-C7 cycloalkyl optionally substituted with halogen) C1-C4 alkyl, which has excellent control effect against pests.
US07662400B2
This document relates to methods and materials involved in fungus-induced inflammation and eosinophil degranulation. For example, isolated nucleic acids encoding fungal polypeptides, fungal polypeptides, methods for assessing fungus-induced inflammation, methods for assessing eosinophil degranulation, and methods for identifying inhibitors of fungus-induced inflammation and/or eosinophil degranulation are provided.
US07662394B2
The present invention encompasses isolated nucleic acids containing transcriptional units which encode a signal sequence of one flavivirus and an immunogenic flavivirus antigen of a second flavivirus or of a chimeric immunogenic flavivirus antigen comprising sequence from more than one flavivirus. The invention further encompasses a nucleic acid and protein vaccine and the use of the vaccine to immunize a subject against flavivirus infection. The invention also provides antigens encoded by nucleic acids of the invention, antibodies elicited in response to the antigens and use of the antigens and/or antibodies in detecting flavivirus or diagnosing flavivirus infection.
US07662392B2
This invention provides methods of improving myocardial function in a subject after ischemic injury comprising administering G-CSF or SDF-1 to the subject.
US07662386B2
Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more of a WT1 polynucleotide, a WT1 polypeptide, an antigen-presenting cell presenting a WT1 polypeptide, an antibody that specifically binds to a WT1 polypeptide; or a T cell that specifically reacts with a WT1 polypeptide. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.
US07662385B2
The object of the present invention is to provide methods for inhibiting proliferation of neural stem cells, an agent for inhibiting proliferation of neural stem cells, and methods for using the same. According to the method of the present invention, a galectin-1 inhibitor such as anti-galectin-1 antibody and/or an integrin β1 inhibitor such as anti-integrin β1 antibody is administered to a human or a vertebrate other than human for inhibiting proliferation of neural stem cells. This method can be used for treatment of nerve injury and nerve tumors.
US07662380B2
The antibody of the present invention has an extremely high binding ability to human ZAQL-1, can neutralize the activity of human ZAQL-1, and inhibits the action of human ZAQL-1. Therefore, the antibody is useful as a preventive or therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent for, e.g., digestive diseases, diseases associated with angiogenesis, diseases relating to pregnancy, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, seasonal depression, reproductive dysfunction, endocrine diseases, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, various disorders caused by aging, cerebral circulatory disorders, head trauma, spinal injury, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, manic depression, schizophrenia, alcoholism, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, arrhythmia, premenstral syndrome, glaucoma, cancer, AIDS, diabetes, etc.
US07662378B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising naked humanized, chimeric, and human anti-CEA antibodies and a therapeutic agent, which is useful for treatment of CEA expressing cancers and other diseases, and methods of use in treatment using this composition.
US07662374B2
Antibodies which bind to activated members of the erbB, TNF, and IgSF family of receptors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are disclosed. Peptides and mimetics of erbB, TNF, and IgSF receptors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are also described. Methods of using such antibodies, peptides, and mimetics in tumor therapeutic, prophylactic, imaging and diagnostic applications are disclosed.
US07662373B2
A medicament to decrease the adverse events of Olistat, an oral lipase inhibitor, arranged in combination with Olistat, comprising: an emulsifier, a bowel relaxant and one or more chelating agents to absorb and mechanically agitate non-digested fats.
US07662367B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a variant TNF-α protein that inhibits the activity of soluble TNF-α while substantially maintaining the activity of transmembrane TNF-α a buffer and a tonicity agent wherein said composition has a pH from approximately 5.0 to 8.0.
US07662366B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating diabetes which is simple, safe and effective when compared to conventional diabetes treatment. The administration of one or more stem cell-recruiting factors allows a simple and safe repair of disrupted β-cells in pancreatic Langerhans' islets. Thus, the therapeutic agent of the present invention which comprises one or more stem cell-recruiting factors as active ingredients is useful for diabetes treatment. Examples of such a stem cell-recruiting factor include colony-stimulating factors such as G-CSF.
US07662364B2
This invention reports a drug for hyperphospheremia and its preparative method. The preparation includes active constituents, lanthanum polystyrene sulfonate, and excipients. The preparative method in the invention can be summarized as follows: Polystyrene sulfonic acid is obtained by treating polystyrene sulfosalt with hydrochloric acid, soaked or eluted with water soluble lanthanum-contained solution, and washed with water till its PH is neutral. Then, the lanthanum polystyrene sulfonate solution is washed till the superfluous La− unexchanged is washed out. Lanthanum polystyrene sulfonate is taken out and crushed to powder after being dried. The lanthanum polystyrene sulfonate, whose weight percentage of lanthanum is 14-22%, is used as active constituents to prepare gastrointestinal tract preparations together with general amount of excipients with routine preparative method. In the invention, lanthanum polystyrene sulfonate is adopted as active constituents, mixed with excipients, and the preparation is obtained. It makes phosphate in alimentary tract become insoluble conjugates after gastrointestinal tract administration. The insoluble conjugates would be discharged. Thus, the drug can achieve the purpose of treating hyperphospheremia.
US07662353B2
A method of reducing mercury emissions using a combustion device including at least a combustion zone. The method includes receiving a flow of fuel including mercury at the combustion device assembly; injecting a first mercury oxidizer flow including MgCl2 on the fuel upstream of the combustion device assembly; and oxidizing the mercury using a mercury oxidizer flows and the combustion device assembly.
US07662352B2
A biomass feeding unit feeds biomass to a boiler. A hydrogen-chlorine monitoring unit measures hydrogen-chloride content in flue gas fed to a desulfurization equipment. A mercury monitoring unit measures mercury content in treated flue gas emitted from the desulfurization equipment. A feed-amount instruction unit instructs proper feed amount of the biomass to the biomass feeding unit based on measurement values obtained by the hydrogen-chlorine monitoring unit and the mercury monitoring unit.
US07662351B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing metal oxide from metal compounds, in particular metal hydroxide or metal carbonate, in which the metal compound is conveyed into a reactor (25) with fluidized bed, heated there to a temperature of 650 15 to 1150° C. by combustion of fuel, and metal oxide is generated, as well as to a corresponding plant. To improve the utilization of energy, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a gas supply tube (26) into a mixing chamber (20) of the reactor (25), the gas supply tube (26) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (27) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas, and 20 to adjust the gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (27) such that the Particle-Froude numbers in the gas supply tube (26) lie between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (27) between 0.02 and 2, and in the mixing chamber (20) between 0.3 and 30.
US07662350B2
A fuel reforming apparatus in constructed with a main body including a first pipe and a second pipe disposed in the first pipe and a heat source installed in the second pipe and adapted to generate thermal energy in the second pipe. A reforming reaction unit is formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a space defined between the first and second pipes and is adapted to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen through a reforming reaction of the fuel. A housing encloses the main body and allows a combustion gas generated from the heat source to flow along an outer circumference of the reforming reaction unit.
US07662347B2
The device for the disposal of sanitary waste consists of a fixed drum-type container (20) with a horizontal central axis (MA) and with inlet pipes for dosed wash liquid (WF), for sanitary liquid (HF) and for dosed chemicals (CH),whereby a discharge duct (65) for the carrying-off of the comminuted sanitary waste interspersed with wash liquid from the bottom area of the container (20) is provided in the bottom area of the container (20), in the inner space (27) of which a knife disk (30) which can be rotatably driven is placed in the area of one of its both vertical front walls (21; 22) with shearing knives (31) turned to the inner space (27) of the container (20), whereby an ascendingly guided compressor screw (60) follows the discharge duct (65), compressor screw which forms with a shear sieve sheet (70) a functional unit for separating the comminuted sanitary waste containing solid components from the wash liquid (WF) with the constituents of the sanitary waste which are dissolved therein and the wash liquid is supplied to a drain (85) over a discharge duct (80), whereby the rest of the comminuted sanitary waste freed from the liquid and containing solid constituents is fed in the upper area (61b) of the housing (61) to a collecting container (95).
US07662336B2
The invention relates to a vessel (1) for the metallurgical treatment of pig iron, steel melts and similar, in particular a converter vessel, mounted on a support ring (3), arranged at a separation by means of pivot pins, whereby the vessel (1) rests on the top flange (3a) of the support ring (3) by means of claws (6) on the vessel wall (1b) and a support (4) is detachably embodied with additional fixing elements on the top flange (3a) of the support ring (3). According to the invention, the disadvantage of having to work in hot, restricted regions which are difficult for the personnel to access can be avoided, whereby the support on the top flange (3a) of the support ring (3) comprises opposing vessel brackets (7) and support ring brackets (8) which can be tensioned together in a closing direction (10) by means of a hinged closure (9) until a secure closed position is achieved and which may be easily opened in the opposing operating direction (12).
US07662334B2
A net shaped latex vacuum bag as used in the fabrication of composite structural parts having complex shapes. Liquid latex is first allowed to air dry in the form of a thin flat, flexible sheet. The latex sheet is then vacuum formed over a tool having the complex shape of the part to be fabricated and assumes the shape and configuration of the tool's outer surface. The latex sheet is then rapidly cured at an elevated temperature, so as to permanently assume the part's shape for subsequent use in forming composite structural parts of the same complex shape. In one embodiment, the latex sheet may be formed on the tool by dipping the tool in liquid latex, allowing the latex coating to dry, and cutting the dry latex coating to permit separation of the tool from the latex coating which is then used in composite part fabrication.
US07662327B2
In a method of manufacturing a thin keypad of a keypad panel having a smooth surface, a mist surface or a lines layer, the method includes the steps of: preparing a mold with an internal bottom surface of a coarse surface, a smooth surface or a lines surface; applying an adhesive into the mold and coating a carrier onto the surface of the adhesive; rolling the surface of the carrier by a roller to level the adhesive in the mold; performing a ultraviolet projection to cure the adhesive to form a keypad layer on the carrier; filming a ground color layer, a function color layer and a font color layer sequentially on the carrier as the background of the keypad panel; and hot pressing and combining the keypad layer and silicon to produce the keypad panel.
US07662326B2
Medical implants containing a temporary plasticizer, methods of producing such implants, and methods of using the implants in treating a disease, or ameliorating one or more symptoms thereof, in a subject are provided.
US07662311B2
A novel fluorescent substance for a light-emitting diode, emitting light of any one of three primary colors by excitation of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode. Alternatively, a novel fluorescent substance for a light-emitting diode, emitting light in a red region of a spectrum by excitation of a blue light-emitting diode. Na2SrSi2O6 is doped with Eu3+. Preferably, Eu3+ is added so as to account for 1 to 80 mol % in concentration in a host crystal, while sites of Si4+ in Na2SrSi2O6. are replaced by Al3+ and/or Ga3+. Alternatively, Ca3Si2O7 is doped with Ce3+ and Tb3+. Preferably, Ce3+ and Tb3+ are added so as to account for 0.1 to 80 mol % and 0.1 to 20 mol % in concentration in a host crystal, respectively. Still alternatively, Ca3Si2O7 is doped with Eu2+. Preferably, Eu2+ is added so as to account for 0.5 to 10 mol % in concentration in the host crystal.
US07662310B2
Disclosed herein is a phosphor paste composition, which includes a phosphor, a dispersant, and a binder solution composed of a solvent and an organic binder, in which the dispersant includes iso-octylphenol ethoxylated phosphoric acid, phosphate ester of a block copolymer of nonylphenol and polyoxyethyleneglycol, or phosphate ester containing an acryl backbone. In addition, a display device using the phosphor paste composition is provided. The phosphor paste composition of this invention can be applied to various phosphor screens for display devices and to display devices, thus increasing high physical properties, including luminance, and greatly improving workability.
US07662307B2
A composition for a thermal interface material is provided. The deficiencies of low thermal conductivity and high thermal resistance in the conventional thermal interface materials are resolved. The CNT-LC thermal composite structure is formed by using carbon nanotube with high thermal conductivity and liquid crystal polymer with the well-ordered structure. The thermal interface material thereby has a high thermal conductivity. The added amount of carbon nanotube is less than the added amount of metal or ceramic powders in the prior art for improving the dispersion process. The CNT-LC thermal composite structure and the phase change resin are compatible without phase separation. The thermal interface material has a phase change temperature about 45˜75° C. Any holes, gaps and dents on the surface of device are filled at the normal operating temperature of device to reduce the thermal resistance of the entire device.
US07662304B2
Disclosed is a corrosion inhibitor for use in heat transfer fluids having a conductivity of less than 200 μS/cm, the corrosion inhibitor having an azole compound, and at least one of a siloxane based surfactant, colloidal silica, or a mixture thereof. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid having a conductivity of no more than or equal to 200 μS/cm and comprising the disclosed corrosion inhibitor. Also provided is an assembly comprising an alternative power source and a heat transfer system in thermal communication with the alternative power source, the heat transfer system comprising the disclosed corrosion inhibiting heat transfer fluid. In addition, a method of making a corrosion inhibiting heat transfer fluid is disclosed wherein the disclosed corrosion inhibitor is added to heat transfer fluid having a conductivity of less than 200 μS/cm.
US07662286B2
A medical fluid machine includes a housing providing a first wall and a second wall, the first and second walls at least partially defining a pump chamber. A fluid receptacle is located within the pump chamber, the fluid receptacle including first and second flexible membranes configured to be moved apart to accept a medical fluid and moved together to dispel the fluid. A medical fluid outlet is in communication with the fluid receptacle. A first valve arrangement is configured to enable medical fluid in a sufficiently air-free condition to be delivered from the receptacle through the medical fluid outlet to a patient. A second valve arrangement is configured to enable medical fluid with entrained air to be delivered instead from the receptacle through the medical fluid outlet to an entrained air destination.
US07662283B2
A modular filter system using replaceable filter cartridges includes a locking arrangement that prevents rotation of the flow control valve spindle in the filter head, but includes an unlocking arrangement on the cartridge that unlocks the locking arrangement if the proper replacement cartridge is used. The locking arrangement may include spring biased locking pins carried on the filter head and matching unlocking pins on the filter cartridge to operate through an intermediate adaptor ring that is set on assembly to match the positions of the locking and unlocking pins.
US07662281B1
Sludge can be treated by placing it in a carrier sized for bulk shipment of sludge by road or by rail. An antipathogenic substance such as lime is mixed into the sludge located in the carrier in order to treat pathogens in the sludge. At least one mixer adapted for mixing sludge throughout the carrier is employed. A dispenser such as a conduit or a loader bucket can dispense the antipathogenic substance so that the mixer can mix the substance with the sludge. The sludge is transported in the carrier either before or after the mixing with the antipathogenic substance. The mixture of sludge and antipathogenic substance is allowed to remain in the carrier long enough to treat pathogens with the substance before unloading the sludge from the carrier at a destination established for utilization, storage, transfer or disposal of the sludge.
US07662280B1
A catch basin sealing system for closing a basin opening in a catch basin to inhibit contaminants from entering the catch basin includes a plurality of guide channels. Each of the guide channels is coupled to a bottom surface of a catch basin. The guide channels are positioned on opposing sides of a basin opening. A closing plate slidably engages the guide channels. The closing plate is slid from a first position adjacent the basin opening to a second position under the basin opening to close the basin opening and inhibit flow of liquid into the catch basin. A seal is coupled to an upper surface of the closing plate. The seal engages the catch basin around the basin opening to inhibit liquid flowing between the closing plate and the catch basin when the closing plate is positioned in the second position.
US07662272B2
Embodiments include a distilled wax having a crystallinity of from about 55 to about 100 percent, wherein the degree of crystallinity is calculated using the following formulas: [Heat of enthalpy (Hm) J/g/294 J/g]×100=degree of crystallinity (Xc); [Heat of recrystallization (Hrc) J/g/294 J/g]×100=degree of crystallinity (Xc); and Sc/(Sc+Sa)]×100%, wherein Sc is a diffraction peak area of a crystalline component of the wax and the Sa is a diffraction peak area of an amorphous component of the wax; and wherein the Mp, Mn and Mw of the wax are all within the range of from about 500 to about 800, and wherein the wax has a polydispersity of from about 1 to about 1.05.
US07662270B2
The invention relates to an electrochemical method and reactor in which at least one electrochemical reaction compartment (5, 6) comprises a plurality of microchannels whose grooves have a cross section of at least partially curved contour with a radius of curvature greater than 30 μm and an area of between 2500 μm2 and 20000 μm2. Application to the synthesis of diastereoisomers by continuous regeneration of NADH or NADPH.
US07662261B2
A beam structure for a web forming machine is arranged to be supported by its end components (10) on the web forming machine. The beam structure includes a casing structure (15) of a thin-sheet material, inside which a stiffener structure (30) is arranged. In addition, the casing structure (15) and the stiffener structure (30) are secured to each other to create a load-bearing beam structure.
US07662260B2
A method for the manufacture of a structured fiber web including the steps of pressing a fiber web onto an imprinting fabric by way of a first pressure field, thereby pre-imprinting the fiber web, the fiber web having a dry content of less than approximately 35%, and subsequently pressing the fiber web onto the imprinting fabric by way of a further pressure field.
US07662256B2
The present invention is generally directed to paper products having great softness and strength and methods of making the paper products. The paper products are formed from one or more paper webs that can be made according to various methods. In one embodiment, the paper web is an uncreped through-air dried web. According to the present invention, at least one side of the paper web is treated with a bonding material according to a preselected pattern and creped from a creping surface. Through the process, a two-sided tissue web is formed having a smooth side and a textured side.
US07662248B2
The present invention provides a process for producing a gas generating agent capable of constantly producing a gas generating agent with a high quality.The process for producing a gas generating agent comprises the first step of feeding nitroguanidine, a basic copper nitrate and guar gum and stirring and mixing them in the presence of moisture, the second step of extrusion-molding and cutting the mixture, and the third step of drying it.
US07662237B2
A method for the continuous cleaning of the surface of a material (2) which is coated with an organic substance. Steps of the method are: introducing the material (2) into a treatment area which is supplied with a gas stream containing oxygen; earthing the material (2); and generating a plasma by imposing an electric field between the surface of the material (2) and at least one dielectric-covered electrode (3), the electric field being pulsed and providing a succession of positive and negative voltage pulses in relation to the material (2). Moreover, the maximum voltage of the positive pulses U+ is greater than the arc-striking voltage Ua, and the maximum absolute value of the voltage of the negative pulses U− is less than the striking voltage Ua. Also, a generator and a device which are used to carry out this method.
US07662229B2
A cement setting accelerator comprising calcium hydroxide particles having an average particle diameter of 3 μm or less, and a cement composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a cement and 0.05 to 10 parts by weight of the above setting accelerator. A wet ground product of calcium hydroxide or a fine precipitate formed by a reaction between a calcium salt and an alkali hydroxide can be used as the above calcium hydroxide particles.This setting accelerator shows a high setting accelerating effect and does not exert a bad influence upon the quality, especially durability of a hardened product of the cement composition.
US07662224B2
A curable ink composition for digitally printing onto plastic substrates that can be formed into three-dimensional objects is provided. Generally, the ink composition comprises a pigment, an acrylic polymer or copolymer, a diluent, and a mono-functional monomer.
US07662219B2
An electrostatic precipitator that can prevent the corrosion of a discharge electrode even if a gas to be treated containing a corrosive mist is treated. In an electrostatic precipitator having a discharge electrode arranged along a flow path of the gas to be treated, a spray nozzle that can spray a water to the upstream side of the discharge electrode is mounted. A wet film is formed on the surface of the discharge electrode with the water sprayed from the spray nozzle. The sprayed water is desirably a water vapor or a water droplet having a particle diameter of less than 10 μm.
US07662216B1
An in-line filter assembly includes an inlet duct housing, an intermediate housing, and an outlet duct housing, and seals a filter element in the intermediate housing and facilitates removal and replacement thereof.
US07662212B2
The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.
US07662210B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons by injecting fine carbonaceous materials into a melter-gasifier and a method for manufacturing molten irons using the same. The method for manufacturing molten irons according to the present invention includes steps of reducing mixtures containing iron ores in a reduction reactor and converting the mixtures containing iron ores into reduced materials, preparing lumped carbonaceous materials containing volatile matters as a heating source for melting the reduced materials, charging the lumped carbonaceous materials into a dome-shaped upper portion of a melter-gasifier and forming a coal packed bed, preparing fine carbonaceous materials containing volatile matters as a heating source for melting the reduced materials, injecting oxygen and the fine carbonaceous materials into the coal packed bed through a tuyere installed in the melter-gasifier, charging the reduced materials into the melter-gasifier connected to the reduction reactor and manufacturing molten irons, and supplying reducing gas in the melter-gasifier made from volatile matters contained both in the lumped carbonaceous materials and the fine carbonaceous materials to the reduction reactor.
US07662208B2
An electrical contact used herein comprises chromium; one of copper and silver; and a carbide, in which the electrical contact comprises a matrix and chromium, the matrix phase mainly comprising one of copper and silver, and the chromium being surrounded by the carbide and dispersed in the matrix. The electrical contact contains 1 to 30 percent by weight of a carbide, with the balance being copper. Another electrical contact contains chromium, copper, and a carbide and has a weight ratio of chromium to the carbide within the range of 1:1.5 to 1:50.
US07662205B2
This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for modifying the process of producing dried biosolids pellets or granules into beneficiated inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The present invention describes a method to beneficiate heat-dried biosolids or sludge pellets or granules as presently manufactured by municipalities or companies from a) dewatered municipal wastewater biosolids or sludges within the municipal wastewater treatment plant heat-dried biosolids production facility or from b) finished dry heat dried biosolids pellets or granules in a separate manufacturing facility from the municipal wastewater treatment plant to produce a fertilizer containing sufficient organic and inorganic plant nutrients to be valuable and saleable into the commercial agricultural industry. The present invention describes beneficiation methods to increase the plant nutrient content to a level which permits the finished beneficiated dried biosolids pellet or granule product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace and also to reduce the odors associated with traditionally-produced heat dried biosolids.
US07662202B2
Disclosed is a dust collector of a vacuum cleaner. The dust collector comprises: a cyclone body forming a cyclone chamber and having a bottom wall and an air inlet, air being admitted into the cyclone chamber and rotating in the cyclone chamber; an outlet pipe extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the cyclone body; and a dust-bin body surrounding the cyclone body in such a manner that a dust collection space is formed between the dust-bin body and the cyclone body. The inner diameter of the cyclone body is increased as approaching a height near the top end of the outlet pipe from the bottom wall of the cyclone body.
US07662196B2
Procedure for the use of glycerine as biomass, for the production of energy by means of a spray gasification process, based on the use of a mixture of oxygen, vapour and atmospheric air as gasifying agents, which are introduced into a Gasification Chamber at temperatures above 900° C., so that the gas produced is transferred to a Reformer wherein, also at temperatures above 900° C., the different partial oxidation/thermal cracking reactions in the presence of metal oxides are completed and, subsequently, hot cycloned to retain ashes greater than 5 microns in size, whereupon the gas is sharply cooled using a basket-type Evaporator.
US07662191B2
A device and method to aid in the donning and doffing of prosthetic liners. A vacuum is created between the device and the prosthetic liner in order to expand the prosthetic liner. The device and the liner can then be placed in position on a residual limb and the vacuum released to aid in donning the liner. To doff a liner, the device is placed in position over a residual limb carrying a prosthetic liner. A vacuum is created between the device and the liner to expand the liner in order to aid doffing.
US07662182B2
Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes a retaining device comprising a threaded attachment member for threaded engagement with the at least one mounting screw hole in the flange of the intervertebral disc replacement device, and a head flange extending from the threaded attachment member, wherein a portion of the head flange is in part abuttingly received against a side of the flange of the intervertebral disc replacement device and another portion of the head flange is partially received over a portion of the bone screw to prevent the bone screw from backing out of the at least one bone screw hole when the retaining device is fully engaged with the intervertebral disc replacement device.
US07662167B2
The invention relates to a medical instrument with a hollow shaft, a handle, and a tool, where at least one jaw member of the tool can be rotated in relation to the at least one other jaw member of the tool for purposes of opening and closing by means of one rotatably configured gripping member of the handle, and the rotatable jaw member and the gripping member of the handle that serves to rotate are connected to one another by means of a push pin installed in the hollow shaft. To create a simple construction ensuring the best possible power transmission along with a good cutting sensation for the operator, a rigid casing can be inserted into the push pin, at least partly in form-locking connection, which casing in turn can be inserted, at least partly in form-locking connection, into the hollow shaft and the push pin is mounted in the casing so that it is at least partly rotation-resistant.
US07662154B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for spinal fusion and particularly, anterior cervical plating systems with a toggle pivotally mounted to a bone plate with at least two degrees of freedom of movement. In a particular embodiment, each toggle plate is slidably attached and pivotally mounted to the bone plate by a locking screw having an axis such that in at least one slidable position each toggle plate can pivot relative to the axis of the locking screw in the bone plate.
US07662151B2
Probes that are sensitive to electrode/tissue contact and that are configured to connect an electrode to a power supply and/or provide an indication when the desired level of electrode/tissue contact has been achieved.
US07662146B2
An indwelling urinary catheter assembly is disclosed having an indwelling catheter and a sheath enclosing an insertable portion of the indwelling catheter.
US07662136B2
A disposable absorbent article having a liner, an outer cover and an absorbent body therebetween for absorbing liquid body waste penetrating the liner. In one embodiment, the absorbent body has an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer has a lower absorbent capacity per unit weight than the outer layer. A flow control layer between the inner layer and the outer layer at least retards the flow of liquid body waste from the inner layer to the outer layer to facilitate a prolonged feeling of wetness to the wearer. In another embodiment, a surge layer lies between the liner and an absorbent body. A flow control layer between the liner and the surge layer, or between the surge layer and the absorbent body, at least retards the flow of liquid body waste through the surge layer toward the absorbent body.
US07662123B2
An ophthalmic shunt implantable in an eye having an elongate body and a conduit for conducting aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye to the suprachoroidal space of the eye. The elongate body has a forward end and an insertion head that extends from the forward end. The insertion head defines a shearing edge suitable for cutting eye tissue engage thereby. The forward end and the insertion head of the body define a shoulder surface. The conduit has a first end defined on a portion of a top surface of the insertion head. The conduit also extends through the body from the forward end to a back end thereof. The first end of the conduit is spaced from the shearing edge and, in one example, from the shoulder of the body.
