Document Document Title
US07724542B2 Reworkable RF shield
Certain embodiments relate to electronic devices and methods for forming electronic devices having a component shielded by a reworkable RF shield. The RF shield may be positioned to surround one or more components on a substrate. The RF shield may include a plurality of sidewalls and a top wall, the plurality of sidewalls including bumps extending outward therefrom. A portion of the top wall may be removed from the RF shield. The one or more components positioned under the top wall of the RF shield may be repaired or replaced if necessary. A lid may then be positioned over the removed portion of the top wall and placed so that the bumps engage apertures in the lid and result in the lid being rigidly coupled to the sidewalls. In one aspect of certain embodiments, a groove may be formed on one or more surfaces of the top wall. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07724531B2 Control module
A control module includes a control circuit unit and a wiring unit contained between a cover and a base. The wiring unit has a resin molded part formed by resin-molding nearly central portions of bus bars. The base is shaped to be in contact with the cover when they are fitted to each other, and has protrusions each formed to position between the adjacent bus bars in the flexible region. Contact portions between the cover and the protrusions of the base are fixedly bonded to each other.
US07724528B2 Thermal dissipation heat slug sandwich
In one embodiment a thermal dissipation heat slug sandwich includes a circuit board, a circuit package having an integrated heat slug mounted to an obverse side of the circuit board, and a lower heat sink plate on a reverse side of the circuit board thermally coupled to the heat slug and a housing enclosing the circuit board An upper heat sink plate may be mounted to the obverse side of the circuit board to cover the circuit package. The upper heat sink plate thermally coupled to the lower heat sink plate through the circuit board. An insulating cover may also be provided to redirect radiant heat from the circuit package to the housing.
US07724524B1 Hybrid immersion cooled server with integral spot and bath cooling
A hybrid immersion cooling apparatus and method is provided for cooling of electronic components housed in a computing environment. The components are divided into primary and secondary heat generating components and are housed in a liquid sealed enclosure. The primary heat generating components are cooled by indirect liquid cooling provided by at least one cold plate having fins. The cold plate is coupled to a first coolant conduit that circulates a first coolant in the enclosure and supplies the cold plate. Immersion cooling is provided for secondary heat generating components through a second coolant that will be disposed inside the enclosure such as to partially submerge the cold plate and the first coolant conduit as well as the heat generating components.
US07724518B1 Orthogonally system arrangements for data center facility
A facility is described that includes one or more enclosures defining an interior space, a plurality of power taps, a plurality of coolant supply taps, and a plurality of coolant return taps. A flow capacity of the supply taps and a flow capacity of the return taps can be approximately equal over a local area of the interior space. The plurality of power taps, the plurality of supply taps, and the plurality of return taps can be divided into a plurality of zones, with taps of each zone are configured to be controllably coupled to a power source or a coolant source independently of the taps of other zones. The taps can be positioned along paths, and paths of the power taps can be spaced from associated proximate paths of supply and return taps by a substantially uniform distance along a substantial length of the first path.
US07724517B2 Case for a liquid submersion cooled electronic device
A case for a liquid submersion cooled computer includes a plurality of walls defining a liquid-tight interior space. At least a portion of one of the walls is made of a material that permits viewing of objects, for example, a motherboard, within the interior space. A removable lid closes the top of the interior space. The lid forms a liquid-tight seal with the plurality of walls, and the lid includes a sealed electrical connector fixed thereto that is configured to attach to the motherboard disposed in the interior space and to provide electrical connection between the motherboard and an exterior of the case. The case can include a drain valve for draining liquid from the case. Further, the lid can have an opening for introducing liquid into the interior space, and a handle to facilitate lifting of the lid along with the motherboard connected to the lid.
US07724514B2 Server chassis with access flap
A server chassis includes a base defining an opening, a rotating plate, a sliding plate, and first and second elastic members. The base includes a middle plate opposite to the opening and defines a space communicating with the opening. The rotating plate defines a plurality of first air holes. The sliding plate defines a plurality of second air holes. The rotating plate is rotated toward the middle plate when the functional module is inserted into the space, the sliding plate abuts against the middle plate and slides toward the opening, and the second air holes align with the first air holes. The second elastic member restores the rotating plate to obstruct the opening when the functional module is drawn out, and the first elastic member restores the sliding plate to make the second air holes be staggered with the first air holes.
US07724511B2 Adjustable display screen for a laptop computer
A laptop computer display screen is adjustable to a user's convenience by constructing an adjustable angle instead of rigidly connecting the display screen to an extender mechanism via which the screen is vertically extended upwards away from the laptop body. An adjustable angle between the extended display screen and the extender mechanism may be established via a tilt-hinge, making the angle between the display screen and the extender mechanism easily adjustable by a user.
US07724508B2 Protective cover for flexible display screen
In a device (10), a flexible display screen (11) and a housing (12, 13) are structurally configurable between an open position and a closed position. The housing (12, 13) visibly exposes a full operating view of the flexible display screen (11) in response to the flexible display screen (11) and the housing (12, 13) being structurally configured in the open position. The housing (12, 13) also visibly exposes a partial operating view of the flexible display screen (11) in response to the flexible display screen (11) and the housing (12, 13) being structurally configured in the closed position. A cover (16) manually or automatically impedes physical damage to the partial operating view of the flexible display screen (11) in response to the flexible display screen (11) and the housing (12, 13) being structurally configured in the closed position.
US07724506B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes a chassis configured to hold electronic elements with cables, and a securing member. The chassis includes a bottom plate and at least one clip protruding from the bottom plate. The securing member includes a base portion fixed on the bottom plate, an end portion, and a neck portion connecting the base portion to the end portion. The base portion is resiliently deformable for maintaining the cables between the base portion and the bottom plate. The neck portion slidably engages with the at least one clip of the bottom plate. The end portion is configured to prevent the neck portion from disengaging from the at least one clip.
US07724504B2 Satellite receiver
There are a first stopper and a second stopper positioned on a main body of a satellite receiver. A cover having a block is coupled with the main body of the satellite receiver. The block of the cover is capable of sliding between the first stopper and the second stopper when the cover is coupled with the main body.
US07724497B2 Feedthrough multilayer capacitor mounting structure
A feedthrough multilayer capacitor mounting structure including a capacitor body, at least two each of first and second signal terminal electrodes, and at least one each of first and second grounding terminal electrodes. The capacitor body has a plurality of insulator layers laminated, a first signal inner electrode connected to two first signal terminal electrodes, a second signal inner electrode connected to two second signal terminal electrodes, a first grounding inner electrode connected to one first grounding terminal electrode, and a second grounding inner electrode connected to one second grounding terminal electrode. The first signal inner electrode and second grounding inner electrode include respective portions opposing each other while holding therebetween at least one of the insulator layers. The second signal inner electrode and first grounding inner electrode include respective portions opposing each other while holding therebetween at least one of the insulator layers. The first and second signal inner electrodes include respective portions opposing each other while holding therebetween at least one of the insulator layers.
US07724494B2 Variable capacitor and method of making the same
A capacitor manufacturing method provides variable capacitors whose capacitances remain stable under the influence of temperature change. Such a variable capacitor includes a fixed electrode, a movable electrode film facing the fixed electrode, and an anchor portion that provides partial connection between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode film. For making this variable capacitor, a first electrode is formed to serve as the fixed electrode. Then, an anchor portion is formed on the fixed electrode, and a sacrifice film is formed to cover the fixed electrode but partially expose the anchor portion. A second electrode is formed on the sacrifice film to serve as the movable electrode film, bonded to the anchor portion. Finally, the sacrifice film is removed.
US07724492B2 Emitter electrode having a strip shape
A strip-shaped emitter electrode including at least one emission edge extending along the length of such emitter electrode. When the strip-shaped emitter electrode is coupled to a voltage supply, current or an electrical charge at the emission edge ionizes the air and generates corona discharge, resulting in ion production. Erosion occurs at the emission edge such that the lifespan of the strip emitter electrode is dependent, at least in part, on the width of the strip emitter electrode.
US07724491B2 Method of treating inflammation and autoimmune diseases
A method to speed recovery from acute injury and/or reduce and prevent chronic inflammation in an animal or human is disclosed. The method includes providing a grounded plane, conductively coupling said animal or human to the grounded plane to conduct the earth's mobile negative surface charge of free electrons from the earth to said animal or human in order to provide the body with an abundant supply of free electrons to reduce residual immune system produced reactive oxygen specie free radicals and prevent the same from oxidizing healthy tissue and exhibiting chronic inflammation in said animal or man. Applying earth's free electrons to the human body for prevention of chronic inflammation and therapeutic reduction of inflammation is described. Further described are methods to apply and maintain earth's mobile free electron charge on an animal or human while residing in modern home or work environments or in a treatment facility.
US07724489B2 Circuit breaker with high speed mechanically-interlocked grounding switch
A circuit breaker apparatus with an integrated grounding switch has a housing with first and second bushings extending outwardly of the housing. A first vacuum bottle is positioned in the housing and has a pair of contactors therein. A second vacuum bottle is positioned in the housing and has a pair of contactors therein. A mechanical linkage is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position electrically connects the first bushing to the second bushing. The second position electrically connects the first bushing to ground. The first vacuum bottle and the second vacuum bottle are longitudinally aligned. The mechanical linkage is interposed between the first and second vacuum bottles.
US07724481B2 Magnetic sensing element including free magnetic layer or pinned magnetic layer having two sublayers that are composed of different CoMn-based heusler alloys
A magnetic sensing element is provided. A free magnetic layer has a three-layer structure including CoMnα sublayers each composed of a metal compound represented by the formula: Co2xMnxαy. The α contains an element β and Sb, the element β being at least one element selected from Ge, Ga, In, Si, Pb, Zn, Sn, and Al. The concentration x and the concentration y are each represented in terms of atomic percent and satisfy the equation: 3x+y=100 atomic percent. One of the CoMnα sublayers is in contact with a lower nonmagnetic material layer. The other CoMnα sublayer is in contact with upper nonmagnetic material layer. As a result, it is possible to achieve a high ΔRA and a lower interlayer coupling magnetic field Hin compared with the known art.
US07724479B2 Method and apparatus for an auxiliary mass damper in each actuator arm notch of a hard disk drive
Actuator arm includes an island coupling through a mote to at least two of actuator base, first and second actuator arm bridge. Head stack including at least one actuator arm. Head stack assembly including head stack. Hard disk drive including head stack assembly. Manufacturing methods for actuator arm, head stack, head stack assembly, and hard disk drive, and the products of these processes.
US07724477B2 Method for correcting floating type magnetic head device
A correcting method and load beam for reducing variations in floating height of a floating-type magnetic head device is disclosed The correcting method for the floating-type magnetic head device includes the steps of temporarily mounting the floating-type magnetic head device so as to float the head body over a disk equivalent surface; detecting a roll-angle corresponding amount at the end of the load beam in the temporarily mounted state; and correcting the floating-type magnetic head device on the basis of the roll-angle corresponding amount at the end of the load beam by bending the load beam in a direction in that a roll angle at the end approaches zero.
US07724471B2 Thin-film magnetic head with heating means for adjusting magnetic spacing
A thin-film magnetic head that the protrusion of the head end surface due to heat generated from the heating means becomes large enough to set the magnetic spacing dMS to the smaller value efficiently is provided. The head comprises: a substrate having an element-formed surface on which at least one concave portion is formed and an ABS; at least one magnetic head element formed above or on the element-formed surface; at least one thermal expansion layer embedded in the at least one concave portion; and at least one heating means positioned directly above the at least one thermal expansion layer.
US07724466B2 Method and system for servo stripe width detection and compensation
A method and system for servo stripe width detection and compensation including moving a magnetic tape in a first direction across a magnetic tape head, the magnetic tape having a servo band including a first servo pattern and a second servo pattern, the magnetic tape head having a servo element; detecting a leading edge and a trailing edge of the first servo pattern with the servo element; detecting a leading edge and a trailing edge of the second servo pattern with the servo element; determining a first time from the leading edge of the first servo pattern to the leading edge of the second servo pattern; determining a second time from the trailing edge of the first servo pattern to the trailing edge of the second servo pattern; and determining a correction value from a difference between the first time and the second time.
US07724455B2 Lens drive device
A lens drive device having a simple structure and small sized. The lens drive device (1) has a lens holder (3, 5), a drive shaft (21) into which one end of the lens holder (3, 5) is fitted and placed along the direction of the optical axis of lenses (14, 16), and a piezo element (17) provided at a base end (21a) of the drive shaft (21). The base end (21a) of the drive shaft (21) is fixed to a vibrator (19) of the piezo element (17), and the drive shaft (21) is vibrated in the direction of its axis by vibration of the vibrator (19) produced by conducting a pulse current to the piezo element (17). The lens holder (3, 5) is moved in the optical axis direction by using repetition of inertia force and friction force of the holder relative to the drive shaft (21).
US07724452B2 Optical lens assembly and lens module
An exemplary optical lens assembly includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens comprises a first central portion and a first annular stepped portion. The first annular stepped portion has a first outer step and a second outer step. The first outer step has a first outer side surface and a first downward-facing surface. The second outer step has a second outer side surface. The second lens comprises a second central portion and a second annular stepped portion. The second annular stepped portion has a first inner step and a second inner step. The first inner step has a first inner side surface and a first upward-facing surface. The second inner step has a second inner side surface. The first annular stepped portion is engaged in the second annular stepped portion. A gap exists between the second outer side surface and the first inner side surface.
US07724450B2 Producing distinguishable light in the presence of ambient light
A process and apparatus for producing distinguishable light, in the presence of ambient light is disclosed. The process involves admitting light in a first wavelength band through a first light admission port into a first optical cavity at least partially defined by a first reflector operably configured to reflect light out of the first optical cavity. The process also involves filtering ambient light reflected into the first optical cavity and entering and exiting a first space defined about the first light admission port such that ambient light outside the first wavelength band is attenuated on entry and exit from the first space.
US07724443B2 Substrate-guided optical device utilizing thin transparent layer
There is provided an optical device, including a light-transmitting substrate having two major surfaces and edges, an optical element (16) for coupling light waves into the substrate by total internal reflexion, and a plurality of partially reflecting surfaces (22a, 22b, 22c) carried by the substrate. The partially reflecting surfaces are parallel to each other and are not parallel to any of the edges of the substrate. At least one of the partially reflecting surfaces (22a, 22b, 22c) does not intersect with at least one of the two major surfaces, and the optical element (16) intersects with at least one of the two major surfaces.
US07724440B2 Combining outputs of different light sources
An embodiment of an optical manifold has first and second collimators, each arranged to receive light from a source and transmit the light to an exit port of the collimator, and a separator arranged to emit some of the light from the exit ports of the first and second collimators and to recycle some of the light into the collimators. Another embodiment has at least three collimators of substantially equal length and having central axes, respective light sources at entry ports of the collimators, the collimators being arranged with their central axes parallel and with their light sources in a common plane and reflectors positioned to direct light from exit ports of the collimators to a selectively reflective component that guides all the light into a common exit beam.
US07724438B2 Lenticular optical system
A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image is viewable from a second angle. Optical designs and alignment processes are disclosed which make possible the economical production of thin materials which facilitate the manufacturing and utilization of the optical system in packaging and the like.
US07724437B2 Brightness preserving laser beam shaper
The current invention describes the method of making symmetrical radiation of extremely asymmetrical light sources, e.g. laser diode bars, using the shaper of three optical elements that preserve the brightness of the initial light source. The first element of the shaper-collimator of the fast axis-images the light source in the direction of the fast axis directly into the output plain of the shaper. The second and the third element of the shaper are the multi-segment elements that separate and optimally redistribute different beams and focus these in the direction of the slow axis. The surfaces of the shaper optical elements are described by the surfaces of the second and higher order, which enables compensation of different distortions, for instance field curvature aberration, distortion caused by the light source bending, etc. The shaper offers optimal order of secondary beam redistribution that has the least possible impact on the initial beam brightness. The device also offers the method for “smile” distortion compensation and the means of combining several light sources in the shaper using polarizing and dichroic mirrors. In the case of laser diode stack it is proposed to employ the same beam shaping principle with individual multi-edged prism for each of the laser diode bars and one multi-segment element common for all laser diode bars.
US07724435B1 Importance sampling techniques based on adjustable differential group delay (DGD) elements
Devices and their operations to use multiple adjustable differential group delay (DGD) elements in various applications including tunable PMD emulators and compensators for producing different PMD profiles with an adjustable average DGD value.
US07724431B2 Active layer
A method and apparatus apply an electric field across active layer, wherein active layer is configured to change from a first light attenuating state to a second lesser light attenuating state in response to the applied the electric field and wherein the second lesser light attenuating state permits light to be reflected from a light reflective face.
US07724430B2 Rigid endoscope
The invention provides a rigid endoscope relay optical system that can be fabricated at lower costs while its brightness is kept intact by reducing parts count. The rigid endoscope optical system has an elongate insert and is adapted to implement image transfer using relay lenses Re1 to Re7. The relay lenses Re1 to Re7 each have at least two rod lenses and satisfy nd>2, where nd stands for the refractive index on d-line basis of each rod lens in the relay lens.
US07724424B2 Optical module and optical amplification module
An optical module for supplying pump light for amplifying to-be-amplified light includes an pump light source, optical coupling means, and an optical guide section. The optical guide section optically connects the pump light source and the optical coupling means, and propagates the pump light from the pump light source, in multi-transverse-mode. The optical coupling means output the pump light from the optical guide section in multi-transverse-mode, and at least one of (i) at least one of end faces where the optical guide section and the optical coupling means are connected, (ii) an area between the end faces, and (iii) the optical guide section, has a loss medium of which transmission loss is greater in a wavelength of the to-be-amplified light than in a wavelength of the pump light. By this, an optical module which can stably supply the pump light to the optical amplification fiber can be provided.
US07724416B2 Electrically programmable reticle and system
An electrically programmable reticle is made using at least one electrochromatic layer that changes its optical transmissibility in response to applied voltages. Transparent conductor layers are configured to the desired patterns. The electrically programmable reticles are either patterned in continuous forms that have separately applied voltages or in a matrix of rows and columns that are addressed by row and column selects such that desired patterns are formed with the application of a first voltage level and reset with the application of a second voltage level.
US07724413B2 Speckle removing light source and lighting apparatus
Provided are a speckle removing light source capable of removing speckle by using laser light whose wavelength is temporally changed and a lighting apparatus for producing an image from which the speckle is removed. Included are a light source for outputting laser light, and a light frequency modulator for temporally changing a wavelength of the laser light. The light frequency modulator has a predetermined period set for changing the wavelength of the laser light. Also, provided is a lighting apparatus, including a spatial light modulator illuminated with the laser light outputted from the speckle removing light source to produce an image. The spatial light modulator has a period set for producing the image, which is longer than the period for changing the wavelength of the laser light by the light frequency modulator.
US07724402B2 Image reader
An image reader includes an illumination unit that irradiates an object to be read with light, a first optical system that allows a first reflection light from the object to be read advance therein, a second optical system that allows a second reflection light from the object to be read to advance therein, a switching unit that switches between the first optical system and the second optical system to be used, an imaging unit that forms an image of the first reflection light that advances in the first optical system and an image of the second reflection light that advances in the second optical system by switching between the first optical system and the second optical system by the switching unit, and a light receiving unit that receives the first reflection light and the second reflection light which are formed into images and generates respective image signals.
US07724398B2 Method, device system and computer program system for processing document data
In a method and system for processing document data in a document processing system that comprises at least one document generation computer, a document processing computer, an electronic document output system comprising a printing device, and a monitoring computer, document data are generated on the document generation computer. The document data are transmitted from the document generation computer to a processing computer. Control data are added to the document data in the processing computer with a processing module via which print stock generated from the document data are separately processed segment-by-segment. A document data stream generated by the processing computer is forwarded to the output system.
US07724394B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method using pseudo half tone processing with different resolutions
An image forming apparatus includes a pseudo half tone processing unit that performs a pseudo half tone process on input image data to generate output image data. An exposure unit executes light modulation of a plurality of light emitting sources based on the output image data. The exposure unit performs writing in such a way that different numbers of light emitting sources are used when writing a character/line image and a picture image or a graphics image. The pseudo half tone processing unit performs pseudo half tone processes with different resolutions on a character/line image and a picture image or a graphics image based on the numbers of the light emitting sources to be used for the writing by the exposure unit.
US07724390B2 Selective access to memory cards
An image processing apparatus which is equipped with card slots can cope with plural kinds of memory cards acting as media, and a recording apparatus does not occur a malfunction in its card reader due to a lack of a current to be supplied to the medium even when the plural media are respectively inserted in the card reader. To do so, when the media are initially inserted in the plural card slots, the slot in which the medium is first inserted is set to be available, and the remaining slots are set to be unavailable. Besides, power is not supplied to the slots which have been set to be unavailable.
US07724388B2 Image input/output control apparatus, image processing apparatus, image processing method, data communication apparatus, and data communication method
An image input/output control apparatus includes a control device for controlling input/output of image data with an external apparatus, plural image processing devices for performing predetermined image processes to the image data, and plural data transfer devices for connecting each of the plural image processing devices and the control device like a ring and performing data transfer among them. The plural image processing devices and the control device are composed respectively on different units, whereby the structure of the apparatus can be easily changed, and a decrease in processing speed due to the competition for buses can be reduced without increasing the number of parts necessary for bus control.
US07724383B2 Image formation apparatus
An image formation apparatus comprises: an image exposure portion that forms a latent image by optically exposing a recording medium based on entered image data; a thermal development portion that visualizes the latent image by heating the recording medium exposed by the image exposure portion; at least one counter each of which counts the number of a set of the image data whenever the image data is entered; and a data-processing portion that: rotates, through 180°, (i) images represented by those of the set of the image data with the counted number of even or (ii) images represented by those of the set of the image data with the counted number of odd; and then outputs the image data to the image exposure portion.
US07724382B2 Method and apparatus for irradiating laser
A laser irradiation process includes: scanning a substrate with laser having a predetermined lasing frequency at different irradiation intensities to form a plurality of first irradiation areas corresponding to the irradiation intensities; illuminating the first irradiation areas to reflected light receive from the fist irradiation areas; determining microcrystallization intensity based on the received reflected light; and determining irradiation intensity based on the thus determined microcrystallization intensity. The laser irradiation process uses the irradiation intensity for irradiating a polycrystalline film in a product semiconductor device.
US07724378B2 Method and apparatus for colour imaging a three-dimensional structure
A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure is also provided.
US07724368B2 Condensation particle counter
A condensation particle counter is capable of efficiently measuring the number and size of fine particles. The condensation particle counter includes a saturator, a condenser and an optical particle counters. The saturator is designed to generate a saturated gas by saturating a gas in which fine particles are suspended with working fluid. The condenser is connected to a downstream side of the saturator to condense the saturated gas so that liquid droplets can grow around the fine particles. The optical particle counter is connected to downstream sides of the condenser to optically detect the liquid droplets supplied from the condensers. The condenser has a condenser tube for interconnecting the saturator and the optical particle counter. The present condensation particle counter can use water as working fluid and also can optically measure fine particles in an easy and accurate manner by forming or installing an inner surface of a condenser tube with a hydrophilic tube.
US07724367B2 Particle monitors and method(s) therefor
The present invention relates to the field of the detection, analysis and/or determination of matter or particles suspended in fluid. In one particular form, the present invention relates to smoke detectors, which detect unwanted pyrolysis or combustion of material. In another form, the present invention relates to smoke detectors of the early detection type, and which may be applied to ventilation, air-conditioning or duct monitoring of a particular area. In yet another form, the present invention relates to surveillance monitoring, such as building, fire or security monitoring. in still another form, the present invention relates to environment monitoring, such as monitoring, detection and/or analysis of a fluid, zone, area and/or ambient environment, including commercial and Industrial environments.
US07724364B2 Small object identifying device and its identifying method
A small object identifying device and its identifying method according to which a large number of small objects can be identified. In one embodiment, the device includes a dispersion region section which disperses a large quantity of several kinds of small objects which are labeled by a combination of the presence/absence or measure of label elements of several kinds. A measuring device distributes and associates kinds of said label elements to two or more measurement points and measures the presence/absence or the measure of said label elements of the kinds which have been associated with respective measurement points. An identifying section associates the measurement results measured at each measurement point to thereby identify said small objects.
US07724362B1 Oblique incidence macro wafer inspection
A line image acquisition apparatus suitable for being added onto a line-scan wafer macro-inspection system which incorporates oblique incidence illumination and detection, both for brightfield and for darkfield, which incorporates double darkfield observation capability, which incorporates broadly tunable angle of incidence illumination and tunable angle of detection, which incorporates multi-channel detection into a line-scan macro-inspection system, and which is an add-on feature compatible with current line-scan macro-inspection systems.
US07724357B2 Backside contamination inspection device
A system for simultaneously inspecting the frontsides and backsides of semiconductor wafers for defects is disclosed. The system rotates the semiconductor wafer while the frontside and backside surfaces are generally simultaneously optically scanned for defects. Rotation is induced by providing contact between the beveled edges of the semiconductor wafer and roller bearings rotationally driven by a motor. The wafer is supported in a tilted or semi-upright orientation such that support is provided by gravity. This tilted supporting orientation permits both the frontside and the backside of the wafer to be viewed simultaneously by a frontside inspection device and a backside inspection device.
US07724353B2 Method for measuring distance to object
A method for calculating a distance to an object is provided. In this method, whether luminances received by at least one light receiving elements of a plurality of light receiving elements are equal to or higher than a predetermined value is determined. When luminances received by at least one light receiving elements are equal to or higher than a predetermined value, whether the luminances change in a time-series manner or not is determined. When the luminances change in a time-series manner, information is acquired from the time-series change. Then, a size of a light receiving region is detected based on a ratio of a light receiving element having received luminance with a predetermined value or more to the plurality of light receiving element. Based on the size of the light receiving region and the acquired information, the distance to the object is calculated.
US07724342B2 Apparatus and method for printing bead spacers on a liquid crystal display substrate comprising a planar printing plate having recesses including a radial protrusion disposed at center
An apparatus for printing bead spacers at selected locations on an LCD substrate includes a cylindrical transfer roller and a printing plate having a plurality of semispherical recesses respectively located at positions corresponding to the selected locations of the spacers on the LCD substrate. A volume of an ink containing the spacers is loaded into each of the recesses, and the substrate is translated tangentially relative to the rotating transfer roller such that the volumes of ink are transferred onto the roller. A support plate having the LCD substrate mounted thereon is then translated tangentially relative to the roller such that the volumes of ink on the roller are transferred onto the surface of the LCD substrate at the selected locations. The apparatus enables the spacers to be printed onto the LCD substrate accurately and inexpensively, and prevents the spacers from being inadvertently printed in double layers.
US07724323B2 Pattern-forming method for manufacturing device having partitioning layer formed on foundation layer with preliminary partitioning and residue fragment formed by removing part of partitioning layer
A pattern-forming method includes forming a partitioning layer on a foundation layer; forming a partitioning from the partitioning layer by patterning; and ejecting droplets containing a pattern-forming material onto a pattern-forming area that is enclosed by the foundation layer and the partitioning to form a pattern on the foundation layer. The forming of the partitioning layer includes forming a preliminary partitioning on the foundation layer, the preliminary partitioning including the partitioning and a residue fragment of the partitioning layer that is in the pattern-forming area, and performing patterning on the foundation layer using the residue fragment as a mask, thereby forming an uneven surface on the foundation layer.
US07724316B2 Backlight device and display apparatus
A backlight device includes a light source; supporting means having four edges arranged in a frame-like manner; at least one optical sheet supported by the supporting means and allowing light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough and be incident on a back surface of a liquid crystal panel, the optical sheet having an opening in a position substantially dividing a length of a bottom edge thereof into halves; and a vibration-proof member extending through the opening and fixed to the supporting means.
US07724310B2 High definition TV
The present invention discloses an HDTV, and a method for controlling adjustment of the HDTV, which make it possible to set control information of the HDTV easily at low cost without unpacking the TV set. Adjustment data is included in an INFO frame, transmitted from an external device, and written into a register of an HDMI receiver 14 through a video signal input terminal 13. Further, a microcomputer 15 reads the adjustment data and controls the adjustment of the HDTV 11 based on contents of the data.
US07724308B2 Cross color suppressing apparatus and method thereof
A cross color suppressing apparatus used for suppressing the cross color of a frame is provided. The frame has several pixels, and the image data of each pixel include a luminance and a chrominance. The apparatus includes a diagonal edge detector, a cross color detector and a chrominance suppressing unit. The diagonal edge detector is used for determining whether target pixel is on a diagonal edge according to the luminance of the target pixel and that of its neighboring pixels. The cross color detector is used for determining whether the chrominance of the target pixel is substantially different from that of its neighboring pixels. If both the determination results of the diagonal edge detector and the cross color detector are true, the chrominance suppressing unit suppresses the chrominance of the target pixel and its neighboring pixels.
US07724303B2 Camera system and power supply for optical recording devices
A camera system includes a video camera having a first mating mechanism defined on a bottom, planar surface of the video camera. A battery assembly contains an energy cell and a first surface of the battery assembly is releasably engageable with the mounting mechanism such that the battery assembly is suspended beneath the video camera, with the bottom, planar surface of the video camera in substantial contact with the first surface. A support apparatus having a second mating mechanism is also provided, the second mating mechanism releasably engaging a second surface of the battery assembly.
US07724301B2 Determination of mechanical shutter exposure time
The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for determining a mechanical shutter exposure time (e.g., an actual closing time) with a rolling readout of an image (e.g., complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor using a predetermined calibration area of the image sensor in digital cameras or in electronic devices with digital cameras.
US07724296B2 Device and method for adjusting image orientation
A camera device (1) comprising a support structure (10), a primary camera (16) carried by the support structure, and a secondary camera (15) carried by the support structure. When the primary camera (16) is operated to capture an image of an object, the secondary camera (15) captures an image of a user of the camera device (1). An orientation detector (17) is connected to the secondary camera (15), configured to identify images features in the image captured by the secondary camera, such as the eyes and mouth of the user, and to determine rotation orientation of the image relative to a reference orientation. A data storing device (20, 21) is configured to store image data of images captured by the primary camera in an orientation dependent on determined rotation orientation. This way all images may be stored in a common orientation, regardless of which orientation the camera device was held in when the images were captured.
US07724290B2 Image metadata attachment
An accessory is provided for use with an image capture device is provided. The accessory has a trigger button and an image capture system adapted to capture an image in response to actuation of the trigger button. The accessory also has a body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device with the body including, a holding unit for receiving a removable metadata source having metadata stored therein; a communication interface for communicating with the removable metadata source; and a trigger sensor for generating a trigger signal when the trigger button of said image capture device is depressed. The communication interface obtains metadata from the removable metadata source in response to the trigger signal and stores the metadata in a metadata memory so that the metadata is associated with the captured image.
US07724275B2 Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus including: optical sensor to receive a bias current and to divide the bias current into two output currents, according to positions of a light beam on the optical sensor; and a signal processor to detect horizontal synchronization signals using the output currents, to calculate a positional deviation of the horizontal synchronization signals, and to control a recording time of video data according to the positional deviation.
US07724268B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display has a plurality of pixels and includes a first substrate, a second substrate that is opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer that is interposed between the first and second substrates. A phase retardation of the liquid crystal layer ranges from about 420 nm to about 500 nm.
US07724267B2 Information processing program and information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus has a pointing device for designating a position of an arbitrary point with respect to a reference point O, and a processor of the information processing apparatus detects a position of the point designated by the pointing device with respect to the reference point O at every unit of time, and calculates an operation vector AB respectively regarding a point A and a point B detected before and after as a starting point and an ending point. The calculated operation vector AB is orthogonally-projected onto a strait line vertical to a vector OA respectively regarding the reference point O and the point A as a starting point and an ending point. Information processing is performed on the basis of a component vector thus obtained from the operation vector AB.
US07724266B2 Image display adjusting device
An image display adjusting device wherein a difference portion obtains a difference between an input signal f0 preceding by one frame as an input signal f1 held by one frame by a memory portion and a current input signal f1, a multiplication portion 106 multiplies this difference signal (f1−f0) by a highlight coefficient α, and an addition portion 107 adds a multiplication output signal α (f1−f0) thereof as correction data to the current input signal f1 to obtain an output signal having its responsiveness improved, the device provided with highlight coefficient controlling portions for performing predetermined decoding by inputting the input signal f1 or the difference signal (f1−f0) and converting it to a signal having a change characteristic different from that signal and outputting a highlight coefficient α adapted to the input signal or the difference signal by using that decode value.
US07724255B2 Program, information storage medium, and image generation system
A program for generating an image, the program causing a computer to function as: an object space setting section which sets an object in an object space; a vertex processing section which performs per-vertex processing; and a pixel processing section which performs per-pixel processing, wherein, when subjecting an object of a first group to predetermined processing which is implemented by a first processing and a second processing, the vertex processing section performs the first processing with a processing load lower than a processing load of the second processing, and the pixel processing section performs the second processing; and wherein, when subjecting an object of a second group differing from the first group to the predetermined processing which is implemented by a third processing and a fourth processing, the vertex processing section performs the third processing with a processing load higher than a processing load of the fourth processing, and the pixel processing section performs the fourth processing.
US07724250B2 Apparatus, method, and program for processing information
An information processing apparatus is provided which allows a user to easily and intuitively manipulate information in a 3-dimensional virtual space. In the information processing apparatus, a main controller sets a first coordinate system in a real space on the basis of information associated with a real object and further sets a second coordinate system in a 3-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the real space on the basis of the first coordinate system. If a user places an input device at a particular position and angle in the first coordinate system with reference to the real object, the main controller places an object in the 3-dimensional virtual space at a place and angle in the second coordinate system corresponding to the place and angle of the input device in the first coordinate system, and the main controller displays an image of the object placed in the 3-dimensional virtual space on a display.
US07724248B2 Image display apparatus having deformation detection
An image display apparatus includes a display panel that displays an image, and a detecting unit that detects a magnitude of deformation of the display panel. In addition, a control unit controls display on the display panel according to an output of the detecting unit such that the magnitude of deformation of the display panel becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.
US07724247B2 Display device with ambient light sensing
The object of the invention is to provide a display device of which the display is visible in a dark place or under strong external light. The present invention is a display device which performs display, changing the grayscale number corresponding to the external light strength, and a display device which can switch the display mode corresponding to contents displayed on the screen. The display contents include a text display mode displaying mainly characters and symbols, a picture display mode displaying images with a small number of colors such as a comic, a video mode displaying natural images with a large number of colors such as a photograph and a moving image, and the like. By switching the grayscale number arbitrarily according to these display modes, visibility can be ensured in a wide range from a dark place or under an indoor fluorescent light to under outdoor sunlight. For example, the grayscale number is switched so that display of from 2 to 8 grayscales is performed in the text display mode, display of from 4 to 16 grayscales is performed in the picture display mode, and display of from 64 to 1024 grayscales is performed in the video mode.
US07724245B2 Electronic circuit, method of driving the same, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
At a writing time, a first transistor 412 is turned on so that a data signal Xj is supplied to one end of a capacitor 420. At this time, since a second transistor 414 is turned off, driving current does not flow to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device 430. A power supply voltage Vdd is supplied to the other end of a capacitor through a power supply line L. However, since the driving current does not flow at the writing time, the power supply voltage Vdd is not reduced by the wiring line resistance of the power supply line L. On the other hand, at an emission time, the first transistor 412 is turned off and the second transistor 414 is turned on. Therefore, the driving current is supplied to the OLED device 430.
US07724240B2 Multifunction keyboard for advanced cursor driven avionic flight decks
An aircraft display and control system generally includes a processor, a cursor control and selection device, a multifunction keyboard, an aeronautical information database, a geographic database, and a plurality of display devices. Users, such as an aircraft pilot and copilot, can perform flight plan entry and modification by manipulating graphical and textual information on the display devices using the cursor control device and the multifunction keyboard. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an interface to flight deck information systems that is intuitive and easy to use, and which enables flight crew members to easily and effectively enter and modify data displayed by the aircraft flight deck, substantially centralizes avionics controls within one controller, and decreases flight crew “heads-down” time.
US07724237B2 Handheld printing devices and systems adapted to receive radio signal information indicative of a position and methods for using the same
Hand-held printing device and systems adapted to receive radio signal information indicative of a position. Hand-held printing device having at least one antenna and a controller adapted to calculate the relative position of the hand-held printing device by comparing received radio signals on the antennae. Methods for using the same.
US07724235B2 Input mechanism for front panel of portable computing device
An embodiment of invention includes a handheld computer having a display. The display provides an output to a user-input. A housing includes a front panel that provides access to the display. A plurality of user-interactive mechanisms are provided on the housing. The user-input mechanisms include a first mechanism that is removably coupled to the housing.
US07724225B2 Display panel for liquid crystal display
A display panel for a liquid crystal display comprising a timing controller and a plurality of source drivers is provided. The timing controller receives a differential signal (LVDS/TMDS/DVI) to generate a plurality of TTL signals and a sync signal. Each of the source drivers comprises at least one bus directly connected to the timing controller to receive corresponding TTL signal. The timing controller comprises a clock line, coupled to the source drivers for transmission of the sync signal. Each TTL signal comprises a corresponding image information. The TTL signals, sequentially transmitted by the bus, conform to the transistor-to-transistor logic (TTL) standard.
US07724215B2 Method for displaying image using display having a photoluminescence quenching device
A display which does not require color filters, has low optical losses, and is not heavy and large, and a method for displaying an image using the display includes a substrate on one side of which sub-pixels are arranged. Each sub-pixel includes two opposite electrodes and an emitter layer which is interposed between the two electrodes. The emitter layer receives the light projected from an excitation light source, and is able to radiate photoluminescence light. The photoluminescence light from the emitter layer may be controllably quenched by an electrical field formed by the electrodes.
US07724214B2 Plasma display panel driving method and plasma display panel apparatus capable of displaying high-quality images with high luminous efficiency
Set-up, write, sustain and erase pulses are variously applied to a plasma display panel using a staircase waveform in which the rising or falling portion is in at least two steps. These staircase waveforms can be realized by adding at least two pulses. Use of such waveforms for the set-up, write and erase pulses improves contrast, and use for the sustain pulses reduces screen flicker and improves luminous efficiency. This is of particular use in driving high definition plasma display panels to achieve high image quality and high luminance.
US07724212B2 Luminous display for automotive satellite navigation systems
A luminous display for automotive satellite navigation systems includes a panel equipped with light sources, for example made up of LEDs, arranged in a pre-ordered configuration of discrete segments, which can be combined with one another according to paths corresponding to the representation of a plurality of encoded generally arrow-shaped pictograms, each of which indicates a respective direction to follow indicated by the navigation system. The path to follow is highlighted with respect to possible alternative paths represented by the pictograms.
US07724208B1 Control of depth movement for visual display with layered screens
A multi-level visual display system has a plurality of screens spaced in the depth direction. A user can move a visual indicator such as a cursor between the screens, via an input device such as a mouse button. In drawing applications a visual link such as a line can be created between two screens. In game applications a user can move an image both within and between screens by dragging a cursor while moving it between the screens, to provide an illusion of three dimensional movement. The screens may comprise layered liquid crystal displays.
US07724205B2 Image display control method, apparatus for controlling image display, and program for controlling image display
When a whole image having a large area or high resolution is displayed, the boundary lines are made less noticeable with a small amount of calculation by displaying partial images by a plurality of image projection units. An apparatus has a division position creation unit to create division positions such that the division positions vary at given timings, an image division unit to divide images at the division positions created by the division position creation unit, and plural image projection units PJ1, PJ2, . . . , PJN to display the images divided by the image division unit.
US07724202B2 Transition from a pulse generator to one or more helical antennae
An apparatus providing a low impedance transition from a pulse generator to one or more helical antennae. Conventional transition from coaxial-to-antenna causes energy loss. The present invention decreases that loss.
US07724201B2 Compact diversity antenna system
The present invention provides a compact antenna system having multiple antennas exhibiting polarization and pattern diversity. The system comprises at least two antennas which may have different polarizations, operatively coupled to a passive element which operates as a Balun for a first antenna and which is configured to absorb and re-radiate electromagnetic radiation from the second antenna to produce a desired radiation pattern. The present invention also provides for additional antennas operatively coupled to the passive element or to the first antenna to provide additional diversity.
US07724198B2 System and method for path alignment of directional antennas
A method and device for aligning an antenna to a desired heading. A laser beam is generated and aimed in a direction perpendicular to the desired heading. The line of sight of the laser is translated along the desired heading until the laser is directed to a reflective surface on the antenna's axis of transmission. The antenna is then positioned until the laser beam returns to a detector whose horizontal line of sight is the same as that of the laser, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the desired heading.
US07724194B2 Dual autodiplexing antenna
A dual autodiplexing antenna (300) redirects power flow (303) from an unloaded antenna to a loaded antenna, thereby improving communication performance under loaded conditions. The dual autodiplexing antenna (300) includes a first antenna (101) disposed at a first end (103) of a portable two-way communication device (100). A second antenna (102) is disposed at the distal end (104) of the portable two-way communication device (100). The first antenna (101) and second antenna (102) are coupled to a transceiver (107) by a first transmission line matching circuit (201) and a second transmission line matching circuit (202), respectively. In one embodiment, the first antenna (101) is configured to primarily operate in a first bandwidth, while the second antenna (102) is configured to primarily operate in a second bandwidth. When one of the first antenna (101) or second antenna (102) is loaded, power flow (303) is redirected to the lesser loaded antenna.
US07724191B2 Apparatus and method for tracing position and direction of target object through RF signal
An apparatus for tracing position and direction of a target object through an RF signal includes two loop antennas and a position and direction determination part. The two loop antennas receive the RF signal transmitted from the target object and are perpendicularly coupled to each other. The position and direction determination part calculates two RF signal intensities received through the respective two loop antennas for comparison, and then determines that the target object transmitting an RF signal is placed in a center direction between the two loop antennas if the two RF signal intensities are the same, and otherwise determines that the target object is placed in a front direction of the loop antenna having a relatively higher RF signal intensity.
US07724184B2 System and method for detecting false navigation signals
A system and method for detecting and excluding false GPS signals are disclosed, which predict a GPS measurement value with a high degree of confidence, compare the predicted value with measured values, and reject a false measurement based on the comparison results. As one example, a tightly coupled GPS/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) is disclosed, which uses a Kalman filter for comparison of a predicted GPS measurement value with measured values (e.g., the residuals) to form the basis for the rejection of false measurements. This rejection is referred to as a chi-squared reject, and can be extended in time in order to apply the same test to a reacquired signal following the loss of an original validated GPS signal. The Kalman filter propagates the receiver's clock bias rate, and enables the system to predict the GPS measurements at the time of reacquisition. The residuals are compared to a limit defined by the uncertainties of the prediction and the measurement errors expected to be involved.
US07724182B2 Radar system
The radar system includes: a transmission circuit transmitting the radar waves via a transmission antenna; a receiving circuit receiving the reflected waves via a receiving antenna; a delay line having an end connected to aid transmission circuit and the other end connected to said receiving circuit, which delays the radar waves by a predetermined delay amount; a correlation circuit/coherent detection circuit which detects a waveform having a strength equal to or higher than a predetermined strength, from a signal provided from said receiving circuit which obtains the signal from the reflected waves or the delayed radar waves; and a level decision circuit which judges, during self-diagnosis, whether or not the detected waveform is a waveform of the delayed radar wave according to the predetermined delay amount, and if the waveform is not the waveform of the delayed radar wave, determines that abnormality occurs in said radar system.
US07724177B2 Systems and methods for location-based discrimination of turbulence
Systems and methods differentiate weather, such as storm cells and/or turbulence regions, based on location relative to a planned flight path of an aircraft. An exemplary embodiment compares a location of the weather with a location of a region of space corresponding to the planned flight path of the aircraft. In response to the location of the weather region being outside of the region of space, an icon is presented on a display corresponding to the weather using a first icon format. In response to location of the weather being within the region of space, the icon corresponding to the weather is presented on the display using a second icon format, the second icon format different from the first icon format.
US07724172B2 Digital-to-analog converter circuit and method
A digital-to-analog converter, in response to a digital signal, selectively taps a resistor string to generate an analog output and selectively shunts around resistors in the string to voltage shift the analog output. If two supply voltage sets are present, two strings are provided. A mutually exclusively selection of outputs is made to select a source of the analog output. An integrated circuit temperature sensor uses the converter and includes a sensing circuit that determines exposure to one of a relatively low or high temperature. A measured voltage across the base-emitter of a bipolar transistor is selected in low temperature exposure and compared against a first reference for a too cold temperature condition. Alternatively, a measured delta voltage across the base-emitter is selected in high temperature exposure and compared against a second reference voltage for a too hot temperature condition. Through the comparisons, a temperature exposure detection is made.
US07724170B2 Sensor interface devices and amplifiers
Disclosed are a sensor interface device and an amplifier used in a sensor system. The sensor interface device in one implementation has a first chopper configured to shift input signals of the sensor system from a baseband frequency to a first frequency, an instrumentation amplifier configured to amplify the shifted signals, a bandpass Delta-Sigma modulator configured to digitize the amplified signals, and a second chopper configured to shift the digitized signals from the a first frequency back to the baseband frequency. The instrumentation amplifier removes the DC offset generated from the first chopper and therefore all sources of DC offset are eliminated in this interface device without bandwidth limitation.
US07724167B2 Integrated circuit arrangement, and method for programming an integrated circuit arrangement
An integrated circuit includes a comparator having a first input, a second input, and an output for providing a comparison result. The first input is connected to a readable component having a predefined value, and the second input is connected to a reference component. A control unit is at the output of the comparator. The control unit controls at least one function block based on the comparison result.
US07724154B2 System and method for food service storage bin monitoring
System and method for monitoring food storage bins. The system may include at least one food storage bin defining a volume usable to store food. Each food storage bin may also include at least one sensor usable to measure temperature within the volume. The system may include a transmitter/receiver operable to wirelessly transmit power to the at least one sensor and wirelessly receiver signals which include information regarding the temperature within the volume and/or the content of the food storage bin. The system may also include a controller coupled to the transmitter/receiver, operable to receive and/or determine information regarding the temperature, location, and/or content of the food storage bins via signals received from the transmitter/receiver. The controller may be operable to store the received information in a memory, e.g., comprised in or coupled to the controller.
US07724151B2 Smoke alarm system
Smoke alarm systems, in particular for an aircraft, advantageously provide a high degree of safety so as to prevent false alarms. According to an embodiment described in this application a smoke alarm system for an aircraft is stated, comprising a camera module, a smoke warning transmitter and a housing. The camera module and the smoke warning transmitter are arranged in the housing. In jointly arranging the camera module and the smoke warning transmitter in one housing, it may become possible to arrange both sensors in one location, which can result in reduced installation expenditure and can make possible direct use of the acquisition signals for local triggering of an alarm.
US07724150B2 Environmental sensor, particle counting system having an environmental sensor, and methods of operating the same
An environmental sensor including an inlet and an outlet such that a flow of fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet, a particle detection portion to detect particles in the fluid, and a controller connected to the particle detection portion. The environmental sensor can be in communication with a data acquisition system (e.g., via a wireless access point) to form a particle counting system. Also disclosed are methods of operating the environmental sensor and methods of operating the particle detection system.
US07724144B2 Label having a cavity for receiving a RFID device and an apparatus and method of making and assembling the same
The present invention includes an apparatus for inserting a radio frequency device into a label. A ribbon of labels has a plurality of labels and a cavity formed in each of the labels. A mechanism linearly advances the ribbon of labels. A device inserts at least one radio frequency device into the cavity of a respective label. An upper layer of the ribbon of labels is slit along the channel to form an opening along a top of each of the cavities and at least one RFID device, such as a tag or coin is inserted within at least one of the plurality of cavities. A label for removably holding the RFID device includes an upper and lower layer of material. The cavity is formed between the upper and lower layers. An area of interference is located at a top of the cavity for holding the RFID device within the cavity.
US07724143B2 Antenna construction, for example for an RFID transponder system
The invention relates to an antenna construction for a double-ended antenna circuit 4. The antenna construction comprises a conductive ground place (6) on a first surface, a transmission line (3) on at least one second surface, connected to the ground plane (6) through a fold (1) in the edge of the antenna construction, so that the fold acts as a primary source of a magnetic field, an insulation layer (7) arranged between the first and the second surfaces, and an electronic component (4), in which there is a double-ended antenna connector, connected to the antenna construction. According to the invention, the electronic component (4) is attached to the second surface of the antenna construction and connected from the first antenna terminal to the transmission line (3) and from the second terminal to either a second transmission line (3) or the fold (1).
US07724140B2 Antenna, tag communication apparatus, tag communication system, scanning adjusting method for tag communication apparatus and computer readable medium
An RFID reader/writer performs a radio communication with an RFID tag. An antenna for tag communication used in the RFID reader/writer is a beam scanning antenna that can perform scanning with the beam of a transmitted radio wave. The beam has a high directivity in a certain scanning direction. The scanning with the beam is performed so that a plane including the certain scanning direction intersects with a floor surface as a reflecting surface on which the strongest reflected wave is generated.
US07724134B2 Passive microwave fire and intrusion detection system
A passive microwave receiver array, operating in the one meter to sub-millimeter wavelengths range and including an internationally protected range of frequencies of varying bandwidth, may be used for fire and intrusion detection. One or more receiver array can be used to provide a plurality of frequency ranges that can be detected. In an interior installation, one or more receiver array can be placed inside a wall. In other embodiments, the receiver and array can be in the form of a hand-held or wearable device. This method and apparatus achieves high performance by exploiting conventional low noise amplification block conversion circuits and provides the detection of thermal signals through clear, smoky, misty, or environmentally untenable conditions as well as the detection of fire and intrusion events through a non-metallic wall.
US07724128B2 On-vehicle emergency call system
An on-vehicle emergency call system is powered by a main battery. The emergency call system includes a communication unit that communicates with a service center, a control unit that drives the communication unit with electric power supplied from the main battery to connect a communication line with the service center when an emergency call triggering signal is given thereto. The control unit makes the communication unit send a battery-low-voltage signal if terminal voltage of the main battery becomes lower than a threshold voltage while the communication line is connected with the service center.
US07724127B2 Sound production controller
A sound production controller can include a horn device that performs a vibrating operation at a predetermined resonance frequency in response to a predetermined operation to produce a warning sound, an input section which receives a sound production command signal outputted in response to execution of a function that requires sound production in the vehicle other than the predetermined operation, and a sound production controller which, if the input section receives the sound production command, provides a high-frequency signal having a frequency higher than the predetermined resonance frequency to the horn device to cause the horn device to produce a sound.
US07724120B2 Magnetic pole for magnetic levitation vehicles
A magnetic pole for magnetically levitation vehicles is described comprising a core and a winding applied on said core. According to the present invention, the winding has two spaced disks formed of conductor strip sections (21a, 21b) wound in opposite winding sense and in several layers around said core and conductively connected to each other at ends near said core by a connection section (21c) which defines the axial distance of said two disks (11, 12) and the winding sense of the two conductor strip sections (21a, 21b).
US07724115B2 Circuit carrier and transformer assembly
The present invention relates to a circuit carrier and transformer assembly. The circuit carrier and transformer assembly includes a circuit carrier and a transformer. The transformer includes a bobbin with multiple bobbin bases. The circuit carrier includes multiple receiving holes corresponding to respective bobbin bases of the bobbin. The bobbin bases are received in respective bobbin bases when the transformer is mounted on the circuit carrier.
US07724108B2 Electric element and electric circuit
Each of the plurality of conductive plates is formed on a principal surface of each of stacked dielectric layers. Side anode electrodes are connected to positive electrodes of conductive plates, while side cathode electrodes are connected to cathodes of conductive plates. Anode electrodes are connected to the side anode electrodes. Cathode electrodes are connected to the side cathode electrodes. By passing DC currents through the positive conductive plates and cathode conductive plates so as to flow in the opposite directions, effective inductance of the positive conductive plates becomes smaller than its self-inductance. Consequently, the inductance is reduced, thereby lowering impedance.
US07724107B2 Phase shifter having switchable signal paths where one signal path includes no shunt capacitor and inductor
A phase shifter includes a first signal path in which a first unit is disposed to advance a phase of a signal; a second signal path in which a second unit with no shunt capacitor is disposed to change the phase of the signal such that the changed phase is delayed than the advanced phase by the first unit; and a switch section configured to switch between the first signal path and said second signal path. The first unit comprises a filter, and the second unit is a transmission line.
US07724105B2 System and method of shaping a power spectrum in PWM amplifiers
In a particular embodiment, a circuit device is disclosed that includes a data generator adapted to output a random pulse sequence having a particular spectral shape. The circuit device further includes a pulse edge control circuit to selectively apply a carrier suppression operation to at least one pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal in response to the random pulse sequence to produce at least one modulated PWM output signal. The spectral energy associated with a PWM carrier of the modulated PWM output signal at a carrier frequency and associated harmonics is changed such that the modulated PWM output signal has a spectral shape defined by the particular spectral shape.
US07724096B2 Method and system for signal generation via a PLL with undersampled feedback
Aspects of a method and system for signal generation via a PLL with undersampled feedback are provided. In this regard, the output of a VCO may clock a DDFS to generate a sampling frequency, and the output of the VCO may be undersampled at the sampling frequency to generate a feedback signal for controlling the VCO. Additionally, a control word for controlling the DDFS may be generated, and may be based on a phase difference between the feedback signal and a reference signal. The sampling frequency may be determined such that an aliasing product of the undersampling occurs at a frequency of the reference signal. Also, the feedback signal may be filtered to select a desired aliasing product from a plurality of aliasing products. The output of the VCO may be frequency divided before clocking the DDFS, and a divisor of the division may be programmatically controlled.
US07724086B2 Apparatus and method for regulating the output power of an amplifier stage
The present invention relates to a device and a method for regulating the output power of an amplifier stage, e.g. an amplifier stage in a mobile data transmission system.
US07724084B2 System and method for controlling radio frequency transmissions from an electronic device
The invention relates to a system and method for attenuating harmonics in output signals. In the system, an electronic circuit for reducing harmonics of an output signal from a power amplifier in a transmission circuit for a wireless communication device is provided. The circuit comprises: a printed circuit board (PCB); a power amplifier for generating an output signal; and a circuit implemented on the PCB connected to an output terminal of the power amplifier for the output signal. The circuit comprises a first filtering stage; a delay element; and a harmonic filter. The delay element is located between the harmonic filter and the output terminal and the delay element provides a timing delay in the output signal through at least one 0 ohm-rated component. Also, the harmonic filter is a low pass filter having a frequency cut-off point that attenuates first order harmonics of the output signal.
US07724082B2 Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation in a switching amplifier
There is provided a method and apparatus for output pulse width modulation in a digital amplifier including: a determining step of adding or subtracting a value corresponding to a predetermined offset to or from an input audio signal alternately according to a period of the input audio signal, thereby determining a sign of a resulting value of adding or subtracting; a switching step of outputting the input audio signal to a first port based on the determined sign, or outputting the input audio signal to a second port after inverting the input audio signal into a positive number; an adjusting step of adding a value of a predetermined switching time to the audio signals output from the first port and the second port, and outputting a resulting value of adding; and a modulating step of performing pulse width modulation on the audio signals output from the adjusting step and outputting a first modulation signal and a second modulation signal.
US07724081B2 Amplifier front-end with low-noise level shift
An amplifier front-end comprises an input node for receiving a common-mode voltage Vcm, a differential transistor pair having first and second inputs and outputs, a capacitor, a reference voltage Vref, an error correction circuit, and a switching network. The switching network charges the capacitor to Vref; couples the capacitor to the differential pair's first input and couples Vref to the pair's second input such that the voltage at both inputs is ˜Vref; and couples the input node to the capacitor's other terminal such that the voltage at the first input is level-shifted to ˜(Vcm+Vref). The error correction circuit—typically an auto-zero circuit—is coupled to the differential pair's outputs and arranged to reduce charge injection error and kT/C noise components that would otherwise be present in the outputs due to the level shift.
US07724080B2 Chopper stabilized amplifier
A chopper stabilized amplifier has differential inputs, an output, and a low frequency path and a high frequency path from the differential inputs to the output. Chopping occurs, at a chopping frequency, of a differential signal at differential inputs and outputs of an amplifier stage of the low frequency path to thereby produce a chopped differential signal that has a DC offset of the amplifier stage frequency shifted up to the chopping frequency. A continuous time filter embedded between a pair of further amplifier stages of the low frequency path is used to attenuate chopper frequency ripple resulting from the chopping at the chopping frequency. Additionally, a buffer is used to allow feedback through a compensation capacitor for the low frequency path, yet prevent chopper frequency ripple from feeding forward through the compensation capacitor to the output of the amplifier.
US07724077B2 Stacked cascode current source
Apparatus are provided for a stacked cascode current source. An apparatus is provided for an electrical device comprising an input node and an output node. A first transistor stack is coupled to the input node. The first transistor stack includes a first transistor and a second transistor. A drain terminal and a gate terminal of the first transistor are coupled to the input node. A drain terminal of the second transistor is coupled to a source terminal of the first transistor and a gate terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the input node. A second transistor stack coupled to the first transistor stack and the output node to create a current mirror for the first transistor stack.
US07724076B2 Internal voltage generator of semiconductor integrated circuit
An internal voltage generator of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first driver that outputs an internal voltage by using an internal reference voltage during an active operation in accordance with a detection signal generated by using an external voltage and an active enable signal activated during an activation mode, and a second driver that outputs an internal voltage by using the internal reference voltage during the active operation in accordance with the active enable signal.
US07724063B1 Integrator-based common-mode stabilization technique for pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuits
A pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit using integrator-based common-mode stabilization technique is disclosed. A pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit with the differential floating sampling (DFS) technique has a common-mode gain value of one (1). An integrator is electrically coupled to the differential positive/negative outputs of the DFS circuit, and the integrator feeds back integrator output to the DFS circuit by detecting common-mode voltage disturbance at the differential positive output (Vout+) and negative output (Vout−), thereby stabilizing output common-mode level of the differential positive output (Vout+) and negative output (Vout−) at a desirable level.
US07724062B2 Output buffer circuit
An output buffer circuit that suppresses the generation of an erroneous operation signal during power activation includes a first level converter generating a first signal based on a data input signal having an amplitude range between a first power supply potential and a ground reference potential. The first signal has an amplitude range between a second power supply potential, which differs from the first power supply potential, and the ground reference potential. A second level converter generates a second signal having an amplitude range between the second power supply and ground reference potentials based on a control input signal having an amplitude range between the first power supply and ground reference potentials. The first signal falls with a delay from the second signal. An output circuit generates an output signal. A timing adjustment circuit compensates for the fall delay of the first signal during power activation.
US07724058B2 Latch structure and self-adjusting pulse generator using the latch
The disclosure includes a latch structure and self-adjusting pulse generator using the latch. In an embodiment, the system includes a first latch and a pulse generator coupled to provide a timing signal to the first latch. The pulse generator includes a second latch that has characteristics matching the first latch.
US07724052B2 Delay locked loop circuit
A delay locked loop (DLL) circuit for a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) is provided. If a locking state is broken due to an external change such as a change of tCK or power supply voltage, indicating that a delay of a delay replication modeling unit involved in a DRAM is abruptly changed, the locking state can be recovered within a certain time, e.g., 200 tCK, by creating an internal reset signal in the DLL circuit by a circuit that monitors the state and then conducting a phase update using a rough delay value.
US07724042B2 Reducing power consumption in an amplification stage driving a sample and hold circuit while maintaining linearity
An input signal to be sampled by a sample and hold circuit is amplified separately by two amplifiers. The output of the first amplifier is provided to a boost circuit to maintain the impedance of a sampling switch contained in a signal dependent boost switch substantially constant. The output of the second amplifier is sampled via the sampling switch, and the sample is stored in a storage element. The second amplifier drives a reduced load, and may be implemented as a low bandwidth, low power amplifier to reduce overall power consumption.
US07724036B2 Clock guided logic with reduced switching
Methods and apparatuses for optimizing switching delay in integrated circuits are described. Combinational logic gates are modified with precharge circuitry and instantiated in order to reduce switching transitions of circuit elements in a signal path.
US07724030B1 Method and apparatus for providing a feedback path for an output signal
In one embodiment, an integrated device is disclosed. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a device comprises a core module for providing one or more output signals. The device comprises an output logic module for receiving the one or more output signals and an input logic module, wherein the one or more output signals are received by the input logic module via one or more feedback paths, where the one or more output signals are forwarded back to the core module.
US07724028B1 Clocking for a hardwired core embedded in a host integrated circuit device
An ASIC block embedded in a host IC has a first clock domain with a first frequency of operation that is at least equal to a second frequency of operation of a second clock domain in the host IC but external to the ASIC block. FPGA logic in the second clock domain interfaces with the ASIC block; and a PLL located in the host integrated circuit but external to the ASIC block is coupled to receive a reference clock signal and configured to generate clock signals. Two of the clock signals are respectively sent to the FPGA logic and the ASIC block to make one appear to be produced earlier in time than the other with respect to the ASIC block to compensate for a clock insertion delay and for a clock-to-output time associated with the FPGA logic that at least approximates zero.
US07724019B2 Active device array substrate
An active device array substrate has a display area and a peripheral circuit area and further includes a plurality of pixel units, a plurality of signal lines, a plurality of testing pads and a first dielectric layer. The pixel units are arranged in the display area in an array. The signal lines and the testing pads are arranged in the peripheral circuit area. The first dielectric layer covers the testing pads. A testing method of the active device array substrate is that firstly removing a part of the first dielectric layer to expose a testing pad(s) desired to electrically contact with a testing tool. In other words, before the testing, the testing pads are electrically insulated from the exterior to prevent the pixel units from the electrostatic charges damage and thus the circuit stability of the active device array substrate can be improved.
US07724017B2 Multi-channel pulse tester
A method for testing a plurality of DUTs using a plurality of DC instruments and a pulsed instrument includes contemporaneously applying DC signals to the DUTs with respective DC instruments and sequentially performing pulsed measurements on the DUTs with the pulsed instrument.
US07724008B2 Methods and apparatus for planar extension of electrical conductors beyond the edges of a substrate
Concurrent electrical access to the pads of integrated circuits on a wafer is provided by an edge-extended wafer translator that carries signals from one or more pads on one or more integrated circuits to contact terminals on the inquiry-side of the edge-extended wafer translator, including portions of the inquiry-side that are superjacent the wafer when the wafer and the edge-extended wafer translator are in a removably attached state, and portions of the inquiry side that reside outside a region defined by the intersection of the wafer and the edge-extended wafer translator. In a further aspect of the present invention, access to the pads of integrated circuits on a wafer is additionally provided by contact terminals in a second inquiry area located on the wafer-side of the edge-extended wafer translator in a region thereof bounded by its outer circumference and the circumference of the attached wafer.
US07724006B2 Probe card, manufacturing method of probe card, semiconductor inspection apparatus and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A silicon substrate is used as a mold, and thin films such as metal films and polyimide films are sequentially stacked on the silicon substrate by using photolithography techniques, thereby forming a probe sheet having contact terminals having a pyramidal shape or a truncated pyramidal shape disposed at distal ends of cantilever beam structures. A fixing substrate is further fixed to the probe sheet, and then, the formed probe sheet is sequentially stacked and formed on the silicon substrate, the substrate is fixed, and the silicon substrate and predetermined polyimide films are removed by etching, thereby forming the group of contact terminals with the cantilever beam structures at a time.
US07723992B2 Detector for an ultraviolet lamp system and a corresponding method for monitoring microwave energy
A detector for an ultraviolet lamp system of the type having a microwave generator includes a first circuit that is configured to detect the microwave energy generated from the microwave generator. The first circuit includes at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy. A second circuit is coupled to the first circuit and configured to intermittently test whether the radiation sensitive component has failed. An ultraviolet lamp system includes the detector. An associated method includes monitoring the microwave energy through the first circuit including at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy and testing the radiation sensitive component to determine whether the radiation sensitive component has failed.
US07723988B2 Passively damped magnetic resonance (MR) detection configuration
A magnetic resonance (MR) detection configuration comprising at least one RF resonant circuit with an inductance, a preamplifier module and an RF receiver, wherein a reactive transformation circuit is connected between a high-impedance point of the inductance and a low-impedance connecting point of the RF resonant circuit, which acts as an impedance transformer and wherein the low-impedance connecting point is connected to the preamplifier module via an RF line having a characteristic impedance, is characterized in that at least one passive damping impedance is provided in the preamplifier module downstream of the RF line, wherein the passive damping impedance can be connected to the resonant circuit by a switching means during a damping and/or transmitting process, and wherein the respective amount of the complex reflection factor of passive damping impedance relative to the characteristic impedance of the RF line exceeds a value of 0.5. This presents an MR detection configuration with an extensive damping concept, wherein all three processes (transmitting, damping and receiving processes) are optimized.
US07723985B2 Altered sweep bell-bloom magnetometer
A magnetometer is constructed wherein the sweeping is performed at one half the Larmor frequency and has as its center the absorption line. This allows the emitter to tune onto the absorption line twice per cycle as it passes through the line. This causes the increase in absorption as would the normal sweep of a Bell-Bloom magnetometer but avoids the drawbacks, such as drift and heading error.
US07723981B2 Method for transferring test trays in a side-docking type test handler
The present invention relates to a test tray for a test handler. According to this invention, there is disclosed a technique that an insert loaded in a loading part which is arranged in a matrix pattern in a frame of the test tray allows an amount and direction of free movement thereof to be determined in accordance with a location of the loading part, where the insert is loaded, on the matrix, thereby enabling a thermal expansion or contraction of a match plate or the test tray to be compensated.
US07723972B1 Reducing soft start delay and providing soft recovery in power system controllers
In one embodiment, a method is provided for reducing soft-start delay and ensuring soft recovery from a short circuit or brown out condition in a power converter. The method includes: providing a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage of the power system at a first input terminal of an error amplifier; providing a soft-start reference voltage at a second input terminal of the error amplifier; comparing the feedback signal against the soft-start reference voltage to generate a control signal for regulating an output voltage of the power converter; sourcing current for pre-charging a soft-start capacitor associated with the soft-start reference voltage, thereby reducing soft-start delay; and sinking current for discharging the soft-start capacitor in the event of a short circuit or brown out condition, thereby providing soft recovery after short circuit or brown out events.
US07723969B1 System and method for providing a low drop out circuit for a wide range of input voltages
A system and a method are disclosed for providing a low drop out circuit that can efficiently and correctly handle a wide range of input voltages. A power supply control circuit is provided for a low drop out circuit that comprises an operational amplifier that is coupled to a low drop out transistor. A switcher circuit provides one of a plurality of operating voltages to the low drop out transistor. The power supply control circuit provides a value of an operating voltage to the operational amplifier that enables the operational amplifier to operate the low drop out transistor in a manner that prevents the low drop out transistor from being out of control.
US07723968B2 Technique for improving efficiency of a linear voltage regulator
A linear voltage regulator includes a first transistor, a feedback circuit, and a control circuit. The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to an input terminal of the regulator, a second terminal coupled to an output terminal of the regulator, and a control terminal. The first transistor is configured to provide a load current to the output terminal at a desired voltage level based on a control signal on the control terminal. The feedback circuit is coupled to the output terminal and is configured to generate a feedback signal based on an actual voltage level at the output terminal. The control circuit is configured to provide, based on the feedback signal, the control signal at a level to substantially maintain an output voltage at the output terminal at the desired voltage level. An operating current of the control circuit is configured to increase, by a limited amount, responsive to a transient increase in the load current.
US07723965B2 DC-DC converter circuits, and methods and apparatus including such circuits
Electrical power from an input voltage supply is converted to first and second output voltages of opposite polarities using a single inductor (L) and only four principal switches (S1, S2, S4, S6). In contrast to known circuits, none of the switches is exposed to voltages greater than the input voltage (V1). In a first type of charging cycle (FIG. 5(a)-(c)), the first output voltage (V2+) is obtained from the input voltage supply through the inductor. In a second type of charging cycle (FIG. 5 (d)-(f)), the second output voltage (V2−) is obtained from the first output voltage via the intermediate step of storing energy in the same inductor as is used in the first type of charging cycle. Auxiliary switches (S7a, S7b) can be operated in wait states between cycles of the first and second type.
US07723960B2 Lithium battery pack
In a battery pack which comprises: a battery set composed of two or more lithium battery cells connected in series; a first protection circuit including a first voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of a part of the two or more battery cells, and a first signal output part for issuing an output signal when a detect voltage detected by the first voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; a second protection circuit including a second voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of another part of the two or more battery cells, and a second signal output part for issuing an output signal when the detect voltage of the battery cell detected by the second voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; and, a switch which is connected to the current path of the battery set and can be turned on or off according to the output signals of the first and second signal output parts and, there is further provided dead time means connected between the second signal output part of the second protection circuit for issuing an output not responding to a variation in an input signal occurring within a given time.
US07723953B2 Battery-operated screwdriver and charger shell therefor
A battery-operated screwdriver has a housing with a handle, a rechargeable battery, charge contacts for charging the battery on a charger shell having at least one detachably mounted bit holder for storing tool inserts of the battery-operated screwdriver in captive fashion, so that the battery-operated screwdriver is placeable on the charger shell and a charging mode is produced automatically, and a charger shell for a battery-operated screwdriver has at least one detachable mountable bit holder configured to receive a plurality of bits which in operation are insertable in communication with the battery-operated screwdriver.
US07723949B2 Battery device
A battery device includes a battery cell including a cell terminal, a case that houses the battery cell, a battery terminal provided to the case and electrically connected to the cell terminal, and a control section that is housed in the case and allows and inhibits charge and discharge of the battery cell, wherein the control section includes a detection section that detects an output voltage value of the cell terminal at an interval, and assuming that the latest output voltage value detected by the detection section is V1, and the output voltage value detected by the detection section immediately before the latest output voltage value V1 is V0, the control section allows charge and discharge of the battery cell if |ΔV| (ΔV=V1−V0) is smaller than a reference value, and to inhibit charge and discharge of the battery cell if |ΔV| is equal to and greater than the reference value.
US07723948B2 Power source system utilizing time detection means to provide optimum charge to secondary battery from fuel cell
There is disclosed a power source system capable of lengthening life and realizing a highly efficient operation while meeting user's needs. The power source system includes a fuel cell which generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizing agent, and a secondary battery which is charged and discharged, wherein the secondary battery is charged by the fuel cell, and the power is taken from the secondary battery. The power source system further comprises a charge control unit which charges the secondary battery with the power generated by the fuel cell, and this charge control unit has a function of switching a mode to charge the secondary battery by the fuel cell in accordance with a frequency with which the power is taken from the secondary battery.
US07723942B1 Integrated motor and resolver including absolute position capability
An integrated motor and position sensor achieves motion between a moving portion and a stationary portion by electrically energizing poles to interact with magnetics respectively on the moving and stationary portions. The position sensor includes a plurality of sensing coils placed to intercept the magnetic flux between a plurality of the poles and the magnetics. The outputs from these coils are fed to a microprocessor DSP through an internal or external A/D converter. The microprocessor or DSP decodes the measured voltages using resolver strategies to produce a position, velocity or acceleration measurement.
US07723940B2 Non-redundant safety monitoring for an electric drive mechanism (with a sensor)
The invention relates to a method for detecting undesired operating conditions of a driving device. A sensor (50) that is transformer-coupled between a stator side and a rotor side is triggered by a control circuit (40) for detecting a position value or a rotational speed value of the drive mechanism. An error signal (F) is emitted, if an undesired operating condition occurs. A test signal (ε) is supplied to a safety monitoring device (30) in order to determine and emit this error signal (F), said test signal being also supplied to the control circuit (40). There, the test signal (ε) acts as an unbalance and is checked as regards its presence in the safety monitoring device.
US07723939B2 Radio-frequency controlled motorized roller shade
A roller shade structure controlled by radio-frequency (RF) wireless communication from a control device comprises a roller tube and a conductive enclosure. The conductive enclosure is mounted inside the roller tube for enclosing a motor drive system having a motor operable to controllably rotate the roller tube in a direction at a speed when a voltage is applied to the motor. A capacitive coupling is provided between the enclosure and the roller tube, the capacitive coupling providing an increased signal strength of RF signals received by the RF receiver.
US07723937B2 Drive control device of motor and a method of start-up
A motor drive control device and motor startup method prevent startup noise and reduce startup time. At startup, a current to which a rotor does not react is passed through two phase coils of a polyphase DC motor in succession, and a voltage polarity induced in a non-conducting phase is detected. A first operation decodes the detected signal, and determines phase coils of the motor through which a current should pass to rotate the rotor and the energization direction. A second operation forms a control signal for passing a current according to the determination to drive the motor, detects a voltage peak induced in the non-conducting phase during the drive, and performs switching control of a conducting phase. In normal operation, the position of the rotor is detected based on a back EMF in each phase, and rotation control is performed.
US07723935B2 System and method for compartment control
A system and method for controlling an overhead stowage bin compartment in a mobile platform, such as a commercial aircraft. A motor is operatively coupled to the compartment for moving the compartment between open and closed positions. A remotely located control system is in communication with the motor and supplies a current signal to the motor to drive the motor. The control system monitors operation of the motor and senses when the compartment is obstructed by sensing the current being supplied to the motor. The control system also senses a position of the compartment and, along with the computed required current, uses this information to determine if the weight of the compartment exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold.
US07723928B2 Ballast control IC with minimal internal and external components
A ballast controller integrated circuit which executes a specific set of instructions via an integrated state diagram architecture to control a fluorescent lamp or high intensity discharge lamp and protect the ballast. The state diagram architecture controls powering up and down of the IC and the half-bridge circuit driven by the IC, preheating and striking of the lamp, running of the lamp, sensing for numerous possible fault conditions, and recovering from these fault conditions based on the normal maintenance of a lamp, while requiring fewer internal and external components than previous electronic ballasts.
US07723921B2 Circuitry for portable lighting devices and portable rechargeable electronic devices
A portable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with a circuit for reducing the initial surge of current that is sent through the lamp filament when a flashlight is turned on is provided. The circuit reduces the stresses placed on the lamp bulb when it is turned on, thereby extending the life expectancy of the lamp bulb. A flashlight with beacon mode that produces light according to a duty cycle of less than 11% is also disclosed.
US07723915B2 Organic light-emitting device and display apparatus
An organic light-emitting device adapted for coating and having good emission efficiency and luminance. The organic light-emitting device employs an anode, a cathode, and a layer including an organic compound sandwiched between the anode and cathode. The layer containing the organic compound includes a bisfluorene compound represented by General Formula [1] below. wherein in Formula [1], A is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group, a substituted silylene group, a substituted germylene group, an oxygen atom, and a sulfur atom.
US07723907B2 Flow-fill spacer structures for flat panel display device
A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to support structures such as spacers used to provide a uniform distance between two layers of a device. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the spacers may be formed utilizing flow-fill deposition of a wet film in the form of a precursor such as silicon dioxide. Formation of spacers in this manner provides a homogenous amorphous support structure that may be used to provide necessary spacing between layers of a device such as a flat panel display.
US07723894B2 Electrical machine with improved loss characteristics and method of making same
An electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a central opening that is configured to receive the rotor. The rotor includes a generally cylindrical first section comprising a first material mounted on an axially extending shaft within the central opening. The rotor further includes a second section having a second material of a predetermined thickness that is plated integrally over at least a portion of the first section. The second material has a higher electrical conductivity relative to the first material. In certain embodiments, the electrical machine may include a stator support structure having a clamping member comprising a first material and configured to rigidly position the stator around the rotor. The stator support structure further includes an electrically conductive layer comprising a second material plated integrally over the clamping structure, wherein the second material has a higher electrical conductivity relative to the first material.
US07723890B2 Electric motors
An electric motor includes an armature core, a commutator including a plurality of commutator segments, a neck disposed between the armature core and the commutator, and a plurality of wires each connected between two adjacent commutator segments and wound around the armature core via the neck. The wires include a first wire connected between first two adjacent commutator segments and a second wire connected between second two adjacent commutator segments positioned opposite to the first two adjacent commutator segments with respect to the axis of the armature core. The first wire and the second wire extend along the neck such that they do not contact with each other.
US07723878B2 Motor for electric power steering and method for manufacturing the same
A small-sized motor for electric power steering, in which coil connection can be easily performed with space saving, and a method for manufacturing the motor. Multi-phase stator coils assembled in a stator coil are connected per phase by connecting rings at coil ends of the stator coils. A bus bar supplied with electric power from the exterior is stacked onto the connecting rings in the axial direction of the motor and is electrically connected to the connecting rings.
US07723876B2 Automotive alternator
A positive-side heatsink and a negative-side heatsink that constitute a rectifier are disposed inside a case at a rear end of a rotor so as to be separated axially such that front surfaces of a positive-side base portion and a negative-side base portion face each other. The negative-side heatsink is disposed such that radiating fins that are disposed so as to project from a rear surface of the negative-side base portion are positioned radially outside a cooling fan so as to face a coil end of a stator coil.
US07723872B2 Method and apparatus for determining a switching time for an electrical switching device
A method and a device for determining a switching time of an electric switching device. An electric switching device includes an interrupter link. A first line section and a second line section can be connected and disconnected by way of the interrupter link. In order to determine a switching time, the temporal progression of a driving voltage is determined in the first line section. In addition, a temporal course of an oscillator voltage appearing in the second line section is determined. Potential switching times are determined at the voltage zero crossings of a resulting voltage. The selection of the potential switching times ensues while evaluating the rises of the driving voltage and of the oscillator voltage or of the polarity of the oscillating current.
US07723868B2 Operating switch wiring device and handle member therefor
An operating switch wiring device capable of easily setting a load which is a group control object, without using a dedicated setter, and a handle member used therefore. The operating switch wiring device used for a remote supervisory control system includes a plurality of individual switches which are individually assigned with addresses corresponding to addresses of relays and individually turn on/off the relays, a group switch which groups one or plural of the individual switches into a group and collectively turns on/off the relays corresponding to the individual switches in the group, and group setting switches which are provided in correspondence with the individual switches and set whether each of the individual switches are registered in the group.
US07723859B1 Wind turbine with direct-connected variable speed blower
A wind turbine is provided having at least one generator, and at least one blower motor connected to the generator. The blower motor is configured to rotate the fan for circulating air to the generator. The blower motor is connected to the generator so that a variable power output of the generator results in a variable power output of the blower motor and a variable speed of the fan.
US07723853B2 Chip package without core and stacked chip package structure
A chip package including a base, a chip, a molding compound and a plurality of outer terminals is provided. The base is essentially consisted of a patterned circuit layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and a solder mask disposed on the second surface, wherein the solder mask has a plurality of first openings by which part of the patterned circuit layer is exposed. The chip is disposed on the first surface and is electrically connected to the patterned circuit layer. The molding compound covers the pattern circuit layer and fixes the chip onto the patterned circuit layer. The outer terminals are disposed in the first openings and electrically connected to the patterned circuit layer.
US07723852B1 Stacked semiconductor package and method of making same
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided multiple embodiments of a semiconductor package including two or more semiconductor dies which are electrically connected to an underlying substrate through the use of conductive wires, some of which may be fully or partially encapsulated by an adhesive or insulating layer of the package. In a basic embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor package comprises a substrate having a conductive pattern disposed thereon. Electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the substrate are first and second semiconductor dies. The first semiconductor die and a portion of the substrate are covered by an adhesive layer. The second semiconductor die, the adhesive layer and a portion of the substrate are in turn covered by a package body of the semiconductor package.
US07723839B2 Semiconductor device, stacked semiconductor device, and manufacturing method for semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a base substrate; a semiconductor chip formed on the base substrate in such a manner that an adhesive layer is interposed between the semiconductor chip and the base substrate; a resin layer covering at least a portion of the semiconductor chip; and an external connection terminal electrically connected to the base substrate via a wiring layer. The external connection terminal is in the same plane as the surface of the resin layer, and is exposed from the resin layer. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a semiconductor device of a lower stage, and a stacked semiconductor device, each of which is high in connection reliability in a case of stacking plural semiconductor devices, no matter if a connection terminal of a semiconductor device stacked on an upper stage is low.
US07723833B2 Stacked die packages
A stacked die semiconductor package that includes a substrate with a plurality of adhesive portions arranged in a manner to create at least one gap between the adhesive portions. The package also includes a first semiconductor chip having a non-active surface in contact with the adhesive portions, and an active surface being electrically connected to the substrate. In the package, a second semiconductor chip the non-active surface of the second semiconductor chip is attached to the non-active surface of the first semiconductor chip by a layer of adhesive therebetween. The active surface of the second semiconductor chip is electrically connected to the substrate. An encapsulant material covers the first and second semiconductor chips and their associated electrical connections. The encapsulating material fills the at least one gap between the plurality of adhesive portions and thereby encapsulates the second semiconductor chip and its associated electrical connection.
US07723831B2 Semiconductor package having die with recess and discrete component embedded within the recess
A semiconductor package includes a substrate having contacts, and a discrete component on the substrate in electrical communication with the contacts. The package also includes a semiconductor die on the substrate in electrical communication with the contacts, and a die attach polymer attaching the die to the substrate. The die includes a recess, and the discrete component is contained in the recess encapsulated in the die attach polymer. A method for fabricating the package includes the steps of: attaching the discrete component to the substrate, placing the die attach polymer on the discrete component and the substrate, pressing the die into the die attach polymer to encapsulate the discrete component in the recess and attach the die to the substrate, and then placing the die in electrical communication with the discrete component. An electronic system includes the semiconductor package mounted to a system substrate.
US07723825B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
According to the present invention, provided is a semiconductor device including: a p-type silicon substrate; a shallow n-well formed in the silicon substrate; a shallow p-well formed beside the shallow n-well in the silicon substrate; and a deep n-well which is formed beside the shallow p-well in the silicon substrate, and which is deeper than the shallow p-well. In addition, a deep p-well, which is deeper than the shallow p-well, is formed between the shallow p-well and the deep n-well in the silicon substrate.
US07723819B2 Granular magnetic layer with planar insulating layer
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to fabricate a device using a magnetic layer. A magnetic layer having granular magnetic particles is formed. A planar insulating layer is deposited on the magnetic layer. The planar insulating layer has a planar surface and is made of a polymeric dielectric material with gap-filling capability to fill in gaps among the granular magnetic particles.
US07723815B1 Wafer bonded composite structure for thermally matching a readout circuit (ROIC) and an infrared detector chip both during and after hybridization
A wafer bonded composite structure is provided for matching a coefficient of thermal expansion of a first semiconductor chip to a coefficient of thermal expansion of a second semiconductor chip in order to provide a thermally matched hybridized semiconductor chip assembly. The wafer bonded composite structure includes a first semiconductor chip having a top and a bottom surface. The first semiconductor chip has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second semiconductor chip. Preferably, the first semiconductor chip is an readout integrated circuit (ROIC) and the second semiconductor chip is an infrared detector chip. Further, the wafer bonded composite structure also includes a substrate wafer bonded to a bottom surface of the first semiconductor chip to form the wafer bonded composite structure itself. The wafer bonded substrate is preferably transparent to infrared radiation, so that the first semiconductor chip or ROIC of the resulting wafer bonded composite structure may be aligned with the second semiconductor chip or infrared detector chip before hybridization has taken place. Moreover, the composite structure has a coefficient of thermal expansion which at least substantially matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second semiconductor chip, thereby providing thermal matching between the first and second semiconductor chips.
US07723814B2 InSb thin film magnetic sensor and fabrication method thereof
The present invention relates to a thin film lamination to be used in a micro InSb thin film magnetic sensor which can directly detect a magnetic flux density with high sensitivity and has small power consumption and consumption current, and the InSb thin film magnetic sensor. The InSb thin film magnetic sensor uses an InSb thin film as a magnetic sensor section or a magnetic detecting section. The sensor includes an InSb layer that is an InSb thin film formed on a substrate, and an AlxGayIn1-x-ySb mixed crystal layer (0≦x, y≦1) which shows resistance higher than the InSb layer or insulation, or p-type conduction, and has a band gap larger than that of InSb. The mixed crystal layer is provided between the substrate and the InSb layer, and has a content of Al and Ga atoms (x+y) in the range of 5.0 to 17%.
US07723813B2 Method and structure for improved alignment in MRAM integration
A method for implementing alignment of a semiconductor device structure includes forming first and second sets of alignment marks within a lower level of the structure, the second set of alignment marks adjacent the first set of alignment marks. An opaque layer is formed over the lower level, including the first and second sets of alignment marks. A portion of the opaque layer corresponding to the location of said first set of alignment marks is opened so as to render the first set optically visible while the second set of alignment marks initially remains covered by the opaque layer. The opaque layer is patterned using the optically visible first set of alignment marks, wherein the second set of alignment marks remain available for subsequent alignment operations in the event the first set becomes damaged during patterning of the opaque layer.
US07723811B2 Packaged MEMS device assembly
A packaged micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device assembly includes a MEMS device, a substrate within which the MEMS device is disposed, and a lid disposed over the substrate. The assembly may include one or more first cavities within the lid having a predetermined volume satisfying packaging specifications for the packaged MEMS device assembly. The assembly may include one or more second cavities within the lid and one or more corresponding overflow areas within the lid, where each second cavity contains a material and each corresponding overflow area is adapted to catch overflow of the material. The assembly may include one or more third cavities within the lid and one or more channels within one of the substrate and the lid to fluidically connect the MEMS device to the third cavities.
US07723808B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in which a driving force can be increased by increasing a strain amount given by a stressed film in a MOS transistor including an elevated region. On a silicon substrate, a device isolation region 102, a gate insulating film 103, a gate electrode 104, an extension 105, and a sidewall insulating film 106 are formed. After that, an elevated region is formed, and a source/drain region 108 and a silicide layer 109 are formed. Subsequently, the sidewall insulating film 106 is etched to provide a gap from the elevated region 107, and a stressed film 110 is buried in the gap.
US07723806B2 Memory cells and semiconductor memory device using the same
Memory cells and semiconductor memory devices using the same. A substrate comprises two cross-coupled inverters and first and second pass-gate transistors formed therein, the inverters having a data storage node and a date bar storage node coupled to first terminals of the first and second pass-gate transistors. A first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and comprises a bit line and a complementary bit line electrically connected to second terminals of the first and second pass-gate transistors respectively. A second conductive layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and comprises two first power lines covering the bit line and the complementary bit line respectively, wherein the first power lines, the bit line and the complementary bit line are parallel.
US07723802B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a P diffusion region formed in the surface of an N− epitaxial layer apart from other P diffusion regions; an N+ diffusion region formed in the surface of the P diffusion region so as to be surrounded by the P diffusion region; a second collector electrode provided on the N+ diffusion region and connected to a first collector electrode; and an electrode provided on and extending through the P diffusion region and the N− epitaxial layer to form a conducting path from the N− epitaxial layer to the P diffusion region. This semiconductor device can improve both the operation and the reverse conducting capability of an IGBT.
US07723795B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first active region formed having a first portion extending laterally and second portion extendedly vertically upward from a central portion of the first portion; a second active region formed spaced from the first active region, the second active region having a third portion extending laterally, fourth and fifth portions extending vertically downwardly at distal end portions of the third portion, and a sixth portion extending vertically downwardly at a central portion of the third portion; a first gate formed extending vertically and overlapping the first portion of the first active region and the third portion of the second active regions; a second gate formed extending vertically and overlapping the first portion of the first active region and the third portion of the second active regions; a third gate formed extending in a direction perpendicular to the first and second gates and overlapping of the fourth and fifth portions of the second active region; and a plurality of contacts spaced apart predetermined distances from the gates.
US07723792B1 Floating diodes
A semiconductor chip is ESD protected, in part, by utilizing floating lateral clamp diodes. Unlike conventional clamp diodes, which are based upon parasitic bipolar devices associated with large MOS transistors, the floating lateral clamp diodes utilize a well formed in the substrate as the cathode, and a plurality of regions of the opposite conductivity type which are formed in the well as the anode.
US07723791B2 Strained silicon directly-on-insulator substrate with hybrid crystalline orientation and different stress levels
The present invention provides a strained Si directly on insulator (SSDOI) substrate having multiple crystallographic orientations and a method of forming thereof. Broadly, but in specific terms, the inventive SSDOI substrate includes a substrate; an insulating layer atop the substrate; and a semiconducting layer positioned atop and in direct contact with the insulating layer, the semiconducting layer comprising a first strained Si region and a second strained Si region; wherein the first strained Si region has a crystallographic orientation different from the second strained Si region and the first strained Si region has a crystallographic orientation the same or different from the second strained Si region. The strained level of the first strained Si region is different from that of the second strained Si region.
US07723790B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
An isolation insulating film (5) of partial-trench type is selectively formed in an upper surface of a silicon layer (4). A power supply line (21) is formed above the isolation insulating film (5). Below the power supply line (21), a complete isolation portion (23) reaching an upper surface of an insulating film (3) is formed in the isolation insulating film (5). In other words, a semiconductor device comprises a complete-isolation insulating film which is so formed as to extend from the upper surface of the silicon layer (4) and reach the upper surface of insulating film (3) below the power supply line (21). With this structure, it is possible to obtain the semiconductor device capable of suppressing variation in potential of a body region caused by variation in potential of the power supply line.
US07723785B2 High performance power MOS structure
A semiconductor device includes a source region and a drain region disposed in a substrate wherein the source and drain regions have a first type of dopant; a gate electrode formed on the substrate interposed laterally between the source and drain regions; a gate spacer disposed on the substrate and laterally between the source region and the gate electrode, adjacent a side of the gate electrode; and a conductive feature embedded in the gate spacer.
US07723784B2 Insulated gate semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A well region in which an insulated gate semiconductor element is formed is a diffusion region, and an impurity concentration of the well region is lower toward its bottom portion. This leads to a problem of increased resistance. Therefore, particularly, an insulated gate semiconductor element having an up-drain structure has a problem of increased on-resistance. A p type well region is formed by stacking two p type impurity regions on one another. The p type impurity regions are allowed to serve as the p type well region by sequentially stacking n type semiconductor layers, on one another, having p type impurities implanted into their surfaces and simultaneously diffusing the impurities by heat treatment. In this way, it is possible to obtain the p type well region in which an impurity concentration sufficient to secure a desired breakdown voltage is maintained approximately uniform up to a desired depth.
US07723780B2 Lateral DMOS device structure and manufacturing method thereof
A lateral DMOS device includes a body diode region and a protective diode region. The body diode region has a second conduction type well region formed in a first conduction type semiconductor substrate, the second conduction type well region including a first conduction type body region and a drain region each formed in the second conduction type well region, a first conduction type impurity region and a source region formed in the first conduction type body region, and a gate insulating film and a gate electrode formed on the first conduction type semiconductor substrate. The first conduction type body region and the second conduction type well region compose a body diode. In the protective diode region, the first conduction type impurity region is formed at a prescribed interval and the first conduction type body region and the second conduction type well region compose a protective diode.
US07723779B2 Integrated semiconductor nonvolatile storage device
An object of the present invention is to provide an integrated semiconductor nonvolatile storage device that can be read at high speed and reprogrammed an increased number of times.In the case of conventional nonvolatile semiconductor storage devices having a split-gate structure, there is a tradeoff between the read current and the maximum allowable number of reprogramming operations. To overcome this problem, an integrated semiconductor nonvolatile storage device of the present invention is configured such that memory cells having different memory gate lengths are integrated on the same chip. This allows the device to be read at high speed and reprogrammed an increased number of times.
US07723770B2 Integrated circuit capacitors having composite dielectric layers therein containing crystallization inhibiting regions
Integrated circuit capacitors have composite dielectric layers therein. These composite dielectric layers include crystallization inhibiting regions that operate to increase the overall crystallization temperature of the composite dielectric layer. An integrated circuit capacitor includes first and second capacitor electrodes and a capacitor dielectric layer extending between the first and second capacitor electrodes. The capacitor dielectric layer includes a composite of a first dielectric layer extending adjacent the first capacitor electrode, a second dielectric layer extending adjacent the second capacitor electrode and an electrically insulating crystallization inhibiting layer extending between the first and second dielectric layers. The electrically insulating crystallization inhibiting layer is formed of a material having a higher crystallization temperature characteristic relative to the first and second dielectric layers.
US07723765B2 Image sensor having hydrophilic and hydrophobic microlenses and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor may comprise photodiodes on a semiconductor; color filters on the photodiodes; a planarization layer covering the color filters; and microlenses on the planarization layer, including alternate hydrophilic microlenses and hydrophobic microlenses contacting the edges of the hydrophilic microlenses, corresponding to respective color filters.
US07723757B2 Vertical nonvolatile memory cell, array, and operation
A vertical nonvolatile memory cell with a charge storage structure includes a charge control structure with three nodes. Example embodiments include the individual memory cell, an array of such memory cells, methods of operating the memory cell or array of memory cells, and methods of manufacturing the same.
US07723753B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
In a GaAs substrate as a semi-insulating substrate, a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is formed in an element formation region, while an isolation region is formed in an insulating region. The isolation region formed in the insulating region is formed by introducing helium into the same semiconductor layers as the sub-collector semiconductor layer and collector semiconductor layer of the HBT. In an outer peripheral region, a conductive layer is formed to be exposed from protective films and coupled to a back surface electrode. Because a GND potential is supplied to the back surface electrode, the conductive layer is fixed to the GND potential. The conductive layer is formed of the same semiconductor layers as the sub-collector semiconductor layer and collector semiconductor layer of the HBT.
US07723751B2 Semiconductor device and fabrication method of the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a SiC drift layer formed above the substrate, a GaN-based semiconductor layer that is formed on the SiC drift layer and includes a channel layer, a source electrode and a gate electrode formed on the GaN-based semiconductor layer, current blocking regions formed in portions of the SiC drift layer and located below the source and gate electrodes, and a drain electrode formed on a surface that opposes the GaN-based semiconductor layer across the SiC layer.
US07723749B2 Strained semiconductor structures
A method for in situ formation of low defect, strained silicon and a device formed according to the method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a silicon germanium layer is formed on a substrate, and a portion of the silicon germanium layer is removed to expose a surface that is smoothed with a smoothing agent. A layer of strained silicon is formed on the silicon germanium layer. In various embodiments, the entire method is conducted in a single processing chamber, which is kept under vacuum.
US07723748B2 Semiconductor device including electrostatic discharge protection circuit
A SGPMOS transistor includes a base, a P-type diffusion layer, a gate electrode, and a LOCOS oxide film. The base includes at least one of a N-type semiconductor substrate, a P-type semiconductor substrate, and a N-type well. The P-type diffusion layer includes a P-type source and a P-type drain. At least the P-type drain includes a double diffusion structure including first and second P-type drain diffusion layers. The LOCOS oxide film is provided on the first P-type drain diffusion layer and covered by an end of the gate electrode. The first and the second P-type drain diffusion layers satisfy a relation of Y
US07723746B2 Packaging technique for the fabrication of polarized light emitting diodes
A polarized light emitting diode (LED) includes a marker indicating a polarization direction. A package for the LED also includes a marker indicating the polarization direction. The markers on the LED and package are used for mutual alignment, wherein the LED is attached in a favorable orientation with respect to a package, so that the polarization direction of emitted light from the package is apparent. The marker is placed on the LED before die separation and the marker is placed on the package before alignment. The marker on the LED comprises a photolithographic pattern, an asymmetric die shape, a notch on the die, or a scratch on the die, while the marker on the package comprises an electrode shape or pattern, an asymmetric package shape, a notch on the package, or a scratch on the package. Finally, the LED or package may be installed in an external circuit or system that also indicates the polarization direction.
US07723744B2 Light-emitting device having semiconductor nanocrystal complexes
Light-emitting devices are provided that incorporate one or more underlying LED chips or other light sources and a layer having one or more populations of nanoparticles disposed over the light source. The nanoparticles may absorb some light emitted by the underlying source, and re-emit light at a different level. By varying the type and relative concentration of nanoparticles, different emission spectra may be achieved. White light and specialty-color emission may be achieved. Devices also may include multiple LED chips, with nanoparticles disposed over one or more underlying chips in an array.
US07723722B2 Organic compound, anthracene derivative, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device using anthracene derivative
Objects of the present invention are to provide novel anthracene derivatives and novel organic compounds; a light-emitting element that has high emission efficiency; a light-emitting element that is capable of emitting blue light with high luminous efficiency; a light-emitting element that is capable of operation for a long time; and a light-emitting device and an electronic device that have lower power consumption. An anthracene derivative represented by a general formula (1) and an organic compound represented by a general formula (17) are provided. A light-emitting element that has high emission efficiency can be obtained by use of the anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (1). Further, a light-emitting element that has a long life can be obtained by use of the anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (1).
US07723718B1 Epitaxial structure for metal devices
Techniques for fabricating metal devices, such as vertical light-emitting diode (VLED) devices, power devices, laser diodes, and vertical cavity surface emitting laser devices, are provided. Devices produced accordingly may benefit from greater yields and enhanced performance over conventional metal devices, such as higher brightness of the light-emitting diode and increased thermal conductivity. Moreover, the invention discloses techniques in the fabrication arts that are applicable to GaN-based electronic devices in cases where there is a high heat dissipation rate of the metal devices that have an original non- (or low) thermally conductive and/or non- (or low) electrically conductive carrier substrate that has been removed.
US07723714B2 Programmable-resistance memory cell
A memory cell (10) comprising at least a source electrode (MS) formed on a substrate (6); at least a drain electrode (MD) formed on the substrate (6); at least a coupling layer (1) formed between the source electrode (MS) and the drain electrode (MD), and at least a gate electrode (MG) formed on the substrate (6), wherein the coupling layer (1) comprises a transition-metal oxide exhibiting a filling-controlled metal-insulator transition property; the gate electrode (MG) comprises an oxygen ion conductor layer (2), and the gate electrode (MG) is arranged relative to the coupling layer (1) such that application of an electrical signal to the gate electrode (MG) causes alteration of the oxygen vacancy (3) concentration in the coupling layer (1).
US07723712B2 Reduced power consumption phase change memory and methods for forming the same
Memory cells for reduced power consumption and methods for forming the same are provided. A memory cell has a layer of phase change material. A first portion of the phase change material layer includes the programmable volume of the memory cell and its crystalline state has a higher resistivity than that of the crystalline state of a second portion of the phase change material layer.
US07723705B2 Techniques for measuring ion beam emittance
Techniques for measuring ion beam emittance are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for measuring ion beam emittance. The apparatus may comprise a measurement assembly comprising a first mask, a second mask, and a pivot axis, such that the measurement assembly rotates about the pivot axis in order to scan an ion beam using either the first mask or the second mask to measure ion beam emittance for providing a measure of ion beam uniformity.
US07723704B2 EUV pellicle with increased EUV light transmittance
According to one exemplary embodiment, an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) pellicle for protecting a lithographic mask includes an aerogel film. The pellicle further includes a frame for mounting the aerogel film over the lithographic mask. The aerogel film causes the pellicle to have increased EUV light transmittance.
US07723699B2 Cathode having electron production and focusing grooves, ion source and related method
A cathode having electron production and focusing grooves for an ion source of an ion implanter system, the ion source and a related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cathode includes a working surface having a plurality of electron production and focusing grooves positioned therein. A repeller of the ion source may be similarly structured.
US07723698B2 Top metal layer shield for ultra-small resonant structures
When using micro-resonant structures which are being excited and caused to resonate by use of a charged particle beam, whether as emitters or receivers, especially in a chip or circuit board environment, it is important to prevent the charged particle beam from coupling to or affecting other structures or layers in the chip or circuit board. Shielding can be provided along the path of the charged particle beam, on top of the substrate, to prevent such coupling.
US07723695B2 Imaging apparatus and radiation imaging system
This imaging apparatus has pixels arranged in a matrix shape on a substrate, each of which has a conversion element and the first TFT, wherein the first TFT is connected to the first gate wiring and signal wiring, and the conversion element is connected to bias wiring. The imaging apparatus has the second TFT 6 that is arranged outside a region in which the pixels are arranged. The signal wirings are mutually connected through the second TFT 6 outside a region in which the pixels are arranged. When the apparatus is driven, the second TFT is turned off.
US07723694B2 Digital silicon photomultiplier for TOF-PET
A radiation detector includes an array of detector pixels each including an array of detector cells. Each detector cell includes a photodiode biased in a breakdown region and digital circuitry coupled with the photodiode and configured to output a first digital value in a quiescent state and a second digital value responsive to photon detection by the photodiode. Digital triggering circuitry is configured to output a trigger signal indicative of a start of an integration time period responsive to a selected number of one or more of the detector cells tranisitioning from the first digital value to the second digital value. Readout digital circuitry accumulates a count of a number of transitions of detector cells of the array of detector cells from the first digital state to the second digital state over the integration time period.
US07723691B2 Method of manufacturing a radiation detector
In a method of manufacturing a radiation detector according to this invention, a lattice frame 40 is stored in a receptacle 50, and scintillators 1SF and 1SR are also stored therein. The lattice frame 40 and scintillators 1SF and 1SR are once taken out of the receptacle in a state of trial assembly as a two-stage scintillator block in trial assembly 54. The lattice frame 40 and scintillators 1SF and 1SR in trial assembly are stored in the receptacle 50 into which an optical binding material has been poured. This method can reduce trouble occurring in manufacture to realize a radiation detector simply.
US07723689B2 Open limited orbiting tomographic imaging system
A radiographic three dimensional imaging apparatus capable of focusing on a center of rotation point, includes at least two gamma ray detectors, each having a radiation input face, with each detector positioned on a linear path, wherein each detector is movable along the detector's linear path, while simultaneously swiveling to maintain the detector's input face towards the rotation point. The apparatus allows for organ-targeted tomography as a virtual center of rotation can be placed arbitrarily with respect to a patient, constrained only by the physical limits of the detector motion.
US07723688B2 Methods and systems for automatic body-contouring imaging
Methods and systems for imaging a subject using an imaging system are provided. The method includes rotating a first detector and a second detector about a subject and determining a distance of the first detector and the second detector from the subject. The method further includes automatically adjusting the position of at least one of the first detector and the second detector to within a predetermined distance range if the determined distance of one of the first and second detectors is not within the predetermined distance range.
US07723679B2 Coaxial hybrid radio frequency ion trap mass analyzer
A coaxial hybrid ion trap that uses two substantially planar opposing plates to generate electrical focusing fields that simultaneously generate at least two different types or shapes of trapping regions, wherein a first trapping region is a quadrupole trapping region disposed coaxially with respect to the opposing plates, and wherein a second trapping region is a toroidal ion trap having a toroidal trapping region that is simultaneously created around the quadrupole trapping region.
US07723678B2 Method and apparatus for surface desorption ionization by charged particles
An apparatus and method for generating analyte ions from a sample. An ion generating device is provided having a chamber with an outlet and a surface having a material and means for applying a high velocity gas flow through the chamber toward the outlet such that charged particles are produced by physical interaction between the high velocity gas and the material. The charged particles then induce the generation of primary ions by interaction with molecules of the high velocity gas. The primary ions are emitted from the outlet of the ion generating device toward a sample-bearing surface and analyte ions are generated by impact of the primary ions on the analyte sample on the surface.
US07723669B2 Optical movement sensing system
There is provided an optical movement sensing system which can be miniaturized and ensures a wide angle of view. The optical movement sensing system collecting light reflected from an object to be imaged on an optical sensor, the optical movement sensing system including: a wide-angle lens including a first lens element having a curved object-side surface; and a second lens element having an object-side surface in contact with an image-side surface of the first lens element and having a planar image-side surface. The optical movement sensing system with this configuration can be reduced in size and weight and has a wide angle of view. Therefore, the optical movement sensing system is applicable to a mobile device such as a mobile telecommunication terminal and assures sufficient peripheral light amount.
US07723666B2 Photodiode array configured to increase electrical output power and optical microwave transmission system receiver utilizing the same
Provided is a photodiode array that is capable of outputting an electric signal with a large electric power and an optical microwave transmission system receiver that supplies an electric power with the aid of an optical fiber and does not require the electric power line from the external. An input modulation light is branched and input to a plurality of photodiode elements (1), electric output terminals (5) of the plurality of photodiode elements (1) are connected in parallel to each other, and a combined electric output is extracted. The electric output terminal (5) of the photodiode array configured as described above is connected to an antenna (7) without an intermediation of an amplifier circuit.
US07723662B2 Microscopy arrangements and approaches
Light-field microscopy is facilitated using an approach to image computation. In connection with an example embodiment, a subject (e.g., 105) is imaged by passing light from the subject through a microlens array (e.g., 120) to a photosensor array (e.g., 130) to simultaneously detect light from the subject that is passed through different directions to different locations. In certain embodiments, information from the detected light is used to compute refocused images, perspective images and/or volumetric datasets, from a single-shot photograph.
US07723658B2 Solar sensor having microspheres on the inside face of the protective cap
A solar sensor is provided that has microspheres on an interior face of a protective cap or of another radiation-transparent area above a transducer of the sensor. The microspheres scatter the light but at the same time have a much lower damping effect. Preferably, the microspheres are glued to or sealed into the interior face.
US07723656B1 Microwaveable food package
A microwavable food package is disclosed, comprising a packaging sheet including first and second column of apertures, the apertures between 100 microns and 800 microns in diameter; and a central seal, the central seal joining a first edge of the packaging sheet to a second edge of the packaging sheet, the central seal running longitudinally along the length of the food package, wherein the first column of apertures is on one side of the central seal and the second column of apertures is on the other side of the central seal.
US07723654B2 Apparatus for in-situ microwave consolidation of planetary materials containing nano-sized metallic iron particles
An apparatus and method for on-site microwave consolidation of planetary regolith, soil and dust is disclosed. Such particulate materials may be converted into useful products such as roadways and other construction materials. In one embodiment, a portable microwave generator and waveguide system is used to generate and direct microwaves to a lunar surface containing fine iron-containing particles to sinter and/or melt the particles. The portable system may be provided in the form of a lunar paver with a single or multiple waveguides arranged to direct sufficient microwave energy to the lunar surface to heat, sinter, melt, or otherwise consolidate the lunar soil into a solid mass suitable for use as a road or path. Other applications of this in-situ microwave heating process include the release of solar-wind implanted gases, extraction of polar water-ice, and production of oxygen.
US07723648B2 Temperature controlled substrate holder with non-uniform insulation layer for a substrate processing system
A substrate holder for supporting a substrate in a processing system includes a temperature controlled support base having a first temperature, and a substrate support opposing the temperature controlled support base and configured to support the substrate. Also included is one or more heating elements coupled to the substrate support and configured to heat the substrate support to a second temperature above the first temperature, and a thermal insulator disposed between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support. The thermal insulator includes a non-uniform spatial variation of the heat transfer coefficient (W/m2-K) through the thermal insulator between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support.
US07723632B2 Electrical switch
An electrical switch has two fixed contacts and a moving contact, a spring urging the moving contact towards contacting the fixed contacts, and an actuating mechanism for moving the moving contact away from the fixed contacts against urging by the spring and, alternatively, allowing the moving contact to contact the fixed contacts under the action of the spring. The actuating mechanism has an engaging member for engaging and retaining the moving contact and includes a spring acting on the engaging member for separating the moving contact from the fixed contacts through an instant spring-release action. One of the engaging member and the contacts is configured such that the moving contact will be engaged and moved by the engaging member out of contact with one of the fixed contacts earlier than with the other fixed contact.
US07723629B2 Electric toothbrushes and packages containing same
An actuator assembly and packaging feature for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a positionable member accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. The actuator assembly further includes a spring member retained within the interior of the toothbrush body which urges a cam member against the underside of the positionable member. The positionable member defines an aperture extending through its midsection within which is disposed a depressible member. The depressible member has an outer end which is also accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. Upon pressing the depressible member, the cam member and spring are urged against an electrical circuit provided within the body of the toothbrush which is used to selectively operate a motor and drive mechanism to move one or more sets of bristles. The actuator assembly additionally includes a feature of providing a raised region along an outer surface of the positionable member which guards against accidental or unintentional depressing of the depressible member. The packaging feature relates to a member formed in a package cover that is suitably sized and positioned over the depressible member of the actuator so that the cover, when pressed, may momentarily activate the toothbrush within the package.
US07723624B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus is provided with a housing including a top wall and a side portion extending from an edge of the top wall, a keyboard, and a keyboard placing portion on which the keyboard is placed, the keyboard placing portion including a bottom surface provided in the top wall. At least part of the bottom surface extends to the side portion of the housing.
US07723619B2 Composite moldings and a method of manufacturing the same
Continuous annular resin bands surrounding electrical contact portions of respective terminals are disposed without gaps between the electrical contact portions of respective terminals and resin members that fixedly hold the terminals; there are formed gaps among the adjoining resin bands. Gaps are formed among a bundle of terminals having annular resin bands and resin members surrounding the bundle. A partial adhesion is formed at the interface between the terminals and the resin by a low cost manufacturing method, whereby a molding with high air-tightness between the interior and exterior thereof and high reliability is realized.
US07723617B2 Wired circuit board and production method thereof
A wired circuit board has a metal supporting board, a metal foil formed on the metal supporting board to have a thickness of less than 2.0 μm, a first insulating layer formed on the metal supporting board to cover the metal foil, and a conductive pattern formed on the first insulating layer.
US07723615B2 Fluororesin composition and electric wire
A fluororesin composition including a tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene-based copolymer and 0.01 to 3 parts by mass per 100 parts the copolymer of a polytetrafluoroethylene having a standard specific gravity of 2.15 to 2.30, and being obtained by mixing an aqueous dispersion of the tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene-based copolymer with an aqueous dispersion of the polytetrafluoroethylene, causing coagulation, drying the polymer mixture and melt-extruding the same.
US07723598B2 Electronic proof system and musical instrument equipped with the same
An electronic proof system is provided in association with an automatic player piano; while a human player is practicing a music tune on the acoustic piano, the electronic proof system monitors the pedals of piano to see whether or not the player brings the pedals to target pedal positions; if the current pedal position is spaced from the target pedal position, the electronic proof system gives rise to fine vibrations of the pedal, and makes the player notice the pedal staying at incorrect pedal position through the tactile impression.
US07723597B1 3-dimensional musical keyboard
An improved 3-dimensional musical keyboard apparatus comprises a plurality of planar, longitudinally extending keys mounted for both downward depression and longitudinal displacement; spring components to return an unguided key to its at-rest position; means to limit the extent of key motion; sensing means to detect key position at any point in its range of motion; and electronic digital signal processor means responsive to key position signals and productive of musical control information. Additionally, it comprises a single line of contact structure for restraining keys from lateral motion; differential damping for the vertical and horizontal components of key motion; simplified means for signaling key center position in the displacement axis; and support for musical articulation in the direction of key displacement when a key is moving upward from a depressed position.
US07723593B1 Reversable drum practice pads
This invention is a reversible practice pad for drum practice. The reversible practice pad includes a planar base having at least one sloping base-riser projecting upwardly therefrom. Each base-riser includes a first part of a two-part fastening material affixed to a top surface of each base-riser. A planar platform includes at least one sloping platform-riser projecting downwardly therefrom. Each platform-riser includes a second part of the two-part fastening material affixed to a bottom surface of each platform-riser. The platform includes a cushioning pad fixed to a top surface thereof. The bottom surface of each platform-riser is brought into contact and fastened with the top surface of an associated base-riser. The base and platform can be selectively fixed together in two different orientations by rotating the platform. In one orientation, the platform and the base are substantially parallel. In an alternate orientation, the platform is sloped with respect to the base.
US07723591B1 Wind instrument stand
A wind instrument stand has an upper pivot slide, a lower pivot bracket, multiple legs, multiple links and a post assembly. The legs are connected pivotally to the upper pivot slide. Each link is connected pivotally between the lower pivot bracket a corresponding leg. The post is mounted slidably through the upper pivot slide and securely on the lower pivot bracket. The wind instrument stand may be folded into a compact configuration and be inserted into an opening of a wind instrument to facilitate the storage and carrying of the wind instrument and stand.
US07723589B1 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV688430
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV688430. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV688430, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV688430 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV688430 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV688430.
US07723585B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH261787
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH261787. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH261787, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH261787 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH261787.
US07723574B2 Process for the production of Δ5-unsaturated fatty acids in transgenic organisms
A process for the production of Δ5-unsaturated fatty acids in transgenic organisms comprises transforming an organism with nucleic acid encoding a Δ5-desaturase.
US07723571B2 Method of expressing small peptides using cereal non-storage proteins as fusion carrier in endosperm and the use thereof
The present invention provides a method of using cereal non-storage protein as fusion carrier to highly express small peptides in host endosperm cells. The method includes the steps of providing an endosperm-specific promoter and a DNA leading sequence encoding an endosperm-specific signal peptide; providing the gene of a non-storage protein as fusion carrier and an target gene; constructing a expression vector containing the promoter and DNA leading sequence, the gene of the fusion carrier, and a target gene; and expressing the expression vector in a host endosperm cell. Also provided in the invention are a vector constructed there from and the use thereof.
US07723566B2 Regeneration
The invention relates to the filed of regeneration of cells, self-renewal of (micro-organisms), and the vegetative propagation of plant parts such as plant tissues or organs.
US07723546B1 Arylamine compounds and their use in electronic devices
Provided are arylamine compounds having Formula I, II, III, or IV: wherein Ar is the same or different at each occurrence and is aryl having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms or heteroaryl having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms. Also provided are compositions comprising arylamine compounds. The invention also relates to use of such compounds in electronic devices, for example, organic electronic devices.
US07723543B2 Method for the continuous production of alkyl amino acryl amides
The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of alkyl amino acryl amides by reacting alkyl acrylates with high-boiling amines. A specific preparation technique is used in order to achieve hitherto unobtainable product qualities. Very high spatial, temporal and overall yields can also be obtained.
US07723530B2 Use of polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles in colour filters
The present invention relates to the use of polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles in colour filters, which can themselves be used for example in electro-optical systems such as TV screens, liquid crystal displays, charge coupled devices, plasma displays or electroluminescent displays and the like.In contrast to conventional pigments the polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles do not tend to aggregate and, hence, show very good dispersibility. Color filters prepared by using the polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles have high transparence and pure hue. In addition, they facilitate adjustment of color points and enable a large choice of shades.
US07723528B2 Sulfur transfer reagents for oligonucleotide synthesis
The use of N-formamidino-5-amino-3H-1,2,4-dithiazole-3-thiones as novel, efficient sulfur-transfer reagents is disclosed. The sulfur transfer from these reagents to compounds containing P(III) atom, triphenylphosphine, 5′-O-DMT-thymidine 2-cyanoethyl-(N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite, and 5′-O-DMT-3′-O-levulinyl dithymidilyl 2-cyanoethyl phosphite, was studied in solution by 31P NMR and HPLC. The sulfur transfer from title compounds was also studied in the solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotide phosphorothioates by phosphoramidite methods. In this application, the efficiency of the sulfur transfer reaction for 2′-deoxyoligonucleotides was better than 99.5%. The novel sulfurizing agents are synthesized, at low cost, using simple chemical methods. As opposed to many sulfur transfer reagents known in the prior art such as 1,2-benzodithiol-3-one-1,1-dioxide (Beaucage reagent) and 5-ethoxy-3H-1,2,4-dithiazole-2-one (EDIT), the sulfurizing agents disclosed herein are highly stable in solution, which increases their practical and commercial value.
US07723517B2 Dihydropteridione derivatives, process for their manufacture and their use as medicament
Disclosed are new dihydropteridinones of the formula (I) wherein the groups L, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings provided herein, the isomers thereof, processes for preparing these dihydropteridinones and their use as pharmaceutical compositions.
US07723515B1 Methylene blue—curcumin analog for the treatment of alzheimer's disease
A methylene blue—curcumin hybrid useful in treating Alzheimer's Disease.
US07723513B2 Methods and intermediates for the synthesis of dipyrrin-substituted porphyrinic macrocycles
The present invention provides dipyrrin substituted porphyrinic macrocycles, intermediates useful for making the same, and methods of making the same. Such compounds may be used for purposes including the making of molecular memory devices, solar cells and light harvesting arrays.
US07723495B2 Amidite for nucleic acid synthesis and nucleic acid synthesizing method
To provide an amidite for nucleic acid synthesis, which enables a protective group therein to be removed under moderate conditions and can be practically used, and a nucleic acid synthesizing method using the amidite for nucleic acid synthesis. Specifically, the present invention relates to an amidite for nucleic acid synthesis represented by General Formula (I) below, and a nucleic acid synthesizing method using the amidite for nucleic acid synthesis: where X denotes a base; Y denotes a protective group formed of any one of a 4-aminobutyric acid derivative, an o-aminomethylbenzoic acid derivative, an o-aminophenylacetic acid derivative, an o-aminoethylbenzoic acid derivative, an o-aminomethylphenylacetic acid derivative, an o-aminophenylpropionic acid derivative and a 5-aminovaleric acid derivative; and Q denotes one of a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group.
US07723494B2 Yellow anionic disazo dyes
The present invention relates to novel yellow anionic dyes, a process for their preparation, certain novel intermediates necessary for their preparation and the use of these dyes for dyeing natural or synthetic materials, in particular, paper.
US07723493B2 Metal complexes of tridentate BETA -ketoiminates
Metal-containing complexes of a tridentate beta-ketoiminate, one embodiment of which is represented by the structure: wherein M is a metal such as calcium, strontium, barium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, titanium, zirconium, vanadium, tungsten, manganese, cobalt, iron, nickel, ruthenium, zinc, copper, palladium, platinum, iridium, rhenium, osmium; R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloaliphatic, and aryl, having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloaliphatic, and aryl; R3 is linear or branched selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloaliphatic, and aryl; R4 is a branched alkylene bridge with at least one chiral center; R5-6 are individually linear or branched selected from the group consisting of alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloaliphatic, aryl, and can be connected to form a ring containing carbon, oxygen, or nitrogen atoms; n is an integer equal to the valence of the metal M.
US07723488B2 Monoclonal antibodies to secreted and transmembrane polypeptides
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.
US07723485B2 Cysteine engineered anti-MUC16 antibodies and antibody drug conjugates
Cysteine engineered anti-MUC16 antibodies are engineered by replacing one or more amino acids of a parent anti-MUC16 antibody with non cross-linked, reactive cysteine amino acids. Methods of design, preparation, screening, and selection of the cysteine engineered anti-MUC16 antibodies are provided. Cysteine engineered anti-MUC16 antibodies (Ab) are conjugated with one or more drug moieties (D) through a linker (L) to form cysteine engineered anti-MUC16 antibody-drug conjugates having Formula I: Ab-(L-D)p  I where p is 1 to 4. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses for cysteine engineered antibody drug compounds and compositions are disclosed.
US07723481B2 Human T2R61 taste receptor for identifying human bitter taste modulators
The claimed invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R61 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.
US07723477B2 Compositions and methods for inhibiting Wnt-dependent solid tumor cell growth
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides a soluble FZD receptor comprising an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor that inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention still further provides a soluble receptor comprising a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor that binds a ligand of a human FZD receptor and said soluble receptor is capable of inhibiting tumor growth. The present invention still further provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering a soluble FZD receptor comprising for example, either an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor or a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor, in an amount effective to inhibit tumor growth.
US07723472B2 Extracellular matrix binding chimeric proteins and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides chimeric polypeptides comprising a first polypeptide that binds to a component of extracellular matrix and a second polypeptide that provides for a therapeutic effect. The present invention further provides compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a subject chimeric polypeptide. A subject chimeric polypeptide is useful in a variety of treatment, diagnostic, and research applications, which are also provided.
US07723471B2 Pancreatic polypeptide family motifs, polypeptides and methods comprising the same
The present invention provides novel Pancreatic Polypeptide Family (“PPF”) polypeptides and methods for their use.
US07723469B2 Stabilized alpha helical peptides and uses thereof
Novel polypeptides and methods of making and using the same are described herein. The polypeptides include cross-linking (“hydrocarbon stapling”) moieties to provide a tether between two amino acid moieties, which constrains the secondary structure of the polypeptide. The polypeptides described herein can be used to treat diseases characterized by excessive or inadequate cellular death.
US07723467B2 Antimicrobial compounds
The invention features an antimicrobial composition comprising a substance P peptide and methods of inhibiting growth of a microorganism by contacting the microorganism with a substance P peptide. Bacterial and fungal pathogens are inhibited by the substance P compositions.
US07723464B2 Aromatic/aliphatic diamine derivatives for advanced compositions and polymers
Novel compositions of matter comprise certain derivatives of 9,9-dialkyl fluorene diamine (AFDA). The resultant compositions, whether compositions of matter or monomers that are subsequently incorporated into a polymer, are unique and useful in a variety of applications. Useful applications of AFDA-based material include heavy ion radiation shielding components and components of optical and electronic devices.
US07723463B2 Polyphosphazine-based polymer materials
Methods of removing contaminant matter from porous materials include applying a polymer material to a contaminated surface, irradiating the contaminated surface to cause redistribution of contaminant matter, and removing at least a portion of the polymer material from the surface. Systems for decontaminating a contaminated structure comprising porous material include a radiation device configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a surface of a structure, and at least one spray device configured to apply a capture material onto the surface of the structure. Polymer materials that can be used in such methods and systems include polyphosphazine-based polymer materials having polyphosphazine backbone segments and side chain groups that include selected functional groups. The selected functional groups may include iminos, oximes, carboxylates, sulfonates, β-diketones, phosphine sulfides, phosphates, phosphites, phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphine oxides, monothio phosphinic acids, and dithio phosphinic acids.
US07723462B2 Mercaptofunctional high mubeta EO chromophores and high Tg, low optical loss, covalently bonded, high mubeta EO chromophore containing polymers and methods of synthesizing EO materials
The present invention relates generally to mercaptofunctional high μβ EO chromophores and EO polymers, and particularly to mercaptofunctional high μβ EO chromophores and EO polymers useful for making electro-optical devices and systems. Mercaptofunctional high μβ EO chromophores are covalently bonded to poly(imido sulfide) polymers producing high Tg, low optical loss, covalently bonded, high μβ EO chromophore containing polymers. Methods of synthesizing these EO materials using mild polymerization conditions are also described.
US07723461B1 Polymeric materials from renewable resources
Disclosed are polymers that include components produced from renewable resources and methods for forming the disclosed polymers. The polymers include the reactive intermediates that in turn include components derived from, for example, lactide or sorbitol. The reactive intermediates can be polymerized with each other as well as with more traditional resins to form polymeric networks. In one embodiment, the disclosed intermediates can be utilized in forming vinyl ester resins. In particular, the vinyl ester-styrene resins and thermoset networks formed therefrom including the disclosed intermediates can include lower styrene content than previously known vinyl ester-styrene resins, and can exhibit physical characteristics such as glass transition temperature and flexural strength properties equal to previously known vinyl ester-styrene resins that include a higher styrene content.
US07723455B2 Conjugated polymers containing dihydrophenanthrene units and use thereof
The invention relates to conjugated polymers containing novel structural units according to formula (1). The inventive materials are characterized by increased efficiency and a longer service life when used in polymer organic light emitting diodes.
US07723454B2 Coating of organic fibers with siloxane-carborane polymers
A fiber of linear polymer coated with a siloxane-carborane polymer or a thermoset or ceramic made therefrom. An organic fiber coated with a siloxane-carborane polymer or a thermoset or ceramic made therefrom and a surfactant. An organic fiber coated with a siloxane-carborane polymer made from a hydrosilation reaction of a siloxane-carborane compound containing at least two unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds and a silane compound or a thermoset or ceramic made therefrom. A method of coating a fiber by contacting a fiber to an aqueous solution of a siloxane-carborane polymer and a surfactant or to a solution of a siloxane-carborane polymer in a non-halogenated organic solvent. A method of contacting a fiber to a solution of a siloxane-carborane polymer, drying the coating to a temperature that does not change the polymer to a thermoset or ceramic, and using the dried, coated fiber in a process that requires that the fiber be flexible.
US07723449B2 Catalysts for synthesizing a polypropylene with a wide molecular weight distribution and use of the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst for synthesizing a polypropylene with a wide molecular weight distribution and use of the same. The catalyst comprises magnesium halide, titanium-containing compound, and an organic phosphate type electron donor compound. By the catalyst according to the present invention, a propylene polymer with a wide molecular weight distribution, easily controllable isotacticity and good processing properties can be synthesized.
US07723444B2 Epoxy resin composition, process for providing latency to the composition and a semiconductor device
An epoxy resin composition which comprises an epoxy resin (A), a curing agent (B), a curing accelerator (C) and a component retarding curing of the epoxy resin (D) which is at least one component selected from components (a), (b) and (c) represented by general formulae [1], [2] and [3], respectively, a semiconductor device having a semiconductor element encapsulated by using the composition, and a process for providing latency to an epoxy resin composition. The epoxy resin exhibits excellent storage stability, excellent fluidity and curing property during encapsulating by molding and excellent resistance to soldering without forming cleavages or cracks by the soldering treatment at high temperatures in accordance with the lead-free soldering. An epoxy resin composition can be provided with latency by adjusting the amounts of the curing accelerator and the component for retarding curing. (a) An anion component represented by general formula [1]: (b) A compound represented by general formula [2]: (c) A silane compound represented by general formula [3]:
US07723440B2 Functionalized polymers and improved vulcanizates therefrom
A functionalized polymer defined by the formula π-R1-α, where π is a polymer chain, R1 is a bond or a divalent organic group, and α is a sulfur-containing heterocycle.
US07723413B2 Method and composition for control of crystallization rate of polyolefin resin, resin composition and resin molding
Disclosed are a composition for controlling the crystallization rate of a polyolefin-based resin, the composition comprising (A) an amide-based compound which is a substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexylamide of 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid or 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid and (B) a fatty acid metal salt, wherein the component (A):component (B) weight ratio is from 100:0 to 30:70; a method for controlling the crystallization rate of a polyolefin-based resin, comprising incorporating the composition into the polyolefin-based resin to obtain a polyolefin-based resin composition and molding the resin composition; molded products obtained by the method; and the like.
US07723406B2 Polymer-chain-grafted carbon nanocapsule
A polymer-chain-grafted carbon nanocapsule. The polymer-chain-grafted carbon nanocapsule includes a carbon nanocapsule and at least one kind of polymer chain grafted thereon, forming a polymer-chain-grafted carbon nanocapsule in which the carbon nanocapsule is the core thereof. The polymer-chain-grafted carbon nanocapsules have the following formula: F(-P)m, in which F is the carbon nanocapsule, P is the polymer chain, and m is the number of the polymer chain. By grafting high-purity carbon nanocapsules with polymer chains, the application thereof is expanded.
US07723404B2 Abrasion resistant coating compositions and coated articles
Coating compositions are disclosed that include an alkoxide and a silica sol that includes silica nanoparticles and a polymerizable (meth)acrylate binding agent. The polymerizable (meth)acrylate binding agent remains substantially uncrosslinked after the coating composition has been cured to form a hard coat. Also disclosed are articles at least partially coated with a hard coat deposited from such a coating composition, methods for depositing a hard coat on at least a portion of a plastic substrate, and methods for improving the adhesion and abrasion resistance of a coating composition.
US07723401B2 Process for preparing erosion resistant foundry shapes with an epoxy-acrylate cold-box binder
This invention relates to a process for making foundry shapes (e.g. cores and molds) using epoxy-acrylate cold-box binders containing an oxidizing agent and elevated levels of an organofunctional silane, which are cured in the presence of sulfur dioxide, and to a process for casting metals using the foundry shapes. The metal parts have fewer casting defects because the foundry shapes made with the binder are more resistant to erosion.
US07723394B2 Nanocrystal/sol-gel nanocomposites
The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a solid composite having colloidal nanocrystals dispersed within a sol-gel matrix, the process including admixing colloidal nanocrystals with an amphiphilic polymer including hydrophilic groups selected from the group consisting of —COOH, —OH, —SO3H, —NH2, and —PO3H2 within a solvent to form an alcohol-soluble colloidal nanocrystal-polymer complex, admixing the alcohol-soluble colloidal nanocrystal-polymer complex and a sol-gel precursor material, and, forming the solid composite from the admixture. The present invention is also directed to the resultant solid composites and to the alcohol-soluble colloidal nanocrystal-polymer complexes.
US07723392B2 Use of RR/SR-ractopamine
A method of promoting or improving the feed efficiency and the muscle-to-fat ratio in animals by administering to the animals a therapeutically effective amount of a mixture of RR-ractopamine and SR-ractopamine is disclosed. Manufacturing methods for making RR/SR-ractopamine are presented.
US07723385B2 Aniline derivatives as selective androgen receptor modulators
This invention relates to non-steroidal compounds that are modulators of androgen, glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and progesterone receptors, and also to the methods for the making and use of such compounds.
US07723382B2 Process for preparing nitrooxyalkyl substituted esters of carboxylic acids, intermediates useful in said process and preparation thereof
The present invention refers to a process for preparing a compound of general formula (A), as reported in the description, wherein R is a radical of a drug and R1-R12 are hydrogen or alkyl groups, m, n, o, q, r and s are each independently an integer from 0 to 6, and p is 0 or 1, and X is O, S, SO, SO2, NR13 or PR13 or an aryl, heteroaryl group, said process comprising reacting a compound of formula (B) R—COOZ (B) wherein R is as defined above and Z is hydrogen or a cation selected from: Li+, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, tetralkylammonium, tetralkylphosphonium, with a compound of formula (C), as reported in the description, wherein R1-R12 and m, n, o, p, q, r, s are as defined above and Y is a suitable leaving group.
US07723381B2 Compounds for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
Compounds of formula 1 and hetero derivatives thereof and the pharmacologically acceptable salts, enantiomers, racemates, hydrates, or solvates thereof, which are suitable for the treatment of respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints or diseases, inflammatory diseases of the joints, skin, or eyes, diseases of the peripheral or central nervous system or cancers, as well as pharmaceutical compositions which contain these compounds.
US07723374B2 PPAR active compounds
Compounds are described that are active on PPARs, including pan-active compounds. Also described are methods for developing or identifying compounds having a desired selectivity profile.
US07723372B2 Spiroindolinone derivatives
There are provided compounds of the general formulas wherein W, X, Y, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as described herein. The compounds exhibit anticancer activity.
US07723363B2 2-pyridinylethylcarboxamide derivatives and their use as fungicides
A compound of general formula (I). A process for preparing this compound. A fungicidal composition comprising a compound of general formula (I). A method for treating plants by applying a compound of general formula (I) or a composition comprising it.
US07723362B2 Pesticidal heterocyclic dihaloallyl compounds
The invention relates to compounds of formula wherein Het, A1, A2, A3, A4, D, W, T, Q, Y, X1, X2, R1, R2, R3, R4, k and m are as defined hereinabove, and, where applicable, to possible E/Z isomers, mixtures of E/Z isomers and/or tautomers thereof, in each case in free form or in salt form, to a process for the preparation of and to the use of those compounds, E/Z isomers, mixtures of E/Z isomers and/or tautomers, to pesticidal compositions in which the active ingredient has been selected from those compounds, E/Z isomers, mixtures of E/Z isomers and/or tautomers, in each case in free form or in agrochemically usable salt form, to a process for the preparation of and to the use of those compositions, to plant propagation material treated with those compositions, to a method of controlling pests, to intermediates and, where applicable, to possible E/Z isomers, mixtures of E/Z isomers and/or tautomers thereof, in each case in free form or in salt form, for the preparation of those compounds, E/Z isomers, mixtures of E/Z isomers and/or tautomers, and to a process for the preparation of and to the use of those intermediates and, where applicable, possible E/Z isomers, mixtures of E/Z isomers and/or tautomers thereof.
US07723350B2 Spiroindolines as modulators of chemokine receptors
The present invention relates to a compound of the following formula: where R1-R6, R10, Y, n, m, p, and q are as defined herein. Compounds and compositions of the present invention are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with the overexpression of CCR2.
US07723349B2 Aza spiro alkane derivatives as inhibitors of metalloproteases
The present invention provides a compound of Formula I or Formula II: enantiomer, diastereomer, prodrug, solvate, metabolite, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein constituent variables are provided herein. The compounds of Formula I and II are modulators of metalloproteases and are useful in treating diseases associated with metalloprotease activity such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, skin disorders, inflammation and allergic conditions.
US07723348B2 Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors
Selective PDE4 inhibition is achieved by aryl and heteroaryl pyrazole compounds. The compounds exhibit improved PDE4 inhibition as compared to compounds such as rolipram and show selectivity with regard to inhibition of other classes of PDEs.
US07723346B2 Non-sedating barbiturate compounds as neuroprotective agents
Methods of providing neuroprotection are disclosed comprising administering a non-sedative barbiturate compound in an amount sufficient to achieve neuroprotection in a mammalian subject. Preferred compounds are in the family of diphenylbarbituric acid and analogs. Preferred doses for a neuroprotective effect exceed the dosage of a corresponding sedative barbiturate without sedative side-effects such as anesthesia and death.
US07723343B2 Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists
The present invention provides compounds of the formula wherein R1 and R2 have meaning as defined herein in the specification. The compounds of formula (I) are adenosine A2A receptor antagonists and, thus, may be employed for the treatment of conditions and diseases mediated by the adenosine A2A receptor activity. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, diseases of the central nervous system such as depression, cognitive function diseases and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, senile dementia as in Alzheimer's disease or psychoses and stroke. The compounds of the present invention may also be employed for the treatment of attention related disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), extra pyramidal syndrome, e.g., dystonia, akathisia, pseudoparkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia, and disorders of abnormal movement such as restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS); cirrhosis, and fibrosis and fatty liver; dermal fibrosis in diseases such as scleroderma; and the mitigation of addictive behavior. In particular, the compounds of the present invention may be employed to improve motor-impairment due to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
US07723339B2 Combination comprising a signal transduction inhibitor and an epothilone derivative
The present invention relates to a combination comprising N-{5-[4-(4-methyl-piperazino-methyl) -benzoylamido]-2-methylphenyl}-4-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrimidine-amine and an epothiione derivative; pharmaceutical composition comprising said combination; method of treatment comprising said combination; and commercial packages comprising said combination.
US07723338B2 Crystalline forms of 1-benzoyl-4-[2-[4,7-dimethoxy-1-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-C]pyridin-3-yl]-1,2-dioxoethyl]-piperazine
The instant disclosure provides crystalline forms of 1-benzoyl-4-[2-[4,7-dimethoxy-1-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]-1,2-dioxoethyl]-piperazine, salts and solvates thereof. The present disclosure also generally relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline form(s), as well of methods of using the crystalline form(s) in the treatment of HIV and/or AIDS, and methods for obtaining such crystalline form(s).
US07723334B2 Highly selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and methods of using the same
Methods and compositions for treating humans suffering from, or preventing a human from suffering, a physiological or psychiatric disease, disorder, or a condition where inhibiting reuptake of norepinephrine is a benefit are disclosed. The compositions comprise a compound having a pharmacological selectivity of serotonin (Ki)/norepinephrine (Ki) of at least about 5000. Examples of such compounds include reboxetine, and more preferably optically pure (S,S) enantiomer of reboxetine. The methods generally include administration of a therapeutic amount of such compositions. Also disclosed are preparations of a medicament from the composition, and uses of the composition in a manufacture of the medicament to treat a human suffering from, or preventing a human from suffering, a physiological or psychiatric disease, disorder, or condition.
US07723330B2 Heterobicyclic pyrazole compounds and methods of use
Compounds of Formulas Ia and Ib, and stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting receptor tyrosine kinases and for treating disorders mediated thereby. Methods of using compounds of Formula Ia and Ib, and stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions are disclosed.
US07723325B2 5-amido-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein G and R1 to R5 and R12 are as defined in the description and claims, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases which are associated with the modulation of H3 receptors.
US07723321B2 Chromane substituted benzimidazole derivatives
This invention relates to compounds of the formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A, B, X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each as described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and compositions containing such compounds and the use of such compounds in the treatment of a condition mediated by acid pump antagonistic activity such as, but not limited to, as gastrointestinal disease, gastroesophageal disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, NSAID-induced ulcers, gastritis, infection of Helicobacter pylori, dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), visceral pain, heartburn, nausea, esophagitis, dysphagia, hypersalivation, airway disorders or asthma.
US07723316B2 Composition and methods of RNAi therapeutics for treatment of cancer and other neovascularization diseases
Compositions and methods are provided for treatment of diseases involving unwanted neovascularization (NV). The invention provides treatments that control NV through selective inhibition of pro-angiogenic biochemical pathways, including inhibition of the VEGF pathway gene expression and inhibition localized at pathological NV tissues. Tissue targeted nanoparticle compositions comprising polymer conjugates and nucleic acid molecules that induce RNA interference (RNAi) are provided. The nanoparticle compositions of the invention can be used alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents such as VEGF pathway antagonists. The compositions and methods can be used for the treatment of NV diseases such as cancer, ocular disease, arthritis, and inflammatory diseases.
US07723307B2 Amino acid derivatives and pharmaceutical uses thereof
Novel Amino Acid Derivatives and Pharmaceutical Uses Thereof Provided are novel compounds of Formula I: wherein ‘X’ represents an amino acid group, ‘n’ is an integer between 1 and 4, ‘R1’ represents benzyl, t-butyl or 9-fluorenylmethyl and ‘R2’ represents a tetramethylmercaptoimidazole derivative or —S+R3R4, wherein R3 and R4 each independently represent lower alkyl, or a pharmaceutically and/or veterinarily acceptable derivative thereof. Further provided are pharmaceutical formulations of the compounds and the use thereof in the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting diseases in which transglutaminase has been implicated. Advantageously, the medicament is for treating fibrosis, scarring and/or cancer. Additionally provided are methods, of inhibiting autoimmune diseases such as coeliac disease, neurodegeneration and chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g. of the joints including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in a subject) and a method for preventing or treating rejection of a transplanted organ.
US07723306B2 Spray-dried powder comprising at least one 1,4 O-linked saccharose-derivative and methods for their preparation
The present invention relates to a spray-dried powder and method for its manufacture. A spray dried powder containing a pharmaceutical active substance and one or more 1,4 O-linked saccharose derivatives chosen from the compounds: 1,4 O-linked D-gal-saccharose (lactosucrose), 1,4 O-linked D-glu-saccharose (glucosyl sucrose) or 1,4 O-linked glu-glu-saccharose (maltosyl sucrose). Preferred combinations are such that they contain glucosyl and maltosyl sucrose.
US07723300B2 Regulators of the non-genomic action of progesterone and methods of use
A progesterone regulator capable of modulating the non-genomic action of progesterone and methods of using the progesterone regulator are described. The progesterone regulator is useful for attenuating progesterone's inhibition of apoptosis and for the treatment of patients having a progesterone-responsive tissue disease such as endometriosis or cancer, particularly ovarian cancer.
US07723299B2 Methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis using a CTLA-4 fusion protein
The present invention relates to methods for delivery of fusion polypeptides into cells. Methods are provided for local delivery of fusion polypeptides, e.g., through the skin, eye and the airway, to prevent allergic inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness and to block T cell activation. Methods for delivery of fusion polypeptides to suppress graft rejection are also provided.
US07723297B2 Human FGF-21 gene and gene expression products
This invention relates to human fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-21), and to variants thereof and to polynucleotides encoding FGF-21. The invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic agents related to the polynucleotides and proteins, including probes and antibodies, and to methods of treating liver disease such as cirrhosis and cancer, methods of treating conditions related to thymic function, and methods of treating conditions of the testis. The invention also relates to mouse fibroblast growth factor (mFGF-21), and to variants thereof and polynucleotides encoding mFGF-21.
US07723293B2 Methods for increasing capillary density and maintaining viability of microvascular cardiac endothelial cells using trk receptor ligands
The present invention relates to methods of inducing or inhibiting the angiogenic process and promoting vessel growth or stabilization in an organ by modulating the trk receptor pathway. The present invention also relates to a method for treating a pathological disorder in a patient which includes administering a trk receptor ligand or an inhibitor or expression or activity of a trk receptor ligand. The present invention also relates to a method of screening for a modulator of angiogenesis, vessel growth, or vessel stabilization. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of diagnosing or monitoring a pathological disorder in a patient which includes determining the presence or amount of a trk receptor ligand or activation of a trk receptor ligand in a biological sample.
US07723289B2 PIF tetrapeptides
Peptides and peptidomimetics capable of enhance endometrial receptivity, blocking activated but not basal immunity, inhibiting cell proliferation and creating a TH2 type cytokine bias are disclosed. The peptides and mimetics are based upon the C-terminal tetrapeptide of PIF peptides. Also disclosed are methods of using these peptides and peptidomimetics for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
US07723286B2 Compounds for a controlled release of active molecules
The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. More particularly, it concerns compounds comprising at least one β-oxy or β-thio carbonyl moiety capable of liberating a perfuming molecule such as, for example, an α,β-unsaturated ketone, aldehyde or carboxylic ester. The present invention concerns also the use of the compounds in perfumery as well as the perfuming compositions or perfumed articles comprising the invention's compounds.
US07723279B2 Foamable compositions containing alcohol
This invention relates to compositions containing lower (C1-C4) alcohol and a polymeric fluorosurfactant formulated for being dispensed as a foam product. More particularly, the invention relates to improved compositions formulated with polymeric fluorosurfactants with pendant perfluoroalkyl side chains of a fully fluorinated chain length of C1-C7. The compositions also relate to use for personal care, such as skin sanitizing and cleansing.
US07723271B2 Method for sealing pipe in a well
A method for improving bonding and sealing in a well, comprising providing a wellbore, providing a pipe, coating an outside surface of the pipe with an adhesive thermoplastic resin, running the coated pipe into the wellbore, and causing the temperature of said wellbore to increase to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of said adhesive thermoplastic resin.
US07723264B2 Methods to increase recovery of treatment fluid following stimulation of a subterranean formation comprising cationic surfactant coated particles
The invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a particulate and an active material to obtain an at least partially coated particulate, wherein: (i) water forms a contact angle of less than 90 degrees with a surface of the particulate, (ii) the active material is capable of forming a coating on the particulate, (iii) the active material forms a contact angle less than 90 degrees with the particulate, and (iv) water forms a contact angle of greater than 90 degrees with a layer of the active material; (b) mixing the at least partially coated particulate and a carrier fluid to obtain a treatment fluid; and (c) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation through the wellbore to deposit the at least partially coated particulate into the subterranean formation.
US07723258B2 Method and substance for reactive catalytic combustion
A process of a catalytic combustion is disclosed. The process can be started at a cold temperature and then raised to a desired high temperature in a very short time by employing a noble metal catalyst dispersed on a supporting material. Moreover, a method for dispersing a noble metal catalyst used in the catalytic combustion is also disclosed for increasing a specific surface area of the catalyst so as to facilitate the catalytic combustion. Furthermore, a substance including a promoter dispersing a metal catalyst therewith, and a supporting material supporting the promoter with the metal catalyst is also disclosed, so that a contact surface area of the metal catalyst can be increased, thereby the catalytic combustion can be initiated within a very short period.
US07723257B2 Process for the catalytic control of radial reaction
Hydrocarbon transformations through radical reaction are carried out in presence of: a carbon nano/meso precursor, an aluminium containing support, and a lanthanide catalyst deposited on said aluminium containing support.
US07723256B2 Polycarbonates made using highly selective catalysts
Poly(propylene carbonates) are prepared from propylene oxide and CO2 with less than 10% cyclic propylene carbonate by product using cobalt based catalysts of structure preferably in combination with salt cocatalyst, very preferably cocatalyst where the cation is PPN+ and the anion is Cl− or OBzF5−. Novel products include poly(propylene carbonates) having a stereoregularity greater than 90% and/or a regioregularity of greater than 90%.
US07723236B2 Gas setting method, gas setting apparatus, etching apparatus and substrate processing system
Mixing ratio and flow rate of a first gaseous mixture supplied to a central portion of the substrate are set. Subsequently, etching is performed by changing a mixing ratio of a second gaseous mixture supplied to an outer peripheral portion of the substrate while a setting of the first gaseous mixture is fixed, thereby, setting the mixing ratio of the second gaseous mixture based on an etching result to make etching selectivities and shapes at the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the substrate uniform. Then, etching is performed by changing a flow rate of the second gaseous mixture while settings of the first gaseous mixture and the mixing ratio of the second gaseous mixture are fixed, thereby, setting the flow rate of the second gaseous mixture based on etching results to make etching rates at the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the substrate uniform.
US07723234B2 Method for selective CMP of polysilicon
A method of removing polysilicon in preference to silicon dioxide and/or silicon nitride by chemical mechanical polishing. The method removes polysilicon from a surface at a high removal rate while maintaining a high selectivity of polysilicon to silicon dioxide and/or a polysilicon to silicon nitride. The method is particularly suitable for use in the fabrication of MEMS devices.
US07723219B2 Plasma immersion ion implantation process with reduced polysilicon gate loss and reduced particle deposition
In plasma immersion ion implantation of a polysilicon gate, a hydride of the dopant is employed as a process gas to avoid etching the polysilicon gate, and sufficient argon gas is added to reduce added particle count to below 50 and to reduce plasma impedance fluctuations to 5% or less.
US07723218B2 Plasma CVD apparatus
In a plasma CVD apparatus, unnecessary discharge such as arc discharge is prevented, the amount of particles due to peeling of films attached to a reaction chamber is reduced, and the percentage of a time contributing to production in hours of operation of the apparatus is increased while enlargement of the apparatus and easy workability are maintained. The plasma CVD apparatus is configured such that in a conductive reaction chamber 104 with a power source 113, a vacuum exhausting means 118, and a reaction gas introduction pipe 114, plasma 115 is generated in a space surrounded by an electrode 111, a substrate holder 112, and an insulator 120.
US07723217B2 Method for manufacturing gallium nitride single crystalline substrate using self-split
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a gallium nitride single crystalline substrate, including (a) growing a gallium nitride film on a flat base substrate made of a material having a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than gallium nitride and cooling the gallium nitride film to bend convex upwards the base substrate and the gallium nitride film and create cracks in the gallium nitride film; (b) growing a gallium nitride single crystalline layer on the crack-created gallium nitride film located on the convex upward base substrate; and (c) cooling a resultant product having the grown gallium nitride single crystalline layer to make the convex upward resultant product flat or bend convex downwards the convex upward resultant product and at the same time to self-split the base substrate and the gallium nitride single crystalline layer from each other at the crack-created gallium nitride film interposed therebetween.
US07723214B2 Multilayer structure comprising a substrate and a layer of silicon and germanium deposited heteroepitaxially thereon, and a process for producing it
A multilayer structure, comprises a substrate and a layer of silicon and germanium (SiGe layer) deposited heteroepitaxially thereon having the composition Si1-xGex and having a lattice constant which differs from the lattice constant of silicon, and a thin interfacial layer deposited on the SiGe layer and having the composition Si1-yGey, which thin interfacial layer binds threading dislocations, and at least one further layer deposited on the interfacial layer.
US07723206B2 Photodiode
A photodiode in which increased sensitivity and speed are balanced. The photodiode includes: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of active regions formed on the substrate by selective epitaxial growth; and a comb electrode provided for each of the plurality of active regions and in communication with each other to electrically connect the active regions together.
US07723204B2 Semiconductor device with a multi-plate isolation structure
A microelectronic assembly and a method for constructing a microelectronic assembly are provided. The microelectronic assembly may include a semiconductor substrate with an isolation trench (62) formed therein. The isolation trench (62) may have first and second opposing inner walls (74, 76) and a floor (78). First and second conductive plates (106) may be formed over the first and second opposing inner walls (74, 76) of the isolation trench (62) respectively such that there is a gap (90) between the first and second conductive plates (106). First and second semiconductor devices (114) may be formed in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the isolation trench (62). The method may include forming a trench (62) in a semiconductor substrate, forming first and second conductive plates (106) within the trench, and forming first and second semiconductor devices (114) in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the trench (62).
US07723188B2 Non-volatile memory devices and methods of forming the same
A non-volatile memory device includes an upwardly protruding fin disposed on a substrate and a control gate electrode crossing the fin. A floating gate is interposed between the control gate electrode and the fin and includes a first storage gate and a second storage gate. The first storage gate is disposed on a sidewall of the fin, and the second storage gate is disposed on a top surface of the fin and is connected to the first storage gate. A first insulation layer is interposed between the first storage gate and the sidewall of the fin, and a second insulation layer is interposed between the second storage gate and the top surface of the fin. The second insulation layer is thinner than the first insulation layer. A blocking insulation pattern is interposed between the control gate electrode and the floating gate.
US07723165B2 Method of forming component package
There is provided a method of forming a component package. The method includes the steps of providing the die pad or heat sink, forming an isolation layer on the rear surface of the die pad or heat sink and encapsulating the die pad with encapsulating material in a mold cavity after forming the isolation layer on the rear of the die pad or heat sink.
US07723164B2 Dual heat spreader panel assembly method for bumpless die-attach packages, packages containing same, and systems containing same
A process includes mating a first heat spreader and a second heat spreader, such that the first heat spreader at a mating surface and second heat spreader at a mating surface become parallel and adjacent. The process includes placing a first die in a first die recess of the first heat spreader, and placing a second die in a second die recess in the second heat spreader. The process includes reflowing thermal interface material between each die and respective heat spreader. Thereafter, the process includes separating the first heat spreader and the second heat spreader. A package is achieved by the process, with reduced thicknesses. The package can be disposed onto a mounting substrate. The package can be assembled into a computing system.
US07723163B2 Method of forming premolded lead frame
A method of forming a pre-molded lead frame having increased stand-offs includes the steps of attaching a first tape to a first side of the lead frame and a second tape to a second side of the lead frame. The taped lead frame is placed in a mold and a first flow of mold compound is initiated. The first flow of the mold compound fills a space between the first tape and an upper mold chase of the mold. A second flow of the mold compound then is initiated. The second flow of the mold compound fills the spaces between a die pad and leads of the lead frame. The first and second tapes then are removed from the lead frame. Improved stand-offs are provided because the first tape was depressed by the first flow of the mold compound.
US07723160B2 Thermal interface structure with integrated liquid cooling and methods
A method and device for thermal conduction is provided. A thermal interface device and method of formation is described that includes advantages such as improved interfacial strength, and improved interfacial contact. Embodiments of thermal conduction structures are shown that provide composite thermal conduction and circulated liquid cooling. Embodiments are further shown that require simple, low numbers of manufacturing steps and reduced thermal interface thickness.
US07723158B2 Method for producing and cleaning surface-mountable bases with external contacts
In a method for producing bases with external contacts for surface mounting on circuit mounts, bases with external contacts are electrodeposited on semiconductor wafers or semiconductor chips. Subsequently, electrodeposited bases with external contacts are heat treated on the semiconductor wafers or the semiconductor chips at temperatures below the melting temperature of the deposited contact base material. Thereafter, a so-called RTP process is carried out in the form of a high-temperature interval in which the melting temperature is reached. Subsequently, the surfaces of the bases with external contacts are wet etched, the overall method being terminated by a cooling and drying operation. The bases with external contacts thus produced can be reliably surface mounted on circuit mounts.
US07723154B1 Methods of forming zinc oxide based II-VI compound semiconductor layers with shallow acceptor conductivities
A p-type ZnO-based II-VI compound semiconductor layer has silver, potassium and/or gold dopants therein at a net p-type dopant concentration of greater than about 1×1017 cm−3. A method of forming the layer includes using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. This technique includes exposing a substrate to a combination of gases: a first reaction gas containing zinc at a concentration that is repeatedly transitioned between at least two concentration levels during a processing time interval, a second reaction gas containing oxygen and a p-type dopant gas containing at least one p-type dopant species selected from a group consisting of silver, potassium and gold. A concentration of oxygen in the second reaction gas may also be repeatedly transitioned between at least two concentration levels. The concentration of zinc in the first reaction gas and the concentration of oxygen in the second reaction gas may be transitioned in an alternating sequence, so that relatively high zinc concentrations in the first reaction gas overlap with relatively low oxygen concentrations in the second reaction gas and vice versa.
US07723153B2 Printed organic logic circuits using an organic semiconductor as a resistive load device
A method of forming an organic inverter includes providing a first metal layer having a first portion for coupling a source of an OFET to a first power supply voltage, a second portion for coupling a drain of the OFET to an output terminal and a first load resistor terminal, and a third portion for coupling a second load resistor terminal to a second power supply voltage, providing a semiconductor layer for overlapping a portion of the first and second first metal layer portions to form an OFET active area, and for overlapping a portion of the second and third metal layer portions to form a toad resistor, providing a dielectric layer for overlapping the active area of the OFET and the semiconductor area of the load resistor to isolates the first metal layer and semiconductor area from the second metal layer, and providing a second metal layer for overlapping the active area of the OFET to form a gate of the OFET and an input terminal.
US07723151B2 CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same
A CMOS image sensor and fabricating method thereof enhances a light-receiving capability of an image sensor by preventing poor light-refraction characteristics at the peripheral part of a microlens. The CMOS image sensor includes at least one microlens formed by anistropic etching to have a focusing centerline, a central lens portion, and a peripheral lens portion, wherein the focusing centerline passes through the central lens portion and wherein the peripheral lens portion surrounds the central lens portion. The central lens portion has a first convex curvature based on a first radius and the peripheral lens portion has second convex curvature based on a second radius, wherein the second radius is greater than the first radius.
US07723149B2 Color filter of image sensor, image sensor, and method for manufacturing the image sensor
A color filter of an image sensor, an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the image sensor are disclosed, wherein shapes of respective unit color cells closely form various color patterns, such as a red color pattern, a green color pattern and a blue color pattern, within each unit color cell in a stripe type, and various colors such as red, green and blue required for image generation are produced, without interdependence of the respective unit color cells, are normally realized to induce a finished color filter array to smoothly express more colors, so that the resolution of a generated image in an optimal state is achieved.
US07723141B2 Encapsulation in a hermetic cavity of a microelectronic composite, particularly of a MEMS
To produce a structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) in a hermetic cavity (38) of a microelectronic device (50), a prepared cover (30) and substrate (10) are bonded by means of silicon direct bonding (SDB). To optimise the preparation of surfaces by means of wet cleaning without impairing the properties of the MEMS (22), i.e. without causing adhesions, the MEMS structure (22) is not released during bonding, but attached to the base (12) by means of a sacrificial intermediate layer (16). Said layer is removed once bonding has been carried out by injecting HF vapour via a vent (40) opening into the cavity (38).
US07723134B2 Method of manufacturing display device
A method of manufacturing a display device reduces damage to pad electrodes. The method includes: forming a thin film transistor in a pixel area on a first substrate and simultaneously forming a pad electrode in a pad area on the first substrate; forming a first pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor and simultaneously forming a pad protection layer covering the pad electrode; and exposing the pad electrode by removing the pad protection layer.
US07723115B2 Measurement of distributed total acid numbers by electrospray mass spectrometry
The present invention is a method to determine the TAN and TAN as a function of boiling point for a hydrocarbon feedstream using an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS). The steps of the method include determining the signal as a function of mass from the ESI-MS while minimizing the formation of oligomers and fragmentation of the molecular species in the feedstream and then determining the TAN from the signals. The TAN is also determined as a function of boiling point.
US07723109B2 Expression of spider silk proteins
The present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology and plant biology. Specifically, the invention is directed to the methods for expressing spider silk proteins in plants and the synthesis and purification of spider silk proteins therefrom.
US07723106B2 Stroma-free, serum-free, and chemically defined medium and method for ex vivo mononuclear cell expansion using the same
A stroma-free, serum-free, and chemically defined medium and a method for mononuclear cell expansion ex vivo using the same. An exemplary medium includes a basal medium, a serum substitute, and a cytokine formula.
US07723104B2 Cancer specific promoters
The present invention regards cancer-specific control sequences that direct expression of a polynucleotide encoding a therapeutic gene product for treatment of the cancer. Specifically, the invention encompasses breast cancer-, prostate cancer-, and pancreatic cancer-specific control sequences. Two breast cancer-specific sequences utilize specific regions of topoisomerase IIα and transferrin receptor promoters, particularly in combination with an enhancer. The prostate cancer-specific and pancreatic cancer-specific control sequences utilize composites of tissue-specific control sequences, a two-step transcription amplification sequence, and a post-transcriptional control sequence. In more particular embodiments, these polynucleotides are administered in combination with liposomes.
US07723094B2 Recombinant influenza vectors with a polII promoter and ribozymes for vaccines and gene therapy
The invention provides a composition useful to prepare influenza viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus, using vectors which include PolII promoters and multiple ribozyme sequences.
US07723093B2 Uracil-DNA glycosylase of Psychrobacter sp. HJ147 and use thereof
The present invention provides uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) gene originating from Psychrobacter sp. HJ147, and amino acid sequences deduced from the gene; expression and purification of Psp HJ147 UDG gene in Escherichia coli; and characterization of UDG obtained therefrom, and the use thereof in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The UDG according to the present invention has a specific activity of excising uracil bases in a uracil-containing DNA substrates at a low temperature, and is easily heat-inactivated. It thus can effectively eliminate cross contamination and carry-over contamination of PCR templates often occurring after a PCR process using dUTP. Therefore, it is useful for increasing preciseness (elimination of false positives), purity and amplification efficiency of PCR.
US07723092B2 Chondroitin polymerase and DNA encoding the same
A chondroitin polymerase having such properties that it transfers GlcUA and GalNAc alternately to a non-reduced terminal of a sugar chain from a GlcUA donor and a GalNAc donor, respectively, and the like; and a process for producing the chondroitin polymerase.
US07723090B2 Method of heat-stabilizing α-glucan phosphorylase (GP)
An α-glucan phosphorylase having improved thermostability, which obtained by modifying natural α-glucan phosphorylase, and a method for producing this α-glucan phosphorylase having improved thermostability are provided. The natural α-glucan phosphorylase is derived from a plant, this α-glucan phosphorylase having improved thermostability has an amino acid residue which is different from that of the natural α-glucan phosphorylase in at least one position selected from the group consisting of a position corresponding to position 4 in a motif sequence 1L or 1H, a position corresponding to position 4 in a motif sequence 2, and a position corresponding to position 7 in a motif sequence 3L or 3H, and wherein the enzyme activity of α-glucan phosphorylase having improved thermostability at 37° C., after heating in a 20 mM citrate buffer (pH 6.7) at 60° C. for 10 minutes, is 20% or more of the enzyme activity of the α-glucan phosphorylase having improved thermostability at 37° C., before heating.
US07723082B2 Polynucleotides and polypeptides coded by said polynucleotides involved in the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives
The invention concerns novel isolated natural or synthetic polynucleotides and polypeptides coded by said polynucleotides, involved in the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, vectors comprising said polynucleotides, micro-organisms transformed with said polynucleotides, uses of said polynucleotides and said polypeptides, as well as methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, including cyclodipeptides and diketopiperazine derivatives 3- and 6-substituted by α,β-unsaturated amino acid side chains.
US07723071B2 DNA molecules encoding opioid receptors and methods of use thereof
Recombinant forms of isolated and purified delta opioid receptors and methods to screen for compounds interactive with delta opioid receptors are described.
US07723067B2 Process for producing transglutaminase
The present invention relates to a process for secretory production of a foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase by a coryneform bacterium. According to the present invention, a process is provided for the secretory production of a foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase, by making a coryneform bacterium to produce an industrially useful foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase and efficiently release the product extracellularly (i.e., secretory production). An intended foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase, is produced by using an expression construct wherein the gene sequence of the intended foreign protein containing the pro-structure part, in particular, pro-transglutaminase gene sequence, is ligated to the downstream of a sequence encoding the signal peptide region from a coryneform bacterium, introducing this expressional genetic construct into a coryneform bacterium, culturing the thus transformed coryneform bacterium, and treating the extracellularly released protein with a protease, etc. to cleave and eliminate the pro-part.
US07723064B2 Methods for monitoring patients for efficacy of an antiplatelet therapy regimen
Methods are disclosed for monitoring patients utilizing Mean Platelet Component values during therapeutic intervention.
US07723063B2 Methods for measuring levels of bioactive human hepcidin
The present invention concerns a method for the oxidative refolding of a hepcidin polypeptide to a form that is mature, bioactive and folded as in the native configuration and molecular mass; a method for measuring the level of native, bioactive hepcidin in a vertebrate animal; a method for measuring the level of hepcidin gene expression in a vertebrate animal; and a method for regulating the production of native, bioactive hepcidin in a vertebrate animal in vivo. The present invention also concerns an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a continuous, discontinuous, and/or conformational epitope of a mature and bioactive hepcidin folded as in the native configuration; and a pharmaceutical composition that includes the antibody or a hepcidin polypeptide and that provides antimicrobial, agonistic, or antagonistic activities in vivo in a vertebrate animal.
US07723062B1 Compositions and methods for detection of Wolbachia
The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of Wolbachia antibodies, antibody fragments, and polypeptides.
US07723058B2 Test system for the determination of in-vivo active hemostasis proteases in biological fluids and/or the usage thereof to determine the in-vivo activation of hemostasis
The present invention describes a test system for the determination of in-vivo active hemostasis proteases in biological fluids and the use thereof to determine the in-vivo activation of hemostasis or to diagnose pancreatitis. EDTA and/or EGTA is added to the biological sample to prevent artificial activation of the hemostasis proteases. Arginine and/or guanidine can also be added to the biological sample.
US07723057B1 Screening assay for macromolecules that inhibit binding of sulfated glycosaminoglycan to beta amyloid
A screening assay for selecting macromolecules that interfere with the binding of a sulfated GAG to beta amyloid, the assay comprising affixing a sulfated GAG to a substrate, co-incubating the macromolecule and a known amount of beta amyloid with the sulfated GAG, determining the amount of beta amyloid bound to the sulfated GAG affixed to the substrate; wherein the macromolecule will be one which interferes with the binding of the sulfated GAG to beta amyloid.
US07723056B1 Particles
Lipid vesicle particles capable of being targeted to a cell type of interest, said particle incorporating a peptide which is responsive to a predetermined metabolic signal from the targeted cell so as to modulate the permeability of the particle, said particle further incorporating a species to be targeted to the cell which is activated on said modulation of permeability. The particles may be used in methods for detecting cells, methods of treating cells and also therapeutically.
US07723053B2 High-throughput screen for identifying selective persistent sodium channels channel blockers
A method for identifying a selective persistent Na+ channel blocker by measuring the ability of the blocker to reduce or inhibit a persistent Na+ current to a greater degree than a transient Na+ current. Aspects of the present method provide Na+ depletion/repletion methods for identifying a selective blocker of a persistent Na+ channel, hyperpolarization methods for identifying a blocker of a persistent Na+ channel, and Na/K ATPase pump inhibitor methods for identifying a selective blocker of a persistent Na+ channel.
US07723048B2 Methods of predicting therapeutic response in atopic dermatitis to IL-31 antagonists
The present invention relates to predicting therapeutic response of treating patients suffering from itching and puritis mediated by cutaneous lymphocyte antigen positive T cells in atopic dermatitis. The invention also includes methods of predicting a therapeutically responsive patient population.
US07723046B2 Method of screening for a compound using guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein-coupled receptor protein, BG37
The present inventors conducted a similarity search of the amino acid sequence of known G protein-coupled receptor proteins in GenBank, and obtained a novel human GPCR gene “BG37”. cDNA containing the ORF of the gene was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Moreover, novel GPCR “BG37” genes from mouse and rat were isolated. Use of the novel GPCR of the present invention enables screening of ligands, compounds inhibiting the binding to a ligand, and candidate compounds of pharmaceuticals which can regulate signal transduction from the “BG37” receptor.
US07723044B2 Methods and apparatus for detection of viral infection
This invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for high-throughput, reproducible and inexpensive detection of virus infection using multiplexing technologies such as slide-based, microtiter plate-based and membrane-based microarrays and beads technologies. The apparatus and methods allow simultaneous detection of multiple viral infections in a plurality of test samples.
US07723043B2 Methods for screening for prostate cancer
Methods for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer are disclosed. In practicing the method, a subject's body-fluid sample is assayed for GPC3 protein, and the GPC3 level observed is used in determining whether the subject has an elevated GPC3 level associated with prostate cancer. Patients with such elevated levels may be treated, in accordance with the invention, with a variety of GPC3-related immunotherapy agents.
US07723036B2 Assessing response to anti-CD20 therapy by genotyping C1q components
The present invention encompasses methods for predicting metastasis in cancer by assessing the structure of the complement protein C1qA. The methods may encompass examining either protein or nucleic acids, and may further include making treatment decisions based on the predictive methods.
US07723027B2 Methods for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy
A method for the diagnosis of SMEI in a patient comprising: (1) detecting an alteration in the SCN1A gene, including in a regulatory region of the gene, in a patient sample; (2) ascertaining whether the alteration is known to be SMEI associated or non-SMEI associated; and (3) (a) establishing a diagnosis of a high probability of SMEI where the alteration is known to be SMEI associated; or (b) establishing a diagnosis of a low probability of SMEI where the alteration is non-SMEI associated; or (e) or, if not known to be either, (i) considering genetic data for parents and/or relatives; (ii) establishing whether the alteration has arisen de novo or is inherited; and (iii) establishing a diagnosis of a low probability of SMEI where the alteration is inherited but a diagnosis of a high probability of SMEI if the alteration is de novo.
US07723015B2 Method for manufacturing an array of interferometeric modulators
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for manufacturing an array of interferometric modulators. Each interferometric modulator comprises first and second optical layers which when the interferometric modulator is in an undriven state are spaced by a gap of one size, and when the interferometric modulator is in a driven state are spaced by a gap of another size, the size of the gap determining an optical response of the interferometric modulator. The method comprises fabricating interferometric modulators of a first type characterized by the size of the gap between its first and second optical layers when in the undriven state; fabricating interferometric modulators of a second type characterized by the size of the gap between its first and second optical layers when in the undriven state; and fabricating modulators of a third type characterized by the size of the gap between its first and second optical layers when in the undriven state, wherein fabricating the interferometric modulators of the first, second, and third types comprises using a sequence of deposition and patterning steps of not more than 9 masking steps to deposit and pattern layers of material on a substrate.
US07723013B2 Negative-acting photolithographic printing plate with improved pre-burn performance
A negative-acting photolithographic printing plate precursor has a unique negative-acting photosensitive composition on a surface. The photosensitive composition contains an acetal polymer, an infrared absorbing dye or pigment, a crosslinking agent for the acetal resin and a photosensitive chemical acid progenitor, and the acetal polymer has within its backbone a structure comprising a particular polymeric moiety derived from a polyvinyl alcohol backbone.
US07723010B2 Reactive near infrared absorbing polymeric particles, methods of preparation and uses thereof
There is provided polymeric particles having a particle size between about 60 nm and about 1000 nm and comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a hydrophobic backbone, a near infrared absorbing segment having attached thereto a near infrared absorbing chromophore having an absorption peak between about 700 nm and about 1100 nm; and a near infrared transparent segment. Method of manufacture these particles are also provided. A coating composition comprising the above-polymeric particles and a reactive iodonium oligomer is also provided. Finally, a negative-working lithographic offset printing plate comprising a substrate; a hydrophilic under layer; and a laser imageable upper layer, wherein the laser imageable upper layer comprises the above polymeric particle is also provided.
US07723009B2 Topography based patterning
A mask having features formed by self-organizing material, such as diblock copolymers, is formed on a partially fabricated integrated circuit. Initially, a copolymer template, or seed layer, is formed on the surface of the partially fabricated integrated circuit. To form the seed layer, diblock copolymers, composed of two immiscible blocks, are deposited in the space between copolymer alignment guides. The copolymers are made to self-organize, with the guides guiding the self-organization and with each block aggregating with other blocks of the same type, thereby forming the seed layer. Next, additional, supplemental diblock copolymers are deposited over the seed layer. The copolymers in the seed layer guide self-organization of the supplemental copolymers, thereby vertically extending the pattern formed by the copolymers in the seed layer. Block species are subsequently selectively removed to form a pattern of voids defined by the remaining block species, which form a mask that can be used to pattern an underlying substrate. The supplemental copolymers augment the height of the copolymers in the seed layer, thereby facilitating the use of the copolymers for patterning the underlying substrate.
US07723004B2 Ultra low melt toners comprised of crystalline resins
A toner having an amorphous resin, a crystalline resin, and a colorant, wherein the crystalline resin has a melting temperature of at least 70° C. and a recrystallization point of at least 47° C. exhibits improved document offset properties and improved heat cohesion. Annealing the toner further improves the heat cohesion and morphology of the toner.
US07723002B2 Toner for electrostatic image development
A toner for electrostatic image development, comprising a resin binder comprising a crystalline polyester; a releasing agent comprising a wax having a melting point of from 60 to 85° C. and a penetration at 25° C. of from 4 to 10; and a colorant. The toner for electrostatic image development can be used, for instance, for the development of a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.
US07723001B2 Electrophotographic toner
An electrophotographic toner includes toner parent particles containing a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent; and an external additive added to the surface of the toner parent particles. The toner further includes positively chargeable silica and polymer beads in addition to large particle diameter silica, small particle diameter silica and titanium oxides. Thus, the toner can maintain its charge quantity and distribution stably even during environmental changes and after long image printing times, thereby preventing the contamination of the non-image part and the filming.
US07722998B2 Reflective mask blank
A reflective mask and a reflective mask blank that can form a fine mask pattern with high accuracy in shape, achieve a sufficient contrast in a pattern inspection, and enable a pattern transfer with high accuracy. On a substrate (11), a multilayer reflective film (12) for reflecting an exposure light, a buffer layer (13), and an absorber layer for absorbing the exposure light are successively deposited in this order. This absorber layer has a layered structure composed of an uppermost layer (15) and a lower layer (14) other than it. The uppermost layer (15) exhibits a reflectance of 20% or less with respect to a light having an inspection wavelength for use in an inspection of a pattern formed in the absorber layer and further is formed of an inorganic material having a resistance against an etching condition in forming a pattern in the lower layer.
US07722996B2 Polymer electrolyte fuel cell system and operation method thereof
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell system is disclosed, comprising a fuel cell having a predetermined power generation portion configured to operate at a predetermined temperature to generate an electric power using a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas supplied to said fuel cell, and a humidifier configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, wherein the humidifier is configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to allow the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to have dew points higher than the predetermined temperature, the humidified fuel gas and oxidizing gas having the dew points higher than the operating temperature being supplied to the fuel cell.
US07722995B2 Non-aqueous electrolytic solution, secondary battery, and electrochemical capacitor
A carbonate-modified silane or siloxane is combined with a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt to form a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, which is used to construct a secondary battery having improved charge/discharge characteristics.
US07722988B2 All-temperature LiFeS2 battery with ether and low concentration LiI electrolyte
A lithium electrochemical cell design incorporating a low molality electrolyte including LiI is disclosed. The resulting cell delivers excellent performance under a wide range of temperatures, conditions and drain rates.
US07722984B2 Reinforced pouch type secondary battery
A pouch type secondary battery having enhanced reliability by protecting the battery from external impacts is described. A reinforcement structure may be installed on a pouch casing and an electrode assembly housed in the pouch casing. Short-circuits inside the pouch casing may be minimized. The pouch type secondary battery has an electrode assembly with positive and negative electrode plates with a separator interposed therebetween, and positive and negative terminal portions extending from the positive and negative electrode plates. A first reinforcement member is closely adhered to one or more planes of the electrode assembly. A second reinforcement member may be adhered to the pouch casing and used with or without the first reinforcement member.
US07722983B2 Lithium ion secondary battery
Electrode assemblies easily impregnated with an electrolyte are provided. A sealing tape attached to the outer circumference of the electrode assembly comprises a material having an affinity for the electrolyte. Alternatively, the entire sealing tape or a portion of the tape is coated with the material. In another alternative, the surface of the sealing tape is rough, thereby improving wetting of the tape by the electrolyte and diffusion of the electrolyte into the tape. In another embodiment, first and second insulating plates comprise a material having an affinity for the electrolyte. In another alternative, the insulating plates comprise a mixture of a material having an affinity for the electrolyte and polypropylene or polyethylene. Alternatively, the surfaces of the insulating plates are coated with the material or with a surfactant that reduces the surface tension of the electrolyte.
US07722982B2 Battery pack having non-orthogonal coupling slots
This invention includes a battery pack having an improved battery retention system for coupling to another device, like a desktop charger. The battery pack, which includes one rechargeable cell and optional circuitry, has an exterior housing that is generally rectangular in cross section. The exterior housing, which includes major faces and intersection seams, has at least two female slots that project inward at an angle that is non-orthogonal to the major faces or intersection seams. These non-orthogonal slots, when coupling to corresponding non-orthogonal rails in the pocket of a battery charger, allow batteries of various sizes to be inserted into a single charger pocket with reliable and consistent electrical connections between the electrical contacts of the pocket and the charging terminals of the battery. Electrical contacts may be disposed within the non-orthogonal slots, thereby improving both the function and aesthetic appearance of the battery pack.
US07722980B2 Solid oxide fuel cell directly utilizing flame
A solid oxide fuel cell that directly utilizes a flame according to the present invention has a solid oxide substrate, a cathode electrode layer formed on one surface, and an anode electrode layer 3 formed on the opposite surface and a platinum mesh is embedded in the entire surfaces of the solid cathode electrode layer and the anode electrode layer. An oxide layer covers the entire periphery of the solid oxide substrate from the end part of the cathode electrode layer to the end part of the anode electrode layer. Due to the platinum mesh and the oxide layer, thermal shock due to rapid heating by a flame is alleviated and cracking in the solid oxide substrate is prevented from occurring.
US07722977B2 Fuel cell stack comprising current collector provided at least at one fluid passage
A terminal plate, an insulating plate, and an end plate are stacked on a stack body. The terminal plate has current collectors at least at lower portions of an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, a coolant supply passage, a fuel gas discharge passage, a fuel gas supply passage, a coolant discharge passage, and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. The current collectors contact the water generated in the reaction or a coolant for collecting electricity.
US07722965B2 Electroluminescence device, planar light source and display using the same
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence device including an organic layer comprising an emissive layer; a pair of electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode, and sandwiching the organic layer, wherein at least one of the electrodes is transparent; a transparent layer provided adjacent to a light extracting surface of the transparent electrode; and a region substantially disturbing reflection and retraction angle of light provided adjacent to a light extracting surface of the transparent layer or in an interior of the transparent layer, wherein the transparent layer has a refractive index substantially equal to or more than the refractive index of the emissive layer.
US07722962B2 Solder foil, semiconductor device and electronic device
A solder foil formed from a material comprising particles of Cu, etc. as metal particles and Sn particles as solder particles by rolling is suitable for solder bonding at a high temperature side in temperature-hierarchical bonding, and semiconductor devices and electronic devices produced by use of such solder bonding have distinguished reliability of mechanical characteristics, etc.
US07722952B2 Refrigerant releasing composite
A composite configured to release refrigerant therefrom comprises a substrate material comprising polarized fibers of glass, polyamide, phenylene sulfide, carbon or graphite having bonded thereon a metal compound comprising a complex compound of a polar gaseous refrigerant and a metal salt and/or a hydrated metal hydroxide and/or a metal hydroxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin, aluminum, or two or more thereof, at a concentration of at least about 0.3 grams/cc of open substrate material volume, and a coating composition thereon configured to prevent release of internal gaseous refrigerant therethrough at ambient temperatures and pressure and capable of penetration of gaseous refrigerant therethrough from the composite interior at temperatures causing internal gas pressures of 15% or more above exterior pressure for such refrigerant release.
US07722942B2 Ag base alloy thin film and sputtering target for forming Ag base alloy thin film
The present invention relates to an Ag alloy film. Particularly, it is preferably used as a reflective film or semi-transmissive reflective film for an optical information recording medium having high thermal conductivity/high reflectance/high durability in the field of optical information recording media, an electromagnetic-shielding film excellent in Ag aggregation resistance, and an optical reflective film on the back of a reflection type liquid crystal display device, or the like. The Ag alloy film of the present invention comprises an Ag base alloy containing Bi and/or Sb in a total amount of 0.005 to 10% (in terms of at %). Further, the present invention relates to a sputtering target used for the deposition of such an Ag alloy film.
US07722941B2 Optical data store and method for storage of data in an optical data store
An optical data store is specified, having a data storage layer with a non-toxic and biodegradable polymer as light-sensitive storage medium which has photo-inducible anisotropy, for the induction of which a threshold value of the optical intensity has to be exceeded. The light-sensitive material is preferably bacteriorhodopsin which, by way of example, is immobilized in a manner embedded in a suitable matrix material or, if appropriate, in a crosslinked manner. The storage medium permits a high storage density and can be applied in a simple manner, for instance by printing onto a substrate.
US07722938B2 Dry paint transfer laminate
This disclosed invention relates to a dry paint transfer laminate, comprising: a dry paint film layer comprising a binder and a pigment, the dry paint film layer having an upper surface and a lower surface; an adhesive layer overlying the upper surface of the dry paint film layer; and a release liner overlying the lower surface of the dry paint film layer.
US07722937B2 Separable packaging and layering machine therefore
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a material, such as a plastic film, is used to separate independent food elements. The independent food elements and the separation material are packaged together using a unifying outer package. At a point in time when the customer decides to eat the food, the outer package is opened and the film that separates the different food elements is removed, either manually or automatically. This marks the first point in time that the separate elements come into contact with each other. Therefore, the food product is maintained at the highest level of integrity until the time of usage by the customer. Methods and a machine for layering the contents of the packages so as to form a completed assembly for the packaged elements is also described.
US07722935B2 Retardation film, use of said retardation film, and novel modified polymer
A modified polymer which can serve as a raw material of novel reverse dispersion retardation films is provided, the modified polymer having no need to select a plurality of monomers or polymers in order to realize a reverse dispersion and having no problems concerning glass transition temperature or the like in drawing treatment. A polymer having a polyol skeleton as its main chain is caused to react with a compound for modification such as an aromatic carboxylic acid hydride. Through this reaction, a modified polymer in which a chemical group such as an aromatic carbonyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom in a side chain of the polyol skeleton is prepared. For example, polyvinyl alcohols and benzoyl chloride can be used as the polymer and the compound for modification, respectively. The chemical group may be a benzoyl group. When this modified polymer is formed into a film and then subjected to drawing treatment, a retardation film which exhibits a reverse wavelength dispersion characteristic can be obtained.
US07722929B2 Sealing technique for decreasing the time it takes to hermetically seal a device and the resulting hermetically sealed device
A sealing method for decreasing the time it takes to hermetically seal a device and the resulting hermetically sealed device (e.g., a hermetically sealed OLED device) are described herein. The sealing method includes the steps of: (1) cooling an un-encapsulated device; (2) depositing a sealing material over at least a portion of the cooled device to form an encapsulated device; and (3) heat treating the encapsulated device to form a hermetically sealed device. In one embodiment, the sealing material is a low liquidus temperature inorganic (LLT) material such as, for example, tin-fluorophosphate glass, tungsten-doped tin fluorophosphate glass, chalcogenide glass, tellurite glass, borate glass and phosphate glass. In another embodiment, the sealing material is a Sn2+-containing inorganic oxide material such as, for example, SnO, SnO+P2O5 and SnO+BPO4.
US07722927B2 Device and method for organic vapor jet deposition
A device and a method for facilitating the deposition and patterning of organic materials onto substrates utilizing the vapor transport mechanisms of organic vapor phase deposition is provided. The device includes one or more nozzles, and an apparatus integrally connected to the one or more nozzles, wherein the apparatus includes one or more source cells, a carrier gas inlet, a carrier gas outlet, and a first valve capable of controlling the flow of a carrier gas through the one or more source cells. The method includes moving a substrate relative to an apparatus, and controlling the composition of the organic material and/or the rate of the organic material ejected by the one or more nozzles while moving the substrate relative to the apparatus, such that a patterned organic layer is deposited over the substrate.
US07722922B2 Coating apparatus for an aluminum alloy heat exchanger member, method of producing a heat exchanger member, and aluminum alloy heat exchanger member
An coating apparatus, wherein the apparatus applies a coating, onto a surface of an aluminum alloy member for a heat exchanger to be assembled by brazing, with a top-feed-type roll transfer system having at least three rolls, the coating being obtained by mixing into an organic binder a metal powder, a flux powder, a powder mixture thereof, or a compound containing a metal component and a flux component, wherein rotation directions of transfer rolls of the apparatus arranged above a surface to be coated of an aluminum alloy extruded member that moves in a horizontal direction, satisfy a relationship in which a rotation direction of a coated-metal roll for coating, which rotates in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the extruded member, and a rotation direction of a metal roll for adjusting an adhesion amount of the coating by contacting with the above roll, are opposite to each other; and a method of producing an aluminum alloy heat exchanger member using the apparatus; and an aluminum alloy heat exchanger member.
US07722920B2 Method of making an electronic device using an electrically conductive polymer, and associated products
Described are methods of making an electronic device, such as an RFID tag, including fabricating an antenna by depositing an electrically conductive polymer onto a substrate. The electrically conductive polymer is electrically connected to an electronic component, such as an IC chip or a diode. The electronic component may be placed on the substrate before or after the electrically conductive polymer is deposited. Once deposited, the electrically conductive polymer is cured. The electrically conductive polymer may be deposited in a number of ways, such using a mask having a desired pattern and applying the electrically conductive polymer to the mask, by screen printing the electrically conductive polymer or by printing the electrically conductive polymer using ink jet printing techniques.
US07722914B2 Micromantled drug-eluting stent
Pharmacologically active, easy-to-deploy, biomechanically compatible, inflatable endovascular, drug-eluting stent are formed of a primary expandable polymeric or metallic construct, intimately mantled with a biomechanically compatible, polymeric microporous, microfibrous, compliant, stretchable fabric formed by direct electrospinning onto the outside surface of the primary construct using at least one polymer solution containing at least one active compound, selected from those expected to control key biological events leading to in-stent restenosis.
US07722913B2 Implantable enzyme-based monitoring system having improved longevity due to improved exterior surfaces
An implantable enzyme-based monitoring system suitable for long term in vivo use to measure the concentration of prescribed substances such as glucose is provided. In one embodiment, the implantable enzyme-based monitoring system includes at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and having a window therein, and a polymeric window cover affixed to the outer membrane and covering the window. Preferably, the outer membrane of the monitoring system is silicone and the window cover is a polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N,N,-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and methacrylic acid (MA). Also provided herein is an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system having at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and a coating affixed to the exterior surface of the outer membrane, wherein the coating resists blood coagulation and protein binding to the exterior surface of the outer membrane. Preferably, the coating is polyethylene glycol (PEG) and heparin in an 80:20 molar ratio. Finally, provided herein is a method of coating the exterior surface of the outer membrane of an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system comprising the steps of forming hydroxyl groups on the silicone surface by plasma etching; reacting the silicone surface with amino functionalized silane, thereby forming amino groups on the silicone surface; simultaneously, covalently binding polyethylene glycol (PEG) and heparin to the amino groups; and ionically binding heparin to the monitoring system surface.
US07722911B2 High amylose dog chew formulation
The invention provide methods and materials for producing nutritious pet chews comprising an edible thermoplastic comprising from 45 to 80 wt. % starch selected from one or more potato and non-potato starches wherein said starch comprises at least 28% amylose as determined by size exclusion chromatography if less than 50% of said starch is potato starch or at least 20% amylose as determined by size exclusion chromatography if greater than or equal to 50% of said starch is potato starch; from 5 to 25 wt. % plasticizer; 2% to 15 wt % of a humectant and from 5 to 25 wt. % water.
US07722907B2 Microwaveable nested trays
One embodiment includes a package system containing a main container with a smaller container nested in it. The smaller container is filled with a secondary food item designed to be mixed into the primary food item. The smaller container is placed within the main container. The area of the main container not occupied by the smaller container includes a main food item. Both containers are sealed with one film. Before consumption, a consumer will place the package in a microwave to heat. Once heated, the smaller container is removed from the main container, creating space in the main container previously occupied by the smaller container. The main food item in the main container will re-position creating space between the top of the main food item to the edge of the main container. The secondary item can be added into the main container without overflowing out of the main container.
US07722906B2 Polyunsaturated fatty acid fractions of Nigella sativa L. seeds
The present invention provides novel compositions comprising a Nigella sativa L. polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction. The present invention also provides novel compositions, particularly topical compositions, comprising octadecadienoic acid and/or octadecenoic acid. The present invention provides novel methods for treating and preventing fungal infections, bacterial infections, skin conditions, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, inflammation, pain, allergic reactions, and septic wounds by administering, preferably topically administering, an effective amount of a composition comprising octadecadienoic acid and/or octadecenoic acid, or a composition comprising the Nigella sativa L. polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction.
US07722905B2 Method to reduce odor of excreta from companion animals
A method is provided for reducing odor of excreta of a companion animal. The method comprises causing the animal to ingest a composition comprising an excreta odor reducing effective amount of a zingiberaceous spice such as ginger or an extract thereof, or an excreta odor reducing effective amount of fiber together with another odor reducing agent.
US07722897B2 Patch for screening and sensitization state of a subject with respect to an allergen and use thereof
A patch comprises a support having electrostatic properties. The periphery of the support is coated with an adhesive material, and all or part of the non-adhesive surface of the support is directly covered with at least one biologically active substance in the form of particles. The particles remain in contact with the non-adhesive part of the support as a result of the electrostatic forces.
US07722887B1 Detoxified mutants of escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin
The present invention relates to detoxified and immunologically active proteins (“mutant LTs”) having mutated amino acid sequences of heat-labile enterotoxin of E. coli, DNA sequences encoding the mutant LTs, recombinant expression vectors comprising the DNAs, recombinant microorganisms transformed with the recombinant expression vectors, process for preparing the mutant LTs and pharmaceutical application of the said protein as immunogenic antigens for vaccination and as adjuvants for anti-body production. In contrast to wild-type LT, the mutant LTs did not induce any toxic activities. The mutant LTs elicited high and comparable levels of anti-LT antibodies when delivered either intragastrically or intranasally, inducing systemic and local responses in serum and fecal extracts. Thus, they might be useful for the development of a novel diarrheal vaccine in humans and animals. In addition, the antibody production ability using mutant LTs as an adjuvant may be effective for prevention and treatment of various diseases.
US07722883B2 Circovirus sequences associated with piglet weight loss disease (PWD)
The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccine, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.
US07722881B2 Chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT)-defective somatostatin fusion protein and uses thereof
Chimeric somatostatin-based polypeptides, polynucleotides used to encode the polypeptides, the methods for isolating and producing the polypeptides and the uses thereof are provided. In addition, low cost adjuvants for enhanced immunogenic response are provided. Vaccinations that include both chimeric somatostatin-based polypeptides and novel adjuvants are included, useful in facilitating farm animal productivity.
US07722873B2 Heterologous antibodies which bind human CD4
The invention relates to transgenic non-human animals capable of producing high affinity human sequence antibodies. The invention is also directed to human sequence antibodies specific for human antigens, such as, human CD4. The invention also is directed to methods for producing human sequence antibodies.
US07722861B2 Attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccines
Non-naturally occurring mycobacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are provided. These mycobacteria have a deletion of an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin, and exhibit attenuated virulence in a mammal when compared to the mycobacteria without the deletion. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mycobacteria that have a deletion of a region controlling production of lysine, and mycobacteria comprising two attenuating deletions. Vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are also provided, as are methods of protecting mammals from virulent mycobacteria using the vaccines. Also provided are methods of preparing these vaccines which include the step of deleting an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin from a mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex.
US07722860B2 Live genetically engineered protozoan vaccine
The invention provides methods for inducing an immune response in a vertebrate host against a protozoan parasite, comprising administering to the host a live protozoan parasite that is genetically engineered to disrupt a stage-specific gene function that is required by the protozoan parasite to establish a secondary infection in the vertebrate host. Representative protozoan parasites belong to the phyla Apicomplexa and Kinetoplastida. The vertebrate host may be a mammal or a bird.
US07722858B2 Prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis by reducing carbamylation of LDL or the effects of carbamylated LDL
The present invention provides a method of determining whether an individual is at risk for atherosclerosis, comprising the step of measuring the level of cLDL and/or autoantibody to cLDL in a sample obtained from this individual. The invention further discloses a method of reducing carbamylation in an individual with a monomeric amino acid or other enzymatic or non-enzymatic inhibitors of carbamylation. The instant invention also provides a method to decrease the level of cLDL by direct elimination of cLDL from the blood or plasma of an individual. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing atherosclerosis in an individual by inhibiting aggregation and/or deposition of cLDL in the individual.
US07722857B2 Immunoadjuvant
An immunoadjuvant comprising one kind or two or more kinds of immunostimulating substances carried separately by two or more kinds of different microparticle immunostimulating substance carriers, and comprising at least a combination of (a) an inorganic substance such as microparticle calcium phosphate having a size phagocytizable by cells, and (b) precipitates of a soluble protein and a mucopolysaccharide formed by coacervation as the microparticle immunostimulating substance carriers, which is highly safe and can exhibit potent immunoadjuvant activity.
US07722852B2 Process for the thermal reduction of sulfur dioxide to sulfur
Processes for the thermal reduction of sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur are described and disclosed. The processes described include three general reaction sections, including the reaction furnace portion where the SO2-containing stream is combusted, the hydrogenation portion wherein the effluent from the reaction furnace is hydrogenated over an appropriate catalyst, and a Claus conversion portion, wherein residual H2S and SO2 are further reacted to produce additional elemental sulfur.
US07722849B2 Pyrogenic silicon dioxide and a dispersion thereof
Pyrogenic silicon dioxide powder with a BET surface area of 30 to 90 m2/g, a DBP index of 80 or less, a mean aggregate area of less than 25000 nm2 and a mean aggregate circumference of less than 1000 nm, wherein at least 70% of the aggregates have a circumference of less than 1300 nm. It is prepared by mixing at least one silicon compound in vapor form, a free-oxygen-containing gas and a combustible gas in a burner of known construction, igniting this gas mixture at the mouth of the burner and burning it in the flame tube of the burner, separating the solid obtained from the gas mixture and optionally purifying, wherein the oxygen content of the free-oxygen-containing gas is adjusted so that the lambda value is greater than or equal to 1, the gamma value is between 1.2 and 1.8, the throughput is between 0.1 and 0.3 kg SiO2/m3 of core gas mixture and the mean normalized rate of flow of gas in the flame tube at the level of the mouth of the burner is at least 5 m/s. The powder can be used as a filler. A dispersion containing the powder according to the invention. The powder can be used as a filler in rubber, silicone rubber and plastics. The dispersion can be used to prepare glass items.
US07722847B2 Aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions and method of making same
An aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution containing i) less than 50 wppm alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or combinations thereof in total, irrespective whether the alkali or alkaline earth metals are present in cationic or complex form; ii) less than 50 wppm of amines having a pkB of less than 4.5 or the corresponding protonated compounds in total; and iii) at least 100 wppm anions or compounds that can dissociate to form anions in total, where the wppm are based on the weight of hydrogen peroxide and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is more than 50% by weight based on the total weight of the hydrogen peroxide solution. A process for preparation of said hydrogen peroxide solution and the use of said solution in a process for epoxidation of olefins is also disclosed.
US07722846B2 Method for preparing electroconductive mayenite type compound
Provided is a method for preparing an electroconductive mayenite type compound with good properties readily and stably at low cost.A production method of an electroconductive mayenite type compound comprising a step of subjecting a precursor to heat treatment, is a method for preparing an electroconductive mayenite type compound, comprising a step of subjecting a precursor to heat treatment; wherein the precursor is a vitreous or crystalline material, which contains Ca and Al, in which a molar ratio of (CaO:Al2O3) is from (12.6:6.4) to (11.7:7.3) as calculated as oxides, and in which a total amount of CaO and Al2O3 is at least 50 mol %, and wherein the heat treatment is heat treatment comprising holding the precursor at a heat treatment temperature T of from 600 to 1415° C. and in an inert gas or vacuum atmosphere with an oxygen partial pressure PO2 in a range ofPO2≦105×exp [{−7.9×l04/(T+273)}+14.4] in the unit of Pa.
US07722839B2 Apparatus and method for thawing biological materials
An apparatus and method are provided to rapidly thaw and heat frozen bags of biological materials, such as plasma. The apparatus has a hollow bladder having a flexible wall that is placed in contact with the bag. A circulation system draws fluid from a reservoir and fills the bladder with the fluid. The circulation system also drains fluid from the bladder. A heater in the reservoir heats the fluid before the fluid enters the bladder. As heated fluid flows through the bladder, heat is transferred through the bladder wall to the plasma bag to thaw the biological material. The bladder wall expands against the plasma bag as the bladder fills with fluid, and contracts from the plasma bag as the bladder is drained. The expansion and contraction of the bladder wall agitates the plasma bag and biological material to accelerate the thawing process.
US07722836B1 Device and method for neutralizing chemical agents
The Chemical-agent Access and Neutralization System (CANS) of the present invention is a small, portable, single-use, disposable chemical treatment apparatus that is used to access and treat Chemical Agent Identification Set (CAIS) ampoules, bottles and/or containers that contain vesicant agents, or chemical warfare agents such as mustard or Lewisite. The apparatus and method of use of the present invention provides a resultant treatment residue that remains totally contained in the CANS treatment container and is safe for disposal. The CANS treatment container can be over packed into a Department of Transportation (DOT) certified shipping container, and shipped to permitted hazardous waste management facilities for ultimate disposal.
US07722835B2 Closed reaction vessel system
A closed and yet flexible and easily adaptable reaction vessel system for performing liquid handling operations, such as sampling, incubating, homogenizing and/or metering fluids, can be constructed in a modular fashion, comprising a first container, to which at least two second containers are connected, wherein the contents of said second containers can be transferred from one of said second containers into said first container and back, or into another second container.
US07722830B2 System for decomposing organic compound
A system for decomposing a liquid or gaseous organic compound comprises a ultraviolet decomposition unit and an intermediate product treatment apparatus. The ultraviolet decomposition unit decomposes an organic compound contained in polluted liquid or polluted gas by irradiating ultraviolet rays whose wavelength is less than 300 nm to the polluted liquid or the polluted gas containing the organic compound. An acid electrolytic water feed pipe and an alkali electrolytic water feed pipe are respectively connected to the intermediate product treatment apparatus through valves to neutralize an intermediate product, which results from decomposition of the organic compound, for decomposition by selectively adding strong alkali electrolytic water and strong acid electrolytic water to the polluted liquid or the polluted gas containing the intermediate product.
US07722821B2 Sample cup for use in X-ray spectroscopy with internal overflow reservoir
A sample cup for retaining a sample material to be subjected to an x-ray spectrochemical analysis. The sample cup comprises a cell body of a cylindrical configuration having an open top end and an open bottom end and defining a hollow between the two open ends, the open top end having an outer wall and an inner wall encircling the open top end. The outer wall and the inner wall extend axially and are positioned in concentric relationship with one another and form a reservoir space therebetween.
US07722801B2 Vacuum carburizing apparatus
The vacuum carburizing apparatus introduces a carburizing gas into a carburizing chamber to subject the treatment material to vacuum carburizing. The vacuum carburizing apparatus comprises a carburizing chamber that houses a treatment material therein, a vacuum pump that exhausts gas from the carburizing chamber inside to obtain vacuum, a carburizing gas supply unit that supplies carburizing gas into the carburizing chamber in pulse mode, a reflux pipe which connects an intake side of the vacuum pump and an exhaust side of the vacuum pump, an opening and closing valve which is provided on the way of the reflux pipe, and a control unit which opens the opening and closing valve when a supply of the carburizing gas into the carburizing chamber is started, wherein the control unit closes the opening and closing valve when the supply ends.
US07722793B2 Method of recuperating turbine elements
The invention concerns a method of recuperating a turbine element constituted of a substrate, forming the body of the element, and a protective coating adhering to the substrate. The method comprises the control of the turbine element in order to pinpoint the zones having a bonding defect between the protective coating and the substrate, and the elimination of the bonding defects between the protective coating and the substrate. The bonding defects are eliminated by means of a laser beam directed onto each zone having a bonding defect in order to induce a localized melting of the protective coating and the underlying substrate and enable a sound bond, at the level of said zone, between the protective coating and the substrate after stopping the laser beam.
US07722790B2 Anamorphic microlens array
An LC display comprises in order (a) a light source, (b) a transparent polymeric film bearing on the light exit surface of the film an array of close-packed convex microlenses having a distribution of sizes and oriented in one direction, whereby the light output is preferentially spread in a desired direction, and (c) an LC panel. A related process and film are also disclosed.
US07722773B2 Method of treating organic compounds in wastewater
A treatment method of organic compounds included in waste water, comprising the steps of: supplying waste water to an adsorber 2 filled with an adsorbent 3 therein for adsorbing the organic compounds in the waste water by the adsorbent 3 in the adsorber 2, supplying a current between an anode 9 and a cathode 8 in water including an electrolyte in an electrolyzer 6 for electrolyzing the water including an electrolyte, and supplying an electrolyte resulting from electrolysis in the electrolyzer 6 to the adsorbent 3 in the adsorber 2 for contacting the electrolyte with the adsorbent 3, so that the organic compounds adsorbed by the adsorbent 3 are desorbed or decomposed.
US07722768B2 Process for the simultaneous removal of BOD and phosphate from waste water
The invention is directed to a process for the simultaneous removal of BOD and phosphate from a liquid containing ammonium, BOD, phosphate and magnesium, the method comprising: feeding the liquid to a reactor containing BOD-oxidising biomass; ensuring that the liquid in the reactor contains an excess to stoichiometry of ammonium and magnesium relative to phosphate, wherein the stoichiometry is related to the stoichiometry of struvite; oxidising at least part of the BOD; adjusting the pH of the liquid in the reactor at a desired value; forming solid material in the reactor, the solid material comprising struvite; separating at least part of the solid material from the reactor effluent; returning a part of the solid material to the reactor. The invention is also directed to a reactor for this process. The advantage of the process and the apparatus is that in one reactor both BOD and phosphate are removed from the liquid.
US07722764B2 Gradient pump apparatus
A gradient pump apparatus which is capable of continuously and precisely feeding, to a chromatograph, eluents at intervals of certain time and at a constant flow rate in units of nano-liter per minute while the composition of two or more eluent components is changed. The gradient pump apparatus includes a 10-port valve for switching an eluent mixing pipe, in which a feed pressure of eluents changes with time, to be connected to a first loop which is supplied with another eluent from an isocratic pump that should function to hold an eluent feed pressure constant, and which is connected to an analytic section, or to a second loop through which the eluents are drained. A controller computes a difference between a value of the pressure in the eluent mixing pipe and a value of the eluent feed pressure applied from the isocratic pump when the eluent mixing pipe is connected to the second loop. At the time when the eluent mixing pipe is connected to the first loop with shift of the 10-port valve, the feed speed of the isocratic pump is determined based on the above pressure difference. The isocratic pump is controlled in sync with the valve shift so that the determined feed speed of the isocratic pump is obtained.
US07722746B1 Self-cleaning chlorine generator with pH control
A water treatment system includes a circulation pump and an electrolytic chamber in fluid communication with a main body of water. Electrolytic plates within the electrolytic chamber generate chlorine. When mineral deposits foul the electrolytic plates, water is isolated within the electrolytic chamber and a minimal amount of a pH-reducing agent is added to the electrolytic chamber to remove the mineral deposits. In a first embodiment, the pH-reducing agent is admitted on a periodic timed basis. In a second embodiment, the pH-reducing agent is added when the pH of the main body of water falls below a predetermined threshold. In both embodiments, cleaning is accomplished by adding the pH-reducing agent when the circulation pump is not operating so that the acid dwells within the electrolytic chamber for a sufficient amount of time. Activation of the circulation pump causes the pH-reducing agent to enter the main body of water.
US07722745B2 Device for plating contacts in hermetic connector assemblies
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for electroplating selected portions of elongate and generally cylindrical metallic articles pre assembled and held in spaced-apart fashion into a nonconductive support member encircled by a metallic tube like member one portion of article extending from one side of support member with the opposing portion of article extending from the opposing end of support member including a locating device to receive the articles so the portion of the articles to be electroplated extends downwardly. At least one plating cell is provided adjacent the lower region for contacting the downwardly extending portion of the articles with plating liquid whereas the plating liquid is ejected towards the articles including at least one conducting device for electric current is provided adjacent to the upper region for engaging with the portion of article extending upwardly whereas the electric current is being distributed to articles evenly and complete.
US07722733B2 Method for sterile connection of tubing
A method for sterile connection of tubing includes welding the tubing sections together using an efficient laser. The ends of the tubing sections are brought together prior to the initiation of welding, facilitating isolation of interior passage of the tubing sections. The method can be carried out by an apparatus which is relatively inexpensive and compact.
US07722729B2 Method for repairing high temperature articles
A method for repairing an article comprises providing an article, providing a repair material, and joining said repair material to said article. The repair material comprises, in atom percent, at least about 50% rhodium; up to about 49% of a first material, said first material comprising at least one of palladium, platinum, iridium, and combinations thereof; from about 1% to about 15% of a second material, said second material comprising at least one of tungsten, rhenium, and combinations thereof; and up to about 10% of a third material, said third material comprising at least one of ruthenium, chromium, and combinations thereof. The repair material comprises an A1-structured phase at temperatures greater than about 1000° C., in an amount of at least about 90% by volume.
US07722724B2 Methods for substrate processing in cluster tool configurations having meniscus application systems
Method for processing a substrate are provided. The processing occurs when the substrate is moved between cluster tools. One method includes providing the substrate to a cluster tool, and the cluster tool is configured to move the substrate into a meniscus processing module having at least one proximity head. The proximity head is configured to perform operations including applying a fluid onto a region of a surface of the substrate, such the fluid is continuously flown so as to substantially fill the region between a surface of the proximity head and the surface of the substrate. An operation of removing the fluid from the region by applying a vacuum force through the proximity head is also provided. The applying and removing is operated substantially simultaneously so that the fluid forms a controlled fluid meniscus that remains between the surface of the substrate and the surface of the proximity head when the proximity head is positioned over the substrate. The method can include moving one of the controlled fluid meniscus or the substrate so that the controlled fluid meniscus is caused to contact regions of the surface of the substrate to cause fluid processing of the surface of the substrate when in the meniscus processing module. The method can also include moving the substrate out of the meniscus processing module and into a next module of the of the cluster tool or out of the cluster tool.
US07722713B2 Carbon blacks and polymers containing the same
Carbon blacks which are useful in a variety of polymer compounds including ABS compounds are described, as well as methods of making the carbon blacks and polymer compounds. The carbon blacks provide desirable jetness and impact strength, as well as good dispersion in a polymer.
US07722708B2 Air purification apparatus and method
An indoor air purification apparatus and method includes a watertight chamber including a top portion having a water inlet, a first air portal, a second air portal, a bottom portion, and a plurality of shelves mounted between the top portion and the bottom portion. Water continuously flows from the water inlet at the top of the chamber, typically falling over the shelves to a reservoir. Typically, a water pump returns the water to the water inlet at the top portion of the chamber through at least one conduit leading from the reservoir. An air pump typically drives the room air through the chamber from one air portal to the other and back into the room. The room air is purified as it mixes with the water cascading over the shelves.
US07722703B2 Gas adsorption concentration device, seal therefor and method of concentrating high boiling point VOCS using device
The device has a honeycomb rotor which is rotated and which supports an adsorbant. A seal divides the honeycomb rotor into a desorption zone and at least one other zone including an adsorption zone. The seal has a heat resistant/non flammable portion and an elastic seal portion. The heat resistant portion has a slot cut in a surface which contacts the honeycomb rotor. The elastic seal portion is formed outside of the desorption zone with respect to the heat resistant portion. Desorption air is substantially completely sealed within the desorption zone. The seal may allow for hot (perhaps 300° C.) desorption gas to be used with a rotation type gas adsorption concentration device.
US07722700B2 Apparatus and method of providing concentrated product gas
Component gas is separated from a gas mixture. Component gas flow rate, or demand, is determined. One or more gas separator operating parameters is changed based on the component gas flow rate. For example, gas flow rate can be approximated by measuring a rate of pressure decay of a product tank during a time period in which the tank is not being replenished by the separating system. When it is determined that the flow rate is relatively low, operating parameters of the separating system are changed to improve system performance with the lower demand. For example, a target product tank pressure at which sieve beds are switched can be lowered when demand is lower.
US07722695B2 Neem based composition for coating nitrogenous fertilizer
A neem based composition for coating nitrogenous fertilizer. The composition comprises 2-10 percent by weight neem extract, 10-60 percent by weight neem oil, 10-25 percent by weight binder and 25-50 percent by weight organic solvent. Also a method of making the composition by mixing the ingredients, a method of coating a nitrogenous fertilizer by mixing it with 0.5 to 1.0 percent by weight of the neem based composition and nitrogenous fertilizer coated with 0.5 to 1.0 percent by weight of the neem based composition.
US07722674B1 Linearly expanding spine cage for enhanced spinal fusion
A linearly expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is equal to the diameter of an insertion groove cut into adjacent vertebral bodies. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the disc space, widen neuroforamina, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures maintained. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment. Expanding linearly (vertically, along the vertical axis of the adjacent spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage width remains stable, so as to decrease impingement upon a second cage, or upon soft tissue structures in the immediate vicinity, including neural or vascular elements.
US07722666B2 Valve apparatus, system and method
A cardiac valve with a first anchor frame and a cover on the first anchor frame for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.
US07722659B2 Endoluminal prosthesis
An endoluminal prosthesis, comprising a tubular body, said tubular body developing along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body comprising a plurality of serpentines, which develop along a substantially circumferential direction, each of said serpentines comprising arm portions of a preset width transversal to their main longitudinal extension, and bend portions joining two subsequent arms, at least one bridge, having a main longitudinal extension, connecting two adjacent serpentines, wherein the bends facing an adjacent serpentine are circumferentially staggered relative to the opposite bends of the adjoining serpentine, both when the prosthesis is collapsed and when the prosthesis is expanded or partially expanded, wherein the at least one bridge connecting adjacent serpentines extends substantially straight, and wherein the at least one bridge has a width transversal to its main longitudinal direction of a greater value than the arm width.
US07722656B1 Device and method for stimulating hair growth
The current invention includes a device and method for the promotion and stimulation of hair growth using one or more light sources such as a diode laser, each light source operating in the infrared range at wavelengths in a range from about 2500 nm to about 10,000 nm and at a low wattage, collectively less than about 1000 mw, with the power level typically being in the region of 500 mw. A diode laser operating in this range will have a greater dispersion rate than heretofore, thus requiring fewer diodes to cover the same area of scalp with less power required per diode laser.
US07722648B2 Crosslink interconnection of bone attachment devices
An apparatus comprises a pair of bone attachment devices and a crosslink device for a spinal fixation system or other implant arrangement. The bone attachment devices include a head with socket to receive a spinal rod or other elongate element and the crosslink device includes a pair of bridging members each having an end section for connecting with the bone attachment devices. An interconnection device situated between the bridging members receives the bridging members and allows translational and rotational freedom therebetween while being operable to secure the bridging members in position relative to one another. A pair of engaging members are structured to engage the head of the respective bone attachment device and bear against the respective adjacent end of crosslink device to lock the crosslink and the bone attachment device in a rigid construct are also included.
US07722643B2 Tissue connector apparatus and methods
Tissue connector assemblies having at least two piercing members, each releaseably coupled to a surgical fastener such as a surgical clip. A flexible member such as a suture may be used to couple one or both piercing members to respective ends of the fastener.
US07722642B2 Extremely long wire fasteners for use in minimally invasive surgery and means and methods for handling those fasteners
Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed. Using the teaching of the present disclosure, a surgeon can customize a fastener to the particular surgery or even to the particular portion of surgery being performed during the surgery.
US07722640B2 Surgical grasping instrument
A surgical grasping instrument for grasping an elongated implement, which comprises a frame; an elongated member connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom, the elongated member defining a longitudinal axis; and a pair of jaw members operatively connected to the elongated member, the jaw members being adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position, at least one of the jaw members having a recess defined therein and arranged about a central recess axis extending at an angle of about 35° or less relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, wherein upon movement of the jaw members to the closed position, the jaw members form a holding groove that can engage and firmly secure the elongated implement.
US07722637B2 Heated vascular occlusion coil deployment system
An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.
US07722635B2 Blood clot filter
A compact blood clot filter having an alignment section that overlaps with a filter section in an axial direction is formed from a single tube without any welding points to provide high structural integrity, low profile and low manufacturing cost. The filter section has filter struts that extend radially and longitudinally from a hub. The alignment section has alignment struts in which the downstream end of each alignment strut forms a junction with the downstream end of an adjacent alignment strut while the upstream end of each alignment strut forms a junction with the upstream end of an adjacent alignment strut and with one of the filter struts to ensure symmetrical deployment of the filter struts and provide stable centering of the filter section.
US07722630B1 Method and apparatus for passing a suture through tissue
An apparatus and method for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member having a retaining structure to support a portion of the suture proximate a first surface of the tissue. A second jaw member is associated with the first jaw member. The second jaw member is selectively configurable in a first configuration to perform a first stitch or in a second configuration to perform a second stitch.
US07722626B2 Method of manipulating matter in a mammalian body
The invention provides a method of using an apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising providing an apparatus having manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the temperature.
US07722625B2 Modular bone clamp instrument
A modular bone clamp instrument includes a first elongated arm with a first clamping surface and a second elongated arm with a second clamping surface. A ratchet mechanism is provided between the first elongated arm and the second elongated arm. The ratchet mechanism allows the first elongated arm to move in a first direction, but prevents movement of the first elongated arm in an opposite direction. A squeeze handle is connected to the second elongated arm. The squeeze handle includes a forward handle member and a rear handle member. The rear handle member includes a head with an open chamber. The second elongated arm includes a shoulder that fits in the open chamber. A retention pin extends through the head and shoulder to secure the handle to the second elongated arm. Rotation of the retention pin allows the handle to be released from the second elongated arm.
US07722612B2 Devices, kit and method for kyphoplasty
An intravertebral widening device (4) extends from a proximal end (8) to a distal end (10) along an extension axis (X), said distal end (10) having an elastically deformable element (56) suitable to pass from a relaxed configuration for placing the distal end (10) within a vertebral body (6) to a deformed configuration for forming a cavity within said vertebral body (6). The elastically deformable element (56) comprises at least one tab (60) having, along the longitudinal extension thereof, a varying thickness relative to a radial direction incident with said extension axis (X) and contained in a perpendicular plane to said extension axis (X), such as to vary the stiffness of at least one tab (60) along the extension thereof.
US07722611B2 Method of treating a clavicle fracture
A method of clavicle fracture fixation includes using a K-wire to create a pilot hole extending longitudinally through the medullary canal of the lateral and medial fragments of the fractured clavicle while the fragments are reduced, enlarging a medial portion of the pilot hole in the lateral fragment and a lateral portion of the pilot hole in the medial fragment, wherein such enlarged portions are together sized for receiving the clavicle nail, attaching the lateral end of the clavicle nail to the K-wire, manipulating the K-wire such that substantially the entire length of the clavicle nail is positioned inside of the lateral fragment, aligning the lateral and medial fragments longitudinally, and manipulating the K-wire such that approximately half of the length of the clavicle nail is positioned within the medial fragment and approximately half of the nail is positioned within the lateral fragment.
US07722609B2 Outrigger with locking mechanism
An outrigger having a locking mechanism includes an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a threaded portion proximate the distal end; a moveable member operably associated with the elongated member; and a slide lock operably associated with the moveable member. The thread portion may have at least one flat side and the slide lock may have at least one flat portion. The at least one flat side and the at least one flat portion may engage such that the slide lock translates along, but not rotate about, the threaded portion. The slide lock may engage a surface of the clamp. The moveable member may move the slide lock towards the clamp such that the engagement portion engages the surface of the clamp. The connection between the engagement portion and the surface of the clamp may prevent the slide lock from rotating relative to the clamp.
US07722601B2 Method and system for programming and controlling an electrosurgical generator system
A method and system are disclosed enabling configuration of a control system for an electrosurgical generator system for creating new surgical applications without changing the underlying software system. The system includes an outer loop controller for generating a control signal in accordance with at least a first subset of sensor data from at least one sensor; an inner loop controller for generating a setpoint control signal which is provided to an RF stage in accordance with at least the control signal generated by the outer loop controller and a second subset of sensor data from the at least one sensor; and a configuration controller for generating configuration data and providing first and second configuration data sets of the configuration data to the inner loop and outer loop controllers, respectively, for configuration thereof to provide a type of control selectable from a variety of types of control.
US07722600B2 System and method for heating skin using light to provide tissue treatment
A system and method for using a light source to treat tissue with NIR light. The operation provides for generating higher temperatures in deeper layers of tissue relative to shallower layers of tissue. The increased temperature in dermal layers can operate to induce collagen shrinkage, or remodeling. One of the light sources for providing a broad spectrum of NIR light is a filament light. The light from the filament lamp can be selectively filtered, and after filtering this light is applied to the skin, where the selective filtering can enhance the ability to elevate the temperature of deeper layers of tissue, relative to layers of tissue which are closer to the surface of the skin.
US07722598B2 Apparatus and system for delivery of drug therapies
A medical delivery system for delivering a fluid to a desired location within a body that includes a first member having an aperture, and a second member adapted to be positioned over the first member. The fluid to be delivered is contained within a fluid storage device, formed by at least one of the first member and the second member. The medical delivery system includes means for repositioning the first member relative to the second member between a first state preventing passage of the fluid through the aperture and a second state enabling passage of the fluid outward from the fluid storage device through the aperture.
US07722597B2 Safety catheter for injecting fluid
A catheter includes a tubular body having a channel having its ends opening out respectively at the ends of the tubular body, injector element for injecting fluid into the channel, a tubular endpiece having a channel with ends opening out respectively at the ends of the tubular endpiece, and element for connecting the endpiece and the body together so that the end of the channel and the end of the channel are in alignment on an axis, the connection element being constituted essentially by a ring that partially covers the body and the endpiece, and being also arranged in such a manner that the connection can be broken by exerting a force couple of predetermined value respectively on the endpiece and on the body. The invention is applicable to safety catheters for performing endovascular treatments by injecting embolic fluid, for example for treating arteriovenous malfunctions.
US07722595B2 Method and device for controlling drug pharmacokinetics
The invention pertains to methods and devices for controlling the pharmacokinetics of administered substances, particularly therapeutic substances by combining advantages of delivery to two or more compartments within the skin. The invention provides methods and devices for delivering substances to subcutaneous and intradermal compartments of the skin to achieve a hybrid pharmacokinetic profile that has a portion similar to that achieved by intradermal delivery, e.g., rapid and high peak onset levels of the substance, and a portion similar to that achieved by subcutaneous delivery, e.g., longer circulating levels of the substance.
US07722584B2 Automatic urine collection apparatus
An automatic urine collection apparatus includes a collection container for accumulating urine transferred from a urine receiver through a tube and a main body for supporting the collection container, wherein the main body includes a suction pump for sucking the urine received by the urine receiver and carrying the urine to the collection container, a mass sensor for measuring the urine accumulated in the collection container, a control board for calculating a volume of the urine based on the measured mass of the urine, and an indicator for indicating the calculated volume of the urine.
US07722583B2 Bowel management system and waste collection bag therefor
A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50 A to about 90 A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5 A to about 49 A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.
US07722569B2 Catheter assembly with tip shield closure
A tip shield of a catheter assembly has a resilient clip compartment, which may become blood-filled during use of the catheter assembly. The resilient clip inside the compartment is released upon withdrawal of the needle of the catheter assembly to disengage the catheter hub from the tip shield. The resilient clip also prevents re-exposure of the needle after being withdrawn into the tip shield. The blood-filled compartment may potentially leak or splash through an opening from the compartment when the resilient clip is released. A covering blocks the opening from the tip shield to minimize the risk of blood exposure. In addition, the covering minimizes the risk of premature release of the resilient clip and re-exposure of the needle.
US07722565B2 Access system
The invention provides systems and methods for providing access to a target site. Example systems may include a needle, a grid to guide the needle, a plate with an aperture, a member coupled to the plate and including a semispherical surface, and a hub slideably coupled to the plate by a guide. The system may also include a needle coupled to the hub, the needle including a magnetically trackable sensor positioned in a tip of the needle. The semispherical surface can be positioned against skin of a body and the hub slid relative to the plate along the guide to insert the needle through the aperture in the plate into the body until the tip reaches a target site. The hub can be locked by a lock mechanism when the tip of the needle reaches the target site, and an action performed on the target site through the needle.
US07722564B2 Needle guard
The needle guard is attached to the needle hub by a polyester film strip and the needle passes through longitudinally spaced apart apertures in the strip. The film strip is housed in the needle guard in corrugated manner. When the needle guard is pulled over the needle, the needle moves into the housing of the needle guard and into abutment with the housing while the strip is stretched between the hub and the housing to retain the housing connected to the hub under a biasing force.
US07722561B2 Peritoneal dialyzer and method of peritoneal dialysis
A peritoneal dialyzer including: a catheter capable of injecting and discharging peritoneal dialysate in an abdominal cavity of a patient; a peritoneal dialysate circuit connected to the catheter; and a dialyzer provided in the peritoneal dialysate circuit, the dialyzer including a hemodialysate circuit connected so that peritoneal dialysate passing through the inside can come into contact with a hemodialysate via a hollow fiber membrane, characterized in that means capable of measuring an osmotic agent concentration in the peritoneal dialysate is provided on the peritoneal dialysate circuit on the side of the end at which the catheter is connected with respect to the dialyzer, and a mechanism for dehydrating the peritoneal dialysate according to the osmotic agent concentration measured by the aforementioned means is provided on the hemodialysate circuit, and a method of peritoneal dialysis using the peritoneal dialyzer.
US07722559B2 Method and apparatus for supplying predetermined gas into body cavities of a patient
A gas supply apparatus measures a first pressure inside a first body cavity of a specimen and a second pressure inside a second body cavity of the specimen. The gas supply apparatus regulates a pressure of a predetermined gas based on the measured first and second pressures inside the first and second body cavities so that the first and second pressures reach predetermined first and second pressure settings, respectively.
US07722552B2 Guide wire
A guide wire comprises a core member, and a coil covering at least a distal end side portion of the core member. The guide wire comprises a coil fixing member which is fixed to the distal end side portion of the core member and which is adapted to fix the coil concentrically with the core member at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the coil, with the coil being fixed to the coil fixing member. The coil can be disposed concentrically with the core member, with the distal end portion of the guide wire undergoing generally uniform favorable deformations at the time of insertion into a living body, thus providing relatively excellent operationality.
US07722550B2 Biopsy needle with different cross-sectional shapes and associated trap doors
A biopsy needle has a forward needle opening that can be closed off with a trap door. The trap door is pivotally mounted to a flat top surface inside the needle opening. As the needle is extracted, a forward blade of the trap door cuts into the biopsy tissue and the trap door pivots about a pivot axis extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of the needle. The trap door is configured to match a contour of the top surface and an adjacent curve of the needle opening to maintain the needle substantially open when the trap door is in the open position and to close the forward needle opening when the trap door is in the closed position and the biopsy tissue specimen is entrapped inside the needle.
US07722543B2 Blood pressure measuring device
A blood pressure monitor includes a cuff having an air bag, a main-unit casing in which an inflation/deflation mechanism for inflating/deflating the air bag is provided, a flexible air tube connecting the air bag and the inflation/deflation mechanism, and a retractor unit capable of drawing in the air tube that is drawn out from the main-unit casing into an air tube housing provided in the main-unit casing. With this structure, the blood pressure monitor can be made superior in housing of the air tube connecting the cuff and the main-unit casing.
US07722541B2 Multiple receive beams for rapid acquisition
Multiple receive beams are formed for each transmission for rapid acquisition. The receive aperture is shifted as a function of the position of each receive beam. Multiple receive beams with differently positioned apertures are formed in response to a single transmit beam. Alternatively or additionally, the apodization varies as a function of the position of the receive beam relative to the transmit beam. Multiple receive beams with different apodization profiles are formed in response to a single transmission. The apodization and/or aperture variations in different receive beams may reduce geometric distortion and/or clutter levels for receiving multiple beams in response to a single transmission.
US07722536B2 Glucose measuring device integrated into a holster for a personal area network device
A glucose meter module integrated into a holster device that can securely accommodate another device such as a portable server device or an insulin pump is described. The glucose measuring module and the health device communicate with each other by a short range wireless modality. In the case in which the accommodated device is a server, such as personal digital assistant or cell phone, the device stores data in a memory, displays data on a visual display, and can wirelessly transmit such data to other devices within a personal area network. In the case where the accommodated device is a cell phone, the phone can further transmit data to remote sites. In the case where the accommodated device is an insulin pump, wirelessly received data are stored in a memory, are available for visual display on the insulin pump, and can be incorporated into the electronic processes that regulate the performance of the pump.
US07722535B2 Apparatus and method for assisting in choosing a site for a skin invasive action
Apparatus and method for assisting in choosing a suitable site for a skin invasive action, such as drug injection, e.g. insulin for persons with diabetes, or collecting blood or tissue samples. Measures and processes parameters relating to a specific area part of the skin or subcutis and determines whether the area part is suitable for the skin invasive action based on the processed parameters. Suitable for assisting a person in choosing a site during an injection/sampling procedure, ensuring that skin invasive actions are performed at suitable sites only. Very useful for repetitive skin invasive actions, such as BG measurements and insulin injections. Helps in varying sites for the skin invasive action without the need for keeping a record of used sites manually. Helps in avoiding tissue infiltrations and lipodystrophy.
US07722511B2 Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
This invention relates to a selectorized dumbbell having a handle that can be dropped down between nested left and right stacks of weight plates. The weight plates can comprise individual weights or a pair of weight plates, one from each stack, can be connected together to form a single weight. A selector is provided to allow the user to select a desired number of weight plates from each stack and couple such weight plates to the handle to provide an adjustable weight dumbbell. Each weight includes a weight frame having at least one carrier to which a commodity weight can be fastened. The dumbbell can be shipped by the manufacturer with empty weight frames to reduce shipping costs. When the dumbbell with empty weight frames reaches a destination, the dumbbell can be completed by securing commodity weights to the carriers on the respective weight frames.
US07722510B2 Two-section physical-exercise elastic cudgel
A two-section physical-exercise elastic cudgel comprises a first carbon-fiber rod and a second carbon-fiber rod. The first carbon-fiber rod has a rod body, a first joint end with a first handle structure, and a first balance-weight end with a balance weight. The first handle structure has a handlebar, a male connection block, a supporter and a sleeve ring. The second carbon-fiber rod has a rod body, a second joint end with a second handle structure, and a second balance-weight end with a balance weight. The second handle structure has a handlebar, a female connection block, a supporter and a sleeve ring. The first handle structure is connected with the second handle structure via engagement of the male connection block and the female connection block to form a complete handle, whereby the first carbon-fiber rod and the second carbon-fiber rod form an easy-to-assemble, easy-to-disassemble, easy-to-carry and easy-to-collect two-section physical-exercise elastic cudgel.
US07722507B2 Inclination controlling device of treadmill
The present invention provides a inclination controlling device of treadmill comprising a belt support frame, a first link member pivotally connected to the belt support frame, a second link member pivotally connected to the belt support frame, and a base frame pivotally connected to both the first link member and the second link member respectively thereby controlling an inclination angle of the belt support frame with wider range.
US07722501B2 Interactive step-type gymnastics practice device
The invention relates to an interactive gymnastics practice device which is used together with an image and sound system forming the gymnastics program to be followed by a user, comprising a first level of generally-pressure-sensitive surfaces, the surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one second level of surfaces which are pressure sensitive or which can control an action in response to a pressure, the second level surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane.
US07722498B2 Control device and method for hybrid electric vehicle
In hybrid electric vehicle control, when an engine is cranked by the torque of a first motor-generator to start the engine, the torque of the first motor-generator is corrected according to the crankshaft angle of the engine to prevent the amount of increase in engine rotation speed from fluctuating. Fluctuation in inertia torque is reduced through this control of the torque of the first motor-generator to reduce fluctuation in the cranking reaction force torque exerted on a drive axle. Further, the torque of a second motor-generator is so controlled to cancel out this cranking reaction force torque. Thus, the cranking reaction force torque exerted on the drive axle is accurately canceled out through control of the torque of the second motor-generator to suppress fluctuation in the torque of the drive axle.
US07722495B1 Automotive differential locking mechanism
A differential carrier in accordance with the invention comprises a rotatable housing and permanent differential locking members installed within cavities of the housing. The locking members have locking holes with teeth that immovably link the locking members with the drive axle shafts. The locking members also include locking protrusions projecting from the locking members with the locking protrusions mechanically engaging the housing such that the locking members rotate simultaneously with rotation of the housing, whereby the locking members cause the axle shafts to rotate such that oppositely disposed wheels mounted on the axle shafts simultaneously and continuously rotate.
US07722490B2 Cones, configurations, and adjusters for friction and non-friction dependent continuous variable transmissions
Cones or cone assemblies with one or two oppositely positioned torque transmitting devices, such as torque transmitting arcs of constant pitch (formed by torque transmitting members) or teeth. The torque transmitting devices will be used for torque transmission between at least one means for coupling, such as transmission belt or chain, and a cone or cone assembly. The cones or cone assemblies can be used to construct CVT's for which significant circumferential sliding between the torque transmitting surfaces of the torque transmitting devices and the torque transmitting surfaces of the means for coupling engaged to them due to change in pitch diameter can be eliminated, as to reduce wear and frictional energy loses typical in similar devices of prior art and allow the usage of positive engagement devices, such as teeth, in coupling the torque transmitting devices with their means for coupling. CVT's that consist of at least one cone or one cone assembly of this invention that is coupled by a means for coupling to at least one means for conveying rotational energy, such as a pulley, a sprocket, a cone assembly of this invention, or a cone of this invention. Adjuster systems that can increase the performance of the CVT's of this invention and other CVT's that suffer from either or both transition flexing and a limited duration at which the transmission ratio can be changed, so that efficient non-friction dependent CVT's and efficient friction dependent CVT's that do not suffer from transition flexing and/or a limited duration at which the transmission ratio can be changed can be constructed.
US07722486B2 Top/bottom pull bicycle front derailleur
A top/bottom pull front derailleur includes a base member, inner and outer links, a chain guide and a top/low adjustment mechanism coupled to the base member. The links are pivotally coupled between the base member and the chain guide. The inner link has a wire fixing part that can be used in top and bottom pull arrangements. The chain guide is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the base member. The adjustment mechanism includes top and low adjusting bolts with longitudinal bolt axes angled more than zero degrees relative to a plane of the bicycle frame. The adjustment mechanism is mounted rearwardly of single attachment portion of the outer link or between a pair of attachment portions of the outer link. The bolt axes are preferably angled about 45 degrees or about 90 degrees relative to the plane of the frame.
US07722485B2 Tennis serve ball machine cum training device
This invention, called Serve Assist, is an electro-mechanical ball machine for practicing the tennis serve. It helps a tennis student to practice serves by consistently dropping the ball in the desired location. It operates in one of two modes, an Auto-feed mode in which it drops the balls in the magazine via an overhead ball release canister at regular intervals or in an Auto-sense mode where the ball is released by the detection of the student's rising tossing arm. The invention also marks the desired height of contact on the dropping ball with a laser and provides visual feedback if the ball is being struck lower than optimum. It aids the student by developing a kinetic and visual memory of the correct ball toss position and point of contact.
US07722474B2 Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts
Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
US07722473B1 Golf training aid
A golf training device, comprising a wearable wedge shaped body for receiving a user's trailing foot and restricting lateral movement of a user's hip, at least one foot strap assembly connected to the wedge shaped body, a guide rod system connected to the wedge shaped body comprising, a base portion connected to the wedge shaped body, a collar disposed in the base portion, and, a guide rod engaging the collar and extending upwardly from the collar toward the user's hip, the guide rod system indicating a swing error when the user's hip contacts the guide rod.
US07722472B2 Billiards stroke training device
This invention relates generally to billiards, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing a billiards stroke training device. In one embodiment, the invention includes a harness, a sleeve, a guide, the guide being coupled to the sleeve; and a post, the post being coupled to the harness, the post being configurable to limit motion of the guide, wherein the harness is configurable to being worn on an upper torso of a billiards player, wherein the sleeve is configurable to being worn on an arm of the billiards player, and wherein motion of the arm of the billiards player is limited to that provided for by the guide.
US07722468B2 Magnetoresistive memory units as read only memory devices in gaming machines
Gaming machines and systems having MRAM and MROM are disclosed. MROMs for storing boot programs and other Read Only code are formed by cutting write connections or not providing PCB socket leads to MRAM write pins, or by using memory hubs to prevent writing to MRAMs. A tale-tale board or other logging device monitoring activities at various components while primary machine power is down records to MRAM, which can be dual ported to the logging device and MGC. Various components can each have dedicated logging devices and MRAMs. One MRAM associated with the brain box replaces both DRAM and NVRAM of regular machine architectures, and is used for dual purposes of regular operational use and as safe storage to facilitate a state recovery. Prioritization of data during the storage process is rendered unnecessary. Another MRAM associated with the back plane board stores data associated with the exterior housing or terminal.
US07722463B2 Gaming device having apparent and final awards
A gaming device having a plurality of start values. The player selects one of the start values, as part of a game sequence. During the game sequence, the gaming device increments the start value to an apparent award. The gaming device in one embodiment enables the player to keep the apparent award or trade it for another apparent award. The other apparent award in one embodiment is derived from one of the other start values. After one or more keep or trade sequences, the player achieves one of the apparent awards. The gaming device then performs a sequence in which the apparent award changes into an actual award. The gaming device provides the actual award to the player.
US07722457B1 Method of playing a slot machine (“cumulative numeric awards”)
The present invention includes a variety of methods to issue awards during free spins. In general, the present invention involves placing a wager, spinning the slot reels, triggering the free-spin bonus feature, and collecting awards based upon the cumulative numeric value(s) attained over the course of one or more free spins. In a preferred embodiment, a cumulative numeric value starts at zero and increases by the amount shown on “increase value” symbols, with each cumulative numeric value associated with an award. Upon completion of the free spins, the game issues the award associated with the final cumulative numeric value.
US07722454B2 Revenue generating system and associated methods
A system for generating revenue includes a fee collection station. The fee collection station may include a controller and a fee receiver in communication with the controller for receiving a predetermined fee from a plurality of users. The fee receiver may also receive a predetermined participation fee from the plurality of users that selectively participate in a game. The fee collection station may also comprise an indicator in communication with the controller and adjacent to the fee receiver for indicating to participating users one of a winning indication or a losing indication. The participating users that receive the winning indication may receive a predetermined reward.
US07722453B2 Interactive game playing preferences
A disclosed gaming machine may be customized for game play according to one or more preferences using preference information that is not correlated to an identity of a player. Therefore, the gaming machine may be configured to one or more player preferences without requiring the player to reveal their identity. The gaming machine may receive the preference information from at least one of a configuration instrument designed to store preference information, such as a cashless ticket voucher, ii) a display interface on the gaming machine, iii) a remote server, iv) a speech recognition interface on the gaming machine and v) combinations thereof. The preference information used to configure the gaming machine may be selected by the player, selected by a gaming establishment, generated by the gaming machine and combinations thereof.
US07722449B2 Air channel grill for security institutions
A security grill for a security institution has an air inlet face, an air outlet face, and zigzag channels extending from a point adjacent the inlet face toward the outlet face. The zigzag channels are defined by slats which are bent at least twice in alternating directions. The zigzag channels are divided into segments each having a cross-sectional width. The segments adjacent the air outlet face have a cross-sectional width less than any of the other segments along the channel. The slats are bent at certain angles which are larger than those of conventional security grills. Corners are created along each slat as a result of bending the slats in alternating directions. The corners are rounded.
US07722442B2 Knife-edge sharpening apparatus
Two counter-rotating, intermeshing, toothed wheels grind opposite sides of an interposed blade to create or burrlessly sharpen a knife-edge on the blade. The wheels can be solid or comprised of a fixed stack of toothed disks, concentrically aligned, the teeth of each succeeding disk angularly offset in a common direction from the teeth of the next preceding disk to create a wheel having a plurality of uniform, elongated composite teeth around the circumference of the stack, the teeth being angled from the wheel's axis. Two such wheels, one with teeth angled in an opposite direction, can be counter-rotated and because of the oppositely angled teeth, are capable of intermeshing. The degree of intermeshing can be selectively varied to correspondingly vary the sharpening angle. The apex ridges of both the solid and composite teeth can be selectively profiled to sharpen non-uniformly, e.g. serrating a blade edge.
US07722441B2 Semiconductor processing
Semiconductor processing and equipment are disclosed. The semiconductor equipment and processing provide semiconductor wafers with reduced defects.
US07722436B2 Run-to-run control of backside pressure for CMP radial uniformity optimization based on center-to-edge model
During planarization of wafers, the thickness of a layer of a wafer is measured at a number of locations, after the wafer has been planarized by chemical mechanical polishing. The thickness measurements are used to automatically determine, from a center to edge profile model to which the measurements are fit, a parameter that controls chemical mechanical polishing, called “backside pressure.” Backside pressure is determined in some embodiments by a logic test based on the center-to-edge profile model, coefficient of determination R-square of the model, and current value of backside pressure. Note that a “backside pressure” set point is adjusted only if the fit of the measurements to the model is good, e.g. as indicated by R-square being greater than a predetermined limit. Next, the backside pressure that has been determined from the model is used in planarizing a subsequent wafer.
US07722435B2 Sander
A sander can include a housing, an indicator disposed on the housing, and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member. A platen can be driven by the output member. A sensor assembly can be configured to sense a condition in which a pressing force in excess of a predetermined force is applied to the sander in a direction normal to the platen and generate a sensor signal in response thereto. A controller can receive the sensor signal from the sensor assembly and control operation of the indicator in response thereto. The sensor assembly can include a force sensing resistor. The force sensing resistor can be disposed adjacent to a gripping portion of the power sanding tool. The indicator can include at least one light source. The controller can illuminate the light source according to a schedule.
US07722434B2 Apparatus for measurement of parameters in process equipment
Some problems related to processing workpieces are presented along with solutions to one or more of the problems. One embodiment of the invention comprises a sensor apparatus for collecting data representing one or more process conditions used for processing a workpiece. Another embodiment of the present invention is a combination comprising a sensor apparatus and a process tool for applications such as chemical mechanical planarization of workpieces and chemical mechanical polishing of workpieces.
US07722433B2 Clothes with back part such as brassiere
A garment includes a brassiere with a back part, in which back cloths are formed thin without concaves and convexs, and only head parts of male and female engaging devices appear on outer surfaces of the back cloths, thereby providing a stylish appearance, which is plane and neat, and providing a comfortable feeling without a feeling of discomfort when worn. The garment includes a back part of a brassiere or the like which can be freely put on and off by using the male and female engaging devices (12) and (16) provided to the back cloths (4) welded to an area from underarm parts toward a back of a wearer. The male and female engaging devices (12) and (16) are integrally attached onto inner surface portions of the back cloths (4). The head parts (12a) and (16a) of the male and female engaging devices (12) and (16) are exposed to an outside through slits (13).
US07722430B2 Toy vehicle with improved animated function
A toy vehicle having a plurality of play configurations, comprising a frame; a vehicle body moveably coupled to the frame with at least two degrees of freedom of movement, said two degrees of freedom of movement including a longitudinal translation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a first play configuration of the plurality of play configurations; and a rotation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a second of the plurality of play configurations.
US07722418B2 Energy dissipation valves for hydraulic cylinders
A method for configuring a hydraulic actuator to provide energy dissipation capabilities during low energy collisions while controlling energy dissipation during high energy collisions comprises biasing a valve member towards a closed position with a resilient member having a rigidity of between 600 and 1500 lbs/in, applying a low preload to the resilient member, and restricting the flow of fluid by using a stop to limit movement of the valve member away from the closed position.
US07722416B2 Electrical connection system for use on aluminum wires
A connection mechanism includes a metal segment in mechanical and electrical communication with the remainder of the connection mechanism on at least one side. The segment includes at least one tab protruding from the segment on a first side and a central area of the segment with a plurality of metal deformations. When the metal deformations are pressed into aluminum, they are capable of piercing through corrosion on the surface of the aluminum in order to make electrical contact with the aluminum.
US07722409B2 Secure and/or lockable connecting arrangement for video game system
Compatible mechanical and/or electrical connections to video game system accessories provide unique shape, design and dimensions that discourage or prevent non-compatible devices from being connected, connector configurations that allow connection only in a proper orientation to ensure electrical compatibility and eliminate the possibility of short-circuits, quick release locking arrangement firmly mechanically holds mating connectors together despite extensive movement of the game player's arms and hands, staged electrical contacting sequence provides proper signal application sequence, and wrist strap to tether handheld remote controller to hand is attached to a locking connector that mates with a connector of the remote controller.
US07722406B2 Output adapting device of plug-in power system
An output adapting device of a plug-in power system is used to connect an output terminal of the plug-in power system with an input terminal of an electronic device, so as to transmit the power from the plug-in power system to the electronic device. The adapting device includes an output adapting terminal and an input adapting terminal respectively corresponding to the output terminal and the input terminal, in which corresponding pins of the corresponding terminals have identical potential, and at least one corresponding pair of pins of the output adapting terminal and the input adapting terminal have different potential. Furthermore, the adapting device also includes an adapting unit for adapting and outputting the power from the output adapting terminal to another pin with identical potential of the input adapting terminal. Therefore, the output terminal of the plug-in power system can be standardized for widely applying in various electronic devices.
US07722404B2 Plug-in connector for printed circuit boards
The invention relates to a plug-in connector for printed circuit boards, comprising a plurality of contact elements, whereby said contact elements have two connecting faces each. The one connecting face is configured as an insulation displacement contact for connecting cores and the other connecting face is configured as a tuning fork contact for contacting contact surfaces on a printed circuit board. The insulation displacement contacts of the contact elements can be inserted into a plastic housing. The insulation displacement contact and the tuning fork contact are arranged in a rotational manner in relation to each other and the contact element is supported on the plastic housing by at least one edge, such that the contact elements are captivated in the plastic housing when connecting forces act upon the insulation displacement contacts. The plastic housing is embodied as a single piece and the part receiving the tuning fork contact is at least partially elastic.
US07722401B2 Differential electrical connector with skew control
An electrical interconnection system with high speed, differential electrical connectors. The connector is assembled from wafers each containing a column of conductive elements, some of which form differential pairs. A housing for the wafer is formed with regions of higher and lower dielectric constant material. The regions of lower dielectric constant material are selectively positioned adjacent longer signal conductors of the differential pairs. The material may be preferentially placed along curved segments of the differential pair to reduce crosstalk in the connector while reducing skew.
US07722398B2 Electrical connector assembly with a protecting section over a flexible printed circuit board connected thereto
A shielded connector assembly for interconnecting a camera module (50) to a printed circuit board (not shown) via a flexible printed circuit board (70) comprises a shielded shell (10) having a receiving space (100), a spring plate (30) assembled in the shielded shell, a flexible printed circuit board secured in the receiving space and abutting against the top surface of the spring plate. The flexible printed circuit board includes a first section (701) received in the receiving space and second section (700) extending beyond the receiving space. The fist section at least defines a plurality of conductive pads (708) to contact with pads (not shown) formed on the bottom face of the camera module. A protecting element (702) is disposed on top surface of the first section and encloses the conductive pads and disconnects therewith so as to prevent the flexible printed circuit board from being scraped during production and assemble and the like.
US07722395B2 Wire, detector having wire, and die for wire
A rotation sensor 11 includes a sensor portion 12, a wire 13 connected to the sensor portion 12, and a resin housing 14. The wire 13 has a sheath 24 formed of a resin compatible with the resin forming the housing 14. The portion of the sheath 24 covered by the housing 14 includes two annular sealing projections 25 extending along the entire circumference of the sheath 24. When molten resin is poured into a housing formation mold to mold the housing 14, the heat of the molten resin is efficiently transferred to the sealing projections 25. This effectively melts the sealing projections 25 and ensures that the sealing projections 25 are fused with the housing 14.
US07722394B2 Electrical termination device
An electrical termination device includes an electrically conductive shield element, an insulator disposed within the shield element, and one or more electrical contacts supported within and electrically isolated from the shield element by the insulator. The insulator includes one or more first keying elements configured to orient and retain the one or more electrical contacts in the insulator. The one or more first keying elements may be configured to prevent the one or more electrical contacts from rotating in the insulator when the one or more electrical contacts and the insulator are in a correctly assembled configuration, and prevent assembly of the insulator into an electrically conductive shield element when the one or more electrical contacts are incorrectly oriented in the insulator. The electrical termination device may be included in an electrical connector.
US07722393B1 Battery connector
A battery connector adapted for being electrically connected with a printed circuit board includes an insulating housing defining a plurality of terminal passageways, a plurality of fixing members fastened in the insulating housing and stretching beyond a top surface of the insulating housing for being soldered to the printed circuit board, and a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the corresponding terminal passageways and each having a fixing board, a first contact portion stretching out of a bottom surface of the insulating housing and a substantially lying-V shaped second elastic portion extended from a top of the fixing board. A free end of the second elastic portion stretches out of the top surface of the insulating housing and is arched upward to form a second contact portion capable of elastically abutting against the printed circuit board.
US07722390B2 Methods and systems for positioning connectors to minimize alien crosstalk
The present invention relates to methods and systems for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors. Specifically, the methods and systems relate to isolation and compensation techniques for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors for use with high-speed data cabling. A frame can be configured to receive a number of connectors. Shield structures may be positioned to isolate at least a subset of the connectors from one another. The connectors can be positioned to move at least a subset of the connectors away from alignment with a common plane. A signal compensator may be configured to adjust a data signal to compensate for alien crosstalk. The connectors are configured to efficiently and accurately propagate high-speed data signals by, among other functions, minimizing alien crosstalk.
US07722388B1 System for a mobile unit charging and connection
A system provides a charging and a connection for a mobile unit. The system includes a housing of a mobile unit that couples to a latch. The housing comprises a loop and a panel. The loop is disposed on a top portion of the housing and receives a hook of the latch. The panel is disposed on a back portion of the housing and receives a corresponding panel of the latch. The panel includes a first set of electrical contacts that couple to a second set of electrical contacts of the corresponding panel to establish an electrical connection.
US07722384B2 In-line push-in wire connector
A push-in wire connector has an enclosure made of left and right housings. Each housing has a wire entry port and a wire receptacle box aligned with a respective wire entry port and receptacle box of the other housing. The wire entry ports face in opposite directions. A terminal is disposed within the enclosure and includes a busbar which is positioned between the wire ports. A spring member has spring fingers for biasing inserted conductors into engagement with the busbar.
US07722373B2 Electrical connector with a slidable locking member
A connector which makes it possible to positively maintain a locked state of an actuator, even if a flat cable is pulled. The actuator is mounted on a housing in a manner pivotally movable between an open position for accommodating a front end of an FPC in an accommodating space and a closed position for pressing the front end of the FPC against contact portions of contacts. Locking members are mounted on the housing in a manner slidable between a locked position for inhibiting the actuator in the closed position from opening and an unlocked position for allowing the actuator to open, along a direction of arrangement of the contacts.
US07722362B2 Sensor adaptor circuit housing incapsulating connection of an input connector with a wire
A sensor adaptor circuit housing assembly and method of manufacturing includes a circuit board, a housing, an input wire, and a connector. The circuit board includes an electrical circuit configured for receiving a sensor signal and generating a sensor characteristic in response to the received sensor signal. The housing includes a body and a cavity defined by inner surfaces of the body and adapted for receiving the circuit board, the circuit board being positioned within the cavity. The input wire is configured for receiving the signal from a sensor and can be formed with an insulated solid or stranded conductor. The connector includes a unitary body, a first end of the unitary body attached directly to an end of the input wire, a second end of the unitary body positioned within the cavity and attached directly to the circuit board and making a first electrical connection with the electrical circuit.
US07722353B2 Orthodontic interproximal locking pliers
This invention pertains to pliers for increasing the interproximal retention of thermoplastic appliances by denting the appliances in the interproximal areas between the teeth, especially denting the thermoplastic material at the interproximal gingival area.
US07722339B2 Compressor including attached compressor container
There is provided a high performance compressor that causes no possibility of mixing foreign materials or of leaking refrigerant, that reduces strain otherwise generated in a compressor mechanism section and that is highly reliable even for a long-term use. The compressor mechanism section in which pairs of prepared holes are formed at a plurality of points on an outer peripheral face thereof is disposed within the closed container. Caulking punches are positioned to positions corresponding to those of the prepared holes and a region including the corresponding positions is heated. Then, when the punches are driven by pressing machines, portions of the container wall of the closed container plastically deform as the convex portions and enter the prepared holes. When the container wall cools down, the pair of convex portions of the container clamps a part between the prepared holes.
US07722336B2 Compressor wheel
An exemplary compressor wheel includes a proximate end, a distal end, an axis of rotation, a z-plane positioned between the proximate end and the distal end and a proximate end extension wherein the extension includes one or more pilot diameters and an engagement mechanism for engagement with an operational shaft of a turbocharger.
US07722331B2 Control system for air-compressing apparatus
An air-compressing apparatus has four compressors individually supplying compressed air to a tank having a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is connected to control circuits of the compressors. The control circuits compute times needed for the tank pressure to reach minimum and maximum pressures, respectively, of the tank by using the detected tank pressure and also using a tank pressure change value. The computed time values correspond to the consumption of compressed air. Thus, the control circuits can control the number of compressors to be operated according to the consumption of compressed air.
US07722327B1 Multiple vortex cooling circuit for a thin airfoil
A turbine airfoil having a thin wall construction in at least a portion of the airfoil spanwise direction, the airfoil including a leading edge cooling supply channel and a plurality of individual vortex cooling channels connected to the cooling air supply channel and extending substantially in the airfoil chordwise direction, ending at the trailing edge region and discharging the cooling air through exit holes or ducts positioned along the trailing edge region. The vortex cooling channels each include a series of metering holes leading into a vortex chamber such that the cooling air flows into the vortex chamber and around the surfaces before passing through the next metering hole and vortex chamber. The vortex cooling channels extend from the pressure side to the suction side of the airfoil walls, and are cast into the airfoil during the airfoil casting process. the hot gas side pressure distribution of the vortex cooling channels can be regulated by varying the size of the individual metering holes in the cooling circuit.
US07722323B2 Axial flow turbine with overspeed preventing device
An axial flow turbine motor is provided which includes a rotor with a peripheral row of drive blades and a peripheral band-shaped wall element radially clamped against the tops of the drive blades, and a housing with at least one pressure medium inlet nozzle and an annular inner surface surrounding the rotor drive blades and the wall element, wherein the wall element is arranged to withstand centrifugal forces and uphold its clamping engagement with the drive blades at rotor speed levels up to a predetermined speed level, but to expand and loosen its clamping engagement with the drive blades at speed levels above the predetermined speed level, thereby moving into contact with the annular surface and interfering with the rotational movement of the rotor so as to prevent the rotor from reaching hazardous high speed levels.
US07722322B2 Computer system and program product for controlling vibrations
The computer programmable system and program product include first program instructions for actively driving a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a vibration canceling rotation frequency while controlling the rotational position of the first imbalance mass concentration and the second imbalance mass concentration to produce a rotating net force vector to inhibit periodic vibrations. The program product includes second program instructions to opposingly orient the first imbalance mass concentration relative to the second imbalance mass concentration during a starting stopping rotation speed less than the vibration canceling rotation frequency. The system includes a fault mode control protocol for controlling a rotation of the rotors during a sensed failure of the rotating assembly vibration control system.
US07722309B2 Apparatus for picking and placing workpiece
An exemplary apparatus capable of picking and placing a workpiece into a container includes a suction device and a hollow body. The suction device is configured for providing a suction force for picking up the workpiece. The hollow body has a picking portion configured for picking and placing the workpiece into the container under the suction force, wherein a plurality of air slots are defined in an outer wall of the hollow body, the air slots are configured for providing an air passage between an interior of the container and an exterior thereof so as to facilitate movement of the hollow body into and out of the container, whereby the workpiece can be steadily placed in the container.
US07722308B2 Construction machine
On the laterally opposite side of an upper frame constructing an upper rotating body to a cabin, are installed devices in a state that a pin insertion and removal space sufficient for inserting and removing a boom foot pin in the axial direction is ensured, and in a bracket provided in the pin insertion and removal space, is provided a pin guide in a square tube shape for guiding the boom foot pin in the insertion and removal direction.
US07722304B2 Thread locking/prevailing torque fastener and fastener assembly
A thread locking fastener assembly comprising a nut anchor defining an internal thread having a longitudinal axis, a leading face and a trailing face, the internal thread, in axial section, having a profile which is symmetric about a first imaginary line extending radially out from the axis, and a fastener shank having an external thread with a longitudinal axis, a leading face and trailing face, the external thread being received in said internal thread so that said axes are substantially coincident. The external thread, in axial section, has a profile with a radially inner base zone which is symmetric about a second imaginary line extending radially from the shank axis and a radially outer deflectable addendum which is not symmetric about that line so that the addendum prevents axial centralization of the external thread profile in the internal thread profile unless a sufficient axial force is applied to the shank to deflect the addendum.
US07722301B2 Device for assisting in neck exercises
A headgear device for assisting a user in performing bridge exercises to strengthen the muscles of the neck, and exercises performed using the device. The headgear outer surface has an area of low-friction material to allow the headgear to slide on an exercise surface while the user's head supports a portion of his body weight in the bridge position. This allows the user to introduce dynamic resistance into the exercise by moving around on the surface. One or more straps connectable to the user's arms and/or legs can be used to provide stability and/or resistance during the exercise. A friction pad adapted to be removably attached to the outer surface of the headgear can be used to provide resistance to the headgear sliding.
US07722295B2 Expansion shell assembly
An expansion shell assembly for mine roof bolts includes an expansion member threaded onto an associated mine roof bolt. A support device is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt. An expansion shell is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt between the expansion member and the support device. The expansion shell has a base ring for engaging the support device and fingers for engaging a peripheral edge of the expansion member. The engagement between the base ring and the support device permits axial traverse movement of the support device relative to the expansion shell for tensioning the roof bolt.
US07722294B2 Crane assisted pipe lay
The present invention relates to a method for laying a pipeline using a vessel (1) comprising a crane (2) comprising the following steps lifting a new pipe section (8) using the crane, placing a new pipe section on an existing pipeline (9), lining up the new pipe section with respect to the existing pipeline, welding the new section to the existing section, lowering the joined new section and the existing pipe, supporting the joined new section so that the crane is free to lift another new section. The invention further relates to a pipe-laying vessel for carrying out such method.
US07722290B2 Transportable wave generating module and watercraft
A transportable module for use in generating waves in a body of water, having a tubular chamber with a predetermined length and width equal to or less than the maximum length permitted for transportation on a predetermined type of road. The chamber includes a rear valve located at the rear end to permit flow into the chamber and substantially block flow out of the chamber and a gas port proximate to the rear end for the admission of compressed gas into the chamber. The module includes an anchoring system, such as an integrated ballast tank, a connecting system mounted on the outer surface of the module by which the module may be detachably connected in parallel with other such modules in a side to side manner to form a barge or scalable wave generator. Individually, the modules are is capable of being transported by road to a desired body of water for use.
US07722286B2 Delineator mounting system
A delineator mounting system has a coupler for mating a delineator having a cylindrical tubular lower end in a mount having square cross-sections.
US07722285B2 Bollard assembly
A bollard assembly having a post and a sleeve. The post has a cylindrical post wall forming a cavity and a passage in the post wall. The passage has a first section that extends longitudinally along the post wall and a second section that intersects the first section and extends crosswise to the first section. The sleeve has a cylindrical sleeve wall forming a cavity and a latch pin that is attached to the sleeve wall and extends into the cavity. The sleeve is adapted to receive the post such that the latch pin travels through the passage in the post wall.
US07722284B1 Traffic impact attenuator
A Freeway Impact Attenuator is a traffic control or traffic accident impact absorbing device that will be deployed and replaced the conventional sand filled plastic buckets on the highway exits, junctions and temporary highway constructions. The rear support bracket for the temporary deployment to be replaced with concrete block to keep the unit from sliding.The bumper and sliding tube move backwards and simultaneously the water in the cylinder get compressed while piston also moves backwards once impact force exerted to the bumper. The sliding tube and piston is interfaced through the clamp.When the water pressure increases to the level that cylinder piston reaction force overcome the impact, sliding tube will stop prior to the end of cylinder full stroke.Water level inside the tank will also increase and may over flow in some case is depending on the piston traveling in the cylinder.
US07722271B1 Finger attachable writing apparatus
A finger attachable writing apparatus includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends between the top and bottom walls. The housing has a first end and a second end. A conduit is coupled to and is angled downwardly from the bottom wall. An aperture extends into a free end of the conduit and into an interior of the housing. A finger engaging member is attached to the housing and is configured to releasably attach the housing to a finger. An ink dispensing assembly is mounted in the housing. The ink dispensing assembly is positionable in a deployed position extending outwardly of the conduit or in a stored position. The ink dispensing assembly is configured to dispense ink from the conduit when in the deployed position.
US07722263B2 Imager apparatus
An imager apparatus is provided. The imager apparatus includes: a housing that stores a lens device with an imaging lens exposed to the front surface facing a subject; and a lens cover attached to the housing, being movable between a first position covering the imaging lens and a second position opening the same. The lens device includes a lens barrel supporting a lens system including the imaging lens in a fixed and/or movable manner, whose forefront part protrudes forward compared with the imaging lens. A stepped portion corresponding to a level difference between the forefront part of the lens barrel and the imaging lens is provided at part of the front surface of the housing, where the lens device is stored. A peaked portion protruding into the stepped portion to eliminate a gap between the lens cover and the housing is provided on the lens cover.
US07722262B2 Reversible fiber optic stub clamping mechanism
A fiber optic stub fiber connector for reversibly and nondestructively terminating an inserted field fiber having a buffer over at least a portion thereof. The connector includes a housing and a ferrule including a stub fiber disposed within and extending from a bore through the ferrule. The ferrule is generally at least partially disposed within and supported by the housing. The connector further includes a reversible actuator for reversibly and nondestructively terminating the inserted field fiber to the stub fiber. The reversible actuator includes a buffer clamp for engaging with the buffer to simultaneously provide reversible and nondestructive strain relief to the terminated field fiber.
US07722256B2 Flat surface air bearing assembly
An air bearing assembly includes: an upper portion having a plurality of air supply and vacuum holes therethrough; a lower portion; and a plurality of spacers disposed between and maintaining the upper and lower portions in spaced relation, wherein a density of the air supply and vacuum holes is high enough to provide an air bearing for a substrate, but low enough such that at least one of: (i) a sufficient number of the spacers are employed, and (ii) the spacers are located in close enough proximity, to maintain a substantially uniform flatness of the upper portion relative to the lower portion.
US07722233B2 Optical module for a motor vehicle lighting device
An optical module for a motor vehicle lighting device, capable of emitting at least one type of light beam having a cut-off and comprising: a light source disposed in a reflector; a dioptric element, in particular a convergent lens, disposed in front of the reflector; a shield disposed between said light source and said dioptric element; and an additional optical element is disposed between the light source and the shield.
US07722231B2 Bicycle safety lighting
A bicycle or moped lighting system projects light onto a rider's legs to make the rider more visible to motor vehicle operators and thereby improve the rider's safety. At least one safety light fixture is mounted to lower portions of bicycle seat stays or rear portions of the bicycle chain stays. The light fixture includes light sources generating light beams directed forward onto rear surfaces of the rider's legs. While peddling, the motion of the lighted legs attracts the attention of the motor vehicle operators thereby improving rider visibility. Additional light beams may be directed inward and upward toward the bicycle frame and/or the rider's buttocks to provide additional visibility to the rider and to allow the motor vehicle operators to more easily identify the bicycle and rider. A second light fixture may reside ahead of the rider to direct light beams onto the front of the rider's moving legs.
US07722212B2 Nightlight for phototherapy
A nightlight provides therapeutic effects on the body and mind including promoting relaxation, sleep and wakefulness. The nightlight includes a light source, a central processor, one or more controls, and a power supply. The light source produces at least three illumination modes including a sleep readiness mode, a sleep help mode and a wake-up mode. The sleep readiness mode produces monochromatic light of various selectable colors at about 40 lumens which may undulate in luminosity. Meanwhile, the wake-up mode produces substantially full spectrum light at higher luminosity. The controls allow a person to control the various light modes including selecting colors, time periods for activation, and transitions between colors during the sleep help mode. Moreover, the nightlight may include biological sensors for measuring physiological activity of the body. The nightlight may be incorporated into a bedside alarm clock which includes numerous features found in a traditional alarm clock.
US07722208B1 Recessed luminaire trim assembly
An recessed luminaire trim assembly, comprises an outer trim, an inner reflector portion having a polygon shaped cross-section defined by a plurality of reflectors and a plurality of seams defined between each of the plurality of reflectors, a flange extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of the inner reflector, a spring connected to the outer trim, the spring having at least one leg engaging the inner reflector portion and tightening the plurality of seams.
US07722201B2 Flexible, reversible and adjustable flash snoot
A device for controlling projected light beam from an electronic flash, this invention consists of a tube of elastic material such as neoprene or polyurethane (4), with a light side (6) and a dark side (5). The shape and elasticity of this device allow its configuration to change by rolling the snoot over on itself. Rolling the snoot partially upon itself, changing its length, will thereby change the size of the projected light beam. Rolling the snoot inside out will select a different interior reflectivity, thus a different quality of projected light.
US07722196B2 Plastic injection of lenses with optical elements and/or retroreflecting prisms that are separated from each other
A moulding process to manufacture a moulded piece having multiple individual optical elements with the same or different dimensions. This is achieved by using a multicolour injection process as well as a multidrop injection manifold. In the first step, the optical elements are moulded without any junction between them. In the second step, a layer of plastic is moulded in order to join together all the optical elements to create a single piece. The moulded piece thus consists of two plastic injections with optical elements which is more easily adaptable to a variety of different designs for lights having two or more colors. New styles of optical elements, along with varied and original geometric arrangements can thus be imagined. Furthermore, signaling functions having by their regulations different colors can heretofore be placed within a same zone of glass.
US07722184B2 Indicator mounting structure and image forming apparatus including the same
An indicator structure for mounting an indicator representative of desired information to the body of an apparatus, wherein the indicator is made up of a sheet marked with the information in such a manner as to be visible from the outside of the indicator and a single transparent cover covering at least the information such that the information is visible from the outside. The sheet and cover are removably mounted to the body of the apparatus.
US07722171B2 Ink jet printer with high capacity tank and associated ink refilling system
The ink jet printer comprises a printhead (22) movable in front of a printing medium (30) and provided with an ink cartridge (25) integral with it; the cartridge is filled with ink from a main, high capacity tank (35), which is connected at intervals to the cartridge (25) by means of a capillary element. During each connection, the capillary element (101) is brought into contact with the sponge (41) inside the cartridge, while a peristaltic pump (134) mounted integral upon the main tank provides a pressure suitable for generating a sufficient flow of ink to refill the cartridge (25) in a short time frame. To perform the refilling, the cartridge is brought at the end of its stroke into a service station (5) mounted on the body of the main tank (35), which is moved against the cartridge by means of a motor-driven linkage, controlled by a refilling management programme, in response to the signals of a cartridge ink level sensor.
US07722169B2 Inkjet printhead with elongate chassis defining ink supply apertures
An inkjet printhead that has an elongate chassis with a first set of apertures, an ink distribution unit for connection to an ink supply, and a plurality of printhead modules supported along the elongate chassis. The ink distribution unit has a plurality of ink distribution passages for connecting the ink supply to a second set of apertures and is supported on the chassis such that the plurality of printhead modules are supplied with ink from the second set of apertures via the first set of apertures.
US07722164B2 Piezoelectric actuator, method of manufacturing the same, and inkjet recording head
A piezoelectric actuator that includes plural individual electrodes each of which includes a driving electrode and a connection terminal disposed at one end of the driving electrode. A maximum difference in height between the connection terminals is 4 μm or less.
US07722163B2 Printhead IC with clock recovery circuit
A printhead IC for an inkjet printer, the inkjet printer having a print engine controller (PEC) for sending print data to the printhead IC, the printhead IC comprising: an array of nozzles for ejecting drops of printing fluid onto a media substrate; and, drive circuitry for driving the array of nozzles, the drive circuitry being configured to extract a clock signal from the data transmission from the PEC.