US07941440B2
A computer automated method of aggregating data includes the steps of inputting a set of user-defined instructions into a computer database system, inputting a user query into the computer database system, mining the computer database system for data relevant to the user query, creating a data set comprising said data relevant to the user query, and aggregating data in the data set using domain metrics selected based on any of predefined and configurable rules and past user usage.
US07941431B2
A system and a method providing for the distribution and management of a large corpus of value added electronic documents while providing customized services to a plurality of diverse end users.
US07941429B2
Interfaces, apparatuses, and methods for searching and navigating a set of objects are provided. In one example, an interface includes a field for entering filter criteria for searching a set of objects and a display portion for displaying tiles associated with the objects according to the filter criteria. The tiles are displayed such that the best match to the filter criteria is displayed centrally and/or larger relative to other displayed tiles within the display portion. For example, the set of objects may be ranked according to the filter criteria by a suitable algorithm to determine the object having the highest rank or best match to the filter criteria. Further, tiles associated with lower ranked objects may be displayed concentrically around the best match such that the display centers on the tiles associated with the highest ranked objects per the filter criteria.
US07941423B2
A system and method for executing semijoin reductions on outer join operations are presented. Tuple lists are created based on a query. A sequence of semijoin reduction steps are performed, where each semijoin reduction step either switches one tuple list, or reduces all tuple lists at one relation. Virtual connector pairs are inserted into the tuple lists, and then all tuple lists are centralized at a common host. The join results are assembled at the common host, and negative row IDs are substituted. From the join result, the query result is retrieved by projecting to the requested attributes.
US07941414B2
Executing non-blocking parallel scans is disclosed. One embodiment includes determining if one or more threads have completed scanning one or more assigned portions of a first division of the data set. The identified one or more threads are directed to immediately scan the portions of a next division of the data set that are identified as available for scanning, upon completing the scanning of assigned portions of the first division of the data set. The threads are directed to immediately scan portions of the next division of the data set free of a need to wait until other threads complete scanning assigned portions of the first division of the data set.
US07941402B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for storing and using, such as classes, in databases. One implementation provides a technique for receiving a specified name, retrieving one or more from a database, and for each resource, one or more attributes associated with the resource, wherein each comprises executable instruction code, and wherein the attributes include a name that matches the specified name. The technique further provides for selecting one of the retrieved based on the attributes associated with each resource, and loading the selected into a runtime system. The attributes may include an archive name, an upload time, a package name, a checksum, a development flag, and/or a user name. By utilizing this technique, end-user or development sessions operative on application servers have the capability to use multiple different versions of classes in runtime environments without interfering with other operative sessions.
US07941401B2
A distributed data management system has multiple virtual machine nodes operating on multiple computers that are in communication with each other over a computer network. Each virtual machine node includes at least one data store or “bucket” for receiving data. A digital hash map data structure is stored in a computer readable medium of at least one of the multiple computers to configure the multiple virtual machine nodes and buckets to provide concurrent, non-blocking access to data in the buckets, the digital hash map data structure including a mapping between the virtual machine nodes and the buckets. The distributed data management system employing dynamic scalability in which one or more buckets from a virtual machine node reaching a memory capacity threshold are transferred to another virtual machine node that is below its memory capacity threshold.
US07941399B2
A collaborative authoring application provides an authoring environment in which two or more users can edit a document concurrently. Each user edits a copy of the document, sends updates to a master copy of the document, and receives updates from the master copy of the document. The authoring environment generally inhibits the users from providing conflicting editing instructions to the master copy of the document. For example, each user can generate a content lock about one or more data units within the document. The authoring environment may synchronize content locks automatically and content only at the request of the user.
US07941395B2
A system stores documents in a repository and includes a repository for storing data representing a document. An interface processor receives and stores document data representing a first document and an associated document identifier. A document processor automatically parses and processes the received document data to identify and store data indicating: (a) internal document structure and characteristics, and (b) external document relationships. The internal document structure and characteristics include a compilation of searchable keywords and key values. The external document relationships include an association or hierarchical relationship between the first document and one or more different documents.
US07941393B2
A system and method are disclosed for predictive determination of a process variable (P) in a technical installation. Measured values for the process variable (P) are recorded at predeterminable points in time. Temporally successive recorded measured values are combined to form a weighted measured value. A discrete measured value is assigned to each weighted measured value. Each weighted measured value that lies in a predeterminable tolerance band is assigned a same discrete measured value. A future temporal progression of the process variable (P) is estimated using a linear regression of the discrete measured values, and a point in time in which the process variable (P) reaches a predeterminable limit value is calculated.
US07941386B2
A method of automatically identifying relevant or suspect data during a digital forensic investigation is described. Software accepts as input raw data which are extracted from various digital data sources. The software or digital forensic and data identification application determines to which one or more identification modules the unknown raw data should be delivered to for processing. This determination is based on the type of data in the extracted raw data coming into the application. Suspect or relevant data that are identified includes that data that are identical to or similar to the extracted unknown raw data. If there are suspect data, the application transmits a message or alert to interested parties or stores the findings/report on an a storage device. In this manner, the suspect data are identified automatically, without intervention by a human being. The identification modules are invoked in a search markup language interpreter and the one or more identification modules are expressed in a search markup language specifically for digital forensics and receives parameters from the search language for processing.
US07941383B2
Mechanisms model, detect, and predict user behavior as a user navigates the Web. In one embodiment, mechanisms model user behavior using predictive models, such as discrete Markov processes, where the user's behavior transitions between a finite number of states. The user's behavior state may not be directly observable (e.g., a user does not proactively indicate what behavior state he is in). Thus, the behavior state of a user is usually only indirectly observable. Mechanisms use predictive models, such as hidden Markov models, to predict the transitions in the user's behavior states.
US07941374B2
A method for changing a personal profile or context during a transaction, is described. In one embodiment, the method is to be implemented on a system. In one embodiment the method comprises receiving travel selections for a first leg of an itinerary; receiving an assignment of the travel selections for the first leg to a first profile; receiving travel selections for a second leg of the itinerary; receiving an assignment of the travel selections for the second leg to a second profile; and billing for the first and second legs of the itinerary as a single multi-leg travel itinerary, and billing the first leg of the itinerary to the first profile and billing the second leg of the itinerary to the second profile.
US07941373B1
An electronic communication system associated with a settlement house for settling an electronic transaction between a customer and a merchant. The communication system is configured to receive through a first electronic communication path a first account identifier of a first account associated with the customer and a transaction amount from the merchant, contact the customer through a second electronic communication path to allow the customer to select a payment method, and send through a third electronic communication path the transaction amount and a second account identifier of a second account associated with the customer to a financial services provider associated with the payment method.
US07941372B2
A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.
US07941366B1
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide a mortgage with a primary credit line and a sliding credit line, such that the borrower may request to borrow from the sliding credit line as part of the original mortgage. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a level of risk associated with the borrower based on credit information of the borrower; establishing a first credit line based on the determined level of risk associated with the borrower, the first credit line being set as a debt of the mortgage; establishing a second credit line based on the determined level of risk associated with the borrower, the second credit line being set as a maximum to which the debt of the mortgage may be increased during the mortgage; and offering the mortgage to the borrower with the established first and second credit lines, such that a single first lien may serve as security for the first and second credit lines. Moreover, a mortgage lender may record the single first lien as the sum of the primary and sliding credit lines.
US07941365B1
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide a mortgage with a primary credit line and a sliding credit line, such that the borrower may request to borrow from the sliding credit line as part of the original mortgage. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a level of risk associated with the borrower based on credit information of the borrower; establishing a first credit line based on the determined level of risk associated with the borrower, the first credit line being set as a debt of the mortgage; establishing a second credit line based on the determined level of risk associated with the borrower, the second credit line being set as a maximum to which the debt of the mortgage may be increased during the mortgage; and offering the mortgage to the borrower with the established first and second credit lines, such that a single first lien may serve as security for the first and second credit lines. Moreover, a mortgage lender may record the single first lien as the sum of the primary and sliding credit lines.
US07941363B2
A system, computer program product and method for deciding whether to make a loan to an applicant and/or terms of the loan. A first program function determines a credit risk of the applicant. A second program function computes a default probability of the applicant over time based on the credit risk. The second program function determines a surviving probability of an applicant based on the applicant's credit risk. The second program function determines the default probability for each month of the term of the loan based in part on the surviving probability. A third program function computes a sum of the expected profit during each month of a term of the loan based in part on the default probability.
US07941357B2
A trading system whereby a user device to input stock market technical analysis makes requests from a computer terminal, wireless device or other electronic medium with intent to receive stock market technical analysis alerts from a server through wireless or land-line communication means.
US07941347B2
A provider server receives an order from a customer by way of a workstation for a customer selected configuration change of computing resources of an end user machine, the provider server having a predetermined time period and negotiates configuration change price for billing said customer for the purchase of said ordered customer selected configuration change, said negotiated configuration change price for billing said customer for the purchase of said ordered customer selected configuration change. If the customer takes delivery of said customer selected configuration change within said predetermined time period, the provider server billing said customer for said delivered customer selected configuration change, however if the customer does not take delivery of said customer selected configuration change within said predetermined time period, the provider server cancelling said order and cancelling said billing according to said configuration change price based on expiration of said predetermined time period.
US07941340B2
A dynamic advertisement creative is generated from a static advertisement creative. An advertisement creative is received. The advertisement creative is decompiled into a plurality of static elements. A user is enabled to select a static element of the plurality of static elements to be converted into a dynamic element. A dynamic version of the received advertisement creative is generated that includes a placeholder corresponding to the selected static element. The placeholder is configured to be dynamically populated with data. The data populating the placeholder may be dynamically selected each time the dynamic advertisement creative is displayed.
US07941338B2
A method of enabling a user to request further information from an interactive document printed on a substrate is provided. The document includes targeted user information and coded data indicative of a document identity and of a plurality of map references on the document. The method comprises the steps of: (a) allocating and recording a document identity for the document in a computer system; (b) associating a map of the document with the document identity in the computer system; (c) causing the document to be printed on the substrate by a printer networked with the computer system; (d) receiving, in the computer system, indicating data from a sensing device; and (e) identifying in the computer system, using the indicating data and the recorded document identity, a parameter relating to the request.
US07941331B2
In one embodiment, determining order lead time for a supply chain includes generating probability distribution for expected order lead time options, where each probability distribution for expected order lead time option is associated with a category. A category that corresponds to a supply chain is identified. The supply chain has nodes, including a starting node and an ending node that supplies a customer, and designates a path from the starting node to the ending node. A probability distribution for expected order lead time option associated with the identified category is selected as a probability distribution for expected order lead time for the supply chain. The probability distribution for expected order lead time describes ending node demand for the ending node versus order lead time.
US07941328B2
A process of allowing a patient to have limited input access to their electronic medical record including the steps of forming a basic patient medical record in a computer through entry of information using a keyboard, providing the patient with a machine readable medical questionnaire concerning their history, environment, symptoms, and other pertinent information for answering by the patient, interfacing the machine readable medical questionnaire with a scanner to send the data stream to a microprocessor and converting the patient's answers to a protocol simulating the protocol from a party having authority to export data to the patient's medical record, and transferring the protocol-arranged data into the patient's medical record housed in a database through use of an interface engine.
US07941327B2
A user-based monitoring system, made up of a at least one of each of remote user-monitoring subsystem, central server and authorized-user computer. The user-based monitoring subsystem facilitates collection of user-related data and includes at least one monitoring unit. The central server is remotely located from, and configured for signal communication with, the remote user-monitoring subsystem. The authorized-user computer is remotely located from, and configured for two-way signal communication with, the central server. An authorized user communicates with the central server upon transmitting an identifying authorization code; and can receive reports, based on user-related data collected by a remote user-monitoring subsystem, from the central server. These reports include at least information on the current condition of the remote user being monitored.
US07941321B2
A service element is defined and represented by a data structure. It includes one or more components and/or one or more other service elements. A service element providing a complete function is a service offering. Management of service elements and/or service offerings is facilitated by a Service Development Tool. In different aspects, the management includes various tasks associated with creating, modifying and deleting service elements, establishing relationships, error checking and optimization. In a further aspect, service elements are packaged and distributed to enable customers to deliver the service elements. Additionally, the hosting of software packages is facilitated.
US07941314B2
A fixed codebook search method includes: initializing a counter; searching for pulses and calculating the value of a cost function Qk; initializing the counter if the Qk value increases; increasing the value of the counter if the Qk value does not increase; judging whether the value of the counter is greater than the threshold value; continuing the search process if the value of the counter is not greater than the threshold value; and ending the whole search process if the value of the counter is greater than the threshold value. The present invention reduces the search count and improves the search efficiency.
US07941313B2
A system and method for transmitting speech activity in a distributed voice recognition system. The distributed voice recognition system includes a local VR engine in a subscriber unit and a server VR engine on a server. The local VR engine comprises a feature extraction (FE) module that extracts features from a speech signal, and a voice activity detection module (VAD) that detects voice activity within a speech signal. Indications of voice activity are transmitted ahead of features from the subscriber unit to the server.
US07941309B2
Modeling operational policies of operating a business's or institution's actual or planned IT system. The IT system may include components such as applications, application hosts, one or more networks or components thereof, hardware, and interrelationships between the components. The IT system is to be operated in accordance with operational policies that govern existence or numerosity of components, how the components are interrelated, how the components and interrelationships are configured, and/or manual or automated processes for managing and maintaining the IT system. The modeling may involve generating code that conforms to a language by declaring abstractions using types that correspond to the components of the IT system, by declaring types of interrelationships that correspond to the interrelationships of the IT system, and by defining constraints upon and between the abstract types, where the constraints correspond to operational policies of operating the IT system.
US07941306B2
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
US07941303B1
A method for modeling a system as a finite state machine in a modeling environment is discussed. Embodiments receive a representation of a finite state machine model and provide an interface for incorporating a temporal operator into the finite state machine model. The temporal operator may be a Boolean function that includes at least one event parameter and defines a temporal logic condition. Embodiments may also receive a definition of a first temporal operator that defines a logic condition related to a number of occurrences of two or more different base events.
US07941300B1
A process for designing an airfoil, such as a compressor blade or vane of a turbomachine, using a CFD or computational flow dynamics analysis. The process includes creating a solid model for use in the analysis, inputting the fluid inlet temperature, the momentum and the pressure to the airfoil, inputting the momentum of the airfoil wall, and setting the airfoil wall temperature to the value of the fluid inlet temperature in order to reduce the computational time. On convergence of the analysis, the efficiency of the airfoil and the pressure differential across the airfoil is determined and if it is not within an acceptable range, the solid model is modified in a attempt to improves this result and the modified solid model is re-analyzed using the same process until the airfoil efficiency and the pressure differential is within the acceptable range.
US07941299B1
A verification tool in a graphical modeling environment allows the components in the graphical modeling environment to be used to define error or exceptional conditions without adverse affects on the ultimate implementation of the model. In one example, a system presents a graphical interface to facilitate design of a model constructed from graphical blocks; receives an association of a plurality of blocks with a verification subsystem; and performs an operation to verify that the blocks in the verification subsystem do not affect operation of the model external to the verification system.
US07941298B2
An apparatus, computer program product and method of analyzing complex signals. Independent versions are generated for the complex signal, e.g., by adding multiple instances of white noise. Intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) are extracted from each of the independent versions, e.g., using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD). Corresponding IMFs from each independent version are combined into Ensemble IMFs (EIMFs), e.g., taking the mean of the corresponding IMFs.
US07941283B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that determines a flow rate of air along an airflow path in a computer system. During operation the system monitors a first temperature profile from a first temperature sensor located in a first position in the airflow path, and monitors a second temperature profile from a second temperature sensor located in a second position in the airflow path, wherein the first position is upstream in the airflow path from the second position, and wherein the first position and the second position are separated by a predetermined distance along the airflow path. Next, the system computes a cross-power spectral density based on the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile. Then, the system determines a flow rate of air in the computer system based on the cross-power spectral density.
US07941277B2
Methods of conducting industrial manufacture, research or development. The method comprise computer-implemented steps of modeling at least one physical property of a mixture of at least two chemical species by determining at least one conceptual segment for each of the chemical species. The steps of determining at least one conceptual segment for each of the chemical species include defining an identity and an equivalent number of each conceptual segment.
US07941276B2
In one aspect, a tree data structure is reconstructed by reconstructing a local topology from samples of data of known nodes, and estimating the data value of each node in the reconstructed local topology. The reconstructing and estimating are performed iteratively. In another aspect, the topology is reconstructed from pairs of known nodes that are within a predetermined correlation, and using a four-point function. The number of samples of data that the topology is calculated from is a factor of a natural logarithm of the number of known nodes that are within a predetermined correlation. In another aspect, the estimating is performed using a majority function.
US07941275B2
A method and system for automated detection of immunohistochemical (IHC) patterns. The method and system is able to automatically differentiate an epithelial cell part from a non-epithelial cell part of a digital image of a tissue sample to which an IHC compound has been applied. The method and system help to automatically correct errors made in a manual interpretation of a pathological or other manual analysis of tissue samples for diseases such as a human cancer.
US07941274B1
To provide human forecasters with monitoring and verification tools to know when a machine-generated forecast may already be good enough for public use or to know when to intervene to improve a forecast. Performance support systems and methods that deliver real-time feedback of previous forecasts and forecast accuracy in order to optimize the human forecaster's effectiveness. The systems and methods allow human forecasters to receive feedback from an array of different comparison products, including verification information, forecast discussions and forecast tools, in order to learn from previous forecast performance during similar situations so that human forecasters can focus their energies and resources to those tasks that they can add value to or over machine-generated forecasts. As such, the systems and methods of the present invention allow human forecasters to improve machine-generated forecasts and provide improved operational results.
US07941271B2
A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for displaying images corresponding to a path. The method can include downloading a path and one or more images corresponding to positions along the path, wherein the downloaded images are actual images of an environment near the corresponding positions. Additionally, the method can include detecting a position of a mobile device, and providing the downloaded images as the mobile device moves to the corresponding detected positions along the path.
US07941263B2
An engine controller (76) includes a first mode control module (81) for performing a first mode control in which a fuel injection amount in an engine (1) is obtained based on a first torque-engine rotational speed characteristic, and a second mode control module (82) for performing a second mode control in which the fuel injection amount is obtained based on a second torque-engine rotational speed characteristic. The first mode control module (81) has a first engine load estimation part (81a) for estimating an engine load based on a difference in rotational speed between a non-load engine rotational speed and an actual engine rotational speed, and the second mode control module (82) has a second engine load estimation part (82a) for estimating an engine load based on the fuel injection amount.
US07941254B2
A hybrid vehicle control unit performs diagnosis of a power generator using a target number of diagnoses during a trip period that extends from an ON state to an OFF state of an ignition key. For this, the control unit judges whether electricity is generated by the power generator from time to time. If no power is generated, it is judged whether the number of diagnoses which have been performed reaches the target number of diagnoses. If the target number of diagnoses is not reached, it is judged whether a diagnosis start condition appropriate for the diagnosis is satisfied. If yes, a gate arranged between a first inverter for controlling drive of the power generator and a power source is opened so that they are electrically connected. While keeping this state, a zero-torque control is executed to execute a diagnosis regarding the power generator.
US07941241B2
An optical fabrication method which is capable of adjusting a hardness and a density needed for each optical fabrication area in fabricating a three-dimensional fabricated article through sintering with a light beam, and is excellent in a working efficiency performs the steps of forming a powder layer of a predetermined thickness and then sintering the powder layer with a light beam, a predetermined number of times, cutting a periphery of the powder layers, and changing a degree of sintering by changing an amount of irradiation per unit area of a light-beam sintered surface according to a shortest distance from a peripheral surface of each powder layer.
US07941238B2
A machine consumes a consumable material during operation, which consumable material can be provided in material units, wherein the machine can be operated in at least one first operating mode, in which the consumable material is consumed. A material unit comprises an identification unit with at least identification data, wherein the identification data is read and is checked to determine whether the identification data can be associated with a predeterminable release data set. The machine is operated in a first operating mode when the identification data can be associated with the release data set.
US07941237B2
A flat panel display substrate (FPDS) testing system configured such that prior to testing, the FPDS is loaded into a pallet to prevent breakage, and to provide electrical connections to test pads on the FPDS. The system achieves high throughput by testing FPDSs using one or more charged particle beams simultaneously with the following operations: unloading of already-tested substrates, loading of substrates ready for testing, assembly of pallets, and alignment of electrical contactors to a large number of FPDS test pads. The system design eliminates a prior art X-Y stage, and all moving electrical connections to the FPDS during testing, reducing costs and improving reliability. In one embodiment, the FPDS testing system has three subsystems: a process chamber, loadlock assembly, and pallet elevator; in another embodiment, the functions of loadlock and pallet elevator are combined to reduce system footprint.
US07941233B2
System and method for controlling at least one device such as for example an operator for a door, a gate, a window, blinds, shutters, a curtain, an awning or a light source including a controllable unit associated with the at least one device and a plurality of nodes for transmitting control signals to the at least one controllable unit. The at least one of the plurality of nodes for transmitting control signals is configured for transmitting a signal imposing a limit for at least one parameter for the device. Further, the controllable unit is configured for registering the limit and establishing a resulting limit for the parameter.
US07941232B2
By repeatedly executing a predetermined measurement at set intervals, data on a predetermined performance (a best focus position) of a predetermined apparatus and data on variation factors of the performance are obtained (Steps 204 to 214). Based on the obtained data, multivariate analysis is performed and a model equation that is used to predict a variation amount of the performance and includes at least one of the variation factors as a variable is derived (Step 214). Therefore, after deriving the model equation, a variation amount of the performance can be predicted using the model equation by obtaining data on the variation factor that serves as the variable (Step 238). Accordingly, it becomes possible to maintain the performance described above with good accuracy in accordance with the prediction results and also optimize the implementation timing of maintenance and the like.
US07941231B1
An electronic device is provided that is able to detect noise to which the electronic device is exposed and an internal temperature of the device. The device contains a cooling unit to cool at least a portion of the electronic device and a subsystem coupled to the microphone and/or a thermal sensor and further coupled to the cooling unit. The cooling unit adjusts according to the detected noise and internal temperature. A method for cooling an electronic device is also provided. The method comprises monitoring the noise of the device's ambient environment, monitoring an internal temperature of the device, and actuating a user interface. The method provides for cooling the device by adjusting fan speed, clock speed, or power supply voltage applied to the device based on the noise of the ambient environment, an internal temperature of the device, and actuation of the user interface.
US07941229B2
An I/O module samples an industrial process to acquire data indicative of performance of the industrial process. The I/O module has an internal memory in which the data from multiple samples is stored until readout by, or produced to, an industrial controller. The I/O module assigns a time-stamp identifier to the stored samples thereby providing time information to the industrial controller for the stored data when read out by the industrial controller.
US07941209B2
Improvement in the reliability of segmentation of a signal, such as an ECG signal, is achieved through the use of duration constraints. The signal is analysed using a hidden Markov model. The duration constraints specify minimum allowed durations for specific states of the model. The duration constraints can be incorporated either in the model itself or in a Viterbi algorithm used to compute the most probable state sequence given a conventional model. The derivation of a confidence measure from the model can be used to assess the quality and robustness of the segmentation and to identify any signals for which the segmentation is unreliable, for example due to the presence of noise or abnormality in the signal.
US07941198B2
A method of providing audio transmissions from an electronic device having internal audio multiplexing is disclosed. The method comprises combining a plurality of received audio input signals for output as a first mode of operation for the electronic device, where the electronic device is configured to output the plurality of audio input signals on at least one audio channel. When a priority audio signal is detected from one of the received audio input signals in the first mode of operation, the method interrupts playback of the remaining audio input signals with the priority audio signal as a second mode of operation for the electronic device and transfers, within the electronic device, the priority audio signal to the at least one audio channel once the priority audio signal is detected.
US07941196B2
A waterproof structure for a casing has a first casing, a second casing to be put together with the first casing, and a waterproof member formed of an elastic material to prevent water from penetrating between the first casing and the second casing. The second casing has a recess. The waterproof member has a peripheral part which, when fitted into the recess, prevents penetration of water. The peripheral part is provided at the periphery of the waterproof member, which is laid out all around space between the first casing and the second casing. A projection engages with a dent. A restriction part of the first casing, provided at a position facing the peripheral part and protruding toward the second casing, prevents the peripheral part from coming out.
US07941184B2
Methods and systems for managing and/or tracking use of SIM smart cards with integrated or external SIM module systems that are utilized with information handling systems. A SIM module system may be locked with a generic locking code to lock a SIM module system of a given information handling system for use with a designated SIM smart card that is programmed with a matching generic locking code. The locked SIM module system of the information handling system may be further configured so that it may be unlocked using an unlocking code so as to allow use of the information handling system with SIM smart cards other than the designated SIM smart card. To allow tracking of the disposition of the designated SIM smart card, notification of the non-activation, de-activation and/or activation of the designated SIM smart card (e.g., to an activation tracking agent) may be required before obtaining the unlocking code, for example, from an activation tracking agent.
US07941168B2
A mobile communication system is configured to control a transmission rate of user data to be transmitted from a mobile station to a radio base station via an uplink transmission rate allocation shared physical control channel, and to transmit user data from the radio base station to the mobile station via a downlink shared physical data channel. Transmission frame timing of the uplink transmission rate allocation shared physical control channel is synchronized with transmission frame timing of the downlink shared physical data channel.
US07941167B2
A system for data communication is disclosed. The system comprises a detection module that ascertains when a mobile wireless communication device is located within a first range of a data source. The system further comprises a data module that automatically sends information to the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is within the first range. Methods of using the system are also disclosed.
US07941163B2
An exemplary method determines a location of a wireless mobile unit by a node in a communication network. Amplitude adjustment coefficients are received from a rake receiving process used by the mobile unit to receive an incoming signal. A path loss factor is computed based on the amplitude adjustment coefficients. A modified path loss value is calculated based on the path loss factor. The location of the mobile unit is determined based on the modified path loss value.
US07941162B2
System for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined. The system includes an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services. A requirements engine is provided for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time. Also provided is a scheduler for receiving expiry times data indicative of a plurality of expiry times relating to respective location requests, processing the expiry times data for determining an order for servicing the location requests by positioning determining equipment (PDE) at least in part on a basis on the expiry times of the location requests and an output for interfacing with the PDE, allowing it to service the location requests according to the order determined.
US07941155B2
A method for data transmission, contemplates calculating a cell-load ratio by: r cl , n = ( 1 - α ) · r cl , n - 1 + d n S n , where rcl,n-1 is a cell-load ratio calculated in a previous stage, rcl,n is an instant cell-load ratio, α is a forgetting factor, dn is an instantaneous cell load, and Sn is a frame capacity; and broadcasting the calculated cell-load ratio by carrying the cell-load ratio in a designated message. Methods of a cell selection and a handover for a subscriber which are initiated by a subscriber are in dependence upon both of the cell-load ratio and the signal strength provided by the base stations.
US07941148B2
Generating neighbor lists. A set of devices are provisioned to report on neighbor lists and visibility of sectors. Each device in the set of devices generates event data that includes the neighbor list from a sector, other sectors visible while using the neighbor list, and/or sectors visible to the device if the call was dropped or lost. The event data of each device is received at a management system. The management system can derive recommended neighbor lists for each sector in a wireless network based on the cumulative event data received from the set of devices operating in the network.
US07941145B2
A technique for preventing an MN (Mobile Node) having a plurality of interfaces from being caught in an infinite transfer loop includes, when each of the plurality of interfaces of the MN is connected to an HN (Home Network), in the MN, an abnormal transfer measures confirming unit grasps whether or not an HA (Home Agent) of each HN has an abnormal transfer measures function for avoiding an infinite transfer loop of infinitely repeating packet transfer in conjunction with another HA. Moreover, in the case of the absence of an HA which is not equipped with the abnormal transfer measures function, a registered control condition deciding unit determines an address registration whereby the MN itself avoids the infinite transfer loop, and a registration control unit derives an appropriate address pattern for the avoidance of the infinite transfer loop and carries out the address registration with respect to each HA.
US07941131B2
Media is exchanged by the interaction between devices of an environment. A first device of a first user discovers existing devices within a proximity-based communication range of the first device that have media capable of being shared. As the first user encounters different people and places that have other devices, those other devices are discovered by the first device of the user. A list of available media is provided from the discovered devices to the first device where it is then displayed. The first user may then select a media item from the list to obtain it via sharing or purchase, have it bookmarked for future retrieval from the current source, or request playback of the media item such as by streaming or broadcast. The first device may provide information about capabilities and/or user profile information to the other devices to filter which media items are presented to the first device.
US07941129B2
Systems and methods are disclosed which allow for enhanced SMS forwarding by providing a technique for seamless two-way messaging between a source party and a redirected destination. An advantage of the present technique lies in the ability to replace any routing information (originating/destination addresses) between devices owned by the mobile subscriber. The subscriber may define the conditions under which his from or to addresses are switched between devices. This switching can occur for both incoming and outgoing messages, including SMS, MMS, and similar existing and future messaging protocols.
US07941128B2
A data backup system includes a mobile device, a data storing apparatus for backup-saving user data used in the mobile device, and a user management apparatus for managing user information about a user using the mobile device, where the device and apparatuses communicate with each other. When the mobile device is a replacement for an old mobile device, the user management apparatus stores and manages a device ID of the mobile device in association with an old device ID of the old mobile device and personal identification information of a user using the mobile device and who has used the old mobile device. When downloading old user data previously used in the old mobile device from the data storing apparatus, the mobile device creates and transmits a user data acquiring request message with an old device user data acquiring request flag activated to the data storing apparatus. If the flag is set in the user data acquiring request message, the data storing apparatus verifies identification of the user with respect to the user management apparatus. If the identification of the user of the mobile device and the old mobile device is verified, the data storing apparatus retrieves and transmits the old user data to the mobile device.
US07941127B2
A cellular communications system may include a plurality of mobile cellular communications devices each associated with a respective user, and at least one cellular base station for wirelessly communicating with the mobile cellular communications devices. The at least one cellular base station may have a capacity associated therewith. The system may also include a central station for determining available capacity of the at least one cellular base station based upon active wireless communications with the mobile cellular communications devices. Moreover, the system may also include a subscription server for cooperating with the central station to provide non-real time subscription data to users on respective mobile cellular communications devices via the at least one cellular base station when the determined available capacity thereof is greater than a threshold.
US07941126B2
Ring tones can be delivered on a communication network by associating one or more ring tones with a media file, such as a song, that may, for example, be purchased by a customer. The associated ring tones may be presented to a customer to allow the customer to choose which ring tone(s) he/she would like to have as well as to select how the ring tone(s) are to be delivered. For example, the ring tone(s) may be delivered directly to a phone using, for example, a Short Message Service (SMS) message. The ring tone(s) may also be delivered to a storage location, such as on a personal computer, for example, allowing the customer to install the ring tone(s) on his/her phone independently. A key may also be delivered to a storage location that allows the user to invoke the key at later time to trigger delivery of the ring tone(s) over the air via an SMS message.
US07941122B2
The present invention concerns WLAN association device and process for associating a new station to a WLAN, via a central apparatus. The association device comprises receiving and sending means for exchanging signals between the station and central apparatus, recording means for recording the station as part of the WLAN, under wireless exchanges between the station and central apparatus initiated by an association request sent by the station, and management means for managing the identity of the WLAN. The association device comprises time window means triggering the opening of a time window, the recording means being able to be initially activated only during the opening of that time window. Further, the management means automatically activates a temporary service set identifier for the recording of the station during the time window.
US07941115B2
A circuit receives a first signal (for example, a baseband signal) and mixes it with a local oscillator (LO) signal, and outputs a second signal (for example, an RFOUT signal). The circuit includes multiple identical Mixer and Frequency Divider Pair (MFDP) circuits. Each MFDP can be enabled separately. Each MFDP includes a mixer and a frequency divider that provides the mixer with a local version of the LO signal. The MFDP outputs are coupled together so that the output power of the second signal (RFOUT) is the combined output powers of the various MFDPs. By controlling the number of enabled MFDPs, the output power of the second signal is controlled. Because the MFDPs all have identical layouts, accuracy of output power step size is improved. Because LO signal power within the circuit automatically changes in proportion to the number of enabled MFDPs, local oscillator leakage problems are avoided.
US07941111B2
A number of RF receivers are connected in a network. The network is used to transmit communications, data, or both to and from the RF receivers and to synchronize the RF receivers to a common time. Digitized RF data is time-stamped and stored in memory. A trigger circuit in one or more RF receivers determines whether a trigger criterion or criteria has been met. When a trigger criterion or criteria has been met, some or all of the RF receivers in the network transmit select digitized RF data to a central processing device. The central processing device processes the select digitized data to detect if a signal is present.
US07941106B2
A method for controlling local oscillator (LO) feed-through in a direct transmitter includes detecting a signal level corresponding to LO feed-through in a radio frequency (RF) signal that is output by a direct transmitter. Responsive to detecting the signal level corresponding to LO feed-through, DC offset levels are modified for an in-phase (I) signal and/or a quadrature-phase (Q) signal in the direct transmitter.
US07941103B2
A duplexer includes a transmit filter of a ladder type filter, connected between a common terminal and a transmitting terminal, and a receive filter of the ladder type filter, connected between the common terminal and a receiving terminal. One or more parallel resonators in the transmit filter are grounded through a transmitting inductance, and a portion of multiple parallel resonators are grounded through a first receiving inductance and a remaining portion of the multiple parallel resonators are grounded through a second receiving inductance.
US07941100B2
A communication system includes mobile stations carrying out transmission at report cycles selected from a group consisting of 0, 1 and other integers without having a relation of a multiple and including a lot of prime numbers.
US07941099B2
The estimated power levels that are used to estimate a signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) are filtered so as to minimize the mean-square error (MSE) of the estimated power estimates. First order infinite impulse response (IIR) filters are used to filter both the signal power estimates and the noise power estimates. Optionally, estimates of the average signal power and average interference power are filtered using Weiner linear prediction filters. The SIR estimates are suitable for use in a transmission channel that includes fading as well as interference, and are suitable for use in BPSK, QPSK, and other modulation systems.
US07941092B2
A media distribution server presenting interactive media on mobile devices and receives mobile user response interactively. During the presentation of interactive media the user is prompted with multiple choices for their selection, which can be provided using softkeys on the mobile device. The media distribution server prepares the subsequent portions of the interactive media and delivers them to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the necessary text, graphics, audio and video are assembled and integrated dynamically and is presented on the mobile device to the user. Further the mobile user is prompted to approve online purchases, make online appointment requests, show interest in products, etc. while browsing the interactive media on their mobile device. The media distribution server supports such activities as necessary.
US07941086B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing section that heats an image formed on a recording material to fix the image to the recording material; a first cooling section that cools the recording material to which the image is fixed; and a second cooling section that cools the recording material from an opposite side of a side, to which the image is fixed, of the recording material before the first cooling section cools the recording material.
US07941072B2
A cartridge includes; a first gear rotatably provided at the casing; a second gear including a toothed portion and a toothless portion; and a storing portion configured to store the second gear. The second gear includes an arm that is flexible and extends substantially along a peripheral direction of the second gear. An inner peripheral surface of the storing portion includes a bulging portion that bulges inward in a radial direction. The bulging portion has a peak portion closest to a rotation center of the second gear. The arm is deflected while the arm contacts the bulging portion. The deflection of the arm is changed from an increasing tendency to a decreasing tendency at the peak portion as a base point. The toothed portion of the second gear is separated from the first gear when the end portion of the arm has crossed over the peak portion.
US07941068B2
An image forming apparatus includes a discharge tray determination device and a print controller. The discharge tray determination device determines a discharge tray for sample print output from available discharge trays specifiable by the image forming apparatus. The print controller divides a print job into print processes and controls print output in response to a sample print output request to cause a print process for sample print output for specifying the discharge tray determined by the discharge tray determination device to interrupt the print job.
US07941065B2
An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes an auxiliary power supply configured to detachably mountable on the image forming apparatus, a fixing device including a main heater heated by a commercial power supply and an auxiliary heater heated by the auxiliary power supply, a detector that detects mounting and detachment of the auxiliary power supply, and a control unit that performs control to carry out, when the mounting of the auxiliary power supply is detected by the detector, continuous printing of sheets at printing speed higher than printing speed at the time when the auxiliary power supply is not mounted. According to the image forming apparatus according to the invention, the image forming apparatus is capable of operating without deteriorating power use efficiency during continuous printing at normal speed and, on the other hand, can secure stable fixing performance even when the speed of the continuous printing is increased.
US07941064B2
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charging device for charging a photoreceptor drum, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum, a developing bias applying device for applying a developing bias voltage to the developing device, a toner image density sensor for detecting an image density of a toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum, and a control portion for controlling an output value of the developing bias applying device, in which the control portion adjusts the developing bias voltage based on an average print coverage of document in previous printing jobs.
US07941062B2
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive drum, a charging apparatus to which a charging voltage is applied, an exposure apparatus forming an electrostatic image, a developing apparatus to which a development voltage is applied, a timer measuring an image formation time lapsed from start of rotation of the photosensitive drum and an image formation stop time lapsed from stop of the rotation of the photosensitive drum, and a temperature and humidity sensor detecting a temperature and a humidity of an atmosphere environment around the photosensitive drum. When the humidity is low, a charging voltage is controlled based on a measured result of the timer and detected results of the temperature and humidity sensor. When the humidity is high, the charging voltage is controlled based on the measured result of the timer and the temperature detected result of the temperature and humidity sensor without using humidity information.
US07941055B2
This invention provides a method for upgrading the network rate of a Passive Optical Network (PON), which mainly includes: upgrading the optical fiber line rate of the central office device, and adapting, by the network terminal device, the working rate of the upstream/downstream line automatically to the optical fiber line rate of the central office device according to a downstream data flow transmitted from the central office device. Using the method of this invention, the network rate of the PON can be upgraded without replacing the network terminal and without a manual intervention.
US07941042B2
An auto-focus method, medium, and apparatus for image-capturing. The auto-focus method includes obtaining a first image by placing a focus lens of a corresponding image-capturing apparatus at a first fixed position, obtaining a second image by placing the focus lens at a second fixed position; calculating blur levels of the first and second images, and determining a position of the focus lens by substituting the blur levels of the first and second images into each of a plurality of blur level relational expressions, which are derived from a plurality of pairs of images of respective corresponding objects at different distances from an image sensor module, each of the pairs of images being obtained by placing the focus lens at the first and second fixed positions, respectively.
US07941038B2
A hollow tubular body for molten glass in which local-overheating is reduced at the time of conduction heating. The hollow tubular body has a platinum or platinum alloy hollow tube, used for conduction heating, wherein a platinum or platinum alloy ring electrode is joined to the outer circumference of the hollow tube, a lead-out electrode is joined to an outer edge of the ring electrode, and a thick portion is provided in at least the joint portion closest to the lead-out electrode, of the ring electrode and in the vicinity thereof.
US07941027B2
A fiber access terminal for mounting to the end of a fiber distribution cable and configured to be extended through a buried conduit. The fiber distribution cable may include a plurality of optical fibers and enters a housing of the terminal through a base. The terminal also includes a plurality of fiber optic connectors or adapters extending through the housing in generally the same direction as the fiber distribution cable for connecting to optical fiber customer drop cables. The terminal includes a cover and the housing defining an interior and the interior includes a cable slack storage arrangement providing bend radius protection for the optical fiber cables within the interior. A method of assembling a fiber access terminal. A fiber access terminal assembly including a pedestal mounting arrangement.
US07941025B2
A coating film is provided on an end surface of a semiconductor photonic element including an active layer through which light propagates. The coating film has a two-layer structure including a first layer film and a second layer film arranged in a stacked relation. The thicknesses of the first and second layer films are determined so that the value of the amplitude reflectivity of the coating film is equal to an imaginary number.
US07941024B2
The device is an optoelectronic device or transparent waveguide device that comprises a growth surface, a growth mask, an optical waveguide core mesa and a cladding layer. The growth mask is located on the semiconductor surface and defines an elongate growth window having a periodic grating profile. The optical waveguide core mesa is located in the growth window and has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The cladding layer covers the optical waveguide core mesa and extends over at least part of the growth mask. Such devices are fabricated by providing a wafer comprising a growth surface, growing an optical waveguide core mesa on the growth surface by micro-selective area growth at a first growth temperature and covering the optical waveguide core mesa with cladding material at a second growth temperature, lower than the first growth temperature.
US07941018B2
A laser transmission system.
US07941010B2
A system for generating an interface surface is provided having a code generator for generating machine-readable coded data and a printer for printing the generated coded data onto a surface to generate an interface surface. The coded data is generated to be arranged in accordance with a layout having n-fold rotational symmetry about a center of rotation, where n is at least two, the layout including n identical sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about the center of rotation. Each sub-layout defines the position of data elements and includes rotation-indicating data that distinguishes that sub-layout from at least one other sub-layout.
US07941009B2
A computerized annotation method achieves real-time operation and better optimization properties while preserving the architectural advantages of the generative modeling approach. A novel clustering algorithm for objects is represented by discrete distributions, or bags of weighted vectors, thereby minimizing the total within cluster distance, a criterion used by the k-means algorithm. A new mixture modeling method, the hypothetical local mapping (HLM) method, is used to efficiently build a probability measure on the space of discrete distributions. Thus, in accord with the invention every image is characterized by a statistical distribution. The profiling model specifies a probability law for distributions directly.
US07941006B2
The n-tap filtering for generating interpolated pixels is converted into calculation of terms consisting of the difference and sum of the pixel values of adjoining pixels. When the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the calculation related to the terms including the difference is omitted, thereby reducing the calculation amount in generating the interpolated pixels. In loop processing according to a flow chart of the pixel interpolating method, the reference pixels are accessed by one pixel per one loop processing for reading pixel values thereof, and the difference and sum of the pixel values are calculate using the adjoining pixel value already read one loop before, thereby interpolating the pixel values of consecutive pixels to be interpolated. Consequently, redundant reading of pixel values is avoided, with further beneficial effects on speedy generation of the interpolated pixels and reduction of the power consumption therein.
US07941005B2
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes an image quality improvement processing module which applies first image quality improvement processing for image quality enhancement to each of corresponding pixels in the temporary high-resolution image corresponding to a region other than the flat part region, and applies second image quality improvement processing for sharpening to each of corresponding pixels in the temporary high-resolution image corresponding to an edge region which is not located on the texture region. The apparatus further includes a controller which controls at least one of the texture determination reference value applied to the detecting the texture region and the flat part determination reference value applied to the detecting the flat part region based on a predetermined rule.
US07940997B2
A method of enhancing contrast includes obtaining a first luminance histogram of an input image; generating a second luminance histogram through pixel redistribution for the first luminance histogram; computing a conversion function based on both a first cumulative density function based on the first luminance histogram and a second cumulative density function based on the second luminance histogram; and changing the luminance distribution of the input image based on the conversion function.
US07940990B2
An image signal processing apparatus may include a partial image data block obtaining unit configured to obtain partial image data blocks by dividing image data corresponding to a predetermined screen having a predetermined number of horizontal and vertical pixels into image data portions, each having a predetermined number of partial horizontal and vertical pixels, at predetermined positions; a packet generating unit configured to generate packets, each storing one of the partial image data blocks; and one or more signal processing units configured to receive the packets from a transmission path through which the image data is transmitted, perform signal processing in units of partial image data blocks stored in the packets, and output the image data in the form of packets to the transmission path.
US07940989B2
A method and apparatus for a novel statistical model based on Benford's law for the probability distributions of the first digits of the block-DCT and quantized JPEG coefficients. A parametric logarithmic law, the generalized Benford's law, is formulated. Furthermore, some potential applications of this model in image forensics, which include the detection of JPEG compression for images in bitmap format, the estimation of JPEG compression Q-factor for JPEG compressed bitmap image, and the detection of double compressed JPEG image. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the statistical model used in embodiments of the invention.
US07940987B2
A method representing an object appearing in still or video image for use in searching, wherein the object appears in the image with a first two-dimensional outline, by processing signals corresponding to the image, comprises deriving a view descriptor of the first outline of the object and deriving at least one additional view descriptor of the outline of the object in a different view, and associating the two or more view descriptors to form an object descriptor.
US07940986B2
The user interaction system comprises a portable pointing device (101) connected to a camera (102) and sending pictures to a digital signal processor (120), capable of recognizing an object (130) and a command given by the user (100) by moving the pointing device (101) in a specific way, and controlling an electrical apparatus (110) on the basis of this recognition.
US07940981B2
A pattern generating apparatus includes a sequence generating unit and an image data generating unit. The sequence generating unit generates a sequence formed by terms having M-value numeric values. The image data generating unit generates the image data by converting each numeric value of the sequence into a gray-level value according to each numeric value, and the sequence is generated by the sequence generating unit. The sequence generating unit generates the sequence such that vectors expressed by sub-sequences have different directions for the sub-sequence constituting the generated sequence.
US07940976B2
An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus and a method for generating three dimensional image data of a moving body based on a plurality of two dimensional pixel data of the moving body that are automatically collected at different angle positions, wherein a plurality of radiography angle positions is previously designated, and the two dimensional pixel data is generated in correspondence with data of an object, e.g., a waveform of an electrocardiogram, collected at a real time. Based on the vital data, rotating movements for collecting a plurality of pixel data are decided. When a plurality of two dimensional pixel data obtained in correspondence with a plurality of heart beat cycles, for example, is collected at a certain designated angle position, the radiography position is automatically moved to a next collecting angle position. A set of a plurality of two dimensional pixel data collected at the same phase of the vital data of the moving body is selected for generating three dimensional image data.
US07940973B2
Systems and methods are provided for capture control of video data from a capsule camera system having an on-board storage or wireless transmission. The capsule camera system moves through the GI tract under the action of peristalsis and records images of the intestinal walls. For some periods of time, the capsule camera system may move very slowly and there are little differences in the image data between different frames. These frames can be designated for discard to conserve storage space or conserve power. A capsule control processing unit is incorporated to evaluate motion metric based on image data associated with a current frame and a previous frame. A decision is made based on a profile of the motion metric to select an operation mode from a group comprising Capture Mode and Conservation Mode. The capsule camera system is then operated according to the selected operation mode.
US07940960B2
A pose estimating device includes: a pose dictionary; an image feature extracting unit configured to extract observed image feature information; a past information storing unit configured to store past pose estimating information of the articulated object; a pose predicting unit configured to predict a present pose; a node predicting unit configured to calculate a prior probability as to whether each nodes includes a present pose; an identifying unit configured to calculate a likelihood of the observed image feature information for each node; a node probability calculating unit configured to calculate a probability in which the present pose belongs to the node in the upper layer; and a pose estimating unit configured to calculate pose information.
US07940953B2
An electro-acoustic transducer has a membrane comprises a folded or curved sheet of film material. A frame supports the membrane in at least an upper end thereof. A resilient suspension connects the upper ends of the membrane to the frame. A driver system is attached to the frame and the membrane for moving the membrane dependent on an electrical input signal. At least one ferromagnetic element is arranged in the membrane or on one of the surfaces of the membrane at its lower end. At least one magnet provides a magnetic field, the magnet being attached to the frame in a position adjacent the lower end of the membrane. The ferromagnetic element is pulled down by a magnetic force between the element and the magnet establishing a gap therebetween such that tensioning of the membrane is achieved by the magnetic force.
US07940949B2
A universal audio speaker mounting board for speaker systems that simulates the structural surface that traditional flush-mounted speakers are mounted to, thus providing the ability to use a variety of flush-mount speakers in a variety of encasements, such as bookshelf enclosures or cabinets. Methods of installation and kits for installation are also contemplated.
US07940948B2
Methods and apparatus provide for: a speaker frame having a peripheral flange defining a central axis and a plurality of studs extending from the peripheral flange parallel to the axis; and a carrier plate having an aperture through which at least one of: a portion of a speaker may extend or through which the speaker may direct acoustic energy, a plurality of receiving elements disposed about the aperture, each receiving element having at least one ramped surface extending generally tangentially with respect to a perimeter of the aperture and rising in a direction parallel to the central axis, wherein the studs engage and slide along the ramped surfaces when the speaker frame is coupled to the carrier plate and rotated to lock the speaker frame to the carrier plate.
US07940943B2
A speaker driving apparatus includes a speaker enclosure whose inside is tightly closed, at least two speakers that are provided to the speaker enclosure so as to have a common rear space, and a signal supplying unit that supplies a stereo left channel signal to the speaker in a first group and supplies a stereo right channel signal to the speaker in a second group. The at least two speakers being divided into two groups as the first group and the second group.
US07940934B2
In a computing management system authentication procedures are secured by protecting keys and/or processes used during the authentication procedures. In some embodiments the system cryptographically protects any keys used to mutually authenticate a management console and client. In some embodiments the system cryptographically protects execution of one or more of the algorithms used to mutually authenticate a management console and client.
US07940924B2
A behind-the-head mounted personal audio set that allows a mono-aural personal audio device to be worn in either a wearer's left or right ear without the need to remove or detach individual components of the personal audio sent and mount is disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment, the personal audio device has two earphone portions and the mount allows the audio device to operate in either mono or stereo modes wherein one of the earphones may be moved away from a wearer's ear when needed, such as when driving. A boom microphone is preferably pivotally secured to one of the earphone portions.
US07940906B2
A button box provides additional keys that can be used in conjunction with a telephone. In one embodiment, a button box is configured by associating it with a telephone and by programming its keys. When a key on the button box is activated, a key press event is sent from the button box to the associated phone. The phone treats the key press event as if a key on the phone itself had been activated and forwards the event to the voice switch appliance associated with the phone. (Alternatively, the key press event is sent from the button box directly to a voice switch appliance.) The button box's user interface is controlled by a voice switch appliance.
US07940904B2
Converged charging systems and methods are described. A converged charging system includes an offline charging system, an online charging system, a common rating function, and a common charging gateway function. When in operation, the online charging system receives online charging information for a first call and accesses the common rating function to determine a rating for the first call. The online charging system then transmits a rated charging data record (CDR) for the first call to the common charging gateway function. The offline charging system receives offline charging information for a second call, and accesses the common rating function to determine a rating for the second call. The offline charging system transmits a rated CDR for the second call to the common charging gateway function. The common charging gateway function buffers the rated CDRs for both online and offline calls, and then transmits the rated CDRs to a billing system.
US07940901B2
The present integrated system—method and remote management devices for services and products that are mainly provided by public utility companies, is primarily based on monitoring the consumption of the product. Both the organisation as well as the clients are provided with information (by means of specialised software) regarding the improved management of the products and services of the organisation and the more rational pricing. The consumers are given the chance to contribute to the saving of energy in a substantial manner, thus contributing to reduced environmental pollution. Other system features include the issuance and settlement of invoices, as well as other services such as tele-statistics, tele-marketing, tele-polling, etc.
US07940898B2
Systems and methods for processing a call are disclosed. Generally a stored indication of a user's language preference is accessed in response to receipt of a call initiated by the user. The call is then routed to a location based on the stored indication of the user's language preference.
US07940897B2
One-to-many comparisons of callers' words and/or voice prints with known words and/or voice prints to identify any substantial matches between them. When a customer communicates with a particular entity, such as a customer service center, the system makes a recording of the real-time call including both the customer's and agent's voices. The system segments the recording to extract different words, such as words of anger. The system may also segment at least a portion of the customer's voice to create a tone profile, and it formats the segmented words and tone profiles for network transmission to a server. The server compares the customer's words and/or tone profiles with multiple known words and/or tone profiles stored on a database to determine any substantial matches. The identification of any matches may be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing representative feedback or customer follow-up.
US07940896B2
The invention includes a technique for integrating emergency calling for VoIP users with legacy emergency services to facilitate adapting to the evolving emergency services network and the services that are available in a given location. Generic location information provided by (or determined for) VoIP emergency callers, typically in civic or geodetic formats, is translated into Emergency Response Locations (ERLs) defining an area, such as an area within an enterprise premises, in which the caller is located. The translated location information is conveyed to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with the emergency call in for form of the ANI (Automatic Number Identification) or calling line identification number. An appropriate route/gateway is then selected to be used to reach the PSAP appropriate for the caller's location, and an emergency call notification to the appropriate local emergency response personnel is generated within the enterprise based on the caller's location.
US07940892B2
The energy subtraction apparatus of the present invention comprises an image input device which inputs two or more different kinds of radiographic images having been taken by irradiating a subject with radiation rays with different radiation qualities, an information of body part acquisition device which designates a information of body part, a motion compensation processing device which performs a registration process by compensating for shift between corresponding points between the two or more different kinds of radiographic images due to movement of the subject, a subtraction device which performs an energy subtraction process on the two or more different kinds of radiographic images, and an operation mode switching device which switches an operation mode of the registration process at the motion compensation processing device depending on the information of body part.
US07940889B2
Mammography method and apparatus with image data obtained at different degrees of breast compression
In a method and apparatus to generate a mammographic image, the apparatus has a radiation source, a digital radiation detector, and support plate and a compression plate between which the breast is compressed during image acquisition. A first image data set depicting the breast is acquired, with a first degree of compression of the breast. A second degree of compression of the breast is set and a second image data set depicting the breast is acquired. The first and second image data sets are linked for the generation of the diagnostic image.
US07940880B2
The invention relates to a first-wall component of a fusion reactor, which comprises at least one heat shield of a graphitic material and a cooling tube of copper or a copper alloy. Arranged between the heat shield and the cooling tube is a tube segment, which is connected at least in certain regions to the heat shield and to the cooling tube via copper-containing layers.
US07940872B2
A joint demodulation filter for reducing co-channel interference between a desired signal and a co-channel interfering signal may include an input receiving samples of the desired signal and the co-channel interfering signal, a Viterbi decoder, and a first signal path between the input and the Viterbi decoder comprising a first filter. The joint demodulation filter may further include a second signal path between the input and the Viterbi decoder and comprising a linear finite impulse response (FIR) modeler for generating a channel impulse response estimate for the co-channel interfering signal. Additionally, a third signal path may be between the input and the Viterbi decoder and include a whitened matched filter for generating a channel impulse response estimate for the desired signal.
US07940871B2
A method for processing signals is disclosed and may include performing using one or more circuits, orthogonally multiplexing, on to a single processing chain, a plurality of replicas of a signal received via a corresponding plurality of spatially distinct antennas. The orthogonally multiplexed plurality of replicas of the received signal may be converted to corresponding digital multiplexed signals that include multiplexed replicas of the plurality of received signals. The corresponding digital multiplexed signals may be demultiplexed to generate the plurality of replicas of the signal received via the corresponding plurality of spatially distinct antennas. The plurality of replicas of the received signal may be spread, for example, may be orthogonally spread.
US07940858B2
In a calibration apparatus in a communication system, a modulation unit calculates a reference signal by modulating a downlink signal, and a digital Intermediate Frequency (IF) unit converts the reference signal to an intermediate frequency signal. An up-converter converts the intermediate frequency signal to a Radio Frequency (RF) signal, and a down-converter generates a received signal for each of the paths from the RF signal to be transmitted through each path. A calibrator calculates a correction value for each path and a delay value by using the reference signal and the received signal for each path.
US07940847B2
A frequency synthesizer for generating a plurality of frequencies of a MB-OFDM UWB system is disclosed, wherein the frequencies include first to fourteenth frequencies from low to high and any of the adjacent two frequencies differs by a basic intervallic frequency. The frequency synthesizer includes a phase locked loop generating an initial signal with a frequency equal to the second frequency, an intervallic frequency generator generating first to third intervallic frequencies from low to high and all being integers times the basic intervallic frequency and generating a forth intervallic frequency equal to the basic intervallic frequency, and first to third mixers connected in series, respectively receiving the fourth intervallic frequency, one of the first to third intervallic, and the first intervallic frequency, to respectively generate the first to third frequencies, the fourth to ninth and the thirteenth to fourteenth frequencies, and the tenth to twelfth frequencies.
US07940839B2
An equalization circuit is disclosed that enables high data rate transmission over high loss communications channels. Also disclosed is a set of functional blocks and update criteria that allow for the equalization function to be adapted for a large variety of different communications channels. A fully continuous adaptive equalizer is used in conjunction with a Decision Feedback Equalizer to fully equalize a large number of communications channels.
US07940836B2
An alternative approach to coping with the ever increasing demand for faster communications hardware is to design modems that are capable of operating its speeds at a higher data rate than a speed required for a single port of the standard communication rate for that modem. Basically, by utilizing a resource manager, that directs the data in and out of the various portions of the modem in an orderly manner, keeping track of which of the ports is being operated at any given point in time, a standard single port modem can be reconfigured, for example, at an over clocked rate, to manipulate the data input and output of a modem.
US07940831B1
A method for a direct sequence spread spectrum communication system comprises encoding a first signal of data in a communication channel, embedding a second signal of data as notches in the communication channel, transmitting the first signal of data and the second signal of data concurrently and at a substantially same rate across the communication channel, receiving the communication channel, decoding the first signal of data in the communication channel to interpret the first signal of data, and bit decoding the second signal of data in the communication channel to interpret the second signal of data.
US07940824B2
Laser diode driver architectures are disclosed. Some example current drivers are described, including a current channel to provide an output current. The current channel includes a current mirror with emitter degeneration, a startup transistor coupled to the current mirror to generate a DC bias on the current mirror, a beta helper circuit coupled to the current mirror and the startup transistor, to maintain the DC bias on the current mirror, and a cutoff transistor coupled to an emitter terminal of a current mirror transistor and to a reference voltage, to selectively couple the emitter terminal to the reference voltage to conduct the pre-determined output current. The example current drivers also include an output stage coupled to the output of the current mirror and to an output device, wherein the output stage provides a current gain in response to the cutoff transistor coupling the emitter terminal to the reference voltage.
US07940823B2
An accelerator circuit is incorporated in a laser diode system for accelerating the turn-on operation of the laser diode independent of the control loop bandwidth of the laser diode system. The accelerator circuit provides a boost current to a compensation capacitor upon laser turn-on which compensation capacitor operates to establish the control loop bandwidth of the laser diode system. The boost current enables the control loop to increase the bias current to the laser diode quickly. When the laser diode reaches the desired operating point, the boost current is terminated and the control loop of the laser diode system resumes normal control of the bias current. In one embodiment, the accelerator circuit includes a timer circuit controlling a current source to implement open loop turn-on control. In another embodiment, the accelerator circuit includes a comparator circuit working in conjunction with an one-shot logic circuit for providing close loop control.
US07940819B2
A tunable laser module includes a tunable laser section including a gain medium and a wavelength filter having a periodic characteristic which brings about a discontinuous variation of an oscillation wavelength, and a monitoring section adapted to output a monitoring signal which periodically varies in response to the oscillation wavelength of the tunable laser section. The monitoring section includes a monitoring wavelength filter having a periodic characteristic which defines the monitoring signal. The relationship between the period of the wavelength filter and the period of the monitoring wavelength filter is set such that the monitoring signal varies when the oscillation wavelength varies discontinuously.
US07940815B2
The present invention relates to fluorescent glass which is easily put into practical use, and optical elements including the same. In one aspect, the fluorescent glass is comprised of silica-based glass containing Bi as a dopant, and adapted to generate fluorescence in response to pumping light in a wavelength band of 980 nm incident thereon. In another aspect, the fluorescent glass contains at least one species of transition metal as a dopant, and exhibits a 980-nm band absorption spectrum having a full width at half maximum exceeding 10 nm. In still another aspect, the fluorescent glass is comprised of silica-based glass containing at least one species of transition element as a dopant, and exhibits a fluorescence spectrum with a peak intensity fluctuating within a range of −1 dB or more but 1 dB or less with respect to pumping light having a fixed intensity in a state set to a temperature of −5° C. or more but 65° C. or less.
US07940812B2
The present invention discloses an Ethernet access device and method thereof. The device includes at least two downlink physical port units, a multiplex/demultiplex unit and an uplink physical port unit. The downlink physical port unit is adapted to convert between a low-speed physical layer signal input to/output from the access device and a low-speed physical layer load carried therein; the uplink physical port unit is adapted to convert a high-speed physical layer signal input to/output from the access device and a high-speed physical layer load carried therein; and the multiplex/demultiplex unit is adapted to multiplex and demultiplex between the low-speed physical layer load of the downlink physical port unit and the high-speed physical layer load of the uplink physical port unit.
US07940809B2
Digital video interface with bi-directional half-duplex clock channel used as auxiliary data channel
A digital video interface system and method for communicating digital video data from a source device to a sink device is provided, where the clock channel is used to transmit data as well as clock signals in a bi-directional, half-duplex manner using time division multiplexing. The digital video interface system comprises one or more data channels configured to transmit digital video data from the source device to the sink device in time divisional multiplexing including a plurality of first time slots and second time slots, and a clock channel configured to transmit a clock signal from the source device to the sink device in the first time slots and configured to transmit additional data from the source device to the sink device or from the sink device to the source device in the second time slots.
US07940805B2
There is provided a receiving device including: a receiving unit that receives a packet stream; an oscillator; a measuring unit that performs a measuring operation; an acquiring unit that reads the newest time stamp read from the packet stream received by the receiving unit and the newest measurement value measured by the measuring unit with a predetermined period, from a point of time when the packet stream starts to be received; a calculating unit that calculates an accumulation value of the time stamps and the measurement values acquired by the acquiring unit; a comparing unit that compares a difference between the accumulation value of the time stamps and the accumulation value of the measurement values calculated by the calculating unit, and a value corresponding to a network jitter; and a frequency control unit that controls the oscillation frequency of the oscillator based on the comparison result by the comparing unit.
US07940801B2
A WLAN compliant device which comprises a VCX), a MAC, a decoder which outputs video wherein said device compares time stamps to obtain a difference.
US07940800B2
A method and system of transmitting packets of information over multiple channels such that the packets are sent simultaneously and serially across and down the channels.
US07940796B2
A system and method for delivery of packets is provided. In an embodiment, a client is operable to query a first layer of the protocol stack used to provide a link that carries packets for said client. Based on the query, the client is operable to adjust how those packets are delivered over another layer of the protocol stack in order to help improve the likelihood of successful delivery of those packets.
US07940791B2
A system and method for establishing connectivity between a client device and an on-board computer network of an airplane are provided. The client device is connected for establishing communication with a network such as an enterprise intranet associated with the airplane. A virtual private network is created for establishing communication between a router and the client device. The client device is connected with an on-board server of the airplane via the router while maintaining connectivity between the personal computer and the network.
US07940790B2
Methods and apparatuses are presented for communicating using a shared communication medium. A request is sent over the shared communication medium. The shared communication medium is organized to include a request signal space and a scheduled transmission signal space. The request signal space includes a plurality of request segments each having a different location within the request signal space. The scheduled transmission signal space includes a plurality of scheduled transmission segments each having a different location within the scheduled transmission signal space. The request occupies more than one request segment. Each of the more than one request segments is randomly selected by the first node. An assignment is received assigning the request to a transmission opportunity in the scheduled transmission signal space. The assignment is made in response to detecting at least one of the more than one request segments. A data transmission is sent using the assigned transmission opportunity.
US07940783B2
A method and mobile terminal for controlling a voice call continuity (VCC) operation, are provided. According to an embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for controlling a voice call continuity (VCC) operation between a mobile terminal and a network, the method comprising: receiving operator policy via an OMA Device Management (DM) method during at least one call or session established between the mobile terminal and the network, the operator policy including domain transfer restriction information; evaluating the domain transfer restriction information of the operator policy; and selectively initiating a domain transfer according to the evaluated domain transfer restriction information of the operator policy, wherein the domain transfer restriction information indicates that a domain transfer from CS domain to IMS domain is restricted or not or a domain transfer from IMS domain to CS domain is restricted or not.
US07940778B2
Methods and apparatus relating to a cross-layer approach for virtualized overlay on ad hoc networks are described. In one embodiment, a virtual address is used to search for a (key,value) pair in a virtual overlay. In an embodiment, a route request for a virtual address, corresponding to a key, is transmitted via a wireless network to one or more of a plurality of computing nodes forming a virtual search overlay and route reply for the virtual address is generated in response to the route request. Other embodiments are also described.
US07940777B2
In one embodiment, a method can include: receiving a packet in a device; classifying the received packet as a first packet type or a second packet type; when the packet is the first packet type, forwarding the packet to a next hop; and when the packet is the second packet type: performing forward error correction (FEC) encoding on the packet to generate repair data, modifying the packet by adding a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) header to indicate that the packet is to be forwarded on an FEC-protected label switched path (LSP), generating an additional MPLS packet carrying the repair data, and forwarding the modified packet and the additional packet to a next hop.
US07940776B2
In one embodiment, a method includes sending an adjacency discovery message 1 from a local router over a direct link to a first neighbor router. An adjacency discovery message is not forwarded and includes a repair address. The repair address indicates the local router but is not advertised as reachable over the direct link. An outbound routing update message is sent to a different second neighbor router. The outbound routing update message is forwarded and includes reachability data that indicates the repair address is reachable. A payload of an inbound tunneled packet received at the local router and directed to the repair address is forwarded based on a destination indicated in the payload.
US07940775B2
A priority-based data message publishing method according to a data message chain can be implemented by receiving a data message, wherein the data message has an original priority. Then, judge whether there is a corresponding data message chain corresponding to the data message. When there is a corresponding data message chain, add the data message to the back of the corresponding data message chain to obtain a revised data message chain. When there is no corresponding data message chain the data message, add a new data message chain, and add the data message to the back of the new data message chain to obtain a revised data message chain. Next, rule-operate the revised data message chain to obtain a dynamic priority of the data message. Replace the original priority with the dynamic priority to obtain a revised data message. Publish the revised data message according to the dynamic priority.
US07940774B2
A system and method is provided for scheduling transmissions from a plurality of services operating over a widely distributed communications network. A headend communications device (such as a cable modem termination system) arbitrates bandwidth among a plurality of cable modems configurable for bi-directional communications. The headend grants a bandwidth region to a specified cable modem or assigns contention regions for a group of cable modems. Each cable modem contains a local scheduler that sends requests for bandwidth according to local policies or rules. Upon receipt of a grant from the headend, the local scheduler selects packets to be transmitted to best serve the needs of the services associated with the cable modem. Accordingly, a service requesting bandwidth may not be the service utilizing the grant corresponding to bandwidth request. Nonetheless, the local scheduler manages bandwidth allocation among its local services such that all requesting services eventually receive bandwidth.
US07940770B2
An acquiring unit (60) of a reception device acquires, from a transmission device, a notification of re-establishment of data in a lower layer. A notifying/instructing unit (70) of the reception device notifies, to the transmission device, a sequence number in a higher layer of data which is desired to be received. An RLC processing unit (40) of the transmission device acquires, from the reception device, a sequence number in a higher layer of data which is desired to be received; and performs the re-establishment from the data having the sequence number.
US07940766B2
A switch and a method are described herein that are capable of performing the following steps: (a) receiving the unicast packet which is a L3 routed packet at a port in a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN); (b) routing the received packet to a loopback port in a second VLAN; (c) receiving the routed packet which is now a L2 multicast packet from the loopback port in the second VLAN; and (d) bridging the routed packet to multiple ports in the second VLAN.
US07940765B2
Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, data structures, computer-readable media, and mechanisms for limiting unauthorized multicast sources. One or more access control lists are typically configured in a switching device to a state that denies forwarding of multicast packets with a particular host as its source. In response to a received multicast application admission-control message identifying the particular host, the one or more access control lists in the switching device are updated to allow multicast messages sent from the particular host to be forwarded. In one system, the received multicast application admission-control message is an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) message. In response to the received multicast application admission-control message identifying the particular host, one system automatically adds one or more entries to the one or more access control lists to allow multicast traffic to be sent to and received from a next switching device leading to a corresponding multicast Rendezvous Point.
US07940763B1
Routing techniques are described that separate network topology information and management from network protocol addressing information, e.g., network prefixes, that network routers typically use during the packet forwarding process. The techniques provide separate topological identifiers to identify individual topological elements of the network, referred to as aggregates. A router within a network exchanges topological information with other routers that specifies routes for reaching destinations within a set of aggregates that represent topological elements of a network. In accordance with the topological information, the router generates forwarding information that associates the destinations with respective next hops within the network, and forwarding packets in accordance with the forwarding information.
US07940755B2
An architecture for a specialized electronic computer for high-speed data lookup employs a set of tiles each with independent processors and lookup memory portions. The tiles may be programmed to interconnect to form different memory topologies optimized for the particular task.
US07940751B2
An integrated circuit radio transceiver and associated method comprises a multi-mode device operable to support personal area network communications as well as traditional wireless local area network communications. In one embodiment, IEEE 802.11 protocol IBSS communications are used to transport Bluetooth communication data packets. In another embodiment, a direct link comprising direct packet transfers without beaconing is performed between the multi-mode device and another multi-mode device. Thus, the multi-mode device is operable to establish traditional BSS communications with an Access Point in addition to establishing peer-to-peer communications with another multi-mode device to transport the Bluetooth communications over the 802.11 IBSS communication link or over an IEEE 802.11 direct communication link.
US07940748B2
A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message including an embedded web service request is received at an IMS network from a device. The received SIP message is protocol translated to generate a non-IMS message including the web service request. The non-IMS message is conveyed to a web service provider, and a requested web service corresponding to the non-IMS message is conveyed from the web service provider to the device. The SIP message may include a SIP INVITE message containing an embedded SOAP message.
US07940745B2
The invention relates to a method, an arrangement and a system for rerouting the useful data flow in a packet network within the frame of a service, whereby the resources for executing said service are provided in the area for action of a switching center. According to said invention, a packet converter is provided in the area for action of said switching center and, within the frame of said service, the useful data flow is carried through the packet converter. The adaptations, which are necessary for rerouting said useful data flow, are executed in said packet converter. The present invention has the advantage that only the switching center, which is responsible for the resource allocation, is concerned when the useful data flow is rerouted. Inter-exchange signaling with other switching centers is thus substantially reduced. Another advantage is that rerouting of said useful data flow does not depend on the performance characteristics of the other switching centers, which are involved, for example, in the setting-up of a call.
US07940741B2
A method for identifying traffic information includes receiving traffic data including a first identifier, information corresponding to a prediction of travel speed for a particular link, and information corresponding to a location associated with the particular link. The first identifier enables a determination of a type of the information that is included within the received traffic data. The method also includes determining a type of information included within the received traffic data based on the first identifier and determining travel speed prediction information based on the information included in the received traffic data only if the first identifier enables a determination that the received traffic data includes a prediction related to travel speed. The method further includes determining location information based on the information that is included in the received traffic data corresponding to the location associated with the particular link and identifying traffic information based on the determined travel speed prediction information and the determined location information.
US07940739B2
An apparatus and method for transmitting data in a wireless communication system using Code Division Multiplexing (CDM) are provided. A code controller distinguishes a Walsh code used for spreading during data transmission and a Walsh code unused for spreading based on a signal-to-interference ratio required by the system, and separately provides the Walsh codes. A CDM multiplexer CDM-multiplexes input data using the Walsh code used for spreading, provided from the code controller. A code modulator modulates input data using the Walsh code unused for spreading, provided from the code controller. A multiplexer multiplexes outputs of the CDM multiplexer and the code modulator.
US07940738B2
A method of processing a code division multiple access signal comprises receiving a CDMA signal; processing the received CDMA signal with a CDMA detector; and extracting control channel information from the processed signal. The extracted control channel information is used to equalize a subsequent received CDMA signal, to make estimation of equalizer coefficients more reliable and increasing average data throughput.
US07940729B2
A device receives packet control function (PCF) load information associated with a packet data serving node (PDSN), and determines PCF Internet protocol (IP) address information and a number of sessions per PCF based on the PCF load information. The device also receives IP information from an IP network associated with the PDSN, and determines PCF identity information based on the IP information. The device further generates control information based on the PCF IP address information, the number of sessions per PCF, and the PCF identity information, and provides the control information to the PDSN to control operation of the PDSN.
US07940724B2
A method in a mobile wireless communications network including sending (210) a reselection communication from a mobile station to the network, and receiving (220), from the network in response to the reselection communication, cell reselection assistance information, for example, a new cell assignment.
US07940718B2
A first radio base station (RBS) is operated to cause trace log information to be supplied to a trace log storage node. The RBS becomes responsible for serving a user equipment session, and at some point begins a trace process. When the session report criterion has been satisfied, a trace status indication is alternatively sent to or received from a second radio base station, the trace status indication including an indicator of a session report cause and a time of satisfying the session report criterion. The indicator of the session report cause and the time of satisfying the session report criterion are used to identify a set of trace log information stored in a record buffer. If not empty, the set of trace log information is supplied to the trace log storage node.
US07940710B2
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for monitoring a paging channel. In one aspect, a method for monitoring a paging channel includes monitoring a paging channel for a page message at scheduled paging slots, determining that an error has occurred at a given paging slot, and monitoring the paging channel for a re-page message at least one scheduled re-paging slot, where the re-paging slots occur after the given paging slot but before the next scheduled paging slot. In another aspect, a method for monitoring a paging channel includes monitoring a first one of a plurality of paging channels for a page message at scheduled paging slots, determining that an error has occurred at a given paging slot, and monitoring at least a second one of the plurality of paging channels for the page message.
US07940708B2
An interface device having a first and second data terminal configured for the communication of data in duplex mode, with one of the first and second data terminals always assigned to each direction of the communication, the first and second data terminals configurable during operation such that, in a first mode of operation, the first data terminal is configured to send but not to receive data and the second data terminal is configured to receive but not send data, while in a second mode of operation the first data terminal is configured to receive but not to send data and the second data terminal is configured to send but not to receive data.
US07940697B2
A method comprising: receiving, in a network element of a packet data core network, a network resource request from a user equipment, said request including indication on the user equipment's Internet Protocol (IP) version capability; creating, in said network element, a set of parameters for guiding the user equipment in IP address allocation at least in one packet data network, said set of parameters including at least a recommended version of IP address type to be used; and signalling said set of parameters to the user equipment as a response to the network resource request.
US07940693B2
The invention discloses a wireless communication system for calculating time of flight. The system transmits and receives a plurality of packets every a plurality of delay times. Thereafter, the wireless communication system calculates a plurality of reference times according to the delay times and processing times and then averages the reference times to obtain the time of flight. Thereby, the time of flight can be calculated more accurately.
US07940682B2
A data communications system may include a network having a plurality of network provider routers configured to support Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) circuits between customer edge routers outside the network, an automated diagnostic system coupled to the network provider routers. The automated diagnostic system may be configured to automatically initiate one or more inquiries of one or more of the network provider routers in response to a customer IP address identifying a customer edge router servicing a customer location from which a service failure has been reported and a circuit address identifying an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) circuit related to the reported service failure. In addition, the automated diagnostic system may be configured to automatically process results of the one or more inquiries to automatically identify whether an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol problem is present in the network, and to automatically generate a notification for a work center when an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) problem is identified in the network. Related computer program products and methods are also discussed.
US07940679B2
Techniques for power outage management and power support restoration for devices in a wireless network are disclosed herein. Such a wireless network may include a number of bi-directional nodes in bi-directional wireless communication with one or more central nodes. Each bi-directional node may have a wireless communication path to one of the central nodes that is either a direct path or an indirect path through one or more intermediate bi-directional nodes serving as relays. Each bi-directional node may be configured to detect when it has become stranded such that it can no longer communicate with its assigned central node via its assigned communication path, to determine a reason for its stranding, and to transmit a stranding notification and the reason therefore.
US07940665B2
A system and method that optimizes transmission control protocol (TCP) flow control without intruding upon TCP's core algorithms. A control module relatively near a sender's local area network (LAN) automatically identifies a packet flow that has become window-limited. After the packet flow has been identified as window-limited, the control module relatively near the sender's LAN and another control module relatively near a receiver's LAN optimize the packet flow by increasing the window size indicated in the receiver's acknowledgment packet. Both control modules operate synchronously to transparently manage the packet flow between the sender and the receiver.
US07940659B2
In scenarios where the quality of service is negotiated through a signalling layer whereas the services are actually carried through a bearer layer, application functions at the signalling layer are not always aware of how quality of service is individually accomplished at the bearer layer on a service basis. The invention provides a method and devices whereby events are detected on a service data flow basis at a detection device in the bearer layer and notified towards an application device in the signalling layer via a control device between the signalling and the bearer layer. The list of events to be notified is obtainable at the control device from the application device and is included in Quality of Service related rules, along with service data flow filters. This Quality of Service related rules are provided to the detection device for inspecting individual service data flows in order to detect and notify the indicated events.
US07940649B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed for graceful restart in a multi-process operating system. A transport protocol process, which is capable of restarting independently from the operating system, is executed in a network element. The network element executes a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) process, which installs one or more routes in a global Routing Information Base (RIB). When the BGP process detects that the transport protocol process has become unavailable, the BGP process keeps the one or more routes in the global RIB even though the transport protocol process is not available.
US07940644B2
In one embodiment, a network session is established for transmitting a media stream. The media stream is encoded into a first set of media stream packets and the first set of media stream packets transmitted according to the established network session. The media stream is also encoded into a second set of retransmission-based repair packets and used as a second redundant copy of the media stream. The second set of retransmission packets are transmitted regardless of receiving any indication of lost or dropped packets during the network session.
US07940642B2
Method for generating codeword based on a plurality of vector combinations and transmitting the same
A method for generating a codeword from a vector generated by combining four symbols P0, P1, P2 and P3 includes generating 16 vectors Vi (i=0˜F, where i is an index) by combining the four symbols with repetition allowed, and producing the codeword by mapping data to the 16 vector combinations.
US07940638B2
In a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes high-throughput communication devices with multiple antennas and legacy communication devices with single antennas, training tones are transmitted over a plurality of spatial channels during a first portion of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) packet-training preamble. The training tones are interspersed among subcarrier frequencies of the spatial channels. The training tones are retransmitted during a second portion of the packet-training preamble. The training tones are shifted among the subcarrier frequencies of the spatial channels during the retransmission allowing a high-throughput receiving station to perform a channel estimation on different subcarrier frequencies of the spatial channels. The legacy communication devices may receive and process the training tones and may set their network allocation vector to refrain from communicating during a subsequent interval.
US07940623B1
Methods and devices are described for writing to an optical record carrier, in which a mark representing recorded data is written in a phase-change layer of a record carrier by a sequence of radiation pulses. A rear heating pulse is introduced after a last write pulse and a front heating pulse is introduced before the first write pulse. The power level of the front heating pulse and the power level of the rear heating pulse may be dependent on the length of the mark to be recorded and on properties of the record carrier. The method results in a reduced jitter of the marks written, especially when writing at high recording speeds.
US07940622B2
In a recording/reproducing system that performs PRML decoding, a suitable evaluation value for setting a recording condition can be obtained with a simple structure. It is assumed that a value corresponding to a difference between a difference metric between a maximum likelihood path for an equalized signal that is fed to maximum likelihood decoding processing and a path in a bit-advanced shift direction and a difference metric between the maximum likelihood path for the equalized signal and a path in a bit-delayed shift direction is a signal quality evaluation value dSAM. Further, the signal quality evaluation value dSAM is calculated using an equalization error value ek which is an error between an equalized signal value fed to the maximum likelihood decoding processing and an ideal equalized signal value determined from a decoded signal obtained as a result of the maximum likelihood decoding processing.
US07940606B2
A signal detecting device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a near-field light generating section that is provided on the semiconductor substrate and generates near-field light near an interface with the semiconductor substrate; a light source that outputs light having wavelength corresponding to photon energy about a half as large as band-gap energy of a material of the semiconductor substrate; and a current detecting unit that detects a photocurrent generated in the semiconductor substrate when the near-field light is generated.
US07940598B2
An integrated circuit memory device, system and method embodiments decode interleaved row and column request packets transferred on an interconnect at a first clock frequency. Separate row decode logic and column decode logic, clocked at a relatively slower second clock frequency, output independent column and row control internal signals to a memory core in response to memory commands in the request packets. An integrated circuit memory device includes an interface having separate row and column decode logic circuits for providing independent sets of row and control signals. A row decode logic circuit includes a first row decode logic circuit that provides a first row control signal, such as a row address, and a second row decode logic circuit that provides a second row control signal. A column decode logic circuit includes a first column decode logic circuit that provides a first column control signal, such as a column address and a second column logic circuit that provides a second column control signal.
US07940588B2
The invention discloses a chip testing circuit that increases the testing throughput. The chip testing circuit uses a multiplexer to switch the connection of the data compressing circuit between data compressing base units which compress 4 XIOs, so as to obtain a multiplexer of testing data by one single interface circuit and to increase the testing throughput.
US07940585B2
The embodiments described herein are directed to providing a multi-column decoder stress test circuit capable of reducing a column stress test time while sufficiently performing a stress test by using column selection signals. The multi-column decoder stress test circuit comprising a control unit configured to receive at least one column test signal and to generate a multi-column enable signal, and a multi-enable decoding unit configured to receive the multi-column enable signal and to generate a plurality of enabled column selection signals.
US07940579B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a memory cell array composed of electrically rewritable memory cells; an internal voltage generating circuit having a boosting circuit for generating a voltage boosted from a supply voltage, and a voltage detecting circuit for detecting an output voltage of the boosting circuit as a monitor voltage and controlling on/off of the boosting circuit for holding the output voltage of the boosting circuit at a specified level, the internal voltage generating circuit outputting the output voltage of the boosting circuit as an internal voltage; a control circuit for controlling the internal voltage generating circuit; and a writing circuit for applying the internal voltage to the memory cell as a writing voltage when writing data into the memory cell, wherein the control circuit controls the internal voltage to a first voltage necessary for writing data into the memory cell when writing data into the memory cell, and to a second voltage lower than the first voltage in a write verify operation following the data write operation.
US07940574B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a nonvolatile semiconductor memory including memory cells using side walls of island semiconductor layers which avoid lowing of the writing speed and the reading speed. In the nonvolatile semiconductor memory having the nonvolatile semiconductor memory cells each having an island semiconductor layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, the island semiconductor layer having a drain diffusing layer formed on top thereof, a source diffusion layer formed on the lower side thereof, a charge-storage layer formed on a channel area on the side wall interposed between the drain diffusion layer and the source diffusion layer via a gate insulation film, and a control gate formed on the charge-storage layer arranged in matrix, bit lines connected to the drain diffusion layers are arranged in the column direction, control gate lines are arranged in the row direction, and source lines connected to the source diffusion layers are arranged in the column direction, the above-described object is achieved by the nonvolatile semiconductor memory characterized in that common source lines connected to the source lines are formed at every predetermined number of control gate lines, the common source lines are formed of metal, and the common source lines are arranged in the row direction.
US07940569B2
Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed, including those that are to prevent a bias voltage from rising to a higher level than a storage node voltage as the bias voltage transitions to a ground level. For example a first voltage generator may be utilized to generate a bias voltage to bias a transistor in a memory cell in a memory array. A second voltage generator may be utilized to generate an plate voltage. The memory cell may include a transistor on a substrate and a capacitor. The capacitor connects from a drain of the transistor to the plate voltage. The storage node voltage is located at the drain of the transistor. A power controller may provide an off signal to the first and second voltage generators. The bias voltage may then transition to ground from a voltage less than zero volts. The rate of the bias voltage rise to ground is such that the bias voltage is maintained at less than or equal to the storage node voltage during the transition time period.
US07940565B2
A reading circuit in a memory, having a first memory cell coupled to a first bit line and a second bit line, a second memory cell coupled to the second bit line and a third bit line and a third memory cell coupled to the third bit line and a fourth bit line, is provided. The reading circuitry includes a sensing circuit, a drain side bias circuit, a first selection circuit and a second selection circuit. The drain side bias circuit provides a drain side bias. The first selection circuit connects the second bit line to the drain side bias circuit to receive the drain side bias in a read operation mode. The second selection circuit connects the first bit line and the fourth bit line to the sensing circuit in the read operation mode, so that the sensing circuit senses a current of the first memory cell.
US07940561B2
p-type wells are provided within an n-type embedded well of a semiconductor substrate lying in an area for forming a flash memory, in a state of being isolated from one another. A capacitance section, a data write/erase charge injection/discharge section and a data read MIS•FET are disposed in each of the p-type wells. The capacitance section is disposed between the data write/erase charge injection/discharge section and the data read MIS•FET. In the data write/erase charge injection/discharge section, writing and erasing of data by an FN tunnel current at a channel entire surface are performed.
US07940560B2
A memory device is provided which includes a write bit line, a read bit line, and at least one memory cell. The memory cell includes a write access transistor, a read access transistor coupled to the read bit line and to the first write access transistor, and a gated-lateral thyristor (GLT) device coupled to the first write access transistor. Among its many features, the memory cell prevents read disturbances during read operations by decoupling the read and write bit lines.
US07940559B2
A memory cell array and device having a memory cell array (i.e., an integrated circuit device, for example, a logic device (such as, a microcontroller or microprocessor) or a memory device (such as, a discrete memory)) including electrically floating body transistors in which electrical charge is stored in the body of the transistor, and techniques for reading, controlling and/or operating such memory cell array and such device. The memory cell array and device include a variable and/or programmable word length. The word length relates to the selected memory cells of a selected row of memory cells (which is determined via address data). In one embodiment, the word length may be any number of memory cells of a selected row which is less than or equal to the total number of memory cells of the selected row of the memory array. In one aspect, write and/or read operations may be performed with respect to selected memory cells of a selected row of the memory array, while unselected memory cells of the selected row are undisturbed.
US07940557B1
A configuration bit array including a hybrid electromechanical and semiconductor memory cell, and circuitry for addressing and controlling read, write, and erase accesses of the memory.
US07940550B2
Systems and methods for reducing memory array leakage in high capacity memories by selective biasing
A source-biasing mechanism for leakage reduction in SRAM in which SRAM cells are arranged into a plurality of sectors. In standby mode, the SRAM cells in a sector in the plurality of sectors are deselected and a source-biasing potential is provided to the SRAM cells of the plurality sectors. In working mode, the source-biasing potential provided to the SRAM cells of a selected sector in the plurality of sectors is deactivated and the SRAM cells in a physical row within the selected sector are read while the remaining SRAM cells in the unselected sectors continue to be source-biased. The source-biasing potential provided to the SRAM cells that are in standby mode can be set to different voltages based on the logical state of control signals.
US07940547B2
Example embodiments provide a method for programming a resistive memory device that includes a resistance conversion layer. The method may include applying multiple pulses to the resistance conversion layer. The multiple pulses may include at least two pulses, where a magnitude of each pulse of the at least two pulses is the same. A first pulse of the at least two pulses may be applied on one side of the resistance conversion layer and a second pulse of the at least two pulses may be applied on the other side of the resistance conversion layer. The applying step may be performed during a set programming operation or a reset programming operation. A resistive memory device for programming a resistance conversion layer may include a first and second electrode, a lower structure, and the resistance conversion layer coupled between the first and second electrodes. The resistance conversion layer may be configured to receive multiple pulses, where the multiple pulses include at least two pulses having the same magnitude.
US07940544B2
An improvement to a memory system having a hierarchical bitline structure wherein traces that form global write lines are connected to each other using junctions that include multiple vias to reduce capacitance and increase yield. At least one of a pair of traces connected by the vias includes a widened portion that provides sufficient overlap with the other trace to allow the two or more vias to be formed between the traces at the overlap. Parallel traces for global write lines that carry a write signal and its inverse may be positioned more than one maximum-density grid space apart to allow the widened portions to be formed between the traces. A global read line that is formed in a different metal layer from the global write line traces may be positioned in a grid space between the global write line traces to reduce the capacitance of this line.
US07940527B2
Cooling systems (1) suitable for cooling an electronic unit (2) or assembly. The cooling system is provided with a cooling channel (6). An electronic unit (2) rests over a heat-conducting cooler wall (7). A coolant guide apparatus (11) is provided in the cooling channel (6) and has insert conduit elements (13) for guiding the coolant onto the cooler wall indentations (12). The end of each insert conduit (13) opening to the cooling channel (6) may be provided with an inclined entry surface (19) and an inlet opening (20) towards the inner longitudinal channel (14). A plurality of such coolant guides (11) may be arranged in series so that, for example, the same cooling medium flows through a plurality of semiconductor modules in succession.
US07940521B2
A blade server assembly is disclosed that includes a blade server chassis, a blade server, and a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to support the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis. A method is also disclosed for maintaining a blade server installed in a blade server chassis that includes supporting the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis through a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server.
US07940520B2
A display assembly includes a display bezel. A display is mounted to the display bezel. A display cable is coupled to the display. A display cover is coupled to the display bezel such that the display cover is operable to be decoupled from the display bezel while the display remains mounted to the display bezel and the display cable remains coupled to the display. The display cover may then be removed and personalized or replaced with a personalized display cover quickly and easily.
US07940517B2
There is provided an electronic device including: a housing included in an exterior package; and a plate-like cover that is provided for one face of the housing and is movable between a close position and an open position. The one face includes an open/close face and a non-open/close. The open/close face is hidden by the cover at a close position of the cover and is exposed from the cover at an open position of the cover. The non-open/close face is exposed from the cover at the close position of the cover and is hidden by the cover at the open position of the cover. A support mechanism is provided to movably support the cover between the close position and the open position. The non-open/close face protrudes frontward from the face for a thickness of the cover in comparison with the open/close face. The support mechanism includes: two first contact members protruding toward the one face from locations on the cover with an interval in a direction orthogonal to a direction of moving the cover; a first guide face that is provided toward the one face, extends along a direction of moving the cover, and is capable of contacting with the two first contact members between the close position and the open position; and an oscillation regulating mechanism for regulating oscillation of the cover at a supporting point where the first contact member contacts with the first guide face.
US07940513B2
A switch arrangement for providing a drive signal at an output comprises a drive switch coupled to the output of the switch arrangement and a regulating element coupled in series between the drive switch and a power supply input of the switch arrangement. The drive switch is operable to provide the drive signal at the output. The switch arrangement is characterized in that the regulating element is coupled in a cascode arrangement with the drive switch such that in operation the regulating element limits the voltage drop across the drive switch to a predetermined level.
US07940512B2
This invention relates to a suitable electrostatic chuck to hold a substrate during the manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit having excellent cooling performance and insulation performance, and a low level of particulate generation, which is comprised of an electrostatic chuck, comprising a metal substrate, a first insulating layer of silicone rubber formed directly or via an adhesive layer on the metal substrate and having a thermal conductivity of 0.5 W/mK or more, an electrically conducting pattern formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this first insulating layer, a second insulating layer of an insulating polyimide film formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this electrically conducting pattern, and a third insulating layer formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this second insulating layer, wherein this third insulating layer is a silicone rubber containing reinforcing silica, this layer not containing any thermally conductive filler having an average particle size of 0.5 μm or more.
US07940503B2
A power semiconductor arrangement including conditional active clamping (CAC). One embodiment includes a power semiconductor arrangement. A controllable power semiconductor switch includes a load path. A driver unit for switching the load path to either an ON-state or an OFF-state. An active clamping (AC) unit configured to switch the load path in the ON-state if the voltage affecting the controllable power semiconductor switch is higher than or equal to an allowable voltage. A switching unit includes a control input, and configured to activate and/or to deactivate the AC unit dependent on a signal applied to the control input.
US07940501B2
A system and method relieves ESD requirements on devices in circuits of chips that are susceptible to being damaged from ESD through an external pad. For example, one of the devices can be NMOS transistors having drains (or sources) connected to the external pad(s) and no (or significantly small) current flows from their drains (or sources) to the corresponding pad(s). In order to protect such a device, an ESD protecting system is coupled between the NMOS device and the pad. The ESD protecting system can include an n-type transistor or a p-type transistor.
US07940500B2
Certain example embodiments disclosed herein relate to multi-chip module (MCM) packages that include external and internal electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, ESD protection circuits are located under the IO pads in the MCM package, the size of the internal dies' ESD circuits are reduced (e.g., by making them as small as possible in certain example implementations), and high-immunity ESD circuits are provided to the IO pads where they are exposed to the external environment. The external ESD protection circuits may provide a higher level of voltage protection than the internal ESD protection circuits. Thus, the external ESD protection circuits may provide shock protection from human body model shocks, whereas the internal ESD protection circuits may provide protection from machine or assembly model shocks.
US07940489B1
A control system is configured to receive an input signal. The control system includes a control module to generate an output signal that tracks the input signal to the control system. The output signal includes a repeatable disturbance component. A compensation module is configured to receive an error signal. The error signal corresponds to a difference between the input signal and the output signal. The compensation module is configured to generate an estimate of the repeatable disturbance component based on the error signal, and to combine the estimate with the input signal to compensate for the repeatable disturbance component associated with the output signal.
US07940488B2
An amplifier amplifies, according to a first gain value, a first input signal acquired by reproducing first information from first areas having the first information recorded therein area by area in order. The amplifier also amplifies, according to a second gain value, a second input signal acquired by reproducing second information pursuant to reproduction of the first information, from a second area adjacent to the first area and that has the second information recorded at a recording level different from that of the first information. When the first input signal is amplified, a first gain value following a change in the first signal is calculated so that the level of the amplified signal becomes constant. When the second input signal is amplified, a second gain value following a change in the first gain value is calculated so that the level of the amplified signal becomes constant.
US07940485B2
A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a magnetic head that has a spin-torque oscillator and a magnetic disk and the spin-torque oscillator detects a magnetic field from the magnetic disk and outputs a signal. A criterion used to determine the rotational speed of the magnetic disk, the frequency shift of the spin-torque oscillator produced by a magnetic field from the magnetic disk, a characteristic oscillation frequency of the spin-torque oscillator and the full-width at half maximum of an oscillation spectrum is given in order for a read signal output from the spin-torque oscillator to satisfy a desired signal-to-noise ratio and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is configured based on the criterion.
US07940477B2
The invention generally pertains to the field of solid immersion lenses for optical applications in high resolution microscopy. The lens of the invention includes a spherical sector limited by a planar surface and an object having nanometric dimensions arranged on the planar surface at the focus of said solid immersion lens. A light-opaque layer having a central opening with nanometric dimensions can be provided on the planar surface, said opening being centred on the focus of the solid immersion lens. The nano-object can be a tube or a thread having a cylindrical shape. The lens of the invention can be made using lithography techniques.
US07940476B2
The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to adjust an optical parameter of the optical device or system.
US07940474B2
A three-lens group zoom lens in an N-P-P configuration; the first, second, and third lens groups are arranged sequentially from an object side to an image side; during zooming from a wide-angle to a telephoto position the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is reduced and the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group is changed, and the zoom lens satisfies the following inequalities −1.3
US07940472B2
A zoom lens is provided with comprising a plurality of lens groups including, in order from an object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, a third lens group G3, and a fourth lens group G4, the third lens group G3 including, in order from the object side, a first positive lens of the third lens group, a negative lens of the third lens group, and a second positive lens of the third lens group, and a given conditional expression being satisfied, thereby excellently correcting chromatic aberration in a farther away shooting range, capable of having excellent optical performance with being compact.
US07940469B2
The present invention provides an anamorphic optical system 1, comprising one aspheric surface lens G5 and one anamorphic lens G3 on object side, and one aspheric lens G7 and one anamorphic lens G8 on image side with a diaphragm S11 therebetween, and an effective field angle is set to 200° or more at maximum in horizontal direction.
US07940466B2
The invention provides a viewing optical system positioned between a viewing plane as a virtual plane and an eye point. The viewing optical system comprises, in order from the viewing plane side, a cemented lens in which at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens are cemented together and one positive lens, and satisfies the following condition (1). −8
US07940457B2
In an aspect, described herein is a dynamically controllable optoelectronic smart window which utilizes a diffraction grating for selective transmission or rejection of a specific region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example the infrared, near-infrared and/or visible regions. Window embodiments described herein may further utilize a selectively controlled and/or patterned total internal reflection layer to assist with the selective rejection of a specific spectral region while allowing for transmission of another specific spectral region. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for dynamically controlling the transmission or rejection of solar near-infrared and/or visible radiation.
US07940451B2
A wavelength converter which performs simultaneously wavelength conversion for a plurality of input light wavelengths that are unequally intervals, is provided. The nonlinear material of the wavelength converter has a modulation structure which has modulation of a nonlinear optical constant at a period Λ0 in a propagating direction of light, a phase being continuously changed each period Λ0 and a continuous phase modulation for a different period Λph being added to the modulation structure. The nonlinear material has a modulation structure obtained by changing a modulation curve for the phase modulation, wherein a phase mismatch Δβ is represented by Δβ=2π(n3/λ3−n2/λ2−n1/λ1), and at least three peaks at unequally intervals within a plurality of peaks for conversion efficiency represented by 2π/Λ0+2πi/Λf (i=m, m+1, . . . , n: where m and n are positive or negative integers) have highest conversion efficiency.
US07940449B2
A display system is based on a linear array phase modulator and a phase edge discriminator optical system.
US07940448B2
A display system is based on a linear array phase modulator and a phase edge discriminator optical system.
US07940446B2
An optical modulator comprising a spacing-controllable etalon having at least one sprung micro-mirror suspended above a substrate. At least one electrically insulating stop is provided between the micro-mirror and the substrate to avoid short-circuit when the micro-mirror is drawn towards the substrate by an applied voltage. An optical detector detects the time of arrival of a first laser pulse. A control circuit predicts from this an arrival time of the next incident laser pulse and, responsive to a control signal, either retains the micro-mirror in its pulled-down state held against the insulating stops or releases the micro-mirror at a time predicted to maximise or minimise the light transmitted through the modulator. After a time interval calculated to permit a predetermined number of mechanical oscillations, the micro-mirror is pulled back down onto the stops.
US07940445B2
The present invention is directed to a mirror system for a vehicle, said mirror system having a viewing surface for being operable as a mirror, said mirror system comprising a specular reflective surface and means for controlling an amount of light transmitted between said specular reflective surface and said viewing surface, said means for controlling said amount of light transmitted comprising at least one transmission control element and control means for controlling said transmission control element, characterised in that said transmission control element is an electrowetting element. The present invention is further directed to a method of operating said mirror system.
US07940444B2
A scanner system. The system includes a mirror assembly having multiple reflective surfaces arranged to form one polygonal shape about an axis. A plurality of the multiple surfaces are each positionable to reflect radiation propagating from the source at a reflective angle and a position on the reflective surface to direct the radiation along a transmit path. When one reflective surface is so positioned, another surface is positioned to receive and reflect radiation along a detector signal path for processing. According to a related method for acquiring image data a mirror assembly is provided with multiple reflective surfaces sequentially arranged to form a polygonal shape about an axis. A beam of radiation is reflected from a first of the reflective surfaces and along a path in a first direction to a target region and a return signal propagates along the path in a second direction away from the target region. A portion of the return signal is reflected from a surface of a second of the reflective surfaces of the mirror assembly and along a path to a detector.
US07940443B2
A laser radar according to an embodiment of the invention includes a beam irradiation head which emits a laser beam and a control circuit which controls the beam irradiation head to perform scan in a two-dimensional direction with the laser beam. In the laser radar, the beam irradiation head includes a laser beam source; a mirror to which the laser beam emitted from the laser beam source is incident; and a driving mechanism which rotates the mirror in first and second directions about a first rotating axis and a second rotating axis perpendicular to the first rotating axis respectively. The control circuit controls the rotation of the mirror in the first direction and the second direction such that a scan region of the laser beam becomes a rectangular shape.
US07940438B2
A hologram reading apparatus includes: a unit holding a hologram recording medium in which data page is recorded by irradiating as a single beam both reference light and signal light modulated by a spatial light modulator including a first pixel area for modulating the reference light and a second pixel area for modulating the signal light, a pitch of pixels in the first pixel area being different from that in the second pixel area; a Fourier transform lens subjecting reproduction light to a Fourier transformation; a filter disposed on a Fourier transform plane of the reproduction light by the Fourier transform lens, the filter shielding the reference light at a first spatial frequency band and transmitting the signal light at a second spatial frequency band; and a reading unit receiving the reproduction light transmitted through the filter and reading the data page modulated to the signal light included in the reproduction light.
US07940427B2
An image processing apparatus, a printing apparatus and an image processing method are provided which can perform quantization processing on image data at high speed based on an error diffusion method while at the same time avoiding degradations in a quality of printed images. When the error value represented by the error data is equal to or less than the reference value, at least a part of the data portion that can represent an error value in excess of the reference value is eliminated to compress the error data.
US07940424B2
An image forming method which examines validity of an output object using an ROP, for example, and determines whether the output object is printed in a color mode or in a mono mode, is provided. The method includes detecting an output object having a color value from among output objects constituting a mono page, examining the validity of the detected output object, and outputting the detected output object as a mono object if the output object is determined not to be valid. Accordingly, if a mono image having an RGB value is recognized as a color object but is data not to be output on paper or media, the image is recognized as data which are not necessary to be output using color toner, so that only black toner is used. Accordingly, the printing rate increases, and efficiency of processing a printing is enhanced.
US07940423B2
Generation of an Interim Connection Space (ICS) of a full spectral space is provided. A space of illuminants is accessed, and the full spectral space is decomposed into a first subspace that is an orthogonal complement of a metameric black subspace for the space of illuminants. The Interim Connection Space is generated based on the first subspace. The generated ICS can be used, for example, for rendering an image on an additive color destination device. One image rendering workflow includes accessing color data of the image in an ICS, transforming the color data from the ICS into a device dependent color space of an additive color destination device, and rendering the transformed color data on the destination device.
US07940422B2
An image forming apparatus for forming a multicolor image by superposing single-color images of respective colors is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an image formation control unit configured to select and form a misalignment correction pattern used in a misalignment correction process for correcting misalignment between the single-color images. The image formation control unit selects the misalignment correction pattern according to either a status change detected or the number of images formed after a previous misalignment correction process is performed.
US07940416B2
Upon designating bookbinding print, preview images are displayed in a layout after bookbinding. When “store” of intermediate data is designated in a print process, a spooler (302) stores intermediate data and an output job setup file in a spool file (303). When the stored job is selected, a previewer (306) displays a list of jobs, and displays a print preview image. In this case, upon setting bookbinding print, pages are displayed in a spread state and order after bookbinding. Also, the open direction (right or left open), and the bookbinding unit are also expressed on preview images.
US07940415B2
A printer for printing an interface of visible data and machine-readable coded data onto a surface is provided. The printer has a processor for receiving document data which includes identity data indicative of at least one identity associated with the interface and generating visible and coded data using the document data, and a printhead having a visible ink channel dedicated for printing the visible data and an infrared ink channel exclusively dedicated for printing the coded data.
US07940408B2
Apparatuses and methods are provided for bi-directional status and control between image capture devices and backend devices in a document processing system.
US07940403B2
A printing control apparatus is provided which can produce an appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image by adding a monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern even if monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which a color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set. When the monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which the color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern color is output with its color unchanged, the color is not converted into 100% black. Considering this, when a forced monochrome mode is selected, even if the user's setting for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is color, the color is changed to monochrome (black) before output. If the designated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting is for color, the designated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting is changed to the monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting so that the printing processing is performed in the monochrome mode using the designated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern setting.
US07940397B2
The optical connector includes a holder unit, a first optical fiber fixedly supported by the holder unit and having an inclined end face, a first collimating lens spaced from the inclined end face, a mounting unit supported relative to the holder unit, a second optical fiber disposed opposite the first collimating lens and having an inclined end face, a second collimating lens disposed between the first collimating lens and the second optical fiber and spaced from the inclined end face of the second optical fiber, wherein an optical transmission system comprising the first optical fiber and the first collimating lens is symmetric to an optical transmission system comprising the second optical fiber and the second collimating lens with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.
US07940394B2
A color distribution measuring optical system generates an image of an object to be measured via an imaging optical system and a color matching function filter. The color matching function filter is an optical multilayer film filter, and the angle of arrangement of the color matching function filter can be changed, with respect to an optical axis of the imaging optical system, depending on the numerical aperture of the imaging optical system by a tilt angle changing device. Various imaging optical systems can be used even when the optical multilayer filter is used.
US07940392B2
The X, Y and Rz positions of a mask stage are measured using two optical encoder-reading heads measuring displacements of respective grid gratings mounted on the mask stage. The grid gratings are preferably provided on cut-away portions of the mask table so as to be coplanar with the pattern on the mask itself. Measurements of the table position in the other degrees of freedom can be measured with capacitive or optical height sensors.
US07940385B2
In a defect inspection apparatus for performing an inspection with an optical system, the dimension of a defect is measured substantially concurrently with detection of the defect. In order to promote the accuracy of measurement of the defect dimension, a correction unit is provided which corrects the defect dimension by using a standard sample such as a standard particle.
US07940384B2
Systems and methods for blocking specular reflection and suppressing modulation from periodic features on a specimen are provided. One inspection system configured to block specular reflection and suppress modulation in an image of a specimen includes an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate the specimen with a predetermined pattern of spatially incoherent light. The system also includes an optical element configured to block light reflected from periodic features formed on the specimen and at least some light diffracted from the periodic features. The system further includes a detector configured to detect light that passes through the optical element and to generate an image of the specimen in response to the detected light. The optical element blocks specular reflection and at least partially suppresses modulation in the image due to the periodic features. The system also includes a processor configured to detect defects on the specimen using the image.
US07940371B2
A zoetrope configured for user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support that pivotally supports a holographic disc or other projection element containing a plurality of images. A positioning mechanism rotates the holographic disc at a predetermined speed or positions the projection element in numerous positions. The disc or projection element is illuminated by an illumination source in such a manner as to selectively make the images contained therein be projected in a sequence that provides a projected object that may be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. The zoetrope may read out holographic images in response to a user's voice input to project a 3D object that appears to be speaking the words or song input by the user such as by illuminating the disc once per revolution in a particular angular orientation associated with a desired one of the holographic images.
US07940363B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel includes first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes gate lines, data lines, a storage line and a pixel electrode. The gate lines extend along a first direction. The data lines extend along a second direction crossing the first direction, and the gate and data lines define a unit pixel. The storage line includes a first line portion extending along the second direction in the unit pixel. The pixel electrode divides the unit pixel into first and second domains. A second substrate faces the first substrate and includes a common electrode having a first hole formed on the common electrode, and the first hole is overlapped with the storage line. The first hole and the storage line are overlapped with each other, so that an opening ratio may be enhanced.
US07940362B2
A display portion is divided by scan lines and signal lines into sections where pixels are provided. Contact holes each for connecting common wiring and a common electrode together are not formed for all the pixels, but decimated so as to be arranged in zigzags.
US07940345B2
It is an object to provide a liquid crystal display device including a thin film transistor with high electric characteristics and high reliability. As for a liquid crystal display device including an inverted staggered thin film transistor of a channel stop type, the inverted staggered thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film over the gate electrode, a microcrystalline semiconductor film including a channel formation region over the gate insulating film, a buffer layer over the microcrystalline semiconductor film, and a channel protective layer which is formed over the buffer layer so as to overlap with the channel formation region of the microcrystalline semiconductor film.
US07940336B2
A circuit module for a digital television receiver is formed by multi-layering a decoder LSI including a CPU and a decoder, a decoder layer substrate including a CA interface circuit, a demodulation function layer substrate including a demodulator, and an extension function layer substrate including a communication controller. The demodulation function layer substrate and the extension function layer substrate can be selectively multi-layered to the decoder layer substrate in response to a broadcasting system of a digital television signal or a type of a CA module.
US07940335B2
A video signal output circuit includes a sync-tip clamp circuit fixing a sync-tip level of an input video signal at a constant voltage, a low-pass filter receiving the video signal output from the sync-tip clamp circuit and eliminating a predetermined high-frequency component, a dummy circuit receiving the video signal output from the sync-tip clamp circuit and outputting the video signal having substantially the same sync-tip level as that of the video signal output from the low-pass filter, and an output driver receiving the video signal output from the low-pass filter and outputting the video signal with a low output impedance. The sync-tip clamp circuit controls the sync-tip level of the video signal output from the dummy circuit such that the sync-tip level of the video signal is equal to a predetermined reference voltage.
US07940331B2
An edge adaptive de-interlacing apparatus and method are disclosed. The edge adaptive de-interlacing apparatus includes a complexity detection module, a qualifier, a comparator and a mixer. The complexity detection module detects complexity associated with a target pixel. The qualifier is coupled to the complexity detection module for generating similarity of at least one possible edge angle in response to the complexity. The comparator is coupled to the qualifier for comparing the similarity of the at least one possible edge to select a preferred edge angle. The mixer is coupled to the comparator for generating pixel data of the target pixel according to the preferred edge angle.
US07940314B2
Defect correction and other de-noising as well as resolution maintenance and contour correction can all be appropriately performed in an image-signal processing device for processing an image signal from an image sensor. First through third de-noising parts 30a through 30c are provided separately to correspond to a brightness-processing part 36, a color-processing part 40, and a contour-processing part 38, respectively. Among defect-correcting parts 42a through 42c provided to the de-noising parts 30a through 30c, respectively, the defect-correcting part 42c provided to correspond to the contour-processing part 38 is set to a low defect-correction level and maintains contour information. The defect-correcting part 42a provided to correspond to the brightness-processing part 36 is set to an intermediate correction level and corrects pixel defects while maintaining resolution. The defect-correcting part 42b provided to correspond to the color-processing part 40 is set to a high correction level and appropriately removes pixel defects.
US07940311B2
The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for enhancing a dynamic range of an image with a multi-exposure pixel pattern taken by an image sensor of a camera for one or more color channels, wherein a plurality of groups of pixels of the image sensor have different exposure times (e.g., pre-selected or adjusted by a user through a user interface using a viewfinder feedback, or adjusted by a user through a user interface after taking and storing RAW image, etc.). Processing of the captured image for constructing an enhanced image of the image for each of the one or more color channels can be performed using weighted combination of exposure times of pixels having different pre-selected exposure times according to a predetermined criterion.
US07940310B2
A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance.
US07940307B2
The first frame of captured image data is stored as raw data in a main memory, and parameters for exposure control and white balance control are calculated from the stored image data and are set in the RPU. The second and subsequent frames of captured image data are processed in real time in the RPU without being stored in the main memory after being output from a CCD. The second and subsequent frames of captured image data are subjected to exposure control, white balance control, and JPEG compression, and then, are stored in the main memory. After operations for continuously capturing images are finished, the raw data corresponding to the first frame stored in the main memory is read by the RPU, where exposure control and white balance control are performed, and then, is stored as JPEG data in the main memory.
US07940305B2
Arrangement for a motor vehicle with a camera and a display device for capturing and displaying an image of the surroundings of the motor vehicle and for displaying graphically representable information, such as for example guide lines, reference texts or the like, with a means for superimposing the image with the information, wherein means for superimposing changes values of the pixels at the points of the image, at which the information is displayed, information pixels, as a function of the values captured by the camera.
US07940295B2
On the basis of an image taken by a right image taking unit and/or an image taken by a left image taking unit, an imaging parameter common to the right and left image taking units is calculated. The calculated imaging parameter is set in the right and left image taking units.
US07940293B2
A video conferencing system includes a camera and a display within a room. The camera is directed towards participants in a foreground against a background. The room has lighting defining at least foreground luminance. The display defines maximum display luminance, and the display and flare of the room define minimum display luminance. The camera, the display, and/or the room are adapted to provide one or more of the following. First, that the maximum display luminance is greater than the foreground luminance but less than the foreground luminance times a first constant. Second, that the maximum display luminance is greater than the minimum display luminance by more than a second constant. Third, that illumination color of foreground images displayed on the display substantially match illumination color of the foreground. Fourth, that a color of background images displayed on the display substantially matches a color of the background.
US07940291B2
If the recording medium and the thermal head stick together, a recording device, a control method for a recording device, and a control program enable avoiding media transportation problems caused by such adhesion. If the recording medium has a release coat layer or an overcoating layer and the recording medium is left in contact with the thermal head, an operating pattern is set according to the contact conditions for moving the surface of the recording medium a specific distance from the thermal head, and transportation is controlled according to the set operating pattern.
US07940286B2
A display that includes a circuit to receive pixel data and to generate a first set of gray-scale voltages based on the first set of reference voltages to drive pixel circuits to display respectively different gray-scale levels during a first time period in accordance with the pixel data, and generate a second set of gray-scale voltages based on a second, different set of reference voltages to drive the pixel circuits to display a common gray-scale level during a second time period. For example, the common gray-scale level can be a black level.
US07940284B2
The invention relates to an editing of a digital document containing an image, a text, a pattern and the like on pages constituting the digital document. In response to an operation for deleting an image positioned in a page, such image is not added to another page but is moved to and displayed in an evacuation area provided independently from the page area. In the evacuation area, such image is displayed together with a serial number of the page in which such image was present originally. Thus the page layout is not destructed in pages other than the page of image deletion, and the user can easily confirm later the image existed in such page.
US07940278B2
In a method of programming for image enhancement, a content addressable memory is accessed. At least one template is transferred into the content addressable memory. A random access memory is accessed. Enhancement data is transferred into the random access memory. Video data input is inputted into the content addressable memory. Enhancement data is outputted from the random access memory based on the video data matching at least one template.
US07940276B2
Graphics resources are virtualized through an interface between graphics hardware and graphics clients. The interface allocates the graphics resources across multiple graphics clients, processes commands for access to the graphics resources from the graphics clients, and resolves conflicts for the graphics resources among the clients.
US07940271B2
A system and method for processing a stored original data set for subsequent display on a user interface of a computer, the original data set having multiple dimensions and a number of original data points greater than the number of pixels available on the user interface. The system comprises a data reduction module for reducing the original data set to produce a reduced data set having less than the number of original data points, a data resizing module for dynamically resizing the received reduced data set to produce a resized data set for use in generating a display of pixels appropriate to the number of available pixels, and a pixel module configured for using a predefined color scale for assigning a unique color as the representative pixel value of a respective data value of the resized data points included in the display of pixels.
US07940269B2
A real-time algorithm for rendering of an inhomogeneous scattering medium such as fog with a surface object immersed therein is described. An input media animation is represented as a sequence of density fields. The algorithm computes surface reflectance of the surface object in the inhomogeneous scattering medium. The algorithm may also compute airlight of the inhomogeneous scattering medium. Several approximations are taken which lead to analytical solutions of quantities such as optical depth integrations and single scattering integrations, and a reduced number of integrations that need to be calculated. The resultant algorithm is able to render inhomogeneous media including their shadowing and scattering effects in real time. The algorithm may be adopted for a variety of light sources including point lights and environmental lights.
US07940267B2
A method of rendering a graphical scene includes determining a plurality of functions that contribute to a light transport model of a scene, factoring the plurality of functions into a set of fixed functions and one varying function, determining a first radiance transfer vector that represents the product of the fixed functions in the wavelet domain, determining a second radiance transfer vector that represents the one varying function in the wavelet domain, determining an inner product of the first and second radiance transfer vectors to approximate a radiance of a point x in the scene, and rendering the scene.
US07940265B2
According to embodiments of the invention, separate spatial indexes may be created which correspond to dynamic objects in a three dimensional scene and static objects in the three dimensional scene. By creating separate spatial indexes for static and dynamic objects, only the dynamic spatial index may need to be rebuilt in response to movement or changes in shape of objects in the three dimensional scene. Furthermore, the static and dynamic spatial indexes may be stored in separate portions of an image processing system's memory cache. By storing the static spatial index and the dynamic spatial index in separate portions of the memory cache, the dynamic portion of the memory cache may be updated without affecting the static portion of the spatial index in the memory cache.
US07940263B2
A plurality of representative points are selected from a group of points obtained as results of shape measurement of an object, respective principal curvatures are calculated at the representative points on the basis of positional relationships between the representative point and a plurality of points existing around the representative point, a line of curvature is created on the basis of the principal curvatures of the representative points and a curved surface is generated using this line of curvature.
US07940261B2
A device has a processor for processing a vertex processing stage, a sub-screen dividing stage and a pixel rendering stage of a three-dimensional (3D) graphics pipeline. The processor includes processing threads which balance the work load of the 3D graphics pipeline by prioritizing processing for the pixel rendering stage over other stages. Each processing thread, operating in parallel and independently, checks a level of tasks in a Task list of sub-screen tasks. If the level is below a threshold value, empty or the sub-screen tasks are all locked, the processing thread loops to the vertex processing stage. Otherwise, the processing thread processes a sub-screen task during the pixel rendering stage.
US07940257B2
This invention describes methods and circuits for the segment driver circuit in a LCD driver system as well as application specific SEG decoder. The methods include the following steps: the array signal undergoes an inversion process (from 1 to 0, or from 0 to 1); the data and the array signal that has been processed through the inversion process then undergo a matrix operation; the signal that has gone through the matrix operation is then sent to a BBM (break before make) circuit. The signal processor of the application specific SEG decoder performs the inverse operation (from 1 to 0, or from 0 to 1) on the array signal; the decoding circuit performs the matrix operation on the signal that has been inversed (from 1 to 0, or from 0 to 1) before sending it to the BBM circuit. The methods described in this invention first process the array signal through field processing and inverse processing (from 1 to 0, or from 0 to 1) before undergoing the matrix operation, rather than first performing the matrix operation and then selecting an output based on the field signal. Therefore, this invention enhances the SEG decoder by simplifying the circuitry, reducing energy consumption, lowering cost, and making it easier to realize.
US07940244B2
Using technology which uses a single shift register and simultaneously generates multiple pulses, this invention is a liquid crystal display device which rapidly drives data lines. It is possible to increase the frequency of the shift register output signal without changing the frequency of the shift register operation clock. If the shift register output signals, by means of analog switches, are used to determine the video signal sampling timing, high speed data line driving can be realized. Additionally, if the output signals of the shift register mentioned above are used to determine the video signal latch timing in a digital driver, high speed latching of the video signal can be realized. Consequently, even if the driving circuits of the liquid crystal display matrix are composed of TFTs, high speed operation of the driving circuits is possible without increasing power consumption. The shift register can also be used to inspect the electrical characteristics of the data lines and analog switches.
US07940241B2
A display apparatus includes a plurality of frame rate controllers that generate a motion interpolated intermediate image. The frame rate controllers exchange image information with adjacent frame rate controllers. According to the display apparatus, each frame rate controller displays the intermediate image on a corresponding display area based on the image information provided from the adjacent frame rate controller.
US07940240B2
In an image data processing device of the invention, an image memory sequentially stores input image data of multiple frames. A write control module controls a writing operation into the image memory, and a read control module controls a reading operation from the image memory. A driving image data generation module generates the driving image data from read image data sequentially read from the image memory. The driving image data generation module generates the driving image data by replacing at least part of the read image data with regard to selected pixels with mask data. The mask data is set corresponding to a pixel value of the read image data in each of the selected pixels to be replaced with the mask data. This arrangement of the invention effectively reduces blur of a moving image displayed by the image display device, while preventing a significant decrease in luminance level of the displayed image.
US07940230B2
Disclosed is a method for depicting digital display elements (a1-n, b1-n, c1-n, d1-n) on a number of display devices (1) that occurs in a temporarily and/or spatially coordinated manner. In order to depict display elements in a chronologically coordinated manner. At least one display computer device (4) and a control computer device (3) are provided, and at least one display device (1) is assigned to each display computer device. At least one display element and/or one reference to the display element and at least one item of control information (ta, tb, tc, td) are transmitted to the control computer device (3). The control computer device generates at least one control command (xa, xb, xc, xd) from the item of control information. Based on the control command from the display computer device (4), signals (5) are generated from the file, which contains or depicts the display elements, and are transmitted to the respectively assigned display device (1).
US07940225B1
An apparatus, method of propagating a signal and method of manufacture for an antenna structure comprising a section which is positioned or formed in relation to a portion of the antenna structure, such that a portion of the electromagnetic (EM) field that is emitted from the antenna structure is partially slowed or phase shifted thereby resulting in an improvement of the horizontal gain of the EM field.
US07940221B2
An electronic device and a telescopic antenna module are disclosed. The electronic device includes a housing and the telescopic antenna module. The telescopic antenna module includes an antenna with a ground terminal, a telescopic support with a sliding mechanism and an antenna module shell. The antenna is movably connected to the sliding mechanism. The antenna module shell is made of conductive material. The antenna is connected to the antenna module shell via the ground terminal for ground connection.
US07940207B1
A modular system is for assembling a fill-level radar antenna, a fill-level radar antenna, and o a fill level radar. The modular system comprises several modules that can be interconnected. In this way a host of different fill-level radar antennae may be produced that are optimally adapted to the corresponding conditions.
US07940197B2
A network re-encoding device is intended for re-encoding encoded symbols to be transmitted to at least one communication equipment connected to a network. This network re-encoding device comprises a re-encoding means arranged for re-encoding output nodes, defined by LT code symbols representative of encoded symbols and representative respectively of the results of XOR Boolean operation between input nodes defining decoded symbols whose values have to be discovered and to which they are linked into a Tanner graph, by combining chosen input node and/or output node having known values, in order to produce new LT code symbols defining generated output nodes ready to be transmitted.
US07940196B2
An aircraft display system is provided that is configured to render a perspective display having a field of view. The aircraft display system includes a monitor and a processor coupled to the monitor. The processor is configured to generate a map display on the monitor. The map display indicates the value of at least one parameter of the field of view of the perspective display.
US07940192B2
Channel estimation and signal equalization is used in a mud-pulse telemetry system for uplink communication during drilling of wellbores.
US07940183B2
The present invention relates to an antenna for an RFID tag chip. The antenna includes a dielectric material, a radiating patch that scatters a signal from the RFID tag chip for transmitting the scattered signal, and microstrip lines having a terminal for the RFID tag chip. Accordingly, a small antenna that can be attached to metal can be realized.
US07940178B2
A laser area sensor includes a laser range finder, a scanning mechanism that changes a measurement direction of the laser range finder, and a distance data acquiring portion that defines a detection area and acquires distance information in each direction in the detection area in a time-series manner, by periodically causing the laser range finder to perform measurement while causing the measurement direction to be changed. The laser area sensor also includes a human body judging portion that extracts a portion that is presumed to correspond to a human body, from among the distance information and judges whether or not the extracted portion matches a human body based on a time-series moving status of the extracted portion, an alert output control portion, a memory, and a DIP switch.
US07940176B2
Methods and devices provide for lock interaction with software in order to facilitate access to a vault in a cash handling device and display of a transportation utility interface. A user may access an electromechanical lock on a cash handling device. The lock may determine whether the user is authorized. If unlocked, access may be provided to a transportation utility interface and to a vault that may contain currency in order to facilitate removal and transportation of the currency. If desired, stackers in the cash handling device may automatically transfer the currency to a container in the vault after the lock is unlocked. The vault may be subsequently closed, access to the transportation utility interface may be disabled, and the lock may be re-locked.
US07940173B2
A wireless device for facilitating for GPS-based asset tracking via a wireless communications network and a centralized management system. The wireless device includes dynamically configurable event profiles which allow the wireless device to be dynamically reconfigured and to perform certain actions based on a dynamically configurable combination of received events.
US07940171B2
A computer-implemented location identification method involves obtaining a digital image of a machine-readable representation encoded with a geographic location identifier that is associated with a geographic location, decoding the image of the machine-readable representation to produce the geographic location identifier, and presenting content related to the geographic location and identified using the decoded geographic location identifier.
US07940167B2
A battery-powered occupancy sensor for detecting an occupancy condition in a space comprises first and second batteries, an occupancy detector circuit, a controller, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a first wireless signal in response to the occupancy detector circuit detecting the occupancy condition in the space. The controller and the wireless transmitter are powered by the first battery, while only the occupancy detector circuit is powered by the second battery, such that the occupancy detector circuit is isolated from noise generated by the controller and the wireless transmitter. The occupancy detector circuit draws a current having a magnitude of approximately 5 microamps or less from the second battery. The occupancy sensor transmits a second wireless signal is response to determining that the voltage of one of the batteries has dropped too low.
US07940160B2
The convenience of use of a method for locking a working machine without locking actuation by a human being is improved. A lock control device (80) of a working machine (1) includes: a stop operation detection means (186) which detects that a predetermined stop operation has been performed by the working machine (1); a time period length measurement means (187) which measures the time period length from when it has been detected that the predetermined stop operation has been performed, to the present; and a lock setting means (188) which: if the time period length which has been measured is within a predetermined time period length, without locking the working machine, makes it possible to restart it without a password; and, if the time period length which has been measured is greater than the predetermined time period length, locks the working machine (1), and makes restarting possible upon password input.
US07940146B2
A boundary acoustic wave element includes an IDT electrode arranged at the interface between a piezoelectric substance and a dielectric layer, a heat dissipation film is arranged on the outer side surface of the dielectric layer or on the outer side surface of a sound-absorbing film laminated on the outer side of the dielectric layer, the heat dissipation film is arranged to have a portion that overlaps the IDT electrode in plan view, and the heat dissipation film is connected to a bump provided on the outer side surface of the sound-absorbing film, and is connected to a via-hole conductor that extends through the sound-absorbing film. The boundary acoustic wave element and a boundary acoustic wave device are excellent in a heat dissipation property and hence can provide enhanced electric power resistance, without causing an increase in chip size and an increase in the area of the mounting space.
US07940133B2
An atomic frequency acquisition apparatus includes: a cell enclosing atomic gas therein; a laser light source that oscillates a laser light that enters the cell and excites the atomic gas; and a photodetecting section that detects the laser light that has passed through the cell, wherein the cell has at least a laser light reflection section inside thereof.
US07940128B2
The present invention relates to a mixed mode electronic circuit that implements a PLL cell that employs an auto-range algorithm to lock to a wide range of input reference signals.
US07940124B2
A Bi-Directional and Adjustable Current Source (“BACS”) for providing an amplifier input with a voltage signal that is linear, where an output of the BACS and the amplifier input are shunted with a capacitor, is described. The BACS may include a first switch in signal communication with a high voltage reference and a first current source in signal communication with the first switch. The BACS may also include a second switch in signal communication with a low voltage reference and a second current source in signal communication with the second switch. The BACS may further include a directional current element in signal communication with both the first current source, the second current source, the output of the BACS, the amplifier input, and the capacitor, where the directional current element is configured to prevent current flow from the output BACS to the first current source.
US07940122B2
There is provided an amplifier circuit having a common-source amplifier, an output load connected to an output terminal of the common-source amplifier, a buffer circuit connected to the output terminal of the common-source amplifier, a feedback circuit connected between an output terminal of the buffer circuit and an input terminal of the common-source amplifier, and a control circuit for controlling an impedance of the feedback circuit in accordance with a gain of the common-source amplifier.
US07940106B2
An apparatus for generating a correction signal for linearizing an output signal of a non-linear element includes a correction signal generator. The correction signal generator is configured to generate a correction signal on the basis of a superposition of a digital reference signal and a superposed output signal. The superposed output signal is based on a superposition of the output signal and an analog reference signal.
US07940100B2
Delay circuits capable of providing delays closely matching propagation delays of synchronous circuits are described. In one design, an apparatus includes a synchronous circuit and a delay circuit. The synchronous circuit includes a forward path from a data input to a data output. The synchronous circuit receives input data and provides output data with a propagation delay. The delay circuit receives an input signal and provides a delayed input signal having a delay matching the propagation delay of the synchronous circuit. The delay circuit includes at least two logic gates in the forward path of the synchronous circuit. The synchronous and delay circuits may be implemented based on the same or similar circuit architecture. The delay circuit may be based on a replica of the synchronous circuit, with the replica having feedback loops broken and clock input coupled to appropriate logic value to always enable the delay circuit.
US07940092B2
An H bridge circuit includes a gate driver circuit coupled to a gate of an NMOS device. The output of the gate driver circuit is at a voltage from 0.1V to 0.4V during a dead time of the H bridge circuit. The gate voltage of the NMOS device is biased at 0.1˜0.4V to overcome the problems of minority carrier injection and power dissipation as compared with VG=0 in a conventional H bridge circuit.
US07940086B2
An object of the present invention is to realize reduction in an area of an output stage driver in an interface circuit that switches between two transmission systems. The interface circuit has two driver circuits and a drive control circuit that can switch between two driving systems that are a voltage driving system and a current driving system. The two driver circuits are connected to a power supply potential via the drive control circuit. Two input signals and inverted logic signals of the input signals are inputted via a selection circuit. According to a control signal inputted into the drive control circuit, the interface circuit switches between the voltage-driving type single-ended transmission system and current driving type differential transmission system.
US07940077B2
In one implementation, a termination circuit may include a variable resistance circuit that comprises a resistance network in which the resistance of a parallel combination of two complementary transistors of opposite types is substantially independent of the drain-to-source voltages of the transistors when the gate-to-source voltages of the transistors are substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in sign. In various examples, the network may include a resistor in parallel and/or series with the transistors. Some implementations may adjust a resistance of the network in response to a digital-to-analog converter output signal. In another implementation, an integrated circuit may include a termination stage with an integrated resistor in parallel or series with a circuit having a tunable impedance. In an illustrative embodiment, relative channel width of the first and second transistors may be selected to realize substantially complementary characteristics for drain-to-source voltage vs. drain-to-source resistance.
US07940066B2
An apparatus and method for self-testing a DDR memory interface are disclosed. In one aspect, a built-in-self-test (BIST) memory interface circuit includes a signal multiplier for receiving a first clock signal from a tester and outputs a multiplied clock signal. A first multiplexer is used for selecting between a test mode and a normal operating mode and provides an output signal. A delay magnitude generator is coupled to the signal multiplier to receive the multiplied clock signal and provides a second clock signal and a phase control signal. A plurality of digitally controlled delay line blocks are used for each receiving the second clock signal and the phase control signal and outputting a phase shifted data strobe output signal in response to receiving an internal data strobe input signal. A second multiplexer selects one of the internal data strobe input signals and a third multiplexer selects the phase shifted data strobe output signal that corresponds to the selected internal data strobe input signal. A phase detector determines a phase difference between the selected internal data strobe input signal and the selected phase shifted data strobe output signal and outputs a phase difference value.
US07940059B2
A method for measuring an on resistance in an H-bridge including first and second transistors connected to a first output terminal, third and fourth transistors connected to a second output terminal, and a measurement switch connected to the first and second output terminals. The first and third transistors are connected to a first power supply terminal. The second and fourth transistors are connected to a second power supply terminal. The method includes supplying the first transistor with measurement current during a first period, measuring a first voltage at the first power supply terminal via the third transistor using the second output terminal during the first period, measuring a second voltage at the first output terminal via the measurement switch using the second output terminal during the first period, and determining the on resistance of the first transistor based on the measurement current, first voltage, and second voltage.
US07940056B2
The present invention provides a method of time domain reflectometry including transmitting a test signal along a cable under test from one end and sensing and recording a reflected signal from the cable at that end, using the recorded, reflected signal to estimate the distance, Ldist, from the one end to a discontinuity on the cable, separating a test signal component from the remainder, Vr, of the reflected signal; estimating the impedance, Zfault, of the discontinuity from known, predetermined values of the characteristic impedance, Zline, and of the characteristic gain, T, of a reference cable, and from the said separated test signal and reflected signal components, calculating the estimation error as a difference between the model reflection signal, Vrmod, expected of the cable under test based on the characteristic impedance and characteristic gain and the estimated impedance, Zfault and distance, Ldist, and the actual reflection signal Vr, choosing new estimated values of Ldist and Zfault in accordance with a predetermined algorithm such as to approach optimal values, repeating the aforesaid step of calculating the estimation error until a predetermined condition has been satisfied, and outputting the values of Ldist and Zfault that gave the least error.
US07940054B2
A ground return path is determined to be impaired when no zero-sequence current is measured in the neutral return path, but zero-sequence current is detected in other suitable measuring points that include the windings of an autotransformer, or in a magnetically coupled delta-configured tertiary winding, or potential transformer.
US07940049B2
A portable electromagnetic metal detector includes a detection head placed at the end of a support stick. The detection head includes a transmitting coil and a receiving coil. The metal detector has, an electronic command and control box making it possible to operate the detection head. An operator headset is provided for allowing the detector to transmit an audio detection signal to the operator. According to the invention, the generation of the transmission signal and the analysis of the received signal are made in the detection head. The detection head, the electronic box and the operator headset furthermore linked two by two by a multipoint wireless communication network. This wireless communication network advantageously makes it possible to provide a detector that does not include any wired links and to implement the detector according to the invention in various configurations including the three elements or not.
US07940031B2
An output voltage VC obtained by boosting an input voltage VIN by means of a charge pump control circuit 3 of a charge pump 102 is supplied as a power supply voltage to a control circuit 4 of a step-up converter. It is thus possible to eliminate the need for a conventional self-bias method, eliminate switching from startup oscillation to main oscillation of the conventional self-bias method upon startup, and overcome problems caused by the switching of oscillation states, thereby achieving switching power supply circuitry starting in a reliable and stable manner.
US07940024B2
A media portal for a vehicle includes a structure within a vehicle passenger compartment that defines a cavity. The cavity is selectively variable in size in order to retain a portable electronic device. A sensor is configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device in the cavity. An inductive charger is positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device. At least one user interface device is included through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device.
US07940022B2
A motor controlling device and a motor controlling method are provided. The motor controlling device includes a first sensor, a second sensor and a signal switching circuit. The signal switching circuit is electrically connected to the first and second sensors, respectively. The signal switching circuit is switched to the first sensor to output a first switching phase signal to drive a motor when the motor starts to operate. The signal switching circuit is switched to the second sensor to output a second switching phase signal to drive the motor when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied with a predetermined value during the motor operation.
US07940013B2
A lighting apparatus includes light emitters to illuminate an illuminated member. Relationship information about a relationship between variations in the amount of light emitted by each of the light emitters and variations in an amount of light received on each of the different portions of the illuminated member are stored in memory. A controller is operable to control individually, based on the relationship information, the amount of the light emitted by each of the light emitters so that the amount of light received on the different portions of the illuminated member are substantially even.
US07940010B2
An emergency lighting system comprising light units and sensors, such as heat detectors, smoke detectors and motion detectors, operable to activate the light units. In the preferred embodiment, the light units are operable to adopt a selected one of at least two illuminated stated depending on the state of the sensors. Each illuminated state may involve the display of a symbol, text message or illumination pattern such as an arrow or a warning indicator, and/or may involve the emission of a respective illumination color. The emergency lighting system may be associated with a set of stairs in order to illuminate the stairs when activated.
US07940007B2
A dielectric waveguide integrated plasma lamp (DWIPL) with a body comprising at least one dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than approximately 2, and having a shape and dimensions such that the body resonates in at least one resonant mode when microwave energy of an appropriate frequency is coupled into the body. A dielectric bulb within a lamp chamber in the body contains a fill which when receiving energy from the resonating body forms a light-emitting plasma. The bulb is transparent to visible light and infrared radiation emitted by the plasma. Radiative energy lost from the plasma is recycled by reflecting the radiation from thin-film, multi-layer coatings on bulb exterior surfaces and/or lamp chamber surfaces back into the bulb. The lamp further includes two- or three-microwave probe configurations minimizing power reflected from the body back to the microwave source when the source operates: (a) at a frequency such that the body resonates in a single mode; or (b) at one frequency such that the body resonates in a relatively higher mode before a plasma is formed, and at another frequency such that the body resonates in a relatively lower order mode after the plasma reaches steady state.
US07939995B2
The packaged piezoelectric resonator comprises a case (170; 270) with a lid (140; 240) and a piezoelectric resonator element (110) housed in said case, The piezoelectric resonator element includes a planar tuning-fork-shaped part with two parallel vibrating arms (112, 114), and an additional attachment arm (118) intended for fixing the resonator element (110) to the bottom (172) of the case (170). The inside surface of the lid (140, 240) is stepped in such a way as to form a first portion (142) where the lid has a first thickness and a second portion (144) where the lid has a second thickness substantially greater than the first thickness, the first portion (142) extending at least over distal end portions (166, 168) of the vibrating arms (112, 114), and the second portion (144) extending at least over a part of the attachment arm (118).
US07939993B2
The present invention relates to a micromechanical HF switching element, in which a freestanding movable element is situated above a metallic surface on a substrate in such way that it is drawn to the metallic surface, to which a dielectric layer is applied, by applying an electrical voltage between the metallic surface and the movable element. The present invention also relates to a method for producing micromechanical HF switching elements of this type, in which the dielectric layer is deposited on the metal surface. The present method is distinguished in that a piezoelectric AlN layer having a columnar, polycrystalline structure and a texture is deposited on the metallic surface as the dielectric layer. Significantly reduced charging of the dielectric material and increased long-term stability of the switching element are achieved by the present method and the HF switching element thus produced.
US07939992B2
An electrical switch element, particularly a relay, is provided with an actuator with a switch contact and a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism translates a driving movement of the actuator into a switching movement of the switch contact so that the switch contact is brought into and out of contact with a mating contact. In order to create a switching movement with a large lift in the case of an actuator which can only execute a driving movement with small lift, the switch mechanism has two swivelling levers connected to each other via the actuator and at least one contact retainer. The contact retainer connects the two swivelling levers in its longitudinal direction with a lever arm larger than the actuator and is configured so it can be deflected transverse to its longitudinal direction.
US07939978B2
The present invention relates to an electric motor (1) with a stator (4) with a wiring device (28) for stator windings, with control electronics (10) arranged in an electronics housing (8) and a connecting device (32), which is arranged in the region of the electronics housing (8), for external connecting lines. In this case, all of the electrical connections between the connecting device (32) and the control electronics (10) and/or between the control electronics (10) and the stator wiring device (28) are in the form of a plug-type connector (34) with a number of connecting elements.
US07939976B2
A hybrid type stepper motor preferably includes a two-phase eight-main-pole stator and a rotor defined by two rotor units each having a pair of rotor magnetic poles with a permanent magnet interposed therebetween. Each rotor magnetic pole has fine teeth at a regular pitch. The permanent magnets are magnetized in opposite directions to each other. The adjacent rotor magnetic poles of the rotor units are arranged with their fine teeth aligned with each other in the axial direction. Each main pole has six inductor teeth including: a pair of innermost inductor teeth arranged at the first pitch in the central portion of the main pole; a pair of intermediate teeth on the outside of the innermost inductor teeth at the second pitch therefrom; and a pair of outermost inductor teeth on the outside of the intermediate inductor teeth at the third pitch therefrom. The first, second, and third pitches are all different from the pitch of the fine teeth of the rotor magnetic pole. At least one of the first, second, and third pitches is different from the others.
US07939974B2
A movable magnet type linear motor with a mover heat-dissipating assembly includes a mover having a housing receiving therein a coil seat for holding a coil, openings being formed at two opposite ends of the housing, end covers being attached to the openings and having central holes so as to allow an inner stator to pass through the holes, wherein a plurality of heat dissipating channels are provided between the coil seat and the housing while the end covers have plural heat dissipating holes corresponding to the heat dissipating channels so that external cool air is allowed to enter the housing through the heat dissipating holes and the heat dissipating channels, thereby cooling the mover.
US07939973B2
A canned linear motor armature comprising an armature winding constituted by a coil group including a plurality of formed coils formed in a flat plate shape. A metal-made chassis is provided to surround the armature winding by a frame-like shape. A can hermetically closes two opening portions of the chassis. The coil group is interposed by a wiring board having a wiring portion and a resin-made frame of a bath tub shape. The frame is opened only at a face side of the wiring board. A periphery of the formed coils surrounded by the wiring board and the frame is configured to be injection-molded by a mold or a potting resin.
US07939965B2
The present invention relates, in general, to a charge equalization apparatus with series-connected battery cells and, more particularly, to a charge equalization apparatus, in which series-connected battery cells (B1 to BN) are connected in parallel with the primary windings (Mi 1 to M1N) of transformers (T1 to TN), switches (S1 to SN) for controlling the flow of current of the primary windings are connected in series with the primary windings (M1 1 to M1N), and multiple secondary windings (M21 to M2N) corresponding to the primary windings are connected in parallel with each other.
US07939960B2
The present invention provides an aerial wind power generating system which has an improved structure such that despite light wind, satisfactory wind power generation can be ensured, and such that it is easy to install and remove the system, thus being effectively adapted to a temporary and portable wind power generating system. The system of the present invention includes a floating body (20), which is connected to support wires coupled to a wire rotating unit, a wind passage (30), which is formed through the floating body, so that wind passes through the wind passage in the horizontal direction, and a wind power generating unit (40), which has turbine blade assemblies and generators (48). The turbine blade assemblies are installed in the wind passage and are thus rotated by wind passing through the wind passage. The generators generate electric energy using rotating force transmitted from the turbine blade assemblies.
US07939959B2
A system and method are provided to isolate outputs of parallel converter threads of a power system converter of a wind turbine generator by utilizing isolated power windings on the output transformer from the converter. Such isolation eliminates the circulating common mode current between the parallel converters of the wind turbine system and eliminates the need for a common mode inductor. System reliability is enhanced and total system cost is reduced.
US07939936B2
A semiconductor package includes a wiring board having a plurality of first electrode pads exposed on a top surface thereof, and a plurality of second electrode pads exposed on a bottom surface thereof, and the first electrode pads are electrically connected to the respective second electrode pads. A semiconductor device is mounted on the top surface of the wiring board, and includes an endless ring-shaped resistance circuit formed in an interior of the device along a periphery thereof, and a plurality of third electrode pads provided inside the resistance circuit and electrically connected to the resistance circuit. The third electrode pads are electrically connected to the first electrode pads, respectively. A sealing resin layer is formed over the first surface of the wiring board so that the device and the first electrode pads are sealed and protected by the sealing resin layer.
US07939929B2
A semiconductor laser device includes a supporting substrate; a semiconductor laser device portion which is formed on a surface of the supporting substrate, and which includes a pair of cavity surfaces; an adhesive layer with which the supporting substrate and the semiconductor laser device portion are adhered to each other; and areas, in which no adhesive layer exists, the areas being near the ends respectively of the cavity surfaces, the ends being closer to the supporting substrate.
US07939922B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a semiconductor package having a substrate with a first surface to support a semiconductor die. A second surface of the substrate includes compliant conductive pads to provide electrical connections to the semiconductor die. In this way, improved connection between the semiconductor package and a socket is provided. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07939920B2
A multiple die package and removable storage card is disclosed. An insulator layer is provided and one or more vias are formed within it. The insulator may be provided without vias, and vias formed later. At least one integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to at least one lead of a first leadframe overlying one surface of the insulator layer. At least one second integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to a second leadframe overlying a second surface of the insulator layer. Electrical connections between the two leadframes and the first and second integrated circuits are made through the insulator, at selected locations, by coupling at least one lead of the first and second leadframes one to another. The leads of the first and second leadframe may be electrically coupled via anisotropically conductive areas of the leadframes.
US07939906B2
A manufacturing method for an electron tomography specimen with embedded fiducial markers includes the following steps. A chip of wafer is provided. The chip includes at least one inspecting area. At least one trench is produced beside the inspecting area. A liquid with the markers is filled into the trenches. A first protection layer is coated on the chip, and then a second protection layer is deposited on the first protection layer. Therefore, the markers can be embedded into the electron tomography specimen. The embedded markers can improve the alignment process, due to those embedded markers are easily tracked during feature tracking procedure. In addition, our novel invention also successfully provides a modified version of the technique to deposit gold beads onto TEM pillar samples for much improved 3D reconstruction.
US07939902B2
The present invention is a field effect transistor having a strained semiconductor substrate and Schottky-barrier source and drain electrodes, and a method for making the transistor. The bulk charge carrier transport characteristic of the Schottky barrier field effect transistor minimizes carrier surface scattering, which enables the strained substrate to provide improved power and speed performance characteristics in this device, as compared to conventional devices.
US07939901B2
An optical element mounted on a wiring board is sealed by a sealing resin except an optical function region. Wires connecting the wiring board with the optical element are also sealed by the sealing resin. The optical function region is exposed as a bottom surface of a recess whose side surface is formed by the sealing resin. A boundary portion between the side surface of the recess and a top surface portion and a boundary portion between the side surface and bottom surface of the recess have a rounded shape.
US07939887B2
A semiconductor component in which the active junctions extend perpendicularly to the surface of a semiconductor chip substantially across the entire thickness thereof. The contacts with the regions to be connected are provided by conductive fingers substantially crossing the entire region with which a contact is desired to be established.
US07939886B2
A trench gate power MOSFET (1) includes: an n−-type epitaxial layer (12); a p-type body region (20) formed in the vicinity of an upper surface of the n−-type epitaxial layer (12); a plurality of trenches (14) formed so as to reach the n−-type epitaxial layer (12) from an upper surface of the p-type body region (20); and gates (18) formed in the trenches (14). In some regions facing the p-type body region (20) in the n−-type epitaxial layer (12), p-type carrier extracting regions (26a, 26b, 26c) are formed. According to the trench gate power MOSFET (1), holes generated in a cell region can be effectively collected through the p-type carrier extracting regions (26a, 26b, 26c) so as to further increase a speed of the switching operation.
US07939884B2
A trench semiconductor device is provided which ensures a reduced turn-on time. The semiconductor device (1) includes: a first epitaxial layer provided on a semiconductor substrate; a second epitaxial layer provided in contact with an upper surface of the first epitaxial layer and having a lower impurity concentration than the first epitaxial layer; a plurality of trenches provided in the second epitaxial layer as extending downward from an upper surface of the second epitaxial layer; a gate electrode embedded in each of the trenches; a source region extending downward from the upper surface of the second epitaxial layer along each of opposite side surfaces of the trench; a base region extending downward from a lower surface of the source region along each of the opposite side surfaces of the trench; and a base high concentration region provided adjacent the source region and the base region in spaced relation from the trench as extending downward from the upper surface of the second epitaxial layer to a greater depth than the base region, and having the same conductivity type as the base region and a higher impurity concentration than the base region.
US07939883B2
There is disclosed a voltage regulating apparatus with a short settling time and a small current consumption. The voltage regulating apparatus comprises a reference voltage generator including an MOSFET array comprising a plurality of MOSFETs with a structure in which a drain and a source are connected in series with each other, a supply voltage is applied to the drain of the MOSFET located in an end of the MOSFET array and the source of the MOSFET located in another end is grounded, and the reference voltage is a voltage obtained by dividing by the plurality of MOSFETs of the MOSFET array at a predetermined ratio.
US07939877B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. A first capacitor storage node may be formed within a first opening in a first sacrificial material. A second sacrificial material may be formed over the first capacitor storage node and over the first sacrificial material, and a retaining structure may be formed over the second sacrificial material. A second opening may be formed through the retaining structure and the second sacrificial material, and a second capacitor storage node may be formed within the second opening and against the first storage node. The first and second sacrificial materials may be removed, and then capacitor dielectric material may be formed along the first and second storage nodes. Capacitor electrode material may then be formed along the capacitor dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of forming DRAM unit cells, and some embodiments include DRAM unit cell constructions.
US07939870B2
A magnetoresistive device comprises a ferromagnetic region, a non-ferromagnetic region, an insulating region and a conductive region. The insulating region is arranged between the ferromagnetic region and the conductive region so as to provide a tunnel barrier. The non-ferromagnetic region separates the insulating region and the ferromagnetic region.
US07939864B1
A bond wire circuit includes bond wires arranged relatively to provide a selected inductance. In connection with various example embodiments, respective bond wire loops including forward and return current paths are arranged orthogonally. Each loop includes a forward bond wire connecting an input terminal with an intermediate terminal, and a return bond wire connecting the intermediate terminal to an output terminal. The return bond wires generally mitigate return current flow from the intermediate terminal in an underlying substrate. In some implementations, the loops are arranged such that current flowing in each of the respective loops generates equal and self-cancelling current in the other of the respective loops.
US07939861B2
Non-volatile memory (NVM) devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a NVM device may include a substrate, and a field-effect transistor (FET). The FET may include a first doped region in the substrate and a second doped region in the substrate. The first and the second doped regions may define a channel region of the substrate between them. An insulating layer may overlie the channel region. A floating gate may overlie the insulating layer. Charge of an amount that encodes a value may be stored on the floating gate. The floating gate and the first and the second doped regions may be shaped such that the floating gate defines with the first doped region a first border of a first length, and the floating gate defines with the second doped region a second border of a second length that is less than 90% of the first length.
US07939859B2
A solid state imaging device includes a transfer transistor for transferring signal charges generated by photoelectric conversion to a floating diffusion layer, a reset transistor for resetting a potential of the floating diffusion layer, and an amplifying transistor for outputting a signal corresponding to the potential of the floating diffusion layer. A low concentration impurity region having an impurity concentration lower than that of the first conductivity type semiconductor region is formed in part of a surface portion of the first conductivity type semiconductor region which is located below a gate electrode of the amplifying transistor and serves as a well region of the amplifying transistor.
US07939858B2
A cell includes a plurality of diffusion region pairs, each of the diffusion region pairs being formed by a first impurity diffusion region which is a constituent of a transistor and a second impurity diffusion region such that the first and second impurity diffusion regions are provided side-by-side in a gate length direction with a device isolation region interposed therebetween. In each of the diffusion region pairs, the first and second impurity diffusion regions have an equal length in the gate width direction and are provided at equal positions in the gate width direction, and a first isolation region portion, which is part of the device isolation region between the first and second impurity diffusion regions, has a constant separation length. In the diffusion region pairs, the first isolation region portions have an equal separation length.
US07939856B2
An area efficient distributed device for integrated voltage regulators comprising at least one filler cell connected between a pair of PADS on I/O rail of a chip and at least one additional filler cell having small size replica of said device is coupled to said I/O rails for distributing replicas of said device on the periphery of said chip. The device is connected as small size replica on the lower portion of said second filler cell for distributing said device on the periphery of said chip and providing maximal area utilization.
US07939854B2
The invention relates to a semiconductor device with a substrate and a semiconductor body of silicon comprising a bipolar transistor with an emitter region, a base region and a collector region which are respectively of the N-type conductivity, the P-type conductivity and the N-type conductivity by the provision of suitable doping atoms, wherein the base region comprises a mixed crystal of silicon and germanium, the base region is separated from the emitter region by an intermediate region of silicon having a doping concentration which is lower than the doping concentration of the emitter region and with a thickness smaller than the thickness of the emitter region, and the emitter region comprises a sub-region comprising a mixed crystal of silicon and germanium which is positioned at the side of emitter region remote from the intermediate region.
US07939851B2
An electronic device with an amplifier output stage (OS) and an over-current detection means (OCDM) for detecting an output over-current (IHS, ILS) of the output stage (OS) is provided. The over-current detection means (OCDM) comprises a level detection means (LDM) for detecting a level of the output current (IO) exceeding a first level of the output current (IDET), and a timing detection means (TDM) for detecting a duration during which the output current (IO) exceeds the first current level (IDET) being a maximum current level.
US07939847B2
A quasi-vertical light emitting device is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the quasi-vertical light emitting diode includes a sapphire substrate; a plurality of semiconductor layers grown on the sapphire substrate, the plurality of semiconductor layers including an n-GaN layer, an active layer, and a p-GaN layer; a plurality of holes etched in the plurality of semiconductor layers, each of the plurality of holes etched to the sapphire substrate, and a plurality of sapphire holes in the sapphire substrate, each of the plurality of holes aligned with one of the plurality of sapphire holes to form hole walls, the hole walls and bottom deposited with an n-metal and each of the plurality of holes filled with another metal to form a n-electrode contact; an n-mesa in the active layer and the p-GaN layer, the n-mesa deposited with an n-metal and a passivation layer grown over the n-metal; and a p-metal layer deposited on the p-GaN layer, and a p-electrode bonded to the p-metal.
US07939839B2
A light source and method for making the same are disclosed. The light source includes a substrate, and a light emitting structure that is divided into segments. The light emitting structure includes a first layer of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type deposited on the substrate, an active layer overlying the first layer, and a second layer of semiconductor material of an opposite conductivity type from the first conductivity type overlying the active layer. A barrier divides the light emitting structure into first and second segments that are electrically isolated from one another. A serial connection electrode connects the first layer in the first segment to the second layer in the second segment. A power contact is electrically connected to the second layer in the first segment, and a second power contact electrically connected to the first layer in the second segment.
US07939838B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer having a recess extending downwardly from a top surface thereof along a pattern of a closed line so that said recess defines and encloses a region of the semiconductor layer that emits light, said semiconductor layer having a downward slope in at least a portion of its side end face located outside the closed line pattern of said recess; a first electrode on said downward slope of the side end face of the semiconductor layer and electrically in contact with a portion of said semiconductor layer, wherein said first electrode downwardly reflects light that is emitted by said semiconductor layer and that reaches the first electrode; and a second electrode electrically in contact with a portion of said semiconductor layer located inside the closed line pattern of said recess.
US07939837B2
A modular light emitting diode (LED) mounting configuration is provided including a light source module having a plurality of pre-packaged LEDs arranged in a serial array. The module is connected to a heat dissipating plate configured to mount to an electrical junction box. Thus, heat from the LEDs is conducted to the heat dissipating plate and to the junction box. A sensor is configured to detect environmental parameters and a driver is configured to illuminate the LEDs in response to the environmental parameters, thereby selectively configuring the LEDs to function in a wide variety of useful applications.
US07939832B2
A light emitting diode for harsh environments includes a substantially transparent substrate, a semiconductor layer deposited on a bottom surface of the substrate, several bonding pads, coupled to the semiconductor layer, formed on the bottom surface of the substrate, and a micro post, formed on each bonding pad, for electrically connecting the light emitting diode to a printed circuit board. An underfill layer may be provided between the bottom surface of the substrate and the top surface of the printed circuit board, to reduce water infiltration under the light emitting diode substrate. Additionally, a diffuser may be mounted to a top surface of the light emitting diode substrate to diffuse the light emitted through the top surface.
US07939830B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a display device where a semiconductor layer pattern formed between a pair of electrodes can be formed to a predetermined size, even in the case where the distance between the electrodes on top of a semiconductor layer pattern is relatively large in elements formed in accordance with a photoresist reflow technology. The present invention provides a display device where elements are formed on an insulating substrate, characterized in that the above described elements comprise: a semiconductor layer pattern formed on a main surface of the above described insulating substrate or an insulating film layer formed on the main surface; and a number of electrodes provided in parallel at a distance from each other on the above described semiconductor layer pattern, the above described number of electrodes are a first electrode, a second electrode and dummy electrodes located between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the above described number of electrodes are patterned so that a protrusion is formed, in which the above described electrodes are aligned at on least one end side of at least one of the facing sides.
US07939829B2
A semiconductor device can easily reduce a leak current which flows when a reversely-staggered-type TFT element in which an active layer is made of polycrystalline semiconductor is turned off. The semiconductor device includes a reversely-staggered-type TFT element in which a semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode are arranged on a surface of an insulation film, and a portion of the source electrode and a portion of the drain electrode respectively get over the semiconductor layer. The active layer of the semiconductor layer is mainly made of polycrystalline semiconductor constituted of strip-shaped crystals elongated in the channel length direction of the TFT element, and is configured in a plan view such that the source electrode and the drain electrode are respectively pulled out from positions above the active layer in the channel width direction of the TFT element and in the directions opposite to each other, and the source electrode intersects with only one side out of two sides of the active layer which extend in the channel length direction, and the drain electrode intersects with only another side out of two sides of the active layer which extend in the channel length direction.
US07939818B2
The present invention relates to polymers comprising a repeating unit of the formula (I) their use in electronic devices. The polymers according to the invention have excellent solubility in organic solvents and excellent film-forming properties. In addition, high charge carrier mobilities and high temperature stability of the emission color are observed, if the polymers according to the invention are used in polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs).
US07939815B2
By making an ovonic threshold switch using a carbon interfacial layer having a thickness of less than or equal to ten percent of the thickness of the associated electrode, cycle endurance may be improved. In some embodiments, a glue layer may be used between the carbon and the chalcogenide of the ovonic threshold switch. The glue layer may be effective to improve adherence between carbon and chalcogenide.
US07939811B2
Low energy light illumination and either a doped semiconductor surface or a surface-plasmon supporting surface are used in combination for manipulating a fluid on the surface in the absence of any applied electric fields or flow channels. Precise control of fluid flow is achieved by applying focused or tightly collimated low energy light to the surface-fluid interface. In the first embodiment, with an appropriate dopant level in the semiconductor substrate, optically excited charge carriers are made to move to the surface when illuminated. In a second embodiment, with a thin-film noble metal surface on a dispersive substrate, optically excited surface plasmons are created for fluid manipulation. This electrode-less optical control of the Marangoni effect provides re-configurable manipulations of fluid flow, thereby paving the way for reprogrammable microfluidic devices.
US07939808B1
The present invention relates to quaternary compound scintillators and related devices and methods. The scintillators may include, for example, a mixed halide scintillator composition including at least two different CsLiLa halide compounds and a dopant. Related detection devices and methods are further included.
US07939790B1
A method and apparatus is provided for biasing an avalanche photodiodes (APD). The method includes developing a first output signal s(v1) from the APD when biased with a first bias voltage v1 and developing a second output signal s(v2) from the APD when biased with a second bias voltage v2, wherein s(v)=PRZM(v), (P) is an light power illuminating the APD, R is a responsivity of the APD, M(v) is an APD avalanche gain and Z is a trans-impedance amplifier gain (Z). The method continues by acquiring a ratio r=s(v1)/s(v2)=PRZM(v1)/[PRZM(v2)]=M(v1)/M(v2) and invoking a feedback control method to bias the APD using the ratio r.
US07939787B2
An apparatus for heat treating manufactured components using microwave energy and microwave susceptor material. Heat treating medium such as eutectic salts may be employed. A fluidized bed introduces process gases which may include carburizing or nitriding gases The process may be operated in a batch mode or continuous process mode. A microwave heating probe may be used to restart a frozen eutectic salt bath.
US07939784B2
A method of tuning the thermal conductivity of an electrostatic chuck (ESC) support assembly comprises measuring the temperature at a plurality of sites on a support assembly surface in which each site is associated with a given cell, determining from the measurements any fractional reduction in area suggested for each cell, and removing material from the support assembly surface within each cell in accordance with the suggested fractional reduction in order to decrease thermal conductivity in that cell. The material removal can result in an improvement to the equilibrium temperature uniformity of the electrostatic chuck support assembly at the chuck surface of an electrostatic chuck bonded to the support assembly surface, or can result in an equilibrium temperature profile of the ESC support assembly which approaches or achieves a target equilibrium temperature profile. Thermal conductivity tuning can thus take place by a method comprising defining a cell structure, determining the target areal density of each cell and removing a fractional area of material to achieve the target areal density for that cell. Material removal can be effected by drilling, routing, laser machining or grit blast machining on an X-Y table.
US07939781B2
In many cases, the coating material of coated sheet metal has a significantly lower boiling point than the sheet metal material. Thus, an explosive vaporization of coating material can occur when sheet metal of this type is joined by welding, negatively affecting the quality of the connection. To improve the connection quality, narrow gaps are created by means of spacers, allowing the vaporized coating material to escape through said gaps. The spacers are created e.g. by the laser radiation of the sheet metal. The aim of the invention is to reduce the variations in distance between the sheet metal sheets by the appropriate shaping of the spacers. This is achieved by a method, in which the laser beam executes a movement comprising transverse and longitudinal components through and/or around the center of its processing surface. This creates a topographical modification with a spherical form, i.e. with an apex radius that is greater than the height of said topographical modification.
US07939777B2
The disclosure relates to a vacuum interrupter chamber having an insulating ceramic wall, within which contact pieces which move in a vacuum are arranged and are surrounded by a screen between the contact piece and the interrupter chamber wall. In order in this case to improve on the one hand the erosion resistance of the screen and on the other hand the dielectric strength of the arrangement, the disclosure proposes that coatings composed of high-melting-point material or composed of refractory metals be fitted at least partially in the area of the screen or other components within the vacuum interrupter chamber.
US07939774B2
A control device for use on a working surface includes a bottom housing configured to be placed on the working surface; a top housing coupled with the bottom housing, the top housing including at least one key; an actuator disposed between the bottom housing and the top housing and coupled with the key; a switch disposed between the bottom housing and the top housing, wherein the switch is activated via application of an actuation force to the key; and an adjustment means configured to enable a user to adjust the actuation force required to activate the key.
US07939768B2
A crystal unit includes a unit base in which a metal flange is welded to an outer circumference of a base main body, a crystal element held by supporters on the unit base, and a metal cover that is jointed to the metal flange to cover and hermetically encapsulate the crystal element. The base main body is formed of ceramic. A first metal film, to which the metal flange is joined, is formed on a surface of the outer circumference of the base main body. At least two places of the main body, second metal films are formed on an inner bottom face of the main body, and third metal films are formed on an outer bottom face of the main body. The second metal films and the third metal films are electrically connected to one another through via holes. The supporters are joined to the second metal films.
US07939762B2
A feedthru assembly configured to provide a conductive path extending between an interior of an enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure includes a flange, at least one conductive pin, and at least one insulative member. The flange is configured to couple to the enclosure and has one or more holes therein. The at least one conductive pin includes a hollow lumen extending therethrough and is configured to extend through the at least one or more holes of the flange such that a proximal end of the at least one pin is in communication with the interior of the enclosure and a distal end of the at least one pin is in communication with the exterior of the enclosure. The at least one insulative member is configured to prevent the at least one pin from making physical contact with the flange.
US07939761B2
Method for manufacturing an assembly of two ringed sheaths (1,2) ready to be used to make a single ringed sheath around for example a bundle of electric cables (13), wherein two smooth-walled tubes are simultaneously extruded using a single extruder fitted with two extrusion nozzles, the two smooth-walled tubes are simultaneously molded into two ringed wall tubes using a molder equipped with molds each fitted with two ringed profiles extending in parallel in a longitudinal direction and being paired along one and the same parting line. According to the invention, during molding, material bridges (33) and empty spaces (35) are created between first tube rings (41) and second tube rings (42), by opening or closing respectively, between the two ringed profiles, material runs formed in the parting line of two paired molds, a longitudinal strip (28) of ringed tube wall is cut out and removed, using cutting means and the two ringed tubes connected to each other by the material bridges (33) formed between the rings are cut to a desired length, using severing means.
US07939760B2
A harness protector structure for a link is provided, by which the durability of a bent part of a wiring harness is improved and interference with the outside is prevented when the wiring harness is rotated and bent by using a link. The harness protector structure includes: a support part; a link rotatably connected to the support part; a protector provided on the link; and a bulging part having a wide opening opened at one end-side of a body part of the protector, wherein a wiring harness is arranged from the support part into the protector, wherein when the link is rotated, a following part of the wiring harness, which follows a bent part of the wiring harness, passes through the bulging part from the opening, and the wiring harness is guided to the outside from the body part while a slack of the wiring harness is absorbed.
US07939755B1
A electrical outlet box assembly includes a first housing and a second housing. Each of the first and second housings has a size to receive an electrical outlet. The first and second housings each include a rear wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends forward of the perimeter wall. The perimeter walls of the first and second housings each have a front edge defining an opening for receiving an electrical outlet. The perimeter walls of the first and second housings are attached together and the openings of the first and second housings face in opposite directions with respect to each other.
US07939751B2
A return path between a first HVDC station and a second HVDC station. A first electrode is connected to the first station and a second electrode is connected to the second station. The return path includes a first part including a first low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the first electrode is embedded. A second part includes the earth mantle. A third part includes a second low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the second electrode is embedded.
US07939748B2
A photoelectric conversion element includes: a first electrode having a porous oxide semiconductor layer which supports a sensitizing dye on a surface thereof and functioning as a photo electrode; a second electrode disposed so as to oppose the first electrode; an electrolyte disposed in at least a part of a space between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a sump portion for the electrolyte disposed in at least a part of the space between the first electrode and the second electrode. According to the present invention, air bubbles can be exhausted effectively from power generating area, so that a photoelectric conversion element possessing an improved power generation property and a long-term durability can be provided.
US07939719B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the spinach line designated SSB66-1092M. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of spinach line SSB66-1092M, and to methods for producing a spinach plant produced by crossing a plant of spinach line SSB66-1092M with itself or with another spinach plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of spinach line SSB66-1092M, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US07939715B2
Polynucleotides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The encoded polypeptides of the invention have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity and confer greater size, greater organ size, greater biomass, greater yield, curlier leaves, darker coloration, greater tolerance to water deprivation, delayed flowering, delayed development, delayed senescence, greater tolerance to cold, and/or greater tolerance to hyperosmotic stress as compared to a control plant.
US07939711B2
The invention describes a method of enhancing the expression of nucleotide sequences encoding proteins that comprise at least a DnaJ-type J-domain, in particular GmDNJ1, in plants or plant cells. Overexpression of the proteins protects plants or plant cells from salinity, osmotic, or dehydration stress.
US07939705B2
A method, apparatus, and system to apply a mineralizing agent to an asbestos containing material (ACM) after the ACM is reduced in size, particularly by spraying or injecting the mineralizing agent to a shredded ACM, is provided. The mineralizing agent may include a solution of alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal silicate, alkali metal borate, alkaline earth borate, or mixtures thereof, which may be heated and mixed and is then delivered to the reduced size or shredded ACM using a piping system that injects the mineralizing agent downstream of an ACM shredding unit. The ACM treated with the mineralizing agent may be heated in a mineralizing furnace to convert the ACM to an essentially asbestos-free mineral. After removal from the mineralizing furnace, the mineralized material is moved to an atmosphere controlled environment where it is cooled gradually for further mineralization.
US07939701B2
One exemplary embodiment can be an ion-exchanged xylene isomerization catalyst. The ion-exchanged xylene isomerization catalyst can include: about 1-about 99%, by weight, of at least one of MFI, MEL, EUO, FER, MFS, MTT, MTW, TON, MOR, and FAU zeolite; about 1-about 99%, by weight, of a binder having an aluminum phosphate; and no more than about 350 ppm, by weight, of a noble metal based on the weight of the catalyst. Generally, the catalyst has a quotient of (CO area)/(weight % of the noble metal) of no more than about 0.10.
US07939697B2
A method for producing a fluorine-containing organic compound represented by the formula (7): R—Fm (7) wherein R represents a substituted or unsubstituted saturated hydrocarbon group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group and m represents an integer satisfying the inequality: 1≦m≦n, which comprises reacting a fluorinating agent represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 and R3 are the same or different, and represent an optionally substituted alkyl group, R2, R4 and R5 are the same or different, and represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, x satisfies 0
US07939692B2
There are disclosed a method for producing a ketone compound, which comprises reacting an olefin compound with molecular oxygen and water in the presence of an effective amount of proton and a catalyst containing i) a chlorine-free palladium source, ii) a heteropoly acid or an acid salt of a heteropoly acid, and iii) a mesoporous silicate, and catalysts for the process.
US07939688B2
Process for preparing nitriles by reacting N-alkylcarboxamides (RCO—NHR1) or ammonium salts of carboxylic acids (RCOO—NH3R1+) or carboxylic acids in the presence of alkylamines or ammonium salts (RCOOH+NH2R1, RCOOH+NH3R1+), respectively, R being an arbitrarily substituted linear or branched C1-C12-alkyl radical, a C3-C12 cycloalkyl radical or an alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl or heteroaryl radical and R1 being an arbitrary substituted, linear or branched C2-C1 alkyl radical, a C3-C12 cycloalkyl radical or an alkenyl or alkynyl radical, with phosphonic anhydrides in the presence of an optional base in an organic solvent at a temperature in the range from −30 to 180° C. In advantageous embodiments, the phosphonic anhydride is a 2,4,6-substituted 1,3,5,2,4,6-trioxatriphosphinane 2,4,6-trioxide of the formula (I)
US07939680B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of Escitalopram of the Formula (I), which comprises, isolation of Diol compound as an oxalate salt, resolution of Diol compound and cyclization of resolved compound of Formula (VII). The present invention provides a process to obtain pure Diol compound by preparing its Oxalate salt, which is useful for resolution of enantiomers.
US07939675B2
A process for forming amorphous atorvastatin comprising the steps of dissolving atorvastatin in a non-hydroxylic solvent and removing the solvent by freeze-drying, as well as processes of dissolving atorvastatin in a hydroxylic solvent with a solubilizing agent or an alkalizing agent or an antioxidant and removing the solvent by freeze-drying to afford amorphous atorvastatin.
US07939662B2
The present invention relates to a new and useful amorphous form of ziprasidone hydrochloride (5-[2-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-6-chloro-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one hydrochloride) and preparations thereof.
US07939657B2
Disclosed are N-substituted benzenesulfonamides for use in treating or preventing cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease. In Formula (I), R1, R2, R3, R4, R3′, R10 and R11 are as described herein. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I) as well as methods of treating cognitive disorders using compounds of Formula (I).
US07939655B2
A process for preparing a sterile ready-to-use aqueous pharmaceutical formulation comprises a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid salt (HA) at a specified concentration, comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous formulation comprising high molecular weight HA at a concentration of less than the specified final concentration; passing said aqueous formulation through a filter having a pore sizeless than 0.45 pm; concentrating said aqueous formulation by applying a vacuum and boiling off water until said specified concentration is reached.
US07939648B2
An arsenic ion active DNAzyme includes a nucleotide sequence, which has a base sequence selected from ATCTCCTCCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 62), ATCTGCTCCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 63), ATCTCCTCATGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 64), ATCTCCTCTTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 65), ATCTCCAACCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 66), and CCGTAGCGCAAAT (SEQ ID NO: 67). A mercury ion active DNAzyme includes a nucleotide sequence, which has a base sequence selected from AATTCCGTAGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 68), AATTCCGTCGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 69), AATTCCGCCGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 70), GGTTCCGAGTCTCGCGTG (SEQ ID NO: 71), and CGTTCAAAAGGGGCACTG (SEQ ID NO: 72). Sensors incorporating the respective DNAzymes are also disclosed.
US07939645B2
The invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for nucleic acid replication, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mutagenesis reactions. A buffer composition is provided which allows higher concentrations of DNA polymerase to be used, resulting in greater yield of amplified product and faster reaction kinetics.
US07939644B2
The present invention relates to dyes of the general formula CAT+ Y− (I), where Y− is an anion selected from the group of the cyanoborates, fluoroalkylphosphates, fluoroalkylborates or imidates and CAT+ is a cation selected from the group of the azine, xanthene, polymethine, styryl, azo, tetrazolium, pyrylium, benzopyrylium, thiopyrylium, benzothiopyrylium, thiazine, oxazine, triarylmethane, diarylmethane, methine, acridine, quinoline, isoquinoline or quaternary azafluorenone dyes, for colouring plastics and plastic fibres, for the preparation of flexographic printing inks, as ball-point pen pastes, as stamp ink, for colouring leather and paper, for use in data acquisition systems, reprography, in ink microfilters, in photogalvanics, laser technology and the photo industry.
US07939642B2
Described are specific binding members e.g. antibodies which may be used in the treatment of diseases associated with cathepsin S activity. The specific binding members binds cathepsin S and inhibits its proteolytic activity. The binding members may be used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases associated with excessive, deregulated or inappropriate angiogenesis.
US07939640B2
The invention is directed to B7L-1 as a purified and isolated protein, the DNA encoding the B7L-1, host cells transfected with cDNAs encoding B7L-1 and processes for preparing B7L-1 polypeptides.
US07939630B2
Novel biologically active compounds of the general formula (I) in which one of X and X′ represents a polymer, and the other represents a hydrogen atom; each Q independently represents a linking group; W represents an electron-withdrawing moiety or a moiety preparable by reduction of an electron-withdrawing moiety; or, if X′ represents a polymer, X-Q-W— together may represent an electron withdrawing group; and in addition, if X represents a polymer, X′ and electron withdrawing group W together with the interjacent atoms may form a ring; each of Z1 and Z2 independently represents a group derived from a biological molecule, each of which is linked to A and B via a nucleophilic moiety; or Z1 and Z2 together represent a single group derived from a biological molecule which is linked to A and B via two nucleophilic moieties; A is a C1-5 alkylene or alkenylene chain; and B is a bond or a C1-4 alkylene or alkenylene chain; are formed by conjugating a suitable polymer to a suitable biologically active molecule via nucleophilic groups in said molecule, preferably via a disulphide bridge.
US07939618B2
Organopolysiloxanes having aminoalkyl groups are prepared by (i) reacting (A) linear, cyclic or branched organopolysiloxanes with (B) aminoalkylsilanes which have an SiC-bonded, basic nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon radical and 2 or 3 hydrolyzable groups, or the partial or complete hydrolysis products thereof, optionally in the presence of (C) basic catalysts and/or (D) chain-terminating reagents, and (ii) optionally, after the reaction (i) neutralizing the optionally used basic catalysts (c), with the proviso that compounds (A), (B) and, when used, (D) are reacted continuously in a reaction space whose ratio of length to diameter is equal to or greater than four.
US07939613B2
The presently described subject matter is directed to water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as to water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles and/or nanoparticles comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the compounds and particles. The described conjugated polyene compounds are useful as bioprobes for the detection biomacromolecules, as well as in the manufacture of sensors.
US07939598B2
The present invention relates to innovative polyisocyanate mixtures comprising cycloaliphatic structural elements and containing exclusively linear-aliphatically attached free isocyanate groups, to a process for preparing them and to their use as a starting component in the production of polyurethane plastics, more particularly as a crosslinker component in polyurethane coating materials and coatings.
US07939595B2
A method for reducing cure shrinkage of a thermoset resin includes forming a plurality of surface modified nanofibers. The surface modified nanofibers are formed by soaking nanofibers in an oxidizing acidic solvent. An oxidizing agent is added to the soaking nanofibers, thereby generating heat sufficient for at least one of in-situ oxidation and in-situ exfoliation of a subsurface of each of the nanofibers. Excess oxidizing agent and acidic solvent are removed from the nanofibers, which are then dried. The dried nanofibers have reduced surface hydrophobicity. The surface modified nanofibers are substantially uniformly dispersed into the thermoset resin. The surface modified nanofibers are adapted to reduce cure shrinkage of the thermoset resin during subsequent curing processes.
US07939594B2
The invention provides a composition that contains at least one specific non-crosslinkable organic medium at least one microgel and at least one thickening agent, a process for the preparation thereof and uses of the compositions.
US07939584B2
Drag reduction of hydrocarbon fluids flowing through pipelines of various lengths is improved by polyolefin drag reducer dispersions or dispersions using bi- or multi-modal particle size distributions. Drag reducers having larger particle sizes dissolve more slowly than drag reducers having smaller particle sizes. By using at least bi-modal particle size distributions drag reduction can be distributed more uniformly over the length of the pipeline where smaller sized particles dissolve sooner or earlier in the pipeline and larger sized particles dissolve later or further along the pipeline.
US07939580B2
The present invention relates to dental compositions comprising a halogenated epoxy functional ether derivative comprising at least one aryl alkyl ether moiety, at least one halogen atom attached to each aryl residue of the aryl alkyl ether moieties, at least two aliphatic epoxy moieties, no glycidyl ether structure, an initiator, optionally filler and optionally additive components selected from the group of modifiers, dyes, pigments, thixotropic agents, flow improvers, polymeric thickeners, surfactants, odorous substances, diluting agent(s) and flavorings.
US07939576B2
An antireflection film comprising a transparent support, a hard coat layer and a low refractive index layer, wherein the low refractive index layer is formed with a composition containing a binder polymer, a polymerization initiator and an ethylenically unsaturated group-containing hardenable compound.
US07939575B2
Methods for making dental crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, fillings, and other restorations are provided. The methods involve using a two-phase light curing (TPLC) material. Preferably, the TPLC material used to form the dental restoration comprises a blend of polymerizable compounds; photopolymerization systems (a) and (b), and particulate filler materials (a) and (b). In a first light-curing step, curing light having a wavelength of greater than 420 nm is used to activate system (a). In a second light-curing step, curing light having a wavelength of less than 420 nm is used to activate system (b). The two step light-curing method is efficient and allows the dentist to make restorations having high mechanical strength and pleasing aesthetics.
US07939571B2
Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen-containing feedstocks to C2-oxygenates in the presence of a particulate catalyst, by reacting carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen in the presence of a particulate rhodium-based catalyst in a conversion reactor to form C2-oxygenates. A saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and/or an ester of a saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms with a monohydiic aliphatic paraffinic alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are separated from the ethanol and acetaldehyde produced in the conversion reactor and is/are sent back to the conversion reactor.
US07939569B1
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus.
US07939567B2
The present invention relates to a method for providing bactericide or bacteriostatic, especially for treating disease due to bacterial infection. The method comprising administering a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of dextromethorphan or naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an analog thereof. The compound is applied to skin or mucosal surface of the patient. The invention also relates to a method of treating inflammation caused by suppressing secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, or MCP-1 from macrophage comprising administering a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of NADPH oxidase inhibitor.
US07939561B2
Provided are rapidly bioavailable solid oral dosage forms of acute pain medications, and moisture resistant packaging that enables the formulation of such rapidly bioavailable tablet dosage forms. Also provided is packaging that discourages the use of rapidly bioavailable acute pain medications for off-label chronic pain treatment, and that allows such dosage forms to be manufactured and stored for prolonged periods of time.
US07939554B2
A method of inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase in a subject includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one benzo-1,4-quinone, phenyl isothiazolone, or analog thereof to the subject.
US07939546B2
Quinoline derivatives, particularly 4-(4-(4-(quinolin-4-ylamino)benzamido)phenylthio)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid; 3-(4-(4-(quinolin-4-ylamino)benzamido)phenylthio)pyrrolidine; N-(4-(piperidin-4-ylthio)phenyl)-4-(quinolin-4-ylamino)-benzamide; and N-(4-(piperidin-3-ylthio)phenyl)-4-(quinolin-4-ylamino)-benzamide, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, are provided. Such quinoline derivatives can be used for modulation of DNA methylation, such as effective inhibition of methylation of cytosine at the C-5 position, for example via selective inhibition of DNA methyltransferase DNMT1. Methods for synthesizing numerous 4-anilinoquinoline derivatives and for modulating DNA methylation are provided. Also provided are methods for formulating and administering these compounds or compositions to treat conditions such as cancer and hematological disorders.
US07939542B2
Disclosed herein are a novel cinnamaldehyde compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The cinnamaldehyde compound has improved solubility in water and has inhibitory effects on the growth of cancer cells because it induces cell cycle arrest and cell death. Also disclosed are a method of preparing the cinnamaldehyde compound and an anticancer composition including the compound of Chemical Formula 1.
US07939540B2
A compound represented by the following formula (I), salt thereof, or hydrate thereof, can effectively relieve itch caused by atopic disease or the like: wherein R represents hydroxyl, C1-6 alkoxy optionally substituted with C1-6 alkoxy, or amino optionally substituted with C1-6 alkyl.
US07939537B2
Pyridopyrimidine carboxamide compounds of Formula I are inhibitors of HIV integrase and inhibitors of HIV replication: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined herein. The compounds are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of infection by HIV and the prophylaxis, treatment, or delay in the onset of AIDS. The compounds are employed against HIV infection and AIDS as compounds per se or in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds and their salts can be employed as ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions, optionally in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines.
US07939536B2
The invention discloses isoxazole derivatives represented by a formula, in which R1 stands for hydrogen, lower alkyl, amino, halogen, lower alkoxy and the like, R2 stands for substituted or unsubstituted aryl and the like, R3 stands for hydrogen or lower alkyl, R4 stands for substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and the like, and Y stands for —CH2—, —CO—, —CH(CH3)—, —O—, —NH— and the like, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which have excellent p38MAPkinase inhibitory action.
US07939532B2
Objects of the present invention are the compounds of formula I, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomeric forms, diastereoisomers and racemates, the preparation of the above compounds, medicaments containing them and their manufacture, as well as the use of the above compounds in the control or prevention of illnesses such as cancer.
US07939527B2
Thiazolopyridin-2-yloxy-phenyl and thiazolopyrazin-2-yloxy-phenyl amine compounds are described, which are useful as LTA4 hydrolase (LTA4H) modulators. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulation of LTA4H and for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by LTA4 hydrolase activity.
US07939525B2
Novel chemical conjugates of psychotropic drugs and organic acids, uses thereof in the treatment of psychotic and/or proliferative disorders and diseases and as chemosensitizing agents, and their syntheses are disclosed. The organic acids are selected to reduce side effects induced by the psychotropic drugs and/or to exert an anti-proliferative activity.
US07939492B2
Recombinant fragments of Factor C are disclosed. These proteins and peptides show great potency in recognizing, binding to, neutralizing and removing endotoxin. These molecules can thus be used for anti-microbial, anti-endotoxin, and anti-sepsis therapy. SSCrFCES is a 38 kDa protein representing the LPS-binding domain of Factor C. The ability of SSCrFCES to bind lipid A was analyzed using an ELISA-based assay as well as surface plasmon resonance. Surface plasmon resonance similarly carried out for SSCrFC-sushi-1,2,3-GFP, SSCrFC-sushi-1GFP, and SSCrFC-sushi-3GFP confirmed their superior affinity for endotoxin. The 50% endotoxin-neutralizing concentration of SSCrFCES against 200 EU of endotoxin is 0.069 μM, suggesting that SSCrFCES is an effective inhibitor of LAL coagulation cascade. Although partially attenuated by human serum, as low as 1 μM of SSCrFCES inhibits the LPS-induced secretion of hTNF-α and hIL-8 by THP-1 and human pheripheral blood mononuclear cells with a potency more superior than polymyxin B. SSCrFCES is non-cytotoxic, with a clearance rate of 4.7 ml/minute. The LD90 of SSCrFCES for LPS lethality in mice is achieved at 2 μM. These results demonstrate the endotoxin-neutralizing capability of SSCrFCES in vitro and in vivo, as well as its potential for use in the treatment of endotoxin-induced septic shock. Also embodied in this application is the use of the sushi peptides and their mutant derivatives as potent antimicrobials.
US07939490B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for treating cerebral edema and cell death in neurological conditions characterized by disruption of the architecture of the neurovascular unit with increase in the permeability of the NVU, particularly for treating stroke. One aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising an agent that interferes with a TWEAK-mediated signaling pathway. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using a composition which comprises an agent that inhibits Fn14 activity or Fn14 expression for the prevention and/or treatment of cerebral edema and cell death occurring in certain neurological conditions such as cerebral ischemia.
US07939485B2
A benefit agent delivery system comprises a benefit agent, wherein the benefit agent is protected or stabilized by an ionic liquid and wherein the benefit agent is releasable from the system to provide the benefit. For example, the ionic liquid may be physically associated with the benefit agent, such as by coating, encapsulation, or co-crystallization, or may be chemically associated with the benefit agent, such as by chemical reaction. The benefit agent delivery system may be in the form of a concentrate, in a product formulation, or on or associated with a substrate or package. Detergent compositions may include the benefit agent delivery system.
US07939478B2
The invention provides a method of lubricating a marine diesel engine, comprising supplying to said engine a marine diesel cylinder lubricant composition at a feed rate of 0.3 to less than 1.2 g/kW hr, wherein said lubricant composition has a ratio of /Σ(wt % overbased detergent)/Σ(wt % of boron from antiwear additives+wt % of phosphorus-containing antiwear additives) of greater than 12.5. The invention further provides a method capable of imparting improved cleanliness and decreased cylinder wear; and reduced deposits.
US07939477B2
A lubricant composition for oil-impregnated sintered bearings, which comprises at least one base oil selected from a perfluoropolyether oil represented by the following general formula: RfO(CF2CF2O)m(CF2O)nRf (where Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms, m+n=3-200, m:n=10-90:90-10), a perfluoropolyether oil represented by the following general formula: RfO[CF(CF3)CF2O]p(CF2CF2O)q(CF2O)rRf (where Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms, p+q+r=3-200, q and r each may be 0, and (q+r)/p=0-2), and a polyfluoropolyether oil represented by the following general formula: F(CF2CF2CF2O)sC2F5 (where s=2-100), and a fluorine-containing di- or mono-amide-based compound, has further improved lubrication characteristics, particularly wear resistance and friction coefficient characteristics, of perfluoropolyether oil.
US07939473B2
A low toxicity composition and method of reducing the swelling of clay in well comprising circulating in the well a water-based fluid comprising a functionally effective concentration of the additive formed from the following reaction of a tertiary amine of the following general formula: wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups with one to three carbon atoms or combinations thereof, and R3 is a hydroxyalkyl group with one to three carbon atoms, with an alkylating agent of the following general formula: R-A wherein R is an alkyl radical with one to three carbon atoms, and A is an organic or inorganic anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate, phosphate, carbonate, and combinations thereof.
US07939470B1
An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method for the use thereof in drilling wellbores, with good rheological properties at high temperatures and pressures. One embodiment of the drilling fluids are free of organophilic clays and lignites, free of calcium chloride, and comprise an alcohol in the internal phase, a quaternary ammonium emulsifier, and argillaceous solids. In one embodiment, the alcohol is a glycerol, a polyglycerol, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the base oil for the emulsion is a paraffin and/or mineral oil. The drilling fluids provide good lubricity and high rates of penetration.
US07939459B2
The invention relates to a baked refractory ceramic product. According to the invention, both shaped and unshaped products come within this generic term. Shaped products are those which have a defined shape, so that they can be ready-made at the manufacturer's premises. The shaped products include: bricks, nozzles, tubes, stoppers, plates, etc. The products categorized as unshaped products include those which are usually produced at the user's premises from a suitable material. These include bottoms of furnace assemblies which are cast from a material, but also repair materials, etc.
US07939455B2
A method for forming a strained SiN film and a semiconductor device containing the strained SiN film. The method includes exposing the substrate to a gas including a silicon precursor. The substrate is exposed to a gas including a first nitrogen precursor configured to react with the silicon precursor with a first reactivity characteristic. The substrate is also exposed to a gas including a second nitrogen precursor configured to react with the silicon precursor with a second reactivity characteristic different than the first reactivity characteristic such that a property of the SiN film formed on the substrate changes to provide a strained SiN film. According to another embodiment, the substrate is exposed to a gas pulse containing a silicon precursor and first and second nitrogen precursors, wherein the ratio of the first and second precursors is varied during the exposure.
US07939451B2
A method for fabricating a patter is provided as followed. First, a material layer is provided, whereon a patterned hard mask layer is formed. A spacer is deposited on the sidewalls of the patterned hard mask layer. Then, the patterned hard mask layer is removed, and an opening is formed between the adjacent spacers. Afterwards, a portion of the material layer is removed to form a patterned material layer by using the spacer as mask.
US07939450B2
The invention can provide a method of processing a substrate using S-O processing sequences and evaluation libraries that can include one or more optimized spacer creation and evaluation procedures.
US07939442B2
Strontium ruthenium oxide provides an effective interface between a ruthenium conductor and a strontium titanium oxide dielectric. Formation of the strontium ruthenium oxide includes the use of atomic layer deposition to form strontium oxide and subsequent annealing of the strontium oxide to form the strontium ruthenium oxide. A first atomic layer deposition of strontium oxide is preformed using water as an oxygen source, followed by a subsequent atomic layer deposition of strontium oxide using ozone as an oxygen source.
US07939440B2
A memory device includes a substrate and source and drain regions formed in the substrate. The source and drain regions include both phosphorous and arsenic and the phosphorous may be implanted prior to the arsenic. The memory device also includes a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate and a charge storage element formed over the first dielectric layer. The memory device may further include a second dielectric layer formed over the charge storage element and a control gate formed over the second dielectric layer.
US07939437B2
A method for the production of a contact structure of a solar cell allows p-contacts and n-contacts to be produced simultaneously.
US07939427B2
A process for fabricating a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate by co-implanting atomic or ionic species into a semiconductor donor substrate to form a weakened zone therein, the weakened zone forming a boundary between a thin silicon active layer and the remainder of the donor substrate. The donor substrate is then bonded to a semiconductor receiver substrate by molecular adhesion, resulting in a layer of buried silicon interposed between the donor substrate and the receiver substrate. The remainder of the donor substrate is detached along the weakened zone to obtain a SOI substrate with the receiver substrate covered with the buried oxide layer and the thin silicon active layer. The silicon active layer is then thermally annealed for at least 10 minutes in a gaseous atmosphere containing hydrogen, argon or both at a temperature of at least 950° C. but not exceeding 1100° C. The annealing step minimizes roughness of the surface of the silicon active layer, prevents reduction in thickness of the buried oxide layer, and achieves uniform thickness of the thin silicon active layer and the buried oxide layer.
US07939422B2
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of features across a surface of a substrate, with at least one space being between two adjacent features. A first dielectric layer is formed on the features and within the at least one space. A portion of the first dielectric layer interacts with a reactant derived from a first precursor and a second precursor to form a first solid product. The first solid product is decomposed to substantially remove the portion of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed to substantially fill the at least one space.
US07939421B2
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit structure includes the steps of forming a second dielectric layer on a substrate including a first conductive layer and a first dielectric layer, forming the second dielectric layer on the first conductive layer and the first dielectric layer, forming a hole exposing the first conductive layer in the second dielectric layer, forming a barrier layer inside the hole, and forming a second conductive layer on the barrier layer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the forming of the barrier layer comprises the steps of forming a metal layer in the hole, and performing a treating process in an atmosphere including a plasma formed from a gas including oxidant to form a metal oxide layer on the metal layer. In another embodiment of the present invention, the forming of the barrier layer comprises the steps of forming a metal nitride layer in the hole, and performing a treating process in an atmosphere including a plasma formed from a gas including oxidant to form a metal oxide layer on the metal and metal nitride layer.
US07939417B2
A structure is disclosed including a substrate including an insulator layer on a bulk layer, and a bipolar transistor in a first region of the substrate, the bipolar transistor including at least a portion of an emitter region in the insulator layer. Another disclosed structure includes an inverted bipolar transistor in a first region of a substrate including an insulator layer on a bulk layer, the inverted bipolar transistor including an emitter region, and a back-gated transistor in a second region of the substrate, wherein a back-gate conductor of the back-gated transistor and at least a portion of the emitter region are in the same layer of material. A method of forming the structures including a bipolar transistor and back-gated transistor together is also disclosed.
US07939409B2
Methods are provided for simultaneously processing transistors in two different regions of an integrated circuit. Planar transistors are provided in a logic region while recessed access devices (RADs) are provided in an array region for a memory device. During gate stack patterning in the periphery, word lines are recessed within the trenches for the array RADs. Side wall spacer formation in the periphery simultaneously provides an insulating cap layer burying the word lines within the trenches of the array.
US07939408B2
A non-volatile memory device for 2-bit operation and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The non-volatile memory device includes an active region and a gate extending in a word line direction on a semiconductor substrate, and crossing each other repeatedly; a charge storage layer disposed below the gate, and confined at a portion where the gate and the active region cross; a charge blocking layer formed on the charge storage layer; a tunnel dielectric layer formed below the charge storage layer; first and second source/drain regions formed in the active region exposed by the gate; and first and second bit lines crossing the word line direction. The active region may be formed in a first zigzag pattern and/or the gate may be formed in a second zigzag pattern in symmetry with the first zigzag pattern.
US07939406B2
Disclosure is semiconductor device of a selective gate region, comprising a semiconductor layer, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer, a first electrode layer formed on the first insulating layer, an element isolating region comprising an element isolating insulating film formed to extend through the first electrode layer and the first insulating film to reach an inner region of the semiconductor layer, the element isolating region isolating a element region and being self-aligned with the first electrode layer, a second insulating film formed on the first electrode layer and the element isolating region, an open portion exposing a surface of the first electrode layer being formed in the second insulating film, and a second electrode layer formed on the second insulating film and the exposed surface of the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer being electronically connected to the first electrode layer via the open portion.
US07939403B2
A method of forming a field effect transistor includes forming trench isolation material within a semiconductor substrate and on opposing sides of a semiconductor material channel region along a length of the channel region. The trench isolation material is formed to comprise opposing insulative projections extending toward one another partially under the channel region along the channel length and with semiconductor material being received over the projections. The trench isolation material is etched to expose opposing sides of the semiconductor material along the channel length. The exposed opposing sides of the semiconductor material are etched along the channel length to form a channel fin projecting upwardly relative to the projections. A gate is formed over a top and opposing sides of the fin along the channel length. Other methods and structures are disclosed.
US07939398B2
A method of manufacturing a single-electron transistor device is provided. The method includes forming a thinned region in a silicon substrate, the thinned region offset by a non-selected region. The method also includes forming at least one quantum island from the thinned region by subjecting the thinned region to an annealing process. The non-selected region is aligned with the quantum island and tunnel junctions are formed between the quantum island and the non-selected region. The present invention also includes a single-electron device, and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit that includes a single-electron device.
US07939397B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first semiconductor pattern which is covered with a first insulating film over a first active region, forming a second semiconductor pattern over a second active region, forming a second insulating film over the first insulating film and the first and second semiconductor patterns, forming an opening whose depth reaches the first semiconductor pattern by etching the second insulating film and the first insulating film, forming sidewalls on side surfaces of the second semiconductor pattern by patterning the second insulating film, forming a metal film over the first and second semiconductor patterns respectively, and forming silicide layers by reacting the first and second semiconductor patterns with the metal film.
US07939390B2
A semiconductor structure formation method and operation method. The structure includes (i) a dielectric layer, (ii) a bottom capacitor plate and an electrically conductive line on the dielectric layer, (iii) a top capacitor plate on top of the bottom capacitor plate, (iv) a gap region, and (v) a solder ball on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a top surface that defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top surface. The top capacitor plate overlaps the bottom capacitor plate in the reference direction. The gap region is sandwiched between the bottom capacitor plate and the top capacitor plate. The gap region does not include any liquid or solid material. The solder ball is electrically connected to the electrically conductive line. The top capacitor plate is disposed between the dielectric layer and the solder ball.
US07939385B2
Application form of and demand for an IC chip formed with a silicon wafer are expected to increase, and further reduction in cost is required. An object of the invention is to provide a structure of an IC chip and a process capable of producing at a lower cost. A feature of the invention is to use a metal film and a reactant having the metal film as a separation layer. An etching rate of the metal film or the reactant having metal is high, and a physical means in addition to a chemical means of etching the metal film or the reactant having metal can be used in the invention. Thus, the IDF chip can be manufactured more simply and easily in a short time.
US07939382B2
A portable memory card and methods of manufacturing same are disclosed. The portable memory includes a substrate having a plurality of holes formed therein. During the encapsulation process, mold compound flows over the top surface of the substrate, through the holes, and down into a recessed section formed in the bottom mold cap plate to form a projection of mold compound on the bottom surface of the substrate.
US07939368B2
A wafer level chip scale package system is provided forming a wafer having an interconnect provided on an active side, forming a thermal sheet having a first thermal interface material layer and a thermal conductive layer, and attaching the thermal sheet on a non-active side of the wafer.
US07939367B1
The invention is a method for growing a critical adherent diamond layer on a substrate by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and the article produced by the method. The substrate can be a compound semiconductor coated with an adhesion layer. The adhesion layer is preferably a dielectric, such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride or amorphous silicon, to name some primary examples. The typical thickness of the adhesion layer is one micrometer or less. The resulting stack of layers, (e.g. substrate layer, adhesion layer and diamond layer) is structurally free of plastic deformation and the diamond layer is well adherent to the dielectric adhesion layer such that it can be processed further, such as by increasing the thickness of the diamond layer to a desired level, or by subjecting it to additional thin film fabrication process steps. In addition to preventing plastic deformation of the layer stack, the process also reduces the formation of soot during the CVD process. The reduction of soot allows for better adhesion between the adhesion layer and diamond layer of the layer stack.
US07939358B2
In an example embodiment, an image sensor includes a semiconductor layer and isolation regions disposed in the semiconductor layer. The isolation regions define active regions of the semiconductor layer. The image sensor further includes photoelectric converters disposed in the semiconductor layer and at least one wiring layer disposed over a top surface of the semiconductor layer. The image sensor also includes color filters disposed below a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer and lenses disposed below the color filters. Each lens is arranged to concentrate incoming light into an area spanned by a corresponding photoelectric converter.
US07939357B2
An active pixel using a photodiode with multiple species of P type dopants is disclosed. The pixel comprises a photodiode formed in a semiconductor substrate. The photodiode is a P− region formed within an N-type region. The P− region is formed from an implant of boron and an implant of indium. Further, the pixel includes a transfer transistor formed between the photodiode and a floating node and selectively operative to transfer a signal from the photodiode to the floating node. Finally, the pixel includes an amplification transistor controlled by the floating node.
US07939356B2
A method of manufacturing a film bulk acoustic resonator and the resonator manufactured thereby. The method includes the laminating a sacrificial layer on a semiconductor substrate, removing a predetermined area from the sacrificial layer to realize electric contact between a signal line of the semiconductor substrate and a lower electrode, forming the lower electrode by depositing metal film for lower electrode on the sacrificial layer, by patterning based on a shape of the sacrificial layer, forming a piezoelectric layer by depositing a piezoelectric material on the lower electrode and by patterning based on a shape of the lower electrode, and forming an upper electrode by depositing metal film on the piezoelectric layer and by patterning based on a shape of the piezoelectric layer, wherein at least one of a deposition pressure and a deposition power is controlled to generate upward stress when depositing the metal film for the lower electrode.
US07939352B2
A method for fabricating a selective area metal bonding Si-based laser, optically or electrically pumped includes: forming a Si waveguide area and a bonding area in a Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) wafer, and forming an isolating structure to separate the Si waveguide area from the bonding area; forming a metal multilayer for bonding, which also acts as ohmic contact layer in the laser when the laser is electrically pumped. A compound semiconductor optical gain structure is prepared by epitaxial growth and etched off the substrate. The compound semiconductor optical gain structure is aligned with the Si waveguide area in the SOI wafer and the compound semiconductor optical gain structure is bonded on the SOI wafer. The selective area metal bonding Si-based laser can be used as a light source in optoelectronic integration and Si photonics. The method may provide simple operation, flexibility, low cost, and low requirement for cleanness of manufacturing environments.
US07939338B2
A magnetic sensor array including magnetoresistive sensor elements having outputs combined by frequency division multiplexing (FDM) is provided. Each sensor element provides an input to a mixer which provides a distinct frequency shift. Preferably, time division multiplexing is also used to combine sensor element outputs. Each sensor element is typically in proximity to a corresponding sample. The sensor elements are preferably subarrays having row and column addressable sensor element pixels. This arrangement provides multiple sensor pixels for each sample under test. Multiplexing of sensor element outputs advantageously reduces readout time. A modulated external magnetic field is preferably applied during operation, to reduce the effect of 1/f noise on the sensor element signals. The effect of electromagnetic interference (EMI) induced by the magnetic field on sensor element signals is advantageously reduced by the mixing required for FDM.
US07939337B2
This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials primarily designed to sorb hydrogen bond basic analytes such as organophosphonate esters (nerve agents and precursors) and nitro-substituted compounds (explosives). In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatography, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications. These polymers have pendant and terminal aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups that are functionalized with halogen substituted alcohol or phenol groups, having the general structure: wherein n is an integer greater than 1; wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a pendant group having at least one aryl group independently selected from the group consisting of a phenol, a halogen substituted phenol, and an aryl hydrocarbon with a halogen substituted alcohol substitutent, or combinations thereof; wherein any said R1 and R2 aryl groups are attached to said [Si—X—], either directly or through a short hydrocarbon chain; wherein any remaining said R1 or R2 group is a hydrocarbon or carbosilane group; wherein X is a polymer component selected from the group consisting of alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene groups, and combinations thereof; and wherein Z1 and Z2 are end groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkyl silanes, aryl silanes, hydroxyl, silicon hydride, alkoxides, phenols, halogen substituted alcohols, halogen substituted phenols, organosilyl, and combinations thereof.
US07939329B2
A hemostasis analyzer, such as the Thrombelastograph® (TEG®) hemostasis analyzer is utilized to measure continuously in real time, the hemostasis process from the initial fibrin formation, through platelet-fibrin interaction and lysis to generate blood hemostasis parameters. The measured blood hemostasis parameters permit preparation of an individualized assessment of ischemic event risk and individualized treatment of a subject.
US07939326B2
The present invention provides a modified cell having adhesion properties that are increased as compared to the adhesion properties of an unmodified cell, comprising a) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin β3 subunit; b) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin αv subunit; c) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin αIIb subunit; and/or d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c).
US07939322B2
The present invention is directed to pluripotent cells that can be readily expanded in culture on tissue culture substrate that is not pre-treated with protein or an extracellular matrix, and do not require a feeder cell line. The present invention also provides methods to derive the pluripotent cell line from human embryonic stem cells.
US07939319B2
The present invention provides a vector for expression of a chimeric protein which is the result of the fusion between the N-terminal end of ExoS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and an amino acid sequence of interest, the N-terminal end of ExoS corresponding to the N-terminal end of the chimeric protein. The vector contains the following from 5′ to 3′: a promoter, a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least the 48 (SEQ ID 4) and at the most the 96 (SEQ ID 6) amino acids of the N-terminal end of ExoS; or any sequence of the same size that is at least 70% identical thereto and that has a secretion activity at the same level as that of ExoS, a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of interest.
US07939317B1
A DNA sequence containing a gene encoding a protein, the gene being under the transcriptional control in the DNA sequence of a mammalian milk protein promoter which does not naturally control the transcription of the gene, such DNA sequence including DNA enabling secretion of the protein.
US07939310B2
The invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing clinically relevant nucleic acid sequences.
US07939303B2
A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
US07939299B2
Disclosed is a nucleic acid amplification method which is based on a new principle and enables to amplify a nucleic acid having a specific nucleotide sequence in a simple manner, within a short time and with efficiency. The nucleic acid amplification method comprises the steps of: (a) conducting a DNA polymerase chain reaction by using, as a template, DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence to be amplified and using a primer pair having a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence to be amplified, thereby producing a linear DNA fragment; and (b) conducting a chain-substituting DNA polymerase chain reaction in a chaining manner by using cyclic single-stranded DNA comprising the same nucleotide sequence as that of at least one of the primer pair as a template and employing the 3′-terminus of the linear DNA fragment produced in step (a) as the replication origin.
US07939291B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant, for example, a bacterial endotoxin or a glucan, in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a test cartridge useful in the practice of hemocyte lysate-based assays for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides methods of making and using such cartridges. In addition, the invention provides a rapid, sensitive, multi-step kinetic hemocyte lysate-based assay for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides a glucan-specific lysate that can be used in a variety of assay formats, including, for example, a test cartridge, optionally configured to perform a kinetic assay.
US07939283B2
Assays, such as immunoassays, and related articles are disclosed.
US07939282B2
Compositions and methods for detecting sepsis by contacting a subject-derived sample with a ligand that binds to GRK and determining the concentration of GRK in the sample. An increase in the concentration of GRK compared to that of a normal, healthy control sample indicates that the subject from which the sample is obtained is suffering from or at risk of developing sepsis.
US07939272B2
The present invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with an IGF-1R kinase inhibitor. Methods are provided for predicting the sensitivity of tumor cell growth to inhibition by an IGF-1R kinase inhibitor, comprising assessing whether the tumor cell has undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), by determining the expression level of epithelial and/or mesenchymal biomarkers, wherein tumor cells that have undergone an EMT are substantially less sensitive to inhibition by IGF-1R kinase inhibitors. Improved methods for treating cancer patients with IGF-1R kinase inhibitors that incorporate the above methodology are also provided. Additionally, methods are provided for the identification of new biomarkers that are predictive of responsiveness of tumors to IGF-1R kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, methods for the identification of agents that restore the sensitivity of tumor cells that have undergone EMT to inhibition by IGF-1R kinase inhibitors are also provided. pErk, HER3 and pHER are also demonstrated to be effective biomarkers for predicting sensitivity of tumor cells to IGF-1R kinase inhibitors.
US07939271B2
The present invention relates to prostate cancer markers, compositions comprising such markers, immunoglobulins specific for such markers, and methods of using such markers and/or immunoglobulins to assess an immune response against prostate cancer. An immune response against the markers correlates with an immune response, in particular a humoral immune response, against prostate cancer cells which immune response is preferably associated with prophylaxis of prostate cancer, treatment of prostate cancer, and/or amelioration of at least one symptom associated with prostate cancer.
US07939250B2
The invention relates to a novel polypeptide vitamin K epoxide recycling polypeptide (VKORC1) as a target for coumarin and its derivatives. The invention further provides methods for identifying coumarin derivatives, and also claims VKORC1 polypeptides and VKORC1 nucleic acids containing a sequence abnormality associated with a VKORC1 associated deficiency such as warfarin resistance, wherein the VKORC1 polypeptides and VKORC1 nucleic acids can be used for diagnosing these deficiencies. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for identifying coumarin derivatives usable in pest control of rodents.
US07939248B2
A rotating wall vessel is used as a culture vessel and bioreactor for the cultivation of hepatocytes in the form of spheroids to generate a culture with many properties of the intact liver. These properties include enzyme activity comparable to fresh cells and long-term maintenance of viability and cellular function for periods on the order of months. The cultures may be used to produce hepatocyte products, evaluate metabolism of an agent, propagate Hepatitis C virus and test agents as inhibitors of this virus. Thus, the culture system disclosed herein makes long term functional cultivation of human hepatocytes feasible.
US07939246B2
A deposition energy distribution when a charged particle beam is made incident upon a resist film, is approximated by a sum of element distributions having Gaussian distributions. A pattern area density map partitioning the pattern layout plane into small regions, is defined for each element distribution. First and second sub-steps are repeated for each of the pattern area density maps. In the first sub-step, an area density of each small region is obtained. In the second sub-step, in accordance with an energy deposition rate, an exposure dose assigned to a pattern in a first small region, an area of the pattern and the area density of the first small region, the deposition energy to be given to the target small region is obtained and the corrected area density is calculated. A deposition energy at an evaluation point on a pattern layout plane is calculated from the corrected area densities.
US07939243B2
A resist composition including a base resin component (A) and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the component (A) including a resin (A1) which has a structural unit (a0) represented by general formula (a-0) shown below: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a halogenated lower alkyl group; a represents an integer of 0 to 2; b represents an integer of 1 to 3; c represents an integer of 1 to 2; and a+b is an integer of 2 or more.
US07939238B2
A dry toner for developing an electrostatic image, including a toner binder containing a urea-modified polyester. The toner has an average sphericity of 0.96 or more and contains no more than 30% by weight of particles having a sphericity of less than 0.95.
US07939226B2
Provided are a binary mask, a method for fabricating the binary mask, and a method for fabricating a fine pattern of semiconductor device. In the method for fabricating the fine pattern, a binary mask including phase shift layer patterns is prepared on a transparent substrate. A semiconductor substrate including an etch objective layer and a resist layer is prepared. An exposure operation using the binary mask and a light source of a short wavelength is performed to transfer the phase shift layer patterns of the binary mask onto the resist layer of the semiconductor substrate. The resist layer to which the patterns have been transferred is developed to form resist layer patterns selectively exposing the etch objective layer. Exposed portions of the etch objective layer are etched using the resist layer patterns as an etch mask to form etch objective layer patterns. The resist layer patterns are removed.
US07939213B2
In a fuel cell system in which load electric power is supplied from a fuel cell and a secondary battery, intermittent operation is performed, that is, operation of the fuel cell is stopped and the load electric power is supplied from the secondary battery in a low load region. At this time, a threshold value for stopping and starting the operation of the fuel cell is adjusted according to open circuit voltage. Thus, it is possible to prevent fuel from being unnecessarily consumed in order to maintain the open circuit voltage at a predetermined value when the operation of the fuel cell is stopped, and to improve response of the fuel cell when the operation of the fuel cell is restarted after the open circuit voltage has decreased in the fuel cell that has stopped generating electric power.
US07939206B2
This invention relates to a non-aqueous electrolyte for a cell and an electrolyte for a polymer cell in which the risk of igniting-firing an aprotic organic solvent retained in the cell and leaked out of the cell through vaporization or the like when the temperature of the cell rises abnormally is reduced, and to a non-aqueous electrolyte for a cell and an electrolyte for a polymer cell comprising an aprotic organic solvent and a compound containing phosphorus and/or nitrogen in its molecule and having a difference of a boiling point from that of the aprotic organic solvent of not more than 25° C.
US07939204B2
A separator for a lead-acid battery enabling the lead acid battery to infallibly have a predetermined capacity after the initial charging and a prolonged service life by limiting the maximum quantity of reducing substance liberated or produced from the separator at or below a given level.The separator for a lead-acid battery comprising a porous membrane made mainly from a polyolefin resin, an inorganic powder and a mineral oil and containing a surface active agent as an auxiliary material, characterized in that the amount of any reducing substance liberated or eluted after 24 hours of electrolysis carried out at about 25° C. with a direct current of 1.2 A by using an electrolytic cell composed of the porous membrane, a positive electrode, a negative electrode and diluted sulfuric acid is 1.0 ml or less per 100 cm2 when calculated from the consumption of a (1/100)N potassium permanganate solution per 100 cm2 of the porous membrane.
US07939202B2
A method for producing a lithium-containing transition metal oxide represented by the general formula: Li[Lix(NiaM1−a)1−x]O2 where M is metal other than Li and Ni, 0≦x, and 0
US07939199B1
An electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode, a silver vanadium oxide cathode having a relatively lower basis weight, and an electrolyte activating the anode and the cathode is described. By limiting the amount of cathode active material per unit area (i.e. basis weight) facing the anode in the Li/SVO cell, the magnitude of the passivating film growth at the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and its relative impermeability to lithium ion diffusion is reduced. Therefore, by using a cathode of a relatively low basis weight active material, it is possible to eliminate or significantly reduce undesirable irreversible Rdc growth and voltage delay in the cell and to extend its useful life in an implantable medical device.
US07939198B2
The present invention pertains to composite cathodes suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, said cathodes comprising: (a) an electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, in its oxidized state, comprises a polysulfide moiety of the formula —Sm—, wherein m is an integer equal to or greater than 3; and, (b) an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition, which encapsulates said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, and which retards the transport of anionic reduction products of said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, said electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition comprising an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide having the formula MjYk(OR)l wherein: M is a transition metal; Y is the same or different at each occurrence and is oxygen, sulfur, or selenium; R is an organic group and is the same or different at each occurrence; j is an integer ranging from 1 to 12; k is a number ranging from 0 to 72; and l is a number ranging from 0 to 72; with the proviso that k and l cannot both be 0. The present invention also pertains to methods of making such composite cathodes, cells comprising such composite cathodes, and methods of making such cells.
US07939178B2
A shape-changing structure has a superelastic metal foam structural member that changes shape (morphs) to change configuration of the structure. The superelastic metal foam structural member changes shape while maintaining a continuous outer surface, with the continuous metal foam material inside the outer surface expanding, contracting, or otherwise changing shape. The superelastic metal foam material may be heated above a transition temperature to allow it to change shape, and then cooled to cause it to increase in strength, more easily maintaining its new shape. The superelastic metal foam material may be a suitable alloy, for example a nickel titanium alloy, that exhibits superelastic (pseudoelastic) behavior. The superelastic metal foam material may be a shape memory alloy material that returns to a set shape upon moderate heating. The superelastic metal elastic foam structural member may be heated either by an internal heat source or by external heating.
US07939171B2
Provided is metal-containing resin particle for forming a conductor pattern in which the metal particles are dispersed in a resin matrix, and the content of the metal particles is 70 wt % or less.
US07939170B2
The invention provides a water soluble complex comprising an inner core of a metal or semi-conductor nanoparticle. The nanoparticle is coated with a hydrophobic ligand, which is encapsulated in a micelle. In an aqueous medium, the micelle comprises a hydrophilic shell and a hydrophobic core, the hydrophilic shell comprising a plurality of hydrophilic moieties, the hydrophobic core comprising a plurality of hydrophobic moieties, each hydrophobic moiety comprising at least one chain, each chain comprising a minimum of 8 atoms; wherein the total number of atoms in all chains for each moiety comprises at least 24 atoms. The micelle has a minimum average diameter of approximately 5 nm and a maximum average diameter of approximately 45 nm.
US07939169B2
Disclosed is a multilayer film having: (A) an adhesive layer comprising at least about 40 weight percent of an ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymer and at least about 20 weight percent of a low density polyethylene, and at most about 7 weight percent filler; (C) a barrier layer comprising at least about 90 weight percent high density polyethylene; and (B) a core layer comprising at least about 20 weight percent linear low density polyethylene, at least about 20 weight percent low density polyethylene, at least about 10 weight percent high density polyethylene and at most about 5 weight percent filler. Such a film is useful to protect surfaces and preferably adheres when needed for protection and is removable after protection is no longer desired.
US07939153B2
An applicator head for a device with an air suction source for applying individual flat materials elements to objects. The applicator head has an applicator surface in air communication with the air suction source and has perforatable, weak locations. The weak locations can be selectively perforated and, when perforated, a weak location can function as a suction intake opening.
US07939149B2
A heat-shrinkable anti-fomitic device incorporating anti-microbial metal wherein the device, in the form of a bag or tube, forms a cover for an object, preventing cross-infection by bacteria and other pathogens that may reside on the object. Anti-microbial metal ions from the cover further reduce future cross-infection from the object by killing pathogens. The anti-microbial, heat-shrinkable, anti-fomitic device can have a sterile interior that is sealed or stored flat during manufacture to maintain sterility. Therefore, no outer wrapping for the anti-fomitic device is required. The anti-fomitic device can be inverted when used to cover the object to present an outer surface that is initially sterile. A plurality of such devices can be heat shrunk to an object such that removal of the outer layer will further prevent cross contamination. Heat shrink film materials for the coverings/bags serve as a barrier to the transmission of pathogens and conform closely to the covered object.
US07939141B2
A method for the production of fluorinated carbon nanostructures such as carbon black is disclosed, wherein a plasma is generated in a plasma chamber and a fluorocarbon, or a fluorocarbon containing mixture, is supplied to the plasma to convert at least some of the fluorocarbon into a fluorinated carbon material. Direct pyrolysis of a fluorocarbon, or a mixture containing this, provides a one-step method for producing fluorinated carbon nanostructures with a formula CFx, where 0.06
US07939140B2
Process and apparatus for applying single and multiple coatings of a liquid coating material to a continuously moving backing web, in which a free-falling, vertical curtain is formed out of the coating material and strikes the backing web along a wetting line. In particular, the present invention pertains to a process for producing heat-sensitive recording material. The backing web is pushed down over its entire width by at least one guide element before it passes through the wetting line, and is lifted by a support in the form of round element extending transversely to the direction of movement of the backing web after the web has passed through the wetting line, where the support also includes an air guide with an angle of 2-15° between the backing web and the top surface of the air guide means.
US07939137B2
Method and device for producing parts having a sealing layer on the surface, and corresponding parts
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing parts (1) having a sealing layer (2) on the surface, and corresponding parts. Said method and device are improved in that the sealing layer (2) is applied to the surface in the form of a water-free and solvent-free reactive hot melt layer based on polyurethane and hardened by atmospheric humidity, and the inventive device comprises an application station (6), a transport device (5) and a smoothing station (8).
US07939136B2
The formation of arrays of fullerene nanotubes is described. A microscopic molecular array of fullerene nanotubes is formed by assembling subarrays of up to 106 fullerene nanotubes into a composite array.
US07939132B2
A film pattern forming method is for forming a film pattern on a predetermined region of a substrate that has a predetermined shape. The film pattern forming method includes: rendering a surface of the substrate liquid-repellent; applying droplets of a liquid containing material for forming the film pattern in a margin area of the predetermined region in which the film pattern is to be formed, thereby forming a margin band of the applied droplets and forming a margin band film by drying or hardening the margin band; rendering the surface of the substrate lyophilic; and applying droplets of the liquid in the predetermined region circumscribed by the margin band film and thereby filling the predetermined region.
US07939128B2
A webbing formed of synthetic yarns having an indicator for indicating exposure to ultraviolet light which results in strength loss of said synthetic yarns. The strength loss indicator comprises a strip extending along at least a portion of the webbing. The strip includes a phosphorescent material that produces a glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. The phosphorescent material is adapted to lose its ability to produce a glow over time exposure to ultraviolet light. Advantageously, the ability to glow fades at a rate correlated to the rate of loss of tensile strength of said synthetic yarns due to ultraviolet light exposure to indicate the condition of the webbing.
US07939114B2
A medicinal preparation, a process, a nutritional composition and regenerative and insulin potentiating method for humans and also for mammals for prevention, treatment and management/glycemic control of diabetes mellitus by obtaining optimum glucose level in blood, by administering an extract of Costus pictus to produce above effect in a dose of 500-2000 mg/day in humans and 50-200 mg/kg/day in rats. A method for treating hyperglycemia in a patient by administering a medicinal preparation of Costus pictus D. Don. A method for long term management of diabetes by avoiding the problems associated with tight control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., hypoglycemia tolerance and seizures, while simultaneously avoiding the problems associated with conventional moderate control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., pathological complications associated with hyperglycemia, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, etc. The medicinal preparation further affords an insulin potentiating action in addition to decreasing blood glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
US07939110B2
The present invention provides the composition and the method for treating autoimmune diseases and a mucosal disorder via oral-tolerance induction and innate immunity promotion. The composition for treating the autoimmune disease and mucosal disorder includes the polysaccharide prepared from a plant, wherein the plant belongs to Genus Dendrobium.
US07939108B2
Demineralized bone particles are obtained by demineralizing whole bone and thereafter subdividing the demineralized bone to provide the demineralized bone particles.
US07939105B2
Rapidly dispersing solid dry therapeutic dosage form comprised of a water insoluble compound existing as a nanometer or micrometer particulate solid which is surface stabilized by the presence of at least one phospholipid, the particulate solid being dispersed throughout a bulking matrix. When the dosage form is introduced into an aqueous environment the bulking matrix is substantially completely dissolves within less than 2 minutes thereby releasing the water insoluble particulate solid in an unaggregated and/or unagglomerated state. The matrix is composed of a water insoluble substance or therapeutically useful water insoluble or poorly water soluble compound, a phospholipid and optionally also at least one non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphipathic surfactant, together with a matrix or bulking agent and if needed a release agent. The volume weighted mean particle size of the water insoluble particle is 5 micrometers or less.
US07939102B2
Rapidly disintegrating multiparticulate controlled release formulations of lamotrigine having an improved pharmacokinetic profile and improved patient compliance, and process of preparing the formulations. It provides better control of blood plasma levels than conventional tablet formulations that is administered once or more times a day.
US07939093B2
The invention relates to a method for differentially representing myocardial tissue in different states of damage, comprising the following steps: administering a myocardium-suitable contrast agent to a patient under examination; entering at least one patient-specific parameter affecting the speed of uptake by and elimination from the myocardium of said contrast agent; calculating a point in time after administration of the contrast agent at which a difference between a contrast agent content in necrotic myocardial tissue and a contrast agent content in non-necrotic myocardial tissue attains a maximum value, on the basis of the at least one patient-specific parameter, and carrying out, at the point in time calculated, a late-phase CT scan for accentuation of necrotic myocardial tissue compared to non-necrotic myocardial tissue. The invention likewise relates to apparatus, in particular for carrying out the method.
US07939085B2
The present invention relates to monoparamunity inducers based on paramunizing viruses or viral components of a myxomavirus strain from rabbits with typically generalizing disease, to a method for the production thereof and to the use thereof as medicaments for the regulatory optimization of the paramunizing activities for the prophylaxis and therapy of various dysfunctions in humans and animals.
US07939082B2
A method of providing papilloma virus like particles which may be used for diagnostic purposes or for incorporation in a vaccine for use in relation to infections caused by papilloma virus. The method includes an initial step of constructing one or more recombinant DNA molecules which each encode papilloma virus L1 protein or a combination of papilloma virus L1 protein and papilloma virus L2 protein followed by a further step of transfecting a suitable host cell with one or more of the recombinant DNA molecules so that virus like particles (VLPs) are produced within the cell after expression of the L1 or combination of L1 and L2 proteins. The VLPs are also claimed per se as well as vaccines incorporating the VLPs.
US07939079B2
The present invention relates to the isolation and cultivation of “Candidatus Helicobacter suis” and isolates of “Candidatus Helicobacter suis” obtainable by these methods. The present invention further relates to the use of these bacteria for the manufacture of antigen preparations and vaccines.
US07939071B2
Arterial and venous endothelial cells are molecularly distinct from the earliest stages of angiogenesis. This distinction is revealed by expression on arterial cells of a transmembrane ligand, called EphrinB2 whose receptor EphB4 is expressed on venous cells. Targeted disruption of the EphrinB2 gene prevents the remodeling of veins from a capillary plexus into properly branched structures. Moreover, it also disrupts the remodeling of arteries, suggesting that reciprocal interactions between pre-specified arterial and venous endothelial cells are necessary for angiogenesis. This distinction can be used to advantage in methods to alter angiogenesis, methods to assess the effect of drugs on artery cells and vein cells, and methods to identify and isolate artery cells and vein cells, for example.
US07939069B2
The present invention relates to antibodies that immunospecifically bind to human brain natriuretic peptide or a human brain natriuretic peptide fragment with a high binding affinity, methods for producing and selecting said antibodies, immunoassays for human brain natriuretic peptide or a human brain natriuretic peptide fragment that employ said antibodies and therapeutic compositions containing said antibodies.
US07939065B2
The invention provides a chondroitin sulfate synthesis promoter useful for the treatment of diseases such as articular disease and discopathy. The chondroitin sulfate synthesis promoter contains, as an active ingredient, chondroitin sulfate glucuronyltransferase protein and/or chondroitin sulfate N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1 protein, or a gene encoding the enzyme protein(s).
US07939062B2
A method of preparing a human recipient for a graft from a human which includes: administering donor peripheral blood progenitor cells to the recipient, and providing a minimally ablative.
US07939059B2
The invention provides systems and methods for the generation of lymphocytes having a unique antigen specificity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods of virally infecting cells from bone marrow with one or more viral vectors that encode antigen-specific antibodies for the production of, for example B cells and T cells. In some embodiments, the viral vectors include an IRES or 2A element to promote separation of, for example, the α subunit and β subunit of a T cell receptor (TCR) or heavy and light chains of a B-cell antibody. The resulting lymphocytes, express the particular antibody that was introduced in the case of B cells and TCR in the case of T cells. The lymphocytes generated can be used for a variety of therapeutic purposes including the treatment of various cancers and the generation of a desired immune response to viruses and other pathogens. The resulting cells develop normally and respond to antigen both in vitro and in vivo. We also show that it is possible to modify the function of lymphocytes by using stem cells from different genetic backgrounds. Thus our system constitutes a powerful tool to generate desired lymphocyte populations both for research and therapy. Future applications of this technology may include treatments for infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer therapy, allergy, and autoimmune disease.
US07939054B2
The invention encompasses a composition for hair removal comprising at least one organic hair follicle penetrating agent and at least one enzyme inhibitor for the purpose of achieving permanent hair follicle inactivation, and methods for hair removal using the same.
US07939053B2
The present invention is directed to a method of making up nails, the method involving: a) applying onto the nails a first composition containing: i) at least one color precursor, ii) at least one film former, iii) at least one volatile solvent, iv) optionally, at least one buffer, and v) optionally, at least one colorant; (b) applying a second composition over top of at least a portion of the first composition, the second composition containing at least one color activator; and (c) optionally, applying a third composition over top of at least a portion of the second composition, the third composition containing at least one color deactivator.
US07939050B2
A method for making a composite includes combining a strengthening agent and an aluminum compound to form a first solution; precipitating an Al(OH)3 gel from the first solution, wherein strengthening agent particles are dispersed within the gel; washing the Al(OH)3 gel with an alcohol; contacting the Al(OH)3 gel with a salt; drying the Al(OH)3 gel to form a powder; calcining the powder to convert Al(OH)3 to Al2O3; and sintering the powder to form a composite article comprising beta double prime alumina.
US07939040B2
The inventive composition is based on cerium oxide and on zirconium oxide in an atomic proportion Ce/Zr of at least 1, and has a reducibility rate of at least 70% and a surface area of at least 15 m; 2; /g. This composition is obtained by a method in which: a mixture is made containing cerium and zirconium compounds; this mixture is provided with a basic compound whereby obtaining a precipitate that is heated in an aqueous medium; a surfactant-type additive or a polyethylene glycol or a carboxylic acid is added to this medium or to the separated precipitate; the mixture is ground; the precipitate obtained thereof is calcined under inert gas or vacuum, in a first period of time, at a temperature of at least 850° C. and then under an oxidizing atmosphere, in a second period of time, at a temperature of at least 400° C.
US07939033B2
A microfluidic device [10] includes at least one reactant passage [26] and one or more thermal control passages defined therein, the one or more thermal control passages being positioned and arranged within two volumes [12,14] each bordered by a wall [18,20], the walls being generally planar and parallel to one another, the reactant passage positioned between said generally planar walls and defined by said generally planar walls and walls [28] extending between said generally planar walls, wherein the reactant passage comprises multiple successive chambers [34], each such chamber including a split of the reactant passage into at least two sub-passages [36], and a joining [38] of the split passages, and a change of passage direction, of at least one of the sub-passages, of at least 90 degrees.
US07939031B2
A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip. The seating surfaces are frustoconical outer surfaces. The pipette nozzle may be further configured to sealingly mate with and removably receive a third pipette tip having a third diameter different from the first diameter and the second diameter. There is also provided an automated pipette machine which includes a tip ejector system and a moving carousel having a plurality of pipette receptacles.
US07939029B2
A tester for testing for explosives associated with a test location comprising a first explosives detecting reagent; a first reagent holder, the first reagent holder containing the first explosives detecting reagent; a second explosives detecting reagent; a second reagent holder, the second reagent holder containing the second explosives detecting reagent; a sample collection unit for exposure to the test location, exposure to the first explosives detecting reagent, and exposure to the second explosives detecting reagent; and a body unit containing a heater for heating the sample collection unit for testing the test location for the explosives.
US07939023B2
A sensor unit is retained on an assay stage of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus. The sensor unit includes a prism having a sensing surface, disposed on an upper surface thereof, for detecting reaction of a sample. A flow cell is secured to the upper surface, and has a flow channel for flow of sample fluid containing the sample to the sensing surface. The sensor unit is set removably on the assay apparatus for optically measuring reaction of the sample. In sensor holding, the sensor unit is set on a stage surface of the assay stage by directing down the prism. In a pushing step, a lower surface of the prism is pushed on the stage surface in a first direction upright relative to the stage surface. Two holders push an upper face of the first and second ridges of the prism in the first direction.
US07939022B2
A device for distinguishing fluids and a method for fabricating the device include integrating at least one transducer onto an optical detector. Each transducer has optical properties which vary when exposed to particular molecules of a fluid.
US07939020B2
An automatic analyzing apparatus has an analysis section including an immunity analysis unit and a biochemical componential analysis unit. A sample rack which has undergone the immunity componential analysis is horizontally fed by a rack feeding mechanism from a position confronting the inlet of a rack stationing section to a position near the outlet of the rack stationing section, so that the sample rack is directly moved to a return line, while skipping over the rack stationing section, so as to be efficiently returned to the analysis section and subjected to a subsequent biochemical analysis. A sample rack that needs reexamination by an identical analysis unit is also returned in the same efficient way.
US07939018B2
Devices, methods, and systems for processing sample materials are disclosed. The present invention may provide a bridge between standard microtiter plate systems, methods, protocols, etc. (that include wells arranged in rectangular arrays) and rotating sample processing devices and systems that allow users to obtain the rapid processing advantages of the more advanced sample processing devices. The sample processing devices preferably include a rectangular body to improve compatibility of the sample processing devices of the present invention with equipment designed for use with more conventional microtiter plates (which are typically rectangular in shape). The sample processing devices also include at least one set of process chambers arranged in one or more circular arcs and may include input and/or output chambers arranged in a rectilinear grid array.
US07939017B2
An automated fluid handling system configured to prepare fluid samples and to introduce them into an analytical instrument, such as a particle analyzer, flow cytometer or sorter flow cell, and that is capable of analyzing both accurately and quickly.
US07939016B2
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles, and more specifically to a system and method of efficiently disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles such as pieces of mail that may have been exposed to diverse biological and/or chemical contaminants.
US07939010B2
An improved method for creating fibers from a material dissolved in a solvent. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of feeding a fiber making material dissolved in a solvent through a die including at least two rows of nozzles to form fiber strands. An attenuation medium is provided about the fiber strands. The attenuation medium is provided in a direction that is generally parallel to the fiber strands such that the attenuation medium elongates the fiber strands. The attenuation medium has a relative solvent-vapor content of at least about 50 percent.
US07939008B2
Improved blow-molded wheels, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same are disclosed. The blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded body that has a tread surface, first and second sidewalls and an axis. The body may be configured to rotate about the axis. The tread surface may extend circumferentially around the body and may extend between the first and second sidewalls. A first region of the tread surface may be disposed between the first sidewall and a part line of the blow-molded body. A second region of the tread surface may be disposed between the first region and the part line. A first radial distance from the axis to the first region may exceed a second radial distance from the axis to the second region by at least a first predetermined threshold.
US07939001B2
Apparatus and method of producing fiber composite moldings by means of vacuum infusion applying a mold with a mold cavity, a plurality of inlet channels (3, 21, 22) communicating with the mold cavity and a polymer source (7) with liquid polymer, a plurality of vacuum channels (2) communicating with the mold cavity and a vacuum source (10), where fiber material (14) is inserted into the mold cavity prior to the process of filling said mold, and where a negative pressure is generated in the vacuum channels (2) and thus in the mold cavity with the result that liquid polymer is drawn from the polymer source (7) via the inlet channels (3, 21, 22) into the mold cavity. One or more of the inlet channels (3, 21, 22) can also communicate with a vacuum source, and/or one or more of the vacuum channels (2) can also communicate with a polymer source (7).
US07938998B2
A method for forming substantially parallel linear scratches on a thermoplastic resin film, comprising bringing the film into sliding contact with a means having a lot of fine projections for forming linear scratches, and pressing the film onto the linear-scratch-forming means from the opposite side of the linear-scratch-forming means by a film-pressing means, in a region in which the film is in sliding contact with the linear-scratch-forming means.
US07938996B2
Process, apparatus, compositions and application modes are provided that relate to nanofiber spinning without the use of superacids in the spinning solution. The methods employ either acids or bases for a flocculation solution. The advances disclosed therein enable the use of nanofibers, including carbon nanotubes, for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, electromechanical actuators, supercapacitors, electronic textiles, and in devices for electrical energy harvesting.
US07938993B2
An improved process for the preparation of a cellulose solution for spinning of fibers, filaments or films therefrom comprising the steps of: a) activating cellulose in a mixture containing said cellulose, tertiary amine oxide solvent and water for a period sufficient to allow a swelling of the cellulose by introduction therein of water present in said mixtures, the temperature of said activation step and concentration of solvent being such that the solvent is not converted into its monohydrate state during the step of activation; b) the cellulose mixture being subjected to the steps of dissolution of cellulose in the solvent by heating for removal of water so as to convert the solvent into at least its monohydrate form so as to cause a dissolution.
US07938991B2
The present invention is directed to new methods for combining, processing, and modifying existing materials, resulting in novel products with enhanced mechanical, electrical and electronic properties. The present invention provides for polymer/carbon nanotube composites with increased strength and toughness; beneficial for lighter and/or stronger structural components for terrestrial and aerospace applications, electrically and thermally conductive polymer composites, and electrostatic dissipative materials. Such composites rely on a molecular interpenetration between entangled single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and cross-linked polymers to a degree not possible with previous processes.
US07938988B2
Provided are: a paste composition which is capable of keeping a desired function for a backside electrode of a solar cell and strengthening the bond between an aluminum electrode layer and a p type silicon semiconductor substrate even if glass frit as a substance giving a bad effect on the environment is not incorporated into the composition or the content of glass frit as a substance giving a bad effect on the environment therein is decreased; and a solar cell element provided with an electrode formed by use of the composition. The paste composition is a paste composition for forming an aluminum electrode layer (8) over a p type silicon semiconductor substrate (1), comprising aluminum powder, an organic vehicle, and a metal alkoxide. The solar cell element provided with the aluminum electrode layer (8) formed by applying the paste composition having the above-mentioned characteristic to the p type silicon semiconductor substrate (1) and then firing the resultant.
US07938981B2
A composition for deicing or for the preparation of a heat transfer fluid is provided. The composition comprises a mixture of at least two carboxylic acid salts having a t/c ratio of 2 or lower, including a dicarboxylic salt and a monocarboxylic salt, said dicarboxylic salt being present in the mixture in an amount of at least 50 wt % of the weight of the mixture, on a dry basis. More particularly, said mixture is including a succinate and a formate, wherein the succinate is in an amount of at least 50 wt %, on a dry basis. Also provided is a method for deicing a surface or preventing the accumulation of ice, snow or a mixture thereof on a surface, comprising a step of applying on a surface covered by ice, snow or a mixture thereof, or susceptible of being covered by ice, snow or a mixture thereof, the above composition. The composition is also useful for the preparation of a heat transfer fluid coolant to be used in a heat transfer system comprising a heat transfer fluid provided with a cooling system.
US07938979B2
The present invention discloses a method of fabricating mirrors for LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) display device, including: forming a dielectric layer over a silicon substrate; forming a stop layer over the dielectric layer; forming an insulation layer over the stop layer; etching the insulation layer and the stop layer until the dielectric layer is exposed, thus forming an insulation fence; forming a metal layer over the dielectric layer and the insulation fence; and planarizing the metal layer and the insulation fence, hence the planarized insulation fence isolating the metal layer into mirror array. Therefore no pits can be generated in the metal layer and no pits can be generated in the mirrors formed subsequently, resulting in high quality mirror surface.
US07938978B2
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a stamper includes forming a first stamper from a master plate having lands and grooves through electroforming, forming a second stamper, a width of which is GW, from the first stamper through electroforming, forming a lamination film with a thickness of LLT on the second stamper, forming, on the lamination film, a second releasing layer, a transfer layer with a thickness of TLT and a third electroforming layer with a thickness of ELT, peeling off the transfer layer and the third electroforming layer from the second stamper to form a third stamper, and isotropically etching the transfer layer on the third stamper in an etching thickness of ET to reduce a width of lands of the third stamper, in which the following relations are satisfied: 10 nm≦ELT and ET≦TLT.
US07938977B2
A torsional MEMS device is disclosed. The torsional MEMS device includes a support structure, a platform, and at least two hinges, which connects the platform to the support structure. The platform has an active area and a non-active area. A plurality of sacrificial elements is disposed in the non-active area. If the resonant frequency of the torsional MEMS device is less than a predetermined standard resonant frequency of the torsional MEMS device, at least one sacrificial element is removed to reduce the total mass of the torsional MEMS device, and so as to increase the resonant frequency of the torsional MEMS device.
US07938967B2
A vent assembly is described for use in an extracorporeal fluid unit. A vent structure adjacent to a micro-porous membrane forms the assembly. The vent structure is porous, but expands when the vent structure becomes wet, thereby closing off the pores and inhibiting (e.g., preventing) fluid from flowing through the vent structure. The vent structure also protects the membrane from becoming wet, such as from condensation.
US07938966B2
A filtration arrangement including one or more membrane modules (5) positioned vertically within a feed tank (6), each membrane module (5) having one or more membranes positioned therein. An aeration hood (10) having an upper wall (11) and one or more downwardly extending side walls (12, 13) is configured to at least partially shroud the membrane modules (5) within the tank (6). The aeration hood (10) includes a number of open-ended tubes (14), each extending downwardly from the upper wall (11) and forming a respective opening (15) therein. Each tube (14) is adapted to have at least one of the modules (5) mounted therein and extending through the respective openings (15) in the upper wall (11) so as to at least partially surround an outer periphery of an associated module or modules (5). One or more aeration openings (17) are provided in each tube (14) at a location spaced from a proximal end of the tube (16). The aeration hood side wall or walls (12, 13) extend to below the location of the aeration openings (17) in the tubes (14). Gas providing means (18) feed gas into the hood (10).
US07938964B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose of remediation and retrieval of, e.g., pollutant biomass from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments. In some implementations, systems and apparatus are provided for applying a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of biomass, and further having structure for collecting the biomass. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral. Some implementations convert the collected biomass into biofuel. Some implementations initially employ the biomass to remediate an aquatic body.
US07938962B2
A separating agent which combines a high optical resolving power inherent in polysaccharide derivatives with sufficient solvent resistance and a method with which the separating agent can be produced efficiently in short steps. The separating agent for enantiomeric isomers is characterized in that a polymerizable polysaccharide derivative of a polysaccharide derivative having polymerizable functional groups and a polymerizable monomer having polymerizable unsaturated groups are copolymerized with a carrier having polymerizable functional groups to be chemically bound mutually. The separating agent is preferably used for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and has an excellent solvent resistance.
US07938955B2
Provided are a method for producing a super-low sulfur gas oil blending component or a super-low sulfur gas oil composition having a sulfur content of less than 5 mass ppm, under relatively mild conditions, without greatly increasing the hydrogen consumption and without remarkably decreasing the aromatic content; and a super-low sulfur gas oil composition having a sulfur content of less than 5 mass ppm which exhibits a high heating value, is excellent in fuel economy and output power, and is free from an adverse effect on a sealing rubber member or the like used in the fuel injection system and thus does not cause the leakage of a fuel. A method for producing a super-low sulfur gas oil blending component or a super-low sulfur gas oil composition having a sulfur content of less than 5 mass ppm is also disclosed.
US07938943B2
A supply end block to supply a sputter cathode with a coolant and electrical voltage, includes a housing with a coolant connection and a current connection as well as a support shaft mounted to rotate, on which a target tube is fastened. The coolant connection and current connection are brought together directly at a feed site so that the coolant is brought to the potential of the applied electric voltage on entering the housing of the end block. Optimal cooling of the current feed is achieved, and optimal potential equalization of the coolant simultaneously occurs.
US07938937B2
The invention provides an apparatus for producing solid electrolytic capacitors having uniform properties with excellent ESR value efficiently at low costs and a production process using the apparatus. The production process using the apparatus is characterized in that a plurality of conductors for producing solid electrolytic capacitors are fixed to a jig for producing capacitors, the jig is transferred to above treatment baths to immerse the conductors in treatment solution in each of the baths sequentially and electric currents are passed to the conductors therein to thereby form a dielectric layer and a semiconductor layer sequentially on the conductors and that on the jig for producing capacitors, a plurality of sockets are provided for inserting and fixing ends of wires leading out of the conductors by using a robotics device.
US07938933B2
Disclosed is a method for making fiber paper. In this method, mineral fibers and PVA resin are blended in water, thus forming first solution. Polymer fibers and PVA resin are blended in water, thus forming second solution. The first solution is mixed with the second solution. A wet paper-making machine is used to make mineral fiber paper from the mixture.
